Arch-Bishop in Fatal Accident(OPEN)

[Holy Marsh]

Holy Marsh City

There were more than four dozen fully staffed hospitals in the capital, all of them with the same quality. It was not, therefore, the quality of the care or the staff that most interested the small caravan of black limousines that raced towards His Mercy. Rather, it was location- it was the hospital closest to the western edge of the city. That interested the caravan that approached the city as well as a specialist medical helicopter that was speeding towards it at a high clip.
The limousines opened and more than forty CPS(Church Protective Service) agents popped out and started sprinting towards the entrance. Within moments, they had entered the hospital. The Special Agent in Charge hurried over to the front desk and flashed his Church-issued identification. The receptionist was stunned at the quick pace with which the CPS flooded the-
"Your Emergency Wing needs to be cleared, immediately. All specialists are to be diverted to the care of a VIP coming here via helicopter. All security is being transferred over to my authority."
"W-what about the other-"
"The fucking Arch-Bishop is hurt. Do not oppose His will."

*********************************
Slice of a News Bulletin, WPQR 7:
Janice Krywenscki, Arch-Bishop of the Holy Marsh, has suffered life-threatening injuries due to a skiing accident west of the capital. At eleven fourteen in the morning Marshite Standard Time, the Arch-Bishop tumbled down the famous resort mountain of Kcerilan(Ka-se-rilan) and suffered multiple broken bones as well as punctured lungs. She was immediately airlifted to His Mercy Hospital in the capital, where the staff is currently working to save her life from 'a vast multitude of life-threatening injuries'.

While the Marshite nation has been brought together to pray for their beloved Arch-Bishop, Cardinal-Commander Reginald Archeus has stepped in as Interim Arch-Bishop. If the Arch-Bishop dies, the Cardinal-Commander convenes the Cardinal Council to elect the new Arch-Bishop. In order to ensure that the process is fair, the Cardinal-Commander is a lifetime appointment, one that also forces one to forgo the chance to become the Arch-Bishop. If she were to die, she would become the twenty-third Arch-Bishop to die due to anything other than natural death.
********************************
News spread far and wide of the accident. Within minutes of the news report, impromptu gatherings were reported across the nation. Some were as small as ten or fifteen, others in the tens of thousands. As time passed, more of the nation started to grind to a halt as the shocking news filtered through to even the most technologically averse.
********************************

Official Statement of the Grand Theocracy of the Holy Marsh:



Nations of the World,

The benevolent Holy Marsh holds, in his hands, the life of our national treasure, the Arch-Bishop Janice Krywenscki. If He, in His wisdom, takes her away, the wailing will be heard from horizon to horizon. Regardless, be rest assured that the Church and State of the Holy Marsh stand firm in all current obligations and will not turn away from further activities as required by the Holy Marsh Himself.

May the Holy Marsh Bless You All, And With Endless Prayers for Salvation,
Cardinal-Commander Reginald Archeus

[Katonazag]

Holy Marsh City, Holy Marsh

Colonel Izsák Tótth was as shocked as the rest of the nation around him at what had happened to the Arch-Bishop. In a sense, it was less personal to him in that he wasn't a Marshite, but more personal in that he had met her, and on more than one occasion.

The Colonel had been sent by ISOC to Holy Marsh specifically to make contact with her during the Holy Warriors' campaign of genocide in Shesharlie. All he'd known going into the mission was that she had something to say that couldn't be transmitted electronically, even under the most secure encryption. Due to the nature of the decaying relations between the HCSK and Holy Marsh at the time, embassy staff had already been withdrawn, otherwise the job would have been something for a diplomat to do. Instead, it fell to an intelligence operative who would meet her in secrecy.

The Arch-Bishop had confided to him about the true balance of power in Holy Marsh, and how she was powerless to do anything but support the Holy Warriors. Any other course of action would be tantamount to heresy. She didn't need to spell out what that would lead up to. He had met with her two other times, both also to relay diplomatic information to the HCSK.

Even though the conflict was over, the diplomatic status hadn't been restored. The FUCC had publicly issued warrants for several theater commanding officers for crimes against humanity, specifically genocide. Naturally, the Holy Warriors didn't see it that way, and wouldn't be turning them over for justice. Unbeknownst outside the FU intelligence community, warrants were on file for some of the top commanders of the Holy Warriors, to include the ones who were known to have had a hand in planning the genocide, and the one who had ordered it. The Colonel knew that there were other operatives in the country who were keeping tabs on those internationally wanted, waiting for them to leave the safety of Holy Marsh. But that wasn't his mission, and so he didn't have official need-to-know on the specifics. He was there just for the Arch-Bishop.

Colonel Tótth assumed that the incessant news reports were correct about how bad her condition really was, and that she would no doubt be guarded heavily around the clock even if she was conscious; which she probably wasn't. There would be no going to see her. As far as he knew, his cover as a businessman from Trevancore was secure. But the unfortunate accident raised the question: was it really an accident? The possibility that the Arch-Bishop had been discovered or perceived to be sympathetic to the foreign intervention couldn't be ignored, however small. And with that, the possibility that he had been or would soon be discovered had to be considered as well.

Or maybe it was just an accident. Time to find out. He got properly dressed to go out into the cold, and removed his Diablo Tactical model pistol from it's drawer. He holstered it into a concealed front pocket that would allow it to be drawn easily, and put several extra mags in the pocket on the opposing side. Next, over to the closet and into the fire-safe box, where he retrieved a silencer, most certainly a restricted item in most countries. And from a chest, he took a good sturdy knife, some rope, some balay clips, and various other implements that might be needed in the mountains, and placed them in a pack.

[Alfegos]

Embassy to the Holy Marsh, Holy Marsh City

Holy Marsh had a history - that much was easily said. A nation that defined its past in war, in never-ending battles between ideologies. Theocracies were dangerous at the best of times, and whilst Holy Marsh had good relationships publicly with Alfegos, behind closed doors it was a different matter. Alfegos had one of the larger colonies of Lardist refugees, the fortunate few who made it to the safe zone in time. The Holy Warriors had at that time, almost an age ago, been wise enough not to pursue any further than the area patrolled by Fegosian craft. Even though they were a token force, a couple of light support vessels, they had the spotting power to direct a coastal defence arsenal the likes of which were the pride of a nation. The Lardists, whilst they didn't have Fegosian citizenship, were nonetheless protected by Fegosian law. And barring the one operation to deal with a mutual problem, there had been no approved operations in Alfegos by the Holy Warriors. In retaliation, the Holy Marsh had opened its doors to some of the worst criminals from Alfegos, in a so-called international force that had converted to Marshism and repented. Whilst economic relations and public ties strengthened, under the table a game of chess was in full progress.

Fegosian embassies had a particular style to them that was recognisable in many a country. The architecture in some places, the attention to horticulture and interior furnishings, the neatly-dressed embassy security details, and the staff. A wide mix of people worked in the embassy, both locals and Fegosians. And, as in any embassy, there was at least one man watching what was happening in the host nation with interest.

In the basement security office, one of the security officers sat at a laptop, reading through scripts received via satellite. Packets of data assembled slowly, forming an encrypted file. After inputting the relevant key, the documents within would be shown to him. The files themselves were from JNHQ, the Joint National Special HQ, the command body of all special agencies within Alfegos, relayed from the FU contact within. The situation was very clear, and was exactly what he had been expecting. After finishing his reading, he switched off the laptop, before removing the back cover. After a quick series of movements, he prised free the hard disc and memory sticks, before replacing them with a set from a safe. Having locked them, he looked over his equipment with despair. Most of it was the blatantly obvious ISS uniform he had been issued, urban camouflage and bullet-proof vest standing out from a mile. Removing some of the equipment, he stowed it in an interior pocket, before placing his sidearm in a hidden holster. Fegosian intelligence agencies were rarely known for subtlety - though the more astute realised it was a distraction from the most stealthy of concealed operations elsewhere. As such, he had opted for the latter thought, a 6.5mm low calibre pistol loaded with sub-sonic heavy rounds, and a heavy suppressor gracing the device. In a small tracsuit bag, he carried a perfectly innocent target rifle under a change of clothes - after all, he was a shooter in the embassy team, and regularly went to a local range on days off. The rifle again had a suppressor attachment, mainly for distorting the muzzle report as the .338 Lapua round was not one for being quietened. His final piece of work was to change - into clothes of a local style, worn in a manner that allowed him to blend in as a nondescript.

At the security checkpoint within the entranceway, he nodded to the head of security as he left.
"I'm taking my two day leave early, as I said a while ago. You have my number if things go wrong."
"Right you are. You know the rules though."
"Yes, yes I do."
No soliciting inappropriately. Stay within local customs. If you get in a fight, run for heaven's sake. And above all, no repeats of the infamous ladyboy incident a couple months before. He turned before leaving the entranceway back to the security point. It was fortified in such a subtle way that very few would actually realise that was the case. The checkpoint was a room of the building, looking into a corridor, yet the wall was slightly thicker, and contained a significantly larger amount of rebar and wire than normal. The checkpoint had quick access to the most critical rooms in the embassy, in terms of security - the document saferoom, the armoury and the server/comms room. The only way in was through security, which gave it that level greater of proofing from espionage.
Now halfway down the street, the man took out his smartphone, checking the area. He had a map of where he was going - a hospital. A VIP had been injured, that he knew, the FU reasoning being iffy circumstances. Another attempt on her life was probable. Thus, he was keeping an eye on things.

It was a long walk, nearly an hour, yet eventually he was there. Across from the hospital, three buildings away, he took position on a roof-top, and waited. His laptop sat running a small, perfectly crafted programme - part of a package developed illegally by hackers and hidden within harmless files, picked up by the FSSA and modified substantially. The suite was at one time known as Crafty Cat, from its embedding into a picture of a cat about to pounce upon a mouse, but know was referred to affectionately as Fat Cat, again from its method of concealing. The routine running at the time was busy picking up secure wireless network data, locating hidden networks and mapping those known from stray bits of traffic. Over a short period, it quickly built up a map of all network pathways, including one he was looking for - access to the security cameras in the hospital. That would take its time - and he had a routine to get access to the network itself. The computer began running, rainbow tables flickering on one side of the screen. It would take its time, and a degree of luck for someone to be careless and transmit a key over less secure parts of the wireless. As the device ran, he took up position within the cover of a number of rooftop utilities, water tanks and aerials, watching through binoculars the section of the hospital where the woman had been taken to.

[Osthia]

To the Government and People(s) of the Holy Marsh,
The people of Osthia send their prayers to God, asking him to preserve the life of your Archbishop. Although we have had some disagreements, a Her Holiness has shown to be a reasonable and kind woman. Should she pass away, I will do my best, in my limited mobile state, to go to her funeral. God be with you all.
Sincerely,
Emperor Arathor I

[Syvorji]

To: The People of Holy Marsh
From: Governor Harry Mossad of Syvorji

We, despite our different culture, wish him luck and that should he pass, Huynma will welcome him anytime. Despite different religions, we hope that he will be safe.

Signed,
Governor Harry Mossad

Holy Marsh City

The Syvorjins were fearing for the death, and many were already wearing black. Some actually went to the hospital on the west side, in an attempt to see him, and throughout the city, Syvorjins were sending praises and Get Well Soon cards to the Arch-Bishop, hoping for him to live past the ordeals.

[Holy Marsh]

To: The People of Holy Marsh
From: Governor Harry Mossad of Syvorji

We, despite our different culture, wish him luck and that should he pass, Huynma will welcome him anytime. Despite different religions, we hope that he will be safe.

Signed,
Governor Harry Mossad

Holy Marsh City

The Syvorjins were fearing for the death, and many were already wearing black. Some actually went to the hospital on the west side, in an attempt to see him, and throughout the city, Syvorjins were sending praises and Get Well Soon cards to the Arch-Bishop, hoping for him to live past the ordeals.

OOC: The Arch-Bishop is a woman.

[Syvorji]

Soon, after realizing the error, he quickly made small changes before sending. Meanwhile, in Holy Marsh City, in Little Syvorji, a part where Syvorjin culture prevails, many were hanging black ribbons and paintings of the Arch-Bishop. However, a man, Lon Nol began plotting a terrorist attack against the hospital, to bring down the theocracy, but the rest were fearing the death of the arch-bishop.

[Holy Marsh]

They had done the best they could.
The doctors stood around the Arch-Bishop, the Voice of God on Earth, Her Holiness, their minds in a place of darkness anddespair. The injuries had been too severe. Too terrible. Her spine had been fractured, both lungs punctured, a fractured skull, massive internal bleeding, and more than a dozen other bone fractures. She was dead the second she fell. The doctor on site conversed with the multiple security officials, who one by one started to take the needed information to their bosses, weeping slowly as they did. Within minutes, news had spread. Within ten minutes, it was on the news.
**********************************
"Arch-Bishop Janice Krywenscki, age forty-seven, has died of injuries sustained during at accident at the famous ski resort, Kcerilan..." Was all most Marshites needed to hear. A great wailing could be heard across the vast nation as flags started to fly at half-mast. Rallies that were once dozens turned to hundreds, hundreds into thousands, thousands into tens of thousands, tens of thousands into the hundreds of thousands and the hundreds of thousands into the millions. From coast to coast, Churches and Shrines opened up as tens of millions immediately flooded them. After the announcement of her death, the broadcast stations turned to Cardinal-Commander Archeus as he broadcasted Live from the First Cathedral. Hundreds of millions tuned in as he read prayers.
**********************************
As that happened, the Holy Warriors of the Capital leapt into action. A detachment was sent to the Hospital, where the body was retrieved. Guards were sent into the Shrine district, which was shut down to all non-Church foot traffic. The Church Protective Service opened the doors to the Arch-Bishop and her guards as they went up the cargo elevator inside the mountain.
**********************************
Official Statement of the Grand Theocracy of the Holy Marsh:


Nations of the World,

The benevolent Holy Marsh has taken into his heart the soul of our beloved Arch-Bishop Janice Krywenscki. She has pleased Him so that her new-found life in the Asera'Din O'Culura shall match her deeds on Earth. Our prayers go out into the Heavens, as we congratulate her on a life well-lived and a soul well deserving of rest. The wailing in our nation is sorrowful, a brilliant soul taken from us in the night, yet there is no reason to feel sorrow for her as her Faith has been rewarded by Asera'Din O'Culura. Regardless, be rest assured that the Church and State of the Holy Marsh stand firm in all current obligations and will not turn away from further activities as required by the Holy Marsh Himself.
*********************************
It wasn't long before security footage of the resort was found and broadcast, the owner of the resort having committed suicide when he saw that the Arch-Bishop had died. It showed the Arch-Bishop skiing down what looked like a fairly safe slope when her ski suddenly lost traction when it slid over a small pebble outcropping that was hidden. She stood on one ski for a moment before being twisted sideways mere yards away from a large drop. Then she fell.
As this was broadcast over multiple news channels, the various Cardinal Council members started flying in from their various locations.

[Syvorji]

Soon, the entire community of Little Syvorji in Holy Marsh City was in mourning, and mourned dramatically, gathering at shrines, and bowed down to them. Several Syvorjins committed suicide. Meanwhile, Lon Nol walked to a shop that sells bombs and asked the seller, "How much do these bombs cost?" His plan was to bomb the most important government building in Holy Marsh City, to replace it with a "republic," with him being Eternal President and would act like the RL Pol Pot, in terms of his human rights violations, but against those who believed all religions except Buddhism.

[Holy Marsh]

Soon, the entire community of Little Syvorji in Holy Marsh City was in mourning, and mourned dramatically, gathering at shrines, and bowed down to them. Several Syvorjins committed suicide. Meanwhile, Lon Nol walked to a shop that sells bombs and asked the seller, "How much do these bombs cost?" His plan was to bomb the most important government building in Holy Marsh City, to replace it with a "republic," with him being Eternal President and would act like the RL Pol Pot, in terms of his human rights violations, but against those who believed all religions except Buddhism.

Lon Nol did not have much success, seeing as how the only civilian-led organization allowed to buy explosives was the Militia, and even then, Militia procurement officers.
"You do not have authorization to purchase explosives. I need your name, rank in the militia, and authorization order." The store owner said, aware of all local militia procurement officers- they were his main business. His brows furrowed as he gave the man a once over.

[Syvorji]

He handed a fake ID card. His alias was Pol Pot, his fake rank was General and authorization order #42, had a photo of RL Pol Pot, a security number, being 9753 and repeated until the final digit, a barcode, and nationality being Osthian. It looked so real it might as well be accepted by the store owner.

[Nitom]

Soon 5 men got off a plane that had just landed. "So it is true what they say about Holy Marsh." One of the men said as he waved to another group of men that were walking to them. "It's good to see you again." One of the men said as he gave the man a hug. "Yes, it has been a while." He said with a smile. "Anyways, we should get to the others. They are waiting in a bar near the hotel where we are staying untill it's done." Another man said as he pointed to a group of cars. So soon the men began to get in the cars and drove off.

[Holy Marsh]

He handed a fake ID card. His alias was Pol Pot, his fake rank was General and authorization order #42, had a photo of RL Pol Pot, a security number, being 9753 and repeated until the final digit, a barcode, and nationality being Osthian. It looked so real it might as well be accepted by the store owner.

The store owner looked down at it for a second. He then looked up at the gentleman in front of him. As his hands were down low, he pressed a button gently. He did not buy this for a second and even if he did, foreigners weren't allowed to become officers in the Marshite militia. It was a damned forgery. Plus the authorization order was six numbers too short.
"Well General, I see you have the proper orders. Look around my shop and see what you want. I will need another order for you to pay, but browse around. All of the bombs are inactive until I finish work on them in the back."

[Holy Marsh]

Soon 5 men got off a plane that had just landed. "So it is true what they say about Holy Marsh." One of the men said as he waved to another group of men that were walking to them. "It's good to see you again." One of the men said as he gave the man a hug. "Yes, it has been a while." He said with a smile. "Anyways, we should get to the others. They are waiting in a bar near the hotel where we are staying untill it's done." Another man said as he pointed to a group of cars. So soon the men began to get in the cars and drove off.

The cars drove on and they reached the city proper. However, the airport had IDed them as foreigners when they landed, and they had not been questioned as they had departed. Two militia vehicles on the main road were thus tagged with stopping the vehicle.
Two LY219s peeled slowly onto the road in front of the marked vehicles. Two loud bullhorns later, and a voice came over a loudspeaker:
"Travelers, stop your vehicles. You have not yet been through Customs. Do not move your vehicles."
A moment later, four militia members were disgorged out of either vehicle and approached the vehicles.
"Sorry to inconvenience y'all, but you left the airport before customs could investigate you."

[Syvorji]

Lon Nol wandered through the aisles until he found a revolver, and looked at the price. Then, he snatched it, and walked to where the seller is, and gave him the gun, as well as the cash to pay for the gun and bomb. The bomb is to blow the place up, to be set not at the inner office but at the religious chamber and the gun was for self-defense. Upon giving it to pay them, he said, "Here is a revolver, and cash to pay it. Keep the change," and smiled.

[Holy Marsh]

Lon Nol wandered through the aisles until he found a revolver, and looked at the price. Then, he snatched it, and walked to where the seller is, and gave him the gun, as well as the cash to pay for the gun and bomb. The bomb is to blow the place up, to be set not at the inner office but at the religious chamber and the gun was for self-defense. Upon giving it to pay them, he said, "Here is a revolver, and cash to pay it. Keep the change," and smiled.

It was then that a militia LY219 pulled up. The shop owner reached under the desk and brought out an LY45 and took a step back to give him some distance.
"Put your hands up. Now!" The shop owner yelled as two militia members with AVIRS walked in.
"This fella just tried to purchase a bomb with a fake ID, posing as a General."
And with that, both AVIR wielding militia pointed their firearms at the 'general'. Outside, the turret swiveled towards the store as three more militia poured out. Pressing buttons was a wonderful thing.

[Nitom]

"Sorry, we are in a hurry. We have to see some old friends before the holidays back in Nitom." The man in the drivers seat said as he took out his ID and pass port. "Im, sure theres no problem with that. Is there?" He said as he looked at the militia that stopped them. "Is, there something wrong with a few People coming here to say hi and have fun with a few old friends?" He said as he took his hat off. "Anyways, how are you guys doin?" He asked with a smile.

[Holy Marsh]

"Sorry, we are in a hurry. We have to see some old friends before the holidays back in Nitom." The man in the drivers seat said as he took out his ID and pass port. "Im, sure theres no problem with that. Is there?" He said as he looked at the militia that stopped them. "Is, there something wrong with a few People coming here to say hi and have fun with a few old friends?" He said as he took his hat off. "Anyways, how are you guys doin?" He asked with a smile.

He handed the ID to another militia officer, who brought it to the second LY219.
"I'm good, ye? And nothin' wrong with it, just that the Arch-Bishop died today so there is a lot of talk about closing down the city for a week of mournin' and such. Plus, when Eschex died, God rest his soul, Lardite assassins snuck into the city. We got 'em as they were about to attack Shrine and made sure to destroy their entire bloodline down to fifth cousins, but its all heightened security now. If you could step out of the vehicle please, we need to inspect you and the car. Customs would have done it, but y'all got out of there too fast."

[Syvorji]

Lon Nol said, "I am a true general. I plan to use it for peaceful purposes, with no plans for attack. I was granted honorary member status, to buy anything from any Militia shop in the country." He did a sheepish grin. He hoped to fill in the political vacuum now that the Arch-Bishop had died, and it was time Holy Marsh becomes a communist state.

[Holy Marsh]

Lon Nol said, "I am a true general. I plan to use it for peaceful purposes, with no plans for attack. I was granted honorary member status, to buy anything from any Militia shop in the country." He did a sheepish grin. He hoped to fill in the political vacuum now that the Arch-Bishop had died, and it was time Holy Marsh becomes a communist state.

"You have three seconds to comply, or we will fire!" The militia officer yelled at the would-be communist usurper. Holy Marsh did not fool around with criminals. They were dealt with harshly.
"Three!" The AVIRS pointed at his head and chest.
"Two!" The L45 pointed at his midsection.
"One!" The fingers went on the triggers and started squeezing very gently, ready to fire at zero.

[Nitom]

Knowing nothing illegal was in the car he calmly got out. "Well, thats good to hear. I truly am sorry about your arch bishop and I understand why you would want it to be so careful with everything and such." He said as he nodded for everyone to get out. So I believe this shouldn't take long right. Or should I call to let me friends know that we are going to be late?

[Syvorji]

Right around then, he ran to the aisle, snatching the gun as well, and seeing an empty shelf, he placed himself in the fetal position, trying hard to fit in said shelf, knowing he will fail horribly in hiding, but knew it was his only chance. If needed, he will defend himself with his revolver.

[Holy Marsh]

Knowing nothing illegal was in the car he calmly got out. "Well, thats good to hear. I truly am sorry about your arch bishop and I understand why you would want it to be so careful with everything and such." He said as he nodded for everyone to get out. So I believe this shouldn't take long right. Or should I call to let me friends know that we are going to be late?

"You might wanna call them, just to be safe. If your phone doesn't get good reception- most foreign cell phone plans don't work here, sorry to say- you can use my personal phone." The friendly officer said as he fished the phone out of his pocket just in case. The multiple militia members started going over the car. One of them attached a listening device under the passenger seat, a cuticle sized device. It would have been attached at customs, but this was still somewhat common. In the flash of all the work the militia did, it was doubtful the foreigners even saw the man go into the car and even if they did, several people went into the car. It wasn't anything special; all new foreign vehicles were given listening devices and small homing devices until the government knew they weren't criminals of some sort. They were finished after a few minutes.

Then a militia member patted each one down in a hurry, not being very thorough. It was done quickly.
"Need my phone?"

[Holy Marsh]

Right around then, he ran to the aisle, snatching the gun as well, and seeing an empty shelf, he placed himself in the fetal position, trying hard to fit in said shelf, knowing he will fail horribly in hiding, but knew it was his only chance. If needed, he will defend himself with his revolver.

Poor foul was going to try to defend himself with a revolver that had no bullets in it- no one kept guns loaded in a store. The two militia members both took different aisle and flanked the man. He seemed pathetic. One AVIR launched a bullet at the man's knee as the two approached.

[Syvorji]

It hit his knee, and frowned. He then got out, and punched the men from the militia in the nose, as hard as he could. Lon Nol hoped that he would not perish.