Jagada
01-09-2006, 07:20
{Christendom, The Republic}
Highest Minister Riyabuo Kalia fixed her white tie, which blended perfectly into her white suit, which also blended perfectly with her white slacks. She preferred white to the traditional black that most politicians wore. That thought made her chuckle, she was after all the most controversial Traditionalist in the Republic--yet her fashion beliefs were fiercely Liberalist. 'If only the Liberalists took it the same way,' she said which caused her to laugh. 'What are you talking about,' said a deep voice from behind her, his hands resting on her hips. She smirked, 'That’s no way for a member of my cabinet to act.' The deep voiced man laughed and removed his hands, under different circumstances she'd have slapped a man for even standing behind her--it was highly offensive to do so in the Republic. If a man stood anywhere around a woman, he stood in front of her. In this case, the man standing behind her was her Foreign Minister Alfred Rednight--her cabinet member and secret lover. That'd been secretly dating for close to a year now. She knew that they were truly in love and that he'd have proposed to marry her at least five times since they met--but he knew she'd never reveal their relationship to the people. She finished pushing all the wrinkles out of her suit, there was always a lurking fear in the back of her mind that if she every enraged him enough he'd go to the press about their relationship. She relaxed suddenly knowing that he knew the second he did tell the press, he wouldn't live long after. Riyabuo may have been a fiercely Christian woman but she would not take kindly to someone attacking her in such a manner.
'You are far too up tight,' he said jokingly. She shrugged with a cunning smirk, 'Maybe, but I am woman from Jagada.'
He laughed and knew to drop the subject at that--woman from Jagada in foreign lands were often called too 'up tight' since they acted with extreme meekness. Riyabuo walked over to the oak desk in her office and grabbed a pile of papers. As the thought of the extreme meekness of Jagite women passed her mind again, she laughed, 'If its true what they about the meek inheriting the earth--then it shall be ruled by the women of Jagada.'
Rednight nodded, 'So the legends about the Amazon women weren't true--they were simply prophecies!' That caught a scornful look from Riyabuo who cared little about the legend of Amazonian women, if she didn't take outright offense to it.
Rednight raised both hands up and backed off in retreat, a smirk still on his face. As if to sway her anger to someone else he changed the subject, 'So how do you think the Congress will take your pre-emptive strike in Old Jagada? Or even your unauthorized attack on the Jenrakians?'
She shrugged, 'They'll praise me for the victory over Jenrak, and condemn me for not already having won the war in Old Jagada.'
Rednight nodded, 'Lets just hope we can come back to them and not have to explain why we lost, and why the Twin Hammers once more hangs above Jagada.'
Riyabuo twitched at the idea of the Twin Hammers above Jagada, 'I'd sooner launch Operation: Glass Suicide and you better believe it.'
Rednight nodded faster this time, acknowledging he'd make no different decision. He looked at his watch, 'If we're going to make it on time, we should leave soon.'
The Highest Minister looked out the window where she had a clear view of the Congressional Building, 'Indeed, I'd hate for the Congressmen to have to wait on something for a change. It'd shatter their whole reality, and so long as they're useful we don't want that now do we?' She turned and winked at Rednight, showing it was a joke.
The couple then left the room, went down the stair that squeaked trying to scream that they needed immediate repair, then out the door to a limo waiting for them outside. Like her suit and almost anything else formal she wore, the limo was white too--yet the inside was covered in black leather. As they made their short trip towards the Congressional Building, Rednight tried to make another joke about the contradiction about the limo. Riyabuo shot him a glare that could have killed a Phase 4 Saudaukar in its tracks. Rednight always got himself in trouble with her because of his constant joking, yet compared to her lack of good jokes and seriousness, and his outgoing and joking attitude--the two looked hardly a couple. Yet Riyabuo enjoyed, nah thrived, upon contradictions. As the white limo came in front of the Congressional Building. White Coats now controlled the vastly large building--replacing the usual Congressional Guard. Ever since Riyabuo's attempted assassination the White Coats has refused to allow the Congressional Guard to hold duties more serious then perimeter watch. To show their supremacy it was a White Coat who opened the door for the Highest Minister, motioning for the driver to stay in his seat. As Riyabuo and Rednight exited the vehicle they were saluted by several White Coats as they marched up the stairs and finally entered the Congressional Building.
The building was rather luxurious which always annoyed Riyabou. She led the nation and did all the hard work, yet she was given a run down former apartment complex that had been given a poor paintjob and then declared some luxurious place itself, yet they did hardly any work and they occasionally met in this multi-million icon building. If Rednight was annoyed at all by the fact, he did not show it on his face. As Riyabuo walked towards the two large oak doors which were leading her to the Chamber of Congress she could feel herself being watched and she could also feel Rednight being watched. She wonders if he felt anything of the sort. Though the thought immediately left her mind as her and Rednight passed threw the twin oak doors and into the cool Chamber of Congress. Rednight walked with her, but kept his distance from her as to ensure that no rumors would spring up--for rumors within the politics of Jagada could destroy a politician, and there were plenty of gossipers in this large room. Rednight took his position with the rest of her cabinet which had showed up earlier. As she made her way to the stage, she noticed him talking with the rest of the cabinet. As she got up upon the stage she waited politely as another man rushed up onto the stage, sweat running down his forehead. He apologized to Riyabuo with a bow, which she politely returned, he then turned to the Congressmen and did the same--yet he found no bows from them. The man seemed to be chunky at best, outright fat at worse, she couldn't tell by how his black suit somehow concealed his actual body mass, despite that she knew who this man was. He was Shibuki Kotaro, Head of the Council and thus acted as a speaker for the entire Congress.
'Gentlemen of the Congress,' he began, 'I present to you, for this Emergency Session of Congress...Highest Minister Riyabuo Kalia!'
To even Riyabuo's surprise, there was very little clapping from the Congressmen. As she went up behind the oak podium she coughed, as was her habit. She didn't want to start and become embarrassed that she needed to cough soon after. Finishing her habit quickly she began,
'Congressmen--I am aware that many of you have questions that need to be answered--and I am aware of these questions for they are obvious and asked without asking. I shall do my best to answer them.
First, and foremost I know on all of your minds is my unauthorized assault on the Jenrakian Fleet trying to reclaim their City-State of Nakros Ithrimm from rebels whom they call Necomkrialls. I am aware that this dispute between Jenrak and their heretics was none of our business--but it became our business when it came to my attention that once conquered, even loyalist among a rebellious city-state, are enslaved or tortured beyond reason for the purposes of 'purification'. I could not allow the Jagites that remained under the Jenrakian boot to become enslaved--such as their brothers in Old Jagada have become. I am aware that Jenrak and Jagada are in fact allies, whom have signed a treaty of Non-Aggression, and I am aware that the Jenrakians have extended to us in the past hope of us diplomatically being returned Malaga, their Nakros Ithrimm. Though I was lead, and still am lead, to believe that the Jenrakians were not serious about the transaction would probably have made their offers too high. I did not have time either when the crisis in Nakros Ithrimm began to go threw the proper diplomatic channels of SWORD to resolve the matter.
Though I report with great joy what has only recently come to my attention and shall now come to yours. The Grand Navy, under the command of Grand Admiral Ashikaga Hikoharu, has successfully defeated the Jenrakian Navy. Nakros Ithrimm, our Malaga, has been transferred back into the control of the Republic--without any compensation given to the Jenrakians. Grand Admiral Hikoharu is even now on his way to negotiate the end of hostilities between the Jenrakians and ourselves. While I cannot confirm it, I have also received some rumors that the Count in Transylvania has allowed this entire crisis to simply go over without his interference.'
Riyabuo paused for a moment to get a drink of water and then continued, 'The next thing I must inform you about--you gentlemen will find less than appealing, and I saw that knowing that no matter how I attempt to soften the blow, it will still be a major impact upon yourself. As we speak, Rear-Admiral Tsutsui Narinobu has launched a full-scale bombardment upon the defensive fortifications of The Kraven Corporation.'
Riyabou could not get out another word as the Congress broke out into screaming, weeping, and shouts of praise all mixing to sound as if the gates of hell had opened and demons were shrieking at her. Though to her delight Shibuki Kotaro restored order with a gavel and shouting. As the Congressmen settled down, on the borderline of breaking out once more, she quickly continued,
'This is a necessary task gentleman, unauthorized yes--but we had to begin shelling. Gentlemen as soon as Malaga was taken over and we hoisted our flag. Long range Kraven artillery began to be shell the city. Even as we speak they shell the city--trying to destroy it. Their senseless tactics and their brutality know no bounds. Worse, gentlemen, is that they know we exist. They know we have survived and they know we are alive once more. The Corporation will come for us now gentlemen, even if we withdrawal from Malaga and ask a thousand pardons for every coming within a hundred miles of their land--they will come for us. They seek our extermination and they will seek nothing less than that. Now, we hold the advantage, the madman Father knows not about our existence yet--even if he does, he knows it will take time for him to reinforce the island or to try to make a strike at Jagada itself. Gentlemen, now is our only chance. We have surprised our hated enemies, and now we must charge at full force and slam into him--destroy him and pile his corpses at the end of the battle.
I tell you now--if we back down now we will never rise again.'
Dead silence was all that Riyabuo could hear after that--each Congressmen debating weather he should leave the room screaming in terror or weather he should stand his ground and support her. One by one they raised they must have made up their minds, as their attitude changed and they raised their hands. Riyabuo stepped away from the podium; she did not step down this time, as was traditionally done by her. Instead she stood--if anyone backed down and wanted to submit to Kraven, she wanted to know who he was. Shibuki Kotaro slowly made his way upon the stage; he gave a look of horror and admiration to Riyabuo. The two conflicted in his eyes, so she wasn't sure if he hated or loved her, she didn't care either. 'A proposal as been put before the Congress by Highest Minister Riyabuo Kalia to declare an official State of War against The Kraven Corporation. Do we have a motion to accept it?'
Almost immediately someone screamed that they motioned it, and almost ten seconds later someone seconded it. Riyabuo nodded upon the second confirmation, but knew the vote could go either way. 'Very well, the proposal has been seconded and is now put before the Congress. All those in favor, raise your right hands.' Now began the ten to thirty minute long process of counting the hands--and then checking the camera to make sure no one put their hand down or more people raised it after the official call. Then a small meeting between the official counters to make sure all of their numbers came together--followed by a recount. Shibuki Kotaro then went back up on the stage, 'All those opposed raise your right hands.' The counting was rather short, only lasting fifteen minutes. He turned, 'The ayes have it. As of this moment, by the Authority of the Congress of the Monotheistic Republic of Jagada, the Monotheistic Republic of Jagada is hereby at a State of War against The Kraven Corporation.'
As the Congressmen rose to their feet and began clapping, Riyabou stepped down from the stage. She was glad only a handful of the Congressmen voted against war, she would have them purged from the party or she may let them remain--either way it would happen after the war. As she began to walk down the isle, her cabinet followed her. Once they exited the twin oak doors, Rednight leaned over to her and gave her a message she'd heard before but this time it seemed more ominous, as if a prophet had told her, 'Lets just hope we can come back to them and not have to explain why we lost, and why the Twin Hammers once more hangs above Jagada.'
Highest Minister Riyabuo Kalia fixed her white tie, which blended perfectly into her white suit, which also blended perfectly with her white slacks. She preferred white to the traditional black that most politicians wore. That thought made her chuckle, she was after all the most controversial Traditionalist in the Republic--yet her fashion beliefs were fiercely Liberalist. 'If only the Liberalists took it the same way,' she said which caused her to laugh. 'What are you talking about,' said a deep voice from behind her, his hands resting on her hips. She smirked, 'That’s no way for a member of my cabinet to act.' The deep voiced man laughed and removed his hands, under different circumstances she'd have slapped a man for even standing behind her--it was highly offensive to do so in the Republic. If a man stood anywhere around a woman, he stood in front of her. In this case, the man standing behind her was her Foreign Minister Alfred Rednight--her cabinet member and secret lover. That'd been secretly dating for close to a year now. She knew that they were truly in love and that he'd have proposed to marry her at least five times since they met--but he knew she'd never reveal their relationship to the people. She finished pushing all the wrinkles out of her suit, there was always a lurking fear in the back of her mind that if she every enraged him enough he'd go to the press about their relationship. She relaxed suddenly knowing that he knew the second he did tell the press, he wouldn't live long after. Riyabuo may have been a fiercely Christian woman but she would not take kindly to someone attacking her in such a manner.
'You are far too up tight,' he said jokingly. She shrugged with a cunning smirk, 'Maybe, but I am woman from Jagada.'
He laughed and knew to drop the subject at that--woman from Jagada in foreign lands were often called too 'up tight' since they acted with extreme meekness. Riyabuo walked over to the oak desk in her office and grabbed a pile of papers. As the thought of the extreme meekness of Jagite women passed her mind again, she laughed, 'If its true what they about the meek inheriting the earth--then it shall be ruled by the women of Jagada.'
Rednight nodded, 'So the legends about the Amazon women weren't true--they were simply prophecies!' That caught a scornful look from Riyabuo who cared little about the legend of Amazonian women, if she didn't take outright offense to it.
Rednight raised both hands up and backed off in retreat, a smirk still on his face. As if to sway her anger to someone else he changed the subject, 'So how do you think the Congress will take your pre-emptive strike in Old Jagada? Or even your unauthorized attack on the Jenrakians?'
She shrugged, 'They'll praise me for the victory over Jenrak, and condemn me for not already having won the war in Old Jagada.'
Rednight nodded, 'Lets just hope we can come back to them and not have to explain why we lost, and why the Twin Hammers once more hangs above Jagada.'
Riyabuo twitched at the idea of the Twin Hammers above Jagada, 'I'd sooner launch Operation: Glass Suicide and you better believe it.'
Rednight nodded faster this time, acknowledging he'd make no different decision. He looked at his watch, 'If we're going to make it on time, we should leave soon.'
The Highest Minister looked out the window where she had a clear view of the Congressional Building, 'Indeed, I'd hate for the Congressmen to have to wait on something for a change. It'd shatter their whole reality, and so long as they're useful we don't want that now do we?' She turned and winked at Rednight, showing it was a joke.
The couple then left the room, went down the stair that squeaked trying to scream that they needed immediate repair, then out the door to a limo waiting for them outside. Like her suit and almost anything else formal she wore, the limo was white too--yet the inside was covered in black leather. As they made their short trip towards the Congressional Building, Rednight tried to make another joke about the contradiction about the limo. Riyabuo shot him a glare that could have killed a Phase 4 Saudaukar in its tracks. Rednight always got himself in trouble with her because of his constant joking, yet compared to her lack of good jokes and seriousness, and his outgoing and joking attitude--the two looked hardly a couple. Yet Riyabuo enjoyed, nah thrived, upon contradictions. As the white limo came in front of the Congressional Building. White Coats now controlled the vastly large building--replacing the usual Congressional Guard. Ever since Riyabuo's attempted assassination the White Coats has refused to allow the Congressional Guard to hold duties more serious then perimeter watch. To show their supremacy it was a White Coat who opened the door for the Highest Minister, motioning for the driver to stay in his seat. As Riyabuo and Rednight exited the vehicle they were saluted by several White Coats as they marched up the stairs and finally entered the Congressional Building.
The building was rather luxurious which always annoyed Riyabou. She led the nation and did all the hard work, yet she was given a run down former apartment complex that had been given a poor paintjob and then declared some luxurious place itself, yet they did hardly any work and they occasionally met in this multi-million icon building. If Rednight was annoyed at all by the fact, he did not show it on his face. As Riyabuo walked towards the two large oak doors which were leading her to the Chamber of Congress she could feel herself being watched and she could also feel Rednight being watched. She wonders if he felt anything of the sort. Though the thought immediately left her mind as her and Rednight passed threw the twin oak doors and into the cool Chamber of Congress. Rednight walked with her, but kept his distance from her as to ensure that no rumors would spring up--for rumors within the politics of Jagada could destroy a politician, and there were plenty of gossipers in this large room. Rednight took his position with the rest of her cabinet which had showed up earlier. As she made her way to the stage, she noticed him talking with the rest of the cabinet. As she got up upon the stage she waited politely as another man rushed up onto the stage, sweat running down his forehead. He apologized to Riyabuo with a bow, which she politely returned, he then turned to the Congressmen and did the same--yet he found no bows from them. The man seemed to be chunky at best, outright fat at worse, she couldn't tell by how his black suit somehow concealed his actual body mass, despite that she knew who this man was. He was Shibuki Kotaro, Head of the Council and thus acted as a speaker for the entire Congress.
'Gentlemen of the Congress,' he began, 'I present to you, for this Emergency Session of Congress...Highest Minister Riyabuo Kalia!'
To even Riyabuo's surprise, there was very little clapping from the Congressmen. As she went up behind the oak podium she coughed, as was her habit. She didn't want to start and become embarrassed that she needed to cough soon after. Finishing her habit quickly she began,
'Congressmen--I am aware that many of you have questions that need to be answered--and I am aware of these questions for they are obvious and asked without asking. I shall do my best to answer them.
First, and foremost I know on all of your minds is my unauthorized assault on the Jenrakian Fleet trying to reclaim their City-State of Nakros Ithrimm from rebels whom they call Necomkrialls. I am aware that this dispute between Jenrak and their heretics was none of our business--but it became our business when it came to my attention that once conquered, even loyalist among a rebellious city-state, are enslaved or tortured beyond reason for the purposes of 'purification'. I could not allow the Jagites that remained under the Jenrakian boot to become enslaved--such as their brothers in Old Jagada have become. I am aware that Jenrak and Jagada are in fact allies, whom have signed a treaty of Non-Aggression, and I am aware that the Jenrakians have extended to us in the past hope of us diplomatically being returned Malaga, their Nakros Ithrimm. Though I was lead, and still am lead, to believe that the Jenrakians were not serious about the transaction would probably have made their offers too high. I did not have time either when the crisis in Nakros Ithrimm began to go threw the proper diplomatic channels of SWORD to resolve the matter.
Though I report with great joy what has only recently come to my attention and shall now come to yours. The Grand Navy, under the command of Grand Admiral Ashikaga Hikoharu, has successfully defeated the Jenrakian Navy. Nakros Ithrimm, our Malaga, has been transferred back into the control of the Republic--without any compensation given to the Jenrakians. Grand Admiral Hikoharu is even now on his way to negotiate the end of hostilities between the Jenrakians and ourselves. While I cannot confirm it, I have also received some rumors that the Count in Transylvania has allowed this entire crisis to simply go over without his interference.'
Riyabuo paused for a moment to get a drink of water and then continued, 'The next thing I must inform you about--you gentlemen will find less than appealing, and I saw that knowing that no matter how I attempt to soften the blow, it will still be a major impact upon yourself. As we speak, Rear-Admiral Tsutsui Narinobu has launched a full-scale bombardment upon the defensive fortifications of The Kraven Corporation.'
Riyabou could not get out another word as the Congress broke out into screaming, weeping, and shouts of praise all mixing to sound as if the gates of hell had opened and demons were shrieking at her. Though to her delight Shibuki Kotaro restored order with a gavel and shouting. As the Congressmen settled down, on the borderline of breaking out once more, she quickly continued,
'This is a necessary task gentleman, unauthorized yes--but we had to begin shelling. Gentlemen as soon as Malaga was taken over and we hoisted our flag. Long range Kraven artillery began to be shell the city. Even as we speak they shell the city--trying to destroy it. Their senseless tactics and their brutality know no bounds. Worse, gentlemen, is that they know we exist. They know we have survived and they know we are alive once more. The Corporation will come for us now gentlemen, even if we withdrawal from Malaga and ask a thousand pardons for every coming within a hundred miles of their land--they will come for us. They seek our extermination and they will seek nothing less than that. Now, we hold the advantage, the madman Father knows not about our existence yet--even if he does, he knows it will take time for him to reinforce the island or to try to make a strike at Jagada itself. Gentlemen, now is our only chance. We have surprised our hated enemies, and now we must charge at full force and slam into him--destroy him and pile his corpses at the end of the battle.
I tell you now--if we back down now we will never rise again.'
Dead silence was all that Riyabuo could hear after that--each Congressmen debating weather he should leave the room screaming in terror or weather he should stand his ground and support her. One by one they raised they must have made up their minds, as their attitude changed and they raised their hands. Riyabuo stepped away from the podium; she did not step down this time, as was traditionally done by her. Instead she stood--if anyone backed down and wanted to submit to Kraven, she wanted to know who he was. Shibuki Kotaro slowly made his way upon the stage; he gave a look of horror and admiration to Riyabuo. The two conflicted in his eyes, so she wasn't sure if he hated or loved her, she didn't care either. 'A proposal as been put before the Congress by Highest Minister Riyabuo Kalia to declare an official State of War against The Kraven Corporation. Do we have a motion to accept it?'
Almost immediately someone screamed that they motioned it, and almost ten seconds later someone seconded it. Riyabuo nodded upon the second confirmation, but knew the vote could go either way. 'Very well, the proposal has been seconded and is now put before the Congress. All those in favor, raise your right hands.' Now began the ten to thirty minute long process of counting the hands--and then checking the camera to make sure no one put their hand down or more people raised it after the official call. Then a small meeting between the official counters to make sure all of their numbers came together--followed by a recount. Shibuki Kotaro then went back up on the stage, 'All those opposed raise your right hands.' The counting was rather short, only lasting fifteen minutes. He turned, 'The ayes have it. As of this moment, by the Authority of the Congress of the Monotheistic Republic of Jagada, the Monotheistic Republic of Jagada is hereby at a State of War against The Kraven Corporation.'
As the Congressmen rose to their feet and began clapping, Riyabou stepped down from the stage. She was glad only a handful of the Congressmen voted against war, she would have them purged from the party or she may let them remain--either way it would happen after the war. As she began to walk down the isle, her cabinet followed her. Once they exited the twin oak doors, Rednight leaned over to her and gave her a message she'd heard before but this time it seemed more ominous, as if a prophet had told her, 'Lets just hope we can come back to them and not have to explain why we lost, and why the Twin Hammers once more hangs above Jagada.'