NationStates Jolt Archive

A letter arrived in her personal mail. After finding it on her office desk, she notes the handwritten words on the envelope: "To Empress Gehenna of Tartarus, Gehenna Tartarus". The letter itself is also hand written, with the only exception being a small logo in the top right corner, stating the words "Mercantile Society", as well as a small logo. The letter itself contains the following message:

Honoured Empress Gehenna of Tartarus,

Without doubt, you have been informed of our intentions to improve relations with the members of the Non-Democratic Alliance, and perhaps even join said organization. To achieve this goal, Council herself has asked our organization to extend this invitation to your majesty. The Mercantile Society is an old organization, closely interacting with the Foreign Affairs Council. Would you accept the invitation, then we would like to invite you for a stay of several days in one of our retreats in the Utharian mountains. From there, a regular state visit will be organized, with the summum of it being a personal meeting with Council. However, there is one difference. Council has ordered the Mercantile Society to order any questions you might have during your stay in full honesty, regardless of the nature of the question.

In short, we would be honoured if we were allowed to show you the lands and workings of the Vortex Corporation, and attempt to show your majesty that we would be a welcome addition to the NDA and the friends of Gehenna Tartarus.

Signed,

Kiira Manaan'Sa

Mercantile Society
Admiral of the TVC Naval Forces

As the plane neared the runway for touch down, Gehenna took the opportunity to glance out of the window, getting her first glimpse of the nation, as she listened to her aid run over some last minute details he thought it was necessary for her to hear.

Once safely on the ground, the Empress unbuckled her seat belt, and stood, brushing her hand over her outfit to remove any creases that may have appeared during the landing. Then she leaned over, grabbing her jecket as several of her staff rushed around ensuring that everything was ready for her disembarkment.

The door wooshed open fifteen minutes after landing, several security personnel leading the way, their eyes scanning their surroundings before Gehenna stepped out of the plane, walking slowly down the steps, a slight smile already on her lips, ready for the introductions.

As protocol demanded, the Empress was awaited by Corporate officials at the end of the airplane's steps. A rare sight in this time of the year, the wheather was quite good. Naturally, the temperature was low, but the sun was out and there were no clouds to be seen anywhere. The first to greet the Empress was a young woman, probably in her early thirties. Stepping forward, she makes a formal bow whilst pressing the fist of her right hand to her heart. Even though this gesture is seen in many nations among many social groups, it does have some added meaning in the Corporation. Normally, this particular form of greeting would be reserved only for Kiith'Sa, or Council herself...

"You Majesty, welcome to the Corporation! I must say we were extremely pleased with your swift response and arrival. Normally, heads of state tend to answer these invitations as late as possible. Your quick response has spared the Foreign Affairs Council quite the number of headaches and stress, I suspect. My name is Kiira Manaan, and these gentlemen are..."

Introductions with the other diplomats are then made, mostly Kiithid representatives and Council officials. All is done in quite informal and friendly manner, as the Corporation has little believe in the effect of uptight and controlled conversations. After ending with the last name, Kiira smiles as if she was also happy to get the boring part over with.

"Empress, we have two alternatives as to what to do now. We can either escort your to the hotel that the Mercantile Society has prepared for you, or we can visit the Domed Gardens first. It is really up to your majesty which we chose. If the voyage has tired you, I would recommend going to the hotel. Otherwise, we could go and see the Gardens."

Gehenna smiled to Kiira in greeting, and watched intently as she performed her bow, her eyes not straying from the woman in front of her until she was introduced to the other officials, whom she bestowed a smile upon and a brief word, before focusing her attention back on Kiira.

Behind her, the Empress could hear the countless members of staff that had travelled with her, feeling the closeness of Lady Duenna, her lady-in-waiting, who stood just behind her charge. Of to her left, and carrying with him all official papers, was Alex her private secretary; the man responsible for ensuring that Gehenna was kept abreast of all relevant information.

Listening intently, as the introduction continued, Gehenna nodding and smiling as was appropriate to certain aspects. "It's an honour to have been invited to visit your wonderful country. The Empire is always interested in opening relations with other nations.

"I am most intrigued to see how other people live, and what other governments offer their citizens and their neighbours." She smiles at Kiira, her expression honest. "I think, therefore, that we will start with the gardens, as there is plenty of time for resting, afterwards."

She waited for her escort to lead the way, as Alex and her security personnel had a quiet discussion, arranging the details to ensure the Empress' safety.

Kiira's expression, having returned to a formal and neutral one, broke up in a sincere smile. Not that this was unexpected, since the Domed Gardens were very strict in the visitors they allowed. Except for the scientists that studied the thousands of species in them, hardly anybody ever got approval to visit them, even though their grandeur and beauty was a much favored topic in the conversations of the Kiithid. Kiira's heart warmed with expectation, as she recalled the one occassion on which she had been allowed to visit the Gardens.

It had been the ceremony on which she was given the rank of admiral. Somehow, Council herself had attended the ceremony, even though Kiira had thought that Council coud not leave the governmental building in which she resided, due to her special nature. Nevertheless, she had been there, and had spoken a few kind words to her. After that, she was given her new insigna, as well as documents that confirmed her command over one of the fleets. Another hour of wandering through the indoor paradise, and then she was told to leave again, signing a contract never to mention Council's presence at the ceremony.

"Then the Gardens it is. I am very confident that you will find them most amazing. We...we don't have much nature left in this country. There are still green regions on the eastern islands, as well as in the mountains near the capitol, but it's not enough, in my perspective. Anyway, if you and your assistants would accompany me to that aerodyne over there, we can leave immediately. There are drinks and other refreshments on board, and your luggage will be brought to the hotel, under escort of course."

Whilst talking, Kiira nodded in the direction of a white aerodyne, one of TVC's low flying hybrid craft. Being a combination between normal jets and glider planes, the aerodynes had filled many a niche within both the military and civilian aircraft services. They were cheap, comfortable and durable, the perfect craft for many affairs. When the pilots noted the Empress approaching their plane, they immediately ran the required diagnostics, to ensure a swift take-off once their guest was on board.

Bump-for-conversation-on-the-plane

Following alongside Kiira and listening to her describe the gardens; Gehenna couldn’t help but genuinely smile. It was obvious from the way that the woman spoke that their destination was held in high esteem, and if was an honour that they were affording her by showing her the place first, even before meeting Council.

She followed towards the plane, not being able to stop herself from thinking about how much she was hoping to keep her feet on the ground, at least for a few hours. She’d been sitting for more hours than she cared to recall, which was the other reason she chose not to go straight to the hotel; she didn’t need to freshen up, as they had been done on the plane.

Stepping into the plane, she quickly took her seat, and made herself comfortable, unsure how long this journey was about to take. At least this would allow her the chance to gain some idea of the nation. She knew that the Vortex Corporation were keen to become a member of the NDA, and she was always keen on building relations with other nations for the Alliance and the Empire.

She gazed out of the window briefly, as the plane began its flight then turned to her companion, her eyes fixed to the woman’s face. “I assume there is an itinerary for the journey. I am most eager to experience your nation. You can gain so much from watching how other live and rule.”

She smiled, knowing that these visits rarely showed anything other than the good points that those in power wanted the world to see; how much more interesting it would be if you were able to delve under the polished surface, and see all the grim that lingered there. But then, she knew there was much about Tartarus that she would hate others to be aware of, that was the thing about politics, too many skeletons in the closet.

In mid air

"Your majesty, I will try to show you as many aspects of our nation as possible. The journey to the Gardens takes a little over an hour, so if you have any questions you want to ask, you are free to ask them. I have been personally ordered by Council to speak only the truth and leave no details away. It is our opinion that merely bragging about our fine qualities will give you a misguided interpretation of who we truly are. But for starters, let me tell you something about the area we are currently flying over."

At these words, both women look out the large windows of the streamlined aerodyne. With no other sound than the humming of the engines, they stared at the lands between them, clearly visible from this height. Beneath them, a large river wandered through a landscape of green hills, interrupted every now and then by medium sized towns and villages, contained white and metallic colored buildings, and often with glass being an omnipresent material.

"The region to the northwest of the capitol is a small agricultural area. It's managed by Kiith Riif, a kiith that focuses mainly on agriculture and foodstuffs. Their kiithsmen seem to have some sort of inherited bond with the earth, because nobody can grow crops as high and lavishly as they can, at least that is what people say. The Riif have also done a lot of the work on the Gardens, and are highly respected in the Corporation. As for my own Kiith, we own many of the islands to the far north, near the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka", Kiira said.

"Forgive me if I am insulting you, your majesty, but may I ask how it feels to have your own direct family as a primary social group? Anywhere I go in my homecountry, many Manaani will welcome me as if they have known me all their life...but in other nations, only direct family tends to do so. Does that not bring a great sense of...lonelyness?"

Bump

Listening as Kiira gave an overview of the lay of the land and a description of the country itself, Gehenna gazed out of the window, catching the woman’s eye and nodding her understanding to indicate to the speaker than she was taking in all the information.

She smiled, as Kiira mentioned speaking the truth, giving her the fullest information of this nation she was visiting. Never had she before been offered such an opportunity, but she didn’t believe that Kiira was privy to all the darkest secrets hidden in this country’s history, or it’s not so distant past. Not that would want to know it, mystery made a place interesting. Discover them all, and you have little reason to return.

The Empress turned at the last question, looking into the woman’s eyes, as slight frown appearing as she thought about the answer, taking her time to fully assess it. Memories of her family flooded her mind, good and bad. The Empire’s primary social group, her family. But it wasn’t just them, there was an aristocracy, people who have pleased the past rulers, given thanks with titles and riches. How easy it was to buy people.

“That is a very hard question to answer, I’m afraid.” She smiled, and laughed lightly, to show that she was not at all offended by the question. “Not knowing any different, I cannot judge how it feels. Just like if I asked you whether everyone greeting you in a familiar way made you feel constantly surrounded.”

She took a moment to return her gaze to the passing scenery. “But I don’t feel lonely, even when all alone.” She smiled again as she turned back to her current host. “I’m sure I would feel different if I had gone from your world to mine, but as it is.”

Coughing slightly, clearing her throat, she slid her hand over her lap, brushing non-existent dust from her outfit. “I trust I will get the opportunity to see some of the different cultures that make up your fine nation, as well meeting Council?”

Kiira suddenly bursted into laughter at the last question of the Empress. "You majesty, I'm sorry, I don't mean to insult you. It's just that there's a rumour about how Council rescheduled an important meeting with the representatives from Vortex Steel to be able to receive you. She threatened to fire the entire board of directors if the company would not cooperate with her wishes. I don't think she'd even allow you to leave the country without first visiting her", she said with a smile.

Then, after being interrupted by a gentle voice informing the passengers that arrival would be in 5 to 10 minutes, she continued to answer the first part of the question.

"The Corporation does have many cultures. Of course, in the first place you have the eleven Kiithid, each of them with a different way of life. Some, like the Gaalsien, are very strict in their daily life, and very conservative in their behaviour. Others, like the S'Jet scientists and the Paktu engineers are far more creative in their ways. And of course, geographical locations also make for big cultural differences between Kiithid. But every Kiith has a specialism, such as trade, the military or science, and their cultural features are largely congruent with that specialism. And then you have the migrants from neighbouring countries and SFN nations, as well as the Taraskovyan Kiith. I think that when visiting Council, you will also meet some representatives of the Paktu, S'Jet and Soban, since they are the most influential Kiithid on this moment."

Then, Kiira hesitated for a while, but then recalled her orders to tell the full truth, no matter how irrelevant it could be. After all, one could never tell what a foreign head of state would find interesting, and what not.

"Officially, every employee in the Corporation is part of one of the Kiithid, save for Council and the Battlemages. But in some cases, there are exceptions. When a child is born from parents of two different Kiithid, normally it chooses one of those two Kiithid at the age of twenty. But sometimes, the Kiith refuses to welcome him or her in its ranks, and tha brings great shame. The youngling is then allowed to request to be taken up in any other kiith. But because of the first refusal, this rarely happens. For those persons, there are only two choices: leaving the Corporation, or getting into the military. The latter gives them the right to bear the Soban name, and integrates them into the Soban kiith, something made possible by an old law. But it is a fact that the Kiithid system is near perfect, but not flawless."