EPISODE 02: Operation Witching Hour 01 (Patreon)

/// Connecting … [OPERATIONAL ARCHIVES]

/// Accessing … OK. /// Decrypting … OK.

--- Cross Reference Parameters: LUNA, PROJECT EIDOLON, ROGUE AGENT

--- Result(s): 4

-A.OP.TRF_442162_267214_T

-A.OP.NXS_946251_641731_S <--

-A.OP.DAT_854113_184434_D

-A.OP.EFS_614166_321415_N

/// Loading … [A.OP.NXS_946251_641731_S] … OK.

The static noise consolidates into solid darkness. A commanding female voice booms across the briefing room from the far corner as a barrage of images are projected onto the walls around a group of four women.

“Seven hours ago we received an encoded transmission from our field analyst, designation: VISAGE, who was monitoring the developing situation in the Republic of Esperança.”

Madam Z paces across the room. Her shadow breaks the projections of a country in shambles. Army men pushing civilians into trucks. People filing out into forced labor camps at gunpoint.

“As you know the country has been ruled by a pair of sibling dictators: The Castilhos, and have been locked in an endless civil war against a resistance movement for several years.”

New images slide into view. Pixelated satellite imagery of sparse clusters of people moving through the dense jungle.

“They call themselves the Ashen Phoenix and are known to engage in ruthless hit and run strikes against key infrastructure. Power. Logistics. And even people.”

New images flash across the projector screens. Destroyed structures. Bodies.

“However things went from bad to worse recently. The encoded message we received only contained three words: SIBLINGS, BETRAYAL, COUP. Minutes later, the entire country went off the grid.”

“How can it even be worse?” asks Luna, her voice trembling slightly with concern.

“We currently believe the sibling dictators had a split. For all this time, it was the brother - Manuel Castilho who had the control of the military, but it was the sister - Ana Castilho who ran the export business. Together, despite the chaos, they kept each other in check. We suspect Manuel has finally made a move to take all of the pie for himself.”

“And we can’t allow any one man to have all the pie!” exclaims Baram suddenly, thrusting a finger accusingly at the projected photo of Manuel Castilho on the wall. For a second the room stays silent and glances are thrown her way due to her tone-deaf comment. Catching on, Baram sinks into her seat and mutters a barely audible, “Sorry.”

“Our mission is to restore the balance, and we will do this by running two parallel operations. Baram and Sadie will be assigned to Operation: Dawn Bringer. Find and secure Ana Castilho. She is our best chance at re-establishing a ruler that the people can get behind. We need to put her at the throne instead of her brother.”

“Copy that.” Chirps Baram and Sadie nods silently.

“At the same time, Luna and Maya will be running Operation: Witching Hour. You are to find and capture the leader of the resistance, Sylvie Moreau… or as she is known to the people: The Phantom of the Amazon.”

Several surveillance close ups of an athletic dark skinned woman file into view. Her eyes burn with fierce intensity.

“As the only daughter of illegal immigrants who died in the forced labor camps, there are no records of her parent’s previous activities. But Sylvie was born and raised in Esperança. She was forged by violence and has made it her personal mission to bring the government to its knees. So … as long as she is on the war path - there will be no peace.”

“I know that look.” Rings Maya’s voice through the darkness. Her shape shifting slightly. The projected rays of light gently caressing the back of her head as she turns to glance at her fellow agents.

“You will capture her alive, and once Ana Castilho is established as new ruler, we will hand her off to the new government.”

“Wait, we are restoring the dictatorship and even taking down the resistance for them?” asks Luna in disbelief.

“As a short term measure it will have to do. We can’t risk extending the war any further. At this rate the country will collapse entirely. Best we can do, is restore order and heal their wounds. But for that to happen, the people need to see someone pay for the atrocities committed.”

“So Manuel Castilho and Sylvie Moreau will be the sacrificial lambs.” concludes Baram.

“Correct.”

“How are we going to find a Phantom … in a jungle?” asks Maya with a hint of concern.

“Good question. It would normally be impossible to pin point the Phantom’s base of operations. However, for the last few months our field analyst has also been monitoring inbound weapon deliveries smuggled into the country by way of Africa and Brazil. It seems the Russians have been arming and perhaps even training the resistance fighters.”

A new set of images provide a navigation chart displaying trade routes across the globe and converging on the north-eastern coast of Brazil.

“We have a lead on one such shipment entering the country in the next few hours. We followed the money to the guns. Now you follow the guns straight to the Phantom.”

“Understood.” Replies Maya.

“Any further questions?” asks Madam Z facing the agents.

“Pie, anyone?” asks Baram.

(To be continued.)