TRANSCRIPT 1: The Director

[Took place on 1/26/2026]

JAYCE: HEXTECH Verbal Journal Entry 1, the day is [REDACTED] and the time is [REDACTED], Viktor and I are testing this software, uh, now, as we make our way down to the Anomaly Containment Chamber. Our goal is to relocate the Hexcore, which is a proof of concept to Quantum Containment that has been consistent in containing the Anomaly's temper.

JAYCE: This elevator's so nostalgic, huh, Vik? Do you have anything to add to our audio journal?

VIKTOR: We do always seem to return to elevators, eh? Yes, it will be a delicate procedure, considering we cannot touch the Hexcore and it must be handled very gingerly. That is why we are using this dictation software, as our hands will be quite full.

JAYCE: Busy hands and a running mouth, hahahah, sounds like an old report card.

VIKTOR: Sounds like you, haha—oh. I thought we would be alone in the Anomaly Room. Who is—? Is that the Director?

JAYCE: What? What would the Dire-

???: Am I in the way, boys?

JAYCE: Oh! Director! Hello, uh, no, we haven't gotten started yet, no one informed us you'd want to be supervising.

???: Ha, settle down. I'm not here as a part of anything, and we are far past the point of my supervision. I was making sure the keycard to my old stomping grounds still worked.

VIKTOR: Oh, you… used to work with the Anomaly, sir?

???: The tamer visits its lion. I was its Warden. This... is very familiar to me. For all the trouble it brings, its default containment state was unchanged for decades until your... Hexcore.

JAYCE: Sir! Don't! Don't, don't touch it.

???: My apologies, I must be getting sloppy.

???: Viktor. It's good to see you again.

???: When we brought you on, I didn't expect this to be the result.

VIKTOR: Ah, I… likewise, sir. It was an honor to have you as part of my onboarding. I hope I have not given you cause to regret your decision in hiring me.

???: What could you have possibly done to stoke my regret, Mr. Reveck?

VIKTOR: Well. Eh… considering we are currently under review after I… well, I am sure you are aware.

???: Yes, your... review. Has Mr. Talis or Cecil told you about the nature of those reviews yet?

VIKTOR: I… have admittedly not heard much at all, which is… somewhat worrisome.

???: Mr. Talis, I'm shocked.

JAYCE: In my defense, Director, this evaluation is going way differently than what I'm used to.

???: I understand that. This isn't your first time calling Detective Kiramman in, though from what I read of your reports, she invited herself. Thankfully she did. Those small towns... they're dangerous places. During my fieldwork days, I never found a single one that was not a graveyard to some hateful, dirty secrets, and the cops are always their keepers.

???: How tragic that human behavior rarely falls under our jurisdiction. The FBI will give us four months of scrutiny every time the police fall under cult classification.

???: Mr. Reveck, question for you.

VIKTOR: Yes, sir?

???: Former Police Chief Dale [REDACTED] Senior was born and raised within [REDACTED]. We have questioned him thoroughly, and despite the horrendous murder of his son at the hands of that demon, he shows very little remorse for coordinating the event of instigation.

???: He coordinated that cover-up amongst his son and his friends. He did so within a single night, within the lobby of a community college, and with many secondary witnesses too afraid to speak out.

???: His retirement did not dispel his sway over the officers or the town.

???: How would you classify former officer [REDACTED] within PILT's terms?

VIKTOR: A… cult leader, I suppose. Within anyone’s classification, not just PILT. It is… not unheard of for small towns to adopt cult-like practices.

???: Yes, I would agree with you. Why do you think this is?

VIKTOR: Well… often, these communities are tightly knit and isolated, which can make them more susceptible to charismatic figures or unusual belief systems. A single persuasive individual can shape the town’s culture, especially if they offer simple explanations for complex problems or a sense of unity and purpose that the residents may otherwise lack.

???: Textbook definition of cause and effect.

???: One more question, Mr. Reveck.

???: What do you think happens... when a cult races towards its natural end. Unimpeded. Unquestioned. No intervention.

???: How does it usually end, and how does it... rarely end.

VIKTOR: Typically, the structure collapses under its own contradictions. Charisma can only carry so far before the lies begin to accumulate. It may conclude in violence, or quietly, as disillusion spreads among the followers.

VIKTOR: Rarely does it end painlessly.

???: That's right.

???: Such people naturally gravitate towards positions of power. As such, we tend to tangle with the FBI frequently on them due to the amount of spiritual promises being made and defenseless sacrifices at hand.

???: Your evaluation... failed to incorporate the facts of former Police Chief [REDACTED]'s influences on the outcome.

???: They always planned to kill you.

???: That omission... I do not believe to be the fault of you and your partner.

???: Mr. Talis. You did the right thing calling Detective Kiramman. Do not let this evaluation turn you against your intuition.

???: Mr. Reveck. Whatever you did to that demon stunted it enough that it did not immediately possess and slaughter you and your partner.

???: The government influences much of our procedures. We are automatically inclined to cooperate with the authorities in our investigations.

???: The excessive amount of fault put upon you two in your evaluation ignores the obligation of politics within our investigations that often hinder it. I found it very... suspicious. Cecil knows better.

???: I can't agree with his determination of your case. You two did well. I've found chance favors intuition, and the both of you have it in spades.

???: Congratulations, gentlemen. You've passed your evaluation. I am overriding any questionnaire and any determination to the contrary.

VIKTOR: I… sir, I… do not know what to say, except to attempt to convey my immense relief and gratitude. I… will do my utmost to ensure you do not regret this decision.

JAYCE: Really??? That's amazing, thank you, sir!

???: I haven't forgotten all the work you've done. Or that your family has done...

???: Your father helped build our Containment facility into what it is today, Mr. Talis. He always had an eye for detail and was ambitious in his designs, I knew you would be the same.

JAYCE: ...I... Thank you, he was... he's why I do what I do.

???: You've lapped his legacy more than once with things like this.

JAYCE: Sir-!

???: It's fine, it won't bite me for grazing it. I was its Warden after all. It remembers me. Though I suggest you do not do the same.

JAYCE: Sir... I'm very grateful for your assessment, I just want it to be official before the Anomaly tries to surprise us again.

???: You sound so much like your father, shockingly cautious for your line of work.

JAYCE: You got to know the right times to worry.

???: ...I have been off the field for a while, I suppose.

???: What do you plan to do with this once it has been moved?

JAYCE: Well... study it. Of course. Document its containment, its changes, monitor it for upkeep—it's easier to get a hold of if it's away from itself, so to speak.

???: You wish to study what we have determined to be the closest thing to the concept of pure chaos in this dimension. Did I hear that right?

JAYCE: Yes. You did.

???: ....Hmph. What a lofty goal. Well. I've taken enough of your time, gentlemen. Once you have completed your transportation, you can find me in my office. I wish to discuss the follow-up of your evaluation further once the job is done.

VIKTOR: Of course, sir. I… thank you, once again.

???: Best of luck, Mr. Talis. Mr. Reveck. Take good care of my Anomaly.