The Mad 'King'

[Echten]

Pauwel von Rijdners was a man not an honorable man, however skilled he was in the art of mimicking such traits. The youngish, thirty three year old Stadtholder is one of the youngest of the Rijdners to hold the position of Stadtholder, and he didn't get there by playing fair. Four heirs where in front of him for the 'throne'. One was even his brother Markus, whom he had been quite fond of, a few cousins as well. Rumors of pursuing playboy lifestyle's in the Green Gulf, and Cyanide was how he tricked his Uncle into giving him the position. And then the bastard died of natural 'causes'.

As it was now, Pauwel was in his newly decorated study, having a nice look at his new collection of goodies. About half a dozen priceless works of art stolen from one of Etrecht's finest museums. Pauwel had paid 50 Million to low life criminals to procure the paintings. The director at the museums had been such a greedy little misner, he thought. Pauwel was not a man of compromise and ten out of ten times got his way. It had been this way since his birth, and he wasn't willing to let any of that change. Then, a knock at the study door. As Pauwel stood up to open his study's door, the mysterious figure let itself in.

A man, dark suit, dark glasses, dark demeanor. "What does the DIB want now?" Pauwel said, thinly veiling his amusement as the agent clearly eyeballed the famous paintings.

"Hello, Stadtholder, I am fond of your new decorations." the agent robotically spat out.

"Better here then rotting in a museum where anyone and there dog can see it. Now again, what do you want? I am a busy man." Pauwel said as he sat back down, motioning for the agent to join him.

"Sir, you told me to report on Aleida. She seems to have made some new friends at Casino Maikke."

What could you possibly hope to gain there young sister? With those brutes?

"Very good. I want the leader of the casino questioned thoroughly. Money is exchanging hands I guarantee you. It might not show up on the tax reports and statements on either end, but I am sure that there is Guilders going one way or the other." The agent nodded his head and left very quickly. He knew better then to dally while on Stadtholders' beck and call.

Pauwel stayed in his seat, stroking his clean shaven chin. He and Aleida had always been so close as children. When he... did what he had to in order to rule, she knew he was the culprit. Of course any evidence was long gone, but Aleida had always had a way of seeing right past him. He would give anything to have their relationship be just like when they where children, well anything except his power. But these most recent movements of Aleida where most worrying indeed. Pauwel wasn't a stupid man, and expected her to try at least a few assassination attempts on him. But why not go through the 'proper' channels? The DIB was much easier to pay, and probably liked Pauwel as much as Aleida did herself. Why the Maikke's? They were nothing but criminals, pumping un-friendly merchandise outside the city walls since the early 1900's. Do those common thugs think that they can mess with the Stadtholder? Surely they must know how ridiculous that would be.

As Pauwel sat and wondered, he wondered how this should be handled. As easy at it would be, he couldn't kill or imprison her. He needed more information. There must be more aiding her. No matter, he thought, nothing hides from the DIB for long...

 

[Echten]

Ignaas, a scarred up old man was on a very important drive. One of the DIB ghosts actually showed up in his casino office, gave him specific instructions. Rijdner Bank, 7 pm. It was 6:45 right now and he was still a block away, stuck at a damn red light. In his coat he carried a large amount of money, but in truth he did not know if that would save him. Ignaas Maikke considered himself a brave, powerful man. But nothing compared to the sheer wealth of the Rijdner family. Not in Echten. Finally, a green light.

As Ignaas pulled into his parking space in the bank parking lot, a black car of Effeilander make pulled up next to him. The back car door opened and two men came out motioning for Ignaas to get into the car. Ignaas obliged, hoping that this wouldn't be the last time he seen his beloved car. When he got inside he quickly realized how screwed he really was. Pauwel von fucking Rijdner himself, in the back seat waiting for me, Ha! Ignaas thought to himself, but knowing better then to cop a smile.

"We have some troubling things to discuss Ignaas my friend." Pauwel said, looking Ignaas dead in the eye as he said it.

"How can I help you Stadtholder?" Ignaas nearly spat. It was hard for a man of Ignaas' stature to brown nose.

"Aleida, Ignaas. What is the relationship there? Surely she can do better then an old merc like you."

"We are good friends Stadtholder, she enjoys my company obviously."

"Hmmm... I guess a better question would be... why did she pay you $50 million Guilders?" Pauwel said, enjoying another instance when he could socially ensnare his victims.

"I... surely you are mistaken Stadtholder. $50 million? No no, why would I need that? My casino is not exactly failing."

"That was the wrong answer Ignaas." All the amusement in Pauwel's eyes was now replaced with malicious intent. Before Pauwel could even motion to his guards to turn the talks violent, Ignaas recognized his own mistake.

"Okay! Hey okay! I remember the money! Yea!"

"Go on Ignaas."

"Boy, you aren't going to be happy with her Pauwel. Not happy at all. She's been a busy little bee that much is for certain. Look, she came to me, asking about some serious equipment. She's building an armament factory somewhere Stadtholder, or at least she has the capabilities now."

"Ignaas you back stabbing piece of shit." Pauwel practically slithered the words out of his mouth.

"I had no idea what she was planning Stadtholder I assure you! I assumed it was Clan proposed of course! I would never knowingly take action against the Rijdners sir." Ignaas was just trying to keep his composure at this point. Thinking about being back in his office, alive. Just have to stay alive.

"Well we are here Ignaas."

"What? Where?"

"Why your Casino you big oaf!" Pauwel chuckled, "Keep your nose clean dwaas!"

The doors where opened and Ignaas stepped out. Certainly alive, but quite shaken, and sweating from head to toe. That was the last time he ever did business with that troublesome Aleida! As he was walking through the doors, he grabbed the doorman and kissed him on the forehead giving a joyful shout as he walked into his legacy.

 

[Echten]

Urian caught himself day dreaming of a desk job, when he realized that Aleida was moving. He moved out of his seat nonchalantly and began following her, his trained eyes easily picking her pampered hair from the crowd. Why someone who belonged to what may be the richest family in the world spent her time in places like this was beyond him. She probably pictured herself as some kind of messiah, here to save the masses from the big bad patriarch. As she sipped on genièvre and sailed the Kalahari sea in her yacht.

As the agent walked through the crowd of young narcotics suspects he had no problem blending in. Mimicking the hazed look and almost zombie like walk, slowly grooving to the jazzy music. All without bringing attention to the large pistol holstered under his shirt. As a baby faced 28 year old, Urian fit the bill for keeping tabs on Aleida and other younger aristocrats. Something he detested. His keen eyes watched her dolled up blonde hair walk out of the club and into the streets, and he followed.

His orders where simple this time, find out where she was stashing bomb making equipment. He couldn't help but wonder if she had already made one... or some. And how much they would be worth if he took them overseas on his next vacation... then something hit him. The nervous pace, the straight-forward gaze, the fear... she knew that he was following her. How didn't matter right now, he'd get grilled by the boss later for that. Why was she stringing him along? Why not force a confrontation? Or better yet flee? She was a Von Rijdners, what was he going to do, shoot her?

He picked up the pace a little, no sense pretending anymore. He got the familiar butterfly's in his stomach as he marched forward fighting the busy Friday night crowds in the bar district. On and on they walked. Until they were at least two miles west from the bars and young party goers. At this point there wasn't even anyone else on the road. Just the cat and the mouse... Urian just couldn't figure out which one he was yet. Eventually she stopped, only 100 meters from him. Then she took a sharp turn into what looked like a regular old roadside apartment. Ha! He thought, how shitty does she think I am at this job? The small apartments didn't have any back doors, and he could see the windows from the roads slope, so he decided to wait her out. He sat in the bushes and waited.

He awoken to the birds signing to the rising sun. Realizing that he had probably lost her he cursed himself, and the birds for ruining his sleep. As he lay on the ground a businessman drove by in his car, "Get a job you bum!" the man shouted. Then Urian remembered the disguise he had on and laughed to himself. He got up and headed for the apartments front door. He walked onto the porch and wondered if it would really be so easy he turned the doorknob and walked in quietly.

Upon entering the home it was clearly set up to look like a family was living here. Convincing, but missing the ever crucial element of an actual family. He scoffed at the almost masochist amount of horrific crucifixions. It was early in the morning, and the only sound was of people driving to work outside. As Urian crept through the apartment and headed towards the front room he heard a small whimper from the bedroom. He pulled out his pistol immediately and kicked in the bedroom door. There was a sudden spark, and a visible light began racing along wires that he hadn't noticed all along the apartment. He glanced into the room and realized something. This wasn't a fake Christian home at all, cause sure as shit there was a whole family laying lifeless in that bed. Son and all. The sparks all converged on one big grey block hidden behind the family radio. The initial concussion was enough to kill Urian on impact, and the small apartment erupted and collapsed. Forever burying the tunnel that had been under the apartment for the last seven months.

 

[Echten]

The 68 year old Baki Leijen sat in his office, the lights off, and the television turned down low. His suit was well fitting, and his bald head and beard groomed nicely. He was a man of refinement, but not because he was born into it. His hands were rough, and he walked with a limp from his work in the Foreign DIB. He had been given the much easier job of Director of the Domestic DIB almost 20 years ago, and damn did he enjoy it. Well usually. He smoked what didn't quite smell like tobacco today and somberly thought about current events. The 'office agents' new better then too bother him at times like this. And it would seem that he would be able to enjoy some peace this evening, before tackling a new strategy for recent problems. Then he heard that son of a bitch coming through the hallway. The Stadtholder was on his way and here Baki was, caught with his proverbial thumb up his ass. Baki thought about putting his pipe away, then reconsidered. However, he did compromise and at least pull out some papers and turn the television off.

No polite knock as was customary in Baki's building, no just a barge right in. At least all that huffing and puffing that was happening in the hallway had ceased. Baki stood up, not one to break custom, and motioned for the Stadtholder to have a seat. Silently, Pauwel von Rijdners sat down and then Baki did the same.

"My Statdholder, I trust you are here concerning your trouble some sister?" Baki took a long drag off of his cob pipe as he finished his sentence. Without waiting for the obvious answer from Pauwel, Baki continued. "She is currently missing, but there are only two possibilities. One, she escaped through the border with no attention. Which is unacceptable, our men are all over that border. A pair of socks doesn't get across the city limit without us documenting it. Which leaves one option. She escaped into the sea."

"One of her yachts? She teach herself how to sail on top of making plastic explosives?" the Stadtholder said.

"Her yachts are all still in place. No, one of our freelance guys actually followed her onto a shipping freighter. We will take her into custody at the other end of the trip. Nice and easy, you have nothing to be worked up about my friend." Baki was curious as to how someone in that family didn't turn on this snake sooner. How vile the look in his eyes always was. Like a perverted Tiburan Emperor watching a crucifixion. Of course how much better was Baki? He had taken the money and ordered the hits on Pauwel's family with the same tone of voice as when he ordered coffee.

"I don't want to have to hear about the boat exploding, or a foreigner getting shot, or anything like that. Please Baki, I need her back here so I can have the family reign her in. If it where purely my decision she would probably be dead already."

"Understood Stadtholder. If there is nothing else I was in the middle of some very important documents." Baki said, thinking to himself what a monster this man was for considering murdering more of his own blood. But how different is that from the brothers and cousins he already had killed for this guy? And another thousand million couldn't hurt...

"That is all for now Baki. I have much more to do, and I hope I do not have to come back in here anytime soon."

Baki could do nothing more but smile as Pauwel walked out. If it hadn't been for the buzz Baki had going on he probably would have pistol whipped that disrespectful little shit. Oh well, he will kidnap this rich girl, and give her back to her rich family... then move on with his damn life. Sometimes he wished the Domestic DIB could do more then primarily babysit one of the planet's richest and least behaved families.

 

[Echten]

Aleida von Rijdners laid in the cell and slowly woke herself up. She had been a free women a mere 36 hours ago. And here she was,abducted by the DIB, again. She knew that this time probably would be the last time. As far as they knew, that family hadn't been cadavers, they had been real living Christians. Of course Aleida would never murder innocents. She knew this, but did the DIB? Did they plan on strangling her right here? Why the wait?

Then came a silent entourage of some six or seven men. They snatched her tired body from the cell and dragged her out and down a hallway. She closed her eyes, thinking of her brothers. Markus and Hannes had been her greatest friends in life. And now she thought, she would join them in death soon. Damn that little brother of hers. She wasn't afraid, her noble upbringing had taught her to show a little dignity. As they entered a new room, she opened her eyes and looked past the deep brown hair covering her face. The room was not large, and held only a table and two chairs. Upon one of those chairs, sat no other then Baki Leijen. The men made her sit in a chair, and then all but Baki left.

"Hallo Aleida! It certainly has been a long time." Baki said, a big grin on his face, clearly happy that he had outsmarted her.

"Hello Baki. Did my brother put you in time out until I was captured?" She spat back

"If you call threatening with death a time out." Baki said, softer this time and more serious. The two sat in silence for a few minutes. There was certainly a lot that could be said between these two. The man who was behind every accident/murder in Echten, and the woman who was trying to stop it all. Aeida had no way of proving it, but she knew that this man was the one who made the hit official on her blessed brothers. The silence was intense, and Baki began to wonder if this was a good idea. He was a tough man, but an old one nonetheless, and this woman almost looked as crazy as her brother.

"Baki, why don't we get this underway hm?" Aleida said, picking up on the new air of nervousness in the room.

"Alright alright. I am here because I do not want you dead. I want Pauwel dead. And so do you. So instead of us playing both sides against the middle, how about we work together? And take Echten out of his cold dead hands." Baki's attitude took on a solemn tone.

"I expect you want more then just his head. Please, tell me why my brothers favorite pet is suddenly going to bite the hand that feeds it?"

"That should be quite obvious. You're brother is a psychopath! The people in the streets are getting more upset by the day. Your little explosion didn't help things either. The people think that Pauwel ordered that hit on that family, because they were Christan. I am assuming you used some sort of cadavers? Or are you caught up in the killing of innocents as well?'

"Cadavers." she said plainly.

"Ah I see, well as I said. At first it was just fighting the other Von Rijdners. Now it legitimately looks like the DIB is going to have to start watching the citizenry. Unrest has grown exponentially as this man cements his authority. My men do not like him, I do not like him, the city does not like him.... It is time for him to go."

"So what are you suggesting? We oust Pauwel and then what put the DIB in charge? Ha!"

"This is the part I think you may like. I want you to be this city's Stadtholder. Imagine what good you could do Aleida. And not just for me, for the city in general. You are not like the other Rijdners, Aleida. The rest of you damn family is concerned only with wealth. Which they have plenty. You have always seemed to be a little different. Agents that followed you would remark about your generosity and kindness in the streets. And believe it or not, that does make an impression on an old murder like me."

Aleida was pretty baffled. What this man was proposing sounded like exactly what she wanted. But then, she thought, how would she be any different then Pauwel? If she had her brother killed so that she could assume the Stadtholer position.... well she would be doing exactly what Pauwel did in the first place.

"No." she spat out. "Let me out of here now, I do not wish to join in on your games."

"Ah that is a shame Aleida. Surely you will reconsider?" Baki said, shaking his head and putting his face in his palms.

"You are trying to turn me into Pauwel. Murder is not the answer."

"A shame, I was hoping to pull the trigger personally. But I suppose we could come up with a new plan? Perhaps shame him out of the spot? Or continue 'attacking' 'christians' to push the populace into ousting him themselves? What do you have in mind Aleida?"

The two talked into the night, about the future of the city. The fate of the governi g of some 5 million people was decided that night. By a women worth close to her city's GDP, and a man who had killed the past two Stadtholders.