After Action Dialogue

[Thaumantica]

Fair & Square
Operation: Trumpet of Democracy
FOB Decebal, ECP Road​

If nominal endowment was the drawback of completing Political and Military objectives in Abruzicstan, Traian Nelu felt willing to make certain sacrifices in amenity convenience to facilitate his swift departure from what his countrymen were calling a 'mission accomplished'. Sustaining the previous rate of spending in this country was becoming an economic burden, worse yet, a political wrangling between standard peaceniks, warmongers, and those simply concerned with the economy. The attitude Životinje had advanced with in the opening weeks of the Abruzzi Civil War were now at a point of fundamental falter, a serious skepticism in the viability of the regime forming in Chieti, and how improbable a reliable ally might emerge.

Groomed in a casual civilian dress shirt and tie, 'Mister' Nelu watched as dirt roads became freshly paved roads in Southern Abruzicstan, the welcome luxury of a relatively smooth ride in a unsteady region. Their departure was from FOB Decebal, named for Soldat (E-1) Theodor Decebal, the first casualty in Abruzicstan taken by Union Forces. His security detail was light, another welcome luxury, comprised of one half a single Platoon, or sixteen soldiers and four wheeled vehicles. Only a meager two Infantry Guardsmen dismounted with him to rendezvous with foreign officials of Belmont, though their keepsake was one General Vasil, Commanding Officer of Combined Union Troops deployed in Southern Europe.

"Don't you dare force me to speak" Vasil spat at Mister Nelu, "this should be a civilian soiree, if previous encounters with these camps has taught me anything. .Un . . Un" laughter induced stutters interrupted his own speech, "Unless she is here, I'll speak with her".

Mister Nelu beamed with pleasure, he had little to no reason to fear having this summit ruined by military arrogance. Vasil would likely disappear after introductions, unless the female Belmontien Commander was attending, in which case he would spend the afternoon ogling one of the few Northern European women in the far south.

Occupying a town hall in the deep Abruzzi South, Mister Nelu ventured to allude only an accent of power-politicking. When there was a choice between lavish assembly blowouts and bargain conventions in small villages, Životinje was known to pick the latter. Many felt Chieti remained in Belmont's pocket, and while tension or hostility was at all time low between the Northern Presence, the Abruzzi South was where Životinje thrived as guardian, custodian, and tutor of Government and Military alike.

Shaking hands, introductions, and all-around theatrics were done with chivalrous manner reserved for friends of the Union, with no apparent reason looming in the background to consider them otherwise. "We're here to cement a lasting peace" Mister Nelu repeated with every introduction "this is our collective home, we live where Democracy grows, no?" he asked half-jokingly. There was sincere candor in his posture, on a personal level Mister Nelu had been pleading for the opportunity to improve relations between Belmont and Životinje at any level. As he took his seat, he could not help but smile, for once the Blue Union was neither on the offensive nor defensive in a diplomatic exchange, this was natural peace in the making.

 

[Serenierre]

The situation in Abruzicstan has stabilized somewhat since the operation had began, earlier in the year. Paris had granted loans totaling in the hundreds of millions, arms contracts had been signed and a permanent base had been set up. It was safe to assume that Belmont's role in the Himyari country was a strong one. Base 23, the headquarters of the Belmontien expedition force, now also served as the seat of the Belmontien ambassador - though still not classified as an embassy. Back at home, Belmont's commitment had wavered to the Abruzzi cause slightly in the past few months, with attentions diverted to the problems slightly to the north in the Jurzan. But when the Životinje government's invitation for talks had been received at the Foreign Office, for the first time in months did the attention of more than the South Himyar unit go to the country.

They would reach the small Abruzzi village where the talks were to be held by helicopter. Elisabeth Mazarin - the ambassador of Belmont - would be accompanied by her military counterpart, Lt. General Marie Sant-Pierre. The talks had come at a time when Belmont and Životinje were cooperating the most. Just recently, the Životinje government had contacted their counterpart in Paris to request for observers in Barazi and the joint-military operations in Abruzicstan had gotten much smoother between the two forces. Either by coincidence or conscience effort, both, the Belmontien political head and military head in Abruzicstan were women. Ambassador Mazarin always thought it was just to prove a point.

The Belmontien ladies had arrived before their Životinje counterparts, who had chosen to come by road. The wait allowed both to run the meeting through their heads. It had been agreed before hand that Mazarin would be the one to do the talking, with Sant-Pierre coming in to provide facts and the like. As the two Životinje men entered and the greetings were exchanged, the two sat down for the talks ahead. "Indeed, Monsieur Nelu." Elisabeth began, smiling. Her own opinion about the Belmont-Životinje ties was complicated yet she, during the course of her stay in Abruzicstan had found the people rather interesting. Back in Paris, they had been looking for just such an opportunity. "Seeing as you organized this tete a tete, I won't interrupt you any longer."

 

[Thaumantica]

Taking his seat beside Vasil, disabled in mesmerization of his female counterpart, Mister Nelu shoveled off his briefcase atop a table already occupied with a litany of Abruzzi, Belmontien, and Živo beverages. It was a custom of his homeland near the shimmering Lakes of Karpatica to keep ones briefcase open and in sight of all members of a conference. Briefcase bombs were the weapon of choice for rival Fascists, Communists, and every faction in between during the waning days of Europe's Great War. To bear all to his guests, Nelu expected to project accountability and an attitude of trust, which he could not always expect in return from his own countrymen, let alone new foreign contacts.

"Ours is an unconventional culture, the Životun between Wieser-Sarmatian-Oltremaren Empires. Associates misinterpret rigidity with impertinence; undiplomatic conduct" Mister Nelu began, pointing to General Vasil while referencing undiplomatic conduct.

Vasil coughed unnecessarily, loudly masking the disdain he yearned to show, "He does not exaggerate, no. To speak candidly: this military contingent felt it had to conceal information from Belmont, or even national Abruzicstan when this conflict began" he said in recovery "intentions were unclear. This goes both ways."

"It certainly went both ways, and that is something I would like to address immediately" Nelu asserted "this Union, its foreign policy has not deviated from stark independence from the Council of Nations." Eye contact poised with the foreign officials before him, Mister Nelu engaged them with his most somber visage. "Listen, I am not asking you to divulge the Belmontien geopolitical strategy after five minutes on a common ground. . .It is curious however, that Belmont aided in the liberation of Abruzicstan without Council of Nations expressed sanctioning. The International Community knows precisely why Životinje's Blue Union Army fought here and in Barazi without so much as a one-line statement to the Council; why did Belmont?" Nelu questioned, "Consider it our first point of order. Why did Belmont make a Maverick move, and is your nation willing to do it in the future, with Životinje as an unspoken supporter".

Tapping the General on the shoulder, Nelu whispered "You are cleared to take your leave outside with your men, when you are ready". General Vasil was taken back with surprise, only just remembering his pre-meeting skepticism, he shook his head furiously "I will sit in for awhile longer yet".

 

[Serenierre]

Elisabeth Mazarin remained silent for a few seconds after Nelu had spoken. She sipped some water. It was nice to know that the other side was being honest. Yes, the Životun's had kept information away from Base 23 but for that matter so had the Belmontien armed forces from them. Her previous dealings with the Životun had been laced with tension, severe trust deficit had plagued both sides through the opening months of the campaign in Abruzicstan but things, she had noted, had changed drastically since the Foreign Office, in Paris, had given the military operation against Barazi its support.

Overnight, many in the Belmontien camp in Abruzicstan had noted, the Životun had slowly, slowly begun to lower their guard against them. Now, apparently, Životinge and Belmont were standing closer together than in the past and seeing eye to eye - a rather strange, but fortunate, turn of events which no one knew how to explain.

"Monsieur Nelu," Elisabeth began, "The Kingdom of Belmont only undertook this mission for one thing. Loyalty. We saw a long-time friend in trouble, we offered our assistance and Chieti accepted. When we have the permission from the legal government, why turn to the Council of Nations for something the government has already allowed us to do. That is how we, in Paris see it." She paused, taking another sip of water, the dry Abruzzi climate never suited her, "To answer that latter part of your question, Monsieur Nelu, Belmont is not as prone to slumber like many others. If we see injustice being committed, we will act to bring justice and others who also respect that way of thinking shall be supported, from our side, silently." Smilingly adding, "Does that answer your question?"

 

[Thaumantica]

"It was an answer" Traian Nelu concurred with a nod, "from a well groomed diplomat, with her guarded intentions intact". He then pawed at his own glass, containing a local imitation of mainland European Energy Drinks; flavor bitter and stomach-churning, yet its effectivity in giving its drinker that extra boost was unrivaled. Parched but pressing on, General Vasil made his contradiction by whispering in to Nelu's ear, "No. Our friend here can speak, I would not rate her skill any less then superb, but the Kingdoms servant is scratching the surface. . guarded . . as you say" he murmured, shaking his head before retiring to face them.

Stretching his hand in the direction of the nearest window, Mister Nelu pointed to the outside world, before reigning back in to the spartan chamber of this remote village hall. Union Diplomacy 101: locale is crucial, chart somewhere a criminal would not mind divulging his or her laundry list. "Look around you, Belmontien friends, our venue is unremarkable. Men who match the names before you, Mister Nelu and General Vasil; void from Europe's news and opinion articles" Nelu said.

"Leave the propaganda at the door, Madame" Vasil interjected with his most country down-home accent, "If we wanted to hear the word loyalty, in context, we might interview soldiers from each faction present to recount their commendable service in Abruzicstan". He continued to shake his head, General Vasil, "Upholding justice for free men and women is not" his eyebrows raised "free." Vasil said.

Slow to rise to the occasion once more, Traian Nelu gulped down a swig of his putrid beverage, savoring no part of it in the slightest. "Abruzicstan is an unknown to most members of the Council" Nelu began, face straighter then it had been before, "To be a pot calling the kettle black: Belmont wanted one of its few, likely best, kept secrets hushed and secured before the eyes of Imperial Europe discovered the hidden, undeveloped value here . . . But alas" Nelu smiled once more, "we cannot put a price tag on justice without borders, now can we?".

 

[Serenierre]

What else did he expect, she thought. The Životun diplomat should have known that the woman sitting in front of him was no novice. Behind the attractive face was a brain trained to perfection by the decades she had put into the Foreign Service. Of-course he would receive a diplomatic answer, it was after all the first meeting in decades between the two countries.

But, for a moment, Elisabeth’s face betrayed some minor annoyance at Nelu’s last comment, “Let me correct you, Monsieur Nelu,” she began, “The Kingdom of Belmont has been transparent about the deployment. You must know full well, that the objective in Abruzicstan wasn’t to liberate anyone… quite the opposite, here we had to crush insurgents,” adding in, “along with the Abruzzi forces.”

Elisabeth paused momentarily, sipping some water. Using that pause as an opportunity, Lt. General Sant-Pierre spoke for the first time since the meeting began, “Though Monsieur Nelu, I do find that I agree with you. We can’t put a price on justice. Civilized states such as yours and ours have a responsibility and we must be ready to act when need be.”

Now much calmer, Elisabeth looked at Nelu, “Monsieur Nelu, seeing that you desire more straightforward answers, I would like to say to you that, Paris has a new government… a new party is in power after thirty years. Of-course that means that our foreign policy has also changed. Madame Martinique has the support of Her Majesty in her policy of bringing justice to where it is needed most… so to answer your previous question, yes Paris can be expected to act in the benefit of humanity, such as the way your military so justly liberated,” using the politically correct term, “Barazi.”

She glanced one of the dossiers in front of her on the table, pausing for a moment to read some details, she continued talking, “With your question answered adequately – I hope – let us move on to other business. I leave it to you two,” she pointed at both Živo men with a quick finger movement, “to proceed with the agenda… you are the one’s who called this meeting.”

She smiled and added, “Oh and expect propaganda-less answers… since that is what you are after,” looking at General Vasil.

 

[Thaumantica]

Ambient bursts of gunfire erupted from a great distance away, General Vasil choosing to lean back in to his seat, simply rolled his eyes and shrugged in the direction of the nearest Abruzzi flag, "Test fire . . " he said while closing his eyes to listen, another burst clamored in to hearing range "Yes, a modified TLAK-7 Carbine . . Hmm, yes. . I would reckon that is, wait for it . ." a slightly altered iteration of gunshot noise pervaded the open window, which General Vasil was receiving by wafting the open air towards his best ear.

Meanwhile, Mister Nelu ventured to pour himself a drink while promptly ignoring Vasil's splurge of weapons expertise. While at first minutely offended by his counterparts impatience, he realized the hilarity of the notion that the Belmontien might have somewhere to be or something to do days after the Abruzzi Government had declared "Mission Accomplished" in Abruzicstan, unless of course there was an alternate mission or motive.

"That second weapon, reproduced TLAK-7's made here in Abruzicstan" General Vasil clapped his hands together, "One-Hundred percent Abruzzi materials, assembled entirely by the resilient peoples of this Southern Orion Region".

While Nelu nodded in firm approval, he understood this sort of talk would not appeal to their guests, "An emphasis on putting the Orion to work; if you can recall, it was the Southern Abruzzi employment crisis that fueled the insurgencies legitimacy last year. If anything we need to be augmenting our Security Operations with an industrial initiative". If the minutes preceding had not underscored their intentions, Mister Nelu had shed subtlety, "Listen, we have put one in the win column" he gestured to them mutually as he had the General "Together we have achieved a state of relative harmony in this country, Abruzicstan".

Pounding his hand down to the table lightly he made his point clear "We need to get this country back to work" Mister Nelu exclaimed, "Weapons Manufacturing is but a derivative of our worldwide initiative to get the Third World, in to our world, from their own home lands". Fully aware that the women in front of him were turning a profit from Chieti, Nelu hoped he could at least draw some sympathy for the Orion, "At least two of the four of us here know of the quality of living disparity between Chieti and the Orion, the resistance was not entirely a crock of shit; the insurgency understood that whomever held the reigns in Chieti, their plight of poverty in the Orion would not change" he said, looking outside with a drawn out sigh "This is not the shining city that folks in the Council of Nations are looking to build, if you will level with me for just a moment Madame, but instead the perfect Union between Agriculture and Industry that equates to the prosperity of the Orion".

"You have promised Chieti a stable Capitol to conduct Governance, and Životinje has promised the region which started this mess a decent opportunity to make livings from the security of their own homeland" Nelu shrugged, "Our commitment is not an impossibility, or total ruse, but we will need the Capitol and their foreign backers' support to see through the fine details." Mister Nelu's firm smile returned for an encore, "The Resistance shall return in a march to victory if atleast one of two objectives are not met today". A cleanly printed sheet of paper was thrown across the table, already signed by Nelu, Vasil, and a litany of Resistance Engineers that were said to have been captured or eliminated by the Union Army in their operations in Abruzicstan.

Objective A. - Unite efforts between Abruzicstan (Chieti), Belmont, the Resistance, and Životinje to improve the economic situation in the Orion, and Greater Chieti.

Objective B. - Permit Abruzicstan (Chieti) and Belmont to turn their blind eyes to the Orion, where together, Životinje and Architects of the Resistance will facilitate the economic revolution of this Orion region.

"Your thoughts?" Nelu queried immediately.

 

[Serenierre]

Elisabeth looked at the paper, which had been rudely thrown at her; she ignored that and read through the two points. When finished, she quietly passed it to Sant-Pierre. She looked straight at Nelu as she spoke, "The Kingdom's commitment is to the people of this land... not who sits on the throne in Chieti," she paused glancing at the sheet once more, "The economic disparity and woes of the Orionite people hasn't escaped us... we are fully aware of the situation and to me... Proposal A is the best option for this country and its people. The reason I choose that one is because... I feel that instead of creating divisions it will allow all parties to focus their efforts into the reestablishment of a decent economy. Such a collective effort, I am sure, will show results for the country and its people."

"Secondly, I must say that, between our ranks there is a trust deficit... which is detrimental to our joint-efforts, I urge that we take the flow of this conversation to this key area of discussion," Elisabeth finished.

Her efforts to build some form of bridge between the two foreign powers in Abruzicstan had been well documented. As ambassador she had tried several times in the past to get the two sides to open up to each other but the tensions and mistrust of the past had been far too strong to break through for her alone. She hoped that she could get the two men, the two important Životun, to show some willingness to approach the subject.

 

[Thaumantica]

Sighing in relief, Mister Nelu was certainly inclined to believe that Objective A might save he and his countrymen a catalog of equipment, infantrymen, and prestige in a era where the Životun had only the taste for victory. Fornicating with perpetrators of the resistance had been a painstakingly scandalous affair, that he had initially objected to on moral grounds.

General Vasil felt no disappointment with the result either, though orchestrating the resistance to play the Union tune was his pet project. He had built a foundation of interchangeable fear, trust, and respect with the Orion 'Resistance' that they must have known was contingent on Belmontien indifference to their plight, but Union servicemen were deeply embedded in these countrysides, he believed, as far as Belmont was with the Capitol.

"Unity between Belmont and Životinje equates to unity between urban and rural Abruzicstan, if you will" Nelu snickered "I think you have, that is, you are beginning to see the bigger picture" the illustrations of which he believed extended as far as cordial environments, in her case. "Our understanding of this particular situation is extensive, I say that with fully intending to toot our own horn". His next document, while equally simple in design, was slid discretely across the conference table, "Facilitating business enterprise here can only be done by constructing a framework of legal accountability, asset security, and establishing market confidence for this region and country. We call it the Big Three Alpha, or B3A" he said while pointing to this second document.

Providing a third underwritten paper, Mister Nelu outlined "Energy, Manufacturing, and Logistics" as the Big Three Bravo, or B3B. "Yes, Madame. This is the sinister Životun Conspiracy that the LFS swoons for, and the EDF shudders at, no?" he joked with a warm chuckle. He returned the engaging eye contact with his own, "We see through our vision from the perspective of denizens in deeper and darker places. That is the true conspiracy of it all, you know, that we are here in the Orion with the folks in question, not in Augsburg pressing our suits for another afternoon of rhetoric."

 

[Serenierre]

Through her interaction with Nelu, it was becoming apparent that the other hadn’t realized the Belmontien involvement in the Himyari country. Clearly, Belmont was supporting Chieti but Sant-Pierre had been running a brutal campaign against the insurgents and had managed to strike fear into the hearts of many in the Orion.

Unable to fight the Belmontien army, many warlords had surrendered to the army and had proven to be valuable intelligence assets. Through them, they had gotten to know the full extent of the Živ infiltration in the south. Having acted fast, Sant-Pierre had managed to get dozens of ISE teams into the region. Though it was clear the Živ’s were better placed in the rural areas.

Elisabeth leaned back and folded her arms, “You have our support on B3A and B3B. But yes, Monsieur Nelu… you are very much right in that statement… such is the state of the CoN that acts such as these can be considered conspiracies… sad really.”