Welcome to Project Crystal Colony from the Overseer

3rd of July, 2023

[Overseer]

Tear? Tear! Wake up!

[Tear]

I slowly opened my eyes to see some kind of black and white dog with one blue eye and one red eye, staring me right in the face.

[Overseer]

Ah, you're awake.

[Tear]

I took a few moments to look around at my surroundings. I was sitting in a hard plastic chair, while the dog creature turned its back to me and climbed on top of an air purifier.

After it had successfully reached the top, it turned around to look at me and sat down.

[Overseer]

Well, what are you looking around for? Don't tell me my co-workers didn't give you a proper welcome.

[Tear]

I was still feeling a bit out of it, when I realised that this dog creature was actually talking. I did my best to remain calm. But... co-workers? Who is this dog creature talking about?

[Overseer]

Well, I guess I'll give them a "talking to" later...

[Tear]

After it said those words, suddenly my vision went all in greyscale for a few moments.

[Overseer]

And a talking-to they'll get, that's for sure...

[Tear]

After it said the words, "that's for sure", my vision returned to normal. I don't understand what's going on by an absolute long shot.

[Overseer]

Anyway, where was I...?

[Tear]

I managed to finally muster up the courage to speak.

Sorry, but why is there a talking dog in front of me?

It came out as more of a mumble, but at least it was reassuring to hear my own voice, however quiet it may have been.

[Overseer]

What did you say? Why is there a talking dog in front of you?

[Tear]

As I realised I may have offended the... creature, my vision once again returned to greyscale.

[Overseer]

Ohh... I'm no dog, that's for sure...

[Tear]

Once again after saying those three simple words, my vision returned to full colour. This is incredibly strange and I have zero understanding of what exactly is going on here.

[Overseer]

You can call me the Overseer. And I'm a papiyena, if you must know.

[Overseer]

Anyway, are you ready to talk business? After all, that is why you're here...

[Tear]

Talk... business? This doesn't seem like a normal kind of job interview. This feels a lot more like I've just been kidnapped. Since I couldn't see an exit door when I was looking around earlier, I kept my head straight and listened to what the Overseer had to say.

[Overseer]

I bet you're wondering what's going on, aren't you?

[Tear]

I really don't know what to think or feel in this situation. But if the Overseer would provide some answers as to what exactly is going on here, I thought it would be best to keep my mouth shut and listen.

[Overseer]

Your name is Tear. You may feel a little brain foggy right now, but that's nothing to worry about right this instant.

[Tear]

It was right, I do feel brain foggy. I would say more than "a bit", however. But, "nothing to worry about"? I feel like that's the kind of thing I should be worrying about.

The name Tear though... Yes, that feels familiar. My name is Tear. Does this papiyena creature... know who I am?

[Overseer]

Having trouble remembering things, are you? Don't worry, I'll tell you what you need to know.

[Overseer]

This is the Project Crystal Colony facility, a residential facility for non-humans to live in together without the fear of dealing with humans who may not accept them.

[Tear]

Non-humans? For a second I had to question the meaning of that term. I know what a non-human is, but if I'm here, does this mean that I'm one of them?

[Overseer]

Your job is simple. There are many residents within this facility. All you have to do is watch the videos I give you on each one and decide whether or not you forgive each of them.

[Tear]

Videos? Forgiveness? This is such a strange situation. I'm here in a room where I can't see an exit with a talking papiyena creature, in a facility filled with non-human residents, and I'm being asked whether or not I forgive each of them based on some videos? What does any of this have to do with me?

[Overseer]

The way you'll be deciding this is by just thinking about whether or not you forgive them. Our Project Crystal Colony patented technology will read your thoughts, and determine a verdict from the ratios of your thoughts.

Think of it like a majority vote, but with your own mind.

[Tear]

A majority vote?

[Overseer]

You know what a majority vote is?

[Tear]

I gave the Overseer a look that I hoped would convey the message that I obviously know what a majority vote is.

[Overseer]

Ahaha, no need to give me that look. It was only a simple question.

Now, each of the residents you'll be judging belongs to what we at Project Crystal Colony refer to as a "Phase". Each Phase is a group of at most 12 residents.

For each Phase, I want you to try and forgive one third of that Phase's residents, and to not forgive one third of them.

Break that rule and I'll be forced to make some decisions for you.

[Tear]

As my confusion continued, my vision went back to greyscale yet again.

[Overseer]

You better not break that rule, that's for sure...

[Tear]

After my regular vision returned, I noticed on the wall next to the Overseer was one of those roll-up projector screens slowly lowering.

[Overseer]

There's a bit more to this whole operation than you simply deciding whether or not you forgive each of our residents though. Please look at the projector screen next to me.

[Tear]

I turned my head slightly to look at the projector screen. On it was a picture of a catgirl with short brown hair, wearing a red dress.

[Overseer]

Each of these residents will star in their own music videos for you to watch.

[Tear]

The image on the screen changed to an image of someone else. This time it was an elf girl with blue skin and long black hair.

[Overseer]

Each video will contain details of each one's backstories before coming to this facility.

[Overseer]

Our residents will not be aware of the information you're being given through these videos, however.

[Overseer]

These videos will be created using our very own Project Crystal Colony technology, made specifically for the purpose of judgement.

[Overseer]

On top of keeping track of each resident, you'll have to keep in mind what each one has been through...

[Overseer]

The dilemma of who you decide to forgive or not forgive is what we at Project Crystal Colony want to observe and learn from.

[Overseer]

You will be deciding whether to forgive or not forgive each resident three times each. However, if new residents arrive at the facility during the judgement process, you may get less chances to judge them.

[Overseer]

While they won't be aware of the information from the music videos, they will be aware of your decisions, and their actions may change depending on the choices you make.

[Overseer]

You are free to try and keep your head empty of thoughts as to go against having a verdict, if you so desire. However, this will only lead to negative consequences.

[Overseer]

What I want to know is this: what will you decide to do with the situation you've been given?

[Overseer]

We'll allow you to speak to our Phase 1 residents shortly. Remember to be nice to them!

[Overseer]

My only advice for you throughout all this... Is to choose wisely...

[Tear]

The projector screen turned blank and started to roll back up. I turned back to look at the Overseer, still a little overwhelmed by all of this information.

[Overseer]

That concludes our little introduction. You'll start to be shown some of these videos shortly. Patience is a valuable trait.

[Tear]

There was a suspicious look in the Overseer's eyes. I felt my stomach drop as he continued to speak.

[Overseer]

So, Tear. It's all up to you now. To forgive or not to forgive? The choices are in your hands.

END OF EPISODE

Read Episode 2 here!