xp_logs | Breaking the World 2

The group go to the Congo to meet with William Bastion.

"We're having a problem in the Central African Republic, General", Angelo said after the pleasantries were done, settling into his chair. "Mutant kids vanishing, maybe being sold off. You heard of anything similar here?"

"Mister Espinosa, it's not General any more. As my opponents will be quick to point out. I'm here in my capacity as a consultant, nothing more", William Bastion said genially, although they knew there was an element of fiction. As an Independent running for the Senate for Maine, Bastion's name was already coming up from both parties as a possible caucus candidate, and with the current closeness of the upper chamber of the house, pundits were already speculating that he could wield a great deal of influence if elected. Others opined that the Obama administration was looking at him for Secretary of Defense. In either case, he was still tied with his international initiatives and had taken a short time away from his campaign to look into stories of mutant child soldiers in East Congo.

"The lure of mutant soldiers is very strong in Africa. The LRA is keen to get their hands on them, and some of the Special Forces trainers have heard stories that could be attributed to mutants in combat through the region. That's always the trouble with guerrilla warfare; there could be one mutant amongst thousands or hundreds of them."

Angelo nodded gravely. "That's one of the things we were afraid of. There has been talk of an LRA presence near where we're set up over there, and it seems the area's a hotspot for mutants, born and migrated. Could be a tempting target for them."

The idea of young mutants being used as weapons was an issue that always brought a hardness to Jean-Phillipe's eyes. And given his own history, he could easily think of a way that the mutants wouldn't even be aware that they were -being- used. Say the right words to a hotheaded, opinionated youngster, and they would do almost anything. Including infiltration. "If you were a betting man, Monsieur Bastion, which way would you lean? A handful, or hundreds?"

"There haven't been enough to shift the odds their way. So I can't imagine hundreds. Here," Bastion turned and motioned to one of his aides. "Davy, get a map over here."

As the map was rolled out, Bastion outlined two areas with his index finger. "These are operational areas, and these are transport areas for the LRA. Where's your place?"

Considering the lives some of these children have had; most of them refugees living the hard life, John could see how it would be all too easy to recruit someone or to get recruited. It only took him having a messed up family to join the Brotherhood after all. That, and well -- him being an idiot, but bygones.

"I'd pronounce it, but..." He clicked his tongue. "Here." John pointed out the Mbomou region on the map.

"Mostly outside of their normal range. Supply routes, the occasional recruitment drive." His finger traced the point back towards the border. "They'll have a few sympathizers, and likely a couple of officials paid to look the other way."

Bastion straightened up and let his hands rest on the table. "If it's the LRA there, it won't be in force. Maybe a few squads sent out like foragers to move supplies when they are arranged and take advantage if an opportunity falls in their lap."

"Could those foragers have taken the mutant children? Many of the children would be easy 'pickings'... refugees and desperate... If they take or lure a few at first and see it does not get them in trouble, they could have stepped up their efforts, while trying to remain hiding as much as possible." Sooraya thought out loud.

"It would definitely count as an opportunity", Angelo agreed. "One or two kids go missing, the people who know them notice but it could just be a big cat or something got them. But if that's what's happening, they're getting greedy. Too many missing."

"Mutant children are valuable," Yvette said softly, eyes dimming softly with memories of her own kidnapping and sale. She'd been so lucky, in a way, that it had been Marius who had bought her. "Either as weapons to the LRA, or as a way of making money. If they are taking so many children as they are now, there will be money to show for it. Is there anyone local who has had the windfall, perhaps?"

"Hnh." Jean-Phillipe grunted and nodded. "There are always middle men in such situations, who profit on the misery of others."

The ideas getting thrown around - child soldiers, organized mutant hunting, the general shitstorm that was African politics - were making Fred uncomfortable. He put his hand on the table with a solid THUMP, "Kids missing. Find em. Figure out who's pulling this crap, and make 'em knock it off. Am I missing anything...?"

"A whole lot of patience, son. This isn't Hoboken. Africa has different rules." Bastion said, his voice never changing. "They might have local government in their pockets. I've even seen aid agencies make deals in order to keep them away from the rest of their charges. Nothing on this continent is simple or black and white."

"Guess we'll have a little chat with the Minister then, huh, Ange?" But what the hell were they going to do once they figure out who the culprit is, and what were the chances of them settling this in an amicable manner? John hated to be pessimistic, but they couldn't afford to make a dumb move and start some kind of a war. He knew what he was signing up for when he agreed to come, but mostly, he was just looking out for their backs.

"He's the one who knows the place", Angelo agreed. "And who else we should be talking to... so I guess we've got a lead to work on."