NationStates Jolt Archive

Knootian conflict reaches diplomatical solution!


Today, a peace deal, brokered by the Commowealth of the Vortex Corporations and the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka, has been accepted by the representatives of all sides involved in the Knootian conflict.

The treaty will allow to end the war without any further escalation and bloodshed.

After long negotiations, the sides have finaly reached an agreement on the following clauses:

1. Creation of a Dominion held and controlled island 40 kilometers off the coast of Knootoss and for a total length of 99 yeas(3 RL months) after which it must be destroyed.
2. Establishing a WMD-free zone all over Knootoss - both the Dominion held island and the Knootian mainland have no right to deploy WMD's on their held territory.
3. All military personel of all foreign nations involved is to pull out immediately.
4. A Taraskovyan contingent will be deployed to the Dominion island, with Whispering Voices serving as "back up" nation.
5. Deployment of a Vortex Corporations contingent to the mainland to serve as peacekeepers, with Diablo_NL serving as "back up" nation
6. Demobilisation of the Knootian armed forces to peace time levels.

These clauses have been agreed upon by the repsentants of both sides and will now enter full jurdical power.
All military activities are to be ceased and military personel is to begin pulling out.
The construction of the Dominion Island and deployment of Taraskovyan-Vortex Peace Keepers is to begin shortly.

We remain yours,
Signed:

Representing the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka,
High Councilor of the Duchy for Foreign Affairs,
Leib-Count Alexei Nemirov.

[OOC:
Others are to confirm officially :wink: ]

"Finally, this horrible blodshet has found to an end.

Finally, the people of Knootoss can live in peace again.

The outside aggressors have been successfully kept away from the mainland, they were froced to give up their plan to enslave all of Knootoss.

We will, of course, abide to the rules set by the treaty.

May we finally know peace in our time."

~ Mr. Morden

The Vortex Corporation confirms this joyful tiding. We are most pleased with the outcomes of the negotiations, and will gladly found and construct the island facility mentioned above. We would like to extend our gratitude to Tarasovka, Knootoss, Whispering Voices, Diablo_NL and all other nations involved in the process.

We sincerely hope this will serve as an example for the future. What has been accomplished here today, is proof that violent conflicts can be ended with a peaceful solution. May the gods look willingly upon this agreement, and may it mark the beginning of an era of peace.

-------------------------------------------
The Vortex Corporation High Council

Imperial Alliance Trade Ambassador
AWN Head of Economic Affairs
Templar Alliance Member
SFN Member
WTE Member

Storefront (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67892) of the Vortex Corporation
Corporate Coalition (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=61168) Founding Member

Hofburg, Lavenrunz
Foreign minister Hans van Mierlo sighed visibly relieved when the long negotiations had ended. They had been painful, and the pressure on the Knootians to reach a solution had been great. Too great sometimes. But at least the war was over now, and they could return home to face the music.

Taking a luxurious pen the foreign minister and prime minister van der Laan authorised the document by signing their signatures...

[OOC: more aftermath to follow of course, but this is to confirm]

Drat, and I was just about to turn Knootoss into one big mine feild, well time for the spec ops teams to get to work.

Blame canada, they're the asshole and blaming pit of the entire world.

(OOC: from the Celdonian news website. A bit double, granted but with some small new insights)

Agreement Reached In SATO-Dominion Conflict

Today, a peace deal, brokered by the the Vortex Corporation and the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka, has been accepted by the representatives of all sides involved in the Knootian conflic

The treaty that is currently being ratified by both SATO and Dominion nations will allow to end the war without any further escalation and bloodshed. The conflict, which has been dubbed “the shadow war”, has been short but bloody. Little remains of the once proud capitol of The Hague (see picture) even though the parliament building miraculously survived intensive shelling from the Dyelli Beybi fleet, and Lavenrunzian artillery barrages. The number of casualties is still unknown, but a rough estimate will become available tomorrow.

After long and sometimes painful negotiations, the sides have finally reached an agreement on the following clauses:

1. Creation of a Dominion held and controlled island 40 kilometers off the coast of Knootoss and for a total length of 99 yeas(3 RL months) after which it must be destroyed.
2. Establishing a WMD-free zone all over Knootoss - both the Dominion held island and the Knootian mainland have no right to deploy WMD's on their held territory.
3. All military personnel of all foreign nations involved is to pull out immediately.
4. A Taraskovyan contingent will be deployed to the Dominion island, with Whispering Voices serving as "back up" nation.
5. Deployment of a Vortex Corporations contingent to the mainland to serve as peacekeepers, with Diablo_NL serving as "back up" nation
6. Demobilisation of the Knootian armed forces to peace time levels.

While many civilians are visibly relieved that the war has ended, anonymous high-ranking official from the Knootian government-in-exile told the Celdonian News Syndication service that they were dissatisfied with the high pressure put on them by SATO nations during the negotiation process. The official provided an insight into the negotiation process, and was quoted saying “Lady Siritil nos Fëanor would come in during the negotiations and openly criticising Knootian negotiation positions, as well as calling the diplomats names. She even threatened to ask the secretary-general to pull out of Knootoss, even though she immediately added that she wouldn’t.”

SATO, Dominion and allied leaders were quoted as “very pleased” with this result which they called “avoiding a bloody and escalating trench war.“ Mr. Morden from Der Angst spoke out hope that “we would finally have peace in our time.”

Several clauses are suspected to be hard on the new Knootian leaders, such as the removal of all nuclear weapons from the mainland and having to contend with a Dominion military base right off the Knootian coast. However prime minister van der Laan commented that “this would be the first positive step in the rebuilding process. In war everyone ultimately loses, and this peace is a victory for all.”

Agreement Reached In SATO-Dominion Conflict

Today, a peace deal, brokered by the the Vortex Corporation and the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka, has been accepted by the representatives of all sides involved in the Knootian conflict

In Knootoss, all the Syskeyian soldiers shouted and cheered and the announcement of peace. They laughed, joked, and took pictures with their Knootian, Lavenrunzian, and other SATO colleages.

1. Creation of a Dominion held and controlled island 40 kilometers off the coast of Knootoss and for a total length of 99 yeas(3 RL months) after which it must be destroyed.

'Just take over LordSquall's base. We won't mind!"
-random Syskeyian private

*uproarious laughter*
-the rest of his unit

6. Demobilisation of the Knootian armed forces to peace time levels.

"Knotoss has a military?"
-Teenage son of a Syskeyian soldier to his dad

"Yes, they do."
-Said dad

God bless,

The Republic of Syskeyia

Agreement Reached In SATO-Dominion Conflict

Today, a peace deal, brokered by the the Vortex Corporation and the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka, has been accepted by the representatives of all sides involved in the Knootian conflict

In Knootoss, all the Syskeyian soldiers shouted and cheered and the announcement of peace. They laughed, joked, and took pictures with their Knootian, Lavenrunzian, and other SATO colleages.

1. Creation of a Dominion held and controlled island 40 kilometers off the coast of Knootoss and for a total length of 99 yeas(3 RL months) after which it must be destroyed.

'Just take over LordSquall's base. We won't mind!"
-random Syskeyian private

*uproarious laughter*
-the rest of his unit

6. Demobilisation of the Knootian armed forces to peace time levels.

"Knotoss has a military?"
-Teenage son of a Syskeyian soldier to his dad

"Yes, they do."
-Said dad

God bless,

The Republic of Syskeyia

*grinds teeth OOCly*

:P

Empress Joanna was flown in to the Hague on a Seekonig helicopter. She was cheered by her Imperial Marines, and personally decorated General Grieg, Colonel Letz and marines that they had recommended.
The Empress stood in the Prime Minister's office thoughtfully, and ordered it properly cleaned and prepared, the parliament as well.
However, though she smiled and was joyful for things being wrapped up, she was furious inside. Left out of negotiations. I was talking to that damned sly elf last night, and not a damned word. Those heathens robbed me...and I have to smile.
But she showed none of this to the troops; they had more than earned her praise.
The Syskeyian Airborne Corps received her personal congratulations and thanks. "I know that there are few enemies for the rest of us when you fellows are around." she told the assembled Airborne.
The soldiers, sailors and airmen from Valinon also were visited. The Empress personally gave their commander the Order of St. Andrew.
For the battered Empire of the Eternal Dawn forces, the Empress was sober as her helicopter flew over seas that concealed the dead, the sunken ships and the worn out fleet.
Tribute to the Empire of the Eternal Dawn and the forces of Der Angst: Carrier Bretwalda's entire crew sailed past their area of operations, presenting arms and raising flags in honor.

Small though it is, the Diablo contingent is personally visited by Empress Joanna. Moved by their resolution in the face of heavy casualties, her voice shaking slightly, she says, "You are proof of your reputation. I am honored that my marines fought alongside such brave and loyal people. You have helped save an ally--and I salute you, soldier to soldier."
"Thank you. It's great honor someone as esteemed as yourself thinks highly of us." Liam (the leader of the 1st army) said. "Pardon for asking. But what would our reputation be? It's not often we hear what others think of us."
"Among SATO forces, you are likely to be the first in the field, and the last from the fray." Empress Joanna says. "It is a privilege to serve with you."
"That would seem true. We all fought on our own accord. For the betterment of our ally in need. I hope we get to fight alongside eachother again some day." Liam said and gave Joanna a deep bow.
The Empress bows back. "Commander Liam--I wish to present you with the seldom given battle honor--the Order of the Leopard, First Class." she presents him with a decoration on which a rampant leopard is embossed, the motto of Lavenrunz "You May Break Me, But You Shall Not Bend Me" beneath it, and "For Valour Extraordinary" above.
Commander Liam bowed again. "This is a great honor m'lady. I am lost for words. All I can say is thanks."
To the Knootians, the Empress said, "To you one of the most difficult tasks: to be prepared to fight on your own ground, possibly against your own people. But you did very well. You have saved your nation from tyranny."
Even though you were sold out a voice inside her says fiercely. I would have fought on, rather than accept this. This peace is a joke.

The small remaining forces of the Silver Turtle were given full military honors when met by Colonel Letz's Imperial Marines.
Once all was done, the Empress met with the senior commanders to coordinate the withdrawal, and waited for a similar meeting with the senior Dominion Commanders.

Republic forces began withdrawing as soon as the document was signed. They were there at the behest of the Knootian government, and now they would leave. The fighters made for orbit - they would return to Mars aboard their carriers which were beginning to arrive. For the next week the shuttles stayed - retrieving bodies and helping to clear rubble. The hundreds of medical personnel brought from Mars stayed as well, helping to ID the bodies and get hospitals back up and running. All of it was re-designated as Red Cross - they were no longer soldiers.

On Mars ceremonies were held for the men and women of the SDF who had lost their lives in the conflict. A monument was raised to the 2,231 who fell.

In Earth orbit the 53rd SBG left for Mars. It was replaced by the 78th, the 53rd recieving a well deserved week off. They left with a wealth of information on their opponents - undoubtably it would be endlessly analyzed. The '0' Division also left - they were tasked with destroying any sensitive hardware before they left, but it didn't take long.

Couriered Letter to the new Knootoss Prime Minister.

"Madam Prime Minister,

We are glad this war is over, for it has cost the lives of many a gentle soul. As we have destroyed, so we hope to help rebuild. If you have any need of us simply ask and we will come.

Regards,
President Thorgardson"

OOC: So, what to do with Tator's body. We've kept it safe. Should it be buried in a common grave? Or the body burned and scattered at sea? Or shall we take it and put it somewhere forever beyond reach?

OOC: going to sleep now but BUMP for tonight. I will reply extensively tomorrow, also dealing with the thoughts of the Empress. If permitted I'd like the body of Vogels and Tator back for funerals Knootian style.

"Madam Prime Minister,

We are glad this war is over, for it has cost the lives of many a gentle soul. As we have destroyed, so we hope to help rebuild. If you have any need of us simply ask and we will come.

Regards,
President Thorgardson"

Dear President Thogardson,

I personally thank you for your concerns, you have been of great help and your loyalty and friendship is commendable. Any assistance you could give in the rebuilding of The Hague would be most appreciated. The city has been hit hard, and is largely decimated. If you could help to provide temporary shelter or rebuilding materials we would be much obliged. Financial donations for the victims are, of course, also appreciated but you have had many deaths to mourn yourself so feel no obligation to do so. Your people have done things beyond the call of duty.

Yours,

Lousewies van der Laan
Prime minister

Celdonia commends all those who have brokered peace in Knootsoss, and we hope that its people can now enjoy a period of stability.


President of Celdonia.


OOC: and thanks for plugging CBC News (http://www.redfrenzy.com/news.php) K. :lol: It's still in development but anyone's welcome to use it.

*grinds teeth OOCly* :P

Hey, your army did fight well.

But to say it needs to be demobilized to peacetime levels... is that possible? :D :P :wink:

God bless,

The Republic of Syskeyia

An emergency broadcast reaches out to the nations involved in the conflict from Valinon's embassy to the United Nations. The image shows the solemn lion crest of House Alderman and then the banner of the Empire. Finally the image resolves to that of Lady Diedre Rolt, His Majesty's ambassador to the United Nations, flanked on the right by Lord Reynard Adonis dressed in a full Sardaukar dress uniform, and behind them stand the Baron Administrators of Valinon's Terran treaty ports.
Lady Rolt clears her throat, "We have recently been made aware of the Vortex/Tarasovka peace accord in regards to the current Knootian civil conflict. The Empire of Valinon is neither a member of SATO or of the Dominion so refuse to recognize this as any more than a temporary cease-fire agreement. Also we take at this time the right to condemn several points of this peace accord. First the ludcrious of allowing the Dominion to establish a fortress so close to the Knootian sovereign nation, and then demand the majority of the Knootian military be broken down. Secondly, His Majesty demands that free, uninterrupted elections be held in Knootoss since the current regime is now effectively dead in the matter of being a serious government. Third, and finally, Valinon refuses to withdraw the majority of its forces sent to Knootoss legitmately until such time that we have reached our own permanent peace accord with the Dominion."
Lady Rolt clears her throat, "In regards to the domestic affairs of Knootoss, His Majesty will be sending 150 million imperial pounds in monetary aid and additional aid in the form of humanitarian missions, and construction imperatives. And we will support a move to make an immediate Vote of No Confidence against the defunct Conservative Party administration. We will also begin a gradual removal of armed forces once Admiral of the Red Sir Quentin Forrest arrives from Alpha Centauri to begin extradition of our troops."
She looks directly at the viewers, "In conclusion, the Empire of Valinon still firmly condemns the action of the Dominion in regards to its actions in the Knootoss matter. We await diplomats from the various Dominion nations involved to begin looking for a more indepth solution to this affair. Thank you," the image disappears.

******

In Knootoss the Valinon/Ortagan forces move back toward the cities that they were originally garrisoned in. Sardaukar and Elite Guard prescence is especially high in the cities of Amsterdamn and Knootcap. A temporary location of the Valinon embassy has been established in Amsterdam, and the Valinon high command for the Knootian field command is operating there.
The navy of His Majesty deployed to Knootoss has moved in positions to defend the coast of Knootoss. With special attention given to Amsterdam, Knootcap, and the waters 75 miles off of the Dominion isle.
The first shipments of aid will arrive from the treaty ports in two days time. And additional aid from the Fatherland will arrive with Admiral Forrest's fleet.

OOC: I do this because I was ICly pissed with the Dominion before all this, and now Valinon has an even deeper ax to grind. And with the Dominion fraying internally, we smell blood and we intend to try and milk this situation.

OOC:

Tag. Valinon, is your fleet going to continue attacking me? That was the impression I got, but the person I'd send is on my fleet, and I need to know if you are in case he dies or something.

OOC: Cancel the attack for now, we are holding positions for now. It means if we are attacked we will respond, or feel threatened. But otherwise we will just set still. Of course that depends on the response to our announcement.

OOC:
Valinon:
This treaty has been agreed upon by the SATO representatives and the Dominion representatives.
If you refuse to withdraw, action will be taken.
I will discuss details with Vortex about a coherent responce to your "agressive" statement. After all - it is our joint contingent that is to replace the troops present on the ground... :?

I will make IC posts for all these cases.

That is all for now.

Far out to see, a disurbance broke the water, six fleets, hulls lack in the moning sn, broke the waters, their troops had heard that peace had been aceived, but they had also heard that Thelas high-command now considers any cease-fire agreement that Thelas had void (due to the new treaty) but now that Valinon had broken the treaty, well, Thelas was at war again.

The Grav-fleets menacing and dark in the twilight began to move twoards te Vlainon forces, Thelas high ccommand sent a message to Valinon:

"Valinon forces,stand down and acsept the treaty or we will hunt you down, Thelas was a combatant, te current treaty renders our cease fire void, by not acsepting the treaty, you are now at war with Thelas, I repeat stand down"

The Brotherhood has signed the treaty. The Brotherhood fleet has been given orders to leave Knootian territorial waters, after picking up the Brotherhood Army B and C from the coasts nearby Delft. Total Brotherhood casualties have been estimated at approximately 20.446.

http://www.inn.nl/~ngoorman/niek/kane2.jpg
Kane, Messiah of the Brotherhood of Nod, Puppetmaster of The Great Zebediah, Master Magician of the Rogue Nation of Annoying Bugs, Military Head of the Dominion (formerly GDODAD) and CEO of the Brotherhood Trade Corporation, member of the Corporate Coalition, member of the Arda Alliance.

The DA fleet arrives at Knootoss, and begins to ship out any forces that were stationed in Knootoss during the war.

In unrelated news, Marshall Guts was quoted, calling thelas a 'Nation of warmongering fools that should watch their back'.

and in unrealated news General Himtori, calls Der Angst a nation of "idiots who should read the news that Valinon has refused to sign te treaty, and is consided at war with Thelas!"

and you're not a warmonger?

OOC: no jst the calming infulence of General Theallas is not present, due to a duel with Lady Sirithil nos Feanor (yes Theallas is fighting her)

The Empire of Valinon refuses to sign this treaty, becuase it does not recognize the authority of the Dominion in any way, nor do we fully recognize SATO as we are not a member nation. The Empire of Valinon does, however, accept this agreement as a cease-fire agreemtn baring a more formal treaty between the Empire of Valinon and the Dominion forces. We are not making any overtly hostile moves currently, and our forces will attack only if they are attacked or feel threatened if an attack seems immenient. The Empire of Valinon peacekeepers were a legitimate force in Knootoss before either Dominion or SATO involvement, therefore we do not see ourselves as invaders. We also have sworn to help Knootoss rebuild, and construct a possible defence agreeement with Knootoss. In conclusion, Valinon Imperial Sardaukar and New Ortagan Elite Guard recognize the trety signed by Dominion and SATO representatives as a strictly cease-fire agreement. Now we are awaiting discussion of a separate peace treaty agreement, which we feel we are entitled to since the Empire is neither a member of the Dominion or SATO.

Sincerely,
Count Viktor Leopold
First Minister of His Majesty's Foreign Affairs

OOC: Bump!

OOC: Bump!

OOC:

*sigh*

You are really serious about not complying?

You know, Thelas doesn't want to step down either.

And he's not with the Dominion.

Maybe you two could frag eachother in neutral waters?

I am calling it a cease-fire agreement, and accept the fact that th terms of this treaty are done. As for Thelas, will confront him if he persists, but for now I am in a cease-fire situation so if he attacks me first, he will be the one initiating the war not me.

The Empire of Valinon would like to put out a call for all nations that wish to act as intermediaries between the Empire of Valinon and the Grand Duchy of New Ortaga and the forces of the Dominion. We hope our announcement will be received as we do not wish to continue war in Knootoss, but neither can we fully agree to the terms laid out in the current treaty drafted by Vortex and Tarasovka.

Sincerely,
Count Viktor Leopold
First Minister for His Majesty's Foreign Affairs

Brigadier-General Stephan Bryant stepped from his white military helicopter onto the cleared site outside the Hague, ready to sign the treaty on behalf of Whispering Voices.

Meanwhile the battered Whispering Voices Twentieth Expedition has been sent home, to be replaced by the Seventeenth Expedition which has taken up positions on the place where the Dominion holiday resort is to be based.

The Empire of Valinon will be sending Lady Diedre Rolt to the peace accord conference. She will act in a purely observational position. The Empire will be pursuing a separate peace accord with the various forces beset against it, including the Dominon member states participating and Thelas. Also, the Star Armada force assembled to begin limited extradition of Sardaukar/Elite Guard personnel from Knootoss has arrived. They are currently on stand down in a stable Earth high orbit, and are readying to send down various aid shipments from the Empire to Knootoos.

Sincerely,
Count Viktor Leopold
First Minister for His Majesty's Foreign Affairs

The Great Ineffable Bob as agreed, and is glad he doesn't have to have his armies killed. The thirteen troops still alive in the Hague have joined with the retreating.

Thelas HighnCommand has anounced that all forces are being redeployed to areas near TROUSERS, due to escalating tensions about The Unitted Hiigarans, he Thelas fleetin orbit is being redeployed to the Asteroid Belt

Within the week a different sort of fleet is arriving from Mars. Escorted by SBG's, SDSF's and MDSF's begin arriving at sublight in long convoys. Setting down they land hundreds of huge roll-on, roll-off cargo pods. They contain building materials, concrete, steel, and plastics. They also contain tools - from hammers and nails to mixers and heavy demolition arrays. As the pods are emptied they are used as shelters for the many rendered homeless.

Along with the supplies come builders and architects. Much praise is reserved for the Hague which has survived so much. But the question is - what will the new city look like? Many wonder about a huge arcology like those of Mars. Knootoss, despite it's wounds, is growing. Dikes will not suffice forever.

OOC: okay, enough one-sentence OOC spaming… lets get back to Rping… the aftermath…

Background music: Gollum’s song (LOTR 2)

"Where once was light, now darkness falls.
Where once was love, love is no more."

The Hague, Knootcap
In the ruins of The Hague, people slowly came out of hiding. In the destroyed streets of the Indian neighbourhood, people were just apathetically standing about watching the devastation. Spread around the Outer court of parliament the bodies of the brownshirts lay. Nobody had gotten around to cleaning them up yet, and the stench of death spread through the city. A little boy (ooc: the same one) lay on the cold stone floor near the body of his father. Still too young to understand, he waited for him to wake up. The sense of the people was of a destruction so far-reaching and of a world so altered that it seemed foolish to go in any direction and expect to find things as they had been before the war began. In private homes, the men and women who were once united as the Tator-loyal brownshirts put off their shirts, disillusioned and afraid of the repercussions.


"Don't say goodbye.
Don't say I didn't try."

Imperial palace, Hofburg, Lavenrunz
Silently, officials of the government-in exile cleaned up their offices in Lavenrunz and prepared themselves to return home. The stay had been short but it had felt long. A vague sense of defeatism was overcoming most politicians and civil servants. Box by box, suitcase by suitcase was packed and readied for transport to the homeland. Now and then, meetings took place but people said as little as possible. The future was uncertain and power blocks were moving.

Looming over all conversations was a veil of secrecy. One did not need to be a master of observation to see that the greens and liberals were meeting without the others. And one did not need to be a master of analysis to see that the conservatives would not be released for quite a while. Not that anyone would visit, or care… the Lavenrunzians were hearing them out but most of them said little. With Dick Tator and his movement gone the dream had burst.


"These tears we cry,
are falling rain
For all the lies you told us,
the hurt, the blame."

A plane heading back to Knootoss
Some of the first to return were the old minister of economic affairs Brinkhorst and some green MO’s. Huddled together, they were already cursing the situation, the treaty, the Menelmacari and Angstian pressure. “I always told you that these Menelmacari Elves are not to be trusted. They are opportunistic imperialists of the first order”, one of the more passionate greens said. “And they go about it openly”, another said. “But when it came to helping us they were not at home, except when they needed us to sign beneath the dotted line.” The SLP minister Brinkhorst sighed openly, having heard all this. Usually he would speak some soothing words, but not this time. “Your silence tells me most, Laurens-Jan”, the green said lowering his voice.

“I have an eerie feeling about this, I must admit. This situation will not make things easier for us. ”the tides have turned.”, he thought. His mind turned again to the negotiations with CACE and Melkor… ”oh, how they have turned…”

"And we will wait
to be so alone."

Delft [Modified H.G. Wells mode :P ]
SATO and Dominion troops were slowly gathering to return home. The brotherhood forces had already been leaving and several others followed. From the university they made their way to the coast.
The people of this country-side were not belligerents. The interests and sympathies alike of the Knootian people had been so divided that to the end she remained undecided and passive in the struggle of the world powers. Some had favoured Tator and voted for his change while others had merely watched in horror the events unfolding. And everywhere along the roads taken by the marching armies clustered groups and crowds of impartially observant spectators, women and children, and elderly, clean-shaven men quietly thoughtful over their long pipes. They had no fear of their invaders anymore; the days when 'soldiering' meant bands of licentious looters had passed away....

A great distribution of khaki-uniformed men and khaki-painted material could be seen over the whole of the sunken area of Holland. Long trains, packed with men or piled with great guns and war material, creeping slowly, along the east and west going lines; There were halts and provisionings and detrainments, and the long, bustling caterpillars of cavalry and infantry, the maggot-like wagons, the huge beetles of great guns, crawling under the poplars along the dykes and roads westward, along ways lined by the neutral, unmolested, ambiguously observant Knootians. All the barges and shipping upon the canals had been requisitioned for transport to the mainports. In that clear, bright, warm weather, it would all have looked from above like some extravagant festival of animated toys.

As the sun sank westward the spectacle became a little indistinct because of a golden haze; everything must have become warmer and more glowing, and because of the lengthening of the shadows more manifestly in relief. The shadows of the tall towers grew longer and longer, until they touched the horizon and mingled in the universal shadow; and then, slow, and soft, and wrapping the world in fold after fold of deepening blue, came the night--the night at first obscurely simple, and then with faint points here and there, and then jewelled in darkling splendour with a hundred thousand lights. (OOC: [/Wells])
Now practically left by themselves the Knootian army demobilised. Weapons put away from the stained white hands and heartsThe young boys who had been soldiers were now once again citizens. Some went back to their homes, but others would still be required to help in the cleaning effort…

(OOC: this RPs the troops leaving / having left. I still await the troops from Vortex to arrive and the construction of the island to begin.)

"We are lost,
We can never go home."

Schiphol international airport, Knootoss
Almost in the dark, Halsema stepped down from the ladder that extended out from the plane and watched the last remains of the sun setting. Soldiers were all over the busy international airport. Next to her Angstian soldiers were lining up to board a transport plane. On the other side Syskeyians appeared to be bust with some sort of religious ceremony or talk. The atheist green woman it was still a bit unclear. The orange haze of the setting sun was familiar, but what she saw on the horizon was not. Troops were everywhere.
She took a cab to the old capitol, in her mental image her flat in The Hague awaited. During the journey she saw a great many people moving along the roads, away from The Hague and the destruction. In the distance she could see thick black smoke still coming up from the old city. Knootcap came in sight, usually the splendour of economic power the city displayed made her skin chill. But all that loomed in the distance were carcases of buildings. “Home will never be home again, it is irrevocably changed”
The car turned in a sideway but was stopped by a police road block. A small yellow line marking the boundary that could not be crossed.
The cab stopped, and Halsema asked: “What is the matter? I really need to pass through, my home is only minutes away.”
The policeman sighed, he had heard this story before. “Your home probably is no more madam. This entire street block is gone.”
Femke Halsema was completely put off “My home….”

"So in the end,
I'll be what I will be,
No loyal friend,
was ever there for me."

Utrecht, Knootcap
The Knootian Central bank had reopened, and the full scale of the electronic robbery became apparent. All available personnel was now busily tracking the money and the trails the Angstians had left. The director muttered “strange that the money was routed through all these WBO accounts.” Then the thought struck him: “could it be…? That a WBO nation had made the biggest robbery in Knootian history?”
The central bank send out a message to ALL involved nations about the inquiry into the disappearing funds, and the accounts stationed there.
(OOC: Der Angst, I need to know again which nations you patched it through besides the WBO nations. And I need any or all WBO nations to ICly confirm that the accounts were Angstian. You have or can find that information, and I presume that you will give it b/c of being allied and such. This is a request to ANY WBO nation that reads it, as I only need one to confirm it to have a trail.)

"(No loyal friend,
was ever there for me.)
Now we say goodbye,
we say you didn't try."

People also watched silently when the SATO forces leaving were leaving. The news of the negotiations and the questionable peace had spread quickly in the densely populated country. The Clangers and Lavenrunzians were waved goodbye enthusiastically. And Knootians actually cheered when they had heard the speech from Empress Joanna, for it captured how they felt. The men and women standing by the side of the road however only peered at the cyborgs and telepaths, and the emotions that they could sense had changed. Most people had been happy when they had first seen their would-be liberators, but now the battle had abruptly ended and the feelings were not exactly those of gratitude.

(OOC I do not know how much these telepaths sense and if they react to it? And if there are also Elvish Angstians consider them sensing outright hostility)

"These tears you cry,
have come too late."

Somewhere in Knootoss where the WV specops team currently is
Montgomery burns had heard of the treaty through the radio one of the specops men had been listening to. The messages spoke of the treaty, and how Burns would still be able to stand in elections.

“This isn’t what Tator wanted, and neither what I wanted. This thing is all a big mess.” He thought of what must have happened to his stock, his energy company. His insurance stocks. He gasped. ”What have I done. I must have lost billions. Not even thinking about what an outcast I will be in the future.” He remembered the looks late prime minister Vogels had given him in the election debates. Burns mainly felt sorry for himself. But somewhere a nagging voice played though his thoughts. ”you betrayed your country and now you will pay for it.” the voice said. The successor of the Great Dictator wallowed in self-pity.

“Does this peace mean I can go now?” he asked the soldiers.

(OOC: I presume he will be returned, but I need to know iCly)

"Take back the lies,
the hurt, the blame.”

Missile Silo in Groningen

“CAESAR, begin permanent shutdown procedure of missile silo #21 please”,

The soft, complying female voice buzzed and a slowly whizzing sound could be heard becoming lower and lower as the military complex powered down. Leaving a useless hull in the flat and empty green fields of Groningen.

In the permanently manned underground installation the men had also been packing their bags. Soon, they would be moving elsewhere to continue their work. “Europolis, Sisgarida. That’s not around the corner.”, a junior officer commented. “Well… think of it on the bright side: there are plenty of Dutch and Knootian people there. And it is a friendly place really. A lot like Knootoss.” “Still, it is far away”, the junior officer replied.”

A corporal popped his head out the door: “You know, there is talk that a lot of people want to leave. I even heard someone speak about starting a completely new colony in Aperin?

“Aperin?”, the two others replied. “Well… it’s better then Lodoss where that Elf resides”, the corporal replied. “Hey that is no way to speak of our allies”, one of the officers corrected. “though he is damn right about it”

The corporal excused himself: “Sorry, that was out of line. I heard you can already sign up even. But the government has not even sent out an official request.”
“Don’t get your hopes up, probably just some people wanting to make money.”

The CAESAR voice spoke again: “Procedure complete. Now shutting down core systems, going into sleeper mode.” The lights in the silo went out and only emergency lighting remained to guide the silo crew back to the surface…

“And you will wake
when you face the end alone."

Coastline near where the island is to be built

Commander Robinson was standing on the long grey dyke that separated one of the Knootian polders in the North Sea from the roaring waters. peering military installations near the coast. A last piece of wreckage of the Semir-Randil was floating towards the dyke driven forth by the tides that continually smashed against the haven of safety. The sea was clear now, it was only yesterday that it had tumbled with anger, red-foaming like a sea of blood. But now the orange shine of the setting sun was lighting up the wreckage along the horizon.

Robertson was in charge of a low-profile mission to begin evaluating this artificial coastline for the possibilities of defence emplacements,

He stood there alone, watching out over the seas facing what was to come there…

"You are lost,
you can never go home.
You are lost, you can never go home.."

Knootcap general graveyard.
Funerals were taking place all over Knootoss and the country dealt with death in a pragmatic manner. There were no big ceremonies or memorials, but the surviving families came together as the lifeless bodies were put into large furnaces. To be burned and neatly compressed into an urn for a memorial service. Coffee with cookies served afterwards.

Two special memorials were held however. First there was the funeral of the deceased Dick Tator. With the conservative MPs still in Lavenrunian captivity there was no formal presence from any Knootian political party. The others had simply refused to show up. A small group of Tator-loyalists had gathered however, laying down candles and postcards near the grave of the brutally assassinated politician….

(OOC: I can imagine there is some sort of Dominion presence too, if they want to say something they can do it. Just no military people of course.)

The Knootian cremation ceremony for prime-minister Vogels had also been planned….

(OOC if people want to come there and make a nice speech or something. Please say so if you are interested.)

Colonel Letz and her Imperial Marines presented arms and began the formal ceremony of turning the Parliament over to the Knootian regular forces that had arrived. She was beginning to feel uncomfortable. Though this was a place of victory for SATO, it was the home of these people, and she could feel their depression acutely.
Still, she had seen the damage done by Taranaki troops to her own home; in a way it was worse because it was more personal. Churches defaced, heaps of bodies of people considered 'unclean' and left naked to rot.
But there were other kinds of nakedness. Some of it is only seen from the face up, that of people forced to see their own nightmares. Thus, she was quiet and respectful and ordered her marines to do likewise.
But as they at last began to leave--indeed, they were the very last marines to leave--even stern orders could not always suppress the joy and merriment.
And as the Empress rode by in her staff vehicle, their discipline broke for a moment. Cheer after cheer rang out, they swarmed around her, shouting their triumph. Whatever boasts the Dominion could make about their treaty was for that moment drowned.

To the Brotherhood of Nod

A long line of prisoners from the army group--still a mere remnant of that once mighty force, were formally turned over to the Brotherhood of Nod's Army Group B by Admiral von Hackelgruber and an honour guard of Imperial Marines.
The casualties from the Lavenrunzian area of operations were also carefully lined up for identification and turned over to senior officers of the Silver Turtle and Thellas.
During all this, absolutely correct military etiquette and courtesy was followed. Whatever venom might exist at the higher levels did not exist here, the Lavenrunzians showed respect for brave opponents. They had their own casualties to deal with: the near total loss of the 2nd Marine Brigade, a carrier group crippled and all but destroyed, the heavy casualties in the Imperial Marine Tank Battalion, and a number of planes and pilots lost in the deadly battle with Noddist fighters up in the clouds.

OOC: I am assuming that Knootcap is in ruins

IC: As the Thelas marines filed out to the transport ships, many who had wached the Thelas transport again saw a site that would forever be burned into their minds, dropships for many this arroused panic, "the Dominon is invading again!" many thought, but others thought other wise, now as the wached, they saw what types of dropships these were, on the bottom of each dropship was a massive red cross, painted again on the wings and sides.

As the ships landed, the haches on the side opend, and the ramp on the back came down, but now, istead of marines wit a mission to destroy, were medics, obviously combat medics, by their body armor, but medics none the less. On some tansports, mechs came out, but now, instead of the Madcats and Daishis that were earlier seen, they were construction machines, to lift rubl away so that the medics could reach those traped insidde.

Now the cargo ships not carrying tanks and ammunition, but instead they carried food, water, and power generators, now they carried the supplies needed to rebuild what was left of Knootoss, no the re-building would begin, as was the hope of the people of Thelas, Thelas troops would no longer try and destroy the Knootoss forces, but now their medics and construction units would try and heal thee damage done. Now was seen another side of the machine liek eficiency that was charicteristic of Thelasian forces, the abbility to repair as well as too destroy.

But a strange meeting took place between Knootoss troops and Thelas troops, as they first met, the 1st combat unit, the first unt into Knootoss met the very unit that they had fough as they exited their dropships, as the remnants of these two brave units found each other a tense moment ensued, broken, b some ones laugh, a laugh at how rediculus this looked, the two units just stared for a moment , and then the rebuilding began, now the Thelas soldiers worked llongside the Knootoss soldiers to un-burry those in the recage, Thelas chaplains made final rites over the dead, and then at the end of the day, the troops talked, they talked about everything that they had gone through, they talked about everything that soldiers have in common, boot camp, drill instructors, life, they talked, and wit those laughes, with those pieces of goodwill, the rebuilding began.

OOC: Bet's on NOD shooting any returned captives are at 1:4.

IC:
Admiral Washington returned briefly to Knootoss for the ceremony for Vogels. He didn't make a speech, just simply paid silent respect. 'No Regrets' was something military leaders the world over believed in. They sacrificed men and women - perhaps when he retired he would truely mourn, but for now he considered the waste of it all.

Colonel Letz and her Imperial Marines presented arms and began the formal ceremony of turning the Parliament over to the Knootian regular forces that had arrived. She was beginning to feel uncomfortable. Though this was a place of victory for SATO, it was the home of these people, and she could feel their depression acutely.
Still, she had seen the damage done by Taranaki troops to her own home; in a way it was worse because it was more personal. Churches defaced, heaps of bodies of people considered 'unclean' and left naked to rot.
But there were other kinds of nakedness. Some of it is only seen from the face up, that of people forced to see their own nightmares. Thus, she was quiet and respectful and ordered her marines to do likewise.
But as they at last began to leave--indeed, they were the very last marines to leave--even stern orders could not always suppress the joy and merriment.
And as the Empress rode by in her staff vehicle, their discipline broke for a moment. Cheer after cheer rang out, they swarmed around her, shouting their triumph. Whatever boasts the Dominion could make about their treaty was for that moment drowned.

The Knootian troops took part in the formal cerony, quietly standing to attention and raising the Knootian flag atop what was known as "het Torentje", the workroom of the prime-minister. This part of the square had been cleaned up. When the Lavenrunzians began to cheer along the route the Knootians remained silent for a moment. Then, an officer took the inititative and in a formal tone he shouted. "Long live the Empress!" and the soldiers replied with a single voice: "Long live the empress!" and they stood in line as the sunlight spread a golden haze over the ruined grey buildings. The purple-white-green flag waving in the wind over the still-intact parliament building.

OOC: @Thelas, as nice a gesture as it is please edit. It was nicely written so it is a shame I have to say this but Thelassian help is not really realistic because it violates the treaty stipulating you should leave, and also because Knootians are not that forgiving. So no medic transports from Thelas....

Within the week a different sort of fleet is arriving from Mars. Escorted by SBG's, SDSF's and MDSF's begin arriving at sublight in long convoys. Setting down they land hundreds of huge roll-on, roll-off cargo pods. They contain building materials, concrete, steel, and plastics. They also contain tools - from hammers and nails to mixers and heavy demolition arrays. As the pods are emptied they are used as shelters for the many rendered homeless.

Along with the supplies come builders and architects. Much praise is reserved for the Hague which has survived so much. But the question is - what will the new city look like? Many wonder about a huge arcology like those of Mars. Knootoss, despite it's wounds, is growing. Dikes will not suffice forever.

OOC: Rebuilding efforts also begin: every allied or invited nation (Celdonia and co) who want to send help in rebuilding please do, but I consider it "background". The historic city centre is, of course, lost and it will be replaced with modern tech building. Probably flats with a lot of green to suit the dense population and maybe some new techonologies...

OOC: Rebuilding efforts also begin: every allied or invited nation (Celdonia and co) who want to send help in rebuilding please do, but I consider it "background". The historic city centre is, of course, lost and it will be replaced with modern tech building. Probably flats with a lot of green to suit the dense population and maybe some new techonologies...

Please don't say you're going to rebuilt the city in the ugly postmodern style? :cry:

Rebuild the city, yes, but rebuild it in the classic Dutch style (with modern amenities, of course.) We do a similar thing in Syskeyiapolis (though its Syskeyian architecture, not Dutch. ;) )

I mean, what would you rather see, this:
http://www.perfecthousing.nl/images/amsterday.jpg
or this?
http://www.amicc.org/images/iccbuilding2.jpg

God bless,

The Republic of Syskeyia

OOC: Rebuilding efforts also begin: every allied or invited nation (Celdonia and co) who want to send help in rebuilding please do, but I consider it "background". The historic city centre is, of course, lost and it will be replaced with modern tech building. Probably flats with a lot of green to suit the dense population and maybe some new techonologies...

Please don't say you're going to rebuilt the city in the ugly postmodern style? :cry:

Rebuild the city, yes, but rebuild it in the classic Dutch style (with modern amenities, of course.) We do a similar thing in Syskeyiapolis (though its Syskeyian architecture, not Dutch. ;) )

I mean, what would you rather see, this:
http://www.theblackadder.co.uk/DenHaagpatrol.jpg
or this?
http://www.amicc.org/images/iccbuilding2.jpg

God bless,

The Republic of Syskeyia

OOC: I'll give it some thought: But actually the second picture is the ICC building if I am not misstaken. And that building already exists in RL The Hague. :P Dyelli Beybi bombed most of the old city. :cry:

Agencies within Knootoss and Celdonia are currently planning the deployment of engineers, medical staff, and mobile surgical units from the CACE nation.

The first of the Celdonian aid workers is expected to begin arriving in Knootoss within the next few days.

A broadcast from the United Valinon New Network. Your only source for new from around the Empire.

*Signal Locked. Begin Transmission*

The double sun and planets emblem of the UVNN appears with music playing in the background. Then it resolves into an image of the lion crest of House Alderman.
The image resolves into that of the Old Emperor, Gustav Alderman I. He is clothed in the regal affairs of the Imperial Court and his hair is a blinding white, vivid blue eyes blaze under the white mane of the Emperor of Valinon.
"Citizens of the Empire! The time of war in the Democratic Republic of Knootoss is over, the Dominion forces that sought to impose a puppet regime on the people of Knootoss has been successfully thwarted by Valinon, Ortagan, Sunset, and SATO forces. And now it is time that we helped our allies rebuild what was lost to them in this vile war.
The Imperial Diet has approved the appropriation of 250 million imperial pounds to the Knootoss reconstruction effort. Also at my discretion, further aid is being sent to the embattled Democratic Republic in the form of humanitarian aid, raw materials, civil engineers, personnel for reconstruction volunteered from numerous corporations, and support from the network of treaty port cities on Earth.
However, I cannot allow the peace accord drafted by the nations of Tarasovka and Vortex to be signed by our delegates. Instead, I have ordered that the treaty be accepted as a cease-fire agreement on behalf of Valinon and Ortagan forces deployed in Knootoss. The Empire and the Grand Duchy will be working to establish a separate peace accord with the Dominion nations who wrongfully invaded the Democratic Republic.
But the time is nigh in which Valinon will seek to help the people of Knootoss to rebuild their nation, perhaps even better than before. The Empire will stand at the side of the Democratic Republic through this current period of internal rebuilding and social reconstruction."
He takes a deep breath, "Finally, God bless the Empire!"

The UVNN crest returns, soon replaced by the image of a news-caster.
"Victory celebrations insue to-day in Amsterdam, as Lord Adonis honours fifteen Sardaukar, three fleet officers, and eight Aero Coresmen with the Imperial Order of the Lion, Second Class."
The news-caster's image is replaced by the image of Lord Reynard Adonis, Field Marshall von Richter, and Vice Admiral Perry standing before an assembled group of Sardaukar, fleet officers, and Aero Coresmen in full dress uniforms. The clip shows several of them being presented with medals of honour and specially handcrafted swords, commissioned by Emperor Gustav. The camera then zooms out to show the Valinon fleet at sea, with the Dominion held island in the background.
"Special services were also held today at St. Leon's Cathedral in New Koln. The special mass was held in honour of the Coalition soldiers who gave their lives in the defense of Knootoss. Another corresponding service in the treaty port of New Bergia on Earth, in which members of His Majesty's Armed Forces killed in battle were put to rest," footage of the mass and the New Bergia service fill the screen.
"Finally, the first wave of aid and personnel from the Empire arrived in Knootoss today. The first convoy arrived under the protection of the combined Imperial Star Armada and Ortagan Solar Navy task force sent to begin limited withdrawal of Coalition forces from Knootoss. Admiral of the Red Sir Quentin Forrest expects to have his required quota of withdrawal met by early next week before returning to the Empire.
This concludes UVNN's special report on the Knootoss situation. Thank you, and good evening."

*Signal Lock Lost. Transmission Ended.*

The specops offer to escort Burns to a location of his choice within Knootoss.

ic: "Dozens of planes arrive in Knootoss, civilian transporters, bringing any possible kind of goods to help the shocked population.

While we do everything to reduce the pain of the population, the withdrawel of our forces is nearly complete, parts of them will travel to Lavenrunz to take part in the victory celebrations.

This is Miranda Veracruz de la Jolla Cardinal for ANA, good day."

What the people behind their TV screens didn´t see was the arrival of two civilians in dark suits... Their objective was to make contact with the provisional government as soon as possible.

---

ooc:

Expect a 'list' of nations i used for the transfers sometime later today/ tomorrow... have to backcheck stuff o.O

"...states he is fairly confident that the unions will agree with Corporate management."

The newsreader takes a sip of his water, re-arranges his papers and then continues.

"Vortex Corporation management has confirmed that undisclosed amounts have been wired to the government of Knootoss, plus a number of organizations that are supporting the battered population there, such as the Red Cross. As became clear earlier, it were the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka and the Commonwealth of the Vortex Corporation who instigated the talks that eventually lead to this peace. Rumours go that Vortex officials made a grave diplomatic error in the process, but it is yet unknown what exactly that was. When we get more information, we'll keep you....."

Btw, Knoot, i need to know the following:

1. How successful mine and EI`s actions were, to get shares of your major corporations through 'private deals' with shareholders during the war. I and EI together had 1 trillion to spend, i alone another 250bn.

2. How successful my 'talks' with different more... 'conservative' SLP members were, regarding Knootoss future... (See warthread)

In recognition of long-standing friendship between Knootoss and Xikuang, a complement of engineers, medics, and labourers has been assembled to help in the efforts to salvage what can be saved and rebuild the destroyed Knootian cities. Some will be arriving with the Celdonians, but most arrive under Xikuangese transport.

The arrival of the Xikuangese carriers sparks some astonishment: mostly that any of these things should still be in the air. Veritable antiques, but apparently in excellent condition, five Boeing C-47s (http://www.boeing.com/history/mdc/graphics/hist026b.htm) touch down gently on the newly restored runways. Originally military transports, all vestiges of their former use have been removed. They are painted identically, slate-grey beneath and sky blue above, colours symbolic in old Xikuang of the connection of earth and heaven, now more widely adopted to represent harmony between all beings. The easily recognisable black and white flag of Xikuang is emblazoned on the left wing and near the tail, where in the latter place it is accompanied by four words written in the elegant Tibetan alphabet adopted by the Xikuangese language: Lauu q'o ohn phanleng. Only through open doors.

Coordinators will be meeting with Knootian emergency forces, but the complement immediately assembles itself into teams, heading for some of the hardest-hit areas of Knootcap. The planes, meanwhile, return: they are taking up valuable runway space, and there are more people waiting to be conveyed to stricken Knootoss.

OOC:


All involved persons please refer to this thread for the Taraskovyan-Whispering Voices island base construction:


http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=72815


Thank you for your attention! :D

Over the next few days plane loads of Celdonian aid workers - engineers and medics - begin to arrive in knootoss. Upon arrival, they are met by Knootian officials and convoys are disperesed througout the nation.

OOC: Nothing much to say, except confirm that people are now in the country.

OOC: sorry people, I had written a thread on how the rebuilding was progressing and extensive thank-you's and new government policy and then the text just... dissapeared into nothingness :x I am still in the process of gathering strength to redo it but in the meantime feel free to post. I esp. want to know about the WBO money! I'll do a tiny part now.

IC: Burns was delivered to his mansion in Rotterdam by the WV specops team. The old man's yellow skin had lost some of it's glow and before doing anything else he went to bed. There, he slept for 24 hours...

OOC: Who is in control of the Parliament now?

OOC: the Knootians. And more specifically the broad government coalition. The conservatives are still being held captive and their party will be banned soon. Only Burns will still be allowed to stand in elections as by the terms of the treaty.

OOC: Thanks, I just wanted to know part status and such. Poor Burns, he will run with his party shot out from underneath him.

OOC: yeah, I really feel sorry for him. *cough*

The Whispering Voices delegate and his bodyguards engage the other signatories - on both sides - in friendly conversation, particularly Joanna of Lavenrunz.

But, eventually, they sign and leave.

Leib-Count Alexei Nemirov

*coughalexandernemerovcough*

http://invisionfree.com:54/43/101/upload/p1.gif
Emperor Alexander Nemerov
Empire of Steel Butterfly
Steel Isle, Steel Moon,
CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka, XIII
Orion Sector Premier,
Order of the Seraphim,
(Un-named Trade Consortium)

{Tag; For Intelligence Purposes}

Leib-Count Alexei Nemirov

*coughalexandernemerovcough*

http://invisionfree.com:54/43/101/upload/p1.gif
Emperor Alexander Nemerov
Empire of Steel Butterfly
Steel Isle, Steel Moon,
CTaNbHaR Eabo4Ka, XIII
Orion Sector Premier,
Order of the Seraphim,
(Un-named Trade Consortium)

Hey!

You know what Nemirov means in Russian ;)
*me thinks that he has a great surname for his High Councilor for Foreign Affairs*

Besides - he is not at all based on your leader. 8)

Statement on KNN by Montgomery Burns
“You’re watching KNN and tonight we have an exclusive statement from Montgomery Burns, the new supposed leader of the conservative party and the only member of parliament of that party that is presently free and in Knootoss. Burns today said that he denounced the Dominion invasion of Knootoss and had never supported it. Burns claimed that he withdrew support for Tator as soon as he learned of it in parliament. Moments later, Tator had been shot. By the terms of the Dominion treaty, Mr. Burns is still allowed to stand in elections even though the government is suspected to move to the high court to ban the party organisation for high treason against the state and acting against the Knootian constitution.

(The frail old man Burns can be seen sitting behind his desk in his office, a Knootian flag carefully placed behind him. As he speaks he rises and speaks passionately:)

Knootians, countrymen, and lovers! Hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge.

If there be any in this country, any dear friend of Dick Tator, to him I say, that my love for Tator was no less than his. If then that friend demand why I rose against Tator, this is my answer:

--Not that I loved Tator less, but that I loved
Knootoss more.

Had you rather Dick Tator were living and die all slaves, than that Tator were dead, to live all free men? As Tator loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I could not support him him. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his
ambition.

(OOC: Brutus – Shakespeare.)

I realise that in these uncertain times the words that Tator spoke have not been forgotten. I also realise the unique position I am in as my fellow conservatives rot - yes rot - in a Lavenrunzian jail. If any such task was ever thrust upon me it is now, and I intend to be the voice of conservatism in Knootoss. The feelings Tator brought to the surface are still there, and must be dealt with.

Heil Knootoss!

In the temporary building appropriated for use as Valinon's embassy to Knootoss, Lady Hanse sits with the AI Sedgewick nearby, his flowing reb robe pooling at the floor.
"How very quaint," says Sedgewick. "I believe we call that a desperate plea at vote buying."
"Desperate is the word, Sedgewick, but Burns has had his party shot right out from under him and has very little popular support besides what the Dominion and the scattering of remaining Conservatives can drum up. No, Montgomery Burns will not be a major player in this elections, no matter what the 'treaty' may call for. The other political parties will be the one that must be subject to our interests."
"Indeed, My Lady," Sedgewick rises from his seat. "I will remind you that you have a meeting with Lady Rolt tomorrow at the UN Embassy Compound."
"Very well, and, Sedgewick?"
"My Lady," the AI says reappearing.
"See if you can schedule me an appointment with the late Mr. Vogel's supposed political successor. Tell her that I wish to have tea with her."
"Of course, Lady Hanse."

[OOC: Valinon, you don't have any troops in Knootoss left, do you?]

OOC: Yes, I do but they are being withdrawn. They will be gone in real life probably by October 8.

OOC: you want to RP the having of the tea? If you have MSN we could do it though there. IRC is also fine... could you TG your MSN adress maybe?

BTW, I am preparing a state of the union post but it'll take a while.

State of the unionish post:
http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1656982#1656982

The thing with Valion can still continue here though as far as I am concerned. :wink:

EDIT: corrected URL

OOC: Sorry I do not have MSN. Tell me, can you post who would be coming to the tea, because Lady Hanse only mentioned Vogels successor but she would also invite any of her supporters and probably some of the key ministers.

OOC: ok, we can do it the old-fashioned way. Present for tea:
-Lousewies van der Laan, Prime-Minister
-Hans van Mierlo, Minister of Foreign affairs

(the most important ones in international relations.)

The meeting will be held in the tower of the prime minister, in The Hague near parliament.
http://www.stembusuitslag.com/torentje.jpg

Lady Adriana Hanse steps out of the embassy ground car. The door is held open by a Sardaukar, acting as a footman. For now, the Valinon embassy is horrendously overstaffed as the High Command still tries to juggle the necessary ships needed to complete the extradition of the remaining Sardaukar present in Knootoss. But for now, the Sardaukar are trying valiantly to make themselves useful as workers on Knootian reconstruction projects, and working at the embassy.
"Thank you, Corporal," she nods to the officer.
"My pleasure, M'Lady."
Lady Hanse moves quickly toward the parliament building, the corporal falls in a few steps behind her. Graciously once again opening the door for her. Adriana steps through then continues on her way to the Twoer of the Prime Minister.

Lady Adriana Hanse steps out of the embassy ground car. The door is held open by a Sardaukar, acting as a footman. For now, the Valinon embassy is horrendously overstaffed as the High Command still tries to juggle the necessary ships needed to complete the extradition of the remaining Sardaukar present in Knootoss. But for now, the Sardaukar are trying valiantly to make themselves useful as workers on Knootian reconstruction projects, and working at the embassy.
"Thank you, Corporal," she nods to the officer.
"My pleasure, M'Lady."
Lady Hanse moves quickly toward the parliament building, the corporal falls in a few steps behind her. Graciously once again opening the door for her. Adriana steps through then continues on her way to the Twoer of the Prime Minister.

The Sardaukar and Adriana are being led upstairs, to the prime-ministers workroom. They enter a lavishly, yet brightly decorated room with windows looking over The Hague and the pond surrounding the parliament building. Lousewies (PM) sits behind her desk and looks up from a thick dossier. "Ah, welcome, come in."

They shake hands and she gestures that the Lady can sit down in front of the desk. "Any refreshments? What can I do for you? Mr. van Mierlo will be here momentarily, his comission is still in session and he has been delayed a bit."

OOC: sorry for being so late.

OOC: Now I must apologize, I lost this thread. Forgive me.

Adriana motions for the Sardaukar to leave the room.
"I would find it best to at least remove the military presence first, I have had quite enough of it myself. Refreshments would be wonderful, tea if you have it," she slides into the signaled chair.
"I must say that it seems your reconstruction efforts are moving along very rapidly, one would hope that this pace would continue."

Lousewies looks thoughtfully as she pours Adriana a cup of tea herself. "Well... yes they do. Fortunately we get a lot of outside help and of course we have a very strong economy to fall back on."

She hands the Lady the cup of tea: "I wish your stay here would have begun more pleasant. Usually Knootoss is a very peaceful place you know."

>insert reply here if you want to<

"Why yes. That is true", Lousewies says smiling at Adriane. "Well... if you forgive me I will get right to the point. I believe we have some serious matters to discuss over tea..."

"It is sad to see such a peaceful and prosperous nation face such a time of strife. With any luck Knootoss will not have to face such another for some time," Adriana accepts the tea.
"Thank you," she listens to Lousewies as she takes her first sip.
"Yes, there are some matters we should discuss. However, I think it best to hear what you have to say, Madam Prime Minister."

IC:
Lousewies takes an instant liking to the other woman ans she shifts her legs:

"Well... it is good to see that the rebuilding is moving along. There may be some delays though: there is talk within the CACE of breaking off all contact with WBO and SATO nations. If this happens we will lose many good aid workers. But fortunatlely we have made other friends abroad."

She takes another sip of her tea.

"I realise that the treaty that was signed has brought Valinon in a somewhat... precarious situation. And I feel I owe you a personal apology for the secrecy and vagueness surrounding the talks. Believe be, I also thought it was a very uncomfortable situation."

"His Majesty nor the rest of the Empire does not hold you responsible for that, Madam Prime Minister," Adriana sips her tea. "The Empire has always been wary of Earth-born alliances who often overrate themselves, and it seems that not much has changed over our period of isolation. Should you choose to withdraw from SATO or the WBO, you will not loose the support of the Empire. After all, I have a feeling the secrecy and cloak and dagger politics were imposed on Knootoss by the SATO and the Dominion, rather than a course taken of your own free will."

Lousewies chocked in her tea hearing the words of Adriana. She coughed slightly and tried to regain her posture, getting a raised eyebrow from Adriana.

“That’s very direct of you.” She smiled: “Even more blunt then the odd Knootian. Well…” her voice trailed.

”She is remarkably well informed. But then again those leaks to the press were pretty open., the prime-minister thought. She continued:

“Well…”, she repeated, “At the moment we have no intention of leaving SATO, as it is still vital for Knootian security. You see, even with the full support of the Empire we could never have halted the Dominion invasion. Our military capabilities are simply insufficient, even though we are working on improving them.”

”Why is it that since I have become prime-minister I am feeding all my friends partial lies and half-truths. Is this part of the job description?, she sighed.

“As for the peace negotiation, I assume you keep up well with the international press. Yes, the treaty was not really satisfying but we will learn to live with it. In the meantime I can already tell you that the Empire of the Eternal Dawn (EOTED) is also about to establish a SATO base in Knootoss near Hoek van Holland. I believe that if tensions are sufficiently settled down Valinon can follow. However, and I have been discussing this with the council of ministers, we believe that it may be a better alternative to simply allow the use of our facilities to Valinon troops in joint projects. There are still some bases left over from military cutbacks and reprioritising before the war. They could be jointly staffed, that sort of thing. This is much less likely to provoke a reaction from former Dominon nations and it will improve the skills of both our militaries in joint-cooperation.”

"In order to pursue relations, I felt in might be best if we dispensed with some of the diplomatic hot air. Especially on this more personal setting," Adriana looks vaguely amused at Lousewies reaction. She takes a drink of tea then rest the cup on its saucer.
"As for our resources, Valinon has many friends and we hear many things. And we could hold the Dominion off, it would take a great deal of effort but with support we could possible hold the Dominion off. Besides it is becoming apparent that the Dominion's power may be rapidly waning. As for SATO, the Empire would see that as an internal matter, we would not interfere one way or another.
The offer of joint staff of your bases will interest Lord Adonis greatly, I am sure that he can send several regiments to begin training at once, plus what few units we have that have not been withdrawn from Knootoss. But I must still reinfer that the Empire would like it if at all possible that we can lease land to create a treaty port on. Of course we are willing to wait for the time being."

Lousewies nods: “You see, the Dominion is no longer a problem and we are working on competing that island out of business with our own island. Or rather, it is an EOTED funpark.”

“And I would rather have Valinon troops pull out completely first, before taking any other actions. I understand this may seem impractical, but it is for diplomatic purposes only. A treaty port at this time would be too much of a provocation but I see it happen at a later date.

Lousewies sips her tea and thinks a moment, frowning a bit,

“Also one of our goals is to improve relations with both nations holding the island, but notably the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka. To that end we have already signed / are going to sign (OOC: fluidic time) a treaty that will bring about closer cooperation. Keep your friends close but your enemies closer, so to speak.”

"Tarasovka is a great unknown now, Madam Prime Minister. Without the constraints of the Dominion, its policies and international actions may see some dramatic changes. As it stands, the Sardaukar and Elite Guard detachments of Ortaga are fully removed from the boundaries of Knootoss. However, there are still a few squads left at the embassy for security purposes," Adriana smiles. "Well, I hardly think that, even as good as the Sardaukar are, the force left at the embassy could fight a war and expect to win."
She takes another sip of tea, "As for economic competition, I think you will find that the Empire is a nation of considerable prowess in that category. We have the might of the Five Worlds to call upon, and our close economic ties with other powerful marketing nations such as the Principality of Taka and the Grand Duchy of New Ortaga. Considerable profits could be reaped if we pool our assets."
"Also, this room is secure I take it?"

OOC: oooops. Totally forgot about this one. You still want to continue it V?

IC:
Lousewies nods: "Yes, absolutely secure.

OOC: I would, but I'm caught in several others right now. Would you care terribly if we just let this one slip? I apologize, just kind of cramped for time right now. :(

BUMPO because the treaty is being discussed. Time to abandon/destroy/sell on funfair...

way ahead of you :p
check Opening Salvos!

BUMPO because the treaty is being discussed. Time to abandon/destroy/sell on funfair...

Yeah, also time to kick those windmill builders out of Sisgardia... :roll:


Anyway, can I push the big red button labelled "Destroy Funfair Island"? Can I? Please! :D

*stays in Sisgardia*

Well... as discussed on IRC.

*stays in Sisgardia*

Well... as discussed on IRC.

And as discussed on IRC, the GDT will by all means try to kick it out :D

*stays in Sisgardia*

Well... as discussed on IRC.

And as discussed on IRC, the GDT will by all means try to kick it out :D

You will fail!

We are Knootians. You will build windmills and learn to like cheese and wooden shoes. Resistance is futile.

*stays in Sisgardia*

Well... as discussed on IRC.

And as discussed on IRC, the GDT will by all means try to kick it out :D

You wont be alone *readies guns*