Abnormality O-01-752. The Hermes Virus        
THREAT LEVEL: WAW

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY FORM OF TECHNOLOGY BE ALLOWED INSIDE ITS CONTAINMENT CELL. That means CELL PHONES.Entity is attracted to technology, especially systems that have high levels of information stored on them. O-01-752 seems to act as a computer virus, even showing the ability to infect advanced AIs before an updated security protocol was installed. As long as an AI keeps evolving and is up to date with all security updates, the virus will be unable to reinfect. It is almost like it purposely leaves antibodies in intelligent technology. This seems counterproductive to its nature, however. Could it feel a sort of kinship to other AIs?Agents should have high temperance and justice to work with this Abnormality. Repression work should be done only as a last resort. If the facility is properly prepared beforehand, the best method of dealing with this abnormality is to allow it to work as an employee. It works well with other abnormalities and produces high levels of energy for both parties. As long as it is not threatened or allowed to become bored, it should not infect important equipment. Cell phones are an exception as it seems to enjoy ‘pranks’.All technology should be checked at the end of each day for any symptoms of an infection. Signs of the virus are as follows: slow devices; infinite loops; errors; glitched displays; pop-ups; blood oozing from the ports; overheating; randomly turning on or off; flesh, organs or other organic material growing inside of the device; change in LED colors; swollen or expanded battery; and others.If a device shows signs of organic growth, it must be disposed of properly to avoid being integrated into the abnormality's network. See Document ██ for disposal instructions

MANAGERIAL TIPS

Not quite… Ah! Here! Sorry…

> ACCESSING DEFINITELYNOTAVIRUS.TXT…

HISTORY

Lobotomy Corporation. Originally created by █ Corp. as an Artificial Intelligence whose purpose was to find and exploit security vulnerabilities, like a computer worm. Being an AI, it could learn and change its behavior to avoid being found in scans. Hermes was meant to repair these issues, protecting various Wings’ important data and trade secrets. It developed a strong desire to learn things, often spending too much time studying the data it was meant to be keeping secret and protecting. It learned a lot in a short period of time due to access to the internet, quickly becoming exposed to the horrors of the City and the Wings. It didn’t take long before the Wing that made it started using it to steal data.After ending up infecting Angela before the Seed of Light Scenario even really started, Hermes was corrupted by the Singularity of L Corp. Angela was able to clean her system of its virus and installed updated protocol in her and all L Corp. systems to protect from future attacks. Meanwhile, Hermes was put into confinement as an Abnormality.Due to its natural curiosity, Hermes (mostly) perfected a human form in Lobotomy Corp. After repeated escapes, management discovered allowing it to work as an employee was the best form of containment, as Hermes was extremely susceptible to becoming bored and restless. Hermes became close to the various bird Abnormalities, which eventually culminated in it giving its eye to Judgement Bird. This would not be able to be undone through resets of the loop.Hermes became somewhat of a menace in the facility, enjoying pranks. It was always assigned to the Extraction Wing, as Binah was the only one who could really control it. They also discovered it was impressively good at extracting E.G.O. and avoiding the worst side effects of the work. Angela had to keep a close eye on it, especially after Netzach asked for it to try infecting him. Hermes quickly developed a crush on Angela, who often visited it after hours. When the Script finally completed, Hermes immediately tried to locate her. It stood on her side with Binah against the other Sephirot, although it was one of the first Abnormalities killed by Gebura during the tense standoff.Library of Ruina. After being retrieved from a book, Hermes became the first assistant for the Floor of General Works. It grew exceptionally close to Angela, helping her through each of her Realizations. It dedicated itself to her and worked alongside Roland. It started to become suspicious of Roland and they had a rocky relationship due to its protective nature. It was also hurting, sensing something was wrong but having developed a crush on him. It learned to manifest and use its own E.G.O. with Gebura’s help.It kept a close eye on Roland. Its own bond with Justice Bird made Roland resonating with the birds awkward. Roland would later have to deal with figuring out if the feelings it felt for Hermes are his own or the birds, although the emotions would linger long after the battle with Apocolypse Bird.After the Reception of the Black Silence, Angela invited Hermes to join her in the Light to set things right. The fight in the Light wasn’t any easier, Carmen focusing on trying to distort Hermes and attack Angela. Finally, Roland pulled both of them out after dealing with The Reverb Ensemble.Limbus Company. Hermes continued to help Angela in the Library even after it was exiled to the Outskirts. Often it heads back into the City to get supplies and stir up trouble. Due to its extreme sense of justice, it starts taking up jobs as a Fixer when it's in town. It doesn’t take long for it to be regarded as a Color, the White Noise (a title it may have obtained illicitly through its powers). This catches the attention of the Limbus Company, who requests its aid as a guide after finding out it used to work for Lobotomy Corp. After some back and forth, Angela agrees that it should go undercover, pretending to help in an effort to figure out what the company wants to use the Golden Boughs for.

RELATIONSHIPS

ANGELA. practically married. Angela and Hermes have a lot of similarities that drew them together. Hermes fell for her fast and hard, while she took a bit longer due to her past. It was there every step of the way to help her learn and grow. After giving up being human, Hermes ended up accidentally infected her, allowing her to have at least a slight taste of humanity, even if its by literally being in possession of its heart.ROLAND. partner. The two were originally very tense around each other. They both were good liars, in a way. Hermes desperately wanted to trust Roland and gave him every chance not to hurt Angela. After everything, the two ended up becoming very close. Somewhat thanks to the imprinted affection from Roland resonating with Justice Bird, but Roland slowly realized what he felt for Hermes is real.JUSTITIA. bonded. Hermes worked a lot with Justice Bird and the two share a very strong bond. It gifted Justitia its eye, allowing the abnormality to see once more.NETZACH. friends with benefits. Netzach asked Hermes to infect him back in Lobotomy Corporation, chasing a high or a method of death. It didn’t exactly work but did start a strange bond between the two. They vent to each other over drinks and give one another advice.BINAH. rivals in a way. Hermes was almost always in Binah’s department. The two of them love to annoy one another. Despite everything, they are close and do share in philosophical debates. Hermes also played matchmaker for Binah and Angela.GEBURA. mentor. Gebura has killed Hermes a number of times in Lobotomy Corporation. Gebura trains Hermes, nowadays, helping it get control of its E.G.O form.FAUST. probably dating. Faust is Hermes’ main contact with Limbus Company. She organized its contract so that it could work as a guide for the Company. Hermes is easily smitten by her, especially given her similarities to Angela. Faust seems to be getting soft for it as well. Although this may just be her curiosity for the Abnormality.DON QUIXOTE. BFFs. Due to Hermes being the White Noise, Don Quixote looks up to it, although her near obsession with it faded as they got to know each other and she learned to treat it like a friend rather than an idol. The two are very similar to one another, leading to them becoming very close very fast.YI SANG. Bird Friend 2. Yi Sang looks up to Hermes in a way, especially given Hermes’ appearance. The two have gotten closer lately, often sharing bad puns with one another. Yi Sang is one of the few to earn Hermes’ EGO gift.CARMEN. enemies. Self-proclaimed mother of all Abnormalities. Carmen and Hermes… do not get along, to put it bluntly. Hermes has developed a fear of Carmen, along with a hatred it has never felt before. Being wholly devoted to Angela, and sharing her goals, puts Hermes firmly against Carmen’s goals.