Hiss Research
HISS CORRUPTED AGENT
SUMMARY:
The Hiss manifest in human hosts in
numerous ways. The most common and
least intense form is seen in the many
corrupted agents floating throughout the
Bureau.
The Hiss Agents have maintained their human appearance,
undergoing no obvious physical transformation. The most notable distinction from an unaffected human is the fact that they levitate.
These Hiss have displayed no aggressive behavior. They only seem interested in vocalizing the strange incantation ad infinitum. Perhaps these vessels are only meant to propagate the Hiss corruption, like spores or wi-fi boosters. Or are they cocoons, preparing to enter their next stage of evolution? When attacked, Hiss Agents disappear, perhaps entering a state of invisibility or undergoing a transformation into a purely resonant form? Research is ongoing.
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
SUMMARY:
The Hiss resonance field is a physical impediment that is difficult to define.
Hiss Barriers appear as ways to impede escape or access by Bureau personnel. Two methods have been discovered for lowering them. 1) Destroy the multiple concentrated resonance sources found in the vicinity. 2) Destroy the Hiss entities in the area.
The resonance fields seem to require support for their size and density from other, non-connected sources of Hiss resonance. Without the ability to draw from these sources, the Barrier will fall.
Does an inactive structure made of Hiss resonance qualify as a conscious being? Does the distinction make any difference when considering the Hiss? What does the very act of building walls to prevent our movement tell us about the Hiss? To what degree is it watching and planning?
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
HISS CLUSTER
SUMMARY:
Hiss Clusters are unique in that they are concentrated manifestations of Hiss resonance without the need of a host.
Hiss Clusters are dense spherical compressions of Hiss resonance that serve support functions in the hierarchy of Hiss entities. The Clusters are capable of replenishing Hiss hosts with infusions of resonance. This does not heal any physical damage inflicted on the organic host, but rather seems to rejuvenate them, allowing them to endure more bodily harm than normally possible.
The fact that the Hiss makes an effort to preserve its corrupted hosts underlines a level of awareness and discretion that was previously just speculation on my part. Can this entity be considered an individual or simply an extension of the Hiss as a whole? Capturing one “alive” would be quite interesting.
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
EXPERT
SUMMARY:
The Bureau only allows certain highly-trained individuals to handle volatile materials and weaponry. Our demolition experts are instructed in the use of explosives in dimensions with distinct physical laws, making them important assets for engineering work as well as combat situations.
Hiss Demolition Experts are the only observed Hiss variations to wield the specially-built rocket propelled grenade that is designed to identify and track [REDACTED] entities once fired, making them a threat whose termination should be prioritized in combat scenarios.
I find it remarkable that the Hiss restrict usage of this weapon to the Bureau personnel who trained specifically for its use. What does this tell us about its behavior? Can it not pass along new information to corrupted entities? Still too many unknowns.
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
SUMMARY:
Hiss Distorted Agents are able to render themselves invisible and emit a powerful concussive blast when in close range of their target. Curiously, the Hiss Distorted is apparently not able to utilize both abilities at once. It must make itself visible when it goes on the offensive.
The Hiss Distorted is unique in the fact that it wields a paranatural ability previously unknown to the Bureau (perhaps tapping into a yet undiscovered Object of Power?), How does this invisibility work? Does the Distorted become resonance temporarily? Does it use Hiss resonance to refract light?
The physical deformation of this particular Hiss entity is noteworthy in its thoroughness. Clearly the human host would have died from such extreme alteration, which prompts the question: Are the corrupted simply animated corpses?
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
HISS ELEVATED AGENT
SUMMARY:
Hiss Elevated Agents display abilities similar to telekinetic competencies observed in Bureau parautilitarians. Some prefer to charge their targets, while others launch objects at them. Telekinetic attacks have been ineffective against the Hiss Elevated, due to their own talent in the area. They do not use any weaponry except their own paranatural capabilities. Some Hiss Elevated have been seen levitating while strapped into chairs. This is likely the result of individuals being corrupted while undergoing cognitive recording in Parapsychology.
How are they able to use paranatural abilities? It is possible that these individuals were bound to Objects of Power prior to corruption, It's also worth considering that the Hiss resonance can identify and express latent paranatural ability in the individuals it corrupts.
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
GUARD
SUMMARY:
The Bureau has many internal security personnel. The Hiss was quick to take advantage of this fact.
Hiss Guards use the standard-issue “bullpup” rifles they carried prior to corruption, while the armored guards carry pump-action shotguns. They have no observed paranatural abilities, with the exception that certain Hiss Guards are protected by a shielding of dense Hiss resonance, capable of stopping bullets. Is this shielding a result of prolonged Hiss corruption? Does the Hiss mature in organic hosts over time? More data is needed.
Did the Hiss target individuals with combat training? Does the Hiss have that level of cognizance? Does it utilize hosts for tasks they are best suited to? Combat-trained hosts are reserved for combat? These are all questions for later, though it is obvious that corrupted individuals retain knowledge on the use of their weapons.
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
SUMMARY:
The Rangers are the Bureau's well-trained and well-armed expeditionary forces. Their Hiss-corrupted counterparts are equally formidable.
Prior to corruption, Rangers were trained to use a variety of weapons in order to face any threat found during AWE response or Threshold exploration, including sub-machine guns, assault rifles, and automatic shotguns. Hiss Rangers utilize these weapons as well as the advanced tactics taught by Bureau instructors, Some are additionally outfitted with Bureau-made body armor. Hiss Rangers have no observed paranatural abilities beyond some being protected by a shielding of dense Hiss resonance, capable of stopping bullets.
Considering the advanced training the Hiss Rangers are capable of applying to their situation, is it feasible to consider the human mind still remains intact to some degree? Or is the Hiss able to tap into this combat training and utilize it? Further observation is required.
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
SUMMARY:
This subgroup of Hiss-corrupted Rangers has manifested the ability to levitate, similarly to Hiss Elevated Agents. However, these airborne Hiss Rangers display no telekinetic abilities and simply continue to use mundane Bureau weaponry.
This evolution, being so similar to the Elevated, possibly indicates that Hiss can "share" permutations through a type of network or perhaps osmosis. However, the fact that this development in Hiss Rangers has only been observed in the Investigations Sector may indicate that an environment factor is responsible. They could be responding to an Altered Item or other paranatural element found only in that sector. Or perhaps this is the natural progression of the Hiss Ranger phenotype. Not enough time has passed to determine a conclusive trajectory of development of each of the Hiss manifestations, assuming any such trajectory exists.
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
SUMMARY:
Bureau snipers specialize in eliminating threats from a distance, using the telltale searchlights affixed to their rifles to search for targets.
Hiss Snipers are no less lethal. The corruption has not changed their tactics. They clearly prefer to maintain a good distance from their target, waiting in elevated positions for a clear shot. Care should be taken in open spaces. Check the balconies. I should note that their rifles are equipped with a bayonet for close-quarters combat and the Hiss Snipers are well aware of how to use it.
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
HISS CORRUPTED TROOPER
SUMMARY:
Troopers are meant to be the first agents to enter unknown AWEs, Thresholds, or any other paranaturally hazardous situation. They are heavily armored and heavily armed in preparation for the worst.
As a result of their role, Hiss Troopers have access to the heaviest armor and weaponry from the Bureau's armory, including military grade chain guns and grenade launchers. In addition to their already formidable FBC-issued armor, the Hiss resonance surrounding these entities is dense enough to stop bullets. If forced to engage one of these, be sure to make use of any available cover. Also note that, to the telekinetically-talented, enemy grenades can be a welcome source of ammunition.
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
HISS WARPED AGENT
SUMMARY:
The Hiss Warped wield only paranatural abilities, similar to Drifters. They are able to telekinetically shield themselves with nearby material and launch objects at their target. These entities are particularly destructive and difficult to kill, possibly indicating a greater internal reinforcement of Hiss resonance.
Why do certain Hiss display paranatural abilities while others rely on Bureau firearms? Do certain corrupted entities have less potential than the hosts that become Hiss Warped? Or is this perhaps an indication of evolution or maturation of the Hiss corruption? Are there other stages of evolution yet to be found? What if the Hiss inhabits a host for a month? A year? Do hosts expire after a certain amount of time? Does the corruption become too strong for an organic body to endure? Only time (and well-documented observation) will tell.
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
--CONFIDENTIAL--
SUMMARY:
Initial encounters with the entity known as the Hiss have revealed various behavioral facts. Most notably, the Hiss is able to invade or corrupt Control Points, Altered Items, and even humans, radically changing their behavior. Curiously, any person wearing one of the wearable HRA devices that Dr. Darling has been distributing over the past weeks was not affected by this corruption.
The only known exception to this fact is the new Director, Jesse Faden, who possesses an inherent immunity to the Hiss. This could indicate that she has already been corrupted, but her behavior is so in contrast to that of the other Hiss that I have dismissed the theory.
My final observation comes from Ms. Faden herself. She is able to “cleanse” material and organisms of the Hiss corruption. We tested this ability on a Hiss corrupted entity, but unfortunately the process seems to kill the host. Perhaps the host's physiology becomes reliant on the Hiss? More work to be done.
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
SUMMARY:
Researchers were sent to transcribe the recursive chant repeated by the Hiss entities. In the interest of safety, this was done with the non-aggressive floating Hiss entities, however no distinction between this repeating phrase and the one repeated by the more violent Hiss entities has been observed. What is the purpose of this repeating string of words? Is this how the Hiss corrupts individuals? Does the chant produce a physical effect? Is it a message? An incantation?
We were able to record a firsthand recitation of the chanting. See the corresponding audio record.
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
SUMMARY:
If we understand the Hiss to be a force based on vibration and resonance, then perhaps their incantation (which is now the agreed upon term for their vocalizations) is an effort to express that resonance using human vocal cords and speech. Would there be differences if the incantation were recited in a different language?
The most common word used is “want”. Interestingly, every usage of the word is attributed to a “you”. “You want to listen”, “you want this to be true”, “you must want these waves to drag you away.” Are we the “you” the Hiss are referring to? Does the Hiss believe humanity, possibly all non-Hiss life, wants to join it? To be consumed by it? Is that its goal?
The second most used words are “through” and “time”. Is this possibly the Hiss stating how they arrived here? Or an indication of its age?
There is clear intention in the words. Dismissing the incantation as “nonsense”, as some of my colleagues recommend, is beyond idiotic.
Refer to [REDACTED] for full report.
SUMMARY:
To examine the invasion's timeline of events for possible patterns in Hiss behavior.
Establishing a timeline is difficult at present because of lack of reliable communications between Bureau sectors and staff. Preliminary models indicate ground zero of the invasion is located within the Executive Sector. Once it becomes possible to interview surviving personnel, pinpointing the exact location should be feasible.
Other outstanding questions that a timeline may help answer:
How did the Hiss get past the internal lockdown?
How does Hiss resonance advance through space? Deliberately or uniformly?
What is their ultimate goal? The outside world? A cross-dimensional destination?
Refer to [REDACTED] for full report.
SUMMARY:
Hiss corruption manifests in vastly different ways. Some hosts remain largely unchanged, while others are barely recognizable as human. What determines this level of alteration? Is it the duration of corruption? It could simply be an evolutionary process, each entity representing a stage of growth in an undiscovered linear progression leading towards... what?
Additionally, Hiss entities possess various paranatural abilities. How have they achieved this? Do they gain them from corrupting Objects of Power? Have they corrupted a single highly-talented parautilitarian and divided their access to paranatural abilities across the network of Hiss-corrupted hosts?
As a scientist, I am hindered by the sheer number of questions. It's difficult to identify where one should begin. What is the most pertinent question?
How do we kill it? That seems like a good start.
Refer to file [REDACTED] for full report.
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