First Contact

October 17, 1988

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> *"What is that"*
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> *"There's something there"*
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> -Unknown people
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***Backrooms - First Contact*** is the third video in Kane Parsons' Backrooms series. It shows the successful sixth test of ASYNC's low-proximity magnetic distortion system, which results in the discovery of the Backrooms. When it was released, it was accompanied by a hidden video called *collateral.mov*.

## Synopsis

ASYNC commences their sixth test of the low-proximity magnetic distortion system, which is a success. Despite effects very similar to the unsuccessful third test at the start, the equipment being damaged at the end, and unintentionally causing a large earthquake, ASYNC successfully created a portal to the Backrooms.

## Full analysis

The video begins with an FBI warning, stating:

> *FBI WARNING*
> *Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or exhibition of the following video tape.*
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The fact that there is an FBI warning suggests that the ASYNC Foundation obtained federal backing for their project.
Text then appears, saying that this is Test #6 on (date redacted), and that several modifications have been made to the low-proximity magnetic distortion system. In between is a video of what appear to be several machines rotating, likely part of the device. What appears on the screen is:

> TEST #6 (\*\*\*\*\*\*\*)
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> Modifications:
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> * Triple support beam on internal chamber 23A
> * Introduced +13 additional RF cavities (L372)
> * Introduced [REDACTED] into the [REDACTED]
> * Replaced detectors 41-90
> * High-Precision beam now monitors for vibration exceeding 90000 mv/G
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A backwards message then flashes across the screen saying:

> dNch/dy=800
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> FAILURE
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> FAILURE
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> FAILURE
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We then see a diagram of part of the device, and see parts of the device itself. It is obvious that the device is much bigger than the "door" seen in the prior video.

The video then cuts to the test footage, showing the "door" seen in *The Third Test*. The lights dim, and the test begins at 5:03 PM, October 17, 1989. As in the previous video, the wall behind the "door" begins to warp, and warning lights flash on and off. Dirt rains down from the ceiling, and the same golden light from *The Third Test* shines intensely through the door. Unlike in the prior video, there is no golden lightning, but alarms begin blaring and more dirt rains from the ceiling. The golden light grows in intensity until the outline of the "door" can't be seen.

The video then shows a screen, with subtitles across the bottom. On the screen, the outlines of a maze begin to appear as the voices begin to wonder what is happening:

> "JESUS CHRIST TURN IT OFF"
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> "SHUT IT DOWN NOW"
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> "WAIT"
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> "WHAT IS THAT?"
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> "THERES SOMETHING THERE"
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> "THERES AN OBSTRUCTION"
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> "IT LOOKS LIKE \*UNINTELLIGIBLE\*"
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> "NO, KEEP GOING"
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> "SIR, THIS IS NOT SAFE--"
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The camera then cuts back to the "door." The "door" is in very bad state - it is tilted, the equipment around it appears damaged, and the lights are flickering on and off. However, beyond the door is the Backrooms - showing that ASYNC has just managed to open a portal into the Backrooms.

## Within the series

The final test of the low-proximity magnetic distortion system (aka Project KV31) opens a portal between Earth and the Backrooms. In the process, it also starts two large events, which play out in other videos.

First is the 1989 Loma Preita earthquake. The earthquake started when the test began, and was caused by the test. The earthquake resulted in 63 deaths and about $6 billion in damage (in 1989 dollars). For a source, see the Wikipedia article.