Tiramnya
01-04-2007, 18:06
The room itself was unimpressive. It looked like a standard conference room, a long wooden table stretched the length of it along the southern wall. Above the table the blue and yellow national flag was draped, in all its finery. There were chairs scattered around, bunched around the smaller tables.
This room, although ordinary to the eye, had several remarkable aspects. The first was on the western wall. It was a viewing screen, it covered the entire wall. It was black, but in exactly 37 minutes it was due to light up. The same image would be shown in every home, workplace and meeting room across the republic. For this was a great day for the Republic of Tiramnya. The SS Nezzel was launching. This manned mission would construct the first spacial colony for the Republic. The rocket sat on its launch pad, 500ft of the finest technology the republic had ever produced. The small crew was preparing itself. For this great and wonderful mission, for the glory of the republic!
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Karum Hator had more important things on his mind. The Great Republic! It's been many years since it was great! Hator was the Chief Secretary to President Nezzel IV. He believed himself to be the only sane man in the government. This 'crowning glory' of all our lives means nothing! He looked down bitterly into his wine, the finest that could be bought. The republic is corrupt, the elections mean nothing. Nezzel is an inherited President. I need help! Hator had spent many months preparing for this day, not because of the launch. He had a better reason. He had managed to persuade Nezzel that this was such a wonderful occasion that the neighbouring nations should be made jealous.
For the first time in centuries foreign embassadors had been permitted to enter the country!
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They were the second remarkable aspect.
They were scattered around the room, like the chairs. Talking in only the way diplomats can. A wry smile, an honest grin. All the while observing, events and one another.
One man looked ill at ease. Lytan was head of staff, the closest thing Tiramnya had to a diplomat. He was hot, the tie was just that bit too tight. The suit too long, the people too happy. He'd just spent 10 minutes complimenting one ambassador, but couldn't even remember her name!
Why am I doing this?
He glanced at the reason, and the final remarkable thing in the room.
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Nezzel! Nezzel IV, President of Tiramnya.
Why are these foreigners here? How did I? Never mind.
He turned to one of his aides.
"This is a wonderful and glorious day! We shall rejoice!"
"Indeed Sire"
This room, although ordinary to the eye, had several remarkable aspects. The first was on the western wall. It was a viewing screen, it covered the entire wall. It was black, but in exactly 37 minutes it was due to light up. The same image would be shown in every home, workplace and meeting room across the republic. For this was a great day for the Republic of Tiramnya. The SS Nezzel was launching. This manned mission would construct the first spacial colony for the Republic. The rocket sat on its launch pad, 500ft of the finest technology the republic had ever produced. The small crew was preparing itself. For this great and wonderful mission, for the glory of the republic!
----------
Karum Hator had more important things on his mind. The Great Republic! It's been many years since it was great! Hator was the Chief Secretary to President Nezzel IV. He believed himself to be the only sane man in the government. This 'crowning glory' of all our lives means nothing! He looked down bitterly into his wine, the finest that could be bought. The republic is corrupt, the elections mean nothing. Nezzel is an inherited President. I need help! Hator had spent many months preparing for this day, not because of the launch. He had a better reason. He had managed to persuade Nezzel that this was such a wonderful occasion that the neighbouring nations should be made jealous.
For the first time in centuries foreign embassadors had been permitted to enter the country!
----------
They were the second remarkable aspect.
They were scattered around the room, like the chairs. Talking in only the way diplomats can. A wry smile, an honest grin. All the while observing, events and one another.
One man looked ill at ease. Lytan was head of staff, the closest thing Tiramnya had to a diplomat. He was hot, the tie was just that bit too tight. The suit too long, the people too happy. He'd just spent 10 minutes complimenting one ambassador, but couldn't even remember her name!
Why am I doing this?
He glanced at the reason, and the final remarkable thing in the room.
----------
Nezzel! Nezzel IV, President of Tiramnya.
Why are these foreigners here? How did I? Never mind.
He turned to one of his aides.
"This is a wonderful and glorious day! We shall rejoice!"
"Indeed Sire"