ADVENT: History
The Razing of Washington D.C.
"And in the face of might, she stood firm against the threat of subjugation and paid the ultimate price. In giving her life, she saved countless others and became a symbol of defiance against the alien threat."
- Plaque on the Memorial of Nicole Treduant, 45th President of the United States of America
"There are places where you feel safe, even if there is a war going on. D.C. was one of those places. No one, including us, ever thought that we would be attacked. The war was everywhere else; the West Coast, Korea, Japan. All very far away. Attacking here was unthinkable; the center of American government."
"I heard the guns firing in the distance, but sort of ignored it thinking it was something else. That was when the screaming started and…things started appearing on the streets. Purple ghosts, it looked like; they weren't attacking us but they began attacking the soldiers. We saw…a lot of people die in front of us."
Long pause.
"This was before the other black aliens appeared. I won't be able to get the screams out of my head. I don't know what they were doing to the soldiers, and I don't really want to either. I don't know why they left us alive, or anyone for that matter. The last thing I remember is a blast that shook the ground. I hit my head as I fell down."
"Afterwards, nothing worked. Phones, cars, nothing. Before we were picked up we didn't know that it was a nuke that was responsible. I didn't know they could do that. But I don't know what we'll do now. Our home is gone and I don't think we'll feel safe again. If they can hit D.C., where else would we be safe?"
- Civilian Interview Transcript 1162, Collins Family – One Mother, One Father, Two Children - All Survived
"Washington D.C., also known as the District of Columbia or simply as Washington, is more than just the capital of the United States. It is not simply the political and military heart of the country. It is also the cultural heart of the nation."
"Much of the city is filled to bursting with monuments, historic buildings and museums. You can scarcely walk 10 feet in places without tripping over a monument or plaque or something of that sort. This city is a crucial part of our national identity and houses a great many historical artifacts, structures, sites and knowledge. For the aliens to have not only attacked D.C. but to also seemingly have deliberately targeted such sites with no political or military value was shocking to us all, and not just because many of us, myself included, happened to be in said buildings when the attack began."
"Some people may ask why all the concern for the damage to a few monuments and museums; after all we have plenty of pictures for everything, along with detailed measurements, reports, etc. We can just rebuild them can't we?"
Short pause.
"The answer is yes, but also no. We can indeed rebuild and repair all of the destroyed monuments and structures and can even do so using the same methods and materials used in their original construction for maximum authenticity, in such a way that you would never know that they had been damaged at all, but there's no replacing the objects which were destroyed. We can make a copy and indeed we do keep copies of multiple objects, but the object itself and much of the information it held is still gone."
"Hmm? Why does it matter so long as the replica is perfect? Your question carries more weight than you may realize for those in the Museum Science field. I could go on and on about that subject but I'll spare you and keep it brief."
"Humans like our stuff, we grow attached to certain objects and locations and they take on sentimental value which results in them becoming culturally and historically significant. A wooden chair is nothing special, but what if I told you Abraham Lincoln had sat in that same chair at one point? That I suspect would impress you, yes it's still a chair, why does it matter? The object itself helps us feel closer to the past, almost giving us a physical connection, at least that's my take on the matter and- gah I'm rambling. I apologize, I'll try to keep this brief Miss...what was your name again? Sorry I don't interact with the media much, well not until now anyway."
"Wong? Right, right, my apologies, I'll try to remember. Anyway, back to the original question, a replica just is not the same, and they are of limited use to scholars and researchers as well since some information, such as the petina, various chemical or biological traces which may have accumulated in the long history of the object, cannot be reproduced. So for anyone hoping to study the object itself some information is irrevocably lost when the object is damaged or destroyed, and that's ignoring the damage the objects take just in the typical day to day."
"You see, while everyone else is focused on the current war with the Collective, those of us working in museums or gathering artifacts have long been engaged in a war of our own against a far more insidious and powerful foe: Time. We are in a constant war with the forces of time and entropy who damage objects and structures with every second that passes."
"It is a battle we cannot win, but can only continue to fight and struggle against in an attempt to delay the inevitable. Pests, temperature, humidity, air, even light, all cause physical and chemical changes and damage in objects and structures and we are constantly trying to limit it. Now we have to deal with the aliens on top of everything else?"
Another pause.
"It's terrible I tell you, some objects were damaged beyond repair, others are now in an even more fragile state than they already were, yet we can do nothing but press forward and wars have long been a threat to such places of history, culture and learning. The Nazis in particular took a great interest in historical sites, artifacts and in particular art."
"How bad was it? I'm assuming you're referring to the damage caused by the aliens and not the Nazis. Simply put, it wasn't great but it could have been far, far worse. I consider it a minor miracle that anything at all was left standing, though I suppose we can thank Treduant for that. As much as the nuclear detonation scared the shi-uh, pardon, scared us all, the EMP put a stop to the alien army before they had time to do much, all things considered."
"Unfortunately, that EMP also knocked out all of our power and with it our climate control equipment, lights, computers, security, you name it. It's a good thing we make regular backups of all our data since everything on any of our devices that happened to be on at the time of the pulse is now gone. We do still need new equipment though, and it will be a nightmare to go through all that information and get the databases and records back up, as if we weren't behind enough already!"
"When the power went out we all went into a panic since many of the objects in museum collections and in some other facilities require specific storage conditions in order to better preserve them. Part of the reason I'm the one speaking to you and not someone from one of the many other museums affected is because we got off relatively easy. Many of our collections, while delicate and irreplaceable, do not deteriorate too quickly, and most of the more of the important stuff is kept below in collections, not above where the public can see it or worse, touch it."
"The vast majority of the skeletons you see on display here are actually resin replicas, the few real objects on display are either not rare or valuable enough to worry about too much, or are considered stable enough to handle the stress of being on display, although we did not prepare for a war. That is something we will all have to discuss going forward and we are in talks with ADVENT to try and prevent such losses in the future."
"Of all the things we had to deal with though, looting was, amazingly, not one of them. As a cynic I suspect a lot of it had to do with there simply not being any time nor good reason to bother, though part of it does seem to be genuine respect by the public. You may have heard about people fleeing the battle outside and heading into the museums, and this is true, what is not always mentioned though is that we let them in. In times of need we open our doors, we were hoping to shelter the public, though it soon became apparent that they were not the target, the buildings themselves were."
"At this point some people started literally shielding certain objects on display or barricading collections areas and putting themselves between the objects and the aliens. Many of these people were museum staff, not just people working with collections but also security and maintenance, some of the public did join in, though. It was an incredible sight seeing a visiting child attempting to protect a T-Rex skeleton from an alien over 5 times his size and seemingly part machine, only slightly diminished by the fact that the skeleton in question was, as mentioned earlier, a resin replica. God that was frightful though, when the child started trying to hit it I was certain he would be killed, but thankfully someone nearby finally snatched the kid away and the creature was apparently smart enough to know the child wasn't a threat."
"Hmm? Where was I? I resent your accusation, I was shielding the rest of that childs tour group, who in turn were also in front of another object in the exhibit, a Triceratops skeleton nearby, I got so wrapped up in the moment that I myself briefly forgot there was no need to protect it. Both skeletons sustained damage yes, though only to some of the "bones", which can be replaced easily enough. Actually, they themselves may end up on exhibit somewhere else after all this since they now have greater significance from the association with the attack, it's quite amusing. Well, to me at least."
"In the end, ADVENT was quick to get the power up and running in these buildings, something we are immensely grateful for. We did have to ask them but the promptness of their response was quite surprising. In the past the US government and military have often dragged their feet on such matters, particularly during the War on Terror, for example, a museum gets looted while begging for military protection while the oil facility a few blocks away already has guards posted around the clock before the shooting has even stopped in the city."
"The power was only out for a day or two in most museums, which, while bad, is not as bad as it could have been. Other museums were not so fortunate, many objects on display in the Air and Space Museum are the real deal, including actual space suits, capsules, et cetera, donated by NASA, and NASA itself no longer has the records regarding their design and construction in some cases. Why not, you ask? Well they were basically chucked in the garbage after the space program was gutted, we've actually had some NASA personnel come in, before the invasion mind you, requesting to take a look at some of the objects they donated to us, all quite amusing of course, gah I've gotten off topic again. I apologize again, I'm rambling."
"Anyway, to sum things up, the attack on D.C. went beyond political or military, if that was the purpose then they could have simply sent those...things...to kill every government and military official...God, I'll never forget the screams...pardon me, we've all been through a lot as I'm sure you know."
"That an alien species, or group of species rather, who have achieved interstellar travel would not only come here and attack a harmless, pre-space travel, civilization, that has far inferior technology, but also deliberately attack such sites is quite frankly extremely disturbing. Let me be clear on this, these are not the actions of an enlightened or noble society, this is not something done intentionally in civilized warfare and here on Earth it is considered a war crime, or at least it was before ADVENT. I'm not sure anymore, but that's beside the point".
"The point is these are the actions of brutes; of tyrants, barbarians, or warlords. The fact they intentionally targeted these sites implies either a lack of understanding regarding our species, or worse, a lack of interest in even trying to understand us. They do not respect us, not who we are, not what we've done, nothing. It is heartbreaking to see something like this being done again in warfare, that it is being done by an advanced alien race is somehow even worse."
"I realize not many people will understand my viewpoint on this but for myself and others this was a deeply violent and horrific act, akin to a rape of our cultural identity, our history. I know it is an extreme analogy but I am not exaggerating. It is said that history is written by the victor, if that is the case, I cannot help but fear this as being indicative of what would happen in the case of an alien victory. Even if our species survives we will no longer be the same. They will warp our history, mangle our identity, our culture, perhaps beyond any recognition should they win".
"Hmm? Is there anything I want others to know? Yes, yes there is. To everyone, and I am addressing this to those in countries who have joined ADVENT and to those yet to join, do not believe whatever the aliens may try to tell you. That their intentions are noble; that they only want peace, this attack puts the lie to their words. They have no interest in peace, only in our submission, they came here as conquerors…"
Brief pause.
"No, scratch that, at first they likely saw us as little more than insects, like wild animals, just think back to all the abductions, all the empty towns, all the missing people in the early days. They viewed us as livestock, as a resource, not as an intelligent race worthy of respect. These...creatures, their actions reveal their true nature, they are little more than savages if you ask me, violent, aggressive brutes who came here thinking us easy prey. They are bullies, nothing less and there must be no mistaking this."
"Do not be fooled, I can understand why some nations may be hesitant to join ADVENT, although I probably shouldn't elaborate more on this, but as far as I can tell, they are the only ones fighting the aliens, well, them and XCOM obviously. Our best chance of winning, of retaining our identity as humans, of preserving our past and ensuring that all that those who came before us accomplished was not in vain, lies with them. Should they lose...I see dark times ahead of us."
Transcript from interview with Dr. Robert Horner, Ph.D, Department chair, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, conducted by Journalist Jessica Wong, in a sanctioned interview after the Razing of Washington D.C.
ADVENT Military After-Action Report 1091
Operation: Imperial Ensemble
Author: Commander Laura Christiaens
Recipients: Chancellor Saudia Vyandar, Chief of Lancer Operations Helion Weekes, Chief of ADVENT Engineering and Development Feng Mercado, Chief Diplomat Firdaus Hassan, Director of ADVENT Intelligence Elizabeth Falka, XCOM Central Officer Ariel Jackson
The aftermath of the attack is still difficult to quantify until the area is fully secured, as the EMP fallout from Treduant's nuclear launch has made it impossible to immediately get information in a timely manner. At this moment we are working off incomplete information as ADVENT forces are moving to secure the city and remove any additional threats now that the Battlemaster is gone.
Despite this, we have gathered enough information to learn how the attack was carried out, the sequence of events before the nuclear blast, and issues that need to be addressed immediately once Operation Sherman is complete and D.C. is secured.
CLUSTERED CITIES ARE MILITARY TARGETS: Throughout the war we have acted on certain unspoken conditions. There are some places that are clear and valid military targets that are logical and obvious when viewed from what territory the Collective controls. However, our focus on this has allowed us to become lax in recalling that the Collective is not limited to land.
They can, and now have, struck where we are vulnerable to make a point. It is almost certain that this is in response to Operation Sherman, and that this is intended to deter us from performing similar actions in the future. Targeting a figure such as President Treduant is intended to demoralize and break the resolve of our citizens.
However, in this instance, I believe that the Battlemaster has underestimated just what we can endure and recover from.
NANOTECHNOLOGY IS IN USE: The deployment of these nanotech figures is a highly disturbing and dangerous development. From the limited footage that was received, they appeared impossible to conventionally kill and replicated to unbeatable numbers in a short amount of time from consuming the armor and bodies of soldiers.
While we don't know the full capabilities, the Collective is now willing to use nanotechnology against us and we must accelerate our own development of nanoweaponry, as well as defenses against it. The EMP from the nuclear blast has likely solved the problem, but that is not a practical solution to any kind of nanotech threat.
CYBERNETICALLY ENHANCED ALIENS ARE BEING DEPLOYED: In addition to the alien Warlock, the nanomachines, and the Battlemaster, clearly enhanced aliens were also deployed. These appeared to be Mutons and some Vitakara who had been modified to be faster, more accurate, and dangerous than their organic counterparts.
These units were responsible for the attacks on buildings and seemed to serve as demolition units for the Battlemaster. It is unknown how affected they were by the EMP, but they have likely been damaged or destroyed. Forces being sent are prepared to deal with these enhanced units. Autopsies will confirm just how advanced they are and what can be done to counter them.
IMMEDIATE DEVELOPMENT OF EMP WEAPONS AND DEFENSE: With the previous two notes above, it is imperative that more practical and widespread EMP weapons be developed and deployed. In the case of nanotechnology, it is not only a recommendation, it is the only responsible solution. We cannot deploy nuclear weapons as our only response.
By that same token, we also need to begin hardening our own technology and weapons against EMP weapons and bursts as well. The majority of D.C. is no longer functioning and it will take weeks to fully restore the city. We need to ensure that we can function if we need to detonate something like a nuke to disperse an EMP effect. It does little good to cripple the Collective if we are similarly neutered.
DEATH OF PRESIDENT TREDUANT: The loss of President Treduant is a major setback in leadership for the United States, and ADVENT at large. The loss of the majority of American national government, while extensive, can be replaced. Treduant is more difficult, and her death will be a blow to the morale of Americans.
However, we can work to ensure her sacrifice was not in vain, and perhaps turn the blow to anger. Treduant was one to always have control over the narrative, and she apparently planned to die while maintaining that. Her conversation to the Battlemaster was being recorded to an EMP resistant recording device carried by her evacuating staff, and lasts up to the point of nuclear detonation.
Her words are a testament to her resilience, and we will have to consider using them to rally the populace. Her body was recently found and confirmed dead by forward Lancer squads, decapitated, likely by the Battlemaster. It is advised that images of her body not be released to the public.
CONCLUSION: The political and social ramifications are still yet to be determined, but this was without question a blow to us and we have a massive void to fill in the United States. The Collective has deployed more advanced weapons, which were thankfully able to be neutered by the creative use of nuclear weapons. However, as this was in direct response to our own operations, this means the Collective is taking us more seriously and will possibly stop taking chances with us.
Despite the Battlemaster ultimately escaping, we can take some assurance in that he was apparently in a precarious enough to position to leave when the opportunity presented itself, and had the other Ethereal (Identified as "Isomnum") not arrived, it is possible that we would have been able to kill him, even at great cost.
Between this incident, and XCOM nearly killing him before, I think it can be clearly stated that the Battlemaster is not invincible. We can kill him. It is only a matter of time now.
The Ethereal Collective attack on Washington D.C. will likely be debated in military history for decades on who ultimately benefited most from the attack, if it was even successful, and if it was a wise target to begin with. What cannot be argued is the effect it had on America and the world at large. While it had been speculated that the Collective could theoretically attack anywhere, this was the first instance of it actually happening.
The war to this point had largely consisted of mostly predetermined locations that both sides had unconsciously chosen, and ultimately followed through on. It was obvious that the Collective would eventually attack America, and when they eventually did, it was largely where it was expected: The West Coast. It made sense from a tactical and logical standpoint, as the Collective was based primarily in Australia.
Likewise, Japan was another obvious target and no one gave the illusion it would be otherwise. An attack on Japan, despite being fairly small and the center of an influential government, was not unexpected and thus there was no outrage.
Another reason for the lack of shock was largely the absence of civilians. While there were some, especially in larger cities, the conflicts were primarily between ADVENT and the Collective. There was a lack of collateral damage, and the Collective has appeared to restrain itself from intentionally committing acts of mass civilian murder.
How the attack on Washington D.C. differs from this is simple. First, this was never an expected battleground and ADVENT was simply unprepared for an attack there. Two, this attack was clearly intended to largely have a psychological effect and serve as a warning to ADVENT instead of actually conquering any land. Three, the conflict had civilians placed directly in the crossfire. While the Collective did not target them, they deliberately attacked knowing they would be at the center of the conflict.
There were multiple responses when news of the initial attack came out. News stations were shocked and visibly worried, and this only increased when more information came out. The annihilation of Congress, the destruction of dozens of monuments and buildings, and of course the execution of President Treduant.
Social media was similarly shocked, and there were thousands of people giving updates which fortunately allowed ADVENT to piece together what had happened in the aftermath. The entire world was shocked at the development, including foreign nations. Both the EU and China, in a rare moment of agreement, condemned the attack and offered condolences to ADVENT and the United States specifically.
The indiscriminate targeting of the various historical monuments and museums has also attracted condemnation from historians and museum curators all across the world, especially since locations of international renown such as the Holocaust Museum were destroyed, with both ADVENT nations and foreign ones specifically condemning why such buildings were targeted to begin with. Israel and Germany have both sent additional soldiers, resources, and supplies to assist in rebuilding.
The effects of this in foreign nations are still developing, and it is quite possible it will eventually form into change. England in particular is becoming more open to joining ADVENT, and public support for arming themselves against the aliens is only getting higher. Politicians and leaders of Europe are facing pressure to do something, because neutrality is becoming more and more unpopular.
Major developments with China are also likely to happen in the future. They have issued a statement of willingness to allow ADVENT to operate in Chinese waters, and there are even discussions about a military alliance, though what this would entail is unknown. But it is extremely likely that an attack this brazen will prompt China to fully enter the war in some capacity, which is only bad for the Collective.
If there is one thing the attack on D.C. ensured, it is that any opposition in America to ADVENT died with Treduant. When the audio of her words to the Battlemaster before the nuclear blast hit was leaked, that turned her into a symbol and rallying cry for not just Americans, but people across the world united in defiance of the aliens.
While many people disagreed with President Treduant politically, she was one of the most popular Presidents for a reason. Her supporters crossed party lines, and no one doubted that she was doing what she truly believed was best. Targeting such a figure for death was without a doubt a questionable decision, and in doing so the Battlemaster ended the debate about ADVENT in America. To even question ADVENT after the attack was seen as traitorous and the few who remained critical of ADVENT became true social outcasts.
Militarily, the attack was a valid one. However, it does not seem that the Collective fully considered the implications of what would happen if they actually succeeded. If they felt that this would shock ADVENT into compliance, it is clear they still have much to learn about us.
- New York Times Op-Ed – "Current and Projected Impact of the Razing of Washington D.C" by Historian Chi Yong
A/N: The section with museum curator was written by one of my beta readers, Thuzan117. Probably won't be a regular thing, but there might be a few more sections like that if they're up for it, and it's good to have some other talented people show what they can do.
- Xabiar