> D.O.V. (VICE) Message - INTERNAL

> FROM: Robert WEST, Director of the Misinformation Board; TO: Barry WRINTMORE, VICE/H.M.T. associate

> Status: URGENT

> Subject: The FAWKES Case File

> Attachment: ENCRYPTED

> Barry,

Sorry to send such delicate information over the Slate Comms but this was an urgent matter for the both of us. I don't know how much you already know so allow me to start from the beginning. The Fawkes case consumed public interest at the time of trial as you must be aware. Since his escape, it has become a matter of national security. But more significantly at present, it has also become a threat to the people we represent.

In late 2178 Dr. Callum Fawkes destroyed his entire team's research. Without this critical information, the SPLICE project failed. Thousands would have benefitted from this research but alas, all was lost. It was the loss of New British civilian life that led to the prosecutor pushing a sentence at state level. The High Court ruled it treason against the people. But alas, the doctor killed himself before the Pathfinders could pick him up - a distasteful affair, I'm sure you'll agree. What the D.O.V. (VICE) were left with was a dilemma: someone had to take the fall. And so it was ruled that the treason sentence could be extended to the doctor's closest blood relative because of the severity of the case. Enter his son: seventeen-year-old, Richard Fawkes.

In my official capacity as Director for Misinformation, it was my duty to ensure that nothing untoward made it's way into the public gaze. At the start my job was simple. Fawkes, after his arrest, was demonized by the media. Easily done - after all, he was the second Fawkes to commit high treason in the last few centuries. The link practically made itself. So Richard Fawkes became in our hearts the kin of that anarchist made famous by the failed attack of 1605. Hailed as "The traitor's son with the traitor's name" public outcry against him was easy to manipulate.

Unfortunately, this is where your organisation failed us. I don't need to remind you the displeasure of my superiors. The escape of such a high-interest prisoner should never have been possible, and yet he was let loose. As the associate for H.M.T. here, you must be aware of the kind of... delicate information he may have been party too. No doubt our enemies were as well.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

Luckily for you, however, we recently retrieved a collection of voice recordings claiming to be from young Mr. Fawkes himself. They were presented to me, in order that I might prevent any falsities reaching the masses. In them, Fawkes speaks as if (in his words) to an imaginary friend. He explains the events of the last few years and his brief time in H.M.T.'s Wiltshire facility. No doubt he hoped they might be found by someone sympathetic to his outrageous cause and used as propaganda against the state. I am sure you understand the threat that such misinformation would pose to the H.M.T. scheme and, by extension, the country as a whole.

It seems he has not learnt his lesson about the penalties that come with treason.

The attachment to this communication features the transcribed version of those voice recordings. It is for your eyes only hence the encryption. The encryption key will be sent by other means. Do not fear - the transcribers will not speak of this. To be frank they will not be speaking much about anything at all for the foreseeable future.

The recordings themselves came in a confused order. It seems he did not intend his audience to listen to them in the order in which he recorded them. Indeed, only a few were recorded at the time of the incidents described. Others he recorded much later to clarify events or string together a clumsy narrative. He listed each recording under a number. We replicated that here in document form to create a chronological timeline of events. No matter how false some of it may be.

Read closely, and figure out a media statement. Make this your utmost priority - we must keep public sympathy away from Richard Fawkes.

Regards,

Robert

DIRECTOR OF MISINFORMATION AT VICE