Alexander Kazansky walks in, escorted by the same two pilots as before.
"Hail, Elentari!" says Kazansky as he bows to the Elven queen.
Sirithil sighs a little, she's not in the best of moods. This Allanea thing is turning into a first-class headache for her. Still, she puts on a smile at his polite greeting. "What can I do for you?"
"Apparently, for some people, a big gun is everything. They apparently now demand that I, quote, turn myself in within the next twenty-four hours, unquote, or be tried. Furthermore, those fools are ripping Allanea apart like a tablecloth, most literally. Further, they claim that they own the entirety of the equipment in our posession."
"Well, on a purely technical basis, Alexander, they do. And they're not demanding you turn yourself in, only that you cease and desist. I did suggest that you abide by the treaty and not pretend to be a government. That's what they're demanding."
"You are greater and wiser than I am, Elentari. Am I to turn myself in and have them execute me - and the last hope of the Allanean people for anything but a puppet government? Or should I actually claim that there is something remotely legitimate in this... treaty?"
"I would heartily suggest the latter." She sighs, and pours a glass of wine. "Would you like some? Anyway. They've got you in a bad spot, it's true. Which is why you should be bending over backwards to cooperate. Don't give them a reason to keep up the occupation."
Alexander Kazansky sighs as he pours himself some wine as well. "Ah well. You'd think they'd like 'Allanean Liberation Organisation' better? But I will have to keep signing my letters with the full title. It was not mine to claim, nor is it mine to refuse. Am I right, Elentari?
"Well, Allanean Liberation Organization has bad overtones. Too terroristy. Palestinish and such. My suggestion is to go with something that focuses on a peaceful mission. "Allaneans for a Better Future" or something like that."
"May I have a humble request, Lady Sirithil?"
"Yes?"
"Uhm, you see, given that my period of apprenticeship with my... previous Mentor was unfinished... do you accept apprentices, Elentari?"
"I've never taken one before. Why?"
"I would like to apply for the position, Elentari. I have not, you see, made a very good President. Besides, I want to know who I am."
Sirithil nods. "No, you haven't," she says bluntly. "But I will consider it. Would you let someone else lead the Allanean people, then?"
"The Allanean people... remember that I am not actually leading them, at current. Just typing up statements."
"This is true. It is gratifying to hear it from your own lips, though."
"Besides, given that I apparently going to be President of Allanea for the rest of eternity, shouldn't I use the situation as an opportunity how to do it competently, for a change?"
"Well, as you just said, you're really *not* President of Allanea."
"I am not performing the duties now. Legally, I will have to resume my duties when Allanea becomes independent. In this case, it boils down to typing statements and learning as much as I can"
"In a libertarian nation you cannot call an election?"
"Technically, the constitution was amended, by a vote of 75% of the people. The next election is to be held after my death." replies Kazansky?
"By the way, Elentari, if you don't mind troubling yourself in such minutiae... where can I find that great-granddaughter of yours? She might help me with my, uhm, research."
Sirithil arches an eyebrow. "Don't you have larger problems than your love life?" She's very perceptive.
"Love life, Elentari? I don't know what you're talking about. Besides which, my problems are not something I may not fix at the moment - so I try not to worry too much." He doesn't want to get executed.
"You weren't just looking for books in the library..."
Alexander Kazansky looks at Sirithil defensively. "Elentari, I don't believe I have merited such distrust."
"It is natural for me to distrust you, Alexander, you spent months in the service of Morgoth. It will take time for that distrust to fade."
"Melkor, Lady Sirithil. And I was not serving him - I was studying under him - and I wasn't a good apprentice. Now, as per my love life, I never had one - and I'm seventy three. I might look or feel young, but that's my age."
"Will you now trust me with the answer? Or should I provide proof of not currently serving the interests of Melkor?"
"If you can provide such proof, I would be happy to have it."
"I would enjoy doing so. What would serve you as proof?" replies Alex "Back where I come from we use innocent unless proven guilty, though."
"Here we presume neither guilt nor innocence. We operate on the preponderance of the evidence."
"I see. As to my question, I am not trying to seduce that grand-granddaughter of yours - if only because you'd execute me if I did."
Sirithil nods a little, more to the first sentence than the second, to which she provides no comment. "That said, I'd prefer if you stayed away from her."
Alexander Kazansky shrugs. "I see. Is that due to my international status or due to my biography?"
"A little bit of both."
Alexander Kazansky nods, lowering his eyes to the ground. "I see, Elentari. Any further orders?"
He had trained his whole life for this moment, as the Great Spirit had intended for him. Virtually from birth, Toron Dale had been schooled in the various martial arts of many races and cultures, as well as trained in the use of everything from small arms to flying interceptors. He studied the great warriors of the past, mixed with the teachings of great philosophers. He learned covert operations, as well as psychological combat. Most of all, Toron was shown that he had only one purpose in life, a purpose that may never be realized, but one that MUST be prepared for:
He was the Protector.
For many years, he had been ready, but no Sign had come. Toron swallowed his frustration, and continued to apply himself to his studies. He grew from a gangly teen into a massive, confident man. Yet, he was unsatisfied, and yearned to perform the duty for which he was born. Then one day, his destiny came screeching to a halt in front of him. Toron now knew why he had worked so hard for the last 25 years, and as he packed his travel bag, he smiled in anticipation. He had found the One that needed him, the One that the Protector was created for:
Alexander Kazansky.
Alexander Kazansky reaches for the phone in his office, turning on the 2d vidscreen. "Yes, Elentari?"
He is standing behind a large table covered with nearly every communications device in existence. On the table lies also a ruined sketchbook, while a large cordless drill hangs on the wall behind the President.
Behind him, an Allanean and an Accord flag stand.
"I heard you were displeased, Elentari."
"You've been making large withdrawals.Very large withdrawals."
"Ninety billion dollars, Elentari. Not so large, comparing to the budget I should be dealing with, you know."
"Very large for a peaceful NGO, though."
"We are funding the purchase of three power plants, Lady. Planning to bring the lights back on in all mainland Allanea."
"I'm sure the Federation will be pleased, yes. And these power plants cost ninety billion credits?
" Sixty. 30 billion are being readied in case more equipment is needed."
"We're planning a new telescope. A radio telescope. Besides, it seems we need a network of private schools, Elentari."
"Um... why? I've seen the Federation curriculum. I think it's excellent."
"Except it's nothing like what it is supposed to be like, your Majesty?" - reples the President
"And what is a curriculum supposed to be like? Would you say it is meant to provide children the skills they will need to excel in life, and that it is not meant to push a particular political ideology?"
" Well, it's nothing like it USED to be."
Sirithil smiles. "Which used to push a particular political ideology."
"Indeed. The ideology of freedom. You mind that, Elentari?"
"Half your required readings in history class dealt with the controversy surrounding a single incident which occurred decades ago in a polity which no longer exists."
"One book, Sirithil. I remember the course. "Waco: Case Study in Big Government"
"One course which somehow spans four years of schooling?"
"Two months, Elentari."
"Three books and one film. In years 9, 11, and 12."
Alexander_Kazansky grabs the curiculum. "Where?"
"Two books, one of which is recommended reading, and one film in year twelve."
"Grade 9 has "This is not an assault" and "Ashes of Waco". Grade 10 has "Send in the waco killers". And grade 12 has "Waco: rules of engagement." Sirithil smiles. "That isn't a single two-month course."
Kazansky replies "Send in the Waco Killers" is not about Waco. "Ashes of Waco" is recommended and is not studied in class. " he smiles. "And it's very important, too.Next time I visit you, I'll get you a copy."
Alexander Kazansky looks down at the sketcbook. "two signed copies, actually."When were at it, when can I visit you again?"
"Check with my secretary, she'll make sure you get an appointment. Why do you need a telescope?"
"Uhm, it's not just a telescope. It's a multi-purpose device. Not a cannon, though."
"A multipurpose device? And nobody said it was a cannon..." She winks a little. "I think I'm going to need to look over the design."
"Elentari, you don't trust me with meeting your relatives. Why should I trust you with this?"
"Because the ABF's cozy setup here in Vinyatírion depends on it being absolutely transparent and cooperative, as was stated to you from the very beginning."
Alexander Kazansky shrugs. "Promise not to shoot me?"
"If someone asks me to promise not to shoot them," Sirithil says dryly, "I know I'm likely to want to shoot them very very soon."
Alexander Kazansky "It's also a transciever. And a shield generator."
"Well, a tranceiver is fine. Communications need to be rebuilt, after all. But why a shield generator?"
"Let me restate. It's a national-scale shield generator. It will be capable, in the case of a national emergency, to cover all of mainland Allanea"
"How big is this thing exactly?"
"Very. If we ever gather up the money, it will cost 400 billion."
"It will divert energy from any source of electricity in the nation and turn off the lights everywhere."
"Right... but wow, four hundred billion?"
"Well, Elentari, it can cover a country that is about the size of Russia. Worth it. Obviously, once the international situation is fitting, it will be turned ON. Do you see our plan?" Alexander Kazansky winks.
"The international situation being when FSP has restored independence to Allanea, I should hope."
Alexander Kazansky coughs. "Or when sufficient international support for Allanea independence will exist for it to be restored otherwise."
Sirithil coughs too. "I want one of the activation keys to this thing."
Alexander Kazansky laughs out loud, "But it hasn't even been built yet. Elentari! I don't even have the money to fund it! Besides, who told you there's going to be more than one key? Everything we have... had that needed one had one activation key - or used passwords."
-A door opens and a man with disheveled blonde hair walks in, not noticing the screen. "Hey, Alex, I got those interviews! Hey, who's that Elven gal!"
Alexander Kazansky pales. "Lady Sirithil, this is Cecil B Demented, my Minister of Culture."
"I told me there's going to be more than one key," she says, looking at him *very* meaningfully. She glances up. "Ah. Greetings."
"Hi! I am sorry, your Majesty I did not mean you, I mean the cute gal that Alex has been drawing in his sketchbook here." He waves the sketchbook around.
Alexander Kazansky pales.
Sirithil arches her eyebrows. Admittedly, the pictures of Míriel aren't bad for someone he's seen in passing maybe thrice. "Not planning seduction, Alexander?" she asks.
Alexander Kazansky shrugs. "Cecil, get out of here. NOW."
"Lady Sirithil, do I look dumb to you? VERY dumb?"
"Dumb how? Well, for one you're pining after my great-granddaughter, but as long as you don't try to make any actual moves I suppose that's intelligent. If you mean dumb as in giving me one of the activation keys to the shield, I assure you that would be the wiser course. It eliminates temptation."
"I mean, I want to live. If I had an, uhm, affair with the young lady, you'd have me executed. Meeting her is one thing. A drink or two - or a nice present, and I am thinking of one - is one thing. An actual affair? Feh. Menelmcar has the death penalty yet. "Besides, giving that I am probably the only sentient still believeing in future independence, you probably see me as an insane tramp with no future - and a photographic memory. I never knew I had one."
"Oh, I believe in future independence. But I also know D'ron Christopher Smith, and that a tricksy uprising is not going to work, and will only extend the occupation into perpetuity."
"My point is I am not the best matrimonial asset at the moment. Tricksy... do you even know my plan?"
"You want to get international opinion on your side enough to turn on the shield and, presumably, take your country back by force without worrying about getting ortilleried clear to the bedrock."
"Technically, after I turn on the shield, I'll just sit here and drink that wine you are so fond off. The Federation forces on the ground will be confronting two billion of armed and angry Allaneans. "
"I'm going to give you a chance to change your mind. Because based on the terms I gave you, I should be calling forces in right now to deport you."
"You have a better plan? One that does not include extreme humiliation?"
"I imagine the Federation forces on the ground - whom the vast majority of your people don't have anything capable of hurting to any real extent - will simply kill the dish. In short, Alexander, the only thing that would render you insane and without a future would be an armed confrontation."
"Perhaps now you see why I applied for position of an apprentice? A mentor would advise me with a more, practical plan?"
Sirithil ponders. "You might kill a few of D'ron's troops. But can you do it before federation aircraft under the shield already put the hurt on the dish? The FSPers aren't stupid, they'll be able to detect where all that energy is suddenly coming from, and the power drain won't affect them either - they already have independent generators, as evidenced by their ability to operate within Allanea despite the state they left your grid in. Now, the problem here is not in my mentoring, it's in your apparent inability to accept my advice. Sometimes, force isn't the answer."
"Lady Sirithil, I understand. Do you, however, see how deeply humiliating this is?"
"Yes, I do. We have seen in history the effect of a humiliating surrender - the country that signed it built up its army anyway and conquered half of Europe - but wound up getting utterly torn to shreds.Anger will only bring more death. Force has been your answer to every question for decades - you have been shown that it isn't working. So try something else."
"Look at it this way: our children's education is being tinkered with. My people are being systematically disarmed. My people. Not my military. My minister of commerce goes about begging people for money. Literally. I am being regard upon as having the matriomonial prospects of Ted Bundy and Steve Ur-Kel combined. How low can you go?
"And otherwise you would be picking at the blasted soil with Iron Age tools and eking out a subsistence existence, assuming any of you survived continued bombardment at all. It can *always* get worse. And I assure you, an uprising would make it much, much worse."
"I understand. At the current situation, of course. I just pointed to the reasons because of which some members of my cabinet are suggesting a purchase of a shield. Besides, the plan that was submitted to me also included several other elements."
"I'm listening."
"Elentari, there is no shield yet! Nothung! Just paper on my desk for me to sign." "Right. This is true, yes.I do think that a twin activation key is a good idea. I don't know who I would trust with it, though."
"Me."
"You've seen Cecil. He's a perfect example of my staff. You? Right. I am sorry, Elentari. That is impossible. I mean, you're already too busy."
"When your nation is released, I give it back. Because I think long-term that a shield generator is a good idea. But *not* if you're just going to use it as an insurance policy to continue the same foreign adventurism you conducted before."
Alexander Kazansky chuckles "Foreign adventurism? Have you been ready the New York Times lately or something? What is this 'foreign adventurism' stuff and where it's from?"
"I'm referring your tendency to do far less 'speaking softly' than 'beating with big sticks'."
'Only where it works. Our reputation is extremely exaggerated."
"When was the last time it worked?"
"In Yurka. You could say the Fifth Edolian War worked, too"
"Yurka was a very long time ago. And I don't think EW5 worked, given that Edölia still has a stranglehold on Axackal."
"They released ten million people from Axackal. Paid each of them 250% the value of their land. Goobergunchia surrendered the Prophet. Good enough, no? Besides, Yurka was the last war we had before the FEW."
Alexander Kazansky wonders. "Oh, the book I promised... do you still hold those famous parties?"
Because I sure do want to get away from my cabinet members. My cabinet consists of people like... Cecil. What do you make of Cecil? Because people like him were running my country for years."
"I'm afraid I don't know him well enough."
"Let me put it this way: the name fits. Too well."
"What most people do, then, is replace them."
"The problem is, Elentari, that he was quite capable and pleasurable to work with when he was a Minister of a normal country and I had to talk to him for only two minutes a day, maybe. Now I LIVE in the same building. I always knew he was nuts. I just discovered how much. I only hire insane people, you see. It's when you have to LIVE with them is when you find the true depth of the madness. See why I don't want to strip an activation key to him?"
"You only hire insane people? Well, there's your problem."
"They seemed to be efficient - as long as they were running on a multi-trillion dollar budget. "Right now, they're pitiful. I mean they drew up this, uhm, plan. Please give me one, proper reason not to quit. Executing Cecil is not enough. Though after what he did right now I do want to."
Alexander Kazansky looks at the sketchbook. "Tell me, if... when Allanea is independent, will I be able to..."
"We'll see."
"Does... did you... tell anybody?"
"Tell anyone what?"
'Did you ever voice your suspicions to your granddaughter?'
"No. I haven't told her."
'Good. I think. Have you considered the idea of apprenticeship?"
"Yes, and I think I will accept, provided you're willing to actually act like an apprentice." She smiles wryly.
"What shall be my duties? I hope I will be provided with a room. I am tired of living next door to Mr. Demented."
"I'm amazed you didn't rent any rooms in the city."
"Because I thought all the cabinet and congress members in one building would make us efficient. Instead, it drives us nuts. Someone tried to shoot Ethan the other day. With a machinegun. Did I mention already that this is humiliating?"
"Maybe you should just put the guns away for a little while."
"Then someone will strangle Ethan. So, when do I report for, uhm, study?"
"Friday. Until then, consider what we have discussed."
"Good. Think I should execute some of my crew?"
"No, because that would be murder under Menelmacari law."
"You would actually *care*? Anyways, I am sending you two signed copies of "Send in The Waco Killers", for you and your granddaughter. I hope you enjoy them.
"Thanks," she says. "And, it's not really my decision whether or not to care. A crime that serious couldn't be left alone."
"Good then. See you on Friday."
"Right."
"Yes, one last thing: What should I write as an inscription on the book I give your, uhm, relative?"
"Just "To Lady Míriel nos Fëanor, from Alexander Kazansky" will do just fine."
"The question is what will she like - and will she like the book. Not what will do 'fine', Elentari. I aspire to do best, not 'fine'. "
"That would be best, for now. As for whether she will like the book, I cannot say, as I have not read it, and neither has she."
"See you on Friday, then"
Somewhere in Menelmacar
"I understand you wish me to leave, Elentari?"
Sirithil nods. "Yes, that's right. You are, after all, still affiliated with ABF, are you not?"
"Technically, I'm on vacation. Indefinitely long." says the President he waves his hand at the stack of newspapers at the desk, "I might have a lot of work in a... different capacity soon."
Sirithil nods. "Well, the affiliation still exists. So, that means your visa was revoked. When you have resigned the presidency, you'll be welcome to reapply."
Alexander Kazansky nods. "I see. You are my host, Elentari. It's your decision." he reaches for his sketchbooks. "Elentari... anything else?"
Sirithil nods. "Be sure to send me an address at which I can reach you in the meantime."
"I have no clue, Elentari. You'd have problems pinpointing me with any... accuracy. So much for apprenticeship, then?"
"For now. I will...watch in the meantime, then."
Alexander Kazansky shrugs as he pulls the sketchbook down. "Think I've learned the soft power lesson, your Majesty?"
Sirithil smiles wryly. "That remains to be seen. You'll have to try to apply what little I've yet managed to teach you."
"You mean the approach I have taken with Paisley and the UNAPS pressure is wrong?"
Sirithil frowns. "It is... a slight improvement. You have a long road ahead."
"I suppose so... may you do me a last favour?"
"Yes?"
"I would like to visit one of your famous parties."
"When next I throw one, I'll see about getting you an invitation."
"Thank you. I might be using a diplomatic visa next time around."
"We'll see."
"Tell me, when it's all over - what should I do with all the people in Allanea that have cooperated with the Federation?" - asks the President
"Leave them alone, and enforce the law against any who harass them." replies the elf "After all, I myself urged that you cooperate. They, like you, are doing what they believe is best for their country."
"You might have a point there. Now, before I leave... I think you will not deny me the answer: your... other decision, is it going to be permanent?" his eyes turn to the sort of pleading look few have seen in the eyes of an Allanean. "Or..."
"I believe your people need softer leadership," she says, "And if you wish to learn from me, I don't think you can fully devote yourself to it if you have also the incredible duty of running a nation."
"I believe that decision is better left to my people. I will follow their wish. But that's not what I meant. I meant, when it's all over, will I be able to meet Miriel?"
Alexander Kazansky shrugs again. "I serve the will of the people." then he gets up. "The key, your Majesty."
"The key?"
'The activation key to Jericho System, of course."
Sirithil nods, "Don't cause any trouble with this." She pulls it out of her pocket, and tosses it across.
Alexander Kazansky smiles despite himself. "When do you wish me to leave?"
"Whenever is convenient for you."
"Good. It'll take a few days, then. Stuff to pack. Arrangements to make."