ADVENT: History

Unification Day

"The world was looking for a response. Like the message or not, ADVENT definitely gave them one. And it was one that no one could oppose without looking like traitors."

- Unidentified News Anchor

The entire event made me feel uncomfortable. I remember it very clearly, 'cause it's not something that can easily be forgotten. We were all there together, talking amongst ourselves, wondering what was going to happen. What could possibly happen after this? How could it possibly get worse after Australia and the UN attacks?

Can't say what did happen was…bad…but it's worrying. Every step of the way we were ordered, prodded and frankly intimidated by armored soldiers in black armor. They had no sign of their allegiance on them, no sign that they were friendly. They made no effort to accommodate us or even put us slightly as ease.

Needless to say at the beginning we were wondering if we'd accidentally given ourselves up as hostages or worse. But someone finally talked to one of the…officers I guess, the ones with the red ornate helmets, and he explained everything was fine, so long as we all complied. Soon after that we were given a fairly long speech about rules and restrictions.

It became very clear that ADVENT (Since that's what they called themselves) had very specific plans for us, and we were going to follow them, and if we didn't, we would be kicked out. Coverage. That was all they wanted. They wanted people to see their planned introduction and nothing else. No questions, no interviews, even preview statements were prevented. All in the name of security of course.

Not sure if I believe that.

I certainly wasn't going to piss off the soldiers with guns (Who were likely looking for just any excuse to use them) and that was something silently agreed on, except for one idiot who decided it would be a good idea to try and get some 'insider footage.' Didn't work and the soldiers kicked him out, placed him in temporary custody, and confiscated his equipment. I talked with him later and it was even worse than I'd thought.

They somehow froze his bank account and suspended his password, essentially stranding him in Switzerland with no way out once he was released. Apparently it was to perform background checks to ensure he wasn't a 'threat.' Took a couple days, but he was cleared, which isn't what's disturbing to me. What disturbs me is that ADVENT has the power to completely neuter anyone they suspect is a threat. Useful in the right hands, I guess, but in the wrong hands…it's scary.

Gah, tangent. Anyway, there was a sense of normalcy when the address actually began. The soldiers let us set up our equipment as usual and mostly stayed in the background. Much easier for me to focus to say the least. Saudia seems fine, at least if she actually believes the stuff she said. Hopefully. Bit concerned about how little I know, though I wouldn't expect someone in intelligence work to be public.

Not really convinced that an intelligence person was right to seemingly be put in charge of…well, this world alliance? Government? Whatever. Those types are hard to trust.

I want to like the Commander. XCOM has done a lot of good, and yet I have the feeling that XCOM is a lot more influential than they let on. The fact that they're one of the most powerful militaries in the world and don't answer to anyone is also concerning.

I do wonder what deal XCOM worked out with ADVENT. Anyone who refuses to name themselves is a bit more suspicious to me. But what really unnerved me was when the Commander saluted, probably just for show, and all the soldiers around us echoed it instantly. That was spooky.

Makes me wonder just who really is in charge there.

- Journal entry of Hali Runiani, Journalist for CNN

Fox News Broadcast shortly after Address end

[Pam Giulini]: "And we are back after the newly proclaimed Chancellor of what we now know is ADVENT finished her address, and we also got our very first recording of the Commander of XCOM himself. Clearly this has major ramifications across the world, not just the United States. Right now we're going to go to Trey on Capitol Hill as he gives the reactions of Congress. Trey?"

[Trey]: "Thank you Pam. Well, reactions here vary from concerned to angry. President Treduant apparently did not consult with Congress at all before going to Switzerland, though there are several sources that do say that she had appraised military and intelligence officials well before hand."

[PG]: "So when you say angry…what level are we talking about here?"

[T]: "Well, it's mostly a lot of rhetoric at this point. But the truth of the matter is that President Treduant cannot simply keep ignoring Congress to get what she wants done. The Senate Majority Leader has openly criticized this move saying that 'Performing this unilateral stunt without consulting Congress will have major global ramifications that we are not ready for.' Safe to say that the Republicans are continually displeased with her performance."

[PG]: "Aside from President Treduant, are there any reactions on ADVENT itself and Chancellor Vyandar?"

[T]: "Quite a few, and this has apparently shocked Congress, who had no knowledge anything like this was even in the works. They do not appear to be alone either, almost all of the European Union has given similar reactions of surprise. There are a couple of congressmen that do agree with the overall message of unity, but believe it is far too soon to join an unproven organization as far-reaching as ADVENT appears to be."

[PG]: "And from the sounds of it, nations that join would be subject to ADVENT. Have you heard anything on that?"

[T]: "Nothing confirmed, unfortunately, but that is the suspicion and if that's the case, I can't see President Treduant bringing America into ADVENT without substantial incentives. There is a lot of skepticism surrounding Chancellor Vyandar, and she has a lot to prove to the United States in particular."

[PG]: "Well that is certainly interesting and thank you for letting us know."

[T]: "Anytime."

[PG]: "Well, in a few minutes we will be continuing our analysis of the sudden announcement of ADVENT, and what it means not just for the United States, but all of you watching at home."

Mom and Dad are worried, but they aren't telling me what's really happening. I hate it when they treat me like I'm just a kid, that doesn't know things are bad. Everyone at school is scared, saying we're going to be attacked by the aliens. The teachers lie to us and say everything's going to be fine and try to teach us useless crap. Who cares about division when we might get attacked by aliens…

I'm scared. Mom's scared. Dad's scared. Everyone is, but just pretending they aren't. Even the people on the news are trying to make it seem like everything will work out. But I don't think it will. I think it's going to get worse. Matt says that his dad thinks there'll be martial law soon. I wish I hadn't looked that up.

Today was different for some reason. Dad seems a little calmer and I think it had something to do with that speech that lady gave. They played it at school today, time off from class is always nice, but I didn't really pay attention and chatted with Mary a bit. Well, quietly. Now I sort of wish I had paid attention since what she said seemed to make things better.

I asked him why he looked that way, and he pulled up a picture of some guy. It was the same place where the lady had given her speech, but the guy in her place looked like some kind of dashing action hero, with silver armor and a stern face. Kind of like dad when he knows I've done something wrong. He asked me if I knew who that was. I said no.

He said it was the "Commander of XCOM" and that XCOM was going to protect us. I remember XCOM a bit now. They protected New York, they seemed to be fighting the aliens and winning. For a while we'd wondered who the mysterious soldiers around the world were. Matt said they were special forces, that they worked for the UN, whoever they were.

I guess if they make Dad feel better, then maybe I shouldn't be as worried. I hope XCOM will protect us; I don't want them to be worried again.

- Journal, Amy Kindle, age 11, 6th grade

"Begin log. Authorization: Quisilia."

"Confirmed: Log number 5B7, Zar'Chon'ravarian'vitiary."

"Good enough. I believe we erred in our handling of EXALT badly. While this might be attributed to the Commander, having the presumed former Director of EXALT working against us, presumably with the rest of EXALT, is a setback that should have been prevented. The revelation that the now-Chancellor Vyandar is leading this ADVENT is an issue, especially since we should have had intelligence predicting this to begin with."

"However, I am more concerned not solely due to Chancellor Vyandar, but because this was no doubt orchestrated by the Commander as the number who even know for sure of EXALT's existence was extremely limited, and the Commander is practical enough to use his former enemies against us. It raises significant concerns as to the lengths ADVENT will go to stop us."

"I suspect that the Commander would not have put Chancellor Vyandar in charge if he did not have some kind of guarantee that she would act in ways that are damaging to our efforts or are favorable to XCOM. The declaration of XCOM as an independent power appears to corroborate this, and will no doubt make XCOM more dangerous."

"Furthermore it raises questions as to how involved the Commander was in the formation of ADVENT, as he was clearly involved to a degree, or at the very least, aware of it. All those behind them are allies of XCOM, so it is not implausible that the Commander was not solely informed about ADVENT, but actively participated in its creation."

"In which case, that makes ADVENT a far more dangerous adversary, because if it subscribes to even a portion of the Commander's combat philosophy, taking control of Earth will be far harder than initially presumed. The opposing force, may, ironically be the Humans themselves. ADVENT appears to require submission, and several major countries will likely not submit without a fight."

"The question then is if the Commander or Chancellor Vyandar will tolerate that. Would they turn on their own people in the name of defeating us? With the Commander, certainly. I am less convinced of Chancellor Vyandar's resolve on that front. But if the Commander is influencing her, then the possibility becomes far more likely."

"Regardless, this needs a balanced response, and if ADVENT is an aggressive organization, that will open up additional opportunities for Zararch influence and infiltration. If ADVENT wants to aggressively take control, we can incite internal wars as long as it takes. But we cannot allow ADVENT to form a complete world government, as that will make the assimilation of humanity impossible without extensive Ethereal intervention."

"Which would admittedly be nice. Quisilia, I know you listen to these and might be here now. One Ethereal will not be enough to take Earth as evidenced by the Ravaged One's attack on XCOM's Headquarters, and the Battlemaster will not survive alone. In which case my recommendation is your deployment to assassinate the leading world leaders."

"Think about it. I know you enjoy toying with the Humans, but both of us know there is a larger threat to deal with."

"End log."