Turnabout Dark Zone

In the year 2017, a mass-bioterrorist attack was launched against the Eastern part of the United States. This attack was known as: Operation Dark Winter. In a desperate last-ditch effort to put an end to the sickness and violence that had destroyed almost half of New York, the president ordered the deployment of a team of sleeper agents who were embedded across the country, living a normal life, until they were called into action. These sleeper cells were known as the SHD, (Secure Homeland Division) Or in short, "The Division". Weeks pass, and the first team deployed, known as the "First Wave" had suffered heavy losses. A second team, or "Second Wave" was deployed to investigate their disappearance. The entire city has become a war zone, and rivaling factions are vying to declare their dominance. On one side, the SHD and the JTF (Joint Task Force) who are comprised mainly of sleeper agents, soldiers, law enforcement, firefighters, and city workers. Their goal is to restore order to the city, by first ensuring the safety of each district, and then sending the fire department and city workers to repair the damage. On the other side, the division and JTF are facing the Rioters, common street thugs who are trying to make a name for themselves, whether by breaking and entering to take people's food, clothing, jewelry and money, or murdering innocents. Then they have the Rikers, a group of escaped convicts from the federal prison across the East River known as "Riker's Island", The "Cleaners" Men wearing hazard suits that believe the only way to stop the spread of the "green poison" is to incinerate it and anyone who is suspected of carrying it. And the LMB (Last Man Battalion) former members of the JTF whose leader is so paranoid he believes nobody else can be trusted. As the JTF and Division have managed to gain a foothold in each district and systematically retake the city, the "Dollar Flu" has spread beyond their control. Many have left the region to take refuge from the violence and destruction they have witnessed, the vast majority as far as Japan.

Meanwhile, as Phoenix prepares for his next trial, he turns on the TV. An emergency broadcasts has flooded the airwaves, placing martial law in effect.

Pearls: "Mr. Nick, what's going on?

Phoenix: "I don't know. Wait here. Looks like a pandemic".

Pearls: "A what"?

Phoenix: "A disease spiraling rapidly out of control. We have to stay inside".

Maya: "Pearls, is your Magatagma supposed to flash orange"?

Pearls: "No".

Phoenix: "I hear someone at the door. He's armed. Hide".

Rioter: "Anyone in there"?

Phoenix: "Just stay down".

Reaching quietly into his desk drawer, Phoenix pulls a pistol out of it.

Maya: "Nick! What are you doing"?

Phoenix: "Shhh! Push comes to shove, I may have to kill this guy".

The rioters leave, and Pearls hears someone talking to her through her Magatagma, an energy crystal attached to her necklace that allows "spirit mediums" to harness spiritual energy.

Strange voice: "Can you hear me"?

Phoenix: "Who are you"?!

Strange voice: "Captain Roy Benitez, Joint Task Force. Listen. You know why the city is under martial law right now"?

Pearls: "Um... No".

Benitez: It's because of the plague. A few weeks ago, we had an epidemic. Some people relocated and brought the plague with them".

Pearls: "How are you talking to me right now"?

Benitez: "You're being activated".

Phoenix: "Being what? What does that even mean"?!

Benitez: "Sorry buddy, I can't tell you. It's top secret. I wish I could, but the spooks said only the people we trust are allowed to know. Though I'm not at liberty to say, I'll tell you anyway. But this stays between the three of us. Got it"?

Pearls: "What did you have to tell me"?

Benitez: "Listen. Even though no one told you, you're a division agent".

Pearls: "A what"?

Benitez: "Let me finish and you'll know what I mean. Division agents are government sleeper agents who are "activated" which is a fancy term we use when we deploy our sleeper cells to contain the threat. Most of us wear fancy watches that flash orange when we get activated. But you're apparently wearing a weird necklace that serves the same function. When our guys are activated, they have an artificial intelligence program that lets them know when they are... Well, to save time I'll just stick to the term "deployed". That was the strange computer voice you heard before I started talking to you. This AI program is called the Intelligent Systems Analytic Computer. We just call him "ISAC". Right now you're the only one who can hear him, but everyone within 20 feet of you can hear me just fine. I know it might not be worth your time, but I need to explain this to you in person. Come meet me in New York in 20 hours.

Pearls: "Mr. Nick".

Phoenix: "I know Pearls. Go do what you have to do. We'll be waiting for you".

Pearls: "No. I want you to come with me. I can't go out there with those maniacs out there".

Phoenix: "All right. Stay close. You again, on the radio or whatever it is. We can't make it there with these killers out here. Got any bright ideas"?

Benitez: "Just stay put. A team is on their way to come get you.

JTF Sargent: "Let's go. Plane leaves in an hour".

Phoenix: "Do we have to stay here then"?

JTF Sargent: "No. You can come with us. Put these masks on. Unless you want to get sick, keep them on. Benitez, we're on our way".

Benitez: "Roger that. Get over here in the next 18 hours or things might get out of hand".

Just then, a man in a hazard suits walks by and makes his way towards them. Although Pearls has plenty of spiritual training, but no combat training, the man in the hazmat gear quickly learns she is not to be taken lightly. She might not have much training, but she has plenty of talent, perhaps a variety of talents that few individuals, if not none, possess. Using her channeling abilities, she is able to expose his suit, causing him to absorb a strain of the virus.

JTF Sergeant: "How did you do that"?

Pearls: "Do what"?

JTF Sergeant: "Never mind. I was always told to never believe in that "supernatural" mumbo-jumbo everyone spouted in front of me.

Benitez: "Team two, status report! Is anyone hurt"?

JTF Sergeant: "Negative. We're all ok".

Benitez: Better get down here quick. And when I say quick, I mean before the shit hits the fan, quick".

JTF Sergeant: We're on our way".

They make it to the JTF headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, and Pearls is briefed on Directive 51, which is the sole reason she was "activated".

Benitez: "Listen. If it were up to me, I would tell you to go home. I'd hate to see someone as young and untrained as you get hurt. But it's not up to me. The president gives the orders, I just follow them. When this is all over, you can go home. Until then, we've got work to do".

Pearls: "Why am I here"?

Benitez: "The truth is, they never really told me. I suspect it has something to do with your lawyer buddy over there. The JTF have had a lot of guys working law enforcement, but few of them have actually been a lawyer. My guess is his expertise is required here".

Phoenix: "I won't let you down sir"!

Benitez: "You can drop the "sir". Your talking to a police captain, not the president. If the orders came from me instead of him... I'm pretty sure everyone in this room would have called me that. Just call me captain".

Phoenix: "Right. Sorry".

Benitez: "Don't be. You're probably gonna like it here. The pay is good, you get a comfy bunk... Hell, without all the violence and chaos going on out there... This is as close to home as you're gonna feel.

So, as it turns out, the reason Pearls was "activated"... I mean, deployed, is because of her mental prowess and expertise as Wright's co-counsel. Whenever the situation calls for a lawyer, you can always count on Phoenix Wright to be there for you. (Just not until Monday.)