Log:Chandrika Heads to Zu, Scene 1

Chandrika Heads to Zu 2009/12/18 Silver Spider Maximillian Sisulu 1

Chandrika settles back quietly on the plane, leaning back as she crosses her legs, fingers resting gently on the armrests. She idly taps a few numbers on the PDA and cues up the GPS function to load when the plane lands.

The airport in Cape Town is a modern marvel of technology. The plane is brought in using some sort of gravitation/magnetic control system, so the landing is almost like that of a helecopter. The plane is grabbed in something akin to a tractor beam, and set down lightly near its parking spot by the terminal. The buildings that are visible outside the plane are gleaming white, like a beacon amidst the summer temperatures here in the southern hemisphere.

Chandrika gets out of the plane on the long line of people, bringing her carryon and her PDA along with a more sophisticated computer system. She adjusts sunglasses and shrugs in her yellow blouse and plain khaki pants, all of her more important clothing in the carryon.

You de-plane and head down into the terminal, with the other passengers. There do appear to be many tourists on the flight with you. You overheard something about a major rugby match or tournament going on in Cape Town, from your fellow passengers. You pick up your bag, and head through the line for customs, and stop at the customs officer, who takes your passport to look at it. Then in excellent English, he says, "Miss Williams, what is the purpose of your visit here to Zu?"

Chandrika turns to the customs officer with a smile. "I'm looking into a few sports events and doing some sightseeing, sir." She looks him over for a moment and gives him a warm grin. "Unfortunately, I didn't have an opportunity to book a hotel, there were some problems, so if you could recommend one?"

The customs officer smiles, but in a professional manner, rather than a warm one. "If you head downstairs, there is a information desk. They should be able to help you after you leave customs. How long do you intend to stay in the country?"

Chandrika shrugs. "Three days to a week. It depends on how things go for me. And I have some friends back in the states who I need to see if there are any problems with work, and that can't be done over the phone." She hefts her carryon. "Thanks."

The customs officer stamps the passport, and hands it back. "Through the gate, then down the escalator. Have a pleasant stay in Zu."

Chandrika makes her way along the airport luggage racks with a casual step up to the information desk. "Hi, I'd like a hotel that offers trips into the North, please?" She says gently. "Or better yet, someone who has a hotel out there that I can go visit? Sports events aside, maybe I should get a little more out of my spontaneous vacation."

The woman behind the desk is a black woman who also seems to speak English quite well. "Of course...we can arrange something. Which section of the country are you intending to visit?" She pulls out a small map, unfolding it to let you indicate on it.

You understanding is that it's in the region known as the 'Northern Cape', near the border with Botswana.

Chandrika smiles a little bit. "Northern Cape." She says. "I understand it's a little wild." She gives the lady a pleasant laugh.

The woman smiles, "Ah...want to see the wilderness? Well, perhaps Schylerburg. Right about here?" She points to the map. "It's within driving distance of at least one diamond mine. Tours are of course available. There are also several tours into the wild from there. Let me see if any of the hotels have another location here in town." She starts to use her computer, checking the situation out.

She smiles. "It does appear that Zu International has a hotel both here in Cape Town, and one in Schylerburg. I can make the reservations for you, if you like. I would just need to see your passport."

Chandrika smiles a little bit. "Well, Schlyerburg is fine." She says sweetly. "If you can find a way to get me out there, I'm all for it." She hands over her passport to the woman with a casual slide.

The woman nods. "How soon would you like to travel out there? There is a bus that heads out in that direction daily. I can also deal with reservations for the bus itself for you."

Chandrika smiles a little bit. "Well, the bus might be a little complicated. Could I rent a jeep? I'll probably need a jeep out there."

She nods. "Are you looking for the true rustic experience? Or a grav-vehicle?"

Chandrika shrugs a little bit. "What do you recommend?" She asks. "I understand it's also common practice to hire a driver."

She smiles. "It is. A grav-vehicle would make hiring a driver easier, too. They are the standard vehicle here in Zu. I'm afraid you'd likely have to drive yourself, should you choose to go with a wheeled jeep."

Chandrika laughs. "I'll hire a driver and a grav-vehicle." She says gently. "Who do you recommend?" o O (This country is all too dangerous. Already I'm going to have to figure out a way to scan the vehicle for surveillance devices, and the driver could be a spy for the government.)

She opens a brochure for the local grav-rental. "I would recommend this model here." It looks like basically a grav version of a Land Rover. "It would be ideal for heading out for an adventure, but it still has a number of comforts inside, including things like air conditioning, a wet bar in the back, a media player, data storage, and a satellite uplink."

Chandrika nods slowly. "All right." She says. "That's fine." She hands over a credit card with a smooth, easy motion. "Just bill me and we'll be good. Oh, does it have external cameras?"

Chandrika adds "I might as well take some pictures of the local wildlife. I understand your country is very ecological." o O (Yeah, Mutant Serpent Men, advanced plant soldiers, I've read your files. Bastards.)

The woman nods, and finishes making the reservations for both the hotels and the vehicle and driver. "If you head downstairs, there's a shuttle that will take you to the rental counter." She smiles, as she returns both the card and your passport. "Have a wonderful stay here in Zu."

You notice that there's a rather small (but not concealed) camera here in the ceiling of the lobby, and it's aimed at the two of you.

Chandrika makes her way down towards the shuttle, moving her way over to the rental counter. "Thanks..." She says, heading over towards the escalator. She shoulders her carryon and moves towards the designated location, padding along at a perfectly reasonable rate of speed.

It's not long before you've dealt with the rental...getting a fairly large Land Rover Ingenuity II, with a driver. He's a young bald black man, with a much thicker accent than the people you spoke to inside the airport proper. He drives you over to your local hotel so you can crash for a bit after the trans-Atlantic flight.

Chandrika relaxes and studies the lay of the land all the way to the hotel. She relaxes in the land rover and pays attention to see if she's being followed.

Chandrika heads into the hotel and checks the room out for surveillance. She idly and privately takes the room apart, looking it over as she settles into the bed after the long flight. Then she gets dressed in a lovely business suit and heads towards the archive of government records to find out how long it takes before Zu declassifies military records.

As this is the legislative capital, there are several government buildings in the middle of the city. You arrive in the local government archive building, which is a black marble edifice, standing out against the mostly light colored buildings of the city. Inside, the first thing you notice is a security desk, with gates to either side of it.

Chandrika moves up to the security desk. "Hello. My name is Chandrika Williams, I'm an attorney from the states. I'm looking for some basic information about a man who may have disappeared in your country about twenty one years ago." She gives the guard a pleasant smile, and her best look of loss. It isn't entirely fake. "He's my father."

The security guard is a large black man in one of the same uniforms that you saw several guards in the airport wearing. "I see. Let me contact someone upstairs." He heads over to a relatively old fashioned phone, and dials, "Yes, sir. There's someone here about a missing person case. An attorney from the United States. MMm hmm. I see." He hangs up, and looks back to Chandrika. "I'll need to see your passport."

Chandrika turns to the man and hands him the passport. "Of course." She says and hands it over. "I'm really just here on vacation, but since my father vanished under mysterious circumstances somewhere on this continent 21 years ago, I thought I'd pop in for a visit, ask some questions, and get rebuffed." She gives him a cheery smile. o O (Human rights violating monsters.)

The guard smiles slightly, "It's a large continent. Step through the gate to the right."

Chandrika makes her way towards the gate to the right, reading it carefully before stepping through. o O (It might as well say "Welcome to prison.")

It appears to be a standard scanner device looking for things like weapons. Much like the one at the airport that you went through before leaving. He hands you back your passport. "Take the elevator up to fourteenth floor, and enter the first room on your right. You'll be meeting with Mr. Sisulu."

Chandrika turns to the man. "Thank you very much..." She says gently. "I will be sure to pay Mr. Sisulu as short a visit as possible." o O (Mr. Sisulu is probably the dissuader. I'll have to probably visit a few more times before I get anyone serious.)

You head up the elevator...not seeing anyone other than security guards. The elevator itself is black and chrome, with a hint of green piping on the edges. You head up to the fourteenth floor, and head out of the elevator into a similarly-decorated waiting area. Black marble, black chairs and chrome. Sure enough, there's a single door off of the room, which you head through. Inside is another room, a large office, with the same sort of decor. The desk is even made out of that marble. A white man stands up from behind the desk, "Miss Williams? Please, take a seat." He motions to the large leather chair in front of his desk, "I'm Maximillian Sisulu."

Chandrika walks in through the door, making her way inside, extending a hand gently. "Chandrika, please. This isn't professional or anything." She gives him a pleasant smile. "Mr. Sisulu, I was just here on vacation and I was wondering about a few things regarding your legal system, if I might be so bold?" She flicks her gaze to the leather chair for a moment. "Thank you." She settles into the chair carefully.

Max shakes your hand. "Feel free to call me Max, then. What would you like to know? I understand this is related to a missing person?"

Chandrika nods. "Well, about 21 years ago, my father, John, I know, not very original, disappeared. Now, he was an army man, and he was tied up with all sorts of government things. I believe, quite frankly, that he disappeared on a secret mission to your country."

Max nods as he listens, and then says, "If he was on a secret mission for your government, would it not make more sense to ask your government where he was operating? The United States government has had its hands in several areas of conflict around the world over the last century or so."

Chandrika turns to Max for a moment. "I know how long the Freedom of Information act lasts. I'll be fifty seven before I find that out. I'm not interested in waiting, Mr. Sisulu." She leans back in her chair. "Plus, you know how it is, early nation, unstable government, serpent helmet hidden in your drawer..."

Max smiles. "Ah. I see. You believe the propaganda that your government has put forth about our country. Yet, you're willing to ask for our assistance before bothering to push your own government for the same? Do you not see the irony?" He chuckles, "You feel that we are a terrorist country, yet you feel you can get the information from us. And on the other hand, your country which is supposedly a 'beacon of freedom and law' is the one that hides information from you."

He smiles again, "Our government is young, yes. But hardly unstable. You must be thinking of other African nations with their incessant coups."

Chandrika shakes her head. "I feel that you were spawned a rogue nation out of supervillainy. I realize that history is written by the winners, but that doesn't mean I have to like you. On the other hand, since my government has a standard on these things and you, predictably, have none, I figured it couldn't hurt to ask." o O (Jackboot asshole.)

Max smiles again, "Much like history was rewritten about the United States after your 'War of Independence'. I assure you, if you look at what actually happened, the British government didn't treat the American colonists as badly as you've been led to believe." He pauses, "I don't believe there is a policy on such things yet. After all, our government has existed only thirty-one years. But...if your father died on a 'secret mission' from the American government and we knew about it, I'm sure that we would have mentioned this in the news. After all, it would have been another example of the USA poking its nose into a conflict that it was ill-prepared to actually handle. The United States seems to have a history of that."

He adds, "Especially since the dust would have settled by then, and it would have been clearly an attempt to foster insurgency or open rebellion against a government that the US clearly didn't care for."

Chandrika shrugs a little bit. "Really? Quite frankly, if I were President, I never would have allowed any nation to rise to power under the auspices of an organization run by supervillains that didn't have some sort of inherently legal claim to inheriting the land." She gives him a little smile. ]

Chandrika adds, almost as an afterthought. "So even if you know something, and I think that you do, Max, you're not going to tell me because it would be admitting that you're a rogue terrorist nation that I think you are. Very clever. This is the part where you tell me to enjoy my pleasant stay in your country, isn't it?"

Chandrika raises an eyebrow. "And the obligatory sentence about not getting into any trouble?"

Max smiles. "And yet...such an occurrence has happened. Twice." He chuckles. "Perhaps you're not as aware of what your government is like as you think. Anyway, if you'll leave your contact information for me, I will be in touch in the next day or two after I contact my superiors. You're going to be in the country for some time? A few days to a week, perhaps?"

Chandrika nods once. "I'll be happy to leave you my contact information. I'll be in the country for a few days to a week. Why, yes. However did you record those words from the information booth at the airport? My goodness, I'm terribly shocked!" She mockingly covers her heart. "You're wiring me." She tilts her head. "It was very nice to see you, Max." She gets up out of the chair.

Max stands up as well, and then smiles again, "Wiring you? Of course not. That would be illegal. And I assure you, the government doesn't do illegal things in this country, unlike some others. I merely guessed well." He nods to you. "And as you say...please, enjoy your stay in our country. And...please, do keep out of trouble." He chuckles, "It's almost like I'm in one of your Hollywood movies when I say that. Kind of exhilirating."

Chandrika laughs. "Right. Of course." She gets up out of the chair. "I'll speak to you again, Max." She gets up. "I can't wait to see what your superiors have to say." She pads along the hall. "Take care, Max."