There must have been about sixty or so people gathered in a small mob outside the hotel. The island community was a tight knit one and word had spread fast. It was also a very quiet community. The gathered protestors really had not had a great deal of experience rioting, which was, Javvid conceded, probably a good thing under the circumstances.
The doors opened and the security guards strode out. An egg sailed through the air and caught one square in the face. A couple of vegetables bounced off the low roof and rolled to a stop. The protestors looked about at each other. What next?
Had it been Jevellit or Quoris, one of Caracasus's more built up areas, no doubt they'd be yelling slogans, insults, maybe even bricks. Javvid looked closely at the four men he was technically responsible for the safety of. Diplomats apparently, from some fascist state with an interest in Posteastan. It looked as if they had their luggage with them, which relieved him no end. A day or two more of the diplomat's presence and someone might start something serious.
The lull in the crowd relaxed him, allowed him to take in the gravelled walkway. Perhaps he'd underestimated. It looked closer to eighty or so people were closing in on the commune.
He was about to take a step forward when one of them... no, surely not...
“These are diplomats? he asked himself.
The salute was particularly ill judged and the crowd sought to match insult for insult. Not much beats an overripe tomato. They're reasonably easy to pelt a decent distance and splatter nicely. It seemed that all eighty or so assembled must have thrown a dozen or so tomatoes practically one after the other; the front of the commune certainly looked that way. The barrage must have only lasted a few seconds, but for those caught in it it must have seemed a lifetime of soft thuds as tomato after tomato exploded in, around and on them.
Raw tomato pulp dripped from the windows, it turned the pavement outside the commune into a slippery red ice rink. Little yellow pips clung to the clothing of the guests, juice ran down their faces, soaked into their clothes and pooled at their feet. Hair matted and stained, clothes drenched, the crowd waited with baited breath.
Javvid strode forward. Turned to face them.
“Alright, okay. You've made your points now, right? Let's get 'em out of here.”
“No way! Not yet, we're not done with them yet!”
Javvid sighed. “So what are you going to do with them, huh? Beat them up? Kill them? There's four of them and what... eighty of you?”
“Four would be a start.”
Javvid recognised the speaker. Pointed and singled him out.
“You there with the gob. Want to kill some fascists right? Here. I'll stand right back and let you get a decent shot. Okay?”
He unholstered the revolver, held it handle out in front of him. The young man stepped forward, the crowd went silent. Even in the midst of a protest, they knew when to sit back and watch the entertainment unfold.
“Go on then. Take it. Shoot them. Can you do that?”
Seconds stretched to eternity. The young man stood with the crowd at his back, isolated. He shook his head.
“Nah. I didn't think so. Look, you've made your point, they're not welcome and they're going – now. I reckon it might be an idea if we all do the same, right?”
The crowd reluctantly dispersed. The morning's entertainment done. Several of the more enthusiastic tomato throwers looked about for buckets and taps.
Javvid sighed. Looked at the four men.
“We've got a truck coming that'll take you to the ferry. From there, it's a pretty short walk to the airfield. Our lot have let your lot know to expect you. I'd advise you go get a shower, but frankly that's up to you isn't it?”
Announcement
It has come to the attention of International Observations that yet again documents purported to be secret communications between International Observations agents have surfaced. While the quality of these forgeries is slightly higher than previous “leaks”, International Observations strenuously denies these come from our headquarters and reminds everyone that spreading misinformation and fabricated documents endangers everyone. Please do not disseminate these documents.
Obvious forgery below. I mean, it's clearly not from International Observations. Obviously not. The very idea.