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Comminatory Lifeform Elimination Faction
C.L.E.F., otherwise known as the Comminatory Lifeform Elimination Faction, is a subdivision of the M.E.G. that is dedicated to covertly diminishing threats to various M.E.G. bases to allow the organisation to develop without significant personnel loss. While only recently founded in March 2004- after the fall of Base Vox in Level 9 in February - its forces are powerful due to it being a faction of the M.E.G.. However, even with the power that it holds, it is strictly classified due to the overlooming threat of alliances dissolving if C.L.E.F.'s existence was announced to the public. It also remains as such to prepare for such a threat by taking the attacking colony by surprise.
Due to the fact that C.L.E.F. operates in concealment, it differs from most Groups and Factions. Instead of having set bases, they are ubiquitous in every base belonging to the M.E.G., albeit undercover as regular agents; while not covert, they remain nomadic in groups of approximately a dozen people, which are commonly referred to by members of C.L.E.F. as Stanzas. Due to their extensiveness, hierarchy and meetings are much trickier to manage and organise, hence many smaller assemblies are utilised to spread information amongst their ranks and across various bases, disguised as typical M.E.G. gatherings. These are sometimes known as Orchestras, though they don't have a definite name. At times when such an assembly cannot be formed, private online meetings and chatrooms are used to convey information, especially on a larger scale.
Although they do not have a "main base", C.L.E.F.'s operations are generally centralised in a M.E.G. base in Level 10, which is sometimes referred to as Base Tactus. If available to it, the faction will host bigger meetings within this settlement, where highly-ranked members of C.L.E.F. will discuss recent developments pertaining to safety and other important matters, before hosting Orchestras of their own to spread whatever information is important.
C.L.E.F.'s history is brief as of now as a result of its recent formation. After Level 9's Base Vox fell due to the effects of Procul Lumina, Vox's base leader- Albert Victor- interrupted a M.E.G. meeting in Level 10 in order to solemnly recall how it fell. He gained the position of head of C.L.E.F. after explicating the concept of a task force that would stop anything like what occurred from happening to the Major Explorer Group ever again. However, Victor suggested creating C.L.E.F. as a secret organisation, due to the advantages that doing so would bring. Not even other base leaders know of its existence, because if they were to find out, the faction's layer of secrecy would break.
From there, Victor swiftly built up his forces across a few months and- as of July- leads C.L.E.F. with guidance from the Impresarios in Base Tactus. As of now, the faction have swiftly managed to eliminate 20 minor threats, and have carried out experiments on a small range of entities, including Tunnelis Callidus and Vulpes Lumina.
C.L.E.F. has three main branches, sometimes referred to as Opuses. Each section of this trinity works with the others to achieve the faction's main objective.
Elimination
The Elimination Opus primarily focuses on the extraneous neutralisation of entities for multitudinous reasons. Some of these include facilitating base migration or creation and aiding the escortation of authoritative personnel. Members of the Opus are not typically found at a M.E.G. base, but instead part of a Stanza, and conduct independently to normal base procedures; those within this branch are usually veterans and are extremely adept and knowledgeable regarding entities.
Extenuation
The Extenuation Opus organises the internal protection of M.E.G. bases and outposts. It is inclined to deal with entity raids, colony attacks, and other complicated threats that prove harmful to settlements. Members of the branch are extremely capable and strategic veterans, while also experts at remaining covert, as most are disguised as usual M.E.G. agents scattered across bases.
Experimentation
The Experimentation Opus researches, documents, and enlightens others in C.L.E.F. about developments or dangers pertaining to entities or levels. Members are usually isolated from the M.E.G. in special outposts to complete their work, and are, thus, experts at surviving and are erudite at researching and about the Backrooms overall.
A fourth Opus exists, called the Execution Opus, and they are a small council in charge of C.L.E.F.'s administration. They typically gather in Level 10 to host the aforementioned meetings.
C.L.E.F. follows a somewhat loose hierarchy when descending below highly-ranked individuals. The different levels are as follows:
Chairperson of C.L.E.F.
Belonging to Albert Victor, this position is the highest within C.L.E.F.. The person with this rank has the responsibility of overseeing the entirety of the faction, as well as hosting meetings with high-ranked personnel. In the M.E.G. as a whole, Victor has the position equivalent to a Head of Division, which is technically what he is.
Head of Opus
Belonging to three seperate individuals- all of whom are trusted by Victor and have experienced the fall of Base Vox- this role is extremely powerful. A Head of Opus can utilise the entirety of their branch at their will, but has a responsibility to uphold it, lest they be removed from their position for abusing their power.
Lead Orchestral Council
The Lead Orchestral Council denotes a gathering of 21 people that- as a whole- oversee C.L.E.F. and its Opuses. These members are only overshadowed by the two aforementioned ranks. These members have control over decisions of high importance, and they discuss it in covert monthly meetings.
After this point, the hierarchy begins to break down, as there is no definitive order. However, many within C.L.E.F. utilise ranks such as "Operative" and "Orchestral Council Conductor" for middle-ranked and lower-ranked personnel.
> Open Logs?
Log EL-1 []
>> Log Begins. <<
>> Location: Level 9. <<
>> Date: 04/07/2004. Time: 23:00. <<
> A C.L.E.F. Extermination Stanza trudges through Level 9. <
> All is silent, bar the slight footsteps of the Stanza, and the whispered orders that are occasionally given. <
Stanza Captain Mike: Alright, Stanza, fall in.
Stanza Operative Sierra: Nothing nearby. We should be good to rest for a while.
> The Stanza enters a house, before blocking the doors and the windows with the myriad furniture from nearby buildings. <
> They stop whispering. <
Stanza Operative Mike: Who's going on watch first?
> One of the Operatives sighs deeply. <
Stanza Operative Romeo: I guess that I can do it.
Stanza Operative Sierra: I'll stay up with him.
Stanza Operative Romeo: I would prefer you do not do that.
Stanza Operative Sierra: Who knows what could happen?
Stanza Operative Romeo: Exactly. Sleep while you can, so that you won't make a mistake and get yourself killed.
Stanza Operative Sierra: ...Fine.
Stanza Captain Mike: Try to get to sleep. Romeo, wake me up in a few hours.
Stanza Operative Romeo: Yes, Sir.
Log EL-2 []
>> Log Begins. <<
>> Location: Level 9. <<
>> Date: 05/07/2004. Time: 12:00. <<
> The C.L.E.F. Stanza continue their trek through Level 9. They whisper while continuing. <
Stanza Captain Mike: Alright, we're all OK so far. No casualties yet.
Stanza Operative Sierra: That's good. It seems like we've played our cards right yet again.
Stanza Operative Romeo: The M.E.G. always seem to get out of every situation they've been lumped into, hm?
Stanza Operative Gramma: Agreed. We've also been having issues with a certain parasite, but as of now we're fine.
Stanza Captain Mike: I've heard about it. I would have participated in its research if I hadn't formed this amazing team. It's really fascinating.
Stanza Operative Gramma: We've gathered a few documents pertaining its nature, I'm sure that I'll be allowed to lend them to you if you desire.
Stanza Captain Mike: I'm sure that Operative Romeo can organise some documents about Procul Lumina.
Stanza Operative Romeo: Mike, if you put me on document duty one more time, I will completely lose my will to live.
> They arrive at their destination after a few hours of walking: a large copse, plagued with blurs of achromaticity and darkness. <
> A sickly stress settles within the souls of the team, as they know that they have found what they were looking for after observing ten extremely bright lights nearby. <
Stanza Operative Sierra: Procul Lumina.
Stanza Operative Romeo: No shit, Sherlock.
Stanza Captain Mike: Alright, quieten down. We have to try and ambush it. Remember the plan?
Stanza Operative Romeo: Yeah, yeah. Get in there, pray that we kill it, and bring it to Level 10. What's the worst that can happ-
Stanza Operative Gramma: Bad news, there seems to be another instance.
Stanza Operative Romeo: Shit. I shouldn't have said anything.
Stanza Captain Mike: Alright. Change of plan: we're splitting into two groups. Romeo, you have 20 people, and I can have the other 20. We'll lead one of the entities away so that you can kill the other.
Stanza Operative Romeo: Fine, let's get on with this.
> The fight begins. Captain Mike and his half begin to lure a Procul Lumina away. It releases a scream and begins to follow. <
Stanza Operative Romeo: Sierra, you're with me.
> They face the other Procul Lumina. Its numerous eyes shimmer malevolently in the darkness. <
Stanza Operative Sierra: Night vision goggles are on. Everyone, get your Rifles and shoot this bitch!
> Bangs ring out. The enemy releases a screech before advancing. <
Stanza Operative Romeo: Retreat! Retreat! Keep firing and lure it into the space behind us.
> Cracks echo. Those too slow are crushed and swallowed. <
Stanza Operative Romeo: Fuck it. Sierra, throw something to stun it. I'm going to ride this beast.
Stanza Operative Sierra: Romeo, don't be too careless!
> Operative Sierra hurtles a grenade at the Procul Lumina, and it writhes in agony upon its ignition. <
> Operative Romeo darts towards the entity and climbs upon its leg as it is stunned. <
Stanza Operative Sierra: Keep shooting! Give Romeo enough time to kill this fucker!
> Operative Sierra crosses her fingers and hopes for the best. <
Stanza Operative Romeo: I'm almost there Sierra! Keep your men firing!
> The entity screeches and attempts to fling Operative Romeo off of it. <
> Operative Romeo climbs onto the thing's torso. It attacks him with its appendages, but the constant firing hinders it. <
Stanza Operative Romeo: You- my friend- are about to die. Any last words?
> The Procul Lumina screeches, before Operative Romeo slits the vessels on its neck. A deep, black blood oozes from it, burning his right arm. <
Stanza Operative Romeo: Ouch, fuck. That shit hurts!
> The entity crashes to the ground, Operative Romeo with it. He tries to make his landing somewhat graceful, but fails. <
Stanza Operative Romeo: Ta-da!
> He swiftly falls unconscious. <
Afterword []
With few casualties, the mission was considered a success. An instance of Procul Lumina was neutralised, and it has been brought to Level 10 for research.
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Extermination Gatherings
ㅤ Mike Hamner <mikehamner@backmail.clef>
ㅤ To: Albert Victor (C.L.E.F.)
ㅤ Cc: Gary (M.E.G.)
Victor,
We have a dead, preserved specimen of Procul Lumina; it is currently being relocated to Level 10. This could be groundbreaking.
Our estimated time of arrival is the 10th, four days from now. It should be swiftly researched, lest we lose this chance to do so.
Mike.
Re: Extermination Gatherings
ㅤ Albert Victor <albertvictor@backmail.meg>
ㅤ To: Mike Hamner (C.L.E.F.)
ㅤ Cc: Gary (M.E.G.)
Mike.
Get here as fast as you can. It seems like we have a lot of work to do.
Grab Operatives Romeo and Sierra, and meet me in my office as soon as you get back. Equis and I will run the research, but I think it would be good if you were to join us.
When you get here, give me the log too. I'll upload it to the database.
Albert.
From: Mike Hamner <mikehamner@backmail.clef>
Sent: Friday, July 6, 2004, 2:30 p.m.
To: Albert Victor (C.L.E.F.)
Cc: Gary (M.E.G.)
Subject: Extermination Gatherings
Victor,
We have a dead, preserved specimen of Procul Lumina; it is currently being relocated to Level 10. This could be groundbreaking.
Our estimated time of arrival is the 10th, four days from now. It should be swiftly researched, lest we lose this chance to do so.
Mike.
A voice echoes in the distance.
Soliloquy I[]
Victor's office remains rooted a few minutes in the distance, as it always has been.
The door itself is still a flawlessly maroon interlude.
Its handle, barely visible from this distance, is the same old metal, shimmering in the warm sunlight of Level 10.
The building still holds up well, its concrete walls still reinforce his pristine office.
The vivid wheat continues to dance in the wind.
Everything feels so... stable, calm, unchanging.
But not me. No.
A restraining feeling of grief chains me to this organisation.
As Samuel Equis, Head of the Experimentation Opus, I feel inclined to do my duty.
And I have been. Most of it has been mundane: creating documents on typical entities and the like.
But when Albert called me, five minutes ago, he felt ecstatic. I worry for what he has to show me.
He's usually serious, earnest, as one would expect from being imprisoned within the cage that is responsibility.
...
What if my fears are correct? I don't want anything to do with that thing again. Hell, I almost quit the M.E.G. because of what happened to us.
I would have if Albert hadn't recruited me for his little faction.
I feel afraid. I will never admit it to the others, but I don't want to look down at its nauseating body and think about...
No.
I should just enter.
"Equis! Take a seat, we have something important to discuss."
Albert Victor is positioned on a comfortable swivel chair. His beige desk sits perfectly in front of Samuel Equis.
"Yes, good morning, Albert."
Samuel sits opposite the head of C.L.E.F., trying to remain neutral.
"As you know already, we've sent an extermination team out to Level 9."
Albert continues.
"There was a group of approximately 50 personnel, highly trained in combat and ready to face our greatest enemy..."
Samuel's solemnity slips momentarily, displaying his dismay at the mention of the entity's name, unbeknownst to Albert.
"Ok, so? We haven't had any luck with exterminating them before. What happened?"
Albert grins at Samuel.
"We've managed to kill one of those fuckers, and it's on its way here!"
"We actually have the opportunity to find out more about those things!"
His face falls slightly at Samuel's neutrality.
"This is incredible! We can save so many lives now that we can research one of those shits!"
Albert grabs Samuel's shoulders and regains his smile.
"And you will be the one to run it! You will practically be a hero!"
Albert stands up and turns around to find the keys to one of the meeting rooms.
"No."
Samuel stands up, and Albert faces him again, shock and displeasure in his eyes.
"I will have nothing to do with those things ever again."
Albert stares Samuel down.
"And why is that? You are in charge of researching entities here, after all."
Samuel glares back at Albert.
"I don't have to say shit. I want to have nothing to do with those pests."
"Do you want me to remove you from your position, Equis? I have the power to do so."
"Do your worst."
Samuel goes towards the door.
"So you're just going to let them kill hundreds of helpless people, then?"
Samuel's hand begins to tremble as he is about to grip the door handle.
"I'm disappointed, Equis. You saw Vox fall. You saw our men die. They'd be disgusted at you."
Samuel wrenches around.
"You take that fucking back, Victor."
"I'm not wrong, Equis. You know full well that I'm in the right. You're being a coward."
Samuel storms to the desk and scowls at Albert.
"Do you know how much I've been through, Victor?"
"Do you know how it feels to know that your only friends died because you weren't good enough?"
Tears begin to roll down Samuel's face.
"I lost my only friends because I'm a failure. Do you want me to fuck over other people's lives too?"
Albert looks at Samuel in contemplative silence.
"I have nothing, Albert. I've lost everything."
"I've never done anything correct. I've always ran away from my issues and I... I don't know how I can face them."
Albert touches Samuel's arm.
"Then don't run away from this. You have the chance to save so many people. This is something you can't mess up. I believe that."
Samuel and Albert gaze into each other's eyes.
Both men are silent for a time.
Samuel sighs.
"You're right. Let's do this shit."
Albert grins.
He grips Samuel's hand."
"Indeed, Samuel. Indeed."
Samuel and Albert walk out of the permanent-seeming office together.
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Albert Victor, Samuel Equis, Mike Hamner, Adam Romeo, Leanne Sierra.
Log EL-1 []
>> Log Begins. <<
Dissector: Sir. You're going to want to see this.
> Equis and Victor walk across the massive room, designated for the experimentation. <
Head of Experimentation Equis: What is it?
Dissector: There seems to be a flashing red light from within the entity.
> Equis pulls something out of the carcass. <
Head of C.L.E.F. Victor: It seems to be a box. This seems off.
>>> Image uploaded. <<<
> Victor opens the box <
Head of Experimentation Equis: Is that a radio transmitter?
Head of C.L.E.F. Victor: I think it is.
Head of Experimentation Equis: There seems to be nothing on the box.
Head of C.L.E.F. Victor: So anyone could have placed it there.
Head of Experimentation Equis: Not us, for certain.
Head of C.L.E.F. Victor: Do you think Procul Lumina has been tampered with?
Head of Experimentation Equis: Who is behind it?
Dissector: What could this all mean?
> Everyone is silent for a minute. <
Head of Experimentation Equis: It means that there's more to this than it seems.
Writers and Contributors
Authors: Tom and Char :3
(again!!)
Our second collaboration!
C.L.E.F. is inspired by Z.E.T.A., M.E.G., and B.I.F. (these are cool as fuck, check them out honestly 🙏🙏).
C.L.E.F. logo created by Tom. Honestly, he cooks so well!
Assets permanently borrowed from Arbi.
I (Char still) "borrowed" (shamelessly stole) and "edited" (heavily improved :3) the E-mail thing from WindXD AGAIN, so yeah.
Linked to Procul Lumina... check it out!
Image Sources
1st image drawn by Tom.
2nd image by u/mattthepianoman.
(Quick note: There's a secret (fullscreen) log. You'll know when you find it!)