Intercepted Transmissions

Salocin · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:25 am Post subject: Intercepted Transmissions

(I'm experimenting with a different kind of storytelling style, so bear with me)

Transmission Destination: Corellia
Transmission Source: Dor Vallik, somewhere in the Outer Rim

Transmission Body:

It seems our information was correct, Commander. The Inquisitor Nurmaens arrived late today, standard time. I wasn’t able to observe him myself, but several of my agents saw the shuttle arrive. It was apparently a simple ceremony, though the planetary governor, Geoff, met him.

Something to note is the fact that he was traveling alone. He had no guards with him, no aides or advisors, and when Geoff offered the Inquisitor several members of his personal guard, the Inquisitor waved them off. It is likely that he has no guards with him even now, a fact we may wish to capitalize on.

Other than that fact, I am told that nothing else of interest occurred. My sources close to the Governor tell me that the Inquisitor is here to oversee the execution of a criminal being held in the Imperial Prison, though there is nothing to indicate that there is any special prisoner being held. I will try to learn more.

End Transmission

[II-152: Colonel, I suggest we ask the Inquisitorius for more information regarding this Nurmaens. We have no records of him requesting a travel order, or of him entering the Dor Vallik system. I also confirm that there is no one of interest in the Dor Vallik prison. Perhaps we should inform this Governor Geoff?
II-352]

[Response to II-352: Regarding your suggestion: Do you have some sort of death wish? I had Internal Affairs questioning me almost immediately after you sent that message. I had half a mind to send them down to you. I’ve got a suggestion for you. Do not get involved with Inquisitorius business, and do not send any message to Geoff.
II-152]
_________________
Were I in your shoes, I would spend my last earthly hours enjoying the world. Of course, if you wish you can spend them fighting for a lost cause. But I think that you know, you've already lost.

Salocin · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:25 am Post subject:

Transmission Destination: Corellia
Transmission Source: Dor Vallik, somewhere in the Outer Rim

Transmission Body:

Commander, I have confirmed that Inquisitor Nurmaens is not here to witness the execution, or at least he has other reasons for being here. It is now three days after the execution (which he did not attend), and he shows no signs of leaving.

The Governor is planning to throw a large party to honor his guest, and I suspect he will invite me. My cover has placed me as one of the more prominent merchants, and this colony is still small. Many of the Geoff’s servants work for me – perhaps we can use this party to our advantage?

I could use the party to get close to Nurmaens, eliminate him, and have the servants block my pursuers. There is some risk involved, of course, but surely it is worth it to eliminate an Inquisitor? I await your response.

End Transmission

[II-152: I know you told me to not bother myself with the affairs of the Inquisitorius, Colonel, but don’t you think we should send word to the Inquisitor or the Governor that an attack is possible? I do not see how any harm could come of it.
II-352]

[Response to II-352: And that is why you are a major and I am a colonel. I have strict orders on this from high up. No messages are to be sent to the Dor Vallik colony while the Inquisitor is there. Perhaps you should just start forwarding the messages along and stop thinking about them so much?
II-152]
_________________
Were I in your shoes, I would spend my last earthly hours enjoying the world. Of course, if you wish you can spend them fighting for a lost cause. But I think that you know, you've already lost.

Salocin · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:26 am Post subject:

Transmission Destination: Corellia
Transmission Source: Dor Vallik, somewhere in the Outer Rim

Transmission Body:

Commander, I regret to report that the operation was a failure. It was a very strange party, but we may have benefited from it regardless. I will explain in detail what occurred.

Geoff, the governor, spared no expense on the party. I believe he was trying to impress the Inquisitor with his wealth, but it did not seem to be effective. For most of the early evening, the guests (myself and the Inquisitor included) mingled about, speaking with each other. The Inquisitor looked comfortable in this setting, and I actually spoke to him several times. He seemed comfortable enough, and he mentioned something about looking forward to an imminent leave. He did not discuss the details of this leave with me, and stopped talking to me when I pressed the topic (carefully, of course). Anyways, it was obvious from his behavior that the Inquisitor was not comfortable with Geoff’s fawning.

After several hours of this, dinner was announced. It was an enormous feast, and there was little speaking throughout. However, at its conclusion, the Inquisitor stood up to give a speech. I will recount it exactly as I remember it:

“Citizens and… fellow soldiers (he said this last part with quiet sarcasm, looking at Governor Geoff). Several days ago, we witnessed Imperial justice. A man was executed for breaking our Emperor’s laws, a punishment justly deserved. And tonight, we will witness justice once more (at this phrase, my stomach turned to ice, and I had the sudden feeling that he knew who I was). A man who has broken the Emperor’s laws sits at this very table, insulting me and all other occupants in this room, down to the lowest servant. I have seen to it that, over the course of the feast, this criminal, this traitor (he said the word with obvious disgust) was poisoned. It is a slow acting agent, bringing an agonizing and long death (by this time, I had broken out into sweat. I could feel the poison in me, but I was determined not to give the Inquisitor the satisfaction of seeing me writhe). Indeed, I am sure the man in question already feels the effects, and it will soon become much worse. The only question is (I was shaking by now, desperately looking around the table for support, but all eyes were on the Inquisitor) how long it will take before this despicable creature cries out (I almost did cry out at this point, the pain was so great).”

The Inquisitor then sat down, a sly smile crawling onto his face as he looked around the table. I swear that his eyes rested on me longer than any other, and I will never forget that moment in all my life. It was then, however, that Geoff fell back in his chair, a pathetic, drawn out moan out of his lips rather than a scream. I’ll not recount any more details of his death, but I will carry those images with me until my dying day. It seems the Governor was a bit corrupt, and had been planning to cut himself off from the Empire, the Inquisitor explained to us after it Geoff was finally dead. That very night, not five minutes after the party had ended, the Inquisitor boarded his shuttle and left.

I suggest, Commander, that we use this event to get someone more friendly to our cause placed in Geoff’s now vacant position. I eagerly await your response.

End Transmission

[II-352: Major, please send the following message to the commander of the Dor Vallik garrison: “Arrest and execute the wealthy merchant Car Duan, and all servants of the former governor’s household.” I expect the message sent within the hour.
II-152]
_________________
Were I in your shoes, I would spend my last earthly hours enjoying the world. Of course, if you wish you can spend them fighting for a lost cause. But I think that you know, you've already lost.