COALESCENCE

*For its spiritual successor, see Winslow Systems.*

* Crescent
* Phoenix

**COALESCENCE**, a security firm based in Rutherland, particularly within the capital city of Rowley, has long stood as the epitome of trustworthiness in Nexonia Prime. From safeguarding politicians to eliminating criminals, COALESCENCE has garnered a reputation for excellence in the security industry. However, beneath this facade of trust lies a darker truth that would come to haunt the firm in the aftermath of the war.

Established with the noble intention of providing top-tier security services, COALESCENCE quickly rose to prominence as the go-to firm for those seeking protection in Rutherland. Their clientele included influential politicians and high-profile figures, a testament to the trust instilled in the firm.

In the wake of the war and the subsequent revelations about COALESCENCE's clandestine cyborg program, the firm faced intense scrutiny. The darker aspects of their operations, hidden behind a facade of trustworthiness, came to light, shocking both the public and the government.

Acknowledging the gravity of their actions, COALESCENCE's successor, in an attempt to cleanse the tarnished legacy, decided to erase all traces of the firm's existence from Ruthian history. The once-revered security firm became a cautionary tale, a stark reminder of the dangers lurking behind seemingly trustworthy exteriors.

COALESCENCE's legacy, though erased from official records, lingers as a cautionary tale in the annals of Nexonia Prime's history. The rise and fall of this once-reputable security firm serve as a reminder that even the most trustworthy institutions can harbor dark secrets, waiting to be exposed. The repercussions of their actions continue to shape the narrative of Rutherland, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's security landscape.

## History

### Background

COALESCENCE Winslow was formed in 2910, in the aftermath of the Darklord's and his empire's ruthless colonisation of the planet Nexonia Prime. Despite the fact that BISHOP-805 killed him five years later, his legacy endured. The Darklord caused the entire planet's crimes, businesses, and economy to grow, but at the expense of the nevanity's security, health, and well-being. The aftermath transformed the entire planet's slum and rich sectors into a sarcastic cyberpunk culture. The Van Dammes, Lauren, and Darren founded it as a means of providing top notch security.

Darren Van Damme massively boosted the power of COALESCENCE in 2915 and promised to provide the best security to anyone who hired his security firm's services. It was founded to provide highly trained security and personnel, but as PROJECT's presence became well known, they expanded to include mercenaries and hired assassins to gradually take out PROJECT in the business competition, but also for the benefit of the nevian race. Lauren Van Damme was highly responsible for the introduction of women in the entire firm.

### A Call to Arms

#### "Corporate Warfare" & Scandals

Contrary to most sources, PROJECT has been at odds with COALESCENCE over legal and military issues. In fact, the security firm has been pressured to close several headquarters around the planet as the megacorporation immediately used acts of war in a desperate attempt to force them to yield or be forced into their so-called "Corporate Alliance," which is basically their own wicked union formed by defeating various PMCs owing to their operative known as SHADOW. As a result, the security agency simply hired several mercenaries and ex-military individuals as their own armed contractors in the event of a direct operation against them.

COALESCENCE took advantage of the rise of the G/NEX rebellion by enabling its mercenaries to operate in the field, trained in war and different elements, allowing them to be as adept as elite special forces operators. As a result, Sylas Clement, a merciless assassin who kills for money as long as he is paid, has become one of their most well-known agents. However, since there are PROJECT warriors before PSYLOCKE-832 who have revolted against the megacorporation and enrolled their services with them, Sylas' reputation has been tainted as a result of them, as well as various controversies. Following that, PSYLOCKE-832 was promoted to the security firm's elite assassin.

Due to his controversies and claims of sexual assault against **COALESCENCE** agents, notably women, Sylas has been expelled from combat duty. Disgusted by his erratic behaviour, Amanda Gyllenhaal recruited a few people to observe his behaviour using a device called a "Behavioural Analyser." She monitors it and reaches out her concerns to Rachelle, knowing that doing so may prevent him from becoming a sadistic rapist or a murderer of women. In return, the security firm has cleaned its reputation as Lauren and Darren have emphasised them to utilise armed operations whenever needed.

#### A Nightrider: Hero of the Dark

COALESCENCE relied on PSYLOCKE-832 to authorise her nightrider crusade. She was now granted full control of the DARK RUNNER superbike, which had been customised to her specifications. A team of assassins led by Rachelle infiltrated a nightclub and killed four executives, blocking the intention of purchasing the building, and it was eventually closed down since PROJECT provoked the situation that Palmer ended up killing the four in retribution. Afterwards, she went AWOL for a year, until she informed everyone that she has infiltrated a building, a "research centre" which turned out to be a PROJECT HQ in Rutherland.

Their ranks also notes that SHADOW has met PSYLOCKE-832; Which the latter simply shrugged, since they did not even interact nor fight. They even acknowledged the presence of Gray Wolf and INTERCEPTOR-409. Lauren and Darren are extremely furious by the presence of the headquarters in their own country, concluding that a full assault on the same structure is the most logical choice to get rid of the megacorporation's influence in Rutherland. However, they are also concerned with a disgusting amount of corpses scattered in the outskirts and the suburbs of the country, which may refer to APEX-363's genocide in the process. The assault on the base was a massive success, but Palmer ends up killing ten executives in total, much to their surprise.

In the nightrider's last ride of her crusade, They allowed her to enter a mining site of the megacorporation in there, and eliminate all threats. It worked however, she deliberately exposed herself, which she ordered the troops to enter the same place and finish up the operation for the entire security firm. Not to mention, she used a live feed, much to their approval, to demoralise PROJECT. Afterwards, they have went back to normal operations and keeping up with Sylas Clement's Behavioural Analyser results to keep him sane. Apparently, the megacorporation has been unamused by their successful operations against them, that they attempted to fight them through cyber warfare, which only ends in a stalemate.

### PROJECT-G/NEX War

#### Collection of Events

COALESCENCE has been providing various forms of security to various people around the planet since the outbreak of such global war; due to high demand and perpetual threats of the megacorporation against various political figures who are still alive. As a result, they became a private military contractor in their own, even going so far as to authorise a mission against PROJECT in 3006 in response to the discovery of a preemptive strike against their headquarters. Most notably, they were able to recover the DATA after their elite assassin, PSYLOCKE-832, stopped a heist in 3012 with the assistance of VI-516.

During the events of Rampancy, COALESCENCE was notably defeated by an operation against PROJECT; after discovering that RUBICORE forces were slaughtered in their own command centre in Mundevar, they dispatched a massive team of agents to investigate the massacre. They were quickly drawn into a firefight as Command Line soldiers realised they were being tracked, and they ultimately lost, owing to the enemy's superior numbers and PSYLOCKE-832's absence to lead them. However, they have rebounded and gained success on subsequent operations in the war against the megacorporation.

### Downfall

COALESCENCE was pushed to its breaking point when PROJECT invaded their land in 3025! Despite the fact that their personnel are confronting an overwhelming threat, they continue to prepare their deployed defences, collaborating with local authorities, but still even the elite assassins have been killed in the invasion. Because of the presence of the tyrannical mecha, even the unrivalled PSYLOCKE-832 is injured in fight, not even the interference of the G/NEX is capable of repelling the Command Line. However, after hours of agony, RUBICORE has finally offered backup, and the intervention of a long-lost, reborn hero has resulted in a total victory, but leaving the security firm with few bearings, as their headquarters was seriously damaged during the attack.

As a result, the public has been dismayed by their seemingly clear disbandment, but reports confirm that they attended ASHE-159's funeral after the entirety of the war is finally over, relieved by the destruction of ANNIHILATOR.

## Legacy

COALESCENCE is forever remembered as an elite security firm that actually performed exceptionally well, and their willingness to fight the megacorporation's forces is a great example of their commitment to do what is right while their main goal is to protect their clients, and later the innocent people. In fact, people have made the ruined headquarters a great place of tribute to honour the fallen mercenaries, with Darren and Lauren visiting their former HQ to pay respects.

This public perception alone paved the way for creating Winslow Systems, the successor of COALESCENCE itself.

## Structure

COALESCENCE, a private security firm headquartered in Rutherland's bustling capital city, Rowley, stands as a bastion of trust in the realm of security services. With a clientele boasting politicians, business magnates, and celebrities, COALESCENCE has carved a niche for itself by providing top-tier protection through highly trained personnel and cutting-edge technology.

The firm offers a diverse array of security services, ranging from armed escorts and highly trained personnel to state-of-the-art combat and reconnaissance drones. Leveraging technology reverse-engineered from PROJECT, COALESCENCE once maintained its own roster of PROJECT warriors, particularly assassins, adding an unparalleled edge to their security offerings.

Unbeknownst to the public, COALESCENCE delved into the realm of cybernetic enhancement to bolster its security capabilities. Drawing inspiration from PROJECT's own cybernetic warriors, the firm experimented with the augmentation of human subjects. While successful cybernetic warriors like MOONLIGHT served with loyalty, the majority of attempts resulted in failures, leading to the creation of cyborgs who couldn't endure the transformation.

One notable cyborg, GLADYS, formed from an evil Iceborn sorceress, stood as a testament to COALESCENCE's experimentation with unconventional sources. The firm, led by Darren, took measures to cover up the existence of these cybernetic warriors and the failures, ensuring that the truth remained hidden from the public eye.

Acknowledging the ethical implications of their experiments, COALESCENCE took steps to compensate families whose loved ones had unsuccessfully undergone the cyborg transformation. Offering substantial monetary compensation, the firm, under the leadership of Lauren, went to the lengths of providing identical clones to the affected families. These actions, while attempting to mitigate the repercussions of their experimentation, underscored the shadowy and complex nature of COALESCENCE's operations.

### Members

#### Primary

* Darren Van Damme - Founder and CEO
* Lauren Van Damme - COO

#### Assassins

Note: Armoured/cybernetic assassins are given a codename, starting with the initials of COA, then an assigned moniker.

* **COA-NIGHTSTALKER**, aka PROJECT NIGHTSTALKER
* COA-MOONLIGHT (Destroyed)
* COA-SORCERESS (Active)
* COA-TEMPEST
* Sylas Clement (Deceased)
* Yusef Xanthosa
* Xavier Fishburne
* Amanda Gyllenhaal
* Carlisle Montero
* Andrea Broussard

#### Security Detail

* Luke Chapman
* Charles Jordan
* Ben Saunders
* Noah Jenkins
* Connor Wilson
* Samson Hicks
* Lawrence Greer
* Mayson Daria
* Jacoby Ford
* Truman Mullen

## Quotes

### Mantra

> "Unyielding Vigilance, Unseen Shadows."
>
>

* Their motto reflects the core principles of COALESCENCE. "Unyielding Vigilance" emphasizes their unwavering commitment to providing steadfast and relentless security.
* The firm takes pride in its continuous watchfulness, ensuring the safety of its clients in all circumstances. "Unseen Shadows" highlights COALESCENCE's ability to operate discreetly and effectively, utilizing shadowy tactics and remaining unseen while safeguarding their clients' interests.

### Quotations

* *"In the darkness, we are the silent guardians, the unseen shadows that shield you from harm."*
* *"Vigilance is our oath; shadows, our allies. Together, we craft a shield that withstands the storms of uncertainty."*
* *"In the realm of shadows, we find strength. In the realm of vigilance, we find purpose. COALESCENCE stands unyielding."*
* *"We are the guardians of the unseen, the keepers of silent watch. COALESCENCE: where vigilance meets the shadows."*
* *"Through the night's embrace, our vigilance remains unbroken, and our shadows dance with the whispers of security."*
* "In the world of uncertainty, we are the constant. Unseen, yet ever-present. COALESCENCE: your shield in the shadows."
* "Our oath is unyielding, our shadows unfathomable. COALESCENCE: defenders of the unseen, guardians of the night."
* "Vigilance binds us, shadows guide us. COALESCENCE, where security meets the art of the unseen."
* "In the dance of shadows, our vigilance reigns supreme. COALESCENCE: crafting security in the tapestry of the unseen."
* "As the world sleeps, we stand vigilant. In the shadows, we weave the fabric of security for those who trust in COALESCENCE."

## Trivia

### General

* COALESCENCE was an influential force for a remarkable span of 115 years, 4 months, and 15 days. From its foundation on August 8th, 2910, to its dissolution on December 31st, 3025, the security firm left an enduring impact on the landscape of security services.
* Beyond their security services, COALESCENCE played a pivotal role in advancing research and development. The firm actively engaged a select group of employees, fostering expertise in electronics, robotics, and machinery. This emphasis on innovation contributed to their technological prowess.
* The Phoenix, symbolizing renewal and vigilance, served as the initial logo for COALESCENCE. However, with the emergence of PSYLOCKE-832 as the pinnacle assassin within their ranks, the logo underwent a transformation. The Crescent variant, born out of the NIGHTSTALKER's exceptional skills, featured a color scheme reflecting her distinctive armor: jet black, indigo-purple, and silver.
* ASHE-159 was briefly reluctant to trust this firm. Turns out she was right about the cybernetic subjects of the firm that were killed after they are unsuccessful.
* A dark truth is that they actually had a better fighting chance against PROJECT compared to the G/NEX resistance.
* Despite what the G/NEX resistance views them, they're actually trustworthy. That does not count their methods on their failed cyborgs and the rampant GLADYS.
* Some say they bribed PROJECT with 5.5 Billion credits in order to reverse engineer their technology and use it for good.
* Daily income is roughly 17.5 Billion credits.
* When GLADYS went rogue, COALESCENCE was left hopeless in their ambitious line of cyborgs.

### Developmental Notes

* COALESCENCE isn't as clean as people think. This was due to their failed cyborg creations with the exception of PROJECT MOONLIGHT. PROJECT GLADYS was a horrible example because she was evil throughout and was later believed to have been spotted after the war ended. She can be seen working with Wrathful Arrow.
* Acknowledging the challenges of cyborg transformations, COALESCENCE demonstrated a sense of responsibility. Families of individuals who unsuccessfully underwent the transformation process were compensated generously, and in some cases, received identical clones as part of the reparations.
* Lauren isn't as empathetic as people think. She was indirectly responsible for the firm's cybernetic experiments that went awry.
* Most COALESCENCE operatives are known to have a sardonic attitude, both in and out of combat. This was due to the covert and stealthy nature of their operations, which only saw direct combat in limited occasions.
* COALESCENCE operatives refused to be referred as soldiers. This was due to their nature as gun-for-hire mercenaries paid to kill evil and protect the innocent.
* COALESCENCE's legacy is encapsulated in the motto *"Unyielding Vigilance, Unseen Shadows."* This legacy persists in the memories of those who experienced their unwavering commitment to security and the subtle, effective tactics they employed in the shadows.
* When their misdeeds have been exposed, Winslow Systems erased their brand as "the successor". This establishes the latter as a separate identity from COALESCENCE, to avoid being exposed by the public for the horrid cybernetic failures.
* Despite the exposure, they are still viewed as a good organisation that has simply underwent great trouble.
* Seven once admitted that she was an armorer for COALESCENCE.
* COALESCENCE was later erased from Ruthian history.
* Their emblem is also utilised by the Winslow Accord in a few special colours.