NationStates Jolt Archive

Voldagrad International Airport
Voldagrad, C.S.N.

Thousands of spectators gathered around the international airport, a relatively empty area considering the low international travel between Nerotikans and other nations around the world. The airport was cleared of planes, most of them had flown over to the strictly national airways in order to continue air travels, and the main building was lined with Nerotikan military in order to secure area for Layartebian officials. Those spectators outside weren’t exactly spectators, many of them were protesters causing riots within the crowd protesting the state’s consideration of creating relations with the empire. Although these riots were toned down compared to those riots outside the military zone that was created for this day. Within the suburbs of Voldagrad were thousands of Layartebian flags burning in the streets as well as images of imperial officials accompanying them.

It seemed the people of the state completely opposed the imperial officials arrival. No one, except the state council, was particularly happy about the layartebian visit. Many assumed it was the layartebians that provoked the Chechen rebels into fighting, many also believed it was them who provided the funds to keep the rebels fighting an ongoing insurgency against the state.

Inside the city, only a mile from the international airport, crowds of people had gathered under the military zone in order to give the layartebians a nationalistic show they would never forget. Thousands of state flags, banners and symbols (Mainly the one in the center of the CSN flag) adorned the buildings, streetlamps, shirts, walls and well almost everything in sight. People chanted the state anthem and the military assured that the layartebians would see the CSN flag upon their soldiers shoulders, many of whom were veterans from the 2nd Army in the Chechen states from the Chechen uprising.

Once the officials arrived they would know from the instant they left the plane to the point they entered the Voldagrad Council Chambers that this was the Council state and they were far from their empire.

"Why again are we opening relations with the Nerotikans? Aren't they the premier rogue state in the world? Haven't they caused enough trouble and grief for the Empire? Kazakhstan, has it been forgotten? What about Ukraine? I mean what the hell are we doing going there?" The aide asked as he penned a speech for the Minister of Foreign Affairs who sat in a separate part of the Boeing 777-200LR executive transport aircraft. The flight over the North Atlantic had taken them in view of Greenland and Iceland and most of the staff had enjoyed the view as they cruised at 36,000 feet and 560 mph. They couldn't help but notice their escorts either. The aircraft had taken off from Layarteb City IAP with three F-45A Scorpion fighters and picked up three more as they moved over Iceland. The six fighters were armed with two AIM-204A Escape dogfight and ten AIM-221A LRAAAM long-range missiles internally and they carried external drop tanks on their wing pylons. Though they would refuel along the way, they would not jettison their tanks, instead keeping them for the whole flight to Voldagrad and then back to Layarteb City. If the Nerotikans tried anything and most people figured they wouldn't, they would meet dismal failure.

"I don't know," a young blonde said as she put down a map of Voldagrad. She was an aide as well but rather than working on the press team, she worked with security. For a blonde she was quite intelligent and happened to luck into this position. This was her first trip abroad and she was loving every minute of it, even if they were going to a hostile country, as was the speech writer who had, by now, developed a small crush on her. "I'm not in the business of politics. I'm in the business of protection."

"You're a smart woman. I have to write a speech about a country I loathe and make them sound wonderful."

"Is this the speech he'll say once he gets off the plane?"

"Uh huh."

"How much do you have?" She went back to the map, identifying the route and possible escape routes for the convoy, should anything happen. This had all been planned out but all security personnel refreshed the details on the flights over, they had little else to do.

"Enough, I just have to rewrite certain parts of it. Don't worry, you'll hear it." He was never one to give away what he was writing ahead of time, even for someone he had an interest in, he was just that way.

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Two hours later, the seven aircraft touched down at Voldagrad and they could easily see that they weren't welcomed. The whole nation had seemingly come out to raise hell at their arrival. If this were the Empire, there would be little difference in the way that people flocked to the airport with signs except that the Empire had long ago banned public demonstrations without some sort of major prior approval and what not and then they were limited to sized and duration. "Jesus Christ, look at them all." The speechwriter commented as he looked out the window, to himself of course. His "interest" had joined the rest of the security team in the front of the aircraft for a mission critical briefing.

When the Minister of Foreign Affairs stepped off, he was greeted by the Nerotikan officials who seemed genuinely pleased at his visit. After a short welcoming, he walked over to a podium and adjusted his gaze. "Good afternoon. I am pleased to be the first Layartebian diplomat in the Council State of Nerotika. It is an honor to be here today and I am more than pleased that we have been welcomed so well. It is time to put the past aside and to forge ahead with the possibility of future relations.

"On the plane over, I was asked by one of my aides, 'What do you think the world will say?' and at the time I had only one answer. The whole world would watch the Empire and smile that even the largest and most powerful of nations can be civil with even the smallest. We are not a country of imperialism and we are not a country of hostilities. This visit will prove just that to the world. Thank you." He stepped away and followed the security staff to the cars. Where they were going was now of great historical significance.

"And so were to just bow to these imperialist? What is the need for this meeting with the layatebian, a people who have no respect for proper political freedom."

"This meeting is needed because we have necessary things to discuss with them. A few items of detail about certain actions they are taking across the world, whether they'll discuss them with us as a civilized nation or just turn their backs is to be seen but we have taken the initiative to bring them here and try."

The council sat within their chambers, a large open room with a back window that spanned the across as though it were the back wall. The room had two tables across the left and right and a final podium in the center near the back with three chairs on either side for the speaking commision of the council chairman and the 6 member councils of the various branchs of government.

The 26 member federal counsil sat at the two side tables, they argued across the floor challenging the reasons for needing such a meeting leaving the center table and podium to seat the visiting layartebians. It was not to give them a feeling of superiority, it was ment to center them between the council allowing the council to corner them easier on hot issues. Basically centering them would allowing for intimidation.

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Back at the airport the military group had shoved waves of protesters aside to open a wide path so that the imperial officials would not have things thrown at them and to futher the crowds calming a salute to the layartebians which involved a company of troops, who lined the path which seperated the officials and the crowd, fired their weapons in succession as the officials were escorted to their vehicles.

Although even with the militaries presence they could not prevent the crowds from speaking aloud, only from assaulting the officials and so right before they were seated into their vehicles a loudspeaker turned on and the voice of the crowd screamed out.

[i]"Dear Imperialist, you ask what the world will say about this visit when your voice and those of your allies have claimed this world as their own. You say you can be civil with the small nations then your militaries strip those same nations of their freedoms. You have no right to be here, it is our nation that has given you the chance, the chance to be civil and prove your not a nation of hostilities. What then will we get out of this, only disapproval from your world of allies that still believe we are the weak nation of old. When you leave, leave knowing that we are no more weaker then your nation."[i]

The voices continued as the cars drove off, the crowd now protesting to itself and with the officials gone the military gaurds joining in on the festivities.

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The cars would drive through the city down a single street which lead up to one turn left almost directly to the capital building. The military zone here was well protected from the outcries heard at the airport, only small crowds of people lined the street to catch a glimps as most of the cities population was out in the suburbs joining in on those protests outside the military zone. When the cars arrived they would be paraded around the large capital square where the centerpeice was a statue memorial to those masscred in Kazahkstan by the Empires ally. Another statue sat next to this, a new addition to remember the ongoing fight in the chechen states at the request of the chechen council who recently had been given federal council seats. The chechen councilman had a special flight given to them in order to arrive ealier to participate in these talks, orginally they would not have been given their seats until a two months later then the council came back into its regular session.

"Did you expect anything different?" The Minister of Foreign Affairs asked of his aides in his vehicle, as they passed through the crowds. "You could imagine the same thing at home if these people came to us but I'm sure they'd call us barbaric. Just think though, this is the first time our two nations have formally met and not on a battlefield. You can always expect some deep emotions and sentiment. My only hope is that, despite the outcome of our meeting, the government lasts long enough for it to reap whatever benefits we decide upon." He continued as they passed through the crowds, the military honor guard firing shots as they passed through them. "Ceremonies aren't lost here, thankfully."

"Why do you say that sir?"

"What good is a simple drive through crowded streets full of hateful protestors if there isn't going to be any ceremony?"

"Entertainment at the very least," another aide, previously silent, chimed in with a smile.

"Exactly. Now let's just sit back and enjoy. Security has our concerns and they're looking out for us. No need to be tense. We've got it all under control." They passed down a few more streets and eventually past a pair of statues erected, one to the fallen in Kazakhstan and another to the fallen in Chechnya. The Minister of Foreign Affairs chuckled, "To think, a war they started that we'll probably get chastized for. And Chechnya, well that's a different story." They continued along, on their way to the meeting.

.:. bump .:.

"Smile nicely, at least let them feel a little welcomed here." Councilman Charles Vordak, who among three other councilmen had come outside the chambers to greet their layartebian guests.

"After the way our people greeted them I wonder why they wouldn't feel welcomed already." Of of the other councilmen said with a stronge hint of sarcasim.

The group waited at the doors as the EoL officials were escorted from their vehicles, the eight armed guards clicked their boots and stood at attention. All eight guards had stern looks on their faces as they stared at the layartebians. The councilmen at the door had their forced smiles on, Vordak stuck his hand out as the officials made it to the door.

"Welcome, welcome. Hope your trip was a plesent one and I do hope our people didn't give you too much greif."

The Layartebians followed their guide through the various hallways, getting a short, private tour and explanation as they walked towards the chambers, where they were instantly greeted by eight, armed bodyguards, all standing at attention with complete military discipline. A nation as militarized as the CSN was, it was hard not to imagine such a thing. "Thank you very much for the invitation. We are pleased to be here as well. The protests we pay little mind to, one has to expect that feelings and emotions will almost always get in the way of politics for such nations as ours. We hope that after our meeting here, the protests outside will simply cease to exist." The Minister of Foreign Affairs answered. "On behalf of the Emperor, who was detained on other business, for which I am to give you his personal apologies, I, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Empire wish to present you, the Council State of Nerotika with a small token of our appreciation." An aide came forward with a briefcase, which he set down on a table not far from where everyone stood. He opened it to reveal a large, rectangular object that he removed and set down on the table. It was covered in a brilliantly purple, satin cloth that he unfolded to reveal a book.

"This book is an ancient Layartebian, hand-written and hand-bound novel of sorts. It was written in the year 1357 by an uncredited scholar. It is set in the Middle Ages and is about a boy and girl who fall in love, at a time when marriages were arranged and such things that we enjoy today as a mere token of relationship were forbidden, even in marriage. The story is considered the greatest literary work of the Layartebian people as it is, essentially, the legend of Comhghall. This is one of only eight, original copies that remain in existence. Unfortunately, it has not been translated, which is the beauty of this work. Translations are available here," he said as he pulled a small flash drive from his pocket and put it next to the book. In comparison, the 4GB flash drive was about 1/100th the size of the book, a fraction of the weight but could hold more data than any one person could write in a lifetime. "My has technology advanced," he said with a small chuckle, hoping that the Nerotikans would at least be honored to have such a gift.

"This is indeed an honor, we do not have much ancient literature in our libraries. Most of it was purged away with by the soviet regime. We give your our deepest thanks and will immediatly secure this text within the federal library. We have something to offer you as well but at the moment it is currently held up by traffic, im afraid even political urgency cannot get in the way of after work traffic. Vordak smiled as he motioned for a guard to take the book and flash drive to the library achieves.

"We just uncovered many items from archaeologic ventures into our former imperial lands. If you ever have the time I could arrange a visit over up there for you, it really is quite interesting to see that which was once forgotten."

The councilmen then turned to the doors behind him and with a polite hand gester the doors were opened by two guards.

"Right this way gentlemen. We have much to discuss but before that our cooks have made a meal I hope you'll enjoy."

Inside the following room sat a single table along a long glass window. Outside the window were the federal gardens, a place of various flower types from all over the world. The meal on the table were basic foods, the council saw no need to be special in the way the served any delegation and so a collection of steaks, pasta's and various make-up's of the potato sat there. The council was use to eating like the regular people they were and so the normality of the meal was just that, normal. Even if the layartebians were use to much higher grade foods the council hoped the would not be above eating like the common folk.

"Looks quite excellent. You know, I've got to tell you, steak and potatoes is one of my favorite meals. I guess that's the Irish in me." The Minister of Foreign Affairs commented as he sat down along with his aides and staff. "When I was a kid, growing up in Layarteb City my mother used to make this every Saturday evening. The best cooking you'll find in the Empire, let me tell you." He said as he dug into the hearty meal. His aides joined, many of them thinking, I wonder if it's poisoned. Regardless, they wouldn't let the thought show as they dug in and feasted on the meal that was quite excellently cooked. They were used to "fine dining" on diplomatic visits and this was a welcomed change from that, even if they were in a hostile nation. Dinner would be done soon and it was up to the Nerotikans then to bring on the next round of events, which promised to be quite engaging, diplomatic talks.

"Well with this meal's finish I believe we have alot to discuss, shall we move on to our talks? With some slight changes in plans we've opted to not have the entire council present for these talks...suppose having all the members trying to get questions in and all that might get a little confusing. Instead Myself, councilman Svyatoslav, councilman Yakov, Councilman Adrian, councilman Radoslav and councilman Vasiliy will be speaking with you." Vordak, who if the layatebians havnt guessed it was the acting council chair in Tanya's absence, stood himself up and asked those who were no longer involved to leave.

The bulk of the council stood and said good bye to their layatebian guests, they then left the dining room as Vordak and those remaining guided the layatebians to a different room than was previously planned. Inside this room sat several comfortable looking chairs, side tables by each of them. The chairs were arranged in a circle so that everyone would be facing each other, one opening in the circle of furniture allowed the group to shuffle in and take seats whereever they chose.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and only two aides entered the separate room and took their respective seats, nodding to the Nerotikans as to where they should sit. Waiting for the proceedings to begin, they opened their briefcases and folders, pulling out what papers they would need for the proceedings. Pens and notebooks came out just as quickly, ready for the proceedings to begin whenever the Nerotikans wished. The Minister opted to give them the floor first, it begin their country, and he would respond as necessary.

"Would you care for a drink?"

Vordak smiled, he had a few things to call the layartebians out on but hoped they would accept the drinks so that they might be a little more willing to talk before they really got into the discussion.

"We have excellent choices, Rum begin my personal one." He looked at the other councilmen, they refused their drinks to stay completely sober while Vordak himself would accompany any of the layatebian's who chose to drink with him.

"Now, as I see it we are virtually neutral to each other. The only scuffles we've had were ones where you protected your allies, a completely nobel and understandable act. Im glad that we have never actually met gun against gun on a battlefield, but we do wonder about your intervenionalism. You seem to dig yourself into outside conflicts quite abit, I must say our intelligence is a bit hazy but I can be sure of most of their reports. What would you say on this subject?"

"No thank you, I'll be fine with water for now." The Minister of Foreign Affairs said as he looked around the room and watched Vordak have his rum. Then, he listened while Vordak began what he had been waiting for, "Now, as I see it we are virtually neutral to each other. The only scuffles we've had were ones where you protected your allies, a completely noble and understandable act. I'm glad that we have never actually met gun against gun on a battlefield, but we do wonder about your interventions. You seem to dig yourself into outside conflicts quite a bit, I must say our intelligence is a bit hazy but I can be sure of most of their reports. What would you say on this subject?"

He put aside his pen and straightened his back as he sat in the rather comfortable chair. "To a point you are quite correct. The Empire and the Council State of Nerotika have never, directly, engaged each other for reasons that were entirely our own and such is a good thing. Few nations that have been engaged by the Empire have ever sat down in such a civil manner. I can entirely agree why. Had the Empire and Nerotikan state come to direct blows I fear that we would have too many to mourn for when the dust settled.

"It is true that the Empire has moved upon and engaged your military on several occasions indirectly both through our allies and in support of our allies, Kazakhstan being the most obvious. You must understand, of course, that we were entirely within our rights to do such things and we have never escalated any situation beyond the matters presented nor do we believe in aggressive escalation." He made sure that, while he talked, he directly address Vordak but also made sure that the rest of those present knew he was talking to all of them just the same. "Now you say that our interventions are a concern of yours? Certainly so, given some of the past actions of the Nerotikan state, I would be concerned. Kazakhstan alone proved to the Empire that the Council State does not truly understand the Empire's own interests.

"The Empire has a vast many interests both at home and abroad. Kazakhstan remains one of the largest. The Great Eurasian Line, a byproduct of the great Fourth Reich is one of the largest trade routes in the world and it is one of the most important foreign trade routes for the Empire. It allows us to ship goods from Ireland to the Eastasians and back with great ease and little hassle. Because of the original agreement of this line and the October Alliance, we can do so without tariff as all nations of the October Alliance enter into a free trade pact with one another. Disrupting this line, at its very hub and source not only threatens the sanctity of our republics but directly threatens our economy and, transitively, our security. That is simply why we could not let your actions in Kazakhstan succeed. In addition, pre-established military facilities in Kazakhstan, which contribute to the overall and greater security of the Empire would have come under direct threat, yet another reason why we had to act.

"Sadly, your takeover of Ukraine inhibits this line and, as such, we will get to that after your concerns are fully addressed. Our interests abroad, let me reinforce, are purely peaceful. We do not wish to alter the balance of global power for our own interests as it would not suite our interests."

Taking a moment of thought Vordak raised a hand to his chin, he let out a slight sigh with a nog as the Layartebian minister finished.

"We do entirely understand your moves in Kazakhstan, the former federal council and its chairman have already been pubically chastised for moving our nation to such a useless aggressive attack although we are concerned in the way your allies have acted against unarmed POW's. Obviously we cannot sit back and allow such a thing to go unpunished, while we may not have the power to do so ourselves we have found a way to see that the man who gave the orders to kill those troops will be punished in a court of law. You have to agree that his actions were unresponsible and unrequired, they say it was for us to learn a lesson but nothing was learned except that they are confident in your empire and the entire OA to support needless actions of tyrannical murder.

"Which brings me to my point, the October Alliance has obviously grown stronge enough to act however it wishs and not a single member has taken the chance to say 'No, your wrong and we will not support that.' instead you blindly support actions taken by your allies and allow even the most horrindous of actions to go unpunished and forgotten, our nation will not forget but the world already has and your empire and its allies continue to move forward unchecked. Now with Ukraine we are forced to use it as our means to bring this issue to the international stage, the line in Ukraine will remain unopened until we see justice is done by the OA members toward Hirgizstan and the commander who ordered our men to death. That is the council's decision and we are prepared to defend the line from any forceful push to reopen it."

It was obvious what he said was shocking, keeping the line closed would hurt the Empire and its allies in a way that military might could not but if the Empire saw it nesissary they could easily come in and break the peacekeeping divisions and open the line themselves. Being very hopeful in their support Vordak put it on the table to see what the Layatebians would do, sure it would be bad politics to go after their own ally but his hope was the minister would understand his position. Nerotika wasn't a military superpower compared to the entire OA, but they intended on being a political power in the world stage. Whether or not his purposal would enrage the Layartebians was now to be seen.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs penned in a few notes as he listed to Vordak's statements, preparing his own, mentally. He would address them in a logical progression of order, which was his very nature. "It is interesting that you point out the past tense of your council. The biggest concern we have in the Empire, particularly with your government is stability. We have seen multiple changes in your governing body over the past decade, each one being faulted by the next for their failures or indiscretions. You can see how this progressive cycle is of concern to us. This council, presently, has shown no ill-will or contempt to the Empire and for that, we are appreciative. However, the biggest issue for us looms the future. Perhaps, one day, your successors will look to this occasion, chastise you, and open up a full offensive against the Empire's interests and assets overseas. You must understand that, without stability in your own governing body, we must always remain vigilant to your state, more so than most others. He took a quick but small sip of water, his throat drying out from a yelling match he had the previous night with his son, a sixteen year old who was definitely going down the wrong path.

"Now moving along, returning to Kazakhstan. I assume so you are talking about the actions of the Hirgizstanians." Vordak nodded his affirmation. "Such an act is not supported by the Empire in said circumstances. As you know, our view on warfare is not hampered by any sort of international code but rather our own guidelines. As such, the Empire would not have acted in such a manner and we expressed our grave condemnation of those actions privately to the Hirgizstanian government. It has not been the practice of the October Alliance to publicly chastise each other simply out of respect for one other, which was why we chose a private avenue. However, in the times since Mato Grosso and the public chastisement of the Empire for its actions there, particularly by members of our October Alliance, we have done away with most of our private condemnations. You will understand this I am sure.

"Regardless of the fact of what happened, we cannot support any move to violate the sovereignty of Hirgizstan, even through such legal matters. That is an issue for yourselves and the Commonwealth of Hirgizstan to take up privately. You can of course understand why. It is because we would not support a foreign entity doing any sort of thing to us as I know you have seen the Doctrine of Sovereignty. Despite its age, it remains the definitive document in the Empire's international policies." He brought himself to the next point, which went directly to the October Alliance, of some concern to the Nerotikans.

"The October Alliance is an alliance that remains, for lack of a better word, misunderstood. Our strength is derived from our cooperation both militarily and economically but also socially, culturally, and politically. Our nations engage in free-trade, cultural exchange, and political discussion. Of course, many have accused us of fostering imperialism and others have been so bold as to claim the Empire is at the head of this alliance. Of course these two assumptions are incorrect. The alliance has never supported any one nation's offensive desires. Our charter alone forbids support in offensive operations as I am such you are aware. Defensive is a different story. However, defensive is not characterized by defensive actions in support of offensive operations. Shall I clarify?" Vordak again nodded. "If the Empire were to invade your nation, without prior attack or clear cause we could not ask our alliance members to protect us in your counterattack. In addition, we could not use any WMD offensively although the Empire has acted against nations that have used WMD against our alliance brothers. We consider that an unacceptable upping as I am sure you would agree.

"Now returning to the second part, the Empire nor any other member state sits at the head of this alliance. We are all equal underneath the alliance and no one nation is right or wrong over another nor can any one nation order another around. This is the simple nature of the alliance and this is why we have been so strong. We do not suppress each other nor give into delusions of power." He looked down at his pad and progressed or Vordak's next line of questioning. "Blind support is a very gray area. As I said earlier, by privately discussing matters with each other it may appear to be blind support but, keep in mind, it is not. Until recently, our unwillingness to publicly berate each other has lent itself to this belief but trust me, the private discussions amongst ourselves in regards to actions abroad are not blind support. It has, in some cases, causes unnecessary tensions between our respective heads of state and government.

"Ukraine is dangerous ground. Keeping the line closed in Ukraine would directly threaten the Empire's economy and security, as I have already explained. It is not up to the respective states to impose their own domestic laws and morals upon other states, as expressly written in our charter. This is no international law and there is no international body. We do not recognize any either and neither does the alliance, collectively. As I said prior, that is a private matter between your state and the Hirgizstanians. By closing the line in Ukraine you are punishing not just the October Alliance but the entire world. The Roman Empire, the Eastasians, the United States of Brink all are suffering from this closure. They benefit from this line as much as the October Alliance nations do and I implore you to reopen it in Ukraine. The Empire alone cannot stand for this closure and we cannot allow this to happen and we will act. I assure you and we have no qualms about acting unilaterally either."