ADVENT: History

The Desertion of Betos

"This was a wake-up call to ADVENT that not everyone is as tolerant of their policies as they think. Unfortunate that it was done in such a public manner. They will learn from this."

- Zar'Chon'ravarian'vitiary

Headline: Suspected Defection of ADVENT Soldiers in the Middle Eastern Region

Source: CNN

Early this morning it appears that there was a mass defection of ADVENT soldiers from an unspecified garrison in the Middle East; several sources allege that this was in Saudi Arabia, and while this cannot be confirmed, given that the entire area has blocked all media access, it is likely that there was something that happened to cause this much disturbance.

It is unknown what could have prompted such an action, especially from ADVENT soldiers. The most likely catalyst would be the recent decision of ADVENT to annex Canada, although we have previously reported that polls conducted of ADVENT service members overwhelmingly supported the action. However, these were not taken from service members deployed in Middle Eastern regions.

We have reached out to ADVENT for comment and received a response from Commander Laura Christiaens herself:

"We are currently dealing with several major incidents of insubordination in one of our Saudi Garrisons, and the incident was confined to that specific area, and is being thoroughly investigated. Claims of mass defection are unsubstantiated and we will address the public with the relevant results when our investigation is complete."

When asked to clarify if that meant that there was no defection at all, we have received no response. If there were ADVENT soldiers who defected, it is unlikely ADVENT will completely clarify that, aside from saying that the incident was contained.

There has been no official response from the acting ADVENT Saudi government, Peacekeeper forces, or other reliable sources in the region. However, representatives of several African nations have reported that there are ADVENT soldiers moving further south, but appear to not be acting in any official capacity. This has not been officially recognized by any of the African governments.

We have also attempted to contact XCOM about this potential incident, and their response was this from Central Officer Ariel Jackson:

"This is an internal ADVENT affair and we are not involved in the investigation in any official capacity."

She did not refute that XCOM is unaware of the situation, but it appears that at this moment, no one is willing to reveal what exactly has happened. We will update this story as it continues developing.

Interrogation Transcript SA928

[Information Extraction Officer Ben Waslen]: "State your name for the record."

[ADVENT Officer Jaden Marx]: "Officer Jaden Marx."

[BW]: "Noted. You are aware why we are having this conversation?"

[JM]: "Betos?"

[BW]: "Correct. You were present when she left with the majority of the Israeli garrison, yes?"

[JM]: "I was. Heard everything."

[BW]: "Glad to clear that up. So to be clear, you were perfectly fine with just letting her leave?"

[JM]: "'Fine' is a stretch, Officer, but I wasn't going to stop her."

[BW]: "And why not? She became a traitor the moment she finished her speech."

[JM]: "Because if I recall, there were no procedures for arrest in place for if a commanding officer defects, or if they are, they are with the Peacekeepers. In the event of suspicion of desertion, I was required to inform the ranking uncompromised officer of the situation, which I did."

[BW]: "Your reason for doing nothing is based on a technicality."

[JM]: "Pretty much. I'm not hiding that, but what did you want me to do? If I had tried to be a hero I just would have got myself shot, and what exactly would that have accomplished?"

[BW]: "It would have called her bluff. Betos is not the type of woman who would execute someone for following their orders."

[JM]: "I'm not talking about Betos, I'm talking about the ones who were with her. She's well-liked for a reason, and I'd guess that half of them defected because they're loyal to her and not ADVENT. Her second in command, Mox, he would have blown by head off rather than take unnecessary chances with her life. He's openly despised ADVENT for a while."

[BW]: "Understood. I hope that you actually learned something about where they were going?"

[JM]: "I did, but it's not very specific. Mox and Betos both mentioned Africa. No specific nation, but I'd imagine their options are limited."

[BW]: "A general area is a good start, and several thousand soldiers can't stay well-hidden for long without someone finding out."

[JM]: "Isn't that what the bodycams are for?"

[BW]: "Betos destroyed the computer station that had all the data and logs for their body cameras. We will be able to restore some contact within a few days, but that is enough time for her to remove that functionality from her suit. It is possible, and she wouldn't overlook a detail like that. The armor cams will not be helpful, nor will the internal GPS, which she has also likely disabled."

[JM]: "No, she was smart. She wouldn't risk the ones going with her unless she had a plan to keep them moderately safe."

[BW]: "One last question for now: Why didn't you leave?"

[JM]: "Me? Because I like my job and I'm going to, hopefully, kill more aliens here, which is more than me essentially than running away. Betos is a good woman, but she's an idealist and I don't really agree with her about ADVENT. She's not cut out for her position, and it's probably for the best she left. I approve of the steps ADVENT is taking, but not everyone sees it like that. I don't think this is something that should be ignored either. Remember that all of us have never actually fought the aliens yet. We've been fighting low-tech insurgents and curb-stomping the Arabs. I know Stein probably likes her no-tolerance policies, but she should realize that not everyone is going to be fine with separating parents from their kids, or beating up suspicious looking citizens, or shooting hostages to stop a terrorist attack."

[BW]: "That issue is being dealt with now. This incident has highlighted issues in our policies and communication. Thank you Officer, you are dismissed."

[JM]: "That's it? No demotion or anything? Dishonorable discharge?"

[BW]: "You did not technically break regulations here. That, and the extenuating circumstances do not warrant harsh punishment, as you are likely correct that the only thing accomplished would be getting yourself killed. I would not expect promotions anytime soon as a consequence though."

[JM]: "I can live with that."

Commander,

I have unfortunately confirmed that the initial reports from ADVENT were correct, and over three quarters of the garrison established near Riyadh have defected, or more accurately, deserted from ADVENT. Actual numbers and motivations are still being worked out, but interviews of those still there give some insightful information about what happened.

The catalyst for the entire event centers on the Marshal of the garrison, Helsa Betos, who until recently, was one of the most respected leaders in the entire conflict. I believe you worked with her when Riyadh was captured, so you might be able to attest to some of what the separate dossier on her says. But she apparently made a general announcement condemning recent ADVENT actions and saying she could no longer be a part of it.

The fact that she managed to sway so many to follow her is concerning. It may be possible that the soldiers were simply loyal to her, or it could mean that the soldiers are not as devoted to the goals of ADVENT as we are assuming. If this becomes widespread, she could inspire other leaders who are similarly affected to do the same, and we cannot afford to have mass defections at this stage.

However, there is also the possibility of alien involvement, and since we have no means to detect psionic usage, no one can determine if that was a factor in this, although if that were the case, there would probably have not been any who decided to stay. However, the possibility that Betos has been in contact with the aliens is a very likely and growing possibility. If they haven't reached out before now, I would almost be certain they would be now.

ADVENT is still trying to determine her plans, which all seem to point to operating somewhere in Africa which will cause…problems…if ADVENT doesn't want to go to war with the continent. The best case is that they get turned over to ADVENT, for either a reward or to curry favor with the administration, but at worse they might unite and attempt to form some kind of alliance.

I have no doubt that this is likely the plan of Betos, and while uniting several African nations together would make any retrieval efforts difficult, I do not believe she knows the full situation, and any sort of alliance is going to be difficult to pull off. Africa is not a land of democracy or peace. Many countries there have brutal rivalries and merciless dictatorships. Conflicts are not between simply countries, but ethnic and religious boundaries.

If Betos wants to go there, she's going to face an uphill battle, but I can guarantee that the size of the army she's bringing with her will attract the attention of every nation in the area. It might be enough to bring several to the table, but I am not optimistic of her chances.

But regardless, we should take no chances with her. It is only a matter of time until the aliens take advantage of this, and that is something we cannot afford at this time.

- XCOM Intelligence Director Shaojie Zhang

Message sent to the President of Nigeria, Ndulue Okon

President Okon,

Due to the extenuating circumstances at the time of writing this, I will have to be brief. You have no doubt seen the recent ADVENT actions, and both of us know that it is only a matter of time before ADVENT turns their attention to Africa, and Nigeria itself. As of right now no one has the means, aside from China, to give ADVENT cause to second-guess their actions.

I do not believe that needs to be the case, and despite what you have no doubt seen and heard, not all of us soldiers of ADVENT are comfortable with the direction they are going, alien threat or no. Some of us are willing to do something about it, but not in a futile and empty gesture that will end with our execution.

You know I have been in contact with representatives of other neighboring nations, and despite the history that persists between the continent in general, this is the time to begin an attempt to move beyond that. Africa has remained divided since the beginning, and if it remains that way, eventually ADVENT will decide to intervene and any chance of retaining independence will be lost.

The leader, or Marshal, Helsa Betos, has deserted ADVENT and there are a sizable number of ADVENT soldiers behind her, myself included. There is no better and fair leader I know of, and she requests the opportunity to speak to you about the future. Like it or not, Mr. President, this is not a topic that can continue being ignored, and I would ask that you consider what she has to offer besides a method to resist ADVENT.

Along with the equipment, weapons, and armor we have brought along, we also have schematics and engineers capable of reproducing ADVENT equipment, which would allow you the capability to reliably pose a military threat to ADVENT, as that is the only metric they really consider when making their decisions. Aside from that, Betos is familiar with ADVENT tactics and strategies, which would also no doubt prove useful to you.

Please respond as soon as time permits. ADVENT has not wasted time trying to pursue us.

- Pratal Mox

Response to Pratal Mox

Bring her here. She will be protected. I want to hear what she has to say.

- President Ndulue Okon of Nigeria