NationStates Jolt Archive

The Prosperan Government is always keen to establish new relations and build on existing ones. In particular, Prosperas believes that maintaining a good relationship with its closest neighbours is vital to peace, stability and development in our region. With this in mind, President Mary Anderson would like to extend a warm invitation to the Gauthic leader to embark on a state visit of Prosperas in the coming month.

Rt Hon Mary L Anderson
State President of Prosperas

Incorporated States of Gauthic
Office of Prime

Greetings President Mary Anderson,

I accept your invitation and look forward to meeting you. Our nations in this corner of the Pacific control the largest section of Earth's waters, currently. And you have the greatest mass of Pacific land.

Land is scarce here and we must be wise with it's efficient use.

Signed,
Anthony Malcolm, Prime

The city of Queenston was always bustling with activity. As well as being Prosperas's political capital it was also the country's main financial centre, a major tourist attraction and home to over seven million people. Many hailed Queenston as being the heart of the Asia-Pacific region. So it was not at all surprising that regional conferences and international sports events were frequently hosted there. Yet the visit to Prosperas by foreign dignitaries always generated considerable media attention, regardless. The State Visit of Gauthic's Prime Anthony Malcolm was no exception. It would be the first time a Gauthic leader had actually embarked on a State Visit to Prosperas and so marked an historic moment.

***

Waiting to welcome Malcolm at Queenston International Airport was a military honour guard. A band would play the Gauthic national anthem as the Prime emerged from his jet. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Michael Sidney stood ready to meet Malcolm personally.

Queenston International Airport, Prosperas
Weather: Partly Cloudy, Mild Winds
5/20/2007, 1630

The plane that sat on the runway was a modified C-130. It was painted the Gauthic National colors of black, with hunter green stripes, and the Gauthic Chevron emblazoned across many square meters of either side of the plane.

The first people to emerge from the C-130 were to squads of Gauthic troops. They wore black fatigues with hunter green equipment harnesses across their belt and chest, with an assortment of brightly colored non-lethal weapons. The stormed quickly from the back off loading ramp of the craft and secured the side doors. The squad commander was in contact with Prospera's security for the air port, the only member of the guard with a smile on his face and walking at a steady march as he conversed over the current situation at the airport.

The squad commander gave two knocks on the door to the C-130, then opened it and stood aside. The first person to emerge was Anthony Malcolm himself, wearing a black suit with a long black coat, a row of hunter green buttons trailing from the tight, chinese styled collar to the hem at his boot's ankle. He saluted the squad commander, then began the march down the carpet to meet the Prosperan delegation, waving to the Prosperans who had gathered to see the foreign leader's arrival.

Following shortly behind him, giving a salute to the commander and then catching up to Malcolm, being sure to give him a quich thwap on the back for just walking off without her, was Representative Cindy Yates. She wore a dark gray business outfit with skirt that reached just past her knees, and a pair of calf high boots. In contrast to Anthony Malcolm's short, bristly red hair and gotee, her dakr hair reached past her waist.

While Cindy stalled Malcolm a moment and waved at the Prosperans with him, the delegation from the Bureau of External Affairs exited the plane and caught up with the Prime and the Representative. The Administrator and Ambassador were in their Uniform Blacks from their military service, and the Moderators were either in business attire, or military uniform for the occasion.

When the eight of them were all grouped togethor they began their march again, interestingly all keeping the exact same pace and step, left foot first. They were followed soon by the squad of guards marching in formation behind them, also in step.

OOC: Cindy = very nice! ;)

IC: Michael Sidney watched with quiet fascination as the squad of Gauthic guards assembled on the tarmac and then as Anthony Malcolm, with his entourage of officials, emerged from the aircraft. The strict and orderly fashion in which the Gauthic delegation marched down the red carpet was unusual to the Prosperans. In the background the Gauthic national anthem was performed majestically and the marine honour guard stood to attention.

"I am Michael Sidney, Minister of Foreign Affairs. On behalf of my government and the people, welcome to Prosperas," Sidney said warmly and gave a slight bow. He then shook hands with Prime Malcolm and the other Gauthic representatives.
"I trust your flight was well, ladies and gentlemen?"

OOC: Cindy = very nice! ;)

IC: Michael Sidney watched with quiet fascination as the squad of Gauthic guards assembled on the tarmac and then as Anthony Malcolm, with his entourage of officials, emerged from the aircraft. The strict and orderly fashion in which the Gauthic delegation marched down the red carpet was unusual to the Prosperans. In the background the Gauthic national anthem was performed majestically and the marine honour guard stood to attention.

"I am Michael Sidney, Minister of Foreign Affairs. On behalf of my government and the people, welcome to Prosperas," Sidney said warmly and gave a slight bow. He then shook hands with Prime Malcolm and the other Gauthic representatives.
"I trust your flight was well, ladies and gentlemen?"

ooc: ...huh?

IC:

Anthony Malcolm and much of the others gave respectful bows or nods of the head, preceded for followed by a small salute by the men in uniform. The members of the squads and their commanders gave a quick, crisp and formal salute.

During the handshakes, in response to the Minister's question, much of the delegates gave answers of "so so" and "comfortable" for the description of the flight. Anthony Malcolm took Michael Sidney firmly by the forearm for the handshake, and looked him right in the eye with a big grin on the red mustached and goteed face, "Great flight, more fun for me since I flew half of the way while everybody else looked for ways to pass the time." Administrator Torsten gave Malcolm a poke in the shoulder, causing Torsten and Malcolm to share a sharp glance, followed by a chuckle. Cindy Yates was quick to jump in and get things back on track, "Allright guys, this isn't a road trip. We are here on business." Anthony Malcolm nodded, while the moderators took the opportunity to laugh at Cindy's almost motherly sounding chide.

"Well, Minister," Anthony began his question, "Shall we depart?"

OOC: lol. Never mind.

IC: "Yes, sir. Right this way."
They were ushered towards a black PAF-124 Sea King which was waiting nearby. Once everyone was strapped into their seats the helicopter lifted off and flew over the city. After a short and uneventful flight they touched down on the green lawn of Government House in an affluent suburb overlooking the blue Queenston Harbour. The immaculately-kept grounds were vast, with a garden area of 12 acres. The mansion, the official residence of the State President, stood out impressively. Made from stone, marble and cedar it was built in a Gothic revival style (castellated, crenulated and turreted).

A short staircase was lowered from the helicopter and Michael Sidney invited the Gothic party to disembark. Standing a few metres away was President Mary Anderson herself. Dressed in a purple suit, she had shoulder-length reddish brown hair which blew gently in the breeze. With her arms hanging obediently beside her legs, Anderson's posture was professional and dignified. Yet her fresh smiling face showed a woman of much warmth and friendliness.

OOC: lol. Never mind.

IC: "Yes, sir. Right this way."
They were ushered towards a black PAF-124 Sea King which was waiting nearby. Once everyone was strapped into their seats the helicopter lifted off and flew over the city. After a short and uneventful flight they touched down on the green lawn of Government House in an affluent suburb overlooking the blue Queenston Harbour. The immaculately-kept grounds were vast, with a garden area of 12 acres. The mansion, the official residence of the State President, stood out impressively. Made from stone, marble and cedar it was built in a Gothic revival style (castellated, crenulated and turreted).

A short staircase was lowered from the helicopter and Michael Sidney invited the Gothic party to disembark. Standing a few metres away was President Mary Anderson herself. Dressed in a purple suit, she had shoulder-length reddish brown hair which blew gently in the breeze. With her arms hanging obediently beside her legs, Anderson's posture was professional and dignified. Yet her fresh smiling face showed a woman of much warmth and friendliness.


The Gauthic soldiers left the helicopter first, followed by Anthony Malcolm, Cindy Yates, Administrator Torsten and the Moderators from the Bureau of External Affairs. With the soldiers to either side, the group approached the President. Anthony Malcolm gave a respectful bow, and others gave respectful bows and nods, with a simple salutes tossed in. Each soldier gave a crisp, clean and formal salute to the President, each hand moving in perfect timing.

With the formal gestures out of the way, Anthony Malcolm spoke first, "President Anderson! Great to see you, and I am very glad you invited us over. If you don't mind, waiting aboard our plane is a proffessional cook with a creature known as a monk fish, and a few pounds worth of mozzarella and fine spices and herbs. At your request, we'd like him to come here and fix for you cheese stuffed fish steaks."

"It's my pleasure." Anderson said with a smile. She was, however, taken aback by Malcolm's odd proposal. The President had never heard of cheese stuffed fish steaks before. "Well, err, an official banquet is already being prepared! But your chef is more than welcome to join the kitchen staff." President Anderson nodded to an aide. "My people will see to that. Now then, let's head on inside."

Anthony Malcolm continued to smile and nodded, then turned to the squad commander that had accompanied them and gave him a clear and affirmative nodded followed by a quick hand signal of holding up two fingers, then a thumbs up, then he brough his hand down. The squad commander responded by turning away and muttering somthing into his shoulder coms, something about Presidential permission.

When that was done, Malolm looked to President Anderson, grinned, and said, "He's on his way."

When the President had asked them inside, the group gladly followed Mary Anderson in.

Ahhhh history... it be so crazy.

The Gauthic delegation was led up five stone steps and through the mansion's main entrance hall. Inside was beautifully decorated with rich oil paintings, statues and the coats of arms of previous occupants. President Anderson, a tall woman with long legs and a slender build, walked ahead of the rest of the group and gave a brief tour.

Afterwards Prime Malcolm and his party were shown to the guest rooms in which they would sleep. Luggage had arrived via car.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, I shall leave you to rest and prepare for dinner."

The Official State Banquet would be held later that night. Those invited included the Prime Minister, senior government officials, their spouses, and other VIPs. Meanwhile a large contingent of media representatives had assembled outside the grounds to cover the event.

The delegation was very pleased with the tour. Anthony Malcolm, Cindy Yates, and Dreff Torsten occasionally asked questions while the Moderators ticked away on their PDAs, one of the Moderators being sure to record what the President said and take pictures of some of the items she pointed out.

Later, with the tour over, the delegate members gave a fond farewell to the President and retired to their rooms to rest and prepare for dinner as suggested.

Anthony Malcolm had changed to black fatigue pants, large black belt with a gold buckle bearing the Gauthic Chevron, and a hunter green dress shirt with a black collar wear a tie would be worn on the standard western suit. He peered out the window through the blinds, watching the gathering crowds of media. "Swarm of flies..." he said. Cindy Yates was stretched out on the bed, going over her recent messages on her PDA when she caught what Malcolm said and responded, "That's not fair. We are more likely to do something that'll effect the entire pacific then anyone else, they could catch something important." Anthony sighed and nodded, turning to her and looking over her tanned form in the black formal dress laying on his bed... "...how the hell did you get in my room, and how long have you been here?" he asked curtly, folding his arms. Cindy giggled, and sat up as she looked at Anthony, "I used my old military training, I asked the gaurds to your room if they'd look the other way and I just snuck in. Not going to tell you how long I've been here." Anthony Malcolm glared at the representative, not at all happy with what he just heard, "...that is NOT helping my paranoia..." he declared grimly, moving to sit on the bed next to her. Cindy rolled her eyes and wrapped an arm around the red-headed political radical, "You'll be fine, I'm guarding your back. Now come on, I came here to ask you to be my date to dinner tonight." Anhtony nodded to her, and took her hand, "I would be honored to escort you to dinner." He then stood, and helped her up. Cindy took his arm and he lead her out the door.


OOC: I'll let you, Prospera, set the scene for the banquet.

Beauty and style were the hallmarks of the State Dining Room. Its furnishings included a Sallé carpet, floor-to-ceiling chintz curtains and a long, extending table which dated back to the 19th century. The table, able to seat a large number of people, was complete with an ornate brass candelabrum. Like the rest of the mansion, the dining room walls were decorated with valuable paintings, some centuries old.

Mary Anderson greeted Prime Malcolm and Ms Yates at the bottom of the staircase. She had changed into a formal dress for the occasion. On her arm was a swanky looking man with a tidy silver comb-over and stylish glasses.
"This is my husband, James. Judge Anderson, to be exact. But Jim is just fine, isn't it, darling?"
James smiled. He shook Malcolm's hand and kissed Yates's. "How do you do?"
"Now then, shall we go meet the guests?"

***

Among the first to arrive was the Prime Minister, dressed in a cock-tail suit. Chris Benedict and his wife Jessica were introduced to the Gauthic leader. Aged in his sixties, Benedict had a grandfatherly appearance.
"Welcome to Prosperas, sir, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard many great things about Gauthic and I look forward to our discussions."
Jessica introduced herself to Cindy.
"Mrs Malcolm, is it?"

"Mrs Malcolm, is it?"


Cindy's expression was that of dread and rage. She wanted to declare war, now. Her arms dropped away from Anthony and to her sides, and she stepped a meter away from him.
Anthony chuckled, and continued as if all was still right in the world. "No, This is Representative Cindy Yates. A trusted advisor of mine and a trusted elected official in the capitol." Cindy had taken a deep breath and calmed down by the time Anthony was done explaining, and she turned to Mrs. Benedict, "Pleasure to meet you," she said, realizing how Condaleeza Rice must feel during these meetings now.

The greetings and meetings were now exchanged with Dreff Torsten strategically standing in between Cindy and Anthony. Anthony was heard to remark to the Prime minister "History be so crazy."

Some of the other guests included foreign minister Michael Sidney, who was accompanied by a stunningly attractive woman in an unusually provocative dress; Opposition leader Cameron Davis; Oscar-winning actor Ira Russell; and newscaster Andy Trotter.

With introductions out of the way, everyone seated around the table to hear President Anderson's welcoming address. She formally thanked the Gauthic delegation for accepting her invitation, and spoke about the importance of maintaining good relations between their two countries. Anderson then offered a toast.

Some of the other guests included foreign minister Michael Sidney, who was accompanied by a stunningly attractive woman in an unusually provocative dress; Opposition leader Cameron Davis; Oscar-winning actor Ira Russell; and newscaster Andy Trotter.

With introductions out of the way, everyone seated around the table to hear President Anderson's welcoming address. She formally thanked the Gauthic delegation for accepting her invitation, and spoke about the importance of maintaining good relations between their two countries. Anderson then offered a toast.

Anthony Malcolm stood and held up his glass at the mention of a toast, and the rest of the delegation did the same just a moment after.