Mission 001: Report At HQ (Part TWO)

JC tried opening his eyes but his surroundings felt fuzzy.

He could hear the steady sound of a ventilation system around him. His body hurts him as he attempts to lift the left arm. His hand finds no grip but, on his right, Denton scratches a sterile concrete wall. The place is somber, silent and seems deserted.

Immediately, his HUD re-initializes his whole system and starts populating his weaken field of view with coloured icons, health status signs, compass, inventory and augmentations. The crosshair commences to focus and adjusts his vision blurriness until the agent perceives reality lucidly.

The place is a dark room, dimly lit by a tainted bay window and the light reflected by an indoor glass. The agent lays on a couch next to a toilet. Close to the large window, a gate with a caution blue logo stands in contrast with the dull grey of the block.

JC energy battery his at medium level. He drains most of the bioenergy to heal his turmoiled skull. Gunther! You piece of two-bit mech…

A central message about his awareness situation displays on his crosshair.

Location: Unknown

Time: Unknown

Then it fades. Only the ventilation perpetual sound system fills the void. JC swings on his left for the second time and puts a foot to the ground. When his second foot re-joins the first and he stands sitting on the harden concrete couch, a buzz starts tickling his nervous system. His headache, mitigated by his internal heal influx, recommences to hurt him painfully.

An electric tremor crosses his brain circuits and forces Denton to shake up and raise with his hands protecting his head. The insidious sensation fortunately appeased somehow and the characteristic vibration of his Infolink, in turn, broadcasts the robotic voice of a stern, cold but still humane entity. The incoming transmission also displays the face of a mysterious character like the one of an old marble statue.

“I need you to escape. I can cut power to the door only a few seconds without being detected. Get ready.”

The vision of the cryptic faces vanished but JC spots the name of the sender. Deaalus…Daedlus…Daedalus Yes! A mythological name if his memory helps him in his state of recovery. The discomfort caused by the communication totally resorbed when it finished.

What was that? Where am I? Is that a trap or an ally? the puzzled rebel reflects alarmed by the Infolink.

The beginning of an answer is triggered by the sudden shut down of the light source. Then the vertical door squeaked and begins to rise slowly. Before him, Denton discovers a cell block corridor and distinguishes the peculiar noise of a secure camera.

He steps in the corridor and swings to the right to the exit. Three other cells are situated next to his compartment. On one of them, he notices a jailed NSF. At the end of the corridor, a box stands before a spherical workplace. At its centre, a black paramilitary equipped with a MJ12 signed helmet sits in an office. At the roof, an autoturret hangs in passive mode.

As JC moves near the guard, the black sentinel raises and begins a walk to the exit. Denton takes advantage of the situation and grabs a knife over a cupboard. He also retrieves a riot prod from the box. The security came beams the path to the exit where the guard moved so the agent returns to the corridor to explore the cells.

He seizes soy food in one of them then waits for the sentinel to pass by the jail block. The guard doesn’t pay much attention to the open gate. Denton emerges and shocks him with his electric baton and collects a pistol from the body.

Behind his cell windows, the NSF cheers up at Denton’s action.

As he cannot open the gate from the NSF cell, JC returns to the office. On the bureau, a message has been left on a datacube.

“Lieutenant Jackson:

A failed intrusion attempt into LabNet has unfortunately scrambled other key systems, requiring most of the security grid to be reset. Until the grid is fully restored, the detention block door code has been reset to 4089 while _all_ detention cells have been reset to 4679. You will be notified when the situation has been fully resolved.

Agent Sherman”

Denton collects a multitool in the cupboard plus pistol ammunition. He moves back to the insurgent jail and bypass the door with the code.

The ex-terrorist welcomes him gladly. “You’re the spy they caught, right?”

“I never worked for the NSF, but my brother did. I think he was captured, too.”

“You’re definitely not the only prisoner, I heard noises down the hall.” replies the NSF delighted to deliver one good news in return for his liberation.

“Good. Maybe I can find him.”

“Let’s get out of here. I smuggled in a knife — and a medkit, too. You want the medkit?”

“Yeah, I’ll take the medkit”

“What do you say? I think we can make it.”

“I’d rather that you wait here.” The place is unknown, possibly filled with enemies and Paul is kept somewhere in there. Denton first objective is to clear a path to the exit after he released his brother. Along the way, he will try to gather intel about the MJ12 and his real location. The NSF will join them after the lair clean-up is certain. At this point, that Deadelus might as well be an enemy luring the agent into another trap. The sure thing to do is to escape from the Majestic 12 facility.

“Let me know when the coast is clear.” The man called Miguel salutes him.

JC accesses another cell where a Medbot has been kept near an NSF corpse. He retrieves a disposable P520 plasma gun on the dead body. The fledgling fugitive heals up his body parts to full health. The killswitch’s effect are not yet visible but

Denton rubs his face with his right hand. “Here and now comes the counter-strike. Gunther, Manderley, Simons…I will track and confront you all“ intones the agent.

He heads towards the exit. When he steps out in a new corridor, Daedalus signals himself for the second time. “Transmitting the floorplan. All of your equipment has been stored in the armory to the south. Paul Denton is alive in the laboratory to the north but has a damaged Infolink. You must inform him of the escape. Tracer Tong will require his datavault in order to defeat the killswitch.”

Paul’s datavault can defeat the killswitch? This is gold! Then freeing Paul becomes the top priority. They will sneak away to Hong Kong in Jock’s chopper. Tong who is a friend of Paul will securely downfall the nanite illness. Daedelus can be a front created by Tracer Tong to contact him and guide the Denton’s to liberty.

JC opens a hatch before his feet and crawls ipso facto inside the vent. His vision aug exhibits the MJ12 Lab facility. The Detention area is pinned between the Command Center at the North West and the armory to the South. A tunnel connects the different chambers and passes through a robot maintenance level. The Command Center is linked with a Nanotech lab, a Containment chamber and the Medical Lab where Paul must be locked. At the West, one unique checkpoint exit controls the ins and outs.

Slowly but steadily, Denton advances in the vent tunnel in direction of Paul location. After a minute of progression, he passes below a new hatch. “You are beneath the Command Center.” announces the guardian angel Daedalus.

As JC unlocks the hatch, a voice raises. “Sergeant? Is that you?”

The agent stays quiet for a couple of seconds and the guard returns to his patrol. “Nope. Just nerves I guess.”

The vigilant moves back to the detention center and continues to sneak to another section of the ventilation tunnel until he reaches the base of the nanotech lab. He can hear the sound of security camera and footsteps above him. He passes an animal carcass along the path and turns left to a small corner lit by neon. The tunnel ends just below a hatch that provides view on the medical lab.

JC spots a MIB sat before a computer in the chamber. While the agent moves closer to the hatch, the black suit raises and walks to a cupboard. JC lifts the hatch quietly and peaks outside for a moment. He detects a scientist in the room standing next to a table with schematics and a guard in a patrol walk in an adjacent room separate by large window bays and one door.

In view of the enemy presence in that lab, Denton swings back to the South area to pickup his equipment. After another minute of crawling inside the tunnel, he is once again at the surface. Then he descends the stairs of a narrow corridor to the main level of the Armory.

“This is the maintenance facility for the security bots. The armory is to the south, on the opposite side of the main chamber.” Daedelus hints.

Thanks to the messenger, JC can easily orient himself in the labyrinth.

The robot maintenance area consists of two levels. The main floor is occupied by some box stacks. Four alveoli on the sides serve as elevator shafts to displace the bipedal robots.

One MJ12 sentinels around the area next to a mechanic and a repair bot.

JC electrically prods the guard.

“You’re Denton. I thought you were dead.” says the mechanic. “Get out of the way. We have enough to worry about.”

“Trouble with the bots?” Denton inquires.

“Of course! Just look! Only one is operational — and they want us to deploy!”

“I know a thing or two about bots. Why don’t you give me the security login, and I’ll se what I can do.”

“Ha! Good one! You don’t exactly blend in, okay? I know that you’re the one they caught — and now you’re trying to escape!”

“So? You gonna sound the alarm?”

“Maybe we can swing a deal, eh? You want the security login — 500 credits. I also have 7.62 mm ammo for 600, or what about an accuracy weapon mod? 750.”

“I’ll check back with you later.” After his capture, Denton was not only deprived of his weapons but also of his credits. If his hardware is indeed stored in the armory, perhaps he can find out some cash to replenish his wallet as well. After all, everything the rebellious agent learned, it happened at his expense. Turning into the resistance and being threaten by death was a price to pay for a bigger gain..if he escaped to China.

“I wish I was coming, too. They have had me locked up here for months.”

JC downs the patrols at the upper level and enters a lobby dominating the robot platform. He finds a holotape note on the edge of a table.

“JANINE’S BOTS

SPECS AND OVERVIEW

PAGE BRAVO-3 PEACEBRINGER

The Page Industries Bravo-3 Peacebringer is an affordable security and patrol bot that combines a bipedal frame with an air-cooled mini-gun that utilizes the 7.62x51 mm NATO round. While the AI is limited in its capabilities, it is more than adequate to the needs of most security — and many military — forces around the world, having been deployed in such troubled hot-spots as Hong Kong, Chicago, New York, Buenos Aires, New Dehli, Moscow, and Paris. Like almost all bots designed to maneuver in urban environments, the Bravo-3 employs a radar imaging system for situational awareness, but unlike previous models in the Peacebringer line the Bravo-3 is now equipped with a RazorThorn signal processor for target acquisition. Organizations or facilities in need of heavier bot armament often turn to the larger Delta-2 Peacebringer, equipped with thicker armor and missiles…”

In a prolonged room, Denton hacks a security control terminal and modified the bot IA. The move effectively alters all the bipedal bots in the maintenance facility and automatically cracks them into subservient allies.

JC collects EMP grenade in a third room with a lockpick too. On the local office, he reads a new note about the armory code next to a computer.

“Hey Martin, there’s been some kind of security snafu so all the codes have been changed until further notice — blanket orders from a new guy I haven’t seen before, an agent of some sort. The new armory code is 2971, but don’t let that get around… I just wanted you to have access in case the bots get twitchy again. The last OS upgrade seemed a bit shaky, and that makes me nervous when applied to walking gun platforms. — Peter”

The defector interfaces with the computer and visualizes the login screen of the Majestic 12 Net. A logo of a hand in a dominant position over the UN is displayed next to the username field. With that, there can be no doubt about the final intention of the conspirators. No email correspondences can be found from the machine thought.

JC passes an arch over the main floor and heads towards the armory. On the way, he re-fills his energy specs with the repairbot and recovers a new multitool.

The path to the armory is composed of an ascending staircase. Once he reaches the last step, he is confronted with a giant robot, the so-called Peacebringer. It costs him his two EMP grenades to jam the mech electronic systems. Denton moves into the squared platform and drums the code on the armory console next to the access shielded gate. He fells the shudder of a second robot on the way to his position. JC slips inside the blockhouse to elude the Delta-2 weapons.

In the gunroom, JC is opposed with a MJ12 guard. The paramilitary like regular is cleaning a sniper rifle at his desk. He directs his weapon towards Denton and fires a shot but JC reaches him and deflects the rifle away. The shoot thunders in the room while smashes the guard faces with an uppercut amplified by his physical strength aug. The dark vigil finishes his shift on the floor.

“You have found your equipment” the concise Daedalus hints.

Denton walks a stairway behind the desk and penetrates into a chamber with ammunition scattered on two tables. He also accesses a new console to disable the last Armory bot and turns off the camera from the principal armoury room.

Napalms, Stealth Pistol, Crossbow, Assault Shotgun, sniper Rifles, GEP Gun… one is truly spoiled for choice. There are any types of grenades, cells, lockpicks, ammunition, suits and even Zyme stored in the place.

JC preciously piles up the LAM around his belt as well as Bioelectric cells. He attaches the weapon modification for range, speed and silence to his pistol.

In the upper room, he deactivates a protecting field in a locked storage and finds out a prototype plasma gun. The weapon is quite hefty and while it fires powerful shots of green ionized gas, JC leaves it in its confinement locker. This is an important discovery since it means that his foes are possibly already equipped with that gun. Denton will have to improve his stealth skill or boost his ballistic protection to survive direct shots of plasma.

He leaves the armoury and steps back to the lower corridor leading to the maintenance area. The massive Delta-2 robots stand idle around the arsenal block. Similarly, in the inferior next level, the Page Industries Bravo-3 bots are shiftless. Only, the small orange repair units and a pair of mechanics are trolling the perimeter. For the latter, the neutralization of their surveillants leave them in a relaxed attitude.

JC walks up the stairs away from the robot maintenance level and swings left to the Detention block. He passes ahead and reaches a large ovoid room with a platform around the walls and a wall-in block at the center. The level is relatively identical as the previous gunroom except there is no automatons and the central incapsulated edifice is covered with extensive in-doors windows. A black sign with blue neon heralds the nature of the construction: Command Center.

Denton notices two guards on the platform with a watch dog. From the building glasses, Denton detects the presence of two supplementary MJ12 sentinels. Another dog is located at the left side of the platform.

The crossbow makes the same anaesthetic miracle against the humans and the animals. Headshots cripple the guards one after one and the dogs are neutralized in the same way. Security massively underestimate the abilities of the deceased nano-agent. Even if his release was due to an outside interested third party. JC attains the exit gate but cannot find the nanokey from his data vault.

Deadelus spurs out of his silent scrutiny. “I will not provide the exit code at this time. Go to the medical area. Tracer Tong requires Paul Denton’s datavault.”

In the central command center, JC collects a gas grenade and ammunition. He only quits the block after a successful hack of a security terminal and disabling the surgery ward and nanotech lab cameras. Then he heads to the nanotech lab.

Aside of the scientists, a pair of MJ12 sentinels plus a MIB continues to guard the continuity of routine operations. These consists of studying the evolution of the reptilian greasels in their confinement. A medical bot also tours the lab monotonously.

Denton easily darts down the watchmen from the main floor and the upper surveillance platform. However, the MIB, spotted in his previous exploration of the sub-tunnels, notices the agent and raises the alarm. The scientists start running away of the lab while a furious shooting spark between the black suit and the fugitive.

While the MIB fires in his direction with an assault gun, JC throws a gas grenade in retaliation. The green numbing cloud operates directly on the foe’s airway. The MIB moves back to the office at the back of the lab and presses a switch on a wall.

Instantly, the gates of the greasels are released and the beasts, already rendered nervous by the shooting and the battle, escaped away into the lab. Denton retreats to the upper platform while he shots down one of the threatening green feathered lizards.

Instead of attacking JC, two of the creatures pass the gas cloud unadulterated and enter into the lab office. Then the greasels expectorate a toxic venom toward the MIB. The black guard fires back at the beasts and kills them despite being hurt by the green plasma-like shots.

A third greasel re-joins the MIB and revenges the cadavers of his siblings with a direct plasma shot to the guard face. The MIB head burns and the man collapses in a howl of pain. One second alter, his body explodes. The kill-switch detonation destroys the third transgenic pest.

The vicious predators released by the MJ12 turned against him and induces his demise. Nice try but when one sow confusion, chaos spit back.

From a computer left undamaged in the office, JC explores the mailbox.

“From: DElmwood To: DMoreau

Subj: Karkian Bio Eval

Dr. Moreau,

I must request yet again that you forward me the results of your study on grease venom toxicity with reference to the karkian neurological cultures I have previously provided you with so that I can conclude my bio evaluation. This delay on your part could be construed as a lack of enthusiasm for our research goals.

Sincerely,

Dr. Elmwood”

An email was sent by Walton Simons about the Denton’s termination process.

“From: WS To: PSherman

Subj: Operational Status

Continue monitoring the situation with the augmented uinits; I want all possible wetware recovered from the primary unit, but your top priority should be the interrogation of the secondary unit (“giedmich”). Viability of the secondary unit is of non-importance now that the killswitch has been activated — I’d like any procedures employed selected with an eye towards maximum informational yield.

Until the freighter preparations have been completed, you will have full authority over UNATCO headquarters and attached facilities.”

JC ponders on the last phrase. “What freighter preparations are you talking about, Simons?”

“From: DJacobi To: PSherman

Subj: Re: Security Directives

>* All augmentation canisters should immediately be removed

>to a secure area and access restricted to authorized

>personnel with clearance of Domination/5F or higher only.

After inventory, we have moved one augmentation canister 12C (aggressive defense/spy drone) to the Nanotech Lab where it has been placed in a suspension crate, coded 9905.”

“This aug canister will be an advantage if I can escape with Paul to Hong Kong” reflects the agent.

“From: WS To: PSherman

Subj: Commando Refit

New detachments of MJ12 commando units are now being refitted and should come shortly. Upgraded units will initially be assigned on an “as necessary” basis to high priority MJ12 facilities; one of the first teams should arrive at your location within forty-eight hours to be placed directly under your command.

In addition to their standard 7.62mm firearms, short range rockets have been added to their arsenal. Enhanced power armor utilizing heat-dispersing foam insulation will greatly reduce damage from fire or plasma weaponry, while ballistic shielding provides significant protection from small arms fire. An integrated rebreather also render them invulnerable to any aerosol or gas weapons.

Use this team and your discretion to maintain the integrity of the facility and support MJ12 forces already in New York.”

Watchful, Simons is dispatching MJ12 commando in reinforcement. Luckily this squad will be too late to prevent the escape.

“From: JBlane To: PSherman

Subj: Armory Code Changed

>In the wake of a failed electronic intrusion attempt by a

>Silhouette terrorist cell, we are upgrading the security

>protocols for this complex; until the new measures are in

>place, lock code will be changed as follows:

>

>[text deleted]

>Armory: 2917

One of my men informed me that this code was incorrect; after checking with

Ops, we determined that the correct code is “2971”.

Cptn. Blane”

Denton picks up a snapshot with a message from a datacube on a nearby table.

“Here’s that grease dissection chart you wanted — Dr. Verne.”

The dissection showcases the general anatomy of the green little monster. Spitting-cobra morphology with an attack range of nearly 7 meters, running and swimming speed of respectively 6.7 m/s and 2.2 m/s, claw and muscle structure enhanced with VersaLife homeotics patents, a bio-engineered pathetic horrible reptilian

A new dissection introduces the augmented systems anatomy of Walton Simons in person.

The FEMA director body displays impressive nano enhancements. Among them, his brain contains a nanite aerosol reservoir to allow the remote detonation of explosives as well as an optical targeting system. So much for responding to emergency disasters! In addition, Simons is fitted with a cloack unit embedded in his spine to provide partial invisibility, mono molecular plates around his forebody for ballistic protection and modified keratine yielding full resistance to flame, gas and energy strikes. In short, Walton is equipped like a killing machine, not suited for calamity mitigation programs.

On the main lab desk, JC gazes through the lab notes of Dr. Moreau, one of the local scientists.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — -

Sunday, 4/12: LabNet accounts are disabled. Rumor is possible infiltration attempt by Silhouette required distribution of secure network resources. Will transcribe lab notes by hand until IS has restored access.

Monday, 4/13: Greasels displaying an increasing level of antipathy towards lab personnel. Noted to Dr. Verne who increased dosage of succinylcholine from 15cc to 32cc.

Wednesday, 4/15: IS promised that LabNet accounts will be restored by Friday; new login is “dmoreau” with password “raptor”.

Thursday, 4/16: Dr.Cairns typically absent minded; forgot his protective gear when handling grease and received a dose of venomous spit in the face. Fortuitous opportunity to study effects on human nervous system which included impaired coordination and vision.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — -

Denton is addressed by one of the doctors with a French speaking accent, must be Dr. Moreau.

“My goodness! Mr. Denton… Did you escape?”

“Yeah. How do you know who I am?”

“I am a prisoner, too, and I say your name every day. I have cells from your body in culture. Your brother’s, too.”

“My brother? Is he nearby?”

“They have him in the Medical Area. Agent Denton, believe me, I share your fury at this killswitch functionality.”

“Do you know Paul?”

“Only from his tissues. The guards want me to figure out why your bodies tolerate the nanites — a damn hard question, I’m sorry to say.”

“Do me a favour: play dumb. They know enough already.”

“I try! Oh, how I try!”

“Maybe you can slip out when I open the main doors.”

“I’ve already been shot once, thank you. But good luck. The only code I can give you is 0199 — that’s to the Medical Area. Maybe you’d like to see your brother.”

“I would. Thank you very much.”

The officer HUD displays the doctor’s name: Moreau. The physician points Paul’s direction. “I just came from the Medical Area — it’s down the hall.”

JC greets the doctor, recovers a gas grenade and a Medkit from the lab then heads to Paul’s position. The cinder corridor turns left after 20 meters. On the left, a couple of meters ahead, a shielded window lets him eavesdrop a conversation between a secretary and a MJ12 trooper.

“Is he armed?” the sited secretary questions the sentinel.

The Majestic replies in a battle-hardened tone. “It’s Denton. We aren’t taking any chances.”

“I hope nobody gets hurt.” She meows to him.

“We’ve got him penned in. He won’t get far.” He perorates uncaringly.

A bit worried, she pressed him. “What about this area? Is it safe?”

“Long as I’m with you.”

Denton crawls beneath the window and attains the secretary block entrance on the left. The woman focusses on her screen while the guard stares at a bookshelf. JC darts the guard who collapses on the carpet. The secretary screams instantly but Denton subdues her with his riot prod. The noise alerts other majestic who converges on his position.

An alarm is raised. Finally, three watchmen start pouring assault gun fires on him. The agent retreats back in the hall in direction of the Nanotech lab and hides in a wall cavity barred by a pillar. Once the MJ12 passes his cache, JC shots several darts at their back then he throws a gas grenade. The double effect of the incapacitating cloud and the crossbow darts definitely ground the squad.

JC returns to the secretary block. A Domination/5F Clearance only book on the table catches his interest.

PROJECT DIBBUK

SH-187 Specifications and Operations

“… the goal of PROJECT DIBBUK was to create a long range, variable mission-capable rotary aircraft, realized to its fullest extent in the SH-187 ‘stealth helicopter’. The production model SH-187 features a revolutionary engine powered by HIGH-EFFICIENT ETHANOL FUEL CELS with a flight range of over 9000 miles depending upon atmospheric conditions, and an extension of the adaptive armor technology that render it INVISIBLE across 97% of the non-visible electromagnetic spectrum. Ideally suited for surveillance, insertion, retrieval, and limited interdiction, the SH-187 will often spend much of its operational lifetime within hostile territory, and therefore is also equipped with REMOTE DISABLING and scrambling for its key flight systems. If necessary, the vehicle can also be scuttle remotely…”

With that range and furtivity, it is no wonder Jock can fly to Hong-Kong in a single flight. Later he passes above a control room with a view on a karkians cage. On a table; he finds an holocom about internal security system

“Captain Hernandez:

We are in the process of ghosting all network security resources to provide additional protection against possible intrusion or denial of service attacks. Until this process is complete, all security computers will be utilizing a temporary system.

Login: MJ12

Password: INVADER

Agent Sherman”

Denton moves to the Surgery Ward and enters the code received from Daedalus and confirmed by Dr. Moreau. The medical room consists of three patient examination slabs, two doctors, a nurse, a MedBot, health equipment’s and monitors. Paul stands at the rear in discussion with one of the docs. The surveillance camera are disabled.

“Oh my God, he escaped!” a doctor exclaimed. The nurse warns JC about the situation. “You won’t get far. They’ve locked the doors.”

JC runs to Paul. “Paul! Are you all right? What are they doing to you?”

“I’m like the Russian researcher who contracted his own virus. They want to study the way I die.”

“I hate to interfere with science, but we don’t have much time to get you to Tracer Tong.”

“You go first. I’ll slip out of my own.”

“You sure?”

“Just take care of yourself, and do me a favour. Check in with Alex when you reach UNATCO Level 3. Some of those guys are on our side.”

“All right. But you better make it.”

“I have some business to take care of in Manhattan. See you in Hong Kong.”

Daedelus infolinks the agent after the discussion. “Datavault image sent to Tracer Tong. Please leave the facility. At least one of you must survive. The code to the exit is 1125.”

The doctor with whom Paul was talking notifies JC about his brother health status. “I’m afraid your brother has about eighteen hours to live. Wish I had better news. If they’ve activated your own killswitch mechanism, you might have as long as twenty-four

On an holocom, JC retrieves surgical pre-evaluation on Paul.

“… subject shows a number of departures from nominal baseline physiology, including a noted absence of all H type epsilon immunoglobin proteins which would seem to be related to his ability to tolerate nano-augmentations that are typically rejected by the vast majority of the population. Of particular interest is that the subject tests positive for the “Gray Death” yet shows no apparent symptoms of adverse effects…”

Same happen for both agents

PROSPECTUS: SERIES P AGENTS

proposal by Dr. Arthur Donovan (Versalife/HK)

“The Series P Agents are the logical continuation of research resulting from the Series N: the development of a human agent with enhanced capabilities and absolute loyalty, but without the non-standard appearance of mechanical augmentation or the unpredictability of nano-augmentation. Like the Series N, the strength and speed of the Series P should be substantially above baseline while new conditioning techniques will result in minimal pain response. We conservatively predict a Series P agent would be 78% more effective in combat than a normal operative without any form of augmentation.

Key features from the Series N agent will also be carried over, including the self-termination mechanism. An ingenious variation on the „kill-switch”, the self-termination mechanism is wired into the autonomous nervous system of an agent. If mortally wounded, the mechanism will activate and explode, eliminating any evidence of the agent and damaging nearby hostiles.

However, we are still continuing in our attempts to isolate the source of the albino traits present ever since the Series L, but so far the simple addition of sunglasses and dark clothing appear to have resolved the matter in a practical fashion…”

The Series P Agents showcases “absolute loyalty”? The Versalife doctor overestimates his expectations. This is truly the clumsiness of the skilful ponders Denton.

The young vigilant returns to the exit gate and opens it with his code. The Majestic did not expect that he knew the key to leave the perimeter. Indeed, a guard is staying behind his desk at monitoring his screens and is easily neutralized by a riot prod shot. JC seizes tranquilizer darts and a candy bar. It is good to refill the energy level with real food instead of these repair bot electrical stimuli.

One minute later, Denton comes in front of a new gate with a button. Daedalus pings him again with the latest situational digest.

“Please exit to the helipad. Potential encounters include Jaime Reyes, Sam Carter, Alex Jacobson, and Joseph Manderley.”

JC presses the button and finds out a UNATCO soldier walking away. He immediately recognizes the area adjoining Jaime medical office. From the start, it was all a front, an iceberg of corruption, only clean at the top… Coincidentally the guard is returning to the medical office. Denton smashes the patrol with his riot stick and the soldier flops on the stepping-stone floor.

The agent rides up the corridor to Reyes office but it is empty as in fact the physician stands in the examination ward. Jaime is busy with studying reports on monitors. Next to him, there is an augmentation canister on a counter. The scientist notices Denton’s presence and questions him directly.

“JC! You escaped? Is that what lockdown’s about?”

“I forgot to give Manderley my resignation.”

“I heard they killed Paul.”

JC reassured him on his brother status. “MIB’s raided the apartment, but he’s alive. He’s going to slip out on his own.”

Comforted, Jaime offers his assistance to the defector. “Manderley’s a snake. He told me they were going to leave your brother alone. What can I do to help?”

“Stay here. I could use an ally inside UNATCO.”

“Good idea. I can keep you informed.”

“Do that, but be careful. You know what they do to spies.”

“I will. By the way, the lab finally sent the augmentation canister I ordered.”

“The one on the counter? Can your bots do the installation?”

“Yeah, it was going to be a welcome-aboard present.”

“Guess it will have to be a retirement gift.” JC grabs the blue translucid canister and managed to insert it in his jacket pocket.

Reyes smirks. “We’re under a lockdown. You’ll need to find a key to the front doors.”

Denton salutes the doctor and heads to a Medbot. He encloses the canister in the robot slot and the machine displays the available augmentations: Regeneration or Energy Shield. JC selects the regeneration aug to restore his injured cells. The healing occurs slowly and drains significant energy. The canister guide states that large amounts of programmable polymerase repeatedly reconstruct the damaged tissues in a nano aug body. The healing rate can be speed up with small advanced tech canisters.

JC moves to the level main corridor and crosses over Alex room. Like Reyes, the specialist engineer wanders along communication screens. Denton meets him up but Alex is not surprised. Eventually, Jacobson will confess he was being the secret entity to free him up from his jail.

“Hello… Daedelus. I hope my escape was entertaining to watch.”

“Daedelus?… What are you talking about?”

“You haven’t been contacting me under an alias?”

“The link went down. At first I thought they’d executed you.”

“Who else has access? Somebody cut the power to Detention.”

Alex is thunderstruck by the agent findings. “I installed UNATCO’s security myself. It’s unbeatable. You’re starting to scare me.”

“Not as much as you’re scaring me. Who’s Daedelus, and why does he want to rescue me?”

“A better hacker than I. A trick like that — Well, it crossed my mind, I have to admit. I’m pretty disgusted with the agency right now — but I would’ve been caught.”

“You wouldn’t want to take that chance.”

“No, but I can’t just sit back and watch. Let me give you a key to the front door. Base is under lockdown until you’re recaptured.”

“You sound sincere. Maybe you should quit UNATCO.”

“And do what?”

“You can track me down in Hong Kong. I’m going to contact Tracer Tong and help the resistance.”

“I might do that… Sure, I’ll think about it. And I’m going to check into this mystery hacker. I’ll check the logs. Maybe this Daedelus didn’t cover his tracks.”

From the false floor, Denton finds out 600 credits. Indisputably, the UN thief is oblivious of the current state of the coalition and continues his black business anyhow. Stealing the thief is not the only contradiction of the agency and finding him became one of the officer tiniest priorities.

JC returns to the level 1 corridor and heads to the main hall. After he makes sure of the absence of enemies, he moves to the quartermaster and the mechs offices. One soldier detects Denton. A pistol headshot grounds him in the next second. The trench coat fugitive also eliminates two other privates with darts in the interrogation area.

The takedowns were facilitated as one of the trooper was reading a handbook about the role of the coalition against terrorism. Actually the “UN World’s POLICEMAN” theoretical wisdoms did not live up to reality. The evident support of US president Mead for UNATCO new security global role is fake. In no way American citizens or the Congressmen endorse this arbitrary and nameless occupation of the country.

The cells are void of resistants since Walton killings. JC collects TRQ dart, 30.06 and 7.62ammo on the bodies. On the personal terminal of the mechamods, Denton decrypt the Anna Navarre and Gunther Herman Killphrases. Actually only Anna killsphrase is available.

On a private message, Daedelus again urges Denton to leave the bunker.

“Subject: Get Out

They are closing on your position now. Exit the building as soon as possible. You must escape.”

A different mail from Walton Simons to Jaime Reyes appear next.

“Subject: Killswitch Evaluation

With your impressive grasp of nano-augmentation I thought it appropriate that you should participate in the evaluation of J.C. Denton’s killswitch. It’s unfortunate when situations such as this occur, particularly when they involve agents with the obvious talents and abilities of the Denton brothers. But given the need to protect civilians from potential rogue operatives, I’m sure you’ll understand the necessity of developing a more effective killswitch, something similar to the instantaneous killphrases installed in all our mechanically augmented agents. Please contact Agent Sherman for the evaluation methodology.”

In his totalitarian worldview, Simons would see it fit to put in killswitches on every citizen. And the FEMA director continues to believe that the UN staff will obey to his commands…

There is another account labelled Demiurge but no info can be extract from it.

JC makes his way to the armory. Sam Carter stands quietly behind his ledger.

“General Carter…”

The old officer replies disillusioned. “We’ve been through that, soldier. Just Carter.”

“I’ve discovered some things about UNATCO.”

“I’m unlocking the armory. I don’t want to know where you’re going; just load up.”

“Walton Simons, the head of FEMA…”

“I said load up; I don’t want to hear about it.” Carter retorts in an inflexible tone.

In order to make the situation crystal clear, JC discloses his intentions. “I’m going over the rebels. You should join me.”

“Let’s get one thing straight: We’ve got our share of crooked bureaucrats — fact — but this is still UNATCO, and by and large the people in this building are twenty-four carat gold.”

In opposition to Carter genuine argument, Denton stipulates that good men ought to occupy all the echelon levels and not only obey blind masters. “What good’s an honest soldier if he can be ordered to behave like a terrorist?”

“The only way to save the agency is for the good people to stay. That’s how I see it.” Then the quartermaster opens the gate and lets Denton in. He will not follow the resistance but tacitly close his eyes for the best.

“Load up. You’ve still got to break out of HQ.”

Neither one nor two Denton picks up all the ammo and devices he can stores on his coat. He is blessed with an augmentation upgrade canister and weapon modification for range and recoil plus a rebreather.

In the meantime, Sam discourses on philosophical topics. “Some say concentrated power leads to abuse, but I believe that if an institution has a solid foundation it can survive the narrow aspiration of the people it employs.”

On his computer, Carter receives a mail from an anonymous source.

“Subj: Thank you

Your assistance in helping us to compromise UNATCO security protocols was instrumental to your friend’s escape; while we still do not know the identity of the person or persons calling themselves “Daedelus”, they have given us ample reason to believe that he will be an asset to the cause of freedom.

It should go without saying that this message will erase itself before the security systems come back online — any attempt to copy or archive it will fail.

Minister of True Lies

Tandis qu’ils dorment, nous gagnerons. »

JC already finds out that last caption. This is the Motto of Silhouette, a French resistance group. It translates “While they sleep, we shall win”. Thus Carter was in touch with them while working for the coalition all along! And Silhouette is not aware about Daedelus too. The complexity of the resistance structure is quite wacky.

“We’ll get this place back on track.” The ex-general concludes.

JC upgrades his new regeneration aug instead of his spy drone so that his healing occurs at a slightly faster rate.

Denton salutes Carter and walks up the stairs to the level 2. He commences the exploration by eliminating the local offices from soldiers. Then he moves to the kitchen and relax room next to his former office. Four privates lay on the floor after his progression.

JC meets Shannon in the kitchen.

She startles at his approach. “Oh! JC!

“Carry on with your banking. I’m just taking one last look at the old place. Amazing, if you think about it, all the hours I spent dreaming about working here… all the heroic fantasies, when really this place is just a cinderblock bunker with carpet.”

“My banking… Oh yes! Never mind me… Go ahead and escape. I won’t pull the alarm!”

“something wrong? Really, as long as you stay out of my way, I don’t have any reason to hurt you.”

She takes a long breather and makes a fast confession. “Okay! I admit it! I’m the one who’s been stealing from HQ! It was me all along, Kaplan, the false floor in Alex’s office, everything that’s missing… It was me!”

“I’m the last person who’s gonna bust you for stealing. What’d you take? Anything I could use?”

“I don’t know… You sure you can keep it hush-hush? I found a few scrambler grenades I was gonna give Kaplan — goog against bots, you know — but you could take ’em. I have three, 1250 each.”

“Too expansive. Stay safe and leave UNATCO while you can.”

JC heads to Manderley’s office. It is about time that the confrontation takes place. Certainly, the UN director does not expect Denton return to business.

Janice Reed warns Manderley of JC arrival via an intercom. Denton knocks her down before she makes a new blunder.

In the Director office, Manderley is in n Holocom conference with Walton Simons himself. The communication between the two prevents Manderley to hear his secretary warning.

While JC gets closer, he hears Simons lectures Manderley on his failure with the coalition management.

“You will be much happier at the Library of Congress.” Walton ironically admonishes Joseph.

The UNATCO Chief implores Simons “I can’t control a man’s mind…”

“You aren’t a commander, Manderley. We hoped you’d give UNATCO an urbane, diplomatic face — that’s all. We screwed up our priorities.” The FEMA director is unforgiving and harsh on Manderley but he omits to stress his own fiasco with Paul.

“I refuse to be pushed into some obscure bureaucratic cubbyhole!” intones the shivering Manderley as if his reputation suffices to protect him against an entire career belittlement or termination in Walton terms.

“Actually, I doubt you’ll get the chance. Look around. Your star pupil come back to teach a lesson to his old instructor.”

Only now does Manderley figure out of the agent presence. “JC!”

I never had time to take the Oath of Service to the Coalition. How about this one? I swear not to rest until UNATCO is free of you and the other crooked bureaucrats who have perverted its mission.” …One at a time, your turn will come as well Simons!

“Big words for a rookie. The only problem is that security is well aware of your escape. Trust me, you won’t leave the facility alive.” Manderley tries to keep a straight face but his nervousness betrays loss of control. Simons abandons him and there is no soldiers to protect the UN official.

“You Dentons sure hung us out to dry.” Manderley holsters a pistol and fires at JC.

The defector anticipates the treachery and dodges the shot by swiftly on the left. Then he fires back at the UN director and shots him down. Deadly hurt, Manderley collapses on his chair with three holes in his suit. Then he gives out his last breath.

On his terminal, JC recover the same Killphrase for Anna Navarre : “Flatlander”.

A mail from Simons already underlined the dissatisfaction against the UN chief.

“Subj: Disappointed

We are disappointed in your performance to date, particularly with regards to giedmich — while both he and his brother were expandable, considerable time and effort was involved in their creation. Pending a more thorough post mortem, we can only assume that your handling of them must bear part of the blame. We’ll discuss this further in holoconference, but until then I’ve given Agent Sherman full authority over UNATCO headquarters and MJ12 facilities.

I’ve also assigned Dr. Reyes to evaluate the performance of the killswitches for the nano-augmented agents. Maintain a close observation of him and report any inconsistencies in his behavior immediately. Further security breaches will not be tolerated.”

Simons was continually watching the shooting. “Splendid. You did our dirty work for us.”

“Figured he was your type, a real hard-ass.”

“On the contrary, he was somewhat too careful and urbane for that position. I’m going to step in myself and restore discipline.”

“Well, since that makes you my new boss, take a look at Manderley’s dead body. Consider that my resignation: I don’t have time to write a letter.”

Walton doubles down on Joseph previous threat. “You can’t run, Denton. Even if you escape, your killswitch is counting down. You’ll be dead in twenty-three hours. Another fifty billion dollars down the drain.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Simons holocom projection fades out and JC quits the office.

Janice Reed just recovered from the last knock down. When she sees JC again, she just finds out the force to blame him. “How could you betray the Coalition?”

Denton leaves her alone and walks up to the exit. At the main gate, he pushes the gate button to release it then he flees before the front guard can make a move.

While JC mounts the last stairs to the bunker welcome room, he receives an Infolink from Gunther. “No, I cannot forgive. No… Not the killing of Agent Navarre. I will follow you. Denton, I will get you!”

That was not the last threat of the day. Anna Navarre and Joseph Manderley made the same and ended up on their feet. Don’t worry Gunther, we will have a special moment to resolve this case!

JC knocks out the last soldier at the bunker entrance then he moves out the building. It is still the night and Jock taxi is waiting faithfully on the helipad. This was an unparallel escape achievement to sneak out of that snake lair alive. Paul you need to leave fast too before Agent Sherman and his hitmen comes in…

Walton depicted the new version of MJ12 super soldiers making their way to the Island. He’s really the Vader to Page’s Palpatine to use an analogy. Where Manderley used to be an obsequious lackey who clearly lives in fear, Simons is Page’s enforcer. While Page does the high-level scheming and plotting, Walton is the sadistic and loyalist villain who directly engages with MJ12-controlled organizations and dirties his hand if necessary. He holds a position of utmost power as director of FEMA and enjoys wiping out prisoners personally to exercise.

Simons is obsessed with being combat-prepared at all times and has a much more hands-on style of command. This came as a fault too as he overcharged his bioelectrics once and keeps them at maximum capacity even though it can be detrimental to him. Plus, he has extensive and very noticeable biomods. Walton is probably the most heavily enhanced nano-aug to exist and needs to feel the technologically superior being. Or a nigh-perfect killing Terminator to please Page? What must be Page status if Simons aims at such levels?

“How’d you know to meet me?” JC asks the pilot.

“Daedalus. He called himself Daedalus.”

“A friend of yours?”

“Nope. I came because I owe your brother Paul a few favors. Come on, let’s go. I’m going to take you to Hong Kong.”

“Can you put me in contact with Tracer Tong?”

“I know a place where we can touch down in the city, but Tong is very suspicious of foreigners. You’ll have to earn the trust of your brothers’ allies. They’ll know how to find Tong.”

“Great. Let’s go.”

“Time to see if this stealth copter is worth all the fuss. MJ12 has a facility in Hong Kong, and they’ll be watching for us.”

JC makes himself comfortable for the long flight over the Pacific. As comfortable as a man can be with 22 hours to live. Jock will have to return fetch Paul in New York after he drops him off in Hong Kong.

Gaining the trust of Tong will be critical to defuse the killswitch. His last assignment was to assassinate him. The least Tong’s allies will expect is a UN turncoat to show up before them to request help. Paul managed to earn Tong’s trust but he didn’t undergo the killswitch at that time.

Perhaps Daedalus will smooth the approach… or maybe Tong is Daedalus himself then everything will be easier. However, that is very doubtful.