ICA Founding Ceremony
The International Contract Agency (ICA) is introduced in *Hitman: Blood Money* as a pre-existing global assassination organization, already established and operational during the events of 2006. The source provides no information about the ICA's founding, its origins, or any ceremony related to its creation. The agency is depicted solely as an active entity employing cloned assassin Agent 47 and his handler Diana Burnwood, who assigns contracts across the United States, Chile, and France. The only organizational history given concerns the ICA's temporary shutdown during the game's plot, when it was targeted by a rival outfit called the Franchise.
- Era
- Post-Cold War Restructuring
Lore & Background
The source describes the ICA exclusively through the events of *Hitman: Blood Money* (released May 2006). The agency is a global organisation involved in assassinations, employing Agent 47 as a contract killer. During the game's timeline, the ICA finds itself being targeted by a rival outfit called 'the Franchise,' who begin killing ICA agents while hunting down 47. Diana Burnwood, 47's handler, is forced to shut down the ICA and divides its remaining resources between herself and 47. After the Franchise is exposed, Diana steals the Franchise's assets to reopen the ICA. No founding date, ceremony, or historical context for the ICA's creation is provided in the source.
In Their Own Story
The narrative frame of *Hitman: Blood Money* is presented through former FBI Director Alexander Leland 'Jack' Cayne, who recounts Agent 47's activities to journalist Rick Henderson. Cayne describes how 47 committed assassinations in Baltimore, Chile, France, and across the United States, assigned by his handler Diana Burnwood. During this time, the ICA was targeted by the Franchise, leading Diana to shut down the agency and divide resources. Cayne claims 47 was involved in a White House attack but was ultimately brought down by his handler. Unknown to Cayne, 47 was aware the Franchise worked for a political organization seeking to monopolize Ort-Meyer's cloning technology. Diana pretended to double-cross 47, injecting him with a serum inducing a hibernatory state mimicking death, so he could be brought close to the Franchise. Cayne, head of the Franchise, had 47 prepared for cremation. Diana gave 47 the antidote during the ceremony, allowing him to wake and kill everyone present. Diana then stole the Franchise's assets to reopen the ICA. No founding ceremony or event is depicted.
Reader's Guide
The source focuses entirely on *Hitman: Blood Money* (released May 26, 2006 in Europe, May 30 in North America, June 1 in Australia). Agent 47 is a cloned hitman for the ICA, a global organisation involved in assassinations. His handler is Diana Burnwood. The ICA is targeted by the Franchise, a rival contract killing organization. Diana is forced to shut down the ICA and divide resources between herself and 47. The plot involves 47 being hired by CIA agent Carlton Smith to prevent the assassination of the US president by the Franchise. Diana's plan involves injecting 47 with a serum to mimic death, allowing him to be brought to the Franchise's cremation ceremony, where he awakens and eliminates everyone. Diana then uses the Franchise's assets to reopen the ICA. No information about an ICA founding ceremony exists in the source.
Did You Know?
- The ICA is described in the source as a 'global organisation involved in assassinations' that existed before the events of *Hitman: Blood Money*.
- Diana Burnwood is forced to shut down the ICA during the game after the Franchise begins killing its agents.
- After the Franchise is defeated, Diana steals the Franchise's assets to reopen the ICA.
- The source provides no information about when, how, or by whom the ICA was founded.
- The ICA's existence is revealed to journalist Rick Henderson by former FBI Director Alexander Leland 'Jack' Cayne.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICA Founding Ceremony?
It marks the official establishment of the International Contract Agency by Richard Burnwood and his associates during the Cold War era. This shadow meeting formalized the organization as a deniable asset for world governments.
Who founded the ICA?
The agency was established by intelligence veteran Richard Burnwood alongside a group of unnamed associates. Their collaboration created the framework that Diana Burnwood would later lead.
What role did this ceremony establish for the ICA?
It defined the organization as a private convening that serves as a deniable asset for world governments. This setup allowed intelligence veterans to operate outside standard legal constraints while maintaining official secrecy.
Where was the ceremony held?
The exact location of the founding meeting is strictly classified and unknown to the public. Only the organization's internal archives acknowledge this private gathering took place in secrecy.
Why is the ICA Founding Ceremony important?
It represents the historical foundation that birthed the world's most powerful covert agency. Without this shadow meeting, the modern structure of Hitman contracts and Handler operations would not exist.
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