NationStates Jolt Archive

The room was shabby, and smelt damp. The neon lights buzzed and flickered, making the cold room even more unpleasant. No windows provided any natural light….here…deep in the earth no light or sound penetrated.
“Please sit Miss Shaw”
Liz Shaw lowered herself into the leather chair, it and the desk in front of her had an elegance of a former age…they were well crafted and designed for leisure…a stark contrast to this concrete hell underground.
The man who had spoken looked her over like a piece of beef…making Liz infuriated…her rank in the Inquisition made her feel she deserved far better respect…
Even thou the man was wearing ‘civies’, Liz realized he was military…his bearing gave him away…he maybe putting on weight, but the man couldn’t hide his attitude.
“I’m Captain Patrick Batemann, it’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Shaw…”
With some smugness, Liz congratulated herself on her perceptiveness “A pleasure to meet you sir.”
“I’ve read your work Officer Shaw, you have proved to be a most loyal servant of God and country. All your superiors speak highly of you, you seem happy in your work but…”
‘Here it comes’. Liz braced herself for the worst…part of her half expected a garrotte to magically appear around her neck…she’d heard the rumours of what happened down here…
“but…I wonder, do you really feel fulfilled? You have a wonderful mind. Criminal and racial purity work seems a waste…”
Instinct caused by years of conditioning made her react “Sir, the Elf and all metahumans are our deadly race enemies.. By the blood of Christ we must fight them and all they have tainted!”
“Indeed. But Liz, there are worse things than Elves….”
Liz was about to debate the point, when the natural truth of the statement kicked her mind..
Batemann Continued “ For generations all types of things have plagued and bedevilled our people. I’m not speaking about Lavenrunz either… minions of the great adversary lurk in the darkness…admonitions against God subvert natural law with blasphemy …powers beyond the scope of humanity attack us with evil beyond imagination…dark powers lure men to their doom. Sorcery and demonic activity are a curse that has never ceased…. and lets not forget the more mundane - The serial killer…the ‘unstoppable’ rapist…the corrupt bureaucracy. Corruption from within is the biggest danger after all.
We are the Oculi Dei. You would naturally have heard of the eyes of God before…but perhaps the scope of our work you weren’t aware of…
Liz shuffled in her seat “naturally I’ve heard of Oculi Dei…but…”
“We fight a unlikely war. A war without borders. Currently our nation is concentrated on…certain ideals…we mustn’t allow these ideals to deter us from our goals. We have unnecessary cut ourselves off from those who could help us…
Our task must always be the Preservation of Justice and the law of God. Against all foes …be they internal, external, natural or supernatural. I believe you have always wanted to work for justice..”
Batemann pushed a file over the table “read this, You’ve already been transferred, you are to be assigned new accommodation. I’m assuming this arrangement meets with your approval?”
Flicking through the file, Liz Shaw her personal life typed up, with additional photos for good measure. Tiny things were listed next to events that had shaken her world, Inquisition files weren’t even this detailed…Batemann knew things that could course her ‘unpleasantness’…she felt the noose tighten around her neck as she read on….declining his offer didn’t really seem the life giving option…
“I’ll take your silence as consent. Welcome to the Bethlehem Facility. Welcome to Oculi Dei…”


OOC: Opening introduction to an idea I’ve had for awhile. Hoping to form contacts with intelligence/policing agencies world wide. Including those who we’d be less likely to be politically friendly with. Sorta the Interpol idea. People on the ground working together better than governments.

A Neutral Bigtopian Port

Maurice Danton pulled a ciagarette to his mouth, breathing in lightly. "These people...the slime of humanity, they really are." He was talking about Armand Leroux, the head of a human trafficking ring (which, ironically, did not deal exclusively in humans) to which the abductions of about five Danaan citizens had been traced. It was a small number but it bothered Danton a lot more than murder or rape or any other violent crime. When murder happened, it was over. Even regular kidnapping was an event in time. These girls were still out there somewhere, going through a living Hell in some far flung barbarian corner of the world.

Danton couldn't do much to save them. He had no way to find them. What he could do was kill the man responsible and that was tonight's plan. It wasn't an execution but an assassination on another nation's sovereign territory. Still...Danaan law had to fight international crime and they couldn't do their job always waiting for drug lords and master slavers to set foot on their soil. Breathing in, Danton stepped into the strip club Leroux was rumored to frequent.

Their are tagged roles in most islamic states who's sole purpose is the combating of crime.
Such groups within the islamic realm are always looking for allies in the battle against all disordered honorless criminals.

~Sultan Hatusu

Melanie Thessalien was an intelligent, attractive young woman, who worked as a receptionist for the owner of a small canned food factory, although he knew her as Mary O'Donald. She had worked there for the past six months, and while her boss thought she was a fairly lazy and unreliable worker on account of her often coming in late and leaving early, he had kept her on because she hadn't made a fuss about his busy hands. She loathed her lecherous employer of course, but she didn't want to attract undue attention, since she was also an Pantocratorian Imperial Foreign Intelligence Service agent. Besides, one thing she had learned both in her extensive IFIS training and from her exposure to Iesian society generally was that it was always good to have something one could use against other people. She fancied that Mr Frederickson would go to some length to stop Mrs Frederickson finding out about his wandering hands, and who knew, the time might come when she would need his help (or more likely his money) to save her skin or accomplish her mission.

It was her mission which called her away from her desk at four twenty that afternoon for a casual stroll past a certain building which she knew to be the hideaway in St Augustine of one Monsieur Philippe de Gastinois, the second son of a Knight of the Order of the Pantocrator, a prominent Pantocratorian businessman, and former adviser to the former Pantocratoria First Government. He was a defector, who had discreetly left Pantocratoria at the outbreak of the Syskeyia-Reich War, and after a brief vacation which took him through several countries with whom Pantocratoria had no normalised relations, he had settled in Iesus Christi. The IFIS suspected he was working with the Iesian intelligence agencies, feeding them information about Pantocratoria. They knew that he had links with the New Constantinople underworld, and was suspected of being involved in people smuggling.

She pressed a finger on the frame of her sunglasses as if adjusting them on her nose. The tiny camera build into the glasses snapped a few shots of Philippe de Gastinois as he left the apartment complex and got into a dark car parked on the street. She snapped a few shots of the number plate too, and then casually walked by as he was fumbling for his car keys in his coat pocket.

She heard his wolf-whistle, and without thinking turned around to the source. Although Iesian clothing was even more drab and modest than the dress standards imposed by the Ministry of Cultural Development in Pantocratoria back before the Socialists got into power, Melanie was still an attractive woman, so it wasn't unusual for her to be the subject of lewd whistles or glances. She cursed herself for letting this one in particular bother her enough to make her turn around, because now her quarry had seen her face. He gave her a wink, blissfully unaware that she had been observing him for some weeks now. For a few nervous seconds, her mind raced and she wondered whether he knew. Finally, her training asserted itself and she managed to force a shy half-smile and a blush, before turning around again and continuing on her way. His car pulled away and it wasn't until it was gone that she allowed herself a sigh of relief and disappointment in her reaction.

The office wasn’t up to Liz Shaws standards at all. The room was eerily silent except for the rattle of the ventilation system, the thick concrete walls shrouding any sounds from the other officers in the subterranean complex.
She sat at her desk, mourning the loss of her uniform. She hadn’t been told not to wear her Inquisition uniform, but felt the rule was implicit. She felt uncomfortable in these clothes….’civies’…even the word made her feel less of a human being…
“now what” She spoke to herself, but half suspected she was being watched even now.
Tapping at her computer console, Liz signed onto her account, the screen soon filled with what her day held in store….her schedule was planned to the minute by some higher power. She noted glumly she even had allocated toilet breaks, everything was to be regimented…years before during her compulsory army training things had been the same, she remember with some anger the training officers making the newly arrived teenagers line up on parade all day…a test of stamina and resolve they called it…pity the poor sixteen year old who fainted or pissed themself.
“Well they can get bent if they think I’m not going to go when I need too…”
She tapped down the list of agenda items. Her day seemed largely allocated to one item. Case# 1001.
She called up the file, and made herself a cup of tea. Sipping at her tea she read over the file, keywords sprung into her mind…
“Prostitution, Whoremongering, Bigtopia , Philippe de Gastinois , Corruption, Illegal transportation of human beings …”
Anger rose in her, she saw immediately why this case was her rather than in the Inquisition proper. Her mind ran through possible courses of action, isolating and examination of external criminal sources would be difficult…years of Iesus isolation with the world outside the Reich had its toll in certain intelligence areas. This corruption and blasphemy made her blood run cold….this trade in international trade in flesh was slavery...
Liz recited the words all Iesus children were taught at school “Slavery is Sin, and those who uphold it…criminals..”

From villages to the comericial cities, people – especially women and girls – are attracted by the prospect of a well-paid job as a domestic servant, waitress or factory worker. Traffickers recruit victims through fake advertisements, mail-order bride catalogues and casual acquaintances. Even worse is the international trade in completly unwilling people. Those kidnapped and stolen from their homes.
Upon arrival at their destination, victims are placed in conditions controlled by traffickers while they are exploited to earn illicit revenues or worse. Many are physically confined, their travel or identity documents are taken away and they or their families are threatened if they do not cooperate. Women and girls forced to work as prostitutes are blackmailed by the threat that traffickers will kill them or their families. Trafficked children are dependent on their traffickers for food, shelter and other basic necessities. Traffickers also play on victims’ fears that authorities in a strange country will prosecute or deport them if they ask for help.
Trafficking in human beings is a global issue, the islamic realm has always attempted to stop this trade, but a lack of resources makes North Star a weak link in the reich barrier to this trade. In the past the realm even turned a blind eye to the human trafficking passing ,the lure of money and lack of care in foriegn nationals making the trade flourish for a time. This past is considered by the Sultan as a stain on the nations honor.
There has been strengthening of the criminal justice response to trafficking through legislative reform since Sultan Hatusu came into power, but International cooperation is still lacking.

~North Star U.N report

"we Shall bring our swords to the fiends themselves and slay them where they stand. The Beasts who have rejected humanity, the fools who have rejected Christ, the ungodly who have embraced demons, The witch, werewolf and unholy. The unseen enemies we shall fight, be they of this world or any other.
In the name of Christ we so swear it"
Part of the Oculi Dei oath.


Liz concentrated on the task, and tried to forget the weirdness of the night before...
Philippe de Gastinois looked like a true patriot of Christ. A foreign national fleeing the foreign Godless hordes. His file showed him to be obliging and open with Military intelligence…The Intel he had passed on appeared to be valid…..He seemed to be settling down well…
Yet there was something amiss about him, The Inquisition and Oculi Dei had picked up his underworld connections….so far it had been ignored by the mainstream Inquisition…the mans Intel value outweighing any criminal connection.
But now Oculi dei had picked up on something, perhaps it was nothing..just a dead end in this continuing case…but it was worth checking out. There were few other avenues of investigation..
Liz was furious when she read the case, the trade in human flesh did appear to exists in Iesus…modern slaves transported to Iesus and beyond…amazing as it seemed…several bodies had been recovered, their barcodes had proved to be fakes after sometime – surface Identities enough to fool scanners but in reality they were people without lives. Whoever had faked them knew a lot about Iesus..
What hamstrung this investigation wasn’t only the shadowy nature of Iesus Christi hierarchy, but was the lack of knowledge about foreign criminal elements… the ministry of social order had taken over much and wasn’t keen on sharing information with mainstream security. Thankfully Oculi Dei wasn’t mainstream…Liz had a mandate to approach this however she wanted.

The connection with Bigtopia was certain, it was one of the few neutral nations Iesus had firm trade with, Military Intelligence and foreign Inquisitors had noted the nation was a den of sin and perversion.More sick than menelmacar or knootnoss! Yet oddly enough Cargo from their came into almost every Iesus port, Border control inspected it naturally….but Iesus is a large country…
Liz got into her car, over head the loudspeakers extolled the Iesus cause while the cameras kept constant supervision. Random reading of the Iesus forearm barcodes provided a sort of spot check. She’d make a sweep of this foreigner and his apartment, it wasn’t much but it was a start.

The woman Danton had been speaking too, Beatrice Tarleton, nodded to him and stepped back into the shadows. She worried so when Maurice went into places like that. Over the years, she had developed quite a strong affection for her partner. If only he wasn't married. Tarleton shook her head. She had her own job to do and no time to waste with this kind of silliness.

Meanwhile, Danton was quietly sitting down across from Leroux. He smiled pleasantly and shook the man's hand. "Good evening, monsieur. My name is Thierry LaBlanc. I sent you a message through some common friends..."

"Ah, yes, a pleasure to meet you at last." Leroux said. "I was given to understand you wanted them...young?"

"Very young." Danton, now known as LaBlanc, answered. Inside, he could feel his bile threaten to rise. His mine wandered to his young daughter back home and he very much wanted to simply crush Leroux in his bare hands right now. Of course, that would cost him his job and his life. Instead, he said "Maybe you could throw in that little filly over there. I could make a ponygirl out of her." God, why do I even have to know the terms for this filth?

Leroux turned to eye up the beautiful young girl, apparently a tourist from Jamaica or Haiti or somewhere similar. "I suppose I could have someone catch her."

As Leroux looked back at him, Danton handed him a glass of wine he'd just poured. He raised his own glass. "To good business." Both men took a sip. Danton, of course, poured himself untainted wine. Leroux would feel fine until he went to bed tonight but he wouldn't wake up tomorrow.

The rest of the conversation continued in the same vein. Danton had to finish the meeting to avoid suspicion. About an hour later, he met Beatrice on the street. "Get him?" she asked.

"Yeah..." he said. "What'd you find out?" Quickly, he began to scan the sheet of paper she handed him, frowning. "Jesus Christ, we have to go to Iesus Christi."

The boat slowly drifted towards the shore, two men standing in the stern, watching their load armed with small efficient submachine guns. A man in the bow blinked a few times with his flashlight as the sound of waves hitting the shore grew louder in the misty morning. They only had a few hours to unload their cargo until the sun would burn away the mist and the extensive Reich surveillance systems would alarm authorities about the unidentified vessel.

The prices for “luxury Items” had skyrocketed the last year and you could easily get twice as much for a young fresh girl from the decadent western world from the wealthy business men as last year. They even had managed to sell a few elven girls to some particularly eager customers. This time the load contained 11 units; two men, seven women and two elves. With a price exceeding 50,000 Earlings per person and maybe twice as much for the elves, they would return as rich men to their families. Any morale qualms had been eased by their bosses.

-“What’s wrong with buying and selling people? Football clubs do it all the time?!” The men behind this had told them. Being eager sports fans they had all nodded and since the risk was high but the reward was even higher they had all agreed on doing this. Most of the men were young and in a world with high unemployment a shipment like this would mean that they could afford to get married or give their kids a good education.

They could see a light flash three times on the hills above the shore and so they continued towards the beach.

The apartment complex was average, reasonable low key, rather ugly. Very typically Iesus…
Pulling up outside, without a doubt this defector would have some protection. Within minutes Liz noted the government unmarked surveillance car doing its ‘rounds’ around the block. She slunk into her seat as it passed , and then was annoyed with herself….She was becoming needlessly ‘cloak and dagger’…
“Calm down Liz, you are a Officer, you’re allowed to be here..”
From the reports gathered form the vast system of cameras around the city, Philippe de Gastinois had a pretty good life . He spent a lot of time in the southern semi-industrial part of the city…a area known for its more liberal bars and ventures. It was there the several dead hookers had been found...
As she waited and boredom set in, Liz wished she’d simply stayed in her office and tracked him via the security cameras. It would have certainly been easier, but for some reason she wanted to see this man in the flesh. Besides she had access to the cams from her vehicle anyhow.
She jerked herself back from her boredom as she saw him leave the building, a car she had barely noticed was already waiting for him. She pinned the number into her onboard computer…
“a ministry car. Going to sell some more secrets are you Mr de Gastinois” She tapped her throat mic “Officer Toberman, This is officer Shaw. Following Vehicle #14505. Requesting Camera trace to assist my visual surveillance”
“Voice coding accepted. Will do Officer Shaw. I’ll even patch through an additional feed to your mini-screen.”
With a smile Liz slowly began following the Ministry car. At last she felt she was doing something with her life...

On four different planes, seven people traveled to Iesus Christi, all taking off from different neutral countries and all traveling with thoroughly forged identities, travel papers, even fictional electronic records. It wouldn't have been enough to seriously infiltrate Iesian authorities, of course, but what they had was quite likely to be effective at sneaking into the country itself under the guise of regular foreign tourists.

Aboard the first plane, sat George and Susan Makarios (actually Maurice Danton and Beatrice Tarleton. George was an Adriatic shipping tycoon and Susan his new wife. While relatively apolitical, the two had a certain taste for stability and a certain distaste for metahumans and Susan was a devout Catholic. Naturally, Iesus had struck them as an excellent place to have their honeymoon.

In another plane, sat Angelina and Plautilla Viglianno, two sisters from Rome. Having grown up in the heard of the Catholic world, they had wanted to see its most populous country. Angelina gave the outward impression of a girl as vapid as she was beautiful, the typical spoilt princess. Her sister, on the other hand, seemed far more athletic, to an almost unwomanly extent. Both, however, were dressed modestly for the moment to make a good impression on their devout hosts.

Aboard the last plane sat a somewhat odder group of three. A short man with glasses and a taller more athletic woman, both of African extraction, sat together. These were, according to their papers, William and Harriet Jaspers, a married couple very interested in slavery because of their own people's history and thus eager to see Iesus Christi, one of the more notable anti-slavery powers. Right behind them sat a younger redheaded woman, Amanda Burroughs, their personal confidential secretary.

Iesus Christi border control was tight, but not impregnable. New Arrivals on flights were routinely quizzed for hours, Iesus Intelligence having little regard for the travellers feelings. It wasn’t uncommon for arrivals to be sent home without explanation....captured foriegn agents would expect far worse.
Those visiting Iesus were not exempt from the restrictions normal citizens faced, new arrivals were even assigned housing for the duration of their Visit – usually some inner city Hotel of inconsistent’ quality.
The main airport at St Augustine was something nearer to a barracks than a international airport…Soldiers outnumbered civilians vastly, and it was a safe assumption many of those in civilian clothing were actually security agents.
New arrivals could feel eyes watching their every move, not only paranoia fuelled surveillance…foreign non-Reich visitors was still somewhat a novelty.
Handy posters and loudspeakers explained general ‘do’s and ‘don’t’ to those visitors to obtuse to follow obvious normative.
“Visitor! Welcome!
Things to remember
-Non government sanctioned worship is forbidden.
-Do not take photos. outside of permitted areas(marked on your tour maps!)
-Speaking against God or the government is forbidden
-Promogation of false religions and politics is a criminal offence
-The Wages of Sin is death”


On a distant beach, a group of smugglers were greeted not by alarms and searchlights but by a quiet balding man, his shortness contrasted by the well-built silent figures further up the beach.
Illuminated by the moonlight, the man inspected the new arrivals. He didn’t say a word to the smugglers as he inspected the newly arrived ‘cargo’. His meaty hands inspected the goods with no regard for their dignity.
He spoke at last with a voice that seemed perpetually puffed. “Excellent. Excellent. The mandated price of course. How’d you like that? Lavenrunz marks? Iesus dollars? Earlings?

The Makarioses had actually paid a rather exorbitant fee to be special guests of the Iesian government...in a good way. There were certainly a few advantages as to mobility in the private home they were being afforded but, more importantly, it worked better with their cover. They went through security peaceably. George remained perfectly calm while Susan portrayed a good deal of embarassment at the procedures, although she did not resist or backtalk in any way.

The Vigliannos and the Jaspers went to Christ the King with most tourists. While the Jaspers went to bed, the Vigliannos went down to southern St. Augustine, looking for the seedier bars they could find. Amanda Burroughs went out into the streets of St. Augustine, going site seeing and taking photographs in the designated areas where photographs were allowed.

Melanie Thessalien arched her eyebrow when she realised that she wasn't the only one following Philippe de Gastinois' car. She took a note of Liz's number plate and the details of the car itself, and then decided to break away from trailing de Gastinois before she caused any undue suspicion.

Philippe de Gastinois had been aware that a Pantocratorian agent had been following around for sometime, and had been careful to check his rear view mirror on a routine basis. After Thessalien broke away, he noticed Liz's car following him.

"Merde..." he mumbled. Assuming Liz to be the Pantocratorian agent, he scribbled down her number plate and then accelerated, trying to lose her. He dialed his emergency contact number (for his contact in Military Intelligence) on his mobile phone, hooked into the handsfree system.

"Come on.... answer..." he mumbled in a panic as the phone rang.

The men in the boat could hardly discern a figure in a trench coat standing on a craggy rock through the mist. The figure was smoking a cigarette and the glow was amazingly clear as the waves struck the rock meters beneath the figures feet. It flipped the still glowing cigarette over the edge and the men saw the small orange glow fall and then disappear. When they looked up again the figure had disappeared and they could now see the flashlight on the shore again, moving up and down.

Natalya Bental turned away and started her descent towards the beach, the strong taste of North Star cigarette still fresh in her mouth. She wasn’t sure why she smoked that particular brand, but the murky smell reminded her of her late father and she was sure some Freudians could make out a juicy analysis about it. She signaled to two of her men still hiding beneath a dune grabbing a mortar covered with a small plastic top. The mist would make a surgical operation impossible but it didn’t really matter. If she was to get any survivors to interrogate she needed those men to come unto the beach before they struck. She was pretty sure these were only rented thugs though, trying to earn some Pennies on the expense of their innocent victims. But they already had some names, and some threads to start following up, regardless of the fates of these criminals.

The shallow going boat landed uneventfully on the shores and one of the men jumped into the knee deep water and pulled the boat the last bit onto the shore. Two figures were slowly making their way towards the beach and at the stern the men started to scream at their dazed load. Unaware of the movement in the water behind them as three dark shapes just beneath the surface closed in on the stern of the boat.

Watching the bundled figures stumbling ashore Natalya lifted her arm and gave the order in her wrist radio. A bright light lit up the horizon behind the men cutting through and burning the mist as the napalm struck the bigger boat further out in the sea. The men in the stern got jerked back into the water over the rail by dark silhouettes emerging from the water quickly disappearing in the sea. Natalya brought up another cigarette and continued her slow walk towards the very confused smuggler who was suddenly very alone on the beach still jerking with the taser darts pointing out from his thighs and torso.

“So, what brings you and this lovely lot to the beach this morning?” She said as she lit up her cigarette.

She looked at her catch, fourteen in all. She would have to determine their origin at least. Her eyes wandered over the slaves. They were all very good looking, even the nephilim in a catlike alien way. She had never understood some perverts secret lust for metahumans, but she could understand and appreciate beauty, without feeling attraction, just like in a race horse or a grey hound. The humans had recovered from whatever drugs the slavers had given them and were now huddling in the floor together with the two Nephilim.

“Separate them! ” She said, “ Bring the Nephilim to sector Z and the men and women to block C, separate cells. Leave the slavers here!” She pointed at them and her men ushered the prisoners to their feet and out of the room.

The mission had been a success. They even had a survivor from the boat that had been used to deliver the cargo this close to The Reich. The Cargo ship had been hit with a massive napalm barrage and become a burning inferno within seconds. It had been registered in Bigtopia for carrying grain but she knew that was a dead end. The files of the captain of the ship had been reviewed by the Veganian Special Information branch and she knew large amounts of money had been deposited on three different occasions, but the sums were not even close to the value of even one slave. He had been a pawn and filtering through his various phone calls and data traffic showed traces of very few possible contacts. They would try to apprehend a few of them but it was always harder when you had to work in the inefficient and decadent western world, her superiors had already decided against sending a request for help from the weak Bigtopian government.

She walked into the next room where a couple of surgery tables were placed in the middle of the room. One was already occupied by a badly burnt man mumbling through the fogs of anesthetics and truth serum they had filled him with. Two men looked up and stopped questioning him when they entered the room. She knew questioning these would be of little or no use. They would know even less than their captain, but her duty demanded them to be questioned before they were disposed of. She looked at them when she motioned towards the other tables and almost felt a bit of pity that they hadn’t been shot dead by one of her snipers on the beach. She saw their faces express terror and she made sure not to step in the puddles by their feet as she left the room and the stench of fear and urine behind her. Their full statements would be on her desk sometime after lunch she gathered.

Natalya Bental absentmindedly turned the pages of the documents on her desk. The first ordered the delivery of the Nephilim to the ministry of warfare for further studies. It was a standard form mentioning the blood and honor laws and signed of two officials. No news there, they probably had moved them straight out of Sector Z and into a waiting transport. There was some interesting reading in the statements of the slavers though. Apparently one of them had been with the captain as a bodyguard when he met with the middle man. The slaver had made a vivid description of the money man and it had already been sent to the Special Information Branch for identification and animation for delivery to their field agents. She looked at one of the other documents that told her that she had three teams at her disposal, she was sure however that her government had at least a few more teams watching over her back on this case.

She had two good leads to work with; the buyer was identified and frantically talking to the questioning teams to save his life and soul. The other was the sellers and middle men. She looked at the growing complex chart on her wall and decided that the part that lay outside of Vegana was too big and complex to deal with considering her limited resources. It had been two days now since they had apprehended the slavers and she already had read in the news about the mystical dust fire that had turned a Bigtopian freighter to a burning inferno outside the coast of Vegana. The news condemned the cheap labour that allowed ships move dangerous cargo without secure precautions. Besides that it said very little and she guessed that the news would be enough to get the sellers to crawl to safety under whatever rock they came from.

Barcode checking on the people employed by the persons pointed out by their informer and proved very rewarding and they had identified at least 11 more slaves at the premises of some very rich and influential people. They had also secured traces of remains of what they thought could be Nephilim in a specially decorated cellar of one of the people, a very high official within the agricultural department. DNA testing would give further evidence and records on their personal computers would be analyzed for material of obscene character. There were still a few of the persons at large but she wasn’t worried about that. In many ways Vegana was a very very small nation and the places to hide was limited.

{Headquarters of Foundation Construction, Inc. in Bigtopia}

Giovanni Diadoni was what you would call a large man. He was of moderate height with a thick build, and definitely more than his fair share of fat. He was also what you would call a powerful and dangerous man, for you see, Giovanni Diadoni was also the head of the biggest crime syndicate in Bigtopia. From Gambling to Prostitution, if there was a crime or general shady area at which a profit could be made, Diadoni had his hand in it.

How had Diadoni managed to accomplish such feats? Well for starters, he was not the biggest fish, as it were. Diadoni was only a national cell head for a much larger criminal organization, or rather a corporation of syndicates, one of the largest and most pervasive in the world. And it is through that connection, or rather employment that Diadoni had been able to secure his hold on the underworld of Bigtopia, and discover one of the most profitable exports in the nation.

"You understand, of course, why Corporate is so interested in this new market?" The figure at the window looked like everything Giovanni Diadoni was not. He was trim and tall, and wore a clearly expensive business suit. Where Diadoni's voice sounded accented, the figure's sounded cultured. Even the straightness with which the figure stood looking out the office window, facing away from Diadoni was clearly different than the girth of the crime boss.

Continuing and clearly not expecting a reply to his obvious rhetorical question, the figure half turned to face Diadoni, his face had an angular visage and spoke volumes in how truly dangerous this person was. "Corporate is concern with the amount of unwanted attention this market tends to draw from the international community, and the Reich is hardly the easiest place to conceal such an operation." He paused for a moment, as if considering the situation. "There are those who very much do not need another excuse to go after our enterprises, and indeed our entire organization."

Diadoni opened his mouth to defend his new venture, but immediately closed it at a look from the figure. "You will be allowed to proceed," the figure stated. "But should there be any serious complication, your are to break off the operation immediately and severe all ties to the market."

Diadoni's satisfaction was as abruptly cut off, as his earlier attempted defense. "Failure to comply," the figure continued, throwing a glance back out the large window and to the city outside. "Will as always, result in the termination of your contract and employment."

Vegana City

Communication with the sellers had apparently been operated over the internet. The price of obtaining the skills and computer training the population had was to keep an open internet and this became crystal clear when she saw the shit that the buyers had downloaded and thought they had erased. Some material was particularly disgusting and she wondered how her great government could allow filth like that to enter their nation even in electronic form. But she knew that without the connection to the outer world the Special Information Branch would not be able to access all the information that was so vital for their work.

Apparently tens of millions of Earlings had changed hands. This last shipment only, was valued to between seven to twelve millions, about the same amount in dollars. Considering that they knew of at least three more shipments with that captain and god knows how many with others she could see how this was a very lucrative business for ruthless people. The crewmen of the cargo ship had been promised 50,000 Earlings each for delivery and that would still leave the distributors with a gross profit of around ten millions. She still hadn’t verified the origin of the liberated slaves and that disturbed her.


Bigtopia

The two men sitting at a table in the cafe where having a discussion. One of those discussions friends have over a cup of coffee, not too livid and not too quiet. Once in a while they glanced over the street to see if their mark still was there. There were a woman in a parked car further down the street, prepared to take of if the mark suddenly felt like hailing a cab or dissappearing in any other quick way. There was a man and a woman shopping in a shop close by that could assist if need be.

The team consisted of six persons in all, one was away eating and they knew that there were two more teams watching two more marks. They switched between their marks just to reduce the risk of their targets recognising them.

Their targets name was Sergei Capelli, a man that had an enormous amount of spare time for a man employed in the construction business. According to his payslips he received a modest salary that in no way reflected his taste in nice cars and women. He was strutting down the street now window shopping and flashing a big expensive golden watch every now and then.

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
1 Timothy 1:8-11


Christ The king wasn’t a bad hotel. It was simple but the rooms were well presented, and reasonably sized. The real downside was the pretty safe assumption that every room was being monitored by Iesus intelligence agents. Still the staff were friendly, doing anything they could to make the tourists stay pleasant, ‘tips’ were unknown in Iesus Christi, and the staff generally turned down any monetary compensation offered for any kindness – they seemed to generally be nice people.
The southern part of St Augustine was a prime example of urban decay, the buildings of the semi industrial area were run down, derelict warehouses dotted the suburb. Fewer cameras and fewer guard positions monitored the area.
The semi industrial area of Southern Iesus had several nicknames….from ‘little Sodom’ to ‘Gehenna’, it had a local reputation for hedonism and infamy. Yet the police force generally avoided cracking down on it, and many officers were known to frequent some of the more irrefutable clubs.
Liz knew the area reasonably well, the Inquisition kept taps on many of the areas more frequent visitors, and she’d sat in on more than one of the speedy trials that resulted from such frequenting. Potters field was the last resting place of many of degenerates….

Philippe de Gastinois got his answer, the phone clicked and a tired voice answered…
“uhuh…ok…whats that number…shit…I’ll have the information for you in minutes..”
Within a 5 minute period the information was back “it’s an Inquisition vehicle. Most likely a security sweep … to keep an eye on your important personage. They’ve never bothered you before. All should be well.”

The Vigliannos were heading in a same direction, following carefully planned routes to avoid being under constant camera surveillance.
What they soon found didn’t take much investigation, Fleshpots and dubious bars littered the semi-industrial neighbourhoods and were only relatively secret. In between crumbling warehouses , the occasional prostitute tried to sell her ‘goods’, after the offer of a small amount of money the local girls could be persuaded to impart their local knowledge of the various clubs.
Many clubs didn’t have names, just vague descriptions of what went on in them. Many were simply unlicensed drinking halls – hardly worth setting foot in. Yet others held distinctive possibilities, clubs where those who had a lot of currency and different tastes spent their time. Clubs where the police and Inquisition generally didn’t go near…for whatever reason…
The Ilse was such a establishment, its doors opened freely to the Vigliannos when they presented the doorman the ‘cover charge’ – almost more than a Iesus soldier was granted a month
Inside was a seen from a age past, it brought to mind something closer to the Iesus Hedonism of the 1920’s than Modern Iesus Christi. .
A raised floor dominated the dimly illuminated lounge, in the outposts of light scattered around the bar could be seen business suits and the uniforms of the most of the armed forces, thou mainly Ministry uniforms crowded the venue. In the most part the patrons appeared to be men, suitably fawned over by scantily clad young ‘hostesses’, but a few Uniformed women dotted the room also.
The stage had a varied array of women dancing in different states of nudity in widely different costumes….latex did seem to be a popular choice(though under Iesus law many were not entitled to be called women…either due to lack of age or species). The patrons appeared not to pay the greatest attention to the stage. It was simply a titillating hedonist distraction, simply there because it was illegal.

Angelina was soon flirting with all the men. As soon as she left the rigidly controlled areas of St. Augustine, she changed into a scanty outfit and began to tease and tempt as many men as she could, making herself a very vulnerable target without standing out too much from the other girls around.

Plautilla, meanwhile, had made herself look like a typical lesbian operating under the radar of Iesian law enforcement. She had donned slightly revealing but clearly masculine clothes that showed off her muscles nicely and was sitting, pretending to watch the naked girls dance. She had a knife hidden on her, one she had bought here, as it was almost impossible to get a gun locally.

Finally, Angelina seemed to hit her mark. A man started luring her aside and she followed, pretending to be naive and fooled. Plautilla quietly got up to follow. By the time she reached the ally outside the building, Plautilla could hear a struggle as the man forced Angelina into the trunk of his car. She started to run in that direction when she heard sirens and voices shouting for her to stop. Even as she froze, she heard the car speeding away. Great, just great.

{The Projects District somewhere in Bigtopia}

The Projects District, which bordered the Docks, was one of the more seeder sides of the city. It was also where Giovanni Diadoni's control was strongest. Law enforcement avoided the area whenever possible, the only police who did enter the district were general dirty cops on Diadoni's payroll. Law, if it could be called that here was enforced by Diadoni's men.

Yet, even with all his influence not everyone in the area was under his control. For example, many of the prostitutes in the region were independent of Diadoni's organization. Thus it was not uncommon for some of them to go missing occasionally. What was uncommon was for those under Diadoni's protection to go missing, and several of them had. What was even more peculiar was the fact that Diadoni's enforcers were not investigating the matter. Most of the underworld in the region just assumed those missing had crossed the crime boss in some way.

The truth was much more sinister.

"Damn it, where's Sergei?" The annoyed and angry voice rose out from among the piles of crates in a warehouse. "Joe, have you seen that low life?"

Joe looked up from checking a large shipping container. "How the hell would I know? I don't hang out with that lazy idiot," he bellowed back. "He's probably out picking up whores, like usual, or trying to be play like he is a big spender." He turn back to his inspection, muttering to himself. "Cheap bastard."

There was a long pause, while the annoyed and angry voice considered what to do. "We've got to move out this cargo. Call Norse Shipping and have them send someone to pick it up."

Joe swore, he didn't want to that...it was Sergei's job to arrange transportation, among other things.



{The Docks District somewhere in Bigtopia}

The Norse Shipping Corporation was only loosely affiliated with Giovanni Diadoni's organization. One of the higher up executives had some sort of a discreat aggrement with Diadoni to run shipments for the crime boss. But overall Norse Shipping was a sprawling corporate entity that fit perfectly into the capitalizt society of Bigtopia. It did business with many nations and regions, among them the Reich. So it was the perfect way for Diadoni to bring his new product to market.

Upon hearing about the difficulties in transport, the Captain of the Glorious Profit angrily organized a work detail to pick up the delayed cargo. He and his crew were getting a good pay off from their illegitament transports, but the risk and hassle were coming close to outwaying the gain. Then again, extra money was a nice bonus.

OOC: Subject to approval as always, due to blatant assumptions. If there are any problems telegram (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/target=display_nation/nation=covar_corporation) me and I will change the post accordingly.

Bigtopia

Their mark was on the move, he had just jumped into a cab and sped off. Maria, the agent in the car was slowly moving after the cab, careful to stay one or two cars behind while talking to the other in the team. Her GPS transmitted her position for the two men who quickly payed for their coffee and walked off to their car, the other two agents were already in theirs.

Maria drove her car expertly through traffic, following the pace while advancing to make sure she kept eye contact with the cab. It looked like they were going towards the docks but she wasn't sure. Pjotr, the agent that had been on lunch had just passed her on a motorcycle. He was supposed to get ahead of the mark if she needed to abort her pursuit. IN a few minutes they would have positioned themselves in a classic tailing pattern. One ahead and two behind. If the mark stopped she would just move on and try to stop further up the road as the agents behind her slowed down and took over and the motorcycle would turn back.

Vegana City

Kommissar Franklin looked at the reports and compared them with others from other Reich countries. This was alarming. It was a cancer within their society. He had received a list of names who had been apprehended and some of them were known to him. The extensive data files they had on their citizens would become even more extensive and some people were about to disappear. They might even have to do some public trials, but that would also imply that there were problems within. He sent some mails to his colleagues together with his new foundings. There would have to be an international meeting about this.

“There is no slavery within Iesus Christi, the satanic traffic in humanity has long been crushed by the righteous forces of Christianity. To say such things still exists is treasonous! It is defeatist! Only those in the control of metahuman Satanism would even venture to think such a lie!
General Robards Ministry of Social Order

The government had made itself very clear on the issue, but still certain elements within Reich policing doubted the validity of the ministry’s claim.
Commander Garr of the Inquisition knew well the soiled nature of humanity, a world stained by sin longing for redemption, a world longing to embrace the Cross. He had many times risked his career and life in carrying out aggressive operations against corruption and decadence. He viewed truth as the ultimate gift of God, thus he pursued it vigorously.
Therefore it seemed to him, only logical, that Reich policing agencies gather and discuss the trade in flesh. Despite government statements, it appeared certain to Garr such things existed and thus must be combated. A Unified Reich approach to the problem would be needed, or at least some unified intelligence.
He sent the message to the other Reich security agencies. An invite to attend the lady of sorrows institute and discuss this trafficking….even if it didn’t exist.


Plautilla had found herself talking with a slightly tubby boyish-looking female officer from the airforce, young Martha had tried to hide her disappointment when Plautilla had disengaged to follow her fellow agent.
Angelina had indeed hit her mark, the man had soon found the foreign girl a prize catch. Perhaps the man was simply a filthy pervert, but whatever he was he had been rough with Angelina, overpowering her and forcing her headfirst into the car boot. But then he heard the sirens….a sound not often heard in this area…a raid lead by some pious crusader who’d be no doubt quick on the trigger….for a moment he contemplated killing the girl and making a clean escape…
Some deeper and perhaps more deviant emotion overcame his common sense, He slammed trunk and with no time to spare, the abductor jumped into the car and drove into the night.
Even as the sirens sounded, the first security troops stormed into the club. Panicked patrons fled to the exits only to be confronted by the masked stormtroopers of the inquisition. Even the more cocky patrons in their ministry uniforms looked uncertain…hands drifted over holster, their faces the confused haze of authority challenged.
A loudspeaker boomed from outside….
“Do not move. You are all under arrest for violation of the laws of decency and Christ. Any resistance will be meet with lethal force. This is the will of God..”

{The Projects District somewhere in Bigtopia}

When the group from the crew of the Glorious Profit arrived at the warehouse, Joe was inspecting a crate of narcotics bound for Fyreheart and cleverly disguised as literature. Putting aside his work there for the moment to supervise the loading of the cargo container he had just inspected.

"Okay people," the annoyed and angry voice bellowed throughout the warehouse. "Lets get this damned cargo container loaded up!"

They were halfway done with the loading when Sergei finally arrived.

"Where the hell have you been," was Joe's greeting. "The foreman is pissed. You will be lucky if he doesn't report you to Diadoni."



{Port of Fairport Harbor in Fyreheart}

If the port had been chaotic before the rebellion, it was a thousands times worse with the reconstruction. As corporations moved in to make a profit and ensure future markets, the military still held an iron grasp over the port city.

Some of the worst fighting of the liberation had been seen in Fairport Harbor, it had been a stronghold of the oppressive coup regime. It had also been the first city to fall to the Imperial Drakonian Military and the Free Fyreheart rebel movement. Now the Provisional Government alongside its allies the Drakonian Imperium, Glorious Humanity, and Menelmacar were working heavily to rebuild the damaged country, and here in the Drakonian Responsibility Zone it could be seen just how hectic that made things.

For all three nations were calling in domestic and foreign corporations to reconstructed what they had helped destroy. The profit opportunities were enormous, but not all corporation were after profit.

The Norse Shipping Corporation Bulk Freighter Industrious had made harbor twelves hours ago and already it had unloaded most of its cargo. Even so, it was still alive with work as the evening began. The activity on the freighter was being watched from an office building by two figures in expensive business suits.

"It's been confirmed. The Successful Merit was sank outside Vegana in Reich waters."

The interesting thing about these two businessmen was that they looked entirely different. The first one to speak could have easily passed for a germanic raider of the Dark Ages, if not for the fact that he wore a three thousand Crellar suit. He wasn't particular tall or short, he was however muscular and bulky, and he had a lot of hair. A thick beard and long brown hair dominated his head giving him a barbarian appearance. He did not look like someone you would want to pick a fight with, that was for sure.

"Corporate fully intents to investigate the matter," the second businessman said. "And if it is found that the ship was sunk because of Diadoni's smuggling, you can be assured the situation will be dealt with appropriately. In the meantime, I am sure your corporation will be fully compensated for the loss, after all the freighter was insured."

The second man looked much more like a young up-and-coming business executive. He was not particularly tall, but it was clear he was young, and his clean-shaven young visage definitely would have inspired consumer confidence. His own business suit was no less expensive than the first mans, in fact it was quite likely to be more expensive.

"I don't care. Diadoni is manipulating my business and Corporate's enterprises he should be stopped immediately. Before I lose more business assets," the first man argued.

"Should it become necessary for Diadoni's organization to be more fully integrated into our own, it will be done," was the second's reply. "After his is not our only enterprise in Bigtopia."



{The Projects District somewhere in Bigtopia}

While Giovanni Diadoni's crime syndicate was the largest in Bigtopia, it was not without competition. The second largest and a recent newcomer to Bigtopia was the Black Lotus Triad. As pervasive an international organization as those who were secretly backing Diadoni, the Black Lotus was easily spread among the free market economies of the world.

Across from Diadoni's warehouse, in an old derelict building, members of Diadoni's competition were waiting and watching. They were also breaking out weapons.

Bigtopia was the guessed source of lot of the human trade, but north star intelligence operatives had little actually evidence to support the theory.
So, taking up on the offer sent by Commander Garr of Iesus Christi, several officers of North Star law enforcement set out. It was hoped they could combine their knowledge, and smash the honorless trade - the sultan willed it.

Vegana

Kommissar Franklin left for a flight to Iesus Christi within minutes after receiving the invitation. This plague seemed to be more widespread than even he had thought at first. He had had long discussions with psychologists appointed to a tribunal about crime in Reich, it was almost non existent, the Reich probably being the safest region in the known universe. Safety had however certain backlashes the scientists had explained to him. Man searched for adventure and excitement and the long prosperous time The Reich had experienced had created thoughts and cravings that would be considered subversive at the least. They had even experienced two drug cases in Vegana, something extremely rare.

The group most exposed to this evil was the rich and privileged whose soft lifestyle in some cases demanded even more decadent pleasures. In some cases the government had been forced to purge whole families to rid themselves of the growing tumor. If other Reich nations were experiencing the same they were in dire trouble indeed. The source had to be tracked down and destroyed. In this case it wasn’t enough to just cut off the branch, they had to cut down the tree, uproot it and burn the soil it had been growing in. He had received a carte blanche from the benevolent one himself to sort out this problem.

He looked out through the window of his government car watching the cars on the motorway as they sped towards the airport. The lambs must be protected from the evil chaos that the devil tried to lure them into. His power of temptation was strong and only by lessen that and show the herd the beacon of faith could it be extinguished.



Bigtopia

The pursuit had been basic enough and their mark has stepped out of his cab in the docks area. They had seen several possible guardians and were now extremely careful of being detected by the men that were placed around the warehouse Sergei walked towards in a quick pace. Maria had already asked for permission to use the satellites that every nation in the world seemed to litter the space with. She called for backup from the other teams.

Vegana Communication Central

Captain Andersson was enjoying himself watching two elves breed in some elf nation. Zooming in and out on various bopping body parts, humming a tune while doing it. The nephilim are strangely similar to us He Thought, The female is actually really pretty and her body is much nicer than my girlfriends[/i[ Andersson thought of his girlfriend, a woman he hadn’t seen for 2 months now. He was lucky they were doing it outside and in a clearing in the woods. He heard steps coming to the door followed by a quick knock and he quickly switched to another satellite as the colonel stepped in through the door.

He quickly stood up and saluted his superior, desperately trying to hide his arousement from the scene he had watched on the screen. He twisted around to his left and sat down after a lightning quick salute.

“[i]I’m sorry sir, but I thought something was happening on this screen” He said, watching the screen intensively.

Colonel Marcus steeped up and watched the screen with him, he glanced at the captain. “ Really? So what is happening in the ocean 1000 kilometre outside Knootoss?

Andersson looked at the screen and saw a close up of waves, nothing but waves, not a single vessel or even a bloody turtle could be seen. He damned himself for not installing that panic function that would automatically choose a hotspot somewhere.

“Sorry Sir, just my eyes getting tired I guess. Looks completely normal to me now.”

“Good. The colonel looked skeptically at andersson “ We have a request on a ware house in Bigtopia. Do we have anything there? We need to see the docks.”

Andersson checked the computer. “Sorry sir, no pods in position for at least 40 minutes and we need to push some in that direction too. The ones watching the sea wont pass over the docks for two hours or more if we leave them be.”

“Push them! We have highest clearance on this.”

Andersson started to press buttons frenetically as the Colonel left the office.

At a very high altitude over Bigtopia something that looked like scrap metal suddenly had a thrust and changed direction and speed ever so slightly.

Bigtopia

Maria had a clear order to stand off until more information could be gathered. She knew that her mark only was a low level person in this anyway so they were to avoid contact and identify and survey the other people there. This would take a lot of skill since they had to do it by foot because their vehicle would rise suspicion here. Only the man on the motorcycle remained with it. He kind of blended with the other crowds in this sector anyway. A man remained with the cars as they moved into the perimeter, they were looking for a warehouse close enough to spot the people by the cargo ship but not so close so they would be discovered. Maria kept her fingers crossed for the satellite link to do the thing. Doing this kind of surveillance by foot was at best tricky business and she knew that their mark could lead them to the next person in the chain of command.

Bigtopia Airport

The two men that walked through customs was not very impressive. They were actually so very unimpressive that the man in the customs office had forgot their faces the very same second he returned their passports. You had to look really closely to see that they were identical twins, even if one wore a moustache and they had different hair colour. A small child froze when his eyes flickered between the two in confusion on their way out to a waiting cab.

{The Projects District somewhere in Bigtopia}

Internal competition is good for any corporation. The competitive nature of humanity aids its productiveness in a degree that is unmatched. Humans are at their best when the danger is at its greatest. This is why the CoVar Corporation encouraged competition between it’s constitutes. And this is why that at this moment, Diadoni's warehouse was about to come under attack.

As made his final check to make sure the crate was secure on the back of the massive freight truck, the Triad gang members burst from their hideaway in the derelict building. It took Diadoni's enforcers a long moment to even notice the threat and in that time the Black Lotus group struck. One of them fired a throwaway rocket-propelled grenade launcher, dropping the launcher before the RPG even struck.

And in a explosion the entire area became a war zone. Automatic weapons opened up on both sides. Joe fled back into the warehouse. The crew of the Glorious Profit made a run for the truck, a few of their members firing back with pistols. And the thugs of the Black Lotus and of Diadoni's organization drew weapons and began firing wildly for each other as they dove for cover.

Plautilla ignored the general raid in the background, but slowly placed her hands above her head and turned around as she heard officers heading straight for her. Masked Inquisitor stormtroopers charged down the alley, screaming "Get on the ground!"

Plautilla knelt on the ground, keeping her hands above her head. She was trained to resist torture and thus was hardly bothered by something as petty as the uncomfortable feeling of bare skin on rough ground, but she made sure she looked to react with displeasure to her knees touching the pavement. She also made sure she looked quite frightened. "I was just looking for a drink. I am not from here. I did not know what went on in there." she stammered fearfully.

The lead trooper without warning kicked her in the middle of her back, pushing her face down into the gravel. "Face in the dirt...No Lies!". The trooper roughly pulled Plautilla’s right arm behind her back, he twisted it as if looking for something. "Why do you have no barcode?"

She turned her head just enough to talk, her face scraped and slightly bloody from the sharp trip to the gravel. "I told you. I'm a tourist. My papers are in my left rear pocket."The trooper paused, tourists weren’t covered in the training....

"Get those documents.." The apparent 'squad leader' kept his boot on her back, as a fellow soldier quickly searched her and handed over the documents.

The squad leader flicked through them quickly. "Hmmm well. welcome to Iesus Christi Miss...You’re in a very bad place...you’re in a lot of trouble...plus your outfit is a violation of public decency laws...Trooper Hines, search her.." Suppressing a laugh, the trooper roughly searched the prone woman...no regard was given to her dignity. The extremely butch girl blushed furiously as her well-shaped, heavily muscled body
was searched. She was just wearing a white t-shirt, a sleeveless jean vest, short jean cut-offs, and boots. She did have a knife hidden in her sock. The papers were all in order. "I understand that, sir. I'll come peacefully."

"The foreign lands are the source of much evil..."

It was near impossible to tell if the trooper searching Plautilla was male or female. The darkness, mask and body armor gave the troopers a strange asexual look. The searches hands were rough, treating Plautilla’s body like it was meat, but there didn’t appear to be any malice...the searcher was rough but methodical. "Now now. whats that you've found trooper Hines...expecting trouble were you Miss?"

"A girl has to look after her virtue." she commented dryly.

"I wouldn’t imagine that was a problem in your case..."

"Well, not everyone shares your taste." she said.

"Besides, we keep excellent law and order. As you can see..."

This time Hines did laugh, and the Squad leader didn’t react to well "Shut it Hines. Cuff her." Plautilla was actually relieved. At least she'd be off the damned alley floor. Hines stopped laughing, and cuffed the prone woman. With a little help, Plautilla was pulled to her feet.

"Where to, guys?" she asked, trying to sound like she was trying to sound calm as she got her legs under her.

Ignoring her, the squad leader issued orders "Hines, you and Martin take her around front. Throw her into one of the wagons. She's a Armed Insurgent"

A muzzle was pressed into Plautilla’s back " Be my pleasure, sir!"

The Squad leader barked "Dammit Martin...don’t be a arsehole..just do it.." With that the two troopers marched Plautilla around the building, as the rest of the squad entered the club.

"An armed insurgent?" she asked in a seeming panic. "I didn't try to fight you. I'll admit to indecent dress."

"That’s right. Insurgent. Carrying arms with desire to assault the law of God" martin spoke the words with some joy, he sounded like a gunho type.

"I didn't try to insult you with arms!" she protested. "Come on. You know I cooperated from the moment you caught me."

"All I know is you’re armed. That’s against the law. Sure a girl like you won’t mind prison"

"Don’t be a arsehole martin" Hines spoke, he sounded young. "Sarge told you before. Leave it out." Plautilla just walked quietly the rest of the way.

"Don’t mind him, You'll be fine if you have nothing to hide" Hines playfully slapped her on the arse "Chin up!" She bristled a little at the slap but said nothing. The front of the club was swarming with vehicles and troopers. Patrons who hadn’t been as wise as Plautilla clutched their wounds. Screams and the odd gunshot showed others were being unwise inside. The woman looked towards all the commotion, letting out a heavy sigh. Only one Inquisitor didn’t wear a mask, he stood screaming orders from on top of one of the trucks. Oddly enough he didn’t even wear body armor, even though he stood there waving his pistol about. And she kept walking as directed. Lines of 'patrons' were now being herded cattle style into the waiting trucks, Hines motioned Plautilla into the line Plautilla stepped into line, scraped up and handcuffed. "Look, everything should be fine. just be honest, eh? And don’t try anything dumb." Hines seemed honestly concerned

"Yes, sir." she answered fearfully.

He laughed "I'm no officer. get into the truck and don’t talk to anyone, ok? some of these people have done actual ...crimes..." The very word seemed to shock him She climbed into the truck, sitting quietly for the ride to the station. The truck seemed not to be under any restrictions, and traveled at a high and dangerous speed. In the back panic started to climb amongst the other prisoners, many of whom were Iesus armed forces. Rumours and dangerous talk started up. The Inquisition was respected more than the Ministry but no less feared Plautilla made a point to look as terrified as everyone else if not moreso, but managed not to talk to anyone. Arriving at their destination, the prisoners were manhandled from the truck, and forced to line up. Their surroundings were an old courtyard in what appeared to be some old Monastic building. The woman again moved as instructed, gritting her teeth at the rough handling. Shouting soldiers moved along the line, throwing the odd punch or rifle butt to increase the fear. She shrunk back from the soldiers without having to be hit.

From the loudspeakers crackled one word "STRIP!"

The troopers seemed to concentrate their attention on those in uniform, giving them most of the abuse. Once the order came from the loudspeaker, the guards immediately started to shout "Strip!" Clubbing those who even looked like not obeying. Soon several men lay bleeding on the cobbles

"Excuse me, officer..." she said in a humble, terrified voice.

An officer turned to her, waving his pistol in her face "No talking!" He cracked the gun over her face. She looked down, sighing. "Strip!" at last he noticed the cuffs, but that didn’t dull his rage. He simply grabbed the cuffs and fumbled with the lock. Eventually it clicked open. He screamed at her, spit flying over Plautilla’s face "STRIP!" She stripped naked, blushing furiously and glaring at anyone who looked. The officer she had talked to appeared to be in command, thou clearly not of himself. She simmered as he oggled her and looked straight ahead, covering her breasts with her hands. He snapped back to reality "You vermin. Line up! Arms behind your backs! You make me sick!" She placed her arms behind her back, crossing her wrists. Troops came behind each of the prisoners, grabbing their arms and binding them with plastic, and at the same time placing black hoods on each prisoner. She just stood there, unable to even see. A scream echoed in the courtyard, followed by a volley of bullets.

The loudspeaker crackled again "Disobey and die!" She gritted her teeth and this time it was no act. "Forward!" A random blow fell on her shoulders "Move forward, forward!" And so she marched forward, naked, bound, and blinded. Every soldier appeared to be screaming at the top of his lungs "Forward, Obey!" Moving the hooded mass of prisoners forward with kicks and abuse. soon the prisoners felt themselves moving down a slope, being herded down a drive into some underground facility. She just tried to breath slowly, impeded somewhat by the hood, as she walked along with the mass. After a few minutes working, muffled screams starting to sound out, then hand roughly grasped her, again it felt like a barcode inspection. She simply waited for the man to find out she had none. Another shot fired, another heavy thump hit the floor. Her inspector seemed a little puzzled. Plautilla couldn’t quite make out the muffled comm. system communications. She tried as hard as she could to hear through her hood.

"You..this way..." She was pushed forward, whoever was behind her wasn’t adverse to using the butt of his rifle if she even staggered. She walked where she was pushed. The moans and cries of the other prisoners faded out, and soon the feeling was they were heading deeper underground. She mumbled something inaudible through the hood. "No talking!" the guard lunged at her with his boot, pushing her headlong into a wall. She grunted faintly as she banged into the wall, coming to a stop.A door clicked open, her warden grabbed her and pushed her inside. The cell was cold, and wet. It had a smell that could only be accredited to human waste. She stood still after she was pushed inside. The door slammed shut, the guard left saying nothing. She waited. Hours past, nothing changed. Only faint noises could be heard through the door...vague cries and the sound of jackboots. After an hour or so, she sunk down and sat on the ground. Others from the raid were fairing much worse, information extraction wasn’t a subtle thing in Iesus Christi. Still, she sat. After a few more hours, the door clicked open Plautilla could hear the sound of several pairs of jackboots. She tried to squirm to her feet, which wasn't particularly easy.

"Remain sitting..." the voice was a male friendly sounding voice. "Your name please?” She mumbled into her hood. "Oh, I'm sorry." Her hood was ripped away. The officer was the same as the one from outside the club, next to him was a small but very well built Corporal. "Your name. Please."

"Plautilla Viggliano."


"Excellent. Excellent. What are you doing here in Iesus Christi?"

"Vacationing."

He laughed, then looked her over "Oh, you’re serious...?"

"Yes, sir." she answered.

"And what were you doing in that club?"

"Getting a drink." she answered.

"There are better places to get a drink...that establishment isn’t known for its...drinking..."

"I'm not from here. I don't know what establishment is known for what."

"I have been to many different countries. I myself do not visit decaying semi industrial areas when I feel thirsty."

"Well, be that as it may, I didn't do anything but get a drink there and break the clothing laws."

He laughed again "I don’t believe your clothing is much of an issue, but this is....we are not like other people....young foreign ladies visiting illegal bars is a problem.."

"So what are you going to do to me?"

"Well, frankly I feel you are lying. And until I feel I have the truth of why you were there...carrying a weapon...you will be held…further unpleasantness may follow.."

"Alright then." she answered.

"So I ask again...why were you there?"

"Alright. I was there to try and pick up a girl." she seemed to confess.

"You are a lesbian?"

"I...surrendered to a sinful temptation tonight." she answered.

"You are a lesbian?" he cut past the Christian rhetoric

"Yes."

"You know acting on this is illegal in Iesus Christi?"

"Yes." she confessed again.

"Did you go to this bar alone? are you in Iesus Christi alone? Remember...these things can be checked."

"No. I was with my sister, Angelina." she answered. "She's not a lesbian. She left with a man."

"She knows you are a lesbian? Do you know this mans name?"

"She does. I don't."

"This is a serious criminal act under the law. You will be handed over to the Ministry of Social order for further....investigation."

"You know what that means?"

"No, sir. I don't." she said.

"It means it would be better if you were honest with me. You look a smart girl, are you sure you're telling me the whole truth? Your types..even foreign nationals..don’t often see daylight after being handed over to the ministry..."

"I'm telling you the whole truth." she said firmly.

" I don’t think I believe you, what do you think of that?"

"I think there's nothing I can do about it." she answered.

"Fair enough. But there is something I can do about it. I'll let you think about that, while I go freshen up..."

"Can I get something to wear?" she asked.

The officer turned in the door "Perhaps when I believe you wont try and strangle yourself with them...or me...you look like you could do it easily.." The door slammed firmly shut, leaving Plautilla with her thoughts.

"Not with my elbows restrained." she replied. She sat and waited. More time passed, no doubt it was well into the next day. She eventually went to sleep on the floor. The door opened again after an extended period of time, the officer and his henchman entered again..

"Knock knock." She opened her eyes, wriggling into a sitting position. "How are you feeling?"

"How do you think?"

The officer smiled "Poorly I imagine..." She looked up at him silently. “Would you like something to eat? drink? A bucket? May I say you certainly show wonderful discipline for a tourist..”

"All of those things." she answered.

He hit his comm "They'll be here shortly...we haven’t been able to locate your 'sister'" He twisted the word sister into having at least two meanings

"She might not be back to the hotel yet." she commented.

"She certainly isn’t. she hasn’t been seen since last night...now. where were we last night...oh yes...why were you at that club?"

"To get laid." she repeated. "I confessed already."

"I do not believe you. Or perhaps...let me make it clearer. Maybe you were there for that, but it wasn’t the only reason was it?"

"Why else would I have been there?" she asked.

"You are a drug dealer, or worse. Perhaps a foreign agent who uses these things to bribe our citizens. I'd like to believe you are the only foreign national who was innocent and just horny. But I sadly don’t.."

"The only one?" she said incredulously. "I'm sure plenty of people are horny."

"That sort of thing doesn’t happen to Good Citizens"

"I'm not a drug dealer!" she wailed.

He was a little annoyed that she had missed his joke but pressed on "Well, I know you aren’t a harmless tourist. Harmless tourists do not carry knives and visit fleshbars ...harmless citizens do not act with your discipline.."

"What discipline? I don't want to get killed so I obey you!"

"Yes, yes...oh the food is here..." some reasonable smelling stew and bread was presented by a trooper on a wooden tray

"Can I have my hands and some utensils, please, sir?"

"I think so, P.K undo her" The corporal cut her restraints off and the enlisted trooper had thought ahead to bring a spoon.

She stretched her sore arms before eating the food eagerly, gulping down every last bite. "Thank you!"

"I wouldn’t thank me yet...are you still going to withhold the truth?"

"I already told you the truth! What is it you want me to say? I honestly don't know what it is you want." She started to sob, feebly wiping her eyes with her hands.

"I hate crying women. Never been able to stand it, P.K Shut her up..." Still standing behind her, the Corporal swung his rifle butt, cracking it over Plautilla’s shoulders

"I don't know what you want me to..." She fell forward, grunting as she hit the floor and sobbing louder.

The officer watched as the Corporal brought his gun down onto the prone figure."I want the truth. That’s all...it’s such a simple thing.."

She screamed again as she was struck. "I told you the truth! I told you the truth!" Her sobs grew increasingly hysterical.

The corporal cracked his boot into her stomach, sending her lurching across the floor. He stood over her, bringing his jackboot down on her muscled body. She sobbed and screamed as he beat her. At this point, there ceased to be anything remotely resembling words in her despondent wailing. "Thats enough P.K. Miss, you've made up your mind?"

"I'm a Knootian spy! I'm a Freemason! I worship Moloch! I'm a witch! I had an abortion! Please, I'll confess to anything you want! Just stop hurting me!" She was still sobbing in a bruised heap on the floor.

"Trooper, bring in the blanket and the bucket. and another tray of food. P.K seems to have made a mess.." She just lay there. The items were brought in, and placed carefully on the floor... She didn't seem capable of much movement. "I believe you are hiding something, but perhaps its something as simple as a lover...You will be transported to the Minsitry within the next 5 days. Good luck " The soldiers left, not bothering to even check her medical condition. She still lay in silence, not moving much for the rest of the day. She is watched during the time, sometimes simply through the door, other times through the hidden devices in the room. She lay there for two days, after which time she weekly reached out and pulled some food to herself, eating tentatively, as though she can't avoid it but can't stand to eat either. She doesn't move enough to make use of the bucket. Still no one has come to see her, sometimes she can hear voices outside and boots walking past. Still she lay on the ground, motionless, defecating and urinating on her own prone body. After four days, she tried again to reach for the now rotting food and her hand stilled short of it. After that extended period, the door again opened, flooding the outside corridor with the smell. A single pair of jackboots entered the room. Her eyes were closed. She didn't seem conscious and her breathing was highly irregular. She was covered in her own filth and hadn't had more than two bites to eat and a sip or two of water in four days. The new comer knelt next to the body, placing a hand against Plautilla’s neck...checking her pulse and temp

A woman’s voice asked "Can you hear me?" No answer. "Plautilla Viggliano, can you hear me?" The women leant forward over her, while tapping on her comm. Still no response. The newcomer spoke into her comm "Get me a medteam down here....quickly now...quickly..." and then to the girl "Plautilla, your sister is still missing. we need your help. Listen to me Plautilla...come on.." She lay there, stirring one feces caked leg ever so slightly. "That’s it, you'll be fine. everything will be fine." The medics came into the room took her into their care. She stirred a little as the medics hoisted her up. A needle was prepared and jabbed into her arm. Soon the world spun and was even more of a Haze Whatever stirring had been occurring, went away and she was completely still, barely breathing. Iesus medical technology isn’t the most advanced in creation, but certainly isn’t backwards. The medical staff know their job, and have had to ply their trade on those far more injured. In her case, that mostly involved cleaning her thoroughly, force feeding her, hydrating her, and giving her a mild painkiller for her rather bruised body. Still, it was sometime and took some effort. Eventually Plautilla awoke in a sterile, clean single room. It clearly was a hospital room, but it only had one door and no windows. A drip feed into her arm, and her lifesigns were monitored carefully. She checked to see if she was actually restrained to the bed. She was restrained, but not that well. Afew minutes work would have her loose She noticed the bonds holding her wrists and ankles to the bed frame and also noticed she could escape them. However, she made no such attempt. Within ten minutes of her regaining consciousness, a woman entered the room. Dressed very modestly, with her hair in a bun, she looked in her late 30's and clearly tried to be fit.

"Hello, ma'am. So what happens to me now?"

"That’s up to you, isn’t it? That was a silly thing you did in the cell...God helps those who help themselves!"

"How is it up to me?" she asked confusedly. "I offered to cooperate fully and he still said I was going to the Ministry."

"Well, your people are the realm of the Ministry...but...I agree with Captain Batemann...there’s more to this than there seems..."

"What will the Ministry do to me?" she asked in terror.

"Honestly? It could be anything. As simple as a fine to as insane as physical correction"

"Physical correction?"

"Correcting your...desires via punishment and perhaps surgery..It’s a controversial idea.."

"What kind of surgery?" she asked in horror.

"There are those who believe there is something not working inside your mind. Therefore some people believe perhaps that part can be removed, other simply go with a more traditional view...remove whatever causes you to sin...if you get my meaning.."

"I didn't even actually commit the crime! I just wanted to! Please, don't change my body. I just want to go home. I already got beaten for it. You saw what I was like when I came in here! I'll go to confession and I'll pay whatever civil penalty in money or jail time or floggings there is! Just don't let them into my brain!"

She stroked Plautilla’s hair "Shh let’s not worry about that for now shall we? Let’s talk about your sister....she still hasn’t been seen..."

"How am I supposed to not worry about people cutting my brain apart?" she protested, starting to cry again.

"That’s a very fair point. I think sometimes we in Iesus can be very good at pretending things don’t matter.."

"Now this is very rude, I haven’t introduced myself Have I? I'm Liz Shaw."

"Tell me what I can do to keep my brain intact." she said, assuming the woman must be trying to scare her into some kind of deal.

"Look, just help me and you'll be fine. The Ministry doesn’t need to be involved..."

"What do you need help with?" she asked.

"Your sister is missing. I need your to be honest about her. You were at a club with a lot of dangerous people...but perhaps you knew that? Hence the knife?"

"Do you think something bad happened to her?" Plautialla asked in consternation. "She left with this guy..." She proceeded to give a detailed description of the slaver Angelina had left with.

"Well, no one goes this long without being accounted for in Iesus Christi without something bad having happened..."

"You don’t know his name?"

"No, I don't know his name." she answered honestly.

"Fair enough." she loosened the restraints "What do you do back home?"

"I work construction."

Liz laughed "Oh I'm sorry. I don’t mean to laugh but...really...that’s funny..."

"Why?" she asked.

"Oh I'm sorry. It’s just...quite a stereotype..."

"Why did you come to Iesus Christi?"

"We wanted it to be like a pilgrimage to the world's largest Catholic nation..." she said, sounding deeply embarrassed. "But then we couldn't keep the trip sacred for even one night without seeking succumbing to the temptations of the flesh."

"That’s noble in a very strange way...you’re still something of an enigma I must say Plautilla..."

"And I've never believed in coincidence. I find it quite amazing that you and your sister turn up in the middle of a group I'm investigating..."

"A group you're investigating?" she inquired.

"It’s the only reason you haven’t been handed over, or simply 'lost' in the system...the group you’re either working with or a target of.."

"So what would normally happen to someone in my situation?"

"There are few normatives. But I think what you felt from Captain Batemann wouldn’t even compare..."

"What could be worse than that?" she said, her eyes widening in horror.

"People vanish, there are worse things than death sometimes..."

"What?" she insisted morbidly.

She laughed "You really must visit Iesus more often! ....There are those surgical options I mentioned before, but of course you could simply become another body in another camp. You can find living death in those places. Of course there is another option about who you are...you could be slaver muscle - a foreign contact for them.."

"So all homosexuals in Iesus go to slave labor camps?" she asked.

"Oh, not all. The law is actually vague...from fines to 'the pleasure of the law' can be handed down.."

"But what usually happens?"

"There is no usual. homosexuals in Iesus generally arnt daft enough to get caught, and even when they do it’s a real wild dice..Why? Planning on moving here?"

"No!"

"Good girl...Now...can I get you anything?"

"Tell me what you need from me."

"I need you to tell me whatever you know about that club, who goes there...what you saw...who you know..."
"The trade in flesh that has occurred there is a sin. Slavery is a sin, and those who carry it out...criminals.."

"I know they have metahuman and underage..." She paused, blinking. "You're out to stop human trafficking?"

"Yes, The trade in flesh is a abomination. Both Captain Batemann and myself are working on certain incidents within the country...it was Batemann who contacted me about you.."

"Could you untie my bonds the rest of the way?" Plautilla asked.

"Remember. there are guards outside. Don’t try anything dumb..." She untied the bounds

Plautilla looked around for a sheet of paper and/or a pen or some equivalent. "I just needed to stretch. Thank you."

"My pleasure" The doctor’s chart sat by the bed

Plautilla grabbed the chart and scribbled I need to talk to you unmonitored and then handed the paper to Liz, figuring she'd know how to make sure it was destroyed. She smiled a little. "I know they had naked girls dancing there. Some of them were underage and some weren't human. I don't know if they were slaves or not though."

Liz nodded "Prostitution is slavery too...now...would you care for a walk...?"

"I think I need to get used to using my legs again, so yeah. Do we really need cuffs or guards or anything?" She hopped up as she asked.

"I'm a policewoman...I'll guard you...and we can go without cuffs...for now...there’s a robe under the bed and some slippers.." Plautilla put on the additional clothes and started walking with the other woman, waiting for her signal that they were unmonitored. They worked through the corridors. Almost no-one else was around. it was clear that this medical facility was underground...it seemed to be a running theme in Iesus...Liz put up her hand when they reached a junction. "you can talk here but make it quick..."

"The quick version is that I'm an international agent after a Bigtopia based slaver ring with heavy operations in Iesus Christi."

Liz smiled "Oh, that all?"

"No, but you said to make it quick." she said with a little smirk. "Get me out of here and we can get into all the details."

"Sorry. Force of habit.....well...if you had told us this a week ago..."
"If I had told you this without knowing what I now know about you, I'd be very bad at my job."

"That’s true. Well...assuming you're who you say you are...sorry about the treatment...Batemann actually had you pegged as a drug dealer...he wasn’t sure...if you fooled him, you must be pretty good at your job.."

"I never gave Batemann any reason to think I was anything other than a tourist with a weakness for pretty girls. He's either paranoid or just a brute. So can we get out of here?"

"I've heard him called worse..You were found at a club where illegality was the norm. You're lucky you didn’t end up in a hole in a forest..."

"Anyhow. Yes, best we move you somewhere for your 'security'..." Plautilla nodded, waiting. Liz patted Plautilla on the back. "Come on then...you can come out the front door this time..." They approached the nearest elevator and Liz simply showed the guards her ID. They snapped to attention, and she casually returned the salute...

The Docks in Bigtopia

Maria pressed herself to the ground trying to stay as flat as possible as the grenade exploded with a loud thump.

Be one with the ground She thought, Where the hell did these guys come from?! There was hot lead filling the air between the two groups coming from everywhere. She had no idea who these other guys were. They didn’t act like professionals but they weaponry they had was definitely military. She saw an Asian looking man run pass her carrying an assault rifle. First when the shooting started she had thought that someone in CC had messed up and sent an assault team. But know she was pretty sure this was another bunch of criminals attacking the first group.

“Keep an eye on the target!" She said into her wrist radio as she quickly glanced around the corner. “and keep out of harms way...” She knew the team would have no trouble defending themselves if that was the case, but they wanted the next link in the chain and any interference could alert their mark and make their mission even harder. They couldn’t have their mark killed by these other thugs though… She lowered her wrist and picked up her pen gun. No one in the surveillance team was heavily armed and they would be no match for guys with assault weapons, even if the opposition was not military trained. But f someone came close enough and tried something her long training and the hidden weapons she was carrying could more than even out the odds. Her hopes lay in the police arriving here before things went too awry though.

The huge man on the motorbike was standing outside the area. Being handpicked from the inquisitors was usually not an advantage in stake-outs. The drugs and the other enhancements normally meant people noticed him. He had been chosen from his relatively small size and normal looks, but being almost two meters and with the muscles the drugs and the extensive training had brought people tended to remember him. On the bike and wearing his helmet he still melted in quite good. He was the only one carrying an automatic weapon. His small Scorpion SMG was strapped on his lower back and he could feel the soft fabric of his Kevlar jacket underneath his long coat. He knew something had gone wrong but she wouldn’t go in without permission from the team leader and so far she had told them to stay out of it.

http://www.muar.ru/ve/2003/moscow/images/02.jpg


The two men were listening to the loud noices of gunfire and screams over the communicator.

"This seems even worse than we thought. Is there an external agency involved in this somehow?

"I dont know major, our intelligence show some minor operations but it is too early to tell what instigated this attack on our target." The young lieutenant walked over to a table and pointed on a screen. "We have great coverage through the Reich network of satellites but when it comes to operations like this, where civilians are involved it makes it kind of... uncertain..."

Major Kozlowski walked over and looked over the shoulder of the lieutenant. "Franklin is involved in this... He always give me the creeps that man and he's been on me on reports ever since he left for Iesus Christi. We need some kind of bone to throw him! Has agent Bental come up with something? Tell her to send me a report ASAP."

Somewhere in Iesus Christi

Kommissar Franklin had always enjoyed Iesus Christi. Their people was true servants of God and well educated at that. His driver had asked him if he wanted a tour around their great basket weaving factory. Something he had politely declined. He was on his way out to the Lady of Sorrows Institute in a covered car, absentmindedly polishing one of his jack boots.

The steel and concrete building sat near the middle of St Augustine,in the shadow of the giant statue to the Virgin Mary. Its squat and sprawling nature a tribute to Iesus Architectural style. Tall buildings werent something prize by modern Iesus Architectural planners. Low and deep was the fade desired by the Iesus command. In tribute to the 'lady' , the surrounding fountains sprayed over the reflective glass windows of the 3 storey building.
Above the entrance, the words "O Mother of the Word Incarnate, intercede for us from your place in heaven, O lady of Sorrows plead for us to thy Son." were emblazed in gold.
Our Lady of Sorrows Institute was known as a centre for the Inquisition studies on the criminal mind, commonly Criminal Intell meetings were held within its walls. A conference centre more or less....


Kommissar Franklin was greeted by regulars of the Iesus Police force, and after the usual round sof saluting and heel clicking he was escorted into one of the upper conference rooms. Like all things Iesus, the room was simply laidout with a large conference desk and some light refreshments laid on a sidetable.
A smartly dressed young officer addressed Kommissar Franklin in a nervous voice "My Commander wishing to inform you that he'll be here shortly, Heil the reich!"

Franklin took in the view of the great building as he entered through the doors, bowing his head a little in homage for our lady. He always enjoyed his trips to Iesus Christi, it almost felt like home in so many ways.

He was escorted by some men to the upper conference room and left with some kind of junior officer.

"My Commander wishing to inform you that he'll be here shortly, Heil the reich!"

"God is great!" He saluted back as he inspected the young officer with a somewhat critical look. Snappy dressed youngster.... weak administrator. I wonder how many sinners he has helped to salvation without using a pen... He thought as he looked at the young man scowling a bit. "Could you bring me some water soldier?" He expected the wait could be long.

Even with chaos at home, Commander Anne Blake considered regional law and order of vital concern. St Dominic would keep up its end of reich security.

In Iesus
"I'd rather be at home, but crime knows no borders it seems."
Lt Janey Jones talked to her driver as they drove towards the meeting place. He liked to talk, but found not everyone shared her likes. As the driver remained silent she read her orders.

Miss Jones
The Military council and myself, wish that St Dominic be fully part of any regional planning, and policy formation. Therefore you are to fully intergrate yourself with your fellow police officers, and uphold the princibals of our nation.
-Police Commisar Heneh-

Janey walked into the meeting room with a prance, she was enjoying the feeling of being someone special. She felt the eyes of St Dominic were firmly locked upon her, and she had no desire to let them down.

Deep within the dark archives of the Inquisition, Thomas ‘Mary’ Michael was searching for all the information he could on Philippe de Gastinois. Rummaging through computer files, data chips, as well as paper files, Thomas task was huge…the Iesus Inquisition kept files on files…the task was made that much harder that he was carrying out his task in near total darkness and in as much silence as he could…
It wasn’t exactly that he wasn’t supposed to be within these archives…technically he had the right to go wherever he wanted….but technically didn’t always cut it these days in Iesus…it was better to keep certain investigations as silent as possible. Oculi dei didn’t believe in transparent justice…
The door rattled , quickly Thomas turned his torch off and slide himself between the rows of files. Again the door rattled, making Thomas reach slowly into his pocket. Quietly he pulled the garrotte wire out…
Voices came from the corridor now, joking happily, and soon they faded down the corridor. Breathing out, Thomas returned to his work.



Garr hated people who ran late, and cursed himself for being one of them. He rushed down the corridor to the meeting room. Stopping briefly, he straightened his uniform and then entered the room.
“Comrades....Heil! Its good to see you made it. I pray God graced your travelling”

Franklin greeted the others with a "God is great!" whipping the heels of his jackboots together. He watched the others in silence. The first one to enter was a woman, she seemed nervous and excited at the same time. She seemed somewhat young for a meeting like this but Franklin was not one to be fooled by age or sex, he had met far too many competent youngsters for that.

The next one to come in was a somewhat familiar face. Inquisitor Garr entered the room with a "Comrades....Heil! Its good to see you made it. I pray God graced your travelling”.

Garr was kind of stressed and slightly panting as if after a short run and Franklin watched him with a quizzical look raising his hand in a salute, his brain never stop taking in the new impressions.

"The trip was nice, its always a pleasure to travel to Iesus." he said. "How many other are coming?" He never been big on small talk.

With a smile, Janey Jones saluted her fellows.
She popped into the conversation
"yes, it is a pleasure to travel isnt it?"
Knowing the comment was slightly pointless, she pressed on, hoping to engage her compatriots in small talk
"I have yet to travel the entire region, i hope to be able to see vegena soon."

i.c: Turning up just as the introductions were being gone through, Yaysar Kubba of the 'sultans security section' walked into the room.

Slavery of humans was strictly forbidden in North star thanks to sultan Hatusu. her honorable magesty deemed this crime worthy of her personal attention. [of course slavery of nonhumans was a slightly more controversal issue.]

o.o.c: dont have much time, but i'm following & will post more when times allows.

In the name of God. Glory and honour is his forever.
By Order of the blood of the redeemer….

Enslavement of human beings is forbidden by the law of God. This Proclamation is for once and all time.
1. No reason be it Ideology, Control or Commercial gain, can excuse the action.
2. It is a sin against the dignity of persons and their fundamental rights to reduce them to a source of profit or pleasure. All human beings are “flesh and in the lord” (Philem 16)
3. Denial of this innate human dignity shall be punished with the severity fitting those who attempt to undo the work of God. They are anathema and must be removed.
4. a) Metahumans , being not graced with a soul or human intellect and having no legal rights men are bound to respect, can thus be treated like any other animal. b) It should be noted that man has dominion over all inanimate and other living creatures, but total dominion is the realm of God only.

....Iesus code of Christian Law. Section 17. Revised post revolutionary Concilar ed 1946...



After a few hand shakes and pleasantries Garr brought himself to the matter at hand “I believe we maybe the number at present." he sounded upbeat "As you know, the law is clear. Trade in human flesh is illegal, yet I believe we all know such trade exists within the region. I would like to do something about it…..I believe we have an obligation…”

Plautilla walked with Liz, waiting to see where the Iesian woman was taking her.

Liz lead Plautilla in silence out of the building through a labyrinth of tunnels and elevators, the sentries saluted and melted away from Miss Shaw without even asking for any ID.
They stepped out into the gloomy light of day through a side door, a plain white car waiting there, to any trained eye it was so non descript and clean it had to be a police vehicle.
Liz opened the passenger door for Plautilla. “There are people you’ll have to talk with, you’ll be safer now…” She didn’t want to say she’d be safe now, but she’d certainly be safer than she had been.
Smiling, Liz got in the drivers side, put on her safety belt and grinned at Plautilla “I’d hate to be pulled over…”


Some of Philippe de Gastinois more sensitive Iesus government files were now in the hands of Oculi Dei. It didn’t appear he was an outstanding suspect. Still it seemed conventional law enforcement have him a wide berth, this set off warning alarms in the paranoid minds of those within the Oculi.

Plautilla grinned back, fastening her own seatbelt. "Thanks, Liz." She paused a moment as she considered the situation for a moment. "I'm sure there are. Just because we're after the same guys, there's still....policies..." She shrugged lightly. This wasn't the proper time to tell Liz what she thought of her government. It was time to catch some slavers. "Plautilla isn't my real name, of course. I think it'll make everything easier if it's the name we give your friends, though. There are...prejudices here."

She sighed a little. "We don't have any names inside Iesus Christi but we know people were being shipped here illegally from Bigtopia, by an outfit run by a man named Leroux. We know he was connected with a number of other criminals in Bigtopia but the basis of his operation was buying slaves from a dealer in Adoki and then selling them here in Iesus Christi."

Franklin nodded to Janey Jones, “It would be our pleasure” He was just about to talk again when he was interrupted by Yaysar Kubba entering the room. He had been involved in some intelligence work during the civil war in North Star and had plotted to kill some Mullahs and key persons within the nation but he couldn’t remember Kubba from his files. He was either a newcomer or a person smart enough to work in the background during the turbulent times when the Moslem terrorists had complicated diplomacy for Vegana.

Franklin saluted the North Star man: “God is Great!” and then continued turned towards Garr “Slavery is a blasphemy unto our lord God. We have taken extensive action in Vegana to root out the cancer before it spreads too far. Unfortunately it seems like the source of the evil as usual is external. We have agents working in Bigtopia trying to find the organization or organizations behind this.” He took a sip of his water.”This hasn’t got the usual stench of Nephilim activity I fear that the vein of corruption runs deeper than that. What do you suggest?”

“You’re right, for now we should stick with the name Plautilla” Liz paused, then spoke honestly “ It would be good for you to be as honest as possible, but I’d advise you keep any personal proclivities to yourself…its best to keep some things to yourself...”
They drove through the Capital, few other cars were on the road. Vehicle cost and the stringent licence procedure made vehicle ownership not overly common in Iesus Christi.
As they drove deeper the capital, towards the centre of the city which held the grey buildings of the government,they were stopped often at checkpoints. Well manned and equipped checkpoints, concrete structures rather than hastily erected barricades. Each time Liz calmly presented her Inquisiton ID and rolled up her left arm sleeve….the hooded sentries scanned her arm barcode and after a few minutes waved her through…deeper and deeper into the sanctum sanatorium of Iesus security and government.
They drove past the perimeter fence of the Headquarters of the Holy Council …the seat of the Iesus security service – the Inquisition. The towering building supposedly housed myriad departments…everything from rape, racial crimes to espionage work.. The reality wasn’t easy to find out…the shadowy Inquisition wasn’t known for its openness, and its exact mandate was one of those ‘grey’ areas that people in Iesus didn’t question.
They finally came to a halt a few kilometres down the road Outside a dark and gloomy building, not more than three storeys high. The compact squat building stood out simply because it was so small. Every other building was a towering mass of concrete, glass and steel, built so close to each other it seemed they were almost touching….in contrast this building was small, compact, totally windowless and had no other buildings within 50 metres of it..as if a dead zone surrounded the building…
No guards manned the gate, but a control panel was clearly visible. Above the doors to the building itself Plautilla could make out the words Dei Genitrix, intercede pro nobis.
Liz spoke quietly “Get out of the car with me and advance slowly towards the building, the wire gate and building door will open automatically. Now….You’ll have to trust me…I know you don’t have to, but think carefully…if we wanted you dead you’d already be that way…When you go through those doors, you’ll be manhandled. Don’t resist, whatever happens just go limp…you’ll most likely be drugged again. I’m sorry….they’re good people…just this situation…it brings out the worst in people…I hope you understand?”




Garr nodded “well..Iesus seems to be attracting those who would carry out this diabolic trade in human flesh….and I’m afraid to inform you…and I do it in confidence…not only human flesh is involved…charges of metahuman contact and tainting the human temple have also come to light…” Garr paused for dramatic effect “but what I suppose we do is share our intelligence…so far policing information has never really been shared between our nations…perhaps this could change? You all have information I’m sure Iesus and God would like to be shared…”

Franklin wasn't sure why he wanted someone elses opinons in this. He was pretty sure how it should be handled. But if he gave the others the chance of coming up with propositions first it would show him were they stood in this matter. Hesipped the water and felt the cold drops trickle down his throat.

Garr nodded “Well..Iesus seems to be attracting those who would carry out this diabolic trade in human flesh….and I’m afraid to inform you…and I do it in confidence…not only human flesh is involved…charges of metahuman contact and tainting the human temple have also come to light…” Garr paused for dramatic effect “but what I suppose we do is share our intelligence…so far policing information has never really been shared between our nations…perhaps this could change? You all have information I’m sure Iesus and God would like to be shared…”

Franklin nodded. "I'm sure a cooperation between our countries intelligence services would faciliate things considereably. Vegana has no problem sharing information or fund a committee handling things like this."

Plautilla nodded a little, slightly surprised Liz didn't ask her her real name. "Alright." She seemed slightly confused for just a moment by the next comment. "Personal pro...?" She snorted lightly as she got it. "I'm not actually gay. That was just a persona. Strictly business. I have a fiance back home."

She frowned deeply as Liz gave her instructions. "No. I really can't agree to that. Not under the circumstances."

As Liz understood it, the nature of foreign decadent law and marriage, ‘Plautilla’ having a Fiancé back home hardly ruled out the possibility of her being a Lesbian. Still, Liz kept the thought to herself, like ‘Plautillas’ real name, such things could be raised at a later time.

As they sat in the car, it was now the turn of Liz to frown with concern…she wasn’t used to being questioned. “ummmmm…Well….why not? You can hardly expect us to trust you yet?” The statement was an honest one, her voice held no malice. Liz like most of her country was painfully conditioned to obeying orders and distrusting outsiders. “You’ll be fine….its just….how things are done…but I’m open to ideas..”

"Fair enough." Plautilla conceded. "I don't really expect you to trust me. So why do you expect me to trust you? I've already been tortured by your people once this week, after all. Our nations aren't friends, even if we are after the same people. There is a reason, after all, I didn't come her through official channels in the first place. Based upon Iesian history, law, and propoganda, I have reason to believe that you're not necessarily working towards the safe repatriation of all the slaves and we're going to need a deal on that before we share information. Until then, I'm going to make sure your people have to kill me if they try to drug me with anything that might make me blurt out information. It's as simple as that and not negotiable."

She frowned slightly. "Liz, my government doesn't have enough information to take these guys out on our own. If yours had all the information they needed, I wouldn't still be alive right now. If you want to work together on this, you need to make up your mind to do so seriously. But I'm not going to just submit to being drugged and brutalized without cause again." She sighed lightly. "And, by the way, I doubt very much that I would call them, in any sense, good people."

“Iesus law and culture isn’t something I have a say in, we simply follow the Lex Divina, the law of the almighty. We never take part in unnecessary violence……” Liz coughed, realizing she was now quoting government catechism, this wasnt a moment for a debate on international doctrine.
”We don’t want you dead and we do want to work with you. We need your help, we have a mandate to act as we see fit…so…..you have whatever my assurance is worth…we wont make you betray any confidences. I believe we can make this work, I don’t believe in harming the innocent.”
Liz tapped in a code into her wrist communicator. “I know this is hard to believe, but we aren’t bad people. Perhaps your sense of the word will change. I hope we can make this work.”

Plautilla looked at Liz curiously, not quite sure if that was a yes or a no. "Danaan law and custom is something I have a say in, but I can't just change it on my own. Nor do I want to change it on this point. I can't help until I have assurances that this isn't an operation which will lead to certain of the rescued slaves being in a worse situation than even slavery nor can I allow myself to be drugged before such time. I'm already trusting you more than is legal. If this is going to work, it has to work both ways."

To outline a new international organisation is contrary to what you may think a big affair. You need to build up a hierarchical organization, chains of communication, a network, quarters for the personell to be, a secure data network and computer system, business cards and wha type of gun should be used to shoot traitors in the back, but the hardest thing when several nations tries to agree on something always seem to be its name.

Some people believe in omens. A tickle under your foot is that someone is thinking of you. Comparing hands means death. A cold shiver is that someone walking across your grave in a not too distant future. Franklin had had this itching feeling in his crotch for a long time. He discarded it to be his new woolen underwear....

Liz inwardly cringed at the concerns being raised…there was some validity in the concern, Liz had spent many hours studying racial purity law. “I can’t give you any assurance about policy, I’d like too but I cant. You’ll have to talk with my superiors.”
Liz considered her next sentence carefully “But I swear to you by the feast of the worlds redemption, you won’t be molested while you’re with us. Your personal safety I can assure. I'm willing to trust you.” Liz didn’t want to sound like she was pleading, the concession was hopefully enough for now.




Garr paused, he hadnt even really thought about funding, ideally he wanted certain people within the Iesus government not knowing too much about the operation.
"Well, perhaps an outline of what we hope to be achieved? some actual basis of cooperation needs to be formulated?"

Plautilla started to frown before she remembered the actual Iesus law on slavery. Then she smiled knowingly. "Ok. Let's go." She stepped out of the car and waited for Liz.
Liz quietly thank God, that could have been a lot worse.
Stepping out of the car, Liz lead the way towards the squat building. The external wire gates swung open allowing them to enter.
Plautilla followed Liz, looking perfectly at ease, totally self confidant.
There was no sign of guards anywhere about, but numerous video cameras dotted the building and the wire perimeter fence. The front doors opened automatically as the two women approached, revealing a dark sloping corridor. Liz waved ‘Plautilla’ on "after you"
Plautilla stepped inside first, walking down the dark corridor.
The corridor that greeted her was cold, unnaturally so, a gentle hum could be heard in the background. Plautilla immediately guessed the sound as a refrigeration unit.
Both women followed down the corridor in total silence. Eventually the corridor ended at a lift door. No control panels marked the outside, but again it slid open as they approach.
Liz spoke in a military tone “Walk in slowly. When you’re in there, I’ll have to place a hood over your head, is this ok?”
"It's ok." Plautilla answered, stepping in slowly.
"Thank you" Liz quickly drew the hood over Plautilla's head. "I don’t think we need the cuffs, don’t prove me wrong"
Plautilla couldn't reply to that, being hooded, So Liz continued saying "A nod will do"
Plautilla replied with a sharp nod.
Soon the lift was moving, the vibration unmistakeable. When the Lift stopped, Liz gently pushed Plautilla out, then with hands firmly on Plautillas shoulders, directed her through the corridors. Occasional Plautilla could hear hushed whispers through her hood as they passed people in the corridors.
Plautilla tried to hear as best she could. It wasn't much, with the hood and the whispering combining, though she might have picked up a snippet here and there, as good spies have good hearing.
Again, the corridors were ridiculously cold and seemed to extend for miles. The buildings on the surface could well be all interconnected if they all had equal underground networks. Plautilla being the trained agent she was could easily keep orientated even with the hood and unnatural environment.
At last they entered a room, Liz gently pushed Plautilla into a chair. A new deep male voice spoke with confidence "You can take your hood of now"
Plautilla reached up and pulled the hood off of her head. She looked around the room, taking in her Spartan surroundings.
Behind a large oak desk sat a lean middle aged man, he wore a simple soldiers field uniform with the insignia of a captain. His hair was streaked with grey, and he had a distinctive grey tinge even to his flesh, still he had a wide smile on his face.
The Room was bare besides from having the desk. A large mirror dominated one wall. This was without mistake a interview room.
Plautilla settled her gaze calmly on the man. "Hello." she said, as he hadn't started. She'd dropped her fake Italian accent and now spoke with an accent similar, but not identical, to a French one.
The man looked her over, not replying yet, his face seemed constantly to have a half grin. Eventually he spoke "Hello indeed"
She settled back in her seat, looking mildly impatient. She tried to give the impression that she wasn't really going to be intimidated so they might as well skip it and get down to business.
The Iesus officer spoke "Could I have your name?"
He looked her over with a policeman’s eye "and how about something to eat? drink?"
"Plautilla Viglianno." she answered. "And...what do you have to eat?" she asked cautiously.
"Would that be your real name? or some cover name?" The officer paused momentarily ash e thought for a moment "food..ummm...I'm sure we can rustle up some fruit...maybe a sandwich.."
"A cover name. What kind of sandwich?" she asked.
"Ham is the usual, Its my lunch of choice. so what’s your real name?"
Liz stood behind Plautilla, not saying a word.
"I'll do without. I don't think you need to know my real name." Plautilla said.
"I'd like to know your name, and whom you work for….and are you sure about the sandwich. the ham is excellent..."
"I'm positive." she answered, ignoring the other questions for now.
The officer smiled "we'll suit yourself. You'll never know what you missed."
"We're after the same people." she said. "I don't need to be drugged to help."
A look of surprised crossed his face "the thought of drugging your food honestly never entered my mind...we generally don’t need to be that subtle."
The officer ran a hand through his hair "I'm very pleased we're after the same people. Justice is justice no matter where someone is from...."
She shrugged a little. "Yes, it is." Her tone got a little colder at that, reflecting on the truth of his statement and on what she thought that truth meant about most Iesian law enforcement.
The officer didn’t seem to notice her cool tone " Now, before anything can happen, I suppose we need to know something of each other. I'm John Garr, I work for Iesus Christi..naturally..."
"I work for the Resurgent Dream." she responded.
“as what..exactly.." Garrs voice had now a interested edge to it.
"As a law enforcement officer charged with enforcing the law of the seas, aiding underdeveloped nations in training anti-drug and anti-slavery personnel, and conducting overseas operations to disrupt international criminal enterprise in both friendly and unfriendly nations."
Garr raised an eyebrow "all that eh?"
"Well, that's the name of the sub-ministry." she clarified.
"And your task here in our beautiful land?"
"To get more information on an international ring of slavers so as to take them out in Bigtopia."
Garr nodded. " A noble task. Your agency has a lot of knowledge about the activity in bigtopia?"
"Some." she said. "Probably enough that a joint operation, perhaps with Pantocratorian involvement as well, might be able to effectively take them out."
"This is interesting..." For once Garr wasn’t free with his words "how long have your investigations been going on for?"
"Mine personally?"
"Yours and your governments into this particular ring.."
"Ten years." she answered.
Garr laughed "Well, That’s certainly devotion..."
"The victims would spend a lifetime in misery if we did not put in the necessary time." she commented.
"indeed” Garr stopped smiling "I never meant to imply this wasn’t a serious matter. I apologize if I gave that impression"
"You didn't." she said. "I think we can work together in Bigtopia, although we need to clarify a few simple matters first."
"I hope we can work together in this matter too. In both bigtopia and in Iesus Christi. The Bigtopian matter wouldn’t be of interest to our department if it didn’t lead to slavery, depravity and bestiality in Iesus"
"Bea..Oh, yes." She frowned slightly.
"You'll be pleased to know, many of the men at the club you were arrest at have been charged with a wide range of criminal actions."
"Why would I be pleased to know that?" she asked curtly.
Garr smiled " Because those who profit and take part in slavery deserve to be punished...even those only fractionally involved"
"Perhaps resources could have been better spent abducting the actual slavers present, who got away with a friend of mine." she said, her mood having changed a good deal in the last few seconds.
"Perhaps if we knew all you know we could have arrested those men too....perhaps if you hadn’t been playing spies she'd be safe and sound..."
Garr leant forward "Thing are not always straight forward in Iesus Christi, we simply do what we can"
"If I told you all I know unconditionally, I'd be dooming half the slaves in that place to a fate worse than slavery. I wouldn't want to have to explain that to my Maker when the time comes." she snapped back.
" We oppose slavery more violently than any nation on the earth...we are restrained only by foreign paranoia "Garr tapped his fingers on the table.
"Do you oppose slavery enough to put your...other crusades...on hold during cooperative operations and guarantee the safe repatriation of all slaves rescued using Danaan information and assistance, regardless of species?" She was calm again, asking the question matter-of-factly.
"Iesus law is complicated on the matter, but should metahumans be found..." Garr thought for a moment "their fate would be ...discussable"
"It needs to be arranged prior to any cooperation, captain." she said. "There are all sorts of legal arguments you could use under Iesian law. Or, we might keep it between us. But it really does need to be set in stone beforehand."
Garr stroked his collar "innocent metahumans found in Iesus Christi who are foreign nationals could be returned home."
"Thank you." she said.
"Of course the government has the last say, but I assume that your government would vouch for them being citizens...?"
"Yes." Plautilla said. "Any who wished, in fact, could automatically become Danaan citizens."
Garr tried to ignore much of the last sentence "well then, I'm sure we can relocate foreign nationals quickly and quietly..:”

Franklin noticed Garrs uneasy but mistook it for not having sufficient funds.

-"Actually, I have a document that says that to faciliate things I have the freedom to manage considerable sluch funds to get this started as quick as possible. Maybe we should use them together with whatever information the people present can provide us with?" Franklin watched Garr's face with an expressionless look. "I'm sure things would go quicker and less... bueaucratic if we could form a commitee just with us now and then move on from there. We already have an operation setup in Bigtopia, but as you said it has grown beyond that."

Yaysar Kubba listened carefully to the discussion, as usual it seemed the conversation was coming down to the color of the money. Of course his office didnt personally didnt lack for money, but he understood the need for expedient action. He spoke when he felt it wouldnt be seen as rude,
"the sultan has no problem with us handling money matters within ourself"

“Wait here please…” Garr stood up, and left the room….Liz followed behind him out of the room like an obedient dog.


Down the corridor, three uniformed personal watched the room on a view screen. They of course had been watching the entire time.
“She’s dictating terms. Some filthy dyke foreigner telling us how to carry out the law of God…She has no right…” the Corporal known as ‘PK’ spoke with an angry tone to his two officer companions…their rank didn’t seem to influence him at all.
“Indeed...seems like a Heb too….that’s all we need is a dyke Heb ordering us about…we mustn’t forget that the Jew is the tool of the Metahuman…” The new speaker wore a uniform that barely contained his obese body. His tunic buttons strained under the pressure being applied by his mass, and even in the cold temperature of the facility, the man appeared to be sweating.
The third person spoke, Plautillas former tormentor Batemann. “Yes Karl, but Garr appears to trust her enough to work with her. That’s enough for me, besides those other matters aren’t our concern”
“Very true Captain” Garr entered the monitoring room like a grinning ghost, causing all three men to drop their hands to their side arms. “Relax gentlemen…..” Garr peered at the screen “She has much to offer us; it is our duty to fulfill our sacred mission first. Matters of her supposed sexuality and Jewishness are not important.”
The obese officer spoke “Agreed. But I don’t trust her ….there was a ministry report claiming two other foreign nationals have been arrested for suspected Espionage. Perhaps she is involved with them? She could be a spy… I’d feel a lot better if we simply put her to the questioning ”
Garr smiled warmly but his eyes were cold “Karl, I didn’t say I trust her, far from it. But she is more use to us as a willing aid, than a ruined corpse. We’ll watch her closely…..besides you know the Ministry….those foreign nationals probably were simply asking directions…”
Karl and ‘PK’ both snorted and laughed, while Batemann sat solemnly with his arms folded.
“You’re with me Patrick. You and Liz can work with her for now…”

Garr reentered the interrogation Room, flanked by Liz and Batemann. Garr retook his seat “I believe we can work together….I believe we have a deal…”




In the Reich security meeting Garr felt a little out of his depth, he never had a mind for business.
“Gentlemen, it would be good to keep our actions low, who knows how many people have been tainted by the metahuman surge of corruption…for now I’d like as much information as can possible be shared…names of those suspected…ships that have been impounded….anything…we lead anything that can lead us to those collaborating with the metahuman corruption that is slavery…”

Plautilla nodded, rising slowly. "That's good to hear. Can I let my people know?"

At that very moment, Harriet and Amber sat handcuffed on the cold cell of a floor, naked, with hoods over their faces, as Plautilla has so recently been. While they were, of course, actually foreign agents, they had not been arrested for any of their work. They had, as some of the Iesians guessed, been trying to ask directions. They next thing they knew, here they were in a real example of why they considered Iesus Christi morally abhorrent.

Angelina was, at that very moment, tied up in a Iesian basement, watched over by a big guy the others called George. She was with two other girls, a frizzy haired biracial girl named Nika and a rural European named Dana. Both seemed utterly bewildered at their fate, an attitude Angelina was copying with remarkable sucess, staring blankly ahead and silently praying to God for deliverance and victory.

Garr nodded and smiled “Sure….We’ll allow you to contact ‘your people’. There is a secure phone line for your use? What else do you require?”



Harriet and Amber had been dragged and kicked into the cell, the arresting officer leading the torment of physical and verbal abuse.
People joked that Captain Theresa Eickle could smell out traitors and spies, during her five years in the ministry she had racked up an impress number of arrests and confessions.
Of course, she like most officers within the ministry had free reign to pursue criminals in any way she saw fit. Tourists always raised Theresa’s suspicion, the Ministry was against them on principle….these two had made Theresa’s nose twitch, …several objects on them had only confirmed her gut feeling.
Beneath the Portrait of Bridgette Iesus , Theresa started the interrogation. Soon cries echoed through the dark corridors.
Blood dripped off Theresa’s fist. She rubbed it gently, it would certainly be bruised by morning. With distaste she wiped the blood from her hand in the young redheads hair.



Wearing ratty jeans and a singlet, George watched his captives with hungry eyes. His body was crisscrossed with the marks of penal service, lash marks and clumsy vulgar tattoos. Occasionally he giggled to himself, causing the two other girls to recoil in horror at his hidden joke….even the most naïve could guess his thoughts.

"A telephone will work fine." Plautilla said.

Over the next few hours, she got in touch with everyone who was still free. She also managed to learn that two others of her party had been taken into custody as she had, something which she informed Gaar of to let him deal with.

A few more hours after that, the Danaan agents who had not been captured were ready to meet with the Iesians to work out a plan to catch the small group of slavers from the bar. Even if Gaar had gotten Harriet and Amber released, they were resting from their abuse and in no condition for an operation. Plautilla, who had been through something comparable, seemed fine, however.

Meanwhile, another team was being assembled in Bigtopia for the final operation. Plautilla would be travelling there with the Iesians, being the one who had managed to get a working relationship with them. She had also requested Liz be on the Iesian team going.

Garr felt somehow vindicated by Plautillas phone calls, he felt no surprise that she hadn’t come to Iesus alone. He’d assumed this wasn’t some amateur night in Lavenrunz type of operation ‘Plautilla’ had been involved in…
With a wide smile Garr raised no objection to Liz going to foreign fields. As he relayed the news to Liz, he wore a fixed smile of someone who knows a joke but has no intention of sharing it.
He took the news of her compatriots being arrested more seriously. Within moments of learning this information he left Plautillas presence and held a hushed conversation with Batemann. After a matter of minutes Batemann approached ‘Plautilla’ “Your agents Harriet and Amber. How much do they know and how well can they stand up to intense interrogation?”

"Not as much as I do, but not as well as I can, either." Plautilla looked shocked at the question for a moment before remembering how these people worked. This really is a country which would worry about its own lower-ranking agents getting information. "Can't you find out directly what they said to their interrogators?"

In fact, Amber and Harriet had indeed broken down under torture but they hadn't revealed their real mission, instead saying what their captors wanted to hear. They had each given Theresa whatever answered she seemed to be looking for at the moment, confessing to whatever she wanted. It was, of course, a legally valid confession under Iesian law but also one which thoughtful Iesian officers would likely know, on some level, to be produced by the interrogation itself whether than any actual crime.

Angelina shirked back from the man fearfully. Her fear was not just acting either. Just because she knew the risks when she took this job didn't mean a possible end to her freedom and dignity was something she could view calmly.

With sullen eyes Batemann thought over the question “We can find out, but this takes time. Time with which the Ministry will be persistent in their continued questioning….they wont be sated until they’re sure they have every drop of information……look…the Ministry are not nice people, they’re paranoid about everything…we couldn’t free your friends anytime soon….” Batemanns voice actually sounded genuinely sad as he talked, and held no trace he saw any irony about his views on the ministry“....but we can silence them..”

Theresa continued her work with glee, she had KNOWN they’d been hiding information….and now the confessions were pouring from their bloody lips…
With renewed gusto Theresa turned on her victims, their confessions only spurring the ministry agent on….she recalled Bridgettes words “Someone who confesses one crime, certainly is guilty of more”…

The slaver could smell the fear like a perfume on the girls, he longed to touch and to be with them. Yet he didn’t dare, he feared his masters more than he lusted for flesh. He’d seen the punishment for those silly enough to defy his masters before…

Plautilla wasn't shocked by the question. She knew perfectly well that life was cheap, the moral law held in contempt, and the dignity of man of no currency in barbarous lands. Still, she was a little offended at the suggestion that he would expect her to assent to such a thing. "I already told you." she said "I expect to answer for my life when I die." That, of course, meant no.

Amber and Harriet continued to scream, confused now. Harriet finally cried out "We already gave up, for Heaven's sake! Just tell us what else it is you want us to say we did! We can't read your mind!"

Amber nodded. "We'll say we did whatever you want." It was obvious the very possibility that Theresa might think they did the things she was making them confess had not crossed either of their minds.

Angelina relaxed a little, whimpering faintly into her gag.

“Jesus will judge us all on the last day, that’s why I take everything I do seriously. I must be prepared to answer for each of my actions. ….Your compatriots may leak information to those who would misuse the information, those even in league with the ones we hunt....the Ministry answers only to Bridgette Iesus... no one else…please remember not everyone here is as trustworthy as us…” This time Batemanns eyes did flicker with a little humour and then went cold again. “Are you willing to risk the entire operation? Sometimes we must all make sacrifices.”



Time meant nothing within the Ministry. Eventually drugs and other forms of persuasion would be brought forth. For now, physical treatment was the order of the day, theresa held a deep sense of mistrust in anyone who confessed....physical pain without questions would make the sujects willing when the time came.
She shoke her fist to relieve the pain "The reason we hurt you now is because you wish to confess"

Plautilla shrugged. "We must all make sacrifices, yes. And none of us is perfect in virtue. But willingly doing evil is never a righteous sacrifice. You have my answer."

Amber and Harriet had already surrendered. There was nothing available to them but to repeat what they'd already said. Nothing Theresa did with drugs or torture for the rest of their stay could produce anything new. It wasn't a matter of resistance. There was just nothing else for her to get. The two women had already offerred to give in to her entirely and she had rejected the offer. There was nothing else they could offer. They just kept repeating themselves for however long she kept it up, hours, weeks, or even years. There was nothing else and thus nothing else was said until Theresa stopped looking.

Meanwhile, Special Agent Katei Stroupe, a Danaan operative in Bigtopia, dialed the local Pantocratorian intelligence contact on a secure line.

"Yes?" answered a man's voice.

"This is Betsy. I just got a notice from city hall." Katei said, speaking in code.

"What did it say, Betsy? Are your rates due?" the man replied, the question about rates code for asking whether she was in trouble.

"No. They're not due. They just asked me to do some work for the neighbourhood watch." she answered, meaning that it was an assignment.

"Oh. Want to discuss it over a coffee?" he asked.

"Sure thing." she answered. "The usual place?"

"Yeah. How about tomorrow, at midday? We can make it lunch." he said. Tomorrow at midday meant an hour and a half.

"I'll see you then." she said and hung up.

A sort of respect was growing within Batemann for ‘Plautilla’, her devotion to her principles was certainly impressive…if somewhat impractical…
“I disagree with your view, but I believe I can respect it. You’ll excuse me if I seem callous…things are different here, necessity demands we don’t always hold to virtue. But if you’re sure, we’ll look for another way to liberate your compatriots”
He waved Liz over “Liz and myself are to work with you until we find your…’sister’…” With a blank expression he turned to Liz "and you'll be accompanying Plautilla afterwards too..."

Plautilla nodded. "Understood."

A few more hours after that, the Danaan agents who had not been captured were ready to meet with the Iesians to work out a plan to catch the small group of slavers from the bar.

Meanwhile, another team was being assembled in Bigtopia for the final operation. Plautilla would be travelling there with the Iesians, being the one who had managed to get a working relationship with them. She had also requested Liz be on the Iesian team going.

OOC: Veggy is away and unable to post...thus I am posting this for him...

IC: "Franklin looked at Garr and nodded. "I already have a file that is currently up to date right here. He petted his right pocket. "I expect full cooperation from the other Reich nations and will limit access to the people within this room. I understand this is an urgent operation and my agents are in fact already in process of seizing some in a slaver organisation. So I will place the Veganian part of the operation directly under my own command. What information would you have to share Garr?" He looked into the eyes of Garr as he sipped from his glass.

Knowing the contacted agents wouldn’t feel like receiving the same frosty paranoid welcome Plautilla had received Garr has organised somewhat nicer surroundings for them to be directed to.
He explained to his lackeys “The foreign mindset is not at ease with humble lifestyle, we’ll move proceedings to somewhere a little more hospitable.”
The choice of venue for the meeting was an out of the way country home. Densely surrounded with shadowy unkempt trees, and uncontrolled undergrowth, the building wasn’t lavish but clearly dated back to a time when Iesus still had a land owning aristocracy.

Batemann excused himself, leaving Plautilla and Liz to organize affairs, Liz quietly dreaded the topic of foriegn travel....like many of her countryfolk she held foriegnlands in mystic dread.
Liz gently offered that drivers would pick the agents up, if that was acceptable….Liz spoke making sure Plautilla knew this was a option not an order.
“Its your choice, bring the agents in however they feel safe. You can freshen up before we go ourselves if you like. Food is available too…”

Plautilla nodded. "Cars would be fine."

Crossing her mind, a tiny issue fluttered out down her brain and out of Janeys' mouth.
"This wouldnt effect transportation of criminals and non human would it?"
It was the sole matter St Dominic really cared about at the present, CNC Blake had made that clear severaltimes.

After some time arranging the cars, they eventually arrived at the various locations…everything in Iesus seemed to occur at its own speed.
Driven by generally non responsive men and women. Each vehicle took its time getting to the country estate, the drivers apparently painfully aware of the possibility of being followed.

The shadowy estate loomed in front of Liz and Plautilla as they drove through the gates. The overgrown trees cast eerie shadows over the building, adding to the feeling of slow decay.
Liz led Plautilla up the steps into the building. It was clearly evident little had been down in way of maintenance over the years, random bullet holes dating back from the revolution marked the stone steps and the doorframe.
“We’re meeting in the old dining room.....Your compatriots should already be here.” Liz spoke with a ‘lilt’ in her voice, due to either nerves or some unseen reason.

Mr. and Mrs. Makarios sat quietly in the dining room, waiting for Liz and Plautilla and attempting to hide their nervousness. They smiled when Plautilla and Liz did walk in. George rose and pulled chairs out for both ladies before sitting again himself. "Well...Miss Viglianno already told me the gist of her proposed...deal..."

Plautilla sat with a small smile. "It's going to help a lot." she said. "I think we can finally get these guys."

With eyes locked on George, Liz stood watching…staring at him with a look of slightly puzzled confusion…then her brain clicked into gear. Such acts of ‘chivalrous manners’ were generally unfamiliar to modern Christofascist Iesus Christi, they had been locked in the past for being ‘anti Christian aristocratic constructs’ after the revolution.
Eventually Liz sat and smiled “Yes, its our hope that together we can act against …these people…Captain Batemann should be here shortly…the two of us are empowered to act on this matter…..is there anything we can get you? Food? Drink?”
As Liz spoke Batemann entered the dining room, muttering vague apologises and giving a half heart fascist salute, he sat down next to Liz, giving her a careful sideways glance.

"No thank you." George said. "Unless Susan wants something."

Susan shook her head. "I'm good." She then turned to Plautilla. "DId they say anything about the others?"

Plautilla shook her head slightly and Susan sighed audibly. Plautilla turned as Bateman entered. "Shell we begin then?"

“That’s probably advisable” Batemann rankled a little, he didn’t like the feeling of being treated like an non entity. “ I believe our first matter of business is to locate Plautillas ‘sister’…her safety presses on my mind.”
Through the window, those sitting in the dining room could hear the crunching of jackboots on gravel. Those who had arranged the meeting were clearly concerned about security.
“we have suspects we’ve been monitoring, but we know little about foreign operations…”

{Headquarters of Foundation Construction, Inc. in Bigtopia}

Managing a business can be a difficult task, especially when most of your employees and consumers are acting outside the law. Such was the case with Giovanni Diadoni's organization. Employees seem to think they can get away with many things, including ripping off their employers. This was, of course, dealt with by the employer in a serious and swift manner.

"I'm concerned with Sergei," Diadoni told his aide and second-in-command of his criminal syndicate, a man by the name of Antoine Mercier.

Antoine Mercier was a tall, very thin man, with fair skin and a thin face. He had an edged cold look about himself. "You’re referring to his flashy spending habits, or his lax work attitude," he replied coolly, clearly he did not have a high opinion of the man either.

Daidoni sighed slight. "Neither actually," he grunted. "I don't fully trust him. And what you mentioned doesn't help that opinion at all."

"Accounting has been agitated, lately," Mercier offered. It was commonplace for accounting to ignore minor inconsistencies, because they felt pointing them out was a one-way trip to unemployment. Such fears were irrational, to a degree. "It is quite possible Sergei isn't being entirely honest with us."

"We need to do something about," Daidoni confirmed. "We can't have undue attention coming to our new market venture, Corporate made that very clear to me."

"I understand." Antoine's head nodded very slightly. "I'll arrange for him to be replaced as liaison to our contacts in the Reich, and insure he is properly informed of his employment termination."

The larger man seemed satisfied with that. No doubt, he clearly read the implications of his subordinate's statements. "Good," he replied moving to look out his office window.

He moved onto the next topic of his business. "The triad is becoming too powerful. They’re beginning to challenge our interests. I am concerned that there could be trouble from it." Daidoni paused in front of the window. "We need to send them a message--" He stopped short as he look out that very window.

"God damn it," he swore, watching smoke rise from a distant warehouse. "That's my warehouse!"



{The Projects District somewhere in Bigtopia}

The soon-to-be-unemployed Sergei made a wild leap for the nearest cover. Narrowly making it as a stream of automatic weapons fire tore into the crate he had dived behind. He was up and running as soon as the burst of bullets ending, and this time as he ran he sent his own lead back at the Triad raiders. Firing wildly with a pistol he hit his assailant twice, sending the oriental man to the pavement he had stood upon. For being entirely incompetent at anything that did not involve a silver tongue, untrustworthy with large sums of money, and a just plain sleaze, he proved to at least have some merit as a marksman.

More wild shots sent another thug diving to his own cover. And in that barest of seconds of relative safety Sergei made it to his vehicle. Throwing open the door and jumping into the driver's seat, he thanked his own forgetfulness in leaving the keys in the ignition. And with a loud screech hailing the rubber burning away from his tires, Sergei made his escape.

However Sergei wasn't the only one making an escape, the crew of the Glorious Profit were now piling into their truck, under the covering fire of Diadoni's remaining thugs, even the foreman who emerged from the warehouse was helpful, laying down a hail of bullets from two machine pistols. Dragging their wounded comrade into the truck, the last of the crew disappeared into the truck loaded down with it's terrified (and surprisingly unharmed) cargo, which was already rolling forward as the driver struggled to get the engine to start. With the roar of an engine their burst onto the street, send a triad thug diving out of their way, and drove away.

There was an unsteady quite as the vehicles disappeared. Possibly due to the timely and successful escapes, but more likely caused by the numerous amount of guns being reloaded. The foreman had made it to cover and while reloading himself, took a look at the wound on his arm from a bullet nicking him. And for another moment it was quite.

But then the firing started again. At first slowly, pistols fire back and forth for a second, them more quickly with burst of automatic and semi-automatic fire. The Triad were making a strategic retreat, as more of Diadoni's men were emerging from the warehouse and surrounding area. Pulling back they helped one of their wounded limp back to the building from which they had first appeared. They had barely made it to the building before Diadoni's enforcers were themselves advancing on the building across the street from the warehouse. Sporadic and short bursts of gunfire were the only warnings of the foolishness of rushing that building and after a moment those too stopped.

And with that the gang battle was over. The Triad fled to their readied vehicles on another street, Daidoni's men rushed to clear the area of anything important before themselves fleeing from the duly late law enforcement officials, who found themselves left with only one oriental body and a lot of damage, spent ammunition and shells as proof of the gang war. After the proper brides were applied they too would lose interest in the warehouse. But would certain witnesses of the crime?

OOC: Sorry, for the delay on this post, it has been long in the making (as Vegana and Iesus know). However certain factors in my life, primarily among them college, kept me from completing it.

Crossing her mind, a tiny issue fluttered out down her brain and out of Janeys' mouth.
"This wouldnt effect transportation of criminals and non human would it?"
It was the sole matter St Dominic really cared about at the present, CNC Blake had made that clear severaltimes.

Franklin looked at Janey for a second before he answered. "Oh, I am sure that every nation are free to deal with the problem in their own way. As long as the problem is dealt with." he added. "The cancer that is nephilim is best dealt with locally, it is hard to perform surgery from a far." He looked at the people in the room. "But this is an altogether different issue and I think that it would be best if me and mr. Garr here iron out the details with funding and such and then we meet again in the afternoon. Is that to everyones liking?"

The Danaan agents went over the details with the Iesians. It took quite some time but soon they had a plan worked out. The two parties, between them, knew how to rescue Angelina. The Danaans also explained that Liz and Plautilla would be joining with a joint Danaan-Pantocratorian team already on the ground in Bigtopia, to which any Iesian agents in Bigtopia could also be joined, provided they were informed of the agreed protocol regarding non-humans.

And so they were on their way. Plautilla was clenching and unclenching her fist as they approached the warehouse where the two teams had been able to determine the slavers were keeping her 'sister'.

Both Iesus agents discussed things freely, sharing any information that could help in the rescue and the further investigation. Whatever agency they worked for, it was clear they had access to a lot of information about almost everyone in Iesus Christi, but sadly lacked definitive information on the foreign operation.
There were several tense moments between the Iesus agents as the metahuman matter was raised, the very mention caused the two agents to glance at each other and occasionally stop to hold side discussions.
As it was, they had agreed with the Danaan terms and seemed ready to stick to the agreement.


Patrick Batemann had briefed Plautilla and company on the area before the operation, and given her access to whatever she would need to take part fully in the discreet operation. He had handed over firearms without a second thought, apparently not even remembering what had occurred between them in the past.
Yet, before they left…as he had handed over the lightweight vest that could fit discreetly under clothing to Plautilla…he had spoken to her quietly out of the earshot of the others…”I was wrong. For my actions, please forgive me…I hope I can make restitution for my actions.”

The warehouse was located within an area of vast urban decay, but still the odd camera dotted the lampposts. So they approached with caution in civilian attire, the SWAT type of assault being ruled out at present…

Garr nodded as he listened, the idea of getting involved in internal politics just gave him...the creeps. "I'm sure standard policy doesnt need to be...impacted...as it stands I have no problem putting through logistics measures with our friends from here and sharing them with all"

Franklin looked at Janey for a second before he answered. "Oh, I am sure that every nation are free to deal with the problem in their own way. As long as the problem is dealt with." he added. "The cancer that is nephilim is best dealt with locally, it is hard to perform surgery from a far." He looked at the people in the room. "But this is an altogether different issue and I think that it would be best if me and mr. Garr here iron out the details with funding and such and then we meet again in the afternoon. Is that to everyones liking?"

She knew she was young. While lacking the experience of her peers, she still didnt like the feeling of being dismissed.
"I find your proposal acceptable for now. When I return in the afternoon i'd like exact details to send back home."
She brushed her hair back from her eyes, and prepared to leave rustling her papers.
"we are all soveriegn nations. non less than another"

Plautilla just nodded at the Iesian's apology, giving him a small, reassuring smile before they headed out.

The Danaan agents walked casually with the Iesians towards the warehouse in question. Plautilla approached the door first, drawing her gun and kicking it, hard, knocking it open. She moved swiftly inside, running for the nearest cover, gun out to return fire to any hostiles inside. The other Danaans followed her just as swiftly into the fray.

Angelina smiled slightly as she heard gunfire on the far side of the warehouse. It could only be good for her that her captors were coming under attack. She tried to stay quiet and inconspicuous so as not to give any slavers the idea of killing her just before help could arrive.

"We are ALL sovereign nations miss..." He said and nodded "after me and mr. Garr has ironed out the boring and unimportant part we will very much need your input and support on the plans. I can assure you of that. This is a subject that involves us all and I think it is only fair that every nation is involved in this, especially the ones that already has issues with meta-humans. Do I make myself clear?" He glared at her as he opened the door for the other representants.

"We are ALL sovereign nations miss..." He said and nodded "after me and mr. Garr has ironed out the boring and unimportant part we will very much need your input and support on the plans. I can assure you of that. This is a subject that involves us all and I think it is only fair that every nation is involved in this, especially the ones that already has issues with meta-humans. Do I make myself clear?" He glared at her as he opened the door for the other representants.
"your assurance is enough for our government."
With a sweet calm smile she left the room. I wonder what they consider unimportant

Franklin watched Janey and the rest of the representatives leave the room. That girl got guts! Given a few years she will be good, really good. He carefully closed the door and turned to Garr his face cracking up in a big smile.

"John you old fox! Can hardly remember the last time we worked together! What have you gotten yourself into this time? Does the ministry know about this meeting?" Franklin really enjoyed seeing his old friend again. He could see that Garr was pressed about something and the young agent he remembered and had known so well had aged considerably. Well, I guess I'm not exactly the picture of youth myself either...

The warehouse broke into chaos as the door was thrown open. The Small group of men that had been lounging around threw themselves into action, but trying to save themselves rather than resist the raid.
Entering swiftly behind Plautilla entered several Iesus agents. Yelled orders echoed through the warehouse as the officers called for the occupants to surrender.
The First Iesuian who charged in close behind Plautilla screamed along with his comrades as he searched for a target. “God is great! God is gre…” His battle cry was cut short as from behind an upturned table a blast from a shotgun cut him down, throwing the charging agent to the floor. Blood pooled around his fallen body… Plautilla and the other foreign agents hadn’t even known the agents name.
A side door was flung open, Garr entering firing even as he screamed for the slavers to surrender.

The idea had already crossed the mind of Angelina captor, but fear was getting the better of him….his eyes twitched back from the girls to a near by window…escape still seemed possible…

Plautilla ran towards the slaves as the last of the slavers fled or went down, untying Angelina first and then the others.

The Docks in Bigtopia

As quickly as it had started it ended. like a bad monsoon rain with lots of water showering over you and then suddenly stop. Maria looked out to see men running around all over the ground. She quickly checked if any operatives had been hit but got back that her whole team was allright.

“Keep an eye on the target!" She said into her wrist radio as she looked out from her cover. “I want him tailed as quick as possible. Ivan, keep out of this but dont let him out of your sight”

Outside the huge man on the motorcycle followed the target with extreme ease and kept hi distance. Soon the whole time would be in place again. Once more the game was afoot

George ran, ignoring the three women as the sounds of gunfire echoed around him. He scampered out over a box and through the window with amazing agility…his bulk moving with the speed of someone driven by fear. His vanishing form glimpsed momentarily by plautilla as she untied the captives.

The bullets ceased flying, leaving three people lying in pools of blood, including one Iesus officer. Two other men laying pinned beneath Danaan and Iesus agents. Already they were had begun to scream for mercy…….

Plautilla and Angelina helped the other two women towards the door. Plautilla kept shooting behind her at the slavers as she went.

Liz helped drag one of the kicking men by the scruff of his neck…..dragging him out of the building to the waiting white vans that had pulled up outside….as they rushed outside, Liz couldnt help but join in the exclamation of her comrades, she howled in frenzy “God is great! Glory to God!”
She slammed the door of the first van shut when the prisoner had been thrown inside, and waved Plautilla and companions into another of the newly arrived vehicles. Behind them followed a staggering Batemann, carrying the dead agent over his shoulder.

The vans drove carefully through the streets back to the safety of the Oculi facility, not attracting any attention to themselves or their ‘cargo….

The girls were gently escorted down into the complex, and assisted to the medical facility. Liz accompanied them, gently calming them as she tried to access their condition. A female doctor with a soft friendly face treated any obvious wounds, and delicately carried out a medical examination.
Liz introduced the doctor “This is Doctor Trish De Witt. You’ll all be perfectly safe now…”

The two handcuffed prisoners were thrown to the floor of the cell, already bruised and bleeding from their nightmare voyage in the van, the two men now groveled for their lives before their captures. They had seen the limp and lifeless body of the dead Iesus agent, and now feared the worst…
Batemann watched with uncaring eyes as the older of the two captives sniveled and squirmed, begging for mercy at his feet.





Garr offered Franklin something stronger “whiskey? Vodka?” Then gave Franklin his shy boyish smile “oh you know how it is, less people know about what is going on the better…” He ran his hand through his graying hair “There is a lot I cant talk about, you’ve always known that…groups within groups…you understand..”

The two girls who had been there before graciously accepted the help, still visibly shaked. Angelina accepted it as well, seeming fairly calm now. She smiled politely at the doctor and was able to clearly identify what needed to be done on her.

Plautilla went to join the Iesians, looking down at the prisoners for a long moment before whispering to Bateman. "What happens now?"

“Is there anything I can get you?” Trish ventured as the examinations came to their conclusion. “Please believe you are completely safe now…”


Batemann didn’t turn to look at Plautilla, “they will be interrogated…”
The familiar face of Corporal ‘PK’ entered the cell and stood on the other side of Batemann as he continued to speak “I believe we’ll get whatever information is needed”

"I think we're ok." Nika answered.

Plautilla said nothing and walked into the hallway.

Liz and Trish looked at each other, and suppressed smiles……it was somewhat of a running joke that for whatever reason, people just wouldn’t accept hospitality.
“we’ll Liz can hook you up with new clothes….whatever you need..just ask…”


A burning feeling ran up Batemanns face, making his ears tingle. A mixed feeling gurgled in his stomach, new feelings raised themselves in his mind.
He turned to PK “wait here….don’t do anything till I’m back”
Stepping out into the corridor, and shut the door behind him. He cough loudly, trying to get Plautilla attention “errrr…”

Nika nodded. "Yeah." She laughed a little nervously, having almost forgotten she was naked in the horror. "Anything you have in my size is fine."

"Same here." Dana said, blushing slightly and curling up a little on the table. "I'd actually like a bath too. I feel so dirty."

Angelina was more matter of fact. "I'd like some pants, some comfortable shoes, and a t-shirt, please."

Plautilla turned to Bateman. "Yes, sir?"

Liz flustered around “Clothes ..yes…I’ll be right back…”
Liz return within a few minutes, carrying a range of clothing, including some of her own stuff.
She threw Angelina a pair of Iesus made sports shoes “its a bit of a mix and match I’m sorry… if you’d like to sleep and bath, quarters have been prepared. They’re a little Spartan I’m sorry, we’re not open to ..err..guest..”


Batemann paused, flustered… “don’t need to call me sir, I’m not your CO…”
He flicked his fingers on his trouser leg, he was in new untested ground “…er….the interrogation…” he locked eyes on hers “I thought you would stay and advise?”

Enough time had passed in her mind. Theresa now assumed that Amber and Harriet would be pliable…these sessions had a set pattern, and only now was Theresa sure information would be true.
The two women remained, tugging lightly at the unpleasant sleeves over their arms. The room was bare besides the picture of Bridgette Iesus, hanging on the wall like some kind of bizarre religious icon. Theresa watched each of them closely…
"Only one of you will likely live…we reward those who answer promptly , and punish those who are slow and uncooperative.."
The girls just look at Theresa blankly.
"Who do you work for? what government?"
"What government do you want us to confess to working for?" Amber asked patiently.
Theresa looked sad "the truth will set you free.." She cracked her baton down on Harriets leg "Poor Harriet...why did you do that to her Amber?"
Harriet cried out briefly in pain. "Menelmacar!" she confessed.
Theresa smiled "good. Was that so hard? Are you Menelmacar citizens or paid hirelings?" Theresa paced around the girls. Swinging her baton.
"Menelmacar doesn't allow humans to become citizens. We were found through a Knootian vampire cult." Amber went on.
"The devil mixes the truth with lies. Prince of lies...leave these women!.." She lunged forward, bringing the baton against Amber’s throat, pulling Amber backwards as she choked Amber with the baton, crushing the air supply with care not to do lasting damage
Amber gasped desperately as her soft, porcelain throat was crushed beneath the baton.
"Harriet...tell the truth...stop the pain for your friend...answer my last question truthfully.."
"We were actually in an Elf-worshipping cult in Syskeyia, posing as Catholics to water down theology in the interests of our masters." Harriet tried.
"do you think I'm an idiot?" She pulled on the baton harder, choking the life from Amber
"Well, what the fuck do you want me to say?" Harriet cried out, tears starting to pour down her face. "I don't about any of these places. I don't know how to put together a believable confession. I don't know what you want me to say. Just tell me what you want and I'll do it! Please! We surrendered already!"
Theresa stopped choking Amber, and knelt next to Harriet. She smiled up at the girl , and placed a hand on her knee gently rubbing her "its hard isn’t it when things are so confused. Just make the next words out of your mouth honest ones and this can all be over...tell me truthfully WHY you are in Iesus Christi...please don’t lie..I don’t want to have to hurt you.."
"We told you the truth the first time and you didn't accept it." Harriet said tearfully, shrinking away in fear from the woman's touch.
Theresa smiled "Then tell it to me again now. The truth will set you free"
"We came to see the museum. I'm doing research on slavery." Harriet repeated as she pulled her dark knee away from the terrible woman.
Theresa grimaced, she stood up and straightened her uniform "Why are you in Iesus Christi..."
"What do you want me to say?" Harriet pleaded. "I'll say anything you want! But you told me to tell the truth and I did! I'm not trying to be difficult. I really don't know how to make up a confession!"
"you know there are drugs...operations...eventually you'll tell us...you'll be a living zombie..you wont even look fucking human...you know this right? "
"We just asked a guy for directions." Amber said. "He glared at Harriet and said he was going to keep 'n*****s' out of the country the only way he had available. Then he called and reported us."
Amber paused, then continued "If you drug us so we can't lie, then we can't confess to anything." Harriet pointed out. "We wouldn't be able to do anything but relay what actually happened, which we just told you. If you want a confession, you know you need us to lie, right?"
Amber shook her head a little. "Why can't we drop the pretense? You have to know you're just torturing us into making a false confession, don't you? You can't have been doing this for so long as honestly think we did something."
Theresa placed a hand on Harriet’s shoulder ".....I dont..know.." Frustration was growing in her, she felt anger burning up inside her.
"What do you want us to say?" Harriet asked again.
Theresa paced behind her "You are spies...I know it...why are you here!" Theresa tone was becoming frantic, her temper was breaking
"We're Knootian spies?" Harriet inquired.
Harriet’s tone broke Theresa "stop lying!" She kicked the chair and thus Harriet to the floor with a loud grunt. Harriet cried out "Then stop torturing me into lying!"
Theresa threw herself onto Harriet, straddling her chest. She wrapped her hands around her neck and began throttling her.
"You whore lying bitch, why did Menelmacar send you! why are you here"
Harriet obviously couldn't talk, gasping wildly for air as her face went purple, but Theresa didn’t seem to care, anger over riding any form of logic. She spat the words out as she strangled the life from the girl
Harriet's eyes rolled back in her head as her body stopped flailing.
Theresa stopped, a little shocked at her anger. She stood up, and brushed herself down. She gave the body a kick in the ribs. She didn't move.
Theresa motioned for the guard to check the body. The guard ran forward and checked the girl for a pulse.
The guard looked up and waved his hand indicating he found a pulse. Theresa shock her head, and the guard returned to his position.
Theresa turned to Amber " She's going to die in pain and horror. You have one chance to save her...what are you really doing in Iesus Christi and whom do you work for"
"I really don't know what you want me to say." Amber said. "If you really need this pretence, at least ask a leading question. Please! I'm begging you."
"I don't know what you want from me!"
Theresa ran her fingers over the bruise on Amber’s neck. "Admit who you are spying for and why..
"I really don't know what you want me to say." Amber said. "If you really need this pretence, at least ask a leading question. Please! I'm begging you."
"I don't know what you want from me!"
"Admit who you are spying for and why..
Amber whimpered, closing her eyes slightly. "There's nothing I can add. Please. Don't kill us. We just wanted directions. We came here because Iesus Christi was lauded for fighting against slavery but...now we're finding the same attitudes here. "I'll confess to spying for whoever you want. I swear. Just tell me."
The guard shuffled behind Theresa, she turned around and glared at the trooper, who thanks to the combat mask could avoid burning bright red.
Theresa threw the baton against the back wall "You will be charged with disturbing the peace....For now...."
Amber nodded in silence, as Theresa stormed from the cell, without another word.
Amber stood and made her way over to Harriet, kneeling next to her but finding she couldn't help in any way with her arms restrained.
The guard advanced, and pulled of her helmet. beneath the combat mask and body armour was a young dumpy looking girl. She smiled unevenly "it is more honourable for women to guard women..."
Amber nodded a little. "Could you help her?"
The trooper nodded, "I think she will live, she has blackout...but I can get you food and water. fresh clothes too?" she unlocked Harriet. "I'll be back in a minute. don’t try anything stupid eh?"
"I won't." Amber said.
The guard left, leaving the two girls alone for the first time in God knows how long.
Amber, not let free, still stared helplessly at her friend. "What do you think she wants us to say?" she asked Harriet, who couldn't hear her anyway. "I don't know anymore Iesian enemies to name." She frowned and said in a lower tone "I hope she isn't allied with that racist we tried to get directions from. I don't see how we'll get out of this if she is."
The trooper returned, with a first aid kit and food. She handed Amber her canteen. "water?"
"Thank you." Amber said, still unable to hold the bottle. "Help Harriet, please."
The trooper knelt next to amber, and broke open the medikit. She checked her airways and pulse.
Harriet was still breathing, although barely, as the guard ministered to her.
"What's she going to do to us now?" Amber asked, in traumatized terror.
The trooper tapped on a needle and jabbed it into Harriet’s arm "You should be ok, you'll be formally charged." the trooper added gravely " You shouldn’t lie you know"
"That's easy to say." Amber said. "But it's hard when someone's torturing you into it. I just wish I knew what she wanted us to claim. Do you have any advice?"
The trooper finished injecting the glucose and stimulant. "Be honest, the Ministry only wants the truth. No one wants to see you hurt"
"I'm not strong enough to be honest when someone's torturing me into saying something else." Amber whimpered. "Look, she knows she's torturing us into confessing something we didn't actually do, you know we didn't actually do anything, we know it, so why the pretense? Please just tell me what she wants to hear and we'll say it. We already surrendered totally and agreed to anything she wants. What else could she possibly want?"
The trooper reached over and squeezed Ambers hand "Don’t worry. I think the worst is over. Just be honest and God will be with you"
"I am being honest." Amber said meekly. "What's the penalty for disturbing the peace? Will there be a real trial or just more beatings?"
"you can appeal for a trial. I wouldn’t do that if I was you. you'll be sentenced by an officer of the Ministry of social order"
"What do you think will happen? Can I have my arms or some food?"
The trooper shrugged "A fine maybe...or a prison term. Depends. its hard to tell....there are so many assault on our nations sovereignty we are forced to take stern measures against any threat..."
The guard broke open a ration pack containing dry biscuits and a form of fried meat " you may be here awhile, but don’t worry. You'll be fine"
Amber bent over and picked the biscuits up with her teeth, blushing at the humiliation of having to eat like a dog and at having the guard ignore her requests for dignity. "We just wanted directions..." she murmured despondently.
The trooper looked around, and then leaned over and freed Amber’s arms. "sorry. but I guess I can disobey orders this once"
"They ordered you not to?" she asked as she took up her door and ate it slowly.
She smiled, in many ways the trooper seemed to be quite blind to what had happened. "Prisoners are to remained restrained at all times" She shrugged and winked " but it can be our lill secret?"
"Oh...Well, thank you."
The trooper stood up. "you'll be fine. Sentencing will be soon. Don’t worry. everything will be fine"
Amber settled in patiently in the little room until sentencing time.

Garr offered Franklin something stronger “whiskey? Vodka?” Then gave Franklin his shy boyish smile “oh you know how it is, less people know about what is going on the better…” He ran his hand through his graying hair “There is a lot I cant talk about, you’ve always known that…groups within groups…you understand..”

-"Heh.. afraid that I would throw you to the lions eh?" He poured himself a glass of whiskey. "So tell me what you can talk about and we'll see if I can help you out somehow. Just like the good ole days..."

Franklin watched his old friends face while he talked. What could it be? Something with the ministry for sure. But there seemed to be something else as well.

The three former slaves changed into the offerred clothes. They smiled slightly at Liz and went off to bathe and sleep. All three girls were asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows, snoring soundly and calmly.

Plautilla frowned slightly. "I...I don't...I don't think it would be appropriate. I wouldn't have any advice to give anyway. We don't do that kind of a thing back home.

Amber eventually drifted off to sleep, her nude body covered with ugly black and blue bruises where she'd been beaten. Her throat and that of Harriet was purple and bruised and swollen. Harriet was slowly starting to breath again, having been given rudimentary first aid. A little trickle of blood came from her mouth and she had not yet regained consciousness. Her breath was still coming in a ragged, uneven manner and her bodily functions were apparently operating in an uncontrolled fashion as she, as Plautilla had earlier, wound up soiling herself.

The three former slaves changed into the offerred clothes. They smiled slightly at Liz and went off to bathe and sleep. All three girls were asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows, snoring soundly and calmly.

Plautilla frowned slightly. "I...I don't...I don't think it would be appropriate. I wouldn't have any advice to give anyway. We don't do that kind of a thing back home.

Amber eventually drifted off to sleep, her nude body covered with ugly black and blue bruises where she'd been beaten. Her throat and that of Harriet was purple and bruised and swollen. Harriet was slowly starting to breath again, having been given rudimentary first aid. A little trickle of blood came from her mouth and she had not yet regained consciousness. Her breath was still coming in a ragged, uneven manner and her bodily functions were apparently operating in an uncontrolled fashion as she, as Plautilla had earlier, wound up soiling herself.

OOC:post weirdness

Batemann nodded “we’ll, the offer is open…perhaps you could enlighten us to the ways these things are done overseas…I’m open to the fact Iesus policing isn’t perfect….perhaps to our eternal error we tend to go for expedience and extremes…”


"well...you see.." Garr decided to go for the throat "this business with the slaves...I think we have some noted types involved..people within the Ministry...makes all this much harder...we've currently struck a deal with non Christian power to help fill in the blanks in our knowledge.."

Franklin raised an eyebrow. -"Within the ministry?! how could that be!?" He quickly swept the whiskey while his brain worked overtime. This was much more severe than anything he had believed and it could also turn really nasty. How high up could the Nephilim have poisoned the minds of the bureaucrats? He reached a decision, as long as it didn't go all the way he had no problem supporting his friend. Luckily there was little or none cooperation between different departments in The Reich so the risk of this cancer having spread to Vegana was next to none. "I... Assume this will take the outmost secrecy and discretion. Slavers are vermin and to find you have vermin in your own house is never easy to deal with. I have carte blanche when it comes to this operation so anything you need, and I mean anything and we will see to it. Now tell me what you need and we will pick it from places where the eyes of the slavers cant see."

Harriet and Amber were tortured for hours upon hours and they broke. They broke under the onslaught and offered to tell Theresa anything but it was not enough. Eventually, they were released on Batemann's testimony.

After Harriet and Amber had been convicted but discharged with 'time served', a car was made available to them….
The driver saluted the young ladies smartly “Kind Regards of Captain Batemann. He believes you could use sometime in the countryside. Recovery so to speak…He and other friends will be there….”

Garr consumed his whiskey quickly, he appeared to have the national phobia of ‘alcohol getting warm’.
“well…we need money and foreign intelligence…but mainly we need names…names of those people who are carrying out this criminal enterprise in other nations, that way we can track their contacts in Iesus… we’ve been forced to make some dubious choices because of this investigation, so frankly I’ll take whatever you can give me Mate…”

"Thank you." the two women said as they got out and headed inside the building. They had no idea what deal their comrade had made and thus had no way of knowing that anything but more pain awaited them.

He watched Garr under his bushy eyebrows. -"Its that bad eh?" He paused for a second wondering what dubious alliances his old friend had been forced to make. "I got names, plenty of names in Bigtopia but also names in other nations. But if you are doing somethin abroad I would really prefer to make it a joint operation. I have many good people out there whose health I wouldn't like to see endangered because of uncoordinated operations. I can send the names to you in the morning and I could also put a security code on any operations that would restrain the access to very few people and thus ensure it wouldn't reach the wrong people. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Junabui Haggar frowned at the sheet of paper, even as he slipped it into the flames of his fireplace, destroying the evidence. "Working with Iesians..." he muttered under his breath. He was a short bald man of rather stour proportions, cutting a rather comical figure if one did not know him. However, all the other agents in the small room in Bigtopia listened to his voice with the disciplined respect given to a more experienced and accomplished agent.

Labhcás Dacey inclined his head from where he leaned against the wall. "I don't like it much either, sir. I mean...our country has never directly been in a war with them but...I think it's safe to say we're not friends."

De Dalziel tossed her long, brown hair with the same beautiful 'girl-next-door' air that made her so useful in the field. "If Agent Cohen trusts these particular Iesians to help, I think we should too. She's always been one of our best agents."

Baudoin d'Aigreville shrugged. "I'll work with them if those are our orders. I can hardly say I trust them much, though."

Haggar nodded a little. "In any event, this is only one of multiple cells...I don't know how many...involved in Operation Dinah. To put it bluntly, if this cooperation doesn't work out...there are others to carry on the task. In any event, the Iesians should be here soon, along with our liason operative." He glanced at the door impatiently, as though he almost expected them to arrive upon being mentioned.

With work Liz crushed her childlike excitement about being outside the nation, she knew she had dangerous work ahead of her but still she felt a giddy sort of excitement within her. Unsurprisingly it Liz Shaws first time out of Iesus Christi. Unconsciously her hand was twitching on her lap.

Batemann was much more reserved as they drove through the streets. He didn’t speak about his past, and simply kept a keen eye on the surroundings. He had expressed his dislike about being ‘out of uniform’, and now wore his civvies on his middle aged frame in immaculate fashion. He occasionally looked over at Liz, his eyes trying to stare into her soul. He knew half the reason Garr had assigned him had been to look after Liz.

The third member of the party wasn’t Batemanns normal sidekick. Garr has assigned a greasy looking young man named Nathan Bell. His clothes hung off his skinny body, giving him something of the ‘cleaned up beggar’ look. Once or twice during the flight and car trip, Batemann had slapped the boy on the leg and pointed out something of interest, like an older brother or father would.

It apparently had been relatively easy for the three to leave Iesus Christi. Oculi Dei had easy access to certain things. But now they were in a new enviroment....

Plautilla looked intently at the road as she drove the Iesians to the meeting place. Her driving was slow and cautious. No point having the entire mission endangered over something so petty as speeding or reckless driving. She was a bit taken aback that the Iesian agents had never been out of their country before but...she was getting used to being surprised from that quarter.

After the finally finished the drive and headed for the apartment, Plautilla pulled Liz briefly aside. "If we're going to be working together, we need to trust each other." She offerred a firm hand to the other woman. "I'm Hannah Cohen."

Hannah had the key to the apartment. She gave a coded knock before opening the door. As she and the Iesians entered, most of the Danaans continued to lounge about non-chalantly. Inwardly, they were surprised at the small size of the Iesian team, but they were used to dealing with different configurations for different countries. The Pantocratorians normally used only one agent.

Haggar walked over to Bateman with a polite smile that showed none of the doubt he had about this cooperation. "Good evening. I take it that you are the...guests...we've been expected?"

Lieutenant Janey Jones strolled back and forth along the corridor outside the meeting room. She’d looked at the paintings and now as busily filling her nail as she walked.
She felt like the petulant schoolgirl sent from class. She anted to stamp her feet and scream.

“Humph”

Liz took Hannah’s hand “ A pleasure to meet you Hannah Cohen. I wish we could have meet under more pleasant circumstances. Its funny…they thought you were Jewish…” there wasn’t anything sinister in the way Liz spoke the last words.

Only Batemann entered the apartment itself with no caution. Nathan and Liz had entered slowly, eyeing their new surroundings as Batemann simply walked right in.
As Haggar spoke, Batemann felt his arm twitch….a subconscious motion living within him. It took some work, but he resisted the urge to give the fascist salute. Instead he extended his hand with a smile “Indeed. My name is Patrick. Its an honour to be your guest.”


With a sigh, Garr nodded “there are several other problems. I don’t want to burden you. You know there are things that have to be done….even if they are unpleasant. Sometimes even the best men pity animals, even when their extermination is what is best for all. Its like those people you see in the paper who are against animal vivisection, we all know the tests are necessary Its odd how sometimes cruel things have to be done in private even when they are for the greater good” He poured himself another drink, Garr had always enjoyed that luxury. “is it possible for you to procure a ship for me. I’ll put the cargo aboard myself…but I want no one from Iesus or anywhere to look at the cargo...even you my old friend.. Could this be done?”

-"A ship? well, I guess so... We have a lot of ships loading and unloading and some have "special" permissions. How big does it need to be?" Franklin was getting a bit unnerved of what he heard. Getting things between Iesus and Vegana was not a big issue. As long as it dealt with diplomatic permissions the border between the two countries was kind of relaxed. He was trusting Garr however and if this was what he needed he would use his considereable influence to get a ship for him.

Haggar shook Bateman's hand with a polite smile, putting on agents at ease a little. "I'm just glad we could come to a working arrangement." he said. "Well, now that everyone's here..."

Smiling, Haggar walked over to the room's small table where he pulled out a single photograph. "This is Eberhard Sachs. He was involved in the slave trade in Marlund back when it was legal there. When the old government fell, he escaped government and continued his activities in the underworld. He's almost certainly connected with a larger network, one linked with the network operating in your country. We know where he's staying, where he goes, what he does..."

"Well, let's get him then." Dacey said eagerly.

"No." Haggar said, cutting him off. "If it were simply a matter of 'getting him' we could have done it long ago. But this man can lead us to his network. By following him, infiltrating his circles, we can find out the whereabouts of more of these criminals to bring to justice and many victims to free. We'll get him once we have the information we need."

The young Iesusian Nathan Bell nodded in agreement with Dacey. Then a look of mild confusion crossed the young mans face as Haggar continued to talk. “Excuse me Sirs. But wouldn’t it be simply more efficient to detain and extract the information from this man Eberhard Sachs by force? I understand we may lose something’s if we do it this way, but certainly it would be worth it . Wouldn’t it?”

Liz grimaced a little as she looked at the picture of Eberhard Sachs. She longed for the Righteous sentence to be passed on him and all his kind. The words of her schooling echoed in her head 'those who deny liberty to others deserve it not themselves'

Batemann remained silent and detached, he knew that Oculi Dei was more interested in finding out who was involved in this conspiracy within Iesus, than stamping out other nations problems.

"I don't think so." Haggar answered. "We would lose a lot, perhaps enough to keep us from capturing his confederates, and I don't see what we would gain. If we wait, he won't go free. We will simply delay his capture until we get the others. There's no reason to think that he is personally holding captives in his apartment that we can free if we move now. Another week of this scumbag being allowed to walk freely about is an unpleasant thought, but not nearly so unpleasant of losing our chance to bust the entire network and, through them, the Iesian network. His disappearance would alert his comrades. They would render all the information he could give us obsolete in fairly short order."

Haggar shrugged slightly, looking down intently at the photograph. When he looked up again, his gaze was directed towards Bateman. "Of course, this is a joint operation. What do you think, Patrick? Should we wait and follow him or attempt to capture him now? There is a chance that we might be able to get him to talk soon enough that his friends won't have time to realize he's missing, although I don't think it's a good chance."

"we go back a long way you and I..." Garr offered another whiskey but didnt pour himself one "I knew I could count on you...would it perhaps even be possible for it to be a Veganan ship, but crewed by say...Iesusians? Its not that I dont trust you...but I know how curious people can be."



Nathan looked over to his commanding officer, waiting for his view on the matter. The young man was craving battle, but wasn’t about to disobey an order. That wasn’t the healthy option…

Patrick matched Haggars gaze as he spoke “I’d be more in favour of a direct option. A snatch and grab followed by.,…persuasion …that’s what I’d do at home…” Patrick leant against the wall “But this isn’t Iesus Christi. And frankly our methods have yet to yield us the results we have been looking for. I believe your plan is best…. We can wait a little longer to administer justice to Eberhard Sachs”

Franklin raised an eyebrow. -"Sorry John, a boat is the best I can do. You know that the harbour is littered with agents and a change of crew would raise enough suspicion for... investigations.. especially if they were Iesians." Whatever Garr tried to hide it seemed to be trouble. Big trouble. "If you really need more secrecy than that I could put you in touch with some "independent agencies" that operates in this region.

Haggar nodded. "Which, of course, brings us to the matter of what is to be done with any slavers taken alive into our custody." He frowned and walked briefly over to the other side of the room, looking at the wall, before turning back to Batemann in faint agitation. "We understand the concession you are already making with regard to...certain of the victims we are rescuing. Correspondingly, it seems only fair that Iesus Christi receives custody of any captured slavers to do with as your laws dictate. We only ask that you keep this act of ours as discrete as we intend to keep your actions with regard to the other matter."

{Somewhere in (or under) the Corporate Islands}

"Mr. Silver?" The voice called out as the door opened into the huge office, the only light coming from the odd round windows arrayed along its sides. Shedding an eerie unearth-like glow on the room. They almost seems like fish tanks, bowed outwards in a half-spherical shape, and indeed if one weren't familiar with their surroundings and where they were, it would take a moment for them to realize that they were in fact deep underwater.

"Mr. Silver, sir." The woman called out again to the quite room, and again received no answer. "Director Chan is here to speak with you."

"Thank you, Sharon." The voice came from a dark silhouette array in front of one of the spherical portholes, standing there the shape of a business suit visible and a cane. "You may send him in."

The door closed again, then opened admitting another man this one clearly in an expensive business suit. "You know this business Diadoni is running in Bigtopia and the Reich doesn't sit well with me," the Asian man stated to the silhouette. "We don't want trouble with them."

"On the contrary," came the reply. "I am interested in expanding our corporate holdings and business into the Reich. They are, after all our kind of people."

"'Our kind of people?’" The Asian man, Chan stepped forward. Now identifying the muffle in the voice as due to the fact he was conversing with the man in shadow's back.

"They justify their deeds by the end result, Mr. Chan." The voice was still calm, in control, and eerily confident. "And besides, we have mutual friends. No doubt, the Reich would benefit with contact with us. As we would with business in their territory."

"But this is not the way to go about it," Director Chan replied. "There are plenty of other way to ingratiate ourselves with them."

"I know." The shadow's head turned. "I think you are overstating the threat, I think the Board is overestimating the threat. Diadoni may be burned, but it is unlikely they will trace his employment to us. And if he goes down, I have prepared contingencies."

"The Triad." By the way the Asian man shifted, he didn't like working with the organization he mentioned. There was some unease and discomfort he had with the idea.

"Yes," the shadow turned, still framed on the porthole. Chan could now make out the shape of the face and suit, and how the man leaned slightly on the cane. The man was Caucasian. Thin, but not frail, he was tall, and had a hawk-like chiseled face. Chiseled and scarred. "Chiang Tzu has assured me, his operations are in place in Bigtopia."



{Somewhere in urban Bigtopia}

Sergei ran. For all his lack of intelligence he knew when and how to run and hide. And that he did. Whether the Veganan agent was able to keep up with his mad driving and anti-tail tactics, it was hard to say. The fact that parts of the car were riddle with bullets, and a couple of the back windows actually shot out, would have made it much easier.

Whether or not Sergei knew if he was being followed, no one could say. It was likely he didn't, and was just being ultra-paranoid. Sergei could get that way, and with good reason. People were out to get him. But even still Sergei didn't really know this. He only suspected, in an irrational paranoid way.

Regardless, he ran. And ran. Sergei ran, until the car's gas tank was almost empty, to say nothing of Sergei's own appetites. So finally as much driving, or rather racing, and dodge and dipping, and shortcuts and side trips, he arrived at a bar. Not particularly surprising that this was his final destination. Being shot at can affect a person to want to drown his fears away, and that was certainly something Sergei wanted to do (often).

So it was that he arrived at one of his usual haunts. The Wild Ride, a racy and carnal party spot at night, and an all-around pup in the daytime.

Whether or not he realized the irony in this being his destination is unknown. Certainly he was about to find out.

Patrick could barely contain his surprise “Thank You very much” He spoke sincerely and for the first time appeared genuinely lost for words “This gesture will go a long way…I had thought this matter would cause some friction….so thank you. You can rely on us to deal with the criminals discretely and justly. Justice will be done. Now...we are in your hands, Lay on Macduff”


Garr laughed “no no 'independent agencies' wont be needed...that will do fine. When the time comes, I’ll let you know….shouldn’t be any problems.” Garr relaxed and pulled out a cigarette “sometimes its just easier to do things under the table, ya know?”

Haggar nodded a little. "Well...let's divide up shifts for watching Sachs then. We know where he's staying so we'll put the first team of two outside his hotel until dawn. Another team will relieve them at two in the afternoon. Another team will step in at ten. Then, the next change will be at dawn again. So...who wants to work with whom?"

“Plautilla and Liz have achieved a good working relationship” Patrick almost made the co-operation between the two sound somehow treasonous, but there was a tint of humour underlying his words “ I can work with anyone…Plautilla can testify to that. For purpose of efficiency I believe that each team should have one person from each….intelligence agency”

"Very well." Haggar said. He looked over all of the assembled agents carefully, frowning in deep thought. "Hannah and Liz will go together. You can go with me. Your other friend can go with Mr. Dacey. They seem to think alike." He said the last as though it were a quite objectionable thing to note.

"We should start the first shift at dawn tomorrow morning. We'll change at two in the afternoon and again at ten in the evening. We'll keep on that pattern until we know what we need to know. Those of us not on urveillance will be either resting, discussing and processing the results of the surveillance, or researching other possible sources. Unless, of course, anyone has an objection to such a course of action?" Haggar said.

"As long as we get to get the bastard in the end." Dacey said with a vicious grin.

"It sounds like a plan." Hannah added.

Nathans look of disapproval turned to something verging on approval when Dacey spoke. He’d assumed he had been lumped with some wishy washy foreigner, and was happily surprised by Daceys tone.

“That alright with you Liz. If you go with Hannah” he squeezed every syllable out off the name as he said it. Liz didn’t appear to raise to whatever bait Patrick was offering and instead simply nodded her head in approval.
“well then “ Patrick continued “I can see no objections to this. As your man said. Lets get the bastards”

Nathan offered his hand to Dacey as the ‘meeting’ apparently had all but finished. The skinny young Iesusian with his baggy clothing wasn’t sure of protocol, but honestly thought most things could be achieved with directness….be that a handshake or a knife….

Dacey shook the offerred hand with a small smile. "Sachs is mostly the middle-man for these operations, the trader. He doesn't keep any forced laborers for himself nor does he participate in kidnappings. He just gets victims from one end and sells them to the other. That makes him a good spot to start tracing this network from. We can work outward in both directions."

Haggar stood, yawning slightly. "Hannah, Liz, you ladies start at dawn. That's just a few hours from now so I suggest you get some sleep. For that matter, the rest of us should probably rest as well."

Nathan nodded and shook the hand firmly “Well middle men make wonderful sources of information. You’re right we should focus on his a source of information, he is a excellent starting point…I know its early days yet but still….I’m already envisioning him having his debt of sin visited upon his worthless flesh.”

Liz cringed a little at the term ‘ladies’. Aside from that she seemed happy enough to be starting at dawn, even if that cut into her sleep…she felt alive.. bubbling and totally ready for action…still she knew Haggar was right, and that she should indeed try to rest. “Anywhere we can use then? “ she directed the question more to Hannah than Haggar.

"Yeah. This place has two bedrooms. One for the boys and one for the girls." Hannah said. Shrugging slightly, she rose and headed towards one of the doors, De Dalziel following.

Dalziel walked over to the vanity mirror and took off her earrings. "So, ladies, whose taking the sleeping bag?" The room had a single double bed in it.

"It doesn't particularly matter to me." Hannah said, sitting down in a chair and starting to take her boots off.

"I guess I should." Dalziel finally said with a small shrug. "You two need to be up at dawn. If I have any trouble sleeping, I can always take the bed as soon as you leave."

"Probably makes sense." Hannah said, glancing over to Liz. "Is that alright with you?"

Lizz felt it coming, she knew Patrick would make some comment, something to show he was in charge of her. She looked over at Patrick but he didn’t seem interested in her affairs, he seemed to be going over details with Haggar. She let our a mental sigh
Patrick’s voice cut through her relief “Bona fortuna Liz, and remember Da mihi castitatem et continentiam, sed noli modo!” She spun around and saw Patrick smirking at her. She felt her skin burning, but still managed to get out the words “errrr. Yes sir!”
She tried to remain composed as she entered the ‘women’s room’. She didn’t mind the cramped quarters, it would be more pleasant than her living environment from army days. “Yes, it’s a better idea we take the bed”
Liz had no earrings to take off, such things were uncommon in Iesus Christi. Without fuss she slipped off her shoes, then her blouse and skirt, leaving her dressed only in simple white panties and bra. She folded her clothes neatly and kissed the small medal of the Virgin immaculate that was hanging around her neck.

If Cohen or Dalziel recognized the quote from St. Augustine, they didn't give any sign of it. Both women undressed as far as Shaw did and Cohen set the alarm for 5:00AM. Cohen slipped into the bed and Dalziel pulled out a small sleeping bag, before flipping off the light. The two Danaans went right to sleep. The sleeping arrangements weren't really that big a deal. They were all straight women and not particularly worried about rather something different was going through Bateman's head.

Haggar watched as the women disappeared before turning to the other agents. "We should get some rest too. We have a couple couches out here, a couple sleeping bags, and a bed. I'd be more comfortable if it was two singles but we have what we have. So who wants to be where? I think I'll just take one of the couches for myself."

Shrugging, the short, bald man walked over to the couch he was claiming and tucked his gun under the pillow. Sitting down, he took his shoes off but left the rest of his clothes on.

Liz closed her eyes and tried to drift off to sleep, but her body resisted the command.
She was annoyed at Patrick’s ‘joke’….but that was only a tiny part of why she couldn’t sleep. The excitement and expectation of the day ahead was causing the adrenaline to rush through her veins. She tried to remain still, in the hope sleep would over take her…instead she found herself glaring at the ceiling.

Patrick nodded “A couch is fine by me, they look more comfortable than the standard bed at home…”Patrick spoke in his usual tone, making it as per usual, hard to tell if he was joking or not. “Nathan take a sleeping bag and camp wherever.” Patrick settled down on a couch, pulled his boots off and looked at his watch . Nodding to himself, he pulled a compact black book from his gear. He flipped it open at the marked page, crossed himself and appeared to start reading it.

The next morning, the alarm rang promptly at five. De glanced up grumply before rolling over and resuming her sleep. Hannah jumped out and headed into the bathroom for a quick shower. Afterwards, she dressed in a pair of heavy jeans, some sneakers, and a non-descript white t-shirt. She took a brief while to brush her hair and teeth but was ready by 5:15. "Are you about ready, Liz? We need to be outside that jerks apartment by six at the latest."

Light sleep had finally overcome Liz when she was snapped awake by the alarm. She groaned, she felt she’d only been asleep for minutes.
For a few moments she had no idea where she was, she simply looked blankly up at the ceiling….Then her body clicked into automatic motions, dressing herself in practical clothing, even as her brain remained in a fog of tiredness.

She leant over the sink and splashed water on her face, and grunted in response to Hannah.
Everything felt surreal, Liz could barely believe she was actually staring at herself in the mirror. She shook herself, and grumbled….this was no time for panic or tiredness…..
“Ready willing and able….”

Hannah moved with Liz down to an indescript Lavenrunzian car which they took to just across the street from Sachs's hotel, a seedy little rundown establishment in the Liliputian District. The two women had about two or three hours to wait in the car before Sachs even left the hotel. He then drove down the street to a coffee shop where he sat with a couple of other men for an hour or so. Hannah frowned in brief thought. "One of us should probably go in and eavesdrop while the other waits in the car, in case he tries to leave quickly. I think you'd be less conspicuous in a place like this."

The Wild Ride

He hesitated for a few minutes before he entered the bar. He was supposed to be back up, his huge frame didn't make him very stealthy and discrete, but his team lead had told him to enter and observe until the rest of the team could arrive.

Inside the bar there was the usual crowd, a few drunken people in a corner and some youths by the bar. By a table just by a window a couple of business men were sitting having a quiet discussion about something businessy. He walked up to the bar and ordered a beer, pretending to sip it as he looked for Sergei.


Coming to an alley near you

Two men of slight built walked around the corner towards the backdoor of “The Wild Ride”. They were both wearing black chinos and blue windjackets and were astonishly similar both in the way they walked, as well as their choice of clothes.

Standing in the alley behind the bar were 4 men, blocking the back entrance to the bar. One of them carried an aluminium baseball bat another one speaking in a cell phone.

-“[i]Nothing to see here boys![i]” Their leader was holding his bat almost casually in his right hand as the two men didn’t hesitate but continued to walk towards the four men. The man with the baseball stepped forward and flexed himself walking up to stand just in front of them.

The younger of the twins continued as his brother stepped to his left, A smile never leaving his face. He watched the big man with the baseball bat, analyzing the situation, the way the man held the bat giving him almost half a second if the man should try to hit him. He walked up really close before he stopped in front of the grinning man holding the bat.

He had been underestimated. He would make sure the other man paid for his mistake. He tucked his chin down as a defense against a possible head-butt, forcing him to roll his eyes upwards to see the man’s face. As his assailant started to swing the bat downwards, he stepped in with his left arm stretched out, as if reaching for something causing the bat to harmlessly slide along his body. He continued his momentum forward to let his forehead smash into the face of the man feeling the bones in the chin break under his head. He kicked out the legs underneath the baseball man and swung down his arm, catching the wrist of the man’s right arm as his body hit the ground. He kicked the man hard in his armpit with his steel shod boots, dislocating his shoulder with a satisfying pop followed by a clatter as the man’s hand let go of the bat. Moving around the body, still with the man’s wrist in his hand he stomped twice in the face with his left foot before his victim could start shielding himself.

He used his opponent’s face to spring himself towards the other men, as his brother just arrived at the first one in a flurry of punches, making the head of his adversary bounce. The man in front of him had pulled a big knife and had a wild eyed look over him, nostrils flaring as the shock of seeing his friends being obliterated in almost no time.

A right cross, slightly hooked, hit just above the other man’s jawbone, as his left hand lifted the bowie knife towards the twin. The contact was high so the man didn't go right out. Sometimes that's how it worked, when the adrenaline was racing, targeting was often off, and you only had to be millimeters out to miss the KO. It did catch him hard though; he reeled back like he'd been run over. His body hit a forty-five degree angle going backwards and for a second it looked like he was gone, but he back-pedaled rapidly, trying to regain his composure.

His brother followed up with a rapid-fire punch combination, slicing open both eyebrows and breaking his opponent’s nose. Oozes of blood flicked through the air and splattered the man’s black shirt. He covered his bloodied face trying to capture what was left of his nose. As he cowered over, the smaller man brought a knee up in the shattered remains of his face and grabbed his white blood-stained sports jacket and pulled him face first into the ground. Finishing him off with several kicks to the jugular with his steel toe boots.

For the first time in Liz’s career, stack-out work had passed quickly…the time had just flown by…
She smiled and nodded, happy to oblige Hannah “Sure thing. Eavesdropping I can do…I won a prize for it at school…”

She walked into the coffee shop, glancing quickly over the customers to see where her target was. The men sitting with the target just oozed a feeling that made Liz shudder…the words greasy and sleazy sprung to mind.
She politely ordered herself a coffee and bun, and picked herself up a paper.
She sat close to the men and flicked through the paper as the smell of the coffee floated up …it smelt terrific ….very unlike the stuff they had back in Iesus.. no odd oily taste or smell in this coffee…
She drunk slowly, and picked at her bun. For all appearances she seemed fixated on her paper, but her ears were straining to listen to what the target had to say…


Garr had left his meeting, and now, some time latter. sat reading his own newspaper.
Without taking his eyes of the print he picked up the phone. “Miss Kateson. Please send word to that fine fellow from Vegena. Tell him Mr Garr would like that ship now. Oh, and send him that crate of whiskey we confiscated last night….Thank you.”

The most horrifying thing, perhaps, was how ordinary the conversation was. These three men, who Liz knew had completely destroyed the freedom and happiness, the very lives, of hundreds of other people were talking casually about the weather, the coffee, some films which had recently come out at the local cinema...

Sachs, whose world included torture and murder on a large scale, was complaining with bemused indignation that the price of popcorn at the local cinema had been raised and that he had been caught trying to sneak in a candy bar. Not much of their business was discussed here, but Liz did get the other two men's names (Gregor and Adrian) and a good look at their features.

Liz seethed with anger as she listened to the men talked. She couldn’t believe that these maggots could be complaining about such petty things while their hands were stained with so much blood.
She desperately wanted to simply stand up and shoot the three men were they sat, she took delight in envisioning their brains splattered over the window….
Yet she didn’t give into the desire, she was a trained soldier and officer of the Inquisition. She wasn’t some undisciplined fanatic.
So, instead of going on a mini killing spree, she listened carefully, noting every word down in her mind. She was determined she wouldn’t miss anything , lest these men escape justice.

Iesus Christi

Hanjin Praha was not due leaving the dock for another full week but the harbour master was used to the freighter leaving a day or two early or sometimes a day or two late. The captain of Hanjin Praha was a good friend and always brought a bottle or two from his travels and even a really rare toy for one of the harbour masters children.

Now the storage room of the freighter had been reserved for some kind of special delivery. The captain was a bit nervous about this since he had no clue what his cargo would be on this journey. He had received special orders from his usual contact and his contact had been sweating when he gave them, this was from the highest levels of his organisation, failure to comply would mean certain death. The captain watched the deck of his ship being secured and an area of about ten meters being cleared. His cargo room was only half full and he was eagerly waiting for his cargo so they could sail off.

After an hour or so, Sachs got up, smiling casually at his two compatriots. "Valtraud's expecting us over tonight at eight or so. I'm going to go catch a flick for the moment. The Lion's Word just came out at the Baertschi." With that, he was out the door, whistling to himself as he climbed back into his car.

Hannah glanced slyly at the door as she waited on the other side of the street, hoping that Liz could get back in in time for them to follow Sachs but not so hurriedly as to draw any attention to them.

The road was fairly empty. A few other cars were driving along. A short girl on a motorbike sped past Sachs, winking at him with a light giggle. The man laughed slightly and rolled down his window, chatting briefly with her as they stopped at a light a few blocks up. Hannah winced inwardly, tightening her grip on the wheel as her teeth ground together in cold fury. "What did you learn?" she asked as soon as Liz got back in.

Liz watched them leave and then returned to reading her paper….she didn’t want to blow her cover by being over excited, and acting rashly.
As soon as she felt it was prudent she got up, and headed to the car. She jumped in, her face flush with excitement….she quickly rattled off everything she’d heard, including Sachs intent to go see the The Lion's Word at the Baertschi.




The cargo arrived. It was a large crate bearing medical biohazard seals and warning labels. The troopers who manhandled it up into the ship carried it carefully, not wanting to damage cargo that they assumed came from the Ministry of Social Order.
They all looked relived when they handed over the crate to the Veganians. They seemed happy to no longer be in contact with this mission.

Cohen nodded as Liz spoke, moving quietly to follow Sachs to the cinema. Knowing where the Baertschi was, she took a lightly different route to avoid suspicion. Once they arrived, she bought sodas and popcorn for herself and Liz and then got tickets for the movie. The two of them sat in the back, pausing briefly to locate Sachs in his seat nearer to the front.

The movie was a Christian allegory in a fantasy setting. Jesus was represented by a lion, Judas by a weasel, Mary by a dove, and so on. The devil was represented by a large snake.

There was a small crowd, mostly parents and their children. The kids got excited and made a little too much noise during the more action-filled apocalyptic parts. It was clear a few of them missed the rather obvious allegory and regarded the whole thing as a fantasy picture, although it would have been impossible to Liz to miss. After the movie was over, Sachs got up and headed to the restroom, a content smile on his face.

Liz eat her popcorn and watched the movie....and totally enjoyed both...the film wasnt high brow but compared to the Iesus film industry it was very elite and the allegory sutle. Liz was concerned over some of the slightly more protestant theology in the film....but that didnt stop her enjoying the movie...
....so muchso she almost forgot why they were there, as she eat handfulls of popcorn that didnt taste like dirt. She'd never thought the popcorn at home had tasted bad until now....

Liz nudged Cohen "wonder if that prick likes this movie...little bastard weasel he is...."

"He probably does." Cohen whispered under her breath. "We have reason to believe he's associated with the national socialist and Christian separatist theologian Hagan Taegert. He probably thinks of himself as a very religious man, perhaps even a righteous one."

As she finished whispering, Cohen allowed her voice to rise just enough that she might be heard by others, so as to make it appear that the entire whispered exchange had been about the same mundane subject matter she now addressed. "Do you think those men of ours will be mad we went to see this without them? I mean...they're the ones who decided to go on a week long fishing trip without us."

"bastard" Liz whispered
She felt a chill run down her spine.....'Christian separatist theology' was a dire heresy....from her first day in school, Liz could remember her teachers drilling the words into her head....the children shouting the replies with joy...
Who made you?
God made me.

Why did God make you?
God made me to know, love and serve Him in this world, and be happy with Him forever in the next.

To whose image and likeness did God make you?
God made me to his own image and likeness. He made all humans in his likeness, white, black or yellow. God made us all! We are all washed clean by his blood!

She couldnt believe this man in the front seat could dare call himself a Christian....he was a blasphemer who denied the work of the Cross.

Looking at hannah with a confused expression for a moment, Liz quickly caught onto what she was doing and replied alittle lourder..."oh yeah, they'll be fine. They hate anything without explosions anyway..."

Hannah watched the rest of the movie quietly. If she had known what was going on in Liz's mind, she would have been genuinely surprised. As far as she was concerned, Iesian style human racialism and Christian Identity were only different degrees of the same thing. She didn't know about Christian theology (except from one class on comparative religion she'd had at university, and even that hadn't sunk in much) but the politics seemed to work out about the same. The hinted (though never overtly stated) anti-semitism of many of the men Liz worked with didn't do anything to disprove that belief. Of course, Hannah could not read Liz's mind and thus was not surprised.

After the movie, Hannah walked back to the car with her Iesian partner (and friend?) and proceeded to follow Sachs to a "White Pride" rally of intimidation, one scheduled to march through Bigtopia's Liliputian minority neighborhoods. Hannah frowned as she saw their quarry move into the crowd. "I suppose the only way to follow him is to go into the crowd. It turns my stomach but I have posed as some bad people before in my line of work."

Liz listened carefully to Hannah as she explained the situation. Miss Shaws fingers rapping on her knee as she listened to Hannah explain about the white pride rally…gradually Liz became more and more agitated by this so-called Christians behavior …..
”this is a sickness!” Liz suddenly burst out as they sat in the car “This so called white pride is sin! It’s a perversion of the Christian message! How dare this fucker claim his ideas are Christian! We are all Children of the Christ….how dare he limit the work of the sacrifice of the lamb! Sweet Mary of the Rosary! How can they allow this to happen…..at home all these arseholes would be arrested and beaten for this blasphemy…” Liz was red with anger, she didn’t even seem to remember Hannah had been arrested for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Of course, if he replaced the word Liliputians with the word Jews, he'd probably be given a government position." Hannah snapped back. While not a Christian, she normally didn't mind hearing those who were talk about such things. However, hearing about the perversion of the Christian message from a loyal (if nice) Iesian was a bit much.

Calming down after a moment, the Danaan sat back into her seat a little. "Look, this is undercover work. I know it's not really what you did back home but it is going to involve calmly watching and sometimes even pretending to be the most reprehensible sorts of people. Do you think you can hide your inner thoughts and follow him through that crowd?"

“That’s differe….” Liz stopped the word as it started to leave her lips. Her fingers dug into her knee and she violently cursed herself inwardly for letting her emotions take control....Batemann wouldnt be happy...
Burning bright red with anger and embarrassment Liz nodded “Yes, it isn’t how we generally do things, but yes, I can do it. I’ve order similar things done before…”
Without her knowing it, her fingers were rapping on her knee again. “I just want these guys caught and punished. What they think and do isn’t right…its evil..” She spoke quickly, but with deep conviction.

The Bigtopian Harbour

The Captain stared at the large crate in disbelief. Biohazard?! They fucking better be kidding me!! He now knew that after having troopers delivering that crate his career as a secret agent in this harbour was over. He could feel the stare from the harbour master burning in his back as he continued swearing under his breath.

-"Get that shit aboard and sealed so we can leave, we have no business in this harbour anymore.!" He said, and added under his breath "or ever again..."

His men loaded it with extreme efficiency and care. They put it in place and immidiately started to spray it with liquid plastic that quickly hardened to make it hermetically sealed. Whatever dark Iesus Secrets that crate contained not a single molecule would be let out into the air. The captain took no risks what so ever. Noone had told him what the crate contained and he had strict orders not to take a peek in it, as if he ever would have wanted to do that.

After less than 20 minutes the crate was now a a grey dead box, sealed airtight and made anonymous due to its new shell. A shell that the crew would shed when they reached their destination. They turned on the cooling system and left the crate in the 8 degrees celsius that normally existed in the cargo space.

Hannah glared briefly at Liz before stepping out of the car and walking through the crowd after Sachs. She didn't try not to look angry, exactly. All these people were rather angry. She just tried not to direct it at anyone in the crowd and let them assume, if they wished, that it was for the Liliputians. She quietly hoped that her own features wouldn't gain unwanted notice.

Liz could tell she’d offended Hannah….she didn’t like seeing Hannah offended but Liz couldn’t really understand why her friend was upset…
Liz sincerely enjoyed Hannah’s company, she was smart and witty, quite unlike the stereotype of Jews portray in Iesus classrooms… but even so sometimes she couldn’t understand the Danaan woman…She sometimes seemed so unreasonable. so alien…
Zipping up her jacket, Liz entered the crowd. She could feel the angry energy of the chant seeping up through her body…it felt familiar…
She chanted along with the others, joining in whole heartedly with the racist slogans. She bummed a beer , and cut her way through the crowd.
She target a big thuggish looking skinhead, and latched onto him. Exchanging a open mouthed kiss for his filthy looking cap…she slipped him a fake number and promised him more latter as she pulled on the cap.




The Iesus destroyer Holy Name had her orders. Meet with the cargo ship, and take the cargo for disposal.
She’d met with the cargo ship in international waters, some 8 hours after the cargo ship herself had left port….

Hannah was like-wise finding Liz hard to talk to recently. There was something she'd noticed about talking to Iesians. It wasn't that the Iesians believed in their governments ideology. While distasteful, that was a natural part of working with agents of the Iesian state, one the Danaans had expected after making what they considered to be, to a large extent, a metaphorical "deal with devil." And it wasn't that they seemed eager to force their views on others. In fact, not one of the Iesians Hannah had met so far had done so, a fact about which she was pleasantly surprised. The problem was that they had this habit of speaking as though some tenet of Iesian ideology (or theology, more often) were already accepted by everyone they were speaking to. When they discovered otherwise, they seemed to feel not so much offended as confused, and the better ones seemed to be curious. While Hannah certainly understood the reasons for it, it was still...well, maddening was a word. These were the thoughts going through the young Danaans head as she chanted "Go back to Liliputia!" and other, much more offensive, things.

As Liz chanted madly along with the others in the crowd, an odd thought crossed her mind…I don’t even know where Liliputia is…
The thought made her annoyed, but what made her even more furious was the fact that come to think about it….she didn’t even think she could place Danaan on a map either…
She tried to push that thought aside, but that only allowed a even more disturbing image to enter her mind…that this protest had the same feel as the antimeta protests and rallies at home…
Before she could give this thought deeper reflection, she caught sight of the target talking with a group of ‘protestors’…
Liz froze, her eyes fixing on the tall thin man talking with Sach. She knew him, they had worked in the same department within the Inquisition years before…Liz never forget a face,
He’d been transferred to Ministry of Social Order Special Investigations, out of the Inquisition....she remembered that much about him. He’d been a Ministry man through and through…Marked as ‘A1’ on matters of loyalty and the suchlike…
Now she watched him warmly pat Sach on his shoulder…body language showing the two most likely had meet many times before. She quickly turned away from the man in case he had a memory equal to hers…
Johann Terrian….She remembered his name after a few moments. Most likely he was on some undercover work, perhaps even the Ministry was after the slavers too. She grasped to these thoughts…even as her mind started throwing up cynical possibilities….

It was just a glimpse Liz had before the crowd separated her from her target. When she saw him again, the mysterious Iesian was gone. Hannah fell in beside her as they moved to follow him again after the rally was over. Hannah asked Liz quietly "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."

“I thought I saw someone I knew talking with out ‘friend’. I couldn’t be sure….” Liz whispered and was immediately shocked at herself. The habitual lying of the Inquisition when it came to talking with ‘outsiders’ was hard to conquer…
Quickly Liz resolved to not fall into the habits of the past “Actually. I’m certain I recognised the man. I worked with him for sometime.”
Miss Shaw didn’t explain more, she couldn’t say more considering the current situation. She assumed Hannah could fill in the dots for now...

Bigtopia

Hannah nodded, not particularly surprised. As the man didn't seem to be heading back to his car, she walked behind him through the streets, trying to hang back and blend in with other pedestrians. Sachs seemed to be taking his time, walking at a leisurely pace through the city. "How long do you think he's going to keep just walking around?" Hannah asked in a whisper.

Somewhere in International Waters

Captain Jahkor Kelham frowned down at the small brass cigarette case in his hand. He'd read over the note inside it again and again. Nothing in there was illegal strictly speaking. Nothing even violated standing orders. Still, he had not the slightest doubt how things would go if anyone ever knew. Strong fingers let go and the small piece of metal splashed into the ocean, sinking into the debts. Kafni stuck his hand in his pockets, walking back up to the bridge. "Commander Veitberg, you said our satellites picked up the Sea Eagle?"

"Yes, sir." answered the stern, thin young man standing near the captain's chair.

Kelham settled down in his chair, frowning severely. "We have reason to believe that they've been involved in human trafficking. Set a course to intercept."

"Yes, sir." answered Chashine, the young ensign at the helm.

"We have reports

Standing on the deck, the Captain of the Holy Name watched the cargo being transferred over…….the Biohazard labels making him shiver…
His eyes looked skywards again and again. He distrusted international waters, and felt naked outside of the Reich.

When the Veganian cargo vessel became only a dot on the horizon, the Captain gave the order….
“Cast it all over board…”
Without questions the crew flung the crates into the sea, gladly discarding the cargo into the sea.
Again the Captain looked into the skies, he disliked this business but orders were orders…he gradually edged his revolver from his holster.
The 2iC looked up from his clipboard “Sir, that’s the last overboard…what the f…” The Seconds Officers exclamation was halted midsentence as the Captain fired point blank into his face, spattering the deck with blood and brain.
“So perish all traitors…throw him overboard too” The sailors rushed to obey, no-one daring to question the summary execution…long gone were the days of such questions in the Iesus armed forces.

Captain Leon Fray holstered his sidearm and watched his longtime comrade and friend sink into his watery grave. He needed a drink..he needed several drinks..by tonight he’d have drowned his sorrows and guilt…
He whispered to himself “why did it have to be you.”




Bigtopia

Liz shrugged “I wish I knew. He doesn’t seem to have a care in the world. What a Prick.”
Perhaps he half suspects something?”
The thought had crossed her mind before, but Sach seemed to be in his own little sick world. A world that God willing would soon crash around him.

Somewhere in International Waters

The HMS Eaton was a standard guided missile cruiser in the Danaan Navy. It could have launched well over a hundred fairly powerful guided missiles at once, enough to destroy a fleet of ships like the Sea Eagle. However, the only fire was from a few light machine guns as the Danaan ship chased behind the human traffickers, driving the criminal vessel before it. The vastness of the sea, barely disturbed by the petty fights of the men on the surface, seemed to stretch out in eternal calm beyond the small ripples which constituted the wakes of the two ships.

On the bridge of the Eaton, things were getting complicated. Ensign Chahine was giving a rather disturbing report on where this chase seemed to have led them. "Sir, we're coming up on waters claimed by the Reich. Even at this distance...these people aren't known for their strict adherence to legal boundaries, sir."

"I am aware." Kelham said calmly. "Let me know if when they cross the line."

"Yes, sir." Chahine answered, knowing better than to protest this...strange orders. He brushed his raven hair from his face and concentrated on his control panel, steering the ship after her prey. It was only ten minutes longer. "Sir, Sea Eagle has entered Reich waters."

"All stop." ordered the captain, his ship struggling to obey as his officers and men carried out the order. "Lieutenant Umer, let the Iesians know they have guests."

Lieutenant Umer frowned deeply. "But sir..."

"We abide by international law, even when dealing with these sons of bitches." Kelham said firmly. "Besides, they'd get it from their satellites soon enough anyway. Might be a tad irate about not having been informed promptly."

"Yes, sir." Umer answered, turning her com to an open channel. "Attention all Iesian vessels. This is the Danaan guided missile cruiser Eaton. We are breaking off pursuit of the civilian vessel Sea Eagle near the edge of your waters. Given the current state of relations between our countries, we considered it inappropriate to proceed closer to Iesian waters. Sea Eagle is suspected of human trafficking. I repeat, human trafficking. Sea Eagle's last known coordinates and trajectory are..."

On the Deck of the Sea Eagle

The crew of the Sea Eagle had their hands full struggling to outrun the Danaan cruiser. Too full to notice their new man, Balduin Wachholz, slip down to the hold where they kept the girls. They didn't notice until, half an hour later, just as they crossed into Iesian waters and just as the pursuing cruiser came to a halt, he and their unwilling cargo bolted for the back of the ship, leaping into the water and swimming desperately for the Danaan ship. While there were a few potshots at the fleeing victims, no one was turning back towards a missile cruiser which just lost its only reason not to blast them out of the water. What but a hope of rescuing the captives could have kept them from doing so earlier?

Somewhere Below International Waters

Captain Joscelin Pacaut finally let himself breath as the Iesian destroyer sailed overhead with no sign of hostilities. He had received mysterious orders to come to these precise coordinates, to go quiet, and to wait. He had no idea what he was expected to do or what his government's source was. For a moment, he had been scared that he'd been trapped, that his government had been tricked. That moment had now passed. "Try to pick up whatever it is those fascist bastards dropped. Maybe it's something that needs intercepting." Or maybe it's a bomb and I just got us all killed.

Bigtopia

Hannah nodded a little. "Just a fun loving guy, I guess." She said sarcastically. "But we should talk about something else until we're off the streets."

Iesus national waters
“Sound battle stations! Missile Com:stand by to fire…”
The Iesus cruiser John of God was a distant dot to the Danaan vessel, but both ships saw each other clearly on their advanced systems.

“Captain McCullum, the Warship isn’t entering our waters ….” A fat faced young woman looked up from her post “…repeat the warship isn’t entering our waters, but the other ship is continuing course…”
Another terribly young female face declared in an overly excited voice “Sir! The warship is contacting us, open frequency..”
“Put it through to my headset Ensign ”The Captain spoke in a calm tone, and gave the young communications officer a disapproving look. “ Continue to update command of our situation.”
The Captain patted down the crease in his trousers as he listened to the Danaan transmission…he was naturally suspicious of the situation….

He put down his headphones “tactical: Target Sea eagle. I want to be able to blow her outta the water in a moments notice if anything goes wrong. Mr Field…prepare a boarding party to go over to that cargo ship. We’re going to intercept her…..
His brow creased with thought, he knew what he was about to do could get him a quick exit via the hangman’s noose “….Ensign Ro. Contact Navy HQ. Inform them I’m about to contact the Danaan vessel for security reasons” he mentally finished the rest of his sentence….in contradiction to General Order 17 - non communication with enemy vessels…..
He picked up his headset “Put me through to that warship…”

“ This is the Iesus Navy Vessel John of God to HMS Eaton. Do not proceed into Iesus Christian waters, or you will be fired upon. We will intercept the Sea Eagle, and she will be dealt with by Iesus authorities.”


Bigtopia
Liz nodded, having a discussion in the middle of the street wasn’t the wisest move in history…
She let Hannah lead the way, this world was more Hannahs than hers...She trusted Hannah in this situation more than anyone else.

Near Iesus National Waters

The response to the Iesian hail was as simple as simple could be. "Roger." The Danaan ship turned and began to make a speedy exit from this unpredictable area of the sea, leaving the human traffickers to their own devices. Meanwhile, the women freed from the ship by the Danaan operative were in the medical bay, being treated.

Below International Waters

The Veganans hadn't known it but their storage methods had done a great deal of damage to their cargo. Of course, if they'd known what their cargo was, they might have wanted to do the damage. If it hadn't been for a few precautions which seemed to have been taken by whoever packed the crate, not a single person in it would be alive. As it was, there were two dead on arrival and a few more whose condition was critical. Everyone was at least in a horrific state. The strange circumstances of the find had struct the officers and crew of the sub as nothing more than an example of the strange games Iesians liked to play with their victims and the ship headed at full speed to the medical facilities of the nearest friendly port, a Knootian one, with more horror stories of the evil empire.

In Iesian Waters

The Sea Eagle turned and tried to run as soon as she saw the Iesian ship approaching. Of course, she wasn't nearly as fast a vessel and it took some time to turn around...

Bigtopia

"So do you work out?" Hannah asked, initiating a casual, non-revealing conversation.

Liz for a few moments didn’t understand what Hannah was talking about, but at last her brain clicked into understanding….realisation cutting through the dull terror of her situation.
“Yeah…I like to keep active…”
Eventually they had slipped away from where others could over hear their words, but Liz still didn’t feel safe…Even once they were back inside their car Liz still felt watched.
Liz only spoke once Hannah had started the cars engine….
“I know that man. I…worked with him some years ago. He was transferred from the Inquisition to Ministry of Social order special operations…I guess he could be here hunting slavers…”
Fumbling with a pack of gum, Liz shoved several pieces into her mouth. “but that’s bollocks..The Ministry doesn’t do foreign investigations…shit…the Ministry is an internal agency supposedly…” Liz seemed to be half talking to herself… “That bastard was talking to Sach. It makes so much sense really in a sick kinda way. It always appeared the trafficking through Iesus must have some high leveled support…but..shit, the Ministry? I know they’re bastards but really….systemic violation of Gods law isn’t possible…Shit, maybe that’s what Garr meant….Could they be involved?”
Liz looked at Hannah with pleading eyes, for the first time Liz appeared on the verge of crying, she looked hurt…it was if Liz knew logically what was happening, but within her heart couldn’t handle her world slipping away from her.




Iesus waters
The John of God continued full speed towards its target.
“They get their one warning. Fire a warning shot. If they don’t stop after that, God have mercy on their souls. Keep an eye on that Danaan ship too…I don’t trust them as far as I can spii”
The comm Officer continued to rattle off the order to the fleeing slaver ship…
“ Target vessel. Cut engines and prepare to be bordered. Failure to comply will result in your destruction…”
The forward deck gun fired…barking a volley of shells over the cargo ship. Causing a spray of sea water to crash over the vessels deck.
“This is your final warning. Full stop or be destroyed”

Bigtopia

Hannah looked at Liz with sympathetically. "Well, officially speaking the Ministry for Justice is domestic in purpose as well and I'm out here."

She moved the car to follow their quarry through the streets. She knew she should be pressing this. She took it for granted that slavery was the kind of thing Bridgette Iesus and her followers would be involved in. She also knew that it benefited her country and the whole free world to expose 'the Ministry' to as many within the Reich as possible. Still, she just couldn't bring herself to knock down Liz's whole worldview. She was really worried the Iesian was about to cry.

Iesian Waters

The Sea Eagle never considered stopping. Death wasn't that scary next to capture by the Iesians.

With sad horror filled eyes, Liz looked at Hannah. “so, you think that he is on Ministry work now? Have you heard anything about this?”
To be honest, Liz hated the Ministry, she had always considered them bullies…thugs who had no concept of law and order…Oculi dei had nothing to do with them, and she read in the files that the Ministry had been involved in some terrible things…but nothing like this…this was slavery. The sin against the incarnation..the sin against the very dignity of creation.



Iesus waters
“Sir, they arnt stopping!” The young fat faced girl was turning red with excitement.
“God dammit….Try and target them below the water line…repeat…I don’t want them destroyed…crippled will do….Gun team One. Fire…”
The guns fired their deadly payloads again, this time directly at the fleeing ship…the incoming shells trying to blast the ship rather then warn.
“Standby Missile Array one. I want prisoners, but I want the Option of blasting her to bits”
“aye aye sir”

Bigtopia

Hannah breathed in deeply and looked Liz in the eyes for a long moment. "Yeah, he probably is."

Iesian Waters

The traffickers' ship slumped forward, taking on water from the holes beneath the water line which the Iesian weapons had created.

For a moment Liz was quiet, she sat glaring out the car window….Hannah’s words echoed in her ears….
“That fucking bastard!!!” Liz screamed the words and cracked her fists into the car dashboard “Him and those two faced slimy pricks!!! I’ll see him fucking dangling from a meat hook. How could they! How could they…” Liz’s eyes burned with anger and her nostrils flared…The Ministry had crossed a line in her mind…She could tolerate so much evil, but everyone has a breaking point…


Iesus waters

“Hit on target sir!”
The Captain nodded and smiled, many of the younger crewmen cheered.
“Drop the launch, I want as many survivors as possible…logs, computers. Whatever you can salvage before she sinks into the blue…”

Bigtopia

Hannah didn't really have any idea what to say. She just plain didn't understand Iesians and she didn't think that she ever would. She continued to drive after Sachs, following him carefully through the streets of Bigtopia. Another hour passed and it was getting close to time to switch with the others.

Liz stopped her rant, and entered a sullen silence. She felt gloomy and ridiculous beyond words, only the reassuring weight of her weapon pressing into her side gave her any comfort. She focused on its cold heavy weight, and considered the options it provided. She kept silent until they were due to change shifts...

Then with a quiet voice she spoke to the women she supposed was her friend…
“I suppose you find me ridiculous ..or stupid. I know you hate us..I don’t blame you…God we must seem so pathetic. we live in such a disgusting incestuous world of violence, we allow ourselves to be lead like sheep to the slaughterhouse by people who disgust even me…I wish I could be more like you. I’m so sorry you had to come to Iesus Christi….I’m sorry you got involved with us..”



Iesus Christi waters
The motorboat hit the water, sending water spraying over the heavily armed sailors. Soon she was speeding towards the stricken vessel….even as they watched, the vessel they had been chasing sunk lower into the water….the cargo ship never destined to survive a shell blast…
The St John of God closed in, preparing to help pluck up whatever they saw in the water.

Bigtopia

Hannah shook her head. "I'm not. We've saved a lot of innocent people from human traffickers and got a deal from your people which was a lot better than I'd hoped for. Also...I...I think I made a friend. I don't really have that many in my line of work. I don't think your stupid. You do the best you can in the world you live in. I don't hate you just because you haven't overthrown your government and created some kind of Utopia. I owe my life to you. I just...I was just quiet because I didn't really know what to say. Everything either sounded too trite for the situation or too melodramatic. I'm sorry. I'm just...not very good with emotional stuff. I've spent my whole career training not to show it."

She smiled weakly as she turned the car around, the next pair taking their place. She was silent for awhile before she looked at Liz once more. "Incestuous?"

Iesian Waters

The ship was sinking fast. However, it wasn't sinking that fast. The men on the motorboat seemed to have about five minutes to at least get a glimpse of what was below deck before the water poured up over the deck itself.

Liz looked over at Hannah and nodded. She knew she’d have to inform Batemann about the ministry agent, but for now she was just happy her day was over.
“Incestuous. Everything’s so confused and interrelated...one minute you're having a cup of coffee with someone, next minute they're in the cells being beaten.
These whole sick cobwebs of relationships between these Ministry shits and us. The violence is so systemic…its hard to know where it even comes from. That’s what I mean by incestuous…we’re all so bond together in this sick little game. This probably makes no sense…I’m rambling” Liz grinned, she appeared to be happy or at least settling down…
“Thanks. I’ve never had a friend like you before. I’ve never felt safe to even say these things out loud even to myself…”


Iesus waters
In the cavalier nature known only to idiots and the youth, young sailors from the John of God Motorboat jumped across to the sinking vessel…with ‘huzzahs’ on their lips and guns in hand they hurled themselves over.
Risking being trapped below decks, they grabbed whatever they could…or simply noticed the array of perversions around them.

Hannah had no idea what to say so she didn't even try. She just put her hand on Liz's shoulder gently. "If you want, we can go somewhere and talk about it for a bit. We can say we didn't head straight back because we didn't want to be too obvious. It's a valid reason, especially since we have no more surveillance duties for another sixteen hours."

"Thanks for the offer...I really mean that...but We should maybe tell the others what we saw first? Duty first and all...." Liz smiled but her eyes were sad "besides it doesnt matter, its pointless anyhow. Talking isnt going to change anything, nothing is. We're all mute in our impotence....the rest is silence...useless..useless...."

"You're my friend, Liz. That isn't hopeless." Hannah said rather sappily.

Liz smiled....a wide and genuine smile. She laughed as she answered Hannah “I’ve never had a friend like you before…and I don’t just mean the Jewish bit. I appreciate what you’re offering, but its simply pointless. Talking wont help, nothing will. I couldn’t change things anyhow, best to simply nail these bastards and move on.” Her smile didn’t fade even as she preached her fatalism “Everything is fixed, and we cant change it.”

She wrote down a note to Batemann in coded shorthand, and handed it over as soon as they arrived back at the safe house. Apparently work was the great Iesus distraction from their existence.

Hannah frowned and took Liz by the hand. "You have to have hope, Liz. Hope is the only thing that can ever make the world any better and it's most powerful when things look the most hopeless. It's not the kind of thing you can reason about and it really doesn't make any sense intellectually speaking but you have to believe it. You just have to."

Hannah blushed faintly and shook her head. "I'm a frontline agent for international law and here I am talking like a total sap. Still, I do believe what I just said...even if I'm normally not so mushy about it."

After making her report to the others, Hannah returned to the room where the two girls were staying, having nothing better to do. They had sixteen hours before their next shift and so Hannah felt no great urge to rest. She flipped on the television, checking out the various Bigtopian channels. She finally settled on a Bigtopian production of War and Peace, kicking her shoes off and trying to banish the unpleasant thoughts from her head.

“Mushy is a pleasant change. We don’t do Mushy in Iesus, but I think I like it..but I feel it perhaps violates public ordinance laws…” Liz winked, adding black humour was something he and her countrymen used often.

Once she knew Batemann had the information(and she knew he wouldn’t be happy about it. He’d want action soon and hard.) Liz was at a loose end….

She quickly got changed and sat in corner of the room, quietly watching the TV. Not wanting to disturb Hannah further she didn’t enquire what the movie was…she didn’t want to appear any stupider.

"I always liked Tolstoy's courtly ladies." Hannah confessed. "They're always so girlish, so innocent, so emotional. It has a sort of charm to it, like a quiet, rustic way of living that has vanished from the world. It's a nice thought when your daily life involves so much suffering and crime and death."

Hannah curled up on the bed and kicked her shoes off, leaving her socks on. "I know what you're going to say. All of that is based upon how they were forcibly sheltered from the real world by patriarchal structures and upon how a life of leisure, even at a low level of technology, was made possible by the oppression and deprivation of the peasantry. You probably wouldn't think to say it but some people would add that I, in particular, should have no sympathy for these ladies giving the kind of pogroms that occurred under Tsarism. I already know all that though. Tolstoy probably did too. He was a Utopian socialist after all. I like them anyway and..."

Hannah blushed slightly. "I'm sorry. I just put words in your mouth and then went off on them. This is hard for me too. Come watch the movie with me?"

Liz went a little red as she listened to Hannah talk…she wished she could speak as Hannah seemed to expect, but instead she had nothing to add….it was as if Hannah was speaking an alien language. Tolstoy had been on the banned authors list since the revolution.
She mumbled an ‘ok’ and get off her chair and slid next to Hannah. She spoke softly “I bet your fiancé is looking forward to your return.”

"He would be if he wasn't away at the front in Marlund." Hannah said. "He's a Marine Lieutenant. He was assigned to help crush the remainder of the Sons of the Reformation terrorist group in the jungles of Marlund. I worry about him a lot, although, objectively, his job is probably safer than mine. What about you? Do you have a betrothed or a boyfriend or a husband or anything?"

“Wow…so he’s a soldier. I hope he’ll be ok…its certainly an honourable thing to be doing…kicking the crap out of those bastards….How long has he been on active service?
I’ve never really had time for that kinda thing, its been years since I’ve even been on a date…
Got any photos of your guy?” Liz sounded interested, curious about her friends life.

"Yeah, the SoR are real sons of bitches. We don't like to say so explicitly now because we're trying to reform Marlund...Well, to help Marlund reform...and we want people to be able to move forward and live together on equitable terms, but almost all the white people in Marlund were, to some degree, complicit in the crimes of the old regime...but the Sons, they aren't just bastards willing to accept or even work with all that evil, they're people so dedicated to that kind of system they were willing to go off into the jungles and fight for it even when it collapsed." Hannah said. "I'm not sure if that makes them better or worse? Is it better to be a genuine hate-monger or an ambitious coward?"

She shrugged lightly. "Let's not talk about them anyway. Let me see if I have some pictures of Kaleb. He's been on active service for two years but this is his first time in an actual combat zone."

Hannah reached into her wallet and dug around for a few moments. Soon enough she produced a picture of a lean man with dark, curly hair, dressed in a Danaan uniform. "That's him! What do you think?"

Liz took the photo gingerly “It’s certainly better to be stupid than evil…the ambitious but stupid can still be redeemed….those weirdo’s who’ve fled to the jungles can only be reasoned with via force. You should carpet bomb them back to perditions fires…It’s a genuine grace to that there are people like Kaleb who are willing to fight such disgusting people…but as you say they aren’t worth thinking about.”

She looked closely at the man. He had the look of a Jew, and looked something like a banned singer she had enjoyed listening to as a youth. He had an intense look that was appealing, but also a loving softness….something so many people around her lacked.
“He’s very handsome. He looks a bit of ‘all right’ in his uniform. You’re both very lucky!” Liz handed back the picture with a laugh “How can you two handle being apart for so long!”

Hannah stared at Liz for a moment and then shook her head. Even when she was saying something that Hannah sort of agreed with the whole Iesian way of viewing the world was intrinsically disturbing on some deep level. "Liz...I...That wasn't what I meant. I wasn't talking about people being stupid. It's just...the Marlund citizens who accept the new Government either believed the old Government was evil and were willing to accept it or believe the new Government is evil and accept it anyway. These other guys, they keep doing what they think is the right thing even though it's the wrong thing...I don't know. I don't think anyone still alive is beyond forgiveness. Human forgiveness maybe but not...Let's not talk about this."

Hannah happily returned to the former topic. "Because we both do it. I couldn't ever give up this work and he couldn't give up the service. If either of us had wound up with anyone else, we would have left them stranded at home all the time. With one another...it works..."

Liz shrugged…she didn’t quite understand what Hannah meant, but could respect that her friend didn't enjoy discussing these things. Liz felt herself gaze intently at the picture, commenting the mans face to memory…some habits were hard to quit.
“I Don’t know how you do it, if I were you two. I’d give up this work and be with each other! The price of duty is high eh?” She nudged Hannah and gave her a mischievous grin “and here was you pretending to be a lesbian in Iesus Christi. And all the time you had this guy waiting for you…I’m scandalized!”

"I was undercover. It is part of my job sometimes. And I was convincing at it. Also, I make a very hot fake lesbian. Any Iesian lesbian would be lucky to have me." Hannah joked.

Yarrow, Wintermore

Some people are just jerks. Some people cause trouble over nothing and for no reason. That's what the two drunk-seeming young men in the line outside the cinema seemed to be doing. They were cursing at a much smaller man who they claimed had bumped into them. One of them shoved him, hard. The other laughed. It looked like it might be something of a fight if not an out and out assault.

Davian Ganteaume knew better, of course. His gaze went not to the young man they were pushing but to the mother and daughter a few places behind them in line. The mother whose gaze was now almost entirely focused on the altercation. This was an old trick for the sort of men Ganteaume hunted.

Ganeteaume cut the two men off as they made their way to their van a few blocks away. He was a lean man of about twenty years. He was dressed simply, if darkly, in a black t-shirt and black jeans. His body was lean yet well-muscled. His hair was as dark as the clothes he wore. The two thugs were both blond with beards and brown clothes on.

“You were convincing…but you never convinced Batemann...but that’s cos he thought you were a Jew or a spy...same diff to him. He’s like a medieval witch smeller when it comes to detecting that kind of stuff, it can be kind of scary. But yeah…you did make a convincing lesbo…I’m sure all the ladies were all over you.” Liz laughed and made a sour face “Yuck yuck yuck. You wouldn’t have actually done it would you? That’s just nasty.”

Bigtopia

"Well...I haven't taken my vows yet..." Hannah joked. "No, seriously, I wouldn't have done it. We don't do that kind of undercover work in the Resurgent Dream. Even our covert operatives are people too and it would offend too much against their dignity to order them to do something like that. Of course, there's rumors that some agents have used sex in their work before but nothing substantiated and certainly nothing official.

The next day, Hannah and Liz trailed the slavers to the Bigtopian Institute of Paranormal Studies. The institute had recently come under heavy criticism for alleged abuses of the rights of what the Iesians would call metahumans. These allegations combined with the nature and the slaver's business and the apparent complicity of other Iesian authorities in what they were doing, made the Institute a rather less surprising location than it might otherwise have been.

They followed the elusive slaver up the stairs and then down a long hallway filled with green plants which seemed to be decoration. When they got to the end of the hallway, they found the steel door had been locked before them. Frowning, Hannah stooped to examine some nearby paperwork. "Liz...this is...very bad..."

“Oh . Good. Cos that would be kinda..bad…” Liz lay her head down on a pillow and smiled as her friend talked. She loved the fact that Hannah took such strange things seriously and saw things in such odd ways..she loved the fact Hannah wasn’t her.



Later
Liz glided over to her friend and whispered “What’s the buzz?”

"These plants in the hall...they're not decorations. They're laboratory specimins." Hannah answered, drawing her gun slowly.

Looking somewhat confused, Liz slowly drew her own gun. She looked at the plants.....what the hell was Hannah talking about..?

"We only think about institutes like this in terms of sentient paranormals. After all, that's where all the moral and philosophical and political and theological controversy comes in. But these people aren't moralists or philosophers or politicians or theologians. They're scientists. The multiverse breeds plants and dumb animals with preternormal properties too." Hannah explained.

It was only another moment before explanations became unnecessary. Bright lights came on, apparently stimulating the plants The leaves and vines of the planets began to shift. What had looked like flower buds opened to reveal rows of teeth. Vines moved rapidly towards the two women, trying to entangle them. Of course, not all of the plants were like this. Some were doing equally strange, but relatively harmless things. But Hannah didn't take the time to notice that. Instead, she started shooting at the plants, pushing their vines away as she tried to force her way back to the entrance with Liz. Of course, the bullets did little against plants. There were no vital organs to hit.

Liz was more than a little confused by Hannah’s explanation. It sounded all dreadfully foreign…..
But as the lights came on and the 'plants' attacked, matters became much clearer. The glistening rows of teeth trying to tear hunks of flesh from her bones were much more understandable than the science behind them.
“Abominations!”
As the bullets passed throw the plants to little effect, Liz quickly tried to think of another solution to the issue…
She considered her switchblade, then her garrote…
But she couldn’t realistically visualize herself chocking a plant to death…
“Oh Bugger this for a game of soldiers!”
She raised her gun and fired at the lights…..

The Suburbs of Vegana City

*Boom*

The explosion shook the slumbering neighbourhood and hundreds of birds rose from their perch in the trees of the park in the secluded small the area. Uniformed men swarmed in through the front gate of a large house quickly disabling the security guards. The wind from the direction of the house carried the suffocating effects of military strength tear gas. The house was in an area reserved for high ranked civil servants and people could be seen peering out of their windows and then quickly ducking in when they saw the insignia of the cars arriving to the place.

A fat man was being led out followed by several other people and shoved into waiting vans. The man was a deputy minister of the foreign and immigration office and his neighbours knew him for a jolly fellow whose wife had died young and he never remarried.

Men walked over his lawn with instrument and marked some spots. More explosions could be heard from within the house and after that several new shapes were led out to waiting vans. These long slender beings were all covered in sheets and pushed into the Inquisition vans with haste.

As the lights died down, the plants ceased moving. Hannah, somewhat shaken, leaned briefly against a wall. "Good thinking, Liz. I think these bastards set us up with a bunch of false leads to throw us off their track or even kill us."

As soon as she gathered herself, Hannah immediately rushed out of the building, hoping to catch the trail of her enemy. It was a lost cause. He was long gone, having made his escape while the two women were fighting the mutated (or maybe just exotic) plants. As they made their way back to their base, Hannah brought up the subject on both of their minds once more. "Liz, if it is the Ministry behind this, I'm not sure exactly what there is we can do to them. I'm not authorized to start a war or a revolution. I'm not even an intelligence agent. Our best bet might simply be to cut off their outside sources, eliminating supplies they can't move openly to defend. Still...I'm worried such a process might get derailed behind the scenes. There has to be something we can do to neutralize that possibility..."

Liz leaned against the wall panting..."those bastards are trying to kill us!"
While the last few minutes had been a horror...in a very real way she had loved the excitement. Liz loved the rush and wanted more, her blood was up.

"Well. Its a tricky one. I'm not really sure myself, this is a little out of my depth, politics isnt something I known anything about. But cutting off supplies is a good standard tactic. We could hurt them alot, cut off everyone who has contacts with them....as we like to say back home...'when in doubt, kill them all'..." Liz had a wild grin on her face as she talked, she seemed amped and ready to take on the whole world on her own.

Hannah nodded thoughtfully. "If we're going to do this...really do this...I think I know where we can start. We can't let everyone else in on who all is involved in this, at least not at this juncture. Now that we're out in the field and away from the tight Iesian controls, do you think there's anyway you and I could be allowed to go on a brach off mission while the others continue their mission here?"

"I dont see why not. I know you dont like Garr...but he's on our side...if its for the greater good he'll allow it and not ask questions...be on the quiet..not offical..." Liz's leg twitched with excitement " So whats the idea huh?"

Hannah nodded. "We can't just go chasing these people around everywhere. We have to fall in with them, make our way to their central leadership. Women can do that a lot easier than men can. I know there's some places in Marlund where we could connect with people involved in organized crime and go from there."

"Oh. Ok...sounds a plan..."
Liz tried not to sound disappointed. She wasnt a violent or stupid woman by any standards, she just liked direct action. Her compulsory service in the Infantry had taught her a direct approach to issues..and as an Inquisitor she was known for her direct attitude.
It wasnt that spying or guile was unknown to her, far from it...it was very common to trick confessions out of people in Iesus Christi...but she felt more at home in the world of bold action, gunfire and pliers.
"You're the expert after all!" She smiled and shook her head like she was flicking hair from her eyes, even tho she wore her chestnut hair in a tight bob. She puffed out her chest...thus extenuating her already plentiful womanly figure
"I guess we'll just have to play on the fact we're female." Liz said with a smile that showed she found something very very amusing.

Bigtopia

Hannah giggled lightly. "Thanks. Maybe we should pick out some clothes that are a little girlier before we talk to our bosses and head off to Marlund."

The Danaans agreed with Hannah's plan readily enough and pressed the Iesians to do the same. Hannah enjoyed shopping for clothes, becoming surprisingly girly in the process. She bought some attractive bathing suites as well as dresses, skirts, shorts, gowns, high heels, blouses, and things of that sort.

Lutherstadt, Marlund

Hannah and Liz had arrived and were on their way to meet a man named Dr. Detlef Dahrendorf, a representative in the Marlund Bundestag from the extreme right Democratic Party. Dahrendorf wasn't known to be involved directly in any criminal activities but Hannah felt he was a good place to start. As distasteful as it was, the women were disguised as supporters, carrying flowers and fruits to him in baskets.

As they were climbing the stairs to Dahrendorf's penthouse apartment, both girls were waylaid by group of rought looking men. One of them had a gun, another a knife. The taller of the men narrowed his eyes at them. "Alright. Let me have that amulet, girls."

Of course, Hannah and Liz didn't know about any amulet. Hannah was still trying to figure the situation out when the men forcefully reached for their fruit baskets.

"Girlier eh"
Liz’s agreed to the shopping but surrendered herself to Hannah’s expertise. Despite the fact she was tall and fit to the rigorous Iesus military standard, Liz still feel uneasy as Hannah picked up clothing that would get you a three month sentence in an Iesus prison,but she did admit to herself Hannah looked good in less dour clothing.
Much of the time, Liz simply stood stiff backed with her arms folded…glaring at any shop assistant that came close.

Batemann had agreed happily to the plan…..


Liz looked over at Hannah as the man asked them for the ‘amulet’. The expression Liz wore was an expression that clearly stated without words ‘wtf?!?!’

Having no clue what was going on, Hannah decided it might be best to keep her cover rather than blow it fighting these men who might or might not have anything to do with anything. "What amulet?" she cried out, mock terror in her voice.

The men roughly searched through the flowers and fruits, dropping them on the floor. Then they frisked the two women, looking for this amulet. Hannah clenched her teeth, hoping Liz wouldn't lose control of herself as the thugs patted her down. Finally, it was over. One of the thugs exclaimed "I don't think they got it."

"Yeah." agreed the other and they were off down the stairs as fast as they had come, running to flee any possible police response.

Hannah wiped away the tears she had forced from herself during the attack and looked to Liz. "Random thieves or do you think they have something to do with this whole mess?"

Liz made sure the 'attackers' were well gone before she said anything...
"Sons of dicklicking metamonkey arseholes! I have no idea what that was about...what kinda mess involves random groping?!"
Liz rubbed her fingers over her low hanging necklace "deviant pricks"

"They were frisking us to see if we had this amulet, I think." Hannah said. "Constables do it in countries where they don't strip you naked and tie a bag over your head everytime they arrest someone. It's to see if they have any weapons or contraband. These guys were doing the same thing looking for this amulet." Hannah replied.

"They might or might not have something to do with trafficking in persons. Either way, they seem like low-level thugs. I think the best thing to do is to go ahead with the plan. Our gifts are ruined but we can tell Herr Dahrendorf that we were attacked on the stairs. We could act all sobby and scared. It might make him like us more. Men like him...men like him are like that." Hannah proposed.

Hannah pinched herself fairly hard and held it until she was able to tear up, even letting a few tears roll down her face, leaving streaks. She moved her hands to her hair and mushed it up roughly. "Ready?"

"I've heard of the concept...."
Liz left her sarcastic reply to Hannahs sarcasm there...now wasnt a time to debate law and order...
"I agree they seem low level...I was just hoping you knew what that term meant. Perhaps its slang..."
Liz ruffled her hair up a little "Ready as I'll ever be. Good luck."

"No. No. An amulet is like...well, it's like a necklace...It's a symbol of some kind you wear around your neck."Hannah answered her, continuing up the stairs. "It's just jewelry. They were probably jewel thieves."

""oh....Amu-LET..arh..Yeah I know what those are..." Liz groaned inwardly "Oh yeah...they're bound to have been normal jewel thieves who accost women at random while asking for for 'that amulet' in particular. Yeah, sounds an everyday robbery to me...."
Liz patted her herself down and looked in her basket for anything new the men may have planted as she followed Hannah up the stairs.

"Point taken." Hannah conceded. "Maybe it was a cult thing?"

"A cult?!?!" The word made Liz's ears prick up....almost cartoonishly she snapped into a state of high alert "thats very possible. Satanic cults often ape their metahuman Masters and thus lust after wealth."

"Metahuman masters? Liz..." Hannah let whatever she was about to say die on her lips. "Danaan intelligence reports on Lutherstadt do indicate the presence of a cult dedicated to the worship of the pagan god Poseidon and well versed in the occult. Relatively harmless, at least as far as violence is concerned. That might be who these were. They might think this amulet has some kind of power sacred to their god. But it's probably best to stay focused on the task at hand. Marlund is a very strange place and even the strangest incidents might just happen to coincide."

Hannah resumed her journey up the stairs and knocked on Dahrendorf's door. After a moment, the door was opened by an aging man in a red sweater and brown trousers. He frowned slightly as he looked at the two women. "Are you girls all right? Come in! Let me get you something to drink."

"Thank you, sir." Hannah said with a small snifle as she moved to sit on the couch in the well furnished apartment. "We ... we wanted to see you and give you these to show our support for what ... for all your work for ordinary white people but ... we were attacked on the stairs. I hope the flowers are still ok, sir! We really wanted to do something for you."

Liz nodded as hannah talked and cut in at what she felt was a goodtime.
"Its discraceful Sir! Its coming to a stage where white women cant go anywhere without being attacked by the mud races! We...we..just wanted to show our support..we're so thankful that there are real men out there willing to take a stand!"

In Iesus Christi, the dust had settled again. Several people had taken the fall for the human trafficking enterprise…they had paid the ultimate price for their part in the scheme….but little else had come out.
No-one of high rank had been charged, the Ministry had sealed itself off so far…allowing a few to be thrown to the wolves while those higher up escaped justice…again.

General William Bailey pulled on his Ministry uniform in front of the massive mirror. Behind him his newest prize from overseas lay on the bed sobbing quietly into the pillow. William smiled as he watched the young child in the mirror as he dressed himself…
The bedroom door swung open, making William turn and jump. He laughed when he saw who it was…
“haha Don’t give me a fright like that….get out will you…I told you I’d be down at 11…if you really want your money now its in my briefcase down by the bed…”
William turned back to the mirror, coolly straightening his tie.

William frowned in confusion as the mirror cracked…blood had splattered over it from an unknown source.
Then the pain hit him. He gasped and raised his hands to his chest as the blood flowed out.
He croaked “help me…” as he slid to his knees and fall face down onto the carpet.
“Graviora manen” His assassin whispered as he stood over the body and fired again into Williams’s back. Without a further word, he put his silenced pistol back into his holster, picked up the briefcase and gave the girl a smile as he left the room.