The news came out the next morning, and it spread quickly across Strickland without delay or confusion about its importance.
A man walked into his living room. He was holding a mug of coffee. He walked towards his couch, dropping the mug on his table before literally landing rather heavily on the couch. That was expected, considering his obese physique.
"…authorities have confirmed that a security breach occurred yesterday evening at approximately 16:30 local time at Allock Bank PLC's main branch in Greyford, Strickland…"
He had already tuned in to the 8 O'clock news, so he started to watch.
"…early findings indicate that there were no signs of forced entry into the vault area, and access appears to have been gained through authorised internal systems…"
That detail alone immediately separated this incident from a typical robbery, as it suggested planning and familiarity with how the bank operated internally.
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Strickland was a large island country located just south of the United States, positioned below Florida and near the northern edge of the Gulf region. Its location made it accessible without being crowded, allowing it to maintain strong ties with the United States while still operating independently.
The country was structured and organised, with functioning institutions and systems that were expected to operate without failure under normal circumstances. It was not a place where major security breaches occurred easily, especially within highly regulated environments such as large financial institutions.
Greyford, the capital city, served as the administrative and financial centre of Strickland, housing government offices, corporate headquarters, and major banking operations. The city was developed with clear planning, featuring organised districts, maintained infrastructure, and reliable public services across all areas.
Banks like Allock Bank PLC operated in such an environment because it supported stability, regulation, and consistent financial activity across local and international levels.
At the same time, Strickland was currently in a transitional political period, which affected how quickly large-scale decisions were handled within government structures. The sitting president had only a few months left in office, and preparations for the next administration were already influencing priorities.
Government departments continued to function, but attention was divided between current responsibilities and upcoming changes in leadership and policy direction. Situations requiring coordination could still be addressed, although responses were sometimes more measured during this period.
Outside of formal government authority, influence within Strickland also existed through individuals whose power came from financial reach and business control. These individuals were not elected officials, but their presence was widely recognised due to their involvement in major sectors of the economy.
Carlos Virelli was one of the most prominent figures in that category, known for his extensive involvement in shipping, real estate, and finance across the country. His name carried weight, and his business decisions were known to have noticeable effects on operations within Strickland.
He did not hold political office, but his influence within the country's economic structure made him someone people paid attention to without needing formal authority. His reputation was built on results, and his presence was closely tied to large-scale financial activity.
---
"…the bank has stated that customer funds remain secure, and internal reviews are currently being conducted alongside the ongoing investigation…"
The report continued in the same steady tone, presenting verified information without unnecessary additions or speculation beyond confirmed details.
"…investigators have confirmed that all staff members present during the incident will be questioned as part of efforts to establish a clear timeline…"
This step was expected, as questioning workers would help determine movement within the building, identify inconsistencies, and confirm whether any internal cooperation had occurred during the breach.
"...authorities are currently reviewing internal logs, access records, and all available data related to the vault area..."
The investigation was focused on process and verification, ensuring that every system involved was examined and every recorded action accounted for properly.
"...one of the key developments so far involves a vehicle identified as leaving the bank's premises shortly after the estimated time of the breach..."
This was the first piece of information that extended beyond internal systems and into something physical that could be tracked externally.
"...the vehicle has been confirmed to be a waste collection truck operating within Greyford at the time.
"Authorities have also released the plate number associated with the vehicle as part of their investigation…"
The report slowed slightly as it reached the most concrete detail available so far.
"...K7L-9A3."
"This is currently the most concrete lead available, and authorities will be focusing on it moving forward."