After Action Report – Vassili Komaroff EN:2 actions taken 22/06-24/06

My efforts during this time focused around the testing of the Magnetic Railgun in the field and dealing with the Apollo Hive threat. For details on the plague, or deals with the tribes please see other reports.

We arrived at the Outpost on Friday evening following reports of significant Hive incursions across the tribal lands and heading towards the Outpost. We were told that there was a high likelihood that Rhodes had left some of his research hidden out near the camp he was found in, we assembled a team to go and recover it, made up of members of the 41st, Ivan, Vlad and me, we proceeded to move into Hive held lands. Once again our experience of going on missions as a team paid off, Ivan and I moved up the slope, with Maverick, Inferno and the others at the base of the hill. They flushed targets out and I finished them off with the prototype Railgun (a summary of the field test will be supplied separately). A couple of tense firefights and we made it to our location. Angel, Ivan and Lexi discovered the stockpile and investigated/made it safe to transport while we repelled Hive attacks. We received information that significant forces where headed our way so we swiftly made our way back to the Outpost.

Upon our return we reviewed a journal and a data storage device. It would seem that Rhodes was working for “Banshee” on “freeing people from the oppression of the Bunker”, clearly a proper nutter. His notes covered a variety of things, but we focused on the sections about the Hive and his thoughts on repelling or possibly controlling them. We discovered a piece of software that would analyse transmission data from Hive creatures and provide somekind of insight into their communications. (at this point we didn’t know exactly what). We tried various passwords, etc but nothing worked at this time.

We then created a plan to disrupt an Apollo creature and attempt to capture it for study, the plan consisted of various steps as below;

1 – Create Nanite Stun Patch – We had previously worked out a way to kill the creature, however we would need to stun it for capture. We supplied Angel with the code used by nanites in the previous creature to convert C7 energy, with the idea to supress that happening.

2 – Create Communication Disruption device – Similar to the high intensity device we assembled last time to disrupt the sentinels and Apollo.

3 – Create large Faraday Cage – This would prevent any external communications with the Hive by the captured creature.

4 – Analyse creature – This would allow us to decide if we want to try and seize control of the Hive network or simply destroy it (initial thought was introduce a virus to the network).

So with that in mind we prepared to get things done on Saturday.

Saturday – We spent time gathering resource in the Outpost while several teams went out, it seems the Sci/Med teams had discovered that the Hive nanites where programmed to “die” after their host was destroyed or after removal from a host. They created a method of storing samples from creatures brains that prevented that and various teams throughout the day went to recover said samples.

Our first mission was to travel to see Raze with Pip and Elizabeth to inform them about the fact that due to an incident 500 bunker inhabitants would be sent to the surface at short notice, I believe the intention was to prevent any sudden conflict and to request help. Ivan was packing the Railgun this time and I took various readings and made adjustments to power output throughout. The negotiations did not seem to go well and on the surface it looked like we gave up more than we gained. We have provided a lot of shit to help these Tribals (including saving Raze) and our Cats didn’t push those advantages, but hey I am just an engineer, not really my area.

We returned and as we reviewed the findings of the Sci/Med teams and I had a light bulb moment, the data recovered matched the required inputs for the Rhodes software! We entered these and it spat out a set of amplitude, wavelength and frequency data for maximum disruption. So me, Ivan and 1-Stop set about building a transceiver from what we had, while Inferno designed a software package to modulate the output. Once completed we needed to find a way to test it…..

Maverick received info that a column of Hive where inbound to the Outpost and once again we assembled a team to set an ambush for the column and test the device at the same time. The team again chose me to lead the overall mission and we headed out. 1-Stop was on the transceiver with Inferno running data analysis.

We deployed on a hill and laid waste to the advancing column. However we encountered an issue with the device, it was unable to process the volume of data being pushed through the Hive network, we would need some high grade communications processors.

Luckily on our return Vlad had recovered a pile of technology, which included the comms chips we would need! Working with 1-Stop we then modified the device to incorporate the new chips, however we would not get a true chance to test it until we faced Apollo.

Sunday

Overnight info revealed that we had put the fear into Apollo! It would appear that he had detected our monitoring of his network and wanted to put us down before we could deploy it against him. He had separated the bulk of his forces in 2, one advancing on the 500 brave souls recently ejected into the stinging sunlight around the bunker and 1 heading straight at the outpost, which appeared to have an active Apollo host. So we divided our resources and once again, the reformed convicts joined forces with the 41^st, supported by 1-Stop, Hook, Angel & Monument went into the fray under my leadership to challenge Apollo head on.

We headed deep into Hive territory to try and draw Apollo to us, coming under sustained heavy fire, we formed 2 fire teams with me and Hook coordinating over comms, and pressed the Hive hard. Drone coverage identified 3 significant forces converging on our position, under advice we feel back with Hook and Maverick taking a team to high ground, while the rest of the 41^st (Caleb, Lexi, Inferno) with me, Ivan and Vlad built a barricade at the other end of a kill box, setup up the disruptor and waited for the attacks.

Against the first 2 waves we held strong, minor injuries and significant nanite ammunition uses resulted in total annihilation of the Hive groups. Then Apollo struck the high ground team, and if not for the rapid decision to have 1-Stop hide out of site “till the screamin stopped” allowed Apollo to become trapped between the 2 fireteams. Some frantic applications of medical nanites, we had both teams on their feet, at which point Inferno activated the disruptor and the effect was instant, they became highly uncoordinated, allowing people to “go to town” on Apollo. The creature was taken down, Angel applied the kill patch and we had won!

The other team held their position for long enough so no bunker civilians were caught by the encroaching Hive.

The Hive – Initial Research

Hive Research

Date: 25/06/2518

Researcher: Mouse

Department: Sector X1T334-A Science division.

Background:

The Hive pose an ongoing threat to life on the surface. Current reports are limited to the basic characteristics of the Hive and a scientific study has not been recorded. In general the Hive infected act in coordinated groups. Each known variant of the Hive will be detailed.

During interrogation by The Bunker, Council Member and head scientist Davis Rhodes has revealed a second camp where he had stored his notes and research regarding the Hive. This includes details of a Hive Repulsion device.

A successful mission to his camp resulted in his research notes and a sample form a Husk brain. Scientists Alexis Belyakova and Ivan Kirov began to study the brain and notes and identified a self-defence mechanism where the Hive nanites will break down shortly after the host is destroyed. With this information medics and scientists were able to collect samples and store them in suitable preservative fluid to allow further study.

Samples have been taken from all encountered Hive Analysis of the brain samples show active EMF fields within the following ranges:

Amplitude	Wavelength	Frequency
0.12-0.34m	0.31m – 2.94m	2kHz – 80kHz

Councillor Rhodes had performed significant analysis of the Hive signals and predicted the optimum frequency to control the Hive. This has been successfully tested with the Hive Containment device built by Jeremiah Riggington using the following waveform:

Amplitude	Wavelength	Frequency
0.27m	2.63m	69.231kHz

Results:

HUSK

Husks appear to be the basic Hive units. The creatures have rudimentary intelligence, remaining docile until prey is identified at which point they will poorly utilise weapons in an attempt to kill and infect the target.

Brain sample retained a low level and short range signal which may allow short-range communication with other husks.

SENTINEL

There are conflicting reports on Sentinels.Previous reports detail a low-level tactical awareness and firearms proficiency but with a high regenerative property to compensate. Sentinels observed personally demonstrated significant tactical manoeuvres and firearm use but did not regenerate.

Brain sample retained a mid-level and medium range signal. This appears to be able to transmit and receive data across a network of similar connectors

RAVAGE

I encountered no ravage personally and cannot comment on observed behaviour. Bunker reports record them as a more aggressive variation on the Husk

Brain samples confirm this report with a low-level, medium range signal with reception prioritised over transmission. Reception seems to be a single communication repeated.

NODE

No previous bunker records of the Node are available. The name has been taken from Councillor Davis Rhodes’ notes. Further comparison to the Councillors notes cannot be made as Scientists Alexis and Ivan have withheld further access to the book.

This variant of the Hive exhibited significantly different behaviour to known creatures. The creature was surrounded by a number of lesser Hive which made an assault on FEF forces. During engagement an audible humming could be heard around the creature.

Brain sample emits a strong, long range signal containing detailed information incoming and outgoing.

Aplitude	Wavelength	Frequency
Variable	Variable	Variable – 80kHz

APOLLO

The most developed of the Hive variants this creature shows significant alterations from a normal human. Previous reports suggest the creature is able to transfer its consciousness between hosts within the Hive.

During an operation we encountered an immobile Apollo variant which has been retrieved for further study. It appears The creature seems to be alive and well but has no brain activity.

Comparison to reports from other FEF operatives show that this immobile Apollo, along with other disabled Hive, was recovered shortly after other FEF operatives killed an Apollo unit. The relationship between the two Apollos is unclear.

Analysis by Kestrel shows that the creature has the capability for accelerated nanite repair.

Initial scanning of the brain shows that the brain has no functioning organic components. Brain function is performed by nanite built machines with a brain function of 170% compared to a standard human.

Movement of the body appears to be a combination of biological and machine components controlled, possibly remotely, by nanites.

To fuel the mechanical components the creature is supplied Compound 7 from tanks on its back. Within the body the Compound 7 undergoes re-fusion and is processed by nanites and used in powering the connected weapon.

A closeup of the Hive creature known as Apollo

A closeup of the claws on the Hive creature known as Apollo

Comments

Results from the different samples suggest the variants each have a different purpose within the Hive. All creatures exhibit signalling methods which suggest either a group consciousness or a remote controlling mind.

It is suggested that Husks and Ravagers consist of similar alterations however signals sent to Ravagers result in the highly aggressive nature while the short range communication of Husks results in a basic intelligence and motive. Both creatures further the spreading of Hive nanites.

Sentinels pose a more active role and the potential networking across multiple Sentinels suggests that they may operate differently depending on the number of, and variation of, nearby Hive.

The Node appears to be have the most active signalling process from the samples taken suggesting this variant may act as a controlling unit for surrounding Hive.

The Apollo variant recovered has no active signals from the brain meaning that data on signalling possible cannot be performed however the Hive becoming immobile after an Apollo unit being killed suggests it may be the primary controlling unit of the Hive. It is proposed that the severe deformity of the creature has been caused by the rapid repair of nanites.

Further analysis of the samples and Hive will hopefully provide clarity on the relationship between the creatures.

A Betrayal

(Note – this report has been adjusted by Bunker Security. The opinions shared are those of Ivan Kirov and not the FEF or Council Ascendant.)

Would you choose one life over the lives of 50 others? This may all depend on how you look at it. Does this one life have the cure to an infection rampaging through the levels of our Bunker or are they a great leader who is keeping our beloved Bunker intact instead of it degenerating into a trough of dirty fucking savages swinging their dicks around to see which one has the biggest dick. My answer are the 50 lives. In a world where we are dying from lack of food, lack of water, lack of oxygen, explosions and irradiation caused by engineers, etc., numbers are important, especially for the survival of the human race which we, the people of the Bunker, are destined to achieve.

However, our great vision, nay, our manifest destiny to one day rise above the tunnels and reclaim the ravaged Earth as its true Masters was sold out for a mere pittance when we visited the savages Above on a “Diplomatic Mission” in preparation for 500 of our good people cast out by the Council. Our goal was to ensure that our people would not be set upon by a rampaging horde of dirty fucking savages who would view them as intruders violating “their” territory.

When we visited their pitiful and ramshackle mud huts that they called “home,” we were treated with contempt and hostility by the savages. They showed no hospitality to us, not even sharing the clean water from the well we set up for them in our first contact with them which is drawn from our OWN well. They were rude and unfriendly, their ugly and unwashed faces in a permanent scowl. Their small and far apart yellow eyes watched us from the shadows of their mud huts, envious of our genetic and technological superiority as we marched proud through their village. Not only this but they made us, their saviours, wait outside what they called their council chambers (a slightly bigger mud hut) rather than welcome us in with open arms.

After making us wait for what seemed like an hour, we were eventually permitted to enter the “chambers” to come across 3 nameless shit-heels in charge as “Emperor” Raze was too busy to see us. They were not hospitable as is custom in missions of diplomacy, neither sharing the vast quantities of clean water in front of them nor inviting us to sit with them.

I sat with my colleagues on the filth encrusted and flea ridden chairs which were nearby. As this was an important mission of diplomacy, I contained my disgust. I allowed the 2 bureaucrats to begin talks with the 3 menials and what followed was the greatest betrayal of our people that I witnessed. The crats explained that we had people and that they needed to be looked after. That we needed food to be supplied to them if they were to survive Above. I could see it in the savages jaundiced eyes as they saw how weak our position and they took (CENSORED). The savages told us that they are busy fighting a war with another tribe and gave excuses that they could not spare the food for our people.

The savages then accused us of bringing forth the Hive onto their “territory” despite being a menace to them countless years before we ascended Above. They accused us of spreading the infection rampaging through their lands despite our scientists and medics working through all hours of the night to find a cure for and asking nothing in return. And this was probably a result of poor genes directly due to inbreeding and constant exposure to radiation. They had asked what we had done for them. At this I could not contain my outrage and I reminded them. I reminded them of the time we saved their “Emperor’s” life from a nanite virus exposed to him by another dirty fucking savage. I reminded them of the time we provided them with the gift of clean water from the Bunker’s water source to their dry parched mouths. I reminded them how we cured the savages of the radiation poisoning their blood.

They merely acknowledged our generosity with a nod and a grunt and what did the crats do to capitalise on our past achievements? They compromised. They fucking pandered to the fucking savages. They gave them 50 people. 50 good people from the Bunker. Men, women and children, who lived a harsh life below and now force Above to be thrown into slavery under the control of brutal and bloodthirsty savages to toil on their farmlands so that they can fight their petty skirmishes with other tribes. And what did we get in return?

A fucking rabbit.

I shit you not. We were given a fucking rabbit ladies and gentlemen of the Bunker. Not promise of security for the 500 expelled Above by the Bunker. Not a treaty on how the 500 will be treated by the rotten savages. But a fucking rabbit for 50 people. It is not certain whether or not one life is valued more than many lives but it is certain one Rabbit is more important than the lives of 50 people.

I will not allow 50 of my brother and sisters be sold into slavery for a fucking rabbit. The land belongs to the Bunker and the people of the Bunker come first.

Ivan Kirov.

E3 Report : Sgt E.B Taylor 41st Foot

I got shot in the ass. Seriously, that’s out of order. Fucking Hive, dirty bastards. In the ass, hurts the meanest I tell you. Angel asking me what my favourite colour was in an attempt to soothe my pain from afar didn’t help my mood much either, ‘talk to me Taylor’, ‘how are you feeling Maverick’…bloody shot in the ass is how I am feeling! But the lad did good in the end and finally got his hand in there to sort me out. Solid medic that one.

Hanging around in Outpost 13 has brought me to the conclusion that we’re all mad as a bag of sewer rats and that you should never trust Decker to turn something off or Riggs to build something with on off lights that make sense.

We’ve blown another hole in the bunker and now there’s precious little air down there. I’d bet my second ass hole they’ll be shutting down all the shitty levels and chucking all those folk onto the surface. They’ll be lucky to have as good a run at the surface as the prisoners that were thrown out.

Fodder is what they will be. Committed to the bunker all their lives, now just pushed out cos the air is too thin for some stuck up posh dicks too busy livin the dream behind the blood and guts of others. You can’t just dump 500 people out here, as wonderful as it is, and expect them to do anything other than die. Lexi’s potato isn’t going to feed them all just yet no matter how gloriously brown it is.

Gonna see what I can do for them poor folk, up here without a day of training or a clue what’s coming their way. I imagine I’ll know a few.

At least we laid waste to the Hive. Dirty getting back up when you shot them dead again scum. Apollo’s dead dead, no body jumping for you anymore matey. Nope, done and done lad. No real idea how we did it. I told Soap to make something and he did. Or maybe Riggs did, but he’s so inbred its hard to understand him. Stabbing Soap in the chest with a finger seems to get him working on useful shit though. Totally taking credit. Us grunts sometimes have ideas – more than just our guns, which it doesn’t feel like most of the time. Can the big gun go out with us? I mean, I’m fucking right here, I own the gun not the other way around! Dicks.

Anyway, great team. Proud of what we did. Awesome bunch of folk who worked together, got shit done and didn’t wet themselves too much when it was all going horribly wrong.

Leon’s dead and I miss him already. Feels like losing an arm, well at least I feel like Decker looked after he humped a big pile of angry explosives. Leon was my hero if I were to have one. The bunker will shit out plenty more folk it don’t want or feel it needs and not many of em will come close to Leon. Fuck.

I’m worried about Crazy Ivan now, feel he may be next. He’s gonna go full Barnes. Never go full Barnes. Hook may have already gone there. Either way its gonna be fun finding out.

James Hook Report, FEF operation 3, days 225-227

Following Operation 2 and the engineering disaster, the bunker had authorised release of 500 volunteers to the surface, however a surface plague had broken out that would threaten these pioneers. There was also the black mark on the FEF for not being able to defeat Apollo in the 2nd expedition, this resulted in the hive being a continuing threat to our surface problems .

Upon returning to the outpost, we were attacked by a lone Hive sniper, which I put down claiming the first kill of the operation.

(Hook 1 Hive Nil)

We were then radioed that a science team looking into the surface plague were cut off. I picked up a scratch force as a number of other operatives were needed else where. Lance corporal Pinner took the mission coms as I had acquired my own radio, this proved useful in co-ordinating both flanks of our advance Pinner proved capable on the comms and will make an excellent sergeant. This was Private Payne’s first trip out, bar being gunned down by the aforementioned sniper at the outpost. He proved keen eager and a good shot and will be a welcome member on any mission, of note was also Riggs of the engineering section, while under equipped for a rescue mission he is quick and willing and would be my choice if a rapid engineering mission is needed. After a slow advance into an area occupied by some hive including a regenerating sentinel the new blood began to come into its own and we soon pressed on clearing a particularly nasty ‘nest’ of these guys where both Riggs and I ran out of ammo at the same time and I sent him for the refill while I covered the entrance to the nest with my knife, the situation was soon resolved and we then went on to recover the scientist and his guard.

The following morning I was again involved in combating the plague by leading a group to contact local healers, this time Canary was on comms though pinner was again present as were Pip and Harry and Mouse, again we bust through hive lines with growing confidence and soon made contact with the locals and after healing the medicine woman I pressed on to hold off a couple of waves of hive while the bureaucrat, medic and Scientist were able to negotiate for herbs and information.

I then had to go straight out of the outpost again, this time to takedown a hive node creature for study, here I was with my old friend Quinn and a number of others including the irrepressible Jerry Riggs, who does make a fine box man, Canary, mouse and Privates Joe and Hawk, both fine recruits. We blitzed this one at great speed enabling us to get into an ambush position that allowed Hawk and I to swing the hammer on the anvil that was the other group.

(hawk at rest While I observe the path)

we were then alerted to a large supply cache that was undefended so we set off at speed to bag it all up (always carry a bag folks). a large hive wave then threatened to over run us and we double timed to the outpost where canary and Mouse pressed on with study but the wave was coming on at us and quinn and joe as rear point men were taken down and Jerry and Hawk and I rushed back when a husk rounded a bush shooting and swinging an axe, I have never been more grateful for heavy armour resisting 2 big blows and the burst fire function I had installed on my DMR at a range of about a foot I put 20 rounds into this thing. It became apparent that unless we dug in the outpost itself would be assaulted and so we settled in and fought off wave after wave of these guys the thick undergrowth resulting in more point blank fighting that again proved the worth of burst fire and armour in a melee situation.

At the end of Day 226 we had found a cure for the surface plague, through careful study by the science and medical teams, the time for which was afforded to them by the noble efforts of the Military branch who were in turn supported by comrades from all the branches. Unfortunately Sargent Leon was killed on one of the other missions which sought out this medical knowledge hopefully others can confirm more detail however his team were engaging the hive at the time.

Overnight we were informed the Engineers had perfected their plan and while this was still essentially the same plan as last time they had a mobile transmitter that didn’t squander other resources, They had tested this out and unwittingly tipped our hand to Apollo resulting in his pulling his forces back into two columns one that was a clearly designed coup de main operation aimed as it was against the bunker and the other force castling up. It was decided Quinn would lead a team to form a blocking detachment on the main thrust while I went with Maverick, the engineering section (almost in entirety) to take on Apollo, here Soap the former convict engineer took the comms and led the lower group while Sargent Maverick and I led a top group that included Angel, Monument and the Soon to be hero of the hour Jerry Riggs.
We made fair time through the sectors engaging a number of swarms but suddenly we were surrounded on 3 sides, and we retreated to ensure the east and west waves were also south of our position, we set an ambush and defeated each wave in turn however each wave began to test the flanks of the top groups position making more and more ground, maverick was putting the hurt on them while the rest of us shielded his position including monument taking his knife out on a number of occasions and getting busy.

We were stretched thin and the bottom group were seeing less and less of the foe so we decided to pull back to conceal our position from the 3rd main wave, as this gave up our cover we sent Jerry with the med box and the instructions only come out if you cant hear anything, he dug him self in deeper than an Alabama Tick.

Apollo did not fall for our plan and burst into our position rather than fall upon the fortified position the bottom group had prepared, to say we were roughly handled is an understatement. Maverick Angel and monument went down hard, I retreated frantically radioed the other group, I managed to stabilise Maverick but then took a 2nd rail gun hit, it was all I could do to alert the bottom team we were over run and Apollo was coming, though with angel down there was no kill code…

Apollo moved down the hill and it went quiet….

Jerry slid down the slope got Angel up and then the rest of us, I rushed after Apollo who was fully engaged with the fortified position with his back to me opening up I first put his mates down and then buzzed him before pilling in with the stun baton and patented point blank fire, I was soon joined by Kaleb who beat on him with a machete, and we shouted for Angel who came and applied the kill code, this effectively killed all the hive as soap and Jerry’s box stopped the reincarnation protocols. Apparently this too halted the assaults on Quinn’s position at the head of the column that was bunker bound.