Kidnap Victim Overpays Own Ransom

Faisal Yilmaz, a dome councillor for Ward Nine, paid his own kidnappers 120,000 credits on Thursday, ending Port Quillon's first abduction in eleven days. The kidnappers had asked for 40,000. Yilmaz, who oversees lichen allotments, called the figure "a clerical slight" and said his seat alone was worth more.

Paora Mazur, one of the two kidnappers, said the offer left them with little room. "He had the transfer open before we finished the speech," Mazur said. "We said we couldn't take it. He said that was exactly the attitude that got us a number like that."

Ilse Szabo, the second kidnapper, had priced Yilmaz from the council's public pay scale. She said she was sorry. "We worked it out on his ward's turnout," she said.

Yilmaz was released from the pantry of a disused grain bay. He walked home and filed no complaint. Port Quillon police said a case could not proceed without one.

Yilmaz has asked that the final sum be read out at the next sitting. He has also asked that the kidnappers be thanked, and seated.

Mazur has since been asked by two other councillors whether she is taking bookings. Both wanted to know her rates first, so they could go higher.