Vitakara: Dossier
Keeper
"I don't like him."
- Pratal Mox
THREAT ANALYSIS: 101100011101
TARGET OF INTEREST: VITAKARIAN 432 (NAME UNKNOWN)
KNOWN ALIASES: "KEEPER"
CURRENT POSITION: UNKNOWN
INFORMATION OF NOTE: SUSPECTED TIES TO ETHEREALS
INFORMATION OF NOTE: APPARENT INTELLIGENCE ROLE
INFORMATION OF NOTE: INDEPENDENT OF ZARARCH
INFORMATION OF NOTE: POSSIBLE FORMER ZARARCH AGENT
INFORMAITON OF NOTE: KNOWN BY ZAR'CHON'RAVARIAN'VITIARY
THREAT LEVEL TO ANDROMEDON FEDERATION (ALLIED): LOW
THREAT LEVEL TO ANDROMEDON FEDERATION (ENEMY): UNKNOWN – ESTIMATED MEDIUM
ADDITIONAL MANUAL COMMENT: After further reconnaissance and investigation, it is extremely clear that the Ethereals are not the only species to retain mysterious and elusive individuals. The Vitakara in particular are composed of some of the more elusive and unknown figures throughout the Collective. This individual is one of those aliens, and should be considered a possible factor when taking into account possible actions of and against Ethereals.
First sightings of this individual were on Vitakar, as he was seen entering and leaving known Zararch buildings. He is not unique for a Vitakarian; tall, glowing eyes, and has a disposition similar to many Zararch agents. Based on comparison and analysis of previous footage recovered after acquisition of an image of his face, I am highly confident that this individual – who has self-identified as "Keeper" – was originally a member of the Zararch.
I also suspect that he was in a high-ranking position as well – possibly the previous Zar'Chon, though this is unable to be proven. Nonetheless, Keeper appears to have a high level of access, and has been confirmed to have spoken directly to Zar'Chon Ravarian multiple times over a subject that we are still working to piece together.
The most plausible explanation is that Keeper is connected in some way to an Ethereal. No other alien would have that level of authority unless authorized by one of the Ethereals themselves. This is completely within the realm of plausibility, as previous instances of aliens working in Ethereal-directed units have been confirmed. But this does imply that Keeper represents a different Ethereal than those of the so-called Phantom Division, or the abominations likely connected to the Ethereal Isomnum.
The name – or title - is perhaps a starting point. Keeper implies that he is in charge of, or in possession of information or something else of similar value. His connection to the Zararch indicates experience or skill in intelligence work and spycraft (which raises a question of why he didn't try to be less conspicuous). His combat capabilities, or the extent of possible genetic manipulation, are currently unknown, but if he does represent an Ethereal, they are likely to be extensive and extremely high-quality.
If we take this to assume that Keeper is filling a similar position to the Zar'Chon, it then implies that there is an Ethereal-directed intelligence arm that is being utilized, possibly for work beyond the Vitakara? This is a confusing development if true, as we know that the Zararch are the supposed main intelligence arm of the Collective, so this other group is either a rival organization – possibly implying political infighting within the Collective – or works directly for an Ethereal and does not share the same objectives and goals as the rest of the Collective.
The identity of this Ethereal is also worthy of consideration, as so far none of the Ethereals (With the exception of Quisilia, who likely manages the Zararch) fit the profile of spymaster or have inclinations towards that kind of work. This could, possibly, be a deliberate attempt to shore up weaknesses in their own tactics, or more likely, a previously unidentified Ethereal is behind this.
Keeper is important because of the implications of his existence. His work itself is unimportant, why and who he works for are the questions which need to be answered at this stage. Keeper has a history with the Zararch and possibly Zar'Chon, and that is a starting point we should pursue as soon as possible to begin piecing this mystery together.
RECOMMENDATION: BEGIN BACKGROUND CHECK OF VITAKARA IDENTIFIED AS "KEEPER"; REVIEW ALL KNOWN ETHEREAL DOSSIERS FOR POSSIBLE CONNECTIONS; BEGIN RECONNAISANCE ON KEEPER AND ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO HE INTERACTS WITH.
REPORT COMPILER: SPECIAL OPERATOR 177; ANDROMEDON FEDERATION; [ERROR! DATA NOT FOUND!]
END REPORT
SUBMIT REPORT
Notations on Keeper – Betos's Journal
The Vitakarian is unsettling. Keeper he calls himself. A title or a name, he didn't bother to clarify to any of us. I believe to him it's more or less the same thing. It seems to be a pattern with some aliens. Titles being names. Battlemaster, Imperator, Keeper; I wonder if personal names have less importance to aliens than us. They must to some extent, but there had to have been a system, as I find it hard to believe they were the only one of their kind.
But Keeper…he is unsettling to me. Not even Macula is like him. It makes me wonder how much of an act Macula is putting on for me, assuming he does such at all. But Keeper has made it clear that he doesn't view me as worth his attention or necessary consideration. Almost patronizing in a way, he clearly doesn't believe I can manage the SAS – not without his help at least.
Talking to him with Mox was interesting on a number of levels. Despite his dismissive opinion of me at times, he was at least willing to converse, and we learned some things about each other, though I suspect he spent the entire conversation building his own psychological profile for me in his head. He's definitely had intelligence training – likely in counter-intel and interrogation if his treatment of the ADVENT spies is any indication.
He told us he managed operations under the direction of Macula, which we both took to mean that he was close to a second in command. While he's not a loyalist like Kellani, he is certainly willing enough to push Macula on certain subjects and does not seem to be intimidated by him. To an extent it does tell me that Macula's aliens definitely specialize in more subterfuge and reconnaissance operations.
I'm not sure if Macula bringing someone like this means he's pleased with how things are going – or Keeper has been brought to correct the mistakes that have been made. Keeper knows what he is doing – he knows more than me when it comes to this, but he isn't Human, he doesn't necessarily care about the people that live here and will be affected by what happens.
I'm not comfortable with him making decisions. He reminds me too much of ADVENT; willing to do anything for the sake of victory. We shouldn't have to resort to that, otherwise we've achieved absolutely nothing here.
That can't be the ending for us.
The conversation was turned to the Collective itself by Mox. Despite working with Macula, there haven't been many proper discussions of what the Collective is actually like. From how Keeper described it…it is certainly not the hellhole ADVENT pushes (not surprising), but there are some disturbing parts of it. The greatest comfort is that the Collective does seem to permit a large degree of autonomy to the aliens…almost too much in the case of the Sectoids. The Zararch sound little better than ADVENT as well. Fortunately, they do not appear to have influence elsewhere.
Mox brought up an interesting point about how the Ethereals weren't exactly active leaders, despite supposedly acting as such for the Collective. On a surface level it makes sense but…no, I need to play it back. Recordings are handy in times like this, but Keeper's answer made me think.
Here we go:
"It is a curious argument, and one very few aliens think through. They complain the Ethereals do nothing for the common citizen, they decry the lack of leadership, they state their wish for structure and command, but consider what happens when these beings of immense power begin to take charge? The autonomy they enjoy evaporates, they now directly answer to the Ethereals and the freedoms they enjoyed without consequence are curtailed and brought under control."
"More to the point, these are not mere aliens like you or I. We are mortal, we grow old, and we will eventually die. Even we are concerned with living in the moment, and planning for the short-term future. Most live in the day and do not think further. Ethereals are not like this. The Oyariah believe they are deities of a sort, and to the common alien, that is not inaccurate. Psionics elevates them beyond us, and their mindsets reflect their immortality. They plan for the upcoming decades and centuries, they anticipate futures and possibilities we can't comprehend yet. These are the ones the detractors of the Collective want over them."
"But both of us know that aliens – not just your species – they bristle under submission. They despise others dictating their lives and the petty rules that govern them. The ones who demand the Ethereals take a direct interest in their species would be the same ones decrying their claustrophobic influence and destroying their sovereignty. The Andromedons complain the Ethereals do not back them in their xenophobic ambitions, but if the Ethereals were to intervene, it would not be the Sectoids they discipline."
"The Ethereals are, to put it bluntly, more generous than many give them credit for. They could have easily unified all species under one government, and one order, but they allowed the Collective to function as an autonomous body. One where the species could govern themselves and they would only intervene when necessary. Which sounds more oppressive, Lady Betos and Sir Mox? The Ethereals keeping their distance from the species they protect? Or directly managing their lives?"
At times like this, I wish I could receive information on the Collective from someone not extremely biased in one way or another. My options are the aliens who directly serve under an Ethereal, and will be obliged to defend or justify their actions. Keeper is intelligence-trained, and he knows how to sway a person and gauge which arguments would sway them. Good speakers know how to make anything sound reasonable, no matter how questionable it is.
Which is why I can't fully trust what he says. It sounds right on the surface, but then I remember what Keeper is.
And of course ADVENT is no better. Anything they say is propaganda or heavily distorted. Their stranglehold over media, their psions, and how much control they exert over…everything…it makes me wonder how they can be trusted on anything. They say the aliens they parade are speaking of their own free will, but can that really be believed when ADVENT Intelligence exists and they have psions at their disposal?
It comes down to trust. I definitely don't trust ADVENT.
I don't trust Keeper either. Not personally. We're both on the same side, but I feel we have different goals.
I'm unsure about Macula either. While he's certainly been friendly and respectful to me, could it just be a means to an end? He does not appear to have lied to me thus far, and has respected my own commands and wishes – notably against Keeper's suggestions. But at the same time, he trusts Keeper enough to put him into this position of influence.
I don't know. I feel that both of them not only expect ADVENT to go to war with us – they want it.
And I don't. None of us do at this point.
That was always a naïve hope we all had, and I know ADVENT will storm the country the moment they confirm aliens are allied to us. But we will not make the first strike and we will not emulate ADVENT and annex the nations among us.
But I am afraid that is exactly what Keeper is planning and will recommend. And Macula is ultimately here to gain a Human ally and power base. Keeper has been brought in to not just prepare for war, but to win it. Macula will support that, and one of these times what I say will finally be overruled.
Keeper is a foreboding sign of what is to come. On this I pray that I am wrong.