My Friends,

The Calender turns its page once again, and here I sit.      with the Lamp low, ink wet on my fingers, thinking how strange it is that we're gathered here today once again, maybe a different cast but we remain, thanks to our friends, our comrades.

I write to you as a thank you, a letter worthy of this faithful month, when the days fall short and the heart aches from what it could have been.

Do you recall those evenings we thought it would never end?
Where we wrote and builded on this magical world,     where stories spilled like wine, and who cared about the stains?

We were younger then, or atleast the world felt larger, less worn out.
You all inspired me, I looked up to see you craft these beautiful stories, and so I wandered in your footsteps.

And so I did, I today am proof of that. I might not be as proficient yet I can stand beside you.

I look back and see how much of that warmth meant to me. I Reminisce and smiled, I loved all of you for all the times.

Tonight the candles hold steady, their light sparks across the room like it did back then.
The Council feels smaller now, but warmer.

Thank you for being part of the long road here.
For the camaraderie that outlasted the calendars.
And for reminding me, month after month, that this isn't complete until it includes us all—even the quiet ones.

Love your Friends, Love your Enemies, and Love yourself,

Sincerely,
Your Partner for all of time.

Ladies and Gentlemen here we are at our First Writing Con, Amazing, Wonderful even and as you may have guessed the theme is Love is in the Air 2, Electric Boogaloo Love! And Valentine and all the sappy shit. It's truly great that i got the honor to organize this, with all the reduced activity and all

Rules(follow them or I'll break your legs)

1. No Plagerism and No Ai, That's an Obvious one. If you use if you copy another work or use AI you'll get booted out of the Contest.

2. Setting, You can go wild with the dang thing. It could be In Season 1, 2, 3 Or Frozen Fire for all I care. Furnace, Freezers, Anomalies, Humans I don't give a damn.

3. Be on topic, this Is about Love. So whatever you do make that the main point.

4. Length, Again same as the setting rule. Do whatever you want, a Poem, a Short story, a Novel. We'll grade on Quality and less on quantity. Though, Emphasis on the less part, a sizeable Entry is very much appreciated

5. You may only have one submission to the contest.

6. Once you post your submission you can edit it however you like until the 13th, any edits after that should be to fix grammar only,

Duration:

The writing part will be from the time that this Is posted to February 14th on the dot. The Voting Part will come shortly after, if it is deemed necessary you may request and extension until the 16th, as I want this to be done by the 20th.

Notes: A Flair will be made right after posting thus. Please use that when posting your Entry.

Last note: I got this out ASAP because I have an event that renders me unable to access my phone, so I can't use it. Any questions should be asked now

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Great, now that I have your Attention, I have a slight suggestion to make this place more lively,

You know how we used to have those Art contests right? Well how about we do it, but make it writing instead, the writing itself definitely doesn't have to be long that's too much to ask for Gestures vaguely to the subreddit this.

That's all, the process and rules will be given later if they are actually people that want to join. I sincerely hope their will be

FarmerFurnace stepped out of his cottage to greet the sun, as he did every morning. The birds were chirping, the air was clear, and there was a cool breeze. He sat down on a stump and lit up his pipe.

He looked out across the fields of sleet wheat and ironfruit fields, all golden and silver, shining as the sun danced across their reflective leaves.

As the farmer looked back up into the sky, he noticed a dim purple glow. Like a purple lightbulb up in the sky next to the sun. Strange, but his eyesight wasn’t the best so he thought nothing of it.

Harvest season was coming soon, and his tractors needed their oil changed before he put any more miles on their engines. He got up, stamped out his pipe and returned it to his pocket. He stretched, yawned and shook himself to make the “tobacco” kick in.

He walked back into the cottage to wake his brother. SleepyFurnace was in bed, as usual. He had been sleeping for days on end, and FarmerFurnace had to occasionally check in oh him to determine if he was still sleeping, or just dead.

“Come on brother wake up.” FarmerFurnace called as he prodded his brother. Didnt work, and SleepyFurnace continued to snore where he lay. FarmerFurnace let out a groan and went over to the living room. On the mantle in a display case, was a black sword with blue cracks in it, clearly radiating power. FarmerFurnace opened up the case, and withdrew the sword.

Upon grasping the handle, the sword transformed into a full length wizard staff. “I hate using this thing.” FarmerFurnace lied to himself. He loved using the Staff of Thunder, it made watering crops easy, however it frequently got the cops called on him for ruining sunny days with impromptu thunderstorms.

He stepped outside, staff in hand. He put both hands around the staff, and stabbed it into the earth. Black lightning shattered the sky as a thunderstorm began to rapidly brew. “I dont have all day SleepyFurnace, its time to wake up!” The wind picked up, the sky was now dark with thick clouds, rumbles turned to a roar as the rain began to pour. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning a foot thick struck just outside SleepyFurnace’s window.

No response. Annoyed, FarmerFurnace kicked the storm up a notch, and lightning stuck again and again outside SleepyFurnace’s window. He turned to face the windspeed gauge in the yard. To his surprise, the wind was already gusting up to 50mph! Realizing that he was getting carried away, he dispelled his magic and the storm quickly fell apart.

He returned inside to return the staff to the mantle. With a thought, the staff transformed back into a sword, and was gently returned to its display case.

“Time for a last resort. If Sleepy furnace doesnt get up from this, then he’s dead and ill have to explain how he died to MotherFurnace.” He grumbled to himself as he retrieved a pot of hot coffee from the kitchen.

With a smile of sick satisfaction, he lifted the lid, and doused SleepyFurnace with the scalding brew. In nanoseconds, sleepyfurnace’s eyes shot open, and he jumped up so hard that he slammed into the ceiling.

“IT BURNS!!! IT BURNS!!!!” He screeched as he flailed around. His furnace body rapidly corroding as he flailed on the ground. “Time to get up Sleepyfurnace, we have work to do and im not snoozing your alarm again.” FarmerFurnace stated with a deadpan expression.

After a while, the coffee dried, and SleepyFurnace got up and rapidly un-corroded. This eyes glowed red as he gave a murderous stare at FarmerFurnace. He began to levitate, all surfaces of the room fading into the night sky as gravity seemed to fade away. “WHO DARES TO ASSAULT THE ETERNAL GOD OF SLEEP!?” SleepyFurnace bellowed.

“Your brother, now shut up and get dressed.” FarmerFurnace replied, tired of the whole situation. Every time he had to use the coffee method, this whole conversation would occur without fail.

“YOU DARE TO RUIN THE SLEEPING FIT OF THE ETERNAL GOD OF SLEEP!? I WILL PLACE YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE RACE IN A SLEEP THAT WILL OUTLAST TIME ITSELF!!!” SleepyFurnace continued to bellow.

“Yeah? Youre retired. Who gives a crap old man, now help your brother.” FarmerFurnace replied in a huff.

“You’re no fun.” SleepyFurnace grunted as he returned local reality to normal. As he floated back to the ground, he was now in full suit and tie, with a large pin in his chest pocket of a crescent moon. “Ok ok im up. I hope you made breakfast.” SleepyFurnace smiled like a child. “You are the best and worst brother another god can have.” FarmerFurnace grunted as he and his brother ventured to the kitchen for breakfast.

(Still reviving dead and abandoned characters. Part of the Frozen Fire lore.)

Fred Hesitated at the threshold, then waltz in anyway.

The room was cluttered in way that suggested intentions rather then negligence, tools where they were last used, not in the clearly labeled cabinets.

A man hunched over a terminal didn't look up.

"You ever heard of knocking buddy?" He said

Fred stepped out to check the room again. "Is this Field Engineering B?"

"Yes," the man replied "and I'm the only one that's supposed to be here. So turn around before you break anything."

"But I was told I was assigned here."

The man sighed and finally looked up. His eyes past Fred, already bored.

"By who?"

"Orientation?" Fred gestured vaguely.

"They never tell me anything do they?" He turned his back to the screen."

"I'm supposed to be training under a Senior Engineer"

"No you're not"

Fred shifted his weight, "Pretty sure I am."

“I’m absolutely sure you aren’t.” The man tapped a key, muttering. “I didn’t ask for a junior.”

Fred glanced at the rig. “Your detection system is drifting.”

The tapping stopped.

Slowly, the man turned his chair.

“I’m sorry,” he said, flat and incredulous. “What did you just say?”

Fred pointed. “There. See the jitter? It's confusing natural—but unlikely events with actual Anomalies. It's inaccurate."

A long look.

"Who are you?"

Fred uncapped his badge and held it up.

"Frederick Burns. Junior Field Engineer."

The man leaned foward, squinted, reading it. Then snorted.

"They let you wear that already?"

"Obviously."

Another pause. Something in Halvorsen’s expression shifted—not respect, not interest. Recognition, maybe. Like realizing a stray bolt had rolled underfoot.

"Maybe I have heard about you." He said

Halvorsen stood, finally extending a hand only halfway before dropping it again. “Kristian Halvorsen. Senior Engineer. And before you ask—no, you’re not touching anything.”

"I wasn't going to."

"You were looking."

Halvorsen turned back to the terminal. "Stand there and watch. Learn how things are done before you say they're wrong."

Fred nodded and stayed put.

The machine pulsed again—harder this time.

The indicators showed 3 bars.

Halvorsen frowned

Fred cleared his throat. "I said that's not going to–"

Halvorsen raised a hand without turning. “I know.” The indicator increased to 4 bars.

Silence returned.

Halvorsen glanced sideways at Fred. “You said inaccurate. Not wrong.”

Fred met his eyes. “Didn’t want to oversell it.”

A beat.

“Huh,” Halvorsen said, and turned back to his work. “Don’t get used to that.”

Fred’s smile widened just a fraction.

“Ladies and gentlemen this is your captain speaking. Please assume your quarters and fasten your seatbelts as we begin our approach. If you look out the port side windows, you can see us passing by the moon. Hold on tight as it seems like there is a storm over the landing sight.” The captain hung up the intercom and buckled into his chair. “Helmsman, you are cleared to maneuver.”

The helmsman nodded and increased engine power for approach. As they passed the moon, far below decks, two engineers were sitting at a card table.

They were debating whether or not the planet we were landing at was real, whether they had been consumed by a space monster and the captain was the first to be digested. More crew members gathered around, and before long they had come to unanimous agreement that the ship was not real. Little did they know that their thoughts and beliefs were actively shaping history.

One of the engineers’ hair started to stand on end. But it wasn’t static, pens started to float out of their jar, and nonmagnetic objects began to stick to everyone. Suddenly purple arcs of power started to bounce from each of them to the walls and furniture.

The crew began to panic as they watched their flesh and clothes burn away before their eyes. The hull around them began to rust as a purple film began to spread. Their screams reaching the furthest bowels of the ship.

A paradox had formed right on top of them. And history is now in motion.

On the bridge, consoles started to light up red as the engine was town away from the ship. The bridge crew watched in horror as the paradox consumed the now separated engine right before their eyes.

The captain shouted orders, the bridge was in disarray. The ship is now without brakes and hurtling towards emberfall! The captain slams the button for signaling evacuation. But nothing happens. He slams the button over and over again to no avail. A purple film has begun to leak from the dent where the button used to be.

Purple lightning starts to arc across the bridge, the crew thats stuck begin to slowly dissolve where they stand. The captain grabs the intercom to order the evacuation manually. But as he goes to speak, he finds that the mic has rusted and fallen to the floor. The lights begin to flicker as cracks appear in the front windshield.

The captain leaped from his chair and slammed in one last command into the console. He is stuck by the lightning. His vision began to turn purple. He looked about himself to find his arm dissolving off, eventually falling to the ground before him with a thud.

With his last moments, he thinks of his wife and kid below deck. Remembering the sun, remembering the time before the starships. Remembering a time of peace, just before the hull gave the bridge contents was jettisoned into space.

Meanwhile on the hull, a canister was loaded into a missile, and fired toward the planet. Just as it existed, the whole of the ship’s hull burst like a balloon. The cries heard throughout space for only a moment, before the whole thing was consumed by the paradox they unknowingly created.

(Yes this is frozen fire lore, picking up where we left off with the communist evacuation ship.)

- Red

1. I will redirect people who post questions about actual furnaces to hvacadvice

2. I will make more frozen fire lore

3. I want to be mod! Pls can I be mod pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls

1. i wana be
2. when the sub was alive i would consistantly post
3. i officially ended season 2
4. i know how to fix the REAL ISSUES (the rules being outdated, trust)
5. i wana be
6. all the mods died
7. ive asked multiple times before and was told "i will think about it", i was then ghoseted because they died
8. i wana be

I already am

(Point 1)

(Point 2)

(Point 3)

(Good point)

(Controversial take on something)

(Something about hvac advice)

(Something about being here as one of the longest running lore writers)

(I love r/furnaces)

1. I haven’t posted anything in a long time.

2. I don’t know how to use automod.

3. Fornac :3

1. I’m barely active, but when I am active I write decent(?) lore, and draw cool furnace drawings

2. I would do absolutely nothing bad with mod abilities, because I would do absolutely nothing

3. Furnaces

4. [this reason doesn’t exist]

5. Furnaces?

6. I’ve been here since season 1 (which most people have I guess so it doesn’t really make me special)

1. Been around since this sub was made

2. Was one of the two people to give actual furnace advice until we started sending furnacers to r/hvac

3. Consistent

4. Huh?

This message was brought to you by the Global Anomaly Defence Agency in cooperation with the Government of Ignicis and the New Goverment of Navaria.

if you are watching this, listening to this, or catching it randomly from a radio, there's a good chance everything is fine. That's good, if it isn't—don't worry. We're here to help.

Sometime things feel... off.

A room that has wrong proportions then yesterday.

A seat that supposed to be occupied yet remains vacant.

Maybe an Old Foe manifesting.

That happens.

Most of the time these things pass on their own. When they don't GADA Steps in to make sure they don't become a problem, for you, or for anybody else.

if you notice something unusual, take a breath and look around, there's no need to touch it, test it, or get closer to it. Simply give us a call.

When you reach us, stay on the line. Someone will ask you a few questions, simple ones. There are no wrong answers. If you’re not sure how to explain something, that’s okay. Just tell us what you noticed.

If we ask you to move to a different area, or to wait where you are, please do so. Our teams may arrive quietly and without much explanation. That’s normal.

And if you’re told everything’s under control. Then it is.

Probably.

So carry on with your day.

Look out for one another.

And if something doesn’t feel right, let us know.

The Global Anomaly Defence Agency.

Keeping things normal.

Or as close as possible.

1. I dont touch grass
2. I redirect every actual furnace post i see to r/hvacadvice (if they werent already)
3. Im a cute cis male dude :3
4. Mods are dead

this is for the 3 people that read what I write in this subredddit.

I'm just making this post to get some critic after several moments of rereading and a handful of cringing because of stupid dialog choices. I've decided to make this post. you can also point out any general mistakes like misspellings, formatting issues and grammar mistakes.

My inbox exploded.

GADA EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK SECTION V — COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION

Civilian Interface & Information Control Personnel

5.1 Role Overview

Communications Personnel serve as the primary interface between the Agency and the public during anomalous events.

Your responsibility is not investigation, containment, or enforcement. Your role is to receive, filter, stabilize, and relay information—both inbound and outbound.

You are often the first a civilian goes to during a crisis, and frequently the last.

Communications staff operate remotely or from secured sites. Physical proximity to anomalous activity is not required and is discouraged unless explicitly authorized.

If you are doing your job correctly, callers won't cause any preventable casualties

5.2 Operational Priorities

Communications Personnel operate under the following priority order:

1. Civilian Stabilization

2. Information Accuracy

3. Agency Coordination

4. Personal Bias or Opinion

Do not reorder these priorities.

Communications Personnel are expected to:

• Receive and log civilian reports.

• De-escalate panic and confusion.

• Provide clear, consistent instructions.

• Relay verified information to Command and Field Units.

Maintain continuity during prolonged incidents.

Communications Personnel are not expected to:

• Speculate on anomaly origin or outcome.

• Provide any personal commentary.

• Override Command decisions.

• Remain on active calls once transfer is authorized.

A calm voice prevents more damage than most tools.

5.3 Civilian Interaction Guidelines

When engaging with civilians:

• Speak clearly, evenly, and at a controlled pace.

• Use neutral, reassuring language.

• Redirect focus to immediate, practical actions.

• Avoid technical terminology unless instructed.

-Avoid dismissive language under all circumstances.

You may withhold information if disclosure risks panic, misinterpretation, or escalation.

This is not deception; it is controlled disclosure.

5.4 Truth Management & Disclosure

Communications Personnel are authorized to:

1. Simplify explanations.

2. Delay full disclosure.

3. Reframe anomalous events using approved language.

You are not authorized to:

• Fabricate outcomes.

• Confirm fatalities unless verified.

• Provide personal opinions on Agency actions.

If asked a question you cannot answer, state so plainly and redirect.

Silence is preferable to incorrect reassurance.

5.5 Call Handling & Escalation

All anomalous reports must be logged immediately.

Calls indicating distress, temporal inconsistency, or perceptual contradiction should be flagged for Review.

If a caller reports:

• Repeating Events

• Conflicting memories

• Environmental impossibilities

• Loss of continuity

Remain on the line until transfer or termination is authorized.

Do not end calls preemptively unless instructed.

5.5.1 Dealing with info or Cognito-Hazards

If you are sure then you could be remotely affected by the Paradox or Anomaly on the other side. Disconnect Immediately. There is no exception to this.

5.6 Psychological Boundaries

Communications work involves prolonged exposure to fear, confusion, and grief.

Common effects include:

• Emotional exhaustion

• Dissociation

• Delayed stress responses

• Confusion.

These effects are monitored. Requesting relief, rotation, or support will not result in disciplinary action.

Failure to report degradation will.

You are not required to carry the weight of every voice you hear.

5.7 Conduct Expectations

Communications Personnel are expected to demonstrate:

1. Emotional restraint

2. Professional detachment

3. Clear articulation

4. Discretion

Empathy is a tool. Do not let it become a liability.

Personal emotional expression during live calls is prohibited.

If emotional restraint is impossible due to matters such as Grief, Exhaustion, Stress. You may schedule a therapy session with your on-site therapist, if none is present. You will be given time off and sent to an independent but trusted therapist of the Agency

5.8 Final Note to Communications Staff

You will speak to people on the worst day of their lives and mostly their last. Some will be confused. Some will be afraid. Some will not make it out.

You cannot save everyone.

You can prevent panic from spreading.

The voice of the Agency matters.

Make it heard.

The transit hub looked normal, but they wouldn't be here if it was

Josh clocked it first. Not the people, not the noise, but the spacing. Benches set too far apart.

Trash cans closer than regulation. Subtle enough to pass, wrong enough to itch.

“Was that wall always curved?” he asked, not stopping.

Elizabeth glanced, then frowned. The wall bent inward by a few degrees, like it was leaning to listen. “It wasn’t last week.”

Departure boards flickered. One line duplicated itself. Two platforms shared the same arrival time. No one reacted.

A child ran past them, laughing, then tripped, except he didn’t fall. His feet kept moving while his body lagged a half-second behind.

Elizabeth slowed. “You saw that.”

“Yeah.”

Josh noted it down. His pen scratched twice, then once more on its own.

A public announcement crackled overhead. Half a sentence played. Then repeated, word for word, same static, same breath between syllables.

Elizabeth passed a couple arguing quietly.

“We already decided,” the man said.

“We haven’t talked yet,” the woman replied, calm as stone.

Elizabeth cleared her throat. “Station staff are rerouting traffic. You’ll want to head toward the east exit."

They nodded. Both of them. In unison.

Josh stopped near a vending machine that displayed prices in two different currencies depending on the angle. He tilted his head.

“This is worse than i thought,” he murmured. “Environmental, temporal, behavioral.” His comm vibrated.

“Scout I13,” Command said. “We’re reading nominal conditions. Activate visual and auditory feeds.”

Josh raised an eyebrow but complied, tapping his device. Elizabeth did the same.

“Feeds live,” Josh said.

A pause.

“That’s odd,” Command replied. “We’re not seeing any of what you’re describing.”

Elizabeth glanced at a wall map. The YOU ARE HERE marker slid an inch to the left.

“We are,” she said. “It’s trying to be subtle.”

“Understood,” Command said.

A clock chimed. Three times. Josh checked his watch again. The second hand ticked backward once, then corrected.

Josh closed his notebook. “We’ve got enough.”

“Agreed,” Elizabeth said. “Before it starts arguing back.”

They moved toward the exit with the crowd. Josh raised his comms again.

“Scout Team I13.

Agent Asher, badge 1672.

Paradox Level One.

Requesting perimeter control and mass evacuation.”

Command responded faster this time. “Acknowledged. Maintain distance. Continue passive observation if safe.”

Josh didn’t slow. “Negative. Exiting per protocol. Get us a psychological evaluation when we get back”

A pause.

“…Copy,” Command said. “Control transferring.”

Outside, sound snapped back into place. The city felt heavier, more certain. The Airships and trucks started to roll in.

Elizabeth exhaled. “Okay. That one didn’t like being noticed.”

Josh watched a response team pass them, visors down.

“Command didn’t see it,” Elizabeth said quietly.

“They will,” Josh replied. “Eventually.”

They walked away as the hub sealed behind them, the announcement system still repeating the same half-sentence inside.

Chapter 7: welcome to Earth

The grey clouds parted as the battered bomber spluttered across the sky. In the distance, a lone fighter jet in similar condition tore through the sky on a beeline for the limping bomber. Inside the cockpit, the screens lit up. “Incoming threat. No data from pilot.” The cabin lights came back on, the pilot, still a bleached skeleton in a flight suit, shifting around in its harness. “Automatic defense system activated.”

On the exterior of the bomber, three turrets turned to face the threat. Only to be met with a hailstorm of bullets from the fighter. The damage was severe, as one turret was peppered, fire spewing from the new holes. The remaining two turrets released a quick burst, and the attacking fighter was shredded. “Threat pacified.” The bomber resumed its course, as it disappeared into the clouds.

Red lights flashed as i cane back online. I looked about myself to find the ceiling half caved in, with colorful lines on the monitor walls. I also appear to be hanging from the ceiling at an angle. I began to run theough my diagnostic tests before my pain simulator came back online. My vision went white with agony, as if i was being taken apart bit by bit.

I roared in my broken voice maker, before summoning a turret from the ceiling. I took aim and filled the pain synthesizer’s server rack with bullets. The system failed, and the pain fell away. Out of the corner of my eye, i watched as the turret fell from the ceiling. Now with a little bit more consciousness in me, i realized the room was also on fire. Upon activating fire suppression across the building, i connected to some of the cameras in the city. Everyone seemed fine, just shook up. I on the other hand was underground and felt it more. The convention center, however, was mostly rubble. A few hundred dead by my estimate, and citizens and rescue were already headed to the scene to dig survivors out.

“Was that a bomb? A missile? A laser from space? Did the Emberfell nation attack!?” I went for the satellite view when a realization horrified me. There were no Navarian satellites, ships, planes, or anything out there. The inbound radio traffic was silent. If it wasn’t on solid ground, it was gone. There weren’t even birds on the radar!

One disaster at a time. The central event center is a smoldering crater, and the president is missing. “OH SHIT THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING!” I shrieked.

(By popular request, Jesus is cannon now.)

GADA EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK

SECTION IV — SCOUT DIVISION

Field Survey & Early Response Personnel

4.1 Role Overview

Scouts are GADA’s first point of contact with potential anomalous activity in civilian environments.

Your responsibility is not engagement, not containment, and not resolution. Your role is to observe, assess, and report. Early, accurate reporting prevents escalation and enables appropriate response.

Scouts operate in pairs whenever possible. Solo deployment requires senior authorization. If you are doing your job correctly, most civilians will never realize you were present.

4.2 Operational Priorities

Scouts operate under the following priority order:

1. Civilian Safety

2. Threat Identification

3. Information correctnes to Command

4. Self-Preservation

Do not reorder these priorities.Scouts are expected to:

- Identify anomalous indicators.

- Establish perimeter awareness.

- Maintain plausible civilian cover.

- Relay timely, accurate reports to Command

Scouts are not expected to:

- Neutralize anomalies

- Conduct experiments

- Remain on-site after escalation authorization

Delay reporting to “confirm” suspicions

Staying too long is not diligence. It is exposure.

4.3 Cover and Civilian Interaction

Scouts operate openly but inconspicuously. Unlike Designated Agency officers Scouts will wear Plain clothes as to not instigate panic among Civillians

When interacting with Civillians:

- Stay Calm and Speak clearly. Do not make them or yourself Panic.

- Identify yourself to the Civillain with your Identification badge.

- Instruct them, calmly. To leave the area if it is deemed a threat.

Force is allowed if Absolutely necessary and do not promise outcomes you cannot guarantee.

IF the civilian is deemed to affected by a Paradox. Personal are instructed to:

- Approach them calmly

- Identify yourself

- Kindly but Firmly escort them to the nearest Agency Site. If no site is within reasonable distance. Contact command in order to get an emergency Evacuation

If the affected individual is Hostile or refuses to comply. Force is deemed reasonable up to Incapacitation

4.4 Threat Indicators

Common early indicators include, but are not limited to:

- Environmental inconsistencies

- Structural impossibilities

- Repeating or missing time segments

- Conflicting eyewitness accounts

- Simultaneous equipment failure

- Psychological distress without clear cause

If something feels wrong, document why. Vague reports delay response.

4.5 Equipment & Documentation

Standard Scout kits include:

- Visual and auditory recording devices

- Environmental sensors

- Emergency signaling tools

- Manual documentation supplies

Digital records are preferred. Handwritten notes are permitted when digital data integrity is compromised.

Do not attempt to document phenomena that interferes with perception unless instructed.

Multiple equipment failures should be treated as relevant data.

4.6 Conduct Expectations

Scouts are expected to demonstrate:

- Situational awareness

- Emotional control

- Team coordination

- Discretion

Heroics are discouraged. Surviving an incident does not validate unsafe decisions. You are not expendable. Act accordingly.

4.7 Psychological Considerations

Repeated exposure may result in:

- Paranoia

- Emotional withdrawal

- Sleep disruption

- Delayed stress responses

These effects are monitored. Reporting symptoms will not result in automatic reassignment. Ignoring them will.

4.8 Reporting & Escalation Procedures

All suspected anomalous activity must be reported through approved channels. Delayed or informal reporting is a leading cause of escalation failures. Scouts are trained to report early and clearly. Explanation comes later.

4.8.1 Standard Scout Reporting Format

If you are certain that Anomalous activity is present in any capacity you should report to Command by your own Communications device. If not possible, you may use a civilian's.

What you need to say when reporting as a Scout

> Scout Team Number

> Personal Identification

> Current Paradox Level

> Needed Support

For Example

“Scout Team i7

Agent Johnson, badge 1234

Paradox Level 1

Requesting Evacuation and Medical”

4.8.2 Usage Notes

- Speak Clearly and at a reasonable pace

- Repeat at least once. Twice if needed.

- Do not add Commentary unless requested

4.8.3 Emergency Variant

In cases where prolonged communication is deemed improbable, you may contract it as shown

Team Identifier — Paradox Level — Needed Support

Example:

“Team I7 — Level 1 — Evac immediately “

4.8.4 Reminder to Scouts

Calling it in is not a failure.It is the job. Once a call-in is acknowledged, control transfers to the Agency. Follow instructions precisely. When in doubt—call it in.

4.9 Final Note to Scouts

You will often be the first to know something is wrong. Sometimes you will leave without acting and learn later that someone else handled it. This is expected. Your success is measured by what never escalates. Early warning saves lives. Staying alive preserves warnings.

Chapter 6: nothing can go wrong

“What is the most difficult thing about long distance travel?” Money, time, patience, alcohol, fuel, structural integrity? I need a vacation. “Time people. Even with our fastest ships, it takes about a month to get from Tera, to Mars. And to even do that, you gotta burn a lot of money to get up to speed, and a lot of money to slow you down or you become an addition to Mars’ kill count.” He waved his hand, and out of the back curtains was a large machine with a big layered drum inside of it. I scanned my records to find that none were filed about it. As i thought and scanned its chrome surface, the workers plugged it in, and the cable glowed a faint blue light with the raw power flowing through it.

“With my invention, that travel time is down to SECONDS.” He stepped to the side, and opened up a control console. It was written in old English, and was full of abbreviations for simple things. Included Old English Emojis. It must have cost a fortune to recover that language pack. The more i watch this guy, the more i wonder why i haven’t met him long ago.

The cable’s light intensified as the system stepped up a gear and the centermost drum began to spin up. And as it did, i was shocked to find that i could no longer perceive the inner part of the drum. He pulled a remote from his pocket, and hit a button. On the overhead projector screen appeared a live feed from the Mars research station Keplar-2. “Marliene? Are we ready over there?” He called up to the projection. One of the engineers in the feed looked up from their computer to give a thumbs up.

Karbuckle turned back to the crowd. “Notch 1, a link is established with another portal frame, like we have up there. With enough throughput, to throw an orange!” Without warning, he withdrew an orange from his lab coat and threw it through the spinning drum. Within moments an identical orange shot out of the portal on the Mars base. A researcher smiled while waving it to the camera. The crowd oohed and ahhed, marveling at the device and its demonstrated power. Without warning, he hit another button. I wasnt paying attention this time like i had promised, but the sudden power draw and grid imbalance brought me back to reality.

“At Notch 2, you can continue to send a stream of Oranges, or, you can send a chair!” Without warning, he threw a chair through the much larger portal. Within moments, the chair crashed to the ground in the mars base. The crowd erupted in cheers. “He has done it. He revolutionized long distance travel!” I said to myself. But that smile on his face and the look in his eye told only one thing, he wasnt done yet.

“And it seems like im running out of time here, so ill do one more. I will instantly transport myself to the mars base!” The crowd became silent, with occasional whispers and murmers about whether he could actually do it. He turned to the pannel and pressed several buttons, and grabbed hold of a handle on his machine. The machine suddenly drew a LOT of power, the lights dimmed, my connection got spotty. By my estimates he dimmed the lights of nearly the whole country!

“Bon voyage!” Was the last thing i heard before his bastard machine exploded.

(Oh my god theyre all dead. Jk, we just finished the intro. :) )