Amber Zone - Nth Patron

------------------------------
1998 #1312

Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1998 17:23:42 +1200
From: Richard Fields
Subject: The Nth Patron (was Re: Overthrowing Government?)

A funny thing happened to on the train while commuting to work earlier this week, I'd started wearing an old woodlands pattern tie from BQM again and with TMLs printed out and scribbling notes in the margins with a red pen, a conversation somehow went like this:

'Overthrowing the Government? Far from it good sir, we seek to restore the Government. The rightful Government was over thrown by a combination of stealth, deceit, scandal and complacency. We are loyalists not revolutionaries. While we can't offer great financial reward at present, when the restoration is complete, and if history has not judged us too badly, then something can always be arranged.'

The background info was all very circumstantial, the news clippings and articles tied into the brief rather well. I had then, and have now personal doubts you see, but it makes sense. The long running series of retirements, the motor crashes, the almost obsessive Government policy of hiring in 'Consultants', the sale of state assets. Then the targets were all not too VIP-ish you know the type, Lover of the Speech Writer to ... , Mother-in-Law of the Chauffeur to ... , Cousin of the Associate Minister of ... , the middle executive class consultants and advisers (surprisingly included some in private companies). Not all targets were for assassination but were chosen for 'A maximum impact for minimum risk to effort ratio'. The instance that no uninvolved civilians (I recall at one point being called voters) be harmed was most explicit.

Options:

1. The patron is a genuine counter revolutionary, plotting the restoration of the rightful government as laid down in the [constitution/founding charter/treaty of...] from the captured authority. The cell-like structure of the movement is such that the restoration will occur with or without the party's help or hindrance as they can't lead authorities to any one other than their immediate patron if captured. Some resources and support can be found even from unexpected quarters.
2. The patron is a counter revolutionary, if of a lost cause. While the claim of legitimacy is good, the population don't care, their freedoms and lifestyle are largely unchanged. If the counter revolution resorts to (or is exposed as using) violent means, then sentiment may turn against it.
3. The patron is an out patient on a light psychiatric (revolving door sympathy) ward. Sadly for the party, he or she has not been taking their tablets lately. The story is very plausible, detail is well constructed, but any serious background check will reveal flaws. The authorities know this person well and if told will send some police and psych staff to collect him or her then interview the party for some time.
4. The patron is a using the party to carry out a number of vengeance strikes for his or her personal satisfaction. The data on the targets is good, some support in equipment and cash is readily available. But once the real targets (ex employer or ex lover (s)) are dealt with the patron vanishes - possibly informing police of the party's description. There is also a list of targets for the players to go on with, for the good of the revolution, you understand.
5. The patron is an "adjustor" for an unpopular faction who will dump the party as soon as they are set on their way. The targets are real enough, but the purpose is a complete sham.
6. The patron is an agent provocateur for:
        1-2     The local government who are seeking an expendable group to justify their imposing tougher laws on control of day to day activities.
        3-4     A revolutionary faction who have lost heavily when trying to use nonviolent means of gaining power.
        5-6     A foreign power (state or corporation) set on seizing control of the government.

Richard Fields
New Zealand, a small group of islands southwest of California
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Hollow/7510/