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It may seem kind of melodramatic, like something out of a paperback spy novel – and it certainly cuts against your straightforward and upfront demeanor, Gennady – but speaking Republian is an asset here and more valuable for being a hidden asset. There may be a time to reveal your knowledge, but you aren’t just going to give it away, especially not to an unknown presumed-hostile almost certain to be loyal to the occupational regime.
So, you behave as you would – as you think you would – were your ignorance true and not pretend. Looking over your shoulder, you call out: “Matsukov, Slavenko, Rashidaliev! Any of you speak Republian?”
Feliks and Slavenko gently shake their heads no, but Matsukov takes a minute step forward and responds, “Yes, a little, sir. They had us NCOs take a day course in the language.”
My goodness, only a day. What could they have taught this man in one day?
Nevertheless, you mention for Matsukov to come over and ask him to inform the court clerk that you will be taking possession of the building.
Matsukov takes a long moment to collect himself and says: “Us Antegria Army. The building: us. The building is us. All Antegria Army today,” in stumbling and monotone Republian. The clerk looks confused, but lightly nods along to the armed man. Hmmm… if you are to persist in the charade that you do not speak Republian, you are going to have to acquire a translator of greater competence than Cpl. Matsukov.
Your message thus “conveyed”, you proceed to searching the premises. The door opposite the entrance is unlocked and leads into a wood-lined hallway. The opposite wall of this hallway has two handsomely polished wooden doors inset, leading into a large room with a raised platform – presumably the judge’s bench – and chairs and desks on either side for the petitioners and staff. Republian flags still hang on either side of the chamber’s back wall, as does another framed portrait of Republia’s “Great Leader” on the north wall. There is another small door at the back of the chamber, presumably for the use of the judge. It is locked. You step back to kick it down and stop when you hear the rushed footsteps of the clerk and a shrill cry in Antegrian of, “Key! Key! Please, general, key!” You allow the clerk to move past you and open the locked door – he promptly rushes inside, presumably to open more doors and thus save the integrity of the building.
