Project Stormcloud

### Aim(s)

To win against the English League with no structural damage and leaving the victims to look like they died of natural causes.

### Status

Defunct

**Project Stormcloud** is a currently active military project that Lord James Harwood approved of. The one in charge of the project at the moment is Colonel John Salt and it is to be used on behalf of the Raven Union. Stormcloud is a chemical gas weapon that is capable of quickly wiping out the population of an entire City.

## History

In The Heavy Crown, while Inspector Aziz is talking to Alfred to figure out if he double crossed him, he in turn reveals that Colonel Salt was actually a big player and close to the leadership of the Raven Union. Aziz asks Alfred if Salt said anything interesting regarding Project Stormcloud. Alfred says he didn’t, and asks what Project Stormcloud is. All Azis tells him is that it is probably just rumors but they wanted to confirm its existence or lack thereof. Later, at Raven Union Headquarters, an unknown man is tied to a chair when he starts gasping after some smoke is released into the room he is in. From the other side of the room, Colonel Salt, a doctor and other Raven Union members watch as the man inside the room begins to die. The doctor stops the timer and says that it took 11 seconds for the test subject to die. He congratulates the doctor on a job well done. However, he proceeds to tell her that what stops it from being a perfect example is the visual impact. In short, it gives away the fact that the test subject was killed. He goes on to say that when Project Stormcloud is put into effect, it must seem efficient and humane. The casualties of it must look as if they died peacefully.

In The Burning Bridge, Colonel Salt reports to Lord Harwood and Frances Gaunt, the latest results from the testing they are conducting in regards to Project Stormcloud. As it turns out, Lord Harwood had not made Gaunt aware of the project. Harwood explains that it is all top secret stuff. Gaunt is confused at the idea that it was being kept secret from her. But Harwood states that knowing the details of the project, are on a strictly need to know basis. Undeterred, Gaunt exclaims that she needs to know. Harwood agrees, and explains that the project has to do with chemicals, gases, etc. Gaunt asks for clarification if the gases in question are poisonous. Harwood doesn’t immediately answer, and instead tells Gaunt that she wanted choices, and this is a dam good choice for them. Thus, Gaunt asks Colonel Salt to tell her all about these speculative gases he is experimenting with. He goes on to say that according to their science department, the latest tests of the prototype are promising in regards to reaction time and post mortem presentation. Salt then tells Gaunt that he has the numbers with him if she would like to take a look at them. She asks what he meant by post mortem presentation, and he explains that this refers to how the victims look like after death. Once she has dismissed Colonel Salt, she tells Lord Hardwood that this won’t do. She asks him to promise her that he will put an end to this monstrosity. He doesn’t, and instead tries to tell her how there is a moral argument to be made here. In cold numbers of human deaths and injury caused, gas is actually no worse than aerial bombing and artillery. Except that with this method, there is no structural damage. Seeing how she won’t change his mind, he then eventually tells her she is right, and will put a stop to it.

## Appearances

Season 2
* *The Heavy Crown*
* *The Burning Bridge*