One Tin Soldier Rides Away

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61

Ivan was a bit surprised by the attack. The Golem operator was able to defend against the mobs. A few attackers were tossed about like ragdolls. The mob had thought it was a mindless robot, but the fact that it wasn’t probably unnerved them. The only thing that got Ivan mad was the damage to the mine. “How many were in the mine?”

“Fifteen. We think four were killed. The Golem is already helping rescuers free the miners.”

Ivan sighed when he saw the remaining eleven miners emerged from the mine, shaken and some burns, but safe. Ivan may have cared about profits, but he wasn’t a heartless SOB. A company could not survive without its workers. “Increase security and also begin repairs on both the Golem and the mine. Also, place some spider mines…”

“No,” his brother said as he entered the room. “No spider mines. I will not have the Vulshainian military dragged into a potential diplomatic incident.”

Ivan and his brother glared at each other. “Fine. No spider mines. But I want you and your soldiers to help with security.”

“Deal. The Heimdal mechs will be on full alert. They were able to transform back into aircraft mode just as they were attacked. And the Vulshainian Military Corps of Engineers will send only two Golem mechs.”

“Two!? I ask for–”

“Two and only two will be sent. May I remind you brother, that you are still under investigation for suspicion of possible deals with conflict minerals and hiring of mercenaries.”

“I told you and the courts that I was naive and didn’t look carefully.”

“And because of your being naive, you are under investigation. You’re not the only one here who’s fur is at risk too. I stuck my neck out for you Ivan. I promised our parents that I would look after you. And I plan to. Don’t make me have to break that promise by arresting you.”

Ivan just stood there in silence. “Very well.”

His brother nodded and walked out of the room. Ivan returned to surveying the damage. “Tell those Laiataneses to get off their tails and start doing their jobs. If they want to see any returns in profits, they have to pull their weight around here.”

62

Embassy of the Royal Confederacy of Dannistaan, Rilanon, Christie Island
1:00PM EPT
“No, we perfectly understand, Mr.Reed,” Jeremy spoke as he shot angry glances at a sheepish looking DISOC field agent, “We have already dispatched a platoon of special forces soldiers and one of our best agents, with the delegates permission, to conduct a search and rescue mission. The last I heard the team is close to tracking down Mr. O’Day. We are as interested in seeing him returned unharmed as you are.”

The agent, a very nondescript looking male of Polynesian origins, suddenly put a finger to his radio earpiece as if to listen. Then he nodded.
“Excuse me ambassadors, I have an update. I need to verify a few things first, then I’ll be in touch in a moment. But I will need some privacy.”
“Of course, agent. You have my private study behind you.”
The field agent nodded and walked into the door, locking it shut behind him…

OOC: Warning. The following section may contain violent concepts. If you are of a sensitive disposition, you may wish to skip down to the second horizontal line.[hr]Undisclosed Location, Christie Island?
Time Unknown
“My people? Are you insane? I don’t associate with violent psychopaths who…”
“SHUT UP!! BOTH OF YOU!! OR I’LL BLOW A HOLE IN YOUR FARKING HEADS!!” the man in the balaclava shouted, waving a gun menacingly in their faces, “I’m sick of the Nahrinese soldiers farking up our plans. And I’m sick of both of you bickering. In fact…you both have been a waste of time and resources. I new it was better to kill you both off. And now…now I have no choice…get on your knees. NOW! FARKING DO IT!”

Several of the man’s colleagues, also in balaclavas, forced both Dee and O’Day to kneel with their heads down. The man then pressed his pistol against Dee’s temple.
“I’m sorry you have to witness this, Mr. O’Day,” he hissed as he was about to pull the trigger…

Somewhere away from the undisclosed location
Time Unknown
Operative Kokoro was initially not going to go into the field of operations herself, however unknown to almost everyone, aside from Commander “C”, she was so incensed that some of her colleagues, who could be called “friends” in a less restrictive situation, had betrayed her trust. Secretly, she seethed at the very thought that her closest confidantes would turn their backs on what she had worked so hard to protect. Against the advice of the Commander, she was now in the forest where Dee Ma’niddahs and Albert O’Day where. She was watching them through the scope of her sniper rifle, carefully aiming at TACOPS operative Alpha-219. She could recognise him from his voice and his stance as he aimed his pistol at Dee.

Behind Kokoro, a platoon of the 175th Nightwatch Special Ops regiment was crouched behind her.
“Ma’am?” one of the soldiers asked.
“Move to a position 9 o’clock, 300 yards off operative Alpha 219. Wait for the ‘Go’ command,” Kokoro’s icy calm voice provided little clue to her internal anger and conflict about what she was going to do.
“Yes ma’am,” the soldier replied before the platoon moved quietly to nearer the agent Kokoro was aiming at.

Kokoro still had some doubts over her actions. She considered Alpha-219 to be the closest of her colleagues, yet now, she saw what he was capable of and could not forgive him for his treachery. She finally decided to centre the crosshairs on the agent.
“Hal’vo have mercy on you,” she mouthed as she put her finger on the trigger…

Undisclosed Location, Christie Island?
Time Unknown
“Well, Ms. Ma’niddahs. It’s lights out…”

As the man in the balaclava was about to pull the trigger, a rustling diverted his attention. One of the wounded Nahrinese soldiers who was escorting Dee and O’Day earlier tried to stand up and aim a rifle at the man. The man quickly shot him in the chest. As he was about to return his aim onto Dee, Dee closed her eyes.

A loud crack filled the air.

Dee could feel blood gushing down her face. She thought at first this was the last few seconds of conciousness she had left and started murmuring a prayer to Hal’vo. Then she opened her eyes. There was blood over parts of her face. But the look of confusion in the eyes of her captor, even through the small gaps in the balaclava, told her something didn’t quite go right.

Then Dee noticed the problem. Her captor now had blood dripping from his mouth. He tried to say something but no words came out as he pitched over and hit the ground really hard. Dee looked at O’Day in surprise, as did her other captors who started shouting out angry panicked commands. Before they could do anything else, several more loud rifle shoots echoed through the forest, causing several more of the group to drop dead on the spot they stood. Only two of the remaining kidnappers managed to avoid being shot and ran away deep into the woods, followed by several more shots.

Dee got to her feet and helped O’Day up. As she did so, several Dannistrian soldiers appeared.
“Oh Hal’vo Hav’nar!” she sighed, “I’m guessing you are either hear to rescue us. Or you are just more of those crazies here to kidnap us.”

The soldier shook his head.
“We are here to do the former, Ms. Ma’niddahs and Mr. O’Day. We are to escort you back to the Dannistrian Embassy in Rilanon.”
Both O’Day and Dee both looked at the soldiers with suspicion before Dee sighed.
“Well, as long as you can get us out of these woods, I’ll trust you for now…”

Just then a helicopter hovered overhead and dropped a rope ladder down.
“We can’t make a safe landing here because of the terrain. We’ll cover you both. Just climb up the ladder and we will take you to safety!”

Both Dee and O’Day looked at each other, obviously suspicious of the soldier before Dee resignedly shrugged and climbed up the rope ladder. O’Day followed on. As did several soldiers. The lead soldier then gave a thumbs up to the pilot, who returned the gesture and flew the helicopter away as Dee and O’Day were strapped into their seats by the soldiers. As the helicopter flew away, the lead kidnapper could only say one thing.

“Kokoro…why…?” he croaked as he lay in the woods…

Somewhere away from the undisclosed location
Time Unknown
Kokoro lip read her dying friends words from her scope. Eerily, he seemed to be facing her direction, the blood trickling down his face as he asked her from a far.
Kokoro frowned before centering her crosshairs once more.

“Because…I had to…” she answered.

One last loud crack filled the woods…[hr]Embassy of the Royal Confederacy of Dannistaan, Rilanon, Christie Island
1:15PM EPT
The agent quickly returned into the room. He nodded to Jeremy and whispered into his ear, “It is done. They are safe and on their way via protocol Zulu 212.”

Jeremy sank back into his chair in relief and thanked the agent before dismissing him. He then turned back to Herman.
“Mr. Reed, you’ll be pleased to hear that Mr. O’Day has been found. He is on his way here directly. We do not want to continue to prolong this saga as long as it needs to be.”

As Jeremy continue to offer apologies and explanations of what had happened, they were interrupted by the sound of an approaching helicopter.
“Well, I believe that is them now.”

The party went upstairs to the rooftop landing pad. The helicopter was already down and Dee and O’Day were being seen to by army medics. Dee was visably shaken, but was still able to shout several curse words at Jeremy.
“Mr. Willis! I should’ve known you had something to do with this! I’ll have you know that HML will be taking legal action against the Central Government for not only using state terrorism to interfere with a private corporate matter, but also the fact that you endangered the life of one of our esteemed customers! I’ll warn you we can have the whole cabinet reelected if we so wish!”
“And your illegal dealings with the Nahrin Union will be overlooked, just like that, hmm?” Jeremy retorted, much to Dee’s embarrassment, “I’m only helping you as you are a Dannistrian subject! Frankly, I should hand you over immediately to Central Dannistrian Constabulary’s custody, as a matter of course. However, it is only because you and Mr. O’Day are recovering from a traumatic experience that we are not going to do so as of yet.”

Jeremy turned to O’Day.
“Mr. O’Day, on behalf of the Dannistrian Central Government I do apologise about the recent problems you have experienced at the hands of the rogue elements of Dannistrian Intelligence. I am more than happy to try to sort out any remedial measures that you may request. Within reason of course. I believe Mr. Herman Reed, the representative from your nation, wants to have a word with you?”

Jeremy stepped aside to let Herman speak to O’Day.

Camp Echo Foreman’s Office, Camp Echo, Fort Prospect, Auramont
Johann and Adrian were about to speak to Terry about his concerns from back home when they were interrupted by loud shouting from the camp gates.

“Oh shoot…that moron Lana must’ve…” Adrian was interrupted by several of the Bai Lungese shouting as they boarding some of the trucks in the foreman’s yard.
“Screw this!” one of the workers leaders shouted at Terry, Johann and Adrian in Mandarin, “I didn’t sign up for this. I’m outta here!”

“Oi! Come back here!” Johann shouted before the truck sped off, smashing open the gates as it did so. This allowed several of the Syrener CoSoMU workers protesting outside to run in.

The remaining group of Bai Lungese workers were not so welcoming of the intrusion.
“I don’t think so…Syreners…Dannistrians…they are all Chappies to me! Guys! Sick 'em!”

There was a loud roar as the large group of remaining Bai Lungese picked up several tools and mining equipment and charged angrily at the Syrener workers…

63

Embassy of the Nahrin Union/Republic of Nahris, Rilanon, Christie Island
1PM EPT

National Science Laboratories, Rue-du-Nord, Franco County, Nahrin Union
1:15PM EPT
Professor Kelly O’Brian smiled as she faced the crowd of assembled press. She was particularly proud of what she has achieved thanks to the suddenly increased amount of funding her project received. Admittedly, there was a political motive to the project, but Kelly didn’t care too much.
“All politicians, Syrener, Dannistrian, Bai Lungese, Dovakhan, Kelssek, FPSian, etc. They are all the same. They only care about their stupid careers and never see the bigger picture,” she thought to herself as she took her seat at the table of the press room, “And this bigger picture will revolutionise electronics and how they are made.”

“Ladies and gentlemen of the assembled press,” the administrator of the laboratories began, “I thank you for coming today to witness what will be a genuine revolution in electronics manufacturing. For too long, a few nations have held a monopoly on certain materials such as the ore Coltan, used to make Tantalum which in turn is the basis for many capacitors in small electronic devices. Without Tantalum based capacitors, a lot of devices would not be feasible. However, the main problem with Coltan mining is that it is often only obtainable from politically instable nations or nations where Coltan can only be obtained from environmentally sensitive areas. Or often both. This often leaves people with an environmental or moral dilemma, sometimes both, when purchasing or manufacturing portable electronic devices.”

The administrator then held up an engineering sample of a capacitor.
“However, the new breakthrough we have discovered today, thanks to Professor Kelly O’Brian and her team, means that those nations with Coltan reserves no longer have such a monopoly. Our new high efficiency Hafnium based capacitor means that there is now a viable alternative! Traditionally, Hafnium Capacitors were either impossible to use, or impractical to use in the portable electronics sector. However, not anymore. The breakthrough we have made today means that we have managed to perfect a simplified and miniaturised manufacturing process of Hafnium capacitors which work with a greater resistance to thermal effects than there traditional Tantalum based counterparts. And the elimination of Tantalum elements in the design means a vastly reduced need for Coltan.”

A projector shows several diagrams of the new capacitor design on a screen behind the scientists. Several members of the audience applaud, much to the happiness of the scientists. The administrator continued.
“The design was also designed to be manufacturable with minimal modification to existing production lines and at minimal additional cost, as low as 0.002% even with a total switch over of materials.”

As the administrator explained the various benefits of the new capacitor design, Prime Minister Kenny Cuthbert watched the whole conference from the backstage area of the press room. His depute motioned to him.
“Do you think the wider world will take to it?”
“With any luck they will do,” Kenny said quietly as the conference continued, “To crash the Coltan market and make Syrene’s discovery irrelevant. It would help out our position massively. If we get a monopoly ourselves on the new Hafnium market, so much the better but that isn’t our primary goal.”

His Depute nodded.
“But would crashing the market in Coltan really help the Syrener people. Or really sow more dissent between them and Dannistaan?”
“We can’t be far off it. Those EFD morons tried to bring in ununionised labour. Besides, once they get booted off, we can get the SGSO guys to plant further evidence to make EFD and the Dannistrians look bad.”

“Sir?”
An aide walked up to Kenny and spoke to him quietly. He frowned and nodded.
“Looks like we have a setback. O’Day made it out. Blue Eagles Team was eliminated. Pity. Looks like we will have to amp up things on this new capacitor tech to make it more appealing.”

The conference continued on with the administrator extolling the supposed benefits of the new capacitor design as Kenny looked on with a frown…

64

Vulshainian Mining Site

Several black vans stopped off near a body collection area of the militants already being worked by armed contractors. An older man stepped out of the back of one of the vans with other contractors carrying body bags. The man, Artyom Mikhailovich Mevyets was in charge of the Sokol garrison at the Vulshainian mining site. He looked at the scene through his aviator sunglasses, the burned and shelled hillside caused by the militant attack. One of his lieutenants approached him, weapon slung across his back.

“How many casualties?”, Artyom asked, looking back to the lieutenant. The lieutenant turned and looked at the scene. “We estimate twenty militants, two of ours wounded. They’re being patched up at the medical tent we’re operating.” Artyom nodded. “And what are we doing with the bodies?” The lieutenant shrugged. “Beats the hell out of me. We’ll just hand 'em over to the local government here. Can’t get our reputation tarnished with mass graves.” Artyom nodded in agreement. “Just load them up in the vans, we’ll figure it out from there.”

Artyom walked towards the mine, watching as Sokol contractors helped carry the injured and dead from the mine into Sokol pickup trucks as field doctors set up a triage center at the base of the hill, a Sokol cargo helicopter waiting nearby to take wounded to the hospital if necessary. He walked into the room with Ivan.

65

WARNING: VIOLENCE FEATURED IN THIS POST.

Outside the Camp Echo Foreman’s Office, Camp Echo, Fort Prospect, Auramont

The Syrener counterparts did not back down and responded likewise: armed with the very same tools and mining equipment and charged in their direction. It looked like something out of Braveheart where the Scots clashed with the English but there was no William Wallace or King Edward II.

Bai Lungese worker: ‘DIE! DIE, CHAPPIES!!!’

The first to shed blood was a Bai Lungese worker lobbing a molotov cocktail into the middle of the Syrener crowd. It was initially successful setting fire to 5 Syrener miners. However, the wind fanned the flames into the direction of the Bai Lungese rioters too, setting fire to an equal number of them too.

Bai Lungese worker: ‘FREE BAI LUNG! FREE BAI LUNG! DEATH TO THE CHAPPIES!!!’

A Bai Lungese slammed a pickaxe into the temple of his Syrener counterpart but his killing spree came to an end when 3 more Syreners hacked him to death with machetes.

Syrener worker: ‘Dispatch the Bai Lungese dogs! They are an upper form of dog to Syreners.’

Three other Bai Lungese workers kicked the face of a Syrene worker, leaving a bloody mess in his mouth and missing teeth. They also lynched 6 other workers and set them on fire with tire.

Syrener worker: ‘SYRENE JOBS FOR SYRENE WORKERS!!!’

A Syrener worker drove his buldozer into the roughly 500 Bai Lungese workers. He only killed 10 of them and injured 30 more before his mass murder rampage came to an end when a mining drill entered his head thanks to a Bai Lungese worker…

66

Vekaiyun Mining Camp

“Hospitals? Schools? Churches, even?” Yulor Mislevikoy shook his head, the soft breeze in the air giving some respite to the heat of the midday sun. Of course, the human Vekaiyun was not really used to the hot climate around the encampment. His long brown overcoat was not particularly built for such conditions. “We’re risking falling behind the other encampments, you know? Voytech isn’t going to be too pleased with the outcome should we lose our holding!”

“Relax, my friend,” Levo Yusmeversi said as he reached for some water from his canteen. “Vekaiyu doesn’t just jump into things like this, I thought you knew that? We’re in this for the long haul. Hospitals are staffed by Vekaiyun surgeons that are swarmed by young Syrene medial workers. Schools teach young and old alike Unonian and the connectivity of the Vekaiyun culture with theirs. If they’re going to give us workers without the undeniable proof of actual resources here, why not treat the workers as a resource?”

“I don’t follow.”

“They’re cheaper than Listonian workers, and way cheaper than Vekaiyun workers. But we learned a lot in Listonia. Fill the workers with pride, and they tend to work more. As for our actual work, trust me,” he said, looking to the small towers being constructed in the distance, “we will be fine.” He put a hand over his comrade’s shoulder. “You see, we started out slow to ensure our geologists could produce an effective map over the claim, because we didn’t believe the Syrenian geologists with their reports - they just seemed too absurd. I’m sure other camps thought we were ignorant to not just jump in and have a crack at it. But it was worth it.” He walked over to a table and opened a briefcase. “Do you know what’s much further under this vein, the vein that isn’t quite as big as once thought? Something much better than coltan.”

He unfurled a large map, nearly indecipherable with the tremendous amount of contour lines and various colors sweeping over the paper like a delicate patchwork. “How interesting,” Yulor said as he smirked. “Have other camps found this out?”

“Please,” Levo dismissed. “You know once one camp finds it the others will quickly follow. Voices carry, and the locals talk amongst themselves. We will promote solidarity.”

“We’re not strong enough to out-compete everyone,” Yulor warned.

Levo raised his eyebrows and nodded. “That’s why we’re in it for the long haul. Let’s play nice. We’ll keep our friends from other nations close by to weed out the competition.” He grimaced. “We should probably meet with them in time, to get our ducks in a row. If we all do our parts, we can get things together in no time.” He cleared his throat as he took the map and placed it back in its compartment.

“We stand to make a killing if it works out,” Levo said. “We all do.”

“Aye, I guess you can say that. But killing seems too rash of a word, especially for around these parts.”

“Eh?”

“We will do well,” Levo corrected.

“You seem quite lively today, Levo.”

“Perhaps you’re right.” He smiled. “Maybe it’s as they say, ‘it’s in the water.’ Or rather more correct might be what’s not in the water. Tell me, Yulor, do you know how dangerous it is to mine coltan? There’s no real regulations on it either, not like precious metals or gems. Funny that, eh?”

67

Camp Foxtrot Management Offices
East Malaysian Mining Site

Sarah was seated in her office reading reports that were coming in from co-workers, site managers, a personal email here and there, but one struck her by surprise and she opened it:

— Begin quote from ____

TO: Sarah Fredrick, PO <sarah.fredrick@corp.capcoal.em>
FROM: Intelligence Public Relations Office <questions.ipro@yyy.gov.em>
SUBJECT: Violence in the area reported

Embassy Security Agency of the East Malaysian Intelligence Agency
YYY INTELLIGENCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE
GENERAL REPORT TO CAPITALIST COALITION WORLDWIDE MINING SITE

NOTICE: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED CONFIDENTIAL AND ONLY FOR SENIOR CAPITALIST COALITION WORLDWIDE EMPLOYEES. NO CIVILIAN ACCESS ALLOWED.

Over the last few days, it has been noted that violence has struck the mining sites managed by foreign companies. The violence varies between: preexisting, internal, or external. It should be the highest priority of the Foxtrot Mining Site to ensure the safety and security of the camp, individuals and workers.

Aggression towards the mining site and East Malaysian interest are unknown at this time. Prepare emergency procedures if such aggression should happen.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please email back. Should any incidents happen: Immediately contact the Aerospace Navy Defense Command for instruction.

This message will appear blank in: one hour – after opening. The option to reply will be available permanently.

— End quote

“Oh great…” she said under her breath and picked up her phone and dialed an extension. "Hey Eric, it’s Sarah. I need you in my office ASAP, we have an important email from ‘triple-Y.’ … “Well it wasn’t very specific at all but yeah that could have been a sign when we arrived … Oh yeah, Tony can come up here too, he’s a senior ranking CCW employee, did you want me to call him? … He’s there with you? Good. See you both in a couple,” she hung up the phone and stood up to stretch a little before they made it to her office and took a look out the window behind her desk.

She could see all the workers lined up at the medical center, supplies office, barracks, meal center and school. She hopped nothing bad happened, these people were happy to have been selected being CapCoal was paying more generous wages than was standard for them. Not to mention that they will start full mining operations in the next couple of days.

68

EFD Consortium Mining Site
Uluvu Rivanjariya Municipality, Auramont

[Content Note: Violence]

The melee raged on for several hours when suddenly there was a roar of humvees in the dark forest. The cacophony came to a head as a dozen military-grade vehicles bearing the Freetown Cartel’s logo burst in the clearing. Spirited young men in red bandanas let out sharp bursts of ammunition from their AK-47’s.

“We’ve got you surrounded, you [ethnic slur]'s, now lay down your weapons before we kill shoot you all back to hell,” Enoch Cairns yelled in heavily-accented English.

A few Bai Lungese made moves at the convoy only to be shot down. A delegation made its way through the crowd to the foreman’s office.

“It seems you’ve got a situation on your hands, gentleman,” said Cairns in a smooth tone. “We’re happy to take care of these, how do you say, insurgents if you’ll give us a cut of the action.”

Meanwhile, Lana had escaped through the forest to the nearest state police outpost.

Auramont State Police Barracks
Lower Uluvu Rivanjariya

“Excuse the language, ma’am, but there is no f**king way that we’re going toe-to-toe with the Freetown Cartel. We have an agreement with them and they with us. The law in upper Uluvu Rivanjariya is the business of the cartels and now these international consortiums. We don’t have the men or the morale to put ourselves in that kind of danger,” said the state police agent. “My recommendation is either to get out or get yourself a sturdy pistol.”

69

OOC: Barel is the racial slur for a Bai Lungese. It is Dannistrian in origin.

Syrene, spot the film reference (or references) here. :stuck_out_tongue:

IC: EFD Consortium Mining Site
Uluvu Rivanjariya Municipality, Auramont

Enoch Cairns and his men shot and killed 35 Bai Lungese workers alone at the scene. The rest of the rioters disappeared in a flash, fleeing away from the carnage.

The people who were shot up, flew into the air like it was a John Woo film.

Enoch Cairns: ‘Git some! Git some! Git some, yeah, yeah, yeah!’

Given their background as a criminal gang, their proficiency at firing a gun is not to military standards. Most of the shots hit the ground and on various mining equipment causing massive richoets.

Some of the criminals went akimbo, shooting pistols with two hands and causing more Bai Lungese to fly in the air.

Enoch Cairns: ‘Anyone who runs, is a Barel. Anyone who stands still, is a well-disciplined Barel! YEE-HAW!!!’

Ironically enough, the Bai Lungese worker who stood still watching his colleagues get mowed down by the criminal gangs was the one who stood up to the thugs. He lobbed a 2.5kg piece of stone (possibly raw coltan?) and it hit the leader right in his mouth, knocking out 2 of his teeth. The victory was only brief when the momentarily stunned Cairns inadvertently fired his gun at a crane (50 yards away from the gang) while clutching his mouth in pain. The hail of bullets struck the rope holding a freight container, causing the rope to fail and releasing the container. The container landed on the already injured Bai Lungese workers, killing them by crushing. 12 more died from the container collapsing.

The criminals took great care with the well-disciplined man and filled his body with lead.

Enoch Cairns: ‘YOU SONFAB!TCH! YOU GOT ME IN THE TEETH!!!’

Total dead: 47 Bai Lungese workers.