ADVENT | History
Operation Scipio II
"We're killing a continent. I just hope that it's worth it."
- Anonymous ADVENT soldier
AFRICA – ADVENT has continued their advance through the declared territory of the Sovereign African States, pushing through large swathes of disconnected land, with occasional villages and small cities. The response to the continued incursion has continued to be haphazard and muted, with little to no tangible resistance being made as ADVENT continues their advance.
"We don't expect this to last much longer," an ADVENT Officer shared. "The SAS had limited time to prepare, and even with alien support, there was only so much they could do. They are likely focusing on their core cities and territories, and we are planning to account for these developments."
Along the way, ADVENT has been carrying out the designated policies of Operation Scipio, the official name for the operation against the Sovereign African States. These policies have been widely considered to be extremely destructive to the land itself, with multiple ecological and human rights groups criticizing ADVENT's approach.
"Intentionally creating a refugee crisis is an indefensible approach," said one activist. "Regardless of if they are citizens of the SAS, many of whom were not given the choice to join or not, the fact is that forcing them on a death march and effectively continuing to pursue them will lead to nothing but innocent deaths. This is not the policy ADVENT should adopt, and we urge immediate reconciliation."
ADVENT has flatly refused this demand. "We have made our conditions for surrender clear to Grand Marshal Betos of the Sovereign African States," an ADVENT spokeswoman provided in a statement. "Our mission is to defeat the SAS, and we have identified the steps necessary in Operation Scipio, and will carry them out as directed. The burden of surrender falls on the Grand Marshal, and she could end this conflict at any time."
Nonetheless, the operation undertaken by ADVENT has triggered some of the most vocal opposition to ADVENT policy in the military sphere. Critics of the operation have pointed to indicators that signal that the mission is less about conquest, and more about punishment and sending a chilling warning to any potentially defying nations.
ADVENT denies this, and points to their swift takeover of significant amounts of former SAS territory, their liberation of Malabo from the SAS, as well as noting that there are "Very few" nations which retain their status as independent nations, as even previously independent nations such as Turkey have fallen under alien influence.
Complaints have been filed with the Oversight Division, and directly to the Congress of Nations, urging intervention and alleging unspecified criminal activity by ADVENT soldiers. The Oversight Division has not commented on these submissions, and the Congress of Nations has only released a short statement saying that they stand behind the military decisions of Commander Laura Christiaens.
Fighting has intensified as ADVENT has penetrated deeper into SAS territory, and there have been multiple instances of prolonged skirmishes that in some cases have turned into sieges. While currently unconfirmed, there have been reports that ADVENT has been deploying chemical agents to continue their efficient destruction of the continent and purge of SAS forces.
Additional fronts have continued to open up, with ADVENT launching an operation which secured the island of Malabo from SAS territory, of the former Equatorial Guinea, much of which remains under SAS control. While there have not been further operations since then, and the island has sustained continual bombardment, it has given ADVENT yet another vector into the SAS, and one that must be watched.
Official statements from Grand Marshal Betos have been sparse, or not publicly broadcast. However, there is no indication that she or the SAS is experiencing significant unrest or opposition to the current failed defense, though this has largely been attributed to overt support from the Ethereal Collective.
ADVENT has not indicated how long they believe the offensive will continue, but are hoping that "a resolution is quickly reached", specifically noting their efforts to quickly move through SAS territory in the hopes of catching the SAS off-guard, or before they have enough time to properly prepare.
No matter how it ends, it is almost certain that Operation Scipio will be remembered as one of the most controversial and bloody conflicts of the war.
- Article | "Operation Scipio Enters New Phase; ADVENT Holding Onto Gains"
Transcript of an interview between ADVENT Military Commander Laura Christiaens and Journalist Aymar Sopo
[Aymar Sopo]: "Commander Christiaens, thank you for taking the time to speak today. I know that the front has been keeping ADVENT busy."
[Commander Laura Christiaens]: "Every day, but that's part of the job. And part of the job is keeping ADVENT citizens informed on our progress."
[AS]: "Perfect, as that is exactly what I wanted to talk to you about today. There's been significant attention paid to the conflicts in Europe, America, and South America, but there's been a notable absence of attention paid to ADVENT's war in Africa."
[LC]: "I don't think it's an absence. I made sure to personally approve media embeds. We can't force people to publish stories, after all."
[AS]: "That is true, though it definitely strikes me as odd this is the case."
[LC]: "It doesn't for me. If I might say something, what we're doing as part of Operation Scipio is…taxing. If there is to be coverage, I would hope that it is considerate, nuanced, and encompasses the scope of what we are doing."
[AS]: "One I hope to carry out. But if I may ask, what would you say the goal of Operation Scipio is, Commander Christiaens? Simply defeating the SAS?"
[LC]: "Perhaps the primary goal, but not the only one. The SAS is, arguably, worse than the aliens in one aspect. They were Humans like you and I who looked at what the aliens were doing, and not only refused to do their part to stand against them, but actively sought to legitimize them. This is unacceptable. Scipio is a message to any who harbor similar sympathies."
[AS]: "With respect, Commander, is this the best way to do this? Will the extensive devastation not do more to radicalize the survivors and force the SAS into a corner?"
[LC]: "I believe you misunderstand our intentions towards Grand Marshal Betos, and her SAS. We do not intend to bring this to a peaceful solution. We intend to purge the world of the SAS and those like them. We will force those in the region to make a choice – to stay with Betos, or flee. Live or die. The radicals will fall just like Betos will. Is it the best way? For our purposes, it is. It is not pleasant, clean, or preferable, but it is necessary."
[AS]: "There's been developments on the fronts, from reporting. Usage of nerve gas and other chemical agents. Can you confirm that?"
[LC]: "In cases of sustained sieges, ADVENT forces have utilized chemical agents."
[AS]: "Knowing there are civilians present."
[LC]: "We have multiple procedures in place to minimize civilian casualties wherever we can. We ensure that they are pointed in the right direction, and aren't leaving them to die in the wilderness."
[AS]: "But you are leaving them. And this isn't taking into account direct attacks on cities where civilians are present."
[LC]: "Ideally, we'd want to properly detain them and ensure they were protected. However, doing so would put immense strain on our soldiers, and prolong the conflict significantly. We know what we are doing, Mr. Sopo. As far as the bombardment, there is no excuse to remain in the cities, but even still, we do everything we can to strictly target military personnel and infrastructure. Unfortunately, if civilians remain in a conflict zone, casualties will happen. We are engaged in total war, and the SAS and Collective appear to believe that we can or will be deterred if civilians are present. That is not the case."
[AS]: "Does it give ADVENT any pause?"
[LC]: "Some, of course. However, we eventually come to the choice of whether we will let ourselves be controlled like this. We are dealing with an enemy which will not hesitate to use civilians as pawns. Much like the Caliphate used children to deter NATO, the Collective seeks to exploit our morality. That is something we will not tolerate."
[AS]: "Still, if you are willing to use such weapons, what is to prevent the Collective from doing the same?"
[LC]: "Nothing."
[AS]: "Nothing?"
[LC]: "Nothing. We like to believe that there are certain rules that are followed in war, but those only last up to the last moment. This is a conflict unlike any other, for the stakes if we lose are enslavement and death. We cannot afford to abide by civilized rules, hence the actions we have taken to give ourselves every possible advantage. By this same token, we are not going to cry foul if our foe also utilizes these weapons. The Collective themselves have unleashed nanites and the Chryssalids upon us already. What we have done is respond in kind."
[AS]: "These decisions are perhaps easier to make on paper, but has ADVENT considered what effect they will have on the soldiers themselves? It is one thing to say what will be done, it is another to carry it out."
[LC]: "The effects have been considered, and we are working to have a steady rotation in and out of Africa, which can be expedited if requested by any soldier. What we are doing is not easy to carry out, and we recognize that, and have provided our soldiers the mental help they need to carry out their mission. Thanks to technological advances, we have refined this process significantly."
[AS]: "It is good to hear that ADVENT is taking care of them. Well, that will be all today, Commander Christiaens. Thank you for speaking today, and good luck on the front."
[LC]: "Thank you, Mr. Sopo, hopefully we'll speak again soon.
End of transcript
To Grand Marshal Helsa Betos,
In the weeks since ADVENT launched their "Operation: Scipio", we have been able to thoroughly observe the actions, operations, strengths, weaknesses, and consequences of ADVENT's punitive march across Africa and the Sovereign African States. While this has resulted in a significant amount of nominal territory lost, much of it has been strategically unimportant, and will be heavily lessened the deeper ADVENT moves into our territory.
What follows will be an analysis on what has taken place, reactions both domestic and foreign, the degree to which ADVENT has succeeded, what their strategy is likely to entail in the future, ongoing connected operations, and a path forward to mitigate and push ADVENT out of the continent.
ADVENT ADVANCES: ADVENT has made significant progress through most of the desolate parts of SAS territory. These have largely included small towns, minor cities, deserts, and only recently have they begun claiming jungle and plains territory in significant capacity. Despite the loss of land, which ADVENT has highlighted via propaganda, a majority of the land is useless and our production capabilities have not been significantly damaged.
Our largest losses have come from the systematic expulsion and indirect killing of the civilian occupants, which ADVENT has attempted to weaponize against us, by sending them on the road towards other cities, with each death counting as a psychological blow against the SAS population and leadership.
Each city and town captured was one that was largely disconnected from others in the region, and easily surrounded and taken. ADVENT has touted these as victories, when in reality they are far from impressive. As they are reaching our more defended positions, their progress has ground to a halt. We expect this to continue without a new influx of support.
ESTIMATED DEVASTATION: ADVENT has been extremely thorough in their mission of causing as much devastation to all of our previously held territory as possible. All civilian population centers large and small have been systematically reduced to rubble or wood (the only exceptions appear to be low-tech tribes which lack even basic technology). Rebuilding would require a significant investment, which is doubtless the intention of ADVENT.
Furthermore, ADVENT has gone to great lengths to poison the water sources and crops they encounter. Major water sources in particular have been rendered useless, and we can report that several Human nomadic tribes that reside in the desert went to their usual water sources (usually major rivers), and after drinking, were killed from the poison. It is unknown if ADVENT is aware of these consequences, though it should be noted that most oasis' have been left untampered, as ADVENT seems to have deemed them non-critical.
The few pieces of land and technology ADVENT has not destroyed have been mining equipment, which has been appropriated by a skeleton crew which is mining for ADVENT after expelling the previous owners. ADVENT has made their intentions clear that they will destroy the mines and equipment when they are finished.
We estimate that hundreds of thousands of refugees have been created, with at least a third dying on the road fleeing ADVENT, and this fatality number increasing with each forced march. A minority of these are estimated to have fled away from the SAS, creating a burden on other nearby Human nations. ADVENT has only provided refugees with a bare minimum, and will not support them after the first expulsion.
What farmland ADVENT has also found has been quickly stripped of usable foods, which are sent back to ADVENT, before often being burned and the ground salted. ADVENT has gone out of their way to make any sort of rebuilding as difficult and costly as possible. I want to reassure you – everything that ADVENT has done, both materially and ecologically – can be repaired. It will take time and be costly, but the Ethereal Collective is fully prepared to do so.
ADVENT is fortunately not using complex methods in causing destruction. They are extremely effective, but they are not utilizing complex bioweapons or agricultural plagues. As a result, we can neutralize any inserted or utilized poisons, restore the soil through terraforming filtering, and targeted deployments of cleanser nanites in bodies of water.
In the event that there is endangerment of insectoid and animal populations due to lack of food and water, cloning can be utilized to restore them. Manual insertion of native plants to replace those destroyed is also extremely feasible. If more extensive terraforming efforts are approved, the speed and scope of such a project can be enhanced.
We expect it will be at minimum several years to fully halt the damage ADVENT has done, and likely a decade until there is ecological stability. Population centers and non-ecological rebuilding can be achieved in a far shorter time, the exact speed of which depends fully on manpower and resources.
POPULATION REACTION: You are doubtless aware of the rage that has gripped the heart of the population of the SAS. While they have not always been receptive to you or the ideals of the SAS, ADVENT has come along and proved them correct in ways that we did not anticipate. That is the good news – the population – and that of nearby nations, is fully behind you, and will be extremely receptive to whatever is done.
At the same time, ADVENT is instilling in them a deep fear, one which they will not be easily able to forget or overcome. Factions may rise to demand surrender to ADVENT in exchange for peace. ADVENT has proven that they are willing to send civilians on a death march, and people fear that kind of brutality.
However, ADVENT's brutality here may prevent such a faction from arising. ADVENT has shown no sign that they will entertain peace or a mutually beneficial ceasefire. As far as many are concerned, ADVENT has just as good a chance of killing them, even if they do what they want.
ADVENT PUBLIC REACTION: It is worth noting that Operation Scipio has generated some mild backlash within the domestic ADVENT sphere. This backlash has largely been token and tepid, for fear of state crackdown and self-censorship – but it does exist. This is mostly confined to online activist circles, all of which we believe are compromised by ADVENT intelligence, though there are a few media figures who have brought up Scipio to ADVENT officials.
Thus far it is not expected that there will be any significant changes made. Every branch of ADVENT has stood behind Operation Scipio, and the only groups that could affect significant policy change are the ADVENT Military, ADVENT Intelligence, the Oversight Division, and Congress of Nations – none of whom have suggested this is even remotely being considered.
There is a notable lack of coverage for Scipio, which may or may not be intentional, but it has served to lessen public scrutiny, perhaps leading to ADVENT feeling confident enough to proceed without alteration. It is unknown if the backlash would be worse with greater public knowledge. The ADVENT population is deeply opposed to the SAS, and it is unlikely there would be any sympathy generated were scrutiny increased.
ANTICIPATED FUTURE ACTIONS: ADVENT will likely continue pushing forward to the more entrenched cities, though as we have observed in the past weeks, they have stalled and are having difficulty breaking the defended cities. It is unknown if ADVENT will entrench themselves, or retreat.
ADVENT has been constructing limited infrastructure, and their posture is not ideally positioned for sustained sieges, as their fast-paced approach was designed in such a way that allowed them to easily claim poorly defended land in a short amount of time without the need for entrenchment. This approach is not ideal for prolonged sieges, and there are no indications ADVENT is moving towards a sustainable model.
We believe that it is more likely that ADVENT will instead hold what ground they can, and use smaller special forces units (with potential XCOM support) to carry out the secondary objectives of Operation Scipio, specifically the destruction of the land. If they are capable of doing this, they will likely consider that a success and perform a full retreat, as they will have effectively neutered the SAS from participating in the conflict until the country is fully restored.
XCOM OPERATIONS: XCOM has a small, but impactful presence from what we have determined of their operations. We believe that XCOM is primarily providing intelligence support to ADVENT instead of overt military forces. The exception to this has been the operation in Malabo where they assisted in securing the island.
We believe that XCOM has likely penetrated the SAS military and government to some degree, and it is recommended that we take actions to purge them as thoroughly as possible. It is extremely likely that as ADVENT continues to run into difficulties, they will request XCOM military support, which will likely be provided.
ADVENT INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS: ADVENT Intelligence has, similar to XCOM, been heavily involved in undermining our efforts, through infiltrating separatist movements, SAS military and government, and posing as civilians while gathering information on our defenses and technology.
Zararch reports indicate that they likely have some kind of advanced drone or mechanical technology which is capable of capturing high-quality pictures and recordings, which they have used to great effect. Counter-intelligence efforts on this piece of technology have had limited success, and we are unsure how this technology properly works, but it makes up a significant portion of usable intelligence gathered.
We believe that ADVENT Intelligence is coordinating closely with XCOM, or at least to a degree where there is enough shared that they are not interfering in each other's missions. It is possible then that ADVENT agents may be able to identify XCOM agents, and vice versa. It is a connection that we will work to exploit as much as possible.
ADMIRAL GRADY INTERFERENCE: An unexpected factor in this has been the operations of ADVENT Admiral Grady, of the ADVENT Navy, previously famous for dealing our naval forces a significant defeat. We did not expect him to involve himself further in Africa, and his continued interference has proven the need to address him directly.
We do not know if Admiral Grady is carrying out these operations of his own volition, or if he is being ordered by ADVENT. We do not believe he is formally part of Operation Scipio, as his operational objectives lack the complete destruction of Scipio, and his actions on Malabo – specifically those of appealing to soldiers to surrender peacefully – is deeply antithetical to Scipio operational conduct.
Nonetheless, Admiral Grady is, if not completely following the specifics of Scipio, supporting the spirit of it. He has shown that he intends to give ADVENT the opportunity to open a new front on the continent, and if successful, it could force us to expend more resources, and will open more of the continent up for destruction once Scipio forces take advantage of the beachheads.
It is recommended that we begin plans for immediate termination, as well as the reclamation of the island of Malabo.
MITIGATION STRATEGY: As of now, our established forces are continuing to hold, and ADVENT does not have the equipment or forces to effectively break through. With this in mind, it is essential that we mitigate further destruction of our resources, which will include the deployment of forces to protect farms, mines, and water sources which ADVENT will seek to destroy or poison.
It is recommended that we also begin the annexation of nearby nations, which have proven incapable of standing against ADVENT, and their annexation would allow our own forces to encircle and destroy entrenched ADVENT positions, which are critical. While I am aware of your objections, it is something which I feel obliged to mention nonetheless.
Finally, in addition to removing Admiral Grady from the equation, we must make a dedicated effort to purge the SAS of all known and suspected foreign agents. This will almost certainly require mass-deployment of Sectoids and psions for passive monitoring, or at minimum in places of high density and strategic importance. The less ADVENT knows about our true situation, the better we can act to drive them out.
Use this information effectively.
- Keeper