ARKANGEL REPORTS

ASK NO QUESTIONS

TO: Blackburn, Henry

FROM: Michaels, Jonathan

Mr. Blackburn,

I apologize for bothering you, but I happened across something that may be of interest. It’s an unencrypted military transcript circa 1944 straight out of the front in Europe. Some American troops in Bastogne received some interesting orders. Very paranoid, hush hush kind of stuff.

It looks like Allied command had some details about an incoming German assault and a plan to shore up their defenses. They had a special unit of soldiers ready to deploy at a moment’s notice, but the funny thing is that I can’t find any records of this unit anywhere. They are ghosts to the world, for all intents and purposes.

The soldiers were ordered to hold their positions at all costs. Not unusual. Bastogne was a stronghold for the Allies. What interested me was their order to ask no questions of command or this special unit. They had a mission to attend to in Bastogne and it seems they intended to complete it with “the strength of hell itself” whatever that means. It felt more like a desperate plea than an order, honestly. Command seemed very clear that the unit would not speak on their purpose and that “wicked things” would happen if they were impeded. I’ve also never seen a more devoted cry for forgiveness in official orders before.

I can’t make heads or tails of the last part, so this is partially to get some fresh eyes looking at it. It’s all in Latin. There are some strange warnings in there about a cleansing fire. It’s too fanatical for an order from Allied command. It looks like it was scrawled in after the fact, maybe by someone on the ground in Bastogne.

While it is extremely compelling, it’s also giving me a feeling of great discomfort. I ask for you to review it at your earliest convenience, but try not to dwell on it very long. Let me know if you think it’s worth digging into further.

- Michaels

The Red Hand

[leaked transcript excerpt from Arkangel Legion Senior Staff meeting, January 2049. Voice ID positive match for Blackburn, other voice unidentified at this time.]

TRANSMISSION PLAYBACK: –our oath is one bound by blood. The Red Hand will soon take hold of your battlefields. Resistance will be met with suffocation. Submission will be rewarded with life. This is your only warning. 

UNKNOWN: That was an encrypted message from the Thousand Petals Coalition’s 4th Battalion, transmitting on all US forces frequencies this morning in Europe, Asia, and Africa. As we suspected, their insertion into the global conflict is accelerating. 

BLACKBURN: The Red Hand? 

UNKNOWN: A moniker the battalion is known by within Coalition Ground Forces. Not exactly subtle, but then, neither are their methods. Ascension satellites have confirmed the 4th Battalion is deploying regiments across the globe. One battleground takes them near the nonpatriated state Namaqualand. 

BLACKBURN: We should avoid invoking the Shearwater neutrality clause as long as possible. Outside of Chile, no targeted battleground utilizes Arkangel technologies. Operation: Crimson Front appears to be purely about pushing the frontlines.

Let’s reach out to our contact at Namaqualand. The station controlling Shearwater-2 has been moved to [REDACTED], so access to the network’s [REDACTED] is protected. [Long pause] You’re not telling me something.

UNKNOWN: Our… man in Germany says the Mandate of Nations will be deploying troops to the frontlines alongside US forces, as a countermeasure. Their presence will be limited, but we believe this is a precursor to a formal announcement. 

BLACKBURN: [sighs] It was only a matter of time, I suppose. Let’s keep an eye on them. The Mandate knows the consequences of violating neutrality. Now, if we’re all aligned, let’s move on: the site in the Persian Gulf…

Target Acquisition

TO: Executive-Board

FROM: Arkangel-Leadership

SUBJECT: ASN Rollout

DATE: 03/22/2048

With Arkangel Legion now deployed across multiple conflict zones around the globe, it has provided an excellent opportunity for the launch of our Ascension Satellite Network.

Real-time geographic and tactical data acquisition is crucial for the effectiveness of any armed force. A side that knows better, wins better. Our clients don’t want protracted conflict. They want decisive victories. ASN can give them the killing blow they desire.

By granting both East and West access to our ASN technology we not only fulfill our commitment to neutrality but we vastly increase our data yield. Information is captured on a soldier’s telemetry sensor – the more they acquire, the better the reinforcements at their disposal, the greater their chance of victory.  

As the board will be aware, the specific deployment in Czechia is being closely monitored. The ASN rollout will work in conjunction with our on-site Arkangel Legion unit who are undertaking operations to secure and extract the derailed cargo. 

In a world so often mired in darkness, Arkangel shines ever brighter.

Progressio in pace. Ascensio in bello. In peace, evolution. In war, ascension.

False Flags

TOP SECRET // CEO EYES ONLY // DESTROY ON RECEIPT

Mr. Blackburn,

Boreas Containment Services has been overwhelmed. A rebellion from biological subjects in the lab has resulted in substantial damage to the laboratory facility. They’re calling themselves Unit 86, and have blocked off all access to the testing centers. Emergency lockdown has prevented them from exiting the bunker, but they know that terrain better than anyone.

We request the presence of Ascension Company. If the United States becomes involved, we can provide evidence of a deceased spy from the Eastern Forces to deflect suspicion. Please respond within 72 hours.

Regards,
CPT Campbell

Captain Campbell,

I’ve made contact with U.S. forces for the appropriate cover story, but we do not want American grunts breaking our lab in half. To keep Arkangel’s proprietary data safe, I hired a unit of No-Pats led by Kimble Graves to help BCS complete containment. Call them Gambit Squad. They will execute my personal orders and make landfall within 24 hours. The main rebellion needs to be contained before the global war reaches our doorstep.

Make sure to scrub any footage we have on the lab cameras. The last thing we need is top brass catching sight of Project Pallas.

–Blackburn

DOWN TO BUSINESS

TO: Executive-Board

FROM: Arkangel-Leadership

SUBJECT: Q1 Business Update

DATE: 03/15/2048

Shearwater Milestone: Let us celebrate the launch of our 50th Shearwater Satellite and the start of our work to oversee Belgium’s much-needed recovery. We are confident this will prove an important partnership and allow us to expand our Shearwater program even further within the region. As the program's new shepherds, we must acknowledge the work of our predecessors, the Dark Market. They laid the foundations. But it has been our innovation and drive that has built a humanitarian enterprise that will leave no corner of the world untouched.

Neural link technologies and prosthetics division: The team has done phenomenal work on the rollout of our “Warriors Reborn” initiative. We have restored more than 20,000 soldiers to full operational capacity through the application of our enhanced prosthetics. It is worth highlighting Boreas’ research in this field promises revolutionary developments and heralds a paradigm shift in infantry warfare.

Czechia situation: We can confirm an Eastern Forces controlled train route in Zlín has come under attack from the Moravian Guard militia causing a derailment to one of our shipments. This is a highly fluid situation that will be contained before our cargo is compromised by approaching US forces. Rest assured, this matter is being taken seriously and we are working on a program to deploy Arkangel Legion to recover assets. We understand the risk this poses to our current timeline and are taking steps to guarantee that we are prepared to handle any eventuality.

Arkangel continues to go from strength to strength, paving the way to a brighter future for all humanity.

Progressio in pace. Ascensio in bello. In peace, evolution. In war, ascension.