Margins: Fall of Empire Pt. 02

The prequel to Margins of Reality continues. While it's not necessary to read that story to understand this, it is definitely necessary to start reading this story from its beginning.

From here on, things are much more focused on the interactions between characters, though there will still be the occasional text document among the 'found materials'.

This story is long, and already complete. It will be posted in eight instalments, in as rapid succession as I can manage (without posting two the same day, ideally). In part 2, it becomes clear that things are definitely more than a little concerning.

Although certain characters are based on their prominent real-world equivalents, no claim is made as to the accuracy of that depiction. Each such character is a fictional creation, standing in for someone who actually exists, and may or may not resemble that individual. My depiction of them is entirely my own, and should not be confused with an attempt to accurately depict any real person.

Conversely, all other characters, all those who are not public figures, are entirely original characters and should not be conflated with anyone who might happen to be in a similar place at the time in question. Finally, it should go without saying that all dialogue and events are entirely fictional.

* * *

As always, the Quaranteam Writers' Room has been of enormous help, especially RonanJWilkerson. And of course, thanks are also due to my silent partner, who dealt with way more nightmare fuel than usual when supporting me writing this.

No, Seriously

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 05:54Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 05:54Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

oNSA-SAPF-12@NSA-HQ

oDSIC-SAPF-1@FBI-HQ

PRESENT: BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JOANN WONG (NGA); JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); SPECIAL AGENT CHARLES CARTER (FBI NSB); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

[LOUD TYPING]

QAYUM: I know we're all generalists, but I'm a Central Asia expert. Coding video of monsters murdering people is a new one for me. How come we're getting so many now?

RIVERA: Unexplained Biological Entities, remember? And by our model, it's hit Moscow and Cairo. And Nairobi. Probably Kyiv will be coming through in a minute. Do you have any idea how many more people with smartphones and unrestricted internet access that means?

WONG: Uh, I hate to burst anyone's bubble, but you might need to revise that model.

RIVERA: How?

WONG: Well, I just verified one in Johannesburg. Where are you guys?

NASH: Istanbul.

CROFT: Athens.

RIVERA: Athens?

[UNUSUALLY LOUD TYPING AND MOUSE CLICKING]

RIVERA: Shit. Cassie? We've got a problem.

WHITE: What is it?

RIVERA: It's a half hour ahead of schedule.

* * * * *

Logs 2026-03-22 05:56Z FBI

PSAP FILTER RESULTS SUMMARY LOG

2026-03-22 05:56Z: QUERY GROUP A: 14 HITS. QUERY GROUP B: 34 HITS.

2026-03-22 05:57Z: QUERY GROUP A: 16 HITS. QUERY GROUP B: 36 HITS.

2026-03-22 05:58Z: QUERY GROUP A: 15 HITS. QUERY GROUP B: 33 HITS.

2026-03-22 05:59Z: QUERY GROUP A: 16 HITS. QUERY GROUP B: 32 HITS.

2026-03-22 06:00Z: QUERY GROUP A: 14 HITS. QUERY GROUP B: 38 HITS.

2026-03-22 06:01Z: QUERY GROUP A: 16 HITS. QUERY GROUP B: 36 HITS.

2026-03-22 06:02Z: QUERY GROUP A: 17 HITS. QUERY GROUP B: 40 HITS.

2026-03-22 06:03Z: QUERY GROUP A: 13 HITS. QUERY GROUP B: 42 HITS.

2026-03-22 06:04Z: QUERY GROUP A: 14 HITS. QUERY GROUP B: 50 HITS.

2026-03-22 06:05Z: QUERY GROUP A: 15 HITS. QUERY GROUP B: 49 HITS.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 06:05Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 06:05Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

oNSA-SAPF-12@NSA-HQ

oDSIC-SAPF-1@FBI-HQ

PRESENT: BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JOANN WONG (NGA); JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); SPECIAL AGENT CHARLES CARTER (FBI NSB); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

MCAULEY: Berlin Station missed a check-in.

WHITE: Chief Foster, do you have a read on any live links in Germany?

CPO FOSTER: [OVER SIGNIFICANT BACKGROUND NOISE] Germany is okay in terms of military uplinks, but we lost Incirlik a half hour ago, Larissa's been gone ten minutes, Romania just after that, and I'm watching lights go out in Poland.

[NOISE CUTS OFF]

WHITE: Was anyone going to tell us?

CPO FOSTER: [OVER SIGNIFICANT BACKGROUND NOISE] Ma'am, it's a little busy here. I'm sure a message is on its way. And our Bavaria locations just went dark. Excuse me.

[NOISE CUTS OFF]

WHITE: Lorrie! We need a new model.

RIVERA: We need an assumption. Was it always further ahead than we thought it was, and we just didn't have data, or is it speeding up?

ALAGH: I just got a readout on raw traffic levels. I'll send the details once I've digested them into a format that anyone who doesn't work here can read, but I'd say the former. We've been underestimating it all along.

WHITE: Run both, Lorrie, but lead with the constant progression version.

RIVERA: I need Jaz's data!

ALAGH: Raw numbers on their way to you now. Bigger number is more traffic, lower number is less. Second column is that as a percentage of baseline for this time on a Sunday. Third error margins. They're pretty big for some countries.

RIVERA: Got it. [PAUSE] Why do they go up, then down?

ALAGH: I'm not going to speculate. That's your job.

[LOUD BELL FOR 3 SECONDS, FOLLOWED BY RUSTLING PAPER]

* * * * *

ChatSurfer 2026-03-22 06:08Z DM

Private Messages: @FBI_CharlesCarter, @FBI_YvonneDumais

2026-03-22 06:08Z FBI_CharlesCarter: Evie, everything's going nuts here. I just looked at the search summary log. Why the hell haven't I heard anything from you?

2026-03-22 06:09Z FBI_YvonneDumais: I had to pull in two more people, and it's all we can do to glance at the CADs and give a yes/no. They're going straight to DOWNWIND triage.

2026-03-22 06:10Z FBI_CharlesCarter: What? None of them have made it up here.

2026-03-22 06:10Z FBI_YvonneDumais: Talk to the CIA triage team. I don't know what their priorities are.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 06:11Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 06:11Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

oNSA-SAPF-12@NSA-HQ

oDSIC-SAPF-1@FBI-HQ

PRESENT: BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JOANN WONG (NGA); JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); SPECIAL AGENT CHARLES CARTER (FBI NSB); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

[LOUD BELL FOR 3 SECONDS]

WHITE: Someone turn that damn thing off!

PHELAN: It's starting to get some traction online. Traction about thirty minutes ahead of the active zone. Some concern, some reposting, some videos.

WONG: Those are fakes, so far. This job was easier before AI.

WHITE: Can someone get us a feed of the telemetry board from the Pentagon or the Sit Room?

ALAGH: I could, but not if you want it to be legal.

JENKINS: I'm messaging everyone I can, but it might work better if someone could make one of those bells ring.

WHITE: I'll see if I can get our Deputy Director, he can authorise a flash.

RIVERA: New models done.

WHITE: I'll send that as well.

CARTER: We may have another problem.

WHITE: Tell the others, I need to focus.

CARTER: You know we were running a search and scrape on PSAP reports? 911 calls?

JENKINS: Yes. All quiet, right?

CARTER: I thought so, but we've been getting hits. Quite a few of them. They've been going to Vault E after initial triage by the Bureau, and as far as I can tell they fell into a black hole.

JENKINS: I'll take on more coding. Lorrie, find someone there and get the details out of them. You'll know what you're looking for.

RIVERA: Ahead of you. Not sure anyone's reading my messages. Bob, up for a hand-carry?

MCAULEY: Yes mmm— Lorrie.

RIVERA: Give this to whoever's supervising. I've lost track. And make sure they read it. And Bob?

MCAULEY: Yeah?

RIVERA: Run in the halls.

* * * * *

ChatSurfer 2026-03-22 06:12Z private channel

#downwind-command

2026-03-22 06:11Z CIA_CassandraWhite: @CIA_EzekielSchmidt Revised model. Big changes. It's running ahead of earlier estimates.

2026-03-22 06:11Z [@CIA_CassandraWhite sent a file: downwind-model-v3. xlsx. tdf]

2026-03-22 06:12Z CIA_CassandraWhite: @CIA_ADDA I need you to light a fire under someone's ass and get us as much military network telemetry as you can. Acknowledge ASAP.

2026-03-22 06:18Z CIA_ADDA: We're getting a bit busy here. Why do you want the DOD feed?

2026-03-22 06:18Z CIA_CassandraWhite: Chief Foster at WHSR let us know about bases going dark.

2026-03-22 06:18Z CIA_EzekielSchmidt: Shit, Cassie, you aren't kidding.

2026-03-22 06:19Z CIA_CassandraWhite: In response to direct questions. Don't let anyone blow up at her.

2026-03-22 06:20Z CIA_ADDA: Damn. I'll send out a FLASH.

2026-03-22 06:21Z CIA_CassandraWhite: Thanks.

* * * * *

CABLE 2026-03-22 06:25Z (INTERAGENCY)

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND//NOFORN

CHQ DDA002-220326-13

PRECEDENCE: FLASH (Z)

DTG: 220625Z MAR 26

FM: CIA HQ/DA/ADDA

TO: NMCC // DIA/DMIW // SECWAR // DOW-USDI // WHSR

SUBJ: (TS//NF) REQUEST FOR INTEL REGARDING MILITARY LOSS OF CONTACT

1. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) This office has just learned about military bases going dark.

2. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) My people need this info. I don't care who does it, but one of you get whatever military data feeds you can piped to Vault B in our Ops Center.

3. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) At a bare minimum we need a live readout on base connection status. Anything else is a bonus.

4. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) With all due respect, get it done or you'll get bad data from us. Remember, GIGO.

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND//NOFORN

* * * * *

ChatSurfer 2026-03-22 06:28Z DM

Private Messages: @CIA_RichardPutnam, @CIA_LorenzaRivera

2026-03-22 06:28Z CIA_RichardPutnam: Got your note, Lorrie. We've been focused on the data from Eurasia and Africa, but I had a few people tagging stuff as interesting or not. Should I package up the interesting stuff?

2026-03-22 06:30Z CIA_LorenzaRivera: Yes, and a feed of everything new, please.

2026-03-22 06:31Z CIA_LorenzaRivera: Is it bad?

2026-03-22 06:33Z CIA_RichardPutnam: I couldn't say. I haven't looked. But the people at that desk don't look as haunted as everyone else.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 06:39Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 06:39Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

oNSA-SAPF-12@NSA-HQ

oDSIC-SAPF-1@FBI-HQ

PRESENT: BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JOANN WONG (NGA); JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); SPECIAL AGENT CHARLES CARTER (FBI NSB); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

[SUBDUED TYPING]

PHELAN: You've gone quiet, Lorrie. Do you need some more work?

RIVERA: I'm reading. I just got the 911 data. A lot of it is questionable, but there's some that might be something.

JENKINS: Nothing could be happening here. It's hours away.

RIVERA: I don't have baseline data for comparison, but I'm pretty sure there's an unusual number of kids dead when their parents check on them.

JENKINS: If you need to step out and call Phil—

RIVERA: Don't tempt me, Brian.

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

RIVERA: I'm not thinking about it. Anyway, I'm pretty sure that not this many kids usually disappear or are found [PAUSE] mutilated in the middle of the night.

WHITE: When did it start?

RIVERA: A few hits in Maine just after 04:40. It's been increasing gradually.

WHITE: Is that—

RIVERA: Local mean solar midnight. More or less.

QAYUM: Oh, fuck.

RIVERA: Too late to do anything. It's at about Ashland, Kansas now. Or maybe Oconto, Nebraska. Take your pick. And we'd only create panic if we sent out an emergency broadcast telling parents to wake up their kids.

WHITE: Not our call, but you're right. What about UBEs?

RIVERA: Much less clear. I don't know how you tell the difference between the notes from a call where someone's hysterical because they've seen a monster actually killing people and the ones where they're hysterical because they took something, or missed a dose, and just think they saw that.

[SILENCE: 3 SECONDS]

CARTER: Send me the most likely suspects, I'll have someone chase them down.

* * * * *

PSAP CAD LOG 2026-03-22 06:47Z (INDIANAPOLIS)

CAD EVENT LOG: 2026-03220154

AGENCY: IMPD / MARION COUNTY 911

JURISDICTION: INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46208

====================

EVENT TYPE: EDP / WELCHECK

CROSS TYPE: ABDUCTION - UNSPECIFIED

PRIORITY: 2

STATUS: PENDING DISPATCH (IN QUEUE)

====================

LOCATION: 2840 N HIAWATHA ST

CROSS STREETS: E 28TH ST / E 29TH ST

CALLER NAME: RYAN FUCHS

CALLER PHONE: 317-555-8342

CALLER LOC: 2840 N HIAWATHA ST

ASSIGNED UNITS: NONE

====================

TIMESTAMPS:

02:45:32 - CALL TAKEN (CT09/PDUARTE)

02:46:05 - SENT TO DISPATCH QUEUE

====================

FLAGS/ALERTS:

POSS PSYCH / HALLUCINATIONS

CALLER HYSTERICAL

====================

NARRATIVE:

02:45:32 [CT09/PDUARTE] CALLER EXTREMELY AGITATED / SOBBING

02:45:39 [CT09/PDUARTE] RP STATES HIS BOYFRIEND "TAKEN" FROM STREET

02:45:51 [CT09/PDUARTE] RP STATES "THINGS LIKE SPIKY WORMS WITH CLAWS CAME OUT OF THE GROUND" AND DRAGGED HIM UNDER

02:46:03 [CT09/PDUARTE] VICT IDENTIFIED AS JUAREZ, PAUL (M/H, 20S, PASTEL BLUE COAT)

02:46:09 [CT09/PDUARTE] RP STATES "MONSTERS" CAME OUT OF ASPHALT

02:46:21 [CT09/PDUARTE] CT ATTEMPTED TO CLARIFY SUSPECT DESC OR VEHICLE, RP CONTINUES TO SCREAM ABOUT "SPIKY WORM CREATURES"

02:46:30 [CT09/PDUARTE] CT INQUIRED RE INJURIES, RP DESCRIBED "SO MUCH BLOOD"

02:46:35 [CT09/PDUARTE] NO WEAPONS OR VEHICLES OBSERVED, RP ALONE IN STREET

02:46:42 [CT09/PDUARTE] RP REFUSING TO GO INSIDE, REPORTS STANDING "NEAR THE HOLE, BUT NOT TOO NEAR"

02:46:50 [CT09/PDUARTE] POSS SUBSTANCE USE OR ACUTE PSYCH EPISODE / UNABLE TO GET COHERENT DETAILS

02:47:02 [CT09/PDUARTE] INCIDENT RECODED FROM UNK DISTURBANCE TO EDP / WELCHECK

02:47:12 [CT09/PDUARTE] CALLER REMAINS ON LINE / STILL CRYING / NO COHERENT SPEECH

02:47:30 [DISP02/KSTILLER] HOLDING FOR AVAILABLE UNITS (IMPD NORTH DISTRICT BUSY - CALL STACKED)

====================

* * * * *

ChatSurfer 2026-03-22 06:51Z DM

Private Messages: @CIA_LorenzaRivera, @CIA_BrianJenkins

2026-03-22 06:51Z CIA_LorenzaRivera: I still think we're making unjustified assumptions here. Look, the time of onset of UBEs could be related to the time that people get up and head out, or maybe when they start consuming news. Urban areas are the areas with the greatest concentration of people. What if we're seeing the result of an underlying pattern, rather than the pattern itself? What if it starts at midnight, just like the kids?

2026-03-22 06:54Z CIA_BrianJenkins: Stick to the data. If you find an example of a divergence from the pattern that can be attributed to that hypothesis, then we'll talk.

2026-03-22 06:55Z CIA_BrianJenkins: Or you can go straight to Cassie.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22-06:59Z SITE R

RECORDING INFIRMARY/CLINIC BAY@SITE-R/BUILDING A 2026-03-22 06:59Z

PRESENT: LTC VICTORIA DANQUAH (MSC), LTC SALLY GOLDSTEIN RN (ANC), CPT ANTHONY OSWALD MD (MC), CPT PETER BOUCHER PA-C (SP), SSG ARNOLD CHEN CBET, SGT PHILLIP DONALD LPN, SGT CLARISSA CHANG RT(R), SGT CAROLINE PORTER EMT-P, SPC MANDEEP PATHAK CPhT, SPC HENRY JONES, PFC MARIE CLARKSON

DANQUAH: Alright, listen up! We're at COGCON 3, so this is a standard warm-up from daily operational status to full operational capacity and emergency readiness. That means we need to move from a unit clinic to full-capacity care for a few thousand people for a couple months. Most of you have done practice runs for this. Anyone who hasn't should at least have read the manual. In case the salient details have slipped your minds, we need to be ready for emergencies, but most likely we'll still be dealing with minor injuries, and keeping people working despite minor illnesses. Boucher, Porter, you're still on the floor. All these extra people coming in mean you might see more action than usual, not just the usual sick call. Keep your stations.

BOUCHER: Yes, ma'am.

DANQUAH: Jones, Clarkson, get your workstations set up. I want you ready for patient intake, but get the facility readiness checklists up as well. Pathak, go ahead and get the pharmacy unlocked and check supplies. I'm talking antibiotics, analgesics, Imodium, antihistamines, IV bags, back stock of wound care materials. You know what you're doing.

PATHAK: Ma'am, I need a supervisory signature for the controlled substances vault.

DANQUAH: I'll send Doctor Oswald along when we're done here.

PATHAK: Yes, ma'am.

NO LONGER PRESENT: SPC MANDEEP PATHAK CPhT

DANQUAH: Colonel Goldstein, you and Donald unseal the holding ward first. Get the triage bays uncovered, wipe everything down, check the clinical equipment, get the holding ward ready, and make sure we have all the aid supplies on hand. Wound irrigation, antiseptics, suture kits, gauze, you know the drill. If you're short, go straight to the pharmacy.

GOLDSTEIN: Yes, Colonel.

DANQUAH: Chen, start with safety checks in the imaging suite and then leave the rest of it to Chang, then do a full check of all the rest of the major equipment. Routine electrical testing of everything was just done last week, but that just means we're not going to blow any fuses. Do a basic check in the trauma suite, but full setup will need to wait until we have a surgical team. Chang, get your computers going while Chen does his checks.

CHEN, CHANG [UNISON]: Yes, ma'am.

NO LONGER PRESENT: SSG ARNOLD CHEN CBET, SGT CLARISSA CHANG RT(R)

OSWALD: Ah, Colonel?

DANQUAH: Yes, Doctor?

OSWALD: What should I do once I've signed off on the controlled pharmacy?

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

DANQUAH: Colonel Goldstein, do you think Captain Oswald might be able to help you and the sergeant?

GOLDSTEIN: I'm sure we'll find something useful for him to do.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 07:02Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 07:02Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

oNSA-SAPF-12@NSA-HQ

oDSIC-SAPF-1@FBI-HQ

PRESENT: BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JOANN WONG (NGA); JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); SPECIAL AGENT CHARLES CARTER (FBI NSB); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

RIVERA: We're missing something. I'm missing something.

WHITE: Gut feeling?

RIVERA: More than that. I know it's there, I just can't figure out what it is.

WHITE: Spit it out.

RIVERA: Why would the kids— why would it happen to the kids at midnight, and the UBEs appear so much later? Doesn't it make more sense if it's the UBEs that are killing or snatching the kids?

WHITE: We don't have the data.

RIVERA: Occam's Razor.

WHITE: Fair point. Add another tab to your model based on that. I can't promise anyone will pay attention.

* * * * *

JChat 2026-03-22 07:11Z CENTCOM

#CSG6-TACTICAL-MAIN | TOPIC: CVN-82 PIM 24.049N 059.794E | EMCON BRAVO

2026-03-22 07:11:11Z DDG139_TAO: FLASH. Visual contact on explosion bearing 270, 8NM

2026-03-22 07:11:18Z CSG6_FWO: DDG139, confirm track. Inbound track?

2026-03-22 07:11:27Z DDG139_TAO: Confirm, DDG138's position. No source track. Fireball, high-altitude debris. Link 16 is dark.

2026-03-22 07:11:29Z DDG141_TAO: Confirm, we concur.

2026-03-22 07:11:38Z CSG6_FWO: All units, set Condition I. DESRON SCC, acknowledge.

2026-03-22 07:11:42Z DESRON_SCC: Acknowledged. Voice and data orders to screen issued.

2026-03-22 07:11:44Z CVN82_TAO: Launching Alert 5 assets for CAP/ASW/SAR.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 07:13Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 07:13Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

oNSA-SAPF-12@NSA-HQ

oDSIC-SAPF-1@FBI-HQ

PRESENT: BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JOANN WONG (NGA); JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); SPECIAL AGENT CHARLES CARTER (FBI NSB); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

CROFT: Fuck!

WHITE: What is it?

CROFT: UBE on video from Hamburg. We've got multiple angles on this one, we pulled them together based on location. A person just got out of a cab and then [PAUSE] grew tentacles, I think. They can look like people.

PHELAN: How many?

CROFT: Six angles so far.

PHELAN: How many casualties?

CROFT: Oh. Looks like seven. Everyone nearby. Except it left the cab driver alone.

QAYUM: Lorrie, are you still integrating the data?

RIVERA: I'm filtering out the redundant stuff as I go. Why?

QAYUM: I think the estimated time of onset should be moving up.

[SILENCE: 1 SECOND]

RIVERA: Yeah. 07:15 local mean solar time.

[SILENCE: 3 SECONDS]

QAYUM: [QUIETLY PRAYING IN ARABIC]

* * * * *

ChatSurfer 2026-03-22 07:18Z private channel

#downwind-command

2026-03-22 07:18Z CIA_ADDA: Folks at ODNI seem to have realized that they ought to put something about DOWNWIND into the PDB. Zeke, can you put together a summary?

2026-03-22 07:19Z CIA_EzekielSchmidt: Are you kidding?

2026-03-22 07:20Z CIA_ADDA: A little humor in this situation might not be a bad idea. Otherwise we might all just go crazy. But no. They have their procedures, you know that.

2026-03-22 07:21Z CIA_EzekielSchmidt: Do they seriously think this morning is going to follow normal procedures?

2026-03-22 07:21Z CIA_ADDA: I have no idea. So, what should I tell them?

2026-03-22 07:23Z CIA_EzekielSchmidt: Ask them if they want to start a pool on whether the President will be getting the daily briefing.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 07:19Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 07:19Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

oNSA-SAPF-12@NSA-HQ

oDSIC-SAPF-1@FBI-HQ

PRESENT: BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JOANN WONG (NGA); JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); SPECIAL AGENT CHARLES CARTER (FBI NSB); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

RIVERA: Jesus, there's too much data coming in now.

ALAGH: I thought more data was always good at Langley.

RIVERA: Popular misconception. Situation like this, redundant data's a liability. But I don't have time to filter this as much as I should. I want to look at the 911 data, dammit.

WHITE: If you think the model's as complete as it's going to get—

RIVERA: Hah! No. New pattern emerging. We've got a few countries giving us information about overnight reports of deaths of children now, whatever arms had to be twisted. It's pretty sparse. I've got a model that turns that into an estimate of when it actually started. And it's getting earlier.

JENKINS: How much?

RIVERA: A little over half a second per degree longitude.

JENKINS: So, when you say it's within the margin of error, you mean?

RIVERA: It would need to be ten times as large. Unless the data keeps up this trend.

[LOUD KEY STRIKE]

RIVERA: Okay, now it's one-eighth of the margin of error.

CROFT: A bit over half a second per degree? That sounds familiar.

RIVERA: See, there's a local spike that's very localized, I guess it's when parents get up, but there's a string of incidents before that, and if I assume that there's a minimum time and the apparent first incident is randomly distributed at some point after that, I'm using Poisson, it's more consistent than normal, I can come up with an estimate of the earliest point.

CROFT: Sidereal!

WONG: Shit, of course. 0.655 seconds per degree longitude.

QAYUM: Explain, please.

CROFT: Solar time, what we usually measure, is a product of both the Earth's rotation and its orbit around the sun. Sidereal time, that is time based on the stars, uses a day that's just the time it takes for the stars to apparently rotate about the Earth. That is, it's based just on the rotation of Earth. It could be moving with sidereal time.

WHITE: How does that fit midnight onset, Lorrie?

RIVERA: I don't know. If we had this data for Myanmar, Kazakhstan and India, I might be able to make something of it. Is there such a thing as sidereal midnight?

CROFT: Yes, but it doesn't mean anything useful to us. It drifts continuously relative to solar midnight. It would be about midnight at the moment, though.

CPO FOSTER: [OVER SIGNIFICANT BACKGROUND NOISE] Hey, guys, I don't know if anyone's going to tell you this, but I think you should know. Something's happening to the Gideon Welles.

ALAGH: The carrier? Where?

CPO FOSTER: Gulf of Oman.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 07:23Z NMCC

xNOIWON-O3@NMCC 2026-03-22 07:23Z

oCRISIS@NMCC

oCC@CENTCOM

oTFCC@CVN-82

oCDC@CVN-82

oSCCM@CVN-82

oSAR

oRESCORT

oCIC@DDG-139

oCIC@DDG-140

oCIC@DDG-141

PRESENT: SECDEF, CJCS, CDR CENTCOM (CENTCOM), CDR CSG-6 (ADMIRAL), DESRON COMMODORE CSG-6 (DESRON), CO CVN-82, CAG CVN-82 (CAG), CO DDG-139 / AMDC (AMDC), CO DDG-140, CO DDG-141. ADDITIONAL IDENTIFIED BY ORIGIN NODE

SECDEF: The general has briefed me. Admiral, any updates from CENTCOM?

CENTCOM: I've had bits and pieces, sir. I was just about to ask for a summary. Admiral?

ADMIRAL: The Paulding just blew up, sir. I can't explain it further than that. Plume analysis suggests that at least half of its munitions went up at once. The rest is presumably dispersed. SAR is looking around, and CAP is in the air, but there's no sign of mines, no sign of an attack. We've turned south out of the conflict zone, sonobuoys ahead of our course, and making best speed out of the area, but sir, we have no idea what happened.

SECDEF: Other than a ship exploding.

CENTCOM: Status of the rest of the group?

ADMIRAL: No damage, sir, but there's some [PAUSE] unexplained events. I think it would be best if everyone explained their own situation.

AMDC: [OVER BACKGROUND NOISE] During hatch checks as we went to General Quarters, three bodies were found. Two of them together, the third at the other end of the ship. Throats were violently cut. Two CS and a yeoman. We have a compartment-to-compartment search going on.

CO DDG-141: No bodies here, but several reports of an intruder aboard. No one got a good look, and they seem to vanish around a bulkhead and they just aren't there when you follow. Descriptions include what sounds like a keffiyeh, a large black beard, dark robes and a tactical vest.

CAG: Might sound trivial, but someone rearranged all our manuals.

DESRON: Sorry, sirs, we have a report coming in from the SAR team.

SAR: Debris field is consistent. No signs of life. Continuing normal search pattern.

DESRON: Threat situation?

RESCORT: Sea and sky are clear, sir.

DESRON: Good. Keep me updated.

CO DDG-140: Nothing out of the ordinary here. All stations report normal.

DESRON: ASW assets are out in force with sonobuoys deployed, the screen has gone to active sonar, but nothing unusual anywhere, sir.

AMDC: CAP is a division of 35s on forward sweep and two divisions of Rhinos on the barrier. Holding a division of each on Alert 5.

CAG: And we have a couple of Growlers and a Hawkeye up for support. No one's seen anything.

DESRON: We're getting some strange returns from where the Paulding went down. Never seen anything like it. Doesn't fit any known profiles.

SAR: Turbulent water spotted in the debris field, about one point five miles bearing zero eight zero from last signal location. Investigating.

RESCORT: Low and slow, Sierra-1. Taking flanking overwatch.

[SILENCE: 6 SECONDS]

SAR: There's more than water movement here. Something's alive in all that. Is that [PAUSE] looks like tentacles, sir, like an octopus or something, but it's huge.

RESCORT: Up and back, Sierra-1. Up and back. Treat as threat.

SAR: Wilco. Never seen anything like it except in the movies, like a crack— [THUD] [CRUNCH]

RESCORT: Sierra-1 is down, giant tentacle grabbed it. It's gone. Firing.

DESRON: Do not engage, I say again do not engage.

RESCORT: Holy shi— [THUD] [CRUNCH]

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 07:30Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 07:30Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

oNSA-SAPF-12@NSA-HQ

oDSIC-SAPF-1@FBI-HQ

PRESENT: BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JOANN WONG (NGA); JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); SPECIAL AGENT CHARLES CARTER (FBI NSB); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

WHITE: We've got response scenarios up from FEMA and Vault C. They want our comments. Lorrie, Brian, you've got the best handle on what's happening. Give me your thoughts and I'll write them up.

[SILENCE: 7 SECONDS]

RIVERA: Okay, why are we withdrawing essential personnel out of population centers?

JENKINS: Look at your own summaries. In countries where we consider our data reliable, what percentage of UBE manifestations are in developed areas?

RIVERA: 96.22 percent.

JENKINS: Exactly.

RIVERA: So we ignore 3.78 percent?

JENKINS: The options the authors obviously prefer have large armed contingents with every group. These things are biological. They can be killed. We had that video from Paris-Nord. They put it down pretty quickly.

CROFT: After at least five casualties, two of them gendarmes. And two of the casualties were also definitely dead. Very dead.

JENKINS: They're reducing the likelihood of manifestation and equipping the groups to have a good chance to deal with them. Aiming for zero casualties isn't going to happen.

RIVERA: But it doesn't consider why the manifestations are predominantly urban. Population difference alone—

JENKINS: Accounts for eighty to ninety percent. So only about ten percent of the imbalance in UBE manifestation needs to be accounted for by other factors. And maybe the reporting of incidents scales with population density, too.

RIVERA: But what if it's—

JENKINS: This isn't the time for what-ifs, Lorrie. This is happening now. We need to deal with the facts we have now.

RIVERA: And what about the aircraft carrier?

JENKINS: We don't have any details. Are you arguing cum hoc ergo propter hoc?

RIVERA: You're saying it's a coincidence?

JENKINS: I'm saying we don't know. You want to start quantifying "we don't know" in your model?

* * * * *

ChatSurfer 2026-03-22 07:33Z DM

Private Messages: @CIA_CassandraWhite, @CIA_LorenzaRivera

2026-03-22 07:33Z CIA_CassandraWhite: Brian's right, but so are you. This is the blackest swan the Agency has ever seen. Let the model slide a bit - chances are most of the data is redundant. Write up a summary of your "what if", send it to me. I'll make sure it's included.

2026-03-22 07:34Z CIA_LorenzaRivera: Thanks, Cassie.

2026-03-22 07:34Z CIA_CassandraWhite: I don't think anyone will pay attention to it, but it will ease my conscience.

* * * * *

CABLE 2026-03-22 07:36Z (STATION)

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND/FGI GBR//NOFORN

CZC BTA344-220326-03

PRECEDENCE: FLASH (Z)

DTG: 220736Z MAR 26

FM: CIA STATION LONDON

TO: CIA HQ/DOWNWIND TASK FORCE

REF: [1] BTA344-220326-V1 [2] BTA344-220326-V2

SUBJ: (TS//FGI GBR//REL USA, GBR) BRITISH CHILD CASUALTY/DISAPPEARANCE REPORTS

1. (TS//FGI GBR//REL USA, GBR) HMG shared top-secret data regarding casualty/disappearance of children reported so far, occurring overnight 21-22 MAR 2026. This agrees with earlier summary data already forwarded to the Task Force.

2. (TS//FGI GBR//REL USA, GBR) Approx 1.4M children reported dead, presumed causes vary. 400k children missing. Numbers relate to ages 3 to 8 YOA. Other ages not statistically different from expected.

3. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) General chatter on social media and informal channels re "monsters" appearing in public, killing everyone in vicinity. Most videos copies of examples from Eastern Europe; 2 appear to be UK originals, transmitted separately [1,2].

4. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) HMG has no official comment on these reports and no information related to non-child casualties that may relate to DOWNWIND. Emergency service and military chatter indicates no plan to manage or react to these events.

5. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) STATION COMMENT: videos assessed genuine, subjects represent potential existential threat. Information relevant to source of unexplained biological entities will be station priority unless instructed otherwise.

END

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND/FGI GBR//NOFORN

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 07:39Z NMCC

xNOIWON-O3@NMCC 2026-03-22 07:39Z

oCRISIS@NMCC

oCC@CENTCOM

oTFCC@CVN-82

oCDC@CVN-82

oSCCM@CVN-82

oCIC@DDG-139

oCIC@DDG-140

oCIC@DDG-141

PRESENT: SECDEF, CJCS, CDR CENTCOM (CENTCOM), CDR CSG-6 (ADMIRAL), DESRON COMMODORE CSG-6 (DESRON), CO CVN-82, CAG CVN-82 (CAG), CO DDG-139 / AMDC (AMDC), CO DDG-140, CO DDG-141. ADDITIONAL IDENTIFIED BY ORIGIN NODE

SECDEF: [QUIETLY] I get why they're searching all the ships, but why no compartment-to-compartment search on the carrier?

CJCS: Practicality, sir. The destroyers are much more contained. What takes hours on a destroyer will take days on the carrier. So they secure critical areas, search places where it's easy to hide, and respond to any reports or the locations of anyone not accounted for.

CENTCOM: Commanders, SITREP please.

ADMIRAL: Flag command. Outside situation unchanged. Proceeding to new PIM, best speed.

DESRON: Escort cover is intact. RESCAP retrieved. Nothing reported on sonar or radar.

CO DDG-140: Radford. All personnel accounted for, situation nominal. Search progressing normally.

AMDC: Lee. Two more personnel found dead, five remain unaccounted for. No one critical. Seems to be people who were alone at the time Condition I was declared, except that pair we started with.

CO DDG-141: Nicholas. All personnel accounted for, negative on search. Several compartments report indistinct guttural speech being heard, five to ten seconds at a time. SRF teams haven't reported hearing it.

CO CVN-82: All nominal. Critical sites secured, focused searches progressing. Twenty-six personnel not accounted for, search groups sweeping last known locations.

ATTWO DDG-139: Shots fired!

[CLICK]

[GUNFIRE, SCREAMING]

ATTWO DDG-139: SRF Two Bravo, SITREP.

[GUNFIRE CONTINUES BRIEFLY AND STOPS SUDDENLY]

[GROANING]

AMDC: Send BRF to investigate.

ATTWO DDG-139: BRF Two, team to two-tack-three-eight-two-tack-four-tack-Quebec. Shots fired, SRF Two Bravo not responding.

NO-ID-1 DDG-141: Can anyone else hear that?

CO DDG-141: Quiet down, people.

NO-ID-2 DDG-141: Silence on deck!

[QUIET, INDISTINCT GUTTURAL MUTTERING]

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 07:50Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 07:50Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

oNSA-SAPF-12@NSA-HQ

oDSIC-SAPF-1@FBI-HQ

PRESENT: BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JOANN WONG (NGA); JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); SPECIAL AGENT CHARLES CARTER (FBI NSB); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

MCAULEY: Is there any chance this stops at the Atlantic?

[SILENCE: 6 SECONDS]

PHELAN: Of course there is. I don't know why it would, but it's a chance. Our job is to provide analysis that, well, it's not worst-case, but we ignore optimistic edge cases. The people who rely on our analysis need to plan for things happening, not being pleasantly surprised when they don't happen.

QAYUM: Bob. This is scary, I get it. We're all terrified inside. Remember your training. Focus. And if you need to scream, the restroom's soundproof.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 07:52Z NMCC

xNOIWON-O3@NMCC 2026-03-22 07:52Z

oCRISIS@NMCC

oCC@CENTCOM

oTFCC@CVN-82

oCDC@CVN-82

oSCCM@CVN-82

oCIC@DDG-139

oCIC@DDG-140

oCIC@DDG-141

PRESENT: SECDEF, CJCS, CDR CENTCOM (CENTCOM), CDR CSG-6 (ADMIRAL), DESRON COMMODORE CSG-6 (DESRON), CO CVN-82, CAG CVN-82 (CAG), CO DDG-139 / AMDC (AMDC), CO DDG-140, CO DDG-141. ADDITIONAL IDENTIFIED BY ORIGIN NODE

CO DDG-141: It hasn't come back here, but pretty much every manned compartment has reported the muttering now.

ATTWO DDG-139: BRF Two has found the bodies. Throats cut, like the others, but a lot of other wounds as well. We can do a full examination after recovery.

AMDC: That can wait. Have BRF Two continue Two Bravo's sweep, with extra caution.

ATTWO DDG-139: Aye aye, sir.

SECDEF: What's happening on the carrier?

CENTCOM: Gideon Welles, status?

ADMIRAL: Nothing unusual at my level. Captain?

CO CVN-82: Everything seems shipshape.

ADMIRAL: CAG?

CAG: Too many little things out of place. That's all. No, wait. [PAUSE] I've just got a report. Red shirts prepping the load for the next wave found modified training rounds where there should be live munitions. They look normal at first glance, but the guidance section is wrong, there's no vents, and no electronics. No return when attached. Crew chief says weight distribution is wrong as well.

[SILENCE: 3 SECONDS]

CENTCOM: Well, that's a new one.

CO DDG-141: It's back.

[MORE CLEARLY AUDIBLE SPEECH, PHONOLOGICALLY CONSISTENT WITH ARABIC BUT NO RECOGNIZABLE WORDS]

CENTCOM: Control, mute that line unless someone's talking. Anyone on the Nicholas, if you want to speak to us, say so and Control will bring you back up.

ATTWO DDG-139: Shots fired. Alpha Two and Bravo One.

[CLICK]

[CONTROLLED GUNFIRE]

NO-ID-1 DDG-139: The hatches were closed. They were closed, dammit!

[SCREAMS]

ADMIRAL: All command security, weapons ready.

MULTIPLE VOICES: Weapons ready, aye.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 08:01Z SITE R

RECORDING CHECKPOINT@SITE R/EAST PORTAL 2026-03-22 08:01Z

PRESENT: BLAKE STYLES (CONTRACTOR), WALTER TYLER (CONTRACTOR), OTHERS

TYLER: Back when I took this job, I knew they could call us out in the middle of the night, I just thought it would only happen for the end of the world.

STYLES: Does it happen often?

TYLER: Test activations? At least once a year, but you won't always be on the roster for it.

STYLES: Maybe I can get someone to tell me when they're gonna happen so I can arrange a family event. There's more people here than at my cousin's wedding, and— is that Fred? Hey, Fred! What're you up to?

NOW PRESENT: FRED CAMPBELL (CONTRACTOR)

CAMPBELL: Blake. Walt. This is my regular shift. Except they decided we're doing a readiness test or something, so I get switched from watching dials to bringing more units to full capacity.

TYLER: Got any word on what's up?

CAMPBELL: Of course not. Though [PAUSE] looking at the number of people here, I think it might be a full-scale drill, not just a test activation. Pretty sure I saw some medical corps people, so we know it's not just a mechanical test.

TYLER: Well, I managed to miss the last level two drill. So it'll be a new experience for me.

STYLES: What's the difference in a drill?

CAMPBELL: They bring in everyone, like it was a real doomsday thing. 'cept they skip the politicians. Anyway, I gotta go. Filters won't change themselves.

TYLER: Later, Fred.

* * * * *

PSAP CAD LOG 2026-03-22 08:03Z (RENO)

CAD EVENT LOG: 2026-03220257

AGENCY: RPD / WASHOE CO REGIONAL DISPATCH

JURISDICTION: RENO, NV 89501

====================

EVENT TYPE: SHOTS FIRED / OPEN LINE

CROSS TYPE: DISTURBANCE IN PROG / POSS RIOT

PRIORITY: 1 (CODE 3)

STATUS: DISPATCHED / EN ROUTE

====================

LOCATION: 520 N VIRGINIA ST

PS-ALI DATA: SIERRA CREST RESORT / FLR 2 / VIP GAMING LOUNGE / BAR

CROSS STREETS: E 5TH ST / E 6TH ST

CALLER NAME: UNKNOWN

CALLER PHONE: 775-555-0192

ASSIGNED UNITS: 1C09 (PRI), 1C15, 1C03 (SUPV)

====================

TIMESTAMPS:

01:02:05 - CALL TAKEN (CT15/APHILLIPS)

01:02:10 - SENT TO DISPATCH QUEUE

01:02:31 - UNITS DISPATCHED

====================

FLAGS/ALERTS:

LARGE VENUE / HIGH OCCUPANCY

ARMED SECURITY ON SITE

HAZMAT / KITCHEN PROPANE ON SITE

NOTE: EXTREME AUDIBLE VIOLENCE

NOTE: AUDIBLE GUNFIRE AT SCENE

====================

NARRATIVE:

01:02:05 [CT15/APHILLIPS] CALLER BARELY INTELLIGIBLE

01:02:10 [CT15/APHILLIPS] MULTIPLE PPL SCREAMING IN BACKGROUND

01:02:19 [CT15/APHILLIPS] AUDIBLE FRAGMENTED SPEECH FROM RP - "CAMERAS", "BLOOD", "GOD", "RIPPING", "HELP", "ARMS"

01:02:26 [CT15/APHILLIPS] CT ATTEMPTED TO CALM CALLER, UNABLE TO ESTABLISH TWO-WAY COMM / RP NOT RESPONSIVE TO CT

01:02:30 [CT15/APHILLIPS] AMBIENT SOUNDS INCL BREAKING GLASS / HEAVY IMPACTS / SCREAMS / GUNFIRE / INCOHERENT SHOUTING MULTIPLE SUBJS

01:02:31 [CT15/APHILLIPS] INCIDENT RECODED FROM UNK TROUBLE TO SHOTS FIRED

01:02:31 [DISP04/CSALINAS] UNIT DISPATCHED: 1C09

01:02:34 [DISP04/CSALINAS] SHOTS FIRED BROADCAST OVER DOWNTOWN MAIN CH

01:02:39 [CT15/APHILLIPS] RP CLEARLY AUDIBLE BUT NOT RESPONSIVE / RP: "FUCKING HELP US PEOPLE ARE DYING WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS THING"

01:02:46 [CT15/APHILLIPS] RP REPEATING "PLEASE", BACKGROUND NOISE DIMINISHING

01:02:48 [DISP04/CSALINAS] OUTBOUND CALL TO SIERRA CREST SEC DISP

01:02:52 [CT15/APHILLIPS] ADDITIONAL GUNFIRE AUDIBLE, SHOUTING, UNK SUBJ 1: "THAT FUCKING THING WAS A CAMERA"

01:02:58 [DISP04/CSALINAS] NO RESP SIERRA CREST SEC DISP / ATTEMPTING REDIAL

01:03:02 [CT15/APHILLIPS] ADDITIONAL SMASHING SOUNDS, GUNFIRE, SHOUTING, UNK SUBJ 1: "HOW MANY OF THESE MONSTERS ARE THERE"

01:03:10 [DISP04/CSALINAS] ADDITIONAL UNITS DISPATCHED: 1C15, 1C03

====================

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 08:05Z NMCC

xNOIWON-O3@NMCC 2026-03-22 08:05Z

oCRISIS@NMCC

oCC@CENTCOM

oTFCC@CVN-82

oCDC@CVN-82

oSCCM@CVN-82

oCIC@DDG-139

oCIC@DDG-140

oCIC@DDG-141

PRESENT: SECDEF, CJCS, CDR CENTCOM (CENTCOM), CDR CSG-6 (ADMIRAL), DESRON COMMODORE CSG-6 (DESRON), CO CVN-82, CAG CVN-82 (CAG), CO DDG-139 / AMDC (AMDC), CO DDG-140, CO DDG-141. ADDITIONAL IDENTIFIED BY ORIGIN NODE

CENTCOM: I'm beginning to think things are getting out of hand.

ADMIRAL: I agree, Admiral. I don't understand what we're supposed to do about it, though.

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

SECDEF: This may be connected to some other things that have been happening. I'm afraid I can't talk about it, but I don't think it would help if I did. I am going to order a record of this conference given to the people who are dealing with that, though. Some of our best men are working on it. If they come up with anything, I'll make sure you get it.

CENTCOM: Thank you, sir. Any advice now?

CJCS: If I might speak for the Secretary, I think the best way to put it is to deal with things as they come.

CENTCOM: Isolate us, please, Control.

[PAUSE]

CENTCOM: If anyone has any suggestions as to how we deal with bulletproof adversaries that can get into a sealed compartment, I'd be glad to hear it.

SECDEF: Now just a min—

CENTCOM: No, Mister Secretary, with respect. Our duty to you is to carry out orders, and to give you unvarnished information and advice. My advice in this situation is to—

CONTROL: Sirs, I think something is happening.

CENTCOM: Reconnect us.

AMDC: —truder in the CIC. Possible but difficult to physically restrain, seemingly impossible to injure. Wielding a scimitar. Moving too goddamn fast. Security mostly down.

[SCREAM]

AMDC: No one can hold it for long. It doesn't move normally. Sort of shifts without passing through space, if that makes any sense. And bends where there shouldn't be joints. Looks human—

[SCREAM]

AMDC: only in the sense that it has two arms, two legs and a head. Hard to say what it looks like.

[CRASH]

AMDC: Now it's going for equipment. I don't know how long we—

CENTCOM: Commander! Willis A. Lee, come in. Does anyone read me?

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

CENTCOM: Telemetry, anyone?

ADMIRAL: Link 16 is live, but we're not reading any active transmissions beyond standard telemetry.

CONTROL: Audio connection is alive too, but no data.

CO CVN-82: I think we have some problems of our own. Whoever, whatever's rearranging manuals and redecorating our training munitions is playing with chemical lockers. No one's sure what the water testing kits have been replaced with, but it isn't supposed to turn neon green.

ADMIRAL: Dammit, order all chemicals, used for any purpose, to be verified before use. If something out of place gets into the oxygen plant, the desal plant, or the—

CO CVN-82: Reactor, yes, I already issued the order. Acknowledgments are coming in.

CO DDG-141: [SPEAKING OVER INCREASINGLY CLEAR PSEUDO-ARABIC] It's getting louder, something's coming closer.

CENTCOM: You have something on radar? Sonar?

CO DDG-141: No, no, the screens are clean. But I can feel him coming. He's coming to take the toll, to collect the fee.

ADMIRAL: Dammit, what are you talking about?

CO DDG-141: He doesn't come from here, he doesn't come from there. He's coming for us. He's coming for us all.

ADMIRAL: If anyone on the bridge of the Samuel Nicholas can hear me, I hereby relieve your captain of command. The next senior officer present is—

NO-ID-1 DDG-141: ALAR-HOO-ACKBAR [NOT PRONOUNCED IN ANY WAY CORRECTLY]

CONTROL: We've lost the signal on 141.

ADMIRAL: [WEARILY] Link 16 is down.

NO-ID-1 CVN-82: Command, reactor control. Readings are going crazy, both plants. Executing urgent setback, we might have to scram. EDGs are being brought online.

CO CVN-82: Test the diesel, dammit! I ordered all chem—

CONTROL: Data link to the Gideon Welles is down.

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

CENTCOM: Arthur W. Radford. Sitrep.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 08:11Z SITE R

RECORDING THE UNDERGRIND@SITE-R/BUILDING A 2026-03-22 08:11Z

PRESENT: JOHN WHARTON (AAFES), JOANNE WILLIS (AAFES)

WILLIS: John?

WHARTON: Yeah, Jo?

WILLIS: What are you reading tonight, anyway?

WHARTON: It's called Art as Soul's Sanctuary.

[SILENCE: 2 MINUTES]

WILLIS: Sounds religious.

WHARTON: It is.

[SILENCE: 3 MINUTES]

[RISING BACKGROUND NOISE]

WHARTON: What's going on?

[DOOR OPENING]

[GENERAL NOISE RISES AND FALLS]

WILLIS: I guess we've got another practice run.

WHARTON: Well, that's annoying. Always messes up the shift schedule.

* * * * *

SecureConference 2026-03-22 08:16Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 08:16Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

oNSA-SAPF-12@NSA-HQ

oDSIC-SAPF-1@FBI-HQ

PRESENT: BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JOANN WONG (NGA); JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); SPECIAL AGENT CHARLES CARTER (FBI NSB); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

WHITE: About time.

PHELAN: What is it?

WHITE: The military data. Throwing up the base status now.

[SILENCE: 4 SECONDS]

JENKINS: Shit.

NASH: What are you seeing?

WHITE: Forwarding you the feed.

QAYUM: Almost every base west of [PAUSE] I'm not sure, there's a bit of a gap. Thailand is fine, and everything further east. Almost everything west of there is dark.

RIVERA: Do we have the history on this data?

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

WHITE: Yes.

RIVERA: Send it over.

WHITE: Done. Putting up an accelerated playback.

[SILENCE: 30 SECONDS]

PHELAN: Hah! Like I fucking care now.

JENKINS: What?

PHELAN: Sorry. Automatic email from personnel. I'm overdue for mandatory self-study on workplace sexual harassment.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 08:29Z PENTAGON

RECORDING NMCC@PENTAGON 2026-03-22 08:29Z

PRESENT: SECDEF, CJCS

CJCS: Mister Secretary, I think we can see the writing on the wall. If I might make a suggestion, we should add our voices to those that I'm sure are gathering to advise a rapid increase in COGCON posture, and bring the Department of De— War to COGCON 2.

SECDEF: Won't there be a problem with stepping up in advance of the national position?

CJCS: It's entirely within your discretion legally, sir, and frankly it's just good sense. There might be some friction if we took it to COGCON 1, but it would be best if we moved some things now in, well sir, in anticipation of a possible increase in national posture.

SECDEF: Like what?

CJCS: Move some of the Chiefs and deputies to Site R now by Black Hawk. You and I make our way to Andrews, an E-4B has been there for a few hours. It was moved when we went to COGCON 3. We take a skeleton staff rather than waiting for a full Battle Staff, plus maybe the Air Force Chief, and stay up until we have some idea what's going on. Have the Vice Chairman and the other Chiefs and deputies stand ready for rapid relocation to High Point in the event of COGCON 1.

SECDEF: You just came up with that?

CJCS: No, sir. It's one of the main plans for a COGCON event, if there's enough time. If this were happening more quickly, we'd all go to Site R and High Point ASAP. But it's likely to be consistent with the orders that will be made if we move to COGCON 1, especially if we put our recommendations in now.

SECDEF: Do it.

* * * * *

CABLE 2026-03-22 08:33Z (INTERAGENCY)

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND//NOFORN

CHQ ODA013-220326-04

PRECEDENCE: FLASH (Z)

DTG: 220833Z MAR 26

FM: CIA HQ/DOWNWIND TASK FORCE/ACTION TEAM

TO: ODNI // FEMA-ADMIN // ERG-COORD // WHSR

REF: [1] //DOWNWIND/planning-action-options-FINAL. docx. tdf

SUBJ: (TS//NF) URGENT ACTION OPTIONS

1. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) As directed, response options have been produced based on current DOWNWIND analysis.

2. (TS//NF) For these actions to be effective, it is imperative that they be taken at the earliest opportunity.

3. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) If clarification is required from the DOWNWIND Task Force, action should not be delayed pending response.

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND//NOFORN

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 08:39Z USSS

RECORDING PID WATCH@USSS-HQ 2026-03-22 08:39Z

PRESENT: PID DUTY AGENT, PPD LIAISON

LIAISON: Just got a ping from the Sit Room, advising us to get ready for movement.

[KEYBOARD NOISES]

PID DUTY: Formal notification? I'm not seeing anything.

LIAISON: Informal. Off-the-record, as much as anything ever is. Is there something big happening and they didn't tell us?

PID DUTY: A lot of IC activity, but no one copied us on it. It happens. Most of the time it's got nothing to do with us.

LIAISON: Imminent movement and it's not five a. m. yet. Wouldn't they tell you about a decap threat?

PID DUTY: You'd think so, but those guys can be damn tight-lipped sometimes.

[5 SECONDS DRUMMING FINGERS, OTHERWISE SILENCE]

LIAISON: I'll let PPD watch know. They should get prepped for a low-profile move to PBI. As quietly as possible.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 08:44Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 08:44Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

oNSA-SAPF-12@NSA-HQ

oDSIC-SAPF-1@FBI-HQ

PRESENT: BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JOANN WONG (NGA); JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); SPECIAL AGENT CHARLES CARTER (FBI NSB); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

WHITE: Everyone, listen up!

[BACKGROUND NOISE FADES]

WHITE: I'm expecting us to get relocated any time now. There's decisions to make. Hayley, Mike, Jo, Jaz, Chuck, you'll get instructions from your own supervisors. In this room, we need to split up our SMEs.

[SILENCE: 5 SECONDS]

WHITE: Lorrie, Brian, you've been on this from the beginning. You're the top two. One of you needs to get in a car now and join the Director. The other is going to stay here at least until the Task Force is established at a new location. Everyone else, you'll come with me to Warrenton when we get the order.

[SILENCE: 10 SECONDS]

JENKINS: I'll stay—

RIVERA: No, Brian, I will.

JENKINS: It's safer—

RIVERA: Phil and Lucy won't be in a bunker, Brian.

[SILENCE: 5 SECONDS]

JENKINS: Okay.

WHITE: Then grab your go-bag and anything else you need and get down to the circle ASAP. I'll sign you out.

[RUSTLING]

[DOOR CLICKS]

NO LONGER PRESENT: BRIAN JENKINS (CIA)

[SILENCE: 3 SECONDS]

WHITE: What are you staring at? We still have work to do.

* * * * *

MEMO 2026-03-22 08:52Z (ODNI)

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND/HCS-O/SI-GAMMA//ORCON/NOFORN

Precedence: FLASH (Z)

CRITIC NUMBER: 13-001-26

22 MAR 2026

FROM: DNI

TO: WHSR // APNSA // SECHOMELAND // DNI // NIO (TRANSNATIONAL) // FEMA ADMINISTRATOR

TIME: 22 MAR 2026 08:52Z

SUBJECT: (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) CRITIC: EXISTENTIAL THREAT OF UNCATEGORISED NATURE (RE DNI-CN 2026-00385)

1. (TS//DOWNWIND/HCS-O/SI-G//NOFORN) CRITIC CRITIC CRITIC. All-source reporting confirms mass disappearance/death of sleeping children in Europe. Concurrently, technical and human assets confirm appearance of unexplained biological entities (UBEs) exhibiting extreme aggression and lethality in urban centers (including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Paris, Berlin, Warsaw). Human sources confirm the same in Western Asia. All-source reporting indicates total loss of national government control in Western Asia and signs of similar collapse in Europe. Extrapolation of timeline indicates domestic onset (CONUS) within 120 minutes.

2. (TS//NOFORN) RECOMMENDATION: Immediate transition to COGCON 1 with activation of PEAD 17 and activation of Continuity Plan THETA

3. (TS//DOWNWIND//NOFORN) INFORMATION: At an unspecified point overnight, a large percentage of children 3-8 YOA are expected to be or have been killed or to disappear. It is most likely that this time has already passed.

4. (TS//DOWNWIND//NOFORN) INFORMATION: No later than approximately 11:00Z unexplained biological entities (UBEs) are expected to be present in urban areas on the Eastern Seaboard.

5. (TS//DOWNWIND//NOFORN) INFORMATION: Appearance, capabilities, and behavior of UBEs vary considerably. Most are of unnatural appearance, but some appear human or resemble familiar animals.

6. (TS//DOWNWIND//NOFORN) INFORMATION: UBEs are expected to cause mass casualty events.

7. (TS//NOFORN) GUIDANCE: It is imperative that COGCON 1 operations place all ERG / COG / COOP personnel in non-urban locations with target completion time of 10:00Z (06:00 EDT), all sites to be sealed by 11:00Z (07:00 EDT).

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND/HCS-O/SI-GAMMA//ORCON/NOFORN

* * * * *

CABLE 2026-03-22 08:54Z (INTERAGENCY)

TOP SECRET//NOFORN

CROWN IMMED-220326-02

PRECEDENCE: FLASH (Z)

DTG: 220854Z MAR 26

FM: SECHOMELAND

TO: WHSR // WHCA // WHMO // CABINET-ALL // APNSA // ADMFEMA // ERG COORDINATORS // USSS PPD // USSS VPPD

SUBJ: (TS//NF) COGCON STATUS 2

1. (TS//NF) Per ODNI recommendations, we are moving to COGCON 2.

2. (TS//NF) All ERG components to move to full readiness.

3. (TS//NF) Corresponding EAM to this effect has been executed.

END

TOP SECRET//NOFORN

* * * * *

EAM 2026-03-22 08:54Z DHS

TOP SECRET

PRECEDENCE: FLASH OVERRIDE (Y)

TO: ALL ERG // COGCON-ALL

MSGID: ERG-26-00021

DTG: 220854Z MAR 26

AUTHENTICATION: CHARLIE-ZULU-FIVE-LIMA-X-RAY

TEXT: PB3U8Y L76RT2 M7XR13

ORIGINATOR ANNOTATION: PRIORITY ONE. RISE AND SHINE.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 08:55Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 08:55Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

oNSA-SAPF-12@NSA-HQ

oDSIC-SAPF-1@FBI-HQ

PRESENT: ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JOANN WONG (NGA); JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); SPECIAL AGENT CHARLES CARTER (FBI NSB); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

[KLAXON]

WHITE: That's it. Time to go. Bob, Brie, Sofe, with me. Go-bags and essential documents. Lorrie, I've transferred supervisor credentials. You're it.

RIVERA: I'll sign you all out.

WHITE: Thanks, Lorrie. Hopefully we'll see you on the other side. Half of the other vaults are staying for now, most of what's left will go in an hour, maybe less. The watch will stay live in the Ops Center, just a skeleton crew. Once the alternate site is up and running, someone will come get you.

RIVERA: If they can.

WHITE: Or you and the others can leave in your personal vehicles. You know where to go.

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

MCAULEY: If it's alright, I'll stay as well.

RIVERA/WHITE: You don't have to do that.

MCAULEY: I [PAUSE] We don't know what's causing this. We don't know where's going to be safe. And Lorrie shouldn't be left alone here.

WHITE: Javid's staying.

MCAULEY: In the support office next door. Not in here. If [PAUSE] If things happen here, I know I wouldn't want to be alone.

WONG: I'm staying online as well. Probably as long as you. [PAUSE] I'm going to be alone, and I wish I weren't.

NASH: I'll stay, Jo.

WONG: No. No, Mike. There's only the three of us as NGA SMEs. We need to separate.

ALAGH: I've got my orders. Keep the link live, though. My relief will show up at some point.

CARTER: Me too. I haven't been told about any relief, though.

HEBERT: I've volunteered to stay. You won't be getting much more from OSE, though. There's only three of us. I'll read the others in as soon as they let me.

CARTER: I'd better [PAUSE] sign off, I guess. See you all on the other side. Face-to-face, I hope.

ALAGH: Same.

RIVERA: Good luck, Chuck. Jaz. Are Mike and Hayley still there?

CROFT: Not for long. Good luck, Lorrie.

NASH: The first round's on me, when we meet up. Gotta go.

[DOOR CLICKS]

NO LONGER PRESENT: HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA)

ON HOLD: NSA-SAPF-12@NSA-HQ

NO LONGER PRESENT: JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA)

DROPPED: DSIC-SAPF-1@FBI-HQ

NO LONGER PRESENT: SPECIAL AGENT CHARLES CARTER (FBI)

[RUSTLING]

PHELAN: [QUIET] Be safe, Lorrie.

RIVERA: [QUIET] You too, Brie. Sofe. Cassie.

[DOOR CLICKS]

NO LONGER PRESENT: BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA)

RIVERA: Chief?

CPO FOSTER: I'm on the stay-behind watch. And call me Leia.

* * * * *

CABLE 2026-03-22 08:56Z (INTERAGENCY)

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND//NOFORN

CROWN IMMED-220326-03

PRECEDENCE: FLASH (Z)

DTG: 220856Z MAR 26

FM: DCIA

TO: DOWNWIND-ALL

SUBJ: (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) DOWNWIND READ-IN AUTHORIZATION

1. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) The following are now authorized for read-in to DOWNWIND: VPOTUS, Cabinet Officers, Agency Directors, ERG Unit Heads, DOW Service Secretaries, protection details for same. Additionally, leadership and deputy leadership of all Federal Law Enforcement components, Sergeants at Arms of House and Senate and Deputies, the Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Minority Leader of the House, Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate, full membership of House and Senate Intelligence Committees.

2. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) The following are hereby delegated authority to authorize read-in to DOWNWIND: Cabinet Officers, Agency Directors, ERG Unit Heads, DOW Service Secretaries, Marshal of SCOTUS, Chief of United States Capitol Police, Sergeants at Arms of House and Senate.

3. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) Verbal read-in is authorized at discretion of authorizing officials.

4. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) Be advised: DOWNWIND is real, and it's coming.

END

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND//NOFORN

* * * * *

CABLE 2026-03-22 08:57Z (INTEL)

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND//NOFORN

CROWN IMMED-220326-04

PRECEDENCE: FLASH (Z)

DTG: 220857Z MAR 26

FM: DNI

TO: DOWNWIND-ALL

SUBJ: (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) DOWNWIND ACCESS RESTRICTION MODIFICATION

1. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) SCIF/SAPF requirement for access to DOWNWIND material may be relaxed at the discretion of local leadership where justified by operational necessity of COGCON operations.

END

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND//NOFORN

* * * * *

ChatSurfer 2026-03-22 08:59Z DM

Private Messages: @FEMA_ADMIN, @DCIA

2026-03-22 08:59Z FEMA_ADMIN: Holy shit, John.

* * * * *

CABLE 2026-03-22 08:59Z (INTERAGENCY)

SECRET//NOFORN

CZC BFE012-220326-02

PRECEDENCE: FLASH (Z)

DTG: 220859Z MAR 26

FM: FEMA NATIONAL CONTINUITY COMMAND

TO: GOVERNORS-ALL // SEOC-ALL // TAG-ALL

SUBJ: (S//NF) EXERCISE PAMPERED TABBY / NOTIFICATION OF NO-NOTICE COG/COOP DRILL

1. (S//NF) A live full-scale simulation of an atypical COGCON scenario will begin within the next thirty (30) minutes.

2. (S//NF) Any unusual activity on the part of federal military, intelligence, or security agencies should not be commented on publicly until further notice, or after twenty-four (24) hours from the time of this message, whichever is earlier.

3. (S//NF) Any inquiries should be directed to this office, but may not be answered in a timely manner given the scope of the exercise. Queries should be marked to indicate urgency, but elevated precedence is only appropriate where information is required for local safety or security in the context of the exercise.

4. (S//NF) No action is required from state authorities for this exercise.

END

SECRET//NOFORN

* * * * *

EAM 2026-03-22 09:12Z WHCA

TOP SECRET

PRECEDENCE: FLASH OVERRIDE (Y)

TO: CROWN ALL STATIONS // ALL MILITARY

MSGID: THETA-INIT-CONF

DTG: 220912Z MAR 26

AUTHENTICATION: FOXTROT-WHISKEY-SEVEN-ALPHA-NINER-ONE-CHARLIE

TEXT: 7UT96E LNR5PL O6G3HC 57U8T9 UH35AB L1RT6B

ORIGINATOR ANNOTATION: PRIORITY ONE. PRIORITY ONE. THETA IS GO, I SAY AGAIN THETA IS GO.

* * * * *

CABLE 2026-03-22 09:29Z (INTEL)

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND//NOFORN

CROWN IMMED-220326-08

PRECEDENCE: FLASH (Z)

DTG: 220929Z MAR 26

FM: DNI

TO: REGIONAL-FUSION-ALL // FBI-FIG-ALL // DHS-IA-ALL

SUBJ: (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) BRIEFING OF STATE GOVERNMENTS RE DOWNWIND

1. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) Addressees are authorized and required to read in State Governors, heads of Emergency Management, and Adjutants General and give full briefings regarding DOWNWIND.

2. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) Relaxation of SCIF/SAPF requirements for this purpose is at local discretion. Such discretion should be exercised when such requirements make the required briefing impracticable.

END

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND//NOFORN

* * * * *

CABLE 2026-03-22 09:45Z (INTERGOVERNMENTAL)

SECRET//NOFORN

CROWN IMMED-220326-11

PRECEDENCE: IMMEDIATE (O)

DTG: 220945Z MAR 26

FM: DOD // DHS

TO: GOVERNORS-ALL // SEOC-ALL // TAG-ALL

SUBJ: (S//NF) TITLE 32 ACTIVATION OF NATIONAL GUARD

1. (S//NF) As of 09:30Z 22 MAR 26, all National Guard units are activated under 32 U. S. C. § 502(f) until further notice.

2. (S//NF) National Guard forces remain under OPCON of State Governors, with full federal reimbursement of all costs for specified purposes authorized.

3. (S//NF) The purpose of this activation is to allow National Guard elements to support state authorities in managing any situation as requested by state authorities.

END

SECRET//NOFORN

* * * * *

CABLE 2026-03-22 10:07Z (STATION)

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND//NOFORN

CZC BTA344-220326-05

PRECEDENCE: FLASH (Z)

DTG: 221007Z MAR 26

FM: CIA STATION LONDON

TO: CIA HQ/DOWNWIND TASK FORCE

SUBJ: (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) REPORT ON EMBASSY CONDITIONS // FINAL STATION LOG

1. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) Metropolitan Police security withdrawn from embassy. MSG covering exterior without regard to legal situation.

2. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) Gunfire audible outside embassy.

3. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) Inhuman roaring and human screams audible inside embassy. Volunteers investigating failed to returned after 5 min.

4. (TS//DOWNWIND//NF) Sounds getting closer. Estimate arrival within 2 min.

VALE

TOP SECRET//DOWNWIND//NOFORN