NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: First off this RP is open to everyone. There will be fighting, that will escalate slowly, there will always be character RP.

Basically, for those of you who want a summary before reading a thread, there is infighting in Dyelli Beybi's elites, fighting that is leading to bloodshed and looks suspiciously like it will lead to civil war. The sides, without giving too much away are an Autocratic Monarch and Parliament, although the majority of institutions are remaining neutral. This is not total war by any means.

__________

Somewhere in a galaxy far away a planet exploded. This had a ripple down effect, and one that would eventually reach Dyelli Beybi and set a chain of events into action. It all started when a certain Colonel Tudor, a man involved with the space program, rang his old friend the Ardalydd of Beranberg, Bedwyr Gwalchmai. Gwalchmai, a man of action left Macisikan where he had been waiting for someone to approach him, travelling home to Cyro, where he was to do something that would change the course of Dyellian history forever.

__________
The Grauniad, Todays news tomorrow!

Today Parliament has reported that the Prime Minister has been forced to evacuate Cyro due to rioting caused by the recent passage of the Recognition Act. While the destination of the Prime Minister has not been announced, a Parliamentary spokesman has announced that the Prime Minister is safe and will be resuming official duties shortly...

__________

Of course what had happened wasn't really like that at all. Alexia ap Adam had been sleeping. She was young, many thought too young for the burden of responsibility that being both Prime Minister and Tzarina of Dyelli Beybi carried. Others wrongly assumed her to be impressionable because of this youthfulness. She was anything but... yet everyone could be leveraged. And while she might seem to be running the country, in reality it was being run by a consortium of Teulu, Dyellian nobles (the word literally meaning family), while she existed under virtual house arrest. It hadn't always been that way, to start with she had genuinely ruled the show, then she had tried to share power, pass it on, and before she knew it she was powerless.

In her dreams she was hunted, her hunters revelling in the chase as she flitted between the trees... A comotion woke her suddenly with a start. It was by her door, she sat up, hugging the sheets under her chin as the door burst open. The light momentarily blinded her as something collided sharply with the foot of her bed. She blinked, trying to clear her vision. A tall, muscular figure stood outlined in the door, the light gleaming off black boots. He bowed, "M'Lady."

Immediately she recognised the voice, "Bedwyr!" she exclaimed excitedly, then blushed, something which was lost in the gloom, "What are you doing here, you are meant to be overseas."

"Nobody has heeded the call." he growled, "The pakrahs it seems do not understand or perhaps do not care. But I digress, your majesty, we must flee, I have ah... beaten your guard about the head, although I have a vehicle waiting below the balcony, you must hurry."

He aimed a kick at the prostrate Guard who had seemingly been what collided with the foot of the bed, "I need to change." she breathed, everything was happening too fast.

"I shall guard the door." Bedwyr bowed, taking the motion as an opportunity to grab the guard by the collar and haul him from the room, closing the door behind him.

The Tzarina dressed hurriedly, she had lived in a cave for a while, so was familiar with what 'roughing' it entailed... jeans and a black blouse, unworn since her ascension to the throne, "Bedwyr." she stepped close to the door, hissing it through the crack, "Bedwyr let's go."

The man returned. He was wearing a field grey military uniform she realised, with black boots and webbing, "Come on." she pushed the door open from the balcony, beneath was a flower bed and short bank to a courtyard where a black land rover was parked. With practised agility she leaped from the balcony... but that was where things started to go wrong. As she landed her ankle turned under her, causing her to yelp in pain and continue tumbling to the bottom of the bank.

"What in the name of the Lord was that?" someone had heard her. She struggled to stand, but Bedwyr was there, hoisting her up.

Without asking he hoisted her up in his arms, carrying her the last few feet as someone else pushed open a back door.

"The Tzarina is being kidnapped!" someone had come to investigate the noise.

"Open fire!" the roar of gunfire, bullets pinging as they struck into the car. She was laid down on the back seat. Next to her someone was returning fire with a pistol.

"Drive!" Bedwyr was in the front seat as the Land Rover took off. Suddenly there was a spray of something warm across her face and a loud expletive from the man next to her.

She struggled to sit, her ankle blazing agony as the man clapped a hand to the side of his face where the bullet had grazed it, dropping his gun in the process. The land rover rocketed out of the gates of the palace, picking up pace as it crossed a bridge to one of the many islands of Cyro, the Dyellian capital. No pursuit sounded. The police were unlikely to be notified.

"You alright?" she asked the man with the bleeding head.

"Just a graze." he muttered.

"Yeah." Alexia gave a quick smile, "Still hurts though doesn't it?"

__________
The Grauniad, Today's news tomorrow!

In a follow up to the story of the Prime Minister leaving Cyro, the Grauniad is pleased to announce that the Prime Minister is now in residence in the ap Adam family home in York. Several members of Parliament have been reported as having relocated with the Prime Minister, a move described by Parliament as strictly unnecessary...

__________

The Grauniad fell into the bin. Alexia hadn't even finished reading it. Three days had passed since she had raised the Royal Standard at York. It was a challenge to Parliament. A few loyal MPs had drifted up here, one of whom she was meeting with now, Henrietta Koizumi, despite the Benjian name, Henrietta was in fact Dyellian.

Today she looked distinctly sombre, "...We can all see what's going on with the Recognition Act... no thanks, no more tea Ma'am... its a disgrace, and its a disgrace that the PRP was whipping for it. I reckon there are a good number who would have voted against were it a matter of conscience. But that is aside from the point, what I am really here to tell you is that Parliament has issued an arrest warrant for the Ardalydd of Beranberg, charges are kidnapping and treason."

"I see." Alexia had a faraway look in her eyes, one that suggested she wasn't really concentrating on the speaker. Henrietta had seen this before, it seemed to be the girl's default setting and one which caused many to underestimate her, "You are familiar with Lord Valmortovitch, the Iarll of Sandlewood? He told me when I first took office that democracy in this country was a mistake. He said there were too many people ready to screw with you, planning to do the dirty. He said any true democratic leader would be used and abused... he was right. Henrietta, your husband I think should be informed that he is now Barwnig Koizumi, and you of course are Barwniges."

The MP looked a little taken aback, and somewhat confused as to why the Tzarina felt giving them a noble rank was of any significance, "Thank you your Highness."

"Really, drop that, we're friends, call me 'Lexi." Alexia replied. She hated nobility and all that it had done to her, what it had forced her to become, "Now how are the armies reacting to all this?"

"I cannot say what the Duc of York is doing. but I can say that General Ming has passed orders that anyone who becomes involved in a 'Teulu feud' will be court marshalled... so I assume they are neutral. If you don't mind me asking, what is your plan?"

"Simple." Alexia smiled vacantly, "We summon up some armed retainers and march back on Parliament. If the Army is neutral then we can march to Cyro unopposed. We'll expel the Inquisitors, charge the ringleaders for Genocide and expel them from the palace, replacing them with House ap Adam retainers. People who will be loyal to me, not the 'Chapter master'."

Of course, nothing was ever that simple.

0918 Hours

Drums. Drums beat the pace of the Army marching South. It wasn't really an army, not in the modern sense. The real army was in bases across the country watching the proceedings with a metaphorical raised eyebrow. The 9,000 marching behind the blue and gold Royal banner were a good old fashioned band of feudal retainers, they had 500 APCs, which wasn't enough for everyone, although there were also horses and camels... One of the APCs, an aged Dyellian half track that the military had flogged off, had drawn itself up beside the army, on the banks of the river Djel, the great river that ran from Port Olympus in the North, flowing down past the great cataracts, down, down into the great desert valley before reaching the swamps of Cyro then flowing out into the sea.

At this point the river was wide enough that one could only just see to the other side, "If we want to enter Cyro down the main highway, which would be advisable if we want to move all this... stuff in there, then we'll need to cross to the East bank." Dmitri Tomasenko was explaining.

Tamasenko had had experience fighting the Var, fighting the Orcs, fighting the Elves... generally fighting anything of a non-human nature. He was stockier than the average Dyellian, with dark, glaring eyes that sat deeply under the brim of his Galic-G style helmet. The retainers were dressed like professional soldiers, heck, they were professional soldiers, although there was a certain degree of ornamentation to the uniforms... for instance the real army didn't put feathers on their helmets, or in Tamashenko's case, a tuft of black horsehair that thrailed down the back of the helmet.

"Just in Sir!" a retainer had appeared seemingly out of nowhere. He stopped, saluting Tamashenko smartly. The family crest, a gold two headed eagle on a red field on the left shoulder marked him as one of Tamashenko's men, "Scouts are reporting Parliament has deployed a force of Police and Retainers. It is advancing from the South of us on the East bank... they're estimating equal to our number. On top of that we have reports of a further 300 or so local constabulary are advancing to join them from the North."

Alexia gulped audibly. This wasn't supposed to happen. There wasn't supposed to be any actual fighting...

"Ma'am?" Tamashenko was looking to her for direction, "Ma'am, the battle is in your hands."

"Right." it was like shaking herself out of a dream... Tamashenko had a map on the hood of the APC, "We're here. We want to cut off the Constables, so we will need to cross the bridge North of us at Barnley... We'll take the mech up there, the foot will just have to follow as best they can., although... there's also a bridge here at Provost before Barnley. We'll send Gwalchmai with a detachment of mech to hold it in case they try to cross there."

"Yes Ma'am!" Tamashenko saluted smartly, immediately begining to bark orders to his radioman.

__________
1112 Hours
The East bank
Chief Constable Johnson had been given very specific orders from Parliament that morning. He was to head North with a force of 5,000 Police and 4,000 retainers owing allegiance to the Teulu in Parliament and prevent the Tzarina from entering Cyro with a personal army. He was to arrest the Nobles responsible for the army and see the Tzarina safely deposited back in her palace under the guard of the Inquisition. They had been heading straight for one another before the forces on the opposite bank had abruptly turned around some two hours ago. With alarm he had realised they were heading for 300 Local Constabulary who had volunteered to assemble and aid the opperation the previous evening. Ever since then he had been racing the opposition to Barnley. Something he doubted he could achieve...

Ahhhhh Chief the radio crackled into life within Johnson's squad car, this is Superintendent Scott, forward units have reached Provost. They're reporting there are only some twenty odd terrorists holding the Bridge. Are we clear to engage?

Thinking fast Johnson realised that they had an opportunity. They had been watching the others from the far bank with binoculars for the last few hours. They were well and truly strung out. If they could take the bridge, the Retainers forming the rearguard who had some real APCs could ford the river where it was shallow and hit the enemy rear in a classic pincer movement...

Johnson picked up the microphone, "Clear to engage."

__________
Provost

"Police, freeze, drop your weapons!" Police were advancing across the bridge with shouldered assault rifles, "On the ground now!"

Gwalchmai only had a few moments to think... "Open fire!" he ordered.

There was a roar as the chaingun on top of the APC let rip, shredding several police officers before they had an opportunity to leap out of the way or take cover behind a support strut for the bridge. A bullet zipped past, plucking Gwalchmai's cap from his head.

He ran, sliding behind one of the APCs they had used to more or less barricade the bridge, "Sergeant." he yelled over the roar of the gun, although the Sergeant was hunched down only a few feet away, "Radio HQ, tell them we're outnumbered and need urgent reinforcements!"

Seconds later an APC further down the line errupted into flame, "They're got Rockets!" someone yelled.

"Scratch that! Fall back!"

__________
1132 Hours
Some miles South...

Henrietta Koizumi had asked to be in the Rear Guard precisely because she had hoped it would be well away from the fighting. She had seen enough in the civil war for a lifetime. Yet some miles South of her she could make out a good dozen APCs crossing the river... retainers, she could see Lewis and Kent crests on the vehicles.

"You." she grabbed an alarmed looking soldier next to her, "Who are you a retainer for."

"House of Vaughan Ma'am." he replied, his eyes darting in the direction of the incoming vehicles, "Well, I can see plenty of your Emblems, a banner with us here, where is Marcus Vaughan?"

"In the front Ma'am, wanted to be in the glorious engagement." the retainer stuttered.

"Marcus Vaughan is a young hot headed twerp." she growled, "That I guess puts me in charge... you have a Sergeant? I need to know how many anti-tank weapons we have."

"That would be a none." this came from another retainer, the only one who looked vaguely calm, he had a chevron, Lance-Corporal then... "Although we have hand grenades, and those half tracks they're using are canvas topped, so if we can ambush them then we have a chance."

"Okay... lay down a barricade in the road, anything you can find, then I want whoever the CO is to head up the bank and lay low behind the rise. When we at the barricades engage, then he can attack down the hill and try to blow up as many of the damned APCs as possible.

__________
1134 Hours
Barnley

Bullets thudded into the side of the APC, but they were getting fewer, as were the burst of fire from the chaingun. Alexia ran in a crouch, behind the line of APCs blocking the road, to where Tamashenko was seated consulting with two of his officers, "Ma'am." he acknowledged her, "You should be out of the firing line."

"Give over, I have no idea what's going on back there, nobody tells me anything... how is it proceeding?"

"I sent two brigades back to counter-attack at Provost, they managed to drive the Police force back across the bridge, but failed to make any progress beyond that. I'm also getting reports of Parliamentary retainers striking at the rear of the column."

"What has happened there?" Alexia asked frantically, "They don't have any vehicular support back there."

"Don't know yet." Tamashenko shrugged apologetically.

A gunshot rang out, the bullet deflecting off the hood of the APC to whizz above the head of the Tzarina.

__________
1145 Hours
South

The Vaughan retainers opened fire... the APCs fired back. Koizumi ducked for cover, flinging herself flat behind the overturned bus they were using as a barricade. It was not a second too soon as bullets tore away the section she had just been sitting behind. She landed hard, her rifle shooting out of her hand, spinning on the ground a few feet away. This was not what members of Parliament did in any other country! It was meant to be a civilised democracy, but inevitably Dyellian politicians ended up trying to blow each other's brains out. It was a total debacle, a total break down of order...

The man beside her came down suddenly, his arms flailing, but never uttering a sound. Blood was rapidly spreading from a huge gaping wound in his neck. Henrietta realised he wouldn't be needing his gun again, so grabbed it, hoisting it up to her shoulder and sitting up again. It was then that Captain Norris, the CO of the Vaughan retinue, led his attack. There were suddenly explsions everywhere. A man leaped from the back of an APC, screaming, his body wreathed in flame. Then the Vaughan retainers were among the vehicles, bayonets and pistols coming into play, immediately recognisable for their peculiar habbit of glueing white chicken feathers to the left side of their helmets. The Vaughan family were an old, influencial, but frankly bizarre family.

It was only a matter of moments and Kent and Lewis were in retreat, their troops flailing desprately as they fled back across the ford. Henrietta Koizumi stood, brandishing her rifle, tossing off her helmet, "Victory!" she yelled at the sky, "For the Tzars!"

The cheer was echoed across the line.

__________

The engagement South of Provost ended the day that would become known as the Battle of Provost bridge. Henrietta Koizumi and the Vaughan retainers had captured some 11 usable vehicles and destroyed a similar number. All up, 698 Police and Parliament retainers had died, to 187 of the Tzarina's army. It was something of a victory for her, but in the aftermath it became clear that the force was not strong enough to reach Cyro and was desperately in need of supplies if it intended to campaign. For that reason as night fell the Army slipped back to the City of Welles some miles North, letting the Parliamentarians claim the field.

The tragedy was that once again Dyellians were killing Dyellians in what seemed to be a never ending circle of internal violence for the state.

It seemed to be disaster after disaster for the Royals... a matter of hours after arriving in Welles, news reached them that a force some 6,000 strong was marching from the fortress town of Bath to displace them. Tired and hounded the Royals had no option but to pull back from the town, retreating further North to the City of Agua Pura.

Here at last they found rest. The city was loyal to the Tzarina as was the police force which pledged to defend the town against the illegal actions of Parliament. Most importantly of all, the majors of York and Agua Pura, along with numerous satellite towns and villages pledged to no longer pay taxes directly to Parliament, but to the Prime Minister in person, ensuring income for the cause...

It was in the wake of this that a zepellin touched down in Agua Pura. The zepellin, property of the Royal Navy was the ship of the Grand Admiral, Adelle Collins, a middle aged blonde with big blue eyes that tended to lull most people into believing her angelic features could not possibly disguise any martial spirit. They were completely wrong on that point...

"'Lexi, 'Lexi, 'Lexi." Collins tutted, "Why shouldn't I just shoot you now? My husband died to protect democracy, and you, what are you doing? People have died for your pride."

"This isn't a matter of pride." the Tzarina shot back across the table, "I was a prisoner, a slave to the Inquisition."

"Perhaps." Collins shrugged, "Or perhaps you would see yourself an absolute monarch like your father?"

"I am nothing like my father." the Tzarina's fist slammed down on the table.

A small smile crept across the Admiral's face, "My how you have changed, always so cool, so calculating, now...? You're becoming more and more like him. But I must go, I will see you around."

"Can I count on your support?" Alexia asked forlornly.

The Admiral shook her head, "You should bend the knee and go back to Parliament. I won't fire on you, your majesty, but by God you need to get your priorities sorted."

And that was an end to it. The Navy it would seem was as neutral as the Army and Airforce at this stage in proceedings...

Dyelli Beybi now had two Parliamnets, one in Cyro and one in York. Both cliaming to be legitimate. This obviously left the PRovinces in an interesting situation. Should they pay their taxes to the more legitimate Parliament in Cyro, or the Monarch and Appointed Parliament in York?

York pulled Saint Guineford's, Quisa, Palmgrad, Agua Pura, Axe Pass and Tek'n'Brick. Cyro pulled Lobsters, Christchurch, Jesuitlem, Alexigrad, Bath, Welles and Shefield. The whole semi-autonomous Regions of New Dyelli and the D.B.A.T on the other hand, simply refused to pay any tax at all and instead decided to add it to local Government kitties.

While it wasn't a secret, the Dyellian off-world colony of Outremere (which now housed 2/3 of the population) had always been something of a political backwater. Now though it's massive tax-base was of extreme importance. Outremere had Four prefectures. Gaul, Italy, Illyricum and the East.

Gaul declared for York, although the Counties of East and West Narbonnensis, Tarraconensis, Carthaginiensis and Baetica, all large industrial centres (bar East Narbonnensis), declared that their tax was rather going to Cyro.

Italy and Illyricum declared for Cyro, although the five Counties in the Italian Archdiocese of Africa reversed the decision and declared their funds were going to York.

Meanwhile the Prefecture of the East declared official neutrality. This was, however, not upheld by any of the Counties, with 17 declaring for Cyro and 29 for York.

The split was between Religious and Secular groups. Most religious minorities declaring for York along with the hierachy of the dominant Episcopal Church of Cyro. Rural areas and areas with high numbers of nobility were more likely to declare for York. Large industrial centres favoured Cyro.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii50/citationxiv/sealgovernment-heavenlasts.png
_________________________
General Statement

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
From: Covenant Mission to The Federated Klatchian Coast

His Serene Majesty's Government considers this matter to be internal to the nation of Dyelli Beybi and will not intervene.

In addition, we wish to note at this point that following the passage of the Recognition Act (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13880232&postcount=1), the Church and State of Macisikan are illegal in Dyelli Beybi, as is His Holy and Serene Majesty.

Therefore, absolutely no aid or assistance will be rendered to the nation of Dyelli Beybi or to any Dyellian, nor shall any citizen of that nation be granted asylum or refuge in any Covenant territory; His Serene Majesty's subjects are released from any obligation to render assistance to any person or vessel affiliated with Dyelli Beybi, unless such entities be first and foremost affiliated with the Federated Klatchian Coast.

God Bless the High King!

His Excellency, the Primarch Alexis Valnard,
His Serene Majesty's Most Excellent Ambassador to the Federated Klatchian Coast,
Head of the Maciskan Orthodox Church in the Same,
UIK/COV

*********

So Gwalchmai had an answer of sorts. Sometime in its frozen night, Arn-Maciska had found a spine, and found its annoyance to outweigh any charity, or any fear, it held.

Probably about the same time the First Minister had found her cold and flu pills.

amt.com.uik.cov

News>World News>Klatch

Dyelli Beybi Divided
Civil war breaks out in troubled Klatchian nation
Caprice Ak'Talki in Port Olympus
Arn-Maciska Times

Dyelli Beybi is once again on the brink of a full-scale civil war, following a break between the Prime Minister and Tzarina, Alexia ap Adam, based inthe city of York and various Parliamentary leaders, who retain the capital of Cyro.

Hundreds of people are feared dead in fighting between York and Cyro that has taken place across the Dyellian core provinces, while scores more are feared injured.

Local leadership is heavily divided, with multiple cities, including Saint Guineford's, declaring for the Tzarina, while others, including the volatile Dyelli Beybi Antarctic Territories, have refused to announce allegiance at all.

The military appears to be standing aside for now.

Provincial Parliaments have appealed to the international community for aid and assistance in the conflict.

There are rumours in Arn-Maciska that the Covenant has been asked to intervene, rumours which were denied by Minister for External Affairs, Justina Valdir.

"We have not been asked to intervene," Minister Valdir told CTN News. "We recognise this is an internal matter, and Dyellians know this."

"The only party which may intervene is Port Olympus."

Analysts agree that His Serene Majesty's Government will not intervene; many reference the ill-fated nation of Neo-Tyr, who was utterly destroyed by a Federal army following interference in Dyellian Affairs.

"Dyelli Beybi is the poisoned chalice of Klatchia," Dr. Dakrati Ul Telkt of the University of Arn-Arakhan told CRN Talkback yesterday. "To paraphrase a movie, if we were to touch it, we would have chosen poorly."

Efforts by the Covenant Media to cover the conflict have been hampered by the Dyellian Recognition Act, which effectively outlaws any person not an adherent of a small select number of faiths; this act is being cited by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) as reason to prevent any humanitarian aid to be rendered to the Dyellian people.

"As far as we know both sides are in favour of this repugnant legislation," Primarch Alexis Valnard, the Ambassador to the Federated Klatchian Coast, told the Times. "As long as this foul act stands, they can ask their God to help them. We have no desire to be shot at, or worse."

Followers of the Old Religion have already denounced the Recognition Act, while numerous members of the Maciskan Orthodox Church have protested in northern cities and off-world.

Neither self-proclaimed government of Dyelli Beybi was contacted due to the MEA's advising this correspondent that the nation was extremely unsafe.

Of course at the moment the Dyellians were too caught up in their own problems to care... although the response was likely to annoy whichever faction managed to win the petty showdown.

Although more in response to Islamic and Judaic support than any political pressure, in the hours following the Statement from Macisikan the Tzarina declared the Recognition Act to be void. This was met by a response from Parliament that the Tzarina was acting outside of the advice of Parliament and therefore the Act was still in play as dictated by the terms of the Bill of Rights Act. Unfortunately as Dyelli Beybi had no constitution and worked under the premise of Parliamentary supremacy, that was as far as anything got...

As such the Counties in favour of the Tzarina, making up approximately half the country stopped enforcing the Act, although there were no guarantees it would not come back again in the near future.

OOC, redirected here

IC; While the nation of Dyeli Beybi was in deep trouble, the Episcopal Church of Cyro was the only church that had really accepted the Bardarian Catholic Church. For a long time Pope Gregorios I had planned a trip to Dyeli Beybi to visit his Christian brothers, and finally that day had come. Since the Bardarian Christians are only a small minority in their home land any contact with other Christians is seen as very important. It was a sunny day when the plane (no he has not a own jet) carrying the Bardarian Holy Father landed in Cyro.

amt.com.uik.cov

News>World News>Klatch

Tzarina Voids Recognition Act
Alexia ap Adam nullifies xenophobic legislation
Caprice Ak'Talki in Port Olympus, and John Gaspucci in Arn-Maciksa
Arn-Maciska Times

In a public statement this afternoon, the Tzarina of Dyelli Beybi, Alexia ap Adam, declared the Recognition Act to be null and void.

The Recognition Act has drawn severe criticism from all sides and all levels of Covenant politics since its passage, with Sir Edmund Foxworth, Lord-President of the States-General, calling it a “gross human rights violation”, while Tribunes in the House of Representatives have labelled it an attack on basic freedoms and “at least partially aimed against the Covenant”.

The Attorney-General’s Department has stated that the revocation of the Act “effectively re-legalises His Serene Majesty and the United Imperial Kingdoms in the Blessed Kingdom, but only in those areas held by the Tzarina”.

Minister of External Affairs, Lady Justina Valdir, was unavailable for comment, however Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs, the Iam Alberto Perez has welcomed the Tzarina’s move. Minister Perez has also indicated that so-called “symmetry measures” banning adherents of the Episcopal Church of Dyelli Beybi (ECDB) from practicing their faith in the Covenant will be lifted shortly. This move has been welcomed by Civil Rights advocates.

Symmetry Measures are a favoured tool of the deMai’ska government, which first began using them in the Squall Straits Affair.

Sources within Greenmotte have cited the Recognition Act as being behind the decision of Dame Kimberly O’Brien, Secretary of State for Aid and Humanitarian Efforts, to any distribution of aid to the troubled Klatchian State. The Secretary’s office has stated that, as of 0600hrs tomorrow (Arn-Maciska Time), Dyellians fleeing the conflict will again be able to seek refuge within the Covenant, subject to “certain eligibility restrictions” – these have not been clarified.

The controversial Public Servants Reward Act, essentially a licence for Dyellian officials to extort money from foreigners, remains in effect; the MEA advises all citizens to remain outside Dyelli Beybi. No formal symmetry measures have been imposed yet, although the Secretariat of Immigration, Tourism, and Citizenship has doubled the length of time taken to process visa requests from Dyellian citizens, and has indicated that such measures are being contemplated.

Cyro
The city was in uproar as tanks moved down the main Highway into town. Apparently the Red Army had decided they were going to occupy the city, although there was no indication of who had given the order.

As the first Division made it's way into the city, a motorised infantry platoon broke away from the main push that seemed to be directed on Parliament, instead heading for the KTV Station which was seized at 1207 hours.

Meanwhile across town, Parliamentarian forces, mostly belonging to the Inquisitor Guard had barricaded the bridge to the Island holding Parliament and the Royal Palace. There was tension at the barricades. The Red Army had main battle tanks and heavy Artillery, while the Parliamentarians had hand grenades and 5 cold war era RPGs. There were less than a thousand of them, whereas the Red Army had over 50,000 combat infantry at it's disposal. If there was actually a fight there could only really be one outcome...

1315 Hours
At the bridge an officer in Formal field grey dismounted from an APC followed by a soldier in Gallic uniform carrying a megaphone. The pair stopped. The officer reached into his pocket, extracting a piece of paper which he unfolded, clearing his throat.

As he began speaking, the soldier held the megaphone up to his mouth, "We the Red Army wish to let it be known that we are not in any way hostile to Parliament. We are here to ensure order in the Capital, no more. Parliament may carry on as it has before, however with the following single restriction;

No retainer from Parliament may bear arms within the city limits of Cyro without the prior permission of Field Marshall Nairn. This ban excludes the Parliament Isle.

We hope this does not inconvenience the good Governance of the country. Signed Field Marshall Nairn on behalf of the Junta of Dyelli Beybi."

Meanwhile across town the Field Marshall was holding an impromptu speech on television.

"Citizens of Cyro, do not be alarmed. We, the Red Army are not here to harm anyone, but to protect the fair Capital of Dyelli Beybi from the unrest we have seen in other parts of the country, particularly the County of East Narbonnensis in Outremere.

We will not be imposing a curfew, however we will be taking up policing duties alongside the Cyro metropolitan police. We will be garrisoning the army in the bunker complex at the entrance to the harbour, so no citizen need fear soldiers being billeted on their property.

I now call on all Dyellians to observe a minute's silent prayer for the rapid reconciliation of Parliament and our beloved Tzarina."

amt.com.uik.cov

News>World News>Klatch

Red Army Seizes Cyro
Military takes Dyellian capital amid turmoil in outlying areas
Caprice Ak'Talki in Port Olympus
Arn-Maciska Times

Yesterday, around midday local time, the Dyellian military seized the nation’s capital. A statement issued by Field Marshal Nairn declared that this measure was not an attempt to seize power, but to preserve order and peace in the city.

Local information indicates that the capital has settled into an uneasy calm under martial law. Rumours are circulating that foreign military leaders have arrived in Cyro to negotiate with the military junta.

This development comes on the heels of reports of foreign military interventions in the conflict, deploying forces to assist the provincial government of East Narbonnensis, which has declared for parliament.

Federal authorities in Port Olympus have yet to respond; however, if past performances are any indication, the foreign involvement will be received poorly.

There has been no indication whether the military will take advantage of the Public Servants Rewards Act to extort money from foreigners.

The Covenant Ambassador to the Federated Klatchian Coast was unavailable to comment on if the continuing adherence to the legislation by all parties in Dyelli Beybi would influence the stance of His Serene Majesty’s Government.

The Ambassador’s Office did state that the Secretariat of State for Tourism, Immigration, and Citizenship would no longer be allowing flights from the Covenant to Dyelli Beybi, due to “the inability of local authorities to satisfactorily guarantee the safety of passengers and integrity of their effects.”

This measure would leave Dyellians in the Covenant unable to return home, but the Secretariat has state that transit to other Klatchian nations remains unimpeded.

OOC, redirected here

IC; While the nation of Dyeli Beybi was in deep trouble, the Episcopal Church of Cyro was the only church that had really accepted the Bardarian Catholic Church. For a long time Pope Gregorios I had planned a trip to Dyeli Beybi to visit his Christian brothers, and finally that day had come. Since the Bardarian Christians are only a small minority in their home land any contact with other Christians is seen as very important. It was a sunny day when the plane (no he has not a own jet) carrying the Bardarian Holy Father landed in Cyro.

Cyro was currently under control of a military junta, although the arrival was treated with all the pomp one would expect for a Senior International dignitary. Although civil discontent was brewing, it seemed like it was pretty much business as usual in Cyro. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Cyro had turned out, an elderly, fatherly looking man in Choir Robe (A purple cassock wiith a rochet with black chimere and matching cuffs worn over the top. A black preaching scarf was also worn around the neck). In front of him, a priest in a black cassock with a surplice and black preaching staff was holding a tall golden ornamental staff topped by an Archiepiscopal cross. What was unusual to the Catholic eye was that this Priest was a woman (the Episcopal Church of Cyro, along with allowing its Priests to marry, also allowed female Priests, which had resulted in the interesting observation that most Priests now married other Priests)... she stepped out of the way as the Pontiff approached, allowing the Metropolitan to step forward. He smiled in an inoffensive sort of way, offering a bow, "Your Holiness, we are pleased to see you in Dyelli Beybi. I trust the journey was not unpleasant?"

The sunlight washed out through the clouds as the morning crept upon the city, it was a murky morning in the city below, and the soft yellow glow of the rising sun made a pallid, washed out palette of colours fill the streets. Even on a day that seemed as dank and dark as this, the city below would normally be full of cheer. The city was a holiday town by trade, and the ‘serenity’ of the cold, calm clouds rolling through the city from the nearby hills was often played by tourism as one of the more calming, tranquil moments in what was otherwise a busy, bustling town full of life and joy.

Mercenary Flying Officer Nicholas Char'eton grunted in dark humour at the irony of the pretty picture portrayed in the tourist brochure, then looked back out at the city in the valley below him. It, contrary to the brochure, looked like anything but a paradise; full of smoke and fires, the sounds of small arms fire and explosive detonations filled the air whilst mingling with the wailing drone of an air raid siren.

"Hmmm, now this is my sort of holiday, I get to shoot things to hell and gone, I get to have fun in a scenic holiday retreat, and I get paid to do it at the barbarian nations expense, brilliant." He said as he slowly took another cigar from his small cache and lit it up. The rich aromatic smoke was not only growing on him, but it helped in another way, it covered the smells of war, blood, gunpowder, smoke, burning wood, metal and flesh, and replaced them with something far more pleasant, and yet so often not there.

"Hey boss, contract's up today, want to see this?" A young red headed mechanic flung a paper towards Nick, grabbing it in the air with his free hand he unfurled the paper to a page marked with a small tab, inside the barbarian nations newspaper (nowhere near as good as what was done back in Reicha, Nick thought) was a small mention about a story of yet another "Red Army" seizing country X's cities, in this case, a town called Cyro.

Another small clipping added in beside the paper stated, from the same conflict, a story about someone who was obviously important enough to be mentioned ("Tzarina's are usually important, either way, she's got enough clout to kick up a fuss" Nick mentioned to no one in particular) about something called the Recognition Act.

"Well boss?" Nick looked up, a small group of people, the mechanic and a number of other people were sitting around, in some cases looking very eager to go.

"Hmm, looks like some sort of ideological war... religious ones always get rough, and they pay well too because they last... we're in."

The crew nodded in acknowledgement and began the tasks of organising the band for the movement. Nick looked at the word Tsarina, then underscored it by slowly searing a burn mark with his cigar,

"I don't care about your cause, or your issues, all I care about is my fee" he murmured as he looked back out at the ongoing conflict...

The Black Wing mercenaries would be moving into this conflict in this state, and who's side they chose would depend entirely on the size of bills handed across the table.

Cyro was sometimes described as being like Venice... but hotter, more humid and with a mosquito problem at night. The city had originally grown around a fortress on an Island in a swamp. It had grown to encompass the nearby islands, then the ones a bit further out, then a little further out, and now stretched onto both banks.

There were several ways to try to get into Cyro. The first would be by plane. Cyro International Airport was functioning, in fact the whole city was functioning normally. Except in East Narbonnensis where people were shooting at each other, the country was functioning as normal... except for where the tax money was being paid to, (which had caused a few hiccups with matters such as pay for teachers).

A massive series of forts guarded the entries into the river delta the city was built on... that was the other way into Cyro. Normally the guns sat idle with just a skeleton crew from the navy keeping them in order, but now the forts were fully garrisoned; The leaves had been swept out, the floors scrubbed, the light bulbs changed. Now the forts had a lived in aura about them and were filled with a rather large number of bone idle Dyellian soldiers, who, for want of anything better to do, were spending most of the time gambling or drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

amt.com.uik.cov

Opinion>World>Klatch

Opinion: Where art thou Klatchia?
Foreigners march into Dyelli Beybi while the Federation sits idly by
Dalton Getty in Port Olympus
Arn-Maciska Times

Foreigners, known here by the unflattering Vrakian term “pakrah”, are openly intervening in the dispute between the Tzarina and the Parliament. At least one foreign military force has actually deployed troops within the Blessed Kingdom.

This has happened with the apparent blessing of the self-appointed military guardians of the nation.

In days gone by, this would have been cause for a Federal intervention; a foreign nation is trampling the sovereignty of the Federation. Under the late King Vrak the foreigners would have found themselves on the receiving end of a full Federal invasion ala Neo-Tyr, who was pounded into a rather thin paste by the reaction.

The Federation, drawing on its states and under Vrakian leadership, dispatched an army so powerful that the Tyrinian leadership surrendered on sight than face it.

The cost to the nation of Neo-Tyr was so great that the nation has since collapsed completely; only a few scattered refugee populations have survived.

Yet now, when a similar challenge, on the same soil as before, is issued, there is nothing. Not so much as a murmur from an enfeebled Port Olympus, while a nation barely a tenth the size of the UIK sends its soldiers in to openly take sides and influence the leadership in Dyelli Beybi. Some have started to suggest that perhaps the Klatch aren't strong enough, or unified enough, to resist even the most tokenistic foreign force.

I, for one, am wondering when some of the more opportunistic nations will start to circle; Klatchia is a large region, with a great many natural resources. There are a vast number of economies, including the Covenant one, that would salivate at the prospect of claiming that bounty. Even if the States are left alone, the trackless miles of unclaimed Federal territory would offer a rich prize.

In any case, there are people on the streets here asking; where is the President? Where are her armies? What are they waiting for?

Indeed, what is she waiting for?

"DO NOT MOVE!" Yelled the young soldier, his fingers gripped tightly at the handgrip on his rifle as the unknown troops marched into the small villa.

Surprisingly enough, whether it be from the sheer disbelief that some random force had entered their territory, or whether it was because no-one was prepared for such an event - no response had been made to the incursion by Nick's mercenary company... their armoured vehicles rolled in unopposed, troops strolled, strolled through the street, and the few people in the region had been happy (or shocked) enough to leave them alone and accept their calls to return to their houses...

Until now...

The small villa ahead was home to some sort of militia force, Nick looked up at it from the small recon vehicle he was sitting in, in front of the villa was a rather upsetting scene, a platoon of his men, dead - gunned down by whoever it was located within that facility.

Nick was upset by this development, he had been hoping he'd make much better contact with the first military forces he met, but having read a local news article a few hours ago calling for some much larger military force to wipe them off the map, Nick was slightly surprised

What the heck? We haven't done anything, we're here to offer our services, and then they shoot us... shoot us!

His anger at the predicament got the better of him, speaking into a radio he had with him he said "This is command to unit 4-7... 4-7, conduct flank and subdue maneuver on target building... acknowledged, out"

The small conversation put a big wheel in motion... within moments, two heavy machine-guns began to pound at the small villa, the return fire from the people, whoever they were, holed up in the building was focused on the two gunners... they never expected the solitary figure creeping up along a small ditch line until the last second.

The yell of alarm turned into a scream of unbirdled agony as the loud WHOOSH of the flame-thrower filled the air and a trail of thick, viscous jellied gasoline spewed from the nozzle and ignited seconds later. A few seconds later, and the residents stopped screaming, one burning soul raced outside, his body awash in flame - his agony was cut short by an equally short burst of gunfire - a small mercy considering what he'd already been through.

The first casualties of the mercenaries' inteference into the conflict had already occured, people on two sides were dead - and all of a sudden, the choice faced by Nick and his troops became a whole lot clearer...

OOC: just for clarity, the Arn-Maciska Times isn't based in DB or Klatchia at all (though the author might be in Port Olympus at the moment), and Dalton's article wasn't referring to your mercs, but to Lynion's detachment in this thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=562842).

OOC: Black Reich, are your guys in Dyelli Beybi at the moment? If so, where abouts?

<scene>
A small room with a low ceiling in the bowels of the Calarcan Embassy in the capital of Dyelli Beybi, the rooms walls and ceiling are covered in sound deadening acoustic tiles, leaving the room looking like a stripped recording studio, covering the tiles is a lacework tracery of fine wires. The door open and four men walk in, visible behind them as they walk in the door is a short swing bridge across a gap to the outer wall, which is likewise covered in acoustic tiles. The room sways slightly as the men close the door and sit around the table suggesting the room is suspended by cables and dampeners. One of the men pauses then turns on a small boxy machine with several speakers which hisses quietly, generating white noise to drown out voices on any recordings. This room is obviously meant to overcome any means of eavesdropping.
</scene>

The man closest to the door speaks first

"Alright, we know the Tzarina is in the countryside and Parliament is rebelling against the legitimate monarchy, What we need to do is decide what we can do to help. I've already sent of despatches to the Emperors court back home, so further orders should be arriving soon."

"What we should do Lord Ambassador, is set off a manpack tac-nuke in the middle of parliments next session." Responds the weasel-ish man sitting opposite. "Rebels against the crown should get what they deserve."

The problem there my dear chap, is the Tzarina may want the buildings back afterwards." snaps the military looking man to his right, even in civilian clothes the clip of his greying hair and his bearing as he leans forward, hammering on the table to make his point. "This isn't our city after all, You may be the Cheif of Station here, but spies and Saboteours aren't the solution to every problem!"

"So what would you do? Drop sarin on them?"

"Negative, NX-43-D is far more effective, disperses faster as well."

"Gentlemen, Settle down," pleads the ambassador, "For now I just want preliminary options, Scotty, you need to get your men mobilised and en route to the Tzarina's forces to lend a hand, I do wish this wasn't a friendly country, we'd have more resources on hand than the minimal ones we do have... Zane, you know what to do already, with the Militaries fondness for plans theres probably a dozen scenarios similiar to this already in folders ready to be pulled off the shelves and distributed. Isn't that so?"

"Likely so My Lord, HQ will be ready to react anyway"

"So liaise with them, see that embassy security is solid and take your orders as they come."

Turning to the last man there, having dealt with the head of the spies and the military attache, the ambassador frowns, "What does the Media situation look like?" he asks. "Your position is new, I'm still not sure why we need a Propaganda agent, whatever your real title may be, It doesn't seen gentlemanly."

"Hmm, well you know the defination of a Diplomat is an honest man sent to lie abroad for his country..." Muses the Public Relations officer. "Just think of me as a dishonest man sent abroad to lie for my country. Anyhow, I ought to be able to stir up public anti-parlimentarian sentiment with a bit of work, just wait and see. After all, they say a lie can run round the world before truth has got it's boots on."

"Right, this meeting of the Committee to Unelect the Parliment is declared closed, and hasn't happened"

In the air, 127 km NE of Cyro, Open Desert below

Adelle Collins was angry. She strode purposefully across the bridge to where the communications officer was seated, "Any word?" she demanded.

He shook his head, "Still no response Ma'am."

She grunted, pulling off her hat. Dyellian naval officers wore cocked hats in place of the caps that most navies used, that of the Grand Admiral was rather well decorated with gold tassels, "Inform Commodore Benson that if he does not State his Intention, we will be forced to open fire."

She paced back across the deck as the Officer tried to establish contact once again. Before she had paced half the length though, the communication officer was calling, "Ma'am!"

"He has replied?" Collins was pacing back.

"Says he's going to join the Tzarina Ma'am, and not to try to stop him."

Collins sighed. The military were meant to be neutral. If she allowed this, all hell could break loose, whereas if she fired on Benson, people were going to die... and all hell might break loose anyway. She had the HMAS Imperium Dyellia at her command, along with the HMAS Leopold Green, both Battleships, on top of that she had 4 cruisers and 4 destroyers. Benson had 3 cruisers and 6 destroyers. Things were definitely stacked in her favour... "Inform Commodore Benson he is under arrest for violation of the peace. He is to disable shields and bring all vessels to a full stop."

The Communications officer talked away, relaying her message while the Grand Admiral paced to the front of the airship. Above her was the huge gas bag that kept them aloft, while below was a featureless desert, sand dunes as far as the eye could see. It was quite beautiful really, a sea of sand... with a burst of sirens, the Admiral's contemplation was shattered, "Incoming SDM volley!" someone called.

"Engage Counter measures." the Captain was ordering waving his hands dramatically, "Full power to the shields."

There was a roar outside as the point defence gattling guns opened up, "We have 12 incoming!"

There was no way they could take out 12 missiles. Some were going to hit, "Brace for impact!" Collins yelled, grabbing a guard rail.

It was none too soon, as the airship shuddered suddenly, throwing a few unwary troopers flying across the room, "Damage report!" the Captain demanded.

"We took 6 hits to the Port side, just rear of the shield generators. Shields are down, we have serious ruptures in bags 2 and 4, we can hold this height, but we'll be listing until we can put in for repairs."

"Return fire!" Collins called out. The knock had sent her hat flying. She straightened up, dusting off, "They should have another 12 missiles, where did they go?"

"Four hits on the Leopold Green." called the Communication Officer, "More dispersed than ours though, they've sprung leaks in six port bags. Reckon they're repairable on the hop, but they'll need to ground for a few hours and deflate the bags. The Crocodile took one hit. Reporting serious shield disruption but no damage to the hull."

"Just be thankful we haven't taken a hit to the bridge or the gun deck." someone commented.

There was a roar as missiles streaked forward, disconnecting themselves from the racks just aft of the bridge, temporarily deafening anyone on the bridge. Collins glances around, no sign of her hat, she'd find it later, "In range of the cannons?" she asked as the ringing in her ears began to subside.

"Our front turret, yes." someone confirmed.

In theory the other battleship should have been able to fire as well, but that wasn't going to happen. Collins could see the Leopold Green off to starboard, rapidly descending to the desert, "Pound 'em." she ordered, "Nobody blows a hole in my zepellin and gets away with it."

"Aye aye, Ma'am!"

All up the fighting lasted some eight minutes before the Cruiser HMAS Hind, Benson's flagship, took a shell through the shields and into the armoury. The fleets hadn't been able to see each other, but the explosion was clearly visible for miles around. The rest of Benson's ships gave up at that point.

Five of Collins' troops had died, while a further 19 had sustained serious injuries. Commodore Benson had died in the brief engagement, along with 174 troops of his rogue Squadron. A further 26 suffered serious injuries. Miraculously 16 people survived from the Hind, those who had been in the upper walkways of the interior when the killing shell had struck. Thankfully for them, the Dyellian military used Helium balloons.

The Battle was the first ever zepellin on zepellin action that Dyelli Beybi was aware of. Resulting in irreperable damage to only one of the costly craft. Unfortunately Collins' action was already being trumpeted as a Parliamentary blow against the Royalists, which it wasn't, however it was sure to enflame things if nobody did anything to cool the situation...

The Republican Council was paralyzed by the news streaming from Dyelli Beybi, paralyzed with laughter. After announcements of actual killing the laughter subsided somewhat and the Ministers managed to meet briefly on the subject at the House of The Republic in Great Lassic.

"Maybe I should offer a position of neutral moderator?" mused Sir Alec Connover , Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister of Defence, the stern Kylie Codreanu shot him a glance "I think you over-estimate your abilities, it would do us no good to play referee to the Dyellians national sport. Let this coupe play out like the rest."

First Republican William Issem looked thoughtful "Yes, I don't think this affects our national security, nor do we gain by helping either side, I mean legally we have never recognized the Tzarina's government, and this new one has the same illegal status."

There were nods, he was right, embroilling oneself in Dyellian affairs of state was a sure was to get into serious trouble.

*****

One man liked trouble and moreover saw an opportunity.

The Lord Vaad sat, quite impossibly' at his office in the Apethorpe in the Capital of The United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris, Thunderbay.

Only one member of his Privy Council was present, the able Countess Ann Winton, she looked concerned by his stream of thought.

"The Tzarina once rejected the friendship of my family outright, all for the appearance of no one being above Dyellian law, and now she starts a revolution........................" He trailed off staring out of the window Conutess Winton started to say something but The Lord Vaad continued " So, I should crush her, to teach her a lesson............."

Countess Winton looked a bit more concerned "Your Grace, I hardly think that would be worth it, or solve anything, this new Telau Parliament seems a bit, conservative, and could be problematic in the long run. Hell, they are probably going to a problem in just the next few weeks."

The Lord Vaad smiled at Countess Winton "Well, we'll have to see about that."

She did not care for his smile, it was especially disturbing as the smile was shared by his chief Lifeguard, Manglevites Yross.

By that afternoon the Tormentor class Battle Cruisers Patriarch, Namaan Vaad and Corum Vaad were loaded and well underway, aimed suspiciously at Dyelli Beybi.

"Vaadians?" Collins drummed her fingers on the panelling of her desk, "Hmm that could be useful. Send word to the Reichsmarshall and Grand Air Marshall, let them in on our little plan. Also I want envoys dispatched to Parliament and the Tzarina, I want them in as well."

"Pardon me Ma'am." the young officer frowned at the floor, "What is the plan of the Senior Service."

"I am glad you asked." she smirked, then explained it all...

__________

From: Dyelli Beybian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, York
To: Vaadian Untermensch fleets

Vaadian infidels, remove yourself from this approach towards the glorious kingdom or be cursed for a thousand years. May your mothers be turned to goats and your fathers to insatiable camels. May your heads turn orange and drop off at an inconvenient moment.
You are not welcome on the blessed soil of our homeland. Your impure bodies stink of filth and debauchery. Your flesh burns with sinfulness, your blood overflows with impurities. The Übermenschen of the glorious kingdom have no desire to cast their eyes upon your sweaty forms. The fires of hell are too good for your sorts, however as there is no worse we can only pray that your ships are swallowed by whales and you find yourselves there at the soonest opportunity.

Regards,
The Hon. Dr Crippen.

The catalogue of abuse seemed to have originated in York, the Tzarina's capital, although it seemed distinctly unlike the Dyellians to do that. Then again, they had changed a bit since the Vaadians had last interacted with the volatile Southerners...

The insults never made it to The Lord Vaad, Exarch Thom Edrull had already been ordered to handle the communications . In fact he already had a response text planned. It was sent as a reply to York and as a message to the Telau Parliament:

From: Exarch Thom Edrull
to:The Parliaments of Dyelli Beybi

Greetings from His Majesty, Prince Corum King of Lassic, Coventry, The Border Principalities, Elector of Zeeland and Alcona, Regent to the Ducal Throne of The United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris,

His Grace wishes to offer his assistance to the honourable scions of the noble houses of The Blessed Kingdom. His Grace has watched several times as civil war has devastated The Blessed Kingdom time and again and it is his desire that such civil war, which neither honours nor enriches anyone, be averted.

To this end His Grace offers himself as a neutral mediator between the parties that are currently at odds. His Grace has no doubt of the honourable intentions and patriotism of the parties involved and passes no judgment upon either. For the sake of the stability of the Klatchia and the welfare of The Blessed Kingdom His Grace hopes that a settlement can be negotiated.

Be thou aware that such a settlement will not be resolution or a paper backed up only by good intentions, but His Grace pledges the force of his Houses to enforce any such agreement, impartially and fairly. The Red Army need not take sides and the scions of the noble house of The Blessed Kingdom need not slaughter each other in civil war.

Let us not forget the teaching of Christ, our Saviour "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.", the humble people of The Blessed Kingdom have suffered war far to often, His Grace only humbly asks that your duly appointed representatives lay out the cases for the legitimacy of your respective factions and agree to a negotiated settlement. His Grace will be the guarantor of any such settlement, and only a mutually agreed upon settlement will be accepted.

I await your reply so that I may take your decision to The Lord Vaad, your Noble Cousin,

Velites Kerbal Exrach Thom Edrull

amt.com.uik.cov

News>World News>Klatchia

MoD Blocks Dirigible Sales to Dyelli Beybi
Minister suspends sales of dirigibles to Dyellian government, citizens, corporations
Jaques Carsonoli in Arn-Maciska
Arn-Maciska Times

Defence Minister, the Countess Katerin Palir, today ordered an immediate Ministry of Defence Hold Order - Class II (A) on all dirigible and dirigible-related sales to the Blessed Kingdom of Dyelli Beybi, effective immediately.

Class II Hold Orders are one of several tools used by the Ministry under the Import-Export & Custom Powers Scrutiny & Oversight Act (1939) [UIK/COV] to stop sales of materiel to foreign nations that “may have a military” purpose.

Class II Hold Orders are usually employed when the Secretariat of State for Trade (MEA) raises concerns about “the legitimacy of the authority of the buyer”. In other words, when the Secretariat isn’t sure whether the people buying military goods are legally able to do so, they ask the Defence Ministry to halt all shipments and sales; the “- A” indicates that this is a temporary measure while Defence investigates the matter.

A representative for the Secretary of State for Trade stated that the Hold Order had “nothing to do with symmetry measures”. Instead, the Hold Order has been issued “due to the collapse of the civil authority, and the divergence of revenues within the Blessed Kingdom; these developments cast severe doubt on the legitimacy of the purchasing authority, and until these legal questions are resolved, we must ask Defence to hold the shipments.”

The spokesperson also confirmed that officials from the Secretariat and the Ministry of Defence would make themselves available at the Macisikani Embassy in Port Olympus to discuss the matter with Dyellian authorities.

UIK manufacturing companies, including the powerful Ring of Fire Trading Company, have been selling dirigibles to the Dyellian government for a number of years.

The Trade Secretariat has traditionally offered compensation to the buyer to the value of 10% of the goods where a Class II (A) Hold Order has been issued in error.

--------------------

amt.com.uik.cov

News>Covenant>Politics

States-General Convenes
First Assembly of the 85th Convention Opens
Francesca Sarkozy in Arn-Arakhan
Arn-Maciska Times

Every six to eight months, a spectacle of pageantry, pomp, and ceremony that sometimes borders on the farcical takes over the Assembly Precinct here in Arn-Akarahan.

Over four thousand delegates representing the thirty-five nations of the Covenant are meeting in the Assembly of the States-General.

Yesterday, the often-tortuous ceremonial opening, which lasts eight hours, took place in a riot of colour and sound. Sometimes grave and solemn, the 85th Convention lent a festival atmosphere to the city.

But the air here also seems to crackle with electricity and excitement. The Duchess Elgiva deMa’sika, the First Minister of the UIK, will be addressing the States-General tomorrow.

Ruler of the Imperial Nation in the High King’s name, the most powerful woman in the Covenant next to Her Serene Majesty, deMai’ska commands the votes of a full 36% of the Assembly.

The deMa’iska government has been in power for over two decades now, only three years (and one election) shy of becoming the longest-serving legislative government in Macisikani history.

The First Minister’s office has been silent on what she intends to say, but many are predicting that she will speak on formalising the operational separation of Church and State, before making a foray into trans-gardal relations.

The office of the Assembly Secretary has indicated that today’s proceedings will be given over to business arising from the last session of the 84th Assembly, and the circulation of the briefs on the Motions With Notice.

Next week there will be two days devoted to submissions from foreign governments; Embassy partners are usually invited to request items be placed on the agenda for discussion.

OOC: Just a quick post for now. Sorry for the shortness.

IC:

Unsettling news coming from Dyelli Beybi was almost treated casually by the VIS and the Vrakian government in general. If there ever was a Klatchian dictionary with the words "unrest" and "coup", one would be hard pressed not to see a reference to that troubled state. As well, words like "conservative" and "anal-retentive" would be associated with the Vrakians.

Still, restive moments concerning the Tzarina were not typical which gave at least one walrus in the hideous Vrakian bureaucracy a heart attack. Indeed, the pharmaceutical industry in Vrak did a brisk business in medicines treating heartburn, indigestion, strokes, and heart attacks.

Since Port Olympus was a special designated city by the Klatch, it was protected by a sizable force of Federal forces. Unfortunately, it made the Vrakians worried as to what loyalties these forces would pledge themselves to. In typical Vrakian fashion, the Southern HORDE district, which bordered Dyelli Beybi's northern border, was once again put on high alert. This, of course, would restrict movement into that areas. Also, the aforementioned district did surround Port Olympus proper, except for the access to Lake Olympus. Thankfully, the AWM canal likely didn't allow large warships passage which was a blessing and a curse, depending on your point of view.

The Middle South HORDE district, which lay above the Southern HORDE district also ramped up its readiness level. Plans were made to reinforce the Southern HORDE district should the need arise. In both districts, air patrols were stepped up.

Far to the north in the King's range of mountains there were several high level and immensely secure research facilities. These bastions, as they were designated Bastion I, II, and so forth were built shortly after the Dozle war and were tasked with coming up with new ways to blow up Vrakian enemies in the most ruthless and efficient manner possible. Fruits of their research were already seen, since the SOAT-bots were no longer a well-kept secret. And there was an incident of a "grav-like" ship that crashed spectacularly into the North Sea. Great strides have been made since then, and the Vrakians did employ the expertise of outsiders to not only make sense of the war booty but also quiet contacts with their long-time allies in the Order of the Seraphim. After all, a truly observant observer would, in fact, wonder why Vrak had relatively small (but well-equipped) conventional modern-era troops and equipment. Like everything else, the money trail (however many pains were taken to obfuscate the trail) would led to the inevitable conclusion: that Vrak was rapidly expanding its military into a far higher level of technological advancement that previously thought possible by rivals and allies alike.

====

At Bastion IV, the chief researcher waited patiently. He was expecting some visitors from allies of Vrak. Whether all or some came really didn't matter to him. He needed their help. As well, The junior Minister of War was also there, eager to procure some equipment. For both walruses, the entire purpose of this was not entirely clear, since, well, the King did have a plan.

OOC: My apologies for buggering off for a few days.

Eventually the Vaadians did get a reply. It was by radio and was horribly interfered with by static. Somoone in Dyelli Beybi didn't seem to want them there...

Exarch Edrull... <static> ...with great difficulty... <static> A wandering minstrel I! <static> ... We repeat, efforts to mediate are welcome... <static> ... at your convenience.

More and more equipment was being readied in the Southern Horde district. Observational satellites would pick up cargo trains being loaded at various points and moving out to the border region of Dyelli Beybi. What would not be clearly evident would be the manner of equipment being loaded and rolling out, although those familiar with the Vrakians could guess heavy artillery pieces, tanks, and of course regular human troops. The SOAT-bots and Stalker units (the latter being in limited supply) would be coming from the Middle South District since the military planners had originally wanted them to be used in the defense of the Glorious Kingdom. Also, the incursions that moved into the former Monte Ozarka lands were being strengthened. They were there when the Vaadians decided to dally into Karmanyaka and there were still a sizable contingent of ships at the easternmost port in that territory.

As far as troops and whatnot in the former Shironese territory, the Horde Commander was ordered to maintain a robust defensive posture. The Vaadian battlegroup was noted and long-range air patrols were stepped up, although they were ordered not to engage. The newer generation of aircraft, outfitted with more durable materials and small fusion engines (giving it a longer range) were utilized here – although they were not in as great numbers as their more conventional brethern.

The zeppelins used by the Dyellians were of much interest to the VIS. At first, the military analysts did not know exactly what to make of the strange craft. It was, by luck, that at satellite sweep caught the action at all. The information was promptly fed to the appropriate planners and counter strategies were developed.

At Bastion IV, a massive tank rolled off the assembly line to join its thirty brothers nearby in an staging area. It was far larger than anything in the Vrakian arsenal, weighing at least 500 tons with wide tracks to minimize the ground pressure. It was, of course, the Vrakian version of the Apocalypse tanks that Dolze invaded the Klatch with so long ago. It not only incorporated information gleaned from Dolze, but also the booty seized during the New Shironese/New Cynthia conflict.

OOC: My apologies for buggering off for a few days.

Eventually the Vaadians did get a reply. It was by radio and was horribly interfered with by static. Somoone in Dyelli Beybi didn't seem to want them there...

Exarch Edrull... <static> ...with great difficulty... <static> A wandering minstrel I! <static> ... We repeat, efforts to mediate are welcome... <static> ... at your convenience.


The Alconian Battlecruiser group kept it's course, making for Cyro, but stopping well short of about 600 miles from shore. At this point the group halted as Exarch Edrull busied his Alconian Captains with contacting the JDF and apprising them of their mission as well as the Alconian Keys in Port Olympus alerted the Minister of Defence to the purpose and nature of the Alconian involvement.

Confusion was sure to ensue, after all this is Klatchia (Madness?) and a Vaadian is on the throne of the United Duchies. What?

The Fire Control techs did their best to boost the garbled incoming message and return contact dirtectly to it's source, if at all possible.

Exarch Edrull also now put his message out general release beaming directly to the Red Army and using the Tormentor Battlecruiser's unusually powerful radar , HD, radio and satellite arrays to make sure that at least some of the populace in The Blessed Kingdom was able to hear it.

They then sat and waited. How un-Vaadian! Not even an Orion fighter sortie or a chest pounding fly over?

******

Meanwhile First Republican William Issem was finally cornered by the press and asked difficult questions about Vaadian involvement and which government in Dyelli Beybi the Free Republic backed, he gave the following statement:

"There is no Vaadian involvement. If Corum Vaad involves himself , that is a matter entirely of The United Duchies, of which he is Regent and has the full support of their parliament, apparently.

Ad for Dyellian governments, the Free Republic recognizes neither the Czarina or the parliament. Neither have held free, fair and independently verified elections. Both took power in bloody coups and we do not reward any armed thug by giving recognition to brutal juntas."

He then wished he was allowed to have at least a couple large body guards.

The Dyellians were expecting chest pounding... and unlike the typical Dyellian response of protesting but not actually doing anything (out of a certain reluctance to actually go to war with anyone following the Neo Tyr crisis), this time the Red Army in Cyro had been polishing the weapons and getting the troops primed to 'resist invasion'. Fighting foreigners, it seemed was aexactly the kind of thing the Red Army thought would help to unify the Dyellians. It made sense in a perverse and very Dyellian kind of way.

There was no response from the Government in Cyro, or from the Junta of senior military personel who were effectively running the city (and whom the Red Army were loyal to). Unusually, the response came from a very different source, the Royalists in York.

To: Prince Corum King of Lassic, Coventry, The Border Principalities, Elector of Zeeland and Alcona, Regent to the Ducal Throne of The United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris
From: A. ap Adam, Prime Minister, York
Subject: Presence near Dyelli Beybi

It has recently come to our attention in York that you, or emmisaries representing yourself have contacted Parliament regarding the potential for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. While the Parliament in York is obviously mildly offended that this message was not first sent to us, being as we are the administration with the legitimate head of State, we are not unreasonable people, nor are we in the habit of overlooking an idea with a potentially good outcome due to the source of the suggestion.

I cannot tell you what Parliament in Cyro may feel about this being as we have not recieved any communication from that body since the arrival of the Red Army in the city, however I can tell you that your person or a representative of your person will be welcomed in York if it is pleasing to you to make this alteration to your plans. If so, we would request that this person is a trained diplomat and not someone of a military background.

As regards our prior discussion which has undoubtedly entered your mind. Regretfully I must retain my stance that I cannot give any exemption to the Vassals of the house of Vaad due to the precedent this would set among Teulu; Lest we forget what happened the last time a Tzar was in power.

Regards,
A. ap Adam,
Prime Minister

OOC: I’m not one to take over lands of another character lightly, but then again, Dukratus and Monte Ozarka haven’t been back for quite some time. If either or both return, I’ll happily cede their spot. As well, a quick guide to the map: 1) Alcona & Hubris, 2) Dyelli Beybi, 3) South-western Benji (or does this belong to Dyelli Beybi too?) 5) Vrak (the weird gray shaded area - also including the tip within the Squall Straits. Can dicker on that with Ilek-Vaad on that??), 6) The Lords of War, 9) Timaru and Moskau, 11) Fodmodmadtol, 12) Greenbeard 13) Shielas and Bruces. I suppose, as well, although I’m not the thread starter, that appropriate comments would be welcomed, especially with those that have had dealings with the Klatch before.

IC:

The broadcast interrupted all local Vrakian programming. In fact, the networks within Vrak itself had no advance warning and would be hastily scrambling to round up experts to offer their commentary on the latest development. As well, all Klatchian (including Vaadian) networks and any and all foreign networks were given the short, terse message to air on their own stations. All non-Vrakian diplomatic channels, be it Klatchian or foreign, allies or hostiles, were also given a short communiqué advising them of the message. Within that message, a map was also included that clearly delineated the lands Vrak now lay claim to. It was a formality that the Vrakians were keen to observe with the outside world, whether or not the outside world necessarily agreed with the Vrakian position.

The flag of the Klatch (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/KingVrak/Klatchiaflag3_golden_hydra.png) was first displayed, followed by the Vrakian (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/KingVrak/NewVrakFlag_Kieva.gif) flag. Both symbols would then shrink in size and occupy a level plane with each other and slightly fade as words and a voice began. The sonorous voice began to speak, keeping in time with the words that appeared over the Klatchian and Vrakian flag. The message began first in Vrakian, followed by English, and then the other major languages of the Klatch. The voice for the messages would change, since no one speaker was perfectly fluent in each major tongue. The message, however, remained the same.

“People of Vrak and of the Klatch. We face troubled times once again. In the interests of security and to preserve the integrity of the Klatch from outsiders, the Glorious Kingdom of Vrak now deems the former lands of Dukratus and of Monte Ozarka to be full protectorates of the Kingdom. They are hereby renamed Vrak-Dukratus and Vrak-Ozarka. The lands also belonging to Vrak in the former New Shironese territory which has already been under Vrakian protection is now renamed Vrak-Shiron and is now a full protectorate. The lands occupied within the Squall Straits is now a full-protectorate renamed Vrak-Squall. Each of these protectorates enjoy the full protection of the Glorious Kingdom and are considered to be within the Glorious Kingdom.”

The voice then abruptly stopped and the two flags then faded into blackness to be replaced by a simple map (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/KingVrak/Vrak_empire3.png). The map remained for a full two minutes and then faded into blackness with the Vrakian anthem playing in the background.

====

Observers would have noticed earlier movement of the Vrakians, especially into Vrak-Ozarka and the huge build-up in Vrak-Shiron when tensions between the Vaadians and Klatchians began some time ago. Now, a renewed effort seems to be occupying the Vrakians, as they attempt to incorporate the new lands into the kingdom. Most watchers of the Klatch would also have known that the lands that Vrak did indeed claim, especially the two states bordering Vrak were deserted for quite some time by the original inhabitants and quite likely consisted more or ruins and small bands of nomads.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii50/citationxiv/sealgovernment-heavenlasts.png
_________________________
Statement

[for immediate release]
Secretariat for Immigration, Tourism, and Citizenship

As of today, no visas or visa renewals will be granted to any citizen of Dyelli Beybi not on official business from the government of the Federated Klatchian Coast.

All Dyellians currently in the Covenant are advised that the termination dates of their visas will not be affected by this measure.

**********
amt.com.uik.cov

News>Covenant>Politics

Dyelli Beybi on Watch List
Trade Secretariat places Klatchian Nation in Category I
Nicholas Dimitriadis in Aldet
Arn-Maciska Times

The Secretariat for Trade today placed the Blessed Kingdom on the Watch List; the first step toward economic and trade sanctions. It is anticipated that the second step, a green light to individual Covenant tariffs, will be be taken within the next few days.

Citing government-endorsed official corruption in the Blessed Kingdom, the Secretariat stated that the "climate in Dyelli Beybi is actively hostile towards legitimate and honest commerce".

A Secretariat spokesman advised that the current internal turmoil in Dyelli Beybi had no affect on the decision, and that the measure would apply to all Dyellian or Dyellian-owned commercial interests equally.

"All sides in the Dyellian conflict endorse and support the legalisation of state corruption directed at foreigners," this correspondent was told. "This creates an environment where it is impossible for our citizens to conduct their business; His Serene Majesty's Government does not see any reason why the perpetrators should profit at our expense."

The Trade Secretary's office has affirmed that this does not affect any other nation in Klatch, all of who have retained their positive trade ratings.

There was no comment on how this would impact on the contracts the Dyellian Military has with certain Covenant companies.

Port Olympus was staying quiet on the Dyellian situation for a very good reason. The current President of Klatch was Teulu, and any comment she might pass would be sifted by hordes of spies in an attempt to establish which administation she favoured. This would then, almost certainly lead to assassination attempts, intimidation, or at the very best attempts to bribe her. All of which she sought to avoid. Similarly Port Olympus remained quiet on the Vrakian/Dyellian situation that was almost certainly about to errupt.

The Vrakians hadn't asked to have former Monte Ozarka or Dukratus. There were proceedures they had violated, but then again so had the Dyellians. Port Olympus was in Vrak, the President was Dyellian, so either way she was compromised...

What the Dyellians were in fact doing was conducting 'Operation Flying Buttress', or more appropriately, the Dyellian military was conducting 'Operation Flying Buttress' without any real permission from either Parliament or Tzarina (what they had done was send a note to both parties informing that this was being conducted for the safety of the Nation).

What the Opperation in fact entailed was a massive paradrop on the South Banks of the Axe Cannal (where JDF units were being relieved of their weapons) in Monte Ozarka, followed by armoured columns sweeping into the South of the territory. Supposedly the occupation was to eliminate terrorist threats (not that there had been a terrorist attack in Dyelli Beybi for years), and supposedly only 3 platoons were involved. In reality it was more like 20 Divisions. The Dyellians were laying down the gauntlet. They wanted bits of former Monte OZarka too...

OOC: Crickey! I think we're going to need some kind of map here. As well, I'll have to draw up some stuff on my end but I'm no genius when it comes to maps.

edit: added in a map (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/KingVrak/Vrak_byFreethinker_20060221_cities_.png) (Freethinkers did a bang up job on the terrain and stuff) which outlines major Vrakian cities and the military districts.

IC:

One would have to be the proverbial ostrich with said head stuck in the Dyellian dunes not to have noticed the recent activity coming from that "troubled" state to the south. Or, a Vrakian metaphor would involve something along the lines of a blind bull walrus standing guard over his harem while a polar bear snuck up and stole a pup under the bull's nose. Either way, the ratcheting up of tensions was worse than a Benjian lobster being broiled in a pot.

Vrak-Dukratus was, for the most part, would take longer to secure and the Vrakian military just did not have the presence in that area to secure it at the moment - except for the strip of land that bordered Dyelli-Beybi. Besides, that state was a bit larger than Vrak-Ozarka and was further removed from Dyelli Beybi, unlike Vrak-Ozarka which did share a border with the Dyellians. Thusly, more equipment and troops were pouring in from the rest of the HORDE districts to reinforce the south. The troops surrounding Port Olympus were also steadily increasing in strength.

Aircraft patrols now extended to Vrak-Dukratus and Vrak-Ozarka, the latter with a more robust posture. On the diplomatic front, envoys were sent to all the Klatchian states including Dyelli Beybi, and also to see what could be done to mediate the crisis, although the more cynical held to the belief that it would likely be more of a decree issued from the King stating Vrakian intentions rather than any real dialogue. Still, the Vrakians were aware of the potential impact of outside (non-Vrakian) opinion and were keen to hear what some might say.

Dignitaries that would arrive, if any, would be instructed to land at the main Vrakian airport, being advised to follow certain air corridors depending on the direction. Non-acknowledged or aircraft deviating from the flight plan would be pounced upon by no less at least one flight of interceptor craft.

To: Prince Corum King of Lassic, Coventry, The Border Principalities, Elector of Zeeland and Alcona, Regent to the Ducal Throne of The United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris
From: A. ap Adam, Prime Minister, York
Subject: Presence near Dyelli Beybi

It has recently come to our attention in York that you, or emmisaries representing yourself have contacted Parliament regarding the potential for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. While the Parliament in York is obviously mildly offended that this message was not first sent to us, being as we are the administration with the legitimate head of State, we are not unreasonable people, nor are we in the habit of overlooking an idea with a potentially good outcome due to the source of the suggestion.

I cannot tell you what Parliament in Cyro may feel about this being as we have not recieved any communication from that body since the arrival of the Red Army in the city, however I can tell you that your person or a representative of your person will be welcomed in York if it is pleasing to you to make this alteration to your plans. If so, we would request that this person is a trained diplomat and not someone of a military background.

As regards our prior discussion which has undoubtedly entered your mind. Regretfully I must retain my stance that I cannot give any exemption to the Vassals of the house of Vaad due to the precedent this would set among Teulu; Lest we forget what happened the last time a Tzar was in power.

Regards,
A. ap Adam,
Prime Minister

The message was received and Exarch Edrull met with his staff to decide how best to reply. Unusually the response took several days, the 'Alconian' task force sat quietly as the deliberations took an unusually slow course. Exarch Edrull then responded:

Prime Minister ap Adam,

I had initially attempted to contact York directly, however we believe it must have been intercepted and a fraudulent reply sent. It was obvious that the initial response was not legitimate which forced us to use more general methods of getting my message through. I do apologize for any confusion.

I will dispatch a representative to York as soon as the parliament in Cyro has also accepted a representative. It would be unfair if the Lord Vaad only received one side of the matter at time and may lead to unintentional bias.

As for any 'exemptions' of any Velites Kerbals, I must confess I am at a loss as to what exactly they would need to be 'exempted' from?

I will contact you again as soon as Cyro is prepared to receive a representative of the Lord Vaad.

I thank you,
Velites Kerbal Exarch Thom Edrull


He then sent a missive to Cyro again, and The Red Army:

I have yet to hear any response on what form the Government in Cyro wishes the mediation by the Lord Vaad to take. York has agreed to meet to with a representative of the Lord Vaad. I will also be dispatching a personal representative of the Lord Vaad to his Embassy of the United Duchies in Cyro. You may contact this representative at your earliest convenience.

I thank you,

Velites Kerbal Exarch Thom Edrull

A single Marathon jet was then dispatched to Cyro with Alconian diplomatic transponders.


******

Meanwhile in Great Lassic there was some action, a response to the Vrakians.

Ambassador Tancred was dispatched to the Vrakian Foreign Ministry in Vrak Prime to gain clarification of the extent of the Glorious Kingdoms new territories and to gain an assurance that the 'Accord for Peace Within The Klatchia (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13429674&postcount=71)' signed by the Federation and the Free Republic would be honored by the Glorious Kingdom.

The Vaadians viewed any territorial disputes with Vrak and it's neighbors as an internal matter of the Federation.

*******

The Ministry of Foreign Trade also issued a short response:

The Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad stands in agreement with The United Imperial Kingdoms of Macisikan on restricting trade with the 'Blessed Kingdom'.

Trade with the Blessed Kingdom will hereby be off limits to Vaadian corporations as there is no recognized government, or agencies within the Blessed Kingdom that are capable of facilitating or protecting fair trade. Trade by Dyellian companies and citizens within the territories of The Free Republic is also banned.

Minister of Foreign Trade
Madrid Arden
Ilek-Vaad

OOC: For reference, if you didn't get it from my last message which was typed up while I was very tired; the Dyellians are trying to nick the Southern half of Vrak-Ozarka before the Vrakians can deploy there.
__________

The Dyellian Ministry of Foreigh Affairs and Trade (which along with all other branches of the Civil Service was running as if nothing had happened) of course viewed the comment from the Vaadian Ministry of Trade as akin to a declaration of war (not that there had been much trade in the first place), responding with a declaration of its own;


In response to continued belligerence of Ilek-Vaad and attempts to interfere in the internal politics of Dyelli Beybi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in accordance with the Emergency Empowerment Act wishes to announce a freeze on all assets under the control of citizens of Ilek-Vaad as well as upon all firms, limited liability companies and/or trusts with one or more citizens of Ilek-Vaad among the partners or upon the board of directors/trustees.

This freeze is to be regarded as a 'symetry measure' and can be removed by the Department without notice.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Dr Crippen.


Meanwhile there was still no response from Parliament in Cyro...

OOC: We don't want any part of Monte Ozarka, just for the record.

The Marathon continued on it's way to Cyro and headed for Cyro's international Airport directly. Alconian cars drivers and staff were already waiting. It was assumed that the Red Army or Telau government would try to do something to provoke an incident so the pilot made sure everything was done by book.

It was decided that all would wait until the Lord Vaad's envoy was on the ground before any more attempts were made to contact the Telau and the Red Army. While in Port Olympus the Alconian Keys and their team of lawyers were preparing a raft of legal objections and motions against the Vrakian land grab and the Dyellian response as well as some sharp criticism for the President for apparently doing nothing to stem the growing crisis in the Klatchia.

OOC: For reference, if you didn't get it from my last message which was typed up while I was very tired; the Dyellians are trying to nick the Southern half of Vrak-Ozarka before the Vrakians can deploy there.

OOC: Of course. We, of course want it all! Bhwahahahaha! what I am trying to figure out is Ozarka mostly jungle, at least in the south since it lies next to the Gonaad penninsula, or can the northern half be more scrub and mountains? According to the Original Map (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/KingVrak/ORIGINAL_Klatchdraft2_FB.jpg) (Egad, anyone remember this one by Fasta long ago??) Ozarka would be jungles and forest in the west and flatlands in the eastern parts.

IC:

The hastily built railway that lay along the northern part of Vrak-Ozarka was beginning to feel the strain of equipment that it was carrying. Although a double track was under construction, it would not be in service for some time, which certainly did hamper military planners on how to best secure this new territory. As well, the railway would likely be a prime target for the Dyellians so the Vrakians were taking care to post anti-air and armoured equipment at regular intervals. Of course, forces were also mustering to push south right up to the Dyellian border which would inevitably lead them into conflict.

====

The Vaadian Ambassador was ushered into the huge, dome-like building of the Vrak Ministry of Rites which was, among other things, the equivalent of a "foreign affairs" department of other nations. After winding his way through the maze-like offices that curiously reflected the Vrakian mindset, he arrived at his destination, the office of the Honourable Senior Minister of the Ministry of Rites, who was none other than Jur Ratyuig. His distinguished career included showing the Scolopendran delegation around Vrak so long ago. It was he that showed SHODAN one of the Great Blood scrolls, an honour rarely bestowed upon any outsider and it was also his son, Olik Ratyuig, that was the first ambassador to Ilek Vaad. To say the least, Ambassador Tancred was warmly received, despite the last few years of frosty relations between the two nations. He had before him on his huge Klatchian oak desk a copy of the "Accord for Peace Within The Klatchia" and was making grunting sounds as the Ambassador entered.

The large, old walrus rose and bowed slightly.

"Good to see you, Ambassador. How can I be of assistance to you today?"

OOC: I like the old map, only terrain marking one anyone did. Will post later today when I have some time

The Vaadian Ambassador was ushered into the huge, dome-like building of the Vrak Ministry of Rites which was, among other things, the equivalent of a "foreign affairs" department of other nations. After winding his way through the maze-like offices that curiously reflected the Vrakian mindset, he arrived at his destination, the office of the Honourable Senior Minister of the Ministry of Rites, who was none other than Jur Ratyuig. His distinguished career included showing the Scolopendran delegation around Vrak so long ago. It was he that showed SHODAN one of the Great Blood scrolls, an honour rarely bestowed upon any outsider and it was also his son, Olik Ratyuig, that was the first ambassador to Ilek Vaad. To say the least, Ambassador Tancred was warmly received, despite the last few years of frosty relations between the two nations. He had before him on his huge Klatchian oak desk a copy of the "Accord for Peace Within The Klatchia" and was making grunting sounds as the Ambassador entered.

The large, old walrus rose and bowed slightly.

"Good to see you, Ambassador. How can I be of assistance to you today?"

Ambassador Tancred bows back in a stately manner "As it is good to see you." he replies as he seats himself.

"I have been instructed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to inquire about your recent 'acquisitions' in the Klatchia. These acquisitions are of course entirely a Federation affair and the vagaries of changing borders in the Federation are of no concern to us.

I am simply here to clarify that the Glorious Kingdom intends to honor the treaty between the Federation and the Free Republic, mainly in relation to the Squall Straits. We hope that you intend to keep them open and navigable free of tariff and taxation? Other than that, none of the territories the Glorious Kingdom now claims is close enough to warrant any further interest on our part."

Ambassador Tancred smiles " I am sure there is no need for any friction between out nations on these matters."

The walrus smiled slightly at the last sentence uttered by Tancred. No friction, indeed, on these matters. However, plenty of friction in other matters. Still, Ratyuig cocked his head as if trying to best gather how to convey the position of the Ministry to the ambassador in the most diplomatic fashion possible.

"In these specific matters, well, yes. I see no reason or evidence as to why we should be at odds. The Squall Straits certainly shall remain open for trade and free of tariff. Since we do have an installation near the Straits, we think it would be reasonable for you to inform us if any of your military vessels intend to pass through due to escalating tensions that we have with the Dyellians. we would like to pre-empt any possible miscommunication on both sides.

As to the acquisitions, we believe them to be the logical extension to restore stability within the Klatch. I think you would agree with me that a peaceful and orderly climate in the FKC is in the best interests of the Republic, which is what we want to achieve. Unfortunately, the Dyellians are prone to instability. Make no mistake though, they are fellow Klatchians and we would take exception to Vaadian incursions into any Klatchian territory. As you say, it is an internal matter."

The minister then barked into the intercom and ordered in Vrakian some more vodka. He then turned his great head back to Tancred and inquired in Vrakian if he wanted some vodka since, well, it is only nine o'clock in the morning.

OOC: Say DB, is there any part of the original map that has stuff to the west? That is, some of Dukratus and Terran Sphere is missing. I'm going by a map done by A&H to get an idea of lands that lay that way.

edit: Adding in map of Monte Ozarka. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/KingVrak/Vrak_Ozarak_A.png) I've tried to stay true to the original map as best as possible. Feel free to improve. The red part is the monstrous Axe Wielding Maniac's canal linking Port Olympus by sea to the outside world.

Ambassador Tancred nodded silently at the answers and then responded.

"Of course if we were to send forces through the Squall Straits we would be bound by the treaty to notify the Federation and I'm certain the Federation would notify the Glorious Kingdom. If of course those forces were to come within twenty miles of your territorial boundaries."

It was an answer that really didn't answer the question. Would the Federation alert Vrak? Who knew. Ambassador Tancred was hoping it would force the Vrakians to make sure they kept in contact with the Federation's President on these matters. Ambassador Tancred declined the vodka.

"Thank you, but no. We of course want a stable Klatch as well and if the Glorious Kingdom's actions result in greater stability we would of course welcome it." of course.

"We also hope that in the interests of greater stability that the Glorious Kingdom is working closely with the Federation government and lending it's support to Alconian attempts to resolve the issue in Dyelli Beybi peacefully?"

Ambassador Tancred was attempting to gently prod the large old walrus into some sort of commitment to not just grab land, but to act in a wider context.

OOC: Having looked at the map and having actually remembered the correct geography, now its time for a sudden change of plans.

In the area close to Vrak the Dyellians had hardly advanced the border at all, pushing only perhaps half a dozen miles into Monte Ozarka before setting up defensive positions and digging in hard. Apart from the paratroopers at the canal the Dyellian advance was focused on two main pushes, one across the plains in the centre of the country. IT advanced quickly, setting up softly defended (by Dyellian standards) supply bases and generally just racing to link up with the Airbourne elements. The second push was in the far East, swinging out towards the coast. This seemed to be a much more methodical advance and was accompanied by elements of the Quisa Metropolitan police and Cheka who were being left in all major population centres on the coastal road...

In true Dyellian style they almost certainly had no intention of fighting the Vrakians, rather the goal was to get as much land as possible then sit on it.

For the first time since the Tzarina had left Cyro, Cyro and York issued a joint statement. It was a sign perhaps that the potential conflict was serving to bring the parties together, at least temporarily;


We the Parliament of Dyelli Beybi wish to let it be known that elements of the Upper Djel Valley Corp under Field Marshall Blucher have advanced into the region known as Monte Ozarka in order to protect persons of Djel and D'Reg ethnicities in the population.

Dyelli Beybi does not recognise the claim by our fellow Klatchian citizens in the Glorious Kingdom of Vrak for the Establishment of a Province due to the fact that the grant of this land has not been approved by Port Olympus. We would strongly suggest to the Glorious Kingdom that they consult Port Olympus for a legal perrogative. We welcome mediation from Port Olympus in this matter


__________

This was met by a long overdue comment from the offices of the President, interestingly penned by Ignacio Delgado, the secretary to the President and an Ozarkan.


The Office of the President of Klatch was not created to interfere in the internal politics of any Klatchian State. To do so is a violation of the constitution. We are however ready and willing to mediate between Klatchian States to reach a peaceful resolution regarding the allocation of land previously known as Monte Ozarka.
Regards,
Secretary to the President,
I. Delgado


__________

Meanwhile in Dyelli Beybi, the Marathon transport would find itself being tailed by one of the new generation of Dyellian jets, this one had some kind of peculiar reverse delta wing design...

"Vaadian military aircraft, you are entering Dyellian airspace" the pilot did not seem amused, "State your purpose or immediately retire."

Meanwhile in Dyelli Beybi, the Marathon transport would find itself being tailed by one of the new generation of Dyellian jets, this one had some kind of peculiar reverse delta wing design...

"Vaadian military aircraft, you are entering Dyellian airspace" the pilot did not seem amused, "State your purpose or immediately retire."

The Alconian Pilot responded immediately " You have obviously made some mistake, as our craft's markings and transponder indicate this is an official diplomatic transport of The United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris. As previously stated we are flying additional embassy staff into Cyro.

We expect the Government of Dyelli-Beybi to respect the the diplomatic rights of official envoys and diplomatic staff of the United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris."

The pilot continued on his course and did not decrease his speed.

******

At nearly the same time the Ambassador from Dyelli Beybi was summoned to the office of the Outer Minister of the United Duchies in Thunder Bay.

In Port Olympus the Alconian Keys began immediately lodging complaints to the Office of The President as well as lodging suit in the Federations Courts against The Blessed Kingdom for blocking access to it's embassy in Cyro. It was all very Alconian, efficient, co-ordinated, by morning the Federal Courts would be flooded with briefs and the Alconian Keys would be demanding an emergency session of Parliament, supported of course by Speaker of the House Ozymandius Llewellyn.

The Lord Vaad was tired of waiting and the Parliament in Thunderbay were slighted to say the least that their surprisingly enthusiastic Regent was being snubbed by the Dyellians.

amt.com.uik.cov

Finance>International>Klatchia

SecTrade Moves on Dyelli Beybi
Green Light to Individual Action; Blessed Kingdom in Category II
Nicholas Dimitriadis in Aldet
Arn-Maciska Times

The UIK Secretary of State for Trade, Sir Silvanas Vasard, today announced that the next stage of economic measures are now in effect regarding the Blessed Kingdom of Dyelli Beybi.

As of midnight last night, individual Covenant nations have been permitted to apply tariffs and excise to material goods being imported from and exported to the South Klatchian nation. Six Minor States and all four Class One Divisions have already imposed tariffs ranging between 15% to 78%. The UIK has already signalled its intention to impose a 10% stamp duty on all Dyellian goods.

The Green-Lighting is the first effective round of economic sanctions to be placed.

The Secretary highlighted an "extremely high level of endemic corruption sanctioned and encouraged by the state", and indicated that his office would be progressing the matter within two hours of his press conference.

There seemed to be some confusion at the nature of the diplomatic craft, "Negative." came the reply after a few moments pause, "Your aircraft is registering as a Vaadian military transport. Follow the following flight path to a registered landing zone, or we will open fire."

It would soon become apparent that the Airforce wanted the transport to land somewhere in the middle of the desert...

__________

Meanwhile in Port Olympus the President did nothing...

This of course wasn't helped by a suspicious blackout in the middle of Parliamentary session (Doubly suspicious because the building had backup generators). What happened next in the saga was the Ozarkan, Ignacio Delgado, ordered an immediate suspension of session while the KNG swept Parliament for bombs, a process which took the best part of the rest of the day.

During the chaos this caused, the President sent a message to the Vrakian Keys;


Dearest delegates of Vrak,

We need to meet to discuss the worsening of Klatchian diplomacy. I believe I have a solution to the problem, however I wish to run it past your esteemed selves before putting it before Parliament. Please meet me in the oblong office as soon as is convenient.

Kindest regards,
C. ab Iaeuf,
Baroness of Penrose,
President Elect of the Federated Klatchian Coast

The Pilot continued on course.

"Negative, I have orders to proceed directly. Alconian Embassy staff are waiting at Cyro airport. Firing on this craft will result in a state of war with the United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris."

The craft then proceeded on course.

*****

Meanwhile in Thunderbay, the United Duchies, the Ambassador from Dyelli Beybi was summoned again, a summons was also sent to the Vrakian Ambassador as well. The summons was not just sent from the Outer Ministry, but from Lord Harnax himself.

Alconian news also reported that Lord Hull, the Chief Tribune was summoning the Privy Council on behalf of the Regent. Lord Hull had just recently returned from the Marches where two divisions of Royal Marines had been pacifying the tribes there and asserting the Lord Vaad's claim to the title of 'Lesser Puma', something he had done alarmingly well and the Lord Hull had become very popular among the Peers and the Adel.

*****

In Port Olympus, the Alconian Keys had their answer by default, and were now preparing to return to Thunderbay, it was assumed they would be recall;ed by the Privy Council and Parliament. Chancellor Hume had raised that possibility before recessing Parliament to attend the meeting of the Privy Council.

The Senior Alconian Key sent along a missive requesting a meeting with the President. He was positive it would be ignored, and would mean the end of the Federation.

The Dyellian State, even in a Divided position acted with alarming speed and coordination when it needed too, mostly due to the Cheka.

There were no further warnings. The Dyellian plane swooped in and opened fire. The new design mounted a 30mm plasma fired chaingun offset on the nose. It really was a red rag to a bull flouting Dyellian edicts in their own territory.

Within 2 minutes the power was cut to the Alconan embassy. Within 10 minutes TWEP opperatives were rapelling onto the roof of the Alconan embassy while elements of the Red Army surrounded the building calling for an immediate surrender and with the very real promise that they would only ask once.

Within 20 minutes the KNG in Port Olympus was rounding up Alconan keys for questioning in regards to charges of treason.

Within an hour two Divisions of the First Benjian were on the move, one rolling towards the city of Fasta while the other was taking the road that led towards the Karndi jungle. At about the same time, every single military unit across the country was stepping up to a war footing, while perhaps more interestingly for the International press Ubermeister O'Booze was making his appearance on television;

"I am here to announce to the people of Dyelli Beybi and indeed the world, that the time for squabling is over. The enemy are at our gates. Enemy spy planes have been engaged over Dyellian waters, while as we speak Cheka and Federal forces are moving to detain terrorist groups that have infiltrated to the very core of our Government. The threat to National security cannot be underestimated at this time. For this reason, until the Government sees fit to reunite itself into one strong body, I feel it is my duty to declare a Nationwide state of Marshall law."

"This is not." he stressed, "A military takeover. The junta is simply acting to maintain our independence at this fraught time. Semper Dyellia. May God bless our efforts. Death to the enemies of the Reich!"

The unarmed transport exploded in a satisfactorily fiery fashion, there would be no survivors. The Alconian Embassy was alerted to this and surrendered, it was decided that there would be no further sacrifice. The Alconian Keys also likewise surrendered, under protest.

Out at sea the Tormentor Battlecruisers turned and headed back to Alconian waters. The Fire Control officers at the order of the Lord Vaad fed the flight information to the VIS, Klatchain Marshals and the JDF, showing that the Red Army had shot down, illegally, a diplomatic craft from the United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris.

After about an hour, it was also released to the press.

*****

KCN Newswire, Thunderbay, The United Duchies

Late this afternoon the forces of the Red Army airforce intercepted and destroyed a single unarmed diplomatic transport of the United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris. On board were Captain Hammersmith, his co-pilot Leftenant Cpl Sanderson and their passenger Sir Thomas Bentwaters, there have been no reports of survivors. This transport was part of the diplomatic mission of the Regent of the United Duchies to mediate between the Dyellian Government at York and the Telau Parliament of Cyro.

In Cyro the Red Army has also seized the Alconian embassy and embassy staff, and Red Army compatriots have seized the Alconian Keys to the Federation Parliament and taken them hostage as well.

The Regent, The Lord Vaad is reportedly on his way to Thunderbay where a meeting of the Privy Council is underway at this moment, before going into session, Lord Hull made a statement to the press.

'These unfortunate, heinous and illegal actions of the so called 'Blessed' Kingdom of Dyelli Beybi will be dealt with in due course, and with the full weight of Federation Law. The Dyellians at this time are guilty of attacking a Federation state and illegally detaining it's citizens. Federation Keys may be seized and impeached solely on the consent and order of Parliament. The Dyellian Junta is acting outside of the Constitution of The Federated Klatchian States and we will see if the Federation has the fortitude to finally apply it's laws, or will simply continue to sit impotently as the Federation unravels.

Rest assured if the Federation does not act, The United Duchies reserves the right to redress the wrongs it has sustained.. I ask the heads of State of law abiding Federation States to join the United Duchies in condemning these illegal actions by one of our member."

It is reported that in Port Olympus, the Speaker of Parliament is attempting to convene a session to discuss these matters.

*****

Sir Ozy again called parliament into session.

*****

Interestingly in the United Duchies no military forces had yet to be mobilized. The two divisions of the Royal Marines kept their positions and did not move for the border with Fasta Benjia.

*****

The Official Vaadian Response (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14030545&postcount=73)

OOC: Sorry for the delay, I pulled a muscle in my back which makes typing a bit difficult. I’m not exactly sure which cities that I could lay “claim” to when I first proceeded into Ozarka when IV was messing about with Karmanyaka - but it would be two at the most since it was a rush job. That is, the cities marked “1” and “2” would nominally be held by Vrak with some semblance of equipment and navy. We are also aiming to occupy “3” ASAP. Map (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/KingVrak/Vrak_Ozarak_B_rail.png) Edit: Crude..."3" is the city in the mountains nearest Vrak and Dyelli Beybi.

IC:

The Dyellian paradrop onto the canal was brazen, but it clearly angered the Vrakians. Not because of the ballsy maneouver itself, but that the Vrakians did not anticipate such a move before. Or was it more a matter of a reluctance to shoot on fellow Klatchians? Who knew? What the Vrakians did know was that the canal was a monstrous feat of engineering that would take more that a few paratroopers to secure. The canal was a vital asset for the Vrakians to secure though, since it meant that with it more under Vrakian control, then a fair amount of trade could conceivably bypass the Squall straits by sending ships through the canal, offloading it onto rail, move through Vrak (a somewhat secure state), and then be onloaded at one of the many Vrakian ports in the Walrus sea which then led to the Arctic Ocean.

The troops that were already in Vrak-Ozarka, specifically those that were just inside the border and lay south of Port Olympus itself were diverted to at least secure the western part of the canal and then to proceed along it, killing any non-Vrakians. Its combat strength was at least 3000 troops = which was 3 Chun-gunins according to the reorganized Vrakian military.

At least one rearmost Man-gunin (10 000 troops) that bordered the northern Dyellian border made haste to secure the Ozarkian city that lay between a chain of mountains closest to Vrak proper. The rail lines and major roads that connected the major cities within Ozarkia and ran into Vrak would undoubtedly be used by the Dyellians, which the Vrakians wanted to prevent. The two cities that it nominally held were, of course being reinforced by the railway and efforts were now being undertaken to organize a Man-gunin to secure the next city down along the coast. As for the interior, a light force of one Chun-gunin was sent to the city in the grasslands. Reconnaissance was sent ahead on all these pushes consisting of a flight of interceptor jets. The navy force that was in the Ozarkian bay that lay near the canal was split up, the bulk rounding the peninsula and moving down the coast. They were tasked with shelling the cities if non-Vrakians were there and to engage any non-Vrakian vessels that it may encounter.

A larger proportion of satellites were now tasked to monitor Dyelli Beybi, Ilek-Vaad, and the two recent acquisitions of Vrak-Ozarka and Vrak-Dukratus.
====

The minister’s eyes squinted at the response from the Vaadian and he certainly caught the implications of the answer. He decided to be direct.

“We can give you no assurances as to whether we can avoid potential conflict between your nation and ours if you choose to contact the Federation first to advise them of passage of your military. What we are proposing is that an informal, albeit secure, contact be set up with our consulate in Lassic (ooc: is that your capital?) to keep each other abreast of military movements. As far as resolving the entire issue peacefully, we are in support of diplomatic efforts that we feel would send the strongest message to the Dyellians.”

====

The missive from York and Cyro was politely ignored by the Vrakian Ministry of Rites. The second one from Delgado was not, except that the Vrakians did not quite know how to respond to it yet. Finally, after some hemming and hawing, a brief statement was penned.


The Vrakian Ministry of Rites is willing to work closely with any initiative to peacefully resolve the Ozarkian question. We have, as stated, undertaken these actions to restore peace in the entire Klatch which is our primary goal.


The two humans and one walrus key looked at each other as they received the message from ab Iaeuf. Accompanied by a Klatchian marshal, they proceed to meet her at once. Strange days indeed.

The minister’s eyes squinted at the response from the Vaadian and he certainly caught the implications of the answer. He decided to be direct.

“We can give you no assurances as to whether we can avoid potential conflict between your nation and ours if you choose to contact the Federation first to advise them of passage of your military. What we are proposing is that an informal, albeit secure, contact be set up with our consulate in Lassic (ooc: is that your capital?) to keep each other abreast of military movements. As far as resolving the entire issue peacefully, we are in support of diplomatic efforts that we feel would send the strongest message to the Dyellians.”



It was Ambassador Tancred's turn to squint, although he appeared to be more confused than irritated.

"I was under the impression that your Consulate in Great Lassic was empty? We would be more than pleased to welcome back a Vrakian Ambassador and resume our practice of keeping the VIS informed of any activities we take within the Klatchia.

We would also be pleased to aid your government in helping send whatever message you believe to be appropriate to the Blessed Kingdom, stability in the whole of the Klatchia is what we have always desired. I still regret the passing of the Vrakian Presidency and the misunderstandings that occurred afterwards."

Ambassador Tancred did not mean to irritate the walrus, but apparently gentle prodding was as much an irritation as being direct. He honestly didn't know where to stand.


OOC: Pulled back muscle? How loud did you yell when it happened? :D

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii50/citationxiv/sealgovernment-heavenlasts.png
_________________________
General Statement

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
From: Covenant Mission to The Federated Klatchian Coast

His Serene Majesty's Government considers the current events taking place between Klatchian states matter to be internal to the Federated Klatchian Coast and will not intervene.

This applies to recent Vrakian movements, and to recent unfortunate developments invovling Dyelli Beybi and Alcona and Hubris.

We shall, of course, advise our citizens to avoid major areas of concern for their own safety, and assure Klatchian citizens that the Covenant remains safe for tourists.

His Serene Majesty's Government does express its concern over the violations of diplomatic immunity indulged in by agents of the Government of the Blessed Kingdom of Dyelli Beybi; consequently, we formally retract our standing request to establish a consulate in Cyro, and the corresponding offer to that state to establish a consulate in Arn-Maciska.

We continue to hope and pray that a peaceable resolution to these matters may be found.

His Excellency, the Primarch Alexis Valnard,
His Serene Majesty's Most Excellent Ambassador to the Federated Klatchian Coast,
Head of the Maciskan Orthodox Church in the Same,
UIK/COV

*********

By this stage physical Covenant trade to Dyelli Beybi was fast drying up; ship's captains and merchant lines were diverting their main attentions to Vrak and Ilek-Vaad.

And to Bruces and Sheilas; the southernmost Klatchian state would soon experience a boom in Covenant trade and tourism. A stretch of ocean separated them from the troubled continent to the North, and although some felt they were a little rough around the edges, they were perceived as honest and reliable. Plus, the beer was damn good.

In Vrak-Ozarka or 'The Semi-Auntonomous region of Axe' as the Dyellians were calling it, the Dyellians were taking pains not to engage the Vrakians, especially near the canal where they were pulling back towards the coast, although it was rumoured they were building some slap dash fortification near the coast (without anything except what they had dropped in with, there wasn't really the opportunity to build a fort, which was the usual Dyellian response to potential military engagements). All up there were three Regiments of troops, just under 4,5000 at the canal, a testiment to Dyelli Beybi's ability to drop people out of planes, although they lacked any serious equipment unless you counted the odd light tank. The canal was important to the Dyellians too. The Djel river didn't give access to the lakes for the largest shipping. This might have seemed like a spurious reason to potentially provoke a war, but Dyellians had always been worried about supply of the D.B.A.T., and wished to at least control an interest in the canal to ensure shipping could always still travel unmolested.

----------

The oblong office had been somewhat redecorated since the Dyellian, ab Iaeuf had moved in. It decorated in off whites and muted yellows with the odd splash of dark hardwood or deep blue fabrics (such as the couches and chairs).

She stood when the Vrakians were ushered in, "Good morning, how are you Gentlemen?"

"I hope you'll apologise if I skip straight to business." there wasn't really any hint of apology in her tone. She waved towards threee rather comfortable looking chairs that had been set out before her desk.

"Now I think both Vrak and Dyelli Beybi have been acting outside what you're legally allowed to be doing." she said as she sat down, "Nobody has paid the Federation any money for former Monte-Ozarka which is the practice we have established through precedent for the aquisition of new land. I'm not complaining and I'm not going to make a fuss, especially for Vrak, which I believe does not have any offworld colonies and I imagine needs areas to put its population?"

"Anyway, I've been speaking to the different Dyellian factions for... well... a long time, and I have managed to get a consensus out of them. They want a piece of the canal, and ideally all the coast to allow them to link up to the Djel Valley. Do you have any problems with that kind of concession?"

"By the way, while we are here we should probably also discuss the issue of Alcona and Hubris. I am uneasy with having a Vaadian puppet in our Assembly, which is sadly all the once great State now is. I do not trust the Vaadians, we have the Accord for Peace, but it doesn't seem to be worth the paper its written on, they were engaging inside Fodmadmodtol only a few weeks ago, which to me seems like invading a Klatchian State, even if it was 'suppression of piracy', they should have asked us before deploying soldiers in our territory. Any other state would have declared war over that."

Ambassador named to to the Federation. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14032690&postcount=74)

It was Ambassador Tancred's turn to squint, although he appeared to be more confused than irritated.

"I was under the impression that your Consulate in Great Lassic was empty? We would be more than pleased to welcome back a Vrakian Ambassador and resume our practice of keeping the VIS informed of any activities we take within the Klatchia.

We would also be pleased to aid your government in helping send whatever message you believe to be appropriate to the Blessed Kingdom, stability in the whole of the Klatchia is what we have always desired. I still regret the passing of the Vrakian Presidency and the misunderstandings that occurred afterwards."

Ambassador Tancred did not mean to irritate the walrus, but apparently gentle prodding was as much an irritation as being direct. He honestly didn't know where to stand.


OOC: Pulled back muscle? How loud did you yell when it happened? :D

OOC: Well, not pulled per say. But the problem is at my current job I do a lot of sitting and using the computer and mouse. So, the right shoulder, trapazoid and other muscles kinda knotted up. A real pain though. Quick post before work.

IC:

The minister hrumphed.

"Ah, well, er...that is what I meant. To reestablish the consulate in your capital so as to prevent further misunderstandings. As well, we intend to keep you posted as much as possible in relation to what is passed to me. I believe some kind of liaison officer from the Ministry of War will be in contact with you shortly.

As for Dyelli Beybi, we are currently under talks with their representatives to...ah...state our position clearly."

He paused for a swallow of vodka, shook his head and then continued.

"Well, I need not tell you that the entire situation is quite tense. We would like to diffuse it but we don't see how maintaining the status quo would achieve it. That is, we didn't have the president who is also the Tzarina in danger from a coup when Vrak held the presidency. I mean, our King was, shall we say, quite loose when it came to the Klatchian states but the office was unassailable. What I believe we need, and here I offer my personal opinion, is someone in the Klatch who is not a head of state but that has the support of all the states in order to lead it. Personally, I would prefer an Alconian but seeing how they have disappeared, we need to find someone else."

====

The walrus's whiskers twitched slightly at the mention of off-world colonies. So, it was true what the VIS said with their long-range monitoring. This clearly demonstrated that Dyelli Beybi has advanced considerably and no wonder the research at the Bastions increased more that 500% in the last decade.

One of the human Vrakians bowed and then replied.

"The canal is a vital strategic asset for all of the Federation, not just for any one state. We see that occupation of the canal should be held in a position of trust until the entire situation can be resolved. Actually, we are surprised that the JDF didn't open fire on any of us since, well, they are quite capable of doing so."

The walrus broke in.

"A joint administration of the canal is fine for now until the Federal government can be re-organized. As for the Vaadian influence behind Alcona, I confess that it sits unwell with me as well. We do need to secure the Federation, even if it is only a shell of its once great self. What of the North Germanians and Calarcans? What of those from Fod and Shielas and Bruce? Or perhaps what should be considered is something new."

OOC: Made contact with everyone OOCly we'll see who is interested.

"I more or less dismantled the JDF." a sad and somewhat embarassed smile from the President, "With the Privy Council defunct, in order to keep the State surviving I deemed it pertinent if I had personal control of State military resources. As such they have been reallocated to the KNG or Klatchian National Gendarmerie. Technically this is not in violation of the constitution, although I will confess, off the record, that I know this violates its spirit and were it not for grim necessity I would never have done it."

She left a very slight pause before jumping over to the other topic, "Which is why I cannot allow war to break out between Vrak and Dyelli Beybi. The Federation is on its last legs, the other States either collapsed or no longer active in Parliament. Vrak and Dyelli Beybi are though strong enough to hold off Ilek-Vaad, which I fear is an eventuality which may very soon be a necesity."

"While I was waiting for you to arrive I recieved a message from my contacts in the Cheka." she opened a draw in her desk.

As it opened, bits of paper that had been roughly jammed in almost leaped out at her. Nearly all bore Cheka insignia and 'For your eyes only' or 'Top Secret' stamps. While it seemed to be just a confused jumble of missives she selected one, handing it over to the Vrakians.


Madame President,

The following is a summary of a report lodged by Flight Lieutenant Jones, South Djel Valley Air Fleet, currently stationed at St Guineford's Bay airbase at 1113 hours this morning.

0957 hours: Flight scrambled to intercept radar contact. Believed to be Vaadian Marathon Transport.
1009 hours: Radar signature confirmed by onboard computers as Marathon Transport. Flight path unregistered. Aircraft appearing to be heading to within Cyro No Fly Zone.
1011 hours: Hailed aircraft. Claimed to be Alconan diplomatic aircraft. Confirmed with base was not registered as such or expected.
1012 hours: Hailed aircraft. Aircraft refused to follow relayed flight plan to military airfield for inspection. Declared any attempts to deviate aircraft will be seen as 'Declaration of War' by Alcona and Hubris. Intent unknown. Assume to be hostile.
1013 hours: Aircraft downed with cannon fire. No survivors.
1015 hours: Coast Guard contacted for salvage of parts and bodies for positive identification.

Regards,
Chief Inspector Harris

The minister hrumphed.

"Ah, well, er...that is what I meant. To reestablish the consulate in your capital so as to prevent further misunderstandings. As well, we intend to keep you posted as much as possible in relation to what is passed to me. I believe some kind of liaison officer from the Ministry of War will be in contact with you shortly.

As for Dyelli Beybi, we are currently under talks with their representatives to...ah...state our position clearly."

He paused for a swallow of vodka, shook his head and then continued.

"Well, I need not tell you that the entire situation is quite tense. We would like to diffuse it but we don't see how maintaining the status quo would achieve it. That is, we didn't have the president who is also the Tzarina in danger from a coup when Vrak held the presidency. I mean, our King was, shall we say, quite loose when it came to the Klatchian states but the office was unassailable. What I believe we need, and here I offer my personal opinion, is someone in the Klatch who is not a head of state but that has the support of all the states in order to lead it. Personally, I would prefer an Alconian but seeing how they have disappeared, we need to find someone else."



"Ah, I see, a perfectly sensible plan that I am sure the Republican Council would agree with."

He pauses and thinks as the Walrus continues "I do not think that leadership is necessarily the issue. It seems to me, as an outsider and in my personal opinion, that the problem is that the dominant Federation powers are continually acting alone or in pairs, expecting to view at least one other as the enemy." He pauses again, knowing that he is about to sound partisan.

"Your President trusts the Lord Vaad to give her protection in Great Lassic and help her strongarm Sir Alec into the accord, but then labels him as a 'Vaadian puppet' as soon as he is not directly useful. We Vaadians do not understand.........................We do not understand why the Federation does not use the one man that can and has strongarmed the First Republican...................and frankly it delights a great many people in the Free Republic."

He then frowns and looks very frankly at the walrus "Some see the isolation and villification of the new Alconian Regent as the horse they will ride to Vaadian hegemony of the Klatchia. I am a constitutionalist, I would not want to see that. I am sure if Sir Alec can help, he will, if you contact him, maybe your President still trusts him. Or The Nachxa in Port Olympus? I think the Federation has many more options than it cares to see."

He frowns and regrets having been so frank "I will contact Sir Alec and let him know that we can expect a re-opening of your embassy and I will have him ready to facilitate your military attache in contacting the Retaliatory Guard."


OOC: It's always my levator scapulae that gets tweaked out (in the neck/shoulder) from that.

OOC: Psst Vrak, the President and Tzarina are different people, the President is a Baroness, so quite a junior noble.

OOC: Psst Vrak, the President and Tzarina are different people, the President is a Baroness, so quite a junior noble.

OOC: Really? Well, I obviously blame the shoddy information that was passed along by certain drunken VIS agents. Yeah, that's it. Will post as soon as I can.

OOC: It's always my levator scapulae that gets tweaked out (in the neck/shoulder) from that.

OOC: I didn't even know that I had a levator. It sounds wonderful!

At this point the Klatchian embassy in Arn-Maciska received a polite request for the immediate presence of the Federation Ambassador Claudia Black at the Ministry of External Affairs.

The message, initialled by Minister Valdir, stated that the Minister and Trade Secretary wanted to discuss the "developing instability in Dyelli Beybi" and the wider implications.

The Vrakian consulate also received a communiqué; initialled by both the Minister and the Trade Secretary, it advised them that His Serene Majesty's Government would take all reasonable actions to ensure that trade between the Covenant and the Glorious Kingdom would continue to flow without impediment "during this developing period". It also stated that Lord Cellachan deMalara, the Covenant Consul-General in Vrak, would be freely available should the Minister of Rites, or another representative of the King, have need to discuss "any matters of mutual concern".

In Arn-Maciska the Klatchian Ambassador, Claudia Black showed up with atypical punctuality (for a Dyellian). She was probably a good source to talk to about Dyelli Beybi, having been involved in its sprawling bureaucracy before getting appointed as Klatchian Ambassador.

__________

Meanwhile the Junta in Cyro and other Junta controlled territories was making soothing gestures, declaring that the Public Service Rewards Act would be suspended pending Parliamentary inquiry. This was echoed by the Tzarina and Government of York. Consultation of Hansard (transcriptions of Parliamentary debates) would reveal that the Tzarina/Prime Minister had never been in favour of the legislation... if anyone ever bothered to read the long winded document...

Meanwhile another press release from the Junta detailed the shooting down of an aircraft with no logged flight plan presumed to be a foreign spy plane. It was brief and finished with a note that a thorough investigation headed by ACIS (Airforce Criminal Investigation Service) was underway, dealing into the nature and purpose of the aircraft.

The punctuality was noted and appreciated; Macisikani rarely had a stomach for tardiness.

Upon arriving at the Ministry the Ambassador was ushered quickly and directly to the Secretary's office, a rather bright and pleasant room panelled with some unknown sand-coloured wood. The windows overlooked a lush garden which, despite the frost, looked warm; sunlight was streaming in.

The same could not be said of the two occupants; the silver-haired Sir Silvanas, the Trade Secretary, looked grave and concerned, seated behind his desk (though he rose when the Ambassador entered). Lady Valdir, who had been staring out the windows, seemed preoccupied.

"Your Excellency," Sir Silvanas, clad in a black high-collared tunic with blue piping, bowed his head as the Ambassador entered.

"Welcome to the Ministry of External Affairs. May we offer you refreshments?" it seemed as though the man was going to walk through the entire convoluted pathway of Covenant etiquette before getting to the point. Valdir, her eyes and mind light-years away, didn't seem inclined to intervene.

**********
It looked like the Covenant nations didn't want to be placated at the moment; since the Green-Lighting, a further twelve nations had slapped Dyelli Beybi with punitive tariffs, and only the Vash Free State and two of the Imperial Free Cities were still granting Dyellians visas. Five of the tariffs were introduced within two hours (either side) of the announcements about the Public Service Rewards Act.

Reaction on the street was muted; attitudes were cool, but not cold. It seemed as though many were waiting to see what would come down from the Daíl.

Ju-Mak Kwarliu, son of the distinguished envoy Kong-il Kwarliu, shook his great head in agreement. His worst fears about the FKC were becoming true, which was that the Federation was not under attack by a larger or stronger region but that it was slowly becoming…irrelevant. Which was, in his estimation, the worst type of death that could befall an individual, company, or nation.

“We don’t want war to break out between any state within the Klatch. But we need stability. Having two governments in your nation does not give us any assurance that all is well, because it does, however indirectly, impact the office of the President of the Federation. We need a strong Klatch. So, how do you propose we do this?”

The other keys, both human and both with a slightly different last name chimed in.

“We’ll have to take the details back to our superiors regarding concessions in Vrak-Ozarka, but personally, Madam President, we cannot cede the entire coastline. We also need access to the sea,” said Hugo Montazuma, a nephew of Grag Montazuma, the well-known arms manufacturing CEO of Gargantua Manufacturing. Which was odd since the CEO was a walrus. Perhaps an honourary nephew to the family?

“May I have a copy of that please?” asked Justin Irok, motioning to the paper that the President withdrew from the stack. His brother was a senior official in the Vrak Inter-regional Police Division, which was an arm of the Royal Investigation and Supervision Department that answered directly to the King of Vrak. It was also rumoured that the VIS was located in this shadowy department, although no one was terribly sure.

====

The first Vrakian force that reached the canal drew to a halt. Although the Dyellians may seem…instable…they have always demonstrated good tactical sense. Major Utyio consulted a tactical map and grimaced. He did not like assailing a fortified target such as the canal without knowing where exactly the Dyellians could be. The latest UAV downlink hadn’t been particularly helpful, so he decided to do it the old fashioned way. He split his 1000 troop force in half and then one half was further subdivided into their component 100 groupings called a Baek gunin. They spread out and, taking what cover they could find, moved towards the canals. The few light artillery pieces were brought to the front and were readied to shoot at the nearest enemy post.

Further down a few miles, the other two majors did likewise with their troops when they drew close to the gigantic canal. It was hoped that some heavy tanks were on their way to offer some additional support since this initial group was, after all, a light infantry unit.

Colonel Ewouil and his Man-gunin rushing towards the city in the mountains drew closer. No Dyellians had been sighted yet which was a relief to him. He was actually reluctant to fire on fellow Klatchians but he was an obedient servant to his King and superiors. His force of 10 000 were wary for an ambush but did move rapidly along the highway.

The naval group consisting of one battleship, a small aircraft carrier and an assortment of frigates, destroyers and supply vessels continued their advancement down the coast, staying approximately 50 miles from the coastline.

====

“Excellent,” replied the minister to the Vaadian ambassador, “You have given me a great deal to think about. As well, I would like to speak to the The Nachxa if you could arrange it.”

The minister was certainly quite able to contact the Nachxa himself, but he felt that a Vaadian contacting a Vaadian might be more, well, less threatening and sincere? Not that someone like the Nachxa would be intimidated he chuckled to himself.

“Give my regards to Sir Alec.”

Once Tancred had departed, he depressed the intercom.
“Get me Lord Cellachan deMalara.”

OOC: IV, is there a link for your other rp? I must have missed it. Sorry.

====

The walrus in Macisikan looked at the communiqué from both the Minister and the Trade Secretary. He hrumped and then signed. After a quick call to the Ministry of Rites and Ministry of Revenue, he then sent a back a missive stating that Vrakian intentions were of peace and stability and that trade with His Serene Majesty's Government were most valued by the Vrakians and that the Glorious Kingdom will take all necessary steps to ensure that it continued to remain so. As well, he put himself at the disposal of both parties, stating that he could meet with them if they wished at their earliest convenience.

He poured himself a vodka and gazed at a stuffed Vampire Hussan. It was a rare specimen since they were mostly confined to the island chain of Alcona & Hubris. The oversized dull yellow canines made the walrus involuntarily shudder and he absently wondered how his pal, Zork Hasharumpkinstle III, an infamous big game hunter, managed to bag this since the skin was not pierced by arrow or bullet.

“Excellent,” replied the minister to the Vaadian ambassador, “You have given me a great deal to think about. As well, I would like to speak to the The Nachxa if you could arrange it.”

The minister was certainly quite able to contact the Nachxa himself, but he felt that a Vaadian contacting a Vaadian might be more, well, less threatening and sincere? Not that someone like the Nachxa would be intimidated he chuckled to himself.

“Give my regards to Sir Alec.”

Once Tancred had departed, he depressed the intercom.
“Get me Lord Cellachan deMalara.”

OOC: IV, is there a link for your other rp? I must have missed it. Sorry.



Ambassador Tancred looked thoughtful "I do not know about contacting The Nachxa, he is adamant about his retirement and has not responded to any calls from anyone on the Council in quite some time, he seems to be busy with various charities in the 'Shades' , I will however see what I can do."

He then stands and bows "I do thank you for your time."

OOC:

Here ya go: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=566258

deMalara's arrival at the Ministry of Rites was prompt; one could think that he'd been waiting for the request, but the truth was the Vrakian post was, well, rather peaceful, and had very few incidents that required his direct involvement. He didn't exactly have to tie up a thousand loose ends first.

Lord Cellachan's counterpart in Arn-Maciska received a response very quickly (no doubt Valdir had managed to draft it in her head); a rather warm-toned thank-you for the Consul offering his time, and to advise that His Serene Majesty's Government continues to be confident in the good faith and honourable intentions of the Glorious Kingdom. As with the previous missive, it was a tacit approval for the Vrakian expansion.

deMalara's arrival at the Ministry of Rites was prompt; one could think that he'd been waiting for the request, but the truth was the Vrakian post was, well, rather peaceful, and had very few incidents that required his direct involvement. He didn't exactly have to tie up a thousand loose ends first.

The minister gave a slight bow as deMalara arrived. He offered a whiskey to the arriving diplomatic, since he was working on his third right now.

“So glad to see you Lord Cellachan deMalara. I’m glad that you were able to come on such short notice. Well, let us get right to it, shall we? We are glad to see that we haven’t encountered yet any resistance to our plans to restore peace and stability to the Klatch. As well, we would like to assure you that trade between your nation and ours will remain uninterrupted to the best of our ability. I would, however, avoid the Vrak-Ozarka coastline in the short term.”

====

Elsewhere in the Ministry of Rites, the reactivation of the consulate in Ilek-Vaad was greeted with muted enthusiasm. It would not be easy to reverse the cold feelings that existed at present, but the Vrakians were consummate professionals. It would take no later than two days for advance team to arrive and then a week at the most for higher officials to land in Great Lassic. At least one of the advance team members would be an official from the Royal Investigation and Supervision Department.

====

The two huge doors at Bastion VII groaned and then slowly began to open up. When done, the doorway resembled the maw of some great ancient beast. What came out of the mouth was nothing short of groundbreaking for the Vrakian military in terms of technology but also due to the whopping budgetary highs that were reached.

It was about the length of a blue water navy destroyer, and massed at least as much. The four great engines giving it lift were slowly starting to warm up as it wheeled out of the cavernous bunker/hanger in the mountain. First the communications cluster poked out, then followed by the top and bottom missile launchers, and finally the rest of the ungainly looking beast (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/KingVrak/vrak_destroyer3_leaving_A.jpg). It rested on its landing gear as the tow vehicle detached and rolled away back into the cavern. The massive doors then began to grind shut at the vertical engines began to whine and then roar, lifting the thing off the ground by a few meters. The landing gear then retracted and slowly, the beast rose into the sky, meeting its two Ka-50 Blackshark attack helicopters at 1500 meters - its maximum service ceiling. Which meant, of course, that it would have to follow along the valley to reach its final destination since it cannot scale the towering peaks of the King’s range.

In another bastion, a similar scene occurred, but this flying beast appeared to be heading towards Vrak-Ozarka.

Vrak

deMalara returned the Minister's bow, and politely accepted the offered whisky with murmured thanks. His face held an expression of polite interest in the face of the Minister's pump-action chatter.

"Of course Minister," he said when the other had finished, "His Serene Majesty's Government has always respected the firm and steady influence that the Glorious Kingdom is able to exert on the Federation. And I would like to again assure you that it is our intention that our mutual trading relationship only grow stronger."

He paused to taste his drink, then continued.

"We have advised, of course, our citizens to keep clear of the empty areas that your nation is taking custody of for some time; all who approach those areas understand they do so at their own risk.

**********
Arn-Maciska

Ever since the Squall Straits incident, there wasn't a single agency in the Macisikani intelligence community that regarded Klatchia as a privileged area. Within an hour of the emergence of the leviathans from the ground, analysts were pouring over satellite imagery, quite excited at these new flying beasts.

"I'm afraid I never showed you that document." the President smiled apologetically at the Vrakians, "If I show those things around I'll stop getting them sent to me, which would be bad for everyone. You'll have to rely on what I told you. Otherwise you can always request the report from the Cheka or ACIS. I doubt they'll hide it."

"I would recommend you speak to the Dyellians if you wish to sort out some sort of accord. Screw the keys, Parliament, the Tzarina, speak to the Junta. I want to stress though, that we have a common enemy. To think that the Vaadians are reasonable would be to ignore the facts. Their invasion of Fodmadmodtol was a turning point for me. If you give them a finger they will take your whole arm. There can be no compromise, no negotiation, and if Klatch is to survive I need you, the Vrakians and the Dyellians to get along, to present a united front. If we don't, Klatch will not get through this crisis."

__________

At the canal, the Dyellians had left large areas cordonned off and clearly marked with signs reading;

DANGER MINES

The Dyelli Beybian army holds no liability for accidental injury or death sustained through walking into a mine zone or other area marked as containing mines.

Meanwhile the paratroop regiments were busy along the coast, digging trenches, rolling out barbed wire and digging in their guns and vehicles. They had had time to prepare and so in several places they had built wall and glacis structures. The appearance of the Vrakian air vehicle saw a predictable response from the Dyellians... the deployment of a zepellin fleet into the area. Meanwhile forward elements from the Coastal advance were coming into contact with the paratroops and, predictably, digging in.

__________

Meanwhile in Arn-Maciska the Klatchian Ambassador was nervous. Truth be told she had never quite got a handle on the protocol in the State, so tended to try to make up for it with general grovelly behaviour and exagerated modesty...

She bowed her head as she entered, she would have curtsied, but the grey business skirt she was wearing was completely the wrong shape for that... "Sir, your Ladyship, to what do I owe this honour?"

"Thank you kindly Sir, a glass of water would be greatly appreciated." she remained standing, she did not have the presumption to sit without being asked...

Truthfully she had a pretty good idea this was to do with Dyelli Beybi, her native land which was undergoing the 'usual political process' at the moment. She didn't particularly want to talk about it. It would simmer over of its own accord soon enough, but most foreigners didn't get the way things worked. The Teulu were all stark raving mad. They would do their thing, the military would stop it getting out of control, then everything would go back to normal, minus a few Teulu and mercenaries.

It would take a little bit over a day but Minister Jur Ratyuig at the Vrakain Ministry of Rites would receive a message from Ambassador Tancred about contacting The Nachxa:

To: Minister Ratyuig
From: Ambassador Tancred

Minister Ratyuig,
I regret to inform you that The Nachxa is still not accepting calls from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sir Alec was able to contact The Nachxa's grand daughter in Port Olympus and she would only state that The Nachxa is still retired and would not accept a commission from the Republican Council as Special Envoy nor would he meet in with anyone in any official capacity.

The Nachxa's grand daughter did state that he would receive visitors to his home in The Shades, Port Olympus. She cautioned that they could expect generous hospitality, a good meal and drinks but should not expect The Nachxa to take any steps to intervene diplomatically on anyone's behalf in the current crisis.

I do apologize,
Ambassador Tancred

******

At about the same time Ambassador Bramble would be arriving in Port Olympus to begin his posting as Ambassador to the Federation.

(OOC) I managed to make a post on Pg 2 introducing a mcGyver type saboteur, then jolt threw a tanty and wouldn't let me log in. I'm back now but everything seems to have rolled on a long way without me. is there much call now for IEDs and pipe bombs and other sneaky booby traps any more?
(/OOC)

OOC: Well the Dyellians aren't fighting each other anymore due to enforced peace courtesy of a military junta... but they are in a mood to fight just about everybody else.

Arn-Maciska
Neither Macisikani commented on the protocol, though the Ambassador had already managed several missteps.

Sir Silvanas indicated to someone behind the Ambassador; a tall glass of water was set down in front of her by a grandmotherly type, who then withdrew, closing the office door as she did so.

The knight sat down, gesturing for the Ambassador to sit. Valdir remained standing; she didn't take refreshment, and her eyes had flickered across to Black. The gaze was cool and appraising.

"I presume your President is well," Sir Silvanas' voice was calm and matter-of-fact. "We have asked you here for a simple matter of information -- protocol requires that we advise the relevant diplomatic official at this point in the process. Tomorrow I will be instituting a three-month trade embargo against the nation of Dyelli Beybi, and introducing legislation to extend this to five years," he might as well have been talking about the weather.

"It will only affect the Blessed Kingdom; all other Klatchian trade will continue as normal, and will also involve a corresponding travel ban. No citizen of that nation, unless on diplomatic business under the auspices of Port Olympus, will be permitted entry to the Covenant. Likewise, none of our citizens will be permitted to travel to the Blessed Kingdom."

Valdir had remained silent throughout, her eyes fixed on the Ambassador.

In Dyelli Beybi the Alconan Ambassador had been separated from the rest of the arrested embassy staff, after a while a rough group of TWEP troopers dragged him out, and blindfolded him before subjecting him to a rather brutal beating...

Following this, the Ambassador was bound hand and foot and loaded into the boot of a car, seemingly driven at high speed through several laps of Cyro, before eventually being dragged out again. Whatever the new place was, it smelled clean, like it had been recently doused with ammonia...

After some time he was bound to a chair, knocked about a bit for good measure, then left for a few hours. The chair was metal and apparently bolted to the floor. the room itself was uncomfortably hot.

Eventually the door opened, letting an unknown someone in, "Ah 'Ambassador'" he remarked sardonically, "What a pleasant surprise."

"Now before we proceed, I feel I should warn you of your rights. Don't try to invoke diplomatic immunity, you are not independent of Dyelli Beybi and as such are not a diplomat and as such subject to Dyellian law. Capische?"

"You do not have the right to remain silent." he pronounced, "What you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."

"You do not have the right to have an attorney present during questioning."

"You have the right to be beaten and tortured as I see fit, subject to the Suppression of Terrorism Act."

"You are a Vaadian spy. Repeat after me, 'I am a Vaadian spy, I have been gathering information for Ilek-Vaad, abusing my position as a representative of Alcona and Hubris.'" the unknown person ordered, "There is no point denying these facts. We know you are guilty. Confess and spare yourself the pain. Personally I would prefer if you did not... you see, I am a sadist. Drawing the truth out of you will give me immense pleasure."

There was a pause while the stranger waited for the confession of espionage.

Arn-Maciska
A nod from the Ambassador, "Indeed. I will communicate this to the relevant departments within Port Olympus. The President is well."

Casual, laid back, unaffected, "You are aware of course that Dyelli Beybi is not a Nation, rather a State of the Klatchian Coast?"

She didn't know much about economics but she suspected that this would probably hit the other Klatchians as well, considering it was often hard to tell which Klatchian company was owned by whom (possibly easier in Dyelli Beybi where the State tended to own large shares in top companies). Mostly she was glad that diplomatic personnel were not being expelled, she did not particularly want to go back home at the moment. She had heard the rumours, Cheka running rampant, departmental 'purges', TWEP driving the Königshrew over a mosque, two more Königshrews in production... probably not all were true, but who knew which?

Arn-Maciska

Black would probably have been comforted to know that the Macisikani would have been horrified at the notion of sending her back into the quagmire that her homeland had turned into.

"The matter will become public at least three hours before the effect," Sir Silvanas said, "And Dyellian citizens lacking diplomatic visas will be summarily expelled within 24 hours. Any Dyellian who resists or tries to enter the Covenant after that time will be detained and deported, after they've been investigated for espionage, of course," his tone and face were grave.

Valdir actually stirred for the first time since Black had entered the room.
"We are aware of the status. It's the same as if you, or one of your nations, decided to sanction Akmadar, Vakatavi, Elandyl, Tulsarat, or any of the other Covenant nations," she smiled slightly.

"Of course," the Minister continued, "unlike your president, His Serene Majesty would have dispatched an army to sort that mess out by now. Our line to the nations is that if you cannot govern yourselves, we will do it for you," she paused a moment.

"But the collapse of civil order isn't the reason behind the sanctions; that would be your Public Service Rewards Act and Recognition Act," a faint smile crossed her face.

"There are two other things," she held up a slender finger (palm out), "the first is that you, along with other Ambassadors, will be permitted to travel to Arn-Arakhan to speak to States-General next week if you wish. The second is that, following the little matter of the Alconan Embassy in Cyro, we have concerns for the extraterritorial integrity of our own mission in Port Olympus. I do hope I may tell my colleagues that they worry needlessly...?"

"That is a rather tight deadline." Black commented, "I am assuming that there will be no considerations for refugee status?"

She seemed quite relaxed, "It was a rather unfortunate piece of legislation." she commented instead, "Although I do tend to believe you are taking the wrong route if you wish to encourage its repeal."

She knew her own people, there would almost certainly be 'honour reprisals' from the Junta. It was exactly what was happening to the Alconans. Alcona and Hubris had stung Dyelli Beybi in the past, so now the Dyellians were planning revenge, "The mission in Port Olympus has diplomatic immunity. There will not be arrests. The Alconans are not independent of Dyelli Beybi, therefore any 'diplomatic mission' there does not gain any priveleges beyond those usually bestowed upon a Klatchian citizen. Also I might add, Port Olympus is not Dyelli Beybi."

"As for why the President has not acted, you must consider her position. Firstly the constitution expressely forbids any Federal activity in deciding the internal politics of States. Precedent from the 1st Dyellian Civil War has established this to include involvement in civil military disputes provided they do not include the utilisation of weapons of mass destruction... I might add that this was a line pushed by Alcona and Hubris."

She smiled in an odd sort of way, "Also the President is Teulu, her possition in Port Olympus giving her considerable political clout beyond her rank of Barwnes. If she intervenes, everyone in Dyelli Beybi will be looking for signs as to who she supports. Does she support an absolute monarchy or does she support a highly corrupt, but democratic Teulu led parliament?"

"The President is not the Cenobirach," Sir Silvanas murmured.

Valdir made a sound halfway between a cough and a laugh.
"It's a good 24 hours more notice than our citizens were given before they were declared criminals," she said, her smile turning poisonous. "We're not trying to encourage repeal of those two travesties; our patience is exhausted, and this is punitive."

"I believe Sir Edmund Foxworth's words were 'Spare the sanction, spoil the nation'," the Trade Secretary interjected.

"Quite," Valdir's smile faded. "The perception is that your southern countrymen, by and large, are honourless thieves who will 'pull a fast one' the instant we blink. Whatever the truth of it, that is their image," she delivered an elegant sigh. "And if they can't behave themselves, they don't get to sit at the same table as the grown-ups. That chair will be given to Vrak. Or Ilek-Vaad," she would have shrugged at this point. "They are both honest and honourable... so whoever cuts the better deal. Anyway, First Minister deMaiska likes the Walrii a lot more than she likes anyone from Ky'rho," her accent showed in the pronunciation of the Dyellian capital.

She paused to survey the Ambassador.

"What I wonder about your President's non-intervention stance is that she seems quite happy to let foreigners intervene in the conflict, while the Junta stands idly by," Valdir's left eyebrow rose. "Perhaps she would have as little objection if we were to restore the Tzarina?"

Her tone was one of honest curiosity, tinged with slight confusion.

In Dyelli Beybi the Alconian Ambassador had nothing to say to any of the Dyellians unless his yelps of pain and strings of curses could be considered dialog. His captor was met with silence. The Alconians were nothing if proud and practical, after considering his captor for several seconds he simply states.

"No matter what I say I am dead now, so I will say nothing."

Death before dishonor.

He paused to taste his drink, then continued.

"We have advised, of course, our citizens to keep clear of the empty areas that your nation is taking custody of for some time; all who approach those areas understand they do so at their own risk.

“Excellent,” replied the Minister, “and we hope this is but for a short time. Then, I am not sure what else we need to cover at the moment Lord Cellachan deMalara. Are there any concerns that you have specifically aside from our mutual interest of keeping trade flowing?”

====

Irok nodded at the President’s rebuke. He didn’t think that he could stride off with that communiqué, so he committed to memory the contents.

“I do need to advise the VIS of this, Madam President. It is of mutual concern to us since we need to gauge the Vaadian reaction here.”

Montezuma broke in.

“As for dealing with the Dyellians directly, we were hoping you would be able to mollify them. If not, which given the circumstances is understandable, who can we directly contact, considering the factions involved?”

Kwarliu added,

“We have a common identifiable enemy, to be sure. But Ilek Vaad hasn’t made a move yet to interfere militarily.”

++++
ooc: jump in anytime Calarca.

"Dead?" the unknown torturer, presumably a Chekist actually seemed suprised, "Oh no, we aren't that crass. Confess and you will be deported so that you can tell everyone back home just what we are capable of."

He spun then, delivering a strong hook into the man's jaw, "You will break, everyone breaks in the end. As for your honour, you have none, spy. Spies are the worst kind of scum... and remember I'm holding all your friends too."

He stepped behind him, pulling off his blindfold, grabbing him roughly by his hair, "I want you to see this... power drill!"

They were Chekists in field grey uniforms. The second one that entered had the unfocussed stare of an essentially good person who had been forced to do things that horrified him, "You want to find out why the elves, who worship Satan view us as the definition of evil?"

__________


"I fully understand that." the President nodded, "I was imagining you would tell VIS, which is why I showed you that. The Cheka can be stubbornly secretive at times."

"The Dyellians are ready for diplomacy." she added, "I have already spoken with the keys. The Junta has been being purposefully belligerent in the hope it will frighten unity out of the Parliamentary factions, although personally I doubt it will. They are somewhat worried thought about the possibility of war on several fronts... Speaking to the Junta is the best move at the moment. They have an Air Marshall from the inner circle in town at the moment, a certain James Dwight."

"The President is not the Cenobirach," Sir Silvanas murmured.

Valdir made a sound halfway between a cough and a laugh.
"It's a good 24 hours more notice than our citizens were given before they were declared criminals," she said, her smile turning poisonous. "We're not trying to encourage repeal of those two travesties; our patience is exhausted, and this is punitive."

"I believe Sir Edmund Foxworth's words were 'Spare the sanction, spoil the nation'," the Trade Secretary interjected.

"Quite," Valdir's smile faded. "The perception is that your southern countrymen, by and large, are honourless thieves who will 'pull a fast one' the instant we blink. Whatever the truth of it, that is their image," she delivered an elegant sigh. "And if they can't behave themselves, they don't get to sit at the same table as the grown-ups. That chair will be given to Vrak. Or Ilek-Vaad," she would have shrugged at this point. "They are both honest and honourable... so whoever cuts the better deal. Anyway, First Minister deMaiska likes the Walrii a lot more than she likes anyone from Ky'rho," her accent showed in the pronunciation of the Dyellian capital.

She paused to survey the Ambassador.

"What I wonder about your President's non-intervention stance is that she seems quite happy to let foreigners intervene in the conflict, while the Junta stands idly by," Valdir's left eyebrow rose. "Perhaps she would have as little objection if we were to restore the Tzarina?"

Her tone was one of honest curiosity, tinged with slight confusion.

"The Junta is concerned with preventing a civil war by locking down potential combatants as well as keeping zones of unrest isolated. That is why Cyro is under martial law." The Ambassador replied, correctly pronouncing the 'soft c' at the begining of the word.

"If you want me to be candid about things, it is almost certain that that is a path the President would approve of. She was after all a Tzarist insurgent during the Republic." that was not common knowledge, however she didn't feel it was something that needed to be kept so now that the President was secure in office, "However it would almost certainly spark an attack from Junta forces."

"As for the Vaadians..." it was immediately clear she didn't like the Vaadians, "Diplomatic efforts with them are wasted, they will violate treaties before the ink is even dry. Lest we bring your attention to their military opperations in Fodmadmodtol after having just signed a treaty to keep all border areas demilitarised etc etc. To then go marching into a Klatchian State..."

She stopped, shaking her head. It would seem the otherwise cool headed Ambassador got rather worked up when Vaadians were mentioned.

Quietly, almost imperceptibly the forces of the United Duchies began mobilizing. Additional divisions of Royal Marines are mustered and shipped to the area most likely for conflict, the Oompa Loompa tribes in the area now pacified moved themselves to support the new 'Lesser Puma' who had himself arrived, his Battlecruisers instead of heading back to Thunderbay had detoured and stopped and began to off-load at the United Duchies western most city on the mainland.

The 15,000 Velites Kerbals in the Battle group began to offload and take position just south of Hull Division, to be led by the Regent personally.

The Royal Navy begins to pull back centering on Alcona and Hubris proper, massing their ships in strategic formations that can be quickly deployed to cut off all sea access to the West of the Klatch if necessary. The Privy Council had met, parliament and the Adel had been briefed , action was being taken, though no word issued from the United Duchies, all seemed normal and oblivious.

Back in the East the Lord Vaad returned the seconded Retaliatory Guard Units to The Free Republic and with no further mandate or reason to be there they begin an orderly withdrawal of Fodmodmadtol, taking pains as usual, to ensure that civilians were in good supply with fresh water and plenty of MRES. As they had done in Karmanyaka the withdrawing guard dumped all of their supplies for the civilians to use.

*****

The Alconian Ambassador actually smirked at his torturer " I know that Dyellian ambassadors are Cheka, but I am sorry to disappoint you that members of the Diplomatic Corps of the United Duchies are , diplomats."

He courage grew as the serious beating finally had sunk in, shock and endorphins were beginning to dull his pain, and his senses. It was much like a runners high, which is why good torturers knew to take frequent breaks.

"Elves are easy to intimidate, just like whipping a dog, they don't know any better."

*****

In The Free Republic, the First Republican and Supreme Republican Commander were on the verge of celebration, the typical Dyellian over-reaction, the inability of the Federation to comprehend the Lord Vaad and his loyalty to his new subjects, the paralysis of Parliament and the disbanding of the JDF meant the Federation was now obsolete. Prince Corum as Regent had been greeted as bad news by The Republican Council, but their worst fears had been absolutely reversed.

The main questions behind closed doors was which sounded better The Karmanyakan Republic, or the Republic of Karmanyaka? And how about the Northern Republics of Timaru and Moskau?

The inevitable was happening and the Free Republic stood only to gain, hugely.

Vrak
deMalara considered the question.

"Well, not that I am aware; our citizens report a very good tourist experience in your nation. Businesses report fair, honest, and equitable dealings, and your nation is the only one in the Federation with a green rating in the travel lists... unless His Vrakian Majesty would desire some form of support in securing your new territories?" he smiled. "On which note, I can add, His Serene Majesty's Government will tender our full legal recognition as soon as you have effective control."

**********

Arn-Maciska: Office of the Secretary of Trade (MEA)
Valdir and Sir Silvanas both nodded at the corrected pronunciation of the Dyellian Capital.

Sir Silvanas then leaned back, quiet. Military matters were beyond his ken.

"Interesting," Valdir mused, her curiosity sated. "But given the choice of a weak and ineffectual Tzarina, a corrupt and abhorrent parliament-" she didn't even attempt to pronounce Teulu "- or a vile military dictatorship which seizes diplomats... I think we'll let the children finish their little squabble in the corner, and send our love and money, not to mention the fruits of our burgeoning arms industry, to the Glorious Kingdom and the Free Republic," this time she did shrug. The truth of the matter was that their recent actions meant that the Macisikani simply didn't have enough invested in Dyelli Beybi to intervene.

"I don't care about the endless civil disturbances, regime changes, and so on. I do care when all factions assent to little things like the Recognition Act. Yes, yes," she forestalled the obvious objection, "all three groups have announced they'll repeal the lot. I know. And then you give it six months, eight months, a year on the outside, and they'll do it again. Same old song and dance." If Black had access to the full story of the most recent Dyellian revolution, she would realise that Valdir was referring to the Squall Straits incident; the government in Arn-Maciska still hadn't let that one go.

"The Vaadians have always engaged with us fairly," Valdir continued, "with honesty, and have never, ever, put a toe out of line in their dealings with us. Their actions in Fodmadmodtol were against Klatchian interests, not Macisikani," her smile became tight. "Indeed, such was their conduct towards us, their enthusiasm and engagement, that the notion of a formal alliance was being floated around. We didn't think the theocratic roles of His Serene Majesty would be compatible though... shame in a way... of course, that can still change."

**********

Arn-Maciska: Embassy of the Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad

A message arrived at the embassy, from Count Ethelred Aldreset, Deputy Minister for External Affairs. It simply enquired if the Free Republic required any assistance in contacting any of its citizens in the Federated Klatchian Coast during this "period of instability".

**********

Arn-Maciska: [undisclosed location]

First Minister deMaiska surveyed the satellite images with an expression of faint disapproval.

"Very well," she murmured. "I'm convinced. Deploy the San' Angelo battle group to the West Klatchian Ocean; the Die'hreck battle group to the Deep Southern Klatchian Ocean*... and I want four monitors in the South Klatchian Ocean. International waters, of course."

There was a bustle of activity; in the distant city of Arn-Jaf'na, the fleets just named began to put to sea. It would, of course, be a full week before they arrived in their deployment zones (at the very earliest).

While deMaiska was considering the same conclusion as her counterparts in Great Laasic, she also knew the advice Lord-President Foxworth had tendered to President ab Ieauf, to centralise control, and re-assert Port Olympus' power. She was interested to see it happen, if it could.

___________________________________
*ooc note: she means the ocean south of Sheilas and Bruces

Ambassador Seder read over the message from Count Aldreset and sent a quick reply.

To: Count Ethelred Aldreset, Deputy Minister for External Affairs
From: Iskander Seder, Ambassador Ilek-Vaad

We do appreciate your offer and will avail you of it if it becomes necessary. At this current moment it appears that no Vaadians are in harms way, and with the return of the Vrakian Ambassador to Great Lassic and our Ambassador arriving in Port Olympus we do not anticipate any difficulties. The Accord for Peace signed with the Federation appears to be holding well enough.

We will of course keep you apprised if we do require assistance.Alternately if you may require our assistance do not hesitate to contact us.

I do thank you,

Iskander Seder


The Vaadians, as the letter seemed to indicate, seemed to have no idea that their seconded Retaliatory Guard had so cheesed off President ab Ieauf. After all she had not been opposed to them when they were posted to help fight elves in the Gonad for the benefit of the Dyellians, why should she be upset that they had also detoured to help the Foddians? They acted in concert with Federation forces and it all seemed quite clear and covered by the Accord. They had been deployed with the knowledge and co-ordination of the Federation.

It was unfathomable to the Vaadians that this would cause a problem, and they seemed quite blissfully unaware.

OOC: I think Teleu pronounced with a Macisikani accent is 'TorglorbLaup' :D

Aldreset's response, a warm note of thanks, was prompt. He also advised Seder that the Macisikani government would continue to keep the Vaadians appraised of any matters affecting their mutual interests.

He was pleasantly surprised at Vrak's dispatch of a mission; the news would only increase the reputation enjoyed by the walruses.

ooc: lol, close, but actually it's pronounced "T'hel'o- Tealho- T'hial- oh, f*ckit. The nobles. In Dyelli Beybi. Yeah, them."
Unless you have the First Minister's accent, then it's pronounced "That pack of Dyellian impotent inbred bastards." (she's not a happy chappy at the moment :P )

The Alconian Ambassador actually smirked at his torturer " I know that Dyellian ambassadors are Cheka, but I am sorry to disappoint you that members of the Diplomatic Corps of the United Duchies are , diplomats."

He courage grew as the serious beating finally had sunk in, shock and endorphins were beginning to dull his pain, and his senses. It was much like a runners high, which is why good torturers knew to take frequent breaks.

"Elves are easy to intimidate, just like whipping a dog, they don't know any better."


"You are a part of the Federation, therefore you are not a diplomat." the man got a punch in the stomach for his effort, "I suspect the ignorance of the nature of international law and the nature of a 'diplomat' indicates the suspect a spy. Take a note."

There was a mirror glass window set into one wall, presumably the speaker was aiming at them. The second person set the drill on the floor, "Think about it, you have exactly 20 seconds to confess, then I cannot be held responsible for my actions."

"And counting... let me know when this creature's time is up Sergeant."

The Alconian Ambassador sat quietly for a second and then simply stated.

"I confess to serving the United Duchies, of serving my nation and acting honorably for the Outer Office. I confess to being a member of the Alconian Diplomatic Corps, and I confess to doing my best to make sure that things ran as smoothly as possible between my nation and yours.

I will confess to nothing else, because I have done nothing else."

He then looks at the drill and sighs, like a man whose time is at an end "Although I suspect you already know I have done nothing."

OOC: Vaadians are still a bit upset that Macisikani tourists still say 'Aardvark-Vlad' when they try and say Ilek-Vaad :D

Elsewhere in the Ministry of Rites, the reactivation of the consulate in Ilek-Vaad was greeted with muted enthusiasm. It would not be easy to reverse the cold feelings that existed at present, but the Vrakians were consummate professionals. It would take no later than two days for advance team to arrive and then a week at the most for higher officials to land in Great Lassic. At least one of the advance team members would be an official from the Royal Investigation and Supervision Department.



The Vrakian advance team would find their embassy exactly as they had left it, stripped bare. It is quite dusty but they can easily see that no one had been in it in months and that no effort had been made to change locks or do anything else with the building.

A day after they are settled in they receive an invitation from the Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for a lunch meeting and are informed that the Minister of Defence will also be in attendance.

OOC: Quick post, will post more soon

In Dyelli Beybi small shifts in demographics had been noted. The local German dialect was being spoken more widely. A survey also noted that people were refering to the nation now more commonly as 'The Reich' than 'The Kingdom'. Historians noted this was exactly the same linguistic patterns that had been observed at the birth of the Republic. It was, they noted, almost certainly a sign of a swelling of popular anger that would inevitably burst outwards if uncontained...

Anti-foreign rhetoric was also on the rise, with impassioned street orators bellowing for the removal of elements disloyal to the Reich and Klatch. Lebensraum, with all its horrific connotations was also being spoken of openly, with talk of lands destined to belong to the Dyellian peoples (Djels and Moskauans, D'Regs, Benjians, Guyans/Leeans, Orcs, Ljósálfar and Hardmandle ['Dyellianess' was a somewhat odd concept]) in the West.

The Dyellian Commisaar removed his cap, tossing it aside. Underneath he had slicked back black hair matching his dark stubbled face, "But Ambassador, as an Alconan you should know that the truth is subjective."

"Twenty seconds is up Guv." the second Commisaar confirmed.

The first nodded, stepping back, "Have you heard of Profiling? No matter. I know you Ambassador, just from our short discussion. I sense hurting you wouldn't help my cause much."

He stepped away, retreating towards the door, "You like television Ambassador?" he called, just before leaving.

__________

"Oh I won't deny that." Black shrugged, her reply unusually candid, "We Dyellians, although reportedly pleasant in person, tend to form some quite unstable institutions that collectively function in quite destructive manners."

"Allow me to be candid though, for it would seem you are quite open with opinions." presumably that referred to all the comments the Ambassador had been selectively chosing not to hear, "Your current proposition to deal punatively with the Dyellian State is... novel."

"I say novel because it seems to aim to punish random Dyellian citizens as much, if not more than the actual State." she steepled her fingers, leaning forward. She was so laid back usually, people near her might even say 'ditzy', that the sudden deadly serious tone would seem totally out of character, "No. Cyro, York, the Junta, none of them will give a jackel's behind that you are expelling citizens, although I suspect the citizens will care."

"You are sending citizens, Klatchian citizens, into a potential war zone, certainly you are endangering their lives." she continued, "I don't expect you to care, that is not your duty, but it is mine."

"How many are there, probably less than a hundred?" apparently the Klatchian Ambassador had found something she actually cared about, "I do not believe in Political Parties or 'causes', they only perpetuate violence, nor do I believe revenge is a healthy hobby. I hope you have satisfied the mob to some degree by this proclamation, I must confess though that I would have expected better from a so called civilised society than to send innocent people into danger simply to achieve some degree of vengeance."

A slight smile, "Oh yes, and I realise that you probably think I'm completely naive, have no understnadings of the intricacies of politics and don't particularly value my opinion anyway. For me, this is career destroying stuff, and frankly I don't particularly care. It is better to live one day as a lion than a hundred years as a sheep. It is... liberating."

The Alconian Ambassador just rolls his eyes "If I say 'no' you're going to make watch whatever it is you want me to watch anyway. Just get on it with it. I swear I'll confess if you keep talking sooner than I would with the drill!"

******
The situation in Cyro was duly noted by one person a young Azazian pilot, Sherwin Thales. Former pilot for the Bad Hand Mercenary group, chauffeur to Caroline ab Iaeuf, rescuer of Alexia ap Adam,former head of security for the Tzarina, current bus boy at Big Al's Alligator Barbeque.

He knew he should've left when the Inquisition pushed him out of his former position, he wasn't terrific with German and was even less certain about the Reich. He finally decided to leave, he didn't give Big Al any notice, increasingly Big Al had been giving Sherwin dirty looks while humming 'Dyelli Beybi Uber Alles' .

He packed his few things, including the Inquisition Uniform he'd worn as the Tzarina's bodyguard and his guns and set off...................................to York.

He honestly wondered if Alexia were still alive, but he intended to find out.

"Then we will need to speak to the Air Marshall as soon as possible, Madam President," replied Montezuma,"and there is also the issue of your personal safety at stake." He did not yet bring up the obvious fact that Vrak had been encircling Port Olympus itself with at least 20 thousand troops and was being reinforced each day.

Irok had politely excused himself and went back to his respective office. He picked up a secure phone, or as least as secure he could imagine he said to himself, and after entering a certain sequence of numbers was connected to the appropriate VIS division and relayed all the information gathered so far.

====

A beep on the Horde Sub General's laptop instantly brought him to attention. He was, of course, aware of the latest experimental "flying destroyers" which were under the Vrakian Space Agency. Which seemed ridiculous to him since he felt they should belong to the navy. Ah well.

He depressed a button. After entering in his security code, the heavily encrypted message was downloaded. It included the schematics of the experimental vehicle and possible best ways to utilize it in various tactical scenarios.

====

One flying destroyer was nearing the Vrak/Dyellian border on the south. It would land soon and undergo final checks at its forward base. The other crossed the Vrak/Vrak-Ozarka border and would meet up with a force that was mustering in the northern middle of the territory.

====

OOC: More coming to catch up but I'm at the libray now. :)

Wierd things were happening in York. News was spreading fast that Dmitri Tomasenko, the Tzarina's lead advisor had shot and killed Bedwyr Gwalchmai, her reported lover. Lunchtime O'Booze had then flown into the city to speak directly to the Tzarina... or so it was rumoured, nobody really knew for sure.

When Sherwin Thales arrived in York she wouldn't exactly be hard to find or hard to get to. She had always had a habbit of maintaining minimal security, daring someone to assassinate her. She was probably the most accessible Dyellian leader in history, or had been until the virtual palace coup.

The Palace in York had had the dubious history of being the place where the Tzars fled to when Cyro and the South was in revolt, which it was again. It had a huge, ornate red sandstone facade. Apparently there was some kind of drill square marked off at the front, distinguished only by a waist high sandbag wall, around the edges of which a few ap Adam retainers were patrolling, wearing Harquebusier armour from Outremere, camouflage fatigues. One turned to the stranger, barking out an unintelligeable question, "Pwy dych chi?" he demanded.

English it would seem was becoming increasingly scare in Dyelli Beybi...

Presumably they were patrolling because the Tzarina seemed to be engaging in fencing practice... with actual swords and without a helmet in the drill square. She stopped when she heard the demand. The other fencer who also wasn't wearing a helmet and seemed to be a Gonad Elf, also stopped, following her as she approached the exchange, "Wie bent u?" the Guard demanded next, presumably there was reason in this madness as most Dyellians only vaguely understood German and certainly not whatever he had spoken in first.

"Relax Thomas." this was the Tzarina, "Sherwin, it has been too long, welcome back." a kiss on both cheeks, "The world has changed my friend... Or at least this State has, idealism fades into the grim corrupted reality. Cyro is a swamp as dank as the hearts of those who would rule it. Would you care for a drink?"

__________

Presumably what happened in the cells in Cyro next was some type of joke... the Chekists wheeled in a television. Turned the volume up and played the Ambassador a recording of 'Crazy Frog', stuck on repeat...

Arn-Maciska; Office of the Secretary of Trade (MEA)

Neither of the two Macisikani so much as batted an eyelid at the change in Black's tone and change in demeanour.

"I never said you were naive, and there are eighty-three Dyellian citizens in the Covenant," Valdir supplied. Something about her stance said that she would be able to give the names and addresses of every single one. "And I don't expect any power in Dyelli Beybi to care one iota about them, unless they could be used for political gain."

"To be treated like the gentry, you must act like the gentry," Sir Silvanas sounded like he was quoting someone. "We have found, in our dealings with foreigners, that you can only expect to be treated in a civilised manner if you demonstrate that you are prepared to act otherwise."

"There are too many out there, your countrymen included it seems, who confuse civilised behaviour with weakness," Valdir continued. "The trade measures are punitive. The expulsions are not. But, if you genuinely believe that Dyelli Beybi is not nation that poses a threat to the interests and security of the Covenant, convince me of that; I'm listening," she paused a moment.

"Incidentally, I fail to see how this would destroy your career, your excellency; I've been quite ill-mannered, and you have remained composed throughout. Quite commendable," the praise seemed genuine. "We are nowhere near the easiest posting you could have been sent to after all."

OOC: Aardvark-Vlad conjures mental images of a nation ruled by nocturnal burrowing mammals... Transylvanian ones.

Sherwin was a bit surprised at the whole scene and doubly surprised that O'Booze was allegedly in York. He was taken off guard by the guards yelling at him unintelligibly and was about to reach into his bag and present his Inquisitor's beret when the Tzarina came over.

He smiles as he is genuinely happy to see her "Oh thank god, I didn't know what I'd find here, I just knew that I couldn't stay in Cyro."

"I would love a drink, just water, the only car I could afford I'm afraid meant a long walk the rest of the way into York, thank god for my survival training, it turns out that not only does it help when you're shot down but is also remarkably useful for when your car breaks down." He pauses and looks carefully at the Tzarina "How are you doing? I've been hearing strange rumors."

*****

The Alconian Ambassador was quietly horrified by this new torture but he put on as brave a face as possible and slumps in the chair sighing heavily.

"Oh thank you, that is moderately less annoying than your droning!"

*****

Retaliatory Guard Command noticed the Vrakian 'Destroyers' and the UIK's apparent naval movements. They were deemed as being of interest, but were not classified as a threat.


OOC: We are the undead, armored rodents of the night, Aardvark-Vlad, we have been acquainted with the night.

deMalara considered the question.

"Well, not that I am aware; our citizens report a very good tourist experience in your nation. Businesses report fair, honest, and equitable dealings, and your nation is the only one in the Federation with a green rating in the travel lists... unless His Vrakian Majesty would desire some form of support in securing your new territories?" he smiled. "On which note, I can add, His Serene Majesty's Government will tender our full legal recognition as soon as you have effective control."


The Minister narrowed his eyes slightly with deMalara’s remark about support. The walrus knew in the back of his mind that the Federation could become divided up among foreign powers and it would start with a friendly gesture of kindness. After all, wasn’t that what the Vaadians had done with Karmanyaka and then the latest escapade into Fodmodmadtol? He had a fondness for the Macisikans, especially how their diplomatic neutrality and even indirect support lent to credibility to the wily and some might say unstrustworthy nature of the Klatch.

“I think, for now, that the Vrakian military will be capable of securing the territories. However, I certainly can understand your nation wanted to, well, I suppose to monitor this latest development. We certainly hope that effective control will be reached soon. Ozarka is a large territory though, nearly as big as the traditional Dyellian borders so it will take a considerable expenditure of effort. I should also add that your citizens in our state are safe within our state should that be a concern.”

==


There was a bustle of activity; in the distant city of Arn-Jaf'na, the fleets just named began to put to sea. It would, of course, be a full week before they arrived in their deployment zones (at the very earliest).


Although most of the long range patrols have been pulled back, there was a chance that the battlegroups deployed from Macisikan would encounter a skeletal Guardian type I squadron consisting of 2 older destroyers and one frigate along with a supply ship. The guardian squadrons came from the military reserves and would often refuel either at the Vrakian presence in Vrak-Shiron (more likely) or scattered Federation depots (less likely). As well, the presence of these long-range patrols would be found more near the South and East Klatchian ocean and much more in the East Arctic ocean - which was closer to Vrak proper.

The Vrakians tended to rely on their extensive satellite network and also whatever could be cajoled from the FKC government.

====


The Vrakian advance team would find their embassy exactly as they had left it, stripped bare. It is quite dusty but they can easily see that no one had been in it in months and that no effort had been made to change locks or do anything else with the building.

A day after they are settled in they receive an invitation from the Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for a lunch meeting and are informed that the Minister of Defence will also be in attendance.


The advance team swept the building for bugs and other listening devices, as well as keeping all their conversations in Vrakian. A secure line was installed along with a direct satellite feed with the usual accompanying encryption equipment. This was standard operating procedure for the paranoid Vrakians and they also believed that the Vaadians would expect nothing less.

The highest official that would attend the meeting would be the sub-consul, a human named Patterson Oreik. He quickly replied saying that he would be delighted to attend the lunch meeting and that his aide would also accompany him.



Quietly, almost imperceptibly the forces of the United Duchies began mobilizing. Additional divisions of Royal Marines are mustered and shipped to the area most likely for conflict, the Oompa Loompa tribes in the area now pacified moved themselves to support the new 'Lesser Puma' who had himself arrived, his Battlecruisers instead of heading back to Thunderbay had detoured and stopped and began to off-load at the United Duchies western most city on the mainland.


At first, the Alconian movements weren’t noticed immediately since the Alconians were just not on the radar of the Vrakians. However, with the ever growing influence of the Vaadians in that region, some did make it a point of keeping tabs on them, although the Dyellians were more of a concern.

Since a large percentage of Vrak’s naval might was concentrated in Vrak-Shiron, the Alconian movements were not seen as an immediate threat. However, the Middle HORDE district had a sizable naval yard at Vrak-Urumchi. There, four hunter/killer squadrons (HK#68-71) quietly deployed, 24 submarines including four typhoon-class, into the cold waters of the Walrus Sea.

====


At the canal, the Dyellians had left large areas cordonned off and clearly marked with signs
Captain Ortuk swore as he saw the sign. The Vrakians should have counted on the Dyellian proclivity for mining everything. By Bok’s maw, wasn’t the entire Dyellian southern coastline a vast minefield? He summoned the radio operator impatiently and spoke briefly. Yes, he was told, the brass did indeed anticipate it. Specialists were already on the way so just hold position until they arrive.

Further back, a dozen troop helicopters loaded with mostly human troops and a smattering of SOAT-bots were heading to the easternmost end of the canal structure itself. Anti-mining equipment was on the way, but the colonel was impatient. Accompanied by gunships, they group made their way quickly to their target.

On the high ground near the canal, the artillery positions were in place. Finally, some short-range anti-air units arrived, ready to make sure that further drops from Dyelli Beybi or others would run into some resistance.

OOC: Are your coastal units linking up more in the middle? Wouldn’t they run into some resistance with the two cities I’m trying to occupy? Perhaps I misread? I dunno.

====

Deep in the capital in an underground bunker, a few walruses were gathered. They often do, as is their practice, when times are troubled. There were, of course, other similar bunkers throughout Vrak in the name of redundancy. However, these particular walruses met to discuss a pressing issue, along with the usual circumstances.

-How is the President?
-From what we have gathered, she is ineffective. I recommend that we begin the next phase.
-Plan Ozarka did not go as smooth as we had planned. Did we not mean to capture the canal first?
-We did, but we didn't have sufficient assets in place. And we did not instruct our troops to fire upon the Dyellians. They will now, though.
-And what of the Vaadians?
-We are monitoring them. So far, no overt moves yet.
-I think we also need to keep a closer surveillance on the Alconians as well.
-Agreed.
-Agreed.
-Agreed. We have already sent four hunter/killers to probe their movements.
-And of Vrak-Dukratus?
-Proceeding as planned. The border with Dyelli Beybi is being reinforced as we speak.
-What of Sketch? Why haven't we heard from them yet? And for that matter, what of Calarca and North Germania?
-Why should Sketch respond? We are loosely allied. I'm surprised that they would even want to get involved.

A note of impatience.

-And why do you say that?
-Because, when you join an alliance, you want to make sure that you don't become entangled in regional conflicts. Is it any wonder why anyone would join any state of the Klatch, given our chaotic history.
-Ours isn't unstable. It's the Dyellians.
-Same region though.
-Enough you two. We will contact Sketch again and tell them of our proposition.
-And what of the other states? There could be an unusual amount of backlash.
-You forget our true intentions. Peace and stability for the Klatch.
-Indeed.

Vrak

deMalara was all good cheer, and appeared to have absolutely no idea what the Walrus was thinking. Entirely likely; the man seemed to think he'd inadvertently said the other's military wasn't up to the task.

"Oh, of course Minister, of course," he said smiling, "we have no doubts at all in the competence of the Vrakian military." the smile faded.

"But you are quite correct; we will be monitoring the situation closely..." he set his glass down, very serious. "Minister, I have been instructed by Arn-Maciska to let it be known to your government that we view Vrak as a stabilising influence in the Federation. We therefore welcome developments that will... aid that stabilisation. A stable Klatchia is one we can engage with."

The smile and warmth returned, as if someone flicked a switch. Most Macisikani civil servants and diplomats did that; they probably took lessons.

"And we are of course, confident in the surety and safety provided by the Glorious Kingdom. It is why we shall continue to promote trade between our two great nations," the glass was raised in salute.


ooc: so that's the reason behind Vaadian secularism! And the ban on garlic!

The advance team swept the building for bugs and other listening devices, as well as keeping all their conversations in Vrakian. A secure line was installed along with a direct satellite feed with the usual accompanying encryption equipment. This was standard operating procedure for the paranoid Vrakians and they also believed that the Vaadians would expect nothing less.

The highest official that would attend the meeting would be the sub-consul, a human named Patterson Oreik. He quickly replied saying that he would be delighted to attend the lunch meeting and that his aide would also accompany him.




Mr. Oreik and his aid are picked up by a Foreign Ministries Limousine and taken the short distance to The House of the Republic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. As is usual the foreign diplomats are seen right in with no delays about security checks or anything like that.

The third floor meeting room is set up for a buffet style lunch and as they enter they are greeted.

"Good afternoon gentlemen, I am Alan Cherkess, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and this is Kylie Codreaneau, Minister of Defence and her Assistant Travis Sydow........" He motions to a raven haired woman with piercing eyes in a smart business suit and an older gentleman dressed in sombre dark attire. He then motions to the buffet "Please help yourselves and then we can get started, we are anxious to see to it that misunderstandings like the ones that have happened in the past, do not re-occur."

The buffet is stocked mostly with seafood dishes, just in case a walrus had decided to be in attendance.

*****

Meanwhile in Port Olympus Sir Ozymandius Llewellyn had accepted the the invitation of the UIK's Ambassador Alexis Valnard to tea. He did however send along notice that he would be late as he was coming in from The Shades and not his home on Parliament Hill and that he would have a guest with him.

Primarch Valnard was pleased with the acceptance. His invitation, sent on a whim, was purely on a would-like-to-get-to-know-certain-key-stakeholders basis, starting with upper but not top officials, and working his way around... the only problem was that, apart from the President (who had quite enough to deal with right now), Sir Ozy appeared to be the only one left.

The extra time was no object at all; he'd be able to arrange crumpets and scones as well. Fresh ones.

"And we are of course, confident in the surety and safety provided by the Glorious Kingdom. It is why we shall continue to promote trade between our two great nations," the glass was raised in salute.


The huge walrus likewise raised his glass - albeit it was constructed for the walrus-kind in that it was quite large and had a handle more suitable for flippers instead of human hands.

“We thank you for your confidence in us and our aims. On how your nation can perhaps aid in stabilization, well, I would have to consult with the Ministry of War in that regard. Would you be available later in the week? I should be able to arrange an appointment with the respective ministry.

====


The buffet is stocked mostly with seafood dishes, just in case a walrus had decided to be in attendance.

Patterson bowed and smiled. Obviously his former background at Icarus Media, a subsidiary of Icarus Entertainment which belonged to the Icarus Group conglomerate showed. He was an easy-going person who enjoyed wherever he was.

“Thank you Assistant Minister Cherkess for inviting us to lunch. Pleased to meet you Minister Codreaneau and Mrs Sydow.” He wasn’t sure if the the assistant was married but he supposed a minor mistake would be overlooked. After all, there was lunch to sort out the proper titles and protocols for addressments. As a rule, Vrakians tended to opt for the formal until otherwise notified by the concerning parties.

He motioned to his right, towards his darker skinned assistant who had two glossy braids in his hair. This fellow was of studier build and flashed a smile at everyone.

“My assistant, Mr Jacob Uliko. He works for the Royal Investigation and Supervision department.”

Uliko bowed and then eyed the buffet table.

“Ah…I see some delicious seafood. I wonder, any Klatchian lobster? Your climate certainly would be suitable for it.”

OOC: Sorry for the disappearance, could have sworn I posted a reply to some of that... bloody Jolt...

Arn-Maciska

"I didn't say that." Black responded, "I believe that Dyelli Beybi is a State that presents a genuine threat to just about everyone."

There was a strong emphasis on the word State; any State being regarded as a Nation was indirectly undermining of the Government in Port Olympus.

"I have merely questioned the treatment of these eighty three Klatchian citizens."

__________
York

The Tzarina smiled, looking like her mind was on a different planet, probably quite a familiar expression to Sherwin, "I have to be out here. The people need to see that I am not afraid and I am isolating myself from them. Have you met Thidrek? He is the Marshall of my Household Guard."

A nod from the elf... things were changing in Dyelli Beybi.

"Please." she smiled, suddenly focusing on Sherwin, "Come into the palace, you have come far, you need to rest. Thedrin, could you take my foil please?"

She passed the foil across to the elf. He was obviously a bodyguard of some description... it gave her a second to step aside with the pilot, just a few moments before the guard would be back, "I have to ask." she whispered, "Are you an assassin?"

The crazy woman had seemingly just, quite deliberately, given him an opportunity...

__________

Apart from the 'not quite a war' that was going on in Dyelli Beybi, the country was fairly quiet. Unlike Vrak it didn't seem to be getting ready for war, unless you counted the production of an abnormally high number of engineering vehicles.

Up in the Dyellian Space Station, orbiting miles above Klatch, things were being treated with a detachment that only came from smoking copious amounts of marijuana. It was technically illegal in Dyelli Beybi, although the 'Space Marines' guarding the Station knew exactly where to get it from... and how to 'hot box' the command room.

"Yo Lieutenant." one mumbled, "What're we doin' up here again?"

"Dunno private dude." the Officer replied blurily, "Teknically we look after this station and stop people attacking it."

"Intense."

"Yeah man... but as for wars, we don't do that ****. We just guard this place and make sure nobody ****s with it."

Macisikan

Sir Ozy arrived about an hour and a half after accepting the invitation, he arrived in a jet black Jaguar XJ6 driven by an old-looking white haired, dark skinned man man wearing very, very dark wrap around sun glasses that appeared to be for the blind. While old, he appears very fit and quite robust, without the wrinkles and slumped shoulders he would pass for much younger.

Sir Ozy is, of course, a fox. Red furred, about 4 1/2 feet tall and dressed in a very smart business suit that is obviously tailored especially for bipedal foxes with large bushy tails. Although he wears a very serious expression his dark eyes sparkle with unmistakable mirth.

*****
Vrak

OOC: cough,cough, The assistant is the man, the Minister is female :D but he is unmarried................

IC:

The Minister and her assistant bow as appropriate and join the Vrakians at the buffet, Mr. Cherkess raises an eye brow at the question.

"I know there is lobster, I assume it is from Costa-Tula or Costa-Mela, so it would be Vaadian lobster." He answers with a smile.

After they have all filled there plates and been seated and had a chance to have a bite or two Mr. Cherkess, who skips the buffet, addresses everyone.

"I have spoken with Ambassador Tancred and Minister Connover and both were in agreement with the discussion that Ambassador Tancred had with Minister Ratyuig and keeping lines of communication between our militaries open, as they once were.

I was hoping we could decide here the best way and most efficient way to do that."

Minister Codreaneau nods "It may be more efficient if the Vrakian Military liaison were perhaps stationed in Tollan and directly communicated with Retaliatory Guard Command, it would save the time of my office having to receive the information, picking out what is relevant and then passing it along. It would also preclude the possibility of any misunderstanding?"

*****
Dyelli-Beybi

Sherwin gave a quick salute to Thidrek "Pleased to meet you." he then prepares to follow the Tzarina and looks at her seriously as she whispers to him, he looks back over at the retreating Thidrek and then back at the Tzarina, when Thidrek is out of sight and lowers his voice.

"Absolutely, but you aren't my target."

Vrak

deMalara smiled again and bowed his head in acknowledgement. He liked Vrak, and its people; so very different from what he knew, yet quite pleasant. It was fascinating.

"Certainly Minister," he said, "I will be available this week; I would need to consult my government in any case, to work out details and specifics." By which he meant that he'd been cleared to offer assistance; no-one had defined the word though.

"I shall have my attaché accompany me, naturally," he added.

Of course it was no secret in Arn-Maciska that, of all the Klatchian nations, Vrak had the most friends in high places.

**********

Arn-Maciska

Valdir put a hand to her chin, and moved to stand on the other side of the Secretary.

"Your Excellency" she said in soft tones. "There are but four possible conclusions I can come to regarding the Federation's involvement here. Firstly," she held up a finger, "if the Federation is able and willing to address the threat posed by Dyelli Beybi, then why are we having to sanction them directly?
"Second," another finger rose, "the Federation is willing, but not able, to address the threat and danger posed by the Dyellian Nation-State. It is therefore impotent here, of no help to us at all. History actually suggests it would be an impediment to any real action.
"The third possibility," a diamond caught the light as her ring finger rose,"is that the Federation is able, but not willing, to end the continuing threat. If this is correct, than it is a malevolent agency. Which would validate the Vaadian view.
"The final possibility is that the Federation is neither able, nor willing. It is malevolent, but irrelevant." Valdir's eyes and face were inscrutable, but her had become serious.

"Regardless," the Minister continued lowering her hand, "if the Klatchian citizenship of these eighty-three persons is sufficient to grant them the protection of Port Olympus, then they can go to Port Olympus. We have a daily commercial plane service to the city," the lips curved slightly. "They can't go directly home anyway; our airlines won't fly to Dyelli Beybi since extortion became official government policy, and no Dyellian plane has been permitted to land here since they outlawed His Holy Majesty." A not-too-subtle stress was applied to the word "holy".

"As they are Dyellian Citizens first and foremost, and as I am one signature from declaring Dyelli Beybi a Credible Threat, they will be deported, unless they'd rather explain suspected acts of espionage to Imperial Security." Valdir's grave tone, and Sir Silvanas' solemn face, left no doubt that things had become very serious.

"I would rather not, but..." she spread her hands. "I have no choice. If I do nothing, I condone the Dyellian actions, and I can tell you, the Recognition Act in particular caused a tremor that went all the way to Stonebridge Palace," she paused and moistened her lips. "Now, if I issue a statement or lodge a protest, it would be ignored. I can't cut off aid because we don't give you any. Similarly, I can't break off diplomatic relations as we don't have any. Cy'rho has ignored every single one of our overtures. And the States-General won't allow a declaration of war. Sanctions are our only option. Sir Silvanas, can I have my thermos please?" her voice had started to croak towards the end. The Secretary picked up a silver mug and handed it to the Minister.

**********

Port Olympus

An honour guard of eight had been turned out for the occasion; Macisikani Temple Guard in full dress uniforms. They bore the Klatchian Hydra, the Alconian Flag, the little square ensign of the UIK, and the black-red-black of the Covenant.
The Ambassador himself had turned out in a three-piece suit, with a cane that was not for show. He was another one of the gaunt old men that the Covenant turned out (the current theory was that deMaiska had a factory somewhere, probably in the basement of Greenmotte). Unlike the usual product line though, Alexis projected a grandfatherly air, eyes twinkling and a genuine smile.

"Welcome to my Embassy," he said, stepping forward, "Sir Ozymandius of the House of Llewellyn. We offer you and your companion drink and food, warmth and rest," the phrases of the Host's Greeting rolled from his mouth with only the barest hint of the Israeli-like Macisikani accent.


**********

Arn-Arakhan

Lord-President Foxworth sighed as he hung up. The mess in Dyelli Beybi was, thankfully, out of his hands for now.

The growing matters of interest elsewhere in Klatch might not be; First Minister deMaiska had informed him of what was happening, the deployment of assets, the... really, he was getting too old for this. He glanced at the dormant comlink.

They were both getting too old for it.

Port Olympus

Sir Ozy bowed ceremoniously as did his companion.

"I thank you for your hospitality, please call me Sir Ozy and this is my dear friend The Nachxa. You honor and humble me with this most excellent welcome." he pronounces it 'Nack-za' as he motions to the older dark skinned gentleman who bows politely and smiles.

"He has been kind enough to give me and my Abitha the use of his guest suites at his home, since I fear my home or office are very safe at the moment."

"Kind enough to return the favor." The Nachxa says with a gentle smile to Sir Ozy, before turning to Ambassador Valnard." I am very pleased to meet you Ambassador Valnard."

They then follow Ambassador Valnard where he may lead.

Arn-Maciska
The Ambassador's eyebrows had raised during the 'four conclusions' speech, yet she refused to take the bait. She was a woman on a mission, "It is over to you to decide what you think of the Federation." she remarked dismissively.

"By all means sanction them, however I must point out, once again, that exiling a few dozen citisens will not provoke any excitement from Cyro and to excuse them of spying is frankly stooping to the level of Cheka thugs." she kept a straight face, despite having been a 'Cheka thug' herself...

"My point is simply that the morality of this issue is flawed. You are persecuting some small group of people and for what? From where I am there are only two possible conclusions."

A slight glint of something in her eyes betrayed strong emotion that was absent from her voice, "One; the Government here derives some kind of sadistic joy or scratches some itch for vengeance in the persecution of these individuals."

"Or two." she continued after a momentary pause, "The Government is bowing to the demands of the mob."

__________
York
"Oh." the Tzarina looked surprised, "We will talk more on this later."

It was surreal how she ran things. It was just far too easy to gain access to her. Something was not quite right.

She didn't speak as they went inside, now acompanied by the elf again. The palace was huge, massive glass mirrors and crystal chandeliers reflected light onto an elegant blue marble staircase that led to the second storey. The place bustled like an administrative hub ought to, with soldiers and dignitaries moving about their daily lives. Compared to most monarchies the pomp was considerably turned down, a nod or salute and a ma'am was about all the Tzarina got from anyone. To which she responded with a smile and nod of her own.

At one point she stopped to exchange a few words with a Sergeant Major of the Household Calvalry to organise a room for Sherwin, which he set off to do along with the elf. This left the Tzarina alone with Sherwin, and unusually for a royal palace this actually meant alone; There were no servants or guards inside the sitting room they were eventually left in.

It was a cold room. Too large for the single coffee table and three couches. On the walls hung portraits of Tzars and Tzarinas, seemingly mocking their bastard descendant with their haughty stares. A huge window completely dominated the one wall unadorned with paintings, giving a view into a picturesque internal courtyard. This could have been the eighteenth century... were it not for the intercom unit set on one side of the table and the barely audible hum of the air conditioning units.

A jug of water with a couple of slices of lemon had been left on the table, condensation forming into beads of water on the outside. There were four glasses next to it, apparently normally more people gathered here.

"You know." the Tzarina sighed, "If you did kill me you would probably be doing Klatch a favour. I am a divisive factor, and can be got rid of in a single stroke, unlike the 159 members of the Cyro Parliament. Please, sit, you must be exhausted, can I get you a glass of water?"

The steel crown apparently still sat uneasily on her head... "Dyelli Beybi..." she laughed suddenly, "I love this State, if it wasn't for all the avaricious leaders it could be such an amazing place... but who are you here for if not me?"

Sherwin took everything in as they walked through the palace, he was unused to such a place, especially lately. He follows the Tzarina into the 'sitting room' and jumps at the offer of water.

"Yes, please............" He looks around again "This is much better than your temporary place in Port Olympus."

"Well, divisive factor or not I haven't been given any instructions on you." He pauses and reaches into his bag for his secure satellite phone and powers it on. While the phone was encrypted to block eavesdroppers, it could still be triangulated and tracked so he rarely turned it on. He then scrolls through to the text messages and hands it to Alexia.

Find Junta head(s):

Collins?
O'Booze?
Nairn?
Ming?

Capture & RESP. If not ELIMINATE

-TEOM

He smiles weakly "So, that's who I'm after. Apparently someone thinks unusually highly of my talents. The first thing I thought is that my mission could certainly help you, and hanging around here I could find out who my actual target is. Especially if O'Booze flew here personally as the rumors would have it."

He does not sound at all confident of completing his mission to the satisfaction of anyone.

He gives a wry grin "And, well, you know who my friends are. I know you Dyellians don't like mercenaries but I can always call my old employer. I'm sure they'd be happy to send men and equipment in for more Dyellian gold."

He seems more intent on helping Alexia than tracking his quarry.

Port Olympus
Valnard inclined his head as Sir Ozy introduced the Nachxa.

"Honours to your house, noble Nachxa," he intoned, barely stumbling over the unfamiliar word.

"Please, do come in; we have prepared refreshments," the elderly Primarch appeared to have dispensed with the stilted formalities of his homeland.

The Embassy's interior reflected a warm touch; the walls were cream, the lights a gentle yellow-white, the carpet the colour of red wine. The room they were led to was clearly a dining/lounge area. Couches were placed around the edges, while an oak table dominated the centre.

Urns hummed to themselves, next to packets of tea, while steam rose gently from baskets of fresh scones. Jam, cream, and butter had been laid out, and several embassy staffers (a couple in uniforms) milled around aimlessly; when the three entered, they all either came to attention, or bowed slightly from the waist.

"Ladies and gentlement, Sir Ozy and the Nachxa," Valnard announced cheerfully, before turning to his guests. "My wife could not be in attendance, alas. She has taken a brief sojourn back to the UIK, to see our daughter. I hope that some of my senior staffers with no work to do will be adequate compensation."

**********

Arn-Maciska

Sir Silvanas' lip quirked at the remark about the Cheka, but the Minister displayed as much emotion as the silver mug she held.

"Yes, it is up to us to determine our opinion of the Federation sera," she agreed to Black's central point. "But by the same token; the Federation's actions are the core data set we use to inform that opinion. You're doing better than most," the last five words were stated as simple fact. But then again, it was well-known that the Covenant harboured an exceedingly low opinion of most of the world.

"Interesting that you use the moral argument," she mused, "It must be... nearly five years... or is it nine? Before the last election anyway, since that argument was used that on us..." Valdir looked at the Ambassador as if she was truly seeing the other person for the first time. She didn't look all that impressed though (did they ever?). She let the thought hang a moment, then came to a decision.

"Very well, your Excellency. I shall commend the case of the eighty-three to the High Conclave. In the meantime, they can stay, but will be under passive surveillance," she titled her head slightly. "You yourself said Dyelli Beybi was a threat, and one does not turn a blind eye to the activities of the citizens of such a nation. That is merely prudence."

It seemed as though playing the morality card had altered the entire game; the temperature in the room, which had been dropping steadily, suddenly rose again. Both Macisikani seemed to have relaxed slightly, no longer as defensive.

"Yeah man... but as for wars, we don't do that ****. We just guard this place and make sure nobody ****s with it."

OOC: Egad! Sounds like the station is being run by the The British Columbia Marijuana Party. Pot for all and all for pot!

As well, I think I can dig up some maps of Port Olympus that A&H did up.

IC:

Port Olympus

The order was given and the Colonel gave a brief bark to his majors. The gates on the west side of Port Olympus were thrown open and the troops that were patiently waiting outside began to stream into the city in an orderly but casual fashion. No one was expecting any resistance since they were moving into the Vrakian quarter of the city.

Most of the troops were infantry and many were walking, but some were in troop trucks while others were catching a ride on a few infantry fighting vehicles. No heavy tanks, artillery, or anti-air batteries were present.

Southern Vrak

Reinforcements kept pouring in and the city of Vrak Haeinsa was beginning to resemble an armed camp, which was remarkable its population numbered 11 million at the last census. Vrak Kaya, which was slightly closer to the Ozarkian border on the east was a marshalling area for the troops entering Vrak-Ozarka already had that appearance. The arrival of the flying destroyer in the Nef west of the city was not apparent to most of the citizens but made the commander in the Southern HORDE district happy.

The double tracks that led to the Southern HORDE district normally had trains flowing from the north and south at the same time. However, an extra large convoy was winding its way down from a certain bastion. Each double wide heavily-reinforced flat resembled a boxcar decked out in camouflage paint. Inside, was a gigantic tank, 15 in all. It was a feat for the train engineer to pull this load since it was necessarily the weight but the size of the flatbeds themselves. It was too easy for a wheel to slip and then spill everything if he went too fast.

====


Minister Codreaneau nods "It may be more efficient if the Vrakian Military liaison were perhaps stationed in Tollan and directly communicated with Retaliatory Guard Command, it would save the time of my office having to receive the information, picking out what is relevant and then passing it along. It would also preclude the possibility of any misunderstanding?"


The Vrakian flushed slightly and fumbled out a response.

“I’m very sorry and please forgive my indiscretion. In Vrak, we are still a patriarchal society and so my cultural learnings are not as…shall we say…developed?

At the mention of the military liason being located in Tollan and taking precautions to reduce miscommunications, Patterson nodded in agreement.

“That makes sense,” he mused, almost to himself. “I will see if a similar arrangement can be made on our end. Or at least if the information can be funneled from our side directly to the liason instead of necessarily passing through your embassy. I am not certain if you still maintain an embassy in Vrak. If not, perhaps that can be on the fast track to re-opening?” Patterson looked hopefully at the Vaadians.

Uliko still flashed his smile at Mr. Cherkess’s slight rebuke.

“Vaadian lobster? It sounds delicious. I was certain that the Klatchian lobster, since it favours the tropical waters in general, would likely be found this far east. Perhaps they are distant cousins? I do know that that Klatchian lobster is generally concentrated around the isles of Jiggady and Greenbeard and in the southern parts of the Gonaad. Ah…that should do it.”

The aide piled his plate high with all matter of seafood, giving it the appearance that it go splattering all over the floor.

====


Of course it was no secret in Arn-Maciska that, of all the Klatchian nations, Vrak had the most friends in high places.

“Excellent,” rumbled the walrus, bowing slightly to deMalara,”I’m sure the meeting will occur soon. Always good to see you Lord Cellachan deMalara.”

Once the Maciskanian left the walrus waited a few minutes. Then he depressed a button his desk and to his right, a door silently opened. In strode an older man with graying hair and dressed in a dark suit.

-Well, asked the minister, -what do you think?
-It is what we expected of course, the man replied, -it is favourable for us to keep up good relations with them.
-I know that,” said the walrus impatiently, -but what do you make of their offer for assistance?
-Merely that it can be useful. Certainly a bit of a surprise actually. We have regarded them as a peaceful people and not interventionist.
-Well, I have work to do. You are dismissed.
-Of course, Minister.

With that, the man exited the way he came in, leaving the Minister a bit more pensive that he would normally have been. Dealing with the VIS always left a sour taste in his mouth.

York

The Tzarina poured a glass for the pilot handing it to him, then sat down next to him. She had never managed to learn the formalities a monarch should obey, Sherwin had known her for long enough to possibly appreciate the fact that this was quite a determined inability to learn, "That's quite a list." she murmered, "I'm not certain if I should be offended I'm not included."

"The Ubermarshall is here, but I would take it amiss if you decided to try to kill him, he is genuinely an honourable man, as is Field Marshall Ming and the Grand Admiral of the Fleet is an honourable woman... in her own kind of way. She can be relied on to be loyal, although she is viscious and does not really respect the law."

"Nairn I don't know, although he's a little down the food chain. Christopher France really ought to be on the list, above Ming if you're looking for the people who run the Junta, he is the Marshal of the Royal Air Force."

She sighed, leaning back in the couch and staring up at the cieling, "When I run this country... if I run this country, I want to be surrounded with good, honourable people. O'Booze and Collins I would take, although I know Collins does not like me."

She stopped, shaking her head slightly, "Sorry, that must be boring. O'Booze is here. He says that if war breaks out he will back a strong leader over an ineffective democracy to lead the country."

"Those are all my problems in a nutshell." she laughed bitterly, "I despise absolutist monarchies, but this country is so corrupt it needs an honest absolutist to raise it to respectability. I despise violence, yet its eventuality will see the Junta putting me in charge. I never wanted any of this, I thought the last war was going to bring peace, but it never does. It only brings more violence, over and over until one day we destroy ourselves utterly."

__________

OOC: more to come

Port Olympus

Sir Ozy smiles and bows politely as and The Nachxa and he are introduced.

"I am certain that the company will prove to be more than satisfactory. I am pleased to meet you all, and I thank you for having me."

The Nachxa smiles and nods along with Sir Ozy but remains quiet and let the invited guest to take the lead.

*****
Great Lassic (Vrak)

Minister Codreaneau simply nods to the apology, purses her lips possibly in disapproval and continues while she watches the Vrakians intently. She seems...............predatory and slightly robotic

"Yes, our embassy in Vrak Prime is still in place and fully staffed. It would be no issue to send someone suitably qualified to act as a military liaison to work with Ambassador Tancred to facilitate better communications between our armed forces."

Mr. Cherkess meanwhile watches the Minister and adds "Yes, that would not be a problem in the least."

He then turns to Uliko "They probably are related, but I'm fairly certain that the Vaadian lobster is of the tastier branch of the family." He turns enough as he says it so that Minister Codreaneau cannot see his smile.

*****
York

Sherwin takes a long drink of water as he continues to listen to Alexia.

"Oh, sure, good and honorable all, up to the point of actually taking some action." he says with a frown after emptying his glass, he does pause "Christopher France you say? Hasn't O'Booze told you who's in charge of the Junta?"

He seems skeptical " I don't know much about politics , I know a little more about your country, and it's minimum wage laws but I have been around Mercenary Generals quite a bit and I notice several things.

First, the Junta has gotten in the way of you actually sorting parliament and the telau out, it's like they are waiting for you to begin the war so that they can sweep it up and pick up the pieces of the 'brash and headstrong Tzarina'. Maybe they will leave in power but most likely you'll just be their prisoner as well."

He refills his glass of water "Second, General Vagraa Straa always said that to control a situation you must have a monopoly on blind brutal force, that flexing that force could often prevent conflict simply by showing a willingness to use it's applications."

He takes another long drink "Maybe I'm not being helpful, but something needs to be done about the Junta and then the telau need to have one of their loyal number brutalized to bring the rest of them back to the table. You need someone that can do that. I think that's how you avoid civil war, and then continue down the path you'd started when you took power, uh IF you find bodyguards that won't be jailers I'm assuming."

He was speaking honestly, he has ideas, just no way to make them happen.

OOC: Not really sure how to slide in but let's see how it goes

York

"Bruce! Look at you come on." the Sheila shrieked at her husband "Here let me have a look at you." She put down a plate which had something on it, though a Tea Towel was covering the top of it shielding the contents from view.

She started to tend to the looks of her husband once more for what seemed the thousandth time. "There we're ready now." she exclaimed after she had stepped back and looking at the Bruce crtitcally one more time. "It's not everyday you get to visit the Tzarina. I wonder If she'll like the biscuits."

"Come on, Don't worry Hun she'll love them. You know I married the best cook in all of Sheilas and Bruces." He gave her a kiss as they continued walking along to their destination. Bruce wasn't worring about if she'd like the biscuits, he was wondering if he could find his way through this maze of a place. It was by far bigger by a number of orders of magnitude than any city that existed inside."

Port Olympus, Embassy of the Covenant

Ambassador Valnard smiled and nodded in turn, as the other guests in the room smiled and murmured welcomes.

One of them, a middle-aged man in a uniform, stepped forward.
"Sir Ozy, Noble Nachxa," he offered a salute, then his hand to shake. "Honours to your Houses. I am Colonel Alvin Sedalia, the military attaché," the colonel seemed quite friendly. "Are you well?"

Behind him a young woman in robes of green and white, and bearing a basket covered in a red cloth, had entered; the Ambassador deftly slipped between the people in the room to help her set it on the table. The smell of freshly-baked bread quickly began to fill the room. A steward followed, with a tray holding a pair of cups.

**********
Port Olympus, Vrakian Quarter

A media crew from Akmadar United News, hunting for a picturesque backdrop to record their broadcast, instead found themselves taping Vrakian troops entering the city.

They did not try to get any interviews; troops rarely appreciated being interrupted by the media. Instead the reporter commented on the disciplined attitude of the arriving military, and speculated that the President had called on them to help secure the city.

Whether by chance or by design, the Vrakians had managed to score some good press, completely free of charge.

Within half an hour, other Covenant news crews descended on the Vrakian quarter.

-Why should Sketch respond? We are loosely allied. I'm surprised that they would even want to get involved.

Of course Sketch was interested. The foreign relations office of Sketch, when its not being used as a nice way to say "asskicking department of warfare", is always interested; in everything. Especially when some tinpot upstart of a rogue starts making wondrous hash out of a perfectly stable (stability being a relative, almost irrelevant, term) region. A region which just so happens to be of high importance to a valuable (which generally means also possessing big guns) ally. Then again, some of the less reputable, and thus more profitable, weapons manufacturers tend to find extra money to make goodwill donations to certain pension funds when information regarding unstable regions soon to slip into armed conflict but not yet on the restricted trade list finds its way to the sales department's inbox. Sometimes these same companies find it necessary to make an extra tax deductible holiday donation to certain charities, strictly to offset excessive profits, when a selling period is unusually long due to inexplicable delays in processing certain restricted trade designations.

The net result was an almost comical, unusually aloof, hand wringing within the small part of the massive Sketchan bureaucracy which happened to be responsible for keeping track of the friendlier foreign relations. With half doing their best to prevent anything from happening and the other trying to move things along. The official story, of course, was that this little incident was of no particular concern. It certainly helped that no formal declarations of open war have yet been made and all the parties have been more or less giving each other the baleful eye, save for a few unfortunate incidents.

As usual for the unwieldy mass of bureaucracy, certain individuals with authority way above the standard desk jockey, who also happen to be "in the know", took steps to ensure that this mess would eventually lead to net positive results for Sketch as an entity.

Thus enters Mr. Rogers, official title "foreign relations liaison officer, department of foreign aide and services". A respectable looking man by all rights, but one that would make you feel slightly uncomfortable after a while. Sort of the way a used car dealer would; except you really need a car and this guy is really swell.

Of course, no stuffy title bearing agent of bureaucracy would be complete without an equally stuffy office aide to accompany him on trips to take care of completely mundane tasks unfit for a highly trained monkey. Except this aide wasn't particularly stuffy looking, nor did he look the type to be so inclined to perform such mundane tasks. In fact, he looked rather sinister, with a hard look in his eyes, betraying the soft roundness of his face and the accountant like glasses perched on his nose. This was Mr. Olson.

The pair found themselves in some Vrakian office somewhere in Klatch, where ever mid level delegates of friendly foreign powers tend to find themselves when dealing with sensitive but not extremely critical issues of extra national concern. Somewhere between the usual pleasantries and before discussing anything meaningful, Mr. Rogers would have taken the opportunity to comment on the exact position of Sketch in regards the matter at hand.

Officially, the current state of affairs of the Federation are of no concern to Sketch. This, of course, may change in the future as the situation dictates. This stance also extends, by its very nature of neutral opinion, to the particulars of the internal Dyelli Beybi conflict and the external Ilek-Vaad involvement. That being said, should the matter arise, Sketch will honor all current treaty obligations with the Vrak. Since we believe it to be completely unlikely that such cumbersome measures would be invoked, and to ensure against the likelihood of such occurrence, we would like to take the opportunity to further develop working relations between our respective nations at this level. My aide here is intimately knowledgeable with the various aide packages that Sketch offers to our friendlier extra national relations and will be more than willing to explain to you the virtues of our Sketchan peace corps. Which, I assure you, is a NGO. The peace corps' mission is to render aide in far away locations to local residents, who may or may not be of transient sort. Please bear in mind that because the peace corps is a NGO, their actions in no way reflect official Sketchan policy. If you think this is something that your department would be interested in pursuing, I will let my aide, Mr. Olson, explain to you the details while I go take my smoke break...

OOC: Quick question, is this still open, and if so, what is the current state of affairs and how could I jump in?

I am thinking of sending an independent mercenary force and maybe a few corrupt corporate executives to try to take advantage of the situation.

If you think this is something that your department would be interested in pursuing, I will let my aide, Mr. Olson, explain to you the details while I go take my smoke break...



The Assistant to the Junior Minister of War, Akna Huryik, folded his arms as he listened to Mr. Rogers. Beside him sat Kar Brykil, an official from the Procurements department from the same Ministry who nodded his walrus head. Brykil was related to his uncle Hugo Brykil, who was the head of the research and development department for Hyperion Shipping. Both were familiar with the manner of how their own bureaucracy operated and how to mask true intentions under layers of doublespeak, such as “police actions in Timaru and Moskau” or “establishing peace and security in the Klatch.” Akna Huryik nodded, his glossy black braids wavered in time with each bow. On each hand, one could see a tattoo of a large spider devouring an insect.

“We are gladded that Sketch will honour treaty obligations with Vrak, but we believe that no such occurrence will arise for that step to be taken. We are, of course, interested in the various aid packages that the Sketchan Peace Corps could provide, particularly land and air packages that could assist in restoring peace and stability.

The walrus was inwardly drooling at the prospect of Sketchan equipment being used in the Vrakian arsenal. He added in his thoughts.

“As well,” Kar rumbled, “this would be an opportune time for Sketch and Vrak to make great strides in the areas of research and development. While we are aware of our technological shortcomings compared to your powerful nation, we believe that each can benefit from a strengthening of these bonds that exist.”

=====


Within half an hour, other Covenant news crews descended on the Vrakian quarter.

The Vrakians continued to march into the quarter. When they reached the borders of the quarters themselves, they began to set up checkpoints at all roads leading into the quarter itself. A group of soldiers with at least one machine gun nest would be typical, with an infantry fighting vehicle at larger, wider streets.

A captain noticed the nearest media crew and, accompanied by five soldiers, began to purposely walk towards them.

Port Olympus

Sir Ozy politely shakes the hand offered by Colonel Sedalia as does the Nachxa. The fox smiles weakly

"I am doing about as well as can be expected, all things considered. How does this day find you?"

He pauses to sniff the air "My something certainly does smell delicious, my compliments to the baker, I am envious if you ladies and gentlemen receive this treatment everyday for tea."

The pair are both fairly inscrutable, sticking to pleasant small talk, Sir Ozy is canny as always and unsure as to what function this meeting might serve.

*****
Thunderbay

The United Duchies finally seems to be prepared to act and a Press Conference is called by Chancellor Hume in the press room at Parliament, he is the first to take the podium to speak before the gathered International Press.

"Ladies and gentlemen, after careful deliberations in light to recent developments within the Federated Klatchian Coast, Parliament and the Privy Council have several statements to make at this time.

I would like to inform all that hear this that the statements made here today are the will of the Parliament, The Privy Council and The People of the United Duchies and reflect the unanimous intent of these United Duchies.

I now give to you Lord Harnax, The Right and Honourable Minister of Outer Affairs."

The august Lord Harnax then takes the podium as Chancellor Hume steps back in line with the other gathered officials.

"Ladies and gentlemen it is a dark day for the Federation indeed. United Duchies embassies within Dyelli-Beybi have been seized and the Keys to Federation Parliament have been detained by a defacto Dyellian Posse Comitatus in Port Olympus. The Federation Parliament has now failed to be seated after two calls by the Honourable Speaker Sir Ozymandius Llewellyn.

I myself have attempted to summon both the Ambassador of the Blessed Kingdom of Dyelli-Beybi and the Glorious Kingdom of Vrak to explain these developments, yet neither has responded to the official requests of my office. The President of the Federation has likewise refused to speak with representatives of The United Duchies.

We now stand as having been attacked by one Federation Ally, and ignored by the rest. I had hoped to report that these issues would have been solved by diplomacy, yet so far our pleas for a diplomatic and legal solution have fallen on deaf ears. It is with great regret that I report that I can see no diplomatic solution to this crisis."

The august Lord Harnax looks regretful and then turns "I give to you Lord Hull, First Tribune, Representative of The Regent of The United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris to explain in detail the response that we all have deemed are necessary."

He then steps down and a tall dark haired, dark eyed man takes the podium, under his dark suit the gleaming black breastplate of a Velites Kerbal is obvious, as are his gleaming black gauntlets with which he grips the podium.

"I thank you Lord Harnax, Chancellor Hume. I have been asked by the Privy Council and The Regent, The Lord Vaad to explain specifically how this situation will be resolved.

First, The Blessed Kingdom will release all citizens of the United Duchies that are currently being held by the authorities in The Blessed Kingdom as well as return the bodies of the Diplomats that were shot down en route to Cyro.

Second, the Keys of the United Duchies to the Federation Parliament will be returned to their residences on Parliament Hill, or turned over to the custody of the Federation Marshals.

Third, All forces of Federation States that are currently taking part in extra-territorial exercises will return to their nations lawful borders.

Finally, The Federation Parliament will be seated with the Federation President and ALL Keys of ALL Federation Nations present and accounted for to resolve all outstanding issues within the framework of Federation Law.

All parties have seventy two hours from this point to implement these required steps, or The United Duchies will take all actions appropriate to bring about these steps on it's own.

The Lord Vaad also wished that I express, yet again, his commitment to the Federation, and to the continued membership of The United Duchies in the Federation. The Lord Vaad is adamant that a strong and stable Federation is not only vital to the United Duchies but to The Klatchia as a whole and that foreign interference during these trying times for the Federation will not be tolerated."

Here he pauses, sweeping his gaze over the various cameras "Do not think that because the People of The United Duchies grieve over the loss of the Archduke and his family, and are adjusting to a new Regent that we can be taken advantage of. That is a mistake, and those that attempt to make opportunistic moves now will be sorely repaid and shall reap what they have sown."

He then raises his hand in a sweeping gesture and does something that the Lord Hull has not done since arriving in the United Duchies.........

"Now, I will take questions from the press.............................."

Port Olympus - Vrakian Quarter
A captain noticed the nearest media crew and, accompanied by five soldiers, began to purposely walk towards them.

The particular crew they were approaching was from Combined Dakiska News, an agency which occasionally expressed pro-Vrakian and pro-Klatchian sentiments, but was generally balanced. They had nowhere near the clout of CTN (the successor to MNB, who were prudently filming several blocks beyond the Vrakian line), but did get a fair exposure.

As the captain approached, the reporter asked his viewers to "please stand by while we discuss matters with the local authority," and signalled for the camera to shut down.

Carefully keeping his hands in plain sight and making no sudden moves, he turned to the approaching Vrakian squad and offered a slight bow.

"Good day, ah, captain? Captain," the reporter's voice was calm and steady. "I do hope we are not interfering in your peacekeeping operation... should we relocate?"

The man was utterly unafraid; experience suggested the Vrakians were firm but fair... and they learned (during Neo-Tyr) that maltreatment of Covenant media usually resulted in the Glorious Kingdom being tarred and feathered in prime time. That said, he was quite prepared to be reasonable and surrender his footage if need be.

He also was operating under the impression that the Vrakians were engaged in peacekeeping.

**********

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant

The Colonel projected an air of slight concern, but remained polite.
"I am well, thank you ser," he turned slightly to bring the tableau around the table into his field of view.

"Ah, his Excellency will break bread with you," he turned back to face the Ambassador's guests.

"It's an old ritual that the UIK has exported to the rest of us," he indicted with his hand the young woman. "This part is actually rather interesting, as His Excellency is a Primarch in the Church, while the young lady is a priest in the Old Religion." he sounded amused. "She will offer a blessing, he will receive it, then will offer to break the first loaf with you Sir Ozy... I don't know the original meaning, but now it's just a way of making a guest welcome. You can eat it as is, or dip it in the olive oil, then in the balsamic vinegar. Surprisingly nice..." indeed, as the Colonel spoke, the young cleric had drawn forth a loaf, held it up, and handed it to Valnard.

The elderly Ambassador weaved back to his guests, and, indeed, proffered the loaf with a smile.

"Sa'ani bread," he said, "I have no idea what goes into it, but it tastes heavenly. Would you break the first loaf with me?"

No-one seemed inclined to enlighten the two guests as to the purpose of the meeting, but it seemed to have all the hallmarks of a simple networking event; building up informal relationships between a few senior consular staff and the Speaker. The Nachxa's presence was a bonus.

**********

Thunderbay

"Now, I will take questions from the press.............................."

Unlike the Klatchian capital or Great Laasic, both of which had a fair number of Macisikani microphones and Covenant cameras to use, or Vrak Prime, which had its own share, Thunderbay was as shunned as Cyro.

For some reason the deMaiska government, and their numerous allies in Arn-Arakhan, had regarded Alcona and Hubris with an attitude somewhere between indifference and disdain since long before Prince Corum's ascension. It had nothing to do with him; sometime in the forgotten past, for reasons known only to themselves, Arn-Maciska had taken offence with the Alconans.

Sir Ozy was an exception; he was a Federal Klatchian.

Port Olympus - Vrakian Quarter


He also was operating under the impression that the Vrakians were engaged in peacekeeping.

The reporter’s impression of “peacekeeping” was exactly what the Vrakians wanted to portray. It was for that reason that officers were the defacto designated point of contact between any foreign media, since the regular grunts tended to be heavy-handed.

Captain Tekio, a sturdily built man, smiled slightly as he detected the reporter’s nervousness. A bark in Vrakian and the men accompanying him slung their machine guns over their shoulders. Behind the captain the Vrakian troops were dispersing throughout the quarter.

“Hello,” greeted the captain in halting English, “I’m Captain Tekio of the 3rd Baek-gunin. I see that you are broadcasting. Do you want someone to make a statement?”

OOC: Sorry for my prolonged lack of posting, RL got a bit busy. For everyone wanting to get involved, go right ahead and approach someone. There are guards, politicians and soldiers swarming all over the show.


Arn-Maciska
"Thank you your honour." the Ambassador inclined her head politely, it quite possibly wasn't the correct title for a local Minister, but she hoped they would appreciate the attempt at being respectful, "That is a just and sensible outcome."

She wasn't going to suggest they didn't watch the Dyellians. There was a fairly high chance one might be a Chekist running a local cell, everyone would know that, "Speaking truthfully." she added, "Dyelli Beybi is, in my opinion, a country full of people still struggling to find an outlet for natural ambition. You will note that while they only make up about half of the population, the main trouble makers are always Djels, many of whom seem to have become entrenched in bitter class rivalry."

The Ambassador it had to be noted was also a Djel, although apparently not averse to criticising her race. She shrugged, "I am not making excuses for them, merely pointing out a possible cause to the constant unrest and abuses of power."

__________
York

The Tzarina blinked a few times, smiling in a puzzled manner before speaking, "You've forgotten my friend that I am technically the head of the Church. I cannot in good conscience authorise underhand violence against anyone. As for the Junta, it is led by Lunchtime O'Booze, Adelle Collins and Christopher France. I believe what they say when they say they are trying to maintain order and protect civilians. If they really wanted to take over the country they could march into York and have me arrested and there isn't anything I could do about it. The fact that they have chosen to act as mediators between myself and the York parliament and the parliament in Cyro is evidence to me that they are not attempting to sieze power for themselves."


__________
Port Olympus
Things were moving fast for the President. Vrakians in Port Olympuswasn't new, but it was almost certainly not friendly towards parliament. As the Vrakians entered KNG forces pulled back to Parliament hill.

The President was not idle either, travelling to KNG headquarters as it was being evacuated to secure the release of the Alconan Keys. She stopped to offer them a quick speech before taking a motorcade back to Parliament, "I will be honest with you, I ordered your detention following the release of information by the Cheka implying that you might be involved in Vaadian plots to overthrow the Federation. As I am sure you are aware, this detention was quite legitimate, although an investigation into why no official charges were laid will have to be opened."

"I believe though, that as much as you are undoubtedly royally ****ed off at having been imprisoned, we can put this aside for the greater benefit of the Federation. It was Alconans who wrote the Constitution and I pray that you will take a stand to protect it. The current situation is grim, and frankly I do not know where anyone stands anymore. You are free to go, however I would suggest a return to parliament hill as Vrak is in the process of occupying the city."

After speaking to the Keys, the President would return to Parliament to send a quick note to Thunderbay

To: The Lord Vaad
From: The President of Klatch

Your highness Regent of Alcona and Hubris,
I believe that the time for subterfuge is at an end. Frankly I am wary of you, however the recent speech on your behalf moved me to attempt a diplomatic outcome to this event.
I understand that you have made demands of the Dyellians. They will ignore you; they are proud and will not bow to that kind of pressure.
However, I am willing to talk and to negotiate on your behalf for the release of arrested individuals and the bodies of the deceased. I would appreciate if your person or a representative of your person could meet me in person in Port Olympus ASAP. I would offer to visit yourself in Thunder Bay, however the Vrakian occupation of the city would make such a visit appear cowardly on my part.
Yours respectfully,
C. ab Ieauf

__________

Fasta
In the city of Fasta huge celebrations were being launched to commemorate the reunification of Fasta Benj. Elections were planned for the next few days to elect a new Parliament for the 'Autonomous Region of Fasta Benj'. Meanwhile the Benjian armies were marching West to the border to protect 'Benjian independence'. A cadre of Benjian community leaders had also been dispatched to Port Olympus to demand independent representation in Parliament (although the hopes of them getting this were approximately zero).

While it had not been publically reported on in any great depth, prior to the Parliamentary split, a bill had been passed granting autonomy to Fasta Benj in the event of reunification. This autonomy was somewhat limited. Fasta Benj would be able to pass whatever laws it chose, however, it was to retain the Tzarina as head of State, retain Dyellian currency and would be bound to follow all major international policy decisions made by Cyro. The Benjians would in return get to elect 10% of Parliament (which equated to the comparative population of Fasta Benj).

The move had provoked interested in New Dyelli, former Evilpsychoticguy, which had been partitioned with Vrak some years prior and where a budding independence movement was begining to take off.

__________
Cyro
Finally, after days, the music was turned off in the Ambassador's cell. The lights were out, it was pitch black when the door opened. It seemed outside was also fairly dark, although the faint outline of someone entering and closing the door could be seen. The click of heels implied this one was female, "Ach." she coughed, "Ambassador, you stink."

The Dyellian accent on this one was especially strong. She strode across the room, apparently completely unperterbed by the inky darkness, "Most people would have cracked by now and confessed. You have Hardmandle spirit."

She reached out, touching his jaw, "Thats a nasty bruise. Listen, if I unbind you, will you promise you won't try to escape?"

A slight chuckle, "I imagine you might find it hard getting out of this block with all the lights out, but you never know."

"If you promise me that I'll trust your honour as a gentleman and we can look at treating some of these bruises, cleaning you up and getting you a hot meal. And no, I'm not going to ask you to tell me you're a spy... silly Djels, they have such rigid minds. They aren't even open to the idea you might be a loyal Klatchian."

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant

Sir Ozy smiles warmly to Ambassador Valnard.

"I would be most pleased to honor your custom." He says as he takes the break and breaks it open neatly with his paws. " I am overwhelmed by the generosity of your reception, I do thank you, all of you."

The Nachxa watches with interest but does his best to stay out of the way.

*****
Port Olympus - KNG Headquarters (ooc: Port Olympus is getting crowded)

The Alconian Keys listen politely to President ab Iaeuf as she makes her 'apology' it is the Senior Key that responds.

"Our loyalty to the Federation has never been in question. As for staying on Parliament Hill,. or even staying in Port Olympus , we will do as instructed by Thunderbay."

He has no more to say on the subject.

The President's missive was replied to quickly, though probably not in the manner she had hoped.

To: The President of Klatch
From: Resident Secretary, Office of the Outer Ministry

M. President,

At this time the Lord Vaad will not consider a meeting until Parliament has been seated and has the resolved the issue of the illegal actions of several of it's member states.

The Government of the United Duchies has repeatedly attempted to meet with you as well as Ambassadors of other member states previously to resolve these issues and foster an environment in which such face to face meetings may be possible. These overtures have been ignored and the security situation within in the Klatchia has declined to such a state that the Lord Vaad does feel that neither He nor his Loyal Servants may safely travel outside of the United Duchies.

Lord Harnax, The Outer Minister, has informed me that if you do have any details that you wish the Lord Vaad to be aware of, or have any issues that you feel requires the Lord Vaad's immediate attention, you may discuss them with the Keys of the United Duchies as they are empowered to speak on His behalf with Federation Authorities, that is of course if they are released.

If you truly feel as you have stated, that the Blessed Kingdom of Dyelli Beybi will not honor it's Federation obligations then it is the duty of your office to enforce Federation law by means that are legally appropriate with the consent of Parliament and the aid of Federation Members as appropriate.

We humbly await action by The President and Parliament.

Respectfully,
Sir Nigel Hawes
Resident Secretary, Outer Ministry

Brinksmanship had worked with the Vaadians , with the help of the Lord Vaad, but Caroline finds that as with the Crawfords, the Lord Vaad and the United Duchies did not respond well, they did not respond well at all.

*****
Cyro

The Ambassador is barely concious and barely even able to talk, all he can mange to say to the mysterious figure is:

"M'Lady should you untie me I doubt very seriously that I shall be able to walk, much less escape."

OOC: I forgot about York..........

York

Sherwin chuckles "I know I'm an admitted assassin and a former mercenary, but I wasn't talking about 'underhanded violence' what I did mean is an action against a member of the telau , highly placed, and in rebellion against you and the state being detained and put on trial for treason. A smash and grab. I think that if you could prove that their safety depended on your good will, they'd be much easier to negotiate with."

He pauses and shrugs "I'm not saying send in ninja assassins to jab him with blowfish poison needles and drown his family in a well, I'm saying a 'police action', a raid as it were. That is if you have people that can do that?

I guess I also can't comment on the Junta, if you trust them, you trust them. So far they've only managed to impose martial law, get into a mexican standoff with Vrak and shoot down diplomats, not exactly brilliant."

"I'm just brainstorming. I've got quite a bit of different experience than you do, maybe it can help to look at it all a bit differently?"

To: The Government of Alcona and Hubris
From: President C. ab Ieauf
Subject: "Federation law"

Being as you seem unfamiliar with the Constitution you are claiming to uphold, I will elucidate you on that matter.

Article 1, Section 10 of the Constitution States,
"The Parliament shall not interfere with each States right to grant titles of nobility; keep troops, or ships of war in time of peace; coin money of gold or silver to pay debts; enter into any agreement or compact with another state; legislate laws upon its own citizens; or interfere in the governance of each State."

According to the precedent set during the 2nd and 3rd Dyelli Beybian Civil Wars of which your own keys were pivotal in the creation thereof, there are no grounds for intervention in a State engaged in civil unrest.

This is in keeping with Article 5, Section 1C
"A State may have any type of government that does not attempt to violate the sovereignty of other states."

And Article 5, Section 6B
"The States shall not: Interfere in transition of the government of a fellow state; unless by birth, law, or marriage they have rights and interests in the government of said State."

As regarding the detention of 'Diplomats' in Dyelli Beybi, may we draw your attention to Article 5, Section 5A-D
"A) It is the duty of each citizen of the Federation to behave under the legal code of the State in which they travel and reside.

B) Each State has the right to try and judge a citizen of the Federation who has violated the Law within their territory.

C) A citizen of one state may appeal the decision of a State Court to a federal court if said citizen is not of the state they were tried in.

D) A citizen of the Federation has the same rights as a citizen of the State."

As it is written in the constitution that your predecessors wrote, a citizen of Alcona and Hubris is Dyelli Beybi is bound by Dyelli Beybian law.

The incident regarding the aircraft was entirely legal under the 'Aeronautics Safety Act' which requires aircraft to avoid military no fly zones and comply with flight plans relayed by an air traffic controller, which is applied to military personnel in absence of a registered air traffic controller.

As you should be well aware by this point, 'Counter-terrorism legislation' inherrant in the 'Counter Terrorism Act' has been used to detain the so called 'Diplomats'.

As for the return of bodies, you may lodge an application with the High Court, you may not threaten military action against another State.

Furthermore, if you wish to meet with a representative of a State or my person it is your duty to organise such a meeting. Claiming that I, the President of Klatch have not been open to a meeting is frankly a downright lie and I will not hesitate to sue you for defamation if you continue to publicly declare so.

__________

In Cyro the Ambassador seemed to have been left in the care of someone who had a genuine humanitarian streak. She laughed at the 'M'Lady', "That wasn't quite what I asked, but it will do."

She knelt behind him, cutting him loose, "Now if I were a Djel I would have taken that comment as a threat to my authority." she chuckled, "Come on, I'll need you to put in a bit of effort; you're far too heavily for me to lift on my own."

She was a typical small, slender Dyellian from what could be told in the darkness, not especially strong, but doing her best to get the Ambassador standing, "You're bloody lucky." she whispered close to his ear as she stood, "This base has been taken over by the management of Skori Eriksson, he's Ljósálfar. Part of a positive discrimination program to advance minority species."

Down the corridor seemed to be some kind of bathroom area. Everything was pitch black, although the Ambassador would probably get the sense there were others in the corridor. The unnamed Chekist would bathe him, dress him in clean pyjamas, then move him to another cell, although this one had a bed, toilet facilities and a television. She turned the light on as they entered, the first time the light had been on in her company.

She was a fairly typical looking Dyellian, fine boned features, black hair and dark eyes, nothing that would mark her as unusual. Although her face carried an unmistakable look of deep empathy, which was definitely unusual among Chekists. Carefully she laid him down on the bed, "I'm going to get you some food." she declared, "When I come back I hope we can talk, because we need to, if you need the sleep or just don't want to I can come back tomorrow and we can talk then. The sooner we do talk though, the sooner I can report back to Mr Eriksson and the sooner we can release you or lay charges, at which point you can appeal to a Federal court... either way you will be better off."

She came back some time later with what seemed to be a bowl of apple puree and a big glass of water, "I thought maybe we shouldn't start you off on solids. Lord knows what it would do to your stomach."

She paused, waiting for the Ambassador to start talking before unexpectedly launching into politics, "To a human, this provoking of other states is all fun and games, but you have no idea how terrifying it is for the minority species. We know how you Alconans treat Orcs and Ljósálfar; like cattle. The Var eat them, they eat people and only the Dyellians have ever said it was wrong, only the Dyellians and Benjians have ever given them citizenship... and the Ljósálfar only got that just recently. It isn't like the humans here aren't bloody racist, but at least the minority species are protected."

"Anyway.... I'm ranting." she smiled apologetically, "I need you to tell me everything. Who you report to, what you report on, what you role is, why the Djels might think you are a Vaadian spy... basically, don't leave anything out and there is nothing people can later claim you are trying to hide."

__________

OOC: Will post more later

To:The President of Klatch
From:Resident Secretary, Office of the Outer Ministry
CC: Chancellor Hume, Lord Hull, Lord Harnax.

Whilst your cherry picking of the Constitution to fit your current needs you seem to have left out the very important:

G) States may engage in diplomacy war; issue letters of marquee and reprisal; as long as such actions are not against fellow States, nor the interests of the Federation. Such actions may be nullified by Parliament.

H) All States, as members of the Federation, shall be charged to protect each other from invasion and inter-state violence.

Section 2. Any State that endangers the Federation with its military activities shall have, under the orders of Parliament, their military rights attainted and placed in the jurisdiction of the Privy Council.

Far from protecting it's Federation Neighbors the Blessed Kingdom has attacked the United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris. First by killing citizens of the United Duchies and second by seizing territory of the United Duchies. The laws you cite that you say 'allow' these actions and the actions of seizing Keys of the United Duchies are irrelevant as they are patently unconstitutional.

The United Duchies IS a Federation State, it has not been impeached or removed from the Federation by an act of Parliament and the President and as such attacking an Embassy of a Federation State defies the intent and the word of Federation law and is quite coincidentally, an act of war.

I would love to debate with you the Constitution and Federation law in it's whole, but the fact remains that the United Duchies is a Federation State, protected by the Constitution, it does not matter whom the government of Dyelli-Beybi is, or how they have come to power what remains evident is that they have attacked a Federation ally, without provocation.

Add to this the territorial incursions by the Glorious Kingdom and the Blessed Kingdom, again without authority, and your 'constitutional' arguments stand on their head. With respects to your ridiculous threats of a libel suite, we know that you know that when you illegally detained the Alconian Keys they were in contact with your office attempting vainly to meet or to at least speak with one Caroline ab Iaeuf, whom we have on good authority is President of the Federation. The only libel would be if you are not her, and are not President of the Federation.

This correspondence is pointless, you have the power to rectify the situation, or at the very least to allow Parliament to debate and vote on a solution, by any reading of the Constitution, this is your responsibility. Your delaying tactics via this argument only belies that you lack the will to carry out the duties of your office.

PLEASE direct your future correspondence to the Offices of the Keys of the United Duchies in Port Olympus.

Sir Nigel Hawes
Resident Secretary, Outer Ministry

The message was CC'ed to Chancellor Hume, Lord Hull and Lord Harnax. A message was attached from Lord Hull.

Direct communications from Federation to United Duchies to Count Stenton,Senior Key to the Federation Parliament for the United Duchies.

The President, as in the past, may at anytime enjoy the courtesy and protection of The House of Vaad. Lord Vaad will not travel to Port Olympus, vis-a-vis security issues with traveling through or near Dyellian territory.

P.S.
Sir Hawes, do not quibble with those above your office.

Sebastors Alcidias Nikopol
First Tribune
Lord of Hull

The matter was obviously not going to be dropped until it was aired in publicly Parliament. The Lord Vaad knew that Caroline and the Junta had no good excuse for their actions, other than their treasonous paranoia and they would either have to apologize for it, or admit to it and seize control of the Federation.

Of course seizing unfettered control of the Federation would leave the United Duchies and the Glorious Kingdom of Vrak to chase home Dyellian forces free and unfettered and to seize Federations lands unopposed. After all, the Federation would only be Port Olympus and Dyelli Beybi, and then it would just be Dyelli-Beybi when the Walvrak's decided that Port Olympus was theirs.

*****
Cyro

The Ambassador went along walking as best he could. He listened intently and said nothing. He drank some of the water and ate some of the apple sauce before finally talking.

"I have no statements to make other than what I have already said to my previous torturer." He pauses and shakes his head. "You are fools. The Lord Vaad was prepared to follow to the letter the odious treaty with the Free Republic which also gave the sub-humans you call 'minorities' rights as sentients under Federation law."

He looks very angry as he continues.

"All you have done now, is to prove to the man that you Dyellians, your President and your minority allies are only after seizing land and power and destroying the Federation. I only spoke with the Regent but once, his idealism in our 'Federation Allies' was annoyingly obvious, hopefully now he sees what Chancellor Hume has been trying to tell him all along. He thought he could speak directly with you as equals."

He stops talking and then just laughs bitterly.

Port Olympus - Vrakian Quarter

"Certainly ser." the reporter said with a smile. With luck, he'd be able to get CTN to buy this one off him... or one of the minor ones. He signalled to the cameraman to resume filming.

"Here with me now is Captain Tekio of the 3rd Baekgunin, who has kindly offered to make a statement to the press. Captain, welcome to Combined Dakiska News."

The reporter had learned English under a British tutor; he pronounced the Vrakian words with only a trace of BBC-esque accent.

**********

Arn-Maciska - Ministry of External Affairs

"It's your ladyship, actually, but no matter," Valdir waved it away. "The Conclave may not rule the way you hope, but it's smarter not to speculate."

The Ambassador's ethnicity didn't escape the Minister, who was vaguely amused.
"Possible causes, and fixing them, aren't my responsibility. Keeping their consequences from annoying my colleagues so much that they are compelled to call upon the Defence Minister, is," despite the hard words, the tension was continuing to drain. "You've done a good job arguing me out of deporting that mob en masse. But Cy'rho really needs to stop doing this. We are a patient people, but even we have our limits," now the Minister just looked and sounded very tired.

"We don't want to scrap with Klatchia," she pinched the bridge of her nose. "We'd like to trade, honestly, and have tourism, and mutual relations. The only two nations that return that sentiment are Vrak, and the Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad."

**********

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant

Valnard searched the fox's face for a moment before smiling himself; he was not familiar with Sir Ozy's species.

"Please, no thanks are necessary. We are happy to share our table," they seemed to be a signal; behind him several of the staffers snagged their own loaves and began dividing them. The Nachxa found the young woman who'd brought it in offering him some.

Stewards were dispensing drinks; simple fizzy drinks by the taste and smell.

"Well, Sir Ozy," Valnard began, but was cut off as a young man hurried into the room and whispered urgently in his ear.

"No, really? They have?" the Ambassador sounded utterly bemused.

"It seems," he turned back to his two guests, smiling slightly as if not quite sure what was happening, "that the Vrakian army has decided to march into the city. The President and KNG forces have retreated to Parliament Hill." he paused a moment to consider. "You both, of course, are safe and secure in your persons here; under the protection of the Emperor, long may he reign. We can have someone go to fetch any important persons if you wish.
"And the Vrakians know that any attempt to remove you by force, or violation of the Embassy, will be taken as an act of aggression by Arn-Maciska," he paused to dip his bread in the oil and then the vinegar. "Not a desired outcome," he popped the morsel into his mouth.

**********

Arn-Maciska - Kingsgrange Mansion
The First Minister leaned back in her chair, chewing a mint thoughtfully. Somewhere south of Shielas and Bruces the Die'hreck battle group was cruising along, while the San' Angelo was doing the same to the west of Klatchia.

Sir Edmund Foxworth had described the Klatchian President as "canny, but law-abiding", and deMaiska had planned accordingly; both fleets were in international waters at present, and there they would remain.

She glanced at the image in front of her. It would be nice, she mused, if she could have some sort of live display, like in those games her children played. It would be equally nice if she could actually bring herself to care what the three people in front of her were yammering about.

To:Resident Secretary, Office of the Outer Ministry
From:The President of Klatch

We in the offices of the President are unaware of any attempts for communication. We are also unaware of any Dyellian troops occupying Alconan territory. Claiming the shooting down of an aircraft illegally flying in a no fly zone cannot be reasonably interpreted as an 'attack on a Nation'. Furthermore your insistence of the validity of so called diplomats is patently ridiculous. A Klatchian citizen cannot be a diplomat to a different part of Klatch. It is simply illogical.

If Alcona and Hubris does not cease its sabre rattling and spreading of false information we will be forced to initiate a vote of military attainment. Alcona and Hubris is not above the law and rogue actions as well as the continued display of contempt for Federal authority must be taken seriously.

Regards,
I Delgado.


__________

"You're angry." the Commisaar smiled apologetically, "I can understand that, but if you can't give me some kind of statement I can't file a report and I can't let you go, which is a little irritating for me and probably damned unpleasant for you."

"Listen, if you change your mind or would like to call a solicitor just give a shout at the door."

"By the way. We are not 'allies', we're citizens. I'm suprised you didn't notice, but then again I don't think you have Hardmandle in Alcona and Hubris, certainly not granted any kind of rights as citizens." she looked ever so slightly crestfallen by the fact she had been mistaken for Dyellian.

"I'll be back tomorrow, or if you want me between times. Rest, hopefully you'll be ready to talk then."

__________

York

The Tzarina opened her mouth to respond, then laguhed instead, "Alright, I'll buy that. I do tend to get carried away with my own views a bit... as illogical as they might be."

"I could try something like that, but it would be a fair trial, no a kangaroo court. If we do anything it will be totally unimpeachable, undeniably just." she nodded in satisfaction, "And none of that rendition business, I don't want to be someone who kidnaps her opponents in the middle of the night. It must all be above board."

"I guess you are right about the Junta as well to a degree, they have behaved somewhat unusually, although if we were unified I would have authorised the move against Vrak. Someone has to put a foot down if the Federation is too timid."

"I am of course making my own moves to reunify." she added conspiratorially, "Thidrek Vasa is a very useful ally in this."

Claudia Black nodded, "Thank you your honour. I will be sure to notify whatever the Government of Dyelli Beybi turns out to be when this fuss is all over."

"I understand there is a rather politically incorrect book being published by a Benjian Psychological Anthropologist entitled 'The Ethnopsychology of South Klatch: Why we are who we are'." she added, going off on something of a tangent, "One hopes it might allow people some kind of understanding into the psychology of the peoples of my homeland being as everyone outside of their borders seems to find us quite impossible to deal with."

"I am glad I have managed to convince you on the matter of the Dyellians here, they are after all still people, no matter how unfair, irrational or downright offensive their leaders might be."

"I will say no more on Ilek-Vaad." she added diplomatically, "Perhaps the ease of your relationship with that nation is a response to the increased distance between you... and the fact that just about their closest neighbour is a Dyelli Beybian Semi-Autonomous Region."

Now Valdir was distinctly amused.
"I'm not a judge," she murmured.

"We shall certainly explore research options," she said in normal tones, her eyes finding the Ambassador's. "We do find your homeland's constant instability... aggravating. But then again, you've seen the Covenant. The two Latûrs scrap at each other constantly in their never-ending dynastic dispute, but apart from that, the Pax Imperia remains." Something in her tone indicated that patience was running out with said dynastic dispute. Research would show it had been going on for three centuries.

"As regards the Free Republic... they're scarcely further from us than you are. Despite their stiff-necked nature, and their discomfort with the role of God in our Instruments of Government, they are able to address concerns in a pragmatic and reasonable manner. For example," her mouth quirked, "they signed and ratified a non-aggression pact with us, and you, the Federation, did not. I hardly need tell you that that little thing went over well on The Hill," she paused to moisten her throat from the thermos.

"We are a patient people though," she offered. "Take your time sorting out your government. Your governments. We'll still be here when you're done. But we will look after our own interests first."

"The votes were annonymous, although I would give the credit to that little debacle to our friends in Thunder Bay." the Ambassador grunted in reply to the talk of the non-agression pact.

It was something she knew had highly irritated the President. The debate had been positive save for the Alconans, but once the votes were counted it had suddenly swung the other way and the States were against a Non-Agression pact... not that she had been with the President's staff during that time, "Perhaps if it the will of the Covenant we will have the opportunity to attempt to push that treaty through again at some point in the future."

__________

In Port Olympus the KNG was busily barricading itself onto Parliament hill. The President it would seem had abandoned her offices for the time being, instead moving among the KNG troopers chatting informally and generally trying to raise spirits. Nobody knew exactly what the Vrakians were up to, but they were prepared for the worst.

Outside a Pub in York

"There's not many pubs here, Shiel" Bruce commented with the sheer amount of people in the place he'd expected there to be at least 10x the pubs. Not that there were none around, by most standards it was an appropriate amount but for those from the Free Lands of Shielas and Bruces this was as sparse as the outback.

"Imagine trying to find the right one if they weren't this sparse, dear" she responded "but we're here now so let's go in and meet this guy."

They entered the pub and both ordered a couple of drinks before they sat down they were told to find a corner booth. And so they did, they sat down and started some small talk between them waiting for whoever they were to meet to arrive.

To:Resident Secretary, Office of the Outer Ministry
From:The President of Klatch

We in the offices of the President are unaware of any attempts for communication. We are also unaware of any Dyellian troops occupying Alconan territory. Claiming the shooting down of an aircraft illegally flying in a no fly zone cannot be reasonably interpreted as an 'attack on a Nation'. Furthermore your insistence of the validity of so called diplomats is patently ridiculous. A Klatchian citizen cannot be a diplomat to a different part of Klatch. It is simply illogical.

If Alcona and Hubris does not cease its sabre rattling and spreading of false information we will be forced to initiate a vote of military attainment. Alcona and Hubris is not above the law and rogue actions as well as the continued display of contempt for Federal authority must be taken seriously.

Regards,
I Delgado.

A short message was sent in reply:

To: The President of Klatch
From: Lord Hull

Your position is ludicrous. Embassies are sovereign territory. The only sabre rattling being done is by the Blessed Kingdom of Dyelli Beybi in moving their forces toward the Eastern Marches and the Glorious Kingdom forces moving beyond their borders into Federation Territory and now Port Olympus.

Your words do nothing to help any of these matters or to resolve the issue of murdered and kidnapped Alconian citizens.

I assume now that the President's initial missive of cooperation was simply a delaying tactic. It has not worked. The Presidents insincerity and inability to execute the duties of her office has been noted.

Lord Hull.

Meanwhile the Alconian Keys having been returned to their residences on Parliment Hill have cleaned up and received instructions from Thunderbay they do two things.

AGAIN they contact the Office of the President and request a meeting.

They then contact the Vrakian keys, and they then request that the Vrakian military also move to fortify and protect the Alconian quarter.

*****
Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant

Sir Ozy's face is like that of any feral fox, except cleaner and much better kempt. The alieness of his facial movements and expressions make it very hard for humans to gauge exactly what he was feeling their are no non-verbal clues in his face that men can recognize, it adds to his inscrutability.

The Nachxa accepted the bread with a nod and looked up as the messenger entered and Ambassador Valnard announces the moves by the military of the Glorious Kingdom. Sir Ozy looks unconcerned and shrugs, his large ears bobbing as he does.

"The Glorious Kingdom is simply reminding us that Port Olympus, while the capital of the Federation, is in Vrakian territory. I am sure that the seizure of the Alconian Keys by the Klatchian National Guard, whomever they may be, gave them reason to protect their own keys.

It is of no concern, if I had a Kronor for every time Port Olympus was encircled or entered by Vrakain forces..........." He pauses and smiles with amusement " I would own Port Olympus."

The Nachxa chuckles " I have been in Port Olympus twice. Vrakian tanks have rolled in, twice."

Sir Ozy nods to The Nachxa and then to Ambassador Valnard "I will contact the Vrakian keys, after we have finished our tea."

*****
Cyro

The Alconian Ambassador had and has nothing more to say, the entire embassy staff in Cyro has been briefed and prepared for the fact that they may eventually end up with a Cheka bullet in the back of their head and then a meal for the crocodiles or in a shallow grave in the desert.

Only volunteers without family and with military experience were posted to Dyelli-Beybi.

******
York

Sherwin nods "Well, I don't know how trials normally go, but of course the cleaner it is the better it will be for the purposes of imposing law. You need someone that can walk in, in broad daylight, announce who they are and why they are there, and then have the muscle to absorb the hardware hurled at them and still detain the target alive."

Sherwin frowns "But again about Thidrek , how far can you trust him? I'm sure he and his cadre would be pleased to have a captive Tzarina just like the telau."

OOC: Very brief. I need to do some catch-up here but I have to go to work in about 10 minutes.

IC:

Port Olympus - Vrakian Quarter
"Here with me now is Captain Tekio of the 3rd Baekgunin, who has kindly offered to make a statement to the press. Captain, welcome to Combined Dakiska News."


The Captain looked quite uncomfortable being in the spotlight with a reporter and camera focused on him.

"Ah..er...actually, what I meant was that I can get someone to make a statement. Not meaning me, actually. Can you please wait a minute?"

The Captain nodded to the reporter and smiled at the camera. Then he turned and spoke briefly in harsh, gutteral Vrakian into a cellphone type device that he smoothly extracted from an outside breast pocket. The five soldiers stood behind Tekio but didn't make any sudden moves to alarm the reporters.

The Captain nodded repeatedly to the voice on the other end. After a few minutes, he turned back to the reporter and said,

"I can take you to our Colonel and you can speak with him. Please follow me."

====

Ilek-Vaad

Joe Irok just put down the phone when a pretty secretary entered. She looked stressed with the ongoing events since she had friends and also a boyfriend in Port Olympus. Joe merely nodded and read the note she handed him. Sighing, he picked up the phone again and contacted his Alconian Key counterpart .

OOC: When I'm wearing THIS hat, I'm Alcona and Hubris, and when I wears THIS hat, I'm Ilek-Vaad! This is giving me a headache..............

IC: Port Olympus: Vrak

Mr. Irok was passed quickly along to Count Stenton, the Senior Key for the United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris.

"Mr. Irok, how pleased I am to get a hold of you. We have just been released by the 'Klatchian National Guard' although they claim that they had warrants, they never produced any or charged us with anything. "

He assumes the Vrakian knows that they were detained.

"I see that your government has taken the prudent step of securing the Vrakian Quarter. I am calling to request that Vrakian forces be sent to secure the Alconian area as well. I would be requesting additional Royal Marines but unfortunately we have transport issues what with the Dyellians declaring open warfare on our aerial vehicles.

I have spoken with The Regent and he has informed me that he would consider it a personal favor if his Cousin Monarch, The King of Vrak, would graciously protect us in our hour of need. He, and all of us here would be in the King's debt."

To: Lord Hull
From: Offices of the President

You do not have any embassies in Klatch. Premises labelled 'embassies' are not sovereign territory. Upon joining the Federation you surrendered this right. You are not independent. You are a State of Klatch. Your land is the property of the Federation as detailed in the constitution and your citizens are citizens of the Federation. You are a State, not a Nation.

I.Delgado,
Secretary to the President

__________
Port Olympus
The Alconan Keys were informed that the President would see them in the oblong office, although they were left to find their own way there.

__________
Cyro
After giving some time for the Alconan to make a statement it became clear the Cheka were running out of patience. This time he was dragged before Skori Eriksson, someone of definite elven extraction from the ears jutting out from the sides of his cap. He was tall in comparisson to the Dyellians who surrounded him, with striking blue eyes.

He didn't look up as the Ambassador was dragged in, apparently absorbed with balancing a dagger on his finger, "Are you a Christian 'Ambassador'?" he asked.

With a deft hand motion, he flicked the dagger up allowing it to come down and embed itself, quivering, in his desk, "You are a most irritating man. You won't admit guilt, and you won't admit innocence either, which tends to make me think you have been sent here deliberately to destabilise the Government through forcing me to keep you detained... either that or you have suddenly been struck mute. There are people who think we made a mistake in detaining you... but as I am sure you are aware, I am obliged to hold you until you make a formal statement. "

"In lieu of your behaviour I have one question for you..." he paused to wrench the dagger out of the woodwork, "Do you believe that you are the son of God?"

There was a feeling this was a man who did things by the book... but who also made the book sit up and dance when it pleased him.
__________
York
"I don't have anyone like that unfortunately." the Tzarina grimaced, "It has to be clean. No police officers getting shot. The police are a strong symbol of the law and I need to be legitimate. I cannot seem like someone who disregards the process of law. For where is society when we do not stand by it?"

"No doubt you are right about Thidrek. But the difference is Thidrek's kind are not powerful economically and stand out like a sore thumb. About half the population would be fully behind a law to crucify all Elven citizens. After all, the ink is hardly dry on the documents that gave them rights, I could tear them up and be done with it... and I have Tomashenko to watch my back from interfering Ljósálfar."

Port Olympus

While the Senior Key was engaged on the phone with the Honorable Vrakian Key, the Junior Key made his way to the Oblong Office, taking a car from the Alconian Keys' residence and a pair of discreetly dressed Royal Marines, one for a driver and for an 'assistant'. Paranoid would understate his frame of mind, had he not had the order from Lord Hull , this would not be a trip he would have voluntarily made.

*****
Cyro

The Ambassador simply gave the elf and incredulous smirk "I have already made all the statement that I am going to make. Talk to my original torturer, I already told him what I am doing in what you quaintly call a 'country'."

"I don't have any further statements to make, as apparently you are incapable of understanding my previous statements, I wouldn't want to confuse you."

If the Dyellians had noticed, while the Lord Vaad and his men were remaining fairly civil, it was the Alconians that appeared to be building resentment and anger.

*****
York

Sherwin chuckles " I see, so you're saying something about honoring the process of law?"

He frowns a bit "Well, I hope that Tomashenko is good at watching your back? If you do need some heavies, I met some 'mercenaries' in Pyrrhus that were not happy about being mercenaries. I got the impression that if someone offered them a welcoming place for them and their families, they would do whatever it took to secure it.

They had a real problem with The Boss and Vagraa Straa in The Bad Hand, they saw looting, indiscriminate killing and general mercenarism as very distasteful. They are big, intimidating, loyal and, well, a thousand of them with badges would probably give someone second thoughts about starting a fight and let your police make some high profile arrests."

He shrugs "We can call them, and maybe you can make an accommodation with them?"

Arn-Maciska - Ministry of External Affairs

Valdir raised an eyebrow at Black's comments. She had harboured suspicions as to who was to blame for the treaty falling through, suspicions that had also found harbour in the minds of most of the Cabinet. To hear that others did too was quite interesting.

"I would have to consult my cabinet colleagues," she answered, "but there will be difficulties. You have two major challenges; the first is that the Federation's greatest ally in the Covenant, Lord-President Foxworth, is term-limited; he doesn't have much longer before the nations must elect a new leader for the Assembly. The second is the First Minister. Her Grace thinks it a better use of our time to approach Klatchian states individually, to make bilateral arrangements."

The unspoken sentiment was that way, we don't have to deal with the Alconians.

"Perhaps your best chance is next week, when you and your fellow diplomats are, by tradition, welcome to address the Assembly in Arn-Arakhan on subjects that concern our mutual interest. Depending on how you feel at talking to around three thousand people at once, that is."

**********

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant

Valnard's air of faint puzzlement receded slightly. Of course, the seizure of parliamentarians was bound to make leaders frown and order troop movements. He would be vastly surprised if deMaiska wasn't going to be showing some teeth in the direction of Port Olympus soon; Covenant embassies had been attacked in times of civil strife in the past, and no-one wanted to explain to the High King why one of his emissaries was coming home by air freight.

"That is proper then," he said aloud, "though one would think it more desirable if no such actions were needed..." his mood shifted, returning to the congenial host. "But let us talk of lighter things. Tell me, sers, have you ever visited the Covenant?"

Behind him the Colonel had quietly slipped out of, then back into, the room. He seemed alert, but relaxed. Additional refreshments were being set out; fruit platters and pastries.

**********

Port Olympus - Vrakian Quarter

The cameraman flicked a switch and stopped recording the instant the Captain explained.

"We aren't broadcasting live ser," the reporter said, "CTN would be the ones doing that," he nodded down the street at a distant clutch of media. "But yes, your colonel; please, do lead on."

The cameraman had lowered the camera; it was quite clear that they, being inside the military perimeter, wouldn't record without permission. That would be ill-mannered.

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant

Sir Ozy smiles sagely at Ambassador Valnard's first thought "Perhaps, in a perfect world." He then moves on " I try to travel as much as possible, but unfortunately my position requires that I stay in Port Olympus as much as possible." He wanders over and begins looking over the foods being put out, quite a lot for tea he thinks.

The Nachxa simply chuckles "I have passed through the Covenant, I'm afraid a few customs officers will never forget and possibly regret my travels through their posts.

Though they can hardly be blamed, what can I do if the last time I had a passport renewed there was a Tolteca Empire."

Sir Ozy looks up and regards Ambassador Valnard "And how do you find the Klatch?"

Port Olympus, the Oblong Office
The KNG present all over the place in black uniforms with red berets and kitted out for open war it would seem...

They were a stop gap measure. With the lack of a privy council a vote had been pushed through parliament to allow the president to personally command a 'police force' (being as the constitution specifically forbade the military being commanded by the President). They even did some police work from time to time...

At the door to the oblong office, a harried looking Lance Corporal stopped the Alconan Key, "Identity papers." he grunted in demand, waiting for their production before waving the Key in.

Inside the President was typing furiously, her desk a mass of paper work. She blinked through her glasses, then indicated the chairs set in front of her, "Please, take a seat. Now... as regards the detainment of yourself and others which may or may not have been unlawful, we are willing to settle out of court for the sum of 1 million kronors. Is that acceptable?"

__________

Cyro
Skori Eriksson, "Yes I thought I would get a response something like that. You see I think you are acting on some kind of impulse to matyr yourself, which is something I am not going to allow you the pleasure of."

"Now as for statements I have recorded 'death before dishonour', which as catchy as it may be as a song or perhaps a book title, does not constitute a statement."

"However." Eriksson sudddenly stood up, folding his hands behind his back, "According to the Novus Malleus Maleficarum you have, through your general obstructiveness managed to incriminate yourself of the crime of heresy."

He waved a hand dismissively to the guards, "Take him away and hand him over to the Inquisition for trial. I have in all good conscience given you every opportunity to state your innocence, which you have refused to do. My conscience in clear and I can wash my hands of this sorry affair. Good day."

__________

York
"I can offer your friends a salary and rent free accomodation, but if they are to be of any benefit they will need to take Klatchian citizenship if they aren't going to look like mercenaries. A mercenary army would make me look quite bad, and I need the public to like me."

"Anyway my friend, we have forgotten something very important; What are we going to do about you? Do you have anything in particular you would like to involve yourself with, or just be a general 'royal hanger-on'?" a slight shake of the head at the word royal showed she had never really got used to the idea.

__________

Agua Pura
Agua Pura was a major Dyellian city, and the Southern-most of the major Royalist enclaves in the Djel Valley. It was here that Maximillian Festus, a prominent Member of Parliament decided to visit, beginings to do the rounds of the town, speaking in small gatherings and large public audiences about the tyranny of the Tzars, reminding people of Richard IV, reminding them exactly who the Father of Alexia I was. The apple, in the opinion of Festus, did not fall far from the tree.

The Tzarina, he declared, was a tyrant who should be arrested and executed for treason, thereby erradicating the last blood of the Glawis dynasty and freeing Dyelli Beybi from its heavy yolk.

Meanwhile pro-Tzarist newspapers and television stations in Alexigrad, Bath, Welles, Sheffield, Palmgrad, Agua Sucia and numerous other small towns under Republican command were raided and shut down, their editors/directors facing trial for charges under the new 'Emergency Decree for Public Safety'. These effects were not felt in Cyro where the Junta was running the city as it saw fit (and to date had not seen the necessity to shut down any media organisations).

__________

Arn-Maciska - Ministry of External Affairs

"Indeed, I thank you for the suggestion." the Ambassador inclined her head politely, "I shall take that opportunity to speak on behalf on Klatch."

Truthfully, the idea of talking in front of 3,000 people terrified her, but it was her job. Failure to speak for Klatch would be a big mistake.

Port Olympus, the Oblong Office

The Junior Key looked positively shocked "One million.....................? I should say not. I believe the Lord Vaad would ask that Federation Authorities issue a public apology and a statement that the United Duchies and it's citizens are not 'terrorists' or 'Vaadian' spies."

He said without irony, even though he had used 'Lord Vaad' and 'Vaadian' in the same breath.

"I was lead to believe that you wished to discuss ending the current crisis constitutionally. You and your underlings keep mentioning that we should trust to the Federal Courts and the legal framework, yet no court is sitting. It's been nearly a year since we filed to challenge the 'Terrorist Laws' (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12998691&postcount=66), parliament hasn't been in session in months.........................YOU are co-opting every power for yourself!"

He was flustered by her offer of what he viewed as 'hush money'. He pauses to sit.

"Anyhow, good morning Madam President."

*****
York

"Well, quite, as I said they don't want to be mercenaries it's just what they've had to do to make a living. The only money you'd need to spend is transport costs. I believe they are in Syrique at the moment securing oil pipelines. They'd be pleased to become citizens of anywhere that wanted them I'm sure."

He pauses and blushes a bit rubbing the back of his neck "Well, uhm, Royal hanger-on would be fine, or personal pilot? I have to say that I joined whom I work for to change things, be a hero. So far the only time I ever felt heroic was jumping out of that window with you over my shoulder in Port Olympus."

He clears his throat and touches the side of his nose and winks "And anyhow, if I'm hanging around you it'll give me the best opportunity to 'deal with' the Junta leaders. You won't warn them will you?"

He doesn't seem to be taking his mission with the seriousness it probably deserves.

OOC: Forgot about Cyro................not sure how that happened. Who is Sheilas and Bruces' waiting for, they are in York , right?

IC:

Cyro

The Ambassador rolls his eyes at 'elf' with the nordic name.

"Malleus Maleficarum? Heresy? Inquisition? That's what you're using to justify putting a bullet in the backs of peoples heads nowadays and dumping them in a shallow grave in the desert?"

He laughs bitterly again as they haul him off.

IV(A&H) - Port Olympus


I have spoken with The Regent and he has informed me that he would consider it a personal favor if his Cousin Monarch, The King of Vrak, would graciously protect us in our hour of need. He, and all of us here would be in the King's debt."

Justin Irok listened patiently to Count Senton, his counterpart, nodding as the conversation progressed. He had his own personal feelings about the whole situation, one of them holding onto the belief of a strong, unified Klatch, preferably under the banner of a Vrakian president. Still, he was astute enough to recognize that not everyone shared that particular vision.

“I cannot make any guarantees as to the security of the Alconian quarter. As you know, the Kingdom conducts these measures due to necessity and not out of malice. However, I shall certainly pass along your concerns to the appropriate channels.”

He did not, however, say who that would be. Although the Vrakian keys were considered senior officials in the bureaucracy, they did not have a direct line to the King, but rather reported to the Senior Minister in the Ministry of Rites. Irok imagined that that particular walrus was drinking heavily nowadays.

==

Macisikan


The cameraman had lowered the camera; it was quite clear that they, being inside the military perimeter, wouldn't record without permission. That would be ill-mannered.


The Captain nodded and waved over his men. One man started up the Vrakian version of the Humvee (occ: I like to use Russian stuff. The Humvee being a GAZ 2975 "Tiger" and jeeps being the UAZ-469. I will likely have to search all of this when I put more info for my military.) and the captain climbed in, waving the journalists to follow. He casually turned to the lead reporter and asked them to turn off their cameras. He also asked for their names and proffered a cigarette. If declined, he would merely smile and then stick one in his mouth and start to smoke. The cigarettes were a cheap brand and were a bit stale. The other three hopped into a jeep and off they went, making their way out of the city proper and into more of the suburbs. Port Olympus was a huge city, covering a lot of area and it was highly developed. It was also quite old since it was a city of renown before it became the capital of the entire FKC.

Past a convoy of troop trucks and infantry fighting vehicles, the small party came upon a command post set in the suburb areas. It was actually a playground field next to an elementary school, explained the Captain. He was quick to point out that they were loathe to pick such a place but it did suit their needs. “No school today!” he laughed.

They cleared the checkpoint and then disembarked. They were surrounded by all matter of activity, and huge satellite dishes on mobile flatbeds were clearly visible, along with a spattering of anti-air defenses with their own radar systems. The Captain saluted and then spoke briefly in Vrakian to what appeared to be another captain. The senior officer, a human, appraised the media crew with a frown and with a curt head nod, motioned for them to follow. Beside a jet-black APC the frowning man, who introduced himself as Captain Kilotuy, went inside the camouflaged tent. Inside, a huge walrus dressed in a green vest with various medals and wearing a combat helmet was looking at his rather large laptop and turned his great head at the new arrivals. Also inside were two armed guards, a SOAT-bot, and some others who appeared to be technicians and other officers. They were going about their duties and paid no notice to the newcomers, save the guards who squinted at them. The SOAT-bot remained motionless the red “eye” in its forward visor flickered briefly.

Kilotuy gestured towards the walrus and said,

“This is Colonel Tekio of the 5th Man gunin, Middle South HORDE district.”

A brief exchange in Vrakian and the captain motioned to the chairs that were quickly set up for the Macisikanians.

Dyelli Beybi - Port Olympus - The Hill

ooc: I think my keys left the president…

ic:

While Justin Irok was in conversation with Count Senton, the other two Vrakian keys took their leave of the now stressed out and harried FKC President, at least in their estimation. One quietly remarked that he would not want to be in her shoes as they made their way to their respective office. As they sat, they began to formulate a plan.

-It is obvious that we need to contact James Dwight, the Air Marshal
-What of the Nachxa?
-What of him? He declined to meet with the Minister.
-And where did that fox go?
-Not sure. At least, I don’t know.

Eyes turned to Irok who was still on the phone. Out of the keys, he had the most access to the VIS.

-Well, when he gets off we’ll know. Likely somewhere in the Shades since I haven’t seen him on the Hill. Not that it really matters right now.
-Correct. Establishing contact with the Junta has to be done. What did the President say again, he was somewhere in the inner circle?
-I believe so…ah.

Justin hung up the phone, looking tired.

-So, where is the Nachxa? Inquired Montazuma.
-Somewhere in Port Olympus. A shrug. -Meeting The Nachxa we think. Besides, we have to find this Dwight.
-Right.
-Which means, us two will have to go. Forgive me, but you won’t be able to keep up.
-I may be exactly what the junta is looking for. A walrus stands out more than a human.
-Not so much in the Klatch. And we really don’t need a lot of attention at the moment.
-Forget the cloak and dagger, Justin. We just need to met him, not slit his throat or anything so dramatic.
-I didn’t say anything like that. But we do need someone here, and you are the senior key Ju-Mak. You have more access and pull here.
-Very well. A sigh. -I’ll stay.

If a walrus could pout, he would.

-Let’s get ready. We’ll bring along a King’s Own and that should be enough.

In a few minutes, the three humans left the Hill, winding their way down to the inner circle in a black suburban. There were a few places to check out where a Junta leader could be. What made them wonder was why the President didn’t exactly say where he could be reached.

====

Rounding past the tip of Dukratus, or now known in Vrakian circles as Vrak-Durkatus, the four hunter/killer squadrons of submarines began to slowly disperse as they made their way into the Dark Sea. they had strict orders not to engage with fellow Klatchian state military but only to observe.

====

The HORDE commander in Vrak-Shiron sighed. How to compose a message to Sheilas and Bruces? What country only had one name for each sex? Were they really a hive mind like the People’s Anthill or Mallberta? He shuddered at the thought. Still, the HORDE district needed supplied and while mostly sefl-sufficient, they would not be able to continue a prolonged conflict. It was too soon and the land in Vrak-Shiron had not yet been put to maximum use.

His great head lolled to one side, as if in meditative peace. Then he spoke while the Dicta-Scribe wrote.


To: The Honourable President Bruce of Shielas and Bruces
From: HORDE Commander: Vrak-Shiron District
Message:

These past few weeks have been troubling times for the entire Klatch. I wish it were in better times that we were able to speak. However, rest assured that the Kingdom honours the state of Sheilas and Bruces and will vow to uphold your territorial integrity. As the situation is, we may required supplies from your state in order to maintain our combat readiness. There is no urgency in this request, but as the waves on the Klatchian Seas shift, so might our needs. Attached is a prioritized list of supplies that we require.

In friendship,

HORDE Commander: Vrak-Shiron District


He paused and looked at the message. He liked the Klatchian Seas part, fancying himself a poet. With a swat to the “send” button - off it went.


====

The Senior Minister of Rites brooded in his office. He really didn’t like the developments and was particularly unhappy about the comments made by Chancellor Hume. So he thought what could be done. Suddenly, an unexpected yet interesting thought crossed his mind…

Calarca...and Karmanyaka

Port Olympus, the Oblong Office

The President listened to the key in silence, allowing him to finish his venting before responding to the final part of his statement, "Good Morning."

"Now, as you are aware, there is no real Privy Council either, which means no JDF to keep the Federation protected... I am more than happy to make that statement." she conceded, "The monetary offer is to prevent potentially damaging civil suits being brought between Government bodies in Port Olympus... and none of us want that."

There was something in her tone, that statement was a test of sorts, "Now until we have more States willing to take an active part in the running of the Nation we cannot put together a Supreme Court, which I might add is of secondary relevance to a Privy Council."

"You find some people willing to take on the roles of State and Klatch can function as it was designed to. Until then I will continue to co-opt every power I damned well can to keep this country alive. And if I think for a second anyone is trying to undermine the Federation they will not live to see the morning."

__________
York

"I recall that quite distinctly." the Tzarina replied, perhaps a little hastily, "Thats why I like having you around, you knew me when I was just Alexia."

"I won't alert O'Booze." she confirmed, "But I will alert Vasa and Tomashenko, I don't particularly want you causing problems with someone I am negotiating with."

"If Collins appears you can have a shot at offing her, but not Lunchtime. I like him." she smirked, not bothering to conceal she thought anyone trying to assassinate Adelle Collins would be biting off more than they could chew.

"I should let you get some rest." she added enventually, "When something exciting happens you will be one of the first to hear. Oh... and if you can find some suitably audacious thing to pull off in this Palace I'll put you in charge of recruiting and building a unit of Special Forces... note that that does not include assassinating anyone.... oh and you can contact your friends, let them know York is open to passenger flights. Come civilian air we'll get them whatever gear they want when they get here."

__________

Cyro

The elf looked vaguely suprised, "No? Just wasting your time. Good day."

The Inquisition it would turn out was rather different from what one might imagine. Yes it didn't believe in a trial, but it didn't believe in punishment beyond imprisonment and generally treating the subject like a monk serving a moderately severe penance until such time as they chose to 'recant their heresy'.

Mr. Olson kept silent until Mr. Rogers fully exited the room and with the door closing behind him. Then, with a no nonsense air that was perhaps a refreshing break from the convuluted doublespeak being spewed earlier by used car salesman, he got down to business.

I'm assuming that since our Mr. Rogers has taken a personal interest in this endeavor that money is not an issue here. So we'll leave such details to the accountants. Here's what your kronor gets you - the best damned fighting force the Sketchan regulars can field on a sunny day. Make no mistake, my soldiers are not your standard mercenaries. These are full fledged Sketchan citizens, with top notch marks through basic training and outstanding duty during their obligatory service period. We sponsor all our officers to attend the Sketchan military academies on a rotating schedule. We do side work playing opposing force to the Sketchan troops during peacetime training. These are all people who want to be soldiers. The only difference between my troops and the government's troops is that somewhere along the line, those military psych doctors decided that mine weren't exactly motivated by an overwhelming sense of duty to the motherland. Personally, I think it was the food they didn't like. But here's what motivates them, and me; the shinest toys to play with at work, and money.

So here's what we expect from you - your respect for what we do. We'll accept almost any mission for the right price. But we won't be happy if we find out latter that someone tried to game the system with faulty intel. I'm sure you understand that we don't like it when our services are cheapened.

Now that you understand what we're all about, I'm sure you have a few things to tell me. Oh, and one more thing, I've been told that you'll be equipping our troops. Apparently, someone likes you, normally clients don't have the priviledge of avoiding our equipment supply fees or access to the same toys as us.

With his little speech done, Mr. Olsen sat back and waiting to here what the Vrakians were looking for. The details were unclear, but reports indicated something along the lines of a smash and grab. A nation like Vrak certainly didn't need to acquire such expensive services for something as simple as reinforcing the frontlines. Either way, chances are that the walruses weren't looking for another bunch of soldiers wearing the King's colors. Anonymous jobs had their own problems, namely the lack of protections normally afforded "official" service members. To say the least, it'll be interesting.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, in lands unspecified...

Major Thompson took into the tropical beach sunset. Refreshing he thought to himself. Indeed it was. Several meters behind him was the jungle, full of all sorts of poisonous reptiles and other annoyances. After a month of crawling around in wet rainforest, you started to get tired of it. Damn locals were too cheap to pay for proper equipment, I shoulda used my credit to bring in the suits afterall. At least for myself anyways... As was with all corporate enterprises, it was the people up top who decided if the task at hand was reasonable or not. Someone in some air conditioned office somewhere had thought it more "cost effective", meaning more profitable, to take on a job that was going to last weeks without using heavy equipment than to simply do it right within a couple of days. Sure, it was cheaper, but dammit, rebels are way easier to clear from some god forsaken rainforest when you can out equip them by several tech levels.

A voice broke through the major's silent rant - Major, we got a new job coming up.

Oh yeah? Where is it this time? In some artic circle wearing summer shorts?

Actually...maybe, but there's word that these guys are paying top dollar. So shorts...in suits.

Don't be shitting me, rich people have armies of their own to fight with. They don't need the likes of us to clean up their messes.

Well, no official word yet. But I heard its our friendly neighborhood walruses.

Oh...well we better start dusting off the big guns then. Its been awhile since we've been able to take the good stuff out for a spin.

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant
Whatever Valnard thought of the previous topic was lost beneath the surface. He didn't remark on Sir Ozy's lack of travel opportunities.

He chuckled in response to the Nachxa's comment. SIS had flagged the passport when the reports were relayed to Immigration that Friday; the closer they looked, the more it became apparent that someone importantf had been playing games. Fortunately, deMaiska had found the whole affair highly amusing, and aside from alerting relevant officials, wrote the whole thing off as an unfortunate misunderstanding.

Everyone else in the room just looked slightly confused, as if they didn't realise what the man was talking about.

"Next time, try to have one that's a little more current," Valnard said, his eyes twinkling madly. "Immigration would find it slightly awkward to detain you."

He turned at the question from the fox.

"An interesting mix of cultures you have here, Sir Ozy, a vibrant hybrid growing out of that mix, a curious political dynamic, against a political system that could be more robust..." the Primarch's tone was bland, the words cautiously tactful.

The food was a lot for afternoon tea, but Valnard's "afternoon teas" had a habit of lasting long enough to become "dinner", even if the guests themselves departed. At least one of the more junior staffers had already drifted through, snagging pastries en route.

**********

Arn-Maciska - Ministry of External Affairs

"The Secretary of The Assembly's office will contact you within the next few hours then," Valdir paused to drink from the mug again, while Sir Silvanas sat quietly.

"And with that Ambassador, I believe we are concluded here, for now," the mug shifted to the left hand as the right was held up, palm outwards.

"Bountiful fields, your Excellency," both gesture and statement were echoed by the Secretary. It was quite clear the meeting was over.

**********

Unclaimed Waters

The two Imperial battle groups were fast approaching the positions Arn-Maciska had set. The length of time from deployment to arrival had been ungodly -- one of the prime reasons behind the Covenant's peaceful disposition. It just took so damn long to get anywhere.

Vrak - Port Olympus

Count Stenton replied carefully to Mr. Irok "I'm not sure you understand, we are not concerned about the Glorious Kingdom's deployments in Port Olympus, we are requesting that they be expanded to include the offices and residencies of the Alconian Keys and staff."

*****
Port Olympus, the Oblong Office

The Junior Key nodded as he listened "There are no Consuls because Parliament has not been allowed to sit to elect them, we have suitable candidates to nominate for both Outer and Inner Consul, we have had no place to nominate them."

He looks at the President carefully "We know people who are prepared to step in and act to serve the Federation and it's Constitution, but not by co-opting vacant offices, but being elected as the Constitution provides."

*****
York

Sherwin nods and smiles "Oh, you'll always just be Alexia if you want to."

He pauses at her comment about passenger planes "What about civilian cargo planes? I don't think they will fit on regular commercial planes, and they would need their equipment, I don't think you have anything around here they can easily use.

I'll call them and see what they need."

He smiles and stands as she gets up to leave "I do need to rest, but if you do need me, it will be no bother if you wake me."

*****
Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant

The Nachxa grinned broadly at Ambassador Valnard's comments " Oh, if I travel now, I will use my Federation Passport."

Sir Ozy chuckles and smiles to Ambassador Valnard " Yes, the Klatchia is 'interesting'. If you live here long enough it can teach you great patience."

They both gravitate over to the food and tea. Sir Ozy looks over the food curiously and then turns to the Ambassador.

"I was wondering, what normally becomes of the leftovers, I should like to take them with me when I go. I have some friends that I'm sure are probably skipping their lunch and dinner and if it's no trouble." He raises his eyebrows in a quizzical manner, his ears perking up.

*****
Unclaimed Waters

Retaliatory Guard Fire Control in Tollan marked the positions of the Mackisicani naval assets near regional waters , the Naval Guard are alerted, but no action is deemed necessary at the current time. They are watched, but not hindered.

Arn-Maciska - Ministry of External Affairs
Ambassador Black hadn't the foggiest idea what the gesture the pair were making was meant to mean. Presumably this was about to be another moment where she put her foot in it...

She tried a deep bow of the head, hoping they would understand the respectful intent, "May your camels always find water" by God, what was she saying, she wasn't a D'Reg... sometimes words just seemed to march out of her mouth of their own accord, "Sir, Your Honour."

She retreated, somewhat thankful to have to have escaped. Saying a quick prayer of thanks (Dyellians were notoriously religious), she proceeded back to her car as quickly as dignity would allow. Now she had to start working on a speech for the big schindig she had volunteered to speak at. Somehow she had managed to actually influence people. To Black this seemed almost miraculous. It would have been a good feeling, were it not for the gnawing fear that Port Olympus might actually expect her to perform...

__________
Port Olympus
In the oblong office, the President swiveled on her chair, giving the Alconan a stern look, "You have nominees for both positions? I trust one is neither Alconan nor Dyellian?"

__________
York
The Tzarina laughed, shaking her head, "Responsibility, I am technically the 'body of the Nation' now. You know, people are already fussing about the fact I haven't popped an heir."

What she wasn't saying was the fact that if something happened to her there wasn't anyone else in Dyelli Beybi with something even approaching a claim to the throne, which could be problematic.

"Well I could... are these people particularly large or something?" she looked like she'd zoned out again, although typically she continued to talk on topic, "If you mean there's a lot of them and you're suggesting a faster way to move them in, I initially said use passenger flights as that way none of the other factions in the country can make a move to prevent their arrival as they potentially could if I laid something on for that specific purpose... Also it saves some work for us at this end since I don't have any cargo aircraft at the moment."

She stood, taking a moment to adjust the fencing jacket she was still wearing, "If you need me, just call... oh and don't forget my challenge."

"It's good to have you back Sir Sherwin." she smirked, "I will no doubt see you around quite a bit."

The Canal

The troops that actually deployed onto the canal numbered a little over 100, including the robotic SOATs. Which the regular troops were not particularly comfortable working with, even though some exercises were done together. The captain in charge of this particular operation grimaced as one of the soldiers blew smoke in the optic sensors of a nearby SOAT. -Don’t do that, he barked at the soldier, -For all you know, that thing will gut you where you stand if it thinks you’re attacking it. The soldier straightened up and clumsily saluted, generating a chuckle from his fellows and a silent stare from the afflicted SOAT. By Bok’s maw, thought the captain, I have a baek-gunin full of Nef herders, not commandos.

A few barks and the soldiers crouched down and then divided up into their respective groupings of ten, along with SOAT. They would advance down the structure itself, sending a SOAT ahead to scout out the location and when the all-clear was given, the humans would follow.

On the ground at the edge of the minefield, a combat engineering team was busy locating and diffusing the mines. It was slow work but a corridor was being created along the edge of the canal proper. Meanwhile, the gunships that accompanied the transport helicopters flew down the length of the canal to scout out the Dyellian fortification.

====

Off the Ozarkian coast

Along the coast, the Teeth of Ruin, a Hamas-class battleship along with a Kreml-class aircraft carrier and escort drew nearing to the coast. A Cyclops UAV, ironically a Federation built one, took off to pinpoint the Dyellians moving up the coast which the satellites reported. A helicopter just returned from its rounds, not sighting any Klatchian, Vaadian, or other foreign aircraft or subs. Still, the small grouping of ships were on high alert.

====

IV (A&H)


Count Stenton replied carefully to Mr. Irok "I'm not sure you understand, we are not concerned about the Glorious Kingdom's deployments in Port Olympus, we are requesting that they be expanded to include the offices and residencies of the Alconian Keys and staff."

“I do understand, Count Stenton, what your request is. The best I can do is pass it along but I can make no guarantees. When I get a response, I’ll be sure to call you immediately,” replied the Vrakian.

====

Port Olympus - The Hill
After the two junior keys left, the senior key, a walrus, decided that he should pay a visit to the President as soon as possible. He wasn’t hopeful on the others finding the Dyellian Air Marshall, even though it was crucial for the Vrakians to make contact with the Junta. He sighed and then sent an aide to the office of the President, asking for an audience at her convenience.

====

Port Olympus, the Oblong Office

The Junior Key frowns at the President "Madame President, we will present our nominees to Parliament for a vote as is required by the Constitution, rest assured that our nominees will meet the criteria laid out by the Constitution."

He wouldn't say anymore on that matter, it would be enough that none of The Loard Vaad's personal retainers could be nominated, lacking the requisite residency. Of course one could argue that Ilek-Vaad was part of the Federated Klatchian Coast geographically speaking, but that would be ridiculous.

"You can also rest assured that they are eminently qualified." He pauses "You don't seem to be eager on resolving these issues? Your communication to The Regent seemed to make the point that you agreed with his assessment that these matters should be resolved by the Federation and within the legal framework of the Federation? The extra legal activities of most of the states involved, and your office need to end if the Federation is to survive, intact."

*****
York

Sherwin nods and smiles "Well, they are a bit taller than I, just , uh, broader. Average commercial plane seating would not do. I can arrange for non-military transports if your people can get them cleared to land?

I'm already thinking about your challenge. I'll need some more information, but that can come later. Have a good evening and thank you."

He would then take a rest and then after a few hours set about contacting the appropriate people on his end.

*****
Vrak-Port Olympus

"Good, I just want to make sure we are on the same page, I do appreciate your time and thank you." Count Stenton said before letting Mr. Irok go.

Great Lassic (IV)

Oreik merely nods at the minister’s remarks. He blinks at Minister Codreaneau and Mr. Cherkess, as if trying to gauge which one is less creepy. He suddenly, if briefly, feels out of place and remembers that he is within a country that has had decidedly frosty relations with Vrak in the last few years.

“Ah, well, certainly. I will have to find a suitable military liaison from our end to staff Tollan. As for Ambassador Tancred, I think it would be best to contact our senior Minister of Rites although certainly the Ministry of War would certainly have their flipper in this. I’ll do what I can on my end to make a case for it.”

Jacob Uliko was quite enjoying the lobster and seemed not to mind the remark by Cherkess. In fact, it gave him pleasure exchanging witty remarks with other high up officials. Some would say that casual dinner banter revealed one’s inner feelings. Certainly the Vrakians clung to the belief that one’s true self manifested itself when consuming large quantities of alcohol, so he was careful not to drink much at this gathering.

“I admit, Mr. Cherkess, that this lobster is quite tasty indeed. A big believer in sampling a wide variety of different foods I say. Broadens one’s horizons, wouldn’t you agree?”

====

Port Olympus

Although the Vrakian keys weren’t informed, it certainly seemed that as soon as Irok got off the phone with Stenton, the Vrakian military that was busy securing their quarter would turn to the other quarters of the city. Port Olympus was big though and the units that encircled it now began to take over the main gates. It was duly noted that the KNG forces were pulling back and the Vrakians left them well enough alone. A dozen armoured personnel carriers sped towards the main airport while at least six transport helicopters also went in that direction. Certainly it would be pandemonium with civilians and whatnot trying to leave the city and the Vrakians have been, at the moment, allowing civilian aircraft access into the city.

However, one key access point was perhaps the weakest of all, Lake Olympus itself which, of course, connected to one of the grandest feats of engineering in the Klatch - the canal built by the Axe Wielding Maniacs.

Slowly but surely, the Vrakians began to spread throughout the city, although civilian traffic was not being halted and people were still free to go about their business.

====

Sketch

Akna Huryik and Kar Brykil grunted as Mr Olsen spoke. To the uninitiated, it would be indistinguishable as to which one was the walrus as far as grunts go. Akna was a big, big man, having been a former bodyguard in the Diplomatic Corps and his colleague Kar was on the large size as walruses go. Akna cast a sideways glance at Kar, who was likely inwardly salivating at the chance to see Sketchian troops…er….peace corps in action. Both were familiar with the Stalker units but it should prove interesting to see them in action.

“As of yet, the target that is under consideration is somewhat, well, elusive to say the least. As well, there may be more that one mission for your peace corps to pursue. Suffice to say, the entire situation in the Klatch is fluid to say the least so we are analyzing which target or targets would be the best to deal with. So we will endeavor to provide you with the best intel that we can. At the moment, all I can say right now is that there is one target in Dyelli Beybi itself and, quite possibly, one in Port Olympus. All depending on the situation.”

====

Port Olympus

“This is ridiculous,” complained Hugo to Justin as the stoic faced King’s Own drove the SUV in the inner circle. “The last place did not have the Dyellian. What do we expect here? That the Air Marshal James Dwight will be marching around with a sign on his back saying “Here I am! Pick me!”

“Patience. I passed his name onto the VIS. They will find a match sooner or later. Which means our agents will find him as well. As well, I found out that the Nachxa is with Sir Ozy, although I can’t tell you where for now.”

“Really?” exclaimed Hugo but Justin paid him no heed. Clever, he thought, that fox leaving the Shades and finding sanctuary with the Macisikanis. Undoutedly, that embassy would be surrounded by VIS trying to listen in on what was going on, although they would have to be very discreet. They had to find this Dwight character but soon. He gritted his teeth in frustration. He had to find some way to contact the Junta and stop this madness.

Vrak-Shiron

The HORDE commander looked over his messages. No response yet from his last communiqué to Sheilas and Bruces. Quite frankly, he wasn’t sure what to make of that. He was clear that his message was addressed to President Bruce. Perhaps it was President Shiela? He didn’t know what to think so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.

An aide walked in with a folder, bowed, and then handed it to the walrus.

-Ah, what is this about?
-Regular satellite sweep of Southern Klatchian Ocean. Detected a formation south of Sheilas and Bruces. Unknown configuration. Not Vaadian or Dyellian though.
-Outsiders, then.
-Quite possibly.
-Any matches with other foreign powers?
-Not that we are aware of.
-Very well. Send a hunter/killer pack to intercept. And sent another message to Sheilas and Bruces.

==

Within the hour, 6 sleek black submarines cast off their moorings and slunk into the sea, plotting a course for the Die'hreck battle group. It would take them some time, even though they were cruising at least 20 knots.

====

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant

The VIS was being extraordinarily careful not to alarm the Macisikani, since they were viewed as a mediating influence. Still, that did not preclude the Vrakians from discretely setting up shop in about half a dozen nearby houses offering different views of the embassy itself. High powered cameras, directional microphones and even more advanced snooping/detection equipment was trained on the embassy with the hopes of finding out exactly what was going on. As well, there were at least two teams ready to follow anyone leaving the compound itself. The more senior officials didn’t have much hope since if Macisikan was anything like Vrak, the truly important meetings would be held in a bunker with a white noise generator. Some would ask, why didn’t the Vrakians simply send someone to say hello? After all, the two nations did enjoy excellent relations. Well, there was the Heisenberg principle to consider.

OOC: Illek-Vaad - yeah I have some guys in York. It doesn't really matter who they meet up with I didn't have anything organised and I didn't really have anyone particularily in mind.

Nulla Nulla - What passes for the Capital of the Free Land of Sheilas and Bruces

The phone rang, for Bruce it sounded like a volcano was erupting in his head and it felt like it too. He just groaned as he was forced out of bed to stop the noise wracking his very soul to the core.

"Bruce here.... got a great bloody monster a thing of a hangover... yeah... Vraks? .. oh ... Don't those navy Bruces, they have some Dinghy's down there, right? ... Good... and It better be a national crisis next time."

He crawled back into bed and tried to go to sleep again with a thobbing headache. It wasn't working. He didn't realise that there was a Vrakian message waiting for him... though Sheilas and Bruces didn't have a President.

This was the message that was sent in reply


To the HORDE guy in Vrak-Shiron

Sorry for the Delay, I had a corker of a party last night with a ripping headache. See what we can do for you, meat, crops, wool and beer won't be a problem. I'll talk to the Sheilas of the Sheilas Association and see what we can do.


Albany - South West Tip of S&B

"Yeah, we got some Dinghy's.. yeah, I'll send a few Bruces to have a look. Say hi to Sheila for me... see you then,then... catch ya, mate."

Their "Dinghy's" weren't actually dinghy's they were decent sized warships any nation would be proud to have. While it was foreign made that didn't really matter the Free Lands had a navy.

The single ship left port and meandered down towards the place where there was some kind of ship, eventually finding their location. They sent a radio message to whoever were there.

"I'm Cap Bruce, and this is my ship Dingo's Nuts, Just wondering who you are, Bruce Out."

Deep South Klatchian Ocean

Of the two fleets, the Die'hreck, flying the green, gold, and blue ensign of the Empire of Takuliyet over the Covenant's flag, was the smaller. Essentially of the same makeup as a typical US carrier strike group (albeit with more advanced systems), the group seemed quite content to simply remain in its area, well outside the Klatchian territorial limit, where it was conducting a series of manoeuvres against a computer-generated enemy.

The San' Angelo was twice the size of its cousin, and those ships flew the UIK's dark little square over the red-black-red of the Covenant. Upon arriving at its designated area, also beyond the nautical border, it divided in two, and began to conduct a series of wargames against itself.

Neither deployment bothered to hide its presence.

In Port Olympus, Ambassador Alexius Valnard sipped tea, made small talk, and waited to see if he'd be called upon to explain what Imperial ships were doing in international waters. Consul deMalara in Vrak did the same (though he preferred coffee), while (still-"Acting") Ambassador Créyan in Ilek-Vaad drafted a concerned letter to Valdir regarding the gender imbalance in the Covenant diplomatic presence in Klatchia.

Créyan then drafted and dispatched another letter, this one by bonded messenger, advising Sir Alec Connover directly of the Covenant deployments "as per our promise to keep each other appraised of developments affecting our mutual interests in our Non-Agression Pact." It was signed "yours in friendship, Edoud".

**********
Covenant Destroyer Inara Day, Die'hreck Strike Force
Aside from the XO snorting his coffee through his nose, the Covenant crew maintained perfect discipline when they picked up the transmission. Of course, they knew who it was; only one nation in all Klatchia would call a ship something like that. Casting a concerned glance at her red-faced 2IC, the Captain signalled a response.

"Good day, ser. This is Captain Keldra Itara of the Covenant of Macisikan destroyer CSS Inara Day," her English was spiced with accent, but her diction was precise and easily understandable, even over radio. "We are conducting a routine blue-water training exercise in this area," an area chosen specifically to be close enough to draw attention, but not inconvenience or threaten anyone.
"I believe you have travelled some distance, captain. Are you in any distress?" Itara didn't have to fake her concern. A lone ship this far out was usually in some sort of trouble.

**********

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant

Valnard's eyes twinkled with mirth while the other Macisikani chuckled appreciatively. They were fast warming to their guests.

At Sir Ozy's question, Valnard paused. In honesty, the question had never occurred to him before.

"Leftovers?" he glanced at a couple of the junior staffers, who blushed. "I don't think the younger staffers are familiar with the word." a titter ran around the room. "In most cases, back home, leftovers at functions like this are destroyed to comply with health regulations. But as long as you make sure it's consumed within 24 hours, and hold us harmless in case of food poisoning, the lawyers should let you get it out the front gate," the last was said with a smile. If he'd known what the VIS was up to, he'd have been laughing outright.

"But it is very good of you to be concerned so. Very honourable," others in the room nodded. Most of them, except the elderly Ambassador, appeared to be quite in awe of the Nachxa.

**********

(The Same)

VIS attempts to pick up anything of interest would be in vain; for the simple reason that Valnard was engaging in chitchat. He knew it was only a question of who would try to eavesdrop and when. The engagement was being held at an interior room of the Embassy, which itself was surrounded by heavy walls. As soon as his guests steered the conversation into serious waters, he'd gently steer them into a secure room.

Valnard's mission to Klatch was the third largest Covenant mission in the world, and it had an SIS presence to match. It was only a matter of time before the VIS was noticed.

The accent coming back was fairly strong but the Bruces always had trouble talking to foreigners and they didn't particularily know who.

"Just call me, Bruce, Mate. Can I call you Kenny? Anyway Kenny, Nah we're not limping, We're going all picnics and sunshine over 'ere. Speaking of picnic's we just happen to have some extra snags, Why don't we have a proper barbie somewhere, Whatch'ya think?"

The Brucian ship was not by any means disciplined, the nation had yet to go to war and people were doing their jobs but were more interesting in larking about with their mates. Which for the most of them were the entire ship,

OOC: Hopefully will reply tomorrow NZ time, sorry I buggered off for a few days. Had a lot of issues replying to anything tonight

Covenant Ship Of War (CSOW) Inara Day, Die'hreck Strike Force

Itara exchanged a glance with her now-recovered-XO. They'd been briefed on the Brucians by a very bemused set of MEA officials.

"Ah, I'd prefer "Kelly" please Bruce," she said. It was closer to Keldara after all... "As for popping over for a, ah, barbie, we'll just need to check our stores, and with the Admiral; he is the boss. Just a moment...."

While one of the other officers checked with the galley, the XO contacted the Die'hreck with the message. The response took a minute, but was an affirmative one; the Defence Minister, when dispatching the ships, had given the Rear Admiral discretion to "make overtures to the Brucians; including accepting hospitality." That said, the Rear Admiral was also interested.

Stores indicated that they had fare that could be contributed; although this was a Takuli fleet, Macisikani were the single largest group represented in the multi-ethnic officer corps (including the Flag officers), and the UIK customs dictated that a guest offer to bring something to the table.

Itara signalled the Brucian ship again.
"Hi Bruce, Kelly here; Flag says it's OK by them, but they'd like to come along. Is that a problem?"

The truth was that the Covenant didn't quite know what to make of the Brucians. The attitude was somewhat similar to the nonplussed reaction that cat has when confronted with a human baby.

To tell the truth the Shielas and Bruces of the Free Lands did that quite a lot they approached things from a totally different angle than most other nations. Which resulted in bemusement by people who never took the time to understand their mindset.

"That's great,Kelly they can come too, might give us time to get a proper Shindig happening."

There was one major problem, where to hold it? they could perhaps do it on the ships but which one? and then there was the problem that the swaying of the ship casued by the reasonably large waves, not to forget the issue of space.

No neither was a good option they had to do it on some piece of land relatively nearby yet shettlered enough to make a good destination. They pulled out a map and scoured the region there was a Island relatively nearby that had a large cove with a sandy beach that should be the perfect location. And as most Naval Bruces lived on the coast that meant they were almost all into surfing.

After making the decision collectively they sent another message to Kelly.

"Hi Kelly, Bruce here again. We can't really hold the barbie properly one on of the ships, so we're thinking of having it on an Island called Bruce's Beach Island. We're sending you the co-ords. Give us a chance to know each other better over a beer."

The Oblong Office (ATTN Shielas and Bruces, Vrak & IV)

When the Vrakians Key was to arrive they would be asked politely, but suprisingly forcefully to wait. The President it seemed was busy, but definitely wanted to speak to the Vrakians. On top of this a messenger had gone out hunting for the representatives from Sheilas and Bruces who apparently the President also wished to talk with.

Inside she raised an eyebrow at the talk of extra legal activity, "I do what is necessary for the survival of the Federation, so take it up with the courts."

It was something of a spurios comment considering there were no courts, "Anyway, as we have established; the KNG is perfectly legal, it is a Gendarmerie, a police force, not a military. As for the behaviour of the States, well, we shall have to see where these matters play out shan't we."

"I am not prepared to comment on my 'eagerness' to establish a judiciary. It is, after all a body which exists separately to the President. Whether it exists or not is not my responsibility, it is your responsibility as a Key of Parliament."

__________

Elsewhere in Port Olympus...

James Dwight, Air Marshall, was not actually that difficult to find. He was in fact parading around in a sky blue Dyellian airforce uniform although he was also constantly attended by a number of rather watchful Chekists, both of the uniformed variety and the variety who sat at the cafe across the road reading a newspaper but secretly packing a pistol.

The Air Marshall was short, slight, dark, pretty average for a Dyellian. Probably in his early 50s, his handlebar moustache begining to show hints of grey. He also seemed to be having a bloody good time in Port Olympus, mostly through abusing a large 'entertainment' budget... or as good a time as one could have with Vrakian tanks in the city.

__________

York
The Tzarina rolled her eyes as she left, "Either your friends have all suddenly contracted chronic obesity, or more likely we're talking about non-humans. As long as they don't regard any of the ones already here as lunch I'm sure we'll all get on just fine. I can get clearance for the planes."

Sherwin would have two days to compose himself before someone arrived with some rather interesting news. Maximillian Festus, MP for Cyro North had been aprehended trying to enter York. It seemed the Tzarina was planning to interview him and had asked Sherwin if wanted to come and observe.

__________
The Canal, near to the Coast

If the Dyellians could do one thing well, it was make a fort and shoot guns out of it. And this particular one was no exception. From the air the main base seemed to be existing Port complexes, however the main defence was a rather impressive star fort they had built to encircle the central complex (at least on the South bank of the canal where they were concentrated). Beyond this was a series of two trenches and beyond this barbed wire and well marked minefields which seemed to serve more to funnel potential attackers into choke points that to inflict casualties.

If the messenger knew anything the only places they'd need to look at were nearby pubs. It was at their third try that they found their quarry. He looked drunk, but it was hard to tell, the people of the Free Lands were always drinking.

This Bruce in particular was standing making a sort of speech, though it wasn't political he was speaking about "The one that got away", that's right a fishing story. The basic idea is that he managed to catch a whale shark with an itty bitty worm.

The plot basically went like this... He started fishing with the worm, and caught a small bait fish, knowing there's not point in bringing that in he leaves it on the line, another 30 minutes later another fish bite, this time, a much larger fish and he was just bring this larger fish in when the whale shark came and took it, "no bull, I'm telling you." He struggled against the big fish for another 20 minutes before he managed to get it under control. He was just lifting it up when suddenly the larger fish and the whale shark just slid off the line leaving him a rather tattered small bait fish and some torn fragments of the larger fish as it was ripped off the hook by the whale shark.

"G'Day Bruce!" the Benjian who had been sent to retrieve the Bruce called out in a fairly good imitation of the diction and accent of the Free Land, "She's a right ripper of a story you've got there..."

"Listen mate" he continued, some people might think he was taking the piss, but in reality he was just trying to be 'culturally sensitive', "Caroline, The President, really wants to talk to you, do you reckon you could spare a moment to swing by the Offices of the President?"

__________
York

In York Sherwin was about to be treated to quite a display from the Tzarina who it seemed had turned into quite a show off, "...I've got to hand it to you, Mr. Festus, we have played by all the same rules."

She was interviewing the MP in a drawing room. A pianist in a tuxedo played a jaunty little tune sat in the corner of the room. Festus himself, a balding man, short and broad, but with an immediately recognisable strength of body and character had been seated in one of three chairs around a low coffee table while the Tzarina paced about restlessly. There were two guards in the room; Black uniforms with red berets, a white dove emblem on the shoulder. They looked suspiciously like KNG apart from the ap Adam family logo on the shoulder.

"This whole situation reminds me of a song..." she cleared her throat giving a few bars which clashed with the pianist who obviously hadn't been informed the Tzarina was about to try her hand at impromptu karaoke, "I can't decide whether you should live or die, oh you'll prob'ly go to heaven, please don't hang your head and cry... no?"

Festus was not a particularly talkative sort it seemed, he simply glared at the Tzarina throughout the exchange. She pursed her lips, staring above his head, "Although I suspect you wouldn't lose any sleep over such a dilemma I am. I'm inclined to just release you, after all, without opposition who is there to keep me honest..."

"Mister Sherwin, your thoughts." she spun suddenly, putting the former pilot on the spot.

The Oblong Office

The walrus was unruffled at being asked to wait. In fact, he rather expected it, given the situation. He was quite sure that the actions of his government weren’t particularly endearing to the President and so he was mentally preparing himself for a dressing down by ab Iaeuf.

==

Elsewhere in Port Olympus...

-By the Oyster…is that him? exclaimed Hugo.
The SUV pulled over to the side to allow an IFV to rumble by. Justin Irok, the VIS trained key looked at where Hugo was pointing and quickly pushed his colleague’s hand down. A motion to the driver who then edged his way down the street slightly to get a better view for the keys. Hugo was beside himself. Although all the keys did receive some kind of “street proof” training, it didn’t include tracking down foreign dignitaries in Port Olympus. Well, at least Hugo and Ju-Mak wouldn’t do this kind of thing. Justin, on the other hand…

The SUV stopped and one black tinted window rolled down slightly. He had to do it quick and he didn’t want to be on the receiving end of a Cheka bullet. Out popped his camera and he quickly focused in on the blue uniformed Dyellian and snapped a picture. The window then rolled up and he passed the camera to the King’s Own driver who promptly opened up a laptop. Within a few minutes, the image would be sent to the VIS but they still had to confirm if this really was the air marshall.

The door opened and the two keys got out. Justin couldn’t believe that the Dyellian would be actually strutting about Port Olympus in the open, although his instincts told him that there were Chekists everywhere. He could, just on rank alone, commandeer a nearby baek-gunin to surround the entire perimeter, but that would give him away. No, had to do this quietly. He looked at Hugo, told him to play it cool, and thought to himself that his friend really didn’t know what was going on.

==

The Canal near the Coast

Hardly any resistance was encountered by the advancing Vrakian force. Oh sure, the occasional SOAT had a limb blown off by a hidden booby trap, but that was to be expected. Captain Raylok grinned to himself. The SOATs performed better than field tests indicated and so far he didn’t lose a single man. As he advanced, he could see the far greater bulk of the Vrakian force skirting the minefield but within reach of the canal. Then, they stopped and for a moment he wondered why. As he rounded a tower, he stopped and whistled. Damned Dyellians and their fortresses. He scoured the area and dug his troops in, hopefully out of sight from the Dyellians.

The larger ground force stopped. Artillery was being brought up and positions were being dug in. So far, the UAVs were not being harassed by the Dyellians but that could soon change. A call was sent out to headquarters with this latest development. Politically, it was extremely sticky. Militarily, it could be messy.

Great Lassic (Vrak)

Mr. Cherkess nods to Mr. Uliko somewhat solemnly "Yes, I do enjoy tasting the fares of other nations, but sadly the opportunity is so rare nowadays. There is a lot less travel in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs than in the past."

Minister Codreaneu ignores Mr. Cherkess and Uliko and addresses Oreik " I'm assuming then that Ambassador Tancred is near enough to your command structure in Vrak Prime to insure that information is passed along in a timely manner? It would be a shame if there are misunderstandings simply because there was insufficent time to apprise each other of our various movements."

She pauses and pokes at some octopus salad " And what of your current issue with the Dyellians and the lands that your forces are 'assuming control' of? It is not in an area that we have any particular interest, but still you may benefit from our cooperation?"

******
Deep South Klatchian Ocean

The message from Ambassador Creyan was received and a short thank you was sent in response from Sir Alec's assistant, there media was still abuzz about the lack of Sir Alec's attendance at the Republican Council and rumors abounded at his actual whereabouts.

*****
Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant

Sir Ozy nods "I would certainly be appreciative. I am afraid that I may not have as long to spend here as I had hoped, maybe two hours at the longest. I am sure that by now the Vrakians will be content that no action has been taken to stop them marching in to their own quarter and will slowly trickle into the rest of the city, excepting The Shades......" He pauses to look to The Nachxa, twitching his whiskers " This in turn will cause alarm in the President's office and she will either over react and the shooting will start, or she will order anyone who will listen into her office."

He pauses sipping at some tea and adding some more butter to his bread "Delicious.............they will then hammer out some ill-conceived plan to end all of these problems " he waves his paw vaguely " At about that time I will stroll over to the Presidential Palace, I will call Parliament into session and then begin the tedious process of making sure that all of their 'plans' are put correctly into binding legal form, that laws are passed, money changes hands and then by this time next week, maps will have changed and everyone will go back to eyeing each other suspiciously."

He smiles to Ambassador Valnard " Think of the current 'troubles' as an extended and rather sloppy legislative session, and worry no more of it."

He chuckles again "Anyhow, I'm sure the Klatchian National Guard, whomever they are, will appreciate hot tea and snacks, I doubt any provisions have been made for their extensive deployment and defense of the Presidential Palace. And some other will need refreshment by then as well."

His demeanor is calm and soothing and his analysis of the situation makes the whole current set of problems seem, well, much less worrying.

*****
The Oblong Office

The Junior Key simply sighs "Again, no parliament to vote on it, no courts, your logic is headachingly circular." He frowns at President ab Ieauf "like a Cheka plot to make my head explode."

"I then assume we are agreed that Parliament should be allowed to sit as requested by the Lord Vaad so that we may address your concerns of work load and saving the Federation and we may address our concerns via the courts and parliamentary debates as is legal?"

He pauses and reaches for his cell phone "Shall I call Sir Ozy, or will you?"

*****
York

Sherwin froze he had been about to tip the piano player, he bows neatly to Alexia and shrugs.

"I would say what should be done with him is entirely a legal matter, I mean treason is a serious matter.I would think that the courts should handle it, and detain.........." he pauses "Mr. Festus until such proceedings can begin. It will give him time to consider what defense he can possibly use to justify betraying his nation and the Tzarina."

During the interim Sherwin had arranged for the 'Leader' of his mercenary friends to arrive in another two days, to make sure the Tzarina would approve of them and that a deal could be struck.

*****
OOC: I think I got everything? Speak up if I missed something!

"Oh, sure. No worries, mate. Good try at the Lingo too." Bruce smiled at the messenger and gave him a thumbs up before, "See you in later." he farewelled the crowd.

"Later, Bruce." a number of the regulars chanted in reply.

He was on the way

The Oblong Office
The President looked blank, "I don't see why there is no Parliament apart from the fact that you are in my office and one of the Vrakian Keys is waiting outside... Parliament has always continued even when the only Keys present are Dyellian and Vrakian, the Vrakians are asleep and the Dyellians can't agree who's legitimately in charge of their country."

"I will speak to Sir Ozy." she stood then, implying the meeting was over, "I shall let you get about whatever business you have to get about. I must speak to this Walrus unless there is something else?"

__________

York

"Quite right." the Tzarina did a complete about face, agreeing with Sherwin, "Escort Mr. Festus back to the guest wing if you don't mind."

If you don't mind. The guards exchanged sidelong glances, apparently they were knew and unusued to the Tzarina's little quirks.

When the room was clear apart from the pianist, the Tzarina turned to Sherwin, "I'm still planning to let him go." she confided, dropping herself onto one of the couches.

"You see, Mr. Festus is trying to make himself a matyr. I would really much rather my over exhuberant Police Officers had turned a blind eye to his street preaching in Agua Pura, but now they have picked him up I am left in rather a pickle." she grimaced, "Festus is small fry. He's a back bench opposition MP. If I put him on trial it will radicalise Parliament, there will be no surrender or compromise. On top of which he will be portrayed as the fearless matyr, dragged before a kangaroo court."

"On the other hand, if I let him go I will appear magnanimous, but it will reinforce my authoritarian image. Law, people will say, has been replaced by my whim."

"And you know." she added, "He hates me with all the venom his little heart can muster, but I do admire him in his conviction, his peaceful conviction. He has a certain nobility of spirit that I would say I find very attractive were he not over twice my age... And I need the opposition to keep me honest, to keep me looking at myself. I guess putting Festus on trial would make me feel very uncomfortable."

She stopped, looking to Sherwin for some words of wisdom that might make her decision easier.

_________

OOC: Sorry this is only half done, will reply to the rest later.

The Oblong Office

The Junior Key stands and bows gracefully, he apparently does not bother to comment of her assertion about Parliament.

"No, I I see there is nothing else you are willing to discuss, have a pleasant afternoon."

He then leaves, only pausing to bow to the Walvrak waiting in the hall as he leaves, pausing to turn to him.

"I don't want to meddle, but if you're here to ask questions, remember you're talking to a former Cheka agent.................." he looks frustrated "There are no answers, just more questions."

*****
York

Sherwin chuckles after everyone leaves, looking over at the piano player and then back at Alexia.

"Oh come now, you can't just let him go, after he did all this hard work to become a martyr? Let's see he was preaching sedition on a street corner.........." He furrows his brow "Now, make sure the prosecutor knows that free-speech is protected, so there is no treason.........but still, obstructing traffic, vagrancy, panhandling..............put him before the lowest bench, have the appropriate fines levied, time served bang the gavel and off he goes. Free as a lark but now with the record of a any other annoying vagrant."

"Martyrs are only martyrs if they are hanging from a rope or left to rot in jail, I'm sure the papers on both sides would have a field day with his minor offenses, and the people in the street will identify too, everyone has a low opinion of the smelly vagrant that rants on the corner only stopping to beg for change, so put him in that category."

He shrugs "Then law still stands, and you get to let him go with no serious consequences.Make sure he's admonished to next time get a permit to hold a public rally. Oh, and I've arranged for the leader of my mercenary friends to arrive on a DHL flight, day after tomorrow, if that is convenient?"

The Canal
What was probably fairly obvious by this point was the fact that the Dyellians did not want to fight. They had clearly marked where they had mined things. They had then walled themselves of and were sitting quite peacefully in trenches or behind walls of sandbags. They weren't going to be the first ones to open fire, but they were prepared to return it. They had also done a fairly good job at hiding a lot of their equipment, meaning it was somewhat difficult to tell how many of the funny little airdrop tanks and howitzers they had hidden around the place, and indeed how much other equipment they had been reinforced with.

__________
In Port Olympus
There was no sign that the Vrakians had attracted Cheka attention, but then again, that didn't necessarily mean anything. They were there, without a doubt, and whatever else might be said of the Cheka, they were efficient...

__________
The Oblong Office
After the Alconan had left, the President, quite out of keeping with protocol, stuck her head out of the office, "I'll be with you in a minute." she gave the Walrus a polite smile, giving off an aura of a friendly but overworked local doctor, "Sorry for the delay."

"Bruce, if I could possibly see you first."

(OOC: I'm assuming you make it to the office ok lol...)

She waited for Bruce to enter, shutting the door firmly behind her. She did not sit down behind her desk as she would with anyone else, there were a variety of reasons for this, most important of which was she figured this probably wasn't the correct way to impress someone from the Free Land, "Bruce." she began, "And call me Caroline, do you think Nulla Nulla would be a nice place to travel to at this time of year?"

Of all the people in Klatch, really the people of the Free Land were about the only people she trusted at the moment not to try to make her a puppet. She had sworn to protect Klatch, not Dyelli Beybi, not Vrak, not Alcona and Hubris, but Klatch. She would damned well fulfil that oath too, even if Klatch's biggest enemy at the moment was itself...

__________
York

For a moment it looked like the Tzarina hadn't heard a work Sherwin had said, but then, abruptly her face broke into a smile, "I knew I kept you around for a reason." she laughed gently, "That is positively brilliant, ingenious."

She dropped onto the couch with a sigh, "Perfectly convenient. I have more or less nothing to do apart from to sit around cooking up schemes to bring myself back to power. So... are you going to tell me what your friends are?"

York

Sherwin chuckles "I would've said obvious, not brilliant. Imagine how upset Mr. Festus will be instead of a martyr he'll be an ill-tempered vagrant shouting about the inequities of what amounts to a parking ticket. I imagine he'll be angry."

He frowns at the question and then thinks, for several minutes "Well, uhm..." he finally begins " I have heard them called 'half-trolls' but they seem to take that as an insult. They call themselves 'Einherjar'. The biggest of them is about four or five inches taller than me (Sherwin is around 6'2" with his boots on) they just have, well, they seem, what I mean to say is that they seem perfectly designed for combat."

He grins sheepishly .

Somewhere in the Vrakian Ministry of War

Anka Huyrik was about to add to his previous comments when suddenly there was a knock at the door.

-Come in! barked the walrus. Kar Brykil really didn’t like interruptions, especially when conferencing with an ally but he reassured himself in that such an interruption must be important.

The non-descript human entered, bowed to Mr. Olsen and then strode purposefully to the Vrakians. He whispered to Anka while he laid down the folder he was carrying. The Inuit bowed slightly to the visitor who then left. The Assistant to the Junior Minister of War perused the contents and showed his colleague, whose eyes widened slightly. Both were silent for a few minutes. Then the walrus broke the silence.

“Pardon us, Mr. Olsen. It looks like we have more confirmation of our target who will lead us, presumably to the main target.”

Anka spun the folder around, giving Mr. Olsen a view of the contents. Inside was a shaky picture of James Dwight, Air Marshall of the Junta sitting outside in a café in Port Olympus. Also was a transcript from an unknown source that established a link between the Air Marshall and his involvement with the Junta. Neither of the Vrakians present knew that the “source” was none other than Irok, a VIS trained agent who was also a key in the Klatchian Parliament, who had an earlier conversation with the FKC president.

“It would appear that the Junta will be the target. Now we just have to establish where they are,” murmured the walrus, who depressed a button on the desk. “Seems to me we need someone from the VIS to present the case here, but the requirements at least are becoming more clear. Likely the junta will be difficult to crack. At least one armoured brigade of fast-moving, preferably stealthy but heavily armed troops are needed. At least one.”

====

Elsewhere in Port Olympus

Joe Irok, for his part was a bit nervous although he concealed it as he and Hugo wandered towards the Air Marshal. The King’s Own was left in the SUV, but he was busy radioing his fellows, presumably to bring in reinforcements. The VIS and Cheka never directly confronted eachother and, for the higher ups on the Vrakian side, preferred it that way. Although, there was always a first time…


====

The Canal

-Looks like they don’t want to fight, remarked a Major.
-Don’t be a pakrah. They will fight if threatened. And we are being threatening by surrounding them.
-Then let’s wipe them off the map. We can do it.
-Pakrah! Are you so eager to fight a fellow Klatchian? Now leave before I gut you!

The human major blinked and took a step back. He did not want to anger his superior, a walrus Colonel, specifically Colonel Rek Sansaeya, son of the famous General Youlj Sansaeya - arguably one of the most famous war heroes in the pantheon of Vrakian military hall of heroes. It was the elder Sansaeya that participated in the liberation of New Shiron from the technologically superior New Cynthians and who actually fought with the Lords of War. So when the threat of a gutting, namely his, rose from his superior’s lips, he was quite aware of the threat to his own safety.

As the major left, the walrus brooded. How did it ever come to this? he thought to himself. Well, I have a degree of latitude out here. He rose and waddled out of his command tent to get some air. An aide was waved over and was told to establish radio contact with the huddled Dyellians. All manner of frequencies would be explored, including IFF FKC codes and known Dyellian communication protocols.

If received, the message would be simple. That Colonel Rek Sansaeya of the 4th Man-gunin requests an audience with the commanding officer of the Dyellian forces in the fortress. Location? Preferably at the Colonel’s headquarters some 15 miles from the fortress with safe passage guaranteed but can come there if same guarantees are met.

====

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant

Outside the embassy gates, a black car pulled up to the gates of the embassy of the Covenant. The flag placed on the front of the hood, one Vrakian and one Macisikian fluttered, indicating that this was a diplomatic vehicle. Aware that their presence was unannounced, the driver took special care not to create any unnecessary alarm. When stopped, the Assistant to the Senior Minister of Rites, a certain Jonathan Kaml, would present his identification and, if pressed, would say that there was an urgent matter to speak with the ambassador.

*snip*

The Bruces of the Free land weren't much for protocols or formality and while they mostly tried, especially with dealing with fellow Klatchaians but they frequently put their foots wrong when to dance the delicate style of diplomacy. However their forthrightness and sheer congeniality usually smoother over any rough patches. Though when those in power made attempts to meet them without the formal protocol, it made them sigh in relief and be much more comfortable.

"And I'm Bruce," He extended his hand towards the president to shake it. " oh yeah, Nulla Nulla had just recieved a number of huge downpours recently. Everything should be turning a lovely green, oh and the desert flowers should just be coming out too. It'll be a wonderful time to visit."

Normally, news of any sort would be known to all and sundry in the Free Lands but those apart of the Brucian delegation to the Klatchian parliment had started to learn about descretion. Though they were still learning about when to do it.

The Axe Canal
Due to the fact that someone in Dyelli Beybi was a total bufoon, a regiment was commanded by a Brigadier. The three Regiments at the canal were each commanded by one, although standard opperations procedure indicated that the person who had held the rank of Brigadier for the longest should be the Senior Officer and thus the commander of the Dyellian forces in the field. On this occasion the person was Brigadier Maximillian Saxon, who communicated to the Vrakians that he would be willing to meet under the Vrakians in their own base.

Even offering safe conduct was seen as a warlike intention from the Vrakians. They shouldn't need to offer it to fellow Klatchians. So it was with that in mind that Brigadiers Jones and Collinswood decided not to accompany Saxon to the Vrakian meeting.

__________
Port Olympus

The Junta was an odd kind of organisation. Technically it had existed since the end of hostilities after the overthrow of Soult as a safeguard for Dyellian democracy, although it had never met before the current crisis. Membership was gained through aquiring the rank of Air Vice Marshall (Giving the Airforce 820 Junta Members), Major General (Giving the Army 1,103 and Special Services 12), or Rear Admiral (Giving the Navy 1,026 Members). Technically any of the vast number of members was allowed to show up, express an opinion, and all could vote on a topic, although in practice most members simply declared their support for a Senior Officer and allowed them to 'carry their vote' (meaning Lunchtime O'Booze voted for 724 people including himself). Junta members could be found everywhere from the polar circle to Dyelli Beybi's offworld colony of Outremere.

The pair approaching James Dwight would suddenly find their way blocked by a fiery eyed Orc in Cheka uniform, "Nice day for a stroll isn't it." he remarked casually, but in a manner which suggested this direction was closed without a good reason.

A brief cast about would reveal four Chekists in uniform, including the Orc, as well as potentially up to 20 others who could be plain clothes agents.

__________
The Oblong Office

The President, took Bruce's hand, turning out to have quite a 'girly' handshake if Bruce was one of those who judger people by such things...

She smiled at the description of Nulla Nulla, "Sounds just perfect."

She reached across her face to remove her glasses, folding and pocketing them. It was a big improvement. She was an undeniably attractive woman, with an otherwise good sense of dress, although for some reason she always seemed to wear horific thick rimmed glasses, giving her a kind of dour librarian look most of the time...

"Honestly Bruce, you are a bresh of fresh air." she smiled, shaking her head as if confused, "A brief discussion with you and I feel unexpectedly better... now were I to be traveling to Nulla Nulla, where would you advise I stay?"

If everyone was like the people in the Free Republic, the President mused, Klatch would get along so much better. She just hoped that Bruce would pick up that she was thinking very strongly about relocating to somewhere where she wasn't in danger of being strung up by angry Vrakians uf things went pear shaped with the Dyellians...

__________
York

"Trolls." the Tzarina shook her head as if trying to wake up, "Why not, we're such a happy multi-species culture anyway, "At risk of sounding totally speciesist, they don't have any dietary abnormalities, like an inbuilt desire to eat humans or any other sentient species?"

YORK

General Mirog comes flying backwards. "Allo Mates, sorry about this." Gets back up and pulls sword off his back. "BRING IT TROLLS" Runs at some rough looking trolls.

CSOW Inara Day, Die'hreck Strike Force

Keldara smiled slightly as the reply came through, and relayed it to Flag. The reaction was swift. And included a tip regarding the response.

"Hi Bruce; Flag says "no worries" to that," she signalled back. "Just give us a bit to pull everyone together, and we'll head over."

Behind them the rest of the strike force was pulling together and preparing to follow the Brucian ship.

Over on the CSOW Die'hreck, there was a discussion going on as to who to send to the beach; there simply wouldn't be room to send everyone (even if the Admiral were willing to strip his ships of their crews).

**********

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant (inside)
"Indeed," Valnard agreed with the fox's initial assessment. "Vrakians are already starting to spread throughout the city, and the President is reportedly bunkered down on Parliament Hill," he paused for a moment.

"Which leads me to this; our laws of hospitality forbid me from putting you in harm's way as long as you are my guests. While I can't stop you leaving, I'd rather you didn't unless you're absolutely sure that you won't end up 'missing in mysterious circumstances'. " It was quite clear that the Ambassador had not been reassured by Sir Ozy's words. Then again, looking at the pseudo-fort nature of the embassy, it was hardly a surprise.

At that moment an aide approached and whispered to Valnard.
"Excuse me a moment..." the elderly Ambassador moved a few metres away, where a furious conversation in Ka'ani took place; at the end the aide nodded, and withdrew, and Valnard returned to his guests.

"My apologies," he said, "it seems the Vrakians are playing a game of hide-and-seek, and have also come knocking on the door."

**********

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant (the gates)
The guards were inscrutable and tight-lipped. The Protocol Officer with them, polite but puzzled, became polite but troubled when the car's occupant was identified (he did ask to see identification, and did press the Vrakian about his business).

"One moment Ser," he said, "I must confer with my superiors," before backing away.

Inside, the Vrakians were off to a bad start.
«What does he mean, flying one of our flags?» Valnard demanded.
«They've put a Macisikani ensign on the hood of their vehicle...» the aide answered.
«You're joking... You're not... Who the hell do they think they are?» The Ambassador went from calm and relaxed to absolutely livid in 0.5 seconds.
«We haven't encountered such a protocol before sir... they did say it was urgent...» the aide offered cautiously.
«I don't care if . Have U'dek meet with them. I'm indisposed.»
«Excellency...»

Outside, the protocol officer, his face a stiff mask, instructed the driver to proceed to the entrance to the compound proper; when the Vrakians arrived, they'd find another one of that breed of staffer, who would politely but firmly instruct that all weapons were to remain in the vehicle, then ask that Ser Kami please follow him inside. They find themselves at an office removed from the room with the party, where a chilly older woman would be waiting.

**********

Arn Maciska - Embassy of the Federated Klatchian Coast
It was around three in the afternoon when Claudia Black's office received a call from "The office of the Secretary to the Assembly, States-General". The caller, the Secretary's Executive Assistant, advised Ambassador Black that her excellency had been scheduled to speak to the Assembly in two days' time, and that appropriate travel papers and documentation to visit the Assembly Halls in Arn-Arakhan would be delivered by bonded messenger by COB that day.

In the Oblong Office

Bruce didn't seem to care about the weak response to the handshake, "There's a great pub I know, Caro...line I used to go there all the time." He seemed to shorten her name a bit before properly finishing it off, unsure if he had made a social faux pas or not he continued on trying to bluster his way through.

"there are aren't many other options, but I'm sure we can work something out by the time you get there."

While the actual words seemed to indicate that she was only considering going, there seemed to be an initutive understand of what she actually meant. "Wanting to get away for a few weeks?"

At Sea with the Covenant

They sent a brief "See you there" message to Kelly before contacting base, asking a supply ship to "supply enough meat and q's to feed an army" this was sent in the clear either they didn't know how to encrypt messages or they just didn't bother.

In either case The Brucian ship toddled off towards the Island, most of the crew got off, but others stayed on board. The Crew didn't have a uniform as such but did have a badge type looking thing that officially said that they were apart of the Brucian navy.

If it weren't for the sea being so cold most of the Bruces probably would of taken to the ocean, at least until the supply ship arrived which was another hour later. There was about an hour until the sun started to set, perfect time for a Barbecue.

ooc: Just making sure I’m not losing anything in the shuffle. I’m going to have to start making a flow chart for all the storylines in this rp! So, you will likely see me starting to reference previous post numbers just for this old fellah’s grey matter to keep track of stuff. As well, should we bring start up an ooc thread at all, if nothing else to consolidate maps and whatnot?

ic:

[Post #141]

Rounding past the tip of Dukratus, or now known in Vrakian circles as Vrak-Durkatus, the four hunter/killer squadrons of submarines began to slowly disperse as they made their way into the Dark Sea. they had strict orders not to engage with fellow Klatchian state military but only to observe.


The Dark Sea

The four hunter/killer squadrons spread out and continued their leisurely rate of 15 knots into the Dark Sea. It was well-known in Vrakian circles that the Dark Sea was an Alconian security area - but the Vrakians view that more to do with posturing towards outsiders rather than fellow Klatchians. In this, oddly enough, the Vrakians were in tacit agreement with the bellicose Vaadians in that sea routes should be as open as possible. The reason why the Vrakians were sore with the aforementioned Vaadians was when anyone would cruise closely to the Squall Straits platform, a huge military complex plunked right in the middle of the Straits itself. In fact, the Platform was one of the wonders of the Klatchian region in terms of money and time devoted to its construction. Whomever controlled the Straits could literally control all sea-going trade flowing from the western Klatch to the East. Was it any wonder that the Vrakians were keen on keeping the Canal, a Federal property, open or at least under its defacto control? Hyperion Distribution Systems and Valkyrie Transport Systems, the so-called “Big Two” in railroad companies in Vrak, were practically salivating at the opportunity of re-routing more traffic through the canal, through Vrak itself, and then onwards to ports on the East Arctic Ocean.

If the submarines were detected, and they would likely be sooner or later since they weren’t taking measures to exactly hide themselves, they would respond with all manner of Federation IFF codes and simply state that they were on normal patrol duties.

====

[Post #147]
Off the Ozarkian coast

Along the coast, the Teeth of Ruin, a Hamas-class battleship along with a Kreml-class aircraft carrier and escort drew nearing to the coast. A Cyclops UAV, ironically a Federation built one, took off to pinpoint the Dyellians moving up the coast which the satellites reported. A helicopter just returned from its rounds, not sighting any Klatchian, Vaadian, or other foreign aircraft or subs. Still, the small grouping of ships were on high alert.


So far, nothing was truly detected yet. Either the Dyellians were hiding in the buildings and taking cover -which would be hard for the UAV to detect, or they were just lucky. Still, the Commander was informed that the Vrakians also held those cities so he wondered why he was sent on such a fools errand. Wouldn’t it have been better to stay closer to the canal and pound the Dyellian fortress? He shook his great fat head. Still he ordered that regular surveillance be kept up and that the cruise missle batteries be ready to go at a moment’s notice.

====

[Post #150]

Within the hour, 6 sleek black submarines cast off their moorings and slunk into the sea, plotting a course for the Die'hreck battle group. It would take them some time, even though they were cruising at least 20 knots.


Deep South Klatchian Ocean

The Vrakians were, of course, not exactly aware of what was going on with their fellow, and much less uptight, Klatchian state Sheilas and Bruces. The six submarines again were not taking extraordinary measures to cloak themselves but they weren’t being careless either. Just like their counterparts in the Dark Sea, the message that would be relayed if detected was that they were on an investigation patrol and that the Die'hreck Strike Force would be asked to state their intentions in the region.

====

[Post #151]

To the HORDE guy in Vrak-Shiron

Sorry for the Delay, I had a corker of a party last night with a ripping headache. See what we can do for you, meat, crops, wool and beer won't be a problem. I'll talk to the Sheilas of the Sheilas Association and see what we can do.


Shielas and Bruces/Vrak-Shiron border

Convoys of heavy transport trucks, mostly civilian sporting the Hyperion Distribution Systems logo stopped at the border control booth along many points along the lightly, if any, guarded border. Inter-Klatchian transport manifests and logs were in order and the Vrakian convoys would at the most have an armed GAZ 2975 "Tiger" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG3TRv9dLIc) or UAZ-469 jeep (http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2008/08/Ten-Russian-UAZ469.jpg) interspersed among the transports. The Vrakians themselves, while not relaxed like any Shiela or Bruce would likely be more casual in demeanor that the typical “homeland” Vrakian, despite the tensions throughout the Klatch.

====

[Post #140]

Kilotuy gestured towards the walrus and said,

“This is Colonel Tekio of the 5th Man gunin, Middle South HORDE district.”

A brief exchange in Vrakian and the captain motioned to the chairs that were quickly set up for the Macisikanians.

Port Olympus - Vrakian Quarter

The walrus bowed to the Macisikanians as they seated themselves. A quick bark and the major went to the liquor cabinet to fetch some whiskey and glasses. As the major bustled about, the Colonel began, in halting English,

“Thank you for coming. Now, while the good major gets our drinks let me start by saying why we are here. As you know, the Klatch is besieged by dangers from all quarters. Our region is turbulent to say the least and it must be said that we all desire peace and stability. I don’t know if you are aware of the history of Port Olympus itself, heck, even I don’t know much of it. I do know that it is a city with a long history and is shady in some quarters. It is also residence to our beloved Parliament and President of the Klatch. Now, we are Vrakians but we are also Klatchians. Which means we will defend the Klatch with ferocity but that we desire peace with outsiders and insiders. Now, with respect to insiders, mostly relations are quite peaceful and free of strife. The Dyellians, which we have great respect for, seem to be more…unstable than most. Which sometimes can cause confusion and perhaps false expectations for outsiders to take advantage of. Hence, that is why security of the Klatch is paramount.”

A turn of the head, noticing the whiskey.

“Ah, here is the whiskey. It is our custom to have a drink with guests and while I know it is before lunchtime, would you do me the honour of drinking with me?”

====

ooc: more coming

[Post #169]
Even offering safe conduct was seen as a warlike intention from the Vrakians. They shouldn't need to offer it to fellow Klatchians. So it was with that in mind that Brigadiers Jones and Collinswood decided not to accompany Saxon to the Vrakian meeting.

The Axe Canal

-Who is arriving?
- Brigadier Maximillian Saxon, Colonel.
-Very good! Prepare an honour guard. Nothing fancy of course but we do have protocols to observe.
-Yes sir!

The major left and the walrus brooded. He poured himself a double scotch and wondered exactly what to say to a fellow warrior.

An aerial view of the compound itself would reveal nothing out of sorts. That is, heavy tanks, artillery pieces and personnel bustling about would all be standard fare for such a place. When the Brigadier would arrive, four King’s Own in Dress uniform would flank the arriving Dyellian. Major Tikiut, the unfortunate major who gave his earlier ill-received commentary about the apparent lack of Dyellian fight, would greet Saxon, as would the walrus Colonel Sansaeya.

====

[Post #169]


The pair approaching James Dwight would suddenly find their way blocked by a fiery eyed Orc in Cheka uniform, "Nice day for a stroll isn't it." he remarked casually, but in a manner which suggested this direction was closed without a good reason.

Port Olympus

Neither of the Vrakian keys have ever seen an Orc up close, although the Vrakians have had contact with them before in the Northern Territories and more recently when constructing a hasty railway onwards to the DBAT. Hugo nearly shat his pants and Justin, while showing a mask of calm, was a bit more nervous. If those hands got a hold of my throat, I’d be a goner he thought to himself. Still, he decided to play it straight.

“I’m Justin Irok, junior Vrakian key of the Federated Klatchian Coast Parliament. This is my colleague, Hugo Montezuma, also a fellow key. If you wish, we can show you our identification. We have urgent business with Air Marshal Dwight.”

Meanwhile, in the background certainly a presence, more and more Vrakian troops were flooding into the city. Behind the black SUV a “Tiger”, or Vrakian hummer version, pulled up. The nearby streets were slowly becoming more deserted, likely because the end of the workday was approaching.

====

ooc: Urgh! I meant that the flags of both Vrak and Macisikan were fluttering, like the present day diplomatic cars. Not sure if I wrote that clearly but that is what I meant.

[Post #171]
Outside, the protocol officer, his face a stiff mask, instructed the driver to proceed to the entrance to the compound proper; when the Vrakians arrived, they'd find another one of that breed of staffer, who would politely but firmly instruct that all weapons were to remain in the vehicle, then ask that Ser Kami please follow him inside. They find themselves at an office removed from the room with the party, where a chilly older woman would be waiting.

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant (the gates)

Kaml nodded as he was acknowledged and nodded again as he saw the older lady. The Assistant to the Senior Minister of Rites was accompanied by his aide, a youngish man who seemed to have a perpetual grin on his face in stark contrast to the frowing Macisikani. Jonathan introduced himself and then stated, matter of factly.

“We have evidence that there are Macisikani warships in the South Klatchian Ocean. Given the rather, shall we say, currently volatile situation in the Klatch, we would like to know what your intentions are.”

====

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant - surroundings

-Well, what did I tell you? Of course they would withdraw to a secure room.
-You were right. Still, keep our men in place for now. Would you look at that embassy though?
-I would have a fortress too if I were a foreign government in the Klatch.

====

[Post # 164 & 165]

After the Alconan had left, the President, quite out of keeping with protocol, stuck her head out of the office, "I'll be with you in a minute." she gave the Walrus a polite smile, giving off an aura of a friendly but overworked local doctor, "Sorry for the delay."

"Bruce, if I could possibly see you first."

The Oblong Office

“Of course Madam President. I will be right here at your disposal,” replied Ju-Mak Kwarliu. Then suddenly turning his walrus head he looked at the Alconian just leaving.

“Do you have a minute sir?”

Kinda the middle of Ozarka - HQ of Vrakian forces

The Low Level Atmospheric Flight Vehicle - Destroyer Platform, or LLAFV-DP was being refueled. Or perhaps better, the fusion powered engines were undergoing maintenance checks. After all, this was its first long trip outside of Vrak that didn’t consist of cruising over the North Sea. And so far, to the delight of the military brass and budget directors, it didn’t crash either. Since it was still a prototype - with its twin closer to the Vrak/Dyellian border, it didn’t have an official name. But the crew and Commander have termed it “Big Nasty” and some are lobbying for this to be its official name in their off-hours. After all, with other names such as King’s Hammer, Merciless, and Woman Sobber, this name would hardly be out of place, right?

As well, both the Navy and Airforce were wrangling over who exactly had jurisdiction over the vehicles, (the Army wisely stayed out of this tussle) the King had to weigh in and placed it under the sphere of Space Command - which would have operational control but logistical support would be shared by available branches where necessary. The Bastions would still retain control over the R&D and certainly improvements for these “flying destroyers” would flow from them.

The HORDE Sub-General looked at the technological monstrosity with a mixture of awe and a pang of regret. He was regarded as a more visionary walrus and wondered what the future of the military would be with the arrival of this new thing. He turned to his aide.

-How long before it is ready?
-Four more hours. Then it will be flight-ready Sub General.
-Good. I have plans for…” a wave of his flipper, “our new weapon.”

====

Vrak/Dyellian border

The enormous tanks arrived at their destination. Thankfully, the head train engineer kept his head on his shoulders and didn’t lose any of the tanks on the extra-wide platforms. The line here was thick with the Vrakian military presence and even though traffic was still flowing between the two states, it was diverted around were any military presence would be.

====

Jump City - The Nef

-We are ready?
-Indeed. Civilian traffic, what little there is, has been diverted. No sandstorms are expected for at least one week. Thankfully the season is over. The airstrips are ready but SATCOM has not picked any arrival notifications.
-All transmissions? Including Order protocols?
-Not yet sir, but we will know if they do.
-Well, then. Nothing to do but wait.

Lucien walked along the assembly line carefully inspecting the suits being built with silent efficiency by multitudes of robotic arms. The factory was erily quiet, lacking the heavy industrial sounds of welding, drilling, and other noises normally associated with heavy duty fabrication. That was due to the nature of the materials being used. Most of them were some kind of "epoxy-polymer-plasticized-metal-alloy" or otherwise fancy name. Whatever they were called, the materials used were on the leading edge of Sketchan materials technology. Utilizing various technologies such as zero g or ultra cold processing, the material discovery techniques as of late have been colloquially referred to as "alchemy" instead of chemical engineering. Instead of crude mechanical adhesion, most of these materials were being fused at the atomic level, producing a superior bond that was better than whole piece casting.

Looking down at his clipboard, as it could be considered, Lucien highlighted the unit he was currently in front of. That selection was instantaneously fired off to QC department as a random lot test. This particular unit would be picked at the finished goods staging area and tested by a human pilot for operator conformity. The whole exercise was more of a formality than an actual need. Golan Arms prided itself on perfect compliance achieved by one hundred percent simulation testing - each suit was put through its paces by an automated program designed to shake out any issues that may have arisen during manufacturing. Still, the real proof only comes when the end product is received by the customer in found to be fault free. To that end, the company always kept a few friendly contacts with the nearby training base for a steady supply of green test operators - those who have never used a suit before.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day...

Alright you maggots! Since the commander has seen fit to give you lot of lowly worms a field trip today, we're going to do something useful. You see over there, that's what real troops get to use. You sissy lads are gonna get a chance to pretend to be big boys. Try not to mess yourself with the idea. Now I'm going to hand you off to the senior test technician, mister Jarret over here. I'll be watching carefully, so you better not embarrass me!

Ahem Ah, thank you drill instructor. Well, uh, its pretty simple really, um, just get in the suits and listen to the instructions. And, uh, try not to break anything...

The recruits remained at rapt attention.

You heard the man! GET MOVING! Do I have to hold your hands?

Scattering like leaves in the wind, the clearly flustered recruits scrambled towards the suits lined up in neat rows. Each one already open, ready to receive a fresh pilot. Within a minute, each suit was manned and the recruits sitting within began disappearing behind a series of moving chest and thigh plates. The positioning of hands and feet was highly intuitive - there simply weren't very many places to put them without some obvious crushing hazards. The cooing female voice along with lit portals probably helped just as much.

Heh, nothing's changed since I've been through the grinder eh top?

The drill instructors faced relax a micron. Almost to a scowl, but to anyone who knew better, it could nearly be interpreted as a smile.

Nope, not at all Lou. This lot's not bad though, got a few sharp ones here. Might eventually be enough to poke someone's eye out.

Hah, last time you said that, half the group became top pilots.

The DI paused before replying, looking over Lucien's shoulder.

Hmph, guess this lot IS brighter than the last...

Oh, that? Forgot to tell you, these are the new mark nine's that just got approved for full deployment.

Mark nine's huh? Looks the same as the the last mark. What, they slap on a new color of paint?

Nah, all the changes are internal reflexive musculature and motion dynamics programing. These puppies will adapt to new pilots within five minutes of initialization. Frankly, a troupe of retarded monkeys could use these suits now.

Is that so...

The DI strolled purposefully toward his recruits, most of who were just starting to get to their feet.

YOU THERE! YES YOU! AND YOU he bellowed, pointing to two suits that were already more or less standing upright, START WALTZING, YEAH YOU HEARD ME! I WANT THE GOD DAMN VIENNESE WALTZ RIGHT NOW OR YOU'LL BE SHOVELING SHIT FOR THE NEXT WEEK!

Lucien shook his head, shouldn't have said that he thought to himself. The DI was always looking to test new equipment. It'll be a miracle of nothing got dinged. Not that Lucien had any doubts about the programming, but the Viennese waltz? Christ, if these kids knew the two step I'd be amazed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A week later...

Green light to make landfall.

Roger that, tell our passengers to buckle in.

Ha, sure, like those PKer's ever listen when we tell them that. I'll be happy if they have the decency to let us land before opening the hatch this time.

Well, they better not screw up my approach, we got a shit ton of expensive cargo to deliver, and I don't feel like filling out all that insurance paperwork.

Colonel, please be advised that we are go for orbital drop. The descent will last approximately twenty minutes. We suggest that your boys buckle in until we make it to the lower atmosphere.

Copy that, my boys will sit tight.

Huh...that was easy enough.

Yeah, a little too easy...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Colonel Jesup stood hunched over a map of the region. He didn't like the fact that he was making a rather flashy entrance by dropping in orbitally. But it couldn't be helped. The terrestrial routes were teaming with warships that haven't yet been stipulated as targets...yet. Still, it was best to avoid any fighting that wasn't contractually compensated for.

Adjutant, tell the Blackbirds its time to leave. I want them to shadow us and keep regular contact.

Aye aye sir.

It always paid to have a little insurance...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fifteen minutes into the drop, with the worst of the turbulence safely past, a bank of warning lights suddenly lit up. Before anyone could react, they all went out again.

Aw hell...

Uh...did you see that? Hatches fourteen through twenty six just went red.

Don't worry about it.

Uh...

Captain, this is colonel Jesup, I've just been informed by my maintenance officer that there were some faulty hookups in bays eight through twelve. You might've registered a false hatch error as a result.

Roger that colonel.

Uh...sir...

Don't worry about it. In fact, don't even think about it. Don't report it, don't talk about it. As far as you're concerned, this drop went without incident. I don't need some god damn PK taking a personal interest in me. Friggin' peace keepers, always thinking they're so smart...

The freighter would arrive later at Jump City without further incident.

ooc: an OOC thread would probably be good. I've long since lost track of the current map, and it's starting to blur up here *taps side of head*

Everything in this post is for Vrak, except the last section, which is more general.

IC:

Deep South Klatchian Ocean
It was only a matter of time before the deployment noticed the Vrakian subs, but so long as the Brucians didn't show signs of alarm, the Die'hreck would remain on course to the island their hosts had suggested.

After all, the Brucians were seen as one of the more trustworthy, though unpolished, Klatchian nations.

*********

Port Olympus - Vrakian Quarter

The reporter listened respectfully and quietly to the Vrakian's statement, before regretfully informing the walrus that drinking on the job, in any circumstance, would be a "very-career-limiting move" for him; the station guidelines and regulations prohibited any intoxication while reporting.

"Thank you Colonel Tekio," he added, "Just a couple of questions if I may; are you able to tell us, colonel, if there are any readily identifiable security concerns in Port Olympus? Is terrorism, or lawlessness, considered a threat?"

**********

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant
ooc: yeah, I know. But if you put our flag (standard, crest, and/or other emblem) on your asset (be it car, building, boat, etc.), we see it as you are representing us -- it's considered a serious insult if you don't get permission first (next up on the list involves physical assault). Funnily enough, Valnard is extremely annoyed that Vrak is presenting itself as a representative of the Covenant in Klatch. Just another one of those delightful cultural quirks my nation(s) has which gives DB's ambassador bad dreams.

IC:
Udek introduced herself brusquely ("Deputy Ambassador Udek") and gestured to the seats in front of her. She didn't offer her hand or refreshments, and remained stony while the Vrakian spoke.

"The Covenant deployment in the Deep South Klatchian Ocean is in international waters on the other side of Sheilas and Bruces," she said in bland tones, "or it was, until they were invited to come closer by Brucian naval forces.
"Our intentions concern the safety and security of the Covenant and its interests. And I am curious as to why you ask about only one of our deployments. And why you're attempting to electronically penetrate this Embassy."

The woman might as well have been discussing the weather.

**********

In Arn-Maciska attention was beginning to shift away from the Klatchian affairs; Valdir had been perceived as giving the Dyellians their needed rap over the knuckles, the High Conclave was recessed, considering the Dyellian "refugees", and States-General was yet to hear Ambassador Black.

Macisiakani public interest was fading as trade to the entire Federation was heading towards total collapse; the Squall Straits remained "enter at own risk" areas, all but two nations were travel-banned, Federal officials had a reputation as being hopelessly corrupt, and news was leaking that the First Minister, deciding that Klatchian defences were no longer sufficient against piracy, had needed deployed a fleet to protect the merchant marine.

On the other hand the trade with Ilek-Vaad, which had boomed when the Vaadians signed a non-aggression pact, had exploded again as merchants looked to source their activities elsewhere. Somewhere with more assurance, little corruption, and a green travel rating. It didn't quite make up the balance though; the whole affair had caused the net Macisikani trade with the world outside Vårheim to visibly shrink as the Covenant started to turn in on itself.

Deep South Klatchian Ocean

The Vrakians were, of course, not exactly aware of what was going on with their fellow, and much less uptight, Klatchian state Sheilas and Bruces. The six submarines again were not taking extraordinary measures to cloak themselves but they weren’t being careless either. Just like their counterparts in the Dark Sea, the message that would be relayed if detected was that they were on an investigation patrol and that the Die'hreck Strike Force would be asked to state their intentions in the region.


The Vrakians weren't detected, well actually they were the Bruce on the sonar didn't really know what was going on. The technology was totally unfamiliar and he misread the the signal as one of those random occasional things that cause things to appear where should be.

Shielas and Bruces/Vrak-Shiron border

Convoys of heavy transport trucks, mostly civilian sporting the Hyperion Distribution Systems logo stopped at the border control booth along many points along the lightly, if any, guarded border. Inter-Klatchian transport manifests and logs were in order and the Vrakian convoys would at the most have an armed GAZ 2975 "Tiger" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG3TRv9dLIc) or UAZ-469 jeep (http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2008/08/Ten-Russian-UAZ469.jpg) interspersed among the transports. The Vrakians themselves, while not relaxed like any Shiela or Bruce would likely be more casual in demeanor that the typical “homeland” Vrakian, despite the tensions throughout the Klatch.



There wasn't any real border of such for those of the Free Lands, there were occasional faded signs with "Welcome to the Free Lands of Shielas and Bruces. Cheers Mate." With a sort of cartoon image of a Bruce with a hat with dangling corks and blue singlet.

The real border was infact a vast stretch of desert, occasional homesteads looked over vast tracks of lands, herds of cattle scattered around the occasional dam, which were full from recent rains and yet apart from a number of flowering plants there were no other signs of the recent rain.

Orbit

While most of the goings on had illicited little to no response from the Free Republic the arrival of Sketch's drop ships made someone sit up and take notice. The warning systems installed by the Commonwealth of Arisse's Engineers in Pyrrhic I went haywire as the space above the Klatchia was entered, after some momentary confusion the Leftenant in charge deciphered the warning and began tracking Vrak's 'allied reinforcements.' Colonel Seleucas was roused and watched the monitors of the space stations RASTER camera arms, after several minutes when it was clear that the drop ships were targeted well to the West of the Free Republic, the alarms went silent.

"Get me Tollan." Colonel Seleucas stated quite cooly to a comm officer.

Within minutes the Retaliatory Guard were awake. Six full Tactical Groups (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=6792617&postcount=3) of the Naval Guard slipped from their ports in South Haven and Costa Verde and begin steaming for the Bay of Lunacy and the Southern Klatchian Sea.

*****
Port Olympus - Embassy of the Free Republic

Ambassador Bramble after a short discussion with his bosses assistant sent a quick message to the Office of The President of The Federation:

President ab Iaeuf,

As per the agreement between our states we are informing you that the Republican Council and Retaliatory Guard Command have decided to send Naval assets to the west, specifically the Bay of Lunacy and the Southern Ocean. Our satellites have indicated space bourne foreign troop assets heading for a destination yet unknown within the Klatchia.

The deployment will remain in Regional Waters and will not enter any borders of any Federation States and will be in place merely to observe this foreign deployment.

We remain ready to assist our Klatchian friends if the need should arise. If you have any questions I would be more than pleased to make myself available.

I thank you,
The Rt. Hnr. Livingston Bramble
Ambassador to The Federated Klatchian Coast, Ilek-Vaad


*****
Port Olympus - The Oblong Office (Vrak)

The Junior Alconian Key paused and bowed again to Kwarliu.

"It seems sir, that I have nothing but time. I am certain that a discussion with yourself would be much more productive than the one I just concluded with the President."

He lowers his tone a bit so that any nosy Klatchian National Guard that are hanging about will have trouble eavesdropping.

"How may I help you sir?"

******
York

Sherwin chuckles again as is his way.

"I honestly have never seen them eat, although having dropped off supplies for them they got the standard MRE's that everyone else got. If they have any 'unusual' appetites they were supplementing it outside of the official channels."

He looks over at the piano player again. His presence seems to confuse Sherwin.

"Anyhow, have you given any thought as how to use them? I mean if we do arrest a member of the telau it can't be an honest opposition lad like Festus. We need someone that is openly and violently treasonous, and a cad of the first order , someone that the people on the street will rejoice in being arrested . BUT someone that is relatively safe.......................it can't be an easy target or the parliament won't fear arrest themselves."

*****
Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant (inside)

"The Vrakians?" Sir Ozy says with an air of question "My, they are being unusually pro-active."

The Nachxa finishes a drink of tea "Perhaps the fox is about to be hunted?"

Sir Ozxy frowns "That's not even close to funny......" he then turns back to Valnard " Oh I think I can assure you that I'd be quite safe in leaving. I have a remarkable talent for moving unseen, often right under people's noses."

He smiles slyly "I know the side and back doors of every single building on Parliament hill, I would imagine. But here, I've talked an awful lot, what about your people? I can't imagine that your government is viewing the events here with anything less than irritation?"

*****
Great Lassic - Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Vrak)

Minister Codreaneau interrupted the pleasant lunch as her smart phone beeped urgently. "If you will pardon me Mr. Oreik, Mr. Uliko, I shall be back momentarily."

Mr. Cherkess simply smiles to the Vrakians as she steps out of the conference room, several minutes later she returns and takes her seat.

"Apparently Tollan Fire Control has begun tracking orbital drop ships above the Klatchia, Naval Guard assets are being deployed to the Bay of Lunacy and the Southern Ocean to monitor the situation...................." she pauses and smiles nicely to the Vrakians "I don't suppose you gentlemen would know anything about this?"


OOC: I think I covered all the bases, let me know if I missed something.

The Dyellian Space Station

The Command Room was wreathed in smoke, as usual, but now the Marines actually had something to freak out about, and freak out they did at the sudden appearance of Sketch drop ships. The Captain stumbled over to the intercom unit which was supposed to allow him communication with the second Dyellian deep space base and Outremere, which in turn could relay to the Fleets, "Whoa, dude, is this thing like on?" he asked the communications officer who was currently in a world of little fairies and giant pink elephants.

"Why is your head so big?"

"My head is big? That is so like crazy." the Captain responded, forgetting momentarily they seemed to be under threat.

"The spiders, the spiders."

There was at that point a sigh over the intercom unit. I take it this is the homeworld base? You've had the intercom on for the last 6 hours, although your officer seems to think I am 'Harry the talking shrimp' This is Outremere Defence Perimeter. What do you want

"There's like ships out there." the Captain responded, taken aback by the talking machinery.

Are you telling me that you are under attack? Do you have anyone sober enough to fly your Station fighters?

"We have fighters?"

OK. I am confirming... wormhole complex is activated, at least you didn't manage to turn that off. We will be over with the 'emergency sobering kit'. Sit tight and don't worry, the spiders will soon be gone. the radio patronised.

Far across the galaxy a far better organised band of Space marines were taking pains to ensure their powered armour was piping fresh air...

__________
The Oblong Office

"Thank you Bruce." the PResident smiled, "I think everything is going to work out just great. Well, if you don't mind, I really need to talk to that Walrus. I imagine we will be seeing a lot more of each other in the future. By the way, you think there would be a Bruce interested in being a member of the 'High Court'?"

__________
Elsewhere in Port Olympus...

The Orc grunted squinting at the Vrakians as if somehow that would allow him to deduce their intentions. He held out a hand for the ID, looking at it briefly before grunting and waving them through towards the Air Marshall.

__________
Elsewhere in Port Olympus......

Ignacio Delgado was at this point in time dealing with the President's incoming and outgoing mail. At least until she had met with all the Keys and secured a course of action. The message from Ilek-Vaad came as something as a pleasant surprise coupled with the alarming nature of what the Vaadians had observed...


The Rt. Hnr. Livingston Bramble,

We thank you greatly for the information. It is of course of extreme concern to the Federation. I have relayed this information on to the Dyellian Administations and shortly will have it relayed it onto the Vrakians. I believe these two States are best positioned to combat any threat from Space and would like to suggest a joint opperation with a Dyellian Air Fleet.

I make this suggestion as I believe this would, as well as providing extra firepower in the event of combat, help to diffuse tensions between Klatch and Ilek-Vaad.

I apologise for the fact this is not the President writing. She is currently meeting with Keys from numerous States in an attempt to overcome the recent inter-state tensions.

Regards,
I. Delgado,
Secretary to the President

__________
York
"Indeed." the Tzarina nodded, then seemed to notice the confusion at the piano player.

"Mr Booth is deaf." she explained, "He can't hear us, and the piano is arranged so he does not have the opportunity to lip read either."

"As for the target... Alistair Powell, Speaker of the House of Commons. Although God knows how they'll arrest him without it turning into a bloodbath with tanks and energy weapons." she grimaced, "That is why we need to do a lot of Intelligence gathering on him. Figure our his routine and all that. Then we can work out when he isn't surrounded by Inquisitor Guard and Chekists."

__________
Dyelli Beybi
The Dyellians. New Dyellians and Benjians all seemed to be readying themselves for potential conflict. Aircraft were out on the runways undergoing maintenance. Tanks were rolling up towards the Artois line and border with former Monte-Ozarka. the new Dyellian design was rather odd, presumably yet another piece of ransacked Var technology. It incorporated active camouflage and had a crewless turret, significantly lowering the profile. Anyone with an knowledge of Army markings would also notice the prescense of Outremere colony soldiers in the country. Movements were, as usual, a total shambles, although there did seem to be some underlying order to the chaos.

Finally, the Königshrew was moving again. The largest tank designed in Dyelli Beybi, possibly in the whole of Klatch. It had cost the Dyellians close to half a trillion dollars to build, was the size of a small building and was armoured to withstand a nuclear blast (having over 10 metres of Chobham armour on most surfaces). It had once been used against the Benjians (at the Battle of Bath), and since then had mouldered away in a museum.

[Post #177]


"Our intentions concern the safety and security of the Covenant and its interests. And I am curious as to why you ask about only one of our deployments. And why you're attempting to electronically penetrate this Embassy."


Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant

Kaml looked slightly bemused at the last remark and offered at first a shrug.

“Deputy Ambassador, I honestly do not know of the actions. I presume, of course here, of the VIS. I think that would be their area of expertise. I can do what I can in that regard but I think that this is more the grand game of…er…what is that idiom…cloak and dagger? In other words, Vrakian embassies overseas take it as standard practice that even a friendly will conduct passive surveillance and make adjustments accordingly. I’m not excusing them, Deputy Ambassador, just explaining their perspective. As for your deployments, I personally understand your measures - safety and security. Shall I convey that exact wording to my superiors?”

Kaml said that last sentence with the implication that indeed if this is the official view from Macisikan, then the Vrakians will hold them to it.

====

[Post #177]


"Thank you Colonel Tekio," he added, "Just a couple of questions if I may; are you able to tell us, colonel, if there are any readily identifiable security concerns in Port Olympus? Is terrorism, or lawlessness, considered a threat?"

Port Olympus - Vrakian Quarter

The walrus slammed his glass to the table, easily crushing it and not noticing the glass shards that cut into his flipper, causing some blood to ooze.

“Absolutely!” he roared, “There are terrorists and bandits everywhere! You are fortunate that you are the generous protection of Colonel Tekio of the 5th Man gunin! Port Olympus has always been somewhat lawless but I refer to the Klatch! Hence why, “here Tekio began gasping for breath at his sudden outburst, “our wise King has undertaken our current operations. You must understand that we Vrakians desire peace and stability above all. Now while I cannot certainly reveal any specific threats in Port Olympus, they are out there. Indeed they are. Absolutely. Surely you won’t have a drink? In friendship?”

====

[Post #179]


He lowers his tone a bit so that any nosy Klatchian National Guard that are hanging about will have trouble eavesdropping.

"How may I help you sir?"

Port Olympus - The Oblong Office

The walrus also lowered his voice just as low to match his counterpart’s conspiratorial tone.

“Vrak has always respect the logical manner and honour of Alcona & Hubris. It is you that give the Klatch a clear head when the rest of the states become rather inflamed over issues. However, we are…concerned…about the growing Vaadian influence in your state and want to know where you stand.”

Leave it to the Vrakians to be blunt.

====

[Post #179]


she pauses and smiles nicely to the Vrakians "I don't suppose you gentlemen would know anything about this?"

Great Lassic - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The two Vrakians exchanged glances of bafflement. Uliko, with half a Vaadian lobster tail in his mouth managed not to spill his plate and set it down carefully while Patterson turned to the Minister of Defense and said,

“We know nothing of this. We are lower ranking officials. I believe our superior ranking official, scheduled to arrive in the next day or so may be able to shed some light in this? Keeping in mind, Minister,” but now saying this to include everyone in the room, “that we just started the process of agreeing on military liaisons attached to their respective host military structure. I suppose in this vein of cooperation I can relay to my government that you are sending your Naval Guard to monitor the situation? And by “monitor” I can safely assume that no incursion upon Klatchian soil will transpire?”

====

[Post #180]


The Orc grunted...


Elsewhere in Port Olympus...

-Easy Hugo, Easy. reassured Justin to Hugo, the latter continuing to stare bug-eyed at the huge Orc. After composing themselves, the two keys walked purposefully towards the Air Marshal, or rather, Irok was pulling Montezuma after him.

As they neared the Air Marshal, Justin bowed as is his nation's custom in greeting which, thought the key, the Air Marshal might be familiar with.

"I am Justin Irok, junior Vrakian key of the Federated Klatchian Coast Parliament. This is my colleague, Hugo Montezuma, also a fellow key. We have matters of an urgent nature to discuss."

Both remained standing until given permission to sit.

====

ooc: that’s not even half of it! Shielas and Bruces on deck. Sketch in the hole.

OOC: What the hell! Where did my post go?
edit: Oh, I thought I lost it. That sponsor link seemed to have hidden it for a second.

Orbit

The panic on the Dyellian station did nothing to ease the concerns of Colonel Seleucas, the OAV's that had been ordered to stand down are now once again being prepared for launch. Colonel Seleucas also contacted Tollan again. The situation seemed ripe for someone to start shooting at someone else uncontrollably and for no apparent reason.

*****
Vaadian Embassy, Port Olympus

Ambassador Bramble after a quick conference call with the Minister of Defence, The First Republican and The Supreme Republican Commander sent the following reply to Secretary Delgado:

I. Delgado,Secretary to the President of The Federated Klatchian Coast

I have been informed that the Naval Guard are not adverse to joint operations with Federation air and naval assets. We will stress however that we would prefer that either the JDF or all major Federation States also take part in any joint operations rather than just assets of the Blessed Kingdom of Dyelli Beybi.

We do not at this point want to even appear to be taking sides with any Federation State so long as the 'inter-state tensions' you mention are unresolved.

We will however act jointly with Dyellian assets at this time with the expectation that broader Federation co-operation is intended in the very near future.

Fleet Admiral Lassander Ilek has been placed in charge of Naval Guard Operations and is leading the task force into the Southern Sea, he will be the proper contact for Federation command.

I Thank You,
The Rt. Hnr. Livingston Bramble
Ambassador to The Federated Klatchian Coast, Ilek-Vaad

A carefully worded letter. There is obviously some sort of deeper, Machiavellian motivation, but what it is can only be speculated.

*****
York

"Oh it's not that, I mean should I tip him?" Sherwin responds to the piano player expectation.

"I see the speaker of the House of Commons.........." he muses "What about Caroline's friend in Cyro, Mr. Johnson? He is the one who hired the Bad Hand in the first place on her and the Bishop's behalf, he has to be some sort of person that could get information on this Alistair Powell, I mean if you are still on good terms with Caroline and she'll contact him for you?"

*****
Port Olympus - The Oblong Office

The Junior Key frowned at the Vrakian Key.

"Our intentions are as the Regent has stated, a strong and stable Federation IS our priority. It is just that we have been too busy being arrested as Vaadian spies, having envoys shot down and arrested and generally attacked at every turn to as you put it give 'the Klatch a clear head'."

He pauses and shakes his head, fully believing to be as unbelieved as every other Alconian that has been making the same point to anyone in the Klatchia.

"Bluntly, The Lord Vaad himself is poised to cross the border of the Eastern Marches into Fastja-Benj as soon as you and the Dyellians begin fighting. He tried diplomacy and his envoys were murdered. He will seek the collapse of the Junta and the return of the Tzarina to the throne."

It doesn't get much blunter than that, he continues

"There are thirty six hours left in Lord Hull's ultimatum, and I have had no indication from the President that Parliament will be called into session, Sir Ozy is still missing , presumably detained by the Klatchian National Guard as I was and the Dyellian's seem content to shake their fists at the both of us and have made no move to return the arrested Alconians in Cyro or return the bodies of our murdered envoys."

He speaks normally now as he prepares to leave.

"The Lord Vaad realizes now that attempting to talk with the Dyellians was a mistake and it is his belief that only the strong and deliberate actions of great monarchs are the solution to the current crises. HE is prepared to do what must be done, is King Vrak II prepared?"

*****
Great Lassic - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister Codreaneau smiles sweetly, Mr. Cherkess looks, well, out his league.

"I hope for all our sake he arrives quickly. However I cannot guarantee that we will not move onto Klatchian soil. The President of the Federation has requested our support in joint operations with Dyellian assets, and we have assented to give it, for now. That may change as the situation evolves.

She has assured us that she will be in touch with your government, and we will continue to keep you informed as well. The Supreme Republican Commander will have a permanently assigned Command General in Vrak Prime by tomorrow at our embassy and he will personally apprise whomever you wish of all pertinent details."

She sounded very matter of fact, in a happy sort of way. It's almost as if she can see how the Vrakians will take this..........with Dyellian guns and troops in their territory and now the President requesting Vaadian support for them, it was as if she could see, hear and smell the Dyellians and Vrakians fighting openly and it made her distinctly happy.

Mr. Cherkess clears his throat "I am certain that we can assure you that this in no affects how we feel about the Glorious Kingdom and it's claim to Federation lands............" he says it almost a question, turning to Minister Codreaneau......

"Of course." she says with a smile and a polite nod, Mr. Cherkess then continues.

"I think that we should then plan to carry forward as we had discussed."

[Post #178]


The Vrakians weren't detected, well actually they were the Bruce on the sonar didn't really know what was going on. The technology was totally unfamiliar and he misread the the signal as one of those random occasional things that cause things to appear where should be.

Deep South Klatchian Ocean

The six submarines continued along their way towards the Brucians and the Macisikanis. So far, they haven’t been contacted yet, even though the lead submarine commander reckoned that some diplomat somewhere made some noise about it.

-Continue on, steady as she goes, he said to his XO.

====


[Post #178]


The real border was infact a vast stretch of desert, occasional homesteads looked over vast tracks of lands, herds of cattle scattered around the occasional dam, which were full from recent rains and yet apart from a number of flowering plants there were no other signs of the recent rain.

Shielas and Bruces/Vrak-Shiron border

The convoys kept coming, resembling a sinewy steel snake, slithering its way towards Sheilas and Bruce. While the Horde Commander was hoping more munitions, he realized that food will be just as valuable if not more so in the impending conflict.

The Vrakians themselves in the convoys looked over the land. How different it was from their homeland, yet some have been in Vrak-Shiron for a few years now and were becoming more accustomed to the bleakness of the land. Sheilas and Bruce seemed quite idyllic compared to the densely urbanized cities and general higher pollution levels of Vrak. Here, one could breath.

====

[Post #176]


The freighter would arrive later at Jump City without further incident.


Jump City - The Nef

The once bustle of civilian buildings were reduced to a few hanger on businesses that nestled relatively close to the fences of the military base. No one saw a need to relocate them further away yet since they were only at the outside perimeter gate, which stretched for kilometers - forming a giant square. Next to the base was the testing range which stretched for several square kilometers to the east of the base proper.

The base itself seemed to blend into the sandy landscape itself. Huge maintenance shacks and hangers dotted along one side of a huge runaway. Well, in fact there were several runaways that stretched out, capable of handling the largest of any aircraft in existence in the Vrakian airforce. A control tower and accompanying buildings, such as a fully-maintained fire suppression battalion was in the middle of said first runaway. Further from the control tower there was a cluster of gigantic (easily 100 metres) parabolic radar telescope dishes enclosed in a fenced off area. Likely part of the Vrakian Space Agency since the desert provided an ideal spot to study the heavens.

The Sketchian freighter would be greeted by a small delegation of Vrakian brass. The base commander, a certain Sub-General Uluk Orikaj, a walrus, along with an aide holding an umbrella to ward of the head waited patiently far enough away from the freighter’s blast zone (ooc: ahh, whatever you call it when kicking up dust and whatnot from exhausts/jets, etc…)

Flanking the brass would be four SOAT-bots, their optical “eyes” blinking from the scattering dust as they stood stoically with the Sub-General. Their minder, a black-clad King’s Own with a motorcycle looking helmet stood with hands clasped behind his back.

Topside, the base would appear to be what one would expect at any large airforce base. It was down below where the real fun was.

The Oblong Office

"Thank you Bruce." the PResident smiled, "I think everything is going to work out just great. Well, if you don't mind, I really need to talk to that Walrus. I imagine we will be seeing a lot more of each other in the future. By the way, you think there would be a Bruce interested in being a member of the 'High Court'?"

"Oh, I'm sure someone would be, I'll put the word out and I'll catch you later perhaps somewhere in the Free Lands. Oh, and I'll send the Vrakster in as I go?"

Whatever the answer he'd smile, nod his head (in this context meaning goodbye) and head out.

Depending on the answer Bruce got from the president he would walk past and say "She's (almost) ready for you, mate." Almost being spoken if she said no
[Post #178]


Deep South Klatchian Ocean

The six submarines continued along their way towards the Brucians and the Macisikanis. So far, they haven’t been contacted yet, even though the lead submarine commander reckoned that some diplomat somewhere made some noise about it.

-Continue on, steady as she goes, he said to his XO.

Even though that they wren't quite familiar with the tech even the Brucians on board know when something isn't right.

"Hey, that can't some random, what they call it?"

"Noise... or artefax, something, don't know but yeah. They got to be real..."

"Who is it?"

"No idea, Bruce mate."

"Well, let's talk to them then..."


Hey, you blokes under-water there, Who are ya? This is Captain Bruce and the ship Dingo's Nuts of the Brucian navy.

The didn't quite know how they'd respond, they didn't even know that it was the Vrakians.


Shielas and Bruces/Vrak-Shiron border

The convoys kept coming, resembling a sinewy steel snake, slithering its way towards Sheilas and Bruce. While the Horde Commander was hoping more munitions, he realized that food will be just as valuable if not more so in the impending conflict.

The Vrakians themselves in the convoys looked over the land. How different it was from their homeland, yet some have been in Vrak-Shiron for a few years now and were becoming more accustomed to the bleakness of the land. Sheilas and Bruce seemed quite idyllic compared to the densely urbanized cities and general higher pollution levels of Vrak. Here, one could breath.

Despite the harsh beauty of the environment the Vrakians were not alone, soon enough they had garnered enough attention for a number of black Bruces and Sheilas. These lived a hybrid life acknowledging the old traditions of their ancestors and yet very much in step with most of Brucian culture.

There were about 20 or so going along the side of the convoy, communications were one of the hardest things to properly achive small isolated communities seperated by large distances, they obviously wanted to know what was going on.

Ilek-Vaad/A&H
Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant (Function Room)
"One of their envoys showed up at the gates in a car flying our flag," Valnard's tone was hard. "He's currently in a room with my deputy, who will likely tell him to talk to our mission in Vrak itself. They've also tried to electronically penetrate the Embassy," his tone acquired a note of smugness. "No doubt they know you're here Sir Ozy, trying to work out what we're discussing..." his voice trailed off as he finished his own tea.

"How does our government view the events... well, we see it as a multi-layered problem. The Federation's problems are getting us to think the Vaadians have the right idea, and that the Federation as an entity isn't long for this world," he'd drifted back to the urn, and was making another cup of tea with quick, economical, movements.

"As for the events in Dyelli Beybi... well, you can see it in the paper. Valdir's one small step from blacklisting them, banning any and all trade, expelling citizens, the works. They made a number of serious enemies with that religious recognition act -- I mean, heavens above, we don't have a legal, formalised, separation of church and state, and we wouldn't dream of such a silly law," the tea had been made, and he'd moved back to them.

"In a word, sers, I would say that my superiors are highly annoyed. I might even commit to 'vexed'."

**********
Vrak
Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant (Office of the Deputy Ambassador)

Udek smiled with her lips.
"I'm sure you don't," she replied. "And we expect no less, but active attempts at intrusion are a little tiresome. Still, they give counterintelligence something to do."

"Now, holding my statement as an official declaration is not advisable," she replied."Strictly speaking, ser, I've already told you far more than I am obliged to, and shouldn't have said anything at all. As you are here representing Vrak, not the Federation, I should have referred you to Consul-General deMalara in your capital, and said no more on the subject," she titled her head slightly.

"And I shall now avail myself of that option. If Vrak has a question regarding Covenant movements, I must refer you to His Serene Majesty's senior representative to that nation, Consul-General deMalara, who will be able to officially speak to the concern at hand. If the Consul-General is unable to address your concern, than this Embassy will be pleased to assist further. If you are here as a representative of the President, then I must request that you provide me with your credentials as such."

Her tone had remained bland and polite throughout. Somewhat at odds with the impassive face, emotionless eyes, and the almost-belligerent content. It was quite clear she thought the whole thing a procedural mishap. Though she was allowing the Vrakians to see that, somehow, they'd caused offence before they'd walked in the door.

**********
Still Vrak
Port Olympus - Vrakian Quarter

The reporter smiled internally. This would make excellent copy.
"Port Olympus has always been lawless?" he repeated, seemingly puzzled. "Ser, do I understand correctly; has the local authority, the President, allowed crime to run rampant in the Federal Capital?" his tone was carefully modulated; it was simply asking whether that was what the colonel had said, or if the reporter had misheard. He then leaned in slightly, a friend exchanging a confidence.

"It would be shockingly impolite of me to refuse you, Colonel. You've been very good allowing us to interview you. But corporate would have my neck if I drank alcohol on the job."

**********
Bruces, and also Vrak
Deep South Klatchian Ocean

CWS Die'Hreck
«Captain, we have six contacts north of our location, bearing-» the sonar officer read off a number.
«Can you tell what type they are?»
«Not currently. Computer says they're probably FKC»
There was a whisper of air, indicating the fleet's flag officer, a Rear Admiral, was now standing next to them.
«Probably Vrakian,» his voice was dry. «Do the Brucians show signs of alarm?»
«Nothing unusual sir.»
«Hmm... signal the unknown contacts. Advise them of our heading.»
«Yessir»

Attention unidentified vessels. This is the Covenant Water-Ship Die'Hreck, currently bearing-" a set of numbers was given "- operating under escort and protection of the Brucian Navy. Please identify yourselves."

**********
Ministry of Defence, Arn-Maciska
The orbital deployments, panic on the Dyellian station, and beginning counter-moves, were all being watched carefully. No-one thought for an instant that the Covenant would be embroiled in this; the two Imperial Naval deployments were well away from the conflict zones (one under the protection of the Brucians), and there were no other Covenant assets (aside from diplomatic missions).

Nevertheless, Space Division was ordered to put the Home Fleet on alert.

Port Olympus
The Dyellian Air Marshall seemed puzzled that anyone would be wanting to speak to him. He frowned, two black caterpillars drawing together on his forehead, "Is this something that will require the use of the Dyellian Air Force?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, where are my manners, please sit Sirs." he seemed flustered, in truth somewhat intimidated by being greeted by Keys. He was an Air Marshall, but there were quite a number of Air Marshalls in Dyelli Beybi, Keys were far more important, at least in the hierarchy that he believed in...

"Air Marshall James Dwight, Lake Pond Airforce. How can I be of Assistance to the Keys of the Glorious Kingdom?" Lake Pond was what the Dyellians referred to what most of the rest of Klatch called Lake Olympus... which meant he was probably usually stationed in the D.B.A.T., presumably in charge of squadrons protecting lake shipping from imagined threats.

__________


The Rt. Hnr. Livingston Bramble,

We fully understand your feelings on this matter and will of course put it before Federation Parliament which is not sitting, but which I assume will resit once the Keys have concluded whatever business they might be undertaking at this moment.

Regards,
I. Delgado,
Secretary to the President

It was at about this time that some random desk jockey from the President's office rang someone at Sir Ozzy's office to ask where he was and why Parliament wasn't sitting...

__________

York

"Tip him if you like." the Tzarina blinked at this novel concept. Tipping wasn't something Dyellians generally did. You did your work and didn't expect anything beyond what you were being paid. Either that or as someone more cynical might say, Dyellians were so slack, lazy and inefficient that nobody ever found a reason to tip.

"I am still on good terms with Caroline, no doubt she wouldn't mind speaking to you herself. She is a very down to earth person in a driven kind of way..." she gave Sherwin a curious look. Had he had some kind of 'more than friends' relationship with the now President of Klatch? It had seemed that way sometimes when she had first met him. Although Alexia ap Adam was not given to gossiping it was a question which she couldn't help but be intrigued by.

"Johnson sounds like a fake name." she added, frowning slightly, "Where was he from? Dyellian? Benjian?"

ooc: Well, the Calgary Stampeders won the Grey Cup. I'm glad to see the West won, but would have preferred my home team, the BC Lions.

ic:

[Post #183]
Ilek-Vaad

Great Lassic - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

If Patterson looked alarmed with Codreaneau’s remarks he tried hard to suppress it. After a long thirty seconds, he nodded to his now frowning aide and then replied,

“Well, I will have to verify this new information with our appropriate channels. Unofficially, the landing of Vaadian troops on Klatchian soil will undoubtedly be received badly by Vrak, who remembers the situation in Karmanyaka and more recently Fodmodmadtol. I would advise that Ilek-Vaad not seek to make a potentially combustible situation more flammable. After all, the FKC President can always request but we trust that Ilek-Vaad would consider how its reaction would be received in certain quarters.”

Breathe, Patterson, breathe. Exhale. That’s it. Remember the peace and tranquility of the Oyster. Oreik just recently began meditation classes and found that reciting the 45 ways of the Oyster helped him get better sleep at night. There was a shortened version that was always available when a stressful situation arose which consisted of a simple mantra: the Oyster sits. The Oyster sits. The Oyster sits…. It was this inward chant that he now began as he continued,

“As for the main purpose of this gathering, yes, we are receptive to move quickly on this. Would you excuse me since I would like to get an update on the High Consular’s travel status?”

====

[Post #186]
Macisikan

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant (Office of the Deputy Ambassador)


Kaml shrugged as he tried to guage not only the language but also the tone of the Deputy Ambassador. He really didn’t have as much contact as he would have liked with outsiders, but he was astute enough to know that the room temperature was, metaphorically speaking, lower than an Artic front blowing in from the Northern Territories.

“I apologize, Deputy Ambassador, for any misunderstanding regarding my credentials. I am Jonathan Kaml, Assistant to the Senior Minister of Rites which is a Vrakian Ministry. I am not a representative of the Federation government in any capacity.” Here he waived to his assistant that proffered the identification that was shown to the guards at the gate. Kaml continued, “ I shall the inquiries of the Vrakian government to the Lord Cellachan deMalara. As well, I will not take your words to be an official position of your government as per your request.”

=====


Port Olympus - Vrakian Quarter

The walrus seemed to have calmed down once his guests began to drink. The colonel was a walrus’s walrus or, in another way, a typical Vrakian who felt better when everyone else was slowly getting drunk. He tilted his great head slightly, considering the question as the major dutifully filled the walrus’s sixth glass.

“Well, sure, aren’t they everywhere? I don’t know what your homeland is like but here in the Klatch we have to contend with all kinds of dangers. Now, Port Olympus itself has always been lawless to a certain degree. I wouldn’t say that the President allows it to happen, but sometimes you can only do what you can do with what you have. Now, don’t get me wrong, the President is a fine lady and as Vrakians, we are pledged to uphold her safety. Which is what we are doing, in a way you know? Safety for our President and the city itself. As for crime, well, you will find that everywhere. We have crime in Vrak as well, but we can’t be arresting everyone. Only minimize it. And certainly in the present circumstances, we have to take appropriate measures to safeguard the Klatch. The Shades, which is where I think much of the crime in Port Olympus originates from sometimes needs to be reminded a lesson of who is in charge. And we will make sure that they do remember! I can guarantee you that!

The walrus then noticed the blood oozing from his flipper and casually remarked to the major to fetch a first aid kit to dress the wound.

=====

[Post #185, #186]
Sheilas and Bruces and Macisikan

Deep South Klatchian Ocean

The message from the Brucians made the communications officer shake his head. Unlike the Vrakians in Vrak-Shiron, he was not as comfortable to the casual manner of the Brucians. He relayed the message to his commander who then replied with the following.


Greetings fellow Klatchians! This is Captain Kuet of the VHS Ocean Thunder. We are Vrakians! We are monitoring the movements of the unidentified ships that are in your vicinity. Do you know who they are?


Just as the message was sent, the message from the CWS Die'Hreck came through.

-Well, it looks likewe have our answer. They aren’t exactly hostile if they are telling us where they are going. Still, we have to follow our orders. Transmit this message.


Covenant Water-Ship Die'Hreck, this is Captain Kuet of the VHS Ocean Thunder. We are conducting surveillance operations in the South Klatchian Ocean. What are your intentions?


====

[Post #183, #185]
Ilek-Vaad (A&H), Shielas & Bruces, Dyelli Beybi

Port Olympus - The Oblong Office


The walrus replied with a frown of his own and just the hint of a very soft growl.

“I can’t say why your diplomatic staff was shot down. I heard about the incident above Dyellian airspace. Perhaps in that matter a FKC investigation would be prudent. Now, you mention what Alcona & Hubris is prepared to do. I would think that our recent actions convey that we are doing so in order to restore peace and stability, unless you are willing to see Dyelli Beybi gobble up the entire Klatch territory? We are willing to go further, but will be greatly dismayed if we see Vaadian support behind your state’s attempt to rectify the situation. We will, and I want this clearly understood, we will oppose any Vaadian involvement or machinations that may try to undermine the stability of the Klatch. As well, given Lord Hull’s ultimatum, I have learned that our Senior Minister of Rites requests an audience with him as soon as possible.”

The walrus turned, noticing the Brucian just exiting with the President. He quickly turned to the Alconian.

“Look, there are three Klatchian keys here from three states. Why don’t we all go in right now and talk with the President?”

Then fixing his eyes on Bruce, he barked.

“Bruce, do you have a minute? Hold up, please.”

====

[Post #185]
Sheilas and Bruces

The Vrakians didn’t seem to mind the attention they were attracting. After all, they were on their way to mostly haul foodstuffs instead of munitions or weapons. Some of the Vrakians waved and even the officers cracked a grin. Still, the Vrakians would be wary if anyone got too close to the convoy. And the drivers of the tractor-trailers wouldn’t stop to pick up any hitchhikers.

OOC thread can be found here. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=14244742#post14244742)

Dyelli Beybi
Embassy of the Federated Klatchian Coast, Arn-Maciska, UIK
A message arrived on Ambassador Black's desk from the Secretary of the Assembly. It advised her that she was expected in Arn-Arakhan the next day to address States-General. Her address would be first on the morning agenda; the Assembly convened at 10 am.

Accommodation and transport would be provided on request.

A second note from Valdir's office advised that the High Conclave was in the process of hearing the case for considering Dyellians refugees.

**********
Vrak
Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant (Office of the Deputy Ambassador)
Udek's expression didn't so much as flicker as she glanced at the credentials.
"I see. Well, ser Kami, I am afraid I must refer you to the Consul-General. I am unable to assist you further," her tone made it clear the interview was over.

Outside a protocol officer hovered, waiting to escort the Vrakians out; they had gotten exactly nowhere fast.

**********
ooc: they were asking for non-alcoholic drinks... but whatever; corporate will be nice in exchange for the interview, lol.
Port Olympus - Vrakian Quarter

The reporter nodded along with the walrus's remarks.
"Well, thank you Colonel, you've been very helpful. One last question, ser, if I may; what do you personally think will be the future direction of the Federation? I'd like to remind our viewers that the colonel's answer here is not necessarily representative of the Vrakian government."

His manner was curious, but somehow not intrusive.

**********
Deep South Klatchian Ocean
The Rear Admiral chuckled dryly as the Vrakian response came in.
«Tell them we're on a routine blue-water exercise for overseas security purposes.»

The comms officer relayed the message; it was a standard "I can't believe you're expecting me to actually answer that question" response.

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant (Function Room) - Mac

Sir Ozy wrinkled his snout and looked thoughtful for several minutes.

"Well, you can't be too hard on the Vrakians, they do mean well, it's just that the walruses have different ideas entirely about 'polite' and 'appropriate', still I'm sure that just about every Klatchian intelligence bureau is trying to penetrate your embassies impeccable defenses, I know the Cheka go through my garbage."

The Nachxa laughs at that and then Sir Ozy continues.........


"They don't mean to offend, they just have problems putting a 'foot' right whilst they only have flippers......" he pauses looking at his paws "A problem I can sympathize with at times. I should be surprised if they know I'm here, at 4' nothing and with The Nachxa's tinted windows, I don't think I was noticed at any of the security check points."

He turns to Ambassador Valnard "You've had quite good relations with Vrak?"

*****
Port Olympus - Vaadian Embassy -DB

Ambassador Bramble passes the message along to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Naval Guard.

The President's aides have a bit of a problem in locating Sir Ozy, calling his office or residence, both his voice mailboxes are full, and sending someone around does no good either.

In fact nobody has seen him since the other Alconian Keys were arrested......................................

*****
York - DB

Sherwin frowns "You know, I have no idea where he is from, I never actually met him, I know The Boss and Caroline only ever talked with him by phone, the only thing I overheard was that he was in Cyro and is apparently very rich, he did foot the several hundred million Kronor fee for the Bad hand."

He didn't seem to notice Alexia's questioning look "Do you really think she still has her old cell phone? I haven't talked to her since, well since we got you back her from Port Olympus. I'm not sure she liked me, she always gave me looks like she was going to hit me."

He takes out his satellite phone "Well, let's see if we can give her a ring?"

*****
Great Lassic - Ministry of Foreign Affairs -Vrak

Minister Codreaneau smiles ever so sweetly.

"As I said, we will make decisions based on how the situation evolves. I assure you that no major military action will take place without a Mandate from the Republican Council and without an explicit request from your President, if you are concerned about our involvement, I would talk to her.

Rest assured that we, like you, simply want a stable and quiet Klatchia."

She stands and her assistant and Mr. Cherkess follow suit.

"Of course you may be excused. Simply contact my office to arrange for your attaches accomodations in Tollan when you've decided who that will be."

She seems to have enjoyed the meeting very much.

*****
Port Olympus - The Oblong Office - Vrak & S&B

The Alconian Key was obviously losing his patience.

"The Regent IS Vaadian, but in case you've been living in a hermetically sealed closet, you've seen that he refused to sign an alliance with the Free Republic, and has several times now committed to the Federation. It ios a shame that you and the Dyellians will not follow suit."

He frowns again " I wish your Senior Minister good luck with the Lord Hull.............." he pauses as Bruce comes out and simply nods to the Vrakian Key. " That is a good idea.............."

[Post #187]
Dyelli Byebi

Port Olympus

Both Keys sat, and while Hugo still kept looking over his shoulder at the huge Orc, Justin Irok seemed at bit more at ease. Was that because he could detect a slight nervousness on the part of the Air Marshal? Or his VIS training? Just being a more confident person? Or that more and more VIS agents were converging on the area? He hoped the latter wouldn’t be too obvious since he did know that the Cheka were more than capable, if not equal in ruthlessness and stealth and perhaps even a notch above the VIS in terms of orchestrating plots. He casually looked down the street. A Vrakian IFV parked at the far end and disgorged its compliment of soldiers. The streets were becoming more deserted as the work day was wrapping up. The streets were not as busy with the evening crowd of people who tended to go to restaurants, sporting events or some late night shopping. While the Klatch was generally more used to a military presence, the heavy Vrakian presence was disconcerting to the average Port Olympus citizen. In fact, such an overt Vrakian proximity gave some the willies and never happened t this degree. Oh sure, the Vrakians closed off their quarter before and surrounded Parliament once before. But moving into the entire city? Absurd! Irok turned again to address the Dyellian.

“Thank you Air Marshal. And we thank you for seeing us in such…unusual times. I need to be upfront with you sir. As you know, these are troubling times. We have it on good authority that you are connected with the Junta. We need to set up a meeting with their representatives so that this entire situation can be resolved with everyone happy.”

Irok wasn’t sure what sympathies the Junta had towards the Vaadians, so he decided not to broach that subject yet. He was sure that, like most Dyellians, they weren’t too fond of their mutual neighbour to the east.

====

[Post #180]
[i]Dyelli Beybi, et al.]

Vrak/Dyellian border

The Vrakians had a healthy respect of the Artois line and much of the heavy artillery, MRLS, anti-air, and tanks were well within Vrakian borders, including the fifteen new and much larger Vrakian tanks that rolled off the railway tracks and were taking positions within one of several chun-gunins. Clearly, like the Dyellians occupying a certain fortress alongside a certain canal, the Vrakians didn’t want to fight fellow Klatchians. But if they perceived that the Dyellians were attacking them, then they would. Like the sad history of the Klatch, which could really shine in greatness, the opportunity to fight their fellow Klatchians always seemed possible. However, if one did look back in history, the Klatch has come together to fight a foreign enemy - once it was organized to do so. Hence why a nimble single nation could inflict damage before the full Klatchian fury could be reckoned with. It was this type of fury that the late King Vrak I tapped into when the Klatch invaded Neo Tyr. This fury also was ready to ride into war when the Drakonian Imperium (may those pakrahs rot!) and their allies were readying an invasion. It was also this fury that beat back the nation of Imitora and Tersanctus. Could this same fury be called again? A more cynical student of the same history would say that many of these instances were caused by Dyellian machinations that would unknowingly (or knowingly if you were very skeptical) drag the rest of the Klatch into these conflicts in the first place.

Be that as it may, some civilian traffic was still flowing, although many border communities in Vrak were mostly desolated. Forward observation units mostly occupied these towns and kept a watchful eye on the Dyellians. The LLAFV-DP named Giant’s Footprint was undergoing final checks. It was in the main body of the Vrakian force which was about 50 kilometers from the border proper.

=====

The detection of the building-sized tank made some analysts sweat. They weren’t exactly sure of its capabilities, but it was probably, if not more so said some, as sturdy as one of the LLAFV’s, which were in small numbers. As well, the sudden deployment of six Vaadian tactical groups were not unexpected, but certainly a bit discomforting. The small naval squadron presently off the coast of Monte-Ozarka would not engage them unless they absolutely had to. The HORDE commander in Vrak-Shiron was notified as well as the HORDE Sub-General in Vrak-Ozarka. For the moment, no naval assets were deployed since the Vaadians weren’t doing anything threatening.

====

Vrakian HQ in Vrak-Ozarka

Big Nasty lifted off with a roar. Like the bellow of the Great Walrus himself, though the Sub-General as the nearly eight thousand ton machine turned and began to head towards the center of the territory itself. It was accompanied by at least two flights of fighter jets and a mix of heavy transport aircraft, bearing troops and IFVs. The Vaadian movements diverted the Sub-General’s attention, who put in an ASAP request for more fighter bombers and interceptors to be stationed closer to the coast. He divided up what he had and double-checked to make sure that Colonel Sansaeya - his more able colonels, had the equipment needed to maintain an incoming squadron of aircraft.

Deep South Klatchian Ocean

The message from the Brucians made the communications officer shake his head. Unlike the Vrakians in Vrak-Shiron, he was not as comfortable to the casual manner of the Brucians. He relayed the message to his commander who then replied with the following.



Just as the message was sent, the message from the CWS Die'Hreck came through.

-Well, it looks likewe have our answer. They aren’t exactly hostile if they are telling us where they are going. Still, we have to follow our orders. Transmit this message.


"Oh, there the Macki's. They call their ship the, um, Dye wreck. We're goin' to Bruce's Beach Island Just north and a bit east for a bit of a do. You're welcome to come and join us."

In fact it only took another couple of minutes until the Brucian ship laid anchor of the shore and a a number of dinghy's were laid in the water to transport the crew that were coming aboard. They were taking boogey boards, surfboards and a few other water based toys. They weren't in uniforms but were in board shorts. Having slapped alot of sunscreen on their were ready to have a bit of fun on the moderate swells of the beach.

It would still be a while to the food came but they'd be plenty of beer, stronger than you might expect.


Port Olympus - The Oblong Office


The walrus replied with a frown of his own and just the hint of a very soft growl.

“I can’t say why your diplomatic staff was shot down. I heard about the incident above Dyellian airspace. Perhaps in that matter a FKC investigation would be prudent. Now, you mention what Alcona & Hubris is prepared to do. I would think that our recent actions convey that we are doing so in order to restore peace and stability, unless you are willing to see Dyelli Beybi gobble up the entire Klatch territory? We are willing to go further, but will be greatly dismayed if we see Vaadian support behind your state’s attempt to rectify the situation. We will, and I want this clearly understood, we will oppose any Vaadian involvement or machinations that may try to undermine the stability of the Klatch. As well, given Lord Hull’s ultimatum, I have learned that our Senior Minister of Rites requests an audience with him as soon as possible.”

The walrus turned, noticing the Brucian just exiting with the President. He quickly turned to the Alconian.

“Look, there are three Klatchian keys here from three states. Why don’t we all go in right now and talk with the President?”

Then fixing his eyes on Bruce, he barked.

“Bruce, do you have a minute? Hold up, please.”

"Oh, hey mate. Yeah sure, What's goin' on?" this was probably fairly analogous to "What's up?" but it's about as formal the language of the Free Lands gets.

]

The Vrakians didn’t seem to mind the attention they were attracting. After all, they were on their way to mostly haul foodstuffs instead of munitions or weapons. Some of the Vrakians waved and even the officers cracked a grin. Still, the Vrakians would be wary if anyone got too close to the convoy. And the drivers of the tractor-trailers wouldn’t stop to pick up any hitchhikers.

Just as they appeared they disappeared into the bush again, it was almost amazing, how these 20 people suddenly seem to vanish without a trace. Though a small single engine 'Cessna' started flying in the skies above them. A very Brucian plane it just seemed to be looking at what was happening from the sky and then it returned back. The town of Bringa Binalong was coming up.

York - IV

"I think she changed the number." the Tzarina sounded slightly apologetic, "She had a few weird people stalking her from what I gathered."

Which was almost certainly a euphemism for 'from what I was told by the Cheka', "Although due to our close relations with Port Olympus at this time, mostly due to the fact that the President relies on the Cheka to gather information as much as we do... which reminds me I should petition Klatchian parliament for a grant to cover costs... where was I?"

She blinked, seemingly lost as to what she had been talking about a moment ago, "Oh yes!" she snapped her fingers, "I have her direct line. Its written down in the little note book in my study." which sounded like an outrageously unsafe place to keep the President of the Federation's phone number.

She stood up, apparently now totally focussed on getting Sherwin the phone number, "Come on."

Through the rabbit warren of passages. The Tzarina's study overlooked another interior courtyard... this one for some reason was planted in vegetables (mostly rhubarb and leeks) and wasn't quite the pretty picture that the others were. Unlike most other rooms this one was Spartan in its decorations, with landscapes of the rugged hills and plains around York where there were any paintings at all. There was one exception which hung directly above her desk. This was a portrait of a grim looking man in a black leather jacket, hammer and sickle armband marking him as one of the early Communist guerillas. Possibly someone the Tzarina had known?

The little notebook was exactly that. A small notebook with handwritten entries in Alexia's neat hand (a psychologist would have a field day comparing that to her erratic personality). She thumbed through it, copying a number onto a piece of scrap paper before presenting it to Sherwin, "Knock yourself out."

The next day would be quite interesting. It was then that the Tzarina discovered Parliament was selecting her a suitor. Something which caused her to become unusually withdrawn. Although those who knew her well would comment she was obviously extremely angry...

__________

Port Olympus - IV/everyone else

With Sir Ozy not available the President acted in usual Dyellian manner. One could probably assume the thought process went something like this...

Someone is stuffing me around.

I need that someone.

Therefore I will get someone else to do it.

I will also make it clear through who I get to do it that that someone is not indispensable.

As such Mr. Nigel O'Blution was appointed to the position of 'Proxy Speaker of the House' to fill in for Sir Ozy during his illness. This was an unexpected promotion for Mr O'Blution who had up to that moment been the man who scraped the gum from the underside of the desks at the nearest primary school. (OOC: Anyone want to take over O'Blution?)

__________
Port Olympus - Vrak

"I am." the Air Marshall confirmed, "I am a voting member as are all senior officers of the Dyellian Armed Services, although I have been asked here on behalf of our organisation to relay messages to the President."

He scratched his head, "I can probably ask France, O'Booze and Collins to meet with you if that is what you want, however any agreement you reach with them would have to be voted on by the Junta."

He looked slightly confused by the idea of meeting with the Junta's representatives seemed to have thrown him. His slow methodical mind seemed to have encountered a block. He scratched his head again, "What situation?" he asked, blinking at the keys stupidly, "We aren't authorised to negotiate on behalf of the Government of Dyelli Beybi, that is outside our mandate."

__________

Arn-Maciska: States General

Black arrived at the appropriate time, smartly dressed and carrying her usual apologetic attitude (well aware that she was constantly putting her foot in her mouth over here). Although she was aware her address was scheduled for 10am she arrived an hour early, just in case there was other stuff to do first, and in case there was nobody to tell her what she had to do and she had to figure it out for herself...

Port Olympus - The Oblong Office - Vrak & S&B

The Junior Alconian Key nods politely to Bruce "Good afternoon Bruce, our Honorable colleague from from the Glorious Kingdom believes it may be a good idea if all three of us went to see the President......." He says as he motions to the Vrakian Key "We could quite possibly set the framework for some sort of agreement to end all of the Federations issues?"

He looks expectantly at the Brucian "I'm sure we are all eager to set things back to normal."

*****

York

Sherwin takes the new number and calls Caroline immediately.

"Hello, uh, madam President? This is Captain Sherwin Thales, perhaps you remember me? I'm calling from York............."

The next day he lets Alexia sulk and prepares for the arrival of the Chief of the Einherjar, making sure that the Dyellian security forces wouldn't cause some sort of incident, and also locating a range someplace where the Einherjar could demonstrate their worthiness.

*****
Port Olympus -Everyone

Of course the call to Parliament was highly unusual, the Constitution only allows for the speaker to be elected from one of the sitting Keys and it made no provision for a temporary speaker.

The Alconian Keys ignored it, and continued to try and locate Sir Ozy, they are continously pestering the Klatchian Marshals , the KNG and the Office of the President to release Sir Ozy from custody.

They assume that he was detained just as they were, and of course, the Presidents attempt to assign a temporary speaker to replace Sir Ozy only proved that for them. Every other Klatchaijn Nation's Keys are also contacted and apprised of the Alconian suspicions of what is going on, that the President is holding Sir Ozy, and the President is attempting to insert her own speaker to force votes to give her yet more power............the press and media outlets also learn of this suspicion..........

(OOC: I'll be Mr. Nigel O'Blution of if you like, but with all the Alconians and Vaadians I'm already having a bit of an identity crises :D)

OOC: Go for it. He's a janitor with no knowledge of how court works and no interest in anything apart from the promise of free sandwiches for morning tea. Ideal for parliament. I'll make a proper reply asap.

Port Olympus - everyone
The Offices of the President waited just long enough for the accusations of the Alconan Keys to be reported across Klatch... at which point a series of letters began to appear at their offices. The President was taking them to court separately in each State of the Federation, bringing against them a case of defamation/libel/whatever the local tort happened to be named...

"It is high time that Klatchian Politicians were more responsible." this was Delgado in his press conference, sounding piously triumphant, "Simply put we cannot sit by and allow the Alconans to carry out this form of gutter politics which previously has only been observed coming from Ilek-Vaad."

"The President will not stoop to such levels, rather we will observe the spirit of the Federation, keeping this dispute within the courts where it belongs. As all of Klatch knows, the Offices of the President have remained transparent throughout. Never have we acted outside the guidelines of the constitution, nor have we ever secretly imprisoned anyone. These allegations brought forward by the Keys of Alcona and Hubris, who really should know better, are false and without any pretext. Thank you. There will be no questions."

__________
A phone call - IV
"Why is this phone ringing?" came a rather irritable voice from the other side of the phone, apparently Caroline was not in a good mood.

She seemed to calm down a little when she heard it was Sherwin, sighing audibly before continuing in a much more civil tone, "Yes I remember you. I assume you are with the Tzarina? How can I help?"

__________
York, presumably a little later

Tomashenko was there at the airport to great the Captain, along with Thidrek Vasa and a woman wearing dark sunglasses who seemed to be a Commisaar. The Tzarina however was not.

(OOC: I'm going to assume Sherwin shows up for this)

"Ah Mr. Sherwin." Tomashenko gave an ironic bow as he arrived. The man was wearing a rather snappy looking military style uniform, a big blue and gold ribbon pinned to his chest, "Perhaps you could be so kind as to explain to me why we have no Tzarina but instead instructions to play the video file on this fash memory stick when the whatsamajig Captain arrives?"

As he said this he darted a sharp look at the woman who shifted uneasily. Apparently she knew something but wasn't letting on.

Port Olympus - The Oblong Office - Vrak & S&B

The Junior Alconian Key nods politely to Bruce "Good afternoon Bruce, our Honorable colleague from from the Glorious Kingdom believes it may be a good idea if all three of us went to see the President......." He says as he motions to the Vrakian Key "We could quite possibly set the framework for some sort of agreement to end all of the Federations issues?"

He looks expectantly at the Brucian "I'm sure we are all eager to set things back to normal."


"Strewth, Klatch is weird. Yeah mate, I want to see things return to normal but mate, I don't know why we can't settle this over a couple of beers." he commented... "what's the plan, anyway, mate?"

Port Olympus - all

Quietly the Alconians responded, simply pointing out to the media that filing court cases was indeed the right of the President, but pointless since the President had left the benches empty.

They then counter sued for libel as well as now bring suit against the Office of the President and the KNG for arresting the Alconian Keys without warrant or charge, and holding them secretly and away from counsel.

Secretary Delgado also receives a message from the Vaadian Embassy:

I. Delgado,Secretary to the President of The Federated Klatchian Coast,

I was unaware that Vaadian 'gutter politics' as you call it so offended the sensibilities of the President. If you see our brutal honesty as displeasurable we would appreciate that the matter was handled within the proper channels instead of before the media.

I have received a very pointed call from the First Republican, and I am to inform you that co-operation with Dyellian assets by our Naval Guard monitors is immediately suspended.

I have also spoken with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and he asked that I remind you of your oral promise to immediately do away with the Federations 'anti-terrorism laws' that were targeted at citizens of the Free Republic. He has received reports that these laws are still in place and as such his office is issuing a travel and trade warning for all citizens of the Free Republic.

Again, I am at the Presidents disposal if she deems it necessary.

I Thank You,
The Rt. Hnr. Livingston Bramble
Ambassador to The Federated Klatchian Coast, Ilek-Vaad

Ambassador Bramble has nothing public to say about any of the kerfuffle in the Klatchia.

*****
The Eastern Marches

The forces of the Lord Vaad were still growing, but with the deadline set by Lord Hull plodding ever closer the gathered Alconian Royal Marines along with the Lord Vaad's Velites Kerbals began moving for the border.............................by the next morning they would be within sight of the border, their numbers swelling as the volunteer household forces of the Adel continued to arrive and locals streamed to see the Lord Vaad, who was suitably aweing them with his presence.

As the forces vacated their former positions they are followed by the Royal Artillery being brought up from Blood Harbour and off shore the Royal Navy mirrors the movements of the ground forces, the air swarms with auto-gyros and ornithopters.

*****
Great Lassic - Vrak

The Vrakian Embassy receives a message from the Vaadian Ministry of Defence:

Ambassador - Glorious Kingdom of Vrak

President of the Federation's request for Naval Guard/Retaliatory Guard assistance to the Glorious Kingdom of Dyelli-Beybi has been denied. Naval Guard assets will observe only.

Mission may change as situation evolves.

Minister of Defence, Ilek-Vaad

It was fairly clear that the Vaadians were becoming less and less amused by the antics of the Federation.

*****
A phone call - DB

"Yes, yes I am helping the Tzarina..............what we need is someone in Cyro, that can, ah, track someone, that we need to arrest." Sherwin says without a hint of irony "And I thought that your friend Mr. Johnson was in Cyro, if he still is, would he be able to help us? "

He pauses and adds before she answers "Other than that we're all fine here, how are you doing there?"

*****
York, probably a day later - DB

Sherwin shrugs "I don't know the Tzarina's schedule, does she have a secretary? What's on the video?"

He pauses as the turbo-prop DHL international shipping plane taxis down the run way.

"Oh, and it's Chief of the Einherjar, I'm a Captain......" he motions to his Captains bars and pilot wings.

The rear ramp of the transport deploys and a forklift starts up it, but then there is a bit of commotion as the forklift hurriedly backs down followed by a couple of scared load masters. Something comes plodding down the ramp..............

Jormund Elvers, Chieftan of the Einherjar, is only about six foot four, or five, but this is offset by his width his shoulders are easily four feet wide as his barrel chest, his arms hang down blow his knees and his legs are as thick around as an elephants.

The Commissar, Tomoshenko and Thidrek Vaasa are probably wondering where on earth anyone found a flak jacket to fit Elvers, but as he moves towards them they realize his 'flak-jacket' is made of tank armour cut into squares and riveted together as an over sized shirt.

He moves deliberately towards them. His dark blue eyes look over them, his slim aquiline face is framed by blonde side-burns and short blond hair, his brows and cheeks jut with thick troll-like calcifications that form thick plates that go down his neck and down the backs of his heavily scarred arms, his ears, are laughably delicate and elven.

He stops before them, setting down a large steel case that while it is nearly as big as himself, he carried nonchalantly. He bows deeply with a slow grace to the 'Tzarina's representatives'.

Sherwin salutes him "Chief Jormund Elvers, I do apologize but the Tzarina could not make it, this is Tomashenko, Thidrek Veda and uh, ............." He motions to the Dyelians.

Jormund Elvers nods and returns the salute "I am pleased to meet all of you........." his voice is deep and rumbling, like standing a bit to close to a tiny Honda with a giant sub-woofer in the trunk. "Are we prepared for my demonstration?"

*****
Port Olympus - Oblong Office, Vrak, S&B

"Well, the three of us together have the votes to carry any proposal if we can get Parliament seated. We need to go in, convince the President that we need to get into Parliament and vote on rescinding the 'terrorist' laws that she has used to arrest Federation Keys......" He pauses and looks to the Vrakian Key...

"Formalize and set compensation for the Glorious Kingdoms 'extra-border' activities so that Vrak and Dyelli-Beybi can have set borders and remove troops from each others paths as well as elect Consuls, Judges and get the JDF and Federation Marshals back up and running."

He pauses and looks back to Bruce "I think that will end the 'weirdness'?"

He looks expectantly from Bruce to the Vrakian Key.

*****
Port Olympus - Parliament

Mr. Nigel O'Blution sat in Sir Ozy's office, wondering why the chair was so uncomfortably low when Sir Ozy's staff entered. They looked crestfallen, they had expected, well, Sir Ozy.

O'Blution looked up at them "Ah, good, good, I'm glad you are here. The President has ordered that Parliament, uh meet and named me speaker Pro Tem of Parliament until Sir Ozy can be located."

The staff members looked at each other in bewilderment.

O'Blution continues "So we nered to get a hold of the Parliamentary uhm Keys, you know in the usual manner................"

Sir Ozy's chief of staff interrupts "Pardon me sir, but two days ago when Sir Ozy attempted to seat Parliament we were evacuated due to terrorist bombs on the premises, have the Marshal's completed their security sweep?"

O'Blution's eyes widened, he'd been working here the last two days leveling chair legs and hadn't seen any security teams.

"I uh, I uhm." He looks around confusedly " I will.............."

Sir Ozy's chief of staff looks hopeful " Call the President?"

"Yes! I'll do that, I mean that's what I was doing......." he looks up as he lifts the receiver "Do I need to dial '9'? What is the Presidents number?"

The Staff look at each other with wide eyes in a feeling of slowly building horror.

The wonderful world of 'telephone'...
Caroline, that is the President actually laughed, "He is intelligence." she said when she had finished, "Firstly I wouldn't trust him and secondly I wouldn't know how to even begin trying to contact him."

There was a slight pause, "I prefer to forget about that part of my life." she stated simply, "It have done things that would shock the 'man on the street', yet I do not believe this makes me less capable of serving. If you want someone in Port Olympus to help you out I would recommend Richard Quentin. If you want to find him speak to my sister, she seemed to have a fondness for the rascal... he's where 'Lexi got that stash of antimatter from."

Before Sherwin had the opportunity to ask any of the obvious questions like 'what antimatter?', the President had changed tack, "I'm glad to hear you're well." she answered sweetly, "I wouldn't be surprised if I'm lined against the wall and shot tomorrow. Fancy a wager on it?"

__________
York
"Marquis Dmitri Tomashenko." the Northerner stepped forward, clicking his heels smartly. He had thought about offering his hand, then figured the creature might mangle it so opted not to. Like any soldier he was glad whatever it was was on his side, but was also mindful it could change so was clicking over the best ways to kill/maim the Chieftain.

The woman in the glasses introduced the others, "This is Captain Thidrek Vassa and I am Lance-Lieutenant Amalia Shamir, ap Adam Household Calvalry."

She then surprised everyone by taking the lead, despite being a junior of either of the others, "A demonstration? This building is collective aha I should say State property so let us not be so hasty. I think the video should be viewed first in any case. You could say you will have the opportunity for a 'live fire' demonstration."

This earned a glare from Tomashenko, although this time it was ignored. Rigging a screen in the terminal to display the message was not that difficult and a few minutes later they were sitting on the plastic chairs of the terminal observing what the Tzarina had recorded. Vasa had slipped away for a moment, but he returned now with a packet of potato crisps. He offered some to Jormund, with a slight raised eyebrow. The elf was curious about the newcomer, although he was cool and 'standoffish' by nature.

"Is this thing on? Oh so it is." the Tzarina was suddenly on screen, apparently making a covert recording on a web cam...

"Welcome to Dyelli Beybi. I am sure that you will get on just fine here. I hope none of you will mind me saying so, but Sherwin, you are the only truly human person in the welcoming committee, which is my way of saying you'll get on here. I have taken the liberty of allotting you some land and a cash deposit for creation of a settlement with appropriately proportioned buildings in the nearby countryside. Amalia will be able to show you where that is later...

"Anyway, I have a question. How many of you believe in fate?" a pause, "I do... You get to these points in time where it seems you are trapped into doing just one thing like you are dancing to the pen of some invisible author."

Another pause, "Parliament would chose me a husband. They know that I won't like it and will show up to frighten the buggers off. I know that they know that, but it doesn't change the fact that I am going to protect my honour. What they expect is for me to show up with a band of Hardmandle Commandos guns blazing. I am not going to do that, I am going to go down there alone. They will capture me, put me on trial for some nonsense then sentence me to death. What you are going to do is march in there and pull me out. The ultimate prison break that underlines the powerlessness and ineffectiveness of Parliament. Good luck!"

And that was that.

London Calling

Sherwin chuckles "Lined up and shot? Oh I doubt that, I can try and help out in Port Olympus too if you like, however I'm being stretched thin. I do then need your sister's phone number if that wouldn't be an issue, we do need a man in Cyro."

He paused sounding curious, but not about the anti-matter or her background "Who could possibly want to shoot you?"

*****
York

Sherwin frowns at the recording "Well, I don't think any of us expected that."

He pauses and looks up at Jormund Elvers, who had remained standing rather than crushing the offered chair, he had also refused the crisps with a shake of his head, he did not say much.

"Jormund, I think you and your Einherjar are out of the mercenary business." Sherwin said with a smile.

Jormund nods slowly before rumbling " I will need four days to muster the rest of the Einherjar and we will need clearance to land a military transport, if I have to use freight planes, then I will need two weeks."

He pauses and opens up his chest and retrieves his gear, his large armored gloves, his 12.5mm FN-MAG machine gun modified after being ripped off of a tank, a pair of firemans axes and a rocket launcher tube and several shaped rocket warheads, as he is draping the several hundred feet of extra machine gun ammunition across his shoulders he looks over the assembled.

"What is between us and the Tzarina?"

Somewhere in the distance, the theme from the 'A-Team (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH1IXGkpQTw)' begins playing............................

Port Olympus - The Oblong Office - Vrak & S&B

The Junior Alconian Key nods politely to Bruce "Good afternoon Bruce, our Honorable colleague from from the Glorious Kingdom believes it may be a good idea if all three of us went to see the President......." He says as he motions to the Vrakian Key "We could quite possibly set the framework for some sort of agreement to end all of the Federations issues?"

He looks expectantly at the Brucian "I'm sure we are all eager to set things back to normal."


"Mates, if you think getting rid of some words on a piece of paper will do anything apart from get of those words you must be off your rocker. If you repeal the law, the keys who have been imprisoned will still be imprisoned, mates, and it won't change anything that's happening or that has happened. Though the law is stupid, see this is we Brucians don't like formality, mates it exists only to bite you in the backside later and only throws up fences only for you to get around should you want to change it. I'm in."

ooc; sorry everyone; RL interfered. I hope I haven't missed a reply to anyone here... oh, and DB: States-General isn't in Arn-Maciska...

**********

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant (Function Room)[/b
[i]Ilek-Vaad/A&H[i]

The Ambassador frowned at Sir Ozy's comments, but didn't pass comment.

"Our relations with Vrak are the most cordial of any Federation nation, and before the swearing in of President ab Ieauf, they were more cordial than our relations with the Federation itself," he gazed into his tea thoughtfully. "The problem emerges, as they often do, when people walk into the minefield of Covenant protocol and tradition..."

It would be scant minutes before an intern arrived to inform the party that the Klatchian President was attempting to usurp Sir Ozy's position.

**********

[b]Hall of the Assembly of the States-General, Arn-Arakhan
Dyelli Beybi

Protocol Officers took care of the Ambassador for a while; seating her in a rather comfortable office complete with refreshments, and a live feed of the Assembly, which was conducting a ceremonial opening to usher in the second half of the session. A few minutes before 10, the official party left to re-arrange itself, and then the Ambassador was ushered down to the speaker's entrance.

The great chamber resembled nothing so much as one of the huge convention centres that American parties hire for their nominating conventions; rows of tiered seats, a flat area, overlooked by a dais with a lectern (where the speakers stood) - behind that rose three rows of benches, one behind another -- they were empty (except the first row), as the Lord-President and his party had not entered. The whole lot teeming with people. Here and there, banners hung from the vaulted ceiling, indicating which nation was located where; the UIK occupied the centremost position, flanked by Akmadar and Nak-Saldar. The other two large Divisions occupied the extreme right and left ends of the hall; the thirty or so minor nations were scattered throughout.

The noise level was high, but not overwhelming.

From one side, a herald entered, and tapped a steel-shod staff three times onto the floor.
"Mr Secretary; the Lord-President of the Covenant!" he bellowed; the last word was nearly lost in the sound of over three thousand people standing up. Lord-President Foxworth entered with his official party to occupy the middle row behind the speaker's platform. The top row remained vacant, and in shadow; there were no special guests present.

Sir Edmund, leaning heavily on his cane, stood in the glare of the lights and surveyed the crowd, before sitting -- the crowd followed suit.

The herald entered again, and repeated the ritual with the staff.
"Mr Secretary," he announced, "the Honourable Ambassador for the Federated Klatchian Coast!" polite applause swelled around the last word; clapping softly, Sir Edmund looked to where Claudia Black was to enter, his face utterly blank.

The air took on an expectant, slightly sour, edge as the Dyellian was ushered in; faint hostility was radiating out from the central seats.

**********

Covenant newsmedia was becoming highly critical of Delgado and the President; no power in Arn-Maciska seemed interested in stemming the tide.

OOC: Actually waiting on Vrak to reply what's happening in the Deep South Klatchian Ocean.

With telephone, you make the calls!

"Aren't wild goose chases fun?" the President seemed perversely pleased at the number of calls Sherwin was having to make, but after a few moments she seemed to relent, "Listen. I'll contact my Cheka liason and see if I can help you out. If you can wait a bit I'll find the number for you."

She was as good as her word, better, with an aide finding Sherwin about an hour later to let him know that a Commisaar Quentin had called for him, he hadn't left a message, but had said he would call back in half an hour, and would Mr. Thales like to take the call from his own quarters?

___________
The Airport

"Indeed not." Tomashenko chimed in, "bloody nutter." he added, but with a faint hint of awe. It would seem this kind of insane behaviour impressed him.

The other two kept poker faces, exchanging a quick glance. Shamir had definitely known something, Vassa possibly as well.

"I can organise the transport landing." Tomashenko assured him, "I'll claim its an emergency cargo load of venison for a royal banquet."

"And sadly they will probably believe you." Vassa added caustically, he had a slight lisp when he spoke, "We aren't exactly sure as of yet, because frankly we don't know where the Tzarina is precisely."

"I will know soon." Shamir jumped in, almost cutting her superior off although he didn't seem to mind, "She will be somewhere in Bath. I suspect they will not attempt to move her due to the fact that is probably the only place they can hold against a Junta attack."

She looked Elvers over with an expression that was almost unreadable due to the sunglasses. Unlike Tomashenko, Shamir was thinking of the potential uses of the unknown creature in battle. How would he benefit the household cavalry? He was big and had some heavy armour, and carried a big gun... a bit like one of the really big orcs she imagined, although he would probably draw attention.

"You will of course be working with us." Shamir continued, Vassa having seemingly lost interest in everything apart from his crisps, "The honour of the cavalry would be quite destroyed if we did not act to aid our Tzarina... would you perhaps like to retire to our training grounds? There we can plan and get an idea of just what you can do."

__________

(OOC: Will reply to the last bit ASAP... so little time lol)

Port Olympus - The Oblong Office - Vrak & S&B

The Junior Alconian key nodded solemnly to Bruce "While I don't understand your mistrust of formality, I can empathize with your notion that the laws as written can be ignored or interpreted for differing ends, as our current President has shown. What we need to understand is that the law, as it stands, is what the President is using as an excuse for arresting dissenting members of the Federal Government, and as one of the Keys that was arrested I can assure you that if we repeal the law we remove her justification for her actions."

He pauses and looks very seriously at Bruce "And if we remove her legal justification for her actions, then her intent will be laid bare and you can then judge how trustworthy she is."

*****
Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant (Function Room) - Macisikan

The Nachxa looks shocked at the news while Sir Ozy helps himself to another slice of bread , buttering it generously and chuckling.

"It is of course the President's right to call Parliament into session. The Constitution explicity states however that the Speaker " he pauses "and that is still me, must be a member of Parliament and a Key. The President pens the door to impeachment should she be foolish enough to attempt to appoint a speaker."

He then sighs heavily "I do suppose however that I should go and save the President from herself." He turns to Ambassador Valnard "I do thank you for your exquisite hospitality and I regret having to cut short my visit here, we shall have to continue this at a later date?"

He pauses turning to the Nachxa "Your XJ6 is the Vanden Plas model? It has a matching picnic set in the boot?"

The Nachxa nods "And a matching picnic blanket and a burled walnut carafe for hot drinks......." He then looks like he has some idea of what Sir Ozy wants "I shall fetch them."

Sir Ozy smiles and looks back to Ambassador Valnard "If I could impose on you the liberation of some of your tea and wonderful food, I would be indebted to you."

He has the look of a fox that is about to outwit the hounds.

*****
Mr. Thales Quarters, York

Sherwin takes the call in his quarters and wait patiently for Commissar Quentin to call back, with baited breath.

*****
York, a Short time later

Jormund Elvers seems to constantly wear the same blank, melancholic expression all the time, he seems unconcerned by the recent turn of events.

He simply nods to Lance-Lieutenant Shamir, and then Sherwin chimes in " Yes I have a course all set up for a demonstration, when you all see what Chief Elvers and his lads can do, I'm sure you'll be able to plan appropriately, we can call and arrange for the rest of the Einherjar to get here on the way to the Range."

[Post# 193]
Shielas and Bruces

Deep South Klatchian Ocean

Captain Kuet shook his head in bemusement at the Brucian response. Would he really care to join the Brucians and the Macisikanis on the beach? Knowing the Brucians, there would likely be beer and hamburgers. By the Great Clam, their “warships” were probably kitted with a wide range of BBQs and accessories instead of guns and missiles. He smiled in smug satisfaction as he contemplated the firepower in just these six submarines, let alone an entire battlegroup. Besides, he was told to observe, not to make friends. Then again, this would be a perfect opportunity to observe.


Thank you for the invitation Captain Bruce. We shall be joining you shortly.


True to his word, the submarines drew closer to the island. The Ocean’s Thunder, a Typhoon class submarine, broke the water smoothly and once it slowed to a leisurely 5 knots, three inflatable boats set to sea bound for the meeting place. Captain Kuet in the lead boat radioed to the Brucians that he was on his way and also had a more detailed and highly encrypted message sent to his superiors in Vrak-Shiron outlining what he was doing and what he hoped to gain from such an encounter.

====

[Post# 193, 195, 198, 202]
Shielas and Bruces, Ilek-Vaad, Dyelli Beybi

Port Olympus - The Oblong Office

After listening to the Alconian and Brucian, Ju-Mak Kwarliu merely nodded, but was uncomfortable about the idea of impeaching the President. Such ideas were anathema to a direct people like the Vrakians, although they could play “the game” of side deals and whatnot with aplomb if needed. Most Vrakians were resigned to the fact that the President was a Dyellian and hence their loyalty to her would be strong. Of course, the recent land incursions into the previously titled “Unclaimed Territories” could be interpreted as a selfish Vrakian move and nothing more. Ju-Mak wasn’t keen on being scrutinized on this issue but had his well-scripted answers ready.

“Why don’t we just talk first with the President before we set out some kind of framework? That is, we do want what is best for the Federation, don’t we?”

Without waiting for an answer, he shifted his bulk and waddled to the Office of the FKC President.

====

[Post# 194]
Dyelli Beybi

Justin Irok listened patiently to the Air Marshal’s words. This would be better than he had hoped. A chance to meet the legendary O’Booze and Collins! He contained his excitement. Hugo, unfortunately, uttered something first before he could.

“That would be excellent, Air Marshal,” said Hugo, addressing the Dyellian in the usual Vrakian manner of using the person’s title first and omitting the name, “We would like to speak with them so as to bring about a resolution to this crisis.”

“If possible, we would like to meet in our offices in Parliament,” interjected Irok, “or if you prefer, a more neutral ground?”

The streets were quickly becoming more and more deserted. Another SUV with tinted windows pulled up behind the one that the Keys arrived in and shut off its engine.

====

[Post#199]
Ilek-Vaad

Somewhere in Vrak

-Well, the Vaadians are keeping their word about keeping us apprised of their movements. Let us return the favour.


To: Vaadian Minister of Defence
From: The Vrak Ministry of War

Thank you for your updates. We have currently one hunter/killer group that has intercepted a Macisikan battlegroup in the South Klatchian Ocean. The Macisikani told us they are on a routine blue-water exercise for overseas security purposes. We also have four hunter/killer groups in the Dark Sea conducting patrol operations. As well, one small squadron off the coast of Vrak-Ozarka is supporting our land forces in that territory. Mission parameters may change depending upon the security environment.


====

[Post# 190]
Macisikan

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant (Office of the Deputy Ambassador)

“It’s Kaml, actually Deputy Ambassador, although the Vrakian language is at best confusing for those who are even native speakers, said the Assistant to the Senior Minister of Rites. Why did I do that? he suddenly thought. I am now an idiot.

He smiled as he and his aide picked up their credentials. A brief bow and they both exited the building to their waiting limousine. As they cleared the gates, Kaml looked down the street and did not like what he saw. The Vrakian military was making making their presence clearly felt in Port Olympus. The nearest intersection had an infantry fighting vehicle near a machine gun nest and, if he was not mistaken, one of the ubiquitous black SUVs commonly used by the VIS.

====

ooc: more coming tonight

[Post #206,207]
Ilek-Vaad, Vrak, DB

"Formality, mate, It's a crock. A whole lot of BS for nothing and just provides a facade for people pull this kind o' shit." Bruce commented before he noticed the Walrus start moving.

"Well, he's got the Idea. No point beating round the bush." Bruce followed after the Walrus.

[Post #207]
Mackistan, Vrak

There were a few Bruces sitting on chairs with fishing rod trying to 'catch' one of the Vrakian submarines. They've obviously already started on the beers and cheer loudly. Other's where playing beach cricket scuttling about, the rules where fairly simple but there had been a lot of fun. The supply of food hadn'y come yet but there was plenty of beer.

[Post# 190]
Macisikan

Port Olympus - Vrakian Quarter

At this the Colonel stopped short. The future direction of the Federation? He was hardly a visionary or political pundit but a soldier. One who followed orders and, one could likely surmise, given to wild paranoia views of terrorists lurking under every bed and behind every tree. He poured himself yet another drink, downed in with one gulp and slammed it down on his desk.

“The future of the Federation is a strong one. You remember that once the FKC was led by our own King Vrak the First. He was a strong walrus. A strong one indeed. Now, the Federation needs this iron once again. When this is done, then the Federation will crush his enemies with impunity. Oh…yes! It will be glorious when that day happens! But to get the Federation to act in one, decisive, focused sword is difficult. Only a strong leader can do this. Think of it like this, my honoured guests; the Federation is like a great sword laying in the wilderness with great power. But only a few with great strength may pick it up. Fewer still have the skill and strength to use it properly. It is not a club but a sword. A sword that can cut, skewer, and slash with grace. When that leader can do so, then a truly unified Federation will be a force to be reckoned with!”

====

ooc: Pretty sure that Lord Hull is an Alconian, so I think my message is right. As well, if I recall, isn’t Ambassador Tancred ambassador to Vrak?

[Post # 191]
Ilek-Vaad

Vrak - Office of the Senior Minister of Rites

Jur Ratyuig sighed as he bent his great head to his desk, looking at the simple message. Things were so much easier, he thought, when the King was the President. Less intrigue within the Klatch. No hostile neighbours that were so close. That was so long ago, when Vrak and the Federation was making a name for itself in the world. The World Court, a first unified front of the Federation in a non-military sense and allowing the curious to get a glimpse of what the FKC was like. He fondly thought of the time he escorted SHODAN around the capital and his attendance at Nathicana’s wedding. His expression became dark at the memories of Drakonia, Neo Tyr, and the aborted invasion by Tersanctus and Imitoria. And the chilly relations with Ilek-Vaad who were, at one time, almost as close as a fellow Klatchian state. He looked out of his office window onto the bustling streets below. The damage from the Dolze invasion was hardly evident anymore. What can he do to keep it so?

Another great sigh. He gazed absently at the message from Jonathan Kaml. It was really dumb of the VIS to try to use his Assistant as a snoop to access the Covenant embassy. And, of course, he would have to make up some kind of answer for Lord Cellachan deMalara, should she come knocking at his door. He also looked at the missive from Patterson. Yes, yes Patterson. The Ambassaor is on his way. By Bok’s Maw, why didn’t they communicate directly? He passed along the pertinent details regarding Vaadian movements and whatnot to the VIS. No doubt, he thought, the bastards already are dissecting the message and drawing up profiles of those at the meeting.

He pushed a button and a highly encrypted message was sent directly to Lord Hull himself. He then poured himself a drink. Might as well get some sleep now.


To: Lord Hull
From: The Ministry of Rites - Senior Minister
Message: Request an audience

It would be in the mutual interests of fellow Klatchian states to resolve this crisis. You and I need to meet so that this situation can be resolved diplomatically.

Yours in haste,

Jur Ratyuig

[Seal of the Senior Minister of Rites]
[Seal of the Ministry of Rites]


ooc: Looks like I have to make a chart for myself to keep some consistency in the RP for myself in regards to foreign affairs stuff. We change titles more than we change hats. By the Great Clam, this game has a life of its own!

====

[Post# 191]
Ilek-Vaad

Great Lassic - Ministry of Foreign Affairs


Patterson was obviously a newbie in some respects. He bumbled out of the Vaadian meeting and heard laughing voices in his head. Damned Uliko stuffing his face with lobster! Couldn’t he have said something more useful instead of trying to awkwardly draw crude metaphors of Klatchian and Vaadian lobsters? Clam on a stick, he was going to have a brain aneurysm when he reached forty. He called his boss, who told him to wait who then called the senior minister. After a brief delay, he was blasted with a thirty second tirade from the Ambassador that he would arrive in three hours and will see the Vaadians first thing in the morning and will tell all at that time. Oh, and try not to say anything stupid . Patterson kept his composure and thanked the Ambassador for the update. He hung up the phone and strode back in, just in time to see Jacob piling his plate yet again with more cursed lobster.

“Ambassador Hukrio will arrive in Great Lassic in three hours and will like to have an audience with the assembled as soon as possible in the morning.”

====


[Post# 169]
Dyelli Beybi

The Axe Canal

Colonel Rek Sansaeya shuffled uncomfortably in his tent. Where were the Dyellians? He looked crossly at his aide who quickly scurried out to fetch a drink for the frustrated walrus. The walrus themselves did not really like being in the shrubland - much preferring coastlines and typically a wetter and colder environment. He hrumphed and sent another message to the Dyellian Brigadier, requesting the meeting and also cordially asking if there was anything he, an honourable Vrakian Colonel of the 4th Man-gunin, can do to make his guest feel more at ease.

====

[Post #193]
Shielas and Bruces

Approaching Bringa Binalong

This particular Vrakian convoy approached the oddly-named, at least in Vrakian speech, town with a casual air. It was likely that the appearance of several tractor trailers and the occasional military vehicle thrown in would likely cause a stir. One officer casually jotted down how the twenty or so native inhabitants suddenly seemed to vanish and how they would make good scouts. He tucked away his portable Blackberry-like device and stared out across the countryside.

====

[Post #208]
Shielas and Bruces, Macisikan

Deep South Klatchian Ocean

The Vrakians pulled up to the island in their inflatable boats. Captain Kuet smiled as he saw the Brucians casting their lines into the ocean and thought what would actually bit. The submarines came as close at possible without grounding themselves so as to make the distance as short as possible for the Captain and escort to travel. After all, it would be an embarrassment if the captain fell over and was swallowed up by Bok knows what. The oceans in the Klatch were not fully explored, but some of the bigger and nastier species of fish and other sea creatures have been catalogued by Federation marine scientists.

Kuet jumped off first and waved at the Brucians while his crew pulled the boats ashore. They brought along some Vrakian vodka themselves but did not crack open the cases yet.

Port Olympus - The Oblong Office Bruce and Vrak

The Junior Alconian Key nodded to Bruce as he too turned to follow the Vrakian Key.

"You're right Bruce, when the walrus walks away, the time for conversation is over."

The President would soon have the pleasure of talking to all three of them at once, with god knows what on each of their minds.

*****
Thunderbay Office of the Margrave of Hull and Chief Tribune to the Privy Council - Vrak

Lord Hull, or as he is known to the Alconians 'Lord Anamoly' , against the advice of his Alconian advisors The Lord Vaad had delegated his authority to a Vaadian , giving his Velites Kerbal Sebastor Alcidias Nikopol the hereditary title of Margrave of Hull and had appointed him as First Tribune. A move that had initially caused much consternation and cost the Lord Vaad much political capital and quite a few expensive balls and gifts for the Adel and the Peers.

However much they had chafed, Alcidias Nikopol had performed his duties not only admirably, but with the taciturn pragmatism of a true Alconian. His strong, yet judicial actions had awed the natives in the Eastern Marches and his iron fist had quelled the Hubarian 'Princes' before insurrection moved beyond the idea stage.

Most Alconians had now seen Lord Hull more than the Lord Vaad, he is the Regent's point man and attends the Privy Council more than the Lord Vaad and is seen as thoroughly 'Alconian' despite his penchant for wearing the Gauntlets and Breastplate of a Velites Kerbal.

So, yes he is an Alconian citizen, but he may not be Alconian as the Vrakians would like.

Lord Hull read the message from the Ministry of Rites and responded immediately:

To: The Ministry of Rites - Senior Minister Jur Ratyuig
From : Margrave of Hull, Chief Tribune

I agree entirely. However I have been ordered by The Lord Vaad to remain in Thunderbay, partly to execute his duties while he is away and partly because of the current Dyellian sport of seeing how well Alconian diplomats can dodge canon fire.

Cordially,

Lord Hull

*****
Great Lassic - Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Vrak

Minister Codreaneau smiles and nods to Mr. Patterson.

"Eight a.m. tomorrow morning it is then. I do look forward to it."

Assembly of the States-General

In the intervening time between her arrival and being ushered in to speak Black had taken the opportunity to superstitiously slip herself a purely medicinal dose of gin from a carefully concealed hip flask. A quick dose of mints had hidden the tell tale scent which probably wasn't as acceptable here as it was back home. It had however given her the courage to talk in front of a large and probably hostile crowd. Klatch had once been (in the opinion of the Ambassador), the most powerful Nation in the world. She was now a fading star, the mere shadow of her former glory. But even the husk of Klatch was a force to be reckoned with.

"Esteemed persons of this notable Assembly, Mr President, members of the press." she made her greetings, no trace of the alcohol showing in her carriage or voice, "You are no doubt wondering what I am doing here today. It might seem surprising that I have chosen this time to call for the opening of further negotiations with the Federation of Klatch as a whole as opposed to negotiations with any individual states."

It was perhaps a bit of a red herring she was introducing here, honestly she had no expectation that a Non-aggression pact with Klatch might be reached at the current time. However she had to take the opportunity as even the talk of it being considered would help to strengthen the shaky position of Federal Government, "I am fully aware of the reputation Klatch is beginning to gain." she continued, "As a Nation out of control."

How the hell could she deny that? "The situation in Dyelli Beybi is contained." that was true, although there was no explaining the Vrakian actions...

"Although I will admit things are not running as smoothly as they did under the administration of King Vrak, we do not believe that the Nation is about to collapse. Far from it. Under our current President, the defunct JDF has been replaced by the far more streamlined KNG. Klatch is ready to respond to interior and exterior threats in a way it has not been able to do since the invasion of Neo Tyr.

"Furthermore, Klatch has seen less State Government collapses than in any previous period." there were less States in Klatch now, but at least they were strong stable members of the Federation.

"I am sure your minds are of course drawn now to the situation in Dyelli Beybi and the allegations laid against the Federal Authorities by certain Alconan Keys."

"First as to the Dyellian situation, you are no doubt aware of the fact that both Dyellian administrations have strong claims to legitimacy and furthermore that the Constitution disallows Federal involvement in the interior politics of a State, even when this leads to violence. We hope that in time this particular interpretation can be overruled via an amendment to the Constitution, however with the continued absence of the speaker of the House and the feckless incompetence of the interim speaker, there have been some minor hiccups in getting a sitting Parliament.

"In regards to the allegations of the arrest of the speaker by the President... such claims are clearly a lie and I am informed it is my duty to pursue a case of libel against the State of Alcona and Hubris within the courts of your Nation. While we agree wit freedom of speech, such blatant attempts to undermine the Klatchian Government cannot be allowed to slide. You have also no doubt heard of the detention and following release of their Keys. While this may seem extreme, it was necessary for the Police to investigate the allegations of espionage and sabotage brought against them.

"Which brings me back to the true purpose of this speech. Whatever you may think of the individual States within Klatch or the person elected as President, I ask you to once again consider negotiations with the Federal authority. For whatever else can be said of the States they have always complied with Federal mandate and, I am sure you will agree, it is better to bind these States in friendship, whether or not it proves to be an easy relationhip, than to alienate them through mistrust.

"I am asking you, for the good of your citizens as well as those of Klatch, to take the first step in the process. I thank you for your time."

She knew she had waffled, but in the waffling she hoped she had also made a few salient points. With that black stepped down, wondering how the press would portray Klatch, and herself.

The phone call from Quentin was precisely 30 minutes and 12 seconds after his first call, although this would not be noted by Sherwin being as the person who had passed on the message had been fairly vague on when it had arrived, "Mr Thales?" the man didn't introduce himself.

"This line I understand is secured, and I am talking from a prepaid mobile phone I have only just purchased. We may speak freely, although you must understand I only talk to you as you have been recommended by the highest authority." he added quickly, "I understand you are looking for someone in Cyro?"

He gave a few moments for reply, then continued, "I am currently in Bath although I have someone trusted and more importantly unsuspected of being involved with the Royalist cause in Cyro. You have met Patricia Davies, Chief Executive of the Ministry of the Interior, you met her as a Klatchian Marshall who went AWOL to sign up with the Tzarina. She is not the person you want. You want her younger sister Caitlin Davies. There is a belief that there is a strong animosity between the siblings. This belief helps establish the younger's credentials as a Parliamentarian. This belief is also false."

A brief pause, "If you would be so kind as to illustrate your plan for Cyro and the timeframe I can relay this to Commisaar Davies and we can proceed from there. I will remain as your contact indefinitely unless it seems pertinent that you meet face to face with the Commisaar."

__________

The size of Elvers seemed to be of some concern to the Tzarina's team, although in fairly quick order they requisitioned a military truck and all piled in the back. This took them out into the dry scrubland on the outskirts of the city, a place Sherwin had never been before. There was a rifle range and what looked like the entrance to a bunker, CCTV cameras watching every angle of approach towards it, "This is the commando camp." Shamir explained mysteriously, "Although usually we practice after dark."

She gave Elvers another appraising look, "So tell me of the characteristics of your species, specifically in terms of your strengths and weaknesses on the field of battle. This will allow you to be properly integrated on the field of battle."

"Amalia for instance is almost blind in this light without those glasses." Vasa remarked dryly.

__________

OOC: Will reply more tomorrow. Sorry, have been away from a computer for a few days

OOC: Sorry it took me so long to reply to this bit Vrak, I managed to lose this thread of storyline in all the other stuff lol. If one thing can be said about Klatchian RPs its that there are always a lot of things happening at once.

Axe Canal
The Dyellian Brigadier finally made his arrival dressed in a Khaki dress uniform which presumably he didn't paradrop in with. Apart from him two other Dyellians had arrived, a driver, also in dress uniform and a fully kitted out bodyguard. It was perhaps a risk taking him, the new Dyellian technology was something of a secret and this individual was wearing one of the helmet that looked suspiciously like a Roman Galic-G but which was packed with all kinds of computerised gadgets. He was also wearing the new 'Flexotropic' armour which hardened when force was applied to it and carrying the bullpup version of the SSA2801 rumoured to use plasma to propel a projectile at huge velocity. Although it was risky to allow the Vrakians to potentially capture all the good equipment, it was reasoned that if fighting were to occur they would capture it sooner or later anyway and for now it provided evidence that the Dyellians had equipment to counter the SOATs that high command was so terrified of...

_____
Port Olympus
The Air Marshall pondered this question. Really he couldn't speak for his superiors, but even he realised they would probably feel threatened by the Vrakians occupying the city. Out of the corner of his eye he could see one of the uniformed Chekists had shoved his hand into his coat, almost certainly gripping the holster of something. Personally he felt the Cheka were alarmist; the quietening of the street and appearance of another SUV were exactly the kind of thing that would set them off.

"I'll have to speak to them, although I know they are fairly busy at the moment, The Ubermarshall...";that was O'Booze's new title, "... is currently in Bath mediating between the Tzarina and Parliament. France is in Benjia coordinating the Air Forces there and Collins is... I don't really know."

He was lying. Collins was on the border with Monte Ozarka commanding the Dyellian Air Fleet in preparation for an expected outbreak of hostilities with Vrak, although he wasn't about to say that, "I can contact them, would somewhere like Desagradavel be acceptable?"

Desagradavel was the Capital of New Dyelli. A huge sprawling city, housing a Government that was mostly independent of Cyro and a fair degree more stable. It was situated west of Port Olympus and moderately close to the Vrakian border.

Mr. Quentin Calling. - DB

"Yes Mr. Quentin, very secure, and yes we need some intelligence from Cyro. Specifically on Alistair Powell, Speaker of the House of Commons. You know, his comings and goings, the best time to snatch him with the least amount of fuss?"

He pauses before continuing "You've been highly recommended, and if you can help, that would be super."

*****
Training Range, Somewhere Near York - DB

Jormund listens to the question and comments patiently and answers in his slow, deep, thrumming voice as he looks down at Amalia "Yes, some of the Einherjar are allergic to bright light and are blinded by it as well. We have very thick skin and most munitions simply bounce off of our hide. Some of us have thermographic vision, we heal rapidly and we are immensely strong."

He waits to see if there are any questions before continuing "On the down side we are slow, very few of us can even run, although we move the same speed whether the terrain is easy or rough. We are not stealthy for the most part and have trouble getting to cover quickly. Which is unfortunate, artillery rounds are uncomfortable to take."

As the truck stops he climbs out of the back "Our weapons are tailored to us, rocket launcher with shaped warheads and heavy machine guns, some of the smaller Einherjar use sniper rifles. We are excellent at marching through static defenses and formations that are more or less immobile.

I would imagine that as soon as we know where the Tzarina is, we would attack it head and then those of you with more stealthy capabilities sneak in and free her."

He opens the breech on his machine gun, putting the first round of the belt in place and slapping it closed.

Sherwin chimes in "They are strong, I've seen them shove over APC's. So what do you want to see him blow up?"

Cyro Calling

"Normally I would say that information was easy." Quentin replied stiffly, not sounding like someone with a particularly well developed sense of humour, "But Powell is now in Bath and I am aware that he has not booked a return flight so we can assume he is staying for the indefinable future."

"This comes from her Highness I assume?" he asked, but did not wait for a reply, apparently that was a given, "I will travel there myself and call you again when I have established a routine for the mark. It should not prove to be difficult to manufacture a reason to travel to that city. I cannot give you a time frame for this operation, but I do not anticipate too much time."

Unfortunately though he would not call again before the Tzarina's revelation, although those planning would know that at least someone in the city was friendly; if only someone knew what Quentin looked like...

__________

Training Range

"Knock yourself out, blow up the building." Vasa replied, not seeming especially interested in what Elvers did.

"By that he means the range, not the tunnels." Shamir added quickly, trotting along beside Elvers.

She had shown unconcealed cynicism at when he had said artillery was uncomfortable. Shamir herself had seen a tank column destroyed by well placed rounds (which had terrified the living daylights out of her and sent her scurrying for cover). She hadn't realised that within a week nearly all the vehicles were back in action and there had been very little injury to the crews, although this fact was unlikely to have changed her opinion much; it seemed like bravado, something her people had no time for.

Despite this, the talk of his own people being more or less nocturnal had her immediately mentally adopt Elvers as an ally in the vast patchwork of Dyellian inter-species politics, "Night operations are good then?" she asked.

"By the way." she added, simpering in an attempt to seem friendly and attentive, "This is the land they were going to give you, you can build on top if you're happy to let us build down below."

"If you don't mind me asking, what do you eat?" which was always a top question when meeting a new species. The Dyellian ones had had more than enough experience with others that thought they were a nice addition to the menu...

Elvers nodded and walked along heading down range chambering a round and then opening fire with the FN-MAG heavy machine gun, he raised it and fired it from his chest like an assault rifle ripping off rounds at anything standing above ground, tearing targets in half with the heavy 12.5mm AP rounds as he walks and shoots he answers Shamir's questions.

"Night operations are no problem. Those of us without thermographic vision have low-light vision and see in almost total darkness." He pauses tearing into another target, he fires while walking, he keeps the machine gun perfectly steady as he lopes slowly along, walking through and over any obstacles left on the course, not slowing.

"I'm sure this land will be fine." He finishes off his first belt of ammo and then pauses, pulling the tube from his back and pushing a shaped rocket into the front of it, he then holds it out, like a roman candle' and then fires it down range, the exhaust from the tube buffets his chest and side but does not move him. There is a terrific explosion down range where the rocket hits, he then reloads his machine gun.

"We eat the same thing as everyone else, although I prefer a nicely baked ham."

Back at the truck Sherwin checks his cell phone to make sure he hasn't missed and calls from Mr. Quentin and then looks over at Tomashenko before grabbing his kit bag out of the trunk.

"Make up some excuse to call Shamir over here..........." He says to Tomashenko with a wink as he pulls out and loads an FNC-2000 7.65mm assault rifle and slaps a clip home.

Hall of the Assembly, Arn-Arakhan
Dyelli-Beybi

There was a moment of silence, then polite applause swelled around the chamber. The sort where people are only clapping because their boss is. Still, no-one had turned their backs or made sounds of dissent.
"Lord-President has a comment," the Secretary stated. Silence descended abruptly.

Foxworth leaned forward.
"Let the Assembly be informed that Secretary of the Klatchian Parliament, Sir Ozymandius Llewellyn, is currently a guest of His Serene Majesty's Ambassador to the Federated Klatchian Coast," he stated in dry tones, then leaned back.

The Secretary waited a moment, then spoke. "Comment from the floor?"

There was a murmur, then a younger man stood up; in the front few rows of the Saldari block. The Secretary shifted slightly.
"The Honourable Patrick Sloan, S.G.D., Imperial Dominion of Nak-Saldar The Assembly will hear you."

"Thank you Mr Secretary. Honoured Delegates of the Assembly," the man said. "I wish to reply to the speech by the Ambassador Mr Secretary, addressing the points that Her Excellency raised, and then to call for opinion," he held up a hand and counted on his fingers. "Firstly, the reputation of Klatch is its own responsibility. Second, the cohesiveness of Klatch is, well, both its own responsibility, and its own problem. Third, and I think the Honoured Delegates will agree with me Mr Secretary, neither self-proclaimed Dyellian government has any legitimacy in our eyes," he paused as applause swelled.

"Fourth, regarding the question of civil court proceeding, Mr Secretary, they are not matters relevant to the 85th Convention, and I would recommend to this Assembly that they not be considered or heard. And finally," he surveyed the chamber, and his tone turned incredulous, "regarding the request of the Ambassador, that the we, the Covenant, open negotiations with the Federal authority..." he paused to survey the chamber. "I would remind the Chamber, Mr Secretary, of what resulted when the 83rd Convention attempted to do just that, its final act, and were met with silence, with the Lord-President eventually putting a treaty proposal directly to the Klatchian President. A reply, Mr Secretary, failed to be forthcoming until after the 84th Convention had formed. That reply was a simple negative. Without an offer to re-negotiate, without a statement of explanation. A clear declaration that the Klatchians are simply not interested. Mr Secretary, I now request that the floor respond; is it the view of the 85th Convention that the Federated Klatchian Coast is uninterested and unwilling to enter into further diplomatic relations with the Covenant, and therefore that such efforts are futile?"

Sloan sat, and the Secretary sighed.
"Comments from the floor?

There was an intense bout of whispering, then a woman stood up in the central block.
"Mr Speaker, the Delegation of the United Imperial Kingdoms registers an affirmative response to the honoured delegate from Nak-Saldar."
Variants of the same statement came from the other three major nations.

When it became clear no-one else was speaking at the moment, the Secretary looked to Black.
"Does her Excellency the Ambassador wish to speak to the comments from the Honourable Delegate from Nak-Saldar?"

Hall of the Assembly, Arn-Arakhan

In many respects Claudia Black was a poor choice of diplomat. She was a bit of a coward, she liked to avoid issues and definitely avoid confrontation as much as possible. However from time to time something switched in her, changing the affable submissive Dyellian into a rather more aggressive person. The comments about the Dyellian Government, although not aimed at her were taken (for a variety of reasons including the alcohol) as a personal attack.

She cleared her throat loudly before continuing, in the same measured tone as before, "If it pleases the assembly I wish to speak to the comments."

Her body language was subtly different, she leaned forward over the podium and the almost permanent look of slight panic had faded, "If it pleases the assembly, I believe the Honourable Delegate from Nak-Sadar is confused as I can see little other reason to introduce such a red herring to the argument."

"Whether or not the States General acknowledge one, many or none of the Dyelli Beybian State administrations is irrelevant. Why would one negotiate with a State when one can negotiate with the Nation? Klatch is the Nation, Dyelli Beybi is simply one of its appendages."

"I must also feel informed to indicate that the 85th Convention is incorrect in its views that negotiation with Klatch is futile. If you will forgive my forwardness in indicating this..." that was perhaps a touch sarcastic, although it was certainly not indicated in her tone, "...if negotiation with Klatch was futile I would not be wasting my time suggesting it. Klatchian politics changes as I am sure does the politics of this Assembly. I assure you Klatch is quite ready to reopen negotiations."

It wasn't going so well, and she strongly suspected her attitude would not help. f she kept this up someone might mistake her for having a fiery personality... still the information on Sir Ozy was interesting. The little creep was probably deliberately hiding. In Dyelli Beybi he would be sacked and probably imprisoned, although in Port Olympus (unfortunately), that kind of ludicrous behaviour had to be tolerated.

Outside York

"Yeah." Shamir agreed, "Total darkness is no good..."

She smiled with a mixture of humour and relief at hearing the big creatures diet, "The Var used to eat our citizens, and the previous Tzar used to shoot my type for sport... and Vasa's jungle cousins eat anything that isn't a Djel, I imagine they're all tough and wiry from jogging around in the desert. Its enough to make you turn vegetarian."

She covered her ears during the firing and looked set to resume the litany of inane banter when Tomashenko cupped his hands to his mouth, "Oi Amalia, get over here!"

She turned, waving her head slightly, then set off back towards the others, "Best way to do it." he muttered to Sherwin.

Vasa meanwhile seemed to have lost interest and was helping himself to a baguette stuffed with ham that had been secreted somewhere in the driver's compartment. A keen observer would probably realising he was watching despite the show of nonchalance.

Quentin wasn't calling. Many miles South he was tied up in the Tzarina's games, an unwitting pawn in her self-destructive plans.

Outside York

Sherwin chuckles "I could've done that, I was hoping you'd make it sound official or something."

He pauses and waits for Shamir to clear his field of vision, then chambers a round and raises his assault rifle to his shoulder and aims it square at Jormund Elvers back as Jormund pauses to reload his. Sherwin then yells as loud as he can.

"CHIPS AHOY MOTHERF*CKER!"

and opens fire on Jormund, starting at his legs and walking the fire from the assault rifle across Jormunds arm and chest as he turns and then hits him in the head, in a second the fifty round clip is empty. The rounds that hit Jormund's armored shirt spark impressively and the ones aimed at his legs rip into his pants, the rounds that strike his bare arm and the side of his head, flatten and bounce to the ground.

Jormund Elvers spins as he is being riddled with bullets bringing up his machine gun, it looks for a second like he is going to open fire on Sherwin and Tomashenko's position but at the last second he raises the machine gun and fires a burst into the air over their heads.

Sherwin ducks as Jormund bellows "A little notice before you do that...........would avoid an accidental shooting, Captain Thales!"

Sherwin looks up, and then around "Sorry, but I didn't want anyone to think we'd used blanks and sqibs or anything, these Dyellians are horribly suspicious......"

Jormund narrows his eyes at Sherwin, and then reloads his machine gun, again. Sherwin smiles and then tosses the assault rifle to Tomashenko "Come on, it's fun, I'll get another clip."

The second Elvers had raised the gun Tomashenko had flung himself flat behind the tyre of the big truck. He stood up, brushing himself off with a rueful smile, "Very impressive." he noted.

"Indeed." Vasa had apparently called the bluff and remained standing, while it would seem Samir hadn't been quite aware of what was going on.

Tomashenko caught the rifle with expert ease, "It's a 7.62mm piddler." he complained.

The Dyellian military preferred their own 8.01mm round. It was a bigger bullet with a bigger charge. Most retainers and police used smaller submachine guns although the chances of encountering the big guns was there, "He'll be fine against an 8.01." Vasa waved a hand airily, having seemingly just read the Marquis' mind, "Just so long as the junta don't show up I would anticipate very low casualties."

"Anticipate away." Tomashenko grunted in return, the first sign of rub between any of them, "But we don't have any intelligence on what's going on yet."

"Which is why we need to get organising." Shamir supplied, her voice silky, "I personally am in favour of retreating inside somewhere having a nice drink and looking at some maps of Bath, although naturally I will bow to your superior knowledge."

This was accompanied by a raised eyebrow hinting that she was looking for moral support from someone.

[Post #210]
Ilek Vaad

Vrak Prime - Office of the Senior Minister of Rites

Jur sighed as he read the message. Of course he knew of the shooting of the Alconian diplomats, but he wasn’t inclined to believe anything these days. The missive from the FKC president via the circuitous route through the VIS managed to reach his desk. His first thought upon reading that was, in a nutshell, what in the blue squid was going on and how much more headache medication could he possibly handle. He was about to call his personal doctor to see if he could up his dosage because he frowned on the usual Vrakian practice of consuming large quantities of vodka to dull the pain. With the amount of pills he consumed, he was sure that he was in a medical textbook somewhere. Perhaps on a list of who’s the most medicated government official currently employed.

Still, he understood the concerns and so he dictated a brief message. After that was sent, he barked to his aide to get packing and to ready a hypersonic transport. Oh, and to avoid traveling near Dyelli Beybi if possible? Perhaps a route over Vrak-Dukratus and then over the ocean? Hmmmm, leave it to the experts to figure out the specifics, but he did not want to fly into southern Vrak and over. He decided to let his concern over the Lord Vaad pass for now but he was bothered by it.


To: Margrave of Hull, Chief Tribune
From: The Ministry of Rites - Senior Minister
Message:

Understandable. I shall be there within 24 hours.

In haste,

Jur Ratyuig

[Seal of the Senior Minister of Rites]
[Seal of the Ministry of Rites]


====

Great Lassic - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

A quick bow by both the Vrakians. Patterson turned to Jacob and said,

“Well, sorry for cutting this short then. We need to go now and prepare for the arrival of the ambassador.”

==

The Ambassador himself was in a foul mood. He really wasn’t sure why he was posted to Ilek-Vaad, since he wanted to end his career on a high note. Why would they do this to me? he fumed to himself. He did know that he was quite experienced and had a long career with many noteworthy achievements. But he never quite made it to a higher position in the Ministry which irked him. He was certain that this was a punishment, perhaps when he backed Rex Yuuley, the former CEO of the Apollo Group and who was the first human to ever contend for the Crown of Vrak. Nobody knows where he is now, but Rek Hukrio had an idea.

Sighing, he turned his great head and looked over once more at the current political situation about to potentially blow up in his face. He cursed the sky for the tenth time in as many minutes and waited for the plane to arrive in Great Lassic.

====

[Post #213]
Dyelli Beybi

The Axe Canal

The King’s Own stood at full attention, machine guns held in front and stoic expressions looking forward. The camp itself was bustling with activity although the Dyellians would not see any SOATs roaming about. They would, however, see an fully armoured walrus which was not a common sight. They were not usually used in ground warfare but the typical amoured walrus would have full body armour and a back-mounted heavy machine gun. It was a bizarre sight to the uninitiated but the Colonel took no notice as he bowed to the Dyellian.

“Good to see you, Brigadier Saxon. Only I wished we were meeting in happier times or at least together facing a common enemy. Perhaps that day will come too? As it is, here we are sitting across from each other with guns pointing at fellow Klatchians. But we have our orders. Still, let us sit and talk.”

He motioned with one flipper to his command tent - which was a rust coloured affair designed to blend in with the local geography. Behind him stood Major Tikiut, a six-foot four human with a weathered face and one scar running down his left cheek. He had the look of a mercenary and if one had access to certain files, he was one in his former life. He also served a brief stint at a particular insane asylum.

====

Port Olympus

“Desagradavel?” mused Irok. He thought of the location and wasn’t keen on being located inside of Dyelli Beybi. Not with what was undoubtedly a massive buildup of forces on either side of the Artois Line. Then again, if the junta could meet, or if he could somehow get the positions of their senior officials, then the goal would be one step closer in being achieved.

Before Hugo could say anything, Irok cut in and waved at his colleague pre-emptively.

“Yes. Desgradavel would be fine to meet the junta.”

The Canal

Saxon acknowledged the Vrakians with a click of the heels and a slight incline of the head. He was a soldier who trusted nobody. The Vaadians were treacherous dogs, they had proved it when they had launched an attack on Dyellian lines, one that to his eternal shame, the Dyellians had not responded to with the fury it deserved. He would have liked to think the Vrakians were different yet experience had taught him to be cynical.

He sat when asked, his expression thoughtful, "Indeed Colonel. We are interested to know what you have to say. After all we seem to both be in Federal Parkland."

__________

Port Olympus

"Alright then. I shall organise this discussion." the Air Marshall replied, seemingly glad to be rid of the Keys. He didn't quite understand why they were bothering him...

"Just one thing." he paused uncertainly, "What reason should I give for your desire to meet with representatives of the Military?"

Outside York - DB

Sherwin raises an eyebrow "Well, then next time you gentlemen bring something to shoot him with. I'm the only one that planned ahead, so that's all we have."

Sherwin turned to respond to Shamir but she got her second as Jormund turned and started to head inside .

So Sherwin just shrugs "Well, let's go in and plot a rescue then........................."

*****
The United Duchies - Thunderbay - Vrak


To: The Ministry of Rites - Senior Minister Jur Ratyuig
From : Margrave of Hull, Chief Tribune

We shall be prepared for your arrival.

Cordially,

Lord Hull

Was Lord Hull's response. Thunderbay's airport was then set to receive the Senior Minister, with an honor guard of The Apethorpe's Royal Body Guard.

*****
Great Lassic/ Tollan

At least the Ambassador from Vrak would find that the Vaadians were prepared to meet the arriving Vrakian Dignitary with the same deference that such arrivals had received when the nations were on friendlier terms.

The Velite Guard in dress uniforms waiting to whisk him past security to a Jaguar XJ12 Sovereign limousine , if he had not already arranged for transportation.

In Tollan a Marathon A/S would be leaving as the Ambassador Arrived carrying the Command General that had been tasked with being the Military liaison in Vrak Prime. The small supersonic jet would arrive in under 24 hours and Ambassdor Tancred made busy with clearing the flight and apprising hi Vrakian counterparts of the General's imminent arrival. If they cared to take notice.

*****
Porty Olympus

Having sorted out that Parliament Hill was indeed safe and not bombed, The Right and Honorable Nigel O'Blution Speaker of the Parliament of The Federated Klactchian Republic, Esquire(as he now called himself) again made the call to the Keys to come and seat parliament. He even makes a brief television appearance (from what he thought was a reporter, but actually turned out to be a paparazzi for TMZ (http://www.tmz.com/)) to remind the Keys of their duties.

"I would like to remind the Members of Parliament that they may not shirk their duties when Parliament is called to be seated by the President, I shall shortly order the Klatchian National Guard to round up the Delinquent members of this, er, this body of Parliament if they refuse to be seated as is, uhm, their duty under our great Constitution. I'm not joking, I will not be ignored!"

The Video is promptly put on the TMZ video with the tagline 'Confused Old Man Thinks He's the Speaker.' website visitors would rate it 1/2 star.

*****
Klatchian Waters

In the Bay of Lunacy and the Southern Sea, the forward assets of the Naval Guard's Tactical Groups begin arriving, and immediately begin tracking military activity in the area.

Port Olympus -Macisikan

Everything was more or less coming along, although a certain feeling was growing that Sir Ozy and certain others were deliberately attempting to undermine the democratic process. Once again the President was left wistfully thinking of how much easier it would be to arrest him and appoint a new speaker who wasn't embroiled in some Machiavellian scheme to bring down the Government.

As it was she dispatched a group of KNG officers to the Covenant where they would wait around while the senior officer in the group entered to ask (very politely), of the secretary, why Sir Ozy was here and not doing his job and why he had chosen to not inform his staff as to his location. His tone left no doubt that while this was not a crime he felt it probably should be.

__________

York

"I didn't say there was anything wrong with it." Tomashenko said sounding almost like he was apologising without ever going that far.

"Hey Vasa." he whooped swinging the weapon around to point at the Elf, who flung himself flat.

The sudden loss of composure was greeted by great whoops of laughter from the Marquis and a slight smile from Shamir. Vasa did not seem to appreciate the joke, smiling in a somewhat serpentine manner and he dusted himself off. It was a smile which never touched his eyes.

The tunnel into the base was unlit except for light bulbs which emitted a fairly strong light... but only in the infra-red spectrum, which meant it was pitch black to most people, "Ah yeah you might not want to go down there." Tomashenko called out, having had his fun at Vasa's expense.

It was also somewhat claustrophobic, only being as wide and as tall as Elvers. Most of the doorways would not be navigable to him, being made for a slim human shaped creature of just over five feet...

"Alexia has put a lot of trust in you." Shamir had an unnerving ability to sneak up on people and had chosen this moment to appear next to Sherwin.

Her voice was low, clearly not intended to carry to the others, "And Mr. Elvers, although she hasn't met him so I'm assuming its more your description she trusted in."

Hall of the Assembly, Arn-Arakhan
DB

Sloan was not cut from the same cloth as Black; when she had made the remark about him being confused, he'd gone absolutely still, and stayed that way for the remainder of her reply.

"Mr Secretary," he rose. "Might I reply to Her Excellency's remarks? Thank you Mr Secretary. The red herring Mr Secretary, which I assume to be the Dyellian State Administrations, was, as the record can and will show, was first introduced by Her Excellency. I merely respectfully reminded the Assembly, Mr Secretary, that the Dyellian State administrations have no claim to legitimacy in our eyes," his tone had turned frosty, and his gaze, even from the floor, was harsh. "And here, in this chamber, what we acknowledge is extremely relevant," there was muted, scattered, applause.
"Mr Secretary," his tone moderated somewhat, now that the slap on the wrist had been delivered, "if Her Excellency, and by extension and representation, the beleaguered President of the Federation, truly wish to enter into a treaty negotiation with us, then let them proceed through the proper channels. This Assembly has given a perpetual mandate to the UIK to handle the external affairs of the Covenant; let the Klatchians contact Lady Valdir's ministry, and let the treaty process commence."

Various delegates called out "aye!" or "the process!", prompting the Secretary to cough into his mic; silence fell instantly.

"Does the Honourable Delegate have a conclusion to his argument?" the Secretary asked.

"Yes, Mr Secretary I do," Sloan replied. "I would, Mr Secretary, advise the Excellent Ambassador that, based on the broad assent that my remarks have received from this Convention, that if Klatch wishes to establish a treaty with the Covenant, they ought to demonstrate initiative and open the negotiation process with Minister Valdir. I believe I speak for the plurality, if not the majority, when I say that the 85th Convention simply doesn't see there being a return on our time and effort without a significant opening gesture from Port Olympus."

Muted applause followed Sloan's statement; again it terminated again when the Secretary coughed.
"Does the honourable Ambassador wish to respond, or make further remarks?" he asked.

ooc: sorry everyone; RL keeps getting in the way. Is there anyone waiting on a response from me?

Port Olympus - DB and Mac

(OOC: I can assume Sir Ozy is free to go with his misappropriated leftovers? :D)

After collecting a picnic basket full of treats and a carafe of coffee and a carafe of tea Sir Ozy and The Nachxa excused themselves after some gracious good-byes to Ambassador Valnard and his helpful staff.

They then head to the Presidential palace, the dispatched KNG officers may or may not drive right past the Jaguar XJ6 with the dark tinted windows, but the sly red fox was jumping over the lazy brown dog again and staying just ahead of them. After a short stop at the 'Frothy Bean' and picking up some large containers of coffee and boxes of jam rolls the Black saloon pulls up to the Presidential Palace.

The startled KNG would find themselves lowering their weapons at the grinning fox who waved his paw to them.

"Good afternoon lads, a few of you go around the back and help my friend here, we have coffee and jam-rolls for your gentlemen. Good work you've done, you deserve coffee and snacks. At least."

As he motions The Nachxa popped the trunk and started around back to the trunk full of coffee and snacks, he begins unloading, handing the items to any KNG nearby, they would have to decide whether to keep him at gunpoint, or help hand out coffee................have they had lunch?

Sir Ozy then takes the picnic basket and coffee and tea from the embassy and slips around the KNG, heading to the conference room adjacent the Oblong Office.

*****
York

Shockingly, to navigate the tunnel Jormund simply goes down on all fours in a crouch and seems quite adept at making himself fit into tight spots, like some underground ape.

Just as Sherwin was wondering if Vasa was bullet proof, he immediately suffered a series of small heart attacks as the stealthy Shamir materialized next to him.

"Holy shi.......! What?" He turns to face her "Well, yes I do suppose she does trust me, I did rescue her in Port Olympus I suppose, with some help from the President. I did recommend Chief Elvers for his uhm, position, whatever that may be. I thought it was an excellent opportunity to help her and give Jormund and his people the thing they've always wanted, a home."

He smiles and shrugs " Alexia seems to need more people she can trust everyday."

He then heads inside with the rest.


(OOC: Where are we with Vrak, S&B and A&H's Keys barging in to see the see the President, and presumably beat her up and snag on her?)

OOC: As far as the key's going were waiting for someone to say "They arrive"

and as for what's happening in the Deep South Klatchian Ocean. I have no idea.

ooc: sorry IV, yes, Sir Ozy was freed to go with his reallocated leftovers with the blessings of the Ambassador.
S&B/Vrak; As far as the DSKO goes, I have a vague memory of all of us now chilling on a beach, but it's entirely possible that it's just a response that I wrote up and never got around to positing; shall we assume that's where we're at now?

Bruce's Beach Island
About half an hour after everyone had arrived another ship pulled up, this one was a transport ship. Various landing craft filled with more BBQ's more meat, onion, bread, steaks, some chicken, and some people landed as well.

"BRUCE! GET YOUR STINKING BUTT OVER HERE." one of the Bruces who just recently landed sort of marched, with a frown on his face towards one of the other Bruces who where already here.

"Great, It had to be you that came didn't Bruce."

The started to get closer but they had a fair distance to make up/

"Well, I'm here now, So I'm settling the score." He punched his open palm. The look on both of their faces was one of dead serious something was going down. There was a history between the two of them... though what it was could be anyone's guest.

Other Bruces kept back and watched...

York

"They won't go far wrong here." Amalia commented in reply to Sherwin.

She hadn't intended to suggest they went into the Hardmandle settlements, but since everyone was she supposed she should get a light.

A short beardy fellow with a case gun had appeared to watch over them. He was very short even by Dyellian standards and sturdily built. Elvers would see the eyes were odd, although the others would be lucky to see anything. The pupils were hugely dilated and there was almost no white to be seen surrounding the irises, "We saw you guys mucking around up top." he chuckled, "Corporal Nukah at your service."

Shamir came down then, being the last one in, "Make sure nobody trips over anything." she instructed, "I am going to get them a torch."

The walls were probably concrete, but someone had taken the time to plaster and fresco over the surface with scenes of hills and orchards at dusk, deer, birds and boar frolicking happily among the fruit trees (which showed the people who had made the frescos had never owned an orchard).

Somehow Shamir managed to squeeze around Elvers although it looked for a while like she was going to have to climb over his back. She returned some time later with a single torch which she handed to Elvers to pass back, "Follow me."

The tunnel soon widened out into a broad two storied hall in similar plaster over concrete style. Here someone had rigged a fountain which gave a faint misting of water across the room. Overhead unseen vents rumbled as they replaced the air. On the second floor she stopped at a door, number 218 and opened it. Shamir flicked a switch on a wall, and for the first time since they had come down here there was some light, although it was the dim kind of light one might experience in a night club. She had taken off the sun glasses as she had entered, she had eyes much like the short fellow at the entrance although the pupils shrunk visibly as the lights came on, leaving deep turquoise coloured irises, "Have a seat." she waved at some comfortable looking green couches surrounding a walnut coffee table, "Drinks anyone?"

It looked like she was used to entertaining and holding meetings down in this flat. After waiting to hear what people wanted she raced off, returning with a map which she tossed to Vasa, then wandered off again, "Probably need the torch to see this." he muttered, unrolling the map which turned out to be a street map of the city of Bath. Unlike most street maps it also mapped the defences though.

The defences were epic. The central city seemed to be a Napoleonic star fort, but with the added fun of 200mm naval cannons fitted in turrets at regular intervals around the low wall. Inside was a maze of flak, missiles and radar arrays scattered among the streets of classy shops and wealthy residences. None of the buildings were too close to the wall, perhaps being separated by 20 metres of dusty ground. Vasa jabbed a finger at a square looking building resting against the wall at one end, "That has two customs department AH1s in it. That is the tank from hell. Wouldn't want to try to kill one with anything except a fuel air bomb which we don't have access to."

"Basically." Tomashenko put in, "We need to get you to the wall, they will be searching vehicles so they'll spot you then, but you should be able to get through it without getting stuck in the earthworks out front and shot to pieces."

"That's why the Junta won't attack them there." Vasa supplied usefully, "The cannons on the walls can outrange junta artillery except for the MLRS on top of which the wall is protected by the big earth glacis."

Port Olympus

The guards seemed placated by food. Simple bribes that could quickly be consumed were a sure way to an Officer's heart...

But despite all the apparent good will the fox was still blocked from entering the conference room by a black clad officer who insisted on staring directly ahead and never actually looking at Sir Ozy, "You are expected in Parliament, Sir. Matter of National Security."

He had the look of someone with mule like intellect and matching stubbornness. He had been given orders. Orders had to be carried out.

Port Olympus

While The Nachxa busied himself making sure that each and every KNG soldier outside the Presidential Palace got coffee or tea and some snacks as well as some encouragement Sir Ozy was a bit vexed by the stalwart soldier guarding the conference room, although he didn't show it.

He simply pauses and holds up the basket and carafes in each paw, his tiny little fluffy arms shivering with their weight.

"I see and I'm supposed to haul these all the way back to Parliament and then haul them all the way back over here? My word!" He says giving the guard a look with his ears down and large fox eyes begging for pity. "If I can't go in, the least you could do it to take these things in for me? Besides, the President has already appointed Mr. O'Blution to be speaker and handle it, unless the President cares not for this poor foxes personal apologies? Stripped of my job and livelihood........."

He then slumps his shoulders sighing heavily, his tail hanging heavily behind him and turns to head out "Port Olympus used to be such a civilized place, perhaps I am too old for all of this."

He appears very old, and very small.

*****
York

Neither Jormund or Sherwin are surprised or unused to seeing the dwarf. The Bad Hand has several such battalions of 'confined spaces combat specialists', they salute the Corporal before moving on and getting comfortable. Of course comfortable for Jormund means the floor again.

They both listen intently looking over the map.

Jormund was the first to comment "What is the tonnage of an AH1? I also assume the city has a sewage system that must reach out farther than the walls, with so many luxury residences, the rich rarely consider security when removal of their own filth is concerned."

Sherwin nods "They also have to get supplies in somehow, maybe some semi-trucks with the markings of the local supermarket filled with Chief Elvers and his men, even if they stop to search it, at least we're all ready at the gate."

Jormund nods slowly "We can punch through if we can get close enough."

Port Olympus

The guard just succeeded in looking confused. Apparently he was too stupid to understand what was going on, "They need you to start Parliament." he insisted, presumably just parroting back what he'd been told to say.

The request to take these things in seemed to also meet with some kind of heavy mental block, presumably the order to 'stay outside the door'. For this though he radioed for further instructions, producing a second KNG officer (in a surprisingly short period of time considering this was a Dyellian designed organisation), this one a Captain from the appearance of the rank insignia.

He offered a quick salute, "Sir Ozymandeus." he seemed to be trying hard not to mangle the name, "You wish to move some baskets of bakery goods into the conference room? You are aware of course that certain Keys have been threatening to storm out of Port Olympus unless Parliament is called to session. Obviously this is something we are striving to avoid."

__________
York

"About 800 metric tons." Tomashenko supplied, it was a slight over estimation, although one wouldn't guess it to look at the vehicle.

"There is a reason the town downriver of Bath is called 'Agua Sucia'." Vasa supplied dryly to the second question, "It is coincidentally the reason why you should never eat anything they fish out of the river downstream of that city... especially not the catfish."

"The plan with the supermarket trucks is pretty close to what I was envisaging." he agreed, "What I propose we then do is send some fellows into the walls to try to capture a section, thereby allowing the movement of more stuff in, while other parties another group strikes for the Tzarina."

"Aye." Tomashenko agreed, "You could try floating someone down the river but you'd be in danger of becoming crocodile food."

Shamir came back with bottle of whiskey and several glasses, helping herself to a large glass before sitting down next to Tomashenko, "I think we could try dropping out of a civilian aircraft. Risky, but I doubt they'd fire at us, for a start its usually the army who man the AA in the city, I doubt the retainers would know you to use it properly, I certainly wouldn't."

York

"Eight hundred metric tons? How does it move? I don't think we have to concern ourselves with them." Jormund states dismissively and then adds "Me and my men would have no problem with crocodiles and our constitution would be more than enough to combat the ill-effects of any sewage and the smaller of us could probably get under the city while the larger of us attacked one or more gates."

Sherwin just shrugs "I don't know all that much about planning these things, but is it just going to Chief Elvers and his men, or can we expect any more help?"

Jormund nods "That is a good question as well."

*****
Port Olympus

Sir Ozy frowns at his obviously devious ruse having been played out for an entirely undeserving audience. He turns back around as the 'Captain' appears.

"Threatening to leave Port Olympus? Well, I suppose it beats being arrested..................." he frowns "Besides, the President has already appointed my replacement. I don't see what I have to do with the situation, I'm just a lowly Key, and one that I'm sure the the President questions the loyalty of."

He pauses "I am sorry, none of this has anything to do with you, I had supposed that I could bring Madam President a nice afternoon tea and discuss things. No matter."

Sir Ozy sets the basket and carafes down "Give these to the President if you like, or share them amongst yourselves. The baskets and carafes belong to my friend, I'll tell him where he can collect them. Good afternoon."

He bows formally , puts his paws in pockets and heads out again to The Nachxa's waiting car. Sir Ozy was suddenly feeling very old, tired and thinking over his retirement options.

York

"It has a destroyer engine, and tracks as wide as a main battle tank." Tomashenko replied gloomily, "Designed under some hair brained scheme with the Benjians years back, when Fasta Benj was independent... Real problem for the vehicle is it can't turn. So yeah... basically just don't get in front of it."

"By all means swim." Vasa added jovially, "Just be aware that one of those crocodiles would swallow you whole. There is supposed to be a 12 metre female in those waters."

"We have big crocodiles." Tomashenko concluded, looking slightly surprised it wasn't already known, "That's why most towns are so paranoid of crocs getting into their stretch of river and possibly having a nibble on a resident who strays too close."

"I am coming." Shamir put in when the other pair had stopped their banter, "I wil lead a few dozen of my Commandos. If we can secure enough of the wall, these two will be on hand to assist with auxiliary forces."

"Which means." Tomashenko interpreted, "A bunch of veterans, kids and cops of mixed age and ability who mean well but aren't as drilled or well equipped as pro soldiers. No fancy body armour integrated combat systems and all that palaver."

__________
Ilek-Vaad

"Mister Speaker." the Captain actually followed Sir Ozy, bouncing along like an over-eager Labrador retriever, "You are aware of course that this individual is not a replacement for your noble person but rather a stand in since you could not be contacted?"

He actually looked slightly nervous, carrying the basket of goodies, "Also the President, as you know, always keeps an open door policy. Would you like to see her? I can escort you to her offices, please Sir, would you like to come this way?"

He pointedly indicated the direction of the Presidential offices. In fact he was slightly terrified of the impact on his career if it was found out he had not let the old fox see the woman at the top (who was notoriously vindictive towards anyone vetted her appointments).

York

Jormund just looks at Vasa "Even if you could swallow me whole, would you? It is an option if we need it. I have roughly three thousand soldiers on the way, we could divide them up to attack two gates and have some of our smaller more nimble one accompany the ' commandos' ."

He then pauses and looks around "How are we to approach enemy casualties, kill whomever stands in our way? What is the likelihood of civilians being in the way?"

Sherwin just sits back and lets the plan unfold.

*****
Presidential Palace, Port Olympus

Sir Ozy, shrugs and pushes his paws into his pocket.

"I suppose, not that it'll do anygood..........."

He just trails off grumbling and follows the 'Captain'.

York

"It would." Shamir put in firmly, ruling out the idea of swimming in, "We could try riding a hippo."

It sounded like a joke, but wasn't one. The Dyellian 'whale-hippo' was a placid, intelligent animal that was easily domesticated. They could ride one in, but it would attract notice. A floating whale sized mound of blubber tended to, even in the dark.

"We are 100 percent there will be civilians." Tomashenko answered what he saw as the most important question, "We are aiming for minimal casualties to both civilians and enemy combatants. This may seem odd, but most of the people you will be facing will be local police officers who are trying to restore order. They aren't political and believe in order more than Government. Eliminating them is only liable to create lawlessness in post the city after the engagement."

"We could try two gates, although I am in favour of just hitting one and laying an ambush some miles out of town along the other, that way if everything else goes to plan they'll bolt, right into our trap." he continued, "I say attack the West gate and paradrop out of a civilian aircraft simultaneously. From the gate move to secure the whole west aspect, working along the wall. What do you think of that?"

__________
Port Olympus

It would seem the Klatchian President was very willing to see Sir Ozy, allowing the Captain to usher him in immediately. She smiled politely, although she did not rise, "et tu brute?" she quoted, "Please, Sir Ozy, have a seat. You are a very hard person to track down."

Apparently she was waiting for him to tell her something, although what she was expecting was her secret...

York

Jormund grimaces, and he and Sherwin have no idea what a 'whale-hippo' is so they just think Shamir is trying to be amusing. Sherwin just smiles.

"The more areas we hit, the more defenders we can draw away from the primary area on ingress." Jormund states "I will see if I can convince any of my warriors to jump out of a plane, they do not like to do it, very few parachutes can slow your descent when you weigh close to eight hundred pounds with equipment, steering on the way down with that weight is also problematic, so we can expect a significant number to go off course."

He again sounded like he was speaking from experience. Sherwin chuckles.

"We'll hardly win hearts and minds when an eight hundred pound Einherjar smashes through the wall into the drawing room, terribly, parachuted in seem to be off course, where is the door, thanks, bye."

Jormund ignores Sherwin "I do believe that it is doable, yet we should be aware of consequences that may arise. So, shall we prepare?"

*****
Presidential Palace, Port Olympus, Office of President Ab Iaeuf

"I am sorry Madam President, I will make sure to stay in one place to make my detention easier next time." He says without a hint of irony as he hops up onto the chair and straightens his tie and adjusts his cuffs.

"I had a wonderful tea with Ambassador Valnard, I think I may convinced him that the Federation is stable despite the current unrest. I brought you leftovers, you haven't had lunch......." He pauses and looks her over "and you haven't been sleeping well either."

Port Olympus

"Your detention?" the President looked confused by the concept, pursing her lips, "Call me Caroline." the invitation towards informality was intended as a move towards a degree of reconciliation with someone she honestly felt she could have avoided alienating.

"If you have convinced the Ambassador that the Federation is stable then you have done us a great service." she sighed, it was as close to an apology as the fox was going to get while the President was unsure of his loyalties. After all, she hadn't been with the Ambassador, he could have been saying anything...

"Thank you." she accepted the refreshments with a gracious bob of the head.

She was tired, she hadn't slept in days apart from the hour long nap in her office, although she had hoped a subtle application of make up might hide the tell tale signs of sleep deprivation, "So Sir Ozy. Who were you planning to meet in the conference room?" she asked suddenly.

"By the way, Mr. O'Blution has proved totally useless. He was supposed to just say the right words and get everything moving again. It's not hard, all he had to say was 'Parliament is in session'." a subconscious tick betrayed the fact that she was livid over that, "In Dyelli Beybi I'd have had him imprisoned for impeding the course of democracy, or something like that, but I am President of Klatch, I must try not to be too much of a dictator."
__________

York

"Maybe better they don't... I was planning to HALO." Shamir murmured in response to the talk of Einherjar coming crashing through people's roofs... "From as high altitude as one of those horrible passenger planes can get us anyway. A low opening will give too much warning of our arrival."

"Prepare?" Tomashenko asked, as if this was a foreign idea, "Oh I get it, getting gear together and such... yeah not a bad idea, I should be able to get the grunts moving within two hours, should probably make the call..."

While he was talking Shamir had got up to answer an incoming call. She spoke softly, her voice little more than a murmur. Tomashenko glanced towards her, shrugged and grimaced. Her call was not a long one though, barely two minutes passed before she came back into the room, "Gentlemen." she announced, "We have until tomorrow, probably around midday. When are the rest of your guys arriving Mr Elvers? Dmitri, the phone is all yours."

Presidential Palace, Port Olympus, Office of President Ab Iaeuf

Sir Ozy smiles "I would prefer to call you Madam President, nothing against you, it is that it would simply be inappropriate." he wrinkles his nose for a second "I am assuming of course that your order to have all of the Alconian Keys arrested, that did include me as well. Perhaps Mr. O'Blution would have done better had you given him a script?"

Sir Ozy waits as Caroline pours herself some tea and tucks into the rolls.

"I had intended to have the tea and snacks all laid out and prepared and then called your office instead of just dumping the basket on your desk, not exactly the proper place to have tea, at your desk."

He frowns at her talk of not trying to be 'too much of a dictator'.

"Well, I think some would say you've gotten off to a poor start in that respect. We both know you have several problems, not entirely of your making, that need to be resolved. Calling parliament, will only solve two of them, and won't meet Lord Hull's deadline. The other problems all come down to one thing. Your personal security. I can only solve your issues with the Keys of the United Duchies, and trust me Count Stenton and Sir Ramsay are only going to eat crow if you yourself agrees to a healthy portion"

He then sighs heavily "I however must be more difficult, as you've undermined the whole basis of my office. I am an officer elected by my peers in Parliament, using thinly veiled excuses to stop me calling parliament, and then days later replacing me when it became an emergency to you that parliament be seated................" he pauses searching for the right words "Has made it impossible for me to simply step back in as speaker unless I am either entirely silent and simply accept your actions without comment, or I take you to task and make impeachment the very first topic for debate."

He shrugs "Perhaps I am wrong but neither are acceptable to the Office of the Speaker, not just for me, but for whomever will eventually replace me. I also do not think that either serves the Federation."

*****
York

Jormund looks over at Sherwin "I need at least four days to get everyone here, they are all currently in Syrique."

Sherwin grimaces " The only way we can them here next day is in supersonic transports and the only ones near them are the Arkbird transports, and they belong to the Bad Hand and are very, very costly, we are talking millions of kronors to get them in the air right away. We then also have the added complication of having additional Bad Hand mercenaries here that are unaware as of yet of Chief Elvers resignation."

He chuckles "It could complicate things."

Port Olympus

Ab Iaeuf listened to everything the Fox had to say with composed silence, "There is of course option number three; Pistols at dawn."

"As for Lord Hull, I am sure you will realise we cannot as a Federation allow any State to lay down demands, irrespective of what one may feel the reasonableness of their case may be." she continued, "This is the Federated Klatchian Coast, not some hillbilly town where the law is dictated by who has the biggest gun. If that were the case then Vrak would win every time."

"I name Ignacio Delgado as my second." she switched back to the duelling conversation, making it abundantly clear that she was not in fact joking, "Your second I am sure can discuss the relative details."

She was after all Teulu, and while the duelling was illegal in her homeland, the upper classes had never been very good at sticking to rules like that.

__________

York

Tomashenko groaned expansively at the talk of millions of Kronors. The Kronor was a vastly valuable piece of currency, the shilling being the more usual measure for day to day trading, "That girl had better be worth it." he growled, giving assent to whatever was decided before turning away to make his phone call.

"These Bad Hand pakrahs..." he continued, "Reckon we'll need to crack a few heads?"

"It will not be a problem if we do." Vasa added simply, although with a certain relish at the prospect of violence that drew a sharp glance from Shamir.

"Otherwise." she continued, "you can work solo with some of we locals? I am sure your people would be a valuable asset, but if they can't make it, they can't make it and we will make do."

Presidential Palace, Port Olympus, Office of President Ab Iaeuf

Sir Ozy simply frowns and ignores the initial duel talk "This isn't a matter of honor, it is a matter of technical law. You've overstepped your constitutional bounds and I simply can't step back in, it would be a tacit approval of your constitutional vagaries."

He pauses and sighs "Dueling with pistols is un-civilized and by the rules of polite society it should be swords, although Mr. Delgado is probably not of the landed gentry and would not be allowed to use such a weapon." of course duels are still legal in the United Duchies "you again seem to be inclined to simply attack a problem without coming to a solution."

He pauses and stands "I will pass no judgment on Lord Hull's deadline or his implied threats except that he was very wise to make only demands which are entirely within the power and legal purview of your office, and that he made the demand as having been the only major Federation power to not deploy troops beyond it's borders, but that is a debate that is neither here nor there. I had hoped that I would come here and I could lay out the situation which we are both aware of and them come to a conclusion that is best for the Federation and also keeps you in office."

He then bows gracefully "I do not accept your second, you are not infirm or unhealthy and there is no viable reason you should stand aside, honor demands that as the challenger you make every honest attempt to carry out your threat personally. Now, we can try and work this out in a manner that suits the Federation, or you can continue to personally attack others that challenge your 'not so much a dictatorship'? I will duel you if you like, but I would prefer to find a mutual way of solving this crises which we can get all of Parliament to agree with."

He looks quizzical "Do I leave now and meet you back here at dawn, or shall I remain and we can forge a common strategy that I can then force on Parliament without too much of a fuss?"

*****
York


"I don't think we want to get violent with them, they probably will not attack anyone, just demand a 'severance package' for the loss of one of their more profitable units. Attacking them just insures that they will be more inclined to loot and murder the next time a Dyellian faction hires them, so tack on another 'millions' of kronors and have it in a suitcase handy for whatever Bad Hand officer arrives with them." Sherwin muses.

Jormund simply shrugs "I will do what has to be done no matter how many of my people are here at the time. I will not go back on my word." He then excuses himself to make the expensive arrangements.

Port Olympus

The President seemed to be undergoing some kind of radical realignment of thought processes. She arched her back to stare at the ceiling while she figured this out. In Dyelli Beybi you mucked people around left right and centre , but generally speaking people didn't hold grudges. Society would fall apart if they did... So you made face saving deals and got on with life as if nothing had happened.

Yes she had tried to oust everyone even vaguely connected to Alcona and Hubris, seeing them as a threat to the integrity of the Federation, and she knew now that had been a mistake. So the obvious thing to do was to make some kind of face saving deal after which things could be quietly forgotten about. She had suggested pistols because obviously she would deliberately miss and assumed Sir Ozy would do the same, it was what you did. You never said that you planned to miss, but that was the unspoken agreement. It was much harder to deliberately not hurt someone when you were waving a sword about, not to mention the fact that Sir Ozy was old and and she was young and fit.

And what was he on about seconds for? It would make perfect sense if she did step aside. She was a woman after all, but the second's main role was to negotiate with the other second and try to make sure nobody got hurt. That was the Dyellian way at any rate.

She frowned at the ceiling as she realised this was probably what people called 'culture clash', and looked down at the funny little foreigner, "Ok." she replied meekly, aware that now was probably a good time to actually listen to someone, "What do you propose we do?"

__________

York

"Like buying a football player." Vasa quipped.

Shamir stood, dusting herself down quite unnecessarily.

"I think it is time we move out of here." Vasa continued, raising an eyebrow pointedly to Sherwin, "Amalia needs to change, as do I... I assume you are coming with us Mr. Thales? I can give you a choice of weaponry and some basic body armour."

"Who do you want to go with?" Shamir asked suddenly, she had taken a few paces towards where Tomashenko was hanging up the phone, "You can come with me or go with this pair. I would welcome you to my team, I have heard you have some experience in commando style work."

Presidential Palace, Port Olympus, Office of President Ab Iaeuf

Of course in the United Duchies, a woman was expected to fight her own duels, Sir Ozy hadn't considered that anyone would attempt to make sure no one got hurt since Alconians duels were only to first blood and almost never to the death. Culture clash indeed.

Sir Ozy smiles and hops back up onto the seat "I am glad that you have reconsidered, I did not look forward to humiliating you on the field of honour." His smile says that he may be joking, or not?

"First, all sides concerned make the appropriate public apologies, I explain and apologize for my tardiness, you express regret at the misunderstanding that lead to any keys being arrested, and Count Stenton apologizes for accusing you of my disappearance. Then everyone drops their various lawsuits and we all smile for the cameras."

He pauses and pours himself a cup of tea "Then we call parliament. As Vrak has already seized land, without consent of Parliament and signed off on by the President we pass a resolution that we accept their territorial gains in the North for an acceptingly extortionist fee, say enough to rebuild the JDF, and we do the same with your countrymen in the West for another extortionist fee, say enough to increase the size of the JDF by about 25% and get lots of new equipment."

He sips at the tea "Try some of that bread, it's a delicacy in Macisikan. Next step is that I get on the phone and bully Lord Hull into accepting an extension of his deadline to deal with the biggest problems. Mainly your personal security so that you can make the tough decisions concerning your homeland without the fear of a cheka knife in your ribs. You have several options in that area, although none of them are really very good."

He pauses to wait and see what the President has to say.

*****
York

"Commando experience?" Sherwin repeats incredulously "I don't think I've done anything that qualifies for any real commando experience. I am a pilot so I can jump out of a plane reasonably well, and I don't think I want to go in with Chief Elvers, I think that's where the most shooting is going to be............."

Before he can finish Jormund finishes up on his phone and turns looking a bit concerned "I have spoken with my Treasurer, they are already on their way to York on the Arkbirds. The fee has been paid as well as a handsome severance package."

He pauses looking at Sherwin, who frowns and checks his satellite phone "It wasn't anyone I know............" he says as he checks for messages "Maybe Mr. Johnson again, maybe Caroline did call him?"

Jormund shrugs "I will not have an explanation until they arrive."

Port Olympus

The President listened to the talk from the fox. It did make sense really, far more sensible to apologise than to start shooting, perhaps she was being a bit hot blooded... "OK" she said again.

"The Vrakians are setting a very bad precedent." she added suddenly, "I can only imagine the Dyellian behaviour is partially motivated out of a desire to show they have a big military to swing around as well. We must be clear though. The Axe Canal is property of the Federation. It is not for sale to any state, it is a Federal asset."

"I don't particularly fear the Cheka." she continued, her voice suggesting she found the topic humorous although she wasn't about to actually laugh, "They aren't stupid enough to bump me off, they know that having a Dyellian in the top job stops any blatant abuses of power being directed against them."

"The problem." she continued after a slight pause, "In the Dyellian situation is that Lord Hull is playing the 'diplomatic immunity' card in regards to his officials."

"I would hope you would appreciate how if I acknowledge that, the Federal Government is undermined. When Alcona and Hubris entered the Federation they surrendered sovereignty in exchange for access to Federal courts, the Federal Parliament, the JDF and so on and so forth. Now I understand that most of these organisations are defunct, however if we are to rebuild we cannot start by more or less endorsing the full sovereignty of Alcona and Hubris.

"Were this any other State I would say the same. They are not independent, it is like the mayor of Port Olympus sending a 'diplomat' to Vrak Prime... except on a much grander scale. I can press for the return of civilians and civilian bodies, however I cannot and will not admit that such persons were diplomats as in doing so I am setting Alcona and Hubris up as a State outside of the Federation."

She steepled her fingers, leaning forward slightly, her tone becoming slightly conspiratorial, "Now between you and me, ideally I would rather all diplomacy was handled by the Federal Government. That way we could ensure no envoys were caught up in things like Dyellian coups, which I might add, reflect poorly on the Federation as a whole, Federal Government and every state within it. Then maybe we could rebuild some trust and start working on making Federal Government work... rather than it just being a tool to curb the excesses of the current Dyellian regime... or protect it from external invasion depending upon what their leader has done this time."

__________

York

"That isn't what I heard." Shamir replied, apparently someone had been telling stories about Sherwin Thales, quite possibly the Tzarina herself.

"I can deal with the payment." Tomashenko joined them, "I have the authority to open the treasury at any rate, which none of the rest of you do. Mr. Vasa, I want you to take every able bodied fighter you can round up. Usual drill, retainers, cops etc etc and march South towards Bath. Of course when I say march I mean drive. You'll never make it in time if anyone is on foot. I'll meet you by helicopter as soon as I've dealt with paying these mercenaries."

"And I will prepare my team." Shamir confirmed again, "Mr Thales, will you be coming with me now, or are you needed for meeting the Einherjar?" she pronounced the word slowly, trying not to mangle it too much.

As the conversation continued Tomashenko was acutely aware there was no chance of Chief Elvers or his people taking part in the opening gambit. That would be over to him, although he suspected very strongly that this was going to be a battle that would last for several days, time for them to make a difference even if they didn't open the show...

Sir Ozy chuckles "Of course the Vrakians are setting a bad precedent, that's why we are going to extort them over it, the Dyellians are setting the very same precedent in 'south-west Benjia' if you have any illusions that parliament condemning those actions will cause either party to withdraw, let me dispel them now. You have no JDF, so what, do we ask the Alconians and Vrakians to force out the Dyellians and then ask them to leave? Or do it the other way around? Let's pick some battles we can win. Both parties will think they got off lightly for a few billion Kronor, which we can use to rebuild the JDF and then next time we can react with force. Without forces of your own to occupy the canal, it belongs to the Vrakians I'm afraid."

He nods sagely at her next points "I agree with you absolutely, however I have two points to make on the subject. First The Regent acted in a vacuum of Federation response and second the whole incident should be turned over to the Federal Marshals no matter what either side thinks and the Dyellians should be 'neighborly' and at the very least have no issue with returning the bodies of the envoys."

He pauses again working hard to explain the situation as he sees it "I think what everyone involved expected was that you would take the Tzarina's side as you had previously, especially when the junta crossed the frontier into Federation Parkland in Benjia, yet you and your envoys simply stated 'not a Federation issue' and stayed out of it. Of course now you have Dyellian troops at the very door of the United Duchies Eastern Marches preparing for war."

He pauses and shrugs "I feel the Regent was very restrained in attempting to mediate, and now even holding back after having his envoys so unfortunately removed. I agree fully the Federation should have been the only party involved, but if the Federation does not act, then , well, you see the consequences."

"So, I do agree with your stance. However I would simply point out that you have yet to take that stance publicly or to even acted on it. If I were you I would send in the Marshals who would then take into custody the Alconian envoys, and recover the bodies as evidence and investigate the whole of the matter. However Parliament has no authority over that, so I cannot help you with that part of the deadline. You then might want to appoint some sort of Special Envoy to deal with the entirety of the issue."

He then smiles and chuckles "You know, I've heard tell that the Cheka only lose sleep when they fear they are being stalked. If you don't fear the Cheka, then why have you yet to act in regards to your homeland?"

He then sits back looking pleased "You see, making the 'new' borders of Dyelli-Beybi and Vrak legal , sending in the Marshals to take custody of the Alconians in the Blessed Kingdom's care and calling Parliament will solve every single issue raised by Lord Hull and do it all under the Constitution, all can be done without even acknowledging the deadline. Lord Hull and the Regent 'win' at home, you win in keeping Presidential power intact and being able to rebuild the JDF, heck we can even throw in a clause that calls Vrak and Dyelli-Beybi's new territories a 'lease' of Federation property and make the extortion a yearly rate that can be adjusted for inflation. No more flogging member states for JDF funds."

*****
York

"Nope, I think Chief Elvers can handle his own men, I'll go with you." Sherwin says with a smile.

ooc: looong time, no post. Sorry

[Post#223]
Dyelli Beybi
The Canal
The weathered major stood behind and to the left of the large walrus who smirked at the last remark by the Dyellian.

“Indeed,” rumbled Sansaeya, “this is a federal parkland, but one that straddles our respective states and faces Ilek-Vaad. After all, if Ilek-Vaad decided to invade the Klatch, this would be a likely invasion route, no? Well, I think you can see why we decided to secure this area. Peace and stability Brigadier Saxon is the reason to march into this territory. Just as we marched into the former Dukratus and hold lands in the defunct New Shiron. Now, I suppose it is up to our political masters to start drawing lines on maps, but I for one am content to halve this land with yourself.”

====

Port Olympus

Irok was satisfied. At last a meeting with the Junta. This is better than he had hoped although he was wary as to why the good Air Marshal would volunteer so quickly key personnel in that organization. He suspected that he was being lied to, but didn’t say it outright. The only person that he was sure of in regards to location was the Dyellian seated across from him. Both keys rose slowly and bid the Air Marshal good day. Justin stopped when Dwight asked the purpose of the meeting. This was the easy part.

“To work out a peace arrangement with the Junta and Vrak, Air Marshal. After all, the Klatch shouldn’t be on the brink of war with itself when there are far greater threats. Is there a way I can reach you to work out the details?”

The last statement was unnecessary since he was quite aware the VIS would be monitoring the movements of this particular Dyellian. With an easy movement, he produced his business card, complete with his address on The Hill and his personal extension. Hugo did likewise and they both bowed.

“Good day, Air Marshal Dwight,” they said in chorus. After sidestepping the imposing Orc, they climbed back into the waiting SUV.

“By Bok’s maw,” exclaimed the King’s Own as he pulled from the curb, “never thought I would see an orc in Port Olympus.

The remaining SUV did not leave and the grand old city was beginning to resemble more a city under siege than the bustling vibrancy it is famous for.

====

[Post#224]
Ilek-Vaad

Great Lassic/ Tollan

The Ambassador gave a curt nod to the Velite Guard and made no comment unless the situation absolutely demanded it. He did note, of course, that the Vaadians did make efforts to give him honour, well, to put on the appearance of when both nations were on friendlier terms. After clearing security, his two junior officials greeting him. Patterson gave the walrus a synopsis on the meeting with the Vaadians while Jacob spoke highly of the lobster.

-So, they want to have a military liaison put in place?
-It would seem to alleviate any potential misunderstandings between our respective militaries. Cut down on friendly fire incidents.
-Well, they are not friendly. Or do you need a history lesson on Karmanyaka and Fodmodmadtol? The Vaadians are expansionists, Patterson, to the detriment of the Klatch. See that you remember that.

====

Port Olympus - Embassy of the Covenant

That Sir Ozy left the embassy and made his way to the Hill was not unsurprising to the VIS. The Shades were a difficult area to penetrate but once he left them, it was easier to watch him. Thus, the surveillance on the Macisikan embassy was dramatically reduced, just one team was holed up and left to the usual duties of which all VIS teams normally do. Sir Ozy would not have been molested nor hindered on his way back to Parliament by the Vrakians.

====

Deep South Klatchian Ocean

Captain Kuet watched as his men unloaded the supplied. He smiled at the thought of him with the Macisikani and Brucians having a barbeque on, for all intents and purposes, a deserted island while the rest of the Klatch was quite likely shooting at each other or at the Vaadians.

====

ooc: apologies for buggering off for so long, will try to catch up as quick as possible.

Offices of the President
"Okay." the President seemed to be rolling over on everything, everything bar one issue, "The only thing I will disagree about is allowing the Vrakinas to sieze control of the Axe Canal. Through peculiar Dyellian logic they feel Vrak-Ozarka or Axe depending upon who you are talking to, is rightfully part of the Dyellian Empire. Letting the Vrakians have it unopposed will be a snub, but one they will live with. What they will not live with is the Vrakians gaining sole control of the canal."

"Timaru." she explained, "Is the only port in the D.B.A.T. and it faces onto the lakes meaning any sizeable traffic to the area, and their are several billion Dyellians in the North, has to come via the canal as the Djel and Benj cannot be safely navigated by deep draught cargo vessels. I can agree with you on everything, but not the canal, it is too likely to provoke a war."

__________
Elsewhere in Port Olympus

"The Junta are not qualified to act in a diplomatic capacity." Dwight insisted doggedly.

It was perhaps true, perhaps he didn't know, or perhaps he was lying.

"However." he added quickly, "I am sure I can organise a meeting. I can be found at the Dyellian High Commission."

By and large Dyellians were suspicious by nature. In the end they only managed to secure the Grand Admiral of the Fleet (Adelle Collins) and General Ming, France and O'Booze having declared they were otherwise occupied...

__________
The Canal

Saxon blinked, taken aback by being invited into taking part in diplomacy. He was no diplomat...

"Where would you want to draw the line?" he asked. His tone and body language quickly correcting to hide any obvious emotions.

__________
York

At the appointed time Tomashenko was present along with a gaggle of his personal retainers. While he didn't have any hard cash he did have the authority to wire as much as he chose to a foreign account... and hard currency could always be located if necessary.

Meanwhile the other forces prepared and moved out, leaving him along with Chief Elvers to do whatever was necessary...

Presidential Palace, Port Olympus, Office of President Ab Iaeuf

"Well, fortunately we do not have to decide upon that, the matter of the Canal can be debated in Parliament to either draw acceptable lines on the map, or decide who is controlling what. Of course that is where the Dyellian Keys can make their point and you have the discretion of telling Parliament what you will and will not sign." Sir Ozy replies with a smile.

"Well, can we both be happy with that? Either that or you need to figure out how to force Vrak out, without the support of anyone but Dyelli-Beybi most likely. Despite your obvious charms, I doubt you can make friends with the Lord Vaad that quickly?"

*****
York

The only thing that was necessary was to clear the runways for the eight Ark-Bird hyper-sonic transports. It would become apparent very quickly why the Tzarina's pocketbook no longer needed to be picked, off of the first flight Elvers and Tomashenko would be approached by a tall coal-black skinned woman and a human in a black suit, his gleaming gauntlets,bracers and breastplate very obvious.

Elvers looks surprised and turns abruptly to Tomashenko , as he motions to the woman "This is out treasurer, Hargarg Ryonis" the woman bows politely "And this.............."

The man in the black suit interrupts "Is Velites Kerbals Valentinious........." he says with a perfect smile and perfectly practiced bow " The Lord Vaad sees that the Tzarina's former bad judgment may be improving, Taking in Chief Elvers and the Einherjar is a very intelligent and insightful move and the Lord Vaad is more than pleased to settle their debts with The Bad Hand so that they may serve the Tzarina honourably."

He pauses shifting his hockey-kit sized back from his shoulder to the ground "If I may humbly ask, what else can the Lord Vaad do to assist his cousin-monarch?"

The rest of the myriad Einherjar begin disembarking, it is obvious that Kerbal Valentinious is the only Vaadian with the whole of the group.

*****
Great Lassic/ Tollan

The Minister of Defence would wait patiently until the Vrakian Ambassador was ready to meet with them.

However the Retaliatory Guard are not so patient, the Ambassador will find waiting for him several requests from a Staff Seargent Emaele to send a representative to Tollan to arrange for the Vrakian military liaison.

They next day Ambassador Tancred in Vrak Prime would apprise the Ministry of Rites that the Vaadian military liaison would be arriving shortly.

OOC: Vrak is the Minister still coming to United Duchies?