The Necrotic Tree

Item:	The Necrotic Tree
Living:	Yes
Sentient:	Unknown
Potential/Current Hazards	Biological hazard through physical contact with the bark.
Required Wear/Weaponry	A Level-A hazmat suit is required when making contact with 1205. Adjustable sampling tools are to be provided in order to avoid exposure to 1205.
Concealment Precautions	The surrounding woodlands of the subject are to be sealed off with chain-link fences and hazard signs. Nearby structures are fitted with surveillance equipment to monitor any unauthorised movements.
Location:	████ Forest, Vancouver, Canada.
Reported Anomaly:	Isolated contaminant, cognitohazard

Usage

Item 1205, otherwise referred to as "The Necrotic Tree", has been proven to be useful in terminating mass-enemy GOIs and concentrated threats through contact with its bark. Due to the rapid decomposition of organic matter caused by 1205, only brief usage is to be applied under explicit Delta Command approval.

IRUC agents are to be provided with Level-A hazmat gear and extendable sampling equipment when in the vicinity of 1205. Regardless of contact status, agents are to go through mandatory decontamination when exiting the site. Any remnants of tree bark or signs of prohibited contact with the tree are to be dealt with promptly.

A 10-feet chain-link fence has been installed within a 5-yard distance of the tree alongside additional hazard and warning signs to discourage unauthorised individuals from entering; nearby housing and structures have been removed to ensure this does not occur. A monitoring station has been set up within 3 miles of the tree, with the surrounding area being fitted with the necessary surveillance equipment.

It is to be noted that Agent ██████ is to under absolutely no circumstances come into contact with 1205 and any attempts to do so will result in immediate termination of those involved.

1205, photographed on the day of 1205-B's capture.

Item 1205 is currently being studied at Site-27 under the provision of Dr. Cassius Krueger for further usage of its properties beyond what has already been discovered.

 (See attached transcript)

[TRANSCRIPT START]

Dr. K: Alright, this thing’s running, so let’s uh, start I guess. Agent [INFORMATION CENSORED]- shit- sorry- I mean, subject 1205-B has been showing positive reactions to the pill that I’ve been giving them for the past three-four years or so. They’re doing above average on all of their item efficiency charts and they seem to be pretty dedicated to their job. Maybe a little too dedicated.

[Shuffling of papers]

Dr. K: Um, so the tree itself seems to be doing its usual thing, I haven’t really seen any changes beyond what’s already been logged in the item report…although I have noticed some changes with the agent. They seem to be showing further signs of deterioration since we cut back on the meds- I mean we’ve had to get the medical ward to replace their stitches FIVE times this week.

[Dr. Krueger sighs]

Dr. K: I know we’re supposed to weaponize our items, but d'you guys think you could dial it back a bit? At this rate, [INFORMATION HIDDEN] is going to drop dead and we’re gonna lose our best mar-.

[Brief pause, followed by indiscernible muttering]

Dr. K: Routine checks are to be conducted on the subject and the restriction of 1205’s medicinal form is to be used with care as to ensure the safety of 1205-B. Further usage of the item is to be continued under the regular issuing of Delta Command and at the request of Commander Miller.

Dr. K: What a load of bulls-

[END OF TRANSCRIPT]

Report

The Necrotic Tree is a 28-feet tall tree that resembles a typical North American deciduous tree, though it does not appear to produce any leaves during any season. Upon comparing the tree's appearance in previously documented photographs with newer ones, it has been noted that the height has increased by roughly 3-feet and has lost numerous branches that have not appeared to have grown back.

When entering the vicinity of the tree, subjects will experience the following symptoms:

• A sense of strong unease
• An "impending sense of doom"
• An intense compulsion to make physical contact with the tree
• Nausea
• Visual snow
• General physical discomfort

Further monitoring has proven 1205 to be technologically cognitohazardous, emitting visual distortion to digital equipment (see photograph).

Upon physical contact with the item, a splinter of bark will detach itself from the tree and embed itself into the exposed skin of any organic or living beings. The size is inconsistent and occasionally may not be visually identifiable without the usage of medical equipment.

Following contact with the item, subjects report a sudden “needle-like” pain, followed by a coldness that spreads across the affected area. The usage of Level-A hazmat gear has proven effective against this, however prolonged exposure to the tree is heavily discouraged to reduce the risk of contamination.

Incidents & Testing

Under one such instance, an infected subject (hereby referred to as 1205-A) was to be observed under a 12-hour period in an isolated section of Site ████’s containment unit, and was prompted to reply to a set of 4 questions every 2 hours. This was proven to be a failure when 1205-A began to rapidly decompose and show increasing signs of aggression towards Insurgency staff. The subject was shortly terminated after to prevent the risk of an outbreak and all agents were quarantined for several days.

On December 12th, 2005, a series of reports from the ████ Forest area of Vancouver brought the Insurgency’s attention to subject 1205-B. The subject was discovered and taken into Insurgency custody at the request of Delta Command where they were held at Site ████ for approximately 3 years for testing.

Following further research, Dr. Krueger was able to manufacture a pill from a remnant of 1205 found in the subject’s upper neck. This subsequently presented another tool for the Insurgency to use - a more efficient, condensed form of 1205's properties without the associated risks.¹

Interestingly, the pill has shown to have a positive effect on 1205-B when ingested orally, slowing down their rate of decomposition greatly and restoring partial cognizance. 3 years of testing have allowed for the subject to be conditioned through regular, controlled doses of 1205.

Beginning in 2009, 1205-B has been granted the designation Agent ██████ by Delta Command and has since been moved to Site-27 under Commander Miller's supervision and Dr. Krueger's continued observation.

Subject 1205-B is the only known specimen to have survived Item 1205 and continues to demonstrate unyielding loyalty towards the Chaos Insurgency.

Footnotes

1. Field testing proved to be a great success when using the pill against concentrated threats, causing a rapid outbreak without the need for Insurgency intervention. As a result, Delta Command has approved the usage of the item for stealth raids on enemy GOIs and have requested Dr. Krueger to continue their research.