NationStates Jolt Archive

John Spears, the McKagan State Departments' special envoy to Kurora awaiting the possible diplomatic meeting that would be taking place there in a few weeks time, sat behind the bar in a small coffee shop in the center of town. He usually stopped here on the way to work at the complex.

Life at the complex was usually boring. It was built especially for the type of meeting they were waiting for now. An important run-in between nations where McKagan was the middleman. However for the most part this hadn't happened. McKagan hadn't bothered to help many nations in the slight-past. They had decided to only watch out for themselves.

Torontia was, however, different. It was a political goal for the Johnson administration to control what was going on in Torontia. Tanakis had been delt with, but they still needed a more controllable situation in Torontia.

Spears stood up, walked out the large glass door that was at the front of the building. A few moments later he had taken the public transit network to The Complex. After walking through the doors, through the security networks, he was clear for yet another endless 24 hours stretch of work.

"McKagan City called," the secretary at the front of the area he worked in started, "We're going ahead with the Operation. Our job is to get everyone here and carry out the agenda."

"Oh yay.... I get to spend endless nights reading Torontian spam now, don't I?"

She laughed. "Yeah, probably. Those people are slow at getting anything done. I'd say settle in."

"I am," he pointed to a few video games he had smuggled in. "I'll get to sending the messages out now..."

Within an hour, messages detailed to each of the involved nations were sent out. Each detailed what they needed to do to get to Kurora and what they would do once getting there.

To: The Mckagan State Department
From: The Amestrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Subject: The Kurora Conference

Amestria's Delegation shall include Senior General of the Armies Aaron Bradley, the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs Dominique de Villepin, and the Torontian Expert Shou Tucker.

DEMOCRATIC SOVIET REPUBLIC OF KAHANISTAN
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Kahanistan Government will send Deputy Defense Minister Nora Kasagawa and Senator Maribel A. Crowley to attend the meeting.

They will be accompanied by two Imperial Marines each.

Signed,
Margaret Delray,
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Diplomatic Ecclesiastical Edict
To: Mr John Spears of the Executive Government of the Democratic Imperium of McKagan
From: His Most Worthy High Ecclesiarchy of the Holy Empire of Xirnium

The High Ecclesiarchy has decided that it shall be represented at the Kurora Conference.

Unfortunately, I shall not be free to attend the talks personally. My more then capable adjutant, Lady Cardinal Eleanor Sabelina, the Ecclesiastical Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, shall be present in my stead.

[Signed]
Her Eminence the High Lady Dr Heather Gilda
Grand Cardinal and Foreign Minister of the High Ecclesiarchy

To: The Amestrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
From: John Spears, McKagan Diplomatic Corps
Subject: Re: Kurora Conference

We are extremely happy to learn that you have agreed to come to Kurora for this conference. The meeting to scheduled to start as soon as everyone arrives. If you have made your final arrangements, please fly the personnel to Kurora International Airport, Government Terminal #9.

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To: Kahanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
From: John Spears, McKagan Diplomatic Corps
Subject:

Excellent. You are more than welcomed (and needed) at the conference. Because of the immediate planned start of the meeting; we request you begin making arragements to fly straight to Kurora International Airport, Government Terminal #13.

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To: His Most Worthy High Ecclesiarchy of the Holy Empire of Xirnium
From: John Spears, McKagan Diplomatic Corps
Subject:

You are encouraged to send your representative as quickly as possible. We thank you for cooperating in this time of conflict. Good day.

TO: McKagan Department of State
FROM: Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, United Sovereign Nations of Southeast Asia
SUBJECT: Kurora Conference

Dear Your Excellency,

Minister Lin cannot personally attend the conference regarding Torontia, as he is at a multinational conference in the Libertarian Concordance of Czardas. However, because of an invasion by longtime enemies of the Libertarian Concordance, the safety of himself and several other diplomats is in jeopardy may not leave at the expected timeline....perhaps not even alive. We will later send a delegation if we can reach Minister Lin. Keep in touch.

Signed,
Office of USNSEA Minister of Foreign Affairs

To: Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, United Sovereign Nations of Southeast Asia
From: John Spears, McKagan Diplomatic Corps
Subject: Kurora Conference

We understand your situation and are O.K. with the fact that you will be a little late being represented at the conference. Should I forward a copy of your last message on to CODEX to try and gain their support in getting your diplomatic envoy back?

-Lone Alliance message-
We will once again send Verta and Terof to the meeting, Slavik is unable to attend for business reasons.

To: The Lone Alliance
From: John Spears, McKagan Diplomatic Corps
Subject:

Very well. We were looking forward to hearing from you. As with the other people, please arrive here as quickly as possible so we can begin.

To: John Spears
From: Sir Chairman Gary Girardi, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Re: Conference

Mr. Spears, the representative of the Commonwealth of Saint Fedski will arrive in one day. Frank Kozic is the only senior official we have to send to these talks. He is a senior advisor to the Defence Department of the Republic of New McFarland. Assissting him will be another advisor, Bryan Hall who is the leading advisor to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Both are qualified professors at Canadiana Academy for Political Science and International Relations.

[signed]
G. Girardi

To: Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, United Sovereign Nations of Southeast Asia
From: John Spears, McKagan Diplomatic Corps
Subject: Kurora Conference

We understand your situation and are O.K. with the fact that you will be a little late being represented at the conference. Should I forward a copy of your last message on to CODEX to try and gain their support in getting your diplomatic envoy back?
ENCRYPTED TRANSMISSION

Do not worry about that, Mr. Spears. We can contact Lin, and shall soon be ringing an aide of his. Then you shall receive an update.

END TRANSMISSION

To: Sir Chairman Gary Girardi, Minister of Foreign Affairs
From: John Spears, McKagan Diplomatic Corps
Subject: Re: Conference

We finally heard from you. Very well. Please fly to Government Terminal 2 in Kurora International Airport. We look forward to ending the hostilities in Torontia.

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To: Southeastasia
From: John Spears, McKagan Diplomatic Corps
Subject:

We wish you luck in recovering your personnel.

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[The Complex, 0800 Hours]

Preparations all around Kurora were being made. Inside The Complex things had been organized to keep the parties separated when not in the conference room. The conference room was a large room with blue lights and a large, blue, oval shaped table in the middle. Several TV screens were around that could be used for various things.

At Kurora International Airport (oddly named KIA) the 179th Recon Brigade began to set up who would be moving who to The Complex. Multiple security precautions were put in place.

Encrypted Communique

To: John Spears, McKagan Diplomatic Corps
From: HCIA Special Agent Michael Donovan

If it's alright with you, I'd like to attend the conference as an observer. I'd be unseen, you'd not announce my presence to the other delegates, and I'd report back to Washington on what happens here. I could either pose as a security man inside the room where the delegates meet, or I could just stay out of sight in an observation room altogether. It's your guys' call. I'll bring a Predator III pistol (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10010483&postcount=98) as a sidearm.

Respectfully,
Michael Donovan
HCIA Special Agent
The Democratic Imperium of Halberdgardia

End Encrypted Communique

To: HCIA Special Agent Michael Donovan
From: Brad Spietz, MCID
Subject: Fwd: Re:

This message was forwarded from the Diplomats to me.

The division has a base in Kurora that is moving units into The Complex to recon the conference. As we speak several TRU (Tactical Response Units) are moving to Kurora International Airport to establish a system of watching the foreigners from each nation all the way to the base. We are also bugging the rooms inside The Complex.

You are free to move here. I'm assigned to this operation and I'll meet you at the airport. Are you arriving here via an official HCIA flight or through a civilian transport?

(ooc: sorry for the lame post, but I don't feel like RPing yet another arrival)
Kurora Airport
A small Leerjet with the Commonwealth insignia on the side, carrying the two Commonwealth delegates and their four guards lands.

The six men get out of the plane and jump into the waiting vehicle which speeds off for the conference area.

[OOC: I'm going to backward RP this a little just to add a bit of depth if that's ok.]

IC:

As the plane lands and pulls down the empty Government runway the small group of Soldiers were finally happy. As usual, it was raining in Kurora. It always rained. In McKagan you had two choices: Rain or the middle of a vast, nearly melted, expanse.

After departing the plane, the group was semi-separated. Because the LXT-2 Sedan's that had been hidden away between a few buildings on down the runway, the guards would have to be transported another way. A few moments later an IFV had been called up. The guards were loaded into it.

To see infantry fighting vehicles moving through the streets of Kurora wasn't a very uncommon sight. Sometimes they moved to the naval yards to support maritime security units; anything could use a few IFV's.

The black sedan with very dark windows provided an excellent platform to move the personnel to The Complex. Speeding through the open streets to reach their target, they avoided the traffic in most other cities simply because everyone used the massive public transit system.

Finally they pulled into the underground garage and were walked into the building. They were established in one of the living quarters and told they would have to wait for the rest of the other delegations.

To: HCIA Special Agent Michael Donovan
From: Brad Spietz, MCID
Subject: Fwd: Re:

This message was forwarded from the Diplomats to me.

The division has a base in Kurora that is moving units into The Complex to recon the conference. As we speak several TRU (Tactical Response Units) are moving to Kurora International Airport to establish a system of watching the foreigners from each nation all the way to the base. We are also bugging the rooms inside The Complex.

You are free to move here. I'm assigned to this operation and I'll meet you at the airport. Are you arriving here via an official HCIA flight or through a civilian transport?


Encrypted Response

To: Brad Spietz, MCID
From: Special Agent Donovan, HCIA

I'll be arriving via "private business jet," a Gulfstream V. Flight number VHF-601, as usual. I assume I'll meet you or the MCID liaison at the international terminal at Kurora International. [EDIT: I should really read your messages more carefully before replying...] We'll figure it out when I arrive; my plane's about to take off. See you boys in a few hours.

Special Agent Donovan
HCIA

End Encrypted Response
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The Gulfstream V carrying Donovan took off the rain-slicked runway at Kanos International, climbing towards the dark skies. Once it had cleared the rainclouds, Donovan and the pilots were greeted with a beautiful blue sky and a bright sun shining down on them. The Gulfstream turned ever-so-gently, heading for Kurora International. Donovan pulled out a book and began to read, waiting for touchdown in McKagan.

To: Special Agent Donovan, HCIA
From: Brad Spietz, MCID

I'll pick you up myself at the airport. Once you get off at Government Terminal 19, look towards the buildings on the opposite side of the runway. Between two of those buildings you'll find a dark blue LXT-2 Sedan will be sitting there. Feel free to bring any gear or packs you want with you, Avali-Burton builds a mean spy car.

Having received the correct authorisation from the McKagan aerospace authorities, the massive Xirniumite Airbus A380 diplomatic jet airliner, flight XRN-799, touched down on the wet airstrip, its tires screeching as the breaks were engaged.

The weather in Kurora was miserable, something the Xirniumites were quite used to from the atrocious conditions in their own homeland. Flanked by only a small group of aids, and no overt security, Lady Cardinal Eleanor Sabelina descended quickly onto the tarmark, holding her dark burgandy-red, formal Eccclesiastical cloak tightly about her to ward off the rain.

A group of IMA Recon Troops acting as the security/escort unit moved forward and escorted the delegating to a small covered area. There was a scout car and another of the LXT-2 Sedans that they were operating today. This one a dark red with the same window arrangements, the soldiers opened the doors and helped the "head" delegates into it. Anyone left over was placed into the secured scout car. The Red Sedan, with its IMA Officer behind the wheel, accelerated off towards the lower level parking garage at The Complex.

Speeding through the wide open, less than packed, city streets, the IMA officer at first changed lanes rapidly. Most IMA Officers lived in bases and/or used public transit. Not this one, he enjoyed driving...

Eventually he geared the car down and turned into the bottom garage. He passed several security agents, and eventually pulled up to the doors into the building. A delegation team moved in and began to move the officers to their quarters, completely separate from the Saint Fedski delegation.

"Sorry about the weather, it's really much nicer here most of the time... erm... not really," one of the McKagan members said while walking through the building.

‘The weather is fine,’ replied the Cardinal, waving her hand dismissively. ‘Gloomy whether is ideal for discussing gloomy matters,’ Lady Sabelina explained cryptically.

For the most part the Xirniumite delegation followed the McKagan officers wordlessly, only the rhythmic clicking of the Cardinal’s high heeled shoes breaking the silence. The accommodation they were offered seemed fine, even comfortable, but the Lady Cardinal was inwardly impatient to get on with the conference and then return to Holy Xirnium.

Mckagan,
Kurora Airport

The Amestrian Delegation arrived at the airport. At its head was Senior General of the Armies Aaron Bradley. Bradley was a man of medium build and height, black hair, mustache, and about sixty (although he looked 15 years younger). Bradly's most notable feature was the eye patch over his left eye. He was dressed in the blue of his full military dress uniform, outfitted with all his medals/awards and sword. Directly behind him, with her eyes on the ground, was his secretary, Corporal Juliet Douglas.

Next was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dominique de Villepin, outfitted in a dark formal silk suit outfitted with lace. He was a moderately tall man, five foot nine with salt and pepper hair. His age could be judged at upper forties.

Finally, there was Shou Tucker, dressed in casual wear and wearing thick choke bottle glasses. He seemed out of place, not fitting with the grandiose militarism of General Bradley or with the regal splendor of de Villepin. He seemed to be in his mid-thirties.

They were protected by 25 uniformed Amestrian Special Forces.

Senator Crowley and General Kasagawa came into McKagan with their security. Crowley was in her mid-thirties, light brown hair, tall and slim. She had a vaguely detached look to her, as if her mind was somewhere else. Kasagawa was in her fifties, an Oriental woman of about average frame. She, too, did not seem happy to be there. The four Imperial Marine sergeants with them betrayed no facial expressions at all.

-snip-

"Hello, sir."

An IMA Officer about 32 years old walked up to the older Amestrian. "Our policy warns against having alot of non-essential personnel escorting a delegation. We understand your concerns, but guarentee you that security is tight enough to stop anything from happening, and doubt you'd need that many people for the conference. You can take a few, say five, but the rest will need to stay at the airport. If that's ok, your ride is right this way."

-snip-

A female McKagan Officer had the assignment of getting the Kahanistanian personnel back to The Complex. The IMA wasn't a diplomatic agency and had never claimed to be one, but so far everything had been... SOMEWHAT within the norm of what the diplomats would be semi-acustomed to.

"Sorry about the rain, this city is usually much nicer. Please, this way." The Officer turned and slowed down enough to allow the other personnel to walk beside her. "We've not got room for all your soldier's to ride with you," she looked at the Sedan behind her, "for various reasons." "We'll pull a truck up for them, if that's ok."

"Kurora Control, this is Flight VHF-601, requesting permission to land, over."

"VHF-601, this is Control, stand by."

"Roger, Control."

Donovan walked into the cockpit behind the pilots and leaned in close.

"You think we're going to have any problems?" Donovan said, reaching for his wallet. He thumbed some bills, and pulled a few out. "Five dollars says we get down, no problems."

The pilot grinned. "I'll take that. They never ask our covert flights to stand by unless there's a problem."

Donovan grinned in return. "You're on."

They waited a few moments in silence before the radio crackled again.

"VHF-601, this is Control. You've been cleared for landing at Government Terminal 19, over."

By now, the pilot was gaping in disbelief, and it took him a second to realize he needed to respond to Control's last message.

"Uh, roger that, Control, thanks. Over and out."

Donovan said nothing, only grinned at the pilot.

"Goddammit," the pilot muttered, glaring at Donovan as he slapped five dollars into his palm.

A few minutes later, Donovan was on the ground, descending the stairs on the Gulfstream's side to the runway, protected from the pouring rain by a black trench coat. He walked across the tarmac to the stairs leading up into the building that was Government Terminal 19, climbed the stairs, and headed inside, waiting for his MCID liaison.

Back inside the Gulfstream, the pilot watched Donovan enter the terminal, shaking his head as he did so.

"Goddamn spook," he muttered. "First time I lose a bet in six months, and here I go losing to a goddamn spook."

The co-pilot turned away from his colleague; he had to work to keep a smile from coming to his face, and pretended to study the rain falling outside through the window to his right.

-snip-

Spietz walked across the tarmac from his Sedan that he'd left in it's... "less than noticable" position. He tried not to go into public places armed, but he liked to carry his 9mm Ma-7 with him, just incase he decided to shoot at a cat or something. He'd watched what he knew was the HCIA flight land and the man, probably the HCIA agent, walk into the terminal.

The inside of the terminal was fairly empty. The government terminals usually were. Everytime someone landed here they had somewhere to go and they usually went there quickly. Across the room from the opening was a desk with probably the most lonely Ticket Master on NS Earth. Besides the man who had just arrived, the only other person there was someone cleaning a hallway that was placed out of the way, so that no one would wander down it. Why was this hallway like this? It went to the underground bunker complex.

Spietz walked across the room to Donovan, and stood in front of him. "Assuming you're Big Al?"

He didn't want to ask a person who walked into the wrong terminal if they were in the HCIA.

OOC:I assume(since I am getting re-involved) that I can attend? If not, tell me and we can pretend this post was never here.

IC:Official Statement From Red Tide Goverment
"We will be sending someone who you should have heard of, but never met. A one General Koniev Murmansk. He will be accompanied by an aide and five Red Tidean Special Forces Troopers."
End Message

The K-5B taxied across the wet and rainy runway. The plane stopped, powering down its engines. The aide and the five special forces troopers rose to their feet. You could barely see their eyes behind the armored gas mask, but Murmansk swore they never dosed off the ENTIRE flight, they had just kept scanning the room, with one always keeping an eye on him.

Now they were heading down the airplanes stairway, three Special Forces Troopers infront of Murmansk, the aide and two troopers behind him. The troopers had their AR4 Carbine Assualt Rifles strapped to their back.

-snip-

Donovan smiled at the use of the classic challenge phrase for determining an SWC member's identity.

"That I am. Good to see, you, Mac," he said, returning the challenge, and extending his hand to Spietz. "I assume you've got an observation room set up to oversee all the bugged rooms?"

OOC:I assume(since I am getting re-involved) that I can attend? If not, tell me and we can pretend this post was never here.

IC:Official Statement From Red Tide Goverment
"We will be sending someone who you should have heard of, but never met. A one General Koniev Murmansk. He will be accompanied by an aide and five Red Tidean Special Forces Troopers."
End Message

The K-5B taxied across the wet and rainy runway. The plane stopped, powering down its engines. The aide and the five special forces troopers rose to their feet. You could barely see their eyes behind the armored gas mask, but Murmansk swore they never dosed off the ENTIRE flight, they had just kept scanning the room, with one always keeping an eye on him.

Now they were heading down the airplanes stairway, three Special Forces Troopers infront of Murmansk, the aide and two troopers behind him. The troopers had their AR4 Carbine Assualt Rifles strapped to their back.

Official Declaration from the State of Amestria

The Nation of Red Tide should not be allowed at the peace conference, as they have no presence in Torontia since they were forced out and they have a reputation for sabotaging peace plans for their own gain. There is no reason for them to be present. If a Red Tide Delegation is allowed then the Amestrian Delegation will not recognize that Delegation!

[signed]
Cle'o de Me'rode, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

Official Reply From Red Tide Goverment
"Sabotaging peace conferences? As we recall, the peace conference we attended with you we graciously, and simply, decided to follow your original terms and withdraw. Granted, we did leave behind a few of our supporters armed with nothing heavier then submachine guns(we were training them with the intent of having them be policemen), who Saint Fedeski tried to get rid of, and therefore they tried to defend themselves. But we have requested that those men lay down their arms and surrender to the Fedeskians. Anyhow, I wouldnt call that a 'sabotage' of a peace conference. What do you constitute as a 'sabotage' of a peace conference? And just because we DONT have forces there doesnt mean we cant simply airlift them there... with Saint Fedeskian permission."
End Message

-Lone Alliance Message Regarding Red Tide-
We have no choice but to agree in that Red Tide should not be allowed to attend, they are suspected of the exact same crimes as well by our investigation.

Official Reply
"Crimes? What crimes... OH! You mean the Pacification of Spokane! If you can call it a crime bringing order to a city in anarchy... then yes, I suppose we did commit a crime."
End Message

[OOC: Amestria has an embassy in McKagan?]

IC:

[Official Message to All Parties]

Red Tide will be allowed to send in a delegation. They have been part of this incident as well and still hold influence, if only in politics. If Amestria really wants peace then something as small and childish as someone they don't like being there shouldn't deter them. Red Tide's opinions and suggestions will be taken for no less, and no more, of what Amestrias or Saint Fedski's or anyone elses will be.

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-snip-

"We were expecting a few extra visitors," a high ranking McKagan Army Officer said while walking forward to shake hands with the Red Tidean General.

"The Amestrian's are already starting to bitch about you being here. That's ok, you'll save it for the conference, won't you?"

The small group of Recon soldiers still left at the terminal began to prepare to drive the delegation to The Complex.

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-snip-

"A room? We've got a fucking center set up to monitor everything on the grounds. We've dedicated a sector of it to watching the conference room, and we have a few independent people watching the chambers for the delegations. Did you bring a PDA, laptop, or anything? We're either going to upload it to one of your devices or give you a disk, but we'll be giving you a hard copy of the conference."

They soon moved to Spietz's car and drove off, taking the back streets to The Complex.

The General smiled at the comment about Amestria, "I will save it for the conference, what my goverment does about it... I do not know."

The Special Forces Troopers tensed up a little when the McKagan Officer walked forward, relaxed about half when he began to shake hands with the General, and relaxed even more when nothing happened during the handshake.

[OOC: Ok, we're assuming everyone has made it to the Complex now and everyone is in McKagan. Anyone else who comes in skips directly to this area.]

IC:

Inside the conference room the delegations from each nation had taken a seat with one of their assistants. All with space between them on the outside of the massive table, they were preprared to stay here for either 5 minutes or 5 hours. Glasses of water had been strategically placed, and Spears was seated at the head of the table.

"Thank you all for coming here. As you are all aware, various nations represented in this room are having various conflicts in the former nation of Torontia. This nation has great potential, but it is being destroyed as we speak. So, before we start this conference, I am asking that ALL nations desist in combat operations against each other. This will be an orderly event, and anyone getting off subject, yelling out, or making threats will be removed.

To start off, we are going to go around the table and have each nation point out three things.

1) The most important problem in Torontia caused domestically.

2) The most important problem in Torontia caused by their (the nation answering the question) own actions or policy.

3) The most important problem in Torontia caused by an outside force or another nations policy. "

Shou Tucker raised his hand. "It is fairly obvious that the greatest domestic problem facing Torontia is that it is divided between two temporary governments which hate each other..."

"A room? We've got a fucking center set up to monitor everything on the grounds. We've dedicated a sector of it to watching the conference room, and we have a few independent people watching the chambers for the delegations. Did you bring a PDA, laptop, or anything? We're either going to upload it to one of your devices or give you a disk, but we'll be giving you a hard copy of the conference."

They soon moved to Spietz's car and drove off, taking the back streets to The Complex.

Donovan nodded. "Yeah, I snagged a damn fine notebook," he said, patting the Alienware Odyssey backpack he had with him. "It's an Alienware MJ-12 m7700i. 3.8-gigahertz Pentium 4 with HyperThreading, three gigs of dual-channel DDR2 RAM, 320-gig RAID 0 hard drives, 256-meg video card, biometric security, secure satellite and wireless communications, the latest in notebook battery tech...this thing can handle whatever you throw at it." He grinned. "It's probably overkill for just recording video of the conference, but it also runs Half-Life 2 great. The perks of working for the government, huh?"

Frank Kozic stands up to speak.

"The Security Council of the Commonwealth of Saint Fedski does not permit us to answer questions number one and two. As for question three, we believe the presence of the Amestrian Occupation Authority is the most important problem."

Kozic sat back down.

Minister de Villepin glanced over at the SF delegation. "Does not permit you to answer questions one and two...? You are sure approaching this conference in an open manner..."

Bryan Hall, the other Commonwealth delegate stood up.

"We were warned you would be a troublesome group. This delegation works with what it is given. We are not permitted to respond to any Amestrian remarks concerning the members of this delegation or the abilities and/or limitations of this delegation."

Hall sat back down.

de Villepin glanced at the Mckagan Delegate/organizer. "Sir, please do something about the SF Delegations refusal to answer questions one, two, or my requests for information in general."

de Villepin cleared his throat.

"Amestria is not afraid of self reflection, we have nothing to hide. The three problems facing Torontia in order:"

"Problem One: The current political division of Torontia."

"Problem Two: Amestrian policy needs to be more geared towards cooperation in Torontia, which is why I am here. Amestrian policy in BC is also under review, and although Amestria had nothing to do with the deaths of the 307 individuals, it happened in Amestria's zone and Amestria is investigating how it happened."

"Problem Three: The most important problem caused by another nation is the refusal of Saint Fedski to cooperate on the Torontian question...or engage in self reflection or the answering of questions one and two..."

Taking the smallest sip from her glass, the Lady Cardinal Eleanor Sabelina interjected, clearing her throat to indicate her intention to speak, ‘this ridiculously childish policy of mutual blame by the occupying powers does not serve the interests of Torontians in the least. By far the greatest problem in Torontia is the disgraceful lack of accountability of the Executive in governing the occupied territories. There has been no rule of law in Torontia, there is only arbitrary and random governance aimed at fulfilling the various interests of third parties. This has been seen with the dispensing of due process when dealing with the insurgency. The occupational governments are answerable not to the Torontian people, but to their foreign backers.’

The Lady Cardinal paused briefly before continuing, taking another sip, ‘transparency is an essential element of democratic government. The gross lack of it is the major problem facing Torontia. What should have occurred at the very beginning of this whole sad affair was the drafting of a new constitution, one that promoted basic civil and political rights, and then a joint commitment to establishing a unified and responsible Torontian government built on the principle of popular rule. None of those directives have been fulfilled satisfactorily, what we have instead is a cold war situation of two puppet states and their masters facing off across a divided Torontia.'

de Villepin glanced at the Xirnium delegation. "I agree, which is why we are here...to resolve those problems. Perhaps Xirnium could suggest some constructive measures to aid in the bringing about of solutions."

'Of course,' explained the Lady Cardinal, lighting a cigarette, 'the High Ecclesiarchy has many suggestions to offer'. It’s going to be a long night… Lady Eleanor Sabelina thought gloomily.

'Firstly,' began the deputy Foreign Minister, 'military rule in Torontia needs to cease totally. That means we need a drastic reduction in troop numbers on all sides. The Amestrian government itself has admitted that the insurgency in Torontia has been crushed, therefore the absurdly high troop numbers in either of the occupied territories are counter productive to say the least. The Armed Forces, regardless of which nation they may belong to, are an inherently undemocratic institution and should never be trusted in governing, left unchecked their powers always result in abuses.'

The Lady Cardinal took a puff from her cigarette and continued, 'the current puppet governments need to be dissolved and a new Constitution should be drafted which establishes a modern, western government to rule all of Torontia, and which allows for strong judicial review of legislative and executive function. Independent Courts are the best way to prevent governments from becoming tyrannous. Of course, Tankis’ draconian laws which I understand are still in effect in some parts of Torontia must be swept away immediately, and replaced with a staunch commitment to human rights.

'Finally, we need to establish a joint committee amongst the foreign powers for working harmoniously, and not antagonistically, on the problem of Torontia. Fighting over Torontia's scraps helps no one, but frank honesty and openess would help immeasurably. At the same time, we should encourage foreign aid organisations and observers, such as the Red Cross organisations and Amnesty International, to enter Torontia, in order to enhance the appearance of transperancy and ensure that human rights and democracy is being respected.' Having finished explaining her vision for Torontia, Lady Cardinal Eleanor Sabelina leant back in her chair, waiting patiently to gauge the delegates’ response.

General Murmansk was listening intently, waiting for an opportunity to jump in. His aide was transcribing a copy of everything being said for the head-honchos in the Red Tidean Goverment to read later, his five Speacial Forces Troopers were constantly scanning the room for possible threats.

'Firstly,' began Lady Sabelina, 'military rule in Torontia needs to cease totally. That means we need a drastic reduction in troop numbers on all sides. The Amestrian government itself has admitted that the insurgency in Torontia has been crushed, therefore the absurdly high troop numbers in either of the occupied territories are counter productive to say the least. The Armed Forces are an inherently undemocratic institution and should never be trusted in governing, left unchecked their powers always result in abuses.'

de Villepin spoke. "I agree the troop numbers need to be reduced, as well as the naval deployments and heavy weaponry. (glancing at the SF delegation) On both sides..."

General Bradley interjected, his face and voice expressionless. "I would like to disagree with the assertion that the armed forces cannot be trusted with governing. The military is part of the basic foundation of every State, and should breakdown occur, the Military is often the only governing institution left standing. In such circumstances, the Military has a duty to restore order. I would also like to point out that Xirnium has engaged in covert activities in Torontia which have resulted in many deaths and that all such illegal activities must cease at once."


The Lady Cardinal took a puff from her cigarette and continued, 'a new Constitution should also be drafted which establishes a modern, western government to rule all of Torontia, and which allows for strong judicial review of legislative and executive function. Independent Courts are the best way to prevent governments from becoming tyrannous. Of course, Tankis’ draconian laws which I understand are still in effect in some parts of Torontia must be swept away immediately, and replaced with a staunch commitment to human rights.

"The TPG rewrote the Torontian legal code, the New Order legal code is no longer in effect anywhere in Amestrian Occupied Torontia. However do to the various threats that Amestria and the TPG had to face the civil code has never been fully enacted and thus emergency laws and military law has become the standard, unfortunately..."

'
'Finally, we need to establish a joint committee amongst foreign powers for working harmoniously and not antagonistically on the problem of Torontia. Fighting over Torontia's scraps helps no one. At the same time, we should encourage foreign aid organisations and observers, such as the Red Cross organisations and Amnesty International, to enter Torontia, in order to enhance transperancy and ensure that human rights and democracy is being respected.' Having finished explaining her vision for Torontia, Lady Cardinal Eleanor Sabelina leant back in her chair, waiting patiently to gauge the delegates’ response.

"I agree." said de Villepan. "Although I question how such a committee would function. It would not be the first tried. As for aid organizations, I agree with your position on that as well..."

Shou Tucker coughed. "My lady, could you be troubled to put away your cigarette? I have allergies..."

The Lady Cardinal laughed cruelly at the Amestrian General’s remarks. ‘Of course you would disagree, General,’ Lady Sabelina sneered. ‘It seems inevitable that every nation’s Armed Forces ascribes grandiose and highfalutin qualities of nobility and honour to themselves that it, in reality, they do not possess. The military is not by any means the foundation of any State, save a totalitarian one. The Armed Forces are merely a tool of government in order to maintain the integrity of the State against foreign hostile powers, nothing more. The people are the foundation of every State, but I do not expect someone like you to understand that.

The fact is that martial law always results in the reduction of personal rights, an utter obscenity. It allows the circumventing of the rule of law and governance by unaccountable individuals who are not democratically elected. Military rule is arbitray and unjust, and violates one of the most sacrosanct of political rights to have ones government answer to the people. The military is the last group that should ever be allowed to rule, and I would have thought that Amestria, supposedly a liberal democracy, would know that,’ the Cardinal said insultingly, still puffing on her cigarette.

‘As for your other statements,’ the Lady Cardinal continued, looking dangerously at the man, ‘I suggest your Foreign Affairs Minister reign in their overzealous military and put them in their place, preventing them from making ridiculously unsubstantiated allegations. They are not in Amestria’s interests.'

The Lady Cardinal took another puff from her cigarette, who does this fool think he is? 'In any case, a mere soldier,' Lady Eleanor Sabelina noted condescendingly, 'is not qualified to decide what is legal and what is not.'

Spears finally spoke up. "Ok, everyone, desist. I had something in mind to get this off on a better note than previous attempts, and it'll be ruined at this rate. So please, everyone, hold your outburts."

He looked at the diplomats from Saint Fedski and Amestria. "The only way to work forward in this is to get through the point where everyone suspects the other of working against peace and in THEIR best interest. The only way to do this is to accept responsibility for something negative that has happened in the nation. If you really want peace, you'll do this. Everyone, we need to establish why we're hear in the first place. You people are having problems with EACH OTHER, so I need everyone to state what your BIGGEST PROBLEM with SOMEONE ELSE is at this time."

General Bradley turned to his secretary. "Corporal Douglas, please get me some Green Tea, cool."

Douglas looked up from note taking and nodded. "Oui Älterer Voller General."

She got up and went to go get General Bradley some tea.

Bradleys face and voice remained expressionless, his one eye half closed. "I stand behind my statements. I ask the Lady Cardinal if the Xirnium delegation intends to spend the whole conference sneering at the other delegates and insulting their respective nations or if they intend to suggest something constructive..."

Bradleys face and voice remained expressionless, his one eye half closed. "I stand behind my statements. I ask the Lady Cardinal if the Xirnium delegation intends to spend the whole conference sneering at the other delegates and insulting their respective nations or if they intend to suggest something constructive..."

Spears himself was become annoyed. But this was his job.

"You mentioned constructing an international unit to run Torontian affairs. I agree with this, but first, we need to know why exactly everyone is fighting. Just to establish it for this conference."

de Villepin looked over at Spears. "Amestria has answered your three questions and we are waiting on Xirnium and Saint Fedski...both who have refused to answer..."

Bradleys face and voice remained expressionless, his one eye half closed. "I stand behind my statements. I ask the Lady Cardinal if the Xirnium delegation intends to spend the whole conference sneering at the other delegates and insulting their respective nations or if they intend to suggest something constructive..."
'I suggest you hold your tongue, General Bradley. Policymaking is for politicians, not generals,' snapped the Cardinal, turning to the rest of the Amestrian delegation and ignoring the foolish man who seemed to think himself more important then he was.

‘My apologies, Mr Tucker,’ explained Lady Eleanor Sabelina, her voice showing genuine warmth and concern after noticing the man cough at her smoke. The Cardinal stubbed out her cigarette in a nearby ashtray. ‘How inconsiderate of me, I should have asked.’

‘As for the legal code,’ the deputy Foreign Minister continued, taking another sip from her glass of water, ‘I suggest that the Amestria immediately end its rule by emergency decree and re-enact the full range of legal protections for the citizens of Torontia. Justice must be seen to be done. It’s only a first step, but it is an essential one and one in the right direction.’

Spears glanced back: "Ok then."

"Here's what I suggest. The major thing causing so much friction in Torontia is that there is no clear leadership. I suggest that Amestria and Saint Fedski allow international workers, perhaps from the SWC, to enter the nation and set up an election to establish a SINGLE government. At that, each party agrees beforehand to accept the outcome. The next problem is military proliferation. The Torontian Military MUST be reorganized. Instead of being under Amestrian or SF control, it is placed under control of the new government. At this point, BOTH Amestria and Saint Fedski begin to move troops out. The number can be changed, but I suggest 150 thousand or below for both sides. Economic barriers MUST be removed, as well. You should DESTROY all fortifications that stop travel between the various zones.

I understand that you are probably more than concerned about sharing a border with Saint Fedski, and vice versa. This is a radical idea that would solve this. If we can get a vote of good will by both SF and Amestria, we could have an SWC Peacekeeping force, a small recon brigade with no heavy weapons, establish a NEUTRAL ZONE between the two powers. Travel through this region would be 100% FREE. All we need to start this process is a vote by both Saint Fedski and Amestria that they will do everything possible to work towards peace."

[OOC: Mac, I'm going to move Donovan forward to the observation post so he can start recording this stuff. I'll retcon anything you find objectionable.]

As Spietz led Donovan into the observation center at The Complex, Donovan's jaw dropped. He quickly recovered himself, but the operation was stunning nonetheless: dozens of high-speed, high-capacity servers and wireless networking equipment were crammed into the room, as well as multiple banks of screens of CCTV feeds to monitor virtually every square foot of The Complex. MCID agents and technicians, about two dozen or so in all that Donovan could immediately see [OOC: I left it open for you to confirm, Mac] were bustling about, checking equipment, monitoring CCTV feeds, jotting down notes, writing flowcharts on whiteboards.

Donovan sidled up to an open workspace near the largest bank of CCTV monitors, also near some of the servers, and began unpacking his laptop. He turned it on, and while it was booting up, he plugged the AC adapter into a nearby power outlet, and connected his wireless mouse. Donovan logged in to his Windows account at the prompt, and he was soon taken to his desktop. His secure 802.11n wireless card immediately snagged an encrypted connection to the observation center's secure network, and speeds were confirmed at roughly 300mbps, ensuring rapid transfer of any data Donovan needed to get onto his hard drive. He glanced at the CCTV feed of the meeting room, then spun around in his office chair to face Spietz.

"Looks like we're a bit late to the party. Do you know which server would have the audio and video feed for the part of the meeting we missed? I'd like to start the feeds copying to my notebook."

Tucker wheezed. "Thank Madam...(cough)..."

Bradley remained expressionless. "I make policy...and emergency procedures can not be ended cold turkey, they must be reduced over time. As the SWC is openly imperialistic, I feel they cannot be allowed into Torontia without some guarantee they will not try to annex the place. I also feel that the fortifications establish permanent boundaries and should remain until all offensive weaponry is removed."

General Bradley paused, took a sip of water, then he continued.

"I also feel that any final solution must incorporate both governments and that dissolving both will create additional problems."

General Kasagawa raised her head, having lowered it to avoid breathing the Grand Cardinal's cigarette smoke. "From a military perspective, I agree there is little need to keep 60,000 troops in Torontia. With the insurgency defeated, Kahanistan plans to reduce its Torontia contingent strength over the next two weeks to 15,000 military instructors, logistical personnel, and medical personnel."

The new Deputy Defense Minister nodded to Senator Crowley.

"We're fighting, on paper at least, to end the insurgency, which we have done, with the intention of ending military rule in Torontia, which has not happened yet. We want to know what would be required to end it."

"To answer your three points," continued the Senator, "The most important domestically caused problem is the military rule and thousands of deaths caused by extremist use of a bioweapon, which as far as we know is contained but is the cause of the establishment of extreme measures to keep it contained. The second answer... We don't think we caused any problems in Torontia, we have remained neutral, distributing aid to the most affected areas of both Eastern and Western Torontia. The third... well, the military rule continues after the defeat of the insurgency, and we had, as I said, hoped to end it by defeating the insurgents."

[OOC: T'is good Al.]

Spietz established himself in the workspace beside Donovan. He turned on the computer there, that had been offline since everyone else were beginning to shift to the other side of the room for some reason.

"The video feed for the conference room is on M.001.A-TRSS. If you look, we've got multiple cameras in there. A few even below the surface of the desk looking up at the diplomats! If they pick their nose let me know, we'll send that to Lou. Audio is on A.001.I-TAO. We've got so many microphones in that room that the power drain showed up on the last power bill, just so ya know. You can link to and download anything on those two servers you need. But I wouldn't advice trying to get off them... bad things happen when you screw up the boss when he's playing HALO."

General Bradley continued. "I have been empowered by the President to decide troop levels in the Torontian theater. Amestria feels that should SF follow suit foreign Military forces in the theater would best be reduced to 500,000 Mechanized Infantry, with reduced offensive weaponry and no heavy armor."

Tucker wheezed. "Thank Madam...(cough)..."

Bradley remained expressionless. "I make policy...and emergency procedures can not be ended cold turkey, they must be reduced over time. As the SWC is openly imperialistic, I feel they cannot be allowed into Torontia without some guarantee they will not try to annex the place. I also feel that the fortifications establish permanent boundaries and should remain until all offensive weaponry is removed."

"Sir, we're trying to REMOVE boundaries, not keep them in place. The MAIN thing we need to establish here, in writing, is that no nation or party in Torontia will conduct offensive operations. This goes for your pesky commando raids; too. EVERYTHING must stop. Now. Besides, removing of fortifications would come AFTER troop levels have been reduced.

The SWC does have an imperialistic past, I'll admit to that. We also have a great past in doing humanitarian work. Look at the nation of Saharistan. Companies FROM Saharistan are now beginning to buy companies from 5 billion population nations. We know how to build economies. I don't want to get into making exact plans, but if you let us in, the SWC would ONLY hold a small STRIP of land between the two powers. A small strip would be easy to divide should you feel like it, and the only defense there would be a Light Recon Division. I can guarentee right now, on this table, that the troop numbers would be between 25 and 50 thousand troops. Even compared to the reduced number of Amestrian troops i'm proposing it's not much of a fight considering they'd have little if any heavy support."

General Bradley continued. "I have been empowered by the President to decide troop levels in the Torontian theater. Amestria feels that should SF follow suit foreign Military forces in the theater would best be reduced to 500,000 Mechanized Infantry, with reduced offensive weaponry and no heavy armor."

"It isn't what I was asking for, but it's one hell of a start. Thanks for cooperating."

He looked at the Saint Fedski delegation.

"Please do not make this difficult. Amestria is clearly working towards peace at this time. The ball is in your court."

Bradley continued. "Would each nation of the SWC sign a formal treaty promising not to annex Torontia, de facto or de jure, under any circumstance?"

Bradley continued. "Would each nation of the SWC sign a formal treaty promising not to annex Torontia, de facto or de jure, under any circumstance?"

"By annex do you mean expand our neutral zone?"

He paused for a minute. "McKagan would probably, almost certainly do that. Halberdgardia usually follows suit, so those are at least two nations, the most probable ones you'd be dealing with considering we cannot have 7 nations sending troops to a small area. We'd sign so that we could only expand to stop violence should part of the nation fall into chaos. Let me make it CLEAR though. We are working to take out the boundaries 100%. There will be no 'areas of jurisdiction' under the plan of suggesting. The Torontian Government that's elected would be doing that. The only reason nations would maintain military forces there would be to secure the nation during it's time of rebuilding."

Lady Cardinal Eleanor Sabelina raised a slender hand slightly to interpose. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen,' Lady Sabelina interupted smoothly, 'I think some of you may have missed a rather important point.'

‘The problem with your ultimate proposal, Mr Spears, is an obvious one. Without a Constitution to lay out the structure of a unified governmental system for Torontia, national elections would be pointless. We first need to draft a system of government which guarantees transparency and civil rights, bring the proposed Constitution before the people for ratification in a referendum, and then hold elections for a responsible Torontian Government.

I suggest the creation of an international committee to draft just such a Constitution.’

(I'll assume that the TLA delegates are in also and have just not been speaking, for this part they wouldn't be speaking anyway.)

"Ms.Sabelina correct?" Verta spoke up, "I believe that there has already been multiple Elections on the local scale in the Amestria sector, if you are suggesting that these elections be nullified for a new constitution that will basicly be a rewrite of the other new Constitutions then I'm afraid we have a problem, this action will reset what little democracy in Torontia back to Zero until the Constitution is made, already political parties are preparing for Presidental elections and you are planning on removing all of this stablity and return it to chaos in order to start over."

"No area's of jurisdiction means another possible free for all. Boundaries are necessary and a Unitary Democratic Government impossible under present circumstances."

Tucker again coughed and interjected himself. "We should be discussing Federal arrangements that can incorporate both Governments."

General Bradley continued. "By agreeing to refrain from annexation I mean the SWC cannot annex Torontia, period! Even if the SWC is asked by the Torontian government, even if annexation is voted for in a referendum, there is to be no annexation. Torontia will remain an independent Nation."

Lady Cardinal Elanor Sabelina raised a slender hand slightly to interrupt. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, I think some of you may have missed a rather important point,’ she explained.

‘The problem with your ultimate proposal, Mr Spears, is an obvious one. Without a constitution to lay out the structure of a unified governmental system for Torontia, national elections would be pointless. We first need to draft a system of government which guarantees transparency and civil rights, bring the proposed constitution before the people for ratification in a referendum, and then hold elections for a responsible Torontian Government.

I suggest the creation of an international committee to draft just such a constitution.’

"I agree and suggest we form just that, a committee. It should have a set number of people from each nation involved. Just put that step ahead of the elections, and the plan remains the same, I supppose."

Donovan nodded. "Thanks, Agent Spietz."

He began to tap some commands on his laptop. He first tapped in some console commands that would force his wireless card to split its download speed in half -- about 150mbps for the video and audio downloads. He figured he'd missed about fifteen minutes of the meeting, and the servers appeared to be recording both the audio and video feeds in one-hour blocks. He set up a new folder for the downloaded feeds, and a pair of sub-folders. He began the downloading the feeds, setting the recordings to copy to his notebook as soon as they hit the servers. As they were doing so, he began writing a batch file that would synch the audio files with the corresponding video files. It took a few minutes, but he soon finished. Now, he just had to wait. He took a seat close to his workstation in front of the CCTV bank, kicked up his feet on the counter in front of the screens, and watched the feed from the delegates' room.

"Hope you don't mind if I make myself at home, Agent Spietz." He grinned, then a new thought struck him. "Say, you wouldn't happen to have any of that Leafanistani raspberry microbrew beer on tap, would you? I love that stuff."

Corporal Douglas returned with General Bradley’s tea.

Tucker raised his hand. "I have a plan already written down. There will be a unicameral Parliament made up equally of representatives from both East and West. A President will serve as Head of State and Head of the Government and the position shall be rotational between East and West on a yearly basis. The current Provisional Government and the Interim Government will become State governments within a Federal System."

"No area's of jurisdiction means another possible free for all. Boundaries are necessary and a Unitary Democratic Government impossible under present circumstances."


"I meant that the various militaries stay in their respective zones, but just because they're there doesn't mean they become the government of said zone."

General Bradley continued. "By agreeing to refrain from annexation I mean the SWC cannot annex Torontia, period! Even if the SWC is asked by the Torontian government, even if annexation is voted for in a referendum, there is to be no annexation. Torontia will remain an independent Nation."

"That's pretty easy to agree to, I think. You're not talking as much about spreading a military, which won't happen either, as you are talking about leaving the government we're going to establish in power."

Corporal Douglas returned with General Bradley’s tea.

Tucker raised his hand. "I have a plan already written down. There will be a unicameral Parliament made up equally of representatives from both West and East. A President will serve as Head of State and Head of the Government and the position shall be rotational between East and West on a yearly basis. The current Provisional Government and the Interim Government will become State governments within a Federal System."

"I do not agree with the notion of having the provisional and interim governments remaining together. They should be disolved and be voted on in the next elections. THEN the idea works. The only problem is that the head of state position shouldn't be mandiated on where someone lives. It still maintains a cold war type attitude. It also allows whichever side that isn't in power to take political shots at the side that could; which could EASILY lead to civil war."

"Hope you don't mind if I make myself at home, Agent Spietz." He grinned, then a new thought struck him. "Say, you wouldn't happen to have any of that Leafanistani raspberry microbrew beer on tap, would you? I love that stuff."

[OOC: Why is it we're turning all our characters into GN'R style drunks? :p]

IC:

"I don't know exactly what we've got. But no MCID operation is complete without a bar. If you want to go, it's one floor up. They serve things from all around the SWC and our provinces, so you'd probably be able to find something you like."

Corporal Douglas returned with General Bradley’s tea.

Tucker raised his hand. "I have a plan already written down. There will be a unicameral Parliament made up equally of representatives from both East and West. A President will serve as Head of State and Head of the Government and the position shall be rotational between East and West on a yearly basis. The current Provisional Government and the Interim Government will become State governments within a Federal System."

The Lady Cardinal narrowed her lovely eyes critically at the Amestrian delegate. 'What reason would there be for a federal system of government? Federated republics serve nations whose people desire union but not unity, a peculiar situation that does not seem applicable in any way to the Torontians. Essentially both east and west Torontians have identical ethnicities, cultures, histories, identities and laws, so why would we want to create an artificial division?'

Tucker explained. "This way both Governments have an equal stake and an equal voice in the direction of the country. Democracy is overrated, the problem with a unified Democratic system is that in winner take all elections the winner often does take all. Do not forget that the New Order came to power by co-opting the elections of a unitary Democratic State. A Federal State would be much more difficult for any one group to control. Ten to twenty years from now Torontia might be ready for a Unitary Democratic State, but it is not ready now."

Verta cut in again.
"We'd like to see a stable Government, at this time making a whole new governmental system would have grave short term effects, many Torontian's on Both sides of the governments are used to their version of Government by now, forcing them together may also result in a Civil War." "Keep them unified but keep their orginal structure intact for now."

ENCRYPTED TRANSMISSION

TO: McKagan Department of State
FROM: Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
SUBJECT: Delegation

We have decided our delegation (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10182773&postcount=153). We hope that the conflict can end and that we all can forget this horrible mess started by Tanakis and aggravated by the parties involved.

END TRANSMISSION

Lady Cardinal Eleanor Sabelina waved her hand dismissively, ‘How can they possibly be used to this system of government, Torontia has only been split for several months. The only people used to it are those who have gained power and do not wish to lose it in free and fair national elections.’

‘As for Mr Tucker's concerns, they are ridiculous. A strong system of checks and balances will be more then sufficient to prevent tyranny, arbitrarily creating sovereign governments within Torontia is not needed for this end. Maintaining the old governments serves no purpose but to perpetuate the fragmentation of Torontia. I suspect the real reason why Amestria advocates such a course of action is to preserve in some way the status quo and secure their own interests, not to do what is in the best interests of Torontians.’

"What about something radical? Why don't we 'divide' the districts of the nation up into NORTH AND SOUTH instead of EAST AND WEST? Each district consists of a portion of Eastern Torontia and a portion of Western Torontia. This allows the groups to work together and become more unified. Each side would already have connections in the other, so it could bring the nation back together in a way that the current line of thinking cannot."

'The very same problem arises,' explained the Cardinal, slightly exasperated though maintaing her composure as always. 'What purpose could there possibly be to forming a federated republic? Creating sovereign governments in the North and South is an even more arbitrary division then West and East... though slightly less damaging. I fail to see the point in it.

By far the best solution is a unitary state. It will promote harmony and signify a clear break with the internal infighting in Torontia of the past couple of months.'

A strong system of checks and balances will be more then sufficient to prevent tyranny, arbitrarily creating sovereign governments within Torontia is not needed for this end.

"I agree. The idea is to fix the problem, not change the structure of the tool we're using to fix the much greater problem."

Tucker address the Mckagan proposal. "That would be a disaster, most civil wars throughout history have been fought between the Northern and Southern Sections of a country. Nations federated between East and West on the other hand tend to remain peaceful."

He turned to Sabelina. "In all do respect my Lady, checks and balances did not prevent the New Order from gaining power twice and it would not sooth the fears that exist within Eastern and Western Political Classes. In addition, keeping both Governments in place makes it harder to overthrow the State, as both Governments are well entrenched in their respective areas. A Federal System does not rule out checks and balances, just adds to them."

'The very same problem arises,' explained the Cardinal, slightly exasperated. 'What purpose could there possibly be to forming a federated republic? Creating sovereign governments in the North and South is an even more arbitrary division then West and East... I fail to see the point.

By far the best solution is a unitary state. It will promote harmony and signify a clear break with the internal infighting in Torontia of the past couple of months.'

"I agree with you that division needs to be completly did away with, but my faith in the ability of the Amestrians and Saint Fedskians to deal with such a change is little; which is why I'm suggesting the next best way which could lead to the same goal happening in the end."

Tucker address the Mckagan proposal. "That would be a disaster, most civil wars throughout history have been fought between the Northern and Southern Sections of a country. Nations federated between East and West on the other hand tend to remain peaceful."

The Lady Cardinal laughed harshly. 'That is absurd. Really.. so the terms "North" and "South" are cursed, are they? Anyway, if we were going to turn Torontia into a federated republic, why divide it between East and West? Why not make numerous states, because it will threaten the status quo?

I suggest that Amestria wants only to preserve their installed government in Torontia, nothing else explains this ridiculousness.'

He turned to Sabelina. "In all do respect my Lady, checks and balances did not prevent the New Order from gaining power twice and it would not sooth the fears that exist within Eastern and Western Political Classes. In addition, keeping both Governments in place makes it harder to overthrow the State, as both Governments are well entrenched in their respective areas. A Federal System does not rule out checks and balances, just adds to them.

Lady Sabelina was becoming quite annoyed with this amature analysis. 'There is absolutely no indication that Tanakis gained power because his State was unitary, rather then federated. The problem with the New Order's rise lies in the failure of checks and balances on the power of the Executive, a completely different issue.

Forming multiple coordinate governments within a single sovereign state that doesn't need or want them is not the answer to preventing the rise of tyrannous regimes.'

[OOC: Why is it we're turning all our characters into GN'R style drunks? :p]

IC:

"I don't know exactly what we've got. But no MCID operation is complete without a bar. If you want to go, it's one floor up. They serve things from all around the SWC and our provinces, so you'd probably be able to find something you like."

[OOC: You know, I'm not entirely sure...

...

...What were we talking about? :p]

Donovan glanced at the download counter; it was running fine, and would be fine on its own for some time. Donovan activated a password-protected screen saver, and then walked to Spietz.

"Lead the way, Agent Spietz," he said.

Lady Sabelina was becoming quite annoyed with this amature analysis. 'There is absolutely no indication that Tanakis gained power because his State was unitary, rather then federated. The problem with the New Order's rise lies in the failure of checks and balances on the power of the Executive, a completely different issue.

"Exactly. I'm not even so sure a system of checks and balances existed in the FIRST place in Torontia under the New Order."

Forming multiple coordinate governments within a single sovereign state that doesn't need or want them is not the answer to preventing the rise of tyrannous regimes.'

"Correct. My making multiple governments that operate on their own is the same as just dividing the nation up to different warlords anyway. We need to eliminate ALL boundaries politically. There should be no 'east' and 'west' left in the structure of the Torontian political structure.

"Yes North and South are in a manner cursed. The American Civil War, the English Civil War, the Korean Civil Wars, the Civil War of Southeast Asia, the Divisions of the Indian Subcontinent, the civil wars of Sudan, the Amestrian Eastern Rebellion, which despite its name happened in the Southeast... So yes, North and South are cursed."

"When the checks and balances of the executive fail in a Unitary State there is nothing left, when they fail in a Federated State the State governments remain and vice a versa. Transition nations like Torontia, which have been unable to maintain a successful Democratic Unitary State, unlike Amestria or Kahanistan, should have a Federated System in place until Democracy and Liberal Government are firmly established."

Kozic once again rose.

"We are unable to answer those questions. However, we are permitted to comment on deployment numbers. As for troop reductions, there will be none until the Amestrians have reduced their troop numbers to equal or less than what the Commonwealth has deployed. Once such levels are met, then the Commonwealth will be willing to discuss reducing its troops."

Kozic sat down as Hall rose.

"We have a couple demands and requests that need to be addressed. When will the appropriate time be for these to be made?"

Kozic once again rose.
"We are unable to answer those questions. However, we are permitted to comment on deployment numbers. As for troop reductions, there will be none until the Amestrians have reduced their troop numbers to equal or less than what the Commonwealth has deployed. Once such levels are met, then the Commonwealth will be willing to discuss reducing its troops."


General Bradley spoke. "Amestria will reduce it forces at the same time SF reduces its forces, no sooner, no later."

"When the checks and balances of the executive fail in a Unitary State there is nothing left, when they fail in a Federated State the State governments remain and vice a versa. Transition nations like Torontia, which have been unable to maintain a successful Democratic Unitary State, unlike Amestria or Kahanistan, should have a Federated System in place until Democracy and Liberal Government are firmly established."
'The whole point is to structure a system of checks and balances so that the rule of law does not fail, not to have multiple governments as a back-up in case they do. Right now, the problems that would innevitably exist from perpetuating the mistrust between East and West far outweigh the possible benefit of any additional check that may be put on a central government by having two sovereign state governments,' explained Lady Sabelina.

'Let me ask the Amestrian delegation this, though, would they agree to dissolving the East and West governments and establishing several new state governments?' asked the Carindal, her lips curling into a grim smile. Of course they won't, it isn't about preventing tyranny, but their petty wish to preserve their puppet government, she thought.

[OOC: My SNIPER is a drunk now, Whittier is probably passed out by now; my MCID dude is about to get us killed here... :p ]

IC:

"Right this way."

Spietz walked out the door of the control room with Donovan in tow. This hallway was almost never transited by people from outside the nation. It was made to look serious. Offices on both sides at some points, at others it was just a long stretch of walls with the occasional unmarked door leading off into an office of someone who spends endless nights reading someones spam.

After a few turns the reached a ramp. It was odd that the usual stairs didn't go up, but for some reason the building was built this way. After walking up, the atmosphere changed completely. This room was a large oval with various bars all around. It smelled like a bar and for all intents and purposes, was a bar. It wasn't as busy as usual; for the Kurora Falcons were playing the McKagan City Raptors in the MNFL playoffs only a few miles away.

"Hey Robyn," he said in a loud voice to the girl behind the bar, "erm... give the dude some of that Leafanistani stuff... erm... I'll take one too."

[OOC: We should like have them get drunk and beat the holy shit out of one of the diplomats to start an international incident.]

Southeast Asia's ambassador to The Lone Alliance strode into the conference room. Evan Ho - his name - had arrived late for the conference due to the fact that his Foreign Minister was stuck in Czardas because the Libertarian Concordance's old enemies had launched an invasion fleet. He was flanked by two bodyguards wielding Desert Eagle pistols.

"Sorry I am late, sir," he apologized to the McKagan delegate.

"We had some issues to deal with involving our Foreign Minister in Czardas."

Kozic once again rose.

"We are unable to answer those questions. However, we are permitted to comment on deployment numbers. As for troop reductions, there will be none until the Amestrians have reduced their troop numbers to equal or less than what the Commonwealth has deployed. Once such levels are met, then the Commonwealth will be willing to discuss reducing its troops."

Kozic sat down as Hall rose.

"We have a couple demands and requests that need to be addressed. When will the appropriate time be for these to be made?"

"Amestria is saying the same thing as you about troop reductions. No one will do it until the other side starts. Why don't you both just start a pull out at this time? You can air your demands at this time, just so we can have everything on the table."

General Bradley spoke. "It is the leadership of the TPG which is pressing us on this. Corporal Douglas, play the tape."

"Oui Älterer Voller General!" Douglas removed a tape player from her bag and set it on the table. She pressed play.

Voice of Samuel Burns, President of the TPG: "You tell that bastard Boon, now you tell him, that I will not accept the dismantling of the TPG. We have worked too hard and I am not going to put all our eggs in one basket. I demand the TPG remain in some form. I will accept nothing less."

Voice of General Gran: "Yes Mr. President, I will inform President Boon of your concerns."

Burns: "Not concerns, demands! I am willing to resign if that helps, but the TPG must not be dissolved! You tell that fucking bastard Boon that!"

General Gran: "Yes Mr. President."

"Amestria is saying the same thing as you about troop reductions. No one will do it until the other side starts. Why don't you both just start a pull out at this time? You can air your demands at this time, just so we can have everything on the table."

General Bradley spoke. "There seems to be a misunderstanding, I said Amestria would reduce them at the same time."

General Bradley spoke. "There seems to be a misunderstanding, I said Amestria would reduce them at the same time."

"So does that mean you're prepared to take point and reduce troop levels BEFORE Saint Fedski actually starts to do so, but if they agree they will do it?"

General Murmansk, finally, spoke up, "So why dont you just threaten to pull support for them. They, by themselves, have a laughable military capability, I mean, they are still using M1A1s for... what is the word? Crying out loud? An M1A2 cannot stand up to most of the other nations tanks around here, much less the M1A1. Unless you are also using outdated equipment like that, they should not be able to threaten you."

The Lady Cardinal frowned at the tape. 'What Mr Burns wants is irrelevant, and he is hardly in a position to be making demands. It is the Torontian people that are sovereign, not him or his government, and the Torontians would doubtless wish to be unified with their countrymen, not divided because of some petty power games.'

"So does that mean you're prepared to take point and reduce troop levels BEFORE Saint Fedski actually starts to do so, but if they agree they will do it?"

"Exact same time."

Hall was still standing.

Amestrian Forces currently out number the Commonwealth, by a vast amount. It is not in the best interests of the Interm Government of Torontia to decrease our deployment while facing odds of two to one in favour of the Amestrians. With that said, there will be no..."

Kozic stood up and intterupted

"Put a lot of emphasis on 'no'. It is not up for discussion."

Hall continued "There will be no troop reductions until the Amestrians have no more than two soldiers for every Commonwealth soldier."

They both sat down.

The Lady Cardinal frowned at the tape. 'What Mr Burns wants is irrelevant, and he is hardly in a position to be making demands. It is the Torontian people that are sovereign, not him, and the Torontians would doubtless wish to be unified with their countrymen, not divided because of some petty power games.'

de Villepin spoke. "He is the President of the Torontian Provisional Government and Amestria cannot legally remove him. He is the Commander and Chief of the TPG's Army. What President Burns wants is not outrageous. Xirnium can concern itself with the Federal Checks and Balances while a State system is established to accommodate the concerns of Torontia's political class."

General Murmansk turned to the Saint Fedeski Delegation, "There is a contradiction in your statement, you said that you would not withdraw until Amestria has two soldiers for every one of your soldiers... a couple of seconds after you already said that Amestrians already have two soldiers for every one of your soldiers. By your logic, you should already be pulling out."

Hall was still standing.

Amestrian Forces currently out number the Commonwealth, by a vast amount. It is not in the best interests of the Interm Government of Torontia to decrease our deployment while facing odds of two to one in favour of the Amestrians. With that said, there will be no..."

Kozic stood up and intterupted

"Put a lot of emphasis on 'no'. It is not up for discussion."

Hall continued "There will be no troop reductions until the Amestrians have no more than two soldiers for every Commonwealth soldier."

They both sat down.

General Bradley spoke. "There will be no Amestrian reduction while the SF fleet remains at its current strength and SF outnumbers Amestria two to one in Heavy Armor!"

Spears got firm with his voice and looked at the Amestrians. "Please think of this. I know that it's not entirely fair for you to have to pull troops back first, but considering how many troops you have it shouldn't be much of a problem. Just think of the long term goal and keep it in sight."

de Villepin spoke. "He is the President of the Torontian Provisional Government and Amestria cannot legally remove him. He is the Commander and Chief of the TPG's Army. What President Burns wants is not outrageous. Xirnium can concern itself with the Federal Checks and Balances while a State system is established to accommodate the concerns of Torontia's political class."
Lady Cardinal Eleanor Sabelina scoffed at the notion. 'Utterly ridiculous, of course he can be removed. The “Torontian Provisional Government”' explained the Cardinal, sneering at the name, 'was formed by Amestria, not by the Torontian people. He can be legally removed simply by an act of your Parliament and the declaration of a unified Torontian people, who may proclaim their own government.

Any Constitution approved in referendum by the Torontian people and explicitly dissolving the TPG would by necessity legally dismantle his government.'

General Bradley spoke. "There will be no Amestrian reduction while the SF fleet remains at its current strength and SF outnumbers Amestria two to one in Heavy Armor!"

"Perhaps a deal could be reached where a porportion of SF heavy armor equals an amount of Amestrian troops and the two are moved out at the same time?"

General Bradley spoke. "There will be no Amestrian reduction while the SF fleet remains at its current strength and SF outnumbers Amestria two to one in Heavy Armor!"
Murmansk said, "Then pull out your light divisions, the ones with very little heavy armor and artillery, that should balance out the number of soldiers while still leaving the status qou in terms of armor and artillery."

Spears got firm with his voice and looked at the Amestrians. "Please think of this. I know that it's not entirely fair for you to have to pull troops back first, but considering how many troops you have it shouldn't be much of a problem. Just think of the long term goal and keep it in sight."

Bradley again spoke. "SF must at least reduce the presence of its fleet and tanks while Amestria reduces the number of its soldiers, only 200,000 of Amestria's troops are in Offensive positions."

Lady Cardinal Eleanor Sabelina scoffed at the notion. 'Utterly ridiculous, of course he can be removed. The “Torontian Provisional Government”' explained the Cardinal, sneering at the name, 'was formed by Amestria, not by the Torontian people. He can be legally removed simply by an act of your Parliament and a declaration of a unified Torontian people.'

de Villepin glared at the Cardinal. "No! He cannot be removed, he is the President of the Torontian Provisional Government and Commander in Chief of the Torontian Provisional Government's Armed Forces. He can only remove himself or be removed by the TPG's Parliament. As the Torontian National Congress Party backs Burns, he will not be removed by the TPG's Parliament. Although Xirnium may not recognize the TPG, Amestria does, and we will not remove him, as it would be illegal for us to do so. We will not betray President Burns."

The Lady Cardinal looked icily at the Amestrian Foreign Minister. 'The Torontian Provisional Government cannot legally exist if the Torontian people vote in a referendum to establish a new Constitution dissolving that institution and establishing a new one,' she explained.

Kozic stood up again.

"If Amestria wants to get into the various elements of the deployment, I must point out that the Amestrian forces, including the Torontian units under their control have a far greater advantage when it comes to troops, aircraft, position and offensive weapons such as missiles and artillery. The current naval deployment of the Commonwealth of Saint Fedski has not changed since the Commonwealth entered Torontia. They are all penned up in the Puget Sound while the five fleets of the Amestrian Navy can roam freely."

He sat down.

Southeast Asia's ambassador to The Lone Alliance strode into the conference room. Evan Ho - his name - had arrived late for the conference due to the fact that his Foreign Minister was stuck in Czardas because the Libertarian Concordance's old enemies had launched an invasion fleet. He was flanked by two bodyguards wielding Desert Eagle pistols.

"Sorry I am late, sir," he apologized to the McKagan delegate.

"We had some issues to deal with involving our Foreign Minister in Czardas."
OOC: MCKAGAN, I THINK YOU OVERLOOKED THIS. :rolleyes: And Amestria, are you refering to the RL SEA or my nation?

The Lady Cardinal looked icily at the Amestrian Foreign Minister. 'The Torontian Provisional Government cannot legally exist if the Torontian people vote in a referendum to establish a new Constitution dissolving that institution and establishing a new one,' she explained.

"No vote can be held unless the TPG Parliament and President agree to hold one." de Villepin replied in just as icy a fashion.

"No vote can be held unless the TPG Parliament and President agree to hold one." de Villepin replied in just as icy a fashion.

'I disagree completely, but even so you could pressure them to hold a referendum. The TPG would quickly cave in if Amestria, the only nation which recognises it, withdrew their support.'

Kozic stood up again.

"If Amestria wants to get into the various elements of the deployment, I must point out that the Amestrian forces, including the Torontian units under their control have a far greater advantage when it comes to troops, aircraft, position and offensive weapons such as missiles and artillery. The current naval deployment of the Commonwealth of Saint Fedski has not changed since the Commonwealth entered Torontia. They are all penned up in the Puget Sound while the five fleets of the Amestrian Navy can roam freely."

He sat down.

Bradley spoke. "Can SF please provide a list of its naval deployments. I believe they have more ships in Torontian waters then does Amestria."

de Villepin glared at the Cardinal. "No! He cannot be removed, he is the President of the Torontian Provisional Government and Commander in Chief of the Torontian Provisional Government's Armed Forces. He can only remove himself or be removed by the TPG's Parliament. As the Torontian National Congress Party backs Burns, he will not be removed by the TPG's Parliament. Although Xirnium may not recognize the TPG, Amestria does, and we will not remove him, as it would be illegal for us to do so. We will not betray President Burns."

"If there is to be a future of Torontia as a UNITED nation, you may have to give up the puppet government. There's nothing stopping him from running for president of a UNITED Torontia, y'know? The TPG just can't exist in it's current form if Torontia is to be united. If you wish for him to remain in power, then just pressure him to run for any potential office of a united Government."

'I disagree completely, but even so you could pressure them to hold a referendum. The TPG would quickly cave in if Amestria, the only nation which recognises it, withdrew their support.'

Bradley spoke. "Corporal Douglas, the tape please."

The tape continued.

"The following is a phone conversation between Presidents Boon and Burns.

Boon: "We could withdraw support and recognition?"

Burns: "I don't care, I have over a million soldiers under my command who have sworn loyalty to the TPG and they will support me. You received that letter that was sent by the TPG's Joint Chiefs, pledging that they will support me should I refuse to step down and dissolve the Government. You can go to hell if you want the TPG to dissolve!"

The tape was stopped.

De Villepin spoke. “Why is Xirnium being so disruptive on this issue?”

Bradley spoke. "Can SF please provide a list of its naval deployments. I believe they have more ships in Torontian waters then does Amestria."

Hall stood up.

"No. That is classified military information that Mr. Kozic and myself are not privy to and if we were, we would not be permitted to share such information."

Hall sat down and grabbed a glass of water.

"If there is to be a future of Torontia as a UNITED nation, you may have to give up the puppet government. There's nothing stopping him from running for president of a UNITED Torontia, y'know? The TPG just can't exist in it's current form if Torontia is to be united. If you wish for him to remain in power, then just pressure him to run for any potential office of a united Government."

de Villepin spoke. "President Burns has offered to step down. He wants the TPG preserved, everything else is second."

Spears looked at the Amestrians, not becoming frustrated. "Please, just allow the TPG to disolve itself into the political SYSTEM we're making. If they're really wanted by the Torontian people, they'll be voted back in, if not, they shouldn't be there in the first place."

Murmansk sighed, "And did he interview EACH AND EVERYONE of the soldiers, a logistical impossibility if I ever heard of one, in regards to their loyalty? You think that the average soldier would all of the suddenly obey an order to fire on men that they had probably shared stories, drinks, and other things with? I highly doubt it... unless their soldiers are like ours which," He leaned forward, "I highly, highly, HIGHLY doubt."

de Villepin was equally frustrated. "The TPG will not dissolve itself and we will not forcibly dissolve it. Deal with that reality and incorporate it into the 'new political system.'"

OOC: It would have at least been nice.

IC:
With Spears busy talking to the other delegations, Ho takes a seat while his bodyguards step back towards the wall to observe.

Hall stood up.

"No. That is classified military information that Mr. Kozic and myself are not privy to and if we were, we would not be permitted to share such information."

Hall sat down and grabbed a glass of water.

Bradley spoke. "Then why should we believe you when you say you have more ships. We are willing to give our numbers, disarmament requires openness and transparency."

OOC: SEA, I was refering to Southeast Asia in the past...

"No. That is classified military information that Mr. Kozic and myself are not privy to and if we were, we would not be permitted to share such information."

Murmansk said, "Why would you classify information that can be revealed with a simple recon sattelite sweep?"

de Villepin was equally frustrated. "The TPG will not dissolve itself and we will not forcibly dissolve it. Deal with that reality and incorporate it into the 'new political system.'"

"You are being very, very selfish. Allow the personnel from it to form into the new system. The "TPG" is out of date and will no longer be needed once that happens. Why doesn't the TPG just rearrange itself as a POLITICAL PARTY inside a Torontia? That way everything is free and fair. Otherwise i'm afraid the TPG will be labeled a regime and that would be REALLY bad for negotiations."

De Villepin spoke. “Why is Xirnium being so disruptive on this issue?”
'Why is Holy Xirnium being so "disruptive"?!!' the Lady Cardinal exploded, rising to her feet. Her lovely face was twisted with fury and her right hand clutched her empty glass tightly.

'A petty warlord is extorting the Amestria government to continue to keep his government in power by threatening war, and you dare accuse me of being disruptive?!!' she screamed.

'I am being disruptive because the personal interests and petty power games of some installed leader should not undermine the wishes of the Torontian people for a united future!!! I am being disruptive because I was informed that you and Saint Fedski were serious about reaching a conclusive solution to the Torontian problem, and instead I find that you are more interested in preserving your puppet governments and pursuing your own selfish agendas!!!

I am beind disruptive because the people of Torontia deserve better!!!' Lady Cardinal Eleanor Sabelina snarled.

de Villepin was not fazed by the outburst and was quite calm. "Burns has agreed to step down, this is not about him staying in power; it is about the TPG remaining in some form. The Torontian National Congress Party already exists, they want the TPG to remain. That is not being selfish, it is a small demand to incorporate it into a State System with a Federal Government."

de Villepin was not fazed by the outburst and was quite calm. "Burns has agreed to step down, this is not about him staying in power; it is about the TPG remaining in some form. The Torontian National Congress Party already exists, they want the TPG to remain. That is not being selfish, it is a small demand to incorporate it into a State System with a Federal Government."

"If the TPG must stay, they should be made into a political party so that they maintain their quality and arrangement, but everyone else has fair aim at coming into power."

Murmansk said, "Why would you classify information that can be revealed with a simple recon sattelite sweep?"

Kozic rose from his seat.

"Looks may be decieving Sir."

He returned to this seat.

"If the TPG must stay, they should be made into a political party so that they maintain their quality and arrangement, but everyone else has fair aim at coming into power."

"The ITG would also remain as a State Government in a Federal arrangement, I feel SF is the only nation which can reject such a proposal."

de Villepin turned to the SF delegation.

"What do you think of a Federal System?"

"Perhaps this arragement would work; but do both parties agree that a FEDERAL government has authority over these state governments?"

IC: Murmansk smiled, he already knew the numbers and composition of the Saint Fedeski surface fleet, thanks to both spy sattelite and RADAR Oceanic Reconiassance Sattelite Model-2(RORSAT-2). He whistled to his aide who stopped transcribing and handed him a sheet of information stating the information relevant to the issue he just talked about. He began to tick off the numbers of various Saint Fedeski Surface Ships.

OOC:Thats your que to post the information SF.

"Perhaps this arragement would work; but do both parties agree that a FEDERAL government has authority over these state governments?"

de Villepin spoke. "Yes, Burns would agree to a Federal government with authority over the State Governments as long as both East and West had equal voice."

‘This is a disgrace. The decision of whether or not we should propose a unified governmental system to the Torontian people has nothing to do with either the Amestrian or Saint Fedski Governments. It is a decision for the people of Torontia and them alone.

It has nothing to do with whether or not the current incumbents are ejected from the government. It has everything to do with ending this absurdly artificial occupational arrangement which has divided the nation in two and will continue to divide it so long as it exists!'

Hall rose.

"There is already an accepted political process about to be used in Torontia. It works wonders in each of the Commonwealth nations that have adopted it and there is no reason for it not to work here. We will comment on your proposal after said process is tried and tested. A failure will force a change while even a moderate success will provide enough justification to keep it. But that it not up to us once the elections have taken place. Governor McKelvie has assured the Department of Foreign Affairs that a referendum will be held two weeks after the elected officials take office."

He sat down again.

"Xirnium should bow to reality."

Hall rose.

"There is already an accepted political process about to be used in Torontia. It works wonders in each of the Commonwealth nations that have adopted it and there is no reason for it not to work here. We will comment on your proposal after said process is tried and tested. A failure will force a change while even a moderate success will provide enough justification to keep it. But that it not up to us once the elections have taken place. Governor McKelvie has assured the Department of Foreign Affairs that a referendum will be held two weeks after the elected officials take office."

He sat down again.

"Can we have details on this process?"

‘This is a disgrace. The decision of whether or not we should propose a unified governmental system to the Torontian people has nothing to do with either the Amestrian or Saint Fedski Governments. It is a decision for the people of Torontia and them alone.

It has nothing to do with whether or not the current incumbents are ejected or not. It has everything to do with ending this absurdly artificial occupational arrangement which has divided the nation in two and will continue to divide it so long as it exists!'

"I agree with you completely. This isn't right. We're talking about making a united nation; not keeping imperialist parties up.

Why don't we just do this? Have two states in the nation. East and west. There are NEW elections there. Then we go from there. If the TPG is really wanted they'll have no problems."

After a long silence General Bradley spoke. "We have satellite photos of SF's deployments. Here is the list. There naval deployment is larger then the Amestria's"

List
8 Quickbreaker Class Aircraft Carriers
10 Vittorio Veneto Class Cruisers
10 Ticonderoga Class Cruisers
15 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers
20 Iroquois Class Destroyers
31 Halifax Class Frigates
25 Armidale Class Patrol Boats
4 Los Angeles Class Submarines

Vessels believed to be en route to Torontia
8 Naticoke Class Aircraft Carriers
6 Charles de Gualle Class Aircraft Carriers
4 Quickbreak Class Aircraft Carriers
20 Flanker Class Destroyers
15 Johnston Class Destroyers
Unknown number of Cargo ships

"Can we have details on this process?"

Kozic was comfortable in his seat but was forced to rise.

"Use your computer and go to the official Commonwealth website. There is a copy of its parent published there."

Kozic returned to his seat, like he did so many times before.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9977244&postcount=1

Tucker raised his hand. "Why should there be delays on settling the issue of National Government? Who cares about the exact electoral procedures of Eastern Torontia?"

General Bradley spoke once again. "I propose the following six point plan for disarmament, to be carried out immediately and at the same time."

"1. Amestria and Saint Fedski remove all their tanks from Torontia."

"2. Amestria and Saint Fedski remove all their bombers from Torontia."

"3. Amestria and Saint Fedski remove all their Aircraft Carriers from Torontia."

"4. Amestria and Saint Fedski are to remove all naval vassals, with the exception of 15 Frigates and 10 Destroyers each."

"5. All naval vessels on route from Amestria or Saint Fedski to Torontia are to turn around."

"6. Amestria will reduce its troops by 200,000 and then Saint Fedski will follow suit until both sides stand at 500,000 Foreign troops on either side."

(Looking at the Saint Fedski delegation) "Are their any objections?"

Hall rose.

"There is already an accepted political process about to be used in Torontia. It works wonders in each of the Commonwealth nations that have adopted it and there is no reason for it not to work here. We will comment on your proposal after said process is tried and tested. A failure will force a change while even a moderate success will provide enough justification to keep it. But that it not up to us once the elections have taken place. Governor McKelvie has assured the Department of Foreign Affairs that a referendum will be held two weeks after the elected officials take office."

He sat down again.

de Villepin spoke. "A two week delay is unacceptable, we should move forward with the creation of a Federal State now. How the State Government of Eastern Torontia manages its own electoral procedures is its own concern and should not delay the formation of an agreement."

Ho had been watching the arguing raging. Then he decided to state his opinion.

"The SWC is a professional at this, and they are pro-democracy, so why not let them imperialize it? At least they are honest and are thinking in both ways. And do you think that any body in the Saint Fedskian shoes would agree to that? Of course not. You two are going to play the blame game and we won't get anywhere off the ground."

"Lets not go back to that just yet." Verta whispered to Evan Ho. "It's too soon to have to fallback on that idea, if all else fails that may eventually be only an option but for now I severely doubt that's going ot happen."

Verta finally spoke up, sick of the bickering.

"The two Governments are divided, it would be dire to have a sudden unity, There were horrible effects of the overnight Merger of Germany, we don't want other similar problems." He turned and looked at the Xirium delagate with anger "Ms.Sabelina I really wish you'd stop putting words in other people's mouths."

When the Amestrian delegation revealed a 'six point plan', Hall and Kozic burst out laughing.

Still laughing, Hall rose.

"You Amestrians don't like to listen do you?" He chuckled. Then he turned serious. "What do you not understand about it's not up for discussion? Would the secretary please repeat what I said earlier in the meeting?"

"There will be no troop reductions until the Amestrians have no more than two soldiers for every Commonwealth soldier"

"Thank you. Mr. Kozic stressed the point that it is not up for discussion, in fact he even said..."

The secretary quoted her notes again "Put a lot of emphasis on 'no'. It is not up for discussion."

"Thank you once again."

Hall sat down when Kozic stood up.

"If the Amestrian's wish to puch the issue, they will push us right out those doors" He pointed to the large set of double doors at the entrance. "By that I mean we will say good-bye and go home, as we both have jobs we're missing."

Kozic returned to his seat.

"This has gone on long enough," Spears said. "McKagan is implementing a policy at this time. ANYONE breaking the peace in Torontia is subject to having their ability to wage war DESTROYED. This applies to Amestria and Saint Fedski or anyone else who decides to do anything. Do the nations here want McKagan to begin setting up our neutral zone between east and west right now? Tensions are rising and we feel it would be much easier for both of you to begin pulling out if you don't have to guard a border with the other."

Hall stood up.

"We are not permitted to speak on such a matter. If you please direct us to a secure line and private room, we would like to place a call to our superiors."

Hall continued standing, waiting for the McKagen response.

Murmansk sighed at the Saint Fedeski delegation, "I have already pointed this out, there was a contradiction in that statement, let me show you it."

Murmansks aide went back to that particular section.

Amestrian Forces currently out number the Commonwealth, by a vast amount. It is not in the best interests of the Interm Government of Torontia to decrease our deployment while facing odds of two to one in favour of the Amestrians. With that said, there will be no..."

"You then went on to say."

Hall continued "There will be no troop reductions until the Amestrians have no more than two soldiers for every Commonwealth soldier."


"Therefore, by your logic, you should have started withdrawing troops a LONG time ago, as you stated that you would pull out when the Amestrians have two soldiers for every one of yours... RIGHT AFTER SAYING that the Amestrians ALREADY have two soldiers for every one of yours. You are contradicting yourself my good sir... and it will not go well on your record."

Hall stood up.

"We are not permitted to speak on such a matter. If you please direct us to a secure line and private room, we would like to place a call to our superiors."

Hall continued standing, waiting for the McKagen response.

The Complex was specially made for diplomacy, so the request wouldn't be a problem. Although no line in the building was truly secure and no room was really private, Spears motioned to one of the security agents in the room. The agent escorted the SF delegation out of the conference room and back to their quarters where a small communications station was in front of them.

[OOC: My SNIPER is a drunk now, Whittier is probably passed out by now; my MCID dude is about to get us killed here... ]

IC:

"Right this way."

Spietz walked out the door of the control room with Donovan in tow. This hallway was almost never transited by people from outside the nation. It was made to look serious. Offices on both sides at some points, at others it was just a long stretch of walls with the occasional unmarked door leading off into an office of someone who spends endless nights reading someones spam.

After a few turns the reached a ramp. It was odd that the usual stairs didn't go up, but for some reason the building was built this way. After walking up, the atmosphere changed completely. This room was a large oval with various bars all around. It smelled like a bar and for all intents and purposes, was a bar. It wasn't as busy as usual; for the Kurora Falcons were playing the McKagan City Raptors in the MNFL playoffs only a few miles away.

"Hey Robyn," he said in a loud voice to the girl behind the bar, "erm... give the dude some of that Leafanistani stuff... erm... I'll take one too."

[OOC: We should like have them get drunk and beat the holy shit out of one of the diplomats to start an international incident.]

[OOC: I'm thinking of having Donovan randomly burst in and start talking with the diplomats. That, or pistol-whip de Villepin. :p]

"Raspberry microbrew, please." He paused. "Actually, can you get me a couple six-packs of those? If it's OK with you, Agent Spietz, I'd like to take these back to the observation center."

Kozic rose to respond to the Murmansk remarks.

"That remains true. It is not in the best interests of the Interm Government of Torontia to decrease our deployment while facing odds of two to one in favour of the Amestrians. However it is in the best interests of peace and it is felt that such a loss is acceptable."

Both of the Commonwealth delegates went to the communications room.

"So how do you think it's going so far Bryan?" Kozic asked.

"About as well as can be expected. We really aren't the appropriate people for this job...we're actually putting ourselves in danger by staying here."

"I know, but it was important that we came and we were given a briefing, however short it may have been. We'd better call Murph or Louis to figure out what to say."

Hall picked up the phone and began dialing The Minister of Defence's office.

"Hello Minister? Yes, it's Hall. I'm good thanks. How are you? Good. Frank and I have a bit of a problem."

Hall repeated what the McKagen delegation said.

"Ok. Ok. Ok. Thank you sir. You too. bye" Hall hung up the phone. "We are to reject the neutral zone, to continue rejecting any Amestrian demands and to continue pushing the issues of Amestrian reductions and promoting the Interm Government of Torontia."

"That's what I thought. Let's get back to the conference."

Both men and the agent returned to the conference.

Hall remained standing as Kozic sat.

"We are rejecting the McKagan plan for a neutral zone. We are also stating that any peace deal should be initiated by either Amestria or the Commonwealth and not a third party. However, we will remain present at this conference until the, and I quote the Minister of Defence directly 'Amestrian boneheads understand what the Commonwealth has been saying.' If they wish to push the issue of troop reductions beginning at the same time, the Commonwealth is more than willing to help the Amestrians out."

Hall poured another glass of water before sitting down.

General Murmansk gave a grim little smile, "Are you looking for Red Tide to withdraw its support for you? We can easily switch over to supporting the Amestrians. We have ALOT of firepower that can be brought against you... and we know, from your very diplomatic messages to us, that you are looking to bring in the nation of HailandKill to blockade Western Torontia."

Kozic stood up to address the Red Tide delgation.

"I have no knowledge of such a message."

He sat down like had done so many other times.

"Of course you dont... your just a minor goverment official, who isnt worthy of such classified information." Murmansk said, "So minor I am wondering why they sent you here. CLEARLY you arnt provided with sufficient information to attend this conference. And dont bother asking your superiors, they wont tell you. They'll just deny it."

Hall, who rarely got openly furstrated stood up and put his glass of water down on the table with a thump, spilling some of the water.

"We're not even Government officials. We are Academy professors. The reason we were sent is because there was no one else available. There is a large conference about to take place in the Republic of New McFarland that requires the attention and attendance of the officials who should be here. The Conference had been planned for quite some time and this meeting was quite spontaneous. Now if you would kindly keep your sarcastic remarks to yourself, in fact, keep all remarks to yourself seeing as Red Tide withdrew, almost a year ago, we can proceed to work our a peace plan between the Commonwealth and the Amestrians. If you wish to keep chirpping, you are wasting time that we could be using to teach. Thank you."

Hall sat back down.

Murmansk began to... laugh? Yes he was laughing, "AH! So they send non-goverment people who most likely have no experience in conducting diplomacy!" He said cracking up, "This is so delicious! If your goverment was serious about these negotiations they would ATLEAST send some mid-level officials... but no, instead they send experts! Who have opinions and have not been briefed in on all of the facts! This is so funny!"

Kozic stood up, still calm.

"Our government is indeed serious about these discussions but cannot commit officials for the reasons my partner has already declared. Your immaturity has shown. Until you can conduct yourself in an appropriate manner, there will be no more discussion with you."

The always calm Kozic returned to his seat and began talking to his colleague.

"They just want a fight" Hall whispered.

"I know, but they won't get one from us."

"Once this Conference is in recess, I'll make another call to Louis and brief him. I hope he calls us back until another conference can be set up. The only parties that should be present are us and Amestria. Red Tide has no business here any longer."

"I know but they are here and we can't order them to leave, we'll just have to deal with them for now."

The whispering stopped and both men returned their attention to the Conference.

"There are ALWAYS mid-level officials avaible." Murmansk said calmly, "Do you even know the definition of mid-level? It doesnt have to be minister, or deputy minister, or, hell, not even secretary of deputy minister. There are always mid-level officials avaible... because there is virtually an unlimited supply of them. They sit at desks and type on computers meaningless reports to turn into their superiors until they are required by the goverment to go overseas, if your goverment has run out of THOSE... then that means your goverment is in a hopeless situation."

Hall stood up.

"We are much more senior than any mid-level official. There are probably plenty abound but they would have even more restrictions than what we have. The only levels that would have more access to information would be deputy ministers and above. Excluding of course senior military officials, but the majority of them are also involved with the conference and the rest are busy filling in for those who are at the conference."

Once again, he sat down.

‘This is becoming absurd’, intoned the Lady Cardinal, having sat back down and poured herself another glass of water. ‘On the one side we have a party that could not even be bothered to show the basic courtesy of dignifying this conference with a politician or official of some description and on the other we have a party concerned only with steadfastly maintaining their own petty government regardless of the arguments against such a move. Neither wishes to compromise or to listen to any third party suggestions, neither is concerned in the least with the opinions of the Torontian people.

So I ask myself, why am I here?’

Kozic rose.

"Indeed. Why are you here? If I'm not mistaken, you should be getting ready to leave for the Conference of the Commonwealth as you did inform the Chairwoman that would be going and staying in the residence with her and Sir Girardi."

He sat back down.

The Ecclesiastical Secretary to the Foreign Minister smiled distantly. 'Perhaps there has been a miscommunication,' explained the Cardinal. 'That conference is to be attended by the Foreign and Finance Ministers, not me.'

He turned and looked at the Xirium delagate with anger "Ms.Sabelina I really wish you'd stop putting words in other people's mouths."
Lady Cardinal Eleanor Sabelina noted but ignored the incorrect use of title, turning to the delegates from the Lone Alliance. 'I’m not entirely sure to what you refer, but if I caused any unintended offence I apologise,' responded the deputy Foreign Minister graciously, inclining her head slightly towards their general direction.

'As for the economic problems that Germany faced in its reunification,' the Lady Cardinal explained, waving her hand dismissively, 'these were caused in large part due to the poor economic situation in the East resulting from decades of mismanagement. Such a case does not seem applicable here at all, for the Torontians have only been divided for several months, not for over fourty years, and in any case there is no reason for why such difficulties (even if they did exist) should get in the way of the peoples’ wish to be unified, just as there was no reason for that to be the case with Germany.

Dissolving the current puppet governments would bring untold advantages. It would help sweep away the mistrust and rivalry that has led all the way to the brink of civil war and foster harmony and cooperation for a bright, united Torontian future. Symbolically, it would mark the end of occupation with the final dismantling of these foreign-made institutions and the beginning of self-determination for the Torontian people.

It is a bold plan, yes, but I was informed that Amestria and Saint Fedski were serious about doing what is best for the people of Torontia, not in pursuing their own trivial agendas.'

OOC: By the way, Kahanistan, it's only a minor point but Lady Sabelina is a Cardinal, not a Grand Cardinal. She is still part of the Executive Ministry though.

"This has gone on long enough," Spears said. "McKagan is implementing a policy at this time. ANYONE breaking the peace in Torontia is subject to having their ability to wage war DESTROYED. This applies to Amestria and Saint Fedski or anyone else who decides to do anything. Do the nations here want McKagan to begin setting up our neutral zone between east and west right now? Tensions are rising and we feel it would be much easier for both of you to begin pulling out if you don't have to guard a border with the other."

General Bradley spoke. "Amestria will agree to a neutral zone but as Saint Fedski has vetoed the idea I fail to see how we can move forward on it. However, Amestria will consent to the deployment of Mckagan forces along the borders of the Amestrian and Saint Fedski zones as a deterrent to any return to conflict. Mckagan can begin flying in those troops now if they are ready..."

Bradley looked directly at the Saint Fedski delegation. "Truly, truly, why are you here? Our proposal for troop reductions stands but is open to alterations, presently Amestria has 1.2 million troops in Torontia, and how many does Saint Fedski have in Torontia I wonder..."

Bradley turned to the Mckagan organizer. "Can I speak with you privately and have a secure line?"

While he spoke, he was writing something on a scrap of paper, which he then folded. He had Ms. Douglas take it to the Red Tide Delegate.

Secret Note to Red Tide Delegate

Thank you for the information. What does Red Tide want in exchange for switching its support to Amestria?

[signed]
de Villepin

The General looked at the paper and slipped back the following,

"I do not have authorization to name a price, contact the Supreme Commander(SECRETLY!) and he should be able to tell you."

-snip-

"Indeed you can."

Spears stood up and motioned for the Amestrian to follow him. They walked through a door and then to the Amestrians quarters where a communications center was layed out.

"Just to inform you, I have to talk to my superiors before I start throwing troops around. They'll probably agree to some degree, but I can never be sure so I'm not comitting anything to the debate. If we do it'll be heavy Air Units and a few security brigades. That gives Amestria a target if they're really planning anything. If they are... well... IMAF likes to race against a clock in seeing if it can gather air superiority and launch bomb raids in under 24 hours. So far they have a record of 5-0. Just to point out though, McKagan is neutral. We might be interested in the advanced deployment of several naval units though. Mainly aircraft carriers and Air Defense vessels along with a few Frigates and Guided Gun Destroyers."

"Xirnium should bow to reality."
Lady Cardinal Eleanor Sabelina could tell when she was being ignored, and it infuriated her. ‘It is clear that neither Amestria nor Saint Fedski came here with the aim to work towards a brighter Torontian future, but instead with the cynical goal of preserving their undemocratic status quo. This lack of even any pretence of compromise at all from the loathsome Amestrian delegation in the interests of the Torontia people is outrageous,’ the deputy Foreign Minister declared, her voice shaking with rage. The Cardinal’s lovely brown eyes had a murderous glint to them, and Lady Sabelina briefly considered throwing her glass at de Villepin.

‘The High Ecclesiarchy refuses to participate in an imperialistic cold war-style carving up of Torontia between two selfish and childish nations who stubbornly refuse to listen to reason. You have no right to maintain your puppet governments inside a sovereign state that desires a united future. We condemn these talks as a sham, and will have no further part in them!’

Spinning about in a brief flourish the Lady Cardinal turned to leave in disgust, throwing her glass carelessly onto the table where it spilt its water. Her burgundy red cloak billowed behind her as the Lady Cardinal stormed out of the conference room without another word. Silently, her entourage followed, closing the door behind them.

de Villepins reply to the Xirnium delegation storming out was a simple "Bon débarras à de mauvaises ordures."

General Bradley remained expressionless as he entered the center, followed by Corporal Douglas. "We have no intention of attack SF but we would appriciate a Mckagan pressence to prevent further conflict in Torontia."

General Gran picked up a phone and said to the opperator. "A line to the State of Amestria please...thank you. This is General Bradley, Office of the President please... "dieses ist älterer General der Armeen Aaron Bradley reportage de Kurora.Monsieur I doit rapporter un manque total de progressent dans toutes les négociations avec Saint Fedski, ils semblent stonewalling délibérément. Ils ne sont pas même les fonctionnaires de gouvernement à niveau élevé et leur excuse est qu'ils sont tous occupés à une certaine conférence.M.. Président, il y a seulement une chose cela a pu expliquer une mobilisation si massive des fonctionnaires à niveau élevé et de celui est les préparations pour la guerre.Oui, je crois que SF se prépare à la guerre totale... Le manque de dialogue, les forces sur l'itinéraire à Torontia, les menaces contre nous, le broutement du soldat du génie cliquetant, la mobilisation de tous les fonctionnaires de niveau élevé près Saint Fedski... tout de lui se dirige à la guerre... "

Bradley paused.

"M.. Le Président I suggèrent que vous donniez Militärischer zentraler Befehl geheime Notströme anzufangen Vorbereitung für Invasion und die Verstärkung der Küsten. Je vous demande en outre ai mis les flottes restantes et l'armée de l'air sur une alerte augmentée et commencent un lent appellent d'autres de réservations... Non, I ne croyez pas que de telles actions sont prématurées.Le puits alors, la commande centrale faites appel à la cour constitutionnelle et recevez régner que vous êtes mettre en danger l'état.La cour leur accordera alors les alimentations de secours ils ont demandé.Cela prendrait seulement deux heures... Merci monsieur de la réalisation nature de la situation.Je propose également que la suite des installations gouvernementales dans les montagnes centrales d'Amestrian soyez préparé et il y ait les centralizations nécessaires... oui Monsieur."

Bradley hung up the phone and then dialed again. “Get me the President of Halberdardia please.”

As he waited, Bradley set down the phone. He turned to Spears.

“I propose an alliance between Amestria, Mckagan, and Halberdardia. Corporal Douglas write this down.”

“Ja Älterer Voller General!” Corporal Douglas began to write.

“I propose the following, an alliance modeled after the SWC. It will be called the Torontian Stabilization Organization, or TSO. It will exist for the following reasons.”

“1. To assure the territorial integrity of Torontia.”

“2. To assure that Torontian territory is never annexed under any circumstance.”

“3. To stabilize and maintain peace in Torontia.”

“4. To assure that Torontia establishes a Liberal Democratic Government.”

“5. To provide collective security for all members of the Organization so that an attack against one is an attack against all.”

(OOC: Mckagan I am TGing you the translation of what Bradley said)

"McKagan will only consider being part of this organization should it be established from the start that doing so will NOT make us anti-Saint Fedski. It will be established as a NEUTRAL organization. At that, McKagan officials must confer with Halberdgardian ones before any decision is made. Futhermore, the McKagan senate has been called into an emergency session and it appears that we will be able to provide Tactical Military Assistance SHOULD WE DECIDE TO DO SO. President Tony Johnson now has the power to order assets into Torontian territory should he decide that is needed. He has rejected any notion that the McKagan Army is preparing to move out, but has made an official announcement on SRN that he is ordering an undisclosed (S IC: 9) number of submarines, 9 Revolver Class Cruisers, 8 Avisron Class Destroyers, and 8 Illusion Class Frigates to Torontian waters. On top of this, a Slash Class Fleet Carrier with it's full aircraft load and a Paramount Class ADV have also been pulled out of harbour in Libertad. These forces will arrive within the week to set up a security zone within the Amestrian fleet. We encourage our friends in Halberdgardia to send in a similiar sized unit to at least provide force assertion in the area; even though at this time it IS neutral."

"McKagan will only consider being part of this organization should it be established from the start that doing so will NOT make us anti-Saint Fedski. It will be established as a NEUTRAL organization."

"I assure you that it will not be anti-Saint Fedski, unless of course Saint Fedski is set on war."

"Why does the State of Amestria desire an alliance with the Democratic Imperiums of Halberdgardia and McKagan, General Bradley?" asked Ho.

"Don't you think that Yallakian presence is more than enough? While they may have been neutral thanks to the fact that the Xirniumites aren't too happy with certain actions of yours, there are ways that can convince them to get Yallakian support back."

"If McKagan did sign into such an organization it would be only for the rebuilding of Torontia. Our primary mission would be to stop any future conflict there by offering a strategic deterance." Spears continued. "IMAF can already hit into Torontia, if we had troops on the ground there, anyone would be really, really stupid to start something. But we still need to wait on the Halberdgardian response."

[OOC: TAG for my post on Donovan intercepting Lady Sabelina.]

[OOC: Can I TG you now? Hey, you shoul dhave Donovan be all drunk or something. :p ]

[OOC: Just try to keep the TG flood to a minimum; I'll probably do an "inbox dump" sometime today and wipe my inbox to free up room. And, much as I'd like to RP Donovan drunkenly pistol-whipping some of the delegates, I need him sober for this part. :p]

Donovan had returned the observation center just in time to catch Xirnium's Lady Cardinal Sabelina storming out of the conference, apparently infuriated with the conduct of de Villepin and the Fedskian professors. He remembered his superiors' orders to keep an eye on the Xirniumite delegation, and approach them about opening relations if the opportunity so presented itself. This seemed like a pretty damn good opportunity to Donovan.

"I'll be right back," Donovan said to Spietz. He set his beer down, grabbed his Predator III pistol, unlatched the safety, chambered a round, and headed out the door. He walked at a swift clip through the myriad corridors of The Complex until he found himself looking at Sabelina's rapidly-receding back from about twenty yards down a long hallway.

"Ma'am!" he yelled, jogging towards her. "Ma'am, you forgot something!" He grabbed a USB memory key out of his pocket, and began waving it in his hand, making sure that it was relatively concealed in his hand so Sabelina might actually think she dropped something.

The deputy Foreign Minister turned around slowly to face this new individual. The previous look of fury on her face which the Lady Cardinal had worn as she stormed out of the conference was now gone, to be replaced with one of complete calm, perhaps even satisfaction. There was always more to a Cardinal then first met the eye, always plots within plots, wheels within wheels. But this was unexpected.

‘Did I?’ Lady Eleanor Sabelina asked quizzically with the faintest trace of a smile on her face. Slowly walking towards the individual, the Lady Cardinal regarded Donovan carefully, her eyes narrowed. ‘Thank you, sir, may I have it back?’ she asked courteously, her hand outstretched.

"Certainly," he said, pocketing the USB key and flashing the pistol. "As soon as you come this way."

To calm her inevitable alarm, he pulled out his badge and opened it. Inside, a holographic seal was printed. The seal was a black circle, with a red Halberdgardian falcon behind a white shield inside. The shield had a red argent at its center, and the words "Halberdgardian Central Intelligence Agency" were printed in white around the edge.

"Special Agent Michael Donovan. I was sent here to observe the conference. If you'll come with me to a more secure setting, I'll explain in more detail," he said, holstering the pistol.

The Lady Cardinal’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at the sight of the man’s firearm. Though she was insulted by his brazeness, Lady Sabelina was not afraid of the man. No one would ever dare harm a Cardinal of the High Ecclesiarchy, she thought superciliously.

‘This is highly irregular, Special Agent,’ Lady Sabelina said, a slight scowl on her face. The Cardinal considered the man’s offer thoughtfully, her curiosity eventually getting the better of her. ‘Very well, I will come briefly. My entourage wont be needed so they will return to my aircraft,’ explained Lady Cardinal Eleanor Sabelina.

‘My Lady…’ began one of the aids.

‘Just do what I say, Mr Garth,’ snapped the Lady Cardinal impatiently.

‘Yes my Lady,’ he affirmed as the Cardinal’s aids turned to silently walk down the hallway.

‘Very well, Special Agent, lead the way,’ Lady Eleanor Sabelina directed with a curious smile that seemed to be devoid of any mirth.

Donovan was glad she'd chosen to cooperate despite his antic with the pistol. "Excellent, Lady Cardinal. This way," he said. As they walked, Donovan said to her, "I apologize about the gun. I just wanted to make sure I could ensure your cooperation, or at least get your attention long enough to explain myself, so you wouldn't figure I was just a nice janitor or something."

He took her down multiple corridors and turns until they finally reached the observation center. He turned to her and said, "You probably shouldn't be seeing this, but I think I can trust you." He opened the door, and walked in.

"Spietz," Donovan said, addressing his McKagan counterpart, "I brought a guest." He turned back to Sabelina. "Lady Cardinal Sabelina, may I introduce MCID Agent Brian Spietz, my McKagan counterpart. Spietz, this is Lady Cardinal Sabelina of the Holy Empire of Xirnium, though you probably already knew that. You mind filling her in on our little operation here while I pack up my stuff?" He walked back to his notebook, and began the process of securing it for the flight back to Washington.

The Lady Cardinal glanced over the new, clearly classified, room, the insult from before largely (though not enitrely) forgotten. She nodded by way of greeting to the MCID Agent, regarding him with interest.

Clearly the room was a surveillance centre of some kind, most likely for monitoring the conference or the compound, the Lady Cardinal thought. That it would be spied on by McKagan intelligence was no great surprise to Lady Sabelina. What was a surprise was that she had been allowed to see it. How closely Halberdgardia and McKagan, however, were cooperating on Torontia was quiet interesting. Just what is the Saharistan War Coalition planning? she wondered.

‘You don’t mind if I smoke, do you?’ she asked the two intelligence agents absentmindedly, lighting a cigarette before either responded. The deputy Foreign Minister was most curious to hear Agent Spietz’s description of the operation, and how it might concern Holy Xirnium.

Hall stood up.

"The Commonwealth does not approve of any 'alliance', 'pact', 'organization' or whatever you choose to call it. Any attempt by Amestria to create or join such an alliance with a neutral member of these talks will be seen as disruptive and will be immediately reported to senior officials."

He sat down again.

-snip-

"You'd have to ask Spietz," Donovan said as he shut the lid on his laptop, "his house, after all." He disconnected the mouse, yanked the power cord out of the outlet, and packed it all away into the backpack. He slung it over one shoulder, then turned back to Sabelina.

"As you no doubt guessed, this is an observation center. I was sent to observe the conference and report back to my superiors in Washingon on what happened here, since it directly involves us. We decided not to send an ambassador, since it would probably be viewed as suspicious. My primary mission was to report on the conference, but I was also to approach you with an offer, if the opportunity presented itself. That's why you're here.

"You see, Lady Cardinal, your government's actions have not gone unnoticed by the President. He's decided that our two nations could come to a...mutually beneficial arrangement. You can come with me back to Washington, where you would discuss the matter further with our possibility of our two countries cooperating. What do you say?"
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-snip-

The Amestrian was redirected to the State Department, and as Amestria had been noted as a less-than-friendly power since the start of the Torontian conflict, the HNSA began monitoring and recording the call. A low-level State Department intern took the call.

"State Department, who is this?"

Speitz was joined in a small conference with the MCID Commander at the base. Between the two of them, Spietz was cleared.

"I'm clear to represent McKagan at the conference in Washington. I've always went on the notion that the conference won't be a private Halberdgardian operation. If it's not, and Halberdgardia doesn't mind us being at the conference, would it be OK if I caught a ride with you on the way back?" He looked at Donovan.

Spietz felt it needed to comment on the observation area. "Don't feel like we set this up just to spy on this conference. Kurora is a very popular diplomatic stop. The MCID has a very large deployment here."

Hall stood up.

"The Commonwealth does not approve of any 'alliance', 'pact', 'organization' or whatever you choose to call it. Any attempt by Amestria to create or join such an alliance with a neutral member of these talks will be seen as disruptive and will be immediately reported to senior officials."

He sat down again.

"This is an alliance that will be beneficial for the rest of Torontia. You can choose to oppose it, but that would be showing just what your intentions are."

The Amestrian was redirected to the State Department, and as Amestria had been noted as a less-than-friendly power since the start of the Torontian conflict, the HNSA began monitoring and recording the call. A low-level State Department intern took the call.

"State Department, who is this?"

"This is Senior General of the Armies Aaron Bradley of the State of Amestria's Military Central Command, calling from the conference in Kurora."

"This is Senior General of the Armies Aaron Bradley of the State of Amestria's Military Central Command, calling from the conference in Kurora."

The intern was stunned, for a moment. "Err...very well, General, how I can help you?" He realized he sounded like an employee at a retail outlet, but there was no taking back what he'd already said.

The intern was stunned, for a moment. "Err...very well, General, how I can help you?" He realized he sounded like an employee at a retail outlet, but there was no taking back what he'd already said.

"I wish to speak to the President of Halberdgardia, or a reasonable alternative should he be unavailable."

[OOC: If this post is in the wrong place, or irrevelant in any way let me know and I will delete it or move it.]

Highly Encrypted Transmission To McKagan Officials

As you may or may not know The Commonwealth of Saint Fedski has called upon help from The Imperial Republic of HailandKill over the "crisis" in Torontia and also regarding how to deal with Amestria. I will not hide the fact that Amestria actions in the past have angered my department and my president and I am personally wary of any promises they make. As of now The Imperial Republic wishes to look at all sides of the argument and does not want to wage an unjust war should it have to. In this light, I wish to attend this conference which I have heard much about to witness the talks in progress to better help make a judgement whether or not to remain neutral. I hope this request can be accomidated as myself and other Killians prefer diplomacy to direct warfare. Thank you for your time.

[Signed]Thomas Crowley, National Security Advisor, Imperial Republic of HailandKill

[OOC: If this post is in the wrong place, or irrevelant in any way let me know and I will delete it or move it.]

Highly Encrypted Transmission To McKagan Officials

As you may or may not know The Commonwealth of Saint Fedski has called upon help from The Imperial Republic of HailandKill over the "crisis" in Torontia and also regarding how to deal with Amestria. I will not hide the fact that Amestria actions in the past have angered my department and my president and I am personally wary of any promises they make. As of now The Imperial Republic wishes to look at all sides of the argument and does not want to wage an unjust war should it have to. In this light, I wish to attend this conference which I have heard much about to witness the talks in progress to better help make a judgement whether or not to remain neutral. I hope this request can be accomidated as myself and other Killians prefer diplomacy to direct warfare. Thank you for your time.

[Signed]Thomas Crowley, National Security Advisor, Imperial Republic of HailandKill

"Althought most of the conference is over as far as I think, you're free to send people in. We'll provide you with a data unit of the entier conference, anyway."

"I wish to speak to the President of Halberdgardia, or a reasonable alternative should he be unavailable."

"Uh, General, with all due respect, you can't just be instantly connected with the President of the Democratic Imper--" The line went silent for a moment, and then a new voice came on the line.

"General Bradley," the deep voice intoned, with just a hint of amusement -- or was it hostility? "This is Secretary of State Kenneth Hawkins. I understand you wish to speak with President Kil? Unfortunately, that will not be possible, as he is currently out of the country. I am handling all foreign affairs matters in his stead. So, General, what is it that you wished to speak with me about?"

[OOC: Hope you don't mind if I try to speed up my entrance to it all.)

---Response To McKagan Officials---

I thank you for this opportunity, and I think it will better serve all. Even though the conference may be over, being in McKagan will give me a chance to fraternize with other countries representatives to give me the best view on things. I apreciate the generosity of allowing me to attend and I am currently one hour away from McKagan airspace as I was already on another conference close to your nation. With ATC permission I should be on the ground shortly and hope to arrive ASAP. Again, with much thanks,

[Signed]Thomas Crowley, National Security Advisor, Imperial Republic of HailandKill

----One Hour Later---
The small black leerjet was getting close to McKagan airspace. It was lucky for the NSA that he was already close to McKagan due to another conference, and it was also lucky that he had his HKIA advisor with him. The pilot broadcast to the nearest air traffic control,

"This is Killian eight-oh-six requesting permision to land. Over."

"First, it is Senior Full General Bradley. I am Full General Gran's Superior. I am calling to discuss an alliance of sorts concerning the settling to the Torontian question."

-snip-


"This is Kurora Regional Airport. You are clear on runway 8."

As that message was sent, a group of 8 Harris Air Superiority Fighters flew by the HaK jet. This was one of the 5 extra patrols that had been put into place around Kurora (and in reality, Northern McKagan) Kurora was being heavily protected at this point because it was feared that someone would try to make a point by destroying the conference. IMAF didn't like that.

As the HailandKill jet came down to the runway, a McKagan Avali-Burton limo had been pulled to the side of the terminal. A group of diplomatic staff moved through the building and waited for the arrival.

"You see, Lady Cardinal, your government's actions have not gone unnoticed by the President. He's decided that our two nations could come to a...mutually beneficial arrangement. You can come with me back to Washington, where you would discuss the matter further with our possibility of our two countries cooperating. What do you say?"
The Lady Cardinal mulled over the proposal briefly, running a hand absentmindedly through her long auburn hair. 'I believe what you are suggesting may indeed be in the interests of the Holy Xirnium, and I am interested in discussing your government’s suggested “arrangement” in greater detail,' she finally announced. 'I’d be delighted to speak with members of the Halberdgardian Executive in Washington. I will have to inform the rest of the High Ecclesiarchy first, of course, and then we can go right away.'

"First, it is Senior Full General Bradley. I am Full General Gran's Superior. I am calling to discuss an alliance of sorts concerning the settling to the Torontian question."

"Very well, Senior Full General Bradley," Hawkins replied, letting a slight measure of venom creep into his speech, "what did you have in mind?"

Hawkins knew that Kil was probably going to reject out-of-hand any proposal that tied them to any sort of Amestrian obligations, but he had to at least listen.

The Lady Cardinal mulled over the proposal briefly, running a hand absentmindedly through her long auburn hair. 'I believe what you are suggesting may indeed be in the interests of the Holy Xirnium, and I am interested in discussing your government’s suggested “arrangement” in greater detail,' she finally announced. 'I’d be delighted to speak with members of the Halberdgardian Executive in Washington. I will have to inform the rest of the High Ecclesiarchy first, of course, and then we can go right away.'

"Excellent to hear, Lady Cardinal," Donovan replied. "There's a Gulfstream V at Kurora International we'll be taking to Washington. Agent Spietz, you're welcome to join us."

Donovan hoisted his backpack onto his shoulders, then removed his secure SATPhone from a pocket. "Lady Cardinal, if you'd like to use my phone to reach your superiors? We can leave whenever you and Agent Spietz are ready."

"Very well, Senior Full General Bradley," Hawkins replied, letting a slight measure of venom creep into his speech, "what did you have in mind?"

Hawkins knew that Kil was probably going to reject out-of-hand any proposal that tied them to any sort of Amestrian obligations, but he had to at least listen.

“I propose the following, an alliance modeled after the SWC between Amestria, Mckagan, and Halberdgardia. It will be called the Torontian Stabilization Organization, or TSO. It will exist for the following reasons.”

“1. To assure the territorial integrity of Torontia.”

“2. To assure that Torontian territory is never annexed under any circumstance.”

“3. To stabilize and maintain peace in Torontia.”

“4. To assure that Torontia establishes a Liberal Democratic Government.”

“5. To provide collective security for all members of the Organization so that an attack against one is an attack against all.”

Spietz was hardly ready to go on an international mission that could very well determine the outcome of an epic struggle by egomanical governments to gain control of a small nation. He had gotten up this morning with two things in mind.

I want to go to work and do my job. It's simple. Just show the HCIA dude the observation lounge. Then i'll come home and play HALO. But NOOOOOO, i've got to go SAVE THE UNIVERSE AGAIN! Isn't this what IMAF is for?

As he silently thought that to himself, he began to phrase his next statement.

"I'll be ready in just a second. I'm going to my office to get a few... tools. It's a fairly long flight, isn't it?" he laughed. "I need my laptop, too."

Spietz walked through the observation room and through a hallway. There, he opened a door and walked into his large office. The MCID treated its agents much better than the IMA treated its soldiers, which is why he didn't join the IMA.

After walking to a table, he gathered a few important goods. Firstly, his AB (Avali-Burton) MP3 player. This unit was very popular with the military and MCID because it was small and durable, but also had hours worth of music to play on the long trips they regularly went on. Secondly he picked up his laptop. Top of the line AB design that he never left home without. He also picked up his PDA, which could work with the computer to provide a small communications platform should he need it. He put all of this strategically in his pack and walked back to Donovan.

"I'm ready to go save humanity," he said with a laugh.

‘Thank you, that’s quite alright, Agent Donovan,’ replied Lady Eleanor Sabelina, smiling warmly, ‘I’ve got my own.’ Reaching inside the folds of her deak cloak she withdrew her frequency hopping, spread spectrum telephone.

The deputy Foreign Minister stepped a short distance away, out of earshot of the two men, to speak into the scrambled phone, a force of habit. After tersely assuring the crew of XRN-799 that she was fine and that they were to return immediately to Holy Xirnium, she called the High Ecclesiarchy and informed them of her plans.

‘Splendid, I’m all set. Ahh, Agent Spietz I see you are too. Excellent, gentlemen, let’s proceed then shall we?’

Back in the Conference Room...

de Villepin readdressed the Saint Fedski delegation. "Amestria will agree to reduce its troops in Torontia by 200,000 unilaterally if Saint Fedski signs a treaty pledging peace and a willingness to engage in future disarmament..."

Kozic stood up quickly.

"That is a deal that can be done."

He sat back down.

"You mean my boy that you have the power to establish the agreement and put it into force now?"

Hall rose impatiently.

"We are here to sign an agreement that does not put the Commonwealth at a disadvantage, while still providing for peace and the well-being of the Torontian people. We have the power to sign an agreement that we feel meets those requirements. Once such a deal is signed, a copy will be forwarded immediately to the Minister of Defence who will then call an immediate meeting of the Security Council. A vote will be taken, a response and plan drafted and sent back to us, while orders sent to the appropriate units. This process, in use by any Commonwealth delegation even by the Defence Mminister himself, that is when he is the delegate, usually takes no longer than thirty-six hours. On average it takes less than fifteen, in quick, or perfect cases, less than 10."

Hall returned to his seat.

de Villepin spoke. "You do not have to keep jumping up and down like a pair of hens who want to be fed. You can speak while sitting...(sigh)

"1. Amestria will unilaterally pullout 200,000 of its troops."

"2. Saint Fedski will in turn pledge the following (along with Amestria). 'To refrain from hostile or provocative action. To stay committed to the Peace Process, to recognize the each sides zone as legitimate, to recognize the opposing Torontian Governments as legitimate within their respective areas of control, and to refrain from threats of war.'"

"3. Amestria and Saint Fedski will implement General Bradley's Six Point Plan immediately after the Amestrian unilateral withdraw (the above mentioned 200,000) is complete."

Kozic rose.

"It is a sign of respect to stand while speaking. It is unfortunate you have no respect. As for the plan, Mr. Hall and I find points one and two to be acceptable. Point number three will without a doubt be found unacceptable by the leadership and is therefore rejected."

Kozic sat down and Hall took up the speaking position.

"Do not press point number three. It will be rejected no matter how you word it. We have already made our statement regarding troop reductions."

Hall once again returned to his seat.

"Why would point three be rejected?"

Kozic took to his feet.

"We have already explained why the General's plan is not acceptable. Please look over your notes."

He sat back down.

"Fine... will you sign points one and two?"

Hall stood up again.

"Yes, we will sign points one and two. But remember, they do not go into effect immediately. Our signature only serves as an initial acceptance. The Security Council may still reject this proposal."

He sat down and awaited the document.

de Villepin, after adding his name, handed the document over to the Saint Fedski delegation. "If the Security Council approves this agreement the Elevated Alert Amestria is engaged in will be canceled as that would not be in the spirit of this agreement."

"Um should we sign it or do you want us to just sit here?" Verta asked. "We won't have to be members if that's what you're worried about we'll sign as witnesses if needed."

Tucker spoke. "I would just like to repurpose my Federal proposal. There will be a unicameral Parliament made up equally of representatives from both East and West. A President or Prime Minister will serve as Head of State and Head of the Government and the position shall be rotational between East and West on a yearly basis. The current Provisional Government and the Interim Government will become State or Provincial governments within a Federal System. That seems the best proposal."

“I propose the following, an alliance modeled after the SWC between Amestria, Mckagan, and Halberdgardia. It will be called the Torontian Stabilization Organization, or TSO. It will exist for the following reasons.”

“1. To assure the territorial integrity of Torontia.”

“2. To assure that Torontian territory is never annexed under any circumstance.”

“3. To stabilize and maintain peace in Torontia.”

“4. To assure that Torontia establishes a Liberal Democratic Government.”

“5. To provide collective security for all members of the Organization so that an attack against one is an attack against all.”

Hawkins nodded, despite the fact that the Amestrian couldn't see him. He'd heard from the HCIA, through MCID, that the Amestrians would suggest something like this -- this exact proposal, in fact.

"Intriguing that a nation historically opposed to Halberdgardian efforts in Torontia is now approaching us with an organization they claim is similar to the SWC," he remarked. "Unfortunately, I do not believe the President would wish me to make a snap judgment on such an important decision. As such, I will consider your offer and report it to the President. Thank you for your time, General," he said, deliberately avoiding the use of Bradley's "proper title."

He hung the phone up, and sighed. "Bastards." He began composing his report of the Amestrian offer for the President.

Spietz was hardly ready to go on an international mission that could very well determine the outcome of an epic struggle by egomanical governments to gain control of a small nation. He had gotten up this morning with two things in mind.

I want to go to work and do my job. It's simple. Just show the HCIA dude the observation lounge. Then i'll come home and play HALO. But NOOOOOO, i've got to go SAVE THE UNIVERSE AGAIN! Isn't this what IMAF is for?

As he silently thought that to himself, he began to phrase his next statement.

"I'll be ready in just a second. I'm going to my office to get a few... tools. It's a fairly long flight, isn't it?" he laughed. "I need my laptop, too."

Spietz walked through the observation room and through a hallway. There, he opened a door and walked into his large office. The MCID treated its agents much better than the IMA treated its soldiers, which is why he didn't join the IMA.

After walking to a table, he gathered a few important goods. Firstly, his AB (Avali-Burton) MP3 player. This unit was very popular with the military and MCID because it was small and durable, but also had hours worth of music to play on the long trips they regularly went on. Secondly he picked up his laptop. Top of the line AB design that he never left home without. He also picked up his PDA, which could work with the computer to provide a small communications platform should he need it. He put all of this strategically in his pack and walked back to Donovan.

"I'm ready to go save humanity," he said with a laugh.

"Good to hear, Agent Spietz," Donovan said, grinning, "but I don't quite think 'saving humanity' is on the mission plan. Ah, well, 'hope for the best, prepare for the worst,' right?"

‘Thank you, that’s quite alright, Agent Donovan,’ replied Lady Eleanor Sabelina, smiling warmly, ‘I’ve got my own.’ Reaching inside the folds of her deak cloak she withdrew her frequency hopping, spread spectrum telephone.

The deputy Foreign Minister stepped a short distance away, out of earshot of the two men, to speak into the scrambled phone, a force of habit. After tersely assuring the crew of XRN-799 that she was fine and that they were to return immediately to Holy Xirnium, she called the High Ecclesiarchy and informed them of her plans.

‘Splendid, I’m all set. Ahh, Agent Spietz I see you are too. Excellent, gentlemen, let’s proceed then shall we?’

"Agent Spietz, since this is your turf, I'll let you lead the way to the Gulfstream," Donovan said, donning his SmartGun-enabled reflective sunglasses. Parts of a HUD appeared inside the lenses as the miniaturized CPU unit linked up with the CPU in his pistol, but the full HUD wouldn't appear unless he took the safety off the weapon, which he didn't plan on doing any time soon now. "Government Terminal 19," he added, for the benefit of Lady Sabelina.

"Right this way, we'll take my car back to the airport."

Spietz led the two to his car which was parked in the employees lot beside an IMA Scout Car. The small Sedan was more than adequate for transporting the three back to the Airport.

"I don't know where everyone is riding. So I'll let you handle that yourselves."

He sat in his car and turned the switch. Immediately the cars radio went into playing Green Day's "Jesus of Suburbia" at full blast. Spietz quickly turned it off.

"Sorry for that."

The sedan moved from the building, towards the Airport.

-Snip-

The Killian jet landed smoothly on the tarmac and eventually came to a halt. As the portable stairs were being brought to the leerjet, the NSA and HKIA advisor rose up in the plane and waited to exit. Both of the men instructed their secret service agents to remain in the plane, as they both felt safe without the usual entourage. Both men were armed with sidearms to compensate for the lack of secretservice men. The two men finally exited the plane and found the limo waiting for them. Both men greeted the staff with the limo in english, and both men offered their hands as a gesture of peace and friendship.

The Killian jet landed smoothly on the tarmac and eventually came to a halt. As the portable stairs were being brought to the leerjet, the NSA and HKIA advisor rose up in the plane and waited to exit. Both of the men instructed their secret service agents to remain in the plane, as they both felt safe without the usual entourage. Both men were armed with sidearms to compensate for the lack of secretservice men. The two men finally exited the plane and found the limo waiting for them. Both men greeted the staff with the limo in english, and both men offered their hands as a gesture of peace and friendship.

The diplomatic staff shook hands with the people from HailandKill.

"We'll hurry and move to The Complex, if you don't mind."

They prepared to depart in the limo.

"No, I agree lets get the hell outta here" Replied the NSA

The HKIA advisor also nodded in agreement. Both men entered the limo and awaited the car to move.

The limo quickly left the area and headed on several backstreets to move to The Complex. This would maintain the envoys security and privacy against any satellites that would be watching the main road to see who was at the meeting. The limo eventually pulled up to the rear entrance of the building, where the personnel were moved out. A few moments later they had been moved to ANOTHER observation room, independent from the main MCID operation.

"Do you wish to be IN the conference, or simply watch and record it?" The MDC's Officer in the room asked.

"Thats a good question" The NSA responded "I hadn't really given it much thought. Well, now that you ask, I personally will witness it from the tables, and my collegue here would like to watch or record it. I hope that is acceptable to you? If it is just lead the way."

"It is acceptable."

While one guard showed the other HailandKill member the link to the server location where the conference was being recorded, another escorted the main diplomat into the chamber.

"This one is from HailandKill, they're coming to watch the debate." He told Spears as the HailandKill diplomat was installed at a seat at the rear of the table.

The NSA entered the main conference room with a confident stride, as if his presence was not noticed. He knew his presence would make some sort of ripple in the conference as his nation was becoming a bigger player in the whole problem and solution. He sat down and took out a recorder and a piece of paper to record the conference from this point on. The NSA greeted Spears, the other man at his table, with the usual greeting and a handshake.

Meanwhile the HKIA agent watching the conference started scanning all the screens looking for any telltale sign of any activity. He was trained for this and knew what to look for or do if anything happened. He checked his Glock 37 to make sure it was loaded and went back to monitoring the conference.

The Killian presence was complete and now it was their turn to get an upper hand, rather than be the one wheeled and dealed upon.

"Right this way, we'll take my car back to the airport."

Spietz led the two to his car which was parked in the employees lot beside an IMA Scout Car. The small Sedan was more than adequate for transporting the three back to the Airport.

"I don't know where everyone is riding. So I'll let you handle that yourselves."

He sat in his car and turned the switch. Immediately the cars radio went into playing Green Day's "Jesus of Suburbia" at full blast. Spietz quickly turned it off.

"Sorry for that."

The sedan moved from the building, towards the Airport.

Donovan grinned at the radio. "If it makes you feel any better, Agent Spietz," he said, "I have that album, and a few others by them as well, on my iPod."

Donovan settled back into his seat, waiting for the sedan to arrive at Kurora International. He rather needed to update his superiors on the situation with Lady Cardinal Sabelina, and the conference in general, but he couldn't exactly do that discreetly in the confines of the car. He'd have to wait to grab a satellite uplink in the air to upload the video and audio footage to the HCIA's servers, and to send off a few e-mails to his superiors. They could inform the Secretary of State that he was going to have an appointment soon.

The NSA entered the main conference room with a confident stride, as if his presence was not noticed. He knew his presence would make some sort of ripple in the conference as his nation was becoming a bigger player in the whole problem and solution. He sat down and took out a recorder and a piece of paper to record the conference from this point on. The NSA greeted Spears, the other man at his table, with the usual greeting and a handshake.


de Villepin, Amestrian Minister of Foreign Affairs rose to greet him. "May I ask who you are and what Government you serve?"

The Killian NSA did not want to be rude to any of the delegates, and when he was adressed by the Amestrian diplomate he rose and said,

"I am the National Security Advisor to President Revello of the Imperial Republic of HailandKill. My name is Thomas Crowley and I represent The Imperial Republic of HailandKill."

He sat down.

"In Amestria you only raise to greet someone, rising simply to speak is considered offensive, a means of mocking them so you do not need to rise when addressing me... I am Dominique de Villepin, Amestrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and I am trying to get the delegation from Saint Fedski to commit to disarmament and peace in Torontia, but they dismiss most of what I say. Perhaps you could talk some sense into them...”

Donovan grinned at the radio. "If it makes you feel any better, Agent Spietz," he said, "I have that album, and a few others by them as well, on my iPod."

Spietz decided to make the ride to Kurora International less boring and take up some small talk. "It's such a great album. Especially since it takes shots at religion."

He laughed while the car took a loose turn onto the rear entrance of Kurora International. This area was really just a small opening in the fencing structure that opened up right beside the runway. No one knew of (or could use) it other than government officials. Driving down the back stretch, they moved to small, 6 car garage at a group of hangars.

"The plane will be right in there," he stated.

"In Amestria you only raise to greet someone, rising simply to speak is considered offensive, a means of mocking them so you do not need to rise when addressing me... I am Dominique de Villepin, Amestrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and I am trying to get the delegation from Saint Fedski to commit to disarmament and peace in Torontia, but they dismiss most of what I say. Perhaps you could talk some sense into them...”

"Well sir, in The Imperial Republic, rising to address a delegate or delegation is a sign of respect and if you see me rise to address you or someone else I am not trying to personally offend you; I am just honoring my countries customs. " The NSA responded in a cool, icy tone "Oh, and I am not here to advise any nation, but I am here rather to observe the conference, and advise my president as my job requires."

The NSA sat down.

de Villepin ignored the icy tone. "Let me restate Senior Full General Bradleys six point plan, which SF has rejected out of hand, not asked for alterations, rejected!"

"1. Amestria and Saint Fedski remove all their tanks from Torontia."

"2. Amestria and Saint Fedski remove all their bombers from Torontia."

"3. Amestria and Saint Fedski remove all their Aircraft Carriers from Torontia."

"4. Amestria and Saint Fedski are to remove all naval vassals, with the exception of 15 Frigates and 10 Destroyers each."

"5. All naval vessels on route from Amestria or Saint Fedski to Torontia are to turn around."

"6. Amestria will reduce its troops by 200,000 and then Saint Fedski will follow suit until both sides stand at 500,000 Foreign troops on either side."

de Villepin ignored the icy tone. "Let me restate Senior Full General Bradleys six point plan, which SF has rejected out of hand, not asked for alterations, rejected!"

"1. Amestria and Saint Fedski remove all their tanks from Torontia."

"2. Amestria and Saint Fedski remove all their bombers from Torontia."

"3. Amestria and Saint Fedski remove all their Aircraft Carriers from Torontia."

"4. Amestria and Saint Fedski are to remove all naval vassals, with the exception of 15 Frigates and 10 Destroyers each."

"5. All naval vessels on route from Amestria or Saint Fedski to Torontia are to turn around."

"6. Amestria will reduce its troops by 200,000 and then Saint Fedski will follow suit until both sides stand at 500,000 Foreign troops on either side."

The NSA rose again, and when he was at full stature he said,

"As I said before I am here to observe, and I promise you that I will give all sides a fair non-biased view. All your points will be taken into account so you can relax."

The NSA sat down a bit angered. He muttered to himself, "If these fuckin' Amestrians keep shoving shit down my throat pretty soon the president is gonna get a biased review of them." When he finished the tirade to himself he went back to observing the conference.

de Villepin turned to the NSA. "I was addressing SF in the third person, I am sorry if you thought I was addressing you and I apologize for the confusion. I do that, speak about countries in the third person and I will stop..."

de Villepin turned back to the SF delegation.

"Well...concerning the six point plan and Federal proposal we have proposed, perhaps you could make some suggestions instead of rejecting them out of hand?"

Kozic and Hall signed the document, then Kozic rose to his feet.

"We have already established when we will begin to reduce troop numbers. Amestria must continue to reduce their troop numbers until they have no more than a two to one numerical superiority.

Kozic sat back down.

"And the Federal Proposal?"

Hall rose.

"Still rejected. There will be no TPG. There will be one government. The goverment currently known as the Interm Government of Torontia will head the first national government until elections, following the Commonwealth's example, can be held."

Hall sat down.

Hall rose.

"Still rejected. There will be no TPG. There will be one government. The goverment currently known as the Interm Government of Torontia will head the first national government until elections, following the Commonwealth's example, can be held."

Hall sat down.

"No, that is not compromise. The TPG will remain in Western Torontia and I see no reason why it should dissolve. The TPG will remain... Amestria is not asking the ITG to dissolve and if Amestria were to ask the ITG to dissolve I am sure you would laugh in my face."

Kozic returned to his feet.

"If Amestria does not withdraw support, or fold or dissolve the Torontian Provisional Government, there will be no unified government. That is the reality of the situation. Our offers stand."

He returned to his seat.

"Furthermore, the agreement you just signed states..."

"1. Amestria will unilaterally pullout 200,000 of its troops."

"2. Saint Fedski will in turn pledge the following (along with Amestria). 'To refrain from hostile or provocative action. To stay committed to the Peace Process, to recognize the each sides zone as legitimate, to recognize the opposing Torontian Governments as legitimate within their respective areas of control, and to refrain from threats of war.'"

Spietz decided to make the ride to Kurora International less boring and take up some small talk. "It's such a great album. Especially since it takes shots at religion."

He laughed while the car took a loose turn onto the rear entrance of Kurora International. This area was really just a small opening in the fencing structure that opened up right beside the runway. No one knew of (or could use) it other than government officials. Driving down the back stretch, they moved to small, 6 car garage at a group of hangars.

"The plane will be right in there," he stated.
The Lady Cardinal couldn’t help but smile at the loud music, but decided not to comment. It wasn’t really her kind of thing anyway, the deputy Foreign Minister personally preferred swing jazz.

Briefly Lady Eleanor Sabelina considered taking out her PDA to start on some work, but decided against it reasoning that the car trip would not be long enough. Caucus would be meeting in several weeks and already backroom deals were being made as the parliamentary party prepared for a possible leadership challenge. If the Lady Cardinal played her cards right she might even be elected to the Patriarchate. It all seems to hinge on whether the Gilda or Vernius camp has the most support, and which group the rest of the Nidor faction will vote with after the Chief Minister resigns, indeed if he will resign at all, Lady Sabelina thought. Her musings were cut short, however, when before long the car pulled up towards the airfield's hangers.

The Lady Cardinal wrapped her maroon cloak more closely about her to ward of the cold and exited the car with the others.

Kozic returned to his feet.

"If Amestria does not withdraw support, or fold or dissolve the Torontian Provisional Government, there will be no unified government. That is the reality of the situation. Our offers stand."

He returned to his seat.
"Shut up!" Verta said, "If I may over step my bounds You have done nothing, you Saint Fedski Delagates you don't really wants peace you just want to give irrational demands." He paused. "Our demand is that both governments remain in place until Elections, this is non negoitable."

Ho, alarmed at the Lone Alliance delegation, silently whispered: "Do you honestly think that letting the two governments stay in power will help Torontia? No. They're going to maintain their petty struggle to maintain control because power corrupts. One has to go."

de Villepin stared at the ceiling in frustration. "Violet, when I get home I will paint my ceiling violet. Please Gentlemen let us not be uncivil."

de Villepin began to doodle with his pen.

"There is no reason for the TPG to dissolve and as the Commonwealth has just recognized it as legitimate within the area it controls I see no reason for it to dissolve. Amestria stands by its very reasonable Federal Proposal."

Senator Crowley shifted in her chair and sat up. She fully expected to be ignored as she spoke.

"Why don't we let the Torontian people decide? We hold an election throughout Torontia, with neutral, international observers, supervising the elections, and let the Torontian people decide if the TPG or the TIG or either stays. We can hold the election in 30 days, and let the Torontians vote in whatever moron they choose. But it'll be a Torontian moron."

"Then Amestria and St. Fedski will have no reason to fight, and this stupid war can be stopped in its tracks. Hopefully they want a liberal democracy as much as the Amestrians claim they do, and there will not be a need for occupiers. We frankly want nothing to do with this war, we have other conflicts around the world that require our attention."

de Villepin did not ignore the Senator. "Amestria has no intention of going to war, we have not threatened war and if this conference where to fail we would not take any hostile action..."

de Villepin sat back in his chair and looked at the ceiling. "What do you think Senator, Violet or Beige...? Anyway the idea of elections is worth considering, having the Torontian people vote which Government, party, or leadership they prefer, or whether they would prefer both to remain. Amestria could hold elections in Western Torontia within three days...it is worth some thought, although Amestria prefers the Federal Proposal... We first must hammer out the details and specifics for this idea to be worth moving forward on..."

de Villepin glanced at the Saint Fedski delegation. "Are you going to reject this idea out of hand as well?"

They better accept it. Verta thought. He was tired of Saint Fedski's stalling. However he quickly had noticed that Ho was angry, he quickly wrote a note and passed it to Southeastasia Delagate. The best way to make two enemies stop fighting is to make them focus on someone else.

Hall rose from his seat, visably irritated. Yet he spoke as calmly as ever. He spoke in the direction of the rest of the room, but glared at the Lone Alliance delegates.

"Who are you to make any demands? Who are you to make non-negotiable demands? Mr. Kozic and I are not stalling. We are not authorized to make certain decisions. Such decisions are for the Security Council to decide as a whole, therefore even if the Chairwoman herself were here, she would have to make a call to the Security Council to get approval. Please learn how the system works before trying to comment."

Hall shifted his attention to the Amestrians.

"I'm sure Mr. Kozic would agree with me when we say the Kahanistanian proposal sounds reasonable. However because it is a major decision, it must be passed along the chain. There are already elections slated for two weeks from now. This proposal will need to be approved by the Interm Torontian Government before it can be implemented. There is currently a small Kahanistanian garrison or mission in the city of Seattle, I believe, if you could pass the proposal to them and have them deliver it right to Governor Scott McKelvie, a good chunk of time will be shaved off."

He sat down.

[OOC: Actually, TLA, it's supposed to be 'Southeast Asia', but because someone else took it, I chose this instead. But I prefer to be addressed as 'Southeast Asia' as it is the name I wanted.]

Ho scribbled another note and passed it back to Verta. It read:

"Who is there to fight? There is no bigger threat to those two governments except each other. Unless the Saharistan War Coalition member-states decide to return and kick them out of Torontia."

Hall shifted his attention to the Amestrians.

"I'm sure Mr. Kozic would agree with me when we say the Kahanistanian proposal sounds reasonable. However because it is a major decision, it must be passed along the chain. There are already elections slated for two weeks from now. This proposal will need to be approved by the Interm Torontian Government before it can be implemented. There is currently a small Kahanistanian garrison or mission in the city of Seattle, I believe, if you could pass the proposal to them and have them deliver it right to Governor Scott McKelvie, a good chunk of time will be shaved off."

He sat down.

de Villepin spoke. "Can you also pass on up the chain all our proposals, the Federal idea and Bradley's Six Point Plan? I want the Security Council to hear them in addition to the Kahanistan proposal, which the details of have yet to be worked out..."

de Villepin looked at his notes. "Can you please state for the record how many Commonwealth troops there are in Torontia so as to contribute to disarmament discussions?"