NationStates Jolt Archive

Eric Esthar straightened his tie as he tilted his head from side to side, making sure he had not missed a spot in this morning’s shaving. His eyes momentarily darted upwards towards his hair, and finding it how he liked it, he smiled big and fake, checking his teeth.

“You’re on in two,” a woman with a headset and a clipboard said from beyond the handheld mirror. Eric shifted his smile to her and she blushed slightly, quickly looking down at her clipboard. Chuckling to himself, his smile now genuine, Eric strode from behind the stage to the podium.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced over the microphone amidst flashbulbs and media members from many nations. “I am Eric Xavier Esthar, the new Director of Public Relations for the Orion Empire. I am pleased to announce that I will be enacting changes immediately that pertain to the isolationist media policies of my predecessor.” Eric paused, reading the crowd. They seemed anxious, which was understandable considering recent happenings (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=513836). “To regain good faith among foreign media outlets,” he continued. “I will be hosting a question and answer session in regards to the Empire, beginning now…”

http://209.85.48.8/237/117/upload/p701764.jpg
Eric Esthar
Director of Public Relations

[OOC: I’ve been out of the NS scene for a while, and I figure this simple RP is a good way to meet new people, regain contact with old friends, and IC-wise, get everyone updated on what’s become of the Empire, and what will happen in the future. Please try to keep everything IC, but if you have an OOC question denote it as such. And if you ask a ridiculous question like “what and where are your secret weapons” prepare to get a “this is classified” type answer.]

A young man in a simple suit in the back raises his hand. "Jim Leech here from the Galaleran Times. What's your opinion on opening up ties with new nations and will you interfere with nations that have different opinons from you?"

Another voice spoke out from behind the reporters. It was gruff, low and held authority. Most had already guessed 'military' before they even saw the man. He looked military, even though he was in civilian clothing. His eyes held that sternness that civilians didn't have though. "More important than opening new ties... what is the position of the Steel Empire on the issue of former allies? Specifically allies that helped destroy the Anti-Ragnarok Alliance, so many generations ago?" Well, that narrowed the list down pretty neatly... Only a nation from Midnight would fit that description and, counting Steel Butterfly, there were only three nations from that alliance still in existence. Steel Butterfly, Sigma Octavus and Crimmond.

Eric nodded, an award-winning smile spreading across his lips. Ever a fan of Imperial history, Eric was mildly excited at the mention of the Midnight Alliance. Still, he had another question to respond to first. He pointed at the man in the simple suit.

“Ties with new nations are always welcome,” Eric Esthar replied. “However, as you alluded to, the agreement between our individual policies and economic interests lead to the strength of these ties. That being said, other nations won’t be ‘interfered with’ by the Empire as long as they don’t ‘interfere with’ the Empire.” Eric smiled. “But I can’t make the same promises with business. You’d have to take high prices up with them individually.”

Eric’s attention now turned to the man standing behind the military.

“With every new regime new alliances are formed, and with every old regime old alliances are lost,” Eric replied. “However, relations with both Crimmond and Sigma Octavus are both amicable, if not active, and the Empire would be naturally willing to discuss a more active relationship with former allies.”

The man nodded, slowly. "Very good. This is one more sign Midnight isn't truly dead. We have not forgotten what happened then and along our Russian border there is a small monument commemorating the alliance and those that fell to defend it." That narrowed the list of three to one. Sigma wasn't located on the Eurasian continent. "From what I have seen, your people have come a long way technologically, but you made a grievous error. You abandoned your allies. Midnight died... the GDODAD collapsed and reformed, collapsed and reformed and collapsed and is reforming once again as I speak... and here you sit, in the Orion Sector. Without your oldest and most loyal of allies." He paused for a second, for effect. "We have not forgotten you, but have you forgotten us? Forgotten Earth? Forgotten your homelands? Time has changed those lands. As has technology. The radiation is nill. The wildlife has taken over... it is a blank slate, sir. And I, personally, would sleep better at night with a Steel Empire along the Eastern border."

Interesting proposal... and probably not the one that was expected. A verbal welcome mat was just laid out for the Steel Empire by this military man.

"More than that, though... the GDODAD needs as many original members as possible."

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/4807/pun1pq1.jpg

Eric’s smile was gradually dimming as he listened to the man’s proposal. Eric was merely a mouthpiece, albeit a damn good one, but a mouthpiece still. He was not a policy maker. Quickly he racked his mind for spin. The crowd was becoming restless.

“After the tragedy at St. Petersburg involving nuclear explosions and the death of our then-Emperor Kyou Graav, rest in peace, the Empire turned its focus inwards. Even though the regime that replaced Graav, that of Alexander Nemerov, has now been gone for some time even, the policy of isolation remains.” Eric took a breath. It was a lot to spit out. “Part of my job, however, is breaking that tradition of isolation. Perhaps if I was given your credentials, I could give my superiors a notice and set up a meeting?”

Eric then looked out on the crowd, and seeing that they had calmed, relaxed a bit, hoping that questions of the modern day would be more numerous than those of the past.

The man nodded, slowly. "Perhaps, but who I am isn't important. I'm just the intermediary... you'd want to talk to an Admiral or a General... not a burned out intel operative." Odd... was he even representing the Empire? Or was he just there? "A Spectre Class dreadnought is in the vicinity. I suggest you contact them for official talks. That would be the Mjolnir, I believe."

After he says this, he leans against the back wall, obviously having said what he came to say. Let the reporters have their fun now.

OOC - Sory for the OOC post but I can never seem to get your attention any other way SB, check your TG's or get onto your messenger service if at all possible :p

Maria Cerlin was of two minds on how to digest the task she had been set upon when the boss had delegated this wonderful little trip to her. On one hand, it was an immense career booster, to be the first reporter in far too many years to get some insight into the Empire. For a good amount of time, they had taken their isolationism to whole new levels. But suddenly, out of the blue had apparently come the invitation for foreign medias to attend this event. She wasn't absolutely certain, but she had a good feeling that someone from the Citizen's Council itself had approached Freehold Stellar News to be here. She figured that she had been sent mainly to communicate a certain amount of displeasure from the Freehold of Clairmont towards the Orion Empire for their lack of attention towards maintaining any kind of relationship. She was simply that low of a piece of the food chain in FSN.

But, she also had her pride, and she wouldn't just spend her time here sitting around. Letting all the other pencil pushing attention grabbers get the glory. She lifted her hand to catch the eye of the Empire's PR man and cleared her throat.

"Director Esthar, I think that the Freehold of Clairmont is very interested in hearing how your Government will be approaching the relationship between our two nations in the future. During the Freehold's fateful war with the Fourth Imperium and the following massive upheaval's, that changed our nation forever, your Government has been strangely silent for the past years. I believe that the entirety of the Freehold is wondering how come Steel Butterfly, once considered by us to be a close friend and ally, hasn't been bothering to give us a call?" She finished, and settled to wait for the answer, cursing her tongue in the meantime. Perhaps not the best way to start she thought, her friends had always blamed her for being far too confrontational when it came to doing her job. Well, hindsight be damned she concluded.

" Janet Housten from the Austarian Broadcasting Corporation, " called a voice from the mixed crowd of reporters and government officials. " As I've understood it your government will be breaking away from its former tradition of isolation from the international community - if this is so how will Steel Butterfly be responding to nations it formerly did not get along with, and the general community within Sol? Will Steel Butterfly even be involved in that sector after the general breakdown of The Seraphim Order alliance, or will it be pursuing other avenues? "

[OOC: Haha I’m still checking man…I don’t see anything from you that I haven’t replied to.]

“I’m sure, Ms. Cerlin,” Eric replied, getting her name from the directory in front of him on the podium, “That the Empire is wondering the same from the Freehold.” His smile returned. “We have had many an internal issue to sort out as of late. Regardless, the Empire would be happy to rekindle old flames in the name of commerce and prosperity. What did the Freehold have in mind, miss?”

Moving on, Eric turned his attention to Janet Housten. “By Steel Butterfly I assume you mean The Orion Empire,” Eric politely corrected. “Steel Butterfly is but one of many planets within the Orion Sector. In regards to Sol, as I said it is Steel Butterfly’s current policy to not interfere with Sol happenings. Between the loss of our colony many years ago and the gradual diluting of the Order of the Seraphim, we have no real ties in the odd system. But, as I’ve also said, given the right situation, interactions with Sol are no longer out of the question.” He paused, thinking about what to say next. “As far as our former enemies are concerned, there are no hostilities remaining. Too much has changed internally for anything external to stay the same.”

OOC - Seems it didn't send when it should have, so I sent it again. New look system means it didn't work properly.

Smile girl, blast out with that bright youthfulness and energy that brought you this far she thought and quickly processed what the Director had said. She quickly collated together a reply, one that she hoped, wouldn't overstate her position but would bring forward some of the views her Government currently shared.

"Well Director Esthar, although I am not a part of the Freehold Government and thus not in a position to convey their views. I think I can say with relative confidence that the Freehold, both our Government and our people, would like to start opening up more discussion on both trade and international relationship related issues."

She paused for a short moment to catch her breath and once again reconsider what she was about to say. She was going to the deep end, and if this ended up badly she could kiss her career goodbye. Even if it ended well, she would atleast be getting the initial chewing up from her superiors for speaking of matters not in her hands. She shrugged and went for it, so much for not overstating her position.

"In fact, although I once again must point out the fact that I'm not a politician, our Government would most likely be delighted if an Imperial delegation were to visit our Star Nation. As you are without a doubt aware, in the aftermath of our war against the Fourth Imperium, the majority of our ruling Government was devastated in an Imperial insurgent attack. As a result the new Government decided to go through several large scale reformations to change our entire nation. One of which, was the relocation of approximately 97% of our surviving populace to the region of space formerly held by the Fourth Imperium."

"In short, I'm sure that you might be interested in seeing where we are now and sitting down to share a good chat with the people who get paid far more than I do to talk about these things." She finished, smiling and shut her big mouth all the while keenly waiting for the answer.

Ayla Dorison sat quietly listening to the exchange of comments. For a brief moment she let her thoughts drift from the conversation at hand. While she was here as a member of Tappee press core, sent to cover to return of what use to be one of Tappee’s closest allies return from isolation, her intent here was something much more sinister.

As the Clairmont report finished she raised her hand. “As your government has recently been conducting an isolationist policy, I was wondering if you were aware of unconfirmed reports that the government of Tappee has been information that they had obtained from abandoned NiMbus Facilities to develop their own super weapons.” There was a smug under toner to her question that she had placed there intentionally “And if so what is your government response to these alligation.”

Those who she truly had worked for could not have asked for a better opportunity to present itself.

Eric nodded. “Well Ms. Cerlin, if the Freehold wants a visit or a chat, all they need to do is contact the proper channels. The Emperor is a busy man, as all leaders are, but time would be made for a visit of this nature.” He turned to the lady from Tappee to respond to a much more grim question. People today weren’t pulling any punches.

“The rumors of the government of Tappee’s activities have been noted on,” Eric replied. “Obviously the Imperial government frowns on this activity and highly advises against it. Tappee, of all nations, should know the cost such activity carries with it, having a city destroyed, and then fighting a war against it. However, as for a physical response, the Empire officially has none. NiMBUS is no longer an Imperial concern.”

" Then what are the concerns of the Orion Empire? " piped up Ms Housten once again. " So far we've heard about what the government plans not to be involved in, but I wonder if you will be able to give us a brief outline as to what may be on the Orion Empire's agenda in the area of new policy direction? "

“Unfortunately,” Eric replied. “The Empire’s concerns are that of money. While profits are still soaring, with no glass ceiling in sight, expenses are at a record high due to continuous rebuilding efforts following the Orion Civil War. Some of our military and expansive urban areas still need rebuilt and refurbished. In addition, the tax rate is outrageously high due to the costs of rebuilding, and the free market is in a recession.”

“To help rectify this, the Orion Empire is planning on increasing exports for its five major industries: automobile manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, computer technology, arms, and diamonds.” Esthar continued. “While entirely self-sufficient if need be, the Empire could use some additional revenue to help shift the burden of its cost from its citizens. Other than that, the Empire’s policies are to continue as planned.”

A journalist from the Neo Kirisuban Broadcasting Corporation was also here and wearing her press pass.

She also had a camera woman and both asian looking women had observed for now. They were in smart civilian skirt suits and both former members of the exploration fleet but now reporters.

"Director Esthar, Aiko Satsumo, Neo Kirisuban Broadcasting Corporation" she said introducing herself and then added "since you have stated that the empire is open to trade would that include the Neo Kirisuban Federation?

We are also emerging from isolation and my government had expressed an interest in establishing relations."

Cerlin flashed her smile gorgeously, and seated back down. She hadn't been struck down by the Director despite her far too quirky mouth. Thus, she would most likely get to keep her job. Gazing left at the cameraman provided by the FSN, she smiled at the man happily. The technician gave her a thumbs up for job well done.

Operative Joshua Copperwood returned Maria Cerlin's smile graciously, although his thoughts were truly drifting and going over the report he would have to file once they got back to Freehold space. Ms Cerlin had been most obliging during the whole trip, not bothering to engage in too much pointless conversation to pass the time.

Copperwood wondered briefly whether the Imperial Security had recognized him as what he really was. To have done so would have required significant attention to details, and very much time from some truly dedicated intel people. His background, ID and personal history had all been assembled with great care back at the Special Projects branch of Special Warfare Command. It hadn't been strictly necessary. The Freehold didn't really expect one reporter and her two assistants to require such protection on a visit to a friendly Star Nation. The point seemed to have been something along the lines of getting to test how much interest the Empire would project towards the Freehold group attending this event.

He actually wished that his cover had been blown and hopefully the Imperial Intelligence Department would understand the subtle message the whole attempt was meant to bring across. Settling back on capturing every second of the event on memory stick, the Operative brushed the non-mission thoughts away and concentrated on the moment.

“It would,” Eric replied to the woman from Neo Kirisubo, a nation that even a well-educated Imperial such as himself had yet to hear of. “Naturally depend on what,” he paused to enunciate, not wanting to sound foolish. “Neo Kirisubo is offering in return.” With that, he raised his hands.

“At this time we will be taking a short break. Lunch will be served to either your right or your left. I hope Imperial cooking is to your liking, but if not, our chefs are quite terrific and are not against polite requests.” Eric Esthar turned to his right and walked off stage.

“You’re doing well,” a voice said. Eric sighed, closing the office door behind him.

“I wasn’t expecting this,” Esthar replied, shaking his head. “I’m a breath away from making policy every time out there. It should be the Emperor answering those questions.”

“Perhaps,” the other man said, shrugging. “But the Emperor neither has the time nor serious care to do so. You were chosen to do just that, and barring no serious mistake your word stands.”

“I wasn’t chosen by the Emperor,” Eric said.

“That’s not what matters. You have his faith.”

Eric nodded, sipping on a glass of water. This was far from any press conference he had ever attended, much less lead. The foreigners were pulling no punches, and from how they talked he doubted some were actually reporters. Some of their questions were far more interesting to governments than news outlets. But then again, that’s why he was chosen for this job.

“This is permanent isn’t it?” Eric asked. “I won’t be going back.”

“It’s as permanent as it can be,” the man replied. “But don’t sound so grim. This assignment has already opened up plenty of doors for you.” The man smiled, patting Esthar on the shoulder. “In ten years you could be my boss.”

“Hmph,” Eric grunted, swallowing the last bit of water and fixing his hair in the mirror. He flashed the same smile that worked for him with the ladies on weekends and breathed in deep. Exhaling, he made his way back towards the stage.

Hana Ogawa stopped her hand held camera and looked over to Aiko her collegue. With lunch coming up they would settle for something vegetarian.

They settled for taking some items of the buffet table each and talked quietly in their own language as they discussed how they felt the day was going. Aiko may have been the public face but they were a team who trusted each other.

Then Aiko spied the spokesman again as she ate. She was asian, good looking with long dark hair and dark eyes and 31. Hana was the same as her partner and they could almost have been sisters they looked so alike. She was 30 and they had served together long before they ended up being paired up in the NKBC.

The intelligence officer didn't move from where he was leaning against the wall, seeming to be content with scanning the room visually. When he noticed no one was looking in his direction, he moved to intercept Eric as he walked towards the stage.

Stepping almost into his path, he eyed the man. He spoke so quietly that even Eric might have trouble hearing him clearly. "Your government will want to know who I am, I'm sure. And so will the captain of the Mjolnir. You seem to be well trusted by your government, so I feel relatively confident in sharing this information with you. My name is John Raddison. If you look through the old archives from the Empire's days on Earth you'll see that name several times. A Ragnarok War double ace pilot from Crimmond." A very short pause. "I remember Steel Butterfly for what it was then. And I see ghosts of that nation floating around the one I'm in now. I'd like to see those ghosts come home." He nodded and stepped away, heading towards the back of the room again, to lean against the wall where he had before.

It was impossible that he was the same Raddison. That man would have died generations ago... unless he was one of the few that survived the early cryogenic freeze projects. Why they'd freeze a pilot though... in any case, he would have a unique perspective on the Orion Empire's past, having lived through part of it.

Eric was taken off guard. He quickly looked behind him, but his contact was long gone. “If you knew what was good for you, you’d disappear as quickly as you found yourself there.” Eric said in a harsh whisper. The man didn’t seem to budge. “The Empire doesn’t take kindly to surprises…and neither do I.”

He paused as the shock wore off and the man’s words rang clear. “And for your sake,” Eric continued. “You ought to be lying. There are people in power who do not want to be reminded of that past. What you speak of was glorious…but we all know that what followed was…disaster.” With that, Eric tried to push himself past the foreigner. Proper authorities undoubtedly already caught the man on surveillance and would be arriving any second.

Janet Housten was not in the mood for talking, nor interested in making friends. She had noted certain dubious characters present at the Conference, and as an experienced reporter of many years she had learned that some business relationships just weren't worth it.

Not to mention that it just wasn't her mission.

Heading over to the buffet table she filled her plate quite lightly. Not wanting to create a stir by taking more than what might have been considered her 'fair share', she ate lightly and decided to wait until she could explore one of the local bars or something.

The man stayed where he was along the back wall, nulling over Eric's words. If he was worried, he didn't show it. In fact, he started to hum something. Just loud enough to be herd over the smalltalk of the room... a war chant that Eric might have heard on old recordings from those days.

When any authorities arrived, he'd merely look at them and smirk. "You should really consider leaving me alone, gentlemen. Touching a Crimm Intelligence officer is not a way to endear yourselves to the Crimm or the Brotherhood of Nod." He'd produce a piece of ID that looked completely legit, labeling him as an Intelligence Division Colonel in the Imperial Marine Corps. "My mission is already complete, in any event. I was sent to ask the question I already asked. Now I just wait for extraction on the Mjolnir."

Eric grumbled to himself over how his day was going. As if the questions weren’t bad enough, now his break had been far from a break, meeting with his superiors and then a crazed man from Crimmond.

Or was he? The man had seemed intelligent enough, and his persona fit the time he claimed that he came from, right down to the antiquated speech. John Raddis…Raddison, Eric thought to himself. ”I remember Steel Butterfly for what it was then.”

Eric shrugged. As crazy as it sounded, he had learned to believe nearly anything in his lifetime. With the Orion Civil War merely a decade ago, images of war, super humans, Aurals, and NiMBUS’s creations were vivid in his mind. In today’s day and age, he reasoned, nearly anything was possible.

“May I have your attention please,” He announced, gripping the podium with both hands in confidence. “The questions may now resume at your pleasure.”

As Eric took to the stage Alya had a bit of an idea come to her, she quietly made her over to one the Steel Butterfly delgates, and handed him a note. "Clould please see that Mister Esthar receives this request for a more private interveiw after the meeting, it would be greatly appreciated. " she gave the man a breif smile and hoped that her message would make its way along.

Quickly she made her way back to her seat, and shot out a quick question. "It would seem that this press conference is more of a sale pitch then anything else. Is your government not concerned that this maybe a show of weakness or a cry of help more then anything else."

Though Ms. Housten felt quite the same way, she was less affront about the way she felt about the Press Conference. Seemingly called to 'show off' various aspects about the Orion Empire than to establish a new direction in foreign and domestic policy, she couldn't help but feel that the rhetoric spelled out by the Empire's PR machine was growing increasingly filled with empty promises.

Writing a quick note to Ayla from Tappee, she decided on a new direction, given that the current mission would surely fail to create any sort of interesting reading material. To focus on and speculate on the future according to governments in their current direction, Tappee and the Orion Empire seemed to have somewhat of a shared and interesting history.

" Hi, " she wrote. " Just wondering if you were available for lunch afterward? "

“Ms. Dorison,” Eric replied. “It can be a sales pitch, yet still show no sign of weakness. In fact I fail to see how opening trade relations shows weakness at all. The Empire simply wants to renew and establish foreign ties, and feels that this is best accomplished through trade.” He paused, thinking to himself. “Frankly the Empire knows where it stands. We want to know where others do.”

“That is why you all have been invited here today,” Esthar continued. “Since it has been some time since the Empire was public about such matters, we want to tear down the wall of mystique. Trust is essential to any relationship. I am here to quell any fears you or your nation of residence may have before strengthening relations with the Orion Empire.”

Ayla took down the notes from Eric's statement, as she thought about any deeper meaning to what was being said she was suprised to receive a note of her own.

Casually she opened the letter and reveiwed the contents. Glancing over at the Austar Union report gave a brief smile and nodded in agreement. It but interesting to see what information that she may be able to find, and hoped that it would not interfer with the possiblity of an interveiw with Eric after the meeting