An Insight into the Institute Of Ambiguous Autecology

November 1, 2025 By Dr. Morgan May

With my thirty-two years in the field of zoology, I have been most privileged to be invited to a number of research facilities all over the world. From the Testing Bureau of Acarology in Canberra, to the Centre Of Improved Apiology in Montreal - with every facility I have visited and interviewed, it has been my delight to share my experiences with the dear readers of The Paragon. However, I fear no degree of expertise in this industry could have possibly prepared me for all that I witnessed at The Institute of Ambiguous Autecology.

Our journey began on the 22nd September 2025, at the port of Hauksgrafir, Iceland. As the ship arrived, my team and I were met with a scene straight out of a spy thriller film series. Six black SUVs and a Sedan parked on the docks, men in suits and shades or military gear armed to the teeth, with snipers set up across the perimeter. We were met by our guide - the ambassador, who talked us through the proceedings for our visit, provided us with lanyards, and a great heap of wavers and NDAs to sign. We were the first to visit the facility outside their employees and shareholders - a great honour as I assumed at first. And with the presence of guardsmen observing our every move, we of course were sure to follow their guidelines without question.

We were each blindfolded, though we estimated the ferry ride lasted no longer than four hours. Upon arrival, we were herded like cattle through security. The interior was much akin to the establishments I was used to - a great sterile labyrinth of grey walls, concrete, reflective floors, and fluorescent lights. The tang of bleach soured the air, researchers passed by in lab coats and full PPE - coloured key cards and radiation monitors clipped to their nametags. Nothing much out of the ordinary, I thought. Besides the security measure and secrecy, I was yet to be impressed.

They directed us to habitation, and for the first three days we were confined to that floor. I believed it would be the perfect opportunity to interview the lower-tier workforce - maintenance and so on. However, we were met with either an extraordinary degree of ignorance, or masterful deception. It appeared each level of clearance knew nothing of the operations of those higher up, or of the facility itself for the most part. We did discover that they were recruited from all over the world, and all walks of life. A woman we spoke to (who's name isn't disclosed for legal reasons) claimed to have worked as a mechanic in Burnley, England before being transferred. Another man was once a school caretaker in Augusta, Maine. And there was even an electrician from Cape Town, South Africa. What stood out to me was the way they claimed to have been enrolled - after following a link on social media platform, Gateway, they received invitations to their home addresses. Across the interviews, none had any complaints for the working conditions or pay. Considering the facility's high recruitment rate, we were surprised to hear that none of the staff had any apparent knowledge of ex-employees. None of them had worked there for more than a year, and all were reluctant to discuss the world outside.

After those first few days, we were granted higher access key cards, and proceeded to the lower levels where we expected much of the actual research took place. Considering the name, we had already come to the assumption that the IAA devoted its resources to the study of one species. But with our information packs, we were advised not to ask on which species that would entail.

Before we were permitted a tour of the labs, we were instructed to undertake quarantine for three weeks. During that time my team and I were separated, and were obviously unable to conduct further investigation into the facility or its workforce. Our accommodation was minimal, though we had access to tabletop games, box sets of old sitcoms, packs of cards, books, and exercise equipment (with each activity rotated across the duration of our isolation). It was remarkably reminiscent of those months spent in lockdown five years prior, although I would argue more surreal of an experience considering the lack of internet and media access.

Once we were given the all clear, we suited up and were granted a visit a day to each of the IAAs laboratories. Again, much of what they had to offer was to the standard one would expect. Mainly blood and tissue analysis, with a remarkable devotion of resources to DNA sequencing. Everything was going well, until we were invited along to an observation of animal subjects. We sat in a designated gallery area, monitoring the behaviours of rats, rabbits, dogs, chimps, and even fish - supposedly after some degree of 'exposure' to what was disclosed to us as 'Specimen 6.' An enzyme produced by Specimen 6 had been synthesised and injected into test group A, tissue samples were implanted under the skin in group B, and group C had simply been situated in the presence of 6 for a number of hours. I remember commentating even on the first day of our surveillance - on how truly unique the experience was. Groups A and B were remarkably healthy and calm, with an apparent increase in awareness of their surroundings. The chimps demonstrated what I could only conclude as psychic ability - able to correctly locate matching symbols on cards to those the analysts generated on hidden screens. The rats and fish easily navigated mazes they had never explored, and the rabbits and dogs interpreted human speech without being trained. Group C was different. Across species, they were quiet - barely moving, and irresponsive to sights or sounds.

The following days were some of the most harrowing I had ever known. The activity of groups A, B, and C slowly dwindled. When tested, they seemed to retain their super intelligence, but they grew less compliant. Even despite the promise of treats they refused to participate. With each hour they became more withdrawn, simply staring at their spectators. After four days, group A and B showed signs of abnormal tissue growth, and appeared to experience a significant degree of lethargy. And finally after a week, group C became completely unresponsive. I regret to say that the specimens of groups A and B perished - the growths forming on them compromising their circulation and breathing.

Once the tests were complete, we were invited to a meeting to share our thoughts. Anonymous shareholders joined in our discussion, as we were encouraged to offer speculation on what exactly they were researching there. They did not offer us any confirmation of our suspicions, although I will declare that my interpretation provoked some interesting reactions around the room. My team rather halfheartedly presented their takes, but when my turn came, I aimed to approach with as much sincerity as I could, no matter how fantastical my claim was.

They had apparently determined me to be more open-minded than the others. On the night of the 25th of October, I was welcomed for a one-to-one audience with the facility director. We sat in her office, and engaged in a lengthy conversation - mostly about our backgrounds. Throughout our conference, I admit to feeling wrought with discomfort. At the time, I couldn't put my finger on exactly why, but looking back, the only way I could describe it was that she didn't exactly seem... Human. The way she presented herself - her diction and mannerisms were odd. I couldn't shake the idea that she was an alien masquerading as human - studying me as an example of our species. She offered me the opportunity to take on a great responsibility - to act as a 'representative' for their CEO. I of course thought it peculiar that they should consider me - a stranger for such a role at their institute. Not wishing to offend her, I gently declined and headed to bed for the night. I was happy to get away.

The following morning, the rest of my team came down with a sudden illness. They complained of headaches, dizzy spells, and nightmares. I went to the ambassador with my questions. Even he had experienced a sudden change in personality - his performance more akin to that of the director's. He claimed my team had sneaked out of their quarters on the night of my meeting, and wandered down to containment, violating the rules. I asked them why they would do such a thing without me, yet their responses only further unsettled me. They claimed to have been were invited.

I was done. My team were sick, I was plagued by anxiety, and as time dragged on more of the higher-level employees in the bowels of the facility seemed to be losing their minds. We were told the ferry would not return until November 1st, so it looked like we were stuck there. I didn't wish to provoke anyone - whatever was going on, I wanted nothing to do with it. I tactfully requested for them to move us back upstairs, yet was rebuffed. When I asked for a doctor to check on my team, they objected to the idea themselves, certain they were fine. With each night, my quarters felt darker, smaller - the walls boxing me in, and I could not sleep for the low muttering noise carrying through the building.

I had started packing my things on the morning of October 31st, when I was interrupted by the ambassador coming in to greet me. He wished before our departure that I meet with Specimen 6. Of course I refused, albeit as politely as I could muster. No matter what I said, he insisted, until I found myself surrounded by my own team, and was dragged kicking and screaming escorted to the elevators. I thought it best not to fight it. They took me to containment - the bottom three floors dedicated to an enormous glass chamber. Many employees congregated there, staring towards the centre of the room. From the frost on their clothes and the bitter chill in the air, I immediately assumed they were dead, yet they all turned to look at me as I was taken inside.

There I came to witness Specimen 6. I had seen species from all continents of earth, large and small, weird and wonderful, but I was not prepared for worthy of what I saw in that room. A great behemoth, a magnificent eldritch monstrosity divinity, carving its gaze into my skull. I fought to escape I approached my master gladly. Dragging my nails across the concrete floor, embracing his darkness, they sealed me inside with him. I don't know how long I was left in there for, all I knew from then were his eyes staring into mine, his voice whispering in my head, draining me of my will welcoming me into his fold.

I came to, finding myself back on those docks, alone and exhausted. They released me upon the earth. I ignored my every instinct to throw myself into the sea, instead returning to our hotel where I set about immediately documenting my experiences. Now my mind is not my own - each time I close my eyes I am met with nothing but the echo of my own screams, and I am dead I am awake, and I wish to carve them out for my return is nigh. I shall ignite the skies. Let the oceans run red with the blood of mankind, and the land be choked with ash. For I Am the eNd and the begInninG, tHe eaTer Of WorLds, fAther oF chaOs I Am AlL ANd nULL. I aM THe INfINAtE ShaDOW. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL. I AM YZ'GD'DRIL