Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

NB: Partial success. The Sleeper took, but the integration was more complex than we anticipated.

M: I look forward to reading your full report. Are there any particular areas of concern?

NB: A risk-assessment needs to be run on the level of trust that the Sleeper is accorded by the host mind. Should a forger successfully imitate it...

M: Quite. What defences are in place to prevent that eventuality?

NB: The Sleeper would have to be overcome itself or it would intervene but, as has been shown, this can be done. Active violence would tip off the projections but that's always a possibly during extractions - if the extractors were able to identify, remove and forge the Sleeper then they would have a direct line of trust to the host which could be leveraged extremely easily.

M: What do you suggest?

NB: There are a few possibilities. The identity of the model must be considered highly classified as top priority. It is also possible...

M: Yes?

NB: The tests with multiple Sleepers proved unviable?

M: Trials are continuing. Assume that it's not an option at present.

NB: Extractors typically have some item or object that is unique to them, something that they don't allow anyone else to touch.

M: Totems - we are aware.

NB: My recommendation would be to see if a similar mechanism could be added into the Sleeper - an object, pass phrase or behaviour which is unique to that Sleeper and could be used to identify the true imprint in the event of a forging attempt. It would have to be something that couldn't be deduced from observation of either that host or the model external to the dreamstate.

M: An interesting proposal. We'll have to check with the technical department about feasibility. You're thinking a hypno-implant? Do you think it will be possible to continue this line of enquiry with the current subject.

NB: Possibly - although the extractors were beginning to get curious.

M: How curious?

NB: They booked tickets to Copenhagen.

M: You think they're heading to the clinic there.

NB: It seems likely.

M: Is this a problem that needs to be taken care of?

NB: No. They currently believe the projection to be an oddity, or, as they called it, a rogue. If they believed otherwise it's unlikely that they would be going to the Copenhagen centre.

M: And if they come to re-evaluate this belief?

NB: Their profiles and my observations suggest that they understand the value of discretion. They may feel that informing their client falls within their duties even though their employment has officially ended - again, according to everything we have on them, the challenge of integrating the Sleeper more efficiently into the militarisation could be regarded as a strong incentive.

M: Unconfirmed disclosure to the subject would be acceptable - so long as our involvement is not revealed. Contact our operatives on the clinic staff and continue to monitor the situation. If there's any suggestion that the information may be leaked further then measures will have to be taken.

NB: Understood.

M: And the other matter?

NB: Difficult to tell. I believe that the groundwork has been laid but whether it's acted upon in such a way that will benefit us...

M: Something else for our agents in Denmark to keep an eye out for. Keep me apprised. That will be all Mr B_________ send a copy of your report to my secretary as soon as it is completed.

NB: Ma'am.