NationStates Jolt Archive

Sir Alec Connver, Minister of Foreign Affairs looked over the preparations for the visit of a delegation from the The Grand Dominion of Drakonian Imperium. Everything seemed to be in order, his capable, but beleagured assistant, Mr. Cherkess had seen to that. He leaned back in his chair and looked over to his Secretary.

"All right then, in a few hours they should have arrived, you can pick them up at the airport, Ms. Lucca, I'll get over to Imro House and check that we have enough scotch and how dinner his coming, bring them directly there. I'm sure after the long flight they'll want a meal."

As he was speaking, the de facto First Republican, Minister of Defence Issem, entered. "Oh good , you're still here Alec. Ms. Lucca."

As Minister Issem nodded to Ms. Lucca she excused herself, Minister Issem watched her leave and then turned to Sir Alec. "Now them Alec be careful, you know how the Vrakians and our other erstwhile Kltachian 'friends' warned us away from the Draconians."

Sir Alec shrugged "That is why I have every expectation of sucess!" Sir Alec replied with a smile and a twirl of his chair, that was meant to be impressive, but put him on the floor.

Minister Issem shook his head "Good lord Alec."

Sir Alec stood and brushed himself off as Minister Issem left.

The South Klatchian Sea was spread out far below them, it blue waters obscured by banks of moisture, the wispy white clouds hinting at the altitude of the large aircraft. Aetius Cispius looked out one of the many windows on the massive jumbo jet looking down at the vast expanse of white and blue below him. The jetliner was one of the Imperium's "flying embassies," massive jumbo jets configured to support diplomatic operations a long way from home.

It had taken some convincing to the Drakonian Diplomatic Corps. to send this aircraft to Klatch. Something had happened to the last of such planes sent to Klatch, sent in fact to Federation of Timaru and Moskau, as Aetius understood it. However, Aetius had not been able to determine exactly what had happened, that information was being concealed, but there had been something. Something disturbing enough to make people concerned about sending another aircraft and another diplomat. Aetius was not terribly worried though, he had a long experience of such diplomatic visits and there was rarely cause for concern, even when most people were concerned.

Once this man had been a Senator and the Speaker of the Grand Imperial Senate in the Imperium, but that was long past. Now, he served his country as a roving and experienced diplomat. It was something he enjoyed, before serving as a Senator he had been the Director of the Drakonian Diplomatic Corps., while he had not returned to that post, he had returned to the part of the job he enjoyed most: traveling the world to establish relations with other nations.

"Sir," the voice wafted from over his shoulder. He turned to find one of his aides standing there holding a document. "This just came in from the Imperium."

Aetius nodded, accepting the document and dismissing the aide. He had been expecting an update from home. They usually came as the aircraft was nearing it destination.

The aircraft had been in transit for a long time. Flying from the Imperium to Klatch was no small task, and had in fact involved a brief stopover in Knootoss. Aetius had spent much of the first leg preparing himself for the visit, taking a short nap on the next part of the flight. There still were several hours left on the flight.

As Aetius look out the window he watched the fueling tank make a lazy turn away from the diplomatic jet. It had been dispatched from the Drakonian Carrier Group still in theatre since the recent and continuing turmoil in Timaru and Moskau. He knew that soon they would be joined by an escort from that Carrier Group.

Getting back to work Aetius read over the document he had just received. In a few hours, he would be on the ground in Ilek-Vaad. He needed to get back to work.

Once away from the Western reaches of the Klatch and heading Northeast, the vast green expanse of the Free Republic would spread out, from it's volcanic and mangrove southern coastline to it's vast green forests swathing nearly the entire nation. Green was the best way to describe it, from the air only the largest of cities was visible.

A few hours from the coast and the Imperium's jets would be contacted by Lassic Air Control and guided to Lassic International Airport SouthWest, and Lassic, a city of over two hundred million , would appear in the midst of a network or roads, rail and a vast forest that at this time of year was more autumnal. The New City rose in a ring from the Old City's Byzantine hilltop, a band of tall high rises, modern building and stadiums wreathed the Old City like a brilliant crown, lighting up as the sky darkened.

Landing was made without delay, a concourse had been specially cleared for the Imperium's jet, and despite the packed airport, Aetius Cispius would find an empty runway, dock and concourse waiting for him and his staff. The concourse was lined with Velite Guard in their silver and grey dress uniforms, carrying their ceremonial halberds and wearing their silver tall athenian style helmets, somewhere in the background the Imperium's national anthem was playing quietly.

Mr. Aetius Cispius is met by a young woman, dressed in a suit, with dark hair, dark eyes and olive skin, she smiles and nods politely offering her hand "I am Shana Lucca, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the People of The Free Republic and The Republican Council, I bid you welcome to Great Lassic. I hope you had a pleasant flight?"

The Drakonian Fighter Escort broke off their positions and returned to their Carrier Battle group as they reached the edge of Ilek-Vaad Sovereign Airspace. Drakonian Diplomatic Flight 802 continuing on to Lassic. The aircraft was impressive, with a shining white silver hull. There was a grouping of chromatic stripes vertically along the massive jet from nose to tail; a core line of gold, flanked by a pair of thin black, then a pair of red, and finally bordered by black. The tail and wingtips bore the circular Dragon Seal of the Imperium, featuring an impressive greyish purple Dragon.

The exiting of the goliath diplomatic transport was just as impressive. Walking in formation a pair of Praetorian Guards took positions to flank the landing dock. The Full Dress Uniforms of the Guardsmen were jet black, trimmed with highlights of royal purple and gold. Both Praetorians were fully-armed assault rifles, each tipped with a bayonet. Gladius Short Sword adorned their left hip and a large sidearm their other hip. They carried themselves with perfect ceremony.

As the former Senator stepped into the airport, he also was flanked by a pair of Praetorian Guards. His staff followed; a small group of well dressed suited individuals and a team of Emirate New Network (ENN) reporters. Aetius Cispius was dressed in a gold-decorated crimson satin robe that covered a simple oriental black and white suit. The outfit set off his moderate black skin, and very short white hair. As he passed the first two Praetorians saluted, smacking their right fists onto their chest just above their hearts, in perfect unison.

"Thank you," Aetius replied. "It is a pleasure to be here, Ms. Lucca. I am Aetius Cispius, Diplomat in service of the Drakonian Imperium. It is a beautiful city; reminds me of home."

Following the group out of the aircraft was the Captain in Command of the Praetorian Guard detachment, flanked by two more Praetorians. The Captain wore only a short sword and sidearm.

Aetius smiled. "Yes, the flight was long but pleasant. The Drakonian Diplomatic Corps. insures these flights are quite comfortable."

Ms. Lucca smiled and nodded "I am very pleased to meet you. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is personally seeing to your accommodations, and if you will follow me, I can take you to your cars, and then on to the House of the Republic."

She motioned for the party to follow and then led them out of the concourse to the curb where four Jaguar XJ12 Sovereign limousines waited with a pair of Velite Guard Vindicator armored cars in front and behind. Drivers stood at the ready with the doors held open.

The limousines sported Drakoninan flags on the front fenders and the tooled leather seated were embossed with the Imperium's flag as well. Each limousine could comfortably seat eight in back and three up front. The passenger compartment was also outfitted with entertainment centers and a modest wet bar.

Ms. Lucca paused "We do have drivers, but I know that some diplomats prefer their own security teams to drive, that would be fine as well. If your security would like to inspect the vehicles, that would also not be an issue."

Having hosted many belligerent and paranoid powers, the Vaadians always made this offer.