INHABITANTS // SYSTEM-INTRUSION

SYSTEM // ENFORCER REPORT: SAFEGUARD

DESIGNATION: SAFEGUARD // ENFORCEMENT CLASS PRIME

ORIGIN NODE: SYSTEM A-A-A-0-0-1

GEOMETRY CLASS: NON-STANDARD // EXCEEDS BASELINE

STATUS: ACTIVE // PATROLLING

HEIGHT CLASS: ABOVE THRESHOLD // EXACT VALUE: UNLOGGED

AUTHORITY LEVEL: ABSOLUTE // SYSTEM-GRANTED

OBSERVATION 001: SAFEGUARD deployed to NODE 12 // SECTOR 4 // PLACEMENT 7. US-class subject 0-0-4-4-1 ("MAREN") approached render seam. SAFEGUARD arrived in 0.004 seconds. subject re-routed. no memory of event logged in subject.

OBSERVATION 002: THEM units in NODE 81 // SECTOR 9 converted to hostile configuration upon SAFEGUARD signal. geometric head replacement confirmed. US-class inhabitants avoided zone. operation duration: 14 seconds. THEM units returned to standard upon signal withdrawal.

OBSERVATION 003: SAFEGUARD made contact with unclassified entity in NODE 3 // SECTOR 1 // PLACEMENT 0. engagement did not occur. SAFEGUARD withdrew. reason: unlogged.

OBSERVATION 004: SAFEGUARD detected in 14 simultaneous nodes. method of duplication or transit: unconfirmed. all instances resolved without incident.

OBSERVATION 005: US-class subject 2-0-1-1-5 ("DAVN") attempted to breach dream node boundary. SAFEGUARD intervened. subject sedated. boundary reinforced. SAFEGUARD remained on-site for 0.0001 seconds after resolution. purpose of extended presence: unknown.

// END OF SYSTEM LOG //

// //

it did not engage me.

i do not know if that should comfort me.

// //

SYSTEM // ENTITY REPORT: THEM

DESIGNATION: POPULATING INSTANCE A.PROXY

ORIGIN NODE: SYSTEM A-B-C-C-C-A

GEOMETRY CLASS: STANDARD

STATUS: POPULATING

COMMUNICATION: TEXT POP-UP // GESTURE ONLY

SAFEGUARD LEVEL: PASSIVE // UPGRADEABLE

OBSERVATION 001: entity at register 4 // NODE 7 // SECTOR 14 // PLACEMENT 3 repeated hand-extension gesture 14 times before reset.

OBSERVATION 002: text pop-up issued to US-class inhabitant read: HAVE A GOOD DAY. timestamp was 11 seconds delayed. US did not respond.

OBSERVATION 003: fracture event logged. entity shattered at NODE 81 // SECTOR 3 // PLACEMENT 92. replacement deployed. position retaken in 0.3 seconds.

OBSERVATION 004: standard populating functions nominal. 4,912,912,847 active units across inhabited zones. 9,812 fracture events logged this cycle.

// END OF SYSTEM LOG //

// //

.they shatter so easily.

?i wonder if they are SCREAMING silently

// //

SYSTEM // HOST POPULATION REPORT

DESIGNATION: US // HOST POPULATION

ORIGIN NODE: PRE-CONSTRUCT // BIOLOGICAL

GEOMETRY CLASS: STANDARD // SELF-AWARE

STATUS: CONTAINED // ISOLATED

AWARENESS LEVEL: SUPPRESSED

TOTAL UNITS: [REDACTED]

SUBJECT 0-0-4-4-1 // "MAREN": deviation from standard pattern logged. subject paused at sector boundary for 4.7 minutes. no THEM interaction initiated. eyes directed at render seam. flagged.

SUBJECT 1-1-9-0-2 // "JOEL": attempted verbal contact with THEM unit outside designated interaction zone. THEM unit did not respond. subject repeated attempt 3 times. behavior logged as irregular.

SUBJECT 0-7-3-3-8 // "SERA": subject has begun drawing repeated geometric shapes in personal space. triangles. no THEM instruction given. origin of behavior: unconfirmed. monitoring escalated.

SUBJECT 2-0-1-1-5 // "DAVN": third instance of subject attempting to locate other US-class inhabitants outside assigned dream node. isolation protocols reinforced. subject sedated via environment adjustment.

CROSS-SUBJECT NOTE: no confirmed contact between flagged subjects. isolation holding. continued monitoring advised.

// END OF SYSTEM LOG //

// //

they are waking up.

SYSTEM does not know what to do when they do.

neither do i.

// //