//Boot sequence initiated//
//self-diagnostic//systemctl//nominal//
//kernel loading//launching modules//
//entering operational mode//standard mode//
The world came into view. From a lying position, a mechanical eye "opened" as sensors began feeding data to a central cortex. Complex calculations occurred in nanoseconds.
The machine sat up, rigid and ramrod straight. A series of mechanical functionality checks were completed in quick succession. Joints and actuators moved every piece of the humanoid robot or 'frame' as it came online. It was sitting on a metal slab. The room it was in was large and similar frames sat in various states of awakening on similar tables alongside it. It's sensors picked up individuals moving around. People. They wore lab coats and sterilized equipment. They were immediately scanned by the frames sensors. All were ID'd as friendly.
One stood in front of him, holding a data slate. The machine perceived her exact dimensions. 5'10". Black hair. Female. Features indeterminate: wearing a mask.
She scanned him with a laser thermometer. She pointed it right at its chest, taking a heat reading off of its power core. She looked into his sensor module, AKA its head.
"What is your designation?" She asked.
The frame replied in a monotone voice with light static, "Unit K-000013AST."
"What are you?" The worker continued.
"Kilo-class Modular Autonomous Combat Frame. Assault and Special Tactics variation."
"What is your purpose? Meta." She emphasized the last word.
With hesitation it answered, "To defend my Vanguard combat team. To protect all non-combatant life. To execute all orders from those appointed over me."
"What is your purpose? Design."
"To fight."
"What is your purpose?" She asked without any specification.
"To kill." The frames tone was chilling.
Through all this, the technician was typing on her data slate. After the last question, she called over another tech. They exchanged notes and she returned her attention to K-000013AST.
"Frame, you have been declared fit for full." She gestured across the bay to a large door. "Proceed to inventory and acceptance. You will be issued equipment and given a unit assignment for field activity."
"Yes, ma'am." The frame answered with a sharp salute. Despite only just being brought online, the AI in the frame was pre-loaded with several terabytes of information and new exactly what the technician was talking about.
Gingerly, the frame swung it's legs over the side of the slab. It placed it's rubberized, shock-absorbent, feet on the ground. With precise, yet fluid, movements it marched from the bay into another filled with tactical gear. Dozens of other frames were lined up and receiving their gear. It received a tactical vest, armor, a communications device, holsters, self-maintenance tools and other gear normally issued to human soldiers. Once through the bay, they were loaded into cargo containers and placed onto a truck. Looking through a gap between the loading dock and the container, unit K-000013AST saw sunlight for the first time.
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The High Command conference room in Citadel City was spartan. It consisted of four white-painted walls, a large monitor to one side and a long wooden table placed in the center. The details were minimal, reflecting a philosophy of function over form. The highest ranking officers of the Terra Vanguard were gathered. There was Over-Commander Julius Tycho, Sky-Admiral Cole Kincade; commander of all Sky-Carriers, Striker-Commander Ivan Federov; commander of special forces, Periscope; the Research and Development chief, Ground-Commander Otto Reinstead; ground forces commander and head of strategic doctrine, and Spy Master Penny Sierra; head of ISR. This group formed the mythical "High Command", from which all strategic planning, orders and decisions were made. All sat at a wooden table with Leader-Commander Axton Tambor at its head; with the exception of the enigmatic Periscope, who stood in a lonesome corner. Aids and advisors sat in chairs that lined the outer walls. Two guards in full kit stood just beyond the doors.
"Output of the new Kilo-class frames has exceeded expectations. My previous estimate of a 25% defection rate off the assembly line proved incorrect. We are ahead of schedule and over quota." Ground-Commander Reinstead reported. He was a barrel chested man with white hair and an impressively well-kept walrus mustache. A picture of Prussian militarism.
He continued, "We'll fill units into combat teams that require replenishment, but only to one-quarter capacity to avoid becoming too 'frame heavy', as it were." He looked back at Periscope. "I suppose air-gapping the models and removing all wireless capability wasn't too hard, now was it?"
The AI replied in monotone, "One point two million lines of additional code had to be written to adapt their ability to process only voice and visual queues without any radio input. It took a... significant, amount of computing power."
"Well, you got it down. Good show, Periscope."
The robot did not reply. It was necessary to completely divorce the the Kilo frames from wireless systems to prevent cyber-attack, hijacking and harden them against EMPs. Despite being miffed at the diversion of valuable resources, he knew it was essential.
The aftermath of the Battle of Tinian had been good for the Vanguard, but left a sour taste in Tambor's mouth. It created many diplomatic opportunities and all entities walked away satisfied. The Russians got their propaganda victory over the United States because they sortied and arrived first, but the U.S Air Force was credited with weakening the creature before the Coup de Grace dealt the killing blow. Both sides had their losses avenged and were now ingratiated to the Vanguard, which was important for an entity that sought to insert itself into their problems. It also kept them from asking uncomfortable questions like: "Where do you get your funding?" or "Where did this entire force come from in the first place?"
Tambor would prefer that the Vanguard didn't have to hold other nations at risk while it removed an occult or anomalous threat from their shores. The amount of threats he had gotten from the Americans prior to killing Master-1, now known as the "Trench Monster" (they really had to come up with a better name) almost lead to disaster. The creature itself was a boon as well. An enterprising Rifle in a recon company managed to capture one of the creatures eggs. It was currently under study in The Pit.
The battle had also come at a cost. The loss of the Stormfiend and her 100 man crew was the greatest single loss the Vanguard had yet endured. They boasted substantial resources on this archipelago, but they couldn't afford to go trading naval vessels 1 for 1. Not to mention, the loss of life. Those submariners had been on dubious tasking to track Russian and American assets, and were killed for no gain. Something else the Vanguard had to get batter at: passive detection of large-scale threats.
The Leader-Commander listened to his subordinates as they presented their briefings on their respective fields. Tambor had been explicit since the beginning; that when High Command held these meetings, they were not briefing him, they were briefing each other. Information would flow freely through High Command. Such that they would all remain on the same page, and the left hand would never wonder about the right. It also made up for the heads indecision.
Various matters were discussed, from logistics to troop status and readiness, and exercise schedules. Much of it was small fries, but all present knew the importance of detail, so they listened and none dialed out. The Coup de Grace would need to be drydocked after firing the Infinite Rail cannon. The magnets that ran along her spine and helped guide the projectile on launch had melted and caused significant damage. This was assigned priority over scheduled drydocking of another sky-carrier as the Infinite rail project was deemed a higher priority.
Vanguard force disposition was also briefly gone over. The Cry Havoc was back in Salvo for replenishment. The Iron Heart was flying south of Salvo on pre-deployment workups while the Defining Moment was herself deployed off the coast of Africa, on what had become regular patrols of the South Atlantic. She was being shadowed by American and European ships. This was expected. Everyone wanted information on the world-beating carriers and this behavior was par for the course for any superpower.
Finally, they got to the meat of the discussion: strategic planning and intelligence. This would be led by Spy Master Penny Sierra. Despite her anglo-hispanic name, which was likely a fake, the intelligence officer had a facial structure with high cheek bones that indicated Celtic descent. For most of the meeting she had remained silent. When it was her turn, she reached over her shoulder without looking and an aid placed a thick folder in her hand. She opened it and withdrew copies of several documents that she handed out to the other members of High Command. While doing so she spoke with a slight French accent, "There have been 132 attempts over the past week to remotely access Vanguard systems. Twelve of them are attributable. They have come from every country with a functional computer network. The People's Republic of China is the most commonly attributed. I would not characterize these intrusions as cyberattacks with intent. I believe these are curious probes intended to see if we are credible. None of them have penetrated our network security, however, they are learning. We detected submarines from Russia, the United States, China and France getting close to Salvo Island defenses and attempting low-level spoofing of our system with electronic surveillance systems. I believe they have captured samples of our encrypted radio traffic, but I would like to emphasize that it is useless without our cipher. I highlight these actions because they are brazen and it suggests they are not aware of our passive sonar nets and do not know the capability of our shore radar systems to detect their scopes."
Commander Federov dismissed her report with a wave of his hand. "To be expected. We are most interesting fish in pond. We remain tight on OPSEC and all will be fine." he said in a heavy south Slavic accent.
The Spy Master was miffed by his interruption, but she nodded. He was right. "Now, internationally," she continued, "We have calculated an uptick in occult activity. Specifically, an increase in cult formations and behavior, and an increase in vampiric activity of 12% over the past month. Periscope has made me aware of the Black Sun's rate of approach. We calculate that this increase is proportional to its rate of advance, and how close it gets to Earth. We assess with moderate certainty that the Black Sun is indeed the cause of anomalies on Earth."
There was tense silence around the table. They all knew the implication. The Terra Vanguard was a growing force, but with such an increase in threats it would need to grow much faster to meet the demand. The Leader-Commander shrugged and looked around the table, "This was expected. Things were always going to get worse before they got better. And we aren't even at the bottom of this hole yet. Let this be motivation to start digging faster." There were nods all around. He motioned for Sierra to continue.
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"Additionally, the rise in vampiric activity is limited primarily to third-world countries. South America and Africa in particular. I suspect this is due to the lower risk of surveillance in these areas."
Ground-Commander Otto Reinstead asked, "Have there been any discoveries on how these vampires are being, uh, made." he shrugged on the last word, for lack of a better one.
"No information. The source of vampiric production remains a mystery." The Spy-Master answered with a sigh, indicating the matter was of great frustration to her.
Tambor asked, "Has the asset been of any use?" he was referring to Queen Persephone. He refused to call her by name. Just calling her 'asset' left a bad taste in his mouth.
"How did you put it, sir? 'More cryptic vampire bullshit'?" Sierra answered with a slight grin but quickly straightened. "I intend to lower her classification to a tertiary 3rd class asset. She says much without saying anything. She has not proved useful."
Commander Federov crossed his arms. "Should just burn her." he stated flatly. There were nods of agreement.
The Leader-Commander squashed them. "I'd like nothing more, but we have her well-contained. She may prove tactically useful, if not strategically, one day. She lives for now."
The Spy-Master nodded, "Yes, Sir."
Tambor began tapping a pen on the table. "Tell me about these... super humans, that have been popping up."
-----------------------------------
Milo and Kurt Schaft stared at the machine that stood before them. They were outside their barracks on Salvo's Verde island. To replace their missing squad member they had received one of the brand new combat frames that were now popping up amongst the force. Because of their actions on Tinian, Milo had been promoted to R1C, much to his Chief's chagrin. The Rifle First-Class was bewildered, but not put-off by the robot's life-like personality, that it had been programmed with. If anything, it was endearing.
The Rifle drew his sidearm and pointed it at the frame's chest. The robot did not react, but Kurt was immediately put on edge. "What are you doing?" he asked, concerned; eyes darting between his squad leader and the frame.
"Whatcha gonna do?" Milo asked the frame.
"Friendly Rifle identified." Unit K-000013AST answered, "This unit strongly recommends practicing safe firearms handling procedures."
"What if my fingered slipped and I pulled the trigger?" he queried.
"Your nine millimeter cartridge will not penetrate my ballistic vest, much less my-[REDACTED]-composite alloy casing. I will be fine. You will not, as I will be forced to subdue you for endangering yourself and your team." The frame stated flatly.
"Take it from me." Milo challenged it.
K-000013AST looked to Kurt. The Junior Rifle shrugged. "Are you authorizing use of force?" it asked Milo.
"Yes-"
No sooner than Milo had finished saying the word, the frame lunged at him. Like a panther that had already been wound tight, it reached out and clasped its hand around the barrel of the firearm. Its other came up punched the Rifle's chest where his shoulder met his torso. It dislocated his shoulder and he was forced to let go of the gun. The force of the hit threw him down onto the grass. He clenched his teeth in pain, but refusing to show it. The frame took control of the firearm.
K-000013AST studied it. He expertly dumped the mag and cleared the chamber. He handed the cleared and safe firearm to Kurt. "Since you have proven neglectful, I will turn your sidearm over to your subordinate."
Milo laughed. He was having fun. The frame grabbed him firmly, but not roughly, by his shirt collar and lifted him to his feet. His dislocated shoulder caused his arm to dangle uselessly beside him. "You got moves, sparky."
"My designation is K-000013AST." K-000013AST corrected him.
"Ya, we're not calling you that." Milo said. The J1C was nursing his painfully dangling arm.
"I assess you need medical attention." The frame said and approached him.
"I'll be fine. Go get-AGH!" Milo yelped as K-000013AST placed two firm strikes with its metal fist into the sides of Milo's torso and arm. The shoulder popped back into place. Suddenly the pain was gone. Milo made an "O" face. He tested his arm. Good as new.
"Hwoo, that feels right." Milo said.
"I am programed with in-depth first aid knowledge. Without your arm, you would only be 37% combat effect. Unacceptable parameters." the frame stated.
"You should reassess." Kurt joked, "He's only 37% with the arm."
Milo shot Kurt a look, then turned his attention back to the frame. "Alright, I'm not calling calling you by all that numbers mumbo-jumbo crap." He looked to Kurt, trying to think of a name.
"Tetsu." the quiet Tora said. The Japanese man had snuck up on them, surprising both Kurt and Milo. He then clarified. "Iron."
Milo and Kurt both nodded agreement. "Alright, you're new designation is 'Tetsu'." Milo told K-000013AST.
If frames could smile, Tetsu would have.
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R2C Mike Perelli threw a punch as hard as he could, directly into the center of the punching bag. Kinger was on the other side of the bag, keeping it from swaying. She frequently taunted Perelli and admonished him for his weak punches, spurring him to lay into the bag harder. Occasionally, she reached around and blindsided him with a slap or a punch, sometimes, a kick. Which Perelli would have to duck, dodge or block. They had been going at it for 20 minutes, alternating between holder and thrower. Both were drenched in sweat. The gym on Verde Island was quiet in the mid-afternoon. This gave the 123rd Freikorps regiment the run of the place.
Muscles aching, Perelli stepped away from the bag. Kinger tossed him a shaker bottle. He barely had the strength left to flip the cap open. Kinger was in a similar state.
"So, any word on our new squadmates?" Perelli asked, out of breath. R1C Sarah Kinger had been promoted and appointed squad leader.
"Command is still working on it." She said after taking a swig from her own bottle. "Before you got here, the 123rd was pretty well decimated on an op' in, ah, Mexico. The kind we're not supposed to talk about." Perelli nodded, understanding. Classified operations stayed that way.
"But I believe in the 'all in one boat' philosophy, so you deserve to know." Kinger continued. "We were deployed to Veracruz, Mexico, to raid a compound belonging to the East India vampiric clan. Your previous units attack on their fortress in Peru? The Vanguard got the intel on it from us. That raid cost us a lot of guys. Bravo suffered a squad wipe. The last man standing had to call in an airstrike on their own position because a vampire count was ripping them apart."
Perelli listened intently. He was not particularly empathetic, but despite his squad leaders tough demeanor, he could tell she was somewhat unnerved by the event. Not in a sad way, but in a way that filled her with disgust and vitriol. It was a common sentiment in the Vanguard. Retribution was the greatest desire of those that had lost teammates to the vampiric menace.
Kinger finished, "So, leadership is having a hard time moving guys around and it's looking like we'll have a full squad shuffle. You and I are no longer Delta. We're being moved to the command squad, so we'll be with the el-tee. I have no info on our fourth yet."
"We can't just induct another recruit?" Perelli asked.
"No. We're critically low. We have to preserve what expertise we have. Too many newbies, and mission success rates plummet. We gotta get you and some others up to speed first." She didn't mention the increased casualty rates that would also bring. It didn't matter. People were inconsequential, mission failures were not.
Perelli asked, "So, why did you join the Freikorps?"
"Why did you?" Kinger countered.
"I wanted to see the enemy face-to-face. I didn't want to just play some side role. I assume you read my file?"
"I skimmed it." Kinger said, admitting her disinterest.
"I was a tech when I was first joined the Vanguard. I made the switch to infantry, then got moved to reconnaissance. I applied for the Freikorps, because when this fight that we all know is coming does, I want to be on the frontline of it."
Kinger crossed her arms. "I joined because I hate vampires, and I want to put a stake through every one that I can."
Perelli agreed with the sentiment, but felt Kinger was being reserved by design and not telling him something. He let it be.
"Your turn then." he gestured to the punching bag.
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (CIA)
Dossier: Axton Tambor Subject: Axton Tambor, Codename: Leader-Commander Classification: Top Secret Date: XX/XX/XXXX
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Summary:
Axton Tambor, commonly referred to as "Leader-Commander," is the enigmatic figurehead of the organization known as the Terra Vanguard. Despite extensive intelligence efforts, Tambor's origins, motivations, and full capabilities remain largely unknown. This dossier compiles available information, observations, and speculative analysis to provide an overview of this individual and his potential threat to global security.
1. Personal Background:
* Name: Axton Tambor (Believed to be an alias)
* Date of Birth: Unknown (No records found)
* Place of Birth: Unknown
* Nationality: Unknown (Speculated to be U.S.; possibly Eurasian or Balkan descent)
* Height: Approximately 6’2”
* Build: Athletic
* Identifying Features: Distinct military bearing; frequently seen in a camouflage working uniform, indicating a working-class mentality.
2. Known Affiliations:
* Terra Vanguard: Founder and Commander. Tambor is the undisputed leader of this global paramilitary organization, which has rapidly become one of the most advanced and secretive forces in the world. The organization’s activities and influence have spread globally, often circumventing traditional state powers and international law.
3. Unknowns & Speculations:
* Origins: Tambor’s background is shrouded in mystery. All attempts to trace his origins have failed. There are no known records of his existence before the formation of the Terra Vanguard. It is speculated that he may have been involved in clandestine operations or black ops, which could explain the lack of verifiable history.
* Formation of Terra Vanguard: The rapid emergence of the Terra Vanguard as a fully equipped, technologically advanced force suggests either pre-existing infrastructure or unprecedented resources at Tambor’s disposal. Theories range from secret government backing to involvement with non-state actors of unknown origin.
* Psychological Profile: Tambor exhibits traits of a charismatic and visionary leader, with a calculated approach to strategy and warfare. His decision-making suggests a deep understanding of both conventional and asymmetric warfare. Analysts believe he is driven by a strong, possibly fanatical, belief in his mission to "protect humanity," though the specifics of this mission are unclear.
. Military & Strategic Capabilities:
* Command Structure: As Leader-Commander, Tambor exercises absolute control over Terra Vanguard’s military operations. The organization’s hierarchy and operational protocols are believed to be highly disciplined, with Tambor at the apex.
* Sky-Carriers: Tambor is reportedly the architect behind the development of the Vanguard’s sky-carriers, including the Iron Heart, Coup de Grace, Defining Moment, and Cry Havoc. These flying battleships are considered one of the most advanced military assets in existence, rivaling even the most powerful naval fleets.
* Unconventional Assets: The Terra Vanguard’s arsenal includes cutting-edge technologies, many of which are beyond current global military capabilities. There are unconfirmed reports of advanced energy weapons, cyber warfare units, and a vast electronic-warfare suite. Tambor’s access to such technology is a significant concern.
5. Political & Global Implications:
* Relations with Sovereign States: Tambor’s interactions with world governments have been limited and typically on his terms. The Terra Vanguard operates independently of any known state, often ignoring international norms and laws. While some governments may have clandestine agreements with Tambor, others view him as a rogue actor with potentially destabilizing influence.
* Threat Assessment: Tambor is considered a high-risk individual with global reach. His command over the Terra Vanguard and its advanced military assets poses a potential threat to global stability. The organization’s objectives remain unclear, and Tambor’s unpredictability adds to the uncertainty surrounding his true intentions.
* Project Helsing: Referenced in intercepted communications, "Project Helsing" is believed to be a top-secret initiative within the Terra Vanguard. Its purpose remains unknown, but it may be related to anti-vampire operations, advanced weapons development, or even extraterrestrial threats. Tambor’s direct involvement in this project suggests its significance.
7. Conclusion & Recommendations:
Axton Tambor remains one of the most enigmatic and potentially dangerous figures in the contemporary global landscape. His control over the Terra Vanguard, coupled with access to unknown resources and technology, makes him a significant player in international affairs. Continuous monitoring and further intelligence operations are recommended to uncover his true objectives and mitigate any potential threats posed by his actions.
Note: Due to the speculative nature of much of the information within this dossier, all analyses should be considered with caution. Further verification and intelligence gathering are ongoing.