NationStates Jolt Archive

Palermo, Sicily

Vice Admiral Hugh Douglas, Supreme Commander Meditteranian Theatre of Operations sat in his office in the Government building in Palermo. Soon, he would exit the office for the last time.

After the latest diplomatic negotiations with the new government in Lightning Star, Cotland had agreed to hand over the western part of Sicily to Lightning Star in exchange for 5 military bases in Lightning Star, embassy and consulate rights and the golden whoope: 500 billion dollars. It seemed that selling territory to the Lightning Starian was becoming big business for Cotland.

At least he would be allowed to retain the Palermo Naval Base, the home of the Cottish 3rd, 10th, 11th, 15th and 30th Fleet.

The new capitol of Sicily would be Syracuse on the east coast. Already, most of the Government officials had been moved there, and all civilians who wanted was being moved to the western part of Sicily. It was mainly citizens of Carthagian decent that moved, while persons of Cottish decent on the western side who wished to remain under Cottish rule were being transported to the eastern side for resetlement.


Independence Plaza, Palermo

The civilian administation of Sicily, led by governor Terry MacArthur, stood alongside the military commanders of the military delegation stationed in Sicily, led by Vice Admiral Douglas. Opposite them were the Lightning Starian delegation. Soon, the Cottish flag that flew over the government building would be lowered and replaced with a Lightning Starian one. It was time for the hand-over.

As Prime Minister Hargin walked up to the podium, tears were visible in his eyes.

"People of Cotland and Carthage we hope that this day will fortify the relationships between our peoples. During the Empire, we tried to capture this land by force, with horrible results. Even now the signs of war are all over this land. But now, seeing how we are a free and democratic people, we have achieved this without having to sacrifice so many lives.

It has been my dream, ever since I was a lad, to restore the glory of the Carthaginian Empire. At one point I thought that war would do it, so I participated in horrendous attacks against the people I thought were enemies. But then I saw that war will prove nothing in this day and age. Now, where all my predescessors have failed, I have succeded. Not with arms, not with violence, but with trust...and a little money.

Governor MacArthur listened to the Carthagian Prime Ministers speech, and when he finished, MacArthur walked to the podium.

"We have fought for this land. We have bled for this land. And now, we hand the land over to you, our friends. Once, we were bitter enemies. Now, I am proud to sit next to you in friendship. It is my sincere hope that the Cottish and Carthagian peoples can resume the friendship that existed between us soon.

I are also glad that you have decided to grant all Cottish citizens access to the military graveyards outside Marsala, where so many young Cottish soldiers lie buried. That decition is an example of the trust that exist between Cotland and Carthage. The first of many, I hope.

Prime Minister, I hereby hand over to you the ownership of Western Sicily. May you take care of it and may God be with you."

A Cottish Navy trumpetist arose and started to play the bulge call while the Cottish flag was lowered. Right after that, the Cottish national anthem was sounded, followed closely by the Carthagian national anthem while the Carthagian flag flew up the flagpole.

Carthage had just come one step closer to restoring the Carthagian Empire.

Governor MacArthur listened to the Carthagian Prime Ministers speech, and when he finished, MacArthur walked to the podium.

"We have fought for this land. We have bled for this land. And now, we hand the land over to you, our friends. Once, we were bitter enemies. Now, I am proud to sit next to you in friendship. It is my sincere hope that the Cottish and Carthagian peoples can resume the friendship that existed between us soon.

I are also glad that you have decided to grant all Cottish citizens access to the military graveyards outside Marsala, where so many young Cottish soldiers lie buried. That decition is an example of the trust that exist between Cotland and Carthage. The first of many, I hope.

Prime Minister, I hereby hand over to you the ownership of Western Sicily. May you take care of it and may God be with you."

A Cottish Navy trumpetist arose and started to play the bulge call while the Cottish flag was lowered. Right after that, the Cottish national anthem was sounded, followed closely by the Carthagian national anthem while the Carthagian flag flew up the flagpole.

Carthage had just come one step closer to restoring the Carthagian Empire.

OOC: It seems as if I'm going to go into a cold-war scenario with TIOR though. He's trying to claim all the land I am trying to buy. O_o