INCed
3/28/2056
Journal Entry 1
“The year of individuality,” is what they called it. The percentage of those with tattoos in the US had exceeded those without. It was an interesting time. It had its perk: there was no judgment for tattoos anymore, but it also had its faults: more minors had begun getting and doing at-home tattoos than ever before resulting in an incredible amount of tattoo-based infections. There were beauties and beasts, but people claimed it was all about being an individual and even the at-home tattoos weren’t greatly frowned upon anymore. Yes, “the year of individuality…” at least that’s what the public was led to believe. It was more like the year that the government decided to pull the largest scientific experiment of all time.
Enter Project Infinite Neural Capacity. Project INC was an experiment that began in World War II. The theory was that a proper formula could be engineered that slightly altered an individuals DNA and then be laced into tattoo ink. Once mixed, it would be tattooed onto test subjects. The subject’s brain would link their knowledge of certain qualities of whatever image had been tattooed onto them and the formula in the ink would then combine with the subjects DNA with their own knowledge, ideally creating a superhuman. The Project was ultimately put on hold due to the immense amount of failure. There was no way to control the qualities that any given subject would receive. For example, some subjects would grow tails as result of a lion tattoo or those with eagle tattoos would only gain feathers. Even when someone were to gain the strength of a lion or the sight of an eagle, the animalistic alterations to their DNA would end up taking over their entire sense of being, resulting in insanity that could not be treated. Furthermore, the lack of proper materials made the tattooing process itself dangerous. The military halted the experiments and had scientists work solely on developing the proper formula that would not harm a human subject.
In 2050 the formula was improved, but only through weakening the formula itself. The results were simple: either the test subject could hone in on their new abilities and improve them or the subject would not be affected at all. Dedicated scientists only had themselves to test on and after recording the results, requested a larger testing pool. Seeing that the world was on the brink of a World War, the president allowed a “nation-wide” testing pool in secret. Scientists renamed the formula Xeniphora and claimed it to be a chemical that slowed the tattoo ageing process. It was quickly added into every popular tattoo ink line and distributed across the nation. In order to influence the masses, special attention was put on “influential” people, ie those in positions of power or those that were noticed to have leadership qualities. A sector of Project INC was appointed to “take care” of these influential people after they had received their Xeniphora laced tattoos. Not only was this sector in place to see if the Xeniphora had any affects on the subjects, but to “send them good fortune” as it was put. The sector would simulate good luck for the recently tattooed subjects: finding money on the ground, winning concert tickets, seemingly random acts of kindness from “strangers,” etc. The consistent small amounts of good fortune were enough to have the subjects spread the word of how their tattoos brought them good luck. Tattoo demand skyrocketed. By 2055 the percentage of those legally tattooed in the US had jumped from 52% at the start of 2050 to 88%. Those who were affected by Xeniphora were wiped off the grid, disappeared due to “illness” or “work abroad.” Officials in Project INC were experts at covering tracks of these subjects. Causing individuals to disappear was more of a skill than a trick.
This is the extent of what they’ve told me here.
I am one of the .0001% of newly tattooed individuals that has been affected by Xeniphora. Against my will I was forced into this facility, into Project INC, training to become what they call an “extraordinary human,” one with infinite neural capacity, when I was extremely content with being an extra ordinary human with ink. It’s been made clear that I cannot leave this facility freely as there are armed guards at every door. It’s an intimidating place. My tattoo stings, still healing. They treat us “extraordinary humans” like royalty here, so I don’t have fears of being killed unless I try to leave without permission…I’m just confused I suppose. I hope they’ve notified my family, told them I was accepted into that study abroad program in China for the year or some other lie that reflects me in a positive light. I’ll ask tomorrow.
What an interesting time to be alive.
-Plum