Internal affairs were always, in some sense, messy. Still, every case that Nortia engaged in had a chaotic element. The unique nature of the job made every project just engaging, an ever-changing puzzle to pick and prod at. This quarter’s project was no different, with illegal manufacturing being the name of the hustle this time. She knew the paranoia of the subjects was panged a month ago, proofed by a scramble to put up scanners and make sure their operation didn’t become compromised.

It doesn’t happen often, but she always thought it was cute when the guilty board up the door once you are already through. Scrambling about with hundreds of drones already watching from every nook and cranny in the facility. Water rushed by, and Nortia rode a submarine commissioned for the operation because it was the option of slightest forewarning. Her wings fluttered a brief moment, though thinking about it now, it would have been even more dramatic with a high altitude drop. She settled on doing that at the next sting operation where appropriate, made all the more pertinent by her literal waspish figure.

Her attention shifted back to the bugs in the facility. Looking through them, she had to see the preps panic as the sub tripped the only unavoidable sensor. The reaction was expected. The overtly guilty fled their stations even though they’ll find their vehicles locked down. The wiser of the group stayed in their workspaces, knowing what was coming. The one janitor who was entirely out of the know wondered the hall confused at work being stopped. The highlight was the one guy who nearly spat their drink out on their monitor, who will probably still be gagging until Nortia was disembarked.

The sub breached near the small facility, and she took flight. Today was going to be fun.

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Employee designation: Nortia

Specialization title: Specially manufactured Senior Internal Affairs and Industrial Investigator/On-call Fixer

Template info: Electronic warfare - Medium weight - Personal and remote software espionage

On-site fabrication and control of insectoid microdrones designed for gathering intelligence, discovering affairs, and compromising devices.

Completely cybernetic brain- human intuition combined with machine-level cognition capabilities. Ongoing experimental in progress design requiring additional data points.

Mental State Version Control - Constantly monitored system to detect failures, faults, and other problems. Upon detection, it reverts to the last good version, and the previous mental state is analyzed and logged for improvement.

Variable Speed Cognition (VSC) - Clock speed for perception and cognitive reasoning can be adjusted at will. This allows additional time to be spent on thinking on subjects or allowing in detail searching of a room from one angle in a single moment. Software is limited to slow or speed up by a factor of 20 following a programming error.

Authorized Administration token received. Playing confidential media file
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“Recording with Project Runaround subject 1. Human Male. 28. Recording started on January 25 at 18:00, with the subject calling himself Ethan. Good evening, Ethan. Thank you for sending your application. What made you consider the transfer to this particular project away from internal affairs? A position specifically created for your employment here.”

“Well, I’m thankful for being here, Vincent. I considered the position because I saw the posting as a means to continue providing my skills for an organization that I see as the next step in our evolution as a species.”

“Can you define that?”

“Of course, I see a melding of man and machine as the way forward for our species. Because Vulcan Automata is the birthplace of what I see as this next level, I’m more than happy to do what I can to ensure that we get there.”

“Your enthusiasm has been noted. Now, as our first real internal affairs investigator, you have helped us find a great deal of... problems that we were having, and we very much thank you for helping us track them down. You are a productive, resourceful employee when not looking at your cell phone.”

“I very much appreciate the compliment, sir... But the world is online these days. I’m not something with direct access to the VA system, and there’s only so much I can do.”

“And that is what you have come to discuss with us. You seemed to know who to talk to regarding this project, and project Runaround are one of the most guarded things we have.”

“Heh. Let’s just say I’m in a very nice position to forge connections with anyone that I deem a person of interest.”

“You are in an advantageous position that is not in question, but your potential misuse of VA systems was noted in your application. Speaking of such, I see that you’ve also filled out the necessary forms to participate. You know that with this project, you’ll be undergoing a very fundamental redefining of ‘you,’ correct?”

“That is correct. I assume necessary paperwork is in order?”

“For the record. Are you sure you want to do this? There’s no going back here as we cannot reverse what will be done to you once it’s started. It will be several months of surgeries, therapies, and sessions as we work out the kinks with you. You will see, feel, and experience everything fundamentally differently. Most other VA androids-”

“I am well aware of the risks laid out, Mr. Vincent, but this is my choice. Let tomorrow be my today.”

“Very well, Ethan. Welcome to Project Runaround. We will begin in the next room.”

-=End of Media File=-

Admin Note IA-N1 20: Nortia is a subject of an experimental process to retain an organic’s reasoning ability while entering more mechanical design schemata. This was an opt-in procedure, and the risks were presented. The process has been performed in small steps gradually over time, each step integrating direct computation access with minimum damage to the subject’s originally organic awareness. The project was considered partial success following personality amnesia developed in Procedure 5. Please see confidential note 4356434 for more information.

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ERROR. Authorized user token revoked. Token revoked by: ADMINISTRATION. Please contact the relevant department for more information.

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