ADVENT: History

The Capture of Beijing

"The Imperator is not merely just our enemy because he has sent his minions to conquer our species, it is because he is negligent; apathetic to the consequences of his actions. His judgement in the deployment of Isomnum is proof of this, yet it pales in comparison to this creature he has unleashed not just against our species, but any others who dare challenge him."

- Chancellor Saudia Vyandar

Transcript of press statement by Commander Laura Christiaens following the Capture of Beijing

[Laura Christiaens]: "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. Before I take questions, it is time to appraise the public on the current situation and our planned response, as well as several additional announcements regarding the larger war effort."

"First I can confirm that we have currently lost control over Beijing and several subsequent cities following decapitation strikes led by Isomnum's forces. We are moving several legions from North Korea and Russia to gain a better handle on the situation. XCOM is significantly increasing their support to us as well."

"I can also confirm that we have already ordered an operation to take back control of Beijing, and as Isomnum has yet to leave, we are hoping that we can trap him there before he can leave. This army includes our soldiers, the PRIEST Division, ADVENT special forces, and our armor compliments. This operation has been authorized and is taking place as we speak, in conjunction with supporting XCOM forces."

Several call outs by reporters which are silenced by Christiaens.

"Questions will be next. In addition to this, I can confirm that Chancellor Vyandar is recovering from the attack against her life. While she has sustained heavy injuries, she is being treated and has personally told me that she intends to give her own statement as soon as possible."

"Concerning the other conflicts going on, we are continuing to isolate the Sovereign African States through diplomatic and military means. We are reinforcing the Egyptian borders and preparing in anticipation of possible retaliatory attacks. Diplomatic relations with the remaining African states are proceeding well, and Libya and South Africa are interested in continuing to halt further alien interference."

"Several of the Eastern American Legions are being deployed to Florida to ensure that the aliens make as little headway as possible, and we are doing the same with the attacks on Brazil. There are no further updates to make at this time. Your questions may begin."

[Q1]: "Is the situation in China the result of the aliens from the Paradise videos released a while ago? Are they a new species?"

[LC]: "Not a new species, no, but modified aliens already in existence which we believe is the result of tampering with older precursor technology. There is the distinct possibility that the Imperator is working with one or more precursor aliens through one way or another. We do not know for certain, only that it has caused internal division even within the Collective. For reasons that are plainly obvious. Yes, you?"

[Q2]: "Has ADVENT confirmed the identity of the individuals in the livestream being commanded by Isomnum?"

[LC]: "Yes. It is authentic."

[Q3]: "The footage shown appears as extremely religious in nature. What does ADVENT know about the "One Who Brings Paradise" if anything at all?"

[LC]: "Quite possibly the aliens the Imperator may be working with. It could very well be a religious cult, as telepathy is heavily utilized upon the so-called 'converts'. If this is supposed to be a legitimate religion or just a telepathic disease created by these sadistic aliens is something we have yet to determine."

[Q4]: "Could this entity be something real and unlinked to these aliens the Imperator may be working with?"

[LC]: "Possible, but unlikely. We do not have the information to confirm or deny. In any case it would not be classified as a deity or anything of that nature."

[Q5]: "What is the current situation with the Chinese government now that the majority of the Communist Party is lost?"

[LC]: "We are working with surviving CPC members and surviving military officials, as well as leading figures from Taiwan and Tibet to reform and then afterwards assimilate the Chinese government into ADVENT. Specifics will be announced when China has been fully reclaimed."

[Q6]: "Has the dissolution of the Chinese government been a decision made unilaterally-"

[LC]: "The majority of the Chinese government is dead, their military is completely outmatched against Isomnum's forces, and we are investing a significant amount of time, money and resources into defending, retaking, and supporting the hundreds of thousands of refugees which are currently residing in Russia and Mongolia. Yes this decision was made unilaterally because there isn't anyone left. You!"

[Q7]: "Commander. Has this been authorized by the Congress?"

[LC]: "Yes. The documents will be released at the same time as the new government is announced."

[Q8]: "Was ADVENT aware of the fact that XCOM had another Ethereal working with them and it was the same one who attacked Japan?"

[LC]: "Most high-level officials were aware of Caelior's defection. The majority of ADVENT was unaware per the request of XCOM."

[Q9]: "Will ADVENT be taking custody of all captured Ethereals from now on and will there be an investigation on what – if anything – XCOM is keeping to themselves?"

[LC]: "Captured Ethereals will be decided on a case by case basis, but it is unlikely ADVENT will hold them. XCOM is better equipped to handle them, and as we can see, they can get results. No, there will not be an investigation as XCOM is outside ADVENT jurisdiction and we will not subject our closest ally to something so baseless. Next – you."

[Q10]: "What is the extent of the Chancellor's injuries?"

[LC]: "She is scheduled for multiple cybernetic limb replacements. I will not confirm more than that at this time. She is lucky to be alive – thanks in no small part to the Commander of XCOM himself and his soldiers."

[Q11]: "Does ADVENT still believe that Isomnum is acting on his own without the support of the Imperator given the events of the last few hours?"

[LC]: "We are reevaluating. We find it personally difficult to believe that the Imperator is against the events which have taken place, otherwise he would have made a statement and cut off his supply of forces from the Paradise Station. We do not believe the Battlemaster authorized this, and may continue to further divide the Ethereals. As far as we are concerned though, it does appear that the Collective is supporting Isomnum, even if only parts of it."

"That will be the end of questions for now. There will be another conference held when the operations in Beijing are more established. Please direct remaining questions to Minister Kyong for the remainder of the scheduled time. Thank you."

Message sent on the CODEX-encrypted network

Imperator,

Most recent times have forced me to reflect on the past, on the nature of our species. We were not perfect, and there was much we could and should have done for the galaxy at the height of our power. But if there was one thing I can say as a positive, it is that we restrained ourselves. We allowed the galaxy to develop independent from us even if our Empire had the power to rule.

I fear the wrong lesson has been taken from our defeat.

You are one of the Imperators, the pinnacle of our species in intellect and power so we believe. I feel like you would not find it incorrect to state that you are a radical. You have no intention of remaking the Empire that once was, and instead are intent on forging a new and dangerous path despite the obvious risks such an approach provokes.

It is a matter of communication. For too long you have shrouded your true intentions and plans from those you internally considered compromised or risks to your command. A shrewd and calculating move which is not conducive to a leader, certainly not one who is leading the last of a species. I have to wonder why you bothered including those of us who have been excluded at all, unless your plans so radically changed that those who you knew would not support your approach had to be kept in the dark.

Aegis was the only one who understood what you were doing; he began to speak out and as a result he was pre-emptively silenced. It is no wonder he left when his supposed leader was just as much of an enemy merely for asking questions you had not decided were worth answering. Knowing what I know now, I can see why you would want your work kept secret.

It was sickening when I walked the twisted halls of Paradise, and this feeling has only grown when you elected to keep such a place active. It is bad enough that such experiments continue to be tolerated by Revelean and Fectorian. It is another to keep open the gates to a hell ruled by a mad entity who you merely mean to use to fight in a conflict between entities we have no place in.

However, the only solace that could be taken was that your Paradise experiment would be confined to the station. It would not spread to infect the other parts of the galaxy.

Yet you fail to do even this.

No species deserves what has been unleashed on Earth. I need not describe what is taking place. You know exactly what is happening. You knew what would happen when you sent Isomnum to fight, even knowing who and what he was. Do not act surprised this happened, or that the Battlemaster took the steps he did. I can only come up with two explanations for how such an act was allowed at all.

The first is that you intended for this to happen. You are many things, Imperator, but you are no fool. And though I find such manipulations distasteful, neither am I. It is easy to predict what the Battlemaster and Isomnum would do. You knew this would happen, and you knew where Isomnum would turn to next. So you allowed it, maybe to see how your pets would fare against the Humans and the Sovereign One you fear so much. Maybe because you wanted to see how the Collective would react. Maybe because you were just curious. Or maybe it was planned all along without notifying anyone.

The alternative is that you are as surprised as we are. That this happened because of your own apathy and incompetence. An issue you as of yet refuse to correct. I find this almost worse than it being done intentionally, as it shows that you have no control over this mad entity and if it happens on Earth, it will happen again.

I suspect that this situation would be resolved without your intervention, but this is a catastrophe and crime that needed to be swiftly and immediately dealt with. And I know that you have no plans on doing so. The Humans will rightfully condemn us for this, and they will see through the thin veil of Isomnum 'going rogue'.

There will be consequences for this, Imperator. If you will not accept responsibility for what you have unleashed, then there is little more to say and I will do what I must.

- Sana'Ligna

Battlemaster,

While I'm certain that you have your own war to wage, you requested any significant updates on China, and it is safe to say that there have been a large number of major and frankly quite disturbing developments which have taken place over the past day. I would not be surprised if this proves to be the trigger than ends the conflict in a much faster and more destructive way than originally projected.

I will break this down more thoroughly:

ASSAULT AND CAPTURE OF BEIJING: To the surprise of our analysts, Isomnum decided to attempt a strike directly into the heart of Chinese territory, striking at their capital which was not expecting an assault yet and was suitably ill-prepared for the attack. There was a notable civilian population still alive, and the smallpox infected were still quarantined.

This was likely accomplished through utilizing the teleportation capabilities employed by the soldiers of the Bringer, but the results were immediate. Without Aegis to provide the needed telepathic protection, the majority of civilians and soldiers (both ADVENT and Chinese) were compromised and are more than likely insane at this point – or brainwashed to serve the Bringer.

What had remained of Chinese government was directly targeted by Isomnum himself, and their capital was turned into ground zero for what we are now seeing in China. It does appear that an evacuation was at least attempted, but against the combined forces of Isomnum and the Bringer, it was never going to work.

ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF CHANCELLOR VYANDAR: In addition to directly targeting the Chinese government, he also went after Chancellor Vyandar who was currently residing there – also of note is that the Commander of XCOM was in the vicinity. Supposedly the most powerful of the Bringer's soldiers were sent after her.

We suspect that they intended to capture – not kill – the Chancellor given their treatment of former President Qin and the majority of the Communist Party. The forces invaded ADVENT-Chinese Joint Command and did encounter staunch resistance – in particular we noted one of who we suspect is an agent of T'Leth who decimated a significant amount of enemy forces.

This is the teleporter to be clear – we have yet to identify her by name, but considering that she carries a sword, she is fairly identifiable. For better or worse, she seemed much more skilled than even the Bringer's opposition. She was ultimately the one who was responsible for saving the Chancellor and all of the other survivors from what we learned.

The Chancellor herself was severely wounded, though to what extent we do not know yet. We also do not know where she was taken, though it is likely a secured XCOM facility. The majority of her guard was killed (though not her husband), and the Commander also escaped unharmed. We expect the Chancellor to make a statement as soon as she has recovered.

If nothing else, it highlights how effectively and easily we could attempt assassinations of this nature. Though I suspect ADVENT will attempt to patch these vulnerabilities as soon as possible, and it is likely that T'Leth will be involved in further protecting important leaders of Humanity – which is something we can use.

CURRENT SITUATION IN CHINA: Disturbing.

What is happening there is completely unnatural and unnerving, which admittedly is an apt description for all things regarding the Bringer. But seeing it on such a large scale is a different level of disturbing. Why the Imperator has allowed this at all I have no idea, and it will only rally Humanity to ADVENT more thoroughly. I would speak with your Avatar, as she doubtless did not intend for the Chinese to be defeated quite like this.

The entire population appears to be under a psionic spell which has corrupted their minds so thoroughly that they are actually partying and engaging in activities that no Human in their right mind does. Cannibalism ranks among the most common which has been observed, and more disturbing is the number of people who are willingly sacrificing themselves to become food.

There are a number of pseudo-religious services and rituals which are taking place throughout the cities, many of which involve the removal of eyes and tongues, which are sometimes molded into some kind of art piece. Sometimes limbs and fingers are sacrificed. Other times there is quite literally Human sacrifice, though instead of it being carried out by one of the Bringer's soldiers, the victim slits their own throat with a smile on their face.

The arguably more concerning note here is the sheer amount of control the Bringer and Isomnum have on the population. They have turned their minds from not only accepting these unnatural actions, but actively trying to carry them out. For Isomnum, this is merely to spread terror to the rest of the world – hence the livestreams which were probably his idea.

For the Bringer, I am not sure how much of this is an act. From what I've seen of the Paradise footage, as well as what has been described, this does not seem atypical, which begs the question of why the Bringer was allowed to assist Isomnum at all, as the Dread Lord is likely the only one who would let the Bringer operate with no restraints whatsoever.

I do enjoy how we keep giving ADVENT blatant propaganda victories. It is a pleasure to serve under those who have such a sound grip and understanding of military strategy, tactics, and the flow of information. I pity Keeper attempting to explain this to Betos.

ADVENT PLANNED RESPONSE: ADVENT has wasted no time in responding. We're looking at nothing short of a complete invasion of Beijing and for some reason it appears that Isomnum is not preparing to leave or stop the party going on. He quite possibly thinks that ADVENT would not be able to beat him, though he is taking a massive risk.

XCOM is also likely going to converge on the city, and the unexpected emergence of Caelior may prove to be the tipping point – also assuming T'Leth doesn't have more of his operatives become involved. There is, of course, nothing stopping the Bringer's forces from leaving or taking Isomnum with them, but Isomnum could very well feel like leaving would be cowardly and unnecessary.

A clash is coming in the next few hours. We shall see who emerges victorious.

MEDIA RESPONSE: Horrified and livid.

Shocking. I don't see how anyone could have possibly predicted this.

ADVENT has been working to block and take down streams that are currently playing in China, though appear to have largely given up and are hosting it on a secured channel that is age-restricted. All other ones are taken down when there is a legitimate one up now. ADVENT appears to have largely been attempting to censor it due to the horrific nature of the stream, and not because they want to analyze it independently.

News stations and media outlets are only showing heavily censored footage, and nothing of the sacrifices, murders, and cannibalism taking place. This has definitely affected the anchors, as all of them are visibly shaken and afraid. Chinese refugees are speaking out and calling for the execution of all aliens, as well as various creative deaths for Isomnum and the Bringer's forces.

ADVENT is no doubt taking notes on everything they see, gruesome as that may be, and admittedly we are as well. We don't know if media outlets are doing the same, but they could very well be. Of course, you have the idiotic conspiracy crowd which is insisting that the footage itself is a false flag for ADVENT to impose stricter religious controls over the population – as well as a number of racists celebrating (who have been promptly arrested) as well as 4Chan making edgy jokes about the entire event being a metaphor for communism.

But the universal reaction is unbridled hatred for Isomnum and by extension, the Collective. Pretty much no one is believing that he was acting on his own – and quite honestly they are justified in thinking so even if the Collective itself did not sanction these actions. The Imperator should have forced Isomnum and the Bringer to be recalled at minimum.

LIKELY OUTCOMES: Given the imminent invasion of Beijing by ADVENT there are a number of ways this situation can end:

The first is that ADVENT and XCOM attack, and Isomnum decides to make a stand or is otherwise unable to leave. Given the number of forces ADVENT is moving, as well as XCOM pulling out every trick they can, it is unlikely that Isomnum and his forces will emerge victorious unless they somehow fight their way out, taking losses. The (unlikely) alternative is that Isomnum somehow wins and continues his conquest of the continent.

The second is that Isomnum and his forces leave before ADVENT arrives, ceding Beijing but opening the door to similar attacks across the world (though how feasible that is, we don't know). This is the tactically intelligent decision to make, but it does not appear to be one he is interested in pursuing at this current moment. However, this could change.

The third solution is an internal removal of Isomnum by the Imperator. He has certainly done enough to warrant his forces being taken away. The Imperator could force a recall of the Bringer's forces and Isomnum himself to face consequences for his actions. This would cede Beijing (and China) back to ADVENT, but would ensure that Isomnum is kept alive and properly dealt with. Possibly a means to weaken the propaganda ADVENT will use against us if he is executed.

There is ultimately no solution to this where the Collective gains anything significant. Isomnum is too compromised as an asset, and we aren't going to be able to mitigate the fallout with anything short of executing Isomnum on a live broadcast, as well as blowing up Paradise station. If I were to give a recommendation, the third solution will allow us to salvage this as best as possible.

Please forward this to the Imperator should you get the opportunity.

- Zar'Chon'ravarian'vitiary