04-13-2020, 07:46 PM
Kerlian Intelligence Service HQ, Grapevale
10th April - afternoon
“You probably already know why we’re here,” Councillor Pierre stated, as she sat at the small table with the three other women. She was holding a pen, waiting to take notes, and her expression was calm and businesslike.
Next to her, Councillor Hale sat with her hands clasped in front of her, looking down at the table as if fascinated by it, or uncertain how to proceed. Across the table, Zichitla was nodding in response to Pierre’s opening comment, while Nelichē had an expression of dismay, looking towards the frosted window as if searching for an escape.
“Good,” Pierre continued, not needing verbal confirmation. “Empress Yauhmi was overthrown this morning in a military coup d’etat. As an ally of her government, we have decided we must act. In light of the consequences of our intervention in the Lauchenoirian civil war, however, we have chosen not to act in an overt manner. We are as yet uncertain what course of action to take, but I am certain you can be of use.”
“In providing information,” Hale added. “We do not require you to do anything further if you do not wish to do so. Your obligation to us has ended, but we would appreciate your assistance in any manner you are willing to give it.”
“Do we know who is in charge of the Secretariat of Security following the coup?” asked Zichitla.
“No confirmation as of yet,” Pauline shook her head.
“I used to work for them, I know the layout of the Cauhloc, and I know their methods of operation. From my own experiences, I would suspect that Calhualyana supports those behind the coup. I am certain she wanted to detain me when I asked to return to Kerlile. And everything I know makes me believe that Zalpalatli would remain loyal to Yauhmi.”
“By the way you talk it seems like you dislike this Calhualyana,” Pierre said, unable to hide the smile on her face.
“That is an accurate assessment, Councillor,” nodded Zichitla.
“This is not about personal grudges,” Jennifer sighed. “Nelichē, you haven’t said anything.”
“I have no information that could be of use,” the 19-year-old said in a small voice, avoiding eye contact.
“Nothing at all?” frowned Pierre.
“All I knew was in my debriefing report.”
“Well, you can still be of further help,” Pierre said, making a note.
“I will do as ordered,” said the teenager, her shoulders slumping.
“You don’t need to take any further risks if you don’t want to, Nelichē,” Councillor Hale said, glaring at Pierre. “If you have no further information, and you don’t want to undertake any dangerous missions you can walk away.”
“And get arrested immediately,” she muttered under her breath.
“No, you won’t be arrested. I promise you, you are free to leave if you wish,” Hale repeated. “The reforms are genuine, we do not want to be as we have been for so long. If you don’t want to be here, you don’t need to.”
“Then I think I’ll go,” Nelichē said suddenly, standing and grabbing her bag and walking quickly out the door, as if trying to get away before the Councillor changed her mind.
“We could’ve used her,” snapped Pierre.
“No, we couldn’t,” Hale said flatly, then turned back to Zichitla. “You have further information?”
“Yes I do,” the woman nodded. “And I am perfectly willing to undertake any further missions that would benefit both Kerlile and Xiomera.”
“Excellent,” smiled Pierre. “Now, let’s begin. Tell us everything you know about the Cauhloc.”
10th April - afternoon
“You probably already know why we’re here,” Councillor Pierre stated, as she sat at the small table with the three other women. She was holding a pen, waiting to take notes, and her expression was calm and businesslike.
Next to her, Councillor Hale sat with her hands clasped in front of her, looking down at the table as if fascinated by it, or uncertain how to proceed. Across the table, Zichitla was nodding in response to Pierre’s opening comment, while Nelichē had an expression of dismay, looking towards the frosted window as if searching for an escape.
“Good,” Pierre continued, not needing verbal confirmation. “Empress Yauhmi was overthrown this morning in a military coup d’etat. As an ally of her government, we have decided we must act. In light of the consequences of our intervention in the Lauchenoirian civil war, however, we have chosen not to act in an overt manner. We are as yet uncertain what course of action to take, but I am certain you can be of use.”
“In providing information,” Hale added. “We do not require you to do anything further if you do not wish to do so. Your obligation to us has ended, but we would appreciate your assistance in any manner you are willing to give it.”
“Do we know who is in charge of the Secretariat of Security following the coup?” asked Zichitla.
“No confirmation as of yet,” Pauline shook her head.
“I used to work for them, I know the layout of the Cauhloc, and I know their methods of operation. From my own experiences, I would suspect that Calhualyana supports those behind the coup. I am certain she wanted to detain me when I asked to return to Kerlile. And everything I know makes me believe that Zalpalatli would remain loyal to Yauhmi.”
“By the way you talk it seems like you dislike this Calhualyana,” Pierre said, unable to hide the smile on her face.
“That is an accurate assessment, Councillor,” nodded Zichitla.
“This is not about personal grudges,” Jennifer sighed. “Nelichē, you haven’t said anything.”
“I have no information that could be of use,” the 19-year-old said in a small voice, avoiding eye contact.
“Nothing at all?” frowned Pierre.
“All I knew was in my debriefing report.”
“Well, you can still be of further help,” Pierre said, making a note.
“I will do as ordered,” said the teenager, her shoulders slumping.
“You don’t need to take any further risks if you don’t want to, Nelichē,” Councillor Hale said, glaring at Pierre. “If you have no further information, and you don’t want to undertake any dangerous missions you can walk away.”
“And get arrested immediately,” she muttered under her breath.
“No, you won’t be arrested. I promise you, you are free to leave if you wish,” Hale repeated. “The reforms are genuine, we do not want to be as we have been for so long. If you don’t want to be here, you don’t need to.”
“Then I think I’ll go,” Nelichē said suddenly, standing and grabbing her bag and walking quickly out the door, as if trying to get away before the Councillor changed her mind.
“We could’ve used her,” snapped Pierre.
“No, we couldn’t,” Hale said flatly, then turned back to Zichitla. “You have further information?”
“Yes I do,” the woman nodded. “And I am perfectly willing to undertake any further missions that would benefit both Kerlile and Xiomera.”
“Excellent,” smiled Pierre. “Now, let’s begin. Tell us everything you know about the Cauhloc.”
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