ARCHIVED: Standoff at High Noon (Closed; ATTN Linkiton; PM for Invitation)

[Alvino Castillon]

DATE: 12 March, 2013
TIME: 11:43:09
LOCATION: Sir Castillon's Office, Galt City, Almanianian Union

"Are you fucking kidding me!?" I yelled as I slammed the report on my desk. President Wilson Roosevelt and Prime Minister Julia Churchill eyed me cautiously, while the adviser that handed me this utter piece of rubbish leaped back in fear. "I asked for a simple thing to be done about those bastards on our island. Why isn't it handled!?"

"Well sir... it just seems like we shouldn't be pushing them too hard. There could be potential for backlash by the governmen-"

"And our government looks like a bunch of damned pansies right now!" I interrupted, quite harshly. I stood up, glared at him, and tapped my fingers against the desk. Couldn't anyone do something right FOR ONCE!? Jeez, it's not that hard. First you give a warning, then when they don't listen, take action action. No one should get special treatment, no matter what the circumstances are... and these were pretty interesting circumstances.

A few days ago, an anonymous letter was sent to us discussing a Linkiton company known as the "Fawkes 64 Timber Company." In the letter, it had stated that the company had created an illegal operation on our part of the farthest Northwestern island in the Union. This island, known as the Drunada Island, was mainly a wildlife reserve (save the most Eastern and Southern parts of the island), dedicated to the preservation of natural life and for the possibility of future advancements in science. This company was supposedly destroying parts of the preserve and were selling the wood without notification, nor payment of taxes.

...The letter was indeed correct. Upon our bi-annual check of the island, it was discovered a number of trees in the Northwest section of Drunada Island had mysteriously vanished. We were tempted to put the matter to rest secretly... but somehow, a number of news organizations got their hands on the report. What followed was a massive backlash that put the government in a quandary. We knew it was a bad idea to escalate the matter... but now, we had no choice. Within days, we sent out a message to the government with the demand to restrain that company. We have not had a reply since. Now, we were taking the next step, no matter what happened...

We were sending a contingent to the borderlands to handle the issue with a more direct approach.

"I just do not agree that this is a good idea Sir Castillon." The aide replied. I shook my head and rolled my eyes. I really didn't care what he had to say. I was ticked off now, and I was done being nice.

"I don't care if you don't like the idea. Go and give the orders. We're moving a battalion to the region to handle the matter directly. Now GO!" The aide yelped and ran for it. I sighed and looked at President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill.

"...I'm not okay with this Al." Wilson said. "I mean, I understand we have no choice... but we're probably going to have some issues." I shrugged and shook my head.

"Doubtful." I replied. "They won't start. Besides... we have jurisdiction here. We'll be quite fine." He sighed and looked out the window. I looked up at the map and shook my head. This was bound to get a bit messy...

But then again, one has to get their hands dirty to get things done sometimes.

 

[Linkiton]

DATE: 10 March, 2013
TIME: 14:38:06
LOCATION: Meeting Room #1, Department of Defense, Crossroads, Linkiton

It was a strange spectacle to behold. Santa Ghile, the man in charge of Linkiton's defense, the man so much criticized after his poor handling of the recent epidemic, was facing Humph Donald, First Standing for International Affairs and by far the most popular member of our government. I had never seen them so tense around each other.

The whole government was there - well, at least all seven of us. Santa Ghile presided over the meeting, and right now he was standing, leaning on the table with both his fists. On the left side of the table, there were three of us, silent and attentive (Sarah Lewitt, Louis Armstrong and myself). On the right side of the table, both Lance Lewitt and Santa Costal were following the argument and looking alternately at Ghile and Donald. The latter was also standing and pointing an accusing finger at Ghile.

Spoiler

The government of Linkiton:

"You have to do something about it. Declare them rebels, send a battalion or two, and this whole affair won't go further," Humph Donald declared.

Santa Ghile's voice was much calmer than that of the First Standing for International Affairs.

"I cannot do that, Humph. Not after what happened recently. It would be turning the army against our own citizens again. Twice in the same week! We're too fragile at the moment and it would not go well with the people here in Linkiton. We'd have a revolution on our hands."

"Would you rather face the Almanianian army then?! Our Ambassador tells me that they see war as a possibility. They won't step down. They'll send their army against Fawkes. And if they do, and we don't intervene, the reaction here will be worse than if we go ourselves."

"Exactly."

Ghile looked very serious but a bit smug, which was very unusual. More unusual yet was the look on Donald's face: the man who always understood everything quicker than everybody else now seemed completely lost.

"What do you mean?"

"It's quite simple, actually. We have only two possibilities. Either we take the side of Almaniania and we become traitors in the eyes of our people, who will recall our government and eventually go to war against the Union. Or we can stand our ground, defend Fawkes and show both the Linkits and the Almanianians that we are a strong government in a strong country."

"You're out of your mind!" I intervened.

"I trust that our First Standing for International Affairs will not let this escalate into open war," Ghile answered. "I am all for a diplomatic outcome to this issue. But for the diplomacy to work, we have to show that we are ready to fight. And come to think about it, the tensions with Almaniania might be a good way to diffuse certain tensions at home. Not that it's essentially good news, but let's say that this affair could have come at a worse moment for us."

*****

DATE: 12 March, 2013
TIME: 11:43:43
EMAIL FROM: THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
TO: SONIA MIRAS, LINKIT AMBASSADOR TO ALMANIANIA
URGENT

Dear Sonia,

The Standing Seven have resolved NOT to intervene by force on Drunada Island against Fawkes Industries.

We are ready for the worst if it should come to it; however we are determined to avoid it if possible.

Please schedule a meeting with the Almanianian authorities to discuss:

1/ An official visit from myself in my quality of First Standing for International Affairs. I would be accompanied by Lance Lewitt, First Standing for Private Industries in Linkiton and commercial rival of Fawkes Industries.

2/ The implementation of trade sanctions against Fawkes Industries;

3/ The possibility of a joint visit by Linkit and Almanianian delegations to Drunada Island;

4/ The possibility for Linkiton to buy the parts of Drunada Island which were damaged by Fawkes Industries, or indeed the whole island;

5/ The necessity for Almaniania to back down: Linkiton is ready for war but I am sure that neither they nor us would want it to happen.

Thank you,
Humph Donald, First Standing for International Affairs in Linkiton.


*****
DATE: 12 March, 2013
TIME: 16:13:58
EMAIL FROM: THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
TO: SONIA MIRAS, LINKIT AMBASSADOR TO ALMANIANIA
URGENT

Sonia,

There are rumors that The Almanianian Union is moving a contingent to Drunada.

Ghile wants to send a Linkit contingent up north. We had a vote on this, and its 3 For vs 4 Against. I cannot guarantee that one of the "Against" won't switch sides to "For," should the information be confirmed.

Please report ASAP. Get that permission for an official visit and try to calm things down for now.

Humph Donald, First Standing for International Affairs in Linkiton.

 

[Linkiton]

DATE: 12 March, 2013
TIME: 16:13:58
LOCATION: FAWKES 64 TIMBER PROCESSING FACTORY, WESTERN DRUNADA ISLAND

"Sir! They're sending a contingent up here!"

"For Flemingovia's sake, knock before you come in!"

Alfred Mauliac, the director of the Fawkes 64 Timber Company, hastily hid a series of files and pictures that he had been perusing over his desk. He hated it when people disturbed him in the middle of something. He couldn't trust anyone around him these days and those files contained some very important information. He knew some of his staff could be spies for Linkiton or for Almaniania. He had to play it very safe.

The person who had interrupted him, however, was probably the safest of all his men. John Luc was a young timber expert, and he had been the main decision-maker in the technical and material choices they'd had to make during their venture on Drunada - "Island 64," as they had called it in the earlier stages of the project.

"What did you say?" Mauliac asked after he'd put the files away.

"Almaniania is sending its army our way."

"So soon? Good, it means things are going well. Any news from Linkiton?"

"It appears they have chosen the diplomatic way to handle the incident."

"Perfect. I'll relay the news to the President," Mauriac said as he opened his laptop. "Anything else?"

"Nope..."

"Thanks, John. Could you get the Chief of Security over here, please? I have an assignment for him. And tell him to KNOCK when he arrives."

Spoiler

***​

DATE: 12 March, 2013
TIME: 23:13:58
LOCATION: A DARK ROOM IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, CROSSROADS, LINKITON

A TV set was switched on. On the screen, you could see angry crowds marching in the streets of Linkcity. They were chanting, also...

"Power to the People! Power to the People! Who's the Boss of Linkiton?"
"We are! We are! We are!"
"Armstrong! Armstrong! Now you are all alone!
Armstrong! Armstrong! You will not drag us down!"
"Lewitt! Lewitt! Hear all of us Linkits!
Lewitt! Lewitt! This is the end of it!"
"No to corruption!"
"Power to the People!"

Suddenly, the screen went blank. In the little room, a man dressed in black observed the reactions of Santa Ghile, First Standing for Defense in Linkiton.

"Armstrong and Lewitt are going to be recalled," the man in black said. "There is no hope for them, they are goners."

"How did this happen?"

Santa Ghile had had to sit down on the only chair in the room. It was a secret room, with very little furniture, and he used it only when he had an appointment with his "Chief of Information".

"It was mostly a good com operation," the head spy answered. "With all due respect, the government was very weak after the epidemic took such a heavy toll on our population. The Linkit Power Party just seized the opportunity and started an aggressive campaign of communication against the government."

"And you didn't notice earlier?!"

"Well, it's the LPP... I mean, this is what they've been doing for a long time now, without ever managing to monopolize the crowds."

"But this time, it's different..."

"The crisis with Almaniania is serving their purpose well. They're showing the Union as a threat to a group of Linkits up north. By doing nothing, you appear as a soft government. If you move against Fawkes 64, you'll look like a traitor. And if you attack Almaniania, well, there are very little chances for a Linkit victory."

"The only solution would be for Fawkes 64 to agree to leave the island, for the sake of Linkiton. We could pay them!"

"The problem is that Fawkes Industries might want the current government to fall. You have two Lewitts among the Standing Seven, and they're rivals to Fawkes. Plus, German Fawkes recently got married to Millicent Faucett. They're helping each other with this crisis: German gets rid of his rivals, and Millicent's LPP takes power, or at least gets a more favorable government."

"Still, do some investigating on those two. See what could come between them. We need to split their forces. So Armstrong and Lewitt will probably be recalled before the end of the week: who's going to replace them? Have you heard if their regional councils have made a choice yet?"

"Well, Millicent Fawkes would have loved to replace Lewitt as Standing from Linkcity, but even if new elections were held, I don't think her party would manage yet to be the main party there. She'd probably be second or third on the list."

"Flogiorno, then?"

"It is most likely, yes."

"Good. He's a former military man, a shrewd politician and a successful businessman. He'll help us stand our ground. In the end, he might be more helpful than young Lance Lewitt. No news of Gordon Lewitt, by the way?"

"We're still looking for his helicopter. I've sent some agents to the 10000 Islands, and I should get a report by Monday."

"Fine. What about the Woodlands? Have they chosen a substitute for Armstrong? Noah Liam, maybe? Or Timmy Postand?"

"Things are more complicated there. Postand was the best placed just a few days ago, but Fawkes seems to have won some Representatives to his side. This morning they created the International Timber Party. They could endanger Postand's position and get one of their own nominated. They wouldn't be a good thing in this government. If you want, we could, well, arrange some accidents and release some information on them."

"No, it's too dangerous at the moment, it would be suspicious. We'll beat them fair and square. Thank you. Oh, and of course, not a word to the other First Standings."

"Of course not."

***​

THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OF LINKCITY
March 15th, 2013, 15:25:06​

CONSIDERING that Mr Lance Lewitt has failed in what was expected of him during the first three months of his mandate as First Standing for Trade and Private Businesses,

HEARING the accusations of corruption surrounding Mr Lance Lewitt,

UNDERSTANDING that the people of Linkiton have no wish to keep him as their delegate,

AND HAVING VOTED on the question of a recall of Mr Lance Lewitt, on this 15th of March 2013, with a majority of 176 “yes” out of 220 participants,

Hereby RECALL Mr Lance Lewitt from his position as First Standing and declare him a regular member of this regional council.

THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OF LINKCITY
March 15th, 2013, 22:03:45​

HAVING VOTED for a new First Standing from Linkcity, and having reached an agreement by a majority of votes (142 out of 220) in the first round of the election, on March 15th 2013,

Hereby NOMINATE Harvey Flogiorno as their new First Standing, effective immediately.

***​

THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OF THE WOODLANDS
March 16th, 2013, 11:48:37​

CONSIDERING that Mr Louis Armstrong has failed in what was expected of him during the first three months of his mandate as First Standing for Education and Entertainment,

UNDERSTANDING that the people of Linkiton have no wish to keep him as their delegate,

AND HAVING VOTED on the question of a recall of Mr Louis Armstrong, on this 16th of March 2013, with a majority of 78 “yes” out of 96 participants (a majority of 4/5th being needed),

Hereby RECALL Mr Louis Armstrong from his position as First Standing and declare him a regular member of this regional council.

THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OF THE WOODLANDS
March 16th, 2013, 23:46:02​

HAVING VOTED for a new First Standing from The Woodlands, and having reached an agreement by a majority of votes (39 out of 76) in the fourth round of the election, on March 16th 2013,

Hereby NOMINATE Timmy Pohstand as their new First Standing, effective immediately.

***​

Linkiton's new government, responsible for dealing with the Almanianian crisis:

Spoiler

Lova Gary is First Standing for Healthcare and the Environment.

Timmy Pohstand is First Standing for Social Justice and the Economy.

Sarah Lewitt is First Standing for Urbanism and Transportation.

Santa Ghile is First Standing for Security and Justice.

Humph Donald is First Standing for Communication and International Affairs.

Santa Costal is First Standing for Education, Culture and the Development of National Assets.

Harvey Flogiorno is First Standing for Defense and Private Enterprise.

 

[Alvino Castillon]

DATE: 16 March, 2013
TIME: 23:48:00
BUILDING: Situation Room, Presidential Palace
LOCATION: Galt City, Province of Galt, Almaniania Proper

"We finally have the confirmation. Sir Timmy Pohstand has been ultimately confirmed as the new First Standing of the Woodlands, part of the Seven Standing of Linkiton. Timmy Pohstand will be taking the First Standing for Social Justice the Economy..."

"Turn it off Sir." I said, rubbing my eyes. Slowly, President Roosevelt gave me an awkward glance, fumbled with the remote, and shut off the television and the breaking news report from North Pacific News, a subsidiary of the Global News Network. The room fell silent again as I rose and looked around the mostly dark room. The atmosphere was absolutely tense, and the dimmed lights and lack of windows definitely did not help lighten the mood. Rather, it seemed to add to the grim looks and disappointed stares I saw as I looked across the room.

Yup... I'm about to get a tongue lashing. Chairman Williams Bantings leaned forwards first and shook his head.

"My party... is not liking the direction this has been taken Sir Castillon." Bantings began. "They are concerned that we will lose lives and look like warmongerers in the process." He was the Chairman of the United Citizen's Party (UCP), which was a critical part of the Parliament. In recent years, their power had declined from the power base they held back in 2008, when they were forced into a coalition government with the now defunct Eco Alliance. Since then, they faced threats from the People's Party- which itself is beginning to become unstable- the EDEN Alliance- which has become the party to negotiate with to pass anything- and the Pie Lover's Now!- which has shocked the nation by beating the expected odds of holding the same number of seats in 2012 and seizing a major number of seats in the Presidential Election. Even with these threats, the UCP has remained a major force in the government, and was responsible for helping the EDEN Alliance elect Julia Churchill as Prime Minister. The two parties have been very cooperative with one another recently, and agree on a number of things...

...This is not one of those times that they agree.

"Mr. Bantings, I respect your concern... but I do not agree." EDEN Alliance (EDEN) Chairman Nigel Constance responded. "This is a point where we must indeed take action. Lives are at risk yes... but more importantly, our national sovereignty as well. If we do not take action, it will seem as though we are bowing to an outside force... and you know how the people hate that."

"The people hate everything." Pie Lover's Now! (PLN) Chairman Tyler Yeltson retorted. "We're the government. They hate it when we intrude on their lives severely... yet we have to, or things go wrong."

"Now you're just getting into semantics and the like." People's Party (PP) Chairwoman Annabelle Nash exasperated. "The government is supposed to get involved in daily lifestyles. If we don't, then we will end up out of the kno-"

"Can we get on task please?" I growled, clearly ticked off. Nash glared at me, annoyed that I cut him off, then met my eyes and meekly laid back. He knew I was in no mood to start a discussion on whether government should be involved in people's lives and blah blah blah. We were here to discuss the Drunada Crisis (known in Linkiton as the "Almanianian Crisis") which was definitely heating up. The thing everyone was looking over, the contingent I sent over was perfectly legal. It was the fact that it was a strong response that everyone hated, and that response was pissing me off all the further. I sat down, leaned forward, and put my hands together.

"...You all come to me, in your time of need... because you can't handle your own shit." I said softly, allowing my fingers to slowly drum against themselves. "You ask me for an answer to this crisis, and to salvage the situation. I respond, and you all go nuts. I'm a bit more than livid to say the least." Slowly, I spun my chair towards the Minister of Foreign Affairs (John Walsh) and sigh. "Details please."

"The Linkit Power Party is ran by a woman known as Millicent Fawkes. It is a political party in Linkiton that ran on a platform of war against us back in January. Your brother-"

"Eita?"

"Yeah. Eita has found out that she is married to German Fawkes, the President of Fawkes 64 Timber Processing Factory. By find out, I of course mean look up on the internet, because this didn't require a lot of work." The other people at the table chuckle and I shrugged. "Yeah... he was ticked when he learned he didn't have to do any espionage." The atmosphere lightened further as everyone started to crack a smile and laugh further. I couldn't help but grin slightly as well... after all, he LOVED to do espionage work.

...Which reminded me.

"Eita, get out of the ceiling please." I said suddenly, with a coy smile on my face. Everyone stopped smiling and blinked with surprise. For a moment, all was still. The atmosphere was starting to become tense again...

And then I heard some movement in the ceiling. Slowly, I looked up and watched as a tile from the ceiling was removed slowly. For a moment, nothing happened... then, Eita popped his head out from the ceiling and looked at me with a frown.

"I don't like being laughed at." He said with a frown. I shrugged and sighed.

"Ah, we were just having a bit of fun. Let off em." He muttered for a moment and glanced at me with annoyance. Finally, he sighed and nodded.

"At any rate Al... the contingent arrived. What should I transmit to the Ministry of War?" Everyone looked at me silently. As much as I would love to make the decision, I could not do so. That still went with the President. In times of peace and lack of Personification Law, I only can serve as an advisor to the President. I slowly looked over at Mr. Roosevelt and sighed. That Power Party... their ties with that timber company concerns me greatly.

"Eita... what has the Power Party been doing in Linkiton?" I asked, with concern. Mr. Roosevelt raised an eyebrow, clearly suspicious and I heard a second sigh from Eita.

"Uh... they've been trying to go on the offensive against the current government." He began, as I heard a shuffling of papers from his direction. "Clearly, they are using this to their advantage. I think they are looking for the current government to fall." I looked over at him finally and tapped my fingers against the table for a moment. Finally, I decided to ask THE question.

"What is the stance of the Power Party? Like, where do they fall on the political spectrum?" Eita bit his lip suddenly and looked away. I was not okay now... I knew the answer before he uttered the three words I didn't want to hear. I was praying I was wrong the whole time... but no. I was sadly correct.

"...Right. Far right." He finally uttered. Within three seconds, I had thrown the paper and books in front of me to the side and bashed my fists against the table. My fury was inflamed. As I looked around the room, I noticed the four Chairpeople sliding away in terror, and the President hesitantly taking a step away from me. They knew what I was like when I was in this state... frothing, furious, and almost stomping about the area I was in... this of course, on top of the very violent manner I behave in with the sword on my side. I scanned around the room again...

And my eyes settled on the Prime Minister, Julia Churchill. Unlike the President, I didn't respect her as my superior. She was my peer and she knew it. We rarely uttered a word to each other, because of our different lives and mannerisms. While I was outspoken, she was silent. While I hated socializing, she was fairly adept at it. While she was more of a pacifist, I never backed down from a conflict.

...This time was different though. Her calm, shy nature had all but vanished, and I was staring into one of the... no, the second coldest stare I had ever encountered. Hell... she rivaled my father with her cold stare... she rivaled MY cold stare. I wasn't sure if I should be more ashamed of myself or impressed with her... for a caring person, her glare is clearly cold as ice.

"...Would you like to continue Mr. Castillon?" She asked me softly, lacking in emotion. I stared at her silently for a few moments, unsure of how to respond. Slowly, I drummed my fingers against the table once more, unsure of how to proceed...

...And then I slowly sat down, much to the shock of everyone else. Slowly, I wiped my face and rubbed my forehead with my hands. I was in a bad position... needless to say, going in headfirst would not help here.

"...Sir, I would advise keeping the contingent near our forward base on Drunada Island. We can wait for the Linkiton government to settle a bit, then make a decision on how to operate." Ms. Churchill advised softly. I looked over at Mr. Roosevelt and nodded slowly in agreement. He blinked for a moment and bit his lip. He was clearly surprised, and I don't blame him. The two of us don't usually agree on much... actually, this is the first time Ms. Churchill and I agreed on anything since the start of her term as Prime Minister.

"Well. I have to say... that must be the best course of action, if you two agree with it. Then let's make it so."

 

[Linkiton]

DATE: 17 March, 2013
TIME: 09:13:58
LOCATION: FAWKES 64 TIMBER PROCESSING FACTORY, WESTERN DRUNADA ISLAND

"Is it done?"

Alfred Mauliac, director of the Fawkes 64 Timber Company, sounded gloomy. He was facing the window in his office, and the thunderstorm which was raging outside did nothing to lighten the mood of the scene.

A flash of lightning illuminated his face and the one of Ernest Yon, Head of Security for the company.

"Two civilians killed," Yon answered. "A man and a child. Down at the beach."

"Good. Trenches?"

"Ready, Sir."

"For the good of Linkiton."

"For the good of Linkiton."

***​

DATE: 17 March, 2013
TIME: 09:18:56
LOCATION: FAWKES 64 TIMBER PROCESSING FACTORY, WESTERN DRUNADA ISLAND (via speakers on the industrial site)

Announcement to the workers of Fawkes 64 Timber Company

My dear co-workers and friends,

This morning, our security guards were assaulted by two inhabitants of the island. The threat was dealt with quickly and efficiently. However, reprisals are to be feared, either by the indigenous population or by the Almanianian contingent sent to our island.

In this hour of peril, we have asked for the help of the mother country, but we have received absolutely no answer so far. Please stay indoors and await further instructions.

***​

DATE: 17 March, 2013
TIME: 10:30:02
EMAIL FROM : SONIA MIRAS, LINKIT AMBASSADOR TO THE ALMANIANIAN UNION
TO : PRIME MINISTER CHURCHILL; PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT; PERSONIFICATION ALVINO CASTILLON
PRIORITY : URGENT. CLASSIFIED.

Mr President, Mrs Prime Minister, Mr Castillon,

The situation between Linkiton and The Union is getting tenser and tenser everyday. However, our new Government is still determined to settle the matter as quickly as possible through the means of an interview with the Almanianian authorities.

Our First Standing for International Affairs, Donald Humph, has required the right to communicate with you in person. Our Government feels it would be best if this could happen in Galt City, as soon as possible. We would ask for the safe passage of Mr Donald and those who would accompany him. A second member of the Linkit Government, Mr Flogiorno, also wishes to be part of that Delegation for Peace. Mr Flogiorno is our new First Standing for Defense and could have some precious information for dealing with this crisis. Yours truly would be the third and final member of this Delegation.

We have heard from our Intelligence in Fawkes 64 that there may have been an incident involving civilians on Drunada Island. The Linkit Government wishes to express their sympathy if this is to be confirmed. We stand by our offer of negotiation for peace, and we promise to take all measures necessary to bring the persons responsible before either the Linkit or the Almanianian courts.

The meeting proposed by Mr Donald is crucial for the stability of our region and we hope you will consider it favorably so that we can work on this crisis together.

Yours faithfully,

Sonia Miras
Linkit Ambassador to the Union.

***​

DATE: 17 March, 2013
TIME: 11:30:00
LOCATION: OFFICE OF SANTA GHILE, FIRST STANDING FOR SECURITY AND JUSTICE, CROSSLANDS, LINKITON

"I want results!"

Santa Ghile was shouting angrily and his face had taken a vermilion hue. A man dressed in black stood in front of him.

"I couldn't find any financial irregularity," the man said in a calm voice. "There is nothing that allows us to outlaw Fawkes 64... The only way is the one I've already told you about."

There was a pause, during which Ghile's anger seemed to subside.

"I cannot allow you to do that. There may be some innocent Linkits among the workers of that factory... And that would also mean trouble with the Department of Defense, if they find out we've been using them."

"So what do we do?"

"Do you think that your inside man could have a one-on-one talk wih the local director of Fawkes 64?"

***​

DATE: 18 March, 2013
TIME: 04:25:59
EMAIL FROM : *****
TO : ALMANIANIAN AUTHORITIES
PRIORITY : URGENT. CLASSIFIED.

End of local direction in Northern Forests. The steering wheel has been taken away. Please consider yesterday's offer.

 

[Linkiton]

DATE: 31 March, 2013
TIME: 14:35:02

OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION FROM MR HUMPH DONALD, FIRST STANDING FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS IN LINKITON.​

DESTINATION: Government of the ALMANIANIAN UNION.

Mr President, Mrs Prime Minister, Mr Castillon,

It is my pleasure, as First Standing for International Affairs in Linkiton, to announce that the situation on Drunada Island is back to normal.

Alfred Mauliac, Director of Fawkes 64, was killed on March 18th by Ernest Yon, his Head of Security. This attack on a citizen of Linkiton, perpetrated by another Linkit, justified the intervention of a small force of specially trained Linkit peace keepers, who were dispatched by helicopter.

In a matter of minutes, our peace keepers managed to get the support of John Luc, Director Executive of the company, and of Sandra Fritz, Second in Command for Security.

Yon, Luc, Fritz and other Fawkes 64 decision makers who were on Drunada Island have been arrested and will stand trial in Linkiton. The evacuation of the site is almost done, thanks to the cooperation of the Almanianian forces on Drunada, who did not intervene against our helicopters. For that, the People of Linkiton express their gratitude.

I shall be contacting you shortly regarding the status of our embassy in the Union.

Best regards,

Humph Donald
First Standing for International Affairs
For the People of Linkiton.