NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This thread is a character-RP spinoff from "Hataria's Largest Event Ever" (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=526997), just for easy reference. If you want in, TG me with your proposed 'angle' for this and I'll see what Barronia and I think; as well as get back to you to discuss any issues we have and see what can be worked out. Note that although espionage of all sorts, blackmail plots, intrusive media attention, general bad guests and/or luck are all welcome problems for our characters to face here; neither me nor PAB are interested in provoking a war for either of our nations in this RP, and thus kindly request that attempts to do so be left out. This thread all takes place during the Vetakan Swan Rebellion's (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=528133) timeframe besides, so trying that wouldn't make much IC sense anyway in terms of that thread's context as it's developed by now. Thanks.
IC
Barronian HSST-500 Supersonic Transport; En Route to Pan-Arab Barronia
Christine Friedrich, Deputy General Secretary of the United Socialist States of Wagdog and Secretary General of the United Federation of Allied Nations (UFAN), reclined in the divan sofa provided the passengers on this supremely luxurious aircraft. The windows outside were framed a deep, faintly russet hue by the simple friction-generated heat caused by traveling at above Mach 3 in even the thinner upper atmosphere. Combined with the sunset, it was a beautiful sight indeed; almost beautiful enough to take away the ugly feeling of failure that still weighed down Christine's heart.

I put so much effort into trying to help Hataria grow... to teach that young Emperor Barbarossa II how to rule responsibly. But it was no use, nobody involved really cared to negotiate so much as just shout at each other; and now it's war and our alliances are in tatters because of it. Christine tried to rationalize what had happened; that the provocations had been beyond her control, that the situation itself had simply gone beyond the point of either honorable stand or possible truce, that she hadn't been as naive as she'd seemed. But of course, that would probably be convincing herself of a lie all the same.

She gazed around at the cabin, an opulent affair with navy blue and gold-trimmed carpeting plus all the amenities a diplomat could want and then some. She could get by with less; indeed, had done so for months on end back in her guerrilla days beside husband and now-General Secretary Carolinus Horridus. But all the same, she didn't mind comfort when she could enjoy it; being human of course. Finally, as much to break the boredom of waiting for the flight to arrive in Barronia, where she'd agreed to spend the weekend at General Conrad Strom's summer home so she could get away from all the political craziness surrounding her country right now, she asked again. "Say, what options are up for drinks and music, if I may?" She particularly directed that at Chancelloress Santina Verona-Barron, head of Pan-Arab Barronia and already a fair friend of hers, as she relaxed and allowed the sound of the aircraft's flight to calm her frayed nerves of late...

The HSST, thundering through the night sky, glowed a pale orange through friction heating the front of the aircraft. The temperature gradient between front and back was a noticable 10 degrees inside. Outside...it didn't bear thinking about. The plane was generally left for 2 to 3 hours after a flight to cool down before post-flight checks.

Inside, Cadence had already nodded off, her breathing drowned out by the engines.

"Of course. Erm, right, well. We've got a selection of wines...Saddaamese Shiraz, a Khamalian 30-year-old Whiskey...the best Champagne money can buy, like all great leaders have, ha ha, and then, a selection of our wines. Colonia Munatiana Cabernet Sauvignon, my personal favourite - known around The Arab League, a Rosé from a vinyard near Compendiensis...I'll get Alicia to take care of you. Alicia?"

Alicia, one of the three stewardesses for this flight, appeared. Looking slightly sleepy owing to the lateness of the hour, she nevertheless made herself presentable before pushing the curtain aside, and addressing the Chancelloress.

"Yes Ma'am?"

"Alicia, your duty this evening is to tend to the Deputy-Secretary General's every whim. She'll be travelling with us tonight, through to BAS Misenae NorthWest. As such, we'll be showing her Barronia's best, and for the rest of the night, that includes you."

"Yes ma'am. Well, Ms Deputy Secretary-General, we have a variety of drinks aboard tonight. We have the varieties Ms Chancelloress detailed, as well as various cocktails made to order, and of course various fruit juices and the standard spring water.

For music, we have a rather large variety from the inboard system, if you'd like to make your selection using this," she motioned to a remote control on a desk table near the divan, "it should automatically begin."

She stood, awaiting Christine's requests. The pilot interjected:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, just wanting to inform you that we shall enter Barronian Airspace at approximately 0630 hours. Organised at St Johns Intercontinental, a short drive from our destination, will be the BA Misenae, to take you on to your destination. Thankyou."

OOC: If you haven't caught it, we'll be landing at BAS Misenae NorthWest, a mid-sized Barronian Airbase. It's mainly just housing for some fighter squadrons covering the city. You've made regional press on this, so there will be cameras hanging around the outside, waiting.
Misenae itself is located in the area of Sada'ah, the capital of Yemen.
St Johns Intercontinental is the largest airport in PAB, and the Misenae...our governmental/diplomatic airship...

The HSST, thundering through the night sky, glowed a pale orange through friction heating the front of the aircraft. The temperature gradient between front and back was a noticable 10 degrees inside. Outside...it didn't bear thinking about. The plane was generally left for 2 to 3 hours after a flight to cool down before post-flight checks.

Inside, Cadence had already nodded off, her breathing drowned out by the engines.

"Of course. Erm, right, well. We've got a selection of wines...Saddaamese Shiraz, a Khamalian 30-year-old Whiskey...the best Champagne money can buy, like all great leaders have, ha ha, and then, a selection of our wines. Colonia Munatiana Cabernet Sauvignon, my personal favourite - known around The Arab League, a Rosé from a vinyard near Compendiensis...I'll get Alicia to take care of you. Alicia?"

Alicia, one of the three stewardesses for this flight, appeared. Looking slightly sleepy owing to the lateness of the hour, she nevertheless made herself presentable before pushing the curtain aside, and addressing the Chancelloress.

"Yes Ma'am?"

"Alicia, your duty this evening is to tend to the Deputy-Secretary General's every whim. She'll be travelling with us tonight, through to BAS Misenae NorthWest. As such, we'll be showing her Barronia's best, and for the rest of the night, that includes you."

"Yes ma'am. Well, Ms Deputy Secretary-General, we have a variety of drinks aboard tonight. We have the varieties Ms Chancelloress detailed, as well as various cocktails made to order, and of course various fruit juices and the standard spring water.

For music, we have a rather large variety from the inboard system, if you'd like to make your selection using this," she motioned to a remote control on a desk table near the divan, "it should automatically begin."

She stood, awaiting Christine's requests. The pilot interjected:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, just wanting to inform you that we shall enter Barronian Airspace at approximately 0630 hours. Organised at St Johns Intercontinental, a short drive from our destination, will be the BA Misenae, to take you on to your destination. Thankyou."

OOC: If you haven't caught it, we'll be landing at BAS Misenae NorthWest, a mid-sized Barronian Airbase. It's mainly just housing for some fighter squadrons covering the city. You've made regional press on this, so there will be cameras hanging around the outside, waiting.
Misenae itself is located in the area of Sada'ah, the capital of Yemen.
St Johns Intercontinental is the largest airport in PAB, and the Misenae...our governmental/diplomatic airship...
"A pleasure, Alicia." Christine shook Alicia's hand warmly and already began to relax. The glow from the atmospheric friction was lending a very comfortable aura to the aircraft's atmosphere, even despite the temperature variations. Beauty like this is worth getting a bit sweaty for... Christine knew from her own experiences while qualifying for MiG-31 Foxhounds not much more than a year ago, she being familiar with trisonic or near-so flight as a result. "I'd prefer the Shiraz myself; my favorite, aside from perhaps a Merlot. And thanks for pointing out the remote, since I could use some music now actually." Christine picked it up and began perusing, but she made sure to add, "I should be fine for now, so good job." She figured this girl could use it looking as tired as she was.

Reclining as she put on her headphones and activated a random selection of relaxing classical pieces, Christine simply started thinking again. She wanted to start forcing herself away from talk of politics and its twin brother war, but naturally that was hard to do for one whose very career revolved around them. She gazed at Agent Michaels, one of the three State Security agents that had evacuated aside from Drask; who'd stayed behind for the Hatarian Imperial Grand Kumite, even knowing the probability of his death whether by fist or sword or bomb from above due to the war doubtless raging already thousands of kilometers behind. I hope you'll be alright, Drask. She'd known him distantly during the years immediately following Wagdog's revolution, and he'd served well for the whole time; a sad thing to lose such a man even if not in death.

To nobody in particular, more to just start the conversation than anything, she blurted out "Well, an airship ride should start all this off well. If Conrad's any indication of your pilots' skills..." Maybe that was a touch flirtatious, maybe not; but Santina had acted similarly during the ball, and Christine sensed no untoward intent on her part. "I don't think all the protection you detailed will be necessary; especially since, last I checked, I'm only worth going after if something happens to my husband. Which of course would be his fault, men being men..." Though intoned as if for a joke, attentive listeners would note sincere-enough irritation in her voice still remained. Apparently, although she'd begun the process of winding down from her high-strung last few hours, she'd no more than that yet. Hopefully, that would change soon; since Christine did want things in her personal life to remain as calm as the pending move to Granate's capital of Lucianus, site of the new UFAN HQ, would permit of a common-law couple. Perhaps not much, but it was what she wanted all the same; hence this trip to simply forget those issues for a few days, while she simply flew away for that time...

Flight 878, DSA Airways, Airbus A380, First Class Seats 23 & 24, Coming into land at St Johns International:

The Airbus A380 was a very new aircraft designed to traverse the globe carrying travellers far and wide the flight from Hataria to Pan-Arab Barronia via Kampfers had taken longer that was expected this was as the Flight had been grounded due to the tense and hostile situation within the Second Empire of Hataria. James Deakin or "JD" for short sat in his first class seat enjoying a scotch listerning to the news regarding the Rebellion in the Free Dominion of Vetaka. JD was a man of 26, blue eyes, blonde hair and a very atheletic build a Vetakan by birth he had travelled much of his life to the public world JD was a freelance journalist whose field expertise lay within Wagdog Affairs however in the world of International Politics where nothing is as it seems JD had never written an article on Wagdog Affairs in reality he was a "Shadow Scout" of Vetakan Security and Intelligence Service (VSIS) all of his journalistic work was written within the Vetakan Capital of Theeb and mailed to him.

JD's job was to shadow one of the most perhaps the most influential forigener whom had powerful influence within Vetaka Christine Friedrich, Deputy General Secretary of the United Socialist States of Wagdog and Secretary General of the United Federation of Allied Nations (UFAN) was considered by VSIS Political Intel Unit (VSISPIU) to be greatest ally Vetaka had also possibly the greatest enemy as a result JD's job was to protect Christine at all costs should her own Wagdog Security Force failed that was the moral side of JD's mission a second more sinister objective was to take Christine down she should become a rogue element and directly threaten Vetakan Security hence the Wagdog Government and to an extent the Vetakan Government had no idea of the exsistence of JD or his mission. JD truth be told was thankful to be in Pan Arab Barronia the situation in Hataria had almost forced him to act and blow cover but he had held his nerve and Christine had successfully evacuated realising he was out of scotch he reached to press the stewardess button when the pilot came over the PA:

"Ladies and Gentleman we are now making our desent to St Johns International please return to your seats and replace your seatbelts. I am told by the Control Tower that the weather is lovely. Thank You for Flying DSA"

30 Minutes Later........

The landing had been very soft and very professional a credit to the fine Pilot whom had made it. JD had breezed through Passport Control and Customs and had entered the Arrivals Room he found his contact immediatly a short women dressed in a black suit dress with brown hair smiling he began first:

"Bones its good to see you?"

"You to Sir. Follow me"

JD followed the beautiful women out of the airport and into a waiting Limosine drove by yet another VSIS Operative in the back of the limo Bones and JD began:

"Its good to see you Sir. I am happy to report we secured you the Imperial Suite of the Plaza Hotel and have rented an Aston Martin Vanquish which is in the Plazas Garage and the keys are behind Recption under the name of Bones. I have manged to throw the Vetakan Embassy off the trail they began to question me when I arrived last week I have told them that I am here to check the Embassy Security Protocal so that is sorted as for your mark VSIS HQ has secured her diary and ive transferred it to your PDA oh and by the way the Rebellion is more or less over thank god the OBSAT Lock Out has caused a nightmare but we have solved the problems all the same. Your Weaponary is in the boot of the Aston and we have located the location of General Stoms safe house and might I add have manged to sweet talk certian members of the Pan Arab Authorities to secure a few plans which I have transferred to your PDA." smiled Bones while giving her report.

"Excellent" replied JD

Bones now looked through her briefcase before retrieveing a small file titled "VSIS Strictly Classified. Level 9 Authorization" opening it she began again:

"This is our file on General Conrad Strom's its rather lax in regard to private and classified details but VSISPIU only indentified him as a possible threat to Christine and Wagdog during the Hatarian Crisis we are still gathering Intel on him" replied Bones

With that the car came to halt and JD stepped out on to the pavement his belongings carried into the Hotel via the Porters he didn't even have to check in he was sat in his grand palace of room within 10 minutes after tipping the porter and assistant with some 50 Arab Dinar each JD lay on his 4 poster King Size bed studying the file of General Storm and reading the updated file on Christine her Shadow Scout had arrived.

OOC: Yes VSIS are a very paranoid bunch of people feel free to have you people perhaps put JD under Watch

OOC: We would, but we've got nothing against him. :P
If you need a bio on Strom, let me know, and I'll cook something up.

"Of course ma'am. Thankyou. I'll be in crew quarters if you require me."

Alicia stifled a yawn, waiting until she had closed the curtain before flopping down in one of the crew chairs.

"True, true...we don't host many foreign leaders however, so we're very much on alert. However, the defense side is mainly up to Conrad, although I think we could do with removing the Diamondbacks, don't you?"

"Hmm...alright, alright. I'm too tired to argue, it's getting on to be a long night. I'll put the Diamondbacks off of standby, regular infantry, regular cavalcade. And maybe a helicopter. Joking, joking...but seriously, if you'll excuse me..."

He exited through the rear curtains, presumably heading to the connection that would put him through to the airfields security.

"Silly man..." Santina smiled. "He insists upon making sure guests can barely even see past their bodyguards...lightening up a little will do him good, I think. Anyway, if you will excuse me, I think now would be the time to take a little nap. The stewardesses will no doubt wake us before landing - safety regulations and all that."

Pushing the recliner back, she slipped a pair of headphones over her ears, before settling back and drifting off to sleep, the sound of the engines evidently no concern.

---0633hrs Local time, Southern Barronian Territorial Airspace---

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the captain speaking. It's currently 0633 hours, sunrise, and we are currently passing into Barronian airspace. Sunrise is viewable on the front-left of the aircraft, and I may say, with full confidence, that it is a fantastic one from this high up.

BAS Misenae NorthWest is prepared for our arrival in approximately 25 to 30 minutes, and your cavalcade, I'm informed, will be prepared shortly after."

"Sir?"

"Hmm...wha?"

"Sir, that was the captain. We'll be arriving at BAS Misenae NorthWest in 25 minutes. He mentioned something about the sunrise, although he may have been waffling."

"Hmm? Oh, right, right. Well, lets have a look. Stretch one's legs. It'd be better to be able to walk off of the plane once we land, wouldn't it?"

Stretching his legs before moving the recliner to a seated position, he snuck a look at Christine who appeared to be sleeping peacefully, before walking toward the front of the cabin and observing the sunrise.

---0650hrs, BAS Misenae NorthWest---

The HSSTs brakes screeched and whined, pleading with the wheels to comply with their forceful requests to ease from the landing speed to one that would allow them to safely make way to the ramp. The landing, whilst not the smoothest the pilot had ever made, would suffice. Better to make it down in one piece than in 1000, he reminded himself.

The tug rolled up a stairwell, before Barronian Imperial Guardsmen lined themselves up alongside the carpet, polished bayonets glinting in the sun. An entirely ceremonial regiment, they were usually backed up by their Military band - and today was no exception. The CO was sparing no expense in this greeting, and the civilian press had caught hold of it. Several camera men were waiting outside the compound - Barronia didn't host many foreign leaders, and the news loved it when they did.

The door opened, and the band began playing the Barronian national anthem, which would be followed by that of Wagdog.

"Well Miss Christine - ladies first..."

OOC: We would, but we've got nothing against him. :P
If you need a bio on Strom, let me know, and I'll cook something up.

"Of course ma'am. Thankyou. I'll be in crew quarters if you require me."

Alicia stifled a yawn, waiting until she had closed the curtain before flopping down in one of the crew chairs.

"True, true...we don't host many foreign leaders however, so we're very much on alert. However, the defense side is mainly up to Conrad, although I think we could do with removing the Diamondbacks, don't you?"

"Hmm...alright, alright. I'm too tired to argue, it's getting on to be a long night. I'll put the Diamondbacks off of standby, regular infantry, regular cavalcade. And maybe a helicopter. Joking, joking...but seriously, if you'll excuse me..."

He exited through the rear curtains, presumably heading to the connection that would put him through to the airfields security.

"Silly man..." Santina smiled. "He insists upon making sure guests can barely even see past their bodyguards...lightening up a little will do him good, I think. Anyway, if you will excuse me, I think now would be the time to take a little nap. The stewardesses will no doubt wake us before landing - safety regulations and all that."

Pushing the recliner back, she slipped a pair of headphones over her ears, before settling back and drifting off to sleep, the sound of the engines evidently no concern.

---0633hrs Local time, Southern Barronian Territorial Airspace---

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the captain speaking. It's currently 0633 hours, sunrise, and we are currently passing into Barronian airspace. Sunrise is viewable on the front-left of the aircraft, and I may say, with full confidence, that it is a fantastic one from this high up.

BAS Misenae NorthWest is prepared for our arrival in approximately 25 to 30 minutes, and your cavalcade, I'm informed, will be prepared shortly after."

"Sir?"

"Hmm...wha?"

"Sir, that was the captain. We'll be arriving at BAS Misenae NorthWest in 25 minutes. He mentioned something about the sunrise, although he may have been waffling."

"Hmm? Oh, right, right. Well, lets have a look. Stretch one's legs. It'd be better to be able to walk off of the plane once we land, wouldn't it?"

Stretching his legs before moving the recliner to a seated position, he snuck a look at Christine who appeared to be sleeping peacefully, before walking toward the front of the cabin and observing the sunrise.

---0650hrs, BAS Misenae NorthWest---

The HSSTs brakes screeched and whined, pleading with the wheels to comply with their forceful requests to ease from the landing speed to one that would allow them to safely make way to the ramp. The landing, whilst not the smoothest the pilot had ever made, would suffice. Better to make it down in one piece than in 1000, he reminded himself.

The tug rolled up a stairwell, before Barronian Imperial Guardsmen lined themselves up alongside the carpet, polished bayonets glinting in the sun. An entirely ceremonial regiment, they were usually backed up by their Military band - and today was no exception. The CO was sparing no expense in this greeting, and the civilian press had caught hold of it. Several camera men were waiting outside the compound - Barronia didn't host many foreign leaders, and the news loved it when they did.

The door opened, and the band began playing the Barronian national anthem, which would be followed by that of Wagdog.

"Well Miss Christine - ladies first..."
BAS Misenae Northwest, Pan-Arab Barronia; 06:51 Local Time...
Christine, having awakened herself for landing as was proper, was readied for the pomp and circumstance that would await. Although she had word of a change in anthem from her husband, one of the more fun e-mails she'd received shortly after the evac from Hataria, nonetheless it had yet to be formally approved or readied. Hopefully we'll get to use it soon. She began pondering what might occasion that. Nonetheless, she did pipe up, "Thank you, Conrad..." And she stepped out into the welcome light of morning; a fitting metaphor for this trip, hopefully.

Doubtlessly, the old and comforting strains of The Internationale would soon arise; the Barronian Imperial Guard and their band sure to do it justice, judging by the discipline shown at the moment. As Christine waved to the onlookers, blowing the usual pro-forma kisses even, she descended the gangway with her practiced grace and readied to play her role as the 'face' of Wagdog to the world. One naturally more appealing than her husband's, even if he wasn't either an ugly or hostile man as-such; simply because by usual practice he was the stern end of the pair and she the sweeter end, despite the fact that as far as actual decisionmaking went Christine held as much sway as Carolinus if not more. Best to keep the concordant fact, that she could be and had been as ruthless as he when required, in the shadows where it belonged for now. Both protocol and desire recommended thus strongly, an unusual if happy circumstance; and one not to be denied as a result.

OOC: A short Bio would be nice and are Pistols Legal within your nation? Wag would it be possible to have some sort of tracking device on Christine. If you are not talking to the Press just ignore him lol.

BAS Misenae Northwest, Pan-Arab Barronia; 06:30 Local Time...

The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish was a dream to drive and JD relaxed as he drove with ease to the place where his intel suggested his mark would be landing as he pulled off the main highway he parked the car and sat and observed things for a while seeing a group of journalists he retrieved his Press Identification Badge, Camera, Notebook, Pen, PDA and lastly but by no means least he took his E-57 Service Pistol from its holster fitted the Silencer and generally checked it over before replacing the weapon back into his Suit Holster exiting the car he remotly locked the smooth click was rather calming.

He strode towards the group of chatting Journalists flashed his badge at the Pan Arab Guard he took his place amongst the group instead of writing notes he obsevered the other journalists looking for any faces he knew, weaponary or generally anybody acting strangly finding nobody he took in his surroundings instanly locating Threats, Escape Routes and Objects of Interest.

06:53 Local Time...

As Christine desended JD pushed his way through the crowd and eventually came to the front flashing his Press Badge he began:

"Good Morning Deputy General Secretary its a Glorious day Ma'am. A small question if I may? What are your reactions to the growing Vetakan Rebellion as Wagdogs closest Ally and President Rogers closest friend are you scared or worried? What will be the Wagdog Response?"

JD smiled and winked although Christine had probably forgotten him JD had asked Christine many questions in many places around the world it was all part of his cover. However what was unusual about this journalist was that instead of gazing at this world leader he was looking around constantly.

OOC: Good question - all owners require a license for a handgun, although there's nothing to say that your character can't have a well-forged one.
Bio will be along shortly (hopefully).
Press will be at the end of the carpet, although it will be a short meeting - Christine et al have places to be.

Attache of Vetakan Security and Defence Issues to the Government of Pan-Arab Barronia Vetakan Embassy, Pan-Arab Barronia:

Holly Bones sat in her office on the top floor of the large building within the Embassy Sector of the Pan-Arab Capital it was hours before the official Embassy officially opened for buisness but Holly had already been here for a good 2 hours or so. The Vetakan Embassy within Pan-Arab was one of the largest Embassies Vetaka had within a foreign nation having some 7 Floors. Holly Bones was Attache of Vetakan Security and Defence Issues to the Government of Pan-Arab Barronia it was her job to co-ordinate the security of the Vetakan Embassy and also to advise the Vetakan Ambassador and the Pan-Arab Government on Vetakan Security and Defence Issues however secretly she was Vetakan Security and Intelligence Service (VSIS) Chief Operative within the Pan-Arab Nation it was her job to co-ordinate any and all VSIS operations within the Pan-Arab Nation if there where no Ops it was Hollys job to maintain such things as Safehouses and Contacts as a result with the arrival of a Shadow Scout her duties had doubled and as a result she was here in her office at this early hour reading a file titled "Personnel File General Conrad Storm VSIS Strictly Classified. Level 9 Authorization" looking at the file Holly blushed at the Generals Photograph.

OOC: I love how you all assume he's real attractive :p
I've also invited a regionmate of mine, Al Khamali, to test the water in II, by having his leader, Chancellor Bab El Ehr, introduced to Chritine, at WD's discretion.

Reporters, toward the end of the carpet, were jostling for places at the front. Newspapers from around Barronia were covering the story - Wagdog had become popular over the past few days, being a staunch supporter of rebuilding Hataria alongside Barronia.

"Ma'am, how are you coping with the current situation in Vetaka?"
"Ma'am, is it true Wagdog are abandoning all attempts with the Hatarians to make peace with the enemy?"
"Ma'am, how are you planning to respond to claims your husband is in fact bigfoot in a cheap suit? Ma'am?"

An Imperial Guardsman stepped in. "Careful now. Don't know how you Enquirer folks got in here. I'll escort you from the premises, I think."

The reporter struggled, before giving up as two more men, both with rather sharp bayonets on their rifles stepped in.

At the end of the carpet, the Base Commander, one Ground Commander Adams, awaited. He was woken at 4 this morning, and so far felt it.

"Ah, Mrs Friedrich, ma'am, answering to the press is entirely at your discretion. If you would wish not to, we have the cars waiting. Other than that, welcome to BAS Misenae NorthWest, and Pan-Arab Barronia."

OOC: I love how you all assume he's real attractive :p
I've also invited a regionmate of mine, Al Khamali, to test the water in II, by having his leader, Chancellor Bab El Ehr, introduced to Chritine, at WD's discretion.

Reporters, toward the end of the carpet, were jostling for places at the front. Newspapers from around Barronia were covering the story - Wagdog had become popular over the past few days, being a staunch supporter of rebuilding Hataria alongside Barronia.

"Ma'am, how are you coping with the current situation in Vetaka?"
"Ma'am, is it true Wagdog are abandoning all attempts with the Hatarians to make peace with the enemy?"
"Ma'am, how are you planning to respond to claims your husband is in fact bigfoot in a cheap suit? Ma'am?"

An Imperial Guardsman stepped in. "Careful now. Don't know how you Enquirer folks got in here. I'll escort you from the premises, I think."

The reporter struggled, before giving up as two more men, both with rather sharp bayonets on their rifles stepped in.

At the end of the carpet, the Base Commander, one Ground Commander Adams, awaited. He was woken at 4 this morning, and so far felt it.

"Ah, Mrs Friedrich, ma'am, answering to the press is entirely at your discretion. If you would wish not to, we have the cars waiting. Other than that, welcome to BAS Misenae NorthWest, and Pan-Arab Barronia."
OOC: Hmm... Let him in of course, I say; especially since this is a cordoned-off RP both in IC time as well as OOC participation, so there's no real likelihood of him getting jumped upon. You can have him in whenever, possibly when our party reaches the airship even. 'The more the merrier', after all.:) Well, to a point...
IC:
"Thanks for the concern, Commander Adams; but I'll answer." Christine knew her nation needed as much 'face time' as it could get, especially to counter the stereotypical portrayal as a jackbooted neo-Stalinist dicatorship that many Sovereign League members insisted on. Turning to the press, she began...

"Thank you all for your questions; it's an honor to be asked, and I shall answer. As for the plight of our Vetakan friends, besieged by colonialist traitors among them who pillage and defile both person and property of those Vetakans whishing only freedom in peace, we are resolved to stand by them. I have no information yet about precise measures taken, but I can assure you of this; If my dear friend President Scarlet Rogers allows it, you shall see Wagdoggie troops fighting alongside their Vetakan comrades once again, under their command as would be proper and to secure their freedom as so hard-fought for in their Civil War scarce years ago." She posed a face of steel, showing her contempt for Swan and his ilk as well as her anticipation of Scarlet giving him the thrashing he so justly deserved.

"Regarding Hataria, alas that is the case. We had hoped that, despite being a child, Emperor Barbarossa II Nakagishima had enough control of his government to overcome the influence of the remaining officials from the prior regime. However, that was not the case; neither Hataria nor our erstwhile allies in the United Dominion seemed interested in a fair settlement. Hence, we could not honorably continue in association with such irresponsible allies; and decided to agree to whatever peace deal would emerge while taking care of our own pressing interests at the time, even though now that hope too has failed." Christine turned sincerely downcast, gradually more so as she spoke, but she went on. "We do not wish ill of or towards the Hatarian people; only that their government see the error of their ways and, in repentance, return to the path of peace. However, we will not delude ourselves of that happening anytime soon, unfortunately."

Seeing that the tabloid reporter was hustled away just before she could deliver her witty rebuke of that question, Christine concluded. "Again, my humblest thanks for your kind questions. Already I can see you have a beautiful country, and I look forward to my stay here. Peace upon you all." She waved to the press, sincerely smiling in a tired way; since the questions had brought up all the stresses and failures of the past days even if meant well all the same.

Turning to Commander Adams, she then said, "If we may, Commander, Santina, I'm ready." She was eager to get the actual vacation underway; almost impatient, in fact. She'd actually expected worse from the press, but that had been in thought; experiencing it was always another ballgame, even if one was technically used to it like she was.

"Thank You Madame"

Spoke JD as Christine walked away from the gathered Press without speaking to any other journalists JD walked as quickly and calmly as he could back to his Aston unlocking it he slid in pressed a few buttons on a Car Phone it rang as he started car and slowly began to drive away eventually the ringing phone answered:

"Holly Bones. Attache of Vetakan Security and Defence Issues. Vetakan Embassy How Can I help?" came a womens voice full of innocence and education.

"Bones Its JD, Any Idea where the mark is heading?" asked JD

"I reckon so Sir transfering Co-ordinates Now" replied Bones

<snip>

"Very good ma'am. If you'll follow me, it's a short walk through command. Miss Chancelloress, General, if you'd like to follow me also. General, whilst it's unfortunate timing, we have a few files for you on the way through. Someone should have them with us when we reach the car."

"Hmm...fine. Unusual for it to be on a hard copy, though..."

"I thought so too sir, but it appears that that is the case."

Leaving the press jostling for last pictures of Christine, the Commander lead them through a building housing the main control rooms for BAS Misenae NorthWest. Through the doors, controllers could be heard directing movement around the airfield.

"Ma'am, Mis NorthWest as we call it is a mid-sized Barronian Air Service base. We cover mainly the city of Misenae, although we're one of many installations trained for VIP handling, rare as it is, and we house one of the regional control facilities dedicated to resisting an invasion effort.
Ah, General, those are your files, you should probably look over those in the car.
Anyway, as I was saying, although we're small, we're a major part of the Barronian defense infrastructure in that we..."

He carried on, before exiting through a final door - the primary entrance - revealing 3 cars on the tarmac. Two, both 4x4s, were for guarding the Pullman car stood waiting, driver at the door. On the bonnet, one Barronian and one Wagdog flag both fluttering in the wind.

"Ma'am, your chariot awaits."

The driver opened the door to the car, showing four rear seats - two facing forward, two back. Both were fully leather, arm rests containing pocket PCs - not unlike the car they had travelled in at the Hatarian ball.

Stepping into the car, the door was shut. A smooth acceleration followed before the driver announced their heading.

"Ladies and Gentleman, we shall be heading through the St Valentine and Financial district of Misenae, before arriving at St Johns. I've been informed to take the scenic route, so we shall be taking in several key buildings whilst the Airship is prepared for your service."

Conrad, however, wasn't listening. He was busy reading the papers provided to him. Atopiana using nuclear weapons on Hataria - no surprises, and probably not unwarranted. Axis Nova commiting a genocide on Atopiana...concerning...colonial troubles in the pacific - hardly worrying. One thing caught his eye though - Hataria had begun expansionism again. His face went pale as he recalled the stories he had heard throughout his early career of the wars Hataria went upon under it's old leadership. Would they be doing the same again?

OOC: Can I follow the Car? Feel free to pull me over :)

JD's Aston:

As JD drove slowly he suddenly noticed the 3 Vehicles pulling away his training and instincts kicked in and he knew it was Christines Motorcade assuming up a position a few cars behind this Convoy he trailed them his PDA beeped displaying Christines suspected destination smiling he spoke to Bones again on the car phone:

"Bones You there?" enquired JD

"Sir" replied Bones

"I think I am in pursuit of the mark and tell the boys at VSIS Theeb well done. JD Out" replied JD

"Roger" came Bones reply.

With that the line died and JD returned his gaze to the road and tried to keep a steady normal looking distance between him and the motorcade while staying close enough to respond to any attack on the motorcade.

OOC: Can I follow the Car? Feel free to pull me over :)
OOC: Sure, we'll wait for WD's post, and I'll sort it all out in one. Doesn't really make sense otherwise.;)

"Very good ma'am. If you'll follow me, it's a short walk through command. Miss Chancelloress, General, if you'd like to follow me also. General, whilst it's unfortunate timing, we have a few files for you on the way through. Someone should have them with us when we reach the car."

"Hmm...fine. Unusual for it to be on a hard copy, though..."

"I thought so too sir, but it appears that that is the case."

Leaving the press jostling for last pictures of Christine, the Commander lead them through a building housing the main control rooms for BAS Misenae NorthWest. Through the doors, controllers could be heard directing movement around the airfield.

"Ma'am, Mis NorthWest as we call it is a mid-sized Barronian Air Service base. We cover mainly the city of Misenae, although we're one of many installations trained for VIP handling, rare as it is, and we house one of the regional control facilities dedicated to resisting an invasion effort.
Ah, General, those are your files, you should probably look over those in the car.
Anyway, as I was saying, although we're small, we're a major part of the Barronian defense infrastructure in that we..."

He carried on, before exiting through a final door - the primary entrance - revealing 3 cars on the tarmac. Two, both 4x4s, were for guarding the Pullman car stood waiting, driver at the door. On the bonnet, one Barronian and one Wagdog flag both fluttering in the wind.

"Ma'am, your chariot awaits."

The driver opened the door to the car, showing four rear seats - two facing forward, two back. Both were fully leather, arm rests containing pocket PCs - not unlike the car they had travelled in at the Hatarian ball.

Stepping into the car, the door was shut. A smooth acceleration followed before the driver announced their heading.

"Ladies and Gentleman, we shall be heading through the St Valentine and Financial district of Misenae, before arriving at St Johns. I've been informed to take the scenic route, so we shall be taking in several key buildings whilst the Airship is prepared for your service."

Conrad, however, wasn't listening. He was busy reading the papers provided to him. Atopiana using nuclear weapons on Hataria - no surprises, and probably not unwarranted. Axis Nova commiting a genocide on Atopiana...concerning...colonial troubles in the pacific - hardly worrying. One thing caught his eye though - Hataria had begun expansionism again. His face went pale as he recalled the stories he had heard throughout his early career of the wars Hataria went upon under it's old leadership. Would they be doing the same again?
OOC: Well, now that you've both mentioned what the Pact of Iron got, no sense in retconning it out :rolleyes:; we'll just fluid-time it in then IMO.
IC
Listeining intently as the Commander explained BAS Misenae Northwest and its functions, Christine was impressed overall. Very well set up. Not so large as to be a completely obvious target or logistical burden, and yet fully capable of all contingencies. Superb. The soldier in her looked on approvingly, although that aspect melted into the background again when they reached the tarmac again and entered their cars.

Listening to the driver's voice, she managed to thank the driver for his notice. "Wonderful! Do point out whatever you can sir; and especially you." Christine teasingly jostled Conrad about his duties as a host. "I'll need two pairs of eyes if I don't want to miss anything; which I don't. So can you help a girl out here, hmm?" She let that tease dangle as she checked her own messages on the pocket computer in the car, seeing all the developments... and promptly ignoring them, clicking off as she thought to herself. Yep. I bailed at the right time, given how the Pact of Iron likes to fight; dirty, that is. Still, dirty as this thought is in itself on my part, they got what was coming to them. Christine had zero sympathy for the Pact of Iron regimes, and it could register in her body language every time one or all of them were mentioned in her presence.

But her thoughts remained grave. Alas, it seems Barbarossa II is still a slave to his advisers; Neherenians the lot of them too looks like. That had been a blow, since Christine had truly cared for the teenage Hatarian Emperor; still did, in a depressing sort of way. Now who knows how he'll turn out, what with this expansionism of Hataria's even if we still don't quite know whom it was against. Frankly, best to just walk away from that whole mess it seemed. Hence, why she was in this car at all now; determined to push these concerns away for a weekend as she turned the computer off and reclined back, head lolled towards the window pensively awaiting word of this or that auspicious Barronian landmark...

Listeining intently as the Commander explained BAS Misenae Northwest and its functions, Christine was impressed overall. Very well set up. Not so large as to be a completely obvious target or logistical burden, and yet fully capable of all contingencies. Superb. The soldier in her looked on approvingly, although that aspect melted into the background again when they reached the tarmac again and entered their cars.

Listening to the driver's voice, she managed to thank the driver for his notice. "Wonderful! Do point out whatever you can sir; and especially you." Christine teasingly jostled Conrad about his duties as a host. "I'll need two pairs of eyes if I don't want to miss anything; which I don't. So can you help a girl out here, hmm?" She let that tease dangle as she checked her own messages on the pocket computer in the car, seeing all the developments... and promptly ignoring them, clicking off as she thought to herself. Yep. I bailed at the right time, given how the Pact of Iron likes to fight; dirty, that is. Still, dirty as this thought is in itself on my part, they got what was coming to them. Christine had zero sympathy for the Pact of Iron regimes, and it could register in her body language every time one or all of them were mentioned in her presence.

But her thoughts remained grave. Alas, it seems Barbarossa II is still a slave to his advisers; Neherenians the lot of them too looks like. That had been a blow, since Christine had truly cared for the teenage Hatarian Emperor; still did, in a depressing sort of way. Now who knows how he'll turn out, what with this expansionism of Hataria's even if we still don't quite know whom it was against. Frankly, best to just walk away from that whole mess it seemed. Hence, why she was in this car at all now; determined to push these concerns away for a weekend as she turned the computer off and reclined back, head lolled towards the window pensively awaiting word of this or that auspicious Barronian landmark...

OOC:
1. Oops :p
2. What's retconning?
3. Fluid time FTW! :D
4. As for JD, one of the guards in the rear car will spot the car following, and we'll have a local officer stop him after being informed. Should be easy to get out of.

IC:

Conrad forced a smile. Despite his new concerns, he'd make sure the Council* took care of it. This was now as much a holiday for him as it was for Christine, God knows he deserved it. "But of course. Beautiful city, Misenae. Second only to Auraliae Aquensi, although rebuilding efforts are continuing at the moment, and the whole area is still irradiated to an extent. Hopefully it will be returned to it's former glory, a jewel in the proverbial crown."

Santina looked dismayed as they began to form a route that would take them round a rather stately-looking building on the outskirts of Misenae. Built in a mixture of Arab and Western style, with arched windows, and a central dome on the roof over the entrance. "Oh, he decided to show you Empire Hall...It's okay, I'll explain it. Empire Hall is my personal residence. It doesn't have much in the way of grounds, having enough to ensure it's safe, but we have other buildings that we endeavor to visit when we're in the mood for grounds, usually springtime. It almost shames me to say it, but we're very fond of our luxuries here, although we ensure our people don't live in squalor, like some regimes. Still, it makes good for entertaining foreign guests...a diamond in the rough, if you will.

In Barronia, we've nationalised many things, water, electricity and gas to name a few. It ranges from Utilities to Public Transport. However, whilst most governments have done it to keep citizens oppressed, we have done it to offer them a service. With nationalisation, we've been able to cut out the shareholders - we don't want, nor need, to make a profit. We regularly petition the people to see their views - higher prices for better service, or lower prices for cheaper utilities. A proportion of our market is capitalist, mainly material goods - clothes, electrical and IT goods, et cetera."

Continuing into Misenae, they passed the headquarters for Barronian Imperial - Barronia's largest (and government-owned) airline. With a giant steel statue of the Douglas DC-3 in it's courtyard, it made for impressive viewing, even at only 45 stories.

--Rear Guard Vehicle--

"Hmm."
"What?"
"That car back there..."
"The sports car?"
"Yeah. Been following us since we left the airport."
"Huh. I'll get on to MDP, get one of their officers to stop him. I'll let the guys up front know, and we'll see where they want to go."

--Back on The Street
--

Approximately 1 mile from where the conversation took place, JD would observe the red and blue lights of a Misenae District Police Officer, under the premise of dangerous driving.

"Sir, does this vehicle belong to you? You were observed driving erratically, switching between lanes with no indication. I'll need you to step out of the car please."

The cavalcade would be out of his sight soon, turning a corner onto the main avenue that would take them past Misenae's Theatre strip. A blitz of neon and patterned lights, people from all over Pan-Arab Barronia would flock to view the latest plays, and more recently movies.

In the distance, one could see the tip of Misenae Central Station, which housed an 80-story building and was by far the busiest station in Pan-Arab Barronia, receiving traffic from all over The Arab League.

They were halfway through their journey, with the more viewable part of Misenae yet to travel. OOC: I'll have to find/think of landmarks. Give it a day or so, reply to this if you like.



* "The Council", in an MoD sense, refers to the Council for Defence and Warfare, or CDAW for short. It is chaired by the three highest-ranking members of each the Ground Service, Naval Service and Air Service. The body of the council is formed by ranking members in the branches - for example, a General in the Logistics section, the Homeland Defence section, et cetera. The Council meets each day to discuss matters of International and National Security, Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Operations, along with many other issues the Council deems important. If an issue is deemed to require an amendment to, for example, current numbers of troops, then the member of the council under whose jurisdiction this lies is asked for a recommendation, which is then considered and amended if necessary by the Chairs and put to a vote.

Whilst considered inefficient, it is felt that this allows the most co-operation between all branches of the Armed Services, with an example process as follows:

1. A peacekeeping operation in another nation is beginning to flag, and more troops are suggested to be sent.

2. The member who has jurisdiction of peacekeeping operations is asked for his recommendation - he recommends that 250 more men be sent to the region, along with 75 tanks and 50 aircraft.

3. The Strategic Information representative is also consulted. He reveals that the forces the peacekeepers are working against have several tanks and a small, cold-war era air force of an unknown size.

4. At this point, any member of the council can object and suggest an amendment. In this case, the Logistics representative for the Air Service makes an objection on the grounds that the logistics required to run 50 aircraft in a peacekeeping scenario is inordinate, and suggest sending 15 aircraft.

5. The Logistics representative for the Naval Service is consulted, and informs the Council that this would be entirely sustainable.

6. The Chairs retire to debate the scenario. They return and suggest that 250 men, 75 tanks and 25 aircraft be sent. This proposal is voted through by the Council, and in one week, men, planes and tanks are on board ships heading for the troubled region.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a brief look at what goes on in the Barronian MoD.

I should wiki that. Too bad I can't use it for buggary. :p

JD's Car:

"Shit" exclaimed JD as he saw the Red and Blue Light in his Rear View Mirror

Pulling to the side of the Road he turned off the engine and undid his seat belt and waited for the officer listerning to the office JD stepped our of the car turned around and withdrew his E-57 putting it on top of the Car he then spread his legs and put his hands ontop of the car ready to be searched while he waited for the search he began:

"I am James Deakin. I am a Journalist of Wagdog Affairs. I am following the Wagdog Dignatory on her visit to your nation. Hence I was driving erratically to keep pace with her Motorcade I apologise I meant no Harm. I am a Vetakan by orgin and my Passport is in top left suit pocket. My Press Papers are in my right suit pocket and my ID Card is around my neck. My Firearm License Papers are in the Glove Compartment if you wish to see them. The Weapon is a E-57 Service Pistol and Its loaded and I have 5 Spare Magazines. The Car itself is hired from the Vetakan Embassy and the Papers for it are within the Glove Compartment, If you have any doubts Please feel free to contact the Embassy and ask for Attache Holly Bones do you have any other Questions for me Officer?"

OOC: Guess I can still post...*fears mods*

"Alright sir, don't be so hasty. I didn't ask for your life story. If you'll step onto the pavement for me, can't have you run down now. Can't imagine that would make great news."

He took the identification from JD's neck, before walking back to his vehicle.

"Control, this is five-four-oh-niner, need a check run on James Deacon. Sure, I'll wait a moment."

He walks back over to where JD was waiting, before taking papers from the glovebox. He browses through, nodding as he passes over important papers. His radio bleeps.

"Five-four-oh-niner. Uh-huh. Right. Fine. Thankyou folks."

He turns to JD.

"Looks like you're good to go. I would suggest you drive a little more decently in the future, though. For now, we'll let you be with a caution. On your way."

He turns, before setting his helmet upon his head. Starting the bike, he gives a small salute before weaving into the traffic and out of sight.

OOC:
1. Oops :p
2. What's retconning?
3. Fluid time FTW! :D
4. As for JD, one of the guards in the rear car will spot the car following, and we'll have a local officer stop him after being informed. Should be easy to get out of.

IC:

Conrad forced a smile. Despite his new concerns, he'd make sure the Council* took care of it. This was now as much a holiday for him as it was for Christine, God knows he deserved it. "But of course. Beautiful city, Misenae. Second only to Auraliae Aquensi, although rebuilding efforts are continuing at the moment, and the whole area is still irradiated to an extent. Hopefully it will be returned to it's former glory, a jewel in the proverbial crown."

Santina looked dismayed as they began to form a route that would take them round a rather stately-looking building on the outskirts of Misenae. Built in a mixture of Arab and Western style, with arched windows, and a central dome on the roof over the entrance. "Oh, he decided to show you Empire Hall...It's okay, I'll explain it. Empire Hall is my personal residence. It doesn't have much in the way of grounds, having enough to ensure it's safe, but we have other buildings that we endeavor to visit when we're in the mood for grounds, usually springtime. It almost shames me to say it, but we're very fond of our luxuries here, although we ensure our people don't live in squalor, like some regimes. Still, it makes good for entertaining foreign guests...a diamond in the rough, if you will.

In Barronia, we've nationalised many things, water, electricity and gas to name a few. It ranges from Utilities to Public Transport. However, whilst most governments have done it to keep citizens oppressed, we have done it to offer them a service. With nationalisation, we've been able to cut out the shareholders - we don't want, nor need, to make a profit. We regularly petition the people to see their views - higher prices for better service, or lower prices for cheaper utilities. A proportion of our market is capitalist, mainly material goods - clothes, electrical and IT goods, et cetera."

Continuing into Misenae, they passed the headquarters for Barronian Imperial - Barronia's largest (and government-owned) airline. With a giant steel statue of the Douglas DC-3 in it's courtyard, it made for impressive viewing, even at only 45 stories.

--Rear Guard Vehicle--

"Hmm."
"What?"
"That car back there..."
"The sports car?"
"Yeah. Been following us since we left the airport."
"Huh. I'll get on to MDP, get one of their officers to stop him. I'll let the guys up front know, and we'll see where they want to go."

--Back on The Street
--

Approximately 1 mile from where the conversation took place, JD would observe the red and blue lights of a Misenae District Police Officer, under the premise of dangerous driving.

"Sir, does this vehicle belong to you? You were observed driving erratically, switching between lanes with no indication. I'll need you to step out of the car please."

The cavalcade would be out of his sight soon, turning a corner onto the main avenue that would take them past Misenae's Theatre strip. A blitz of neon and patterned lights, people from all over Pan-Arab Barronia would flock to view the latest plays, and more recently movies.

In the distance, one could see the tip of Misenae Central Station, which housed an 80-story building and was by far the busiest station in Pan-Arab Barronia, receiving traffic from all over The Arab League.

They were halfway through their journey, with the more viewable part of Misenae yet to travel. OOC: I'll have to find/think of landmarks. Give it a day or so, reply to this if you like.



* "The Council", in an MoD sense, refers to the Council for Defence and Warfare, or CDAW for short. It is chaired by the three highest-ranking members of each the Ground Service, Naval Service and Air Service. The body of the council is formed by ranking members in the branches - for example, a General in the Logistics section, the Homeland Defence section, et cetera. The Council meets each day to discuss matters of International and National Security, Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Operations, along with many other issues the Council deems important. If an issue is deemed to require an amendment to, for example, current numbers of troops, then the member of the council under whose jurisdiction this lies is asked for a recommendation, which is then considered and amended if necessary by the Chairs and put to a vote.

Whilst considered inefficient, it is felt that this allows the most co-operation between all branches of the Armed Services, with an example process as follows:

1. A peacekeeping operation in another nation is beginning to flag, and more troops are suggested to be sent.

2. The member who has jurisdiction of peacekeeping operations is asked for his recommendation - he recommends that 250 more men be sent to the region, along with 75 tanks and 50 aircraft.

3. The Strategic Information representative is also consulted. He reveals that the forces the peacekeepers are working against have several tanks and a small, cold-war era air force of an unknown size.

4. At this point, any member of the council can object and suggest an amendment. In this case, the Logistics representative for the Air Service makes an objection on the grounds that the logistics required to run 50 aircraft in a peacekeeping scenario is inordinate, and suggest sending 15 aircraft.

5. The Logistics representative for the Naval Service is consulted, and informs the Council that this would be entirely sustainable.

6. The Chairs retire to debate the scenario. They return and suggest that 250 men, 75 tanks and 25 aircraft be sent. This proposal is voted through by the Council, and in one week, men, planes and tanks are on board ships heading for the troubled region.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a brief look at what goes on in the Barronian MoD.

I should wiki that. Too bad I can't use it for buggary. :p
OOC:1. Well, nothing for it now by far.:p
2. 'Retconning' is the participle verb form of 'Retroactive Continuity' or 'Retcon', when a storyline changes a detail which previously had been one way into another; usually for plot consistency's sake. Hence, by inserting reference to the Atopians' fall in this story's timeframe, we're 'retconning' it in where previously we'd decided to keep it in the future relative to these events.
3. Yeah. Fluid Time can be a headache, but it is a writer's best friend as often or more.
IC
Christine listened intently to Conrad's notes on Misenae and Aureliae Aquensi; noting in particular what he implied happened at the latter. "What shattered the jewel, if I may ask? My country would be happy to assist in pieceing it back together; although naturally, that would take time." No sense in being unduly gloom on that topic, of course; hence why not emphasize the positive aspects Conrad had already?

Catching Santina's frown as they approached Empire Hall, Christine was most puzzled by the Chancelloress' talent for understatement. A 'diamond in the rough'? This is a mother lode under the entire plain for crying out loud! Although the building itself was naturally bigger, Tailville DR's 415m tall Palace of the Revolution was mostly actual government offices; leaving scarce room just under the base of the 100m and 6000T statue of Lenin topping the edifice for a modest-sized General Secretariat apartment and office space, albeit nicely-appointed of course. "Why, this is wonderful Santina. I'm glad you don't let all this go to your head though. Might we see some of these other springtime places you prefer over this quite fine home?" Turning her gaze from Empire Hall, Christine began to look around again as they drove on.

Hearing Santina's take on the Barronian economy, Christine felt the old warm feeling of kinship inside. "Agreed. We're largely identical, except that each sector still has a state-sponsored corporation which, although most no longer have dominant market share, receive enough tax and wage benefits that they attract labor of comparable quality to the private sector; if not superior in many cases. And while we..." Christine gaped at Barronian Imperial corporate HQ, and in particular the giant DC-3 sculpture in its courtyard, before continuing. "...are appreciative of the public-order benefits of nationalization, as with you it's done where it is primarily to ensure that even in a depression certain sectors of the economy will continue to function; at however low a level demanded, but functioning all the same." She flashed at Santina what she hoped was a didactic glare both women loved to torment their subordinates with, especially male subordinates, as her attempt to put humor on an otherwise stale subject.

Passing through Misenae's Theater Strip, Christine could already feel herself decidedly relaxing. I think that's the first time in... years(?), that I've been able to talk economics with any foreigner other than Scarlet and not feel perpetually on the defensive. How long has it been since Carolinus... since Charles could do the same; what with he fending off the usual innuendos from the Clandonians or Questarians or Allaneans, or (worse) all three at once half the time even when there isn't a war threatening? How long indeed; and how long had she been... depriving(?) herself of that feeling for his sake, exactly? It was a dangerous thought, one that even scared Christine for sure. But it was also staying put, just the same.

No doubt about it, Christine was beginning to feel different; the sight of the 80-story Misenae Central Station started Christine to mentally replaying the melody to Van Halen's Jump! in her head. Only photos of New York, as she'd seen it once Wagdog had emerged from the Event in 1996 from out of the 1976 it had known just prior, had inspired that song in Christine once she'd heard it and made the association for the first time. As she let the remembered electronic guitar chords echo through her brain, she continued to let go and simply anticipate what sights were on the way next. She knew they'd be stunning, that one thing was sure...

JD got back in his car and took a moment to catch his breath he played his part of a nervous gungho journalist perfectly the only problem was he had lost his mark cursing the Cop he again dialled the Embassy:

"Bones Here?"

"I Lost the mark I got pulled by a City Cop. I need a location?"

"Damn. Ok go and get yourself a coffee ill make a few calls and see what I can get from my contacts? Ill phone you back in 20 Minutes?" replied Bones

"Coffee? Fair Enough, Good Bye" replied JD

"Bye Sir" replied Bones

With that the phone died he pulled away and made his way to a steamy coffee shop.

OOC: Apologies for the taking time to post, been a smidgen on the busy side. Interview at RWE npower today, from which I got the job as a laboratory analyst :cool: Go me!

Conrad looked grave as he explained what had happened in Auraliae Aquensi.
"It was around four or five months ago...heavily communist terrorists managed to somehow smuggle a nuclear weapon into our city, before detonating it near the docks. Devastation. Over 100,000 killed, and that's just in the immediate vicinity. Ship-building capacities - squat. Everything had to be moved to Compendiensis. Luckily, wind was headed out to sea, so the majority went off into lands unknown, saving us from having a nationwide clean-up operation. We're still assessing damage to civilian life, and the whole area is covered in bacteria bred for the purpose of reducing radiation by absorbing heavy metals. We feel that the situation is under control, our NBC division is an army unto themselves; but any outside expertise is greatly appreciated."

"Yes...it would. The attack happened not long before the conference room incident, where my father was shot. It wasn't a good time for Barronia, I can assure you.
As for the more...springtime palaces, Conrad's summer home is along the lines of what you might find; relatively near the coast, and smelling the sea breeze in the morning truly cannot be beaten.
It's a pleasure to finally meet a nation so like our own...socialism, to some, appears to mean one giant conglomerate of a government-owned corporate identity, or some extreme "for the motherland" style brainwashing government. Others it seems deplore socialism, yet I challenge them to find to countries with such well-tuned politics as ours, ha ha."

"Ahem, ladies and gentlemen, if I may, on our current right is Misenae Grand Central. The 80-story building houses the rail company's main offices, and includes a rooftop garden for it's employees."

Slowing to allow Christine the best neck-craning view one could get from the car, they soon pulled back into the traffic flow.

"Hmm...a pity. Christine, it appears the Chancellor of Al Khamali won't be meeting us before we fly. He is, however, sending an officer in his place, a rather high-ranking one. Another female in power, it appears. She'll be meeting us at the airship, it appears. Whether she'll be travelling, I'm yet to see."

Heading down yet another tree-lined boulevard, a common sight in Misenae, the St John's radio towers coming into view in between buldings, Santina was beginning to lean back in the chair and enjoy the company. It was relaxing, certainly, to be in female company outside of the government, lovely as they were.

"Ladies, gentleman, we're now approaching St Johns. You'll note the unusual dome structure, and elaborate control tower, both built at the original time as the airport.
A more recent addition is the one we're passing now - the airship tethers. A daily route to Al Khamali leaves via this terminal, although it's often used for ministerial business.
We'll be entering through the gates approximately a half-mile from us, before we head back down to meet the airship."

OOC: Bump for Wagdog :)

OOC: Bump for Wagdog :)
OOC: Have seen.;) I'll edit an IC bit in tomorrow since I'm dropping, it having been too many late nights lately and me getting back in the groove of a decent sleep schedule. But be assured, I haven't forgotten this thread at all.

OOC: Have seen.;) I'll edit an IC bit in tomorrow since I'm dropping, it having been too many late nights lately and me getting back in the groove of a decent sleep schedule. But be assured, I haven't forgotten this thread at all.

OOc: Good Good. I was getting into this :p And heck, I know what too many late nights feel like, ha ha. Got my new job starting in two weeks, so I'll have to get back into a normal scheme of things as well...

OOC: Apologies for the taking time to post, been a smidgen on the busy side. Interview at RWE npower today, from which I got the job as a laboratory analyst :cool: Go me!

Conrad looked grave as he explained what had happened in Auraliae Aquensi.
"It was around four or five months ago...heavily communist terrorists managed to somehow smuggle a nuclear weapon into our city, before detonating it near the docks. Devastation. Over 100,000 killed, and that's just in the immediate vicinity. Ship-building capacities - squat. Everything had to be moved to Compendiensis. Luckily, wind was headed out to sea, so the majority went off into lands unknown, saving us from having a nationwide clean-up operation. We're still assessing damage to civilian life, and the whole area is covered in bacteria bred for the purpose of reducing radiation by absorbing heavy metals. We feel that the situation is under control, our NBC division is an army unto themselves; but any outside expertise is greatly appreciated."
OOC: A nice IC kickstart and concurrent thread tie-in FTW!:D Also, apologies in advance to those concerned about any apparent gravedig.
IC:
Taking a moment of pained contemplation as she thought of such a strike hitting anywhere, especially a place as beautiful as Aquensi was being said to have stood in its prime, Christine went over the matter. "I'll definitely speak with my husband and our Defense Secretary about the matter, as well as our Health Secretary about possibly bringing civilian volunteers in to assist. Have you approached the International Red Crystal Organization? We partake in their efforts, even if by a very small and outdated unit that honestly's needed upgrading for years now, so that's another available avenue you might want to consider." She flashed an understanding wink at Conrad, grateful for his explanation as well as saddened at what yet more people supposedly of her political orientation had done.

She thought to herself some moments about the general phenomenon; that is, of communist terrorists going to lengths that mature leftist nations rarely-if-ever considered, in places where saying the Revolution 'wasn't ripe' was an understatement of millenial proportions. 'Useful idiots' my *ss! Since when were idiots ever useful, on balance? I learned that in the bush way back; doing for real what most of these yahoos only talk about until they pull crap like this Aquensi bombing. Or like Pearce's shooting, for that matter... She was suddenly dragged back to memories of the former Vetakan President's funeral, although precisely why she couldn't gauge; despite a very... eerie feeling washing over her at that moment all the same, as if there were no accident about the timing involved.
"Yes...it would. The attack happened not long before the conference room incident, where my father was shot. It wasn't a good time for Barronia, I can assure you.
As for the more...springtime palaces, Conrad's summer home is along the lines of what you might find; relatively near the coast, and smelling the sea breeze in the morning truly cannot be beaten.
It's a pleasure to finally meet a nation so like our own...socialism, to some, appears to mean one giant conglomerate of a government-owned corporate identity, or some extreme "for the motherland" style brainwashing government. Others it seems deplore socialism, yet I challenge them to find to countries with such well-tuned politics as ours, ha ha."

"Ahem, ladies and gentlemen, if I may, on our current right is Misenae Grand Central. The 80-story building houses the rail company's main offices, and includes a rooftop garden for it's employees."

Slowing to allow Christine the best neck-craning view one could get from the car, they soon pulled back into the traffic flow.

"Hmm...a pity. Christine, it appears the Chancellor of Al Khamali won't be meeting us before we fly. He is, however, sending an officer in his place, a rather high-ranking one. Another female in power, it appears. She'll be meeting us at the airship, it appears. Whether she'll be travelling, I'm yet to see."

Heading down yet another tree-lined boulevard, a common sight in Misenae, the St John's radio towers coming into view in between buldings, Santina was beginning to lean back in the chair and enjoy the company. It was relaxing, certainly, to be in female company outside of the government, lovely as they were.

"Ladies, gentleman, we're now approaching St Johns. You'll note the unusual dome structure, and elaborate control tower, both built at the original time as the airport.
A more recent addition is the one we're passing now - the airship tethers. A daily route to Al Khamali leaves via this terminal, although it's often used for ministerial business.
We'll be entering through the gates approximately a half-mile from us, before we head back down to meet the airship."
Christine was jolted from her musical reminiscence just after climaxing it during the view of Misenae Grand Central, the mental routine as much a way of getting rid of the spooks she'd been getting moments earlier as anything, when she heard Santina's contribution to the story. Whoa girl... Happy thoughts please; this is just getting too weird otherwise. Speaking up she rejoined, "Indeed! But then, I challenge them to find countries where we girls are as high up as we are either; I suspect a connection. It's all well to rail against the 'nanny state' until you catch a case of the economic hiccups, usually made worse by the military adventures the men come up with to plunder the way out of them; present company excepted of course." No sense in bashing Conrad after all, given that she'd heard of no such problems from Barronia's policies as yet.

"As for the officer from Al-Khamali, I'd be happy to meet her wherever's convenient. She's welcome, and I understand entirely if the Chancellor's time requires he be unavailable. I just hope Conrad doesn't feel too 'surrounded' ha ha!" Christine couldn't help that little joke, since she honestly didn't want to make him uncomfortable about such things. As they prepared to make for the airship, she was definitely starting to recover from the bizarre spell she'd felt just prior; thinking, That's it, after tonight's notice to Charles I've GOT to lay off the news as much as possible here. It's getting so bad that I'm starting to imagine all sorts of bizarre things; things which have nothing to do with this trip or the current situation at all. At least, not insofar as Christine Friedrich knew of course...

OOC: Apologies for those thinking this is gravedigging - we've all been busy, I think, and it's all relevant. Trust me, we expected it to take this long.

I'll be letting Al Khamali know that this is all together, and he should get a reply in soon, or whenever he's on. Either way, now that I'm back in order and the ole' body clock working once more, we should be back in business.

Vetaka (not Vetalia :D), I've no qualms about you having "bought" someone at the airport, and a tracker being on the outside of the zeppelin - after all, you can't check the entire skin of the zeppelin, just the gondolier really. So trackers are fine.

WD, you'll soon find out that the Barronian government likes to live. Expensively.

"Your help would be ever greatly appreciated - a lifetime debt. Even with today's technology, such things are hard overcome. Again, your help would never be forgotten. The nation would thank you, not just the government. We've never really been faced with this sort of..."

"Please, Conrad. Business for later. You're on official holiday for now. I'm sure Christine's people can speak with Amee and Richard about it all." Turning to Christine, she explained "Amee Melisande is our Internal Affairs Minister, and an excellent one at that. She so far, alongside Admiral Richard Bryer, Conrad's Vice-Chair within the Council, has been managing the effort over at Auraliae. As she hails from there, she feels particular significance for the situation. You won't meet her on your visit this time, I'm afraid, but she's a lovely young lady, and extremely competent. Should a state visit ever occur between us, I will certainly ensure she is present. Should you decide to help out in the cleanup operation, she'll be your main contact."

--

The convoy pulls up to the gate at the airport. Unseen, behind a warehouse door, hides a pair of Diamondback IFVs - security is tight these days, and with the visit of Mrs Friedrich, everyone is on edge. An international incident is not what this nation needs, especially on one of the few visits by a foreign dignitary.

A soldier approaches. A velvet-gloved hand passes a small A6 document from the front 4x4 to the soldier, who walks back to his captain. They talk, the captain nods, before waving the convoy through as the gate opens. Heading through the gate, they begin to turn and speed up, headed for the appearing zeppelin.

--

The BGA* Imperial. A 500 metre long state-of-the-art zeppelin. Built of composites of plastic, aerogel, and titanium for the skin and airbags, and titanium for the gondola, the zeppelin incorporated many features expected of a modern executive transport, but on a larger and more relaxing scale. Jet engines across the skin of the balloon provided propulsion, with pod-mounted propellers fore and aft allowing for more precise maneuvering.
On the gondola was kept space for a Sikorsky S76 - a medium-high capacity executive transport helicopter. Whilst such a thing couldn't be launched from altitude (yet), if the zeppelin had to make an emergency landing, the occupants could easily make their way from the site.

Inside, everything that could be wanted for was aboard - televisions, access to secure networks and government lines, 24-hour butler service, and various lounges and conference rooms. Whilst not secure enough to be an "Air Force One" of sorts, it was nonetheless armed with various pylons of anti-aircraft missiles, and two CWS guns, above and below the gondola.

The Gondola itself resembled a very wide cocoon. Made of titanium and aluminium for lightness and protection, it could withstand many small-calibre rounds. Usually accompanied by a pair of Rashad class Airships, armed to the teeth with cannonry, howitzers, missiles and bomb munitions, the Imperial was usually well-protected.

* Barronian Government Airship/Aircraft