TF Amethyst

TFA1 5.3 - Interrogation

Once Vex arrived at Castle Magwurt, he immediately received a short brief about the situation from Lt. Colonel Slane. 

Weasel came from the tree line at the edge of Landei Gorge. They wore light gear and covered a 40 meter distance in an instant. Specialist Conrad tried to block them but he was killed by a salvo of arrows. Specialist Hebert also died for the same reason when he tried to get his Scorpion Evo that he left on the M1152’s back seat.

Forty Riders then emerged from Landei Gorge and took away all the weasels including those killed or injured, along with Specialist Peggie, Specialist Amber, and three Amethyst Merchant workers who were all young women.

Vex nodded before pointing to a location 20 km from Landei Gorge and interrupting Lt. Colonel Slane's explanation, "Radar on FOC South 860 cannot reach deep into Landei Gorge, but what about Tamir launcher vehicle that is specifically deployed to monitor Landei Gorge?"

Lt. Colonel Slane changed the map on the display table to a picture of abandoned carts and said, "They passed Landei Gorge on foot. They put their Cloud Hawk into a cart and then using pack horses to tow it.”

"They moved the Cloud Hawk on a cart?"

A large question mark suddenly appeared on Vex's forehead. Given that Cloud Hawk almost had to perch all the time, the giant bird could not stay on the ground for too long, let alone being placed in a cart that had to go through over an uneven track.

"STA’s personnel found remnants of an anesthetic on the Cloud Hawk's food." Lt. Colonel Slane took a deep breath before continuing, "Unfortunately, they found no other traces that could aid the pursuit."

After giving Vex time to digest his explanation, Lt. Colonel Slane immediately added.

As dozens of Cloud Hawks fled through Landei Gorge, Tamir’s crew was ready to take it down. Fortunately, they heard Tuscan Guard at the location radioed Command Center and reported the kidnapping that had just happened.

Meanwhile, radar station at FOC South 860 managed to track down them. After exiting Landei Gorge, they entered Liqua Region and continued moving west until they disappeared from the radar.

"Generally that's what happened. For the details, IDG’s officers have compiled it while continuing to add updates." Lt. Colonel Slane then turned towards Vex before asking, "What is our response?"

Vex firmly answered, "Full mobilization to the border. Meanwhile, IDG’s personnel stationed in Northern Coalition have to spread out rumors that we will use the incident on Berril Plain as a pretext to launch an invasion and annex their territory."

Lt. Colonel Slane looked at Vex deeply before saying, "Do you want to adopt Gunboat Diplomacy?"

"Yes, with Fort Cambia as the foothold. But how far we will go, we have to wait for General O'Neil's decision."

With full determination Viscount Rattel expressed his support, "Tuscan Region will gladly support every step that TF Amethyst takes."

And gratefully, Vex replied, "Thank you Ser Viscount, Tuscan Region's support means a lot to us."

--- 

Main Operations Control Room, Harley Quinn MOA.

As soon as he received the report about incident on Berril Plain, General O'Neil immediately asked IDG to activate their spies in Northern Coalition’s territories. At the same time, he ordered ACG to deploy six Reapers and four Poseidons to carry out aerial tracking. 

Without hesitation, General O'Neil considered the option of storming Northern Coalition leader's residence. Given that IDG found indications about Northern Coalition's higher-ups involvement. For example, weasels were capable of deploying 40 Riders, meaning they had large resources. 

The weasel also had remarkable determination to cross the rugged terrain while carrying Cloud Hawk, wits to looking for weak points on the perimeter, patience to keep an eye on potential targets, and then act at the right moment without hesitation. 

It clearly showed that weasels were used to carry out a high-risk illegal operation in enemy territory. And in Amstel Continent, only nobles were capable of maintaining Black Ops units.

However, before the attack on residence of Northern Coalition’s leader was discussed with other TF Amethyst higher-ups, General O'Neil wanted to discuss it with Vex first.

And the second opinion he was waiting for, finally arrived when Lt. Colonel Julius walked over to him. "Sir, XO is on the line one."

"Thank you, LTC." General O'Neil then picked up the receiver before him and punched the number one. "Vex, come in."

[Have you read the report?]

"I have."

[Then, you must be aware we don't have much hope. Apart from violating security protocols by visiting the red zone without escort, the captured personnel also did not carry radios so Poseidon could not carry out electronic tracking to estimate their location.]

General O'Neil was silent for a moment before asking, "What do you think if we capture Northern Coalition’s leaders, and dig up information from them or propose a hostage exchange."

[I think we should use it as the last option. I mean, even if they are the culprit, there is a possibility they already gave their men orders to erase the tracks so they can carry out denial tactics if they are being suspected.]

"Do you have suggestions in mind?"

[Let’s launch Gunboat Diplomacy along with strong ultimatum. If the hostages don't come back alive then we will declare total war on whoever we suspect. That way, Northern Coalition’s leaders might choose to return the hostages while scapegoating nobles they don't like.]

"I will set the target for Gunboat Diplomacy. However, if in seven days we get nothing, then we will capture Northern Coalition’s leader at all cost."

[What if Northern Coalition wasn't mastermind behind this incident?]

"I'd rather kill the innocent than give up the opportunity to save our personnel."

[Understood, I will send the list of assets I need. Vex over and out.]

After placing the receiver back on its place, General O'Neil tried to write letter of condolence for the families of two fallen personnel. Specialist Conrad left a father, mother, and younger sister. Meanwhile, Specialist Hebert left an ex-wife and two daughters.

However, up to twenty minutes later, General O'Neil still couldn't get any words.

'No matter how many times I write it, I'm still not used to it,' General O'Neil muttered before closing his eyes and sighing in silence.

--- 

Villa Hagel, middle of abandon agricultural area on western tip of Liqua Region.

16:15, 5 Jul 2025

Specialist Peggie and Specialist Amber were botanists who have never received military training. That's why the shock they received from seeing their colleagues being murdered before their eyes was quite large.

Flying on Cloud Hawk's back where there was only a small net to hold on was also draining them mentally. Meanwhile, traveling by cart without rubber in its wheel was draining them physically. However, Lassac did not care about their condition. In fact, he enjoyed the scene where his captives were half dead mentally and physically.

As he put two bowls of oatmeal on the table Lassac said, "I want you to know that I am a patriot. It means that I am willing to die or do savage things for the sake of my homeland. So you better not irritate me.

What I want from you is a method to restore Nouel farmland. Once you give it to me, I will free you. Tonight you can rest and tomorrow we will talk again."

Lassac was almost arrived at the door when Peggie got the courage to ask, "Where are our three colleagues?"

Peggie and Amber realized that they were in a villa, in a room that was quite spacious, neat, and clean. Unfortunately, they didn't know where their three female colleagues were being locked up.

"You better worry about yourself and don't ask too many questions."

After Lassac left the room, Peggie immediately breathed a sigh of relief. At least for now she and Amber would not be subjected to rape or sexual harassment.

Peggie then turned to Amber before saying, "No matter what, we must stay alive as long as possible. So be strong."

"I will try."

Amber answered softly, but her willingness to answer was more than enough to calm Peggie's worry. They then forced themselves to eat the oatmeal before lying down on the bed.

--- 

Underground Detention, Villa Hagel.

19:20, 5 Jul 2025

Lassac attentively studied the interrogation of three Amethyst Merchant workers, which contained agricultural techniques, information about Amethyst Merchant’s officers, the economic condition of Tuscan Region, and the current capacity of Tuscan Guard.

Although the three Amethyst Merchant workers cooperated immediately after they saw the torture instruments laid out in front of them, Lassac realized that the information he had obtained was not deep enough. Considering that the source was only ordinary workers. But at least he managed to get an idea that Tuscan Region was growing rapidly in all fields.

'It is only a matter of time before Tuscan Region returns to become a power house. When that happens it will be too late no matter what steps we take.'

After putting the document he had just studied into an envelope and sealing it, Lassac then handed it over to his assistant. 

"Rhaver, send this document to Ser Baron as soon as possible."

Rhaver received the documents before turning to three female prisoners who were being raped by his men. One glance and it was easy to tell they were already over exhausted and could die at any second.

"How about them?"

"Do whatever you wa---" Lassac stopped his words as he remembered that Peggie seemed to care deeply for her colleagues. "Leave them alone, we might need to use them later."

"Are you sure? Don't you see that almost all of our men are already riding on them?"

"Then, immediately order them to stop."

Hearing Lassac gave him the orders in an icy tone, Rhaver immediately rushed over to his men who were drowning in the orgy. Not long after that grumbling was heard, but no one dared to refute Lassac’s order.

*****