LDA Agent's Story

Inside the building were even more armed guards, but they too were in ceremonial grey uniforms, rather than full combat gear. The lobby was open and Airy, with the Aschen flag draped from the ceiling in the center of the room.

Just in the door way were four armed men in green uniforms and black armbands that read SP, they were manning what looked like metal detectors. "Come, shoes off, belts off, shoes, belts, and any handbags or purses go into the Scanner." He said, gesturing to the X ray machine, while handing the group plastic bins.

Should they move through without incident, one of the SP guards would flash a blue light in each of their eyes, logging retinal information, then scanning their badges and directing them to a waiting room of sorts.

"The nature of your business has been logged, someone will be with you shortly to guide you through the application process." Once through the scanners, shoes, belts and belongings would be promptly returned.

And now the waiting game. Once in the waiting room, they would find plush chairs, and a holographic screen showing an Aschen pyramid game.

Twenty minutes went by, and a middle aged man in a crisp black suit emerged with a thick file in the crook of his arm. "Fatin Alfarsi, Representative of the Invictus?" He called out.

The man nodded and gestured for her to come with him. "I'm Agent Burg, with the Langaran Defense Agency's Immigration and Tourism division. I'll be handling your application and visa process, in addition to helping you find the ideal transportation to Langara should your visa become approved." The agent said, gesturing for them to follow. "Come with me to my office, and we'll go over the application process. Do you have your Terran passport and government issued photo ID?" He inquired, before he started down the hall towards his office, opening the door he motioned for Sonia and Stryfe to have a seat.

"Do you want anything to drink? Hot Tea? Water? Ambrosia?" He asked, moving around to his desk and setting the file down.

"First and foremost I'd like to thank you for your interest in travel to the Aschen Confederation. However our tourism procedures have changed under the Aschen Confederation Security Reinvestment Act." He said, going over the pre-generated application. "I understand you both are applying for Diplomatic visas?" He said, opening the file, which contained documents printed in the native Aschen language.

"Alright let's see here..." He took a small stack of papers, and a pen, and he began to enter the information recorded from the Identification documentation.

"Are you requesting this diplomatic visa on behalf of the Invictus?"

The Agent nodded. "Alright, let's get started then." He said, shuffling the papers, and handing Stryfe a sixty page personal history statement, asking every personal detail, from past residences, to drug use, and everything in between. He handed another one to Sonia.

"These are personal history statements, to ensure that your application is processed quickly, be sure to fill these out completely, and honestly. Understand any omissions or falsifications will be grounds for rejection of your visa. This is a government document, and there are penalties for lying on a government document." He said, sliding a notice towards them. Detailing Aschen Penal Code 37.10.


"The Application process is fairly straight forward. This is the initial briefing, the name and address you provided on your initial application will be used for all follow up contacts regarding your Visas." He said, sliding a paper forward. "The Palace in Wing City is your desired point of contact? If so, sign here authorizing us to contact you at this location for matters regarding Visa application business." He said, pulling another paper from the folder.

"This is to authorize a comprehensive background check, Understand that prior evidence of misconduct, crime, or anything else is not, in of itself grounds for rejection of your visa. I will stress that once again, any omissions on your personal history statements will be grounds for automatic rejection." Burg explained.

"In two weeks time a representative of this agency will contact you to collect your personal history statements. A thorough background investigation of you, and your organization will be conducted. The results of the investigation will then be forwarded to the LDA Headquarters in Caprica City, where a determination will be made, and you will be contacted regarding the approval, or denial of your Visas." Burg explained.

"During this initial phase I have a few questions I would like to ask you, please answer them honestly."

The Agent nodded. "The Only information obtained in the background investigation is information that pertains to the Visa requirements, and information that pertains to Aschen national security. We'll be looking for things like, Doomsday weapons pointed at Langara, to little things like if your organization is involved in illegal activities. We don't intend to garner full disclosure. We'll do things like obtain police records, interview members of your organization pertaining to it's activities concerning the Aschen, things of that nature." Burg explained.

"Alright, let's begin." He said, pulling out another piece of paper and a pen.

"Do you, or your organization have any plans to overthrow the democratically elected government of the Aschen Confederation through violent means?"

He then would mark her response appropriately.

"What is your opinion on the current policies of our President and Legislative body?"

The Agent nodded and began to jot down some notes. "Alright.." He said, before he looked back up to the pair.

"Have you participated in the violent overthrow of Occupational governments installed by the Aschen Confederation?" He asked, amending the question. "Excluding the occupation installed by the Aschen Empire. I'm referring to the Tripartite." He said, taking down some notes.

"Do you believe that Terrans and Aschen can cohabitate peacefully on Terra, despite ideological differences?"

He would jot down some notes to their response, and continue with the questioning. "Have you or your organization provided materiel, personnel, or financial support to states and entities whom are at war with the Aschen Confederation, or otherwise provided comfort to her enemies?"

The Agent gave Stryfe a look, but Burg cleared his throat and his face of the strange look before he took a look at some paperwork printed in Anquietas. "Entities like Hataf, the current Jupiter Corporation, The Council, The Soldiers of the One, rogue Terran groups that I may not have mentioned that are using aid and comfort provided by your organization to carry out attacks against the Aschen Confederation and it's interests."

He jotted down some more notes in Anquietas, and waited for Stryfe to answer before moving on with his question.

"And lastly, what specifically is the nature, and the reason you request a diplomatic visa specifically, and which Government officials or legislative bodies do you plan to meet with, or speak before? What Specifically is the reason you seek this Visa."

Burg gave a nod, and then jotted down his last set of notes, before he took the authorization forms, and his initial application. He slid it into the large folder, only leaving the pair of personal history statements.

"Alright, that concludes our preliminary interview. Now what will happen next is I will send this in to Caprica, and someone will contact you for your personal history statements. Once the Personal history statements are collected, the background investigation will start. Now understand that it's a general estimate, and the Background Investigation will begin with or without your knowledge, to obtain the most factual information we can."

Once the file was put together, he slid it in a large manila type envelope, and he sealed the envelope placing it in a box on his desk.

"So you're requesting a personal audience with the President, the Minister of Defense, and the Quorum. This makes the content of the Background Investigation more important.

The Agent looked up to the pair and he nodded.

"Do either of you have any questions?"

The agent shook his head. "Foreign citizens are not allowed to own or posses weapons of any kind in Aschen space or on any Aschen world. However you will be provided with armed escort, for your safety and for everyone else's safety." He explained.

"You don't have anything to worry about unless you intend to do something illegal, in which case you would be detained and deported. Unless you or your friend committed a crime punishable by death. But if you don't have those intentions, there's nothing to worry about." He then paused a moment.

"As for your security, you have two options, you can opt for security provided by the LDA, or you may contract your own security service, the only stipulation is the security service must be an Aschen company." He then slid a piece of paper towards Stryfe.

"There are two approved private military companies that you may hire upon arrival, Tech Con Security, or Pirandello/Kruger. Many go with Pirandello/Kruger, but I understand that Rhea, a diplomat currently on Langara, from the Patronus is contracting with Tech Con. So you have three options, Government Security, Pirandello/Kruger, or Tech Con."

"Because of our laws, we cannot allow foreign citizens to bring weapons to Langara This makes foreign armed guards impossible. It's the same rule Coalition diplomats and personnel abide by, so we are not singling you out. You're welcome to address that with the Quorum. In the meantime, that paper has all the contact information you need for your security."

The Agent nodded. "The Guards will see you out, and take your passes and return any weapons that may have been confiscated." He said, going to his computron.

"Im sure there will be a speedy turnover, safe travels for you, and thank you for your interest."

As they left, the Agent went back to his paperwork.

Directly outside the Palace a single black, rather imposing SUV, resembling a Chevy Tahoe moved up towards the gates of the Palace.

When they reached the gate, the vehicle came to a stop, the sounds of brakes on rotors heard as the black vehicle moved to a stop, waiting for any gate guards.

The black tinted window rolled down and the single, sunglasses clad, suit clad agent peered out the window, looking around.

"I'm here to see Fatin Alfarsi." The Driver said.

Preston poked his head out of the fortified guard booth, several other Invictus stepping up to the gate with their weapons in hand. The group didn't recognize this guy, unknowns tended to be watched closely.

"She's busy. You might have to come back another time or wait. I can't tell you how long she'll be." Preston told the man, "Who are you, if I may?"

The Agent looked to his watch, then typed something into the computron situated in the center console. "I'm Agent Wilkenson, with the Langaran Defense Agency's Tourism and Immigration Division of the Aschen Confederation." He said, pulling out a clipboard and writing something in the Aschen language.

"I am sure she has time to speak with me, It's very urgent." He said, typing something else, an instant messenger service perhaps.

"I'm here to collect documents that are due, that Miss Alfarsi and Miss Hughes were supposed to fill out." He said, tapping something else in the computron, replying to a message.

"No." Stryfe said to Gabriel, "The Palace and The Courtyard are Invictus land, if anyone is going to send a message it will be me and my own people." The Invictus leader told Gabriel, "You may go now." She told the man and his escorts before gesturing Natasha over.

"Check in with the gate and tell them to let the agent in." Stryfe ordered, "Da, ser." Natasha answered, raising a hand to her left ear as she moved to open the office door for Gabriel. "Anyone down at the front gate? Stryfe wants the Aschen to be allowed in and brought to her office. If anyone can find Dr. Hughes, inform her to make her way up to Stryfe's office as well."

The words rang through Preston's head, the order to let the Aschen agent into the plaza and then into The Palace didn't sit well with the French-Canadian soldier. But, orders were orders. "Understood." Preston responded, "Open the gate." He ordered, the gate keeping the LDA Agent out sliding open.

In the lobby Sonia also heard Natasha's words, frowning slightly. She didn't enjoy speaking with the Aschen, but it had to be done if she wanted to get things back on peaceful path. If she wanted to stop building weapons and armor for war.

"I tend to check out when I'm done working." She told Robert, "Unfortunately, I'm not yet done working. Drop in another time soon, we'll pick this up." The Englishwoman told Robert, "I'm always here. Just come to the front desk and ask for me."

The Lone LDA Agent gave the gate guard a look, and then he nodded when the guard opted to allow him to pass.

The Agent nodded and tipped his dark sunglasses before he moved to drive into the property of the Palace itself, up towards the front doors.


Once he arrived at the front of the Palace, he opened the drivers side door to the SUV, and slowly emerged. One foot followed by the other, and the Agent had fully emerged from the SUV. After adjusting his tie, he began to move towards the front doors.

Commander Magus frowned, then he brought up the screen.

"Commander." A Lieutenant reported. "Grid-One Seven, Plasmite napalm strike called in by an advanced recon team that came under attack. Ambushed by unknown hostiles." The Lieutenant added, while Magus nodded. Just then the door opened up, and a shadowy figure stepped forward into the CIC. "The Operation is classified from this point forward." The Figure said, slapping a black file on the table in front of the Commander. The Commander slowly opened it, reading through the text.

"The Ministry of Defense wants us to what!?" Magus asked, keeping the Terrans on hold for a moment.

"Black file Pogrom concerning primitive natives in the jungle." The Agent explained. "The Operation is entirely deniable." The Man explained, and Magus nodded, putting the phone back to his face.

"Possibly militant groups, Maybe Civilians? There's Aschen civilians settled in the area, some of them carry disruptors. Could be a clash between them and Hataf militants in the area." He said, pulling up the Screen. "Could be a Clear-Burn for farmland, We'll investigate and come back with a report."

... "We tracked the object moving through the orbital defense grid and the home fleet." A voice echoed in a command center far from the action of the Hagan residence.

A young LDA agent sitting in a large room rimmed with monitors was silently sipping his cup as he stared up at a display showing the planet and a large red line moving from orbit to the surface. "Unidentified object crashed in Central Leonis not long ago." The agent said, pointing out the readings to his supervisor.

"AHSC is on alert and moving to tighten the defensive grid." He added, and the LDA Supervisor nodded. "I'll notify the Ministry of Defense." He said, stepping away from the agent and his bank of displays to his own station, a raised dais in the center of the large room.

Silently the lone Supervisor picked up a bright red telephone.

It rang once, a female voice echoing on the other end.

"..Chaska.."

The Supervisor turned to the display, and then spoke up. "I've got an unidentified object that has crash landed in Central Leonis, requesting authorization for containment procedures."

Chaska remained quiet for a moment, then nodded while she spoke her answer. "Containment procedures authorized, deploy all required assets to the location to contain the breach. Keep me appraised of the situation." Chaska said, hanging up the phone before the LDA Supervisor picked up another telephone, dialing the LDA central office in Luminere, appraising them of the situation.

----

In the Hagan residence, the peaceful silence of the countryside was inevitably interrupted by the rumbling sound of approaching military vehicles and blaring sirens. They seemed to grow louder and closer with every passing minute.

The Airfrigates were first to arrive, their sirens distinctly different from the distant sirens of the ground vehicles, they screamed overhead and began to circle around the manor.

"Command, I've identified two hostiles, permission to engage." The Airfrigate captain hailed as he circled his large airship around, hovering just above the tree-line.

"Target acquired, Firing solution attained, verifying IDs on all subjects, Two non-citizen illegals identified." The Radio man called out, before the loud speaker cracked over the engines of the craft.

"Attention Unknown Aliens, raise your hands and get on your knees! Attention Aschen Citizens, go into your homes and take cover!"

It wasn't long before dozens of vehicles moved up the long drive to the manor, in the lead were the Leonis Provincial Police, their distinct green and white cars were followed by half a dozen CPF Patrol cars and a two CPF Armored personnel carriers.

Behind each of these were about ten large black SUVs indicative of the Langaran Defense Agency. Each vehicle moved up, pulling into a large circle surrounding Kaerl and his adjutant. Police and Military personnel quickly set up deployable covers, and positioned themselves behind their vehicles, weapons drawn and aimed. Kaerl would find several red dots on his form as the Aschen defensive personnel descended on the intrusion like angry bees.

"On your knees!" Another agent barked, the whine of energy weapons followed suit, and additional sirens could be heard in the distance.

Rhea offered a light smile at the return of Nikolas and the still apparent absence of Dominic.

"I trust I am not interrupting anything?" she asked.

She glanced to a crystal vase she had been studying. "This is Volarian crystal, isn't it?" she asked. Crystal wasn't particular exlusive to any specific culture, but the elegant contour of the vase and the intricate glass relief molded into the vase were difficult to mistake. Rhea had encountered few cultures outside of Volaria that could mold crystal with the same artistic efficiency as if it were simply clay. Volarian crystal was a remarkable substance really.

The knock at the door in the other room drew her attention from examining the vase, as did the subsequent sound of sirens fast approaching. She could only hope it wasn't on her account yet again. She had only just been released from LDA custody, surely they hadn't changed their minds so abruptly.

"What's going on?" she asked.

Nikolas smiled just to shake his head and chuckle a bit. For this very moment she had no idea the amount of trouble that Dominc caused on a daily basis. "I can only assure you that there could not be a single thing that you are interrupting. As I said Young master Hagan is a extremely dedicated man when it comes to work though I assure you this has not yet stopped him from proving that on the field of battle in regards to social situations he is one of the best." A slight chuckle escaped from Nikolas as he began to think of how Dominic was coming along with his little issue just to then ponder what would be done for a meal tonight and if there was anything special that would need to be done.

The butler seemed to follow Rhea's gaze onto the vase only to clear his throat a little. "I see that you have a keen eye for antiquity. Yes that is indeed Volarien, Master Hagan had acquired it while he was taking up his studies on Terra." Nikolas began to walk over to Rhea only to suddenly recall all that his master has accomplished over the years just to then turn his attention to the noise outside only to shake his head. "Nothing to be alarmed about I assure you. It is only the authorities to my knowledge apprehending someone or something, very common."

"I was just wondering, my prince, how your father intended us to contact this planet's leaders from these coordinates." The body guard kneels with arms raised. Watching the vehicles approach, already planning his assault and escape route to the prince.

"Father's knows best. How long until the SRA arrives?" Prince Kaerl kneels as well.

"Within a few days. How safe do you feel my prince?"

"We've been through worse..."

"I can handle them if you need me-"

"No! Don't forget why we are here. They won't hurt us now. Just dissolve your weapons and keep calm."

"Yes sir."

The servant at the door watched the Leonis police show of strength blandly. He looked out at the officers behind drooping eyelids before turning back to his mysterious 'visitors'.

"Yes, well, perhaps when you're released from prison you can set up an appointment," the servant said dryly, closing the door.

---

Back inside, Dominic was just coming down the stairs. Dressed in a fine collared shirt and slacks and with his wounds covered up as well as any genius computer could manage, Dominic looked considerably better than what he'd woken up to that morning. What had been blackened welts and ugly gashes had been masked to resemble dark patches of skin and slight swelling. Much better, of course, but still quite noticeable.

"Rhea," he smiled, "great to see you again." He stepped forward, offering her his hand. "I'm sorry about the delay. Something snuck up on me." He looked briefly over at Nikolas. "I trust Nik has been at least remotely entertaining?"

The men kept their weapons drawn and pointed, while radio communications went back and fourth between Leonis LDA Divisions and their Caprican superiors.

With weapons powering up, one of the LDA Agents got on the bullhorn.

"Get on your knees, hands behind your head, cross your ankles, do it now or we will be forced to terminate you!"

"His highness and I are already doing that!" The body guard replies.

Kaerl projects a message into the minds of the commanding officers, "we are here on a peaceful mission. If you are taking us in then hurry for we have little time to share important information with you."

The LDA agents nodded, and two CPF officers approached the pair, binders drawn and ready. As Kaerl projects his message, he would find their minds inaccessible by some sort of telepathic jammer. Upon closer inspection, the Aschen men were wearing thin metal bands around their heads.

Once the two were taken into custody, they would be escorted to a black van and hastily stuffed into the van.

"Frakking tourists." The LDA Agent grumbled, then tapped his earpiece.

Once inside the van, a single Agent was silently sitting across from the two.

"You will be interrogated, and then deported per LDA Policy. Any further incursions into Aschen space will be met with military intervention regardless of your alleged peaceful intention. Aschen Space is on lock-down and all foreigners are barred from entry-- Especially without going through the proper channels. If you resist us, you will have your individual lives terminated, and your bodies disposed of into the protein bank." The Agent explained, and once the two were secured, and the Black van had driven off, the Law enforcement began to clear out.

"Do we tell him my prince?"

"We should wait. We still have time."

They telepathically communicated to one another before the prince spoke to the agent.

"We mean your world no harm, but when we get to our destination please keep us together. My body guard has a mechanism in his brain that goes off if I am beyond a certain distance from him. Don't waste your time with the head gear your men wear. Many have tried in other galaxies. Just keep him in the same room with me. He won't do anything unless you attempt to kill me or distance us. I hope you understand we are going along because we have a message to deliver."

Kaerl's body guard checks his ocular computer.

"Their ship has increased speed sir."

"How long do we have?"

"Thirty-six hours."

"Prepare the data transfer, we should be there soon. We don't need to waste time convincing them."

The two spoke telepathically, staring at the agent.

"I would imagine that if you two require me any further I am only a single shout away. Ms. Rhea I do hope you enjoy your time here." Nikolas smiled and bowed a bit only to leave his young master and the rather beautiful woman alone as there were other guests to tend to within the manor house.