Anomaly TB076
Description: TB076 is an extradimensional predator. TB076 preys on sapient creatures by slowly overtaking their senses, eventually resulting in coma and death.
TB076 links to one victim. The link is limited geographically in phases 1 and 2, but travels with the victim during phases 3, 4 and 5. When a victim is outside the area of effect they are safe from TB076.
Phase 1 of TB076 predation lasts between 27 and 162 days. Common first signs of TB076 predation are faint wind-chimes, horns, bass, drums, or any other noises that are difficult to ignore and may tempt a person to seek their source. Phase 1 is limited to a spherical space with a radius never known to exceed 100 meters centered on the location where the victim was sleeping when TB076 initially formed the link.
Phase 2 of TB076 predation lasts between 27 days and 108 days. During phase 2 a victim will see things that aren’t there. These sightings will always be short, and will often be out of the corner of the eye. Most often a sighting will be accompanied by a fitting sound. The most common reported phase 2 sighting is a person offering a greeting just before going out of sight, but also includes more frightening visions such as a monster visible through a window, or concealed in shadow, that disappears upon closer inspection. In phase 2 the spherical radius expands. The largest known radius is 3.2 kilometers.
Phase 3 of TB076 predation introduces smell and taste to visions. There is no longer a radius from which the victim can escape; instead the link transfers from the geographical location to the victim itself. This phase can be as short as 27 days, but some cases are ongoing and an upper limit has not been found. The longest at this time is 4 years and 3 months. It is theorized that the length of phase 3 is extended by attempts to free victims delaying progress to phase 4.
Phase 4 of TB076 predation begins when the victim enters a coma and exhibits signs of a permanent dream state. Phase 4 ends when the victim dies or enters phase 5. Victims in phase 4 exhibit much slower metabolism and much higher resilience than normal. Most victims last for more than 27 days without any medical intervention despite dehydration and starvation. If a victim survives in the comatose state for 27 days they will enter phase 5.
Phase 5 of TB076 predation lasts for as long as the victim remains alive. In phase 5 the victim becomes a nest. Whatever the initial radius of infection was in phase 1 becomes the radius for the nest. Anyone sleeping within this radius will become prey for a new instance of TB076.
Defense: A target of TB076 is the only person able to sense TB076. If you believe you are being targeted by TB076 your first line of defense is to find anyone who can confirm whether or not they are able to sense the suspected stimulus. If you are unable to confirm that the stimulus is real, you should immediately contact your local branch of the UGSO.
Current UGSO policies: A victim of TB076 in early stages of predation will be relocated until enough time has passed for the link to fade. The link between TB076 fades at the same pace it progressed i.e. for every day of infection a day must be spent away from TB076’s influence. Victims will be given standard UGSO accommodations for the duration of their treatment. If the radius of TB076 predation does not prevent the victim from engaging in their normal activities, such as work and recreation, they will be allowed to do so. If a victim is in stage 3 of predation they will be relocated to a controlled environment in an attempt to remove the link by controlling stimuli. This has a 4% success rate as the victim is normally unable to tell the difference between the illusionary and real stimuli without attempting to touch it and any attention given to TB076 causes predation to progress. If a victim enters phase 4 of predation they will be humanely terminated to prevent nesting.
Discovery: TB076 was discovered when an assisted living community in Stonebrook, Montana became a nesting site. At least 13 residents had become nests as they were kept on life support after entering phase 4, or survived for more than 27 days despite orders not to be put on life support. The infection not only spread to every resident, but multiple employees and visitors who had slept on site. The unusually high reports of dementia, and seemingly infectious dementia spreading through young family members and employees, caught the attention of a UGSO data analyst. Current policy for handling infections was developed over the next several years as the UGSO worked to study TB076, save the victims, and minimize suffering.