Trungstan
21-08-2005, 20:11
The five-vehicle convoy rolled along the dusty concrete highway that headed straight into the capital of Hanoi. The roadway was largely deserted, partly because the Army had sealed off the road network, and partly because less than two percent of the population owned a car of some sort. The Hanoi Roadway was the only concrete road system in the country, and basically acted as a private road for the occupants of the convoy.
The four out riding vehicles were two pairs of old US Army Jeeps, the faded white stars covered in dust on the rusting green paintwork. Each Jeep held three men in military green, one each of which manned a fifty-calibre machine gun on the rear tripod of each car. Sitting inside the four-vehicle wall was a sleek, black Hummer with reflective windows and armoured plating in every possible place. The sun glistened off the chrome of the front grill, casting a stark reflection on the dilapidated military trucks that ran on each side.
The roaring of the engines as the convoy raced along at ninety miles an hour was near totally drowned out inside the soundproofed American truck as the four occupants reclined in the facing back seats. Two were clothed in military attire, with medals and ribbons gleaming on their neatly pressed uniforms. A third wore a pinstripe suit and a handlebar moustache, and reclined with a glass of sparkling Champagne in his hand. The fourth wore a red military jacket and black trousers reminiscent of the Colonial Army of Great Britain, and also held an array of various medals on his chest from various Armed Forces across, most of which were not likely to have been won so much as bought. This man was the focal point of attention for the three other men that sat in the back of the expensive truck, and he was currently leading the conversation.
“Gentlemen, I can hardly express the importance that putting down this minor inconvenience holds for the country’s safety, wealth and wellbeing.” He smiled as he tipped back his own glass of wine to the chuckles of the other men present; by the country, he of course meant they’re own safety, wealth and wellbeing. He smacked his lips at the sweet taste and looked back up at the others. “So, what has been happening with the forces?”
One of the military men in a General’s uniform cleared his throat. “Your Highness, we deployed a Division of the National Guard into Halong City yesterday and successfully put down the rebels there with a minimum of fuss.”
King Fou Minh listened for a few moments, and nodded to himself. “Very good.” He handed his empty glass to the pinstripe-suited man, who poured some more wine and handed it back. “But I must confess,” the King said after a further sip of his drink. “The security issues recently have brought my concern.” He looked at the others. “We need a solution to our problems.”
One of the Generals licked his lips hesitantly. “We could strike a deal, Your Highness,” he eventually said.
Fou Minh looked at him. “Go on,” he said quietly.
The General glanced around his colleagues for support before continuing. “Well Sire, this great nation of yours has an abundance of natural minerals, including offshore oil deposits that we have not been able to tap.” He leant forward in his chair. “We could make an arrangement with one or more of the international community to help protect our nation and the leadership with their armed forces in return for which we allow their companies the right to extract minerals from our nation.”
The King considered this. “What about our own Armed Forces? Are you suggesting we give them up?”
The General shook his head quickly. “Not in the least Sire, our own Military would remain. We will organise…” he thought for a moment. “…Zones in which separate Armed Forces protect the country.”
The King nodded to himself. “Very well,” he said. “Organise something with the Foreign Office and get to it.”
<><><>
The Kingdom of Trungstan
‘Long Live the King!’
To the international community,
In light of dire security issues both internal and external, the government of His Royal Highness King Fou Minh, Absolute Monarch of the Kingdom of Trungstan, Commander in Chief of the Trungstan Armed Forces would like to propose a deal with the international community.
The Kingdom is looking for at least one and no more than two members of the international community who would be willing and capable to place Military Forces in Trungstan in order to do two things:
1) Maintain Order and Stability in the Kingdom
2) Protect the current Government and Royal Family
In return for this service, the nations in question would have the right to extract the abundant mineral wealth available in Trungstan; phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, lumber and offshore oil and gas deposits. The following requirements must be met however:
1) Members of the military would be under Trungstan laws and punished accordingly in case of its breakage.
2) Should two nations agree to this deal, no war will be fought between these nations on Trungstan soil, in Trungstan airspace or inside Trungstan territorial waters.
Sincerely,
His Royal Highness King Fou Minh
Prime Minister Hoi Chin Mo
Foreign Secretary Lao Chun
The four out riding vehicles were two pairs of old US Army Jeeps, the faded white stars covered in dust on the rusting green paintwork. Each Jeep held three men in military green, one each of which manned a fifty-calibre machine gun on the rear tripod of each car. Sitting inside the four-vehicle wall was a sleek, black Hummer with reflective windows and armoured plating in every possible place. The sun glistened off the chrome of the front grill, casting a stark reflection on the dilapidated military trucks that ran on each side.
The roaring of the engines as the convoy raced along at ninety miles an hour was near totally drowned out inside the soundproofed American truck as the four occupants reclined in the facing back seats. Two were clothed in military attire, with medals and ribbons gleaming on their neatly pressed uniforms. A third wore a pinstripe suit and a handlebar moustache, and reclined with a glass of sparkling Champagne in his hand. The fourth wore a red military jacket and black trousers reminiscent of the Colonial Army of Great Britain, and also held an array of various medals on his chest from various Armed Forces across, most of which were not likely to have been won so much as bought. This man was the focal point of attention for the three other men that sat in the back of the expensive truck, and he was currently leading the conversation.
“Gentlemen, I can hardly express the importance that putting down this minor inconvenience holds for the country’s safety, wealth and wellbeing.” He smiled as he tipped back his own glass of wine to the chuckles of the other men present; by the country, he of course meant they’re own safety, wealth and wellbeing. He smacked his lips at the sweet taste and looked back up at the others. “So, what has been happening with the forces?”
One of the military men in a General’s uniform cleared his throat. “Your Highness, we deployed a Division of the National Guard into Halong City yesterday and successfully put down the rebels there with a minimum of fuss.”
King Fou Minh listened for a few moments, and nodded to himself. “Very good.” He handed his empty glass to the pinstripe-suited man, who poured some more wine and handed it back. “But I must confess,” the King said after a further sip of his drink. “The security issues recently have brought my concern.” He looked at the others. “We need a solution to our problems.”
One of the Generals licked his lips hesitantly. “We could strike a deal, Your Highness,” he eventually said.
Fou Minh looked at him. “Go on,” he said quietly.
The General glanced around his colleagues for support before continuing. “Well Sire, this great nation of yours has an abundance of natural minerals, including offshore oil deposits that we have not been able to tap.” He leant forward in his chair. “We could make an arrangement with one or more of the international community to help protect our nation and the leadership with their armed forces in return for which we allow their companies the right to extract minerals from our nation.”
The King considered this. “What about our own Armed Forces? Are you suggesting we give them up?”
The General shook his head quickly. “Not in the least Sire, our own Military would remain. We will organise…” he thought for a moment. “…Zones in which separate Armed Forces protect the country.”
The King nodded to himself. “Very well,” he said. “Organise something with the Foreign Office and get to it.”
<><><>
The Kingdom of Trungstan
‘Long Live the King!’
To the international community,
In light of dire security issues both internal and external, the government of His Royal Highness King Fou Minh, Absolute Monarch of the Kingdom of Trungstan, Commander in Chief of the Trungstan Armed Forces would like to propose a deal with the international community.
The Kingdom is looking for at least one and no more than two members of the international community who would be willing and capable to place Military Forces in Trungstan in order to do two things:
1) Maintain Order and Stability in the Kingdom
2) Protect the current Government and Royal Family
In return for this service, the nations in question would have the right to extract the abundant mineral wealth available in Trungstan; phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, lumber and offshore oil and gas deposits. The following requirements must be met however:
1) Members of the military would be under Trungstan laws and punished accordingly in case of its breakage.
2) Should two nations agree to this deal, no war will be fought between these nations on Trungstan soil, in Trungstan airspace or inside Trungstan territorial waters.
Sincerely,
His Royal Highness King Fou Minh
Prime Minister Hoi Chin Mo
Foreign Secretary Lao Chun