NationStates Jolt Archive

Few people escape Iesus Christi. The nation is locked behind an iron curtain of paranoia.
Yet some people do escape through the courageous work of men and women who refuse to accept that evil has triumphed.
One such escapee from Iesus Christi is of special note. She is the only non-human to have escaped the Iesus regime since forty years ago Iesus was cleared Metahuman free - she is considered by many to have been the last Metahuman to have been ‘free’ in Iesus Christi. She kept a journal of her thoughts while she was hidden in Iesus Christi, random thoughts that she has now turned into a book…a book about those numerous years she remained hidden in Iesus Christi.
This is the story the fascists in Iesus Christi don’t want you to know.

Press Release for the Book “The Agony in the garden”

Extracts from “The Agony in the Garden”


This book is dedicated to the ordinary men and women of Iesus Christi who suffer daily.


I was born in a nation on the cusp. The price of the Great War, poverty, crime and dissent was driving my nation towards the brink of an abyss.
My parents protected me and my baby brother from this reality as best they could. They were both Officials within the Monarchist government, friends of the church and the people – they weren’t enemies of the state as they and others like them would latter be portrayed; in the end their only real crime was not being Human.
They kept our family life as normal as possible yet I remember things becoming more tense as the country slipped into the darkness.
I Remember them talking in the dark during one of the frequent power cuts about what they should do…they considered fleeing the nation...running away from the chaos and increasing hatred of our kind but in the end dismissed the idea…they were loyal citizens who believed in sticking with the government.
I remember my mother kissing my forehead that night and saying “We’ll ride out this storm…If the good people leave, what will become of Iesus?”
What my mother didn’t know was that the storm that was coming was like nothing our country had ever seen. It was the storm of the Fascists.


The radio crackled as the news came.
My mother was cradling my baby brother against her and sobbing as if her heart would break. My father sat looking stunned…he simply couldn’t believe the news he was hearing.
The stern voiced radio man continued his speech, unaware of the pain his words were causing… “The false Prophet is dead..the so-called King of Iesus has been crushed..we now have no King but Christ! Christ is King and the traitors who have opposed his apostles will now suffer! Our people shall be redeemed in blood..”
The bloodless coup that had offered us so much hope only weeks before hand had now turned violent beyond belief. The “young Jackals” had launched their own night of the long knives and seemed now intent on ripping apart all those they saw as enemies of the new military catholic state...including my family..we were now classed enemies of the state because of our Elven blood….


Gun shots are a terrible thing for a child to hear. Worse still is hearing gun shots followed by weeping and crying.
The nation was under emergency law – the Military and the Ultra Right paramilitaries controlled the streets, enacting their own reign of terror against those they perceived as enemies. My Father had gone out for several hours (against my mother’s protests) to see if he could find friends but back ash faced..I can only guess at what my father saw on his adventure outside.


There was a knock at the front door at dusk. It wasn’t jack booted goons much to my relief rather it was young Father Parkman. I knew him from over hearing my parents and their friends talking about him– he was something of a local firebrand and I knew he wasn’t keen on “those sort of people”.
Ushered out of the room by my Mother, I strained to listen to the conversation he was having with my parents….Father Parkman sounded sad…I heard him say “sorry” more than once…I heard him say “I wish I could do more..take them both…but we must move quickly” and I heard my mother say in a clear voice “Thank You.”…


I can’t remember what Father or Mother said to me..I remember so much but their farewell to me I cannot recall. All I remember is their sad eyes as we left with Father Parkman. I didn’t cry because I didn’t understand what was happening, I was sure I’d see them again soon.
In human reckoning I was a 14 year old the last time I saw my parents.


Father Parkman had taken a risk at the time I didn’t grasp. He’d taken into his care two enemies of the state…two children who if it hadn’t been for him would have soon found themselves sharing their parents fate.
I was taken to the Star of the Sea Convent; my brother was to be entrusted to another group. Father Parkman allowed me a few moments to say goodbye to my brother before he was taken away by brown clad nuns.


My room was tiny. A secret small room in the attic of the convent – hidden behind boxes of old hymnbooks. There was no window for me to see the outside world; my only light was a dim light-bulb. This was to be my home for decades.
What can be said about growing into womanhood in an attic of a near deserted Convent? Living in constant fear of capture and death is a hard way to live; the constant dread that builds up in the heart is a hard thing to live with.
Father Parkman wasn’t unkind but wasn’t warm – he simply didn’t know how to deal with me…an Elven girl being raised in the cloister. Mother Superior (Mother Mary) would visit me and talk, as well as looking after the more functionary aspects of my life.


Oddly enough neither Father Parkman nor the Mother Superior forced religion on me. Father Parkman brought me books to read, many of which were religious but he brought me other books too including Elven lore. He told me he wanted me to remember – remember the history of my people…remember what was happening to them…he seemed to think it important that I remained who I was..that I knew who I was. I became an avid reader…reading everything and anything that was laid before me. The realm of books was an escape from the drape world I was trapped in.


Terror grips me as I hear the sirens. I bury my face in my pillow and sob…I’m sure this is it…I expect soldiers to break through into my hidey hole. Instead the sirens fade into the distance, it’s someone else’s turn to die, not mine. Again and again this will happen over the years…the dread of capture.


It was raining the day Father Parkman told me my parents had died. He told me the news plainly as he held my hand. He told me he’d offer a Mass for their souls, and asked me to pray to Our Lady for their redemption. I cried myself to sleep and snapped the rosary beads he’d given me…religion offered no balm to me.


As I grew so did my curiosity of the world outside the cloister. Despite the risks Mother Superior allowed me out into the world for brief walks with her. I dressed as a nun would accompany her through the park in silence – no security patrol ever asked the Mother Superior of the Convent or her companion for their IDs….fascism hadn’t destroyed the respect that they had for the Sisters of The Sorrow of Mary.
On those walks I’d see children playing in the park…playing without a care in the world…I wished I could join them…I wished I could join the happy laughing people…but I knew that would be certain death for me so instead I kept my eyes down.


Time meant little to me in my private prison as the many years slipped by. It seemed that the world had forgotten us, no one seemed to care that an entire generation was being feed into the meat grinder of the new fascist regime. When Father Parkman would visit me I could tell that it was eating him alive…knowing that he had played a part in the destruction of a nation.
Outside the walls of the convent the nation has slid into the abyss of fascism. Ethnic cleansing …genocide..xenocide..whatever you wish to call it has become price of fascist rule. Jews, Communists, Monarchists, Republicans, Metahumans, Protestants, Dissenters…all are purged by the new regime…the new regime is melting Iesus and recreating I tin its own image.


Just when I thought I was going to go insane through loneliness Mother Mary introduced me to teen who was living within the Convent – his family had died in some nameless war and Father Parkman had brought him here rather than having him sent to a government run youth camp and military service.
His name was Kieran and he was sixteen. He was intelligent, painfully lean and verging on unnourished – after all these years this was the first time I saw other people were suffering too.
We become close friends quickly enough – mutual loneliness brought us together even if we were both different. His pain brought him to religion, while my pain had brought me to books.


We spent years in each others company and it is only natural that a strong connection developed between us…youthful love is a wonderful thing…a blessing in this dark place.
I wish I could write that he and I become lovers. That eternal love blessed our union and love triumphed in this dark place…that we lived together as husband and wife.
It wasn’t to be.
I chocked back tears when he told me of his desire to become a Priest. His heart would never be mine…he’d given it away already.
The day he left for the seminary I thought my heart would break. I wanted to scream at Father Parkman as he took Kieran from me…instead I huddled into my bed and cried myself to sleep.


Father Parkman sits with me in my tiny room – he tells me that Iesus Christi has been declared metahuman free by General Matthew Iesus…metahuman flesh and culture has been annihilated by the fascists. I may well be the last of my people alive in this land…the rest have been sacrificed on the altar of intolerance. We talk long into the night about it…he tells me he never wanted fascism he simply had wanted stability...he called me a living witness to a tragedy that the world had ignored…


Vigilance is the watch word of the Iesus government. For people who oppose the Iesus government vigilance is another word for paranoia. The passing of years gave no let up to the hatred of the Iesus government…rather the government expanded its hatred…finding new people to punish to sate its desire for misery.
I would listen to graying Father Parkman talk to the now ancient Mother Superior, eventually they took me into their confidence and both talked with me openly about what was happening outside the walls. I heard of the horrors that the normal people were suffering…the Martyrs who were dying rather than cooperating with evil. I listened numbly as I heard of crimes committed against an innocent people.


“You’re not safe here, we’ll have to get you out” Time had been hard on Father Parkman, and as he said those words to me I thought how cruel time is to humans.
He repeated himself and told me about a recent raid where ‘friends’ had been picked up…these ‘friends’ didn’t know anything exact about my situation but knew that Mother Superior had ‘sympathies’…the suspicion would be enough for Inquisitors to tear the convent apart.
I was shell shocked. It was like losing my family all over again. After all these years this tiny room had become my home…suddenly the thought of losing this room I’d hated for so long made me weak at the knees.


The van arrived in the dead of night.
Mother Superior squeezed my hand and smiled “You’ve become a beautiful woman. You’ll be in my prayers; I hope I’ll be in yours. I hope we’ll meet again in paradise”
I hugged her and thanked her. This tiny ancient woman had looked after me for years without asking for anything in return.
I told her we’d meet again even, but I knew she wasn’t long for this earth – human bodies burn so brightly that they burn out so quickly.


In the back of the van Father Parkman hugged me. “God Speed and God Bless”
I realized as Father Parkman hugged me what I’d cost him. I knew getting me out of the country would have cost vast sums of money…money that could have been used to save many more people rather than just one Elf. I also knew that I may have cost Father Parkman his life…even with me gone the Inquisitors would still rip the convent apart…I wondered how many more innocents would die because of me…
“Why did you do all this for me? I’m not important…you could save so many more other people with the resources you’re wasting on me…why me?” I stammered the words out as he held me close.
“Every life is important. You are important. Never doubt that. God Bless my Friend”
I whispered “thank you” and hugged him tightly.
Father Parkman helped me down into the crate and pulled the lid across. I knew I’d never see him again. When Father Parkman had first brought me from my family he’d been a young man, now he was gray and aged – no matter what happens I’ll never forget that he gave his life o look after me, I consider him a living martyr for justice.


I meditated in that crate, allowing time to flow over me as I was shipped from the country…
My mediation was ended when the crate lid was ripped off; the light burned my eyes and snapped me from my deep mediation. Worried yet friendly faces gazed down at me…they clearly weren’t Iesusians…
I stood up quickly, straighten my clothes. I wasn’t going to sob in relief or act like child. People had put there trust in me…I would repay that trust with dignity.
“My name is Nynaeve Eruraina. I am a daughter of Iesus Christi. I am Elf. I request political asylum”

The daughter-of-heaven, the-lion-of-the-oasis, heart-of-islam, strength-of-nations, wishes it know that the author of the book ‘agony in the garden’ is most welcome within the realm. Clearly the author is a person of great interest and she-who-is-the-muse-of-paradise, wishes the author to know that she will always find a ready audience for her art within North Star where politics is no barrier to art and culture.
The realm ahs always believed art ascends above mortal issues.
Honor and blessings.

~the voice of the sultan.

The news of the book release slowly came back to Iesus Christi.
Bridgette Iesus put the book down on her desk. She'd read it cover to cover and now was anything but happy...she flicked her comm unit on and addressed a nervous looking Officer.
"I've finished thatbook. I want anyone who helped that animal brought to justice..that is if they arent already burning in hell....and I want anyone caught with a copy of that book to regret it for the rest of their short pained life.."


Minister of Education David Sullivan sat before the cameras in the conference room of the Ministry of Education. He had been given the task to denounce the recent release. He coughed to clear his throat...
"I don't think there was any overall Iesus policy like this book describes.... the Iesus government simply believes humans must live free from the metahumans that wish to enslave humanity.
Frankly I dont believe Miss Nynaeve Eruraina has ever been to Iesus Christi let alone is a refugee from our nation.
This book is a work of fiction...lies spread by the metahumans and their allies to undermine the truth of the Iesus nationalist government.
Naturally this book will not be allowed within Iesus Christi...we believe other nations should take the same stance and prevent their populace from being infected by this vile propaganda.
Thank You. Good Night and God Bless. Heil Iesus!"

Several Months Ago
An Anonymous Port Town in a Country Which Shall Remain Nameless

The exact location was not publicised by the Menelmacari, but it was a fair distance from Iesus and the Reich. The entire area had one Menelmacari courier agent operating in it. Part of the Handë, these agents had existed since the founding of Menelmacar in its present form, and like their sister agency the Mornahossë, had a certain mystique about them. But while the Mornahossë were known for their proficiency in destruction, these other agents of the Noldorin Empire had another remit, the finding, exploration and retrieval of the dark, the hidden and the lost.

The agent was, contrary to stereotype, a human, as were and had always been, the majority of the agency. His major means of transport at the moment, a limousine hired at what was a rather non-trivial expense, the agency’s budget was infamously small. It wasn’t that they couldn’t get more if it was justified, so much as the low profile they kept and their general lack of expensive equipment requirements.

They also tended to make it last them. This agent, for example, was carrying an exceptionally well maintained WWI-era Luger acquired by his predecessor, still in perfect working order, and for that matter, still on its first, elaborately preserved clip. As well as that, under his fashionable gentleman’s clothes, he wore a layer of strange material that had been re-cut about a dozen times to fit changing fashions and provide a measure of impact and thermal protection.

His name, here, was Alan Johnson. His real name was Aegasaglar nos Dagnirthaw. He was a member of the Mornarána. And his mission, for now at least, was offering Nynaeve Eruraina asylum, citizenship and the protection that came with both, on behalf of Menelmacar. It was nice to operate at least semi-publicly for once.

A peaceful morning in Emerald Springs as Sofia sat down with her morning coffee

Then a manuscript was thrown onto the table by her husband. "What's this."

"Your next movie, dear."

“The Agony in the Garden”

"The Agony in the Garden? What is it."

"A diary of a girl who went into hiding from the fascist uprising in her country. She's a meta human seeking asylum somewhere. Or she may have by now. You have no idea what I went through to get this, the Iesus Government is going to great lengths to put a stop to it. Covertly of course."

"It's a fairly lengthy book, you know I'm bad in adapting books."

"Well you could get a writer, someone who could."

"Just seems...I don't know...Wrong to adapt this girls diary. I mean a three hour movie couldn't catch the true nature of what she went through. I would have to ask her my self if she would accept an adaption. Otherwise sweetie I can't."

"Well of course. But you hon, you could do it."

"I don't see the problem...its hardly earth shattering news..." General Jutta picked at his finger nails absent mindedly.
Bridgette looked at the General as if he'd just crawled out of the cistern....she noted with some disgust that the bulky General was seeping sweat even in the air conditioned room. "General...that as maybe...but that's beside the point. I want her dead, If you cannot do it then I'm sure I can find someone else to to fill your shoes who'll take these matters more seriously..."
Like a wave washing over him the General's attitude changed, he fixed his eyes on the file in front of him "Of course! I obey the Ministry! Victory to the Army of God!"
"Excellent. Spare no expense. I want her dead. I'll see you tommorow at the Gala fundraiser tommorow evening...I do hope the weather remains fine for it.."

Nynaeve Eruraina shuffled out of her Hotel nervously, blinking as she looked around...she walked awkwardly like a child who was expecting her Mother to tell her off for wandering away without permission...Nynaeve gave an impression of Childlike Naivety despite the fact she was clearly no longer a child. She still wore drape clothing like she had in Iesus but she was slowly experimenting with new things, like the red ribbon she now wore in her long auburn hair.
Every day she had to check in with the local magistrate until the matter of her status was cleared up and like clockwork she kept her appointment- without fail, rain or shine, walking the four blocks to her appointment at the magistrates office.

To the iesus christian government.

I watched the honorable Minister David Sullivan speaking on behalf of the iesus Christian government and felt sorrow.

I understand the law and order must be maintain, but I must urge moderation in word and deed in regards Nynaeve Eruraina. The holy Quran tells us that God wishes freedom and diversity "...God has ordained a law and assigned a path for each of you. Had God pleased, He could have made of you one community; but it is His wish to prove you by that which He has bestowed upon you. Vie with each other in good works, for to God shall you all return and He will resolve your differences for you" [Sura.5:48].

Again I urge moderation in word and deed in regards your reaction to this book. Allowing this creation of literature promotes your own nations high mindedness and shows you have nothing to fear.

~Sultan hatusu.

Citizens!
Brothers and Sisters!
Christians!
If the enemy powers had their way, humanity would drown in a sea of blood and tears. War would follow war and revolution would follow revolution, finally destroying the last remnants Humanity ..that is the goal of the enemies of God!

Once more the armies of the enemy attack us…but this time the enemy attacks from within as well! A new enemy springs up in our midst and behind her is the slavering force of International Masonic-Metahumanic-Communists that want no peace until it has reached its satanic goal of world destruction.
The Enemy within gives power to the lies spread by the Foreign Metahuman Nynaeve Eruraina...for while her vile book of villainous blasphemous hate plays on our human weakness, it on its own wouldn’t matter if it wasn’t for race traitors within our own country that uphold this work as truth! These vile cowards, many of home shelter within the Church, spread this work of illicit hate and filth to deceive us into doubting our glorious government….they attack what makes us human..our honour..our mercy…our love..and try to twist it into an unholy tool for striking down the ONE INSTITUTION that stands between us and annihilation!

My friends our enemies cannot win, God will throw Lucifer back into the abyss. We must stand strong beside our leaders, we must have courage and faith and stand up with them in the face of the armies of the devil. United we are unstoppable…
Let us crush the serpent in our midst…smash the head of the viper in our homeland…Brothers and sisters let us uproot the insidious race traitors that expound this deviant book of lies and throw them down into the pit when Satan’s servants belong!
Should to shoulder we shall confront Satan and his minions and cry with one voice “ ONE GOD! ONE PEOPLE! ONE PARTY! ONE FAITH! ONE LEADER! HEIL IESUS! HEIL IESUS!”

Fredrick DeMulder. Speaking on his Weekly Radio show 'Christ our leader’



By Order of The Ministry of Social Order.
The works of the author Nynaeve Eruraina are considered Anathema – These vile works represent a tangible danger to the spiritual and physical wellbeing of all who come into contact with them, as well as posing direct threat to the national security of our nation.
Her Works are hereby placed on the Iesus Index Librorum Prohibitorum and citizens should report anyone who they believe own any of these works, or extracts there of.
For God and Country.
Bridgette Iesus.

Cousin Books purchased non-exclusive rights to the manuscript and published it for sale in its stores in Xirnium, Pantocratoria, the Confederated Peoples, Amestria, Knootoss and Menelmacar. For both domestic and foreign sales, original translations were made into French, Greek, Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Hebrew and German. Copies were published by various Confederal, Member and local government agencies for use in public libraries, schools and certain museums dedicated to documenting the horrors of genocide. Other copies were purchased by religious, philosophical and political groups for use in their own private libraries.

The book had been highly regarded well surprisingly in such a cold society where the lower half seemingly slaved for their wages under megacorporations amidst cold modernist conformity, and the upper class enjoyed almost Imperial Roman decadence. This could well be attributed to the previous fascist government that had suppressed everyone equally, at least under the monarchy balancing power against the megacorporations people retained their individual rights. Fascism was not at all favored in Aerionian society.

It had done so well among the high society that the expensive hardcopy imports of the book from other countries were sold out almost as soon as they arrived. The Royal Ministry of Culture's special division read over, and inspected the book in a far less stringent way than the fascist government that was written about within. Because of the great sales of imported hardcopys, Brenar Electronic Publishing House purchased non-exclusive rights to publish the book in protected data format to the Electronic Ontheran S-D2019 Readers or other branded electronic reader, a version of which most Aerionian citizens in urban areas who read had. This allowed immediate download off of wireless networks.

It had reached the #3 spot on the The Astevane Times Best Seller List in the first following weeks of electronic publishing. The shocking success amongst the general populous caused Aerionian literary critics to state, "This may herald a new era general interest in international literature."

President R.L. was almost done with the book, his plaer than it ever had been. Upon reading the final word he slammed the book shut in disgust. Not because he did not like the book, but because of what was allowed to go on unchecked in that nation, a supposedly Catholic nation.

"For the love of God, that's not divine will; it's another Holocaust, an Armenia or Rwanda! Mindless killing due to racial or political differences! This is an outrage!"

He punched a button on his desk, "Get me the government of Iesus Christi on the line. I want a channel open for immediate communique to be sent."

A screen lit up and he immediately began typing

To the government of Iesus Christi,
The Dominion of Ruthless Slaughter condemns your acts of genocide under the guise of religion. The Catholic Church has received enough criticism for its Crusades. However, our government has no connection the to the Church yet we will make that statement on their behalf.

What I am writing to you about are the atrocious acts of ethnic cleansing you are comitting within your nation. This type of human rights violation is unacceptable and if left unchecked will be dealt with swiftly and efficiently. On behalf of the peoples of the free world I urge you to stop the violence, lest it bring about more.

President R.L.
Commander in Chief, Dominion Defense Force
Co-Chairman, United Defense Directorate

The President was not the only one in the Dominion to read the book. It had become an overnight best-seller and countless volumes were flying off the shelves. Orders had been placed around the nation for millions more copies. More important than the book's success was that a world power had taken notice, and hopefully would pressure the regime in Iesus Christi into action.

‘Alan Johnson’ pulled up quietly, the combustion engine of his vehicle rumbling softly as it shut down. In small quantities, these vehicles were beautiful and relaxing, the smell of oils and petroleum, burnt and otherwise, could be quite pleasant. Of course, once it formed a pall over the city it became choking and horrific, but here, the smell was relaxing and pleasant. Partly because the county had built a large ring road to minimize traffic through its more exclusive districts. Not that this was necessarily the best hotel in the country, it was as far as he knew, the best that the local government’s refugee budget extended to. Which meant ‘moderately good’ and more importantly ‘not frequented by the local elite and their press hangers-on.’ There was after all, a concern of privacy. Visiting and talking people around had taken him a little while before he’d finally got a location.

He opened the door, stepping out into the cold air. Some travelers had said that everywhere and everything to do with the Reich felt cold. He knew that he only really felt it because he was from the tropical ‘central islands’ of Menelmacar. However, it was a good metaphor, as if the fascists and everything they had tainted sucked the very heat from their environment, as well as the joy, freedom and hope.

However, here the hotel was not of the blank monolithic nature of fascist buildings, one comment popular among those who knew of architecture was that their fascist counterparts only knew how to make one type of doorway, window, and corner each, but rather an art-deco style, with ornate frontage and revolving doors, with a doorman who let the look down by the scuffs on his black top hat and the fact that he sat inside the doors, on an ornate chair, rather than outside.

Glancing up at the desk, Aegasaglar smiled winningly, “Hello. I need to speak to…” he gave what his informants had specified was the name she was staying under.

“I’m afraid that’s not possible…”

He took a card in a wallet from his pocket, showing it. “It’s vitally important that I see her,” he said, “Or rather, that you ask her to see me.”

OOC: Bits of this were written a while back, and while bits probably aren’t suitable for GH, I don’t really want to change it more than I already have if I don’t have to.

The Iesus embassy was very stereotypically Iesus Christian. High concrete walls shielded a main building that was simply a concrete-block, that had only few tiny darkened windows that dotted the building at irregular places. Surveillance cameras lined the building itself and the surrounding high wall.
Four Iesus Paratroopers of the Legio Mariain dress uniforms stood guard at the embassy gate, while the flag of the Holy Empire of Iesus Christi flew proudly over the entire compound.

Ambassador Greely felt nervous. This whole incident was giving him the feeling that his diplomatic career(and life) was about to go down the toilet. He cursed fate - It wasn’t his fault that the Elven bitch had come here or that the local government so far had ignored his polite letters about expelling her…but his superiors weren’t inclined to accept (no matter the reason) failure.
The recent influx of “Embassy Staff” did little to calm Adam Greely. They all had orders assigning them to the Embassy’s Cultural or Agricultural offices, thus marking them as persons of dubious character and almost without a doubt working for one of the numerous Iesus intelligence agencies.
Iesus Security Bureau, The Inquisition, Chrustus Rex, The Ministry of Social Order, Army-Navy Intelligence – The embassy was now over run with Official representatives and covert (and not so covert) agents from all these agencies.
Greely shuddered as he suffered a sudden attack of the ‘Hebby Jebbys’….without a doubt many of these people had orders to dispatch the Ambassador should this matter be poorly resolved…


“We’ve located the Hotel. Our Contact was right. Awaiting Orders.”
The Ministry Agent spoke softly into his comm unit and walked up and down the road, Peering into shop windows and trying to appear casual. His fellow agent drove in circles around the hotel, performing basic reconnaissance of the area.


The desk clerk looked down at the card and back up at ‘Alan Johnson’. “It’s highly irregular........errrrrr but..but I suppose I could ask her…”
After a few moments of speaking quietly on the phone, the clerk turned his attention back to ‘Alan Johnson’ “She’ll be right down. She prefers open places. Please have a seat.”

Nynaeve Eruraina walked out of the lift awkwardly, carrying herself if she was trying to make herself small and inconspicuous. The clerk pointed her towards her ‘guest’ and with a shy smile Nynaeve approached her visitor. With complete naiveté she strolled towards him, hand out stretched in greeting….
“Mr Johnson? Dominus Vobiscum! How can I help you?

The President keyed his intercom again, "Any response?"

"No sir," was the reply.

Now his face began to redden ever so slightly. Being the leader of a human powerhouse and and Chairman of one of the world's premier defense alliances, he wasn't used to waiting.

"No matter, dispatch the Colonel to extend her the offer of asylum. If they won't talk to us, we'll go knock on their door," he sat back and downed the last of a glass of bourbon.

These were going to be long couple of days with the Dominion simultaneously inspecting a dictatorial regime for proof of cruelty by their secret police, conducting special operations in international waters, and now sending one of their best operatives into a foreign country they have had no previous relations with to recover a refugee on the top of their hitlist.

Down in the bowels of the tallest spire in the Government Complex, a man donned a vest of level 5 Dragonskin armor. Made of ceramic and secured by spidersilk kevlar mesh, it was incredibly light and yet garunteed to stop a fifty caliber bullet at range. Over it he put on a jacket and pulled up his black silk necktie. He tucked a .40 caliber DSP (Dominion Service Pistol) into the built in shoulder holster of the vest. He was already powerfully built, and the vest concelaed beneath the suit magnified the look.

Colonel James Talbitt of Dominion Intelligence's Black Operations team calmly strode toward the elevator and two minutes and twenty sublevels later he walked out of the lobby and into a seemingly normal-looking Ford Explorer. However, the normally light, easily dented doors were reinforced with an additional quarter inch of steel and the windows were replaced with lexan.

A driver was already inside and as Talbitt sat down he noticed a black case tucked underneath the second row seat, undoubtedly an assault rifle. He sighed and turned to the driver, nodding. The vehicle pulled away from the building and swerved away from the main gate. It moved along the eastern side of the Complex toward the private airfield where a CH-53K heavy lift helicopter was already warmed up, its rotors spinning.

The SUV drove up the rear ramp and was secured by crewmen to the drop palette. The ramp was raised and the helo took off toward Iesus Christi.
--------------------------------------------------
Eight hours and an aerial refuel later, the chopper dropped its ramp and released the palette twenty miles from the border. Parachutes deployed to provide drag and slow it down as it bumped along the ground and eventually settled. The helicopter would stay in the area until it had to refuel, rendering them a small window to get in and out with having to traverse multiple countries to get back. Wasting no time, the restraints were released, the car started, and the operation moving.

It rolled to a stop at the border and the two produced their passports.

To The Dominion of Ruthless Slaughter
Friends. You labour under misunderstanding. There is no hate in Iesus Christi, there is only peace and joy...A Christian workers paradise....the reason we are this Paradise on earth is because Iesus Christi is totally metahuman free, aswell as free from the taint of their liberal judeo-masonic allies.

We choose a path of human purity, and those who opposed this left our nation, making us stronger! Our Christian National Fascism is based upon truth not genocide or oppression, in fact no people in the world are as free as the citizens of Iesus Christi.

Due to the vile actions of foriegn nations that seek to wage unending war on the children of God our borders remain generally closed to most visitors. Once the emergency situation of the last 50 years ends we will be happy to allow people from your nation to visit us and perhaps even open an embassy.

We pray that you will not be taken in by the lies of the Metahumans and their allies. Iesus Christi is a nation of peace and desires only the coming of the kingdom of Christ.

May the peace of the coming Christmas period be with you.
General Tobias Key.
Minister for Justice.



The Publisher replied replied to the kind offer of R.L government.
"Dear Sir.
Miss Eruraina is currently engaged in the refugee process of a certain nation, and thus is unable to answer you in person for many reasons I'm sure you understand.
We will pass on all information to her, and should matters change I'm sure your offer will be most appealing.
Yours.
Rachel Kolbe.

At the arrival of the reply, R.L. raised an eyebrow.

"Quite open of them," he thought aloud, "Though leaders of oppressive regimes had said similar in the past."

He opened a text box on his monitor and typed a response:

Perhaps you may have a point and we did not take both sides of the story fully into account. While we are welcoming of all life with scant few exceptions, we will not rule out the fact that 'metahumans' may have wronged you in some way.

The Dominion gratefully accepts your offer of a visit, and hopes that the possibility of an embassy becomes a reality. Your openness is a large step toward changing the initial impression the book had given us.

President R.L.

As he sent the message, he thought to himself An embassy would at least give refugees a closer place to run to if all of this is really as the book says it is. Come on Talbitt, if anyone can get to the bottom of this you can...
---------------------------------------------------
The guards were taking a long time checking the passports of Talbitt and the driver. The papers read that they were Credonian businessmen in the market of arms sales that were dispatched to the country to sell equipment to the government. The driver made sure to point at the case in the back seat and explain it to the guards again. The only thing that might tie them to the Dominion would be Talbitt's DSP, which was widely available anyway.

The Colonel pretended to be bored, twiddling his thumbs on the dash and periodically looking over at the guard post. Both front windows were down.

The driver looked over, "Yeah Jim, they said it'd be difficult. It's a wonder we got this far. Government's got a major case of CW syndrome. It's OK through, we'll get through. Just be patient," He gave a discreet wink as he finished.

Talbitt got the message, "Don't give me that bull**** Frank! We've got weapons to sell and a deadline to meet! I have to be in Generia by 5:00. That's in," he checked his watch, a Rolex, "two hours. You get that? TWO HOURS. We don't have time for this! They don't wanna buy our guns, that's their problem," he then said more loudly, "But I'd HATE to be the guy responsible for turning us away when the government finds out we were refused to sell them weapons."

TO: Ambassador Greely, Holy Empire of Iesus Christi
FROM: Minister Frank Pierce, Ministry of International Relations, Federation of Glorious Humanity
RE: Nynaeve Eruraina

While we understand your concern about Miss Eruraina's book, which you have stated repeatedly is mere propaganda, the fact remains that she is under legal political asylum in the Federation, and has gone through all correct procedures to get that asylum.

If it's any consolation to you, be assured she won't find citizenship here. As you are no doubt aware, under current Glorious Human law, nonhumans cannot gain official citizenship in the Federation. However, we see no reason to break our word to her simply because you are worried about her literary ambitions. Glorious Humanity has our own honor to uphold, and our own allies to consider. I rather doubt the Menelmacari or the Aelosians would be very amused if we suddenly tossed this elf out, and what would the promises of my government be worth if we demonstrated that it could be broken so casually?

Nonetheless, I'm sure there is some agreement we can come to, however I would rather not discuss any particulars over this medium. Prying eyes, you understand, and if certain of our allies knew we were even talking about this to you it could get messy. If you could find time to meet me in person today, I'll make time in my schedule for a face to face chat, and the President has agreed to find time in his schedule to hear you out as well. You can make your case to myself and President Albert behind closed doors and away from anyone who might listen in.

Regards,
Frank Pierce
Minister of International Relations
Federation of Glorious Humanity

**********************************************************

Council Chamber
9:00 AM Dulles time

The President's Council assembled for the morning meeting. Everyone had made it for once. Minister Pierce had stressed the importance of every decision maker in the Council hearing what he and Director Fox were going to brief them on.

The President himself, Mark Albert, was the last one to arrive. He took his seat at the head of the polished cherry wood table that the Council who advised the First Human of the Federation had been meeting around for nearly a hundred and fifty years, through the terms of twelve Presidents. To his left sat Minister Paul Brooks of Internal Security, the chief policeman of Glorious Humanity. Then came two of the four Supreme Commanders of the armed forces: Herbert Ablegard of the Army and James Matheson, Star Command. Next to them, and directly across from the President, sat Director Harold Fox of Federation Intelligence, a blanket organization that covered all aspects of spying and information gathering for the government, both in civilian and military capacity.

After Fox came the other two Supreme Commanders: Alean Hanoway in command of the Nautical Navy (the sea fleet, as opposed to the star fleet under Matheson), and Florence Washington, Atmospheric Air Force (Atmospheric fighters and bombers, as well as the orbital shuttles and complements of space-capable fighters that remained planetside). Finally, Minister Pierce sat at the President's right hand.

There was a short silence, then Minister Pierce stood up at a nod from President Albert.

"Alright, now that everyone's here, let's get to work," Pierce said. "I believe you're all aware that Snowball wrote a book."

Everyone was, as well as everyone was aware of the codename assigned to Nynaeve Eruraina by Intelligence. Pierce continued after a moment.

"Now, frankly, I almost wished she'd waited until we finished getting her moved. That book has caused an international outcry. It's become a bestseller in several nations, and I hear that at least one country's filmmaker's are considering making a movie out of it. All this is great for the cause of fair and equal relations, not to mention the cause of making Iesus Christi look stupid."

There was a round of chuckles.

"However," Pierce said next. "It's proving a mess for us. The Iesus embassy is putting pressure on my office to revoke Miss Eruraina's asylum and expel her from the country."

"I assume you've told them they can go whistle for that?" SC Ablegard spoke up.

"You're actually taking my side in this argument, Herb?" Pierce asked with mock shock. The Minister of International Relations and the SC of the Army were of wildly different political views, and as a result were almost always at loggerheads.

"Look, I didn't like giving the pointy ear asylum in the first place, and I still don't," Ablegard growled. "We should've sent her on to Drakonia, or directly to Menelmacar or Aelosia in the first place. But we did keep her, so now we have to stick with it. We can't back down on our word."

"That's what I told the Iesus ambassador," Pierce replied. "In fact, just before this meeting I dispatched a message to be hand-delivered by courier to the Iesus embassy. In it, I also stated that he was welcome to come by today to speak directly to myself and the President."

"So it begins," commented Director Fox. "You said everything I wanted you to?"

"I did. You think he's going to buy it?" Pierce asked

"Oh yes, I would wager he'll jump at it," the Director answered. "His government is probably leaning pretty heavily on him to produce results right now." He paused, then grinned. "I especially like the bit about prying eyes. That kind of cloak-and-dagger is exactly what Iesus Christians expect to find in the world, and the implication that Menelmacar might be watching us closely - and we don't like it - is the kind of thing that fascist wet dreams are made of."

"But will that be enough to get him here?" Pierce asked.

"Come on Frank, you've played the political game for as long as I've been playing the spy game," Fox replied. "You know what government pressure is like, and in Iesus Christi the pressure is backed up by the threats of long jail sentences or even execution for failure. The ambassador will come to the meeting, if for no other reason than to show his home office that he's making progress."

"What about Eruraina herself?" SC Hanoway spoke up.

"Part of the reason Frank is calling the ambassador into his office today is to start a plan for getting her out," Fox explained. "You see, we have reason to believe Iesus agents have already found her, but we don't know who or how many are in position. About the same time Frank walks into his meeting with the Iesus ambassador, we're going to relocate Eruraina, and bring her here to Dulles for the handover to Menelmacar. The Menelmacari already have an agent in the field, and he should be talking to her right now. We made sure he knows where she is."

"With any luck, when it becomes obvious we're planning to send her off to Menelmacar - and we'll make sure it becomes obvious," Pierce said. "We're hoping the Iesus agents will panic. What they want is for us to just shove her out the door, not hand her over to a government that's going to protect her even more thoroughly, and take her to a nation that makes a point of hunting down every Iesus Christian agent they can find just for fun."

"Basically, if she makes it Menelmacar she'll be all but untouchable," Fox explained. "Getting her will become a much, much harder proposition, and I can practically guarantee an assassination order has been issued. Our agents in Iesus are trying to locate positive proof of this, but in the meantime I'm assuming it's so. Especially since this morning my agents watching her hotel reported possible surveillance by an unknown entity."

Hanoway put it together. "You're hoping to force their hand," she said. "You'll get them to try something, and in the process-"

"We'll flush them out," Fox finished. "Hopefully we can take them alive for questioning. I would love to catch some Iesus assassins and put them in nice public trials for terrorism. It would be a hell of an embarassment for Bridgette Iesus, and it would give me a chance to clean out a few other Iesus agents that I want to get rid of."

"Have the Menelmacari been informed of this plan, or their part in it yet?" President Albert asked, speaking for the first time in the meeting.

"In general terms," Fox said. "They know the possibility of an assassination attempt is very high, and that we're expecting trouble. Of course, I don't think they know yet that we're counting on it."

"Does Eruraina know that she's bait?" Hanoway asked.

"She'll find out shortly," Fox answered.

**********************************************************

In actual fact, the coldness of the air around the Hotel Stretton really was from coldness. The Hotel was high in the Carth mountains of midwestern Glorious Humanity. It and the small town of Stretton that it was part of catered to tourists coming up from the tropical lower lands and from around the world for snow sports and cold getaways. That was why it was selected as Nynaeve Eruraina's hiding place, because it was remote, but elven tourists were not unheard of, so she wouldn't be completely out of place.

Despite being named after the town, the Hotel did not get nearly as much business as the big name resorts just a few miles away. Nonetheless, it always picked up a crowd of snow enthusiasts in the winter.

The small black hatchback parked across the street in front of a trendy coffee shop looked just like any other tourist groundcar, complete with snowboards strapped to the roof and extra gear in the back. The two men who owned it were in the coffee shop warming themselves with caffeine and talking about conditions. Just another pair up for winter games.

They weren't though. Terrence Olsen and Michael Arnu were actually agents of the Federation Intelligence service, and while their lips discussed deep powder and the best slopes, their fingers were moving through the subtle gestures of the government sign language developed and used by intelligence operatives and senior officials to carry on private conversations in public.

That car has made its third pass in the last half hour, Olsen commented with his left hand while his right brought his coffee cup to his lips.

We already called it in, answered Arnu. And the Menelmacari man is in there, so she's not helpless if it turns out they're planning a move.

I just wish they'd get the meet and greet over, Olsen answered. We've got to move soon.

Go get the stuff from the car, Arnu told him. We'll wait till that car makes another pass, then we'll go in as soon as Amanda gives the go-ahead.

**********************************************************

Inside, in the hotel's small restaurant, a tall, thin woman named Amanda Pyrie nursed a cup of hot chocolate and ate a plate of casrin, a native Glorious Human dish consisting of several small meat and potato pies covered in gravy. Ostensibly her eyes were looking at the morning paper on the table next to her food, but every few seconds they flicked up to look through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that faced the lobby, watching the pair in it.

The Federation of Glorious Humanity…a land of metahumans and psykers?
What happened to the honourable land that loved humanity? What happened to that country that was held up as a pinnacle of humanity? What happened to that land where men could stand up straight?!

The Federation of Glorious Humanity is now a land where they are seriously considering whoring out to metahumanism….degrading humans to an ‘equality’ with animals!
The Federation of Glorious Humanity is the frontline in the war against those who would see humanity enslaved to metahumans!

It starts with Nynaeve Eruraina and it ends with humanity extinct.

We call on all right thinking men and women to stand up and fight this insidious plot. I call upon my honourable brothers and sisters in the Federation of Glorious Humanity to stand up and be counted! Its time to make a stand! Its time to take back what is yours! Fight now my brothers and sisters…fight now before its too late!

Fredrick DeMulder. Speaking on his Weekly International Radio show ‘HONOUR’



TO: Minister Frank Pierce, Ministry of International Relations, Federation of Glorious Humanity
FROM: Ambassador Greely, Holy Empire of Iesus Christi
RE: Nynaeve Eruraina

While we understand the delicate nature of this procedure, the government of Iesus Christi remains unsatisfied with the current unfolding of this situation. Still we remain hopeful of a resolution to this issue that will be beneficial to both our great nations.
With this in mind I am authorised to meet with you and your President face-to-face. We thank you for making this time available to us – when men of good will meet surely a just resolution will occur.

Pax Vobiscum.
A.G.
Ambassador of the Holy Empire of Iesus Christi

To whom it may concern, sent to all nations involved in this troublesome affair.

The conflict over 'metahumans' which has recently reached our ears leaves us quite entruiged. I belive an agreement must be made as soon as possible. Perhaps the girl would be more at home in New London, where we can assure she will come to no harm for now. Our police are far too good, and you can be assured the army would also be there for protection.

Yours,
International Minister Fred Jones
On behalf of Prime Minister Watson Holmes and Defense Minister Ovard Grim.

Office of the Minister of International Relations
9:45 AM Dulles time

Directly after the morning Council meeting, Minister Pierce and President Albert went to Pierce's well-appointed office, to await their guest of the morning. Pierce's office had been decided on over the President's due to the desire to maintain the idea that this was the Minister's show, and President Albert was just sitting in to hear the particulars and give his opinion. Of course, unless Ambassador Greely was incredibly dense about how GH worked, he would know who in that room really held the final decision on Miss Eruraina's fate.

The Office of the Minister of International Relations was dominated by Pierce's large desk, made of polished cherry wood. Pierce's own chair sat behind it, a functional desk chair that clashed with the general opulence of the rest of the room, and was more an indicator of the man himself than any of the other furnishings that had come with the office and predated the man in it. Another chair had been dragged in on the Minister's side of the desk, for the President, and two chairs faced the desk on the opposite side. The desk was placed to face the door. The walls were panelled in expensive woods, and the light fixtures at regular intervals gave off a soft, pleasant light that was designed to be relaxing. Of course, right now the lights were off, and the curtains on the floor-to-ceiling windows thrown wide open to admit the morning sunlight, which highlighted the deep blue carpet. A lot of Federation government buildings were carpeted in blue, but one might notice, as with almost everything else in the room, a much higher level of quality here.

Lastly, a cart sat against one wall, next to the door. Arrayed on silver trays were a selection of pastries and a pot of coffee, with mugs bearing the flag of the Federation sitting next to it. There were donuts, croissants, and a few other types, as well as a few olens, a native concoction involving dough wrapped around a stick of special sweet cheese and sprinkled with sugar.

Minister Pierce and President Albert had already selected pastries and taken cups of coffee by the time the Ambassador arrived, and were going over some routine diplomatic business when he was escorted in.

Both men stood to greet him. The Minister and the President were of comparative heights, though Frank Pierce was beginning to develop a bit of the paunch that many men seem unable to avoid in middle age. His black hair was neatly combed, and his gray eyes met the Ambassador's as he shook his hand. By contrast, the President was still thin and fit-looking, though his face bore the careworn lines that two decades of leading his country had stamped on him, and his brown hair was beginning to show specks of gray. However, his brown eyes still held plenty of warmth and life as he shook Greely's hand when Pierce introduced him. Both men wore the blue silk business suits popular among Federation officials and diplomats.

"Ambassador, glad you could make it on such short notice," Pierce said when introductions were concluded. "Please, help yourself to a pastry and coffee, if you want."

"We'd offer something heavier, but we avoid alcohol on duty," Albert put in. "However, I'm sure if you really wish it, a drink could be arranged."

Pierce smirked a little at the irony of what the President had just said. Anyone who knew Mark Albert well and had been in the government for a while knew about the bottle of bourbon in the President's desk in his own office.

Once everyone was settled back into seats, Pierce neatly stacked and set aside the papers he and Albert had been discussing and folded his hands on the table.

"So, then, to business. You were invited here today because we do not wish to come to any unpleasantness over the issue of Nynaeve Eruraina. You maintain she is a wanted criminal, guilty of treason against your government."

"For this book of hers, as I understand it," Albert spoke up. "Obviously, we are helpless to stop its publication, Glorious Humanity being free of speech and press." That was not precisely true, certain things were suppressed, but a book that embarassed Iesus Christi was not going to be one of them. Not that the President would say that out loud. "And of course, we have no control at all over international publishers."

"The book is really unimportant," Pierce noted. "Nynaeve Eruraina could have staged a protest, or smuggled other elves out of Iesus Christi, or any one of several other nonviolent means of resistance. She broke no international or Federation laws, and appealed for political asylum here following all correct procedures. Now, if she had come to us after a violent terrorist action, say for instance blowing up something in Iesus Christi with high explosives, we would have rejected her appeal for asylum out of hand, and indeed been quite happy to arrest her and hand her over to you for trial. We most certainly do not condone terrorist activities, and we know you do not as well."

That last part was a lie, and everyone in the room knew it. Now Albert took over speaking.

"Now, for my own edification, I would like to know exactly what you accuse Nynaeve Eruraina of, and what her likely fate would be should she be returned to Iesus Christi," the President said. "There are some situations in which the Federation will not even extradite convicted criminals. For instance, we have no death penalty here, and do not extradite criminals who are likely to face execution. In those instances, the criminals do not go free, but rather serve an appropriate sentence in our own prison systems." A pause, and he chuckled. "Believe me, our prisons are not nice places to be."

Pierce already knew most of the answers, but he echoed Albert's question anyway. "So, what precisely is Miss Eruraina accused of, and what kind of punishments would she face were we to break our word and send her home?"

Ambassador Greely arrived dressed in his formal black uniform – while technically a civilian the dress uniform of all diplomats was that of the Iesus nationalist party. He greeted the two men with a sharp fascist salute.
“Heil Iesus. It’s an honour to be allowed to meet with you two gentlemen!”

The ambassador listened intently to what was said, even if he didn’t think the Federation of Glorious Humanity was going to take the appeals of the Iesus government seriously. The Federation of Glorious Humanity was for all its words firmly within the ‘opposition’ camp in the great war between man and metahumanism.

“My friends... Nynaeve Eruraina has in fact committed crimes within Iesus Christi, that fact that her book is libellous is rather besides the point, for while she was hiding in Iesus Christi she carried out violence against our government..terrorist actions that cost many innocent lives. The Iesus government has keep this information secret until now but I have been given permission to tell you this now; Nynaeve Eruraina is in fact an agent of Menelmacar...She was trained in Menelmacar and smuggled into Iesus Christi to carry our terrorist operations. She is an agent of the forces that wish to tear humanity apart. That’s why she ‘fled’ to your nations…because her puppet masters want your country to fall too! They want humans to fight amongst themselves!Still, we can fight the metahuman plan!

Should Nynaeve Eruraina be deported back to Iesus Christi, she would be treated according to her status. Metahumans have no rights in Iesus Christi nor do terrorists…but you have my word as a gentleman that she wouldn’t die. We’d honour your laws and give her life imprisonment…..
Of course…our government understands that this sort of deportation costs your government and tax payers a substantial amount of money. So I have been authorise to offer a substantial emolument to you to cover any costs that could possibly occur. Naturally this payment would be made to each of you discreetly….

Iesus Christi is…by the grace of God…free of Metahumans and their allies…my friends…don’t allow your glorious nation to be taken in by these monsters!”

To both nations involved in difficulties,

We are ahppy to send Mr Grim to any conference you need. Our country would be happy to act as meditators in any event that should go wrong.

Like all Mornarána, ‘Alan Johnson’ had a well developed sense of paranoia, one that was in part shocked and dismayed that the young – younger than him by far – elf had come out to meet him. “Hello,” he said, taking her hand, he didn’t kiss it, because he didn’t want to be seen as suspiciously ingratiating, instead, he shook it in a more commonly accepted manner, though of course, there were cultures that had their rules on that, but he was relatively certain, as a nominally Catholic country, Iesus Christi didn’t.

“Hello Miss Eruraina,” he said quietly, being careful to put himself between her and most of the room, while making it seem like a natural step to the right. A flicker of the eyes towards the reflection of the street in a glass doorway revealed the particularly-suspicious car making its fourth pass down the block, and he frowned almost imperceptibly. “My name is Aegasaglar nos Dagnirthaw,” he started, hoping its elven-ness would be recognizable and intrigue her. “I’m here from Menelmacar to talk to you about some things, I hope you don’t mind if we don’t talk here, but I’ve been told the library here has some things worth seeing in it…” he didn’t intimate his concerns, hoping that she wouldn’t think anything of it. He half expected her to squeal and expect him to have come to eat her brains, being from Menelmacar, or perhaps to notice his lack of pointy ears and elfy-ness and claim it was some kind of trick. Of course, he had answers to the second one, albeit they’d take a little inconvenience, but he could arrange it.

"Monsters?" the President repeated. "Hardly. You know, your government ought to try talking to them before you call them monsters. The elves actually have some very interesting points about the world."

Minister Pierce visibly flinched at that, but Albert kept talking. "Furthermore, your offer to basically pay us to send her to you did not go unnoticed... and I don't like the implications. The Federation cannot be bribed or bought off, and certainly neither myself nor Minister Pierce are interested in taking money for anything." The President's voice rose slightly. "Certainly nothing where our nation's honour and our own personal integrity is at stake!"

"I don't think he meant it that way-" Pierce started, but Albert cut him off.

"I don't believe we can make any headway here," the President said with an air of finality, standing as he did so. "If you'll excuse me gentlemen, I have business to attend to. Frank, please let me know how this turns out. Good day, Ambassador."

With that, the President headed for the door. Minister Pierce looked like he might be about to say something, but then apparantly thought better of it and waited until the door shut behind Albert before he spoke again.

"Well, ah, that was a little unexpected," Pierce said, an apologetic tone in his voice. "President Albert is not usually so excitable, and I must apologize for his behavior. I fear he is letting personal feelings cloud his political judgement."

Pierce took a sip of his coffee and was silent for a moment. "You have to understand, Mark Albert is under an incredible amount of pressure right now. Elections are looming, and he's not running again, so he has only a few months to accomplish everything he wants to do. And he wants to do so much. The President is one of my best friends, probably my best friend period, but lately... I don't know. He's asked me to run in his place, representing the Progressives, and I think he believes I'll keep running forward as fast as he has."

Another pause, then Pierce leaned closer. "Do you want to know why he won't budge on this matter? The real reason? It's not because of any love for elves in general." The Minister seemed to be having trouble convincing himself to speak. "Look, what I tell you right now cannot leave this room. Cannot, do you understand?" He took another drink of his coffee, than finally said what he'd been building up to.

"President Albert has no love for elves in general. Rather, he has love for one specific elf. Her name is Celestrianna Paelisi, and she's the Supreme Chancellor of Aelosia. We've kept knowledge of the relationship out of the general public's hearing, restricting it only to rumors. Glorious Humans are not that much different from Iesus Christians, so you can no doubt imagine the uproar should the relationship become publicly known. What those of us still sane enough to consider the implications of this liason are hoping is that we can keep it down till the elections are over. As I said, President Albert is out at the end of this term, and once he's out of the direct public eye, it won't really matter what he's doing with his personal life."

Pierce finished off his current cup of coffee. "Now you see the problem. The President's personal feelings are going to make it hard for any negotiation over Miss Eruraina to be concluded, because he refuses to do anything that might antagonize the elves, or more specifically his pointy-eared girlfriend." Now the cup was set aside, and Pierce reached into a drawer of his desk.

"I think, though, that we can come up with a workaround solution. The Federation does not execute criminals, but that doesn't mean we've never had anyone killed. Also, you and I aren't the only ones bothered by how much influence the elves are getting in GH. There's a group, you've probably heard of them, March of Man. They're pro-human all the way, and they would love to help someone get rid of Miss Eruraina, book and all, and whatever else she's done."

A piece of paper was laid on the table. On it was the name "Henry Peterson" and a phone number. "This man is one of the leaders of March of Man in Dulles. Within a day, Nynaeve Eruraina is going to come here to the capital. She'll be escorted by agents of Federation Intelligence, and they will be handing her over to a Menelmacari delegation, who will take her to Menelmacar, for safety or debriefing depending on who's telling the truth. Mr. Peterson and his group have been itching for a chance to strike decisively at nonhumans for months. If your people here - and don't be coy, I know Iesus Christi has plenty of people here - coordinate with March of Man, you just might be able to get her before the hand-off."

The Minister leaned back in his chair. "Just like the information about Albert's relationship, none of what I just told you leaves this room, save of course for any people you need to inform to pull this off. Get her if you can, but leave me and the President out of it. As you can imagine, if I was discovered helping you, my career and a large portion of my life would be over... and that would just be the start. As for President Albert, well... regardless of whatever bad decisions he's made, he's still my friend and has been a great leader, and I don't want him to get hurt. Besides, as I said, he's on his way out anyway, so there's little you could do to hurt him with that information."

*********************************************************************

Amanda watched the two talk, noting with approval the subtle caution of the Menelmacari agent. He fit the description she'd been given, and now that he was talking to Miss Eruraina things could happen.

She reached up to clear an errant strand of blonde hair away from her eyes and tuck it behind her ear. In the process, her fingers found the small commbead, a tiny communicator in her left ear, and tapped it twice.

*********************************************************************

Outside, Olsen heard the tapping in his ear, the sign that it was time to move. Glancing back towards the cafe, he saw Arnu already up and moving, going to the register to settle the bill. Olsen brought out another backpack to complete the stuff.

The stuff consisted of two large backpacks and a suitcase. Inside were everything the plan they'd put together would need. The Menelmacari man had no doubt suggested a place, that was his part of the job. The Federation agents were going to make sure Eruraina got out of the hotel undetected. Two large winter jackets, white in color, and a bright white beanie, as well as black gloves and heavy boots, were in the backpacks. The suitcase was mostly for show, although if any trouble came about a button built flush into the handle could be pressed, causing the suitcase to spring open and the firearms inside to be grabbed and put to use.

Olsen himself was already dressed in clothing very similiar to what was in the backpacks. It was the kind of thing you expected a snow enthusiast who was planning to go racing down slopes to be wearing. The beanie hid his brown hair, and his brown eyes were alert for another pass of the car. He was caucasian, though his skin bore the semipermanent tan that most light-skinned natives of GH developed afters years of living in tropical weather. It betrayed the fact that he was not a mountain man, but in this case that worked in his favor. He was just another tourist.

Arnu came out and shouldered one of the backpacks before fetching a daybag from the car. Arnu would be tan no matter what the weather was. In some other countries he might be mistaken for a Hispanic, and the combination that produced him was very similiar, consisting of a white European and a native. In this case though, the combination was English and Asben, and he was a chul-o-chul, an Asben term that politically correctly meant "half-breed" but actually literally translated into "half-and-half". In addition to his tan skin, he had very dark brown, almost black hair, and black eyes.

Both men were, naturally, very fit, both as part of their cover and part of their career.

With everything they needed, the two men crossed the street and entered the hotel. As they walked in, Pyrie stood up from her seat and came out into the lobby.

The Iesus ambassador noted the clear effects of Metahuman sympathy on the human brain as he listened to the Presidents tirade.
Adam perked up at what the GH minister said once the President had left. This was much better to work with, people who actually cared about the fate of humanity!
Once the Minister had ceased talking, Adam carefully folded the piece of paper and placed it in his top pocket. He stood up and straightened his uniform
“I believe we have perhaps a workable alternative then. The Iesus government will continue to press for a diplomatic resolution to this issue but hopefully the alternative solution will occur first. It’s been a pleasure. There can be no peace while Nynaeve Eruraina lives. Heil Iesus!”
He didn’t bother giving the fascist salute and instead shook the hand of Minister Pierce and left.

Immediately upon returning to the Iesus embassy, the ambassador passed on the information to the ‘proper authorities’….

Mr. Peterson of ‘March of Man’ was quickly contacted.
James Goff’s was “vice under-secretary for heavy industrial commerce’, but in reality he was one of the numerous agents working within the embassy. He was an agent of ‘The Ministry of Social Order’ and thus was entrusted with the ‘March of Man’ liasing.
“A friend and I would like to come down and visit you. I believe we have common cause. We can be sure to cover your expenses and then some…” James Goff didn’t believe in doing things slowly and money generally helped matters move quicker. He kept specifics generally out of the phone conversation but gave enough information to get things going.
“President Albert is fucking an elf. The supreme bitch Chancellor of Aelosia in fact“ James happily dropped this information during his conversation with his contact over the phone – He saw no reason for this information to be kept silent.

Deputy attaché of Communication Maureen Yates continued her task of contacting conservative/mainstream GH newspapers and important online Journals.
She laughed with the editors that would talk with her, joking with them about local events and generally being pleasant before she eventually got around to business.
She hinted at rumours about certain members of the government literally being in bed with Elven factions. She lamented how much influence the elves were getting in GH. She gently raised the issue of Nynaeve Eruraina being allowed to hide within the noble bastion of humanity. She ventured comment that strong leadership was needed by the public to stop this disgusting collusion with Elfism. She casually mentioned financial gratuities for editors that were brave and bold enough to go take a stand in print….

“The answer is no….”
“Father, the decree of the Ministry of Social Order is clear. You’re to read this letter as your sermon this Sunday.”
Father Tuffy looked over the letter quickly. It was a acidic rant denouncing those elements of the Church and country who aided the enemy – a poorly veiled message about the ongoing Nynaeve Eruraina incident. “This is the house of God. We do not bow to secular authorities, I’ll contact the bishop and you can….”
The priests sentence was cut short by a blow from the Ministry troopers baton, which sent teeth and blood flying as it cracked against the priests head. A shower of blows rained down upon the Priest as he fall dazed to the floor.
“You will obey! Obedience to the ministry is not optional!”

The flames of the massive bonfire licked the night sky.
Thousands and thousands of laughing Iesus youth ran around the great pyre, happily stoking its flames by flinging copies of manuscripts and books upon the great fire.
This month had been a bumper month for the Ministry; Major raids against underground printing presses had turned up thousands of illegal books. The books had been brought to Adin field where the Iesus youth would burn them in a grand spectacle demonstrating the mental purity of the Iesus people…meanwhile those unfortunate enough to be seized along with the books had been taken to a more private place for a similar ending…

On her podium, Bridgette Iesus procided over the cleansing. Her eyes gleamed as she watched copies of “The Agony in the garden” being thrown into the flames…she smiled as the flames obliterated the pages. She hated that book. She despised it. She loathed it. Everytime she thought about it she burned with rage.
With venom and anger she encouraged the already frenzied mob…
“My Children! Burn these crimes against our nation! Cleanse our minds so that we can be free forever!
My Sweet Children…..burn these works that have insulted our glorious nation and that have insulted me!”

Rachel Glere stood in the middle of Augustine square. It was a usual hot summer day, and thus the square was full of stalls and citizens going about their everyday business.
Rachel took a deep breath and started to proclaim to the world-in-general….
“The Metahuman is our Brother! The Metahuman is our Sister!
Thus the mark of Cain is upon us! We are guilty of having murdered our own flesh and blood!”


“Obedience is my joy…Obedience is my love..Obedience is my salvation!”
Walter mumbled the words of the Ministry trooper oath as he checked over his weapon. Finally he stuffed the loaded revolver in his jacket, taking extra care to make sure it wasnt conspicuous, and then jumped out of the back of the van. The van drove off casually, his compatriots driving the van hoping that the more obvious car was attracting most of the attention of any local security forces.
With a jaunty fast paced walk he bounded up the stairs of the Hotel. Walter could feel the revolver pressed into his flesh as he entered the lobby.
A feeling of joy and fear sprung up inside Walter as he saw his target in the corner. He couldn’t believe she was standing barely metres away from him….

[[Saw Iesus's post. Got curious, thought I'd make a comment - don't worry, not looking to interfere ;) ]]

Benaiah Tay looked out of his window, blue eyes watching the monks below tending to the gardens and paths of the Gabriel Ecclesiastical District. He looked up and saw the towering shape of the Cathedral, rising above the wall between the Gabriel and Deus Districts. He idly wondered about the sermon being preached inside, having attending the first service of the day he was not required to attend a second. A call came from behind him and a monk of the Section for Foreign Correspondence handed him a brown file. The priest took the folder with thanks and pulled up the hood of his scribe’s robe. Opening the door he hurried across the gravel paths of the District, pausing only once to exchange pleasantries with the prior of the District’s monastery.

He walked quickly through the small gate between Gabriel and Deus Districts, pausing briefly before the two black-garbed Nazareth standing at the gate. He placed his hand on the pad presented to him and waited the necessary moment for the system to register a senior servant of the Church Civil and walked through the metal scanner. The guard nodded and swung open the iron-studded oak door. Tay glanced up out of habit as he went through, noticing the bottom of the raised blast door discreetly hidden above the passageway through the wall.

He scurried along the paved paths of Deus District, dominated by the Cathedral, and entered the Church of St. Christopher the Wanderer, more commonly known as the Foreign Office. He walked around the main area of the Church, packed with people watching the sermon broadcast from the Cathedral, and entered the offices. He paused to scan his hand on the device presented by one of the office’s guards, and walked through the metal scanner without problems. He ascended a flight of stairs to the right, climbing until he was above the church’s hall, a place where the hymns sung from below rose to fill the hallways. He climbed one more flight of stairs, entering the soundproofed offices of the Bishops of St. Christopher.

He walked through another door, presenting the file to the archbishop Michael Pascon, who had taken over the Church of St. Christopher following the death of Judas Tay, the previous Archbishop of Foreign Affairs. The new archbishop was not a young man, but neither especially old. His hair was greying, it was true, but he sat firm and upright in his chair and read through the notes from their foreign agents.

“Tell me why this requires our attention?”

“It doesn’t, father, but the Hierarchs thought it would be prudent to point out that the world is watching. Both are Christian nations, and the last thing the faith needs is more embarrassment.”

“Last time I checked, these two were not Imperial Faith.”

“Diversity in Unity, father. It does not matter what denomination they are…it will still reflect badly. Too much pride in the world, father, particularly from Iesus. They are not keen on forgiveness or brotherly love as far as we can tell.”

The archbishop sighed and nodded slightly.

“As the Hierarchs wish”




Bishop Michael greets their most glorious lordships and children of God in the governments of Iesus Christi and Glorious Humanity,

Almighty God brings all good things to our nations for this reason, that through their grace and example he may grant the gifts of his own holiness to all peoples. We know that our brothers in humanity in both your majestic nations have been blessed with this knowledge, and the certain knowledge that heavenly benefits should also be conferred upon your nations.

So it is, glorious brothers in the faith, that we would remind you that all things are by God’s will and all are children of his creation whatever their race or outward appearance. Remember, my majestic brothers, that in your hands lie the potential for grave ills, should the serpents of hatred and enmity come between you over this girl, be it in admonition of this book that so slanders our brothers in Iesus Christi, or the refusal to chastise her by the most noble sons of the divine in Glorious Humanity.

Now, therefore, you in your Glory should hasten to spread understanding between this child, the nation of Iesus Christi and those who watch with a voracious eye for violence. Seek instead of discord, to spread this understanding peaceably, and in neutral conference that knowledge of your peace, wisdom and humbleness before God’s commandments may surpass the fame of all the ancient rulers of your nations and excel them as much in reputation as in fame.

To our brothers in Iesus Christi, we humbly ask that pride over this slight does not blind your glorious selves to act in rash and ungodly fashion for it occurs to my mind what happened concerning the servant of God named Moses who led our Father’s people out of Egypt. For thirty-eight years in the desert he fought for God and could not enter the Promised Land for an ancient sin of his pride. If, dearest brothers, we see that even that noble man died because of a sin after all his miracles then with how much fear ought we to tremble, knowing the price of such pride?

To our brothers in Glorious Humanity, we remind you of your long friendship with your neighbours, for it is come to our mind that actions you may take strike into the minds of the world as the sins of Cain against his brother. Seek not to insult or slight your brothers under God in Iesus Christi, but instead reconcile yourself with them and hold such discussions as are necessary to bring peaceful resolution to this matter, firm in friendship with your neighbour and brother nation. Seek not to be obstinate with your brother, but speak with them, and the world, openly.

May almighty God complete in you all the grace that he has begun, and both extend your life here through the course of many years, and after a log time, receive you in the congregation of his heavenly homeland.

May heavenly grace protect your Excellencies in safety, my Lordships and brothers before God.

In service, reward. In humility, nobility. In duty, strength. In faith, peace.

Dearest Bishop Michael.
May the peace of Christ be upon you during this time of Lent.
It was with great sadness that I read your recent release..how can someone who claims to serve the one living God be so blind to the truth?!
What we do has nothing to do with pride, rather what we do is for the greater Glory of God and truth. The lies of Satan and his allies can not be ignored. We cannot silently tolerate these blasphemies! We are Christians and thus will battle satanic untruths wherever we find them! We will oppose the lie of kinship with metahumanism!

The devil seeks to destroy humanity, and the metahumans are his willing servants!
We implore you to side with Christ and denounce his enemies.
May the Lenten spirit of atonement and penance bring you closer to the truth of Christ.

General Joe Stevenson. Minister for Protestant-liaison.