Re: 2014 STGOD Story Thread I
Posted: 2015-01-07 02:15pm
Paradise City Prison
May 8th, 2014
The contrast between the first interrogation room and the second was astounding. Tatsuya Shiba was not shackled to the chair. Nor was he illuminated by a bright light and surrounded by darkness. Instead he was said on a moderately comfortable chair at a table, with a cup of coffee by his left hand. His right arm was handcuffed to the table; he was, after all, a suspect being questioned and Orion was a nation where paranoia was elevated to an art form.
Tatsuya was deep in thought, carefully planning his answers to the expected questions. He was pleased at how his altered plan had worked out; the last thing he recalled from the Palace was killing his comrade before the taser struck him. The Orions may have been questionable and backwards in many ways, but they knew how to protect themselves.
The door opened and in walked Colonel Waters. This much Tatsuya expected. What was unexpected was the presence of a Umerian woman with the OSF officer- one of their delegation; he recognized her. The Colonel sat down opposite Tatsuya whilst the woman leaned against the far wall, her eyes locked on his face. He was curious as to her presence, “neutral observer” seemed unlikely. The only reasonable conclusion was that she was an intelligence officer, and most likely very capable if the Orions asked for help. He mentally adjusted himself accordingly.
Waters took a sip of his tea before he began. “Good afternoon Mr Shiba. I am Colonel Waters, OSF, and this is Delphinium Archer of Umeria. She’s observing these sessions as a neutral third party. First of all Mr. Shiba, my apologies for tasing and detaining you, but I am sure that you understand our caution given the events that occurred yesterday.”
“Of course Colonel, it was only natural. Although I must admit to being surprised at your restraint. I would not have expected the famed Orion SAS to use tasers.”
“Better to capture and interrogate than kill. Which brings us to the first of my questions for you sir. What prompted you to take such drastic action?”
“I could not stand by whilst such traitors tried to harm those I am sworn to protect.” As he said that, Ms Archer stood up straight and began slowly circling the room. Watching me very closely no doubt.
“Well of course, but surely there was a less violent method? Where did you get the knife anyway? We know you didn’t bring it with you.”
“I took it from the buffet during lunch.” At that, Archer asked a single word, in a quiet tone that nonetheless carried clearly across the room.
“Why?”
“What do you mean?” At that answer, Waters took up the thread.
“She means why did you take the knife.”
“I had a gut feeling that it would be advantageous to be armed if necessary.”
“Explain this “gut feeling” if you please.” Waters was making notes. Or rather, Tatsuya thought he was making notes. Waters was in fact jotting down total gibberish, knowing full well everything was recorded and that Archer would remember it anyway. But it gave the suspect something to focus on, rather than the woman keenly watching him.
“There was something… off about my colleagues that day. They have always been very private individuals, but yesterday they were even more so. They answered questions and responded to orders but there was no extraneous conversation. Throughout the day they kept sneaking glances at each other, presumably to reassure themselves or something.”
“The behavior certainly sounds suspicious. Why did you not inform your superiors? Or our security personnel?”
“I had only a gut feeling, as I said. I had worked with these people for some time, I did not wish to cause them embarrassment if there was nothing actually wrong.”
At that, Colonel Waters underlined a phrase of gibberish in his “notes.” “Commendable. But you showed no restraint at killing your colleague. I’ve seen the security footage, you acted almost immediately.”
“Those of us trusted to guard Fusoan diplomats must make instant decisions Colonel, A second’s delay can cost lives.”
From behind Tatsuya, Archer caught Waters' eye and nodded towards the door. As far as she was concerned, they were finished.
“Very well Mr Shiba. I’ll be informing my superiors and we shall be releasing you to your embassy later today, after a good meal by way of apology. I would ask that if you do learn anything more, or remember anything more about your colleagues that you inform us.”
“Of course Colonel.”
Waters and Archer left the room. “Well?” he said.
“He is lying about his colleagues, what he knew, and how he knew it. His responses were too prompt here to be extemporaneous. His reactions during the event were too fast, as well. There are people who can kill a colleague that fast. They're sociopaths of a certain type. He isn't. Therefore, five will get you-" Archer paused for a barely noticeable fraction of a second "-about two hundred that he's lying. He knew what we would be asking. He prepared himself. Unfortunately, he is relatively good at concealing things. What he might be concealing, I cannot say- precisely.”
“So we have plenty of suspicions but no evidence. I hate cases like this. Ok, we’ll send him back to his embassy, but we’ll keep him under surveillance as much as possible. Thank you for your assistance Ms Archer, I’ll be sure to tell your Minister how helpful you have been."
"One thing."
"Yes?"
"How's your network-use surveillance? Five will get you- thirty to thirty-five, he's part of the network of the group behind this. Worth watching him. I may pass a word to the Bureau of Foreign Intelligence myself, but our signals intelligence is- inferior."
“With no false modesty, ours is pretty damned good. We’ve had discreet monitors and taps on all of his known mobile devices, and those of his family and colleagues since we arrested him. We’ll be monitoring him very closely. But I’ll never turn down an offer of help on something like this.”
Two hours later, Tatsuya Shiba was escorted out into daylight and climbed into an official car for the short drive to the Fusoan embassy. Anyone who saw him during the drive would have thought his small smile was one of gladness to be freed and going home. Instead it was the smug smile of one who has deceived and gotten away with it.
May 8th, 2014
The contrast between the first interrogation room and the second was astounding. Tatsuya Shiba was not shackled to the chair. Nor was he illuminated by a bright light and surrounded by darkness. Instead he was said on a moderately comfortable chair at a table, with a cup of coffee by his left hand. His right arm was handcuffed to the table; he was, after all, a suspect being questioned and Orion was a nation where paranoia was elevated to an art form.
Tatsuya was deep in thought, carefully planning his answers to the expected questions. He was pleased at how his altered plan had worked out; the last thing he recalled from the Palace was killing his comrade before the taser struck him. The Orions may have been questionable and backwards in many ways, but they knew how to protect themselves.
The door opened and in walked Colonel Waters. This much Tatsuya expected. What was unexpected was the presence of a Umerian woman with the OSF officer- one of their delegation; he recognized her. The Colonel sat down opposite Tatsuya whilst the woman leaned against the far wall, her eyes locked on his face. He was curious as to her presence, “neutral observer” seemed unlikely. The only reasonable conclusion was that she was an intelligence officer, and most likely very capable if the Orions asked for help. He mentally adjusted himself accordingly.
Waters took a sip of his tea before he began. “Good afternoon Mr Shiba. I am Colonel Waters, OSF, and this is Delphinium Archer of Umeria. She’s observing these sessions as a neutral third party. First of all Mr. Shiba, my apologies for tasing and detaining you, but I am sure that you understand our caution given the events that occurred yesterday.”
“Of course Colonel, it was only natural. Although I must admit to being surprised at your restraint. I would not have expected the famed Orion SAS to use tasers.”
“Better to capture and interrogate than kill. Which brings us to the first of my questions for you sir. What prompted you to take such drastic action?”
“I could not stand by whilst such traitors tried to harm those I am sworn to protect.” As he said that, Ms Archer stood up straight and began slowly circling the room. Watching me very closely no doubt.
“Well of course, but surely there was a less violent method? Where did you get the knife anyway? We know you didn’t bring it with you.”
“I took it from the buffet during lunch.” At that, Archer asked a single word, in a quiet tone that nonetheless carried clearly across the room.
“Why?”
“What do you mean?” At that answer, Waters took up the thread.
“She means why did you take the knife.”
“I had a gut feeling that it would be advantageous to be armed if necessary.”
“Explain this “gut feeling” if you please.” Waters was making notes. Or rather, Tatsuya thought he was making notes. Waters was in fact jotting down total gibberish, knowing full well everything was recorded and that Archer would remember it anyway. But it gave the suspect something to focus on, rather than the woman keenly watching him.
“There was something… off about my colleagues that day. They have always been very private individuals, but yesterday they were even more so. They answered questions and responded to orders but there was no extraneous conversation. Throughout the day they kept sneaking glances at each other, presumably to reassure themselves or something.”
“The behavior certainly sounds suspicious. Why did you not inform your superiors? Or our security personnel?”
“I had only a gut feeling, as I said. I had worked with these people for some time, I did not wish to cause them embarrassment if there was nothing actually wrong.”
At that, Colonel Waters underlined a phrase of gibberish in his “notes.” “Commendable. But you showed no restraint at killing your colleague. I’ve seen the security footage, you acted almost immediately.”
“Those of us trusted to guard Fusoan diplomats must make instant decisions Colonel, A second’s delay can cost lives.”
From behind Tatsuya, Archer caught Waters' eye and nodded towards the door. As far as she was concerned, they were finished.
“Very well Mr Shiba. I’ll be informing my superiors and we shall be releasing you to your embassy later today, after a good meal by way of apology. I would ask that if you do learn anything more, or remember anything more about your colleagues that you inform us.”
“Of course Colonel.”
Waters and Archer left the room. “Well?” he said.
“He is lying about his colleagues, what he knew, and how he knew it. His responses were too prompt here to be extemporaneous. His reactions during the event were too fast, as well. There are people who can kill a colleague that fast. They're sociopaths of a certain type. He isn't. Therefore, five will get you-" Archer paused for a barely noticeable fraction of a second "-about two hundred that he's lying. He knew what we would be asking. He prepared himself. Unfortunately, he is relatively good at concealing things. What he might be concealing, I cannot say- precisely.”
“So we have plenty of suspicions but no evidence. I hate cases like this. Ok, we’ll send him back to his embassy, but we’ll keep him under surveillance as much as possible. Thank you for your assistance Ms Archer, I’ll be sure to tell your Minister how helpful you have been."
"One thing."
"Yes?"
"How's your network-use surveillance? Five will get you- thirty to thirty-five, he's part of the network of the group behind this. Worth watching him. I may pass a word to the Bureau of Foreign Intelligence myself, but our signals intelligence is- inferior."
“With no false modesty, ours is pretty damned good. We’ve had discreet monitors and taps on all of his known mobile devices, and those of his family and colleagues since we arrested him. We’ll be monitoring him very closely. But I’ll never turn down an offer of help on something like this.”
Two hours later, Tatsuya Shiba was escorted out into daylight and climbed into an official car for the short drive to the Fusoan embassy. Anyone who saw him during the drive would have thought his small smile was one of gladness to be freed and going home. Instead it was the smug smile of one who has deceived and gotten away with it.