Author Topic: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)  (Read 7786 times)

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Offline Sam

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Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« on: September 26, 2017, 11:02:00 PM »
It had been more than a week since the capture and detention of Marjorie Barron, an investigative reporter and war correspondent for Free Mundus Network hailing from the Ecclesiastical State, covering Lalishistan's separatist insurgency. Believed to have been the only foreign correspondents in the Talmar district of Lalishistan when the Saheristani military launched ruthless a new offensive, Barron's unfilted and haunting report broadcast accounts of illegal detentions, indiscriminate strikes and terror tactics being employed by government forces.  Barron ran into an army patrol shortly after;an encounter which left her cameraman, Nolan de Vries (also Ecclesiastical), with a bullet, and allegedly led to the discovery of heroin on her person.

The media response in the Ecclesiastical State had been somewhat restrained, but representatives of the Pope's government had managed to wrangle a high-level meeting between Nadia Zivar Zadeh, the Vice President herself, and their own ambassador to the Republic of Saheristan at the Presidential Palace.

The Ambassador had received a token police escort to the palace, but in the scheme of the day's comings and goings, it remained largely discreet. It was on this journey that any news source that the Ambassador may have cared to check would inform him that Nolan de Vries had sadly died of his injuries, though no other statement had been issued by the military hospital which had been treating him.

Before long, the Ecclesiastical diplomatic car was pulling into the heavily guarded seat of Saheristani power, and being swept under a bulletproof awning into the grand entrance foyer, amongst row after row of towering marble pillars, each adorned and bejewelled with cosmic and religious symbolism. The heat outside remained light and dry, not yet humid with the coming autumn, while the capital's mixed fragrances of spice and exhaust permeated the air. Sirens and the din of the bustling city were drowned out by the adhan; the call to prayer.

The Ambassador was escorted to an ornate, wrought iron gate, leading to a balcony garden near the centre of the palace, where the cacophony of urban sound faded to a serene quiet. After being made to wait slightly longer than necessary while Vice President Zadeh finished her prayers, the guards opened the gate smoothly and saluted, as the Ambassador entered the garden shortly to find the VP sitting upright upon the grass, waiting...

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Offline The Young Pope

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2017, 07:42:36 AM »
Archbishop Maximillian Valle, Apostolic Nuncio to Saheristan's look on the face and his overall mood and attitude overall had a stern look when he arrived at the Palace, considering he was to meet yet again a top governmental official of the Saheri government, in which the discussions which were supposed to be about the handling of the arrest of Marjorie Barron and her camera man who'd recently died in hospitale care. Valle was himself visibly upset about the recent events and couldn't understand how and why the Saheristan complicated matters with ES as of now, since he like the holy father had suspicions about fishy, coverup politics going on in this country which was currently at war.

Upon enetering the garden and witnessing the VP sitting on the grass after the usual Adhan prayer, he sighed and told himself this was it. "A good day to you Ms. Vice President Zadeh, hope you've asked for your God to aid you in the serious matter of discussion we're about to have now, as I'm afraid I would like to begin immediately and skip the formalities, let's get to the point already.". Valle said that he'd really want to sit on a chair considering the grass would leave stains on his traditional bishop attire. It was quite the hot day and humid as well, so they quickly sat down at one of the tables facing the garden right under shade. "I wish we would have met again under preferable circumstances, but as you may well know today isn't the case..." he began, before slowly reaching into his jacket, pulled out today's newspaper and semi-slammed it on the table in front of her...the head lines read that the camera man was known to have died recently after sustaining firearms injury by the Saheri military.

"First of all, I didn't know what to think of this when that was the first thing I read this morning...Ms. Barron's camera man and an Ecclesiastical citizen, Nolan de Vries,
 died under your jurisdiction and care in some military hospital, reportedly from firearms wounds...I thought I received some report beforehand that he was going to make it and only received shots on one of his legs and arms, isn't that true? Secondly, I find it so bizarre that Ms. Barron was caught for illegal posession of drugs, which I well know that it carries the death penalty in your country, which we respectfully comprehend...the thing however is that she was never, ever convicted for such things in ES or even had a criminal record beforehand...The Saheri government wants us to believe that an honorable and credible journalist like Barron would suddenly out of the blue, act stupid and irresponsible? Thirdly, we Ecclesiasticals at home are quite frankly surprised that you haven't taken our offer to send the best Inquisitors to act as an investigations team in your country to try to find out the truth. Which is what we all want, it's the truth right? Well about your government is up to something fishy...you see we're starting to believe that Barron and de Vries reported on some disturbing matters, held responsible by your government, which would ultimately cost the camera man's life and perhaps soon Barron's...Trust me VP Zadeh, I'm not sure what your government is up to but know this...Don't you mess with the man chosen by God to represent the faithful, you're treading on a dangerous path you can't escape from...

Why not allow us to send our team to aid in the ongoing investigation, there's nothing to ve afraid and quite frankly is a fine solution to this sad mess that has been created from the nearby conflict, it won't do good by simply sending us evidence for all we know it can easily be manipulated for one's own agenda..."
. The Archbisop finished, drank a small portion of the tea which was served to them while he was talking. Now, he waited for the VP's reply to see what she had to say in the government's defense...
« Last Edit: September 27, 2017, 08:43:16 AM by The Young Pope »

Offline Sam

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #2 on: October 01, 2017, 11:30:50 PM »
Vice President Nadia Zivar Zadeh rose from the grass and greeted the Archbishop with a respectful nod as he arrived. Walking with him, and allowing him to be seated first, she listened blankly to his statement, as if aware both of them were reading prepared scripts. She showed a disarming willingness to nod with sympathy while the Archbishop plowed on with righteousness, and when she did respond, Zadeh had a conciliatory tone:

"Monsignor Valle, thank you for accepting my invitation. I understand your anger, but know that this is not how my government wished things to unfold.
Mr de Vries suffered multiple gunshot injuries to the abdomen. He underwent an emergent laparotomy in the field. His death today is the unfortunate result of the migration of bullet shrapnel fragments into the liver, causing it to fail. A transplant was unavailable; such are the hazards of a military field hospital.

It is also unfortunate that Mr de Vries's video camera was mistaken for a weapon, leading to his shooting, but he was well aware that he was in violation of our recommendation that reporters and aid workers not attempt to enter the Talmar Valley, which was one of the most dangerous areas in the world, even before a major military operation commenced there. I offer condolences on behalf of my government, in any case. Arrangements for the return of Mr de Vries's body are under way.

As for Ms Barron, I am afraid that even the best of us can fall to greed. The heroin trade is extremely lucrative, particularly when military conflict chokes supply, as is happening now. No doubt Ms Barron saw an opportunity and felt her press pass would enable her a smooth trip out of the country. We may never know, as she continues to feign innocence in her confinement.

In any case, I asked you here in order to apologise personally for the way these sad events have unfolded, and to inform you that we will be accepting your offer to send investigators to make your own enquiries, provided that they work alongside a liaison team from our Cross-Services Intelligence Agency, for their own protection. The delay thus far in accepting your offer was due to the ongoing cross-examination of Ms Barron by our investigators, who are now satisfied. What kind of team does your government propose?"

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Offline The Young Pope

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2017, 03:57:37 PM »
Valle had to contain himself from laughing out loud, ah great he thought yet another government trying to masqerade its actions pull bs lies, typical but he had to go with the flow for now. "Very well Vice President, what the holy father and I request is that a investigation team should be assembled, composed of the finest investigators from the Blessed Office of the Inquisition for the Treasury.  Its activities are connected with financial, economic, judiciary and public safety: tax evasion, financial crimes, smuggling, money laundering, international illegal drug trafficking, illegal immigration, customs and borders checks, copyright violations, anti-Mafia operations, credit card fraud, cybercrime, counterfeiting and terrorist financing, thus we believe they would be at most suitable for conducting a reputable investigation alongside your equivalents...finally they shall have the right to interrogate, question Ms. Barron...Any problems there, Ms. Zadeh?"

It was now a moment of truth, a test, to see how easy they would find it to comply, then Valle would know what was perhaps going on in reality.

Offline Sam

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2017, 10:51:32 PM »
Nadia nodded serenely.

"That is of course acceptable. We look forward to receiving your delegation. Ms Barron is currently being held in secure solitary facility within the Grand Kasbah, our military headquarters, here in the capital. This is, again, for her own safety. She is not made of stern enough stuff for a Saheristani prison; she would not last the night. I assure you she is being treated well."

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Offline The Young Pope

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #5 on: October 03, 2017, 12:15:15 PM »
"Well then I would like to thank you for ensuring her safety and wellbeing as well as heeding to the holy father's request, although there's one more thing I would like to happen, that is the possibility of talking to Barron myself considering she hasn't any other Ecclesiastical and we know each other pretty well; I've only read on the reports coming from Saheristani authorities, so it would be good to have a first-hand experience with what she has to say in her defense" Valle replied, expecting that the demand would be treated equally like the previous one, no issues at all he assumed.

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #6 on: October 06, 2017, 12:04:59 AM »
The Vice President paused for a few seconds.

"An odd request. Do you not trust the reports of your own investigators? Still, if this is what you wish, you will have it. Your investigative team may report to the Grand Qasbah; our staff will take care of everything with yours. Of course, I will be watching as well; please know that President Ashkan has his eye on these events closely."

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Offline The Young Pope

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #7 on: October 06, 2017, 10:18:44 PM »
"It's not that I trust them, always good to one's own knowledge about important matters...very well thank you for your cooperation...when may I meet Ms. Barron?"

Offline Sam

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #8 on: October 08, 2017, 12:11:51 PM »
Vice President Zadeh bristles slightly.

"Once you have assembled your investigative team, and provided legal counsel for the defendant, we will be able to permit her access to you in an advisory context. Not before."

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Offline The Young Pope

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #9 on: October 08, 2017, 01:23:58 PM »
"Yes of course, provided naturally that you ensure that no mistakes are to be made until then, rest assured that if anything should happen to Ms. Barron before our returning...Well it would be the most unfortunate indeed coming from the holy father himself." The Archbishop then stretched out his hand "Anything else you'd wish to discuss or let's call it a deal, mmh?"

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #10 on: October 08, 2017, 10:43:33 PM »
Vice President Zadeh stands as well, and outstretches her hand, tightly grasping the Archbishop's hand.

"That will be all Monsignor, the guards will see you out. We will expect your team in due order, as discussed. These men will escort you out."

As Valle is led away, Zadeh is brought a phone. She dials it, keeping the ensuing conversation within the garden, to herself alone

"Khalid."

"Nadia." The voice of the President answered, inquisitively.

"It did not progress well. They have requested access to Barron for an interview. We could not reasonably refuse."

"Understood. Still, to meet with an Ecclesiastical representative was the only remaining route to containing this mess."

"They will tell her. When Barron finds out her lover is dead, there will be no leverage to keep her mouth shut."

"She still has her own life to bargain for. We will make her an offer; tell her that for her silence, we will drop the charges and release her."

"I see. We cannot, of course."

"Self-preservation is a funny thing. Hope can convince one of the most ungracious untruths. See it done."




Two days later, Archbishop Valle and his assembled agents of the Blessed Office of the Inquisition for the Treasury are driven from the embassy to the Grand Qasbah. The imposing Citadel had been build by the Sultanate during the Crusades to protect the city of Al-Qādisiyyah. Though refurbished and rebuilt several times, much of the original structure remained. During the days of the Kingdom, the Qasbah had been synonymous with executions, violence and torture, striking fear into the hearts of dissidents. After the revolution, the King and many agents of the Mukhabarat; the secret police, had been hung from the walls.

Now, the Qasbah was the headquarters of the Bureau of Defence, but it's dungeons still contained the most secure prison in the country. As they are escorted through the twisting corridors, all present could feel centuries of suffering heavy in the air.

When Valle reaches the Secure Detention Wing, he and his team are seated within a side room. Through a one-way mirror, they can see Marjorie Barron; fearless war corespondent, alive and well, if clearly distressed. Her hair is buzzed down to a military cut, and she is dressed in a bright yellow prison jumpsuit. Also with them are two Saheristanis from the Cross Service Intelligence Bureau; a male and female. Neither introduces themselves, but the male speaks first in a flat monotone.

"Detainee U48209 is ready for interview. Who will see the detainee first?"

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Offline The Young Pope

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #11 on: October 10, 2017, 11:01:34 AM »
"I shall see Ms. Barron first" Valle said enthusiastically, more or less. He then whispered to the commanding officer of the Guardians of St. Peter's throne as well as the investigation leader of the Economical department of the Inquisition. "Make sure to be reader with your trigger fingers... referring to their guns. "Lest something goes terribly wrong or the Saheri bastards try something fishy, at least we'll go down harder than they expect...". With that said, Valle entered the interrogation room to find a shaky, depressed-looking Barron who suddenly lightened up upon seeing Valle. "Oh Apostolic Nuncio...!" He then quickly rushed to her chair and hugged her while she started to cry, talking about to finally return home as well as the death of her beloved camera man. "I believe you, of course it's obvious they damn staged this entire ordeal, rest assured that the finest men the holy fathers possess will see return home to us..."

Offline Sam

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #12 on: October 13, 2017, 05:37:40 PM »
"No touching the prisoner. Break it up."

The jailer bursts back into the room and Barron steps in between Barron and Valle, but not before she is able to discreetly press a small scrap of paper into Valle's hand. Through considerable ingenuity, Barron had evidently managed to keep the scrap concealed all this time.

Spoiler: show
Later, when the Apostolic Nuncio was safely out of the Qasbah, he would find the scrap contained a hastily scrawled series of digits; the longitude and latitude of a meadow outside the village of Sirwan, Talmar District, Lalishistan, not far from where Barron and de Vries were captured.


Pushed back into her seat, Barron rests her face in her hands against the steel table of the grey brick interview room, cuffed this time to the table by the jailer, who leaves again.

"I wish I could share your confidence, Monsignor, but short of a miracle, I feel I have little hope; less so, without Nathan beside me now, God rest his soul. The things we saw in this country. They have put us where we are today. My own life is secondary, and this is not a just country. I just hope that we can honour Nathan's memory; make sure he died for something.

They will show you the evidence against me shortly. I see little point in fighting it myself. Who will be my counsel?"

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Offline The Young Pope

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #13 on: October 13, 2017, 09:52:15 PM »
It was then Vale signalled the legal defense counsellor to come in. I think I'll let her introduce herself...Take care and God Bless Ms. Barron, may we hopefully soon see each other again once more." Valle stepped out of the room giving way for her. "A pleasure to be your councellor Ms. Barron, I'm Isabella Strano, at your service. So I've already been briefed about your sad account here, so sorry about what they did to your camera man truly tragic. Rest assured I'll promise to get you out of this hole once and for all, it's fairly obvious that they've just sprouted lies about your great deeds. But it's important that we trust each other no matter what, I'll help you if you help me, got it?"

Offline Sam

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #14 on: October 17, 2017, 10:27:28 PM »
"I get it, I suppose. Depends on how you're going to sidestep the heroin they found on my person. What if they told me the only way to escape the hangman was to plead guilty to everything? They'll say my DNA is all over it; of course it is. It was in my bag. Doesn't mean I put it there, but they don't have to prove that in this country. What do you need from me?"

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Offline The Young Pope

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #15 on: October 19, 2017, 11:12:12 AM »
OOC: From here I propose some discord discussion for some clarification and guide lines since Im not used to investigative rp and such lol

Offline Sam

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #16 on: October 19, 2017, 02:34:53 PM »
OOC: PM'd you some suggestions on Discord and ways to bring in other players as the situation develops.

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Offline The Young Pope

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #17 on: October 19, 2017, 08:03:43 PM »
"Well my dear this is how it's gonna be played out, you see..." When Mrs. Strano was about to tell Barron what was required of her, Valle bursted rught into the room confusing Barron further. He looked as if he was distressed as well, sighing and finally said: "I'm sorry Mrs. Strano but we would need to advise Barron some other time, it seems that...matters...have complicated a few things.". Strano didn't know what to say and do first but quickly understood what the whole thing Valle said was about and simply nodded while exiting the room. Valle approached the direction of Barron and made a fake stumble, as if it was his outfit which made him trip "accidentally" falling into Barron, handing her a note in return and hoped that none of the prison guards would notice anything suspicious. "Oh my I'm so sorry Ms. Barron, my...let's call it a'dress"
 shall we...in any case I'm also sorry but to make the story short, you would need to remain under custody for the time being, we made sure to extend your life a few weeks more..."
. Valle blinked as he was more than certain that Barron was with the game so to say and quickly responded appropriately that it was fine. "The only advice I recommend...is pray daily Ms. Barron, it has done mirculous wonders for our faithful...".

Once Valle and the inquisitor agents were safely outside the compound, he told and showed once again about the note that Ms. Barron gave to him, suggesting that it was the site she and her cameraman were active in just right before the fabricated drug-takedown. "Agent Rieper" he began, "As we already notified his holiness and our HQ back at home, this has grown into a full-blown conspiracy that's surely extending beyond a fakle drug-plantation on Ms. Barron. I suggest you contact your Achkaerinese colleagues, they could surely be of use. Also I'll ask our CMA representative and see what he can do for Ms. Barron in the diplomatic field, at this moment inofficially we shall regard the Saheristanis as our enemies, none of them can be trusted...". Valle hoped that this wouldn't need to escalate into something more serious, but realized quickly that all methods had to be taken, which has to do with what he wrote on that note to Barron for assurance in Latin.

Spoiler: show
""Fiat justitia ruat caelum"
(Meaning: "Let justice be done though the heavens fall")

Offline Sam

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #18 on: October 19, 2017, 10:08:27 PM »
Barron convincingly went to pieces as Valle seemingly left her to her own devices, clutching the steel table with white knuckles and weeping as Valle leaves. Surprised to see the Ecclesiastical entourage leaving so soon, they don't find the note left by Valle until her customary fully body search upon return to her cell. By then, the Nuncio was long gone. Feeling it was an odd thing to leave without prompting, they play the interview camera feed over, again and again, until they finally spot the initial handover from Barron to Valle of a mysterious, tiny, rolled up scrap of notebook paper.

What followed for Barron was an endless succession of mock executions, sleep and sensory deprivation, and withheld meals, as CSIS tried to force Barron to admit what she had passed on. Whether she would hold on long enough for passing her last location as a free woman was far from a guarantee...




OOC: I'll fill in info about Sirwan and the situation there as we go along and characters investigate.

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Online Achkaerin

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #19 on: October 22, 2017, 12:55:47 AM »
OOC- Jumping in

Emperor Peter Azurewind sat at the desk in his study in the Marble Palace, a communication from someone in ES in his hand, it had gone initially to Achkaerinese Intelligence but they'd flagged it and it had now been made known to Peter. Also in the room were his Chief of Staff Kumiko Arkwright and Foreign Affairs Adviser Nettie Taylor, the only sound came from one of the old stables as a car engine revved, that would be Peter's daughter building her dream car.

"Marjorie Barron ES journalist working for the FMN gets arrested on drug charges but has supposedly been set up." Peter said "ES want to know if we can help them out. Question - do we believe the story?"
"We don't really have enough data." Nettie said
"They want a satellite sweep I say we give them one." Kumiko said
"It's a starting point." Nettie said
"Do it Kumiko." Peter said "Nettie ask the ES ambassador to come up for a chat and ask the Attorney General to join us for it."
"Ok." Nettie said
"Let's come up with some options." Peter said
« Last Edit: October 22, 2017, 01:05:23 AM by Achkaerin »

Offline The Young Pope

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #20 on: October 23, 2017, 10:07:07 AM »
ES' ambassador Archbishop Stanley Williamson, had been called up to the Marble Palace, an urgent matter according to his imperial majesty Emperor Peter Azurewind, as he exactly knew it had to do with the ongoing diplomatic crisis between ES and Saheristan revolving around the reporter Ms. Marjorie Barron, whose reporting could have uncovered something that the Saheri-gov. didn't really want to get discovered and thus tried to erase everything, including going as far as to murder her camera man and imprison her...that's what the officials of ES believe anyway happened as Ms. Barron being addicted to hardcore drugs didn't make sens elogically speaking considering she was never convicted for anything in her previous life and suddenly going rogue..."Yeah, sounds truly fishy too me, I'll see to eat my friend Valle; I'll contact the Inquisition once I've discussed this with our Achkaerinese allies *sigh*, Ciao...", Williamson just had a chat with his colleague Valle, debriefing each other so to day.

Williamson arrived in the Marble Palace and was escorted to tehe Emperor's main office where upon he greeted him. "A Good Day to you your Imperial Majesty of the Great People of Achkaerin...Pete, an honor and pleasure as always...Now last time we spoke, there was something you could do for us in terms of surveying a specific area officially out of reach for us?"

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #21 on: October 23, 2017, 09:54:57 PM »
"Nettie." Peter said "Bring them in."
"Of course." Nettie said, she went to the door and showed in Deputy Sky Marshall Sophie Wall and Samuel White "This is Deputy Sky Marshall Sophie Wall, she's a flag officer in the Achkaerin Air Force but also she is the director of Achkaerin's Military Defence Initiative. And this is Samuel White the Attorney General."
"Should I begin sir?" Sophie asked
"Please." Peter said

Sophie sat down next to Nettie and opposite Williamson, she opened her electronic tablet and started working
"Having reviewed the dossier the Military Defence Initiative in consultation with Achkaerinese Intelligence agreed that it looks suspect, it's highly convenient that Ms Barron is arrested on a drugs charge shortly after she publish's an article that by implication accuses Saheristan of violations of the Uppsala Convention. Naturally it begged the question what was Saheristan trying to hide. So we conducted a satellite sweep of the area and we got this."

On the wall mounted television now appeared a satellite photograph
"This is Sirwan, a village in the Talmar Valley, in the disputed Lalishistan region of Saheristan. Until recently, Sirwan was held by the Lalishi Liberation League, but amid heavy fighting, government troops have recently recaptured the area. The area's population is believed to be largely pro-Triple L. A dirt road trisects the village into three hamlets. Dagan in the south-east hamlet, Fakhrabad in the north and Sheykh Jaf in the northeast. Increased vegetation and civilian dwellings are visible along and around the road. The surrounding area is rocky and mountainous." Sophie said, she paused before continuing

"Our examination shows each hamlet to have several destroyed buildings some still alight. We believe the main Saheristan military force to be concentrated around Fakhrabad but there are patrols throughout the valley and there's an artillery battery between Fakhrabad and Dagan that is firing periodically in a northerly aspect. We're assuming they know something we don't because we can't make out any activity whether it be Triple L or civilian in the area.

We also noticed something else, there's a large crater between Fakhrabad and Sheykh Jaf that appears to have been recently filled in, there are also four smaller rectangular filled in holes each approximately twenty metres in size located to the east of the large crater. We've also got evidence of vehicle tracks leading to and from the crater. Lastly there are filled in trench's in the middle of Dagan. If the question was what does Saheristan have to hide I think we may have just found it. We've seen such things before the investigation reports into the Andean Genocide and the accounts around the Cult of Helus Genocide described similar things I think we could be looking at mass graves, if so that's a definite Uppsala Convention breach."

"Our problem." Samuel said "Is that even if this is right it does nothing but give us an understanding of what Saheristan may be hiding. It does not change the fact that one of your citizens is being held. This is good in terms of raising an international concern at the CMA and CTO however which may be enough of a smoking gun to cast doubt on the situation."

"So may I ask a question." Peter said "According to what we've been told your people have been in contact with Ms Barron, have you been given the power to appoint her legal representation?"
« Last Edit: October 24, 2017, 04:31:41 PM by Achkaerin »

Offline The Young Pope

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #22 on: October 24, 2017, 04:16:39 PM »
The information Williamson just heard only strengthened his concerns and fears, now that it would confirm what the Ecclesiastical leadership already had suspicions about, The Saheris were more than likely involved in a conspiracy which involved censorship of the truth in a deadly conflict. "Ah yes we actually managed to introduce Ms. Barron to a legal counsel apparently the Ecclesiastical State was allowed to bestow such an act...what was her name again, think it's Isabella Strano, one of ES's best if I recall. Is there any concerns regarding that? We would more than likely to comply with your plans instead if you wish to see things through differently."

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #23 on: October 28, 2017, 12:16:28 AM »
"Normally there'd be absolutely no concern whatsoever." Samuel said "But this is a very strange situation. If this were in most courts on Mundus you would have no problems arguing this legally because the burden of proof would be on the prosecution hence the phrase innocent until proven guilty. In Saheristan however the burden of proof for some inexplicable reason is on the defence so it's actually guilty until proven innocent and the fact of the matter is that you can't prove that Ms Barron didn't buy the drugs and given the suspicion that this would be a rigged trial whatever you probably wouldn't be allowed to prove that or even introduce evidence amounting to that proof. At the moment Saheristan is in control of this."

"Which is why we need to threaten that control." Nettie said "Or at least you need to. I'm sure Weazel News would be interested in a report on this situation, a Christian detained for speaking the truth - how many news networks do you think that would reach? Remember if this image and the implications are accurate then the last thing Saheristan will want is international scrutiny. Which makes them potentially more amenable to what we think presents the best opportunity to resolve this."

Offline The Young Pope

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #24 on: October 28, 2017, 12:36:28 AM »
"I suppose what you're proposing is the right strategy as the first step towards freeing Ms. Barron, international pressure being put on the Saheri government through the power of the Free Media. Weazel News...hehehe...definitely one of the most biased news sources in Mundus, courtesy of the Fava family and their devotion towards his holiness and the holy church they rightfully believe in, I'm sure their compelling and emotional reporting of poor Ms. Barron will spark something quite extraordinary...

To think that the Saheris are keeping up with this ridiculous charade of theirs imprisoning a journalist and murdering a camera man for simply reporting the truth, evil has no boundaries as it's once again proven this time around, we're frankly dealing with a bunch of lunatics who wouldn't mind destroying their country of theirs...they have nothing to gain from this...I'm sorry for this rant of mine, I'm just quite mad and irritated that it had to befall on ES, but I suppose it might be a part of the Lord to test our faith, to see how loyal we're towards him...*sigh*

Are we done here or you wish to discuss something more? If the former is true, what are your instructions from us Ecclesiasticals from now on until we meet and/or contact each other again?"

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #25 on: November 12, 2017, 12:33:22 AM »
"All you have to do is keep the pressure on Saheristan. The last thing they'll want if these images are accurate is scrutiny. While you apply the pressure we'll talk to Saheristan ourselves." Nettie said "See if we can get Ms Barron into a better position." 

Offline The Young Pope

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #26 on: November 14, 2017, 10:05:43 AM »
Williamson then concluded the meeting with the Achkaerinese allies which went quite spectacularly well to say the least. "That we shall do your most glorious majesty, the Defendor of Christendom itself..." he stretched out his hand and shook Peter's, before exiting the room and proceeding back into the diplomatic car taking him back to the apostolic nuncio. He reached for his phone in one of his pockets and dialed an important number, a number that all Ecclesiastical officials should have logged down for important opportunities such as this one.

"Ah yes hello it's Archbishop Williamson, I was...yes good, good. Could I please have a word with Tucker Carlson please? Oh I think the Celestian Catholic Church has something for his late night show in a few days...HAHAHAHAHAHA..."

*A few days later*

"Confirming Your Prejudices!"

"Spinning The Latest News"


Pope after latest Tucker Carlson Tonight: "Sanctions might be the only option..."

The latest segment of Tucker Carlson Tonight went viral afterwards on social media as he couldn't stop hysterically laughing at the Saheri government official Sanaaa el-Zahra's statements

In the latest segment of Tucker Carlson Tonight, aired every night on Weazel News, the Saheri government official Sanaaa el-Zahra was invited by the show as the topic was going to be about the imprisoned Marjorie Barron and the reasonings behind the Saheri governments handling of her case, with many experts critizing it has "inhumane and unjust". As the show went on with Carlson asking al-Zahra with many different questions, many viewers commented afterwards that she was so unsure and unprepared as to what she was going to say or in the words of one commentator, "It seemed more like the typical BS trying to uphold the brutal facade of a dictatorship committing some of Mundus' most awful crimes in all spheres, from the military level to the civilian one...Tucker truly roasted this b@tch!" Mr. Carlson himself commented during the show that Ms. El-Zahra "could perhaps try to pick up her lines again and rehearse them a little rather than making some sort of improvised gimmick." before proceeding into a burst of laughter than even affacted the crew on the show as laughter could be heard outside the stage area. Many videos on social media documented by viewers captured many of their loved ones and friends also laughing hysterically and making jokes out of that night's show.

Pope Peter II, who's reported to have been a great fan of the show itself, released a quick comment at the Vatican Press Office, announced drastic measures in order to set Ms. Barron free once and for all, citing that "She has been locked in such a degrading captivity for too long...Our latest reports from the investigation team sent there seem to indicate that Ms. Barron and Drugs have nothing to do with each other, the case seem to revolve around a government-cover up made by the Saheri government and try to destroy whatever evidence they could find, including the murder of her innocent camera man...it has been ever more clear from tonight's segment of Tucker Carlson Tonight, where Carlson truly exposed the monster behind this blood thirsty regime...I'll only say this once yo the Saheri government, if you don't release Ms. Barron in the next few days, your country where the barbaric burden of proof for some inexplicable reason is on the defence, meaning guilty until proven innocent...I see no reason than to suspect that Sanctions might be the only option..."

His holiness didn't state exactly what sort of sanctions it was all about although it would most likely be in terms of trade and according to inside sources might even bring it up to the transnational organisation for the member states to deal with it as well.

Excerpt from the discussion between Carlson and El-Zahra, courtesy of Weazel News:

El-Zahra: "Tucker, I’m going to give you the facts. Marjorie Barron and Nolan de Vries were stopped by a military patrol after trespassing in the Talmar Red Zone, where the presence of non-military, non-resident persons is restricted under the ongoing military operation. I even have a copy of the patrol incident report from that night which clearly states that Mr de Vries did not put his camera down when ordered several times and was consequently shot, later dying from injury. In other words, it was dark; visibility was poor, and the camera was indistinguishable from a weapon. My government regrets his death, but had he not trespassed in a warzone, he would still be alive. As to your other question as to why Why she had the heroin; only God and Ms Barron know now, and maybe if she cooperated with police questioning, we would all know! But while her motive is a mystery, her apparent possession of a controlled substance is not. The evidence is stacked against her.

All seven soldiers there that night have attested to this truth of this statement. What more do you require? If you are looking for someone to blame for Nolan’s death, blame Marjorie Barron for putting him in harm’s way; or the insurgents who have terrorised the region for so long. The Ecclesiastical refusal to accept the facts as they appear here is baseless, and this interview is a farce. One wonders what prejudices are blinding you to the facts."

Carlson: *Hysterical laughing*. Wow, simply wow, I applaud your attempts at trying to save your ruthless government's reputation and prestige, Sanaaa, no truly I do. But let's get down to Earth shall we, the hardcore and brutal truth doesn't equate to your statements here and now, trying to accuse Weazel News as Fake News and somehow edit the narrative to ES' advantage is nothing more than vicious slander from one nation to another.

First of all, Ms. Barron and Mr. de Vries had the all the right to be there from the very start of this conflict, they got the permission from your immigration authority to begin with. Here *shows document* this is the unedited agreement fully on paper that both parts agreed to sign upon and thus was allowed to enter that dangerous war zone to begin with, she's like me in the news business, a reporter, what else would she be doing? Try to report the war based on 2ndary and 3rd part sources that may contain many inaccuracies? Of course not, she has to enter that war zone to give the full and unedited truth of what the hecks is going on in your backyard. You're trying to confuse and mislead the audience by telling us that as soon as the contract was signed, it became rendered and fully invalid to begin with? Talk about keeping promises, which clearly you're not known for, heck even Pinocchio could get away with it despite his horny-long nose.

Secondly, we might not fully know the exact details as to how the arrest happened considering we have two versions of what might have happened to begin with. But let me tell you as a relevant and important fact that Barron and de Vries were fully knowledgable and fluent in your country's language, so could you please try to comprehend as to why de Vries didn't suddenly understand what the soldiers were trying to order him to do? Also, my eye sight has gone a bit bonkers from time to time yet it's perfectly clear that the camera that he was carying around can't be mistaken for a weapon, even when it's completely dark and poor visibility. The crew were also returning back to their headquarters after a day of reporting, obviously making them pretty tired and for a group of heavily armed men to suddenly scream frantically and raising their weapons at them when it has never happened before...yeah right.

Thirdly it's a shame for such a nation to publish a report without a shred of evidence. If you say, it’s “based on interviews – on interviews from the seven soldiers who conducted the arrest.” What about the document? What – what about – the concrete evidence? Not single concrete evidence regarding the drugs as well. When you need to make a report, you need evidence, concrete evidence. You can make any report. You can pay money to anyone, it's simple and easy to do. For all we know, it's easy and simple to plant evidence as well, considering it's more than fully logical that it would be out of character and completely strange for Barron and her camera man to snort and deal crack cocain in the middle of a dangerous war where many lives are at stake.

Let me this re-use your words El-Zahra...The Saheri refusal to accept the facts and complete logic as they appear here is baseless, and you trying to represent the legitimacy of your regime is a farce. One wonders what prejudices, or in this case, motives are blinding you to the facts, trying to merely benefit you in the long run than anything else...How dare you imprision a champion of reputable news coverage and oppressing the truth by already labeling her as guilty as charged...at least here in what we call the civilised world, you're innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around.
« Last Edit: November 14, 2017, 06:45:10 PM by The Young Pope »

Offline Sam

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #27 on: November 14, 2017, 06:04:13 PM »
OOC: PM'd some retorts to add for the above.

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Offline The Young Pope

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #28 on: November 14, 2017, 06:42:42 PM »
OOC: edited the news segment with an excerpt from the show.

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Re: Truth and Lies (ES & Saheristan)
« Reply #29 on: November 22, 2017, 12:05:57 AM »

Public Statement by the External Bureau of the Republic of Saheristan
Regarding Recent Comments by His Holiness Pope Peter II



I am writing today to rebuke recent comments made by His Holiness the Pope concerning the ongoing detention pending trial of the journalist Marjorie Barron.

Firstly, I would like to allay concerns about Ms Barron's treatment. I can confirm that, while imprisoned, she is receiving adequate comfort, with a spacious, private cell, with outside time and three meals a day, with medical oversight, pending her trial for Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Supply. This is practically royal treatment compared with the general prison population.

His Holiness should also keep his baseless allegations regarding any cover-up by my government surrounding her detention to himself, or present some evidence to support his salacious gossip.

I especially note that he claims that Ms Barron is being considered guilty prior to her trial. This is not the case. Ms Barron is on track to receive a fair trial, but any lawyer will tell one that the drugs recovered from her person form damning evidence against her, while she had little to present in her defence.

I know I am not alone in my disappointment that perhaps Mundus's single most important religious figure besmirches his reputation by allowing himself to be puppeteered by Augustin Fava and his mouthpiece Weasel News. That a supposedly pure, pious and humble man who supposes himself to be in direct communion with God would be a fan of such a disreputable news channel and support such inelegant, unbalanced behaviour by the shock-jock Tucker Carlson lowers the office of the Papacy.

Should his Holiness wish, he can place unjustified, unilateral sanctions on my country. We will respond in kind, and simply take what negligible trade we have with the Ecclesiastical State elsewhere.

High Commissioner Ibrahim Hussein Al-Madhavi
External Bureau of the Republic of Saheristan

President Khalid Amin Ashkan
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