NationStates Jolt Archive

1: Starting Now

The World Press Information Association spanned the globe with a network that was said rival that of NISAK, Konania's foremost intelligence agency, but when tight-lipped men and women are able to keep a secret long enough, the WPIA reports nothing. However, as with any secret, eventually some information is let slip (not accidentally, in this case), and this opens a small hole in the dam of confidentiality that only grows larger with time.

The not-so-secret secret was the question of whether or not Felix Avinn would run for reelection when the time came. It was usually a given that he would; and rarely did any other canidate succeed in capturing enough of the vote to be noteworthy. Because of this, major news organizations like the Central Broadcasting Corpoartion had given up on covering the national election for the office of Executive of State.

But when a rumor arose that Felix just might not run for reelection, coming from a "source high in the administration", it had the effect of a spark on a tank of gasoline. The lawn of the Executive Mansion was covered with reporters, taking places and preparing for conference with all the grace of a swarm of locusts. Somewhere on the internet was a live streaming feed from a camera across the street.

Such is the nature of Konanian politics.

Felix Avinn himself watched the 'proceedings' with a sense of amusement; the leak had been planned. He had actually called the offices of the CBC and the International Broadcasting Network himself, using a clever machine to disguise his voice, dropping the hint that the Executive -might- not run for re-election, and that they -might- want to look into the story, because a trace of the call -might- reveal that it was coming from the Executive mansion. And so the snowball was pushed, and by the end of the week it was decided that the experiment had gone on long enough, and something needed to be done to end things before they got out of control.

The report was sent out, 8:30 would be the time, since most would be home by then.

* * *

The Central Broadcasting Corporation Headquarters is in the Sirius Building in the city of Tripera, and is close enough to the merging of the Strale and Peradel rivers that it is a highly valued piece of real estate. The windows looked over the city at night, and the twinkling lights below could have been mistaken for a second starry night sky.

The interior of this might as well have been day. The lights were all on, phones were ringing and the huge map that spanned the northern wall was suddenly the attention of all present as the scrolling type below reported its news of greatest urgency:

EXECUTIVE AVINN SPEECH LIVE ON AIR 2030 FROM AVALON

There was silence for a breif moment, and then action with renewed earnest. This was -real- news, and reporting it was what the CBC did best.

* * *

[ooc: To be continued...]

[There were quite a few BUMPs between hurrying reporters over the next several hours. ;) ]

*tag to reed in collage wehn im supposed to be working*

Mr. Morden, naturally interested in the internal processes of allied nations, switched his TV on, waiting for the actual speech...

He didn´t have any idea about its importance or irrelevance, but... well, one would see. So far, Konania hadn´t exactly been an overly active nation... Perhaps it would change.

Perhaps it would end in a media joke.

Who knows?

* * *

Kenneth Rogers was one of those reporters camped out on the lawn of the mansion. When the call came in to nearly everyone at once, every correspondant on the lawn crashed through the doorway on the west side of the building nearest to the Press Room. When discovered that not everyone could fit, a change in plans was made, and Executive Avinn would be speaking from the balcony above the east lawn.

Rogers set up his camera, clipping the small microphone to his shirt. "Mirror!" Another member of the CBC group held it out in front of him. He used to small comb he carried with him to set every hair in place as another put on some much needed makeup. He stood up straight, brushing down the suit, and stretching a little to prepare for the minutes of talking to follow. He took a deep breath, counted to five, and began:

"Ladies and gentlemen we are here, live, from the Mansion in Avalon. It has been said that Mr. Avinn is expected to make a speech from here any moment." The clock on the left side of the camera reported the time as 8:32. Politicians had no sense of time. They were predictable. You could set your clocks to their lateness.

"What do you think he'll talk about?" the anchor in Tripera asked. Rogers almost balked at the stupid question, but his training helped him there: "Most likely he intends to end the speculation surrounding the 'leak' in these recent days. Most of us expect him to deny it's accuracy, and let it go at that?"

"So you think this, everything will amount to nothing at all?"

"That's where I'm putting my money, Eric. The sun rises. The sky is blue. Felix Avinn is Executive of the Konanian State-- it's a fact of life here. After all, who would be elected to replace him?"

* * *

Felix checked his watch. He had to be late; it was tradition to be later than one had to necessarily be. A few seconds more. Those around him combed his hair and applied makeup, finally standing back when complete, as if admiring their work. His wife of fourty years walked up to him, straightening his suit out in the way only she could. She took a deep breath, and looked him once over, nodding her approval. "You'll do fine. Good luck out there."

He smiled, checking the watch once more. 8:32:51 PM.

Showtime.

* * *

[To be continued later tonight (if forum cooperates). The rest is already written, just gotta do some proofreading.]

At this point, Felix appeared on the balcony, and the all the cameramen, by professional instinct, swung away their cameras and focused on the figure standing there waving to the crowd.

* * *
Felix looked at the crowd before and below him, a little surprised to see a group sitting in folding chairs on the grass, mostly politicians. He was even more surpised to see his son, his daughter in law, and three grandchildren sitting there, smiling back up at him. He gave a wink to the oldest while waiting for the applause to die down. She grinned back. Another breath, and he began:

"Good evening:

"This morning, someone, somewhere, suggested that I might not be running for office again. And immediatly, everyone seemed to wonder why, and give their opinion. For curiosity I don't blame you, but it's been a week of many words, and a week scarce of truth."

* * *

Rogers and a few of the other reporters on the ground stifled chuckles, glad not to be one of the talking heads back at home who had fueled the fire.

* * *

"So, to end all the speculation, I will tell you this is true: this has been my last term in office as your Executive of State. I go not in scandal but with honor; not in remorse but with a renewed pride in my nation and my people. I leave you now, not as a beaten leader, but as a soldier who sees his duty done."

* * *

At Bailey Air Force Base, a retired commander smiled. Felix would always be "BLACKCAT" to him and his group of pilots, no matter how old he got.

* * *

"The law-- our law-- dictates that an Executive may remain in power as long as he or she sanctioned by the people of the nation. For almost two decades, under this law of democracy, I have been honored to be your chosen leader. And so, for me, it comes to an end."

"Did I finish? No. For Konania, there will never be an end, as only a conquered or lost nation can be 'finished'."

"There is still much I would have liked to have seen -- but my goal, over these years, was really quite simple: To leave Konania a little better than it was when I arrived."

"I hope and trust that I have done that."

"In my days we have seen triumph and tragedy, disaster and success, and yet we endure. We have had friendships made and lost, and yet we endure. Enemies rise and fall, and yet we endure."

* * *

Across the nation, over 2 billion heads bobbed in agreement, remmebering each time, each event, each tear shed, each moment of joy.

* * *

"Konania, if all is forgotten, and all else is lost, let these be the words on our epitaph: They never gave up. Long after the race is won, by themselves or not, they kept on running. As one."

"Thank you, Konania. It's been great. Good night."

Felix thought the applause was loud for such a small group. A tearful grin here would not, could not suffice. He gave one final wave that was almost a salute, before he left the balcony. The journalists turned back to their work, telling every hidden detail, looking for some small meaning in every action.

It would not be a night Konania would soon forget-- it was an end, yes, but still, a beginning of something great and terrible.

* * *

And across the peninsula, the expected happened. Since the talking-heads and other 'experts' were the only ones who had the time to watch such things, channels were changed clicked, holovisions were left on and abandoned, if not simply switched off. A very select few, "The attentitive public", stayed in front, watching the coverage.

In the rural mountains far outside Kareto, long from much of any sort of civilization, Daniel Stalzer and his group were some of these few, but even then, many of their minds had wandered to a single most important point.

For twenty years, Stalzer had been patient, waiting for this day. The idiot had been in office long enough; some of his colleagues were suggesting that they remove him, but Stalzer had been patient, and finally, today had come. Felix Avinn, Prince of Cats is gone. It was a wonderful thing, really. Felix was too much a pacifist, he hoped that now someone could take office and really lead-- and yet, he concluded the thought with a sigh. There were too many fools in this nation who simply wished to be left alone. These were his greatest threat-- not those who opposed him, but those who were satisfied with life as it is.

So, barring a miracle, another peace-toting, isolationist, socialistic, moderate fool would come into power, and Konania would still be frozen in the status quo. Stalzer didn't believe in miracles, so he'd have to work this out on his own.

* * *

There was a sort of stunned silence in the newsroom, as this had definitly not been expected. Someone spoke up.

"So what now?"

Rogers managed to recall some bit of knowledge from his secondary government class. "Well, within the next twenty-four hours, Mr. Avinn is expected to submit a name as his nomiation as to who might be the next Executive of State. The nomination must be approved by his party--" the Populists, in this case-- "and there will be a special election within the next month."

Unlike most other democracies, these elections could take place soon with a minimum amount of campaigning. Most canidates had discovered that attempting to use anything other than merit, eloquence, and ideology to get oneself in office was useless. Baby-kissing, negative campaigning, and other such foolishness did little to change the mind of the average Konanian citizen, who submitted his ballot having throughly researched the canidates, through Konania's "open book" policy on politicians which discouraged many from seeking office. These people, having educated themselves and seeking to impress, told their friends about their choice, who had in turn told their friends...

Thus, with a few hastily, yet well-written speeches, scheduled debates, the race began.

* * *

[To be continued...]

* * *

Timothy Cordell, the current head of the Department of World Affairs, was Konania's top diplomat, cousin of Alexander Davinik, head of the Konanian National Army. It was a running joke in their family that while one had studied the craft of peace, the other had taken up the art of war. Alex often pointed out that if Tim did his job correctly, he'd never have to do his.

Cordell was the in the middle of the three. At forty-three, he wasn't the average age of a politician, and the fact that he, unlike most others in this profession, still had rather young children made the Assembly worry that this would not have the correct "priorities". This supposedly made him too informal and friendly. However, when Avinn argued that he would rather have a "friendly" man conduct Konania's dealings with other nations, Cordell was promptly confirmed as Cheif Officer of World Affairs, and that was that.

To find that he had been Felix's nomination surprised him, to say the least. His degree was in International Relations, not in domestic politics. The fact of the matter was that he hated politics; to him it was a fool's affair, and fools were at the bottom of Cordell's personal world paradigm. And yet, the world would look favorably upon one whose intentions were not hostile, and who knew how the world worked.

The election wasn't much of one. His opponent was a cynical man, and while he had the experience necessary for office, Konania simply wasn't ready for him. To Cordell, the entire process was really quite boring, and his inaguration took place eight weeks later.

* * *

Tim found himself standing on the steps of the Capitol in Avalon. It was a partly-sunny day (or partly-cloudly , but Cordell was an optimist) in early spring. He looked warily; it was supposed to rain today. His family was standing nearby. A camera was trained on his face at the moment, and looking like an extremly serious statesman seemed so... ordinary, so he smiled. Slightly.

* * *

Stalzer frowned deeply. Sometimes he wished he wasn't always right. There was Mr. Cordell, standing there, looking like a fool. There was the minister, with the Bible. I swear before Heaven and earth to protect the Constitution of the Federal Republic, etcetera. All things set to order, Timothy Cordell was now Cheif Executive of State.

It was all lies, Stalzer knew. Where was the promise to act for the betterment of the people of Konania? Where was the promise to avenge all those that had been wronged? Cordell wasn't a champion, he was a coward. A coward with the power and support of an entire nation behind him.

Cordell was giving a speech now that Stalzer didn't want to hear. He had words of his own to say. Standing up, he flipped the holovision off.

* * *

[to be continued...]

[Continued here: Last True Patriots (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2983250) ]