NationStates Jolt Archive

The board meeting of the Holy Council had just begun. All the chairs were filled by the various company owners that made up the Council... except one. One of their number, the owner of a prevelant automobile company, died two days earlier due to a heart attack. His replacement had not yet arrived.

"Should we just get started?" one Member asked another. "I don't think he's coming," another replied. "Let's just get going."

Then, the door opened suddenly. Through it strode a man looking like he had no earthly business inside the elaborately decorated Council room. Chairs squeeked at people turned to face the newcommer. Dressed in dark slacks and a black dress shirt, all covered by a floor-length black trenchcoat, the man swept across the floor like an unholy demon with a vengance, finally arriving at the lone emply chair. He sat with a great dignity, belied by undertones of arrogance to his movements. Leaning forward slightly, he shifted his sunglasses, as though waiting for someone to dare to challenge his presence.

Finally, after a lengthy pause, one of the braver Members spoke. "Silone Vandros, I assume?" The man only nodded in response. The meeting began almost instantly, with no one giving it another thought -- unusual events were common among the Zyndrosian government... or what passed for one.

Several issues were brought before the council, ranging from the imposing of automotive tarrifs on out-of-country cars to the new "Die with Dignity" bill. The debates were heated, each company arguing from its own unique economic perspective. Economics drove Zyndrosan; indeed, they were its very lifeblood. People had devout patriotism, not out of any love of their government, but because their government owned them and everything they ever touched. Decisions were made by the people at the top -- people who could buy the answers they wanted.

Through the entirety of the Meeting, Silone Vandros sat with a small half-smirk on his face, as it silently laughing at the follies of those around him. His self-confident manner unnerved those around him, who thought him a dwarf walking without fear in a land where giants ruled.

The meeting ended unceremoniously, the various members departing to their personal helicopters, bullet trains, and other alternate modes of transportation to get them from the hidden Council site to their assorted company headquarters all over the country. Silone was the last to leave, moving with a thoughtful patience. Stepping into the backseat of his company's limousine, he paused only a moment before withdrawing a cell phone from an inside pocket of his coat.

"Stocker? Yes, it's me. Listen -- we have a change of plans. Contact our suppliers... we have work to do..."

From: The Offices of Silone Vandros
To: The Holy Council of Zyndrosan

Sirs,

I appologize for not attending this morning's session of the council. Worry not, however -- soon, none of you will be attending either.

Too long has Zyndrosan been ruled by the combined might of several coorporations. The ultimate evolution of such a subsidized government must be, in eventuality, a single governmental monopoly. I have seen that this time has come.

The Vandros Coorporation now announces its intentions to sieze control of the Zyndrosan government for the combined economic good of the nation and of its peoples. Out of respect for your positions and your achievements, I give you all this one chance to surrender your companies to the New Government of Zyndrosan. Submit, and be assimilated peacefully. Resist, and fall forever.

Our company has access to arms dealers, bomb makers, and an endless supply of soldiers. Nothing can daunt our task. We do this not for ourselves, but for all the people of our beloved country. This change of government will proceed as peacefully as you will allow it to. Please, consider our people.

You have one week to make you decision. Serve the greater good.

Sincerely,
Silone Vandros

*Tag* - Mmmm... I feel disention within the ranks of the corporate elite!

ooc-

*Tag* This looks to be a little interesting... how open is this..?

(OOC): It'll be open eventually... but I'd like to get a little more of the story fleshed out first, to make sure it's firmly in place before others join in. I'll be sure to let you know when it's okay to post... and thanks for asking. :)

(IC):

ZNN News Bulliten | Re: Government Turmoil

In a recent development among the governing powers of Zyndrosan, Councilor Silone Vandros has announced that Vandros Inc. will be separating itself from the rest of the governing coorporations in an effort to secure a more efficient and profitable governing body for the populace.

Councilor Gary Redman comments: "It's ludicrous. The multi-faceted government of Zyndrosan was set into place to achieve maximum efficiency, and to avoid corruption. Rest assured that your government will not sit idly by and allow this to happen." When asked to comment further, Councilor Redman refused.

Official tactics are not yet known, however recent information suggests a large financial mobilizing of the Holy Council along with a steady retreat of all of the newly created Vandros Inc. forces to several undisclosed locations. Government imports have risen steeply, supposedly to fund the coming conflict. It is currently unknown whether or not this battle will be decided with force of arms or force of coin.

We will keep you updated on this situation as it develops. Serve the greater good.

[END OF LINE]

Security recordings of the last meeting of the Holy Council:

"What are we going to do about this?"
"It's nothing important. He only owns a small fraction of the government. What can he do?"
"He can put his men to work and give them guns, that's what. He changed his company's name to The Dragon Coorporation to try to appeal to people's nationalist feelings, and now he's got new recruits by the bucketfull."
"We own the weapon distributers -- let's just refuse to sell to him."
"No good. He's smart; he's ordering from out of country international arms dealers."
"Can we bribe them not to sell?"
"We can -- but what's to stop them from just taking our money and selling to him anyway? They're too big for us to do anything about it if they did."
"What we can't have is a land war. That'd be too expensive. The guns, the people, the food, the ammunition, the supply lines... plus all the workers left dead when its all over. It'd throw us into a recession."
"Can we corrupt his shipments of food or weaponry in some way?"
"Not the weapons -- even we don't have that kind of cash."
"Okay... what about the food?"
"It's an interesting idea... and his water has to come from somewhere, too."
"Can't. We still don't know where he's buying his food. It's not coming from any of us. He's either buying from outside, or he's taken up farming -- neither of which helps us."
"Do we even know where he's at?"
"Nope. His entire company just dissapeared. He only has a single public office, where he handles all his recruitment."
"Could we just bomb that and get it over with?"
"Probably not a good idea. We wouldn't take out anything significant, nothing he couldn't replace in a week's time, and we'd be opening the door for him to counter-attack. We wanted to avoid a land war, remember?"
"Gentlemen, we're running out of options here. So what can we do?"
"Fifteen percent of the nation's companies have already sold out to him, with more undoubtedly on the way. Could we sell him an infiltrator?"
"I doubt it. He knows all of our subsidies, and I don't think we could start a new company of any worth without him tracing the bills. Paper leaves quite a trail."
"What about that?"
"Hm?"
"Can we follow his paper trail? See where it leads? To what suppliers, to what locations, to what companies? Maybe we can even find some that he has that are hiding within our own ranks."
"Now there's an interesting possibility..."
"We'll have our intelligence agents look into it."
"Christ, I knew we put so much funding into that anti-cyberterrorist unit for a reason!"
"Calm down, everyone. That still leaves us where we are -- with nothing."
"And until we get some useful information back, it looks like that's how we're going to stay."
"Look -- let's not get down. Let's just see what happens. You two get your best hackers working on nailing down some information, and I'll try to sneak in a few men just in case he's not operating over the net. We'll reconvene in three days to discuss out findings. Agreed?"
"Sounds good."
"I'm in."
"Look like the best way..."
"Alright then. See everyone in three days. Serve the greater good."
[END OF SOUND FILE]

(OOC): Okay, guys -- the thread is now open. :) However, I still have a final plan in mind for this... so please, if I ask you to delete or change part of your thread, don't get upset. Just understand that I'm trying to shape this to a certain end. Hopefully, you guys can make it interesting! :D
Thank you all very much for your cooperation.

((OOC: Finially! ^_^ ))

Destroyer booted up his top-of-the-line-and-mostly-illegal computer and quickly went through his personal security programs. With the sensitive information he had access to, you never could have too much protection.

Destroyer was one of the strangest individuals you could ever meet; his thin, lanky frame and albino white skin set him apart from the common people. Living, feeding, and coding at the cybernetic heart of “a major company” (you’d never get a straight answer out of him) Destroyer gets down and dirty with the underground lowlife the internet has to offer. He's more dangerous with a 56k modem than most people were with a sawed off shot gun.

Part of the minority of albino humanoids, his few moments of social contact with the outside world consist of orders and requests from higher up in the sprawling companies. Even though messengers were met with sarcasm, sharpened by years of chat experience and a photographic memory, Destroyer had a knack for anything dealing in the computing realm. His closest “friends” often speculated if he could or could not telepathically connect with his machine, such was the speed and efficiency of his work.

His chamber was lavishly decorated with empty carbonated beverages, candy wrappers, and burned CD’s, with his government appointed computer taking up the entire north wall. 30 inch wide screen monitor and undisclosed specs; it was a beauty of black metal and blinking green lights.

Such was the scene as the corporate messenger entered, gingerly stepping over styrafoam cups and individually wrapped sugary goodness. “You’ve got a new assignment, D” said the messenger, one of very few individuals who had the privilege to enter this unhallowed domain.

“Thanks,” Destroyer groaned, stretching his limbs and popping a few joints, “what is it this time?”

The messenger took out a packet from his back pocket and tossed it into Destroyer’s lap. “Your eyes alone, like always.” They both smirked; the company didn’t call on Destroyer’s help to deal with jobs more expendable hackers could be wasted on. The messenger turned and left, heading back to the realm of white light for a beer or two.

Destroyer scanned the packet briefly, and frowned. This was going to be his most creative piece of work.

After pulling up all the software he’d require for the next few sleepless days, he took a swig of liquid sugary goodness and began to type furiously.

::Retrieved communiques between army officials::

Attn: Commander Dietrich
From: General Nash

How are the troop movements coming? Are you closing on the enemy?

--------------------

Attn: General Nash
From: Commander Dietrich

Preliminary encounter was yesterday. Caught three of their scouts moving ahead of the main force. Killed them and took their uniforms. Moles are currently in place, returned to enemy camp this morning. More information will be pending.

--------------------

Attn: Commander Dietrich
From: General Nash

Be sure to send one Zyndrosan uniform back to HQ for copying. Within two weeks we can equip two full units of Dragon Co. troops with enemy uniforms. Infiltration will be easier after that. Their army itself is largely superflous. Inserting spies is the main goal. Do not deviate from orders.