[Sections of this transcript have been redacted as per Transcendence Act 7, 2013, Section B. p32]
New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team
Bamyan Province, Afghanistan
February – March, 2008
From: LCPL Rick Henare [mailto:richard.henare@defence.govt.nz]
Sent: Wednesday, 27 February 2008 6:29 p.m.
To: Walter Henare
Subject: Hey Dad
Hey. How’s mum? I got the care package, thanks. Pineapple Lumps melted though, which is stink, because it’s negative 1 out. I mean, come on! Not your fault of course. Okay, So I have news, I’m leaving Bamyan. No, I’m not coming home, but I’ve been offered a promotion of sorts. One of those corporate contractor types, Stephens was his name, has gotten in touch to say he’s headhunted me. Nothing specific, just that I stood out. He’s offered me a role, just as an Ensign for now, in what he called the Ascension Project. Our CO doesn’t know much about it (is maybe a little skeptical, but I mean, it’s hard loosing team members) but believes it’s a weapons development project, UN sanctioned apparently. It could be a leg up. The pay is better, the opportunities. He said I could make Corporal in a year. No idea about deployment, but I may finally get off the field. A change of scene could do me good.
Anyway, hope you guys are well, say hey to Brent and Lexi for me. 
Cheers,
Rick
________________________________________
From: Walter Henare [mailto:henarewalt@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, 28 February 2008 5:49 a.m.
To: Rick Henare
Subject: Re: Hey Dad
Son, are you sure about this one? I mean, it sounds like some kind of cheesy action movie plot line. And think about your career! My dad, myself, your siblings, we’ve all served the NZDF for all our lives. What country is this even for? A little bit of clarity would be nice, you can’t just accept it without reading the fine print! I brought you up a little smarter than that boy.
From: Walter Henare
Sent: Thursday, 28 February 2008 7:15 a.m.
To: ‘Rick Henare’
Subject: Re: Hey Dad
Look, I know how excited you get about these things, but there is a bit to consider here. As your mum would like me to point out, you’re 28 next month, finish your tenure in Afghanistan and push the envelope upstairs, you wanted to get into intelligence, all your life you’ve talked about it, what changed? Money?
Look, I don’t wanna come down on you. I’m just concerned.
We all love you very much.
From: LCPL Rick Henare [mailto:richard.henare@defence.govt.nz]
Sent: Friday, 29 February 2008 11:24 a.m.
To: Walter Henare
Subject: Re: Re: Hey Dad
I know, I know, but this role seems to be more R&D.
Look, there was another raid on the Yankie camp last night, it’s just chaos here, no matter how much we rebuild, every relationship we repair, it just comes crumbling down. Our role here helps big time, I’m not doubting that. But I’m convinced the Ascension is going to help even more.
I’ve gotten more details, nothing I can talk about, which is exciting in itself. All I know is I’m moving to a facility somewhere near Minsk which I had to look up myself anyway. So not warmer climates, but we’ll see what comes of it. I’m really excited about this dad, I’d like for you guys to be too.
So I have another two weeks here before I have to say goodbye. I’m going to miss my squad, but they are all a little envious. Of what, well, we aren’t quite sure.
________________________________________________________________________________
Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire
December, 2008
From: Rick [mailto: rickishere1138@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, 6 December 2008 04:03 a.m.
To: Walter Henare
Subject: Updates
Hey guys, how are you all? Give my love to the family. I’m at an undisclosed location doing some exciting work. I’ve spent a bit of time with the R&D department. Not sure how much I can tell you but we are doing some really interesting stuff with prosthesis and sensory augmentations, real cutting edge stuff which I think could actually make armed warfare a thing of the past. In saying that, I’ve volunteered to test them out on a field mission in the New Year. I’m pretty excited! Really revolutionary, I feel like I’m at the edge of this amazing new precipice. I’ve made friends with a scientist named Wolgast who is really ambitious and see’s so much potential for this in the medical world. Prosthetics are one thing, but some of the areas we are working on could really change the world. I mean, how do you get lung cancer if we just build you a new lung? Phenomenal.
I think I can talk about our Commander and Chief Reischek, who’s a big deal in the media as far as I’m aware. What a guy, his vision for Ascension is inspiring. I really feel like my work here is making a difference. I’m a soldier first and foremost, and I’m craving getting back out there and doing what I’m best at, but right now, Reischek and this entity I work for are making the real difference.
Not everything is so great now. So we are a multi-cultural bunch, but of course, typical aussies. My CO here is a man named Townsend, real meat head. And with the wrong ideals. I guess part of you was right in assuming the whole soldier-of-fortune merc thing. It’s uncommon, but there is always that one jerk-off that’s too trigger happy, that lives for the blood. One egg can’t spoil the whole dozen.
Anyway, I’d better run, as you know communication has been sporadic, but if I can’t skype you before it, have an incredible Christmas! I hear Penny is coming up for it? Have a great time!
All the best,
Rick.
________________________________________________________________________________
July – September, 2009
From: Walter Henare [mailto:henarewalt@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, 2 July 2009 0:12 a.m.
To: Rick Henare
Subject: Son
It’s been three months, for gods sake. We are worried. We haven’t had a call, an email, nothing. I don’t know how to contact you, DF gave no forwarding, you’ve given us nothing. You’ve said nothing since you were deployed to Somalia in April. Look, get in touch, your mother is very sick, and part of me places the blame on you. I’ve always maintained, family first, even before career, you know that.
Just let me know you’re okay.
________________________________________
Undeliverable:
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To: Rick Henare
Sent: Thursday, 2 July 2009 0:12 a.m.
Delivery has failed to these recipients or distribution lists:
rickishere1138@gmail.com
An error occurred while trying to deliver this message to the recipient’s e-mail address. Microsoft Exchange will not try to redeliver this message for you. Please try resending this message, or provide the following diagnostic text to your system administrator.
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Rickishere1138@gmail.com
[94.125.25.25] #<[94.125.25.25] #5.0.0 smtp; 5.1.0 - Unknown address error 550-"5.1.1 The email account that you tried to reach does not exist. Please tryn5.1.1 double-checking the recipient's email address for typos orn5.1.1 unnecessary spaces.
________________________________________________________________________________
Mogadishu, Somalia
October, 2011
From: ASC E.11506 [mailto:11506.ACSF5.8@ASCINT.MU]
Sent: Friday, 7 October 2011 9:10 p.m.
To: Walter Henare
Subject: I’m Sorry
Dad, Mum, I hope you guys are okay. I’m sorry, ever since we arrived here we have had to go dark, I’m on an opp I can’t talk about, but some heavy shit has gone down. I don’t know. I’m worried you might have been right. This isn’t what I thought it would be. I hope you guys are okay, just know that I’m alright. I’m going to be fine. I love you both so much, give my love to Brent and Lexi, I hope they are doing well too. I’ll try to keep in touch. This channel is limited, if you reply within 36 hours it will still be viable.
I love you
________________________________________
From: Walter Henare [mailto:henarewalt@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, 9 October 2011 7:52 p.m.
To: ASC E.11506
Subject: Re: I’m Sorry
Your mother died two months ago.
Don’t come home.
________________________________________
________________________________________
Unit: Legionnaire CPL R. T. Henare ASC M.11506.EMK
5th Fleet Battalion, Ascension Legionnaire, 2nd Class.
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
November 12 2013, 1:52pm
[Henare] Boss, we’ve taken the flank, they aren’t fighting back, where to?
[weapons discharge]
[Henare] Boss! Leave him, he’s dead, what’s our status?
[Townsend] He can die when I fucking tell him to! Keep firing!
[Henare] At what! Times Square has fallen, do we proceed to the MTR system?
[Henare] Boss?
[Malcolm] He’s spotted something.
[Townsend] Boy, there really is something about these jippo girls.
[Malcolm] Ah… That’s not only culturally innacu…
[Townsend] That alley, forward.
[Henare] We’re following? But we’ll compromi..
[Townsend] Fuck up! Take the alley.
[Henare] [muffled] what the fuck am I doing here.
[Malcolm] [muffled] He’s got his rape face on again.
[Henare] [muffled] This isn’t right. We’re sposed to contain the locals, not hunt them
[Malcolm] [muffled] He’s a Version Six, what the hell are we supposed to do.
[Henare] [muffled] This is getting out of hand.
[rustling noises]
[Unknown Female] Wo bu yong! Qing Bang Wo!
[screams]
[Townsend] Shut the fuck up you sl…
[Henare] [muffled] This isn’t fucking right.
[Malcolm] [muffled] Quiet, he’ll kill us both, he’s unhinged.
[more screams, seemedly muffled. A loud crack][Henare] He’s raping her, I didn’t sign up for this.
[Unknown Female] [Help me, please help!]
[a loud clatter, followed by the ignition of augmented melee blade]
[a thud, followed by gurgling]
[Henare] Go! Run!
[Malcolm] You.. You fucking killed him.
[Henare] We have to get out of here.
[Malcolm] No, no no they monitor this, they know what you’ve done.
[Henare] I’ve done what’s right.
[Malcolm] You’ve murdered your Superior Officer.
[Henare] Scott, you know me, you know this was right. I had to stop him.
[Malcolm] Rick, I.. I have to take you in.
[Henare] Think about it, The Ivory Coast, Somalia, Nome, Khandahar. Something is wrong with this, someth…
[a firearm loads]
[Henare] Scott.. Wait…
[sprinting footsteps, followed by weapon fire]
