TheRPGSite

On 12 July 1980 Joseph KHUMA, a SWAPO cadre, was assassinated following a meeting with local leaders near Cuvango, Angola; two vehicles, including the one carrying KHUMA, were destroyed by explosives as they prepared to leave the meeting site. KHUMA served as a SWAPO guerrilla from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s, but in recent years he advocated a more moderate approach to negotiating with the South Africans regarding the assumption of UN-mandated Namibian sovereignty. According to press reports, the popular KHUMA was opposed by both SWAPO hard-liners and the government of PW BOTHA in South Africa.

By chance the site of assassination was examined on 13 July 1980 by South African soldiers performing a long-range reconnaissance in southern Angola. One of the soldiers recovered an unexploded demolition charge still attached to one of the vehicles. A description of the demolition charge obtained from REDACTED suggests that the charge was prepared and placed in accordance with techniques used in the French Army.

Inquiries sent to REDACTED suggested a possible connection to Ahmed MESSAOUDI, an Algerian arms trafficker presently operating in Tangier, Morocco. MESSAOUDI has known ties to MPLA in Angola, which provides material support to SWAPO.

MISSION

• Obtain intelligence on MESSAOUDI's current activities.
• Identify MESSAOUDI's contacts
• REDACTED

Task Force 610 operates under the direction of the US Central Intelligence Agency, case officer R. JOHNSON supervising. NATO liaison is COL. P MARTENS.

The heat of the day lingers in the evening air of Algeciras. A handful of tourists stroll the darkened streets as you approach the Cafe Oriental, on a side street just off the Plaza Alta. The bell tower of the Igelsia de la Palma looms across the quiet plaza to the west, while the lights of the port twinkle to the east.

Situated at the corner of Calles Muro and Murillo, Cafe Oriental occupies the ground floor of a four-story building. A pair of large wooden doors stand open, spilling light on a handful of tables along the sidewalk, where tourists, speaking English and German, sip coffee and sangria.

Inside a musician strumming a buzuq occupies a small stage as a pair of young women serve chattering patrons. As instructed, you approach the maitre d' and ask for a quiet table away from the stage. He motions toward a beaded curtain at the back of the room; through the curtain is a separate room. Moorish tapestries drape the walls. In the center of the room is a heavy wooden table ringed by a half-dozen chairs, while along the north wall a silver coffee urn and a glass pitcher of ice water sit on a sideboard, surrounded by cups and glasses.

Two men are in the room. The first is a tall and athletic; his grey suitcoat hangs on a chair, and his white shirt is open at the collar. His sandy blonde hair is tousled, with hints of silver. He smiles without warmth as you enter and motions to the coffee and water on the sideboard. The second is a trim man, not short, not tall, in a tan sportcoat and grey slacks. His dark pencil mustache and neatly trimmed hair are flecked with silver; he nods but says nothing as you enter, studying you carefully as he sips a cup of coffee.

As the last agent arrives, as if on queue, the strumming of the buzuq is joined by the swell of a a reed flute and a tambourine into a lively tune, and patrons can soon be heard clapping along.

"All right," says the tall man, in twangy American English, "you have any questions before we get started?"

Alexander nods to both men and pours himself a glass of cold water. He employs those seconds to size up the men before him and read as much as he can from them.

Then he breaks his most charming smile and asks:

"Actually, I do have a question. Do we have some sort of dossier on the man, intel of a personal nature? Lovers, acquaintances, and the like? The briefing was a tad scant on that."

Slade smiles at the tall man, "Yes, I'm curious about why this task force is concerning itself with the death of a single SWAPO official at all. Is not rival UNITA supported by both the U.S. and South African governments? You would think that one more dead SWAPO cadre would be a good thing. Good, but not remarkable."

"What's the real interest here?"

The American smiles and motions to the chairs.

"Good questions," he replies, just loud enough to be heard above the music outside.. "First, let me make introductions. I'm Mr. Johnson, and I'm from Langley, and this is Colonel Martens. The colonel sits at the Africa desk for NATO.

"A situation's come up which NATO intel isn't set up to handle, so we've agreed to act as proxy on their behalf." Johnson pauses to pour himself a cup of coffee, then sits on the edge of the table, sipping the brew before continuing.

"To answer your question," Johnson says, nodding at Slade, "NATO's 'interest' is in Mr. Messaoudi's present operations in Tangier, not Angola." He looks at Martens. "Colonel?"

The dark-haired man reaches under the table and picks up a briefcase. Snapping the hasps open, he withdraws three manila folders, and distributes one to each man around the table. Johnson sits quietly as each agent reads the dossier.

MESSAOUDI, Ahmed, born Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France; father, Hamid, a dockworker in the Port of Marseille, deceased 1971 (coronary disease); mother, Basma, cook, deceased 1957 (colon cancer).

Ht: 5' 8"; Wt: 145# Average build, right handed, blood type O+ (per French Army records), fingerprints on file
DOB: 11 May 1940 Age 40
Citizenship: dual France (native), Morocco (naturalized)
Languages: French, Arabic, Russian
Hair: Dark brown Eyes: Brown Distinguishing marks: Scar on left neck from assassination attempt, scars to left arm and torso from grenade fragments; no tattoos
Last known residence: Rabat, Morocco; business office in Casablanca, Morocco
Occupation: Shipping consultant

MESSAOUDI attended public schools in Marseille; his academic records suggest a bright but unengaged student. Worked for two years on docks, then as motorcycle courier. Refused to report for national service in 1960 due to Algerian War; shortly thereafter recruited by the Armée de Libération Nationale (ALN) terrorist organization in France. Participated in bank robberies and other terrorist acts; arrested by French police, tortured during interrogation, later escaped custody during transport.

In 1962, MESSAOUDI traveled to Algeria following independence. He made a favorable impression on Ahmed BEN BELLA, the leader of the FLN and the first president of Algeria; MESSAOUDI was assigned to the Algerian trade ministry. In 1965 MESSAOUDI was sent to Moscow for additional education; while he was in Moscow, BEN BELLA was deposed in a coup. Informed that he was not in favor with the new regime, MESSAOUDI remained in Moscow where he made acquaintance with the Yemeni revolutionary KAMAL.

MESSAOUDI and KAMAL worked together for more than a decade, providing direct assistance to Soviet-backed revolutionary movements throughout the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa. MESSAOUDI survived an assassination attempt in 1970, and was severely injured by a Rhodesian commando';s grenade blast in Tanzania in 1974. After KAMAL broke with Moscow at the outbreak of the Ogaden War in 1977, MESSAOUDI found himself under suspicion from the Soviet government as well. Using the contacts he developed over many years, MESSAOUDI continued to traffic in arms, assisting the MPLA-backed Katangese gendarmerie in the invasion of the Shaba province of Zaire that same year. The following year, MESSAOUDI established residence in Morocco, founding a shipping consulting firm to serve as a legitimate business cover for his arms deals.

MESSAOUDI is suspected of providing arms and arranging trainers for Chadian FAN rebels in 1978 and 1979; he also reportedly provided material aid to ZAPU in Rhodesia-Zimbabwe through Tanzania and Mozambique and the ANC in Angola. At present he is believed to be assisting factions in Uganda preceding elections there this winter which are likely to result in armed conflict. INTERPOL alleges a possible connection between MESSAOUDI and the IRA , but so far has not produced conclusive evidence of a link with the Irish terrorist organisation.

MESSAOUDI was exposed at an early age to the PCF (French Communist Party) but did not join the PCA (Algerian Communist Party); his radicalization appears to stem from nationalist tendencies, rather than ideological ones. He carries a long-standing hatred for the French government. MESSAOUDI occupies an unusual niche, trafficking in arms without ideological constraint or superpower allegiance; his loyalties appear to be available to the highest bidder.

MESSAOUDI maintains a private residence, a villa on the outskirts of Rabat. His legitimate front office is in Casablanca, but he often conducts business in Tangier. He is unmarried.

Alexander waits for the two men to provide any additional intel before making his own questions.

"It seems like our friend Ahmed is a well connected fellow - very dangerous. What would NATO like us to focus our investigation on? His connections, associations, finances, recent deals - or just everything?"

Colonel Martens speaks up for the first time. "Arms merchants like Messaoudi meet . . . eh . . . face-to-face . . . with their clients," he says in French-accented English. "Transactions are conducted with . . . eh . . . bank notes . . . eh . . . cash, yes? A short . . . eh . . . trail of paper."

"Messaoudi worked for Kamal for years, until Kamal got religion," interjects Johnson. "There wasn't a Soviet-backed revolutionary movement in the Middle East or Africa that Kamal wasn't involved in, and after Kamal got out, Messaoudi built on Kamal's old network of shell companies to hide his activities.

"We caught a break," the American continues, "when the Moroccan DST connected a villa rented in Tangier for two weeks in August to a company involved in a delivery of RPG launchers in Crete a couple of years ago. The rental starts on the fifteenth. We want to confirm Messaoudi's in town, get eyes on who he meets, what he's doing."

"Apart from being unmarried, has he any significant relationship? Close friends, relatives, mistresses? Anyone significant in his life?

Martens reaches into his briefcase once more, pulls out another manila folder, and flips it open. "The DST file on Messaoudi is . . . eh . . . incomplete . . . eh . . . probably due to bribes to the state minister."

He studies a page for a moment. "Eh . . . legitimate business partners in Casablanca and Marrakesh, shipping . . . eh . . . eh . . . phosphates to China. A mistress for the past two years, but she . . . eh . . . moved to Paris, six months ago.

"Holidays in Beirut, before the civil war, and Havana." The colonel flips another page. "Travels with . . . eh . . . bodyguards, always. The chef . . . eh . . head bodyguard is former Spanish legionnaire, named Alfonso de la Cruz. De la Cruz was . . . eh . . kicked out of the legion in . . . eh . . . 1971, after the Zemla . . . eh . . . demonstration, for beating a protester to death. De la Cruz works for Messaoudi since 1975."

"We know he travels under fake passports," Johnson adds, "but as the colonel said, Messaoudi has people in the ministry of state in his pocket, so DST doesn't have much on this guy." He raises his coffee cup, pointing his finger around the room. "That probably goes for the ministry of the interior, too, so don't count on the Moroccan police for help."

The American sips his coffee. "Other questions before we get down to logistics?"

Slade shakes his head no, "I have no further questions - at least none prior to discussing logistics."

Quote from: pbj44;756173Slide shakes his head no, "I have no further questions - at least none prior to discussing logistics."

Alexander sighs slightly and then he smiles. "Well, if the intel on that matter is scant, we'll find a way of getting more. Let's proceed with logistics, gentlemen."

Gideon Sharp stoically pours coffee from the silver urn. When he is finally seated at the large table, he considers the brief. "Whatever became of Kamal? As Messaoudi's entire operation is built upon Kamal's, it seems like that could be an in."

With pencil he gently scratches down three words to follow up on later. "Kamal. Mistress. IRA."

He sets the pencil down and looks up to the others. "Logistics, yes," he agrees with Alexander. "Let's move on to logistics." He sips his coffee, then picks up his pencil again.

Johnson sips his drink. "Kamal was a NLF terrorist in the early Sixties. After the British pulled out of Aden in '67, he was brought in by the Soviets and became their man in east Africa and the Middle East for the next decade - Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia. Then in '78, he broke with the Soviets after they supported the Ethiopians against the Somalis." The American looks at the colonel, who nods. "The story is that he got religion. Now he's living in a tent in Sudan, herding goats or something." He waves a hand dismissively.

"Messaoudi was Kamal's . . . eh . . . eh . . . right-hand," Martens interjects. "After the . . . eh . . . the split, he could not . . . eh . . . depend on Kamal's . . . eh . . . sources, but he was . . . eh . . . well regarded and had many contacts of his own."

"Messaoudi used his knowledge of Kamal's operation to build his own network, operating throughout sub-Saharan Africa.," Johnson resumes, "but without allegiance to either the East or the West." He glances at a stainless steel Rolex, snug around a meaty wrist, as the music swirls beyond the beaded curtain.

"Okay, let's get this done. You're booked at the Hotel Continental starting Friday, near the kasbah, overlooking the port where the ferry from here in Algeciras puts in. We've also arranged for a rental car for you. Tourists visiting Tangier seems like the simplest cover." He looks around the room for reaction. Martens says nothing, looking resolutely down at the closed folder on the table in front of him.

Quote from: Black Vulmea;760900Johnson sips his drink. "Kamal was a NLF terrorist in the early Sixties. After the British pulled out of Aden in '67, he was brought in by the Soviets and became their man in east Africa and the Middle East for the next decade - Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia. Then in '78, he broke with the Soviets after they supported the Ethiopians against the Somalis." The American looks at the colonel, who nods. "The story is that he got religion. Now he's living in a tent in Sudan, herding goats or something." He waves a hand dismissively.

"Messaoudi was Kamal's . . . eh . . . eh . . . right-hand," Martens interjects. "After the . . . eh . . . the split, he could not . . . eh . . . depend on Kamal's . . . eh . . . sources, but he was . . . eh . . . well regarded and had many contacts of his own."

"Messaoudi used his knowledge of Kamal's operation to build his own network, operating throughout sub-Saharan Africa.," Johnson resumes, "but without allegiance to either the East or the West." He glances at a stainless steel Rolex, snug around a meaty wrist, as the music swirls beyond the beaded curtain.

"Okay, let's get this done. You're booked at the Hotel Continental starting Friday, near the kasbah, overlooking the port where the ferry from here in Algeciras puts in. We've also arranged for a rental car for you. Tourists visiting Tangier seems like the simplest cover." He looks around the room for reaction. Martens says nothing, looking resolutely down at the closed folder on the table in front of him.

"Do we have any photography on Messaoudi's offic, floorplans or any other intel? If not, we should stake out the place ourselves.

Slade nods, "Also, does Messaoudi have any local business rivals?"

Quote from: pbj44;761270Slade nods, "Also, does Messaoudi have any local business rivals?"

"Excellent question," Alexander smiles warmly. "An enemy is as useful as a mistress, and even easier to turn."

Slade smiles, "As you say Alexander, very useful."

"Looks like this is going to be a bugging/photo op. So, I guess to sum it up:"

1) Take the Ferry over to Tangier
2) Drive into town and check in to the hotel
3) Find this rental villa and set up surveillance
4) Confirm Messaoudi's in town
5) Find out who he's meeting with
6) Find out what Messaoudi's up to

"Perhaps since we have a full day tomorrow before Messaoudi in theory checks in for his rental on the 15th, we can perhaps bug the place, especially the phones? We will certainly need good photos and a layout of the place I would think."

"Well connected rivals in Tangier would be a bonus to our efforts."

Johnson looks at Martens. "Messaoudi's . . . eh . . . legitimate business is spécialisé . . . eh . . . special . . . specialized," says the colonel. "His . . . eh . . .competitors are in Casablanca and Agadir, not Tangier."

Martens is thoughtful. "Messaoudi's operations are not of the . . . the extent of a Simeon Weisz, but he has competitors - Sanjay Patel, au Zanzibar, the Omanais al-Ghazi . . ."

"Patel works for the Israelis and the South Africans," Johnson interrupts. "He runs arms to UNITA through Zaire."

Martens nods. "Al-Ghazi . . . eh . . . runs arms to the ANC and to FAN, after Messaoudi left Chad last year. As far as I know, Patel and al-Ghazi are not in Tangier right now, but al-Ghazi has been in Tangier before."

Both men listen as Slade summarizes the operation. Johnson smiles, while Martens remains impassive. "That sounds right to me," says the American. "As far as Messaoudi's villa goes, it's a rental. We'll see if we can turn up a floor plan for you.

"MI-6 operates a drop at the newsstand at the Continental, and they've agreed to let us use it during this operation," Johnson continues. "To check for a message, buy a copy of L'Équipe and ask the vendor for yesterday's Gazzetta dello Sport. If he says he's out of the Gazetta, there's no message, otherwise he'll hand you the paper.

"If you need to drop a message, pick up a copy of the Frankfurter Zeitung, then change your mind when the vendor asks you to pay. He should take the newspaper and tuck it behind his counter. Expect a twelve to twenty-four hour turnaround."

Johnson checks his watch once again. "Let's get you out of here before the band is done. Our station chief knows about your mission - this is pretty straight-forward intel gathering, so keep it simple, no heroics, but if it goes south, contact the American embassy in Rabat for assistance. Ask them to put you through to Mr White.

"The ferry tickets will be waiting at your hotels when you get back, along with the reservation information for the Continental and the car rental." From inside his jacket pocket he pulls out a Michelin map of Tangier."Messaoudi's villa address is tucked in there."

Johnson smiles once again, and offers his hand to each agent in turn as Martens gathers up his folders. The American's grip is firm. "Your reservations are from the fourteenth to the twenty-first and we'll rendezvous here in Algeciras again next Friday. I don't know if you can get much on Messaoudi in a week, but do what you can."

Martens shakes each man's hand as well. "Bon chance," he says gravely."Messaoudi is a dangerous character. Be cautious."

Quote from: Black Vulmea;761553Johnson looks at Martens. "Messaoudi's . . . eh . . . legitimate business is spécialisé . . . eh . . . special . . . specialized," says the colonel. "His . . . eh . . .competitors are in Casablanca and Agadir, not Tangier."

Martens is thoughtful. "Messaoudi's operations are not of the . . . the extent of a Simeon Weisz, but he has competitors - Sanjay Patel, au Zanzibar, the Omanais al-Ghazi . . ."

"Patel works for the Israelis and the South Africans," Johnson interrupts. "He runs arms to UNITA through Zaire."

Martens nods. "Al-Ghazi . . . eh . . . runs arms to the ANC and to FAN, after Messaoudi left Chad last year. As far as I know, Patel and al-Ghazi are not in Tangier right now, but al-Ghazi has been in Tangier before."

Both men listen as Slade summarizes the operation. Johnson smiles, while Martens remains impassive. "That sounds right to me," says the American. "As far as Messaoudi's villa goes, it's a rental. We'll see if we can turn up a floor plan for you.

"MI-6 operates a drop at the newsstand at the Continental, and they've agreed to let us use it during this operation," Johnson continues. "To check for a message, buy a copy of L'Équipe and ask the vendor for yesterday's Gazzetta dello Sport. If he says he's out of the Gazetta, there's no message, otherwise he'll hand you the paper.

"If you need to drop a message, pick up a copy of the Frankfurter Zeitung, then change your mind when the vendor asks you to pay. He should take the newspaper and tuck it behind his counter. Expect a twelve to twenty-four hour turnaround."

Johnson checks his watch once again. "Let's get you out of here before the band is done. Our station chief knows about your mission - this is pretty straight-forward intel gathering, so keep it simple, no heroics, but if it goes south, contact the American embassy in Rabat for assistance. Ask them to put you through to Mr White.

"The ferry tickets will be waiting at your hotels when you get back, along with the reservation information for the Continental and the car rental." From inside his jacket pocket he pulls out a Michelin map of Tangier."Messaoudi's villa address is tucked in there."

Johnson smiles once again, and offers his hand to each agent in turn as Martens gathers up his folders. The American's grip is firm. "Your reservations are from the fourteenth to the twenty-first and we'll rendezvous here in Algeciras again next Friday. I don't know if you can get much on Messaoudi in a week, but do what you can."

Martens shakes each man's hand as well. "Bon chance," he says gravely."Messaoudi is a dangerous character. Be cautious."

Alexander smiles them warmly, and politely shakes hands. After that, he will calmly wait for everyone outside lighting a smoke, and will propose the group to get some drinks together, get to know each other a bit and make plans. He's sure there will be some inconspicous joint nearby.

Slade shakes hands with both of them.

(http://i.imgur.com/KEj9udh.jpg)

"The name is Matt Slade. It's absolutely top notch to be working with both you chaps! I agree, let's retire to the nearest watering hole and plan out our stratagy!"

Gideon rises after the briefing and tucks his notes away. Beside the names of Messaoudi's rivals, he has drawn a little sketch of a suspension bridge.

"Gideon Sharp," he introduces himself. He waves away the other agent's cigarette smoke, but tries not to make a big deal about it. "Yes, I could use a little drink. Lead the way..."

Slade nods, "And some food! I'm famished!"

He gives a lady passing by a friendly smile.

Alexander would like to look for a place 3-4 streets away from their current location, while keeping an eye out for any tail they may have.

OOC:

Spoiler

Actually, I have been in Algeciras many times and I know the area. Around la Palma there are a thousand of little places perfect for our purposes, with excellent fish to taste.

Cutting across the quiet plaza and following Calle Rocha west, the agents see a small bar - from the simple clothing and the prevalence of Spanish, it seems like a local dive.

A football match is in progress on a television in the corner above the bar - a handful of patrons seem to be talking about the action on the pitch, while the rest of the crowd seems intent on their drinks. There are a number of free tables.

Quote from: Black Vulmea;763004Cutting across the quiet plaza and following Calle Rocha west, the agents see a small bar - from the simple clothing and the prevalence of Spanish, it seems like a local dive.

A football match is in progress on a television in the corner above the bar - a handful of patrons seem to be talking about the action on the pitch, while the rest of the crowd seems intent on their drinks. There are a number of free tables.

"Friends, I think this place will do. Let's get some beers."

Alexander looks for a discreet table, so it's hard to overhear their conversation.

Slade follows Alexander over to a table and has a seat at the one he indicates.

"Chums, the first round is on me!"

Gideon nods gratefully, and folds his hands on the table. "I'm usually a little more particular about what I drink. However, anything will do right now."

Alexander greets the waitress, asks for some beers and fried fish, and sits. Once the waitress brings the order, he takes a look to make sure no one is eavesdropping, and then smiles:

"Well, I think that some introductions and planning are in order. I am Alexander Stern, and I am really happy to be working with you. How shall we approach this op?"

Spade nods and carefully uses his dinner knife to push a last bite of fish onto the reverse side of his fork's tines before raising it to his mouth.

"Excellent tuck shop, wot?"

With a happy sigh he pushes his empty plate aside and signals for another round of beer.

"Bugs, old man, are what is needed I would think. Yes, bugging every room in the place - as well as the balconies - should do the trick. But someone would need to get inside of course. Can't learn a thing just lurkin' about, ay?"

"We should also be ready to tail him, right? To do it right we should each have a car that is equipped with a radio phone. Can't have him seeing the same jalopy behind him all the time, eh?"

"Real Estate agents! We need to rent a place that has a good view of the villa, or at least close by, ay? Makes it more convenient to be seen in the neighborhood and allows us to move when he moves."

Taking a sip of beer, he ponders, "We should also hire someone to translate his heathen chatter in real time. Something juicy might be revealed that begs for quick action. Let's find out if our employers can round someone up pronto, eh?"

He raps the table, "Cars, bugs, radios, a well placed house rental, and a translator, that's what I think."

Quote from: pbj44;763283Spade nods and carefully uses his dinner knife to push a last bite of fish onto the reverse side of his fork's tines before raising it to his mouth.

"Excellent tuck shop, wot?"

With a happy sigh he pushes his empty plate aside and signals for another round of beer.

"Bugs, old man, are what is needed I would think. Yes, bugging every room in the place - as well as the balconies - should do the trick. But someone would need to get inside of course. Can't learn a thing just lurkin' about, ay?"

"We should also be ready to tail him, right? To do it right we should each have a car that is equipped with a radio phone. Can't have him seeing the same jalopy behind him all the time, eh?"

"Real Estate agents! We need to rent a place that has a good view of the villa, or at least close by, ay? Makes it more convenient to be seen in the neighborhood and allows us to move when he moves."

Taking a sip of beer, he ponders, "We should also hire someone to translate his heathen chatter in real time. Something juicy might be revealed that begs for quick action. Let's find out if our employers can round someone up pronto, eh?"

He raps the table, "Cars, bugs, radios, a well placed house rental, and a translator, that's what I think."

"In order to set up those bugs, we would need a setup. I can be quite persuasive, and I also think that classics are best. Maybe we could cause some breakdown at his landline or similar, so we could disguise as technicians and get inside? Preferably when he's not in."

Quote from: pbj44;763283"We should also hire someone to translate his heathen chatter in real time."

"Yes, I agree," Gideon says. "A book of 'Common Words and Phrases' won't cut it--though I have one of those," he adds rather sheepishly.

"Posing as either estate agents or technicians would be fine for me, but the latter role may give us more excuse to poke around..."

Slade nods, "Yes technicians would likely be the stronger play. Checking the lines inside some of the surrounding residences before checking in at the villa would likely add strength to Alexander's play when he knocks on the villa door."

"The alternative to the above would be to attempt to sneak into the villa tomorrow night since our target is checking in the following morning. It could get a bit dicey though."

Quote from: pbj44;763485Slade nods, "Yes technicians would likely be the stronger play. Checking the lines inside some of the surrounding residences before checking in at the villa would likely add strength to Alexander's play when he knocks on the villa door."

"The alternative to the above would be to attempt to sneak into the villa tomorrow night since our target is checking in the following morning. It could get a bit dicey though."

"Well, how do you feel about breaking & entering? Any experiences?! asks Alexander, while he asks for a round of fresh white wine and smiles to the waitress.

"Hmm...not my hobby old man, but I'm willing to pitch in and give it a go! Lockpicks, torches, bugs, and hand radios...

"Hm, I've had to trespass on investigations before," Gideon says thoughtfully, then finishes his beer. "I don't prefer breaking and entering, but I must admit we had good results..."

He ponders Alexander's suggestion further, then raises his empty glass for the waitress to refill. "Maybe its this local swill affecting me, but I say let's do it," he agrees. "Tomorrow night then. In and out...before the bastards know anything about it..."

Quote from: Mr. Kent;763693"Hm, I've had to trespass on investigations before," Gideon says thoughtfully, then finishes his beer. "I don't prefer breaking and entering, but I must admit we had good results..."

He ponders Alexander's suggestion further, then raises his empty glass for the waitress to refill. "Maybe its this local swill affecting me, but I say let's do it," he agrees. "Tomorrow night then. In and out...before the bastards know anything about it..."

"And then we come back the next day disguised as technicians because we have that much bloody nerve!" Alexander laughs. So, we should first stake the place. A car for each person, as you well said. Who goes first?

Slade checks his watch, "Looks like we have about 24 hours to get everything done before our guests arrive. I suggest that once we check into our hotel in the morning that we get busy. We need to get the following I think:

1) 3 cars
2) 3 Lockpick sets
3) 3 Torches
4) 3 hand radios
5) Floorplans and wiring diagrams for the villa
6) A translator and bug monitoring equipment

As soon as we have all of these things we can begin our stakeout and monitor this villa until we break in tomorrow night.

Does this seem sound?"

Quote from: pbj44;763735Slade checks his watch, "Looks like we have about 24 hours to get everything done before our guests arrive. I suggest that once we check into our hotel in the morning that we get busy. We need to get the following I think:

1) 3 cars
2) 3 Lockpick sets
3) 3 Torches
4) 3 hand radios
5) Floorplans and wiring diagrams for the villa
6) A translator and bug monitoring equipment

As soon as we have all of these things we can begin our stakeout and monitor this villa until be break in tomorrow night.

Does this seem sound?"

It is to me.

"Gideon, what do you think?"

Gideon looks up from the table. While awaiting his beer refill, he had begun fiddling with his napkin, folding it up into some resemblance of a swan. When the waitress refilled his drink he barely seemed to notice.

"I think our equipment loud-out is sound," Gideon says to Slade. "I should take point on this, I believe. Going in first, I can try to deactivate any alarm systems we may encounter..."

Quote from: Mr. Kent;765058Gideon looks up from the table. While awaiting his beer refill, he had begun fiddling with his napkin, folding it up into some resemblance of a swan. When the waitress refilled his drink he barely seemed to notice.

"I think our equipment loud-out is sound," Gideon says to Slade. "I should take point on this, I believe. Going in first, I can try to deactivate any alarm systems we may encounter..."

"I agree, you should lead this part of the operation. On the other hand, if time allows, we should try and get some Moroccan phone technicians disguises ASAP."

Slade nods, "Agreed on all counts. I think I would best serve the team by playing lookout for this operation."

Quote from: pbj44;765334Slade nods, "Agreed on all counts. I think I would best serve the team by playing lookout for this operation."

"Then we're on. Unless you would like to trade war stories and the like with a few more beers or maybe cold white wine, I'd propose to go to the hotel to see what arrangements our friends have made."

Slade nods and stands, "Lead on gents!"

OOC:

Spoiler

Well, I think I can speak for the three of us when I say that we move on. Alexander will keep an eye out for any possible tail.

Slade follows the other back to the hotel and waits patiently as they check with their employers concerning the needed items and arrangements.

OOC - Hello......(echo).

Quote from: pbj44;766740OOC - Hello......(echo).

Spoiler

I see to recall that Mike / BV told us that he was going to be a bit busy this week.

Ooc - ah!

The streets are quiet and mostly empty on the walk back to the hotel - no one catches Alexander's eye along the way.

The desk clerk beckons to Gideon on their return. "Señor, the travel agency sent the brochures you requested," he says politely, holding up a manila envelope.

Retiring to one of the agents' rooms, the contents of the envelope include ferry tickets from Algeciras to Tangier with a departure time of 0830, $200.00 in Moroccan dirhams and $300.00 in U.S. currency, three separate reservations at the Hotel Continental - one for each agent - and the name and telephone number of a car rental agency in Tangier - the latter reservation is in Gideon's name as well. Last is a business card for a travel agency in Algeciras, with the telephone number underlined in ballpoint pen.

Quote from: Black Vulmea;770860The streets are quiet and mostly empty on the walk back to the hotel - no one catches Alexander's eye along the way.

The desk clerk beckons to Gideon on their return. "Señor, the travel agency sent the brochures you requested," he says politely, holding up a manila envelope.

Retiring to one of the agents' rooms, the contents of the envelope include ferry tickets from Algeciras to Tangier with a departure time of 0830, $200.00 in Moroccan dirhams and $300.00 in U.S. currency, three separate reservations at the Hotel Continental - one for each agent - and the name and telephone number of a car rental agency in Tangier - the latter reservation is in Gideon's name as well. Last is a business card for a travel agency in Algeciras, with the telephone number underlined in ballpoint pen.

"Well, I think that the best course of action is to split the funds, and prepare our luggage. I don't think that we can contact with the travel agency here before we catch the ferry. No business in Spain opens before 9 AM but for banks and newstands. But if it is underlined..."

Alexander intends to go outside and walk a bit, looking for a phone booth to try the underlined phone number. He will do so unless one of his mates objects.

Slipping out of the hotel, Alexander finds a phone booth a short distance down the block. A call to then number on the business card connects with an answering machine, with outgoing messages in Spanish, English, and French asking the caller to leave a message and the call will be returned as soon as possible.

Quote from: Black Vulmea;771193Slipping out of the hotel, Alexander finds a phone booth a short distance down the block. A call to then number on the business card connects with an answering machine, with outgoing messages in Spanish, English, and French asking the caller to leave a message and the call will be returned as soon as possible.

Alexander will leave a short message announcing that they have found the travel arrangements in order, and that the rooms are OK. Also, the trip will continue according to schedule, so they expect all accomodations to be in order.

After that Alexander will get back to the room and tell his mates about the number: "It seems that this number will be useful to leave reports. I've left a short message telling the agency that all is going well. I'd advise everyone to memorize this number."

Unless his mates want to discuss something, Alexander will check his luggage and get some rest before catching the ferry.

Gideon memorizes the number as he finishes packing, then tries to catch some sleep before leaving.

Slade nods and memorizes the number before settling in for sleep. He calls down to the front desk and places a request for an early morning wake-up call.

Checking with the hotel clerk in the morning, the closest car rental is the Europcar office near the ferry terminal, and a phone call arranges a car for hire.

However, the ferry tickets provided are for passengers only, and another call to the Trasmediterránea ticket office indicates that space for a vehicle won't be available until the 1030 ferry - a helpful young lady says there's no problem switching the tickets for the later sailing if necessary, which is expected to arrive in Tangier between 1230 and 1300.

Quote from: Black Vulmea;773368Checking with the hotel clerk in the morning, the closest car rental is the Europcar office near the ferry terminal, and a phone call arranges a car for hire.

However, the ferry tickets provided are for passengers only, and another call to the Trasmediterránea ticket office indicates that space for a vehicle won't be available until the 1030 ferry - a helpful young lady says there's no problem switching the tickets for the later sailing if necessary, which is expected to arrive in Tangier between 1230 and 1300.

Alexander is cool with changing tickets, if that means they will have their own vehicle.

Slade thanks the helpful young lady and heads out and picks up the rental car.

Making a stop at one of the local shops he purchases a screw driver and some bits and a short time later has both the weapons and ammo secured inside the car's door frame (and his his team-mate's weapons as well - if desired). He then stows the screw driver and bits carefully away in the tire tool kit in the car's boot.

After checking out of the hotel, he loads the group's luggage into the boot and waits for his team-mates to hop in for the quick drive over to the ferry. Once they and the car are safely aboard the ferry, he will relax and have a smoke on the observation deck.

OOC - Just let me know how much money to deduct for the rental and the tools.

The Europcar representative is happy to accept $93.00 in American dollars for the week, and the keys to a white Ford Fiesta with Spanish plates are soon in hand.

The ferry crossing is uneventful - passengers in summer wear chatter in Spanish, French, English and German. Most of the cars in the auto deck as similar to the Fiesta, family cars and econoboxes, but one stands out, a dark blue Mercedes 300TD touring car. Four men in business suits arrived in the Mercedes - a driver, a passenger, and what appear to be two bodyguards in dark glasses hovering protectively, keeping others at a respectful distance. The passenger is older, heavy set and balding, with a fringe of grey hair and thick glasses; he's dressed in off-the-rack Nino Cerruti, with a large diamond pinkie ring on a plump finger and a shining Rolex wrapped around a thick wrist.

The ferry arrives in Tangier on-schedule. With hotel reservations in hand, the customs and passport inspection is perfunctory and the three agents retrieve the Fiesta by 1315. The ferry dock is immediately below the walls of the Casbah, and at the top of the walls, overlooking the port, is the Hotel Continental. A check of the Michelin map suggests that the villa is about ten minutes away.

LOL! Fiestas ROCK!


(http://i.imgur.com/LxWZGse.jpg)

Slade notes the men and the license plate to their car with the idea of calling the whole business in later to headquarters.

Once the Fiesta is loaded, he gets in with his two companions.

"Do you want to cruise by the villa before checking into our rooms?"

"I'd say so," Gideon suggests. "Just to get a quick lay of the land. Plotting on a map or schematic is one thing, but places look different up close, and I'd like to see what we're in for..."

Slade nod and puts the Fiesta in gear, following the Michelin map over to the villa. Once near the villa he will cruise past and allow for all to look it over.

According to the Michelin map, the villa is located on the north side of the medina, but the easiest way to get there is to skirt around the maze of streets and alleys that make up the historic center of Tangier. From the port, Slade guides the Fiesta along rue de la Plage to the Grand Socco, the large square that divides the historic medina in the north from the modern ville nouvelle to the south.

Slade climbs the Rue de la Kasbah, up the bluff where the medina is situated, and after a couple of quick turns, the Fiesta enters Rue Raid Sultan. To the north, Spain peeks above the marine haze in the strait of Gibraltar. The villa is located on the north side of the street - that means the back faces the bluff down to the beach highway along the edge of the coast below. A pension, a couple of coffee shops, and a bakery occupy the south side of the street, interspersed with two- and three-story homes.

The villa approaches on the left. A whitewashed stucco wall, eight feet high, faces the street; beneath a taller archway at the southeast corner of the wall, two large wooden gates shut off the driveway from the street. Inset into one of the gates is a smaller pedestrian gate. The wall encloses a garden, with a pair of sizable palms visible; the second floor windows of the villa can be seen as well.

The buildings on either side of the villa are more modest; the one to the west appears to be a two-story residence, the one to the east a single story.

At one of the coffee shops, a few doors down and opposite the villa, three old men sit around a small iron table, sipping cups of coffee, gesturing often with their hands as they talk. Two young boys nearby kick a soccer ball against a wall, again and again, laughing and taunting each other's skill as they play. A number of cars and scooters are parked along the street.

Quote from: Black Vulmea;778284The villa is located on the north side of the street - that means the back faces the bluff down to the beach highway along the edge of the coast below.

Slade navigates the Fiesta down to the beach highway so his mates can get a look at the bluff and the back side of the villa.

OOC: Everyone give me a percentile roll, please and thanks.

(OOC: Rolled a 63 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4605911/))

OOC - rolled 39

OOC: Would one of you please roll for Imperator? he hasn't been on the site in a couple of weeks, but I don't want to cut him out just yet.

OOC - Okay, his roll is 28

"Look at the doors," Alexander says as the Fiesta rolls by the villa. "The driveway doors are locked with a padlock, but the padlock is off the pedestrian door."

"Good Catch Alexander!"

Turning to Gideon,"What do you think it means? Perhaps the target is here early, maybe his aides, or perhaps just a cleaning crew?"

OOC:My apologies for the disconnect. I've been on holidays and I was supposed to be able to acess Internet but, as it happens, we didn't even have a landline. Great for relax, but I was not able to give a proper warning. Again, I'm sorry. I'm now online again and ready to jump back.

OOC - Good to have you back! What do you think of the current situation?

Alexander votes for getting a room at the pension. It looks like a good place for staking out the place.

Quote from: pbj44;780743Turning to Gideon,"What do you think it means? Perhaps the target is here early, maybe his aides, or perhaps just a cleaning crew?"

Gideon's eyes narrow. "It could mean any of those things," he says slowly and suspiciously.

He also votes for taking on a better position for staking out the target, and the pension seems like it would do.

(OOC: Can we see if any cars are parked in the driveway?)

Quote from: Mr. Kent;781420(OOC: Can we see if any cars are parked in the driveway?)

OOC: The driveway to the villa is behind the closed and locked doors - you need to gain some elevation to see above the wall.

Quote from: Black Vulmea;781436OOC: The driveway to the villa is behind the closed and locked doors - you need to gain some elevation to see above the wall.

"So, shall we try the pension? Maybe we can get a high room."

"Agreed," Gideon says. "Let's get as high a vantage as possible to get a lay of the land..."

"Perhaps you are right, eh? I guess the thing to do is to see if a rental is available and then we can set up a lookout."

He frowns.

"But none of our plans will mean anything if we have no equipment. Radios, bugs, lockpick set, binoculars. We need those things badly."

Pulling the Fiesta over near a phone booth, he fishes for some change in his pocket. He then dials the number that was memorized and leaves a voicemail on the answering machine advising that the team had arrived in Tangier, and that Radios x3, bugs x 10, lockpick set x2, binoculars x2, bug monitoring/recording gear x1 would be needed for the surveillance, or at least the name of a local contact with whom a buy could be set up. The equipment is needëd asap for an operation this evening. Messages can be left at the hotel of course.

He rejoins his team-mates, "Okay, I have left word concerning the needed equipment. We can only wait for a response. Shall we pick up the other rental car and see if we can rent a high room at this pension place across the street? We can also check in at the hotel and off-load our luggage.

Quote from: pbj44;781624"Perhaps you are right, eh? I guess the thing to do is to see if a rental is available and then we can set up a lookout."

He frowns.

"But none of our plans will mean anything if we have no equipment. Radios, bugs, lockpick set, binoculars. We need those things badly."

Pulling the Fiesta over near a phone booth, he fishes for some change in his pocket. He then dials the number that was memorized and leaves a voicemail on the answering machine advising that the team had arrived in Tangier, and that Radios x3, bugs x 10, lockpick set x2, binoculars x2, bug monitoring/recording gear x1 would be needed for the surveillance, or at least the name of a local contact with whom a buy could be set up. The equipment is needëd asap for an operation this evening. Messages can be left at the hotel of course.

He rejoins his team-mates, "Okay, I have left word concerning the needed equipment. We can only wait for a response. Shall we pick up the other rental car and see if we can rent a high room at this pension place across the street? We can also check in at the hotel and off-load our luggage.

Let's do the pension first. I'll take care of it, if it's OK.

Slade nods and heads the Fiesta back to the pension house. He pulls over a short distance down the street from it and nods, "Okay mate, you're on."

Quote from: pbj44;781624Pulling the Fiesta over near a phone booth, he fishes for some change in his pocket. He then dials the number that was memorized and leaves a voicemail on the answering machine . . .

OOC: This is the number for the travel agency, yes? The other number you were given is for the American consulate, in case of emergency; routine comms are to be handled through the drop at the newsstand across from the Hotel Continental.


Alexander hops from the Fiesta. Above the doorway, the word PENSION appears, called out in raised letters, but the only other sign, next to the locked front door, is in Arabic.

Quote from: Black Vulmea;781807OOC: This is the number for the travel agency, yes? The other number you were given is for the American consulate, in case of emergency; routine comms are to be handled through the drop at the newsstand across from the Hotel Continental.


Alexander hops from the Fiesta. Above the doorway, the word PENSION appears, called out in raised letters, but the only other sign, next to the locked front door, is in Arabic.

Alexander gets inside the reception, and takes a good look around, smiling like this is EXACTLY the place he always wanted to visit. In other words, he's trying to look as much as he can as a clueless tourist.

He will warm greetly the person at the reception, and ask for a room, preferably on the upper stories, "because maybe I will catch some fresh air for me and my coworkers."

Quote from: Imperator;781915Alexander gets inside the reception . . .

OOC: You missed something - the front door is locked. Please rethink you plan!

Quote from: Black Vulmea;782007OOC: You missed something - the front door is locked. Please rethink you plan!

OOC: Ouch, what a brain fart. Anyway, the pedestrian's door seems to be unlocked, uh? Alexander will try to use that.

As Alexander crosses the street to the Villa's pedestrian gate, Slade gets back behind the wheel of the Fiesta and gets ready to drive at a moment's notice.

Alexander crosses the street and walks the few doors down to the villa. The stoop appears to be neatly swept and the hasp for the padlock is pulled all the way open; the padlock itself is missing.

Trying the knob, Alexander discovers that the door is locked as well; there is a keyhole in the knob, and from the feel of it it is this lock that is locked. A third lock, for a deadbolt, is present, just above the knob; applying gentle pressure to the door suggests that the bolt is not thrown.

Quote from: Black Vulmea;782447Alexander crosses the street and walks the few doors down to the villa. The stoop appears to be neatly swept and the hasp for the padlock is pulled all the way open; the padlock itself is missing.

Trying the knob, Alexander discovers that the door is locked as well; there is a keyhole in the knob, and from the feel of it it is this lock that is locked. A third lock, for a deadbolt, is present, just above the knob; applying gentle pressure to the door suggests that the bolt is not thrown.

Alexander looks for a bell, intercom, or any device that can be used to ring the door. After noting where it is, he will move towards the three old men at the coffee shop.

Gideon waits in the car with Slade. He waits to see if Alexander will need assistance, but feels confident in the agent's ability to gain entry.

OOC - Is the game over?

OOC . Waiting here, too.

Slade turns on the Fiesta's radio and enjoys some smooth soul!

https://soundcloud.com/theta8/ann-peebles-trouble-heartaches