I: Panama Memorandum

TO:
CIA DIR. M. RENOIT

FROM:
N. WOLFF

DATE:
JANUARY 30^th, 2043

RE:
PANAMA – MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

The CIA’s alliance with the Non-Patriated Vessel Exodus has already yielded results. On December 15 at 2330, the Exodus intercepted a transmission from an asset claiming to have a lead on No-Pat terrorist "Oz". 

British Intelligence identified the speaker: Charlie Crawford, the former MI6 operative who led a double life as an arms dealer for the Dark Market. He’d been missing since June 3 2041 when the shadow syndicate liberated him from MI6 custody. 

Non-Patriated Specialist Lis verified Crawford’s connection to Black Ridge – turns out our man led the op himself. That made Crawford our primary target.

We traced the transmission to Panama. Specifically, the STG Ceres, the stranded ocean freighter turned Dark Market operations hub in the middle of Gatun Lake, where the Canal once flowed. 

"Oz" would answer for the war he started in Doha. We set sail for Panama.

Provided here is our Crawford Profile, a Summary on the Dark Market, and the After Action Report on Operation: WILDCARD.

Signed,

SOO Wolff

Non-Patriated Counter Terrorism Unit

II: Crawford Profile

CRAWFORD, CHARLIE

Citizen: United Kingdom
Weight: 220lbs
Height: 6ft, 1in
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Black

Birthdate: August 1^st, 2002 (Age 40)
Marital Status: Unmarried
Languages: English
Military Service: MI6 (17 years)

Born in London 2002 to James and Sophie Crawford, Charlie Crawford was the youngest of three. His parents were both civil servants, with James a rising star as General Secretary within the UK’s largest trade union. 

It all fell apart in 2012, when James died of a heart attack. Charlie and family moved in with his father’s uncle, Martin Crawford, a business magnate in North East England – and a known figurehead in the local criminal underworld. His great-uncle taught him everything he knew about guns, grand theft, and business. While Crawford was graduating 1^st class honors in Political Science at Manchester, he was also stealing farming equipment for his great-uncle’s enterprises.

In 2024, he joined M16. To the surprise of no one in hindsight, he was a natural at enemy infiltration and deep cover ops. He used his position to help the family business abroad.

Crawford’s ambitions only grew. In 2035, he infiltrated the Dark Market and manipulated an op to his benefit. He tossed MI6 a few low-level affiliates while protecting the true target – the Dark Market Council. As a show of appreciation, the Council offered him the chance to join their organization. He became one of their premier arms dealers and created the “Dark Market Vault,” a business specializing in the sale of vintage weapons from bygone wars and conflicts as far back as WW2. 

His double life eventually caught up with him. In June 2041, he was baited into a trap by MI6 and arrested. While en route to holding, his prison convoy was attacked by the Dark Market. They took him underground and he went dark for the next eighteen months – until Black Ridge.

Charlie Crawford, pictured here at a Dark Market Vault warehouse meeting prospective buyers. Image captured by MI6 deep cover operative.

III: The Dark Market – Summary Report

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

What we have learned about the Dark Market comes almost entirely from firsthand accounts. No paper trail. No surveillance. No leaks. They’ve amassed a loyal network of customers who swear allegiance and silence. To speak out is to risk professional – and literal – termination. 

BACKGROUND

The Dark Market rose to prominence during the 2030s as Europe collapsed, but their ascension to international empire occurred during the 2040 Blackout. 

As a neutral third party with a non-satellite reliant communication network, they became the de facto organization for the purchase of all illicit goods and services, including weapons, military equipment, intelligence, and soldiers. 

They are led by The Council, three Non-Patriated individuals: 

1. The Jaguar, who controls weapons trafficking
2. The Sparrow, who oversees intelligence trading
3. The Dragon, who supervises the sale of armies and mercenaries 

Their true identities remain shrouded in secrecy. 

In our current war, our enemy uses them – and so do we. It is hard to stomach, but we suspect our own armies have relied upon their services from time to time. Desperation is the nemesis of decency. 

PURPOSE

We believe the Dark Market to be a vindictive organization. Their Non-Patriated Council seeks revenge against the world powers they believe exploited and abandoned them when their countries collapsed. 

They repurpose intel to sow disorder within governments and pit desperate nations into proxy wars against each other, supporting each side as conflict escalates – all while wringing out the maximum amount of profit.

They also have their own private militia, known as the Liquidators, who most recently took part in the assault on Black Ridge. Their true military strength is unknown. 

Hopefully this stresses the risk posed to the United States if the Dark Market is supporting "Oz".

IV: After Action Report -
Operation: Wildcard

SUMMARY

The purpose of CIA Operation: WILDCARD was to secure HVT Charlie Crawford. It was to be executed in tandem with US Forces’ Operation: DRYDOCK, the proportionate response to the Dark Market’s assault on Black Ridge. 

On January 25 at 1400 Fireteam Exodus infiltrated the Ceres posing as plainclothes weapons buyers. For this mission, Fireteam Exodus included NP Specialists Angel, Falck, Mackay, Boris, Paik, and Dozer acting under the command of Special Operations Officer Noah Wolff.

Recovered CCTV footage from STG Ceres identifying HVT Charlie Crawford.

EVENTS TIMELINE

25 JAN

1030:
MFS-04 Exodus reaches the Panama coast. A known No Man’s Sea, the Exodus quickly comes under fire from several hostile marauder vessels. 

1115:
An unexpected ally arrives: the Impávido, formerly of the Spanish Navy. Outgunned, the enemy disperses. NP Acting Captain Blasco makes contact and warns Enemy Forces have mobilized in the area. They believed the US was attempting to seize control of the region, something they could not allow.

1235:
The Exodus reaches port. The Fireteam proceeds on foot to STG Ceres.

1400:
The Fireteam meets with the Dark Market Broker in the Ceres showroom. Their cover is compromised and a firefight breaks out with the Dark Market Liquidators. 

1410:
Operation: Drydock begins. US Forces converge upon Gatun Lake.

1415:
Crawford comes to the Fireteam’s aid. The Liquidators are neutralized, but the Broker manages to evade capture. With the battle quickly engulfing the Ceres, Crawford secures a hovercraft for extraction.

1600:
The Fireteam returns to Exodus with Crawford in their custody. The vessel departs to safer waters.

SOO WOLFF NOTES

I visited the Exodus upon Crawford’s arrival and led the interrogation. With his involvement at Black Ridge, he could corroborate what we already suspected: "Oz" is building a weapon using the Shearwater technology. 

In fact, Crawford was suspicious enough he encoded tracking software into the Shearwater package en route to "Oz". Wherever the package goes, we can track it – with Crawford’s assistance.

While I believe Crawford is telling the truth, we’d be wise to question his motives. He was more prisoner than guest on the Ceres; he was desperate to escape by any means necessary. 

That said, he’s our best lead to finding "Oz". He’s been given quarters, but we’re watching him. Closely. 

If he’s lying to us, I’ll personally see to it his body’s dumped overboard.

SOO Wolff

Non-Patriated Counter Terrorism Unit