In the year 2001 mankind made contact. Unfortunately not the kind
we'd hoped for. A pair of benevolent aliens, the Driathi, later listed
on UN and ISO documents as Doctors Avarban Smith and Tyadeira Jones,
presented themselves to the United Nations Security Council with a warning;
a second, inimical alien power had already begun its infiltration of Earth.
The Driathi offered their services.
The International Science Organization was established to apply and
develop the scientific and technical information from the aliens. Doctors
Smith and Jones were the original movers behind The Phantom Project,
against considerable resistance rooted in Human prejudices about genetic
engineering, but they persisted and in the end won their point. The
Security Council issued Special Classified Order #2510 suspending the
international laws and conventions regarding the manipulation of Human
DNA on behalf of the new project.
The necessary genetic material came from 'orphaned' embryos confiscated
from various fertility clinics. These were subjected to repeated DNA
resequencing and recombination, then rigorously culled for failed
permutations.
The Project eventually produced fifteen successful zygotes brought
to term in age cohorts of five over a period of three years. Effectively
a new species of Homo Sapiens the Project children were stronger, faster,
more intelligent and disease resistant than their parent stock. They
also had two extra chromosone pairs carrying genes that allowed them
to mesh with quasi-organic implants giving them powerfully enhanced senses,
strength, speed and endurance, and the extra-human ability to:
Alter or neutralizing substances entering their bodies, rendering them
effectively immune to drugs and poisons.
Regenerate damaged tissues or organs, enabling them to survive and
recover quickly from any injury that was not instantly fatal.
Record and recall data with the efficiency of a computer and link
with the quasi-organic mecha technology.
Finally, and most importantly, to channel and utilize both kinetic
and radiant energy in wind and fire forms.
Doctors Smith and Jones vanished shortly after the last age cohort
was decanted, leaving the Project in the hands of their most trusted
pupils.
The childrens' development was so rapid as to inspire fear and a serious
attempt was made in 2007 to have them destroyed. The move failed and
safegards were established to protect the childrens' lives and rights
but there remained those, including some in high places, who regarded
the Project children as potential threats to Humanity.
The Phantom Project Children
1st Cohort: (b. 6 February 2004) - Carl, Roy, Marta, Kate and Kane
2nd Cohort: (b. 16 March 2005) - Sylvie, Jilly, Chance, Anne and Jeff
3rd Cohort: (b. 22 April, 2006) - Rafe, Toby, Neal, Lynne and Bianca
The Guardians
U.N. Undersecretary of Defense, the Hon. Jean-Guiscard Vallin.
U.N. Assemblywoman, Chair of the Human Rights Oversight Committee,
the Rt. Hon. Laura de Kiriline.
ISO Deputy Director, Phoenix Project Chief, David A. Kimble, Ph.d.
Phantom Project Staff
Chief of Project: Dr. David A. Kimble
Section One: Organic Interface Technology, Mecha Design and Development
Section Head: Dr. Stephanie R. Franklin-Jones
Section Two: Biogenetic Design and Engineering
Section Head: Dr. John D. Drennan
Section Three: Education and Psychological Development
Section Head: Dr. Petra L. Noel-Bretton
1st Cohort Caregivers: Ms. Susan Cassidy
Ms. Mai Xiang
Mr. Roger Meisner
2nd Cohort Caregivers: Ms. Phina Asaka
Mr. Oscar Schaeffer
Ms. Linda Heyes
3rd Cohort Caregivers: Mr. Lee Haio
Ms. Shawna McCrae
Mr. Danny Otello
Instructional Staff: Dr. Alison B. Stone, Early Childhood Education
Dr. Bernardo Jose Ruiz, Science and Mathematics
Dr. Carola G. Krieger, Languages and Literature
Dr. Andrew Jackson Shue, History and Philososphy
Dr. Maria-Magdalena Deloria, Art and Music
Section Four: Medicine, Nutrition and Physical Development
Section Head: Dr. Lawrence Saunder Whitehead
Medical Staff: Dr. Maxwell Stern, Pediatrics
Dr. Vanna R. Danziger, Immunology
Robyn S. Ford R.N., Head Nurse
Gunther Thoresson R.N.
Padma Lum R.N.
Nutritionists: Dr. Liane A McCullough
Dr. Raj Sikkim
Physical Conditioning: Sergeant Major Gordon Prange, UNMC
Master Sergeant Kathy Dillon, UNMC
Sergeant Donald Gold, UNMC
Gymnastics: Ms. Mary-Jo Bearse
Ms. Svetlana Lekka
Martial Arts: Master Kain Doshi
Master Chiun Lung
Master Ryu Watanabe
Master Jun Watanabe
PHANTOM FORCE
Special ISO Intelligence/Operations unit created to utilize the unique
abilities of the Project children. Phantom Force specialized in infiltration
and sabotage.
Armed with first generation Mecha vehicles and weapons including the
'Phantom Cowl' an electro-magnetically charged web that, with programing
bracelet, enabled them to assume any appearance or become invisible at
will. Organized in five teams of three, each consisting of a Team Leader,
Weapons Specialist and Technical Specialist. Activated January 1 2021;
de-activated July 3 2029.
Blue Team
Blue-1, Andros: Carl, Phantom Force Commander, The Blue Phantom
Blue-2, Pandora: Sylvie, Technical Specialist
Blue-3, Daedalus: Rafe, Weapons Specialist
Gold Team
Gold-1, Pallas: Marta, The Gold Phantom
Gold-2, Oddyseus: Chance, Technical Specialist
Gold-3, Ajax: Toby, Weapons Specialist
White TeamWhite-1, Artemis: Kate, The White Phantom
White-2, Callisto: Jilly, Weapons Specialist
White-3, Maia: Bianca, Technical Specialist
Red Team
Red-1, Cronos: Roy, The Red Phantom
Red-2, Electra: Anne, Weapons Specialist
Red-3, Nysa: Lynne, Technical Specialist
Green Team
Green-1, Perseus: Kane, The Green Phantom
Green-2, Timon: Jeff, Technical Specialist
Green-3, Hercules: Neal, Weapons Specialist
FIRST WAR
Lucifor, the enemy leader, might have been either an Alien or a mutated
Human. The onset of his attack was subtle, it was sometime before the
Security Council realized the sudden outbreak of 'little wars' was actually
a concerted assault by a Lucifor controlled coalition of nations.
By 2021 the military situation was dire enough to force the premature
activation of Phantom Force. Their work, ably backed by UN Marine assualt
troops, turned the tide and the UN began to win.
Lucifor retaliated with genetically engineered plagues, and unnatural
disasters like the great California Quake.
The First War ended in the climactic battle for Lucifor's headquarters,
Gobi Center, in which he and nine out of the fifteen Phantom Force members,
lost their lives.
THE PHOENIX PROJECT
Towards the end as Lucifor lost his subject nations, and with them
his source of ready cannon fodder, enemy tactics began to change from
relatively conventional military action to terror attacks on military
targets and population centers with giant mecha beyond the weaponry
of the UN's standard forces.
The Phoenix Project was intended to address this new threat. Splicing
altered DNA unknowingly donated by Phantom Force ISO biogeneticists
created a new generation of genetically enhanced fighters implanted
with the same quasi-organic organs that gave Phantom Force their special
powers.
Phantom Force didn't learn of their childrens' existence until after
they had lost three whole teams in the Battle for Gobi Center. ISO Director
Kimble hoped the traumatized survivors would find working with their
offspring theraputic.
Parents and children instantly formed a strong attachment. The surviving
members of Phantom Force didn't want their children raised institutionally
as they had been or to see them trained for a war that might never happen.
The survivors tried to gain custody of their offspring by legal means,
but when that failed they resorted to kidnapping, with their childrens'
enthusiastic assistance.
Dr. Kimble successfully mediated an agreement whereby the Phantom
Force survivors came back to work for ISO in exchange for complete
parental control over their children.
Blue Team's Andros (under the name Carl Anderson), Sylvie Pandora
and Rafe Daedalus became ISO researchers. Red Team's Roy Cronos, Anne
Electra and Lynne Nysa organized and trained a new special forces unit,
the Red Rangers.
The Phoenix Project Children
First Cohort (b. 1 May, 2026) - Keith, Mark, Lisa, Jason and Dancer.
Second Cohort (b. 8 February, 2027) - Zack, Rook, Princess, Rand and Tiny.
Third Cohort (b. 15 November, 2027) - Scott, Nova, Lance, Hunk and Marie.
Fourth Cohort (b. 22 August 2028) - June, Dana, Lunk, Rick and Kim.
Fifth Cohort (b. 7 June 2034) - Keyop, Sammie, Ginger, Ari and Pidge.
NB: Genetic sequencing for the final cohort had been completed in early
August of 2028, just days before a Luciforan attack destroyed ISO's main
research center. The zygotes were frozen and stored, finally brought
to term in 2033 when the Phoenix Project was reactivated.
Family Groupings
Dr. Carl Anderson, Asst. Director, = Lisa, Jason, Zack and Princess.
Deputy Director, Phoenix Project After June 2034; Ari.
Chief.
Dr. Sylvie Pandora, Researcher, = June, Tiny and Lance. After
Asst. Director, Phoenix Project June 2034; Keyop and Sammie.
Section Head.
Dr. Rafe Daedalus, Researcher, = Keith, Dancer and Scott. After
Asst. Director, Phoenix Project June 2034; Ginger and Pidge.
Section Head.
Colonel Roy Cronos, C.O. the = Mark, Marie and Rick.
regiment of Red Rangers.
Major Anne Electra, battalion = Rook, Rand and Dana.
commander, the Red Rangers.
Major Lynne Nysa, battalion = Nova, Hunk, Lunk and Kim.
commander, the Red Rangers.
THE INTERBELLUM
Four years of peace followed the Battle for Gobi Center, many believed
Lucifor's death had ended the threat. ISO wasn't so sure. The two surviving
Phantom Force Teams penetrated Lucifor's Organization and discovered
the enemy was not defeated, only biding its time.
The Phoenix Project was reactivated and Phantom Force reluctantly began
preparing their children for the fight to come.
A training school was established at the Eyrie, Dr. Anderson's country
retreat and private research center. Work began on a new generation of
mecha vehicles and weapons at Dr. Daedalus' labs beneath Phoenix Mountain in the northern Rockies.
Phoenix Project Staff
Chief of Project: Dr. Carl Anderson
Deputy Chief: Dr. Sylvie Pandora
Section One: Organic Interface Technology, Mecha Design and Development
Section Head: Dr. Rafe Daedalus
Chief Engineer: Dr. Avery Coom
Section Two: Education and Psycho-Physical Development (Phoenix School)
Section Head: Dr. Petra Noel-Bretton
House Parents: Ms. Susan Cassidy
Ms. Mai Xiang
Mr. Oscar Schaeffer
Ms. Linda Heyes
Mr. Danny Otello
Combat Training: Colonel Roy Cronos, Chief Instructor
Major Anne Electra, Vehicles and Weapons
Major Lynne Nysa, Combat Intelligence
Sergeant Major Gordon Prange, UNMC (ret.), Hand to Hand
Master Ryu Watanabe, Martial Arts and Disciplines
Master Jun Watanabe, Martial Arts and Disciplines
Section Three: Medical
Section Head: Dr. Maxwell Stern
Head Nurse: Padma Lum R.N.
PHOENIX FORCE
Team Alpha
A1 The Eagle: Mark Cronos, Alpha Leader and Phoenix Force Commander
A2 The Condor: Jason Anderson, Weapons Officer
A3 The Dove: June Pandora, Technical Officer First
A4 The Swallow: Keyop Pandora, Technical Officer Second
A5 The Horned Owl: Tiny Pandora, Pilot of Phoenix One
Team Beta
B1 The Falcon: Lisa Anderson, Beta Leader
B2 The Sparrowhawk: Rick Cronos, Weapons Officer
B3 The Ibis: Zack Anderson, Technical Officer First
B4 The Starling: Sammie Pandora, Technical Officer Second
B5 The Lark: Kim Nysa, Pilot of Phoenix Two
Team Gamma
G1 The Gyrfalcon: Keith Daedalus, Gamma Leader
G2 The Crow: Lance Pandora, Weapons Officer
G3 The Swan: Princess Anderson, Technical Officer First
G4 The Magpie: Pidge Daedalus, Technical Officer Two
G5 The Osprey: Hunk Nysa, Pilot of Phoenix Three
Team Delta
D1 The Harrier Hawk: Scott Daedalus, Delta Leader
D2 The Raven: Rook Electra, Weapons Officer
D3 The Woodpecker: Rand Electra, Technical Officer One
D4 The Hummingbird: Ginger Daedalus, Technical Officer Two
D5 The Cormorant: Lunk Nysa, Pilot of Phoenix Four
Team Epsilon
E1 The Nightingale: Marie Cronos, Epsilon Leader
E2 The Gull: Dana Electra, Weapons Officer
E3 The Mockingbird: Dancer Daedalus, Technical Officer One
E4 The Swift: Ari Anderson, Technical Officer Second
E5 The Kestrel: Nova Nysa, Pilot of Phoenix Five
