Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

The year is 1999. A group of agents with the FBI quickly discover a routine case is anything but. Thrust into a world that's as incomprehensible as it is deadly, can this team hope to hold back the darkness?

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Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

Post by Silver Priest »

January 12th, 1999
Phoenix Arizona
The New Year had not brought with it an appreciable drop in the workload at the FBI offices, and every agent had a backlog of cases to sort through. Crime never did take a holiday, and each agent has enough of a workload to keep them occupied for the next several weeks.

So it is a bit of a surprise when Edmiund, Vanessa, Nikolas, and Chad all find themselves summoned into The SAC's (Special-Agent-In-Charge's) office. Each of them have met SAC Patrick Hobbson before. They know him as a stellar agent, well liked by his colleagues. He's a hard worker and demands that quality from his underlings as well, but he's never been anything but fair with all of them. Hobbson is also 56, very close to the mandatory retirement age of 57 that the Bureau maintains. He will be retiring in the next few months, and all know him to be looking forward to it. His passion for fishing is well known, and a running bet around the office is where he'll end up first.
Hobbson's office is neat, professional, and functional. The only personal touches are a photo of him with his wife, a calendar of "lake of the day", and a Garfield mug that reads Hang in There! from which he drinks his lukewarm coffee. He motions for each of you to take a seat across from him before getting down to business.

"Thank you all for coming. I know you're all eager to cut down on some of the work that the holidays have generated, but a...situation has developed that requires our attention.

"Have any of you read the tabloids lately? If so, you may have heard of the so called "Devil's Highway". State Road 70. In the last month no less than 13 individuals have vanished from it and the nearby San Carlos Indian Reservation. The National media is starting to pick the story up, and our aid has been requested by the local authorities."

He folds his hands in front of him. "Now I don't think I have to tell any of you that this situation is sensitive. If this is AIM's* doing this has the opportunity to become very politically charged. None of us want another Peltier*. So tread carefully. We're treating these disappearances as kidnappings for now, so you'll be under the authority of the local law enforcement. Advise them to the best of your ability, but understand that they have final say. We don't want this to become a turf war."

He looks down and consults his notes. "You'll have two liaisons on this operation. Major Frank Garrett with the Arizona State Police, who have jurisdiction over the State Road, and Sheriff Mangos Colorados of the Apache Tribal Police. You can also contact me at any time. I want daily briefings, given the nature of this case.

"Your first assignment is to drive out to San Carlos and meet with Colorados and Garrett. They'll be expecting you later this afternoon, and will brief you on the particulars. The Bureau is putting you up in the Apache Gold Hotel and Casino, located on the reservation. But this isn't a vacation, so try and avoid charging thousands of dollars worth of gambling to the expense accounts."

Hobbson waits to see if any of the agents have something to say, pausing to sip his coffee.
Spoiler:
Few links on some historical background
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Indian_Movement
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Peltier

All the Agents can make a HUMINT roll if they like.

I'll let each of you decide if your agents have worked together in the past and in what capacity. You probably all know each other by reputation at least, or awkward talk around the water cooler.
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

Post by Dave Syrinx »

Image
Stanyard smiles at the AIM reference. "I almost thought we had with some mercenaries on our hands. Anyway, it will be great to get out of this office. Didn't want this to turn in to an Assault on Precinct 13 - situation." He straightens his posture and adds, "Do we have those missing people on file?" He looks at Rue and Marchand, not really sure what Silas has as op.

"You're not sending us in with an un-shuffled deck are you, Hobbson?"
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

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Image

The only gambling Special Agent Vanessa Marchand has done lately is in the office pool about where Hobbson will end up when he retires. She picked Minnesota, because of all the lakes. "Which of us will be in charge of our group in the field, sir?" she asks.
OOC,HUMINT roll (50% skill) in [b]Hobbson[/b]'s office: [dice]0[/dice]
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

Post by HoneyDog »

Siilasvuo

Nik is elated although he doesn’t let it show. This could be a big opportunity to make his name. He forces himself not to daydream about a Washington posting and concentrate on the matter at hand.

He knows Rue and Marchand from the office, although he hasn’t worked with them directly very much. Stanyard is an unknown, having recently arrived.

Mass kidnappings! He tries hard to think of a relevant question that won’t be stupid and portray his total lack of experience with this kind of case. Up until now, he has mostly worked white-collar crimes – fraud and the like.

“Have there been any ransom demands, boss?”
OOC,HUMINT (70%) [url=http://orokos.com/roll/470666]HUMINT[/url]: [u]1d100[/u] [b]62[/b]
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

Post by Cearlan »

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Edmund Rue
Edmund purses his lips with his brow furrowed

"It may seem an obvious question, but is there any link between the missing people, either race, religion or anything else that springs to mind?"
OOC:   HUMINT-60%, [dice]0[/dice]  
[dice]1[/dice]
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

Post by Dave Syrinx »

Stanyard waits for Hobbson to respond to his agents.
Spoiler:
HUMINT: 30%

[dice]0[/dice]
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

Post by Silver Priest »

Hobbson shakes his head. "The liaisons will brief you in full. From what I know though the victims were from broad walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. Not the typical serial, if that's what this is.
"We've received no ransom demands, but no bodies have been found either."


He takes another sip of his drink before answering Vanessa's question. "We've decided you'll be in charge, Agent. Due to the sensitive nature of this case, we need someone in charge who can soothe things over before they head south. Looking over your record I believe that's you. Don't disappoint me; I vouched for you on this."

"If there's nothing else, sign a van out from the auto lot and head out."
Nik,Nik detects a certain uneasiness in Hobbson. The SAC is clearly rather nervous about something. He's hiding it well,but the tells are there; licking of the lips, excessive blinking. It's easy for Nik to figure out what it is. The chief is only a few months away from retirement and this politically charged case lands on his lap. If something goes wrong, this will ruin his reputation.
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

Post by Mr. Handy »

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"Thank you, sir," says Vanessa. It's a lot of responsibility, and a lot of pressure. The other agents are older and probably more experienced than her, but she does have good interpersonal skills. If she does well, it could really enhance her reputation in the FBI and advance her career, but if she makes a hash of it, it would be a permanent black mark on her record. She already feels that she has to prove herself more simply because she's a woman, even in this day and age, but at least she has been given the opportunity to lead. That never would have happened in the old days. J. Edgar Hoover must be rolling over in his grave, she thinks. "I'll do my best." She turns to her fellow agents. "I call shotgun," she says before anyone else does. "Who wants to drive? I'm ready when you are, guys."
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

Post by HoneyDog »

ns.jpg
Nik Siilasvuo

Nik can see sense that this is indeed a big case, one which they’d better not screw up. The choice of Marchand is a bit surprising as she is the youngest, but she must obviously be capable. He’ll need to get close to her to keep in the loop.

“I’ll drive” he says. “I just need to get my overnight bag. I’ll get some water too. Do you have a four-wheel drive for us sir?”
OOC:   What gear could we expect the van to contain?  
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"Good luck, Agents."

An hour later the team checks out from the auto pool. They have a Chevy truck a year or two out of date. It's functional though, and easily seats all four of them.
The truck comes with a single pump action shotgun, some spare clips for their pistols, portable flashlights, windbreakers jackets that read FBI on them, police radio and an evidence collection kit. In addition the agents have a medkit and all have their work cell phones, though who knows how spotty reception would be out there.
***

San Carlos is a two and a half hour distance from Phoenix, but nice weather and light traffic gets the team there in just over two hours and fifteen minutes. It's early in the afternoon now, just after one when the team pulls up to the San Carlos Tribal Police station. It's a two story building with cracked paint and fading brown color. Like most of the reservation the agents have traveled through, it appears run down. Indeed, the whole place so far had a bit of a desperate air to it. Groups of locals had been loitering around outside of homes, watching the truck warily as it passed.

The door opens with a loud creek, and the agents enter the station. Inside is a cramped waiting room. A few wooden chairs wait in the corner, looking uncomfortable even from the entrance. A bored looking young deputy looks up at the visitors. For just a moment, his eyes narrow.

"You the feds? This way."

Without waiting for an answer he leads the group down a hallway further back into the station. He walks past a few doors before stopping at one on his right and opening it. Inside is a meeting room of some sort. A big conference table is set up in the middle, chairs surrounding it. At the front of the room are some maps of Arizona and San Carlos, a projector, and two men.

The first man is dressed in a state patrolman's uniform. He's a heavy set man who looks to be in his mid forties, and is presently wearing a cowboy hat and sheriff's badge. He looks like he just came out of the wild west. the secondis dressed in a vest and jeans. He's Native, probably Apache, and looks to be in his thirties. Unlike his companion his build testifies to a lot of time being physically active. He glances up at the new arrivals.

"Feds are here, Sheriff."

"Thank you, Paul." the man says, and the deputy exits the room. The Sheriff appears ready to speak; but before he can his partner steps forward, a wide grin on his face.

"Well, you the help Washington decided to go 'head and send us? I'm Major Frank Garrett. Good to meet y'all. The Chief here is Mangos."

"Sheriff Mangos Colorados," the man replies, emphasis on his title. "I'd say it is good to meet you, but I think we all know this is not an ideal situation for any of us."
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

Post by Dave Syrinx »

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Taking the back seat on this job, literally - Stanyard takes a few moments to think before he enters the conference room. This Trooper Garrett sure plays his part. Sheriff Colorado too it seems. Not a good thing to walk into a power struggle like this. Everyone will be having their guard up. Out loud, he sniffs and pulls his nose, remaining silent. They all are guests here at the tribal police office and Chad is unsure on Apache procedure.
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

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Nik

Nik decides to make the introductions. He indicates Marchand. “This is Agent Marchand. She’s leading our team. These are Agents Rue and Stanyard. I’m Siilasvuo.”
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

Post by Dave Syrinx »

Stanyard nods and gestures at the hallway and disappears back through the corridor, on the look for a water-dispenser and a mug to clear his throat from the trip.
Spoiler:
Deputy Paul sure had seemed eager to get the visitors away from the front desk. While looking for his water, Stanyard will listen for conversations and phonecalls in the wake of their appearance at the station. If questioned, Chad will be frank and ask Paul about his judgement when he saw Stanyard and the other feds.

HUMINT 30% @Paul
[dice]0[/dice]
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

Post by Mr. Handy »

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Vanessa shakes hands with both of the men in turn, with the Major first only because he stepped forward and is closer to her. "I hope we can be of help in this case, gentlemen," she says. "We should start by looking at all of the information on it you have, particularly when and where each of the victims vanished, their names, addresses, next of kin and other contacts, that sort of thing, and any files and reports you've made so far."
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Major Garrett shoots Vanessa a sly grin and shakes her hand a second more than is perhaps appropriate. "So they're letting you wear the big girl pants, sugar? Times are a changin, I tell you what. Back in my day you'd have been fetching coffee for us big boys."

Neither man seems to notice Stanyard's exit from the room.

"Forgive me for cutting the small talk short, but let us get down to business." Colorados loads the projector, and once the remaining agents have taken their seats he begins.
"Here's what we have..."

Spoiler:
Brief Summary of Facts
An unknown person or persons is believed responsible for the disappearances of thirteen people in the last month in the
area of State Road 70 near the southern edge of the San Carlos Indian Reservation west of Phoenix. Known disappearances
are as follows.

December 4- Allen and Karen Curcley: Car found abandoned on 70 en route to son's house

December 6- Felix Royos: Gas station attendant working night shift on 70

December 10th - Ed Stoltz & Chris Martin: Fishermen at the reservoir near 70; camp undisturbed

December 15- Rolf Trautner & Freda Ollenburg: German tourists; rental car found abandoned on 70

December 25- Dieter & Vera Van Olson: Dutch tourists; rental car found abandoned on 70

December 27- Begay family (four): Farm near 70 abandoned for at least a week

Dates for the last three disappearances are approximate. No signs of violence in any of these cases. No known enemies.
No valuables missing except for whatever each victim had on his or her person. No contact from the perpetrator(s) or
victims. No suspects. More information on the victims follows.

Allen and Karen Curcley: Allen Curcley, white male, 57 YOA, owner of Done and Ready roofing company, employing
thirty full-time employees in the area of Santa Fe, New Mexico. A medium-sized contractor doing primarily home repair.
Karen Curcley, white female, 53 YOA, was employed full-time at her husband's business as an accountant/ bookkeeper.
They had no outstanding debts, the company had no ties to organized crime, and their son, Brian Curcley, 32 YOA, living
in Phoenix, Arizona, has no financial problems that would require his "advancing" his inheritance. By all accounts, the
Curcleys had a good relationship with their family and business associates.

Felix Royos: Hispanic male, 20 YOA. High school drop-out who has worked at a number of Wlskilled labor positions
since his sixteenth birthday. Several juvenile arrests for Possession of Alcohol by a Minor, Curfew Violations, Criminal
Mischief. No known criminal associations since his eighteenth birthday. His older brother, Enrico Royos, 24 YOA, has
two convictions for Grand Theft (Armed Robberies plea-bargained).

Ed Stoltz and Chris Martin: Ed Stoltz, white male, 32 YOA, mechanic for Greyhound Bus Lines, married to Lavern Stoltz,
29 YOA, one child, Timothy, 3 YOA. Chris Martin, white male, 30 YOA, Assistant Manager at True Value Hardware Store,
Tempe Arizona, single. Both men are natives of Phoenix and went to the same high school. They went fishing on the
Coolidge Dam Reservoir at least once a month. Neither man had a criminal record or any criminal associations.

Rolf Trautner and Freda Ollenburg: Rolf Trautner, nationality German, white male, 22 YOA. Freda Ollenberg, nationality
German, white female, 22 YOA. Both had recencly finished their three-year national service commitment in the Federal
Republic of Germany and were taking a short vacation prior to attending university. Neither had any friends or relatives
in the United States. They had been traveling by bus and train and had been in the United States for two weeks.

Dieter and Vera Van Olson: Dieter Van Olson, nationality Dutch, white male, 65 YOA. Retired Vice-President for Petroleum Exploration, Royal Dutch Shell Corporation, spending his retirement seeing the world. His wife, Vera, 60 YOA, was a homemaker. They had been touring the United States by car for the past three months. They have no connections or
contacts with anyone in the Southwest, but they did have reservations to stay near the Grand Canyon four days before
their car was found.

The Begay Family: Victorio Begay, Apache Indian, 42 YOA, his wife, Louisa, 38 YOA, and their sons, Luca, 13 YOA, and
Paco, 15. Victorio Begay was a well-respected member of the Apache community. By local standards he was quite prosperous, owning two hundred sheep, several dozen acres of property, two pickup trucks, and a home big enough to give his children their own rooms. He had no enemies to speak of, either personal or business. His wife, Louisa, and both his
sons worked their ranch full-time. Their relations in the community were good. Neither son had any criminal record.


After going over the facts, Colorados opens the floor to questions or comments.
Stanyard,Chad finds a water cooler halfway down the hall, and is able to help himself to a drink unmolested. As luck would have it, he does overhead the phone ring. Paul quickly picks it up, already seeming to know who it is. "[color=#0040FF]San Carlos Tribal... We have no further comments at this time[/color]." He hangs up. The whole exchange takes less than 10 seconds. He seems to sense Chad watching him, and turns to confront him. "[color=#0040FF]Media. They've been nonstop ever since the tabloids and that dumb paranormal show picked it up. They're relentless[/color]." When questioned further, the young deputy sighs. [color=#0040FF]"Look, it's nothing personal. But our peoples don't always have the rosiest relationship. Add to the fact that you're outside law enforcement and there's a lot of elevated tempers at the moment. Just know your place. You've been called in to help, not steal all the glory[/color]." The phone rings again, and Paul moves to answer it. "[color=#0040FF]I need to get that. Don't you have a briefing to attend[/color]?" his tone is not unkind, more tired than anything. [ooc]Stanyard can get back in the brieifng room anytime during the above information being presented[/ooc]
.
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

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Spoiler:
Stanyard nods and picks up a notepad and writes 'paranormal show' 'struggles'. Who called?. Moving back to the briefing with the cup he's sure giving the switchboard at Washington to get the callers ID.
Stanyard reenters the conference room gulping the empty cup and listens in on the briefing.
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

Post by Dave Syrinx »

Picking up his notebook, Stanyard scribbles a few bullets and passes to Marchand.

* December being the month of disappearances. Is there a mythological/tribal/religious sacrificial tradition during this month?

* There has been no disappearances in January? Doublecheck!

* November -Early December releases from Tribal penitentiary and federal prisons?

* What were the weather reports from the dates of disappearances? Do they stand out from other dates?

* NB Eyes Only: There seems to be a Paranormal TV/radio show calling about the disappearances. Might we worth looking into after the meeting. They do have seismology gear and such...
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

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Nik looks around at the others. "I think that we can probably conclude that there's no personal connections between the victims then. It's just too random".

He turns to Colorados. "Sheriff, do you have a map of the locations of the kidnappings? Perhaps the connection is in the geography, we might see a pattern."
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

Post by Cearlan »

Image
Edmiund Rue
Looking at the bare facts laid out in his notebook, Edmund looks hard for any possible connection but comes up blank.

Four tourists, a family at home, someone at work, two men fishing and a couple on their way to their son's house.

"Did the German and Dutch tourists hire their car from the same place maybe, or maybe even arrived at the same air or seaport? Other than that I cannot see any obvious links."
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Re: Puppet Shows and Shadow Plays

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Vanessa nods as she reviews the notepad. "Yes, other than that," she says, "the only common elements seem to be the locations and the timing. We'll want to check out the scenes, of course, starting with the most recent ones and working backwards, as they'll be the freshest. There have been no known disappearances since December, I take it? Is there any significance to the month of December? Anything relating to local tribal customs or religion? Have any dangerous prisoners been released shortly before the disappearances started? Was there any unusual weather on the dates when people went missing?"
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