Red - True colours of the Neutrals?
August 09, 29482 - Marion Vein [Rimor]
IRRK Freelance - NEWLAND – As the intentions of City Mayor, Zephrem "Toog" King, become ever more questionable, a shady deal struck within the confines of the Clan Tower of Truth threatens to put Newland’s very neutrality into question. The city’s foreign affairs department was seen consorting with Red Freedom in order to achieve their ends of facilitating the escape of convict and madman Harland “Retoolkit” Brigetty early this spring.
Over the short time following a relaxation of police and military action in the area, Newland has descended into a haven for criminals and smugglers seeking protection from the arm of justice with lamentable (and often frightening) speed. For long now, the actions of Newland’s government have made forays into illegality, seemingly without regard to cautions from the Omni-Tek Board of Directors.
Despite all this, Omni-Tek has continued to view the city with an air of tolerance, and with a mother’s urge to nurture and guide her child gone astray. However, following recent developments, it appears as though even this will not be able to shield Newland forever from the stern eyes of the law.
On the evening of the March Council of Truth meeting, The Newland Minister for Foreign Affairs strode into the Tower, and proceeded to plead with the Council for assistance in attempting a jailbreak for Mr. Brigetty, enlisting the help of several members, including Red Freedom, who were to spearhead the operation. It seems that there are no lengths Newland aren’t willing to go in order to achieve their ends.
In a publicly released log, it was revealed that the minister spoke of secrecy, and that the neutrals could not “openly” work with the Clans. It seems that Newland is veering ever more boldly into alignment with the terrorists, while maintaining pretence of so-called neutrality. Some neutrals have accused the mayor of serving his own prejudices, instead of for the good of the neutral community as a whole, such as Mrs. "Jenshai" Jeneve, who stated: “The Newland government can all go to hell!”
The Mayor’s overzealous campaign for independence has only served to alienate him from those who he claims to be serving. During the council meeting Saturday 2nd of August, he flatly refused a good-willed offer to set up an embassy in Newland, citing that, without a corresponding Clan embassy, it would show bias toward the corporation. With the events of the past few months, this claim seems laughable.
After the operation, the Newlanders allowed Mr. Brigetty to be passed onto Red Freedom personnel for protection. From a recently given statement, he has declared that he is doing work for the terrorists in order to repay them for their services.
The location of Harland Brigetty remains unknown, as this article goes to print. If you have any information related to this case, please contact Marion "Vinwooke" Vein at the first instance.