A City with two tales

[Kingdoms of Cal]

The commonwealth and tinis had differed in many ways, not least constitutionally, of doing things. The city of Sarue nu would be a commonwealth city for fifty years once the hand over occurred so it was only polite to give it a charter as such, though a little different from what was normal. Not least because no single monarch was granting it.

Lady Mie was looking over the draft charter, she frowned, on the surface it looked like something the tinisians would not be happy with it. Then again if they knew how the commonwealth worked they would know it was not really a constitution more a bit of arcane paperwork and a useful safety valve.

Well that and it wasn't signed so it could be changed without much of an issue.

It read:

We the Lucan council, as representatives of the sovereign peoples of the commonwealth, here by grant the city of Sarue nu in the year 10083 it's charted.

The sovereign nobles, free persons, burghers and commoners of Sarue Nu shall be represented by the person of the Royal Governor. Though they shall only be the representation of the power and not the sovereign power in and of themselves.

The Lucan council shall appoint said governor for life, with the indulgence of the people, until they request to be revealed of their duty or until such time as it is clear that they are incapable of carrying out their duty to the sovereign people of Sarue Nu.

We grant the Royal Governor the right to put in such instruments of governance as they believe necessary to ensure the fair and just governance of Sarue Nu.

The employees of the Royal Governor shall have only one allegiance in the discharge of their duty, service to the person of the Royal Governor, in her capacity as representative of the sovereign people of Sarue Nu and no other person. They shall not involve themselves in matters of ideology, allow matters of creed, race, ideology or their personal dealings in the commission of their duties. Only the Royal Governor or their representative my remove an employee of the city of their duty and only may one place the duty upon them.

Representatives of the Royal Governor are bound by the same as other employees of them and such laws that are passed.

The sovereign people of Sarue Nu are granted the right to commission medical facilities, educational facilities and such infrastructural as required. They may also levy taxes as they feel fit though a small percentage of said shall be taken by the commonwealth in exchange for services inclusive of, but not exclusively, such as educational resources, defence, representation in foreign matters, access to foreign missions and health research resources.

Laws that are required for the Sarue Nu's governance may be passed by the Royal Governor or instruments that they have put in place.

The Royal Governor will also be governor general of the naval base of Sarue Nu and shall be the Lucan's councils representative in all local matters.

The Royal Governor may bestow titles up to and including Lordships to those they feel fit to that are resident in the city.
–
Lady Mie mailed it to Drango in the neighbouring city that she was officially the consulate for. She included a note which read:

Greetings

Don't worry about democracy, city charters never include that back home. I include the current draft of my proclamation that should deal with that, it is very draft and incomplete but please turn up at the 'consulate' tomorrow and we can get the worst bits out of it.

I know your people like things written down, but you know mine tend not to bother and are a tad more cynical than yours so some how we have to find a halfway house. That and we have never had to codify things so quickly and I think two documents is the best you will get. One being the charter the second being my proclamation that will be given after handover and will be leaked, I will make sure of that.

Yours
Lady Mie

PS: Here my current draft, don't laugh to much.

YOUR EYES ONLY.

The enclosed document read:

I here by proclaim:

1) The courts of Sarue Nu be bound by commonwealth law.
Noting:
a) The state will not put to death any sapient.
b) There will be no extradition of people accused of capital crimes unless the requesting country gives a legally binding agreement that the death penalty will not be used.
c) Anyone subject to extradition will have the right to a trial by jury on the balance of probability, but not absolute guilt before extradition is granted to a friendly nation.
d) Tinisian forces may be allowed into the city only under exceptional conditions by the request of the royal governor.
e) The royal governor may call on the forces deployed at the military base of the same name under extraordinary circumstances though these may not enter the city under normal conditions while on duty.
i) This only applies if they are to be used for their primary purpose.

2) Every business that wishes to involve itself in the city shall register with the central tax agency and in doing be given access cards to the medical facilities and educational facilities will be provided to there employees.

a) Abuse of this will result in sequestration of all assets

3) The lower council will have control over the passing of local by-laws and shall also elected the Lord Provost who will select the office bearers. To whit:

a) The city is divided into wards of no more than forty thousand people, each shall elect a single councillor via a simple first past the post vote.
b) The Commonwealth's electoral commission will be responsible for deciding upon the boundaries of said wards.
c) The vote will be a simple paper ballot employing a simple X or similar mark beside the candidate requested.
d) Said vote shall be counted by hand and will be anonymous, thus any ballots that belie the voters identity will be destroyed and not declared valid.
e) All valid ballot papers will be retained until the next election along with the marked electoral roll and those declared unclear.
f) The commonwealth's electoral commission will over see said and retain said documents.
g) Elections will take place every four years unless circumstances make this impossible.
h) During the period between dissolution of the council and the election of the new council the royal governor will take the place of the council and lord provost, though this period will be less than three weeks and under normal circumstances no laws will be passed.
i) Any resident over the age of thirteen has the right to vote, with exceptions:
i)Anyone currently serving a prison sentence.
ii)Anyone currently in a mental institution via court order.

7) The second chamber will be made up of those that are experts in their field and those that have invested in the city.
a) The second chamber may only hold back a law by four years and a day, but never veto it.
b) The second chamber can be over ruled should they still resist the lower chamber for more than four years and a day.
c) Should the second chamber remain intransigent on a matter that requires urgent action the Royal Governor may step in and nullify their vote.

8) All laws passed must be signed by the Royal Governor.

Scribbled at the bottom was:

I'm working on the rest, but this should give you enough that you know will not go down well. I'm fairly sure this will go down like a lead balloon with a lot of your people. The extradition rules are red line issues for us. Most of the rest can be discussed.

As for the charter, it does not preclude a tinian royal governor and I have the right to elevate people to the level of lord/lady. But no higher, you would be very surprised just how much value even the most socialist of people put in this when they are heading towards retirement. It is not worth anything financially but as ego boosts go a tap with a sword from a monarch or similar..well.

---
She waited for Drango with a glass of brandy, with luck he knew how to spin it. nothing was in stone yet...but she knew they were dealing with very different people.

[The Union of Tinis]

The wait wasn't too long for the reply, hand delivered by a currier. The message read:

----

Greeting Good Friend,

Thank you exquisitely for the preview of the paper work, and I'm quite glad that such is being done as per the request of agreement. I have reviewed charter and proclamation. As I read the charter first, I was for a time taken aback, but thankfully a reminder from one of my staff on how these things tend to work for those of your nation had me reading the second document and being much more at ease.

As a person of positive disposition, I dare say I do like several sections of what was presented. In the charter itself, referencing sovereign people is a good move. I do believe it has different connotations in Cal compared to Tinis, but it most certainly reminds the people whom are moving into the Free City of Sarue Nu that this is to be a place of liberty, not of oppression. What more, the section on the rights of the sovereign people does make it clear that there is more implied than simply have a Royal Governor and employees to what is going on.

I do know that some will dislike the extradition bits, but I dare say, that if mass murderers are fleeing to the free city in droves, its an incentive for folks on this side of the city limits to get our act together.

I also like the two chamber mode. Though clearly different than the Tinisian chamber system, it does have some similarities. Most clearly, that the lower chamber, or council in this case holds most the power.

As for places where I feel it could be improved, the charter is probably fine as is, as the proclamation is where the real meat of the establishment is being created. I would first like to suggest that an addition of the restrictions on extradition be clearly made for those whom could be classified as purely political prisoners if they were to be exported to their home nations. It is my sincerest belief that the world needs more places where the oppressed voices of the minority can live free from the abuses of oppressive regimes.

I am a little confused why bit about military forces is enumerated under the courts section. I'd also request that a neutrality clause be put in where ever those sections end up. For if, Glorvan forbid, there was ever a conflict between Tinis and Cal, Sarue Nu could be on the front lines. I think its our mutual interest to prevent that. So something explicitly stating that and making it clear that the city is no place to launch attacks on or against either Cal or Tinis. I hate worse case scenarios, but it is always wise to be ready for them.

Though it might just be fluff, maybe something about encouraging social and cultural awareness. As both Cal and Tinis are nations of many cultures, it will both play well, and could benefit the long goal of having our peoples be friendly with each other.

And speaking of keeping relations friendly, there was a request from the state department that I actually ask for something about not seeking to hurt the national pride of Cal or Tinis. I'm not quite sure how to interpret that at present, but I have asked for clarification. Do they mean not to have a winning racket ball team or is this something more monumental such as don't build statues giving Tinis the finger?

Finally, with all this news of dig sites and things, maybe have something in the proclamation about that? Or would that be a side type deal as it does seem to be a sensitive issue for some. For many years the rumors of ancient Semita were thought a legend and a reference to the old castle that used to stand where modern Semita is now. If discussion of this is not for the proclamation business, that is fine too, but I would like to speak with you again about it at some point.

Overall though, good work, and this will go a long way to easing the fears some have. I already have a couple of my assistants coming up with cleaver ways to make this look better than either of us think it could be. And don't worry, they're not prone to leakage of important documents until told to do so. I think this will go well.

I apologize that I could not deliver this in person, but my own duties have me tied down.

-Your friend
Drango

[Kingdoms of Cal]

(A private message)

To: Drango
From: Lady Mie

I should have a new draft of the proclamation for you soon, still working out the kinks. How ever you did point out the fact that the military is in the courts, I believe that was a translation error paired with the commonwealth's tenancy to have vague laws, we will make that more explicit.

As for not causing offence or injuring national pride, I am uncertain how to do that without impinging on freedom of speech and artistic expression. I think it would be best to leave that to the common sense of the officials, even politicians would see that offending your larger neighbour is very stupid (no offence).

Your question about archaeological finds, the commonwealth has no shortage of them and tend not to spend much time, but the builders have informed me that should they find the smallest item a tinien archaeologists are called in. Should there be an important find they will simply change their plans to accommodate it (free tourist attraction). We see no reason to cause an incident over a site but see little reason to put that in writing as I would have though that was read.

As for extradition of political prisoners, those are difficult to define. How ever one of the interesting kinks of commonwealth law is that the jury has to be informed before they take their oath that they a bound to treat justice above the law. They are informed that they can find someone innocent, should they think the law unjust, the law not applicable in this case or simply that they should not have been tried for it.. A political prisoner is like porn, you know it when you see it, but is very difficult to define, so we don't.

I will reserve the power to over role the court to not extradite and force a retrial, in these cases. I am unsure how an appointed governor will go down with your people interfering with the law will go down.

Yours

Lady Mie

PS: Hope to see you soon, it's been a while.

[Kingdoms of Cal]

Lady mie sent the latest draft

"I here by proclaim:

1) The courts of Sarue Nu be bound by commonwealth law.
Noting:
a) The state will not put to death any sapient.
b) There will be no extradition of people accused of capital crimes unless the requesting country gives a legally binding agreement that the death penalty will not be used.
c) Anyone subject to extradition will have the right to a trial by jury on the balance of probability, but not absolute guilt before extradition is granted to a friendly nation.
d) A jury will consist of thirteen persons,
e) All residents of the city will may be called to jury duty provided they are not currently serving a prison sentence or have been by court order been committed to a mental institution.
f) A pool of no less than thirty and no more than forty shall be selected at random to carry out this duty at random from the residents of the city.
g) Both the defence and prosecution may ask for any member of the jury to be released of their duty before the trial, but they must provide good reason to the judge. Failure to do so will result in them being over ruled. If granted another will be selected at random to take their place, the person will face the same questioning and can also be released. Should the pool be exhausted and no fair trial possible the case will be passed to a court else where in the commonwealth that can try the case fairly. If this is no court can be found the case will be passed directly to the law lords.
f) The Royal Governor will appoint all judges. (scribbled in) The faculty of advocates make a list and I would select...the list is very short...usually being one long, sometimes two when they haven't agreed.
g) Once selected the jury will be informed of all their rights including finding someone innocent or finding against an extradition case despite the evidence, should they view the case or law unjust. The judge can not over rule but can ask the jury to reconsider no more than three times.
2)Every business that wishes to involve itself in the city shall register with the central tax agency and in doing be given access cards to the medical facilities and educational facilities will be provided to there employees.

a) Abuse of this will result in sequestration of all assets

3) The lower council will have control over the passing of local by-laws and shall also elected the Lord Provost who will select the office bearers. To whit:

a) The city is divided into wards of no more than forty thousand people, each shall elect a single councillor via a simple first past the post vote.
b) The Commonwealth's electoral commission will be responsible for deciding upon the boundaries of said wards.
c) The vote will be a simple paper ballot employing a simple X or similar mark beside the candidate requested.
d) Said vote shall be counted by hand and will be anonymous, thus any ballots that belie the voters identity will be destroyed and not declared valid.
e) All valid ballot papers will be retained until the next election along with the marked electoral roll and those declared unclear.
f) The commonwealth's electoral commission will over see said and retain said documents.
g) Elections will take place every four years unless circumstances make this impossible.
h) During the period between dissolution of the council and the election of the new council the royal governor will take the place of the council and lord provost, though this period will be less than three weeks and under normal circumstances no laws will be passed.
i) Any resident over the age of thirteen has the right to vote, with exceptions:
i)Anyone currently serving a prison sentence.
ii)Anyone currently in a mental institution via court order.

7) The second chamber will be made up of those that are experts in their field and those that have invested in the city.
a) The second chamber may only hold back a law by four years and a day, but never veto it.
b) The second chamber can be over ruled should they still resist the lower chamber for more than four years and a day.
c) Should the second chamber remain intransigent on a matter that requires urgent action the Royal Governor may step in and nullify their vote.


8) All laws passed must be signed by the Royal Governor.
9) The Sarue Nu shall establish a force to ensure law and order
a) This force shall be selected from the resident population.
b) This force shall enforce the laws of the commonwealth and the by laws of Sarue Nu.
c) This force shall remain largely unarmed.
d) A small well trained and well armed force will be created to deal with exceptional situation and will be allowed to use deadly force by what ever means they view as necessary.
e) The use of deadly force will investigated in all cases.
f) All law and order forces shall answer to the law and Royal Governor.
g) All law enforcement forces will swear elegance to the Royal Governor.
h) Tinisian forces may be allowed into the Sarue Nu only under exceptional conditions by the request of the royal governor to ensure law and order.
i) The royal governor may call on the forces deployed at the military base of the same name under extraordinary circumstances to ensure law and order.
j) Military forces of both nations may send units for ceremonial purposes only under normal conditions
k) The primary law enforcement body shall be named the ' Sarue Nu Polita' (scribble beside it) Sarue Nu police.
l) The head of said body will be appointed by the Royal Governor (scribbled beside) The police will select the best person for the job...I will get a very short list...I think a tinisian is likely to get the job...our police are largely unarmed so they need popular support, like they have back home.
m) The Royal Governor may remove any officer of their duty.

10) Freedom of expression will be absolute under normal conditions, without exception.
a) Law enforcement agencies may advise people that what they are saying may cause problems.
b) Law enforcement agencies may remove protection after said warning.
c) This will only occur should said group or individual be preaching a very unpopular view point and only where protection will put the law enforcement agencies personnel at unreasonable risk or the residents of the city. "

This is very draft.

Yours your friend

Mie

PS: Please find time to visit if you can, it has been such a long time.

[Kingdoms of Cal]

Lady mie was getting annoyed at the tinisian and so sent a message to the other northern nations.

"Greeting

As our colony will soon join the northern nations we enclose a copy of out charter and my proclamation for you perusal. We ask that you proffer you opinions to us, should you find issue. It is still incomplete and nothing is decided as yet. So we ask that you provide us with objections or if you wish ask for usage of the city in trade and diplomacy.

It is a free city so both will be possible once we have an agreement with tinis.

Yours

Lady Mie
(Consult)

PS: The agreement is in place, but we would rather things were amicable so as to not make the city a point of contention."

[The Union of Tinis]

The response was quite simple.

"Dear Lady Mie;

Thank you very much for the draft. I believe I only have a couple quick questions that you could hopefully clear up for me.

First off, in the bit about trials. Will the accused be guaranteed a right to competent representation for a criminal defense? Commonwealth law may account for this but I can't say I'm an expert in it.

I'm a little confused about the explicitness of the need to destroy ballots marked to identify someone. Mostly I fear that if one person claims they'll vote for a fringe candidate and end up being the only person that does that in their area, might someone counting ballots remember their earlier claims and thus notice their ballot, assume that their vote for that candidate belongs to them, and thus be prompted to destroy the ballot? I know this might be splitting hairs but if I don't worry about things like that people get angry at me.

Finally, on the nature of citizenship. If someone moves to Sarue Nu, are they automatically a citizen of the city? Do they have to apply and renounce their previous citizenship? This is an unusual circumstance as is and the draft didn't seem clear on it.

Thanks again for accommodating us. The agreement for the lease of the land should of clear a lot of these questions up but I guess our governments didn't want to spoil things with to much details.

I would like to come for a visit soon to see how things are progressing.

-Drango"

[Kingdoms of Cal]

Latest draft:
"I here by proclaim:

1) The courts of Sarue Nu be bound by commonwealth law.
Noting:
a) The state will not put to death any sapient.
b) There will be no extradition of people accused of capital crimes unless the requesting country gives a legally binding agreement that the death penalty will not be used.
c) Anyone subject to extradition will have the right to a trial by jury on the balance of probability, but not absolute guilt before extradition is granted to a friendly nation.
d) A jury will consist of thirteen persons,
e) All residents of the city will may be called to jury duty provided they are not currently serving a prison sentence or have been by court order been committed to a mental institution.
f) A pool of no less than thirty and no more than forty shall be selected at random to carry out this duty at random from the residents of the city.
g) Both the defence and prosecution may ask for any member of the jury to be released of their duty before the trial, but they must provide good reason to the judge. Failure to do so will result in them being over ruled. If granted another will be selected at random to take their place, the person will face the same questioning and can also be released. Should the pool be exhausted and no fair trial possible the case will be passed to a court else where in the commonwealth that can try the case fairly. If this is no court can be found the case will be passed directly to the law lords.
f) The Royal Governor will appoint all judges. (scribbled in) The faculty of advocates make a list and I would select...the list is very short...usually being one long, sometimes two when they haven't agreed.
g) Once selected the jury will be informed of all their rights including finding someone innocent or finding against an extradition case despite the evidence, should they view the case or law unjust. The judge can not over rule but can ask the jury to reconsider no more than three times.
h) All those that request may have council, those that can not afford council of there own or refuse to provide it will be provided council by the governors office.

2)Every business that wishes to involve itself in the city shall register with the central tax agency and in doing be given access cards to the medical facilities and educational facilities will be provided to there employees.

a) Abuse of this will result in sequestration of all assets

3) The lower council will have control over the passing of local by-laws and shall also elected the Lord Provost who will select the office bearers. To whit:

a) The city is divided into wards of no more than forty thousand people, each shall elect a single councillor via a simple first past the post vote.
b) The Commonwealth's electoral commission will be responsible for deciding upon the boundaries of said wards.
c) The vote will be a simple paper ballot employing a simple X or similar mark beside the candidate requested.
d) Said vote shall be counted by hand and will be anonymous, thus any ballots that belie the voters identity will be destroyed and not declared valid.
e) All valid ballot papers will be retained until the next election along with the marked electoral roll and those declared unclear.
f) The commonwealth's electoral commission will over see said and retain said documents.
g) Elections will take place every four years unless circumstances make this impossible.
h) During the period between dissolution of the council and the election of the new council the royal governor will take the place of the council and lord provost, though this period will be less than three weeks and under normal circumstances no laws will be passed.
i) Any resident over the age of thirteen has the right to vote, with exceptions:
i)Anyone currently serving a prison sentence.
ii)Anyone currently in a mental institution via court order.

7) The second chamber will be made up of those that are experts in their field and those that have invested in the city.
a) The second chamber may only hold back a law by four years and a day, but never veto it.
b) The second chamber can be over ruled should they still resist the lower chamber for more than four years and a day.
c) Should the second chamber remain intransigent on a matter that requires urgent action the Royal Governor may step in and nullify their vote.


8) All laws passed must be signed by the Royal Governor.
9) The Sarue Nu shall establish a force to ensure law and order
a) This force shall be selected from the resident population.
b) This force shall enforce the laws of the commonwealth and the by laws of Sarue Nu.
c) This force shall remain largely unarmed.
d) A small well trained and well armed force will be created to deal with exceptional situation and will be allowed to use deadly force by what ever means they view as necessary.
e) The use of deadly force will investigated in all cases.
f) All law and order forces shall answer to the law and Royal Governor.
g) All law enforcement forces will swear elegance to the Royal Governor.
h) Tinisian forces may be allowed into the Sarue Nu only under exceptional conditions by the request of the royal governor to ensure law and order.
i) The royal governor may call on the forces deployed at the military base of the same name under extraordinary circumstances to ensure law and order.
j) Military forces of both nations may send units for ceremonial purposes only under normal conditions
k) The primary law enforcement body shall be named the ' Sarue Nu Polita' (scribble beside it) Sarue Nu police.
l) The head of said body will be appointed by the Royal Governor (scribbled beside) The police will select the best person for the job...I will get a very short list...I think a tinisian is likely to get the job...our police are largely unarmed so they need popular support, like they have back home.
m) The Royal Governor may remove any officer of their duty.

10) Freedom of expression will be absolute under normal conditions, without exception.
a) Law enforcement agencies may advise people that what they are saying may cause problems.
b) Law enforcement agencies may remove protection after said warning.
c) This will only occur should said group or individual be preaching a very unpopular view point and only where protection will put the law enforcement agencies personnel at unreasonable risk or the residents of the city.

11) All those born with in the city shall be subjects of which ever monarch they chose until such time as they are old enough to choose they shall be given protection by all the monarchs.

12) Those that come to the city may, if they wish, choose to become a subject of a monarch of the commonwealth and shall be given the rights and expected to accept the responsibilities of such.

a) No commonwealth nation accepts the concept of renouncing their monarch.
b) We do not expect other nations to do so either.
c) Should Tinis wish all people born in the city may have dual nationality, how ever it is not my place to make such a call. Though the city is the sovereign territory of the commonwealth we will not stand in the way of all people being granted Tinisian citizenship should they be born here. "

Mie added a little note at the end:
"Sorry it is confusing, but there is no such thing as a commonwealth citizen, only subjects of the various monarchs. I know this is confusing. Feel free to visit when ever you want, it has been a long time and I still miss our chess games.

Mie"

[The Union of Tinis]

"Dear Lady Mie;

The document is looking quite lovely. At least the Tinisian translation of it. Unless there is something both of us have forgotten, I think I can provide a seal of approval.

As for our chess games, how about this weekend? I have nothing on my schedule and am over due in writing a report on the cities progress.

-Your friend
Drango"

[Kingdoms of Cal]

Greeting Drango

I did miss something in the draft of my proclamation, why a vote that can identify an individual must not be counted and destroyed. This is not to stop the one vote candidate but to prevent people buying votes. Say someone offers you say 100 meeps to vote for him and your take it, he will not know if you did. It is a tradition that the teuie have to do this as at one point people would put their names on ballots to ensure they got paid afterwards. The agents and candidates can attend the count so as to ensure a fair vote, we have always found that having the people looking to be elected can spot fraud on the other people side far better than any police force. People with ideals, etc at stake are very difficult to buy so make good observers, them be partial being the point.

As for the chess game this "weekend" falls on a quarter day, you mid our weird lunar calendar, the city is quietly moving to it. It's going to be fun but a number of your people like being able to know when they are paid by looking at the moon. I Have no idea how this will work in the long term, then again we don't even run on the same year.

We can take this over over a game of chess.

Yours

Mie

PS: I'll have that leefen beer you like in.

[The Union of Tinis]

Dear Lady Mie,

Thank you for the explanation. We have similar rules but phrase them differently. Hence the confusion.

Also, as I've been a bit tied up of late, where are you staying these days? My usual transportation expert has been flummoxed by the construction work and hasn't been able to pin down where or how to get to your current residence.

Oh! And don't worry to much about the calender. Tinisians are smart people, they'll figure it out.

See you tomorrow!

-Your Friend
Drango

[Kingdoms of Cal]

Greetings

Well I'm now back in the governors mansion, sorry I mean the local consulate. Lets be honest you do know I am likely to become the royal governor, being born in tinis, it makes me more acceptable. It did take them a little to ensure it was repaired in a manner of speaking, sorry no pun intended, that would not cause offence.

But to the point, the easiest way to my current residence is via the western road via the links. I will have some one be at the crossing point to act as a pilot to get you through the golf course.

I know you play a little, if you want we can try it out. With what is going on it might be a good place to talk. Last I checked no one has managed to bug an entire golf course. The way you play, well the we will be safe of bugs on the fairway.

Yours

Mie

--
OOC: fell free to point our that Mie sucks at golf too.

[The Union of Tinis]

Drango sent a brief message shortly before heading out.

"Sure, we can try out the golf course. Though I'd prefer our game of chess comes first. Wouldn't want to get beaned on the head from another of your wild swings and then not be able to be a worthy opponent on the board!"

----

The electric car carrying Drango came to a slow humming stop at the boarder crossing. Drango got out and came towards the booth. The set up was still pretty simple and not been redone since the plot of land for the city was cordoned off before construction. Drango opened his wallet to show his pass port.

"I'm looking for an escort sent by Mie," he ask the crossing guard.

"Ah yes, your guide is waiting for you on the other side. You may proceed sir," she said.

"Thank you."

Drango walked over the boarder and soon met up with the guide to be spirited off. His driver turned around and went back to Semita until called.

Roads were common in Tinis but under utilized due to good public transportation and strict restrictions on gasoline powered vehicles. (Special import licenses and a proof of greenhouse counter measurers) The new city on the other hand was based mostly off trains. So even if a little hike was necessary, they'd soon be on their way via a station.

[Kingdoms of Cal]

Lady Mie sat by her chess board wandering if Drango would show, or make an excuse. A miner issues had exploded and the commonwealth were left wondering it they had any friends in the fed.

She knew Drango was a personal friend but that seemed to matter little now. She like most of the people of the commonwealth felt alone and friendless. What the hell had the actions of one corp done to lose them so many, and so many willing to leave them. Looked like they had lost a friend in the south, that was unwilling to stand by them but it was open it the friend in the north would stand by them. The commonwealth was waiting for some nation to condemn the actions of certain nations, unequivocally and cut them off.

Any nation willing to sell anyone ICBM tech...not good.

---
An member of her staff showed up in a golf cart "Lady Mie offers her hospitality...Feel free to go home, we will take no offence."

[The Union of Tinis]

Drango was obviously confused. "Free to go home? Why would I do that? Unless there's a cancellation that I'm unaware of." From the look of the staff member it didn't seem to be the case. "Ah, I think I understand. Well, if you wouldn't mind helping me along... I have a game with my friend."

[Kingdoms of Cal]

Drango was brought to the royal governors mansion consolet building by a golf cart like car.

Lady Mie looked dispondent as she sat over the chess board, like the worries of the world were on her shoulders alone. Her servants were not much happier looking.

It was clear she needed a friend now.