jan 25, 1999 - Combination Event

Description:

"Around January 25th, 1999, the Vocalization Strain made contact with the Sensory Strain at a Sensory Strain infestation site in Haviland, Kansas. The Sensory Strain had infested a local television station, KWVE-TV in Haviland, leeching off the high electrical power of the transmitter. The floating forms of the Vocalization Strain made contact with the transmitter tower, beginning the Combination Phase. From this point, the intelligence and abilities of the Vocalization Strain combined with the strength and sensitivity of the Sensory Strain allowed for the STARKILL to become much more deadly. Using the Vocalization Strain's ability for speech, KWVE-TV began broadcasting anomalous programs to local receivers. Viewers of these programs were psychologically contaminated, forming a cult worshipping the STARKILL and AZ-001. The programs were created through electrical signal manipulation using the Sensory Strain's connectivity to electromagnetic fields. The Vocalization Strain provided the ability to mimic human voice and strategically plan psychological contamination programs. These programs often contained bizarre, cult-like messaging through text on screen, unathorized emergency alert broadcasts, and the creation of hallucinogenic 'fake' news anchors delivering cult messaging. Some broadcasts also featured purpose-built programs encouraging self-harm, human sacrifice, and worship of an entity known as 'Azazel'. Many of the messages displayed on KMVE-TV programs encouraged viewers to physically visit the station where they would then be assimilated by the STARKILL infestation. The biomass attached to the KWVE-TV transmitter became larger than any previously observed biomass hubs. The scale of this hub also correlated to an increase in observed intelligence capabilities. Additionally, the physical state of the hub enabled more aggressive assimilation capabilities."

"The psychological contamination event became widespread around Pratt County, causing the formation of cult groups involved in activities such as human sacrifice. These cults would also willingly sacrifice themselves to the STARKILL, causing even greater accumulation of biomass. Following the formation of these cults and subsequent human assimilation, mentions of the names of those infected and involved in the cults would appear on broadcasts from KWVE-TV. This fact implies that the STARKILL accumulates intelligence gathered from its hosts and assimilates it into the hivemind."
-HOME Field Manual

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