Ambassadorial Visit to Ichidou [RP, Invite Only]
Diplomatic telegram
Ministry of Foreign Intervention, Dominion of Los Bananos El Fuego
To the esteemed nation of Ichidou, on behalf of El Presidente, representative of the People, greetings. The Dominion of Los Bananos El Fuego is always willing to speak to our friends, and we have dispatched a diplomatic envoy to your nation complying with your request for a meeting. We hope and trust that these deliberations will only enhance the existing goodwill between our nations, and are prepared to make further guarantees of support and security.
With respectful regards,
Joachim Fernandez
Minister for Foreign Intervention, DomLBeF
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Delegation arrives
A white C-37A diplomatic transport aircraft [ http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/c-37.htm ] puts down at the nearest international airport, after requesting clearance from Ichidou National Air Traffic Control and confirming their flight plan as a diplomatic mission from DomLBeF heading to the capital. The flag of DomLBeF is blazoned on the tail and wings of the sleek craft, its bright enamel gleaming in the sun as the aircraft taxis to a halt.
A team of six diplomatic personnel disembarks, dressed in the white-with-gold-braid uniforms of the DomLBeF diplomatic corps. Four of the hispanic looking people are watchful and cautious, probably security men. The tallest, with rank tabs on his collar, is the envoy, Consul-Colonel Juan Aldanez. His aide, Consul-Captain Julia Perial, walks with him down the exit ladder. They look about for a reception committee.
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Region: The Devil's Desert
Regional Map: http://www.darkeningskies.net/creative/devilsdesert-choice.jpg
Country Travelogue: http://invisionfree.com/forums/The_Devils_Desert/index.php?showtopic=21
National Information and Map: http://www.btinternet.com/~laertes
The day is overcast and grey, with the threat of rain as yet unfulfilled yet the occasional sunbeam breaking through to lighten the day. The airport is small by international standards, appearing to have only one terminal, and with the passengers disembarking onto shuttle busses to take them into the main terminal. Large scale construction works are evident nearby, and it appears that extensions are being built onto the main terminal building to allow passengers to disembark in greater comfort.
The area the diplomatic flight is directed to is well away from any commercial aircraft, and also a fair distance from the terminal. As the diplomatic team disembark two military jeeps approach flanking a large limousine. Military personnel in stiff white uniforms jump out. The uniforms are highly ornate, white with blue trim and gold embroidery, and look freshly pressed. All of the soldiers are armed with antique looking weapons, chased with gold and silver scrollwork, although a trained military observer might notice that they have been adapted to be comparable with any modern weapon.
The soldiers form up into two lines, 6 on each side, forming an avenue between the limousine and the transport aircraft. An older gentleman in a more ornate version of the uniform moves to the door of the limousine and opens it. As he does so the entire guard snaps to attention and a young woman steps out. She looks to be about 23 years of age, and is dressed in white robes embroidered with a gold flame on the left breast and with gold scrollwork around the neckline and cuffs, held closed with a golden sash. She, like the soldiers, has a very oriental appearance. Her eyes are very dark and her black hair is pinned up in a complicated knot held in place by a pin in the shape of the flame on her breast.
She walks towards the waiting delegation, studies them for a few moments and then bows to Consul-Colonel Juan Aldanez.
A visual inspection of the group
The six-person group waits politely as the Ichidou dignitary arrives to meet them. Their diplomatic uniforms are reminiscent of current US Navy White Dress uniforms, with gold braid piping and rank badges on the collar and sleeves, together with the Dominion flag on the left breast pocket. The two officers are wearing dress sabres, and the aide is carrying a briefcase.
The four middle-aged security men are neatly turned out, looking quite impressive in their white diplomatic uniforms, gold braid gleaming. They have short close-cropped hair which would tend to imply a military career. Each of the security men has campaign ribbons on their left jacket breasts which, to someone with military knowledge, tell of a minimum of ten years service in the armed forces of the Dominion, and a further five in the Diplomatic Security Service. They have an air of relaxed competence about them. A careful eye would also note the slight bulkiness to the torso which speaks of an armor vest, and a bulge under the left arm which tells of a shoulder-holstered weapon of some sort, both signs minimised by the excellent tailoring of their jackets.
Consul-Colonel Aldanez is a dapper and handsome late-middle aged hispanic man, quite tall, hair just beginning to grey a little. His eyes speak of experience in a long career of military and diplomatic service, something borne out by his campaign ribbons. Consul-Captain Perial, on the other hand, looks to be in her early twenties, with long hair which flies in the slight breeze, definitly not a military regulation cut - fortunatly the Diplomatic Corps is quasi-military, and officers are allowed more leeway in the dress code.
As the Ichidou Dignitary approaches
The Consul-Colonel and his aide both bow, reversing their dress swords with their left hands and pressing the clenched fist of their right to their hearts as they do so.
Consul-Colonel Aldanez: "It is a pleasure to meet you, milady. I am Consul-Colonel Juan Aldanez of the Diplomatic Corps of the Dominion of Los Bananos el Fuego, and this is my assistant, Consul-Captain Julia Perial. El Presidente has charged me with assuring you of our nations' continuing desire for good relations and further interaction."
One of the security men, with the triple chevrons of a sergeant on his jacket, looks to see if there is a chief security officer with the welcoming commitee, in order to exhange information regarding the security measures for the diplomatic visit.
The young woman smiles and looks at Consul-Colonel Aldanez.
“Oh behalf of Sar’iel, Empress of the Eternal Flame, and the High Council I welcome you to Ichidou. I am Amatiel, and will be at your disposal for the duration of your visit.”
She raises one hand and the officer in the ornate uniform comes over, carrying a slender box. The box is made of a dark polished wood inlaid with gold and ivory. The ivory is yellowing and the wood has the polished sheen which speaks of great age. She takes the box, opens it and presents it towards Aldanez. Inside is a sheathed knife, again highly decorated of obviously ancient. She takes out the blade, unsheathes it and then places the blade back inside the box. She holds out the empty sheath to Aldanez.
“My life is surety for yours within our borders. Until you return this sheath to me by your own hand our fates are bound, and should you prove unable to return it, my body will take its place.”
She closes the box and returns it to the officer, who bows and returns to the limousine. She gestures towards waiting cars.
“A proper reception awaits you at the Imperial Palace, if you would care to accompany me. Consul-Colonel, Cousul-Captain.”
She smiles and steps back slightly to allow them to precede her.
“Consul-Colonel, would your entourage be more comfortable within the Limousine with us, or in another vehicle?”
The guard on the end turns towards the Dominion sergeant. His rank tabs are less standard, but seem to indicate that he outranks everyone else on the guard except the officer.
“Is there anything is particular we should be aware of?”
He speaks quietly, his voice pitched not to carry and he looks away from the dignitaries as he speaks.
The Diplomats
Aldanez nods, bows, takes the ornate knife sheath with due respect and places it inside an inner compartment of his jacket, saying:
"The welcome of your High Council pleases us, the regard of the Empress honours us, and your surety for our safety is more than our nation would ever request, lady, yet honours us further. On behalf of the Dominion, we thank you."
Aldanez and Perial walk politely towards the limousine. Perial responds to the query about their guards:
"I believe that our companions will be happy to follow on in another vehicle, milady. We have had a few small issues with security over the last few weeks, but I am sure that there is nothing to worry about."
The Consul-Colonel takes outs a pocket computer and reviews a few notes.
"Lady Amatiel, DomLBeF communications with your nation have tended thus far to be high-level and through telecommunications sytems. Accordingly, I'm sorry to say that we have little idea about your nations protocol and etiquette customs, nor governmental systems. Normally we would present our diplomatic credentials" - he indicates the briefcase carried by Perial - "to a government official on arrival. Should we wait until the reception at the palace for that? In addition, is there anything you might tell us about protocol at the reception itself? We would not wish in any way to give offence through a slip by misunderstanding. Finally, I must crave your pardon and inquire of your standing in your government? I am afraid that our Diplomatic Corps was not aware of who would be meeting us, else I would have been able to do a more polite amount of research."
The Security Detail
Consul-Sergeant Eduardos of the Diplomatic Security Detail, a hard-edged professional with the old scarring from a shrapnel wound clear across his face, nods in response to the question and pulls a pocket computer out from inside his jacket (it seems all DomLBeF diplomatic corps personnel are issued with them as standard), opening it to display information to the guard.
"About three weeks ago, at another diplomatic event in another nation, one of our diplomatic envoys, a Consul-Major Antanerio, was assassinated. The Consul-Major was killed by a pair of high-powered rifle shots to the upper torso, the first impacting in his right side, the second severing his spinal column and piercing his heart, causing instant death - his guards were unable to save him. We are unsure of the reasons at present, investigations are continuing, but there have been two other attempts on DomLBeF diplomatic personnel within that three week period, neither fortunatly successful. No standard MO, we've had one sniper, one pistol-in-the-street, and a car bomb. Naturally we have confidence in your guards, but we have been told that we cannot be too careful. It's more than we'd expect from run-of-the-mill crazies, must be some sort of campaign."
He finishes his discussion with the squad leader. A flicker of a fingers-only hand signal from the sergeant, and the four security men continue their watchful guardianship of their charges. Eduardos thinks his usual grumbles to himself: "Oh, not palaces. Always wondering where you're going next, never being sure of where people might be lurking. Why can't they just have diplomatic meetings in secure underground bunkers with only one way in?" Noting that his wards are heading towards the limo, he confers with the guard once more about transport to the palace, arranging to follow on in one of the guard jeeps.
The security detail
The guards hang back a little, allowing the DomLBeF troops to precede them and choose their own deployment in the Jeeps. The squad leader moves to the same jeep as Consul-Sergeant Eduardos, jumps in as it begins to move off and begins issuing instructions into a microphone on his chest, leading to a belt radio.
“Higher possible threat than first anticipated, despatch Cherubim at once. All Seraphim move to full alert.”
This done he settles back down, and turns to Eduardos.
“Murata Hoshi, 1st wing. I hope it’s going to be a pleasure working with you guys.”
The diplomats
Amatiel sits in the limousine facing the two diplomats. The officer closes the door behind them and its in the front next to the driver. Slowly the limousine begins to pull out and heads away from the plane towards a well guarded barrier. Amatiel turns back to Aldanez.
“Our governmental structure is little different to that of most nations. Unlike many we have effectively two power bases, the high council, and Sar’iel herself, although it is rare for her to act against the council. As such I am a little uncertain as to who it would be most appropriate to present your credentials.”
She frowns a little and chews her bottom lip.
“If you wished to honour Sar’iel herself then I believe you should present them to me. If not then you should present them to Lady Muriel, the head of the council at the reception.”
She still looks a little worried, and looks out of the window briefly. Finally she turns back to Aldanez and sighs.
“I probably should not say this, but tensions are running a little high between Sar’iel and council at present. I know that Sar’iel intends to name me as ambassador to the Dominion should the need arise, and I fear the council will not like this. I urge you to tread carefully, as a misstep on any of our parts threatens not only the friendship between our two nations, but also the balance of power here in Ichidou.”
She looks a little more worried, and glances behind her to make sure the guards in the front aren’t listening.
“Oh dear, I’ve probably said too much. I guess I’ll never make a good diplomat.”
She looks both upset and embarrassed. She is silent for a few minutes, during which the cavalcade passes through the barrier, which opens immediately at their approach. The barrier lets out onto a winding road which leads towards a large city in the near distance. As the cars approach the sharp eyed might notice a slight flash from obvious sniper positions covering the route.
The road the cars are travelling on heads towards the very centre of the city, where a large white structure sits in isolated splendour. The sun breaks through the clouds for a moment, and a flash of rainbow colour gleams off the walls where it strikes.
Amatiel shakes her head and looks back at the Diplomats.
“At the reception, do not speak to Sar’iel herself, and do not expect her to speak to you, she rarely speaks in public. Anyone wearing a gold sash is a government official of relatively high standing. Anyone wearing white with gold is an Imperial Princess, although we don’t usually use titles. Address Muriel as your Grace, not as Princess since her position on the council has higher rank.”
She frowns, she seems permanently on edge and distracted.
“I think that’s everything you need to know.”
The Security Detail, in a Jeep
"Michel Eduardos, Diplomatic Security Service. Good to meet you - I hope likewise. Okay, what's your nation's perspective on securitymen like us? We *are* are armed and armoured - some nations don't like that, or prefer to use their own people, or want to know what we're carrying, and so on. Secondly, what're the security arrangements for our people at this diplomatic meeting, and what's the itinerary? Thirdly, any threats we should be aware that might impact on the security of our pair in front there? Oh, and last of all - where can someone get a decent beer around here? We won't be working all the time."
As the jeep moves on, the second securityman with Eduardos takes out a boxy set of binoculars from a clip on the back of his belt and surveys the route that's being taken. From time to time he pushes rubberised selector buttons on the side of the optical system. Up ahead in the first jeep, one of the other pair of securitymen is doing the same.
The Diplomats, in the Limo
Aldanez looks at Perial, then asks her to pass over the briefcase, which she does. He rifles through it for a moment, then sighs in relief.
"Lady Amatiel, divided power structures aren't uncommon, though I believe that the opposing strengths and subsequent actions which occur in your nation are unique in some ways. Treading carefully is what we do best... most of the time. Fortunatly for us, we've come prepared."
He reaches into the briefcase and removes a fine black leather document case containing a thin sheaf of documents dripping with stamps, embossed images, watermarks, holograms, seals, and official looking signatures. Handing the case back to Perial, it's obvious that there's another idential set in there, probably in case the first gets damaged but now all too useful for a divided situation like this. He hands the document case over to Amatiel, saying "Consul-Colonel Aldanez and Consul-Captain Perial, plenipotentiary envoys of El Presidente as the representative of the people of Los Bananos El Fuego."
He looks out of the window to see the palace coming closer.
Perial was listening intently as Amatiel spoke, and is now taking some notes on her Diplomatic-Corps issue notepad computer, mumbling quietly to herself as she uses her stylus.
"Don't speak to the Empress, check. Leader of council at reception, Muriel, adressed as 'your grace', council rank greater than imperial princess rank, check. Gold sashes equals government officials, check. White with gold equals imperial - oh."
She looks over at Aldanez. "Uh, sir?"
Aldanez is already looking down at his uniform. "Ah. Well, there *are* only so many colours in the world, captain. This is our nation's chosen dress for us, and we'll wear it proudly."
Aldanez leans over and pushes the button to raise the glass partition wall between the drivers compartment and the passenger one. Perial notes this, and pulls a boxy-looking device about the size of her fist from her briefcase, flipping a switch on its side. Nothing seems to have happened as a result of that, however.
"That is a white noise generator, lady," informs Aldanez, indicated the boxy device whose amber 'active' light is now on, and whose led indicator is reading 'green-safe'. "It'll defeat most any auditory pickup technology in small enclosed areas - like the back of a limo. Is there anything else we ought to know, or that you or your mistress would like to tell us? This might be the last chance we get for privacy."
Security detail
Hoshi grins at Eduardos, looking around the group.
"Don't worry too much. If you want to keep live weapons you'll be doubled up with one of us as a precaution, both to give you some local backup and to make sure that no "accidents" can happen. Itinerary wise, it's pretty open to your guys. The party today is about the only set, scheduled event. The entire palace is rigged up with CCTV, and you're more than welcome to have some of your guys in the control room with us on overwatch. Other than that, all the servitors today are military trained, and go through strict checks beforehand to make sure they're who they claim to be."
One of the other guards also looks round.
"As for that beer, most of us drink at the Celestial Eclipse or the Mask. The beer's good, cheep and the entertainment is something special."
He winks at Eduardos.
"If you like, we'll all be going down after the party."
The jeeps continue towards the palace. The flash of light comes again, once from the same place as before, and then twice from another obvious sniper position ahead.
<OOC Lecture, I'll do the diplomats ASAP. Feel free to reply to these guys whenever though>
Security Detail
Eduardos nods at the mention of the availability of beer. "Sounds good. Two of us'll have to stay with the VIPs in their accomodations - we can draw straws. We'll keep our weapons live by preference, and we'll gladly put a guy in the CCTV room. As far as my briefing goes, I understand that your nation asked for the meeting, so I assume it'll be the 'for-the-TV-cameras' party, then a days worth of closed door meetings and politicking."
Eduardos' partner with the binoculars speaks while keeping his eyes on the surroundings "These snipers covering the route, what sort of backup do they have in case someone decides to nick the rifle?".
Security Detail
Hoshi shrugs at Eduardos.
"I don't really follow the politics side, I just jump when the high-ups say jump. Ummm, what snipers?"
He waits a couple of seconds while the rest of the Ichidou guards struggle to keep straight faces.
"There definately aren't any snipers along these routes, if there were they definately wouldn't have been put there by us, and if they had been they definately woulsn't be three man teams, one rifle, one overwatch and one with a handgun."
He winks at Eduardos
"But since there aren't any sniper teams, it dosne't really matter, does it?"
The Diplomats (at long last....)
Amatiel takes the folder with a slight bow and places it on her lap, the black folder contrasting sharply with the white and gold of her costume. As Perial pulls out the device her eyes open wide.
"I don't think there's anything I haven't already said."
She looks a little downcast as she says this.
"Am....Sar'iel wants nothing more than for the relations between our countries to continue to grow in strength, I don't know what the council wants."
She looks over the two diplomats, appearing to pay special attention to the positioning of the gold braid.
"I do not believe your uniforms should cause any problem. The pattern of the gold embroidery and the shape of the robe is almost as important as the colour. Your uniforms will suggest that you are very important people who should be greatly respected, and possibly that you have great favour from your ruler and can speak as one whose words will be headed by him. Since you are all these things I do not see a problem."
She smiles at the two them, then composes her features.
"I think you should hide your... toy now. We are almost at the palace."
The limo and jeeps begin the final approach to the steps of the palace. Floodlights scan accross the walls of the palace, producing the same pearlised wash of colour as the sun would if it were shining brightly through the clouds. A long red carpet has been placed running up the steps, through a columnade of several large and highly decorative columns into the palace. Flanking the carpet are more of the soldiers in the white with blue and gold uniforms. These are armed with beautiful, ornate swords, and wearing plumed helmets. As the limo approaches the steps the two jeeps pull off down a side road heading towards a small side entrance near the back.
The limo pulls up, and a soldier without a sword opens it and bows. As he does so the rest of the soldiers all salute with their swords.
The arrival at the palace
Perial replaces the white noise generator in her briefcase, and both she and Aldanez straighten their uniforms as the limo arrives at the impressive reception line. When the vehicle pulls to a halt, the pair of DomLBeF diplomats step out and onto the red carpet. On recieving the salute, they draw their own dress swords, bring them to the salute, then resheathe them.
They wait for Amatiel, and then taking their lead from her, move up the steps into the palace itself.
Aldanez speaks to Perial in low tones (Amatiel can certainly hear, though), "Alright, what now, Julia?"
Perial replies "Well, I believe that there'll be a ceremony at the top of the carpet, sir. Probably a reception line at the very least. Then, I'm not sure. Might be a ballroom reception, might be an upper-ranks-only meeting."
"Very well, I'll play it by ear", replies Aldanez.
They continue up the steps into the palace.
the diplomats
The carpet leads the group up into a large reception hall, with a wide double staircase leading down from an upper balcony. Small children line the banisters of the upper floors, and as the group enters break out into an intricate song in a language unknown to the visiting dignitaries. A group of about ten people is standing at the head of the stairs, obviously waiting for the diplomats.
The hall is full of people, all dressed in what can only be described as finery. They are stood in small groups and clusters, and all turn as the group enters the hall to look. A clear path has been left through this throng to the stairs, and the crowd pulls back a little, making it more obvious.
The mail group consists of a woman in a heavily gold embroidered white silk robe, with a golden mask of a woman’s face covering her own standing at the centre of the group. To her left is an older woman also in a white robe, with a golden flame and sash, carrying a pale wood staff topped with a golden flame. Arrayed behind them are eight others, all dressed in finery which outshines that of those on the floor below and wearing golden sashes about their waists. This group is three men and five women of greatly varying ages. The youngest a man of about twenty five, the eldest a woman of possibly seventy years.
the security detail
The jeeps stop at a side gate and the soldiers all scramble out. Hoshi pulls a card from a pocket in his jacket and swipes it through a card reader by the door. There is a moments pause and then the door slides open. The soldiers all pile through in a hurry and Hoshi gestures for the DomLBeF troops to follow. Inside is a short hallway, with a secure door on the right now swinging open. Hoshi waves at it.
“Guardroom, all camera controls are in there if you want to leave a couple of guys.”
The rest all set off along the corridor at a quick jog, and after a moment Hoshi follows them. They all place their ceremonial arms in a rack about 10 metres down the corridor and draw small handguns while continuing their fast pace.
Hoshi pauses at the racks for the rest of the DomLBeF troops to catch up.
The Diplomats
Aldanez and Perial stride forward proudly into the reception hall, heads held high, left hands on sword hilts, right hands at their sides, doing their utmost to represent their great nation. The lights of the hall shine on their own white-and-gold uniforms, the gold braid outlining their limbs and torsos in lines of yellow fire.
They walk on through the path between the groups of richly-dressed dignitaries towards the double stairway, taking their lead from Amatiel as to whether they should be stopping at the foot of the stairs or climbing them.
Consul-Colonel Aldanez, with his years of diplomatic experience, lets his eyes flit around the reception hall, looking at the groups and clusters of people, looking for authority figures and the intricate dance of diplomatic relations between groups.
The Security Detail
The DomLBeF security team moves into the palace through the side door. Consul-Sergeant Eduardos nods at the guardroom door to his Consul-Corporal who peels off into the camera room to take his station there.
The remaining three security officers head at a fast walk down the corridor after Hoshi, catching him up after a few moments. Eduardos takes a moment to examine the handgun used by the Ichidou security detail as Hoshi holsters it away. "Okay, now where?" he says.