NationStates Jolt Archive

A convoy of two black sedans waited on the tarmac in the port district of Tomakomai, prepared to take the visiting Directoress of The Universalist Totality to Remembrance Square, where she would meet the spokesperson of the People, Duo Migashi. A lightly armed guard of four men, part formality and part precaution, lounged with a bored look on their faces next to the sedans.

The incoming Totality vessel was given landing coordinates to the spaceport subdistrict, an expansive array of runways, VTOL pads, and deceptively simple-looking rail launchers, all designed to receive and launch spacefaring vessels of all origins and sizes. From it's approach route, the Totality ship could look upon the overwhelming cityscape that had reached into every available crevace of Hokkaido. Off in the distance the superscrapers that marked the center of New Sapporo. Over the Hidaka Mountains, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden-orange glow over the city. One might almost think the entire island was on fire, a startling contrast to the crystalline sky.

The Valkyrie flew in wide circles, slowly decending to the landing point below. As it gently made its way to its destination, seemlessly gliding through the air, it produces a gentle swinging sensation that somehow pleased Alitsia. She sat in silence with a peaceful smile on her face, looking out her window at the beauty which stretched before her. It was a truly remarkable sight, this city, and she wondered if Forge would ever manage to match it. This was exactly what her nation needed, a grand capital which would bear silent witness to the power and grandeur of the Dominion, to the romantic vision of the people who helped build it. As she pondered this, and many other thoughts, the Valkyrie made its final round, and landed gently onto the tarmac. Alitsia had arrived in Cyberutopia.

After exchanging a few words with her staff, Alitsia fixed her clothing, let out a deep, content sigh, and ordered the vessels portal be opened. As the massive door hissed open, she was temporarily blinded by the brilliant Cyberutopian sun, and forced to squint. As her eyes grew accostumed to the light, she perceived two vehicles and a small team of men. Assuming that they were to be her escort, she gave her own people a slight farewell wave, and then stepped briskly out onto the tarmac and toward the convoy. She nodded to the nearest of them, cleared her throat, and announced over the noise of the Valkyrie's engines;

"Alitsia de Viennois, Directoress of The Dominion of Universalist Totality. I am expected."

http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B5266%3B23232%7Ffp4%3Enu%3D323%3A%3E689%3E7%3A2%3EWSNRCG%3D323268%3C4%3B2%3A85nu0mrj

One of the men stepped forwards and cleared his throat. "Indeed you are, Miss. Please, enter the vehicle."

One of the men opened the door and the others entered their respective cars. The man who had spoken to her first shifted his carbine down to the floor and sat next to the Directoress.

"If you have any questions, I'll try my best to answer them, Directoress." He told her, as the convoy started to move out of the port district and onto the six-lane highway that linked districts. "You'll notice that for a nation our size, there are relatively few cars on the road. We pride ourselves on the consistent use of magrails throughout the nation, which are much cleaner, effecient, and faster than personal transports. Automobiles are generally reserved for important guests."

Alitsia leaned forward, looking out the window of the Sedan to take in the great city which surrounded her. She said nothing for a few moments, overwhelmed by a feeling of awe and excitment at experiencing this exotic place, its people, and its civilzation. It was a feeling similar to that which she felt when she first layed eyes on the wild, untouched beauty of Forge. It was an exiliration felt by all humans when they discover something new, something precious.

Realizing that her companion was waiting for a response, that perhaps her silence was making him uneasy, she leaned back into her seat and turned to him, smiling appreciatively.

"Yours is a truly great civilization, good sir. This great city of yours boasts that which we of the Dominion strive for; perfect harmony between technology and nature. This city.....sets an example for all the peoples of the Universe to follow. Tell me, is it very difficult to maintain a great city such as this without damaging the surrounding ecosystems, and the planetary environment as a whole? How is it done? Do tell me, for my mind is greatly troubled by such things."

As if an attempt at an answer, the highway entered a flourishing forest of evergreens. The car was filled with a continuously changing pattern of greens and black as the man turned to her.

"I'm glad New Sapporo is an inspiration to you, but it is, admittedly, terribly hard to start out. You can start out too feebly, and never gain the resources to build your city, or begin to strongly, and destroy the ecosystem before you have a chance to preserve it. We simply got lucky and did the right thing at the same time. But it's all impossible without 'green' technology. Fusion reactors, hydrogen fuel cells, all reasonably obtainable technologies, but without them, we'd certainly be in an acid rainstorm right now. Every inch of human expansion harms the environment to some extent, but all is manageable with Nature's ability to adapt and Man's rationality." He finished as the forest thinned out, decidious trees slowly increasing in number, before they burst again into the smooth lines of the city. "The grace of that is reflected in our city."

Alitsia nodded understandingly.

"I should hope that your government will be good enough to instruct us in the development of these technologies, and aid us in the successful implementation of the system which seems to work so well for your nation. Environmental preservation is one of the basic tenents of our ideology, though I must admit that we are still quite ignorant as to its application."

Her escort's smile widened a little more.

"Yes, of course, Directoress. There is nothing we'd like more than to help preserve a relatively untouched planet." He told her, before the car began to follow the lead car off the road. "There aren't any roads in the inner city, so we'll be transferring to a VIP magrail."

He exited the car as soon as it came to a stop and moved to open the Directoress' door for her. The group moved swiftly through the terminal via a series of bypasses and into a glass tube, where an oblong off-white pod was waiting, it's top and bottom attached to respectively placed rails. The door slid away with a hiss, and the escort stepped calmly into the pod with the Directoress, while the other guards went back to tend to the sedans. It shuddered and began to slide forward.

ooc:....um, go on. Sorry, I'm not to sure what to write at this point.

((Haha, ok, that happens to me too.))

The magtrain picked up speed until the outside world was just a slab of whites, greens, and grays. The two passengers felt nothing of the pod's mind-twisting inclines and turns, thanks to the cushion of air they rode on, and the gyroscopic stabilization. Within a few minutes, they had traveled several dozen miles deeper into the city, where they whipped over the giant pedestrian thoroughfares. After several more turns that would be absolutly sickening without inertial compensation, the magtrain slowed and decended almost to the ground. After a short trip through a smoothly defined glass elevator that could be considered a piece of art by itself, the two stepped out into the city.

It was a simple walk to the entrance of the Representative's House, where the Directoress' escort left her.

"Thank you again for coming, Mr. Migashi will receive you here. Enjoy your stay." He told her as he retreated back into the expanse of the city.

((Can't write any more for the moment, sorry.))

As Alitsia stood there, awaiting admittion, excitement slowly mounted within her. She felt the adrenalin coursing through her veins, and she made a mental note to calm herself. A sweaty palmed handshake would not make a good first impression. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, which she let out in a long, relaxing sigh. Here she finally was, moments away from meeting her new friend, her benefactor. Alitsia's palms began to sweat.

The double hardwood doors swung open and an Asian man walked slowly out, looking to be feeling the first combined effects of age and constant stress. A creature that resembled a mechanized dragon stepped out after him, settling it's sights upon Alitsia. The man waved the "dragon" away, and it retreated back inside with a low hiss of machinery, and perhaps discontent.

"As you might have guessed, I am People's blahdy blahdy blah Duo Miashi." He said, extending his hand with a short chuckled. "Ah, forgive me for my curtness, I should not treat the leader of our new friends, or a young lady that way. I have just been worrying about some new threats. And I shouldn't be leaving you out here, either! Please, come in, and we can talk in comfort."

Alitsia reluctantly took the man's hand and followed him in. His strange joke had knocked her off balance, and she grimaced a little, despite herself. It then came to her mind that perhaps this was his intention, and so she decided to do her best to keep her composure. She smiled broadly at Miashi, batted her big blue eyes, and waited for him to speak. She had also decided that she would not initiate the conversation. Let him find the right words, let him break the ice. Alitsia felt herself to be very clever at that moment.

Duo smirked at her patient silence and turned away to a nearby minibar.

"Can I get you anything?" He asked. "I don't drink myself, but I find a lot of leaders do, to take the edge off the job. I wouldn't exactly encourage it, though."

"No thankyou," she replied with obviously forced and overdone dignity, "I don't drink. Its against my religion."

"Fair enough, then it's against my honor." He retorted, before sitting down on a practical but comfortable sofa chair and motioning for the Directoress to do the same opposite him. "So, I believe there are many things we can help you with. Environment, military, trade, and so on. What do you feel is most pressing?"

Alitsia sat opposite her host, and contemplated his question. After a few brief moments, she responded.
"I must say that the issue which takes priority for my people at the moment is our defensive capabilities. I have recently learned from Kanuckistan of the Shivan threat, which I'm sure you are familiar with. I've also been informed that the Shivans, though the newest threat to peace loving nations, is in no way the only one. I've experienced this first hand, through my brief contact with the Dictatorship of Danneland. This nation has not taken any action against us thusfar, most probably because they are currently embroiled in a war. Still, we fear that once they have finished with their current scenario, they will turn on us.

The D.U.T's defensive capabilities are....lacking, to say the least. We are a peace loving people, and do not seak war with anyone. Still, we would like to be capable of reasonable self defense should an outside aggressor threaten our sovereignty. The safety of my people takes priority over everything else. I must say therefore that I consider your council on this matter crucial."

He grinned. "The Shivians are a bunch of idiots and that Dictator Daniel is an even bigger one. He just likes running his mouth, from what I can tell. Still, he is easily dealt with, from my perspective. But your concern is still legit. I can spare several people from the various fields – land, sea, air, space – to oversee the training and setup of your homeland defenses. I will also see if I can get a few shipments of small arms and maybe even some tanks, though in the long run, I always advise towards designing your own equipment. You can always expect our help, Directoress, so do not be afraid to ask for anything, now or in the future."

Alitsia laughed out loud at her hosts comments.

"Well, it is good to hear that these nations are of no real threat. If you say it is so, then I take your word for it. Seriously though, I am greatly honored to have a friend such as yourself. Your goodwill towards myself and my people seems to have no bounds. It is a privilege to have such a benefactor. You say you are prepared to help us bolster our defences. Perhaps then we should begin to discuss the specifics of how you will do so. Tell me dear friend, do you have some sort of concrete aid package in mind for us?"

((Just about everyone but a small portion of the ESUS has ignored the Shivans. I find his excuses hilarious. They basically amount to: I RULE THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE WITH MY MILLION SHIP FLEETS!!!! I just can't access that power for X reason.))

"Hm, well we have never given a large quantity of weapons away in this manner before, so I'm afraid we don't have anything on hand. But you have proven yourself a responsible leader...tell me how you think this looks." He told her, picking up a pen and a piece of paper.

When he was done, he slid the list across to her.

Land

250,000 CR-306 assault rifles
100,000 CSMG-5 submachine guns
25,000 CLMG-50 light machine guns
25,000 CAS-12 assault shotguns
1,000 CSR-3 sniper rifles
AVRR-6 recoilless rifles
2,000 CAmsrCSG-1 heavy repeating slug gun armed assisted armor suits
1,000 MkX C-EMRG infantry railgun armed assisted armor suits
2,500 CA-MR-75 anti-material rifles

20,000 MkII C-5 infantry fighting vehicles
10,000 Type 84 unmanned combat/observation vehicles
60,000 standard Humvees

5,000 Advanced Cyberutopian General Battle Tank*
1,500 Type 73 self-propelled artillery pieces

Air**

1,000 Spectre UCAVs
100 Recon UAVs
6 squadrons of MFI-2 Shearfighters (multi-role fighter)
4 squadrons of I-4 Talons† (interceptors)
4 squadrons of A/f-12b Blades (fighter-bombers)
15 CB-18s (heavy bombers)
30 KC-10s (refueling aircraft)
50 AAC-130s (heavy ground attack aircraft)
100 Harbringer C-1s†† (ultra heavy transport aircraft)
1,000 CAH-160 Dragoon Attack Helicopters
200 AsCTH Dark Falcon Transport Helicopters

Sea

4 Razor Wing class Light Assault Carriers (18 planes, 2 helicopters)
20 Oyashio SSK submarines
12 Scythe class Trimaran GM Cruisers (with 3 helicopters)
16 Sickle class Trimaran GM Destroyers (with helicopter)
14 Dagger class Trimaran AA Destroyers (with helicopter)
30 Cherish class FCSS Supply Ships (with 2 helicopters)
20 medical frigates

Other

5 tons of mecroxiteº

*uses anti-grav propulsion, and is therefore a "hover tank"
**there are 12 planes/squadron
† uses hybrid PDE technology
†† uses "gyroplane" tecnology
º a very rare and highly refined form of nominal asteroids that has the extremely potent capability to absorb phenominal amounts of energy, and is usually used in spaceship plating

"I hope that suits your needs." Duo added when Alitsia was finished.

Altisia's jaw dropped as she read down the list. Once again, her host had exceeded her wildest expectations with his generosity. Still holding the paper in her hand, she looked up at him, eyes wide.

"Of course the Dominion would be more than thrilled to accept this equipment form your nation. I....." she lost her train of thought, and struggled to find the words to express her gratitude. "I thank you so much, my Lord. If the Dominion will ever be in a position to help its friends in Cyberutopia, I assure you that we shall jump to the occasion.......may I please have that drink now?"

Duo laughed politely and got up. "Certainly."

After serving her what she requested and sitting back down, he leaned forwards a bit to talk again.

"Most of that on the list is stockpiled or unneeded, but some of the other items – mecroxite, the ships, and about half the tanks – will be produced and promptly shipped to you over the course of a few years. We are, of course, always glad to have a new ally around. Now my dear Directoress, it is getting late, so if you do not mind, I shall retire. There is a guest room that has been prepared for you here, or you might stay at one of the nearby hotels. We shall continue our talks soon, I am sure, for there is much left to cover."

With that, Alitsia rose and shook Duo's hand in farewell.

"It was a pleasure to finally meet you, good sir. You can count on the D.U.T. to be your loyal allies, there is no question about that. I look forward to continuing our discussion tomorrow. If you could perhaps have someone direct me to my quarters, I would be much obliged."

Duo nodded and pressed a button on the wall.

"Ksssh. Yes? Click." The voice on the other end asked.

"Please send down someone to show Directoress Alitsia to her room."

"Ksssh. Yes, sir, we will do so promptly, sir. Click."

Migashi turned to Alitsia. "I hope you sleep well. Until the morning, my friend."

He walked off to his own room, and before long a young woman came into the room and showed the Directoress her luxurious room. She informed the Directoress that if ever anything was needed, there would be someone available, and walked off.

New Sapporo twinkled quietly through another peaceful night.

Alitsia showered and changed. She then took advantage of the minibar conveniently placed in her room, and had a small nightcap. The Directoress slept soundly that night...

Warm sunlight pierced the curtains and invaded Alitsia's sleep, and seemed to douse the room in liquid gold as morning was heralded by the uncoöperative orchestra of birds staking their claims for the day. A knock sounded at her door to rouse her, and an hour later was another knock – like a long lost echo – and a servant waited at her door to take her to breakfast.

Alitsia showered, dressed, and then asked the servant to lead her to breakfast.

The man there bowed deeply and led her to breakfast. They entered a modest-looking room with a fair sized table lavished with foods of all sorts. Waffles, pancakes, eggs of all varieties, and many more exotic foods Alitsia may or may not have been able to identify. The room was arranged so that the same life-giving light spilled over the room through a number of windows that gave a wide view of the surrounding cityscape artisically melded with wilderness. The servant pulled the Directoress' chair back and Duo dismissed him.

"Please Directoress, have a seat, and take as much food as you wish. Now, what do you feel needs discussing today?" He asked, a warm smile on his lips.

Alitsia smiled at Duo, sighed contently, and began to laden her plate with the food before her. She was never the kind to watch her weight, as she was one of those few fortunates who never had to. As she chose from the fine selection, she spoke,

"I've today received a transmission from Mr. Paisley, the leader of Greater Prussia, inviting me to join that organization. I don't know this man, nor do I know much about his organization, and I was hoping that perhaps you could advise me in whether joining them would be benefitial or detrimental to my nation."

"Hm, Greater Prussia." He gave a dismissive wave as if swatting an annoying fly. "They've been on a recent recruitment drive, and have been doing quite well. I know them to be centered mainly about religion and military prowness, topics I personally find to be wavering and easily corrupted. Furthermore, they have Allanea within their ranks, one nation of people I personally find quite annoying and distastefully aggressive. They are mainly composed of dictatorships and cruel capitalist paradises, the two basest forms of government. Alliances such as theirs generally suck all their members into their petty scuffles with the Enemy of the Day, and I would never wish that misforutune upon your people. Still, this is all as I see it."

Alitsia looked up from her plate, tilted her head slightly, and smiled.

"I was expecting an answer along these lines. I must admit that from the research I have done, I have drawn similar conclusions. I was hoping that I was missing something, that you might have something positive to say about that alliance, but apparently it is not so. I must admit that I found the invitation intriguing. But somehow, I don't see the D.U.T fitting into that particular group of nations."

Duo smiled. "Neither do I. I am glad you decided to turn down their offer, as there are many alliances much more deserving of levelheaded nations and leaders."

Alitsia looked at Duo inquisitivly.

"And perhaps, good sir, you would care to enlighten me as to what these alliances are, and which, in your opinion, would be most suitable for my fledgling nation?"

He smiled at her curiosity. "I was hoping you might have asked. The Allied Powers Treaty Organization is a very beneficial alliance. They are very friendly to nations such as ours, and provide unparalleled loyalty and protection to their members, though some of the more powerful members don't always get along. As you've heard, the ESUS would be a better option once the Shivian Wars are finished and your people are better equipped to deal with threats. NATO has been reincarnated several times throughout history, but I sadly can't tell you if it's active or not right now. There was a time when they, too, were a force to be reckoned with, and were close allies of the founder."

Alitsia listened, and contemplated her host's words. "You are a member of this APTO, I take it?"

He nodded and smiled. "Yes, for many years now...perhaps fifty?"

Alitsia smiled, and made large, innocent eyes at Duo. "And I don't suppose you were considering inviting me into this organization?"

He laughed lightly at her expression. "I think you would feel right at home in the APTO, but it's not my place to bring you into the alliance. You'll have to talk to the leadership of New Genoa."

Altisia leaned back in her chair, and waved her hand in a dismissive motion. "Ahhhh, no. I don't think that will happen. Excuse me if you feel my stance on this matter is arrogant, but I am not the kind of person to shop around for allies. If the leadership of New Genoa feel that they would like the D.U.T to be a member nation of APTO, I would be pleased to receive an invitation, and would at that time give it due consideration. We ourselves will not approach that nation with a request for membership. I consider it to be something.....below our dignity."

He shrugged. "Handle it as you wish, but I'll tell you now I don't think you'll be getting into any reliable alliances that way."

Alitsia grimaced. "My apologies, dear host. It seems I have offended you."

He smiled again. "No, you haven't. I'm just speaking from our nation's past experiences."

Alitsia sat in silence for a long while, washing her breakfast down with some coffee. She craddled the cup in her hands, and stared into it, as if it would give her some invaluable advice. Finally she looked back up at Duo.

"Perhaps my tone was....less than civil. I am, afterall, here to seek your council. I highly respect you my lord, and do value your opinion above all others. If you feel it is advisable for me to contact New Genoa with a request for membership, that is exactly what I shall do."

"Please, you flatter me needlessly." He said with a carefree chuckle. "I do not find your reasoning offensive, merely different than what I would expect. How you go about things is your business, not mine, so I shall not make it mine. Being a member of a strong alliance, or any alliance, is never necessary."

Alitsia nodded agreeingly. "Perhaps we of the D.U.T. are not yet prepared to commit ourselves to a large alliance. I must admit that we do prize our neutrality. Governments change, some nations become corrupted by the power they enjoy. We would not want to find ourselves in a position where we are legaly comitted to shedding blood for an unjust cause."

She stopped speaking for a little while, contemplating that which she would say next.

"Still, it seems that no nation will ever be safe if it stands alone, no matter how powerful. To use an old metaphor, lions travel in packs. Even the greatest elephant can be brought to its knees if the pack is large enough. And my nation is no great elephant. What would you say to a mutual defense agreement between our two nations?"

"Yes, of course." He said with a smile and a nod. "I can see nothing wrong with that, my friend. We will gladly protect you in the time it takes your own great elephant of a nation to mature."