2:43 A.M. Standard Imperial Time
Imperial Bureau of Internal Security Main Headquarters, Upper Nanjing
“Floor 17” - Counterespionage
The analyst shuffled through a heap of papers and folders on his desk, meticulously taking careful notes on what he was finding with the terminal before him, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. He ran through a map tacked to the wall facing him, his finger eventually landing on Tamora. He began pecking at the keys, ending by tapping on a small red key to the edge of the board. The printer behind him hummed to life, spitting out an entire folder’s worth of documents. The analyst stuffed the papers into a crimson folder, and after inking the rubber bottom, stamped the front of the thick folder.
He quickly stepped out of his cubicle and ran to the door, throwing it open and sprinting into the atrium of military officers, field agents, soldiers, and other BIS personnel.
Zigzagging between individuals, he made his way up the stairs, to the Minister of Internal Security’s office. The two guards saw the folder and its large stamp and immediately banged on the door.
The analyst caught up and caught his breath.
“Minister! I have an urgent report for you!”
There was a short response from inside.
“How urgent?”
“Sir, it is a case of utmost national security! An emergency!”
“Come in!”
The door unlatched and the analyst dashed in, quickly saying as he handed the folder to the Minister,
“I have run the evidence over at least a dozen times now, and all the trails have led to Tamora.”
“I see. Thank you, you may see yourself out.”
The analyst saluted him, and turned about-face, leaving the office.
The Minister watched him leave, and just as the door latched, reached for the phone and immediately dialed for the Emperor-Admiral and President.
The Emperor wore his beige zhongshan suit, fiddling with the Imperial pin on his lapel as he and President Herminstaat listened intently to the Minister read the report. The President's face was white with anxiety, while the Emperor stared partly in horror, partly in fury.
The President suddenly leaned towards the Minister, inquiring, "Can you send an agent to negotiate?"
"Yes, your Presidency."
He hit a buzzer on the desk, then leaned back.
The door clicked open, a young man wearing the field agent uniform quickly bowing to the Emperor, then swiftly snapping to attention.
"This is Field Agent Wess Yu, Special Communications. He has connections that should allow him to contact the Tamorans"
The Emperor nodded towards the man, saying,
"Remember Agent, time is of the essence. It is critical that we secure these cultists, even if Special Officer Obern says otherwise."
Saluting, Wess replied, "Understood. Do I have permission to kill?"
"Under normal circumstances, no. But in this case, you may neutralize the targets if necessary. Do not touch the Tamorans though, we cannot risk an international incident."
"Of course."
Wess immediately strode out the door, clicking it shut as he did.
"And President, Minister? Not a word leaves this room. We do not need to add oil to this fire, especially after my father's reign."
Two "Yes, Your Imperial Majesty" were his answer.
1:20 P.M. Local Time
Mojebbe, Zimalia
Wess waited in anticipation for the Tamoran representative to arrive. He had arrived by submarine, unannounced, as to reduce the trail he left behind. Another Agent had already acquired the evidence and data to explain his appearance in Zimalia, the other Agent having swapped places with him when he arrived. He gripped his coffee, - a distasteful liquid, he thought, - and proceeded to continue waiting.