In an attempt to thwart ACMF rivalry with the United States, the Collective of Advanced Science and Technology was formed in 2029. This division of the government was a joint committee between private corporations and governmental agencies intended to develop a creation that would allow the States to have a distinctive edge over ACMF troops.
The project consisted of a think tank, which was full of brilliant scientists and thinkers in a variety of fields. They put their minds to numerous projects, some of which were finished and ready to deploy. Operating out of a secluded bunker in West Virginia, the Collective received funding proportionate in value to that of the Manhattan project during World War Two.
Regardless, none of those thinkers could have predicted The Flash. As nuclear fallout swept the nation, they were protected within the bunker. They lost contact with the government and focused on maintaining their safe haven.
The scientists' isolation was somewhat short-lived; within three years they were contacted by the USCPF, who demanded that they rendezvous with USCPF command and turn over their equipment. The CAST was enthusiastic to finally rejoin the government.
However, upon the arrival of a small dispatch of USCPF troops, the scientists had a very different attitude. The soldiers were met with shockingly aggressive resistance from every person dwelling in the bunker. The Collective were completely, overwhelmingly opposed to their equipment turnover, and fought the USCPF with whatever they could use.
The bunker was destroyed completely in the violence; likely from one of the many experiments in operation. Many CAST members escaped, as well as several USCPF soldiers. The projects inside were either destroyed or stolen by either of the two sides.
Fleeing, the Collective was a dramatically different group of individuals. They stopped among many pre-war ruins to rest, and in doing so met many locals. These intellectuals had become radicals; they preached to any and all about their importance, about their quest for change, and about their "divine" elegance. Most people truthfully were clueless regarding their praising statements, but CAST still iterated that only they can fix the world. Some people believed them, but the Collective let few into their ranks.
The Collective , promptly naming themselves "Penumbra" and gathering resources and completing operations. Penumbra had one all-mighty goal, which was to finish a certain, unspecified experiment of theirs and "change the world for the best."
Also, they tried to spread their idea of progression: abandoning focus on science and wealth in exchange of moral and cultural enlightenment. In Penumbra's eyes, The Flash was a result of selfish pursuit of industry and power. They claim, of course, that their important experiment can amend this.
Penumbra identifies themselves as an order of the elite and moral. Their members take care to be above the materialistic needs of everyday people, and only gather equipment for their main goal. They act as noble as they can, but their inexplicable anger and hostility makes the group liable to commit constant violence
Penumbra members are signature in wearing a mix of modern and ancient-themed gear, in line with their ideas of growth. Oddly, the members are usually sickly, with flaky skin, which has lead to the rumors that the group's passions and violence are the result of some unorthodox experiment mishap in their now destroyed bunker.
Their goals of abandoning scientific progress has put them at odds with factions who wish for order or a return to proper society. Constantly hoarding resources has put them on edge with any bandit groups and many civilians.
As if 2039, Penumbra has grown into a veritable force, and they continue to gather and pursue the completion of their old, most important project. |