Interlude

CONFIDENTIAL//HCS-P/SI-G/TK//FGI JPN/RSEN/ORCON/NOFORN/CANT FR LWTZ

TRANSLATED TRANSCRIPT // VIDEO RECORDING OF HOKISHI CITY GOVERNMENT PRESS CONFERENCE // 281932Z MARCH 20XX
SPOKESMAN: I would now like to open the floor for questions.
FIRST REPORTER: What is the spokesman’s comment on Dr. Dankichi Yuki’s statement that the methane hydrate deposits off the coast are twenty-five percent smaller than the iniial projections assumed?
SPOKESMAN: I have not read the statement.
FIRST REPORTER: Assuming it to be true, what could be responsible for such a discrepancy?
SPOKESMAN: The question calls for conjecture. Perhaps Dr. Dankichi’s calculations are based off a particularly poor deposit. No, strike that out. I have no comment.
FIRST REPORTER: Does the spokesman regard Dr. Dankichi as a competent and responsible scientist?
SPOKESMAN: He has never been employed by this government.
FIRST REPORTER: That is not a responsive answer.
SPOKESMAN: It is quite responsive. Since he has never been employed by this government, I have no way of knowing his competence or responsibility. I am not a scientist.
( A second reporter raises a hand )
SECOND REPORTER: Is it true that the police encountered suspects on the waterfront raid?
SPOKESMAN: As you well know, the Hokishi police department conducted a successful raid against a warehouse used to hide foreign antiquities earlier this month. Does that answer your question?SECOND REPORTER: No, spokesman, it does not. I did not ask if a raid had occurred. I asked whether there were suspects or arrests.
SPOKESMAN: Our policemen encountered no individuals in the warehouse at the time of the raid. If there were, do you suppose that this government would be informed of it by the perpetrators of the crime?
( Polite laughter. )
SECOND REPORTER: But what of the reports of gunfire near the site?
SPOKESMAN: The so-called gunfire was an unrelated near-miss incident involving stored fireworks at a nearby warehouse, which fortunately did not result in sympathetic detonation. The same reason why the police cordon had to be expanded. If you have any further questions, please wait for our press release on it tomorrow.
( Spokesman waves reporter down, discouraging further inquiry )
FIRST REPORTER: Spokesman, the Fisherman’s Association has charged Mayor Yonoi with favoring the initiative to exploit offshore methane hydrate deposits over their concerns with overlap with their fishing zones and environmental impacts. They say that Mayor Yonoi knows about their aggressive lobbying tactics and does nothing about it. Is that true?
SPOKESMAN: I believe that it is the Fisherman’s Association that made such ridiculous allegations, yes.
FIRST REPORTER: Why is it ridiculous? Because the energy interests are not lobbying for favorable treatment in court, or because Mayor Yonoi is doing something about it?
SPOKESMAN: Ridiculous on both counts. I must reiterate this government’s position, Mayor Yonoi’s position, that we shall stand by the decision of the District Courts. Mayor Yonoi maintains his impartiality in this matter.
( Another reporter rises to continue the exchange )
THIRD REPORTER: But there is no such final decision at this time, is there not?
SPOKESMAN: No, and as such this government has no comment on the unilateral actions of the concerned parties. The courts’ decision will be respected and enforced, when it does come.
THIRD REPORTER: The possibility that the deposits do not contain as much as originally hoped will have a major impact in the decision, yes?
SPOKESMAN: That is not for me to say. It is my understanding that the deposits discovered are touted as particularly promising, but Hokishi has always been proud of our fishing industry and its rich historical heritage. Our fishers have surmounted big challenges before, and we are actively working with them to work out an agreeable outcome. Our past successes with wind energy should attest to that.
THIRD REPORTER: Is the spokesman suggesting that exploitation of methane hydrate deposits cannot be accomplished without changes to the fishing zones?
SPOKESMAN (irritably): No, no. My statement had no suggestion of the sort. Of course, it must be made clear to everyone that this government is committed to the growth and development of both the energy and fishing sector, and that neither has higher priority than the other. Rest assured, this city government will act according to what is best for its constituents.
THIRD REPORTER: If there would be a decision soon, which do you think is more probable– an arbitration pushing for the precedent set by the success of energy, or one siding with the time-honored tradition?
SPOKESMAN: Sir Reporter, your question is so conjectural that you force me to say– no comment.
THIRD REPORTER: I was only echoing the preeminent opinion of figures such as Dr. Dankichi.
SPOKESMAN: They are free to indulge in wild speculation. I am not.
SECOND REPORTER: Forgive me if this question seems impertinent– what is the spokesman’s opinion of this season’s catch?
SPOKESMAN: Rather good time for skipjack, isn’t it? I understand their having a shortage of them this season. We may catch some of that.
THIRD REPORTER: What is Mayor Yonoi’s position on the recent rash of ijime (bullying), spokesman?
SPOKESMAN: Mayor Yonoi is sternly opposed to it. The culture of bullying exerts a malign influence on youth. Our society would be much better off if we manage to inculcate an attitude of harmony and acceptance in our young boys and girls.
THIRD REPORTER: May we quote Mayor Yonoi on that?
SPOKESMAN: Certainly– but only on his next public appearance, and not any sooner.
THIRD REPORTER: Thank you. It seems I’ll have plenty of time.

TOP SECRET // BK-25-0057 // 03/05/20XX
OPORD // OPERATION DAMASCUS

Situation:
Shipping magnate Charles Curwen was brought to the attention of Program assets after several items in his personal collection were flagged for markers of unnatural origin over the course of an IRS investigation into accounting discrepancies.
Program assets embedded in the Treasury Service and USMS moved to serve an arrest warrant for Curwen in his country estate in the early hours of February 22 and found him and an undetermined number of artifacts (NESTEGGs) missing.
Estate staff testify to increased activity in the days prior. Follow-up uncovered a logistics trail and identified the general cargo ship Red Cosmos, next port of call Yokohama, carrying cargo not listed on its bill of lading.
Japanese partner organization “D5” was notified for proper coordination of resources and intelligence. Crew detained for violations of customs law before completion of unloading. NESTEGGs were already off-loaded at the time of arrest. Latest intelligence tracks NESTEGGs to the coastal city of Hokishi, Japan. Assume NESTEGGs are in the possession of unidentified Group of Interest.
D5 assets are currently maintaining observation on all traffic in and out of city limits. No indications at this time that the any of NESTEGGs have been moved.
Program asset WOLF will deploy to Japan to conduct activities in support of D5, to disrupt transport of collection and secure NESTEGGs for classification and containment.
Operational environment at this time assessed to be permissive to standard methods.
Mission:
Localize NESTEGGs to area of operations. (AO)
Secure NESTEGGs and ensure handover to D5.
Assess threat level of Group of Interest.
Disposition of SHELLBACK is unknown at this time. If presence in AO is definitely established, apprehend if possible.
Execution:
ARROWROOT inserts at D - 10 to shape AO.
ARROWROOT develops local contacts and establishes safehouse.
WOLF inserts into AO no later than (NLT) D-day using civilian infrastructure.
Upon arrival at area of operations, WOLF moves to rendezvous with ARROWROOT and confirms delivery of mission equipment. WOLF prepares to employ all available means to support allied effort.
WOLF will accomplish mission objectives NLT D + 30.
Support:
D5 liaison already in place.
All support requests route through liaison.
Command and Signal:
WOLF - Primary Program asset on ground.
ARROWROOT – Maho Kirishima, D5 liaison, medical specialist.
SHELLBACK – Charles Curwen.
NESTEGG – object from Curwen’s former collection.

FRAGORD // OPERATION DAMASCUS D + 1

Situation:
Majority of NESTEGGs secured, cross-referenced with records confiscated from SHELLBACK’s estate. Due to incomplete nature of records, possibility of NESTEGGs unaccounted for cannot be discounted.
Interrogation of surviving member of Group of Interest has identified affiliations with local secondary school and probable indicators of a deeper conspiracy.
Paucity of resources at this time limits response.
Operation will continue as per the original timetable.
Mission:
Secure additional NESTEGGs.
Localize remnant members of Group of Interest to AO, apprehend if possible.
Execution:
Assets on ground to be task-organized:
WOLF infiltrates principal secondary school under assumed identity.
ARROWROOT conducts diversionary activities in support.

TOP SECRET/KK/105002-25 DG-25-0022 XX/XX/20XX

NOTES // CONFISCATED VIDEO RECORDINGS OF JAPANESE NATIONAL 0302.MP4/02:54:53/XX/XX/20XX
02:54
Stabilized wide-angle shot of Hokishi Ohashi Bridge taken from southern side. Clear skies, excellent visibility. Camera position adequate to discern individual vehicles.
Minimal vehicle traffic, no foot traffic visible for duration of video.
02:55
Starting with frame 516, three humanoid figures (henceforth referred to, left-right, as Subjects A,B,C) appear on top of bridge tower closer to camera.
Analysis of frame 516 and preceding frames indicate no movement in that area of video before subjects’ appearance. No apparent means of transportation to bridge tower detected.
Three subjects display no discernable motion for next five minutes.
3:00
Movement. Close inspection shows three subjects performing unidentifiable gestures (Subject C lags behind others)
No further changes observed for next three minutes.
3:03
Heavy distortion centered around Subject B observed, not attributable to concurrent increase in video artifacts.
Vertical oscillations apparent in bridge deck at this point. Motor traffic reactions to shaking apparent. Several vehicles stop mid-span, others accelerate to depart bridge. No reactions to subjects.
Shaking stops. Total time observed: 22 seconds. Subject A and Subject C return to initial position.
03:05
Three subjects disappear. No further anomalies recorded after this point.

Shaking officially explained as freak occurrence of aerodynamic flutter. Hokishi Ohashi Bridge inspected shortly after incident and cleared for continued use with stricter weight limits imposed. Remedial construction work moved up far in advance of schedule.