Part One
A brusque detainment cell had Mallory Stamford waiting to retell her point of view to the detectives. She had no idea on what was going to come out of all this. The large metal door detained Stamford, How long was she going to have to wait before being called in? She still is, after all, a stereotypical sorority girl attending an extremely selective university in addition to mooching her parents' money for tuition. No doubt that most, if not all, of her plans were going to be canceled for the day. She became much more worried as the small clock kept ticking. One minute. Two minutes. Five minutes. Fifteen minutes. Thirty minutes. Just the thought of her watching that clock tick without end made her drowsy. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Bang.
Thirteen minutes after falling asleep, the metal door burst wide open. The door hit the wall with great force, producing a sound that could be heard throughout the hallway. Stamford, rudely awaken, looked over at the cop.
"Huh? W-what's going on?" The middle-aged cop walked into the holding cell, and with a raspy voice, spoke to Stamford. "Miss Stamford, we'd like to ask you some questions, and then you'll be free to go. Understood?" A little quip in her voice was present, but she made herself clear. "Yes, sir." Mallory stood up from the metal bed, and followed the police officer into the interrogation room. The dimly lit hallways reminded Stamford of those movies she used to watch with her father as a young child. Oddly enough, most of the stereotypes had somehow come to life. Cat calls galore were yelled at as Stamford made her way though the hall. The sound of metal cups banging with the metal door tried to get Stamford off guard, but alas: they didn't. The hall seemed to get narrower and narrower as the two made their way down. Eventually, two small doors were on the left and right of them. These were the two options left, as straight ahead was a dead end. The officer took out his keychain, as he unlocked the door to the right. He walked inside, where he held the door open for Mallory. She obliged, and walked in.
"Have a seat, Miss Stamford." The man sitting on the other side of the room, was of large stature to say the least. Traces of grey, but predominantly black hair. An addiction to caffeine, as demonstrated by his four Styrofoam cups of coffee. "Allow me to introduce myself, Miss Stanford. I'm Detective Begnioli of the La Halda Police Department. I understand you were doing some charity work here, correct?" Begnioli's attitude was surprisingly warm, in contrast to the stereotypical detectives on television. "I was, detective Begnioli." Mallory felt something off about him, but she replied in a genuine manner. "It's always nice to see young people like you help out those who need it the most. You are studying at the University of Gremalsco, correct?" The clicking of Begnioli's pen showed he was desperate to get some information. Mallory was intrigued by Begnioli's question. "Yes. Double majoring in economics and psychology. Why do you ask?" He laughed, before taking a sip from his fourth cup of coffee. "I, too, was a student at the UoG. Those were good times." He sighs, remembering the fond memories from his four years at the University. "Moving on, I'd like to hear what went on the night of March 11, at around nine forty in the evening. Please, do tell." She took a deep breath, and with that, she began to tell her story.
It was chilly, for once. La Halda's streets were usually never this cold, but every once in a while, you'd need a jacket. This was one of those nights. Mallory had finished working her shift with the local crisis centre, as apart of her major requirements in psychology. She clocked out for the day, and returned back to the hotel she was residing in for the week. A slow night, as usual. She really thought the reputation La Halda got was over-exaggerated, and thought the city was alright. She made her way down Adelaide Avenue, before making a left onto Camara Street. The route was her usual route to the hotel. Up ahead she saw a man begging, pleading with two other men about something. Stamford hit the floor to see what was going on.
"P-please! I've got a wife! Two children! Is this how you deal with a lone protest?!" The guy was on the verge of tears. "Shut your mouth, boy. This is my town, and you play by my rules. You have a problem with our damn city, you can scram." A swift kick from the steel toe boot the man gave made the pleading man collapse onto the ground. The young man, spat out blood from his mouth. "You'll r-regret this day...mark my...words..." He was violently coughing at this point. Three teeth came out with all of the blood as he coughed. The two men looked at each other, with no remorse. "You're just a no-name, with no one around to watch us. How do you think we're going to regret it?" The two men took their boots, and kicked the man's head. Mallory was in disgust, but she kept quiet. The two men looked down at the still corpse. A voice on both of their shoulders interrupted their moment with the corpse.
After hearing what the voice said, the man obliged. "Alright, we're on our way." The two men hopped into their car, and started the engine. All of a sudden, police lights on their car had turned on. The siren was blaring as the cops drove off to wherever they were heading. Mallory stood up from where she was, once the coast was clear. After observing what she had just witnessed, she found a different way back to the hotel.
"And that's all I have to say." Stamford took a sip of water, as Begnioli finished writing what he had to write. He coughed, before finishing his final cup of coffee. "Alright, Miss Stamford. You're free to go." The young cop opened the door to the interrogation room, as Mallory stood up, and made her way outside. She received her stuff that she had kept with the department, and made her way outside. She was expecting there to be little to no fanfare outside, it was a Thursday afternoon. Thursdays were usually quite boring, for Mallory. But, she opened the door, and flashes of photography had blinded Stamford. The questions of why she was in there, whether or not she knew what happened to Armando Martinez, what she saw, and if it was true that the police had overused their authority all hit her like a bag of bricks. Students from the local community college held signs, seeking justice for this Armando Martinez fellow.
For today, was not a boring Thursday.
Isadora Declines, and The Qualifiers
- by Casey Montagne
Before we begin, I would like to thank Isadora Caravella's parents for being born in our great Confederation. I mean, if it weren't for them, we would most likely not be having this discussion. So to Enrico Caravella and Laura Grillo, thank you for being born and raised in the great town of Pontidexxu. Of course, we have to thank the talented Caravella herself for declining a call up to the Cormorants. Instead of bonding herself with the Nepharim national team, she's taking a gamble and considering the chance to play with the Yttribian National Team. I mean, what an honour it would be for us to have a young, talented goalkeeper make the right decision. I mean, yes her parents are dual citizens, but still! The fact that she's considering wearing purple instead of forest green is delightful news from the player. The Goodfeather FC player has certainly made an impression with the average fan of international club football. However, we here at ¡Vertigol! will respect the decision made by Caravella.
As always, there is the friendly reminder that we're a much better choice.
Moving on, qualifying groups have been announced for World Cup 70! How delightful! The bad news is that we're in a state of vertigo, yet again. This is the seventh tournament in which we've felt this state of vertigo, but I think it's time for us to accept our hand we've been dealt, and go on a fantastic rampage. Let's take a look at the team's we'll be facing, in their seeding order.
First Seed - Nephara - Rank: 16
A fantastic squad to encounter in qualifiers, there's no question that they will be a tough squad to deal with. Tough and versatile, Jess Mortlock is the mastermind behind the team. With one of the strongest foundations in all of football, we'll be having a tough time playing them at home. However, their weakness is the fact that their defence certainly isn't well balanced, because once we start...let's just say the brick is on the pedal. We're positive our two matches will certainly topple the hype that was made for The Final That Never Happened. However, there's no doubt that we'll see this squad heading to the World Cup, atop of the group. It's the question on whether or not this squad can go far in the proper tournament.
Second Seed - Quebec - Rank: 28
The Grim Reapers, killing of Taeshani hopes and dreams for who knows how long. You have a great forward in Xavier Hertel (rumored to be leaving Fontvieille FC), who for certain will be in charge of goal scoring opportunities. Their general attack-minded play is no surprise to the Ravens, who have now "embraced the front." However, you've got a player in Beauchemin who looks like he belongs in a retirement home at first glance. You've got an extremely strong squad, yes, but are they going to keep their momentum? Personally, this all depends with them. However, we can see the squad crashing out in third.
Third Seed - Yttribia - Rank: 51
Remember the time when Yttribia came in seventh back in World Cup 67 qualifiers, and ended up dead last in Cup of Harmony 59, with only one goal in their favor? Now, ten years and a change in the time-space continuum later, look at where the squad is now. Felixian Daniel Cardona has literally been adopted by our country as our own, with the grand reign of success he's brought in. The golden age of Yttribian football has come, and now it is time for us to seize the day. Totso, despite his age, has played for the legendary Starblaydi club: Iskara Daii. This is the mother-effing club Simeone di Bradini played for. When you've done that, get transfered to Audioslavian club Izotz Zubia, and then win the LigAnaia before he can rent a car, I think you've got the best goalkeeper in the world. With him at the posts, and other talented players, you've got yourself a stew brewing. We'll be in the playoffs, that's for sure.
Fourth Seed - Filopines - Rank: 70
A fall from grace, to say the least. You've got another senile player in Paul Rhett. He could accompany Beauchemin well in the "Retirement Home for Players Who've Run Out of Gas." But, they're a squad not to be joking with, as usual. For all we know, maybe Rhett has finally hung up the boots. We'll know if that's the case once their roster is announced. However, seeing the state the squad is in, there's no idea where this squad is being placed. The Filopino nationals want their team to do well, but to be frank: that may not happen. Success in all their future endeavors, we see them flopping to fifth.
Fifth Seed - The Saint James Islands - Rank: 143
What a fantastic squad we have here. I always enjoy seeing young squads doing well, such as these. A home grown squad, something that is now rarer than my steak. Now it's time to see if the rumors of a home grown squad equaling great chemistry is true. And some of the players have really caught the eyes of local clubs here in Yttribia, so if they impress well, they may be moving on up. They just better not impress well against us. I can see this squad sliding into fourth, providing the base for a possible skyscraper. There is one thing for certain, and that's the fact they'll become a household nation in a few cycles time.
Sixth Seed - Estenia - Rank: 207
You know, they try to hype themselves up as the next big thing. Being a cocky squad usually doesn't end up well in qualifiers. But I'll give them the fact that they did do well in their Baptism of Fire. Until they lost five nil against Isula ge Ru (I ask that any readers from that nation not send death threats, I know the accent mark isn't above the 'g'), and five two against whoever the hell ended up in third. But, while they may hype themselves as the next big thing: rest assured. They won't do that well, and finish in seventh. And that's the bottom line.
Seventh Seed - The Oaklands - Rank: 281
So, you have fans Ruentenbach, Osarius,the Polar Islandstates, and The Oaklands all walk into a pub. What do all four of these fans have in common? Their nations won their regional tournament. Yes, that's right: The Oaklands are champions of World Changers. And their Baptism of Fire performance was no laughing matter. However, we have no idea on whether or not they can follow through and perform superbly in these qualifiers. George Cannack is no laughing matter, having scored eight times in nine caps. Pretty impressive, but they're still a relatively inexperienced squad. However, they can pull off an upset or so, and can finish in sixth, which is where we have them pegged.
Eighth Seed - Pays d'en hut - Rank: 319
The Oaklands meet again with Pays d'en hut. Crash-outs from the first stage of their Baptism of Fire, there's no certainty that they are one of the weaker squads in the group. Les Habitants are filled with passion for the game, which is certainly a good thing in the evolving game of football. Their 4-5-1 does bring the issue of goal-scoring up, relying heavily on their defense to do all the dirty work. But with teams like Nephara, Quebec, and ourselves, they're going to need a miracle. We see the squad finishing in eighth, but if they do get their act together, they can pull off seventh. But that's only if they can get their act together.
Ninth Seed - Arvenia - Unranked
Six points for us, ninth place for them.
To wrap things up nicely, this is challenging, but not "World Cup 68 qualifiers" challenging. Our hopes are high. Our team is superb. Our fans are hyper. The nation is ready. The Ravens may soar higher than ever, and their destination? The World Cup.
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