>display stiff upper lip in face of extreme boredom

>>26861643

This. It's tough but we bear it.

>>26861593
> Display abject boredom.
We can be open with Dmitri.

"It is. I joined SSA to, I don't know, save the world. I know all this stuff is essential, and I'll keep doing it until the Powers that Be assign me somewhere else, but I'm going mad."

>>26861685

this one

>>26861593
>> Display stiff upper lip.
Fortitude in the face of adversity.

>>26861593
stiff upper lip

Is this the first thread?

>>26861721
>>26861643
>>26861659
>>26861685

'Well, sir... it is, somewhat.' You crack your knuckles absentmindedly. 'I mean, I'm doing what needs doing of course, but it's just a little soul-destroying.'

Your last two words make Dmitri chuckle softly, for some reason - a deep chuckle you heard once during your training, when someone else said they were concerned with the salvation of Geminia. Then he puts a hand on your shoulder and gently but firmly points you towards his office.

'Good that you admit it, malchik, because I've got the solution to your boredom.'

He leads you into his office, or 'cage' as he always liked to call it. It is a humble room, not really befitting his status as a senior officer of the SSA; and it is not very well kept either, with files and papers stacked high on his desk.

You wait as Dmitri goes to his printer, and then fetches a piece of paper to you. The title simply says 'Liaison Request'.

> Ask.
> Read.
> Also, what is your name? You are male.

>>26861643
Obviously. Dmitri knows this isn't why we joined, but we DO need his recommendation. This is a test and we have to pass it.

>>26861795
Jack. No Idea of a last name, someone else help me!

Let's peruse the papers.

>>26861795
>inb7 whai cunt oi bee a goil?!

>>26861795
> Read.
Name: William Alkema

>>26861824

Danielson. And if we hear it ONE MORE FUCKING TIME...

>>26861847
yes

>>26861841
Second.

>>26861841
This.

>>26861824
>>26861841
>>26861847
>>26861851
>>26861860

> Evenly split on name. Take time for decision, naturally.

You've never been the sort to ask too many questions if you can find the answers already written down; it wastes nobody's time, and does not make you look illiterate. Dmitri looks on, not sitting down, as you look downward at the rest of the printout.

'Section C liaison officer requested for security plan. Briefing in E-11 Meeting Room, at 1500 hours. Liaison to have Security Clearance 2-A minimum.'

Terse and to the point, and you start picking out the relevant information. Firstly, you have about an hour so there's no rush. Secondly, if it's taking place at E-11, it's the events section - namely the bodyguards, those black-suited people who are what most Geminians ever see of the SSA.

Thirdly, the request can't really pertain to you. Liaison officer isn't really what someone with one month's experience does... and besides, you don't have the security clearance. Meanwhile you hear the chair creak as Dmitri sits, wedging himself in among the papers.

> About the clearance...
> About the job...
> Ask anything.
> Don't ask anything.

>>26861982
>[x] About the clearance...

I almost expect him to say "Aw, I'm just kidding, here deliver this to [rival]."

>>26861922
>>26861860
>>26861841

Also, looks like William Alkema is who you are then. Good day, William. Bill?

>>26861982
> About the clearance

Name William Alkema

>>26862022
>>26862018

You look up at Dmitri, half expecting this to be a cruel joke. 'Um, sir-'

'Dmitri. You're not a bloody inductee anymore.'

'Dmitri, I haven't got 2-A clearance.'

His answer to that is to wave his hand at you. 'Now you do,' he says, before gesturing to the paper. 'Don't worry about it. That job doesn't require 2-A, it's just there to cover their asses. It's those people from Section E, with the most control over security, who're the most paranoid...'

Huh.

'No, seriously, don't worry about it Billy boy.'

> Ask about the job.
> Ask something.
> Get out of the office.

>>26862175
What's the job?

>>26862175
> Ask about the job.

>>26862175

Ask about the job. He knows what it is.

>>26862175
> Get out of the office.
Say thanks as well.

>>26862190
>>26862192
>>26862200

For a moment you think Dmitri's just joking about them not needing the job. But then you glance at his computer screen, tilted just within line of sight, and notice that he is reaching over to type in it. You can see your name coming up in the database.

He's actually adjusting your clearance right now, as is probably his right. This all seems a little fast and loose.

'So what job is this, Dmitri?'

'Hmm? Oh, it's the usual liaison job.'

'I haven't done a liaison job before. Or any job, really.'

'It's liaison. You go there, they assign you someone to talk to. And then you talk to them.' Dmitri's hand lifts off the keyboard. 'Done, you're authorised now. Look, what's probably happened, if you ask me, is that they have got some sort of information, a tip or something, about someone they're babysitting. And so they decide they need someone with the expertise that only the Internal Security Section can give them.'

It's nice to know you're being treated as the sum of your section's expertise then. Dmitri glances up at you.

'So, will you take it? You're free not to, in which case pass me the paper.'

> Take it and get out of the office
> Ask some more
> Pass it back
> Other

>>26862289
>[x] Take it and get out of the office

Might as well take it, better than sitting around the office, filing papers. Plus, what's the worst that can happen?

>>26862289

Get out, grin to ourself, get ready.

What do we need for meeting? Pen and notebook?

Friendly note: the choices are not mutually exclusive. Choose more, prioritise, give conditions - it's up to you. (But of course you knew that.)

>>26862349
G-g-get READY.

>>26862289
> Take it and get out of the office

>>26862394
>>26862415
>>26862339
>>26862349
>>26862232

You hesitate just a moment, then snatch the paper back. Fuck report collation! The office has a desktop monkey, Garret, to do that.

'Thanks very much then, Dmitri.'

Back at your desk, you look at the paper, and then hear footsteps behind you and quickly hide it away, already knowing who it is. James, your fellow inductee - except with a better university degree, a higher IQ test score, and considerably more success with women.

But, it seems in this case, less favoured by Dmitri. Unless-

'Hey there Bill,' he taps your seat back, and you can sense him grinning. Maybe this is his secret - a profound obliviousness to the fact that he is a prick. 'How's it going with your collation?'

> What say? You haven't the patience to think through choices with James.

>>26862436

'Going very well, thanks. You?'

Show nothing.

>>26862436
"It's going great, James, thanks for asking. I'm a little bit busy at the moment, so I can't talk. Sorry."

In the most insincere way possible.

>>26862511
Pah-pah-pah-po-ker face!
Play it cool.
Be the Smooth Criminal.

>>26862436
'No time for that, James, some of us got a real mission'

>>26862565
Ooooh, passive-aggressive, huh?

>>26862578
Well, he does seem like an asshole. And a smart one, the worst kind.

>>26862612
>>26862565
>>26862578
>>26862511
>>26862544
>>26862547

> Looks like grinning narrowly beat gloating.

You turn around, putting up your 'oh your baby is so very beautiful' smile, and nod to acknowledge James. He's wearing a suit - why is he wearing a suit? - and looks down at you in slight bemusement at your willingness to talk to him.

'It's going on quite well, James. Thanks. I'm a little busy though.' You gesture at your computer screen. Which is blank, because you haven't woken it yet.

James nods. 'I bet you are. Actually I was thinking, I'm just off upstairs to talk to the Section A people, and I thought maybe you'd like to come along? They're having a post-prandial talk, see.'

Section A! Foreign intelligence! Even collating reports sounds like a nicer prospect if it's in another country. But then you remember yourself and smile.

'Sorry, mate, got actual work to do. Can't say too much, you know.'

That gets him off your back, and you manage to get a little collation in while preparing your pen and notebook... you've got half an hour, still in good time. Maybe you could check up some details on the network... just a thought. Or maybe you could make an impression on Section E.

> Go there early.
> Go there just in time.
> You are not going there late, William, don't be a lazy twat.
> Other (it *is* your life after all..)

>>26862669
>[x]Go there early.

Aim for 15 mins early.

>>26862669

Also, speaking of go there early, I need to get home. I will be back in about 45 minutes.

Forty Five Minutes!

>>26862669
Search the terminal for clues about liaisons agents, get a feel for what you are going to be faced with, what people are going to expect you to do, maybe some old reports could do the trick.

I like your writing, and the setting is right up my alley, too.

>>26862669
> Go there just in time.
Punctuality is key. Not early. Not late.

>>26862738

This is not Tax Quest. Intelligence operative would like a head start.

>>26862769
Why is that? Nothing will be going on and you can spend this time gathering informations. Just get here ten minutes early. Maybe that's what you meant by a headstart tough, but half an hour is one head start and a half.

>>26862818

Indeed.

At very least we'll see who else came ahead of time.

>>26862669
>>26862712
Ten minutes early. Such dictate the rules of being a Butler.

>>26862984
>>26862818
>>26862738
Any of you following another quest currently? I feel like getting double-teamed 2nite

Pls respond

>>26863091
Huh?
Ya, following Monsterhearts as well, why?

>>26863163
Can you link it to me? I'm on my mobile and navigation is crappy.

>>26863216
Huh?
>>>26861766
There you go.

Use Catalog.neet.tv next time, it works better on mobiles. Set filters for Quests you like.

>>26863265
Oh nice! Thanks a bunch.

Dreadfully sorry for being late! Writing now!

>>26863585
Om nom nom.

>>26862712
>>26862735
>>26862769
>>26862738
>>26862818
>>26862984

> A little early is always nice.

You check through the archives for some of the liaison officers' roles, to get a feel for what they're supposed to do.

If the documents you can see are anything to go by, your role seems to be to go and observe the way your liaison partners are doing their job, while at the same time taking note of any gathered intelligence or information that could be useful for your own section. Naturally, once you've taken note of that information, the next step would be to collate a bleeding report and hand it to Dmitri.

Quelle horreur.

Still, at least it wouldn't be the mundane stuff you're doing now - you're not even sure what some of this stuff is. Human trafficking statistics, fair enough; traffic offences and railway delay reports, you're not so sure at all.

Once you've satisfied your curiosity within time constraints, you quickly get pen, pencil and notebook ready and dash off to Section E. E-11 - you've been there before, when they were trying to sell the bodyguard section to you, but it wasn't that interesting. After some more swiping and ID-flashing, you get to the room itself-

Hold on, it's occupied. The room is dark, and you can hear voices from inside. Is this the meeting before your meeting, or are you somehow late for a meeting you're 15 minutes early for? You check your watch again. Nope, 16 minutes and 4 seconds early.

> Check.
> Stand outside formlessly.
> Ask someone outside; you're in a walkway after all.
> Other. (Please note that streaking is strictly prohibited in SSA buildings; consult Section 23-7-G of the Bylaws.)

>>26863604

> Stand outside formlessly.

You did mean gormlessly, I hope. We are not superpower spy?

>>26863604
Stand outside, casually leaning on the wall facing the door, while listening intently, pretending to read something.

>>26863657
>>26863694

> Stand outside, attempt to maintain minimal level of gorm
> And no, you're not vapourman. Sadly.

You frown, but think better of looking in through the door's windows. Come think of it, why do they bother with having glass-walled meeting rooms in an intelligence agency? Transparency might be a virtue in most areas of government, but surely if there's one exception...

Still, it's pretty good soundproof glass, because while you stand near it you can hardly hear anything. Oh well. You cross the walkway and lean against the wall, taking out your phone and pretending to do some reading. Before long you are going through tvtropes. Damn.

You catch a glimpse of a slender, lithe woman with a blonde ponytail power-walking past you, in a black skirt, and while admiring the transience of human beauty your phone unexpectedly buzzes. You look at the message.

It's from Mother.

'Hey Will! You know Andrea who is considering going to the Capital for study? She would like some advice about taking courses and things, can I put her through to you?'

Well timed, mother! The door swings open, and you look up to see people coming out of a now-lit room, in almost slow motion. Afternoon fatigue affects the best of us, it seems.

> Reply to message, there's clearly a bit of time.
> Go into meeting room.
> Ask around.
> Other.

>>26863775

> Go into the meeting room.

And then, if empty,

> Reply to message.

>>26863775
Take a look at those people, and try remembering their faces because, well, you never know. Maybe nod at them with a smile if you make eye contact.
Then go and take a sit into the room. And put your phone on silent for the time being, you're an intelligence agent, not your mom's "little ducky", as she used to call you, probably.

>>26863775
Have sexual intercourse with them all.

>>26863868
This is a good course of action. Wouldn't want to be caught diddling on our phone.
> tvtopes
Hot damn.

>>26863868
>>26863859
>>26863898

> Not enough hours in anyone's day for that, intelligence officer.

You glance at their faces, trying to remember them, wondering if they're even from Section E. Well they must be, right? Most of them have mastered the art of not catching eye contact, and some of them are actually wearing sunglasses indoors.

Being a bodyguard is pretty serious business, it appears.

You approach the room after they're all gone - having managed to count 4 women and 11 men among them, including two who are black, and one who has a slight limp - and peer into the entrance, still slightly distracted by your mum's text. She doesn't call you little ducky, of course, Penguinpoo. If you had intended to sit inside on the cushy leather chairs and text, however, things are not working out.

An older man, with grey streaked hair, is talking to a woman whose back is turned to you right now. He catches you instantly as you walk in, and as if sensing that, the woman turns around to you too.

'Hello, you,' the man stands up. 'William, I take it?'

'Yes sir.'

'Excellent. Been awaiting you.'

Eh? How'd they get in here right after the meeting?

> What say? You're a little confused now, so if you'd like visual input ask.

>>26864001
"I am not confused"

>>26864001

Ask after the lady, be polite.

>>26864001
>Penguinpoo
Whyyyyyy god.]

You can reasonnably suppose they partook in this meeting, no need to make a fool of yourself. Sit down and look sharp.

>>26864026
>>26864051
>>26864087

You slap yourself - inwardly, of course - when it hits you they *were* in the meeting. So you have been asked to come in at the end of it.

No doubt the woman has something to do with it then. After you shake the kindly old man's hand - he says he's Thom - he gestures to her. 'Well, this is Karen. She's the officer who's sent the request, actually, and one of the officers handling the Leserin trip. So I suppose you're in safe hands? Karen?'

'Reasonably safe,' she says without smiling. You watch the man close the door behind him, and then turn back just as Karen advances, hand outstretched. She has a firm grip, a single shake, and a quick withdrawal. Meanwhile she is looking you over.

'I don't remember you from Section C,' she says. 'Are you new? But anyway, thanks for coming. Do you want to have the briefing here, or do you want to go out for a smoke? Because I'd prefer we go out for a smoke.'

Leserin. You know where that town is - it's in the southwest of Geminia, maybe seven hours away by train if the trains work properly, less (or more) by road. Well, that leads to its own set of questions. The southwestern region of Geminia is not exactly the northeast coast, safety-wise.

> Go outside.
> Tell me now, please.
> Other.

>>26864222

> Go outside.

Let her smoke. Then ask her everything. Don't say we're new.

>>26864222
Let's go outside. Have a very professional attitude without looking eager to please. Make small talk related to her previous missions. Tell her you are basically a newbie and maybe show slight ambition. All that while in route for the outside.

>>26864317
I disagree. She must know we are. Even if she simply have doubts, saying so will permit us to get to learn the work much better.

>>26864355
>>26864317

You agree with going outside, but refuse a cigarette when she pulls one out of her case. She looks at you for a moment, and grins.

'You must be new to the SSA then, refusing a smoke. Suit yourself.'

'I am rather new, as a matter of fact,' you say. There's not much point hiding this kind of stuff, not if you're going to be working together. 'So, Karen? One of many trips you have to cover, this?'

'You could say that. Fucking lighter,' she taps it against her knuckles. You realise you're now in the carpark, overlooking one of the many courtyards which surround the SSA building and, while affording privacy, also make it a very pleasant place to work. 'Two years in Section E, and you get to go everywhere. Which is a perk, I suppose.'

For a moment it sounds nice to talk about that, and find out more about this woman with slightly bobbed blonde hair. She has a power walk too, but she seems to be consciously powering down so you can keep up. The carpark is quiet; the park below is also silent, save for wildlife. 'So, regarding this mission...'

'Yes, mission.' Drag. Puff. 'It's pretty simple. The Vice-Minister for Industrial Development, Peter Varind, is taking a trip to Leserin to visit some of their factories and universities. So that's the event we're covering.'

The next question is obvious, and you blurt it out before you realise how uninformed it might make you sound. 'And Section C is involved how, Karen?'

'You don't know? Oh. Yes, new. Sorry.' She puts a hand on your shoulder. 'Well, last week we received information from an apprehended separatist agent saying that an attack is imminent. Therefore I thought it would be good to have someone from your section come along to join us. I was not quite expecting your level of expertise, however,' she says pointedly.

> Defensive. (State what you do/say.)
> Brush it off. (State what you do/say.)
> Other

>>26864560

> Brush it off.

Ask about the information, and where the agent is. And also ask about the minister

No one should get a rise out of us!

>>26864560
Shrug it off.
I am a fast learner. As long as the mission isn't an absolute shitstorm, we should be fine. And if it is, well, section C will have problems slightly bigger than a mediocre report. But that would be bad for me, so gimme tip.

>>26864560

"My level of expertise has been judged adequate for the task at hand. When are we leaving, and where do I get the schedule?"

Also, what is the place like, what sort of separatists are we talking about and what sort of person Varind is?

>>26864560
Fuck them all

>>26864786
>>26864730
>>26864662

Well, it's not your bleeding fault Dmitri didn't bother to brief you (or he simply misplaced everything, which is quite possible. Except it's Dmitri, so that's not very possible either.) But why get angry about this kind of thing?

Instead you give a chuckle, and Karen glances at you, seeming to interpret it as a sign of weakness. 'Well, Karen, I think Dmitri judges me suitable. And if you give me more information, I assure you I will become an expert quickly. So what was the information like?'

Karen glances at you when you mention Dmitri, but doesn't miss a beat. 'That's the problem. Well, to be honest, I didn't send Mr. Volkov much for him to go on.' (She calls Dmitri 'Mr. Volkov'? Also, that explains it.) 'The agent is from the LMSG.'

The Liberation Movement of South Geminia - despite its name, it really only functions in the southeast, in the forested hills and among the poorest regions of the country. Leserin is not in that area; you don't recall an attack from the LMSG there. 'But they could strike outside to make their point,' you offer.

'Yes, they could. As they could strike right here in Dragnav.'

'How about other sources then? I mean, any other markers?'

'That's the problem. There's nothing. Or if there's something, we're not getting it. You know the Southeast Command and how they are with information.'

The perils of allowing a military organisation full rein and martial law in a portion of the country... 'so we don't know they're attacking, and we don't know they're not.'

'Just like with most operations.' Karen flicks the butt on the ground, and then turns her grey-green eyes on you. 'Thing is, for most of the briefing, they are talking about relatively minor threats - protestors, people throwing cream pies, etc. Nothing against that. But if there is an actual separatist cell working in Leserin now, it needs to be found.'

'What's the time frame?'

'Visit's next Friday.'

>Cont'd

>>26864560
>Brush it off.

The first step to being professional is to stop being butthurt.

>>26864906

> Damn, forgot trip.

You hold yourself from swearing. That's exactly one week. You were looking forward to the weekend! Also, on second thought... if everyone else is watching out for cream pies and only Karen is thinking about a sniper or a bomb or something, then... what's your job?

> What say? Karen seems to be expecting you to ask more, but this is a little much to take.
> On the other hand, if this goes well...

>>26864954

For starters, is this her personal chase? Is this even authorised? Is our first ever assignment going to be a rogue one? Really?

>>26864954
"And I'm meant to be a fresh set of eyes, to come at this potential threat from a new angle?"

>>26864954

Did the criminal say anything more specific? How reliable is his information?

When are we leaving? I'm assuming way ahead of the visit to have a chat with whoever's in charge of security there.

>>26865016
Yup, that.

>>26865016
>>26865126
>>26865016
>>26864997

'Right. Hold on a moment. So am I even a liaison officer?'

'Technically speaking, no.' Karen almost smiles at that. You wonder if 'Mr. Volkov' knows about this as well. And if he does, then what does it imply about him clearing you to be sent?

'And so I'm meant to be, like, fresh eyes? Or at least extra eyes?'

Karen rubbed her nose, fumbled for her cigarette case and then decided against it. 'Somewhat, yes. You see, I will be caught up in the normal work. The university protestors and cream pie work. But you can be a free hand. Go around the city. Suss out the danger spots. You know how to do that, even.'

Well, you've been taught how to do that. Not sure if it's the same thing. 'What about the apprehended man, Karen, is he reliable?'

'Honestly? I have no idea. He has given up some information which is known to be true. Others which have not been verified. But after two days of talk, he seems to have a good track record. Which is, of course, bad news for someone or other.'

No doubt. 'So will we be leaving immediately for Leserin, then?'

'You could, if you want. I'm leaving on Monday, because that's when Section E goes. So you see how useful you are already. Stalking around Leserin on a weekend.' She gives another one of her half smiles. More of those would be nice, really. 'Actually, you should. Shall I arrange transport for you then?'

> Accept (and leave).
> Decline (and leave).
> Ask something else.
> Other.
> Also, plans/thoughts? Sounds like investigation planning time.

>>26865308

Only if it's more comfortable than a train.

>>26865308
Agree, BUT, ask her about your cover, equipment, and eventual support in Leverin.

>>26865308

I'd say we should take a train down south. If there's something we could use help in arranging, it's meeting with local authority that could fill us in on local situation. Perhaps not in official position.

There has to be something where we can start looking. Any anomalies. Like a usually problematic area being surprisingly quiet. Decline in or a half-heartedness in creampie attacks. Hmm.

>>26865480
>>26865367
>>26865414

'If it's going to be a train, then just reimburse my tickets,' you say a little wearily. 'But if you are going to give me any information about what I'm doing, and a cover, and to whom I can say what, then yes please.'

'So you *are* joining up?' Karen finally breaks into a proper smile. 'Good.'

'No, not joining up immediately. I need to know things first.'

'Yes, yes,' she says, waving her hand. You suddenly notice she's got a cigarette between her fingers. Where'd she even pluck that from? 'I'll go fix that up. You'll get something by... within an hour. So quarter past five.'

And with that, second cigarette unlit, she leads you back into the SSA building and turns off, striding down towards the left into Section E and its much neater offices. It's nice not to deal with so much paperwork, must be.

Meanwhile your phone is buzzing again in your pocket. Seriously.

> Righto. Do anything before the package comes?

>>26865308

If we can go talk to the agent they caught, maybe we should.

If not, we meet with local police, look for weak spots, see if they noticed anything.

>>26865550
Well, lets answer our phone, obviously.

>>26865550
It could be wise not to take your phone with you, as if anything goes wrong it could give away your identity. For the time being, answer your mom and put the phone on silent.

>>26865550

Check the phone, reply to mother, don't take too long though.
Check the newspaper headlines from the relevant area the VIP is going to visit, maybe.

>>26865579

I doubt we have authority for either of those things. Maybe informal chat with the cops...

>>26865608
>>26865638
>>26865653

You pick up your phone without looking at the number. 'Mother, I-'

'Hey! Billyboy! You coming tonight?'

Coming tonight? What? Then it comes back to you, past all the serious work. It's a half-year reunion for your university mates that someone told you about last week. You ask for what's going on, and the plan seems to be dinner, then bar, then club. Bar the last bit (hehe, hehehe), it doesn't sound too bad.

> Nope.
> Well...
> Yes please.

After you put the phone down, you spend the rest of the afternoon looking through the local papers in Leserin. The news seems quite ominous. The National Front, which is the governing party and has been since the second revolution, loves a little pre-publicity for any of its events; and they have decided that the Vice-Ministerial visit is worth a little selling.

And by a little selling, you mean they've put up some parts of the itinerary, without stating the times, so that some sort of route or schedule could conceivably be plotted. Steel mill. University. Park. Town Hall. Well done, government! Well done!

Other than that though, things appear to be calm. There's a case about some dispute within Leserin Technical University, but the details seem irrelevant - something about student accommodations.

Before long, the care package from Karen arrives. A car will get you at 8 on Saturday morning, unmarked; you are a government events person smoothing the ground. But the Leserin police will be aware of your arrival.

> Itinerary: http://pastebin.com/DTFyznJ7
> Well, onwards to the evening, however you spend it (reunion/going back home/whatever).

>>26865841

Arrgh. This above is indeed me. Just saying.

Oh, you also receive a little dossier on Peter Varind - just a short writeup by Karen herself. The contempt Karen has for the Vice-Minister is very, very obvious.

... and, as you read on, very, very justified.

50 years old; military background; joined cabinet at 37. Wife of 24 years left him a few years back, after they had a little tiff and she broke her jaw, left arm, and five of her ribs.

He got custody of the kids: two daughters, 22 and 20; one son, 14. The daughters in university now.

He was originally Vice-Minister for Defence, about to ascend to the big post, but for some reason he was then shuffled to Industrial Development. The incident appears to be staffer-directed violence; he backhanded one of his interns, kicked another. The photo at the end is a fierce brute of a man.

>>26865841

Note itinerary spots to inspect.

Go to party, do not drink.

>>26865841
Go out with the lads, but split before the club and don't drink /that/ much, we do have to get up early after all.

>>26865999
>>26866039

You note down the spots on the itinerary. Karen's placed a few symbols around them. The university visit gets three stars. The visit to the park gets two stars and 'Neglect!' next to it.

Well, you'll see what they mean eventually when you get there.

What with the rush hour traffic, it takes you nearly an hour and a half to get to the restaurant where the reunion is being held; but once you get there you are quickly greeted in a flurry by your friends, all fifteen or twenty of them. 'Here comes the public sector consultant!' Leon said, arm around you. 'Look at his beautiful suit!'

Yes, Leon, thank you for reminding me of my cover to you guys.

As you are bundled into the restaurant, you quickly perceive that the lads are trying something with their seats. Instinctively you hang back, wanting not to be followed into the restaurant, when suddenly a voice from behind surprises you.

'William!'

Ah. Sara. Your university crush - and on two drunken occasions, possible partner - seems really glad to see you, giving you a tight hug. She's still slightly taller than you even with flats; this is unlikely to change, it seems. You let her in first as well.

> Sit next to Sara.
> Sit away. No distractions!
> Go network with someone else.
> Other.

>>26866234
Taller girl on the night before our first big assignment, no thanks.

>Sit away.
Go sit next to our best mate from University.

>>26866234

> Sara

Do it, why not?

>>26866234

> Other.

Sit next to a girl facing Sara. Let's see how this works out.

>>26866293
>>26866323
>>26866357

> Well, that's one of each...

>>26866394
Roll a dice?

>>26866357
Mindgames, eh?

>>26866293
>Go sit next to our best mate from University.
inb4 they were all equally distant from us.
Anyways, do it.

>>26866422
>>26866293
>>26866357

> Away, Temptations!

For a moment Sara seems to be trying to anticipate your movements in terms of negotiating the very long, L-shaped table that the wait staff have managed to cobble up. But in a moment of spite, you turn away and break free, and go straight up to Dan instead. The two of you have known each other since before university, and in a rush of high fives and bumps you are led to sit beside him...

... and opposite Sara. It seems someone else is an even better shuffler than you are. Dan immediately starts barraging Sara with questions, beginning with her tan - she has gotten darker, that's true - which she answers a little half-heartedly.

She's glancing, every now and then, at you. Then finally, in a break in Dan's questions, she leans forward and asks you. 'So, Will, how's your job? Public sector consulting - what's that about?'

> Answer with enthusiasm.
> Answer dismissively.

Also, general strategy for the dinner (you don't think you'll even be heading to the bar, at this rate; for some reason you feel a little odd in this noisy crowd, compared to the almost hallowed silence in Section C's office):

> Just eat. Get something to eat.
> Observe. Watch and listen.
> Engage. These are friends, right?
> Engage. Possible assets, yes?

>>26866580
We can at least speak with the poor girl.
> Answer with enthusiasm.

> Engage. These are friends, right?
Enjoy your time before something really shitty happens.

>>26866649

seconding this. we must maintain humanity. or something

>>26866649
Yeah sure, seconding this.

>>26866649
>>26866665
>>26866668
>Intelligence Quest
>Enthusiastically answering questions about your cover job.

She's going to poke holes in our cover. She's a spy, you fools!

>>26866711
If we can't fool some piece of ass with our cover story, then we don't deserve to be in intelligence anyway.

>>26866711
If she's a spy, then we answer like we are an actual public sector consultant. We'll probably say that the money is good but the work can be very boring.

>>26866752
>>26866757
>>26866711
>>26866649
>>26866665
>>26866668

> Answer with enthusiasm
> Also, don't be paranoid. Paranoia is never the way. Unless it is.

You don't know if it's out of pity for Sara (but what is there to pity?) or some more ulterior motive, but you do manage to smile and come up with an answer. It's nice to get state affairs in order sometimes. It's nice to make sure that resources go to the people who need them. It's busy work, you know, but it's work that needs doing...

'That sounds really quite cool,' Sara says, her body language leaning more towards you than if she had lost her balance. You sense that Dan (whose job as floor manager at a prominent sandwich chain is perhaps less prestigious) is obviously aggrieved, and as the pizzas and pastas begin coming, he begins to withdraw.

As for your other friends and acquaintances, you do manage to talk to them too; strangely, though, Dan starts blocking them off from you, beginning to propose toasts with water as if he's a little tipsy. If he's angling for Sara, it's obviously not going to work; and it doesn't. You have her and two other friends, old classmates all, to yourself.

'Oh, my job... I mean, I read books off the slush pile,' Sara says. 'Most of them are crap. But then 50 Shades of Grey was a slush pile thing, or almost.'

No, no it wasn't. But you're not about to contradict her too much. As the dinner winds down and arguments over bar choice begin to rise, Sara leans and asks if you're going to the bars with the lot. For a moment, suddenly, the image of a man backhanding someone intrudes in your mind. Too much reading.

> Yeah, suppose.
> Not really, no.
> It's up to you.
> Other

>>26866874

> It's up to you.

We need to set alarm early, is the only consideration.

>>26866874
>Yeah, suppose.
Talk to Dan on the way there, ignore Sarah for the most part. She's gotten her time in the sun.

>>26866874
> Yeah, suppose.
Leave early, however.
Also what the hell kind of country is Geminia, exactly?

>>26866939
I think it's akin to modern-day Russia I think.

There is a rebel movement down south which the military is dealing with and the government exercises a ton of control, but the ability of people to go out and have dinner like this speaks of some degree of freedom and wealth.

>>26866939

> What the hell kind of country

Care to specify, please? Politics? Economy?

Its economy is relatively strong, for a country that's come out of a major revolution 18 years ago. In other words, it's quite strong in the cities, and bollocks out in the country. You'd know. You're from the country.

Politics wise, the National Front has ruled since that revolution. They're pretty much the deeply institutionalised government-state-party now. They hold elections, and the elections are held to be fair by the EU etc., and the NF has been returned with 65%+ majorities each of the four past elections.

>>26866921

This. But not before we get Sara's contact details updated.

Because if she's interested due to being a spy, we should keep tabs on her too.

>>26867057
A russia-equivalent. Beautiful.

>>26866921
>>26866939
>>26867102

'Yeah, I suppose so,' you say, wondering what decision Sara is trying to get you to make. Maybe she's stopped drinking as much since graduation, though you doubt it; but honestly, if she's trying to get to to go elsewhere, you wouldn't know.

Until after you answer, of course. Her face falls visibly when you tell her, and she nods. As you file out of the restaurant after paying the bill, she says she's heading home, and something occurs to you.

'Sara, you changed your number?'

'No...' with that she walks off into the night.

The rest of the night is actually quite uneventful. Dan is still miffed, and does not say much when you try to talk to him. But more importantly, the conversation is now shifting to work stories (everyone else has been working for months, it seems) and you really haven't any work stories to tell. Not that you could if you had them...

> Leave early.
> Engage! Engage!
> Resort to drink.
> Resort to casual sex.
> Other

>>26867243
>Leave early.
Maybe give Sarah a call...

>>26867213

I don't really think the EU thinks Russia's elections are fair. Or anyone, really.

Was thinking more certain Southeast Asian states where the ruling party is simply so institutionalised that even fair elections would just lead to long, long stays in power. Not that there aren't dissidents, of course. There always are. Whether they're laudable or not depends on your view...

>>26867243
> Leave early.

You can get some tail some other time when you're not on government business.

>>26867267

Second this.

Dan's angry, but that will pass. Now's not the time to engage with him or others.

>>26867267
>>26867313
>>26867314

> Leave Early

After a while of laughing along to not very funny anecdotes (Really? Someone lopping the last joint of his little finger off, and it rolled into the space between the oven door and oven?), you finally give up. Besides, it's almost 11 now.

With nothing more than a glass of wine and a pint sloshing inside you, you momentarily consider calling Sara. As you get into the train, the temptation becomes strong enough to act on.

... 'This is Sara, I'm away saving the world now, leave a message!'

Such is life, perhaps. You get back home and fall into a long, dreamless sleep which is broken when you jerk awake, thinking the alarm has gone off, at 7.

You've now, officially, got work to do. You take the dossier Karen's given you, and put it on the desk. No, coffee first. Okay. Let's think this through.

> What do now?

>>26867474

As in, do we plan now?

>>26867474

Let's relax. We have a long drive for planning.

Start with police, ask them for suspicious recent movements, any arrests, etc.

Then go to look at lay of land. We have itinerary, we can trace the route.

>>26867639
>>26867568

You stare at the information, but even as you edge nearer to the appointed time for the chauffeur to pick you up, nothing much comes to mind rather than generalities.

You'll need to look at criminals. You need to suss the route out.

You'll need to ask the police, to ask the university, maybe even ask the steel mill. What would people do in a steel mill to kill a visiting minister? Well, what could they *not* do?

There's nothing you can do until you actually get to Leserin, William. Accept it, and get a move on.

Then your phone buzzes, and as mentioned in the dossier you walk down the street, turn left at the first junction, and then right, where under the third plane tree is a... well, you'll be. It's a sleek, black German luxury car, and inside is a man in a suit.

'Gerald Korsen, sir?'

'Yes.' The world outside disappears from hearing once the door is shut.

'Directly to Leserin, sir?'

'Yes please.'

> Talk to the drivers
> Catch up on some sleep
> Pick out more information for your plans
> Call Karen
> Call someone else
> Other

>>26867848
> Pick out more information for your plans
We've got to visit each of the sites and inspect employees and killzones.

>>26867972

> Last post for today. Think we're petering out.
> Will catch some sleep and probably run again tomorrow.

You rub your eyes and look over the files that you have.

The university seems to be gearing up as the main site of the protests, over their own issues and the Minister. As with many universities, some of the students harbour rather separatist views about the southern portions of Geminia. Radicalisation is not impossible, though it seems rather improbable. But no chance is too small.

Something else catches your eye - the police and city council crew have both hired quite a number of extra hands to help with the two-day visit. There's a certain luxury in not needing that many policemen in a town, but that is an excellent gateway for anyone with ulterior motives.

As you flip through the Varind dossier, you spot a document you missed previously - a special application, written to Cabinet, for Varind to go on this visit. Why he would do that, you are quite unsure...

Suddenly you think about accommodation, and ask the drivers, who laugh. 'All settled, sir. You'll be at the Coronet Hotel, right by the town square.'

In other words, right within or under a possible sniper's nest on the procession.

Thinking about that, you sigh and drift to sleep again; and when your eyes open once more, you are along the highway overlooking Leserin, speeding towards the exit. Well, it's a new place to be...

> Thanks very much for playing! Suggestions, criticisms etc. welcome.

>>26868219
Looking forward to the next one.

>>26868310

It will probably be tomorrow.

>ib4 we're only being sent there as a scapegoat to blame for an assassination attempt.

>>26869732

that'd be amusing, eh.

> Is anyone around right now?

I am eager.

>>26874688

> Fantastic! Let's hope more join in.

Despite living all your life in Geminia, you've never actually been to Leserin before, and it looks like you've missed out. In the afternoon sun, the city - which lies in a valley - looks positively charming, all greenery and quaint-looking buildings.

Out of the highway, you wind through a few back roads, all of which are almost eerily quiet. No surprise, really; it's Saturday after all. The driver glances in the mirror at you.

'So, Mr. Korsen,' he says, using your cover name as if to remind you of it, 'where to in the lovely town?'

You think about it. From what you can see of the suburbs, nothing looks open, but you bet the university and police station (and the hotel, of course) would still be functioning. The steel mill, probably not so much.

> To the university!
> Let's talk to the police first.
> Set up in the hotel.
> Try the steel mill, maybe.
> Elsewhere/other. You're a bit peckish, but not too much...

>>26874816

Let's go to the hotel first. Look at the terrain.

>>26874816
Hotel then police station. Maybe try to learn more about our cover via the dossier. It wouldn't be wise to say we are SSA to the cops since some of them may be with the rebels, but then, what IS our reason to go to the police station and ask questions?

>>26874878

> Hotel.

'Take me to the Coronet,' you say; the driver nods, and within a few minutes you are before what seems to be one of the tallest, if not *the* tallest, building in Leserin. Upon seeing your vehicle, the staff of the hotel are even more obsequious than usual.

'Booking for Korsen,' you tell the receptionist, who signals for someone to come over. That's odd. But then the girl, all smiles, then takes out a gold-edged card marked 'Eyrie rooms', and hands it to you, on both hands.

'Jack here will get you upstairs, sir. Please enjoy your stay!' That sounded a little like a plea. The elevator ride is quiet; Jack is a bit surprised that you are travelling so light, with just toiletries and some clothes, but it's not his job to ask, of course.

Your room turns out to be a beauty, with windows opening out towards the north and east - large, floor-to-ceiling windows. Karen, or Section E, sure is being generous. You can see the greenery of the hills shade into the whites and reds of houses, and trace in the sunlight the small river which flows through Leserin. Besides a queen-sized bed, there is also a long couch and a mahogany (possibly) writing desk.

Not bad at all. You sit down at the desk, wondering if you should lay out your files on it, and just then your phone rings. 'Hello? It's Sara here, just wondering who called me?'

> What say to that?

>>26874968

The chief reason for talking to the police, presumably, is that the local police are doing most of the grunt-work of security. (Section E oversees and plans, but it hasn't really got hundreds of footsloggers.)

From what you've read of the dossier, you are supposed to be from the Ministry of Industrial Development - a young civil servant sent out to clear the ground for your master's visit. It's not a big job, so your story isn't all that extensive. But Karen did mention that some people within the police do know you are SSA, because of liaison reasons.

It's not a long list, thankfully. The chief is in; his two vice-chiefs, and another liaison officers. It's almost like liaising is the only thing that ever gets done at your level.

>>26875009

Sorry, just one liaison officer, assigned to you. Damned elementary mistakes.

>>26874975

damnit, end the call.

>>26874975
What is section E thinking, there's the discret entrance right down the drain.
To Sarah: Hey, its me. I started missing you as soon as you left the other day. Flattered ?

>>26875009
Okay, nice. That room is a bit too nice for a lowly civil servant but oh well.

>>26875093
...God damn it.

>>26875093

Yeah, why not, let's chat up Sarah while we are on assignment.

Then prepare questions to ask the police, I suppose.

>>26875057
>>26875093
>>26875133
>>26875145
>>26875158

'Um, Sara, I can't-'

'Oh, William! Is that William? You called last night?'

Goddamnit, mate. You sigh and go to the window, looking down at what appears to be the 'Riverside Park' as marked out in the itinerary. 'Yes, Sara, I called last night. I started missing you as soon as you left the other day. Does that flatter you?'

A pause; you can feel the shock even through your phone. Meanwhile your eyes are scanning the main road. You can see pretty much every inch of it, for nearly a quarter-mile after the park. 'Why're you being so hostile, Will? You're the one who called me, if you recall.'

You snap back from your scenarios. 'Um, Sara?'

She's hung up. Well done you. You put the phone on the desk and think about what questions to ask the police. The history of separatist attacks in this quiet city (none in two decades) is known. What you do not know are the police's own security arrangements, and whether they've come upon anything suspicious themselves.

That's about it, really, unless you can think up some more...

> Consider more questions before getting in touch with police.
> Call the police hq now; you have the procedure for getting through in your dossier.
> Let's look elsewhere instead; the police can wait.
> Other.

>women

Go there in person. Anyone can be behind a telephone. Do we have any informations of how organised the baddies are? The kind of equipment they have access to? Mention the possibility they are among the extras hired by the police. Also, anti sniper and bomb measures?
Also, is Billyboy in possession of a weapon?

>>26875289

Should we call Karen for advice? She's in charge after all.

But second this.

>>26875314
If we are going to show we need to be hand held as soon as we are on our own. We can manage alone for the time being, I guess.

>>26875289

Just to clear that up first, you don't have a firearm. Your job isn't to shoot your way into and out of things; you're an intelligence officer, after all.

Section E officers do carry firearms, but then they are bodyguards, so it's part of the job.

>>26875235

This is all very suspicious. Why would a toady get a high-roller suite?

When we're at police station, we should talk to one of the people who knows our position (although others are liable to guess at it now, it's almost as if they painted us red and put a "boogeyman" sticker on us) and go their security measures over with them.

Although maybe we could afford ourselves, before we meet the cops, a short walk with some lunch. With luck we could overhear or notice something interesting.

On an unrelated note, how good are we in a fight?

>>26875370
I'm okay with that.

>>26875289

We're supposed to be a glorified clerk, not an actual operative.

That we've ended up rooting out possible assasination attempt smells fishy. It could be that
1) our mentor is confident in our skill and wants us baptised by fire
2) our mentor is sending us as a distraction for real agents to do their job unmolested
3) our mentor doesn't think there's any danger of assasination and just wants to put our skills to a field test
4) our mentor is selling us out
5) I'm sure I'm forgetting something important, like what's actually happening.

>>26875314
>>26875343
>>26875384

> Fight: You can handle yourself in unarmed combat, after a five month course; and in any case you've always been a bit of a tough scrapper. Comes from life in the country. But you're not a black belt in anything, if that's what you mean. It could be a personal goal, though...

For a while you do consider calling Karen, if only to ask why exactly you've been given this suite. It's only taken a few minutes before the comfort of a nice, plushy chair gave way to paranoia.

... You can see the value of this place from a pure surveillance point of view, but it seems quite unnecessary now. Besides - as you noticed walking out - there are two elevators, and a single staircase. You can easily be sealed in, and then it's curtains.

The location of the main police station is not too far from Leserin's main market, and also one of the colleges of the University of Leserin. (Your dossier's got the name of that wrong - can't fucking believe it!) It being Saturday, your walk among the 19th century architecture is mostly undisturbed, save by birds and the occasional baby screaming. As you get to the main market square, where a few stalls are set up selling sandwiches, you notice a small UL protest.

'NO to Developing the South Ward! Our Colleges are not Yours to Take!'

About ten students are sitting there, while two cops stand by. Everyone seems bored by agreement. Guitar music is coming from nearby.

You also notice another person - a single man across the square, taking photos with his camera. He's focused, it seems, on your side of the square. Maybe you.

> Have lunch and go straight to the cops.
> Look at the protest.
> React to the camera person (state how)
> Other.

>>26875431

Its probably 3, but we don't know what karen said.

Maybe we can call Dmitri?

>>26875431
Tempting to bite in number 2, with that room and the fact we are inexperienced as fuck. I mean, two months of training, really? And we were chosen over the seemingly more competent James.

>>26875474
> Other.
Continue observing, preferably from somewhere inconspicuous, like while eating a sandwich sitting on a bench

>>26875474

Jokes about hotel room aside, though, you do have to wonder how secure your cover is. It seems not much effort has been put into it, though your suite is more fitting your cover position than your actual position (as you well know).

If there are indeed separatists - LMSG, or whomever - here, you might be in considerable depth of shit. Possibly thigh-deep, maybe even waist. But you wouldn't know. Sadly, the only way to find out about it in the absence of cultivated sources would be to rely on the offices you do know are investigating.

But if they become unreliable...

>>26875474

Talk to protest. What's going on?

>>26875474
Ignore the photographer for now, there's nothing you can do without looking mighty suspicious. Look at his face from the corner of youeyes for future reference. Buy a sandwich and to the po po we go.

>>26875474

Get a sandwich, sit on a bench, observe the Happening for a moment.

Try and memorize the guy with a camera.

>>26875556
And try to look the part, we are a government official, not a passerby.

>>26875594
Or a passerspy. Nudge nudge wink wink.

>>26875536
>>26875556
>>26875560

You go get a sandwich while keeping an eye out on the photographer, but after a short while he seems to lose interest in the square and wanders off. Maybe he's just a tourist. He's dressed like one anyway.

The sandwich is corned beef with some cabbage that is definitely not fermented, but you are not about to complain after hours of driving and living on water. Retreating to a corner, you watch the protestors, or whatever there is to watch about them. The South Wards - that's where the UL main campus is, and it looks like there's a clash with the city authorities then.

You do know from your university applications that UL is one of the major reason Leserin is even a town worth caring about. The budget of the university is probably not too far from the budget for the rest of the town. That would explain the general indifference to those students, then.

Guitar music is still drifting in, and you see it's a girl who's busking in the shade of a building. Well, you've got some change to spare before the police station. But just as you get up, you hear a very bloodcurdling address from behind you.

'William!'

Well, fuck.

> Ignore.
> Acknowledge.
> Other.

>>26875594

If we were from the department, we would probably already know what they are protesting about though.

>>26875639
> Other.

Try to make it not look our name was just called and see who called it, if its someone we know, then we can deal with it quietly then, I'd rather not blow our cover just because someone shouted and it may not have anything to do with us

>>26875639

That's not the name we've adopted, is it?

Ignore.

>>26875639
Oh, he isn't dressed like a spy? Everything is fine then.

Oh fuck oh fuck. Take the person away, tell them the truth, to shut up about it and do like they don't know you.

>>26875662

Seconding this. Maybe turn around just to throw the sandwich wrapper away. or whatever.

>>26875701

Maybe he's a spy on vacation. Spies need some leisure as well, you know.

Don't worry about the person who thinks they recognized us. Poor soul is probably just confused or mistook us for our evil twin.

>>26875664
>>26875664
It is our name. Our real name.
And the person will continue screaming it if we simply ignore.

>>26875648

> It is ever governmental policy, sir, madam, to adopt an air of negligent power and aristocratic ignorance as to matters which, as some point out colloquially, are 'on the ground'.

>>26875662
>>26875664
>>26875701
>>26875713

> Come think of it, you're not dressed like a spy either! Wahey! All's good.

You freeze, but quickly will yourself to continue walking. *Someone knows you*. But you can't turn around without-

Then, nearby, another boy runs past you pulling a tiny little kite. Maybe that's William? You fix your gaze on him, a benevolent tourist who's tickled by the sight of a boy with a kite, and then shift your gaze away carefully- Fuck.

Conditioned to recognise faces as quickly as possible, you are dismayed at how quickly you have a hit. Gary, of course. Good old Gary, the bookworm of the class in your high school - the opposite of Dan, it's a wonder how you got on with both - and now, what? What the fuck is he doing here?

'Will! Hey, y'all right?' He comes up to you. He's wearing a jacket, and it's making you feel chilly. You suddenly recognise the what the girl with the guitar's playing as well, now that you've been jolted into alertness - it's Villa-Lobos.

> Oh, how nice to see a friend!
> Oh, how late the day is!
> Oh, I am not the Will you are looking for.
> Oh I don't know, you come up with something.

>>26875753

Well, what would you do if someone mistook you from an acquaintance of theirs and called you by someone else's name?

We need to NOT react. At least until it becomes too obvious that the person is addressing us.

>>26875773

Excuse me sir, but you seem to be mistaking me for someone else. Gerald Korsen, at your service.

>>26875773
>Villa-Lobos
who the fuck is that

> Oh I don't know, you come up with something.
"Gary? Wow what a coincidence. Hey man, I'd love to stay and chat, but my break just finished and I've gotta get back to work, maybe I'll cya round."

then walk off, with a purpose, but not in too much of a hurry, this location and our cover are not going to mix well with a past associate here

maybe something to let the others know about, someone that knows us previously is in the area and identified us.

>>26875800
>>26875798

> Well, these two can't really be merged... just saying.

>>26875800

Second this one. Too late to walk away or deny, I think. Deflect.

>>26875800
>>26875856

> Deflect.

Well, now that he's seen your face, it's a bit too late to just say you're Gerald Korsen. So instead you smile and nod. 'Hey there Gary, that's a coincidence.'

'I say! Haven't seen you since graduation, mate. How're you doing in your consultancy?' Then, just as you remember what he is doing in Leserin, he nudges you. 'You know, since I'm doing a Masters in Public Admin, maybe I could ask you to write a letter or something, eh?'

'Write a recommendation... three months into my job?' You laugh. You know, at least there's a consistent cover you have for most of the people you know outside. 'That'd be... daring. Well, Gary, really sorry but...'

'What, rushing off on a Saturday afternoon?' he nods. 'Yeah, fair enough. But if you're here over the weekend, let's go out for a pint or something shall we? I could take you around the University...' he flicks out a name card from his jeans pocket and passes it to you. 'Just give me a call or something, yeah, Will?'

And just like that, the wraith from your past fades back into the present, waving. You hear the clacking of signboards and it seems the protestors are also calling it a day... walking behind the police, your mind turning furiously, you catch them slipping in through a side entrance that is definitely not for unauthorised use. Inside the fence, they stop and cigarettes come out.

> Damnit. Try to gain entry?
> Work some other angle, perhaps?
> Other.

>>26875940

Shit.

Let's use our cover to gain entry. Mention the minister's visit.

>>26875940
> Work some other angle, perhaps?
its a Uni, theres always more entryies and exxits

>>26875940

Well, might as well make use of him, considering he already knows we're here. Maybe tomorrow or even today in the evening, he could know more or point us to somoene who might.

Might as well go visit the coppers now, I suppose.

>>26876049

This is police, not the uni.

Or maybe we could go to the uni.

> Sorry if this was unclear: you're at the coppers'. But it's Saturday, at like half 5, and the main entrance is closed.
> Come think of it, if the main entrance and office is closed, would anyone who knows you even still be here?

>>26876080

Then we do >>26876047.

>>26876080

Compelling argument.

How far away is the park?

>>26876120
>>26876109
>>26876047

Well, if your bearings serve you, the park should be about half a mile up north. It wouldn't be hard to find, just half a mile away following the main road.

As you consider that option, though, one of the policemen spots you. He doesn't do anything about it, just glances at you and nods. Wearing a shirt and trousers gets you that, you suppose.

You walk across the road, and just then your phone buzzes. It's a text from Karen, and you're past wondering how she got your details. (How close are Karen and Dmitri 'Mr. Volkov', you wonder.)

'How're things going? There's some trouble on the minister's side. Will keep you updated. Check for police measures, university's Civil Liberties society apparently, and with the town hall. (Accding to police.)'

She's pretty comprehensive.

> Well then. What do now? The options are several, the town is quiet, and you're still a little hungry. But mostly a little weirded out by this mission.

>>26876164

Reply saying things are fine. Thanks for the suite, and what is the trouble.

Note those things down, then go to the police and ask for chief. No other way to start without leads.

>>26876164

I'd say leave Uni for later, especially if we want to take up Gary's offer to show us around.

Police is locked out and we rather should not be immediately seen by students as someone fraternizing with it too much.

Which leaves us with town hall, provided we can avoid someone tailing us there.

>>26876223
I'll second this

Possible narrative: Billyboy is gonna be the patsy, poor bastard.

I say go on the attack, rather than reacting to the photographer, and the random friend, and Karen+Dmitri leaving a breadcrumb trail for you to be set up for (probably) Varind's death.

Harness the mystique of being a spook--figure out where an appropriately senior police liaison is at this time of the night and start trying to figure out what the ground truth is like

>>26876254
>>26876223
>>26876239
>>26876233

You look around to see that there are no students, and then cross the road again to where the two policemen are still smoking.

'Anything the matter, mister?' One of them says, coming up to you at the gate. You recite your cover by rote, state your purpose for being in this town, and then get to the point. 'So I'm just here to meet with the chief to ensure the security procedures are up to date.'

'Oh, then you're in a spot of bad luck, sir,' the copper tells you. 'The chief is away on holiday, you see, for the weekend. Not coming back till Monday. Left this morning.'

The chief what? On the eve of a big visit? But the copper goes on. 'I could get you through to Vice-Sup Hoofter, though, if you'd like. He's the man who's really in charge of the visit you're talking about so he'll know more. But he's not in now, seeing as it's Saturday...'

'Right. So Monday as well?'

'Oh no, he's with his missus-' the other copper chuckles at that- 'missus just in town. He did say to put him through to anyone from ministry, dinnhe Chris?'

'Yeah.'

'Right then...'

And that's how you now have the address of the Vice-Sup in one hand. Well, he's one of the people who know your cover according to the list; but, hmm...

> Go for it? It's evening now. The quiet town is officially silent.

>>26876254
That's not going to be that, if only because our lovely cloud would want us to be surprised.

Try to elicit more info from the cops; "missus", huh?

Observe the Vice-Sup before making your presence known. He's probably up to no good and that can be used as leverage.

>>26876324
The chief is on holiday while terroristic threats abound? Meh, fishy.

Go for it, no more time to lose.

> Can categorically confirm that there are terrorists here. As everywhere.
> Maybe downstairs of your room.
> Maybe cleaning your room!
> Come think of it, you didn't put the files back anywhere when you left the hotel, did you? Just left a bunch of dossiers lying on the desk?

Even a green rookie wouldn't be as silly to leave classified documents in a hotel room, would he? ://

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>>26876359

It all comes together now. I know what sort of Spy we are.

>>26876332
>>26876347
>>26876350
>>26876254

Well. There's not much you can do by way of observation when the Vice-Sup's house is on a quiet street, with a Fiesta parked in front of it - custard yellow? Really? - and flanked all around by other similar houses.

You can definitely hear laughter and talking coming from one of the other houses though - it sounds like a house party's going on there. Come think of it, it's term time in UL - why is Saturday night so quiet in a university town?

As for the Vice-Sup's house, the lights are on. You hear a dog bark, from inside, probably not at you. All seems to be well.

> Approach and knock.
> Don't Approach. (Then, what, go to the house party maybe...)
> Other.
> Incidentally - this is the start so your network of contacts is small, but you can always proactively ask your superiors and mentor for help. Intelligence is teamwork. No one's too awesome to ask for help.

>>26876411

> Nah, you're pretty sure you hid them away. Day one week one of training, man.
> It's just a small flash of fear. That's good! It keeps you on your toes.

>>26876436

I see no harm. Approach.

Then we go to house party later.

>>26876436
>>26876477


I'm not sure if interrupting his night of leisure is going to put us into the man's good graces, but we've gotta start somewhere, I suppose.

>>26876514

The copper did say we were expected. So it shouldn't be a problm.

>>26876518

One can say and pledge a lot of things, doesn't mean he's going to be happy when someone actually comes to collect.

>>26876539
In Soviet Russia, KGB can do whatever they damn well please

>>26876539
>>26876477
>>26876514
>>26876518

> Approach. Unanimity!

You crack your knuckles, take a deep breath, and then notice that someone has noticed you - from the house where the party is, a couple are sitting right on the windowsill making out. In the moment that you are watching, the woman is being, well, tended to, and she is looking down at you.

Well, nothing for it. You go up to the door, snatching another glance; they're still making out, but no one is watching now. Once you press the doorbell, the dog inside begins barking - deep, thunderous, plodding barks, a breath between each one, like a motorcycle revving and ready to charge.

The door opens to reveal a small woman of about 45. 'Is anything the matter, mister?' But then a man, taller, nudges her away and then looks at you. He's about your height, his face wrinkled and leathery. He gestures for you to enter.

'Maureen! Tea! Charles, go to your room.' Then a smile at you. 'I'm Hoofter. You are... Alkema, I believe?'

> Take the direct route with questioning.
> Take the scenic route.
> Let Hoofter drive.
> Other.

>>26876559

But this not soviet russia.

>>26876576

> Scenic.

Be nice. Lets not alienate him. Also be alert.

>>26876644

> Scenic route.

'I'm Alkema, yes. But Will will do,' you smile and sit down. It's a cosy house, a little like your own family home - except of course Hoofter's got people for neighbours, and you've got sheep. Maureen comes out with tea - hot, strong black tea, Geminian style.

For some time you go through pleasantries, and manage to learn a few things about Hoofter. Charles is his younger son; he's got an older one, Harold, who's made it to UL. 'Doesn't come back anymore, though the house is 15 minutes away,' Hoofter chuckles. As for the chief's holiday, which you gently prod him about, that was arranged well before there was any news of the drop-in.

'I hope that doesn't cause you too much trouble,' he says. 'I mean, you people must do really hard work. Especially given the situation we have right now in Leserin.'

The what? Situation? Leserin is quieter than most graveyards, from first impressions...

You also notice Maureen has quietly disappeared upstairs too. In fact, the house is very quiet now, so that Hoofter's words seem somehow... loud, almost.

> Let him go on.
> Steer him towards security arrangements.
> Steer him towards the university... civil society, was it?
> Other.

>>26876741

Let him talk.

>>26876741
let him speak for now, but if he touches CLS, security or separatists, inquire what he knows.

>>26876796
>>26876786

'Situation?' You take the tea. Oh, this is pretty good. Meanwhile Hoofter takes two deep breaths, as if steeling himself for a revelation, and then leans forward.

'Yes. See. The thing is that we've been monitoring threats for a long time in Leserin. It's a quiet city, except on Friday and Saturday nights over in the South Wards, if you know what I mean. But we have been... I guess someone like you would say infiltrated, all this while.'

That's a pretty serious word to use, and you decide to first act a little dumb. 'Yes, Mr. Hoofter, so I take it you're saying something about the security arrangements for this visit?'

'It's rather more than that I'm afraid, but that too. The chief has been rather laid back about his assessments of what might happen to Mr. Varind, but I've got plans laid out, including against snipers and bomb attacks.'

This sounds quite analogous to what Karen's telling you. 'Those are serious suspicions to have.'

'Yes, but not unfounded suspicions. There is a cell of the separatists - there might be more, in fact - which is active within Leserin right now.' His voice softens to a whisper for a very serious allegation. 'They might make a move next Friday. We have to have more resources, more... security...'

You've been quite quiet so far, and he's looking at you with a little suspicion himself. Maybe he senses your skepticism? But if he's saying anything that might be true - a terrorist cell in Leserin - then, well... that's serious. And possibly career-making.

> Prod him more on his suspicions.
> Take another line of questioning.
> Other

>>26876889
>> Prod him more on his suspicions.

>>26876889

Prod him.

>>26877104
>>26877109
i'll second, but we don't want to do it too strongly, ask him on his personal take of whats going on and might happen, not his professional opinion

>>26877104
>>26877109

You nod and make to speak before Hoofter continues with his policeman's request list. 'You mentioned... a separatist cell within Leserin. That's a pretty serious allegation to make.'

Hoofter gives you a look of evident surprise, and then frowns. 'Well. Perhaps it's not so much a 'cell', as such. If by cell you mean a unit that's armed and ready to fight or something.'

Right, so he's not very clear what a 'cell' really is. But perhaps if he could point you somewhere... 'so, Mr. Hoofter, where is this... group you're talking about?'

He leans forward again. 'Right. For about two weeks now, we've been running surveillance on some of the university students. There are two societies, especially, that we're concerned about. The first is the Civil Liberties Society, and the second is their Liberal Society. As you probably know, those two are organising protests for the upcoming visit.'

And so they are.

'But what's interesting is, quite a number of them have actually signed up for our voluntary corps. Or not *our* corps, not the police. They are part of the town hall group, that's in charge of preparing the venues, doing the catering and receptions and then cleaning up. This means they will be where the vice-minister is, pretty much all the time.'

You nod, trying to look sympathetic while thinking how close to a conspiracy this might get. Students with free time on their hands volunteering to do a little events management - that is some way from a separatist cell.

> What ask/say? It seems he's made his case; Hoofter looks at you, inviting your questions.

>>26877218

Ask him for firm evidence. Protesting is not illegal.

Also, let's get tough and ask about the people the police are hiring.

>>26877218
How are the gun laws in this country?

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>>26877218

So society that's openly promoting agenda that could be seen as... well, subversive... is volunteering to cater to a violent coot of a political figurehead?

The officer (pic related?) might be up to something, but this looks almost too obvious.

Or maybe it's going to be a prank rather than a terrorist attack. Twelve monkeys style.

In any case, it's one of the avenues to investigate.

Ask what sort of security measures town hall has in place, and what are officers' own plans.

>>26877387

Gun laws are restrictive. Military, police, special permit. And within the jurisdiction of the Southeast Command (which is separatist central), no special permits at all. Not that it stops anyone, though, because there's armed groups there.

So finding a gun would definitely be something... major, let's say.

>>26877392
>>26877308

It is most likely that the society doesn't know what kind of person Peter Varind is. The cases of him backhanding underlings and kicking the shit out of his ex-wife were not televised.

Hoofter is glad to talk you through his plans, and by the time he's done you have this gist he's gearing up for a major riot. You thought the extra police hiring was maybe for 10 big men to help keep the barriers falling down or something; but it turns out they've hired 30 more people, armed with non-lethal weapons.

'What sort of security measures are there in the town hall?'

'We will have double security checks there, and there are shelters and hideouts,' he says confidently. 'But, you see, if our work is done properly, then we would not need to worry. Prevention above cure, eh?'

Yes, about that... you ask Hoofter for firm evidence, and he shakes his head. 'I am not at liberty to tell you too much about that right now, Mr. Alkema.'

'There is less than a week before a visit where you suspect an attack might take place, Mr. Hoofter, and you are refusing to share intelligence?'

'We have our own procedures,' he simply replies. 'But soon we will be launching our actions. Possibly once your superiors from the SSA arrive.'

Your mind goes back to that text from Karen, about trouble in the ministry. This is just becoming quite the clusterfuck...

> Stay on and talk about something else.
> Take your leave. (And if so, where to?)
> Other

>>26877493

Ask some more about the two students' political movements.

>>26877520

When you ask about the CLS and the LS, Hoofter sighs.

'You have to know one thing about Leserin. The University has been here for 120 years, ever since the time of the Danes, right. And over the 120 years, they've always had more resources than us. They own half the land in Leserin, and endowments as well.

'But the problem is, they're not satisfied. If you ask me, those people aren't after civil liberties at all. What they want is the ability to do whatever the hell they want in this town. And they're already doing it, yes? The clubs, the drinking, the sex and the drugs...'

That might be true, but that's still quite different from your line of work. Hoofter doesn't seem to have gotten that, even after you ask him about any aggressive or political actions that the students at UL have taken.

'Aggressive? Look, you go down to the South Wards now, and stand at the Bullring Cross where the old town centre used to be. There is now so much vandalism, disrespect and damage of public property, and so on. And yet, every two months or so, they go on great big marches to protest increases in fees or to protest police brutality of some sort.'

'Have there been incidents of brutality?'

'I can assure you that all actions we take are warranted. No one likes to use a truncheon. But you see someone who's high, yes? There's no reasoning with them.'

At length your little interview seems to have ended, and you thank him for the tea. You still don't have the general sense that anything other than spraypaint or waterballoons filled with ink will be involved at the vice-minister's visit. Is Karen being paranoid? And Hoofter? Or are you the one who's too laid back?

Outside, it's dark and a little chilly, and you're wondering where to go. There are now at least three houses around here blasting with music and noise, and you can kind of see Hoofter's point... still, you're not sure there's much work left for you to do.

> What do? Back to hotel? Infiltrate uni?

>>26877695

Practice spy skills. Infiltrate a house party.

>>26877752

Yeah, let's go with this. To the one with the girl staring at us.

>>26877975
>>26877752

> Intriguing.

The idea comes to you in a flash, and you wonder if you really should; but soon you are standing in front of the door of that house - House 62, it turns out. Music is playing and people chatting inside when you knock on the door; a half drunk woman, with a half drunk man leaning against the wall behind her, opens it, brushing the black hair from her forehead and looking you over.

'Hello!' She grins, and topples forward into a hug. Then, that done, 'sorry, do I know you? Or are you one of Ella's friends?'

You reach out to steady her out of kindness, and also to stop her from sweating all over your top. The smell of alcohol, sweat and... furniture, maybe, wafts to you, a familiar smell from not too long ago. Dear god, you were a student not too long ago.

Well, the situation still looks reversible now...

> Reverse it.
> Go for it.

>>26878107
>> Go for it.
possible intel on site, must continue on mission

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>>26878107

Onwards!

What could possibly go wrong?

"Not yet, but hopefully I soon will be!"

>>26878322
>>26878180

Do you have anything left to do today? Now that everything seems to have led to a bit of a dead-end, and you're probably not getting more information or help until tomorrow? You could go back to the hotel, probably, or...

As you think about that, the girl begins leading you in. 'Look, if you're Ella's friend-'

'Joey, is this guy actually one of us?'

'Idunno!'

'Yeah,' you cut in. You'll have to search harder tomorrow. Or maybe you can stumble on something today. 'Yeah, I'm Ella's friend, where's she?'

'Woohoo! Yeah I don't know either!'

The door shuts behind you, trapping you in what is clearly the more dancing portion of the house party. Furniture has been shuffled to one side, the living room has got some students prancing about, and laughter ripples from the kitchen. Joey, if that's her name, drags you through to the kitchen, but then simply slips into the crowd. You look at a table full of neatly-poured and arranged drinks in plastic cups.

Well, order in chaos. That's nice. You're about to reach for one when someone grabs a drink and pushes it in your hand. It's a blonde girl, rather petite, in a red dress. For some reason she looks... familiar, though you definitely do not know her.

'Drink up, then! You're overdressed, you!' It's orange juice and vodka. No problem. 'I'm Heike. You?'

'Gerald,' you say. Actually, let's not use 'no problem' so lightly with vodka...

> Talk to her.
> Look for Ella, whoever on earth she is.
> Other.

>>26878460

Have a chat. Isn't she the guitar-toting girl? Nah, we would have recognized that one instantly.

>>26878460
> Talk to her.

may as well, tell her she looks familiar, might be something interesting

>>26878460

> Talk to her.

Ask about what sort of party this is, what she does in university, maybe.

Maybe she knows useful people.

>>26878460
>> Talk to her.
ALL the diplomancy.

>>26878584
>>26878578
>>26878501

You smile, and settle into a spot in the kitchen, jostling constantly with the others while talking. The fact that she's had a few, clearly, makes it easy for you to dodge questions and let her do the answering; so within half an hour and three vodkas, you know she's currently doing Linguistics and Philosophy at UL.

'That's one of the really prestigious courses,' you say, which is quite true. She giggles at that. 'And what else do you do, then?'

'Well, I'm... with the LibSoc.'

Luck of the university student. Clearly only works with other university students, it seems. Heike knocks back another vodka as you try again to figure out why she looks so familiar. It's not someone you've seen, it's someone related to someone you've seen. She bears a family resemblance.

> Roll d100 for recognition attempt.
> Roll another d100.
> What say? You're well within your limits, and in a good position - no one seems to have figured you out. Upstairs, the house also sounds and looks quite filled with people.

>>26878742
"Do you have a sister?"

Rolled 97, 48 = 145

>>26878742

rolling!

Rolled 25, 18 = 43

>>26878742

Ask if her family's from the capital city. Also, so what's the Libsoc up to?

>>26878930
Maybe rather ask about LS core tenets than bluntly asking what they are up to

>>26879040
>>26878831
>>26878836

'So what's Libsoc about?' you ask, trying to remember what societies you joined. Dear god. You were in boxing for a bit, then you were in the Spanish club. Oh, and the knitting club, because Sara loved knitting. You were quite the idiot.

Heike shrugs at that, and her voice sinks a little. 'It's just... some political events now and then... some protests... a few cultural events, maybe. But it's just a little meh, I suppose. Or do you mean ideology? Oh, don't get me started about ideology. I think maybe someone else...'

So much for that. 'Are you planning anything for the week ahead, then?'

'Oh, I wouldn't know...' you can tell she's trying to hide it. Mostly because she's giggling and rubbing her face as she says that. It's fun talking to the drunk.

You ask if she has a sister, and she nods. 'Yeah! Of course! Mette's just upstairs, actually, and... wait, how do you know? Are you psycho or something? I mean, psychic, oh god I *am* pissed!'

Psycho? Psycho. The recognition sparks in your mind, almost physically making your head jerk. Thankfully Heike has not inherited the fearsome glower, but her features are clearly those of her dad and mum. The Varind family.

As you think that, though, Heike begins giggling again and bumps headfirst against your shoulder, keeping it there. You think you know enough of human interaction at parties to guess what that might mean.

> Ask about Mette.
> Get her away from the party.
> Pursue other leads in this party. (Did you just stumble on an LS gathering or something?)
> Other.

>>26879104
>> Pursue other leads in this party. (Did you just stumble on an LS gathering or something?)
Stroll around, maybe, if it's not too suspicious just leaving this girl alone without giving her the dick.

>>26879104

> Ask about Mette

Let's go upstairs.

>>26879104
Be the gentleman and don't take advantage of the girl. Is she too drunk for a dance or something?

So, family of our dear visitor is being mildly rebellious, yes? These are liable to be quite knowledgeable of dear minister's shortcomings. Let's pretend to drink some more, see if we can overhear anything interesting before we make ourselves scarce.

>>26879314
>>26879182
>>26879256

After a little more of her head rolling, you rouse her and get her out to the dance floor. The vodka's gone through you surprisingly quickly, or maybe it's just some strange excitement at meeting the minister's daughters. Daughter.

You have no idea what music is playing - is it Spanish? Portuguese? Probably Portuguese - but Heike doesn't seem to care or mind as you dance with her. The two of you dance for a short while, she grinning as she shakes and twists, and then you think it's time and gently ease her into another crowd. Heike doesn't seem to notice, given how they go 'Wooo!' and hug each other.

Well, it could've gone better. But it could've gone worse.

Heike wasn't quite in a state to tell you too much about Mette, but once you're upstairs you recognise her almost immediately too. You also realise that the house is rented (or maybe owned) by her, given that her name is above a room door. 'No, right, you see, it just isn't right,' she says. 'We can't live in a culture where people are only allowed to protest insofar as it suits the interests of the government!'

'But the point is, what's 'the government' in this case?'

'And that's another thing! What we have in Geminia,' she sips her wine with a strange elegance and then crosses her legs, 'is this ideological state. The party is the government, almost. They don't say it - they never do - but then why are the Governmental councils often staffed by NF people? It's almost like we're back in the communist era or something.'

You take advantage of the rant to sidle up to the group, and Mette notices you, bright red lips curling into a smile. 'What do you think, then? Ideological state, or just cultural hegemony enforced by brute force? I think it's a lot subtler than the latter.'

> Um. What say?

>>26879457
"Humans aren't subtle creatures, I fear"
What is this idort blabbering about?

>>26879457

"Brute force? I'd say it's more momentum, or tradition. People are unwilling for a change when they don't see pressing need for one."

>>26879457
> subversive thoughts right when they think we're drunk
ALL MY SHADOWRUNS.
ALL OF THEM.

>>26879561
>>26879540

You try to make your thinking face, then realise you *are* using your thinking face. Maybe this is your permanent face now, the thinking one. That's not all bad.

'Well, I don't think subtlety enters into it. Humans aren't subtle creatures.'

'Oh, but they can see things easily. Perceptive creatures!' As if to underline that, she stares at you, and for a moment you wonder if she realises she doesn't know you. But if she does, it passes.

'Anyway, a lot of the time it's not brute force after the first few years. Momentum counts. Tradition counts.'

'That's true if you don't believe in mankind being capable of progress, man,' Mette says. 'But we've proved that wrong! Look at us now! Anyway. I want a smoke, and... come join me,' she points at you. The discussion about dictatorship seems to have completely ignored her departure.

What's with people taking you along for a smoke? But as you follow her to her room, standing outside while she gets her fags, she then comes out and frowns at you. 'Who the hell are you?' she says, narrowing her eyes.

Woah. That was quick.

> Friend of a friend.
> Student in the UL, just thought to drop by.
> I'm not good at excuses. Come up with something.

>>26879692

Heike knows us. Or is that too risky?

>>26879692

"I'm your guardian angel sent here to keep you from coming to harm."

That's perhaps stretching the truth a bit but there is a grain of truth in it, especially if she's involved in plot of any kind.

>>26879784
I think this is how we should play it. It's technically true, and I think Heike is drunk enough she'd back that claim up for now.

>>26879820

Dude, don't blow cover!!

>>26879857

Our cover is being one of her father's clerks making preparations for the visit. Is it too big of a stretch to assume her father would want to make sure that his daughters are alright?

...yeah, I suppose in this case it is.

>>26879784
>>26879840
>>26879820
>>26879857

Close up, Mette's actually really pretty. Well, she's good looking at a distance too, but then she was spouting off about the government, which kills the vibe a little. But now her suspicion is threatening.

You wonder if she, as a LS member - maybe a leading LS member? - might have something to do with whatever Hoofter says is afoot. And if so, what might happen to her or everyone around here?

Not that that's worth blowing cover for. Instead you stand straight, take a small step back, and say that you're Heike's friend. The audacity of that claim proves effective; Mette gives you a long frowning look, then gestures to move, leading you through the kitchen and into the backyard. From the way other partygoers greet her she does seem influential; it's always possible to see those who walk knowing they stir things up.

In the backyard you avoid one, then two couples making out before she lights up. 'How do you find this party, then? And what has Heike told you about us? Are you part of the Libsoc or something? And are you from UL?' Then she holds up a hand. 'Wait, don't tell me. Political science.'

> Was that right?

Also:
> Make as if you know nothing.
> Make as if you know more than you do.
> Make... for the best policy.
> Make it up.

>>26879914

... damn, you have a point.

We didn't know they were here though.

>>26879956

Do we remember if minister's family spent any time in Capital where we could have met Heike on more favorable terms?

If not, perhaps we could go with saying that we've met her - briefly - last summer, and heard of this party from another friend and decide to rekindle the acquaintance.

>what have we actually been studying anyway?

Pol science is something of a hobby of ours.

>>26879956
just popping in to say this has been a pleasure to read so far

>>26880038

We've been in government just one month though.

But it sounds like a possible lie. Seconding.

>>26879956
I think political science is a reasonable background for us to have. I vote Aye to that one.

If she's asking us if we're Libsoc I don't think she is. I think we should play it cool and act on the knowing less than knowing more. We absolutely cannot say we are Libsoc, there are too many of them here and they won't recognize us.

>>26880084
we've been in training for a lot more months though.

>>26880092
This. Play it cool, see if she reveals anything.

>>26880058

> Thank you very much. Much appreciated.

>>26880092
>>26880084
>>26880038
>>26880114

You grin, and your surprise is actually quite genuine. 'Good guess. Are you psychic?'

'No, but I'm psycho!' You find yourself laughing without really knowing why. It's not even that funny, actually. But anyway. You try to think of a reason you might have met her in the capital, but then realise that if she thinks you're from UL that would sound weird. 'So you've graduated, then?'

'Yep, unfortunately,' you say. 'No more of the South Wards.'

'No more of the Green Fairy!' She grins, brushes hair from her face. For a moment you consider a truncheon landing on that face. There isn't an angle you could consider which would be pleasant. 'Well, if you were from the LibSoc, then hail to you, senior. And if you were for the Front, then I am not allowed to comment. But my comments would be colourful...'

'Gerald,' you say.

'Gerald.'

That's not something you're going to talk about. You think Mette is quite well disposed towards you, but at the same time you think she *is* in the liberal society after all. Also, she's a lot more sober than her sister right now (where's she?)

Here's a vein you might be able to work.

> What ask? You seem to be in a good position to find out more...

>>26880223

Let's ask how the lib soc has been doing, and if this is a gathering of them. Like it or not they have been pinpointed as the prime suspect in any trouble now.

If they are guilty, we find it. If they are innocent we must defend them.

>>26880223

She might be misguided, but she surely means well.

Anyway, is there a historical or otherwise interesting/significant landmark we could invite her for a walk/trip/hike for tomorrow?

Alternately, we could have some pleasant, civil, poli-scientific debate with her. Although some other Anon will have to do so for I know less than a gov't liaison would on the topic.

>>26880303

>we must defend...
...the minister. That's our job.

It would be nice if we could absolve them from suspicions if these subersives are innocent or only participate in trivial pranks like pie throwing. Even though wasting good pie is a sin, it's not like taking a man's life. Unless there's starvation around, which it's not.