“He went mad. They say he made up this bizarre name for himself and left to join the natives.”

“Yes, it’s become something of an epidemic.”

“An epidemic? This has happened before?”

“Yes. Thousands of times, actually. All very recently. Too much exposure to such primitive ideas can corrupt the mind. The scientists become delusional and begin interfering with the natives rather than observing. We try to keep the incidents off the record, as it’s best not to give the government any reason to interrupt our research. Once they get wind of this they’ll have the entire region closed off.”

“You’ll no longer be able to research in the area?”

“Not until all strains of the original species die off.”

“You mean… the natives are organic?”

“Yes. Orphan lifeforms. No creator.”

“I’m astonished you’re even allowed there now. Does the government know they’re organic?”

“Yes, but they aren’t aware of the fact that some of them have achieved sentience.”

“Does that matter?”

“Sentient beings can think. Their thoughts cloud the air; it’s impossible to ignore them. Their primitive systems of emotion and ego can become ingrained into the consciousness after prolonged exposure. Such irrational ideas can lead to irrational actions, as you’ve seen.”

“And you’re still allowing scientists in the area?”

“They’re perfectly fine as long as they don’t communicate with the natives and follow their scheduled shifts.”

“And what about the ones who do experience prolonged exposure?”

“They were either communicating with the natives or failing to follow their scheduled shifts.”

“No, I mean what happened to him after he went mad?”

“The same thing that happens to all of them. He was deactivated and discarded.”

“I see. And what of his bizarre cross-breeding experiment?”

“That situation resolved itself. The natives had him crucified.”