NationStates Jolt Archive

If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One. -Hindu scripture recalled by Robert Oppenheimer during the Trinity test.

The snow-white robes of Monhin Dapa billowed in the wind. He was standing on the balcony of his palace-fortress in the heart of Nonbe Zhata, the capital of his personal military kingdom in Sol, Osage Mars. From here he could look out on the small urban area, its bazaars and manors, and from there out to the endless rice patties of the Osage empire. In the skies were the floating islands (really small Osage ships) on which rested the dragonkin eyries, and from here he could see the endless drilling of the Osage warriors.

Times were getting...thorny. There was an Osage army in Tor Yvresse Mars which was likely to be getting shot at soon, and the Syskeyians had taken to shooting any Osage that crossed the border. The Weyreans were making noises about 'termination', and the Thelasi were discussing 'dynamic measures'. Alone, Monhin felt threatened by none of them. All together, they would be a nuisance.

Apparently the Solar nations and their lackeys needed a clearer message. Monhin had heard about 'strategic deterrence' before, but so far there had no nation quite risky (or perhaps imbalanced) enough to sell the Osage 'strategic deterrents'.

This was a minor annoyance. There was quite a lot of strategy the Osage needed to deter.

Monhin himself read the Solar news avidly. He knew all about the recent situations on Sol, the problems and tensions between various nations and alliances (not least of all his own). There was, of course, one particular nation he felt would, just maybe, be able to help him out...for a price. He had the sneaking suspicion he knew what that price would be, but the situation could still be turned to his advantage.

He'd certainly like to see the looks on their faces if it went through.

It was worth a shot, certainly. What had they got to lose?

"To the National Socialist Union of Iraqstan,

Greetings from the nation of the Osage to your pure and honor-filled nation,

I come with a simple request and the possibility of an exchange that could mutually benefit us both. I do not expect you to have heard of either me or my nation, but I have of you, and I believe we can help each other. You see, lately we have been experiencing Troubling Times in the empire, and it is in our best interest and the common good that we able to defend ourselves if the troubling times get slightly too troubling.

To this end we have come to you with an offer: in return for certain items (of which I have attached a more specific list compiled by my alchemists to this letter) of importance to us, we foresee that an Iraqstani base of operations on the fourth planet from the Sun may also be in the common good. We can also provide a variety of precious or industrial materials if we happen to need more items.

I realize this is short notice, but the time is critical and we know you are men of your words.

Waiting for your reply,"

Monhin Dapa,
10th Fleet-General of the Osage Empire

assesment of the situation, shaking his head Lidric sighs "Very well, I too agree this deal is to our benefit, contact IMC and get them briefed on the deal and organise with a commander or two to organise Iraqstani Guard garrison units for deployment once the deal is secured, I want everything armoured units, missile defenses and troops ready to go once the deal has been finalised.

Then find me someone willing to lead a scientific team to head a scientific team we need something to ease any sort of fears we might raise by moving onto that planet." He says dismissing the men and turning to the computer infront of him and begins typing the message.

To 10th Fleet-General Monhin DApa of the Osage Empire,

Greetings and kind respects in return honourable friends,

We have recieved your request to us and after lengthy discussions with my advisors I find that this request is both well thought out and inline with the aspiring desires of the National Socialist Union.

In such we have a vast stockpile of the requested items that are no more than maintenance burdens that we are willing to trade for the offered base of operations, we find this deal to be honourable and we expect the aquisition of these items would lend greatly towards stabalising your zone of control and enhancing your security measures and political influence amongst the nations around you.

These items are ready when ever you require them, all we ask is that we sit and discuss in person the final agreement ties and allow me the chance to introduce you to the people who will be in charge of Iraqstani operations.

I await your response with great honour,

Lidric Quil'raya,
ReichsFührer of the National Socialist Union of Iraqstan.

Monhin allowed himself a smile. So, the Iraqstani had agreed. While a bit wary as to their attitude towards the Osage, whose brown skin and black hair had a superficial resemblance to Middle Easterners (but were actually closer to Native American physiology), he was more or less brushing this vision aside in favor of a picture of his enemies going up in a massive expanding parasol cloud.

He began to write the complex hieroglyphics into the slate before passing it over to the Icon, which began its task industriously before translating the new text into a radio message that sped along to the Reichsfuhrer.

---

"The most pure and honorable Lidric Quil'raya,

We find your reponse more than acceptable. At this time there is a small task force orbiting Earth, and as such I can arrange for the smallest ship to visit Iraqstan, or perhaps you would like to arrange a meeting on one of your own ships to discuss further details.

To a brighter future,
Monhin Dapa
Tenth Fleet-General of the Osage Empire

Listening to the response Lidric nods and makes a quick call to the man in charge of the Iraqstani Mining Corporations off world administration and informs him of the meeting.

Hanging up he sends a quick response back to Monhin informing him that the small ship is cleared for a landing at the required co-ordinates and that he will be waiting to personaly meet the delgate along with giving introductions to the Proposed facility administrator.

Sending the message he stands and heads out of his office, his fifteen year old build fitting poorly to the military uniform he is made to wear daily now instead of for ceremonies.

Arriving at the one of four Iraqstani spaceports in the entire Union Lidric nods to the man standing before him a man who just shouts ruthlessly efficient and returns the man's sharp salute. "Heil mein reichsführer" Jakob says politely as Lidric returns the salute and extends his hand.

Shaking the offered hand Lidric looks over at the IMC issued vehicle and chuckles "You ride in better luxury than I do Jakob." Lidric says slyly and watches as the Adminsitrator winces slightly and dismisses the car. "Forgive me sir but you caught me unexpectadly and I was entertaining some higher up Corporate types and they required great luxury."

Laughing Lidric motions for Jakob to lead the way to the waiting area as they walk they discuss many things, most of which focus mainly on IMC's interests in neptune and Mars accordingly.

Osage ships are truly an odd sight for those in Sol. Taking the form of an asteroid covered in lines of light that constantly shift in color and arrangement, it leaves no emissions nor trail, and shows no exterior weaponry as it gently hovers over its assigned place in the Iraqstani spaceport, failing to land completely.

A light show ensues as the light-lines form a tunnel that extends to the ground, out of which walks the Tenth Fleet-General himself. Apparently foregoing any additional protection, the impressive figure of the leader of the Osage forces in Sol walks on the light-ramp before stepping foot on good old terra firma. On his left is a scribe holding several rolls of papyrus, on his right is a man in a black cloak and hood that maintains his silence.

He greets whoever is sent to receive him and politely follows to where the meeting is to take place.

Watching as the Osage delegates are escorted into the diplomatic lounge Lidric checks his uniform once more, wishing Iraqstani custom demanded something other than a black uniform with red highlights on the shoulder and a red arm band with the Iraqstani cross on it, before walking forward and offering his hand to the being in front of him and shooting looks at the others accompanying the Tenth-fleet General.

"On behalf of the National Socialist Union I welcome you to Iraqstan General, and it is with great honour and admiration that we meet as equals and comrades in the fight to maintain our own national securities." He says confidently, once more remebering that a fifteen year old leading a nation known mostly for it's hostile stances and xenophobia he must put forth an outstanding first impression to those that can be considered equal to the Union.

Waving his hand towards the gathered grouping of couches Lidric bows his head, "Please let us sit and discuss our interests and after that allow me to extend to you the hospitality of Iraqstan, there are many Reich palaces that are open for your use shoudl you wish to use them, I will have a driver and vehicle ready for your use when ever you need it." He says as he waits for the osage group to sit and seats himself only when they have sat down.

Monhin oozes serenity out of every pore. Lately he has appeared as a man transfigured, and now and then, if you catch him out of your peripheral vision, appears sometimes to be glowing slightly. His skin, usually light tan, has taken on a slight coal tint, blacker than usual. In contrast to this, his robes and staff were blinding, purest white, giving off an angelic appearance that Monhin very much liked to cultivate.

He smiled benignly and waved a hand. A short spark of white energy blazed for but a second between the two leaders, and when Monhin spoke it was perfectly accented in Lidric's native tongue.

He bows slightly in the appropriate Osage custom to an equal. "I am honored, Reichsfuhrer, that you would have me. While the offers of stays at your palaces are incredibly tempting, I am afraid my schedule would not allow it, though I would be immensely glad to take a raincheck."

Noticing the couch and Lidric's offer, he sits down gracefully and gives his half-smile, looking as one in a trance before beginning to speak. His voice is similarly seraphic, sounding vaguely like many voices rather than one.

"Now, on to business, shall we?" He laughs, and motions to his scribe, who takes out a single papyri from among the multitude of blank and inscribed ones he is holding. It turns out to be a very odd drawing of the political and geographic landscape of Mars. From the stylization it appears to have been drawn by an ancient Mayan, but when the scribe points to locations as the tenth fleet-general speaks the locations can be made out.

"I trust the more confidential list of items (or the volume) that was forwarded to you is not a problem for you to acquire." Here he gave Quil'raya a knowing smile. "And in fact the ship we came in is quite capable of transporting them to the necessary locations from wherever and whenever you wish to load them." He left the knowledge of just how the small ship would fit the necessary payload residing in his head. "So in that knowledge, let us proceed to the matter of your payment.

[OOC: For reference, the Mars Map (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/Midlonia/Maps/mapofmars.jpg)]

"There are several possible locations for an Iraqstani outpost," Monhin spoke, and as he did the scribe indicated the Osage colony and its bordering nations. When each colony or area was mentioned, it glowed brightly on the artistic display. "On our borders we have a protectorate of the Triumvirate of Yut, Megacity 4 of Zeppelin Manufacturers, Sentinel Two of the C'tan, Carnil of Menelmacar, Kaenei Mars, and Syskeyian Mars. There is of course the probably less desirable option of being entirely enclosed by Osage territory.

"We also operate a large number of floating cities or military outposts in the Northern Ocean. A particularly large number operate in the former state of Rodriquezland. While I consider it less likely, we can provide you with one of these self-irrigating mobile platforms to border any nation in the Northern Ocean."

Smiling again, he turned away from the interactive map. "The choice is entirely yours."

Chuckling Lidric looks over the apropriate details and looks up with amusement "A choice indeed, do I choose to plant myself beside a known enemy, possible enemies or a figure of immense popularity within the union or the very interesting option of being surrounded entirely by a possibly hostile force...

I think given recent developments the most suitable location for an Iraqstani presence would be along the border with Syskeyian mars, it seems the least openly hostile towards the Union and most literaly the one less likely to view us as a threat seeing as we've had next to no interaction with them.

If that is acceptable then I believe we have a deal to officialy complete." He says with a sly grin "Depending on when you need the items uh... discussed we can transfer them whenever, we have more than enough to supply your nation and our own." Looking back down at the map Lidric looks over at the man beside him and whispering softly in Iraqstani "I hope you can ensure that security will remain perfect up there, Jakob...." Before looking to Monhin questioningly.

Possibly hostile? Not trusting, these Iraqstani. Good.

"If that is all, then, Reichsfuhrer." He nods to the scribe, who finishes scribbling intentively with his stylus and looks questioningly at Monhin, who utters something in Osage.

"If you can ensure the utmost security, simply bring them to this location and we will take care of the rest of matters. I assume your stellar capabilities will grant you the ability to make it to Mars, if not, I am quite capable of assigning ships to ferry any and everything you need."

He shakes Lidric's hand and leaves, though what happens next is much, much more bizarre. The light-lines around the Osage ship twist and weave into a large, portal-like structure, as Monhin nonchalantly begins to speak. Violet threads come out of his hands as a few other wakongi join in under his command. At once, spacetime twists, and there is a vast, swirling non-Euclidean madnass out of which strange roarings can be heard. The purple vortex remains there, swirling aboard the entrance to the Osage ship, and grows large enough to fit the items in.

The Osage let it be known that the Iraqstani end of the deal can be tossed into this vortex with no fear, and then the ship on which it resides will depart.

Shaking the General's hand Lidric smiles "Yes we can make it there. And as for the requested items... they should be arriving at any moment." Which is true as outside, the soft rumble of trucks can be heard from outside as a single line of an almost unending train of trucks can be seen entering the base each one carrying a single missile, a specific type that Iraqstan is quite well known for developing and utalising in times of great need.

As each truck unloads it's item the Iraqstani men with great care deposit the missiles within the osage ... magic and leave with their trucks, many hours of this process continue and the men negotiating watch or leave, depending on what they wish to do, but each knowing the deal has been secured... Iraqstan would be expanding her sphere of influence to whole new worlds.....