Daemon X Core, Penumbra Wars Prologue (Patreon)

A Perfect Three Hundred and Sixty Rotation [Benjamin Felix]

In the Floating City of Atlantropa, a shiny beacon in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, there was the heart of the Fermi and Felix Foundation Central Headquarters, far above the ground level in his private penthouse sat Benjamin Felix the 5th, current CEO of the corporation. 

Overlooking the 4th ring and beyond, Felix played the piano, he was gifted at it, he was gifted at many things. Although he knew long ago that these gifts weren't naturally given, but bought by his late father through the illegal Gene Editing technology of the long since defunct Rosemont Corporation. What is life to someone deemed flawless, it is boring and grey. 

He stood up and walked to the window. It was a clear night, the moon looked larger, more full. The following morning, Felix followed his usual routine, waking up at exactly 7 in the morning, doing his morning routine of exercise, his skin and hair care ritual, getting dressed in a new suit, he never wore the same suit. He ate Greek yogurt with a mix of berries and nuts, before departing to the meeting room, where he would have to placate the share holders and supervise whatever scheme the marketing department is planning, it is a boring and stale cycle.

In the middle of this drag his assistant called him, it was uncharacteristic and would have been grounds for an on the spot firing, as she knew that he was busy in the meeting room. Yet he felt excited, he excused himself and walked out of the room, answering the call. “Felix, we have picked up a signal from space, a real signal.” 

Gunslinger American Express [Johnny]

At the old watering hole known as the Stone Cleaver in the 12th Ring, Johnny was hunting a target. A Synchronist terrorist wanted for his role in several car bombings alongside his comrades, Johnny had already taken down the rest, this was the last one on his list.

[Johnny]: Juice Dax, yeah it's you. You look just like the mugshot.

Juice looked over at him, the rest of the patrons got up and stepped aside leaving the two of them.

[Johnny]: Smart folks, don't die for a coward like this.

[Juice]: A coward?! We fight for what is right, what the hell would you know about that. I hope the corpo blood money is worth keeping the yoke on!

[Johnny]: I can sympathize with a fight for freedom, I really can, but what you did wasn't that. Car bombing innocent bystanders? That doesn't sound like a fight for freedom, that's just terrorism.

[Juice]: The system won't change unless blood is shed, and sadly the blood of the innocent must be sacrificed on the altar of revolution.

[Johnny]: That's fucking insane. 

Johnny pulled out his revolver and fired, killing Juice instantly. He picked up his body and took him outside, he cut off the man's ear as proof and dumped the body in the trash compactor. 

His war was different, he fought on a frontline, he fought fair and righteously. He was a real rebel, a real freedom fighter. Regardless, he had another contract to crack.

White Coat and Purple Shades [Kaiser]

In the Underworks, the Shaw Curiosities and Mysteries Emporium is opened to business to anyone brave enough to venture into the underbelly of the Floating City. The Verminkin Shaw or as he is more popularly known by the locals as Rat Man Shaw, sells all types of strange and exotic wares from the old world as well as the local oddities of Atlantropa. There he lives with his wife Sadie Shaw and their young ones. The legendary Fixer Kaiser makes his way there, looking to buy a new pair of shades from the shop.

[Shaw]: It-it is an honor to have you in this humble-Meager shop mister Kaiser. What-what may I help-aid you with? 

[Kaiser]: Caught wind that you are selling some fancy shades, American imports?

Shaw looks underneath his counter and rummages for something. He pops his head out and holds up a small case and opens it, revealing deep purple shades .

[Shaw]: Yes-yes I have what you need here Kaiser, an American made design with rare-special crystals from Europa.

Kaiser picks them up and tries them, they fit just right.

[Kaiser]: Alright, how much? 

[Shaw]: Fair-good price, five thousand Andies, yes-yes.

[Kaiser]: Sounds right to me.

Kaiser places the money on the counter.

[Shaw]: Good-great doing business with you! Come again! Oh and remember we will be opening up lodging too soon yes-yes! Free breakfast every morning!

Kaiser gives him a thumbs up and closes the door behind him. He puts on the shades, the world slightly tinted purple now, he still had a few errands to do, before heading home. Chiefly heading to Norro to get his swords sharpened. It is a quiet trip across the underworks, Kaiser was too recognizable to take the metro, plus he simply preferred the solitude. At the Kinberg Weapon Smithy, Kaiser arrived and handed his swords to Norro and sat down near the entrance removing his new shades.

[Norro]: Long day Carl?

[Kaiser]: Lots of nonsense today, had to cut my way out of a tight spot and well Marybeth and Maryann took the brunt of it.

[Norro]: Don't worry about it Carl, I'll leave them like the day I finished them for you.

[Kaiser]: Thanks, how much is it gonna be?

[Norro]: Just some sharpening and polishing, nothing to worry about.

[Kaiser]: Come on now, I'll pay, even if you don't want to. Where is Sigil?

[Norro]: School, it's barely noon.

Kaiser slicked back his hair, the bags around his eyes were dark and heavy.

[Kaiser]: Time flies by when you are having fun I guess.

[Norro]: That's not good for you, you're lucky Marta is cooking at the moment, if she was here she would scold you Carl.

[Kaiser]: I'd deserve it, how's she been?

[Norro]: Good, she's cooking up some clam chowder with sourdough. You stay and have some Carl, it will be good for you, you look thin.

[Kaiser]: Well sure why not, don't have another contract yet.

Conspiracy of Ravens Contract- Date 10/1/1817

Issued by Ministry of Internal Affairs

Fixer: Kaiser Rank: 10 (Legend)

Advance: 500,000 American Dollars.

On Completion: 1,500,000 American Dollars.

Details: Infiltration of the Fermi and Felix Foundation Central Headquarters, locate and destroy any documents pertaining to the Moon, elimination of the CEO of the Corporation Benjamin Felix the fifth alongside anyone related to the Moon Signal Project. Full use of lethal force is encouraged.

Operation Twisted Jaw

Atlantropa/ 5th Ring Southeastern District 125, Hanover Company Plaza.

10/1/1817.

Ministry of Internal Affairs, Kill Team “Tyrant” 

Personnel: Minister Whitestone (Supervisor)

Cpt Williamson (Tyrant Leader), CW3 Ross (Second in Command), MSG Castor, SFC Ramirez, SFC Hale, SSG Booker, SFC McBride, SSG Chen, SFC Whitaker, SSG Morales, SFC Thompson, SSG Kowalski.

Mission site: Fermi and Felix Foundation Southeastern Headquarters. 

Mission: Infiltrate the building, retrieve the Head of Telecommunications alive, retrieve any material relating to the Moon, destroy any material relating to the Moon. Lethal Force is authorized on anyone that attempts to prevent the retrieval and destruction of the target or Materials.

Williamson: Let's keep it smooth gentlemen, we don't need anymore heat from the media. We are still getting shit from the hatchet job that Scylla team did on Freedom Street. 

Williamson looks over the map one more time, as Castor finishes packing his weapon in a suitcase.

Castor: What the hell do you think they stumbled on Williamson? Some American top secret black project, I mean it has to be something big for the Ministers to get involved in.

Williamson: Doubt it, the Americans would already be sticking their noses in all of this if that was the case. Whatever it is Minister Whitestone has been scarce on the fine details, probably best we don't get too noisy.

Ross: Heard the eggheads back at command talking about a signal from the moon. Some space type anomaly perhaps?

Castor: Already knew that much Ross, but like you guys don't think it's aliens now, right? If it was just an American signal from their satellites, like you said Williamson, they would be here and not us.

Ramirez: ET phone home! Hahaha come on now Castor, aliens really? Little green men are gonna be beaming down messages for us, you've been watching too many movies.

Castor: What's so silly about it! We go up against all types of freaks, but aliens are too far! It doesn't seem that silly to me.

Ross: I mean, you have a point, but odds are it's just some American nonsense or an anomaly, wouldn't be the first time a signal anomaly happened, remember the TV signal hijacking of 1786? Turned out it was someone projecting their fears into the broadcast, crazy stuff.

Chen: Sorry to interrupt, but Booker and the rest are in position Captain. They are waiting for further instructions.

Williamson: Perfect, they'll just have to hold tight for a hot minute, alright people you heard him, let's get our disguises ready.

On the roof of the Fermi and Felix Foundation building the other half of the team waited for the signal from their captain.

Booker: So Thompson, how was your trip to Europa? Heard the big war with that Frankish Emperor is still going hot, where did you go to anyways?

Thompson: Visited the Englican Isles, pretty calm there all things considered. It was alright, nice getting to go out and see the world every once and awhile. I think they got that guy, something about a great alliance or another. 

Hale: Backwards bunch I heard, next operation is going to be somewhere in the Dust Bowl. 

Booker: Lucky you Hale, heard it's absolutely pleasant over there. 

Hale: Just my luck.

McBride: Chen just messaged back, they are getting ready to go in, everyone knows their role right?

Booker: Of course we go in and take whatever that guy is called and get out. Easy and simple McBride, we got this.

Insertion Point

As the night falls over the city, all the pieces fall in place for the Tyrants. Their main objective is simple: neutralize any trace of this “Imposter Moon”. Although details are few, even among the Ministry, it is known instinctually that the corporation is playing with fire.

Office Break

The signal has been passed on now, from the top brass to the lowly worker force. Everyone must behold the truth, anyone that refuses must be forced to. It would be cruel to not show them what beautiful truth there is here, the moon looks down upon the city with a wide grin.

Tyrant Step

Rules of engagement when dealing with the Corporations of the city are often lax and up to the individual agent's discretion. It is considered poor form to kill the low level employees or the unarmed, but in this case they are not giving much of a choice. Even the office workers are attacking and clawing at their masks. 

Strategic Process 

The Ministry has crossed the line, Fermi and Felix security teams are all in full alert mode. This attack by them is inexcusable and will be met with the full force of the company's might and legal team once the extent of this overreach is determined. 

Oppression of the traders

The bodies keep coming, they have no sense of self preservation. We have lost too many members to the unrelenting horde, the explosives are primed and ready for activation. What the hell is going on here?

Fermi and Felix, connectivity across the city.

We would like to announce to the world the great news and developments coming this new year to you, our valued customers and clients. We thank you for picking us as your Hypernet provider of choice.

Termination of recorded logs, due to unforeseen events the mission was compromised. Several explosive charges were detonated, leading to the collapse of the building and the destruction of the Imposter Moon Signal. All operatives were killed in the operation, due to the unexpected hostility of the employees of the corporation. As per standard operating procedure when dealing with a corporation, to avoid the potential retrieval of the brain from Ministry Operatives by these outside forces, helmet planted explosives were activated remotely by command once all signals ceased. 

The information recovered by these agents will be vital to understanding the enemy and the abnormality that the corporation has unleashed.