|
Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Aug 7, 2010 17:57:54 GMT -5
The ageing chancellor of royal commonwealth had arrived at his gold club, not that he played the game much. Alinatie looked at the car park, yeah his people were here and he was not happy. Oddly there was a mantis three there to, he knew this was his seconds car.
Alinatie smiled to himself "So she did get membership, good."
Alinatie as entered the club house noticed some confusion, his second was actually out there playing golf. The club was not really used to someone actually playing the game, but she had come early to try the course.
He entered the lounge knowing he would not be popular as he had called this game. Around him were the biggest money furs in the commonwealth, one was missing, but no one knew who they were.
"So why are we here?" one asked. "Who the hell put the merchant men up to it?" Alinatie asked. "You can't blame us if those northern nutters went mad." came the response from the head of the bank of teu. "OK..." Alinatie went quiet, he was thinking.
The others talked among them selves "You know that green lady seems to be one of us." "Yes she has has got a decent handicap." "What would you know you don't know one end of a club from the other." "But she knows the rules she did a good in Sanctuary before unification." "She is mean at bridge too." "She's deadly at backgammon" "Bit young." "So's the PM" "Difficult to flap, always a good thing." "So a good choice when he goes?" "Yes."
Alinatie realised they were talking about his successor and was happy about it. He had no intention of standing again and knowing these people liked his successor helped.
Eye Tailinto en entered the room.
She nodded at the others and smiled at the head of the bank of teer and smiled "You still ow me that rematch"
"Things are getting out of control, you would be open to talks?" Tailinto asked. "Well yes."
Pointing out that there was the real possibility of war to these people would just make them short shares. Alinatie did not much like them but he knew he had to deal with them.
--- From: Chancellor Alinatie To: Leadership of ASE.
Greetings
You must know that I have no control over the organisations that have caused this misunderstanding. How ever you will not that our navy has not gone to alert and we have stood back from direct involvement. How ever you annexation of the high seas will not be recognised how ever we do not intend to force this issue.
I could bring the hammer down on the people behind the problem, but that would simply destabilises the commonwealth. Thus with the permission of the prime minster have agreed to work as a middle fur to try and sort this out.
We are reaching out a hand of friendship to you so that both of our nations can prosper. A trading nation can only trade if it has trade partners that are wealthy enough to be worth trading with, can they not?
Yours
Alinatie"
The message was sent utterly un-encoded like the commonwealth wanted it to be read by others.
|
|
|
Post by The Anean Star Empire on Aug 7, 2010 18:36:12 GMT -5
From: Chancellor Alinatie To: Leadership of ASE. Greetings You must know that I have no control over the organisations that have caused this misunderstanding. How ever you will not that our navy has not gone to alert and we have stood back from direct involvement. How ever you annexation of the high seas will not be recognised how ever we do not intend to force this issue. I could bring the hammer down on the people behind the problem, but that would simply destabilises the commonwealth. Thus with the permission of the prime minster have agreed to work as a middle fur to try and sort this out. We are reaching out a hand of friendship to you so that both of our nations can prosper. A trading nation can only trade if it has trade partners that are wealthy enough to be worth trading with, can they not? Yours Alinatie" General IXNakhi jokingly said, "Should we send this to the emperor? It is for the 'Leadership of the ASE' after all." "No. This is an issue that I will take care of." I then began to read over the message. Ah... I saw this one coming. They are extending a "hand of friendship" now?! What about when they had their diplomats here last? I crumbled the message up and threw it away. What to do... what to do... They don't seem to want a conflict... but... by threatening an economic war, which was exactly how it was phrased, they more or less just threatened the security of my colony. A war is a war, no matter if it is economic or conventional. And the stupid move on their part is doing this to a lifelong military officer. "Hmm... I have an idea." Nakhi, who was sitting in the room with me, said, "What?" "Oh, just a little plan to show just how offended we are." "We are offended?" "Let's pretend we are okay? Send the order to the Harbinger. Tell them their destination and their mission. Also, send some message back to them. At least say that I will sit down and talk, even though I know what to do." I typed up a quick message and sent it back. It read: 'From: Governor-Militant IX To: Chancellor Alinatie Well you sure as hell start getting some control over your nation. And maybe we won't have issues like this hmm? But whatever, you want talks? Fine. But it must protect Anean Tradition. After your last "diplomats" succeeded in getting kicked off my ship, I listed your people as Enemies of the Anean Star Empire. The only way I can speak with you is face to face in a neutral country. And, to enforce Anean tradition, I am allowed to bring a 50 soldier guard with me. That is all. --- Captain Walton Emrick, ANS Harbinger, BridgeThe air is cold this far north. I honestly have no idea what IX wants me to do here. What can I do in ice? My first officer ran up to me. He had a message and said, "Captain, The General just sent our orders." I said, "Wonderful." I took the printout. Apparently we are to blockade the city of Sarue nu after the Cali get it. Where the hell is that anyway? I looked down the paper. Ah, Northern Tinis. There was also a cover in here for us to use. "Set in a course for the Tinisian shore. That should take... a week at most I think if we go at full power. If we get questioned about it, then say we are making sure the ship is working properly by sailing around the continent. I mean, SOMEONE is going notice this 2000' long battleship." I could hear the Harbinger's engines start running harder. The wake at the bow of the ship grew... and the air only felt colder. I am going back into the Bridge. Now to see just how much trouble this gets us into...
|
|
|
Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Aug 7, 2010 18:58:14 GMT -5
Protector Inca seeing the unfolding mess in the north ordered the wind fleet to stay near Sarue nu. The two element class carriers (Mile long carriers, with battle groups (three escort carriers (300 meter things), their squadrons of destroyers and three nuclear powered subs each) stayed near Sarue Nu. The Fire fleet was called home.
The commonwealth military was not on alert yet anywhere. Inca delayed the flight delivery of the second part of the air wing to Sarue Nu and ordered the local fleet to stay in base.
--
The Chancellor shrugged.
"If you can find a nation that would allow you to take such numbers. We are unconcerned as I have little concern about travelling with no guards. My people trust others to ensure our protection."
|
|
|
Post by The Anean Star Empire on Aug 7, 2010 19:25:04 GMT -5
The Chancellor shrugged. "If you can find a nation that would allow you to take such numbers. We are unconcerned as I have little concern about travelling with no guards. My people trust others to ensure our protection." General IX'Well then, I guess there are no talks then. Have a wonderful day.' Well, that problem was solved. Better get some reinforcements in before the shit hits the fan... Captain Walton EmrickI could hear the hull of the ship creaking as we reached 40 knots. Finally I said, "Bring us down to 20 before we break this thing." With that, the speed dropped fairly quickly. I guess we aren't going to make it in a week.
|
|
|
Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Aug 7, 2010 20:21:45 GMT -5
To: IX From: Alinatie
Greetings
Perhaps we can have a quiet word over a game of golf? Either here or up in the new city I think we would most likely have the first game on the course. It is a links course so a bit sandy, and large number of security personnel would make it worse. It is as neutral course as I can think for a game. It's new and neither of us have played the thing.
Perhaps if you wish, I can talk to the people who I have inflance over and you can calm thing down on your side.
Yours
Alinatie
|
|
|
Post by The Anean Star Empire on Aug 7, 2010 20:52:09 GMT -5
To: IX From: Alinatie Greetings Perhaps we can have a quiet word over a game of golf? Either here or up in the new city I think we would most likely have the first game on the course. It is a links course so a bit sandy, and large number of security personnel would make it worse. It is as neutral course as I can think for a game. It's new and neither of us have played the thing. Perhaps if you wish, I can talk to the people who I have inflance over and you can calm thing down on your side. Yours Alinatie General IX...and I thought I had that problem solved... Ah well, at least it is better than a straight up meeting. Wars, diplomacy, fighting, and what not gets old quick. Might as well enjoy the golf if nothing else. He didn't put titles... so he must be suggesting an informal meeting. Fine with me. I said to Nakhi, "You're coming with me." "What?" He asked. "You're my caddy." "Damn it..." --- From: IX To: Alinatie Hmm... I believe it will be best suited in the new city. I will take one soldier with me to act as a caddy and a bodyguard. As for the business aspect, I am not worried about a gain or loss in this situation. I am only attempting to assert myself as a nation when it seemed like we were being stepped upon. But anyway, business will come later. When is this game to be? - G.M. IX
|
|
|
Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Aug 7, 2010 21:11:25 GMT -5
To: IX From: Alinatie
Greetings.
Well tomorrow about half two? Land at the airport, they has a vip thing they have been dieing to test. Anyway the course is in good nick, but don't expect to get a hole in one as the winds seem to be conspiring against that. Please use the airport as from what I have heard the grass is good, like the fairways but still not fully rooted in yet.
But I doubt we can do that much damage. The course will become part of the citiy's lesure facilities in time and Lady Mie has allowed myself and any guests I wish to use her residence as a place to relax. It is large enough and she has a tinisian likely to turn up to play chess.
She does have a rather good cellar that she has indicated with will have access to after the game. Well that and a good larder, so we will not go hungry.
Yours
Alinatie
|
|
|
Post by The Anean Star Empire on Aug 7, 2010 21:43:39 GMT -5
To: IX From: Alinatie Greetings. Well tomorrow about half two? Land at the airport, they has a vip thing they have been dieing to test. Anyway the course is in good nick, but don't expect to get a hole in one as the winds seem to be conspiring against that. Please use the airport as from what I have heard the grass is good, like the fairways but still not fully rooted in yet. But I doubt we can do that much damage. The course will become part of the citiy's lesure facilities in time and Lady Mie has allowed myself and any guests I wish to use her residence as a place to relax. It is large enough and she has a tinisian likely to turn up to play chess. She does have a rather good cellar that she has indicated with will have access to after the game. Well that and a good larder, so we will not go hungry. Yours Alinatie From: IX To: Alinatie Very good. I look forward to it. And I don't expect to get anything better than a par. But I suppose I shall see you tomorrow. - G.M. IX
|
|
|
Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Aug 8, 2010 10:35:26 GMT -5
Alinatie stood looking over the links course in the new city looking at the bunkers he would wined up in. The thing was Alinatie had an uncanny ability to land his ball in them, it was quite amazing how he managed it some how. His second was looking at his clubs the tall vulpine/teerie hybe was quite amazed by them, she hand only seen things like them in museums.
"They are a bit old aren't they?" she asked. "They were my fathers." Tailinto, his second, did some maths then said "Your over eighty and...these things must be antiques!" "Probably by dad taught me using them." "Ever though of perhaps getting some more modern ones? You could use mine they are at least from this century." "Why, I'm not and I still work."
Tailinto took on a meek look, Alinatie fur was heavily peppered with grey and there were a few swirls that Tailinto correctly identified as built wounds. There were also other places that his fur did not lye right, indicating scaring.
"Any idea when they will be here?" Tailinto asked changing the subject. "No idea, it's only quarter past, I wanted to have a look at the course. I hope we can get things sorted here quickly as there is someone I want to visit here." "An old flame?" Alinatie gave a quiet smile "My oldest, will probably be the last chance I will have to see her before we both have to rest."
|
|
|
Post by The Anean Star Empire on Aug 8, 2010 10:57:39 GMT -5
General IX
I decided to fly in with a '50' shuttle. It's about the size of an An-225 and a little more distinguished for a "diplomat". This is my personal one as well. It is made for luxury.
The pilot radioed into the airport. "This is Anean Diplomatic Flight 001 carrying General IX and his aide. We are requesting permission to land."
Captain Walton Emrick
I decided to put the Harbinger at its maximum, safe speed of 30 knots. Right about now, I think we will can make it to Sarue nu in about a week. Unless IX decides to turn us back.
My first officer said, "Sir, we just got a message from the colony stating that IX is in Sarue nu. He will probably only be there a day or two. I wanted to make you aware though."
"Thank you."
What is he doing there? Maybe working out the issues... if so, then that is good. I don't want to carry out this mission if there is a diplomatic solution.
As always, the air continues to get colder as we get farther to the north. There's a lot of ice around too. That'd cause some damage if we hit a larger one.
|
|
|
Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Aug 8, 2010 11:22:50 GMT -5
The reply came over the radio "This is Sarue nu air traffic control, we have been expecting you. Please land on runway alpha, the landing beacon should bring you in. You are expected at the VIP terminal."
The city of Sarue nu was beginning to be referred to as the city of a thousand spires. To keep costs down the commonwealth investors had agreed an over all design, so all the buildings looked the same...well almost all, in the centre there were the five mega spires each a mile and a half in hight. Two of leefen design in appearance, two tinisien and one still under construction. Well and the royal governors mansion commonwealths consulate's building.
The spires, other than the tinisien super towers were concave cones, this meant the city was largely roofed. It sparkled in the summer sun as the towers "sweated*" in the heat and were clad with a combination of marble like stone and crystalline materials. The link from the island that the airport was on to the mainland was a canter-leaver bridge, massive in construction. The head engineer on the project had, had one of his bridges fail so had made damn sure this one would not. The fact the bridge that had failed had been hit by and earthquake and then a tsunami that no one would expect anything to survive, didn't seem to have made him any happier. The general view was that the bridge would be the last think left here.
--- *The commonwealth pump sea water up the towers so that the water evaporates cooling them. The sea salt that forms in the pools on the city "roof" is collected and sold as a handy by product.
|
|
|
Post by The Anean Star Empire on Aug 8, 2010 11:46:48 GMT -5
The reply came over the radio "This is Sarue nu air traffic control, we have been expecting you. Please land on runway alpha, the landing beacon should bring you in. You are expected at the VIP terminal." General IXThe shuttle came down on the runway fairly softly. Seems good so far. This is my second time in a foreign country. Hopefully it won't end like the first time... As the shuttle came to a stop, I wondered how they intend to get us into the terminal. The rear door of the shuttle opened and I stepped out with a bag in hand. That is my golf clothes, but I wanted to give at least a decent impression with my dress uniform. Nakhi has my clubs with him. He is making it very obvious that he doesn't want to do this. He better shape up when the other people get here. I looked around the tarmac for someone approaching. So far, I don't see anyone.
|
|
|
Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Aug 8, 2010 12:20:38 GMT -5
The runway was quickly filled with a number of little golf buggy like vehicles, as this was an informal visit there was no honour guard. A smartly dressed raccoon got out of one.
"Hello, I'm Rappizon please allow us to take your baggage." She smiled.
"Please take a seat, we have a kit waiting to take you to the city. My people will direct your aircraft to a point within the VIP come extra secure terminal zone. I will drive you there.
Please forgive us we are still working on this place and running test before we open." She continued.
It was clear that the commonwealth were happy to employ tinisian staff as she had a tinisian accent and well the commonwealth had no raccoon population.
Most of the buildings were complete but there were still tell tail signs that they were still getting the systems working. They were not likely to trust a VIP's luggage to the luggage system. Being a diplomat his luggage was not checked and he was not asked for a passport.
Diplomats visiting commonwealth territory as this was informally did not go though customs. The tinisian government had figured that they left what was going on the the new city to it self as it was bringing them in massive amounts of tax. So a small thing like this would not even register on there radar.
Well that and the commonwealth informally kept the tinisians up to speed. That and they would point out the most flagrant tax evaders.
|
|
|
Post by The Anean Star Empire on Aug 8, 2010 12:35:47 GMT -5
The runway was quickly filled with a number of little golf buggy like vehicles, as this was an informal visit there was no honour guard. A smartly dressed raccoon got out of one. "Hello, I'm Rappizon please allow us to take your baggage." She smiled. "Please take a seat, we have a kit waiting to take you to the city. My people will direct your aircraft to a point within the VIP come extra secure terminal zone. I will drive you there. Please forgive us we are still working on this place and running test before we open." She continued. General IXNakhi sat down then I did. Well, at least it was a quick response. I said, "Thank you. I am General IX. And I understand. Heh, we don't even have our airport to the point where it can handle anything so I don't mind that it's incomplete. Though, you don't need to give me any special treatment. Particularly the VIP stuff. I am far from a VIP." I laughed at that last part.
|
|
|
Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Aug 8, 2010 12:51:28 GMT -5
"Oh" Rappizon smiled. "Just call me rappy, the southerners do and we kinda need a dry run. Well if we screwed up with a real VIP who knows what would happen." she continued with a laugh.
They approached the VIP terminal, it was clear that the gates were still under construction. Unlike the other gates these had to be capable of dealing with almost anything.
She drove them into the marble clad reception area.
"If you wish to freshen up we have facilities, or wish to eat. Well pretty much everything. If you wish to head to your game, we can get you there in ten minutes.
If you wish to be fashionably late that is fine. But the people your playing might get an advantage."
|
|