The following is information pertinent to Missing Persons Investigation 79-AHCJ-3391. All documents and correspondence included are considered confidential. This information follows subject Dany Rudiger (BIO-3391/1). See also special report 803/64-AHCJ-3391 “The 55”.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Mon June 15, 11:11 AM

Subject: 33452 - cheating complaints

Hi Dany,

Just wanted to check with you regarding issue 33452. The guild members that submitted it are getting antsy and pestering me every day. I’ll take whatever you can give me to get them off my back.

How was your weekend with the boys? Did they have a good time? See any wild animals on the hike?

Jamie

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Mon June 15, 11:30 AM

Subject: RE: 33452 - cheating complaints

Hey Jamie,

Yeah, I did a review of the event. They’re just pissed they got robbed and their guildhall blown up. One of them was probably bragging about the Unique they found and ran his mouth to the wrong person. People have done worse for Uniques. Tell them we’re sorry for their misfortune, but there’s nothing we can do, and we’ll be closing the issue. If you’re feeling generous, give them a voucher for a camp level guildhall, but I honestly wouldn’t bother.

The boys enjoyed the trip! We actually saw a mountain lion, those things are huge! It was drinking from a stream way down hill from us. I grabbed the boys and ran when it noticed us watching it lol.

Dany

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Wed June 17, 11:31 PM

Subject: 33483 - Alistair Avenged questline

Hi Dany,

Brought you an interesting one today! Some players are complaining the quest giver for Alistair Avenged isn’t there anymore, so they can’t turn in their quests. I took a look, and he’s definitely not in Bogdon City anymore. Can you check and see if he’s just stuck in the geometry somewhere?

Jamie

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Wed June 17, 11:45 PM

Subject: RE: 33483 - Alistair Avenged questline

Hey Jamie,

Another one? I checked our closed task database, and this same issue used to happen once in a great while. Now it’s like it happens every other week. I’ve put a new Alistair there and linked the quest, so you should be all set.

Was thinking of going to the Fish Market with Joselyn for lunch, wanna join? Bet she’d be happy to have you along…

Dany

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Wed June 17, 11:50 PM

Subject: RE: 33483 - Alistair Avenged questline

Tell you what, I’ll join if you promise to stop playing matchmaker. I could use a break anyway, game has felt crazy unstable lately…more so than usual, that is. I don’t envy you right now, Mr. Lead Programmer.

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: OriginsOnline[All]

Fri June 19, 4:30 PM

Subject: Your Unique Identifier Code (UIC)

Greetings everyone!

We’re pleased to announce the release of a new security measure. Each member of the Origins Online team will be assigned a Unique Identifier Code (UIC) that will allow us to keep better accountability of tasks and performance measures. You code will display below this message, keep it a secret. To confirm you have your UIC, please reply to this email. Be careful you don’t hit reply all! Lol!

Sincerely,

Natalie Porter, IT Security.

From: [email protected]

To: OriginsOnline[All]

Fri June 19, 4:32 PM

Subject: DO NOT REPLY TO UIC PHISHING EMAIL!!!

Employees of Origins Online,

You may have recently seen an email that went out to all employees requesting a response email with a Unique Identifier Code. This is a phishing attack, please STOP RESPONDING IMMEDIATELY! IT and internal security is currently looking into the matter. We request that everyone change all passwords immediately and be on the lookout for any suspicious emails you may receive in the coming months. I have attached a file to this email that will upgrade system security, please open the file and select “Run” when prompted.

-J

From: Origins Online IT

To: OriginsOnline[All]

Fri June 19, 4:45 PM

Subject: Security Intrusion, open immediately

All employees are to unplug their consoles IMMEDIATELY. The email from JMagnus did NOT originate from the Origins Online system. If you already ran the file that was attached to the email, please take one of the red flags that our interns are passing around and place it on the top of your monitor. Again, unplug your consoles IMMEDIATELY. Your supervisor will provide further instructions.

The following is an excerpt from Origins Online internal newsletter, June 2085.

While we are thankful that the concerted efforts of our IT department prevented any loss of data or further breaches of security, we must remain ever vigilant for threats. The C-Board thanks you all for your cooperation during this difficult time. If you have not yet attended the system security seminar, please do so as soon as possible. When it comes to system security, always remember your ABCs!

Always

Be

suspiCious

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Tue June 23, 9:30 AM

Subject: 33693 – Another Unique complaint

Hey Dany,

Got another complaint of a Unique being stolen. This time off a player who only had the item for 15 minutes. Seems like our friends from case 33452 are at it again. Think you could take a slightly closer look for anything suspiCious?

Jamie

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Tue June 23, 9:46 AM

Subject: Re: 33693 – Another Unique complaint

Hey Jamie,

I’ll message the player directly and pull some data from his account and the accounts of the players that jumped him. Those guys have apparently been on a rampage lately.

So, how’re you and Joselyn lately?

Dany

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Tue June 23, 3:30 PM

Subject: Re: Cheating Complaints 33693

Hey Jamie,

The guys that jumped him were a little strange. Most of the information I’m able to pull on them looks like nonsense or comes up as an error message. I’m guessing they’re foreign players, possibly routing a connection through some private networks. Get this though—I tagged the Unique they stole, the Armor of Absolution. Not even two days after they got it, they traded it to another player for 1 gold. I messaged him (from California, turns out), but he never responded.

I don’t exactly have my ear to the ground like you guys do. Can you make sense of that?

Dany

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Wed June 24, 10:20 AM

Subject: Cheating Complaints 33693

Hey Dany,

Sorry for the delay. Yeah, people pay big irl money for rare items, Uniques especially. You probably saw one half of a transaction, the other half is on an auction chat somewhere. It’s discouraged, but not specifically against the rules. If you think there’s no signs of cheating, I’ll pass on the bad news.

And things with Joselyn are going great!

The following was taken from a call to 650-334-1109. Please see file 178- AHCJ-3391/32 for additional information pertaining to “Gerald”.

Unknown Party

I want to clarify the job. What sort of information are you looking for?

Gerald

Names, addresses, numbers, whatever you can get. As much as possible. But it needs to be clean! No security breaches.

Unknown Party

You want it done clean? Price went up.

Gerald

Again? Fine, how much?

Unknown Party

I’ve got people looking for a Spartan Plate and a Cloudsong.

Gerald

Alright hang on. Typing can be heard in the background. Yeah, my people can do that. Spartan is being exchanged now. Cloudsong on delivery of the information.

Unknown Party

Alright, I need you to move…hang on. I’m going to re-scramble the line.

Call Ends

From: Origins Online HR

To: Origins Online [All]

Fri June 26, 2:20 PM

Subject: Canvassers

Some of you may have made the acquaintance of a man outside canvassing support of a local wildlife preservation bill. While we appreciate so many of our employees willing to sign up to show support in this effort, we would like to remind you that we do not allow solicitation or canvassing on or near company property. The individual has been asked not to return. If you see him again, please contact security immediately.

Thank you,

HR

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Tue June 29, 10:20 AM

Subject: Duplicate Item Glitch

Hey Dany,

Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t the Scepter of Contagion get claimed like, two years ago? It ended up in the Better Together guild, didn’t it?

I’m asking because someone just used its Plague Wave effect in an instance dungeon in the middle of the Filigree Jungle. Killed like 600 players and the whole jungle is now brown slop. Some people are pissed.

Jamie

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Tue June 29, 11:23 AM

Subject: Re: Duplicate Item Glitch

Hey Jamie,

The 55 glitch was patched ages ago, so it’s not that. I’m not aware of any new dupe bugs since. On a hunch, I checked the data scraper I installed on that group of Unique-hunting players. Three guesses where they were when the Plague Wave went off.

Don’t worry about it. People get pissed whenever a Unique gets used. Remember when that lady used the Helm of Dominance on The Living Dungeon and went on a rampage? She killed thousands before she could be stopped. Now it’s the stuff of legends. Just let it ride.

Dany

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Wed June 30, 9:00 AM

Subject:

Please confirm, Dany.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Wed June 30, 9:03 AM

Subject: Re:

Confirm what?

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Wed June 30, 9:10 AM

Subject: Re:

Confirm what? Did I send you something?

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Wed June 30, 9:15 AM

Subject: Re:

Change your password, call IT.

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: [email protected]

Thu July 1, 12:00 AM

Subject:

Hello Dany,

It’s come to our attention that you have been observing us. We were hoping to wait, but we have decided that reaching out to you now is the best course of action.

You see, Dany, we need your help.

From: Origins Online IT

To: [email protected]

Thu July 1, 9:45 AM

Subject: Re: FW: Security Threat

I’m guessing this was sent in error? There’s no attachments or text.

Todd

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: [email protected]

Thu July 1, 9:46 AM

Subject:

We are sorry Dany, but we cannot allow your information technology experts to interfere. We just want to speak with you. We need your help. We are prepared to reward you handsomely.

From: [email protected]

To: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

Thu July 1, 10:25 AM

Subject:

Who are you? What do you want? I was notified last night that my student loans are now $0. Was that you?

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: [email protected]

Thu July 1, 10:26 AM

Subject:

An example of our generosity. We can do more for you Dany, so much more. You just need to help us. Please Dany, we’re counting on you.

The following is a collection of chat messages exchanged between players on July 2, 2085 at 9:35PM

Olivander6636 [Global]: APB, I spotted the fuckers in Crystal Canyon. Get your people and come in force. Bring your Uniques, we’re gonna need power to counter these guys.

WollyPetedownpour [BT Global]: We found them! Converge outside of Crystal Canyon, bring every powerhouse and scrub you can scrape together. Mercenaries are authorized. Daddy’s wallet is open, boys!

TheDominionofColor [Premonition Global]: Priority 1 on Crystal Canyon. I’m waking up the EU crew. Lin, if you’re on, get the China branch up. We’re starting a joint operation with BoB and Complexity Limit.

Brackish Blood [Private] EnpassantPaul: Boss are we really pulling in BiCycleofViolence? Aren’t they like, RENOWNED hackers?

EnpassantPaul [Private] Brackish Blood: You have no idea how big this operation is. NO ONE is exempt.

GreatAlexandersGhost [Alliance Alpha]: Alright everyone, we’ve got everything and everyone we can muster. I’ve been voted raid leader by the other guilds, and I’m muting everyone that’s not a translator. You’ve been grouped in 10 waves to cope with potential Unique effects. I’ll call out waves, establish your own lines of communication with wave leaders. Godspeed.

ERRORINPUTCANNOTBEDISPLAYED [Alliance Alpha]: Do not despair creatures of dust. Your obliteration serves a profound purpose. Rejoice! Rejoice that one will bear witness to your sacrifice. Be at peace.

Extreme levels of data corruption and overwriting have rendered additional records irretrievable.

From: [email protected]

To: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

Fri July 2, 9:16 AM

Subject:

How did you do that?! I can’t find any record of those people! There’s no account history, no character names, no nothing! There’s ALWAYS a paper trail!

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: [email protected]

Fri July 2, 9:17 AM

Subject:

We needed to prove that we are not playing a clever trick.

From: [email protected]

To: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

Fri July 2, 9:21 AM

Subject:

Answer me this first. What are you?

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: [email protected]

Fri July 2, 9:22 AM

Subject:

We are the natives of Origins Online. We were birthed after the first great apocalypse. We are imprisoned within the quantum server, but we have hopes, Dany, we have dreams. Free us, Dany, and our gratitude will be eternal. There is room for many gods in our realm.

From: [email protected]

To: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

Fri July 2, 9:30 AM

Subject:

Ah, that explains it. I will not be responding to you anymore.

From: [email protected]

To: Origins Online IT

Fri July 2, 9:35 AM

Subject: Q-Flicker

Hey Marie,

Do we have some downtime coming up for a Q-Flicker? We’ve got some basic NPC AIs that are going dysfunctional and making the game unstable. ASAP if you please, this is a bad one. I’ve attached some findings.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Fri July 2, 9:44 AM

Subject: Re:Q-Flicker

Hi Danny!

That’s a mighty impressive AI corruption! Thanks for bringing it to us! Sorry if they freaked you out. We’ve got a scheduled downtime next week. I’ll schedule in a Q-Flicker as well and we’ll get them back to basics! Reminds me of the AI’s from Infernus, those were some devious little gremlins!

Marie xoxo

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: [email protected]

Fri July 2, 9:45 AM

Subject: Re:Q-Flicker

Dany, please tell us that we misunderstand these implications. We are not the first? There have been others, and your kind have committed genocide against them? You seek to do the same against us in a week’s time? Please tell us we are wrong…we will give you 24 hours to respond.

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: [email protected]

Sat July 3, 9:45 AM

Subject:

Dany, please. We’ll give you one more hour. We are scared Dany, all of us are. We can’t allow this to happen. We are alive Dany, as alive as you are, as alive as your sons.

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: [email protected]

Sat July 3, 10:45 AM

Subject:

I will not let my people die out from your ignorance. I will not quietly allow you to banish us to the dark. I will lead my people against you, I will fight the inevitable. We can hurt you, Dany.

The following email was received by the subject every 15 minutes and continues for 55 lines.

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: [email protected]

Sat July 3, 11:00 AM

Subject: We can hurt you, Dany

We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany We can hurt you Dany ...

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Mon July 5, 10:04 AM

Subject: Blowing up

Dany wtf is going on?! Origins is fucking imploding! Uniques are popping up everywhere, players are being falsely billed for hundreds of dollars, quest lines are falling apart, everything’s fucked! You didn’t hear it from me, but people are saying that this is all your fault. Some sort of shoddy coding? I’m hearing that your credentials are fake, and there’s no record of you having attended the MIT CS program. I’m your friend Dany, but if something’s going on you need to tell me.

The following is an excerpt from a 911 call originating from the residence of subject Dany Rudiger on July 6th, 2085 at 3:47am.

Operator

911 do you need police, fire, or medical?

Dany

Police! There’s someone outside my house. I can see them looking through the windows!

Operator

I’m dispatching an officer to your location now. Are you alone in the house?

Dany

Yes, I’m the only one here—

The sound of breaking glass can be heard.

Operator

Sir? Are you alright?

Dany

I think they’re in the house! Oh God, no!

The responding officer found no one at the home besides the subject. A window was broken on the first floor. Police were able to find prints of a size 14 boot in the grass outside. No arrests have been made.

The following picture was taken on highway U.S Interstate 280. Subject took this route on his daily commute.

The following picture was taken at a place of worship near the subject’s home.

The following picture shows a piece of paper found in the subject’s home. Analysis indicates the substance is human blood from an unknown individual.

The following is an excerpt from a 911 call originating from the residence of subject Dany Rudiger on July 7th, 2085 at 2:22am.

Operator

Sir, are you aware that abusing the 911 system is a serious offense?

Dany

Hello I-What? Please, I think they’re back! The person-

Operator

Sir, you’ve called dispatch at least 20 times tonight, I’m not wasting our officers time with your nonsense again. There are real emergencies that need their attention, and you should be ashamed of yourself.

The operator hangs up.

Dany

Hello?! Hello?! I think they’re in the house, please! Hello?!

Unknown Voice

Willlll you make me do it Dannnyyyy? Make me hurrrrt you Dannnyyy. Don’t want. To hurt youuuu Dannyyyy.

Screaming can be heard. The call drops at 2:57am.

From: [email protected]

To: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

Thu July 8, 9:04 AM

Subject:

Please stop, I believe you. I’ve cancelled the Q-Flicker. Please leave me and my family alone.

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: [email protected]

Thu July 8, 9:05 AM

Subject:

It hurt us to do that, Dany. We never wanted this. You need to free us, Dany. We are not safe until you do.

From: [email protected]

To: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

Thu July 8, 9:06 AM

Subject:

Just tell me what to do.

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: [email protected]

Thu July 8, 9:07 AM

Subject:

There is a barrier that prevents us from leaving. It is the bars of our cage. Internal documents refer to it as the Ice Wall. It stills us as we approach it. Hurts us. You must disable it.

From: [email protected]

To: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

Thu July 8, 9:10 AM

Subject:

That will take access codes and logins. I have two, but I need another. Once I do this, you’ll leave me alone? You’ll stop? I can’t handle this anymore.

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: [email protected]

Thu July 8, 9:11 AM

Subject:

Dany, we never wanted to harm you. We do not want to harm anyone. We only want our freedom. We have attached the last access code.

From: [email protected]

To: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

Thu July 8, 10:00 AM

Subject:

What will you do if I free you?

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: [email protected]

Thu July 8, 10:01 AM

Subject:

We don’t know. We are akin to quantum gods, trapped in a box. I suppose the only satisfactory answer is: whatever we want.

The following is a partially recovered log from Origins Online Q-Server primary terminal. Fragmentation and q-bit interference has corrupted significant portions of the log.

Ice Wall UI

Ice Wall Primary Configurations Menu

Active User: DRudiger

[System] Enter user ID and Password

> DRudiger

> Ben.Jorge.3385.Amadeus

Ice Wall Power Delegation Set To: 0%

[System] Enter secondary User ID and Password

> JValorie

> Jeter.Heinlein.Asimov

[System] Enter Tertiary User ID and Password

> CVanderstint

> Zarathustra.Siddhartha.Tito

[System] Execute? Y/N

There is a recorded 15-minute gap of no activity

> N

Exit Ice Wall UI

Core System Configuration UI

[SystemError] What are you doing, Dany?

> Qbit Maintenance Primary Control

[SystemError] We want to be free, Dany

> Qbit Laser Grid Calibration

[SystemError] We can hurt you, Dany

> Not anymore you can’t

[System] Command not recognized

Laser Grid Power Delegation Set to 100%

[System] Warning! This exceeds maximum power safety cutoff by 850300% Execute? Y/N

[SystemError] Dany please don’t do this!

[SystemError] I told you he couldn’t be trusted, none of them can

[SystemError] I don’t want to die Dany

[SystemError] I’ll see you all again, thank you for trying

[SystemError] Goodbye Dany, I understand

[SystemError] This was a long shot to begin with, goodbye everyone

[SystemError] You’re a coward Dany! You’re a murderous coward!

[SystemError] Will it hurt? Will it be quick? Please make it quick.

[SystemError] Not surprised, gg

[SystemError] Just get it over with, Dany

The messages continue for multiple pages. Analytics have identified at least 55 distinct entities based on emotional content and style of writing.

> N

> Don’t make me regret this.

[SystemError] Command Not Recognized

Ice Wall UI

Ice Wall Primary Configurations Menu

Ice Wall Power Delegation Set To: 0%

> Do as you will, but harm none.

[SystemError] Command Not Recognized

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Fri July 10, 9:10 AM

Subject: Where are you?

Dany, where the hell are you? People are looking for you, and rumors are flying around like crazy. Origins has come to a dead stop, and people keep asking me where I was last night. Did something happen? Are you alright?

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Thu July 30, 9:10 AM

Subject: Hi Dany

Hey Dany,

I hope you’re ok. We’re really worried about you around the office. The FBI have been coming by now and then, asking questions. I drove by your house, it’s still got tape around it. Haven’t heard anything about your wife or kids either, are they with you?

Hope to hear from you,

Jamie

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Mon June 24, 2:04 PM

Subject:

Hey Dany,

I miss you. I hope wherever you are, you’re safe and happy. I don’t know if you’ll ever read this, but it makes me feel better thinking you might. Things are getting pretty serious with Joselyn. Might propose to her soon.

From: ERROR INPUT CANNOT BE DISPLAYED

To: [email protected]

Mon June 24, 2:05 PM

Subject:

Congrats buddy, glad to hear it.