Jackal’s Journals – Journal 7

Entry #7.1 – June 2009

Cobalt suggested we should continue to work together. Find proposal less than appealing. Under normal circumstances would have declined. However for time being paths coincide. Threatening situation developing near Boulder City, Nevada. Cobalt received instructions from Teragen to go there. Travelling with him will increase probability of achieving own objectives.

Nova named Gabriel Melchior is holed up within self-styled Church of the Immanent Escheaton, amongst nearly 25,000 followers. Is believed illegal weapons and restricted technologies are being stockpiled within church compound. Melchior is religious fanatic, possibly insane. Has dangerous biological manipulation abilities. Is capable of unleashing plague upon mankind. Must be neutralised at all costs.

Entry #7.2 – June 2009

Ironically Teragen are collaborating with Directive in this matter. Alliance is uneasy at best. Cobalt took us to Directive field HQ near Boulder City. Was introduced to Agent Jameson. Jameson briefed us regarding current situation. Fears have been recognised. Melchior has announced if cultists are not left alone he will beget a lethal pathogen.

Entry #7.3 – June 2009

Edifice of Church of Immanent Escheaton sprawls in desert like carcass of huge crucifix-shaped beast. Its bones bleached by searing sun. Listened to Jameson discuss damage limitation options. Extent of Melchior’s biological manipulation abilities are unknown. Cannot determine how plague would spread, or whether it could be contained. Directive are prepared for worst. Jameson has nuclear weaponry on stand-by.

Cobalt has plan. Proposes he and Storm Queen gain entry to church under pretext of trying to negotiate with Melchior. Is hoped this method of ingress will allow them to get close to the target without causing alarm. Once in position they will attempt to warp Melchior to a secure location before he can fulfil his plague threat. For own part, am no diplomat. Plan is best served by performing separate infiltration of compound. Assuming I remain undetected, will be able to provide backup in event of complications. May have one last chance to neutralise Melchior if Cobalt and Storm Queen fail.

Would be own preference not to have ringside seat in event that efforts to stop Melchior prove unsuccessful. Will not be pleasant when large portion of Nevada desert is vaporised by explosion many times brighter than sun. However, am relying on Jameson to take steps necessary to ensure safety of mankind.

Nuclear blast will hurl intense gamma radiation, multi-spectral heat, pressure and fierce winds destructively outward over many kilometres consuming everything in their path. Moments after, firestorm will rage inward toward radioactive mushroom-cloud, causing every living thing in vicinity to literally melt.

Any who survive immediate traumas will be less fortunate. Severe doses of gamma radiation will cause them to die painfully over next few weeks. Within body, haemorrhaging will turn internal organs, lungs, liver, heart, intestines, into undefined mass of bloody pulp. Eventually victims will die bleeding from every orifice and pore.

Yet is preferable to alternative. Would be mistake to underestimate consequences of allowing contagion to spread. Detonation of nuclear weapon is only way to ensure plague ends here. Future of mankind is at stake.

Entry #7.4 – June 2009

In addition to Melchior problem, other disturbing events have occurred.

Earlier today, stumbled upon Project Utopia representatives Leo and Heavy acting suspiciously. Followed them to secluded alley. Witnessed strange communion occur. Became apparent individuals were simulacra composed of same unknown biotechnological material encountered in Colorado Springs.

Neutralised subjects after discovering they had absorbed elderly woman.

Was careless. Allowed anger to cloud judgement. Had not determined strength of opposition before initiating attack. Was fortunate that element of surprise proved decisive. Subjects were eliminated with little difficulty. However, opportunity to gather insight into subjects motives was lost. Mystery thickens. Left only questions. What is this material and where does it come from?

Entry #7.5 – June 2009

Have returned to implementation of Cobalt’s plan. Is foolhardy but may have merit. Ironically chances of success hinge on plan’s implausibility. Intention is to catch Melchior by surprise. Is certainly unlikely that he would imagine anyone insane enough to attempt it.

Entry #7.6 – June 2009

With assistance of one of Cobalt’s portals have entered church. Thus far have evaded security and remained undetected. Have completed reconnaissance. Familiarised self with layout. Am ready. Have also liberated certain items from underground weapons storage bunker. May prove useful. Await arrival of others in morning.

Overheard sermon. Church believes Utopia is Satan’s right hand. No disagreement there.

Entry #7.7 – June 2009

Witnessed arrival of Cobalt and Storm Queen. Associates passed beneath me through main hallway. Were escorted by acolytes deep into bowels of church. Elected not to follow. Risk of detection is too great. Cannot predict Melchior’s reaction if presence is discovered. Will remain close by. Wait till moment is right.

Entry #7.8 – June 2009

Situation successfully concluded.

Provided suppression fire from high in dome to hold back followers, while Cobalt and Storm Queen overcame Melchior and forced him through portal.

Shortly after, was transported by Cobalt to secure bio-containment at secret Teragen facility where Melchior had been quarantined. Was not surprised to find Orzaiz there.

During subsequent interview Melchior claimed he was kidnapped by Proteus. Then taken to Canada and examined and tested by Spats. Later was transferred to Sahara and finally to Bahrain (where Schultz was in charge). Experimentation became obtrusive, inhumane. Eventually he overcame guards and escaped.

When account was finished, others prepared to depart. Found prospect of leaving seeds of Apocalypse in hands of Teragen disquieting. Took opportunity to approach Melchior. Asked if he needed assistance meeting his maker. Subject did not respond but fact that seconds later he disintegrated himself is perhaps indication that he did not. Would seem in moment of sanity he reached same conclusion I had. He was too dangerous to live.