NationStates Jolt Archive

Bomfy Memorial Intertnational Airport, Magna Casa, Aequatius Prime

The air was heavy with the summer humidity as Lance Heron waited at the massive terminal as he waited for the arrival of the emessary party arriving from the newly-recognized Armed Republic of Shtenaya Ledna located about eight hunfred kilometres West of the continent of Aequatius Prime, giving them the same climate as the Republic, albeit somewhat more tame than the weather suffered by the large continental climate zone of the island nation. Soon enough, Heron would be meeting with the foreign officials and inform them of the points of their visit to the nation, which would be including a number of discussions with higher officials in the Departments of State, Defence, Interior and Industry on a number of interests, although nothing would be set in stone for this meeting, as conflicting schedules would not allow for the two leaders to meet and discuss official matters.

The private jet crawled along the tarmac for several minutes, then finally came to a stop. A stairway was quickly engaged, and the door slid open. Out first was a row of identical soldiers in black splatter urban camouflage gear, black balaclavas and gloves, and carrying Steyr Stg.77 assault rifles. Moving in near-perfect unison down the stairs, they form up in two perfect rows facing away from the plane, 12 in all, and stand stock still at attention.

Following the soldiers came Jasmine Bellemere, Foreign Affairs representative. She made her way down to the tarmac and immediately started for the terminal. Next was Florence Leghten, Interior and Industry representative, and Deana Ross, Defense representative. As the three women made their way away from the plane, the first eight of the soldiers began a quick pace march and fell into position around them, seemingly without any type of direction or orders. Their movements were perfectly aligned, reflecting a great deal of training. Strangely, they made almost no sound on the asphalt, despite the obvious pounding of their boots.

As the soldiers fell into their new task, the final two occupants of the plane descended, General Anastasia Trent and Major-General Jerome Bregotte, Commander-in-Chief of Shtenaya Ledna's military forces and Chief of the Civilian Defence Initiative (CDI) respectively. They moved slower, in quiet conversation, and as they reached the tarmac the remaining soldiers fell into position around them, perfectly matching their pace.

"Time to feed the wolves," Thought Heron as he waited in the terminal for the arrival of the Lednan cadre, as the Aequatian Republic refused to leave their own or foreign officials on open tarmac as a severe security risk to any who might be considered a threat. The black-clad troopers of the Aequatian SS would be bringing forth the officials to him and he would greet them proper.

The Department of Interior Sicherheitstaffel Special Guards Division soldiers would be leading the emissaries into the terminal to meet with him, the guardsmen wore simple gray, white and black splinter uniforms with black webbing gear along with the standard issue MP45 submachineguns slung over their shoulders as they opened the door to the terminal and an officer in full dress uniform, with a major-general's pair of silver stars insignia on his shoulder tabs, greeted them, "Welcome to the Aequatian Republic, esteemed guests, I am Colonel Rickard Weiss, Commandant of the Special Guards Division, I will be personally overseeing your security for the duration of your visit with us."

Ms. Bellemere smiled a classic diplomat's smile in response. "Thank you very much, sir," she replied, her voice quiet but strong. "It is the policy of our government to travel with a unit of our own security, who I am sure M.G. Bregotte would be happy to coordinate with your own security forces." The woman, though young, obviously had gone through this very procedure many times before. As she spoke the other officials settled into position around her, and their soldier-guards fell into a well-trained formation around them. In close, their balaclavas covered all but their eyes, which were hidden by matte black sunglasses. Their hands were gloved, weapons held to their chests, and their boots, while perfectly clean and cared for, were also matte. It was impossible to tell who they were, or even if they were male or female.

"As much as I am sure we all enjoy such formalities, it would be prudent that we be on our way." Ms. Bellemere was nothing if not to the point.

"Most definate," Replied the senior officer led the dignitaries inside the terminal to meet with the State Department liaison, "We can discuss security measures at a better opportunity once you are free to do so."

Heron stepped forward as the party approached him inside the terminal, pausing only a brief moment to remember the lead dignitary's name, "Greetings, Miss Bellemere, my name is Lance Heron, I am from the Aequatian State Department and I will be your personal liaison for your visit, I will be showing you to your accomodations here in the capital along with the schedule for the visit. If you'll follow me now though, I will bring you to your vehicles outside," He led them through the terminal, the fully-kitted S.S. guardsmen walking on their flanks, hands ready on weapons, as they were led to armorued black luxury sport utility vehicles, the guardsmen embarking in the lead and rear vehicles as they foreign officials climbed into their designated vehicles and started off towards the center of the city's diplomatic sector.

Ms. Bellemere took in the surroundings as they made their way out to the vehicles. She could hear her compatriot's quiet discussion, something about unnecessary expenditures, and restrained an eye roll. While they would have chosen vehicles different than those that their hosts' did, it was not their place to judge or comment.

Jasmine and Florence took the first available vehicle with Mr. Heron. The troops that were assigned to them climbed in and situated themselves around the women, weapons across their lap. Deana and the officers took the second, again with their security contingent. The final soldiers took the last available vehicle, and while they were unaccompanied, they sat at attention and remained silent, or seemingly so, just as the other soldiers were.

The massive urban sprawl of Magna Casa would be overwhelming for those who were not used to the megalopolic cities of the Aequatian Republic, although Heron failed to read anything but simply confidence and strength in the faces of the two officials sitting behind him in the rear compartment of the vehicle. He presented the two women with folders, providing them with the necessary State Department legal papers for their visit along with temporary diplomatic money cards, similar to private and government bank debit cards, they would allow the foreign diplomats to spend money in the Aequatian system with ease compared to using their national currency in exchange, "Those papers will allow you and your entourage travel freely throughout the capital."

Jasmine smiled gratefully, glancing through the folders briedly. "Thank you very much," she replied, "We are very appreciative of your efforts to make us feel welcome in your nation." She took a moment to glance out the windows to watch the streetscapes roll past, finding the architecture and design of the city to be quite interesting, very different from that of her home land. The CDI troops that were in the vehicle remained still and silent - Jasmine would have been unnerved by it, had she not been accustomed to them and their mannerisms. To the uneducated observr, they would have appeared asleep, or even to be merely mannequins. However, with the weapons across their legs, it would have been foolhardy to do anything but wonder from afar.

Florence took the opportunity to begin her own line of discussion, being well known at home for her attention to detail, almost to the point of annoyance for some of her closest workmates. "I hope that your officials have been briefed on our political system? I would not want difficulties to arise due to misinformation or misunderstanding between us."

"It is not known to me whether or not they were briefed or had received dossiers concerning your nation's political setting," Answered Heron, "Although I am not sure what difficulties could arise in the coming discussions," He said as the vehicles came to a halt outside one of the hotels placed within the diplomatic sector of the capital, "Your accommodations are inside along with your room keycards in your folders, I shall see you in the morning for the first meeting tomorrow with the Department of State. If there are any questions or concerns you have, feel free to contact my office or my mobile to reach me," Heron said as he presented both Jasmine and Florence with his business card.