Assassin's Creed: Initiates

"On September 1st, 2012, a man is kidnapped in New York. Brought to a secret Abstergo facility in Italy, he is placed in the Animus and forced to relive the memories of his Assassin ancestor. This man is Desmond Miles. This is his story."

- The Desmond Files.

Assassin's Creed: Initiates is a community-oriented project founded by Ubisoft on 1 September 2012 that is envisioned as "the place for all things Assassin's Creed." It is currently in an open beta stage.

The website includes a news section, forums for discussion, and a link to Ubiworkshop's store. Most notably, it features an explorable map that tracked places, events, people, objects and messages from the series' storyline.

The Desmond Files
The Desmond Files refers to a collection of images, video clips, transcripts and documents that track the events following Desmond Miles' capture by Abstergo Industries. Each file is keyed to a location on an explorable world map and tagged with a timestamp expressed in the UTC standard.

September 1 - 15, 2012
 1===1 September 2012===

Kidnapped
The following data was recorded from a cell phone tower near in New York City at 4:02am.

DATA TRANSCRIPT LEVEL 3 ........................................... Cell Tower Grid 40SP73ZN ........................................... UTC 20120901T040224Z ........................................... [outgoing transmission] [caller id = private] [-] [interference] [+] ...Yes, sir. [pause] [+] We have him. [-] [reply scrambled] [+] Yes. Shoving him in the van as we speak, sir. [+] Target will be delivered on schedule. [transmission ends]

Transfer
Security camera footage from, Brooklyn at 4:37am showed that Abstergo agents had captured an unidentified Caucasian male, in his mid-twenties, approximately 6' tall and weighing 190lbs. Their destination was unknown.

Unmarked Hangar
The Abstergo agents landed in, Italy, at 6:44pm. They were seen moving the captive, who was identified as Desmond Miles, into a car.

Abstergo Campus
Desmond was brought to the Abstergo campus in Rome, Italy at 7:37pm. Scramblers from the Akashic Satellite Plexus prevented satellite imagery from pinpointing the campus' various facilities, and the extraction of geographical coordinates.

2===2 September 2012===

Animus Explained
At about 10:17am, Dr. Warren Vidic explained the various functions of the Animus to Desmond, leaving out the mention of any potential side effects that may occur as a result of its use.

The Farm
At 5:53pm, Desmond confided to Lucy Stillman that his parents raised him in an isolated community of Assassins simply called "the Farm." He likened the Farm to a prison where he had felt trapped and cut off from the rest of the world - a life that he resented and eventually ran away from when he was 16.

3===3 September 2012===

Preliminary Analysis
At 11:24am, the results of Desmond's medical examination came up, with the medical examiner reporting that no problems were found, consequently clearing "Subject 17" for continued study.

4===4 September 2012===

Access Codes
Desmond found access codes which allowed him to leave his cell. This led him to discover Lucy's pen, which he later used to access her e-mail.

5===5 September 2012===

Case File #1394
On the 4th and 5th of September 2012, Lucy Stillman sent a number of e-mails to various Abstergo employees, regarding the alleged suicide of Leila Marino in 2007.

The Mole
The following data was recorded from a cell phone tower in Florence, Italy at 10:15pm. DATA TRANSCRIPT LEVEL 3 ........................................... Cell Tower Grid 43TP11FP ........................................... UTC 20120905T221514Z ........................................... [outgoing transmission] [caller id = maestranzi, adriano] [-] William speaking. [+] Desmond is in Rome. [-] Yes, I know. My mole confirmed it. [+] What should we do? [-] Everything is under control. My agent will ensure his protection. [+] I have a team ready, I'll– [-] Negative. Do not intervene. I repeat: Do not intervene. [transmission ends]

6===6 September 2012===

Coded Message
Lucy was able to bypass Abstergo's security system and message the Assassins, asking for help. Moments later, at 8:25am, she received a coded reply from an unknown Assassin contact which read "We will be there soon" when deciphered.

7===7 September 2012===

Rescue Attempt
At about 6:49pm, a team of Assassins attempted to rescue Desmond, but were neutralized after a firefight with Abstergo security personnel. Vidic questioned Desmond about their presence, to which Desmond denied any involvement. After the team had been neutralized, Desmond mocked Vidic's temporary anxiety, stating that the facility may not have been as secure as they anticipated. However, Vidic revealed that over the course of the past year, the Templars had been busy hunting down the remnants of the Assassin Order, revealing that most of them had been wiped out, and that Desmond was on his own.

8===8 September 2012===

Eagle Vision
After Desmond was done reliving the memories of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad at about 5:18pm, he exited the Animus, and soon afterwards, discovered he had unlocked a unique trait his ancestor had once possessed.

Escape from Abstergo
At 6:21pm, Desmond, with the aid of Lucy, escaped the Abstergo research facility. As they made their way out, Desmond noticed Lucy taking out several guards with ease – a consequence of her training as an Assassin. Along the way, they reached a door which required a code to allow them to proceed. Using his newfound gift, Desmond found the code, and the two were successful in their escape.

9===9 September 2012===

Assassin's Hideout
At 12:38pm, Lucy and Desmond arrived at an Assassin safe house in Rome, located within the industrial zone.

10===10 September 2012===

Failure to Report
The following data was recorded from a cell phone tower in, , at 10:14pm. DATA TRANSCRIPT LEVEL 3 ........................................... Cell Tower Grid 27LN153AP ........................................... UTC 20120910T221401Z ........................................... [outgoing transmission] [caller id = public phone] [-] What the hell do you mean? [+] You heard me, Gavin. The team failed to report. Again. This is– [-] When did you last heard from them? [+] Didn't you get my last em– [-] When? [+] Three days. [pause] Over three days ago. Gavin I– [-] Listen, and listen carefully. We have to move fast. First, keep only the most vital data. Destroy the rest. Leave no trace. You know the drill. Second, secure transport. Third, get to the– [signal interrupted] 11===11 September 2012===

Bleeding Effect
Desmond discovered that prolonged exposure to the Animus could cause serious side effects, known as the bleeding effect. While this could be detrimental to an Animus subject's health, in theory, it could also be beneficial by allowing them to acquire the knowledge and the skills of their ancestors.

12===12 September 2012===

Gunfight
The following data was recorded from a cell phone tower in, , at 9:21am. DATA TRANSCRIPT LEVEL 3 ........................................... Cell Tower Grid 50DP122ZN ........................................... UTC 20120912T092116Z ........................................... [outgoing transmission] [caller id = private] [-] [interference] [+] Yes, my source confirmed it. As I said, I'll need more men. [-] I understand, but we can't send anyone. Our forces are already spread too thin. [+] But– [-] There's no one near your position. [+] Damn it! Listen, Gavin! That's not even close to acceptable. I've only two operatives here with me. We can't– [-] Alright. [pause] Alright. I'll do what I can. But it will take a while for anyone to reach you. [+] Hold on! Someone's outside– [sound of breaking and entering] [-] What's going on? [+] [a scream in the distance] [-] Janice? [+] [distant] Who– No! Oh god no! [sound of gunshot] [-] Janice? Janice! [+] [a new voice, far away] Secure the area. Make sure there's no survivors. [white noise] 13===13 September 2012===

Lost Teams
At around 7:34pm, Lucy told Desmond that two more Assassin teams had been lost the preceding night, referring to a team in Whistler, British Columbia and an unidentified one. Altogether, 8 Assassins were believed to have been killed, though the circumstances surrounding the latter team were unknown.

Missing Person Poster
Friends of Desmond distributed missing person posters all over New York City, requesting any information that would aid them in finding him.

14===14 September 2012===

Survivor
At 11:17am, in Florence, Adriano Maestranzi sent an e-mail to William M., cryptically referring to at least one survivor from the attack on the Assassin team in Whistler, British Columbia.

15===15 September 2012===

Under Attack
At 9:09pm, an Abstergo assault team led by Dr. Warren Vidic stormed the Assassin hideout in Rome. Though Desmond and Lucy repelled the attackers, the Assassins were forced to abandon their compromised base.

Cabin in the North
Within minutes, Lucy's team headed north to the Italian border, bound for a cabin in the Swiss. The isolated location had been used by the Brotherhood as a base for two centuries, including during World War II, when Assassins aided local cells in their resistance against the Germans.

September 16 - 30, 2012
16===16 September 2012===

Roadblock
At 1:01am, a roadblock set up by the in Grosseto, Italy forced Lucy's team to change destinations. Lucy: Shit! There's a roadblock up ahead. They must have known we'd go north. Desmond: Where exactly are we? Rebecca: Check the map. Is there anywhere safe we can set up the equipment? Someplace with good cover? A cave, anything. Shaun: No, there's nothing around here for– Hello. Take E78. Lucy: What– Shaun: This exit. Turn! Lucy: I hope you actually have a plan. Shaun: Wait until you see where I'm taking you.

The Sanctuary
Two hours later, Lucy's team arrived in Monteriggioni, north of Grosseto. They set up a new headquarters in the underground Sanctuary beneath the Villa Auditore, where the old Assassin stronghold's thick walls blocked all electronic signals and shielded them from detection.

17===17 September 2012===

Witness
At 12:08pm, in Florence, Italy, Adriano Maestranzi sent another e-mail to William M., stating that his "associate" had returned safely, and cryptically referring to the attack in Whistler being led by Daniel Cross.

18===18 September 2012===

Animus Recordings
Recordings of Desmond's sessions in the Animus were found in the abandoned Assassin hideout by Abstergo security personnel.

Brain Implant
At 10:06am, in, California, R. e-mailed V. asking whether a scientific study that was published in a journal and reported in an  had anything to do with their recently escaped subject. V. replied within the hour, assuring R. that the study was unrelated, and actually far behind the breakthroughs that their own project had reached. ACi-Recordings.jpg|The computer core of the Animus 1.0. ACi-emailBrainChip-01.jpg|Rikkin's e-mail to Vidic. ACi-emailBrainChip-02.jpg|Vidic's reply to Rikkin. 19===19 September 2012===

Off The Grid
At 7:06pm, in Florence, Adriano received an e-mail from William that referred to Lucy's team having inopportunely gone dark. William instructed Maestranzi that he should call William if he heard from "[their] Rome sales team", as he needed to talk to them.

20===20 September 2012===

Signal Detected
At 3:03am, a mobile phone signal emanating from cell tower grid 43KP11FP in Monteriggioni was detected.

21===21 September 2012===

Abstergo's Top Operative
The following data was recorded from a cell phone tower in Philadelphia,, in the USA, at 5:52pm. DATA TRANSCRIPT LEVEL 3 ........................................... Cell Tower Grid 39YP75EN ........................................... UTC 20120921T175228Z ........................................... [outgoing transmission] [caller id = private] [-] This isn't a good time, Daniel. [+] It can't wait. [-] You already said that to the receptionist. [+] Yeah, well, you know why I'm calling, don't you. [-] I don't have time to play 20 Questions now, Daniel. [+] I know you lost him. [-] Do you? [+] Don't do this to me, Warren. [-] Alright. You know. Who told you? [+] Never mind that. I have my sources. When were you planning on telling me? [-] Telling you? This has nothing to do with you. [+] Nothing to– Damn it, Warren! I'm the one who delivered him. Right into your lap! Without me you'd never have found him. [-] [silence] [+] And a week later you lost him... Then failed to get him back. And you personally took part in the assault! What the hell's going on? [-] Desmond Miles is not your problem. He is mine. [+] Yeah, I'm sure he is. Great job at the hideout, by the way. At least you survived. That's something, I guess. [-] [sigh] I'm getting tired of this, Daniel. I'm hanging up now. [+] Wait! I'm coming to Rome. I'll get him back for you. [-] You will do no such thing. [+] But– [-] I'll have need of you soon, Daniel. For now, just hang tight. [+] Warren– [-] The situation is under control. Trust me. [+] Trust you. Right. OK... I trust you. [-] Goodbye, Daniel. [+] Yeah, goodb– [signal interrupted] 22===22 September 2012===

Passwords
At 4:05pm, in Monteriggioni, Desmond received an e-mail from Erudito that contained the passwords to his teammates' e-mail accounts, and also advised him to "stay in the loop."

23===23 September 2012===

Assignment in Denver
The following data was recorded from a cell phone tower in Philadelphia, at 7:19pm. DATA TRANSCRIPT LEVEL 3 ........................................... Cell Tower Grid 39YP75DN ........................................... UTC 20120923T191911Z ........................................... [incoming transmission] [caller id = private] [+] Cross. [-] Daniel, I’m glad I caught you. [+] Doc? Is that you? [-] Yes, I– [+] I know, I know. You miss me too much. You can’t bear the thought of spending another minute without me in your life. [-] I– [+] Alright, alright... I know why you’re calling. I’m sorry I missed our last appointment. Couldn’t be helped. I’ll be there next week, OK? [-] That’s not why I called. [+] It’s not? Then you really do miss me! [-] This is serious. [+] You’re breaking my heart, Doc. You know that. Breaking my heart. [-] [pause] Tell me, Daniel. How are you feeling? [+] Swell. Just swell. Things were real bad for a while you know, after the incident, but I’m fine now. Thanks to you. You needn’t worry. [-] I heard you refused to go on assignment. [+] [silence] [-] This isn’t like you– [+] Yeah, well, I’m not going back there. [-] Back where? [+] Denver! The bastard’s want to send me back to Denver! Can you believe that? After what happened... I’m never setting foot in that place again. [-] But y– [+] You heard me, Doc. Never! [-] They need you. They really n– [+] Never! [pause] Never again... Never again... 25===25 September 2012===

Walk in Town
At 10:45pm, a photograph of Rebecca Crane buying supplies in Monteriggioni was taken by an unknown person.

26===26 September 2012===

Concerns
At 11:30pm, Lucy received an e-mail from an individual known as William M., in response to her concerns about the Bleeding effect on Desmond.

27===27 September 2012===

Stakeout
At 4:05am, Rebecca e-mailed her teammates to warn them about an unmarked van she had noticed in Monteriggioni, that may have been keeping the Assassin team under surveillance.

Status
At 9:01pm, Shaun Hastings received an e-mail from William M. that contained updates on the status of Assassin teams in Moscow, Sao Paolo, Osaka and Denver.

28===28 September 2012===

The Iron Man
At 1:13pm, R. sent an e-mail to Erica Nichols in Washington, D.C. that commended her after published an article about an unusual  of the Buddhist deity. The article claimed that the 1000-year-old statue was carved from a rare that fell to Earth between 10,000 and 20,000 years ago. The statue was looted from before World War II by Adolf Hitler's  - who were seeking "the origins of the Aryan race" - but resurfaced in 2007. Also copied on the e-mail were Nancy Nilop and E., whom R. reminded to "get it back."

Trivia

 * In the security camera footage, Desmond was shown with a courier bag and his outfit from Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, despite the events taking place around the time of Assassin's Creed.
 * In the security footage from the hangar in Italy, the timestamp displayed (16:44) was two hours earlier than the timestamp from the Desmond File selection column, along with the event description (18:44). This was due to an updated image, which showed Desmond with an added blindfold, in comparison to the previous one.
 * According to the reports, Desmond did not argue with Warren Vidic after regaining consciousness, as he did in Assassin's Creed.
 * On 7 September, for unknown reasons, the map showed 6 events somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. Zooming in on the area resulted in the message: "Map data not yet available."

Source

 * Assassin's Creed: Initiates - The Desmond Files