Margins: Fall of Empire Pt. 05

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.

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 5, some of our survivors start to get a better handle on what's going on—and face their own perils.

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.

FUBAR

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 10:44Z WTC

RECORDING VAULT C-3@WARRENTON COOP FACILITY 2026-03-22 10:44Z

PRESENT: BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA), HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA)

ALAGH: Honestly, I don't know what's going on. ChatSurfer lets me connect, but no one else is online. Not even you guys, and we're in the same room. I've tried everything to reach the Sit Room and get us put back on the conference call, but there's nothing. The only connections that are reliable are to people inside this building.

PHELAN: But we've still got the network files.

ALAGH: It's a distributed system, I figure we're looking at this building's copy.

CROFT: There's stuff in there from the last few minutes.

ALAGH: Okay, okay, it doesn't make much sense. As far as I can tell, the satellite links are up, so maybe it's running a background sync via satellite.

WHITE: Can't we get a satellite call?

ALAGH: I put us in the queue, but the uplink is in heavy use. We're trying to get Lorrie, right?

WHITE: If anyone has figured out what's going on yet, I'd bet on her. And if we get through this, I'll make damn sure she gets a promotion, too. I've been reviewing the files, and she's been updating the model. She was right.

QAYUM: About what?

WHITE: Everything started at midnight. What are they working on now, I wonder. [PAUSE] Hang on, what's this?

NASH: What?

WHITE: Jaz, do you know a Carol Malcolmson?

ALAGH: Yeah, she's an expert in NLP, working on semantic matching. Head of a project that's supposed to be a major leap forward in our filtering. It would be more useful if internet traffic wasn't all encrypted, but it's not like there's any shortage of material we acquire by other means. There's more resources going into inferring meaning from traffic patterns.

WHITE: She's your relief, and she went and joined the team in the vault at Langley. She's in the room with them, and she's trying to solve the connectivity problem. Something about port forwarding?

ALAGH: Tunneling, probably. Redirecting the data stream. But that would require— [PAUSE] Oh, she would, wouldn't she.

PHELAN: She would what?

ALAGH: Does the Agency like to keep a few people around who will do unpredictable things that turn out to be right nine times out of ten?

PHELAN: Not real—

WHITE: Yes, but we try not to let anyone know who they are. Least of all themselves. Lorrie and Brian weren't picked at random to start the Downwind cell. The task profile called for a particular personnel profile, and they were the best fit. At least among the people on the night shift. Lorrie's one of our wildcards, Brian's a straight arrow. In a possible black swan, that makes a good balance.

ALAGH: Carol's one of ours. She's British, well, dual citizen from birth, but raised there. She worked for GCHQ first, and they held her back. Someone senior, don't ask me who, recognized what she was when she was on an exchange tour. They say they made her quite the offer.

PHELAN: Better pay?

ALAGH: Oh, no. That's not what would attract her. Let's see. Okay, yeah, that network management node will do. I'll leave her a message, but I'll have to go to the comm closet to do the next part.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 10:46Z DUGWAY

RECORDING COMMAND CENTER@DUGWAY PROVING GROUND/SALT BOX 2026-03-22 10:46Z

PRESENT: BATTLE CAPTAIN, COMMS WATCH, DEM EOC LIAISON, POLICE LIAISON, TAG-UT, DUGWAY-CO, ASSORTED OTHER MILITARY PERSONNEL

POLICE LIAISON: We're seeing a little uptick in calls, but nothing out of the ordinary.

DEM EOC LIAISON: Emergency management personnel are mostly awake now, but still not in position. Night shift is staging relief packages, or trying to, but we don't know what should be in them.

BATTLE CAPTAIN: Most military units in the state should align themselves under unified command, but we need to actually establish the structure. Did you have anything in mind, sir?

TAG-UT: Yeah, I was thinking—

NOW PRESENT: GOVERNOR-UT, SPECIAL AGENT CAUGHLIN (FBI ASAC-NS/I, SALT LAKE CITY)

GOVERNOR: —but can't I—

NO-ID: Attention!

GOVERNOR: At ease. Can't I do this from the Rampton Complex?

CAUGHLIN: I thought you'd like the Adjutant General's advice, and he happens to be here.

TAG-UT: Governor. The Army has graciously offered us the use of this facility as a secure command post. A lot of the staff here are yours. And with the open-ended Title 32 activation of the Guard, it seems sensible to integrate commands for those Army units that have been authorized to render assistance.

GOVERNOR: I'm still not completely sure for what purpose they're rendering assistance. We're expecting monsters to show up?

BATTLE CAPTAIN: At our last update, it's expected to hit Naples, Vernal, and Moab within about two and a half hours. There's some uncertainty about that. It'll be before that, but unclear how much sooner.

GOVERNOR: We're sure it's not already here? That briefing packet raised it as a possibility.

BATTLE CAPTAIN: Hard to be sure, sir. Not many people are up and about yet.

TAG-UT: I'd like to recommend a general call-up of the Guard, sir. Get positioned and ready to support emergency management or law enforcement. Distribute half the MPs and Air Guard SF personnel among other units and grant them police powers.

GOVERNOR: You sure that's not premature?

TAG-UT: Governor, for things like that, you need to be premature.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:02Z SITE R

RECORDING OPS CENTER@SITE-R/ANMCC 2026-03-22 11:02Z

PRESENT: POTUS, CJCS, SEAC, CJCS-ADC, CMC, CNO, VCSO, VCNGB, VCSA, CDR-SITE-R, DNI, DCIA, EA-DCIA, SA-DCIA, BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), BATTLE DIRECTOR, COMMS OFFICER, ASSORTED MILITARY STAFF

COMMS OFFICER: Okay, okay. I'll set it up for your terminal only, in a virtual machine, with an extra firewall. If your Director agrees.

JENKINS: Will the VM be able to see the headset?

COMMS OFFICER: And the speakers, if you need to let other people hear it. I don't like it, but I can make it secure enough that I don't think I need to bother anyone else about it. Given the situation we're in.

JENKINS: Things are bad?

COMMS OFFICER: We're getting some troubling reports from Mount Weather. I'll send you the data, and you can make sure the team at Langley gets it.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:05Z WTC

RECORDING VAULT C-3@WARRENTON COOP FACILITY 2026-03-22 11:05Z

PRESENT: BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA), HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA)

ALAGH: Sorry, that took longer than it should've. The equipment here isn't as flexible as what we have at Fort Meade.

WHITE: Do we have a connection?

ALAGH: Not quite. I should've told Carol I was going to set it up. She needs to do whatever she's doing to the intermediate node. If I understand what she's planning, it's not exactly legal.

WHITE: Like I give a damn about that right now.

ALAGH: Ah. She made more of those message files after doing Brian's. She definitely wanted us to see the instructions as well. Just dropping her a message the same way now. This ought to give us an idea how long the network storage takes to sync, too.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:06Z HEMA

RECORDING OPS CENTER@SEOC-HI, BATTERY BIRKHIMER 2026-03-22 11:06Z

PRESENT: GOVERNOR-HI, SPECIAL AGENT BURROUGHS (ASAC-NS/I, HONOLULU), TAG-HI, FEMA-FCO, COMMS DESK, HEMA LIAISON, HDLE LIAISON, HDOT LIAISON, POLICE LIAISON, ONHR LIAISON, OHA LIAISON, DOH LIAISON

HEMA LIAISON: In terms of impact on utilities, it seems to be mostly due to the storm. Nothing attributable to these entities. They seem to go after people, not infrastructure. We might have to put out warnings about water, though.

GOVERNOR: Why water? And how do we get people to stay away from water when there's flash flooding?

HEMA LIAISON: About a third of confirmed incidents involve things coming out of the water. A toilet, in one instance.

POLICE LIAISON: Governor!

GOVERNOR: If you need more people, I've authorized the Guard to support your people. We're in a state of emergency. HDLE can appoint any of them special deputies. The General has more details.

POLICE LIAISON: Yes, sir, I'm aware. We've got a recording from a Hawaii County officer that you need to see. And hear.

OHA LIAISON: It's potentially a very good thing, Governor.

GOVERNOR: Okay then, let's see it.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 11:10Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 11:10Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

PRESENT: CAROL MALCOLMSON (NSA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); JOANN WONG (NGA); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

MALCOLMSON: Lorrie?

RIVERA: Your model finished the rest of its training?

MALCOLMSON: No, it's at least another few minutes. Looking at the metrics, it looks like the model is doing some odd things, but I can't really inspect it until it's done. No, I just got a message from Jaz at Warrenton. They saw the files. Do you want me to get them added to the conference call?

RIVERA: You can do that?

MALCOLMSON: If Chief Foster will help. Or I might be able to wangle something with Javid.

RIVERA: Leia! Are you still there?

FARHANG: Her desk must still be hot, or we'd have lost the conference.

WONG: Well, I'm definitely still here.

MALCOLMSON: Anyway, I could make one computer act as audio IO and link it directly to a spare input at Javid's desk.

CPO FOSTER: Sorry, still here. I'm just doing three other jobs. A couple of other people left on tasks. They didn't come back.

MALCOLMSON: Leia, if I plug a raw audio IO stream onto a virtual hard line to you from our cabinet, can you join it to the conference?

CPO FOSTER: Why would you— no, you know what, I don't want to know. You can actually make new connections?

RIVERA: You can't?

CPO FOSTER: True or virtual hard line patches only. It's causing a little chaos.

RIVERA: Everyone who's left the Sit Room has failed to return? How long have they been gone?

CPO FOSTER: The first one left about a half hour ago. Our watch officer just put a stop to anyone else leaving.

RIVERA: Do you have access to any video feeds from the rest of the White House?

CPO FOSTER: Why the fuck didn't we think of that? Get your end of the virtual hard line set up, I'll be back in a minute when I've got the cameras up.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:10Z HEMA

RECORDING OPS CENTER@SEOC-HI, BATTERY BIRKHIMER 2026-03-22 11:10Z

PRESENT: GOVERNOR-HI, SPECIAL AGENT BURROUGHS (ASAC-NS/I, HONOLULU), TAG-HI, FEMA-FCO, COMMS DESK, HEMA LIAISON, HDLE LIAISON, HDOT LIAISON, POLICE LIAISON, ONHR LIAISON, OHA LIAISON, DOH LIAISON

RECORDING: …no one is going to believe this.

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

GOVERNOR: Hoʻohaku?

OHA LIAISON: Like the voice said, to act like a lord.

GOVERNOR: And naʻau pono?

OHA LIAISON: Naʻau refers to the intestines, but metaphorically it's more like how we say heart. And pono means correct, upright, fair, or righteous.

GOVERNOR: So that [PAUSE] entity is inviting the righteous-hearted to shelter in or near it?

OHA LIAISON: Precisely, sir, though that translation might be a little skewed. It could be pure-hearted, maybe, or righteous in spirit, or maybe even unstained character would work better.

GOVERNOR: How many of these things are there?

OHA LIAISON: Maybe a dozen across the islands, Governor. Reports from Molokaʻi aren't as clear, but small ones there are merging. I don't think space is the biggest problem, though. It sounds like anyone who doesn't meet its standards won't get a warm welcome. Possibly worse than just being told to go away.

POLICE LIAISON: It was also very clear that it couldn't speak for others of its kind.

GOVERNOR: Most places get monsters, including where people are struggling to reach friends and family here. But these communities. They're all more traditional communities?

OHA LIAISON: Pretty much, sir, but not all of the more traditional places.

GOVERNOR: These communities get guardian spirits straight out of local folklore. So I suppose their idea of being righteous-hearted would also align with tradition.

OHA LIAISON: That would be my guess, but we really don't know what's going on.

GOVERNOR: Do we have any on Oahu?

OHA LIAISON: Yes, sir. A couple of big ones. Waiāhole and Waiʻanae.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:10Z HIGH POINT

RECORDING SECURITY OFFICE@HIGH POINT 2026-03-22 11:10Z

PRESENT: MWPD-WATCH, MWPD-OFF-1, MWPD-OFF-2, MWPD-OFF-3, MWPD-OFF-4, MWPD-OFF-5

RADIO: We've swept the whole area. Nothing here. Someone left a door open, though.

WATCH: No one should have been through there, and everything was verified clear when we were activated. Which door?

RADIO: Juliet four-three.

WATCH: Phil?

OFF-2: On it. Unlock event twenty-eight minutes ago, but the card ID reads all zeros.

WATCH: I'm guessing that isn't an authorized card number.

OFF-2: Of course not.

WATCH: You know what, why don't we check?

[SILENCE: 7 SECONDS]

OFF-2: I'd swear it wasn't in the database before.

OFF-4: Uh, sir. I just checked what J-43 is.

WATCH: What?

OFF-4: Secondary groundwater heat sink.

WATCH: Someone get Facilities to send someone to check it out. And someone remove that zeroed-out record from the access control database!

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:11Z DUGWAY

RECORDING COMMAND CENTER@DUGWAY PROVING GROUND/SALT BOX 2026-03-22 11:11Z

PRESENT: GOVERNOR-UT, BATTLE CAPTAIN, SPECIAL AGENT CAUGHLIN (FBI ASAC-NS/I, SALT LAKE CITY), COMMS WATCH, DEM EOC LIAISON, POLICE LIAISON, TAG-UT, DUGWAY-CO, ASSORTED OTHER MILITARY PERSONNEL

POLICE LIAISON: Okay, guess it was already here. We're getting reports of all sorts of things in basically every urban area.

GOVERNOR: Casualties?

POLICE LIAISON: At least a dozen obviously deceased, or missing. And we're getting a lot of calls about kids. Seems like people have been getting calls from friends and family back east.

DEM EOC LIAISON: We're seeing signs of panic starting in urban areas.

TAG-UT: Sir, panic isn't going to help anyone. We need to move in.

GOVERNOR: Fine, but I want the police to be obviously in control. The Guard is purely there in support.

BATTLE CAPTAIN: Hold up a second. I've got a report from EOC analysts here. Governor, people are flocking to [PAUSE] temples.

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

TAG-UT: We've got monsters coming out of just about every lake, animal-human hybrids wandering in out of the desert, and Roswell Grays walking down Main Street. There's big buildings that say The House of the Lord over the entrance. Is anyone surprised?

[SILENCE: 3 SECONDS]

POLICE LIAISON: Is it making a difference?

* * * * *

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

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 11:10Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

PRESENT: CAROL MALCOLMSON (NSA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); JOANN WONG (NGA); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

MALCOLMSON: Lorrie?

RIVERA: I think I could start to get tired of your timorous address, Carol. Speak your mind.

MALCOLMSON: I think perhaps we ought to be looking at CCTV, too.

RIVERA: This isn't the White House. We have security on that stuff.

MALCOLMSON: [SLOWLY] Yes. Mostly by running it through separate lines.

RIVERA: Which are in separate runs from the lines to this vault, and they're alarmed. Someone will come running if anyone messes with them.

MALCOLMSON: I couldn't help noting in Javid's cupboard, the trunk runs through the room. And I checked the specs. The actual wall enclosing it isn't tamper-sensitive. And I might, possibly, have some things with me that, when put together, function as a low-detection optical fiber tap.

[SILENCE: 3 SECONDS]

MCAULEY: Oh, now we get some real NSA shit.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:13Z HMX-01

RECORDING USMC-MV22-HMX1-213(CVR)@39.0031N84.6271W 2026-03-22 11:13Z

PRESENT: USMS-1 (RELOCATION LEAD), USMS-2, USMS-3, SCOTUS-3AJ, SCOTUS-4AJ, SCOTUS-JAJ, PILOT, COPILOT, CREW CHIEF

COPILOT: We're just starting our descent on approach to target coordinates. The pilot is asking for confirmation of a suitable LZ.

USMS-1: The clearing is about four hundred by eight hundred meters. You're landing at the north end.

COPILOT: And unexploded ordnance?

USMS-1: It's definitely cleared. At least, the north half of the clearing is certified, and the woods around it.

SCOTUS-JAJ: Unexploded ordnance?

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 11:15Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 11:15Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

PRESENT: ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); JOANN WONG (NGA); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

CPO FOSTER: [FLAT] Okay, bringing that extra connection online.

o10.51.3.87:0@JWICS

NOW PRESENT: BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA), HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA)

CPO FOSTER: [FLAT] Mystery connection, you're in the conference.

ALAGH: Carol, you're either going to get a commendation when this is over, or you're going to be arrested.

RIVERA: She's not here right now.

[CRASH, CRUNCH]

WHITE: Damn, do you guys have a UBE trying to get in?

RIVERA: No, Malcolmson is making some unauthorized modifications in our comm closet.

[CRUNCH]

FARHANG: I'm hoping the wall gives out before the fire extinguisher does.

PHELAN: Why—

RIVERA: She thought we should look at the security feeds here. I agreed to it, for what it's worth.

[CRUNCH]

[SOUND OF MATERIAL FALLING]

[DOOR CLICKS]

NOW PRESENT: CAROL MALCOLMSON (NSA)

MALCOLMSON: I'm in.

[CLATTERING]

MALCOLMSON: Now I need to find my soap bag.

MCAULEY: Did you just take apart that ID terminal that you brought in your secure equipment bag?

MALCOLMSON: [GROWING FAINT] Indeed!

RIVERA: [SHOUTING] You might want to brush the drywall out of your hair, too.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:16Z SITE R

RECORDING OPS CENTER@SITE-R/ANMCC 2026-03-22 11:16Z

PRESENT: CDR-SITE-R, EA-DCIA, BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), BATTLE DIRECTOR, COMMS OFFICER, ASSORTED MILITARY STAFF

JENKINS: All I need is the Director's approval, and we need to know what's going on. If this Malcolmson has a way around our network issues, our team at Langley may have more up-to-date information on any number of things. Where is he, Colin?

EA-DCIA: The Director's in a meeting about the situation at Mount Weather. I'm sure you understand that takes priority.

JENKINS: Look, Lieutenant, we need this. There's no way the Director will say no. Can't you just set it up? I'll be the one to ask forgiveness.

COMMS OFFICER: I'm just not comfortable. It's a threat to OPSEC and COMSEC. I could ask the Battle Director and garrison commander. If they both sign off, I'll do it.

[SILENCE: 3 SECONDS]

JENKINS: I'll wait a bit longer.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:17Z HEMA

RECORDING OPS CENTER@SEOC-HI, BATTERY BIRKHIMER 2026-03-22 11:17Z

PRESENT: GOVERNOR-HI, SPECIAL AGENT BURROUGHS (ASAC-NS/I, HONOLULU), TAG-HI, FEMA-FCO, COMMS DESK, HEMA LIAISON, HDLE LIAISON, HDOT LIAISON, POLICE LIAISON, ONHR LIAISON, OHA LIAISON, DOH LIAISON

GOVERNOR: So we have two large safe havens, possibly flood-proof as well, right here on Oahu, but we don't know if they'll take anyone in, and if they do, we can't realistically screen people.

OHA LIAISON: If they'll take anyone, they should at least take kids. Pre-adolescents at least. But I've sent cultural experts to talk to them. Natives Hawaiians, where I can.

GOVERNOR: Maybe we should talk to my wife.

HDLE LIAISON: Governor, the Sheriff Division would like you to relocate to one of those areas. Waiahole won't be hard to get to. Especially if we move soon.

GOVERNOR: I have a job to do here. If one of these, what was it, kee-yay?

OHA LIAISON: Kiaʻi is one term we're using, yes, Governor. Or kupua. Might just be safest to call them akua, it's the broadest term. But they seem to be protective. I wouldn't go so far as to say they are actually entities from local mythology, but they seem to have taken on that role. That owl, well, it's a classic ʻaumakua.

GOVERNOR: I need to get better at pronouncing this stuff. I can get the hang of a word, and then there's all these extra ones.

OHA LIAISON: Yes, Governor.

GOVERNOR: If one of them lets me in, with my staff, will I actually be able to communicate with the outside world?

OHA LIAISON: Sir, I have no idea.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:18Z SITE R

RECORDING SITE COMMAND@SITE-R 2026-03-22 11:18Z

PRESENT: CDR-SITE-R, DCDR-SITE-R, HEAD OF SECURITY, ASSORTED MILITARY STAFF

HEAD OF SECURITY: Three maintenance workers so far, sir, in Building D.

CDR-SITE-R: Mutilated?

HEAD OF SECURITY: Yes, sir.

CDR-SITE-R: Colonel?

DCDR-SITE-R: Sir, I'd recommend consolidating critical operational staff to tighten high-security perimeters, reduce maintenance rounds to a minimum, have maintenance teams escorted, and move everyone who doesn't need to be anywhere else into Building A. Cleared security personnel inside operational spaces just in case, but not many. Then have security teams run sweeps.

CDR-SITE-R: I agree. See to it, Colonel, Major. And let's get ready to consolidate our own footprint.

NO LONGER PRESENT: CDR-SITE-R

DCDR-SITE-R: Do you have enough people on shift, Major?

HEAD OF SECURITY: It'd be a stretch, ma'am. But switching to twelvs wouldn't be sustainable long-term.

DCDR-SITE-R: Doesn't matter how sustainable it is if we're dead, Major. There's something inside the mountain. Based on current intel, there could be more, and there's nothing stopping more of those things [PAUSE] appearing, or whatever it is they do.

HEAD OF SECURITY: Yes, ma'am. I'll recall the people we need from the off-duty watch.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 11:18Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 11:18Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

o10.51.3.87:0@JWICS

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

WHITE: Well, I think I speak for all of us when I say, holy shit. That's not good. Did the message get through to Raven Rock and Mount Weather?

RIVERA: As far as I can tell, they're waving it off because they don't have as many people as an aircraft carrier.

PHELAN: That's insane!

RIVERA: At least Congress and the Court have more of a chance, from what I've heard. Oh, shit. Leia. What did you find on the security feeds?

CPO FOSTER: You don't want to know.

PHELAN: Sorry to say it, but I think we do. It's all data.

CPO FOSTER: Bodies. Dead bodies. A lot of them mutilated. Any task outside the Sit Room isn't getting done. The Secret Service command post is gone. That one's actually physically wrecked as well.

[WHOMP]

PHELAN: Is Wondergirl still remodeling?

RIVERA: That wasn't here.

WONG: [SHAKY] It was here.

[WHOMP]

[CRUNCH]

WONG: I think I might not be with you much longer.

RIVERA: Jo!

[CRUNCH]

WONG: Our stay-behind watch went dark about half an hour ago.

MCAULEY: Why didn't you say something?

[TEARING METAL]

WONG: That's my vault door. I already put the data in the model. I'm just adding this incident now. There's a claw sticking through the door. Looks chitinous.

[METALLIC SCRAPING]

[DOOR CLICKING]

WHITE: Do you have anything to defend yourself with?

WONG: No guns in a SAPF.

FARHANG: Try a fire extinguisher or something.

WONG: Yeah. I'll try that. Someone take notes on anything I say now, I'm moving away from the keyboard.

[INHUMAN SCREECH]

WONG: Its face is through. Looks like one of my nephew's wargaming figures.

WHITE: Hit it!

[WET CRUNCH]

[SCREECH]

WONG: Huh. It looks pretty wounded.

[WET CRUNCH]

[SCREECH]

[WET CRUNCH]

[QUIET SCREECH]

WONG: It [PAUSE] it's down.

[ECHOING SCREECH]

WONG: Shit. It wasn't alone.

[WHOMP]

[CRUNCH]

[CLANG]

[SCREAM]

[WET TEARING]

RIVERA: Jo!

[SQUELCH]

[SCREECH]

[CLICKING FOOTSTEPS]

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:19Z SITE R

RECORDING CAFETERIA/MIC-4@SITE-R 2026-03-22 11:19Z

PRESENT: CPL JAMES DARE, SPC LEWIS BRIGHT

DARE: Well, looks like you were right.

BRIGHT: We're not mingling, Corporal. We're sitting down. And half the off-duty guards are here, too.

DARE: Geared up, minus the weapons, and sitting down like anyone else, and people are welcome to join any of us. Speaking of.

NOW PRESENT: SSG BARRY CARROLL

CARROLL: Yeah, that was a good idea. Means everyone is in one place, too. You two should take a break. Go get some coffee or something.

BRIGHT: Sergeant?

DARE: Bright, when a Staff Sergeant makes a suggestion like that, you ask questions later. If you get the chance.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:20Z JTF-NCR

RECORDING BATTLE CAPTAIN'S DESK@JTF-NCR JOC 2026-03-22 11:20Z

PRESENT: CHIEF OF OPERATIONS (CHOPS), BATTLE CAPTAIN, ASST BATTLE CAPTAIN, NCOIC, INTEL WATCH, LOGISTICS WATCH, COMMS WATCH, AVIATION LIAISON, FAA LIAISON, USSS LIAISON, USCP LIAISON, USMS LIAISON, DOJ LIAISON, FEMA LIAISON, CIA LIAISON

[DISTANT GUNFIRE]

BATTLE CAPTAIN: Okay, has everyone been briefed?

[CHORUS OF QUIET ASSENT]

BATTLE CAPTAIN: The Chief of Operations would like to address us at this time. Captain?

CHOPS: Thank you, Colonel. We have to assume that the perimeter breaches are these [PAUSE] things. This base doesn't have the highest security, and even with the extra perimeter guards, it won't hold up long in any protracted assault, even with a conventional foe. We can draw the perimeter back, keep this operations center secure. Keep our work in this room going as long as possible.

[SILENCE: 4 SECONDS]

CHOPS: Or we can finish our work as best we can, leave a skeleton crew here to do what's left as long as we hold out, and the rest of us join the defense of the base. We're not going to hold out, but we can try to keep the LZ clear in case someone decides to evacuate us. And the longer we hold out, the longer we keep the enemy occupied with us, rather than ordinary citizens.

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

LOGISTICS WATCH: Can't say you're wrong, sir.

CHOPS: I'm not ordering anyone to do this. On paper, our duty is still here, at our stations. But it doesn't need all of us. What do you think, Colonel?

BATTLE CAPTAIN: I couldn't agree more, sir.

CHOPS: Senior Chief?

NCOIC: Aye, sir. Requests for aid have slowed down to a trickle, and there's precious little we can do for them.

ASST BATTLE CAPTAIN: If I might make a suggestion, sir.

CHOPS: Go ahead, Commander.

ASST BATTLE CAPTAIN: Site Romeo and High Point are up and running. Ordinarily we'd keep acting as a clearinghouse as long as we keep running or get our own relocation orders. But most scenarios don't expect us to be here this long. If we advise all commands that we're handing off to them, we can leave a minimal crew here to redirect people who didn't get the message.

CHOPS: Well, we'll see how many people care to take a walk with us. Some of our liaisons are non-combatants, by any stretch of the imagination.

FAA LIAISON: I know my way around a gun, Captain. But I think I'll be less useful out there than anyone else I can free up. I'd appreciate being left armed.

USSS LIAISON: I think I can still handle an infantry rifle, Captain.

USCP LIAISON: I'm strictly a handgun woman, unless you've got some hunting rifles around here. But I'll go down fighting.

CIA LIAISON: Contrary to popular media, the Agency doesn't actually provide much combat training. I'll be more useful keeping a desk warm.

FEMA LIAISON: Same here. Plus I might be better equipped than most people here to direct people the right way.

FAA LIAISON: An assault rifle can't be much harder than a long gun, right?

[GENERAL CHUCKLES]

NCOIC: We'll see if there's any shotguns in the armory. Might be safer.

DOJ LIAISON: I'll go wherever you think I'll be of more use. I was SWAT, but that was a few years ago.

CHOPS: We'll gear you up, let you stand watch here. And we'll give you a perimeter. Now, I know it's corny, but all you folks in uniform. Anyone willing to join the defense of this facility, step out from your desks.

[GENERAL SHUFFLING AND SOUND OF CHAIRS ROLLING]

CHOPS: Thank you. We can't take all of you. Colonel, if you can make dispositions. And we're going to need to leave an officer in charge. And I think I might get some opposition to any suggestion that we should leave anyone behind just because they're a woman.

ASST BATTLE CAPTAIN: Yes, sir. You would.

CHOPS: Well then. Anyone got a pencil? We need to draw straws.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:20Z SITE R

RECORDING CAFETERIA/MIC-7@SITE-R 2026-03-22 11:20Z

PRESENT: BLAKE STYLES (CONTRACTOR), WALTER TYLER (CONTRACTOR), FRED CAMPBELL (CONTRACTOR)

STYLES: Man, that was good.

TYLER: Yup. Good to know that breakfast hasn't suffered from all this disruption.

STYLES: So what do you think's going on?

TYLER: You expect them to tell us? Oh, hey Fred.

[CHAIR SCRAPING]

TYLER: Shift ended early?

CAMPBELL: No. They took half of us off. Minimal monitoring, reduced frequency of inspections.

[INCREASED BACKGROUND NOISE]

STYLES: What's going on there? Lot of uniforms moving at once.

CAMPBELL: Security. You can see the armbands. Not the usual guys, either. Check out the shoulders.

TYLER: Looks like a monochrome version of the guys at Arlington.

CAMPBELL: Yup. I've been here for a few drills now. None of them had this much extra security inside the mountain.

STYLES: Whaddaya think that means?

CAMPBELL: Nothing good. I'm gonna grab some coffee.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 11:20Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 11:20Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

o10.51.3.87:0@JWICS

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

WHITE: Drop her connection, Chief.

DROPPED: oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

NO LONGER PRESENT: JOANN WONG (NGA)

[PING]

RIVERA: That's probably Carol's model finishing. Where is she?

FARHANG: Rooting through the black-side cables. You know, part of her tap was hidden in her TACLANE?

RIVERA: Equipment security breaches aren't my biggest concern right now, Javid.

PHELAN: Besides, did any of us not suspect that NSA people were carrying things like that?

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

FARHANG: Anyway, I wanted to mention something while she's out of earshot. Hopefully she hasn't decided to put on my headset. Lorrie, there's no way she should have gotten through that wall so quickly. Those chases have two-hour fire-rated board. It's not normal drywall.

QAYUM: You think she has super strength? She's some sort of human-form UBE who knows NSA procedures and is being helpful?

FARHANG: Only if those things can take a person's knowledge, appearance, and fingerprints. She passed full biometric ID.

[DOOR CLICKS]

NOW PRESENT: CAROL MALCOLMSON (NSA)

MALCOLMSON: Right, the green sockets are now on the security network.

FARHANG: That was quick. There were a couple dozen optical lines in there.

MALCOLMSON: Huh. Well, maybe I just have a gift. Why the long faces?

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

RIVERA: A UBE got Jo. And there's no one left in the White House outside the Sit Room.

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

MALCOLMSON: Oh. Oh dear.

* * * * *

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

RECORDING OPS CENTER@SITE-R/ANMCC 2026-03-22 11:22Z

PRESENT: POTUS, CJCS, SEAC, CMC, DCIA, EA-DCIA, BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), BATTLE DIRECTOR, COMMS OFFICER, ASSORTED MILITARY STAFF

EA-DCIA: He's just coming back now. Director?

DCIA: Yes, yes, you wanted something, Brian?

JENKINS: Uh, the communications officer wants your okay before setting up an [PAUSE] unconventional link back to the stay-behind team in Vault B.

DCIA: Tried everything else?

JENKINS: Yes, sir. Got a SATCOM line up for a bit, but I haven't been able to get it back.

DCIA: They were still working on it, making progress?

JENKINS: Yes, sir.

DCIA: Lieutenant!

COMMS OFFICER: Yes, sir?

DCIA: Get that connection to Langley up. I'll take responsibility.

JENKINS: Thank you, sir.

[SHUFFLING, INCREASED BACKGROUND NOISE]

NOW PRESENT: CDR-SITE-R, DCDR-SITE-R, HEAD OF SECURITY, ADDITIONAL MILITARY STAFF

JENKINS: What's that?

DCIA: The base commander is moving his people in here. Just makes sense.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:23Z SITE R

RECORDING THE UNDERGRIND@SITE-R/BUILDING A 2026-03-22 11:23Z

PRESENT: JOHN WHARTON (AAFES), JOANNE WILLIS (AAFES), FRED CAMPBELL (CONTRACTOR), OTHERS

WILLIS: Large iced macchiato for Phil!

CAMPBELL: Hey, John, Jo, how's it going?

WHARTON: Business is picking up, Fred. What can we get for you today?

CAMPBELL: Large chai latte, please. And can I get a breakfast croissant?

WILLIS: Double red eye for Suzy!

WHARTON: Sure. Might take a minute longer than the chai.

CAMPBELL: You know, I keep meaning to ask how you ended up working here. Don't your folks disapprove of the guys with guns?

WILLIS: Triple romano for Shelley!

WHARTON: More the need for the guns, Fred. Anyway, it's not like I'm running around with a gun.

WILLIS: Extra large regular for Double Dog!

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:25Z HIGH POINT

RECORDING SECURITY OFFICE@HIGH POINT 2026-03-22 11:25Z

PRESENT: MWPD-WATCH, MWPD-OFF-1, MWPD-OFF-2, MWPD-OFF-3, MWPD-OFF-4, MWPD-OFF-5

WATCH: So half the groundwater heat sinks and half the atmospheric heat exchangers have been penetrated?

RADIO: Yes, sir.

WATCH: Any modifications found, any sabotage?

RADIO: Maintenance teams have only checked three locations so far. No detectable physical changes. IT is checking the computers.

[KLAXON]

WATCH: Where's that coming from?

OFF-5: Base personnel bunk room 4.

RADIO: [DIFFERENT VOICE] Medical to Charlie One-Five!

WATCH: [UNDERTONE] What now? [FULL VOLUME] What's the situation, officer?

RADIO: Two down. They don't look like anyone who's supposed to be here, but they're in the right uniforms. [PAUSE] They're wearing badges. But they look ancient. The guy who called it in needs attention, too. Looks like an acute stress reaction.

[CLICK]

WATCH: [ECHOING] Intruder on site. Full details on every principal. All security personnel to maximum readiness. Everyone to duty stations, command center, cafeteria or VIP lounge.

[CLICK]

WATCH: We need to consolidate people in as few spaces as possible so we can secure them. I'll let the command center know what's happening.

OFF-3: What is happening?

WATCH: Damned if I know.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 11:26Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 11:26Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

o10.51.3.87:0@JWICS

PRESENT: CAROL MALCOLMSON (NSA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA), HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

MCAULEY: I never realized we had so many security cameras in this place. I mean, I knew they were everywhere, but it never really clicked how much everywhere there was.

RIVERA: I want the ops center, the main entrance, and the corridor outside this room up on the wall, once you find them. Replace that military base display, we've got enough data for the continental US without it, and it'll probably come up in reports anyway. Everything else, just work through it and let us know what you find. We can't all keep looking through it. Ah, if that's okay with you, Cassie.

WHITE: I'm still playing catch-up. Unless you need my status for anything, you're in charge now, Lorrie.

RIVERA: Right, yeah, okay. Carol, your computer pinged at us while you were getting us the camera feeds.

MALCOLMSON: [PAUSE] Oh, right, yes, sorry. It will take me a minute to analyze, though I did adapt a script I use for inspecting the full models to give us some headlines. Not that I'd trust it, nothing's confirmed until I check it myself. It was a bit of a hack, and I don't know if it will work, but would you like to know what that says?

RIVERA: Please.

MALCOLMSON: Just a moment then, it won't take a— there. Well. Hum. Not sure what to make of that.

ALAGH: Spit it out, Carol.

MALCOLMSON: Well, if I filter out the parts that are more or less consistent across almost all incidents, there are several highly activated semantic regions that are more or less untouched by the contextual semantic frames. Claws, teeth, blood, injury and so on. But almost every frame has a distortion that increases overall prominence of certain things, and decreases their semantic distance from blood, death, injury. Actually, I should say that almost every contextual semantic frame does distort the network, but the script isolated that commonality and, well, it's not accurate but the simplest way to put it is that it subtracted it from all those that featured that common distortion.

RIVERA: And?

MALCOLMSON: Look, I really want to verify this by hand, but all the stuff about claws and so on are brought closer to the negative consequence areas in the common, um, core of the negative-bias contextual frames. But then, well, these frames aren't labeled, so I'm having to infer what they mean from their connections, but take that casino example from Reno. It's not the only casino incident in the training data, so we have a frame that I would guess represents casinos, or some aspect of a casino-like environment, but you can see that one reflected in the way that the frame decreases the semantic distance between cameras and death, blood and so on. It also does the same with cards and slot machines, and to a lesser extent with alcohol, bottles, and wood. Not sure what's going on with that last one. There's another frame whose entry vector, that is the contextual semantic data that would cause the frame to be maximally applied, has a normalized inner product with that of the casino frame of 0.89, which appears to represent a bar. That has a much bigger effect on alcohol and bottles, and also billiards-type games.

NASH: So, things you find in those places are involved in the UBE manifestations?

MALCOLMSON: I said this was a basic analysis. I think I need to calculate the compositions of each contextual frame with each emotional frame, they're surprisingly easy to separate, though I should probably weight it by the relationship between the entry vectors of those frames—

RIVERA: Are you going to get to the bottom line?

MALCOLMSON: [SNAPPING] Not right this moment, no. [PAUSE] Sorry. I'm doing this by feel. By the seat of my pants, you might say. I'd like to have a week to go over this before I come to any conclusions, but we don't have a week. I'm programming the composition calculations now, when they're done I'll have a look at them. For now I'll look at the isolated frames by hand.

RIVERA: Good. Okay, Bob, you're on the cameras. The rest of us can get back to coding. Maybe some more data to run through the model will help validate it.

MALCOLMSON: [DISTRACTED] Yes, yes it will.

RIVERA: And it will definitely still be useful for traditional methods. Get to it, people.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:27Z USMS

RECORDING USMS-BIGOAKS 2026-03-22 11:27Z

PRESENT: SCOTUS-3AJ, SCOTUS-4AJ, SCOTUS-JAJ, USMS-1, USMS-2, USMS-3, USMS-4, USMS-5

USMS-1: Welcome to the Big Oaks safe house, Justices.

SCOTUS-4AJ: Not bad. Like a hunting cabin, but bigger.

USMS-1: It's completely off-grid. There's enough diesel for a few weeks, at least, and plenty of wood for heating. Our transport is heading back to see if they can help with lower-tier ERGs, but an Army helicopter is on its way so you'll have transport ready when it's safe to move.

SCOTUS-JAJ: If it was so important to get us here this quickly, isn't it dangerous to head back to DC?

USMS-2: Yes, ma'am, it is.

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

NO LONGER PRESENT: USMS-2, USMS-3, USMS-4, USMS-5

USMS-1: Anyway, there's a library, a video collection, some board games. Some video games, but they're pretty old. No real internet. We're staying, of course, but we have separate off-duty quarters. This living space is yours, and that kitchen. I can't advise taking a walk, though. Only about sixty feet around the building, plus the clearing for the LZ, are certified cleared. The woods have markers, don't go beyond the yellow stumps and posts. The LZ doesn't. It would be visible in aerial photography, nothing under the trees is. Beyond that, who knows what you might disturb.

SCOTUS-3AJ: The unexploded ordnance?

USMS-1: And some radiological contamination. Nothing awful, you could walk right over it fine, but if anything digs there it brings up some risks, and you wouldn't want to eat anything growing there. Anyway, there's a little fresh food in stock, we had time to warm this place up overnight, but mostly you've got shelf-stable stuff. And there's no cook. If you're not sure what to do with anything, there's a manual, sort of an emergency rations food cookbook.

SCOTUS-4AJ: What could you get overnight around here?

USMS-1: Well, there's a pretty good haul from Buc-ee's, though the barbecue will all be cold, some fruit cups and salad. But one of our teams did a run through some truck stops and Casey's, so you've got milk, eggs, fruit, meat, cheese, some veggies. We also raided some military food supply depots and commissaries. There's big freezers and a pantry downstairs. If this goes on for long, we might all be trying to figure out how to split UGRs and testing recipes for powdered eggs. But there's plenty of ice cream.

SCOTUS-3AJ: Downstairs?

USMS-1: Basement complex, ma'am. Mostly it's machinery and some storage. Fresh water treatment from an aquifer well, wastewater treatment, HVAC. Though for heating above ground, we mostly use heated floors or the fireplaces. Better for thermal profile management. Plus a medical refrigerator, we've loaded it with insulin, ma'am.

SCOTUS-3AJ: Thank you.

USMS-1: There's also a tunnel to the caretakers' shack. They should drop by at some point. Now, I said no real internet, but we do have a secure uplink. Email will work, and with the continuity equipment we brought along, we can connect to SIPRNet and JWICS, but the latency's a bitch.

SCOTUS-JAJ: I think we can live without TikTok.

USMS-1: Yes, ma'am. Bedrooms are upstairs, not as many bathrooms as you might like, and I'm afraid it's not all full-size beds. The main scenario this place is used for is high-risk witness protection pre-trial, so it's basically set up for one person to have plenty of space, or a family to be crowded. That also means we have cameras and audio basically everywhere, but we've disconnected them in the bathrooms. Protocol for continuity scenarios is to keep all audio recordings running, on your side of the building and ours.

SCOTUS-3AJ: I'm sure we'll manage, Marshal.

USMS-1: Well, the door to our quarters is just over there, and we'll be keeping a perimeter watch, too. If you need anything, you can knock on our door or use the phone. Press one for the caretakers, two is your quarters, and three is us.

[FOOTSTEPS, DOOR CLOSES]

NO LONGER PRESENT: USMS-1

SCOTUS-JAJ: Well. Okay. Anyone want to play chess?

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:27Z DUGWAY

RECORDING COMMAND CENTER@DUGWAY PROVING GROUND/SALT BOX 2026-03-22 11:27Z

PRESENT: GOVERNOR-UT, BATTLE CAPTAIN, SPECIAL AGENT CAUGHLIN (FBI ASAC-NS/I, SALT LAKE CITY), COMMS WATCH, DEM EOC LIAISON, POLICE LIAISON, TAG-UT, DUGWAY-CO, ASSORTED OTHER MILITARY PERSONNEL

DEM EOC LIAISON: Things are getting messy, Governor. We're estimating that about seventy-five percent of the urban population is on the streets. And these manifestations are increasing. We're seeing more and more of these descriptions of strange people who feel dark, whatever that means.

GOVERNOR: What?

DEM EOC LIAISON: Walking up to people and directing them to safety, except they're putting them straight into the path of lake monsters and so on. Then there's ones where there's a literal patch of darkness in the shape of a human. Taunting people. Some of the victims collapse, some go insane. Some kill themselves. Sometimes they disappear, then one of the people in the group goes nuts and starts trying to kill people.

GOVERNOR: Oh, no.

POLICE LIAISON: Doesn't that sound like—

GOVERNOR: Demons.

DEM EOC LIAISON: Oh, and some of them are flying.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:28Z HIGH POINT

RECORDING COMMAND CENTER@HIGH POINT 2026-03-22 11:28Z

PRESENT: HP-COMMAND, WATCH OFFICER, SECTREAS, AG, SECCOM, SECLAB, SECHHS, SECTRANS, SECED, SECVA, AMB USUN, DIR OMB, WH-SS, WH-DCS-POLICY, WH-DCS-OPS, WH-DCS-LEGISLATIVE, WH-DOA, DNSA, SOH, HOUSE-MIN, SEN-MAJ, SEN-MIN, SSCI-CHAIR, SSCI-RANKING, HPSCI-CHAIR, HPSCI-RANKING, COMM AIDE, INTELLIGENCE LIAISON

HP-COMMAND: Sorry that it's a bit crowded in here, but we wanted to speak to everyone at once, as well as concentrate our security. The Secretary of Energy is being briefed separately to ensure continuity, though some of your colleagues are in separate secure locations. This briefing is about the situation here in the mountain, and as the senior government officials present, we want to make sure you know what's going on.

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

HP-COMMAND: Two dead bodies were recently found. They weren't mutilated. They appeared to be elderly, so we made IDing them a priority. They weren't elderly. They were members of our facilities maintenance staff. They also had distinctive superficial wounds to the chest. I am informed by a member of the medical team that this closely resembles the work of an alien species in a science fiction franchise.

[SHUFFLING NOISE]

HP-COMMAND: We're issuing personal alarms, panic buttons, to as many people as we can. It's nowhere near enough for everyone in the mountain, but more than enough for everyone here. They are waterproof. If you shower, put the lanyard around your wrist. You see anything weird, hear anything weird, you push the button. Your own protective detail will be alerted, as will base security, and the location will be logged. If this thing, and it could be more than one, is what it seems to be, the chance of saving you should you be attacked is slim. But it will hopefully help us locate and deal with the UBE threat. Any questions?

[SILENCE: 3 SECONDS]

HP-COMMAND: Yes?

WH-DCS-OPS: What show are they from?

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:30Z SITE R

RECORDING KITCHEN@SITE-R/BUILDING A 2026-03-22 11:30Z

PRESENT: SHANAE BROOKS (CONTRACTOR), CODY WELLS (CONTRACTOR), PETER FRANKLIN (CONTRACTOR), CHARLOTTE WILSON (CONTRACTOR), ELIJAH MARSHALL (CONTRACTOR), JALEN LARAQUE (CONTRACTOR)

BROOKS: Finally you folks show up. Cody, you take the serving line.

WILSON: We're here on time, Shanae.

BROOKS: I know you are. I'm mad at whoever plans these damn exercises or drills or whatever this is. Now, we gotta get lunch service ready, and I ain't got no menu planned yet. It was gonna be meatloaf, but there's no way we're gonna make it fresh for so many people, and I ain't serving no frozen meatloaf until I have to. Anyone got any ideas?

[SILENCE: 4 SECONDS]

MARSHALL: Stew?

BROOKS: What kinda suggestion is that? We just gonna throw things in a pot and call that lunch?

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

LARAQUE: We got any okra?

BROOKS: And when do we have okra unless we order it special?

LARAQUE: Okay, I can do it with flour and shortening.

FRANKLIN: Do what?

LARAQUE: My grandma's gumbo. Think folks'll like that?

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 11:32Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 11:32Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

o10.51.3.87:0@JWICS

PRESENT: CAROL MALCOLMSON (NSA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA), HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

QAYUM: These don't get any better, do they?

MCAULEY: Holy— I found the ops center. Putting it up now and relaying to remote sites.

RIVERA: What the hell?

WHITE: We're on audio only. What are you seeing?

RIVERA: There's [PAUSE] winged things—

HEBERT: Pterosaurs. Or almost, anyway. I don't remember there being any that size, and they're moving wrong.

PHELAN: How do you know how pterosaurs moved?

HEBERT: I know where they had joints.

RIVERA: They're picking at dead bodies. Eating, I guess. There's [PAUSE] there's a lot of corpses. Can anyone give me a count? Do we have a roster?

WHITE: I've got a roster. I'll drop it in the file share.

MCAULEY: Okay, this is weird.

RIVERA: What?

MCAULEY: There's a bunch of men in suits walking the halls. But they're all identical. Black suits, black ties, dark glasses, wires in their ears.

PHELAN: They're all dressed the same?

MCAULEY: No, I mean, they're all identical. Totally identical. Same face, build, height, everything.

RIVERA: Find the hallway outside the vault. Quickly, please.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:32Z HIGH POINT

RECORDING SECURITY OFFICE@HIGH POINT 2026-03-22 11:32Z

PRESENT: MWPD-WATCH, MWPD-OFF-1, MWPD-OFF-2, MWPD-OFF-3, MWPD-OFF-4, MWPD-OFF-5

RADIO-1: Upper plant level clear.

WATCH: Copy. Move down, security level's next.

RADIO-2: Lower plant level clear, but the water plant room was penetrated.

WATCH: Copy. Move up to storage. Someone get a team to look at that room, full security with them.

RADIO-3: Executive billeting is clear. Moving on to the cafeteria level.

WATCH: Copy. All units, cameras are still showing clear, for what that's worth.

RADIO-4: VIP Group 3 perimeter here, just saw movement at the end of the hallway.

WATCH: Get that camera up. Group 3, what did you see?

RADIO-4: I don't know. Looked like dust in a high wind. Investigating.

OFF-3: Camera in that section's down.

WATCH: Careful. We don't know what these things can do.

OFF-3: Sir, if they're what they seem like, they can make people see things. Distract them, disorient them.

WATCH: Group 3, stay alert. That could be the entity.

RADIO-5: The rest of us are holding position, covering Frank. It's prob— shit!

[GUNFIRE]

WATCH: Report, group 3.

RADIO-5: That thing just appeared, never seen anything move so fast. Had Frank by the chest, but it withdrew when fired upon. Wait. What's that?

WATCH: Frank, you okay?

RADIO-4: It— it did something. Only had me for a moment but I feel like I ran a marathon with a hangover.

RADIO-6: Look, the ceiling!

[GUNFIRE]

RADIO-5: They're everywhere!

[GUNFIRE]

RADIO-4: What the— they're shooting at nothing! Holy—

[THUMP]

RADIO-5 & RADIO 6: [SCREAMING]

RADIO-4: Two of them, ran straight past me. Chris and Bobby, they're, they're aging, right in front of me.

WATCH: Shoot them, dammit!

RADIO-4: My arms aren't exactly doing what I tell them. I'm just getting the stock into place.

[SCREAMS FADE]

RADIO-4: Got it.

[EXTENDED GUNFIRE]

WATCH: Are you hitting it?

RADIO-4: [OVER GUNFIRE] Yes. It's not doing as much as I'd like.

[CLICK]

[CLATTER]

RADIO-4: It's advancing on me, moving slower. The other one's doing something to the door. The card reader. Damn mag won't lock in.

[CLICK]

[GUNFIRE]

[INHUMAN GRUNTING]

RADIO-4: [SCREAMING]

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:33Z SITE R

RECORDING OPS CENTER@SITE-R/ANMCC 2026-03-22 11:33Z

PRESENT: POTUS, CJCS, SEAC, CMC, CNO, VCSO, VCNGB, VCSA, CDR-SITE-R, HEAD OF SECURITY, DNI, SA-DCIA, BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), BATTLE DIRECTOR, COMMS OFFICER, ASSORTED MILITARY STAFF

COMMS OFFICER: I don't know what to tell you, sir. The connection is up on our end. It's just waiting for your friend to do whatever she's doing on her end. She's obviously done [PAUSE] whatever she was going to do to that intermediate node, because it's accepted our connection, but it looks like any data we send is just going straight into the bit bucket.

JENKINS: But if they connect, it'll just come to life, right?

COMMS OFFICER: That's right.

SA-DCIA: I guess we just leave it up and wait.

JENKINS: [SOFTLY] What's going on over there?

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:38Z SITE R

RECORDING INFIRMARY/BREAK ROOM@SITE-R/BUILDING A 2026-03-22 11:38Z

PRESENT: LTC SALLY GOLDSTEIN RN (ANC), CPT ANTHONY OSWALD MD (MC)

OSWALD: Well, so much for expecting injuries.

GOLDSTEIN: You want to be careful, Doctor. That's getting close to the q-word.

OSWALD: I'm not saying it's a good thing, Colonel. If something was happening that made them think there would be injuries, did people escape injury, or maybe they just didn't—

NOW PRESENT: MAJ AMANDA JACKSON MD (MC)

JACKSON: Tony? I didn't know they had you on this duty rotation.

OSWALD: Hey, Manda. I saw you were on the list, but, well, not until I got here.

JACKSON: Yeah, I knew I was on the list too. The orientation made it kind of obvious. I didn't know you were. Why didn't you tell me you were getting assigned here?

[LIQUID POURING]

OSWALD: I wasn't. Anyway, how would I tell you without breaking the law?

JACKSON: We have euphemisms. But you wouldn't know about them yet.

OSWALD: Anyway, I finished my tour at Fort Hood, then they parked me in Bethesda working sick call and PHAs like a glorified intern after I agreed to a deeper background check. About a month ago I was put on a roster for weekend call-ups for something they wouldn't tell me about.

JACKSON: Sounds mystifying.

OSWALD: Well, a guy can dream about getting a Care Force One billet, but he shouldn't when he's an O-3. Still, I keep my AFT scores up, so I thought maybe they were considering me for special operations mission support training or something. Sure would have been nice to have had an orientation for this place beyond a handbook that I had to read in the back of the helicopter. But when they have you sign off on a deeper background check, you don't ask why.

JACKSON: I did.

OSWALD: Did they answer?

JACKSON: Not until after they approved frocking.

OSWALD: I noticed the oak leaves. Congratulations.

GOLDSTEIN: So, you two know each other?

JACKSON: The captain and I were classmates at Bethesda. We keep in touch, from time to time.

OSWALD: Is it still [PAUSE] low-demand out there?

JACKSON: Engineering contractor with the weirdest lacerations I've seen. MPs brought him in, answered half the questions for him, then hustled him back out. A sprained wrist from someone who overloaded their duffel. Couple of people who seem to somehow be allergic to the mountain.

OSWALD: Well, I guess I should go back out there. I'm not due to hit my bunk until 10:00.

GOLDSTEIN: And I should get back to supervising. When there are more of you MDs, you get a break, whatever your rank. In my job, seniority just makes more work. Different work, but more of it.

JACKSON: And you're ditching me when I just poured some coffee?

GOLDSTEIN: Take your break, Major. You never know if you'll regret working through it.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 11:42Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 11:42Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

o10.51.3.87:0@JWICS

PRESENT: CAROL MALCOLMSON (NSA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA), HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

MALCOLMSON: Okay. Wow. This is [PAUSE] interesting.

RIVERA: Interesting how?

MALCOLMSON: Well, the frame analysis I was running wasn't that interesting. Mostly it's about physical objects in the area, and compositing with the emotional frames didn't do that much. So I decided to run a— well, a manipulation using medium-context influences in the base model. I've only done it for a few frames, and I had to write a brief description of what I think the frame represents. The thing is, things that tend to be in the same physical area have a noticeable influence on semantic proximity in mid-scale context. So I tried to use the semantic connection in the base model as a surrogate for the overall impact of those concepts on the context frames.

RIVERA: Heaven help us, I think I'm actually beginning to understand what you're saying.

MALCOLMSON: So controlling for things in that way, which wouldn't pass muster in any sort of formal evaluation, and integrating the influence of the emotional matrices, I basically have what amounts, I hope, to a metric of how linked concepts are to given emotions in the different contexts. Bouncers, security, police, it's a tightly connected concept cluster, top the list in bars. The same show up noticeably in casinos, but cameras are much bigger, and so is money. We'll have to look back at the reports to try to figure out where money comes into things, because I'm not sure how a UBE is evoking the concept of money. For hospitals, doctors and patients both rank very high despite the fact their influence was reduced by the underlying semantic proximity of hospitals and doctors, but so does insanity. And large bladed weapons.

RIVERA: You need descriptions of these contextual frames to get more meaning out of it?

MALCOLMSON: Assuming that my methodology is valid, that's the bottleneck now, yes.

RIVERA: Can we help?

MALCOLMSON: Can any of you interpret semantic vector space mutation matrices?

RIVERA: Probably not.

ALAGH: We don't need to interpret the raw matrix. You're not working with raw matrices, Carol. You're working with script outputs.

[SILENCE: 1 SECOND]

MALCOLMSON: Okay, yes, but it's still got quite a lot of maths, and it's not like the semantic cluster descriptions are easy to understand.

ALAGH: Drop some of the output in the file share. I'll give it a shot. It might not be my area, but I try to keep up with the HLT Bulletins. I can't say I understand everything in those papers, but I'm not a complete dummy when it comes to computational linguistics.

[SILENCE: 2 SECONDS]

MALCOLMSON: Okay, Jaz. Fine. Do three, then I'll check your work.

RIVERA: I still need that hallway!

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:43Z DUGWAY

RECORDING COMMAND CENTER@DUGWAY PROVING GROUND/SALT BOX 2026-03-22 11:43Z

PRESENT: GOVERNOR-UT, BATTLE CAPTAIN, SPECIAL AGENT CAUGHLIN (FBI ASAC-NS/I, SALT LAKE CITY), COMMS WATCH, DEM EOC LIAISON, POLICE LIAISON, TAG-UT, DUGWAY-CO, ASSORTED OTHER MILITARY PERSONNEL

GOVERNOR: Do we have any update on the Temples?

POLICE LIAISON: Bountiful has some sort of demons manifesting. Classical Christian ones, not our kind. At the Salt Lake Temple—

GOVERNOR: It's not even open!

POLICE LIAISON: —the statue of the Angel Moroni has come to life and manifested a sword, and is intermittently killing people in Temple Square, which is so crowded that people are in the Reflection Pool.

GOVERNOR: Ah, shoot!

POLICE LIAISON: On the other hand, Provo City Center apparently has a few different sorts of creatures trying to approach, but they can't get within maybe two hundred feet.

TAG-UT: What?

POLICE LIAISON: Flying demonic things, both kinds, are bouncing off an invisible shell, apparently. And Saratoga Springs has something similar, though it doesn't extend as far.

GOVERNOR: I can't believe I'm saying this, but someone get me the Prophet.

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:45Z SITE R

RECORDING OPS CENTER@SITE-R/ANMCC 2026-03-22 11:45Z

PRESENT: POTUS, CJCS, SEAC, CNO, VCSA, DCDR-SITE-R, SA-DCIA, BRIAN JENKINS (CIA), BATTLE DIRECTOR, COMMS OFFICER, ASSORTED MILITARY STAFF

SA-DCIA: Hey Brian. Any change?

JENKINS: Still shouting into the void, Sandra. Though there's been a sudden rush of newly coded incidents. Don't know if that's Vault B or Warrenton working on it. What have you been up to?

SA-DCIA: Just wandering around. Keeping an ear out. I think there's been some Downwind incidents in the mountain.

JENKINS: What? Where? Why hasn't anyone told us? We need to integrate the information, we might be able to give them some advice.

SA-DCIA: Keep your shirt on. I told Colin, he'll tell the Director, and we'll hear about it. But from what I picked up, it was some maintenance people in the other cavern. Look around, though. All those extra people who came in with the garrison commander. See anything different?

[SILENCE: 3 SECONDS]

JENKINS: There's about a half dozen more armbands in the room. And four people who look like they should be wearing one.

SA-DCIA: And the colonel is responsible for security. It's his base, after all. Dollars to donuts he's pretty worried. And check out that lieutenant colonel, his deputy. Her eyes.

JENKINS: Verging on hypervigilance.

SA-DCIA: Take your notes. I'm going to walk the halls, see what else I pick up.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 11:47Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 11:47Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

o10.51.3.87:0@JWICS

PRESENT: CAROL MALCOLMSON (NSA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA), HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

RIVERA: The suit guys are in the ops center.

WHITE: What are they doing?

RIVERA: A couple of them came up to the northeast corridor, looked in and pulled back. Whoa!

CROFT: What?

RIVERA: Two arrived at the southwest entrance, and now they're shooting. At pterodactyls.

HEBERT: Pterosaurs.

RIVERA: Whatever. They're being systematic about it. Wow, okay, they're fighting back. One of the suits has a beak through its shoulder.

HEBERT: Rostrum. Those are too early for beaks. Well, they look too early. They've got too many teeth to have beaks.

RIVERA: It's over. Quick work. The one with the wound, it's not bleeding. Not really. One of the other suits pulled the dead thing out, and there's a visible hole in its shoulder, and there's just a sort of small wet spot around it. No change in how it's moving.

MALCOLMSON: I hope someone's writing this up.

WHITE: What are they doing now?

MCAULEY: Oh shit.

RIVERA: Each pair has crossed to the opposite corridor. One northwest, one southeast.

MALCOLMSON: So?

WHITE: That vault is on the southeast corridor, Carol. The one you're sitting in.

MCAULEY: Found it!

* * * * *

TAC-COMMS 2026-03-22 11:48Z SITE R

RECORDING SECURITY-COMMS@SITE-R 2026-03-22 11:48Z

INF3-0228: We've got movement at the corner of Building C, nearest the cavern wall. It's slow. I see part of it, then it goes back out of view. Looks [PAUSE] shiny.

CONTROL: Response units to point 8. Tunnel watch, dispatch two to bracket it.

MP-R-35: Moving.

INF3-0925: Making a cautious approach. We've got it in sight. Engage?

CONTROL: Intel first. What is it?

INF3-0925: Damned if I know, Sarge. Wings look like a bat's.

INF3-0096: Nah, bone structure's wrong, and the membrane attaches too high.

INF3-0925: How do you know?

INF3-0096: I like bats. But they look like how someone might draw a bat's wings. Body is large, and there's shoulders above the wings. Legs are under it. We've just got a rear view.

CONTROL: Point 8, keep your eyes peeled. If it shows, take it out. Flanking team, put some rounds near it, see if you can't flush it out.

[GUNFIRE]

INF3-0228: Shit!

[GUNFIRE]

INF3-0512: [SCREAMING]

INF3-0228: Shit!

[GUNFIRE FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES]

INF3-0228: It got Jones. Not that you could recognize him now. It's down. Four limbs, plus the wings. Claws and teeth. I— [VOMITS]

MP-R-35: Overhead! Overhead!

[SCREECHING]

INF3-0228: [SLURRING] What? [SCREAM]

[GUNFIRE FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES]

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 11:49Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 11:49Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

o10.51.3.87:0@JWICS

PRESENT: CAROL MALCOLMSON (NSA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA), HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

MCAULEY: They're not moving quickly, but they're coming this way. Checking every door. Not sure what they're checking, but they're pausing, looking at it, then moving on.

RIVERA: Okay, ideas, people.

QAYUM: Maybe they won't be able to get through the vault door.

RIVERA: When did we start basing assessments on the best-case scenario?

ALAGH: You got anything to fight them off with?

FARHANG: Carol's got a mean swing with a fire extinguisher.

MALCOLMSON: I've nearly got this! Jaz's coding was good. I just need to run one more script.

ALAGH: How long will that take?

MALCOLMSON: Have to finish writing it first!

RIVERA: Never mind that, how does that get rid of those suit things outside the door?

MALCOLMSON: No idea. Don't suppose it does. But I can't think of anything that will. No guns in a SAPF, remember?

RIVERA: You don't have things in your overnight bag that happen to make one?

MALCOLMSON: Guns aren't really my thing. Trying to concentrate here.

MCAULEY: They're almost here!

[LOW VIBRATION]

* * * * *

AMBIENT 2026-03-22 11:50Z SITE R

RECORDING ANMCC-ENTRY-A@SITE-R/BUILDING B 2026-03-22 11:50Z

PRESENT: GUARD-USSS, GUARD-CID, MP-1, MP-2, CLERK

GUARD-USSS: Did you see that?

GUARD-CID: What?

GUARD-USSS: That shadow moved.

GUARD-CID: Hey! Show yourself!

MP-1: That doesn't look like a person's shadow. Control, we've got an anomaly at Entry A.

RADIO: Details?

MP-1: A shadow that's moving.

RADIO: Sending backup. Any aggressive movements?

MP-1: No. Just moving back and forth.

RADIO: [DIFFERENT VOICE] Copy. We have eyes on it. Looks [PAUSE] triangular. Can't see anything that would cast that shadow.

RADIO: [FIRST VOICE] We're gonna need someone to approach.

MP-2: I'm on it.

GUARD-CID: Hey, you might want to be a bit more cautious or something.

MP-2: Come on. What kind of UBE is a shadow? What can a sha— urk! Lemme go!

GUARD-USSS: Shadow shot out under Brown's feet. He's on the floor, and his feet are [PAUSE] gone.

MP-2: Not just my feet! Someone pull me out!

[RUSHING FEET]

[SOUNDS OF EFFORT]

GUARD-CID: [STRAINING] It's almost up to his knees.

GUARD-USSS: [STRAINING] No it's not. It's still on the floor. Everything below the knee has disappeared.

NO-ID: Damn!

CLERK: Entry A here. Possible compromise. Seal the inner door.

MP-2: Shoot it! Shoot it now!

[GUNFIRE]

MP-2: Agh! Fuck, shoot it, not me!

NO-ID: Bullets disappeared. Should I aim for the— whoa!

GUARD-CID: [STRAINING] It's growing. We're not making any headway. Two in it now.

MP-2: I can't feel my legs. Other than where you shot me!

RADIO: Withdraw and monitor.

CLERK: [SCREAMING]

GUARD-USSS: There's one under the desk.

RADIO: One of you stay to monitor, everyone else fall back.

CLERK: [TENSE] This entry's sealed.

RADIO: Reposition to Entry B.

MP-1: Negative, Control. The whole corner is now in shadow.

* * * * *

Secure Conference 2026-03-22 11:51Z WHSR

xNOIWON-O2@CROWN 2026-03-22 11:51Z

oOPS-SAPF-B-SUPPORT@CIA-HQ

oOPS-SAPF-B@CIA-HQ

oOSE-WATCH-SAPF@CIA-OSE

oNGA-WATCH-SAPF@NGA-HQ

o10.51.3.87:0@JWICS

PRESENT: CAROL MALCOLMSON (NSA), ROBERT MCAULEY (CIA), LORENZA RIVERA (CIA); WILLIAM HEBERT (CIA); BRIDGET PHELAN (CIA), SOFIYA QAYUM (CIA), CASSANDRA WHITE (CIA), HAYLEY CROFT (NGA), MICHAEL NASH (NGA), JASBINDER ALAGH (NSA); CPO LEIA FOSTER (WHSR); JAVID FARHANG (CIA)

FARHANG: Putting the vestibule cam on the wall.

[LOW VIBRATION]

RIVERA: There are dents in the vault door!

[CLATTERING]

MCAULEY: I've got the fire extinguisher.

RIVERA: Fuck! Go stand by the door, maybe you'll take one by surprise.

[METALLIC CLATTERING]

RIVERA: A fork in the eye has to do some damage, right?

[LOW VIBRATION, METALLIC TEARING]

MALCOLMSON: Will everyone just shut up? I've nearly finished this, and I'm not letting any stupid comic book stereotype [PAUSE] things get in my way!

[FAINT MUFFLED THUMP]