NationStates Jolt Archive

The Ensign left to radio one of the Deathwatch to find the bag.

"The lav is right in... this door right here." he said, pointing at another door. It took him a minute to realize what she actually asked. “There’s a gym, ball room, conference room, cinema, three restaurants, the promenade we walked through, armory, sun deck, pool, and a few others. There is also a rather large library. I’ll have a crew member leave a guide under your door."

"The bar-coding wasn't my idea, though my predecessor and I both chose to keep it" he looked a little unnerved; the bar-coding issue had been a sore issue, fiercely defended within Mer des Ennuis, but considered strange in most of the world. "Mer des Ennuis has been bar-coding citizens for at least 60 years. I received my code when I enlisted; the military requires it of all recruits, much as the Roman Legions required tattoos of all recruits."

He paused, remembering the debates in the Senate he had to oversee.

"One of my first actions when we overthrew the oppressive French was to go through the bar-coding system myself. Though it was once used to ensure an Orwellian police state, it now acts as a mere proof of identity and citizenship, and as a store of qualifications, such as certification to drive. Some hospitals have taken it upon themselves to use it to store medical and insurance information, and I’m told the databases are secure. The Senate has debated on repealing the bar-coding system, but three plebiscites haven’t revoked it. Of course, we don’t require the chosen people nor anyone alive at the time of the holocaust, as well as selected conscious objectors, but they generally are required to have at least three forms of ID to avoid identity theft/confusion, but for most, it is convenient.”

"Sir I am First Lieutenant Mikhailo of the Ennuisian Deathshead Brigade. This assassin had a single-shot pistol that attempted to discharge an explosive round that failed to detonate for any number of reasons. This assassin apparently had valid credentials; the Hatarian guards are too stupid to be talked passed with out them. I believe security has a picture, and one of my men might."

"Right," said Janisek, "that's my area of ops. Let's have a look at the picture, shall we? Any chance of having a look at his pistol, while we're at it..."

OOC: Mikhalio carried the admiral out, and the other three charging at the president... but...

I.C.

CSM Zuzana Markéta produced her camera, a small, covert one that printed directly to digital microfilm. She hooked it up to a PDA, revealing the surprisingly high resolution color picture of the disheveled imposter.

"Here you are, Sir. As for the pistol, we haven't touched it, and it is probably still on the body. The police will probably want to take it as evidence... evidence for what I'm not sure."

Lord Sumguy's helicopter touched down back ast the ball. He took the Desert Eagle pistol that was under the seat before exiting, if there were any more would-be assasins at the party, they would receive a nasty shock. He felt rather embarrased, as his shirt was torn and bloody, but the show must go on, nonetheless. He walked over to the Skiggoran ambassador, and introduced himself:

"Good evening, i am Lord Sumguy, please excuse my disheveled appearance, i was helping the Admiral to a hospital. I would like to discuss, among other things, an alliance with your nation, and a new international federation I am forming, called the Hegemony. Would you be willing to discuss these with me?"

"Hmm...very well. As you wish."

If looks could kill, then the one that the Black Sashes Commandant was giving Christine would've been the equivalent of a 3-year torture stretch followed by a public beheading. Only once had the Chancelloress seen them in action - ruthless killers, even with the "honourable" methods of fighting - the bayonet charge. Still, their dedication made worth the gruesome tactics. The Commandant drew his sword, placed it behind his back, and turned away, presumably analyzing the situation.

The General continued the conversation nonetheless.

"Well, chance always plays it part in wartime. Although, suprising your enemy with a mass of cruise missiles can always help, ha ha. And as for temporal vanishings...well, we're rather lacking in that. Makes our history pale by comparism. But, here's the nice and brief version.

We, as a nation, were founded back in the mid-1600's after one large tribe was assimilated by the other. See, all war with this country. Anyway, the one royal family, the Barroni, managed to rule until around 1989. We'd principally relied on foreign aid to that point - for which we're still indebted to some - and the people were very much fed up with the family keeping the majority of moneys in the country for themselves.

Eventually, a revolution did take place, and it was on the 10th of May in 1989 that it occured. A large number of citizens, along with a mid-sized contingent of the army, stormed the Sultans palace. They were led by the Chancelloress's late father, Daniel Barron, God rest his soul."

Seeing what he believed to be puzzlement on Christine's face, he explained.

"Ah, right, yes, the President. He was, unfortunately, murdered at a peace conference, by an insurgent in the Tunisianian uprising. His daughter, our current Chancelloress, then went through to the Presidency. From there-"

"Ahem, not meaning to interrupt, but the ensemble has put a waltz on. Ms Governess, you haven't waltzed until you've done it with Conrad here. 8 years running champion of the Governmental Annual Dance Cup, along with his late wife. Well, Conrad, show the Governess to the floor..."

"Ah, erm...well...in the spirit of it all...may I have this dance?"
OOC: Sorry for the shorty post, but I need to be off for a while for some OOC fun. But anyway, this should help.

Christine saw the look the Commandant had given her, and decided to let the matter drop; apology by action being the best idea. Hence, "Of course. The show must go on right? Besides, company is always welcome." Christine offered him her hand and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. She already set to letting the fight and its investigation fall from her mind, since it was no longer in her control. Of course, that's the cast-iron b*tch of all this... Christine could be a very controlling woman when she didn't watch herself like she was now, and so she doubly put effort into driving the situation from her mind.

Meanwhile, Drask simply remained like the Commandant some paces away; analyzing the situation and awaiting further word. However, his mind was considering several aspects all the same. So, was this deliberate provocation, or simply a drunk and dying man's irrational outburst of death? And if deliberate provocation, who else might be around to finish anything he didn't? These two concerns dominated in his mind, along with, Curse Comrade Friedrich with her insistence on dancing! How does she think I can watch her like I'm tasked to if she's out there waltzing at a time like this? Sometimes, he wondered just how much she'd really grown from her 'sorority girl' days back in the '70s after all, since she seemed often enough more like her 'ruthless politician' personality had simply been tacked on above the older one; and not terribly well at that, either. But for now, again, Drask and his agents simply watched and waited for any developments or threats to emerge...

Lt.Bastelo looked outside the window from where he was sitting, he saw the ball and sighed, he wanted to be there so bad, but he had to guard the Admiral of the Navy, his first duty, and his second was to adminster aid to him, until nurses could attend to him.

OOC: WTF???

The struggle continued, tables being knocked over, dishes smashed into the carpet. Reynald's eyes were bright yellow now, his green teeth biting the kids finger clean off, as the blood began too spurt from the wound. Reynald sat dazed, staring at the ring, which he held between his slender grey fingers.

"PRECIOUSSS! YOUR MINE AGAIN PRECIOUSSSS!!!! PRECIOUSSSS!!"

Reynald now danced about in uphoria, laughing wildly, knocking over tables in utter rejoice.

Hasley's mechanical leg opened up, revealing his M-9 berreta "die you little piece of shit!" yelled Hasley, drawing the pistol, and charging the monster
intending to tackle it...

Reynald now had his precious, along with a smelly man chasing him swining a beretta. Reynlad was if anything as agile as a spider. He jumped onto the charging mans shoulders, and launched off again, grabbing the chandileer, as he cheered.

"YOU CANT STOP US!!!! WE HAVES THE PRECIOUSSSS! ITS OURSSS!!!"

Incoherent bable and cat like hisses continued too emit from Reynald, as he held onto the precious ring.

Lord Sumguy pulled out his Desert Eagle, flipped off the safety, aimed it at the monster on the chandelear, and yelled: "Drop it, or I will splatter your organs on the ceiling!"

Lt.Bastelo saw the prediciment from the hospital, so he grabbed his other gun, a SKS with a scope, called on the radio to Lord Sumguy, "Sir, I've got the situation, if they try to attack you, I will fire my sniper at the chandlier, got it? I am fine, I am a decent sniper, so you've got my support."

Lt.Bastelo saw the prediciment from the hospital, so he grabbed his other gun, a SKS with a scope, called on the radio to Lord Sumguy, "Sir, I've got the situation, if they try to attack you, I will fire my sniper at the chandlier, got it? I am fine, I am a decent sniper, so you've got my support."

"Sumguy radioed back: "Shoot that abomination now"

Lt.Bastelo aimed his scope of his SKS at the hideous creature dancing on the table/chandelier, aimed at it's head and fired twice, a loud crack echoing twice and radioed to Sumguy "Roger that, is it down? I'll fire again." He fired again at the creature to make sure it was dead.

Barbarossa, Ryu and Rei soon came up to The Man........Beast....Thing. Rei had Pulled out her Kantana.

Kagura was faster.

"Oh, There is my Nice Pet mandril." The Questerian Assassin said as She Grabbed Reynald, wisppering to Him "Come with me if you want to live."

Lt.John Bastelo called on the radio to Sumguy "Is the creature dead from my SKS shots? I sure hope that 7.62 Russian shot's in the head 3 time's would kill him, and expalin to people that the sniper's an ally, and a friend of the people." He sat down exhausted and turned weakly to Adm.Arnold who was grinning "Good thing you went to sniper school John, I knew you'd need it someday. What was that thing?" Lt.Bastelo grinned weakly and said "Oh god, it looked like Gollum from LOTR to me, god this had been a strange evening, who thought attending this ball, would result in (counting the incident's off on his fingers) a little bar fight, that lead to your near assasination, a Cazelian rep going bezerk, a weird Gollum thing attacking a child, and me sniping, which I haven't done for a year."

"Come with me if you want to live."

OOC: Just see the terminator recently Hataria?

Lt.John Bastelo called on the radio to Sumguy "Is the creature dead from my SKS shots? I sure hope that 7.62 Russian shot's in the head 3 time's would kill him, and expalin to people that the sniper's an ally, and a friend of the people." He sat down exhausted and turned weakly to Adm.Arnold who was grinning "Good thing you went to sniper school John, I knew you'd need it someday. What was that thing?" Lt.Bastelo grinned weakly and said "Oh god, it looked like Gollum from LOTR to me, god this had been a strange evening, who thought attending this ball, would result in (counting the incident's off on his fingers) a little bar fight, that lead to your near assasination, a Cazelian rep going bezerk, a weird Gollum thing attacking a child, and me sniping, which I haven't done for a year."

"well, im not sure if you hit it, the Hatarians are obscuring my veiw and surrounding it...tell the Admiral that suddenly his attempted murder isnt the strangest thing to happen today."

Lt.John Bastelo called on the radio to Sumguy "Is the creature dead from my SKS shots? I sure hope that 7.62 Russian shot's in the head 3 time's would kill him, and expalin to people that the sniper's an ally, and a friend of the people." He sat down exhausted and turned weakly to Adm.Arnold who was grinning "Good thing you went to sniper school John, I knew you'd need it someday. What was that thing?" Lt.Bastelo grinned weakly and said "Oh god, it looked like Gollum from LOTR to me, god this had been a strange evening, who thought attending this ball, would result in (counting the incident's off on his fingers) a little bar fight, that lead to your near assasination, a Cazelian rep going bezerk, a weird Gollum thing attacking a child, and me sniping, which I haven't done for a year."

"well, im not sure if you hit it, the Hatarians are obscuring my veiw and surrounding it...tell the Admiral that suddenly his attempted murder isnt the strangest thing to happen today. Ill go in and finish it off if its still alive" he said, advancing to where the creature was, his pistol ready.

Reynald now had his precious, along with a smelly man chasing him swining a beretta. Reynlad was if anything as agile as a spider. He jumped onto the charging mans shoulders, and launched off again, grabbing the chandileer, as he cheered.

"YOU CANT STOP US!!!! WE HAVES THE PRECIOUSSSS! ITS OURSSS!!!"

Incoherent bable and cat like hisses continued too emit from Reynald, as he held onto the precious ring.
Hasley fell to the ground, dropping his berreta. "damned little pest!" he yelled as he got back up. "drop it, let me kill it for you!" he screamed as he charged at the Quetararian assasin with his pistol leveled and off safety...

Lt.Bastelo radioed "I have a good clear shot at it Sumguy, I can finish it, he's almost dead I see him, but he's still alive a bit, and the Hatarian's aren't obscuring my way so much." He took up the SKS and fired 3 more aimed shot's into the creature, what he could get of it and radioed "It should be dead now, go check it out, and assure everyone that the sniper isn't an enemy." He put down the SKS and sat down.

"well, im not sure if you hit it, the Hatarians are obscuring my veiw and surrounding it...tell the Admiral that suddenly his attempted murder isnt the strangest thing to happen today. Ill go in and finish it off if its still alive" he said, advancing to where the creature was, his pistol ready.

Lord Sumguy spotted the creature, and, without a moment's hesitation, emptied his clip at it.

OOC: Sorry guys! It’s not just a tooth ache, it’s a sinus headache thingy. My whole right side of my head is hurting. It makes me dizzy and hard for me to write straight. Im’ going to try and get everything.

Barbarossa was in shock at seeing the Assasination of a Person. Ryu Came over to The Grand Master. "Let her in." She said.

The Grand Master smiled under his helmet and moved out of the way. “She is right here.” he said.

Major Reinhard saluted, before jogging off to the young emperor, who was now surrounded by heavily armored men.

The Grand Master looked over at Major Reinhard and asked “May I help you?”

"First Lieutenant Dragos Mikhailo, reporting. We are trained EMTs" he said to the Calizorinstan, “we will help you stabilize the Admiral if necessary." He saluted the Baron, who appeared to be the most stately of the diplomats. "Is everyone all right?"

“I only think Admiral Arnold was harmed.” said the Baron, returning the salute. “The assassin escaped and blew himself up.”

Meanwhile, the other fireteam rushed the bathroom after Terrance, having watched him since the apparent altercation. They threw open the door.

"Sir, we are soldiers of the Ennuisian military and trained to give critical medical care, and you appear hurt. Is there anything we can do?"

“Nope, this isn’t my blood.” said Terrance placing his Burning Fox pistol back in the holster. “And it isn’t a smart move to just jump in here. I could have shot you.” He continued cleaning his hands, his blood covered coat hung on a chair in the restroom.

"It's okay Baron, these days come so thick and fast that I'm not really bothered," offered Beckenbauer jovially. Taking on a more serious tone, he asked the Baron,
"I know that you have a lot of influence with the Hatarians. When there is time, do you reckon that I could have a word with the Emperor? I want to sort out a few things in regards to their former territory, namely prisoner handover."

“I think there will be a meeting after the ball or something.” said the Baron, still calm as ever. “Right now, everything needs to calm down. There are a lot of people whom just left. I saw Arch Arsonist Wincenty and Miss Levitt leave in the chaos”

He looked over at Beckenbauer. “Let’s go have that drink, I think we both need it.” he said, heading back towards the bar. His two Honor Guards following him.

"Storm-General Beckenbauer, I'm pleased to meet you. I am Maksim Melchak, Atopian Diplomatic Corps; these," he smiled, waving his white-gloved hand at Agatha, Mikael and Janisek, "are my immediate staff. Mikael, my secretary, Agatha, my delightful PA; and Janisek, my bodyguard. I'm terribly sorry," he said, with a wry grin, as he turned to the Baron, "most rude of me, Herr Baron. It is good to at last make your aquaintance..."

A puzzled expression flicked across his aristocratic face as he registered what had been niggling at his subconscious for some seconds.

"I'm sorry," he began, "but is there something wrong? You both look rather pale, gentlemen."

Without warning and after seeing Maksim, the two Honor Guards raised their rifles at him. Safeties being clicked off. The Baron the spun to what was going on, but didn’t calling off his marines. He listened to Beckenbauer and this Maksim before he waved his marines off.

“The impersonator blew himself up.” said the Baron. “So we can’t find out whom he was. There is a lot of DNA outside thought.”

He turned back towards the bar, his two guards did the same thing.

Lt.Bastelo saw the Cazelian rep sprawling on the floor with someone, or something he thought and said to Lord Sumguy on the radio "Did I finally kill that creature, what the bloody heck is that Cazelian rep doing sprawling on the floor." He turned to the Admiral Arnold "It seem's like the Cazelian rep is brawling with a pistol again." Which, the Admiral audbily groaned.

Lt.Bastelo saw the Cazelian rep sprawling on the floor with someone, or something he thought and said to Lord Sumguy on the radio "Did I finally kill that creature, what the bloody heck is that Cazelian rep doing sprawling on the floor." He turned to the Admiral Arnold "It seem's like the Cazelian rep is brawling with a pistol again." Which, the Admiral audbily groaned.

OOC: the creature's natioin has to RP it's death.

"Well, I came to offer the young Emperor the services of the Deathwatch. We are all trained medics, as per Ennuisian army requirements, and might be of use... especially with all the gunfights going on" Reinhard reported, wincing slightly at the sound of high-calliber gunshots.

-=-=-=-=-=-

"Right, Sir. Call if you need us." Replied CSM Natalka Kateryna, her cold eyes barely registering, or caring, that a pistol was aimed at her. The other 5 hustled back out at the sound of gunfire.

-=-=-=-=-=-
The three Deathwatch leveled their rifles at the Cazelian, safties on. Lieutenant Mikhailo moved to block the crazed president, no weapon visible.

"Drop the weapon" he commanded in a strong, voice that was far from a yell. He didn't care that the pistol was aimed at him; his liquid-armor kevlar vest under his uniform would stop most slugs fine. He only cared that the president with the gimpy leg (think I have the right chief of state with this one) didn't get himself killed for charging at equally psychotic hatarians.

Lt.John Bastelo aimed his SKS at the Cazelian rep, but didn't fire, for he meant not to fire, but if the Cazelian president kept attacking the guard's, he would fire too, he radioed Lord Sumguy "I've got my sight's on the Cazelian rep, if he attack's them I'll fire at the same time as the guard's, I've got a good backdrop over."

"we outside Hatarians waters launch Combat Patrols Admiral "said the Emperor
"sir"said the Admiral

Lord Sumguy spotted the creature, and, without a moment's hesitation, emptied his clip at it.

Lord Sumguy reloaded, looking around, he couldnt see the creature now, there were too many people in the way. He radioed to his helicopter and two guards armed with SMG's manufactured and designed in the Holy Empire of Lord Sumguy entered the building and stood on either side of him. All three searched for the creature. Lord Sumguy laughed silently to himself, from a dance to something resembling a warzone within 15 minutes of his arrival...

Lt.John Bastelo said suddenly "Here's Bob Ardenees, a medic from the Marine Corps also, I got to check this out, see ya!" He introduced the new medic quickly to Adm.Arnold who said "You're now a Col, so be careful now!" Col.John Bastelo said "Thanks, you've been a pal to me." He grabbed his CAR-15 and ran out of the hospital, to the ball which took 10 minutes, and when he entered he announced "I am friendly, I am here to help control this situation that has been blown out of proportions. Hello Beckenbauer again, Adm.Arnold asked me to say hi." He stood up straight and tall like a Marine should, got his CAR to Port arms, saluted then walked off to investigate the crazy Cazleian man.

"Well, I came to offer the young Emperor the services of the Deathwatch. We are all trained medics, as per Ennuisian army requirements, and might be of use... especially with all the gunfights going on" Reinhard reported, wincing slightly at the sound of high-calliber gunshots.

-=-=-=-=-=-

"Right, Sir. Call if you need us." Replied CSM Natalka Kateryna, her cold eyes barely registering, or caring, that a pistol was aimed at her. The other 5 hustled back out at the sound of gunfire.

“Well, that’s good to know.” said the Grand Master. He looked over to see people attacking a strange thing in bark. “Looks like we have another problem.”

-----

“I will.” said Terrance, whom continued to wash the blood off of his hands.

Barbarossa, Ryu and Rei soon came up to The Man........Beast....Thing. Rei had Pulled out her Kantana.

Kagura was faster.

"Oh, There is my Nice Pet mandril." The Questerian Assassin said as She Grabbed Reynald, wisppering to Him "Come with me if you want to live."

Reynald twitched at her touch, flailing away, grasping his ring for dear life.

"YOU WILL NOT TAKE MY PRECIOUS!!!! ITS MINESES! STAY AWAY TRICKSEY ELVSES!!! YOU CANNOT HAVE IT!"

In regards too the man with the beretta, Reynald promptly let a stream of sheep liver projectile vomit in the mans direction, and then continued screeching and howling with pride, having his precious too him.

Reynald twitched at her touch, flailing away, grasping his ring for dear life.

"YOU WILL NOT TAKE MY PRECIOUS!!!! ITS MINESES! STAY AWAY TRICKSEY ELVSES!!! YOU CANNOT HAVE IT!"

In regards too the man with the beretta, Reynald promptly let a stream of sheep liver projectile vomit in the mans direction, and then continued screeching and howling with pride, having his precious too him.

Sumguy and his guards spotted him, and began running after the creature, shooting at it while they ran.

"Well, I came to offer the young Emperor the services of the Deathwatch. We are all trained medics, as per Ennuisian army requirements, and might be of use... especially with all the gunfights going on" Reinhard reported, wincing slightly at the sound of high-calliber gunshots.

-=-=-=-=-=-

"Right, Sir. Call if you need us." Replied CSM Natalka Kateryna, her cold eyes barely registering, or caring, that a pistol was aimed at her. The other 5 hustled back out at the sound of gunfire.

-=-=-=-=-=-
The three Deathwatch leveled their rifles at the Cazelian, safties on. Lieutenant Mikhailo moved to block the crazed president, no weapon visible.

"Drop the weapon" he commanded in a strong, voice that was far from a yell. He didn't care that the pistol was aimed at him; his liquid-armor kevlar vest under his uniform would stop most slugs fine. He only cared that the president with the gimpy leg (think I have the right chief of state with this one) didn't get himself killed for charging at equally psychotic hatarians.

"let me kill the goddamned pest!" yelled Hasley, trying to contain himself...

Lt.John Bastleo saw the creature in bark run, and he saw Sumguy and his guard's running after it, and ran too, and caught up to Sumguy and said "Hi, I'll help you." He opened fire on the creature with his CAR-15, sending a spray of 9mm bullet's into it's back, and fired more.

Emperor Barbarossa soon came up to the ones with the Weapons. "Please put those Guns down Please.

Lt.Bastaleo lowered his weapon and explained "This creature here (pointing to the bark looking one) tried to attack Lord Sumguy, so I shot it twice, it's wounded, what is it Barbarassa?"

As the ruckes started Kiko through Tomoyo to the ground. She still had the riffle on her back and she removed it. "Stay down your highness!" Then they were asked to lower their weapons. Kiko

Lt.Bastaleo lowered his weapon and explained "This creature here (pointing to the bark looking one) tried to attack Lord Sumguy, so I shot it twice, it's wounded, what is it Barbarassa?"

"NO! THE TRICKSEY ELVES LIES! REYNALD WOULDNT HURT A FLY! THEY SHOOTS AT US!!! CRUEL MENS HURTS US!!! ALL WE WANTS IS TOO LIVE WITH OUR PRECIOUS!!!! LEAVE US ALONE"

Reynald curled into a ball and began sobbing, stroking the ring.

Lord Sumguy put his gun away. "my apologies, that creature attacked someone, and i was trying to kill it. Quite an eventful night we have had, my tailor will kill me when he sees the state of this suit. I am Lord Sumguy, at your service, Emperor."

Lt.Bastaleo lowered his weapon and explained "This creature here (pointing to the bark looking one) tried to attack Lord Sumguy, so I shot it twice, it's wounded, what is it Barbarassa?"

"It is a Mandril You Baka. " Kagura said, Waveing her Parasol around.

"It is a Mandril You Baka. " Kagura said, Waveing her Parasol around.

"since when do mandrils talk, or attack people to get things called 'the precious'?" Lord Sumguy asked, rather amused at the suggestion. " and how do you explain the lack of hair and the non-brightly colored face?"

As the ruckes started Kiko through Tomoyo to the ground. She still had the riffle on her back and she removed it. "Stay down your highness!" Then they were asked to lower their weapons. Kiko

Grand Admiral Ryu saw Princess Tomoyo and walked over to her "It is Ok, Seems that a Mandril took a Ring."

"since when do mandrils talk, or attack people to get things called 'the precious'?" Lord Sumguy asked, rather amused at the suggestion. " and how do you explain the lack of hair and the non-brightly colored face?"

Reyanld was beggining too slide off from view as the idiots continued thier inane babble. Reynald slid under a table, and began staring at the ring, sweat dropping from his gerasy forehead. It consumed his thoughts, and spoke too him.


Reynald......We are one Reynald......Change your loin cloth Reynald, you old one is quite dirty....

"Thanks," said Rachel. She walked into the room, kicked off her shoes and lay down on the sofa, waiting for her traveling bag to arrive.

"I'll probably be on the sundeck when my stuff gets here," she said. "I need a big, long break from this meeting... I'm just not cut out for diplomacy."

Lt.Bastelo stood a bit further back from the mandril, he knew that Lord Sumguy would do the same. He was suspiscous of the creature, and he was letting it show through a bit.

He walked into his bedroom, shut the door. Two minutes later he came out wearing some pajama pants and a crushed dark blue velvet bathrobe. He set his beret on the mantle, and fell down into a plush arm chair.

"I don't blame you, I now know why the last Arch Arsonist drank himself into oblivion fairly regularly, but diplomacy has its perks, I suppose. If the rest of Kahanistan is like you, then I see no reason why our two nations shouldn't have favorable relations. I would furthermore like to remove the heretics from the holy land, but I fear that we would stretch our forces too thin if we comitted manpower. Tomorrow when we're both fully sober, I'd like to discuss an arms deal to help you remove the oppressors."

There was a light rasp at the door, indicating that Rachel's bag had arrived.

"Leave it on the doorstep," she called. "I've got a gentleman caller." Rachel turned back to Adam. She grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him down on the sofa next to her.

Grand Admiral Ryu saw Princess Tomoyo and walked over to her "It is Ok, Seems that a Mandril took a Ring."

"That's reliveing."

Lt.Bastelo announced the next morning that the Admiral was well enough to come down to the ball, so he escorted the Admiral in who was grinning, alongside his 2 new bodyguards that had been assigned to him.

Reyanld was beggining too slide off from view as the idiots continued thier inane babble. Reynald slid under a table, and began staring at the ring, sweat dropping from his gerasy forehead. It consumed his thoughts, and spoke too him.


Reynald......We are one Reynald......Change your loin cloth Reynald, you old one is quite dirty....

"you are one odd monkey thing"

OOC: Sorry guys! It’s not just a tooth ache, it’s a sinus headache thingy. My whole right side of my head is hurting. It makes me dizzy and hard for me to write straight. Im’ going to try and get everything.

OOC: and you did a damn good job!


IC:

"I agree," nodded Beckenbauer, "there is a time and a place for everything. Now is the time for a swift drink." He followed the Baron but stopped briefly to whisper something in Gorobets' ear before carrying on to the bar.
"Half a pint of bitter," ordered the Storm-General. "What about you, Baron?"

Gorobets glided effortlessly behind the Atopian diplomat and coughed politely.
"Message from the Storm-General," he said apologetically, "you're to...oh how did he put...'find out what the pissing hell is going on before I call in the SSRF'"

"Don't worry," smiled Maksim, "my security detail is already involved in the investigation and if I am honest I suspect I know who is involved. Tell the Storm-General to meet me by the punch bowl on the main table, I have interesting news for him."

Lord Sumguy lost interest in the strange monkey thing, as it seemed to no longer be a public threat, and walked over to the Atopanian and Skgorrian delegates, waiting for them to finish their conversation so that he could speak with them afterward.

"Leave it on the doorstep," she called. "I've got a gentleman caller." Rachel turned back to Adam. She grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him down on the sofa next to her.

Adam's face bore a wry smile, and he let out a little chuckle, especially at the "gentleman caller" line. He put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close.

"I hope that wasn't the alcohol talking, Miss Levitt. When I said favorable relations..." he trailed off, and flashed a smile. He kicked a remote at the fireplace, hitting a switch. There was a light wooshing sound, and a fire started, heating up the ceramic logs and warming the room from the cool harbor air.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The Deathwatch stopped trying to prevent the Cazelian, but instead joined the gawkers.

Mikhalio knelt down and slowley approached the... thing.

"This is no Mandril... mandril's don't speak... or... yea..." He took his beret off, and put it in his pocket. "Who are you little fella? I see you like that ring... why don't you come out? No one will hurt you, I promise." he asked in a calm, soothing voice. The deathwatch looked on, unsure of what to do.

"One hell of a day this has been... first an assassination, then a bombing, then... this... thing."

Rachel smiled enticingly, then pulled her dress off over her head, throwing it on the floor and revealing her 40-inch hips, flat stomach and size D breasts.

"Now, about these... favorable... relations..." she started, wrestling the poor man to the floor in an effort to pin him. She kissed him passionately on the mouth, as she had done countless times before over her lifetime.

"I agree," nodded Beckenbauer, "there is a time and a place for everything. Now is the time for a swift drink." He followed the Baron but stopped briefly to whisper something in Gorobets' ear before carrying on to the bar.
"Half a pint of bitter," ordered the Storm-General. "What about you, Baron?"

Gorobets glided effortlessly behind the Atopian diplomat and coughed politely.
"Message from the Storm-General," he said apologetically, "you're to...oh how did he put...'find out what the pissing hell is going on before I call in the SSRF'"

“Whiskey!” said the Baron with a smile. He looked at Beckenbauer, he placed his hat on the bar. “You know, your friend over there has a bounty on his head. It’s in the millions because he part of the regime.” he start in a low voice. ”Something pissed the Count off.”

He smiled again and grabbed his shot of whiskey. “I’m not going to take him, but there will be some whom will.” he said, taking a drink. The liquid burning down his throat. “Another, bar keeper.”

The Deathwatch stopped trying to prevent the Cazelian, but instead joined the gawkers.

Mikhalio knelt down and slowley approached the... thing.

"This is no Mandril... mandril's don't speak... or... yea..." He took his beret off, and put it in his pocket. "Who are you little fella? I see you like that ring... why don't you come out? No one will hurt you, I promise." he asked in a calm, soothing voice. The deathwatch looked on, unsure of what to do.

"One hell of a day this has been... first an assassination, then a bombing, then... this... thing."
Hasley calmed down "fuck, ow that hurts" he said, rubbing his shoulder
"damned little shit broke something, or at least fractured it" he said, walking over to the 'monkey' man "who are you, and what's with the plastic cereal box ring"

Adam let her pin him down, and kissed her deeply. It had been a long, long time for him.

He ripped the robe off, and threw it over the chair. Unlike most men approaching 40, especially in the political world, Wincenty was ripped. His body, though advancing in age, was kept in fighting form from years in the Army and daily training. One could not look at him, however, and not notice the scars. Dozens of little shrapnel marks dotted his skin, and there was a 3 inch gash right below his left peck. Above that was a tattoo bearing a flaming skull with the words “8th Ranger Division” above and “Nex Pro Inhonesto” emblazoned below.

He gave a small laugh, before rolling her over onto the ground, and kissed her again.

“Rachel, I think… we’d better negotiate… in more… private… quarters.”

He picked her up and carried her into his room, shutting the door behind him.

Outside the suite, a small group of soldiers and sailors were listening in through the door.

“Damn man!” whispered a young sailor.

“Quiet” rebuked a female crew member.

“What are you shitheads doing?” That came from an ensign.

“Sir, Wincenty ‘s getting laid!” laughed a trooper, barely containing himself.

“Really?” whispered the ensign. And the crowd grew by one more.

Emperor Barbarossa II soon came up to The Baron. "From The Reports We are Getting, The Blubs are planning for a attack." He said "I think We should ask Princess Tomoyo of Kurona for help also, since The Blubs would have to go to Kuronan Waters to get to Hataria."

Hasley looked at the so called 'Mandril' and shook his head in disgust. it was only 4 feet tall and completely pale, his eyes were so big they resembled a cartoon charecters. "who are you and where did you come from. and why exactly are you calling that plastic peice of horseshit 'my precious'?"

OOC: Let’s keep that Blub stuff out of this thread because the baron and his son would be on their ships during the Blub thing.

Emperor Barbarossa II soon came up to The Baron. "From The Reports We are Getting, The Blubs are planning for a attack." He said "I think We should ask Princess Tomoyo of Kurona for help also, since The Blubs would have to go to Kuronan Waters to get to Hataria."

Lord Sumguy overheard this, and approached the emperor: "Most esteemed emperor, I couldnt help overhearing, may i inquire as to why the Blubs are attacking? I may wish to lend what aid the Hegemony can muster" he said, bowing.

Hasley looked at the so called 'Mandril' and shook his head in disgust. it was only 4 feet tall and completely pale, his eyes were so big they resembled a cartoon charecters. "who are you and where did you come from. and why exactly are you calling that plastic peice of horseshit 'my precious'?"

Reynald was filled with fury, his yellow eyes glinted with rage. He screeched, then began too flail around wildly.

"THE PRECIOUS IS GOOD!!! IT FEEDS US!!!! KEEPS US ALIVE!!! WE LOVES IT!!! I AM NO MONKEY!!!!"

He ran at Hasley, biting deep into his knee, before running off too the table.

"LET US LEAVES IN PEACE!!! WE WANTS TOO GO BACK TOO MOUNTAINS!!!"

Reynald curled up in a ball at the corner of the room, his eyes widely focus on his precious.

"Whats that you say my precious, my love? They wants too takes you!? The tricksey elveses! We wonts let them! TRICKSEY ELVSES!!"

"Goddamnit, Zora, attend to the President" sighed Mikhalio. He walked calmly up to the... thing.

"Listen here little fella, I don't want to hurt you, I don't want the ring. See? it wouldn't even fit my fingers. Who are you? Would you like some food? Maybe some pizza with smelly fish on it? Bread? Just tell me who you are?" he said in an almost hypnotic voice.

Reynald was filled with fury, his yellow eyes glinted with rage. He screeched, then began too flail around wildly.

"THE PRECIOUS IS GOOD!!! IT FEEDS US!!!! KEEPS US ALIVE!!! WE LOVES IT!!! I AM NO MONKEY!!!!"

He ran at Hasley, biting deep into his knee, before running off too the table.

"LET US LEAVES IN PEACE!!! WE WANTS TOO GO BACK TOO MOUNTAINS!!!"

Reynald curled up in a ball at the corner of the room, his eyes widely focus on his precious.

"Whats that you say my precious, my love? They wants too takes you!? The tricksey elveses! We wonts let them! TRICKSEY ELVSES!!"

Hasley let out a scream of pain "oh fucking god the little shit mit my REAL knee! aw i'm gonna fucking gut you and break your fucking ring! oh my fucking god you are SOOOOO fucking dead!" screamed out Hasley, not able to move, mainly because of the bleeding and broken knee "get the fuck over here you shitmonkey!"

Hasley let out a scream of pain "oh fucking god the little shit mit my REAL knee! aw i'm gonna fucking gut you and break your fucking ring! oh my fucking god you are SOOOOO fucking dead!" screamed out Hasley, not able to move, mainly because of the bleeding and broken knee "get the fuck over here you shitmonkey!"

"NO! REYNALD WOULDNT HURT A FLY! STUPID FAT HOBBIT LIES! HES TRICKSEY!!! HES FALSE!!! HE WANTS OUR PRECIOUS!!!!"

Too this Reynald looked too the man with the hypnotic voice. He seemed somewhat more at ease, but refused too forget his guard.

"You wants it dont you tricksey elf?? You wants it!! Its ours!!! We dont want your disgusting elf fods... Give us a fish.....raw and wriggling!"

Hasley drew his pistol "die you peice of plastic loving shit" and with that, he fired

Hasley drew his pistol "die you peice of plastic loving shit" and with that, he fired

Reynald ring finger flew straight off as the bullet passed. In a pool of blood, he fumbled around for the lost ring.

"WHERE IS MY PRECIOUSSSS??? WHERE???? YOU TRICKSEY HOBBIT! YOU TOOKS IT FROM US!" He leapt upon the man, with too great of speed as before the man could fire again, biting deep into the mans nose, tearing flesh from bone. He dropped off with great agility, and darted around the blood soaked floors, looking for his ring.

OOC: This thread has gone from a little weird to really, really, really weird.

OOC: This thread has gone from a little weird to really, really, really weird.

OOC thats why i left after reading New Ausha midget post and seeing most are drunk or up themselfs

OOC thats why i left

OOC: Apparently you didn't....

[OOC: Fast-forwarding a few hours to avoid the graphic details, the Mods patrol these forums with a vengeance. I'll be out of town for a few days, and don't know if I'll have Internet access there, but I should be back in a few days.]

Rachel stirred in the bed. At seven A.M. she woke up, dragging her bag into the suite. This was not difficult; she was quite experienced and would not have trouble walking unless unusual items were employed. She took her time, getting dressed for the sundeck in a light red coverup and revealing bikini that most women her age (40) would not be caught dead in. She had packed several days' worth of MRE's in her bag, not wanting to trust her sustenance to Hatarian food, with which she had little experience.

By eight in the morning, she had finished getting ready, brushing her teeth, finishing breakfast, and leaving a note detailing where she could be found. She then left for the sundeck, with a glass of melon juice. She felt only a mild hangover, but that was quickly subsiding with the introduction of new fluid into her system.

OOC: Sorry for the shorty post, but I need to be off for a while for some OOC fun. But anyway, this should help.

Christine saw the look the Commandant had given her, and decided to let the matter drop; apology by action being the best idea. Hence, "Of course. The show must go on right? Besides, company is always welcome." Christine offered him her hand and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. She already set to letting the fight and its investigation fall from her mind, since it was no longer in her control. Of course, that's the cast-iron b*tch of all this... Christine could be a very controlling woman when she didn't watch herself like she was now, and so she doubly put effort into driving the situation from her mind.

Meanwhile, Drask simply remained like the Commandant some paces away; analyzing the situation and awaiting further word. However, his mind was considering several aspects all the same. So, was this deliberate provocation, or simply a drunk and dying man's irrational outburst of death? And if deliberate provocation, who else might be around to finish anything he didn't? These two concerns dominated in his mind, along with, Curse Comrade Friedrich with her insistence on dancing! How does she think I can watch her like I'm tasked to if she's out there waltzing at a time like this? Sometimes, he wondered just how much she'd really grown from her 'sorority girl' days back in the '70s after all, since she seemed often enough more like her 'ruthless politician' personality had simply been tacked on above the older one; and not terribly well at that, either. But for now, again, Drask and his agents simply watched and waited for any developments or threats to emerge...

The Commandant was annoyed. Just who is this ignorant woman that chooses to blatently ignore her own safety for dancing?

"Commandant!" It was one of the Guards, his rifle stood verticle to attention.
"Yes?"
"We have more information on the earlier happenings."
"Hmm...elaborate."
"Well, sir. It appears that the Calizorinstani Admiral had been shot by an...imposter...who then went and used a personal explosive weapon on himself. And now..." He paused, waiting for the screeching of "Reynald" to stop. "...It appears that a mandrill-slash-human thing is biting fingers off and being threatened with guns and swords, calling something 'Precious'."
"..."
"Commandant?"
"Well...this has gone beyond what we usually experience, wouldn't you agree? Keep an eye on things, anyone tries to get to the Chancelloress...full search."
"Aye Commandant."

Meanwhile, back in the ballroom, Conrad pulled Christine a smidgen closer, as they began to move around the dance floor.

Cadence and Santina were watching, talking quietly amongst themselves.

"He hasn't slackened off any, has he?"
"Nope, still got it. Waltzes like a professional, that man."
"Hmm. I think we should leave them to it. I've heard the Count of Transylvania is here, we should really go and introduce ourselves. Or at least just get more conversation. They seem to be enjoying themselves..."

The General was already up: drunk or not, his internal clock was up with the sun in most cases. He guessed that the lump next to him was Rachel... last night had been pleasant.

He stumbled in the dark for a second before finding a pair of running shorts, shoes, and a tank top. A run around the ship was 1,200 meters... 13 laps of PT. He splashed his face with some water, and was out the door. Finished at 7 from the 10 mile run; he didn't bother running with the men today and lacked the motivation of a proper pissed off Sergeant, though a soldier on picket duty was happy to throw him a bottle of water every mile or so.

As with most mornings, he went to the gym to spar with a drill sergeant, this morning it was particularly brutal; he used his heaviest iron staff… who ever he fought at the kumite wouldn’t know what hit them. Exhausted, he walked back to the room, using the handrail most of the way.

“Gone to the sundeck, eh?” he said to no one, quickly throwing on a white pair of shorts and a light collared shirt (left unbuttoned), and made his way to the sundeck, downing two bottles of water on the way.

“Good morning Rachel,” he said from behind her, “have a good rest? Breakfast is in an hour and a half; I don’t trust the Hatarian water, much less the food.”

"Oh, I already ate," said Rachel. She ran her hands over her hips. "Got to watch my weight."

She craned her head back to look at the General. "About... negotiating better relations, maybe you can tell me a little about your nation?" She seemed more interested in relaxing now than getting smashed. She could have woken up with some pervert, and found herself pushing out little baby perverts if she had been unlucky.

Reynald ring finger flew straight off as the bullet passed. In a pool of blood, he fumbled around for the lost ring.

"WHERE IS MY PRECIOUSSSS??? WHERE???? YOU TRICKSEY HOBBIT! YOU TOOKS IT FROM US!" He leapt upon the man, with too great of speed as before the man could fire again, biting deep into the mans nose, tearing flesh from bone. He dropped off with great agility, and darted around the blood soaked floors, looking for his ring.

Hasley turned his head as the monkey bit deep into his jaw, shattering it
"gawe fubbin wer ure fuggin wead o it monkey" he said, barely able to talk, and took another shot

Hasley turned his head as the monkey bit deep into his jaw, shattering it
"gawe fubbin wer ure fuggin wead o it monkey" he said, barely able to talk, and took another shot

"I think you should stop." Kagura said, Pointing her own Gun.......her own Parasol (Which was really a Mechine Gun.), at Hasley's Head.

Barbarossa soon came up to Hasley, "Stop this at Once!" he yelled.

"I think you should stop." Kagura said, Pointing her own Gun.......her own Parasol (Which was really a Mechine Gun.), at Hasley's Head.

Barbarossa soon came up to Hasley, "Stop this at Once!" he yelled.

"bu maw gaw i bwoken, ih wurts" Hasley said, dropping his weapon and giving the monkey a menacing look "owae im wary, ill werer do wit awain" he said, "i weed a medwic"

Lieutenant Mikhalio, over the initial milisecond of shock of having a bullet wiz past his head, came behind the President with other members of the Deathwatch.

"Sir, i'm going to ask you to sit down. Lieutenant Xu, please administer some morphine to the President. Sergeant Ilie, kindly call an ambulance." Mikhalio quietly picked up the pistol, and ejected the clip and opened the action, ensuring it was empty.

"Sir, Please sit still, you'll be good in no time. Lieutenant Xu will give you a drug to kill the pain, it will take some time but you'll have a good, euphoric senstation. We'll have to take you to the hospital for some x-rays."

He turned to the Emperor and the woman aiming an umbrella at them.

"With all due respect, young emperor. You need to gain control of this ball; this is the second diplomat being medevaced."

"bu maw gaw i bwoken, ih wurts" Hasley said, dropping his weapon and giving the monkey a menacing look "owae im wary, ill werer do wit awain" he said, "i weed a medwic"

Lord Sumguy, seeing this, ordred his two guards to attend to the wounded man. He then listened for a moment to something in an earpeice, and walked over to Emperor Barbarossa.

"Emperor, could i have a moment of your time?"

Lieutenant Mikhalio, over the initial milisecond of shock of having a bullet wiz past his head, came behind the President with other members of the Deathwatch.

"Sir, i'm going to ask you to sit down. Lieutenant Xu, please administer some morphine to the President. Sergeant Ilie, kindly call an ambulance." Mikhalio quietly picked up the pistol, and ejected the clip and opened the action, ensuring it was empty.

"Sir, Please sit still, you'll be good in no time. Lieutenant Xu will give you a drug to kill the pain, it will take some time but you'll have a good, euphoric senstation. We'll have to take you to the hospital for some x-rays."

He turned to the Emperor and the woman aiming an umbrella at them.

"With all due respect, young emperor. You need to gain control of this ball; this is the second diplomat being medevaced."

"i cant weel mi gaw"

The White Dawn: The Next Morning

Adam sat in a deck chair next to Rachel.

“Pardon me if I monologue abit, but you asked a big question. Mer des Ennuis was founded as a French Colony south of Haven. Before world war 2, many eastern Europeans, predominantly Pollocks, fled German and Soviet rule, while almost as many Chinese and other Asians fled the Japanese and Communists, respectively. Mer des Ennuis, French for “Sea of Troubles,” was so named due to the beligerancy of the natives; again, mostly Polish immigrants. During the 1980s, Mer des Ennuis claimed its freedom from the French, and fought a brutal war that went unnoticed by most of the world. I served in the Army Rangers during this time, and its where I obtained these obvious scars: we had taken the capital, but the French were moving armor in, and I was forced to call heavy artillery on my position. My… wife… was the gunnery commander.”

He grew silent, but continued on with all of his strength.

“She was killed in that war, and I’ve made my peace with that… Since then, Mer des Ennuis has been a constitutional dictatorship, originally under Carpathia Ziemowit, my friend and brother in arms. After the Kraven Wars, there was some dissent, and he was killed by a Javelin missile strike while giving a speech, along with the head of the Senate. I was General of the Home Guard at the time, and in a bloodless coup, I dissolved the Senate until peace could be guaranteed. We recently had a communist rebellion that we put down, and since then, peace has reigned.”

He took a drink of water.

“Mer des Ennuis is a freedom loving nation, and the populance votes in record numbers. We maintain a standing army, in honor of our Hussar roots, and service is held above all else. An Ennuisian would rather die saving another life then of old age. We maintain an activist foreign policy in keeping with our warrior tradition, defend and fight for those who are worth defending. So, Rachel, I hope that answers your question. Though I think I know a bit about Kahanistan, what can you tell me about your lands?”

-=-=-=-=-=-
The Ball Room: The Night before

"Thats to be expected sir, and be glad you can't feel it, the pain will be immense once the endorphins wear off. He might have broken it, he might not, but don't worry about the monkey thing, just try and relax."

"Allright Sir," interrupted Xu, holding a needle he had just squirted down to 20mg, "this will sting at first, but in 30 seconds, you won't feel a thing." He inserted the needle and pushed, giving the President a dose of liquid pleasure. "I'm going to write you a note saying that I administered moprhine for a potential broken jaw. If you have to take a drug test, give them it; it has the Ennuisian Foreign Directorate's number, and they may call us about it."

He began scribbling on a small notepad.

The Ball Room: The Night before

"Thats to be expected sir, and be glad you can't feel it, the pain will be immense once the endorphins wear off. He might have broken it, he might not, but don't worry about the monkey thing, just try and relax."

"Allright Sir," interrupted Xu, holding a needle he had just squirted down to 20mg, "this will sting at first, but in 30 seconds, you won't feel a thing." He inserted the needle and pushed, giving the President a dose of liquid pleasure. "I'm going to write you a note saying that I administered moprhine for a potential broken jaw. If you have to take a drug test, give them it; it has the Ennuisian Foreign Directorate's number, and they may call us about it."

He began scribbling on a small notepad.

"wal somebun will da monkay far meh?" Hasley mumbled "wand Wan somebun wet me a wetal maw?" Hasley said, pointing at a metal jaw on the table near him

Reynald laughed with delight hearing the elf trouble in his speech.

STUPID ELFSES!! REYNALD WILL HAVE HIS PRECIOUS!!!

He grabbed the plastic ring, and put it on.

ULTIMATE POWERS!!!

The Commandant was annoyed. Just who is this ignorant woman that chooses to blatently ignore her own safety for dancing?

"Commandant!" It was one of the Guards, his rifle stood verticle to attention.
"Yes?"
"We have more information on the earlier happenings."
"Hmm...elaborate."
"Well, sir. It appears that the Calizorinstani Admiral had been shot by an...imposter...who then went and used a personal explosive weapon on himself. And now..." He paused, waiting for the screeching of "Reynald" to stop. "...It appears that a mandrill-slash-human thing is biting fingers off and being threatened with guns and swords, calling something 'Precious'."
"..."
"Commandant?"
"Well...this has gone beyond what we usually experience, wouldn't you agree? Keep an eye on things, anyone tries to get to the Chancelloress...full search."
"Aye Commandant."

Meanwhile, back in the ballroom, Conrad pulled Christine a smidgen closer, as they began to move around the dance floor.

Cadence and Santina were watching, talking quietly amongst themselves.

"He hasn't slackened off any, has he?"
"Nope, still got it. Waltzes like a professional, that man."
"Hmm. I think we should leave them to it. I've heard the Count of Transylvania is here, we should really go and introduce ourselves. Or at least just get more conversation. They seem to be enjoying themselves..."
OOC: Sorry for my vagueness, but at this time of night I can't really pore through details of waltzing with Jolt waiting all the while; and the delay come to mention, since OOC demands pwnt all my prior time until now whenever I looked to posting here.:headbang: If needed, just state what Conrad and Christine are doing and I can accept it. Thanks...
All told, Christine was enjoying herself. He isn't a bad man, actually; great dancer. Her thoughts drifted as the music played and she let Conrad lead. Still, I doubt this will remain. The fact that some impostor of an Atopian leader was trying to provoke an incident only worries me more. I doubt I'll be able to stay for the Kumite, but if I can I will. Really, it's out of my hands now. She then looked into Conrad's eyes and said, "Thank you, fine sir." The dance wasn't over, but something inside told Christine she owed it to this man. "For what it's worth, I'm not trying to endanger anyone, except perhaps myself. I just am not going to let the warmongers win if it can at all be helped. All the madness that continues to surround Hataria is sickening; and I'm so glad you've been helping me forget it, at least for a few moments..."

She pulled him close, his muscular body feeling good against hers. If anything happened, although she doubted it would all the same, there would be no problem. Carolinus loved unconditionally; he had his bad moments, especially when people underestimated him and he caught them in the act, but overall he tried to be the best that a man of his beliefs could be. And Christine returned that effort, unconditionally; hence their "open" relationship and the fact that they were only married according to common law. In actuality, not much more than glorified live-ins really.

"Tell me about yourself. You dance like you've done this before for someone; someone very special. If I'm hitting too close, I apologize, but I figure since I'm about to share some we should truly share.

You see, I wasn't originally going to become the wife of a revolutionary. In fact, my upbringing was entirely conventional and conservative. And even in my early college years, I was your stereotypical 'educated but involved and irresponsible sorority girl' without a serious care in the world. But when America found itself in the midst of a hypocritical war, one Carolinus... Charles as he was known then, fought in for his two-year obligation; I steadily grew disillusioned with the course my country was taking. Eventually, especially after meeting him, things crystallized for me and I realized the hypocrisy I'd been living; and with me newly a Marxist like him, dedicated to revolutionary justice even if we were open to compromise with fellow progressives like Greens and Social Democrats, we decided to strike out for our fortune in the Pacific.

Honestly, we expected to die in that armed lark as much as anything. But we swore as our closest thing to a wedding vow that we'd fight and die together, whatever the outcome. And as a result we not only fought some tyrants, including a truly sadistic mad scientist named Dr. Morgenstern, who painfully fused humans and animals into chimera via horrifically primitive genetic experiments and left them to fend for themselves until we freed those that could live while humanely putting down those that couldn't after we liberated Tailville Island from his control; we also won a country of our own. A country that, despite all the tragedies and crises, I wouldn't trade or abandon for anything in the world. I'm a happy woman, Conrad; especially thanks to your company tonight. Politics ages you, and I've been feeling very old lately." About twice what she looked; which was her actual age of course, but still...

Christine giggled a bit as she finished. Girl! What are you doing!? Do you want him like that or not? She couldn't tell, but either way another question deserved asking after her comments. "Are you a happy man now Conrad... if I may ask?" Christine waited, feeling that moments like this called for a dignified and inquisitive stare in silence...

While the pair danced, Agent Drask took in the Black Sash guardsman's report. "I see. Well, somebody here's trying to provoke something; it's obvious as anything else here is odd. I'll let Christine decide what happens, since she is deputy head-of-state for us after all. But in my opinion, Commandant, I wouldn't mind it at all if you felt you and the Chancelloress had to scram. All told, I'm considering defying orders and hauling her out of here myself as-is. Who knows what other incidents might be brewing here..." He only knew of the Atopian/Calizorinstani incident, but frankly that was enough to put Drask's guard all the way up and then some. Stuff like this is why I'm in this job, after all... The irony of it all, his job being all about circumstances he nonetheless hoped to deter, was not lost on him as he watched the dance with a mordant gaze; expecting honestly anything at this point as he was.

OOC: No problemo. Jolt, in that respect, is a bit of a pain in the tookus, but what can you do.
[SIZE="1"]All told, Christine was enjoying herself. He isn't a bad man, actually; great dancer. Her thoughts drifted as the music played and she let Conrad lead. Still, I doubt this will remain. The fact that some impostor of an Atopian leader was trying to provoke an incident only worries me more. I doubt I'll be able to stay for the Kumite, but if I can I will. Really, it's out of my hands now. She then looked into Conrad's eyes and said, "Thank you, fine sir." The dance wasn't over, but something inside told Christine she owed it to this man. "For what it's worth, I'm not trying to endanger anyone, except perhaps myself. I just am not going to let the warmongers win if it can at all be helped. All the madness that continues to surround Hataria is sickening; and I'm so glad you've been helping me forget it, at least for a few moments..."

"You're a brave woman. Not many would stay around after both gunfire and a bomb going off." A reference to the members of the ball that had left. "And as for helping you forget it...a true pleasure. Although, we shouldn't let the fact escape us that we're all here for a reason. Although, in this case, I'm more than happy to be sidetracked for such a worthy cause as yourself..."

[She pulled him close, his muscular body feeling good against hers. If anything happened, although she doubted it would all the same, there would be no problem. Carolinus loved unconditionally; he had his bad moments, especially when people underestimated him and he caught them in the act, but overall he tried to be the best that a man of his beliefs could be. And Christine returned that effort, unconditionally; hence their "open" relationship and the fact that they were only married according to common law. In actuality, not much more than glorified live-ins really.

"Tell me about yourself. You dance like you've done this before for someone; someone very special. If I'm hitting too close, I apologize, but I figure since I'm about to share some we should truly share.

You see, I wasn't originally going to become the wife of a revolutionary. In fact, my upbringing was entirely conventional and conservative. And even in my early college years, I was your stereotypical 'educated but involved and irresponsible sorority girl' without a serious care in the world. But when America found itself in the midst of a hypocritical war, one Carolinus... Charles as he was known then, fought in for his two-year obligation; I steadily grew disillusioned with the course my country was taking. Eventually, especially after meeting him, things crystallized for me and I realized the hypocrisy I'd been living; and with me newly a Marxist like him, dedicated to revolutionary justice even if we were open to compromise with fellow progressives like Greens and Social Democrats, we decided to strike out for our fortune in the Pacific.

Honestly, we expected to die in that armed lark as much as anything. But we swore as our closest thing to a wedding vow that we'd fight and die together, whatever the outcome. And as a result we not only fought some tyrants, including a truly sadistic mad scientist named Dr. Morgenstern, who painfully fused humans and animals into chimera via horrifically primitive genetic experiments and left them to fend for themselves until we freed those that could live while humanely putting down those that couldn't after we liberated Tailville Island from his control; we also won a country of our own. A country that, despite all the tragedies and crises, I wouldn't trade or abandon for anything in the world. I'm a happy woman, Conrad; especially thanks to your company tonight. Politics ages you, and I've been feeling very old lately." About twice what she looked; which was her actual age of course, but still...

"Hmm...you lead an exciting life Miss Christine, much more so than mine. I danced for someone special once, but she was taken from me 8 years ago.

My father was an Officer in the Armed Forces, I followed him in after my university education, a requirement in Barronia to train for a commissioned position. I met my...late...wife whilst I was serving, you know. Wonderful woman. As brave as you, just not as revolutionary, ha ha. Oh, I did love her so. We met when I was reporting to my CO, she was a lieutenant, just leaving his office. Do you believe in love at first sight, Miss Christine? Because at that moment, I did."

Christine giggled a bit as she finished. Girl! What are you doing!? Do you want him like that or not? She couldn't tell, but either way another question deserved asking after her comments. "Are you a happy man now Conrad... if I may ask?" Christine waited, feeling that moments like this called for a dignified and inquisitive stare in silence...

"Happy? Gosh darn, I haven't been happy for years. The military puts structure into my life, yes, but I can't live on structure alone. Hell, just having a dance with a beautiful young lady as yourself brings more pleasure than you can imagine. But, one gets used to it, trust me. Some things can't be replaced, like my wife. You know, I don't feel I've ever truly gotten past her..."

While the pair danced, Agent Drask took in the Black Sash guardsman's report. "I see. Well, somebody here's trying to provoke something; it's obvious as anything else here is odd. I'll let Christine decide what happens, since she is deputy head-of-state for us after all. But in my opinion, Commandant, I wouldn't mind it at all if you felt you and the Chancelloress had to scram. All told, I'm considering defying orders and hauling her out of here myself as-is. Who knows what other incidents might be brewing here..." He only knew of the Atopian/Calizorinstani incident, but frankly that was enough to put Drask's guard all the way up and then some. Stuff like this is why I'm in this job, after all... The irony of it all, his job being all about circumstances he nonetheless hoped to deter, was not lost on him as he watched the dance with a mordant gaze; expecting honestly anything at this point as he was.

"Hmm...I certainly wouldn't blame you on that account. It's becoming a liability being here."

With that, his radio went off.

"Yes? Well, she's occupied at the moment." His face went pale. "Right. In that case, get the HSSTs prepped, cars running. We're not risking it." He turned to Agent Drask.

"Well. Complications, complications. Seems like the Blubs are making a move on Hataria, damned intent on genocide by the sounds. I recommend that we leave immediately, whilst the Foreign Office makes a plea for time."

Walking over to the Chancelloress, he explained the situation. He was not expecting the reply.

"No, damnit, I will not leave now. I mean, hell, tonight has been profitable with international relations, look at Conrad for crying out loud."

"M'a'm, this is not the sort of situation that you argue with. Those Blubs will not hesitate to kill you, Conrad, nor the Lady Governess."

"Beside the point. We are here for a party, and you are under my orders. Await further information. We will only leave if absolutely necessary."

All this was heard by Conrad, and he slowed down a touch.

"Ahem, Miss, whilst dancing with you is a pleasure beyond compare...I must attend to the needs of the Chancelloress. I apologise deeply for this, however the situation appears serious. The Commandant appeared to mention a genocide. I feel you may want to discuss this with the Chancelloress and our protection teams about what to do next..."

OOC: There'll be an opportunity up to travel on our HSST, should you choose to accept. Champagne at Mach 3, as it were.

OOC: No problemo. Jolt, in that respect, is a bit of a pain in the tookus, but what can you do.


"You're a brave woman. Not many would stay around after both gunfire and a bomb going off." A reference to the members of the ball that had left. "And as for helping you forget it...a true pleasure. Although, we shouldn't let the fact escape us that we're all here for a reason. Although, in this case, I'm more than happy to be sidetracked for such a worthy cause as yourself..."

Christine Blushed. "Well, I'm glad you find me a cause at all. Honestly, politics can be so boring when we forget what it's really all about. People aren't a sidetrack Conrad; simple responsibility dictates that they be the focus. This dance Conrad, this wonderful conversation; this is our reason for being here. This is how politics is made; must be made, or else we become what Father made of those he ruled in Kraven."

"Hmm...you lead an exciting life Miss Christine, much more so than mine. I danced for someone special once, but she was taken from me 8 years ago.

My father was an Officer in the Armed Forces, I followed him in after my university education, a requirement in Barronia to train for a commissioned position. I met my...late...wife whilst I was serving, you know. Wonderful woman. As brave as you, just not as revolutionary, ha ha. Oh, I did love her so. We met when I was reporting to my CO, she was a lieutenant, just leaving his office. Do you believe in love at first sight, Miss Christine? Because at that moment, I did."

"Yes." Christine understood Conrad utterly. "When I met Charles, I just knew that he was worth it; even when many of my sisters were horrified at me dating this disheveled, bespectacled radical. My parents disapproved of course, even disowned me in the end. But one cannot honestly give respect until they respect themselves; hence I know now that leaving was the right thing to do, rather than carrying on pretending to honor them and living what to me was a lie.

As I said, meeting Charles only clinched for me a mental process that had begun some years earlier; as that pointless war sent more of my girlfriends' sweethearts home maimed or worse. With each new shoulder I had to cry on in the sorority house, my disgust with the then-Administration grew; and finally, rather than turn fully traitor and slay my own friends for spite, I simply chose to leave and carve out my own little system with Charles. One that, of course, isn't so little now..." She blushed sheepishly, as well as perhaps from the sincere burden of governing a nation of Wagdog's size and stature now, even relatively speaking.

"When I saw the utter hypocrisy of the leaders responsible, and then compared that to the potential I saw in my rogue during our college years, there was no comparison. Literally, all we had was drive; and that was enough to carry us through. Hopefully, whatever drives you will be enough to see you through to happiness again Conrad. I had my doubts in my days back then; especially after Avalon Davies, my closest friend our original Green, just as our Education Secretary Justina Stephens is our original 'Pink' and Charles our original 'Red', died overthrowing a miltary despot on the final islands we seized before going into isolation. Our Greenwood Coalition, formerly her Green Party until the Elves won predominant influence, is her legacy; as is as well my naiton's alliance with Vetaka..." Christine trailed off, for that was cutting close. Hopefully, Conrad knew enough about late President and Lord Governor Daniel Pearce's funeral to understand what had been left unsaid.

"Happy? Gosh darn, I haven't been happy for years. The military puts structure into my life, yes, but I can't live on structure alone. Hell, just having a dance with a beautiful young lady as yourself brings more pleasure than you can imagine. But, one gets used to it, trust me. Some things can't be replaced, like my wife. You know, I don't feel I've ever truly gotten past her..."

"Of course not. I'm glad at least you enjoyed this; being and talking with me, that is. It isn't much, but hopefully it will help you remember her; happily, and without having to 'replace her' or any such rubbish. I'm confident you'll eventually find someone who can balance out your life's structure, and do so as her own part of it; distinct, and only honoring your wife's memory rather than forcing you to 'get past it'." She smiled up at him simply. Perhaps it was an attempt to be too deep, but nonetheless here was a man needing to talk. Hence, why not?

"Hmm...I certainly wouldn't blame you on that account. It's becoming a liability being here."

With that, his radio went off.

"Yes? Well, she's occupied at the moment." His face went pale. "Right. In that case, get the HSSTs prepped, cars running. We're not risking it." He turned to Agent Drask.

"Well. Complications, complications. Seems like the Blubs are making a move on Hataria, damned intent on genocide by the sounds. I recommend that we leave immediately, whilst the Foreign Office makes a plea for time."

Walking over to the Chancelloress, he explained the situation. He was not expecting the reply.

"No, damnit, I will not leave now. I mean, hell, tonight has been profitable with international relations, look at Conrad for crying out loud."

"M'a'm, this is not the sort of situation that you argue with. Those Blubs will not hesitate to kill you, Conrad, nor the Lady Governess."

"Beside the point. We are here for a party, and you are under my orders. Await further information. We will only leave if absolutely necessary."

All this was heard by Conrad, and he slowed down a touch.

"Ahem, Miss, whilst dancing with you is a pleasure beyond compare...I must attend to the needs of the Chancelloress. I apologise deeply for this, however the situation appears serious. The Commandant appeared to mention a genocide. I feel you may want to discuss this with the Chancelloress and our protection teams about what to do next..."

OOC: There'll be an opportunity up to travel on our HSST, should you choose to accept. Champagne at Mach 3, as it were.

"Well then..." Christine's heart sank at the mention of that word, one she hated to her very core. Damn them! DAMN THEM ALL! She knew that had to remain in the realm of thought only. Diplomacy, after all. "Drask, make what arrangements we can to leave as quickly as we can. Order our agent back in Tangalee to report here by the car, or else get picked up by the Barronians' cars, or else just get out by whatever means he can. Show's over people." She briefly sighed in yet another defeat, one of many this night aside from when with Conrad. Sorry Matriarch Zelella, but if you bailed on me I won't mind now. You're the smart one it seems; hopefully, we'll finally meet elsewhere instead. Hope; what was always needed at times like this, however dark they were or were likely to become...

Then, however, an idea born of that hope hit Christine. Selfish? Perhaps a bit, but effective diplomacy all the same. "Excuse me? If the Chancelloress wouldn't object, perhaps we should leave with her? I hate to impose, but my country's line of succession must be preserved if this comes to a fight; and travelling neutrally while we discuss our options can at least buy me time to think of my next move. I'm not giving up on my people or allies if what you've heard of means what I think it does; but all the same, it's past time a girl started being realistic.

Drask has all the things I'll need, or can get them shortly. Also, there's an agent that needs a pickup in Tangalee if he can't get here. Can you pick him up? And also, of course, may we come with you; Chancelloress, Commandant, General?" She waited after gazing each in the eyes lightly when asking, hoping that she could pull yet another of her trademark 'fast ones' on those blowing the peace sky high this night.

As if on cue, Drask said, "If it's... all the same, Comrade Friedrich... I'd like to stay. I came here as much for the Kumite tomorrow as to protect you, and even if you go I think there's some point in staying. Showing the aggressors that whatever happens, somebody's still representing us here; you know?" He waited for her reply, his middle-aged eyes looking surprisingly like those of a hopeful young buck again.

Christine paused a long moment, then said. "Very well... Agent Drask. I trust you will prepare well, and fight with honor. My congratulations should I see you again, and my respects should I not." She then turned and asked, "Since the fight's here in scarce hours, should he pick up our agent or you before I and the other agents go?" Drask nodded in approval of the question; naturally, he didn't want a second that hadn't volunteered for the job. And so the question hung in the air like a portentous fog; one foretelling of much toil to come whether near or wide, it seemed...

OOC: Thanks PAB; if nothing else, this will let Christine have some more 'shelf life' for a bit.;) Consider the offer accepted. However, the Kumite thread was my idea way back, so Drask staying for the Kumite can provide some cover at least while either you or I get the agent out of there.

OOC Note: The Kumite will be on another Thread. So get ready :)

OOC Note: The Kumite will be on another Thread. So get ready :)
OOC: OK. Edited my post accordingly. I figure it's the least I can do, since I suggested the idea for that to follow this in the first place. Thanks.;)

Christine Blushed. "Well, I'm glad you find me a cause at all. Honestly, politics can be so boring when we forget what it's really all about. People aren't a sidetrack Conrad; simple responsibility dictates that they be the focus. This dance Conrad, this wonderful conversation; this is our reason for being here. This is how politics is made; must be made, or else we become what Father made of those he ruled in Kraven."

"Hmm. Maybe you're right, and I apologise for giving the impression that that's all you were. As for politics...I see what you mean. Kraven..." He shuddered. Everyone who was anyone knew of Kraven and Father, and the vows made by many not to let that happen within their nation

"Yes." Christine understood Conrad utterly. "When I met Charles, I just knew that he was worth it; even when many of my sisters were horrified at me dating this disheveled, bespectacled radical. My parents disapproved of course, even disowned me in the end. But one cannot honestly give respect until they respect themselves; hence I know now that leaving was the right thing to do, rather than carrying on pretending to honor them and living what to me was a lie.

As I said, meeting Charles only clinched for me a mental process that had begun some years earlier; as that pointless war sent more of my girlfriends' sweethearts home maimed or worse. With each new shoulder I had to cry on in the sorority house, my disgust with the then-Administration grew; and finally, rather than turn fully traitor and slay my own friends for spite, I simply chose to leave and carve out my own little system with Charles. One that, of course, isn't so little now..." She blushed sheepishly, as well as perhaps from the sincere burden of governing a nation of Wagdog's size and stature now, even relatively speaking.

"When I saw the utter hypocrisy of the leaders responsible, and then compared that to the potential I saw in my rogue during our college years, there was no comparison. Literally, all we had was drive; and that was enough to carry us through. Hopefully, whatever drives you will be enough to see you through to happiness again Conrad. I had my doubts in my days back then; especially after Avalon Davies, my closest friend our original Green, just as our Education Secretary Justina Stephens is our original 'Pink' and Charles our original 'Red', died overthrowing a miltary despot on the final islands we seized before going into isolation. Our Greenwood Coalition, formerly her Green Party until the Elves won predominant influence, is her legacy; as is as well my naiton's alliance with Vetaka..." Christine trailed off, for that was cutting close. Hopefully, Conrad knew enough about late President and Lord Governor Daniel Pearce's funeral to understand what had been left unsaid.

He smiled again. "Hmm...like I said, you lead an exciting life. A wonderfully brave woman you are, leaving your family and following your heart. Not many would do such a thing. It's admirable."

"Of course not. I'm glad at least you enjoyed this; being and talking with me, that is. It isn't much, but hopefully it will help you remember her; happily, and without having to 'replace her' or any such rubbish. I'm confident you'll eventually find someone who can balance out your life's structure, and do so as her own part of it; distinct, and only honoring your wife's memory rather than forcing you to 'get past it'." She smiled up at him simply. Perhaps it was an attempt to be too deep, but nonetheless here was a man needing to talk. Hence, why not?

"It's much more than you think, Miss Christine, it really is. Such gestures of kindness as the one you've shown me tonight are rare in todays world. Such concern as that which you show is also truely appreciated."

"Well then..." Christine's heart sank at the mention of that word, one she hated to her very core. Damn them! DAMN THEM ALL! She knew that had to remain in the realm of thought only. Diplomacy, after all. "Drask, make what arrangements we can to leave as quickly as we can. Order our agent back in Tangalee to report here by the car, or else get picked up by the Barronians' cars, or else just get out by whatever means he can. Show's over people." She briefly sighed in yet another defeat, one of many this night aside from when with Conrad. Sorry Matriarch Zelella, but if you bailed on me I won't mind now. You're the smart one it seems; hopefully, we'll finally meet elsewhere instead. Hope; what was always needed at times like this, however dark they were or were likely to become...

Then, however, an idea born of that hope hit Christine. Selfish? Perhaps a bit, but effective diplomacy all the same. "Excuse me? If the Chancelloress wouldn't object, perhaps we should leave with her? I hate to impose, but my country's line of succession must be preserved if this comes to a fight; and travelling neutrally while we discuss our options can at least buy me time to think of my next move. I'm not giving up on my people or allies if what you've heard of means what I think it does; but all the same, it's past time a girl started being realistic.

"I'm sure she wouldn't object...she loves showing off our aircraft at least. Plus, it'll give us more time to chat, if we haven't done enough already..."

Drask has all the things I'll need, or can get them shortly. Also, there's an agent that needs a pickup in Tangalee if he can't get here. Can you pick him up? And also, of course, may we come with you; Chancelloress, Commandant, General?" She waited after gazing each in the eyes lightly when asking, hoping that she could pull yet another of her trademark 'fast ones' on those blowing the peace sky high this night.

The Chancelloress immediately agreed. "Of course! You and Conrad can chat a little more-" Conrad gave Christine an 'I told you so' shrug - "and you'll be able to observe our HSST (http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/2221/newjetpaintworkgs3.png). Wonderful aircraft. We're thinking of releasing it for sale to COMECON, but we're fighting with YND..." she carried on this way as she headed for the doors.

As if on cue, Drask said, "If it's... all the same, Comrade Friedrich... I'd like to stay. I came here as much for the Kumite tomorrow as to protect you, and even if you go I think there's some point in staying. Showing the aggressors that whatever happens, somebody's still representing us here; you know?" He waited for her reply, his middle-aged eyes looking surprisingly like those of a hopeful young buck again.

Christine paused a long moment, then said. "Very well... Agent Drask. I trust you will prepare well, and fight with honor. My congratulations should I see you again, and my respects should I not." She then turned and asked, "Since the fight's here in scarce hours, should he pick up our agent or you before I and the other agents go?" Drask nodded in approval of the question; naturally, he didn't want a second that hadn't volunteered for the job. And so the question hung in the air like a portentous fog; one foretelling of much toil to come whether near or wide, it seemed...

The Commandant turned to Drask. "A pleasure meeting you, Agent Drask. May you be victorious, and fight with honour. Miss Governess, we shall have a bus pick up your agent and meet us at the aircraft. If you'd all like to follow me, I have arranged for the cars to be outside at this time."

He turned, his now-on cloak billowing. Outside, 3 4x4s and a Rolls Royce Phantom, extended to carry 4 people in the rear (two facing forward, two facing back) were waiting outside engines ticking. Once the group was aboard, the Commandant entered the front vehicle, and the cavalcade headed to Tangalee airport.

Military Base in Barronia

"Right gentlemen, you'll be heading out to Hataria tonight, your destination being the carrier BMS Scutum. Working on Charlie time, as it's war out there. That means once you're there, your timetable allows just 15 seconds for your landing window. You'll land, refuel, and get in the air. Once the HSST is safe, we'll have a tanker for you, and you'll head home. The HSST is headed for Wagdog, and is going to be flogging it full pelt there. You'll have no hope of catching it, so once it's gone, it's gone.

Time is now 2.34.54, synchronise...now. Dismissed!"

"Hmm. Maybe you're right, and I apologise for giving the impression that that's all you were. As for politics...I see what you mean. Kraven..." He shuddered. Everyone who was anyone knew of Kraven and Father, and the vows made by many not to let that happen within their nation



He smiled again. "Hmm...like I said, you lead an exciting life. A wonderfully brave woman you are, leaving your family and following your heart. Not many would do such a thing. It's admirable."



"It's much more than you think, Miss Christine, it really is. Such gestures of kindness as the one you've shown me tonight are rare in todays world. Such concern as that which you show is also truely appreciated."



"I'm sure she wouldn't object...she loves showing off our aircraft at least. Plus, it'll give us more time to chat, if we haven't done enough already..."



The Chancelloress immediately agreed. "Of course! You and Conrad can chat a little more-" Conrad gave Christine an 'I told you so' shrug - "and you'll be able to observe our HSST (http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/2221/newjetpaintworkgs3.png). Wonderful aircraft. We're thinking of releasing it for sale to COMECON, but we're fighting with YND..." she carried on this way as she headed for the doors.
Christine merely smiled for Conrad now. She'd said enough, or at least enough for the moment. Everything else could wait; for now, business was the issue. The business of denying Hataria's attackers the sort of target they wanted, naturally. And even in that, there was room for wit of course...

"Well, we do need a new VIP plane to replace our old Ilyushin Cambers; and we're open to all comers even if we still rely mainly upon Soviet-bloc and derivative tech. If you release it, I think we can spare coin as we are trying to diversify our technology base both civil and military. So lead on; let's see what this HSST of yours can do." Christine followed the party out into the waiting cars, glad that the egress would be made from Tangalee since the infrastructure there at least allowed a speedy exit.

The Commandant turned to Drask. "A pleasure meeting you, Agent Drask. May you be victorious, and fight with honour. Miss Governess, we shall have a bus pick up your agent and meet us at the aircraft. If you'd all like to follow me, I have arranged for the cars to be outside at this time."

He turned, his now-on cloak billowing. Outside, 3 4x4s and a Rolls Royce Phantom, extended to carry 4 people in the rear (two facing forward, two facing back) were waiting outside engines ticking. Once the group was aboard, the Commandant entered the front vehicle, and the cavalcade headed to Tangalee airport.

Military Base in Barronia

"Right gentlemen, you'll be heading out to Hataria tonight, your destination being the carrier BMS Scutum. Working on Charlie time, as it's war out there. That means once you're there, your timetable allows just 15 seconds for your landing window. You'll land, refuel, and get in the air. Once the HSST is safe, we'll have a tanker for you, and you'll head home. The HSST is headed for Wagdog, and is going to be flogging it full pelt there. You'll have no hope of catching it, so once it's gone, it's gone.

Time is now 2.34.54, synchronise...now. Dismissed!"
Drask, naturally unaware of the events about to go down in Barronia to cover the bigwigs' egress, returned the Commandant's praise. "Thank you, sir. I shall, and I'm ready for whatever happens. This old warhorse volunteered for this mission for a reason, after all. My life is complete and I'm satisfied with it. Everything else, from this to a victory on my part, is a bonus round as far as I'm concerned." With that, he allowed them to go off as he headed off somewhere to rest up for the fight to come...

"Well, we do need a new VIP plane to replace our old Ilyushin Cambers; and we're open to all comers even if we still rely mainly upon Soviet-bloc and derivative tech. If you release it, I think we can spare coin as we are trying to diversify our technology base both civil and military. So lead on; let's see what this HSST of yours can do." Christine followed the party out into the waiting cars, glad that the egress would be made from Tangalee since the infrastructure there at least allowed a speedy exit.

"Well, we'll put you in contact with our contacts in YND, and we'll see what they say. They may even agree to arrange the paintwork, you never know.

The journey to Tangalee was relatively uneventful; Conrad and Christine made small talk, whilst Cadence and Santina perused inboxes on armchair PCs.

The HSST was prepped and ready for pushback when they arrived. The engines whined, flaps down. The cars were immediately driven to the rear of another plane, and were loaded.

The Chancelloress and Cadence led the way up the stairs, whilst Conrad maintained a "ladies first" policy, allowing Christine to enter the aircraft.

The interior was similar to that seen in the palaces of emperors; a thick, navy-blue carpet with gold trim covered the floor, swivelling large, leather armchairs interspersed throughout the plane. Towards one end, a plush divan sofa.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, if you can take your seats, move them to the forward facing position, and apply your belts, we'll soon be taking off. Our first destination this morning will be Wagdog. Again, secure your seats to the forward-facing position - staff will be on hand to aid you."

"So, Miss Governess, what do you think so far? Impressive-looking aircraft, if anything..."

"Well, we'll put you in contact with our contacts in YND, and we'll see what they say. They may even agree to arrange the paintwork, you never know.

The journey to Tangalee was relatively uneventful; Conrad and Christine made small talk, whilst Cadence and Santina perused inboxes on armchair PCs.

The HSST was prepped and ready for pushback when they arrived. The engines whined, flaps down. The cars were immediately driven to the rear of another plane, and were loaded.

The Chancelloress and Cadence led the way up the stairs, whilst Conrad maintained a "ladies first" policy, allowing Christine to enter the aircraft.

The interior was similar to that seen in the palaces of emperors; a thick, navy-blue carpet with gold trim covered the floor, swivelling large, leather armchairs interspersed throughout the plane. Towards one end, a plush divan sofa.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, if you can take your seats, move them to the forward facing position, and apply your belts, we'll soon be taking off. Our first destination this morning will be Wagdog. Again, secure your seats to the forward-facing position - staff will be on hand to aid you."

"So, Miss Governess, what do you think so far? Impressive-looking aircraft, if anything..."
"Marvelous. Simply stunning. So who is this YND company you speak of? Though of course generous businessmen if they could indeed put us in touch with a VIP squadron or so of these aircraft; they also sound like a wortwhile investment indeed for our economy besides, always looking to branch out into what sectors will have us as we are." Christine smirked at that, since even Allanean companies counted Wagdoggies among their customers in their branch stores in-country. "After the damage from our near-continuous mobilization state ever since these various Hataria crises started sprouting, we'll need new horizons soon to keep things where they are and start rationalizing again."

Belting herself in for takeoff, naturally near a window seat, Christine's curiosity got the better of her. "So, just what's the performance envelope of this bird? I figure easily into the bisonic range myself..." Christine had training as a fighter pilot in the Red Guard Air Force (formerly Red Guard Air Patrol, until recent military reforms elevated the Reserves to equal status with the Regulars in all except readiness), although using it in all but the most desperate of wartime scenarios would of course be utter madness. Really, she'd gotten it so she could manage an honorary 'Guards Air Marshal' rank to match her husband's own honorary wartime rank of 'Guards Field Marshal' while keeping a straight face about it; combat veterans both as they were. "Maybe trisonic even?" She almost didn't dare think it, but then again such would be a classy way for either Christine or her husband to get around; as soon as the right escort fighters for it could be procured at least...

"Conrad, you're the man most in the know about YND, why don't you explain."

"Of course. Well, Miss Christine, YND, or Ypsicron Naval Development, is a joint Private-MoD venture. They did, originally, start by providing weapons systems and designs for Barronian ships, however, aerospace companies eventually got involved, and now they also produce aircraft technology for our Military as well.

Now, the company is half-owned by us, half-owned by a private consortium, which, although it leads to stalemates on a large minority of options, usually allows them the freedom of research, and us, the freedom of picking what they research, if you get what I mean. The performance envelope of the HSST, I think, can be explained by the pilot once we're hitting a good altitude."

"Tangalee Control, this is Papa-Alpha-Zero-Zero-One-Bravo, requesting take-off on IFR straight out."

Receiving his confirmation, the pilot opened the throttle. The takeoff, while slightly more turbulant than usual was relatively uneventful.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we'll soon be breaking the sound barrier, if you would leave your seatbelts buckled. On our left and right, you'll observe pilots of the PABAS 24th VIP Escort Squadron. Armed with F/A-15s, they'll be with us until we push for Mach 3."

Looking out of the window, Conrad saluted one of the pilots. The pilot returned with a thumbs up, followed by a salute, with some difficulty.

"Barronian Pilots, whilst low in numbers, make up for such shortgivings with exceptional training. However, not even they can keep up with this..."

After they had maneuvered away from the blockade, the pilot announced the transition.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please make yourselves comfortable. We'll soon be throttling up in order to break Mach 2, and we'll be cruising at approximately Mach 3.06. This is above the standard cruising speed, to make up for urgency in our situation, and we must remind passengers that the front will be approximately 5 degrees warmer than the rear of the plane."

The beginning of the acceleration was announced by an increase in the whining from the engines, and the feeling of being pushed back in one's seat. After around 5 minutes, the pilot announced cruising speed.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, you may now unbutton your seatbelts and walk around the cabin. Seats can now be moved from the "forward" position, and drinks will now be served. We are currently cruising at 65,000 feet, at approximately Mach 3.06."

The pilot entered the main cabin, and turned to the Chancelloress.

"You requested me, m'a'm?"

"Yes. This is the Lady Governess of Wagdog, Mrs Christine Friedrich. She is interested in knowing a few performance details about our HSST, if you'd care to divulge?"

"Of course m'a'm. The HSST, as I previously informed you, is currently travelling at Mach 3.06. However, it's full performance capability allows it to maintain approximately Mach 3.18. It's subsonic cruising speed is around Mach 0.93, although that is very rarely used, as it's more economical on the engines to maintain a speed of Mach 2.54, our supercruising speed. She's a bit of a guzzler, taking down approximately 16kg of fuel per kilometre, however, carrying over 18,000kg, it's not too much of a problem.

To fly...she's dream. Thanks to the fly-by-wire, she remains stable as you like, and is fairly responsive at the controls for an aircraft her size.

Is there anything else you'd like to know?"

"Conrad, you're the man most in the know about YND, why don't you explain."

"Of course. Well, Miss Christine, YND, or Ypsicron Naval Development, is a joint Private-MoD venture. They did, originally, start by providing weapons systems and designs for Barronian ships, however, aerospace companies eventually got involved, and now they also produce aircraft technology for our Military as well.

Now, the company is half-owned by us, half-owned by a private consortium, which, although it leads to stalemates on a large minority of options, usually allows them the freedom of research, and us, the freedom of picking what they research, if you get what I mean. The performance envelope of the HSST, I think, can be explained by the pilot once we're hitting a good altitude."

"Tangalee Control, this is Papa-Alpha-Zero-Zero-One-Bravo, requesting take-off on IFR straight out."

Receiving his confirmation, the pilot opened the throttle. The takeoff, while slightly more turbulant than usual was relatively uneventful.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we'll soon be breaking the sound barrier, if you would leave your seatbelts buckled. On our left and right, you'll observe pilots of the PABAS 24th VIP Escort Squadron. Armed with F/A-15s, they'll be with us until we push for Mach 3."

Looking out of the window, Conrad saluted one of the pilots. The pilot returned with a thumbs up, followed by a salute, with some difficulty.

"Barronian Pilots, whilst low in numbers, make up for such shortgivings with exceptional training. However, not even they can keep up with this..."

After they had maneuvered away from the blockade, the pilot announced the transition.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please make yourselves comfortable. We'll soon be throttling up in order to break Mach 2, and we'll be cruising at approximately Mach 3.06. This is above the standard cruising speed, to make up for urgency in our situation, and we must remind passengers that the front will be approximately 5 degrees warmer than the rear of the plane."

The beginning of the acceleration was announced by an increase in the whining from the engines, and the feeling of being pushed back in one's seat. After around 5 minutes, the pilot announced cruising speed.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, you may now unbutton your seatbelts and walk around the cabin. Seats can now be moved from the "forward" position, and drinks will now be served. We are currently cruising at 65,000 feet, at approximately Mach 3.06."

The pilot entered the main cabin, and turned to the Chancelloress.

"You requested me, m'a'm?"

"Yes. This is the Lady Governess of Wagdog, Mrs Christine Friedrich. She is interested in knowing a few performance details about our HSST, if you'd care to divulge?"

"Of course m'a'm. The HSST, as I previously informed you, is currently travelling at Mach 3.06. However, it's full performance capability allows it to maintain approximately Mach 3.18. It's subsonic cruising speed is around Mach 0.93, although that is very rarely used, as it's more economical on the engines to maintain a speed of Mach 2.54, our supercruising speed. She's a bit of a guzzler, taking down approximately 16kg of fuel per kilometre, however, carrying over 18,000kg, it's not too much of a problem.

To fly...she's dream. Thanks to the fly-by-wire, she remains stable as you like, and is fairly responsive at the controls for an aircraft her size.

Is there anything else you'd like to know?"
OOC: Sorry for the OOCly-late post, but both dinner and Christine's UFAN duties called at once way back and still do. Feel free to carry on the discussion more later...
IC
"Wow, superb. We're definitely interested." As the aircraft rocketed away from Hataria, Christine marveled at its simple performance and elegance all in one piece of craftsmanship. "Thanks for the details, Captain. A pleasure to meet you as always." She shook his hand, and then had to answer several urgent PDA messages. She spent minutes in consternation and then, after confirming her several replies and clicking off, reclined back on the divan sofa and sighed in resignation.

Looking out the window as the atmosphere flew past, the glow of friction-induced heat painting the aircraft an even more sunset hue, Christine decided to have out with it. Her tone was a bizarre, ashen combination of grief and ruthlessness all in one; that of a woman resigned to a fate she honestly had never expected, but would face and regret all the same. "Santina, If I may call you that... it's started. Hataria threw the Blubs' last offer in their faces, clinging to the Count's old treaty; and it's war. My husband is sick of how the Count seems to have handled things, and is pulling us from the Dominion Commonwealth. So you can just call me Deputy General Secretary now; or better yet, just Christine since even that title seems heavy now." Time for the other shoe to drop...

"I also just got an urgent UFAN message asking if Hataria should be expelled from the Federation for their irresponsible actions in this... a message I answered in the affirmative, damn me. I know what happened, and what needed doing; only I just wish I hadn't been so wrong in pushing for DC ties against my husband's gut instincts as I did." That had been the hard part, since she'd truly believed Hataria would better itself enough in time. And, rarely for her, she'd been wrong.

She left unstated the question, What do you think, Santina? As of now, she felt too disgraced to even ask. She knew, someday, she'd be able to face her husband again after this. But probably not tonight, all things being equal...

Rachel nodded. "Our nation broke off from Israel some time ago, under religious conflicts," she said. "Today, of course, our nation has very little in common with the old Kahanist Movement, which is a far-right, Jewish extremist movement. I'm not saying anything about Jews, I'm one myself, just not too... religious. Haven't been in a synagogue since I was sixteen, and I turned forty early this month. But after we removed them from power... well, we're not that creative with names, so it stuck. We've been champions of liberal democracy for years, we hate religious fundamentalists with a passion, that's why we've fought wars with Doomingsland."

Rachel took a long drink from her glass. "Of course, once we overthrew the theocrats, and got to building to a first-world nation... everyone from all over the world flocked in, and we ended up with Jews dropping from three-quarters of the population to around one-quarter, with a load of Arabs, Europeans, a few Asians... well, that's how our little sliver of the Middle East was founded, but we all moved out when the Doomies came in."

She turned to the General. "So, has the Senate been restored yet? And might I ask where the title of Arch Arsonist originated? It is a little confusing to the uninitiated, I must say."

Adam nodded in appreciation.

"Theocracy benefits no one, not even the church it strives to put in power. As for those leeches in the Senate, I restored them shortly after I dissolved it. Otherwise, I wouldn't be gallivanting around the world on conferences and the like. They take their time, but have a better connection to the people than I can hope to achieve, and I leave the day to day activity to them. Of course, there are times where it is much more advantageous to have a strong hand at the helm."

He took a drink, and put the glass down. A crewman replaced both his and Rachel's drinks with fresh ones.

"As for the history of the Arch Arsonist title..." he furrowed his brow, and thought for a minute, "well, I believe that the title dates back to the ancient tactics of the long-since extinct aboriginals of Mer des Ennuis, where archeological expeditions have revealed a tenant for 'Roman Fire' in war, and the leader was known as the ‘Arch Arsonist.’ We have also, for a variety of reasons, adopted a variety of languages from these ancients. Carpathia Ziemowit, possibly touched by a bit of madness, decreed that Ennuisians break away from their French mastry and heritage to form a new nation, and we thus adopted Neo-Enochian, the so-called ‘Angelic Language.’ Few outside of our nation speak it, and we require English to allow for international communications.”

He took a drink, letting it sink in.

“Naturally, this has lead to other dialects… making standardization hard, though proper schooling has naturally helped stifle that, but I digress. I must confess, Miss Levitt, I quite like you, and what little I know about Kahanistan is intriguing, though your nation seems to have a penchant for invasions despite membership in such organizations as COMECON-SD. You’re enemies are strong, and our military is preparing to enter into international conflicts, and direct support might not be possible. What does Kahanistan need to return to its peaceful ways, and what else can you tell me about your nation that I might not know?”

Rachel smiled. She knew that he liked her after the previous night. "Well, for starters, they probably could have chosen someone a little less confrontational than me for the Foreign Affairs. For another... I'd have to say that if we're to become a peaceable nation again, we'd have to develop a stronger military, one that can present a credible deterrent."

She rolled over onto her stomach and untied her top. "From what I heard, we're importing or obtaining production rights to a lot of stuff from Kriegzimmer. These are the same weapons the Allaneans use, and they're doing one hell of a job on the Doomani. I'm just worried that the Doomies will nuke the whole Negev Desert rather than let the Allaneans free the people there."

She picked up her bottle of lotion and made an effort to rub it into her back. "Right now, the biggest problem I see is that our conflict with Doomingsland has promoted anti-Catholicism among the right wings, and a lot of the rhetoric is the same that the Nazis used against the Jews, or the Kahanists used against the Muslims."

Adam reached over to rub the lotion into her back, gently massaging her.

“Peace through superior firepower as they say. The Doomani are too occupied by the Automagfreek meat grinder to nuke the desert. The navy and maritime guard are going to send me a list of ships we are decommissioning some time today, along with their replacements. I’ll have one of my secrectaries prepare a report for you on what we are getting rid of. I see no reason why we can’t bolster your navy, and, as a predominantly Roman Catholic nation, I see no reason why this wouldn’t help alleviate anti-Catholicism. We also have warehouses full of small arms from before our military reformations: mostly m249s and Steyr Aug A3s… I think I have one or two in the ship’s armory, if you are so inclined to try them out.”

He returned her satisfied smile.

“What can I say? She’s hot, and represents a potentially powerful nation! he thought.

"I've fired some pretty big weapons," she said. "I was in the marines for 17 years." She closed her eyes and smiled. "We're upgrading our fleet, 90% of our major surface combatants come from Isselmere, they're one of our maritime allies. I'd have no problem coming to an understanding... the anti-Catholics are getting on my nerves, one of them called me a traitorous self-hating Jew on national television. Now... when's the Kumite starting, have we figured out if there's a risk of being killed out there?"

"Wow, superb. We're definitely interested." As the aircraft rocketed away from Hataria, Christine marveled at its simple performance and elegance all in one piece of craftsmanship. "Thanks for the details, Captain. A pleasure to meet you as always." She shook his hand, and then had to answer several urgent PDA messages. She spent minutes in consternation and then, after confirming her several replies and clicking off, reclined back on the divan sofa and sighed in resignation.

Looking out the window as the atmosphere flew past, the glow of friction-induced heat painting the aircraft an even more sunset hue, Christine decided to have out with it. Her tone was a bizarre, ashen combination of grief and ruthlessness all in one; that of a woman resigned to a fate she honestly had never expected, but would face and regret all the same. "Santina, If I may call you that... it's started. Hataria threw the Blubs' last offer in their faces, clinging to the Count's old treaty; and it's war. My husband is sick of how the Count seems to have handled things, and is pulling us from the Dominion Commonwealth. So you can just call me Deputy General Secretary now; or better yet, just Christine since even that title seems heavy now." Time for the other shoe to drop...

"I also just got an urgent UFAN message asking if Hataria should be expelled from the Federation for their irresponsible actions in this... a message I answered in the affirmative, damn me. I know what happened, and what needed doing; only I just wish I hadn't been so wrong in pushing for DC ties against my husband's gut instincts as I did." That had been the hard part, since she'd truly believed Hataria would better itself enough in time. And, rarely for her, she'd been wrong.

She left unstated the question, What do you think, Santina? As of now, she felt too disgraced to even ask. She knew, someday, she'd be able to face her husband again after this. But probably not tonight, all things being equal...


Christine whispered something to the Chancelloress. She murmured a reply, before ringing for the captain. A hushed conversation took place, before the captain finalised it with a "Yes ma'am", and a rather flustered and put-out look.

The captain went back into the cockpit, and the plane began to list as they changed heading to one that would take them straight towards Pan-Arab Barronia.

"Christine, I hope you won't mind, however, we thought that, considering the current events, that you wouldn't mind a little rest in one of the Ministerial summer houses in Pan-Arab Barronia. The pilot says such a change will be within our range, and you look like you need the time off. A little time away from it all, I think, couldn't hurt.

Everyone makes mistakes, Christine. I have, my father has...I defy you to name me one person who hasn't. That fact that you pushed for Wagdog's safety in a larger organisation is admirable, especially when you've managed to persuade your husband to do so. At the end of the day, so long as you had your nation's interests at heart, no-one shall be permitted to think any less of you for it. As for Hataria, I have been informed of their actions, and we have no intention of dealing with them in the future, nor with the Count. I hope that Wagdog will recover quickly from this whole charade, Christine, especially as your nation ploughed so much into it.

Now...should you accept your stay, I'm sure Conrad will allow you his residence for a weekend or so, with free roam of anything you wish.

Conrad, would you be able to alert the Air Service Base to prepare the...well, we'll go with comfort, if only for Christine's benefit. Have them prepare the Misenae for departure.

Christine, the HSST is not the only unusual aircraft we have the pleasure of using. We have been working to expand our comfort in the air with Airships. Fantasticly comfortable, if a little slower than normal. Well, a lot slower, but they provide much more ability for comfort, and of course, with modern technology, the balloon can now withstand both missile and cannon attack up to 20mm in calibre.

Anyway, should you decide to decline to stay, the pilot is quite happy to change course once more, to head back for Wagdog. It really is, at this point, entirely up to you."

OOC: It's fine, I don't mind. Now, whether you decline or not is of no concern, I don't mind carrying it on, but I think it'd probably end up in another thread - it's rather irrelevant. Or, you could accept, and we just not RP it, which is also fine, and less work for you. Just remember to RP her going back to Wagdog ;)

Christine whispered something to the Chancelloress. She murmured a reply, before ringing for the captain. A hushed conversation took place, before the captain finalised it with a "Yes ma'am", and a rather flustered and put-out look.

The captain went back into the cockpit, and the plane began to list as they changed heading to one that would take them straight towards Pan-Arab Barronia.

"Christine, I hope you won't mind, however, we thought that, considering the current events, that you wouldn't mind a little rest in one of the Ministerial summer houses in Pan-Arab Barronia. The pilot says such a change will be within our range, and you look like you need the time off. A little time away from it all, I think, couldn't hurt.

Everyone makes mistakes, Christine. I have, my father has...I defy you to name me one person who hasn't. That fact that you pushed for Wagdog's safety in a larger organisation is admirable, especially when you've managed to persuade your husband to do so. At the end of the day, so long as you had your nation's interests at heart, no-one shall be permitted to think any less of you for it. As for Hataria, I have been informed of their actions, and we have no intention of dealing with them in the future, nor with the Count. I hope that Wagdog will recover quickly from this whole charade, Christine, especially as your nation ploughed so much into it.

Now...should you accept your stay, I'm sure Conrad will allow you his residence for a weekend or so, with free roam of anything you wish.

Conrad, would you be able to alert the Air Service Base to prepare the...well, we'll go with comfort, if only for Christine's benefit. Have them prepare the Misenae for departure.

Christine, the HSST is not the only unusual aircraft we have the pleasure of using. We have been working to expand our comfort in the air with Airships. Fantasticly comfortable, if a little slower than normal. Well, a lot slower, but they provide much more ability for comfort, and of course, with modern technology, the balloon can now withstand both missile and cannon attack up to 20mm in calibre.

Anyway, should you decide to decline to stay, the pilot is quite happy to change course once more, to head back for Wagdog. It really is, at this point, entirely up to you."

OOC: It's fine, I don't mind. Now, whether you decline or not is of no concern, I don't mind carrying it on, but I think it'd probably end up in another thread - it's rather irrelevant. Or, you could accept, and we just not RP it, which is also fine, and less work for you. Just remember to RP her going back to Wagdog ;)
Accepted naturally, although it should be a separate thread. That way, it can be a good character-development piece for her; she might mention work a few times although it will mostly be administrative stuff, such as handing over control of UFAN to the (IIRC) Vetakan Deputy Secretary-General since Christine will be largely indisposed for a while. I've planned out (vaguely) how she might face some relationship tension with her husband since she's the diplomatic jet-setter of the two while he's largely at home (often in the command bunker besides...-_-'), and this is as good an opportunity as any to introduce that supblot...
IC
Too stunned to say more, Christine simply murmured back, "Thank you... Santina, Conrad; everyone. A short break from all this... this madness, would be wonderful." Regaining her composure, she managed to state more firmly again, "My subordinates in UFAN, and my husband back home, can all handle what needs doing while I'm gone."

Deciding that the relaxation had best begin, she quipped more happily, "Well, that settled, I think I'm a great deel freer now. I can't wait to see your summer home, Conrad." She flashed the General a knowing wink, her more girlish impulses starting to show. "I'm sure it will be as lovely as the hospitality here has been, for which my gratitude is eternal." Reclining back into the sofa, she again gazed out at the majesty of the aircraft's flight before absentmindedly inquiring about the drinks available, "So, what's on tap if it's not too much trouble to ask?" Anything would do, since as always Christine was a flexible woman; life as a first guerrilla and then a politician, fighting to construct a multicultural nation from out of often mutually-hostile groups as she always had, had taught her that well...

An aid approached the General and whispered something in to his ear.

"Ah, good news, the Admiralty has compiled their list of ships to decomission, and the report should be here today. I'm told that the list is some 4,000 ships long! Naturally, what ever we decomission will either be scrapped or sold for a token price to an ally or friend such as yourself."

His mood became more jovial.

"The Hatarian barbarians are known for lethal Kumites. I doubt it will be lethal, who would risk killing a head of state or an international delegate? Granted, there's a few who I would love to see dead, but this is not the place. The second the Kumite is started, we'll know about it. In the mean time, would you care to tell me about the latest news from the Negev? I'll be sure to add developments to my morning briefings."

"The Doomies are dropping bombs all over the place, napalm, firebombs, probably chemical too," said Rachel. "I think they just don't want the people to be rescued by the Allaneans."

OOC: Perhaps an arms deal should have a separate thread? Hataria seems to be occupied with other RPs.

"No my dear lady, I don't think they want your people to exist anymore. Weapons of mass destruction... on a small rebel faction? You don't use a nuke to kill a lone man, you use a gun. If they only wanted to kill violent rebels, they'd respond with the bullet and the knife, not with napalm. After the Kumite, we will have to meet again, both for business and personal affairs."

[OOC: Arms deal thread is cool, whenever you care to start.]

Rachel smiled. "I'm flattered that they hate us so much," she said. "I'd take it as an insult if that country wanted anything less of us than to burn in hell." She stood up and put on her coverup, then wrapped her arms around the general. Rachel was a strong woman due to her military training, so she was able to grab him around fairly tightly.

"Just don't get yourself killed in that competition," she said quietly. She placed his hand on her breast. "Well, I'll be getting dressed for the Kumite."

Kumite is Here. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=528452)

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