Smoothly without issue

Aviel was an exile from Israel, but this didn't mean the Mandebaum family didn't have connections. Her father as a Knesset member developed quite a vast network over his decades-long career, and now she was going to use his most trusted contacts - those she was intimately familiar with.

She dailed the first number over the house phone she had.

"Hello? Zohara Ish-Shalom speaking," She heard over the phone.

"Hello Zohara," Said Aviel.

"Hello Aviel, it's so good to hear your voice," Said an elderly voice, matronly and gentle, "How are you? I must imagine Liberia is quite lacking in material comforts and basic hospitality. Not much you can expect from an unstable, war-torn country."

"I'm doing good, except I need a favour," Said Aviel, "Can you source me some of my old friends in the IDF? Or retired veterans in **** need of employment? I need to begin training some troops for security purposes."

"I suppose it's to be expected," Said Zohara, "Thankfully, there's no short supply of that."

"Good, good," Said Aviel, "I also need some scientists and business magnates, spies..."

Aviel gave Zohara a long list of needs and wants, namely personnel with skills across different industries and business sectors private or public, and some old friends from the Likud party who could afford giving up a career in the Knesset to begin setting up in Liberia. It was not easy, but Aviel managed to secure her at least ten government officials, and the support of at least three businesses and a bank.

"...Yes, I'll handle the embassy. Don't worry," Said Aviel, "I don't think they'll mind me, even if I'm just Minister of National Development."

"Very good, Aviel. But what about the other businesses there?" Asked Zohara, "I don't think they'll appreciate you muscling into their territory."

"They'll just have to deal with it," Said Aviel, "They should know I won't let them have their way, and the local ministers here can hardly care less."

"I suppose not, imbeciles, the lot of them," Said Zohara, "What about funding? Are you in any financial difficulty?"

"I'm good on money, thanks," Said Aviel, "But can you help get NATO and America off my back, and keep them disinterested? I don't want any 'interventions' happening."

"Done and done," Said Zohara.

"Thank you so much, Zohara," Said Aviel, "But I have to ask... what about my mother and siblings? Do you know what happened to them?"

Zohara heaved a terrible, long sigh, and a cold dread settled in Aviel's heart.

"Your mother and all your siblings have dropped off the grid," Said Zohara, "Barnabus's goons and our own contacts have failed to pick up her trail - we don't even have a lead. Whatever clue we have leads to a cold trail. If I'm honest... this baffles me greatly."

Aviel had to agree; being the family of a formerly powerful and influential politician made you a high-profile target, and government agencies should be able to track them down easily with the connections and resources at their disposal.

But it did give Aviel a beacon of hope.

"Thanks, Zohara. That's all for now," Said Aviel.

"It's the least I can do to repay your father," Said Zohara, "I would have gladly given you shelter were you in Israel."

"I appreciate the thought," Said Aviel, feeling her eyes wet with tears, "Take care."

And she hung up the phone.