The Star of Silence

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Summary

One day, a strange, technicolor cloud-like being, eventually known as the Glow Cloud, shows up on a battlefield. While it doesn't interfere, it observes closely and exhibits (as far as anyone can tell) distress at the battle. Over time, it continues to make more contact with humans and show up to more battles, and even takes up residence in the other half of the Tsutsujidai PLANT, until ultimately it starts putting peaceful yet decisive ends to them--revealing itself as an Angel, designated the Tenth Angel, Duma, at the same time. Now, from its home in the empty PLANT, it has begun to radiate a strange signal--a melody of rests within snow. At the same time, mass sleepwalking incidents have started to take place across the Earth Sphere and its colonies. For all that the Tenth Angel has seemed peaceful so far, what are its true intentions?

This plot has been broken up between scenes and IC reports on both NERV and general IC boards. They will all be listed here chronologically for the convenience of the reader, with links and brief summaries to the logs and full postings (where available) of the reports.

25 June 0096

  • 2022-06-25: Whoever Fights Monsters... - During a battle between humans and the insectile aliens known as the Vajra, the so-called Glow Cloud appears. Several psychically gifted individuals attempt to reach out to it; it's unclear how successful they are, but it does leave without attacking anyone.

July 0096

25 July 0096 (1st)

  • NERV Board Report
Title: AAR: Vajra Assault near Orbital Ring
Poster: Liam 7-020
Date: Mon Jul 25

Liam posted a report about the Vajra attack at the Orbital Ring not long after it happened. Recent events have required him to update it, so he's posted it again. (OOCly, things have been busy, but this deserves a report. Here it is!)

Date: June 25, 96 Situation: Routine trip to 3G Orbital interrupted by ZAFT assault on Orbital Ring facilities. Proceeded to civilian shelter in accordance with shelter-in-place protocols; monitored radio activity with NERV escorts. Orbital sensor arrays detected multiple opening fold windows, consistent with recorded xenobiological phenomena. Concluded that allied forces required reinforcements in the face of a extraterrestrial threat relevant to NERV mission statement and interests.

Deployed in GAT-01D to assist Federation forces. ZAFT and ZAFT-aligned forces ceased fire on Federation-aligned forces, and vice-versa, for the duration of the skirmish. Extraterrestrial force sustained heavy casualties, and fold-jumped upon the appearance of unidentified entity ("The Cloud"). Federation, ZAFT, and aligned forces sustained casualties, including severe damage to Londo Bell light cruiser Ra Mari. Nergal flagship Nadesico remained largely undamaged, and provided medical, emergency repair, and recovery aid. Prompt intervention and ceasefire almost certainly prevented loss of civilian life and damage to Orbital Ring facilities.

Entities of Interest:

Vajra Drones: (OOC: The section leads with uploaded images of various Vajra drones, obtained from gun-camera footage. They are distinctly insectile, very colorful, and at least the size of the average VF at the smallest. Lots of them have organic energy cannons extending from their bodies. There are lots and lots of them in each shot.) As noted in prior report on Tsutsujidai concert (dated May 10, 96), Vajra drones are extraterrestrial organisms of unknown origin and extreme hostility. Individuals possess integral energy weaponry (utilizing same mechanisms for fold transit?) as well as mandibles, claws, and formidable strength. As a whole, Vajra utilize cooperative tactics and vastly superior numbers. Discussion with Nergal pilots revealed the hypotheses that the Vajra organism utilizes distributed consciousness, but further evidence pending.

Vajra "Capital Ship" ("Knight-Class"): (OOC: The section leads with a few uploaded images of an entity that looks more like a carrier of some sort than a living thing. In one picture it's firing a massive beam through a melee of Vajra and Mobile Suits at something offcamera. In another, part of its "hull" has been blown away, revealing organic tissue pockmarked with artery-like corridors.) Dubbed "Knight-Class" by Federation Intelligence. Deployed hundreds of Drone-class Vajra, and provided fire support with organic turrets and main anti-ship cannon. Destroyed by concentrated fire from the Nadesico's main gun. Demonstrated both radically divergent body plan and extreme resilience, but genetic evidence gathered by NERV personnel confirms it is also Vajra in origin.

Conclusions: Vajra present severe threat, particularly to small, isolated parties. Deployment of Knight-Class is unprecedented level of force, and exact circumstances behind the attack remain unknown. Never assume any Vajra is alone. No sure-fire countermeasures exist. Exercise extreme caution.

"The Cloud": (OOC: The section leads with a few shots of a diaphonous, cloud-like entity shot through with lightning. An uploaded map puts its point of origin somewhere near Junius 7. The final shot shows the same entity resting in an empty PLANT cone.) Unknown entity of uncertain origin. Approached the conflict from the rough angle of Junius 7 wreckage, and returned once the battle concluded. Performed no observable hostile action. Secondhand accounts from allied Newtypes indicate some degree of emotion and/or consciousness, but degree and nature of sapience uncertain. In the wake of Tsutsujidai emergence in physical space, "The Cloud" took up residence in the colony cone opposite the cone housing Tsutsujidai. Supplemental information on "Chaos Bringer" event to be compiled in separate incident report.

Conclusions: Complete cipher. Newtypes involved with contact appeared unsettled or overwhelmed. Report additional sightings, especially in/near ZAFT space. Entity may be linked to Tsutsujidai and Junius 7, or may be demonstrating opportunistic psychic behavior. Approach with caution. Be wary of cognitive contamination.

Actions Taken: Aided with retrieval and preservation of organic specimens. Specimens were sent to 3G, the Geofront, and STORAGE for further analysis. (OOC: If you're with NERV and study aliens, you could've gotten a sample of Vajra! If you want to study it, Grace is the one to talk to.)

25 July 0096 (2nd)

  • NERV Board Report
Title: AAR: "Chaos Bringer" Phenomenon in Tsutsujidai
Poster: Liam 7-020
Date: Mon Jul 25

Another report from Liam. Text with pictures.

Date: July 17, 96 Situation: Unexpectedly intercepted by Tsutsujidai dimensional transfer effect while en route to NISAR headquarters for analysis of UNK-XX Proto Helios. Upon emergence in Tsutsujidai, encountered other dimensionally-displaced individuals, as well as remote-controlled entities deployed by "Kaiju D". Remote entities initially attacked civilian housing and infrastructure, but changed color and behavior in response to unknown stimuli. Entities displayed instantaneous self-repair, as well as tether connections to "Kaiju D", which operated from high altitude.

Upon engaging "Kaiju D", Anti revealed himself as entity's creator, and stated his intent was to share "the truth of Tsutsujdiai". Anti assumed kaiju form (see updated notes on "Kaiju B" below) and engaged alongside "Kaiju D". Anti displayed moderately advanced DG cell infection, and avoided physical contact with allied machines. Further gain in altitude revealed anomalous and inexplicable changes in Tsutsujidai's environment--uncertain if revealed elements were always there, or appeared in response to Anti's activity. (Both? See "Chaos Bringer Event", below.)

Battle concluded with "Kaiju D" destroyed, Anti wounded but alive, and personnel stranded in ZAFT space near Junius 7. ZAFT-aligned contact facilitated swift withdrawal before enemy forces intervened.

Entities of Interest (edited for relevance; full report is available here):

"The Cloud": (OOC: The only picture in this section is a shot of a diaphonous, cloud-like entity floating in an otherwise-empty PLANT cone.) Reappeared following the destruction of "Kaiju D" and the emergence of Tsutsujidai in physical space. Took up residence in the colony cone opposite the cone housing Tsutsujidai. Origins, intentions, and nature remain unknown.

Conclusions: Complete cipher. Newtypes involved with contact appeared unsettled or overwhelmed. Report additional sightings, especially in/near ZAFT space. Entity may be linked to Tsutsujidai and Junius 7, or may be demonstrating opportunistic psychic behavior. Approach with caution. Be wary of cognitive contamination.

26 August 0096

  • 2022-08-26: Playing With Power - During a demonstration of the GEIM System, Celestial Being and ZAFT forces appear to shut down this potentially dangerous new technology. The so-called Glow Cloud appears as well, agitated but once more only present to observe rather than to fight. This time, an Evangelion is also present, though they don't come to blows. When attacked, even though the attack is intercepted, it vanishes.

18 September 0096

October 0096

15 October 0096

  • 2022-10-15: life ⇔ z( birth + growth ) - What is originally believed to be the Tenth Angel, designated Ophaniel, appears in space en route to Tokyo-3 far below. The Glow Cloud blocks its way, and the two share an unknowable communication before Ophaniel wards it away with an attack that just barely misses. The Glow Cloud immediately retreats, causing some to believe it was harmed or even killed. It would later be found out that Ophaniel was actually a creation of the true Sandalphon, which had been erroneously believed to have been defeated on 18 September (see previous entry), and was reclassified as part of the Ninth Angel.

26 October 0096

  • 2022-10-26: The Colour from Space - The Glow Cloud appears in Kamesan Park in Tsutsujidai for unknown reasons, but with seemingly peaceful intent. Several people arrive to observe and attempt to communicate with it. All seems to go well for a time, and it even forms a "face" with which to better communicate--but after peering down at a section of the crowds that includes Evangelion pilots, it seems to panic and vanishes for unknown reasons.

20 November 0096

19 February 0097

  • 2023-02-19: Echoes of Trevelyan - Britannian forces attempt to occupy Tsutsujidai High School during the events of the Walled Garden. When the Black Knights and other forces fight back, the Glow Cloud appears and puts an end to the fighting by enveloping the Britannian forces in shields and sending them forcibly back to their encampment. This was the first time the Glow Cloud, or rather the Tenth Angel, manifested its A.T. Field overtly, but because NERV forces were separated from the MAGI at the time, its status as an Angel remained unconfirmed for a time.

March 0097

29 March 0097

  • 2023-03-29: Silence Wall - While GGG is almost finished transporting the Tsutsujidai PLANT, a fight breaks out nearby between the Unicorn, the Banshee, and other various forces. The Glow Cloud emerges from within the PLANT and once again envelopes and transports the battling forces away from one another, decisively ending the battle. This time, the MAGI are able to identify its A.T. Field and designate it the Tenth Angel, Duma.

30 March 0097 onwards

  • At some point after March 29, a report is made on NERV boards about Duma. After a long deliberation, it's decided that NERV will not take immediate steps to eliminate Duma, but instead take this opportunity to observe it and learn more about the Angels. This report and the follow-up conversations weren't logged, so they aren't available.

25 April 0097

  • 2023-04-25: Technicolor Dreams - While dreaming, the minds of Puru-1 make contact with the mind of Duma. The two of the have a conversation, in their own ways, which lasts until Duma attempts to "help" Puru-1 by taking control of her consciousness. When she rejects this and flees, Duma comes to the conclusion that Lilimkind do indeed need to be saved from themselves, and begins transmitting a certain signal.

26 May 0097

  • NERV Board Report
Title: Report: Strange 10A Activity
Poster: Kaworu Nagisa
Date: Fri May 26

<Report made by someone in R&D.>
        
Over the past month, the Tenth Angel, designated "Duma," has been showing strange A.T. Field activity. This activity has been low-key so it's unclear when exactly it began, but it was first detected at the end of April and has been tracked since.
        
The Tenth Angel has not appeared to have left its half of the Tsutsujidai PLANT, nor does it appear to have made any hostile movements towards any surrounding lifeforms. It seems to be using its A.T. Field to radiate signals at a frequency below 30Hz, on a wavelength longer than the radius of the Earth. As this functionally means that the Angel is producing radio waves, attempts have been made to intercept these signals by radio, but nothing intelligible has been recorded to date. It habitually sends out these waves while the Tsutsujidai PLANT is in shadow, i.e. during its nighttime.
        
The Tenth Angel will continue to be closely monitored. It's possible that it is attempting to make contact with humankind, but there is also a high risk of mental contamination. Any NERV agents who wish to conduct their own investigations are strongly advised to take caution and coordinate with R&D.

June 0097

5 June 0097

  • IC News Board
Title: News Clips
Poster: Kaworu Nagisa
Date: Mon Jun 5

        A segment on a global news network.
        
"...in other news, reports have been cropping up worldwide about strange mass sleepwalking incidents. People in entire communities are getting up out of bed and wandering out into the streets to stare at the sky, then go back to bed. While most are accounted for afterwards, areas in which these incidents have taken place have seen a universal rise in missing persons afterwards. Multiple nations across the globe have reported this, and there's no difference between rural, urban, space colonies, and in between. It's theorized that the stresses of war and growing uncertainty about the future of the Federation may have contributed to this phenomenon, causing breakdowns in those who then attempt to run away from the current era itself..."
        
        And another, unrelated segment.
        
"...Hijackings have been on the rise for space vehicles such as jets, shuttles, and mobile suits. These vehicles have been stolen from a variety of ports both earthside and spaceside, and many have taken place without any culprit directly witnessed. Authorities have suggested that this may be the work of a criminal syndicate and urge ports to increase their local security to prevent..."

7 June 0097

  • NERV Board Report
Title: Report: Duma Investigations
Poster: Zan
Date: Wed Jun 7

This is Zan. I am filing this report with location coordinates included.

In brief, I have been observing the Tenth Angel while maintaining my vigilance over the Orbital Ring with the help of a bit more downtime thanks to my new crew.

At present I have observed a number of transmissions and some manipulation of receiving has revealed that there is a rhythm of anti-sound mixed in. The closest translation would be akin to a mother humming to a child or a variation of stops in musical terms.

Duma also happens to have a color shifting in semi-coordination with these sounds that goes through the spectrum of the rainbow.

The transmissions also have an incredible range to them. At present it is observed they will not reach the Moon, but the Earth and it's colonies are well within range and being transmitted to in some means.

The following are suggestions.

Finding the receiver of the transmissions may allow us to get a "one up" on the Angel threat possibly.

Finding a way to communicate with Duma through the color shifts or transmissions may be possible.

Ending report transmission.

P.S. Carpenters say hi to brothers.

19 June 0097

  • IC News Board
Title: News Update
Poster: Kaworu Nagisa
Date: Mon Jun 19

A follow-up on a recent news segment about mass sleepwalking incidents (+bbread 949) reports some more information.
        
In short, the mass sleepwalking incidents have not abated since they began almost two months ago. People continue to get up in the middle of the night, wander out into the streets, and stare at the sky for a time before wandering back inside, all while asleep... and people have continued to go missing during these incidents. Not all of them, but a significant number. This is true through the Earth Sphere and its colonies...
        
/Except/ for Tsutsujidai. While mass sleepwalking incidents have been occurring there too, no one has gone missing to date. There *has* been an increase in spacecraft traffic to the PLANT it's settled in, but none of those crafts have actually arrived at the town.

23 June 0097

  • NERV Board Report
Title: Duma Update
Poster: Zan
Date: Fri Jun 23

Urgent Message Received

Sender: BT-104 Zan

This message is in response to a change in the Duma situation. My sensors have noticed spacecraft arriving at Duma's side of Tsutsujidai.

At this time, my response is limited and I am requesting assistance due to the nature of it.

To summarize, Duma appears to be able to cause some sort of sleep walking symptoms. It has managed to ensnare a large number of beings. Scans so far are inconclusive, but they show with the same status as deep delta waves. Fast asleep. Heat scans also show them to be moving around.

Scanning data is included in this transmission.

Recommend caution and scan for potential incoming traffic of similar situations across the Earth Sphere.

July 0097

2 July 0097

  • 2023-07-02: Silence, A Grave Surprise - Zan's observations of Duma, and an independently occurring investigation by Gridman, lead them to realize that the mass sleepwalking incidents and the spacecraft hijackings are related to the Tenth Angel somehow. They go to investigate, and find the missing people--and more.

3 July 0097

  • NERV Board Report
Title: AAR: Duma Contact - Search and Rescue
Poster: Liam 7-020
Date: Mon Jul 3

Author's Note: My deepest thanks to Dr. Swan White of 3G, who aided in the compilation of this report, and is overseeing my recovery.

Date: July 2nd, 97 Location: Tsutsujidai PLANT.

Situation: Investigation by NERV--including extensive eyewitness reports by operative Zan--concludes that the Tenth Angel (Codename: Duma) is responsible for "mass sleepwalking" events observed through the Earth Sphere. Relevant reports are linked here: (OOC: See bbposts 923, 966, and 1002.) A three-person team consisting of myself, Chloe, and Zan traveled to Tsutsujidai. Operatives observed 56 civilian craft of various series kept in position near the PLANT by Duma. Duma was also present, appearing quiescent.

Investigation of the civilian craft revealed the missing persons, kept in high delta-wave state by Duma--deep sleep, perhaps bordering on induced hibernation. Normal suit data reported symptoms of dehydration, malnutrition, and mild zero-g musculoskeletal atrophy. Severity of symptoms correlates to length of absence. 

       Shortly after arrival, we observed other individuals investigating: Gridman and his team of Hyper Agents, Lucine Azul, Gai Kurenai, and two individuals identifying themselves as "Spade-8" and "Agent Sigma of 3G". (AUTHOR'S NOTE: "Agent Sigma" does not appear to be Takeshi Todo, AKA T0 Apostle Gridman Sigma. His aid was invaluable, and I respect his secrecy.)

Communication with Duma established using radio signals. Sigma acted as transmitter and interpreter. Duma expressed benevolent and protective impulses towards abductees, but did not understand their physical needs. Attempts to communicate their needs to Duma, and to express the emotional nuances of the mortal condition, were met with increasing agitation. Duma used its AT Field to induce the same near-hibernation state in the human members of the team. Further intervention by nonhuman members resulted in Duma's retreat.

Entities of Interest:

Duma (The Tenth Angel): (OOC: A bunch of shots of a big, diaphonous cloud, drawn in upon itself, and very pale. It looks... almost depressed. Another shot of the same cloud, big and blue, revealing an Angel core. And if you zoom in really, really, really close... is that a kid? In a normal suit without a helmet? It is. (It's Shozo.)) First identified during skirmish with the Vajra on June 26, 96. Intervened against second-stage Sandalphon in Shoal Zone space. Peacefully interacted with civilians in Tsutsujidai on at least one occasion. Displays strongly defensive behavior, including use of AT Field and localized teleportation to isolate combatants without damaging them.

Extreme nature of Angelic life makes anthropomorphization far more hazardous than usual. Neverthelss, Duma's behavior changes dramatically in response to external stimuli we would consider "emotional". Duma's most recent behavior seems to have been triggered by a psychic contact with Leina Ashta while she was a captive of Dr. Murasame and the Vist Foundation. Her state convinced Duma that humans exist in perpetual pain, and the induced dreams and abductions are its way of alleviating that pain.

Conclusions: All abductees have been accounted for and transferred to hospitals in Tsutsujidai; all will be treated for physical symptoms, as well as extended exposure to mental contamination. No fatalities reported so far. (AUTHOR'S NOTE: We're lucky. We're so lucky we caught this before Duma killed anyone.) Lucine and myself are undergoing treatment for mental contamination aboard the Wadatsumi. I'm so sleepy.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm cutting this off for now to get our sleepyhead into therapy. He told me he "STRONGLY RECOMMENDS AGAINST" notifying Miss Ashta of what happened unless there are "truly exigent circumstances". I agree. She needs to focus on healing.)

4 July 0097

  • NERV Board Report
Title: 10th Angel Orders
Poster: Kaworu Nagisa
Date: Tue Jul 4

Orders have come down from Commander Ikari: "The Tenth Angel is to be destroyed."

Vice-Commander Fuyutsuki has expanded on this: "After review of the results of the investigation into the Tenth Angel, DUMA is hereby classified a top level threat to humanity and cannot be allowed to roam further. The MAGI and support staff are to prioritize determining DUMA's current whereabouts after it retreated from the Tsutsujidai PLANT and coordinating a mission to eliminate the Tenth Angel while the Evangelion repairs are underway and Evangelion pilots recuperate. Once all conditions are met, the mission will commence as soon as feasible. Col. Katsuragi is to take command with support from Admn. Nagisa."

15 July 0097

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