Jackal’s Journals – Journal 3
Entry #3.1 – February 2009
Utopia continues absurd attempt to construct paradise on Earth. Undesirable regions are selected for ecological cleansing. Ethiopia and the Sahara Desert are first to be transformed. Public are deceived by such foolishness. Everyone is blind to the truth. No one sees the joke. Refer to dictionary. Word ‘Utopia’ means an imaginary place, somewhere idealistic but impractical. Exists only in fairy tales.
Have received word that novas participating in Sahara project are disappearing. Notably these disappearances include Spencer Balmer, the original head of the project. Others are probably dead but he may be attempting to defect. According to dossier Balmer is nova with powerful nature manipulation abilities. Goes by alias of Antaeus.
Storm Queen also involved.
Intend to investigate.
Perhaps will discover why powers behind Utopia continue to sacrifice followers upon the altar of vanity. Are they really so arrogant as to believe they can improve upon creator’s design?
Entry #3.2 – February 2009
Arrive Niger, West Africa.
Have been informed that Cobalt, a Utopian and associate of Storm Queen’s, is also operating in the area. Met him once before. Instructed to make contact. Appears he too is investigating the terra-forming operation. Was suggested that he may prove useful. I have my doubts. May have to eliminate him.
Stakeout Utopia headquarters in Agadez. Figure he will turn up there eventually.
Entry #3.3 – February 2009
Limited questioning of locals proved informative without need to resort to more persuasive methods. Established location of Utopia’s operations centre and existence of localised area of extreme vegetation growth in desert to the north.
Entry #3.4 – February 2009
Spotted Cobalt. Was not difficult. Ability to blend in with local surroundings leaves something to be desired. Attempts to appear inconspicuous almost comical. Might fair better if walking blue rocks were more common in these parts.
Entry #3.5 – February 2009
Paid Cobalt visit to ascertain intentions. As expected security was lax. Killing him presented no challenge. Was not my purpose. Another occasion perhaps.
Achieved objective without need for violence. Disappointing.
Cobalt volunteered he is seeking evidence incriminating Utopia. Hopes to contact Antaeus who may have such information. Loyalties seem confused. Think he perceives himself as some kind of secret agent. Funny. Like hiring Caestus Pax for undercover work.
Entry #3.6 – February 2009
During reconnaissance of lush vegetation manifested in desert, made contact with Antaeus. Ensuing dialogue proved largely meaningless. Found self wondering if it is the taint that causes them to become so bloated with their own superiority. Was not totally unproductive however. Antaeus confirmed suspicions that novas are being burnt-out to achieve current rate of terra-formation. Disappearances are Utopia’s attempt to cover this up.
Entry #3.7 – February 2009
Have found it hard to comprehend why Cobalt continues to work for Utopia. Personal beliefs appear contrary to Utopian ideals. Thought it probable that he was either Aberrant or Teragen sympathiser, though seemed inconceivable that he would advertise his allegiances so obviously. Inexplicably after a brief discussion on the subject he talked himself into quitting. Did not expect that pointing out certain admirable qualities possessed by cartoon character Wiley Coyote, would have such a dramatic effect on him. Is puzzling. Not reaction I expected. If he is operative of other agency then why would he leave? Perhaps suspicions were unfounded.
Entry #3.8 – February 2009
Cobalt has declared that he intends to go to London and rescue Balmer’s family who are being detained there by Utopia. Seemed disappointed that I elected not to accompany him. Situation is a distraction. Is peripheral to current investigation. Cobalt appears unable to focus on relevant details. Lacks conviction. Effort will be wasted. Directive are already aware and preparing to intervene.
Obtained Utopia ID and pass card thanks to Cobalt’s carelessness. Seems incongruous that someone who publicly expresses anti-Utopian sentiments did not put these items to better use before discarding them. Must assume that either he is inept or he is hiding something.
So far have been unable to locate Jo Whitelaw. Have confirmed recent involvement in terra-forming operation, but no one has seen her for last few days. It seems she has joined the ranks of novas that have disappeared.
Entry #3.9 – February 2009
Took advantage of obvious opportunity to penetrate local Utopia headquarters security. Use of Cobalt’s ID and pass card allowed infiltration to be achieved with relative ease. Recovered a number of important looking disks from safe in secure area.
In morning, on return to hotel in Agadez, observed arrival of Count Raoul Orzaiz. Subject met briefly with Cobalt before departing again. Presence of Orzaiz indicates Cobalt has links with Teragen. Development still does not explain why he has been so ineffectual against Utopia. Perhaps he is homosexual.
Shortly after Cobalt left to catch flight to London.
Entry #3.10 – February 2009
Received report of Information recovered from disks. Data indicates presence of second Utopia base in Sahara code-named Area 2. Name is typically unoriginal. Also evidence of existence of secret Utopian facility on island of Bahrain. Some kind of experiment is in progress there. Utopian scientists have Teragen nova encased in some kind of cocoon. The purpose of this experiment is not clear. Appears to have some connection with treatment for high levels of taint.
Information regarding Bahrain facility is intriguing but not relevant to current investigation. Focus remains here. Am inclined to attempt penetration of Utopian facility at Area 2. See what I can find out. Must be something there that Utopia wish to keep hidden. Is worth a look. Operation is potentially hazardous however. Could be beneficial to have support in case a distraction is required. Will contact Cobalt and persuade him to join me. He is too incompetent to pose any serious threat and his abilities may prove useful. The trip to London is pointless anyway.
Entry #3.11 – February 2009
After two day surveillance of Area 2, penetrated compound. Underground base appeared to be medical facility investigating aberration effects in Utopian novas who have been over-taxed by the terra-forming project. Computer records indicate treatments have failed. All novas who have been released have subsequently perished. Currently three novas are resident at the facility. Jo Whitelaw is among them. Her chart indicates she will be released in two days time.
While going through computer records Cobalt found an instruction from Utopia’s board of directors ordering the elimination of any Utopian novas exhibiting extreme aberrations but was unable to remove any proof. Is intriguing that it was Nathan Spats name that gained us access to the computer.
Entry #3.12 – February 2009
Cobalt thinks we are a team now. Thought he would engender a more trusting relationship by revealing that his true allegiance is to Teragen. Tried to act surprised. Apparently he is a double agent. A Teragen operative within Utopia pretending to work with the Aberrants. No wonder his loyalties are confused. Is not clear how much of this I should believe. Could still be part of deception. Only information of real interest articulated during monologue is that Storm Queen is an Aberrant. Have to admit I am impressed. Was deceived by her charade as a Utopian pawn. Is unfortunate for her that she is not more discerning about whom she confides in. Is obvious that Cobalt is not sufficiently prudent to be entrusted with anything important. He seems unable to resist divulging everything he knows. Is probably trying to make an impression. Likely this is result of feelings of inadequacy developed in early childhood. Adds weight to theory that he is homosexual.
Listened to endless rhetoric. If Cobalt was not only link to Teragen subversives would have been compelled to throttle him just to shut him up. Find it insulting that he believes he can win my allegiance with such empty words. Teragen propaganda is absurd. Beneath surface there is no substance to it. They are so arrogant it sickens me. So superior that it leaves the taste of bile in my mouth. They don’t even think they have to come up with decent lies anymore.
In order to occupy self throughout monotonous droning, imagined repeatedly smashing fist into Cobolt’s skull as he talked. Pictured how swollen tissue would split and edges of skin curl back from lips of wounds. How blood would spray. Thick dark blood. Spattering cryptic patterns across surface of room. Teeth would crack and splinter. Eyes would burst, seeping puss and jelly, leaving sockets empty and ruined. It occurred to me that I don’t know what colour his insides are. Images were somewhat diminished by absence of this detail. Was irritating. Found it necessary to leave soon after.
Still his time will come soon enough.
Entry #3.13 – February 2009
Decided that current circumstances presented too good an opportunity to question Storm Queen about Aberrants and Utopia without revealing outside involvement. Ditched Cobalt and returned to Area 2. Repeated penetration of facility. Extracted Storm Queen and delivered her to safe-house without incident.
Medical examination revealed she has increased levels of taint and a nice body but nothing else.
After the tests were complete I was present at her interrogation. Stood at back wearing hood and Eufiber moulded to appear as Team 2Morrow jump suit. Was anticipated this detail would convince Storm Queen that it was Project Proteus performing the interrogation. Nice touch. Must always keep opposition off-balance. Subterfuge appeared to have been effective.
Questioning confirmed Storm Queen’s status as an Aberrant, little else. Methods of persuasion used were mild. Was not pressed on names of co-conspirators. Would not have been difficult to break her but is unlikely she has any significant information to impart at this stage. She will be of more use in the future. It will be interesting to see how she responds now that she believes she is working for Proteus.
She will be released in a few days time.
Entry #3.14 – February 2009
Cobalt sent message that Nathan Spats is currently working for Triton Foundation in Canada. Directive have him under surveillance. Herman Schultz has disappeared.
Second part of information is incorrect however. Schultz has not disappeared. He is at Directive headquarters in London. I have been keeping tabs on him for some time. As yet no opportunity to exact justice has presented itself.
