PONID-21 Day 3 · 9:26pm Mar 29th, 2020
—private-message—
Bob 1/08/2021 7:12 AM
Hey
Lisa 1/08/2021 7:16 AM
Hey yourself.
About yesterday…
I hope I didn't come on too fast?
Bob 1/08/2021 7:23 AM
You're joking, right?
It was fun to flirt and have some fun.
You had fun, right?
Lisa 1/08/2021 7:31 AM
Yeah. Haven't been out much lately, so it was nice.
Ugh. Fingers are even worse today and my back's sore too now. What about you?
Bob 1/08/2021 7:35 AM
My fingers are still fine, but my back is more sore. Not really painful, just an ache.
Lisa 1/08/2021 7:37 AM
Want to fill in our details on the server chat and then go have breakfast together?
Bob 1/08/2021 7:41 AM
Sounds good.
Do you think something bad is happening?
Lisa 1/08/2021 7:42 AM
The side effects? Maybe.
I'll link you a news report about all this. Apparently they skipped the animal trials, then the stage 1 trial was only performed on a few people to make sure this thing wouldn't immediately kill us.
Bob 1/08/2021 7:46 AM
Really? Shit.
Send me that link, please.
#day-3
Lisa 1/08/2021 7:51 AM
Fingers are harder to move. I swear it's real. Just typing this is harder than before. My back hurts too now. Hey, everypony, don't forget to enter your details for today!
Bob 1/08/2021 7:59 AM
Still no problems with my fingers and toes. Back is aching more, but not painful. My eyesight seems to have improved, but only in my changed eye.
—private-message—
Bob 1/08/2021 8:02 AM
"Everypony"?
Lisa 1/08/2021 8:04 AM
What?
Bob 1/08/2021 8:04 AM
You wrote "everypony" on your report.
Lisa 1/08/2021 8:08 AM
The heck? What the buck was I thinking?
Bob 1/08/2021 8:10 AM
I think someone needs breakfast and to warm her hands up.
Lisa 1/08/2021 8:13 AM
You're probably right.
Meet you there?
Bob 1/08/2021 8:14 AM
Sure.
#general
Rex 1/08/2021 8:34 AM
Anypony else have a really freaky dream?
Sally 1/08/2021 8:36 AM
Actually, yeah. I dreamed that there was all these amazing lights and I could make them move with my mind.
Rex 1/08/2021 8:39 AM
No shit? Me too. Hey, anypony else get really crazy dreams?
Lisa 1/08/2021 8:41 AM
Actually, yeah. I dreamed I could fly.
Bob 1/08/2021 8:42 AM
I kinda dreamed I was huge and… I could fly.
Also, what's with everyone typing "everypony"?
Rex 1/08/2021 8:45 AM
I'm not typing…
Shit, I did.
What the heck?
Bob 1/08/2021 8:47
Lisa said the same thing.
Come down to the cafeteria and chat with us.
Rex 1/08/2021 8:51 AM
Omw.
Devon 1/08/2021 8:55 AM
Me2
Lisa 1/08/2021 8:55 AM
And don't forget to do your daily entries. In #day-3.
#day-3
Devon 1/08/2021 9:03 AM
Back's got the same aches as some of the others, fingers are all stiff, and had freaky dreams about flying really fast. Like, fighter jet fast. Also, I might be going crazy, but I think I lost half an inch in height.
Rex 1/08/2021 9:12 AM
I'm shorter too I think. The docs kept all those measurements, and I'm not sure if I was 5'11.5" or 5'11" even, but I eyeballed it with a ruler and I think I'm 5'10.5". Anyway, freaky dreams and stiff fingers. Toes feel stiff too. No back aches.
Sally 1/08/2021 9:14 AM
Crazy dreams, stiff fingers and toes. No clue about height and don't feel any back aches.
*News reporter sitting behind desk*
"… cross to Cassandra outside Alrude Biotech—where the trials are taking place. Cassandra?"
*Cut to female reporter standing out front of a blocky, multi-story building*
"Thanks, Sarah. Thanks to presidential pressure, this completely new medication bypassed animal testing and went straight to human trials. Such trials always take place in two stages: the first stage sees the medication tested on subjects who are completely healthy to test its toxicity, the second stage started just two days ago and saw a live dose of COVID-19 administered at the same time as the new medication.
"I have been unable to ascertain any further details about the treatment, other than that it attacks the active virus itself. Some are saying such wild abandonment of established testing regimes is madness at best and inhumane at worst, while others praise the adjustment to testing requirements."
*Cut to female reporter interviewing people on sidewalk*
Reporter: "What do you think about cutting straight to human trials of new anti-COVID-19 medications?"Woman: "It's the only humane way to test. Those animals can't agree to the testing."
*Quick cut*
Man: "Why, it's a travesty! I don't want to pay ridiculous amounts of money for medication that only might work."
*Quick cut*
Man: "I say those folks knew what they were signing up for. They're getting paid for it."
*Cut back to female reporter out front of blocky building*
"As you can see, Sarah, opinions are split on this. However people think, the trial is going ahead right behind me. Over to you, Sarah."
*Cut to news reporter sitting behind desk in studio*
"Thank you, Cassandra. Over to Steven with the—"
Subject: Day 3 morning exam results
1/8/21
10:49 A.M.
Subject: 113823102021So far, this is the only test subject that hasn't lost at least a cm in height. He's gained twice that.
After Dr. Simpson's suggestion, all subjects have been queried about their dreams the previous night. Again, this subject proves to be one of the outliers. Copypasting table here:
Flying dream 23% Lights dream 21% Plants dream 24% Wealth <1% Power <1% Hunger 2% Misc ~30%This subject is the only one who had the wealth dream. Further, subject reported feeling larger than everyone.
—Doctor Howards
Subject: Day 3 morning exam results
1/8/21
11:19 A.M.
Subject: 113823902021Another anomaly. Subject hasn't signed onto the service Dr. Simpson is monitoring, but they're another who've gained height: 1cm.
Their dreams were abstract. They kept explaining pure chaotic patterns that they couldn't control. The postdoc who interviewed them initially put them into the "lights dream" category, but after listening to a recording of their interview, I moved it firmly to "misc" and considered making a new entry.
No dreams of flying, but they have soreness on their back (another anomaly). Also complains of soreness sitting down, but none in fingers. They do have stiffness in their toes, but less so in their right foot.
This is a strange one, and I'd like to increase attention on them and all other such outliers.
Their eye change took an extra day, and it's another strange one: yellow eye with a pure red iris. It's unsettling to say the least.
—Doctor Howards
Subject: Department Memo
I'm transferring all subjects who fall within established groups to be overseen by Dr. Bell so I can focus on the anomalies.
Dr. Simpson has asked that all subjects be told to connect to https://bit.ly/2UaZIK9 this is no longer a request. The data we're gaining directly from the subjects is beyond useful.
Finally, please prepare your half-daily reports and make ready extended testing for the afternoon.
—Doctor Howards
—group-private-message—
Lisa 1/08/2021 1:40 PM
I don't know how, but they knew about our height change. They hadn't measured me yesterday, but today I got height and waist measurements taken. I've only invited those of you who I have met in person.
Bob 1/08/2021 1:43 PM
They also asked about my dreams. It's probably one of the doctors who's signed up with a fake patient number.
Devon 1/08/2021 1:49 PM
$5 on Gunnar. He's really quiet.
Lisa 1/08/2021 1:55 PM
I suspected her too, since she posted an image that looked a little wrong in #images.
Devon 1/08/2021 2:00 PM
Lol. Gunnar is a guy's name. They kinda screwed up there. That'll be them.
Bob 1/08/2021 2:02 PM
So what do we do?
Lisa 1/08/2021 2:09 PM
Well, I could kick them, but they'd only rejoin with this new wave we're getting. Did you see? Like 200 people just joined.
Sally 1/08/2021 2:12 PM
How big is this thing?
Lisa 1/08/2021 2:13 PM
No clue. I don't think we're the only group, but rather the only group whose administrators got the URL right for. Apparently the first link had a mistake in it and most people couldn't join.
I might start a new chat on the server for just people we can confirm by sight as being patients.
Sally 1/08/2021 2:16 PM
Okay, now to the more important thing.
How serious are you and Bob, Lisa?
Lisa 1/08/2021 2:17 PM
😛
#general
Lisa 1/08/2021 2:25 PM
So many new names! How is everypony?
Penny 1/08/2021 2:27 PM
Pfft, how many of you are saying that now? I've also yet to hear any of you swear today.
Lisa 1/08/2021 2:28 PM
No clue. Doctors had no answers.
Penny 1/08/2021 2:31 PM
Well, it's nice to meet you. You're the admin of this little shindig? Are you a lab rat too or just some techie they got in on this?
Lisa 1/08/2021 2:36 PM
Guess I should explain then.
I've been a bit of a shut-in most of the year just gone. Didn't want to get the plague, but started going stir crazy. Taught myself programming and stuff because there was nothing else to do, but then I saw this and that they needed people who hadn't had any of the mutations. Put my hoof up and was accepted.
Penny 1/08/2021 2:45 PM
Hoof!
🤣
Lisa 1/08/2021 2:46 PM
Yeah, that's a new one. What have they done, made us all associate with horses?
Bob 1/08/2021 2:47 PM
Not me.
Penny 1/08/2021 2:47 PM
Or me.
Subject: Department memo
Thank you all for forwarding that URL to our patients. My coverage has increased twenty-fold. I can point you to patient 113823902021 as another anomaly, Dr. Howards.
—Doctor Simpson
To: Dr. Karen Simpson
Subject: 113823902021I must apologize for not reading you in on all my notes. I had already identified this one, but your reinforcing of that is most appreciated. I have adjusted my mailing list to include you with all subject reports.
I'm sorry in advance for your inbox's spam.
—Doctor Howards
To: Dr. Peter Howards
Subject: SituationHow will this be going forward, Peter? These people aren't just suffering minor side effects, this is systemic. From their brains to their toes; everything about them has seen changes.
Should we stop this?
—Doctor Simpson
To: Dr. Karen Simpson
Subject: SituationThere's honestly nothing else for it. Whatever is happening will continue to happen. The medication has already been administered. Given the r0 of the modified virus, we can't afford to let them loose.
—Doctor Howards
To: Dr. Peter Howards
Subject: SituationThis was a live virus test?!
Peter, what on Earth were you doing? What have you done? This goes far and beyond what ethics would allow for. I'm registering right now that the moment this is over, I'm going to be filing a formal complaint with the CDC.
—Doctor Simpson
To: Dr. Karen Simpson
Subject: SituationI expected nothing less. The reason I'm bringing you in is that you're an outsider to my team. I guess I was distracted from my own conscience by the big win.
This will eradicate SARS-CoV-2 and all its mutations, but I fear the cost we're seeing in our subjects. Please allow me to tender my resignation along with your complaint.
—Doctor Howards
To: Dr. Peter Howards
Subject: SituationPeter, I'd rather see you pull all your patients through this first. Let's start medicating them for their symptoms and see how things progress. Some analgesics would be a good start and something to sooth those who're having bad dreams.
—Doctor Simpson
#general
Lisa 1/08/2021 10:47 PM
Well, guys, I'm going to bed. It's nice the docs let us have some stuff for these stiff joints, but I think they made me sleepy.
Bob 1/08/2021 10:50 PM
Tomorrow we get to find out what's gone crazy about us next.
Lisa 1/08/2021 10:53 PM
Yeah… Tomorrow.
—private-message—
Lisa 1/08/2021 10:58 PM
Is it too fast to want you to come and hug me?
Bob 1/08/2021 10:59 PM
Omw with biggest hugs.
Lisa 1/08/2021 11:01 PM
Thanks. Just hugs though.
Bob 1/08/2021 11:05 PM
I get that. Open your door, I'm outside.
Doctor Howards: are you at all concerned about these coordinated side effects? In other medical trials I'm quite certain further administration would be halted with these unexpected results.
"Of course I've terminated any further testing, but this is a live pair of viruses we're working with. We can treat their symptoms—at least those we know how to treat. I fear I may have stepped beyond my oath," Dr. Howards said.
So I do this "Ask X" thing. X can be any pony within the story. You can ask them anything and they will definitely, hopefully reply. Keep the questions appropriate to the age-rating of the stories, and they will answer the best question in the author notes of the next chapter. The more votes a comment has the more likely I will get it to the right pony to answer. Try to keep it to one question per post! They will pick one question per chapter.
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Join me on Discord. Please use your FimFic name as an alias. Warning, said chat may contain NSFW material and should be considered adult in nature.
Awesome ponies who are already helping to keep me in keyboards and rum:
A.P.O.N.I.
Canary in the Coal Mine
Daremo
Dio-Drogynous
Ender Voidwalker
KFS Crimson
Sirion123
Vi Watch
And special thanks to the following, for careful eyes and friendly words:
Lab
Well that isn't concerning.
Well that isn't concerning.
Yeah, this has already spun out of control. Now to watch the bonfire burn...
5231278
[concern intensifies]
5231285
*Sees everyone else being concerned*
...*sips soda*...
Still wondering where that person in the red polo got off to. I know they are here somewhere...
interesting that you posted an actual link to a real discord chat there...are we going ARG with this and what should i enter as my patient number if i wana get in on things?
5231327 It was linked in chapter 1, just a little more obtusely.
There is a way to get a little further on the server, but it takes some reading and understanding of the previous chapter.
5231330
ooooh so we 'are' going full arg here...lets see i think i remember something being mentioned in the last chapter *checks over there*