NationStates Jolt Archive

Imperial Lagoon Resort
Pearl Sea Archipelago, East Islandia

The water stirred quietly in the calm afternoon breeze as several catamarans drifted towards the docks, their engines silent. Within minutes, the ships were moored, and under tight security, moved into the main building, a massive glass and steel compound (the only one of its kind on the resort) and put onto display.

Within hours, word came out that the once-priceless Victory Diamond, the most valuable jewel in the region, had gone on auction.

Bidding was to start at a hundred million dollars, American.

********
Pictures of the Resort

http://www.coconutgroup.com/bungalows.jpg

Overwater bungalows in the heart of the lagoon. Breakfast is brought by outrigger canoe.



http://www.pacific-promotion.com.fr...WEB/WP2_742_800

native canoes

http://www.pacific-promotion.com.fr...EB/WP2_1846_800

one of the nearly fifty pristine beaches on the 300 acre resort

http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/r/x/rxz123/rana2.jpg

A beach view

http://www.ecoafrica.com/awet/kayaka/2kayaksd.jpg

kayaking

http://www.deepimpressions.co.uk/images/reefs.jpg

a reef

http://www.charapoana.com/html-en/p...photo=40&type=0

a neighboring lagoon
********

History of the Victory Diamond (long):


No one knew exactly when the Victory Diamond had emerged, or where the large jewel was mined from. All the manner of Islandian folktales and Agrigentian fables had found in the Victory Diamond a sort of inspiration to work with, even if the storylines were not very original. Involving dragons, fair maidens, heroic knights and brave warriors, the stories, exciting (and cliche) as they were, did not compare to the recorded story of the Victory Diamond.

The larger diamond (from which the Victory Diamond was cut) was believed to have originated from an Indian mine around the sixteen hundreds, and was brought to Agrigento by the seventeen sixties. At this time, diamonds were all the rage in the region, and the diamond from which the Victory Diamond was cut, a massive, several hundred carat jewel, found itself cut into two smaller jewels, each of which were about 100 karats, still a large size. The slimmer of the two, then labeled Lazarino's Diamond (in honor of the man who had "discovered" it) found its way into the Agrigentian court, whereas the other jewel, a rounder, less symmetrical object whimsically titled "Moon's Tear" was relegated to the storage areas.

However, with the warming of relations with neighboring East Islandia, Agrigento found itself giving the Imperial Court of Emperor Sun Niuqion "Moon's Tear" in order to secure an alliance. With the two jewels in hand, the two nations than proceeded to field a massive, combined land and naval force to defeat the Dutch armies who had encroached upon their territories. After this, Lazarino's Diamond was renamed "Victory Diamond".

During the Great War, however, when the Japanese invaded, the Victory Diamond was lost, whereas Moon's Tear was destroyed (or lost) during a Japanese bombing raid on the Imperial Palace (killing the last Emperor, Qiu Vao). Victory Diamond was stolen by a daring Japanese night raid on an Agrigentian fortress, perhaps involving ninjas.

Even amidst the bloody and chaotic fighting raging in the jungles and lowlands of the time, a joint Agrigentian-Islandian expedition was put together and immediately dispatched to recover the precious jewel, which had long been an inspiration to both peoples. The importance of the mission was doubled by the fact that Moon's Tear had been lost to the Japanese, and were the Victory Diamond to be lost, so would hope.

Another joint undertaking quickly followed the Japanese thieves, tracking the elite Japanese soldiers from the islands of the South Pacific to China, and finally, to the Japanese Home Islands themselves. After a risky, deadly counter-raid which succeeded in securing the diamond, the men returned to the region with the jewel.

Following this, the Japanese were expelled out of the region, and the diamond remained safe for another few decades. It was recently lost during the Islandian Wars, as a renegade West Islandian made off with the diamond, hijacking it from straight under an East Islandian convoy in home waters. However, the diamond was lost for another few years, rumored to be on the black market, and has now emerged, having almost disappeared for twenty years.

OOC
Okay now, someone needs to steal it. Whoever wants to come can come

OOC: Does it have to be on water? Imitoran thiefs work much better in cars...

OOC: Oooh......::tag::

At present I'm just watching, but I may jump in.

OOC: worth a crack a believe

IC: Aneurin Smith, Stood at the region's metreological centre. The boss had given him a difficult job but he thought he could do it. The catering company that supplied the building was a certain, "Greek Gifts". It was almost too obvious. When the catering van pulled up the spotty student worker didn't take an age to convince. He packed him off with a little story about restructuring the business and when that didn't work a cheque did.

Holding the kilo or so of Pita breads and fried lamb Aneurin entered the building. First stop the IT department. Reaching the departmrnt he set of the fire alarm. IT techicians and consultants and an array of scientists scurried out of the building in confusion. The sprinkler system came on. A quick smoke can blotted out the CCTV. Walking into the room with only a few feet of visibilty he began to tap away at the key board.

Next week predicted light showers but mostly briliant sun shine.

Fixing a radio reciever to the circuit board CPU he could change the weather fore cast when ever he wanted. He knew these people would be too lazy to check and even if they did he could change the imput data as well.

Next week severe winds suspected tropical cyclone and tidal waves.

Picking up the smoke can and tossing a survival match in to the litterbin. It would not burn for long but would give a reason for the fire alarm. Rushing down the emergancy exit he was checked by a fire marshal before leaving.

His teamate Joshua Bently had already secured the Beach patrol boat station. Using fake passports and a little birbery to grease the wheels. The two of them controled patrol boats Delta and Gamma. Bently had appointed himself leader of the watch after the previous leader developed a trouble some illness. It would wear off soon but in the mean time he had used his new power to fire the mechanics and hired two more of the team, Phillp Kentle and Ian Dilworth.

Bently put down the phone and finished the cash transaction on his laptop. The watch leader was to be retired for health reasons. On full pension. He wasn't a complete Bastard. Now all that remained was to hire another boat member. David Lansett. The Team was complete. The stage was set.

OOC: Does it have to be on water? Imitoran thiefs work much better in cars...

Most of my nation is island, but there is one large landmass, with many roads. It is likely that the diamond would be transported via road or train, since the main airport is located on the large landmass.

Unless, of course, the buyer is willing to send in a hydroplane to take care of the transport....

Buyers are also welcome...just beware of the thieves and government agents.

I also didnt mention the security around the resort yet, and I apologize for that... will be mentioned in a later post, hopefully tnite.

Ian Dilworth opened the spare parts crate. He pulls out a Mauser machine pistol. Next comes a Lee-Enfield Target Rifle, with scope and a couple of spare parts that he spend some time clicking into an Thompson automatic. All a bit archaic but at least they're reliable.

Stowing them into the bow of patrol boat Delta. Aneurin Smith and Bently Motors out towards the target.
Back in the station Kentle taps away at his laptop attached to an ordinary mobile phone. Sending out a broadcast. Two hours later its full effects become apperent.

==================================================================================================== ================

[ this is island news and a suprise bulliten on the weather. a tropical cyclone of massive proportiobs may soon engulf the region laying low and buildings near the coast. All non-essiantial personnel are strongly advised to head inland. Wide spread destructions on the coast suspected]

[ this is island news and a suprise bulliten on the weather. a tropical cyclone of massive proportiobs may soon engulf the region laying low and buildings near the coast. All non-essiantial personnel are strongly advised to head inland. Wide spread destructions on the coast suspected]

this is MY region. I will dictate the weather.

I have been gone for a few days,due to an injury, and now im bak.

OOC: Yes you decide the wheather but the forecast its a con thats the whole point. The weather forecast is wrong because the computers have been tapped into.

IC: The Patrol boat pulled into the harbour.

"I'm sorry sir but the waves will be a danger to guests you will need to vacate the premises. I appriate that sir. The Diamond will have to be moved inland or you will risk losing it. The security teams can't stay with it this whole beach will be destroyed. It needs moving. The Coast Guard will secure the harbour but it needs to be moved quickly."

Security arrangements
On the fifteen islands (large ones) that make up the Imperial Lagoon Resort, there are a collection of private security guards, Islandian paramilitary Border Police, and even two Second Flag (reserve military) aviation units. Border Police units included three boat detachments (about fifteen small, fast moving hydrofoils with one 20mm turret, two 5.56mm NATO machine gun mounts, as well as a mount for an surface-to-surface guided missile and another mount for a surface-to-air missile. Most boats have the surface-to-surface missiles attached, not the SAMs, as it would slow the craft down.) Also, there are about fifty or so Border Police officers patrolling the various islands, ten of whom are in a rapid-reaction unit. The reserve aviation units have twenty helicopters all together, and are used mainly to transport the policemen and for interdiction duties. twelve of the helicopters are armed, six with machine guns, and six are attack helicopters (Augusta A129N helos)

There is a Marine base about forty kilometers away, with a full brigade stationed there.

The owner of the resort, James Guang, is a former soldier in the 1st Ghost Brigade, a foreign service unit of the Islandian military. His intentions for hosting the auction are also unclear, as Guang is fairly patriotic.

More nations needed!!!!

*******
Lieutenant Ao of the Border Police squinted through his binoculars as he noticed the strange looking boats floating offshore. If he remembered correctly, those boats were obsolete by at least five years, and to the best of his knowledge, had been completely phased out several months ago.

Or maybe not. He whistled to the rest of his crew, and took the familiar weight of his G36k assault rifle in hand, while the gunners manned the three turrets, and another crewman slid into his spot on the rocket station. The small craft, a sleek, dagger shaped craft that was twice as long as regular speedboats, glided over to the other patrol boat, which was evacuating ships from the harbor.

It was even stranger that the harbor had not been guarded, Ao thought. But then again, there were nearly a thousand different islands in Islandia, of varying size, and it was impossible to guard all of them.

Ao's crew hailed the other boat on the standard police frequency. Ao was fairly certain that they were National Police, the local counterparts to the paramilitary Border Police, and so he simply held his rifle with the muzzle pointing down. Some of his crew, however, had their weapons pointed in the general direction of the boats, just in case.

Agrigentian Security Force, en-route
Western Approach, Pearl Sea Station
______________________________________

The convoy of helicopters weaved their way violently through the air just above the cascade of choppy waves below them. The bright green, white and red hulls stood out in the clear blue distance as the water underneath them turned to a fine mist.

As they approached the island's myriad defensive network the co-pilot on each craft immediately double-checked their transponders. Slower than their tilt-rotor and fixed wing counterparts; they would have been sitting ducks to the East Islandian air defenses.

As they came within view of Pearl Sea Station the AgustaWestland EH101's began to ascend above the rising terrain below them. Landing in a symphony of man and machine the occupants emptied out onto the sand scorched helipad. Lacking the appropriate attire of a uniformed soldier they distinguished themselves clearly as creatures of the intelligence sector. Altogether two dozen suit-clad agents of the AIA's Domestic Affairs Bureau landed on that beach in the fashion of their Foreign Affairs brethren. This was one of the extremely rare instances in which members of the Bureau had actually stepped foot out of their country, mid mission.

Somewhat distressed by the overt means his agency had utilized to get him in country, Special Agent Diavolone briefed the members of his team as the East Islandian contacts meandered their way into the tropical sun.

OOC: DAMN! I wrote a huge post and it all got deleted! GRRRRR

IC:

-Hudecian occupied Sulawesi-
-Prime Ministerial Palace-

Mohammed Kalla paced back and forth in his elegantly decorated office. In contrast to the wealth of his office, his government was never more destitute. But then again, before today, it hadn't even existed.

The Hudecian led occupying forces had taken the island, and established free elections, leading to him occupying this position.

A government, with no army yet, an increasingly impatient populace, and muslim extremists sharpening their axes, anxious for the day when the allies would leave for good and they could reignite the inter-religious strife that had been temporarily suspended.

They needed money, however they could get it. Mohammed put the daily paper down on his desk and left his office, the front page clearly showing the diamond exihibition in Islandia.

-Hudecian military airbase in the south of the island-

The UH-60H picked up its 5 passengers, three men and two women, all Indonesian, and took off heading for a Hudecian frigate that was waiting offshore.

Landing on the frigate, the vessel abruptly changed course, heading for Pearl Sea Station. In a secure transmission, they declared that they were bringing in several wealthy Indonesian and Hudecian prospectors who had an interest in the diamond.

Taishita, Marimaia

Although the Marimaian Concerns already had various gifts to present during Chiisu Suun's coronation as Tiger King, a consensus had been reached between them that the Victory Diamond would make for a pleasant surprise. It was decided that a representative would go to East Islandia for the auction.

The representative chosen was one of the Concern heads themselves. Vlaho Mestrovic, a Croatian expatriate and CEO of Mestrovic Expertise Concern, would fly to Islandia in person to bid for the diamond. His two lieutenants, Andrija and Rutjer, would accompany him alongside a small group of attendants.

Realising that the diamond was a very tempting target, Mestrovic had been chosen for a very specific reason; Mestrovic Expertise Concern are professional mercenaries.

The Islandian authorities are advised that Vlaho will be arriving by private jet as a bidder for the Victory Diamond.

-Aboard HS Stockwell Day (Halifax class frigate)-

The 'wealthy' Indonesians were treated with the utmost respect by their Hudecian guards. A team of Hudecian marines were to be protecting these men and women along their trip.

In addition to these five was a Hudecian man and his wife. Jacques Smith was an incredibly wealthy aerospace engineer who had established Air Hudecia, a now popular air service designed to accomodate all kinds of passengers, from the ultra rich to the common factory worker.

It was a bit of an irony that now he would be aboard a Hudecian frigate, but the truth of the matter was that the Smith was a bit stingy when it came to things like this. Besides, he had to pick up a group of associates from Sulawesi anyway.

The Indonesians were led by a Abdul Widjaja, a man of immense stature and strength, who had survived the FBS and upon 'liberation' by the Hudecians, made a fortune supplying them with construction materials.

The Patrol boats were bigger then his own. Shit this could get messy. He hoped they didn't search the boats. They shouldn't do he reassured him self. He was after all a coast quard.

"Hello officers we're just warning the public about the weather reports. Who would have thought it eh! Looks fine to me"

Pearl Sea Station

As the Hudecian frigate docked, Islandian soldiers of the Pearl Guards Brigade, posted at the base, greeted the Hudecian captain. Resupply was offered, and those who wished to make their way to the resort were quickly flown there via Z8 helicopter, though the crash webbing and stiff seats were undoubtedly far less than what Abdul Widjaja or any of his delegation would have liked.

For the most part, it seemed that the auction would go smoothly, as planned. The Border Police had reported no trouble as of yet, and if anything went wrong, there was an entire brigade within five minutes travel time.

*******
the Agrigentians were greeted by three men, one of whom wore the flecktarn fatigues of the Islandian Marine forces; the other two wore the strange blue and green mottled camouflage of the Border Police. The tallest one also bore the single line of a First General on his lapel.

"Greetings," he said, extending his hand. "I am First General Xa, commander of the Pearl Guards. With me are Commanders Rei and Guo, both of the Border Police. Now, if you may follow me."

The procession walked past several beaches, where soldiers were conducting drills on their swift boats. The Pearl Guards were one of the few Marine units to possess their own swift boat detachment, and that was the cause of much envy throughout the Marine forces. The men filed into a small compound, complete with tactical operations center and a small set of rooms next door.

"Gentlemen, we all know that the Victory Diamond was stolen," Commander Rei said as his counterpart, Guo, handed out various casual attire to the Agrigentians to replace their suits. There were changing rooms next door, and conversations were audible; an intelligence officer had swept out the place before, looking for bugs. "That, however, seems not to be the issue; after all, we are all here to ensure the safety of the auction, and your government has as much an interest in keeping this sale legitimate as we do. Still, I cannot imagine what your people must feel at having the most precious jewel in the region sold."

Rei proceeded to explain the security arrangements and discuss the resort; perhaps, he thought, it would only be a vacation. Still, he was bitter over the fact that the Victory Diamond was at an auction not a hundred kilometers from where he stood. The Agrigentians had to be even more so, as it was their relic.

The Patrol boats were bigger then his own. Shit this could get messy. He hoped they didn't search the boats. They shouldn't do he reassured him self. He was after all a coast quard.

"Hello officers we're just warning the public about the weather reports. Who would have thought it eh! Looks fine to me"

Ao squinted, staring at the men's uniforms. He noted that they were a different make than his own, confirming his suspicion that they were National Police. Further, he didnt see any armaments aboard, so he relaxed and shrugged, pulling his rifle to a resting position. His men did likewise, easing their fingers off the trigger mechanisms of their weapons.

"Storm advisory?" Ao asked. He looked into the sky and put a pair of binoculars to his eyes.

There were clouds and sun for as far as he could see.

The men on his boat laughed, and Ao grinned, pulling his mottled blue and green beret off so he could scratch his head in the tropical heat.

"This hot and you National Police fools say there's a storm?" he said, laughing. "Well, I'll have to call headquarters, see what they think about it. One of the desk pukes must have done something stupid and tracked the wrong weather reports."

In the meantime, Ao's crew relaxed, some even unzipping the front of their combination lifejacket/flakvests. it was a hot day, after all, and the seven men (three gunners, one missile control, Ao, and two on the bridge) could think of better things to do then patrol the Pearl Sea.

Ao reached for the Satellite phone, and frowned, trying to remember headquarters' number.

*********
At the auction

As Vlaho arrives, a convoy of bulletproof outrigger canoes (standard for the resort) pull up to the airport's dock, awaiting him and his procession. Among the drivers is James Guang, owner of the resort and a former soldier himself, dressed in a tropical shirt, shorts, and sunglasses.

He welcomes Vlaho, and the procession quickly makes its way to the accomodations, some overwater huts accessible by outrigger canoes. Abdul Widjaja's procession is similarly welcomed, except they find themselves facing Mandy Li, James' business partner, who escorts them by Humvee procession to a beachfront suite that is to the west of the Marimaian accomodations.

The bidding starts later that afternoon, with well-known businesswoman Bei Yu leading the bidding.

"Where does the bidding start?" Jacques asked in his Quebec accent.

Widjaja's delegation quickly took to scanning the area, its security procedures, measures and even tested its response timing by 'accidentally' attempting to go where they should not. Their actions were not suspicious enough yet though, they were cautious not to draw attention to themselves.

Widjaja himself was preoccupied with the bidding process. His 4 associates were members of the government he was told, there to ensure his safety. But even he realized that they were there for a much different purpose. Didn't matter to him though, if they stole it, he would buy it from them, if they failed, he would buy it through the Islandians. Either way, he'd get his hands on it.

"The bidding is on the main compound in the center of the island, about two more kilometers in, accessibly by Humvee or by the shuttle bus," Mandy said. "The restaurants, shops, and aid area is about a quarter kilometer inland from your area."

Vlaho looked around his accomodations.

"Very nice. Not quite what I'm used to, but still pleasant."

He turned to James Guang with a friendly smile. "Tell me friend, have you any idea how many people have turned up for this? I know that the diamond is an item of beauty, and I was wondering how many had arrived in an attempt to claim it."

"Only two nations, I'm afraid," James Guang replied to Vlaho's comment. "I had thought that the auction would have been a bigger, grander event, but I suppose I was wrong."

He pointed the way to the main compound, the restaurants, and was soon on his way.

Huh so they ignore weather reports. Damn oh well time for plan B this would be more expensive. Bently flicked on his radio. Kentle there not buying it. He'd wipe the smiles off their faces soon. Enough. Calm down he thought. Kentle phone Filger I'm sure he'd like to hear about this.

The car transporter arrived quickly. These things are kept in storage until they ae needed by people such as the boss. The Boss had such things as all millionaire's in this part of the world seem to collect. The submersable sloshed into the water. Kentle pioleted the craft under the water and attached it to the patrol boat. The camoflage netting would disguise it from the air. It would be a dog to find from the air even if you were looking for it and these people weren't. The guard's had no submarines or sonar equipment and even if they did it would be of little use as they didn't know what they were looking for. It would look like a rock on a sonar screen and the reflection from the water would make it difficult to see in the day and impossible to see at night.

Kentle was a brave soul he could be relived by the patrol boat in three days and he had enough rations for the duration. He had four water rockets. They only had a short range but be would be co-ordinated from the patrol boat. He would remain in radio silence so would untraceable. He was hoping they weren't going to do this. This would be very boring and very dangerous.

"Smile Kentle" said Bently as Aneurin forced him into the cockpit and sealed him in. The Patrol boat would hide the sub until it was inplace.

The weather report had not fooled the security guards but it would probably have kept the tourists at bay. This would make their job easier.

Dr. Xia Ming a Xiannese General now duke of the Sichuan Province was extremely wealthy due to his development of the Chinese air travels agency, and the owner of the Airliner East China Airlines, and has recently bought the Mongolian and Dongbei Airlines.

He and Mrs. Xia formerly known as Li Li Shan, the first woman general of Northern China, who have been granted governorship of Xinjiang and was also extremely wealthy due to her jewelry and oearl farms in SOuthern CHina and mines in Western the North Eastern China. They have arrived to seek treasures, wodnerful treasures.

Being Notable figures of Xiaguo and granted lordship and ladyship of lands in Xiaguo, they are entitled to Royal Guardsmen hired by the government to protect them. 12 Guards in All will accompany the couple and are liekly to pay a hefty-some amount for the diamond, which Mrs Xia has eyed for quite some time now.

OOC: if noone posts in a day or so I will asume the thread is over and write a sumerising paragraph in which i steal this diamond. Thought I'd let you know a week or so in advance. Any complaints?

This thread was skewed form the beginning...i asked Agrigento to help out, but being the lazy bastard he is, he didnt, so f*** it all.

And no, dont jack the diamond. We'll just say it blew up or something.

oh no the diamond blew up!

oh well it was fun while it lasted nice playing with you