Subject: Alternates?
Author:
Posted on: 2022-05-15 14:53:08 UTC

"I think you need to see this," Epsilion said, turning over the paper in his hand, "another one. These papers are getting common. Doesn't seem Suvian, though. Looks almost like one of ours, but different."

"A new AU?" Wojtek asked, sipping his tea.

"There's been a spike lately. I wonder if an incursion is imminent."

"You're always afraid of some form of invasion. Why you weren't assigned to the DES, I haven't the foggiest," Wojtek grunted.

"Because the Sod sucks at his job."

"I... do not object to that statement."

"Let's spread the word of this and-"

"You hold your tongue, there's no reason to stoke unnecessary fear."

"I merely said spread the word of this particular object. As it is, I will not hold my tongue, it is in my mouth right now."

"I see the phrase is lost."

Epsilion looked at his notes, flicking through them. "Ah. Here. 'To hold the tongue: to shut your stupid mouth.'"

"Your memory problems are-"

"Perfectly normal. Let's go talk to that guy who made that new paper. The other new paper. The one with the cashews."


The Gossip Monitor

The Finest In Yellow Journalism Today's topic: Alternate PPCs?

Officer Epsilion (DIA) and Agent Wojtek Bearington III (DMS) have approached our office with an interesting paper, from a "CPP", presumed to be an alternate PPC. Here's their interview.


Sarkan: So, an alternate PPC?

Epsilion: Seems it. There's a "Sunflower Mathematician" instead of "Official" mentioned. Paper is marked the "Mathematical Monitor." It's like an alternate copy of the Monitor. Seems to track. I don't think anyone here seems familiar with any of this. Either we're getting punked, or there's something fishy going on.

Bearington: We know of other alternate PPCs. It is not an implausibility that this is merely another.

Epsilion: There are, or at least were also some others. Non-PPC organizations that did similar things to us. I think they're all gone now. I guess the Sues got 'em.

Bearington: Now is not time for fearmongering and conspiracy.

Epsilion: It is always important to be afraid.

Bearington: That is why you look so old.

Epsilion: I don't say you look fat, Whiskey, but I certainly could.

Sarkan: Let's stop with that, uh... I wonder why we haven't had two different Agencies end up in the same fic?

Bearington: We are presumably still outnumbered. Consider our turnover rate, consider the workload and how many we need to go through. Assuming an independent probability of assailing any particular target, we still end up with astronomical odds that two Agencies would end up in the same place at the same time. Travel between Agencies is also substantially harder, for reasons I've yet to discover.

Epsilion: I've heard Winfrey was trying to puzzle that out. She's a questioner. Those go either well or poorly. DOSAT's exploded enough times for us to know-

Sarkan: Let's not get off track. What do you think we should be doing about this?

Epsilion: We should-

Bearington: Remain calm. I don't believe they pose much of a threat.

Sarkan: Well, thank you for your time, gentlemen.


Have you seen Agent Joan? He owes us money.

The Gossip Monitor reprints rumors and stories from within the PPC. We make no claims as to the factual nature of our statements, and do not claim responsibility if any stories you submit engender libel suits or flamethrower attack. Contact Archivist Sarkan, Department of Personnel, if you wish to submit YOUR story here!

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