[Lauchenoiria]

8th April

Lauchenoiria was not known for its prowess in covert operations. Although, if a nation is known for its covert operations, that would surely defeat the very purpose. Regardless, sometimes every nation has to have agents sneak around in the shadows to further their own purposes.

Amada Toledano was a problem. They’d managed to arrange an exchange for the other three through their Sanctarian intermediaries, but Novella Islands was still determined to hand her over to the Xiomerans. That, all things considered, couldn’t be allowed to happen. And besides, with the whole Crop Killer ordeal, the Lauchenoirian government was hardly Novella Islands’ biggest fan right now.

Which is why the Lauchenoirian External Intelligence Agency (LEIA) decided to green-light the incredibly dangerous mission to sneak into the Novella Islands’ embassy in Xiomera, and rescue Amada.

The agents of LEIA knew their profession was dangerous. Still, operating in Xiomera was among the least-desired jobs among the agency. Even Kerlile was seen as a better option these days, with their reformists. Plus, this operation had the potential to anger several different nations, given the involvement of an embassy.

Nevertheless, they proceeded. Getting into Xiomera in the first place was extremely difficult, of course, but they managed. Their methods would remain secret; lest the avenues they used be closed off, or used by a mutual enemy. Once they were in Tlālacuetztla, they would have to make it into the embassy: difficult, given the increased security on both sides after the initial incident that made all this necessary.

Conveniently – very conveniently – however, someone had left one of the back entrances used for shipments of goods unlocked. And so, the LEIA agents got inside far more easily than they had expected.

When they found Amada, she was fortunately alone, as the guard on her door had gone off to get yet another fresh bucket for her to throw up into. At this point it was just water, but they hardly wanted that on their floor either. Upon opening the door, she’d jumped up with her eyes wide, afraid it was Xiomerans. Upon learning who they were, she came with them eagerly.

A little too eagerly: one of the agents had to threaten to gag her if she wouldn’t shut up. Still, they made it out of the embassy in one piece. Getting out of Tlālacuetztla was harder, but they managed – though it was tight a couple of times. From there, getting out of Xiomera was, once again, difficult but they did it.

Shortly after the escape from the embassy, one of the Novellan guards noticed that their detainee was missing. He quickly ran to tell Dalton. As the ambassador was hanging up the phone, the breathless guard announced Amada's escape.

"How unfortunate," Dalton replied, seemingly completely unsurprised at this turn of events. A small smile was visible on the corner of his lips as he instructed the guard to search the embassy - knowing that they'd find nothing.

They took her back to Lauchenoiria, of course. Instead of freeing her, though, they sat her down and told her that, after the risks and expense they’d taken to save her from the big scary Xiomerans, she would answer their questions about WOE, fully and in exquisite detail. Only then would she be allowed to go. And she better never do something so stupid again!