6 October 2022,
Bingol, Packilvania
The cars came screeching into the Exalted Porte. Tourists visiting the Bingol Royal Palace had already been evacuated and the complex was on lock down. The Crescent and other news networks had already issued the emergency response communication to the public.
To minimise the sense of panic and erosion of confidence such an attack might bring, the Bingol government immediately dispatched police officers to set up checkpoints and inspect vehicles around the city. Movement was severely restrict through the imposition of a curfew that was to come into force later that evening.
“This is a disaster”, Prince Abuyin said as they entered the Palace, “I just got off the phone with President Sudjawardia who said that they want to hold off talks pending an investigation”.
Prince Thumim replied, “At least we have in-principle support for a trade agreement so already that’s a win, Abuyin. You’re doing well. These things happen, and we have prepared for situations like this”.
“But not well enough to prevent them from happening altogether”, Prince Abuyin replied.
The Prince’s private secretary met with them in the lobby as they entered and let them know that a meeting was already in progress with the heads of various branches of state security.
“Listen, Abuyin”, Prince Thumim commanded, “I need you to check up on President Sudjawardia and his team and make sure that they are all safe and accounted for. Reassure him that we are on top of this problem and that we will be ready for talks to resume as planned. I will deal with the security implications of this”.
“Right”, Prince Abuyin said as he went away to see President Sudjawardia at the Imperial Guesthouse, “I’ll also make sure that we post additional security for them”.
Prince Thumim joined the teleconference call from the Temahed Board Room.
“We have quite the update for you, sir”, Prince Nukan, Chief of the Defence Staff said.
“I’m all ears”, Prince Thumim replied.
“So”, Prince Nukan said, “Our ballistics and explosives experts have rendered a computer simulation of the event based on camera footage and data collected at the site of the explosion. The explosion was triggered by a military-grade explosive device capable of and which we believe was most likely intended to destroy Behayeen Bridge”.
The Member of the City’s Executive Committee for Transport added, “Behayeen Bridge is an overpass that cross sectionally spans the Gurion Bedon Road which was on the processional route between the Palace of the Parliament and the Bingol Royal Palace”.
Lord Ixarion Humeed, Duke of Wahed and Head of State Security Agency stated, “Based on the timing of the detonation of the device and its location, we have surmised that the intended target of the attack was either you and the other high ranking members of the Packilvanian and United Malordia delegations”.
“Based on the examination of search queries online and text messages”, Sarmaad Ashmadoon, Director of the Cyber and Telecommunications Security Agency stated, “We have not found any evidence of communications among multiple possible actors to substantiate the fact that this might have been coordinated and to what end. Nevertheless, we are monitoring Telecommunications lines and Web activity for signs of communication among the perpetrators”.
Lord Ixarion Humeed rebuffed, “Notwithstanding the limitations of technology, we have leveraged our sapient intelligence expertise based on patterns of prior behaviours among similar groups as well as the depth of the infiltration and the lapses in security, that this was an inside job perpetrated by one of our own”.
The room fell silent for a moment as the weight and depth of the situation became apparent.
Prince Nukan broke the silence by corroborating this information, “Based on witness testimony from the guards at the checkpoint, the driver of the vehicle and alleged perpetrator of the attack had received prior clearance from defence headquarters”.
Prince Thumim asked, “How exactly can someone get that clearance? Can we eliminate the possibility that they hacked defence systems”.
“Yes sir”, replied Sharaf Eretz, Director of the Military Intelligence Agency, “Based on our assessment of malware and other software based security threats of the defence headquarter systems, there was no infiltration, that only leaves the room that they had inside help”.
Prince Nukan followed up by saying, “Officers at the checkpoint as well as those at defence headquarters are currently being interrogated. Sir, I understand that this lapse in security happened under my watch and I am prepared to resign my post as Chief of the Defence Staff”.
Prince Thumim replied in annoyance, “We will address the matter of your career prospects later. Do we have any idea who did it?”
Silence followed.
“Well?” Prince Thumim said.
Prince Nukan replied, “No sir, we don’t know who did it”.
“Unbelievable!” Prince Thumim said, “We are supposed to have one of the most air tight security architectures on the planet and yet we cannot find a few vagabonds”.
“With all due respect, sir”, Prince Lohadek, Minister of State Security replied, “It has been less than half an hour since the attack ensued, we are still gathering information, but we are confident that the security measures put in place will expose the culprits and enable us to apprehend them”.
“Is that the best you can say?” Prince Thumim demanded.
Sharaf Eretz stated, “Yes sir, but we are confident that-”
“I do not wish to cut you off, Lord Eretz”, Prince Thumim replied, “But if what you’re going to say is that you’re trying your best, I do not have the appetite. Let’s adjourn and regroup in an hour. You may all leave except Prince Lohadek and Lord Humeed”.
Once everyone else had gotten off the call, Prince Lohadek asked, “What may I help you with, sir?”
“I have a feeling that Lord Humeed’s words are far more important than they appear at face value”, Prince Thumim said., “A powerful person with motive and opportunity needs to have perpetrated this attack. I want you two to work together to collect all the travel and communication data of Princes especially those who might hold a grudge against me that would benefit them”.
Prince Lohadek asked, “Does the scope of this investigation include His Imperial Highness, the Deputy Crown Prince Abuyin?”
Prince Thumim took a deep breath and replied, “Yes. I’m. afraid I must eliminate the possibility”.
Lord Humeed asked, “But sir, wouldn’t he have been crushed by the bridge too?”
“Unfortunately”, Prince Thumim asked, “We can’t be too careful”.
“We understand sir”, Prince Lohadek said.