veilbreak | aaldana 001.

This has already been approved by Verin and leadership. This is not a debate on if we should. It is a debate on how.

We will be going forward with additional experimentation to further stabilise the Neuroclast. To do this, we will be taking volunteers among those who have had an implant that is not TIF. The process will include baseline and progressive scans, temporary monitored linking to the Veil and exponentially increasing exposure to experimental Neuroclast packets while simultaneously stimulating the dorsolateral and ventrolateral PAG when disconnecting from it. The goal is to get below a 4% risk of side effects when disrupting or destroying a node.

This procedure is not without risk, and the risks include: chronic pain (headaches/migraines, shooting or radiating pain stemming from the neck down), paralysis/spastic limbs, death.

Volunteers would need to understand and accept the risks as well as undergo a thorough psychological examination. We would need 3-5 volunteers, and where to source those volunteers is the current issue at hand. My personal preference would be to take volunteers from onboard Mnemosyne. Others have suggested we take volunteers from the unVeiled cities. There is also an option for a mixture from both.

Neither sourcing is without risk. We already operate at a resource deficit, and taking agents further increases that deficit. If that volunteer is in a leadership role, we risk years of knowledge and experience. If we take from the cities, it's a security risk to bring them onboard. Propaganda will spread further of us being like the Architects in that we are choosing not to experiment from within.

We're leaving it up you all to decide how we source volunteers. Again, this will be happening, so spare me the ethics debate of experimenting on humans. If there was another way, chances are we've already tried it.

NIKO.

What's going on with you and Domingo? The flirting is obnoxious. Just fuck already.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Short of repeating what happened with Maryle ten more times, I don't think here is a best way for them to find out. No one will be pleased with me regardless of my approach.

Fine.

[...] I'm sorry. ~~I don't understand why you~~

It's not your fault. It's an exhausting day, and I was already sensitive to the issue of [...] bluntness.

Not entirely, but at least partially. Adrían wouldn't tell me why there's trouble in paradise, only that there is. Is it related?

Edited 2026-02-04 00:07 (UTC)

It is, yes, but I'd rather not get into the specifics. The fault lies with me.

[...] In that case, what do you need? "Nothing" is not applicable.

I don't know, Dom.

Then tell me how bad it feels and I'll find an appropriate salve.

I've hurt Adrián very deeply. Aziz and Jackson want to volunteer. Everyone is upset to varying degrees. I feel like the floor has dropped out from under me. Wherever that ranks.

We could put Service Stud aside in favour of something a little more fantastical — I may not be Hollywood-trained but I used to read to Maryle enough that my oration skills are passable. Laying back to listen to a story from someone else can be meditative.

Edited (sorry @ sloane 4 same coping mechanisms lmao) 2026-02-04 01:40 (UTC)

That sounds like an improvement over an evening of self-flagellation.

If you have more carnal offers I won't begrudge you your preferences, but if I can help you, I'd like to.

Let's check in with a quick status update concerning the handful of lovers I have aboard this ship.

1. Philip: understandably spiraling because his pilots are volunteering left and right.
2. Aziz: one of the aforementioned pilots. Will not listen to reason about this.
3. Adrían: ~~LOATHES me and will never SPEAK to me again~~ Unavailable.

It's feasible that you and Philip could seek solace in each other, especially since I've been informed your room will be a single ~~for the~~ tonight.