NationStates Jolt Archive

Preparations had been made in the Khazaronian International Airport in Archon City. The whole landing strip where the Czardian delegation was expected to land had been secured and large compliment of military personel stode guard in preparation for the delegates arrival. It hadn't been to long ago that the Patriarch had finished successfully re-contacting the nation of Czardas. In an effort to try and repay some of the kindness they had shown Khazaron when it was first trying to get back on its feet after the civil war, the proposal had been made that they come to Archon City to perhaps establish closer diplomatic ties and experience some hospitality on behalf of the Patriarch and his newly established government.

Unfortunately for the major role Patriarch James Khara had in pushing for the Czardians to come the Khazaron, he was currently caught up in a meeting with other heads-of-state and wouldn't be able to meet the delegation as it landed. In his place however, First Archon Alexander Dinu had been sent to welcome them. First Archon Dinu was perhaps the second most powerful individual in Khazaron, being the leader of the National Assembly and having a tremendous ammount of popular support from the people. While the Patriarch and the First Archon had been at odds in the past, they now tried to work together to bring a lasting form of unity to their nation.

Dani Ashrak sometimes wondered if he were the only man in Czardas who remembered Khazaron.

Remembered the initial messages from the Patriarch and the Archons, and those that followed, seeming to speak for a glorious allied future. Remembered the failed plane trip to that nation, interrupted by a new outbreak of fighting. Remembered how suddenly, all contact had been broken off. As though it had never existed. Few Czardaians had ever mentionied it again.

Today, Ashrak was to find that he was not.

The rather thin, bespectacled, sandy-haired man was shown into the waiting room for the Foreign Minister's office. He was told the Minister would be only a short time. He sat down to wait and began to read a magazine.

It was, indeed, only a short time before the door to Foreign Minister Alhoun's office swung open and Kari Alhoun himself stepped out, whistling an old tune. Ashrak looked him over critically; Alhoun looked almost completely average: a rather short, dark-haired man with features that did not stay long in the memory. Nonetheless, Ashrak followed him into his office.

After the necessary formalities had been finished with, Alhoun said, "Mr. Ashrak, you may have heard that some years ago Czardas sought an alliance with a newcomer to the international scene, Khazaron?"

Ashrak was a bit shocked. "Sometimes I think I am the only one that has heard that."

Kari Alhoun looked delighted. "Khazaron has contacted us seeking a reopening of diplomatic relations."

"I see," said Ashrak.

"...And we want you to head the delegation that is going there."

Ashrak was stunned. "...What?"

"I believe you heard me, Mr. Ashrak."

"Yes...I... doesn't this require a confirmation vote of two-thirds of the citizens?"

"Oh, that won't take too long," said Alhoun confidently. He began to type something on his computer keyboard, linking to websites that listed Ashrak's credentials. As he typed Ashrak asked:

"But why have you picked me?"

"Because you were the only one that remembered Khazaron," answered Alhoun without moving his eyes from the computer screen. "You have served in a number of diplomatic missions. You have taught the language and history in our schools. I think you would be a very good candidate."

Yes, Ashrak reflected reluctantly, he would be a good candidate. Alhoun turned from the computer.

"It's on Czardasnet Official. Now we just have to wait two or three days." Alhoun's voice was confident.

As Ashrak left the Foreign Minister's office, he reflected that two things had helped Alhoun be elected to six consecutive terms as Czardaian Foreign Minister: Good judgement, and charisma. He would try to remember that for his own mission.

He had a very strange feeling that he would be confirmed.

First Archon Alexander Dinu stared at his reflection in the glass window that overlooked the airport runway below. Fidgeting with his tie for several minutes, the blonde haired man finally managed to straighten it out. Smiling at himself, he picked up his coat that he had laid over a nearby set of chairs that would normally service the passengers of the flights coming into and out of this terminal. However, by order of the Patriarch himself the entire terminal was now to be used for the Czardian delegations arrival and that only. Multiple guards had been placed in the terminal, at every possibly entrance, as well as standing outside near the runway. The utmost care was to be taken when in concern with foreign diplomats.

No sooner had First Archon Dinu managed to put his jacket on, then did an aide of his come walking up. The aide contrasted the First Archon by wearing a navy blue suit with light blue tie; First Archon Dinu wore a grey suit with a white tie. “Are they ready for the inspection?” The First Archon asked, the aide nodded in reply. “Yes Excellency, right this way.” First Archon Dinu laughed and began walking with his aide. “You know Stephen, we’ve known each other for what…fifteen years?” The aide nodded and smiled. “At least.” The aide said. “You don’t have to call me Excellency, at least not when we are not in a formal setting. Alex will do just fine.” First Archon Dinu patted his friend on the back. “I will try Excellency.” The aide replied. First Archon Dinu let out a hearty chuckle.

The inspection went rather smoothly and everything seemed to be in place. The guards on the runway area had been given the traditional red formal uniform of the Khazaronian military, while the guards standing within the airport had been dressed in normal camouflage. All security seemed to be in order and the First Archon and his aide Stephen where walking back towards the terminal entrance.

“So tell me, what do we know about who is expected to be sent to this meeting of ours?” First Archon Dinu asked. Stephen shrugged as he kept pace beside his friend. “No idea to be honest with you. All I can tell you is that from our information is that tradition states the envoy has to be approved by their people. Beyond that…who knows.” The First Archon nodded and stopped in his steps, jut outside the doorway back into the terminal. “Is it true that their nation has been around for over six-hundred years?” First Archon Dinu asked. Stephen nodded his head. “Yes Excel…err, Alex. They achieved their independence in 1332.” First Archon Dinu smiled broadly and started walking again, opening the door and stepping back inside the terminal. “Very interesting, they are obviously committed to the ideals of free government. I wonder how they will react to us though?”

Stephen stopped, a quizzical look on his face. “Sir?” he said. “Our government Stephen, while we do have a democratic legislature, our government is still lead by an autocrat. How will they respond to this attempted merger of two systems that have in the past been assumed to be hostile to each other?” First Archon Dinu replied. Stephen seemed to be lost in thought for a second then replied. “They seem to be nice people sir, I assume they will understand what we are doing here. But as the old saying goes: Let us cross that bridge when we get to it.” First Archon Dinu chuckled in reply to his friends words.

They quickly left to make sure the preparations where ready for the delegates at the Khazaronian government district. An embassy compound had already been readied for them and a Czardian flag already flew over it. Inside the compound had already been fitted with every amenity imaginable. First Archon Dinu wanted to make sure they would want for nothing while they were in Khazaron. This was his first diplomatic function since being elected, and he wanted to show the voters that he could be a trustworthy and valuable leader. More than that though, he wanted to show the Patriarch that democracy could work for the betterment of Khazaron by possibly securing some sort of an alliance with the Czardians.

Dani Ashrak was not generally one to log into his Czardasnet account more than once a day.

Today he had logged on five times so far.

He was not quite himself recently, he reflected. This new diplomatic mission...changed things. He looked at the votes on Czardasnet Official. So far, 1,460,932 votes for him, 467,176 against. A large number had abstained. Every day twenty-two million citizens signed on, and the vast majority of them would vote on this motion.

He smiled slightly. Ashrak had once served as a Czardasnet moderator; the job paid well. Many people still remembered him from that time.

He was aware that within less than twenty-four hours, he could be stepping onto a foreign shore. It was strangely unnerving.

After another four hours, he would sign on again. And again...

By the end of his ninth logon, the poll would have reached 13 million votes for him...

By the next afternoon, a plane carrying six members of a diplomatic staff and their families had set off from Krîaberg International Airport outside of Czarna, over the sea until it was just a speck blinded by the setting sun...

The wind blew slightly, causing a waft of Alexander’s hair to fall out of place. Taking his right hand, he corrected the errant piece of hair and toke a look around at his surroundings. Grey clouds began to gather off in the distance and would make their way towards the heart of Archon City by late that afternoon, or at least that’s what the weather forecast had predicted. Alexander realized that it was pointless to worry about how the weather might affect the meeting, but he still wanted everything to be perfect. To say he was nervous about even a little mishap messing up things would be an understatement. You wouldn’t know it by looking at him though, as he was careful to maintain a calm and collected demeanor on the surface. Only those who knew the First Archon personally would be able to pick up on some of the almost subliminal cues he would give off when nervous.

Besides Alexander stood his aide Stephen, along with a collection of ten Archons from various districts throughout the nation. Aside from the Archons who where present, there where a collection of six individuals who represented various branches of the Khazaronian government. The idea was to get as broad a collection of the diverse interests of the people of Khazaron as possible. Hopefully through this selection of the best and brightest of the various districts and fields of government, it would show the unifying, yet enlightened way that the Khazaronians conducted their nation. It was interesting that the Patriarch had not sent a representative of his own to greet the delegation, but most considered the reason to be that he wanted to show to the people that he had faith in the First Archon and the National Assembly.

A long red carpet had been lain out, leading straight back to the entrance of the terminal of the airport. The Khazaronian delegation waited just near the end of the carpet, opposite of the terminal entrance. Flanking the sides of the red carpet where the Khazaronian honor guards that had been selected. Given that this was considered to be a solemn occasion, and that several members of the delegation where bringing their families, it had been decided by the Patriarch himself that no members of the press would be allowed into this welcoming ceremony. This had been done mostly for the sake of any children or family members who would have found the flash of cameras and the buzz of questions from news anchors to be overwhelming. A press conference or some other function could be held later if the media wanted a chance to interview the delegation.

As the Khazaronian delegation stood their, chattering amongst each other about various topics, most notably what was to be done about the newly acquired eastern territories, an airport employee dressed in a orange vest ran up to First Archon Dinu. “We have just received word that they should be here shortly.” The man said. First Archon Dinu nodded at him and made an adjustment to his tie. “Very good, radio them and let them know that we anxiously await their arrival at Gate 21.” replied the First Archon. The worker nodded and ran back into the terminal.