Clearance Level 4
Contained Anomaly: CTA-003
Object Class: Caputalis
Containment Procedures: CTA-003 is to be contained in a large 100 x 100 meter chamber located within the area of Graham Island, Canada. The area around the containment zone, up to 10 miles, is to be routinely patrolled by MF-1-A4 "Misinformation Nation." Should any civilian within the area detect an instance of CTA-003, they are to immediately be terminated via rounds of gunfire unless told otherwise by Level 5 or higher personnel. At least three (3) or four (4) personnel armed with a 12-gauge shotgun are to be stationed outside the containment cell at all times. The cell must be monitored 24/7 by Level 4 personnel. Cell capacity may not exceed up to twenty (20) instances of CTA-003. Should the population exceed this number, any excess instances are to be terminated via euthanization, and then disposed of via incineration.
Containment of CTA-003 is a maximum priority, and should any instance of CTA-003 escape containment, they are to be immediately subdued via intense lighting, preferably through the spotlight of a Corporation helicopter, and brought back into containment as soon as possible. Should more than four (4) instances of CTA-003 escape containment, and not be contained within twenty-four (24) hours, Protocol 003-ALPHA is to be issued immediately (see Addendum 003-2).
Any and all widespread myths related to CTA-003 are to be identified and 'debunked' by Corporation personnel through manipulation of local news stations.
Description: CTA-003 is an anomalous species of large insectoid creatures measuring up to eight (8) meters long and two (2) meters wide on average, usually weighing up to one hundred-seventy (170) kg. They are generally very social, and generally travel in packs of eight (8) to fifteen (15) instances. They are generally docile to any other beings when at least one (1) major light source is present, unless provoked by said beings. Sources of light sustainable to CTA-003 include:
- Rays of direct sunlight
- Intense fluorescent lighting
- Heavy spotlights
The primary anomalous ability of CTA-003 is the ability to conduct photosynthesis when in the presence of a major source of light, despite clearly being fauna rather than flora, as well as the ability to detect any source of light from up to ten (10) miles in every direction, no matter the size or strength of the source. Instances of CTA-003 go through a "feeding cycle" daily that can last up to nineteen (19) hours.
Should this feeding cycle be interrupted, through the cessation of all available sources of light, instances of CTA-003 will become extremely hostile and aggressive. It will immediately begin pursuing the nearest available source of light, and will take the fastest route possible to achieve it. CTA-003 instances have been shown to be quite intelligent, and are capable of breaking into and hijacking some vehicles to activate the car's headlights, which they then 'feed' off of. However, this behavior has only been shown in instances who have frequently observed human activity, and otherwise likely will not be achieved.
Should instances of CTA-003 be left without a light source for more than eight (8) hours, they will expire as a result of starvation. Attempting to terminate instances of CTA-003 via this method is highly advised against, as it may result in mass loss of life. Should instances of CTA-003 become desperate enough, they will begin pursuing smaller and smaller light sources, such as from smartphones or flashlights. If no other source of light is available, it will begin hunting bioluminescent animals such as fireflies, however this is not enough to sustain them for long periods of time.
During states of desperation, instances of CTA-003 cannot be impeded by most known materials or weapons, and engagement with instances during this period is highly advised against as it may result in loss of life. Instances when in their most agitated state can run at speeds of up to 110 MPH in pursuit of sources of light. Utilizing any device that provides a light source during this time will result in death or serious injury.
Addendum 003-1: Interview with a Corporation operative, "Key," shortly after a major containment breach of multiple instances of CTA-003.
Interviewer: Dr. █████ Rando
Interviewee: MF-1 "The Chosen Ones" Operative-17 "Key"
Foreword: Interview taken approximately 26 hours after breach.
<Begin log, 10:15 AM EST>
Dr. █████ Rando: Welcome. For the record, please state your callsign.
Key: Uhh, Key.
Dr. Rando: Thank you. Now, how would you describe the containment breach that occured yesterday?
Key: Oh, God. Okay, uhm, it was in the middle of the night, right? There was this huge light shining in the containment cell, and we were all sitting there, watching the things. It looked kind of disgusting, the way they just…fed on the light.
Key: Then, the power went out all of a sudden, and it all went to hell. The things started freaking out and flailing their little limbs everywhere, crawling all over the place. A group of 'em teamed up and ripped down a wall. We tried turning on the backup lights to calm 'em down, but those wouldn't work either. We don't know what happened.
Dr. Rando: Do you believe it may have been sabotage?
Key: Well, seems more likely than any other explanation we could come up with. Not sure who would want to do that, though. Anyways, I tried shooting at the things' heads, but I had reacted too slowly, and…oh God…I need to take a drink.
Key: Some guy on my squad thought it would be a good idea to shine a flashlight in those things' faces, and all that did was make him their target. They tore through my whole squad…I can still hear their screaming and screeching.
Key: After that, it was a wild goose chase for a while. We got helicopters in the air with the squads we had left, and started looking around, but the damn things were fast. When we shone our spotlights, all of a sudden the things came running back, and then they were calm again. Those fuckers were just sitting there, like nothing had happened at all, and eating up the light.
Dr. Rando: Right, then. I believe that will be all for now. Thank you.
<End log, 10:40 AM>
Closing Statement: Protocol 003-ALPHA was devised shortly after the breach. Read below.
Addendum 003-2: Instructions on how to carry out Protocol 003-ALPHA.
PROTOCOL 003-ALPHA
Devised to provide instructions on what to do during a mass containment breach of CTA-003.
In the event of a containment breach involving multiple desperate instances of CTA-003, and in the event of normal containment protocols failing, this protocol is to be enacted as soon as possible. Instructions are as follows.
- Corporation squadrons are to sweep the area in and around Graham Island. Squadrons will be supported by a standard Corporation helicopter armed with a spotlight.
- Should an instance of CTA-003 be detected, the spotlight is to be shone directly at the instance. In the event that their feeding cycle has concluded, multiple rounds of tranquilizer darts are to be rapidly fired at the instance until it is subdued and taken back into containment.
- Should more than eight (8) instances of CTA-003 escape containment and roam the area, emergency orders are to be given to all civilians in and around the area of up to thirty (30) or more miles around the containment zone. Civilians are to be ordered to remain sheltered in their homes, deactivate all internal sources of light and activate external sources of light, and not to look outside under any circumstances. Once all CTA-003 instances are located and subdued, emergency orders are to be lifted.
- Should all known CTA-003 instances breach containment and not be contained within forty-eight (48) hours, the area of up to three hundred (300) square miles is to have evacuation orders issued, which will then be followed by mass carpet bombing of the area until all instances are confirmed terminated. In the event that this protocol fails, both the Canadian and United States governments are to be informed of the breach, and protocols for a Class Alpha-Breach event are to be put in place immediately.
Addendum 003-3: Investigations related to the earlier containment breach (see Addendum 003-1). Thorough investigation of the area has confirmed sabotage, presumably by a Group of Interest. The most likely culprit is the Cult of Aether, though other potential culprits include the PII or the Elenchos Parasiton.
INVESTIGATION STATUS: Ongoing