NationStates Jolt Archive

((Ooc: At the risk of screwing up.... my first post :) . Everyone is welcome; I'm not fussy about numbers or bodyguards or anything, just make stuff up. Please tell me if I'm doing something wrong, I'm still a little confused by all this...))

Self-named Empress and revolutionary Hadriana Botulis pushed back the velvet curtain of her room and looked out onto the palace courtyard below. Already, row upon row of uniformed teenagers were assembling on the pavement, in practice for the elaborate displays and celebrations of the day ahead. Dressed and capped into anonymity, they looked identical save for a height difference here and there, but that was excusable.

Somewhere in the tower above Hadriana a gong sounded; on cue, the rows of young men and women straightened into position, all movement in the courtyard having stopped except for the few flower-arrangers still scattered around the edge. Pleased, Hades smiled, and let the curtain fall.

Of all her achievements, the reformation of the Imperial Army was probably her most prized. Though her mother, the late and Honoured Jocasta Botulis, had been responsible for making this once-sputtering nation into the prosperous country that it was, its military strength was virtually all Hades' doing.

Recruiting every able-bodied man and woman at the age of fourteen - the Imperial family and servants excepted- had been an ingenious idea, as Hadriana's advisors never ceased to tell her. Her small nation of just over six million had a disproportionately strong line of defence, and the rigoruous training the troops were given had the bonus effect of weeding out the weaker citizens as well.

In but a few years' time, theirs would be the greatest nation ever known. Empress Hadriana, so clever! So wise! A portrait of her, red-haired and sharp-featured, hung in every house, wreathed in exotic flowers. Children sung her praises in school every morning. The people loved her, or if they did not, they pretended to out of fear.

As long as they did not question her actions, she did not care.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the gentle chime of a bell at her doorway; knowing the guards would have stopped any would-be assailants by this point, Hades bid her guest enter. A young, blushing girl of no more than fifteen or sixteen stepped tentatively in, then prostrated herself on the ground instantly.

"Advisor Creon wishes to gently remind her Majesty that the first of the foreign delegations will be arriving soon," she said, without looking up. Hades watched her, a smile playing at her lips. She really was very pretty indeed...

"Thank you, young madam. Tell Advisor Creon I shall be down momentarily, and have the nanny sent up here to look after my son- he is asleep in the other room." Hades pulled on her robe, then checked her earrings in the mirror one last time before turning to leave. "Oh yes- and make sure that next time my Advisors send a message, they ask you again. You may leave now."

The girl backed out of the room, and scurried down the corridor. Hadriana followed shortly after her, scaling the short distance between herself and her bodyguards.

She did not want to keep her guests waiting, after all.

OoC: Very good for a first post!

*stamps with Dumpsterdam's stamp of approval*

IC:

Major Wolf put on his black officers cap, the double headed silver eagle on front of it shone like never before and blended in with his light blue HERO body armour and the black trench coat that he wore.
"Hell and disaster that I must be here today." He grumbled under his breath, glancing at his two aides from the Foreign Ministry, the four Royal Marines and his military attache from Rheinlandistan.

The marines stood dead silent, obviously scanning the hall from behind the visors. Their hands clasped around the triggers of their assault rifles in accordance with their standing orders of the major to protect the delegation.
Meanwhile Wolf leaned back and forth on his heels, he couldn't stand waiting...

OOC: Good post. TAG.

OOC: I will second Dump here. Well done.

IC:

Cicero Romani stood in the waiting area eyeing the Dumpsterdamian delegate on occasion his accompanying Knights of Saint Peter darted and received glances from the Dumpsterdamian marines. The two nations may be allies but there was still distrust there within the ranks particullarily of the Knights of Saint Peter, whose genocidal actions had earned them quite the feared reputation that many of the powers of the globe's police services had earned.

Romani was in a foul temper, how dare some self-appointed Empress dare to keep a representative of the true Church and the Emperor of the Guilds waiting.

The female slave, who served as Romani's Secretary and part-time concubine was trembling, her Master had beaten her senseless this morning after having her body. Simply because she hadn't prepared his food exactly to his liking. She shrank anyway from the Knights of Saint Peter... slaves knew that you landed up in the Arena or even the Emperor's Personal 'Entertainment' Gatherings in which dozens of slaves often died for the amusement of the Imperial Court, if you annoyed them...

((Thank you! *^_^* Sorry it took me so long to reply- if anyone's still here, I'm back now! I didn't realise boards on here moved so quickly. Not that that's a bad thing :P ))

Mere minutes had passed before the great wooden doors to the antechamber were pulled open. Instantly, the two uniformed girls by the door fell to the ground and prostrated themselves as Hades and her twelve-woman, one-man entourage of bodyguards stepped through. For reasons that the average Sthyxian would probably be executed for discussing, the palace guards were almost invariably young and female, although, on closer inspection, it became evident that the person in charge of security (and the only one not brandishing an AK-47) was actually an effeminate man with long hair and a scarred face. He stood beside Hades, silently, sizing up quickly every possible assailant in the room.

The Empress bowed gracefully, then straightened again and extended her hands in a gesture of welcome. "Gentlemen," she said, feeling her entourage bristle slightly at the sight of the Dumpsterdamian guards and their assault rifles. She let her gaze drift swiftly over both them and their Guild counterparts, diplomatically ignoring the female slave for now, then directed her gaze back to the two men who mattered most.

"I am sorry to have kept you waiting," she said smoothly. "If I may direct you through to the hall; breakfast will be served to your specifications."

OOC: It's quite alright, it's sort of variable you get some RP's where 12 pages spring up overnight and others that take days to get off the ground.

But really well done, I am liking the quirkiness of your nation :)

IC: Romani appraised the Empress and her guards with a cursory eye, he glanced back at the Knights of Saint Peter, he received a hardly perceptable nod from the leader of the group indicating they were confident he would be fine even if this was a trick. Romani patted his silk clothes making sure the pistol was still there, it had been loaded with Agent Injection ammuniton as was the case with all Guild envoys and their guards.

Romani stepped forward and bowed low to the Empress in the most diplomatic fashion, his guards would of course have normally been way too proud for such actions but they had been ordered to be as non-combative as possible. The guards heavy black jackboots clicked as they kneeled to the Empress, of course there was no actual feeling in it, they all regarded this girl as nothing more than an upstart... arrogance was intergal to the Knight of Saint Peter's Espirit D'Corps.

The female slave simply prostrated herself on the ground trying ever to be lower than her Master and the Knights of Saint Peter.

Coming up from the bow Romani smiled at the Empress and said;

That would be wonderful, Empress. As your cooks have no doubt been informed me and my companions will be having your local breakfast fare in the spirit of learning about yourself and your people.

Wolf didn't have time to pay attention to the Guilders, certainly not with the Rheinlander attaché in the group.
He simply walked forward and took a deep bow, followed by the rest of his party, the aides lifting their blue dresses slightly and the marines knelt.
We would be honoured to, Empress. I am sure that..

Wolf glanced at the Guilders. Your cooks are very compitent in their trade.

"I am confident you will not be disappointed. Our kitchen staff are among the world's most skilled."

The empress smiled back at the two, those pale-blue eyes glinting with pride. Though unusually pale-skinned for the region she lived in, Hades was not unpleasant to look at; not beautiful by any means, but there was a softness in her face that could be taken by many to signify benevolence. She certainly did not look like the type of woman who had no qualms about lying to her own people, stabbing close friends in the back or having rebel insurgents skinned, gutted and fed to their families. Appearances could be deceiving. It was why she got away with so much.

Another gong was sounded, this time in the hall behind them. As per custom, the banquet had already been laid out on three tables, the centremost reserved for Hades, the delegates and their most exclusive bodyguards, the other two put aside for the rest of their respective envoys. Rich red and gold cloths adorned the furniture; exotic flowers had been wound between the delicate plates and fine cutlery, as well as around the obligatory portraits of Sthyxia's Great And Wise Leader that hung one to each of the four walls. It was an exquisite sight, albeit a little lurid. The tiny stuffed sparrows on a bed of rice, fruit and raw fish that constituted the first course were a little bit of an extravagant estimate of what the locals really ate for breakfast. Although, if you thought about it a lot, you could probably find a way of likening it to boiled rice and mouldy grain.

Evidently, somebody wanted to make a good impression.

The outermost wall of the room was lined with servants standing absolutely still and to attention; all were unsurprisingly young, beautiful and female. With no trays or plates to hinder their movements they prostrated themselves to the ground as Hadriana led her guests in and, with a slight gesture of her hand, commanded the musicians to start playing.

OOC: A Great opening post, well written

Having just arrived, Ambassador Harding was stunned, quite frankly, by the beauty of the whole building. The decorations were so...lavish and wonderful, quite unlike the rather drab surroundings that The Republic's Embassies usually had. He made a mental note to ask the President wether their style could be changed for something more on a par for this.

Flanked discreetly by his four bodyguards, as discreetly as four tall and imposing men can ever be, Harding was escorted into another, even larger chamber that seemed to be a dining hall. Stunned yet again by the number of people in the room and the astonishingly beautiful servants that were moving quietly around the room, Harding took the offered seat and sat down, waiting in quiet awe to see what would happen next.

Romani sat down in customarily arrogant fashion, he flicked aside a lose strand of golden flax-like hair. His guards stood behind him at ease, their black uniforms and peaked caps making them stand out in marked contrast to the white clothed Romani, whom appear to have a savage glint in his eye.

The guards themselves stood there, their collar patches indicating their respective rank in the Guild Imperial Order, all three had decorations on their uniforms displaying the fact they had served in the defence of the Guilds during the Union war well.

Romani eyed the new arrivals suspiciously before returning his penetrating gaze towards the Empress, who seemed ready to speak.

((Just a forewarning: this post contains reference to drugs. Sorry if this offends anyone. I don't mean to either glorify or condemn smoking O: I just thought it would be interesting since several oriental cultures used to do it.))

By this time, Hadriana and her two main aides were sitting down, Hades placing herself in the most luxurious chair at the table with her two main aides at either side. The Empress did not speak immediately, however; instead, she reached into one silken pocket and pulled out a gold-edged tin, doling out one cigarette each to the three of them and then placing the rest in the centre of the table. The guard on her right, a slim young woman with short black hair and sleekly hooded eyes, took out a lighter and duly lit Hades' cigarette for her. Almost instantly the sweet strong smell of opium billowed and filled the air, although while the young woman and the man with the scarred face kept puffing away happily Hades was careful to extinguish her smoke after two or three sort draws.

"Ambassador Harding," she said, smiling nodding her head towards him as she stubbed out the joint. "It is pleasing to see you here. I hope the servants had no trouble showing you in- gentlemen, please start, do not wait for me. Sir Romani, is something troubling you? If there is something you find displeasing I will do my best to try and remedy it."

The man with the scarred face twirled his cigarette between finger and thumb and looked over at Cicero, his gaze lingering on the man just a little too long and a little too deep for comfort.

OOC: Mind if I pop in? This looks like a excellent thread. If so here ya go.

IC: N'ala R'hab, the Ruler of The True Way of Alan, stalked into the room. R'hab was a tall man by any standard, blond haired, and with piercing light purple eyes...due to an unfortunate genetic error. His two bodyguards followed, their eyes darting around the room sizeing up all the other ambassadors bodyguards. R'hab immediately went to the Empress and bowed low and said in a baritone voice: -Empress, it is an honor to meet you and to be in your beautiful nation. I apologize for my tardiness. Our plane meet with some mechanical trouble. I hope that we can have a prosperous relationship. May Alan keep you. With that he walked over to his seat and look at his food, barely hiding his look of disgust.

IC:

Romani's lipped curled at the entrance of the ruler of the True Way of the Alan, he felt like spitting at the pathetic excuse for a ruler of a nation of heretics and pagans, he refrained only because of the presence of the Empress. His curled lip turned to a wicked smile, such heretical nations would surely feel the wrath of the Guilds Armies in time when they came to cleanse the heresies inherent in the World.

He craned his head back to a Senior Knight of Saint Peter, and whispered words in his ear, the Knight gave a knowing grin and touched a small electronic device in his ear speaking into it in a low tone of voice as to not to upset proceedings.

Translated from an old Latin dialect

Ambassador Romani wishes to make an offical request to the Knights Templar to look into the True Way of the Alan with the possibility of purification.

After the pathetic excuse for a ruler had gone to his seat, Romani replied to the Empress.

Nothing is wrong Empress, only one feels that there are many spiritually unpure in this room in respect of you and your position, we will not act to purify them.

Romani hated the drugs and this damned pretender but his Emperor and his Church had ordered it so he had to obey.

He decided it was probably best to make a pretense of eating something and made the female slave girl take a bite out of everything first before he deigned to eat it himself.

Harding coughed into his sleeve as the pungent smell of Opium drifted through the room, and looked around as he waited for his soup to be refilled. He was surprised to see how many powerful nations were represented in the room, especially The Merchant Guilds.
As the servant refilled the soup bowl by him, Harding frowned at the instructions the President himself had given to him before he had left the country.

'Make contact with this nation and see wether they would be acceptable as an allied country. If a representative from The Merchant Guilds appears, try and make contact with them. They seem to be a powerful country, and we need allies.'

Harding frowned. How was he supposed to make contact and discuss a possible alliance when the representative seemed extremely intimidating and flanked by several lethal-looking guards?

Wolf poked his food, what the hell where they giving him? He groaned, this reminded him of his time as POW where the guards fed him live sparrows, just for the fun of it, forcefully he concentrated on his food and shoved the plate out infront of him.
"If you'll excuse me..." Wolf said, rising from his seat and walking away to the bathrooms, barely holding in his breakfast as one of the Royal Marines followed him.

The marine standing near to Hadriana, his shoulderpads indicated he was a luitenant and had been in more then twenty-four incidents world-wide as shown by the 24 silver bades with name and date, removed his helmet to reveal a man with a huge scar over his nose.
"Emperess Hadriana, although you could not have know this, but Major Wolf has had rather bad experiences with eating birds. Or should I say, being forced to eat live sparrows and he still hasn't fully recovered."

He motioned for the bathroom door. "Major Wolf is probably beating himself senseless now, the old officers corp weren't allowed to show weaknesses, but I apolagise for this inconvenience."

OoC: This actualy happend and I think you'd be a little sick if you had the same experience.

Harding frowned in silent sympathy for the officer who had just run out of the room after eating the sparrows...Harding himself was barely keeping down whatever was in this soup.

OOC: Ouch Merchant Guilds. What i'd ever to to you?

IC: R'hab seated himself and quietly looked around the room. He instantly recognized Romani from the Merchant Guilds. he knew well of their policy of "cleansing" nations that they considered impure. A feeling of pure and utter loathing filled him as he gazed on the man. Quietly, R'hab crooked a finger at one of his guards and with his eyes locked on Romani, he said

Inform Lt. Comdr. Bahr that the Merchant Guilds are represented here. I'm not happy about this. I don't look forward to having to put up with the Guilders self-righteous attitude all day. They think that all other religions are wrong. Self-righteous hypocrites. Tell him that the Dumpsterdamian group is here also.

With that, N'ala R'hab took his eyes off the Guilder Ambassador, and looked at Harding, just as Wolf left the room.

R'hab reached into his pocket and removed a small cell-phone. Quietly, he dialed in a number he had memorized. The Dumpsterdamian's would pay. He hadn't even touched his food. He still needed to talk to Harding. Maybe R'hab's nation was small and weak, but they would fight to the death if the Guilders came. Besides, everyone knows that religous fantics make the best terrorists. But, The True Way of Alan would need allies. Yes, he needed to talk to Harding.

OOC: Nothing, it is merely an IC response, don't read too much into it (I like portraying my characters in the context of the nation they serve i.e. arrogant, completely pyschotic and fanatically (supposedly) Catholic). I wouldn't squash you anyway, it's not meh policy to go around bashing young nations unless they almost force me to IC it like TDU did when he insulted the Pope and the Emperor.

IC:

Romani looked bemused, he wasn't having any trouble devouring his food, sparrows may not be usual fare in the Guilds but when you've been brought to be a carnivore on the whole, you tend to be able to eat any type of meat even if it is rather 'interesting'.

These Alanish people were certainly barberous in Romani's opinion, he satisfied himself in the knowledge that in the process of the Guilds massive military commitments across the known world. 'The Crucible' would find time to send a hundred or so Legions to 'purify' the Alan and force them where possible into service into the Guild Military in the Legions of St. Luke, where all foreign personnel in the service of the Guilds fought as well as economic, religious and political subjucation when they would become a mere province of the Guilder Empire and would probably have most of it's intelligencia who would not convert to the one true faith slaughtered by the Knights of Saint Peter.

Ah... savages Romani thought perhaps perhaps I can take a few healthy slaves back for Claudia

Romani caught himself from day dreaming about his wife back in Vas Urbs and their villa near the Imperial Palace and the Senate.

He gave the Alan Delagation a cursory stare and swept his gaze onto the Skinny87 delegate another nobody nation with a lot of learn on the International stage, he would see about their worth but they seemed to be reasonably civilised and might even be open to conversion.

He swung his gaze towards the Dumpsterdamian contigent sadly depleted of it's Commander... Romani sighed quite loudly partly by accident.

Well that will keep the cleaners busy won't it

He said to nobody in particular...

OOC: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=400549 -thread for rebellion, if you want you are all welcome to join in.

IC: Back in Boagrat, the cell phone rang. The thin, black haired man picked up the phone.
What? They are there? Fine. We'll activate the cell. No. You can't be tied to us. Good bye.
The plan was in motion.

Back in Sthyxia:
R'hab's guard leaned down, and handed R'hab a notice that they had just recieved from Tru'Alan. N'ala's already pale face went as white as a sheet. He leaped up bowed to the Empress, and with one of his guards following, rushed out of the room.
The other guard moved to the Empress and leaned into her ear and whispered: Lord Priest R'hab has recieved word of urgent business in our capital city. He will return shortly. I'm truly sorry.
With that the guard glided over to Romani's seat and handed one of the guards a note.

The note said:
Honorable Ambassador of the Guilders, my name is Lt. Comdr. Bahr. I'm the Lt. Comdr. in charge of the Holy Guard, in the capital of Tru'Alan. I respectfully request your assistince. This note has been delivered by a guard loyal to me, on the pain of death if he is found out. In about 15 minutes you will discover that the Holy Guard has seized the Palace of Alan. The rebellion, led by myself, request Guilder assistence. Our aim is to overthrow the Church driven government, and force the Lord Priest and the Chuch into a role that does not involve them ruling the people. We have the people's support in this and are in need of help to hold off the Church's armies. We would welcome help, and in return will allow your government to set up an embassy and several of your Catholic Churches. Lt. Comdr. Bahr. Postscript: Please read this note out loud.

Empress, it is an honor to meet you and to be in your beautiful nation. I apologize for my tardiness. Our plane meet with some mechanical trouble. I hope that we can have a prosperous relationship. May Alan keep you.

Stoically ignoring the fact that the Alanian delegate was obviously disgusted by the food (How dare he regard our country's offerings like that! How dare- but tolerance must be exercised, if she wanted to make a good impression), Hades respectfully returned his greeting, bowing her head towards him before diverting her attention to Ambassador Romani.

"Thank you, Ambassador, for leaving your own rivalries outside the door," she said, her voice sounding slightly shrill. "Your respect for the peace at this time is greatly appreciated." The self-styled Empress pushed the tin of cigarettes deftly in his direction, gesturing for him to take one- and secretly wished she hadn't just stubbed out her own.

Her eyes flicked to Harding, then Romani and R'hab, and then- last but not least- the now-rather-peaky-looking Major Wolf. She frowned. Obviously their national delicacy was not going down as well as she'd hoped. Perhaps the after-meal entertainment would lighten the atmosphere; they were obviously not going to get anything done over breakfast. Hades would have to find other ways to extend her hospitality. They could not afford to lose any possible allies at this point in time.

She looked up at the lieutenant with the scarred face, her own face creased in vague concern as he told her about Major Wolf.

"He was fed live sparrows? I am dreadfully sorry, Lieutenant," Hadriana said, bowing her head in a token gesture of apology and idly reflecting on what a good idea it would be to make her own prisoners do the same. "I had no idea. Please forgive my carelessness- I will have something else prepared for your Major immediately, and make sure the responsible parties are punished- Who is responsible for this?"

The woman's voice raised in volume at the last few words, and all the servant girls within hearing range fell silent. Not more than a few seconds had passed before a middle-aged woman with decidedly too much makeup on was jostled to the Empress' side.

Smiling a little too widely to be genuine, the woman prostrated herself on the ground beside the Empress' chair, then knelt up and inquired politely as to what Her Majesty wanted.

Her Majesty reached behind her bodyguard's chair, picked up her AK-47, pointed it at the servant, and blew her to little pieces.

Rapid gunfire rung out through the hall. Bloodstains reaching a good four or five yards back appeared suddenly on the carpet; a piece of brain matter rolled underneath the table. What remained of the servant's body hung suspended in the air for a second, then fell back.

"You- yes, you, girl." Hades addressed the nearest living serving girl, who had since gone a rather funny colour. "The absent Major Wolf is displeased with his meal. Bring him another. No dead sparrows, and make it quick, please." Calmly, Hadriana replaced the gun, and turned to her bodyguard.

"Have the parents killed," she said casually, as if simply ordering another meal. "Sell any children, do what you like with the siblings. That girl was a spy hired by the Czar. It is forbidden to speak of her in this palace again."

The man with the scarred face nodded grimly. Hades picked up the teapot and smiled sweetly round at her guests.

"More tea, anyone?"

Harding's spoon stopped between the bowl and his mouth as the servant girl was shot in cold-blood by the Empress. Harding just started, shocked by what he had just seen. His bodyguards moved instinctively to block Harding from the source of the gunfire, but Harding managed to raise his hand and beckon them back to their seats.
As the servant's body dropped to the floor, Harding desperately fought the urge to throw up his food. This was something he had never ever experienced before, and he had been to several very rough and fearful places. However, this level of brutality was new to him. He quickly stared back down at his soup, knowing that he should not draw attention; the Republic needed its allies, no matter what.

N'ala R'hab quietly returned to the room, his normally pale face peaked.
Empress, I am sorry to inform you that I am no longer a viable delegate to your nation. My government has been overthrown and I am now a wanted criminal. Apparently some nonsense about a massacre at an airport, or somesuch. (Thread: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=400549, please visit you are all welcome.) I believe Lt. Comdr. Bahr will arrive shortly to speak with you. Oh, and Guilder? Burn in hell. With that R'hab obscenely gestured towards the Guilder, and left with his two bodyguards.

IC:

Romani looked down at the note he had just received and smiled. He handed it back to the Senior Knight of Saint Peter, who also knew what is said. Romani spoke;

(Translated)

Submit a purification order, Nero. The Crucible will want to sent a few Legions I think, we can probably experiment with a few of the new weapons on these barberous scum. Let them feel God's Wrath.

Nero grinned at same grin revealing his sadistic pleasure side, which had been drilled into him by the Imperial Adoption Agency and the Imperial Youth.

He touched his ear again and spoke the content of the note in a low voice.

Whilst Nero was doing this Romani responded the Empresses offer with a polite negative trying not to sound too offended, which he was deeply...

How dare this Heretical bitch offer me a piece of Satan's work on this world

Romani thought...

He looked at the corpse of the girl, he sighed... a waste of the girls looks and abilities. The fact that the Knights of Saint Peter or Romani hadn't even flinched was evident to everyone in the room... either they were used to this sort of thing or they had some kind of edge in combat that was not at first obvious, in fact it was both but no one present apart from the Dumpsterdamians could have known that.

He spoke his thoughts on the matter out loud to the room.

What a waste, Empress if you don't mind me saying. You could have just sold her to us, I am sure my wife would appreciate another concubine doubling as a servant for her and myself. Perhaps if you feel the urge to kill any more of your population you would consider selling them to us first, after all we require around 3-4 million slaves per year currently. I am sure the Greater Britainia Corporation would happily trade currency or goods with yourselves for any prisoners you feel able to sell to us.

As the Alanish leader left Romani laughed at his comment, even his guards smiled, how foolish of that man to call a True servant of God that he was going to Hell.

After Nero had finished relaying instructions/ideas and the content of the note through the Link system to the Knights Templar and the Operators at 'The Crucible'. He stood up and read the note outloud...

After he had finished, Romani continued:

We intend to aid the Alanish rebellion with Legion support, we trust no one here will act against any Guild Interests in that matter. We declare the True Way of Alan under our 'Protection'.

He stared at the Dumpsterdamian Delegation particullarily and awaited their response.

Harding frowned at such a terse and troubling statement. Although the Republic had no ties with The True Way of Alan, the aggressive stance of The Merchant Guild Representative posed a problem; although he had been given strict instructions to gain the support of The Merchant Guilds and Sthyxia at this conference, Harding did not like what he saw of either of the countries in question.

Wolf returned from the bathroom with a pale look on his face, he had obviously cleaned himself up a bit judging from the fact that his officers cap was hanging from his belt.

He retook his seat, his plate had already been removed and replaced with a jug of water to clear up his stomach, he poured himself a glass and then took a sip. He didn't need hear an apolagy nor did he require an explanation and he made that clear when he coldly moved onto the subject of the slave.

"Waste of good human resources if you ask me..."

Hades put the teapot down again, nodding discreetly in the direction of where R'hab had gone. Make sure he leaves the country, was the instruction, and the young woman beside her bowed her head before getting up to leave. Excusing herself, she picked up her gun and walked out.

The Empress remained seated. She coughed diplomatically and picked up another cigarette to calm her readily-fraying nerves. Not only had several people stormed out of the room already, but the delegates were taking this opportunity to sort out their own disputes! How rude!

"Ambassador Romani; Major wolf. If the girl was still useful to me, I would not have killed her. Furthermore, the people here are servants- not slaves. However, if you would still like me to dispatch some of our concubines to your home in return for some kind of political alliance or favour, I would be willing to discuss it. The exchange would be of their own free will, of course," she added, omitting the part about drugging them into sweet oblivion to make them consent.

She glanced momentarily at Harding, and a smile twitched at her lips. Then she diverted her attention back to Major Wolf.

"Major, if you need to rest at any point, feel free. I can have quarters in the palace prepared for you, and I will not be offended if you leave."

Romani grinned...

No objections then, excellent.

We mean no offence Empress, but gunning down private citizens in your employ isn't actually conducive to service is it?

We only remove those private citizens whom are deemed a threat to the stability of the Church and the Emperor.

Romani said and waved in the direction of Nero and his kin, continueing in that sharp voice.

The Knights of Saint Peter with their Brothers and Sisters of the Inquisition perform this role, we suggust you refine your methods. Personally, we enslave, hang, draw and quarter or give them the wonderful opportunity for their own redemption in the Ave Maria Legions.

Anyway, Empress what did you want to discuss with us after all we were summoned here for some reason?

Leaning over to let the man with the scarred face light her cigarette, Hades glanced over at Romani, then at the Knights.

"Ambassador. I remove those who are a threat to authority, as do you. The woman was not undeserving of her fate. And believe me, my own guards are not short of means to punish people," she added, remembering her days back in the revolution when she and her mother were rounding up the last of the Czar's family. They had not killed them immediately. Twelve-year-old Hadriana had learnt much of torture and control, then, and she never lost pleasure in exercising it.

"Although, of course, I am always open to suggestions," she added, giving a sweet smile as she extinguished the cigarette- as always, she only allowed herself one drag so as not to become addicted. That was the concubines' job.

"As for what I summoned you all here to discuss- well, after years of finally rebuilding our glorious nation, I now believe Sthyxia is ready to open its borders and extend greetings to its allies. I therefore summoned you here to discuss a possible alliance. Sthyxia has a great deal to offer you; I am sure that you have a great deal to offer us in return. As one of our great philosophers once said, together we are greater than the sum of our parts."

She smiled. A nervous-looking servant girl neared the table and whispered something in the Empress' ear. Hades looked at her.

"I cannot leave at this point. Have him brought down. Gentlemen- my most profound apologies, but would you mind if my son were to join us here?"

The major shook his head. "I am quite alright Empress, I shall attend to the end. And to get there I shall state the demands as laid out by our divine Emperor." Wolf clasped his hands together. "Twelve concubines, handpicked by me and you have your alliance set in stone."

At that point the luitenant standing next to Wolf put his hand to his earpiece. Yes, at once milord. He replied to no-one in particular.
A comm channel popped open in Wolf's ear, the voice on the other side was that of Imperial Councillor Lane. Major Wolf, I will keep this short and swift; eliminate the Alan representative at all costs.
The comm link clicked and died, it lasted no fewer then a second.

Wolf continued. "As I said, a dozen concubines and you have your alliance."

Hades smiled. Twelve? Was that all? This would be easier than she'd thought. It would mean losing servants, of course, since technically the practice of keeping them had been outlawed (by Hades) during the revolution, but she doubted there would be anybody she could not replace. Save for Nuala, but she was a soldier to all outward appearances.

"It would be my pleasure," she cooed, tracing the edge of the table with one freakishly pale finger. "I shall arrange a viewing this evening, Major. Tell me, any particular features you are looking for? Men? Women?" Her eyes glinted. "Any particular age?"

The man with the scarred face smirked.

Wolf smirked, he knew he was playing this way to easy, but what could this nation possibly do that could harm the Empire. "Yes, twelve, all women and around the age of 16-20."

As he talked Wolf reconnected his comms with his escort in their Rhino APC's outside the palace. Find me the Alan representative! Kill him, drag his corpse back to the palace and hang it from the highest tower!
The marines began piling out of their APC's, forming into sections they began sweeping the area for their objective.

"As you can see miss Hades, we are not the worst kind of people and we make alliances easy. Even noting that your nation, in its current power-position could do extremely little to harm our grand Empire."

IC:

Romani smiled and sat back, he sat there listening to the Major's and Empresses conversation. When they had finished their banter over a mere dozen concubines, which Romani in typical Guild fashion thought was ridiculous price wise for a relationship with a nation like Dumpsterdam. Weaker they were granted from their war with The Silver Turtle but surely weren't THAT weak. Hell, that bitch Tanya Rift had managed to annoy the Emperor supremely and had forced the Knights of Saint Peter into a stand off with the Dumpsterdamian Quarter in Vas Urbs...

He started with his question to the Empress;


We have no problem with the young man joining us.

The question is my dear, Empress; What do you and your nation have to offer the Guilds and the Guilder Corporations?

What would you want in return for our alliance, military support?

OOC: Check out the Factbook link in meh sig for the sort of things I import.

((Tku. Unfortunately I haven't got around to making my own factbook yet (partly because I can't work out how to do it) but Sthyxia's main interests lie with the means to build chemical and nuclear weapons, base metals and medical technology. ))

Hades rolled the extinguished cigarette round between her fingers. "Glorious as our country may be," apart from the millions of starving people, the insanely strict laws and the fact that Hadriana was no better a leader than the ones they had just assasinated, "You are right, Major Wolf, it is still small and relatively weak. Ambassador Romani, perhaps an offer of assistance against potential invaders would not go amiss- in return, large portions of the Sthyxian army would be at your disposal should you become involved in a conflict yourself.

"Additionally, our textile and silks industry is one of the best in our region, and we are about to initiate a large-scale farming project which I am sure will have a considerable yield this autumn. I would be more than willing to export.

"Perhaps it might even be possible to negotiate a trade with you, Ambassador. As you may know, many of our leading scientists and engineers..." Were killed during the revolution, along with all the other academics. Um. "... left the country before my mother came to power. Sthyxia is sadly lacking in many areas of chemical technology... areas which, if I remember correctly, your nation is highly reknown for."

The Empress gave a saccharine smile. A gong sounded at the edge of the room as the young Prince was brought in; Hades paid no attention.

"Again, I cannot thank you both enough for your custom. I greatly appreciate the fact that you are considering an alliance with us. Since the upheaval of the Czar, Sthyxia has needed all the help it can get."

"Your Majesty-" A young girl's voice cut sweetly through the noise. Without even looking up, Hades extended her arms to accept the bleary-eyed child being handed to her; he looked at the table with wide brown eyes and then curled up silently against his mother's shoulder, thumb in mouth. Hadriana plucked it out. Normally, she would not have even considered paying this much attention to her son- she felt it was bad for him- but it was always wise in public to appear compassionate. And there was no better means of inciting compassion than carrying around a small child.

"I shall have the young women gathered to your specifications this afternoon," she said, looking at Major Wolf again; then, after the young servant girl had whispered into her ear for a few moments, "I would be grateful, though, if you could tell me why your soldiers were performing an unathorised sweep around the city premises."

N'ala R'hab sprinted out of the building. His mind was cool and calm, considering he had just lost him postion as leader of his church and was a wanted international criminal for war crimes. He drew his pistol from his pocket and aimed into the crowd....

"The Alan representative is a wanted criminal, I have orders from the Imperial Council to have this man terminated at all costs. It should not take too long for my troopers to find him." Wolf shrugged casualy, the man was going to die, one way or the other.
Wolf gave a nod to the Guild representative, he would understand as the Major gave a covert handsignal for "search & destroy"

"However." He continued. "Dumpsterdam can help you aquire a great deal of medical technology, where the Guilders produce the most devastating viruses in the world intent on wrecking entire nations we produce the largest quantities of the best cures known. We even produce hundreds of new medicines per day, the last always more effective then the one before."

"Really?" Hadriana's eyebrows rose a fraction, and she jiggled her two-year-old son absent-mindedly against her shoulder. Interest piqued, she decided to let the annoyance of the Dumpsterdamian soldiers drop, for now. Let them search. Nuala would make sure that nothing drastic happened.

"As long as not too many of my citizens are inconvenienced, Major, you are free to do whatever you wish under the circumstances. As for your medical technology... I would be very interested in discussing terms for an exchange."

Meanwhile, outside the palace grounds, Nuala Andronicus was hurtling towards the Lord Priest with an AK-47 in her hands. Tall, pale and obviously a foreigner judging from her black hair and hooded eyes, she stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the crowd, although one glance at her khaki uniform and any right-minded Sthyxian would have known not to interfere.

Without a thought to the shocked glances of the few people in the crowd that had actually noticed R'hab, Nuala drew her weapon, poked it firmly against the man's ribs, and hissed in his ear.

"Listen carefully. Put down the gun and come with me. I'm going to help you leave the country, but if you try anything, I will kill you."

IC:

Romani grinned at the Major, he spoke cooly:

One has to admire your forwardness, Major. A typical Dumpsterdamian and no mistake.

He turned to the Empress and said;

Yes, we would be willing to entertain such a deal our Corporations would be most willing to move in to Sthyxia and advise you and your people in such areas, where we are more competant at. We would be ameniable to allowing Sthyxian Students into our University programmes to gain knowledge of such things, we would also be willing for re-embursement to allow Sthyxian patient overflows from your hospitals to be taken to the Guilds for treatment.

As you say in return we would be looking to import your silk and textiles. The Knights Templar Intelligence Brochure as regards Sthyxia tells us that your people have a keen interest in fashion, perhaps you would be willing to export such trends to the Guild as well. We may not approve of many things of the modern world but Fashion is essential, we like our people and slaves to look good.

Would that be ameniable?

Bracing himself, Harding cleared his throat just loudly enough to be heard, and spoke clearly but quietly to the Empress.

"Firstly I wish to thank you, Empress, for allowing my nation to send a representative to this meeting. I would like to know wether your government is interested in forming some sort of, trade agreement, with my country. Having noticed that your economy deals considerably in medical supplies and the trading of base metals, would your country be wiling to trade in these items, as well as other, how shall I phrase, more exotic technology."

Having finished his speech, Harding nodded politely, took a sip of water and waited.

R'hab quietly slid the pistol into his waistband and said
"Fine. But I warn you. This nation will regret their impudence. I warn you. Dumpsterdam already regrets their mistakes."

OOC: I launched a terrorist attack against Dumpsterdam. thread http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=8320850#post8320850
come and post.

"That sounds perfectly reasonable, Ambassador," replied Hades. "And as a token of our gratitude, I am sure the palace designers would be delighted to supply you and your party with custom-made outfits this week, if you wish. I believe that, if you are satisfied with the rest, all that needs working out is the value of the goods and services to be exchanged. And I am sure my advisors and yours can work something out."

She gave another one of those smiles- mirrored and immortalised behind her in the great portrait hanging from the furthermost wall. As usual, not a trace of that ruthlessness and sadism that had made the young Empress great was visible; it was easy to see how she and her mother had gained the support of the poplace in the first place, although how she retained it was beyond most people.

The child at her shoulder squirmed uncomfortably, trying to wriggle out of her grip. "Seymour. Sh," she chided, shifting the position of her arms again, and as if on cue the boy stilled and let his eyes relax half-lidded.

"Ah, Ambassador Harding-" Pleased that the man had finally spoken up (she had been afraid, for a while, that the 'incident' with the servant girl had shocked him too much), the Empress diverted her attention to him.

"I would be more than willing to trade under those sort of terms, Ambassador, if you would tell me what specific commodities your government would accept in return."

---

Wisely, most of the people around Nuala and R'hab were going about their everyday business (hey, when someone holding a gun wants to be ignored, you bloody well ignore them). It was therefore easy for Nuala to dig the barrel just that little bit more deeply into the Lord Priest's side for effect, and then transfer the muzzle swiftly from there to the middle of his spine, grabbing at his wrist as she did so.

"This nation will regret nothing," she spat. "- Hands behind your head, where I can see them! The Empress wishes to make sure you leave Sthyxian soil whether you are dead or alive. She will neither hand you over to your captors, nor will she offer you asylum, and she most specifically does. Not. Want. You. Hiding. In. Her. Country."

The last few words were accompanied by a series of short, sharp jabs. Nuala slipped the gun from R'hab's waistband, and stuck it in her own.

"Now walk," she instructed. "Go where I lead you. Nowhere else. If you run, you will be found- either by the Imperial Council, who will kill you, or our guards, who will do something much worse."

And with that, she pushed at the gun and gestured to the side, obviously intending to lead R'hab into a nearby side street.

Harding smiled at the Empress. 'I believe that trade between our nations would be highly desirable and also highly profitable for both of our nations. My nation's primary interest lies in the trading of autmotive technology, base metals and Information Technology, and as such these would be the items that we would wish to trade with your nation. In return, we would like items like the base metals that your nation creates and any military technology that your nation may be exporting.'

Harding motioned to one of his guards who brought forward a small metal briefcase. 'In this case our leading technicians have prepared samples of the some of the items we would be willing to trade, including samples of our base metals and several Disks containing, relevant, IT information. As one further present, in the cargo aircraft that bought me here, we brought an armour-plated Humvee that is a gift to you.'

Romani smiled in that typical Guilder predatorial way, it spoke volumes about the Guilders, the Sthyxian's were doing business with the Devil himself, the Guilders maybe be utterly Catholic but they were also utterly ruthless, all shown in one enigmatic type of smile common to all Guilders, Rich or Poor.

I don't think the Knights would appreciate such a costume change, Empress. They are proud of their trim uniforms and I doubt the Emperor or 'Regicide' Rufus would be very happy about any change in protocol, while on duty.

I on the other hand will be willing to entertain this conception. I would further suggust putting a Guild Embassy in your country, where we will be able to direct our efforts in your nation in sync with our Corporations. I am sure, your nation will benefit.

What the Empress did not of course realise was the Emperor's orders concerning The True Way of the Alan, how the Alan would soon feel the heavy boots of their new Guild masters on their neck. She also didn't realise that since Sthyxia offered the Guilds something in return for their investment they would leave it alone until it suited them to make the arrangement more 'permanent'...

The airplane circled over the airport. ~This is TWA airplane J-5878 requesting permission to land. We have Lt. Comdr. Diego Bahr on hand and he wishes to speak with the Empress. Please advise. Out~

OOC: Jose and Enric are N'ala's bodyguards.

N'ala R'hab begin walking down the road. He really didn't like the feeling of a gun in his back. It was rather uncomfortable. As he walked by he saw Enric and Jose in the crowd. He made eye contact with Enric and winked and kept walking. Enric quietly moved through the crowd to get behind Nuala. Jose slowly reached into his suit coat and drew out his silenced pistol. Enric quickly grabbed Nuala's shoulders and wrenched the gun from her. Pushing her to the ground, N'ala retrieved his pistol and pointed it at her. "Now," N'ala said with a sadistic smile, "We go back to the palace. Lt. Comdr. Bahr should be arriving. I want to speak with him. Get up, you bitch." As Jose and Enric watched the crowd, they begin the walk back to the palace.

The marine luitenant leaned over and spoke the words into Wolf's ear, instead of patching it through. Wolf nearly jumped from his seat and grabbed the marine by the collar of his jacket. "Are you absolutely sure?!" He hissed at him.
The marine nodded and Wolf let go, he didn't want to draw anymore attention at this point. "Find the bastard and drag his sorry ass back to the palace." The luitenant nodded and turned his back to the table as he pulled out his TACCOM datapad to direct his troops outside.

"I am sure that with a exchange of embasies and whatever you have in return for our medical technology, we can make the deal even. We use our military might to protect those that attack our allies and ourselves and to destroy threats before they can full surface."
Wolf had to stay calm now, they terrorist attack on Dumpterdam by suicide bombers from the True Way of Alan was nagging at him and he had to find the people responsible.

Meanwhile outside the squad of marines sweeped the market as they spotted the Alan representative, his two guards and a women who did obivously not belong here. They raised their weapons and the civilians scattered in all directions. "You there, weapons down and hands where we can see them!" Five riflemen aproached the group while the rest trained their weapons on them.

Over the Skies of Sthxyia A Parridigram Transport flanked by 3 Elite Virage Fighter Jets Bearing the 8 Bladed Cross of Novacom approach flying in an eerie Synchrony towards the Airport.

"Zidia Aire Traphic Contoll zis is Novaecom Transport Virigluo Vrekesting Permiszione to lande, Ve Bare Giphts ant Diplomatique Personelle. Ze Diplomatique Attache Hugoro Sarrestus vould like to meet ze Empress at ze earliest conviniececa"

OOC : Hope the accent isn't too strong :P I'll put Subtitles in if anyone asks

N'ala quietly eyed the marines approching. "Stop! Or I'll have my men open up into the crowd. I'm sure the Empress would appreciate that you forced me to kill her subjects. And of course I will kill the girl. Stay back. I am returning to the palace"
Jose and Enric quietly watched the marines as R'hab forced the girl on through the crowd.

The marines began to back up as 4th section came up in the enemy's rear, they too raised their weapons and the entire proceeding with Dumpsterdanian Royal Marines in front and rear with the Alanians in the midst all weapons drawn shuffeld down towards the palace.
The first sergeant of the platoon contacted major Wolf, he needed orders and he needed them now. His radio clicked indicating a connection. "Major Wolf, we have the suspect but he is holding a bodyguard of the Empress hostage. Advise upon course of action."

Major Wolf leaned over to the Empress, showing her the video feed from one of the marine riflemen backing up towards the palace with his weapon trained on the group infront of him. "What do you want me to do Empress, I can't exactly let him get back to the palace nor can I shoot the girl, god knows what he'll attempt once he gets here and god save me from the diplomatic reprecusions if I have to shoot her."

N'ala R'hab quietly continued walking towards the palace.
"Connect me through to Wolf. Now." R'hab ordered a marine. "I want to say something to him."

"Wolf, if you can hear me, all I want is to come back to the palace to confront Lt. Comdr. Bahr. I won't kill anyone, except maybe him. I'll come back, leave peacefully, and let the girl go."

Smiling, Hades thanked Ambassador Harding for his kindness and promised she would view the disks at the earliest opportunity. Perhaps they and their advisors could discuss exact terms after breakfast? Then she turned to Ambassador Romani.

"An embassy sounds like a wonderful idea, Ambassador. Your people will be made welcome in our city." Unless they upset me, in which case they will all meet with a convenient accident. "And, Major wolf-"

She was interrupted by a flustered-looking female guard who had just this minute dashed into the hall. A commotion arose among the serving girls, and the child in Hades' arms started to squirm again.

"Your Excellence- outside- the Lord Priest... he has Nuala..."

"What?" With a clatter of plates, Hadriana stood up, obviously annoyed. By the time Major Wolf had shown her the video feed, she looked livid. But her response sounded surprisingly calm.

"Major Wolf, Nuala knew the risks. If she must be sacrificed, so be it. Although if she dies, I will hold R'hab personally responsible."

Nuala's claim about what the Sthyxian guards were capable of had not been an exaggeration. There were, after all, many things worse than death, and they just happened to be the sort of things Hades did to people for fun as well.

At the other end of the camera, Nuala inclined her head and spat at R'hab's back as he spoke. The one disadvantage of choosing sociopaths as part of one's personal entourage is that they were invariably self-destructive, and occasionally quite stupid.

Meanwhile- on a lighter note, for a pleasant change- the nice people at Sthyxia Air Traffic control were heartily welcoming the Novacom delegation into the concrete utopia that was Kosthyxia airport, and apologising for the delay.

The Parridigram Class Transport touches down it's Engines Folding downwards to allow the Smooth Landing the Parridigram was renowned for as the 3 Elite Virage Jet's flew round in one last circle and with hauntig efficency touched down in perfect synchrony. The Pilot excuses the delay, which would have happened anyway as the ambassador wanted the ship re-orientated to receive a transmission and then brief all onboard for something unknown..

The Hatch of the Tranport opens beneath the Protruding Forward Section and a ramp descends and Flanked by 4 Enforcer's Ambassador Hugoro Sarrestus briskly pads out into the hot Sthyxian sun as a small procession of regular Military guards march briskly out while carrying caskets containing trinkets and cages containing Phoenixe's of the Rare Gold-crest breed behind the Ambassador, who briskly continues onto the palace while the Pilots of the three Elite Virage exit their craft as the Parridigram prepares to refuel them and Snappy technicinas begin maintainence.

The Ambassador and his group bear down on the palace looking striking in their Black Uniforms while the Ambassador had Yellow Fringing on his Uniform Symbolising he served Governemtn and Novacom while the Enforcers had Yellow and red showing they served Goverment Military of Novacom and the Soldiers with red showing they served the military and Novacom. as they approach the entrance to the palace they pause for a moment ajusting to the climate far different from the Wide Forrested lands of Novacom and entered the palace.

The Ambassador enters the room and moves forward to Empress Hadriana Botulis and makes to Kiss her hand in full Novacom politeness, "Empress Hadriana Botulis, Ve Bring givts for zuch a ravishing empress zuch az yourzelf.
az vell az bearing generouz overz of treatiez and zuch az vell az a chance to vizit Novaecom and an invite touf aour upcommina diplomatique evente. I prezent A Vlock ov rarle Goldan Krested Phoenixes and vour Caskats ov Rarle Destiny Stonez a commodity only vound in ze honest lands of Novaecom, you have ze honore ov bein ze virst foreignner to reczeive zuch a givt."

As he had mentioned each item the Relevant soldiers bearing the mentioned item would March forward in terrifying military saulte doing the cross heart salute of Novacom and presenting the fantastic gifts, the Caskets of Destiny Stones glimmered expectantly while the Phoenixes sang their beautifal song enough to make a grown man cry but not the soldiers they were trained not to show emotions in such events.

With all this said and done the Ambassador bows and regally descends onto a chair and looks everyone over probingly having heard the name of LT. Comdr. Bahr as he had entered, he wasn't too sure who he was but orders were to escort him back to Novacom for an urgent meeting and for his own protection. He clicks one hand each time raising a different finger and nods, half of the soldiers nod cross heart salute and make to leave for the transport.

Wolf nodded and then turned back to his escort. "Have it done, aim for their heads and bring me the leader alive! And do not, under any circumstances shoot the girl."

Meanwhile outside the first marines where aproaching the front of the Palace and the stairs leading up to the doors. Two sections backed away behind their Rhino APC's, lowering into position as the Alanian had to pass through four APC's parked on either side of the palace gate. The five designated marksmen of the platoon opened up their scopes, two where taking aim from behind the Alanians from underneath a market stall, two here laying in wait in the palace garden taking aim from underneath the bushes at both sides of the path and the final one accompanied by the platoons only real sniper where training their weapons from the roof. All made sure that they where quiet, eventhough the many people around the palace and plaza made it quite noisy and also check so that their barrels would not be sticking out.

As the Alanians crossed into the palace garden six silenced shots rang out, two at each guard with convetional bullets and the two on the roof used specialy designed injector bullets with a extremely potent tranquilizer that would incapcitate a rhino at first touch on the representative.

OoC: The designated marksmen use a normal assault rifle with a scope(anti-glare lens) set to single shot mode. They are trained to hit targets with pin-point accuracy at ranges of 500 meters.

The sniper uses an Artic Warfare Magnum, better scope(anti-glare lens) and is trained to hit targets at 1500 meters away with pin-point accuracy.

Romani nodded to the Empress indicating he appreciation of the acceptance of the offer. He also looked back and nodded to Nero, who started relaying a message to the Guilder Diplomatic Corps about setting up an Embassy in Sthyxia.

Romani sat back and looked at the Novacomians with a mark of pure disgust on his face.

More scum, and they even dare to copy Imperial Guilder Colours. We will have to make sure their people get liquidated... the same as the Alan will be soon enough. he thought to himself, while staring coldy at the Nocacomians...

Harding listened to some of the seemingly ever-growing disturbance with the Alan delegate; he wondered if he should offer his help to the Sthyxian Empress, but after seeing the scowl on The Merchant Guilds Representative he decided not to. He didnt want to antagonise the situation and put himself at a disadvantage, and it seemed like the situation was in hand. Besides, The True Way of The Alan didnt seem like the kind of nation The Republic wanted to get involved in. Far too messy.

Still, if things did happen to escalate, he would offer the help of some of the men who escorted him to Sthyxia. Turning his thoughts to other matters, he glanced at the Nocaconian Representative who had just entered. Harding knew very little about Nocaconians, apart from their...odd accent, but he supposed they might be willing to exchange Embassies.

Nodding to himself, he composed a note to the Nocaconian Ambassador:

The Republic of Skinny87 wishes to know whether your nation would like to exchange Embassies with the Republic in order to further relations between our two nations

Lt. Comdr. Bahr quietly picked up the radio and began to speak.
"Empress, if you can hear me this is a matter of the utmost importance. It is imperative that I speak with you immedietly. I have knowledge of a tratior in you courts, and a terror attack planned against you. Please for your sake as well as your nation's sake."

The plane could only circle the airport for about an hour before they would have to head back to The True Way of Alan.

OoC: The designated marksmen use a normal assault rifle with a scope(anti-glare lens) set to single shot mode. They are trained to hit targets with pin-point accuracy at ranges of 500 meters.

The sniper uses an Artic Warfare Magnum, better scope(anti-glare lens) and is trained to hit targets at 1500 meters away with pin-point accuracy.
OOC: Crap.

IC: N'ala watched as Enric and Jose fell. He felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder and his last act was to pull the trigger on his pistol as he fell. Several of the bullets on his automatic pistol went into the crowd of Marines.
Then blackness......

Ambassador Hugoro Sarrestus smiles gently at the impact he's had, next to no-one here would know anything of Novacom except Legends. Novacom had only recently been able to dissipate a bermuda triangle like effect round their home isles an effect of course they were working on mastering so they may be able to vanish if need be once more.

Upon receiving Hardings note he taps out a reply, "The Confederacy of Novacom agrees and upon my return I shall make sure an ambassador is allocated, we are holding a diplomatic event soon to open relations with many nations as our nation until several years ago was isolated by what is best described as a bermuda triangle event, perhaps you would rather visit Novacom before finalising details?"

before he looks back up he gets a quiet video transmission from the Suprainister himself, on the pad a very tall and impressive man appears with strong wide shoulders plae green/brown hair and vivid blue eyes and a knowing smile graced his face making it look more friendly and charismatic than usual as he titlts the 8 bladed star is his hand (the Emblem from the Novacom flag is also used as a weapon and a symbol of peace and unity and as such one is presented to a Suprainister during his inarguration by the previous Suprainister) he nods slightly and begins to talk in a deep yet energetic and inspirational voice. "Ambazzador Hugoro ZahrreztuZ I ave already relayed orderz to my Enforcerz zeire wice you and a second transport has just landed. the first chance you get you are to return the 2 Alanian representative's to Novaecom. Zertane achrements muste ve disguzzed wiz zem. Vor Novaecom and ze zervice ov Deztiny" and with another tilit of the 8 bladed cross of Novacom the screen goes blank and the Ambassador Hugoro Sarrestus tilts his head deactivating the headphone earpieces.

He rotates his shoulders slightly so his body tilts slightly and wordlessly the remainder of the soldiers know to expect something and on the pad a small sentence appears in the Mysterious Novacom Caligraphs, the Ambassador knew what they meant but was greatly heartened when the next page appeared. the Ambassador looks back up with a proud air, now more than ever proud to be a Novaesian Proud to serve his people and his Government and his confidence in it's new stability grew.

The Other half of the soldeirs however had not left the palace they had gotten held up in the halls they knew something was about to happen outside that much they could see from the doorway they had retreated back and just had new orders relayed to them.

Back on the airfield one of the Parridigram Transports realised the marking of the Alanian transport the Pilot had a fairly weak accent compared to the others, " Troo Vay of Alan Transport yoo could attempt to land on top of our transport, if you have the Lt. Comdr Bahr then inform he that after his buisness is done here our leader would meet with him for a very important reason we will provide transport if nessacery but we must insist you come to Novaecom." The Pilot recalled from the Acadamy a while ago that most planes could land on the back of Parridigrams, at times they could function as airborne aircraft carriers though only for highly skilled pilots of course but then again Parridigrams were very durable.

The pistol went off and send a burst of bullets into the fourth squad's second section, two marines fell to the ground as first squad jumped on the representative. Four Medics rushed in from behind the APC's but neither marine had suffered any serious wounds thanks to their HERO bodyarmour, both where taken away for medical treatment.
The Alanian was bound and gagged, so he wouldn't be able to talk or move and put under constant guard by two sections of marines, both guards where shot through the head once more to make sure they where dead and then put into bodybags.

Meanwhile the platoon's sniper and first sergeant made their way inside with the girl in between them, they aproached major Wolf and saluted. "Sir, we've eliminated the guards and taken the representative into custody, we have two marines with minor injuries. We've managed to take them out fast enough so they couldn't hurt the girl." The first sergeant said as he nudged the girl to step forward.
Wolf nodded and complimented them both. "Excellent work, I shall talk to the men later and give them my compliments." He looked at the sniper. "How did it fare?"
The sniper grinned. "Sir, pleasure to report that the toxins and bullets we copied from the Guilders where a complete succes, sir."

Wolf grinned back. "Good, now back to your patrols."
Both saluted, turned on their heels and marched out.

Harding was composing a report home when his laptop bleeped insistently, showing that there was an important message being recieved. Frowning at this, Harding activated the voice recognition software and, after whispering his password, found the urgent email:

From: Department of Diplomacy
To: Ambassador Harding
RE: URGENT - Briggs

President has ordered Briggs to be sent to to Sthyxia immediately. Reason unknown. Arrival time unknown, but estimated within the hour. Assess reason for Briggs arrival and report back

End Message

Harding frowned even more and swore inwardly. What in gods name was Briggs being sent here for? This was hardly a military mission that would require his leadership, so his arrival was highly suspicious. Perhaps the President had cottoned onto Harding and SCORPION. He shook his head. No, there was no way that SCORPION had been found out. Brigg's arrival was merely an...inconvenience, an attempt to rattle him perhaps, test his skills.

He put on a smile and faced the Empress. 'My most sincere apologies Empress, but it appears my delegation has a late arrival. A military...atache has been sent here. He will arrive momentarily. My apologies again.'

He glanced at The Merchant Guild's Representative. The email had not been sent securely; he hoped that it had not been intercepted by anyone...

A high-pitched tone was heard throughout the palace, and the air shimmered slightly. In about three seconds, five beings materialized, beings that few had ever seen. These were the Krin'noth, semi-mythical, even legendary. They were the Xeraphian Emperor's personal emissaries, given the privilege of addressing dignitaries, royal or otherwise, in the name of the Emperor. Only two others in the Empire held this privilege, and their word was binding.

Their speech was sibilant, as if snakes could talk. " Your Highness, we come from the Emperor Alaric Tan'it of Xeraph, with a personal message for you. He wishes to come to you in person, to discuss the possibility of bringing our nations closer together. He is most anxious for you to reply as quickly as possible."

The Krin'noth stood unmoving, not even having the appearence of breathing. And the voice that spoke seemed to come from all five of them, not one in particular. " We await your answer......"

OOC: Snakes really Xeraph... :rolleyes:

IC:

Romani sat there watching the exchanges between various ambassadors of insignificant nationsm he grinned and thought;

Infidels, we shall cleanse them soon enough

Nero touched his back, and handed him a data tablet... on it was inscribed an unencoded email from the Skinny87 Govt to their representative. Romani read it and looked vaguely amused...

Nothing of consequence he thought to himself...

He pushed the tablet back into Nero's hands to deal with, just then he head the scream of engines and several snake like things appeared...

Romani sat up and even his guards took notice...

Xeraph... what were they doing here.

Then Romani visibly relaxed... as did his guards.

He need not worry, the Xeraphian's and their Infidel Emperor were a joke to any of the Catholic Creed or any whom belonged to the Right Wing Collective... They were the chosen of Satan and would be wiped out soon enough by planned Guild assaults on the Xeraphian Homeland vis-a-vie the Reverend Brothers group, well as soon as the Alan Homeland and several others nations had fallen under the Iron Shod Guild boots.

Romani then proceeded to say out loud, in a rather casual if deadly insulting manner.

So what do you scum have to say then... did your Emperor die of the pox yet? I hear you get that from having sexual intercourse with your own family, it's a warning from God you know...

Though Harding had been told that Briggs was to be arriving in Sthyixia soon, he had expected some warning of the trouble-makers arrival. It was with some consternation then that Harding saw the large main doors open and a figure stride into the hall.

The figure entered and the doors closed, and those assembled could make out details of the figure. He was about six feet tall with jet-black hair that was greying at the sides prematurely. He seemed to be in his early thirties, and as he strode confidently through the hall, he seemed to have a military bearing in the way he walked and the way he stood tall. He wore the uniform of a Republican Rifleman, brown and green splotches but the uniform was worn and had several gashes and rips in it; it was obviously not an inspection uniform but rather one he was comfortable wearing. A pair of dark brown boots completed the image, worn but serviceable, like their owners, and a small bulge at the left-hand side of his jacket denoted a concealed weapon. More obvious was the P-90 Assault Rifle strapped to the figures back that rythmically bounced as Briggs strode towards Hardings table.

Harding gaped, his mouth opening and closing rapidly. Though he had heard rumours about Briggs, he could not believe his eyes. The man had no idea of tact; he could ruin what had become a rather profitable diplomatic mission by coming here.


Briggs walked into the meeting hall and immediately began looking around the large area. He noticed the various guards lined up by the delegates, and noted in particular the TMG guards; they were known for their combat skills and he would watch them closely - still, nothing to worry about in particular. He concentrated on his task at hand and looked at the Republic Ambassador's guards. He sneered inwardly at them. Members of the Diplomatic Guard, there more for show than substance; they would not cause him any hassle when the time came.

He got to Harding's table and glared at an Aide sitting next to Harding. The Aide went pale and moved. Briggs sat down and rested as if he had been there all the time.

The 4 Enforcers flanking Ambassador Hugoro Sarrestus birstled slightly at the sight of the figure that had entered the room, now this man was a warrior experienced and an elite much like themselves.

The Ambassador looked down at his pad again and a string of Novacom Calligraphs ran across the screen again, he smirks to himself in the knowledge that even though this message is encrypted no one could ever ead Novacom Caligraphs except another Novaesian. "Hugoro Sarrestus my old friend, this is Admiral Carruloso, Novacom is doomed the Suprainister is mad. why else would he depose me? After I and my loyal forces intervene in the True Way of Alan and make things difficult for the Suprainister and then we shall finally end the Genetic Lottery Dynasty of the Suprainisters. Join me or will you show yourself the fool you once were." Hugoro's eyes flash menacingly and taps again retransmitting the message under heavy Encryption to Novacom and the Novacom Emblem flashes once over it except something is different about it a solid black shadow and the 4 segements of the Unity Cross Novacom's Emblem rearrange themselves into the shape of a skull...

A moment later another response arrives this time a small string of text and a message for the Merchant Guild's Emporer, the Ambassador without a moment of delay taps out a message and attaches the file sending it the the Merchat Guild's Representative here with the message. "In this Respectful Message you shall find a real time confernce relay from our leader to your great Emporer and the dignified pope."

((Sorry guys! I've been offline for the last couple of days. Looks like things have been getting interesting while I was away :D Attempting to catch up now, apologies if I miss anyone/thing, just TG me or something.

Speech lines in bold to make things easier :) ))

For not the first time this morning, Empress Hadriana Botulis was wishing she'd stayed in bed. Not only were Ambassadors arriving (late!) left, right and centre, but the guests who were already seated had started bickering- not to mention with her favourite bodyguard Nuala stuck slap-bang in the middle of the conflict. Actually, it didn't bother her that much that Nuala was in danger (Hades was the sort of person who'd use her two-year-old son as a human shield if she was under fire. Nice.), just that things were getting a little too complicated for her to keep track of.

"Ambassador." Ever-composed, Hades bowed her head towards the Novacom delegate and welcomed him to the table. Pleased with the gifts (yet decidedly unflattered by the Ambassador describing her as 'ravishing'), she thanked the man profusely and offered him in return the opportunity to take a tour of (the wealthiest, least diseased parts of) Sthyxia and the palace.

Then, picking up the radio, she flicked her hair back, shifted her son into one arm, and said quietly;

"Lieutenant Commander, that is difficult to believe under the circumstances, and I must stress that I will not abandon my guests unless it is an utter emergency. Tell me, who is planning this attack?"

"My most sincere apologies Empress," interjected Harding after she had finished, "but it appears my delegation has a late arrival. A military...atache has been sent here. He will arrive momentarily. My apologies again."

"You do not need to apologise, Ambassador," replied Hades, not minding the hassle for once since she'd taken quite a shine to Harding's pleasingly nonconfrontational manner. "Your friend will be quite welcome here. I shall have the guards prepare a grand welcome for him."

However, she did not like Harding quite enough to trust him yet- 'Grand welcome' was a secret code word for 'Carry guns, increase palace security and make sure he doesn't try anything'. Her other bodyguard nodded, called over one of the guards, and whispered something in his ear.

Suddenly, the sound of the transporter cut into her thoughts, and on cue Seymour began to wriggle and squall in her arms. Gritting her teeth, the Empress called over to one of her servants, who hurriedly took the young boy from her arms and hurried him out of the room, his crying audible for a good two corridors after they had left. Too exhausted to be any more than a little surprised by the Krin'noth's unusual means of entrance, she stood up and gave a polite bow.

"Your Emperor is very welcome here, as are you. Tell him he may come to me now, or see me in private later if he wishes." She smiled demurely, sweetened by the thought of that... rather interesting and definitely useful technology being within her grasp.

Stoically ignoring Romani's amusing little jab at the newcomers, she looked up as Briggs arrived. Her guards started a little at the sight of the rifle, and handled their AK-47s unsurely, but at the lack of any signal from their empress they soon settled down again.

She cleared her throat lightly as the tall man sat down.

"Welcome, sir. I take it you are the delegate that Ambassador Harding spoke of? Please, feel free to help yourself to some breakfast, and there are a tin of cigarretes in the middle of the table that you are all welcome to sample from," she offered diplomatically, only marginally annoyed that Briggs had not yet introduced himself.

The man with the scarred face sitting beside her (who will now be called "Sion" for the sake of argument) glanced at Harding, then at Briggs, then at Harding again. He raised his eyebrows a little and smirked.

Wolf toyed with a short dagger, cleaning his nails with the razor sharp blade. "Relax Romani, they, being what they are, pose no threat to us." He pointed the dagger at the snakes. "There's no need to insult the obvious on this occasion, here in Sthyxia."

He then turned to the Empress. "My men will once again take up positions outside the palace. It has become clear to me that your security forces need a boost handling the security around the palace."

OOC: Snakes really Xeraph... :rolleyes:

IC:

Romani sat there watching the exchanges between various ambassadors of insignificant nationsm he grinned and thought;

Infidels, we shall cleanse them soon enough

Nero touched his back, and handed him a data tablet... on it was inscribed an unencoded email from the Skinny87 Govt to their representative. Romani read it and looked vaguely amused...

Nothing of consequence he thought to himself...

He pushed the tablet back into Nero's hands to deal with, just then he head the scream of engines and several snake like things appeared...

Romani sat up and even his guards took notice...

Xeraph... what were they doing here.

Then Romani visibly relaxed... as did his guards.

He need not worry, the Xeraphian's and their Infidel Emperor were a joke to any of the Catholic Creed or any whom belonged to the Right Wing Collective... They were the chosen of Satan and would be wiped out soon enough by planned Guild assaults on the Xeraphian Homeland vis-a-vie the Reverend Brothers group, well as soon as the Alan Homeland and several others nations had fallen under the Iron Shod Guild boots.

Romani then proceeded to say out loud, in a rather casual if deadly insulting manner.

So what do you scum have to say then... did your Emperor die of the pox yet? I hear you get that from having sexual intercourse with your own family, it's a warning from God you know...


OOC> Hey, why the hostility? EX and the MG have fought together before. And theyr'e not snakes, they emit a voice ' as if snakes could talk'. Also, while Xeraph is not strictly Catholic, we are Christian. All Christians have freedom here.

OOC> Hey, why the hostility? EX and the MG have fought together before. And theyr'e not snakes, they emit a voice ' as if snakes could talk'. Also, while Xeraph is not strictly Catholic, we are Christian. All Christians have freedom here.

OoC: Something about attempting to wipe us all out maybe?

OOC> Hey, why the hostility? EX and the MG have fought together before. And theyr'e not snakes, they emit a voice ' as if snakes could talk'. Also, while Xeraph is not strictly Catholic, we are Christian. All Christians have freedom here.

In addition, we left the RWC when it was apparent they did not measure up to Xeraph's standards of diplomacy. We do not arbitrarily attack others without provocation.

OoC: Something about attempting to wipe us all out maybe?

OOC> when was this? If you are referring to the potential situation between RWC and NWO, we withdrew when it was apparent nothing was going to come of it. We have no problem with RWC, as long as they don't mess with Xeraph.

OoC: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=394946&page=1

OoC: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=394946&page=1

OOC> after speaking w/Twist, it was decided to stand down. In addition, it was Xeraph who issued a statement to TEOO and all allies to stand down, as this situation would have amounted to a MAD situation. As I've alredy said, Xeraph has no designs on anything pertaining to the RWC or their individual members. As a matter of fact, Xeraph recently posted an offer to Guffingford to aid them in their action to restore order to the Upper Congo situation. So again, I ask, why the hostility?

OoC: Well as I said, you are a threat, no matter if you called the attack(if you even dared to call it that) off.

Unless you want to prove otherwise that is?

PS: I don't think you realy understand Xeraph but the RWC isn't dead, we could still maul you and whoever you'd bring along over and then still have enough strength to take the fight to you. So please, don't get cocky like everyone else does and think you can beat us or provoke us into a fight.

OoC: Well as I said, you are a threat, no matter if you called the attack(if you even dared to call it that) off.

Unless you want to prove otherwise that is?

PS: I don't think you realy understand Xeraph but the RWC isn't dead, we could still maul you and whoever you'd bring along over and then still have enough strength to take the fight to you. So please, don't get cocky like everyone else does and think you can beat us or provoke us into a fight.

1...I am certainly aware that the RWC isn't dead.

2...I have no doubts that the RWC is a large and powerful alliance capable of taking on Xeraph. However, you fail to understand that Xeraph does not stand alone. Our many allies makes us much stronger than just Xeraph alone, and even IF the RWC should prevail in the end, it would be at such a dire cost to both sides that nothing would be proven by such a conflict, except giving the world a classic example of MAD.

3...What proof could you possibly be talking about?

OoC: As I said, it doesn't matter who you bring.

If you want to continue this, lets use TG or IM, I don't want too clog this thread any further. You can look my IM adresses in my profile.

"Thank you, Major Wolf." Hadriana breathed the words like a sigh of relief, and picked up another cigarette, being careful to extinguish it after one calm puff. "Your assistance is greatly appreciated in this matter. However, I would be grateful if you gentlemen were to leave your respective disputes at the door. I would not wish for anyone to have to leave due to hostility."

OOC: You heard the lady, guys, please take it outside or to TGs. Leave IC matters IC, and OOC matters OOC.

OoC: As I said, it doesn't matter who you bring.

If you want to continue this, lets use TG or IM, I don't want too clog this thread any further. You can look my IM adresses in my profile.

OK...TG it is. Check 'em......

OOC: You heard the lady, guys, please take it outside or to TGs. Leave IC matters IC, and OOC matters OOC.

OoC: I assume your not reffering to me with "lady"? ;)

By the way, you do have any kind of IM Sthyxia?

IC:
"My apolagies Empress." Wolf bowed his head as he leaned back in the chair, all the killing and threats had made him hungry so he dug into a piece of chicken, civilised with knife and fork mind you.

OOC:

OoC: I assume your not reffering to me with "lady"?

LOL, sorry. I was talking about Hades :P And yes, I do have IM, though I'm not on it often these days. It's thesofaofdeath. If you want to get in contact, though, TG or email are probably the best way.

OOC:



LOL, sorry. I was talking about Hades :P And yes, I do have IM, though I'm not on it often these days. It's thesofaofdeath. If you want to get in contact, though, TG or email are probably the best way.

OoC: AIM right?

OOC:

Yup, but I'm at school at the moment, so not currently on it.

OOC: Wow, leave for a day and....

IC:
Lt. Comdr Bahr quietly glided through the hallways. His silver colored WAR breastplate and gold trimmed gloves softly glistened in the light. His four guards were dressed similarly and stonefaced and quiet. He paused before the massive double doors and then walked on in.
Empress, my most profuse apoligies for arriving late. I hope that it will not be disruptive to the meeting if I join. He said with a expression of remorse. He looked around the room and immedietly noted the Guilder represenitive. He sat down in the seat near the door with his guards and composed several messages.

~Empress. I have information of a terrorist attack by the Holy Hands of Alan. I believe that the cell planning it was going to bomb the palace. I'm sorry I have no more information that what I have shared. But on a lighter note, I believe that I can provide some entertainment. In my homeland, when some one offends another, we duel to the death with a pair of sabres. I took the liberty of bringing some. Bahr pulled outa pair of ornate 2 and a half foot long swords.~This what we do. With your permission, I ask that N'ala R'hab be turned over to me. If you wish I will duel him here in the hall.

~ Romani. Your nation has invaded mine and I wish you to know that the ARF is planning to fight back. I am a Christian and I have long fought for the right to have freedom of religion in The True Way of Alan. I ask that while I welcome your intervention in our nation, you appoint a "intierm ruler" for my nation. I offer myself as a candidate. I assure you that I am willing to swear an oath to the Guild and Pope.~

~Wolf. I ask that you turn N'ala R'hab over to me. I will deal with the fool.~

Wolf grinned, displaying his pearl white teeth. "I will do no such thing Lt. Commander, the suspect is in my custody and will be needed for questioning about the terrorist attack on the Tallente bridge."

Wolf stood up, put up his cap and straightend himself out. "Unless your goverment does decide to accept responsibility for the attack. In which case I will take you into my custody."
He glanced at the Empress. "I will not be leaving here without someone to interrogate, N'ala R'hab is the main suspect but we can make with the Lt. Commander."

Briggs looked around the chamber. It was rather impressive in a sort of flaunting, royal way. However, he thought, glancing at Harding, it would not suit his needs at all. Far too public for such an action; his task was one which needed absolute quiet and, preferably, darkness.
Looking around the Hall, he saw an angled door that seemed to lead to some kitchens; a faint steam cloud could be seen coming out of it. Though a Kitchen was not an ideal spot, he remembered seeing what looked like the windows of servant quarters as he came through the Courtyard. They would suffice for dealing with Harding.

That part of the plan done with, he turned one last time to SCORPION. The sheer audacity of the plan shook even him. Harding and a number of other high-ranking government officials had become angered at President Martin's cost-cutting measures in favour of the armed forces. This meant money being taken away from contractors and big, influential businesses; it had been decided that Martin had to be dealt with and a new, puppet-President be put into power who would be 'sympathetic' to their cause. That President would be Harding himself; he would take over as Vice-President when the President decided to leave office. This would be arranged by the kidnapping of Martin's wife and daughter, thus putting pressure on Martin to leave office immediately.

SCORPION had been revealed only when one of the government officials, in a pique of conscience at the kidnappings, had revealed all to the President during a private meeting. In return for amnesty and protection, he revealed the whole plan. Briggs was then called in to help; Harding and his guards, who were part of the plan, would be dealt with, whilst a seperate team would release hostages. Then a culling of the other government officials was planned; Briggs looked forward to that.

Drifting back to the present, Briggs realised that he had ignored even basic protocol and stood up. 'My apologies for the interruption, Empress. My name is Major Hans Briggs, Military Atachee to Ambassador Harding. I shan't be here for long...'

A high-pitched tone was heard throughout the palace, and the air shimmered slightly. In about three seconds, five beings materialized, beings that few had ever seen. These were the Krin'noth, semi-mythical, even legendary. They were the Xeraphian Emperor's personal emissaries, given the privilege of addressing dignitaries, royal or otherwise, in the name of the Emperor. Only two others in the Empire held this privilege, and their word was binding.

Their speech was sibilant, as if snakes could talk. " Your Highness, we come from the Emperor Alaric Tan'it of Xeraph, with a personal message for you. He wishes to come to you in person, to discuss the possibility of bringing our nations closer together. He is most anxious for you to reply as quickly as possible."

The Krin'noth stood unmoving, not even having the appearence of breathing. And the voice that spoke seemed to come from all five of them, not one in particular. " We await your answer......"

The Krin'oth stood before the Emperor's throne, reporting to Alaric the response from the Empress. " Insults and threats, nothing more. Did you really expect anyting else, m'Lord?"

" I truly didn't know what to expect from them, but they have proved to be somewhat hostile. If they do not want to talk to me, then that's up to them...or rather, the Empress. "

" But your Majesty, they insulted you, the Empire, and made none-too-veiled threats against us."

" Come now, my friends, we can take a few insults," the Emperor said. " We're magnanimous enough to overlook bravado and bad manners, aren't we? And even if they really mean us harm, we can deal with it when and if it happens."

" Very well, your Majesty. We await your orders........"

Hugoro was seemingly oblivious to the storm going around him but if anyone could see his face he was plainly livid, Admiral Carruluso a Traitor it couldn't be but yet it was true the main problem though would be as to what he was going to do with that Hardware, The documents here state he has 2000 Elite Virage Fighters and 3000 Elite Siren Bombers as well as materials to set up production for endless amounts more, this indeed was grave.

"Mozt Bootival Emprezz I indeed vould like a Tour ov ze palace hyou look like you need some relaxzation perhapz avter zis event you vould like to vizit Novaseia and tour Novaecom's Quiet zozern regions?"

after adressing the Empress he turns to face the LT Comdr and snaps a finger at him, "regarghlezz ov vhat happenz to voo Yu vill be zeeing me bevore it happenz." biting out each word with an increasing amount Bile, he did after all have a reason the Good Admiral was on the way to the True Way of Alan and it is reasonable to assume that he could be there preparing to atempt to defy the will of the Novacom people and Drive out the Suprainister.

IC: Bahr listened to Wolf and smiled softly. Wolf, do you really have no comprehension of this? Are you that dense? The True Way of Alan is under an interim government set up by the Guilders. They can't deny the attack or admit it. I know that the Former Church of Alan admitted the attack. Bahr was simply stunned that someone could be so dense.

Empress I apoligize for my rudeness. I was wondering if perchance, my nation could get some aid sent to us.
Bahr nervously fingered his silver-handled 9mm pistol. This was not going well.
"I'm a bloody soldier for crying out bloody loud." the Lt. Comdr. muttered to himself. "Not some focking diplomat."

OOC:

ATTN everyone involved in thread:

Sorry I haven't replied in such a long time. Nationstates got blocked from the college censor grid and I've had trouble accessing the internet at home. I hope I haven't screwed up anyone's plot or anything- I'm willing to resurrect this RP, or start a new one later on today when I've finished unpacking.

Apologies again,

Issy xxx

OOC:

ATTN everyone involved in thread:

Sorry I haven't replied in such a long time. Nationstates got blocked from the college censor grid and I've had trouble accessing the internet at home. I hope I haven't screwed up anyone's plot or anything- I'm willing to resurrect this RP, or start a new one later on today when I've finished unpacking.

Apologies again,

Issy xxx

OoC: No probs, just continue from where we were.

OOC: That's fine with me, and no worries. I can't wait to finish this actually.

Somewhere in the sky

Imperial Plane 01150 entering Sthyxian sky, please allow us to land.

Permission granted.

As soon as the plane landed, a big red limousine drove forward and stopped right before the plane. A man came out and jumped into the limo. 5 minutes later, after 15 speedtickets, the car arrived at the party.

Hum hum....May I present to you: Prince Illias from Camewot! After a year of civil wars and isolationism finally back into the world stage.

The Prince smiled and greeted everyone.

OOC: K. Just go ahead from where you want. My nations gone future tech but, I'll finish out this last Modern RP thread.

OOC: Yay! Thanks.

IC:

"A terrorist attack?" Hades' eyes narrowed. Instantly, Sion stood up, excused himself, and headed for the door. The Empress suppressed a groan. It was unlike her to worry, but she knew how xenophobic the Sthyxian people could be- if the country were to be involved in a conflict so soon after opening the borders, no amount of harsh dictatorship could quash the resultant uprising. Hades knew firsthand how powerful the masses could be.

She shifted in her chair to face the gold-gloved man. "Lieutenant Commander Bahr, I hope that by your use of the past tense you mean the attack has been thwarted?" She certainly hoped so, although Sion would tighten palace security just in case. "It would prove extremely unfortunate if our first meeting were blighted by an attack from your nation- even if, and I do not doubt you for a moment sir, the attack was performed by an extremist group."

A long, almost inaudible sigh left her lips. Today was not her day. However, the prospect of watching a fight to the death did lighten her spirits somewhat- Hades was partial to a bit of bloodshed- and she clasped her hands together with demure glee.

"A duel, though... now that sounds like a splendid tradition. However, if the honourable Major Wolf requires R'hab alive for interrogation... well, I am afraid I cannot become involved in a dispute over custody of the criminal. But if Lt Cmdr Bahr still requires entertainment, I am sure that some of the prisoners we brought in yesterday would be more than willing to fight each other to the death for our amusement."

Come to think of it, were any of the prisoners still alive? Hades wasn't sure. Her soldiers found so many illegal temples every month that it was hard to keep track of what she did to the acolytes (political prisoners being the only kind that Hades bothered to detain in the palace grounds). Some of them were now 'serving' in the palace, of course, and some of them had been sold, but the Empress was unsure whether any of the monks they had captured recently had proved useful enough to keep alive. Oh well. They'd be useful now , anyway.

Thinking about this cheered Hades up even more, and by the time Hans Briggs finally introduced himself, her smile was practically genuine. She nodded her head in acknowledgement.

"Major. It is a pleasure."

There was something in the man's expression that Hadriana warmed to instantly- a cold intelligence, present in the Empress herself at her less guarded moments. This man, she guessed, was either an assassin or had been trained as one in the past.

Turning towards the Novacom delegate, she bowed her head again and summoned over one of her guards, who, once at the Empress' side, inclined her body towards Hades' and listened.

"Prepare the palace grounds for our honoured guest," the redhead was saying, which translated roughly as 'start scrubbing the blood off the walls in the servants' quarters',- "and make sure the concubines are ready for Major Wolf", which meant, 'drug them into oblivion'.

She gratefully accepted Hugoro's offer for a tour of Novaseia in return- at least, that's what she assumed he was offering her (astute as she was, his accent was a hard one for a native Sthyxian to grasp). As the soldier headed away from the table, she leant back in her chair a little.

"My guards and I shall take you on a tour of the palace this afternoon, if that pleases you, sir," she said. Then, blinking in muted surprise as the prince made his entrance, she stood up.

"Prince Illias. I am... honoured to meet you. Please, sit down."

Row upon row of marching feet sounded in the corridors nearby. Sion was obviously doing his job; as little attention as the Empress seemed to have paid to it, the warning of a terrorist attack had not been taken lightly. Outside, the civilians were being evacuated (read: kicked out) of the nearby streets, and several suspected terrorists had probably already been bayoneted. Nice.

"Yes, m'lady. The terrorist plot was uncovered. Actually, though it pains me to admit it, the crew of my airplane were in on it. I was to die also. I personally shot and killed every single traitor." Actually, the only reason they were dead, was that Bahr himself was threatened.

"But m'lady, if it would not be amiss, perchance, that I could engage one of your more, healthy, prisoners in combat. I assure you that if I am injured I will in no way blame you or your nation." Bahr was in a bad mood and really didn't want to put up with anything.

OOC: I've gone future tech and my nation is into energy swords and such, so swordplay is very important. Now I need to know if I can bring future tech in here or not. If I can't then thats cool, but it would be awesome.

OOC: Could you send me that map of the palace again, please? It got deleted after a few days. Thanks.


IC:Major Briggs stood up, and realised that he should introduce himself to the Empress. 'My apologies for the interruption, Empress. My name is Major Hans Briggs, Military Atachee to Ambassador Harding. I shan't be here for long..., but I was hoping that I could allow Ambassador Harding a few moments away from this meeting...we have a few things to discuss. I believe there is a servants quarter we could use, without being interrupted...?'

OOC: Future tech is fine. Sthyxia is meant to be technologically backward for its age, anyway. And feel free to slaughter the guy Hades brings out, or make an unexpected show of mercy (pfft), whatever. :D

IC:

Hades suppressed a sigh of relief.

"Excellent!" she chimed, and as if on cue, Sion stalked back in, straggly hair flailing a little behind him as he walked. He sat down beside the Empress as she continued.

"Then I shall have one brought in immediately. Ismene!"

A scantily-clad serving girl detached herself from the row at the back, hurried towards them, and prostrated herself at the Empress' feet. Hades stood up.

"Have one of the monks from yesterday brought in. I think there may be one or two left- ah, wait, I know! Bring in the one who bit advisor Creon!" she said, a smile twitching at her lips. Ismene, still crouching, nodded frightenedly and scuttled out.

The redhead sat down again, and poured herself some more tea before offering it to Bahr. "It's an amusing story," she said, but did not explain further. "It seems we both need cheering up. I am dreadfully sorry to hear that the threat was to your life also. It is fortunate that your people were skilled enough to uncover the plot in time."

Hades, despite her mild appearance, was a scary woman. A very, very scary woman indeed. She had shot dead her first man at twelve years old, and then complained that he didn't take long enough to die. She had been known to punish prisoners by keeping them alive sans skin. Rumour had it that she even slept with an AK-47 in her hand.

And this was why, a mere two minutes after she had given the order to "fetch the monk who bit advisor Creon", said monk was on his way through the double doors at the back of the room with a female guard at either side. With a scatter of serving-girls and a hasty pushing-back of buffet tables, a space was cleared on the floor just in time for the young man to be thrown into the middle of it.

He did not look like the kind of man who usually went around biting people. Although he could not have been more than about twenty-five, his face held a serenity beyond his years. Although his eyes were charged with fire and shame, and there was a small trickle of blood at the corner of his finely-sculpted mouth, that innate tranquility still shone through.

Though he had been stripped of the ritual jewellery and beads that Hades had outlawed five years ago, he was still dressed in traditional garb- a sleeveless, saffron-coloured robe that tapered to a skirt and made him look unusually slim. His hair was thick and sand-coloured, and looked as though it had been recently been shorn to his shoulders- his ceremonial braids had been cut in half.

Legs shaking only a little, he got up, and as if knowing his fate, did not try to escape but instead let the hilt of a sword be shoved into his hand, eyes cast to the floor.

Hades smiled chillingly.

"Do not worry, Lieutenant Commander," she said. "He's not likely to do you much damage."

OOC: Oops, sorry Skinny, didn't get your post. The map is here (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v147/ukeontop/91ede443.jpg). Enjoy :D

IC:

In reply to the Major, Hadriana inclined her head, and gestured for Sion to get up again. Sion didn't complain. He was used to being ordered about, and frankly, if it meant the Empress would let him mess around with the palace accounts (and the prisoners and the concubines and the kitchen staff), then he was happy to do almost anything she wanted.

"Certainly," said Hades. "There is a room we use for the auxiliary servants to sleep in- it should be empty now. My guard shall give you directions- or lead the way, if you would prefer to go by yourselves, I trust you." She grinned. "Gentlemen, you are excused. Sion, please accompany them to the door."

Illias, being late for the party, did not understand what was happening.

Having trouble with terrorists, m' lady?

Diego stood loosely watching the monk.
"M'lady, should we wager on this? I offer you a thousand Gold Alanpieces, that I can kill this prisoner, with out getting cut myself."

Diego wasn't even looking at the prisoner, when the monk lunged at him. Diego caught the move out of the corner of his eye and dropped into a crouch, spinning and deflecting the blade into the floor. He leaped up and stepped back from the prisoner.

"Well, so he has some fight in him then."

Briggs smiled politely and bowed to the Empress. At last, he would be able to get rid of Ambassador Harding and eliminate the last player in SCORPION.

He bowed again and moved away to the Ambassador, wheer he bent down and discretly whispered in his ear. 'I am sorry to interrupt Mr Ambassador, but President Martin wishes me to deliver a message that can only be delivered in person, and not in front of Foreign Nationals such as the Empress, and the other Ambassadors.' Harding frowned, annoyed at te interruption, but nodded to Briggs,wanting to get this annoyance out of the way before the duel started.
Harding stood, and nodded to three of his guards to follow himself and Briggs. They slipped quietly away from the tables and the Ambassador who seemed to be gearing up for a duel, and through a curtain into a set of kitchens. Harding frowned but said nothing, and instead followed Briggs into one of the myriad of servants quarters, which fortunately was empty.

Harding walked in, flanked by his men, and turned to Briggs. 'Now then, what in Gods name is so important that I had to be dragged away? It hardly does any good to have the Republic's representative dragged away in the middle of a conference,' Harding said impatiently.
I'm afraid that there's been...a change of plans, Harding. You are no longer the Republic's representative here. You see, we've found out about SCORPION and your little plot for a Coup D'etat of the Grey House. I have orders to bring you in for...questioning.' Briggs said, keeping his face impassive.
Hardings face seemed frozen. It opened and closed for a second, like a goldfish, but then he stopped, and a nasty, mirthless smile crept onto his face. 'My congratulations Mr Briggs. A shame that I'm not going anywhere. I expect we can make up some story about you being mugged around here. Blame a servant or something.' With this, Harding nodded to his guards, who turned on Briggs, their faces unmoved but their eyes ablaze.

The first was the tallest and the most confident of the trio. He unsheathed a small hunting blade, and holding it in his right hand, charged for Briggs across the small area. Briggs made no attempt to move, but simply caught the mans hand as he made a swing and gave a sharp twist. The guards eye's bulged as his wrist snapped, and Briggs used his momentum to smash him into the wall, knocking him out with the impact.
The second guard then made a move; smaller and more wiry thn the first, he pulled no weapon, but instead moved slowly towards Briggs, feinting to his left and then ducking as Briggs threw a punch. Grinning, the guard ran into Briggs, who made no resistance, but actually let the guard throw him into the wall. Briggs then kneed him in the groin and grabbed his neck between his elbows as the guard dropped, and twisted.
As the body dropped to the floor, the last guard decided to take the easy option, and pulled a silenced pistol from his left-hand holster. He drew the pistol and fired in one smooth motion, but Briggs had already moved and drawn a wickedly sharp hunting knife from a shoulder pocket. Without pausing he threw the knife in a slight arc, that ended in the final guards neck. The man looked surprised as he tried to stop the blood, but dropped down next to Harding, who wore a shocked look on his face.
He turned pale and tried to run past Briggs, but was tripped and fell to the floor heavily. Twisting onto his back, he looked at Briggs. 'You can't kill me. You can't. You can't explain a dead Ambassador and three dead guards. You have to let me go.' Briggs said nothing, but pulled out of another pocket what looked like a fat black biro, but with a syringe needle where the biro point should have been. Pressing the top of the pen until a sliver of clear liquid shot out, Briggs rolled up the sleeve of the unresisting Harding, and jammed the 'pen' into a clear blue vein. As Harding winced, and began to feel a strange cramping in his chest, he heard Briggs talking. 'There's not going to be any suspicious deaths, Mr Ambassador. Merely an over-worked, over-stressed Republican official who has an unfortunate heart-attack during a meeting, and his guards who mysteriously disappear at the same time. I'm afraid it's all over for you'.

When he was sure the Ambassador was dead, and he dragged the guards bodies into a pile to be collected by his clean-up team, and had put the Ambassador into the proper position for a heart-attack victim, right-arm clutching his left-arm, Briggs walked back into the meting chamber, and bowed to the Empress. 'I'm terribly sorry to inform you that Mr Harding has had a fatal heart-attack, and will have to be taken away immediately back to Republican territory for burial. I have just been authorised to take his place.'

Diego smiled mirthlessly as the monk awkwardly held the sword.

"Come on, come at me," Diego taunted. "I'm all that's between you and freedom.

That seemed to incite the monk to attack. Diego caught the thrust on the flat of his blade, turned, flipped out the blade and sliced opent the monks tunic.

"Come you can do better. I'm not even breaking a sweat."

As Diego turned to say something to the Empress, the monk lunged at Diego, who spun, but not fast enough. He deflected the blade up, but as it went it nicked his shoulder.

Quickly he twisted the blade and knocked the monks sabre flying.
Calmly he waited for his opponent to pick up the sword.

"Bastard." Diego caught the monks downward swipe and held it. Suddenly his foot lashed out catching the monk in the groin. As the monk doubled over, Diego smashed his fist into the monks nose, shattering it.

As the monk fell, and lost his grip on his sword, Diego calmly pulled out his pistol and walked over to the monk. He drew back the sword and chopped off with two blows, the monks arms. As the monk struggled to rise, Diego raised his silver-handled 9mm pistol and calmly blew out the monks head.

"Sorry about the mess, Empress." Diego apoligized profusely.

Wolf nodded, standing up from his seat as he bluntly ignored the Alanian representative. "I would like to see the concubines right now if you would not mind Empress, I have some other matters to attend to after this conference."

Wolf signalled to his escort, who took up position around him, eying most other delegates with great suspiscion.

Hades pushed the cigarette tin in the Camewot Prince's direction.

"A mere trifle, your majesty," she said, keeping one eye on the monk. "I wouldn't call them terrorists so much as minor annoyances." Then, laughing, she turned to address Diego.

"There's no need. It would be foolish for me to put money on him."

The order from which this monk came forbade the use of weapons. His faith demanded pacifism, which, in Hades' view, made things a lot more fun. Not only were they easier to kill in a face-off like this, being almost completely inexperienced in combat, but Hadriana enjoyed finding ways of provoking them into fighting back. It was always satisfying when they finally cracked and lashed out, only to be struck back- a failure to their religion as well as themselves. (Poor Advisor Creon, though. He'd be taking his meals through a straw for months. Damn, that monk had a good aim.)

Watching the duel with heightened interest, Hades had to fake concern when Briggs brought her news of Harding's death. Standing up, she returned the soldier's bow.

"You and your country have my sympathy," she cooed. "I shall send some of my servants to help transport the body. If there is anything else we can do, please, do not hesitate to let me know. I shall announce the Ambassador's death at a more appropriate moment."

Once everything was settled to the Empress' liking, she turned back to the duel just in time to see Diego land a well-aimed strike into the monk's nose. Blood spurted from one mangled nostril; the empress' eyes glimmered with delight.

The man's once-graceful features were a splodgy mess. Several serving girls gasped as he hit the floor and had his arms promptly removed by Diego, although Hades' reaction was less one of shock than of pleasant surprise. Finally, as the shot rang out through the hall- making several of the servants jump up and cheer, and several more stumble woozily on their feet- the Empress jumped up and applauded him rigorously, grinning like a little girl on Christmas morning.

"Excellent!" she cried. "Well fought!" The pretty sadist sat down and offered Diego another joint. "Don't trouble yourself about the mess, sir, that was wonderful. I do like it when his type prove useful around the palace; executing criminals outright gets so... tedious."

Hades gave a chilling, high-pitched giggle.

"Major Wolf, as long as these gentlemen do not mind, I shall take you to see them immediately. I would not want to keep you waiting."

Diego reached out and took the joint. He fished in his shirt pocket, and drew out a diamond lighter with the Bahr family crest on it.

"My family is a well-established one in The True Way of Alan. My father, is the only surviving brother of the Lord Priest himself." Diego explained, at the Empress's look. "Feel free to take Wolf and show him." He said with an ease that was decieving. He was feeling quite good after that little bout.

Diego watched as the Empress stood and lead Wolf away.
She's actually quite...alluring. So much like me. Diego thought to himself.

He reached up to his shoulder and rubbed the cut. He gestured towads a serving girl, and quietly asked, "Would you mind bringing some medicinal supplies for my shoulder?"


OOC: What is The Empresses martial status? I know she has a kid and all, but ya'know.

Briggs smiled at the Empress, but he could see through her false regret. He nodded inwardly, a type of satisfaction in knowing that they had bought his story, and would never know what had really happened to Harding and his grunts.

Instead, Briggs pasted on a smile as insincere as the Empress' sorrow and turned to her. 'My Thanks, m'lady. It is a sad day for the Republic; we will mourn the loss of such an honoured Ambassador, and I shall mourn the loss of such a close friend as Mr Harding.'

Mockery completed, Briggs turned his attention to the Alan representative and sized him up. He seemed competent enough in swordplay, but then slaughtering a servent was hardly the same as facing enemies armed as well as, and even better than you; he wondered if this man had ever commanded a squad of men in battle, if he had ever heard the screams of anguish, carried a man on his shoulders through a hellish bombardment, or had fought hand-to-hand in trenches, the worst fighting of all.

Diego saw Briggs sizing him up. He smiled graciously and nodded at Briggs. It was obvious what Briggs was thinking.

Even though he was only 21, Diego had served in the Alanian Guard for over seven years. He had served as a Private in the Alani Wars, and hade been promoted to Lt. Comdr. Diego Bahr, immedietly following. He had seen men get hit by mortars, run over by tanks, blasted apart by guns, and had lead several attacks and killed many enemies. Diego knew the look in Briggs eye.
Briggs would be a good ally.

Diego gestured Briggs towards him, as the serving girl returned with some salve and bandages. Diego waved away the bandages and applied a little of the anti-biotics.

"Briggs. I am saddened to hear about Hardings demise. He was a good man..." Diego's opinion of diplomats was hardly fair at best.

Silence. Mere Silence was comming from Hugoro indeed all of his assembled staff had their heads bowed in silence and respect. after a full minute of un-nerving silence the Enforcers are the first to look up and glare at the Lt.Comdr he was too showy in his sword style he looked like he had been in battle yes but from the rear unlike them the battle hardened Enforcers they had seen countless wars and known the full terror of the battlefield. The war of Ascendancy had been brutal and still many people looked forward to the destival of light so they may curse the name of Crtisios long may he remain dead along with his accursed legacy.

Hugoro looks up at last and inclines his head at the empress, "Emprezz iv hugh vill eckzcuze mai ai naid do edend du samvingk." before rising regally and slowly walking out into the courtyard and after some breif yet hurried conversation into a small device they re-enter and sit back down, saying nothing at the moment and certainly not anything in the way of aid to the Alanian representative 1 rogue admiral and his task force had already been lost on that cause and they had no desire to encounter that admiral again except perhaps his corpse for betrayal.

Diego looked at the Novacom delegate.

What a bloody idiot. Can't even speak proper english. Stuck-up. Ha.

Diego was getting tired of waiting for the Empress.

Bloody Wolf. Oh, well.

((OOC: Sorry again- practicing for a loooong singing recital at the moment, so not much online time. Erg. And in answer to Alan, Hades is single and would probably consider marriage for diplomatic reasons, although I have to warn you she doesn't keep all those worryingly young servant girls hanging around for nothing. Also, she's a psychopath. But if that kind of thing doesn't bother Diego, he can go right ahead :D

Also, had to change the order of speech around a bit so Hades could respond to everyone. I hope nobody minds...))

Hades bowed her head demurely in response to Briggs, her expression unfailingly steady. If she noticed the hint of mockery in the man's tone- which, knowing her, was more than likely- she did not acknowledge it. True, there had been something uncorrupted and really quite amusing about Harding which the empress had warmed to quickly, but in the end he was somebody else's problem. Even if his death hadn't been an accident, there was no point in getting involved.

"If you wish to leave to compose yourself, Major Briggs, you are more than welcome to do so," she said. Then; "Hugoro- sir- you are excused, and there is no need to ask."

Her eyes caught the sharp glimmer of Diego's lighter, and they flicked from the joint in his hand to the wound on his shoulder, then back again.

"It seems your family is one of impressive standing," she said, with an appraising look, and then got up. "Ah, but forgive me. Major Wolf, we have dawdled far too long. I would not like to keep you. Gentlemen, if there is anything you want then do not hesitate to ask my servants. I shall be back as soon as possible."

With that, she stood up, and led the Dumpsterdamian delegate away from the table. Of the Empress' party now, since Nuala was evidently still seeing to matters outside the palace, only one remained. He was Sion, the man with the straggly brown hair and the scar on his face, and he was currently toying with an ornate flicknife, his spidery fingers releasing and rechambering the blade in turn.

Sion was one of those people who would run across a busy highway to see how quickly he could dodge the cars. A convicted serial killer before his employment under Hades, his hobbies included collecting knives, making stuff explode, and interrogating good-looking prisoners over long periods of time. If it was flammable, Sion would poke lighted splints at it.

This applied to people as well as substances.

"A terrible twist of fate indeed, to have Ambassador Harding struck down by a heart attack as soon as the two of you were out of sight," he said, addressing Briggs without looking at him. "It must have been very difficult to call for help."

The smile that touched his lips was innocent, but his eyes were wry. He gave the Major a meaningful look.

"You have my sympathies. You two men were obviously very close."

By this time the Empress Hadriana and Major Wolf had passed out of the back door of the main building and into a smaller, older one, whose facade was partially obscured by a row of poplar trees. This building smelt very strongly of opium and perfume, and although old newspapers had been pasted over all the windows, it was not hard to imagine a world of decaying luxury inside.

The women were already assembled in the first room they came to, dotted across the damp-stained floor amongst plush pillows and half-fallen voile curtains. There was a wide variation in the type of clothes they wore, owing to the fact that most of the so-called concubines doubled as servants. Technically, they were outlawed in Sthyxia now, but Hadriana had never been one to follow her own orders. Besides, along with the opium fields, they provided a strong income for the palace. Drugs and vice always sold.

A few of them were the offspring of the traditional palace concubines, most of whom had been killed in the Social Revolution of nearly two decades ago. The majority were young women who had come here to avoid national service, although there were some temple acolytes and political prisoners amongst them, preferring this to the alternative. Most were female. As Hadriana and Wolf entered, flanked now by two guards, a group of young men sitting on the floor by the doorway glanced up at the two, then turned away in obvious disinterest, too drugged to notice the first foreigner who had entered this part of the palace in their lifetimes.

Glancing imperceptably at her watch, Hades gestured towards the loose crowd of fifty-or-so before her.

"Major."

Briggs looked up at Sion as he made his remarks, but found that the man was looking away from him. Whilst he was glad that the man obviously had no idea of what had truly happened with Harding and his men, it rankled him that this...criminal was suggesting that he and Harding had been in a ...relationship together.

Briggs knew fully well that he could do nothing directly against this irritating servant; there were dozens of guards all around the room, and though he favoured his odds of killing Sion before the guards could react, he estimated that he had only a small chance of doing so and escaping the room before being captured and most likely killed.

Instead, Briggs merely smiled at Sion. It was a smile that reached his lips but not his eyes; they were cold, gray, unblinking. Then, very casually, he pulled out his combat knife and began twirling it, stopping it every few beats to point at Sion, whilst looking at him...

Diego watched Briggs and Sion attempt to intimidate each other.
This is quite boring.

Sion looked familar, but the Lt. Comdr. could not place him.

Oh well Diego sighed as he looked around the room at the delegates.
He smirked as he saw the "Enforcers" looking at him.

Bloody Novacomians or whatever they call themselves.

He really was getting quite bored, and looked around for a way to amuse himself...

OOC: Sorry about coming back to this sometime later, since I only just noticed it had been revived.

Btw, Alan I am RPing this attitude before I took over your MT nation.

IC:

Romani woke up with a start... he must have dozed off at some point during the assembly with the Empress and the various ambassadors of pathetic nations, most of whom the Guilders held in the lowest regard possible.

He looked round at his guards, Titus grinned at him insolently... Romani ignored this, the Knights of Saint Peter were notoriously insubordinate to non members, especially those linked with their sister organisation the Templars. There had always been a great rivalry, often not very friendly between the two organisations that had gotten to the point of them killing each other when they offended one another, of course not openly, but it was done behind closed doors, few Guilders knew any differently.

Romani looked towards the proceedings and leaned back on his chair...

OOC: Sorry about coming back to this sometime later, since I only just noticed it had been revived.

Btw, Alan I am RPing this attitude before I took over your MT nation.

IC:

Romani woke up with a start... he must have dozed off at some point during the assembly with the Empress and the various ambassadors of pathetic nations, most of whom the Guilders held in the lowest regard possible.

He looked round at his guards, Titus grinned at him insolently... Romani ignored this, the Knights of Saint Peter were notoriously insubordinate to non members, especially those linked with their sister organisation the Templars. There had always been a great rivalry, often not very friendly between the two organisations that had gotten to the point of them killing each other when they offended one another, of course not openly, but it was done behind closed doors, few Guilders knew any differently.

Romani looked towards the proceedings and leaned back on his chair...


OOC: Ok. I mainly play FT now, but if you wish to revive that thread I'm more then willing to.

IC:

Diego saw Romani wake with start.

Tired. I must make sure to speak with Romani before I leave.

"Mat" Diego called one of his guards over to him.
Please go inform Romani that if it is possible I would like to speak to him.

OOC: I know you've turned FT, but we can revive it if you wish. Wait for more IC posts before I post again IC.

OOC: Alan could you put that map up on photobucket since my e-mail seems a little screwy.

IC: Hugoro after casting an inquiring glance around the room gets out a small electronic pad and stylus and begins to donduct notes while awaiting the empressess return. Elite Enforcer Captain Terlilias Junorikon occupied himself with drilling the other Enforcers soon a silent yet highly efficient almost parade like drill session was taking place near the back of the room.

Hugoro twists his head slightly and observes with great approval the session he does however snap a finger at 2 of the Enforcers who come over and put on a quivering salute and are quite suprised when another electronic pad is produced from Hugoro's long sleeves, They both accept the pads and quickly skim them and then look at each other for a moment in slight alarm before looking back at Hugoro who had by now turned his attention back to the drill session.

Hugoro waves a hand and snaps a finger at the pair who salute again and march quickly out. "Maister Vriggz Am I kairvect in azzuhuming hugh vill be villing in vor ze ambazzador now that he az pazzed on?" he looks ro9und the room again fully expecting spikes to descend from the ceiling, too many conspiracies going on for him especially compared to the Stability of Novacom where the people worked together and such Conspiracies were the domain of the spies not the ambassadors.

Briggs was rapidly tiring with attempting to intimidate Sion; the man was obviously a rogue who enjoyed baiting and subtley accusing those around him; Briggs knew more than a few of his type, and the best thing to do would be to ignore him from now on. Maybe he could arrange to have Sion have a little 'accident' in a while. Not fatal of course, because that might upset the Sthyxians, and he didn't want that at the moment.

No, Briggs thought as he threw a bored look at Sion. Maybe just a broken limb or breaking one of his fingers; he knew several ways of doing something like that without attracting attention, and Sion didn't look like the kind to go wailing to the Empress that he had been attacked. Brigg's smiled inwardly as he thought of the prospect of doing that.

Briggs was so lost in thoughts of petty vengeance that he missed at first what the Novocomian Ambassador said to him. He listened again, and his eye's widened a little as he tried to make sense of the extremely heavy accent of the Ambassador that made his syntax not just garbled but practically impossible to listen to. After repeating each word indivdually and writing them down on a napkin, he managed to unscramble the message from the Ambassador; they would make excellent code-makers with that accent, Briggs thought wryly as he replied.

'Yes Mr Ambassador, I shall be replacing Ambassador Harding after his...unfortunate accident. His skills shall be sorely missed, as you yourself might realise, and I shall do my best to take over his duties, such as they were.' Might as well try a bit of diplomacy now I'm at it, Briggs thought quickly; 'Would your government be interested in an exchange of Embassies and a trade exchange of military technology?' he enquired.

OOC: If you think the accent is hard to understand try understanding the actual writing and language for the writing think in 3D terms :p The Ambassador actually had to have an operation to allow him to speak english for prolonged periods, speaking english for a long time can damage their voiceboxes.

IC: Hugoro seems to perk up considerably at being understood apparently people thought Novaseians shouldn't speak english because their native language couldn't be more different. "Vyes ve argh mozt anatested en zutch ain ackreemant veraihs aster ndis vruvut laike doi cuaime doi Novaecom ant ze vat ve kan ovaair to hugggggh ant youror Nastion" He pauses rubbing his throat, even with that operation it still hurts to talk in english for prolonged periods. He made a mental note to ask Harding and everyone else to the Festival of light but he'd wait a while and rest his voice a little.

((Dumpsterdam has informed me that he's not going to be online for a while, so I'm going to just bring the Empress back now. Sorry for boring all your ambassadors :) ))

A sudden disturbance at the other end of the hall marked the Empress' return. The doors swung open and Hades returned to her seat, flanked by two guards who left abruptly when she sat down. Sion, who had been pointedly testing the sharpness of his flicknife, instantly straightened and tried to look as if he hadn't been doing anything. Hades, who knew him better than that, ignored him.

"I am terribly sorry to have been gone so long, gentlemen," she said, as a serving girl came up and started to take their empty plates away. "Major Wolf had some emergency business to attend to, so he may not be back for a while. He sends his apologies."

Another girl followed the first, doling out cups of strong Sthyxian coffee to the delegates around the table.

Diego seemed to perk up as the Empress entered the room. He accepted the coffee with a nod.

"It is not a problem. Empress, the Lord Priest has asked that I invite you to the Festival of Alan in Tru'Alan." He took a ship of coffee. It was excellent. "If you aquesience, then a ship will be sent to pick you and I up. The Festival is in two days."

Diego looked at the Novacom delegete.

Can't even speak english. Barbarians.

Romani looked vaguely suprised the Alan representative would make such an invitation with the prospect of purification and incorporation into the Imperial Guilder Empire looming over the true way of Alan, not that they knew of it of course. The Guilder troops who would arriving their were coming as a invited 'peace keepers' but of course had their own sinister agenda for the Alan, which would played out later resulting in many Alan and Guilder lives lost.

Romani looked at the Empress,

Your absence was not a problem, Empress... however we would suggust that too much direct contact with heathens and pagans might not be good for your soul.

We would however wish to get back to our relations with yourselves, especially the question of trade with yourselves.

Hugoro inclines his head politely at the girl accepting some coffee before looking over the rim of the cup at Bahr, "Vood ziz ve ze zam lort prast oo trat du kael von of ze temprezzezz zervanz a vile ako?" He didn't care for the LT.Comdr that was sure and his people would be extremly upset to find out that his plance exploded during his return to his nation and the body nowhere to be found.

"Temprezz I vood alto vekometrt zurnink Alank avger al zey lant mak maiem barte in ere svearink anks noikt ovverink givs ast isk kustomari vor geists," yes this Alanian upstart would have to be dealt with quickly and efficiently the enforcers he had dispatched earlier should make sure of that. He had no worries of the Empress going to Alan since she had already accepted the trip to Novaseia.

At the back of the room the short Drill session by the enforcers ended with an abrupt 10 gun Salute for the Empress and with a swift crack of noise rifles were stowed and the Enforcers back in formation.

Hades suppressed a frown. It was important for her to strengthen relations with as many countries as possible, but she could not accept Diego's invitation without insulting Romani- or decline it without insulting the Alanian delegate. Normally, she would simply side with the more powerful of the two, but things were more complicated than that now.

She took a gamble. "I do apologise, sir, but I have already accepted Ambassador Hugoro's invitation," she said, wishing suddenly that she hadn't- their delegate was becoming harder and harder to understand by the minute. "How long does the festival last? Perhaps if I have time afterwards, I could visit. Though the People's Republic is an atheist state, I believe it is important to understand other peoples' beliefs, even if one does not adhere to them personally."

A bit rich coming from Hades, who enjoyed nothing more than testing out new and unusual methods of torture on Apocryphan monks, but it made her look benevolent enough. Pretending not to know what Romani had meant by 'heathens and pagans', she offered him a wide smile.

"Of course, Ambassador Romani. I am really very interested in what your nation has to offer," she said. "And I am especially eager to instigate trade negotiations as soon as possible." Then, listening to the Novacomian delegate, she coughed demurely.

"I am terribly sorry, sir, but would you care to repeat that? I'm afraid the sound of the-" Hades had been about to say gunfire, but stopped herself, "... that blasted servant girl over there is rattling the coffee cups so loudly I can bearly hear myself think!"

The girl in question went pale and glanced worriedly at the gun resting beneath Hadriana's chair before steadying her tray and scuttling over to another table.

"Empress, it is fine." Diego really didn't care all that much if she didn't come.


OOC: Sorry about the short post, I'm kinda busy.

Hugoro coughs slightly before taking a sip of water, "Emprezz I can azzure hugh hugh vill enchoy ze Festival indeet it vill remint hugh of hure glorise revolotone indeet I have a zhort velm of ilights vith me zat I vas vatching on ze vay ere, Envorcer ze vilm!" as he says the last bit he snaps a finger which brings an Enforcer to swift attention and to his side, hearing the command he went over to the military guards and retreirved a small projector which is quickly activated. It starts with a tall handsome man giving a speech in perfect english and then goes swiftly onto a short yet bloody battle and then a parade done by the "dead" of the battle then it goes on with a huge siege and then a feast finally ending with a huge battle in what seems to be a burning inferno with soldiers fighting hand to hand aircraft screaming over head people being slaughtered left right and center and in the middle of it all the tall man which turns out to be the Suprainister fighting his predesscessor, it ends after showing another parade and several feasts celebrations speeches and yet more parades except this time with fantastic floats amazing sights and thrilling music.

"ask you cant zee emprezz it az quvite an avant vat hugh zaw vast ongly a zhort parshen." he pauses for a moment remebering what the festival is about, Marking the war of assension remembering the dead and preserving the memory so that such an event will never again happen. Anywhere. he snaps his fingers again and Enforcers start going around giving envelopes to all the assembled delegates containing invites to said festival. "Vile Eferyvone ere is infighted to attent hughr laiders and yourselfs vill be ze zuprainistars geists of hanar!" abruptly he sits down after having sprang up sending a serving girl flying by accident who was now being helped up by a blank faced enforcer supressing a scalding hot patch on his chest from the coffee she had been holidng. (lucky most of his uniform is black)

Diego glanced about the room.
Strange. Something is out of place.

A moment later he realized what it was....

Bump!!!!

((GAh! Sorry again. I've been a really bad RPer lately. I just did one of my main exams today, though, so hopefully I really SHOULD have a little more time now.))

Hades watched the film patiently, her eyes lighting up a little at the slaughtering parts. After it had finished, she smiled at Hugoro, and nodded demurely as she tried to work out what she was saying. (Where were those bloody interpreters when you needed them? Oh... right... dead. Yeah, Hades had been meaning to replace them after she'd accidentally tortured the last one to death.)

"Ambassador, I do look forward to it... when does our transport leave?" she asked. Then she turned glanced over at Diego.

"Is something the matter, sir?"

Diego shook his head and smiled disarmingly.
"No. I apologize."

He glanced back out the window. He could have sworn that he saw a helicopter with a man looking into the room...

Emperor Darius of the Cartharai... One of the three leaders of Nili's Triumvirate. The other two... Emperor Yurka and High Priest Zephon had decided to remain on the home world instead of going out for this diplomatic meeting... But it was their own loss! Right?!

As the Cartharai procession slowly moved down the street towards the palace, numerous guards were onhand to gun down anyone who posed a threat to the triumvirate. Each guard was hand selected for this trip, and weren't afraid of killing someone who posed a threat. Though of course, they were equally sure to make sure that they practiced subtlety and the like. They didn't want another fiasco again, especially not with Darius around.

"Ah... So this is Sthyxia eh?" Emperor Darius' mouth slowly curled into a scowl before he spoke, his voice seemingly amused, "...Its nicer than I thought it would be... I wonder if we'll still get in after being so late..."

The guards around Darius stood beside him protectively as the group made its way up to the palace. They were lucky... Darius was probably in the best mood he'd experienced in years. Partly due to a few illicit substances he took on the way. He was able to find them off of a black market dealer, but of course didn't really pay for anything. Thats what the guards were for. They would probably find what was left of the bodies pretty soon though.

((Hes a picture of what Darius and co. look like http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/Kutulmak/Darius.jpg ))