68. The Enemy Within
[Note: NOT QUITE FINISHED!!!]
News
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One of the hottest topics in the Tower these days is the worrysome re-emergence of the Tyler's Ailment. Here'a an update of the situation by DVI-Inet:
Q: Khitasang, leader of both The Common Good and the Tyler's Ailment project: what are the latest developments?
A: We can now say, with an error margin of 3%, that Ishi has indeed an immunity to the ailment, most likely of genetic nature. We've been conducting experiments on how to duplicate the conditions in Ishi's body that bring about her immunity, in other patients.
Q: I'm sure half the tower has been wondering: why is she immune? Have you been able to shed any light on that?
A: ???
Q: I see. I understand you've been making good use of the volunteers and those made test subject by Tower decicion. Have the volunteers come to any risk?
A: The test so far have been low-risk.
Q: What kind of tests have you ran?
A: For example, we've been tracing small amounts various substances we've developed. We need to know if they'll concentrate in the body in such ways that could cause serious harm in larger quantities.
Q: How do you feel about the controvercy about using those found guilty of crimes as test subjects of this research?
A: As I said during that discussion, I find the decicion reprehensible. However, we must all abide by the decicions of the community.
Q: I understand. How about these new experiments? How long will you be able to keep the risk factors low?
A: Let me begin by explaining what we're about to be doing. We've found that certain elements in Ishi's body chemistry disrupt the [AGENT'S???] reproductional process. We need to find ways to replicate those conditions in the systems of others. Unfortunately, everyone's system is unique, and it often tries to restore its chemical balance if it's altered. We'll try to find ways around this, but often we'll simply have to fight the body by using large doses, or by controlledly disrupting its natural processes. This may have unforeseen consequences to the subject.
Q: Lethal?
A: That's a possibility.
Q: Who will you run the tests on, then? The volunteers?
A: We'll test the treatments on those already suffering from the ailment.
Q: I see. That brings me to another question: What are the latest numbers?
A: The mortality count is still three, all second generation colonists. Five others are in critical condition. The total of people who have been found infected is 47, with 17 third generation colonists among them.
Q: Are we looking at a towerwide epidemy?
A: The risk is high.
Rumours
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Wonder what people are really up to nowadays.
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Tyler's Ailment must be connected to Scholars - its public history is just fake.
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Aliens captured me and made disgusting experiments with me - TSR is hiding it all.
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The Stalwart are more powerful than they look. They have secret spying technique that no one else knows about
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TSR has new spy drones - They probably don't trust their control over TAU enough.
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I wonder what it is with the Da Vinci Information Network - they don't broadcast enough falsehoods!
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What's this thing between Mike and Mizuki? I thought Jaana and Mike had something going on. SoFCer and The Horizon member? Awwww...
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I heard Mizuki didn't want to volunteer, yet the next day, she did, loud and clear. Strange, huh?
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I just wish people wouldn't be so mean to each other.
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One has to wonder what Zeven is up to - I thought *she* was rumourmonger.
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I saw Mohale to disappear in a puff of logic. He is just that kind of person.
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SoFC isn't that far from the Horizon as one might think. I mean you can see people from those rings meeting each other on every corner. Secret affairs galore.
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You know, in general Mike seems to be average silent nerd, but then you hear how he has had a disagreement with this Jaana and guess what - he is immediately seeing Mizuki. And no it wasn't because he was lonely, but because Mizuki contacted him. I tell you McGregor is nothing compared to Mike - Mike is just more discreet.
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I bet Mike is secretly doing some hushhush-project. Lurking around like a real lurker. I bet he is a real spy around here. After that Mizuki affair I think that he must be some James Bond of bygone days.
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If you need some programming done go to Mike!
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He is in middle of a every secret. I'm sure he would love you to believe he is just a another mathematician, but when push comes to shove you know who has been caught red handed participating every big secret in the tower? Sinuhe.
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I'm sure Laudatur's paradigm is the real thing for some people. "Oh Beauty of it" It is a small wonder that Sinuhe hasn't started a ring for Laudatur's paradigm hearing him speak of it. I mean come on... there must be something more to the life than math.
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You know what I hate about Sinuhe? I left my chewstick on rock in the garden when I had a small urgent business elsewhere - but guess what happened to it? Sinuhe chewed it! He hadn't even noticed he had changed to half-chewed stick after his own ran out - he was so in middle of his thoughts.
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Va Bene indeed. I know people keep using colloiqual expressions, but come one. How are we supposed to know what you mean when half of the words you use are some foreign language.
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He is another real schemer and convicted one too, that Andrea. Not only participating in every secret, but also being bad enough to get caught.
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You know that this Relay guy just never seems to watch around himself. Only half of the time he looks around and rest of the time he walks almost blind. I'm not sure he should be allowed to go walking around the tower like that.
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Talking about suicidal people. Mister 'Could someone please kill me?' that volunteers to every dangerous project he can find out. "Oooh great! Someone needs more volunteers for Tyler's Ailment project! I'll sign up! What I haven't died yet? They need volunteers for 'extra-dangerous experimentation on Tyler's Ailment'? Sign me up for that too!"
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You know that suicidalism can be a good for your popularity. Several girls from the Horizon just congratulated Relay's bravery - and he is from SoFC!
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Mizuki just is soo dangerous. I mean really dangerous. Anyway about that something else...
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You know Mizuki has been seeing The Prophet - officially it is about the Zen thingie, but come on.. we know there is more to it. What would be a more complete match - one is called The Prophet and other is religious nut too. Maybe they'll start their own religion.
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About Mizuki: Maybe just was so jealous of Relays popularity after he volunteered that she had to volunteer for the Tyler's Ailment projects 'extra-danger duty'. You know those two are sometimes equally 'silent and mysterious'.
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Is there any time Tagato isn't thinking about his pet project?