2017 Eastern Realms Conference

Skyscraper in Chiavere
8:37AM

"We just heard from our inside operative. Sciarra still refuses to break down. They will try again later today."

The woman turned to face the one who had spoken to her, turning her back on the Chiavian skyline, what she could see of it anyway. They had made a huge gamble, certainly their riskiest yet, with the attacks the previous night. They had taken the Second Councillor hostage, along with all five eastern governors. That had been a success. They had also tried to assassinate the First Councillor at the exact same time. That had been a failure. Apparently the operatives had been a few seconds late, enough time for the Carabinieri to get in the way, keeping Valerio from being shot. There was also the hostage situation in the Museum of Historical Arts. That one had also been a success.

There were now reports of increasingly heavy police presence on the streets of Messelia, Chiavere and Regù in response to the attacks, unlike anything she had seen in recent decades. Carabinieri had been dispatched for active law enforcement outside Messelia-Verale. It was not uncommon for them to assist law enforcement in other realms, but to perform in active duty, that was something not seen since the days of her parents. Apparently this had really shaken Valerio, who seemed ready to take risks to prevent another attack. It mattered little, in any case. This was it, for now, and even if he was still alive, they had succeeded in carrying out the other two attacks.

"Tell them to haste. We might not have much time left with Sciarra. That applies to our agents at the Museum. By tonight I want the ritual to be performed. Make sure they hang the flags."