[PRIVATE] Secure office of MIDA

[unmerged(33865)]

Loic calls Hedgar Joover, and passes on the information provided by the President that he received from the US intelligence services about the Cuban agent, going by the name of Rio, who had come here via Buenos Aires, Argentina.
"Now that you have this information, plus what I provided you with before, I think it makes sense to do an in-depth interrogation of Cornelius Dank. Stick to what we can do constitutionally, but take as much time as necessary, amd make sure he doesn't get any more instructions out to his Cuban thugs.

Let's not overreact to the other 'spontaneous' riots, but the fire and explosion at the fuel depot could have been to destroy the evidence of where the bombers got the fuel oil for the truck bomb, if that was one of the the ingredients, so prehaps we should follow up on that one first."

He then calls Deputy MDIS Frans Truman and provides the US supplied information to him, as head of CIS.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Loic de Fourgéres contacts Head of FLEA Hedgar Joover, Eutopia City Police Chief Mulhoney, and Eutopia City Police Commissioner Gwenneth Lowtower.
"First, I would like to congratulate the police of Eutopia City on their generally professional handling of the march that deteriorated into a riot. I know it could have gotten much worse, so your people's actions undoubtedly saved many live and prevented countless numbers of injuries and extensive property damage.

The President has asked me about the investigation into whoever fired the shots from within the crowd, particularly the shots fired at Cornelius Dank. I believe some of the partisan press have echoed this request. Cornelius Dank, whatever negative things I may have previously said about him in public, was, at the time, and perhaps for a few hours longer still is, a member of the General Assembly, and so an attempt on his life would not just be attempted murder but attempted assassination. Accordingly, I would like to be able to provide the President with a status report, ideally including a photo of the gunper or gunpers."

 

[The_Hawk]

Commissioner Lowtower is furious. "The President asked you about our investigation, did he? You know, it's funny, there's an editorial by the President in this copy of the Eutopian Worker sitting on my desk where he blasts my people for not investigating who shot Dank, and not caring who did anyway. Yesterday, his lackey Rashaad basically accused us of shooting Dank ourselves in this rag! Apparently neither one of them have noticed how many good people I had to pull off the beat to clean up the mess their partymates made! And now he wants to know how it's going?!

You may like being played for a political patsy, Minister, but I don't. The President wants to grill my department for not doing their jobs and then claim credit when they do? You go back to the President and tell him to put a muzzle on, or he won't get a lick of help from the Eutopia City Police Department. AND you can be damn sure that every time I have a press conference or interview about this case, I'll be reminding the public how eager Josephus Locke Sergei is to interfere with the justice system and cut a few of his pals free!" There is a loud CLANG as Lowtower slams the phone down.

There is a long silence, followed by Chief Mulhoney sighing deeply. "Minister, I may not agree with the way the Commissioner said it, but I have to agree with what she said. To a lot of people in this government, it looks like the President is trying to appease a handful of his radical left-wing friends at the expense of justice and law. Hell, I saw the video just like you did -- Dank saw the riot police arrive to protect the GA and ordered his followers in anyway. How does Josephus think people are going to react to him trying to explain away such a blatantly irresponsible act?

"I don't know what magic trick Josephus is going to pull this time, Minister, but he'd better come up with a doozy. There's no way he can slam us one day and ask us for favors the next. The Chancellor will never go for it."

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Loic thanks Chief Mulhoney for his more thoughtful reaction.
"I am already on record as critical of Dank, and from what I have seen, the charge of incitement to riot appears perfectly appropriate. If he is convicted of a felony, I have already offered to work with the Speaker of the GA to get him impeached as we are both members of the council of state.

That being said, shots appear to have been fired from within the crowd, at the police, at a building, and at MGA Dank, before Dank crossed the line from irresponsible to criminal, in this instance. Dank supplied the fuel, and he fanned the flames enough to be guilty of incitement to riot, but someone else provided the spark that set off the crowd. It may have been someone more radical than Dank, or someone antithetical to him that wanted him discredited or dead or both, but it is unlikely that Dank ordered someone to just wing him, as the chances of something going wrong are too high to make that idea creditable.

As to your views on the President's actions, well you should have seen how he is trying to spin Dank's actions."
Loic pulls out the President's letter and reads:

I've seen the police transcripts; I watched the events unfold from my office. From what I saw, Dank was shot at first. He merely asked the marchers to retreat to the safety of the GA.

"I blame these events on the disappearance of the moderate wing of the ESA, the ones that were there when the P4P endorsed him. When they left, the President seemed to have no choice but to put forward the more radical elements that were left. I have advised him to sack Dank. Previously, he had followed my advice, but not recently. Hopefully, he will come to his senses shortly. In the meantime, he is still President, so I will provide a response to his question, that the investigation is still under way, but that the Provincial authorities did not appreciate his unconstitutional attempt at meddling, and that a report will be released to him the same time it is to the public. If you prefer, I will leave out the middle bit."

 

[The_Hawk]

"I would just as soon the President know how we felt, Per Minister. Frankly, I don't want him denying later that he knew how critical we had been of his handling of this matter because no one told him. If you don't advise him to back off of his comments, I'm not accepting responsibility for the flak he might take from the Capital District government. He should probably be reminded that we don't work for him.

"You know as well as I do that being shot at is not justification for inciting a riot. Frankly, I don't think the President's spin is going to end well for him. There's no footage of the shooters so far -- the TV cameras were pointed at the stage at the time, which Dank had just vacated, which is why we don't have TV feed to offer you to find them -- but there's plenty of Dank inciting a riot. Nor, frankly, do I think it's responsible for the President of the Republic to be implying that it's OK to riot so long as you have a valid reason.

"But those are political concerns, not law enforcement ones. We'll keep on the case -- we've been calling for anyone who may've been taking photos or filming the crowd to step forward. There may be a socialist out there somewhere who knows something."

 

[unmerged(33865)]

"Thanks, I will make sure that he knows. You are absolutely right that being shot at does not absolve Dank from incitement to riot. Good luck with the investigations."

 

[unmerged(33865)]

MIDA Loic de Fourgéres calls Hedgar Joover.
"I know everyone has been focusing on the ECB bombing and the march that turned into a riot, but sometimes later events make it possible to solve earlier crimes. I am thinking of the murder of Carlos Rojas, the ECL official that warned us about Cubans with his dying breath. The correctness of the warning was supported by the information that the President was able to get from his stale contacts, and then confirmed by the intelligence from the Americans. When President Josephus and the Americans agree on something, it is hard to imagine it could be wrong. Carlos Rojas somehow heard about them before we did. If it had been a random occurance, then he could have just let us know without resorting to the confidential tip line, so it would therefore seem to be via his activity in his union or the ECL. Your agents have already put together a timeline, as best they could, about where he was before he was killed. Can we put together a time line for Cornelius Dank, and see whether they intersect. After that time, we would need to find out who else Cornelius met with to see if that provides any leads to who shot Per Rojas. I am not saying Dank ordered it, he may have been misinterpreted, like Henry II's "who will rid me of this troublesome priest?" comment that got Thomas a Becket killed, but either way, we have a chance to get some additional leads in that case. Clearly he could just refuse to answer, but if we start with some softball questions, he may provide some answers before he clams up. Also, can we now get a search warrant for Cornelius Dank's files, laptop, and phone records?"

 

[Provolution]

Entry of Sir Augustus de Provolution

Sir Augustus enters with his favorite secretary, the ravishing Irish Eutopian beauty Sarah O'Hara, and his usual corporate in-house lawyers, aides, security staff and media team. A human mosaic of black corporate suits and sassy commercial life female dresses, all lined up in mobile corporate warmachine. Sir Augustus steps forward, a stately Gloriana aristocrat with a lineage exiling Britain over a family understanding following the Napoleonic Wars.

"Honorable Monsiegneur de Fourgeres, I just came from Paris, Folieres de Bergeres, the name rings a bell?" Sir Augustus was a charming and good mood today. "I got hearsay you requested new aviation technology for the UEP airforce, in particular new airplanes. I have assessed the Eutopian national economy as such, and noticed that we are in economic decline, to such an extent we need to consider utility versus costs. I am most opposed to purchasing the Mirage series airplanes, as these are being phased out by the Eurofighter Project, and if Eutopia should buy French Planes, why not Super Etendards due to our maritime Mid Atlantic placement?"

"Honestly, we should not buy the American Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) due to the extensions and added research costs, which are aggregated to the main cost at the buyers side, and we should not buy the Eurofighter, due to the intrinsic linkage to the European Union. Eutopia, a predominantly Atlantic and Western nation, with primarily Anglo, French and Spanish roots, should look into a new alternative."

Sir Augustus said with convicition and focus.
"I can see with our landmass, mountaneous topography and maritime orientation that we need a five pronged air purchase program befitting a nation of about 20 million people with the economy of Netherlands or so pro capita. In fact, we are slightly poorer."

"This is politically and economically a sound purchase model, appeasing all American, European and Russian aviation industry, as well as funding up our own.
We are already competing Brazillian Embraer these days." Sir Augustus added.

Sir Augustus called two aides... Finneran and Glamorgan, who came huddling over with the powerpoint projector and the handouts to be given out.

"1. American Helicopter Fleet for Coast Guard/Anti Terror (Chinook and Seakings, a few BH)
2. Russian Sukhoj SU37 Super Flankers fighters with domestic OPC upgrades for challenging topography and speed domestic superiority
3. European Super Etendard (vintage from the late eighties, but still very competitive by sea using Exocet missiles, used with advantage in the Falklands).
4. Brazillian Embraer transport airplanes, both safe and affordable, and does the job
5. Domestic "Provolution Stratospheric Intruder (PSI)" (for 5 million USD satellite launches, half the price of Cape Canaveral commercial satellite launches at 10 million USD, comparable to the three Russian stratospheric airplanes)"

Sir Augustus concluded....
"I also suggest that OPC handle security contracts, service level agreements, upgrades contracts, munitions contracts, communications contracts as well as maintenance contracts and proto-type development contracts in this multilateral bid.
We are willing to let Endtech handle the Super Etendard Contract as a national compromise, but OPC as the lead Eutopian Aerospace and Defense contractor should get this bid, as this may help Eutopia to become a space nation and cut defense costs at the same time maintain national security and sovereignty."

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Sir Augustus de Provolution finds the entry to the SECURE office of MIDA barred to him. An admin directs him to the normal entrance of MIDA.

(OOC: Please read the first posts on any [PRIVATE] thread before posting to see if you are entitled to do so. You may want to delete your post, if so, this one will be deleted too.)

 

[unmerged(15327)]

Truman calls to the secure office of MIDA...

"Per Loic, Truman here. I've just heard about sir de Provolution. We are already investigating his case. He was also able to send an invite to the Secured War Room for a dinner... For God sake, what is that for kind of person...
I'm realy worried about the security protocols... SAW will make a new one for the COC. Is this also necessary for the MIDA?"

 

[unmerged(33865)]

The gentleman was just addressing a locked door, no real harm in that. I hope he changes his spiel before he addresses President Josephus, because if calls him de Fourgéres, our President will be none too pleased. Or perhaps if he waits until next term when the President may have that name?

 

[unmerged(33865)]

MIDA Loic de Fourgeres meets with FLEA Director Hedgar Joover for a status update on the ECB bombing investigation.
"I was wondering if there was any connection between the harbormaster incident down in Hurteau..."
Loic pushes forward the NEWSLINK clipping about the incident.

HURTEAU HARBOR MASTER, GUARDS FOUND SLAIN

Provincial Police found the Harbor Master's office ransacked and an early morning sweep of the harbor by the EUtopian Coast Guard recovered the bodies of Harbor Master Jacques Clouseau and three security guards, Guilliame Muirai, Pedro Comprars, and Wilson Owens. Police spokespers say that all appear to have been murdered, by gunshot wound or stabbing.

Records from the Harbor Master's logs are missing, and several items such as electronic instruments and the office computers were stolen, and two warehouses appear to have been broken into, but both were logged, in redundant log books, as empty.

"...and this item from the American intelligence that the President forwarded to me.

Shipping/Cargo Manifest from Tropicano, voyaging from Havana, Cuba to Hurteau, Eutopia, arriving on Feb. 21st

"Could the goods that were stolen from the 'empty' have arrived on the Tropicano and somehow (probably intentionally) not have been logged?"

 

[von Streusser]

Joover notes that the date on the CIA package and the date the Tropicano arrived in Hurteau match, and a link is certainly possible. He suggests asking Rio about it, as long as he's spilling his guts anyway.

Meanwhile, Agents Kiedis and Anthony arrive from their field operation regarding the Hainan Star, reporting that despite the infrared search using helicopters as well as the combing of the forests with ground teams and the barricades, no refugees were located besides those that were captured on the beach. They estimate it is highly probable that some eluded authorities and are loose on the island.

"Also, it would appear these are Chinese illegal immigrants and refugees. They claim to be fleeing China because of religious persecution, and state they spent their last savings in hiring the ship captain who brought them here. They said he had contacts and knew people who could get them into the country. We captured a strobe light at the scene that was being used to signal a landing zone. There is a lot of infectious disease among the refugees, and none of them speak English.

We regret to inform you that our cruiser and most of our gear were lost when the refugees came ashore. Admiral Tulp apparently authorized his sailors to use deadly force with their assault rifles, and they just shot the beach up when the refugees rushed 'em. Nearly killed us both, too...we got down, but the cruiser wasn't so lucky." Agent Kiedis looks pretty pissed off about the whole thing. Agent Anthony continues.

"Sir, if we may offer our opinion: Admiral Tulp behaved as if these people were an invading army...there was no self-restraint, no control of the situation, and no checking of any targets before deadly force was used. We believe he acted in a completely irresponsible fashion which led to the deaths of dozens of civilians, albeit illegal immigrants, and the destruction of our cruiser. He even had his ship firing main gun rounds into their lifeboats! He's Quixotic, sir, tilting at windmills." Kiedis nods in agreement, and both agents stand ready to flesh out any details in their report that the Minister may require.

-vS as NPCs

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Loic thanks Hedgar Joover for the suggestion.
"I want to see what he comes up with voluntarily first, so as not to contaminate what he might say, but I will bring it up when he has completed his initial divulgences."

Loic listens to the reports of agents Kiedis and Anthony. He goes over to his desk and pulls out two small boxes.
"Thank you for your reports. I knew I was sending you into harms way, but I though the risk would be from the people on the foreign ship, not from our own navy. Don't worry about the cruiser, we will bill the Navy for it's replacement. Could you please stand?"

"For valor and meritorious service, provided at the risk of your lives, I am pleased to award you both these medals."

VP and MIDA Loic de Fourgéres opens the boxes containing medals, pins them on their jacket/shirt pocket and shakes their hands.

"You will both get an extra week of paid vacation as well.

I completely agree with you that Admiral Tulp's orders appeared to lead to a needless loss of life. He didn't seem to pay attention to my suggestions to proceed carefully, that there would probably only be at most a few terrorist infiltrators among the numerous refugees. When this story comes out, our whole nation will look bad.

There needs to be an investigation. Should we leave it up to the Inspector General, or do you think that FLEA should do it? You two are witnesses, so you wouldn't be running our investigation, if we decide to do one. What do you think?"

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Loic reviews the final version of the letter to lawyer in Eutopia City that 'Francisco Rio' named and has it sent to him with a copy of the conditional immunity agreement that Loic had negotiated and that was approved by the Commissioner of Justice. He makes a note for the next MIDA to consider investigating that lawyer, but after at least 6 months have passed, as he doesn't want to do anything to mess up the deal now.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Outgoing MIDA Loic de Fourgéres arranges for the secure files and transcripts to be archived, with access restricted to sitting MIDAs only. He takes a few person items to his main MIDA office.

OOC: This thread is closing, please don't post here. The Term XI secure MIDA thread can be found here.