Post by Tau Ceti Empire on Jan 9, 2014 20:15:03 GMT
A large, alcohol fueled party is roaring in the opulent crystal halls of the Stendahl estate. Soren Stendahl looks down on the festivities from a raised walkway on the side of the ballroom. Many of his business partners and close allies are here, networking and meeting with many of the smaller lords, taking full advantage of their hospitality. Soren can’t stand these events as it brings out all the pageantry and false promises of people who are trying to earn his favour. A beep comes from Soren’s personal computer. Just as he is pulling the computer out of his pocket, Halvar Randstrom interrupts him.
“Why are you hiding up here away from your party?” Halvar says as his drink almost swirls out of his glass. “Are you scared that the Haakonssons will cancel all their orders from your factories?”
“No, not at all my friend” Soren Replied.
“Good, because my estate is overleveraged to fund our mine expansions to supply your factories.” Halvar said with a thick slur.
“Don’t be worried, I will make sure you are taken care of.” Halvar smiled. “ I believe that you have had a fair amount to drink. You should head back to the party and mingle some more.”
Halvar stumbled back in the direction of the party and Soren pulled his personal computer back out. A message was there displaying only one word “Balcony”. Soren faded away from the party and headed out to the small balcony on the side of the building. There he stood admiring the large crystal expanse that is Haakon City when a figure stepped out from the shadows.
“Why did you want to meet tonight?” the shadowy figure asked. “Aren’t you worried that all the people will notice your absence?”
“Having all the people here is precisely why I wanted to meet tonight. I have a couple of hundred alibis and I can be more ensured of privacy tonight than on other nights. It is easy to keep everyone distracted when they have alcohol and each other to entertain them.” Soren Answered, “Besides, I also wanted you here Mathias. I assume all the preparations are done, so now you will need your alibi as well.”
“That is true. All the preparations are complete. Shall we go back inside and enjoy the show?” Mathias said as he gestured to head back inside. “We wouldn’t want to appear absent at this time.”
The 2 of them headed back into the party. A couple of minutes later, several explosions were spotted in the distance out of the large windows that made up one wall of the ballroom. The crowd quickly shifted towards the windows to watch the scene unfold. After a few short minutes a mass message was received by everyone’s personal computers. The messaged read:
“Emperor Salomon Haakonsson Killed in Major Terrorist Attack.”
There were gasps and stunned faces all around the room. Soren could do nothing but smile to himself.