As Simon sits on the sofa drinking coffee his nerves began to calm, it might be just denial or another aspect of shock but it was a refreshing feeling after the chaotic events that had just unfolded. He sighs and closes his eyes... reopening them a few moments later, his vision less blurry and his mind less hazy. As he gazes out of the window he notices a vessel drift by that causes him to form a momentary smile. A royal class liner, its sleek lines were a beautiful sight and the purple exterior lights unmistakably identifying it as an OSC liner.
"The Jura!" Simon blurted
Simon gets up and wonders over to the arrivals board, she was docking... his colleague and friend Brian McGree was coming to aid him in his darkest hour. Simon's eyes begin to well up... but he knew it was no time for tears, his friend might be coming but OSC were bound to be hell bent on finding out what had happened and what they might find worried Simon...
After retrieving the Mindoro blackbox, Director Saguma ordered Jorge to dock on Jura and start interviewing the survivors
"1248 passengers and 250 crew members to interview, oh my god, this gonna take awhile."
Jorge enters the amphitheater in the back of the Jura where all the survivors were gathered. Approaching the security officer of the Jura he says:
"Alright, I'll be conducting the interviews, let's use the VIP lounge for it. Coordinate with your staff and start bringing the survivors 1 by 1 to me. Director Saguma will be joining us later to help. This will take a while so get ready for some impatience from them"
After the first 200 or so interviews a pattern start to emerge, everyone got locked, heard some explosions follow by screams and then a deadly silence. Jorge gets some coffee and returns to the table in the VIP lounge where was the next person to be interviewed.
Jorge: Mr. Symington, my name is Jorge Raymond, i'm here in behalf of Director of Security Kiko Saguma. So what do you remember from the incident?
Symington: Hello Sir, i got locked in my cabin in the upper decks, my cabin had a balcony so i managed to take a good look at the outside and what i saw will haunt me for the rest of my life.
Jorge: What was that Sir? "Now this could be interesting" Jorge thinks
Symington: Well Sir. i'm a naval architect at Oder Shipyard so i know a thing or two about ships and what i saw was a Wraith and a Guardian making several passes while firing at the liner.
A shocked look appears on Jorge face
"A Rheinlander and a Libertonian attacking a civilian ship?" Even the thought of it was troubling
Jorge: Mr. Symington i thank you for your time.
A few interviews later more survivors mentioned seeing two ships firing at the Mindoro, thus confirming Symington statement
"Looks like it confirms. I must report this to Saguma." Jorge thinks
Reaching is ship Jorge quickly reports to Director Saguma
“Director Saguma, I have several statements claiming two ships attacked the Mindoro and one naval architect called William Symington identifying the ships as a BDR-804 "Guardian" Liberty Very Heavy Fighter and a 90-ARKM-N45 "Wraith" Rheinland Very Heavy Fighter.
After a long investigation Kiko is back at her office on Curacao filling out her paperwork from the incident when a message pops up on her desk. She presses the screen and listens.
“Director Saguma, I have several statements claiming two ships attacked the Mindoro and one naval architect called William Symington identifying the ships as a BDR-804 "Guardian" Liberty Very Heavy Fighter and a 90-ARKM-N45 "Wraith" Rheinland Very Heavy Fighter.
Raymond out”
"What in the world....this needs to be forwarded to Pines. Sir this is Director Saguma we have some more news on the Mindoro incident. I have a report here from Mr. Raymond stating attacking vessels where Liberty and Rheinland military vessels. Im not sure how to proceed on this so we will be waiting for your orders sir. Saguma out."
She sits back in her chair rubbing her temples over frustration.
The Chairman's office sat empty, the desk that had previously been strewn with datapads was clear of all but one, a long list of names still visible on the screen. Above the datapad two computer screens, on the left a mail icon flashed silently, on the right a half finished letter beginning "I regretfully inform you..."
Behind the desk a balcony window stood open, flooding the office in a dazzling orange hue as Curacao's star threw out the last few rays of sunshine before it sunk before the gentle rocking of the tides.
Chairman Pines lent against the balcony railings. His eyes closed against the dying rays of sunlight, relishing their intensity and warmth. The last few days had been the most draining since he took the position, today was particularly gruesome as the list of fatalities arrived upon his desk along with the soul crushing task of informing each family of their loved ones demise. Half the list still remained sat on his desk and his conscience like a lead weight.
Mustering his courage, Pines walked back into his office determined to finish the grueling task when the blinking icon caught his attention.
"Oh what fresh hell is this?" he sighed to himself.
It wouldn't be good news. It'd be another attack, or a reactor failure or a multi-billion credit liner fleeing its position because a couple of damnable idiots can't decide which inherited baffoon should be on the Kusari throne. He balled his fist at the sheer injustice of it all.
Taking a steading breath he opened the message, Kiko's report flashed before his eyes. It didn't make sense, perplexed, he read the report a second time and a third.
"Rheinland and Libertonian military?" he asked himself, sinking into his highbacked chair "but why?"
A dozen theories sprang to life as he attempted to make sense of the new evidence. Who would stand to gain from blaming the unioners? The Bundschuh? But they're political activists, not murderers. And were did the Liberty fighter come into it? His head began to throb painfully.
Pushing aside the multitude of questions he fired back a reply;
"Kiko, the security division is to resume normal operations. Forward any additional evidence to Director Blackwood, it's time we turned this over to the authorities.
In the mean time make sure Simon is checked out by the medics and ready for questioning, but go easy on him Kiko, the man has suffered through a terrible ordeal."
As one message disappeared Pines began another to Director Blackwood.
"James, I'm sending you Kiko's latest report. I want you to work with the authorities, give them everything we have and get me some answers. The security wing is resuming their regualr duties but if need them I'm sure they'd be more than happy to assist.
Once Simon is cleared by our medics I'll have Kiko question him. If the police want any questioned asked, have them sent to Kiko."
Lingering a moment on the now empty screen, Pines took another steading breath and continued his previous letter.
"I regretfully inform you that your son has been killed in the course of his duties..."
James was in a temporary office. It smelled faintly of fresh paint. He frowned, there wasn't a tea maker on this floor, only coffee pots. It was to much of a pain to get his usual cup of tea. He stood and exited into the hallway. This office was located two doors down from the Press Room where he had held the first of many press conferences regarding the attack on the Mindoro. While walking down the hallway James' data pad flashed, indicating he had a new message, one from Henry, the other from Rheinland Federal Polizei. He stopped dead in the hallway.
"Oh boy, now the real fun begins."
James frowned at his datapad as it pinged again, this time with a message from the Media Director, he took a left instead of a right at the stairs and entered another office.
"What do you mean everyone left?"
"There uh, was a attack by the GRN in California, didn't you hear, its all the net is talking about."
James rolled his eye and left the room, returning to his temporary office. Pressing the transmit key on his computer he recorded a quick message to Henry
"Henry, I notified the Police. Once get something from them I'll forward it to you. By the way did you see the attack in California, I've just been notified. I'll post a travel advisory immediately. And the media has pretty much abandoned us here in favor of coverage on that incident. I'm going to return to Cortez when possible. See you soon."