Disclaimer: I do not own Trinity Blood or its characters.
More Inquisition bad press, more Dietrich-Isaak exchanges and body snatchers? Poor Leon is a little swamped by work, like me.
This issue should round up the Ibelis arc nicely.
The Trinity Times
Issue 13
FIRE OVER CARTAGO: Dozens Killed
Technical Glitch to Blame for Airship Malfunction?
Cartago – Dozens were killed and injured when a fleet of three Inquisition airships malfunctioned over Cartago during their night patrol. The Inquisition fleet had been sent to the port city by Cardinal Francesco after an attack on the Vatican embassy to Cartago. At around midnight, the Inquisition pilots report lost of control of the airships' steering systems shortly before communication was cut off. Several rounds were fired into the city neighbourhoods, resulting fires and death. Witnesses report seeing lightning crackling around the vessels before the airships finally collided in the sky near the Vatican embassy, raining burning debris over the streets below. All 18 crewmen on the airships were killed instantly.
The same time as the airship malfunctions, it was alleged that persons or creatures unknown attacked the embassy. Embassy security reassures the public that it was the work of a band of fanatics and all the intruders have been dealt with. At press time, piles of spent bullet casings were recovered from the garden just below the guest room's balcony, a mute testimony to the furious gun battle of that night. The embassy has declined to report any casualties suffered during the latest attack.
In a possibly unrelated incident, Inquisition captain, Brother Petros, was found severely wounded in the street leading up to the embassy. The burning wreck of the Inquisition's newest Goliath super tank was found nearby. Speculation is rife as to whether the captain's wounds were caused by the tank's cannon or whether it was a malfunction related to the airships. The Inquisition has refused to comment on this incident. Brother Petros is currently warded in the St Julian's Hospital of Cartago. His condition is described as stable.
Initial investigations point to a technical glitch in the airship computer system. The Vatican Bureau of Inquisition regrets this unfortunate and tragic incident and promises a thorough inquiry will be conducted. A special memorial service will be held in Cartago for the victims. It will be presided over by the Cardinal Sforza before she returns to Rome.
Top Albion Chip Maker Ghet-Tec Recalls Chips
The top Albion computer chip-maker Ghet-Tec has announced a recall of all Model XT-I and XT-II computer chips after fears that defective control chips of the same model may be implicated in the Cartago disaster. These two models were commonly used in airship steering systems about 5 years ago until they were replaced by the Model XT-A chip. The recall is expected to ground the majority of the Vatican fleet in addition to commercial airship traffic in Europe.
Bids for refurnishing and renovations:
Vatican embassy to Cartago seeks contractors for major renovations and re-furnishing. Bids welcome at your nearest Vatican office.
INQUISITION RAID SPARKS CARTAGO MERCHANT PROTEST
Middle East Trader's Union has lodged an official complaint to the Vatican after Inquisition forces raided several mansions in the prosperous Bayside strip of Cartago's merchant quarter. This is the latest in a long list of complaints against the Vatican Bureau of Inquisition Merchants decry the heavy-handed tactics of the Inquisition during the raids. Occupants of the mansions were allegedly manhandled and threatened by the guards. Many of them were later held in the Inquisition's lock-up. "I was romping with my wives in my Turkish bath when they demolished my door! Then the pigs had us locked up for the night in a smelly cell!" acting spokesman for the union, Sheikh Ali Baba exclaimed. "Unless we receive an apology and adequate compensation for this treatment, we will proceed to move our operations to the Empire-ruled port of Damascus."
In an unrelated incident, a Cartagian taxi-driver alleged that his vehicle was stolen by an Inquisition guard, a Vatican priest, a nun and a young boy. The said vehicle was later found wrecked in Embassy Walk. The owner claimed an Inquisition guard and a gun-toting nun demanded the use of his vehicle after knocking down his front door. Not wanting trouble, the man handed over the keys. The nun is suspected not to hold a driver's license and possibly has the most reckless driving techniques around. "I could hear the priest screaming three blocks away!" The witness claimed.
Family Crypts Raided: Body Snatchers in Berlin?
Berlin - The German Methuselah population has been rocked by a spate of crypt pilfering. The only things removed are the embalmed bodies of the dead. Most of the dead were casualties of that dreadful train crash in Munich last week. Grave goods, including gold and gemstones, were left untouched. Methuselah families of newly deceased have taken measures, including hiring of armed guards. Other families have taken the more extreme step of cremation of the dead. The families hit by the recent spate of body snatching include the cream of the German cultural sphere, the von Weisses, Wolfgangs and von Kampfers. Ingerta Hildegarde von Kampfer, a renowned pianist and a single mother, speaks of her shock on discovering her family crypt violated so soon after she had laid her twin sons to rest after their deaths in the Munich crash. "This is an outrage! I pay my respects to my children and I find them gone from their coffins! This is a worse shock than when my brother flitted off to goodness-knows-where! Who would do such a terrible thing to my poor boys?"
Ask Leon
Hi folks! Leon here, a tad short-handed here, so let's go! (Dives into a pile of letters)
Dear Leon
My subordinate has always been sensible and capable. However, she has taken to wearing a skin-tight leather piece recently. She can still hold her own in a pitched battle, but it is very distracting for my men, know what I mean? If not, please refer to photo enclosed. What can I do?
- Embarrassed Knight
Dear Knight
Easy, have her transferred to my office – Leon (Wolf-whistle)
Dear Leon
My best buddy betrayed me. I can't believe it – gah- I am so confused! He set me up to fail my mission. He tried to get me killed, not once, but thrice! The backstabbing snake… We grew up together, went to the Academy together, heck, we even went to the Little Boys' room together as kids! He's my partner… I trusted him with my life! I would have gladly gone through Hell for him! Now I feel like I can never trust anyone again! I think he should be dead though. I should be hating him to pieces. Instead of feeling mad, I feel so hurt just thinking about him…
- Still Hurting
Dear Hurting
Hold your horses, boy. You sure have been through a lot. Betrayal really hurts big time, about there with a root canal, or a session with the Inquisition. Since the object of your hatred is dead, perhaps you should try to forgive, forget and move on with life. Go out in the sunshine or moonlight, make a few friends, you know? Just kick back and let go. Or if you really, really have unresolved issues with your departed ex-best buddy, I suggest a can of spray paint to his tombstone to announce what you think of him.
- Yours in prayer and graffiti, Leon (do you want red or green?)
Dear Leon
Regrettably, I was unable to follow your advice…Help, I am being controlled by a sadistic jerk… He is controlling my every move…Even now he is in my head. Help… Dear stupid Vatican dog, you haven't won the game yet. By the way, tell Blanche I love her. I will be watching her…
- Blanche's Stalker
This is really weird. I seriously recommend a shrink for that voice in your head. – Leon
P.S. Keep away from Blanche, you prev.
Oh by the way, I am not going to obey a directive from one grumpy Vice-Ed about not replying to Methuselah letters. Hey, it is all in the name charitable deeds. Besides, I ain't too smart so I can't tell if a Methuselah or a Terran is writing in. So sue me!
(Catherina reads the newspaper: Leon, must you try riling my fellow cardinal?)
Personals:
Letter:
Yes I have considered that but found upon further thought that it is not nearly as effective as the one I am currently using, though I am considering letting some soldiers have a few days off, by the way I feel I am justified in asking if you are currently missing an agent by the name of Hugue? if so please come to Albion where one of my LOYAL followers will meet you and take you to a prearranged place so you can pick him up.
General Zargon
Reply to letter: I guess there is no need for me to drop by. If Hugue wants to stay in Albion, you wouldn't be able to get him to leave. If he wants to leave, you probably wouldn't be able to keep him. Please do not try to stop him, unless you want to be short of a few more loyal followers. – Leon
Personal:
Augusta, Sincere thanks for your most generous gift of an olive tree from Memphis. However, I regret that the oil lamp accompanying it appears to be broken en route. In return, I wish to send you a box of Albion fruit tea and a rare book. I hope that we can continue our discussion on gardening, in particular, rose-bush pruning. - Katrina
Personal Ad: Dieter, keep away from MY family crypt, do you hear? Return my nephews to their rightful place, every piece of them. – Issak
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Author's Notes:
In the manga, Radu and Ion were childhood friends, very close friends. Ion is the mischievous one; Radu the studious one. Ion really took Radu's betrayal hard in the manga. I cooked up the part about the von Kampfer crypt getting pilfered. Dietrich will be in for a earful for upsetting someone's sister. Guess who's writing in to Leon as Blanche's Stalker.
Okay, the next couple of episodes are set in the Imperial capital. I will need to take some time off to consider what news can be published in relation to the incidents in the Empire by the Vatican.