Arc425

ARC425 is a conspiracy theory that has persisted for over 5 years on various Matrix BBS boards and was recently linked to the 425 Corporation, a largely unknown corporate entity that only started operating in the open in 2084.

## Pre-2084 Conspiracy

ARC425 has been used as evidence for numerous conspiracy theories since its initial discovery on September 5, 2077 by user GR33DE1. They claim to have discovered the existence of ARC425 after a shadow run group dumped numerous files into Data Haven 3119-S, where it was bought for cheap by GR33DE1 to sift for more valuable data to be reuploaded and sold. The data originally came from a Renraku server that had been hit and the data copied from their security division.

What made the ARC425 file so special was the heavy layer of encryption on the file. Even some files on Renraku operations in North America were less secure than this one particular file. Smelling a potential payday, GR33DE1 proceeded to break the encryption and read its contents, only to discover the file was not about some covert project, but in fact an ongoing investigation by Renraku into a mysterious corporation that didn't even have a name. This mysterious corporation was simply labeled ARC425 by Renraku, and what little data there was had been copied into this one, and it so happened to be skimmed by several runners during a heist.

While this would normally not be a big deal, GR33DE1 decided to browse several matrix BBS boards attempting to find out more about ARC425. His investigation would continue for almost a month before a mysterious user calling themselves N3YHW privately messaged GR33DE1 and told them to stop asking about ARC425 and to erase all files attributed to ARC425 or else. To further back up their threats, GR33DE1's precise location and matrix port numbers were included as well, along with a real-time display of GR33DE1's biometrics. Spooked, GR33DE1 disappeared off the matrix for over 2 years, reappearing in August 2078 just long enough to dump everything they'd collected on ARC425 before disappearing, never to be seen again.

The ARC425 files have been copied numerous times over the years, with various authors claiming to have been the original uploader, to know more about the files, etc. No one knows for sure if GR33DE1's story is true or not, but the ARC425 files are too mysterious to simply dismiss as the mad ramblings of a paranoid decker.

### Evidence

The evidence in the ARC425 file of a mysterious corporation and their future intentions in the UCAS, CAS, and PCC are vague, but enough detail exists to suggest that there is indeed a corporation out there, one flying under the radar of the Big 10.

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence is the purchase of several large segments of land from the City of Redmond. These were all properties abandoned or otherwise defaulted on over the past three decades that are all along the Highway 520 corridor cutting through Overlake and segments of land deemed reasonably safe near Glow City. The Overlake site was the former home of various corporations and the University of Washington, now long abandoned, while the Glow City site is reasonably safe (in limited exposure) while still being reasonably close to Glow City. The land seems to have been purchased through various transfers of some kind from over a dozen accounts and then transferred to a legal entity known simply as the 425 Corporation. The link to the name ARC425 is too much of a coincidence not to notice.

To further add to the peculiarity is the number of runner teams paid within the past two years to remove squatters and various gangs from the land being purchased, despite no petition being made to the city of Redmond. The runners assigned to do these jobs were told to use full lethal force if necessary and to ensure that the area is completely empty before they would be paid.

What makes the entire thing confusing and frustrating for the majority of those looking into the conspiracy is that between Zurich Orbital's refusal to show bank transfer details and the lack of any firm evidence that the 425 Corporation exists beyond a shell holding company incorporated in Deleware sometime in 2066. The company pays its taxes promptly and without exception, and the only direct address is PO Box 104867 in Dover, CT. Despite numerous attempts to watch and intercept any mail going to the PO Box, no one has ever been observed attending to the box, and the USCPS refuses to divulge details about the box holder.

### Conspiracy Theories

#### The Big Eleven

The theory goes that the Big Ten are hiding a secret eleventh member of the Corporate Court, trying to keep their actions a secret. Their 'proof' is that there is so little to tie ARC425 to anything, and that only a megacorporation could have such resources. The fact that Renraku didn't have any information on the group six years ago is also 'proof' that the organization must be up to something. Their claim is that ARC425 must obviously be a cover for some corporate entity that wants to remove what little power is left and completely take over the UCAS.

#### An AI Corporation

Another theory kicked around is that ARC425 is entirely based on the Matrix and run by an AI named "ARC", and since they own the 425 Corporation, that's why they're ARC425. This theory is one of the more sane conspiracy theories out there, but fails to address any of the whys or hows as to their belief that ARC425 is an actual AI. They just claim it must be so because only an AI could cover their tracks so cleanly.

## Post-2084

While the 425 Corporation is now operating somewhat in the light of day, there is still wild speculation as to their ultimate goals. For over five years they have been operating more or less clandestinely to purchase large swaths of land in Redmond, and have even started construction of several facilities that are estimated to be in the millions of Nuyen. The corporation's status isn't even listed, as they are entirely privately owned. This has raised several alarm bells by the Big Ten, as without firm financial data for comparison, they can't be certain of 425's status as an A or AA corporation.

### UCAS Relations

The 425 Corporation has filed as a corporation in Delaware, which the company lists as it's tax headquarters, while also having headquarters located in Seattle. While the corporation does seem to be operating without the same openness of many A or AA corporations, they have filed all the paperwork to have property declared as extraterritorial, but have yet to actually make the claim on any territory. In fact, the corporation has operated as a territorial corporation since it began operations in January 2084, a move that has left a lot of corporate strategists scratching their heads.

### CAS Relations

Strangely, despite having no formal holdings within the CAS, the 425 Corporation has gone out of its way to maintain healthy relations with the CAS. Were they the only nation to receive such attention, it would be suspected that the 425 Corporation is a front for the CAS, but that is not the case. Instead, it seems that the 425 Corporation has made several large equipment purchases from a set of machine fabricators in Atlanta and also made several purchases of magical artifacts from New Orleans, though the artifacts appear to be common quality and available much more locally and for lower prices. The exact reason for both purchases remains a mystery.

## Appearances

### Debut

Part 1: Muck Work

**Red** is a Johnson known to be working for the 425 Corporation in 2084. He appears to be in his mid-20s, far too young for someone in his profession, yet he carries himself as if he were far older.

Matrix Search Table
 3
 6+

Street Knowledge Table
 3
 6+

Assensing Table
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## Knocker

### Relatives

Wife, 3 Sons, 2 Daughters, 4 Grandchildren

## Appearances

### Debut

Insane in the Membrane

**Roman "Knocker" Hernandez** is a human male who works for the 425 Corporation as lead supervisor of the 520 Decon facility. He is a former UCAS Army Corps of Engineer who retired and went into private business.

Matrix Search Table
 3
 6+

Street Knowledge Table
 3
 6+

Assensing Table
 2
 3
 4
 5+

## 520 Decon

### Type

Radiation Processing/ Decontamination Facility

### 520 Decon

The 520 Decon facility is a facility founded in January 2084 along Highway 520 in the ruins of the former Microsoft headquarters. The facility is a combination of abandoned buildings in the process of being repurposed and large tents and prefabricated buildings. The facility is still under heavy construction and being overseen by site foreman Roman "Knocker" Hernandez.

The facility has several large water tanks situated on site for washing down vehicles and people, with excavators digging out large holding ponds for the contaminated water. Currently, all water is being recycled using industrial filters, but the holding pond will let more extensive treatment commence to keep the water from spreading the contamination. There is also a medical tent capable of treating mild to moderate radiation burns, and a DocWagon team on standby for severe radiation exposure.

On the south end of the facility is a place for automated trucks carrying contaminated material from excavation areas near Glow City, dumping the material for sorting. Sorted material is graded as Clean, Contaminated, or Unusable. Unusable material is loaded onto other trucks to be transported elsewhere. Contaminated material is sifted to clean as much material down to below USCGS's threshold for radiation contaminated material.

#### Buildings

Building 16 is currently being gutted for conversion into housing for workers. The connecting Microsoft Cafe between building 16 and 17 is also being repaired to serve as a link between the buildings and to serve as a cafeteria for the workers to get food. Building 17 is being converted into a large factory to process material harvested from Redmond. There is also an extension being added to the building to offer decontamination of vehicles as needed. Building 18 is intended to become the facility's head of operations and also provide entertainment facilities for staff. It is intended to link to building 16 via an existing skybridge between the facilities. Building 19 is the most intact building currently and serving as head of operations while the compound is being renovated, but is also having several large antennas installed to control drones that will operate further in the Barrens. Once the compound is complete it will become a drone control facility with the neighboring collapsed building turned into a parking lot for the drone fleet.

#### Vehicles & Drones

Currently there are several construction vehicles, from dumpers to excavators to bulldozers. In addition, there is at least one BCWDC1 Armored Car and one B1WBOW Armored Personnel Carrier that was acquired as military surplus from the UCAS Army.