Quick Access:
I/XII (Shepherd, 2019.)
II/XII (Shepherd, Skyline, 2022.)
III/XII (?, 2019.)
IV/XII (?, 2022.)
V/XII (Edwards, ? 2024.)
VI/XII (Zendee, 2019.)
VII/XII (Raymond, Skyline, 2022.)
VIII/XII (Zendee, Shepherd, 2023.)
IIX/XII (Shepherd, Skyline, Edwards 2023.)
IX/XII (Edwards, Raymond, ? 2024.)
X/XII (Zendee, Shepherd, 2024.)
XI/XII (Zendee, Raymond, Shepherd 2025.)
XII/XII (Zendee, Edwards, Raymond, ? 2025.)
I/XII
An Archive of Events Prior I/XII (SHEPHERD): A Watchtower (2019)
(Released upon Declassification, June 20. 2025.)
An elderly man, in the midst of what appeared to be our new new new new world, leaves the public tram. Protests have been ongoing for months, although some may place the blame at one or the other, that was not of concern in his mind. This tired, plain-clothed shell of what once was desired, waited as the other passengers exited out. Abruptly, this skeleton paced through the station, through the police forces, through countless shouting and sirens; Often others would take a glance when he passed them by. Completely unphased and utterly predictable, to this mind these events were, made his vision barely reveal focus.
“First side right after the crosswalks, first side right after the crosswalks…”, repeated in his mind. Disgust, frustration, not at what was happening not, but at his disillusioned disappointment. “Number, number… Why is it always esoteric? All this worry is in keeping their own interest… It doesn’t matter, anyway.” Pacing around 2-3 buildings, though the cessation of thought, silently of this mind, spotted the open garage. Left to it was the arranged “Watchtower”. Fourth floor, a flat formerly used to synthesise home-brewed gasoline. Hesitation crosses this elders mind as he reaches for the keys, due to hearing two voices already brokering on the inside, filling his already weary eyes with more lethargy. A soft sigh leaves his lungs. The door opens.
– ALIAS “DROWN”: “There is no issue, standard procedure, not within our duties.” A middle-aged man was re-assuring his colleague, with a grey tone, which gave off a sense of lifeless corruption.
– ALIAS “SEER”: “I’ve been telling you, that the issue is the procedure itself. No jurisdiction over the police, we now merely follow the will of other Units and sometimes even our own Department.”
– ALIAS “PROTOTYPE”: The elder man enter the room and speaks in a quicken manner to reply; “SEER, you are factually correct. However, DROWNs seemingly… and suspiciously prolonged insistence is facultatively correct. In a tripartite arrangement, two outweigh the one.” The old man, nearing retirement, looks over at his former pupil-partner, who had been silently staring outside the window like a mannequin. “What do you think?”
The three colleagues await this static figures’ answer. He turns his head away from the window and onto the floor. Processing what he’s gathered in his thoughts while watching the AUGUST RAIN , collecting into a Lacian response.
– ALIAS “SHEPHERD”: “…I believe that Innsbolt will sign the resignation… Taylors transition will be prone to residual externalities… One of which will be the marketisation of the new companies… Teylor will not succeed in the elections which the Accords Annex One envision…”
– ALIAS “SEER”: “As so I’ve been saying, nothing will change. Except for the possibility that we might even receive less funding if the police choose to react out of order.”
– ALIAS “PROTOTYPE”: “They will not. No one, that is left in the state sector, will risk early retirement. Especially not these…” The old mans eye glance torwards “DROWN”; … These corrupt policemen. I too see no change."
– ALIAS “DROWN”: “Lack of supervision from Taylors and the successor brings new opportunities.”; The other two are unphased by DROWNs statement.
– ALIAS “SHEPHERD” “Opportunity is not in collection of money, it is in positioning ourselves above EIGHT and NINE. It is to be at the forefront of national interest.”
– ALIAS “PROTOTYPE”: The elder let out a tired smirk, as if Shepherds position aligning with his was a coping mechanism, which served just enough. “Hmm, correct, but of no further aid.”
– ALIAS “SHEPHERD”: Looking back through the window and seeing the crowds below, his eyes finally and slowly ascended to the distanced office buildings. After a long pause, he stated “I see the opportunity in the lay-offs which will come.”
II/XII
An Archive of Events Prior II/XII (SHEPHERD): STARLIGHT (2022)
(Released upon Declassification, June 20. 2025.)
During a late autumn evening of May, Nasphilitae experiences the last arid months of the year across the country. Nature, embodied in the national unifying symbol of the Green Rose, begins to fade into hibernation. In the South, cloud forests descend their precipitation downhill into the Localities. As they no longer collide with the oceanic fronts, and as the nights extend longer, an ever-present mist covers these areas, sometimes waking to a thin layer of frost. Indeed, the South is cold and most likely to experience snow storms in the upcoming winter.
A red, 15-year old car leaves from New Sorthane to Starlight. Although rivals, Unit Eight and Ten are conscious that decisions need to be made as to assure smooth pivoting from within the AID. Maintaining an image of monolithic cohesion in the face of other internal elites. Two employees of Unit Ten drive to an arranged, remote but not desolate, meeting location. One breaks the silence, albeit seemingly uncomfortably.
– ALIAS “DROWN”: “…Has enough time passed?” The driver asks his seemingly absent-minded, temporary partner, glancing at him after no answer is given.
– ALIAS “SHEPHERD”: “No, I do not wish to keep it in my thoughts before this, either.” The colleague replied, after some time of assessing whether it would benefit him to display the false emotion, the issue, or both.
– ALIAS “SHEPHERD”: “It must pass, otherwise a person with affect is prone to errors in choices. Benign in ordinary life, vital to avoid in profession of national interest.”
– ALIAS “DROWN”: “I sympathise. Your partner wouldn’t agree that we are in such a delicate profession… As far as I’ve known him.”
– ALIAS “SHEPHERD”: “My instructor and partner was correct and I can understand such a… defeatist, conclusion from that era. However, a hand on the scale might re-adjust allocation.” After a quick thought and pause, the passenger looked back to the driver as if to re-assure him. “I speak in sense of the other, external allocation. Changes need not be made from within.” Which caused “DROWN” to nod, after a sense of relief struck from the second half.
– ALIAS “DROWN”: “Ambitious. If you demonstrate that this meeting with the… Guardsmen of Palace; I will let you operate on your own.” DROWN was a tradesman, knowing that re-assurance had to be paid back. Whether or not his colleague wished to operate independently be a consequence of mourning the passing of “PROTOTYPE” or for some other reason – Mattered not to him. He parked the red car in the lot of a restaurant. Before turning off the engine, a note of pleading sympathy was given.
– ALIAS "DROWN: “…Just, do not take forever. I can only allow your independence for so long. Successors are important.”
The passenger was looking towards the engine keys, fixated for a moment on the car radio. A novel idea bestowed upon him, seen in his pupils widening for a brief second.
Two left the car, once again both in plain, civilian clothing. Three more cars were in the lot, with one being a pick-up truck. Entering the empty restaurant, an old man pointed them towards the kitchen, from the counter. Inside the kitchen, of 5 doors, 1 was labelled “SAFECABIN” , with visible sound, heat, smell and electronic isolation on the frame. “DROWN” knocked 17 times in a 1/4 sequence. After a short pause, all 7 locks opened, and two of them entered the room.
A man and woman awaited them, wearing olive longcoats, evergreen battle 14-pocket tactical pants, and ankle-high leather boots with a steel front. They were employees of UNIT EIGHT, serving in the name of the RAF, though under AID Central administration. This contrast in dress codes elaborate the comparative functions each fulfil. The man greeted the two entrees.
– LIEUTHENANT-AGENT “RANDAR”: “Hello. I am lieutenant-agent alias “RANDAR” of AID Unit Eight. This is Chief-Agent alias “SKYLINE”. You are informant-agents of AID Unit Ten.” He looked down on the desk of notes and folders; “ALIAS DROWN, third sub-commander, and ALIAS SHEPHERD…”, a concerned pawed appeared, “…Second deputy of the AID Unit Nines Department Ten and Commander of Emission Team 11.”
– ALIAS “DROWN”: “Correct. SHEPHERD is my temporary partner, given after the passing of his First deputy PROTOTYPE, succeeding his instructors positions.” The elaboration sparked interest of both “RANDAR” and “SKYLINE” in SHEPHERD, both sights moving to him for five brief seconds.
– CHIEF-AGENT “SKYLINE”: “Condolences.”; spoken in a flat tone, though breaking the silence. Hastily, she continued; “Elections are set for December next year. The elected Grand Duke is to pass an electoral law for The National Parliament. More importantly to all of us, they are to select the Heads of HM Cabinet for the RAF, External Affairs, and AID Central…” The tone shifted to one of clear passive-aggression; “Which we all know and love, and came to be because of all AID Units activities, of course.”
– ALIAS “DROWN”: “Of course… What are the analysis?”
Both Agents were silent, expecting something. After receiving no answer, RANDAR spoke in a monotone tone.
– “RANDAR”: “L.P. Taylor is to get the support of majority Peerdom, though lacks Earldom cohesion. Painful effects of the transition is forecast to be the greatest challenge of his “Suhavenster Circle” group.”
SHEPHERD did not pay attention to the reply after “the support of”. Awaiting for RANDAR to finish, he prepared a device out of his inner pocket.
– “SHEPHERD”: “This is a specific device made by Team 11 since the passing of my instructor.” He revealed a small, black device, with no buttons but a masked screen and an attachment apparatus which could fit a regular swings steel pipe.
DROWN was surprised by this, as no funds were given for further research. He was expecting to bribe the two Unit Eight agents for true forecast information. Skeptical of whether this would be amusing enough, hopeful he did remain. RANDAR and SKYLINE were indeed intrigued, though knew to maintain posture in cross-unit pester-marketing.
– “SKYLINE”: “The ball you’ve thrown is caught though what are we to pass with it to the RAF remains unclear.”
– “SHEPHERD”: “…When this ball is thrown in elevations of under 60 meters sea-level, its crystal auto-encrypts all content stored, on the boarded circuit. When it is under 100 meters, it transmits positional signals to the receiver, of up to 1500 nautical miles in diameter. In multitude presence, they are able to pass on this information to one-another, if they are above 120 meters. Upon impact, the crystal and the board detect gravitational accelerated freefall and shut down, permanently destroying all traces when reaching the destinated zone of impact.”
– “SKYLINE”: “It is then of interest to you that L.P. Taylors main expected counter-candidate comes from an aviation background. However…”
– “RANDAR”: “…Attached to what? Those handles are primitives.” The two finished each others thoughts. Unit Eight is (for some, notoriously) cohesive.
– “SHEPHERD”: “Purposefully. I am aware that the RAF has a stockpile of crop dusters from the 1960s and 1970s, which your colleagues have modified to support double engines, back in 1997.”
– “RANDAR”: “I will need to, check the restroom. SKYLINE, the case with the folder is in the old yellow cars trunk. Meanwhile, GERALD!” He called out the old man which appears to be the owner of the restaurant, as he entered the room. Two loaded guns pointed behind SHEPHERDs and DROWNs as the two other agents left.
– “DROWN”: “Where are the blueprints?” No reply was given. “You did bring them, right?” DROWN asked, beginning to panic.
– “SHEPHERD”: “Am I to reveal that while Gerald here is listening?”
As SKYLINE entered back to the restaurant with a folder, RANDAR nodded to signify approval of the exchange from his contact in the RAF. They proceeded back to the “SAFECABIN” , dismissing the owner from keeping the other two hostage.
– “SKYLINE”: “This is a folder with the information you desire. We need the blueprints.” This prompted SHEPHERD to place the device on their desk, alongside a button, which activated a screen.
– “SHEPHERD”: “Blueprints will begin transmission upon the second device receiving instruction to initiate emission. It is left in the car. I have only one request: One of you shall accompany me to it, while the other remain here with DROWN. We will exchange the true folder and the device, one will return, and DROWN will leave.”
SHEPHERD and SKYLINE once again left the restaurant. Walking to the car SHEPHERD spoke of an additional favour, while retrieving the other device.
– “SHEPHERD”: “If you desire for more innovation, and national security, from outside or within,” He handed over the device to SKYLINE but not the button, “I need a change in sub-commanding management. Only within 14 days from now.”
– “SKYLINE”: “That was expected, from your Unit… It will be done.” She reached for the BDU knee pocket and her longcoat one. “This is the real forecast, this is the one your… temporary issue will be given by myself when I return back. The issue will act as if the fake folder was real.” SHEPHERD handed the button over to SKYLINE and within the room, blueprints broadcast began to show.
Upon the return of DROWN to the car, he exclaimed, attempting to sound convincing.
– “DROWN”: “The fake folder was real, you were given nothing?” To which SHEPHERD silently nodded, as DROWN went on about what they could’ve gotten had they’ve known in advance, or retrospect.
III/XII
An Archive of Events Prior III/XII (?): Dreadnaught Warehouse, August Rain (2019)
(Released upon Declassification, June 20. 2025.)
Two cars are parked in the Locality of Dreadnaught, north-east coastline, an old abandoned warehouse. The walls are covered in graffiti, those still withstanding the passage of time, steel frames of a by-gone era stretch far above most of the façade. An endless plain of unkept grassland conceals this antiquity so much as the rust on the rails here do.
– ?: “Unit Eight will not respond not call for orders issued by the RAF. Unit Ten met yesterday in an old illegal petrol manufacturing apartment at Clayinn. Nothing of value was discussed, a sign that they will not attempt any intervention. The law enforcement is adequately following protocols. Incidents are yet to be reported.” A faint sound of someone played on the receiving radios end.
– Travis Palmer: “Good. Regarding the Suhavenster Circle?” Palmer sat atop the warehouse, speaking on the other end.
– ?: “A loose coalition of influential factors. The nobility, or rather part of it, united under the Taylors. The private sector, namely OPALs Universities and NSBBs media. The NGOs have been delicately selected and implanted into the student council bodies. Union representatives may but will not cause turbulence.”
– Travis Palmer: “Have the Accords been completed?” The unknown informant gives directions to where they have been hidden prior. These original documents were then taken by Palmer. Signatories are blank, with the rest complete. Palmer examines them, speed-reading the body but most interested in Annex 1 and 2. Upon confirming that they are as planned, he initiates the line again.
– Travis Palmer: “Orchestrate the negotiations. Taylor to receive the document without annexes. I will present it at the negotiations. Innsbolt will not agree without them. Is this agreeable with your superiors?”
– ?: “Yes. Taylor will suffer from the transition. Innsbolt and yourself will be given house arrest, separated and guarded by your chosen confidants.”
– Travis Palmer: “I have a question before I depart. Why and when will this process leak to have happened?”
-- ?: "After running 1 620 871 simulations on the public opinion, it will appear in years to come. We found that it would be n our interest to receive blame, framed as conspiratorial, over time to be true. This we found to be effective and in our interest.
IV/XII
An Archive of Events Prior IV/XI (?): STARLIGHT (JUNE 2022)
(Released upon Declassification, June 20. 2025.)
The restaurant is busy. Around it, 57 members are observing an event. A lone car passes into the parking lot. Its engine is shut off but no one exits. On the backdoor exit, the elder Gerald owner appears and walks to the backseat of the parked vehicle. Tinted glass frames conceals identities or identity of the front row from Gerald.
– Gerald:“…Your… rivals, from “confused social agendas”, brokered an agreement a week ago, as you’ve informed ahead of time.”
– ?:“The crop duster signal emitter for the public opinion analysis, presumably?”
– Gerald:“Yes, partially exchanged, though. DROWN from Unit Ten was given the fake ones. He has since established connections with the Suhavenster Circle and allowed the pupil of PROTOTYPE to operate independently. He has the real documents.” No answer was given for some time.
– ?:“Is Unit Eight to assassinate “DROWN” within this week?”
– Gerald:“As the recordings themselves reveal, yes.”
– ?:“No yet. Unit Ten must be mislead until too late. You will receive instructions’ to call “SEER” from among them and forward this information to “DROWN”. The payment for your cooperation is underneath the boulder across the street, as always. Do not register it on the company’s account. Take it tonight. We will observe. Remain the from of Unit Eights contact, the persuasion away from it towards prolonging DROWNs death will be done by others.”
– Gerald:“Alright, anything else?” Yet another pause before an answer is given.
– ?:“… A person of interest is in your restaurant at the moment, as others have informed. Put the device next to you inside his fuel tank opener. It is the small, green four-door, fourth from where this vehicle is parked. There is a blind spot from anyone looking from within the restaurant, allowing for this. That is all.”