NationStates Jolt Archive

The House of Wittelsbach, for the last 1,000 years they have presided as the ruling monarchies over the Federal Republic of Canadstein. They have ruled Canadstein since its very humble beginnings as a small kingdom and have lead it to becoming the great nation of Canadstein. For the last five hundreds years they have been little more than mere figure heads, though widely popular with the populace.

The current King, Albert IV, has been nicknamed the People's King, along with his wife, Eugénie, and three children, Edward, Nicholas, and Sophie. Edward, the next in line, was the more widely popularity prince. Pictures of him are taken daily by the media and young girls scream out his name. He is a national sensation. Meanwhile Nicholas, the younger brother, has been always been called Edward's brother or the other one.

But that was soon to change. King Albert was going to make sure that Nicholas found his path, which did not include Edward. During the course of his nineteenth year, since his birth, King Albert planned for Nicholas to do numerous state visits to other countries. He wanted Nicholas to see other royal families and heads of nations, without the restraint of family. The next stop was New Masada of the Free Republic of Kahanistan.

The visit to Kahanistan had only been planned a mere month ago. Nicholas was going to be sent to try to improve the look of Canadsteiners within Kahanistan, after the Sklenova Incident. President Harper had repaired their neutral position with Kahanistan, now it was time to repair the image. During the trip, Nicholas was going to meet with the current President, some generals, and do some sight seeing.

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A private Learjet was beginning to make its descent into the major airport located in New Masada. They had already been cleared to make their finally descent. Aboard was Prince Nicholas, a young nineteen year old with blue eyes and blond hair, and his assistant/bodyguard/overseer/helper, Rudolf, a man in his mid-thirties with dirty blond hair and blond hair. Both men were sitting engaging in a fierce conversion over local Canadsteiner football teams.

The odd thing was Rudolf had only become his assistant; right before his massive global trip. He was a former major in the Royal Canadstein Army and was ready to kill for the young prince. For the past few months Nicholas had become very close to Rudolf and formed a close friendship.

Rudolf noted the city outside the window, while Nicholas looked on. Both were amazed at what had been built in a short amount of time. But quickly went back to their heated discussion, though it was ended when the plane landed. Rudolf grabbed the Prince's luggage, while Nicholas prepared himself. Putting his bowler hat on and make sure he looked good, Nicholas took a deep breath.

Then the light of day broke into the airplane's cabin. The steps were lowered as the light was emitted into the plane. Nicholas shield himself from the light for a brief second, then walked forward. It was show time for both Canadsteiners.

Kahanistan still did not trust Canadstein entirely; they still had a missing soldier in their territory they had failed to find. Most people in Kahanistan wanted little or nothing to do with Canadstein anymore, but the government did not want to push a conflict with them into war, even as the Department of Weapon Design cranked out faster, more powerful warships, long-range missiles, tanks, bomb shelters, and fighter aircraft, as if preparing for war.

In a break from his custom, President Khalid bin Abdullah al-Omari himself awaited the Canadsteiners as they landed, surrounded by six guards. He himself wore body armour and carried a .44 Colt Magnum revolver inside his vest, but the guards carried M-67 battle rifles - bulky, uncomfortable, and slow, but capable of turning any armour but powered into Swiss cheese.

Over his armour, however, the President wore a standard Western suit. He was a tall, overweight Arab man of about 60, and he stepped from outside the middle of his guards, who eyed him and the Canadsteiners warily.

"I am Dr. Khalid bin Abdullah al-Omari, the President of Kahanistan," said the President.

Both men walked down the steps of the airplane and were not surprised by the armed Kahanistani. A few months ago relations between Canadstein and Kahanistan had heated up dramatically. The Kahanistani had claimed that two Canadsteiners had tried to kidnap two Kahanistani military officers. Naturally Canadstein denied because of its neutral background, this lead to a secret fiasco which involved two soldiers getting injured and another still missing.

But this is why Nicholas was here, to improve overall the image of Canadsteiners. Most Canadsteiners want peace within their small sector of the world. The country's neutrality is something that Canadsteiners hold very dear to their heart. The military is small compared to others, but Canadstein has one of the largest militias/national guards in the world. Once coming neutral, Canadsteiners agreed to create a Swiss type military. If you are between the ages of 18-35 and a male, then you are in Royal Canadstein Militia. So those young males have their rifles ready and a box of ammo, in case of a foreign invasion.

Nicholas approached President al-Omari, while Rudolf stayed far enough behind but at the same time close of enough. Kahanistani must have not trusted Canadsteiners at all. Did they honestly think that the Prince would want to kill the President, let alone be armed? Even Rudolf wasn't armed with any firearms. They would just have to trust foreign governments.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, President. I am Prince Nicholas of Canadstein." Nicholas said with a warm smile, while shaking Khalid's hand. Then he pointed toward the man behind him. "Oh this is Rudolf. He is an assistant, but really just an overseer. My father wants to make sure I don't get into trouble or make trouble come toward me. I am very glad to be within Kahanistan. I hope to see the amazing things within your new land."

The President nodded curtly. "There is little here that is amazing. Most of the people here at least live in houses... unlike in other cities where metal shacks and shanty towns outnumber real houses five to one. Even the Presidential Palace isn't much to see, except it's one of the few three-story houses here. The Special Economic Zones are a whole different story... they have foreign businesses operating in them, so their economic situation is a little better, but even they have drug dealers and prostitutes plying their trade. You can get four times the normal price of a bag of cannabis in the S.E.Z. than in a drug store outside run by a native shop owner."

He nodded to his guards. "Lower your weapons." They did so, but kept wary eyes on the Prince. "I could have us taken around the city, but until we stop having to spend so much on defence, the city will look like this for a very long time."

To: The People of Canadstein
From: North Calaveras

Good day, we would like to know if you would be interesting in incorporating our religion in your country, along side the others in your nation of course, We believe this will help our relations and bring new trade.

"That would be lovely. My father wants to expose me to new and different things. Kahanistan is certainly something different. It is within a transition era, but it will rebuild itself like all countries have done. President al-Omari, I assure you it is only a matter of time before Kahanistan is back on its feet." Nicholas said with care. "But for now you have to carry yourselves through the thick swamp know as reconstruction."

Rudolf eyed the guards as they lowered the weapons. There was something about these guards that bugged him. Shaking his head, Rudolf dispelled the thought.

"Very well. Let us go into the motorcade. Colonel Beckett..." the President nodded to the highest-ranking of his guards, "accompany the Prince and I in one of the vehicles. He may take his guard if he wishes. I will drive."

The colonel gestured to an unassuming four-door sedan that looked like it had been built about ten years ago. "We can see the city in this. It's not much, unlike what we had before we started getting uprooted by the Doomies, but this island is more secure than a large continent. The enemy can't build a base in a nearby country and invade."

Both men followed the President into the sedan.

The vehicle drove through the streets of the capital city, in the Government District. A three-story house swarmed with armed guards carrying heavy battle rifles, machine guns, and MANPAD's, as if expecting an attack. "That's the Presidential Palace," said Colonel Beckett. "The President lives there and there are a few offices. Not as big as what we used to have, but for a nation of this size, it does the job."

Across from it was one of the few skyscrapers outside the Special Economic Zones, about forty stories high. "That's the Defence Ministry. We plan the defence of the nation in that building, and every file on the military is held there, though some military bases have copies of some files. The Defence Minister and most Generals and Admirals have offices there. We don't have as many of them as we used to, what with most of them being killed in the last war. Many of the ones we do have are younger officers promoted to higher ranks to replace the General Staff. We're moving into the International Business District, as the locals prefer to call it. The government calls it a Special Economic Zone; every major city has one. That's where foreign businesses can set up shop tax-free and there are relaxations on minimum wage laws. The Labour Ministry turns a blind eye to all but the most outrageous practices there."

Nicholas looked over to the Presidential Palace and marveled at how many weapons and soldiers were around it. It was simply a foreign idea that the President would need that much protection. President Harper only had a few bodyguards, but the President practically had the whole army protecting him.

As they passed the Defense Ministry, Rudolf's eyes seemed to be glued on it, but it was a odd blank stare. Nicholas looked over to Rudolf and tapped him on the shoulder. Rudolf didn't even blink, but he snapped out of it. Both Canadsteiners went back to listening to the Colonel.

"Why even have this special economy zone?" asked Nicholas turning back toward Colonel Beckett after looking out the window.

"Kahanistan has been a socialist nation for decades," said the Colonel. "Our President did not wish to bring capitalism into Kahanistan, but after the war, foreign corporations from Praetonia and Vetalia, among others, wished to set up shop and the people needed jobs. They threatened to locate elsewhere if they could not profitably do business here, and we desperately needed jobs. Even with the Labour Ministry not enforcing the minimum wage laws to the fullest, most people working there make enough to live on, and some to spend on the drug dealers and prostitutes there."

A prostitute approached the car, but the Kahanistanians ignored her and drove on. "The economic zones are a compromise, to contain capitalism rather than import it wholesale into Kahanistan and let us become a repository for cheap labour," said the President. "The Senate went along with it because they wanted us to have an economy. If the communists take over, they will try to remove them, but even if the Senate doesn't support them, they can make things hell for the corporations if there are enough communists in power. Outside the economic zones, you see smaller native businesses. With drugs legal here, a native shop owner makes less than one-third of what they made before the war, and can make four times that by becoming a street dealer and selling in the S.E.Z. So, native businesses are suffering here. It's not just the drugs, it's grocers who are selling out, farmers are growing industrial hemp as a cash crop instead of food, so we're importing food... things are going to hell very badly here, and the election does not look good for me."

"So you created this special zone to contain capitalism? This is certainly odd. Well at least odd for both Rudolf and myself. Back in Canadstein capitalism reigns free. Though I find it kind of amusing how in this special zone, business is prosperous, while outside of it, business is suffering. But still the communists want to keep it within this zone. Honestly they should be more open minded and capitalism out of these confining walls. It would make Kahanistan so much stronger. But people are clinging to old and outdated ideologies. They need to look toward the future." Nicholas commented. "In the next months your country is going to have to make a big decision. Either conform to old ideas or try something new. So how do you feel about the communists?"

"If you're talking to me," said the President, "they are too idealistic. Their ideology is fine when we are at peace, but not when survival is a paramount issue. General Sklenova is an excellent commander and soldier, but she does not know the first thing about running a country, especially one in crisis. Pragmatism is an alien concept to her. If she is elected, she will paralyse the country. She will not allow the S.E.Z.'s to expand, and she has openly stated she will break away from the alliance with Allanea. I could see positioning her as Minister of Foreign Affairs, but I could not see her as President."

"Then why has the communist party chosen her as their candidate? It doesn't sound like she is qualified in anyway. Or are they just choosing her because they of her past background and the legend it holds, which may win her the election?" asked Nicholas with an inquisitive look. While Rudolf peered out the window appearing not interested, but actually listening very carefully.

"The Communist Party refuses to see the situation. They want to see us at peace, they won't realise that we are still on a war economy, that changes have to be made to the economy. They are choosing their most visible member to represent them, and they are more interested in equality than in survival."

"Surely there must be someone in their party that can see this. If not then they are a bunch of moronic fools. They will surely lead this country into more turmoil. You cannot just simply switch off something, then turn something on without consequences. The more you tell me of the communists, the more I want you to win. I wish the best of luck to you." Nicholas stated.

"Thank you, but I fear it won't be enough. Native businesses are suffering. The Communists promise to help the smaller, native businesses weaken the larger foreign corporations that are taking many of our jobs. They don't like big business. They're appealing to their power base, the workers, and they tend to be the people we rely on to vote for us. It's a tossup between them and the Nationalists, who, to their credit, have driven out most of their openly anti-Catholic members."

"Yes they might be appealing to the workers, but they are only going to make their situation was worse. Hopefully they will see the light and you will prevail. If you don't, then I fear for your country. The communists are offering things which cannot be accomplished. It will surely be a dead day for this country." commented Nicholas.

"I don't think I will. My handling of the situation with your government... it violated the constitution to simply expel all Canadsteiners. The Communists and Nationalists are both using it against me. They don't like the Canadsteiners, but they don't want someone who's willing to ignore the constitution. The Nationalists will protect the economy, but their only opposition to the new economy is that they want native corporations to get stronger and take them over, rather than have foreign companies here."

"This little thing we call democracy causes so much trouble. I am not saying democracy is bad, but sometimes the populace makes the wrong choice." Nicholas stopped, then looked out toward the Kahanistani shanty towns. Shaking his head, Nicholas knew that he needed to get off of this topic. "While I am in this country, may I visit your opposition, mainly General Sklenova? Or are we going to meet her somewhere else, since I am suppose to meet some of the Generals."

"General Sklenova is running the campaign circuit up north, with heavy security. She isn't likely to be seeing anyone soon," said the President. "You might want to meet her after the elections, if that's acceptable. Her main opposition should be somewhere in the Senate Hall. They should be wrapping up the vote on a military funding bill about now."

"Well before this whole visit is over, I want to see General Sklenova. Honestly I want to see the opposition, and there side of the story. Also to try to deal with some matters with Canadstein with her. If that would be alright." said Nicholas.

"Soonest she'd be available is probably in a couple of days. I have meetings scheduled tomorrow, so I'll probably hand you off to V.P. Delray tomorrow morning. In the meantime, the Senate's probably wrapping up business." He turned the car around and headed for the Government District, this time approaching a large, flat building about one kilometre by one kilometre and about five stories tall. Guards milled about in heavy body armour and drove infantry fighting vehicles and tanks, and helicopters flew over the area, as if expecting a terrorist or paratrooper attack at any moment.

"This is the Senate Hall," said the President. A group of people stepped out of the main entrance, dressed in businesslike attire. At the head of the group was a tall, athletic-looking woman in her mid-30's, with straight brown hair and dressed in a professional-looking jacket and skirt.

"That's Alyssa Petrova," said Colonel Beckett. "She's the leader of the Nationalist Party. It's either her or General Sklenova who will win." The President parked near the building and exited the vehicle.

"May we please talk to Miss Petrova? Mostly so I can speak to one of the leading candidates, but also so President al-Omari can attend to other more important matters. I don't think that he really needs to guide me around New Masada. Colonel Beckett seems to be a good enough guide." Nicholas stated as he got out of the car. Not wanting to wait for a decision, he started to make his way over to Alyssa. Rudolf quickly followed behind the young prince.

The President stepped out and allowed the colonel to lead the Canadsteiners. The colonel was a young man, about 26, another product of rapid promotions of officers during the war, and was one of the few survivors of the Allanean attack on the Presidential Palace. He led the group to the Nationalists.

"Senator," said the Colonel. "These are Prince Nicholas of Canadstein, and Rudolf, the Prince's guard. This is Senator Alyssa Petrova, Nationalist Party of Kahanistan."

The woman smiled and extended her hand. She eyed the prince quizzically, as if he were an alien from outer space who had just told her he came in peace.

"Yes like Colonel Beckett stated I am Prince Nicholas of Canadstein and my assistant, Rudolf." Nicholas pointed out Rudolf, who was standing right behind him. Taking her hand, Nicholas shook it in a royal manner, then let go. "So I have some about you from the President, Miss Petrova. The President thinks that you are one of his main opponents, besides General Sklenova."

Noticing a look from her eyes, Nicholas had to ask. "Is there something wrong?"

Petrova shook her head. "No..." she said. "I... just wasn't expecting visitors from... Canadstein. As you likely already know, your nation isn't exactly popular over here. So, is there a reason you wanted to discuss the upcoming elections with me?"

"How do you feel about Canadstein? Do you believe these stories made by your government? Honestly I couldn't see how my country's government would do such a thing. Why would we want to kidnap some random General from your government? That would our destroy our neutrality." asked Nicholas ignoring the other question from now.

Rudolf just stole a glance at Alyssa, then thought that she looked familiar. He had remember seeing her somewhere before, but he couldn't get his finger on it. Was it in on the news? No. Maybe a magazine.

"My own feelings... I personally feel that the situation was blown out of proportion. I'm not saying General Sklenova is a liar; one thing she is for certain is honest. I think we should discuss this further in my office." She and an aide led the way into the building.

Nicholas quickly followed Alyssa and walked beside her, but Rudolf stood transfixed still wondering where he had seen Alyssa before. Stilling thinking, Rudolf moved forward to catch up with the young prince. As they were walking, Nicholas started to answer her unanswered question.

"Well Miss Petrova, I have seen the President's point of view on your country's various economic situations and his view on General Sklenova and you. So I also want to hear Nadia's and your point of view, so I don't have such a narrow outlook on your country. You can't just decide on an issue by hearing one man state his facts. You have to hear a wide perspective."

Petrova noticed Rudolf looking at her, but figured he had seen her in the magazine, and / or found her attractive. She had gotten that look before even before the pictures of her were leaked.

"I agree. There is right and wrong on all sides," she said as they passed a tall, Mediterranean man in a suit and tie. Four doors later, they arrived at her office. She opened the door and sat down, gesturing to two spare chairs.

"Make yourselves at home. Coffee?" she asked as she poured a mugful.

Rudolf quickly turned away and reddened in the cheeks, when he saw Alyssa looking him. It was slightly embarrassing to get caught looking at a women. Dispelling any further thoughts of her, Rudolf just kept his eyes on Prince Nicholas.

"Coffee would be great right now. I haven't had anything to drink since we left from my last destination." Nicholas stated while sitting down.

"Yes I would like some coffee too." Rudolf sat down, after Nicholas had done so.

Petrova poured some coffee for the two men. "There is no reason to be embarrassed. I like when men look at me. I just don't like when they try to act like they aren't looking." She handed them their mugs.

"Now... you were asking me for my views on Canadstein. I must admit that I am perplexed. Why is Canadstein, an avowedly neutral nation, so interested in Kahanistan, which has a long history of war, and an undeservedly poor reputation? We are but a war-torn backwater now. A year or so ago, when we stood on the cusp of defeating Kraven, I could understand your government's interest, but why now?"

Suddenly Rudolf remembered where he had seen Alyssa before. It was her pornographic photos in that magazine, Alldoor Action. All he could see her her nude body. Nervously he grabbed the cup from her hand, but it was shaking almost violently. Slowly Rudolf brought it up to his mouth and took a long drink. He needed to calm his nerves.

"Speaking on behalf of Canadstein, we have no real interest in Kahanistan. We would like to keep things status quo, before all these incidents. For the last 130 odd years we have been fiercely neutral. Most Canadsteiners would die to stay neutral. I am hear to improve the overall image of Canadsteiners. I know that most Kahanistani people despise us, but I want to show them a true Canadsteiner." Nicholas then took a sip of the coffee.

"I wish our age-old conflict with the Doomani could be so easily reconciled," said Petrova. She took a long drink from the coffee. "So many lives lost, because they want to convert us to Catholicism, and the anti-Catholic backlash has poisoned our politics. The man we passed in the hallway is the leader of the Anti-Catholic Party, Senator Aristakis Nikolatos. He used to be a Nationalist until we drove his faction out of the party. As for my views on Canadstein..."

She leaned her head back as if thinking. "I don't have a problem with the Canadsteiner government, or population. I find it more likely that Miles Mason worked for the Canadsteiner government; he was seen around the Defence Ministry during General Malakov's tenure, and the General was scared of him. However, I find it unlikely that the government of Canadstein would have ordered him to capture General Sklenova."

"He probably did that on his own accord. From what little I know, he was attracted to her, and probably wanted to marry her. I have only met her a few times, but she does not seem the kind of person to easily get into emotional entanglements. He may have been unwilling to face rejection. I know that many intelligence agencies obfuscate their members' records, so it is no surprise your government would have little or no official information on Mason."

"That said... I personally don't hold you or your government responsible. There have been many attempts by elements in our own intelligence services to set up parallel operations outside governmental oversight. So far, we have kept them in check. A rogue operative setting a nuclear device off in Urbs Doomanus, or a biological attack on Questers, or twenty tons of arsenic mysteriously appearing in the Praetonian water supply could start a disastrous war, and our government has to know exactly what its covert arms are up to."

"Well sometimes it takes people time to see the light of reason. Eventually the Doomani will come around and make peace with your nation. If they don't. Then their worldwide conquests will one day destroy their own lands. But truly only time will tell which of these is to happen." Nicholas stated in almost prophetically tone.

"I cannot really comment about Miles Mason because I have never met the man. I have over heard him a few times from a meeting between a government representative and my father, the king. Sounds like a man of great loyal to my father and the state, but also a little too impulsive. This Mr. Mason cannot always follow what some man tells him, but what his heart and instincts tell him. Maybe if he did this, he could find forgiveness." Nicholas took another sip of the coffee, while Rudolf patiently waited.

"My father has called our intelligence agency their own mini government. When needed to, it provides all the information we need, but at others times we have no idea what they do. They are very secretive. I haven't even been in the main building in our capital. A major part of our Parliament wants to see they be under direct government control, while others are content with what we have right now."

"How did you feel about General Malakov?" pipped up Rudolf. "From the papers it seemed like General Sklenova brought down a very evil man."

"Malakov is one of our best generals. Until recently, I would have said that if I could place the defence of this nation in the hands of one man, it would be him. But he is too bigoted and unscrupulous for the society we live in now. He almost single-handedly ruined the reputation of the Nationalist Party with his voluminous anti-Catholic statements. We managed to control some of the damage by expelling many of our members, who formed the Anti-Catholic Party, but now they're getting organised better than they could have as a faction of the Nationalists. I personally feel General Kasagawa is innocent, and Malakov framed her. He is very ruthless, something which one might value in a military commander, but not in a politician."

Petrova sat back and crossed her legs. A bit of lace appeared at the edge of her skirt. She took another sip of coffee and continued. "I would very much like to see your agency brought under your government's control. It would clear a lot of doubts many of our population have. As for the Doomani... if they can make free trade with Allanea, certainly they can come to the table with us. If I am elected, there will be none of this gallivanting around over the world. Instead of fighting for oppressed peoples abroad, we'll bring them in here, instill our values, and fight here. As a mother, I don't want my child to be sent abroad in nine years' time, and stuck on a pike somewhere so some people can have freedom when they can have it here by hopping a boat."

"What about your economic policies?" asked Nicholas, not even noticing the bit of lace.

However when putting the mug down, Rudolf did notice. Almost instantaneously he turned red and looked away. All he could picture was Alyssa in a lace bra and a pair of lace panties. He did not to be perceived as a pervert by Miss Petrova, but some damage already had been done.

Petrova did not pay attention to Rudolf's apparent embarrassment, not wanting to make things worse. She seemed oblivious. "I want a more domestic economy. I'd like to see the foreign businesses phased out by native corporations. I do not like the idea of our people being economically exploited. As if the fact that it's simply wrong isn't enough... it creates a feeling of superiority among people in other nations." She pulled a Questarian book off her shelf called The Races Across the Lands and their Place in History. (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/the_races_across_the_lands_and_their_place_in_history.html)

"You will never find a worse piece of anti-Kahanistanian vitriol," she said. "Now, why is a Nationalist Senator, a devout Kahanistanian patriot who has fought for her country in our elite special forces, in possession of such a tract?" She answered her own question. "I find it useful to know what people abroad think of us. And right now, the idea that we are an inferior race meant for enslavement holds enough currency abroad that this piece of crap sells reasonably well. So, of course, I'd like to see the foreign investors leave as soon as our economy is reasonably well on track."

Getting up, Rudolf knew that best option would be just to leave for while. A little fresh air would probably help him. He bent down and told Nicholas of his situation, then swiftly darted out of the room without even saying even a word to Alyssa.

"You have to excuse Rudolf, Miss Petrova. He just needs a little fresh air. That is all." Nicholas said for Rudolf. "I have no idea what has gotten into him though.

"On back to topic. The only problem is that your native businesses are failing and the only thing propping up your economic are these special economic zones. If you destroy these zones, which are mostly foreign backed, then your economic will plummet straight into the ground. Then what?" Nicholas stated. "No country can function without foreign investors or businesses. Lets say your country goes through a horrible depression which destroys most of the business industry. The foreign companies are not going to get wiped out, but the native ones will. However much you hate these foreign corporations, they will be your only real hope in this kind of scenario. "

"I know that," said Petrova calmly. She finished off her mug. "Want more?" she asked, holding the coffee-maker to Nicholas.

"Anyway... I have no intention of simply expelling every foreign business. We'd have no trade then. I want native businesses to be the backbone of our economy, not foreign businesses that can be pulled out if our governments become hostile. I don't like the Vetalian religious devotion to profit, and I don't like the Praetonians pushing unrestrained corporatism."

She set the book down at the edge of her desk to allow Nicholas to leaf through it. "I'm not against corporations, but I want to see them act fairly, and treat workers as human beings with certain rights. I certainly will not sit back while my constituency works in conditions I don't understand. They say they will abide by our labour laws, but there were so many exemptions pushed in the latest economic reform bill that I'm concerned about worker safety. I don't think they're getting any kind of benefits packages. I don't want to sound like a communist, but the corporations need to be regulated."

"Yes I would like some more of this coffee." said Nicholas, putting his cup out.

"So you want these foreign corporation to treat Kahanistani properly and not treat them as though they are slaves? That sounds wonderfully, but what if they all leave and go elsewhere? I don't really think that the native businesses are all that stable. We drove by some and they are utterly failing. So you have to be very careful. Push too hard, then the foreign business will leave. Don't try hard enough, then the natives businesses will always stay in a runt."

"But you put too much faith that the native businesses will be on their feet again. What if they never get to that point? Nothing will change. Miss Petrova, your economic situation sounds like it is a mess. Honestly whoever the next President, they are going to have one hell of a time. They will decide if this country falls into ruin or returns to a state of productivity."

As a Nationalist, Petrova would not want to admit that there was a possibility her country's businesses were unable to compete with foreign ones. "The ones that will leave are the ones that absolutely refuse to treat our citizen workers as more than production units, and they are the ones I do not want in my country. I intend to encourage native businesses to move into the S.E.Z.'s, and give them the financial backing to do so. Land there is at a premium," she said, pouring Nicholas another mugful.

"Vital industries like defence and medicine, I definitely want to see in our own hands. Foreign businesses that can pull out at any time are not tenable in the long term for these industries, and not ideal in any case." She pushed her hair behind her face. "Should we check on Rudolf?"

Nicholas intently listened Alyssa. Now he was starting to get a better picture of the economy and social issues within Kahanistan. He prayed to god for whoever was going to be the next President. They were surely going to have a tough job.

"But what if the Special Economic Zone becomes out of control? I mean it is a cesspool of crime and other illegal activities. Within years that zone will become a crime haven. Organized crime will take over and form an iron grip over the area. Then what will the government do?" asked Nicholas.

Petrova sighed. "For one, drug use and prostitution are not crimes in Kahanistan. That's why drugs are so cheap here. They sell higher in the S.E.Z. because many foreign workers come from nations where drugs are illegal, and they can afford the higher prices the dealers there charge. Organised crime here consists mainly of importing arms, reverse engineering foreign weapon designs to sell abroad, and foreign smuggling."

She took a long, drawn-out sip. "Our law enforcement will probably be enough to handle the low amounts of crime in the S.E.Z.'s. We get a lot of strong-arm robberies of people not used to carrying guns in a foreign country, but that's going down and we're working with corporate security to deal with burglaries of businesses."

"Miss Petrova you never know. Anything could happen. Did you know that you were going to have to relocate twice because threats of war? It doesn't hurt to be extra careful. These foreign corporations are not going to like you for taking away their business, and might do drastic things to stop that." Nicholas chugged the rest of his coffee down. "Now lets go find Rudolf. He might have gotten lost."

"I won't shut them down," said Petrova as she stood up and finished her coffee. "They will... make the decision to leave. I have no intention of starting a war." She opened the door.

"This place has a restaurant and bar for tourists. He may be there, if he didn't just sit there to wait for you. Do you plan to talk to other candidates besides myself and General Sklenova?"

"Well the President, which has already happened. I think I should have my bases covered. The current President thinks that it will be a fierce battle between the three of you. I agree with him. One of you three will be the next President, but the people will have to decide that." Nicholas walked out the door and waited for Alyssa. "He might be there. But you are going to have to lead the way."

"Sure. Just walk with me." She led Nicholas down a corridor. "I thought you might want to talk to Dr. Nikolatos, the anti-Catholic candidate. He's in the building, and never misses an opportunity to launch into a diatribe about how Catholics are evil murdering scum who should all be deported. Anyway, the restaurant complex is not too far, about a hundred metres down here."

"I rather not. Seeing that I am Catholic and part of a very Catholic royal family. The House of Wittelsbach has been Catholic since the very first Wittelsbach. Oblivious I would feel very unconformable around him. How can he judge all Catholics when he hasn't even might them all? This man has already judged who I am. He would probably think I am another evil Catholic. But thank you for offering." replied Nicholas with a concerned look.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know. He preys on anti-Doomani sentiment, and attributes their evil to Catholics in general. He is going to take much of the conservative nationalist vote from me, and I fear he may swing the vote in favour of the left." Petrova looked ahead and continued walking toward the restaurant. "Here we are. Do you see him?" she asked when they arrived.

"There is he." Nicholas pointed out Rudolf sitting and nursing some light brown drink. "Would you care to drink something?"

Petrova nodded. "What's the drinking age in Canadstein? I know in some nations you have to be 21, others 18... over here we don't have one." She led Nicholas to Rudolf and sat next to the assistant. "Hello."

"Ours is eighteen. Mostly to make sure that eight year olds are drinking and slowly became alcoholics. That is the last thing we need. Bands of drunken eight year old pickpocketers." Nicholas jokingly said. He sat next to Alyssa, while Rudolf sat on her other side.

"Hello Miss Petrova. Sorry about earlier. I saw something...and I had to leave..." Rudolf took his glass and finished off the rest of the contents.

Nicholas was already done ordering and looked at Alyssa with his deep blue eyes. "What would you like to drink?"

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about," said Petrova calmly. "Red wine. Not choosy about the variety, as long as it's a red wine," she replied to Nicholas. She decided to try to talk to Rudolf.

"Do you have a different view of women in your country than over here?" she asked. She wasn't going to push him on it if he shrank away, but she wanted him to know she wasn't going to look at him like some kind of freak.

"Ok" Nicholas then ordered Alyssa's drink. Soon enough both of their drinks were give to them. Nicholas took a small sip of his whiskey. Good enough for him.

"Yes things are very conservative. I mean women are as sexually liberal as they are here. I left because I saw a little bit of lace coming out from your skirt. Then I imagined you in a lace bra and panties." Rudolf said humiliated.

Alyssa smiled. "I see. Well, you and half the world already know about the pictures of me. You know that I was in the Special Forces back then, don't you?" She sniffed the wine and took a sip.

"Well, any woman who's been through that training is going to be proud of her body. I'm 35 and apparently still have that effect on people... although I was intoxicated when the more explicit photos were shot. I never expected them to leak to the media, but there they are."

She took a drink and put her arm around Rudolf to console him. "You act as if you should be ashamed to find me attractive. Is there anything else you wanted to discuss with me?"

"Yes I know all about the pornographic photos. I have actually seen them myself. Frankly I have never seen a more perfect body than yours. It was beautiful. But when I saw you and remembered that magazine, I couldn't get your nude body out of my head. I don't want to be labeled as a pervert because I am not." replied Rudolf.

Alyssa's smile widened. "Well, thank you. I didn't think you were a pervert. I personally feel that the kind of sexual repression that goes on in some countries frustrates a lot of people." She finished off her wine glass.

"Since we've found you... should I show you around?" she asked.

Rudolf warmly smiled back at Alyssa. Meanwhile Nicholas downed the rest of his whiskey, when he heard Alyssa's comment.

"Yes a tour would be wonderful." said Rudolf, when he saw Nicholas eagerly loko at him.

"Well... let's stop getting ourselves inebriated, and follow me. About how long before you want to talk to General Sklenova?" she asked as she set her empty glass down at the bar and moved away to signal she didn't want a refill.

Rudolf guessed how much the drink costs, then put down some shekels. It didn't really matter if it was too much. All the money was currently from Nicholas' allowance.

"I have no idea. I think a couple of days. The President said she is currently campaigning in the north. But I plan on visiting with her before I leave this country." replied Nicholas.

"She'll be in the north for some time," said Petrova. "She may be available for discussions in a day or two, if you want to go there, but she's going to be up there at least a week." She led them out of the cafeteria.

"Not much to see here. The Senate Hall itself is probably empty except for janitors, unless you want to take a look at it anyway?"

"Well, then we might have to go up there then. I have all the free time in the world. A little detour doesn't really hurt. Also I love to see your Senate Hall."

She led them down a short corridor and into a large, empty room with numerous half-donut shaped tables elevated at increasing height with their distance from the speaker's podium. During a meeting, three thousand elected officials sat at these tables listening to proponents of new legislation speak in support of it, or opponents speak against it. A huge microphone sat at the podium in front, from where the President of the Senate spoke when not yielding the floor.

Petrova walked up to one of the higher tables and sat down. "This is my seat," she said. She picked up the small microphone at her seat. It wasn't on. "I use this to be placed in queue to receive the floor. Of course, it's not always so orderly. Sometimes I get into shouting matches with people, we all do. A lot of legislatures are crazy like that."

"Do you like being Senator?" asked Nicholas upon entering the Senate Hall

"It's like any other occupation. There are things you like about it, things you don't," replied Petrova. "I like making a difference in the way this nation is run. I like being able to take the utterly stupid arguments people throw at me and run them into the ground. I like making this nation safe for its people. I don't like sorting through thousands of pieces of mail that get to my desk every day and drafting up letters. Even form letters take hours with that volume. I don't like that people here, some of them, take those photographs of me more seriously than they would be taken if I were in another line of work."

She stretched her arms behind her. "When I was in the Special Forces... well, you learn not to be modest about your body very fast. Sometimes you'll get three, four, five people crammed into one tent and they have to wash and change clothes right there in front of each other, and in mixed-gender units, yes, there's sneak peeking, there's grab-ass, you have to learn when to assert yourself. But I liked fighting alongside poor, mistreated resistance groups against evil, repressive governments. Well, I do the same here, only I no longer wallow in the mud with an M-4, I speak in favour of letting mistreated people come here." She dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "We need the population boost. We're at 150 million, out of a projected population of 5.5 billion."

"Anyway," she said, speaking normally again, and nodding upwards, "up there is where spectators can watch us debate. We have soundproofed glass up there, and speakers so they can hear us. I could show you that chamber, but it's about all there is to see here."

"Being a politician is a tough job. Most of the people who complain about politicians couldn't even last a day as one. I know that I could not become one, the pressure would be too much, so I have vowed to never deride a politician, no matter what. They at least deserve some respect. It takes courage and strength to help lead a country, let alone make major decisions." Nicholas stated proudly.

Both men intently listened to Alyssa, while looking around at the room. Not as elegant or majestic as the Parliament back in Canadstein, but good enough for their recent move. Though hearing what Alyssa whispered, Rudolf and Nicholas turned toward each other. Had they heard something? No, they both had heard it come from Alyssa's mouth.

"Wait..." Nicholas said stopping Alyssa from moving. "What was that about a population boost?"

Alyssa smiled. "We need a population boost. Our estimates hold at three and a half billion people killed or enslaved. Given our people's tendency to resist slavery, many of those enslaved were likely killed. We have a population of 150 million; a projection of our population without the interference of the Doomani wars suggests we would have a population of five and a half billion by now. Not only do we get a population boost, but it's cheaper and safer than running around invading nations ten times our size for the rights of the people. Of course, the freedom of the people come first, but we'll have to work to assimilate them, or else we risk losing our own national identity."

"I know, dropping my voice like that made it sound like I was suggesting something dirty. So, want to see the Senate Hall from the spectators' gallery?"

"I guess so."

Petrova walked the Canadsteiners out of the Hall and up four flights of stairs to the top floor of the building. "I don't like elevators," she said. She opened a door where several janitors were cleaning up wrappers, food, spilled drinks, etc. The room was huge compared to the Senate Hall, with enough seats to accomodate over half a million people. Speakers were mounted in the walls and a large reinforced glass window provided a view of the Hall.

"Why are there so many seats? I mean this place could hold a whole city, maybe two dozen small towns. It is simply amazing." Nicholas stated with wide eyes as Alyssa opened the door.

Rudolf stood off to the stop trying to take it in. He had never seen something so immense from a government building. The only other time he had seen seating for this many people were at sporting events.

"It was my idea. It's for the billions of people we're going to bring in. Increased immigration, you'll find, is a multipartisan issue, the Communists also support it, as well as everyone but the National Socialists, other racist parties, and some far-right dissidents in the Nationalist Party," said Alyssa.

"Well, you've seen everything of interest in the Senate complex." She pulled a notepad from her purse and scribbled down an address in Fort Neptune, a coastal city in northern Kahanistan surrounded by nearly year-round ice fields.

"General Sklenova will be speaking at this university tomorrow morning," she said. "I thought you would want to know where to find her. I'd advise joining the VIP's there to meet her after the speech."

"Thank you for the help Alyssa. I wouldn't have found out this out it were it not for you. This is definitely going to make my journey a lot easier. If there is anything I can do for you, if so then ask away." Nicholas said. Rudolf took the paper from Alyssa, once she was done writing.

"Well..." said Alyssa. She thought for a few seconds. She had received a letter from the parents of the soldier missing in Canadstein, asking for her help. However, she figured the Canadsteiner monarchy was not in a position to help, if even the President, who held the real power, was professing ignorance of Agency actions...

Best not to raise an unpleasant issue if it won't help. "Well... nothing really," she said. She smiled warmly at the two men and extended her hand to them.

"Well I have to pay you back somehow. I think I know the perfect way to pay you back. When you pay a visit to Canadstein, which I hope you do, I will show you around and give an exclusive tour of some of my families' palaces? Does that sound fair enough? Of course this little excursion will last two weeks." Nicholas said with a warm smile. "I mean...there was never a royal family in Kahanistan. So you can finally see how monarchists use to live. How extravagant and grandiose everything used to be. The well manicured and designed gardens. The palaces so big that ten families could live in it very conformable. You could live like a royal."

"I might do that," said Alyssa. "After the elections, likely. If I'm elected President, it might be some time before I can get the time away after trying to reform the economy, the military, et cetera... otherwise, I'd still have a senate seat and I still have a lot of work to do."

"I think you would still need a well deserved break. You can't just keep working and working. The pressure will built up and you will crack. A little vacation isn't going to hurt." stated Nicholas. "Plus when have you ever seen a royal palace? This might be a one in a lifetime chance."

"Yes, it will. I'll see you again sometime," she said. "General Sklenova's changed a little since her experience. Expect some hostility when you meet with her, but she's really nice when you get to know her. I could ask one of the choppers to take you up north if you'd like, or do you have your own transportation?"

"A helicopter would be very nice. First thing in the morning. I think Rudolf and myself are going to get some food, then get some sleep. We have a big day ahead of us, mostly trying to find General Sklenova." Nicholas shook hands with Alyssa. "It was very nice to meet you Miss Petrova. I will be looking forward to your visit to Canadstein. On behalf of the Canadsteiner people, our gates are open to you."

Rudolf also shook hands with Alyssa, before starting to reddened again. Too images of Alyssa were entering his head.

"Thank you for uhhh...giving your time to us."

Quickly he scurried off back to the Prince.

Petrova nodded. "There's one on the roof." She pulled out her keys and led them back to the stairs, then climbed a straight ladder leading to a roof access panel, which she opened.

"I'll ask the guard to take you to Fort Neptune. We generally have more guards here than we think we'll need, so it'll be fine. Come on."

"Well now we will know the way. We don't plan on leaving until tomorrow. It is alright getting pretty late to leave." Nicholas said after looking at his watch. "Plus we are both pretty tired and hungry from our flight. We haven't eaten anything since breakfast. Just send a guard to this hotel. Hopefully the staff will tell them which room I am staying in."

Rudolf scribbled down the address, then handed it over to Alyssa. The pair of men shook hands with Miss Petrova, then made their way back to the hotel. They got themselves situated, then went out for a light meal. Coming back to their room. Both men quickly went to asleep, after a long and busy day.

Petrova closed the access panel and climbed down. "I'll do that."

---

That morning, one of the Senate guards knocked on the Prince's door at 9 AM. He was dressed in full body armour, and heavily armed, with a battle rifle, ammunition belts, grenades, etc.

Rudolf opened the door to see an armed guard in front of him. He was about the shut the door close, but remembered that a Senate guard was suppose to take them back to the helicopter.

"Come in and you are?" said Rudolf opening the door all the way. "Sorry I am just waking up. Prince Nicholas should be back very shortly. He is out for a little morning jog. Is there anything I can you?"

The officer removed his full-face ceramic and bullet-resistant glass helmet. "I'll wait," he said. He was a man of about 30, medium height, strong frame, and with Arab features. "Major Karim bin Muhammad Assad," he said. "Kahanistanian Army, attached to the Senate Protection Division. I was asked by Senator Petrova to take you to Fort Neptune."

He stood at attention until Rudolf replied.

"Calm down. You are not on inspection. All you are going to do is just take us to Fort Neptune. Nothing to be so worked over. Now please relax." Rudolf stated while sitting down. There was two plates with two pieces of toast and some scrambled eggs. Obliviously one was for Rudolf, so the other had to be for Nicholas. Munching on some toast, Rudolf looked over at Major Assad. "So what exactly do you do in the Army?"

"Sorry, force of habit," said Major Assad. "My father was an officer and he... drilled it into me from birth. He commanded the defence of North Freetown and now resides in Paradise with seventy-two virgins." The major sat down on a couch. "I'm a helicopter pilot for the Senate Protection Division. I fly attack helos around the complex and occasionally fly VIP's within the country. So, just out of curiosity, what did you think of the Senator?"

"Alyssa was a very nice lady. Of course she was beautiful and had seemed like a competent, though a few of her economic policies seemed skewed. I would definitely would like to work alongside her, if I ever got the chance." replied Rudolf in between a mouthful of scrambled eggs. "How about yourself?"

"She is a most attractive woman," the major agreed. "Inside and out. She is also very intelligent and articulate; I have no doubt she will reform this nation and make us strong again, without alliances with unstable nations like Allanea."

"So I am guessing you are a nationalist?" asked Rudolf.

"Yup," said Major Assad. "The military tends to attract nationalists these days. Of course, you'll get communists and other groups joining, but we have better recruiters. People no longer want to go abroad and fight for people in slavery conditions. People no longer want to go off on invasions like we did against Kraven. Of course, most of the rank and file is pretty eclectic politically, but the officer corps is over 40% nationalist."

He pulled his canteen and took a swig. "So, how long does Prince Nicholas usually take on his morning jogs?"

"He should be back very shortly." Rudolf said as the door opened to reveal the young Prince. "This is Major Assad, Nicholas. He is the Senate guard that is going to bring us to Fort Neptune."

Nicholas nodded toward him, then went straight toward the table. Within minutes he demolished the toast and scrambled eggs. Then entered the bathroom to take a shower. Meanwhile Rudolf collected their belongings and got ready to go. Within ten minutes Nicholas came back out dressed in a three piece suit.

"Lead the way Major Assad." stated Nicholas getting one more glance in the mirror making sure that he looked perfect.

"Very well." He led the men outside. "I parked the helo on top of the hotel. I'll get it down. It's probably taller than you are, but duck your heads anyway."

Assad proceeded to climb the side of the hotel until he arrived at the top of the eight-story building, which took him about twenty minutes. Then, he started the helicopter and began to slowly land it in the parking lot.

The Canadsteiners looked at each other, then entered the helicopter. This was definitely going to be a long day. Once situated Nicholas had to ask.

"So Rudolf told me that your nationalist. Then what are your opinions on General Sklenova?"

"Personally... I think she's a pretty face that a lot of morons will vote for. She doesn't know what she's going to do to the economy. She doesn't have a clear idea on foreign policy besides not getting into wars. She's not opposed to intervention on principle; she's likely to send forces abroad. She's too emotional. She's a Kraven War veteran, but her motivation seems to be communist ideology and anti-corporatist rhetoric. And the worst part is, with the nationalists fragmented, she stands a very good chance of winning the election."

Major Assad took the controls of the chopper and floored it. It was about four hours' trip to Fort Neptune.

"So you think she would be the worst out of the three front runners?" asked Nicholas. Meanwhile Rudolf was looking out the window at the passing landscape.

"Yeah. Al-Omari, for his lack of respect for the constitution, is at least the best speaker we've had in some time. Petrova... she'll get our economy back on track, and she'll phase out the foreign investors, but she won't want to kick them all out now like Sklenova will. That woman... she will bring terror on this country, she'll see the extermination of our people by the Doomani Nazis. The Anti-Catholic Party will suck a lot of votes off of the Nationalists. I understand the Nationalists' need to improve their reputation, but they had to know that the people they purged from the party would form their own faction and pull votes off them... make the communists stronger."

"Wow you think that she is that bad? Kind of a harsh judgement, but I can see where you are coming from. General Sklenova is following a dated ideology and wants to evict any foreign corporations. Right now the backbone of your economy is foreign businesses. You can't simply throw them out without major effects on the economy." said Nicholas. "Hopefully I will see the last side of this complex story. So what was your opinion on General Malakov?"

"I think he's the greatest general of our age. If he were free, we would have turned back the Questarian Commonwealth and Doomani forces, and we'd be the most feared power in Haven for it. The terrorists who kidnapped him caused us to lose the war without his leadership. If I find out who they were, I'd like to hunt them down and castrate them, and let them bleed to death slowly... and painfully."

"But he was going to bring your bloody country into a war. How about that? He was going to lead this country into ruin. Millions of people were going to die or be deported, in the case of the Catholics. Kahanistan might not existed if it were not for these so called terrorist." Rudolf angrily stated. "General Malakov was a mad and still is. I hope to god that he never gets out of that stinking cell."

Nicholas seemed to be out of words. This sudden outburst from Rudolf, showed him another side of his assistant.

"We were attacked when he was incarcerated and we were weak," said Assad coldly. "We would still be in Haven if not for those terrorists, and my father would still be alive today. General Malakov wants to protect us from our enemies, and if he has to deport - not kill, merely deport - a few million people from Kahanistan, for the survival of the state... he will do it. He is not mad, he is the greatest visionary of our day. I hope that he becomes President one day." Assad fingered the blade at his belt, but seemed more focused on piloting the chopper. "How I'd love to ensure that whoever is responsible for this disaster... never pollutes the human race with their bloodline."

"General Malakov was a power hungry, egotistically, bastard. He only power for himself, so he could carry out his sick ideas. To get that power he framed former Defense Minister Kasagawa. How was he going to protect this country from its enemies? He was going to blast them hell. Malakov was the aggressor and wanted another unneeded war. I pray to god that sick bastard never becomes President. For it will be the end of this country." Rudolf said in threaten tone. "Anyone who supports him is truly daft and shouldn't be allowed to vote, for they are the true evil within this country."

Nicholas held Rudolf, making sure he did not hurt Major Assad. All Rudolf needed to do was calm down.

"No. He wanted to... he wants to deter the enemy from attacking. Why do you think the Questarian Commonwealth invaded when he was taken away and wasn't around to fight them off? Can you honestly tell me they would have had the balls to attack us with Malakov as Defence Minister, or President? The only power he needed was the power to defend us, and with popular support he could have easily gotten the reforms to the military that they needed to be able to win such an engagement. Nationalists aren't warmongers. We want a nation powerful enough that our enemies will think twice about attacking, not that we want to invade others. I think even the Catholics who died in that war would rather be living in Doomingsland or the Silver Sky or Mer des Ennuis than buried in the ground because of a few cowards and terrorists."

Rudolf ignored the imbecile's rant. There was no use. It was like talking to a rock. At least Malakov was gone for the time being, but wouldn't be forever. With time Malakov would get out of jail and take over the country. Hopefully someone would stop him. Rudolf looked at Nicholas and shook his head. Both men stayed quiet for the rest of the trip. They knew that this Major Assad should be in the ranks of the Anti-Catholic Party, but did not want to create any further hostilities.

Within an hour of the end of the rant, they arrived in Fort Neptune. This city was very different from New Masada; most people lived in shacks in the ice fields of northwestern Kahanistan, ate fish and seal meat, and burned vegetable and animal fats to keep warm. The local campus of the Kahanistanian People's University was one of the few first-world establishments in the area, and it was there that the meeting with General Sklenova was to take place, after they managed to land...

The chopper landed artistically between two dormitories near where they were to find the general. Assad looked at the two men he had been unable to convince of the truth of his views. Maybe he was right and Canadsteiners could not be swayed...

Both men put on their appropriate winter clothes on before going outside. Back in Canadstein it was truly winter. Right after Nicholas and Rudolf had left a blizzard had passed through Canadstein. Now most of the country was blanketed with a couple feet of snow. So the cold was not a foreign or a new thing to the pair of Canadsteiners. Rudolf got out of the helicopter and scanned the area. Seemed like they were in the right place.

Nicholas shook hands and said good bye to Major Assad, before exiting the helicopter. There was no excuse to have bad manners, even to a man like that. The pair of Canadsteiners walked into the closer of the two buildings. Now it was time to find General Sklenova.

The RA at the desk looked at the two men. They seemed foreign somehow, but didn't look like international students.

"If you're here to see General Sklenova's speech, she's in the soccer field." He handed the Prince a campus map. "Good luck getting in, there are over 100,000 people listening to her. We have a big stadium."

"Thank you for your help." Nicholas handed the map over to Rudolf, so he could quickly look over it. Rudolf almost instantaneously found their bearings on the map, then where the soccer stadium was located. The pair of Canadsteiners steady made their way over the stadium.

When they arrived, General Sklenova was nearly finished with her speech. She stood at a podium in the middle of a soccer field, and was dressed in professional attire, similar to how Alyssa had appeared earlier.

"I plan to end our dangerous alliance with Allanea," she said. "They are a reckless force that drags down not only its own reputation but that of its allies. They are on the verge of military rule, and the alliance has merely hamstrung us diplomatically and failed to do what it was intended to do. They did not assist us during the first Doomani invasion, and during the second, pissed off the locals and ran off when the going got tough. These are not the people we need as allies. We will need new allies who are ideologically compatible with us and less likely to leave us when we are in a poor position."

"I will also remove the foreign businesses that exploit us for cheap labour. They care only about their profit and not about the workers, or what these economic zones do to our nation, opening it to economic abuse and keeping it perpetually poor."

"I'm glad I was able to speak to you today, and tell you what is wrong with this nation, why it has failed, where it is strong, and what I plan to do to help." The crowd began clapping and cheering as she stepped down, accompanied by two guards at her sides and an APC parked nearby.

Nicholas and Rudolf found made their way closer to the field. From what Rudolf could tell she had a pretty good security team. Scanning the area he could see the guards within the crowd. It made since she was a Presidential candidate and had been kidnapped recently. Though once she was done making her speech, the two men did a full out rush. Both men knew that she was going to be swamped in this massive crowd. It was now or never.

The guards stood in front of Nadia, to protect her from gunfire or shrapnel from a suicide bomber, and raised their weapons. Nadia's back was to the door of the APC, and was in position to enter and flee if these two men rushing toward her were terrorists.

"Freeze!" roared the taller of the guards, firing a burst from his M-67 into the ground. At the same time, the APC turned its cannon to the men, but did not fire its weapon.

Both men put up their hands, then got down on their knees. If these thugs dared to even fire one more time at Prince Nicholas, then someone was going to get hurt. Rudolf was ready to die for the royal family. At any time or any place. The royal family must always be protected.

The sentry lowered his weapon. "Who are you, and why are you rushing toward the general like this? You have to know she was kidnapped and she's very nervous about people coming up to her like that." The other sentry held his weapon on Rudolf, but held his fire.

"Why should we have to answer to you? Are you the police? No. Now stop point those weapons at us, unless your country likes international incidents. See we are not from around here. We are actually foreigners." said Rudolf almost before laughing. He didn't even give a chance for Nicholas to explain himself.

"You'll answer to us unlike you're interested in seeing the inside of a jail cell courtesy of the local MP station," said the big guard. "We're military security guards. People rushing up to someone at a campaign speech tend to arouse a lot of suspicion. Especially foreign agents, and especially when the candidate in question has been kidnapped before. If we're feeling bad, we may just shoot you. Now, tell us who you are, where you're from, and what your intentions are."

"If you are going to shoot us, then go ahead and do it. I am not afraid to die." stated Rudolf. "But that might not help General Sklenova's campaign. Her goons killing two innocent foreigners that just wanted to talk with her."

A stunned Nicholas slowly started to rise from his position. His hand returned to his side. What was Rudolf trying to do?

Nadia spoke up. "If you just wanted to talk to me... why not let me know in advance, so my security could be more accomodating? I'm ill-inclined to believe two men who just rushed up to me, especially after what happened to me..." She took a deep breath.

"Especially when they refuse to divulge their identities or even their nationalities, which leads me to suspect you're from a hostile nation I'd rather not have dealings with. I won't let them just shoot you, but I'll need some very good reasons why you aren't going to jail."

"Because we just arrived in this country and this town just twenty minutes ago. This might be the only time we may actually be able to talk to you. The President told us that you were busy campaigning up north. So we decided to come to you." said Nicholas as he regained his composure. He extended his arm toward Nadia. "Oh sorry I forgot to introduce myself. I am Prince Nicholas of Canadstein, the second in line for the throne. This is Rudolf, my assistant and protector. Sorry about the misunderstanding. We are not here to hurt you, only to talk."

Meanwhile Rudolf got up from the ground and looked at the guards. The Kahanistani army must have been desperate to accept this bunch. They were just a bunch of thugs looking for trouble.

"Canadstein, huh?" said Nadia skeptically. "Well, I've had some bad experiences with their Agency. I'm not saying I believe you, but you can come into the A.P.C. and talk to me. I'm getting a bit chilly here myself, I should have brought a coat. Come in."

"You heard the lady," said the big guard. "She's nice enough to not have you capped right here, and your head sent back to the King. Get in."

"Stop it!" Nadia replied. "We're not savages. I... must apologise for the roughness of the guards, but I've been kidnapped before, and held hostage. These guys talk tough, but they won't hurt you. I'll make sure of that." She opened the door to the APC and entered.

"Thank you for understanding." Nicholas nodded toward her, then entered the APC. Rudolf just glared at the guards and followed the young Prince. He was going to watch out for Nadia's guard. Things had already gotten off on a bad foot and it wasn't going to get any better.

Nadia sat down on one of the seats in the APC, her guard on her right side, and crossed her legs. She was dressed more demurely than Petrova had been, in a slightly longer navy blue skirt and jacket. Out of uniform, there was little to suggest she was a high-ranking general.

"What is it you wanted to talk to me about so desperately?" she asked. She pulled a large thermos out from under her seat, and several styrofoam cups, taking one and handing one to her guard before offering the Canadsteiners cups. "Coffee," she explained. "Kept me from freezing out here."

"I want to talk with you mostly about your political and economic views. I have already visited and talked with Alyssa Petrova and the President and gotten there side of the story. So you are the last piece for the three front runners." Nicholas waved his hand indicating he did not want any coffee. Rudolf shook his head. Both men already had some coffee earlier that morning. If they had anymore, then they would be in the bathroom every hour.

"My political views are an open book," said Nadia. "I'm a communist. I believe in equality for all, democracy, and freedom. I believe everyone in the world deserves to live free with basic human rights and the opportunity to improve oneself by education. Is there something more specific you wanted to ask me?"

"What did you made you become a communist?" asked Nicholas.

"I've believed that since I was a young girl," said Nadia. "It's more than that I was raised one... I went to school and studied political theory, and to a lesser extent economic theory. I arrived at the conclusion that it's the only way to ensure equality in resources. I joined the Communist Youth when I was thirteen. When I was sixteen, I appeared in Communist Monthly."

She showed an edition of Communist Monthly dating back to 1990. "This is the first one I appeared in." The cover showed a pretty, smiling teenager with long blonde hair and grey eyes. She was dressed in the uniform of a military cadet. The caption was "The Future of Our Military?" The girl in the photograph was definitely Nadia, even if she was more than twice as old now.

"Many say that the communist ideology is dated and shouldn't be applied to Kahanistan. Mostly it has to deal with your planned expulsion of all foreign businesses, which is currently the backbone of your economy. If you take away this backbone, will the economy fail? I mean right the native businesses are just pathetic. They are dying each day." Nicholas commented. Rudolf seemed to be minding his own business, but something was definitely wrong.

Nadia's face hardened at the mention of the native businesses being pathetic. "We all want them out. The Communists just want them out faster than the Nationalists do. The Nationalists want to do it for national pride; we want them out for the welfare of our people. They only care about making a profit, and why shouldn't they? Why should these businesses give two shits what happens to our people as long as we're a labour force? Of course, the native businesses only want to profit, too, but at least their income goes into our economy and not into foreign coffers who need it a lot less than we do."

She shook her head in frustration. "I can't believe this," she said. "I can't believe I'm defending my economic policies to you. The election is in less than two weeks. I think you all know my views." Nadia's head lowered. "And what I really can't believe... a year ago someone my age would never be considered seriously as a presidential candidate... now, I have a very good chance of being elected. Hell, a year ago I would barely have thought I'd become a general at this age. Now, I'm apparently important enough for the Canadsteiners to want to... abduct."

"But the nationalists are going to do it much slower. They are actually going to give time for the native businesses to get on their feet. If you just pull the foreign corporation all at once, then you will have a big vacuum. An economic crisis will develop." said Nicholas. "I'm not an expert in your country's politics or economic policies, but you cannot simply do that. It has been tried before, but it has always failed. A revolution or coup will stop it. General Sklenova maybe you just need to rethink everything. Yes it is good that you helping the welfare of the common, but have you ever thought of the side effects?"

Nicholas simply ignored her last comment. He did not want to create a conflict if the terrorist were really Canadsteiners. They were both ardent believers of their ideas. Nothing was going to change that. Rudolf looked at Nadia and tried to speak, but words couldn't come out. It was just too hard.

"And how do we know the foreign ones won't just yank the rug out from under us anyway when I'm elected? A lot of nations around here have laws against doing business with communist nations. Now, the Nationalists will probably still have control of the Senate, where the results of the right-wing vote being divided are less severe, so I don't know we'd be considered a communist state even if I were elected. But I can't take the chance on the pillars being pulled out at a critical moment. We have to eliminate our dependence on them in the short term, when we're most vulnerable to their whims. Corporations based in allied nations or contracted to allies would be permitted to stay in the short term, as long as they didn't become too powerful, and even those would be phased out."

Nadia's voice was a little calmer than it had been earlier. "I'm sorry. I should have said, 'the Canadsteiner government' or 'the Agency.' The people of Canadstein are no more responsible for what happened to me than the people of Doomingsland are for the crimes of their government."

"That could happened but if you go through your plans, then you will alienate Kahanistan. Honestly I can't see how your plan is going to benefit this country." stated Nicholas. "As for the other topic. I cannot believe that the Canadsteiner government would try to kidnap you. On the other hand the Agency is a little more believable. They are ruthless and will do anything to complete and obtain their target. "

"I can't see what even they would have to gain... anyway," said Nadia. "When most of the foreign businesses are removed, and we have a reasonable level of trade... I have no intention of cutting off trade with the world, that's not what I'm about. I'm about security for the workers, about them not being exploited, about them receiving a wage they can live on and afford a few extras. I'm about not letting other countries hold us to ransom by threatening to pull their investments."

She sat back and took a few deep breaths. "If they all pull out at once, yes, the economy will fall out right from under us. I'd like to go further than what I think the Senate would allow, but that's why we have a representative democracy - so the President won't have absolute power. I personally feel that a brief period of relative poverty, during which we focus on infrastructure and agriculture, is preferable to being essentially controlled by corporations until the government gets fed up and kicks them out, and by then they're 99% of the economy rather than 50%, and natives have lost the drive to go into business for themselves. I'm not against businesses. I'm against big businesses ramping up prices and exploiting workers. I'm all for small native businesses becoming the backbone of our economy until we can form a true communist state."

"Would you care to talk the rest of this over dinner? I mean you must have others to attend to. It would be my treat and we could anywhere you want. Plus it would that you have reconciled with us Canadsteiners. Most of your country is still bitter to us." said Nicholas. "They have already painted a mental picture when they know that we are Canadsteiners. Your people think that we are almost as bad as the Doomani. I want to repair that image. So dinner?"

"It was at dinner that Mason and his comrade kidnapped me, and my friend. They spiked our drinks with a sedative, and we woke up in a car in the middle of Africa. I can't see going to dinner with you, but I suppose we could meet casually, preferably away from prying eyes. I don't need a media scandal, and I doubt you want to be seen in public with a 33-year-old woman. You can't be much older than 20."

"I am nineteen and what does this casually meeting mean?" asked Nicholas.

"Just what it sounds. Just getting together, talking, like we are now. I trust you, but I don't know if Rudolf is part of the Agency or not. I trust you... but who knows what the Agency's plans are for me? We'll each bring some protection, just in case, and to avoid any mistrust. I know I sound paranoid, but... fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

"Okay that sounds like a plan. Of course Rudolf will be my protection at this meeting. So where will this meeting take place and the time?" asked Nicholas.

"How about noon, at Fort McAllister?" asked Nadia. "It's an Air Force base about ten minutes from here, it's the only air force base in a hundred kilometres. You can't miss it. I'll feel safe there, and we'll meet there." She wrote down the location of the base.

"You'll have to show ID's, but the base isn't closed to the public. They just want to know who goes in and out these days, they still keep all the classified stuff in vaults and deep-earth bunkers. I'll be there well in advance, you just come in closer to the meeting time. That way the gossip columns won't suspect anything."

"That seems acceptable." Nicholas stated, while Rudolf took the piece of paper. "I overheard that Kahanistani have some of the most lousy base security in the world. Maybe all of this kidnapping business would have never happened, if your bases actually had some real security or guards. Somebody could just walk in and blow it to pieces. But this is discussion that is unneeded. Though you need to remember to bring one guard. You need to honor your own demands. Might I ask why you don't want to be seen with me? Pictures have already been taken of me entering this APC with you. Do you see me as scum, just because I am Canadsteiner? You are like the rest, aren't you?"

"It's not that I don't want to be seen with you," said Nadia. "I don't want to give the gossip sheets the idea that we're dating, and if we were seen together in a restaurant, that's exactly what the scandal sheets will say. Besides, anyone who saw you entering the APC probably thinks you tried to kidnap me or blow me up as a suicide bomber." She sighed deeply.

"I don't think Canadsteiners are scum. I think that certain individuals are psychopaths, and there are lots of people in Kahanistan who are no better. If you were in the Senate Hall, you likely talked to Aristakis Nikolatos, the Anti-Catholic candidate for President. I personally see him as only a slight improvement from people who do anything just because they're ordered."

"As for base security, it's aimed at protecting classified information from falling into the hands of the Doomies. They aren't too focused on protecting small arms; everyone already owns guns. There are guards where the vehicles are parked and outside the hangars, and cameras to keep track of whoever comes in. You won't smuggle a bomb in there, anything big enough to blow up the base would be too big to sneak in a car, and our buildings are capable of standing up to a suitcase nuke."

"A nineteen year old prince and a thirty odd some year old general going out. The media would have a field day with that. But honestly if anyone believe that, then they would believe anything that the media would spit out." Nicholas said jokingly, but with a hint of being serious.

"Well I can assure you that most Canadsteiners want nothing to do with Kahanistani. We are peace loving people. That never want another war. We have already had enough blood spilled over idiotic causes. But there are people like Issac Hall, the Director of the Canadstein Intelligence Agency, who are up to no good, but are just misguided and are trying to do what they think is best for Canadstein."

"I just think that base security should be improved. I mean what would happen if someone stole perhaps a tank from the base or what if a revolt happens? The rebels could take over the bases and have most of the armour or aircraft. Your military could be annihilated."

Suddenly Rudolf pipped up. "What about Miles? Was he a psychopath? Did you honestly ever love him or was it all just a game?"

"I never said that I loved Miles," said Nadia. "I thought we were friends... until he kidnapped me. We worked together investigating General Malakov. I don't know if he wanted to silence me, or if the Agency had other plans. Miles seemed attracted to me, then he started looking around at a couple of my friends. One, he passed over simply because she already had a child. The other... well, it's hard to tell."

"I'll take your suggestions about base security under advisement, but if a mob or group of rebels is coming, then the base would go on lockdown. We're a democracy, so internal revolt is highly unlikely. In the meantime, is there somewhere you want me to have you dropped off at?"

Rudolf looked at Nadia, then quickly turned away. Something was wrong. Rudolf closed his eyes and thought about the past. Before all the problems. When she trusted him and he protected her. Only if he go back...

Nicholas glanced at Rudolf. With a concerned look he closed his eyes. Over the past few months Rudolf has become his friends. The two had learned to trust each other in any situation. Nicholas looked up to Rudolf as a mentor. There was so much to learn from him. It was slightly depressing to see Rudolf in this state, but Nicholas wondered why. Turning back to General Sklenova he resumed their discussion.

"You can drop us off at the nearest hotel." stated Nicholas blandly. It would be for the best to leave right now. There was just too much tension.

Nadia looked oddly at Rudolf, then turned to the APC driver. "Take them somewhere fancy. Five star, I think there's a Ritz here."

The APC drove off to the hotel, arriving in ten minutes.

Rudolf quickly exited the APC, without even looking back at Nicholas and Nadia. He needed to get out of there. It brought back too many memories. Too many painful memories and hearts broken. Rudolf just needed to get it out of his mind. Nicholas was stunned by Rudolf's action and sighed.

"Sorry about Rudolf. I have no idea what has gotten into him. Well it has been nice talking with you and I am looking forward to are talk later." Nicholas got up and kissed Nadia's cheek, then exited the vehicle.

Rudolf had already checked in and paid for the hotel room. Both Canadsteiners made there way up to the room and had a very lengthy conversion of what had just happened. Rudolf enlighten Nicholas of everything.

Nadia arrived at the base that evening, and called one of her friends from the military to discuss the situation.

"This Rudolf... he seemed odd around me, especially when I started talking about the Agency. I think he's one of them, and something about him did seem familiar, Mara."

"I see," said Mara, thinking. "You were right to call me. I'll have someone meet up with you. Just... don't drink anything he offers you, and don't eat or drink anything that you didn't pick up yourself from the mess hall. Rudolf, whoever he is, is part of the Agency."

"You seem pretty sure," said Nadia. Mara sighed softly and put her arms around her friend.

"Nadia... I know how people like him work. I've been in Military Intelligence before. I know people who are still in Military Intelligence. Be very careful around him. The man I'll have meet with you is part of Military Intelligence, and he knows what to look out for." She looked into Nadia's eyes. "I won't risk anything happening to you. I will have this man arrive in your quarters at nine A.M. He will explain everything then." Mara gave Nadia a pill. "You'll probably want this to go to sleep. Just in case, you might want to take this stimulant before lunch, it'll counter any sedative he might manage to slip you."

Nadia took the sleeping pill, but couldn't help but wonder if Mara was being a little paranoid. Certainly they wouldn't try anything in a military base with guards and cameras and officers reporting to her every five minutes?

After Rudolf had discussed the situation, Nicholas was relieved. Now it all made sense. Nicholas thought what Rudolf was going to do was admirable. He was going to wrong all of his right or die trying to. Both men donned their winter gear and traveled back into the snowy world outside. It was only a matter of time before the mission was going to happen. Many lives were going to be changed, for better or for worse. Rudolf knew that some lives were going to end too.

At nine that morning, the knock came at Nadia's quarters. She answered the door in full dress uniform, opening it to a young man, a private first class judging from his uniform.

"General. P.F.C. Amos Greenberg." The man saluted, and Nadia did likewise, then nodded.

"You seem familiar," she said. "Come in. Just sit down on the bed." They sat down, and Amos began to explain.

"First things first. Your friend said that you were meeting a man from the Canadstein Intelligence Agency, and you both have bad feelings about it. Are you packing?"

"Yes," said Nadia. "Nine-mil Beretta."

"That won't help if he's wearing armour," said Amos. "I'm wearing armour, and have a .50 Magnum revolver. You should take at least a Desert Eagle, if you can't stand the recoil. Are you wearing armour?"

"No," said Nadia. "I suppose I should?"

Amos nodded. "Here. Put this on, and make sure your combat uniform covers it up, you should go in that, it's a bit more damage resistant, just in case. Next thing, whenever there's a Canadsteiner agent, they're up to no good. We can't even assume the Prince knows what's going to happen. I will have his agent stand behind him, and I will stand behind you, with my back to a wall. Come with me and we can plan this out."

They walked to the mess hall after Nadia put on the armour and loaded a Desert Eagle. "I'll stand here," said Amos, indicating one of the walls near the entrance. "Your table will be here. The tables in this part of the hall have a wooden slat underneath it, so you can't get stuck with a needle or something from under the table, not that I'll let anyone reach under the table. As far as their agent knows, he can't do anything to you without risking the safety of the Prince. I know it seems cold, but he won't attack you if he thinks it'll endanger the Prince. The Agency's tried to kill you once. After what they had to go through just to restore relations with us, I find it unlikely they'll risk war, but Mara seemed insistent."

"You're the guy who was pounding her when she woke me up at 3 AM screaming her orgasm out with the whole base listening in, aren't you?" asked Nadia.

"I like to think I'm that good," said Amos. "Yes, I do remember seeing you. She's a nice girl, even if she wants more of the relationship than I do. She asked me to help her and help you, and I will."

They waited for the Canadsteiners to arrive.

Both spent the remainder of the morning wandering around the city. Throughout during the day, Rudolf taught Nicholas the techniques to blending into a crowd or how to recognize undercover cops. During Nicholas' vacation Rudolf had taught him what many called "spy" skills. Nicholas did not ask where Rudolf had learned this abilities, but had an idea. After their little talk it cleared up this mystery.

A little after noon the pair of men arrived at the base and showed their passports. Entering the base Nicholas looked around. It seemed like any base, but it had a horrible location. Why even have an airforce base here? The ground seemed to be covered with a layer of ice that would making landing impossible. It was like an ice port. The port could only be opened for some of the year.

After asking around Rudolf had found the location of the meeting. The men entered the mess hall, but found it completely empty except for Nadia and her chose guard. Nicholas sat down at the table, while Rudolf stood behind him.

"Nice to see you again General. So what are your opinions on the other candidates?" asked Nicholas.

"Senator Petrova seems nice enough, from the times I met her. She's a bit too nation-centred, not as much people-centred, as I am. Her motivations in phasing out the foreign investors have more to do with national pride than stopping exploitation, but she uses a lot of communist rhetoric. Admiral Jenkins is more centrist, but with the vote polarised and members of mainly the right calling him a traitor, either because he's Catholic or because he doesn't want to phase out the investors, he doesn't stand much of a chance. He's inspecting our naval base here, even though it's not as big as the others we have. You might see him when you're done with me. President al-Omari... he's one of our greatest speakers. He's kind of backslid on not importing capitalism into Kahanistan, though."

Nadia looked somewhat nervous around Rudolf, but focused her attention on Nicholas.

"Who do you believe is going to win this election?" Nicholas could see and tell that Nadia was nervous. He knew that it was manly because of Rudolf, but she had honestly nothing to be worried about. Within the next ten minutes there was going to be no more secrets.

"I think I will. Petrova is a good politician, and the ones who would hold her pornographic photos against her are the people who wouldn't vote for a female politician, no matter who she was. But she is a rightist, although a moderate one compared to, for example, General al-Ghazi or General Malakov. Her constituency is fragmented; many who would have voted Nationalist are now voting Anti-Catholic because of their stance against Canadstein, which their propaganda claims is an example of a moderate Catholic nation and is secretly allied with Doomingsland."

"Excuse me I have to go the bathroom. I think I saw one on the way in." Nicholas stated while getting up.

Once out of the room Rudolf sat down where Nicholas had sat. He looked at Nadia. Putting his hands on the table, he wanted to make sure that Nadia felt somewhat safe. Her fears were reasonable. Two men had tried to kidnap her a couple of months ago. Who was to say that someone else wouldn't try again? Wrapped around one of his hands was a necklace with a cross. It looked old and weathered. Rudolf looked her straight into her eyes. Those blue gray eyes...

From his position, Amos watched Rudolf closely, waiting for him to make a dangerous move. Nadia looked nervous now, if not outright scared.

"That's Amos. A... friend of a friend." Nadia was pretty sure she'd seen Rudolf before; he looked oddly familiar. She kept her hands close to her body, as if expecting to be grabbed any minute.

"Do you remember who I am Nadia?" Rudolf said in almost whisper so Amos couldn't hear it.

"You seem familiar..." Nadia didn't want to believe it. If she spoke too loudly, she could get him or Amos, or both, killed. It dawned on her, and she sat bolt upright, clearly extremely agitated.

"Just calm down....I am not going to do anything. I guess this beard really covers up most of my facial features. Because I talked the President and he didn't even recognize me." said Rudolf as he grabbed his chin showing off his beard. "I am Miles Mason."

"I suspected," said Nadia coldly. "I've heard your voice enough. I don't know why I didn't know immediately. Why are you here now? You had to know that you were coming into a dangerous location. Why do you even want to face me now?"

Amos couldn't hear the conversation very well, but he could see Nadia was becoming more agitated than before. He eyed Miles curiously.

"Private First Class Amos Greenberg," he said, not coming closer. "General Sklenova and I have a mutual friend."

"Because I care about Nadia. You might not feel the same, but I will always have the same feeling for you." Miles then cleared his throat. "I know that you hate me from my last visit, but I know what I did was wrong. During that whole thing I was thinking of only serving my state. But as I looked back I wondered why my government would want you or Andrea. Then it hit me. Nadia before I can tell you anymore, I need to ask for you forgiveness. I never meant to...do any of it..."

Nadia stared ahead, deep in thought. Her mother had always told her about women she knew who kept forgiving men who treated them like dirt, and ended up staying with them... they ended up dead, in many cases. Had Miles really seen the error of simply serving the state? Was he no longer what people in Kahanistan called a "little Eichmann?"

"You served your state to the point you were willing to risk your life and mine, and that of my friend. Can you tell me that you've really changed?"

"I can tell you that I have changed, but what is that accomplishing. I will show you in my actions. But you have to trust me. Are you willingly to trust me again?" asked Miles with a concerned look.

"Show me," said Nadia. "I'll find it very difficult to trust you. What is it you want to show me?"

"I can't exactly show you here, but I can tell something very important." said Miles. "I know where they are holding a certain Corporal Molly Hargan. Well they exactly aren't holding her against her will. Actually from what I have seen Molly likes being in Canadstein. She has also taken a fancy to a Private Taylor Hall. You remember Hall don't you? That bashful kid and excellent cook."

"I remember him. From meeting him, I think he was terrified of me. I'm glad that he's found someone who likes him... but I'd want to talk to Ms. Hargan. She may be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome). On the other hand, I'm sure Canadstein is a nice place to live... no fear of wars or invasions or bombings... but I find it hard to believe one of our soldiers would just choose to stay. General Kaselev sent a whole ton of soldiers to hunt for her and came up empty. He thinks she was executed and her body disposed of so as to never be found. He will want to talk to her, too."

"This General Kaselev can talk to Molly, if she wants to live. From what I have seen she has had plenty of times to escape. They are not holding her against her own will. Taylor actually has taken her to the capital on some of their dates. Molly has also been to the local town during her daily runs. But never mind that this is where you come in." Miles looked for a minute. If Nadia had already betrayed him, then a little a dozen guards would be pointing their guns at him by now. "Nadia you are the only Kahanistani I can trust right now. I am going to give you the chance to meet Molly, but you have to come Canadstein...."

"May I bring some more protection with me? I'm going into a foreign country, and we're talking about matters that would interest our Military Intelligence. I'm thinking him," she nodded in Amos' general direction, "General Kaselev, and two or three marines. He'll want to see her, too."

"You don't understand. The bigger the crowd, the more noticed we will be. If it was just you we just might get underneath the radar. But with all of them we will be dead meat. The agency is currently trying to find me. They think I am a rogue agent, but I am doing what is best for everyone." said Miles. He handed over a Canadsteiner passport with all of Nadia's correct information, but instead of Nadia Sklenova it was Sophie Collsburg. "Make your decision...alone or not all."

"I can't trust you enough to go anywhere alone with you," said Nadia. "I'm not going into Canadstein without backup. If the Agency is after you, you can seek asylum here. I'm sure you'll find some way of avoiding prison, claim you were under duress or something. General Kaselev knows how to sneak around and avoid the radar. He fought against the Doomani in the Negev, so he's very good at not being caught."

"I am sorry than. Nadia...it can only be you." stated Miles as he took back up the passport.

Nadia shook her head. "I can't risk my safety on your word. I'll see about having someone follow up on your lead. What does the Agency want with me, while you're giving me information?"

"Some experiment...that is all they told me. Basically they choose me because I was their main operator in Kahanistan and was close to you." said Miles blandly. "Nadia you don't understand. There is no lead. They have no idea where to look. I am the only who knows, but you are the only I will show."

"No." Nadia wasn't going to budge, not while the Agency still wanted her. "I can't go. I don't trust you not to betray me if the state says to. Tell me what you know."

"The state isn't going to tell me to kidnap you. They never did in the first place. It was the agency, but I don't work for them anymore." stated Miles. "After my failed kidnapping, I thought about what I had done. I destroyed our friendship and my friendship with Andrea. I had blindly listened to some man with his own sick motives. Why I listened to that man? I will never know, but I did. But once it was done I felt sick. I tried to kill myself numerous times. Each time I couldn't because I needed to finish something first.

"So I stopped listening to the agency. I said I was going to do anymore missions. The agency tried numerous times to kill me. They failed each time. My only escape was with the Prince. Once I found out he was going to visit Kahanistan, I knew what I had to do. As long as I live I will not let the Agency kill you, even if it means I die."

"The only way you will find out more is if you come to Candstein. I am sorry..."

"I can't trust my safety to you. May I at least ask Mara to come with me? She won't stick out as a soldier as much as some of us will... and we'll want to bring our weapons, just in case."

"No Mara or guns." Miles stated as Nicholas walked into the room. Before getting up Miles looked down at Nadia. Now it was up to her. Was she going to trust Miles or let Molly Hargan be lost forever? Nicholas returned to his seat and Miles stood behind him. Facing Nadia again, Nicholas restarted their conservation.

"Sorry for taking so long. So what exactly were we talking about?"

Nadia shook her head. She wasn't going in without backup. She sat back and listened to Miles and Nicholas talking.

"Is there something wrong General Sklenova?" asked Nicholas he turned back to Rudolf. Rudolf gave him a slight nod. It had been done.

"I... can't risk my life going there," said Nadia. "I won't be any good to Molly, if I'm lured under false pretenses and get killed. I can't trust a member of the Agency."

"Honestly I have no idea what you are talking. But I can see that it concerns both Rudolf and yourself. You can discuss this at some other time, but I rather continue on with our conservation." Nicholas said. He was going to turn a blind eye. There was really no reason to get involved.

"Very well... what is it you wanted to talk to me about now?" Nadia seemed tired - very tired of dealing with the Canadsteiners, but emotionally numb on the outside.

"What is your view on Canadstein?" asked Nicholas.

"I really don't have a view on the country," said Nadia curtly. "I think their government is in serious need of reform before they end up starting a war with someone and ruining the neutrality they've enjoyed for over 100 years. I don't think they can let their intelligence arm run amok without government oversight. I don't think they need an excuse to deny knowledge of Agency actions. That could easily be used to sponsor terrorism, and a lot of nations will invade over that."

"Well it seems like I have covered all I want to know. Thank you for your time General." Nicholas got up and nodded toward the guard. Rudolf quickly followed behind him, then back to the hotel. Though after they left, Nadia would notice a note, which Rudolf/Miles had stealthy placed onto the table.

If you have anything to discuss with me. You know where to go.

Nadia nodded. After having herself checked over by a doctor, just in case Miles had found some other way of administering bioweapons, and receiving a clean bill of health, she decided to talk to General Kaselev, who was back in New Masada, over the phone.

"Kaselev," said the cold, Israeli-accented male voice over the phone.

"General Kaselev, this is Sklenova," said Nadia. "Mr. Mason has come to Kahanistan. He was the Prince's guard... came out to me. He claims the Agency is after him because he wanted to leave. I'm taking him with a grain of salt..."

"You are wise," replied Kaselev. "A member of their Agency is not to be trusted. But why did you not have him arrested?"

"I didn't want to spark an international incident... I mean, a bunch of guards swarming him and the Prince? I don't want to go to war with Canadstein. I don't even know what the aims of such a war would be. We don't go to war with a nation just because it crosses us."

"Our aims would be to ensure it ceases its terrorist activities," said Kaselev. "The destruction of its black sites would suffice for that, and we need not kill a single Canadsteiner civilian. What did Mason want?"

"He claims Molly Hargan is alive," replied Nadia. "She is happy in Canadstein, and has been to the capital."

"Then she was seen by people who saw the fliers we dropped," said Kaselev coldly.

"She probably has," replied Nadia. "He'll only share information with me, though, and I'm not going back there... especially unarmed, and with no backup. If she's made no attempt to escape, and she's actually dating a Canadsteiner..."

"She has Stockholm Syndrome, a well-documented prisoner reaction, General Sklenova," said Kaselev. "If she is alive at all, and I do not trust anyone from the Agency any more than you do. But I'll want to check this out. If he insisted on you coming alone and unarmed, he has intentions that are more than just repatriating a prisoner... and you were smart not to go along with him. If the Agency really wants him, he would not dare return to Canadstein. At least in Kahanistan, we could provide him with asylum and immunity from prosecution if he divulges information about them. He is lying, and poorly at that. I will investigate, in case there is a particle of truth in his statement, though I believe most of what he says is a lie."

"Thank you," said Nadia.

The odd thing was that Miles was in fact telling the truth. Everything he had told Nadia in that meeting was fact. But he knew that there a slim chance of Nadia actually helping him. Obliviously he wrong, but that was understandably. Why should she trust him? He had tried to kidnap her before. Miles was now at alone, but he had caused that. Once he got back to Canadstein it was going to be a war between him and the agency. Miles looked over to Nicholas, while cleaning his Beretta. People were going to die...but they would not be in vain.

General Kaselev decided not to pass on a chance to find a Kahanistanian soldier. While he would have gone himself, his morose demeanour and the fact dozens of Canadsteiners had seen him before meant he could be easily recognised. He decided to insert an operative in the capital.

This operative, trained to a high level in Krav Maga and skilled in the use of various weapons - especially the G36 and other weapons used in Canadstein, though going in unarmed to make it easier to pass through Canadsteiner immigration controls, had a mission of going to the capitol. She merely had a photograph of Molly and a cell-phone sized radio in case she discovered a lead. Her mission was simply to mingle with the population and find what she could.

Nicholas and Rudolf soon left Kahanistan and soon returned room. But before leaving Miles left a note to be delivered. It simply stated that his love for her was real and hoped he could regain her trust somehow. He also hoped of meeting her one day in the future, if not in this world in then in some other. The letter was sincere and from the heart. In it Miles tried to convey his pain and suffering that he endured for the past three months, also his desperation for his old friendship with Nadia.

As for in back in Canadstein and Regensburg, the capital, noting out of the ordinary happened. Taylor hadn't any time to plan another date with Molly. She rarely every left the confines of the base or St. Cecilia if Taylor did not accompany her. Though Molly had become a part of the military base in the last few months. Molly was right at home.

A week after Nicholas had returned from his grand vacation, Taylor came up to Molly, who was in her off duty. He had broken through his barrier of the inability to talk to women.

"Molly would you like to travel to Regensburg for the weekend? I think I can get a small base leave for the both of us." asked Taylor.

"OK," said Molly. "I'd like to go."

---

A young woman approached the Canadsteiner immigration controls after her commercial flight to that country. Her passport identified her as a Kahanistanian citizen, but gave no indication she was a member of the military.

---

Nadia wrote back to Miles.

I'm glad you seem to have seen the error of your ways, and I'd like to be able to trust you on this.

Why, if the Agency so wishes to murder you, have you returned there and turned up your nose at the prospect of taking asylum here?

I am not a judgmental woman. I have fought alongside Kraven rebels, who likely committed terrible acts while maintaining their cover, and am willing to not harbour ill will. My sense of self-preservation, however, makes it difficult for me to consider cooperation...

You seem to be a very emotional person, like me. I cry easily. I don't have a stomach for war atrocities, or tragic events. I want to believe you. Why do you insist on me arriving unprotected?

A wide smile appeared on Taylor's face. He kissed her cheek and continued onto his business. Maybe Molly was going to be the one for him. Taylor shook his head. That would take time to find out. A relationship mustn't be rushed.

---

The Kahanistani woman would have an easy time getting through security. Of course she was checked for contraband, but that was about it. Canadsteiners treated Kahanistanis like any other foreigners. They were to be treated with respect and shown how peaceful and beautiful Canadstein was actually. There was really nothing to be worried about.

---

The following message was sent to Nadia:

To face them head on. I cannot cower in fear for the rest of my life because the agency wants to kill me. There is no way that I can simply live like that. Day after day wondering if it will be my last. Because they will not stop until I am dead. They have branded me as a traitor. I am on the top of their death list.

I want to protect you from them. I know it sounds odd and like a trap, but you have no idea what the agency is capable of. If you bring your whole team, then we will be easily spotted and tracked. All of our plans will be shot along with myself. While if you come alone, then we will be underneath the radar. The agency will not check on for a while. It is hard to explain...but you are the only one. I only trust you Nadia...

Nadia just promise me...that you never cry over me. For I am not a person to cry over. I am just a man on the path of redemption. Just remember that I loved you and always will.

Molly smiled gently. She had been effectively purged of her memories, but still retained an interest in Kahanistanian culture and stated ideals, while not liking their government. With time, even that could be purged.

--

Major Christi McDaniels arrived safely in Canadstein's capital. It took her but a short time to find the largest, most popular hangouts in the capital - places she would undoubtedly spot Molly, if she kept her civilian tourist appearance up.

---

Nadia replied in a brief message.

You insist on me not even bringing a weapon to protect myself. I'll understand if you don't want Mara or General Kaselev - Kaselev would like to arrest you, and Mara has not forgiven you. She is a nice girl, but does not forgive as easily as I might.

If it would make you feel less exposed, I could bring an Otagian box gun (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9932563&postcount=5), a small sub-machine gun that can avoid most detection equipment. If you are telling the truth, which I want to believe, I can help you. It will look like anything but a weapon.

When the Saturday had finally come around Taylor got a pair of weekend passes and permission to use one of the bases' jeeps. Driving the jeep suddenly he came to a halt. Taking off his sunglasses he looked at the small building. It was the barracks from the female soldiers, who worked on the base. Obliviously not a lot of women were stationed here or were even in the military. Knocking on the door first he could hear anyone.

Once opening the door he found Molly asleep on her bed. Taylor silently walked over, then sat next to Molly. He put his hand on cheek and closed his eyes. Was he doing the right thing? All of this was a lie, except his love for her. For the past few months he had kept the lie alive. Shaking his head he down at Molly. She looked so peaceful. Bending down, Miles kissed her cheek then whispered into her ear.

"Wake up Molly."

---

If you feel so compelled then I could provide you with a gun, a SIG P210 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIG_P210). I am not going to let you sneak a gun into this country and if you are found with an unregistered gun, then it will surely mean time in jail. The SIG is already registered within Canadstein, and I could easily get changed to your name.

Also I forgot to tell you. I slipped the passport into one of your jacket pockets in case you change your mind. The decision is up to you. If you choose to come, then meet me at the C. Arthur Hotel in downtown Regensburg in two days. I will be in the hotel's lobby reading a newspaper.

Nadia decided to accept Miles' offer. She took a bottle of stimulants with her and her cell phone, so she could communicate and at least let her government know if something happened to her. She arrived at the appointed place, dressed inconspicuously so as not to stand out.

---

Molly stirred groggily and woke up. She looked at Taylor, smiled and nodded.

"Ready to go?" asked Taylor. He had a big deal planned for the pair. "I got permission for the both of us to head to the capital. It is going to be a very exciting weekend."

---

Miles noticed Nadia the moment she walked into the hotel. But continued to read his newspaper. He waited for her to come over, though she seemed to be waiting for him. Folding up his newspaper, Miles walked up to her.

"Hello Miss Collsburg, would you care to visit your room?" asked Miles with a devilish smile.

Nadia nodded calmly. "I'm interested in talking," she said. She didn't like the idea of being alone in a hotel room with someone who had tried to push her to have sex.

"We can talk in the room. This place is too opened and too easy for people to listen in." Miles whispered to her.

"I'll come with you. Do you have the piece?" Nadia hated using ghetto words for guns, but figured Miles would understand it and that he was more likely to than the average Canadsteiner.

Miles simply nodded, then lead her upstairs. Coming to a stop at a door Miles rummaged for the key, then opened the lock. As the door slowly opened it reveal a beautiful fit for a king, actually it was a suite meant for the king. Miles obliviously didn't care about expense. Ignoring the grandiose of the room Miles quickly went over to the bed. His hand disappeared underneath the bed and returned with a box. He set it down on the bed for Nadia to look at.

Getting up from the bed he went over to the window and peered out.

"Let me explain a few things. You are now Sophie Collsburg. Officially you are a citizen of the Federal Republic of Canadstein. Everything in your passport is true. There is no Nadia Skelnova. Forgot about that life for now. As for you cover. You are my girlfriend currently on weekend getaway. While here you will listen to all my commands. If I say jump, you jump. Do you understand?"

"What do you want me to do?" Nadia asked. "And where's my... weapon?" She seemed to feel very vulnerable without it. She looked around at the box to see if it would open.

"I want you to be my side when this whole thing goes down. Also your 'piece' is in the box." Miles stated mockinly. When Nadia did open the box she would find the SIG pistol and one magazine. Miles did not except that she would need more than one. "I have one question for you now. Is there any other ops working on finding Molly in Canadstein?"

"Kaselev said he would send someone, but he didn't give any details. He was worried I'd be drugged and reveal the agent. All I can tell you is that's all the agent will do, find Molly, identify her, and verify what we got from you." Nadia opened the box and loaded her weapon, checking it to make sure it hadn't been tampered with or disabled.

"Can't you at least trust me?" Miles noticing that she was checking her gun. "If you can't then nothing is going to get done. You will always be looking over your shoulder wondering if I am going to do something to you. Nadia...you have to make a vow to trust me, are you willing to do that?"

"That will be difficult. If you just want me to come with you, what more do I need to do?" Nadia put her weapon inside her trousers. She'd brought a holster for the weapon, and attached it inside. It wasn't too comfortable, but it was concealable.

"So at least a Kahanistani can see that Molly is fine. You want prove I am going to show you." Miles turned back toward her. He looked directly at her. "Nadia, do you remember that day I found you in the rain in New Metzuda back when we trying to bring down General Malakov? You were scared and literally a wreck. Did you trust me then?"

"Yes," said Nadia. "I did. You hadn't betrayed me then. Now, where do we go?"

---

Christi arrived in a nightclub she'd heard was a big hit. While she did not expect to find Molly the first day or even the first week she came here, she knew if she came to the capital, it was only a matter of time before she encountered her.

There was little about her to suggest she was a Kahanistanian officer, though she did not disguise the fact she was not a Canadsteiner. She walked up to the bar, dressed in a low-cut, skin-tight midriff top and shorts, and asked for cheese sticks and a diet soda. She did not want to be wasted if she did find Molly.

"Well guess what? I need you to trust me like you did back then. I know it might be hard, but if you don't then I will surely die. Do you want that Nadia?" asked Miles. "You wish I was dead right now? To you I am just mere pond scum."

---

The bartender heard Christi's order and complied. Though he did so in a Canadstiener manner. When a person usually ordered a soda in a club, they meant to also put some alcohol in it too. So the bartender put in some of the strongest alcohol in the diet soda. Handing over the cheese stick and soda, the bartender collected his money then continued on with busy. A couple of the men were checking out Christi, but so far no man had approached her.

"Don't give me that crap," said Nadia coldly. She was emotional, and did not like being manipulated. "I'll come with you, and I'll protect you. Tell me what you're planning to do."

---

Christi took a sip of her soda. Damn, this tastes nasty. Smells like a damn distillery, too. She figured it had been spiked. Asshole wants to get me drunk and score on me. She took a seat near the entrance; if someone she was looking for came in, she would see, and if they were already there, she would see them leaving.

She looked in the direction of the men checking her out and smiled enticingly. She expected to attract attention - she was tall, around 175 cm (5'9") and 64 kilograms (140 pounds), with long, curly medium brown hair, blue eyes, and an athletic body trained from six years as a Republic Marine.

"What crap? I just what to know, Nadia. This isn't a game..." Miles stated while turning back toward the window.

---

A man got up and sat next to her. Obliviously he was attracted to her, but what man wouldn't? The man was about 175 lbs, 6'1", with a brown hair, which was short on the sides, but some what in long on the topped, it was definitely a preppy boy haircut, green eyes, and a fit body from lots of exercising. He faced Christi.

"You here alone?" He asked in a cool demeanor.

"I don't like being guilt tripped," said Nadia. "Of course, I'll go with you. I just want to know what you're planning and where we're going. You mentioned a war with the Agency. I don't want to kill anyone..."

---

Christi smiled. "Not any more," she said. She got up to allow the man to scoot behind her seat before sitting back down. "Why not join me?"

"Well I am planning to meet with Molly and Taylor. I need to contact them first and set up a meeting place. Preferably in this hotel. This why you can see Molly and tell whoever you want that is she is fine." Miles said as he turned back around. He made his way over to Nadia and grabbed her chin. Looking into her blue gray eyes he looked like he was about to burst into tears. "Nadia..."

---

"That seems like a great idea..." The man said with a devilish grin. He moved in placed then continued with their conservation. "I am Peter Seibert and you are?"

"OK," said Nadia. "Won't Taylor freak when he sees me? He'll know my passport is BS. I didn't bring a disguise, and... next week, the entire population of Canadstein will know who I am."

---

Christi nodded calmly. "Christi McDaniels," she said. "So, what brings you here?"

"Taylor isn't going to do that. He is working alongside me. Just don't worry, can you do that?" asked Mile as he held on onto her chin.

---

"Mostly to see the night light. I don't get out of that often. I really don't have time since my job takes up a big piece of my life." stated Peter plainly. "How about yourself?"

"OK," said Nadia, sitting in a corner, waiting for the operation to begin.

---

"I... like the music," said Christi. "I think the barman spiked my drink, all I asked for was a soda, and it smells like someone put rubbing alcohol in it. I only took a couple sips of it. What do you do?"

"Well I am a historian of sorts. Mostly I deal with early Canadsteiner history. Ah...Christi you mustn't be from around here. When you order a soda in a club like this, they put alcohol in it. The bartender just assumed you meant the strongest liquor." said Peter after tasting Christi's drink. He soon after ordered a regular diet soda for her. "Here you go. Its a mistake any foreigner can make. So what exactly are you doing in Canadstein, since it doesn't seem business related?"

"Just tourism," said Christi. "Meeting new people, taking some time off before I go and get my Ph.D. Seeing the world, I'll probably be here a few weeks, though. Trying to pick up some French. I hear people here speak it, but so far all I hear is English. Thanks for helping me, I thought the barman wanted to get me drunk and... take advantage of me."

"So, what can you tell me about how Canadstein... adopted its famous neutrality policy?"

"Nah...just a small mistake. The bartender probably meant nothing of it. Christi you have to understand that we are the kind of people that would take advantage of a women. We would probably take her home and make sure she is safe. As for the French part. You would have to go more up north into the mountains. Most of the French speakers tend farms up there." replied Pete.

"Well it started back in the Pravadian War. Back in the early 1870's we were fighting a war to help out our allies in one of their colonies. Canadstein was in the Emperor's Club as people dubbed it. It just so happened that this colony was being funded by the Central Powers, our enemy many might say. Things went down hill and a whole bunch of the Central Powers' soldiers were found dead. They blamed us, we blamed the natives. This could not be handled peaceful. War broke out and many Canadsteiners died, but we "won". Though the people were fed up and wanted to become neutral. They were sick of unneeded wars. So we broke from the Emperor's Club. That is way it has been ever since. Frankly I am glad."

Nadia sat in the corner, facing the door. It was the moment of truth - to trust Miles, to believe he was really trying to right his wrongs, to stop the Agency? Who knew what other crimes they had committed that had not yet come to light?

---

Christi nodded. "I wouldn't generalise about people... I wouldn't say that no Canadsteiner would take advantage of a woman, or that all Doomani are barbaric savages, or that all Kahanistanians are bumbling idiots, or that all Allaneans are insane genocidal warmongers... the list goes on. So the French speakers don't live in towns here? That's a pity. I meet people best in this kind of environment. I'd be such an alien at a farm."

She finished off her cheese sticks and took a drink of the soda. "I think that neutrality is overrated. You don't fight a war unless you have to, but when an imperialist power is grabbing land right and left, it's only a matter of time before they come for you. There's a poem called First they Came. It talks about oppressed people, but the moral can apply to invaded people as well."

"Well most of use would do that right thing. I know I would. If I saw you drunk as mule, then I would either take you back to your hotel room or back to my apartment. It is sick to take advantage of any women when they are not right in the mind." Peter shook his head. "But what are you going to do?"

He did not say anything for a while, but then resumed their conservation. "Well there are some French speakers around in the capital, but they are few and far between. But you should at least spend some of your time up north. You can't experience Canadstein without seeing the different regions. Up north there are the great forests. It is pretty beautiful. I suggest you go up there sometime."

"Well if that imperial power wants to fight, then we are ready to fight back. See I am in the Royal Canadstein Reserve. Every month every man between the ages of 18-35 has to report to brush up on their fighting skills. Also every man between that age has a SIG SG 550 and a box of ammo. We are prepared for anything. But until then, we will just be another sleepily little country."

"Maybe I will," said Christi. "Go up north, sometime. I don't think farms vary much from country to country. Do your reserves train with things like anti-armour weapons, heavy machine guns, air defence bases... things like that? In Kahanistan, and in Allanea, and in Doomingsland, most citizens own guns, but they're trained to shoot, not necessarily to manoeuvre, or outflank the enemy, or anything like that."

"Of course, the regular military's different, but imperialistic states tend to field soldiers who are more experienced than reserve fighters. It never hurts to have allies. Look at Kahanistan. They didn't have a lot of allies when they were invaded, and their civilians own guns. Not even just men eighteen to thirty-five, either... women, old men, probably three-fourths of the population owns guns there. We all know how that ended up."

She looked straight ahead. She had not given away her nationality, or so she hoped. Christi sucked on her glass and looked at the door, her eyes darting around the room.

---

Nadia finally spoke to Miles. "About how much longer before they get here?"

"Pretty every Canadsteiner adult male should know how to fire every weapon in the Canadsteiner armory. We have all become familiar with heavy machine guns, anti-tank weapons, light machine guns, a bunch of rifles. Though that doesn't mean we are assigned that weapon. See we are grouped into squads consisting of eight riflemen, one light machine gun, and a riflemen/anti-tank guy. I was assigned to be the riflemen at eighteen." said Pete. "Once you are put into the reserves they let each person try out the weapons. Mostly see how conformable and accurate you are with it."

"If you are going to invade our country, then they will have one hell of a time. Our people will fight back until the bitter end. Though most of the military is militia, we are going to be ready for anything. This is our land and most of us will die for it. Even if the ground is soaked with our blood." Peter ordered a glass of some whiskey, then downed it in one gulp. He didn't really like talking about this kind of stuff. War did nothing but kill and maimed. Nothing good comes out of it. Taking a piece of paper out he wrote down an address. Then he slided it over to her. "If you do decide to go up North this people will gladly give you a place to sleep and eat. Also they will show you around. Very nice people."

As he put his pen away he noticed that she was looking around the room. Was she spying or waiting for someone? Peter dispelled this spots. He was just a little paranoid.

"So what country are you from?"

---

Just as Miles was about to answer the phone rang. Picking it up he listened intently. He said yes a couple of times, then nodded his head. Putting the phone back in place he sat down on the bed. Cupping his hands, he placed his head in it.

"2 this afternoon. We are going to meet them at the National Canadstein Museum of History." Miles looked back up. "Nadia, do you think you could have brought Malakov down without me?"

Christi put the paper down her cleavage. "You'd be surprised how a pair of 36D's come in handy," she said. "I carry my cell phone there too. As for me... I'm Midlonian." She didn't want to give away her true nationality - she felt a Kahanistanian would arouse too much suspicion in Canadstein given the recent events. Kahanistan was not too happy with Midlonia - they had raided an anti-Catholic TV outlet some months before, and arrested everyone there - angering even those who were not anti-Catholic but supported free speech, and they had tried to take over the government too.

---

Nadia nodded. "Not myself. We have our own intelligence agency that was investigating the allegations the letter was faked. Malakov merely involved me to hide the political nature of his allegations."

Pete looked down at her boobs and shook his head. He turned a little red, but didn't want to create a problem. "Would you like to mmm...go to the National Museum of History tomorrow? I could show you around and tell you about our nation's history."

---

"What would your countrymen said if they knew I took down Malakov?" asked while Miles loading his Beretta. Just in case another agent made a surprise visit.

"Sure," said Christi. "It's OK to look, just don't touch. I don't stick them out and expect you not to look. I'll dress a little more conservatively in the museum if you like. I'm new here, so I don't have anywhere to stay after closing time." She checked her watch. "It's late for me to look for a hotel at this hour."

---

Nadia shook her head. "Some people in Kahanistan like Malakov. Depends on if they know what else you did." She wasn't interested in the line of discussion.

"I guess you can crash at my place." Pete glanced at his watch. "Do you want to leave around now or stay a little longer? Doesn't really matter to me. Tomorrow I don't have work, so I can sleep in."

---

Miles sensed that Nadia didn't really want to talk. Putting his pistol back in his jacket, he walked up to the door.

"I am going out of a while. Do whatever you want..."

Angrily he stormed out the room and slammed the door behind him. He would let Nadia be alone. She was obliviously sick of being around Miles. Well what did you he expect? For her to run into his open arms? He dreamed of going back to their old relationship, but that could never be done. Nadia was just too closed minded.

Making his way down to the lobby he went to the bar. Over the last few months Miles had slowly built up his alcohol tolerance. But from time to time he still got drunk, testing his tolerance. He mostly drank to dispel the nightmares. It cooled his nerves to some extent and made have no cares in the world. He sat alone at a table nursing a beer. This truly was a sad site.

"I'd stay till closing... do you have anywhere else you want to be?" Christi asked. "Have you ever... taken a woman home from here?"

---

Nadia filled a cup with water and drank. She needed to calm down if she was going to meet Taylor and Molly. She paced around the room. What would she do if Miles was telling the truth, Molly was happy in Canadstein, and she didn't want to go back? Would Kaselev believe her? Would the military at large believe her? Would her credibility survive?

"Not really, I can't wait until this place closes." replied Pete. "As for the other question no. Honestly I really don't go to this places. Not really my thing, but I some my friends said to give it a chance. So I did, but I am sure glad that they did say something."

Pete looked at Christi and smiled warmly, though his cheeks were still red.

Christi nodded and smiled back. "So I take it you aren't married, or engaged," she said. She was married, but her line of work meant she had little contact with her husband, and no time to have children.

"Nope, but I have hopes of one day getting married and settling down. How about yourself?" Pete asked.

"Me... I'm pretty available. I'm not necessarily looking for anything, but if it comes to me..." Christi looked at her watch. "Not too long till closing time."

"So what is your line of work?" asked Pete with a sweet smile. He had some feelings for Christi, but he was going to see how it went from here to decide if he truly did love her.

Christi placed a hand on her firm stomach. "Fitness instructor. You couldn't tell?" she said, smiling. She had trained marines in general fitness and advanced endurance. "Anyway, are you ready?"

"Well I could certainly tell that you were physically fit." Pete got up and paid for both of their drinks. He held out one of his hands toward her. "I am ready if you are ready."

Christi nodded. Even if the guy turned out to be a rapist or serial killer, she was more than adequately trained to defend herself. She did not have the apprehension many women would at going home alone with someone they had just met. "Let's go," she said.

Pete simply nodded his head, then lead her out the door. Walking a couple of blocks the pair stopped at a very tall building. Making it inside and up the elevator Pete lead Christi down a hallway and stopped at a door. He quickly produced a key and opened the door. His apartment was like any average apartment. It had a small kitchen attached to a medium size living space. Then out from the living room was a door, which lead to his bedroom and bathroom.

"Well make yourself at home. Since you are the guest you can sleep in my room. I really don't mind sleeping on the couch. As long as I get some sleep I will be fine." Pete said as he closed the door behind Christi.

"The bed's big enough for two," said Christi. She sat down on the bed and without a care in her head, stripped down to her bra and panties. "I didn't bring a nightie." She pulled the covers over her body.

"I think it would be for the best if we slept separately. I don't want to rush into anything Christi. I know that I have some feelings for you and an attraction, but I don't know about love yet." stated Pete as he stood in front of the bed. Going to his dresser he pulled out an old t-shirt. Walking out toward, he placed it next to Christi. "Here you go. You can keep it."

Bending over he kissed her cheek. "Well see you in the morning."

Pete undressed himself and got a blanket for himself. Checking the temperature he turned the heater on. It was starting to snow tomorrow. That was something to worry about later. Dropping on the couch he silently fell asleep.

Christi nodded. "I understand. We've only just met, after all." She pulled the T-shirt on over her body and lay down.

When Christi would awake in the morning she would smell the aroma of scrambled eggs, bacon, and a half dozen pancakes. You couldn't start a day on an empty stomach. Preparing a plate for her, Pete placed it on a tray then entered the bedroom. He placed the tray on her lap.

"So how did you sleep?" Pete asked as he grabbed his plate and sat on the bed.

"Pretty well," she said. "Comfortable place. Nice pancakes. I don't think I've ever experienced this country's food before last night." She dug in hungrily. Someone of her fitness level would have to eat a lot of protein for muscle maintenance.

"You might want to take your time, unless you want a stomach ache." commented Pete.

"It's OK," said Christi. "Haven't had a filling meal since I got off the flight here. Need to keep my weight up without getting too big."

---

Nadia stayed up all night, wondering if Miles was getting himself wasted and trudging off to some shithole in the boondocks again when they had to meet these people.

During the middle of the night the door slammed open into Nadia's room. A very drunk Miles stumbled his way to the bed and fell right on top of it. He was out cold.

---

"How long have you been in Canadstein for?" asked Pete after finishing his plate.

"I just arrived yesterday," said Christi. "My luggage is still in flight. Do you have a washer and dryer so I can wash my clothes while I'm in the shower?"

---

Nadia sat on the chair and drifted into a jittery sleep, from which she would wake easily if she heard something, still uncomfortable around Miles.

"I can put them in the washer. You know where the bathroom is located, so when are taking a shower just leave the cloths outside the door. I will set out an old t-shirt and shorts for you to wear while you wait for your clothes to get clean." said Pete collecting the tray once Christi was done.

---

Miles woke up with a splitting headache. He could barely remember the events of yesterday in the afternoon. His body smelled of sweat and alcohol. Shaking his head he slowly got up and stumbled to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror he saw a poor sad man, who had nothing to live for. Suddenly he smashed the mirror. He couldn't bare to look at that man. It was disgusting. Glancing at his watch he still had enough time to sober up. Stripping himself he decided to take a nice hot shower.

Christi entered the bathroom and pushed her clothes out the door to Pete, then spent the next ten minutes in the shower getting clean before coming out.

---

Nadia sat outside the bathroom, her clothes ready for her to change into... once Miles got out of the shower.

Pete cleaned the rest of the dishes, then went off to bedroom. Seeing her cloth, he sat out a t-shirt and an old pair of shorts on his bed. Quickly he scurried to get Christi's cloths, then zipped right out after closing the door. Once her dirty clothes were in the washer Pete sat down on the couch and watched the morning news.

---

Miles stayed in the bathroom for the next two hours, but it seemed like he was never coming out. He just stood in the lukewarm water. It was a depressing site to see.

Christi came out and changed, then sat next to Pete. "What's on the news?" she asked.

---

"About damn time," said Nadia crossly after two hours. "I was starting to think I wouldn't have time to shower before we have to get out." She took a towel, dress, and the rest of her clothes in. Nadia would take about fifteen minutes in the shower.

"Nothing much the same old, same old." stated Pete blandly. Right now he was not paying attention to Christi, but was very engaged in the story.

---

Miles did not seem to even notice that Nadia was there. He simply walked past her. Changing into a new clothes, Miles grabbed his Beratta walked out the door without waiting for Nadia. She was going to be useless. There was no real point in her coming. Walking onto the main street he looked up to the sky. This was going to be the end.

"OK," said Christi. "Mind taking me down to the airport? They should have gotten my luggage by now, they said there'd be a delay. I can't go to the museum looking like this, or in what I had on last night."

---

Nadia did not even notice Miles was gone until she came out of the shower, dressed in a knee-length, one-shoulder solid navy blue dress and flip-flops, her hair tied behind her although she normally wore it down.

At first, she wasn't too concerned - maybe he'd just gone drinking again, or was out buying food. She was hungry, but remembered what Mara had said - not to eat or drink anything he offered her. She called room service and asked for a large submarine sandwich with the works and a diet soda. Having read more on Canadsteiner culture than Christi had, she specified no alcohol.

"I don't have a car, but we can take the train. I am in walking distance of about everything." Pete walked into a nearby closet and pulled out two jackets. "If we are going outside you are going to need one of these. Its snowing out there and it looks like it isn't going to stop."

---

When hotel worker. delivered her order she seemed somewhat confused, but amused. This lady was obliviously either a foreigner or insane. Why was she just wearing a dress and flip flops? I mean it would be fine if she stay inside the heated hotel. If she went outside, then she would freeze to death.

"Miss a little suggestion. You might want to change if you are going outside today. Currently the temperature is a cool -6 degrees Celsius out there. Plus it is a snowing. Just a little bit of friendly advice."

---

Taylor cautious steered his BWM onto the main highway. He just gotten off the backroads. It was a relief to finally be on a road with other cars. It was going to be another five hours before they reached Regensburgs. Just in time to reach the Museum and meet up with Miles.

"So Molly what else do you want to do in Regensburg?" asked Taylor keeping his eyes on the snow and icy road.

Christi nodded and picked up a jacket. "Thanks. I wish I lived within walking distance of everything. I drive an old car, about 20 years old so it predates hybrids and hydrogen fuel cells, and petrol is expensive with all the wars going on in the world."

---

Nadia nodded. "I came in from Kahanistan," she said absently. "I have a heavy winter overcoat. I'm just waiting for the guy I came with to come back." She took the order and tipped the worker generously.

---

Molly shrugged. "Check out some of the upscale restaurants," she said.

"When you are in downtown it is kind of hard not to be near anything." Pete said jokingly.

---

"Molly you know I love you, right?" asked Taylor.