Many of you know I hinted at doing a regular conspiracy theory feature involving video games (I don't want to say series, because that would suggest some sort of routine or schedule - I'll try to put one out each month) and have even posted a few already. First there was the one regarding Master Chief of Halo fame, and how the original Master Chief actually died in combat, but in order to keep morale up, others have gone on to assume his identity. Then of course there was the blog that didn't start out as a conspiracy theory but could be considered one. It revolved around the notion of DLC really being a weapon employed by video game publishers to combat the used video game market. Well it has come to my attention there is another case of deception that merits investigation. I received the following conversation, supposedly transcribed from an audio recording. Its authenticity hasn't been verified yet but the investigation is ongoing. Not quite sure what to make of it yet...but I'll leave it up to you to decide.

Excuse me...Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Elena Fisher? You are Mrs. Elena Fisher, aren't you?

Elena Fisher, at your service.

So it is still "Mrs." then? Mind if I ask you a few questions?

I think I can spare some time, shoot!

So you're an investigative reporter...is that so? What have you been investigating?

That's right. I'm an investigative reporter/foreign correspondent. And right now I'm researching about the mystery of Yamashita's gold. According to my research, Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita stashed war loot and treasures into caves in the Philippines during WWII. No one's officially been able to prove or disprove the legend, but I hope to get to the bottom of it.

That's very...intriguing...and only slightly ironic United States military forces are expanding their presence over there in the PI, but I'm sure that's just a coincidence, huh? Ma'am, are you familiar with a Mr. Nathan Drake?

It is very fascinating... eh...that is a funny coincidence! Oh, Mr. Drake. Why yes, I know him. My show funded one of his past expeditions. Just out of curiosity... how have you been acquainted with Nate, erm, Mr. Drake?

You don't say...funded one of his past expeditions...kind of like the Iran-Contra affair? Meh, you're probably too young to remember that. Anyway, how careless of me. In your eagerness to answer my questions I failed to introduce myself. My name is Edward Valiant, but please...call me Eddie. I'm a fellow journo, working on a piece for the Virtual Enquirer. I don't know Mr. Drake, never met 'em. Only know what I've read...charming, handsome young fellow. In the precious gems and ancient artifacts business. A real modern day Indiana Jones, or so I hear. Also hear he's pretty handy with the hardware, if you know what I mean. Ever see him use any of that hardware Miss Fisher? You know, assault rifles, RPGs, grenades...the kinda stuff you can't just buy from your local pawn shop.

I get ahead of myself sometimes. So what is a fellow journalist doing around here Eddie? Seems like you've done a lot of research about Mr. Drake. He definitely is a lucky guy... with a lot of firepower. We've been through some close calls, that's for sure! And I've definitely had my fair share of handling hardware too. Virtual Enquirer, you said? What sort of work are you investigating now?

Actually, I have information suggesting that Mr. Drake is involved in illegal international arms dealing. But Drake isn't really the focus of my investigation. So, you admit you've handled your fair share of weapons too, interesting. Let me jot that down. My notes also indicate that you are fluent in Tibetan and Arabic. That's convenient, don't you think, given the amount of time you spend in and around Asia?

Illegal arms dealing? Is Drake in some sort of trouble? Whoa, whoa, wait a second Eddie, don't jot down anything. What's going on, and how did you know that about me? You can't be implying that *I *am the subject of your report...

Relax. I'm not after Drake. He's probably a great guy, but he's a little fish...merely a pawn. Besides when I expose this story nobody's even going to be looking at Mr. Nathan Drake or his little transgressions. As far as your involvement, I'm not implying anything, I'm just asking questions. An informant of mine just so happened to be a patron visiting a drinking establishment of ill repute in Cairo, Egypt and coincidentally happened to overhear Nate talking with that old timer buddy of his...what's his name...Scully or Sully...meh whatever...doesn't matter. This was years ago if I'm not mistaken. Anyway, your good buddy Nate was, how should I say this, expressing some concern over you and how you always managed to turn up when he was in a jam. Thought you might be spying on him. Even went as far as suggesting you were using satellites and UAVs. Sounds ridiculous, I know. I mean, we're just lowly investigative reporters, right? We don't have those kinds of assets at our disposal, do we? You weren't, were you? Spying on him?

*Oh.* Okay then, I jumped the gun a bit before, hah. So you're saying you know that Nate and Sully are involved in some sort of... situation in Egypt, and Nate claimed I'm his shadow. Well, I'm sure you understand as a fellow investigator, how thorough we like to be with our subjects. That includes who we work with. So I have a few resources at my disposal, to use as needed. Nothing too fancy. So what exactly is your plan Eddie? Are you headed to Egypt to meet your associate, or Nate?

You've really got the "naive damsel in distress" routine down, don't you? Miss Fisher, Mrs. Fisher...whichever it is, can you explain how or why you seem proficient in firearms, hand to hand combat, defensive driving and always seem to miraculously turn up "just in the nick of time"? Coincidence?

You know, you're not what I expected either, Eddie. Not many people notice that. Call me Elena. I don't usually have heart-to-hearts with strangers, but you seem like a straight shooter. Trustworthy.

Coincidence? More like experience...and Nate's luck rubbing off on me I guess hah. Look, I've been through my fair share of close calls, ever since I began working with Nate. It's part of the job. Back when I had my TV show, I couldn't hit the side of a barn. I never used a gun before in my life. Point and click was all there was to it, right? But I've seen things you could not believe. The investigating I do now isn't as... glamorous as people think it is. Uncovering the truth, tracking psychopathic war criminals...you get your hands dirty. I've learned a lot these past few years. And it usually boils down to this: kill or be killed, as hard as that sounds. I don't know how far deep you are Eddie, but be careful.

All quite interesting. Very interesting. You ever been to Glynco, GA Miss Fisher...er, I mean Elena?

Glynco, GA...can't say that I have. Why do you ask?

Oh, no reason really...other than there is a facility there that teaches many of these "skills" you have learned through "experience". Are there any Sarah's in your family? Perhaps, mother, sisters...a daughter maybe?

Hmm, you don't say. Interesting. Well, I do have a younger sister named Sarah.

What about Regan Burns...does that name ring a bell?

Regan Burns is, well, was my mother. Are you researching my family tree or something?

Your mother? Hah Hah, well um okay. No, I'm not researching your family tree. If I were interested in exploring your family tree I'm sure everything I need is on the Internet, well...except for your details. Can't seem to find too much on you. You must keep a very low profile. Does SHADOWNET mean anything to you?

There's nothing too special to know about me. I'm just one of those white-picket-fence types of people. Hmm, SHADOWNET? Sounds like some sort of cheesy vigilante name hah. Anyway, don't you have more exciting things to investigate Eddie?

More important than national security? So no to SHADOWNET but surely you've heard of the NSA or maybe the CIA?

Sure, I've heard of them both. I think those are both really well-known, who wouldn't have heard of them?

Miss Fisher, let me check my notes and see if I got this right.

Miss Regan Burns, I mean...Miss Regan Elena Burns graduated Valedictorian of her high school; earned a full ride scholarship to pretty much any school of her choosing; she went on to attend the University of Southern California working on her degree in journalism; in her senior year while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and at the top of her class, she was approached by a CIA headhunter and recruited into the National Clandestine Service as a field agent; she was sent to Glynco, Georgia for training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; upon graduation from FLETC...top female in her class I might add...she was transferred to her first field assignment in Fort Meade, Maryland; while in Fort Meade, she met fellow field agent Sam Fisher. Although Sam Fisher was much older, there was obvious chemistry or maybe just lust. Sam Fisher and Regan Elena Burns had a steamy relationship that lasted for some time, and before you know it, Miss Burns is pregnant with Sam Fisher's child. The two marry of course, and Miss Regan Elena Burns is now Mrs. Regan Elena Fisher. Approximately nine months later, Sarah Fisher is born. Sam Fisher and Regan Fisher are more worried about their budding careers than settling down and raising a family...they argue and fight a lot until the inevitable happens and they divorce. Sam Fisher is disappointed the CIA decides to relocate him instead of his ex-wife, but he decides to get on with his life and puts in an inter-agency request to transfer to the NSA and this relatively new initiative code named Third Echelon. Regan Fisher, trying to escape her past, chooses to go by her middle name and becomes one...Elena Fisher. Given the perils of her job and the frequent assignments out of country for extended periods of time, and to protect her daughter of course, she transfers custody to her mother...and little Sarah Fisher is now more like a sister than a daughter. With the government's help, Sam Fisher has his personal files altered to reflect that his wife died of cancer so there is no link between Elena and him, and nobody is the wiser.

And here we are years later. We have Sam Fisher employed by Third Echelon off saving the world, and we have Elena Fisher...a field operative for the CIA. Elena Fisher's current assignment happens to be investigating an illegal international arms dealer by the name of Nathan Drake. On the surface she seems to have been smitten by Nathan Drake's charming personality and rugged good looks, but what Mr. Drake doesn't know is the whole wedding and marriage is a ruse to embed Elena Fisher deeper into the operation so she can track it from the inside. The CIA is orchestrating the entire thing and Drake is none the wiser.

But what you and Nathan Drake don't know, Elena, is the weapons he's selling are actually being proliferated by terrorist organizations around the world. And these terrorists have formed what is being described as a "terror ultimatum called the Blacklist - a deadly countdown of escalating terrorist attacks on US interests." By the time you have Nathan wrapped around your little finger, it's going to be too late. The United States will be attacked on its own soil again...and will have stood by blindly, completely unaware of the looming threat.

Did I miss anything?

You... I...um. Hah. Wow, you're pretty good, I'll give you that! I think I should go pay Nate a visit now...

It's too late. When I break this story, the world will...

(Muffled sounds followed by what appears to be two suppressed gunshots can be heard on the tape and then silence. The tape ends.)

Could it be that Sam Fisher and Elena Fisher are somehow related and that Nathan Drake is really wanted for felonious activity involving international arms dealing? Too many coincidences if you ask me.

It's definitely something to consider.

A special thanks to ace13 for playing along and providing the completely unscripted dialogue for Elena Fisher without any idea where I was going or why I was asking the questions I did. Hope you all enjoyed this latest theory. Until next time, watch your six and trust no one.

Cheers.