01-27-2015, 12:32 AM
Lt Folami allowed Natalie her defiant rant, one hand resting dangerously on his holstered pistol. Such weapons carried with them a cultural intimidation. Rifles were weapons of war, but pistols? They were much like machetes. Those were used for executions, for murder. In war, there was some chance of fighting back. But everyone knew of people that were forced to their knees and shot. Of course, to someone born of the CCD, pistols were not so terrifying a thing.
Jacques of course wore a pistol, and was well aware of the stigma around such things, but unlike people like Folami, he had no interest in using such a thing to make himself look the 'big man.' The gesture on Folami's part was all show; there was no chance the man would dare bring any harm to Natalie. Interim-President General Wallace-Johnson needed her in his court, after all.
"You shall serve the Mende people from the safety of Freetown. Interim-President General Wallace-Johnson will open the airport again once he is certain of your cooperation, princess."
Not the cooperation of the Red Cross; they were a humanitarian organization. Their cooperation was all but assured, so long as they were given the chance to do their thing. The General wanted Natalie Grey in his pocket; her family ties, as sullied as they may have become, would still lend him a direct link to the CCD, and with it a sense of legitimacy to his presidency.
Jacques turned slightly when Jared moved to speak to him. The man was concerned, and had every right to be. Every second it became more and more evident that things at the refinery were not likely to end well. His men could see it. Their hired auxiliaries had been disarmed. The Legion and the Red Cross were both being ordered out, along with the reporters. And there was nothing he could do about it. "Victory belongs to the most persevering. Back straight. Chin up."
He had been quoting Napolean Bonaparte often since the events of Jeddah. But, for all the vilification the man had received in the centuries since his attempted conquest of Europe, the man had been an apt politician and general. And had had a way with words.
Both Jacques, and Lt Folami turned towards the newest commotion to plague the refinery yard. Jacques' gaze was drawn towards Azubuike and the child with whom he knelt. His gaze hardened as he gained at least an inkling of understanding of what was transpiring between them. For all the man's moral character and limited fame, he was Temne. A fact Jacques knew only thanks to Lt Kamenashi's report on the rescue operation in Masiaka. The child's screams of accusation and anger were far more dangerous for the aid worker then the child could realize, surely. And once more, there was little he could do about it.
Lt Folami cast an angry glance at Jacques and Natalie, "Get your people out of here. Now. If you are not loading into your vehicles in five minutes, there will be repercussions."
And then the government officer began walking towards Azubuike and Ayo, his enterourage following him. Perhaps it was some small shred of luck, but the distraction once more distracted the army troops from searching the offices where Jay and Lt Kamenashi occupied with the children.
Jacques' gaze locked briefly on the back of the departing Lt Folami, then he addressed Natalie without looking at her, his voice near devoid of emotion. "We have bought all the time we can. My men cannot wait for that girl. Get your people out of here, Miss Grey. They haven't the protection that you do."
He would not apologize or ask forgiveness; he was no miracle worker, no matter how he may try otherwise. Lt Folami wouldn't openly harm her, but the man was stupid enough that he would willingly make an example of her friends to 'encourage' her to cooperate.
He caught Jay's attention as the man emerged from the offices, and shook his head slightly. Lt Kamenashi and his chosen men had to get the other children out of the facility without Ayo; there was simply no chance now to get the girl away quietly and unnoticed. There was no time for it.
Jacques of course wore a pistol, and was well aware of the stigma around such things, but unlike people like Folami, he had no interest in using such a thing to make himself look the 'big man.' The gesture on Folami's part was all show; there was no chance the man would dare bring any harm to Natalie. Interim-President General Wallace-Johnson needed her in his court, after all.
"You shall serve the Mende people from the safety of Freetown. Interim-President General Wallace-Johnson will open the airport again once he is certain of your cooperation, princess."
Not the cooperation of the Red Cross; they were a humanitarian organization. Their cooperation was all but assured, so long as they were given the chance to do their thing. The General wanted Natalie Grey in his pocket; her family ties, as sullied as they may have become, would still lend him a direct link to the CCD, and with it a sense of legitimacy to his presidency.
Jacques turned slightly when Jared moved to speak to him. The man was concerned, and had every right to be. Every second it became more and more evident that things at the refinery were not likely to end well. His men could see it. Their hired auxiliaries had been disarmed. The Legion and the Red Cross were both being ordered out, along with the reporters. And there was nothing he could do about it. "Victory belongs to the most persevering. Back straight. Chin up."
He had been quoting Napolean Bonaparte often since the events of Jeddah. But, for all the vilification the man had received in the centuries since his attempted conquest of Europe, the man had been an apt politician and general. And had had a way with words.
Both Jacques, and Lt Folami turned towards the newest commotion to plague the refinery yard. Jacques' gaze was drawn towards Azubuike and the child with whom he knelt. His gaze hardened as he gained at least an inkling of understanding of what was transpiring between them. For all the man's moral character and limited fame, he was Temne. A fact Jacques knew only thanks to Lt Kamenashi's report on the rescue operation in Masiaka. The child's screams of accusation and anger were far more dangerous for the aid worker then the child could realize, surely. And once more, there was little he could do about it.
Lt Folami cast an angry glance at Jacques and Natalie, "Get your people out of here. Now. If you are not loading into your vehicles in five minutes, there will be repercussions."
And then the government officer began walking towards Azubuike and Ayo, his enterourage following him. Perhaps it was some small shred of luck, but the distraction once more distracted the army troops from searching the offices where Jay and Lt Kamenashi occupied with the children.
Jacques' gaze locked briefly on the back of the departing Lt Folami, then he addressed Natalie without looking at her, his voice near devoid of emotion. "We have bought all the time we can. My men cannot wait for that girl. Get your people out of here, Miss Grey. They haven't the protection that you do."
He would not apologize or ask forgiveness; he was no miracle worker, no matter how he may try otherwise. Lt Folami wouldn't openly harm her, but the man was stupid enough that he would willingly make an example of her friends to 'encourage' her to cooperate.
He caught Jay's attention as the man emerged from the offices, and shook his head slightly. Lt Kamenashi and his chosen men had to get the other children out of the facility without Ayo; there was simply no chance now to get the girl away quietly and unnoticed. There was no time for it.