And for a time he lays down his pistol, again..

[Firestorm]

Bob looks at Sarah for a minute and ponders the request. He says, "I don't think the Rebel Army would appreciate anyone sending troops to resolve what is essentially an internal policing manner. I'll go, and I'll go with the intent to check on the clinics to see to it that they are running smoothly. If I find the person responsible for the murder in the process I'll deal with it."

After another moment of contemplation Bob resumes speaking, "What I really need is someone who can travel light, doesn't mind bed bugs, and can handle my smelly feet for a few weeks. Mostly, I need a person who doesn't mind a little adventure as I suspect this is one of those deals that will take on a life of its own," as he thinks about his recent visitation from the Archangel Gabriel the night before.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Sarah smiled, maybe he had heard of her other exploits around the world as something other than a politician. She was of course, anything but a girl that was able to sit still for a long period of time. But a murder in Afghanistan seemed a bit much. Standing silently over near the wall, as she had when the conversation first started, she rubbed her bare arm uncomfortably at his proposal. "I...I just don't know. Afghanistan...a murder. It just doesn't seem like the place that a woman would be welcomed in."

But he had asked her and in all honestly, Bob was essentially just as important as she was and he was doing a greater service to the world. That priest was one of her citizens, and was just as important as anyone else in Brisbane and to her for that matter. Sarah nodded and looked back up at Bob. "Two world leaders out to dispense their own justice system. They'll make us super heroes after we're done with this little stunt, but yeah, I don't mind the wilderness. I'd be up for it. When do we leave?"

[Firestorm]

Bob replies, "Three days from now. I need to get somethings in place before departing. Mainly, I'm going to organize some assets and a guide. I have a man in mind, but he's in Somal at the moment. Lovely chap name Farouq who was born in Afghanistan. Likewise, I'll put together some air transport for us inside of Afghanistan. I want to travel off the grid so we'll be using an old reprobate of a pilot dubiously named Crash Test Dummy."

With a smile on his face he relives a few choice memories of Crash Test Dummy. The man is a legend inside of the African Legion for being the most insane pilot alive. Many a Legion soldiers owe their life to the man for his willingness to fly anywhere at anytime. Under fire, in bad weather, in planes that shouldn't even be in the air, and once without enough fuel to make it back in a mission into the deepest heart of enemy territory to save a village full of nuns. If his memory serves him correctly Crash Test Dummy, or Sam to his family, had relocated to Asia after leaving the African Legion a few years back. "I'll send out the messages to get Farouq, my boys, and Crash Test Dummy lined up. We'll also need bogus travel documents because I don't want to go with papers identifying us as the choicest hostages for ransom in the hemisphere," he says.

Looking at Sarah he finishes with asking, "Why don't you sort out the passports, get us both some Hansa government issued ones under new names, and I'll make some calls?"

[Sarah Tintagyl]

She nodded. "Sure I can definitely do that. Meet me at the airport in three days then and we'll be whole new people." Sarah smiled and took his hand. "We'll find that !@#$%^& and bring him to justice. Me and you." She laughed. "He really did bite off more than he could chew. But I'll talk to you later then." She walked out of the abbey and over to one of the vans. Hopping in she tore off down the road to take care of the passport personally and to arrange a few things with her advisers. She would be taking another trip to Valkurheim for the next few weeks and to the government in Valkurheim, she would be in Prussia. If they had the gall to ask her, well that was Albert's problem then and he had been through this problem before.

Sarah spent the next hours getting things together for the trip. The Hanseatic government issued passports were a cinch to nab. Cecilia St. Clair for Sarah and Jack McCarthy for Bob. It would be easy enough to go in, she just hoped that people wouldn't recognize her out in the wilds. Rogues in Promised Land had issued a good price for her head before and being one of the more recognizable faces in the world, it did put her on edge. But Sarah was never one to refuse a chance to spread her wings from the mundane and ordinary and this was precisely the moment to do so. After she was done finishing up business in the Diet, it was time to get stuff prepared for the actually traveling part. Heading back to Solidor Manor, Sarah took out one of the light travel backpacks, Marchar issued for the Lillian guards and Hanseatic marines. Light on the wearer, but large enough to take everything she needed for the journey. A few changes of clothes, which amount to tank tops and pairs of shorts, a canteen, and a few other odds and ends, in addition to a sleeping bag. Though she hoped, though doubted that this would be anything close to a luxurious time in the wilderness. With Bob, nothing seemed luxurious.

By the time the sun was beginning to set, Sarah was pretty much packed for the planned trip. Flipping open her cell phone, she called Bob up and upon picking up, smiled. "Hey I have the visas ready, where you at?"

Edited July 3, 2009 by Sarah Tintagyl

[Firestorm]

Bob gets on the phone to Somal and his first call is to his mother. Much to his surprise he finds she is in the hospital. After a few more calls he learns she's in the hospital for stress related illnesses due to the recent allegations, entirely unfounded, regarding the deliberate targeting of civilians. He has a long talk with his mother and does his best to reassure her that war is full of such events and that she shouldn't take it personally. In a moment of indecision he asks his mother if he should come back to Somal to be with her and is told to stay where he is and finish up his business. He agrees and requests that she send his boys, Farouq, and his battle bag by plane to Brisbane.

Farouq

"I'm going where," he asks?

"Afghanistan with Marsh Bob," replies his commanding officer.

"I'm going where," he asks again?

"Just go pick up the boys, Marsh Bob's battle bag, and get to the airport. Your flight leaves in an hour."

"I'm going where," Farouq asks again with very numb look on his face?

An hour later with the boys in tow, Marsh Bob's battle bag, and a numb look still on his face Farouq boards the plane for Brisbane and is heard saying, "I'm going home, I'm going home, I'm going home," over and over again to himself silently as he rocks back and forth in his seat up in first class. Luckily the boys fit into an overhead compartment saving Farouq the hassle of of having to keep an eye on them as everyone who knows Marsh Bob knows how protective he is of his boys.

Bob

Bob decides to spend the rest of the afternoon at the library after he manages to contact Crash Test Dummy. A few hours of research are in order prior to leaving. With careful eyes Bob spends several hours reading up on the latest information regarding Afghanistan. A few choice selections are set aside for further reading. Using the map section of the library Bob is able to get a decent idea regarding the terrain of the region. He carefully examines the area for possible lines of escape, lines of advance, and resupply points.

After finishing his research, checking out his books, he goes to nearest large bookstore and buys a few more guide books and such about Afghanistan. Who would have guessed that Lonely Planet could get out the latest edition of Rebel Army Protectorate Afghanistan so quickly? After trading small talk with a lonely looking girl working behind the counter he discovers the store carries a Lonely Planet Rebel Army Protectorate Afghanistan Phrasebook and he buys that as well. He mutters to himself, "efficient little buggers" as he steps out of the store to head across the street to a major electronics store.

In here he picks up a what he really needs and these are a satellite telephone, GPS unit, and a pilot's survival radio. He browses the selections in the store a bit longer before picking three very strong looking pairs of wire cutters and a meter for determining is an electric line is charged. Bob hates climbing fences that were wired and this little gadget allows you to clamp it to an electric line and a small led light will come on if the line is hot. After managing to max out his credit card on these items he grunts and walks out of the store to head back to the orphanage to wait and make yet a few more calls.

Request To Rebel Army

Permission for four individuals, 1 helicopter, and equipment to operate in Rebel Army Afghanistan Protectorate for the purposes of assisting a local Catholic Medical organization.

Party will be armed, but nothing more than side arms and a shotgun for protection from predators.

On the phone with Sarah

"I'm at the orphanage. Why don't you come over later and we'll go to this church revival Mother Superior has been nagging me to go to for her?"

Edited July 3, 2009 by Firestorm

[Lavo]

Request To Rebel Army

Permission for four individuals, 1 helicopter, and equipment to operate in Rebel Army Afghanistan Protectorate for the purposes of assisting a local Catholic Medical organization.

Party will be armed, but nothing more than side arms and a shotgun for protection from predators.

Request granted. If you weren't carrying weapons we would've suggested it. Are you perchance assisting the organization that just lost a Father? If so, we'll give you all the information we have, as we are searching for the murderer ourselves. We'd be happy to send you someone to help you out if needed.

[Firestorm]

To Rebel Army

That's the very lot we are aiming to assist. I will make sure we file regular reports of our activities directly with your office to keep you advised. Rather than sending someone directly to us perhaps you could send someone around to the clinics to check up on the staff to see if they are in good hands? We won't be arriving for at least five to seven days and I'm worried about their safety.

-Mad Dog Bob Denard

Edited July 3, 2009 by Firestorm

[Lavo]

To Rebel Army

That's the very lot we are aiming to assist. I will make sure we file regular reports of our activities directly with your office to keep you advised. Rather than sending someone directly to us perhaps you could send someone around to the clinics to check up on the staff to see if they are in good hands? We won't be arriving for at least five to seven days and I'm worried about their safety.

-Mad Dog Bob Denard

Understood. We're dispatching a small squad and some professionals now.

-----------------------

It was a normal day in Afghanistan. Nothing special or notable, and it was hot as usual. A RAF helicopter was flying over the place, unarmed and unescorted. In it was a few soldiers and doctors, plus a stretcher. It's pilot was none other then Shimon Shelly, known for his Viper expertise and diplomatic missions after the thermonuclear war. Why he was flying this helicopter is anyone's guess, but it might bring a smile and some hope to the people at it's destination, and everything counts. Eventually they'd reach a small clinic that recently lost one of it's most important staff. In this rural region, it was one of the most well-known and dependable organizations for miles. Once the chopper landed, the troops would ensure the security of the place and get background information on the late Father. The doctors would share some knowledge with the current staff, help out a bit, and try to see if they could get a long-term replacement or fill in for the Father's place. The stretcher would be used to bring a very bad case back to the RA, or to another hospital, if necessary. Thankfully, it's use wasn't required. Shimon would just go around, chat with a few of the staff and patients, and just all around keep the mood up.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

"All right, I'm on my way." Sarah flipped the cell phone shut and called for a taxi cab to take her over to the orphanage. If she was going to start having to act like a civilian in Afghanistan, well it would be a great idea to start as soon as possible. She was charged no fee by the cab driver and only had to put up with a relentless wave of political criticism, which ended in a friendly good-bye when they arrived at the abbey. The cobblestone roads leading to the chapel were already starting to look better and the mood of the entire complex had been lifted. Instead of the gray clouds that hovered over the tall grass and growing weeds, a yellow sky shined down on finely cut grass as gardeners planted flowers along the edge of the building.

Sarah immediately went about to find where Bob was. He had said that the Mother Superior had been bugging him about going to some revival. Walking into her office, she asked as politely as she could. "Have you seen Bob, he said he wanted to take me to some religious revival or some sort. I'd like to get going as soon as possible."

[Firestorm]

Farouq

"I'm sorry ma'am, but can I have some fruit juice," he asks a puzzled looking stewardess in Ge'ez?

The stewardess looks a bit irritated as she looks Farouq up and down. The man doesn't have the look of the regular first class traveller. He looks rough around the edges, uncultivated, uncivilized, and at the same time he has an aura of danger around him. Certainly, she has absolutely no idea what language he is speaking and with the rest of the customers growing impatient she decides to try again with, "I asked, would you like a glass of champagne?"

Farouq looks back, equally annoyed, and responds by rolling up his shirt sleeve and showing her the tattoo on his arm bearing the cresent of Islam. He asks back in Ge'ez,"Could I please have some fruit juice?"

The stewardess suddenly gets the gist of what Farouq is asking and smiles at him as she gets him a bottle of fresh orange juice. She quickly tells her coworker to ensure that the menu selection for Farouq is one of the Halal items they carry just for Muslim passengers. As she hands the juice to Farouq she says, "Sorry for the misunderstanding," and moves onto the next passenger.

Bob

After speaking to Sarah he takes the time to do some reading up on Afghanistan. As he delves into his books from the library he makes copious notes on a pad of paper. While waiting he grunts, comments occasionaly, and makes notes at pertinent finds. Other people might be looking for information about the prime tourist sites, Bob is looking for relavent cultural data regarding the customs of the tribal groups in the area.

While he finds a few interesting nuggets of information he is a bit dismayed by the lack of clear ethnographic research material at his disposal. He has reams of out of date material dating back to the Afghan-British wars of the 18th century, but he's looking for material gathered by trained anthropologists rather than irate British officers. Hearing Sarah in the next room asking for his where abouts he gets up out of his chair and walks next door.

As he enters the room he says, "I'm right behind you."

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Bob

After speaking to Sarah he takes the time to do some reading up on Afghanistan. As he delves into his books from the library he makes copious notes on a pad of paper. While waiting he grunts, comments occasionaly, and makes notes at pertinent finds. Other people might be looking for information about the prime tourist sites, Bob is looking for relavent cultural data regarding the customs of the tribal groups in the area.

While he finds a few interesting nuggets of information he is a bit dismayed by the lack of clear ethnographic research material at his disposal. He has reams of out of date material dating back to the Afghan-British wars of the 18th century, but he's looking for material gathered by trained anthropologists rather than irate British officers. Hearing Sarah in the next room asking for his where abouts he gets up out of his chair and walks next door.

As he enters the room he says, "I'm right behind you."

Turning as Bob walked into the room, Sarah took out the passports from her back pocket. "Jack McCarthy for you Mr. Denard and Cecilia St. Clair for me. I think these will do just fine for us." She smiled and put her hair into a ponytail. "So I heard about some Christian revival or something that you were being nagged about going. I figure I have more than enough time, if you want to escort a young lady down to the festival Bob?" Sarah smiled and offered her hand to him, softly.

[Firestorm]

Bob seriously considers jumping out the window and running away. He stifles the instinct and gives into the temptation of seeing a bunch of 'chucklehead' holy rollers in action. His mama had warned him about those sorts of evangelical christians and had said, "Boy they be some of the biggest idiots in the world." He looks at the Mother Superior somewhat wanefully and finally says, "Sounds delightful, let's go" as he leads the way out the door and down to the street to grab a taxi.

Along the way he pointedly reminds himself that this might just be the sort of preperation needed to ensure that Sarah is able to blend into the crowd. Given her position as a prominent world leader managing to operate covertly must be a challenge even at the best of times. Mixing into a crowd has as much to do with appearance as it does projecting the image of belonging in the crowd. He ponders saying as much but decides to wait, observe, and comment later as needed.

Besides, the real issue is can he go an entire three hours without stabbing someone in the cartoid artery?

[Sarah Tintagyl]

The Revival was being held by the Catholic Community Alliance on the beaches outside of Brisbane. The Hansa had one of the largest Roman Catholic populations in the world and this was reflected in the utter extravagance of religious festivals. Themes of the festival ranged from world peace, to environmental protection, to forgiveness of the world. It was utterly amazing, people who had been through such suffering, such death, could link hands and in their own words forgive what had happened in Europe, forgive what was going on in Asia. Forgive, though hope for the desire to see change.

The taxi took Sarah and Bob across Brisbane just as the sun disappeared from the sky. Brisbane seemed to light up, much more than it had ever done since the attack. Indeed, much needed life was returning to the city squares, as Sarah identified her favorite spots to the Somalian. The various cafes, salons, taverns all of the being rebuild and frequented by people of various ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds. "I hope that the world will always look at Brisbane as a way the world could work. European nationalists, Asian extremists. None of them find their way here. Its a city of toleration. Earth in a little bubble, but a bubble I'd like to see much larger."

Passing through the city, the taxi came to the beachfront and there in front of them sat hundreds of multicolored tents with bright fires burning on the beaches. The smells of incense, the sounds of guitar, and the feeling of hope filled the air. People sung in large circles, and local preachers talked loud for everyone to hear. Sarah had never been to one of these festivals, but it immediately felt like some place that she could come to more often at least. At least to let her Catholic citizens know, which she was one anyways, that she was there and about them. But now was not the time for that. The waves crashed against the shore and men and women on surfboards filtered in as Sarah and Bob walked towards the center of the festival. "So what are you feeling of doing?"

[Firestorm]

"I feel like doing an Australian rapel out the door of a low flying huey under enemy fire rather than this," replies Bob. He looks around at the feverish faithful and feels a bit put off. Plagues, wars, famines, and the such has always seemed to draw in a crowd of followers. He can partially understand the comfort of surrendering yourself to a higher power, but his faith comes from a different well.

This bunch, to Bob anyway, seems to have found their way back to the fold. Understandable, but somewhat pitiful in Bob's eyes given that the recent tragedy had nothing to do with god and everything to do with a certain half-wit named Scot Viscari. It isn't in Bob's body of convictions to assign the responsibility for the actions of one man, no matter how terrible they were, to god.

Bob doesn't believe any message was sent with the missiles that hammered Brisbane, well certainly no messages from god. He calms his nerves and opens up his eyes and ears. He lets them take in the sounds as he moves his eyes in short little jerks to optimize the edges of his vision. They always move, always search, and they feed a direct stream of information directly into his brain. Obviously the ability to blend in for Sarah is probably going to be a bit easier in the middle of Afghanistan than it is in Brisbane.

For now he contents himself to running overt intelligence collection activities in the form of memorizing faces, snatching names out of morsels of conversations, and identifying high value targets in the crowd. Part of this is includes sniffing out security elements both obvious and not so obvious and that of course will take a little more time. Given that this revival seems to be just warming up Bob figures he has plenty of time for that sort of thing.