NationStates Jolt Archive

The Embassy was set back from the street's, grim forbidding walls stretching high above street level were topped by Razorwire and gave the distinct impression that this was not a place to be entered lightly. The massive solid steel gate that protected this place was emblazoned across it's surface with a single twisting double helix, a tastefully small brass plaque attached to the wall near the gateway proclaimed this to be the 'Embassy for 'The Corporate Dominion of Biodyne Industries'. The gate slid slowly downwards into the ground internal mechanisms propelling it into a place of quiet unobtrusiveness, allowing entry into the Compound by way of the meandering black Tarmac path leading towards the main building. At either side of the road lay immaculately maintained gardens with large pieces of abstract corporate art carefully interspersed amongst the low hanging willow trees and flower beds.

The road splits into two separate pathways a few metres in from the gateway, a pair of guard hut's flanking the road just inside the gate contain a pair of unidentifiable humans, clad entirely in black bodysuits with body armour strapped over the chest arms and legs, their heads covered in thick gasmasks and helmets with a thin perspex cover over the masks. Each held a short stubby weapon all angles and no curves made from a strange sort of grey plastic and blued metal finish, the weapons were held pointing towards the ground, but with the distinct impression that they could be raised at a moments notice. The road to the left led towards a series of large Garages set against the inner wall of the compound, whilst to the right a small single storey building was lit with a pale blue light illuminating the single medical cross to designate it's purpose.

The road continues a short way towards a large and imposing building, it's sheer granite walls illuminated by the play of spotlight's across it's surface. Stark gargoyles in the shape of muscular men were placed at each corner as though they were melting into the brick. The road circles around an elegant fountain filling the evenings air with the play of water gently trickling into it's basin. Two large columns are located at the bottom of the stairs leading towards a pair of double doors thrown wide open this evening and flanked by a pair of butlers, one male and one female standing at rigid attention. Scattered here and there unobtrusively throughout the grounds are more of the armoured security personnel, standing at full attention this evening as they ensure the safety of the Diplomats and their esteemed guests.

Indoors in an office sat Paul Ratas, newly appointed COO for Biodynes Embassy in Ursava, his guests would be arriving shortly and as he finished applying the last touches to his suit for the occasion he smiled at himself in the mirror. He was a good looking man, not showing his thirty years of age at all. His sandy blonde hair was swept back and allowed to fall artfully across one side of his face, his icy blue eyes were startling, set as they were in his finely boned face. He glanced at a fine gold watch at his wrist and noted the time as he stepped away from his desk and closed the office door behind him, heading towards the entrance to the Embassy to greet his guests for the evening with a practiced smile lighting up his features.

OOC: Very nice description.


The limousine had only two SUVs with it, one in front and the other following practically right on the rear bumper of the limousine. Inside the limousine was President Zigana Saáry of the Republic of Ursava and a member of the White Shield special forces. In the rear SUV and frontal SUV there were also members of the White Shield. They earned their name for their white berets and emblems which were black outlined shield with absolutely no markings of any kind. They carried simple Steyr SMGs and other weapons of the Ursavian military and all currently had their gas masks off. Besides that each one of them carried spare gas masks in case they were attacked with chemicals of some kind they would easily be able to protect the president that some of them fought to have put in office…literally.

Zigana adjust the buttons of her jacket and moved several stray strands of light brown hair from out of her eyes. She tightened her ponytail and rubbed a hand over it while looking in the roof-mounted mirror while the soldier simply sat beside her with his rifle tucked between his legs and his eyes staring at the tinted window that blocked the drive from the passengers. She looked more in her early or late twenties than she did in her mid thirties. She smiled to herself and her freshly applied makeup. She looked over at the soldier who responded by…doing nothing at all. That always unnerved her, even about her nations own military personnel and aids.

“Sergeant, how do I look?” Zigana asked in as lady-like a voice as she could.

The soldier looked at her for what couldn’t have been more than a minute and a half at best.

“Positively radiant Lady President.” The Ursavian Sergeant stated coldly.

The convoy of three slowly approached the main gate of Biodyne Industries.

As the Convoy approached the compound the Guards at the gates had noticed them and stood a little more stiffly to attention as they approached. One of the guards stepped out into the centre of the gateway and held out a hand to indicate that he wanted the convoy to stop. As he did so he held one hand to the side of his head for a moment as he received instructions through his headset and nodded to himself as he slowly stepped backwards and shouldered his rifle. He began to walk backwards slowly and waved his hands at the vehicle in front to indicate they could enter, he stood to one side of the road and stood stiffly to attention as he saluted waiting for the convoy to pass on the way up to the Embassy. Before the convoy lay the gently meandering black tarmac road that led to the main building in Biodyne's Compound contained behind a second wall and heavy gate, it's many windows were lit up giving the building a slightly warmer look as the spotlights glanced along the walls illuminating sections briefly as they passed over. At the edge of the road small blue lamps were set on either side to provide some form of lighting so that one could see where the road led, in the gardens similar small lamps were used to illuminate the art pieces and flower beds bathing the grounds in light and letting the visitor's see the extent of the Biodyne Compound.

OOC: Thanks! I'm a bit of an old hand at this though, despite the fact my postcount is so low. :p

"For something so militaristic it's quite beautiful." Zigana said, leaning towards a window and looking more like a child then a president of a country.

They made their way up the path, the two SUVs hugging close to the limousine the entire way. Then when they approached the front of the embassy the convoy stepped and the soldiers stepped out first. Moments later Zigana herself stepped out and they made their way towards the gate. One of the soldiers flashed an I.D to the gate guard and waited for the gate to open for them.


OOC: Yeah, my posting sucks. lol.

The guard at the secondary gate leaned forwards and inspected the ID before standing straight and saluting, "Welcome to Biodyne your Eminence, please proceed onwards, if you wish your vehicles may be parked in the Embassy Garage for you to summon when you wish to leave." The guards voice was monotone and unisex, firm and yet giving away no hint to the guards Identity, young or old, male or female, nothing was certain. The gate slid downwards and settled into the ground leaving the opening ready for the group to pass onwards, the short path beyond led up to the elegant fountain in the centre of a circular path and the entrance to the Embassy proper. The butlers at the top of the steps hurried down as the gate finished descending into the earth and stood at the foot of the steps and awaited the party to approach. This smaller inner courtyard's walls were wreathed with vines and flowerbeds, the heavy spotlights set at either end of the courtyard moved slowly over the walls of the heavily art-deco inspired architecture, illuminating small details like the pictogram bricks around the arched windows and the elegant balconies outside of every second storey window wrought out of fine brass into intertwining branch like designs. From the massive double doors that opened into the night came the sound of classical music filtering into the evening air, those who could recognise it would note that it was Beethoven's moonlight sonata, and those of a militaristic mind would note that the seemingly meandering path and the balconies ensured that at all times anyone approaching the Embassies inner walls and gate were in plain sight at all times with excellent fields of fire covering them. Indeed whilst beautifully laid out, the compound had been intricately designed for both form and function.

OOC: Ahh it's not bad lol, my other account I used to post with has been around for over two years now so I've managed to get plenty of practice in. ;)

OOC: Nice embassy.


IC:

Zigana and her group slowly approached minus three guards for a brief moment. Then the other three returned from driving the cars to the alotted parking spaces and they approached the butlers. Two soldiers in front, one on either side, and two behing her. Zigana often joked that she must make other women jealous being surrounded by a bunch of men in uniform. As she approached, she recognized the music coming through the doors and couldn't help but smile at herself as she let her mind drift in to the music. She approached the butlers and smiled. She held out her hand for a shake. Meanwhile, the soldiers were looking at each other, realizing the setup.

"Hello, I'm Zigana Saáry, president of Ursava." She said with a small smile to the butlers.

The butlers bowed stiffly from the waist as she approached, the female butler to her left took her hand and shook it warmly. "Greetings your Eminence, would you care to enter the Embassy? Mr. Ratas is inside waiting for you." Her voice was warm and welcoming, yet unfailingly polite, her face a mask of efficiency and good manners. Both Butlers gently swept their arms up the steps indicating for her to go ahead and enter the Embassy building, as they did so the male Butler to her right stepped smartly forwards and led the way up to the open double doors. For the moment no Security personnel were visible aside from the two guards on the inner side of the gate and the two on the outer side of it.

OOC: Thank you :)

"It's a pleasure to be here, thank you." Zigana said to the female butler.

Then when the door was opened the group made their way up the steps. The soldiers' boots made audible tapping sounds on the stone as they made their way to the threshold. They entered with the soldiers keeping eyes everywhere almost as Zigana walked through the doorway and they looked around waiting to see what would happen next, all while the soldiers let their rifles hang by their combat straps.

The Butlers melted to the side of the door quietly as the party entered the threshold of the Embassy, directly in front of them was a large staircase leading up to the second landing with old styled elevators set at either side and at the back of the entrance hall. The room was dominated by a massive chandelier in the centre of the room suspended by thick twisted steel cables, the marble floor was a crisscrossing parquet style of black and white marble squares, and at the top of the stairs was a huge stained glass window with the Double helix design of Biodyne in it's centre realised in red and black glass. The room was filled with the various Diplomatic staff and their families in formal evening wear, a pair of young girls giggled as they sat at the base of the stairs, excited by the atmosphere of the evening and swapping secrets. A small band consisting of a Pianist a Violinist and Cellist and a woman playing a large harp continued playing to one side of the room.

As the President and her entourage entered the staff stopped their conversations, and bowed slightly from the waist as waiters and waitresses navigated the room with trays of drinks. Paul Ratas detached himself from the group of people he was talking to and approached the President with a warm smile on his face. "Good evening your Eminence, and welcome to Biodyne. I hope that the music is to your taste this evening? I am Chief Operating Officer Paul Ratas." He gestured to his side and a woman in a striking red dress came forwards her blonde hair piled up above her head in elegant curls, her face was finely detailed and her makeup was muted highlighted only by the severe crimson lipstick she chose to wear. "This is Spokeswoman Natalia Rodoni, she is in charge of Biodynes Trade and Diplomatic discussions in Ursava." The woman inclined her head slightly as he spoke and smiled, whilst another man stepped forwards and to his right his arms folded behind his back. He was clad in a plain black BDU and Beret with knee high military boots highly polished, he had no holster at his waist and attached to his ear was small earpiece. His face was stern with a firm jawline, his features were marred with a large scar down his face just below the hairline in front of his right ear in the shape of a jagged lightning strike. "And this rather Dour gentleman is Chief Security Officer James Baynam, he is responsible for Embassy security, and it is his men who will be ensuring a quiet evening." The man grunted as he eyed up the soldiers and their rifles distrustfully. "Would you care for a drink your Eminence, dinner will be served shortly but perhaps you would like to meet some of the various staff on hand here?"

"It's nice to meet you Mister Ratas, and you two as well." Zigana said, looking to the three before her with a polite smile and nod.

She then leaned towards the highest ranking soldier, the Sergeant.

"Sergeant, relax this is an embassy not a battleground." She whispered with a joking tone.

"Sorry Lady President." The Sergeant said.

He looked back to his men and gave a single hand-signal. With that they let go of their guns and let them hang loosely by their combat straps. Zigana looked to Chief Security Officer Baynam to answer his question.

"I would love to meet some of the staff on-hand." Zigana answered in a polite a voice as she could muster.

Baynam's face remained suspicious but he nodded to the Sergeant as his men relaxed slightly. Mr. Ratas didn't skip a beat as he clicked his fingers and a waiter stepped forwards with a tray of high fluted wineglasses, taking one in each hand Baynam and Rodoni both took their leave and rejoining the quiet hubbub of the party. "Your Eminence?" Ratas offered one of the glasses to Zigana politely as the staff began talking to one another and mingling with one another again. Guiding her with a smile he began introducing her one by one to various members of the staff, each of whom bowed and smiled politely offering various pleasantries to her as she passed. Interminable minutes of introductions passed until at last a gong sounded near a pair of double doors to the left of the room. "Ladies and Gentleman, Dinner is Served" An elderly Butler by the doors intoned in a boring tone of voice, Mr. Ratas leaned over as the staf began filtering towards the doors, "Saved by the Gong" he muttered to Zigana, flashing that charming smile of his at her again as he offered his arm to her, "Your Eminence?"

Zigana nodded and introduced herself to the staff that Ratas led her to. She accepted a few pleasentries including several small chocolate appetizers. Then she watched as the gong rang and people started filing in through a large set of doors next to the butler. Then Ratas offered one of his arms to her.

"Why, thank you Mister Ratas." Zigana said with a polite smile.

She then gladly took his arm and waited for him to lead the way...being as she had no idea exactely where to go.

Mr. Ratas took her arm in his placing his hand over her's guiding her towards the open double doors through to the dining hall, he spoke quietly as they proceeded towards the hall. "As you can see, with the Embassies layout, we have set the ground floor out for Diplomatic functions, the main hall we were just in leads off from four doorways, the main Dining hall is this way. The other doors lead to the Library for less formal meetings, the meeting room for official business is directly next to that one, and the final room is set aside for public relations such as press releases, treaty signings and the like." As they passed through the arched doorway they stepped into the large stretched hallway, the walls were covered in carved bas relief scenes of natural scenes such as forests and rivers in oak panels. the floor was solid white marble with a pair of chandeliers hanging at either end of the hall, with smaller lamps in between the panels providing a soft muted light. The long table was covered in a fine white cloth over it's oaken surface with silverware and crystal wine glasses, set along the spine of the table were silver 5 stem candelabras and crystal flower vases with white and red roses set in them. The wall opposite the entrance doorway were long floor to ceiling arched windows that curved slightly inwards into the room.

As Paul guided her towards her place at the head of the table CSO Baynam stepped in front of the doors his arms crossed barring entrance to the Dining room to the soldiers. "Sergeant no weapons are permitted in the Dining hall, you and your men may remain out here for the duration of the evening or patrol the grounds outside the hall with my Security Personnel." To emphasize his point a pair of Security officers in full gear stepped out behind them, their strange rifles slung over shoulders. "It is of course your choice, but I give you my personal guarantee that no harm will come to your President, on my oath as an old soldier." His face was set as the doors to the hall were closed behind him by the elderly Butler.

The rest of the staff stood behind their chairs as Paul guided Zigana to her seat, the two young girls giggled and their parents shushed them. Paul pulled the fine high backed oak chair out for her, "Your Eminence, please, be seated." His tone was warm and polite and he smiled at her reassuringly waiting for her to sit down.

The sergeant looked back at the guard and then up at the bigger man.

"You think he scares us?" The sergeant asked retorically.

Then he simply stood there, not doing much of everything and looking around, obviously satisfied to just stand there and guard the doorway.

Meanwhile Zigana smiled gratefully as she spoke.

"Thank you." She said with a small smile.

She sat down and kept her smile the whole time.

As Zigana took her place Paul gently moved the chair in so that she could sit comfortably, as she sat so did the rest of the diplomatic staff. After a moment Paul took his place to her right, and at the end of the hall the small band took up new positions, and with a nod from Mr. Ratas began playing Bizet's L' Arlésienne. The waiter's and waitresses moved in from the kitchens through doors at the end of the hall furthest from Zigana bearing silver containers, as they reached her one bowed at the waist and placed the silver tray in front of her, removing the lid and letting the aromatic smell waft upwards before standing to her left awaiting her approval. To her right another waiter leaned forwards and gently poured sparkling red wine into the Crystal glass before placing the bottle on the table and hurrying away back to the kitchen. The first course of the meal was a Sautéed filet mignon in a Béarnaise sauce alongside truffles in champagne and a salad of watercress kissed with a balsamic vinaigrette garnished with rosemary. "I hope you will enjoy the food your Eminence, if anything is not to your liking then by all means let me know and we shall have something else prepared immediately." Ratas smiled at her as he spoke, charm pouring from the smile and the elegant manner in which he spoke.

CSO Baynam grunted his approval, he liked the Sergeant, not many men had the gall to stand up to him these day's. "No Sergeant I don't expect him to scare you, but as of this moment you are standing on Biodyne soil, so I expect you to remember your manners. That and the fact that at this moment you are surrounded by over forty men and women under arms with some of the most advanced weaponry that Biodyne provides." He nodded to the guards behind the Ursavan soldiers and they stepped away slightly, "But since we're all friends here Sergeant perhaps you and I should watch over our masters and allow our men to patrol the grounds outside the Dining hall?" Baynam eyed the man up for a moment as he awaited his response.

In the Hall the atmosphere was a lot more relaxed than it had been earlier, couples talked quietly to one another and friends laughed at jokes told as waiters and waitresses refilled glasses and waited for the diners to finish their meals. In all the dinner was a relaxed yet formal affair, allowing people to relax and to enjoy the simple pleasure of being in one anothers company.

"This looks wonderful, thank you." Zigana said with a smile to the waiter by her side awaiting approval.

She then leaned over to Mister Ratas and whispered so other dinner guests couldn't hear.

"You don't need to be so formal. You know the sergeant outside? Well the only reason I got office was because I was so influential with all the groups and because he just happened to be the most muscular guy and I was close by when we won." Zigana said with a small smile.

She chuckled at her own little story and then went back to sitting normally.

"So, would you tell me about your country Mister Ratas." Zigana asked, looking over at the diplomat.


Meanwhile, the sergeant looked up as the Biodyne man listed off how he was surrounded by forty men and women with some of Biodyne's best equipment and politely didn't tell hhim about his experiances in the 40 Day War back before he had any real training. Once the man asked if he would like to guard the president while his men patrolled the halls he didn't say a thing to the man. Instead he took off his rifle and handed it to another one of his men, took out his pistol and handed it away, also took off a belt of flash and STING grenades.

He left his Tomohawk combat hatchet and knife on however.

"Sure." Was what the sergeant finally said.

The waiter bowed and moved away from the table and back into the kitchens. As he departed Paul leaned over slightly and kept his voice low as she finished speaking, "My apologies ma'am, company policy in these matters is... Very specific, and I and my staff are unfortunately bound by them quite stringently." As she chuckled Paul sat back comfortably in his chair and took a few bites of the food in front of him, sipping the wine as she asked him about Biodyne. After a moments pause he began to explain to her exactly what Biodyne was. "Well Zigana, you don't mind if I call you Zigana do you? Biodyne Industries was first formed at the end of the forties as a Government funded private medical research lab. With new threats evolving on every front Biodynes job was to counter these threats in whatever form they took, whether it were Nuclear Biological or Chemical and counter them with technologies of their own. As our companies success grew we were able to begin funding ourselves, free of government influence, and began applying our knowledge to other fields of research. We absorbed several smaller companies into our fold and with the addition of their income we began to corner the market in Arms Manufacturing, Uranium Mining, Medical Care, Civil Engineering and Automobile Production. By the end of the fifties Biodyne was the single largest Corporate structure in our former nation, we provided jobs to nearly every aspect of our countries infrastructure. The former Government was a despotic tyranny and our civilians suffered under their rule, in 1962 in a movement known as the Popular Revolution the former Government was ousted from power. Of course with such a power vacuum left in their wake there was very few who were up to the job of taking over where they had left off. That is where Biodyne came in, we were a brand name that the people were comfortable with, someone the public trusted. And with little effort we slipped into the mantle of leadership." Paul paused and took a sip from his wine before clearing his throat and continuing. "The government was restructured to fit the Corporate mantle of Biodyne, we are ruled by the Chief Executive Officer, who in turn is elected by the Board of Directors who are formed from the heads of each Department of Industry and Commerce in Biodynes rather extensive portfolio. Each CEO is elected from the most promising members of each Department, our Current CEO Elouisa Marshall for example was elected by the Board from the Department of Civil Engineering. For the past forty six years Biodyne has reset the country as it were, former cities were bulldozed back to bedrock and rebuilt to be more efficient and aesthetically pleasing, the military forces are now one unified Security force providing both foreign and domestic defence. Biodyne now is the sole employer of our country, and provides everything from food and medical care, to construction and mining." Paul smiled as he finished filling Zigana in on the history of Biodyne, sipping from his wine and eating a little more of his food, listening to the music and relaxing slightly in his chair.

Baynam relaxed slightly as the Sergeant disarmed himself and took in the sight of the mans hand to hand weaponry approvingly. "I'm glad I'm not the only one who still appreciates a good blade Sergeant, all these new recruits seem too overly fond of their guns these day's." He nodded to the two guards and they moved off outside to resume their patrol of the grounds, Baynam relaxed and folded his arms behind his back before attempting to strike up a conversation with the man. "So tell me Sergeant, you have the look of a Soldier used to serving in the field, how did you earn your promotion to protection of your President?"

"Well, I got her in to the office at the end of the 40 Day War." The sergeant said.

The sergeant looked up at the larger man, seeing if he'd ask for more.


Meanwhile, Zigana listened intently to Mister Ratas as he told of his country's history. She silently at some of her food and sipped some her wine while he did so. Then when he finished she was wiping off her mouth and looking around the room while he relaxed in his chair.

"How many people did you invite?" She asked, looking at the considerable number of people.

Paul relaxed slightly as he settled into his chair and sipped at his wine glancing along the room as Zigana asked about the number of people. He smiled wryly as he responded to the question. "This is just our Embassy staff, what you see here consists of the finest minds of the Biodyne Diplomatic Department, and their dependents of course. Any member of the Diplomatic Department with family is of course allowed to bring them with them, and so Biodyne encourages it. People are a lot more comfortable working in a foreign land, as long as they have family nearby." He finished the last of the food on his plate as he looked along the people on the table, his eyes fixed each of them for a moment before his attention returned to Zigana. "Now then madam President, tell me, how can Biodyne help your nation?" His eyes looked at her in an inquisitive manner as he sipped at his wine, waiting to see what she would say next.

Baynam didn't let his face give away his thoughts as the Sergeant spoke, but he picked his next words carefully. "Tell me Sergeant how long exactly have you served in the military?"

"About five years and...fourty days." The sergeant said, looking up "Why?" He asked, stuffing a hand in one of his pockets.


Zigana listened at what Ratas said once more and then when he asked what Biodyne could do for her nation she set down her wineglass as she spoke.

"Well, my nation is in alot of need for energy programs and weapons systems for my army. Generally, ever since Pete was taken out of office by force our country is still hurting from what he had done in his dictatorship in an attempt to keep power from our rebels." Zigana said, picking up her glass and taking another sip.

Paul furrowed his brow and gestured across the table to Natalia Rodoni who had been listening to the conversation intently, and as she cleared her throat slightly she pushed her empty plate to one side. "Madam President, Biodyne would be more than willing to assist your company in reclamation efforts, as a result of our unique position we are able to offer a great number of items that may be able to help your country heal." She glanced at Paul who nodded for her to continue as he sipped at his wine, this was after all her area of expertise. Natalia absentmindedly straightened her place mat and knives and forks as she spoke, "As far as Energy programs are concerned Biodyne would be most willing to help you set up a nuclear power station in your country, in addition to which due to our nations extensive Uranium deposits we would be able to supply you with the necessary amounts to get the reactor running within a few weeks of completion of the main buildings." Natalia continued to clean her section of the table whilst her mind worked over the details, she folded a napkin and set it to her right as she moved everything around to ensure that it was equally located. "Weapons systems are something we can help quite readily with, what are the systems that your nation is in need of replacing? Biodyne can offer you a wide range of Aircraft, Naval ships, Armoured units, Infantry weapons and our latest ranges of Body armour for your infantry."

Baynam felt a slight sense of satisfaction at his guess, the man hadn't been in that long yet. But his stony face betrayed none of his satisfaction as he warily eyed the hand that had reached into one of his pockets. "I could tell Sergeant, I have a knack for these things. And besides which you have that look about you."

"That 'look' Mister Baynam?" The sergeant asked, pulling a long silver-colored cylinder from his pocket and opening it to reveal a cigar. He lit the cigar and put the cylinder back in his pocket "I'm in one of our country's best Special Forces units Mister Baynam." The sergeant added.


Zigana listened as Natalia Rodoni went about cleaning her table while she spoke about what Biodyne could do for Ursava.

"We would like that very much due to the fact that compared to some larger countries we are severely underequipped in the way of power production so our troops, economy, and cities don't operate at as high a capacity." Zigana said as she too began to clean her section.

Natalia paused as she calculated costs and trade agreements in her head, Paul watched her appreciatively, it was for her mind that he had requested her assignment to him here in Ursava in the first place. "Well Madam President I am sure that I can draft a standard copy of Biodyne's trade contracts for you by the end of the week. And who knows, perhaps by the end of the month the first shipment of weapons and construction equipment could be arriving in your country."

Baynam smiled to himself internally as the Sergeant reacted the way he thought he would, "Yes Sergeant 'The Look', and it's Chief Security Officer Baynam, or 'Chief' to you." Baynam shifted his weight slightly and nodded to a pair of Security Officers passing through the main entrance hall on their patrol. "I'm sure that your unit is... Effective at your job Sergeant, I cast no disparaging views on that in the slightest. But in comparison to my own training, and that of my men..? Well I'm sure you can appreciate how I could find you very unthreatening?"

"I'm sorry, it's what to me? Correct me if I'm wrong but you are not in the Ursavian military thus you have basically no rank to pull. Also, I only hold the rank of Sergeant due to my short time in actual military service but I highly doubt you have fought with only two other people in the residential district of your own captitol against a more numerous force Mister Baynam." The sergeant said through his cigar, obviously angered.


Zigana smiled as Natalia spoke about how she could have the contracts in a week and how, perhaps they could have weapons and construction equipment in the country in a month.

"Thank you very much, our country needs this badly given our former leader's way of ruling." Zigana said with a petite smile.

Baynam glanced at the man with a dismissal in hie eyes, "As long as you stand on Biodyne soil boy, you'll address me by rank, are we clear?" He relaxed slightly, his eyes still holding that aloof arrogance as he calculated how much further he could push the man before he snapped and Baynam got a chance to see just how well trained these men were. "And you are right of course I have never had to fight with only one other person against a more numerous force. But in the twenty three years since I signed up for the service I've seen more combat than you've had hot dinners, I've killed more men with my guns and my hands then you could imagine in your worst nightmares. So trust me 'Boy', when I say you need to learn some respect."

Paul smiled as Natalia spoke to the President, so far this evening had gone extremely well, he had worried somewhat that perhaps something would go awry but to his relief he believed that everything was falling into place nicely. "Thank you Natalia for your assistance, Zigana would you mind telling me a little about yourself, I believe it would be nice to know the ruler of our gracious host nation a little better." Paul flashed her those sincere eyes and charming smile, the words were smooth and polite and flowed easily.

"Why, of course Mister Ratas. Back in the '40 Day War' I had been a Polotical Sciences teacher and I had been in the middle of a class when several rebels clad in winter clothing swinging around assault rifles came running in and took cover by the doorway. One handed me a pistol and I realized I had no choice but to tag along or be shot by Pete's men. My class ran and eventually I became a rebel just like them and I began to increase me influence, somewhat unintentionally, with people like the Monarchists, the People's Rebels, and other such groups. Eventually, on the 40th day, I happened to be participating in the battle around Pete's personal grounds and when we bust in to his office and he surrendered the Sergeant outside asked if anybody knew anything about presidential actions 'and the like' and I raised my hand. Before I knew it I was in a fancy dress and I was sworn in to office as the first actual president of the country.


The sergeant looked up at Baynam "Yes, when I go to your country I'll remember that but until I do; you're in Ursavia so your rank doesn't mean shit until you're a general boy." The sergeant said, blowing a cloud of cigar smoke in the man's face.

"Now that I don't have any guns, I'm going to protect the woman I put in to office because that's my duty whether you and your Biodyne rank agree with that or not." The sergeant said with a strong tone of finality.

Paul listened intently as she spoke, his fae not registering the genuine surprise he felt at her tale. "I see Zigana, well what is that old saying.. 'Great Leaders do not seek Leadership, rather they have Leadership forced upon them?' I think the saying might be particularly apt in your case Madam President." Paul smiled at her and took a sip from his wine, he cleared his throat delicately before he stood up with his wine glass. He gently tapped the side of it with a silver spoon and conversation ended all along the table as he became the sole focus of attention. "I would like to propose a Toast, to our Guest of Honour this evening." He smiled and there was a slight smattering of applause before he continued. "President Saáry, I Toast your generous acceptance of our Embassy here, as well as your future health and future good relations between Biodyne and Ursava." Along the table there was more polite applause before people raised their glasses in salute to their guest.

Baynam allowed the first smile to crack across his face as he stared the Sergeant down through the smoke trailing across his vision. "Well now, ain't that just dandy? Y'see my rank equivalent to your armed forces is indeed a General, hence the 'Chief' at the start of my title, and as for Biodyne soil, well now the Company has some strange idiosyncrasies, one of which as your people may have noted when we first arrived in this country involved digging a rather large pit for the embassy grounds and taking the mud and rocks away for dumping. What they might also have noticed were the large containers filled with more mud that had been flown in from Biodyne being emptied into the pit." Baynam reached into a pocket and pulled out a slender cigarette case, withdrawing a thin black cigarette and placing it to his lips, before lighting it with a silver lighter. The cigarette smelt foul, it's smoke burning the nose. "So you see your Dilemma here Sergeant? Not only did you just insult a General, you also did it whilst standing on his home soil. Neither of which, I might add, was a clever career move." Baynam smiled at the man, his face predatory as his teeth were exposed, he let the smoke curl out of his nostrils and clicked his fingers. Immediately two Security Officers at the doors came running over, "Fetch one of the Ursavan troops, I want you and him here guarding this door." Baynam dismissed the other one back to his post and turned to look at the Sergeant over his shoulder. "Well Sergeant? I believe we have matters to discuss, I think that for now, I like you Sergeant." He gestured to the double doors and waited for the Sergeant to follow him.

"Your in Ursavian borders, so all you did was just refill a hole with what is now our dirt. It doesn't matter if you shipped that dirt from Salzland, that wouldn't make this the territory of Salzland. While you have an embassy in our country you follow our rules, and you don't command what my men do." The sergeant said, throwing his cigar inbetween two vases and smashing it with his boot as so the ash wouldn't be noticed.

He then proceeded to follow Baynam.


Zigana looked up with a smile and raised her hand as well. Telling the story had made the two bullet holes in her left thigh seem to burn slightly once again. She smiled and made sure to raise her glass as high as the others before lowering it and taking another sip.

"Thank you Mister Ratas, but no need to be so generous." Zigana said, keeping her smile and speaking in a petite voice.

"Ahh my dear President, but there is every need to be generous! You have welcomed us with open arms, and Biodyne has gladly stepped forwards." Paul had regained his seat after the toast and was now addressing Zigana from his seat. "Tell me Zigana, more about your life with the Rebels, it must have been an extremely trying time for you, thrust as you were from a life in teaching into the conflict?"

"Sergeant stop the posing, I don't agree with what the god damned suits are saying or thinking at any given point in time." He stared hard at the Sergeant as they stepped out into the air of the evening. "But if you think for one minute that coming into my Embassy and trying this hard ass attitude on with me is a smart idea, you're dead wrong." He gestured to a soldier patrolling the inner wall and jerked his finger at the main doors, the man hurried over and took up the position left by the man who had gone to guard the dining hall. "You might not have noticed Sergeant but you are surrounded on all sides by my men, this entire Compound is a killing field, with nowhere to hide or run without my say so. Now simmer the hell down before I have to break your damn jaw." Baynam strode to the main gate in the centre of the inner wall and began following a slightly meandering path that led towards the garages. "And if that wasn't enough to emphasise my meaning, you try pulling any more of this stupid backchat and I'll make sure that you leave here in a body bag." Baynams voice had descended into a growl as he spoke, and for a brief moment in the centre of that anger was the distinct impression that he really would kill anyone and anything that he wanted to with no care for the repercussions.

"After you do so, the entire Ursavian army will come over this embassy and make sure that every single stone, soldier, and diplomat in this building is blown straight to the pits of hell if you so much as scratch any one of use with the intent of physical harm. Now, I'm going to Zigana." Then the sergeant rather rudly turned back and returned to his men at the dining room doorway. On his way, he had transmitted his entire conversation to a recorder in Zigana's coat.


Zigana smiled as Mister Ratas sat down and asked for more about her life in the conflict.

"Well I was shot if that's the kind of stuff you're asking about." Zigana said as if it were only an off-hand comment.

She took yet another sip from her wine as she waited for Ratas's response.

"You were shot? My lord, were you badly hurt?" Paul's face had turned to one of sincere concern and he regarded her through troubled eyes. A waiter had approached the table and leaned down to whisper something in his ear before standing straight. "Oh dear, it appears we might have a small problem Madam President. It seems My chief of security may have been picking fights with one of your men. I must apologise for this Zigana, the man is a loose cannon, he should have been retired years ago." He nodded to the waiter and the man walked away to the kitchens. "I must apologise for this Madam President, I had hoped that there would be no mishaps this evening, but it seems that fate has conspired against me." Pauls face turned to one of troubled worry, whilst to the Presidents right Natalia shifted her place mat with a deft precision that was barely noticeable and knocked the President's wine glass onto the table. "Oh my! Madam President I'm so sorry!" Natalia's voice was shocked as she placed a napkin down to prevent the wine spilling off the table as another waiter hurried forwards. "One thing after another, George please get the President a fresh glass." Pauls tone had become exasperated as though he were getting rapidly annoyed with the turn the evening had taken.


Baynam smiled to himself as the man had walked away, he strolled a little further along the path before pressing a small button on his ear piece. "Inform Mr. Ratas that phase one is complete, and don't let that Sergeant enter the main dining room." He walked briskly towards the low lying Garage and after a brief look around to ensure that he had no observers walked over to a powerbox, flipping it open and typing a security code onto the keypad inside. The grate beneath his feet lowered him downwards as he closed the cover on the box and descended into the earth as another grate slid out above him concealing the elevator once again.

The Biodyne soldier, who would have been imposing if it weren't for who he was facing, attempted to raise his SMG only to have a Steyr with a 40MM grenade launcher pointed directly for his face. The sergeant and one other man burst through the door in a fashion that didn't offend Zigana in the slightest being as the sergeant only ever acted this way if there was a major threat. She was pulled up by the man while the sergeant sweeped his gun back and forth across the crowd before they stepped back out in to the dining hall where all six men formed a protective circle and began moving for the front door with Zigana looking around to see what was wrong.

As soon as the armed men had burst into the room the general call had gone out amongst the Security Personnel who hurried to the doors of the Embassy dropping to one knee their deadly Flechette Rifles pointed directly at the circle of men blocking their access out. "Hold your positions! Make another move and you Die!" Paul had hurried out as his staff had taken cover beneath the table, the Waiter that he called George had neatly scooped up the spilled glass in the confusion and had disappeared from view. "What is the meaning of this? You men! Hold your fire! Madam President what is going on here?"

"How dare you Mister Ratas; allowing such a man as that Baynam in to your ranks!" Zigana said, removing the ear-bud from the tape-recorder and putting it back under her coat.

The sergeant looked at the men.

"Go ahead and shoot. If you do that means you doom your entire embassy and I guarantee that Ursavian soldiers numbering eighty or more times what you have here will knock down your walls and kill every one of you. So basically, if you pull that trigger you doom everybody in here." The sergeant said, aiming his speach at both Mister Ratas and the men in front of the door.

"Madam President Please! Baynam was not my choice! An ill conceived appointment that was due to be his retirement! I can assure you that he will be punished severely for whatever he has done this evening!" Paul held his hands up placatingly his face a mask of worry, "Madam President you have my word that this man will be dealt with immediately!" The security personnel who had arrived didn't say a word at the Sergeants threat, their only response was the sharp ratcheting as they pulled back on the loading mechanism of their rifles arming the deadly payload that was a hairsbreadth from turning the group in front of them into so much swiss cheese. "Men Stand Down! That is an Order!" Paul thundered the order at the Security officers, his voice tense with the stress of the situation.

In response to the flechettes being loaded, the 40mm grenade launcher was loaded, the rifles loaded, grenades put in easy-to-access positions, and the assists of the rifles pulled back to set up the payloads. They were an easy run in to a hallway where the president would be safe from their cones of fire which were currently strictly positioned at the exits.

"Then let us leave Mister Ratas, or the sergeant's statement holds true." Zigana said, looking over at the man, now without any form of petiteness in her voice or a polite smile.

As Paul opened his mouth to give the order Baynam strolled in behind his men. "Stand down Boys, no need for killing this evening." His men reluctantly lowered their weapons slightly so that they were pointing at the floor for the moment. "Evening Ratas, nice to meet you properly there Sweetcheeks." He winked at the President and sauntered over to Paul, "So what seems to be the problem here then?" Pauls face was incandescent with fury as the man approached him, "Give me your Sidearm Baynam." Baynam grinned at the man, and slid the heavy pistol out and presented it to Paul it's grip towards him. "What are you gonna do Boss? You aint nothing but a goddamn Corporate Lackey, you aint got the balls to do-" The air was split with a sudden explosion of sound as Paul pulled the trigger with the barrel pointed at Baynam's chest.

As the gunshot exploded, Zigana screamed and she was instantly dived upon by two of the Special Forces soldiers who covered her with their own mass. The other soldiers moved accordingly to still protect the president and so the men hopefully wouldn't need to fulfill the duty they had entitled themselves to by diving on the president. The sergeant looked over his shoulder from the security personell only for a second to watch Baynam go from a pompous, self-obsessed asshole to just another cadaver in Ursavian borders. It wasn't due to Pete's rule but it was still part of the same statistics.

The gun in Pauls hand shook as his eyes were open in shock, his face had gone white as Baynam stared down at the large hole in his chest before looking up at him incredulously "You Corporate Bastard.." Were the only words to escape his lips before he collapsed to the floor, the Security Personnel had raised their guns and had half of them pointed at Paul and the others at the soldiers. "I.. I.. I didn't..." Pauls mouth opened and closed in shock, the gun still held in his trembling hands pointing at the group of Ursavan military that had been behind Baynam.

"He's an S8, everybody down!" The sergeant called, misinterprating the positioning of the gun.

They bolted for the nearest hallway, the president being half-dragged until they were behind a turn and out of the previous cone of death provided due to their original position by the exit. They aimed their guns everywhere across the room.