EXPLORE THE WORLD OF WATCHERS!!
With a history steeped in mystery, the high tech city of New Phoenix is one of cutting-edge technology and innovation. Having a current population of nearly four million, it's home to over half a dozen tech firms, most notably the juggernaut Trikon Industries and their long-time rival, Imperium Technology. New Phoenix was originally founded under the ancient name Pergamos. Although the meaning behind this remains uncertain, New Phoenix was established in the late 1970’s and sprung up virtually overnight. The original architects of the city also built an elaborate underground system unknown to most early and current residents.
The underbelly of New Phoenix is one heavily infested by crime and fortified by a thriving black market. Contraband and dangerous technology are frequently traded within the confines of the city, as well as outside. This history of criminal activity goes back to the influence of legendary crime boss Maximilian Antipas - a wealthy, Italian immigrant who controlled New Phoenix for decades until his death seven years ago. Dark undercurrents from the Antipas criminal network remain as strong today, if not stronger, than when Max was alive.
The vast majority of New Phoenix’s population are completely unaware that a criminal underworld continues to maintain such strong control over the city, even over law enforcement. New Phoenix remains a citadel of modern industry and corporate influence with a diverse population and thriving economy.
NEW PHOENIX
THE TECHNOLOGY
THE EYE
The Eye is a multi-purpose drone used to track and monitor the criminal underworld of New Phoenix. Designed to appear identical to the Mark II 'ghost' drones in order the blend in, the Eye has a metallic exterior and a spherical shape. Multiple cameras are built into the drone on front and back, as well as internal relays equipped to track a multitude of wireless transmissions to their points of origin. The advanced drone also possesses offensive and defensive capabilities, including hidden, extendable side turrets with laser firing, starburst lights, EMP (electro-magnetic pulse) deployment and electronic signal jammers. The Eye is able to engage enemy drones in battle, and is superior to both the Mark II and Mark IV models in many ways. However, the computer-controlled drones pose the greatest threat to the Eye, especially when it's outnumbered.
Mark II (Ghosts)
An earlier model, the Mark II drones are utilized by the underground primarily for surveillance over the city of New Phoenix, especially during the night hours. Designed with an attractive, spherical shape in order to appear non-threatening, the Mark II drones have a singular front camera in which live-streaming footage is recorded. They also possess the ability for thermal imaging and can see through most solid walls, able to listen in on multiple conversations at once. These drones were used exclusively until the implementation of the Mark IV model. Their lack of defensive capabilities on the Mark II drones, unlike later models, has made them rapidly obsolete.
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Mark IV (Ravagers)
More advanced than the previous surveillance models, the Mark IV drones possess all the same capabilities and more. Slightly larger in shape and more menacing in appearance, they have built-in weaponry, including rotating, laser-firing turrets on either side. Designed with armor-plated exteriors, these drones are also faster, able to maneuver in ways the Mark I and II models could not. When in close range to a human for an extended period, the Mark IV is able to elicit an electronic vibration that can disrupt heart rhythms, leading to cardiac arrest.
In addition, the Mark IV drones were also created with the capability for complete autonomous computer control. Once fully-activated, the need for a human operator is completely alleviated. Designed to remain in the air for longer, the Mark IV is able to function for four hours at a time before needing to be recharged. They are superior machines, secretly posing a threat to the people of New Phoenix.
Mark V
Quiet, fast and stealthy, the Mark V is superior to all drones before it. Robotic and computer-controlled, they're larger and more complex in nature. The Mark V contains multiple built-in cameras and an advanced internal system, as well as being armed with multiple, revolving, laser-firing turrets. In addition, they're programmed to perform a multitude of simultaneous functions with little to no delay. These advanced drones are capable of extended periods of operation, performing surveillance, long and short-range tracking, and initiating both offensive and defensive maneuvers. They’re also able to connect to the Catalyst structure stationed atop Trikon Industries as part of the Cyclone project. Expensive to manufacture, The Mark V machines are soon-to-be-commissioned as the ultimate, weaponized drones in the skies over New Phoenix.
The Catalyst
The brainchild of Elias Centrell and Phillip Thorne, the Catalyst was produced in secret by Trikon Industries for their collaborative Cyclone project. The construct is a ten foot tall metallic obelisk designed to transmit dangerous wireless signals throughout New Phoenix. Utilizing a tremendous amount of power and functioning similar to a stingray, the Catalyst intercepts an unlimited amount of transmissions from local electronic devices, collecting unauthorized personal information from users without their knowledge. The vast amount of data feeds into a giant virtual matrix based at Trikon, gaining greater control over the citizens of New Phoenix. Virtually indestructible, the Catalyst is stationed on top of the Trikon tower and protected by drones on a 24 hour, rotational basis.
Stryker 3000
One of the most powerful and dangerous weapons produced by the Antipas criminal underworld, the Stryker is manufactured and sold on the black market to foreign buyers. Constructed of a titanium exterior and a silicon core, the gun's capable of great destruction. The Stryker has an advanced, electronic laser sight and it designed for both short and long range operation. Silent in function, it fires a plasma-like blast upon which, when hitting its target, triggers an explosion capable of complete obliteration, even from as far as two hundred feet away.
Apex Razor
Sleek and compact in design, the Apex gun is relatively lightweight and easy to conceal. Constructed of steel with a built-in computerized module , this powerful weapon emits a high intensity laser capable of slicing through solid objects. Created by Antipas, the Apex Razor is a popular weapon sold on the black market to both foreign and domestic buyers. Variant models of the weapon, firing conventional bullets, are used by Antipas operatives within New Phoenix.
Pulse Blaster
Utilized by Kyle Jordan's covert team, the Pulse Blaster is a short-range, non-lethal instrument designed for usage in their fight against the Antipas criminal network. The blasters are similar in size to a standard handgun and contain multiple settings for either laser or electrical emissions. The pulse emissions are utilized primarily to disable or destroy enemy drones. The charges of electricity are capable of rendering a person unconscious for up to a few minutes at a time without causing any permanent damage. Pulse blaster electrical discharges have a maximum firing range of up to forty feet, while the lasers can extend up to twice that.
THE CHARACTERS
KYLE JORDAN
Code named Phoenix, Kyle Jordan is the leader of the covert group attempting to rid New Phoenix from criminal control. Born Daryl Conners, Kyle was a geologist until an assassination attempt by a clandestine group forced him to go underground.
Deciding to remain ‘dead’ to protect his wife and daughter, Kyle met and was trained by ex-CIA agent Michael Jennings, code name Sabre. Some years later, he relocated to New Phoenix, where he met Neil Drennon (Drex), Justin Blackburn (Cyber), and Megan Gehris (Viper). Befriending paranormal investigator Josh Blair in a nearby city, Kyle was also involved in the takedown of the cult-like group The Order through the destruction of their remote mountain base.
Kyle is fifty years old, although he looks younger. Committed completely to his current mission of destroying the Antipas underground in New Phoenix, Kyle keeps a low public profile. He is highly-skilled, trained in telecommunications, electronics, surveillance, infiltration and hand to hand combat.
MITCH PRESTON
Successful twenty-nine year old architect Mitch Preston is a native to New Phoenix. Born into an upper class family, Mitch is the oldest of two brothers and one sister. During his formative years, he took an interest in his father's architecture work. Majoring in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in business, Mitch attended the University of New Phoenix, where he met and dated journalism major Tamara Scott. Following graduation, Mitch went on to work for his father's firm for several years before becoming an independent contractor. Never married, Mitch enjoys the bachelor lifestyle and the social scene of New Phoenix.
After witnessing the brutal murder of his best friend Tony, Mitch's life changed dramatically. Unable to make peace with the traumatic experience, Mitch hired a private investigator to find answers. When this proved unfruitful, he dedicated himself to finding his friends' killer and bring them to justice. Mitch soon discovered there’s more to New Phoenix than he previously knew. Learning of the mysterious history of the city, Mitch contacted his ex-girlfriend Tamara Scott, now a crime reporter for the respectable New Phoenix Journal. Though determined and singularly-focused, Mitch’s reckless and impulsive nature often lead him into dangerous places as he seeks to uncover the truth of the dark, crime-infested underworld of New Phoenix.
TAMARA SCOTT
Twenty-eight year old Tamara Scott is an investigative journalist for the New Phoenix Journal. She's a native to the city, having lived there her entire life and growing up in an upper-middle class family. The youngest of three children, Tamara cultivated a desire for journalism while writing for her high school paper and attended the University of New Phoenix on a scholarship. It was there where she met Mitch Preston during her sophomore year, and the two dated for a year. Following graduation, Tamara worked for a local magazine, where she cut her teeth before being hired by the Journal, the most reputable paper in the city.
Promoted to Senior Crime Reporter two years ago, Tamara's popularity quickly grew, gaining citywide recognition and respect. A highly-driven personality type, she lives for her job, often sacrificing her personal life for her professional goals. Tamara has never been married, as her relationships take a back seat to her work. She is extremely resourceful at finding information and maintaining relationships with confidential sources. Due to her attractive physical appearance and outgoing personality, Tamara is very effective at obtaining interviews as well as male attention, even those of high-ranking city officials. Tamara is straight-forward and is brutally honest, sometimes to a fault.
ELIAS CENTRELL
Elias Centrell is the powerful, thirty-seven year old leader of the secret criminal organization controlling the city of New Phoenix from underground. Intelligent, charismatic, methodical, ruthless and calculating, Elias was trained by his mentor - legendary crime boss Maximilian Antipas. Orphaned as a young child, Elias was adopted by Antipas when he was nine and grew up solely under Max’s influence.
When Max died seven years ago, Elias inherited his mantle as head of the criminal network, establishing himself as a powerful figure in the dark underworld of New Phoenix. Proven to be cold and calculating in his leadership, Centrell is feared by many. Locally, Elias maintains a mutually-beneficial, though private, partnership with Philip Thorne, CEO of Trikon Industries. Elias is the driving force behind many of the dangerous, hi-tech weapons produced and sold within New Phoenix and is also thought to control local law enforcement, just as Antipas did for many years before him.
Elias has an uneasy relationship with Max’s estranged son, Lucien Delmar, who resides in Europe and has been resilient in his efforts to involve himself in the organization. Elias Centrell is the father to a seven year old, autistic boy named Austin, though not much is known about the child or his mother. Socially, Elias has a reputation for being a womanizer, enhanced by his secret involvement with a private gentlemen’s club in New Phoenix called Euphoria. Able to possess any woman he desires, Elias has few, if any, true friends. His most trusted man is Tyson, head of counter intelligence for the criminal organization. Possessing power, wealth and influence, Elias Centrell is not to be underestimated.
WATCHERS GLOSSARY
Antipas - A generic term used for the underground criminal organization controlling New Phoenix. Named after infamous crime boss, Max Antipas.
Catacombs - An elaborate, subterranean system beneath New Phoenix utilized as the base of operations by the Antipas criminal organization.
Catalyst, The - An advanced, monolithic construct stationed atop Trikon Industies as part of the Cyclone Project.
Cyber - Code name of Justin Blackburn.
Cyclone - A secret project and collaboration between Trikon Industries CEO Phillip Thorne and Elias Centrell, created to gain complete technological control over New Phoenix.
Neil Drennon - Ex-military member of Kyle Jordan’s team and best friend.
Drex - Code name of Neil Drennon.
Emperium Technology - Large New Phoenix tech firm and rival corporation to Trikon Industries.
Eye, The - The drone utilized by Kyle Jordan covert team for tracking and surveillance around New Phoenix.
Ghosts - Name given by Kyle Jordan and his team to the Mark II surveillance drones controlled by Antipas.
Justin Blackburn - Expert hacker, cryptographer and member of Kyle Jordan’s covert team.
Lucien Delmar - The biological son of former crime leader Max Antipas.
Malachi - The pastor of Christ Church in New Phoenix and ally of Kyle Jordan’s covert team.
Max (Maximilian) Antipas - Former leader of the mafia-like criminal organization who died seven years ago and was succeeded by Elias Centrell.
Megan Gehris - The youngest member of Kyle Jordan’s covert team.
Mercury - Black market weapons expert and trader for the Antipas criminal organization.
New Phoenix - A large, innovative city with a dark, mysterious history and enigmatic origin which is controlled by an underground criminal network.
Phase 3 - Third stage of the drone implementation by the Antipas criminal network facilitated by the transition to computerized autonomous controlled machines.
Phase 4 - Final stage in the Antipas drone takeover of the city of New Phoenix.
Phoenix - Code name of covert team leader Kyle Jordan.
Pulse Blaster - Non-lethal instruments utilized by Kyle Jordan and his team.
Ravagers - Name given by Kyle Jordan’s team for the weaponized Mark IV drones controlled by Antipas.
Sectors - Areas of the city broken down by Kyle Jordan and his covert team.
Sentinel - A large, humanoid cyborg created by Trikon Industries as a prototype.
Thorne, Phillip - The CEO of Trikon Industries and secret partner of criminal leader Elias Centrell.
Trikon Industries - The most powerful corporation and technology hardware firm within New Phoenix.
Tronix - A group of young hackers and friends of Justin Blackburn who frequently serve as sources of information.
Tyson - Elias Centrell’s right hand man and the head of counter intelligence for the Antipas criminal network.
Viper - Code name of Megan Gehris.
