XX-9 - "Blue Triangle"

Category: XX

Current Attitude: Amicable

Containment Procedure: N/A

Description: Undefined, manifestations of a sapient entity usually involve the triplets Ronald Garfield, Catrina Garfield, and Rodney Garfield who are identified by unnaturally blue eyes.

Initially, my compatriots and I were convinced that the “case” of three fortune-telling triplets with astonishingly blue eyes was nothing but a coincidence and dismissed the reports of their supposed prognostication after investigators failed to gain a single accurate prophecy from them. However, after the third time a report of an astonishingly accurate prediction being made by the Garfield triplets at Cirque du Voler, investigation was instructed directly from Dr Cross.

The Garfield triplets were perfectly willing to consent to an interview after investigators became confused by the fact that the prices being charged for their services at the Circus could not possibly be covering their expenses. The trio – Ronald, Catrina, and Rodney – were perfectly happy to discuss their work with investigators. They stated that they were just very gifted at reading their clientele and if they happened to be close to correct even one third of the time it was just a coincidence. They provided a reasonably plausible family history that investigators took for verification. It was this verification that highlighted deeper goings-on at Cirque du Voler, but when investigators returned to confront them as to exactly why the only triplets born to any family called Garfield had supposedly died at the age of twelve over fifteen years ago, they were mysteriously gone.

The sudden and unexpected departure of one of the Circus's least profitable attractions is something we assumed would not cause much misery to the owner, but upon being asked by investigators where they may have moved on to the proprietor – one Mr. Burt Bartley – became very agitated. He accused investigators of taking away “his miracle” and in a fury barred them and all members of the Foundation from setting foot in his circus again.

Less than a year after this incident, reports told that Cirque du Voler suffered a series of poor performances and swiftly went out of business and Mr. Bartley was identified for further interview. He eventually consented, at great cost to the Foundation, and gave an explanation that he would consult the Garfield triplets on where the Circus should next perform. He would always receive three answers, one of which would produce incredible profits. With this understanding and sufficient know-how on his part, he claimed that his Circus was always more profitable than not. Now, with them gone, the Circus proved to be insufficiently profitable simply on its own, hence his financial issues.

– Excerpt from the log of Dr. Gerald Simpson, 1881.

Still relatively early in the days of the Foundation, the concept of an Anomaly that could not be contained or neutralised was relatively unknown. The XX-Category was still only used for Anomalies that had yet to be Contained by the Foundation and the idea of forming a detente with them was considered a last resort. It was such then that when in 1907 the Garfield triplets paid a visit to the Foundation's offices that their offer to “aid” the Foundation by providing prediction was met in kind with a demand for them to be detained.

Knowing what we do now, it seems ludicrous that attempts to try to take the manifestations of an XX-Anomaly into custody by force were considered the default option. It seems further ludicrous that assuming the upper hand against Blue Triangle – a rare manifestation of foresight – was taken as a default. Yet, of course it was, and Foundation staff were left reeling after a series of sudden unexpected failures in the structural stability of the offices coincided at once and left multiple staff with serious injuries. The Garfield triplets left through the front door of the Foundation and Dr Cross was left with a substantial repair bill.

When staff returned to the newly repaired offices, they were surprised to find a package left for them. Inside was a small metal compass and a note reading “Sorry about the mess” written in blue ink. The compass itself was particularly notable as it had three separate hands, all painted in blue. Naturally the item was taken for investigation and eventually its mechanics of prognostication were understood. No sooner had the newly minted Mediation Department been established to track down the triplets to thank them for the gift did the Garfield triplets appear at the offices of the Foundation and offer their “aid” should it be needed.

Coming up to 90 years after accepting an “amicable” relationship with the Garfield triplets, a lot of research has been performed. The compass transpired to respond periodically to questions by pointing at three separate things and since it worked without the presence of the triplets it was confirmed that they likely did not have direct control over it. This was confirmed in a Conference with the Garfield triplets in 1926 when they all but confirmed their connection to an otherworldly being they called “the Blue Triangle”.

Further manifestations of “the Blue Triangle” were then sought and, now knowing what they were looking for, a number of incidents of so-called oracles, personal guides and supposed poker geniuses were identified all making use of similar means of prediction: some sort of artefact or force providing them with three options, one of which would be most beneficial to them.

Before contact with the Garfield triplets was lost, just before the passing of the previous Foundation head, they left one last piece of information: that the artefacts that the Foundation had been amassing were, unfortunately, just items. The power, they said, came from the presence of the choice. The magic compass, the lucky triangular poker chip, the “blue darts of fate”: these were just avenues for “the Blue Triangle” to show itself and left with parting words that “if the Foundation needs to ask, the Triangle will always be willing to help”.

• XX-9 is generally willing to assist the aims of the Foundation and its staff by providing answers to questions. However, it will usually communicate three answers of varying utility. Sometimes two will be incorrect, but more often it will be more complicated than that.
• When arranging a Conference with XX-9 it is worth making the topic of question you are likely to want to ask it known in advance to give it ample time to consider an answer.
• It is worth being on the lookout for trichotomies (choices between three options) and triangular image when interacting with XX-9. While it is not in its nature to be cryptic beyond providing three answers to any given question, it is – like most anomalies – incapable of truly masking its intentions without some indicator.
• The Garfield triplets have not been heard from since the death of the last head of the Foundation but are also believed to be unlikely to be dead. If they are located, re-establishing a relationship with the Foundation is encouraged.