Gunvolt (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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daybreakacademy2019-11-03 11:12 am
shockingblue) wrote in daybreakacademy2019-11-03 11:12 am
Operation Anthem - The Great Train Heist
Who: Gunvolt, Jailbreak, Desidera, Vivi, Lia, Kohaku, guest starring Asimov
What: Invading a Sumeragi Armored Train and put a stop to Project Monarch
When: November 3
Where: Somewhere in Eastern Europe
Warnings: Fighting and violence, and imprisonment of an AI
Briefing
Gunvolt's team is gathered early in the morning into a specialized presentation room for a pre-mission briefing. Even GV himself had been kept in the dark about what was going to happen, just knowing the target was one both QUILL and Daybreak had very good reason to interfere with. Once everyone took their seats, the door opened, and for most, an unfamiliar man walked inside. Of course, Gunvolt immediately recognized him, and his eyes brightened considerably.
"Asimov! You came personally?" It was in that moment that the weight of the operation hit home for the young agent, because if Asimov had traveled here to deliver the briefing himself, it had to be huge.
In response, the man smiled a bit and laughed quietly. His voice was deep and commanding, and carried with it an American accent. "Sure did, GV." It was hard to tell, but the man's eyes looked over everyone gathered here, briefly sizing them up. "Looks like you did get quite a team together for this. Good. It will be dangerous, but nothing the lot of you shouldn't be able to handle. Anyway, as GV just said, my name is Asimov. I am the founder and leader of the Rune Guard organization known as QUILL. We have contacted and joined with Daybreak for this, an extremely important mission. Now, let's get down to it." He pulled a remote from his pocket, pressing a button with his thumb. The lights dimmed, and a projector turned on, revealing what looked like a parked armored train in a station somewhere. "This... this is where you will be deploying. On this train, while it is in transit from Russia into Germany."
Asimov turned and looked around the room once more.
"But I get ahead of myself. The owner of that train is a corporation known as the Sumeragi Group. They are based out of Japan, and claim to be a company who works in electronics, software, and most famously, energy production. Doubtlessly, if any of you come from Japan, you have probably heard of them. Of course, all of that is mostly a front for their other activities, involving magic and exploitation of the supernatural. This has mostly been in weapons development, research and development, and more. But over the past twenty or so years, they've taken interest in a very specific group of individuals." He pauses for a dramatic moment, and looks squarely at his protege, Gunvolt. "Candles."
"Sumeragi has, over the past several years, been systematically kidnapping and exploiting Candles for their own purposes: profit, personal gain, and even... weaponization. Their exploitation goes beyond simply unethical and callous cruelty. If any of you have seen movies about corrupt sci-fi corporations, that's about as spot on as it gets.
Anyway, over at QUILL, we have been working on piecing together how they find their targets... and we believe we have found it." Asimov grimaces, knowing this was going to be an unpleasant reveal. Still, he pressed the button again on the remote... revealing a figure who might be familiar to some people in the room. A young, attractive looking JPop idol, wearing clothing with strong butterfly motifs in bright oranges and blacks.
"...No. Monarch?!" Gunvolt nearly jumped out of his chair in surprise. "But how?!"
Asimov shook his head and sighed. "...Monarch isn't what she seems, GV. It turns out, she was never a real human at all. As you know, GV, and some of you might not, Monarch's concerts have been virtual; which has been a popular thing in Japan as of late. Singing computers, and all that. Turns out, Monarch, the JPop Idol, is actually part of Project Monarch, Sumeragi's top-secret program to locate candles. Her song... when broadcast at her concerts, acts as form of sonar that resonates with Radiance; it can pinpoint Candles with astounding accuracy. And with that, Sumeragi finds more victims. Fortunately, her range is limited to within a certain radius, and all those albums and songs sold do not have the same effect. ...Which brings us back to the train."
He flips the picture back to the armored train.
"Project Monarch will be on this train in a matter of hours; or rather, the AI Core that houses the Monarch AI that Sumeragi uses for this project. Our information suggests that the Core is incredibly sophisticated in its processing power, and is kept in a nigh-indestructible carrying case. As such, we cannot simply destroy the train directly; we need boots on the ground inside the train to locate the case with the AI... and to destroy it. Sumeragi cannot be allowed to have a method to locate potential victims any longer... and moving it deeper into Europe is unacceptable as well.
...Some of you may have heard Monarch was having a World Tour soon. This is part of it. And we need to stop it now. Before it starts."
"Asimov... haven't Monarch's concerts been cancelled a lot recently?"
"Yes, though we don't know why. Her 'managers' blame it on technical problems at the venues, but we do not know if that is the truth or not. Either way, GV. Remember, you can't let your personal feelings jeopardize this mission; there are too many innocents that could be wrapped up in this already."
"...Yeah. I hear you. I'll be fine."
"Good. We expect resistance on the train to consist primarily of Sumeragi security forces. Most of them are mundane humans, but they will be carrying weapons and gear that are quite advanced. Expect firearms, both of mundane and energy projection types. Lasers, blasters. Missiles. Magic cannot be ruled out either. And worse, there are rumors of semi-autonomous combat vehicles on board; Mantis class. They can be dangerous, but they may not activate them while the train is in motion. If they do, they can be destroyed with enough concentrated power. We expect the AI Core to be closer to the engine, but that car will require access cards from Sumeragi Agents on the train. Find the cards, then get into that car, and destroy the AI Core once you remove it from its casing.
I can answer further questions. I am sure you all have some."
Part Two: Deployment
One of the Academy's Rune Wing transports soared through the sky during the zero hour, flying in along the moving train to deploy the team on one of the rear, flat cargo traincars. The Rune Wing's magical stealth properties allowed our brave heroes to board before a response could be mounted, but resistance will come quickly! Fight your way through the cars, find the dudes with the keycards to open the main storage unit near the front of the train!
What: Invading a Sumeragi Armored Train and put a stop to Project Monarch
When: November 3
Where: Somewhere in Eastern Europe
Warnings: Fighting and violence, and imprisonment of an AI
Briefing
Gunvolt's team is gathered early in the morning into a specialized presentation room for a pre-mission briefing. Even GV himself had been kept in the dark about what was going to happen, just knowing the target was one both QUILL and Daybreak had very good reason to interfere with. Once everyone took their seats, the door opened, and for most, an unfamiliar man walked inside. Of course, Gunvolt immediately recognized him, and his eyes brightened considerably.
"Asimov! You came personally?" It was in that moment that the weight of the operation hit home for the young agent, because if Asimov had traveled here to deliver the briefing himself, it had to be huge.
In response, the man smiled a bit and laughed quietly. His voice was deep and commanding, and carried with it an American accent. "Sure did, GV." It was hard to tell, but the man's eyes looked over everyone gathered here, briefly sizing them up. "Looks like you did get quite a team together for this. Good. It will be dangerous, but nothing the lot of you shouldn't be able to handle. Anyway, as GV just said, my name is Asimov. I am the founder and leader of the Rune Guard organization known as QUILL. We have contacted and joined with Daybreak for this, an extremely important mission. Now, let's get down to it." He pulled a remote from his pocket, pressing a button with his thumb. The lights dimmed, and a projector turned on, revealing what looked like a parked armored train in a station somewhere. "This... this is where you will be deploying. On this train, while it is in transit from Russia into Germany."
Asimov turned and looked around the room once more.
"But I get ahead of myself. The owner of that train is a corporation known as the Sumeragi Group. They are based out of Japan, and claim to be a company who works in electronics, software, and most famously, energy production. Doubtlessly, if any of you come from Japan, you have probably heard of them. Of course, all of that is mostly a front for their other activities, involving magic and exploitation of the supernatural. This has mostly been in weapons development, research and development, and more. But over the past twenty or so years, they've taken interest in a very specific group of individuals." He pauses for a dramatic moment, and looks squarely at his protege, Gunvolt. "Candles."
"Sumeragi has, over the past several years, been systematically kidnapping and exploiting Candles for their own purposes: profit, personal gain, and even... weaponization. Their exploitation goes beyond simply unethical and callous cruelty. If any of you have seen movies about corrupt sci-fi corporations, that's about as spot on as it gets.
Anyway, over at QUILL, we have been working on piecing together how they find their targets... and we believe we have found it." Asimov grimaces, knowing this was going to be an unpleasant reveal. Still, he pressed the button again on the remote... revealing a figure who might be familiar to some people in the room. A young, attractive looking JPop idol, wearing clothing with strong butterfly motifs in bright oranges and blacks.
"...No. Monarch?!" Gunvolt nearly jumped out of his chair in surprise. "But how?!"
Asimov shook his head and sighed. "...Monarch isn't what she seems, GV. It turns out, she was never a real human at all. As you know, GV, and some of you might not, Monarch's concerts have been virtual; which has been a popular thing in Japan as of late. Singing computers, and all that. Turns out, Monarch, the JPop Idol, is actually part of Project Monarch, Sumeragi's top-secret program to locate candles. Her song... when broadcast at her concerts, acts as form of sonar that resonates with Radiance; it can pinpoint Candles with astounding accuracy. And with that, Sumeragi finds more victims. Fortunately, her range is limited to within a certain radius, and all those albums and songs sold do not have the same effect. ...Which brings us back to the train."
He flips the picture back to the armored train.
"Project Monarch will be on this train in a matter of hours; or rather, the AI Core that houses the Monarch AI that Sumeragi uses for this project. Our information suggests that the Core is incredibly sophisticated in its processing power, and is kept in a nigh-indestructible carrying case. As such, we cannot simply destroy the train directly; we need boots on the ground inside the train to locate the case with the AI... and to destroy it. Sumeragi cannot be allowed to have a method to locate potential victims any longer... and moving it deeper into Europe is unacceptable as well.
...Some of you may have heard Monarch was having a World Tour soon. This is part of it. And we need to stop it now. Before it starts."
"Asimov... haven't Monarch's concerts been cancelled a lot recently?"
"Yes, though we don't know why. Her 'managers' blame it on technical problems at the venues, but we do not know if that is the truth or not. Either way, GV. Remember, you can't let your personal feelings jeopardize this mission; there are too many innocents that could be wrapped up in this already."
"...Yeah. I hear you. I'll be fine."
"Good. We expect resistance on the train to consist primarily of Sumeragi security forces. Most of them are mundane humans, but they will be carrying weapons and gear that are quite advanced. Expect firearms, both of mundane and energy projection types. Lasers, blasters. Missiles. Magic cannot be ruled out either. And worse, there are rumors of semi-autonomous combat vehicles on board; Mantis class. They can be dangerous, but they may not activate them while the train is in motion. If they do, they can be destroyed with enough concentrated power. We expect the AI Core to be closer to the engine, but that car will require access cards from Sumeragi Agents on the train. Find the cards, then get into that car, and destroy the AI Core once you remove it from its casing.
I can answer further questions. I am sure you all have some."
Part Two: Deployment
One of the Academy's Rune Wing transports soared through the sky during the zero hour, flying in along the moving train to deploy the team on one of the rear, flat cargo traincars. The Rune Wing's magical stealth properties allowed our brave heroes to board before a response could be mounted, but resistance will come quickly! Fight your way through the cars, find the dudes with the keycards to open the main storage unit near the front of the train!
no subject
Asimov looks over at GV briefly, fully expecting a retort. And he didn't have to wait long. Gunvolt did look pleased that he wasn't the only one who'd listened to Monarch here.
"Zeno's the one who found her first you know. And didn't you listen to her songs a few times, Asimov?"
The leader of QUILL cleared his throat and stood more upright.
"I confess some of her songs are catchy. But I understand this mission will not be easy, seeing as her music did bring light into some peoples' lives. But this mission must be carried out."
no subject
There wasn't really that much else to say on that, from where she was sitting, so she changed the subject.
"How are we getting onto the train? Swinging across on ropes with daggers in our teeth?"
no subject
"Not unless your name is Errol Flynn. No, we'll be using aerial transport to land on the train while it is in motion. Dangerous, but the Academy's Rune Wings are more than equipped to handle such an operation. It'll get in close enough that you can practically walk onto the train."
"You're already wishing QUILL had a couple of them, aren't you?"
"Who wouldn't want one? It's like a sports car of magically enhanced aircraft. Only more practical."