voice/text | 2/24 evening | un: aximili

[canadese]

<I have discovered another body in a corridor near the general commerce area. I have sent the remains to the medical bay for examination. I will update once they have been identified.>

[A pause.]

<And if anyone has information regarding Marco's whereabouts, I would appreciate hearing it.>

[TEXT UPDATE, forward dated to 24 hours later, 2/25 evening]

according to the lab data the remains are those of ukoku sanzo. my condolences to anyone who knew him

[He's skeptical, though. Who says the data is true?]

Comments

[genice]

Overly pessimistic. People have gone missing since December, and they haven't been found in anything like what's happened to these poor people. This can't be the only explanation.

[bayarm]

It does, by my count. And we still don't know who or what is doing this.

[rockthemonkey]

... Yeah, I guess there are. But we can deal with those too.

[Goku's solution to Morbid and Troubling Themes is to stubbornly push through them. It usually works out.]

We'll figure it out soon. I don't know Marco, but if I hear anything I'll tell you, okay?

Voice; UN: HinataHaj

[thisisourfuture]

That's four.

...do you mind if I ask you a few questions about what you found? And I'll keep an eye out for your friend Marco.

[shenunigans]

i feel like one of these things is not like the other
a gorilla
as in
we picked him up from planet of the apes
as in hes a weregorilla when the moon is banana yellow
or is he like a mascot for a store or something and just wears a realistic suit for pleasure and purpose
this is important

[canadese]

perhaps not but it cant be discounted as a possibility either

[This poor sweet summer adult.]

[canadese]

<We do know that whatever it is is likely intelligent.>

[canadese]

<I don't mind. Ask your questions.>

[He says a little dubiously.]

[canadese]

the gorilla is his morph of choice when it comes to combat therefore it is possible that he was in that form when he was subdued or killed

[Which would mean he's stuck that way, if he's not dead. Best not to think about that.

Also, duh, Dave. What, can't you turn into a gorilla whenever you want?]

[bayarm]

That doesn't really narrow down the who. And the what only somewhat. How did you find the body? I mean, what position, that kind of thing.

And are you all right?

[thisisourfuture]

The other three, only parts of their bodies were left. ...was that the case this time too? [He says, quietly. If it matches the pattern there should be a few key details to link it to the other three.]

And each time, part of the body is marked or set aside.

[canadese]

[why does everyone keep asking that]

<I am fine. I am doing much better than the body, which consisted of a severed head I discovered in a sack, in a way that was obviously staged.>

[canadese]

<Yes, the only part I found was a head with the eyes and teeth missing. I was unable to locate any other part of it.>

[thisisourfuture]

T-that... [He knew it was going to be bad. Hinata takes a breath.]

I can't tell if that links it to the others but, it can't be ruled out either. ...I'm sorry I have one more question. [Up until not, he hadn't voiced the thought. But it had been bothering him for a while.]

Did it look like they could have died there or just placed in that spot?

[canadese]

<My discovery of it was certainly staged. I found the head in a sack, and strange phenomena occurred at the scene that I believe were intended to be frightening.>

[He doesn't sound like he was all that impressed by it.]

[thisisourfuture]

[He sighs, and boy does it sound exasperated.]

Okay. What sort of phenomenon happened?

...

Tell me it wasn't a jump scare.

[bayarm]

[ because finding a severed head in a sack can be traumatic... ]

Can you tell me any details?

[canadese]

[What's one more dismembered body part to an Animorph. Thousand yard stare into the middle distance.]

<It was missing eyes and teeth and holding what I believe is called a cigarette. There was blood elsewhere in the area that possibly indicated a struggle, but I found no other part of the body.>

[bayarm]

Whoever is doing this is going out of their way to set the scene each time, it seems.

[shenunigans]

im not sure what sort of dimension youre from but the humans i know dont just devolve into apes unless theyve lived extensively in the deep south subsisting off nothing but beer jerky and football
humans in my world either die the way they are or end up in space for whatever reason

but fine
i will keep my eyes out for a boy or an ape at any given time

[canadese]

<Thank you. I will not hope, but the thought is appreciated anyway.

At least, if all the missing are dead, I will hope it was quick.>

[canadese]

<There were unexplained sounds and then the power failed before I encountered the remains. Along with a great deal of blood.>

[Weird, red human blood.]

<After that I sent the head to the medical lab. There was no jumping involved.>

[canadese]

<Yes. Exactly why they must be intelligent.

I have to wonder their purpose, in that case.>

[canadese]

thank you

[The least helpful alien of all.]

[bayarm]

Sadistic pleasure comes to mind.