Draco Cronnoc II
You push open the doors and immediately walk to the help counter. You know full well that all resource files are kept on computers, and it would be impossible for you to navigate the endless streams of data before your eyes.
You reach the counter and smile at the man standing before you. "Hello. My name is Draco Cronnoc and I need help."
The man returns your smile. "I'll be glad to help you, Mr. Cronnoc. My name is Lloyd Landris. What is it you need help with?"
"I'm researching a group called the Red Exterior."
Based on Lloyd's reaction, he is not aware that Red Exterior may be a sect of questionable ethics. He turns on his computer and types a few words in. A few seconds later his face returns, this time with no smile. His eyes shear through your very soul. "We have a book on the Red Exterior, titled "Terrorist Groups of Vietnam. It's classified. And sir judging by your age, I doubt you're here as a student writing his term paper."
Time to tell the truth. "Mr. Landris, I'm actually here under Congressional jurisdiction to aid in the efforts to capture the men involved in the recent terror attacks. If you need proper documentation for me to access these documents, I will give them to you."
"Please do."
You produce a stack of papers, check the dates, and hand them to Lloyd. He pauses for a moment and inspects them meticulously. "You've passed the test, Mr. Cronnoc. I'll retrieve the aforementioned book for you."
"Thank you."
You pass the time ogling the studying congresswomen and college girls (you've always had a thing for smart women, but your job has prevented any serious relationships. Plus the fact you're too old.) In three and a half minutes Lloyd returns with a new-looking book.
"This is it," he says, dumping it in your hands. "Have fun."
You open up to the Table of Contents and look for "Red Exterior." You find that it is the third chapter, with a total of five pages devoted to the group. Apparently it must not be a very popular sect.
You turn to the recommended page and begin reading:
The Red Exterior is a splintered group of the Vietcong, the rebel army that fought against US troops in the Vietnam War. Their origins are more than simple revenge for US atrocities during the war; the Red Exterior plans to actively expand communism into neighboring countries. Numerous excursions by Red Exterior militants have gone into Cambodia in hopes of strengthening the communist movement, but to no avail.
During the '90s the role of Red Exterior gradually faded as communism held firm in Vietnam and it is now thought that the group folded, either from lack of government financial support or internal collapse. No attacks on democratic forces in or outside Vietnam have been reported since 1994, but it would be foolish to assume that the group is dead.
Although the militant arm of Red Exterior now poses little threat, the group's new organization, Neocom, is gaining benefactors steadily. The group does not wish violence on any particular group, but still wishes to expose communist ideals to those who are curious through campaigns. The world headquarters of Neocom is at 9230 Washington Street, Dover, Delaware.
You close the book for a second and think. It seems Red Exterior has either evolved into a peaceful sect, which would mean your tip was wrong, or that it's simply hiding its true militant ways. You decide it'd be best to check it out for yourself.
You take a taxi to Dover, it doesn't take long at all, asking the driver to take you one block from the world headquarters of Neocom Financial. You walk the way and look at the structure. The building is quite a let-down, you expected a grand banking facility but instead find yourself in front of something resembling a warehouse. Certainly not in disrepair, but not the least shabby of buildings. Most troubling is the fact there is nothing to denote that this building is the center of a small financial empire, no sign or painted message.
Either way, this is your job, and you need to finish it. You gently stroke your gun. It is not often that you have to use it; while you do actively arrest suspects, you can often avoid physical conflict. You hope that the executives of Neocom will come quietly.
If there are any executives of Neocom. Ever since you heard of the name you've thought it was a hoax, a simple ploy to shield Red Exterior. You run over the plan in your head. Get information, perhaps an individual. Get out, bring him to questioning.
You knock on what must be the front door. No response comes from the interior. You call, saying the police are present to interrogate the executive of Neocom.
Again nothing. You pick the lock, something you are exceptionally skilled at, and enter the facility. Again, you are suprised. What you are in is a factory, you can see the enormous central room in the distance. It appears to be filled with boxes.
What you are now in could be considered an antechamber. This would be the office of Neocom/Red Exterior. Computers fill the room, with one large computer in the middle, and stacks of paper are scattered everywhere. Most odd is the fact the whole place is deserted, and it is a Wednesday.
Well. Time to do some searching. As you have minimal talent with computers, you begin with the papers. Most simply describe financial transactions made by Neocom in the last quarter. The only surprising fact you glean is that the US Army seems to have given more than a bit of money to Neocom.
You decide to try the computers. One thing you can do is determine if a computer is on, off, or sleeping. The computer in the middle is currently taking a siesta, so you jiggle the mouse.
And then the luckiest thing happens. An email appears on the screen. From FMackenzie@army.gov, sent to Neocom.
Excellent work on Friday, Mr. Chinn. We could not have done this without the help of Red Exterior. In exchange for your five attacks on our country, we will pay monthly allowances of $12,000,000 to Red Exterior for the next five years. In that time, you must also hold up your end of the bargain. Do not tell any jury, judge, press worker, or anyone from that matter about our actions and crimes. This is our little secret. Your group will take full responsiblity and the correlating punishments. Any leaks, and the money gets flushed down the toilet. I am confident the Graes Group will trouble us no more.
Holy Jesus! The US Army supported those who attacked America! What can this mean?
However, before you can properly think this over, you hear a voice in your ear.
"Do not move. I have a gun pointed directly at your neck." The voice is unrecognizable, but it possesses a dangerous hiss. This man is not a friend.
You know you have to get away. But how?
You reach the counter and smile at the man standing before you. "Hello. My name is Draco Cronnoc and I need help."
The man returns your smile. "I'll be glad to help you, Mr. Cronnoc. My name is Lloyd Landris. What is it you need help with?"
"I'm researching a group called the Red Exterior."
Based on Lloyd's reaction, he is not aware that Red Exterior may be a sect of questionable ethics. He turns on his computer and types a few words in. A few seconds later his face returns, this time with no smile. His eyes shear through your very soul. "We have a book on the Red Exterior, titled "Terrorist Groups of Vietnam. It's classified. And sir judging by your age, I doubt you're here as a student writing his term paper."
Time to tell the truth. "Mr. Landris, I'm actually here under Congressional jurisdiction to aid in the efforts to capture the men involved in the recent terror attacks. If you need proper documentation for me to access these documents, I will give them to you."
"Please do."
You produce a stack of papers, check the dates, and hand them to Lloyd. He pauses for a moment and inspects them meticulously. "You've passed the test, Mr. Cronnoc. I'll retrieve the aforementioned book for you."
"Thank you."
You pass the time ogling the studying congresswomen and college girls (you've always had a thing for smart women, but your job has prevented any serious relationships. Plus the fact you're too old.) In three and a half minutes Lloyd returns with a new-looking book.
"This is it," he says, dumping it in your hands. "Have fun."
You open up to the Table of Contents and look for "Red Exterior." You find that it is the third chapter, with a total of five pages devoted to the group. Apparently it must not be a very popular sect.
You turn to the recommended page and begin reading:
The Red Exterior is a splintered group of the Vietcong, the rebel army that fought against US troops in the Vietnam War. Their origins are more than simple revenge for US atrocities during the war; the Red Exterior plans to actively expand communism into neighboring countries. Numerous excursions by Red Exterior militants have gone into Cambodia in hopes of strengthening the communist movement, but to no avail.
During the '90s the role of Red Exterior gradually faded as communism held firm in Vietnam and it is now thought that the group folded, either from lack of government financial support or internal collapse. No attacks on democratic forces in or outside Vietnam have been reported since 1994, but it would be foolish to assume that the group is dead.
Although the militant arm of Red Exterior now poses little threat, the group's new organization, Neocom, is gaining benefactors steadily. The group does not wish violence on any particular group, but still wishes to expose communist ideals to those who are curious through campaigns. The world headquarters of Neocom is at 9230 Washington Street, Dover, Delaware.
You close the book for a second and think. It seems Red Exterior has either evolved into a peaceful sect, which would mean your tip was wrong, or that it's simply hiding its true militant ways. You decide it'd be best to check it out for yourself.
You take a taxi to Dover, it doesn't take long at all, asking the driver to take you one block from the world headquarters of Neocom Financial. You walk the way and look at the structure. The building is quite a let-down, you expected a grand banking facility but instead find yourself in front of something resembling a warehouse. Certainly not in disrepair, but not the least shabby of buildings. Most troubling is the fact there is nothing to denote that this building is the center of a small financial empire, no sign or painted message.
Either way, this is your job, and you need to finish it. You gently stroke your gun. It is not often that you have to use it; while you do actively arrest suspects, you can often avoid physical conflict. You hope that the executives of Neocom will come quietly.
If there are any executives of Neocom. Ever since you heard of the name you've thought it was a hoax, a simple ploy to shield Red Exterior. You run over the plan in your head. Get information, perhaps an individual. Get out, bring him to questioning.
You knock on what must be the front door. No response comes from the interior. You call, saying the police are present to interrogate the executive of Neocom.
Again nothing. You pick the lock, something you are exceptionally skilled at, and enter the facility. Again, you are suprised. What you are in is a factory, you can see the enormous central room in the distance. It appears to be filled with boxes.
What you are now in could be considered an antechamber. This would be the office of Neocom/Red Exterior. Computers fill the room, with one large computer in the middle, and stacks of paper are scattered everywhere. Most odd is the fact the whole place is deserted, and it is a Wednesday.
Well. Time to do some searching. As you have minimal talent with computers, you begin with the papers. Most simply describe financial transactions made by Neocom in the last quarter. The only surprising fact you glean is that the US Army seems to have given more than a bit of money to Neocom.
You decide to try the computers. One thing you can do is determine if a computer is on, off, or sleeping. The computer in the middle is currently taking a siesta, so you jiggle the mouse.
And then the luckiest thing happens. An email appears on the screen. From FMackenzie@army.gov, sent to Neocom.
Excellent work on Friday, Mr. Chinn. We could not have done this without the help of Red Exterior. In exchange for your five attacks on our country, we will pay monthly allowances of $12,000,000 to Red Exterior for the next five years. In that time, you must also hold up your end of the bargain. Do not tell any jury, judge, press worker, or anyone from that matter about our actions and crimes. This is our little secret. Your group will take full responsiblity and the correlating punishments. Any leaks, and the money gets flushed down the toilet. I am confident the Graes Group will trouble us no more.
Holy Jesus! The US Army supported those who attacked America! What can this mean?
However, before you can properly think this over, you hear a voice in your ear.
"Do not move. I have a gun pointed directly at your neck." The voice is unrecognizable, but it possesses a dangerous hiss. This man is not a friend.
You know you have to get away. But how?