chellewalker
President of the Water Seeker Fan Club
- Pronouns
- She/Her
It's a single word that's been mentioned recently. Keep in mind that this comes from a country attempting to build a "perfect society."
Eve of Destruction Part 2: We Didn't Start the Fire
- Thread starter The Bird
- Start date
- Mature Sci-Fi Superhero
-
- Tags
- fallout series atompunk (punk) dystopia political thriller (thriller) pre-post apocalypse (apocalyptic) sci-fi communist mc cryptids weird science (science fantasy) plan quest fate of the future mechanic there is no golden ending what matters is what you can live with in the end you can't save everyone
Thanks!
On a totally unrelated note, I will not be sleeping for the foreseeable future.
On a totally unrelated note, I will not be sleeping for the foreseeable future.
The Bird
tEM IS GUD...RITER!
- Location
- In that den of villains and scum, OKLAHOMA
Good to know I still have the knack for writing horror
The Bird
tEM IS GUD...RITER!
- Location
- In that den of villains and scum, OKLAHOMA
Good news gang I've had a hella good writing today today: the next update is finished and on patreon.
(Insert obligatory patreon shilling here: I wouldn't include it but unfortunately I need the money too much to not shill my patreon)
Anyways, depending on how things shake out (I have some essays and junk I also have to do) I might be able to have the update out by the end of the week: at this pace, we might be finished with the event in a month
(Insert obligatory patreon shilling here: I wouldn't include it but unfortunately I need the money too much to not shill my patreon)
Anyways, depending on how things shake out (I have some essays and junk I also have to do) I might be able to have the update out by the end of the week: at this pace, we might be finished with the event in a month
Team America Issue #1 Chapter Three: PSIRODAX, SUPERCOMPUTER OF UTOPIA!
The Bird
tEM IS GUD...RITER!
- Location
- In that den of villains and scum, OKLAHOMA
-[X] Explore Parliament
--[X] Sarah Pendleton, Armored Jeep
___________________
BRRRT. BRRRT. BRRRT.
[Armored Jeep: Check]
The machine guns made a staccato noise as they mowed down the swarm of zombies trying to get over the fence or through the gap their jeeps had made. "OOH RAH, MOTHERFUCKERS!" Screamed Sgt. Parker from the armored jeep, having found himself assigned to their escort. "GET SOME! GET SOME!" Edgar grimaced as he watched one zombie be mowed in half, making a noise he was pretty sure was a scream of pain as its torso split from its legs.
Poor thing hadn't gotten close. It was, frankly, a rather hideously unfair match-up- and Edgar observed, even with speed and numbers, the jeeps were gross overkill- because as he watched, several others shared the same fate, gunned down with grotesque ease. "Alright everyone," Said his companion, Pendleton- in a set of enviro-armor that was definitely not the off the market gear he was using: it had a transparent faceplate, allowing her eyes to be seen- the mouth was obscured by the rebreather unit. The pair of them- and their escorts, who were taking potshots at the thinning crowd of ghouls- were currently standing before the entrance to parliament, the two story Georgian building looming behind them. "I want vehicles one and two to circle round- keep them peeled off, will you? Three, four, you maintain the perimeter- and be prepared if we need to make a quick exit."
[Required: Spy]
Walking to the door, she removed from her belt a strange looking item: placing it in the keyhole, Edgar picked up a whirring noise. "Auto-Lockpick, huh? Slick," He commented, causing Pendleton's eyes to crinkle into a smile.
"Well now, you recognize your technology," She commented, removing the device. "Yes, I make sure to always have the best toys."
"Pretty nice. Kinda odd a census organization has access to that sort of technology." Her eyes narrowed. He had touched a nerve. Good.
[An Enemy is attempting to use ???]
[Negated by Genius, Weird Radio, Mastermind, Wrath]
"What are you implying?" She asked narrowly, suspicion in her voice.
"Nothing. Why are you acting defensive?" Edgar challenged as he entered the building, pushing it's doors open, deciding two could play games, the soldiers around them silent, awkward. The foyer of the building was dusty- covered in torn sandbags assembled into cover, several monoturrets barely coming to life and pitifully firing- only for the power armor of their escorts to easily reflect the bullets. The exchange was brief: only a few seconds. "'Why does an organization whose purpose is data collection need an auto-lockpick, advanced custom enviro-armor,'" He stated slowly, unphased, casually strolling forward to look over the fortifications- feeling a sense of dark nostalgia for the familiar sight of a militarized house of governance.
"These are all," Edgar noted, loud enough his words could be heard by the rest of the group. "Reasonable questions- I feel. After all, isn't American Affairs a civilian organization? NOT an intelligence agency?"
Pendleton paused, realizing the soldiers were staring- no doubt also questioning why a supposed civilian had access to equipment they couldn't even get.
[Enemy Brain Rank: 5]
"Classified, I'm afraid," she said softly, tone full of hidden threat as she glared daggers at Edgar, who grinned, realizing he was onto something. "And I'm afraid that if you continue digging, I'll have to report you to the Director-"
Edgar almost chuckled at that. Almost. To the others, he looked stoic. "Fine, keep your secrets," He grumbled, deciding to lean into his reputation as a highly blunt individual to allay suspicions. No need to play his hand just yet. "Alright, everyone, split up and fan out: I want this place mapped out. This is a preliminary scouting party: don't get bogged down going through everything, we just need a map of the area and any hazards more thorough exploration might trip on."
Sarah Pendleton had made a mistake, however- she confirmed that whatever was going on, Clancy was in on it.
______________________________________________
Howdy Readers! It's me, PROFESSOR PATRIOT, host of TEAM AMERICA comics, here to narrate the THRILLING ADVENTURES of your favorite PATRIOTIC HEROES!
Splitting up, each of the members of the team would explore separately.
[Required: Mastermind OR Spy: Success]
In the Parks Room, PENDLETON would report locating SEVERAL ZOMBIES, ones that appear to be former legislators! After dispatching them, she would stumble on a book of laws- a compendium of Australian legislation produced before the detonation! Among them are the details of something called the PUBLIC SANITIZATION ACTS, written in the 2040's in response to INCREASING SOCIAL UNREST!
These laws ban immigration, close ports, and ordered the DEPORTATION of all non-citizens in order to reduce the amount of FOREIGNERS committing crimes! Those who attempt to avoid deportation would be charged as CRIMINALS!
They also outlaw membership in and advocacy of various organizations considered ANTI-SOCIAL! Dastardly Unions, Violent Street Gangs, and Unauthorized Militias!
And, to reduce the amount of violence committed by the SUSPECT RACES, it raises the penalty for crimes such as DRUG USE, THEFT, and VAGRANCY, with provisions banning gun ownership for these peoples! VIOLATORS would be sentenced to HARD LABOUR in order to show that crime doesn't pay and to pay back their debt to society!
These laws were, according to the dates accompanying them, signed into law immediately before the nation embraced ISOLATIONISM! However, they also predate the earliest dated record found at MEGAMAX Super Prison by almost a decade- could these laws have been the first steps in creating that dread facility?
Regardless, the news increases Edgar's anger! +20 Wrath!
Edgar meanwhile explores the security of the building, successfully locating what appears to be an Australian supercomputer! While not possessed of artificial intelligence, the machine is capable of answering any question it has sufficient data for!
Named PSIRODAX, the machine was a military computer, one whose data was almost entirely tactical and strategic. Created in the mid 30's, it seemed to have been created in the wake of a war gone bad- not being a historian, Edgar couldn't name the war, and the information wasn't on PSIRODAX, other than it was a mostly naval war against an opponent with a large amount of island bases.
At some point, however, it's creators began feeding information on things like insurgencies, riots- how to combat revolutionary cells and disrupt secessionist movements. Fed sociological data, it was turned against the people!
Much of the super-computers databases were corrupted, damaged…
[Required: Scientist or Engineer: Passed]
Edgar was well versed in technology, however! He was a MAN OF SCIENCE! Performing a partial reboot, he successfully restored numerous files, revealing information on the machines development!
PSIRODAX was a third generation Z9 supercomputer, designed by Gerhardt Strausse- financed by Royal Matchbox Technologies. It was based on, instead of increasingly smaller vacuum tube apparatuses, instead larger super-vacuum tube technology. There were, according to it's databases, two other machines of it's type: one in MELBOURNE to be used by Royal Matchboxes media division, and another whose location is unaccounted for.
There were still mysteries left in it's memory-banks…
[Required: Roboticist or Genius: Passed]
Jury-rigging ways to fix the cracks in its super-vacuum tubes to restore memory, towards the end of Australia's existence PSIRODAX had begun to be fed data on nuclear weapons, estimated capabilities of the United States and it's rivals, radiation damage-
All the information required to measure armageddon. With this information, it's users had queried PSIRODAX- how to survive?
NO SOLUTION FOUND. PROPOSE EMERGENCY MEASURES: ADVISE ALLOCATING ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO PROJECT UTOPIA.
____________________________________________________________
The machine loomed over him, two massive speakers to either side: behind it, a glass wall revealing a massive room full of super-vacuum tubes. On the wall, various speakers hung, long inactive and non-functional.
Edgar furrowed his eyebrows underneath his suit before checking his Pip-Buddy. He had a few more minutes before he needed to check in. "Okay, PSIRODAX," He said, before leaning forward and tapping at the massive, tile shaped buttons that worked as the interface. "What is UTOPIA?"
"UTOPIA- IN THE SITUATION WHERE THE DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIZATION IS IMMINENT, SUSPECT POPULATIONS ARE TO BE CORDONED OFF AND SACRIFICED TO PREPARE FOR ARMAGEDDON," The speakers boomed. "HEROIC EFFORTS WOULD BE TAKEN TO PRESERVE THE WHITE RACE ONLY POSSIBLE THOUGH THIS METHOD: MASSIVE PUBLIC WORKS TO FORTIFY THE ENTIRE NATION AGAINST ATTACK, HOUSE THE WHITE POPULATION SAFELY IN COMMUNAL BUNKERS, AND ENSURE CITIES COULD WITHSTAND DIRECT NUCLEAR STRIKES. EXPANDED INDUSTRY TO HELP FINANCE WEAPONS MANUFACTURE AND DEVELOPMENT IN ORDER TO QUICKLY RETAKE THE SURFACE AND ESTABLISH THE DOMINANCE OF THE MASTER RACE. AND AN INFINITE POOL OF VOLUNTEERS FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH IN ORDER TO DEVELOP MEANS OF WITHSTANDING RADIATION."
"...Fuck," Edgar said, more of it clicking. "The labs at Megamax- that's what you're talking about. They were trying to create anti-radiation medication and, and…" More and more of it fell into place- The testing logs. "And they failed," He whispered, trying and failing to understand the depths of hatred such an idea required: to condemn entire populations solely to increase the odds of ones own survival, feeding them into the grist-mill to create monster after monster in the hopes that they'd eventually stumble onto a solution... "All they did was create a way to zombify themselves consistently."
"INCORRECT," The computer said, giving more horrifying revelations. "TESTS WERE CONSIDERED PARTIAL SUCCESS. FIRST OBSERVED IN HUMANS IN 1942. QUALITIES INCLUDE COMPLETE IMMUNITY TO RADIATION, EXTENDED LIFESPAN, DERMAL NECROSIS. TOTENMENSCH SYNDROME. THE GOAL OF THE PROJECT WAS TO RECREATE THESE MUTATIONS IN THE POPULATION IN ORDER TO SAVE THE WHITE RACE. ONLY FLAW PREVENTING MASS-ROLL OUT: MENTAL DEGRADATION ASSOCIATED WITH TREATMENT."
What.
Edgar took a step back, processing, troubled.
Troubled and furious.
+25 Wrath.
"I want more information- what else can you tell me about the Utopia Project, about Totenmensch Syndrome?" He asked, trying to keep a lid on it: when he got back to the ship, he was going to have a nice long scream session- for now, he had a job to do, and he was running out of time before he checked in.
"TOTENMENSCH SYNDROME WAS A CONDITION DISCOVERED BY THE FOUNDER OF THE ROYAL MATCHBOX COMPANY DURING THE SECOND GREAT WAR. THEY HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO EXPERIMENT WITH USING RADIATION TO IMPROVE TISSUE VITALITY, WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURED, DOSING 18 PEOPLE, PATIENT AND STAFF, WITH LETHAL DOSES OF GAMMA BAND RADIATION."
"17 DIED. ONE SURVIVED. SUBJECT 18. THE FIRST RECORDED INSTANCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL UNDERGOING TOTENMENSH SYNDROME IN HISTORY. INITIALLY DEEMED A FAILURE, ONLY THE FOUNDER REALIZED THE POTENTIAL A MUTATION THAT GRANTED COMPLETE IMMUNITY TO THE RAVAGES OF RADIATION AND EXTENDED LIFESPAN. UPON IMMIGRATING TO AUSTRALIA AFTER THE WAR, HE WOULD FOUND THE ROYAL MATCHBOX COMPANY IN 1951 in A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TO RESEARCH AND REPLICATE THIS CONDITION- BY EXAMINING SUBJECT 18."
The first Centralia Zombie. The first person to ever be affected by a condition that would soon likely condemn millions in America once the bombs dropped. Each puzzle piece provided more answers- and opened more questions. "Who founded the Royal Matchbox company?" Edgar asked, realizing he was soon out of time- and realizing he had a dilemma.
"THE ROYAL MATCHBOX COMPANY WAS FOUNDED BY O- O- O-"
The machine sputtered out for a moment, unable to answer his query- not without more extensive repairs, and that was assuming it still had the data at all. But Edgar had a problem.
Edgar had more questions- no doubt the computer had reams of data. Knowledge that he could use- knowledge that should be remembered. But grimly, he realized a dire possibility- what if Utopia was considered aspirational? The Patriot Party would no doubt love an excuse to finally enact race based purges- and the Liberty Party would no doubt grow fat from the labour of imprisoning vast swathes of populations considered undesirable-
[Required: PROXY Brain Rank 3: Failed]
[Required: Cyberneticist: Failed]
[Required: Weird Radio: Success]
If he wanted to access the data, he'd need to bring in more technicians, spend at least a week repairing the machine- there would be no way to hide the data: it WOULD get into the hands of the DoP, the Military, every little claw of government that had a finger in the pie. But he was, for the moment, alone-
He could delete it. Let another horror fade into the darkness of obscurity- and ensure it wouldn't be repeated. But he'd lose access to the computers contents: undiscovered technology, research data, and lost history, all would be gone-
Edgar mulled on the dilemma as long as he could before making his choice.
Well Patriots, it looks like Edgar has a dilemma! He can either erase PSIRODAX- preventing the information and ideas contained in the supercomputer from escaping. Or he can risk the data getting into the hands of people who WILL misuse it in exchange for the vast amount of data at the computers disposal!
He has NO OTHER OPTIONS! He lacks the familiarity required to do anything more complicated than a TOTAL WIPE! He CANNOT hide the data! Complicating matters- he doesn't realize it yet, but our hero IS NOT ALONE! His choice, good or bad, will have LASTING CONSEQUENCES ON THE WORLD AS A WHOLE!
What choice will he make, you must be wondering: Well, my fellow patriots, you decide! To vote on what Edgar does, cut out this page, check one of the following boxes, and mail your choices here to us at TEAM AMERICA COMICS!
[ ] DELETE: Some things are best left forgotten. Edgar would quickly enter a command code- puzzled out over the conversation subconsciously. The computer would begin deleting data- leaving only a blank shell to study. Gain PSIRODAX Supercomputer Salvage. Knowledge of Project Utopia and Totenmensch Research will be kept under wraps- will still apply towards Skulders achievement in the next issue. Edgar will automatically fail a suspicion roll- causing a negative complication for him during main turns.
[ ] PRESERVE: Even if those who know history are doomed to repeat it, so are those who don't know it. Edgar would preserve the data and the computer, in order to use the machine and it's information and turn them towards his own ends- at the cost of setting in motion something terrible. Gain functional PSIRODAX Supercomputer. Government will gain data on project Utopia, high chance of using knowledge for evil. Edgar likely to receive credit- and influence.
_____________________________________________________________________
Moments after he made his decision, he stepped back.
The choice- he wasn't happy about it. Did he make the right one? What if he had just accidentally ensured MORE suffering was caused. The thoughts sat in his brain, lumpen, heavy.
He heard a noise- turning, Edgar peered into the darkness of the room. "You can come out now."
From the darkness, she stepped. Pendleton- how long had she been there? "You weren't answering on the radio- I decided to check in person. What's this about Utopia, then?"
Edgar paused. She had heard that, then- at least some of it. "I don't know," He answered, voice hollow. "Machine burned out- we're going to need to have it repaired again before we ask it any more questions."
"Is that so?" She asked, raising an eye behind the semi-transparent face plate. "Fascinating- so you're saying that it burned out JUST after you questioned it- while you were all alone with the machine?"
Edgar growled, causing her to make a tutting noise. "Now now, Mr. Wright- I believe you. After all, everything here is just so old." She clicked as she walked to the interface, looking at the cracked, sparking bulbs in the room beyond, expression marginally crinkling in annoyance- at the realization that his explanation was sound, considering most of the tubes in the room looked to be failing. Turning away from Edgar, she began fiddling with the interface- and in the process obscuring her expression. "Well, we can have our technicians take a look at it- if the thing is unrepairable, well, we can at least study the salvage. You talked to it- brief me."
"Talked is probably pushing it," Edgar noted, mildly annoyed at her ordering him around when technically he was in charge. "It's name was PSIRODAX- it didn't possess any consciousness of it's own, I think, just the ability to absorb and parse data. No other opinions other than what it was programmed to hold, no capacity for reflection or sense of self." He stepped back, still unnerved by the machines revelation. "Some of it's novel- most of it's outdated, though. A poor man's CERES."
"Applications?" She said, voice…hungry as she ran her long, spindly, spiderlike fingers over the buttons. "Could it be modernized, do you think?"
"...Maybe- there are definitely ways you could upgrade the design," Edgar muttered. "That's going to have to wait, though- we need to head back, we need to debrief and prepare for a more thorough survey-"
Hanging where the roof met the wall, the speakers came to life. "Hello hello? Is this thing working?" Came a voice over the machines. "G'day, mates! Crikey, is it nice to see a friendly face!"
Edgar blinked, walking to the devices. "What the- is that a survivor?" He said, perplexed.
"Damn straight! Names Maxwell Fowler-" The man said, as if he could see them- Wait, could he see them? "You can't see the cameras- things are hidden in the wall. But I can see you, and lemme tell you, you are a pleasant sight for sore eyes."
Edgar's brain paused. "That- that's incredible-" He said, incredulous. "Listen, my name is Edgar Wright- tell me where to find you and we'll try and get you to safety," He promised. "But we're going to want to know how the hell you survived twenty years."
"Well mate, turns out good genes and a healthy diet go pretty far- especially with a little pervitin pick me up every now and again," The man said, sarcastically. "But fairs fair- you get me out of this hell-hole of a city, and I'll answer all the questions you want me to- and keep quiet on the ones you'd rather be mums secret for now, yeah?"
"Well, with that agreement out of the way-" Pendleton said smoothly. "Your coordinates, Mr. Fowler."
"Alrighty then, looking forward to seeing sunlight! There's an elevator in the building: button hidden on the south wall opens it up, it's in the Legislative Council Chamber. Code is 42089- activate it on your end and I'll be ups your daisy from my cozy sitting location of precisely thirty feet underground."
"Alright, we're on our way," Edgar said gruffly. "Stand by."
______________________
The chamber was large- but not excessively so, and it wasn't empty. All throughout the isles were corpses- both walking ones, Centralia Zombies still wearing the same suits they had in life, reduced to feral animals by radiation and whatever else the Australian Incarcerostate had done, and ones still seated, heads exploded. Some were in better conditions than others, Edgar noted, recoiling at the sight of a representative whose brain had blown the top of his skull open, mummified corpse leaning forward, slackjawed.
"Hostiles sighted," Pendleeton said as the team entered. "Prepare-"
"Non-lethal rounds. We don't have to kill these people- so we're not going to." Edgar ordered, causing Pendleton to glare.
"I didn't expect you to sympathize with them, considering they're likely responsible for places like Megamax," She observed narrowly as the power armored soldiers brought up their tranq rifles and began firing. "You don't seem the forgiving type."
Edgar sighed, watching as one of the things mindlessly ran at their position, giving a pitiful rasp as a dart landed in it's gut. Falling to it's knees, the thing gave a growl, attempting to pull itself forward- only for it's face to get pushed into the dust by another zombie that was still standing, heedless of the one it had just trampled. "I'm not- but look at them. What they've gone through- it's destroyed them. I think they've suffered enough- and it costs us nothing to be humane."
"It will cost time, effort transporting them, space holding them, resources feeding them-" Pendleton listed out, causing Edgar's frown to deepen, though he wasn't surprised she had completely missed the point.
"Look, if you want to complain about my choice, bring it up to McCoy- as the leader of this expedition, I get to make the calls until then, though," He responded, deciding to not engage with her as part of the team began to restrain the downed zombies- while the other got to work activating the elevator.
"Fine- your priorities in allocating resources are noted," She said, clipped, realizing it was pointless to argue. One of the soldiers found the button on the wall, causing the podium to make a clunk and a whirr- and reveal a keypad on it. "Once we're done here, what's the next move?"
"We're going to need to send in teams to retrieve documents- and review them. Technicians to salvage the supercomputer," He drawled as another soldier entered the code. "There's probably more technology hidden here we can find- Fowler will be helpful for that once we debrief him."
Another clunk, and with a whirr, the podium moved, taking part of the floor with it, revealing a hollow tube in the floor going down. The machine made a loud rumbling noise- before Edgar's eyes, a long, cylindrical pod shot up from the floor, coming to a halt where the podium had been.
With a hiss, part of the chrome pod opened outward, releasing a cloud of obscuring smoke. "Oh you beauty! I tell ya, after around thirty years, I'm not gonna miss this city." A figure stepped out, and Edgar's jaw dropped, along with, no doubt, the rest of the group. "What? Something on my face?" Said Maxwell Fowler, the talking zombie.
Gasp! Well Patriots, it looks like we've encountered a twist- a survivor, but not one unchanged. Who is this mysterious talking dead man? Are they a friend or foe? Only time- and lengthy interrogation- will tell.
Of course, in the following week, further exploration of the facility would occur- the fallout with Edgar's choice with PSIRODAX, along with other discoveries by Pendleton and the others sent to explore the facility.
Novel Weapons Cache- Located in an armory on the second floor, this collection of weapons include what appear to be some form of homing rocket, several ballistic rifles that seems to incorporate magnetic accelerators along the barrel, energy grenades built using an unidentified green crystal, and a few unidentified energy weapons that seemed to render whatever it hit temporarily motionless. Can be donated to a faction to increase a faction specific Security Stat.
Royal Matchbox Patents: Creating monsters hadn't been Royal Matchboxes only business- they had been in a lot of fields, medicine to construction to computer engineering. A survey team would successfully locate no less than 300 patents, major and minor- most of them obsolete, but the remainder would provide a considerable boon to several different fields. +2 to Science.
Excessive Documents: The amount of information that was on the paperwork recovered would keep historians, analysts, theoreticians up at night for decades- assuming society survived that long. By being the one to obtain them, Edgar was going to get considerable renown in a number of- admittedly niche- circles. +15 Influence.
________
Six hour moratorium for discussion. I would suggest you think about your choice here carefully: whichever one you pick is going to have significant impact on the setting and it's future.
--[X] Sarah Pendleton, Armored Jeep
___________________
BRRRT. BRRRT. BRRRT.
[Armored Jeep: Check]
The machine guns made a staccato noise as they mowed down the swarm of zombies trying to get over the fence or through the gap their jeeps had made. "OOH RAH, MOTHERFUCKERS!" Screamed Sgt. Parker from the armored jeep, having found himself assigned to their escort. "GET SOME! GET SOME!" Edgar grimaced as he watched one zombie be mowed in half, making a noise he was pretty sure was a scream of pain as its torso split from its legs.
Poor thing hadn't gotten close. It was, frankly, a rather hideously unfair match-up- and Edgar observed, even with speed and numbers, the jeeps were gross overkill- because as he watched, several others shared the same fate, gunned down with grotesque ease. "Alright everyone," Said his companion, Pendleton- in a set of enviro-armor that was definitely not the off the market gear he was using: it had a transparent faceplate, allowing her eyes to be seen- the mouth was obscured by the rebreather unit. The pair of them- and their escorts, who were taking potshots at the thinning crowd of ghouls- were currently standing before the entrance to parliament, the two story Georgian building looming behind them. "I want vehicles one and two to circle round- keep them peeled off, will you? Three, four, you maintain the perimeter- and be prepared if we need to make a quick exit."
[Required: Spy]
Walking to the door, she removed from her belt a strange looking item: placing it in the keyhole, Edgar picked up a whirring noise. "Auto-Lockpick, huh? Slick," He commented, causing Pendleton's eyes to crinkle into a smile.
"Well now, you recognize your technology," She commented, removing the device. "Yes, I make sure to always have the best toys."
"Pretty nice. Kinda odd a census organization has access to that sort of technology." Her eyes narrowed. He had touched a nerve. Good.
[Negated by Genius, Weird Radio, Mastermind, Wrath]
"What are you implying?" She asked narrowly, suspicion in her voice.
"Nothing. Why are you acting defensive?" Edgar challenged as he entered the building, pushing it's doors open, deciding two could play games, the soldiers around them silent, awkward. The foyer of the building was dusty- covered in torn sandbags assembled into cover, several monoturrets barely coming to life and pitifully firing- only for the power armor of their escorts to easily reflect the bullets. The exchange was brief: only a few seconds. "'Why does an organization whose purpose is data collection need an auto-lockpick, advanced custom enviro-armor,'" He stated slowly, unphased, casually strolling forward to look over the fortifications- feeling a sense of dark nostalgia for the familiar sight of a militarized house of governance.
"These are all," Edgar noted, loud enough his words could be heard by the rest of the group. "Reasonable questions- I feel. After all, isn't American Affairs a civilian organization? NOT an intelligence agency?"
Pendleton paused, realizing the soldiers were staring- no doubt also questioning why a supposed civilian had access to equipment they couldn't even get.
[Enemy Brain Rank: 5]
"Classified, I'm afraid," she said softly, tone full of hidden threat as she glared daggers at Edgar, who grinned, realizing he was onto something. "And I'm afraid that if you continue digging, I'll have to report you to the Director-"
Edgar almost chuckled at that. Almost. To the others, he looked stoic. "Fine, keep your secrets," He grumbled, deciding to lean into his reputation as a highly blunt individual to allay suspicions. No need to play his hand just yet. "Alright, everyone, split up and fan out: I want this place mapped out. This is a preliminary scouting party: don't get bogged down going through everything, we just need a map of the area and any hazards more thorough exploration might trip on."
Sarah Pendleton had made a mistake, however- she confirmed that whatever was going on, Clancy was in on it.
______________________________________________
Howdy Readers! It's me, PROFESSOR PATRIOT, host of TEAM AMERICA comics, here to narrate the THRILLING ADVENTURES of your favorite PATRIOTIC HEROES!
Splitting up, each of the members of the team would explore separately.
[Required: Mastermind OR Spy: Success]
In the Parks Room, PENDLETON would report locating SEVERAL ZOMBIES, ones that appear to be former legislators! After dispatching them, she would stumble on a book of laws- a compendium of Australian legislation produced before the detonation! Among them are the details of something called the PUBLIC SANITIZATION ACTS, written in the 2040's in response to INCREASING SOCIAL UNREST!
These laws ban immigration, close ports, and ordered the DEPORTATION of all non-citizens in order to reduce the amount of FOREIGNERS committing crimes! Those who attempt to avoid deportation would be charged as CRIMINALS!
They also outlaw membership in and advocacy of various organizations considered ANTI-SOCIAL! Dastardly Unions, Violent Street Gangs, and Unauthorized Militias!
And, to reduce the amount of violence committed by the SUSPECT RACES, it raises the penalty for crimes such as DRUG USE, THEFT, and VAGRANCY, with provisions banning gun ownership for these peoples! VIOLATORS would be sentenced to HARD LABOUR in order to show that crime doesn't pay and to pay back their debt to society!
These laws were, according to the dates accompanying them, signed into law immediately before the nation embraced ISOLATIONISM! However, they also predate the earliest dated record found at MEGAMAX Super Prison by almost a decade- could these laws have been the first steps in creating that dread facility?
Regardless, the news increases Edgar's anger! +20 Wrath!
Edgar meanwhile explores the security of the building, successfully locating what appears to be an Australian supercomputer! While not possessed of artificial intelligence, the machine is capable of answering any question it has sufficient data for!
Named PSIRODAX, the machine was a military computer, one whose data was almost entirely tactical and strategic. Created in the mid 30's, it seemed to have been created in the wake of a war gone bad- not being a historian, Edgar couldn't name the war, and the information wasn't on PSIRODAX, other than it was a mostly naval war against an opponent with a large amount of island bases.
At some point, however, it's creators began feeding information on things like insurgencies, riots- how to combat revolutionary cells and disrupt secessionist movements. Fed sociological data, it was turned against the people!
Much of the super-computers databases were corrupted, damaged…
[Required: Scientist or Engineer: Passed]
Edgar was well versed in technology, however! He was a MAN OF SCIENCE! Performing a partial reboot, he successfully restored numerous files, revealing information on the machines development!
PSIRODAX was a third generation Z9 supercomputer, designed by Gerhardt Strausse- financed by Royal Matchbox Technologies. It was based on, instead of increasingly smaller vacuum tube apparatuses, instead larger super-vacuum tube technology. There were, according to it's databases, two other machines of it's type: one in MELBOURNE to be used by Royal Matchboxes media division, and another whose location is unaccounted for.
There were still mysteries left in it's memory-banks…
[Required: Roboticist or Genius: Passed]
Jury-rigging ways to fix the cracks in its super-vacuum tubes to restore memory, towards the end of Australia's existence PSIRODAX had begun to be fed data on nuclear weapons, estimated capabilities of the United States and it's rivals, radiation damage-
All the information required to measure armageddon. With this information, it's users had queried PSIRODAX- how to survive?
NO SOLUTION FOUND. PROPOSE EMERGENCY MEASURES: ADVISE ALLOCATING ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO PROJECT UTOPIA.
____________________________________________________________
The machine loomed over him, two massive speakers to either side: behind it, a glass wall revealing a massive room full of super-vacuum tubes. On the wall, various speakers hung, long inactive and non-functional.
Edgar furrowed his eyebrows underneath his suit before checking his Pip-Buddy. He had a few more minutes before he needed to check in. "Okay, PSIRODAX," He said, before leaning forward and tapping at the massive, tile shaped buttons that worked as the interface. "What is UTOPIA?"
"UTOPIA- IN THE SITUATION WHERE THE DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIZATION IS IMMINENT, SUSPECT POPULATIONS ARE TO BE CORDONED OFF AND SACRIFICED TO PREPARE FOR ARMAGEDDON," The speakers boomed. "HEROIC EFFORTS WOULD BE TAKEN TO PRESERVE THE WHITE RACE ONLY POSSIBLE THOUGH THIS METHOD: MASSIVE PUBLIC WORKS TO FORTIFY THE ENTIRE NATION AGAINST ATTACK, HOUSE THE WHITE POPULATION SAFELY IN COMMUNAL BUNKERS, AND ENSURE CITIES COULD WITHSTAND DIRECT NUCLEAR STRIKES. EXPANDED INDUSTRY TO HELP FINANCE WEAPONS MANUFACTURE AND DEVELOPMENT IN ORDER TO QUICKLY RETAKE THE SURFACE AND ESTABLISH THE DOMINANCE OF THE MASTER RACE. AND AN INFINITE POOL OF VOLUNTEERS FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH IN ORDER TO DEVELOP MEANS OF WITHSTANDING RADIATION."
"...Fuck," Edgar said, more of it clicking. "The labs at Megamax- that's what you're talking about. They were trying to create anti-radiation medication and, and…" More and more of it fell into place- The testing logs. "And they failed," He whispered, trying and failing to understand the depths of hatred such an idea required: to condemn entire populations solely to increase the odds of ones own survival, feeding them into the grist-mill to create monster after monster in the hopes that they'd eventually stumble onto a solution... "All they did was create a way to zombify themselves consistently."
"INCORRECT," The computer said, giving more horrifying revelations. "TESTS WERE CONSIDERED PARTIAL SUCCESS. FIRST OBSERVED IN HUMANS IN 1942. QUALITIES INCLUDE COMPLETE IMMUNITY TO RADIATION, EXTENDED LIFESPAN, DERMAL NECROSIS. TOTENMENSCH SYNDROME. THE GOAL OF THE PROJECT WAS TO RECREATE THESE MUTATIONS IN THE POPULATION IN ORDER TO SAVE THE WHITE RACE. ONLY FLAW PREVENTING MASS-ROLL OUT: MENTAL DEGRADATION ASSOCIATED WITH TREATMENT."
What.
Edgar took a step back, processing, troubled.
Troubled and furious.
+25 Wrath.
"I want more information- what else can you tell me about the Utopia Project, about Totenmensch Syndrome?" He asked, trying to keep a lid on it: when he got back to the ship, he was going to have a nice long scream session- for now, he had a job to do, and he was running out of time before he checked in.
"TOTENMENSCH SYNDROME WAS A CONDITION DISCOVERED BY THE FOUNDER OF THE ROYAL MATCHBOX COMPANY DURING THE SECOND GREAT WAR. THEY HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO EXPERIMENT WITH USING RADIATION TO IMPROVE TISSUE VITALITY, WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURED, DOSING 18 PEOPLE, PATIENT AND STAFF, WITH LETHAL DOSES OF GAMMA BAND RADIATION."
"17 DIED. ONE SURVIVED. SUBJECT 18. THE FIRST RECORDED INSTANCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL UNDERGOING TOTENMENSH SYNDROME IN HISTORY. INITIALLY DEEMED A FAILURE, ONLY THE FOUNDER REALIZED THE POTENTIAL A MUTATION THAT GRANTED COMPLETE IMMUNITY TO THE RAVAGES OF RADIATION AND EXTENDED LIFESPAN. UPON IMMIGRATING TO AUSTRALIA AFTER THE WAR, HE WOULD FOUND THE ROYAL MATCHBOX COMPANY IN 1951 in A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TO RESEARCH AND REPLICATE THIS CONDITION- BY EXAMINING SUBJECT 18."
The first Centralia Zombie. The first person to ever be affected by a condition that would soon likely condemn millions in America once the bombs dropped. Each puzzle piece provided more answers- and opened more questions. "Who founded the Royal Matchbox company?" Edgar asked, realizing he was soon out of time- and realizing he had a dilemma.
"THE ROYAL MATCHBOX COMPANY WAS FOUNDED BY O- O- O-"
The machine sputtered out for a moment, unable to answer his query- not without more extensive repairs, and that was assuming it still had the data at all. But Edgar had a problem.
Edgar had more questions- no doubt the computer had reams of data. Knowledge that he could use- knowledge that should be remembered. But grimly, he realized a dire possibility- what if Utopia was considered aspirational? The Patriot Party would no doubt love an excuse to finally enact race based purges- and the Liberty Party would no doubt grow fat from the labour of imprisoning vast swathes of populations considered undesirable-
[Required: PROXY Brain Rank 3: Failed]
[Required: Cyberneticist: Failed]
[Required: Weird Radio: Success]
If he wanted to access the data, he'd need to bring in more technicians, spend at least a week repairing the machine- there would be no way to hide the data: it WOULD get into the hands of the DoP, the Military, every little claw of government that had a finger in the pie. But he was, for the moment, alone-
He could delete it. Let another horror fade into the darkness of obscurity- and ensure it wouldn't be repeated. But he'd lose access to the computers contents: undiscovered technology, research data, and lost history, all would be gone-
Edgar mulled on the dilemma as long as he could before making his choice.
Well Patriots, it looks like Edgar has a dilemma! He can either erase PSIRODAX- preventing the information and ideas contained in the supercomputer from escaping. Or he can risk the data getting into the hands of people who WILL misuse it in exchange for the vast amount of data at the computers disposal!
He has NO OTHER OPTIONS! He lacks the familiarity required to do anything more complicated than a TOTAL WIPE! He CANNOT hide the data! Complicating matters- he doesn't realize it yet, but our hero IS NOT ALONE! His choice, good or bad, will have LASTING CONSEQUENCES ON THE WORLD AS A WHOLE!
What choice will he make, you must be wondering: Well, my fellow patriots, you decide! To vote on what Edgar does, cut out this page, check one of the following boxes, and mail your choices here to us at TEAM AMERICA COMICS!
[ ] DELETE: Some things are best left forgotten. Edgar would quickly enter a command code- puzzled out over the conversation subconsciously. The computer would begin deleting data- leaving only a blank shell to study. Gain PSIRODAX Supercomputer Salvage. Knowledge of Project Utopia and Totenmensch Research will be kept under wraps- will still apply towards Skulders achievement in the next issue. Edgar will automatically fail a suspicion roll- causing a negative complication for him during main turns.
[ ] PRESERVE: Even if those who know history are doomed to repeat it, so are those who don't know it. Edgar would preserve the data and the computer, in order to use the machine and it's information and turn them towards his own ends- at the cost of setting in motion something terrible. Gain functional PSIRODAX Supercomputer. Government will gain data on project Utopia, high chance of using knowledge for evil. Edgar likely to receive credit- and influence.
_____________________________________________________________________
Moments after he made his decision, he stepped back.
The choice- he wasn't happy about it. Did he make the right one? What if he had just accidentally ensured MORE suffering was caused. The thoughts sat in his brain, lumpen, heavy.
He heard a noise- turning, Edgar peered into the darkness of the room. "You can come out now."
From the darkness, she stepped. Pendleton- how long had she been there? "You weren't answering on the radio- I decided to check in person. What's this about Utopia, then?"
Edgar paused. She had heard that, then- at least some of it. "I don't know," He answered, voice hollow. "Machine burned out- we're going to need to have it repaired again before we ask it any more questions."
"Is that so?" She asked, raising an eye behind the semi-transparent face plate. "Fascinating- so you're saying that it burned out JUST after you questioned it- while you were all alone with the machine?"
Edgar growled, causing her to make a tutting noise. "Now now, Mr. Wright- I believe you. After all, everything here is just so old." She clicked as she walked to the interface, looking at the cracked, sparking bulbs in the room beyond, expression marginally crinkling in annoyance- at the realization that his explanation was sound, considering most of the tubes in the room looked to be failing. Turning away from Edgar, she began fiddling with the interface- and in the process obscuring her expression. "Well, we can have our technicians take a look at it- if the thing is unrepairable, well, we can at least study the salvage. You talked to it- brief me."
"Talked is probably pushing it," Edgar noted, mildly annoyed at her ordering him around when technically he was in charge. "It's name was PSIRODAX- it didn't possess any consciousness of it's own, I think, just the ability to absorb and parse data. No other opinions other than what it was programmed to hold, no capacity for reflection or sense of self." He stepped back, still unnerved by the machines revelation. "Some of it's novel- most of it's outdated, though. A poor man's CERES."
"Applications?" She said, voice…hungry as she ran her long, spindly, spiderlike fingers over the buttons. "Could it be modernized, do you think?"
"...Maybe- there are definitely ways you could upgrade the design," Edgar muttered. "That's going to have to wait, though- we need to head back, we need to debrief and prepare for a more thorough survey-"
Hanging where the roof met the wall, the speakers came to life. "Hello hello? Is this thing working?" Came a voice over the machines. "G'day, mates! Crikey, is it nice to see a friendly face!"
Edgar blinked, walking to the devices. "What the- is that a survivor?" He said, perplexed.
"Damn straight! Names Maxwell Fowler-" The man said, as if he could see them- Wait, could he see them? "You can't see the cameras- things are hidden in the wall. But I can see you, and lemme tell you, you are a pleasant sight for sore eyes."
Edgar's brain paused. "That- that's incredible-" He said, incredulous. "Listen, my name is Edgar Wright- tell me where to find you and we'll try and get you to safety," He promised. "But we're going to want to know how the hell you survived twenty years."
"Well mate, turns out good genes and a healthy diet go pretty far- especially with a little pervitin pick me up every now and again," The man said, sarcastically. "But fairs fair- you get me out of this hell-hole of a city, and I'll answer all the questions you want me to- and keep quiet on the ones you'd rather be mums secret for now, yeah?"
"Well, with that agreement out of the way-" Pendleton said smoothly. "Your coordinates, Mr. Fowler."
"Alrighty then, looking forward to seeing sunlight! There's an elevator in the building: button hidden on the south wall opens it up, it's in the Legislative Council Chamber. Code is 42089- activate it on your end and I'll be ups your daisy from my cozy sitting location of precisely thirty feet underground."
"Alright, we're on our way," Edgar said gruffly. "Stand by."
______________________
The chamber was large- but not excessively so, and it wasn't empty. All throughout the isles were corpses- both walking ones, Centralia Zombies still wearing the same suits they had in life, reduced to feral animals by radiation and whatever else the Australian Incarcerostate had done, and ones still seated, heads exploded. Some were in better conditions than others, Edgar noted, recoiling at the sight of a representative whose brain had blown the top of his skull open, mummified corpse leaning forward, slackjawed.
"Hostiles sighted," Pendleeton said as the team entered. "Prepare-"
"Non-lethal rounds. We don't have to kill these people- so we're not going to." Edgar ordered, causing Pendleton to glare.
"I didn't expect you to sympathize with them, considering they're likely responsible for places like Megamax," She observed narrowly as the power armored soldiers brought up their tranq rifles and began firing. "You don't seem the forgiving type."
Edgar sighed, watching as one of the things mindlessly ran at their position, giving a pitiful rasp as a dart landed in it's gut. Falling to it's knees, the thing gave a growl, attempting to pull itself forward- only for it's face to get pushed into the dust by another zombie that was still standing, heedless of the one it had just trampled. "I'm not- but look at them. What they've gone through- it's destroyed them. I think they've suffered enough- and it costs us nothing to be humane."
"It will cost time, effort transporting them, space holding them, resources feeding them-" Pendleton listed out, causing Edgar's frown to deepen, though he wasn't surprised she had completely missed the point.
"Look, if you want to complain about my choice, bring it up to McCoy- as the leader of this expedition, I get to make the calls until then, though," He responded, deciding to not engage with her as part of the team began to restrain the downed zombies- while the other got to work activating the elevator.
"Fine- your priorities in allocating resources are noted," She said, clipped, realizing it was pointless to argue. One of the soldiers found the button on the wall, causing the podium to make a clunk and a whirr- and reveal a keypad on it. "Once we're done here, what's the next move?"
"We're going to need to send in teams to retrieve documents- and review them. Technicians to salvage the supercomputer," He drawled as another soldier entered the code. "There's probably more technology hidden here we can find- Fowler will be helpful for that once we debrief him."
Another clunk, and with a whirr, the podium moved, taking part of the floor with it, revealing a hollow tube in the floor going down. The machine made a loud rumbling noise- before Edgar's eyes, a long, cylindrical pod shot up from the floor, coming to a halt where the podium had been.
With a hiss, part of the chrome pod opened outward, releasing a cloud of obscuring smoke. "Oh you beauty! I tell ya, after around thirty years, I'm not gonna miss this city." A figure stepped out, and Edgar's jaw dropped, along with, no doubt, the rest of the group. "What? Something on my face?" Said Maxwell Fowler, the talking zombie.
Gasp! Well Patriots, it looks like we've encountered a twist- a survivor, but not one unchanged. Who is this mysterious talking dead man? Are they a friend or foe? Only time- and lengthy interrogation- will tell.
Of course, in the following week, further exploration of the facility would occur- the fallout with Edgar's choice with PSIRODAX, along with other discoveries by Pendleton and the others sent to explore the facility.
Novel Weapons Cache- Located in an armory on the second floor, this collection of weapons include what appear to be some form of homing rocket, several ballistic rifles that seems to incorporate magnetic accelerators along the barrel, energy grenades built using an unidentified green crystal, and a few unidentified energy weapons that seemed to render whatever it hit temporarily motionless. Can be donated to a faction to increase a faction specific Security Stat.
Royal Matchbox Patents: Creating monsters hadn't been Royal Matchboxes only business- they had been in a lot of fields, medicine to construction to computer engineering. A survey team would successfully locate no less than 300 patents, major and minor- most of them obsolete, but the remainder would provide a considerable boon to several different fields. +2 to Science.
Excessive Documents: The amount of information that was on the paperwork recovered would keep historians, analysts, theoreticians up at night for decades- assuming society survived that long. By being the one to obtain them, Edgar was going to get considerable renown in a number of- admittedly niche- circles. +15 Influence.
________
Six hour moratorium for discussion. I would suggest you think about your choice here carefully: whichever one you pick is going to have significant impact on the setting and it's future.
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StarSingerBlue
Zenryoku Zenkai !
- Location
- The City of Lights
- Pronouns
- They/Them
The bad thing happening wouldn't be more concentration camps it would be more human experimentation.
Ok, so, if we delete the data we fail a suspicion check. Does anyone remember if we have ever failed one of those before, on either quest? Just so we can have an idea on the potential consequences.
In any case if the data gets out then bad things happen, and the mental toll it would take on Edger every time news of FUSA doing another step into 'holocaust 2.0' territory and knowing that he is at least partially responsible for not deleting the data when he had the chance makes me really want to delete everything.
In any case if the data gets out then bad things happen, and the mental toll it would take on Edger every time news of FUSA doing another step into 'holocaust 2.0' territory and knowing that he is at least partially responsible for not deleting the data when he had the chance makes me really want to delete everything.
- Location
- not doing my homework
- Pronouns
- He/They
Yeah they're GOING to try to use/perfect ghoulification (likely on 'seditious elements') early on at the very least, and FUSA is nothing if not very good at going all in on being real fucked up.
On the other hand, this is all stuff we can use and do we want the failed check this early in the investigation? A complication now MIGHT spiral.
On the other hand, this is all stuff we can use and do we want the failed check this early in the investigation? A complication now MIGHT spiral.
[X] DELETE: Some things are best left forgotten. Edgar would quickly enter a command code- puzzled out over the conversation subconsciously. The computer would begin deleting data- leaving only a blank shell to study. Gain PSIRODAX Supercomputer Salvage. Knowledge of Project Utopia and Totenmensch Research will be kept under wraps- will still apply towards Skulders achievement in the next issue. Edgar will automatically fail a suspicion roll- causing a negative complication for him during main turns.
Could be funny if we ended up not with an ghoulified enclave. Instead of everyone outside of the bunkers needing to go its just the smoothskins. Granted even with ghoul enclave they would find a way to be asholes to other ghouls.
You should learn to read the author notes like how there is a moratorium which means we can not vote .
chellewalker
President of the Water Seeker Fan Club
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Ehhh... FUSA would be using it on the most loyal of their minions. I'm sure there will be some former test subjects that will survive as well, but FUSA isn't going to spend resources extending the lives of their "undesirables."
- Location
- Nice try
I think is better to destroy it, no reward is worth FUSA, more likely the Enclave, starting to get... ideas.
Using radiation to extend the lifespan is considerate fringe science at best that's only going be tried by billionaires that are desperate enough to survive the nuclear war in they own way.
In fact even a well meaning government would likely to abuse this knowledge in order to find ways to survive the radiation.
Edit:
Maybe we should give these weapons to the Chinese or something since the PRC is behind the US in the arms race and these weapons may be what they need to be able to hold front lines longer.
Using radiation to extend the lifespan is considerate fringe science at best that's only going be tried by billionaires that are desperate enough to survive the nuclear war in they own way.
In fact even a well meaning government would likely to abuse this knowledge in order to find ways to survive the radiation.
Edit:
Maybe we should give these weapons to the Chinese or something since the PRC is behind the US in the arms race and these weapons may be what they need to be able to hold front lines longer.
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The Bird
tEM IS GUD...RITER!
- Location
- In that den of villains and scum, OKLAHOMA
Unfortunately you don't have the connections to make that viable- you only just got Mama Dolce's card.
- Location
- Nice try
Can we hold these weapons for the future or we have to immediately give them to a faction?
The Bird
tEM IS GUD...RITER!
- Location
- In that den of villains and scum, OKLAHOMA
Has to be distributed at events end.
chellewalker
President of the Water Seeker Fan Club
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I think I'd want to give the Novel Weapons Cache either to DaisyTech (since these kinds of things would actually be pretty fitting for their work and it would give the Great Nation an edge post-war) or the Reznikov Outfit (to give us an edge in our subversion efforts).
We should keep the data, if Edgar gets a reputation as the man who bought the fusa such a "nice" piece of data then he will be trusted more. More trust could lead to us getting more info to act on in the future. Keeping the data will get us Credit.
The data will also lead to the FUSA potentially replicating the atrocities of the Australian government. It's already been established that they're on a morally equivalent level
Of course that being said I'm not wholly opposed to keeping the data, mainly because I crave lore, but also because RADICAL seems to be all about direct confrontation with the US government. If we can bring them down before realising project Utopia we might advertise disaster.
I do think that this has the potential to cause a second apocalypse level event though
A second apocalypse might be bad but it could also lead to cool stories, I mean last time we got a second apocalypse we ended up with the waterseeker and co. That was fun right?