NationStates Jolt Archive

President Rothbard had wanted to meet with President Mike Sarzo for quite some time. He respected President Sarzo for his outspoken support of human rights and liberty, which also endeared him to the Lewrockwellian people, to whom liberty was held precious. He had bought from Portland Iron Works before, and was satisfied with his purchase, and had become friendly with President Sarzo after he officially gave Lewrockwellia's legalization of gay marriage his stamp of approval. So it seemed the next step would be to meet President Sarzo in person. The thought exited him. He mailed President Sarzo a telegram asking him if he would like to meet, and if so where.

Sarzo was finished with the standard Cabinet meeting in the situation room. The session had been focused on the events that led to Sarzonia's severing of diplomatic relations with Pacitalia and then the restoration of trade between the nations. All of a sudden, the trip to Praeton wasn't looking quite as unpleasant a trip for Sarzo as it did just hours hence. An aide came up to Sarzo with a sheet of paper.

"Mr. President, this just came in from President Rothbard."

"Lewrockwellia, right?"

"Yes, sir. He'd like to meet you."

"All right." Sarzo looked at the telegram and smiled.

"We'll have to make it pretty quick because I'm leaving for Praetonia in a couple of days, but I see no reason why we can't give a nice little tour of the Naval Museum," Sarzo said out loud. He spotted First Partner Jay Tyler and smiled.

"Hey Jay, do you want to see the guy whose country has given your sister a job?"

"Sure. You mean the ambassadorship?"

"Yep."

"All right. When are we leaving?"

"Probably in a couple of hours. We should be making a nice little day trip out of it. After that, Nicole can spend time with him."

"All right. Should I pack anything?"

"Not sure. Better safe than sorry."

"Okay."

Sarzo and Tyler then packed a quick change of clothes and went over to Sarzonia One for the short trip to Nicksia. Sarzo called Naval Museum curator David Hancock Porter and told him to dress in his period naval uniform.

"We've got a distinguished guest coming to meet us," Sarzo said. "I'm sure he'll appreciate the gesture." Sarzo looked out at the sky around him and the ground below as the setting took on a hopeful tone that was absent just a few days prior.

President Rothbard sat back in his chair, smoking a cigar, as he looked out the window and wondered what awaited him in Sarzonia. He had just read a few books about the country, it's people and culture, etc. and was impressed with what he read. At any rate Air Force One was inroute to Sarzonia, just a few hours away.

With Rothbard was his wife, Margaret, whose grandparents were Sarzonian.

"I can't wait to meet President Sarzo, dear," she said.

He smiled. "Me, too. I've heard nothing but good things about him. And I've said nothing but good things about him. He must be quite a guy."

Before they knew it they were at the airport.

The pilot radioed the tower: "Air Force One, requesting permission to land, over."

"Air Force One, this is Nicksia control tower. You are cleared to land, over."

After Sarzo and Tyler heard that, they both began to check out mirrors to make sure they were presentable for the entrance of Rothbard. Sarzo especially was used to meeting with foreign leaders and Tyler was beginning to get used it, but they still felt nervous.

"He seems to be eager to meet you," Tyler said with a smile.

"I'm eager to meet him, too. That's why I want to make sure this goes well," Sarzo replied.

The transport delivered Rothbard toward the terminal where Sarzo and Tyler were standing and waiting. As the doors prepared to open, the hastily assembled band began to play the honourific song for the Lewrockwellian head of state. Sarzo held his breath as the doors opened.