Copycat

• Do NOT enter cell
• Routinely alternate personnel
• Monitor at intervals no greater than fifteen (15) minutes
• If Copycat begins to show facelike features (eyes, mouth) all monitoring must be postponed for two (2) months

Varies. A unique shapeshifter, it usually takes the form of whatever it wants to consume next, or whatever will assist it in the acquisition of that form.

Whilst similar in many ways to a mimic, Copycat has several notable differences. It will often have singular obsessions over a new person or being it hasn't seen before, and unlike mimics, Copycat ultimately tries to replace whatever it is copying. If it succeeds in this replacement, that form appears to be retained, and it can resume that form again at any time, complete with speech, knowledge and behaviour intimate to the person (or creature) it has replaced. Unlike mimics, Copycat appears to 'forget' the shape of things it hasn't seen over time.

From observations and limited accounts prior to acquisition and relocation to Floor Fifty-Four, Copycat is believed to function in three key stages, summarised as follows:

1. Observation (appearance)
2. Observation (behaviour)
3. Confrontation/replacement

To ensure highest possible safety standards, Copycat should be permanently kept in Stage 1. At the first sign Copycat has entered Stage 2 with any being or creature, contact between the two should be stopped immediately. The exception to this is any experiment that has been approved by [MANAGEMENT]. Intelligent beings should never be 'fed' to Copycat, for security reasons as well as ethical ones. Similarly, any creature smaller than its current smallest form (common house cat - hence the nickname) should be avoided and will not be approved.

Although Copycat can form seemingly functional eyes (which blink, focus, follow and even emote the same as normal eyes do), it appears to observe the world in a completely separate way, not needing the eyes at all. It will behave the same way looking at an organism through glass as it will a mirror, a wall or a steel panel. Even without eyes, it will turn its face to follow a subject around behind a wall. This suggests that Copycat simply moves its eyes to imitate the way other organisms behave. Even when appearing to function, they are purely cosmetic.

Because of this ability to observe and perceive through solid barriers, researchers at Floor Fifty-Four are uncertain whether Copycat's method of perception can be classed as 'sight'. This may be an entirely separate sense that we - and all other natural organisms - do not posses.

This ability seems to diminish over long distances and numerous barriers. A working theory is that where our eyes lose clarity over linear distance, Copycat’s senses lose clarity with volume. This has not been confirmed directly, but holds weight with the research team.

Another key difference compared to mimics is that Copycat does not appear limited by mass-displacement. This allows it to take forms that are far smaller (or larger) than its current size. The transformation itself is much quicker than a mimic's, and seemingly without the pain or effort that is typically required. Surveillance equipment will malfunction during any transformation, skipping the 1-3 seconds during which the transformation occurred. Copycat has not currently transformed whilst under direct observation from scientists or researchers, although it has switched forms when they were looking away either intentionally or accidentally (backs turned, closed eyes, looking at notes etc).

Interaction with Copycat, though possible, is difficult. A handful of its retained forms are human beings, dead or missing (presumed dead), and whilst these forms can speak as though they were the person themselves, Copycat mostly attempts to take new forms (usually of the research staff) rather than communicate using its existing ones. It only seems to use these other forms as a means to an end, to aid escape or assist in getting closer to a target. It does not seem to use these forms intelligently however, and researchers believe it doesn't have any long term strategies beyond 'watching' any new or interesting organism that wanders into its sensory range.

During an emotionally difficult time, Dr Milton used her newly acquired clearance to gain entrance to Copycat's wing. She would later claim this was to "escape, or hide". As she was not working directly with item 54-210, she was not briefed, and was only able to get access due to her recent promotion. Whilst she did not interact with Copycat in any meaningful way, simply entering one of the empty rooms and crying, the surveillance cameras recorded Copycat turning towards her and standing close to watch her through the wall. The camera recorded a glitch and Copycat took on the form of a five foot, four inch (5' 4") petite blonde woman, wearing Dr Milton's clothes but without a face. It continued to watch her through the walls.

In the adjacent room, Dr Milton is clearly upset about an unrelated matter, and sits on the floor, hands around her knees, slowly rocking back and forth. After a few minutes, Copycat proceeds to crouch, tilting its head as it tries to get a closer 'look'. It presses its face up against the wall, and slides along its surface. One researcher commented that it "appeared though it were trying to breathe her in".

As Dr Milton manages to compose herself, Copycat is getting into position on the floor, sitting down, hands around knees, gently rocking. As Dr Milton leaves the wing, Copycat's head follows her movement. By the time she exits, eyeholes and a thin line of a mouth are developing on Copycat's face. It clutches glasses in one hand, though these keep disappearing. Copycat retained the form of Dr Milton for almost six (6) hours before transforming into a cat and pacing the walls of its cell, rubbing up against them the same way a cat marks its scent.

This footage was not discovered until Dr Milton revisited the wing as part of her formal safety induction. Staff approached the cell, where Copycat had already taken the form of Dr Milton. Staff were alarmed to note that Copycat could replicate her facial features almost perfectly, and when the real Dr Milton looked through the glass, Copycat actually smiled at her.

The staff immediately evacuated the wing and prevented any access until surveillance footage could be reviewed. It was then that the security breach was discovered. Dr Milton and her superior at the time (Dr Auburn) were both reprimanded.

Following this event, access requirements to cell 54-210 now include completion of a mandatory safety induction, regardless of rank. Dr Milton has been blacklisted from working with 54-210.