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Post by The Union of Tinis on May 24, 2008 20:35:36 GMT -5
To: Dr. To of the Red Serpent From: Secretary Rates, Secretary of Health Subject: Vaccinations
We would be delighted to administer the vaccination to all Tinisians. I've directed the national emergency medical network to accept the vaccines and to begin administering them immediately. I understand the urgency of course, but proper procedures for externally created vaccines will be observed for the safety of our citizenry. Our experts believe the closest known relative virus is the L1S73R strain which we do have some vaccines for, but would likely not be sufficiently similar to the Red Death to be effective.
Hopefully these precautions are not needed and there is no remaining viral elements in the ruins. The outbreak models suggest that if there has been a release of the virus, then the current quarantine is 98% likely to of contained it already.
-Secretary Willis Rates
[L1S73R is a totally blood born virus of unknown origin that whipped out a strange cult in the 70s in what would eventually become part of Tinis. The cult was believed to of been very into drinking each other's blood.]
------
"So, how's your towers coming?" asked Wentanie before serving towards Iwing.
The dragon wasn't phased as his racket intercepted the ball and the two began the back and forth in the racket ball court. Iwing's wings were strapped down so they wouldn't accidentally intercept the ball.
"They... are going well so far. No major issues yet beyond the sudden appearance of the ruins. I've already got the plans modified and it should be good."
A few more returns later.
"In fact," continued the dragon. "The only major questions right now is the safe rate of construction, and what the final design of the fifth tower will be. So far the bed rock has only been exposed for part of its foundations so there's still time to make some changes."
"So who'd you get to do the fifth one?"
Iwing smiled while slamming his racket. The ball flying wildly beyond Wentanie's reach.
"Oh, you mean for chief designer?"
"Yep."
"I've been working with a friend who was helping me in the design of the next generation super towers for Arx. Since they won't even begin construction until probably 2012, there's time to distract her. But perhaps at some point you'll meet her, but its no one you'd know."
"Fair enough. Now what's this about safe construction speed?"
"Well," Iwing was now holding the racket ball after retrieving it from a corner. "There's three main concerns. The first is labor. How many furs and how much equipment can we take away from the rest of the construction to not piss people off, and to actually build the things safely. Second, is the seasons. We're going to be doing a lot of work this summer, but in the winter the winds could prove dangerous to the super structure, not to mention the show, while its still exposed. The Cali inspired buildings are especially susceptible to freezing damage due to amount of stone. Get moisture in the wrong spot and let it freeze, the water expands as ice and crack. Have that happen to much and suddenly the sides fall off. Its not a problem you've probably had to much of down south.
"So to prevent such from being a problem, during the colder months we'll slow down work so that such things won't spontaneously happen. But in the mid fall, we have to make sure what's already been built won't get damaged. So there will be a few weeks where we purposefully seal off the top of what ever we have done, and let the skinning of the buildings to finish up until that point. Once properly covered in their final exteriors, which have been designed to withstand the harsh conditions, it shouldn't be a problem any more. There's plenty of technical details of how we're doing that," Iwing paused to cough. "But water proofing isn't exactly new stuff."
Wentanie nodded. "And the third thing?"
"Well," Iwing laughed. "The third this is more political in nature. The first two are practicle. Can you build it so fast without getting someone killed and all that. The third one is to make sure no ego's are hurt. So to keep any nationalist sentiments from ruining things, the four culturally linked styled buildings will rise at the same rates. If one of the buildings is lagging, we'll move effort to it from the fastest one."
"That's very... Tinisian of you. Are we going to play no or what?"
"Yeah... actually I'm not feeling so well. Mind if we call it game?"
"When you're ahead? Not..." Iwing began coughing while Wentanie was speaking. "Actually, yeah, you don't sound so good."
Iwing nodded. "I think it was the vaccine. I've felt off since I got it."
"Perhaps you should go visit the medical folks then?"
"Good idea."
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on May 26, 2008 10:02:54 GMT -5
The archaeologist had been speaking to the priestess for some time, he had satisfied her that no harm would come to the monolith and it would not be moved or even touched. Admittedly the large number of leefens that were now guarding it he wasn't sure how some one would.
During the convocation he had managed to get a quick refesher course in leefen history he had managed to acertain that dispite what they said the leefen knew very little of their time before they arrived on isle of Athed (modern day inleef) some time between 500-650 A.C.E.
What they did know was mostly from their religious scrolls and legends, it was a real mystery, the kind that wetted any archaeologist appetite. The fact that this might be the first concrete clue as to their origin made it even more fascinating.
---
Wentanie and Iwing were heading to the changing rooms when Iwing began to become unstable on his feet. He fell to one side and Wentanie caught him.
"Right you need a medic now!" she said "Sit here and stay awake, I'll go and get my com.....don't move!!" As she ran off to get help Iwing couldn't help but wonder how some one as old as her could still be so active. I mean for a fur she was ancient, but his thoughts were interrupted by Wentanie return with a couple of the small gyms staff.
They got to either side of him and carried him towards the exit, as they did a he could hear the ambulance in the distance getting closer.
He was drifting in and out and Wentanie kept telling him that he was not going to pass out, usually followed by a bodily threat.
After a short ambulance ride that Iwing was barely aware of they reached the nearest medical point. This happened to be a medical corvette moored in one of completed sections of the harbour. The medics were quickly dealing with him.
"It's a reaction to the vaccine, isn't it?" Wentanie asked. "No, well not directly, when did he get his injection?" the medic replied "Well I've been playing him at sq...racket ball for the last half hour, is he going to be OK" "If he had, had a reaction to the vaccine he would have had it with in minutes if not seconds of the injection." the medic replied looking into Iwing's mouth and then at his eyes. "Get me bloods on this one now!" the medic screamed. "What is it?" Wentanie asked more than a little worried. "Not sure but he is showing every sign of being anaemic, it might have been the vaccine that pushed him over the edgy. It does put some strain on the body but not anything that would effect anyone healthy. Do you know when he last had a check up?" Wentanie shock her head. "I suspect he would have capsuled sooner or later, just the vaccine has brought it on. Good thing he was with company." Wentanie sat beside Iwing's bed, she was no medic so wasn't sure what the medic was talking about, but it sounded serious. Iwing was still drifting in and out. He was on a saline drip but the doctors were having to wait for the 'bloods' to come back before they could do anything.
Ten minutes passed and a nurse walked up and replaced the drip with what appeared to be blood of some sort. "What's happening?" Wentanie asked. "The iron level in his blood in at the same level as you." "So what's wrong with him?" "Well what is a healthy level for a fur is an incredibly low level for one of his kind. He is extremely anaemic." "Oh well I don't think he eats that healthily." "No to get this low takes more than a bad diet. We're going to stabilize him and fly him to a tinisian facility. We are not set up for the kind of diagnostic tests needed to track down this kind of problem." "How long will he be there?" "No idea, but it could be months and it could be very serious." An hour later an air ambulance arrived and as the doctors had pronounced Iwings condition as serious but stable he was loaded on board and flown off.
Wentanie had wanted to go with him, but he had, in one of his more coherent moments told her to take over and keep the project on track.
As the air ambulance flew off Wentanie headed back to her office, but not before looking up at the fast shrinking dot and saying "Goddess go with you".
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Post by The Union of Tinis on May 27, 2008 0:38:49 GMT -5
Dr. Obgot Atzuiro was assigned the ill dragon shortly before touch down. The hospital, Hadin Auxiliary, had been on high alert since the discovery of the ruins. They had already set up a quarantine section to house potential out break patience. To be safe, Iwing was moved to that section upon his arrival.
Dr. Atzuiro, himself a Pargalonian dragon, was the local expert on the his species in the city and thus the natural choice to look after him. The existence of the quarantine of course made it a little difficult. In order to gain access to the patient, he had to don a full body contamination suit. Dr. Atzuiro made it a point to everyone he met that he couldn't wait for Iwing to expire from the red death so that he wouldn't have to wear it any more.
The second day of Iwing being at Hadin Auxiliary, the architect was much more aware of his surroundings and the sassy doctor. So, after some proding from the doctors and someone he decided to identify as space nurse, Iwing decided to ask what was wrong with him.
"Short answer, you need iron, and lots of it. In fact, would you like an anvil to chew on?"
"Uh, not really."
"Well, as far as I can tell, there's four distinct possibilities. The first is of course that you're diet has been so crazy that you just don't have enough blood and or iron for that blood to keep you going. Short version, you eat crap. The second is of course that you have some sort of new virus, say a variant on the red death. The third is that the vaccine didn't work properly on you, in new an before unobserved ways. Or the last possibility is that its something more standard as far as freaky bad things that can happen to you medically.
"In a few hours we should have the rest of your blood work done and should be able to tell you a little more. So just sit tight for now. Unless you're in the mood to give us total details of your diet from the last few months?"
Iwing did his best to describe his eating habits. They were not excellent, but the doctor had heard worse stories of food choices in his species. Iwing also mentioned he had been taking vitamins since the new city project began because he realized he might not be able to eat well while everything was going crazy.
"Sounds like your diet could be a contributing factor, but might not be all of it. I'll need to do some more tests I think. Who knows, you could have defective bone marrow or some such. Also, have you been carrying around any large charges?"
"Not that I know of?"
"Sure? I might want to check you for residual charge in case you've some how managed to electroplate your horns wrong or something. Not something that I think has ever been proven to happen, but who knows."
The doctor wandered off and returned with a volt meter. "Now say aahh."
Iwing opened his mouth, but without the asked for sounds. The doctor leaned in.
Dr. Atzuiro then said, "You know, if you bite down on my suit right now I'll be forced to stay here with you in quarantine. That would be fun right?"
Iwing opted not to try to speak as Atzuiro poked the back of Iwing's throat with the leads to the meter. No sparks.
"It looks like sir that you have some charge, but a dozen volts is not out of the ordinary for a dragon who's low on certain minerals. In fact, I think I'll double check your sodium levels just in case. But," he said pulling his hands from the dragon's maw, "I think that rules out weird charge collection. I'll have to disappoint the other doctors whom were betting on such."
Iwing closed his mouth before speaking. "So what are you wagering on?"
"Me? I'm the bookie." Iwing chuckled. "But, if I were to pick one of those four, I think I'd lean towards your diet. You're still young and a growing dragon. Sometimes your body grows in spurts, and it takes all the available resources. In addition to the drip and the pills they've been tossing down your throat today, I'm going to have them feed you a number of things high in iron. Perhaps you'll get used to eating like that. Also, I'm going to ask that you eat more."
"More?"
"Yeah, more. At your age you should be able to go through half your weight in food in under a week. There's a reason your great grandparents were always wary of having a lot of kids. Have one kid and half your winter's supplies is gone for a few decades before you can even have a bite. It hasn't been until recently that those like us have been having lots of kids. Speaking of, have you had any of your own?"
"No. My sister's had three now. Don't think I could stand having kids from the amount of effort she puts into them."
The doctor nodded. "I guess I can eliminate that stress from possible factors. You dating?"
"No. Again, don't really want kids. I could date out side the species but I worry about things getting to serious there."
Atzuiro nodded. "Kind of makes it difficult when you out live them by a few centuries. Oh, this reminds me. We don't have any information on your father. Your mother is Talix right?"
"Yeah," said Iwing. "I've asked her before but she's refused to say beyond that it didn't end well. She's a bit of a traditionalist so I kind of expect my name and my sister's to be based of both her's and our dads, but I'm afraid there's no one named Ilwing or Wingil. Mom almost had a cow when my sister's twin's ended up with names totally unrelated to her own and her mates."
Atzuiro nodded. "Sounds perhaps she would give birth to demons from her ears if you were to date out side your species too eh?"
"Probably, but I don't really care."
"Maybe you not caring what she thinks discourages her from talking about your dad."
"No... its more of a cause of why I don't care what she thinks," said Iwing truthfully.
"Well, thank you for the info. I'll see what I can do about making sure you won't die."
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Jun 14, 2008 7:12:41 GMT -5
The mayor of Semita was rushing to the airport, he had clicked quickly that the new consul was not normal. Her means of transport had tipped him off, one of his friends had called him in a some what exited state, he had got word a ensemble air craft would be landing at Semita airport, his friend was a bit of a plane spotter. Mayor Drango, a small dragon, knew that the Calie government only ever used them as transport of the most senior personnel. Usually only members of the lucan council, even prime minister salato rarely used them, usually travailing on commercial flights.
He had checked with the central tinisen government to get details of who it was carrying. It seemed like between the Calie foreign office and the tinisian government things had gotten confused and no-one had thought to tell him of the arrival of the air craft.
Usually the opening of a consulate was a low key affair, a civic reception and a few photographs for the local press was the most that normally happened. He had only now looked into where the consulate was, it was not in Semita, it was in the site of the new city in an old mansion. It looked awfully like a governors house now he thought of it.
He was now looking over the details of the flight as he was driven to the air port. “LADY!?!?! what the hell?” he uttered. “Pardon?” replied one of his assistants. “Since when did the Calie send a Lady to be a consul?” “A lot of their consuls are female, why is that odd?” “No lady as in noble, you know the female version of a lord, may be if it was an ambassador.” “Lucan council?” “No, no....I recognise the name though...hang on, I think I remember, she was the ambassador to tinis from inleef before Cal unified. She has either been demoted, which I doubt, or she is not here strictly as consul. She has been ennobled so I think we are going to meet the future calie governor of our new neighbour.” “A noble? How backwards, I always thought they would set the place up as a democracy.” “Me too, but it's the Calie we are dealing with. With luck they plan of doing what they do back home in miniature.” “Eh?” “Elected government with the real power and a figure head that all parties and peoples can get behind. Oh yes, you have to see her, she is a little unusual” “How?” “You'll see, but lets just say she is almost as rare as her transport.” “But Cal only have five ensembles that still fly” Drango just smiled.
The pair continued to check the flight details, it was certainly not normal. It was classified as a carrying diplomatic, religious and oddly military personnel, though he could not see one military title in the list.
----
On board the ensemble Lady Mie was planning, she always like to arrive prepared. She looked out over the wing at one of the two cyclone fighters that were it's escort, they were purely for show as they were old and the calie were flight delivering Celt fighters to their new base. There was likely to be enough calie military aircraft in the air at the moment to cause any would be attacker more than a few problems.
She knew sending a noble to tinis might not have been the best move, but the fact she had been ennobled rather than being born into the title might work better with the tinisen people. The Calie also wanted to give the city status and a little pomp and circumstance always did help unity. The Calie had chosen to send her by ensemble was a nod to the tinisen government as to what her future role would be. It gave them an out if she did not fit, but she had been here before for quite some time as inleefen ambassador and had been born here so had duel nationality, so that would be unlikely. Though they might enquire as to her taxes, she was not wealthy and her title was just that a title, it came with no land or property. She had little to no private wealth, it was a duty that her family had carried out for some time she had continued, though the pension arrangements were very good.
She hoped that the mayor knew not to bow as that would give the wrong impression and tinisens were not meant to bow to nobles. She would find out soon enough as the plane was coming in to land, she was glad of this as the priestesses were bugging her. OK to them she was special because of what she was, but she wasn't religious so, they were just getting annoying. Thankfully she had been born abroad so her parents had been saved their pestering.
A few minutes later the plane landed with it's escort, the old cyclone fighters, though armed, were old and no risk to the tinisen air force. They had none of the stealth ability of the newer aircraft and lacked the modern avionics. They were purely for show, some where up there there probably had been a couple of Celt fighters that were the real escort, though they would have broken off as they entered friendly airspace. She would love to think it was all to do with her, but she suspected they were there to protect the aircraft.
There was a bit of cheering as they landed, as formation landings were rare at this airport and the ensemble was a very elegant bird (large concord) but utterly inefficient, noisy and was never commercially viable.
After the plane had taxied to it's final destination, a little away from the terminal the gang way was pulled up. The first to exit were the priestesses, eager to head to the site and the find, after a little she stepped onto the gangway and smiled. It was clear that Drango had, had little time to prepare, there was a red carpet and a few tinisen warriors, some of whom seemed to still be checking their formal uniforms.
Drango jaw dropped and did most of the few assembled politicians and civic leaders. Mie was dressed in fur (not fake, but not from animals either as the Calie cultured fur as, well other than the ethical question, why waste all that time growing inedible meat?) she had a fur hat elegantly on her head and wore a full length coat. She moved with an elegant grace as she walked down the gangway.
Drango knew what to expect, the others didn't, Mie was a blond leefen. She was not an albeno she was one of only a dozen or so born into each generation that exhibited genes. The rule was all leefen were black, but to each rule there is an exception, she was that.
Her fur was a very light yellow, as was her long hair that exhibited a slight wave, rather than the usual straight hair of the leefen. She was not young, by any stretch, but had an ageless beauty and elegance. See noted Drango was still thinking, she had met him years past and knew he was not good at working off the cuff, Calie politicians were street fighters that was not so much true here.
The truth was Drango was trying to figure out what was on the tail plane, it didn't look like a royal arms or even a ladies arms. The tail plane was blue with a white, elongated star on it, it was not a pentagram either it was filled, almost like a diamond in the sun. He counted eight points, was this to be the symbol of the new city?
With Drango mind else where Mie decided to brake with protocol as there was an awkward silence forming. She approached the lectern that had both the Calie and tinisen flags below and spoke: “It's good to be home.” she said in a voice a sweet as syrup. She let the cheer and slight confusion die down. “I am honoured that my government though me worthy of representing them to such a people as you. You were always good to me when I grew up here and I hope to return the favour. The Calie government reaches out a hand of friendship, as always to the people of tinis, especially to the people of Semita” She let the cheering die down. “You might have noticed that there is a little construction going on, I hope it has not kept you awake at night.” There was a little laughter. “This makes my job more important than ever, though representing my nation to your fair city would be important no matter what. I hope to reacquaint my self with this wonderful place, meet old friends”
She nodded at the mayor
“and make many new ones.
I hear there has been a little disquiet about our military being here, you do not have to worry. They will be reporting to me in the new base as the local representative of the lucan council .”
Drango was paying attention again, she was the military personnel.
“Should any of you have any, and I mean any issues, with them please tell me. I do not intend to hide away in my consult, I doubt it will be as interesting as the many places I know here....well the ones I'll admit to knowing”
Mie gave a knowing smile and there was a ripple of laughter.
“As the new cities airport is no yet near complete this ensemble and it's escort have been granted permission to stay until it is completed. I believe tours are being organised.”
Drango knew now that the calie were very serious about giving the city status, his plane spotting friends had told him that ensembles were rarely seen in cal and rarely stayed anywhere outside there hangers for long.
“With that I shall hand you over to my old friend Drango”
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Jun 15, 2008 2:22:02 GMT -5
"Thank you my good friend," said Drango after reaching the podium. "I am excessively delighted to meet the esteemed representative Mie again after all this time. I do have to worn you, its gotten a little colder since you've left." Drango was not the only one half laughing at this observation.
"I have to admit that at the start of this, I was very skeptical of the new city idea. I didn't endorse either position for the vote, even if my party leaders were pinning for my support. But I am happy to say that my skepticism served it purpose in ensuring good work and environmental standards are to be maintained in the city. On the other hand, it might seem that I shouldn't of worried. The workers of the city have thus far been provided standards of living worthy of their efforts and despite a plague scare no one's gotten sick. So I would like to thank the Cali planners for a job well done, done so well it exceeded even my most high standards.
"If you couldn't tell I didn't have much time to prepare remarks." The dragon again half chuckled. "So sorry this speech is rather less than quality.
"I'd also like to thank the Cali contractors and the National Construction Council for their speedy work and safe work. I have no doubt that in a few more months my mornings will be over shadowed by towering spires of every imaginable type.
"What we have here is opportunity. A meeting of very different worlds. Many of my fellow Tinisians fear the city, believe it is a threat to our way of life. I can't believe that. For the meshing of very divergent cultures in a safe and open way has the potential to generate strength for both groups. We can learn from each other, gain experiences beyond our normal lives, and find new ways of doing things by interacting. I hope that by the time the city has spent its time in Cali hands and returns to Tinis, that it will of left Tinis a little more like Cal, and Cal, a little more like Tinis.
"But in some ways perhaps we're not so different. I grew up in Pargalo, and remember a time when there was a nobility class, and later other similar absurd titles and classifications. The role of such titles disappeared for Tinisians, and merely changed for Cal which was only a few years ago finally united. If Tinis had been created more peacefully in its current form, I would have no doubt that titles such as house leader would still be around. And had the unification of Cal been a military one, perhaps there would be no more Lucan council or titles there.
"In another vein, the role of production organizations. The mechanisms of how they are run differ yes, but there is still a great amount of autonomy in Tinisian workers councils, just like in Cali corporations. Our tax codes might be different, our languages excessively alien in root, and our population make ups very different, but we all have hopes and dreams. Desires and nightmares. So I have no doubt the shared experience that is life will allow us to bond and to become good friends."
The major nodded. "Thank you."
He paused at the podium, "Oh, and for those whom may be wondering, I've gotten word that architect Iwing is leaving the hospital today. We've been hoping for his swift recovery."
He paused a few more moments. Hoping someone would clue him in if there's to be another speaker or if he should send it back to Lady Mie.
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Jun 19, 2008 9:18:26 GMT -5
In the base sea lord taackia started to speak, nervously, she was a leefen and a veteran of the battle of inleef in the civil war. This how ever was different, she wished this was a battle, it was not what she was trained for.
"Thank you Mogtue.
This place will, I hope be the start of closer ties between our warriors and our people. The purpose of this place is to defend the trade routes in the north and our allies. The freedom loving people of tinis have nothing to fear from this place.
The forest that surrounds this place will be open to the people of tinis to enjoy, our three 18 hole golf courses will be open for use, but I suspect some advance booking will be required as they are likely to be popular as we do not intend on charging for there use."
General Lakul Roil smiled thinking "Nice way of giving yourself time to check up on who is playing" A sea night ran up the Calie ensign ready to be broken and a second flag on a second poll was also raise ready to break.
"This place is to be called HMS sturous nu, it is named in our oldest still living language, teerie, and translates to HMS North Star.
I thank the people of tinis for this opportunity to protect our mutual interests and those of all freedom loving people of the north.
and...." Taackia paused as a cloud past infront of the midday sun, when it cleared she said "With a good westerly and a clear day I here by accept this place in the name of the Calie people."
With that the flags were broken, one was the Calie ensign, the other was a light blue saltier with a diamond shaped star in the top quarter.
Out at sea the Calie war ship turned their guns towards the shore and a second later fired there salute. The noise was audible for miles and quite deafening at the base, the work on the sight had been stopped as they realised that the noise would be quiet distracting.
A few seconds latter a squadron of Celt fighters and Pict Fighter bombers flew over the group, so low some of the press ducked. They then flew up into the sky breaking, there con-trails leaving what looked like a fountain.
While all this was going on what looked like a cruise liner had dock, it looked like one because it was one. It was far more economical to rent a liner that to send up a troops ship. The troupes were disembarking, they were teerie, and lined up on the dock side. The first off were the teerie flautists who started to play as they marched off.
Well it was very clear the Calie military had arrived, though this was a few days ago.
General Lakul Roil along with the other military had been invited back now by there Calie opposite numbers for a 'game of golf and a few drinks.
--- OOC battery 'bout to die, will continue
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Aug 4, 2008 16:26:23 GMT -5
Mie smiled as they entered the car and when joined by Drango asked "How are things my old friend? Much has changed I suggest, but still stay the same?" "Well yes and you?" Drango replied. "The same this is going to be my last assignment, well second last one." She smiled and her tail twitched. She looked about she knew she could trust Drango and doubted the car was bug so she decided to let him on or plans.
"Do you mind if I ask you some thing?" she asked. "Not at all." "Well the Royal governor of the new city will have a great deal of lee way on how the city is governed..." "So you will be queen of the place?" Drango interrupted smiling a little. Mie Smiled "You were always a perceptive one, but that has not been finalised, they want to see how I am received by your people. I also suspect they want to ensure I am not overly accommodating and sell out our people, but that of course is entirely supposition. I will of course deny this conversation ever took place in it's entirety." "Of course." Drango, he was quite enjoying getting back in to large scale politics, not just municipal matters. "The way I see it working is to have two chambers, the first being directly elected, by a simple first past the post system, on a per-ward basis. I see no need for any selection process per ward, simply that the person not have a criminal, can provide up a deposit of perhaps 250 meeps and garner 25 signatures for the nomination. The deposit will of course be returned if the candidate gets more than 5% of the vote, it's just to keep the number of time wasting candidates down and the ballot manage able.
As for counting, the simple use of bank tellers and other people expert in counting paper. The counts can be observed by the candidates, well basically the same system as back home.
The second chamber will be a consultative and only capable of delaying laws. This will be filled by representatives of the corps and other investors. We can't expect them to, having paid for the place not have some say in it's running. "
Drango tilted his he in thought as Mie continued. "The mayor, well lord provost should be elected by the council, it's a useful bargaining point between parties as it will have very little power, more of a ceremonial roll.
My...well the Royal Governor roll will have massive theoretical power, but can't see it being used. More of an emergency safety valve than a position of power.
A nice job to retire into.
How does that sound, this is of course not in anyway official or set in stone.
Oh yes, the current proposed name for the city is Sturous Nu, but that is also not set in stone."
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Aug 16, 2008 18:17:15 GMT -5
"I always kind of liked the symbol for the non-pargalonian Nu equivalent."
"It is pretty simple," replied Mie. "Certainly not mat or 'hal."
"I'm pretty sure folks would like the exact rules and such down in writing. Even if they don't like them. I highly recommend drafting up a city charter with everything done in nice detail, and of course it all fitting in with the agreements between our nations. As for the chambers, I really like the duel chamber idea, though I'm a little curious about how the business side of it will be selected."
Drango paused and nodded a few times. "Need some proper checks so that one corporation doesn't buy up all the seats or something. So how about this. The second chamber is composed of one third Cali based corporations, one third Tinisian council organizations, and one third is reserved for business and organizations that don't belong to either, be they companies from other nations or business that get started in Sturous Nu. For the first bit it would probably be other foreign business, but I have no doubt some home grown industries will grow up and fill the spot."
"Interesting. You have more suggestions?"
"I think so, maybe some basic checks and filters. Like for the second chamber only the thirty biggest import and export business or the one's that make the most profit in the city. The exact details can be figured later. Just don't want Jorel's coffee stand which caters to fifty people in a week being counted next to the Tinis Aerospace Group which I hear is looking to put together a factory here. And each company should be only allowed one representative, no matter if they own a smaller company or not. Its jut not fair to have your parent company controlling ten seats via subsidiaries."
"I'm surprised you lefty is so versed in the lingo of business," said the lady half grinning.
Drango shrugged. "I'm not stupid mam. Plus I've spent plenty of time abroad like most folks my age. Oh, and would you mind being the final gatekeeper on the second chamber?"
"You mean like approving corporate representatives?"
"Yes. It wouldn't frighten companies away, it would allow you to make sure criminals and excessively awful folks don't get in, and will give you something to do beyond throwing tea parties."
"I'll throw a tea party at you..."
"Finally, I know its not really in the agreement between Cal and Tinis, but its something I hope would be in it. That if civil unrest hits the city, and the police forces can't handle it, that you, the chambers, or the mayor, or some combination of those, could request help from Tinis and Cal, but only both. Not one without the other. What do you think?"
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Sept 5, 2008 18:39:35 GMT -5
Mie nodded then turned her head “It might be difficult to codify an agreement where military forces are required to calm civil unrest or organised revolt. It would tie the hands of the royal governor who has to have the last say in matters pertaining to the city, as they will be the representative of the Cities sovereign power.”
“The lucan council?” Drago replied.
“No, they are only representatives of the nations of the commonwealth sovereign power. All of the people of the commonwealth are sovereign, the lucan council is just that powers representation. The same would be true here of the royal governor. The commonwealth only exists as a close grouping of a number of sovereign people and only exists because they want it to.” Mie replied and then smile “But if there is serious trouble that the civilian authorities, including the militia that will no doubt be formed, can not handle the naval base has far to few troops to quell any serious civil unrest. They are also set-up for defence and have not real offensive capability.
So in practice we would be calling on tinisen help” Mie paused. She thought for a second then asked “Your government would object greatly if the Naval and Air base suddenly became a major army base I would assume?”
Drago replied “Almost certainly. What's the point unless they plan to attack us?”
Mie nodded “My thoughts exactly and as base governor I can guarantee that will not happen on my watch. In truth I can't see it happening on anybody's watch. From what I have been told a brake out from the base would almost be as difficult as a brake in and your people would know weeks in advance.
Any way to more pleasant matters codifying the city charter might be a little of a problem as we have no experience in such things. Also getting the wording entirely correct would be difficult as it would have to be in Calie and your own language. Precise wording that translates correctly and unambiguously would be extremely difficult as our languages are so different.
How ever the initial declaration from the governor as to the the electoral and basic representative structure could be agreed before hand. Then I would be minded to allow the city council to pass such ordnances and by-laws as they saw fit. Also the electoral commission would have to figure out the wards of the city, so for a short while it would have to be under the governor's control.
Your suggestions for the second chamber does make sense we had planned that the second chamber be re-appointed annually. If for no other reason than things do change and have no more that sixteen members, so five from each and the head of the chamber of commerce in the city. The head of the chamber of commerce would provide a voice for the smaller businesses.
How does that sound? I know you want a solid charter but I think a more fluid arrangement might be for the best as neither of us knows what will occur when the city is handed over.”
Drago boggled, at the commonwealth's way of doing things, it probably explained how such a large nation could be so nimble in the world of economics.
Mie smiled "I have been told to get used using 'we' as I think the government back home want to turn the place into a principality.. How does princess Mie sound?"
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Sept 8, 2008 17:16:33 GMT -5
Iwing flew into the air-port of Sturous Nu in a very small light air-craft, well the runway as there was still no terminal building other than a few containers. He dawned his bright orange cape and boots, they still felt weird, but rules were rules. He exited the building, well containers, and was driven in a small electric golf cart like vehicle to near the bridge.
He walked down the stairs and was confronted with a little train, well more of a golf cart on rails with a couple a little wagons attached. “Iwing?” the vulpine driver enquiered. “Yes?” He replied. “One minute” the vulpine replied then tapped the side of his head, a small mic on a boom lowered infront of his muzzle and he spoke in some odd language, Iwing put it down as the Teuie tough. “Right we have clearance” he said, take a seat. They headed off at a slow pace iwing noticed the tracks and overhead lines, this as a CAT capable line. He only knew this as while he had been recuperating he had been reading up on Calie rail tech as he was beginning to warm to the grand station concept. He had initially been very sceptical about it, but the more he thought about it the more it made sense and the more he wanted the international station to be spectacular. He looked about him at the massive iron structure and figured he would have to beat this as the most spectacular thing people saw of the city if they were passing threw.
The grand station concept was the idea of centralising all of the customs and immigration controls in the same place, as far as possible. People not transiting at the airport would head to the station on a shuttle service, still separated from their luggage.
He did notice that the airport was to have it's own CAT capable station but both he and Wentanie didn't think it would be used much well other than charters to big sporting events, spring break and such. There was something he liked about having all the mess on one train, then one or two planes that kept them out of everyone else's way. The calie did it to great effect, they just made a cheap offer for the target crowd who would take it and keep out of everyone else's hair. Making the rest of the network a far more pleasant place where the money was made.
The idea of the station was simple, as all of the high speed trains would by nature of the place be international there was little point in people heading onward entering the city, officially. Much better they could transit threw so the plan was simple, the high speed level of the station would be effectively international territory to allow for transiting. The same would be true of the cruse ships as there were links to the ocean terminals in the smaller dock that shuttle trains could run down. It also meant you could check you luggage at the station that would be in the city centre and check in. This meant you could hang around in the city until you were called, the Calie were already talking about mass calling people via coms or cell phones twenty minutes before they started boarding. The shuttle to the airport would run at five minute intervals (half that in busy times) and would only take five minutes to get there using what the CMT had referred to as mini-CATs that would also ferry the luggage out separately.
All the initial security and immigration checks could be carried out in the station that was going to be far more spacious than what ever terminal(s) they were going to build at the airport. Luggage would also be claimed in the station. This would save people hassle as if they were transiting it didn't matter what the hell they were carrying providing it was not an immediate threat or who they were. OK this would dump that job on his people, but they would probably have had to do that anyway as next to nothing was illegal under Commonwealth law and the commonwealth was not know for strict boarder controls.
It was total commonwealth thinking. Making travel romantic again, not just a requirement.
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Nov 28, 2008 13:08:14 GMT -5
Some time had passed and with the election of a new government in tinis Mie had realized that the city was a major issue for the tinisen authorities. Some of the investors were looking worried she had to find out what the new governments position was towards the new city project. To this end she sent a message to Lenord and the new authorities in tinis, it read:
"Greetings and salutations from Sturous Nu
Congratulations upon you election.
We would be very pleased if you would attend a dinner at the consulate to discuss the future of the new city project and the ongoing improvements to your rail net work being undertaken by commonwealth and affiliated organizations.
We look forwards to a long and mutually beneficial relationship
Yours
Lady Mie"
She also invited the commonwealth ambassador to tinis so as not to over step her bounds
--- The two architects were looking over progress plans. "Looks good, so they have managed to cover two thirds of the sight now?" Iwing asked. "Yip looks that way, you never know we might even get this finished on schedule" Wentanie replied smiling. "There's a gap up there, what's going on?" "Ah that would be the sisterhood causing us problems, but they have come up with a fascinating offer." Wentanie smiled. "What?" "They want to build a temple there, they are good for the money and the owner of the buildings that were to be there have for some odd reason pulled out. Looks like we have another park." "For some reason?" "Well they were all inleefen investors and well..." "Oh..." Iwing smiled "I think I know what you mean, they don't want to piss off their goddesses' ?" "That's what I figure, anyway all seems to be going well. We will be capable of taking our first ships soon, and I reckon we are looking at a hand over in late summer.
Well if you get the towers done and the station built." Wentanie said. "And if you pull your thumb out and get the airport and the stadiums built." Iwing replied in a some what aggressive way. "OK..Well you know how much of a control freak I am, I'll put out the RFTs. Anyway I have to go, see you the morn." Iwing was a little worried, Wentanie rarely left the office at quitting but to day she was leaving early.
– Wentanie walked into the doctors office, they had her test results. “What's up doc” She smiled and was me with a sad look, rather than a laugh. “That bad then?” She asked, all levity gone. The doctor nodded. “How long?” her tail fell to the ground with an audible thud. “Six, maybe seven moons with out treatment” The lupine doctor said. “With treatment?” “Maybe a year, you are very fit for your age b...” “I'm old, hey that's life. I don't fancy the treatment it seems worse than the..” “We would not advise it for some one of your years.” Wentanie smiled “Six moons...”she always thought she would never see this place completed. “Sorry there is nothing to be done.” the doctor said apologetically. Wentanie raised her tail “Look what are you apologising for? I broke the ton and am amazed I haven't kicked it sooner.” The lupine looked at Wentanie as she left and she turned and said “Thanks, at least now I know”.
Once she had left a nurse entered the office to find the lupine doctor with his head in his paws. “How was she?” she asked. “Better than I am, I hoped the first round of tests were in error but she is going to pass before this place is done.” the doctor replied. “She seem cheery enough...you mean.” “Six to seven months till the big one.” “I would never have thought it...she seemed so happy, I thought you had given her the all clear.” the teerie nurse replied shocked.
– Wentanie walked out into the street, so she had six moons give or take. She walked over to the links park, it was quiet and did something she had not done in years.
She prayed
She didn't pray for her self, it was clear she was dead, but she prayed the others would have the strength to finish this mammoth project. She also prayed that Iwing didn't blame himself, in truth the increased stress caused by her having to take over during his illness had accelerated her condition. But it was just a matter of when not if the doctor had told her.
She put the incense out and looked out at the dusk, she was not going home, she would be here until they pulled the place down. She had decided and only the truly bloody minded got to her age, she was going nowhere. The goddess be dammed, she would be here.
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Jan 17, 2009 15:24:57 GMT -5
General Roil had been keen to have the 'golf match' with the Calie warriors in HMS sturous nu but admiral Markos kept putting it off until now. The admiral had been keeping an eye on what supplies were being taken into the base, they were now spiking. He knew one thing, very few ships being resupplied needed the sheer volume of supplies that the base was now taking in. If he was going to go to the base he wanted to go when one of the spirit class carriers were in. The Wind carrier group was now closing on the base, they would have to be in for at least a week just to take on the sheer volume of supplies. The admiral was suddenly very keen.
As he, the Air Marshal and the General approached the base he smiled. He could see what could only be the two mega carriers of the Wind fleet in dock, they towered above almost everything else in the base. The mile long leviathans of the sea were visible from even outside the base.
As they passed threw the first lair of the base defences general Roil looked at the forest, it had got thicker and the presence of a few snowfurs suggested that the local Tinisian population were taking full advantage of it. He had tried to tell the local politicians why he was against it, but they had seen exactly what the calie had wanted them to. A free, open park come nature reserve that they didn't have to maintain or pay for.
The golf courses were snowed under so there was little chance of a game, which was a good thing as none of the three knew the first thing about golf. But all three courses were being viewed as some of the best in tinis and they were booked up for almost the entire summer. There had been suggestions that they should be used for professional tournaments but the base command had nixed that quickly by saying “These are a gift to the common people of tinis not to professional golfers”. This had gone down rather well with the locals that were coining it in from people who wanted to play the courses. There were very few places where you could play on a professional grade course for free anywhere.
When they arrived at Sea Lord Taackia's quarters, they were a little surprised as she lived in the attic, well penthouse of one of the tallest buildings, it was on a rise so could see the entire base. “Come in, come in, I fear that that game of golf will have to wait.” she said smiling, she was out of uniform and wearing the sari like clothing of the Leffen. Her quarters were very leefen in decoration with fine silk wall coverings. “This is Air Lord Tanie, Sir Ta and Sea Lord Antuan” she said indicating a short drewn in traditional desert dress, a tall teerie in..well not very much and a large lupine in traditional saeie clothing being a leather top and a long straight skirt cut to the thigh. Admiral Markos smiled and nodded, he was in uniform like the rest of the tinisians. He asked “Sea Lord Autuan, are those your ships?” Autuan smiled “Yes, that is the wind fleet. Well most of it some of it is our on patrol as I dare say you have noticed.” “I'm surprised to see you out of uniform, your ships are vulnerable.” Autuan smiled and tilted her lupine head “The air base is on alert and the defence fleet is out. I am in the hands of the local Sea Lord, and she has done all she can, so there is little for me or my crew to do, well other than keep out of the way while we take on supplies” “Oh” Admiral Markos walked towards the large windows that gave as much of a full view of the docks as was possible “Those are some ships.” he said quietly. “They're two of only four in naval service, and I have the honer of commanding those two, the Wind and Earth.” Autuan said with more than a little pride “And their escort fleet.” The shear size of the ships was only now dawning on admiral Markos. Mile long carriers, the fire power they must carry. He also noticed the mass of activity on the dock, all of the mile long quays were full, as were most of the rest of dock. Destroyers, escort carriers, specialist corvettes, bulk carriers from down south and many other kinds of ship, he noticed the large pods on the sides of the mega carriers were open. “What do those normally hold, we have never been able to figure that you.” he asked. “Oh them” Autuan said pointing at the small number of specialist corvettes. “Your carriers carry ships as well as aircraft?!?!” “Well yes, you see they don't have the speed or range so we do carry our own mine sweepers, specialist sub hunters and that kind of thing, though the destroyers are fairly good. You know when you take up station it's good to have the real specialists.” The admiral was slowly coming to the conclusion the wind fleet was not a fleet, more of a mobile navy that could operate anywhere, with the carriers being the home port. General Roil asked “Carry many troops?” “Why? We are not designed for amphibians operations. We only carry maybe one thousand marines in total but that's for fleet defence and that is over the whole fleet. We are capable of supporting an invasion but can't do it our selves.
Like the rest of the navy our job is to ensure the trade routes and the safety of our allies. Well we can provide air and sea support, well we would hock up with some cruisers for that extra omf, but we would assume our allies have the forces on the ground.”
Sir Ta smiled at the general “I assume your keen to see what new toys we have now?” and smiled. Roil nodded. “Well as you are an ally I s'pose I can tell you some of the defences we have” Ta smiled, knowing full well that a few of the base defences would be very unfamiliar to the Tinisians. “Well, I understand you can't tell me everything, but it would be nice if you did.” the general smiled. The teerie smiled back, some of the base defences would of course never be revealed to anyone outside it's command, but some things would be figured out sooner of later and well the tactics that could be used against them were limited. “OK first we have our sentinel guns, I have to admit we did get the idea from the navy but had to tweak it a little for our purposes.” Ta said with a little pride, she had been involved in the development of the some what unsubtle weapons system. “Please go on” the general replied curiously. “Well we took the idea of the navies last gasp missile defence system and changed the sensors on it and dropped one of the guns. Rather than using radar they use visual, thermal, sonic and optical and pressure trips built into the second wall and second buffer area. You know the golf course. They have one Gatling gun that has the range and we have got them calibrated for the trips, in conditions where both optical and thermal targeting is problematic they simply saturate the rough area of the target.” Ta replied, her tail twitch a little. “Isn't that a little dangerous? I mean friendly fire and they might go off an mince a few golfers?” the general replied concerned. “Hmmm, would that be a bad thing when it came to the golfers? I mean crimes against fashion? Anyway they are not connected to their magazines normally, some fur has to go up and throw the mechanical link to get them connected, their magazine is very large. Then some control has to switch them on, we have more safe guards than you can shake a stick at.
As for friendly fire, my people know the routes threw the zone where the guns won't fire when on automatic. But don't get ideas, when the routes are used control is alerted and they can have a look and check it is our people. Than and of course comms.” She smiled.
So those were what those little lumps on the inner wall were. He smiled he couldn't help but think that the 'golf' courses would be extremely difficult to cross then he asked “Well what about tanks? Your guns can't be that powerful? And mortars, they could be taken by them.”
Ta thought for a second “Well you see the thing with this base there are relatively few places where you can fire from cover and the thing about mortars is they fly in a predictable path. So they always belie where they were launched from so the automated larger guns simply fire at the launch position with anti-personnel shells that explode over the target. Well I think you understand how much of a mess that would make of a mortar crew or in the case of tanks armour piercing. Well you've seen the woods a tank is not going to have much mobility in there.
If they sneak into the second line area, you know the golf courses we have anti-tank guns and missiles waiting.” she smiled.
The general look concerned, in his head he was imagining the carnage that the defences she had mentioned could reek on an attacking force. Before he could ask another question the teerie sighed and tapped her ear piece.
She said “Ta?” ... “Why are you telling me this, it's a kid on the second wall.” ... “No, just keep an eye on them and make sure there's a medic about in case they fall off..” ... “No don't use the flood lights, do you want them to turn it into a game?” ... “Look shall we just say that those are standing orders along with using some common bloody sense?” ... “Good”
She turned back “sorry a new ops yoman kinda keen, you know the kind always in your face thinking it might earn them a promotion, rather than getting the promoted to some dead end job where you need to have nothing to do with them ever again.”
Roil smiled, he had in his time had to deal with his share of green and keen types. Then he noticed what looked like an over size spider on the dock side and asked “What the hell is that?”
“Well, all I can say is it's a new weapon from actu inc we are trialling. They look promising but we have to check on how much maintenance they need, how usable they are, you know that kinda thing, but I can't say more.” she said quietly. “Oh I understand.” he said looking at the thing “Right anything else your interested in? Other wise what's your golf handicap?”
Meanwhile the two air force types were in conversation.
Air Lord Tanie had been drawn from the pre-unification Drewn desert air-force and he had some stories, the drewn desert air-force was renowned for being slightly nuts. They had always been able to use the oldest and most obsolete craft to carry out impossible hit and run attacks. He and his squadron of obsolete cyclone fighters had managed to take a squadron of celt fighters off the ground in the civil war. In his new job he was very much a poacher turned game keeper, he knew all the tricks, though he was now in charge of far better aircraft.
“You know I could hit any of your air bases?” He asked. The air marshal looked shocked “What do you mean?” he spluttered almost spitting out a mouthful of wine. “Well I could send a bunch of my guys in there hedge hopping and your SAM batteries would be useless .” he said matter of factly, he was dressed in Arabic like dress. “Hedge hopping?” “Oh flying so low you have to climb to avoid things like hedges and power lines.” He said matter of factly. “You do that?” “Oh we do that at match 1.5, it does make a mess but everyone in the area is usually so confused and shocked by their windows coming in to actually tell anyone. But you need very, very good maps to do it and of course extremely well trained air furs.” “So what do we need?” “Oh, well we use the same tech as the navy. Twin Gatling guns attached to a radar unit, if it's coming in fast and low and you are not expecting it. It is almost certainly aggressive so throw as much lead and or crystal at it as high speed as you have.” He shrugged. “Not very high tech?” “Who cares if they are that close it doesn't matter, it works. It would at least give your guys a chance.” “You people sell these systems?” “Not a clue, just after my recommendation all of our air bases have the system, they are not exactly expensive.” Air Lord Tanie, replied smiling, it was a low tech reply to a low tech tactic.
The sea furs were continuing in conversation. “What are those domes along the side of your ships?” the admiral asked. “Oh last gasp missile and air craft defence, twin Gatling guns connected to a radar system, when all else fails firing a ton of lead and or crystal at the attacker tends to cause them problems.” Sea Lord Antuan said. “It saved me a couple of times in the civil war” Sea Lord Taackia interjected. The admiral was noting that as a veteran of a real fight Taackia seemed to be the superior of the two supposedly equal warriors. But he like the rest of the tinisian's was a little surprised that the commonwealth seemed to fall back on throwing a lot of projectiles at an opponent when they were out of ideas.
It did make sense, but he and the rest had expected a some what more technically advanced solution, force shields or some thing. “Feel free to ask about anything, but well we can't answer everything, anyway the food's ready.”
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Dec 26, 2009 18:53:16 GMT -5
Wentanie had been behaving strange, it was late evening iwing and the Tinisian had noticed. Her office was becoming neater and more organised, gone was the mayhem that was normal. She had passed on her responsibilities to others. The Tueie had very much as had the other calie, she was dieing in the tueie way.
It was late and she smiled at a single vulpine tueie and asked "Please hand these out when it is known"
The Tueie nodded she crumpled a little, Wentanie kissed her on the fore head.
"It comes to most, these go to the gov...conciliate" she gave a sad smile.
The architect nodded rather than giving the usual "go there your self" response...Iwing had not changed the commonwealth way of doing things as it seemed to get things done far faster.
Wentanie smiled as she left.
The project was in good hands, over the night she visited the air port that as now being tested and working well, the station and most of the city.
She stood in the centre of one of the stadiums, she could hear the crowds, a grounds man approached her.
"Ere the grass is still getting a foot hold, get out of here!" the tinisian shouted at her. Wentanie smiled and replied "This is your grass now?" "Yes get off it!" She nodded and said "Thank you" "You OK?" "I think I'm as OK as I can be...I know you will look after this place"she said as she walked off. "Weird" The groundsman said and wondered off to check the under soil heating, the place had to be ready for a match before soon.
The streets were now coming to life, she had created a living city, the tinisians were very much willing to buy and sell as much as her own people. When the handover happened, they would really go for it. The port was checking it's equipment, everything was going well, with the odd flaw. She herd a loud thud as a large bulk carrier hit the dock, but the damage was to the ship not the dock so her side was working, her vulpine ears could detect that.
Her tail became stiff, she hit it "Not yet" she muttered. She stopped walking, one of her legs had stiffened, she hit that "You will give me dawn!" she shouted.
Wentanie's body was suffering a degenerative nerve disorder but she had held it off as long as she could. Like most of her kind she knew when the end was coming but would fight it off till dawn.
She got to a tram and sat there then noticed one of her paws was not working. She glared at it then hit it with force it started to work again.
She left the tram at the edge of the current network, next to the links and walked towards the sea. It was getting close to dawn now. But dawn at these latitudes was a long thing , she had plenty of time.
She looked at the snow covered links, she could never make that.
"Hey there!" a canine said. "You lost?" Wentanie smiled "I deigned this place I can't ever be lost." The canine looked more than a little worried on his snow mobile. Wentanie smiled softly "You see that mound over there" pointing at it threw the incoming blizzard. "Take me there." "But you'll freeze." Wentanie smiled "I won't die of the cold. Now go" She jumped onto the back of the snow mobile. It was a bumpy ride that she was thankful for as it kept her limbs working.
When they got there she gave the young canine a bag of coins (gold). "Do you want me to stay?" he asked. "No this I have to do alone, but you might want to find a stone from your homeland." Wentanie smiled. "But that is miles away" "Well then you have time to get there and back don't you?" The young canine speeded off, muttering "Nutter". Wentanie looked at the city, she saw it complete, not in it's current form and smiled. "Thank you" she said as a sun came up and she felt the heat the blizzard did not matter now.
She smiled then fell and her heart stopped the blizzard did as well.
Only one of the architects of the commonwealth lived now.
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