Arrest Report
Date: 8/17/2023
Time: 19:29
Offender(s): Requiem, Idomeneo, Bassoon Concerto, Gran Partita, Don Giovanni
Offense(s): Espionage, illegal use of resources, illegal use of government land, battery of a police officer, resisting arrest
Arresting Officer(s): Police Chief Henry Calibri, Deputy Kara Monay, Deputy Garreth Peterson, Deputy Brian Madrigal, Deputy Francis Morgan, Tactical Husk Unit A99, Deputy Cillian Ruby
Notes:
The offenders were arrested trying to construct a crude bunker in a hill approximately three miles from the main city. The offender who identified himself as 'Requiem,' revealed they were members of 'The Eternal Repository' after the application of moderate force from Tactical Husk Unit A99. Multiple escape attempts were made en route to the detention center.
This was a particularly painful national security headache for President Wilson Pottinger. He'd heard of the Eternal Repository but had underestimated their interest in his newborn nation. After various methods of torture were applied to the captured spies and spending an entire day on the phone (navigating the Repository's chain of command proved to be almost as difficult as navigating a customer support hotline), he'd finally dragged a diplomatic representative from the Repository down to his office. Wilson made an attempt at looking presentable for the meeting, combing back his rust-colored hair and polishing the silver buttons of his black military uniform. When Faust arrived, Wilson noticed that the Repository's representative hadn't even bothered to wipe mud off his boots before entering the building.
"So you see, Mr. President, we meant no disrespect when we began operations on this level."
Faust, the Eternal Repository's Godhand of Trade, said whilst seated across from the unmoved president.
"You'll forgive me if I doubt your sincerity on that. If you truly meant no disrespect, you would have asked for permission first. Did you really think you could operate within my territory with impunity?"
Wilson challenged.
"We're a reasonable organization. Arresting our researchers was unnecessary."
Faust tried to pacify him whilst idly tapping a pen on the desk.
"But nevertheless enlightening. What is Project Darwin?"
Wilson asked. Faust stopped tapping the pen.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Faust answered.
"It's just the two of us in this office, Faust; your master administrator wouldn't hear a thing."
Wilson pressed. His question had a dual purpose: trying to both goad Faust into answering and gauge if there were any more spies in his borders.
"What are you going to do, waterboard me?"
Faust's smirk was hidden behind his mask, but Wilson took the hint.
"That wouldn't have been necessary if you'd asked politely. Besides, if that project isn't important enough for your ringleader to take notice of this incident, would he really care if you gave me a straight answer?"
Wilson tried again to pry, but Faust evaded again with:
"The Master Administrator is preoccupied. But that doesn't mean there isn't a way to diffuse the tension."
"If you've come to appease me, you're doing a rather poor job of it."
Wilson hissed, annoyed. Though Faust's comment confirmed his suspicions about additional spies.
"I suppose that's why I was sent here. So, what arrangements work for you?"
Faust asked.
"The immediate withdrawal of all Repository forces from my territory. As for the ones we've already captured, I believe we'll keep them for the time being. A hundred gallons of liquid silence would suffice for reparations, considering this is your first… incident."
Wilson answered.
"The liquid silence is no problem. However… is there any way you could release the prisoners and allow them to resume what they were doing?"
Faust countered.
"They were only building a small research bunker, so small you'd barely notice. In terms of space, it was more like one of those RV trailers you'll find in photo galleries of stuff back on earth."
"That is impossible. I may be able to return some of your comrades, if you're more transparent about Project Darwin and meet my other conditions."
Wilson countered.
"Project Darwin, if it exists, isn't in the cards i'm able to play here. At any rate, an information exchange about something like that would require something of equivalent value. Value I haven't seen. Unless, maybe, there's another Night Terror?"
Faust prodded. It was becoming apparent to Wilson, he wasn't going to be getting answers on Project Darwin.
"My initial terms are more than generous. Besides. I'm not too fond of the Eyes of Argos either. Vigilante justice has no room in my vision. If you prove yourselves reasonable by agreeing to my terms, diplomatic channels can remain open. Cooperation may even be possible after things have cooled down."
Wilson answered.
"I see…"
Faust pondered his options.
"My colleagues would be upset if I returned empty-handed, however. So how about you return the prisoners in exchange for this?"
Faust placed a folder on the desk. Wilson opened it, and upon reading it, his eyes widened.
"Emulsified? Out of curiosity, how did you-"
"Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies."
Faust Interrupted.
"It is a tempting offer…"
Wilson admitted.
"How about this: We'll return all but one. You choose who stays behind."
At this counteroffer, Faust remained quiet. The silence stretched until Wilson wasn't sure Faust had actually heard him. Finally, Faust spoke up.
"It's a deal."
The two of them went to the primitive penitentiary, a subterranean hall lined with dungeons, the numbered doors to which had no windows. Under the mask Faust winced at the sight of the torture chamber at the end of the hall. In the end, Faust picked Requiem to stay behind.
"Hey! Is something going on out there!? Idomeneo are we getting released!?"
Requiem called out, entombed in his cell.
"Quiet!"
One of the guards ordered him, kicking at the cell door. Faust had brought a squad of Data Diggers with him to Boveta, and they helped the recovered prisoners to their feet.
"We'll be off now. I'm sure this will lead to the beginning of a more fruitful enterprise."
Faust said as he extended his hand to Wilson.
"Perhaps."
Wilson answered as he shook it.
Three days later, Wilson would return to the dungeons after a death was reported. There was Requiem in his cell, his guts literally spilled.
"We think someone spiked his almond water rations with liquid pain."
the warden reported. Wilson stared hard at the corpse.
"Call our doctors and have them perform an autopsy. Incinerate the corpse afterwards."
he instructed.
"It seems the Repository haven't learned their lesson."