CASE FILE NA-279.1
OFFICIAL AFTER-ACTION REPORT
REF: OPERATION PAPER TIGER, MOURNING FOG
SUBMITTING OFFICER: Silas, Field Handler, CAT-5, Blackcoat
DATE: [12/18/20██]
RECIPIENTS: Castle Director F. Espada, Upper and Lower Four
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At 1300 hours on the date in question, Executioner Team Noatmos was inserted into lower Manhattan to investigate a suspected anomaly manifestation linked to a missing person, Li Hua Xiao Mei, and a series of escalating homicides in Chinatown. Initial contact with a local informant was compromised by unprofessional conduct. The team proceeded to conduct investigations at the subject’s former place of employment, her parental residence, and her private apartment, securing key pieces of evidence. An anomalous hostile engagement occurred at approximately 2045 hours, resulting in injuries. The investigation culminated at the Crimson Cat Lounge, where through a series of reckless actions, the team secured critical new intelligence regarding an unreported homicide before being banned from the premises. The operation is ongoing, with the immediate directive to intercept a person of interest, Julian Thorne. Overall mission success was achieved in intelligence gathering but was severely undermined by repeated breaches of operational conduct, resulting in significant collateral damage to civilian relations and operational security.
NARRATIVE CHRONOLOGY
1. Initial Briefing & Contact with Informant FUJI
The team was briefed en route and provided with cursed comms and a contact card for Informant FUJI, proprietor of the Jade Spring Teahouse. The team made contact at 1345 hours. The interaction was immediately prejudiced by what can only be described as a litany of “questionably ethical and racial remarks” directed at both staff and the informant herself. This was exacerbated by Executioner Paco Bell’s use of his EDIT ability to alter his facial features in a misguided and offensive attempt at mimicry of Asian heritage. Informant FUJI, upon verifying my signature, reluctantly provided the core intelligence: subject Li Hua Xiao Mei, missing 17 days post-termination from Mandarin Dragon Imports, was a potential manifestor linked to the deaths of former superiors and one unrelated civilian. She suggested three locations for investigation.
2. Investigation of Mandarin Dragon Imports
The team proceeded to the corporate offices, which were under a noticeable NYPD presence. At the front desk, they encountered Brenda Cho, a corporate administrator who proved resistant to direct inquiry. Executioner Johnny McGee Jr. suggested an armed confrontation with police present, a suggestion that was, thankfully, not acted upon. Instead, a diversion was orchestrated: Paco Bell feigned a medical emergency, and Biggby used the distraction to pick the lock on Li Hua’s former desk, securing a burner cellular phone.
They were subsequently detained by security and brought before manager Julian Thorne. Thorne, operating under the misapprehension that the team were corrupt police, revealed he believed Li Hua was missing, not a suicide as had been implied publicly. He complained about the police presence and, in a bewildering turn, provided $120 to Executioner McGee “for better bribery.” (Note: Funds have been flagged for confiscation).
3. Interview with the Xiao Family & Residence Search
The team traveled to Queens to interview the subject’s parents. Executioner Lilith Belladonna initiated contact by falsely informing the distraught parents that their daughter had committed suicide. This caused immediate and severe emotional distress to Mrs. Xiao, requiring the team to spend considerable time consoling the couple and backtracking. They learned Li Hua had been working excessive hours and had recently acquired her own apartment.
Analysis of the burner phone at this location revealed frequent contact with an individual named “Maya.” A call was placed to obtain a voice sample.
The team then proceeded to Li Hua’s apartment. Executioner Go Ku initiated the search by physically kicking the door from its hinges, prompting a neighbor to call the police. Biggby used his REVERSE ability to remediate the damage. A search revealed Li Hua’s secondary employment as a dancer at the Crimson Cat Lounge, her friendship with Maya, and Maya’s use of Clover brand cigarettes. The subject’s personal journal and cigarette evidence were secured and stashed prior to police arrival.
4. Hostile Engagement & Crimson Cat Lounge Infiltration
While transiting Chinatown at dusk, the team was enveloped by an anomalous fog and attacked by entities designated TRACES (paper/ink humanoid forms). The hostiles were neutralized, but not before Executioner Go Ku utilized a high-collateral energy burst that damaged both enemies and allied personnel.
Arriving at the Crimson Cat Lounge, the team found their scheduled meeting with Julian Thorne was premature. Denied entry for lack of ID, Paco Bell left and used his EDIT ability to return attired in what was described on audio logs as a “seductive wolfman speedo,” complete with tail and ears. He gained entry via unclear dialogue with the bouncer, “Tiny,” and the team followed.
Inside, they identified Maya by voice. In a move of staggering subtlety, Biggby called the burner phone while standing directly behind her. Upon realization, Maya fled, initiating a chaotic five-minute pursuit through the crowded lounge, resulting in significant property damage and civilian disturbance. The team cornered and apprehended Maya, only to be surrounded by armed security led by Tiny. Biggby used his STOP ability to temporally freeze the situation, allowing the team to flee with Maya, but they were recaptured just outside the establishment.
5. Negotiation with Mr. Chen & New Parameters
The team was brought before the proprietor, Mr. Chen. After a full debriefing on our operation, and following a protracted lecture on respect and discretion, Chen provided critical new intelligence: On the night of Li Hua’s disappearance, a drunk patron assaulted her. That patron was later found strangled. Chen, to avoid business disruption, disposed of the body internally. This constitutes an unreported homicide.
Chen issued a formal ban on the team’s presence at his establishment. He provided a new directive: intercept Julian Thorne before he arrives and redirect him to an alternate location, citing a personal dislike for the man. The team was released back into the lounge with orders to depart immediately and complete this task.
KEY INTELLIGENCE GAINED
- Confirmation of Li Hua Xiao Mei as a probable retribution-based anomaly manifestor.
- Discovery of an unreported homicide (strangled patron) directly linked to the subject’s triggering event.
- Identification of key associate: “Maya.”
- Secured Evidence: Subject’s personal journal, associate’s preferred cigarette brand, burner phone log.
- Corporate angle via Julian Thorne, who is now a person of interest to be intercepted.
OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT & PERSONNEL NOTES
The team successfully gathered all critical intelligence required to advance the investigation, demonstrating tenacity and a disturbing talent for improvisation. However, this success was achieved in spite of, not because of, their professional conduct.
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Diplomatic Damage: Relations with Informant FUJI are severely damaged. The Xiao family was left traumatized. Mr. Chen, a powerful local figure, was alienated, resulting in loss of access to a key location.
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Collateral Damage: Significant property damage at the Crimson Cat Lounge. Multiple public disturbances recorded. Unnecessary risk of police entanglement at the subject’s apartment.
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Personnel Conduct:
- Paco Bell: Unauthorized and culturally insensitive use of ability during informant contact. Later adopted non-regulation, unprofessional attire for infiltration.
- Go Ku: Use of excessive force during entry and an indiscriminate area-effect ability during hostile engagement, causing friendly injuries.
- Lilith Belladonna: Reckless and cruel misinformation delivered to the subject’s next of kin, severely compromising the interview.
- Johnny McGee Jr.: Solicited and accepted unauthorized funds from a civilian.
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The team’s approach consistently prioritized confrontation and chaos over discretion, drawing maximum attention to a covert operation.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Mission Continuation: Operation Paper Tiger, Mourning Fog is viable. The Noatmos team is to proceed: intercept Julian Thorne and pursue the investigation into the subject Li Hua’s whereabouts.
- Mandatory Training: The Noatmos Team is to be scheduled for immediate refresher courses in Cultural Sensitivity, Covert Infiltration, and Civilian Interview Protocols upon mission conclusion.
- Disciplinary Review: The actions of Executioners Bell, Belladonna, and McGee Jr. are to be reviewed by the Committee for potential censure or probation.
- Handler Directive: I will reinforce the necessity of operational security and professional decorum prior to next deployment.
- Additional Support: To reinforce the operational integrity and ethical grounding of the Noatmos Team, I am deploying Executioner Sakuma Hakuba to the scene. Hakuba’s record demonstrates exceptional judgment and a firm adherence to protocol, making him an ideal candidate to provide stability and a principled framework for the ongoing mission.
SIGNED,
Silas
Field Handler & Debriefing Officer
Executioner Division
CAT-5
Blackcoat
END REPORT