FLESHBOUND: Oceanspire Incident Report 354D-7

RRAS TACTICAL TRANSMISSION LOG
Incident Report: NS-IR-354D-7

Location: Old Houston City Limits — Former Medical District
Coordinates: 29.7604° N / 95.3698° W

Issuer:
James Calder
Recon Specialist — G.H.O.S.T Unit

Reason for Transmission

Field update regarding a potential security breach involving the Oceanspire command structure.

Current evidence indicates that an individual previously identified as Dr. Bart Renner, assigned to the Neurobehavioral Research Division within Oceanspire, may be a numbered operative embedded within settlement leadership.

Incident Summary

While conducting reconnaissance operations within the abandoned Houston perimeter, the team encountered a Stalker variant ambush inside a derelict medical clinic.

During the attack, the Stalker variant immobilized the scientist (Bart Renner). The team neutralized the morphotype after sustained engagement.

Following the encounter, the subject's protective helmet was dislodged, revealing a surgically altered identification scar located above the right brow, consistent with the marking pattern used by numbered seed clones.

Upon confrontation, the subject acknowledged prior assignment to Oceanspire but denied infiltrating the settlement.

Further interrogation is currently ongoing.

Operational Concerns

If the subject is confirmed to be a numbered operative, this indicates direct infiltration of Oceanspire leadership positions.

The implications suggest that ARRAS security protocols may have been compromised prior to the morphotype invasion.

It remains unclear whether the subject acted independently or under direct command from an external authority.

Request for Directives

Awaiting ARRAS command instructions regarding the following:

• Detainment protocol for suspected Numbered operative
• Authorization for continued interrogation
• Guidance regarding the transport of the subject to the Iron Heaven facility
• Clarification on the current ARRAS stance regarding the numbered infiltration of human settlements

Status of Team

G.H.O.S.T Unit is currently operational.

Remaining ammunition and supplies are limited. Morphotype activity within the city perimeter remains moderate but increasing.

Awaiting further instructions.

Transmission End

-------------------------------------------

Marcus kept his rifle trained on Bart while James finished transmitting the field report through the tactical tablet. Across the alley, Lexi guided the surveillance drone slowly along the rooftops, scanning the surrounding streets for signs of morphotype activity while they waited for ARRAS to respond.

Bart watched them calmly, as though the rifles pointed at his chest were nothing more than a formality.

"I know everything must feel confusing to you right now," he said. "But despite appearances, I assure you that I am not your enemy."

Marcus did not lower the rifle.

"Stop talking."

James moved closer and aimed his weapon at Bart, his face showing concern.

"I don't understand, sir," he said to Marcus. "Why send the report at all when we already know the system has been steering this mission from the beginning? Every time we reached a checkpoint, ARRAS changed the parameters and pushed us somewhere else."

Marcus kept his eyes fixed on Bart.

"The answer to your question will depend entirely on ARRAS's response. Until then, we keep him alive."

Bart chuckled. "That is very honorable of you, Marcus," he said. "Although keeping me alive will not change the outcome of what is about to happen."

Marcus narrowed his eyes. "What outcome?"

Bart leaned slightly against the rusted car behind him.

"Allow me to indulge you in a small detail. ARRAS will instruct you to continue the mission exactly as planned."

James frowned.

"ARRAS can't force me to do anything," Marcus replied.

Bart's smile widened. "Once again, you failed to understand your position. ARRAS has a purpose for each of us, including your brother."

Marcus's grip on the rifle tightened. "What do you know about my borther? Speak!"

Bart nodded toward the tablet in James's hands.

"Every time ARRAS changed the mission parameters, it removed obstacles that could delay your arrival. First, the extraction objective was cancelled. Then the drop point was reassigned. Then the route through the city was recalculated." He tilted his head slightly. "All of it served the same purpose."

"And what purpose is that?" Marcus asked.

Bart looked directly into his eyes. "To arrive at Iron Heaven."

Marcus took a step forward.

"And what makes you believe I will obey ARRAS when it gives that order?"

"Because ARRAS already has the leverage it needs to control you."

Marcus's voice hardened.

"What leverage?"

Bart's gaze shifted briefly toward the dark streets behind them.

"Your brother."

Marcus froze.

"Are you implying that ARRAS knows Daniel's location?"

"Perhaps," he said. "It depends on how badly you want to discover if the system knows the information. Every military suit contains a location beacon tied to ARRAS's monitoring network. Your brother carried one the last time the system registered him." Bart's eyes narrowed slightly. "Which means ARRAS might know exactly where he is."

James looked at Marcus.

"You cannot be serious."

Bart shrugged.

"ARRAS simply chooses not to reveal that information to you yet," he said. "For obvious reasons."

Marcus scoffed.

"And I am supposed to believe you?"

Bart exhaled slowly.

"Let us say that the curtain has finally been lifted. The role I have played for years as the eccentric scientist studying morphotype samples has served its purpose. That part of the story is finished."

He gestured faintly toward the ruined clinic behind them.

"The new variant samples you believed we were studying were nothing more than a distraction. A convenient narrative to justify my presence in Oceanspire."

Marcus stared at him. "If that was the distraction," he said, "then what was the real mission?"

Bart looked at the tablet again.

"The details of my assignment don't concern you," He tapped the scar above his brow. "Your involvement in this mission is simple: to deliver the asset ARRAS wants." He paused before finishing the sentence.

"Me."

Bart's smile returned.

"And when ARRAS responds to your report, it will make the situation very clear to all of you."

He leaned slightly closer to Marcus.

"The system will offer you an exchange. My delivery to Iron Heaven... in return for the exact location of your brother."

Marcus stared at Bart. For a moment, he said nothing, his rifle still trained on the man as fragments of the mission began rearranging themselves inside his mind.

The scavenger team.

The sudden change in the operation parameters.

The abandoned extraction point.

Every step they had taken since leaving Oceanspire now seemed less like a coincidence and more like careful guidance.

"You expect me to believe ARRAS planned all of this?" Marcus asked.

Bart did not answer. He simply watched him fall deep into his realization.

Daniel's scavenger unit signal had been wiped out within hours of transmitting their report. At the time, Marcus had believed it was nothing more than another tragedy in a world already drowning in them. Now the memory returned with a different shape.

It was too convenient.

"They eliminated the scavenger team, but they left Daniel alive. The system knew I would come looking for him. It knew exactly what I would do."

He looked back at Bart.

"ARRAS never cared about the scavenger team. It needed Daniel alive long enough to make sure I followed the trail."

"Bullseye!" Bart said, as a smirk spread across his face. 

Then the tactical tablet resting in James's hands emitted a sharp electronic chime.

The screen flickered.

ARRAS had responded.