Tripoli -- Winter, 1973
The elevator opened on the third story of Castle Hotel, and Hershel Dietrich emerged. He wore a nondescript pinstripe suit, with thick-rimmed glasses on his nose and an unnecessary black coat draped over his left arm. Dietrich made his way to the open door at the end of the hallway marked 312, where Mohammad Ibn Amid Al-Bashar was waiting on the balcony with his back to the room. A single flickering incandescent bulb gave warm but faint light, and past him the city and stars mingled in cool air. Dietrich let the native man hear his footsteps as he approached from behind, cautious but confident. Al-Bashar's hand moved in the slightest wave, tracing a tiny arc with the glowing tip of a cigarette. He made no other greeting.
"Assalamalaykum," Dietrich said gently.
"Why are you here?" Al-Bashar replied, his voice short. He had the wild look of a man whose exhaustion had finally surpassed his patience. The night was too cool for the sweat forming on his brow.
"Beirut," Dietrich said after a short pause. "Munich."
He took a long draw from his smoke and let it out all at once. "Your voice," he said at last. "German?" Dietrich nodded. Al-Bashar snorted. "You people have a strange way of showing gratitude. Small wonder what happened."
"Mistakes were made," he agreed.
"Most unfortunate." Al-Bashar smoked again. "I wonder how many mistakes... and how many deliberate choices."
"It isn't like that," said Dietrich.
"No?" He puffed. "The warnings could not have been more clear. Whatever sins your people committed, they were not out of ignorance."
"I know."
"Now Ahmad is dead. Are you going to tell me it is coincidence?"
Dietrich shook his head. "Not a coincidence, no. A cover-up."
Smoke curled around the bulb. "Twelve dead, and your government is protecting the killers. You wonder why the West cannot control us, but it is not a mystery."
"You're going to be next, Mohammad." Dietrich stepped onto the balcony and leaned against the railing next to him. "I don't know when, I don't know where, but they can't risk leaving you alive. You're the only one who knows that they were warned."
His head turned. He wore an accusing smirk. "The only one they are aware of, you mean."
Dietrich sighed. "I can protect you."
"From which enemy?" Al-Bashar laughed and flicked the smoldering ember of his cigarette into the street. "You speak of protecting me. There is no safety in a circle of wolves."
"You'll take your chances with the Black September, then? Aren't they wolves, too?"
"Wolves who speak Arabic." He was spoke in his native tongue, and reached for his lighter. "You know it's ironic, right? Ahmad warned your government just like you're warning me, and it only got him killed. Perhaps I will outlive you yet."
"If there is a god in heaven," Dietrich agreed. "There's nothing I can do to convince you to come with me?"
"I would rather die."
Dietrich's shoulders slumped. He nodded, and left the way he had come.
A man waited on the passenger side of a black car in the street. Dietrich got in behind the wheel.
"Well?" the man asked.
"He won't come." Dietrich fished a solitary key from his pocket and slipped it into the ignition. "Not willingly anyway."
"There's still time to do this another way," the man responded.
Dietrich shook his head. "We found him. The Lebanese can't be far behind." And they aren't the only ones looking. The last part didn't need to be spoken aloud; they both knew. "If we don't bring him in now, he won't live long enough to thank us for our discretion."
"Alright." That was the final affirmative. The man stepped out of the car and vanished down an alley. Dietrich wasn't sure exactly where he was headed, but he knew what would happen next. With a twist of the key, his car sputtered to life. His flight departed in less than an hour, and the airport was still far.
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((CONCEPT))
229MSU is a top-secret multinational NATO intelligence network that pre-dates the CIA. But when secrets are your currency, the wrong piece of information can change everything.
((SETTING/PLOT))
Early 1980's Europe and Middle East, from the perspective of NATO operatives. When the unit seizes the last surviving informant on the Munich Olympic Massacre, a West German conspiracy threatens the peace. In general we're talking historical fiction, with a lot of historical and a good deal of fiction too.
((GAMEPLAY))
Very much an "advanced" mindset. We're talking wits and words, not bombs and bullets (or if you prefer, Michael Caine, not Pierce Brosnan. And if you didn't get that reference there's a chance you're too young for this)). Creative control is very much shared, which comes with the added responsibility of playing like you've got a goddamn head on your shoulders.
((REQUIREMENTS))
Average working knowledge of the Cold War era; above-average RP patience. Post length is secondary to post content, which should be very advanced. Must be extremely willing to work with other people, as interaction will be *everything* in this RP.
((ROLES))
An agent or two max from each major NATO member, with more slots open for American operatives. These are ALL "strategic" roles and not "Tactical" -- which again I'll emphasize means couriers, not car bombs. "Tactical" assets will become available to players throughout the game, but in no case will played characters be remotely "Jason Bourne-ish."
Interest? Questions? Fire away.
as goes the second amendment, so go the rest
This is so far above my head I couldn't even begin to do it justice. So here's me showing interest, but also saying I most likely won't be joining unless I see more of what would be written, as I feel like I'd just drag down the RP. I just wanted to drop by and say I love the idea, setting and premise. Good luck!
Spoiler
Finally, something right up my alley. If this does take off, count me in as a writer for you.
Life begins, when the clock stops ticking. . .
Well thanks for the word! Stick around anyhow -- after all it's tough to "drag down" an RP that can't get off the ground for lack of interest. Who knows? You might be doing me a favor.Originally Posted by xPrometheusx
Baller.
as goes the second amendment, so go the rest
Hmm...
I know i'm new here, and thus you won't be able to see what i've done in the past.
I'll confess, i'm more used to playing a detective than a CIA agent.
I'll join if you'll have me.
Would you like some extra airmiles with that?
Cools. Ideally I'd like to see your writing first, but I'm not going to turn you away unless we get too many applicants. Judging by the activity so far that won't be an issue.
as goes the second amendment, so go the rest
Even though it would decrease my chances of being able to join this RP.
It would be nice if this story gets more interest.
Would you like some extra airmiles with that?
This sounds great. I'll toss my name in the interest hat.
Jag visar min styrka genom strid;
Född att regera, att föra krig!
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