DATE: 02/01/2007
FROM: Dr. Breeman <noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp#noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp>
TO: Dr. Xao <noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh#noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh>
SUBJECT: Unusual Behavior
We noticed something while finishing up with the latest batteries of tests. The SCP-3035 instances have adopted a new behavior — they'll stand along the edge of their enclosure, 'tapping' their forelegs against the glass. We're not sure where this behavior came from; it's not something exhibited in any of the insects we're training them to mimic.
ATTACHMENTS: glass_tapping.mp5
DATE: 02/02/2007
FROM: Dr. Breeman <noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp#noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp>
TO: Dr. Xao <noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh#noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh>
SUBJECT: New Developments
We figured it out. They're mimicking me.
Nearly every day, I've been sitting down besides their enclosure, starting up my computer, and tapping away at the keyboard for twenty minutes. And now they've adopted my behavior — 'sitting up' and 'typing' at the glass.
We previously presumed these organisms only mimicked other insects; clearly, we were wrong. This ability appears to extend to any creature they can observe.
ATTACHMENTS: <None>
DATE: 02/03/2007
FROM: Dr. Breeman <noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp#noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp>
TO: Dr. Xao <noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh#noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh>
SUBJECT: My New Research Staff?
Per your suggestion, I've moved the enclosure to a spot where my 'colleagues' can watch my work with greater ease. They've proven to be very apt students — already, I've observed them mimicking the motions I make when I'm taking notes or preparing solutions for testing. I've even noticed a few of them flopping around in a rather clumsy attempt to walk.
There's one other issue — they've gotten bigger. An increase of about 15%, according to my measurements. It occurred so slowly I didn't even think to measure them until I reviewed past footage and noticed the increase in size.
Regardless, my new star pupils are starting to grow on me.
ATTACHMENTS: <None>
DATE: 02/04/2007
FROM: Dr. Breeman <noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp#noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp>
TO: Dr. Xao <noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh#noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh>
SUBJECT: Walking
They're walking. They're walking!
All of them, all at once — it happened like magic. Yesterday, they were just thumping around clumsily, and today… I walk into the lab and find them all strolling about the enclosure. Like they own the place. Or… like a buzzing little classroom of pre-graduate students awaiting their Professor.
The curious part is that every test I've performed on them still indicates that they have the intelligence of your basic, run-of-the-mill cockroach. They can mimic behavior, but they can't mimic understanding; they copy my actions, but they don't understand why I do something. Or even what something means.
ATTACHMENTS: walking.mp5
DATE: 02/05/2007
FROM: Dr. Breeman <noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp#noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp>
TO: Dr. Xao <noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh#noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh>
SUBJECT: Case of the Mondays
As an experiment, I found some doll-sized tables and chairs and placed them inside the enclosure. The props are far too large, but I was curious if they'll try using them.
And, well… If you've ever wanted to know what a bunch of cockroaches sitting at an over-sized table, typing away at keyboards that aren't even there looks like… I've attached a video that should satisfy your curiosity.
I even got one of them to 'drink' from a tiny toy coffee mug (case_of_the_mondays.png).
ATTACHMENTS: monday_meeting.mp5, case_of_the_mondays.png
DATE: 02/07/2007
FROM: Dr. Breeman <noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp#noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp>
TO: Dr. Xao <noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh#noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh>
SUBJECT: Re: Biopsy Time!
Per your request, I performed a biopsy on their nervous system. I've sent the results to you — as you can see, there's no new growth, no new structures — they're still just cockroaches. Bizarrely large cockroaches that walk around. And type at empty desks. And pretend to drink coffee.
I felt a little bad about killing one of them; it's hard not to think of them as my little pupils. Still, none of the others seemed to mind. They're all just happily strutting about, acting like nothing even happened.
ATTACHMENTS: biopsy_report.pdf
DATE: 02/08/2007
FROM: Dr. Breeman <noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp#noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp>
TO: Dr. Xao <noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh#noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh>
SUBJECT: <None>
They killed one of their own.
This morning, I returned to the lab only to find one of the cockroaches on its back atop of the table, dead. It had been somehow — sliced open and gutted. The other cockroaches were just strutting around like nothing was wrong.
I reviewed the footage from yesterday. Last night, after I left, one of them pinned another one down on top of the table. It used what looked like… sharpened tips on its forelegs to cut it open. Then, it started methodically removing the still-living bug's fatty tissues. Like it was scooping up ice-cream.
Once it was done, it sat at the table and started tapping away at the invisible keyboard again. Like it was taking notes and writing emails based on the results.
Just like me.
They saw my autopsy, Dr. Xao. They saw it, and then they mimicked it.
I think this experiment has gone on far enough.
ATTACHMENTS: <None>
DATE: 02/10/2007
FROM: Dr. Breeman <noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp#noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp>
TO: Dr. Xao <noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh#noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh>
SUBJECT: Re: Where's your spirit of scientific inquiry?
They grew 150% larger.
This experiment is over. I'm euthanizing the lot of them.
ATTACHMENTS: <None>
DATE: 02/12/2007
FROM: Dr. Breeman <noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp#noitadnuof.pcs|nameerbp>
TO: Dr. Xao <noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh#noitadnuof.pcs|oaxh>
SUBJECT: RES LERSPK ERSLIJERS LIJRESLIJ RESLJ ERSIJR LJESLIJNERSIJ
RESK ERSK ERS:LERS :LKTES:JK SER KPOR ESK ERS:LK ERS:LK ER:LK ERS:LK ER:LK
ERS:LKERS:LKER
ERSL:KM ERSK: ERSK:L RK:L RELK: ERS:LKERS
ERSKMERS:LK RLKMR
RES :LKM" ERSKMR ESKM SER
RESL ERS:L<" ERS:L ERS:L ERS
RSE ERSLK:N J#N :LKMSER :LK ER
ERSMKERSKM RESLKM ERS
ERSPIJ ERSIJ ERS
ERS RESIJREPIJ
ATTACHMENTS: case_of_the_mondays.png, case_of_the_mondays (1).png, case_of_the_mondays (2).png, case_of_the_mondays (3).png
