Sikandarans in Kalevala

[Serbovia]

Kalevi Kekkonen International Airport
Kalevala
Kingdom of Kalevala
The Fennian Union

Standing at the end of the red carpet that had been laid to the tarmac in the small government section of Kalevala's main airport, General Joakim Häyhä watched the first drops of rain descend from above and silently cursed the fact that for a day of late May, it had been notably poor weather in Kalevala as of late. Though the de facto dictator of the Fennian people had seen much, much worse in his day, he had to admit that he was looking forward to the summer. In case the damp and grey theme of the Fennian spring of 1953 stayed for the summer, he made a mental note to arrange for a visit to the Protected Territories at an appropriate point during the summer. In part for the sake of the propaganda and keeping an eye on his underlings in that part of the word, but also to spend some time in the estate that he had purchased during the 1920s from the outskirts of Helismaanlinna and expanded into an official retreat since his ascension into power.

Even with such a dour day and the rather dour character of the Fennians themselves - stereotypized throughout Europe as a gruff and cold people - the officials of his Chancellery and the Foreign Office hadmanaged to put up a magnificent reception for the Emperor of Sikandara, Häyhä noted as he surveyed the men and women arranged in reception. Beside him were Foreign Minister Kauko Vannas, Kalevala Mayor Aleksanteri Kurki and National Unity Front party secretary Johannes Mäki - officially in his capacity as the Speaker of the Union Congress - accompanied by assorted military adjutants and civilian aides, all dressed to their finest with an assortment of civil and military medals. General Häyhä himself had donned his grey Land Forces dress uniform, topped by the plethora of commendations and medal ribbons he had been bestowed in the course of his career, even to the point of his Model 1902 Cavalry Sword that belonged to the ceremonial wear of a cavalry officer.

The broader reception was not any worse. Though some of the formalities were awaiting at the Kalevala National Palace due to the possibility that Emperor Mir Bahadur might want to rest after the long flight to Kalevala, a honor guard consisting of a full company from the "One Fennia" Light Infantry Brigade and the brigade band to play the Sikandaran national anthem had been set up, as had an array of photographers from the Information Office to document yet another hosting of a foreign state in Kalevala for distribution to the Fennian press. General Häyhä had personally ordered a flight of four H-48 Kuningaskotka fighter aircraft from Fighter Aviation Regiment 1 to see the Emperor's aircraft to Kalevala from the limit of Fennian territory. Something which, he supposed, would impress the Sikandarans as to Fennian military prowess and technology level.

Indeed, the roar of engines from the said flight heralded the arrival of the Sikandarans, as the escort aircraft broke formation to make a ceremonial pass of the Kekkonen Airport before they'd return to base. General Häyhä watched Mir Bahadur's aircraft begin its descent to the runway.

 

[Serenierre]

Kalevala,
The Fennian Union

Mir Bahadur II had been crowned in 1925 and since then had visited many countries, either for leisure or for the business of state, though it always surprised him that there were still countries he had not visited. So as he stepped off the plane, waving at the Fennian welcoming party from the stairs, he remembered thinking to himself that the Scanian summer was also not particularly welcoming. The Imperial entourage followed behind, with the Empress walking just a few steps behind the Emperor, a tradition not driven by gender bias but by the rank of the sovereign, the imperial heir followed behind the two, with several minor princes following behind. Though their presence was noted, the real business was to be handled by the Emperor and the Imperial Secretary, Mustafa Ghaznavi, who had been handed dossiers by the Imperial Government detailing the agenda and the objectives. The Emperor was always of the opinion that direct one-to-one meetings achieved greater things than formal delegations.

Seeing the Fennian General dressed in his military uniform, the Emperor, who was considerably older than him, patted himself on the back for having not listened to his aides who had suggested wearing a civilian dress, instead he had chosen to wear the winter uniform of the Imperial Army, complete with the sashes of the grand orders and the medals accorded to him by virtue of his rank as Emperor, the latest in a line extending back a thousand years. The other members of the imperial entourage - save the Empress, who was dressed in traditional robes, complete with the jewelry befitting her own rank - had on their own uniforms from the various branches of the military that they served in.

As his feet touched the ground, the Fennians rushed forward to receive the imperial guest, extending his own hand forward and with a warm, gentle smile, the Emperor spoke directly his Fennian counterpart, "General Hayha," in crisp English, without a touch of an accent, as was the norm in the Sikandari upper classes, "I am very happy to meet you and let us hope that these discussions bring our two nations closer together." After the initial round of introductory politeness, the national anthems of both countries were played by the Fennian military's band, as the flags of, both, host and guest, fluttered in the gentle winds. The Sikandari entourage was driven to the National Palace by a fleet of black sedans, with full police escort, and for a few hours were allowed to recuperate following the several hours spent in the air. So it was only after lunch that the Emperor and Imperial Secretary, along with General Hayha and his aide, found themselves walking with the military man.

Having already established a personal connection during the official lunch, the Emperor went straight ahead to business, not wasting anymore time, "Mr. Hayha, you must be aware of our policies with regards to communism and our good friends the Mezhists have advised us to pursue friendly relations with this country, for in their opinion, our world views are similar in their nature. So as we begin these official discussions, let me begin by asking your views on these geopolitical issues and possibly you can illuminate me on your country's strategic interests and how Sikandara can assist." Momentarily, as he finished speaking, he wondered what the imperial entourage was doing, since they had no official duties to perform, in the manner entrusted to him, perhaps they would be shown the sights of this northern city. Emperor Mir Bahadur leaned on the arm rest, supporting his head with his hand, waiting for the Fennian to respond.

 

[Serbovia]

The Mannermaa Hall - named so for a 1908-1916 Union President - had been selected by the Chancellery of the Stateholder for the purposes of hosting this portion of the visit, its interiors adorned with gold linings and numerous historical paintings depicting events of Fennian history from the days of the Old Kingdom to the Unification Wars. Snacks and drink - non-alcoholic and otherwise in adherence to the Sikandaran religious standards - had been arranged to the table where the Fennian and Sikandaran retinues were seated, as a gesture of hospitality.

All in all, Joakim Häyhä had sought to ensure a positive Sikandaran impression with Kalevala and the Union as a whole. With the motorcade taking a route temporarily blocked from traffic by flying roadblocks of the Military Police and the Kalevala Police, the specific route it took from the airport into the city had been chosen with the particular intent of showing Kalevala in its finest features, from the newer outlying pioneer suburbs that had recently been erected as part of the National Development Office's urban housing campaign to the historical center of Kalevala, at least the portions easily accessible by car. Häyhä was well-versed in history to know that the vast countries of the East obviously commanded respect with their sheer size and rich history, but at the same time he recognized the technological and political development of the Western nations as an innate advantage which he hoped to portray to the Sikandarans in hopes of impressing them.

The obvious waving schoolchildren from a select Kalevalan elite schools, and the assorted Information Office photographers, had followed the motorcade to the National Palace. Kaarlo Nurmi's Information Office had also arranged a tour of the capital to those of the Sikandarans not part of the discussions themselves, showcasing the key landmarks of the over thousand years of Kalevalan history along with a tour of select government offices and informational events on Fennian society and system of government. The Häyhists were determined to take every advantage of this visit for propaganda, both to the Sikandaran visitors and to the Fennian people in itself.

"You'll no doubt be aware of the extensive suppression of the Red menace that my government has undertaken since 1937, both within Fennia Proper and the Protected Territories", Häyhä replied in English that bore an equally heavy Fennian accent, "And of the consistency of Fennian foreign policy in counteracting the said Red menace where it manifests. Last year, we almost came to blows with the Havenites in the Thaumantic Ocean over their frivolous attempts to stake a claim to an ocean which belongs to all the peoples on its shores, and backing down was out of the question. So is, in my opinion, backing down in any situation where a civilized country comes under the threat of Bolshevist aggression. What all of Europe should understand is that the Bolshevists will only understand, and listen to, force or the threat of it. Alas, the gentlemanly conduct of diplomats is far above in complexion to the minds of proles pretending to have elevated themselves to a higher standing."

Indeed, the ever class-conscious Fennian dictator considered all forms of Socialist thought to be utterly abhorrent. Not only since he had seen their attempts of revolutionary work first-hand before his coup d' etat in 1937, and their preceding successes in other European countries, but because the very idea of a workers' state was anathema to his personal upbringing and life as a scion of the Christian and reactionary military class of Fennian officers.

"The Havenites, a Thaumantic nation, and the Himyarite Carentanians, are now engaged in Yujin to try and subject another nation to their horrors, which serves as an example of the global attempts of extending the red reach, and exemplifies that civilized governments such as ours should not act alone in countering their offenses", Joakim Häyhä continued, "I believe that this would be a common interest of ours, and the avenues of political, military and intelligence cooperation in that regard of a great extent. Of course, at this time my government is also heavily concerned of the intent of our Northern neighbors and their Sylvano-Frescanian alliance, but that is something of a more regional issue."

"Additionally, should your majesty's government be recipient to that idea, the Foreign Office can prepare a proposition of trade agreements between our nations in the belief that there could be mutual benefit in certain categories of economic joint ventures, as well as trade of technology and resources. My compatriots will be able to tell you of the specifics here."

 

[Serenierre]

Mir Bahadur listened to the Fennian marshal intently, as he listed the various achievements of his country against the forces of communism and the general corruption of civilisation which had been occurring all across the globe. Kalevala was a quite nice city from what he had seen, much colder than Shahdara, though he remembered that some parts of northern Sikandara, where the mountains were high and many, the mercury would fall almost as low as in Scania. The Empress has been taken to a museum and the Crown Prince was at a military barracks, or some such place, meeting with generals and troops of the Fennian military, with official photographers and journalists from both sides in tow to make sure the message of Fenno-Sikandari friendship would be adequately covered by the journalistic communities of the two countries.

"Yes, my office frequently receives briefings about leftist agitation and the subsequent operations against those elements and I am truly very happy to say that reports from Fennia are always very encouraging... that there are still other vanguards of true civilisation present in this world. The Sikandari philosophical outlook is much like that of yours Marshal Häyhä... as we both are martial races. And as you have the Kyivians and the Havenites to contend with in your region, we have the Vangalans... who have been foolish enough to get involved in that mess in Yujin... that too just as they have come to power." The general atmosphere between the two men was calm and congenial, which only served to better the possibility of emerging with something worthwhile from this meeting. "So we understand just as much how important it is not to, ever, yield to the forces of barbarism"

"And it pleases me again to see that through these direct talks, I was correct in my impression of your nation and its leadership, and that we do truly have a similar worldview, leaving no doubt in my mind that, the next logical step is for us to enter a formal accord of some sort. Though the details of such a proposal are too complex to simply be discussed here... in principle, we fully back any such initiative to allow our two nations to grow closer together in our opposition to communism, overt republicanism, and to foster enhanced economic ties. In our conversations with the Saami, they too have indicated their discomfort with the occupation of Bantyr. And we also believe that the situation in that country leads to instability in this region." Scania being one of the most important markets for Sikandari exports and Shahdara had tremendous stakes in these lands. "Marshal Häyhä, earlier you mentioned Yujin, I would like to discuss how we can collaborate to prevent a complete takeover by the Carentanian backed forces. A victory there would be catastrophic, as I'm sure you can imagine."

 

[Serbovia]

"Surely", the dictator of the Fennian Union replied in a contemplative, yet firm tone after taking a sip from a glass of water handed to him by one of his adjutants, "The duty of traditional civilized governments such as ours is to dam the spread of forces disastrous to all of Europe. This, I believe, includes not only the communists and the increasingly dangerous post-delegationists in the East, but also plutocrats seeking to impose their own view of the world upon the rest of us. You'll probably know about the intentions our Northern neighbor has demonstrated as of late, not that it is of any worry lest they secure substantial support. Alone, any attempt by Kristiania to realize their so-called territorial claims would conclude in the Fennian flag flying over that city."

In musings of the complicated history between Fennia and the various Norse states that had existed to the North, the most recent incarnation of which was the Kingdom of Ostveg, Marshal Joakim Häyhä had come to the conclusion that for all their wisdom, the founding fathers of the Union had made one crucial mistake in their conduct of the Fennian-Agder War. Instead of settling for an armistice and the cessation of Malminmaa to the Union after the decisive victories which had forced the Agder king to negotiate, the Fennians should've pressed forward. Had the founding fathers resolved to burn Kristiania to the ground and sow its soil with salt in the way of the Tiburans of the old, the Fennians of this day and age would not have had to contend with the growing Norse insolence. Still, ifs were ifs, and Häyhä understood the fact that the nation had been tired of war after the decade of conflict that had been the Unification Wars and the subsequent confrontation with Agderike.

"Still, on to Yujin", Häyhä continued, "As limited as Fennian influence in that part of the world is, I believe that it's evident that a Red Yujin could lead to a spiral of further unrest generated by the proles in Toyou and nearby regions, Himyar included. If you'll understand the comparison, in my view it is something like a single falling domino triggering the fall of more. A Red Yujin would be a political and propaganda boon to the Carentanians and the Havenites, not to mention the very fact that another state falling to the menace that is Communism would be unacceptable from a moral standpoint. The sheer insidiousness of the Communists is that their ideology and actions does not seek conquest only through armed force, but through internal subversion and turning brother against brother in civil war. Especially so where they lack the power to intervene through actual military force."

"Having said that, I do support the proposition of an official treaty being signed between our two governments. Indeed, the details should be left to the lower ministers and bureucrats, but that accord should effect diplomatic, military, economic and cultural tiers of relations between our nation. Though the spheres of influence of your Empire and my Union are different, our enemies are common."

 

[Serenierre]

"There is no doubt our enemies are common," the Emperor nodded in agreement. "I am sure that your little elves must have told you we're planning a major alliance of like-minded nations, we already have confirmation from the Mezhists that they are firmly committed to that vision of a more robust organisation. Your thoughts, my friend," the Emperor smiled warmly. "I believe the Mezhists have already committed material aid to Imperial Yujin... perhaps that can be from where this alliance tests itself out on the ground."

OOC: Sorry for the poor excuse of a post. Just giving you something to build up the convo.

 

[Serbovia]

Amidst the talk and promises made by Mir Bahadur, it occurred to Marshal Joakim Häyhä that the Sikandaran sphere of interests was very different from the Fennian one, and also that the capabilities of the Toyouan state to act outside of its immediate littoral were rather limited, something Häyhä understood owing to his history as a head of the Fennian military. Still, forging a some sort of formal compact with the Sikandarans would be a political and propaganda victory and would at the same time there were certain avenues in which the two states could act for the sake of common good.

"You are undoubtedly aware of the involvement of the Carentanian and Havenite Reds in Yujin", Häyhä said in response, "It's indeed concerning should that state end up falling to the Reds, not only for the sheer size of it but also the political and propaganda implications. Furthermore, from the perspective of a Scanian tying down the communists to the Yujiner Civil War for a period as long as possible could be beneficial for our aims in the Scanogermanian region. With the Mezhists already engaging themselves in support of Imperial Yujin, I feel that this would be a logical avenue of a joint effort in the region. As it happens, with the Union Army in a constant state of development we've found ourselves with more and more military armament that is obsolescent in Fennian doctrine, but still useful in warfare. Better things like those found themselves in a good, new home rather than wind up into a smelter."