Meanwhile: A Threat from Above
(Bradly POV)
May 13th 1901
You sighed, cracking the table from your fists squeezing them in the anger that burned in your body.
What was occurring in Ishval was… not ideal. Not for you, not for Father… not for the plan that required the blood.
Ten Thousand should have been easy. The abuse suffered by the Ishvallans was palpable, the anger ripe for an explosion that would have set the entire region ablaze, allowing the Circle of Blood to be made… and for other tasks of a more… personal nature by Father to be started. After all, immortal soldiers would be very useful when Amestris was… liberated from the souls, and Father walked the earth as an immortal god.
You were so close for the Circle to be finished.
Then, there were problems… problems that must be dealt with.
But now, that you were alone and without any ears or eyes watching… you could speak to your… annoying brother.
"Envy… why must you continue to wear that indecent outfit?" You growled lowly as the pineapple haired, greenie shape changed, back to the form that he saw himself as… much to your continued annoyance. "What is the point of having an identity prepared for you if you must break character at every opportunity?"
Envy gave a grin. "Oh, what's the matter? I thought you were the all-powerful President of the Country? You can make things disappear with a wave of a hand."
He was trying to get a rise out of you. It would not work. Not now. "Not yet Envy… they have not made things… focused enough for my ascension to be assured. Not with the parliament not voting for emergency powers to be granted to us. But give it a few more hours… and it will."
How envy chose to be so ignorant to such affairs was beyond your comprehension. He just liked manipulation, lies and other things that would be… perfect to destroy people…
It was one thing that made you feel so attached to him. In your own special way. "Hm.. so why am I here than? Wish to boss me around like everyone else in your dammed military?"
Well… that was… not entirely true. "Do you know about Dante?"
That made envy Smirk. "Oh that crazy bitch who found out how to copy my shapeshifting abilities, only it requires using actual bodies instead of transmutation the form around his cells, right? She was fun… until she decided to grow too old and bitter."
"I need you to deliver a message to her. Quietly. There is a nettlesome fly in Ishval that needs to be stamped out."
Envy Laughed. "I still can't believe you haven't killed that kid already. Ailtree isn't it? Why not kill him and be done with it?"
"Because he is a sacrifice candidate." You replied, shattering the table with your hand. "Father will not tolerate his death. We need him out of Ishval… and interfering with our plans."
Your sole eye glowed red in the shadows. "Get it done Envy."
And the other homunculus left.
Good.
Now… That meeting with Arthur Ailtree… You needed him under control.
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Arrest Roll:
1D100 => 90- 40 (Johan's Arrival and bribes)=50
May 17th, 1901.
Colonel Dante was sitting before you, tea in hand, as she slowly sipped away. "Sit, she ordered, as her men blocked any entrances and escape routes.
You took a seat. "Perhaps you are wondering why I am here?" She questioned.
Nope… your here to kill me… or silence me, whatever your objective is… but you will not silence me… not with the Truth on my side.
You grabbed a pen and paper and wrote. "Kill me?"
She grinned. "Oh, heavens no… at least, not unless you give me a reason to."
She's angry… possibly because she did not want to be seen by you… at all.
There was a quiet moment before the door opened. "Dante."
And like a shadow of a ghost, Johan Liebert walked in, shotgun in hand. The Barrel pointed at her head. "And you will step away from my Ward… immediately, or this face will be the last thing you see."
The soldiers froze as he did it with gusto… and after all, who would willingly try to shoot the Butcher of Bellview.
But Dante smiled. "And you are here for… a reason? Don't tell me your little job of finding dirty secrets made you soft Johan?"
"Leave, before my patience wears thin."
"Did you ever tell him about what you did in Bellview? How you murdered all those men, women and children?" Dante giggled as she stood. "Cause if he did know… he would kill you right now."
Is… she trying to divide us? Or… has he been lying about his past.
"Soldiers, let the men be… We'll be back, soon enough."
Johan did not lower the gun until they left. "You were an idiot staying in a hotel… did you at least bobby trap your room and dark room, protect the evidence?"
You nodded. How stupid did he think you were?
"Good… We have work to do."
Reward: Johan Libert has joined your investigation. +1 action.
His sheet will be posted tomorrow night.
Joshua/Scar is remaining hidden for now. But he will help soon.
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You have 7 actions.
News Actions
[]Recalled: You have been recalled back to Central. Something has come up… Why would Arthur want you to come back? (The Arc is delayed for a turn or two, you return to Central)
[]Investigate (The Disappearances): Jasmine Point… that was where all the people were being taken.
[]Investigate: (General Fessler): What the hell is such a man doing running this sort of operation? He should be sacked for his incompetence.
[]Investigate (Gun Runners): There are gun runners trying to get arms into the region, to start more trouble for their… Revolution.
[]Investigate: (Logue Lowe): The Great Sage of Ishvala, the Fifteenth Prophet of Ishval, the Spiritual leader of the whole nation. And an outspoken critic of the Amestrian occupation. What is his story?
[]Photo's for the Future (A Circle of Blood): Ten Thousand people have died disappeared in this conflict… but nothing seems to change. There is an eery quiet.
[]interview: (The Rank and File): it seems that the soldiers are discontent with the lack of proper equipment. You will allow them to vocalize their complaints.
Personal Actions:
Current Money: 480,000 Cene.
[]Finding the Monk: Someone is watching you… but that someone is not an enemy. But who?
[]Relocate: You need to get out of the city. Johan seems to have some safe houses in a few towns down.
[]Spend time with Johan: You want to know the Truth about Bellview... what did he do there?
[]Ishvallan Alchemists?: Ishvallan religious doctrine frowns upon Alchemists… but there has to be a few running around.
[]Humanitarian Aid (The Lost): There is a memorial to those who are lost and disappeared. They need some help preparing it.
[]Bribe Officials: You want to get more pertinent access into the Military Camp, find out Strategy, resources… what the government is wishing to do. (Increase Interview, Research, and Investigation rolls into certain events) Costs 40,000 Cene.
[]School of the Lion: You trained for a few years as a martial artist… of an Ishvallan School… You think there might be a Teacher around here to help.
[]Train: Your hand to hand skills are getting Sloppy… you need to practice more… the work at the desk is making you sloppy…
[]Messages from Home: You need to see if you have anything from home… maybe from Uncle, Sarah or Marshel?
AN: Enjoy, and please vote in plan format.
Moratorium for a few hours.