Blacklight Protocol

The ‘Blacklight Protocol’ is the official procedure enacted when the Guild Master takes direct control over a joint operation involving the entire Guild. This only happens on matters with considerable consequences, such as huge loss of life or Alliance security, and instructs all available operatives to join the Guild Master in the field. During a ‘Blacklight’ operation, the Guild Master is authorised to use any necessary method to complete the mission including lethal force, subject to a full investigation into the operation during the aftermath.

The last ‘Blacklight Protocol’ was enacted in October 3^rd, 2008 at 03:35am. Three months earlier, a rogue scientist studying the Risen had taken up residence in the Belgium city of Hasselt. This scientist set up an illegal necromantic operation and began an experimental transformation of people into Risen. However his method was proven to be greatly flawed, as were the Risen he created, becoming mindless beasts hungry for the flesh of the living.

These creatures also carried a virus that could transform any bitten by the creatures into one of their number. This process occurred imminently after the subject’s death and every bite proved to be a fatal one.

Two Guild members where sent to investigate the rumours of illegal Risen creation and, upon discovery, the scientist violently resisted arrest. In the ensuing fire-fight the scientist and both Guild members were killed, with the creatures being accidentally released into the city. At 01:37am, the local police began to get reports of violent attacks throughout southern part of Hasselt. By 01:45am, the city hospital reported patients arriving DOA only to reanimate and attack moments later. By 02:13am the regional Guild House was contacted as the police struggled to cope. People started to panic and flee their homes, often taking with them infected family members. Luckily the local Guild Cell contained a coven of powerful sorcerers who raised a wall of magical energy around the city to stop the infected getting out, but this wall also trapped thousands of civilians inside. The situation was so dire that the then Guild Master, Hans von Habsburg, enacted ‘Blacklight Protocol’ and put into effect ‘Operation: Belgium’.

The Guild gathered at 04:56am on the outskirts of Hasselt. By then, the Belgian National Guard had arrived to provide security for the Guild’s operation and keep the ever-growing number of onlookers and reporters at bay. Von Habsburg ordered SWAT to lead the advance into the city to attract the attention of the infected, whilst members of the CID and other departments would spread out to rescue the surviving civilians. The operation began at 5:59am.

Operation: Belgium was a resounding success. SWAT burst into the city to create a beachhead in which the other departments could establish a base camp. The Guild then moved from district to district, destroying the infected and rescuing those who had managed to survive. Overall, the Guild rescued 19,357 civilians still trapped in the city and completely wiped out the infected from the streets. But Guild losses had been high, with over 100 members KIA, including Von Habsburg himself.

In the aftermath of Operation: Belgium, the members of the fighting receive special commendation from the Prime Minster of Belgium for their acts of bravery, Von Habsburg being granted The Order of Leopold posthumous. However tensions in the Risen community were high, as people sought out scapegoats for the tragedy, and some of the scars of Operation: Belgium have still not healed to this day.