Tough Cookies

[Vrijpoort]

Cathay Pacific Airways Head Office
Heavenly Skies Tower - 97th Floor overlooking Merchant Harbour

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It was past 3am, yet the city's lights were as bright as ever. Never too late to make money. Raymond Wong, 57, chairman of the board for Cathay Pacific Airways was staring out the floor to ceiling windows. He couldn't sleep. Yet another full day of talks had past and little had been achieved, just a sore ass and a splitting headache. His office boy, a 22-year-old fresh out of university, entered with a tray of tea and biscuits. He gingerly set the sterling silver tray on his bosse's coffee table, bowed low given the high age and rank difference and made his way for the door.

'Thank you. You should go home now. I won't be needing anything further for tonight. Just send in Rebecca'. Raymond admired the boy's smooth complexion for a moment...youth - he would give up all his riches to be 22 again.

Rebecca Stalton, 37, came through the door, sat down on the leather sofa, poured herself a tea and started talking while Raymond continued to look out to the city.

'So this Gerhard fellow, real schmoozer, eh? He's been flicking our dicks for two days trying to get this launch to happen despite a failure to offer explicit safety guarantees. Why don't you let me tell him to go home back to Bergenheim?'

Raymond turned to his younger colleague but remained standing, 'No need for that, Rebecca. They're sending someone else. I just got word a little while ago that a Madam Angela Zweigler will be arriving in the morning on the flight from Trier, one of the last ones out before that route gets put on hold. Apparently we booked her on a complementary First Class ticket to New Cathay. She's supposed to have a different style than their First Secretary for Infrastructure, Herr Adenauer.'

Raymond and Rebecca were, of course, talking about the negotiations for the airline's new route launch non-stop service from New Cathay to Midweis, Bergenheim. After months of preparations, press events and contracts, the service had been scheduled to launch on 1 August, but the Board voted to suspend the launch when the war broke out in neighbouring Trivodnia. The last thing the company needed was a 777 full of bankers and rich housewives on a shopping holiday being shot down near a war zone.

The stakes were high, however. Midweis is a major banking centre in Germania and the financial sector in New Cathay wanted connections to increase. Granted, business ties had existed for centuries, but they were always much smaller than those with Eiffelland, which had direct sea and air routes to New Cathay that made trade and business faster, cheaper and easier. The Senior Minister herself had phoned the CEO last year with a simple request: get Midweis on the route map and everyone will make a pretty Krone or two.

'They're sending a woman?' Rebecca put her feet up on the coffee table, which always peeved Raymond. She liked seeing him get a little worked up though. 'Fine. I'll have the Mandarin Oriental prepare another Harbour View suite for her. Let's resume the negotiations at 10am.' she paused and looked at Raymond's wrinkling face and grey hair. 'Raymond why don't you go to sleep, eh? You could get a few hours in before the meeting. I'll call your driver'.

'No, don't bother. By the time we got through traffic to my flat it would be time to turn around to come back into town. I'll get a little sleep here'.

Rebecca stood up and nodded. He was right. Even at this hour the streets would be clogged. Road congestion was a major issue these days and the government was expected to do something about it soon, or so they said to the papers.

'All right Raymond. Rest up. I'll see you at the Mandarin Oriental tomorrow morning. Let's get some breakfast there before Herr Adenauer and this mystery woman show up'.

@Bergenheim

 

[Bergenheim]

Adenauer couldn't sleep. This was supposed to have been his big break, a chance to put himself and his obscure department in the spotlight for once. An opportunity to give the government a much needed civil success. Non-stop executive flights from Midweis to Cathay! It scarcely seemed possible, but every banker, stock-broker and watch-salesman in the country was salivating at the prospect.

Finally, a rare opportunity to be on equal footing with Trier, for once. For centuries they had slowly been pulling ever further ahead of Midweis as the heart of Germanian capital in Europa. The War had initially seemed like a god-send. Finally a chance to claw back some of those lost opportunities.

He had a cousin in Shyster and Konrad who swore blind that this air route would be a gold-mine for cheap MLFs and shoddy bespoke tranch packages. So, it was with confidence he had entered negiotiations with these mercurial and flinty-eyed orientals.

And he had been shocked by their intransigence. He had pointed out repeatedly, with the help of a translator of course, that they all stood to make fat bank from this. But they had been adamant on the risks. He had even offered to talk to the CEO of Kurst Schuyer and Brenner on their behalf, increase security. Put that stupid Kestrel Corps to use.

But they had been resistant. They had dismissed every argument, and remained stony-faced to every desperate plea and entreaty. Finally, forced to report his failures with this negiotiation, he had recieved the news he had been dreading.

The Keyholders were sending their Plan B. The so called "Angel of Midweis", Angela Zweigler. The only foreign minister in Europa to have her own lingerie line. Hell, the only foreign minister in Europa to have her own online fan club.

Her reputation had grown quickly from a virtual nobody to something of a mini-celebrity. And now she was on her way. That blonde trollop was going to score another international success, robbing yet another hapless bureaucrat of their chance to shine.

"She's making a mockery." he thought bitterly, smoking his last cigarette furiously, as he stared at the hazy rays of sunlight, peaking over the urban skyline of this too-hot, too-noisy, and far too smelly city. He had thought Midweis was a big city. It wasnt a tenth the size of Cathay. And the food! It was so hard to find schnitzel in this place. What even was Rahmen? He shook his head.

He heard a soft groan from behind. Great, now the whore was waking up and he hadn't even slept yet. At least this place knew hospitality.

But, he reflected with shame, who was the bigger whore? He was almost certain that big-breasted slut was going to bribe the executives with her body. Was that the feminist policies the Archchancellor had promised? Whoring the Republic for table-scraps?

He finished his cigarette, and closed the curtains on his hotel-suite windows. Fuck it. He was going back to bed. The whore could go or stay, he could care less. Besides, his next flight was to Trier in a few days.

He laughed at the irony.

 

[Vrijpoort]

7am - Ridgely Junction MRT Station (metro) - Lower Peninsula

David Kwok, 27, slowly opened his eyes as he stood in the station waiting for his train. The pleasant chime over the intercom had alerted him of its arrival to the station and a female voice began speaking in English:

'The Glessing's Point Main-Line train is now arriving. Please allow passengers to alight before boarding'

The train came to a halt, the glass platform doors opened in synch with the doors of the train and a trickle of people came off. Most people were heading to Cathay Island, the CBD where most of the jobs were. David nudged his way through the deluge of commuters, found a spot to stand and held onto the overhead bar as the train departed. He fit right in the scene. New Cathay had probably the most ethnically diverse population in the world. Whites from the West, whether descendants of settlers or more recent immigrants, rubbed shoulders with the so-called 'indigenous' Xinhese, dark skinned

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, Thaumantans, people of mixed race and a few others who David couldn't even categorise. Sitting opposite him were a group of girls on their way to university classes. They kept giggling and whispering to each other while stealing glimpses of David. He did look good today in his newly pressed suit. He gave them a wink back, amused at the blushes he had induced.

A pleasant three tone descending chime comes through the train's intercom: 'The next stop is Merchant Street. Transfer is available to the Island-Line and local busses. Alight here for the shopping district, Museum of Eastern Civilisation and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel'.

A flood of people exited the train, shuffled across the station's marble floors towards the escalators. Now at the higher level of the station David began walking through the wide corridors with shops on either side, careful to stay to the left of the divided foot traffic line painted on the floor.

'Breakfast pies!! Breakfast pies!! Fresh from the oven, only 5 Krone!!' an auntie bellowed as loud as her ageing body would allow. Next to her kiosk was a noodle stand full of commuters slurping up their first meal of the day before heading into the office. A shoeshine stand had a short queue and a teenage boy was selling copies of the New Cathay Morning Post from his shoulder bag. David walked past and into the pyeonjeom, the creole term for a 24-hour convenience store. The store owner behind the counter smiled and already had his product ready: an herbal elixir meant to cure hangovers. Bitter stuff but it really did work.

'Why you always on the teet, lah?' said the uncle as he laughed with a sharp cackle, a bit too piercing for David at this moment. 'Ayyysshh! No girl or boy will marry you if you gonna be topsy turvy all clock, tsk tsk HAHAHAHA. Handsome son take care, lah? Adé!' the uncle took the cash as David gave a quick bow before exiting back into the station. Uncle was right, he needed to find a better activity than drinking rice wine alone at his flat every night - I could try the girls again, he thought to himself, but wasn't sure if whoring around the red light district would be wise for someone of his class . He downed the elixir and headed for the exit to street level, not looking forward to leaving the air conditioned confines of the station and entering the sweltering humidity of the city.

Once outside, his eyes adjusting from fluorescent lighting to that of the sun, David crossed the street at the diagonal crosswalk and made his way to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The best hotel in the city naturally had the best views and location. Merchant Street hugged the northern coast of Cathay Island and faced Merchant Harbour and the Lower Peninsula opposite. The colonial style marble facade had been added on to. Above it was a 30-storey glass tower. Despite the contrast it all worked. Some fancy architect had been paid a shipload of silver to make the modern on classic addition pleasing to the eye.

The lobby was chilled to a crisp, just how New Cathayans liked it. David was well known here and one of the lobby boys came over with a chilled damp towel so David could wipe the sweat off his face. The boy also took his bag.

'Sir, Madam Rebecca Stalton requests that you join her for coffee in the Harbour View lounge'. the boy avoided direct eye contact, but not just because David was his senior in age - he had had a crush on David for months and didn't want him to see his blushing face. David knew, of course, but couldn't do much about it except tease the poor fellow.

'Thank you. I'll be right up. Bring my bag up to the boardroom, please'. David flashed a smile and wink to the lobby boy who bowed deeply. He smiled once out of sight of David.

Rebecca Stalton was sat at a table by the window. Raymond was also there leafing through the Morning Post.

'Goddamn bloody war! Can you believe these halfwit Westerners! Sure, it can be profitable but not as much as peacetime trade. They're stressing me out, ayysshh!!' Raymond clicked his tongue in disgust.

David bowed to both Rebecca and Raymond before taking his seat. He poured himself a cup of coffee and listened to Rebecca's hoarse smoker's voice.

'Nice to see you, David my boy. Looking dashing and dapper as ever. Have you found a marriage partner yet? You know I've got a niece, lovely girl. Still taking the MRT? You know we have a driver for you, but I know it's probably faster to go underground. You like that whole "be among the people" stuff, too. We could all learn something from you, David!' David gave a light but still polite chuckle.

'I'm fine, Madam, but thank you. Now, what are we going to do about this woman, eh? Clearly they are changing their tactics. Maybe she will bring something new to the table?' Like two big melons he laughed to himself. David was well aware of Angela Zweigler. He had bought her lingerie for some of his past girlfriends and, he had to admit, even explored her official fan website on occasion, usually when he was lonely late at night with a bottle of rice wine already down the hatch...

David Kwok was the youngest member of Cathay Pacific Airway's board. While merit was the name of the game in New Cathay, so was age. Raymond had taken a good year to accept the fact that a fresh faced boy toy had been appointed to the board. Rebecca never cared, she liked the eye candy. But deep down everyone knew it wasn't merit that had got David the position. His father was Joel Kwok, one of the richest men in the country, if not the world, who had made a fortune in finance. Having his son on the board of the national airline would naturally be beneficial and potentially lucrative.

'Madam Rebecca, Chairman Raymond, I think it would be wise if we listened to this Frau Zweigler and see if she has anything new to say. Herr Adenauer was a bit...conservative in his approach. We offered to pay 30% of the landing and gate fees for one year despite our desire to cancel the route. Maybe she will take a bit more than that and then we can go home'.

Raymond stood up, prompting both Rebecca and David to do the same out of sheer respect. 'All right, fine. Meanwhile, David, I need you to give head office a ring before we start the meeting. They were supposed to organise a second daily flight to Trier to start ASAP. Apparently a lot of upper class people are trying to get out before this war gets ugly and who are we to say no to jacked up ticket sales, eh? Just confirm with them that if it's a 777 or 747. I recommended a 747 for greater capacity but some moron in Fleet wanted a 777 instead'.

'Yes, sir, of course. We are still planning to suspend service to Trier if the war gets too close to that city, no?'

'That's the plan, but let's wait and see. Our planes can get out quickly if need be'. Raymond buttoned his suit jacket and made for the exit with Rebecca and David close behind.

They took the lift up to the 29th floor where a nicely decorated lobby greeted them. The young men and women escorted them to the meeting room. Floor to ceiling windows looked out to the jungle of skyscrapers across the harbour in the Lower Peninsula. A large table made of polished jade had tea settings already placed. The meeting agenda had been printed on crisp Cathay Pacific Airways letterhead. Raymond took his seat at the head of the table with Rebecca to his right and David to his left. The other board members, mostly frumpy old men, gradually began taking their seats as they milled about sipping coffee, commenting about the stock market, the War and how big her jugs really were.

It was time to begin.

 

[Bergenheim]

The air crackled with anticipation as First Hand Zweigler arrived at the Mandarin Oriental. Her sleek, black, armoured limousine fluttered the white and black keys flag of Bergenheim, flanked by two white/black painted humvees, elite Jager in crisp suits ready to spring into action at the first sign of trouble.

The door opened, and Zweigler half expected to be blinded by the flash of photography. But instead there was only many loud clicks and whirs. Cameras didnt flash anymore, she remembered. Everybody had smart-phones now. Instead the jet-engine-like heat of this tropical country bathed her, and she felt a slight sheen of perspiration moisten her heavily made up brow.

She emerged with a radiant smile. She knew her job was to be dazzling, to be rainbow high. She wore a custom-tailored, bright-white woman's pant-suit, with a carefully adjusted cleavage window. She'd had her team measure it. Just enough to tease, to hint, without seeming wanton or slutty. She knew well what her assets here were.

She waved grandly to the gathering crowd, various security pushing the papparazzi and street gawkers back as she swanned down to the lobby. There was no red carpet, but there might as well have been. The bell-boys tipped their hats and opened the door for her, her team following close behind. She tended to travel with quite an entourage, these days.

A far cry from the amateurish days of Crotobaltislavonia, she thought.

Oh what a circus, oh what a show. Cathay's has really gone to town, over a First Hand named Angela Zweigler...

The contrast between blazing day heat and extra-cool interior was a stark relief. She handed her silk-gloves to one of her attaches. She leaned on the marble front-desk, admiring the quality and taste. Grand Hotels tended to all look alike, and she'd been in some of the world's very best. But the Mandarin Oriental was definitely in the top league, she thought.

"Miss Zweigler? The Board is awaiting you upstairs." The reception staff said in perfectly unaccented Germanic.

"Thank you...Miss Kwon?" she said, noting the name-tag. "I am sure it will be a pleasure staying here." she said, replying in passable Nordic*.

She and her entourage soon filled up a spacious elevator, a lift-operator sweating nervously as nearly twenty of Bergenheim's best crammed into one space. A handful of Jager would remain around the lobby, to keep an eye on things. They were discreet, professional, and licensed to kill with Gehrmann Special 229s.

Also accompanying her were her travel accessories. A sweating, overworked intern who had drawn the short straw staggered last into the lobby, bringing with him Zweigler's heavy suitcases full of spare outfits and accessories.

Another Suitcase, another hotel...

 

[Vrijpoort]

10.00 - Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Merchant Street, Cathay Island

The fanfare of the arrival of Angel Tits (that's what some of the board members and support staff started to refer to her quietly as) soon subdued and out on the street was forgotten after a few short moments. The buzz of the city returned and people carried on with their days, tasks and schemes to make money. The police kept a few cars with blue service lights flashing in front of the hotel to keep unwanted kerbside parkers away just in case the Bergenheimers needed to get away quickly for whatever reason or desire.

In the hotel while most of the lobby staff were genuine in their professional and courteous reception of the dignitary, a few of the staff were actually undercover agents of the Information Services Directorate (ISD), New Cathay's intelligence agency. They didn't have any particular intel or reason to keep an eye on things, it was just their habit to watch everyone and build files in case of future needs. The three men placed on this case were particularly excited.

Upstairs on the 30th floor things were about to get started. Raymond had taken his seat at the head of the table and Rebecca was reviewing some notes. David Kwok was scrolling through Twatter and made a mental note to check back with the flight risk department about their daily service to Maseru.

The doors opened and finally Zweigler entered with her entourage. The board members stood and bowed politely before taking their seats. Raymond walked over to offer his hand - New Cathay prided itself on practicing both Eastern and Western customs of greeting.

'Welcome to New Cathay Madam. We hope you had a pleasant journey and that your accommodations are pleasing. We are looking forward to what you have to say today'. Raymond smiled warmly and held out his left hand to a seat for Zweigler to take at the other end of the table. It wasn't too big as they didn't want the meeting to be too sterile.

David had stopped scrolling through Twatter the moment she had walked in and did his best to act unimpressed. He avoided eye contact and gave a meek smile when her eyes caught his.

 

[Bergenheim]

Despite being key to earlier negotiations, Gerhard Adenauer was conspicuous by his absence. There was a thin murmur amongst some of those gathered. It wasn't clear if he had been instructed to do so, o if he was simply sleeping off a hangover in his penthouse a few floors down.

Zweigler returned the polite bow offered her, lengthening the formality just enough to give David Kwok a prime view of her cleavage. They were white, without blemish, and obviously all-natural.

Seeing his gaze flick downward, if only for a moment, Angela gave a slight, cheeky smile. She had found her mark, all right.

Seating herself with exaggerated care, she took out the thin, velvetine file-holder that contained the slim, printed outline of the agreement.

She took out an exquisite,gold-marked fountain pen, and began making a few quick alterations to the document in looping cursive.

"Good morning, gentlemen. And Ladies." She said, with a breezy smile.

"Forgive me If I'm a little flustered. I flew in this morning, and they made me check my Angel Wings in at customs."

She let that hang for a moment, in case there was some awkwardness translating the joke. But since she spoke the Nordic language of New Cathay, she hoped they shared a similarly Europan sense of humour.

"Now, to business. I am a -firm- but fair negotiator. I have a deal on the table, and I think you will like it."

She slid the amended dossier across the table to Kwok.

There were a few alterations, but it was mostly the same deal.

Except, if anything, Midweis would be getting even more out of it than before.

"We're an up and coming first rate economy, well situated in Europa.. This deal is the hottest you're likely to get. You would be fools to pass up this opportunity." she said. Her words were blunt, but her tone was sweet and honest. It was hard not to be charmed by her.

"Mr Kwok, I know you have been to our fair country before. Your father has been most generous to us, but we have been just as generous in return. I am sure you can see the wisdom in developing such a lucrative connection, with all due haste." She gave him a lascivious smile as she leaned over the table.

"Mr Wong, I have heard it over the grapevine that Trier has been giving you some trouble. I regret to say it but their situation is only going to get even worse. Even if they win this...unfortunate conflict, their economy will be out of shape for years or decades to come."

"They will offer all sorts of inducements, but I hardly need spell out the worst case scenario. Whatever happens, for better or worse, our economy is strong, with links to both the western and eastern worlds."

She turned her attention to Rebecca, and bowed her head respectfully. No flirtatious confidence here, only respect.

"Miss Stalton. The Republic of Bergenheim is currently among the most progressive of nation-states. We alone have all three of our most important government positions occupied by women. Our Archchancellor has been instrumental in putting our well established and disciplined eonomy to work for women's interests as well." She gave a very knowing smile about that.

"Opportunities for Cathay Pacific abound. Not just with bankers, businessmen, and jet-setting millionaires, but hard working middle and working class families. Mothers. Teenagers on a gap year. Bergenheim -is- the Gateway to Europa. Not Trier."

She leaned back, addressing the whole room.

"Frankly, there's only one question that needs to be answered. What are you all waiting for?"

She returned to her original position, a slight sheen of sweat on her brow and her chest. She reached for a tiny spray-bottle of water, to cool herself off.

 

[Vrijpoort]

10.30 - Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Merchant Street, Cathay Island

Rebecca Stalton, herself a blonde woman of mixed Gunnish and Germanic descent, resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the nearly incessant displays of cleavage. Rebecca was a competitive gal, but with her age and larger figure there was not much point in competing on this stage. Although she was naturally well endowed. Still, despite the display it was refreshing to see a confident woman in charge. She respected that and didn't have any qualms with this woman. It was amusing, if anything, to see the men steal glances every few seconds.

Raymond Wong was happily married and had at least three mistresses from the most exclusive Pleasure House in the city. Angela was indeed a looker but nothing he hadn't seen or had before. He was focused purely on business and listened intently. He appreciated or non-nonsense attitude and direct speaking style.

David, on the other hand, was taken aback for a moment. How did she know who I was and why didn't she address Chairman Wong first? A major faux pas to address the youngest in the room rather than the oldest, but she wasn't accustomed to our Oriental ways, to be fair. Well, his father was known across the globe and had considerable business in Midweis, so it shouldn't have been so surprising that she did her homework. David listened and tried to keep his eyes on the agenda papers in front of him, but when he heard the spray of the water bottle he couldn't help himself to look up. The mist trickled down her chest below the blouse line and David suddenly experienced a slight discomfort in his trousers. Fucking tailor, I told him to leave a bit of extra room down there.

While David swallowed and reluctantly tore his gaze from her supple-looking assets, Chairman Wong pushed the agenda forward on the jade table and placed his hands together in a triangle, a common business tradition for older gentleman in New Cathay.

'Thank you very much for your words, Madam Zweigler. You are indeed correct, Bergenheim has considerable business for New Cathay and vice versa. Eiffelland has, however been an extremely important market and trading partner for New Cathay for centuries and even with the war we doubt that will change. The route to Trier has been our must lucrative route for decades. But you are correct in saying that this is all at risk at the moment'.

'The question isn't whether we want to launch this route, but rather how. Eiffelland airspace could be classified as a war zone soon and our risk advisors warn that despite Ruthenia-Galicia's declared nutrality, Kadikistani forces could nonetheless engage that country as well. That would mean there would be no safe routing to Midweis. Can you offer me a practical solution to that, Madam?'

 

[Bergenheim]

Zweigler's strategy had been no faux pas. She had hoped to divide and conquer, and had focused all her attention on Kwon from the beginning, knowing he would be most vulnerable to her charms and her words. Most likely he was looking for a way to prove himself, assert his influence and power, distinct from the other Chairmen.

But she could not rely on his influence and support alone, even if it could be guaranteed. Stalton might be sympathetic, but she might also be a stone cold bitch. Wong was also a hard one to read. Staring across the table at them, and seeing them lay their cards down, reminded her of another time, years ago, when she'd played strip poker with a young mercenary officer.

The stakes were higher now than then, of course. Losing then had been all part of the fun. Now, she couldn't afford to lose even her gloves.

"I understand your concerns. I cannot guarantee Ruthenia-Galicia's neutrality, but I know Kadikistan and Xinhai would be foolish to push on, as would they be foolish to risk their neutrality. As a foreign minister I am privvy to a great deal of information that I am afraid I cannot disclose even to such august businessmen and women as yourselves. But I can assure you there is little risk of that happening."

A slight dip in her tone. The longer she reacted, the less control she had over the situation. She had to go back on the attack, keep them on the back foot.

"Security in our skies is of no issue. We have the high ground." she smiled at this, as if at a private injoke. "Our RADAR coverage even in the most extreme weather is comprehensive. Our ties with our southern neighbours are strong, and our aerial assets, both national and private, are highly capable. If it comes to it, we would be happy to put our Free Companies, at considerable discount, at your disposal for on-board security, or even if you just feel like having a Starfighter greet your planes on the way into our airspace." She chuckled at that.
"But such extreme measures are not necessary. Our allies have no reason to compromise our neutrality, and those who are the enemies of our allies know that we can hurt them in their pocket-books far more easily than they can threaten ours."

She gestured to the windows, to the hazy morning view of a city dense with buildings, and, for once, mercifully little industrial smog.

"But let us turn our gaze to more pleasant matters." She rose slightly, letting the moisture droplets she'd sprayed to cool her skin run in smooth rivulets down her cleavage once more.

"Your city is beautiful, ladies and gentlemen. It is beautiful because it reaches upwards, from humble beginnings, to dominate the sky. Every one of those hundreds of towers represents the burning ambition, the passion, the lust for success, to achieve what is most desired in life." She moved vigorously, almost strutting to the windows as she punctuated her words with gestures. Now her thighs were on fine-display, the stockings clinging tightly to her ample flesh.

"New Cathay is not a city of the timid. Not a place of fear or concern. You have very real threats, in weather, in piracy, in the Badlands, and yet none of this daunts you from reaching for success. Chairman Wong, Chairwoman Stalton...I ask you, when did you feel most successful?" She began moving back towards the table, her words and gaze directed respectfully at the two elders she had named, but her body pointed at Kwon, whom she seemed to be approaching.

"Was it after a safe, long-term investment was made? When do you feel most alive? By driving safely? No! "
She brushed close, tantalisingly close to Kwon, as she leaned once more back towards the table. A faint odour of her expensive Serenien perfume could almost be breathed in, and with it, a heady sense of her feminity.

Reaching across the table, she plucked a desk ornament of one of Cathay's airplanes in miniature.

She continued her stirring diatribe. "Bergenheim is a land of mountains. We know what it is to breathlessly reach for the heights. New Cathay shares this sense of pioneer-ship. Eiffelland is a land where there are no speed-limits but everyone drives under sixty." She snorts.

"Honoured board-members. Will you let the breathless mountain defeat you?" The heaving of her bosom was almost perfectly timed here. "Or will you climb on board with us, to the summit?"

She almost anticipated applause. Instead, a small moment of silence reigned. Inside her lower back pocket, her mobile phone buzzed silently.

She ignored it. But half a world away, things with regards to Cathay's security situation were already rapidly changing...

And they would soon find the mountain would come to them.

 

[Vrijpoort]

10.50 - Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Merchant Street, Cathay Island

David haphazardly reached for the pitcher of water on the table and attempted to pour himself a glass, desperately needing to calm himself and cool his jets. He hadn't received this much attention from a woman that wasn't being paid handsomely in many months. When Angela brushed past him and leaned over the table he could feel his heart begin to race uncontrollably and the blood quickly began to flow south.

He spilled a bit but managed to gulp down some water. Rebecca stifled a giggle and turned it into a cough. Raymond Wong didn't take any heed. His mobile rang. As the most senior person in the room and being Chairman of Cathay Pacific Airways, he always had to answer his phone.

'Excuse me, Madam Zweigler, but I simply must take this'. Raymond answered the phone and remained silent as the news from thousands of kilometres away was expertly relayed to him in brief yet informative executive summaries.

'Yes, yes precisely...yes do ensure that's the case...all right, thank you'. he hung up, placed the mobile back in his jacket pocket and stood up, causing the rest of the board to instantly stand as well.

'Madam Zweigler I suggest you contact your government. There's been a horrid development in the Western War. I'm afraid we will have to take a break until later. Let's reconvene this evening over dinner. Mr David Kwok will escort you to your suite and ensure you are well attended to until dinner'. Raymond gave a modest bow, not realising what he had just done to poor David, and exited the conference room. A few older board members milled about not yet wanting to give up their front row seats to the gun show.

Rebecca came over to Angela smiling, 'Excellent points you made Madam. I truly respect your gumption. I hope this business Raymond speaks of isn't so grave as he makes it out, but I will have to accompany him to sort things out. David is great company. I'm sure he will take great care of you until dinner'. Rebecca bowed and winked at David before leaving.

Awestruck, nervous and slightly sweating, David Kwok weakly smiled to Angela. 'Madam Zweigler, please let me take you back to your suite. I am sure you would like to get in touch with Midweis immediately'.

He led her to the lifts. They rode down one floor to the 29th and exited. Walking along the corridor, just the two of them, David started to think about what she might need during the afternoon. He had no idea himself about what had just happened hundreds of kilometres above their heads. He was thinking in much simpler terms...

 

[Bergenheim]

Angela was disappointed at the interruption. She had thrown her all into that magnificent speech and display, and she had felt confident she would have accomplished something in there. Still, the negiotiations were, for her, only beginning. She had promised to deliver the administration a strong economic victory, to quell fears over instability in Gallo-Germania, and that was what she was going to do.

What people failed to understand about Angela was that she wasn't some cold, perfect manipulating seductress. She genuinely liked everyone a little. Her gift was in being able to channel that, and make her innate desire to make friends into something...a little more.

The drawbacks to being so friendly, so non-threateningly flirty in her manner and so passionate in her outbursts were...well, people tended not to take her too seriously outside of her company. And it was very hard to maintain any sort of real private social life, when her job depended on her ability to flirt with people like David Kwok.

Still, she thought, at least she hadn't actually slept with anyone for her work yet. That was a line she was keen to never cross.

She grabbed onto his arm once they were out of the conference room.

"Apologies, Mein Herr, these heels are killing me. And it gets very hot in these meetings." She spoke with more of an emphasis on her thick, Germanic accent, which some people found exotic or sultry. She leaned in to him heavily once more, her breasts pressing into his arm. "Could you be a gentleman and help me to the elevator? You have my gratitude Mr Kwok." She said, treating him to one of her buttery smiles.

"And don't worry about Midweis. We have until the evening for talks to reconvene. I doubt its anything important. Nothing important has happened in Bergenheim in centuries." She laughed lightly. "Actually, I was wondering if I could take some time to see more of your beautiful city. We really don't have anything like this in our country."

The elevator pinged, and she lightly let go of his arm, though she didn't pull away just yet. "Perhaps if you have time you could show me the sights yourself? I would be very grateful to have a local give me insight. But of course, you are very busy I'm sure. Your fellow chairmen no doubt have some papers for you to file for them or something." A subtle dig. She sensed that Kwok might be resentful of his obvious junior status. It didn't seem bad to play on people like that. After all, wasn't she one of the good ones?

"Perhaps Ill see you out by the pool?" She ventured, as the elevator doors closed. She grinned like a cat to herself, Kwok's infatuation obvious on the poor boy's face. As it descended to her level, she mused on what swimwear to wear. Was he more of a boob man, or a butt man? Or maybe he liked thighs? She would have to test this further. She had ample gifts in all departments.

She grinned at a further mental image. Maybe he was one of those rare "feet" people. She'd love an opportunity to get a proper foot rub after all that. High Heels really were murder...

Meanwhile, First Secretary Gerhard Adenauer groaned, stirring from his hangover pit in his penthouse suite. What time was it...?

He almost yelled as he saw the alarm clock. He'd missed the meeting completely! Impossible!

He rapidly checked his phone, cursing his breath. Maybe he could fake an illness. Cathay Stomach Flu or something. Blame the awful food and too hot weather.

The mass of texts he'd missed were damning. But relief washed over him for a moment. Nobody seemed to care about his absence.

Then, panic again.

"They blew up WHAT?"

 

[Vrijpoort]

11.30 - Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Merchant Street, Cathay Island

David closed his eyes after the lift door closed and briefly imagines what Angela might look like in a bikini. His little fantasy was cut short when the chime announced his floor. He got off and walked down the corridor, the smell of green tea incense calming him.

The Mandarin Oriental always prepared suites for Cathay Pacific Airways board members even if meetings were not scheduled to go overnight. A place to freshen up was always appreciated. He quickly changed into his

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, donned a hotel robe and slid his feet into the slippers.

The pool was located on the 5th floor on a large terrace overlooking Merchant Harbour. The turquoise waters basked in the sunshine - it was an infinity pool and it appeared as though the water fell off into the harbour and skyscrapers beyond in the Lower Peninsula. Lounge chaises underneath palm trees and pergolas offered respite from the rays. A bar off to one side was also located in the shade and another bar had a counter right in the pool so that guests didn't have to leave the cool waters to fetch their drink.

David had arrived first. No sign of Angel Tits yet. There were few guests enjoying the pool, just one middle aged man doing some laps and a lady reading a book, or was she napping? Her sunglasses and large hat made it difficult to tell. He made his way to a pair of chaises sitting underneath a sun umbrella and a palm tree with a spectacular view of the harbour. He kept his robe on, not sure if it would be appropriate to expose his body to a minister so early on.

He was scrolling through his mobile trying to figure out where to take her for a late lunch. Normally a practical chap, today, for some inexplicable reason, he felt like he was dating and not working. Some deep, perhaps even instinctual force within him made him want to impress Angela, yet his Cathayan culture and proper upbringing kept him from coming off as arrogant or disrespectful.

Playing with his phone, David hadn't noticed her enter the pool area. He could sense her gaze on him and looked up to see her charming and genuine smile. She hadn't bothered with a robe...

 

[Bergenheim]

Angela entered wearing a white swimsuit, reminiscent of a classy movie starlet from a bygone age. Her pale skin glistened slightly, covered in thick sun-cream, her blue-eyes covered by thick, stylish shades. Two uncomfortable looking bodyguards followed close behind, wearing black t-shirts and grey cargo shorts, as well as a very visible bulge in their shorts, where their fire-arms were poorly concealed.

It was true she was here on business, but raising her profile and keeping herself reasonably stress-free with a little pool-time was all part of the job in her eyes. She sauntered on down to the pool-side bar, mingling with the beautiful and the rich taking a much needed break at the Mandarin Oriental.

Some kid in the shade took a not-so-discreet picture with his mobile phone. One of the bodyguards peeled off to talk to him and delete the picture off of the phone. Controlled exposure was key. Couldn't have some sloppy,blurry pic on InstaPhoto of the First Hand in a swimsuit.

Only authorised, monetised swimsuit photos were generally allowed.

She pretended not to have noticed David awkwardly hanging out in the corner, and she focused intently on ordering two coconut mojitos, one for herself and one for her bodyguard, who politely declined drinking it. "More for me, I guess." She smiled winningly.

"Miss Zweigler-" he began gently. "I know this is all part of your diplomacy, but please dont tempt me or the other security with alcohol."
"Oh don't worry." she said reassuringly. "It's not you I'm really tempting."

She looked past her bodyguard, and waved brightly at Kwok, as if she had just seen him. Other women would pout, cross their legs, a thousand one sultry tricks. But Angela didn't try to be sultry. She knew she looked good already. So instead she was just...friendly, and approachable. More girl next door than the tiger trying to eat you.

The bar radio was playing some vaguely poppy tune from the 80s.

"I guess it rains down in Loagoooo
Gonna take some time to do the things we were gonna do"

"Come here often?" She joked playfully. "I hope you weren't waiting here for little old me..."

 

[Vrijpoort]

David nearly dropped his phone as he looked up at Angela who appeared to be glowing brighter than the sun. He quickly stood up, partially in respect, partially to avoid letting her see his growing excitement. He gave a polite bow.

'Madam Zweigler, hello again. Perhaps a dip in the pool? It's so hot today'. He gulped and set his phone down on the chaise before diving in, relieved to feel the embrace of cool water and its much-needed effect.

Angela dove in shortly after and the two of them slowly made their way to the pool bar.

David ordered for both of them. He handed her a mixed drink with crushed ice, some sort of coconut flavour. He didn't really know its name but girls always seemed to like it and they usually had more than a few. He certainly liked that aspect of it.

As Angela sipped the drink David began to babble on about the city.

'Yes, perhaps in a short while we could get changed and I will take you out for a proper Cathayan lunch? None of those fancy restaurants, I'm talking about real street food. Noodles, dim sum, fresh seafood that's still alive when you order. I know so many places that the throngs of tourists never make it to. I think it would make your experience here so much more interesting'.

The bodyguard stood not so far off, just out of earshot. David motioned with his eyes.

'Miss Zweigler, if you really want to have fun then we would be better off just the two of us. I know this concrete jungle like the back of my hand. It's also very safe, especially if you stick with me. Maybe we could ditch the muscle'? David, feeling a bit more like his usual confident self after a couple of drinks and also seeing Angela relent to the wonders of alcohol, gave a wink and slightly knowing smile. Maybe she likes a bit of the badboy shtick...my specialty...