ADVENT | ORGANIZATIONS
THE BUREAU OF CLONE AFFAIRS
"It feels like we've crossed an invisible threshold. A point of no return. We have designed, created, and cultivated life. Man has taken the mantle of God. I suppose we'll find out what kind of God we will be to those we have created. I intend for us to be a good one."
- Dr. Angryanto Halim, Director of the Bureau of Clone Affairs
ADVENT | PROGRAM PROPOSAL 028
Designation: The Bureau of Clone Affairs
Program Type: Military Program | Cloning | Research and Development | Integration and Assimilation
Author: Angryanto Halim
Approver: Chief Darian Eridan
INITIAL PROPOSAL: The Bureau of Clone Affairs is the formal adoption of the project that was proposed in the early period of the war, and ADVENT's own foundation: Project Seafoam. Manpower was identified as a critical concern in the early stages of the war, which has continued to this day.
Seafoam intended to address this by proposing a large-scale cloning program which would be capable of providing ADVENT with the adequate manpower to properly defend Earth and execute future offensive operations. The practical arguments for the project were accepted, and quickly approved by ADVENT. The Bureau of Clone Affairs is the end result of these initial efforts, though we are faced with a number of additional challenges and responsibilities not originally envisioned by Seafoam.
The first, and most critical question, is what place clones have within ADVENT, and Humanity as a whole. While there were allusions to clones being integrated into Human society, there was little detail given to this original proposal. We must understand that if we wish to create clones, we are not creating automatons, but Humans, and Humans have rights within ADVENT.
More than once we have internally grappled with the concern that we are creating an underclass of soldiers to serve Mankind. This is not wholly incorrect, but an inevitable outcome of any cloning project of this nature. Nonetheless, if this is the basis from which we must build, we determined it our responsibility to produce not just soldiers for ADVENT, or for the war effort, but people who must be given the respect and equality inherent to all men.
This has resulted in the Bureau, and the cloning program as a whole, becoming far more extensive and larger than was originally envisioned, but each of these elements is necessary for the mission – and responsibility – we seek to execute. These clones will not always be soldiers after our eventual victory.
We must ensure that they are not only capable of thriving on the battlefield, but thriving outside of it as well.
OBJECTIVES AND MISSION: There are five primary objectives of the Bureau which we seek to meet or execute, two of which are born from the original Seafoam proposal, while the remaining ones tackle the responsibility of ensuring clones are integrated into society properly.
SUPPLEMENT MANPOWER NEEDS: ADVENT has identified that we will experience acute manpower shortages should the conflict persist for at least five years if current measures remain in place, or if they are required to expand off Earth and commence offensives. Additional concerns have been highlighted about the ideal number of personnel to best defend Earth, and deter worldwide attacks, which has been unable to be met with current casualty numbers.
The Bureau's efforts to develop a continuous and sustainable supply of soldiers for the war effort will allow ADVENT to shore up vulnerabilities across the existing defensive efforts, commit more resources to offensives, and quickly replace or mitigate casualties. Technology alone will not win this war - it will be won by the soldiers on the field.
RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIALIZED PERSONNEL: In addition to raw manpower, ADVENT identified the possibility of employing the technology used in flash-training to create large numbers of specialized personnel which could hold positions in non-military roles, which could include the sciences, engineering, psychology, and other fields of study.
While this is not the current focus of the Bureau, it is acknowledged that there will be efforts to begin developing this pipeline to augment ADVENT's civilian capabilities as well as military. Work is beginning on several major fields of study for proper transition into flash-training to accurately and cleanly feed this knowledge to a potential template.
We expect significant progress to be made in this effort within two years.
INTEGRATION AND ASSIMILATION OF CLONE PERSONNEL: A core mission of the Bureau is not simply to ensure a smooth transition from awakening to the ADVENT Military, but provide them the grounding, knowledge, and support to eventually assimilate into the wider Human population with minimal friction.
Integration is necessary for both the well-being of the clones, and for ADVENT as a whole. Handled incorrectly, a failure to integrate risks creating irreconcilable divisions within the Human population between clone and non-clone. The Bureau seeks to avoid this issue entirely by intending direct integration at the start, and utilizing state resources to curb and destroy any prejudicial sentiment at the roots.
INTRODUCE SUPPORT, REPRESENTATION, AND RECOGNITION FOR CLONE PERSONNEL: Complimenting the above objective, an important part of this process is advocation in addition to direct material support. Clones will be significantly more likely to integrate of their own volition and directly identify as 'Human' rather than 'Clone' if they are repeatedly told – and shown – they have a place in ADVENT.
This will be a sustained process that will only bear fruit over a period of time where clones have become more widespread and common in the general population. However, the Bureau will work with respective ADVENT services to integrate clones into visible positions of specialty and leadership, as well as begin the process of transitioning the Bureau itself to being managed by cloned personnel.
In the interim, the Bureau will be reliant on the Office of Clone Affairs and the Union of Clone Interests and Representation to serve as the more immediate advocacy groups for clones within ADVENT.
MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER KEY NARRATIVES: Central to the success of integration is maintaining complete and total control over the narratives surrounding clones, cloning, and the Bureau itself. Sentiment towards Clones and the Bureau must remain positive, and all measures to ensure this will be taken.
There must be no break or deviation from the central narrative of clone integration and equality, and the necessity and usefulness of cloning itself. This will require close monitoring of the general public, but also smaller interests within the scientific and religious communities who might raise ethical or moral concerns with cloning as a concept. This will not be allowed to gain any foothold, but instead be systematically marginalized, dismantled, discredited, and destroyed.
PRINCIPLE INTEGRATION STRATEGY: Due to the circumstances surrounding the creation and deployment of the Clone Army, with the ultimate intent of assimilating them into the general population, there has been an Integration Strategy devised which will be followed to first orient, and then subsequently integrate the Clones into society with minimal issue, resistance, or concern.
The phases and parallel phases are as follows.
PHASE 1 | FAMILIAL INTEGRATION: The first and most important stage of integration is through their designated Familial Unit. Families are core to ensuring that each Clone has a tangible and emotional connection to Humanity. Humans are social beings who require close familial bonds, and it is the intent of the Bureau to provide those as organically as possible within the limitations of the program and situation.
Each Clone will have two parents who will be their immediate family. This will usually include siblings who may be physically older or younger, who are blood-related to the parents. Each Clone will also be official siblings with a number of other clones within the family unit. Within this familial unit, they will be organically introduced or exposed to different cultural facets of Humanity and the individuals who make it up.
Not every Clone will have the same experiences, and this is intentional. It is expected that Clones will adopt some cultural, national, or religious characteristics of their familial unit. In this way Clones are closely connected to important aspects of the Human experience before they are properly deployed.
PHASE 2 | MILITARY INTEGRATION: Following an acceptable integration into their respective family unit, Clones will be integrated into the military to fulfill their intended roles. There is an expectation that this integration will result in possible tensions between soldiers and clone counterparts, and resources will be provided to mediate the integration process.
Clones are expected to naturally develop relationships and friendships with non-Clone personnel, which will expand their own worldviews and personalities. Clones will be encouraged to regularly maintain contact with their families for further context and support. Additional resources will be provided to assist this process.
PARALLEL PHASE | EQUALIZATION CAMPAIGN: The public reveal of the Cloning Program will be accompanied by a public relations campaign to preempt public sentiment to be supportive of Clones and establish their place, their rights, and how they should be treated. It is essential that the public considers Clones as important and valid as a natural-born Human.
This will be accomplished by these points being reiterated by prominent ADVENT officials including the Chancellor, Bureau officials, media interviews with Clone volunteers, and media showcasing their integration and criticality to the war effort. Further narrative control will be accomplished by social media teams and PATRIOT to elevate positive sentiment and weed out negative comments and perception.
It is just as important that the public is prepared and supportive of Clones in the civilian population as their acceptance in military affairs. We are confident that this parallel operation will be successful.
PHASE 3 | CIVILIAN INTEGRATION: At an indeterminate period where the war has ended, or there is a significant lull in the fighting, the third phase will commence focused on integrating clones into the general population and into civilian life. Clones may opt to remain in the military, but they will be given training and education that places them into civilian institutions (such as higher education) to begin the acclimatization process.
Clones who opt to enter the civilian workforce will be provided resources to pursue their ideal roles or jobs, be that in immediate work, or education. They will be given support and resources to relocate and maintain contact with friends or family they have made during the course of their service.
This is a period that is expected to have challenges, which will not be exclusive to clone demobilization, but the Bureau will be preparing for as many scenarios and developments as possible.
PARALLEL PHASE | EXPAND POLITICAL REPRESENTATION: The demobilization of the Clone army as a military force must be accompanied by their expansion as a political body. While the Union of Clone Interests will act as their official voice and representation within ADVENT bodies, we understand that there will almost certainly be a desire for more conventional political power and representation.
The Bureau will encourage qualified Clones to seek positions in government, take part in the political process (Clones will be able to vote in elections for their respective Legion or adopted nationality prior to this), and apply for other government positions. The Bureau will begin a process of transitioning from a natural-born-led leadership to one that is Clone-led, placing further control of the program into their hands.
Ideally, Clones should be soon represented across ADVENT in a variety of positions. We expect that Clones will reach senior military positions by the time of cessation of hostilities, and we will work to see this similarly reflected in civilian positions in ADVENT, and across the wider private sphere.
CULTIVATION AND GROWTH: Currently all Clones are to be grown in specialized cultivation chambers derived from existing Sectoid and Andromedon cloning technology, which will enable their growth from embryo to full adult. Three different types of chambers have been developed, one from embryo to infant, infant to child, and child to adult.
These chambers will be designed to prevent external observation into the chamber, and will only be able to be fully viewed by qualified staff for pre-determined purposes of health, or during the transfer of one stage of cultivation to the next. These measures were taken for several reasons, as multiple psychologists identified that exposure could result in psychological discomfort, and the closed design might emulate some elements of a mother's womb.
Once the Clone reaches a stage of mental and physical maturity, flash-training programs will be activated which will impart a series of psionic 'pulses' which contain critical pieces of information for Clones to understand and interpret the world. Trials with this technology have revealed that while the information will always be successfully imparted, the brain will interpret it in unique ways, primarily through dream-like experiences.
In this way we will be able to impart critical knowledge to Clones concerning basic concepts, language, Humanity, aliens, and basic math, science, military tactics, weapon handling, and the ongoing war. Specific information on nations and cultures has yet to be developed, and not deemed critical to the flash-training process.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT: Further refinements to the flash-training process have been proposed, the most promising of which is developing specialized skill packages for the flash-training program. These packages could produce expert scientists, engineers, doctors, and other personnel with other specialized skillsets.
These skillsets are in very high demand and would enable ADVENT to replenish any critical deficiencies with relative swiftness or allow them to pursue various efforts with a near-guaranteed workforce with relatively cheap cost in time and resources. This is entirely reliant on being able to successfully translate the necessary information into these Flash-training programs.
Psions have also been identified as being a high-priority target for production. Psions are currently undergoing trial runs to monitor for any potential issues that could arise due to the high possibility of Awakening due to the process of flash-training before the Clone is stable. Cloning non-Telepath psions is being considered as a possible mitigating factor.
The second proposed course for future development is the adaptation of the Mindscape - a term XCOM uses to describe a mental headspace equivalent to a lucid dream that is similar, or identical to reality. This would be done to allow the Clone to "experience" certain periods like childhood and mentally undergo a normalizing process in a highly accelerated time frame instead of childhood being bypassed entirely.
There is ongoing debate on the usefulness or viability of such an addition, but given that it would require dedicated psi-tech which the program does not have, and a psion capable of simulating an environment to that detail, it is unlikely to see significant movement in the immediate future.
INTERNAL ORGANIZATION: The Bureau of Clone Affairs is divided into a large number of different divisions which are responsible for their respective spheres of responsibility. They are the following:
TEMPLATE ACQUISITION, MODIFICATION, AND APPROVAL: The first stage of cloning is the collection and curation of templates which will be used for growing clones. Each one must be reviewed, modified, and tested before it can be moved into full production. This division will be responsible for the management and collection of such templates.
There is a mixed element of administration of science to this responsibility, which is why it is one of the larger divisions, and one of the most important. Templates must be as perfect and flawless as possible, as mistakes will have dire ramifications for any clones which are grown from that line.
CLONE PRODUCTION DIVISION: The mechanisms of actual cloning, and the vast worldwide infrastructure will be managed by the Clone Production Division. This division is responsible for constructing, maintaining, and enhancing the actual technology and equipment which executes the cloning process.
They will be responsible for ensuring each cloning facility is capable of sustaining production, as well as identifying locations for additional facility construction to ensure redundancy in the event of an attack or loss of a facility. They will ensure that production of the clones will continue unabated for the duration of the war.
FAMILY AND ADOPTION DIVISION: The actual structure of the Family and Adoption Division will be smaller and more unorthodox than most divisions, as the formal division will primarily be responsible for managing the administrative tasks relating to recruiting families to adopt clones into approved family units, and the regulations surrounding them.
They will directly recruit, support, and oversee the family units which have been recruited into the Bureau to care for and provide emotional and familial bonds to newly awakened clones. The family units were identified as a critical necessity for the grounding, emotional and mental health, and stability of individual clones.
Families with nominal parental figures will ground and assist in the assimilation of clones into Human life and society, as well as provide them with an inherent support structure which cannot be properly artificially recreated. Family units will be continually observed to ensure they are adequately providing each of their adopted clones with this necessary love and support.
ASSIMILATION AND INTEGRATION DIVISION: To support the above division, the Assimilation and Integration Division is responsible for working to help integrate clones into society and help navigate the complexities of Human life and culture. They are considered an augment to the Family Units, not a substitute, and will provide more general support or assistance in cases where the Family Unit is unable or unfitting to address a certain complexity.
OFFICE OF CLONE AFFAIRS: Clones are expected to face a degree of challenges and issues that will not be replicated within the general population, and the Bureau is expecting an influx of questions, complaints, and concerns relating to the program and the personnel within it. The Office of Clone Affairs exists to address both concerns.
They will be a place for clones to directly go to when there are issues and concerns directly related to their status as a cloned Human, which the Office will work to resolve. The Office will also field public questions and interest in the Bureau and wider cloning program, and be the public face of the Bureau, while closely coordinating with the Narrative Oversight and Management Division.
UNION OF CLONE INTERESTS AND REPRESENTATION: A potential issue that was highlighted during the development of the Bureau was that clones do not have any direct stake or representation politically within ADVENT. While this is not something that can be addressed in the immediate future, Chief Soriano proposed an interim solution he believes will satisfy concerns that might arise among clones.
This is the creation of a formal union that exists to advocate for, and represent clone interests to ADVENT government and political bodies, as well as the Bureau of Labor and Organization. This union would ideally be led and managed by clones, though initially it will be managed by non-clones until a transition can be completed.
It is suggested that clones who do not wish to take part in the conflict, if they are inclined, can serve in a role here. Soriano has assured this Bureau that he is confident that he will be able to gather additional support or resources to any clones who are interested in assuming responsibility for this union.
NARRATIVE OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT DIVISION: The revelation of a clone army, as well as ADVENT's full development of this without public knowledge or comment, is almost certainly guaranteed to generate controversy and spark anti-clone sentiment due to the sensitive and controversial nature of cloning, especially among the ethical and scientific community.
This division will seek to mitigate any negative reaction and backlash, as well as continually monitor for trends of anti-clone sentiment.
They will manage the initial public campaigns where they will provide ADVENT's reasoning and justification, tailored to different audiences (general public vs. scientific community), release further statements of support from state and aligned individuals who are prominent within various communities, and interviews and media from a variety of clones themselves in a multilingual and multicultural context.
They will also be responsible for working with social media companies, the Oversight Division, the Peacekeeper Corps, and ADVENT Intelligence to identify any anti-clone sentiment or prejudice and ensure that it is dismantled, suppressed, and destroyed as necessary. Further practical and symbolic measures to reinforce the equality of clones within Human society will also be taken, such as distributing guidance ADVENT wide on proper integration, and amendments to existing laws and statutes as equivalent which leaves no room for ambiguity as to the status of cloned Humans within ADVENT.
BUREAU COMMAND COUNCIL: The Bureau Command Council is the hub for the entire leadership of the Bureau of Clone Affairs. Each member is the leader of one of the respective divisions outlined, and they work to coordinate and develop policies for the entire Bureau, as well as engage other ADVENT bodies.
After the successful launch of the Bureau, the Command Council will begin working to actively assimilate clones into their organizational structures, and provision a seat for a qualified clone which will begin the process of eventually transitioning the Bureau to being led and managed by cloned Humans.
RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING: There are a wide variety of personnel who will be recruited into the Bureau, and for the sake of this proposal, general overviews will be provided concerning the strategies for each general field or unique role. These are the following:
SCIENTIFIC PERSONNEL: Recruitment for the areas which require direct scientific expertise will initially be conducted within existing ADVENT institutions for security reasons, and following an initial recruitment drive, will expand junior and technical positions for recent or soon-to-be graduates.
Positions will include geneticists, biologists, but also engineers, computer scientists, psychologists, and other specialized fields as required. We expect it will not be difficult to successfully staff the Bureau with the requisite personnel.
SUPPORT AND INTEGRATION: Due to the necessity of this section of positions coming into force later in the organizational stand-up, recruitment will take a lesser priority, and will be primarily driven by recruitment from both internal and external sources.
MILITARY TRAINING OFFICERS: We are currently coordinating with ADVENT High Command to, when the first batches are awakened, devote a portion of officers to provide initial indoctrination and integration oversight into the various Legions. This role will be executed by existing ADVENT Military personnel, who are to be determined at a later date by ADVENT High Command.
FAMILY UNITS: The Familial Units will be drawn from the worldwide population of ADVENT, with a number of qualifications and expectations for each of them. Due to the criticality of stability for clones during this period, only stable families with multiple years of sustained marriage will be considered, who have no estranged familial relations.
Families will need to be comprised of at least two parents. Experience with raising children is a benefit, but the choice was made to not exclude childless couples who may be willing, but incapable of having children naturally. Support for new parents will be provided, though we expect this to comprise a minority of the Familial Unit population.
Families will be drawn from the entire spectrum of ADVENT's nations, cultures, ethnic groups, and religions. It is critical that the full spectrum of Humanity be reflected in the clones as a whole, to improve their overall integration into society.
PUBLIC RELATIONS PERSONNEL: Due to the importance of narrative control during this process, individuals who are expected to interface with, or manage the public, will be drawn from experienced interlocutors within ADVENT. Personnel will also be drawn from ADVENT Intelligence, the Oversight Division, and Public Relations with the direct support of each respective organization.
CONCLUSION: While the formation of cloning was driven by practical needs as opposed to the end result of a scientific consensus, it nonetheless is something which will result in a clear disruption to what is understood as the typical Human experience. I would go so far as to say that, of all that our species has recently endured, this will be a test of Humanity, and ADVENT's work, that has never taken place before.
The definitions of Human itself will be challenged, and each individual will have to reckon with what that means. It is not as simple for us to understand, for we accept the clones as individuals and Humans they are, but as the world has shown many times before, our species is not necessarily good at accepting new ways of thinking.
However, because of ADVENT's efforts to cultivate a Humanity with a proper open-minded mindset, as well as clear support for clone integration and equality, I am confident that the bumpy parts in this road will be fewer than feared. The clones being effective soldiers is a foregone conclusion, but it will be for nothing if they cannot ultimately be accepted into the Humanity they fight to protect.
ADVENT Media Record 8377261| Email Transcript
Participants: OWE, Lisbeth; EKLUND, Erik; HALIM, Angryanto
xxx
To: Erik Eklund
From: Lisbeth Owe
Subject: Official Terminology and/or Revision
Erik, good morning,
I've raised this point a few times, on behalf of myself and a few others concerning the final terminology that ADVENT intends to use in reference to the individuals produced as a result of Seafoam. Considering that the official reveal is approaching quickly, if there's a time to nail this down, it should be made very clear one way or another.
I will once again remind you that there are a number of drawbacks to using the terminology of 'Clone' that many of our superiors are not taking into account (I am aware this has been ongoing through the program, but that does not change the point). We simultaneously want to integrate these individuals into being an accepted part of Humanity, while also defining them by their method of creation almost from the beginning of their lives.
More to the point, the terminology isn't completely accurate and is truthfully misleading. Clones are not 'clones' in the way they are portrayed in popular media, which is what everyone innately defaults to. If that were the case, true Clones would be a demographic disaster for Humanity, and we very much intend for them to be capable of taking part in the reproductive cycle. Thus, the usage of Clone is inaccurate as well as ostracizing.
It will require a shift in our terminology and speech, but even something like Accelerated Growth Humans is more accurate than 'Clone' shorthand. I hope that this is taken seriously. Whatever the decision is, we're going to be stuck with it for a long time, and it's important to get it right.
Sincerely,
- Dr. Lisbeth Owe, Template Design and Modification
xxx
To: Lisbeth Owe
From: Erik Eklund
Subject: RE: Official Terminology and/or Revision'
Lisbeth, good morning to you,
I'm afraid that there was almost certainly some miscommunication somewhere, as the terminology concerning the Clones and associated individuals has been settled for some time. I apologize if you were not informed of the result of this decision. I will take responsibility for the oversight..
Our answer is that ADVENT will be referring to Clones as what they are - Clones. There may be professional objections to widespread usage of this specific terminology, but after consideration it was decided that it was both acceptable, and more importantly, the most accurate. We do not believe this terminology diminishes their Humanity or hampers ADVENT's integration efforts.
Thank you for reaching out.
- Erik Eklund, Bureau of Clone Affairs Public Relations
xxx
To: Erik Eklund
From: Lisbeth Owe
Subject: RE: Official Terminology and/or Revision
I see,
I'm disappointed to see that ADVENT has made that choice which goes against the repeated recommendations of a number of qualified professionals. Accelerated Growth Humans, or even just using 'Human' as a standard term is both a more accurate term, and carries far less stigma than 'Clone' is going to generate.
I will be working to appeal this to the best of my ability. This is not the time to get this wrong, because it could severely impact Humanity's relationship with these people, and how easily they will be able to be assimilated into the wider population.
Sincerely,
- Dr. Lisbeth Owe, Template Design and Modification
xxx
To: Lisbeth Owe
From: Erik Eklund
Subject: RE: Official Terminology and/or Revision
Dr. Owe,
If you wish to appeal or protest this decision, you are more than welcome to, but this decision was also made with the approval of numerous ranking professionals in and outside the Bureau of Clone Affairs. I will note that the final vote was ninety-four percent in favor - significantly more than the two-thirds majority needed to pass.
I do not believe that attempting to reverse this is a proper use of time for all parties involved, and this decision has the approval of the Director as well. There are no plans to adjust our strategy, and I would not hold my breath for it being reversed.
Thank you for voicing your concerns,
- Erik Eklund, Bureau of Clone Affairs Public Relations
xxx
To: Lisbeth Owe
From: Angryanto Halim
Subject: RE: Official Terminology and/or Revision
Dr. Owe, good afternoon,
As this has been a concern you have noted, as well as a few other members of the Bureau, I will take a moment to elaborate on the rationale for this terminology. The shortest answer that I can give is that it is accurate.
These are Clones. You can argue a technicality that they are technically only 99.7% identical, and I don't see a reason to argue over facts. Including the fact that, practically, it changes nothing, especially when that 0.3% are the genetic enhancements we applied to them which ensure they possess physiology superior to a majority of the Human population.
It does not change their basic features, all of which are taken from a specific template. The vast majority of changes made are ones that improve their physical health and capabilities - not physical features. Given your role, I would expect you to know this basic fact about the templates you work on.
Seafoam was conceptualized as a cloning project. Our entire production model relies on acquiring Human material, creating templates, and subsequent mass production from this template. A less important fact I wish to note is that we all are part of the Bureau of Clone Affairs. I personally consider it a bit late to suddenly develop issues with the usage of the word 'Clone' when it has been part of our daily vocabulary since its founding.
Clones are Human. They are not the same as natural-born Humans. That is a fact, and pretending otherwise is dishonest to the Clones, ADVENT citizens, and ourselves. Some may argue that there is truly no difference between a natural-born and cloned Human. I am not willing to entertain this as a legitimate argument because we both know it is false.
However, let's place that aside for a moment and consider the matter of presenting this to the public. You are not going to be responsible for their integration into ADVENT - that responsibility will fall to myself, Erik, and the entire Public Relations team, as well as other senior ADVENT officials.
If you expect us to go out and tell the general public that these Clones who are identical to each other are in fact, not technically clones, then that will do far more damage to public perception than stating accurately what they are, and why that doesn't change their innate Humanity.
Are there some nuances to their creation? Yes there are, and we will highlight those as appropriate - but that doesn't change the fact that they are Clones, who were grown in cultivation chambers, and were pumped full of memories and knowledge before their awakening as physical adults.
If we try to present Clones as 'Accelerated Growth Humans' or other such terminology, we will be rightly accused of lying or hiding our motives because we are telling people to ignore the evidence of their eyes and ears. I have heard enough 1984 jokes around ADVENT. I would rather not give them any easy validation.
Our core approach, which ADVENT should always strive for, is not to deceive our citizens when we don't have to. Using inaccurate terminology in this way achieves nothing, and I would argue it will harm assimilation and integration efforts than if we are honest about what Clones are, and the facts about their creation.
By my count, this is the fourth time you have brought this complaint to us, several times after you knew the issue was settled. It was overlooked the first time, and the second, but this is the last time. Complaints such as these do nothing but waste the time of staff, myself, and the Bureau.
Do not bring this up again or disciplinary action will be taken. Your dispute is noted and has been dismissed. If you wish to make further complaints, you may file to Oversight if you wish to continue this dispute.
Sincerely,
- Dr. Angryanto Halim, Director of the Bureau of Clone Affairs.
NEW YORK – The commencement of the long-awaited counteroffensive, identified by ADVENT as the "Rapture Campaign" has seen ADVENT forces renew military operations against Collective positions across North America, South America, and Eastern Europe. While ADVENT has yet to confirm further planned offensives, they have indicated that the Rapture Campaign is one that will be "organized, methodical, and comprehensive."
Accompanying the announcement of a renewed offensive is the revelation that ADVENT has successfully produced the first Human clones, unveiled during a press conference where the Bureau of Clone Affairs was announced, and Bureau personnel, state officials, and military officers each confirmed that Human clones have entered into active military service.
"ADVENT has been involved in perfecting the cloning process for months now," Dr. Angryanto Halim, Director of the Bureau of Clone Affairs revealed during the announcement. "It was assessed early on that due to the limited methods Humanity has of matching the overwhelming manpower advantage, we had to find a means of compensation."
While Human clones are currently, and are expected to continue to be, integrated into the ADVENT military, ADVENT officials have indicated that they are intending for clones to eventually be integrated into the civilian population. "They may have been created to fight in a war, but we are preparing them for what comes after," Halim continued. "It is our responsibility, and the right thing to do."
Bureau representatives added in later interviews that while Human clones primarily were serving in a military capacity, clones were not forced into service, and a minority are currently holding other non-military positions in ADVENT. They repeatedly emphasized that clones hold the same legal status as ADVENT citizens.
"Each clone in the military made the choice to join," one Bureau spokesperson stated. "They're people like everyone else, and they make their own decisions. If they want something different, there are more ways than one to support the war effort."
Accompanying the announcement was legislation introduced in the Congress of Nations which does not change any laws directly, but instead adds clarifying language that unambiguously includes clones as well as non-clones in thousands of legal and legislative texts. The bill is expected to be swiftly approved, and the Chancellor made an announcement praising the efforts, and expecting it on her desk shortly.
The news of this development has been positively received across the world, with most approving of their direct integration into the military. Several scientific institutions have released statements praising ADVENT's treatment of the clones, though also highlighted concerns that such a development was done without public input.
Several other independent scientific institutions have requested meetings with the Bureau for unknown reasons, though sources indicate that these institutions are deeply concerned with this development and are seeking clarity from ADVENT and to express concerns in a private setting.
Currently, ADVENT has stated that only a very small percentage of the military has active clone deployments, though has not disclosed actual numbers, which Legions have received clone support, or the individual units or fronts they have been assigned to. However, they have additionally stated that this number of clones will grow significantly over the coming months, allowing the military to undertake larger and more complex operations.
"We're not going to match the Collective's output," one ADVENT official commented. "But if all we do is replenish our numbers, this war is going to become a lot worse for the Collective."
- Article | ADVENT's Clone Army Unveiled – Surprise, Approval, and Questions Follow
ADVENT Job Listing 877 | Archived Copy
Regions Posted: All | Languages Posted: All Official ADVENT Languages; Additional State Languages Added upon HOS Request
SPONSORED OFFICE/AGENCY: The Department of Employment and State Positions
JOB DESCRIPTION: ADVENT is currently seeking married couples with children or who desire to start families for a classified program where parental care is required. This position is directly related to the war effort, and will require dedicated attention and effort from all family members.
Details of the program are currently classified. More details will be provided to applicants during interviews who meet the Minimum Qualifications.
LOCATION: This position will require the applicants to move to a location which cannot be disclosed for security reasons. ADVENT will provide assistance and compensation during the relocation process. Applicants will be expected to remain at the work location for an indefinite period of time for the duration of their agreed-upon contract.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be married for 5+ years
- No history of domestic violence, infidelity, involuntary psychiatric commitments, or similar incidents [As outlined in Appendix B]
- Must be willing and able to undergo parenting classes if no previous child rearing experience
- Must successfully pass a background check
- Must be willing to fully relocate with all immediate family to work location
- Must be able and willing to work with individuals of various cultural backgrounds, nationalities, and religions
- Must be able to speak at least 1+ official language
- Must not have any current or previous association with extreme or fundamentalist political or religious movements or organizations
- Willingness to adopt and integrate individuals into your immediate family
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Have experience raising multiple children of any age
- Have experience with, or taken part in adoption or foster care
- Have an educational background in teaching (All levels), counseling, psychology, or youth activities
- Have experience with adopting and integrating older children or adults into family units
- Have contributed to, or assisted in official group activity events (camps, workshops, etc.)
- Speak multiple (2+) languages
- Have been married 10+ years
ADDITIONAL CLARIFICATIONS
- Experience raising children is NOT REQUIRED | ADVENT will provide necessary resources, instruction, and support for parental couples
- Lower Economic Conditions will NOT impact your submission | ADVENT encourages all applicants regardless of economic background to apply if they meet the Minimum Qualifications
- Nationality will NOT impact your submission | ADVENT actively seeks to have all ADVENT member nations represented in this program and encourages application if the Minimum Qualifications are met
- Religious practice or lack thereof will NOT impact your submission | ADVENT encourages all applicants regardless of religious practice to apply if they meet the Minimum Qualifications
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: ADVENT will provide compensation for all relocation costs, and will provide lodging, food, and other necessities for the duration of the applicant's involvement with the program. Applicants will be compensated approximately 100,000 Alloys ($250,000) per individual per year. Family members under the age of 18 will be compensated approximately 40,000 Alloys.
Applicants will have the opportunity to make a major contribution to the war effort, work with senior ADVENT officials in special roles for current and future classified programs. Applicants will be provided with contacts for an associated Union for this program, to ensure current and future job security and stability.
Applicants will have significant flexibility over the duration of their contract. Following the initial period of the contract, they will be able to renew or terminate without penalty.
EXPECTED RESPONSE TIME: Upon submitting an application for this job listing, the respective office will review your submission and provide a response within 21 days. Individuals who meet Minimum Qualifications may be requested to interview where more details will be provided.
Should interviews conclude satisfactorily, the Office will begin the process of qualification, verification and initiate the processes for full transition. Applicants that are accepted will receive their final offer letter no later than sixty days after initial interviews if accepted. Applicants who are rejected will receive notice of their rejection at this time when a decision has been made by the Office.
ADVENT Media Record 8827366 | Email Transcript
Participants: CHAUVE, Amand; HALIM, Angryanto
xxx
To: Angryanto Halim
From: Amand Chauve
Subject: Qualifications and Social Impacts of Clones on Existing Trends
Director, there is a matter that I want to bring to your attention that has been swirling within my department for a period of time now, but I confess to being uncertain how to approach it, and if the wider Bureau is aware of this at all.
It primarily concerns the plans for the Familial Units, and the respective qualifications thereof. All of us are in agreement that this is the only proper way to ground, integrate, and assimilate clones into Human society. While they are not children, this is an impressionable period for them, which will play a major role in defining their personalities and outlooks for the rest of their life.
It is this which bestows a significant amount of responsibility upon us to make sure that we are not only providing stable and loving families for these clones, but also shaping them into being model citizens of ADVENT, and upholding the values and morals expected of our best citizens. We have an obligation, a responsibility, and an opportunity to, for lack of better words, create the ideal generation of Humans.
I am concerned that we are putting this at risk, and delaying the gradual movement towards this ideal Humanity society ADVENT is creating with the current requirements for who is allowed to apply for the Familial Units. ADVENT appears to be putting a greater emphasis on diversity in requirement, rather than if applicants are ultimately ideal or qualified.
ADVENT is the culmination of Humanity, and it comprises a myriad of peoples and cultures, all of which are in the process of being harmonized and modernized with the ideal interpretations and integrations within the wider Human species. It is fair to say that ADVENT is intending to create a thoroughly secular, liberal, and like-minded Humanity and allow the gradual social trends we have observed in the developed world to their natural conclusion.
This primarily relates to the noted decline in religiosity, nationalism, and other incompatible cultures and traditions. I have seen nothing indicating ADVENT intends or wishes to artificially preserve any of these elements, as they are clear impediments to a sustained unification. However, when the numbers of clones that will likely be deployed through the Bureau over even the next five years is considered in the context of these trends, a concerning result emerges.
Right now there are no discriminators for submissions based on nation, culture, or religion, and that I must state this is a problem. Without some level of curation on who should be allowed to raise, teach, and support these clones there is a risk that these trends are significantly delayed if not stopped entirely.
While I understand that qualifiers have been put in place to limit fundamentalism or individuals incompatible with ADVENT society, that does not change the fact that many of our citizens, especially from non-liberal nations, are not suddenly new people, whose lives have not already been shaped by their upbringing and lives under previous governments and ideologies.
We can pretend that this will not affect clones, but this would be a dangerous lie to believe, and undermines the point of the program itself if we consider that they are incapable of being influenced and considering the views of those who are their family. I hope that the Bureau has taken this likelihood into consideration, and will be willing to address this concern in a professional manner.
Sincerely,
- Dr. Amand Chauve, Bureau of Clone Affairs, Psychology and Sociology Unit
xxx
To: Amand Chauve
From: Angryanto Halim
RE: Subject: Qualifications and Social Impacts of Clones on Existing Trends
Dr. Chauve, thank you for highlighting this concern.
I apologize for the delayed response. Your message was clearly carefully considered and I want to take the time to answer in a way which has the same level of elaboration and explanation put into it, as it is an important point you raise.
I will first start out with this point, which I believe we are all in agreement on – we want the clones to reflect Humanity. This was decided upon for a number of reasons, not just because it practically means it will make the overall assimilation process easier, but because we do not want clones to become boxed or stereotyped into something separate from Humanity, but another piece in the mosaic, to borrow a Zudjari term.
By necessity, that means that we cannot – we should not – perform the kind of curation that is suggested here. If we draw our applicants from one or two specific regions of the world, or even specific countries, we are going to be making a correlation or association that is ultimately arbitrary, and will unintentionally reveal ADVENT's own biases towards one particular region or nation from the highest levels.
ADVENT was begun as a project primarily driven by European and Western interests, personalities, and nations. It thus carried with it certain expectations and biases as to what the ideal Humanity should look like; an idea that remains under some degree of debate, and has undergone some evolution as people more important than you or me grasp what a truly united Humanity entails.
The question of biases aside, and what impact if any they should have on our decision making, I would like to address the point about trends and ADVENT's direction, as you put it. First, I believe the trends you reference, especially in regards to religiosity, are primarily aimed towards North America and Europe as a whole. That is not necessarily reflective of the wider world, and no new polling on this has been recently conducted to give an up-to-date overview.
There is perhaps a fear being stated here that ADVENT is at risk of losing its secularity, or its status as a unifier, in favor of nationalism, or incompatible traditions or cultures will gain a foothold in ADVENT in some far future. To assuage these concerns as directly as I can, you have nothing to fear.
ADVENT is and will always be a secular state, which is written into the ADVENT Directive, and which all religious leaders across ADVENT acknowledge. There will never be a Caliphate again, and the era of the Catholic Church's dominance has similarly ended.
ADVENT has made it clear that religious fundamentalism has no place in society, and has actively burned this extremist rot from religions worldwide. No matter what form or role religion takes in ADVENT, I can state with confidence that it will be moderated, integrated, and aligned with ADVENT and Humanity's interest. I understand the skepticism, but the solution ADVENT has decided upon concerning religion is not suppression, but integration – which I would argue is the correct approach.
Similarly, on the matter of nationalism, you are making a conflation between patriotism and violent nationalism which is incorrect. Nationalists seek independence and the ability to manage their own affairs separate from the wider needs of Humanity. Patriotism is being proud of, and wanting to better your home and nation. One is incompatible with ADVENT, the other is something that ADVENT wishes to cultivate.
As for any incompatible traditions or cultural remnants that remain, I frankly see this as a non-issue and ADVENT will step in should such a thing arise. I am fully confident in ADVENT's ability to ensure that religion, national pride, and culture can remain and be an important part of the Human experience, while keeping the elements of incompatibility and extremism away.
An unspoken question that I inferred from this message is a simple one – why do we not simply curate the families to educated atheist European and Asian families from developed countries, as those are usually the ones most compatible with ADVENT's interests? The answer is that, if pressed, we perhaps could.
My counter question to that is why would we?
If we take such an approach, we fundamentally are saying that there are some individuals, regions, and nations that are inherently better than others – and if we are saying that certain religions and cultures are inferior, why do we tolerate them at all? These are all nations of ADVENT, and last I checked, religion is also legal. From a purely legal standpoint, further discrimination is not only ethically questionable, but also something that would almost see Oversight be involved and send a number of individuals to prison, yours truly among them.
It is also, frankly, an unavoidable consequence if we are actually interested in exposing clones to the entirety of the world's peoples and countries. If you take my own country of Indonesia when it was an independent country, I'm afraid that you're not going to find many qualified families who are not Muslims, just as you are not going to find many Chinese who are not influenced by communism, South Americans who are not Catholics, or Indians who don't follow some sect of Hinduism.
Religion, nation, tribe, all of these are in some way a very fundamental part of the Human experience, and trying to hide or obscure that would ultimately be a lie, and one done for reasons that I do not think are valid. Finally, for the trends you are talking about to be affected by any significant margin, we must consider that each clone fully adopts every belief and custom of their adoptive families.
That is unlikely to be the case. There will almost certainly be instances where this does happen, and that is something that is perfectly fine. It is not a failure if a clone wishes to emulate their family, or thinks that some of what they think and say is agreeable. I promise you, being part of a family does not mean there is uniform agreement on all matters, big or small.
I am confident in the ability of our recruiters to find the best ones for the clones, no matter what they believe or what nation they come from. And in the event there is a mistake made and something problematic arises? We will be able to quickly rectify it.
We are in control of this process, from start to finish. I hope that this sufficiently addresses your concerns, and those of your colleagues.
Thank you,
- Dr. Angryanto Halim, Director of the Bureau of Clone Affairs.
ADVENT Intelligence | Media Report 99228
SUBJECT: Jonas Culbert [Conspiracy Media Personality – Collective-Backed]
MEDIA TITLE: The Great Replacement
TRANSCRIPT
Analyst Note: Subject appears in small, confined studio with minimal props. Appearance is partially disheveled; minimal effort has been expended to appear presentable. Subject's tone is controlled agitation throughout; unclear how much of the material is his own or what he fully believes or endorses.
"Well folks, it happened. I told you all it was going to happen, but no one believed me when I promised it was what they wanted to do. Right on cue, guess who comes out to prove me wrong. That's right – ADVENT themselves! Like I keep trying to say, they are not trying to hide their agenda at all! They celebrate it! They think it's great! And all of the masses, these sheep cheer for it!"
Analyst Note: Subject pulls out a small stack of papers. He will refer to these throughout the segment. It is unclear if anything is printed on these sheets.
"Enter in the clone army! Yes, a literal clone army! They admit it! How many times have I said that ADVENT is growing clones in their Antarctic labs? Now, I can't say I, or anyone who's been paying even a little bit of attention to ADVENT is really surprised by this. That they refused to answer anything on the subject should have been clue enough!"
"So, ADVENT is growing clones now. I'll be real with you all – they look like the real thing. They walk, talk, and look like Humans; and that's probably the scariest fucking thing I've ever realized. You want to know what demons look like? Well, they look like us. You know how the greatest trick the devil pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist? Well, the trick ADVENT is pulling is convincing us demons are actually people."
"Right, let's consider a question – why would ADVENT want to do this? They say it's to augment their army, give them more manpower, all usually military justifications, like everything they do. But you all know that's not the real reason. What might that be? I'll tell you – they're intending to replace us."
Analyst Note: His dramatic pause is unnecessarily long, even for him.
"Now, you might wonder how, or why? Well, because they can, and because that's the only way for them to succeed. Think about it – Clones are grown in a completely controlled environment, can look like anyone, and if you don't think each of those clones are brainwashed and controlled, I have a few houses to sell you."
"I've seen – incredulously, mind you – people expressing concerns that these clones are going to be misused, or abused, or some other drivel. Fucking hell, Humanity is doomed. Ok, let me spell it out clearly – ADVENT is not going to abuse their clones. Why would they ever do that to their ideal citizens? The kind that doesn't ever question, doesn't dissent, doesn't talk back, and obeys and lives like a good sheep?"
Analyst Note: He appears legitimately miffed about this. The disappointment is real.
"You fools! Absolute goddamn fools! These clones aren't going to be expendable or second-class Humans! They're going to be ruling over us! Mark my words, we're going to start seeing a bunch of clones suddenly 'earn' positions across ADVENT to normalize this utterly ghoulish charade as these breathing mannequins are given authority over real Humans while the elites like Vyandar execute their agenda!"
"You ever do something that makes the mother superior Chancellor mad? Well, they've got your DNA now, and a clone is being cooked up as we speak. You think they aren't making clones of every dissident they can? So they can have them all suddenly 'see the light?' It's a miracle!"
"And what can anyone do about it? What's going to happen if you disappear for a day, ADVENT uses a psion to take out all your memories, and put them in your identical clone and send them back? They can do all of this! Our society is soon going to be thoroughly infiltrated, subverted, and any independent-thinking, freedom-loving Human is going to be replaced by a flesh golem they are calling Human!"
Analyst Note: He slammed a fist on the desk at this point.
"This is – generously – assuming this hasn't been happening already. Do you really think clones haven't been in circulation for a while now? They're announcing it now because the trial run is over, and they know they can get away with it. The sheep won't care – they're not important enough to replace. But you? The person who can still think? Be ready for things to become bad very quickly, worse than they already are if you can believe it."
"ADVENT has cracked the code to enslave Humanity forever, and frankly, at this point, the only thing that can stop them is the aliens. I'm not one to cheer on the xenos, but ADVENT crossed a line here, and nothing short of extreme measures can fix it now. They've gotta go, or we've lost ourselves."
SECTION OMITTED: Sponsor read.
TRANSCRIPT END
ANALYSIS: Marked it for scrubbing from the Internet, per SOP for all of his videos.
This one I do want to highlight as slightly more concerning, because he's unintentionally stumbled upon something that is going to resonate with larger numbers of people. Not really the full-blown body snatchers drivel, but the idea that ADVENT will use clones to achieve certain political outcomes believing them to be controlled and conditioned.
That's not something that can be easily countered by propaganda because it is a subconscious fear that people hold, especially those who perceive ADVENT as being opposed to their political interests. These people are not politically savvy, intelligent, or nuanced, but they don't need to be. Telling them they're wrong may only harden their perception that they're actually right and ADVENT is lying. It's exceptionally difficult to prove a negative to someone who already is skeptical.
I am concerned that ADVENT is not properly taking into account the brand of opposition to equality for, and acceptance of clones not over morals, ethics, or debates over 'Humanity' but because they fear losing political relevance in favor of a new group that ADVENT has literally created. Reviewing documentation for the Bureau, they are unintentionally reinforcing that kind of concern by intending to involve clones in the political process and integrating clones into visible positions across ADVENT.
Now, understandably, the Bureau doesn't care to take these particular sentiments seriously, and I suspect are more likely to tell anyone who'd think this to go pound sand. Nonetheless, I do think it is worth taking this view into account, and how best to mitigate it in a way that assuages concerns than necessarily overt suppression and intimidation.
Additionally, that 'sponsor' segment that was omitted at the end was from a company that is not really real, but a Quisilia-backed company which I understand Intelligence is aware of. Maybe slap them down a bit, even if no one is watching these anymore. We don't want Quisilia – or Culbert – getting too comfortable here.
There is a nagging sensation in the back of my mind at the end of most days now, which only seems to return when work is not there to distract me. It brings to mind questions that I'd prefer not to think about. I've not discussed any of it with my colleagues, but I've become more and more tempted to ask what I feel is an increasingly forbidden question.
Are we doing the right thing? Did we do the right thing to begin with?
On paper, the cloning program makes sense. The military, pragmatic justifications for it are obvious. Seafoam's proposal and subsequent birth is something that seems almost inevitable in retrospect. And yet, I can't stop thinking about what it ultimately meant the entire time. We are, by our own volition, creating sapient life.
Not completely, of course. We're not building a Human from scratch, but that's semantics at the end of the day. We are consciously making the choice to bring these people into existence. We are choosing how they look, we are adjusting their biology, we are optimizing them to be the best soldiers we can.
We are making a thousand small decisions about them before they even become an embryo. We are playing God, no matter how anyone wants to argue otherwise. The ethics around it have been debated at length, but something I've noted is that there is never any debate on if this is something we should be doing at all.
It's all around their treatment, not their existence. ADVENT appears to have decided that we have the inherent right to create life, and shape it as we see fit. They are concerned with making sure what they created is fully integrated into society, which is an admirable approach, but seems… insufficient in some respects. Like there was a conversation about all of this that should have happened that never did.
Or maybe it did and the people who matter in ADVENT killed it. They aren't exactly tolerant of counterarguments to laws they've decided are iron-clad.
Standing in front of the rows of cloning vats and knowing there is a real person behind each one fills me with an emotion that is difficult to describe. It makes my skin crawl in a way that I only get when something is wrong. This is not how Humans were supposed to come into this world, but what can be done for it now? What argument is there that Humanity does not have this right if the knowledge and power to do so is ours.
It was, perhaps, decided when that Pandora's Box was opened. There is no real argument outside of morality or ethics, and all of those pale in light of the pragmatic arguments that ADVENT gives true weight to.
Maybe I'm uncomfortable because it mirrors what some of the aliens have done in eerily similar ways. The Sectoids, Andromedons, and Ethereals embraced cloning during some point in their development, and the Vitakara would have, if they had not pursued genetic manipulation first and subsequently moderated their views on self-modification. Not even the Mutons escaped this trend, though it was not of their own volition.
We, however, had a choice, and ADVENT went the route they always have – Man is meant to do what they must, and the implementation is more important than the act itself. I don't know if they're right and my feelings are irrational, but they have stayed with me since I saw the first clone being brought out of the tank.
Human in every way that matters.
Humans, but ones we created for war. They are given the option of course, but there is an inherent… deference clones exhibit that I don't think they or we fully understand. We give them the memories, context, and knowledge of the war. Before they're even born, we show why they are needed, and what the stakes are.
How much of a choice are we really giving them?
Why would they not want to do their part, when ADVENT is responsible for their life in the first place? When ADVENT gives them a family, treats them as equals, and does everything right? When their dreams are of war and what the aliens have done, and what they threaten? And we do everything right that we can, yet I still feel like we aren't grappling with the ramifications of this.
These clones aren't children, but they have no practical experience either. They are innocent in a way that only someone newly brought into this world can be. They have been told what the world is, they can be told what to expect, but all of the memories and preparation is going to shock them once they enter into the trenches and understand that everything is more complicated, dirty, and messy than they think.
Each of them has an idealized view of Humanity. They don't really understand the darker sides of our species; they don't understand discrimination or mistreatment, because it doesn't make sense to them. They are under the impression that Humanity is at the place ADVENT wants to eventually take us, when it just isn't yet, even as ADVENT works to shape it.
I do worry about how they will react, how many others will take advantage, and if these good intentions will be followed through. There are many, many good people who care, but I'm not sure their care and focus are on the right things.
We shall see, I suppose. I can only do my best, and hope my fears are for nothing.
- Journal Entry of Dr. Luuk de Jager, Acclimation Specialist of the Bureau of Clone Affairs
ADVENT Media Record 7700092 | Audio Transcript
Participants: BAUER, Christiaan [Soldier]; RIVERS, Lindell [Soldier]; SUTTON, Liam [Soldier]
[Lindell Rivers]: [Casual; probing] "So. The new guys and gals. Any of you knew that was coming?"
[Christiaan Bauer]: [Dry] "Did I know that ADVENT was growing a clone army this entire time?" [Prolonged pause] "No, Lindell, I didn't actually know that."
[LR]: [Defensive] "Just asking, just asking."
[Liam Sutton]: "Don't think that many other people knew it was a thing either."
[LR]: "Yeah. Though it seems it's come with a PR campaign and everything. There's a lot of work put into this."
[CB]: [Inquisitive] "Honestly surprised the Generals didn't push back on it. How could this possibly be a good idea?"
[LR]: [Surprise] "What? Look, the entire thing is weird, but they seem alright."
[CB]: [Firm] "Not based on what I've heard. Apparently they've been 'awake' for at most a few months, and were grown starting a year ago. That is not, in any way shape or form, 'alright.'"
[LS]: "A bit unfair if you ask me. Like, none of them asked to be born."
[CB]: [Exclamatory] "They aren't even born!"
[LS]: [Snort] "Yeah, yeah, you know what I mean."
[LR]: [Tense] "Might want to watch that talk, Chris, ADVENT doesn't sound like they're going to like that kind of anti-clone talk. Saw some bill going to Congress today updating all of their legal texts. Right or not, that's definitely the line right now."
[CB]: [Dry] "Sue me then. Look, if they wanted some cannon fodder instead of sending us to die, I guess I can see why they'd sign off on it."
[LR]: "I'm pretty sure that isn't the plan."
[CB]: [Prolonged sigh] "Can't disagree with it right now. God, this PR campaign is going to get under my skin, I can already tell."
[LS]: [Dismissive] "If they can shoot a rifle half-decently they're already better than some of the new recruits. I'm not saying no to more firepower. Better than handing a bunch of civilians guns and telling them to fight. Might have been this or conscription."
[CB]: "Maybe. I'd be more understanding if these clones were meant to strengthen our numbers, nothing more or less. Clearly, that isn't what ADVENT wants to do if Liam is right. They literally just grew a whole bunch of people – all of which are probably indoctrinated to be fully supportive of them."
[LR]: [Groan] "Oh God, not conspiracy shit."
[CB]: [Pointed] "Look, ADVENT is fucking ruthless, and I respect that. You can't tell me that this isn't partially an insurance policy of some kind. Politically speaking."
[LS]: [Resigned] "Chris, are you really afraid that they're all government spies going to tattle on you to Oversight for off-color comments?"
[CB]: [Exasperated] "They were literally grown by ADVENT. If you don't think there's some conditioning at work here, you're very delusional. These aren't people, they're walking meat-puppets pumped with fake memories and know how to mimic Humans. Being Human isn't something you can just… learn."
[LR]: "I mean, it literally is."
[CB]: "You know what I mean."
[LR]: "Yes, but you also know what I mean. This is a bit too conspiracy for me."
[LS]: [Musing] "Not going to lie, seeing a bunch of people with the same face freaks me out, but I'll give the clone boys a chance. Again, not their fault."
[CB]: [Dismissive] "Do what you want. Don't say I didn't tell you so when Clones start getting promotions for regular Humans like us."
[LR]: [Inquisitive] "You want to take that bet?"
[CB]: [Pause] "Yep, I'll take it."
[LR]: "You know that high-end place in New York? The steak place?"
[CB]: "I told you about it. Of course."
[LR]: [Amused] "Alright, if any of us get our promotions, you take the Unit and that five-course meal comes out of your pocket. If we get beaten out by a bunch of one-year olds, then I'll pay. Deal?"
[CB]: [Laugh] "Easiest deal I've made. I'm in."
[LS]: "I win either way, but for the sake of everyone, I really hope you're wrong, Chris."
[CB]: "So do I. So do I."
Transcript ends.
"Is this what I want to do?"
"I've been getting that question a lot, and heard it be asked to other clones. A lot of people seem to be fixated on it, and I'm curious about why. One of the first things that was made clear to me when I woke up was that I did have a choice. All of us do. I choose to do what I was created to do, and so did many of the rest of us."
"We know what happened; the invasion, aliens, that's all our dreams are until we open our eyes. It's interesting that the reason we exist makes people uncomfortable. For better or worse, I exist because of this war, because of ADVENT, and I do not feel right just walking away. It is personal in a way that people who aren't clones won't understand."
"Was this job what you wanted to do, Miss Wong? A war reporter on ADVENT?"
"Correct, that's my point here – it may not be your first preference, or what you expected or even wanted, but you feel an obligation to fulfill your purpose for the greater good. You are a journalist. I am a soldier; designed as one. I am still navigating my way through Humanity. In contrast, war is something I innately understand."
"I'll learn to be… normal. But that will probably come later, after we have won."
"Hm, now that's a good question. My family. They were the ones who helped shape me already, in the short time I've been with them. I have a mother and father, and a little brother too. And it doesn't count the other brothers and sisters they have taken into their family."
"I've… thought about what it would be like if I didn't have them. If I'd just been woken up, had things explained to me in a debriefing. It bothers me, because it seems like an alien idea. Unnatural. I'd likely have managed, but there would be something missing which none of us would 'get' until much later."
"What's the family like? I'm not sure if it's 'normal' or not. My understanding of families is that all of them are different in their own ways. Do most families play board games? Do their siblings exhibit vexing tendencies sometimes? I'm not fully sure, but mine… there was love and care for myself, and the other siblings. I think that's all that matters."
"I'm not ignorant of the fact that this normally isn't how families come together. I think that makes what my family has done extraordinary. They did not know who I would be; they didn't know any of us - but they brought me in all the same."
"Anyone who would do that is someone worth fighting a war for, and they're not the only people who make that sacrifice. Better that someone like me is on the front lines, than have them be forced to take up arms. ADVENT created us for this purpose, so mothers, fathers, and families wouldn't have to do the same. I see nothing wrong with that. We are not mistreated; we are not used. We have each made our choice to pick up a rifle and join the front."
"No, 'vexed' is not the right word, but I think that some people are too cynical for their own good. We tell them the reality, and they feel the need to speak or advocate for us on our behalf as if they know better. The people that do this… I think they mean well, they do, but these ethicists and scientists decrying the morality of it…"
"Well, I'd personally say it's a good thing they aren't making decisions. If people like them made decisions, Humanity would probably be worse off."
"What of the people who think I shouldn't exist? A counter-question for you - Do they matter? Should I spend my time thinking about them? Is this amorphous number of Humans who look at me and see… something else, do they matter? I don't think they do, and it seems ADVENT has decided the same. I am as Human as them, and I don't feel the need to defend my existence or display my independence."
"Well, if it comes up, I'll have to navigate that. I expect that all of us will deal with it at some point, Human history does not seem clean when it comes to matters of discrimination of something unknown, but we have the backing of those that matter, and our families. No matter how strong or widespread this sentiment is, it will fade in time."
"Yes, I'm positive about that."
"So, where am I stationed? Can't disclose that, I'm afraid, but it will be on the front lines within the Rapture Campaign. I'm not afraid, and I'm looking forward to serving and doing my part for the war. When it's all done, I expect there will be questions about what comes next, but until then, I'm content with where I am."
"I do hope we speak again. Thank you."
- Interview with clone soldier Katina Mirakou to Journalist Jessica Wong
It always seems that for better or worse, the military is at the root of innovation. No matter where one looks, if they dig deep enough into many of the technologies and breakthroughs we enjoy today, there's always some kind of connection to the powers that be. Unfortunate that national security drove such developments, and now it's the security of Mankind itself that is the driving force.
Perhaps under ADVENT this will change one day, maybe when the war ends.
… Or maybe not, considering there is almost nothing that doesn't have their influence somewhere. It isn't a bad thing, so long as they diversify their interests - but it is telling that Seafoam was first conceived of as a military project, and an amusing number of people never considered that it should, or even could be, anything more.
Clones to solve military manpower shortages. From a military standpoint it's a pretty simple rationale and justification. How best to rectify a manpower problem? Make more men. There is a childlike simplicity in how the military solves their problems sometimes, but what the military wants, the military gets, especially now.
It does not change the fact that this is a shortsighted use of the technology at our disposal. Seafoam could have been creating scientists, engineers, and experts without peer and just a few months of development.
Instead, we make soldiers. Quite literally throwing away some of the most talented Humans we could have to solve a problem that a single round of conscription would manage.
A true pity. The debate around ethics has consumed more of the debate than the idea of if this is what we should be focusing on at all.
ADVENT has the key now to fully controlled Human development. Few seem to grasp the monumental implications of this. We hold the power over life itself now, and its proper cultivation. No more would we have to rely on luck, fate, and genetics to produce geniuses - we could do so as we will and when we want.
Engineers, scientists of all fields, pilots, doctors, hell - even historians if they really wanted. There would never be a shortage of qualified trained people again if we fully embraced what this meant.
There is no ethical nuance or debate here. If we can create Humans to be soldiers, using them to round out civilian roles is not even remotely controversial.
We've opened Pandora's Box and we were right to do so. I only wish we used the gifts inside in a more sustainable and intelligent way. ADVENT says they intend to expand the program to civilian positions - but time will tell if they follow through, or if they need to devote all resources to replenishing numbers once Clones inevitably die in the line of fire.
Well, perhaps they will prove as revolutionary on the battlefield as they would in the civilian world. If we win the war, then ADVENT is almost certain to pursue this path, but what must be pressed is for them to embrace it as soon as possible.
It is very possible this war will not be decided by the number, or even quality of soldiers in a trench, but how many scientists are available to make a breakthrough that changes the war.
If I were a betting man, I'd much rather invest in the latter and be wrong, then invest in the former and lose the war. Hopefully ADVENT bet correctly, because we're not getting a second chance at this.
- Journal Entry of Dr. Sergio Montenegro, Genetic Enhancement Specialist of the Bureau of Clone Affairs
ADVENT Media Record 7788291 | Audio Transcript
Participants: WONG, Jessica; MIRZA, Faseeha
[Faseeha Mirza]: [Probing] "You're oddly quiet."
[Jessica Wong]: [Short pause] "Been thinking."
[FM]: "That's ominous."
[JW]: [Chuckle] "Yeah. It is. Finished up the Seafoam piece yesterday. Listening to the interviews back, the videos, the transcripts…"
[Trails off; period of prolonged silence]
[FM]: [Single cough] "I've only read some of it, but if the rest is as good as what I saw, you've got the Pulitzer locked down for a second year in a row."
[JW]: [Pensive] "Mhmm."
[Long pause]
[FM]: [Questioning; light concern] "Alright, what's wrong? It can't be that bad."
[JW]: "It's not bad, it's just…" [Short pause] "I've gone through a lot in my life. Never been a place I wasn't afraid to go to, no government could intimidate me, no story too forbidden to touch."
[FM]: "That's why people love you."
[JW]: [Short laugh] "Not all of them. Not at first. I never said what my first job was, did I? How that ended up?"
[FM]: "I don't think so."
[JW]: "Long story. Got a taste of how powerful people crush stories on my first run, paper refused to back me, and I got fired. Not exactly hitting the ground running."
[Pensive] "I was the type of girl who knew everything. I remember telling my parents that I was going to be a journalist, and change the world. They humored me, and kind of warned me what that might mean. Obviously, I didn't listen to them."
[Pause]
"So consider what it was like to get fired for pushing a little too much as an upstart investigative journalist. Couldn't go back to my parents, could I? That resolve lasted only a few days before I realized I wasn't going to be able to feed myself, let alone pay rent. So I called them. I didn't want to come home to them as a failure, but… I went back anyway."
[Soft] "And they said they were proud of me, and I could stay until I found something else. They helped me get back on my feet without any hesitation.."
[FM]: "That's what parents should do, shouldn't they?"
[JW]: "The thing is that I think of how much they put up with me, in a hundred different ways. I never understood how much my parents did for me when just growing up. It didn't really click for me until I was talking to the Clones, the families, and the doctors." [Pause] "And thinking about what would have happened if they had nothing."
[Pause, broken by tapping of writing utensil on table]
"That's stuck with me for weeks now. I know just how on the edge this entire program was from being something evil." [Intense] "None of them got it; none of them seemed to pick up on how close to the precipice we were, but reading all of it back… it's like us learning how to split the atom, but we created energy instead of the bomb at the start."
[FM]: [Quietly] "...That bad, huh?"
[JW]: [Tired] "The only reason it ended up probably the best way it could have is because there were a few people in the right place at the right time, and decided to listen to that voice telling them to be Human. I can't imagine what would happen to them if ADVENT went through with their original plans."
[FM]: [Whistles] "Fuck. They weren't going to have the families?"
[JW]: [Ironic] "Not at first. That came later. From what I learned, a bunch of psychologists came and presented them with the options. An obedient army of soldiers, or Humans. There were a whole bunch of problems possible with the former, but it was presented as possible. They went with Humans."
[Long pause]
[Quietly] "...I ever tell you how terrifying ADVENT is?"
[FM]: "You don't need to convince me."
[JW]: [Chuckle] "It's funny, because I shouldn't be scared of them. I'm not scared of anyone else. But ADVENT is scarier than the Caliph ever was, or China, or the CIA for that matter. Frightening, sure, but in the conventional sense. ADVENT… they are terrifying in a much different way. They are distant, cold, amoral. Some of them are more unsettling than actual terrorists I've interviewed."
[FM]: "It's not just that, is it though."
[JW]: [Intense] "It's because they are devoted. Devoted to the ideal of a united Humanity with a fanaticism you can't fake. They have a vision they will achieve no matter the cost." [Exhale] " I remember wondering why ADVENT was so willing to accommodate me. I remember being confused why critical press or exposes didn't bother them."
[FM]: [Slowly] "Do you know now?"
[JW]: [Quiet] "Because I can't change anything. Even if people know the truth, how many can change it even if they wanted to? ADVENT destroyed and remade the world order. They hold power, and in a way… people like me are beneath their notice. I'm at worst, an irritant, but one they see no purpose in engaging in."
"So they'll tell me what they planned, what they intend, what they want without fear, because they ultimately don't care what I say. In a way, they do want the truth out there - they just don't care how they are perceived. ADVENT makes decisions on their own terms - no one else's. Journalism, press, paper… it doesn't matter anymore. Not how it used to."
[FM]: "Bleak when you put it like that."
[JW]: "The only thing that gives me a little bit of hope that not everything is lost is ironically Seafoam; this entire project. There are some people who seem to remember there needs to be some Humanity somewhere. And those people do have influence, and intend to use it."
[Contemplative] "It feels like everything is on a precipice when it comes to ADVENT. They're going to either save us all, or doom us in every way that matters. And from what I saw, I think we might have avoided the abyss. Maybe I can't change anything, but maybe ADVENT somehow managed to save itself."