The Halls of Millennium Part II

[Justosia]

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The Milenio Imperio Palace
The Throne of Falcons
Government Quarter
Avalon
​

CLASSIFIED
TOP SECRET
TO: DMVA
FROM: HIH
8:30 PM Justosian Time

Defence Minister Aguilar,

I have conferred with my relevant advisers & ministers in regards to your proposed missile shield initiative. I cannot agree. Your expensive project can do nothing more than a rightly commanded Vengador Class Interceptor Frigate can. The latter being far less expensive. After careful consideration, I have decided to air on the side of ascending the creation of a Fourth Fleet of the Imperial Navy. Once it is authorized by the Senate of course. As long as I am Emperatriz, it will only be utilized for national defence.

Inform the GJC Naval attache. Viva Justosia.

 

[Justosia]

Arcangeles Cathedral
Chambers of the Emperatriz
Center City Avalon
10:00 AM Justosian Time

The Imperial NJEC Choir was more elegant & angelic sounding than usual today. Annabella had just finished her morning prayers to Christ when the PM & Foreign Minister arrived outside requesting an audience. It was granted.

The stained glass shimmered with sunlight upon murals of Christ & the NJEC canonized saints & martyrs. The PM spoke first.

"There is no word from Ambassador Sauzo or Tibur yet Mi Reina. I suggest another, final gesture be made."

Minister Montez concurred.

"Mi Reina we suggest reporting to the Senate once every month. Instead of twice each year. We believe you should also request they amend the Constitution to reflect this change."

Annabella thought & prayed on this strategem. She agreed.

"This is minor but sufficient. Know that I will not continue to dilute my station before God. I have been very obliging. Make it so."

 

[Justosia]

National Security Service HQ
Location Classified
1:25 PM Justosian Time

"These leaks affecting Furlanìe will NOT afflict the empire. I have just contacted the palace. Both the Emperatriz's & Prime Minister's offices for permission to conduct a bug sweep of all relevant governmental and media communique facets we are legally allowed to search.

Our hopeful admission into the ODS need not become political fodder for anyone. Even our chattering class. I too shall contact Ambassador Sauzo. He must submit his devices immediately for inspection. Agents, standby."

 

[Justosia]

Milenio Imperio Palace
Administrative Wing
Office of the Prime Minister
Government Quarter
Avalon
11:30 AM Justosian Time

One half of the Supreme Council decided their breakfast be here this Saturday.

"What the hell is taking them so long? They know they need more official members who actually have true, standing militaries. We have rehabilitated our image thanks to you Mi Reina. How much longer will they keep at this?"

Foreign Minister Montez was not amused. The PM was too into his ommet & toast at the moment. The Emperatriz agreed. More tactfully & pious about it of course.

"Sergio all this goes as God has foreseen, blessed, and willed. While I agree with your sentiment visa ve mine prior, we will trust in him, and in the alliance for which we are applying. They know we're the right move. They know the stakes. The ball is in their court. I consul patience for us all."

PM Blount nodded respectfully whilst finishing his breakfast. He cleared his mouth, then composed himself.

"In the back of my mind I had half thought they might want to speak to me. After all, I am the chief elected representative of the empire. All of their pre requisites are the oath I took."

 

[Justosia]

Milenio Imperio Palace
Administrative Wing
Chambers of the Emperatriz
Government Quarter
Avalon
1:00 PM Justosian Time

The information from Sauzo was trickling in now. Of course to Annabella & her friend & confidant the PM first. One no vote. From the nation that knew Justosia least. His Excellency had warned his queen to expect one. From them no less. Complicating matters was the labouring of the government, especially the NSS, to keep a lid on any leaks. Furlanìe was fresh in their minds here.

"Wow. Well, done, Enrico. If one must deliver a rebuttal like that, that's the way. I see why Sergio likes him so. He's almost him."

The two received the full text of Ambassador Sauzo's takedown of the no vote & its caster.

"I suppose that was as nice as it could have been.....Jean. Contingency plan?"

"For a denial? Mi Reina? Yes. Though I feel it's not as necessary as we would presently think. Admission into the ODS would bolster our reputation internationally. It would be a victory for you, us. More so though, it would have meant this segment of Europe sees how we have evolved. Through God's love, ours for our country, etectra. A denial would almost mean they never cared about a better Justosia that was better for all Europe in the first place. It's barely a setback. Still, let's hope, pray we're ascended."

"Your words are soothing. I agree. I see why my husband admired you so in your capacity. Thank you, Excellency."

"I will always have a plan for you, Mi Reina."

 

[Justosia]

Milenio Imperio Palace
Conference Room Gloria
Administrative Wing
Government Quarter
Avalon
5:30 PM Justosian Time

The Prime Minister opened this full meeting of the Supreme Council. The Emperatriz, himself, Senate Speaker, Defence Minister, Foreign Minister, Interior Minister, Finance Minister, Intelligence Sub Minister, Grand General, Grand Admiral, Grand Air Marshal, & their Grand Joint Command attaches. Lastly was Palace Press Minister Felipe Alejandro. This was the first fully attended meeting of the SC during Annabella's reign.

PM Blount had his aides hand out CLASSIFIED/TOP SECRET dossiers to all. Complete with all the relevant logistical bells & whistles.

"Mi Reina, gentlemen, welcome. I know we had all hoped to avoid initiating this meeting. That we wouldn't be betrayed by a stagnant facet of Europe we clearly shouldn't have tried to placate in the first place. Yet here we are. Our admission into the ODS is denied. Europe is again becoming a powder keg. Shall we be left out in the cold unequipped? I think not. Please open your respective dossiers."

Inside were the time estimates for construction, price estimates, docking locations, etc for the future fleet of the navy. The Emperatriz had hoped, prayed that the ODS would ascend them. She planned to order this to be almost a jointly operated fleet. She would have offered it as Justosia's contribution to the joint ODS forces. Alas. It also contained the Foreign Ministry's estimates for how long until conflict again befell Europe. Dark yes, but better to be that than naive. Also in toe was the Intelligence Sub Ministry's assessment on the current espionage deluge on the continent. A request for more funding. Lastly the Interior Ministry's assessment on how to handle the potential influx of possible refugees from the aforementioned encroaching conflict. Possible Eminent Domain legal defences should be land or harbor space be needed for fleet construction.

"We've seized the press narrative. The populace is reacting as we both knew and hoped they would. They'll, rightly, feel betrayed by peoples they thought their kin. They'll support the creation of a Fourth Fleet."

This was the Alejandro's assessment.

"Then we'll have our mandate. God bless and keep the first Emperador Carlos Francisco the First. However he made grave mistakes in both ordering himself the rebuilding of our military, also that it be done in secret. We will pass this bill. We, the extension of the will of our people. We will make no secrets of it. Let them try to assail that."

This was Speaker Reyes' assessment.

"Thank you, Emperatriz. For finally realizing my branch's need. Our islands are even more lonely now that these big cliques are acting in this manner. This is urgent."

This was the Grand Admiral's assessment.

"It might come close, but we have the surplus funds. This will be handled more efficiently than the last build up. I've directed my ministry's Audit Department to make sure allocation proceeds smoothly."

This was the Finance Minister's assessment. It also when the Emperatriz stood up.

"Truly I had hoped these circumstances would be as different as possible. I vow to everyone in this room, to all the empire, to God, that as long as I am Crowned Sovereign this will only see utilization in defence. God has chosen a different, lone path for our peoples. Europe is hell bent on making us pay for these imaginary sins. This is tragic. The definition of insanity is to do these things repeatedly. Let us adjourn with haste. Viva Justosia."

"Viva Justosia." In unison.

 

[Justosia]

Milenio Imperio Palace
Emperatriz's Apartment(s)
Residential Wing
Government Quarter
Avalon
11:40 PM Justosian Time

"My order is no aircraft carriers. Three is enough. They're instruments of only war, not defence. Ten missile frigates. Five missile variant submarines. Minus a carrier, this fleet will be less expensive. Easier, quicker to build. We will build as many as Defence Minister Diego's budget allows. Soon we'll be able to deploy a fast moving forward shield of the islands should the need ever arise. A shield mind you. The subs shall be only for surveillance, God willing."

Annabella then hung up the bedroom land line. Her husband, a navy veteran approved.

"Right minds advise you. It's the move. You do our house proud and well wife. God willed my time on the throne short. Accepting that is made easier knowing you were prepared for this longer than I thought."

Annabella kissed him on the cheek.

"Goodnight, Los. God willing not one ounce of Justosian, Vanguardian, or Victorian blood will drop on any ground. Maybe that was God's lesson, message to me today. Maybe our denial was him ascending us to above a war of and for fools. The Halcón would watch the
León and the Oso kill each other."

She turned off the light.

 

[Justosia]

(Going for a House of Cards vibe here)

Milenio Imperio Palace
Emperador's Apartment(s)
Residential Wing
Government Quarter
Avalon
10:00 PM Justosian Time

"........Hello. Remember me? If you're Aurarian, Eiffelander, Sylvanian, Pelasgian, or Natalian you do. I'm the guy who's 'sick'. Who had to 'abdicate'. I hope you didn't actually believe that bullshit. I'm Divinely Righted by God. I'm a Justosian man. I don't get sick. Fire runs through my veins. I'm not feeble minded and no one could ever force me to fucking abdicate. I am forever Emperador. No one can undo my oath before God. Or his Holy Oils that anointed and christened my reign. The truth? I had a dream, vision if you will after deep prayer one night last year. I started this empire on its current course, but it's the will of Providence that my darling wife finish it.

I have one master, and that night he laid his will bare. I love my wife, my Emperatriz. She ruled with me. Now I rule with her. Her ceptor is her own. The crown is unisex. Did you know that? Same one I wore. None of my security clearances have been revoked. I abstain myself. No. My confidence in her, even if she's more centrist inclined than I, is total. We picked each other for life, before God. We are the wind in each other's sails. Though I am silent now, I remain that force. Foreign Minister Montez.......truly quite the pick. Surprised even I.

Fortune will always favor the bold. Not those who continue to slander me behind closed doors in foreign capitals. Fortune favors the strong and true hearted. Fortune favors the unapologetic. Oh? I'm being summoned. She wants company in bed. Justosian men, we're stallions you know. Duty calls. I bid you goodnight. Viva Justosia. Viva Francisco."

 

[Justosia]

Milenio Imperio Palace
Conference Room Gloria
Government Quarter
Avalon
6:45 PM Justosian Time

The Emperador walked into his wife's & sovereign's meeting with palace staff.

"Leave."

They scurried.

"Bella, I want to be head of Grand Joint Command."

"A step above Defence Minister yet a step below me. Los, you're transparent."

"I'm also a navy veteran. Aguilar isn't."

Annabella couldn't deny this fact & logic.

"......You wanna be home."

" I do. I'm no longer the highest value target. I'm legally allowed to. I miss the mist."

"I'll ascend this. You will remain at headquarters, Desan Naval Base however. Sometimes you worry me."

"But of course mi Crowned Sovereign. Gracias."

 

[Justosia]

Milenio Imperio Palace
Chambers of the Emperatriz
Residential Wing
Government Quarter
Avalon
8:30 PM Justosian Time

Annabella sat there. She had been enjoying her after dinner tea. Until the Foreign Minister had, gently, placed a dossier in front of her. With her permission of course. She dove into it. Her oath always came first.

.........."No. Unacceptable. A potential Gallian Union is a Trojan Horse. Especially when lead by those leftist commoners in Solis. Their increasingly petty politics will come to dominate its movements. Johnston Isle just effectively threw its crown in the gutter. Any faith I had in that government hangs by a thread. This burgeoning union can threaten all its neighbors, national, regional, with the flick of a pen. Their reach would eventually encroach upon our pristine corner of Implaria.

As if those syncopaths in that bloated Kadikistani Union weren't enough. The Senate's vote is vindicated. It pains me to say. You know that, personally, I am a pacifist. However there's no room for that on this continent. They'll never be. We need more friends......and a contingency plan in case these potential new friends fail us."

 

[Justosia]

Milenio Imperio Palace
Chambers of the Emperatriz
Administrative Wing
Government Quarter
Avalon
8:20 PM Justosian Time

An orante, fine China glass slammed into the even more orante fireplace. This was behavior unbecoming of who the majority of Justosians would say is the most composed woman in Europe.

"Foul, decituful, rotted, scum. How many times Agent Pérez? How many times must Justosia try to trust Europe and be betrayed? The most evil, no, the most satanic part of this is Faraday will try to portray SYLVANIA as the victim here......no. I and I alone will speak on this matter. I issue an Imperial Order on such. The weight of my station will carry the most credibility."

Agent Francisca Pérez was indeed a spy. It's true the Continental Empire never trusted the Continental Republic enough to be sincere in their reach out effort. When she left she regretted not trying to record the whole conversation. She was the first Uno Tier NSS Agent ever deployed on a mission with this kind of gravity. She was admittedly scared of what would happen to her had she been caught. Dammit all. She needed more training. She can't fuck up. Trailblazer that she is.

"Mi Reina.....I have relayed to you all relevant information possible. I have discharged my duty to the empire, the islands, to the best of my ability. I beg you. Act with heart. Justosian heart. The heart ordained by God to lead...."

 

[Justosia]

Milenio Imperio Palace
Chambers of the Emperatriz
Administrative Wing
Government Quarter
Avalon
11:15 AM Justosian Time

The Emperatriz hit the ground running this morning. Dossiers, logistical reports, letters from Senators, District Governors, etc. The current geo political state of affairs as well. She took quick sips of her eppresso in between signings & reading. Her Imperial Guard detail stood at attention & announced the entrance of the Emperador.

"Wife."

She glanced up & managed a brief smile.

"Do you see now? There was a limit to my patience in trying to placate those arrogant, devious, serpents. I hope, pray there's a limit to yours."

She paused. In front of her was something she had not expected, nor hoped, to ever see. An Imperial Emergency Order. She would not ascend that now. The situation wasn't that dire. Through all this, her faith in the flickering goodness & pragmatism of Europe persisted.

"@Ambrosia has reached out to us. I have ascended the Foreign Ministry's invite to a delegation. There has to be a middle ground between being a party on greater Europe's course to war, and finding friends."

Carlos gazed out of the pristine, sun bathed window & sipped his mimosa.

"Heavy is the crown."

 

[Justosia]

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Grand Joint Command
Office of the Defense Minister
Government Quarter
Avalon ​

CLASSIFIED
TOP SECRET
TO: HIH
FROM: DM
0:00 Imperial Time

As per your orders the Second Fleet has been deployed with dual missions. All current vessels advised to fire & sink only to defend & only after positive identification of military enemy status. Viva Justosia.

Vicente Aguilar
Defense Minister