NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This RP is mainly for nations in the Federated Klatchian Coast Region. If you are a nation that has close ties to the Klatch or Klatchian allies I'm sure you can be worked in too.


IC:

Twenty four hours ago William 'One-Hundredman' Issem had delivered his demand to address the Federated Klatchian Coast's Parliament in Port Olympus. His Marathon transport touched down in Port Olympus, the last Envoy sent by the Free Republic was the target of an assassin's missile, William was very mindful of that. He shifted in his seat as the jet came to a stop and he turned to his left.

"Corum, I can't thank you enough for lending me your House Guards, you really didn't have to come along, it could very well be dangerous."

Corum Vaad , the man sitting next to him turned and smiled "No problem Will, the Velites Kerbals have never quit the house without a member of the House of Vaad to lead them, and I'll be damned if it happens on my watch."

William nodded as he waited.

*****

The rear ramp of the jet deployed, and Federation authorities would see something that no nation had ever seen, a member of the Republican Council, with bodyguards. The Velites Kerbals (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9861127&postcount=6), eighty of them, marched slowly down the ramp, their dull black ceramite armour and fully enclosed helmets made them look like robots. Emblazoned on their left shoulder was the White Scorpion with the epithet 'Servo Quod Servo Domus Vaad' on the right shoulder was the Golden Comet of the House of Vaad. They carry their 'sniper rifles' out in fron of them as they march down the ramp and disperse, sweeping the area with the large tactical computer on the rifle.

*****

Back abord the jet Kerbals Manglavites Yross walked to the seated passengers and nodded "We can safely leave the jet now."

Corum Vaad, put on his helmet, he was equipped and dressed just like the Kerbals, but has no weapons other than his ceremonial sword and no White Scorpion on his armor, Minister of Defence William Issem followed him from the jet. The three men descended the ramp as an additional nine Kerbals formed up around them, three on each side, three in back, so that there are no gaps inbetween their bodies to allow for a snipers shot at the Minister, or the Lord Vaad.

The second Marathon that had come along had also landed and was off-loading it's armoured Jaguar XJ12 Sovereign limosines.

William 'One-Hundredman' looked around as he awaited the greeting from the Federations 'flunky' and simply commented "How could it have come to this?"

He then looked down and checked his e-mail on his blackberry.

The Klatchians were not exactly happy with the Vaadians either. First, the Vaadians happened to have several divisions of their Republican Guards sitting in the State of Karmanyanka. And due to the internal Klatchian Politics, and some arrogance on Karmanyanka's part, the treaty between the Free Republic and Karmanyanka had be vetoed. So as far as the Federation was concerned, the Free Republic was occuping Klatchian Territory.

Second, now they were making noises about war because their Klatchian Guard General had come to a horrid end in D.B. The old saying "If you put your finger in a hyenia's den, don't expect to keep your hand" was coming to mind.

But the Vaadian Minister of Defense had come. Unfortunatly he was also to find that Parliament, weary after the long debates on Karmanyanka had decided to call a week long recess to "Confir with our Respective Governments". This ment he was going to be cooling his heels for another twenty four hours.

Which is why Issem was greeted with two full companies of JDF front line troops in full parade form. The gray/blue uniforms with silver trim was worn by at least two hundread men and women standing a full attention in two double lines facing each other. And backing up the men and women in grey were two lines of Challenger III tanks. Actually, those were not Challenger III tanks, the diffrences were obvious although hard to notice at first glance. To any observer of military technology, the Klatchians had been up to something recently.

Between the two facing lines of honor guard were four black limos with the Vaadian flag flying on the hoods. Before each stood a driver in full dress uniform.

At the center of this assemblage of men and machines was a tall, wiry man in a light grey suit. His red hair seemed to be blown about on his head from the landing of the Marathon, but he did nothing to adjust it. He just wiped his bushy red mustache with a gloved hand.

"Minister Issem? Deputy Foreign Minister Badtock at your service. Welcome to Port Olympus."

Minister Issem stepped forward, his bodyguard keeping pace with him, and offered his hand to Deputy Foreign Minister Badtock.

"Deputy Minister Badtock, I am pleased to meet you. I wish it was under more convivial circumstances. I can imagine that Parliament is not at all pleased that I am here, or the FKC President."

Minister Issem didn't smile as he talked and looked over the assembled troops and tanks and the cars.

"I have brought my own transportation, and would be much more comfortable using them, if you don't mind?"

As he said that Kerbals Manglavites Yross stepped up and spoke directly to both men.

"I cannot allow Minister Issem to travel in vehicles that my men have not first fully inspected, unless we want a long wait, I suggest that we use the transport that we have brought, I can allow your drivers to operate them, under my mens supervision of course."

Minister Issem turned and nodded "I am afraid I have to agree with Kerbals Manglavites Yross, the Republican Council has instructed me to follow his advice on security by the letter. I am sure you can understand."

Of course the current state of affairs looked entirely different to the Vaadians. They had been asked by Karmanyaka's government to intercede and Parliament had approved the Foreign Guard base in Dyelli Beybi, it was odd to Vaadians how Federation Parliament demanded to 'approve' the actions of member states, but then refused to take responsibility for the actions of member states who had been originally forced to submit their plans to Parliament.

This 'dualistic' government of 'We are the Federation, but the business of Federation members is not the business of the Federation, excepting that the Federation needs to vote on it.' was confusing and irritating to the Vaadians. Then again that is what Minister Issem was here to iron out, once and for all.

Meanwhile...........

Tactical Groups Namroth Vedic, had been stationed about 500nm south of Dyelli Beybi, monitoring 'pirate' activities, but Admiral Aymara received new orders from Tollan and the entire Tactical Group began heading at full speed toward the bit of Dyelli Beybi's coastline where the Klatch Guard base was loacted. The Tactical Group would stop due south of the Klatch Guard bse, about 100nm miles out, still in 'international' waters, but much too close for Dyellian comfort to be sure. Their progress would be slowed at times, as they detected and stopped to clear Dyelli Beybi's various minefields that lay in international waters.

In Tollan, Retaliatory Guard Command was even busier, the entire fleet of Atlas Sea Transports were in dock at Coventry, Costa-Tula, Costa-Mela and South Haven and the activated Retaliatory Guard armies that had been slated to support forces already in Karmanyaka, but had been halted, due to the lessening of the crisis there. There was also rumor that all twelve remaining Red Jaguar Battalions had been activated and were being loaded onto various Revenge Class Battleships still at port.

The Sea of Lacon as well was emptying of Naval Guard units as the four Tactical Groups that had been stationed there now headed south out of the Sea of Lacon and then West.

The Free Republic appeared to be prepared to act, yet again, with a full force still in Karmanyaka.

The Deputy Minister took the Ministers hand and seemd to give a polite, if somewhat strained smile.

He then looked from one set of vehicles to the other and back. "You see the problem is that the President has closed Parliament Hill to all non-registered vehicles, with all this Particularist trouble in the city right now."

The Deputy Minister considered the situation for a moment. "So the problem is that you feel more comfortable ridding in your own vehicles. But we're not comfortable with uninspected vehicles on the Hill. And your staying on the hill because I am not having the Defense Minister of Ilek-Vaad assassinated by Checka, or some other rogue group. Although based on the security you have they would need to take out a city block at the same time."

Badtock nodded for a moment. "Alright, here is my suggestion. The Minister and I shall ride in a Vaadian vehicle. The Vaadian security detachment to follow you shall do so in our supplied vehicles. And all the other Vaadian vehicles will be sent to the Arx to be inspected and registered for your use, with your supervision of course."

What the Deputy Minister was up to was obvious. If the Vaadians were trying anything funny (Like blowing up Parliament with a car bomb) then they would have to take out their Defense Minister and the Deputy Foreign Minister at once.

Of course the Klatchians could have bombed the limos. But not even the VIS would waste their time wacking off a group of security personel when they couldn't get the primary target.

Kerbals Manglavites Yross looked stern for a second and then walked back to confer with his senior officers, after about a minute he returned and nodded to the Minister of Defence, who then smiled and nodded to Badtock.

"That would be fine."

The whole group then headed to move out, in their respective vehicles. The Velites Kerbals , were wary of everything, keeping every Federation flunky at least a gun barrel's length away.

Hargis Hall, Parliament Hill Security Building

The cheif of the Parliamentary Police sat quietly in an overstuffed chair looking out the window. He sipped his burbon with a touch of coffee out of a mug with an emblem of Vrak plastered on it.

There was a knock at the old door, as a young woman stepped in. She looked at the wide, empty desk and then over to the chair and small end table in the corner.

"Come in," the cheif growled. His Vrakian accent was barely changed, even with all the years in Port Olympus.

"Sir, the Vaadian Minister brought along..." she looked down at the paper. "...eighty security personel. They'll be loading most of them into some APC we have at the airport.

"Eighty bloody Vaadians armed to the teeth. The Vrakians are going to go crazy if we try to haul...what ten APC's...even second line ones....past them."

"Quite... might I suggest we send most of them the back way."

The Airport
The honor guard didn't move. Just stood and watched the vehicles as they were loaded and then began to move out. With the limo's able to carry four kerbals each, there was still need for another sixty spots somewhere. After a short delay eight VM-11 APC's (similar to the old M113) showed up to carry the remaining guards to their base.

As the convoy of cars rolled out, there was a call over the radio. "This is Hargis...LAPC's three through eight will be rerouted to the Arx for security reasons."

The drive to Parliament Hill was not through the center of the city. But actually out and around, almost reaching the Vrakian Border before it turned and went through the outer parts of the city.

Port Olympus was probably Klatch's number one hotspot for Tzarist sympathisers, many of whom were planning how to get a slice of the Dyellian pie now that the country had dissolved into numerous squabbling factions once again. The Vaadian visit to Port Olympus was duly noted by any and all of the factions with a prescence there... which was to say all of them, but particularly the Tzarists, and their new close allies.

Minister Issem, Kerbals Manglavites Yross and Corum Vaad all joined Badtock in the Vaadian limo which could hold six in back and two up front. The rest of the Kerbals loaded up into the Federation limos and troop transports, laying their 'sniper' rifles at their feet, each one of them, in eactly the same manner drew one of their SMG's and chambered a round in the same swift movement as they sat, crossing their left arm over their lap and resting their right arm with the SMG on top of the left, making sure that half of them had their guns aimed towards the back of their ransport, and the other half aimed towards the front.

IF any of them are within earshot to divert part of the Kerbals to thr ARX they immediately relay it to Manglevites Yross.

The Kerbal's were not going to get a chance. With the diplomatic convoy basicly having to circle half the city, there was a good deal of time to deal with complaints.

Outside Chamber of the Privy Council

The rumbling deep Vrakian voice could be heard through the door, "Never have we had armed foreign guards near or within Parliament and we say this, it will not happen now nor ever."

The reply in a more refined Alconian voice echoed. " We have allowed armed guards before. However as for eighty armed guards. It might be more sensible to house our Vaadian Visitor in the Arx's old palace rather than in the Guest Quadrangle of the Ducal Palace....and blame it on a dyellian faction"

The aide turned from the door. "Did you here that?"

"Yeah, I'll get on the radio and make adjustments"

*****
The Diplomatic Convoy
The radio's squaked again. Diplomatic Convoy is totally redirected to gate B of Arx and to the Old Palace

The small cellphone of deputy Foreign Minister vibrated. He smiled at the two Vaadians before pulling it out of his pocket and answering it. "Code Alpha Beta Gama...my voice is my password....yes...quite...ah yes I see...no no...ah...quite....no I understand....yes...I will inform them of such..." He hit the end button on the phone and then nodded to the Minister.

"It would seem that your arrival has been noted by the Checka. And they've made some worrying noises back to Cyro. Since Cyro is still a mess we don't know who is in charge at the moment, well they have decided to reassign your quarters to somewhere more secure. The old Palace of the Arx."

The diplomatic vehicles were at this time going south and passing through the old city gate near the Arx. A moment later the convoy pulled off the main road and started to climb a hill. They went past a checkpoint, then through a tunnel with heavy blast doors.

The vehicles continued to climb the narrow road; passing armored vehicles, concrete batteries, and ancient stone walls. The route itself seemed to actally circle the hill, going higher and higher. At times the vehicles would turn into the side of the hill and follow a tunnel for a moment before returning to the open sky.

As the cars progressed up the hill, they began to pass stone barracks. Finally the long line of vehicles turned into the gate of the ancient fortress at the top of the hill. On one side of the small courtyard was the looming shape of a cathedral. The tall, stainglass windows could be made out between the stone butresses. At the far end was a more modern poured concrete building. And at the left was a almost blank stone wall rising out of a ditch at the side of the courtyard.

There was a drawbridge that crossed the ditch to a gothic doorway. The vaadian limo was stopped at the drawbridge, the remaining vehicles turned and also stopped in the narrow courtyard. The Deputy Minister stepped out of the car and indicated the gateway. "Minister Issam, the Old Palace of the Arx."

The portculius across the door began to go up as the door of massive oak timbers was opened. Two armed guards marched out with a third man, in JDF full uniform, following them. A line of people in white coats also followed. The people in white stopped and formed a line along one side of the drawbridge. The two guards stopped, turned and faced each other with their weapons presented.

The man in the uniform nodded to the Deputy Minister. "Ah welcome Minister Issem? I am Major Banes, Assistant Keeper of the Palace of the Arx. I guess you could say I'm your...Majordomo for your stay with us."

The Vaadians watched silently as their course changed, Minister Issem was certain that the Vrakians had made the change in plans, his choice to travel with a heavy bodyguard had the effect he had planned.

Corum Vaad removed his helmet as they approached the Arx Palace and nodded, grinning to Minister Issem "Almost like the Acropolis, I think the Kebals will be very comfortable here, I can imagine we'll have quite a field of....,uhm , view of the whole city."

As the car halted and everyone got out, Minister Issen saluted Major Banes as he greeted him " Pleased to meet you Major, this is Corum Vaad, and that is Kerbals Manglevites Yross." he says as he motions to Yross and his men as they disembark.

The Kerbals disembark as if they are in hostile territory, the first men getting out with SMG's leveled and ready and the rest deploying after them carefully moving the 'sniper' rifles. Once they are all out the form up behind and around the Minister and Corum Vaad .

Corum Vaad grinned at the Major "It's very much like my house, except mines a bit more Byzantine than Gothic."

Major Banes watched with disaproval of how the kerbals were acting. The Major raised an eyebrow at the comment about the place. "I didn't know that Vaadians had noblity," the tone was slightly icy.

The Major turned and started to introduce some of the key staff. "This is the cheif steward, Yesef Hidel and the cheif cook Mrs. Lamplighter. I shall now show you to your quarters."

As the Major turned on his heel and marched forward through the gate, Badtock tried to mellow the conversation a bit. "Hmm, well the Old Palace isn't really that old. It's just that the Palace of the Electors tends to vary in age greatly."

They had passed through the gatehouse and were now in the south courtyard of the old palace. around three sides of the ground floor was a narrow arcade that circled the stone flaged courtyard. Doors and windows opened up onto the arcade and the courtyard. Above this were three more levels of dimond paned windows that looked down into the courtyard. The bubbling sound of the central fountain seemed to give this place a peaceful air.

The Major began speaking again. "You and your staff will have access to the game room..." he pointed to a doorway off the arcade. "and we will be housing your junior members of staff...in some of the rooms off the arcade. I will now show you the great hall which will serve as your mess."

At the corner where the gatehouse meet the arcade, there was a wide staircase rising up. The Major turned and walked up the stone steps. They rose approximatly a half story opening onto a large hall. The room was odd, the tall perpendicular windows constrasted dramatically with the walls covered in moorish tile of blues, whites, and greens. The floor was a marble tile version of a persian rug in deep reds, blues, and blacks. The far wall was most dramatic because of its lack of decoration. Just blank white plaster, oddly disjointed to the rest of the room.

The room was set with several groups of tables and chairs. On each table was a small plastic vase with fake flowers. In truth they were attached to the tables which were designed to be very difficult to lift off the ground.

The Major began again. "You will inform the steward when you wish your staff to dine. I assume in shifts...if for some reason you wish to order take-out. Only Amos and Andy have security clerance to deliver food up here. He pointed to a doorway that a guard was standing at. "That area is off limits..." He then pointed to another, larger doorway. "This way to the reception rooms and your quarters gentlemen."

Corum Vaad winked to Major Banes "There is no nobility in the Free Republic, it's all honorary. I see you're worried about mt mens aggressive security measures, don't be alrmed, they won't shoot anyone unless they go for a gun in the Minister's presence. I'm sure you can understand their concern, security seems to have a bad rep in Port Olympus. "

They then greeted the Steward and Chef and then all headed off behind Major Banes, the Kerbals keeping a close cordon around the Minister and Corum Vaad. They moved slowly , sweeping every portion of wall and window they passed with their tactical computers , sizing up the likelyhood of hidden doors, electronic countermeasures, amaking note of the entrances and exits into and out of the area.

The Major said nothing to Vaad, just commented under his breath fuc*ing Adel

By the end of the hall, the Major was becoming increasingly annoyed. He turned and faced the group.

"Gentlemen, it would seem that you need to send your people off to scan your quarters to your heart's content. I do not have the time at the moment to haul around this sloth legion of armsmen you seem to have acquired."

He paused for a second, calming himself, "As such my assistant will be providing you maps of your quarters. There are three things you should note, there are hidden camera's that overlook the courtyard, both normal visual and I.R. There are guards in the east wing, and along the parpet. If you wish to place your own guards upon the latter, in addition to my boys and girls, you need to send them to the small doorway halfway down the gateway you came in, maximum eight."

Banes started to walk back towards the stairs at the east end of the hall. "Oh, the security code to gain access to the south wing is KY-eight-seven seven three. We were not planning on housing anyone in that wing. Your quarters will either be off the courtyard or in the west wing."

He stopped and turned at the head of the stairs, "there is a letter for you Minister Issem on the desk in the library."

Manglevites Yross narrowed his eyes at Banes as made his little outbiurst and then flounced down the hall.

"Thank you Major Banes " he said authoratively " I'm sure that we can manage fine on our own, you are dismissed." he said 'dismissed' in a tone that implied a primary school teacher's tone at a student who had just horribly misspelt 'dog'.

They then then headed on to have a thorough inspection of their quarters, as they left Banes could distintcly hear comments like 'appalling lack of discipline' and 'Joke Defence Farce' bandied about. Minister Issem detoured with a pair of Kerbals to the library to see who had sent him a letter before even he knew where he was going to , one of the Kerbals swept the library and opened the letter prior to Minister Issem even entering the room.

OOC: We all know that Vaadians feel they are the Gods of War.

Badtock's face became an unreabable sphinx after Banes and Manglevites Yross seemed to needle each other. He himself just raised an eyebrow at the comments and followed Minister Issem to the library.

The formal appartments across the first floor of the west wing could be accessed off a wide hallway that followed the courtyard side of the wing. The apartments on this level consisted of a small dining room, sitting room, and drawing room. The sitting room and small dining room were consistant with the age of the building, dark wood paneling, a stencils on the beamed cealing. The drawing room was fairly large and pleasent room done in a georgian style, with light yellow walls, white trim, and a wedgewood feize.

The south and west wings met at a corner turret. This had been rebuilt in a french style with a wide stone staircase rising around a circular opening and lit by long stainglass windows.

The library and two state bedrooms were on the second floor of the west wing, with three bedrooms above that on the upper floor.

The south wing, which was isolated from the west and north wings by a lock system of two, heavy clear doors. The first and second floor consisted of moderately sized bedrooms that looked over the courtyard, connected by a hallway along the south wall that looked out over a small garden and a modern building. The third floor was some type of ballroom, it was open to the rafters with only a grand piano in one corner.

The bedrooms of the southwing were obviously modern, they had heavy doors with muli-point locks that were locked from the outside by an automatic control system. It felt like an upscale hotel, each room with its own bath.

On the second floor, third bedroom suite there was someone in one of the bathrooms. The person was laying on the floor, or more specifically under the sink, and muttering some swear words. On one side was a submachine gun, on the other a tool kit.

As the Vaadian entered, the person shouted, "Hey hand me that number three wrench will you? Er...Mark is that you? Where did you get the snappy boots?"

*****
The Library

The room was an obvious victorian riot of dark colors. The tall windows looked west across the valley of ponds and domes that was the Vrakian Quarter to Parliament Hill beyond. On a desk between two of the windows was a small ivory envelope addressed to Minister Issem. It was sealed with wax. Beneith that was a large manila envelope addressed to Deputy Minister Badtock in typed letters.

Badtock wandered in after the minister and towards a small cabinet that appeared to be a liquir cabinet. He opened it and pulled out a decanter and looked to the others in the room to see if they wanted any before pouring himself a glass as he watched the monorail cross between Parliament Hill and the Arx out the window.

*****
The note
Minister William Issem of Ilek-Vaad
and Corum Vaad
are invited to lunch at the
Key Club's Silver Room
Today at One in the afternoon.
casual attire, five guards with side arms maximum

The Velites Kerbals finished their sweep of the rooms and Manglevites Yross began to draw up the duty roster as the Kerbals returned from checking the rooms, it was made sure that 24 hours a day, there would be at least two Velites Kerbals outside the Ministers room and two at every hallway and doorway inbetween there and the obvious exits.

Kerbals Keeve looked down at the plumber under the sink of the bathroom of the third bedroom suite. As the well armed plumber yelled out, Keeve carefully stepped between the sink and the submachine gun, sliding it out of the plumbers reach with his foot, while levelling his own submachine gun down at the plumber. Kerbals Keeve's voice came through the speaker in his helmet, and was transmitted to Manglevites Yross at the same time, who checked on where Keeve was, through the GPS on his tactical computer, Manglevites Yross and two other men started to Keeve's location.

"Mark isn't here" Keeve said calmly "Now then, stand up very slowly and keep your hands where I can see them. Major Banes did not inform us that anyone would be working on any of these rooms, so you will have to understand if I am a bit cautious."

By mentioning Mark, Manglevites Yross got the message that they meet an additional armed person on the way there.

*****
The Library

Both Corum and Minister Issem declined drinks, Minister Issem handed Badtock the manila envelope addressed to him and read the invitation and then handed it to Corum.

"Key Club's Silver Room? Must be parliament's cafeteria." Corum chuckled and then gave a look of mock snobbery and sniffed "Silver eh? Wouldn't wipe me nose on silver! What!"

Minister Issem chuckled " Well then you can stay here , I think I'll go, I wonder who invited us?"

Corum shrugged "Probably the bus boy, we aren't popular from what I've been led to understand."

Minister Issem laughed "Wants us to help him clear away the lunch dishes, that's why it's at one instead of noon!"

They both had a good hearty laugh at that and then as if on queue both turned and scowled at Badtock, then laughed some more.

"Well deputy Minister, we should probably arrange for at least one of our limosines to be certified by one, we need to get to the Key's Club Silver Room." Minister Issem said as finished up laughing.


OOC: We ares teh sooper power!!!1!!!11!!!!!

The Bathroom

The plumber said nothing for a moment. "Well I wasn't expecting us to have guests. As for what what the assistant Keeper knows or does not know. Well sometimes it's easier to do something than tell him your going to do it. Spherians tend to love paperwork and unionized labor a bit much. Especially for an emergency repair"

The female voice stopped for a moment again, "As for moving, its taken me nearly twenty minutes to get this blasted part seated properly. So either shoot the unarmed woman half under a sink..." A hand appeared from under the counter, "....or hand her the wrench on the counter. Because she is not dealing with trying to put this adaptor in place a second time."

The Library
The Deputy Minister said nothing at the laughing Vaadians. He just opened his envelope read the contents and shook his head. "Quite..." The Minister looked down at the sheet in his hands again. "Pardon my frankness, but No actually I think that would be a rather poor choice of transport at the moment Minister....unless of course you want to start a war."

The Bathroom

The plumber heard the distinct noise of a round being chambered and Keeve spoke up again.

"I am not going to ask twice. I have been fully authorized to shoot to kill, and will do so. Faulty plumbing is only a secondary concern at this moment."

*****
The Library

Minister Issem raised an eyebrow "A Jaguar limosine starting a war? I'm afraid that if someone in Parliament is that upset about what car I drive, well, then they can be hanged. It is a point of pride among Vaadian Diplomats, Ministers included, to use the automobiles provided by Sir Lloyd at Jaguar Daimler."

Corum just shrugs "I told you it was a bad idea to go."

Minister Issem shook his head "Well then Deputy Minister, if you could please inform whoever sent that invitation that I will most certainly not be attending a luncheon at the Silver Room."

He decides a to rant a bit then, possibly a taste of his impending speech "This is precisely the point. Your Federation's President thinks NOTHING of sending and entire platoon of The King's Own into OUR capital, on Federation business, yet MY security is unwelcome.

When we are concluding a treaty with a member state Parliament MUST approve it, yet when the treaty is broken Parliament concludes that it is an entirely INTERNAL matter.

Every move we make insults the Federation in some way, yet the Federation is entirely unconcerned about how their actions are perceived in Lassic. We are not a Federation State and we will not accept the Federations arrogant, one sided views.

These double standards HAVE to stop, or there will be war, and the Federation will be to blame! NOT the Free Republic. Good day Deputy Minister Badtock!"

As he said the last bit, he crossed to the library door, opened and motioned for Deputy Minister Badtock to leave, while holding out the invitation to be returned.

The Bathroom
There was a moment of silence then a sigh, "Fine, but I'm going to demand you fix the mess your about to create you fuc*ing asshole." The sargent pushed herself out and looked up at the armored guard. He hands spread out. The green eyes bore into the man clad in black with obvious distaste

As she did so there was a ping and hot water began to spray everywhere. Soaking the floor, far wall, and the sargent still laying on the floor.


The Library

Badtock didn't move, just sipped his drink a moment longer letting the silence just hover there a moment. Just long enough to let the shouting seemed to die out, but before the fustration with him not leaving overcame the curiosity of what he was up to.

"Thank you for illustrating why I don't want you going through about a dozen Vrakian checkpoints in anyone's limo Minister" His tone was calm, icy calm. A polite tone but backed with steel, like a doctor dealing with a slightly histerical patient.

"The obvious Vaadian fustration...if we add a group of guards who don't have the diplomatic sense to keep their mouths shut, and of course the Vrakian King's Personal Guard detail is just as bad, if not even more tone death...." Badtock seemed to nod in the general direction of where Major Banes likely was, "and it would be like dropping a sodium asteroid into Lake Olympus, quite a nice spectacular disaster."

He paused and sipped at his drink again. "My task is to prevent obvious disasters if I can, and facilitate better Vaadian Klatchian relations, even if the walruses are acting like they have a sore tusk."

He held up the paper in his hand, "The Vrakians are spoiling for a fight, and on behalf of the rest of the Klatch. We'd prefer it if you don't lock horns. So are we all on the same page again, at least on this secondary matter?"

The Bathroom
There was a moment of silence then a sigh, "Fine, but I'm going to demand you fix the mess your about to create you fuc*ing asshole." The sargent pushed herself out and looked up at the armored guard. He hands spread out. The green eyes bore into the man clad in black with obvious distaste

As she did so there was a ping and hot water began to spray everywhere. Soaking the floor, far wall, and the sargent still laying on the floor.


The Library

Badtock didn't move, just sipped his drink a moment longer letting the silence just hover there a moment. Just long enough to let the shouting seemed to die out, but before the fustration with him not leaving overcame the curiosity of what he was up to.

"Thank you for illustrating why I don't want you going through about a dozen Vrakian checkpoints in anyone's limo Minister" His tone was calm, icy calm. A polite tone but backed with steel, like a doctor dealing with a slightly histerical patient.

"The obvious Vaadian fustration...if we add a group of guards who don't have the diplomatic sense to keep their mouths shut, and of course the Vrakian King's Personal Guard detail is just as bad, if not even more tone death...." Badtock seemed to nod in the general direction of where Major Banes likely was, "and it would be like dropping a sodium asteroid into Lake Olympus, quite a nice spectacular disaster."

He paused and sipped at his drink again. "My task is to prevent obvious disasters if I can, and facilitate better Vaadian Klatchian relations, even if the walruses are acting like they have a sore tusk."

He held up the paper in his hand, "The Vrakians are spoiling for a fight, and on behalf of the rest of the Klatch. We'd prefer it if you don't lock horns. So are we all on the same page again, at least on this secondary matter?"

The Bathroom

Keeve calmy continued, now then stand up slowly, and keep your hands where I can see them. When you are up all the way , turn around facing away from me and place your hands on your head, interlacing your fingers."

Kerbals Keeve took no notice of the water, his kit was waterproof, and he calmly went about the entire situation as it happened to him regularly everyday.


The Library

Minister Issem narrowed his eyes at Badtock.

"The point is moot, I am not going to lunch at the Silver Room, and your services will be no longer required. I and the rest of the Free Republic are through jumping through the Federations hoops.

You can send someone around as soon as parliament is ready for me."

Corum just stood quietly by.

Library

Badtock raised an eyebrow, "At what point has any Vaadian even remotely jumped through a Federation Hoop? At anything other than a minor inconvienece you've just ignored our suggestions, and warnings." His voice didn't raise one iota.

"You invaded Karmanyanka when we told you that we would consider it an illegal act and an act of war, but you rolled in there anyway. And if all of the problems in the Alconians trying to get the treaty signed, because you wouldn't back off, got your nose out of wack. Well you can discuss that with the Knights back in Kyral. It was their decision, not yours, not ours, to bury that treaty and not have it ratified by Parliament when you first agreed to it."

"Now Vaadians have a reputation for being a bit brighter tactically than a good deal of the world. The question becomes for you Minister are you going to deal tactically with the multi-headed hydra that is our Parliament? Or Rail against us and our unfair demands? A carthardic but likely pointless exercise. Or do you really want to just get permission to act against this Dyellian Coup without having the Federation go bonkers, in which case you may be meeting with the completely wrong Federal body?"

At this point a building siren went off and an annoucement went off throughout the building...Warning, Warning...possible sabtoge to power and water systems. All individuals stay where you are unless ordered to evacuate...

The Bathroom
The tiles became soaked as water went everywhere. Actually there was now about a centimeter of water all over the floor. As the sargent did as demanded, there was a spark and the room went into complete darkness. Then the alarms went off.

The Guard Room
"We have possible sabatoge...electrical went out south wing floor two and we have a hell of a lot of water flowing in that wing for it being in standby."

"Someone find the Major, likely someone turned on a plugged sink or decided to play overflowing toilet gag on us. But it might be someone trying to get our guests out into the open...get a squad together and see what is up...strengthen the perimiter patrol now."

*******
A moment later eight guards with submachine guns walked into the hall following a young man in officer's uniform. They did not pay too much attention to the Vaadian guards, just kept their weapons at the ready as they plowed on to reach the south wing.

Library

Minister Issem ignored the warning, the Velites Kerbals from outside came into the library and closed the doors as the Minister continued.

"Yes, of course, we've never done as Parliament or the Federation have asked. How could we? When we ask for ambassadors from Federation members half send an ambassador the other half tell us to request a Federation Ambassador. We can't even establish an embassy in Port Olympus, if it wasn't for our embassies in Dyelli Beybi, Tanah Burung , Karmanyaka and Vrak, we'd have no contact with the Federation.

Field Marshal Grune's build up forces on our border and arrest of our Ambassador was obviously internal Federation business, don't make me laugh. Karmanyaka was the first instance where the Free Republic didn't do what the Federation asked.

I have no plan for dealing with parliament or the Federation, I am merely here to express how the Republican Council feels about the Federation and what WE are going to do, whether the Federation likes it or not."

He was obviously getting very angry.

Corum looked around at the alarm "Rats gnawing on the wiring? We had a squirrel short out our motion detector grid one time. Took us hours to find it!"

The Bathroom

It took a second for Keeve to switch to night vision and when he did he removed the seargent's hands from her head, and placed them in nylon restraints, calmly picked up her gun and walked her out into the room, just as Manglevites Yross and his men came in, they too had switched to night vision.

Manglevites Yross said in a harsh tone "Keeve, what the devil is going on man."

Keeve pushed the seargent forward "This one was messing about with the plumbing. She was armed with this." he handed over the submachine gun. "Major Banes clearly stated that all of these rooms were clearly empty, so I detained the armed plumber."

Yross looked over Keeves shoulder at the water coming from the bathroom "That must have shorted something."

Keeve nodded and Yross turned to one of his men "Go in there and do an examination for anything out of place and scan for bomb residue, then see if there is a valve, if there is turn it off. Keeve, come with me."

Manglevites Yross took hold of the plumbers arm and stepped out into the hallway with Keeve and the Kerbals. They headed down the hallway in direction of the JDF lads.

The JDF lads were unhindered as they passed by the Kerbals, they did notice that exactly half the Velites Kerbals they passed fell in behind them, helpfully, or menacinly depending on how you were inclined to look at it.

Once in the bathroom the Kerbals sent in quickly scanned over everything with his tactical computer , so long as found no C4 residue, nitrogenic compounds or anything else that would set off the bomb detector, he got down and looked for the hot water valve and shut it, unless of course she had been replacing the valve, then he just shrugged and wondered why the main hadn't been shut and watched everything start to float.

The Deputy Minister paused for a moment and considered what Issem had just stated. "So your going to play right in to Soult's hands? Or should I say whoever Soult's puppet master really is." he asked in a detached tone.

He shrugged at Vaad's comment.

******
The sargent chuckled at the comment, armed plumber. "You don't see many plumbers with cheveron's on their shoulders."

The bathroom contained no C4, just a standard metric tool kit with several bins of small parts, an empty cardboard box and there was a sink faucet laying on the floor, that looked like it had been just replaced. There was something similar to a nitrogenic compound, but it was just some plumber's putty for setting the faucet on the sink.

The shut off valve was there, but when closed, it would pop back open. Of course one could hold the valve closed.

******

The captain stopped as sargent Yeates appeared like some half drowned cat. "Is there a reason one of my sargents looks like she has been showering fully dressed, and is in apparent custody?"

He looked at one of the JDF men at his side and motioned for them to continue forward. Four ran on towards the south wing and four stayed behind.

The blond sargent said, "valve VH-S-304" as the group passed. The captain raised an eyebrow at that. "Let me guess one of those shitty cut off valves went when you replaced the sink faucet..."

The sargent nodded.

Library

"That is, as you Federation types are so fond of say, an entirely internal matter. I don't care what Genorale Soult's motives are, or who pulls his strings, nor do I care what the Federation does. " Said the Minister quite icly. "The Federation has use up the goodwill of the Republican Council thrice over by now, further requests for our patience and understanding are pushing it."

Minister Issem gave Badtock a long hard look "IF the Federation would member states accountable for their actions, we wouldn't have to worry about Genorale Soult. I thought that member states that provoked wars or generally broke the Federation rules were supposed to come under Attainment? I have yet to see that happen. IF the Federation followed it's own rules, I would not even be here right now, troops would not be in Karmanyaka and Dyelli Beybi would not be under imminent threat of of invasion."

Corum tried to lighten things a bid "Nah, Dyelli Beybi would still be under threat of invasion, probably just not from us! Can we turn off the alarm in here or turn it down at least?"

Bathroom

The Kerbals hmmmed and said out loud to himself "Adapt, adopt, and improve." and knelt under the sink again, this time taking out his nylon restraints. He set the valve to 'closed' and then looped on end of the restraint around the knob and the other around the pipe so that it was pulling the valve and wrapped it tightly so that the faucet was lodged. He then stood and admired his worked, kicked it once lightly to make sure it was holding and then headed out.

Hallway

"I've never seen a Seargent repairing plumbing." Stated Yross quite matter of factly , he then turned to the Captain "This is one of yours then? One of my lads found her messing with the plumbing. We were told that these rooms were clear and we had never seen an armed, militarily uniformed plumber. Kerbals Keeve quite rightly aired on the side of caution my, other lad...."

As he said that the other Kerbals stepped out, his uniform quite wet, not that it matterrd to him and reported plainly "Upon inspection sir, she was in all likely hood just repairing the plumbing. There was no additional tampering or any sign of explosives. I have temporarily halted the leak as well."

"My other lad is checking things out ." He say with a nod as he cuts Yeates restraints "This could have been avioded, had we been apprised of the Seargent's presence. You gentleman shall very likely need a mop."

The Library
The Deputy Minister shook his head. "And the Republican Council has also drained any goodwill the Klatchians have felt towards the Republic. You've interfered in our internal matters, you send your princes wholy unprepared into klatchian quagmires and then blame us for it, you've ignored any offers of assistance. Finally you've invaded the Klatch on the flimsy excuse that the government of Karmanyanka was suddenly illegal. After we made the unprecidented move to send a Klatchian Marshal to investigate. And it was a Klatchian Marshal who brought and end to the illegal coup, your just doing bloody clean up work now."

He paused again as the alarm stopped. "And the one time you have the legal right to interfere, you screw that up as well. Instead of presenting your authority to the Privy Council, your going to vent your collective spleen on the Keys. You'll go down in history with the japanesse negotiators who screwed up their correspondence with the Americans changing the phrase 'we will consider' to 'we will not consider'. They woke up a few days later to not having two major cities anymore, and the population of japan drasticly smaller than the day before."

The Deputy Minister's voice became like a blade of ice. "So I shall leave you with the choice Minister. You have two paths open to you, one to deal with Sault and not have a Klatchian-Republican War, " he held up the invitation. "The other is a Klatchain-Republican War, your choice Minister." He dropped the invitation on the desk and then walked almost out the door.

"Oh, there happens to be a private mono-rail car at the Minister's disposal for traveling to Parliament Hill rather than exposing him on the city streets." He added on his way out the door.

Hallway
The Captain nodded, "I've got a bit of a staff problem at the moment. The sargent here is trained to work on tanks, but does well at the occasional plumbing problem. Although why she was working alone is an intresting question."

"Private Black wandered off sir..." The sargent answered.
"Quite...well then I suggest we leave the sargent here to clean up her mess while I find what happened to the vanishing private and make his life a living hell."

The Library

"The Foreign Guard Cahrter that we concluded with The Socialist Republic of Dyelli Beybi and was approved by Parliament states quite clearly that we act to bring stability to the host nation. Genorale Soult, is not bringing stability. He is butchering political rivals, kidnapping foreign representatives and fracturing The Socialist Republic into petty fiefdoms." He pauses as Badtock leaves "IF the Federation refuses to act to immediately bring stability, WE WILL. Action in Karmanyaka became necessary when Grune deigned to mass forces on our border, your 'Marshall' may have assissinated Grune, but we did the bloody work on the ground that the JDF doesn't have the stomach for."

He waited for Badtock to leave and then turned to Corum "Well, I'm not even hungry now." Minister Issem says as he has a seat.

Corum shrugs "At least they turned that bloody alrm off? I wonder how many of my lads they killed? Don't worry Will, I'll cover you at lunch, I brought my smoking jacket, hopefully that will be casual enough."

Minister Issem grinned " Bring me a doggie bag, we still don't even know who you're having lunch with?"

Corum shrugs "It's a free lunch , I'll have lunch with the devil himself so long as he's paying."

Minister Issem nodded "Alright then, good luck."

Corum just nodded and went off to change and then to inquire about the private monorail. Minister Issem stayed in the library and went over his notes for his upcoming speech, it would certainly be memorable., if nothing else.

The Hallway

Manglevites Yross saluted the Captain and then headed off back to the library "Very good Captain. If we find this private I'll make sure he knows what is in store for him." He said as he left.

The Library
The words that echoed down the hall were, "Great argument, wrong person..."

As for where the private had disappeared to well, the Kerbals never learned that fact. Just watched as a shop vac was run to the room to clean up the water and the plumbing repairs finished.

The Old Palace Gate
Vaad was informed that transportation issues would be delt with by the guards at the gate by one of the palace stewards. (Who also were asking the Minister when, and what, he would like to eat.)

At the gate, a rather proper looking leiutenant informed the Vaadian, "Ah yes sir, I will be heading your escort detail to the Key Club and know the way. Will you be bringing any of your security personel along?"

Corum looked at the Lieutenant suspiciously "Do I need any security? Are you threatening me?" He paused and then smiled "No, I am certain that your security will be more than sufficent. It's more important that the Kerbals stay here and look after the Minister."

He frowned a bit as the Lieutenant took his joke as most stiff Alconians would, but kept smiling "Anyhow lead, I'd hate to be late, I don't want to offend whomever it is that I'm having lunch with."

He then followed the Lieutenants lead.

The lieutenant shook his head, "I'll threaten you sir when you try to get my wife into bed..." (OOC note: A good number of people on staff are not Alconian)

The tall, thin officer led the Vaadian across the drawbridge. Two guards followed them both, bringing up the rear. The lieutenant turned and walked down the narrow roadway between the palace and the church. "You'll note the main dining hall looks like a gothic cathedral. It was originally a Church to the Dog God Ubu but was burned after the Vrakians burned it in the name of their God Bok. It was rebuilt to serve as commissary later."

The group stopped at the end of the street. Here there was a gate at the end of the commissary giving access to another part of the fortress and a fairly modern building that was builing that ended the street they were presently on. There was a set of heavy metal doors set into the doorway of precast concrete structure. They opened automatically to reveal a low, wide lobby with several birdcage security gates across the far wall. At the side of the lobby were two escalators that decended down.

OOC: I kep forgetting that, my apologies. If I slip and use Stiff Alconian, just replace it with 'Irritable Vrakian' or 'Possible Olympian Assassin'. ;)

IC:

Corum raised and eyebrow "Your wife? Congratulations. Do you often have trouble with men trying to bed your wife? I suppose that's why my mother said I should marry an ugly woman."

He grinned and followed the Lieutenant, he nods as the Lietenant points out various things of interest and basically just keeps quiet until asked something.

Lieutenant Meijers continued to talk as they turned and walked down the escelator. "Quite a nice monorail system we have, allowing us to travel from the Arx directly to Parliament Hill and the Octogon without having to go all the way into the catacombs and then back up."

The platform was located between two sets of tunnels. Several people in uniforms milled about the tiled floor of the platform waiting obviously for a monorail car to appear.

Meijers got off the escelator and walked back along the side to a small glassed in booth. He knocked on the glass and was answered by a short, bald man with a huge mustache. "The special car for our guests..." the man nodded and a moment later a wooshing sound was heard. Large lights over the platform turned red as a short monorail car appeared from one of the tunnels.

It stopped at the end of the platform and Meijers let the Vaadian step on first. It looked like any other mass transport vehicle with carpet on the floors, large windows, and metal handrails along the cealing. The only diffrence was that the seats were leather bucket with wide tables set between them.

The Alconian indicated that Vaad should take a seat as he pressed on a small call button, "Key Stop please" There was an electronic beep and reply of "confirmed"

The car began to move as the doors closed and it vanished down one of the tunnels, a moment later the vehicle exploded into the sunlight as it passed over the Vrakian Quarter between the Arx and Parliament Hill.

A moment later the vehicle plunged into the side of Parliament Hill and then went strait through a stop.

"That's the Octogon stop..." Meijer's added helpfully. The car began to slow down before stopping at the next stop.

Meijer's stood and walked out onto a fairly deserted platform. "With the Key's out of session everyone around here is on vacation at the moment." He walked onto an escelator and looked up at the space above the moving stairs. It was a high space with windows at two ends. A fresco of a walrus with a crown and a whole group of humans in the clouds stared down at them. There was a landing halfway up to the top of the room. Here a small door had been placed into one wall.

Meijer's ignored the second set of moving stairs and walked through the door. It was a small lobby finished in salmon paint with an elevator. Meijer's pressed the button and waited. "Quite a bit faster than driving over here..." Meijers stated as the elevator appeared to be taking forever. "I would suggest you don't order the Vrakian dish, unless you like your seafood to be still moving when you eat it."

Coeum smiled politely and nodded through the short trip, and generally didn't make a nuisance of himself. As they patiently waited for the elevator he made one inquiry. "I don't suppose you know who invited the Minister to lunch?"

He shrugged at the Vrakian cuisine comment "Well, I much prefer steak anyhow. Seafood is more for those coastal types. Mind you lobster is a nice treat every now and again, but too rich to have everyday."

OOC: not like this isn't expected

Meijers reply to the Vaadians question was somewhat odd. "I have no idea what you are talking about sir, as far as I know you and the Minister were granted dining privilages at the Key Club." However he tapped the wall with a finger and then his ear.

The sound of a gong signaled the arrival of the elevator and they all stepped in. Meijers continued talking, "Well I here the steak here is quite excellent, although I've never had it myself."

A moment later the elevator stopped and Mejiers led the group into a palatial lobby. Decorated in a classical style with the floors, walls, and even mouldings in various types of marble, it seemed to scream wealth. A man in a black tux immediatly appeared from somewhere and began to question Meijers.

"May I help you?" The voice dripped with cold contempt.

"Security detail for one of the Guests of the Silver Room."

The man in the tux seemed to look over Coem with a cold eye and then added, "very well follow me..."

They turned and went up a wide flight of stairs from the lobby onto the second floor. This likewise had a lobby with several rooms off of it. There was a short hall leading to a double set of doors flanked by two guards. The man in the tux paused before knocking and turned.

"Ah who is this actually"

"Coeum Vaad" Meijer's stated dryly.

The man in the tux nodded and then knocked. An answer of "enter" could be heard through the heavy door. It swung open and Coeum was ushered inside.

"my lady, Coeum Vaad, Mr. Vaad...Landgravine Hubris, Outer Consul of the Federation."

The Landgravine was dressed in a simple summer dress of light blue which went quite nicely with her figure. "Ah, thank you." she added, dismissing the attendent with a nodd of the head. She turned from the window and went to towards a table in the center of the room. "I apologize for the cloak and dagger invitation but VIS has become somewhat nosy in Federal affairs recently."

Corum gave the man an odd look as he was introduced to the Landgravine "Mr. Vaad? Corum Vaad, King of Lassic,Coventry and the Border Principalities, I normally go by Prince Corum. I'm sure you'll get it right next time."

He normally would be okay with Mr. Vaad, but the man's attitude was just too much for Corum, so he had to have jab at him. He enters and offers his hand to the Landgravine.

"Well, that's quite alright, I'm sure that the VIS has their reasoning. I am very pleased to meet you I must say. I was assuming that I was going to be dining with Sir Ozymandius Llewellyn, I was afraid I'd offend him by staring at his tail."

The Landgravine almost snickered as Corum gave the verbal equivlant of a kick in the rear to the attendent.

The Landgravine took Corum's hand and then said, "Let's be seated shall we?"

The table was set for a full course meal for four people, a simple one page menu sat next to each place setting. "As for offending Sir Ozy, I am afraid that is rather hard to do your Grace. More then likely he would have started making it do rather odd graceful movements with it to destract you to no end." She paused for a moment as the footman pushed her chair in. "Ozy is much like his race, very philisophical in nature. Although he does have a wry sense of humor at times. The major diffrence is that Sir Ozy, as a young cub, decided he wanted to go to sea and joined the Navy rather than live in the high mountain valley home of his race."

She paused again as two waiters appeared. One quickly removed the unused place setting while the other began to ask what his guests wold like to drink.

Victoria waited for Corum to make his order before placing an order for some 'rock and rye' whatever that was.

"Of course my family started getting him to fill sensitive government posts after he married an even more adventuresome fox. Which is how he became the Ducal Key to Parliament. Although it was his calm and even handed manner in those early debates that led to the Keys electing him Speaker."

As the drink order came out, Victoria changed subjects. "But I did not invite you here to discuss Sir Ozy. I asked both yourself and the Minister to join me so that you could informally invoke the Transistion Interference Clause of the Klatchian Constitution."

Corum ordered a double Glenfiddich, neat, as with most Lasseans, he was a heavy scotch drinker. He smiled and nodded politely as he listened to Victoria as she continued. He looked thoughtful and then sipped at his scotch as it was served and smiles as he goes on to discuss the Transistion Interference Clause of the Klatchian Constitution.

"Well, I have no idea what the Transistion Interference Clause of the Klatchian Constitution is , but if it needs to be invoked so that Will can address Parliament, I'm sure I can serve as his second and invoke it. Does it involve a duel of some sort?"

He pauses and moves uncomfortably "Because you see, I hurt my back the other day and it's uncomfortable to move quickly or with exertion." he smiles and winks.

"Honestly, Will fully expects that Parliament has no intention of letting him in, much less letting him speak. Either way he's going in rough and ready. Something about pulling the right back over from the Vaadists. Political stuff, I'm not involved in thank god. That and the fact that he's genuinely upset, it will be something to see."

He takes another sip of scotch and grins "I was glad to see that my Kerbals riled the politicos around here, I doubt that a platoon of the King's Own will goose step off any plane in The Free Republic again anytime soon!"

Victoria's dark reddish drink was served in a cold glass. She sipped at her drink and let the prince talk a moment before she replied.
"Well I got your message about sending goose marching troops onto Vaadian soil. I am afraid that it lost something in translation into Vrakian. They seem to have interpeted it to mean you want William 'Hundred' Isslem to be met with a one hundred gun salute, aimed at his head. Personally I do not think that the Republican Council would take that very well, but then Bok gives a fig for what the Republican Council wants."

She again sipped her drink and glanced down at the menu to confim what she was going to order.


Lunch

Appetizers

Stuffed Cabbage Leaves
with Lamb and Coucous

Escargo Scampi

Chickaroch and Mushroom
Quesadillas

Spicy Dyellian Chips

Lobster Bisque


Entree
served with
Fresh Vegitables and rice pilaf

Lobster Rolls

Steamers and Corn

Roasted Honey Lamb Chops

Kobi 12 oz Steak

Green eels and Jam

Klatchian Crocodile Steaks
Today's Special
Fresh Grilled Olympic Lake Trout

"Good thing that this Bok fellow isn't in charge." he commented as he looked over the menu and ordered.

"I will start with the lobster bisque, and then the grilled Olympic lake trout. We don't have trout in Ilek-Vaad, and I do like fish."

He then waits politely as Victoria orders and then smiles "I think that we need to find a way to get both our respective councils to start caring what the other thinks.

It's silly for each side to keep acting unilaterally. Childish even."

Victoria looked up at the waiter, "I will have the scampi and then the trout also, oh extra drawn butter with the fish please."

She handed over the menu to the waiter and waited for a moment before starting to talk again. Victoria returned Corum's smile as she answered, "Quite right, although I think half of our problems stem from them both having only a vauge notion of how the other government really works."

She paused for a moment considering her glass in thought, "Not to mention how we seem to culturally be misinterpeting each other's actions. Both the Republic's government and the Klatchian Federal Government are quite unique. Which makes it quite difficult for people worried about politics, learning how some foreign system works is far less important then learning what your opposition is up to."

Corum nods "Quite. I know the Republican Council is hamstrung by it's necessity of yearly elections that forces them to closely mirror the will of the people and leaves them little time to learn the intracacies of other nations governments."

He pauses and sips at his scotch " With the Federation this is only exacerbated by the dualistic nature of The Federation government and the governments of it's member states. Some of which have sent and ambassadors to the Free Republic and others have insisted that The Free Republic needs an ambassdor from Port Olympus representating the Federation, which despite attempts to find one have so far failed.

The Republican Council is stymied not necessarily by the laws and nature of the Federation, but the fact that Federation members seem to apply them wholly differently. That's the point we are at now, Will is here to say enough is enough, make up your minds about how the Federation deals with The Free Republic once and for all.'

He shrugs "Originally Sir Alec was to come and make that very statement, but Will argued that a diplomatic approach had failed in the past so he's hewre to put it as bluntly as possible to make sure there is no incongruity."

The Landgravine raised an eyebrow at the first comment, "Yearly, my god they must be in constant election cycle mode. I am surprised they even attempted to tackle the Klatchian Constitution. Not disparaging the Vaadian government but I can see some more of the overal picture."

She paused and gave Corum a wry smile. "I am afraid that the laws of the Federation are not being applied diffrently by each state in most situations, but that there is very little that the Federal Government actually controls. States do have the right to have direct diplomatic relations with an outside nation. Other states would perfer to deal with the Vaadian Government one level removed, especially the constitutional monarchies." She sipped her drink.

"Ilek-Vaad is quite well known for beleiving the only true democracy is a republican democracy, and has well funded institutions which act on those beleifs. Of course, some state governments are using Ilek-Vaad as a convient punching bag for their own political problems. Nor did it due Vaadian intrests in those areas any good when the Klatchian Guard was set up in Dyelli Beybi. Which was seen by many as a secret police state." Victoria paused as the appitizers were brought out.

"Having some knowledge of how the Vaadian government works, I think that the Klatchian Guard decision was made on tactical grounds as much as anything else. That and your Retalitory Guard did not realize how prevasive the power of the Checka really was, by outside appearence they were a democracy."

Victoria shook her head, "Really I did not mean to go down the path of being overly critical of Ilek-Vaad. Klatchian failures in, and towards, the Republic have been just as detrimental, or even greater. There needs to be a good deal of rebuilding of the Vaadian-Klatchian relationship. But the first step is to deal with the D.B. crisis without causing a pointless Vaadian-Klatchian war."

Victoria stopped for a moment and tried the scampi. Her eyes went back to Corum to see what he thought.

Corum smiles "Well it is illegal to camoaign until November, and then campaigning must stop in February just before elections. Council members are expected to run on their record, First Republican Kanaan has never campaigned, just debated his opponents."

He pauses and tries the bisque and then adds some pepper.

"Oh trust me, Retaliatory Guard Command is fully aware that the Cheka ran and runs Dyelli Beybi. The Foreign Guard is there to do exactly what the Council stated, bring stability. They just don't know how to accomplish that exactly.

The only problem in Dyelli Beybi at the moment is that the rebels have taken steps against The Free Republic that a vast majority of states would consider an act of war. The worst part is that Soult seems to be doing precisely to cause a Federation/Vaadian war and Parliament seems perfectly content to let him do it?"

He pauses there and tucks into the bisque. "Quite good."

Victoria took another bite of her scampi. "That is one way of interpeting it, the way I see it actually. But Soult has timed this quite well, or been waiting for the right circumstances, in any case he has handled this exceptionaly well. He appears to have only isolated the Klatchian Guard, but not molested in any direct way. I am sure that Soult is going to argue that he is mearly 'protecting' the Klatchian Guard during this time of unrest. As for the apparent lack of available communications between the Klatchian Guard base and the outside world, Soult will blame it on 'actions of supporters the former government'."

She paused again, taking another bite of the scampi dish. "Add in the current Parliamentary anger at Ilek-Vaad for involving itself in Karmanyanka and you've got a major problem trying to get Parliament to actually vote for Attainment. And that will not get Emperor Soult out of power either."

Victoria sipped at her drink. "There is of course one path open. But considering how Soult has apparently done his homework, and bided his time, I am trying to figure out if there is an unseen roadblock down that route. I have a bad feeling that Soult's made an underhanded deal with Bok's preists. But there is one gem that the King of Vrak wants that will make him go against the so called wishes of the Walrus God."

Her eyes narrowed on something that wasn't there for a moment. "The problem is I don't think that the Republican Council is ready politically for what is about to happen if I do make that deal."

Corum smiles and laughs "Soult's already admitted that he has kidnapped General Imro, how is he not molesting the Foreign Guard directly? If a military representative of The United Duchies in The Free Republic at the Free Republic's request were kidnapped by a rebellious Vaadian faction, what actions would you take? What actions would you take when that faction became the defacto government?

I'd tell you waht you'd do, you would demand his return or go and get him. Parliament and The President have both been quick to offer us threats about what will happen if we attempt to help our representatives, but has offered us no assurances that they will attempt to find a solution. They simply state that Soult's rebellion and acts of war against the Free Republic are a purely internal matter, and we risk war with the Federation if we intervene."

Corum finishes his bisque "It ceased to be an internal matter the instant that Soult seized a Vaadian representative. Next you'll be telling us that our embassies are no longer Vaadian territory and that Klatchian states have the right to arrest our ambassadors? This action is only one step from that."

Victoria nodded with a look of understanding. "Quite right and quite wrong at the same time. First let me show you something." She turned and nodded to one of the footmen standing quietly in the corner.

"You see what the General has admitted to you is what he wants you to think. Of course the case of General Imro's kidnapping is most unique."

The footman brought over a metal breifcase. Victoria placed her thumbs over two pads where the locks would normally be. The case popped open with a beep. The Landgravine pulled a blue folder out and placed it down on the table, opening it to reveal a photograph. It was just a touch blurry but showed several men following someone. There was an attached series of blow-ups of each face, the man in the lead was obviously General Imro.

"That is a picture of General Imro returning to the Klatchian Guard Base after taking a jaunt south towards the coast. I'm assuming he ran in to resistance and was hearded home by the half-track following him. Our oblique overpass flights since then have not gotten any images that can be confirmed greater than 60% confidence that they are of the General. But if the General has been kidnapped then so has the entire Klatchian Guard."

She paused, "Soult knows that if any Vaadian utters or agrees to the phrase 'the Dyellians have kiddnapped the Klatchian Guard' then he's won. Hell we will walk into his trap for him."

She paused letting Corum look through the images in the folder. There were several photo's of what might be the Vaadian General at various points on the Klatchian Guard base. Usually a long distance shot with a much smaller blow up of where the general may or may not be.

After a moment, as she finished her scampi she started to talk again, "As for your anlysis of the Klatchian response, you only get a 60% percent mark on it. You forgot to say what the Privy Council thinks about this mess."

Corum didn't even look at the photos. "This illustrates another part of the problem. The fact that The Federation has information pertinent to the situation, and yet does not share it with the Republican Council.

Why were these images not immediately forwarded to the Ministry of Defence? Or given to The Nachxa? I'm sure that you are aware of the Retaliatory Guard satellite images that are being shared with the VIS on the movements in Dyelli Beybi? Including the images of the Foreign Guard base being surrounded by Soult's forces?"

Corum shakes his head "I'm sorry, but this is precisely why The Republican Council does not trust The Federation. The only thing they get from The Federation during a crisis are threats to not interfere, they don't get the intelligence, the assurances or the promise from The Federation that it is working to resolve the issue. In both Karmanyaka and now Dyelli Beybi, the only communications that we have had from The Federation and it's President are the threats that if we get involved we are risking war.

We get nothing in the way of explanations of what is going on, or assurances that our representatives will be safe, we don't even get simple basic communications on the matter, only threats."

He just pushes the pictures back over to Victoria "These pictures do no good here and are pointless for me to look at. We have always shared intelligence freely with our Klatchian neighbors, but The Federation withholds information even when it could help prevent a Klatchian/Vaadian war."

Corum sighs heavily "As for what the Privy Council thinks of this mess, we once again have no idea. No one has even attempted to contact us, except to deliver the threat of war."

He pauses and smiles "I seem to have lost my appetite."

"The Republican Council is busy telling the Vrakian Intelligence Services everything about intelligence of the situation? How nice for the Walruses, but the assumption that the walruses are sharing any of that is quite erroneous. Until two minutes ago I didn't even know Soult admitted to you about kidnapping your General."

She paused getting control of her emotions. "The problem is that Vaadian Intelligence has been sharing with Vrakian intelligence. And the Vrakians have not been sharing with anyone else. And the last time the Privy Council sent someone to discuss things with Ilek-Vaad, it was interpeted as nothing more than a threat and ignored."

Victoria leaned back in her chair. "The truth of the matter is that we can sit here and argue for months about who's fault it is. And half the time we would not be listening to the other side, too caught up in our own emotions, our own preconceived notions."

"Or we can work out how to solve these problems at let historians figure out the blame. I am willing to do so, but I need a respected Vaadian to help me. I would meet with the Naxcha except then I'd never be abke ti see the President again." The green eyes locked on to Corum as she made the last statement.

Corum looked a bit irritated "Who else should we share it with? That's one of the things we've been trying to figure out, if we ask the President, he says the VIS, if we ask anyone else, they want to know why we are asking them. I also am almost positive that a member of the Privy Council has never been to the Free Republic or met with any member of the Republican Council. We did have an Alconian Key meet with the First Republican.That is all I'm aware of.

I could be mistaken but the Republican Council to my knowledge has never had any direct dealings with the Privy Council."

He then frowned "I did not mean to imply blame, I merely told you why The Republican Council sees the Fedearation as untrustworthy. Blame is for spoiled children, I was pointing out why certain actions on The Federations part have been perceived badly by The Republican Council.

I'm afraid to say that the only person that you will be able to work with is The Nachxa. Part of what Will is going to do is to re-affirm The Nachxa's position as Special Envoy and representative to The Federation. He is the only Vaadian with the qualifications and the patience to deal with the President and Parliament. Will is not here to work out these issues just to deliver the Draft Proposal and to let the Parliament know exactly how The Free Republic sees things at this point.

If anything is to be worked out, it will have to be done with The Nachxa, or if not with him than with The Supreme Republican Commander when a Military Mandate is issued."

Corum just shakes his head "The Republican Council was already of the opinion that war is unavoidable. They have been at that conclusion since The Nachxa's arrival here. The Nachxa is the only one in the current government that believes that the issues can be resolved peaceably and he is only remaining here due to his enourmous prestige and personal clout. Will was originally supposed to return with The Nachxa, but The Nachxa refused.

From what you say, my earlier assessment is quite correct that The Federation states are not on the same page and are acting at ods with each other."

Corum looked a bit irritated "Who else should we share it with? That's one of the things we've been trying to figure out, if we ask the President, he says the VIS, if we ask anyone else, they want to know why we are asking them. I also am almost positive that a member of the Privy Council has never been to the Free Republic or met with any member of the Republican Council. We did have an Alconian Key meet with the First Republican.That is all I'm aware of.

I could be mistaken but the Republican Council to my knowledge has never had any direct dealings with the Privy Council."

He then frowned "I did not mean to imply blame, I merely told you why The Republican Council sees the Fedearation as untrustworthy. Blame is for spoiled children, I was pointing out why certain actions on The Federations part have been perceived badly by The Republican Council.

I'm afraid to say that the only person that you will be able to work with is The Nachxa. Part of what Will is going to do is to re-affirm The Nachxa's position as Special Envoy and representative to The Federation. He is the only Vaadian with the qualifications and the patience to deal with the President and Parliament. Will is not here to work out these issues just to deliver the Draft Proposal and to let the Parliament know exactly how The Free Republic sees things at this point.

If anything is to be worked out, it will have to be done with The Nachxa, or if not with him than with The Supreme Republican Commander when a Military Mandate is issued."

Corum just shakes his head "The Republican Council was already of the opinion that war is unavoidable. They have been at that conclusion since The Nachxa's arrival here. The Nachxa is the only one in the current government that believes that the issues can be resolved peaceably and he is only remaining here due to his enourmous prestige and personal clout. Will was originally supposed to return with The Nachxa, but The Nachxa refused.

From what you say, my earlier assessment is quite correct that The Federation states are not on the same page and are acting at ods with each other."

"I did send someone, his name was Bethune."

She listened to the buisness about the Naxcha and shook her head,
"What if I said that Minister Isslem could return with an agreement stating that the Federation recognizes that the Klatchian Guard has the right to interfere in the coup within D.B? I can not meet with the Naxcha for reasons only the Naxcha likely would be able to understand. But you've opened the door by being here." She paused to let that sink in.

"The question is, will the Minister take it back to the Republican Council? And will the Council, and the Relalitory commander respect the restrictions that agreement is going to have?"

Corum pauses "Bethune? He was a member of the Privy Council? I thought he was someone's assistant, besides he was treated very well and had quite a large part in writing the Draft Proposal, how was he threatened? I'm sure that the First Republican would be most interested to hear about it."

Corum smiles "Will has already entertained the possibility that some sort of side deal accomodation might be made, but he has promised the Republican Council that if he returns with anything, it will be a signed and endorsed Draft Proposal. Which would of course set restrictions on the Foreign Guard involvement anyhow, and future Vaadian 'interference'.

Besides, MY being here doesn't open the door to anything. I'm merely a private citizen who has offered my independant services to protect our valiant Minister of Defence. If you want to open doors you'll have to get to Will, and after Badtock , you haven't much chance of that."

Victoria shook her head, "I'm not sure if I got the name right. I borrowed someone from the Outer Ministries. I thought it was him though. Anyway that matter aside. The United Duchies has been fairly active in giving input to your proposal. However, it will take weeks if not months for Parliament to actually get around to voting on it. Time that we can not afford in some ways."

The waiters returned to refresh the drinks and remove the used plates and silverware.

"Whatever your legal status is in Ilek-Vaad, your a staff member to the Minister here. And you've already agreed to be his second on this matter as far as I am concerned. Really the situation would not change if the Vaadian proposal was signed sealed and delivered." She paused for a moment.

"The way things stand, no Klatchian State can interfere in the transition of the government of Dyelli Beybi. Nor does the Federal Government have any standing on the matter. The JDF has no reason to intervene that I can prove before Parliament. But there is one group that does have standing, the Klatchian Guard."

Victoria paused, "due to some legal factors that I doubt you want to hear. Ilek-Vaad had to ask. And considering the Minister's rather blunt behavior, and his preoccupation with Vaadian political manuvering, I doubt that he would realize that the door was open. No matter how hard anyone hinted at it."

"But I tried, and I got what I needed." Victoria's eyes became icy blue for a moment, almost surreally. "I am not going to send Klatchians to kill Vaadians to satisfy anyone's god forsaken arrogance. Even if it means chasing after the Vaadian Defense Minister and shouting out the Transistion Interference Warrent to the Republican Council from outside the building."

The waiters appeared with the trout and placed it before them both. They then quickly disappeared.

Corum poked at the trout "Yes, Will intends to bring up the fact that Parliament approved the Foreign Guard's presence and that it has an obligation to bring about stability, he has a whole section along those lines as to what the Foreign Guard will and will not do, and why he believes it is within their power.

Maybe not the same reasons as you are thinking of, but fairly close I would imagine."

He has a couple of bites of the trout and another drink.

"You won't have to chase after Will if you intend to talk with him." he smiles and winks "He's a Purifier, he prefers to stand and fight."

Corum sits back and shrugs "You can come back with me if you like, but I can't guarantee that you'll get anywhere with Will. Like I said his, and the Council's mind was made up weeks ago. Karmanyaka showed a lack of Federation resolve and they are certain they have nothing to fear, they have decided that a Federation declaration of war would be as impotent as the Knootian declaration of war was. They aren't going to budge at this point, unless you've got something more compelling than pictures of General Imro having a walkabout with some of his lads."

Corum smiled, but it lacked optimism.

"The only reason we are not at war is because of me. I argued and prevailed that you had been operating under the false assumption that you were within your legal rights in Karmanyanka." She paused putting a touch of lemon on her trout.

"Of course the Minister can say that the Klatchian Guard has that right as many times as he wants to Parliament. It is not their decision, it is the Privy Council's. The Minister, and you apparently, have not realized that fact. A fact that has been repeated to you now at least three times."

She took a bite of her trout. "Nor am I going to have a talk with William. I think that a high level meeting would just cause more problems. No, I am afraid that unless William clues in to the fact that he may very soon get what never knew he needed that I will be sandbagging him worse than the Opposition ever did."

Corum looks about to say something but then just smiles before continuing.

"Well, our Emissary here in Port Olympus hasn't really been greeted with open arms by the Privy Council. You keep saying that we need to speak with the Privy Council, but how do we do that?

The Privy Council has been invisible, at least to us. We were told that if we wanted to deal with the Privy Council that we had to first send an Ambassador here. We did that , so far he's had a nice vacation at Sir Llewellyn's expense, but no one from the government will even talk with him, and now you tell me that you won't talk to him either. You also say that you won't go and talk to Will.

So exactly how and when do we contact the Privy Council? It's a question we've been trying to answer for over a year. If we ask the Vrakians, they of course tell us to go through them and their king, we asked the Alconian Key that visited us and she recommended we first send an Ambassador to Port Olympus and to go from there, so far neither have worked."

He smiles and winks "Of course we need to talk to the Privy Council, but so far it's been nothing but a game of hide and seek. After tomorow the Federation will have only one point of contact with the Free Republic, and that will be The Nachxa. The Privy Council can finally come out from under it's desk and talk to him, or we can keep looking for them, that's up to you I'd imagine."

He finishes up his meal and leans back "You say that you'll cahse Will down if you have to to prevent war in one breath, and then you say that you won't talk to him in the next breath. This is precisely the confusion that we have. When we DO find someone to talk to , they assure us they are the wrong person to deal with, otherwise we find officials that take your stance. That we should be talking to someone, but that they won't talk to us. So unless you and the Privy Council srtart actually talking to someone, you're just going to have to live with Will's speech tomorrow."

He sips at his scotch and smiles "By the way, I am the wrong person to talk to about this."

Victoria blinked considering what Corum had said, "I would prefer to say this to the Minister, but circumstances being what they are I will lay things out to you. Then both you and the minister can discuss what the Minister desires to do next, without the baggage of needing to score political points off of me."


"Ah, first let's address the Naxcha problem. The Envoy did have contact with the Privy Council, me actually, when he was first named Envoy to the Federation. Of course the Naxcha desired to do things on his own, without assistance of the Privy Council. That turned into a large, rather nasty mess. When I got out of the coma, well it seems that the Olympian Press had locked onto the fact that the Naxcha is a Vaadian demi-god of sorts."

She paused and sipped at her drink, "The King of Vrak has become quite religious, and both he and the preists of the Walrus God Bok took an immediate dislike to both the false god of the Naxcha and Ilek-Vaad. I do not desire to meet with the Naxcha at the moment because it would block my access to the President of the Federation. And occassionaly I need the President's signiture on documents of utmost national importance. Only my personal relationship with the King has allowed me to maintain access while most others have been blocked by the priests of Bok."

She paused again, "As for a meeting with the Privy Council, or myself actually, all any represenative from anywhere only needs to do is ask. The Office of the Secretary of the Privy Council is in the phone book actually. I am not going out of my way to invite William over to chat, or to go meet William..."

She stopped and shook her head, "Effectively I am playing chess here with Soult. If I go see William there is a fairly nasty move that Soult can make in the courts that will leave both myself and Vaadian forces in the Klatch in a rather poor postion. If William comes to see me, we avoid the problem entirely. The reason for the obscure invite to this lunch was to mislead VIS so they don't go tell the preists of Bok and have them drug the King tommorrow morning before I arrive. And the late time was so that the Vrakian Keys would be too sloshed to care."

She paused and chuckled, "I am in the wrong buisness, I should open a cloak and dagger store. I would make a mint in this town. Well, there was a thumbnail sketch of the situation, you can at least give information to Mister Isslem, then he can decide what he wants to do, the Privy Council can meet with him this afternoon if he so desires. He just needs to make an appointment."

"Oh, the only warning that I need to re-iterate is that one about shouting at the Republican Council. Whatever happens tommorrow, I will not allow William to bury it to save his own political skin, that is what the shouting buisness was about. He had better take back that Warrant to the Republican Council, even if he promised them he would only bring back a signed Vaadian Proposal."

Corum just has a blank look on his face as Victoria finishes. "Honestly, how do you get anything done in the Federation at all?

Well, like I said before, I'll talk to Will. The only political points he needs to score is with the Vaadists back home, and all he needs to do that is to stand up to your President's threats of war, other than that his speech will be entirely reasonable. He's not going to be personally attacking anyone , at least not that I know of.

Of course he's scored immesurable points with the Vaadists simply by travelling with me. They still see me as their ideological leader, no matter how much I tell them I'm voting Republican. Of course you'll be much more popular too after this lunch comes out in the paper. I'll give an exclusive interview to someone about it, maybe Pat the Llama?"

He gives a wiley smile, showing that he was just poking fun.

"But seriously, I will give your office a call this afternoon and let you know if Will is predisposed to meeting you, if not, what if The Nachxa came to see you? By the way he is not a Demi-god he is simply the mouth piece of the retired God-Emperors. You should also know that adherents of Bok that travel to the Free Republic equate the God-Emperor Itzcoatl with Bok, apparently the temples and imagery are very similiar.

Is this no smoking room? I have some cigars?"

Victoria shook her head, "It is like hearding jaguars and pumas. And having to keep an eye on three tons of walrus." The Landgravine looked up at a clock.

"As for Pat the Llama...oh, yes the reporter that we want for those libel charges....anyway keep this meeting under your hat until tommorrow afternoon. I have to catch an early flight tommorrow to Vrakprime without VIS telling the Bok preists about it."

She looked down at her meal and made a small hand gesture. "With the Naxcha... mouth peice for a false God or the false God himself I should best avoid the Naxcha until the President is feeling less like he would tusk the fellow in the name of Bok. As for this equivilancy buisness, I'm not sure I trust the Bok preists to be doing Bok's will, or being rational about things. I just prefer not give them any ammunition against me at the present time. Maybe the King has calmed down about the Naxcha by now."

She stood up slowly with a look of irritation at the clock and regret towards the Prince, "I do have...er an appointment to keep unfortunatly. You and the Minister have dining privilages here as you are guests of Parliament, so stay as long as you desire your Grace. I do beleive they allow smoking in the building, but ask the waiter to be sure."

Victoria gave a small bow to the Vaadian prince and a wry smile. "Oh and watch out for druken Vrakians, they tend to roll over people. Good Day..."

Corum stood as Victora got up to leave "It was a pleasure lunching with you and I will give your office a call as soon as I've talked to Will."

As Victoria left he clipped the end of his cigar and then put it in his mouth and lit it, he cast a look over to the waiter but didn't ask if he was permitted to smoke but instead offered his other cigar to the waiter.

"The appetizer was excellent, but the fish was a bit dry. "

He puffed thoughtfully on his cigar and headed out himself, to find Lietenant Meijers.

The waiter simply shook his head no at the cigar and simply cleared off the dishes. He returned a moment later with a check for Corum to sign, stating that he had actually eaten the meal detailed on the check, "If you would sir, so that we can keep track of accounts." Considering that there was no price on anything, no one was expecting Corum to pay.

The area outside of the doors was empty of any guards. It seems the two at the door had vanished with the Landgravine. The upstairs hall was quiet. Only the sound of the waiters cleaning the table off in the silver room. And the sound of pages turning from another doorway.

Going back down the stairs, Corum found Mejiers quietly sitting in a chair in the lobby. The Lieutenant was perusing a magazine and had gotten himself something to drink. The little officious man was running about dealing with something else but noticed the Vaadian Prince and decidely ignored Corum.

Meijers stood as Corum's steps on the marble drew the young man's attention . "Ah, did you have a good meal sir?"

Corum signs the bill before leaving and nods to Lieutenant Meijers.

"Not bad at all, cigar?" he said as he offered his extra to Meijers. "Anyhow let's get going Lieutenant. I've got to talk to the Minister."

Meijer's smiles at the cigar. "Thank You sir..." and takes it. He nods and walks over to a doorway. "Come on boys, back to the lair..."

The lieutenant strolls back towards Corum and a moment later the guards appear from the door. "This way sir..." Meijer's added as he pointed Corum back towards the elevators.

Slicing off the end of the cigar he lit it. "Wife doesn't like me to smoke, but I doubt she will mind me having this cigar."

Meijer's enjoyed the cigar on the return to Arx Hill and the old palace. After arriving back he walked into the courtyard and sat down on the edge of the fountain to finish it off.

Corum on the other hand headed to the library to discuss things with Minister Issem.

"Well, lunch was wasn't bad, the trout was a bit dry but it was lunch with Landgravine of Hubris Wittelbach." Corum started as he headed in, putting out his cigar.

William looked up "And no one tried to kill you, or her? Absolutely shocking."

Corum shrugged as he took a seat "She seems to think you should pay a visit to her office, to discuss the confusion in the current state of affairs and to give you some slip of paper that will allow the Foreign Guard to act."

William leaned back "Allowing them to act? Knowing General Imro, they will act. We don't need the Federations approval for that, Soult has declared war on us."

Corum "Do you really want to fight the whole of the Federation?"

William looked irritated "Yes, of course. The Federation instantly backs the leaders of every and any military coup in their member nations, no matter how illegal or bloody it is. That's their key to stability."

Corum laughs "That's as maybe. Just go and have a yell at her. I told her I'd call and let her know, besides she's single, you're single..........."

William looks up "You're single too, what does that have to do with it? You're implying that I go hit on the Landgravine, that will improve relations dramatically I'm sure."

Corum shrugs again "You're right. After meeting me, what could she possibly see in you?"

William shakes his head "You're going to go on until I agree to see her."

Corum nods "Yes, and I'll keep drinikg as I do so, becoming more irritating and juvenile at the same time until you simply can't stand it."

William shrugs "So, like a typical Saturday night out? Fine go call. You can drink by yourself."

Corum winks and smiles "Nah, I'll call some hookers after I call Victoria."

Corum stands and picks up the phone, and hits 0 , hopefully since the Privy Council is in the phonebook the operator will have the number.

OOC: Point of fact she is engaged.

IC: The zero actually got the security desk. However the guard manning the phones was able to re-direct the call to the Privy Council Office.

"Hello, Privy Council's Office..." was stated in a rather gruff tone in an accent that sounded more suited to a pirate captain than a receptionist.

OOC: pfffffft, engaged, that just means she's waiting for someone to cahnge her mind. Old Vaadian proverb.

IC:

Corum thought for a second and replied, in less piratical tines "Yes, this is Prince Corum Vaad, I need to schedule an appointment for this afternoon for the Vaadian Minister of Defence to meet with Outer Consul Wittelbach-Crawford." he then thought about it, and couldn't resist adding "Matey."

He turned and smiled at William as he said it. William just shook his head.

"Ar, der be ne Princes of Jiggady, but the Landgravine's schedule is free. Say perhaps at first bell in the next watch, thirty minutes past the fourth hour for you lubbers." It seemed that the receptionist was a bit of a character, resonding to the Matey with a more piraty dialog.

Corum blinked for a second and then responded. "Four thirty this afternoon then? That would be fine."

William stood and went to the door and instructed one of the Velites Kerbal standing outside to find Lieutenant Meijers, or someone else who could arrange travel to the Privy Council's offices. It was unlikely that he could just drive there.

Meijers of course was just finishing his cigar when the quite rude Kerbal ordered transportation for the Minister.

"Well the Minister does have a private monorail car at his disposal. Ah, Prince Vaad just used it to go to lunch actually. Although I assume you wish to inspect it before the Minister himself boards it?"

The Kerbal nods "The Minister will also be travelling with his security detail. I suggest you make arrangements so that they are aware of this at the offices of the Privy Council."

The Kerbals stated it quite tearsly and radioed Manglevites Yross to send a security detail to check the monorail thoroughly before it was cleared for the Ministers use. The Kerbals were leaving nothing to chance, if there were any more armed 'plumbers' they would most likely be shot.

Meijer's chuckled a moment. "There is no way your getting inside of the Privy Council Chamber armed vaadian, if you really think that the Privy Council wants the Minister dead, I would suggest you stay here. I will round up someone to escort your boys to the car. We don't want you getting lost in the middle of Klatchian Military Base and starting a war because you wander into a sensitive area."

The lieutenant stood up, brushed off some ashes and walked back to the gate. There would be a guard waiting to lead the Kerbals to the location of the monorail car when they were orginized.

The Kerbal simply shrugged "Never mind then, if we don't go the Minister does not go."

With that he returned and reported exactly this to Minister Issem and Corum. Corum shook his head and William smiled.

"You see. They are more than happy to see me dead." Wiliam said in an I told you so manner. "You can call and tell the Landgravine to kiss the whitest part of my ass. She'll have to wait with the rest of parliament."

Corum frowned " I suppose. I hope you know what you are doing, Will. A lot of good men and women could die."

William looked cross at Corum "Up until eleven months ago I was one of those men. If you think you can lecture me on the costs of war, you'd better think again. You and your Kerbals are fine for playing war, but have you ever killed a man? Seen those under your command die carrying out your orders? I have.

I know the cost. I've seen it, and lived it first hand."

Corum put up his hands defensively "Okay, Will, I know, I know. I was just asking. Sheesh."

Corum then turned and and picked up the phone, to cancel the appointment, citing the fact that the Ministers safety could not be assured.

OOC: After a couple of days of jolt's collapse, pulls a kitten corpse out of the wires and answers as he did before

IC: The secretary is of course confused. "Ah security concerns sir? I am sure that if the Minister needs an armed escort to the Chambers we can send some of our guard detail. Or is there some other problem?"

The fact that Meijer's had clued in to the Vaadian arrogance of bringing weapons into one of the most sensitive buildings of the Klatch did not mean that said realization was universal.


(I also love how Vaadians have little hissy fits anytime something doesn't go their way exactly.)

OOC: Yes, the Vaadians are very particular, particulalry when they feel they have been insulted.

IC:

Corum stated quite simply "The Minister will travel with his security detail, or he will stay where he is. No offense, but the Republican Council has no faith in Federation Security. We've seen what happens when they are on the job.

If the Federation believes it is acceprable to send an armed platoon of The King's Own into Great Lassic, then surely the Federation is not going to hold a double standard and not allow Minister Issem to travel without his security? That would be downright insulting. Insulting on the international incident scale."

Will smiles and nods as Corum makes that last point.

The secretary paused for a moment, "Then perhaps you would like to inform us as to the nature of the security problem that you just cited since my guess was obviously incorrect?" he said politely, in his naturally gravelly voice.

Of course the secretary was wondering why the Vaadian was forcing him to actually attempt mind reading over the phone.

Bloody swabber, what d'ya think, de put wi'ches on der pay'book in dis he'r parts?

OOC: Yes the Vaadians score a diplomatic coup against a secretary! 0.0001th of a point! Next they'll work their way up to one of the palace maids!

Corum blinked and then replied "Are you serious? The problem is that The Minister has been told that he cannot travel with his security, as I alluded to in my previous statement. You know the whole bit about not wanting Federation security and having no faith in it."

He pauses and sighs "In a nutshell, and I will say it slowly, The Minister" pause "will not" pause "travel to" pause " a meeting" pause " with the" pause "Outer Consul" especially long pause "Without HIS" extra long pause, he sets the phone down, gets a drink of water and then returns "own security."

Will does his best not to laugh at Corum.

With Will smiling, Corum looks angry for the first time in about ten years and hangs up the phone.

"What in gods name is wrong with these people? How can they be so irreversibly dense? I say the problem is that we want to travel with our own security detail, they ask me what the problem is, I tell them again that we want to travel with our own security, they ask me again what the problem is!"

Will looks concerned as he's never, EVER seen Corum mad, and he's known him for going on seven years. Will shrugs "What did I tell you? Federation authorities seem willfully dense. I don't even see the purpose of being here."

Corum grimaces "I am beginning to see your point." he says as he rips the phone from it's cord and slams it down on the desk.


OOC:I can't believe for a second that the secretary would be so dense as to not catch on that they wanted to travel with their own armed security after my last post. Maybe if he's missing part of his brain I would believe it.

OOC: Today's lesson, critical reading skills....and why assuming someone 'knows' somthing usually is a bad idea.

Meijer's chuckled a moment. "There is no way your getting inside of the Privy Council Chamber armed vaadian....

Now what this says is that the Kerbals will not be allowed inside the Privy Council Chamber itself. Nothing was said about the Kerbals escorting the Minister there. I wouldn't expect to send my guards walking into the Republican Council armed, nor would any Alconian (or even reasonable Vrakian I suppose). Of course with Vaadian arrogance the way it is. Meijer's assumed the Kerbals would just march right through the doors.

(Where they would shoot down the Landgravine, and Corum would be named Emperor of the Klatch. Alconians are paranoid most of the time.)

Second, the Secretary didn't know what Meijer's said. His first guess was that the Minister did not have an escort. He was then informed by Corum that:

The Minister will travel with his security detail, or he will stay where he is. No offense, but the Republican Council has no faith in Federation Security. We've seen what happens when they are on the job.

Which can of course be interpeted the way Corum ment it. With the implied "We've been told we can't have our security detail"

Of course no one has said that and is normally not policy. So why would the secretary chose this option?

Or

"F*** off Klatchian bastards the Minister has his own security detail because we do not trust you idiots." But said in diplomatic speech.

In the end, most of the problems currently between Ilek-Vaad and the Federation extend from a rather poor ability of the common Vaadian (and apparently the entire Republican Council) to use anylitical reading (or listening) skills effectively.

IC: "Ah, well sir as far as I know your allowed your own security de..." and was of course cut off.

OOC2:This thread will have to hold until I know what the Var, Soult, and the rest do next. The Kerbals might be attempting to make a stand against the Minister becoming the first P.O.W of the War.

OOC: That is why Corum explained twice that the problem was that wanted to travel with their own security. Privy Council Chamber means nothing to the Vaadians, why wouldn't an armed body guard be allwoed in? The House of The Republic has always allowed foreign visitors to provide their own security if they so desired, the Federation Minister of Inter-Klatchian Relations entered the First Republicans office with his bodyguard.

The Vaadians have never been adverse to allowing visitors to supply their own security. Unless it's an entire platoon armed for combat. Which is of course the whole point.

OOC:
Well then it is also a cultural diffrence problem again. But it really doesn't matter, Isslem legally can not interfere with whatever the Klatchian Guard decides to do, so basicly he's just a puppet at the moment.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=10269115#post10269115

A puppet with his strings cut.

Almost at exactly the same time that Corum disconnected the phone, William's satellite phone rang causing momentary confusion and consternation.

"It's me" Will said as Corum gave the lan-line a 'why won't you die!?' look "Yes, ah hello Alec."

It was the Vaadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sir Alec Connover. Wiliam patiently explained what had transpired so far, and then hung up.

About twenty minutes later Alec had called back and William looked very suprised "Are you sure? That's a bit drastic, more drastic than even I had pushed for. Well, okay, thank you Alec."

Will looked at Corum and shook his head "Get your men, we are leaving, immediately. The Republican Council has declared the Federation a 'Non-Entity'."

Corum looks shocked "Well, that's a fly in the ointment, you can't address a praliament that the Council does not recognize!"

With that gathers his men and Lieuteant Meijers is once again bothered, but this time with the announcement that the Minister and his guard are all leaving, at once.

By this time the Vaadian vehicles had been inspected and were cleared for picking up the Minister and his delegation.

A simple motorcade was used to escort the vehicles back to the airport.

Press Release, Klatchian Foreign Office

If Vaadia desires to end all diplomatic contact with the Federation, that is their choice. Obviously we are curious about the allegations made by the Republic, but until such time that Ilek-Vaad is willing to admit its mistakes there can be no progress in any diplomatic future. When Ilek-Vaad government is willing to assume responsibilty for its mistakes, we will be ready to discuss what mistakes were made by both parties and how to correct them.

It is the opinion of the Federation that the Republican Council and its minion, the Retalitory Guard, are as responsible for the problems between the Federation and themselves as the Federal Government of the FKC.

Futhermore, we have asked all officals of the Republican Government and the Retalitory Guard not credentialed with any current state government to immediatly return to their homes. This excludes individuals that own property in Port Olympus.

In other news, five heavy armored divisions and four light armor divisions of the JDF have begun to appear moving out of the wastes of Rillion and into Karmanyanka to protect the state from any foreign aggression.

*locator bump*

1:15 Minutes after Decleration by Ilek-Vaad

They appeared from the lake coast of the Enclave, large craft which seemed to move through the air at speeds approaching the sound barrier. They were large, about six times the size of an Airbus 380. They looked like giant blue loves of bread hurtling through the atmosphere. Whatever they were up to, they were escored by other, smaller craft.

Most went to the former territory of New Shiron. And others went to other parts of the Klatch presently under control of the Federation.

(Item of Note: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=10273705#post10273705)

The intel posts sprung alive at the sudden increase of Var activity. When the giant blobs began to move towards the former New Shiron territory, the High Command suddenly went into overdrive. A significant bulk, at least a third and up to one half of the entire Vrakian surface navy was there along with a vast amount of combat troops and logistical personnel. When they discovered that the territory was completely devoid of people but with an excellent infrastructure in place, they moved to secure it from possible predatations from Ilek-Vaad. After all, if Karmanyaka was any indication, the rest of the Klatch may not be safe.

The Admiral in charge of the fleet was notified and soon a broadcast was sent to the lead Var vessel.

**********
Encryption - MAX; JDF protocols 9027512 Alpha; route: Lead Var gravship; route:...complete
**********

Greetings. This is Admiral Yorukovij of the 1st Vrakian Expeditionary Force in New Shiron. We are here to secure the territory of New Shiron. Please indicate your intentions.

Oh dear.

Stratospheric blimps tracked the sudden increase in miltary movements in the Klatch, beaming the news to the vast banks of cold grey computer dug into the mountain below Matebian City. Within minutes, the high command and goverment of Tanah Burung were alerted. Commotion, excitement, the thrill and nervousnes of impending war between friends. Or possibly just states that the government desperately hoped would be friends with each other. Whichever.

The Burungi navy sighed, put on his water wings, and began patrolling the beaches.

Encrypted Signal Terra JDF Protocols 9027512 Alpha

This is Darlord At'orlel of House Osahoxs, Senior Klatchian Marshal.
I have come to set up an administration of the Territory of the Shiron Klatch, as per my orders from the Privy Council and the Overlord. I bring with me reinforcements to your expidition. I shall explain more when I have arrived in Shiron Klatch's former captial and meet with you.

End Message

Minister Issem and Corum Vaad, along with their bodyguard hastily left Port Olympus, and headed back to Great Lassic, without so much as a 'thank you' or a 'good bye'. Men of Lassic and The Republican Council are both notoriously impatient.

The Nachxa also left Port Olympus, yet with not as much haste. Taking the time to thank Ozy and Abitha for their hospitality, he lingered long enough to make sure his assistant and his men (that were alive) were out of the hospital and ready to travel. Of course by the time he had left, King Vrak had died and he was diverted to VrakPrime.

In Karmanyaka, the only Retaliatory Guard movements, were the units that were still withdrawing. They were doing so steadily and with great care. The last Army out would be the Purifiers, whose engineers, assisted by the QMC, were restoring what essential services they could as they left.

The LNS in Lassic reported only one comment about the Federation troop movement, and they came from Sir Alec Conover, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"We are aware of JDF armor movements in and around Karmanyaka. It is not even a topic of discussion in the Council, I understand the Retalitory Guard is pleased, they feared that the forces gathering on the border of the newly independant DBAT would invade Karmanyaka to seize a corridor to the sea, hopefully the JDF forces there will discourage that.

Mind you the last time the JDF saw action, they bombed themselves and had to be rescued by Naval Guard Marines, so I'm sure that Retaliatory Guard Command will keep extra medics near the border."