NationStates Jolt Archive

Col.John Arnold was awaiting the arrival of Cecilia Belladini, the Foreign Affairs Minister for British Londinium, he smelled the early morning JP4 jet fuel and sighed, 4 F-4D Phantoms were preparing to escort Belladini's aircraft into Calizorinstanian airspace..

The 4 jet's took off, their J-79's thundering as they left the ground and headed towards where Belladini's jet would be to escort her in, John looked at a F-4C that was being prepared for a private owner that would fly it, it and 15 other F-4C's escaped from being sold to the Trade Center that Calizorinstan dealt with, and he climbed in it for old times sake, and as he climbed down he sat on the drop tank that was next to it, wondering how he'd do with Cecilia..

A sleek, chrome-plated Concorde jet soared elegantly through the skies above Calizorinstan. The Concorde, a nearly universal symbol of wealth and luxury, had been selected by the Consul for exactly that purpose - to flaunt. "Calizorinstan must understand who they are dealing with," the Consul had said to Cecilia. "We are not to be trifled with, and our eminence over them must be ingrained into each and every neuron in that Foreign Minister's cerebral cortex."

Cecilia Belladini had taken that to heart. Sporting her finest Tyrian purple suit, she was enjoying the flight. Martinis, plasma televisions, internet access, and one of the finest interiors known to man - how could she complain?

The pilot, though, failed to enjoy the opulence of the craft - he was far too busy flying the aircraft.

"This is PSR-Four, requesting permission to land in San Diego International, over," he signaled to air control towers. "I repeat, seeking permission to land."

A sleek, chrome-plated Concorde jet soared elegantly through the skies above Calizorinstan. The Concorde, a nearly universal symbol of wealth and luxury, had been selected by the Consul for exactly that purpose - to flaunt. "Calizorinstan must understand who they are dealing with," the Consul had said to Cecilia. "We are not to be trifled with, and our eminence over them must be ingrained into each and every neuron in that Foreign Minister's cerebral cortex."

Cecilia Belladini had taken that to heart. Sporting her finest Tyrian purple suit, she was enjoying the flight. Martinis, plasma televisions, internet access, and one of the finest interiors known to man - how could she complain?

The pilot, though, failed to enjoy the opulence of the craft - he was far too busy flying the aircraft.

"This is PSR-Four, requesting permission to land in San Diego International, over," he signaled to air control towers. "I repeat, seeking permission to land."


The ATC at San Diego International replied "PSR-Four, you are cleared to land, the Foreign Minister is waiting for you.."

John saw the Concorde come in to land, and he looked at his own jet, a Tu-144D Charger and grinned and when it would taxi up to where he was the VIP Ramp, he'd give her a welcome worthy of Foreign Ministers. He had never met her, but his friend John Macked had and said "She's nice, don't worry John, you'll do fine.."

As the plane rolled to a halt at the 'VIP ramp' at the airport, a titanium staircase unfurled itself towards the ground, and the slender figure of Cecilia Belladini gracefully descended down, followed by three members of the Secret Intelligence Service. She scanned her surroundings, observing them with immense detail. Cecilia's eyes finally rested upon the military man awaiting her. "I do not believe we have meet before, hetære," she said. "Cecilia Belladini, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Member of Parliament for Triumphe."

As the plane rolled to a halt at the 'VIP ramp' at the airport, a titanium staircase unfurled itself towards the ground, and the slender figure of Cecilia Belladini gracefully descended down, followed by three members of the Secret Intelligence Service. She scanned her surroundings, observing them with immense detail. Cecilia's eyes finally rested upon the military man awaiting her. "I do not believe we have meet before, hetære," she said. "Cecilia Belladini, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Member of Parliament for Triumphe."

John smiled and said "No, I don't believe we have hetaera Bellidini!, my predecessor breifed me on you and your nation, so that I'd be well informed, sorry for the loud jet activity, it's just another exercise.." He lead her to his Ferarri 308..

"Predecessor?" Cecilia asked, masking the slight twinge of disappointment she was experiencing. "Hetære Macked is no longer with the government?"

"Predecessor?" Cecilia asked, masking the slight twinge of disappointment she was experiencing. "Hetære Macked is no longer with the government?"

A F-14D landed at San Diego International and taxied to the VIP Ramp, and to everybody's astonisment, John Macked in flightsuit and helmet, hopped out of the front cockpit and walked over to Cecilia saying "Hello, Hetaera Bellidini, thought that I am not with the government?, well that's partly true, I was pressured to join an F-14D squadron (He tapped the F-14), because they needed my air to air/ground expertise appearently, however, they have granted me a day off to meet with you and Col.Arnold here.." John looked open mouthed then closed it and said "Ah, John, it's nice to see you again, now Cecilia will know why you weren't here to meet her.."

"Versatile, aren't we now?" Cecilia said amusedly. "You really ought to pick a career and 'stick with it'." Turning to the colonel, she said, "And what will today's agenda be?"

"Versatile, aren't we now?" Cecilia said amusedly. "You really ought to pick a career and 'stick with it'." Turning to the colonel, she said, "And what will today's agenda be?"

Col.John said smiling "Well, we'll have a meeting with the President, and then we'll meet with some military officials, and then lunch, and then a tour of March Air Base/Barracks, and then dinner at my place.."

"Busy day," Cecilia said. "We ought to get started then."

"Busy day," Cecilia said. "We ought to get started then."

John nodded and he and Cecilia hopped into the Ferrari, and a Suburban was provided for the security gurads, and they drove out onto the road, and as they drove along a Calizorinstani Air Force F-111A flew over for landing, followed in the pattern by a Calizorinstani Imperial Airbus A300, and John said "This airport get's all sort of traffic, civilian, military, VIPs, foreign diplomats and others.."

Cecilia nodded disinterestedly. "How many people a day come through there?"

OOC: Wrong thread mate, you've seemed to have accidently posted the reply meant for the To Be Deemed Worthy thread..

Edited. My mistake, and my apologies.

Cecilia nodded disinterestedly. "How many people a day come through there?"

John said "About 25,000 people a day, to get to the President's manor, we can take the scenic road or the highway, the scenic road is a bit quicker though.." He took the scenic road, which lead up, and from a certain point Cecilia could see lot's of the terrain of Calizorinstan, the beautiful mountains, and forest's, and plains, and far off, the rugged mountains of the inhospitable north, John grinned and said "What do you think, beautiful eh?"

"Gorgeous," she said. "But I prefer a concrete jungle to a real one any day."

"Gorgeous," she said. "But I prefer a concrete jungle to a real one any day."

John smiled and said "I agree Hetaera, I would too, but sadly those are non-existant here, ah, here's the mansion.." He pulled in to the mansion, where the president's personal AV-8 Harrier was parked in a Sea Harrier paint job, and stopped and got out and said "Here we are Cecilia, it's fancy, three story building, this way.." He lead her to the front door, and knocked and President Arnold came out and said "Ah, Cecilia, nice to see you, I've heard about you from Mr.Macked, come in, we have drinks and a warm fire, it's chilly out.."

OOC: If you didn't know (and you might) concrete jungle refers to a large metropolitan city.

"Indeed it is, Mr President," Cecilia said. "I am afraid to say I'm not entirely used to such cold temperatures - British Londinium's average temperature, even in winter, is always around twenty-five degrees centigrade." She took a cup of tea from the President. "I see that Calizorinstan is very air-oriented, which surprises me, considering the low volume of traffic your airports get."

OOC: If you didn't know (and you might) concrete jungle refers to a large metropolitan city.

"Indeed it is, Mr President," Cecilia said. "I am afraid to say I'm not entirely used to such cold temperatures - British Londinium's average temperature, even in winter, is always around twenty-five degrees centigrade." She took a cup of tea from the President. "I see that Calizorinstan is very air-oriented, which surprises me, considering the low volume of traffic your airports get."

President Arnold sipped some tea and said "I believe that Mr.Arnold gave a bit to modest report, actually at San Diego International, we get about 450,000 people a day actually, we are air-oriented, because Tommy Dumont and Harry Arnold in 1899 made the first flyable plane, similar to the Bleriot XI design in fact, and we've made several of our own fighters here, the F-9, the P-54 "Skywalker" He pointed to several fighter pictures on the wall, and he said "But I digress, what buisness do you wish to speak of Heaetra Bellidini?"

OCC: Whoops, I remember what it meant, I forgot, so just presume that Calizorinstan does have these "concrete jungles.."

"First and foremost, Ht President, this visit is not so much an instrument of policy as it is an opportunity for enhanced cultural understanding," Cecilia said. "But People's Sovereign Republic does wish to discuss future relations between British Londinium and Calizorinstan. We wish to deepen the socioeconomic bonds between our nations."

"First and foremost, Ht President, this visit is not so much an instrument of policy as it is an opportunity for enhanced cultural understanding," Cecilia said. "But People's Sovereign Republic does wish to discuss future relations between British Londinium and Calizorinstan. We wish to deepen the socioeconomic bonds between our nations."

President Arnold said "We agree to that, can you expand further on the socioeconomic bonds that you speak of?"

"The Consul feels that Calizorinstan could be an important market for Londinian goods, and also feels that further integration between our peoples would benefit both nations. We would like, Ht President, to lessen travel restrictions between the People's Sovereign Republic and the United States, and to reduce tariffs between our country and yours. I, personally, would like to see more cultural exchange programmes, and an expanded dialogue between the citizens of Calizorinstan and British Londinium."

bumpage.

"The Consul feels that Calizorinstan could be an important market for Londinian goods, and also feels that further integration between our peoples would benefit both nations. We would like, Ht President, to lessen travel restrictions between the People's Sovereign Republic and the United States, and to reduce tariffs between our country and yours. I, personally, would like to see more cultural exchange programmes, and an expanded dialogue between the citizens of Calizorinstan and British Londinium."

President Arnold replied "I agree with the consul, we shall reduce our tariffs also, and lessen travel restrictions, and if any automobile companies in your nation wish to start up in Calizorinstan, they will get tax free status. I think an expanded dialogue would be nice, could you expand on that please?, so far this looks an extremely promising outcome." Col.Arnold got himself a vanilla shake and sat down listening intentley and he said "President, I've got a good idea spark just now, what if Hetaera Bellidini, our armed forces have a joint excercise in Calizorinstan, and or in British Londinium to help each other's military in practice.."

"By expanded dialogue, Ht President, I mean things such as cultural exchanges, exchange student programmes, etc," Cecilia said. "And whilst military exercises weren't what we had in mind, I can't see how they'd hurt."

Bumpage.

"By expanded dialogue, Ht President, I mean things such as cultural exchanges, exchange student programmes, etc," Cecilia said. "And whilst military exercises weren't what we had in mind, I can't see how they'd hurt."

President Arnold said "Ah yes, we'll open a exchange student programme, and cultural exchanges would be good too. We're opening a university for foreign people to be sent too, like a college.."

"Sounds acceptable. Please elaborate, though, on what you expect to get out of joint Calizorinstani-Londinian military exercises."

"Sounds acceptable. Please elaborate, though, on what you expect to get out of joint Calizorinstani-Londinian military exercises."

Col.John said "What we expect to get out of it, is a closeness of our nation's, and it'll improve both our our nations military's, it'll help us with tactics and improve both nations fighting skills. A joint Calizorinstani-Londinian military exercise would benefit both of our nations."

Cecilia raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Colonel, the Ministry of Defence does not agree to military exercises - operations which deprive our forces of vital manpower and leave us vulnerable to traitors within the Calizorinstani military - at the throw of a hat, with the vague promise of 'improved militaries'. I will need concise and detailed descriptions of what these operations will entail, what their objectives will be, and what tangible benefits we can expect to accrue from doing so."

Cecilia raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Colonel, the Ministry of Defence does not agree to military exercises - operations which deprive our forces of vital manpower and leave us vulnerable to traitors within the Calizorinstani military - at the throw of a hat, with the vague promise of 'improved militaries'. I will need concise and detailed descriptions of what these operations will entail, what their objectives will be, and what tangible benefits we can expect to accrue from doing so."

Colonel Arnold said "Of course Cecilia, we have in mind changing the way we fight air to air, and our ground tactics, and we were thinking if we had a joint exercise with someone, that we could see how the tactics would work. And we have new equipment that we are going to try out, and of course to see what your military commanders think of them.."

"I am not a military woman," Cecilia replied brusquely. "So I am not qualified to provide statements for the Ministry of Defence. I can only promise that your proposal will be brought to Defence Minister Crompton for review. Is there anything else on the agenda?"

"I am not a military woman," Cecilia replied brusquely. "So I am not qualified to provide statements for the Ministry of Defence. I can only promise that your proposal will be brought to Defence Minister Crompton for review. Is there anything else on the agenda?"

Colonel John and President Arnold shook their heads and Colonel John said "It's time for lunch, what kind of food do you want Hetaera?"

"Something local," Cecilia said. "I haven't a preference beyond that."

"Something local," Cecilia said. "I haven't a preference beyond that."

John smiled as they got in the car and drove down the hill and he said "Ah, I have a story to tell you as we drive down to the restaurant, I was once sent on a observation mission in a P-51 Mustang, with a camera, and I was supposed to find a terrorist camp to take pictures of, so the army could find it, well I did, and on the way back, some flak hit my P-51.., and it exploded, and I barely got out alive.." He pulled back his left pant leg to reveal a mostly robotic leg, with some flesh still intact, and he pulled it back down..

"Lovely," Cecilia said, grimacing in vague disgust at the sight of the mutilated leg. "But I'm surprised that you would use a World War II era craft to do recon."

"Lovely," Cecilia said, grimacing in vague disgust at the sight of the mutilated leg. "But I'm surprised that you would use a World War II era craft to do recon."

John grinned and rolled his eyes and said "I was too, we had a F-5 for use, but they thought that the terrorist's might think it was a warbird.., I feel like I've been a horrible diplomat so far.."

"You're doing a fantastic job," Cecilia reassured him. "You needn't worry."

"You're doing a fantastic job," Cecilia reassured him. "You needn't worry."

Colonel John Arnold smiled and nodded and said "Hmm, look's like the only way we can get into town without rush-hour traffic is back down the scenic road.." He drove the Ferrari 308 GTB, and said "I just got the news that John Macked has retired from the government this morning, of course I've been the acting Foreign Minister for some time, but he was completing the transition.."

"It's a pity," Cecilia said. "Calizorinstan has lost a great diplomat."

"It's a pity," Cecilia said. "Calizorinstan has lost a great diplomat."

John smiled and said "We have, haven't we?, he first started that job 5 years ago, before that he as you know was in an undead fighting squad, which, I reckon took it's toll on him, god know's what seeing zombies mission after mission does to you.."

"I would imagine," Cecilia said. "Has the Calizorinstani government taken any preventative actions against the spread of Solanum, though?"

"I would imagine," Cecilia said. "Has the Calizorinstani government taken any preventative actions against the spread of Solanum, though?"

John smiled and nodded "Yep, we've had loads of preventative actions against Solanum, and we've had no outbreak's yet, thank god.."

"Most excellent. Then why all the anti-zombie operations?"

"Most excellent. Then why all the anti-zombie operations?"

John said "He joined a foreign anti zombie operations, it was based in United Human Countries, who had a huge outbreak, and he and his squad helped quell the outbreak.."

"Ah," was the curt reply. She never really cared about zombies, and Cecilia had always had difficulty of dissuading herself of the belief that the undead were an elaborate hoax by the MoD to justify keeping flamethrowers in the national armouries.

"Ah," was the curt reply. She never really cared about zombies, and Cecilia had always had difficulty of dissuading herself of the belief that the undead were an elaborate hoax by the MoD to justify keeping flamethrowers in the national armouries.

John spotted his favorite hamburger joint and pulled and said "Here we are, it's "Max's Steak House", and they make really good burgers.." He got out of the car and they walked towards the steak house..

"I always did like a good steak," Cecilia mused.

"I always did like a good steak," Cecilia mused.

John and Cecilia sat down and John said "Does the Consul have any kids Hetaera Bellidini?"

"Three. I believe," Cecilia said. "Two daughters and a son. I don't really keep tabs on his personal life."

"Three. I believe," Cecilia said. "Two daughters and a son. I don't really keep tabs on his personal life."

John nodded and said "My son is going to the ViZon school with one of his daughters I think..., Waiter, I think I'll have a double double cheese burger, with a vanilla shake to drink.." He said this last to the waiter who had appeared..

"And, if you were to have it, a New York strip steak, medium, and, if at all possible, smoked in some Ceylon tea."

"And, if you were to have it, a New York strip steak, medium, and, if at all possible, smoked in some Ceylon tea."

The Waiter nodded and said "I'm Eric your waiter tonight, We do have a New York strip steak, medium and smoked in Ceylon tea?, we just got the tea today, thank you for your order ma'am.." and with that he went off to the kitchen to tell the cook's the order..

"I'm afraid to admit, Colonel, that this is my first visit to Calizorinstan," Cecilia said. "And thus I know very little of it. Perhaps you could tell me a bit, say, about the city of San Diego itself?"

"I'm afraid to admit, Colonel, that this is my first visit to Calizorinstan," Cecilia said. "And thus I know very little of it. Perhaps you could tell me a bit, say, about the city of San Diego itself?"

John smiled and said "Of course Hetaera!, San Diego was founded in 1564 by some Indian settlers, and then 200 years later, it was occupied by the Spaniards, they left a lot of their conquistador style on the city, and then 100 years after that the Calizorinstanian's, or us, took over San Diego, and made it our capital. Since then, it's been a very good naval base, and air force base, and it's a good industrial center, ARDC, who made the C-144 supersonic transport, based on the Russian Concorde, and who made the P-81 turboprop/turbojet hybrid plane has their manufacturing facilities here. Apple Computer just moved down here, San Diego is the industrial capital of Calizorinstan, besides the real capital."

"And the legislature? Bicameral or unicameral?"

"And the legislature? Bicameral or unicameral?"

John said "Unicameral, last time I checked at least.."

"One chamber - interesting. Would it be proportional or equal representation?"

"One chamber - interesting. Would it be proportional or equal representation?"

John said "Equal repersentation, last time I checked, I haven't been into government affairs and I have a general idea how it run's, this is coming from a military man of course.."

"Understandable," Cecilia replied. "Since you are a military man, by your own statement, why not tell me a bit about that?"

"Understandable," Cecilia replied. "Since you are a military man, by your own statement, why not tell me a bit about that?"

John cracked his knuckles and smiled and said "Well, our air force is getting bigger, at last count we have 3,132 aircraft in our inventory.."

"Quite hefty, though British Londinium alone fields over twenty thousand aircraft in the PAF. Are the Navy and Army up to par?"

"Quite hefty, though British Londinium alone fields over twenty thousand aircraft in the PAF. Are the Navy and Army up to par?"

John nodded and said "Yeah, the Navy and the Marine Corps have 2,700 aircraft, and the Army has oddly enough 1,200, mostly helo's, but some fixed wing jet's..., It's understandable that you have 20,000 aircraft in the PAF, because you're a bigger nation and have a bigger defense budget, correct?, ah here's my food.." The waiter gave John his cheeseburger, and soon followed with Cecilia's New York strip steak cooked medium, and roasted in Ceylon tea..

Taking a bite out of the steak, Cecilia said, "Delicious. And, yes, Colonel, I do believe the Londinian defence budget is around eight point five trillion denarii. Something like that. I never did like statistics. Tell me a bit about yourself."

Taking a bite out of the steak, Cecilia said, "Delicious. And, yes, Colonel, I do believe the Londinian defence budget is around eight point five trillion denarii. Something like that. I never did like statistics. Tell me a bit about yourself."

John smiled and said "I went to a foreign prep school in the Scandanavian Emipre, and then I joined the Navy, I commanded this captured Lerasian destroyer for a while, then I went up the ranks to Captain of the R.C.S Mira Mesa battleship like my father before me.."