Field Report: The Meat Puppet Incident

EYES ONLY // LEVEL III

AFTER-ACTION REPORT
INCIDENT DESIGNATION: THE MEAT PUPPET INCIDENT

AREA OF OPERATIONS: ECHO 63
UNIT: BRAVO SQUAD
STRENGTH: 12 OPERATORS
MISSION: Conduct a combat patrol through Echo 63 and engage hostile elements encountered within the area of operations.

1. PERSONNEL ROSTER

2. CHRONOLOGICAL ACCOUNT

0310 HOURS: Bravo Squad departed patrol base and proceeded into Echo 63 to conduct its assigned combat patrol.

0332 HOURS: Bravo Squad observed a concentration of more than thirty goblins ahead of the patrol's position.

0334 HOURS: Goblin forces initiated contact. Bravo Squad returned fire. Bravo Three and Bravo Four established automatic-weapons support while Bravo Eleven engaged with his grenade launcher. Goblins advanced in irregular groups, with some using available cover and others throwing projectiles toward the squad.

0338 HOURS: Bravo Squad continued engaging the goblin force. During the ongoing firefight, operators reported movement approaching from a separate direction on the squad's flank. The approaching figures were identified as humanlike figures dressed in AWG fatigues and gear. No other AWG elements were operating within the area of operations at the time.

0341 HOURS: The humanlike figures advanced from the flank, bringing Bravo Squad under threat from multiple directions. The figures displayed humanlike proportions and wore or carried scavenged equipment resembling AWG tactical clothing and load-bearing gear. Several used hand signals resembling those employed by AWG personnel. Others vocalized recognizable fragments of AWG communications. Their spacing and movement were inconsistent. Some repeated gestures without apparent regard for nearby positions, while others collided with or obstructed fellow figures.

0343 HOURS: The humanlike hostiles opened fire from the flank while Bravo Squad was still engaging the goblins. Bravo Squad divided its fire between both hostile groups.

During the engagement, operators observed that the humanlike hostiles demonstrated significant resistance to small-arms fire and fragmentation. Multiple impacts from gunfire and shrapnel produced limited observable effects, and affected figures continued advancing or fighting after sustaining apparent hits. The degree of resistance complicated efforts to stop their advance.

Bravo Eight sustained a penetrating wound to the lower torso from an incoming projectile. He displayed severe bleeding and respiratory distress. Bravo Nine began treatment when conditions permitted, while Bravo Ten prepared a restorative working.

Bravo Four sustained a superficial fragmentation wound to the left forearm but continued supporting the automatic-weapons team.

Bravo Six, while repositioning near a fallen tree during the goblin engagement, sustained a crossbow-bolt wound to the left thigh. He applied a field dressing and remained operational until evacuation.

Bravo Eleven sustained a gunshot wound to the neck inflicted by a humanlike hostile. The wound immediately incapacitated him, preventing further operation of his grenade launcher. Bravo Nine attempted to reach him when the firing conditions permitted. Bravo Eleven's wound was determined to be fatal, and he was subsequently confirmed KIA.

0346 HOURS: Bravo Nine continued treating Bravo Eight. Bravo Ten applied a restorative working to assist in controlling the effects of the wound. Bleeding decreased, and Bravo Eight's breathing and responsiveness improved. He was stabilized pending evacuation.

0349 HOURS: Bravo Seven, the designated marksman, observed a goblin approximately forty meters away, partially concealed behind a rock. The goblin held an irregular glowing object and was chanting continuously.

0351 HOURS: Bravo Seven engaged and killed the goblin. The glowing object fell to the ground, and the chanting ceased. Following this event, Bravo Squad observed a change in the behavior of the humanlike hostiles. Several stopped advancing, others moved in different directions, and some continued isolated attacks. No further assessment of the relationship between these events was possible during the engagement.

0354 HOURS: Bravo Squad continued engaging remaining hostiles. Bravo Eleven remained incapacitated and was no longer able to participate in the fight. The squad maintained engagement against both the remaining goblins and the humanlike hostiles. The humanlike hostiles continued to demonstrate significant resistance to small-arms fire and fragmentation.

0402 HOURS: No further hostile movement was observed. Bravo Squad conducted a security sweep of the immediate area.

0408 HOURS: The squad completed its initial count of hostile casualties: thirty-six goblins KIA, including the goblin observed holding the glowing object, and twenty humanlike hostiles KIA. Total hostile casualties were fifty-six. No prisoners were taken.

0415 HOURS: Bravo Squad conducted a personnel accountability check and casualty assessment. Bravo Eleven's death was confirmed. Bravo Ten sanctified Bravo Eleven's remains and performed last rites in accordance with AWG protocol. Bravo Four, Bravo Six, and Bravo Eight were identified for medical evacuation.

0422 HOURS: Bravo Twelve transmitted an incident report and requested Task Force Garbage Men to conduct recovery and documentation of the hostile remains, scavenged AWG equipment, the irregular glowing object, and Bravo Eleven's remains.

0435 HOURS: Bravo Squad maintained perimeter security. No additional hostile contact was reported.

0450 HOURS: Medical evacuation arrived. Bravo Eight, Bravo Four, and Bravo Six were evacuated for further treatment. Bravo Eleven's remains were secured pending recovery.

0515 HOURS: Task Force Garbage Men arrived on site. The task force documented the hostile remains and scavenged equipment, secured the glowing object for examination, and received Bravo Squad's account of the engagement. Bravo Eleven's remains were transferred for recovery.

0550 HOURS: Bravo Squad completed its debrief and handed the site over to Task Force Garbage Men.

3. CASUALTY REPORT

AWG Personnel

• BRAVO ELEVEN — KIA: Fatal gunshot wound to the neck inflicted by a humanlike hostile during the flanking engagement.
• BRAVO EIGHT — WIA, CRITICAL: Penetrating lower-torso wound with severe bleeding and respiratory distress. Treated by Bravo Nine and Bravo Ten, stabilized, and evacuated.
• BRAVO FOUR — WIA: Superficial fragmentation wound to the left forearm. Continued supporting the automatic-weapons team until evacuation.
• BRAVO SIX — WIA: Crossbow-bolt wound to the left thigh sustained during the goblin engagement. Applied a field dressing and remained operational until evacuation.

Hostile Personnel

• Goblins: 36 KIA.
• Humanlike hostiles: 20 KIA.
• Total hostile casualties: 56 KIA.
• Prisoners: None.

END OF REPORT

INCIDENT DESIGNATION: THE MEAT PUPPET INCIDENT
AREA OF OPERATIONS: ECHO 63
CLASSIFICATION: EYES ONLY // LEVEL III

SEMPER IN OBSCURIS