NationStates Jolt Archive

Siap Tribune International Edition

Vanessa Gödel, well known Siapian investigative reporter and political commentator was found dead early this morning in her apartment after apparently committing suicide.

Vanessa was known for her investigative journalism that significantly expanded oversight laws in the Siapian military, and was also famous for the several books she wrote on the Anarchism and the relationship anarchy has had with Siapian culture.

She has also been a very outspoken critic with the current Speaker (Alex Connor) military interventions and increasing displays of favoritism to the militant democrat political party. "It is hypocritical to so staunchly stand for independence, yet spend so much time campaigning for his cronies in the militant dems...It wouldn't be so bad if he'd simply join them, but what he is doing now is trying to deceive the people." Read one of her most recent columns.

Her latest work has been subject to much controversity, because of its highly critical attack on the tactics and character of Siapian war hero Paul Kesson. Kesson was most famous for his command of the pacification operations in response to the terrorist attacks launched by radical Baptist terrorists. She had yet to complete the manuscript, however in interviews she asserted that Kesson had personally ordered and oversaw the death millions of civilians, and she also asserts that Kesson partook in death squads for several different factions during the anarchism. Kesson has maintained that the assertions are groundless, and they have been hard to prove, due to the confidential nature of the Pacification and the Anarchism.

Initial investigations label this a classic suicide, with the discovery of high strength barbiturates and a bottle of Spyritus found near her bed. Due to a court order (Citizen's Court request # 3201417), all testimonies until a formal edict is issued are to be suppressed from the media from this time forward, however it is known that an investigation is being carried out and an autopsy is being performed.

More will be reported as it develops.

~Walter Reickart
Staff Reporter

EDIT:
OOC: This is completely open. Feel free to have an official response, ask questions, send investigators (officially or unofficially) although I would prefer no military action to be taken.

Official Statement

"We are saddened by the tragic loss of such a courageous, outspoken woman. This is a sad day for Siap, and for the world."


Mobutu Sese Seko
President of Zaire
http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/images/Coat_of_arms_of_Zaire.PNG



Secret Communique to the Government of Siap

"Was this really a suicide, or was it a hit? If it was the latter, we commend you on a job well done. Reporters who do not report favorably of their own governments should be regarded as seditious slime, unworthy of life. SNIP brooks no opposition or dissent, and terminates anyone who deviates in their support of the Zairian revolution."


Honoré Ngbanda, "the Terminator"
Head of the National Service for Intelligence and Protection
http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/images/Coat_of_arms_of_Zaire.PNG

Official Statement

"We are saddened by the tragic loss of such a courageous, outspoken woman. This is a sad day for Siap, and for the world."


Mobutu Sese Seko
President of Zaire
http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/images/Coat_of_arms_of_Zaire.PNG


We appreciate your condolences. In the same way it was said of Thaddeus Kosciuszko, we feel it proper to say that freedom shrieked when Gödel fell.

~Alex Connor
Speaker
The Community of Siap


Secret Communique to the Government of Siap

"Was this really a suicide, or was it a hit? If it was the latter, we commend you on a job well done. Reporters who do not report favorably of their own governments should be regarded as seditious slime, unworthy of life. SNIP brooks no opposition or dissent, and terminates anyone who deviates in their support of the Zairian revolution."


Honoré Ngbanda, "the Terminator"
Head of the National Service for Intelligence and Protection
http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/images/Coat_of_arms_of_Zaire.PNG

encrypted response:

We highly resent your accusation. The Community is a land of free speech and free opportunity, and we believe that the citizens of our nation should be the ones who hold sway over our government. Our government exists because the people want it, not because we force it upon them. With all due respect, we humbly request you do not defile the memory of Ms. Gödel with these groundless accusations.

~General Cross de Foco
Commander of Siapian Intelligence Network (SIN) and Respondent to The Council Subdivision on Matters of Intelligence (CSMI)



More Details Released!
Siap Tribune International Edition

With the autopsy still underway and all material evidence temporarily seized by the military-police, very little is known about the nature of this ongoing investigation, however it has been officially confirmed by the military-police that several people have received summons to appear before the Citizens' Court, however in their official statement it was said that these people are merely witnesses who are scheduled to make a deposition before a grand hury.

While the original manuscript of her controversial book on Paul Kesson has yet to be found, several other manuscripts were found in a safe-deposit box she kept under a fake name. These manuscripts pertained to the activities of the infamous arms dealer known only as Cassius. Among these manuscripts were found lists of suspected members of his organization and front companies that may have helped smuggle arms for him, as well as a detailed report on an abandoned pitchblende mine.

Meanwhile Paul Kesson made a formal statement today addressing accusations made in the late author's manuscript. "Her accusation that I fought for several factions during the anarchism, or even took a command role during the anarchism are completely ludicrous, simply because I am not old enough. I was six months old when the anarchism began. I am fortunate that my birth records survived the anarchism, and as such I have made them available. I will confess that I took part in the death squads for the authority movement in the north, specifically for the tri-beta faction, only because my father and my two brothers and my sister would have been killed had I not. To be perfectly honest, they killed my mother because I said no the first time. I was fourteen at the time and it seemed like an appropriate choice."

Greater investigations are being undertaken and Paul Kesson has promised that he will be selectively available for answering questions. It is presently unknown when the coroner's office will have the autopsy report.

~Walter Reickart
Staff Reporter

Bump

bump

Siap Tribune International Edition

Vanessa Gödel, well known Siapian investigative reporter and political commentator was found dead early this morning in her apartment after apparently committing suicide.

Vanessa was known for her investigative journalism that significantly expanded oversight laws in the Siapian military, and was also famous for the several books she wrote on the Anarchism and the relationship anarchy has had with Siapian culture.

She has also been a very outspoken critic with the current Speaker (Alex Connor) military interventions and increasing displays of favoritism to the militant democrat political party. "It is hypocritical to so staunchly stand for independence, yet spend so much time campaigning for his cronies in the militant dems...It wouldn't be so bad if he'd simply join them, but what he is doing now is trying to deceive the people." Read one of her most recent columns.

Her latest work has been subject to much controversity, because of its highly critical attack on the tactics and character of Siapian war hero Paul Kesson. Kesson was most famous for his command of the pacification operations in response to the terrorist attacks launched by radical Baptist terrorists. She had yet to complete the manuscript, however in interviews she asserted that Kesson had personally ordered and oversaw the death millions of civilians, and she also asserts that Kesson partook in death squads for several different factions during the anarchism. Kesson has maintained that the assertions are groundless, and they have been hard to prove, due to the confidential nature of the Pacification and the Anarchism.

Initial investigations label this a classic suicide, with the discovery of high strength barbiturates and a bottle of Spyritus found near her bed. Due to a court order (Citizen's Court request # 3201417), all testimonies until a formal edict is issued are to be suppressed from the media from this time forward, however it is known that an investigation is being carried out and an autopsy is being performed.

More will be reported as it develops.

~Walter Reickart
Staff Reporter

EDIT:
OOC: This is completely open. Feel free to have an official response, ask questions, send investigators (officially or unofficially) although I would prefer no military action to be taken.

OOC: I can see that my nation HAS to be part of this story ;). Its too bad that Grace got deleted. :(

IC: Word got out that a journalist was killed in Siap. Siap being a helpful ally during a war against radical Baptists known as the church of Grace, South Lizasasaurian INTEL had to investigate. In South Lizasauria ingratitude is unacceptable which is why every time someone helps the South Lizasaurian government they feel that they need to help out the other government when they can.

South Lizasaurian INTEL (investigative division)
TO Siap
Greetings, this is Gregor McFloure of INTEL, the previous chief executive died of cardiac arrest. I would like you to know that if you need assistance all you need is to give my branch a call.

UK2 are very saddened by this great loss your country has suffered, we hope Vanesss Godel we go down in siapian history.

encrypted response to INTEL:

We would like to send a consultant from SIN to analyze the records you have on the pacification. We would like to seperate the fact from fiction, and also discover how a journalist got into a media-restricted zone. Let us know when and where we should send the consultant.

~~General Cross de Foco
Commander of Siapian Intelligence Network (SIN)
Respondent to The Council Subdivision on Matters of Intelligence (CSMI)



IC:

encrypted response to SIN
we have a secret agent, we sent him to an ally near the murder, you will find him there.

Mcfloure-cheif executive of INTEL

OCC: There are no such things as suicides. Only hit jobs.

encrypted response to INTEL:

We would like to send a consultant from SIN to analyze the records you have on the pacification. We would like to seperate the fact from fiction, and also discover how a journalist got into a media-restricted zone. Let us know when and where we should send the consultant.

~~General Cross de Foco
Commander of Siapian Intelligence Network (SIN)
Respondent to The Council Subdivision on Matters of Intelligence (CSMI)



Response to United Kingdom2

We thank you for your words of kindness in these dark days.

~Alex Connor

encrypted response to INTEL:

We would like to send a consultant from SIN to analyze the records you have on the pacification. We would like to seperate the fact from fiction, and also discover how a journalist got into a media-restricted zone. Let us know when and where we should send the consultant.

~~General Cross de Foco
Commander of Siapian Intelligence Network (SIN)
Respondent to The Council Subdivision on Matters of Intelligence (CSMI)



Response to United Kingdom2

We thank you for your words of kindness in these dark days.

~Alex Connor

OOC: INTEL was started during a great war where the enemies used cheap and misleading tactics, INTEL was made to keep records send spies to find facts, bring them back to base then analyze them to find out what the wisest course of action would be.

IC:
Encrypted message to SIN
We have many INTEL centers and databases, our researchers and intelligence officers can help do that, separating fact from fiction was one of the main reasons INTEL was started, it was for the purpose of finding out whether the enemy was trying to fool us or not. There is a passenger train to Liviston where several of our INTEL centers and databases our, my analysts await your aarrival.

Mcflour-chief of INTEL

OCC: There are no such things as suicides. Only hit jobs.

OOC: Astute observation, but there is no way to prove that yet

IC: Tickets and false IDs were mailed to SIN for their agent, a letter gave instructions on which train, which platform, ect. The instructions also tole them to look for a man and a woman wearing tan jackets and black sunglasses holding up a sign called with the name bobby. (his name on the false ID is bob) They would lead him to the database to sort through facts.

The Kingdom of Falcaunia offers its condolences for the loss of this noble journalist's life.

The Worker's Report Headquarters, Jonensberg

The Worker's Report was the voice of Socialist Kulikovia, a beacon of everything the nation was supposed to stand for. It's newspaper is the most popular amoungst all the others and the news stations for television and radio are amoungst the top five of most watched/listened to programs. Their work was extensive, covering economic reforms, exposing corruption, or covering wars of liberation, amoungst a plethera of other activities. They did much to bring to light problems in the nation and abroad. With journalists across the globe, covering conflicts, summits, and other stories. The headquarters was a large building in the capital, along the bank of the River Telsk. The news of vanessa Godel's death came as a shock. An investigative journalist named Wolfgang Krueger worked alongside her in several big stories. She was regarded with high respect within the Worker's Report and her loss came as a great tragedy to journalists everywhere. Krueger was hit especially hard by what happened. In the newsroom, all the leaders and department heads sat at the table, discussing what to do and how to handle the situation. Chief Editor Sergi Kolokov stood at the head of the table, with his normal stoic face and down to business attitude.
"Alright people, we all knew of or in some instances knew Ms.Godel" his gaze moved temporarily to Krueger who sat off in a corner, obviously shaken by her death. "Now, this whole thing stinks to high heaven. There's too many questions and not enough answers. The authorities dubbed it a suicide but many people are crying murder and cover-up. We're gonna dig through everything that has to deal with the case. This is big news and we want a good story written up on it.
"Sir, but the Siapian government is known for witholding information, witnesses disappear and testimony is lost" one of the section cheifs blurted out.
"That's never stopped us before" Kolokov shot back as he paced the room, continuing to talk of what they were going to do. "Wolfgang...I want you to be part of this, can you do it?" he asked. Krueger didn't look up, his gaze fixated on the table, as if he looked past it, through it.
"Sure Chief...I'll cover the story" he simply replied.

OOC: It was never officially dubbed a suicide. It was just speculation until the corpse returned from the autopsy, but yes, the Siapian government is obstinate to say the least. Bear in mind that Gödel made many enemies, not all of whom are in the government.



Gödel's Death Determined Murder
Siap Tribune International Edition

The death of Vanessa Gödel has officially been ruled murder by the military-police. "Bruising in soft tissue inside the throat as well as the placement of objects in the apartment indicates a struggle and forced ingestion." Read the coroner's report. This supports the theory the Military-Police had regarding an intruder, given that the manuscript for her book was missing from the apartment.

Meanwhile, Commander Paul Kesson was summoned to appear before the Citizen's Court this morning for an indictment hearing, however charges were immediately dropped when he produced closed circuit security footage from Fort Esmund Air Force Base, his full time residence, placing him in his quarters and in the excercise yards during the evening. He mentioned in passing to a reporter outside the courthouse that he would [sic] "Never crucify a reporter...they come back on the third day and bite you in the [butt]"

More documents have been recovered from another safety deposit box belonging to Gödel, again under a fake name, this time levelling charges that Tactical, Logistical and Industrial Solutions violated environmental laws and international treaties in its training of mercenaries. Neither TLI Inc. nor Skyetech Industries, TLI's parent company, have adressed the allegations.

A private ceremony will be held this evening in the Resurrection Chapel in St. Michael's Cathedral for Vanessa Gödel's family.

~Walter Reickart
Staff Reporter

Liviston, South Lizasauria

The two agents arrived at the appointed location. One said, curtly, but almost whispering, to the man holding the sign that read Bobby, "We were sent to inspect and sanitize your records. With all due respect, let's get this over with."

Esmund, Siap

The four soldiers sat in the dark office, along with Paul Kesson and private consultant from Hammer Security Solutions, a company that began as an armored car service, but evolved into one of the most effective security patrol companies and civilian-recovery corporations. Their habit of returning suspects to the Citizens' Courts not only alive, but without any sort of permanent damage earned them great favor.

"Well, Paul, your clear." One of the soldiers said. "How you going to celebrate?"

"A system working the way it should is no cause to celebrate. By celebrating what we expect, we turn it into something exceptional. By making justice exceptional, we lower the bar and empower the government to attempt to escape with greater misdeeds. If its the bottle of Mescal in my desk your after, take it. My brother usually sends me a crate this time of year anyways."

"Well, this is no time for celebration, because what we have is a mess." The second soldier said. "Gödel implicated SIN, she implicated TLI and she implicated Cassius. Now, no one is a fan of him since he pulled that twin prop full of guns off the runway at Esmund International Airport, but whenever he is mentioned in the papers, we get a pile of bodies. The Citizens' Court is going to launch an investigation into TLI, but this will be a media fiasco. Suggestions, gentlemen?"

"Well, they did mention a pitchblende mine offshore on one of our islands, used by a PMC (Private Mercenary Company). SIN has given me the go-ahead to investigate it. Supposedly a large shipment of reinforced construction steel was being sent there, but I went over the shipping documents, and it is much too heavy to be construction steel, so I fear the worst." He stood up.

"Gentlemen, this cannot wait." He said, walking out the door and jogging up the stairs outside.

"He's gone," Rick Kerry, the consultant said with some amusement. "This ain't polite, but I've checked up on Paul myself. He's got a lot of friends in the service. Many people would bury a reporter for him."

"You think he ordered i?"

"Could have, or someone could have done it as a favor."

"What about all the other suspects?"

"I'm not ruling them out. I'm just making sure nothing gets missed."

OOC: Siap has no actual police. Private security companies carry out most of the day-to-day security functions, with the military-police filling in the gaps not covered. Investigation is handled by the military police, unless it involves violation of Customs, Currency laws (counterfeiting), serial murder or escaped fugitives, in which case it is handled by the treasury department. If, for whatever reason, the scope of the case is beyond the capacity of the Treasury Department, or it involves terroris, inspection is handled by the Siapian Intelligence Network. If someone is arrested, they will receive an official summons from the Citizen's Court and have three days to comply. During this time, their international travel privileges are rescinded, and their public transportation use (most common mode of transporation through Siap) becomes monitored. If they do not appear for their summons in three business days, a contract is issued for their arrest and return to one of the many security companies, and the Military-Police will officially begin looking for the person. Most people understand the distinct but unspoken advantages of turning themselves in within the grace period.

IC:

A small, wiry man with a wicked smile was running through the subway. The man's name was Bernard Benson (He went by B. Bailey Benson to sound more like a writer), and he was a freelance writer, and among other things, completely insane. Like the majority of Siapians, he enlisted for his compulsory service at age seventeen, and his obsessively inquisitive nature landed him in intelligence. He was transferred to the Treasury department and worked in customs, because he was so good at catching smugglers and people who attempted to evade taxes. He was a genius, but completely obsessive with everything he did (and was regarded as impossible to work with). He eventually lost his position for sampling cocaine he had impounded, but because of his stellar service record, he received a dishonorable discharge and never had to enter rehab or face charges. He then took to civilian life as an investigative reporter writing freelance columns and the occasional conspiracy theory piece. He tended to move from one flophouse to the next to avoid paying taxes (out of protest for the loss of his job) and to elude the mysterious "they" who always seemed to be pursuing him.

Despite his practical freefall into psychosis, he met a lot of people in his various lines of work, and somehow maintained contact with all of them, and because of this, he was the best source for sources and material. He was currently sprinting, giggling like a maniac, through the subway station. By this time of day, the bugs would be back, crawling all over his body, in his food, infecting him and everyone around him....

But the bugs could wait. He had some hot material. And he knew of the freeze on talking about the case to the media. But international papes don't count! He hoped as he lept the fare turnstile. He quickly grabbed the payphone, depositing a few coins. Though he had never met him, he knew of Wolfgang Kreuger, and Vanessa had told him that if anything had happened to her, to gather as much shit on as many people possible and give it to him.

"Hello? Is this Wolfgang Kreuger?" he shouted at the dial tone. Smacking his forehead with the receiver, he then proceeded to dial furiously.

"Wolfgang Kreuger? Wolf-Wolf-Wolfgang? This is B. Bailey Benson, I worked with Vanessa. Come to Siap immediately! I have some hot shit for you!" He looked at the cluster of papers in his hand, the cover sheet of which read TLI Special Operations and Intelligence Directive Mercenary Program, and on right arm a phone number had been tattooed on his forearm. He tried to ignore the giant purple beatle crawling its way up the phone cord.

"Get on the first flight to Siap! I will meet you at the airport." The beetle was carresing his hand with its giant antennae. "I have some shit on Skyetech and you remember that radium mine they mentioned? Well-" The giant beetle's pinchers moved in to seize the loose flesh on his hand and he screamed, throwing the receiver into the panel and falling to the floor, thrashing. He looked again and noticed that there was no beetle at all. He looked around and picked up the receiver again. "Hello? Hello?" There was silence. Either he pulled the phone wires out of the contacts, Wolfgang had hung up, or Wolfgang was still on the line and scared out of his mind.

bump

Krueger snapped his cell phone shut and stood in his office, bewildered by the unusual call he just recieved. The man on the other line was shouting about information and that he worked with Vanessa. It could be a trap, meant to lure me out It was a very emotional day for him, learning of her death and that it was murder. She had alot of enemies and plenty of them had a reason and the means to silence her once and for all. B. Bailey Benson sounded like a psycho and it was probably a prank but Krueger learned never to ignore every lead he recieved. Krueger was naturally inquisitive and asked questions all the time and the call intrigued him. He would do anything to expose the truth behind Vanessa's murder, it was personal and he would pursue the truth even if it killed him...which it may. A few minutes of deliberation later he appeared in Chief Kolokov's office.
"Chief, I just got a hot tip and gotta go to Siap" he bluntly put it, leaving out the state of the person giving him the tip. Kolokov looked up as a billow of smoke shot out from his mouth, a cigar tucked on his lips.
"Alright, get yourself there. But...I want you to check in once you arrive and at least once a day. This is pretty dangerous now that it's been dubbed a murder." he replied through the cigar.
"Thanks Chief, I'll be careful" Krueger replied, still nervous.
"Will you attend her funeral?" Kolokov asked, wthout thinking. Krueger stood there, those words shot through him. Vanessa was a larger than life woman and the thought of her being dead still shook him. He searched for the right words.
"I-I don't know. I haven't recieved an invitation from her relatives" he returned, a bit distraught.

Water was dripping. That was the first thing that registered in his mind.

Am I awake? Benson forced his eyes open. For what it was worth, it seemed like he was.

Hell in a hankerchief. Where am I? He thought, looking around at the plants.

The Park? He was indeed in the park. The Lombard Memorial Arboretum It was raining, but he had slept in the hollow space underneath a Great Siapian Oak. He popped open his laptop, which picked up Wireless Fidelity, as the arboretum was in the center of the city. The word processing application had a nearly completed column which was due in a few hours.

At least when I flipped, I had the sense to write my column. He noticed a phone number tattooed on his arm. Rolling up his sleeve, there were several. One had the name "Krueger" and "Call Immediately" underneath it.

Need to call him. He looked around and noticed the files he had absconded. Most of them had DO NOT REMOVE in bright red letters. Jesus, what did I do last night. he scanned them, most of which pertained to the activities of Skyetech Industries and Treasury Department files pertaining to the arms dealer Cassius, as well as a small engineering firm that specialized in nuclear and plasma engineering. A final sheet read

ORIGINAL FILE: DO NOT DESTROY

Bernard Lucas Benson aka B. Bailey Benson aka Raoul Duke

Residence: Transient

Abstract: Subject believed to have dissociative identity disorder, panic attack syndrome, possible manic disorder, possible paranoid schizophrenia, psychosis stemming from amphetamine use, complications stemming from consumption of psychoactive substances

Subject is wanted for theft of important documents, and is believed to have broken into many high security facilities to fulfill his duties as a freelance writer, including Hydragyrum National Laboraory and the Siapian Intelligence Network central military compound.

Subject has many allies, most of whom have considerable financial resources and/or have considerable sway in local and federal government. Arrest of the subject is considered inadvisable at the time.

Benson decided that this was not a good thing to have around, so he quickly set fire to it with a small lighter. He then placed a small headset over his ear and entered the computer phone program he had. Many Siapians used software like this, however this one was complimented with firmware Benson had "borrowed" while he was in intelligence. This way, his phonecalls were encrypted, so that anyone who tried to intercept his calls when he used Wi-Fi would receive long strings of large imaginary numbers, and all of his calls would have a very low, silent, white noise that would scramble any listening device. "Hello?" he spoke calmly, when the computer indicated that dialing Kreuger was succesful. "My name is B. Bailey Benson. I have information that may be pertinent to the death of the late Vanessa Gödel. Do you know anything about TLI Solutions or a man who calls himself Cassius? And does the phrase 'The Immortal Nine'* mean anything to you?"

While this call was being placed, a fax was sent with a cover sheet specifying that it was for Kreuger's eyes only. The first page was the recently destroyed dossier, and the second was a handwritten note:

Come to Siap. Contact Benson as soon as possible. The tether holding his mind in place is fraying at the edges, and his enormous mouth may yet coax an assasin's garrotte to close it forever. Between you and Benson, the assasin will have no place to hide. Do not fear me, as we will both profit healthily from the capture of the assasin.

~A Friend


*The Immortal Nine are Nine wealthy individuals who, anonymously, used their wealth to preserve as much of Siap's historical records and national treasures. They also organized the Citizens' Army, the organization that would unite all warring factions and create the current government.

As the Boeing 717 began its descent in from the Atmosphere the captains voice came over the intercom asking all Passengers to return to their seats and replace their seat belts. A man sat in his chair reading his newspaper "The Vetakan Cloud". He replaced his seatbelt and carried on reading. He was reading the same article he had been when it took off it was a small article on page 28 entitled "Siap Journalist Consiparacy". The man was James Gödel brother of the Murdered Journalist Vanessa Gödel he was 28 and hadn't seen his sister or his homeland in over a decade.

He had left on a gap year and well he hadn't returned. He had been in a tribal village in a mountain range thousands of miles away from Siap. He only discovered the news of the murder after hearing a radio broadcast.

The plane hit the ground with a bump and james's ears popped the plane soon slowed and taxied to the terminal. James got up and left the plane. It didn't take him long to pass through the usual airport security and civil means. He immediatly bought and read a paper over a coffee about his sister. It detailed a funeral ceramoney at "Resurrection Chapel in St. Michael's Cathedral" this evening it was midday now. He quickly walked to the airport's taxi-rank and hailed a taxi to the nearest a train station their he boarded the train bound for the funeral. While aboard it gave him the time to think. Why had he left all those years ago? If he had stayed maybe Vanessa would still be alive. He was dreading the ceramony he hadn't seen any of his "extended family" in years and he had left on very cold terms. He quickly walked to the trains toilet locked the door and cried.

OOC: There will be extended family at the funeral and close friends. Also, having a car will make him stand out a bit.

OOC: Understood ill edit accordingly.

The phone rang again as it sat on Krueger's desk. He was busy gathering things needed for the trip, the noise startled him as he moved towards the phone and picked it up, listening to the voice, it was the same man from before only this time he was calm and coherent. The Immortal Nine?! That name constantly flowed from Vanessa's lips as they worked together on a story a few months ago. They were very powerful, well connected, and held endless money accounts. This group was too tough to crack and they made little headway on the story.
"Yes, I know of them" he simply replied, shutting the door. At the same time his fax machine went off, a paper coming through. There was so much going through his mind. He was going to attend her funeral the next day and now this, he was getting in too deep already. Mysterious contacts, secret information, powerful men, and assasins. This was certainly going to be dangerous. A plane ticket to Siap lay on his desk as he paced the room.

OOC: going to hold off on the funeral until Kulikovia arrives

IC:

"Well, I wasn't supposed to know this, but apparently Vanessa had some shit on them going into her book. Actually, she had shit on nearly everyone in Siap going into her book. Kesson was just a teaser, being, y'know, a decorated soldier and all that. You know how The Immortal Nine allegedly preserved all they could of Siapian tradition through the anarchism right? While destroying records of themselves? Well, she asserts that several of the members of the original nine are still alive today. She has some wild theories going into this book. I wish I could get her proof, but its pretty well hidden. What I do know was that she was pretty firm that Ryan Dobenicz, CEO of Skyetech Industries, was one of them.

"This stuff is flying out like crazy and the military-police have effectively driven the Tribune off of the crime scenes, but this stuff needs to get in print. I can meet you at Esmund International Airport. Security has just tripled, but I have a few friends in customs who will be nice to you."

Another story broke the headlines:

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=12244996#post12244996

Krueger listened with great care, soaking in all the information. It seems that there was more than just simple murder, but a conspiracy involving some powerful and recognizeable people in Siap. The Immortal Nine may still exist?
"Alright" he sighed "I already have a plane ticket and should get there around 3 in the afternoon tomorrow" Krueger replied as she paced to a corner, watching out the open gap of the blinds as people went about their day.

OOC: Let's fasforward a tad

After a long flight, Krueger finally arrived at Esmund International. Not too many flights went from Jonensberg to Esmund. His contact didn't lie, there were police everywhere. While he sat on the plane he pulled a few favors here and there and was emailed several files and newspaper articles, whatever he could find about Skytech. As he emerged from the plane he scanned the crowds for this mysterious contact...

Three large men approached Kreuger. The middle man was at least 6'5", and everyone there was quite obviously armed. Two of the men wore olive drab uniforms worn by the military police, and the middle man wore a dark suit and a trench coat. "I'm from Customs. Would you come with us?"

All of a sudden three large men materialized, surrounding him. Bewildered, he looked around at them and their military uniforms. There was no point in resisting, they clearly had the upperhand. Hopefully these were his contacts ''friends'' and not some goon squad sent to silence a foolish journalist.
"Do I have much of a choice?" he asked sacractically but complied.

"My sincest apologies."


Honoré Ngbanda, "the Terminator"
Head of the National Service for Intelligence and Protection
http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/images/Coat_of_arms_of_Zaire.PNG

Bump

Bump

Steven Klauss was, unfortunately, not a bright man. He practically dragged the Kulikovian journalist through the bowels of the airport, not realizing that if he applied any more pressure to certain parts of the man's arm, it would break in an unclean manner. Kreuger was led past several rooms which were obviously detention cells, all with single steel benches and oppressive fluorescent lights. Kreuger was led through one of the unmarked doors, but instead of leading to a holding cell, it led to a modestly decorated lounge, and there was a man in a suit sitting there. He was significantly smaller than all of the men who brought Kreuger here. "Thanks Steve." He said to the giant man, who nodded and left with the soldiers.

"Sorry about that. He's not too good with people." The man didn't feel it to be appropriate to relegate the tragedy of Steven Klauss, which involved a gunshot wound to the head while investigating a smuggling ring. "I'm Ben Friedman, I'm a friend of Benson. Sorry again about the rough handling. Can I get something for you to drink?"

Krueger wanted nothing more than to smash his foot into the brutes' knee but it was wiser to let the man drag him through the underbelly of the airport, a rather unfriendly area. Pain shot through his arm, but he said nothing. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity they arrived to a lounge and saw the man sitting at a couch.
"I'll take some coffee" he replied, rubbing his amr as it pulsed in pain "You're a friend of Benson eh? What kind of friend?" Krueger asked.

Friedman smiled. Paranoia was completely understandable. "He was the best man at my wedding. We go way back." He passed Kreuger the coffee. "Knew him while he was in customs. He's a damned good writer, but his mind is slipping away."

Krueger chuckled slightly "Yeah, I've noticed that he seems a bit off" he took the coffee and took a nice long drink, the coffee woke him up from the jet lag. "So, what is it you do? Are you his 'contact' at the airport?" he asked. The room was nice but Krueger still felt uneasy, he forgot to call in and Kolokov probably thought he was fish food by now.

"He wanted to meet you himself, but the security is through the roof since Cassius was found to be making weapons grade. The security screening process has become quite ridiculous, and he asked that you be given deluxe treatment. He is waiting for you at the other side of the security barrier. We just had to run a quick security screening, which has just finished now. I can lead you to the other side. Did you have baggage checked?"

Liviston, South Lizasauria

The two agents arrived at the appointed location. One said, curtly, but almost whispering, to the man holding the sign that read Bobby, "We were sent to inspect and sanitize your records. With all due respect, let's get this over with."


IC:

INTEL Agent: Indeed. Thats the plan. Follow us.

The agent holding the sign and his partner spoke in a cold and governmenty monotoned voice. The two agents led them to the INTEL center underground.

A man with large round glasses walked up with an identification badge walked up.

Man: Ah! You must be the Siapians we were expecting what files do you want us to examine and cross reference.

"Yes. We need all of the files that you have on the Siapian involvement."

"He wanted to meet you himself, but the security is through the roof since Cassius was found to be making weapons grade. The security screening process has become quite ridiculous, and he asked that you be given deluxe treatment. He is waiting for you at the other side of the security barrier. We just had to run a quick security screening, which has just finished now. I can lead you to the other side. Did you have baggage checked?"

Krueger nodded, the man seemed legit but still was cautious. "I have a duffle bag and a carrying case for my laptop" he replied. He never owned much and never needed much in his life. Material items meant little to him.

Bump

Krueger nodded, the man seemed legit but still was cautious. "I have a duffle bag and a carrying case for my laptop" he replied. He never owned much and never needed much in his life. Material items meant little to him.

"Good. We have them waiting for you just outside the room. If you just follow the hallway to the EXIT sign, you'll be out on the main concourse. Benson should be there."

Krueger nodded, "Alright, nice chatting with you" and he stood up and slowly made his way to the door. As he began to walk down the hallway he froze, what if he decides to shoot me in the back?! He quickly looked back, nothing, so he continued down the hallway and made it to the exit sign and waited for Benson.