« ATTENTION »
THE FOLLOWING PHENOMENA IS A STAGE VIII COGNITOHAZARD.
THIS DOCUMENT IS LEVEL 3 CLASSIFIED.
UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS IS FORBIDDEN. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Fig. 1: RPC-365
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Registered Phenomena Code: 365 | Level 3 |
| Object Class: Beta-White Beta-Red | Classified |
Hazards: Aggression Hazard, Ecological Hazard, Organic Hazard, Regenerative Hazard, Sapient Hazard, Contact Hazard, Extreme Temperatures, Meta-Physical Hazard, Memory Alteration Hazard, Visual Hazard
Containment Protocols: Due to the nature of RPC-365, containment is unnecessary. An observation tower for Authority personnel is to be constructed on the eastern border of RPC-365. Specifically, this tower is to be built on the peak of the tallest mountain on the eastern border as to allow for easy observation of the entirety of RPC-365. The tower is to be disguised as an abandoned fire tower and all non-Authority persons are to be turned away by agents disguised as park rangers. All necessary shipments to and from RPC-365 are to pass through this observation tower for checking. The observation tower has been torn down. All Authority assets and personnel are to fall back to Installation-016. Any personnel who stay behind are to be deemed lost.
Fig. 2: Waterfall at western border of RPC-365 territory
RPC-365 is to be continuously monitored via lookouts at the observation tower MST Alpha-09 "Ghosts of Gaia" for RPC-365-1. Direct eye contact with RPC-365-1 is to be avoided at all times. The trees in RPC-365 are required to be counted by use of satellite imagery or any other available method once per month and the results are to be stored in the archive of Installation-016. Due to the nature of such trees, any wood samples are to be analyzed immediately on site. Any testing with animals is to be reported directly to the supervising Head Researcher. Personnel are responsible for securing their own test animals. The temperature of RPC-365 is to be regularly monitored and results are to be stored alongside the tree count data in Installation-016’s archive. All interviews with RPC-365-1 are to be conducted with Agent Saicho. All other personnel are to avoid RPC-365-1. No experiments whatsoever are to be conducted in RPC-365. No contact with RPC-365-1 is allowed. Those that violate these protocols will be severely reprimanded.
During the winter season, RPC-365 is to be closed off to the general public under the premise of an avalanche-prone area. RPC-365 is to be permanently closed off to the general public, and MST Alpha-09 "Ghosts of Gaia" is to patrol the border for any unauthorized persons. Personnel are to perform all research and testing during this period. Non-essential personnel are restricted from entering RPC-365 without written consent from the supervising Head Researcher. As defense is not necessary for research teams, no weapons are to be brought into RPC-365. While non-Authority persons have not stumbled upon RPC-365 since falling under Authority control, if any people ignore or otherwise fail to observe the avalanche warnings, agents disguised as park rangers or other hikers are to turn them away. Non-Authority persons are to be actively turned away at gunpoint. Under no circumstances is anyone to enter RPC-365 for any reason.
Description: RPC-365 is a 25 km2 forested expanse located in the White Mountains.1 This plot of land is surrounded on all sides by mountains and hills that make RPC-365 a deep valley relative to its surroundings. This is despite RPC-365 sitting at an elevation of around 1,375 m above sea level. The temperature of RPC-365 during the year is typical of the surrounding area, except in the winter, when it is an average of 4 °C colder in RPC-365 than elsewhere in the mountain range.
Fig. 3: Northern border of RPC-365 territory
The geography of RPC-365 is consistent with that of the White Mountains. On the northern border of RPC-365 sits a deteriorated post and rail fence atop an elevated, rolling hill that drops off into a steep ridge. It is known among mountaineers for being one of the most difficult climbs across the entire United States. The eastern border is the western peak of Mount ████████, an area devoid of any major activity due to the high elevation gain on the eastern face of the peak, which sits on the shared border between New Hampshire and Maine. South of RPC-365 is the ████ ████ ski resort. 500 m separates the two, with this zone rising above both the resort and RPC-365 with its own trees and a similar rotted fence. As the area is known to attract dangerous mountain animals, it is closed off to the general public. RPC-365’s western border is a snowy plain that gradually rises into a sharp cliff that dumps water into RPC-365, resulting in a substantial waterfall. In the center of RPC-365 is a large, frozen lake that is estimated to reach an average depth of 3.5 m. Patches of RPC-365 are open plains while the rest of it is heavily forested. RPC-365 itself is a normal forested area in most regards.
Fig. 4: Photo of RPC-365 tree taken during the spring
Anomalous properties manifest primarily in the trees of RPC-365. The leaves of any tree rooted in RPC-365 are colored a bright crimson red year-round, despite being identifiable as common types of trees.2 These trees will shed their leaves during the winter season and regain them during the spring in a manner typical to non-anomalous trees. If any tree from RPC-365 is cut down, falls down or dies through some other method, after 24 hours, any of its material will suddenly disappear and the tree will reappear in its previous spot alive and healthy. Wood samples gathered from RPC-365 indicate nothing anomalous about the wood itself, and RPC-365 trees possess identical wood to their non-anomalous counterparts. Currently, there are 300,343 trees inside RPC-365. Records taken over its ██-year history with the Authority indicate that this number remains largely constant.
Fig. 5: Rows of trees in RPC-365
Any animal that tries to enter RPC-365 is temporarily and instantaneously phased out of existence. These animals phase back into existence at the opposite side of RPC-365, completely unchanged from when they vanished. As such, RPC-365 is completely devoid of any animal life whatsoever, however, humans have proven immune to this effect, allowing for manned research expeditions into RPC-365. Thermal scans, x-ray scans, and other forms of imaging have proven unsuccessful in identifying what happens during the infinitesimally brief period of time between the animals’ teleportation.
Fig. 6: RPC-365-1 spotted near the eastern border of RPC-365 (cognitohazards removed)
RPC-365-1 is a singular teenage Caucasian girl, estimated to be 15 years of age. It stands at roughly 1.63 m tall and has mid back length, light brown hair. The color of RPC-365-1's eyes is unknown. RPC-365-1 is always seen wearing a white summer dress with a red polka-dot pattern, and appears to be barefoot. Despite this, RPC-365-1 seems to be entirely unaffected by both the weather and the low temperature. RPC-365-1 can often be heard humming the classic Christmas carol "In the Bleak Midwinter," except that it is converted to, and, consequentially, sung in, the key of C minor.
Any individual who makes direct eye contact with RPC-365-1 for any amount of time enters an inattentive state for as long as they maintain said eye contact. During said state, affected individuals will not respond to any audio or visual cues, and will not move or talk. The moment eye contact with RPC-365-1 is broken, affected individuals will return to normal, having no memory of RPC-365-1. Said individuals will not even know of its existence, often disputing the validity of records discussing RPC-365-1. This effect is magnified through photographs or video footage of RPC-365-1, and as a result, no photography of RPC-365-1 exists. No level of cognitohazardous resistance is able to overcome these effects. Given the rather sociable nature of RPC-365-1, roughly 90% of Installation-016 personnel have fallen under the effects of RPC-365-1, making documentation rather difficult. Blind individuals and those wearing blindfolds are not affected by RPC-365-1 whatsoever.
Upon direct physical contact with RPC-365-1, muscle tissue in the area of contact with RPC-365-1 will immediately reach sub-zero temperatures. This immediately induces frostbite into the given area, significantly damaging those parts of the body. Hypothermia is a very common outcome of making physical contact with RPC-365-1. RPC-365-1 is actively hostile to all Authority personnel, and seems to be immortal. In addition, RPC-365-1 has demonstrated a level of meta-physical control over RPC-365, being able to manipulate the trees to fall onto or around victims, shedding their leaves instantaneously as to disorient them, or even shedding branches to fill their corresponding tree wells with sharp sticks. These sudden revelations about RPC-365-1's danger has contributed to the reclassification of RPC-365 as Beta-Red.
RPC-365 appears to be the roaming grounds of RPC-365-1. It has not been seen outside RPC-365, but can seemingly teleport to any point in the forest at any time. RPC-365-1 is invisible on x-ray scans and thermal scans show that it is the same temperature as its surroundings, explaining the failure to initially classify it alongside RPC-365 upon RPC-365's discovery. RPC-365-1 seems to only manifest during the winter season, and is absent for the rest of the year.
Discovery: RPC-365 was discovered in September, 19██ by MST Alpha-09 "Ghosts of Gaia," who were passing through the area to reach another assignment. Upon discovering the anomalous properties of the trees, Alpha-09 marked the location for retrieval and the area officially came under Authority control within the next few days. After the construction of Installation-016, testing began next December. Test logs can be found in Addenda 365.1 and 365.2, along with video recordings between personnel in Addendum 365.3.
RPC-365-1 was discovered in December, 19██ by agents scanning the forest for a creature presumed to exist in the area. Both agents were stunned by RPC-365-1 upon discovery, at which point a third agent arrived, realizing RPC-365-1's effects. He made sure to catalog RPC-365-1 without making direct eye contact, then was successful in removing the other two agents from its anomalous state. All three were chased by RPC-365-1 out of the woods, though no one was injured.
Addendum 365.5: Action Log from Encounter with RPC-365-1
NOTE: The following “footage” is audio recordings taken from radio transponders and corroborated visually by MST Alpha-09 “Ghosts of Gaia” Squadron 5E “Foxes”, posted nearby.
VIDEO LOG
00:00 - 16:49 [ Agents Kingston and Johnson were tasked with guarding Researcher Miyazaki while he gathered and analyzed wood samples. The pair were blindfolded and trained to detect and fight threats on hearing alone. Miyazaki had almost finished when RPC-365-1 manifested from behind a tree 10 meters away from the group. ]
Kingston: Doctor, on your feet, NOW!
RPC-365-1: LEAVE ME ALONE!
[ Miyazaki covers his eyes. ]
Miyazaki: Is it RPC-365-1?!
RPC-365-1: STOP CALLING ME THAT! GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!
Johnson: Stand the FUCK back, kid! I won’t hesitate to shoot!
Kingston: Johnson, no, put down the gu—
[ RPC-365-1 starts storming towards Agent Johnson, fuming. ]
RPC-365-1: Freaking potty-mouth FREAKS!
Johnson: I WARNED YOU!
Kingston: JOHNSON, NO!
[ Johnson opens fire, hitting RPC-365-1 directly in the chest. Blood spills out of RPC-365-1’s mouth as it falls to its knees. It struggles to speak. ]
RPC-365-1: … Y-You—
[ RPC-365-1 falls over dead. Kingston grabs Johnson and Miyazaki by the shoulders. ]
Kingston: Oh, we’ve done it now. Johnson, you’d better move your ass.
Johnson: Okay, Okay.
[ Johnson travels 2 meters towards Installation-016 before a tree to his right suddenly falls directly onto him, caving in his skull and killing him instantly. The fallen tree blocks the view of the onlooking Alpha-09 recon team. A cry of horror assumed to be Researcher Miyazaki can be heard throughout the valley. In the audio recording, RPC-365-1 is heard re-manifesting nearby. ]
Miyazaki: It’s back! HOW?
Kingston: NO TIME!
[ Kingston runs out from behind the tree, tightly grasping Miyazaki’s arm in her hand. RPC-365-1 rises from behind the fallen tree with a painful cry. Though it is nearly crying, breathing deeply and wavily, it seems to be more enraged than ever before. ]
RPC-365-1: I… will… KILL… ALL OF YOU! You will NEVER leave these woods ALIVE, I SWEAR TO FUCKING GOD!
[ RPC-365-1 breaks into a full-out 5 m/s sprint towards the fleeing research team. It doesn’t travel anomalously fast, but it does know the terrain better than Kingston and Miyazaki, and as such, begins gaining on them quickly. ]
Miyazaki: WE’RE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT!
Kingston: Keep going, Doc! Just keep running!
[ The two keep running, but RPC-365-1 keeps gaining. 15 meters from the border of RPC-365, one of the anomalous pine trees falls down in front of Miyazaki, sending pine needles into his face and eyes, blinding him. Kingston turns around, drawing her gun. ]
Kingston: Oh, FUCK ME!
[ Kingston yells and fires, but appears to be disoriented, firing in the wrong direction. RPC-365-1 approaches from the side and grabs Kingston by the hands. Kingston's fingers snap off with the touch, dropping the gun with a cry of pain. She makes a final effort to punch RPC-365-1 with the remains of her hands, but swings wide and falls onto her back. RPC-365-1 yells with rage and stomps directly on Kingston’s chest, breaking her ribs and stopping her heart. As Kingston lies bleeding to death on the ground, RPC-365-1 saunters over to Researcher Miyazaki, who is clawing at the air and crying for help. RPC-365-1 is breathing erratically and quivering with energy. ]
Miyazaki: I’ll leave the woods… let me go, please…
RPC-365-1: No. Never.
Miyazaki: I’m not even armed—
[ RPC-365-1 braces its right arm directly on Miyazaki’s chest, freezing his lungs. It stares directly into what’s left of his eyes, breathing heavily with each word uttered. ]
RPC-365-1: I… don’t… CARE.
[ Miyazaki’s lungs start filling with excess fluid, suffocating him. He collapses on the ground, coughing. ]
Miyazaki: … Why…?
[ RPC-365-1, standing above the two dead bodies, begins looking up at Alpha-09’s location. Alpha-09 averts their eyes. RPC-365-1 snatches Kingston’s radio transponder off her corpse and talks directly into it. ]
RPC-365-1: I know you’re up there. Stop hiding. None of you are fucking safe. I SWEAR. I will make your lives a LIVING HELL for what you did to me. I don’t care if I’m stuck here forever with you. You’ll all be DEAD by the time I’m gone from here.
[ RPC-365-1 hurls the transponder at a tree, smashing it. Static is heard throughout the channel. RPC-365-1 collapses to its knees, heavily panting. Its face turns a pale shade of green upon seeing its victims. Then it focuses on the collapsed tree. ]
RPC-365-1: Ohh… n-not again…
[ RPC-365-1 suddenly collapses behind the tree. It is presumed dead, yet again. It is unknown what caused this death. ]
Addendum 365.6: Letter from Head Researcher to Installation-016 Staff
To those who it may concern,
The sudden revelation of RPC-365-1’s capacity for violence has shocked the majority of the staff. As Head Researcher, I take the blame for the failure to notice the warning signs and for all the deaths caused by RPC-365-1. I have granted Researcher James Saicho a paid leave of absence in order for him to deal with the death of his son. Knowing their close bond, I extend my deepest sympathy towards him. Hopefully, the vibrant spirituality he is so well known for is capable of lifting him out of this dark period in his life, so that we may see him back at Installation-016 within the coming months.
On the topic of RPC-365-1, I am ordering all Research teams to fall back to Installation-016 immediately. RPC-365-1 is incapable of leaving RPC-365. That has been made clear by both its own testimony and by its actions. I also want the observation tower torn down.
It seems that RPC-365-1 wants us gone. Let us give it what it wants, then. Interviews never needed to be done in person, anyways.
Research. Protection. Containment.
- Head Researcher
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