NationStates Jolt Archive

Months of back channel communications through shady secondary sources proved fruitless at first, but as fate would have it, one day things fell together. Though Dreadfire was away on military matters, he had entrusted the oversight of these exchanges with his son and heir to the Freekish Empire, Azrael. At first the young Warchief could not believe his ears, and had to re-read the transcripts of the covert discussions several times before it sunk in....

HE'S actually willing to come here?

Surprisingly, it was true. Though the public would not know of the meeting that was to take place within Automagfreek, it would certainly be a historic moment when two of the most heated enemies put aside their differences. Lord Damien would not be present at these talks, and it was probably for the best considering the rough history and lingering hatred between the Warlord and the soon to be arriving dignitary.

Preparations were made the next morning in a somewhat hasty fashion, with security and secrecy being the top priority, for it was not know what reaction the world would have if they knew what was about to happen. The Great Hall exploded with activity as servants hurridly cleaned the building from top to bottom, and cooks shuffled about the kitchen as they prepared for the traditional feast for arriving foreign guests.

With the hour drawing near, Azrael returned to his chambers within the Hall and began to set the agenda for the upcoming meeting. Surely his guest had plenty to discuss about the current state of affairs that were bringing their two nations together for talks, but before that could be addressed the hatchet had to be buried once and for all. He glanced out the massive windows towards the dying sun, his hand twirling a pen casually as his mind began to piece together what he was hoping to accomplish in the coming days. Lord Damien would certainly be extremely interested in what was to be said, and Azrael knew that hidden recording devices were likely to be littered throughout the Hall.

Meanwhile, the military airport within ULE City was put on its highest alert, and all civilian air traffic was ordered to be halted for the time being. The base surrounding the airfield was alive with a large Sentinel presence, intent on providing maximum security the likes of which had never been seen within Automagfreek. Surely people would be asking questions, for it was not every day that near excessive measures were taken to protect an arriving guest. In reality it was more of a symbolic move, for even without any military presence at all, arriving dignitaries were always 100% safe within the borders of AMF.

The young Warchief was summoned downstairs several hours later, where the senior butler informed him that his guest was to be departing very shortly. Good. I want him taken care of well. I want him to see that we of Automagfreek are the finest people on Earth, and I do not want him to carry with him any concerns of backstabbing or treachery. I want him to know that we value our honor above all else, and when we give our word, it is as good as gold.

The servant nodded and stated that he would relay the Warchief's orders to the head officer in charge of the President's security. Azrael grinned, knowing that history was about to be made, and that if all went well he would win even more of his father's favor. Alright Mr. Sarzo, the ball is in your court. He whispered to himself quietly.

[OOC: I'm liking the whole nemesis angle!

On another note, who would be allowed into this RP? I don't want just anyone to come in.]

"Are you sure about this Mike?"

No I'm not.

Sarzo stepped out from his desk and walked toward the window, well aware of the expectant look being given to him by his lieutenant president. It didn't matter. He would wait to give his answer until he'd had an opportunity to clear his head just enough.

"Mike, answer the fucking question."

Even ravaged somewhat by the latest chemotherapy treatment, Sarzo still mustered just enough strength to whirl around with that fiery look in his eye.

"Nicole!"

Both Sarzo and Lewis were aware of the presence of someone else who had just entered Sarzo's private office in the Gray House. Sarzo's gaze softened considerably, but he still had some of his spark from his outburst burning in him.

"Truth is, I'm not entirely sure this is the right move," Sarzo began. He saw Lewis open her mouth and he slowly raised his right hand and arched his eyebrows as if to say "let me finish." He drew in his breath slightly, then finally spoke after a 20 second wait that seemed like an eternity to everyone assembled in the room.

"But there are times when you have to take a leap of faith," Sarzo said. "It's looking more and more like we can't trust the Praetonians, much as it pains me to say it."

"That much is a given," Lewis said in her usual blustery manner. However, Sarzo knew Lewis well enough to realise the words dripped with a slight hint of disappointment? Frustration? Regret. Lewis didn't want to cast aside decades of Praeto-Sarzonian cooperation, but she along with billions of Sarzonians felt resigned to accept what the new world order was about to bring.

"We're not agreeing to any kind of alliances here," Sarzo said. "I doubt seriously that such an agreement would pass muster in the House." Not even with Del. Charles Hunter (Moderate-New Isselmere) just confirmed as the new House Speaker. He was widely chosen by a multi-partisan coalition of Delegates for his ability to build consensus. The fact that he was a longtime ally of Sarzo's in the House didn't hurt matters.

"What we're looking to do is explore normalising relations with a longtime foe." The House was still debating the Treaty of Uxland, but popular support for the treaty eroded steadily. The latest Woodstock Daily Mail polls put the numbers at 47 percent in favour and 46 percent against, a statistical dead heat. Hunter pushed his colleagues for an up or down vote, vowing not to use former House Speaker Connie Jacobi's parliamentary tricks to prevent the treaty from being voted on.

"I still don't like the idea of that," First Partner Jay Tyler chimed in. "They were our sworn enemies during the Gholgoth Wars. We'd be signing a deal with the devil."

"And Praetonia hasn't?"

All three people standing in the office all recoiled slightly as Sarzo and Lewis said that last line in unison. Sarzonian resentment toward Praetonia for refusing to back down from their deals with "the Doomies" reached a fever pitch throughout Woodstock. A growing percentage of Sarzonians now wanted the country to renegotiate the deal. To them, the idea of working with a Praetonia that traded with Doomingsland was a non-starter.

"Two wrongs don't make a right, Mike."

Finally, it was time for Sarzo to make the decision. He would have to decide whether to buck the opinions of his two most trusted advisors, but it would have to be his decision and his alone.

"Somehow, I don't think that's what's happening here. Either way, I'm going on the plane. I'll see you both when I get back."

With that, Sarzo turned and walked slowly, but deliberately toward Sarzonia One and toward wherever the aircraft -- and the future -- would take him and the country he loved.

OOC: Since I doubt most would know of this meeting, I don't think there is a whole lot of reason for anyone to join in. Unless of course there is another party you wish to bring in.

To the readers: This post contains movements which were cleared with Sarzonia, to cut to the chase and shorten the shitty arrival process.

***********************

Clearance was promptly given, and the President's plane was given a two fighter jet escort toward the ULE City military base. The convoy of waiting vehicles fired up their engines as Sarzo's transport touched down and opened its doors, and his men entered an armored limo which Dreadfire had provided him out of his own personal fleet of cars and trucks. An old man in a new black suit greeted the President as he put the car into gear and began driving down the winding road that would take them to Damien's palace...the Great Hall.

What a most interesting and strange occassion to have a Sarzonian on Freekish soil. He sneered as his glazed eyes glanced in the rear view mirror, while wheezing ever so slightly. Here I was thinking that our two peoples were still bitter enemies, but I guess times are changing, especially now that the young Azrael is being trusted more with handling matters of great importance, such as this.

The driver exhaled contently, while depressing the gas peddle even further to force the car through the rough mountain pass. The air was much thinner at such great heights, and the engine of the armored car struggled as its horsepower was cut nearly in half by the paper thin atmosphere.

I hope you will come to find that the rumors your friends in Praetonia and Questers speak of us are unfounded. The Freeks are a sophisticated, advanced, and civilized people who cling to their heritage proudly and embrace the new ways alongside that of the old. Sadly your stay here will be brief, but if you could spend a week, a month, or a year in Automagfreek, you would see why many say that our country is the finest in the world. The driver smiled, his pride in his nation and its history apparant. As he began turning the car down the rocky embankment, the familiar scenery reminded him of an old Freekish story that was still told around campfires to this day.

But this....this is where it all began. He motioned over to the ULE Mountains that dominated the horizon on every side. On the slopes of the western mountains Lord Rising Run and Lord Automagfreek made their death defying charge down the snow sovered peaks and into the ranks of the enemy tribes that had taken the ULE Valley several weeks before. It was chaos...both horse and man spewing forth like great waters from a broken dam down from the rocky heights and decending like a swarm of locusts onto the heathen Freeks. During the charge however, Lord Rising Sun was struck down and killed where he fought, and in a fury Lord Automagfreek finished what the pair had started. When the last enemy tribesman was slaughtered, the country that we know today was unified and formally placed under one banner.

The driver paused for a second, concentrating on the tight turn that the vehicles were making around a rocky bend. Ah, now where was I....oh yes. Once the country had been united and the fighting quelled, Lord Automagfreek then made himself Dictator....and the rest is history. But this is where it all happened...this is where Ambassador Kaye rose in the diplomatic ranks to President. This is where Damien Dreadfire and his Sentinels marched on the steps of the AMF Senate and declared himself Warlord for life. This is a place of history, magic, and legand my friend. You can literally feel the living history all around you, and it's something that not everyone gets to experience.

The vehicles then came to a stop, for the had arrived at the Great Hall. Amazing how a story can make the time fly, eh? He coughed out a laugh, then exited the vehicle to open the door for Sarzo. Enjoy your stay in Automagfreek.

The crimson and black banners of House Dreadfire and the green, gray, and gold banners of the Advocate fluttered in the cool breeze that rolled down from the mountains above. Sentinels in ceramonial garb lined the walkway leading up towards the Great Hall's massive oak doors, which were thrown open under roaring trumpets. Azrael stepped forth an began decending the stairs in an very ancient attire, the breeze catching his cape and tossing it about his shoulders. Azrael starred Sarzo directly in the eyes, bowing his head slightly but being careful not to look away for an instant.

Good day President Sarzo. I trust your trip was a comfortable one? The Warchief and future Warlord gestured towards the massive Great Hall and beckoned Sarzo to follow him inside.

With the rigours of travel and a recent chemotherapy treatment taking their toll, Sarzo's attention drifted in and out of focus during the ride in the car. Yes, he figured a Sarzonian's presence in Ule City would be cause for consternation if the reason were made public. He could almost read the hand-wringing going on in The Parliamentarian in his mind. That is, if that damn fatigue didn't set in first.

His eyes clouded over slightly when he heard the driver contrast Automagfreek as he knew it with what he heard as "rumours" passed on by Praetonia and Questers. The near blood pact between Sarzonia and Praetonia, a source of pride for both countries in the decades it had been in force, was staring down the barrel of the new world order and another manifestation of that was on the highway toward the palace.

He knew Lewis was probably wondering where Sarzo's mind was for agreeing to this trip, but he needed to see for himself what was going on. Normalising relations with Automagfreek was almost as frowned upon in Sarzonia as the idea of opening trade with Doomingsland. The fact actual warfare had pit a much smaller Sarzonia against Pantera -- a nation which had a blood pact with Automagfreek and was much larger than Sarzonia at the time -- didn't cause as much enmity with Freeks as there existed with the Doomies. And, after all, it was Automagfreek which made the feelers toward normalising relations.

As the car reached the Great Hall and Sarzo heard the driver wish him a pleasant stay, Sarzo looked around, silently scanning the building as he awaited entry. He would be sure to compliment the architecture and the splendor he saw. He also had noted some of the history the driver spoke of when his focus was there. When he saw Azarel descend the steps toward him in the resplendid outfit, his eyes widened for a brief second. He fought his tendency to raise an eyebrow when he saw Azarel bow slightly.

"My pleasure Warchief Azarel," Sarzo responded with a slight nod. He marshalled his strength and began walking a step behind Azarel toward the inside of the Great Hall. He was fortunate that he was walking somewhat behind Azarel, or he feared his relief that Damien wasn't the one to greet him would be too evident. Now isn't the time for me to meet Dreadfire, Sarzo thought.

The idea that Dreadfire would meet a Sarzonian in anything other than battle was still too foreign to him. The two nations were too much at odds, and military planners would have had a conniption had they realised Sarzo was leaving the safety of Woodstock for the dangers they felt defined Ule City.

"This is a very impressive building," Sarzo said. "I'm sure this is a great symbol of pride for you and our people." He didn't figure that brief statement conveyed the awe he felt at the magnificence that rivalled even the most regal Pacitalian or Praetonian home he'd ever visited, but he figured showing awe would get these negotiations off to a rough start. Especially for what he was trying to accomplish.

Azrael smiled, content to see Sarzo's reaction to the sight of the ancient palace they were now entering. Thank you Mr. Sarzo, it is indeed a symbol of great pride to all our people. He escorted the President to one of Damien's highly decorated dens, and motioned to a set of high back leather chairs that were placed on either side of an oak coffee table. He began to pour two glasses of the finest Freekish whiskey in all the land, handing one to the President while taking a generous pull off his.

Let me just say that I am glad that this meeting is taking place, and I can assure you that my father will not be attending today. I am expecting another guest to arrive, but I it will not be him, for I know you two do not see eye to eye at all. He paused for a moment, scanning Sarzo's expression while sipping at his drink ever so slightly.

I'll spare you the customary history lesson on Freekish might and our actions throughout time. You and I both know of the seemingly daily barrage of propaganda coming from the likes of the Sovereign League, and how their claims that GASN and NATO are our lackeys, and that Automagfreek is a non-issue at sea. I find the latter most interesting...especially since your nation is well known for its powerful navy, so I'm sure you can appreciate our fleets better than our Praetonian of Questerian "friends". We are definately one of the more underrated naval powers in the world, but perhaps the underestimation is an asset that could prove most useful. Perhaps if you had more time I could take you on a tour of the massive naval yards at St. Freeksburg, but that can be saved for another occassion.

He gauged the President once more, this time preparing to shift away from casual discussion and to the issues at hand.

But anyways, the reason for this meeting isn't to shoot the shit. The reason for this meeting is quite clear, and the focus of it happens to be your "friends", and their actions as of late. Let me just say that up until this point the Excessively Armed Empire has been quite impartial to the likes of CAD, since to us they seem like a rather harmless collective. But when I saw them join the likes of the Sovereign League, whom they were once bitter enemies with....it made me wonder.

It made me wonder what the underlying reason was, because we all know alliance between enemies just don't happen out of the goddamned blue...there had to have been some motivation. Being an ex-NATO signatory, I'm sure you know exactly what their intentions were....to engage Gholgoth directly or indirectly to challenge our dominance on the global scene. It is no secret that the Sovereign League despsies the very existance of Gholgoth, and would stop at nothing to find a justified reason to attack us. While I have no doubts that they would fail in their endeavors, it makes me ponder this: If they're willing to sell out their alliance's values and join CAD in a quest for "power".....who else would they sell out?

Azrael cast Sarzo a sharp but unthreatening glance, taking a long gulp from his glass and setting it back down onto the table. We have ears and eyes in many places Mr. Sarzo, but we don't need those to know that your "friends" in Praetonia and whoever else Sarzonia was allied to in the Sovereign League have betrayed you. They allied with the very thing they stand against, and I believe that is why you are here today.

I also believe you are here today because our two nations.....do not need to have sour relations. We have never fought each other, and there is no reason for us to hate each other because you and my father disagree. We enjoyed your presence in NATO, and despite a brief scuffle with our Blood Ally in Pantera, I honestly see no reason as to why our nations cannot cooperate. These are uncertain times, and in days like these you need people you can trust and rely on. Automagfreek holds its honor above all else, and has never once sold an ally out or conveniently forgotten about them in a time of need. Many claim that Gholgoth is merely full of AMF puppet states, but the truth of the matter is that we swore an oath to the Gods to protect our friends no matter what. Our commitment to our region is proof positive that we stand alongside our friends through thick and thin...we don't betray them and sleep with their enemies.

Azrael then refilled his glass and leaned back in the chair, swirling the drink beneath his nose as he awaited to see Sarzo's thoughts on the conversation thus far. I'm not suggesting we form an alliance or anything this soon, I am merely stating that to not have at least some friendly ties would be counter productive. Both of our nations would benefit enormously if we put aside whatever hard feelings there are and come to an understanding.

Sarzo began to come around just as Azarel was beginning to speak.

Nice timing, Sarzo thought as he felt his energy began to return at a time when he needed to be on his game. He felt a wave of relief wash over him again when Azarel mentioned that Damien would not be attending the meeting.

His back began to stiffen when he heard the mention of APOC. It was a union that Sarzo detested, and long felt he had to gird his nation to face alone. However, Sarzo had another thought that began to emerge as he continued to listen to Azarel.

Fortunately, no mention of an alliance, Sarzo thought. It would never have cleared the House of Delegates. Even Hunter couldn't get that one through the House. The House was having enough trouble in its continued debate about the Treaty of Uxland. Before Sarzo boarded Sarzonia One for the flight to Ule City, he heard that one Delegate proposed a resolution that would require both Sarzonia and Praetonia to renegotiate the Treaty of Uxland. However, Sarzo wasn't aware of one amendment a Conservative delegate attached to the measure: The meeting would have to take place in Woodstock or it wouldn't occur at all.

The other thought that began to swirl in Sarzo's head was the proposal from Azarel: At least cordial relations with Automagfreek. The nations had both been New Alliance Treaty Organisation member states concurrently. Thus, Sarzonia and Automagfreek were allies at one time. Sarzonian concerns about sovereignty that resulted from some of the executive board decisions led to the nation withdrawing its membership from NATO. A re-up of membership with NATO was not in the cards. Normalising relations with Automagfreek would be something for the House of Delegates to chew on.

"I definitely believe that exploring a repair of Freekian-Sarzonian relations would be of the utmost importance," Sarzo said finally. "As I'm sure you're aware, I have a rather different view of the Sarz-Panteran War than you do. Having said that, it certainly was a catalyst for major change in my nation's military.

"But now isn't the time for discussion of that particular war. I'll admit to being intrigued by what you have to say, but I doubt very seriously the House of Delegates will warm up to the idea of just cozying up with a former adversary without some assurance that we're not doing the same things we believe Praetonia to have done."

Sarzo took a slow drink from his glass and eyed Azarel evenly, making an effort to read the man across from him before continuing. He waited for a brief moment and spoke again.

"My sources tell me that Automagfreek has made some progressive societal reforms. I am certainly pleased to hear that and I'd like more detail so I could bring that matter to the House's attention should we come to an agreement here. I also would like to establish some parameters of what we talk about here so that we can know fully what we are getting our nations into."

Sarzo eyed his Blackberry warily, fully expecting to see a notice that the House of Delegates would vote on the Treaty of Uxland. So far, nothing. He looked back up at Azarel expectantly, waiting for the Warchief to make his next verbal move.