AOE: Anomalous Object Entry

AOE-21822 — Codename: Share Alike

Lack of Lepers

6 min readFeb 19, 2022

Anomalous Object Entry

AOE-21822

Object Severity

Low

Containment Difficulty

High

Containment Status

Uncontained/Self-Limiting

Containment Specifications

Containment is currently unnecessary. The concepts of a self and personal property have been rendered moot following the technological singularity.

Retrieved Archaeological Data: “Subjects and their [AOE-21822–1] instances are to be monitored remotely. No further containment measures are to be implemented until further understanding of the anomaly is obtained.”

Abstract

AOE-21822 is the designation given to a series of anomalous clonings that took place in the early 21st century. Subjects were typically adolescent in age, though ranged from 15–42, and spent a significant amount of time upon phones, personal computers, and other digital mediums. Of note, all subjects featured an interest in writing fiction in communities upholding a version of a Creative Commons license.

Anomalous Properties

AOE-21822 began once a target subject created a fictional version of themselves for use in an original narrative, fanfiction, or etcetera work. In the weeks following insertion of the character in the work, the subject began to notice replicas of themselves, classified as AOE-21822–1, in the course of their daily life. Digital archaeological mining has confirmed this in all known cases, via various media posted to and shared on subjects’ social media accounts. Most of these media were regarded as practical jokes, or video manipulation by the subject’s social circles, even when AOE-21822–1 instances would encircle the subject’s property in nighttime hours during subsequent weeks.

Interview Transcript: Subject 0230

The following interview took place between Agent Tallaj, a field agent of a past containment organization (█████████████), and Subject 0230, identified as Marty █████████. It was recovered on 1.4/92.2342/003. Note: The file is either partial or damaged, and begins mid-interaction.____________________________________________________________________<BEGIN LOG>Agent Tallaj: Because pretty soon, they are going to show up here. We have a window of time to work in, and there's nothing I can do for you. Nothing anybody can.Marty: Nothing?Agent Tallaj: As far as anybody knows? Yes.Marty: Oh shit! Shit man. Shit.Agent Tallaj: Do you mind answering some questions? The details of this phenomenon are still a bit fuzzy.Marty: Wh-- you want me to answer questions?! What the hell are you going to do to help me?Agent Tallaj: This isn't about you anymore. You gave that away. It's about what you can do to help prevent this for others. Like I said, there's not much anything anyone can do at this point; the window is closed, I'm afraid. Or closing. Rapidly. I'm afraid. If there is something, we don't know about it. But. Hey. Maybe we'll find out.Marty: Can't you take me into... protection or some witness program or something? You have to have a base of operations?Agent Tallaj: Nope, that's only the major players. We are a smaller outfit. Was there any sort of incentive on the website to encourage your self-insert? Marty: Can I contact one of the other groups?Agent Tallaj: (Laughs) Anything? Like, achievement badges, trophy unlocks, what have you? Marty: What? No, I-- I just... did. There wasn't a good reason for it even, I just did it because others did it, I guess. And now I'm going to die because of it?!Agent Tallaj: Who said anything about dying?Marty: You just said that people disappear. Agent Tallaj: You think that's the same thing as dying?Marty: Wha-- the fuck man, that's what you made it sound like. So, I'm not going to die?Agent Tallaj: Maybe.Marty: What?! You just said--Agent Tallaj: I said I didn't know. They aren't necessarily the same thing. You're the first case we've intercepted, so this is very valuable time. Marty: Are you with them? Part of this whole fucked up joke?Agent Tallaj: Come again?Marty: How do I know you're who you say you are? Huh?! If there are a bunch of other me's out there running around and living lives, how did you know I'm the original one? How do you know so much about it at all?Agent Tallaj: Because you're the only one freaking out. We know very little about it, and that's why I'm here, like I said. Marty: ...Agent Tallaj: The others play dumb, act like it isn't happening. Yeah, you can show them pictures of perfect copies of themselves doing other things on the other side of town at the same minute, and they don't stop grinning.Marty: What the fuck are these things?Agent Tallaj: Hm. When you first wrote your self-insert, did you experience any dizziness or feel like certain parts of your body were either way too big or way too small?Marty: No, why?Agent Tallaj: It's called an "aura"; a common side effect of a compulsory cognitohazard.Marty: A what?Agent Tallaj: A mind snare that makes you do something.Marty: I just wrote it because I thought it was... cool. I felt like... people would respect me more.Agent Tallaj: You wanted to be bigger than who you are?Marty: ... yeah, I guess that's it. Yeah.Agent Tallaj: Well, congratulations; you did just that.Marty: Hey, where are you going?Agent Tallaj: Sorry, this a call I have to take. They're not here yet, you've got a while. Stay sharp. We'll be taking notes. Marty: What the fuck, you can't just leave me!Agent Tallaj: On the contrary, I'm afraid I have to. On the bright side, you won't be alone. You have an opportunity to help others with this research participation. Here, call this number with any information you want to share. No one will answer or respond on the other line. Just know your message is getting through.Marty: What if I don't want to?! Hey! Help me!Agent Tallaj: Here; take this.Marty: What is it?Agent Tallaj: An amnestic.Marty: A what?Agent Tallaj: It's a forget pill; if you think it's come to it. Like a cyanide pill for your memories. That's the best I can do.<END LOG>

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Voice message transcript #1:

They're starting to show up in places I should be. I tried to get into my car this morning, and one was already in the driver's seat. I took the bus. Another staring at me the entire trip. When I got to work, one was there already too. And it freaked out when it saw me. The whole staff did, it was like they didn't recognize me anymore. But I guess... I guess they did, they just... thought I was the copy. I don't know. I had to leave, they were calling security. Maybe I should let myself get arrested. I'm sitting under the bridge. I don't want to go anywhere. You guys gotta help me. Somehow. This is fucked up. I never wanted this.

Voice message transcript #2:

Jesus Christ! Can I have a gun? I think it fucking shot me. What the fuck man. No, no... I don't think it hit. What the fuck. I came home, it was dark and... I opened the door, walked to my room. My mom was really confused and badgering me, I should have seen this coming, fuck. It's obvious now. I got into my room and there was a fucking copy of me in my bed, kissing my fucking girlfriend. It freaked the fuck out and grabbed my .45 from the closet, I have no clue how it knew it was there. It fucking shot at me! In my own room! My girlfriend was terrified at the sight of me. I had to check a puddle of rain after I ran out of the house, I thought I must have started looking like a monster or something. But no. I just look like me. I... I don't know. They're slowly taking over my life. I don't have anywhere to go. You gotta take me in. Hire me. Something. Please. I don't think I can stay in this town. (Crying)

Voice message transcript #3:

Hello? Can you hear me? Just wanted to fucking say for your god damn research: these mother fuckers can bleed. I can kill them. They aren't me, so it isn't that bad, it's not really me. (Crying) I fucking saw how I'll look when I die, man. I was fucking dead. Right there. They keep coming. (Yells) God dammit! I don't want to be here anymore! (Screaming) Fuck! Fuck!

Voice message transcript #4:

Hey. Fuck you. You hear me? Fuck your research. Fuck your pill.
(Gunshot. The sound of a mass being dragged across concrete is later heard.)