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AO Forum :: > Regional Discussion > Once Upon a Time... (A Historical RP - Closed Lam)

Posted by: Bazalonia Apr 20 2007, 06:50 PM

(OOC: This RP is not happening now but is basically the creation of Atheistic Right in it's original form all that time ago. It's also the story about the creation of the relationship between Bazalonia and Lamoni) Marcus Hampston was an individual that those that saw him admired, he took a position of leadership in the Atheists League of Bazalonia. A group that generally shook their heads at disbelief at the religiosity of the nation in it's various forms but had basically kept to themselves, however this was not to last for long. Marcus started what the members of the ALB thought as a renaissance, they started to not only receive more members but Marcus started encouraging them and started to lay a strong foundation for events that would happen in the future.

Posted by: Lamoni Apr 21 2007, 04:35 AM

A group of Lamonian diplomats were outside of the region of B5Tech (Lamoni's former region before we moved to AO); and the plane that they were flying on had just landed at a government airfield in the nation of New Texas, which was in the region known as Texas. The Free Republic and New Texas had enjoyed friendly relations for a long while (even at the time period of this RP), and this would be an enjoyable stop on their multi-nation diplomatic tour. As they waited for their diplomatic limos to arrive, the Lamonian diplomats were conferring with each other, for they had some leave time to use in New Texas as well. Well, they weren't conferring so much as eagerly trying to agree on what they would have time and inclination to see while on leave in New Texas. They'd stay in their group with New Texan protection, of course; but that didn't temper their enthusiasm one bit. Finally, the diplomatic limosuines arrived, and the diplomats were whisked off to their hotel.

Posted by: Bazalonia Apr 22 2007, 05:32 AM

For the vast majority of Bazalonians the ALB was a fringe religious group that was treated as being fairly innocuous, but with Marcus Hampstead now at the head things started to change. The ALB started to head down the dark and twisted paths that inhabited his mind.Only small minor "organisational" changes occured, nothing major. but soon one by one over a number of years these changes started to raise concerns of the more intelligent and sensible members of ALB.

Posted by: Lamoni Apr 23 2007, 04:29 AM

It had been a good time for the Lamonian diplomats in New Texas. They had gotten to conduct their relatively minor 'official business,' and had enjoyed the party that had been held in their honor by the New Texan government. The Lamonian colony nation of KD7MPG had once sheltered itself in the region of Texas, and that was how the Free Republic had become friends with this nation. The party was what you would expect from Texans; BBQ and beer. At least they had decided to leave their six-shooters at home, one of the junior members quipped; to the amused chuckles of the diplomatic team. They would be flying to Hamptonshire next, which promised to be an adventure.

Posted by: Lamoni Apr 27 2007, 04:06 AM

The Lamonians could definitively sense a smoldering distrust as they were led through the streets of Obsidia, Hamptonshire. They knew from their briefing materials that Hamptonshire was a touch xenophobic, but they didn't think that it would still be this bad after the Pacitalians and Oceanians had established a presence there. At the least, the Lamonian delegation had the rare priviledge of meeting the Hamptonshire Tetracameral monarchic cabinet, but that produced only limited results. Not entirely happy with their results, the diplomatic delegation headed off to Euroslavia next, where they would hopefully find better results.

Posted by: Bazalonia Apr 29 2007, 03:11 AM

Many of the desenters that had left the Atheist League of Bazalonia returned to their normal life as for them it was a mater of merely disagreeing on some of the non-violent organisational aspects he was bringing in. But there was one man, by the name o Gregory Firth, a man that managed to see where Marcus Hampstead was leading the group, and despite the fact that should he try and do anything about it he'd be turning against the people he had known for so long he could not in good concious let them turn down this path. but what he could do. He tried to reason with them, but he was dismissed it seemed they had already started to treat him as a prophet of a god that according to all their beliefs do not exist. He was shunned from the group... So... the only think left was to see the autorities, The BFP perhaps they could do something about it... Meanwhile the planning for the first ever terrorist attack was underway, the BFP and BSIO were equiped but had no experience with terrorism and so for the moment at least their preperations where kept secret...

Posted by: Lamoni Apr 29 2007, 04:47 AM

The Lamonians were in the middle of the flight to their next destination. Everyone was as relaxed as possible on a plane, and one geography buff noted that they were over the nation of Bazalonia. His name was Markus Sorzozcky, and he was the head of the diplomatic group. As he was bored, he made a mental note to check up on what was known of Bazalonia, as there might be a possibility of future diplomatic relations with that country. Of course, he had thought that about all the other countries that they had flown over as well. Things would happen as they happened. Suddenly, there was a loud 'BANG!,' and part of the aircraft just peeled off, gliding away on it's own terminal trajectory. Missing a good deal of it's tail section, the plane was heading for the ground with no way to stop it.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 1 2007, 09:31 PM

As soon as the moderates had left, the Atheistic League of Bazalonia went into a large and quick decent into madness. Marcus Hampstead started to call himself the great lion and despite good security they managed to get access to one of the mobile sam units that were dotted around the nation. The SAM struck the diplomatic plane of the lamonians who just happened to be over Bazalonian skies at the time... They didn't who they were but When the plane crashed they would soon be whereever it landed seeing what advantage they could get out of it. --- "Sir, Reports of Civilians attack one of the Porcupines. Decently armed, they're underfire." "What units do we have around it?" "Nothing, sir time of peace." "What the heck do they want with the porcupine anyway. Tell the Airforce to warn all aircraft in Bazalonian airspace, we've got some security issues." Someone else rushed in, "sir the porcupine has been fired..." "Bah.. to late do we know at what it was fired at?" "It's not an aircraft we know of, I just got the air traffic control log. And it's a Lamonian diplomatic plane." "****, Okay. I'll pass on Sir Richard..." "Do we have any idea.. who did this and why the **** BSIO didn't pick it up." "We're getting video now... It's being passed to BSIO now." "Play it..." They couldn't identify who it waas... Meanwhile it didn't take long for BSIO to identify the group responsible as the ALB as well the DFAT was in panic, chaos... Sir Richard was having trouble finding contact information for the Lamonians and then getting all the information he cdould before finally ringing up his opposite Lamoni. --- As the plane fell it crashed into the group, in the desert. about 10 minutes after crashing. A team in vans approached the group with fire extinguishers rated for petrol fires. They had laminated photo ID's saying that they were from the Foreign Minsitry, they started to search the plane for any survivors, but they were unsure if they would find any.

Posted by: Lamoni May 2 2007, 05:26 AM

Lamonian Foreign Minister Tanya Ley's desk phone rang just as she was preparing to go home for the night. Annoyed, she picked up the phone, and assumed her diplomatic mien in greeting whoever was on the other side of the line. "This is Foreign Minister of the Free Republic of Lamoni Tanya Ley. Who is calling?" When she heard the news from her counterpart in a nation called Bazalonia, a Sir Richard; she blanched at the thought that an unknown group of terrorists had shot down a Lamonian diplomatic plane. She immediately requested permission for a Lamonian diplomatic/forensics/special forces/intelligence team to enter Bazalonia in order to find out what had happened, AND attempt to rescue the diplomats. As she did this, she filled out an e-mail for President Stone to peruse at his leisure; describing what she had done with their new Bazalonian diplomatic contact, and what had happened. ------------------------------ Markus Sorzozcky was pinned by debris from the crashed aircraft. He had seen a streak of smoke and fire hit them, and aided by his LAF training, knew that they had been hit by a missile of some kind. It didn't really make that much sense, if one were to think it over logically. Their aircraft had been legally identified as a diplomatic jet to all nations whose airspace that they would be in or near. Also, the Free Republic was not currently engaged in a war of any kind. Oh, there might still be Psipronians about after their nation had fallen, but why attack a diplomatic jet when there were better targets out there? Markus blacked out after that last thought, fighting to stay concious long enough to at least yell at those who had shot them down.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 2 2007, 08:41 PM

The permission was granted out of hand, infact the question had been anticipated and he had already squared off the answer with his friend and the Prime Minister of Bazalonia Stephen Hawdon. And it was considered easily, the options. Having a projected area where the crash might have landed also helped. Giving that information it allowed the Lamonian police force to be as prepared as they could while indeed the Bazalonians where also getting ready. A number of military light jeeps with GPS system had been dispatched to the area and were about an hour and half-away. As it was peace-time on the spur deployments like this took a while to properly organise and deploy. --- Meanwhile Marcus had shot one of his assailants, though only wounding him, he wasn't in quite a fit state for a proper aimed shot. There was no other signs of life that they had found, but they weren't really looking. They had what they wanted and scooted off from the crash-site with the unconcious body of Marcus in the back. The Lamonian woke up in a completely dark room, no idea where he was, there were people around but he couldn't see them.

Posted by: Lamoni May 3 2007, 05:35 AM

Markus awoke in a darkened room. He felt like he was in a chair, but when he tried to stand up, he found that he couldn't. "Probably still recovering," he thought. He could hear noises in the room that indicated human occupancy, but no one would answer his shouted questions and admittedly weak threats. With nothing else to do, he waited for something to happen. ------------------------------- The Lamonian diplomatic/Police team had taken off from Government Air Force Base in a Lamonian C-130 transport. They were prepared for all contingencies, including the possibility that this was some kind of trap prepared by the Bazalonians. Their orders stated that diplomatic relations with Bazalonia might be started ONLY if it could be proven that the government of Bazalonia was not the responsible party for the attack on the diplomatic jet. If that could be proven (in so much as a negative CAN'T be proven), then the diplomatic part of the team was to pave the way for an embassy exchange, and possibly more. In the meantime, ALL of the members of the crisis team were reading all known information about the nation of Bazalonia. In truth, there wasn't all that much, since the two nations had not really crossed paths until now.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 3 2007, 06:48 AM

A door opened and light streamed into the room, it was bright, a sillhoutte of what looked like a man approximately 190cm or 6 foot 3 inches. Was standing in the door. before he entered and closed the door behind him. The light also revealed the sillhouttes of 3 other people in the room, they were standing up. IT must have been the man that entered that spoke first "Welcome. " he said "First things first. I am in charge here you will not ask any question you will only speak when asked a question and you will answer every question truthfully. Do you have that? ... " "Who are you, where do you work and what where you doing in the soveriegn air of the Atheist League?" And there he waited for the answers... though he wouldn't wait for long. --- The Jeeps where getting close to the crash site, they had received reports from the locals, the few of them that were around about it, and also some other interesting happenings in the area. --- Waiting for the c-130 in a restricted, VIP area of the Fauxhan International Airport, was Sir Richard Menszae, Commisioner of the BFP David Jones as well as the heads of a number of departments and divisions with the BFP, and Director and Sub-Directors of BSIO. "Thank you for coming, I wish it was under better circumstances, as time is of importance we'll get the full briefing underway now. This is the head of the Bazalonian Federal Police David Jones, and the head of BSIO, our internal intelligence agency. They will be the ones doing the briefing. We've got a conference room ready to go in the BFP headquarters. If you would follow me to the cars we'll go there now." There where 6 Limosines parked in a secure government parking area of the terminal, the Lamonians had the option of choosing in which limosines they would sit. Each bore the mark of Verona brand of car and had "Lear" inscribed in appropriate writing for a limosine.

Posted by: Lamoni May 4 2007, 04:39 AM

Markus knew that this could only be an interrogation, so he decided on saying nothing at all. If the questioner were less intelligent than he seemed, maybe he could drag some additional information from him without revealing anything of substance. It was a weak ploy, but it was the only thing that occured to him at the time. He was aware that his Foreign Ministry file didn't regard him among the highest of the rising stars; in fact it said that he was quite mediocre. Maybe that would change if he were able to negotiate his way out of this situation, he thought. ------------------------- The Lamonian crisis team entered the limos, and did what any person new to some foreign nation would do if they weren't engaged in coversation. They looked at the passing countryside. Some of the more senior diplomatic staff were engaging the Bazalonians in small talk, heading towards the promised briefing. The Bazalonians seemed friendly enough, and as serious about their tasks as the Lamonians themselves were. Until they learned more about the situation, the Lamonians hoped that the Bazalonians weren't negatively involved in the situation.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 5 2007, 07:22 AM

The ride was relatively short as they entered the BFP federal building car secured car park. The Lamonians were lead up to lvl 4 of the building and to a conference room with large computer displays. On the table was all the documentation that they had in regards to what they knew. The director of BSIO started the briefing almost immediately once people had taken a seat. The video of the Assault on the mobile SAM was shown. "This was video recorded from one of our Mobile SAM units just before the Missile was launched." The video showed people in masks and good weapons ambush the SAM unit, killed all the Bazalonian Army personnel and then fired the missile. "Of course with their masks it is hard to identify them but enhancing the video and enlarging we managed to identify this symbol." An image of a logo appeared feature a huge lion standing on the outline of the Bazalonian nation. "It is the new logo of a once tame group called the Atheist League of Bazalonia. It meshed in with the mainstream religion in Bazalonia until this man." A photo of Marcus Hampstead appeared on the screen. "Marcus Hampstead has taken to calling himself the Great Lion recently and has recently ALB has undergone a drastic change in membership. We are currently un-able to find him but obviously we suspect his involvement and is probably laying low somewhere. I'll hand you over to the Commision of the BFP, David Jones". "Thank you. Until know this group had commited nothing that contravened federal law, though of course with some of the statements of ex-members, which are in the folders in front of you we started watching. Though about 4 hours before this happened they appeared to enter a building and not come out. We entered the premises on a warrant obtained and could not find anyone nor an exit. Forensics are there at the moment trying to identify what happened,, they are expecting your forensics team. We have also deployed BFP Agents to the crash site, and are getting close we are expecting to hear that they have found the crash site any moment and will direclty patch them through to here once they arrive. Everything else is in your folders." --- Meanwhile the Agents arrive at the crash site and start a preliminary look, seeing if there is anyone that requires first aid before calling into the office with that conference call. --- "Fine, I'll leave you with some friends, you will talk..." he shut the door and suddenly the lights blared on... Once Marcus could see again, he found out who it was that were with him. They were dead, hanging from the ceiling, it was unclear wether it was suicide or murder but it was obvious either way that before they died some terrible and gruesome things where done to them. They must have died in extreme pain. And it wasn't like he could go anywhere to get away from it. He found that the walls of the room where mirrored and the floor and ceiling had photos of them plasted all over them.

Posted by: Lamoni May 6 2007, 04:55 AM

Unable to get the images of the dead people out of his mind, Markus attempted sleep. Finding that hard to achieve, he thought of something that he had seen on TV once... meditation. First, he tried to clear the images of the dead people from his mind. He only got mixed results from that. He tried calming his mind instead. This seemed to work better; but he still was not getting all that far. He had thought that it would be easier than this. Frustrated now, he did some exercises. During the push-ups, he discovered that it was easier if he concentrated on looking only at himself in the mirrored walls. Once he had tired himself out with his exercises, he finally went to sleep, even in the glare of the lights. ------------------------------ The Lamonian forensics team asked to be taken to where their Bazalonian counterparts were. Trying to find people who had not left a building but still couldn't be found was the kind of riddle that they liked to solve. The rest of the group reviewed the folders provided by their hosts, trying to locate the one clue that might help them avenge what had likely happened to the people on the diplomatic flight.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 6 2007, 07:35 AM

Just as soon as it looked like Marcus would get to sleep the lights went of and the door opened once again and the door was slammed shut and re-opened , this process was repeated a number of times to ensure that Marcus indeed would be awake. However there was also some scuffling about people whispering and trying their best to move some heavy weights from out of the room. It didn't take much imagination to guess what they were removing. The same voice that spoke before spoke once again. "This would be so much easier and better for you if you just answer these simple questions. It's not like an inquisition... well... yet. Who are you, who do you work for and how come you were in the sovereign Airspace of the Atheist League?" --- The Lamonian forensics crew were taken straight to the building in question, being driven in BFP vehicles with the Lamonian equipment in the back. They arrived to find the building taped off while an initial survey by the Bazalonians were under-taking. There was one Bazalonian that stepped forward that would by custom be the man incharge of the scene. He waited for the lead Lamonian to identify himself before doing anything else. --- The Bazalonians had arrived at the crash site and were looking for any survivors that could have been there. They didn't find any but there were certain indication of one survivor being hauled off in some kind of 4 wheel drive. Photo's were taken to be sent back to base and then the conference call was started, back at the headquarters they started the teleconference with the field team. "Agent Henries, this is the Commisioner, what have you found out there?" "We have certainly identified the craft, and have found no surviviors, however there are indicitions, that indeed that there was one perhaps more survivors that have been moved to locations unknown by persons unknown. Photo's are being uploaded know, with our preliminary investigation it looks like a 4x4 utility vehicle was used to transport this unknown survivor to the unknown location where they are being held. Coronor and the TSBB to take the craft back to civilisation." "Okay, thank you, Agent Henries. Keep the connection going and I'll open up this discussion for questions from our guests."

Posted by: Lamoni May 7 2007, 05:25 AM

Markus would not give this man the satisfaction of an answer to his questions. Instead, he asked yet more questions of his 'host.' "Where and what is this place? What is your name? Why are you acting like the sovereign ruler of the territory of a sovereign nation when you are not? How many followers do you have? How well are you armed, and how did you procure these weapons?" ----------------------------------- The head of the Lamonian forensics team was Dale Payne. He introduced himself to his Bazalonian counterpart, and waited to see what would happen. ---------------------------------- "Is there anything about the wreckage that would arouse your suspicions?" This was asked by the head of the Lamonian Crisis Team, Ruth Paterson.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 8 2007, 07:16 AM

The voice cackled, for longer than one might expect, "Weapon's? What Weapons?" There was 2 claps and the lights went on once again this time the man was in the room and Marcus could see him but that didn't help seeing for all Marcus knew he could be anywhere. However one thing that immeadiately drew his attention was the fact that he was holding a double barrelled shot gun. "oh, this weapon. I could show you if you want but I would prefer you just answer the questions." his voice was calm even pleasant but there was indeed an underlying threatening tone. Just how much more could he push, the man obviously wasn't afraid to use the shotgun --- "Nice to meet you, we are currently dusting for finger prints and other methods to determine frequency of use. Once we have done that we will prioritise the areas of heavy usage first and work through those. The whole house has been photographed and so you have free range in the rooms that we have done a basic sweep for the purposes . Currently 3 rooms have been done but the others shouldn't take that long." He lead them through the house and to the three rooms that had been done. A sort of Kitchen, a dining room and a living room. The living room had been converted into some sort of meeting room. --- "Not that I can tell but the appropriate aeronautical engineers would be able to say for certain. It looks like it just fell to the ground after a major failure that would consistant with a SAM. I'm uploading pictures now, they should be visible on the screen any second now." And indeed, photos of the tracks, drag marks as well as numerous images of the downed plane appeared on the screens in the room where the conference where being held. The photo's confirming what had been said.

Posted by: Lamoni May 9 2007, 04:46 AM

"Oh, this weapon. I could show you if you want but I would prefer you just answer the questions." The voice of his tormentor had a dangerous tinge to it, but Markus felt that he had the upper hand. If there was one positive thing about mandatory military service, it allowed people to see things more clearly in stressful situations. Markus' voice was strong and full of control as he felt the pain of his injuries fade as his body was begining to heal. "Even if I were to answer your questions, you would kill me. The corpses that were in here earlier are proof of that. Of course, if you were to let me go, I would instantly report what has happened to me so far when I reached a method of doing so. I doubt that your group or whoever you really represent would last very long if Lamonian or allied troops were to find you. So why don't you do what you came here for, before I shove that thing down your throat and pull the trigger." ---------------------------------------- The Lamonian forensics leader worked out an agreement to work together with his Bazalonian counterpart, and people soon started to group together in work groups. ---------------------------------------- "We would like to see the wreckage as soon as possible, if that can be arranged," Ruth requested. "Otherwise, the pictures themselves do indeed show what you say that they do. We will still go over them, you understand."

Posted by: Bazalonia May 9 2007, 08:59 AM

"YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT." The man yelled, his voice suddenly to the other extreme very soft and mild. "Do not presume you know what has happened nor what we will do." the man said as he pumped the shut gun and fired it, not at Marcus but at the mirrored wall behind him. The Mirror exploding in many fine splinters , some of which got Marcus. The man stormed out but the door remained open, there it was almost an open invitation to follow. --- After examining the rooms the meeting table caught the eye of one of the Lamonians. There was something not quite right about it, what exactly that was in uncertain but the Lamonian would certainly like to look in more detail at the meeting table. --- "Thank you Agent Henries, Secure the scene and wait for further instructions." "Roger, Agent Henries out." "I thought so, We have helicopters ready to take you to the crash site. Each will be piloted by the best of our military and everyone's on high alert. We'll find whoever did this."

Posted by: Lamoni May 10 2007, 03:56 AM

After waiting a minute to make sure that this wasn't some sort of trap, Markus looked out the door. There was no one in the hall, so he decided to do some exploring. Since that man had kidnapped him from the wreckage, he had no real desire for another meeting. At least, not without a gun of his own. Eventually, he found what looked like an elevator. There was what looked like a gaurd there, so he avoided it. After he walked down another corridor, he saw a symbol on the wall. It looked like the outline of a nation with an stylized symbol. ------------------------------- The Lamonian forensics technician took a closer look at the meeting table. There was something wrong about it, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He was studying the table so intently that when another person called his name, he started, placing one hand on a certain spot of the table. Suddenly, there was a loud mechanical bang in another part of the building, and the two ran towards the source of the noise. ------------------------------- The Lamonians were flown to the crash site on the Bazalonian helicopters. When they got there, it looked exactly as advertised; a big hole in the back from where the SAM presumably hit the plane. In the middle of the wreckage was the badly burned remains of what looked to be a briefcase. A flashlight was used to determine that all of the papers inside had been reduced to ashes. Once the Lamonians had seen what they wanted to see of the wreckage, they gave the go ahead to send the wreckage to the experts for analysis.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 11 2007, 06:43 AM

Marcus felt the sting of a mosquito, which was strange because a mosquito would seem so out of place, however while it felt like a mosquito it wasn't, a minature dart hit him in the dack of the neck. A few minutes after looking at the insignia of the Atheist League Marcus would find himself becoming dizzy and dis-orientated, another few minutes after that he would start hallucinating and finally in 10 minutes he would collapse onto the floor unconcious. --- The noise wasn't much a new field forensics person was struggling with the cases and other things that he had been loaded up with and had dropped them causing an almighty noise. Good thing, however nothing was damaged, and so when he returned to the table he looked at it... It seemed slightly thicker than before... and that black line didn't look like it was there before. It wasn't a black line but a small opening that had come open when the pressure had been put at the right place. Inside he could see a peice of paper. Once he got it out it read... Three Baza's were looking for food But in the Jungle a Lion there stood They waiting seeing if he came but this Lion was not tame The lion pounced ready to devour and enjoyed the bazalopes Flavour Now, in his stomach they lay While he lies in the hay --- It wasn't long but the main focus of the experts was to get the bodies out of the crashed air plane getting the number of people on board from the Lamonians they sert about reconstructing the bodies to identify them and to see indeed if anyone was missing. It would be a painstaking effort but one that would eventually pay off.

Posted by: Lamoni May 12 2007, 04:03 AM

As Markus was hallucinating, he thought he saw two people coming over towards him. Fairly certain by now that he had been drugged, he wondered if the two of them were real or not. By the time that he had gotten those thoughts out in any sort of coherent form, he fell unconscious. ------------------------- The forensics tech had found the note in the hidden spot in the table, and was reading it aloud while the other forensics tech was looking to see if the table could be made to open up wider. It proved to be a futile effort, and the so-called poem was equally as baffling. Calling over a Bazalonian forensics tech, they gave him the note in order to see if HE could make any sense out of it. -------------------------- The Lamonians were watching the gruesome task of the Bazalonian forensics technicians who were piecing their co-workers back together. Meanwhile, Ruth Paterson was making a report to the Lamonian President, Vice-President, and Cabinent via an encrypted cell phone. If someone took the biggest, baddest supercomputer, and gave it a decade or so to run; then they MIGHT be able to break the encryption. Also, everything that she was talking about would seem normal to any local listeners, so she felt free to make her call in a room where there might well be Bazalonian or other bugs.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 12 2007, 07:41 AM

"Wakey, Wakey" said a man as a bucket of Cold water was thrown over Marcus. Who was now tied down in a chair. It was the same man that had the shot gun... "Marcus, you've been naughty... but you had infact have given us at least enough of what we want for you stay alive. You never know. You might come in useful when dealing with the Lamonian troops as you so eloquently put them." "You see, All we want is for the Bazalonian government to capitulate to our terms... They should be finding them about now.. but you see these Bazalonians seem to like their delusions and it takes a great leader to cut through the false illusions these guys have set up for themselves and bring the truth crashing down on their heads. This was the only way that we could have done this, and I'm sorry but until you have shown us that we can trust you. We need to ensure that you are here so the last brick of reality call fall and crash their delusions and bring them into the light of the Truth." The man's speil was felt with emotion and indeed seemed genuine, but the question is would Marcus believe this? --- "Hmmmm" said the Bazalonian technician "Well, we are looking for 3 individuals that vanished... so they are most likely the Bazalopes or Bazas a nickname commonly used here in Bazalonia. And well The group we are thinking did it are run by a man that calls himself 'The Great Lion' ... so perhaps he ate them.. no, that can't be right. We would have found bones, blood something no. The exidence doesn't support that... But what if he metaphorically absorbed them, the poem also seems to be obsessed with food.... I dunno. But perhaps if we do proper testing back in the lab we could find more information." --- What could be tactlessly called a meat puzzle had finished all the parts of the bodies had been meticulously put back together. Counting the fulll bodies there was 1 less person than the numbers that the Lamonians had gave. There was nothing else that could be found. Indeed it seemed that a Lamonian had been kidnapped however there was no clue as to who it was and for the most part fingerprints had been burnt away. Leaving the only options of DNA Testing or Dental Records.

Posted by: Lamoni May 13 2007, 04:14 AM

"but you had infact have given us at least enough of what we want for you stay alive." Markus wondered WHAT precisely, it was that he had given them. He couldn't remember telling or giving them anything. He had had training on what to do if captured, so he was fairly sure that he hadn't talked while drugged, either. He also didn't believe the spiel of 'bringing the light of truth to the Bazalonians.' For one thing, it was a variation on a central theme that ALMOST ALL terrorist groups gave as a 'reason' for their false causes. Regarding what the odds on various situations were, he only asked one question. "What is this great false truth that you are so prepared to inflict violence in it's service?" ------------------------------------- The Lamonians agreed that this would be a good idea, seeing as how there wasn't all that much of an alternative. ------------------------------------- The dental records and DNA profiles of all those on the plane were faxed over to a Bazalonian fax number that Ruth Paterson had read off of the corresponding machine. They would do everything in the realm of possibility to determine who was missing, and where he had been taken.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 13 2007, 07:58 PM

The man smiled, his reading of the Lamonian was that he was indeed questioning whether he had anything let slip, good that was his purpose and so when the Lamonian asked his he burst into laughter, not evil maniacal laughter but true laughter as if he had just heard a really funny joke. "You, see, ah, sorry, what's your first name?" "You know when children have imaginary friends, it's a coping mechanism to help them adjust to the world them, a figment of their imagination and when they grow up and can process the information better then they no longer have use of these imaginary friends and leave them behind in their childhood. You see, these Bazalonians are still stuck in their childhood and it's up to us to provide the kick up the pants they need... What do you know of Evolution? --- Dozens tests where run on the paper, fingerprints tests for invisible forms of ink. It seems they had hit a brick wall until the Mass-Spectrometer produced interesting results. "Okay, so here we have the sample of the paper. We ran it through the works and bubkus... however we did get one result from the mass-spectrometer. The paper had been subjected to high quantites of a gass which had bonded into the paper itself that's why the other test negative the ..." "Abbey.... " . "Yes, sorry, Bonded to the paper... drum-roll please is 1,1,1,2-tetraflouroethane. Better known as R-134a. Used mainly as a refridgerant in domestic fridges and car air conditioners. Also used to blow plastic foam... in canned air *grabs a can and plonks it on the table.. "Great for blowing dust away from circuit boards, cleaning solvent, as a delivery method of pharaceuticals and in air driers..." OOC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-134a "However to get this effect you need to subject the paper to it's liquid form, as it dries it bonds to the paper. This couldn't have been subjected to Room temperature and pressure for more than a second before it becomes a gas." --- "We can't account for Markus Sorzozcky, it seems that he was kidnapped by the people that shot down your plane. The coronor is ready to release the bodies so you can repatriate them as soon as possible."

Posted by: Lamoni May 14 2007, 03:29 AM

Markus remained silent when asked for his name; but tried to pick the truth out of the spiel. He didn't like what he had heard so far. To play along, he gave an accurate description of evolution, wanting his captor to get to the point. ------ A random Lamonian forensics tech was wondering why the paper had been treated with the chemical. Evidently, he had thought out loud, because everyone else in the room was looking at him with odd expressions on their faces. Needless to say, this was the man that would accompany the bodies of the Lamonian diplomatic staff back to the Free Republic.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 14 2007, 07:31 AM

"Right, Hmm... Still I would like your first.. but.. oo. I know how about I just call you Charles. A nice neutral name Charles... So you mind being called Charles... Well, Charles it is." "You see Charles, I was born in Bazalonia, my parents where doing their best under the repressive religious organisations sponsored by the Bazalonian government and so being forced into the position they were in my father worked himself to death and my mother was killed by an agent in this global conspiracy. Everyone here from the guards to the man himself, The Great Lion has suffered at the hands of this global religious conspiracy and that indeed the light and truth. That will come crushing down the artificial constructs created by these groups to merely act as crowd control making us all sheep. Once we do that... not only will be free from the agents of this conspiracy but so will Bazalonia and a new age will be born, a new Bazalonia free and glorious in it's sight." The man really seemed to believe everything he had said, not letting Marcus have word in edgeways.... until now. --- "Yes, well, ask them that when you find them. For the meantime I'd look at the various sources of R-134a that you can find starting with the most obvious. See if there is a cut or break where liquid R-134a would flow. Whatever it means, whereever you find that cut is where you'll find it."

Posted by: Lamoni May 15 2007, 03:59 AM

"Charles" saw in this man's eyes that he thought that he was telling the truth. So, he decided to ask a question. "I was reading Lamonian intelligence reports on Bazalonia as we flew over the country... until the SAM hit our plane. The reports stated that Bazalonia has religious freedom. Even for those who have NO religion. So what I am trying to ask is... are you absolutely CERTAIN that religion is at fault for the death of your parents? A religion can't make one work themselves to death, and i'd like to know more about how this 'religious conspiracy' killed your mother." ------------------------- Now chastened, the random Lamonian Forensics agent went to go find the source(s) of R-134a. Maybe he could redeem himself if he made a big discovery, he thought with embarrasment.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 15 2007, 09:44 PM

"Ooo, yes they can. If they make it feel like you have no other option, they angled guilt, religions are very good at manipulating guilt. A good father works, and works hard and long hours to feed and care for a family he never sees. It's their fault, it's all their fault. They gave us no option but for something dramatic we needed to make a statement and statement we have made. The conspiracy must be starting to shake in it's boots, soon it's walls will come crumbling down and everyone will see the truth. This so called religious freedom is nothing more than a smoke screen, while on paper we are 'free' (he used the quotation mark finger movement.) on practice is another matter The Christian majority dominates and are in league with all the others, they push and push and push their religion knowing it all to be all false a way to merely keep the masses in control. A form of Mind control manipulating others into doing their bidding all of it. The conspiracy is not only here in Bazalonia but global... Though once we break it here... A chain reaction will occur freeing the world of this evil World Order." It was more of a tirade than anything else, but at least Marcus was able to gain an insight into these people. --- The Lamonian found a cut in the pipe that carried the coolant around in the back of the fridge. The cut was not that hard to find but you had to be looking for it. They didn't notice that the fridge wasn't cold because there was nothing in it and it was unpluged from the wall. He also found a key... A strange key one that didn't have an immediate obvious use, nothing that had a lock was locked...

Posted by: Lamoni May 16 2007, 03:38 AM

"There is a difference between working long hours to support a family, and working yourself to death. If you exclude religion, then the highest amount of income goes to those who have the most education, or are the most experienced at what they do. I don't mean to be impolite, but I am going to take a guess and say that your father was in an occupation that didn't pay all that well. I'm sure that you'll let me know if that was wrong, but it seems correct. Religion does not determine the amount of pay that a job dispenses to the employee that holds the job. It also can't determine the amount of hours that one works, unless one wants it to do so. A thinking man knows that if a particular religion is doing something wrong, one has the option of leaving; except for some cults that I probably won't have to explain. The so-called power of religion is only in how much one believes in it, and the people involved in it. Every person, thing, and place carries some sort of lesson; whether it is good or evil. Religion was originally developed as a means of seperating right and wrong. It also taught that man was worth more than a dog. It is not the words of a particular religion that harms people so much as the people who corrupt and twist it to their own ends." Markus was trying to stay a mental step or more ahead of his captors, and conversation about intellectual matters beat being isolated for long periods of time. ----------------------------------------- This Lamonian might occasionally not know when to keep his mouth shut, but he knew a clue when he saw it. Taking out his cell phone, he was pleased to see that it got service out here. It was designed to scan the cell phone frequencies, and use the strongest signal in a given area. There was even an encryption device that he could turn on or off as he wished. He (Ted Sandstrom) dialed his superior, and reported what he had found. Ted's superior told the nearest Bazalonian forensics tech in turn.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 16 2007, 09:35 AM

"You don't know the vice-like grip that.. these people (He said that with utter contempt and you would think that he would of spat on the ground if he was so inclined however he didn't he used the tone to convey more than any action could.) They removed all other options from him he was forced into getting a low paying job not because he believed or didn't beleive they made him. It was them who kept forcing down the idea that he wasn't making enough money, it was them that kept my father fueled on guilt and it was them that set it all up. All they do is remove options, they shut down ideas, keep things hidden, stop proper scientific experimentation. It's all their fault and when they are gone. A glorious day it will be." He seemed unphased by Marcus' attempts to show that religion wasn't 'bad' he was determined and set that it was the fault of this global conspiracy for practically everything. --- The photo's from the crash site had narrowed down the car to a certain make and model of car. Te car was short-lived model from Verona Inc. a large Bazalonian car firm that only run this model for a few years before recalling it. When linked with the type of tyres the had managed to shorten the list of owners down even further. However of the 40 names on the list 2 stick out. Both are members of the ALB, one was "out of town" as described by his landlord who didn't know when he'd return but glad he was away but the second one confirmed that he owned the car but his car was 'missing' could of his car been used as the vehicle to drive Marcus away? It certainly looked like it. He volunteered to answer questions but refused to answer any questions put to him by the Bazalonians nor any question suggested by a Bazalonian, The Lamonians would have to be on their own when asking the question but walk that fine line between getting the information they want and risk the man leaving, because indeed the only evidence they have at the moment would not be enough for an arrest, however it was barely enough for a search warrant to be executed on his house and garage. though not anything in the yard, home and garage only. --- The key was carefully examined... "This... looks familiar. I'm sure I've seen key's like this before." Engraved into the key where 5 characters 'FS101' however the Bazalonian couldn't quite place the key he was sure he had seen a key very much like this and would immediately remember once the synapses of his brain made the appropriate connection.

Posted by: Lamoni May 17 2007, 04:10 AM

"Okay," Markus said. "If there is a global religious conspiracy, then how do you explain the fact that there are more non-religious people running companies, and more than a few in government. Surely, THEY can't be yoked under a repressive religious leash. Also, there are many different religions, with the same number of different viewpoints. It is a little much to accuse them ALL of joining into a worldwide conspiracy, particularly one which no one knows about. Think of all the 'religious' people in the world. Do you really think that THAT many people would be able to keep the secret of a worldwide conspiracy?" ------------------------------------ The Lamonians did everything they could to make this witness/suspect feel comfortable before they began questioning him. First, they took out a photo of Markus, and asked the man if he'd ever seen the person before. -------------------------------------

Posted by: Bazalonia May 17 2007, 08:08 PM

"They're working around that... even the so called non-religious are trapped by the religions influence on their society, Ever heard of phrases like 'Oh, my God' and using Jesus as a swear word? The relgions don't make that a sin because they respect their so called god. They do it so it would be attractive to the non-religious to use the words. 'Thank God' is another common one. Though you don't have to know you are working for the conspiracy to be doing so. I'd guess that the vast majority of religious folk have been blinded and are following the wishes of this global conspiracy willingly but without any knowledge of the conspiracy itself. They are just pawns in the conspiracy leaders sick minds, playing on people that is why we have to do this. To shut down the conspiracy and make these people that are unwitting pawns into controllers of their own destiny." After he answered there was a knock on the door before it opened... "He wants to see our Visitor." A voice said, though no one could be seen. footsteps going away from the door could also be seen. "We better get you ready then, Charles... We are going to meet the great lion. The man that opened my eyes to the truth." he said as he started to untie the Lamonian and then started to lead him through the open door. ---- He looked at the photo... taking his time, he started to shake his head. "Nope, I've never seen him before." which with the Lamonians current understanding of what happened could very well be true. --- Another Bazalonian looked at the key... "That's a key to a locker at Fauxhan Central train station. I have one and use it to store books and stuff that I use during my commute. It would locker number 101..." he said.

Posted by: Lamoni May 18 2007, 12:55 AM

As he was being untied, Markus had to admit to himself that there were a lot of phrases commonly used that used religious symbols in them. Still, there was a lingering unease as he was being led to this "Great Lion" person. He was obviously the one in charge of this group, and he had to admit that he was afraid of the potential devestation that these people could unleash. They probably wouldn't achieve their goals, but they could still cause a lot of damage. He was still thinking along these lines as he entered the room where the Great Lion was. -------------------------- Looking for any sign of deceit, the Lamonian in charge of the questioning said, "Then we are sorry to have taken up your time. Although, I feel that I should inform you that there is a 5 million Rushana reward to whoever brings that man back to Lamonian hands. Also, don't plan on leaving town for at least a week." The Lamonians left. --------------------------- When the Lamonians heard this, they thought that someone would be going to Fauxhan Central train station soon.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 19 2007, 01:03 AM

Marcus arrived to find a tastefully decorated modern looking office... No windows or doors apart from the one they entered, the only light coming from a flourescent light on the roof in the centre, but there was also a desk lamp, though it was currently turned off. "I've been wanting to see you for a while... Charles." something about his tone seemingly recognises that Charles is not his proper name "I understand that you have been talking with Sparrow here, *indicating the man that had brought him here and who he had been talking with before. "What are your ideas on what Sparrow has told you?" The Great Lion was sitting at the desk, he had the demeanor of someone that you could actually like.. If he wasn't the leader of a terrorist organisation that was. ---- "Is that it? You just wanted to ask me if I had seen this butt ugly looking guy before?" (Not that Marcus was particularily or unusually ugly the man was just trying to push some buttons.) "But perhaps something could ... trigger my memory as to other events you might be interested in." -- And so someone did... about 20 minutes later they returned with 2 sets of blueprints... The first set they where able to easily identify as the house they were looking through, but the second set seemed to belong to another house entirely... Though looking at the blue prints. They seemed to be saying they where the same place.

Posted by: Lamoni May 19 2007, 02:55 AM

"What are your ideas on what Sparrow has told you?" The Great Lion asked. Gathering his thoughts, Markus replied, "He has an 'interesting' viewpoint, to say the least. I'm not entirely sure yet if I agree with it all, but he does raise some valid points." Markus figured that it would be better to stay on this man's good side, if the shotgun wielding man from earlier was any indication. -------------------------------- "What do you have to offer us?," the lead Lamonian questioner asked. They had done this tactic any number of times, and it never failed to amaze them just how often that it worked. It confused the subject's "Societal Conditioning" to receive an official visit, and then just be walked away from after one answer. Thus, it was a tool of influence. They had just influenced the man into talking. -------------------------------- One of the Lamonians was looking at the two sets of blueprints. There was only two ways that they made any sense. "There are only two ways that these blueprints make any sense," he said. "Either one of the blueprints is older than the other, or one of them are the plans for what is underneath the visible house. We might have to go over the place again."

Posted by: Bazalonia May 20 2007, 12:06 AM

"Ooooh, So what did you find interesting and what where some of the valid points that he made?" he asked as if he had no idea what Sparrow had said and was truly interested for himself, even though in truth he was testing 'Charles' to see if indeed he was being truthful and to what extent. --- "How much exactly is '5 Million Rushana' It's not like a few Baz or something is it?" He responded to the Lamonians... having even never heard of Lamoni before he had no idea just exactly how much a Rushana was worth and thought he better find out just how much money he would be getting before saying anything more. --- As they went over the place again, there was a slight unusual give in one spot on the floor. Only very slight but noticable, examining closer he found that he couldn't find any directly obvious way to open it without causing destruction to the floor.

Posted by: Lamoni May 20 2007, 02:32 AM

"First, there is the use of religious imagery in seemingly normal conversaton. 'Oh my God,' and things like that. While I wouldn't characterize that as a sign of any real conspiracy, it is interesting. Then there is the whole conspiracy itself. I'm still not certain that I entirely believe that there is a worldwide conspiracy, but more like many disjointed attempts by local people trying to exert dominion of some kind over others. It is in human nature to want to rule over others; to see them as lazy, shiftless, less than intelligent... I could go on. It is the same impulse that creates dictatorships. Need I say more? --- "I checked the exchange rate this morning, and 5 million Rushanas translates to approximately 5,040,345 Baz. A noteworthy sum, I think." The lead Lamonian questioner thought that he was on to something here.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 20 2007, 05:55 AM

"no, no. That's plenty enough, though perhaps I should give you some evidence of why we think this is a world-wide conspiracy... Here are some documents that we have managed to collect through various means. They detail a number of things. Communication logs make up the vast part of it. Just how deep the conspiracy goes." He opens a draw and pulls out a stack of paper, a large stack of paper. "Here is everything we have... That should give you all the evidence you need to indeed see that all the activity of the religious is being run by a secret cabal." He puts them on his desk and pushes them forward for 'Charles', "If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them for you... Also, I really should give you a proper name, Choose an animal that best suits your personality... Oh, And Sparrow I don't think the rope will be necessary anymore. " The conversation had seemed to be finished though there was an opportunity for Marcus to ask or do something first... It at least seemed he had a certain amount of freedom. --- "Well, I want something in writing before I start remembering anything..." --- Further research and in local council records the place was built new around 10 years ago after the place in the second blue prints had been demolished... Apparently to save costs the old foundations where used, which included a cellar. Exactly where this cellar was isn't indicated on the blue prints however. A Bazalonian forensic person nearby betted one of his colleagues that the cellar would be found underneath... He was taken up on that bet.

Posted by: Lamoni May 21 2007, 01:57 PM

Markus was mumbling a bit as he was reading the 'documentation' that he had been provided. One word that came out loudly enough to be heard was HAWK. "I don't have any further questions right now, but I might after I read through these documents." While reading the documents, he saw something big, possibly about the Great Lion himself. He unobtrusively placed THAT document in a hidden spot while the others were doing something else to keep themselves from boredom, promising to himself to see if it was really true. --- The Lamonian questioners had been expecting that, and one of them signed a computer printed letter which was upon the Letterhead of the Lamonian Foreign Ministry. It promised the holder of the letter the reward for supplying information on Markus' whereabouts. That letter, coupled with statements from the questioners, would be enough to give the man the reward, provided the he gave useful information. --- A Lamonian forensics tech watched the bet, and smirked. While betting on such things wasn't professional, he would turn a blind eye to this one.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 22 2007, 09:48 PM

"Hawk, nice name..." said Sparrow after they had left the office. "I'll leave you alone to do your reading... There is a Library down there or there's a nice relaxing water feature with a table over there. It's a nice place, I like it." he said... "Oh, and if you need me here, Use that." Sparrow threw Marcus a walky talky before showing off his own before heading off to some unknown destination. --- "Well, they didn't tell me much but I do know that they drove 342 kilometers, to a farm somewhere this side of Fulton. There where saying something about breaking him and then remolding the broken pieces, they also got hay in it." "My cars missing you are probably thinking how I know that. Well, they borrowed my car once before, they absolutely trashed it... I had to spend ages getting it back to what is was, anyway. I installed a satellite tracking device in it. The ****ers ripped it out but here's the co-ordinates of their last position." He pulled a piece of paper that had the longitude and latitude of the last known position. "I suppose I'll have to wait to get my money... *sigh* --- It wasn't easy but with lots of help and alot of butter knives they managed to lift an area of the floor off. If this was how they disappeared though surely they would have an easier way of getting into it. The forensics team found the Cellar beneath the floor, underneath was some sort of safe, it looked really old and probably easily crackable, there was also alot of other junk. Cupboards, chest of drawers and strangely a disconnected fireplace... All of these where right up against the wall and could hide a passage or something else.

Posted by: Lamoni May 28 2007, 01:31 AM

Some time after he was certain that he was as alone as he was going to get, Markus took the piece of paper that he'd been hiding out of it's spot. He began to read it, until he realized that he only knew enough Latin to be certain that this was the language that he was dealing with. A look through the books of the library was all that was required to find a Latin-English dictionary, for which he was thankful. Markus collected a pencil and piece of paper, and started translating the document. About an hour later, he had finished, and started to read the translated version of the document. He gasped in astonishment as he saw that the Latin document proclaimed a "Marcus Hampstead" to be a Roman Catholic Priest. Once Markus got over his shock, he used the walkie talkie to summon Sparrow. He would know what to do about what he had just discovered. --- The Lamonians took the co-ordinates, and suggested that the man get some protection. They would ensure that he would have the protection even if he didn't want it; but it would be easier if he wanted it. Meanwhile, one of the Lamonians had called the Bazalonians, and was giving them the co-ordinates. --- Once the preliminary inspection of the cellar was complete, one of the Lamonians used an explosive lock pick to open the safe. The explosion was set to be just enough to crack the safe without injuring anyone. Inside the safe were some documents, and they looked old and fragile.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 28 2007, 04:03 AM

"Okay, I'll be there soon." Sparrow replied, a couple of minutes later he appeared in the doorway of the library. He looked to have been running and was out of breath despite not actually running the last 10 or so metres. "Hi, Hawk. So what have you found?" he said as he pulled a seat up next to Hawk and sat down." --- "Well, if you must but I haven't heard hide nor hair of them since they took my car the second time. I think they have gone underground somewhere, waiting in the shadows for their next attack. And no I don't know what that might be." He said getting up and ready to go with whoever. --- The documents in the safe and the co-ordinates that where given to them both pointed to one place a farm out in the middle of no-where. No one else around for miles. Great place to hide things. The property, more like a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Station_%28Australian_agriculture%29 than anything else. Driving in 4x4's would be the only real way to get to the location though the Bazalonian government had enough cars, the forensics still had to work out how they got out of Cellar, if that was indeed how they escaped.

Posted by: Lamoni May 29 2007, 04:35 AM

Hawk handed Sparrow the two documents. "One of those documents that I just handed you is the original, and written in Latin. The other one is the English translation that I accomplished with the Latin-English dictionary that is on the desk. The interesting thing is that the English translation states that Marcus Hampstead is a Roman Catholic Priest!" --- The Lamonians took the man with them to their Bazalonain counterparts. At least their informant would be safe there, they hoped. --- Some of the more inexperienced Lamonians stayed to look over the cellar some more while the rest went with their Bazalonian counterparts to look over the Ranch.

Posted by: Bazalonia May 31 2007, 11:39 PM

"... Are you sure?!" asked Sparrow who had grabbed the same book and quickly checked the most important words in it... "... It's true... he's.... With them. He is apart of it all. HE has betrayed us all..." It was like a dagger had been plunged into his heart... "The Great Lion is one of them..." the words barely above a whisper as Sparrow was stil trying to come to terms with all this. --- For now, he was safe. Members of the BFP Escort and Protection division took him to one of their safe houses in the city. He would be safe there. --- The few remaining forensics in the cellar would find some boot-prints in the dust that lead under the piece of furniture. Obviously it wasn't there when the boot prints were made, finding a secret switch on the furniture the piece of furniture seemed to swing freely away from the wall opening up a path behind, a tunnel to another house which was how they escaped. Meanwhile as they arrived at the ranch they would find the homestead, it looked like someone was home.

Posted by: Lamoni Jun 1 2007, 03:34 AM

Looking over at Sparrow, 'Hawk' asked him what they should do now. --- The Lamonians were pleased that their witness would be protected from harm. They wanted to be able to question him further if the need arose. They didn't particularly like the man's greed, but it was minor; they were used to much bigger appetites for money. --- The Lamonians all thought that the escape route from the house was very clever, though one of them was still searching for the method with which the men had entered the cellar. They sure as hell didn't saw their way in. The Bazalonian vehicles carried the Lamonian/Bazalonian team to the Ranch. It looked like someone was home, but it was decided to surround the property first, just in case.

Posted by: Bazalonia Jun 3 2007, 08:06 PM

"There is only one thing we can do..." Sparrow said, his voice different than it was before. The chatty, flitty person that he knew before was replaced with a cold determined person... He opened up a secret passage pulling on a book that was certainly out of place... the Bible. It was in a small nook hidden among the many other books around. Every book in existance that was anti-religion nearly had a copy here. A panel opened up in a gap, and there was a gun.. ready and loaded... "Come with me..." Sparrow said as he got in contact with the Great Lion and told him that Hawk had a question. --- 5+ Million Baz... it was alot of money... and this man was not dumb... Just 3% interest of 5 Million resulted in 150,000 Baz per year income before Tax. Perhaps he was content with that... or perhaps it was all part of a master plan. There was no way to tell. --- After the property was surrounded 2 Bazalonians walked up to the front door, a live Audio feed was sent back to a base for quick action should anything should happen. They knocked on the door, there was some muffled sound as they person inside moved. They knocked harder... "Sir or Ma'am. This is the BFP. Please Open the door." A shot was fired through the door but it had hit the kevlar vests that they always wore for these situations. If that wasn't an invite into the house, nothing was... The two of them with an accompanying squad of six that had silently creeped round the back burst into the house with their pistols drawn, slowly making their way through they came across a man, with a gun... "You're just puppets... puppets of a conspiracy that will never take me!" he exclaimed before putting the gun upto his own head and firing. Well, it seemed they'd found the right place... The question is just what to do now.

Posted by: Lamoni Jun 9 2007, 07:11 PM

Hawk followed Sparrow down the corridor until they got to the Great Lion's office. Hawk slapped both pieces of paper on the desk of the Great Lion, and said (in a demanding tone) "EXPLAIN THIS." --- The Lamonian Foreign Ministry had decided that the man would have to come to the nearest Lamonian diplomatic outpost to claim his reward. They had played this kind of game before, and they were quite good at it. --- The Lamonians were watching the whole spectacle on a tv screen from a command vehicle on one of the nearby properties. They would let the Bazalonians decide how they wanted to handle this.

Posted by: Bazalonia Jun 9 2007, 11:06 PM

The Great Lion rose up in his seat not even looking at the piece of paper... apparently knew what it said... "Yes... I was one time a Roman Catholic priest but..." before he could get anymore words out Sparrow raised the gun and fired getting him right between the eyes. The Great Lion fell back into the chair he was sitting in, dead. "We all heard it ourselves... He was a traitor to the cause, whoever we need a new leader to take his place, someone who has shown fealty to our cause, and someone untainted by his leadership. I propose that Hawk become our new Great Lion leader of the Atheist League, and the man who will bring down the religious conspiracy once and for all." Everyone agreed, "The Great Lion is dead long live the Great Lion." was started to be chanted, it seemed that Marcus had himself installed as the new leader of the group that had kidnapped him. -- "Damnit, why do the Lamonians have to be so difficult." He thought to himself as he started making his way to collect the millions in reward money. -- The option they took was to go in with everything they had... aware that there might be a hostage there and the more they delayed the more he was in risk. There was only one man in the house who was soon unconcious on the floor, bleeding, medics where paying attention to him but it didn't look like he'd make it. Right now their majot concern was finding this Marcus, the missing Lamonian who was nowhere to be seen in the house and unlike the last house it didn't look like there was anything hidden underneath.

Posted by: Lamoni Jun 12 2007, 08:17 PM

Markus blinked; not entirely sure of what just happened. This group had kidnapped him... and now he was their leader? He wondered if they were all on drugs or something. On top of that, they didn't even let the 'old' Great Lion finish his explanation before killing him. He was their leader now, though; so it was time to act the part. First he commanded someone to deal with the corpse, another to clean up the room, and yet another person to go through the corpse's things... just in case. --- The Lamonians had decided to pay for the man's flights (first class all the way) on his way to get the money. They figured that he'd be able to pay his own way back with all that money, anyway. They hoped that he had a passport, though. --- The Lamonians continued to watch the progress of the search. They weren't about to leave until everything had been checked.

Posted by: Bazalonia Jun 12 2007, 08:53 PM

Sparrow stood beside the man once known as Marcus, now known to the followers, the very same people that kidnapped him and had shot his plane down as The Great Lion. Two of the people, both ladies, took the body away to be disposed somehow after the body had been thouroughly searched, there was nothing of interest at all. The man that had no died and was counted less than rubbish had relied upon his words rather might, if he had a chance to speak he might very well had convinced his followers that the Lamonian deserved death. All the happenings fitted into a logical framework, however demented and twisted it was. --- The man didn't have a passport yet but he was already most of the way through the process and just needed the Department of Foreign and Trade to get off their butt and do something, He had his passport in hand in time for the flight to Lamoni... And he was loving the first class ticket. --- There was nothing to find in the house, but that did not mean that there was nothing to find elsewhere, The Bazalonians went on a tour of the farm, There was a shed full of farm implements, a haystack under a roof to protect it against the weather as well as some old dilapedated pig-pens and stock-yard that looked like they hadn't seen use for a while.

Posted by: Lamoni Jun 14 2007, 02:32 AM

When everyone but Sparrow and Hawk had left the room, Hawk turned to address Sparrow. "You are officially my second in command. I am going to be here looking through everything in the desk of the traitor, in case someone needs me." --- Once the man had reached Lamonian soil at Nephi International Airport, he was the first one off of the plane. Lamonian governmental agents expedited him past customs, and took him to the Foreign Ministry; where Foreign Minister Tanya Ley herself would give the man his money. The walk to the Foreign Minister's office had been calculated to impress foreign dignitaries with the power of the Free Republic; right down to the massively heavy double oak doors (they were ALWAYS massively heavy double oak doors at this level of diplomacy), and the long hallway leading to them, which was filled with paintings and sculptures that were either Lamonian, or gifts to Lamoni from foreign governments. --- The Lamonians followed the Bazalonians around the farm after the property had been deemed 'safe,' but it didn't look like there was much at the location. They would have people give a more thorough look, but there wasn't anything promising about the place yet.

Posted by: Bazalonia Jun 14 2007, 08:06 PM

"Right..." said Sparrow as he left the office and started to weild the power that he was given, which was a tremendous amount. He seemed to gain a weird, almost evil, smirk as he left to act on his behalf. Searching around the desk he would find some more information as to the true nature of The now extent previous Great Lion. It was a letter, hidden in the draw. "For unspeakable crimes against the papacy the Catholic Church hearby strips Marcus Hampstead of his robe and ex-communicates him from the church forbiding the attendence of mass and damning his soul to an eternity in the lake of fire that shall never be quenched." Aparently this man had done something Horrible that he had been stripped out of the priestly order and ex-communicated from the church. Another note was there, a hand written one, presumably by the dead man himself. "They will pay, for all their crimes for it was not I who betrayed them but it was they who betrayed me Shifting Blame all onto me For I have seen enough to know but I was too naive to understand No longer. now I am wise the wisest among all, seeing through thier pety deceits I now know." ----- "This is going to be great!" he excalimed to himself... "5 Million!" he said as he walked on the way visualising 5 million Bazs or Ruskhana's or whatever they call their money here. He couldn't remember and didn't care. All he cared was the big money signs in his eyes. ----- One of the Bazalonians there looked at the Haystack as they passed.... There was nothing particularily odd about it, it looked just like any other haystack... but something seemed to trigger in his memory. That's when it hit him... The last line of the poem that they had found back in the house... "While he lies in the hay"... "Hey, Stop the car... I.. think there's a secret building or something in the haystack." The Car stopped, and after searching they haystack they found a gap... potentially going down into where ever it was where Marcus was being held.

Posted by: Lamoni Jun 15 2007, 04:17 AM

After reading the letter, Markus came to the conclusion that the Former Great Lion had done something unspeakably bad... or that someone had framed him. 'Wouldn't that be ironic,' he thought. 'The Great Lion starts his crusade against religion because he was betrayed by a cardinal or other Catholic official.' The handwriten note bared less thinking about. It was a revenge note; as obvious as the nose on Markus' face. --- The man was lead into the office of the Foreign Minister after an opening appeared in her schedule, and she disliked what she saw in the man's eyes. It was greed; and she HATED greedy people. She knew that you had to employ such, but that didn't make her like it. The Foreign Minister discussed pleasantries with the man, and then had a staffer give the man his money; with the man leaving the room after he was given the money. --- Now that the ground level of the Ranch had been secured, the Lamonians had driven right up to it. They were eager to rescue their man, but they were in Bazalonia, so they would let the Bazalonians finish the job. One of the Lamonians would be going with the Bazalonians, just in case Markus needed to see a face that he knew in order to trust his rescuers.

Posted by: Bazalonia Jun 18 2007, 01:24 AM

Alarms disturbed Marcus' concentration as he looked through the desk off the old Great Lion. It was obvious it was bad, but he had no idea what it actually meant. Though soon enough Sparrow would come in, racing... "We've been breached, can't get onto the security station at the top, we're being invaded... What do you want to do?" --- He didn't care much for the pleasantries though did go through with them, it's not something you do before someone is just about to give you bucketloads of money. It seemed to drag on ... all the time his desire to just get the money and go increased. He began just eyeing the money... and then finally when it was time... He took the money and left... he went out of the office buildings and bought the first plane ticket he could to somewhere anywhere... he didn't care as long as it wasn't Bazalonia. --- The Bazalonian Strike-force with Lamonian observers entered an underground passage after making their way through the hay. It looked modern, insignia's of the Great Lion's logo where all the way across the hallway which lead to an elevator on the otherside.

Posted by: Lamoni Jun 18 2007, 02:37 AM

After thinking for a second, the new Great Lion thought he knew just who might be attacking them. "Unless you know of another way out of this location, then the only thing that we CAN do is to pull everyone in to defend this office, Sparrow. We will also hold our fire until I see fit. See to it." --- The Foreign Minister felt much better after the man had left her office. As long as he posed no threat to the Free Republic and it's allies, then she didn't really care WHERE he went. --- The observers were right behind the Bazalonian strike force. These diplomats weren't used to following soldiers, and it showed in the looks of disgust at the weapons brandished by the Bazalonian troops. In the way of diplomats all over the world, they thought that they could just TALK their way through anything.

Posted by: Bazalonia Jun 18 2007, 08:42 PM

Sparrow whispered something in his ear "There is a secret passage to escape from in this room. I know it's here but I'm not quite sure where it is. What you do is upto you but you need to show that you are indeed worthy of the position you have." While Sparrow may not be the brightest person he certainly knew what to expect from his other followers, if The new Great Lion didn't cement his position now, that would certainly cause never-ending problems for him later on. ------ The man flew out of Lamoni into some random country... never to return to Bazalonia nor Lamoni. ------ The Bazalonians seemed to have come to a conclusion that this was indeed a trap, this seemed too easy and when something was too easy there was usually something designed to kill them. They made their way slowly through the corridor aware and ready to react to pressure pads , or whatever could the trap trigger.

Posted by: Lamoni Jun 20 2007, 04:03 AM

Looking at the others in the room, the new Great Lion informed them that there was a secret way out of the compound, and that the women and those who were in no shape to fight would use it to set up a new base elsewhere. The rest of them would stay and fight off the intruders; using the secret escape only if their postion looked untenable. For now, the fighters were to quickly get to, and return with; guns and ammo. The Great Lion himself helped to barricade the room for a possible firefight. He then quietly instructed Sparrow to find the escape route, and quickly. --- The Lamonian observers wore Bazalonian Body Armor. As diplomats, they refused weapons, and they didn't think that the Bazalonians would like to see them carrying weapons; anyway. The went down the corridor, right behind the Bazalonians.

Posted by: Bazalonia Jun 21 2007, 11:56 PM

No one seemed to want to leave even though the reat Lion had given them the option. They didn't want to look weak infront of their leader, and so no one, no females, of which there were quite a few, nor the males. Which had just started to be armed with ammunition. It was almost like the old one, the one Sparrow had killed, was all prepared for this. Though apparently not for his own death. So far everyone was behind the barricade... the moment was tense as they waited for the assault to come. --- The passage way was clear the elevator was at the end... they descended down to the only level that it went to... the doors opened... There was no one there, after turning a corner they came upon the barricade, seeing Marcus they responded... "Return your prisoner to us, and no one will get hurt." The two leading Bazalonians had their backs up against the wall talking with them while others started scouting around.

Posted by: Lamoni Jun 22 2007, 03:56 AM

Before the Bazalonian troopers got near the command room, The Great Lion made sure that Sparrow was still looking for the secret exit. The Great Lion knew that they might be able to hold off an initial assault, but any survivor would be able to call down as many reinforcements as he/she needed. After the demand of the Bazalonian troopers, Markus decided to talk to the one that had made the initial demand. "I am no longer a prisoner here. In fact, these people have made me the head of this organization. I would ask that everyone in your strike force back off except for you; the rest of the people in the room will attempt to kill anyone who goes near me, and I don't want to give them cause to fire without orders." When Markus saw one of the Lamonians, he told the man to stay there with the Bazalonian troopers, while making sure that Sparrow was still looking for the exit.

Posted by: Bazalonia Jun 24 2007, 07:29 AM

"Confirm your last statement, and confirm proof of identity." Whatever the Bazalonians where ready for this wasn't it, they had come in looking for an unwitting captive and had found someone in charge of the organisation. The head Bazalonian didn't believe this, it would take the Lamonian observers to indeed ratify that it was Marcus that was talking before he could even consider the next part of the issue... perhaps indeed he was under an undetected form of duress, all of this would need to be taken into account before next action. They waited for him to respond, waiting in stunned silence.

Posted by: Lamoni Jun 25 2007, 03:38 AM

Markus was annoyed. "You heard what I said, and my name is Markus Sorzozcky. I am a citizen of the Free Republic of Lamoni. I know that you have at least one of my countrymen there, he can confirm that I am who I say that I am. If you need more proof than that, then I would suggest a meeting where you, my countryman, and myself are present. The only security would be Sparrow on my side, and one of your men on yours. While the meeting is being conducted, neither side will fire on the other, and we will return when the meeting is over, agreed?" ---- The Lamonian observer that Markus had seen confirmed that it was indeed Markus.

Posted by: Bazalonia Jun 27 2007, 10:54 PM

The situation perplexed them, the thought of a some kind of ambush was racing through all their minds, but what choices did they have. They had his identity confirmed and he certainly talked as though he was in charge. Could this have all been an eloborate ploy? Who knows, their mission was to retrieve them and now that it seemed as if he didn't want rescueing nor needed to be... The Bazalonian looked over to one of the Lamonian observers.... to see what he thought. Assuming he agreed, so would he.

Posted by: Lamoni Jun 28 2007, 02:13 AM

The Lamonian observer looked at the Bazalonian, and shrugged. "I don't know anything more about what is going on than you do. As far as we know, he WAS kidnapped. I think that we should agree to the meeting, just so we can find out what has been going on."

Posted by: Bazalonia Jun 30 2007, 11:04 PM

"Alright, We will attend. I'm coming out." he said as slowly took a step into the passage his arms well away from his holsters. Palms open and facing Marcus. Slowly, not wanting to spook anyone he slowly made his way forward hoping that the Lamonian would do the same If he was kidnapped then there was something majorly wrong, either it was a trap or these guys were insane, either option meant that he had to be on his guard but there was no point in trying to exasperate the situation. If he wasn't kidnapped but had somehow been planned... well then who knows what other mechanations were involved... Either way he didn't know what to expect. Meanwhile Sparrow whispered in Marcus' ear... "You are now the Great Lion make them know it." he said.

Posted by: Lamoni Jul 3 2007, 03:02 AM

"Let them enter," the Great Lion said. His answer to Sparrow was more muted. "I used to be a diplomat, remember? I know what I am doing. If I need your opinion, i'll ask for it." When the Bazalonian and Lamonian had entered the room, the Great Lion commanded them to stop. When the Lamonian tried to address the Great Lion as Markus, the Great Lion made an effort to look mad. "I AM NO LONGER MARKUS! I AM THE GREAT LION NOW. REMEMBER THAT!" He held up a hand to keep one of his people from shooting the Lamonian out of rage. The man obeyed as a robot might. "I am in command of the Atheist League of Bazalonia, being raised in status from semi-free prisoner to leader of the movement by a vote called for by Sparrow after he himself shot the previous Great Lion," the Great Lion indicated Sparrow. "I believe that you might already know that the ALB is dedicated to exposing religion as a massive lie. The organization has 'evidence' to support their 'claims.' One of the other rooms in the complex is a library. If you would have one of your troops go there, then there still should be a stack of papers there that contain the evidence. You are welcome to examine the evidence once this meeting is over." The Great Lion then waited for a response.

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