NationStates Jolt Archive

Alone in his office, Speaker Michael MacFarlane pushed aside the text of the International Space Initiative resolution and rested his head on his hands. His long-delayed announcement that he would run for re-election, finally brought forth in the wake of the recent Copiosa Scotian economic boom, had also served as a signal to his political opponents, particularly those on the right, to begin the mudslinging once again. This time around, the Conservative Party was accusing him of "going soft on foreign affairs," essentially code for his refusal to police the world. To counter these accusations, campaign advisors had suggested that he organize a state visit by some high-profile power.

I hate campaign advisors, he reflected. People I only see every four years, and when I see them, they want to tell me how to run the country in order to get votes. Votes are more important to them than the country itself. We've done away with so much unnecessary government, but we still can't do away with unnecessary politics. What can you do?

He could make the most of it, he decided. Turning to his computer, he pulled up the advisors' list of recommended nations, scanning them and mentally rejecting one after another. Shildonia... none too popular among the libertarians... Ruhr... if they were paying attention to world events, they'd know that's not an option... Agrigento... NCA member... SeOCC? Are they joking?

One name, however, caught his attention.

Oglethorpia, he thought. Interesting. Everyone in the country pays half their income in taxes to support an oversized government, and the liberals will like that. No welfare, free markets... the right will be pleased as well. And the nation of Copiosa Scotia could certainly stand to benefit from closer relations with Oglethorpia.

I think we've got a winner.

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To: Gordon Newell, Oglethorpian Foreign Relations Bureau
From: Sophia Kahler, Copiosa Scotian Department of Foreign Affairs
Subject: State visit to Copiosa Scotia

In the interest of furthering relations between our nations, we cordially invite a delegation from Oglethorpia to tour sites of their choosing in Copiosa Scotia, and conduct diplomatic talks in Daiel.

To: Gordon Newell, Oglethorpian Foreign Relations Bureau
From: Sophia Kahler, Copiosa Scotian Department of Foreign Affairs
Subject: State visit to Copiosa Scotia

In the interest of furthering relations between our nations, we cordially invite a delegation from Oglethorpia to tour sites of their choosing in Copiosa Scotia, and conduct diplomatic talks in Daiel.

To: Sophia Kahler, Copiosa Scotian Department of Foreign Affairs
From: Gordon Newell, Oglethorpian Foreign Relations Bureau
Subject: Re - State visit to Copiosa Scotia

We would be glad to meet with government officials of Copiosa Scotia.

---

Gordon Newell had just started typing the reply as someone called his name, walking into his office.
"Newell," the man said again.
"Yes, Baker?" he asked, looking up from the large mahogany desk with the computer on it's left side. Paul Baker, Information Director for the government.
"President's put in a word for Andrew Kreins to go with you."
"If I choose to go."
"If you choose to go."
"Go ahead and send him in," Newell said, going back to his work.

---

The delegation will consist of myself, and State Director Andrew Kreins of the State Bureau.

Gordon Newell
Foreign Relations Director

---

As he sent it off, Kreins appeared through the door. "Hello, Andrew," he said.
"Hey," the State Director replied. Kreins was a man of average height, his face always with a stern expression on it, and like almost all of the government officials, wearing a suit, this one navy blue in color.
"State visit to Copiosa Scotia," Newell said, beckoning for Kreins to take a seat. "It's too late for you to say no."
"I don't mind. More work for the other officials of the Bureau to take care of."
"Nothing imporant, I assume."
"Like normal," he said with a wry grin.

OOC: Shall I assume i'll be flying my guys over now?

For RPing purposes, any specific city/airport in mind?

Bump!

(OOC: Ow!)

Within six hours of the return message, all was in order for the delegation's arrival. Well, for the time being. The itinerary will have to be worked out when they get here, Sophia Kahler reflected. But for the moment, the stage was set.

She settled into her high-backed swivel chair and began to type.

To: Gordon Newell, Oglethorpian Foreign Relations Bureau
From: Sophia Kahler, Copiosa Scotian Department of Foreign Affairs
Subject: State visit to Copiosa Scotia

We are prepared to receive your delegation at Schultz International Airport in Doering, New Cali. We look forward to meeting you, and will discuss your itinerary for the visit upon your arrival.

Sophia Kahler
Secretary of Foreign Affairs

(OOC: Some information on Copiosa Scotia, to help you better decide what you want to see.

The map is old, but my Paint is screwed I can't convert the new one to a .gif at the present. This should be enough to help you get the lay of the land.

http://www.geocities.com/pfl_terrell/scotia2.gif

Coburn is the capital district. Daiel is the national capital and largest city in the state, the remainder of which is almost entirely taken up by sprawling suburbs which extend into parts of the surrounding states.

Vanden is the industrial center of Copiosa Scotia, with Cincinnati the home of many corporate headquarters. Poverty and crime rates are highest in this state. There is some agriculture in the southeast (mainly cash crops, as Copiosa Scotia imports nearly all its food), and uranium is mined to the north.

New Cali is the most populous state in Copiosa Scotia, and is a popular destination for tourists from around the world. Suburbs like those in Coburn are somewhat prevalent here, except in the northwestern area of the state.

Vick Island is world-renowned for its luxurious and expensive resorts. Though it is the least populous of the five states, the island is nearly 100% urban.

West Scotia is, unlike the rest of Copiosa Scotia, very sparsely populated due to the mountainous terrain and cold winter temperatures. Many who have toured Copiosa Scotia have joked that the country has three terrain types: urban, suburban, and mountainous. West Scotia's largest city, Askland Point, is home to several defense contractors and one of the most prestigious universities in the country. It also receives, by far, the greatest annual rainfall of any city in Copiosa Scotia.

Any questions?)

To: Sophia Kahler, Copiosa Scotian Department of Foreign Affairs
From: Gordon Newell, Oglethorpian Foreign Relations Bureau
Subject: Re - State visit to Copiosa Scotia

Sounds good.

Gordon Newell
Foreign Relations Director

---

"Newell, when are you leaving?" asked the President, the Foreign Relations Director sitting a couple feet away from President Hedland's desk in his lavish office.
"Probably tomorrow morning," Newell replied.
"Alright," Hedland said. "Have fun," he said with a smile.
"I will," Newell said, getting up and leaving the office.

---

OOC: CS, I think we'll go with Cincinatti, Daiel and Askland Point. Business, nat'l capital, and more business :wink:

Schultz International Airport
Doering, NC
3:55 p.m. local time

To citizens of most nations, the reception prepared on Runway 7 at Schultz International would have seemed unimpressive bit the Copiosa Scotian welcoming party, vastly outnumbered by the assembled press, made up in authority what it lacked in quantity. Speaker Michael MacFarlane was present, as were Sophia Kahler and Special Envoy Sara Davidson. A number of Guardsmen rounded out the group, with several more in street clothes scattered throughout the throng of journalists.

And they waited.

Runway 7 had been chosen for effect; it lay perpendicular to the shore, and the plane bearing the Oglethorpian officials would practically skim the Gulf of Cali on final approach. That was Tara's touch, Davidson recalled. Tara Grayson, Secretary of Health and Education, was utterly inept in the art of diplomacy, but she knew effect. As he looked out at the blue sky and the sparkling Gulf, the very scenery she had grown up with, Sara knew that the effect would be breathtaking. There's no place like home, true, but I'd say my home's even better than most.

At long last, a jet became visible in the distance.

"Amazing," Newell commented, looking out the window facing the ocean that the runway faced.
"Agreed," Kreins concurred, looking out the right-side of the jet as well to take in the view.

---

Soon the private jet had landed on the ground and taxied off the runway; it's stairway came down, exiting an aide of the two men, followed by Foreign Relations Director Gordon Newell and State Director Andrew Kreins.

"So, apparently they'll be here anytime," Newell thought out-loud.

MacFarlane couldn't hear what Newell was saying, but he grinned as the foreign relations director scanned the tarmac. "Omnipresent, pro-business government" was how the report had phrased it, if he remembered correctly. Newell was probably expecting a couple hundred bureaucrats, he thought.

The Speaker's grin grew wider as he caught sight of the mob of journalists, who had lined up on the wrong side of the plane, scrambling to get a good view. Alright, he said to himself. You've had your entertainment. Time to give these guys something to take a picture of. He composed himself, and walked toward the plane.

MacFarlane had always thought of the introductory handshake as practically worthless, from a diplomatic standpoint. All the real introductions would take place in the limo, or at the dinner later that night. The handshake is a photo op. Nothing more.

Seeing him in person for the first time, one would likely note that MacFarlane was hardly an impressive figure. Brown hair, brown eyes, and bland features made him perhaps the world leader least likely to be recognized outside his own country.

He extended his hand to Newell. "Welcome to Copiosa Scotia."

Newell shook his hand firmly. "Glad to be here. A fantastic country," he said, once more scanning the landscape around him. He looked to his left, to the man in the dark-blue business suit.

"Mr. MacFarlane, State Director Andrew Kreins. Mr. Kreins, Speaker Michael MacFarlane," Newell said.

"Pleased to meet you," Kreins said, extending his hand towards MacFarlane.

MacFarlane took it, aware of the cameras flashing around him, but not showing it. Yeah, here's your Kodak moment. "The pleasure is mine." He dropped his voice. "Now let's see if we can get away from all these vultures, shall we?" he said as he motioned toward the limo. "After you, gentlemen."

Newell smiled at the comment, walking towards the waiting limousine.

"Mr. MacFarlane, please explain to me the responsiblities of your position," Newell asked, trying to get some conversation going.

MacFarlane nodded. "Well, as you probably know, the Copiosa Scotian government has no executive branch, in the usual sense of the term. Legislative and executive powers rest with the Assembly, made up of ten representatives -- two from each state -- and the Speaker, myself. I preside over sessions of the Assembly, and wield the majority of the executive power. Ah, here we are," he broke in as he came to the limo. It was a gasoline-powered vehicle, rare in a country where hydrogen cars predominated. They've yet to manufacture a hydrogen limo that can match the old-fashioned car in elegance and style, he noted for at least the fifth time that day.

The chauffeur opened the door, granting the men refuge from the prying eyes and ears of the press corps' cameras and microphones. Waiting inside the limousine were Kahler and Davidson, a living study in contrasts. Kahler was a real beauty in her late twenties, with light skin, long dark hair, and dark brown eyes; Davidson, with her wide blue eyes and medium-length brown hair, appeared barely out of her teen years.

"Gentlemen," said MacFarlane, "allow me to introduce Foreign Affairs Secretary Sophia Kahler," he paused as Kahler extended her hand, "and Special Envoy Sara Davidson."

Newell shook Kahler's hand. "Pleased to meet you," he said to Kahler, and then Davidson.

"Interesting," Newell said, picking up the conversation with MacFarlane where it left off. "The legislative and executive branches in a single entity," he thought outloud.

"Where are we heading?" Kreins asked, shifting topics yet again.

MacFarlane started to comment further on Copiosa Scotia's governmental structures, but Kreins's question pre-empted him. Kahler came to the rescue.

"Hotel Grand Imperial, on the north side of town," she answered, speaking with an accent that could best be described as vaguely Eastern European. "There's a dinner scheduled for 8:30 tonight, if that's convenient for you. You'll stay at the Grand Imperial for the night, and we'll fly out to Cincinnati tomorrow."

"Sounds great," Kreins said.

"Speaker MacFarlane, you were about to say something?" Newell asked.

Bump for historicalness and begining of RP again 8)