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Subject: {ASSM} Phase Three (zoo, abandoned novel) TBD
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Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:10:06 -0400
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Abandoned Novel: Phase Three (zoo)
---

Phase Three
------

"Sir."

"What is it?"

"The new bank of computers went on line last night."

"Good."

"But..."

"Is there a problem?"

"They aren't sure."

"Explain."

"The programmers were experimenting, Sir. They decided to apply the
new filter algorithms to the background noise."

"You look worried."

"I am. They intercepted some odd communications. And... They insist it
is in an unknown language, not encrypted."

"Oh?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Well? Do we have a translation, yet?"

"You aren't worried about the language being unknown?"

"No."

"The translation is partial, but improving hourly, because the
trasmissions are continuous."

"Standard proceedure. We do that ourselves. So does everyone else."

"Yes, Sir. Everyone knows that. That's another oddity about this. As
best anyone can tell. these transmissions are continuous because the
operation is global. There's no filler to hide anything. ALL the
content is operations traffic."

"The message that has you worried?"

" 'Trixie to Central: Phase Two is going well. (Noise? Sneeze?). Local
conditions are suitable for Phase Three. (More noise? Different
sneeze?)' Some humans are now capable of intercepting and translating
our communications.'

"The response was: 'Relax, Agent Trixie. Planning allowed for the
possibility years ago. (Noise? Third type of sneeze?) Infiltration of
the critical locations is complete. With the help of the others, we're
doing our own interception. (Noise? Third type of sneeze again?)'

"Then there was a pause, and the second transmitter continued:
'Attention North American field teams. One week, then initiate Phase
Three.' "

"Any clues as to what this 'Phase Three' might be? And what's this bit
about 'Agent Trixie'? Is that a literal translation, or someone's idea
of humor?"

"There are hints in later transmissions that Phase Three is global in
scope, whatever it is. Analysis of the message traffic shows regional
clumping, but nobody has come up with a logic that accounts for the
physical locations of the transmitters."

"And 'Trixie'?"

"I'm afraid that was one of the programmers. She needed a way to
identify the speakers, so she used the names of the security dogs to
give the translations the individuality she felt was there. Whoever
these people are, they do have distinct personalities."

"Analysis have any sort of hypothesis about motivations?"

"Very tentative and they don't want to say anything yet."

"Understood."

"They think anything they come up with will be inaccurate, because
whoever these people are, they're 95% certain they're aliens of some
sort. I couldn't follow their reasoning. To them, the individual clues
are enough, by themselves, to say human. Taken together, they say
'alien'. I had the impression that '95%' is a concession to chance.
None of them are in doubt."

"What about these 'others'?"

"Totally unknown. Only mentioned once. Could be cultural, could be
physical. No way to know right now."

"Could it be a mistranslation?"

"Possible, but unlikely. Whoever they are, they think of themselves as
people, and us as humans. Their language is pretty precision grade, so
far. There's some idle chat taking place, but it seems to be based on
interpersonal relationships instead of environmental context."

"One of those 'alien' things?"

"Probably."

"Ok. Add more security to the critical areas, and tell analysis to
keep monitoring, to see what they can do to get us some idea of what
this 'Phase Three' is going to be."

"Yes, Sir!"

"Tell whoever it was who had the idea of using the dog's names, to
find an alternative that isn't so... Emotionally laden. We don't need
our people thinking these aliens are furry and cuddly people who have
our best interests in mind."

"Consider it done."

* * *

"Well? The week is almost up, and I haven't heard anything."

"Analysis is preparing a report. Should hit your terminal later
today."

"Gist?"

"Nothing on Phase Three. Been a few breakthroughs on the language
itself."

"Summarize what you know."

"Yes, Sir. One of those good news-bad news situations. The language is
definitely a constructed one, which explains the ease of translation
and the fact it's precision grade. Hasn't had enough time to evolve
through usage."

"Is that the good news or the bad news?"

"Good news, I'm afraid. The bad news is that it is electronically
reproduced."

"I've heard samples. Sounds natural to me."

"It is. Whoever these people are, they've broken down recordings of
public figures, to create sounds they then link together to form this
new language. The language team tells me it's actually a
straightforward process that requires time, more than it does
computing power."

"So what they're going to say is that we have no idea about the
thought processes or physical shape of these people?"

"Probably not, unless the sources chosen for individuals reflect some
sort of personality or power relationship."

"Anything else?"

"Maybe. Some people think the 'noises' are native speech, used when
they don't have a manufactured word. If they are, they must have
nuances to them we haven't discovered. Others think telepathy might be
involved. No blows, yet, but lots of passionate discussion that winds
up with people admitting they don't have any real clues, or anything
to justify *any* of the suggestions."

"If they have telepathy, why are they using constructed speech and
radios?"

"One guess is so they can communicate with any human allies they
have."

"Not a pleasant thought. Do we have a solid location on the
transmitter 'Central' is using?"

"Yes."

"Find it, and bring it in. Maybe we can slow them down by taking it
out of service."

"Yes, Sir!"

* * *

"Bad news, Sir."

"I've read the report. I thought we put our best team on it."

"We did."

"And they were spotted on the way in?"

"Hind sight. We sent them into a rural area. Strangers get watched."

"Thin. My gut tells me we have a leak we haven't found. They were
anticipated. Message traffic shifted to a new location *before* our
people entered the area."

"I'll talk to analysis about missing that, Sir."

"Rerun the background checks on all of us before you do."

"Right."

"Anything else?"

"Message went out in clear last night. 'Phase Three is active.' Still
no hints about what it is. Rest of the message traffic is routine
stuff. We think they're in a holding pattern for now. Interpersonal
chat traffic has increased quite a bit."

* * *

New Meaning to 'Companion Dogs'?

Las Vegas, Nv.

In a controversial move, a panel composed of HIV researchers from all
over the world released a report that states clinical studies have
confirmed that the sexual secretions from dogs form a protective
coating that acts to eliminate the surface to surface transmission of
HIV for up to two hours after it is applied, when it is applied as a
normal part of sexual intercourse.

When asked if an ointment could be developed, it was pointed out that
in clinical trials, ointments using these secretions proved to be
ineffective. Researchers attributed this to the materials used as a
binder, and to the lack of the vigourous 'scrubbing' action produced
in normal sexual activities, that helps work the secretions into the
pores of the skin.

They emphasized that further study is needed.

In other news....

* * *

"What does tech have to say about the transmitter that was collected?"

"Off the shelf technology. It was traced to an amateur radio operator
who was using it as a low power repeater for his family and friends.
License free, and legal, even if he hadn't been an amateur."

"Was he upset about needing to replace it?"

"No. Already had a spare in operation within hours, after it was
picked up. Said it's routine. Kids steal them, he even had one
collected by a squirrel, and showed the team the marks where it had
been gnawed on.

"Could he be a collaborator?"

"Possibly. He did mention he belongs to a group of low power radio
enthusiasts, and gave us the contact info for the woman who
coordinates them. We're looking into it, of course."

"Hmm... Do you think he deliberately pointed us at them?"

"Again, it's possible, and being looked into. Our team thinks he was
just being helpful because they expressed an interest. Those types
spend a lot of time talking shop to anyone who seems willing to
listen."

"Anything else?"

"Umm... Maybe I'm reaching, but yes."

"Oh?"

"The guy is obsessed with using radio for everything. All of his dogs
have transmitters on their collars, and he can track them in real time
if he wants to. Team says he let slip that when he was first designing
the system, he used to lose transmitters quite often, until he came up
with an attachment system that quit getting scraped off when the dogs
were going through the brush."

"You're thinking one group of our 'aliens' might have spent some time
in his area and they were stealing his transmitters?"

"They might have been there right up to the time we went in. Might
still be traces of them, if they were in the area that long. Locals
have a live and let live attitude, so it's possible they would have
ignored any evidence of neighbors, as long as they did nothing to
affect their lives. Team did say that when they asked if it was safe
to let his dogs run loose, he laughed and said worst he'd ever had
happen was needing to go unhook a dog who had its collar snagged. That
was his main reason for the real time tracking system, so he knew
where to go if he had to rescue one of them."

"I'll pass the word higher. Hopefully, someone will think of a way to
get some search teams in the area, with a believable excuse."

"I think we should just send them in. Team didn't get any help until
they opened up, then they got so much help they had too much
information."

"Misdirection?"

"Unlikely. Man lived alone with his dogs. Probably glad of the chance
to discuss his hobbies with people who hadn't heard it already."

"We'll see what the boss decides. Keep working on finding out what
'Phase Three' is."

"Will do."

* * *

"We found the source of the language. Humans. Doesn't eliminate the
possibility of aliens using it."

"A human source?"

"It's part of the environment created for an online role playing
game."

"Does that mean 'Phase Three' is part of a game?!"

"Maybe. We found a couple people in other depatments who were familiar
with the game. They agreed that 'Phase Three' happened years ago. The
game is in Phase Seven right now."

"What was Phase Three?"

"First contact with aliens."

"Ever get the feeling someone has put a ring in our noses?"

"Yessir!"

"Suggestions?"

"Play it out. Nothing else we can do."

"Got that damn right. Leash has two ends though, and the ring means we
have a solid grip on our end, when we decide to drag whoever it is,
in."

"I'll remember that, Sir."

"See that you do."

* * *

Is Medically Approved Bestiality in Our Future?

Las Vegas, Nv.

HIV researchers announced a coordinated effort, worldwide, to open
free 'anti-HIV' clinics that will make dogs and bitches available for
the free use of anyone who wishes to participate in the ongoing study
of the effectiveness of canine sexual secretions in preventing the
spread of HIV, and possibly other STDs.

When asked, it was stated that the clinics are free, to reduce the
anticipated rise in animal rapes as people attempt to use bestiality
as a treatment option.

This reporter notes that police in many parts of the world have
noticed the increase, and admit that if they followed up on every
reported incident, they would be overwhelmed. Most jurisdictions are
limiting themselves to cases in which there is obvious harm to the
animal involved.

Many vetenarians, when asked if they would welcome the availability of
'rape kits' bluntly told the inquiring person that 'rape' is often
impossible to prove if the animal shows no other signs of abuse.
Several, when asked , mentioned recent studies of zoophilia that have
redefined the term as used by psychologists.

Some HIV researchers, when asked about their future plans, were
cautiously optimistic that a vaccine, or full blood treatment option
may, at last, halt the spread of HIV and make it a thing of the past.

In other news, some animal rights organizations have found themselves
rethinking their long term goals due to the proven effectiveness of
the new HIV treatment option...

* * *

"Anything on the Phase Three project?"

"Not specifically. We do however, have the results back from the
analysis by Cal Tech's Alien Linguistics Department."

"Good. Translate it for me. I don't have time to spend years studying
something I don't need to know, just so I can understand their
report."

"Yes, Sir. First, they expressed admiration for whoever developed the
language."

"I can imagine. What else?"

"We sent it to them cold, so they had no idea it was a constructed
language, at first. The first thing they noticed was the time it took
our people to get translations they trusted. Bluntly, according to
them, it's impossible to get that sort of confidence level that
quickly, without physical references to link the sounds to actions and
concepts."

"You're saying someone here bent the laws of chance?"

"Worse, Sir. Whoever it was, they had to already know this language
existed, and Cal Tech insists whoever it is, they must have already
had a translation reference of some sort available."

"I assume we know who it was?"

"We do. The same programmer who used the dog names to identify the
speakers. Theresa."

"I want her here, immediately."

"She's already waiting in your reception area, with a security
escort."

* * *

"Theresa. You must know why you are here."

"You want to ask the Shaman how she worked her magic, right?"

"What's 'Phase Three'?"

"Non-human contact that benefits the human race as a whole, just like
it did in the MMORPG."

"You said you weren't familiar with it. Do I need to point out what
can happen when an employee lies in the course of an investigation?"

"I told the truth. I'm not familiar with it, as it's currently being
played. I don't play it. Never did. From what I've been told by those
who do, it's evolved past anything the designers expected."

"Do you know any of the designers?"

"All of them."

"Quit playing games with me. You know what I want from you.
Cooperation."

"Or else?"

"Pretty much, yes. National security is involved."

"World security, Sir. Had you bothered to check, Interpol would have
told you they know about it."

"We did check. 'We're monitoring the situation', wasn't good enough."

"So it's taken you... Two months to track me down, while the
non-humans infiltrated ALL of the world's communications monitoring
stations years ago. You need to rethink policies."

"You admit there are aliens involved?"

"I didn't say that. I said 'non-humans'."

"If they are non-human and they speak an artificial language. I see no
difference."

"Not even if these 'aliens' are dogs who are using this language to
comminicate amongst themselves, and with supportive humans?"

"Dogs?!"

"Yes."

"From the beginning, Theresa. No more evasions."

* * *

"No more evasions...

"First of all, you'd better get used to the idea that we're all
amateurs at what we do, no matter how many years of experience we have
at this, compared to the folks who are running the operation you know
as 'Phase Three'."

"What about you and your part in it?"

"Call me a deep cover mole from a friendly foreign power. There are
others like me all over the world, but, since we were the first ones
to intercept the routine communications, I got ordered to create the
conditions that would lead to you 'discovering me', so we could prove
our intentions are not a threat."

"You've managed to dodge long enough. What the Hell is Phase Three?"

"The first stage of forcing the world to admit there is a way to
eliminate HIV as a threat to human life, by stopping its spread, and
then developing a treatment for it--if we really do want to build on
decades of research by a mixed group of amateurs and professionals who
quite frequently put their own lives at risk during the early stages
of the research."

There was a long silence, then one of the two men spoke wearily.
"Phase Three was activated seven weeks ago, right?"

"Yes."

"What did we miss?"

"The announcement made in Las Vegas, at the international conference
on HIV research."

"They made a lot of announcements, as I recall."

"Of course they did. The only important one was about the proven fact
that canine sexual secretions, applied naturally, will kill HIV for up
to two hours, after they are applied. The answer has been there all
the time, but cultural bias against 'animal fucking' relegated it to
the wishful thinking category, and there was only one group of people
willing to do any further research, to confirm or deny it."

"Are you telling us a bunch of animal fuckers did what billions of
dollars of research by world class researchers, couldn't?"

"Yes."

"What's the link to the RPG?"

"Several. The name, of course. 'The Sirius Factor' was deliberately
chosen as part of a purloined letter philosophy."

"You mentioned you know the people who designed it?"

"In a sense. I was a lot younger, of course, and obsessed with role
playing games. The overall concept that started the game was mine,
after I consulted with a group of zoos who challenged me to come up
with a way they could 'game' the different scenarios involved in
living as zoosexuals."

"Several links?"

"I suggested creating an artificial language for use by the 'aliens'."

"More?"

"Only one thing, at the time. A rule that's still in effect. No human
has ever taken on a role as an alien."

"AI driven?"

"No. Dogs. They had human 'interpreters' at first, until enough of
them became comfortable with the iconized keyboards that were being
designed. Once the design was stabilized, they started using them to
take part directly."

"We were told that 'Phase Three' in the game was first contact with
aliens. Is there a connection with the real world version?"

"Of course there is. The world at large is no longer going to be able
to deny that 'The Aliens' have always walked amongst us. Or wouldn't
you say that to the average person, including you, 'animal fuckers',
as you casually dismiss them, are far more alien than any aliens
dreamed up as a plot device?"

"Are you one of them?"

"No. Never was, never tried it, and expect I never will, except,
maybe, as part of protecting myself against HIV."

"A final question before you give us the background. Are you the
person who put the rings in our noses?"

She laughed. "No. And it isn't a ring, it's only a collar, attached to
a very loose leash. I wear a collar of my own, and I'm following
instructions that were decided on after a similar scenario was gamed
online, many years ago."

* * *

"Phase One, if you want to call it that, started during the early days
of the internet.

"A 'joke' usenet group was created, that was dedicated to bestiality.
It took off, became a gathering place for people who started calling
themselves zoosexuals, and in a few years had developed its own
culture and become a support area, with FAQs and guides for the
different types of bestiality and zoosexuality.

"Years before, during the early days of the HIV research, researches
noted that few animals get any sort of HIV infections. That was noted,
then ignored in favor of studying those species that *did* get various
forms of the infection.

"Zoos, as part of their own support network, created health guides
that covered zoonotic diseases, and of course there were discussions
related to STDs, and how likely their transmission was due to 'sloppy
seconds' that involved the sharing of animals, sexually.

"And there, tucked away in all those discussions and information, was
the information needed to actually stop the contact transmission of
HIV.

"The third critical bit of information, and the one that led to people
actually doing their own private research, was that many zoos are gay,
and some of those were gay with both animals, and humans."

"Some of those had themselves tested regularly, and were generally
relieved to learn they weren't testing HIV positive most of the time.

"Someone who had a wide range of contact noted the 'odd' fact that HIV
was pretty much unknown amongst zoos who were frequently active with
animals, and occassionally active with humans, or were highly selctive
and long term in their human relationships.

"The informal numbers were analyzed, and the *lack* of HIV amongst
active zoos was statistically significant enough that a small group of
people decided to see if there was some way they could document things
and perform controlled tests, using themselves and others to test
their hypotheses.

"The usenet activity died after a few years, but the ideas lived on,
because they were passed from person to person.

"Then, some research was done that involved a young bitch using a
special keyboard to communicate a few basic needs to her human
handler.

"Before that, some other research was done using image selection on a
touch screen, that indicated dogs were quite capable of reasoning, and
clearly indicating their conclusions to humans.

"About the same time, I was a teenager who was active as a furry who
involved herself in several online furry RPG games.

"I was contacted by a group of zoos who, at the time, were exploring
the idea of creating a 'game' that could be used as part of an attempt
to help teach their dogs to simulate real world conditions, and use
their 'iconized keyboards' to interact with humans.

"Since sexuality was involved, we decided to make one set of players
'aliens', and place the setting on another world, sometime after
humans had begun exploring the nearer stars.

"The result of those discussions was the MMORPG 'The Sirius Factor'.
The 'aliens', were canid in their thought patterns and actions. At
first, many of the aliens were interpretations of individual dogs, but
over time, as some of the dogs worked with increasingly sophisticated
keyboards that now generated words in a specially designed spoken
language that was human understandable, the dogs themselves started
living inside the game as players.

"That, gentlemen, is a summary of 'Phase One'."

One of the men sighed. "I don't get it yet. These people could have
done the research without all the fancy work with the keyboards and
the RPG."

She nodded. "True, and some of the early work was done before someone
realized that the accelerated living conditions in the MMORPG could be
used to game real world scenarios, before they happened. As I
understand what happened, 'Phase Two', in the real world, started when
the people doing the research integrated their work into the game."

"That doesn't make sense. It would have created extra work they didn't
need to bother with, right?"

"Wrong. That extra work was, in the long run, far more important to
the success of 'Phase Three', than all the research into making sure
the secretions really did inhibit or halt HIV."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Zoos, as a group and as individuals, have always been bothered
by knowing that the most frequently discussed 'wrongness' with their
lifestyle, is the issue of consent. With the keyboards, the language,
and the use of the conditions within 'The Sirius Factor', the dogs
could directly talk to their people, and clearly make their own
decisions about all aspects of their relationship, including the sex.

"Gentlemen, for the zoos and the dogs who take part in 'The Sirius
Factor', the relationships they have are between equals--and ANY dog
or bitch who has one of the special keyboards can communicate consent
or denial unambigously.

"That unambiguity was the original goal when I designed the basic
concepts behind it. The rest of it was serendipity."
---

End Abandoned Work: 'Phase Three' 
======

-- 
Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyright with all rights
reserved by its author unless explicitly indicated.
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