By Shikasta
Spoilers: Anything's fair game in my view although this is an AU
Disclaimer: The characters of Dark Angel are owned by Twentieth Century Fox Television and Cameron Eglee productions. In laymen's terms: Don't own them but by god I wish I did.
Italics = flashback
Chapter Five – Historical Notes No. 1These extracts are being provided to students who are studying the cause and effect of the human/transgenic war that began in 2025 and ended in 2028.
In the year 2020 a secret government programme was unmasked with the escape of human/animal hybrids that were designed as a weapon. The project entitled Manticore had been funded through Veteran's Affairs and was hidden deep within the Government structure. Even today little is known about the project, most documentation having been destroyed but what happened after has been well documented.
Extract taken from Alec's War written by Professor Harold Fitzgibbons 2050
There have been many great leaders throughout human history among those are Attila the Hun, Elizabeth I and Abraham Lincoln and now another will be added to their ranks, a living hero of his people, X5-494.
Little was known of this man until after the war against the familiars, he remained elusive even his mere existence was questioned, although one Angeline Charlton, reporter for a nationally syndicated newspaper wrote extensively on the transgenic/human war including what it was like to be in Seattle at the time. However, she was later discredited after being involved in a kiss and tell story, leaving her career in tatters.
He was reported to be incredibly charismatic a quality that most historical figures have, and it is rumoured he rallied his people to war with one speech that the transgenic community still talk of today. Although the speech in its entirety has disappeared with time through eyewitness accounts I was able to piece together some of what was said.
We are a people, who have suffered so America could be free. We are a people who have survived horrors that are unmentionable. We are a people who deserve to be free, who deserve to be recognised, who are a nation that will not be destroyed by bombs, words or ignorance. We will stand tall and proud, we will not hide or disappear, we will remain where they can see us so their guilt remains constant and until their conscious acknowledges us.
Extract from interview with Private Philip Case in April 2025
My unit was deployed in the second wave of the ground assault, we had watched as the first wave was mowed down, they dropped like flies and then we were ordered to charge. I charged with the rest of my unit my ears ringing with the sound of bullets gliding through the air and then I was hit just before reaching the barricade. When I came to I was in Seattle in the transgenic medical facility, they took care of me, patched me up and returned me. Not once was I tortured or asked to divulge sensitive information, they treated me with kindness.
Extract taken from Senator Druitt's journal 2027
I stand on the brink of completing what I set out to achieve 2½ years ago. I have always regretted my involvement with the super-soldier project when working as an intern for Senator Purcell. I thought it would aid my career instead the guilt overwhelmed me and now I am looking into the abyss and it's looking back at me. If I fail, there is no room for failure. Instead of bickering amongst ourselves we should be looking on in amazement for its not in many lifetimes that we have been privileged to witness first hand the birth of a nation.
I am beginning to get some reports with regards to what occurred within the super soldier project and some of the details that are being revealed disturb me. I fear that there is an even greater war ready to break the surface and our actions in the next four weeks will determine whether or not we survive the next battle.
Transgenics Account of the first attack documented 2030
We had never anticipated that they (humans) would actually attack, in some respects you have to admire them, their bravery and foolishness. They stood there on the battlefield outside Seattle willingly going up against a superior force, they were prepared to die, for what we still don't know.
Our leader had given us strict orders to disable only, many of us didn't understand and some openly challenged this order. We were created to fight, to use our strengths to defeat our enemy, we could have ended the war in a week.
I shot 100 men and women that day only 3 were fatal.
Extract taken from General Farr's Journal dated 2025
It was a military disaster, how they managed to hold our forces back I shall never fully understand. We are dealing with a formidable enemy and understanding their strategy is crucial at this point. I have requested the retrieval of those responsible for creating these abominations in the hope of knowing my enemy.
I know that God is on my side and that this threat to America will be crushed in the months to come.
Extract taken from X5-494's journal dated 2022
Max handed over leadership to me today, I don't profess to understand why and she is unwilling to tell me. I wonder if I have the courage to see this through, the strength to lead my people to a salvation they so desperately crave. What was she thinking, I'm afraid she's planning to runaway, a common trait amongst the 09ers, it's a rumour that's been circulating and I can't help but wonder. Do I have what it takes to lead?
It's odd between us, for so long I stood in her shadow bolstering her leadership and now I find there is no longer any shadow to hid behind, I'm exposed my shortcomings ready to knock me back down. I am forcing myself to stay for Max's sake, because she makes me care. I fear what the future holds and I fear myself but Max will always be my guiding light.
Extract taken from Alec's War written by Professor Harold Fitzgibbons 2050
X5-494's battle strategy was remarkable, drawing on past historical figures he adopted a 'turn the other cheek' policy, ordering his troops to not unnecessarily kill any humans instead their mission was to disable. He reinvented guerrilla warfare and his men carried out an unprecedented number of acts of sabotage. Although it was reported that over 100,000 troops were stationed outside Seattle over the course of the war there were a mere 300 fatalities.
Extract from medical notes on transgenic X5-452
During recent tests it was ascertained that specimen X5-452 is indeed pregnant by an X5 alpha male, whose identity is unknown. Early indication shows that the foetuses are progressing normally and it is hoped that the offspring will show improved abilities beyond their parents. Depending on the outcome of the pregnancy it is recommended that X5-452 be breed for her offspring will be an invaluable addition to the project. We have already removed some of her eggs for experimentation and artificial insemination into a surrogate using a compatible X5 sperm donor.
Transcript of last Eyes Only broadcast 2025
This is a streaming freedom video bulletin. The cable hack will last exactly 60 seconds. It cannot be traced, it cannot be stopped and it is the only free voice left in America. We live in a world that has gone mad, the troops have been deployed to wipe out a threat that doesn't exist to kill innocents whose only crime was to be manufactured. Transgenics are not the enemy, they have protected us and now they to want the basic freedoms we enjoy. We have a voice America, use it, don't let our government hold an unjust war in our name. Peace, out.
Extract from Report of Human Casualties from the Siege of Seattle dated 2028
On October 2026 Logan Cale, also rumoured to be Eyes Only, was discovered within the boundaries of Seattle with his neck snapped. His death was ruled a murder after an autopsy conducted by Ivy a transgenic medic during the siege, his body was incinerated. His killer still remains at large and the reason for his death is unknown.
Case is unsolved.
Extract taken from X5-494's journal dated 2026
After 12 months the humans are still encamped beyond the city. I had hoped they would have bored of this little war by now and communication channels would be opened but I feel I have underestimated them. They are almost as stubborn as Max.
I have received word from Senator Druitt that she wishes to meet with me, well 452 considering she is still under the belief that Max runs the show. My identity still remains hidden but I am interested in hearing what the Senator has to say, where's Max when you need her. I just have to hope that she is willing to speak through Luke, I have a feeling that the Senator is going to be a powerful ally.
Max is still gone, hunting for our missing child, a child I have still yet to meet. I find myself torn, longing for Max to be here to raise Hope but also glad she is obsessed with finding Faith. I begin to wonder if my little girl is a myth created from our imaginations, it's like chasing a rainbow hoping to find the pot of gold I fear we will never find the end.
Extract from Washington DC Newspaper 2035
National Museum of American History will be opening its transgenic exhibition later this week the vocal point being the huge slab from the space needle that was used to record the names of all those who fell, transgenic and human, inside the walls of Seattle during the siege. Mr Paul Matthews the curator has said it promises to be an emotional journey for anyone who comes to see the exhibition and is being promoted to encourage reconciliation and a greater understanding.
TBC
