Lying Liar

[archeologue]

[Belloq remains in the clothes he was wearing during the expedition of earlier, the pith helmet off his head, but the safari suit dirty and stained from a day crawling about the jungle. His head is bowed in remorse.]

I am sorry to report that Niko Bellic, wilderness guide, fell today in the course of his duty.

I will not distress with details, but only say that we were taken by surprise by a swarm of skeleton archers while exploring a temple. Niko fought bravely, and I owe my life to him. He is a credit to all who risk their lives leading us through the dangerous wilds. May the psychopomp guide him to peace.

I will be at Pugsy's tonight, raising a glass in remembrance, if any would like to join me there.

[And the lie is done. Even Belloq doesn't exactly know where that temple was. Niko, as guide, had that knowledge. There is little chance that someone will find Niko before he really is dead. And Belloq's done his duty to the Orion Syndicate, for which he'll be paid well.]


((OOC: Feel free to network reply or action spam at Pugsy's))

Comments

[most_feared]

[When he returns, Kay has already done what he can. He got the transporter log, the three last archive locations that Belloq accessed, and one slim, negligible communication.]

[When Boone arrives, he has a arial map of the the last locations.] Well, on the plus side, it looks like it it's on an island. Sort of a largish island, but there's less to explore that way.

Better watch out. Jungle heat is different from desert heat. [He motions for Boone to pass the communicator over so he can upload the information.]

[thumbsdown]

[He hands over the communicator and frowns.]

You know where to find him?

[He just wants to find Niko as soon as possible. He's thinking less about himself than he should be.]

[most_feared]

No. I'm afraid not. All we can get is that general area. You'll have to look. But if you can find an artificial structure, some of the ruins, it would probably be around there somewhere.

[Then he hands the comm back, his serious look settling.] Take someone with you. Another officer that is on call and maybe a guide. Don't go out there alone.

[He hesitates.] You gonna be alright? [He knows he's in a rush, but he's just checking.]

[thumbsdown]

I'll be fine. More worried about Niko.

[He takes the comm back, looking down at it.]

I'll take someone with me. And... thanks. For not asking too much.

[As his boss, Kay easily could have asked for a legitimate reason for him to go out there besides having a hunch. He appreciates that he didn't. Boone doesn't want to waste too much time.]

[most_feared]

You looked like you were hell bent on going anyway. So I might as well make sure you weren't headin' in there alone or without some knowledge. Make sure that guy's story checks out-

For your sake, I hope it doesn't.

[But with Kay's luck, those stories usually do.]

[thumbsdown]

Right.

[It does seem like Belloq was mostly telling the truth, and maybe Niko did die down there. He promised Niko he'd make sure, though. So that's what he's going to do.

He's looking down at his communicator and wondering who he could take with him when he bumps into someone.]

[domesheriff]

[Linda isn't really looking where she's going either, though this is more because she has too much on her mind than any normal excuse like looking at a communicator. she received Belloq's message too, and her eyes are red, though she's professional and stopped herself crying before she approached the security station]

Sorry! [she stops, backing up when she and Boone collide. thankfully, she wasn't walking quickly. but when she realizes who it is, she adds:] Boone, did you...hear? [she can't bring herself to say what she's referring to, but if he did hear she's sure he'll know]

[thumbsdown]

[Boone starts when he knocks into her, looking up from his communicator. He's about to apologise when he sees her eyes are red, and he looks concerned until she asks about Niko. He nods, looking back down at his communicator.]

I... yeah. I did.

[He glances back up again. He doesn't know how well Linda knew Niko, but the fact that she's upset means his death bothers her. She'd want to save him if she thought there was a chance, right?]

You busy right now?

[domesheriff]

[she doesn't say anything to his confirmation, knowing that if she tries to talk about it she's liable to start crying again. but at his question, she shakes her head, straightening and trying to look ready for work] No, I was just gonna check in. What's going on?

[thumbsdown]

[He lowers his voice, even though they're the only people around.]

Don't think Niko's dead. Gonna go get him. Problem is, I need help.

[He doesn't know about the traps, but he knows it's stupid to go in alone.]

[domesheriff]

You... [her eyes widen, and her answer is immediate:] I'll go. Do you know where he is? The man who was with him--he mentioned a temple.

[thumbsdown]

Yeah, some temple in the jungle. We'll have to look for it, but I'm pretty sure we can find it.

[He starts walking again, expecting Linda to follow.]

[domesheriff]

[she follows without hesitation, still stunned--and thrilled--by the idea that Niko might still be out there] What do we need to bring? Water and guns. What about supplies?

[thumbsdown]

[He frowns to himself at the question.]

Never been to a jungle before. Not sure what to take for that. Should probably take torches for the temple, though.

[If there were skeletons around and Belloq ran, Niko probably didn't get a chance to put up more torches. At least there should already be some at the entrance.]

[domesheriff]

All right. I haven't either, but... [she frowns thoughtfully, trying to get her mind to unlock from hopeful thoughts about Niko long enough to be sensible] Food in case we need it. Basic medical supplies.

Let's grab those things and get out there. [because if Niko might be alive out there, she's sure time is of the essence]