OpAphid

*For other uses, see OpAphid (disambiguation).*

 Age

**OpAphid** is the codename of an operative leads Operation APHID, supposedly the enforcement and espionage division of the Order, using forceful tactics, drugs, and deception to remove threats to the Order and retrieve runaway trait positive girls such as Bree Avery. However, during the Order's hunt for Bree, OpAphid abruptly disappeared, ceasing all operations for the Order and disappearing from the *LonelyGirl15* storyline.

Sometime later, OpAphid reappeared in the series *RedEarth88*, saying that previous associates and employers outside the Order had stolen her past and her memories. OpAphid declared that the destruction of these enemies would be her new goal.

## Background

OpAphid can be traced back to her first appearance, the video You Made the Right Choice, Bree!, in response to Bree's My Difficult Decision video. OpAphid has since posted comments and videos to Bree, Daniel, and Cassieiswatching. These are generally warnings, some of them nicer than others, that insinuate that OpAphid is connected to Bree's religion, and that Cassie and Daniel should watch their step carefully.

Along with warning Cassie and Daniel about watching their step, OpAphid seemed to be documenting her battles with Resistance operative Tachyon and Tachyon's partner, Brother. At some point, Tachyon broke into one of Operation APHID's storage departments. OpAphid was outraged at this, and decided to go after her, taking use of her cell phone and other things. Even later, OpAphid hired the Cowboy to kidnap Daniel, whom she then drugged.

Later, Nikki Bower reported that OpAphid was missing, along with Tachyon and Brother. OpAphid logged into her YouTube account on May 24th, 2007, leaving this message:

*OpAphid said:*“”
> right there above you
>
>
> right there above you
>
>
> right there above you
>
>
> Oh dear.
>
>
> --
>
>
> Rumors of MY death have been greatly exaggerated...
>
>
> Some things are secret for a reason. There are people whose lives are dedicated to keeping
>
>
>
> them that way.
>
>

Fans have speculated many meanings to the message, including Gemma still being alive, or the message being a Cassie-esque sign-off.

## Redearth88

OpAphid reappeared in the web series *RedEarth88,* now independent from the Order. OpAphid's mission was focused on a college student, Rachel, whom OpAphid kidnapped despite the efforts of ex-Operation APHID agent Linc to protect her. OpAphid later released Rachel and Linc but somehow erased their memories of captivity.

Following this, OpAphid declared that after some unspecified interrogation or examination of Rachel, OpAphid now knew the truth: that her former associates and employers had somehow destroyed her life, childhood and family, and she vowed revenge.

The storyline was not explored further due to *RedEarth88* being unable to secure funding for additional videos.

## Notes

* While OpA[hid creator Glenn Rubenstein still worked on lonelygirl15, there was discussion that OpAphid would end up being Bree's mother. Similarities between the two remain to this day, including their insane tempers, their dislike of the relationship between Bree and her father, Drew, and their former/present high ranks in the Order.
* OpAphid's videos took about five days or more to produce.
* Many of OpAphid's were shot in Glenn's office. Rubenstein's has a white wall, which he layered with a seamless white backdrop for the videos.
* OpAphid was based upon a screenplay Rubenstein wrote called "Red Earth."
* The name of this character was inspired by the band Operation Ivy.
* OpAphid shares Rubenstein's sense of humor.
* OpAphid, Tachyon, Brother and Operation APHID were removed from *LonelyGirl15* due to the departure of their creator, Glenn Rubenstein, hence Nikki Bower reporting them as "missing." Because Rubenstein created and owned these four characters and concepts, Rubenstein later used them in *RedEarth88,* a web series that is separate from *LonelyGirl15.*
* In *RedEarth88,* OpAphid declares war on her former associates. Some have speculated that she means she is declaring war on the Order, but this cannot be the case. *RedEarth88,* an independent web series, could not have used the Order from *LonelyGirl15.* Whoever these associates are was never revealed, but they would be Rubenstein's own creations.
* In his concluded internet radio show, Rubenstein was asked if it were difficult to write *RedEarth88* featuring OpAphid, Tachyon and Brother without using the Order. Rubenstein replied that it would probably be more difficult for *LonelyGirl15* to write the Order without OpAphid, Tachyon and Brother.
* When asked in 2022 if Rubenstein would ever try to do a new incarnation of *RedEarth88* with OpAphid and Tachyon, Rubenstein said he would not as he felt they were now overshadowed by similar properties with more prominence. He said OpAphid was too similar to GLaDOS in the *Portal* games and Tachyon's pop culture driven puzzles were too much like the puzzles in the movie adaptation of *Ready Player One.*

## References

1. ↑ LG15 Today: WHAT TIME IS IT?...Coverage of Glenn on BreeFM
2. ↑ LG15 Today: Glenn on BreeFM
3. ↑ LG15 Today: WHAT TIME IS IT?...Coverage of Glenn on BreeFM
4. ↑ LG15 Today: WHAT TIME IS IT? - Coverage of Glenn on BreeFM
5. ↑ LG15 Today - WHAT TIME IS IT? - Coverage of Glenn on BreeFM