The King of Puntland!

Shortly after the meeting in the 9th Circle, what followed was a month of prep-work. With her ability to mentally multitask she read up on every book and every internet article she could find about their target nation, as well as business practices to eventually set up shop, as well as finding worthwhile allies. The Federal Republic Somalia was a federal entity comprised of four states, Somaliland in the north west, Puntland in the North east, Galmudung the central region, and Jubaland in the South, where most of the country’s economic activity went on, as it was where Mogadishu was located.

The situation in Garowe, Puntland was a textbook military coup, as the General of the army had taken over after running the legitimate government out of town. Not difficult with all the corruption siphoning nearly all the money from infrastructure and most stupid of all- police and military funding. This General Nagoyo was no noble champion of the people though; he was a Walmart dime-a-dozen petty tyrant who named himself King of Puntland and declared it a sovereign nation separate from the Somalian States, virtually damning it to years of poverty and civil war. He has been in power for a year now, and the country was no better off. Fires still raged in the city each day, as no funding had been spared for a fire fighting service.

Now to allies.

A local agent was also incredibly important, and she also found a mysterious entity known as Thalassaphobia, a literal vampire-alien ooze- noble lady operating as a mercenary and saboteur. Lady Sophia Von Claremont too had great plans that aligned with what they had in mind, and with her aid the two performed plenty of covert work to undermine Nagoyo’s army – but given what they had in mind, they didn’t attack the troops directly. No, Dabbler and Thalas stole precious metals assets, paychecks, food supplies and sabotaged water filtration systems around the country. Nagoyo’s army crumbled, leaving only his core battalion within the city loyal to him. Sophia worked for a reasonable fee and for a good reason - As a vampire, she could not operate in the daytime. But she controlled the night, to compensate.

Loudmouth buff guys in spandex who’d punch out targets for cash were dime a dozen, but Dabbler knew that they needed someone special. Very special. Someone who knew empire building. Dabbler found out about Lu Tong Niao, the steel sage, and she proved herself immensely talented for her price, turning the extremist occupied port Bandarbeyla, into a small but functioning port capable of taking international shipping. Well worth entire piles of gold and silver bars. Once Steelheart Industries set up shop there, the plan to meet with the King of Puntland could commence. Yes, Dabbler definitely named that plan.

Not bad for one month’s work.

GAROWE, PUNTLAND

As was with the priorities with these despots, The Parliament building had been partly transformed into a luxurious palatial abode while the city reeled with unrest, food and water shortages, rampant crime and violence. It was child’s play for Dabbler as “Samantha” to get herself kidnapped by the royal guard, the very obviously vulnerable daughter of a rich white businessman who must have lost his mind setting up in his country- until he had heard they had transformed Bandarbeyla- a hub for religious extremists to the point of having a functioning slave and opium market in public – into an international port in seven days! It was an inhuman feat, one only metahumans or wizards could possibly accomplish.

The ransom meeting had been set during the day, as people cowered in their homes at stories of a vampire stalking the night, leaving exsanguinated bodies all over town. An armored convoy was sent to pick up Argus Black and his little empire building half dragon mage Niao, and it was apparent that they had no intention of releasing either of them at the end of this day. Still, the “King” humored a “negotiation”, thinking he had all the cards.

Argus and Niao were brought to the opulent throne room of Nagoyo. He was surrounded by his bodyguards and servants of course, most of them as much hostages as his lackeys. Sitting confidently on his gaudy golden throne wearing tacky royal regalia, he addressed them in English with a distinct regional accent.

“Welcome, Mister Black. You stand in the presence of a King. So, we will have words. How much does your grand daughter mean to you? Perhaps if you pledge your loyalty to me. Serve my nation. Pay me regular tribute. Your grand daughter will live a comfortable life here in the palace.”

Niao did not take kindly to this man's language. Still, she was briefed by Dabbler not to antagonize the King unless they were attacked first. She leaned over to Argus, unaware of his true nature as of yet. "He is every bit the fool Dabbler describes."

A lot could happen in a month; a lot more could happen in a world as advanced as the one Argonath Belzenlock now found himself in. He was a God of War and strategy was something he innately knew how to do and a skill he had perfected in his millennia of life. Adapting his strategies for hostile takeover and business acquisition had been surprisingly easy. The assistance of one Dabbler had made that process even easier; it was apparent the Chaos Witch was good for more than just her regenerative capabilities and the portals that led to wherever she so desired. With the work of the two of them Argus Black and Steelheart Industries had been birthed, created, given a proper background and legitimacy that would hold up under even the tightest of investigation.

With this newfound identity they gathered allies, staked their claim and made headway into Somalia. Specifically the region of Puntland and the port of Bandarbeyla where with a new draconic ally they not only modernized but also revolutionized the port town into a thriving, industrialized, international port city. One that was able to stand up to the other international giants in the same field. With the backing of Steelheart Industries the new jobs they brought and protection from pirates the people were already regaling them as heroes. While that had been going on their vampiric ally had been wreaking havoc on the General’s men, turning the country into absolute chaos. Chaos that the kind people at Steelheart Industries were more than happy to help clean up and offer assistance whenever they could. It helped that those offering the jobs and assistance just so happened to also be mostly natives of Somalia and Puntland themselves.

Those that had not already outright left the employ of the ‘King of Puntland’ had grown disillusioned with his rule. Felt unsafe with the growing vampiric threat, the loss of food and money. Their loyalty swayed away from General Nagoyo and to a more welcoming embrace. That said, the loyalty was kept under wraps. While the displeasure was made known, as much as it could be to ensure their safety the people knew not to publicly announce who or what they now served. It was much easier to allow the General to believe he still held all of the cards, that his little slice of the world was running as smoothly as he had wanted it to. True, he would still learn the truth of the matter but that would happen at the appointed time and not a moment sooner.

Which of course was how Argus Black found himself riding in the back of an armored vehicle with his metahuman ally Niao next to him. The relatively short ride to the parliament building turned palace was one in silence, the only sound was Argus Black using his tablet device to stay caught up on the stock market (something Argonath found he was a master at manipulating) and other business related emails or activities that required his attention. When they arrived the tablet would shrink down to a watch that was placed upon his wrist.

The throne room was gaudy and extravagant, just like the man who sat upon his golden chair. The older gentleman that was Argus Black raised an eyebrow as he took in the surroundings; using his cane that was more for show than anything, to lean against when the self-proclaimed king addressed him. “Forgive me if I do not bow, I find it hard on my back.” He replied in what would amount to a British accent in this world. The offer was put on the table. One he expected. Serve Nagoyo, pay him tribute, pledge loyalty and everything would be fine. “Ah, but perhaps she will live here comfortably anway. It is a bit gaudy for my tastes however I could see young Samantha appreciating it.” The ‘old man’ nodded to Niao as he made a show of looking around the room. As if taking in the sights around him and appraising it; which he was but not for the reason the General/King probably assumed. No, Lord Belzenlock was appraising the room tactically. Finding any weakpoints in the defenses, exit strategies, blind spots, security cameras, any trap or hidden doors. Whatever he could use against this General if need be, and what he could fix when he inevitably took the parliament building for himself. “I do have a counter offer for you however. Work for me, make this transition easier upon yourself. You have already lost the support of your people and all but the closest of your armed forces. It would not look good on you if there was any needless bloodshed.” Forward in the approach? Yes. Needed as a show of strength? Absolutely.

NIAO
Niao padded on the offer to the King, attempting to dangle the proverbial carrot on a stick.

“Indeed. You stand to profit immensely from our presence here, your highness.” Sarcastically. “Our business is here to build infrastructure, homes, industry. Your mineral deposits too deep to mine? We will handle it. Your dead little fishing town will soon be bustling with shipping throughout the region, exporting refined precious metals to the world. All we need is unrestricted access to your country. We will even pay operating taxes to you.”

“Why will you not work with me then? Invest your resources directly into my government! This chaos was unnecessary!”

“A palace for your brother who runs the country’s only large contracting firm is not infrastructure. You are a corrupt despot, one of many who stands in the way of enlightenment. We are offering you prosperity on a silver platter.”

Nagoyo laughed out loud at the preposterous offer. “You think I was born yesterday? A rich old white man, and a Chinese woman come here and offer me the moon and the stars? Mister Black, if there is one thing I have learned, it is foreigners are devils in disguise. You think I do not know you have your own agenda? ”

He then snaps his fingers. All the guards form a half circle, all their guns pointed at Niao and Argontath. “You will do exactly as I say or I will gun you down where you stand and take everything you have built for myself!”

“The witch anticipated you would never consider even contemplate bowing to others. I will consider this a sufficient threat.” Niao raised both her hands, and in a panic the soldiers opened fire. Dozens upon dozens of bullets fill the air but abruptly stop 2 feet from Niao and Argonath. They clatter to the ground moments later, seeing as the soldiers were resources to be harnessed.

The room thrummed with arcane energies, all the soldiers’ weapons being yanked out of their hands by an invisible force and turned on them. Then Niao stomps the ground, causing them men to sink into the ground down to their knees. They struggled to escape, but the ground was solid rock when they made the attempt. They cease resisting and raise their arms in surrender.

“Metahumans! Damn you- AAAAH!” The King started screeching in pain and grasping at his head. His iron and golden crown suddenly was two sizes two small for him, the crown visibly deforming as it squeezed his skull. Nagoyo’s love of gold and precious metals served Niao’s purposes all too well, and he stumbled down his high throne, now ironically bowing down on his knees to them.  

“I have served under bloodthirsty emperors who built strong nations in a human life time. You, Nagoyo, are not one of them.”

DABBLER

Samantha Dabbler meanwhile, was being held upstairs and being entertained by prince Ndwandwe. He had returned to the country barely three months ago, having graduated Business from Princeton. If there was something Nagoyo did right it was investing in his son’s education, and that meant he was much opposed to the tied-up hostage at gunpoint deal… and the whole declaring yourself king of a rogue state thing.

That meant Samantha’s time as a hostage was spent with the prince watching downloaded movies in the private theatre room, eating Oreos and milk, as the prince had some daytime Jack Daniels. Ndwandwe had a taste for classic movies, it was “all superheroes or half baked indie” these days. Once they had finished with John Carpenter’s The Thing, Samantha decided on the next viewing material. Even the prince’s bodyguards took notice when the videos started playing.

“Bring their family here! Make his wife and children watch as he is flayed alive!”

“Someone in this officer corps is responsible for that assassination attempt! I want you to decimate that fool now, or all of you will face the firing squad!”

“Whenever the soldiers complain about lack of pay or food, show them this video. I know where each and everyone’s family lives.”

The prince went wide eyed and even threw up into a bin a couple of times as Samantha played 10 minutes of videos on the hard drive. “Your father has… hours…. Hours of these videos. Your dad is an asshole. Hmmm… if he wanted to torture that woman, he should’ve ripped her nipples off first…” Samantha commented, speaking casually to the prince, but also eyeing their guards. They too had strong feelings seeing their families in those videos.
“He… he told me the elected government here were starving the people to line their pockets. But… this is just as bad. No, this is worse, a lot worse. This charade cannot go on.”

“So, you’re agreeable to our offer? Take over as king? Or be a military dictator for a few years, then reinstate a democratic government. What you call yourself won’t matter. You’ll be a hero, and Africa’s richest man at the close of the decade. You might even have enough money to spend on your own people.”

“…I mean… yeah… being rich is cool… and helping my country is important to me. But My father will not like this plan, Samantha.” The prince said. He was young and a good kid, so he didn’t get his father’s gumption yet.

“Oh, I don’t know about that. Let’s go talk to him.” She offered, so they left the home theatre and headed to the throne room, where Niao had already “pwned these noobs”.

“Oh hey Argooooo- Grandpa! Look I made a friend! This one actually listens to our plan and thinks it’s good!” Dabbler  waved enthusiastically to her “grandpa”.

Prince Ndwandwe looked at the commotion below. “Uhhh…. Please don’t… hurt… me?”

So, not only could Niao build but they could also speak. Argus Black was content to stand back and watch the proceedings that took place, let the ‘meta-human’ do as she pleased in this speech. It was likely she had been briefed by Dabbler and knew what to expect or to say. Even if it had a bit of ad libbing in there, it all ended the same. The outcome of this ‘hostage situation’ was essentially already written. Nothing this false King could do would matter in the end. His reign would end today one way or another. It would have been so much simpler had he instead decided to do the smart thing and hand over the reigns of power to ‘Mr. Black’ and Steelheart Industries. The transition would have been a little bumpy, the world governments would have put prying eyes in the country and business, at least in the Americas, would have halted for a time. But, that would have only made the end goal come quicker.

Which was why it was fine that time was something they were not in short supply of. Argus raised an eyebrow and made a ‘Hmm?’ noise as all of the guards snapped to attention, pointing their guns at himself and Niao. He could have revealed himself here, or at least one of his powers. Sent out a pulse of destructive energy and turned the guns to nothing more than ash. Or, he could have simply burned the entire building to the ground. Crushed the foolish mortals underneath his clawed foot and brought this palace to the ground with an earthquake. He did none of this though, eyes locked onto General Nagoyo’s own when the bullets failed to meet their mark. Stopped in mid air and clattered on the ground, two feet away from Niao and himself. The soldiers were quickly incipacitated, their guns ripped from their hands and turned on them, the ground rose up and swallowed them to their knees.

The ‘King’ found his crown was now two sizes too small, and was brought down low to his own knees. Argus Black walked forwards, right up to the man and used his cane to lift their chin. So that they were now kneeling in front of him and looking him in the eyes. “This was always the end result. It did not matter how we got here. In the end you would always kneel before me. A pity it was not out of your own will. Perhaps your son will-Ah and here he comes now.” Cane dropping back down to his side as Mr. Black walked over to take in the form of the young ‘Prince’ Ndwandwe. An individual who was apparently smarter than their father, at least more educated. By their tone and stuttered speech of ‘don’t hurt me’, he at least knew when he was in the presence of his betters.

“Hurt you my dear boy? Why would we do that? No, no. No harm will come to you.” Grandfatherly Argus Black replied “Did you have a nice time young Samantha?” He questioned but it was the unspoken question of did the prince agree that she answered and that was what truly mattered. “Good good. Ndwandwe, you have the very rare opportunity to take over from your father when he is not even dead yet. The support of the people is no longer his. We were going to offer to not only leave him in ‘power’ but also pay him operating taxes. That offer is no longer on the table as you can see.” He motioned to the kneeling false king and the half buried soldiers before continuing. “Instead you will take over, and defer all judgment of running this country to Steelheart Industries. We will improve this third world country and turn it into one that surpasses even the Americans in quality of life, economics, and everything in between. You will of course be a puppet figure head, but a well liked and very well lived one. Perhaps in time I might even seek your council on further endeavors. Do you agree?” Hook, line, and sinker. That was the phrase as far as he was aware.

"It was great. The prince brought me to the private theatre. We had snacks, watched movies. Then we watched all the recorded atrocities the king perpetrated. Against his own side! Can you believe that?"

“Uhhh… sure. Anything. Anything to help make the country a better place. And thanks? Hey so uh. What’s going to happen to my father?” the Prince asked.

“Well. He’ll stand trial of course! You saw all those torture and snuff films he made. Who’ll pass judgement, Eh, we’ll figure it out.” Dabbler shrugged the question, then called out to Niao.

“Hey! Other Dragon Girl!” She shouted at the top of her lungs.

Niao was not in the mood for Dabbler’s Dabblerisms. “Do not call me that. I am Lu Tong Niao. The master of earth and metal, the mystical sage of steel! I have actual talents. I do not…” Niao raises her fingers in air quotation, “…Smash bad guys’ faces in and pose for pretty pictures for a living.” She said with a pang of resentment, referring to the one who carries the actual name of Dragon Girl.

“Oh okay. Sage. The spice? Sage. Parsley. Rosemary. THYME. Sage. SAAAGE. Saaaaaaaage. YEAH that works better than Other Dragon Girl. Let them soldiers go. Pretty please?” Dabbler went on some strange tirade with Niao’s new call sign.

Ndwande looked at Samantha go on a tirade. “Someone please, save me now.”

Niao relents and frees the soldiers from the earth trap. Then cautiously she returns their weapons. In the presence of these three, they were in a mix of awe and terror. Dabbler surprises the assembled soldiers in the throne room by speaking the native language. “All right, young men of Puntland. Raise your hand if Nagoyo personally threatened or imprisoned your family this week.”

More than a handful raised their hands. A change of management was imminent, and they were going to be on the winning side.

“Take him to the cells, and get your families! The rest of you. Round up all your senior officers and the Family Protection Services. Then we shall PAR-TAY!” Dabbler grinned, almost too much as to reveal her teeth. The soldiers, once afraid, raised their weapons to cheer. It seemed Nagoyo had a gun to everyone’s back during his entire reign, and now finally, that burden was lifted from everyone.

“NO! UNHAND ME! LET ME GO! SON SAVE ME! DON’T DO THIS!” Soldiers who’d threatened them minutes ago were now gleefully dragging off their king to the dungeons where he’d sent his enemies, and many of his own people. It was a productive exercise, minimizing casualties among the army they intended to train up and use for their own. Nagoyo was a firm believer of the Stick; Dabbler knew these ones needed a carrot.

In the span of ten minutes, whereupon Dabbler provided Sage some refreshment as well, a large number of well-fed older men in office uniform were hauled down to the throne room in handcuffs, and made to kneel before the trio.

“Judgement time.” Dabbler growled in imitation of a certain fictional law enforcer.

Niao stood nonchalantly and fanned herself, as she sipped her iced tea refreshment. “So am I to understand… the sole occupation of these men… is to threaten the families of the other soldiers in the army? Deplorable. Inefficient. Personally offensive.” Niao reiterated their role. They were all keeping their heads down, surrounded by their victims turned captors.

One stepped forward and knelt.

“Good Sir please, we were only following the king’s orders.”

And another. "Yes it was the king! The king ordered us!"

And another kneeler. "Please sir."

“HAHAHAhahhahahaAHAHA! Are you joking? You guys should see all the twisted… sick… things… recorded? I deal with literal demons. But you guys jus take the cake!” Dabbler said.

The fact that the young ‘Prince’ was so agreeable to the terms laid before him was good. The subsequent conversation that took place between Dabbler and Niao was not. The petty things mortals would squabble over was beyond stupid and not at all something the God comprehended. Their argument eventually turned to one of Dabbler’s many tangents, ending with her apparently deciding it would be good to call the earth drake by the name ‘Spice’. A leap of logic that was as utterly ridiculous as the name itself. Thankfully the tangent came to an end with Dabbler asking the soldiers who had been personally victimized by the king’s secret police. The previous king was led out of the room and down into the cells by his old guards while the rest cheered for his removal. Everything was going according to plan.

Young Ndwandwe of course was not allowed to leave during the process of the removal, the bringing of refreshments (which Argonath had declined), and of course when the secret police were brought. “I hate it when they grovel. It shows only weakness. Soldiers should face their death like the men of battle they are.” The disguised God of War stated through the voice of Argus Black; his own momentarily breaking through at the end. Leaning against his cane, in the center of the room. He could have easily dealt with these fools, turned them into ash. Ripped their heads clean off, or their still beating hearts out of their chests. Forced them to serve him in chains until the day they died. But alas, that would not be good for his cover and making Ndwandwe present for this sentencing did not allow those options. That and he was certain that Niao was also not yet aware of his true form.

Thus, none of his above thoughts were put into action. Instead Argus Black simply ‘hmphed’ before looking at the three in the room with him that weren’t currently on their knees and groveling. “I do believe it is quite simple who will decide their punishment. The people of the nation whom they have wronged. Yes? Their new King should of course be the one to propose the idea to them. Give them the evidence. A new public regime that hides nothing as it were.” Of course they would hide quite a lot. There would be much the people of this country would not know but that was not the point here; the point was that the people liked-no loved the new regime of ‘King’ Ndwandwe and the partnership with Steelheart Industries.

Dabbler was mentally sharpening her tortures and torments for the dungeons, when Argonath stayed in character much better than she did. “Of course, of course. The will of the people and all that.”

Then Dabbler pointed to Niao. “Okay! Next part of the plans. Sage, pretty please with sugar on top?”

Niao put in the drama, as Dabbler put it, and began tearing down all the gold finishes and the gaudy gold eagle throne in the room. With her body and hand movements, large pieces and small fragments of gold were torn from the walls, columns and decorations adorning the place, gathered into a car sized amount of the precious metal. She converted them into gold bars.

“This parliament turned palace- symbol of years of corrupt government- will be torn down then rebuilt into a bastion of order and knowledge. Just as this nation will be rebuilt. Give me four days.” Niao said, making notches and marks all over the interior walls on how

Next she handed the crown telekinetically to the witch in disguise, also stripping it of its gold and jewelry. It was now a utilitarian symbol of rule. Ndwandwe knelt to receive it.

As he stood, then Dabbler proclaimed to the throne room. “I hereby crown you, King Nwandwe, first of his name! Long may he reign.”

A silence hung over the room. It seemed the folks were not in on the program.

“I said. LONG MAY HE REIGN.” Dabbler spoke to the assembled troops and captives in the native tongue, to echo the sentiment to make the ‘scene’ work.

“Long may he reign!” The crowd responded in the native language.

“Give us a good first impression, your highness.” Dabbler told Nwandwe.
Ndwandwe ascended up the steps to the now bare throne, hardly more than a bench. Niao looked at the thing unsatisfied. “Wait! Are you sure you don’t want a throne made of the melted down weapons of the old regime?”

“That’s plenty derivative. Let’s do it.”  Niao grabs about 30 AK-74’s from the troops, strips off all the wood parts, and smashes them together, crudely and roughly. Then it was shaped into a seat.

Nwandwe sighed. There was a lot of tangents and side tracking. He looked at the Kalashnikov throne. “Yeah I get it guys, rulership is cold, difficult and uncomfortable. I saw the show and read the books.”

“THE TASK OF RULERSHIP IS A BURDEN! THIS CHAIR SHALL REMIND YOU THAT THE SOVERIGN MUST NEVER GET COMFORTABLE!” Dabbler proclaimed loudly.

“I got this. Alright, first up, we’re dissolving the sham that is the Family Protection Services. They will stand trial once we get our judiciary back from exile. From now on we’re setting up a proper police force. Also, everyone who is underage in my army have the option to return to their families. Thirdly, we will join with Mister Argus Black and Steelheart Industries as the leaders of enterprise and development to get us back on the international community. We’ve got a country to rebuild, my brothers.”

((Words: 2,969 XP: 5 LOW: 469))