Restless Waters

[Lysander al'Teir]

The jet left a trail of vapor in its wake, rending the vermilion blue in two, as it soared through the Micran skies. The engines broke from their ponderous hum as adjustments were made by the pilot and the decent towards Kalla began. Two passengers turned their gaze from their game of Thump - an antiquated strategy game that oft tested more then the mind of the players when disputes could not be settled - and watched as the waters below them blurred. A sudden increase increase in the attentiveness of one the passengers alerted the other to the appearance of new landmark.

"That", he nodded his head toward the imposing structure that seemed to grow ever faster as relativity kicked in, "is a dangerous place."

"But what exactly is it?" probed the one who had originally spotted the behemoth.

"That is none other than the VBNC headquarters, Lysander." intoned the man. His face was ominously shrouded in shadow, in the way that often suggests one has just encountered the villain in an adequately cheesy movie. But that was not the case. Rather the shroud was the unfortunate result of a lack of communication between the contractor and the engineer who had not been informed that the jet was supposed to be practical not narratively convenient. Regardless, this tiny detail did save the narrator several lines dedicated to describing the deep lines that scored the man's face and spoke of years of wisdom.

Lysander on the other hand, who had stiffened visibly upon discovering the nature of the building that was now vanishing behind them, was bathed in the convenient light pouring through the window. A shock of red hair rested upon a face of sharp angles sporting a set of piercing green eyes. His manner revealed a boy who, though still young in his years, held the arrogant confidence of one who has always been smarter then those around him. It was this very trait that had driven his success and his failure. A fact our mysterious man had oft tried to drive home in the young man - without much success unfortunately.

"Colin, would you care to explain to me why of all of Micras you chose the very heart of that damned organization as, how did you put it again: 'the best place to start fresh, and forget the past...'?" the boy never broke his stare from the ever receding tower. The look on his face was a dangerous one.

Colin didn't answer the question immediately, opting instead to cast a thoughtful glance out the jet's window. He would come to see. It would take time. Things always took time. But as long as you knew that, patience was a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.

Both sat in silence as the Kallan mainland made its apparency on the western horizon and the waters churned restlessly beneath.

[Daniel]

Whoooo.... aaaaare..... youuuu Lysander?

[Scott Alexander]

If this is what I think it is, I greatly approve of this development; otherwise, I still approve at least a little.

[Emir of Raspur]

SAVAK have placed a watch notice. Please be advised that there are no snatch teams currently operating in Gralus. Especially not the dusty-hued rather dubious looking gentlemen loitering intently outside the VBNC headquarters. That is all.

[Lysander al'Teir]

OOC: Whoever you want me to be Price Kalirion. However I do fear I am not familiar with this "SAVAK" organization - and unfamiliar I expect I shall remain considering that they are most definitely not stationed right outside VBNC.

---

The jet's engines barely had time to quiet down before two limos pulled up on the runway next to the craft. Airport personnel frantically converged on the cars much like one might expect a large group of ants who had just discovered a discarded WonkaTM candy on its front step. Windows rolled down and piece of plastic were flashed faster than the eye possibly could have followed. Regardless, whatever authority these people answered too far superseded that of the airport. Finally, the jet’s hinged steps swung down revealing none other than Courtney Hamora, one of the most famous pop-stars ever to have released an album on Micras (her most famous, “JASO in the Sky with Diamonds” having gone triple platinum). The security personnel quickly escorted the pop-start to the limos where she was immediately spirited away.

On the opposite side of the airport, Lysander and Colin were awkwardly pressed between a wall and an undulating mass of people all fighting to acquire a piece of luggage.
“There should be a standing societal code outlining the proper luggage retrieval process.” Lysander mused dejectedly. Not being of any notable physical stature, crowds tended to overwhelm him. Colin on the other hand seemed to radiate an air of confidence that dared someone to try to brush him aside. This wasn’t by virtue of any physical stature of his own, but rather the impression that his bones might break under the slightest pressure. With time though, they managed to get hold of the single suite case they had shared – not without a few shattered pelvis scares mind you.

It was only after they were five miles north of the airport, braving a poorly paved road in the rental, that Lysander found the heart to broach the topic once more.

“Why are we here Colin. This place is a dump, you know it is well as I do. Everything outside the resorts has degraded to slums, and even then VBNC indirectly owns most of it. What exactly are we supposed to do for a living? Rebuild th-” He was cut off as the car decelerated abrubtly.

“No! You know as well as I do that to even think about that is suicidal!”

In angry desperation, Lysander’s voice broke “Then why hERe!?” He gestured out the window. “Why in this god forsaken place, on the very doorstep of those who would destroy us?” It wasn’t often that his emotions go the better of him, but he was shamelessly on the verge of tears. “Why…”

He couldn’t answer. He had no answer.

“To make them pay…” he murmured.

[Kallinn Ynnetrrr]

...

So apparently none of my previous work on Kallå reached the new forums...

VBNC and Kallå are two entirely different entities. VBNC acquired several Kallån islands a while back, and the company has pretty much no presence in Frihamnen Kallå.

However, you are a very good writer, and you seem to be very familiar with Micras and generally knowledgable on general Gralan dynamics, which begs the question "what is your true identity?" You're obviously a seasoned micronationalist, it's just a matter of figuring out which one...

[Demon of Fides]

*crosses fingers* Prodigy, prodigy, prodigy

[Andreas the Wise]

...

So apparently none of my previous work on Kallå reached the new forums...

VBNC and Kallå are two entirely different entities. VBNC acquired several Kallån islands a while back, and the company has pretty much no presence in Frihamnen Kallå.

Mc/Uvurith/Greagoir/Scorpiox volunteered to move the Novatainian ones over for me and did so. Nobody got around to moving the Tokian posts over. You are more than welcome to do so Gerk has been working on wiki articles for Tokish land, but hasn't got too far with Kalla. Again, please do add to that.


Regarding the VBNC-Kalla mix - these maps should clear it up. The VBNC land is in the bottom image. Kallinn is quite right that VBNC would have no real presence outside the islands it owns - or at least, no more presence than it would have anywhere else in Gralus. But the story seems cool so far , and I'll respond when I have time. Perhaps it would fit well into our Roleplaying forum? Gralans have got used to doing all our RP stuff there and not in regional subforums.

[Lysander al'Teir]

...

So apparently none of my previous work on Kallå reached the new forums...

VBNC and Kallå are two entirely different entities. VBNC acquired several Kallån islands a while back, and the company has pretty much no presence in Frihamnen Kallå.

Apologies Corey, I wasn't aware of any standing lore and so I made assumptions.

You're obviously a seasoned micronationalist, it's just a matter of figuring out which one...

Let the games begin

[Demon of Fides]

My second guess was Brad.

[Kallinn Ynnetrrr]

Brad..."Amos Trask" Brad? Lol, no.

[Lysander al'Teir]

Colonel Leigh Barkthurn’s story was a sad one: a true tragedy that would play symphonies on your heartstrings, jerk tears more readily then a spoonful of sour-sugar, and inspire female fan followings to rival that of the Notebook. That is, his story had – in a sense – tragic potential. A potential left untapped as the erstwhile colonel trudged through life day by day.

The little bell hung above the door made a tentative sound, announcing the arrival of two new guests at ‘Barkthurn’s Bed & Breakfast’. Making one last pass of the counter – that had probably been scoured clean over an hour ago with a cloth that, by all rights, should have been leaving a trail of grime all of its own – he proceed to procure a glass that would probably never be rid of the layer of dirt coating it. It was a skill that any good host mastered early in the profession: how to look like one was working, without ever accomplishing a thing. He went to greet his guest with a face fixed in a comically large grin. However, before he even had the chance to speak, he was cut short by the younger of the two.

“It’s fake isn’t it?”

Dumbfounded, the colonel hesitated. “Pardon me?” Something was strange about the boy. Something almost… famil-

“That glass your cleaning. It’s for show right?” The boy elaborated, not that the clarification allowed Leigh any better response then continued silence. It was the older of the two who came to his rescue.

“Lysander! How many times must I tell you it’s rude to jump strait to the alienation process before even introducing yourself?” The tone was that of resigned exasperation. “Apologies Mr. Barkthurn, my name is Colin al’Perio. This charming boy,” he made a slight nodding motion towards Lysander who was now scrutinizing one of the clocks hanging from the wall, “is Lysander al’Teir. We were hoping to stay the night.”

“O- Of course! Please come in. I must apologize. I am used to a rather less… perceptive clientele that Kalla attracts. We have several rooms upstairs so feel free to take your pick.” He was back in character. “Meals are three times a day at seven, noon, and six, and each run for about an hour. If you excuse me for a moment I’ll go fetch you a schedule.” Without waiting for a response he stepped out of the lobby and made directly for his study. From the lobby he heard Colin send the Lysander boy to pick a room with some comment about finding a washroom.

He didn’t have much time.

Seconds later he had retrieved the gun he kept loaded in his bottom drawer and pressed himself against the wall. He heard steps upstairs but nothing from the door to his left. Slowly he sidled up to the frame and looked around the corner. Click! His blood ran cold.

“You forgot about the window.” Said Colin from behind him, barrel now pressed squarely against the back of his head. “You recognized him didn’t you.” It wasn’t a question. “I must say that it never occurred to me that ‘Barkthurn’s Bed and Breakfast’ might actually belong to the colonel Leigh Barkthurn. Well you the deal colonel, drop the gun. Don’t think I would hesitate in pulling this trigger.”

Leigh complied. If this Colin – obviously an alias – was who he suspected him to be, trying to escape would be the last thing he ever did. So he did the last thing he could: talk. “What is he doing here? Better yet, what are you doing here?” The gun was on the floor and he put his hands behind his head. “Has the Khan finally caught up with me?” The texture in the air changed. Had Colin just hesitated?

“So it true?” he sounded legitimately surprised. “You defected?”

It was the colonel’s turn for surprise. “I had assumed that’s why you were here! I thought it was strange that you would risk blowing your cover by letting him tag along with you.”

Both men jumped when a third presence in the room made itself known. It was Lysander. “How many times must I tell you, Colin, that its rude to point guns at people we just met. Please release him, we have need of him yet.”

[Andreas the Wise]

There is now a wiki page for the Vraillan Isles. When the creative mood takes me, I'll expand the details for each city and put in proper articles for Vread and VBNC HQ. A more detailed description of VBNC HQ can be found here, as part of the Third Shirithian Scavenger Hunt.

[Gerk]

Yeah, sorry about the lack of information transfer, Corey. I didn't bother bringing everything over, because I figured I'd just eventually throw it in a wiki article, and could link people there, instead of doing it all twice. Unfortunately, studies caught up with me and those wiki articles are going to take a bit more time. Planning on completion by the end of the summer, but we'll see how it goes. It'll be rather spiffy when I get finished though (and I would appreciate help, and will pay if it's good help, but also reserve the right to make alterations where I see fit). Of course, with Kalla, what you say most likely goes, since I didn't have much of a part in that.

[Kallinn Ynnetrrr]

I don't blame anyone for not moving that stuff over, we've all been busy and it's pretty much just two threads.

I'm kinda strapped for time myself, being a senior math student means I have almost no time for anything unless my schoolwork is surprisingly easy (which is almost never, unless I have mathematica to do half the work for me).