Uncommon Bedfellows RP [ATTN SYLVANIA]

[Justosia]

Chareloi Airport

The pilot signaled touchdown in the Continental Republic was underway. The Continental Empire was curious of this proposed rendezvous. Why weren't Justosia and @Sylvania friends? Right leaning, despise the Red Menace, etc.

The answers were relatively obvious. Sylvania despises monarchial governments in all their forms. Also their past diplomatic misunderstandings. The Continental Republic always claimed it's for peace......yet whenever it made a major move on the European stage, it always looked like it was about to go to war. This inspired both hate & respect in Avalon. Even the centrist leaning Emperatriz & Foreign Minister were suspicious of them. However, the betrayal by the now unrecognized ODS spawned new international moves. Like the leader of the Imperial Delegation being a woman. Maria Vargas.

She watched with a calm trepidation as their plane touched down. What did these continentals, these unusual actors have in store....?

 

[Justosia]

Chareloi Airport

Ambassador Vargas was being briefed by the Foreign Ministry on the relevant goings on back home. Oh how she missed the mainland's warm, balmy embrace already.

It would seem she definitely had yet more issues now to raise with her host government. Maneuvers like this were simply asinine at this time. There were real threats to democracy out there. Eiffeland & Retalia wasn't one of them. @Sylvania

 

[The Federation]

The Justosian Imperial Delegation's plane was directed to a secured government hangar on the south side of the Sander K. Rygaard International Airport where a two helicopters waited to take the delegation further into the city. Usually foreign diplomats would be taken by police escort into the city, but a late March snowstorm had rolled into the city the night before and dumped close to a seven inches of snow. While the Charleroi dug out of recent snows, the government helicopter transported the delegation to the River District where the Department of Foreign Affairs was located in the Alan J. Kidd building, named after the President who oversaw the scattering of the Kawatseka Nation of natives in a final crushing military campaign that brought an end to almost ten years of open conflict in western Sylvania.

An aide gave Minister Vargas the dime aerial tour of Charleroi, though many of the roofs were covered with snow, the Capitol Building could be seen from off in the distance, the aide pointed out the University of Charleroi/Karlstad as they flew over the campus grounds and just before they began their descent a view of the President's Mansion, Cairnwood House, could be seen between the bare leafless trees that would normally block it from view in the spring and fall. Below, snow plow trucks could be seen clearing and salting the roads while residents of the various neighborhoods attempted to make it to their places of work or to the shops.

The helicopter landed in a park across the street from the Alan J. Kidd building, the park had been cleared and secured prior to their arrival. Police set up a road block across the avenue that ran in front of the building and the snow and ice had been cleared away so that they Imperial Delegation could cross the street safely. Director Katalin Faraday stood within the oval foyer of the Kidd building awaiting the arrival of the delegation where they would be taken directly to a diplomatic reception room to mingle with Sylvanian politicians who had come to speak with Justosian representatives and be received with food and drink for their new guests. However Director Faraday and Minister Vargas would instead meet in the Director's office where a more comfortable and quiet setting could be had for their first meeting.

In the Director's office, coffee and hot tea were served with the usual accoutrements along with small finger sandwiches. The aides left after serving the drinks and food leaving the two women alone with each other. Katalin was a short woman, only standing five foot four, but as she sat up in her chair she held herself with an air of authority. Taking off her glasses and brushing away a lock of her brown hair in the same motion she settled her green eyes on Minister Vargas, behind her eyes a restrained intensity often seen in younger government officials within Sylvania, for she was young and had been promoted quickly through merit and the recent crisis that ushered in the Breckenridge administration.

After a second had passed as she observed her guest, she finally spoke. "My apologies for not meeting you at the airport, I was waylaid by an important cabinet meeting. With the tensions rising in Gallia its safe to assume we are all on a little edge here as we wait and see what comes of the spat between Serenierre and Kadikistan. Quite an interesting development, wouldn't you say?

 

[Justosia]

While snow did endure on the tops of the empire's two mountain ranges, most Continentals, Vanguardians, & Victorians had never seen or experienced it before. Of course Ambassador Vargas knew what it was. She wasn't a southern hick. She didn't like it. Or cold weather for that matter. The capital city had a bit of a darker, more industrial look to it than she had anticipated. Maria Vargas was 5'6, 29 years old. Relatively young but she was gifted & rose quickly through the Foreign Ministry's Ambassador Program. The empire had very few female ambassadors.

She had a darker complexion, flowing, long brown hair, & brown eyes. She was a centrist & registered Independent politically. Though she loved the Emperatriz as a new Justosian feminist icon. She speculated as to why, truly, Sylvania was making this move at rapprochement. Did they really want the empire as part of the DDI? Or did they have something else they wanted? Petrol? A quick diplomatic victory to knotch?

She wanted an espresso. The popular drink back home, but coffee would do. Made made hers with one sugar, no cream. She got up to shake Director Faraday's hand.

"On behalf of the Continental Empire of Justosia and my sovereign, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Interesting isn't quite the word I'd use. Dangerous, potentially explosive, curious. What is your view of provocations during a time that could lead to conflict, Director?"

 

[The Federation]

Director Faraday let a few beats skip before answering. "Well that depends, provocations can be useful for finding out just how far you can go with another country before all hell breaks loose, in times nearing conflict it's a way to probe the enemy. Not militarily mind you, let us leave that to the generals and admirals, but rather I mean in a diplomatic sense. Find the weaknesses, where they will and will not acquiesce, provocation does not always lead to war, the first battlefield is usually with the ranks of the diplomatic and political classes of other countries. Perhaps though you are going to refer to a specific situation?

 

[Justosia]

"Really?"

This Ambassador Vargas thought to herself. That didn't sound constructive diplomatically. Diplomacy's purpose is to de-escalate, not inflame. Her thoughts on the plane were being vindicated it looked it.

"Director Faraday, with all due respect, just one provocation can easily lead to all hell breaking loose. All over Europe even. Depending on the country you're trying to.....probe. Ideally, competent diplomacy would ensure that time approaching conflict never comes. Also, for said probing, you would have already decided this hypothetical country is an enemy? Does it not take much here?

My apprehension for your approach, Director, comes from our past. In recent years Justosia has been accused, wrongly, of trying to start wars. We've been on that precipice too many times. More recently we've made many gains in many fields. The economy, civil rights, environment, education, to name a few. This is not progress we take for granted. Hence, again, the apprehension for potential looming conflict. Your approach is high risk, but if you think it's paying dividends, then, well, have it at. You're in a position to make that decision. Or at very least effect it with your input. In her hypothetical scenario, she was sure not to mention Eiffeland by name.

Now, I should finally like to ask, why this outreach to our government now? Is this Sylvania reaching out to us? The DDI? Both?"

 

[The Federation]

"If you had read my letter correctly, Ambassador Vargas, I made no promises of any dialogue with the DDI. This outreach is solely our own."

Director Faraday took a sip of hot tea, gently placing the cup back onto it's saucer.

"But let us continue talking about provocations. You assume to question me upon my own government's possible provocations elsewhere. You have not said it aloud but It is not difficult to deduce your reasoning for bringing my views on provocations up. I will however not be apprehensive in talking about your own provocations. Do you not think that announcing and of course with trademark Justosia government efficiency, legislating the construction of this new fleet is not a provocation in its own way? Of course in your mind you think it to provoke the communists, but I can assure you, they are not worried about Justosian fleets. Is it a show of force to the ODS? It was only after being rejected that you announced these plans. Perhaps it is both of these things. Here is one you may not have thought about; this aggressive shipbuilding program is in direct competition with DDI fleets in the Silk sea. What guarantees do we have that you will not attempt to assert authority over ships passing into the western approaches of the Long Sea? You may wish for these fleet buildups to signal a threat towards one but yet it may signal a threat to another without your intentions. You may be doing your damnedest to reform your country and bring in more democracy and to be more agreeable in diplomatic circles, this is to be commended, yet still you are dogged with a track record of gaffes in most diplomatic circles. Perhaps you can help us understand you better?

 

[Justosia]

The coffee was better than Ambassador Vargas had anticipated. She took a sip, then put her glass down.

"Director I thank you for your kind words. We are an efficient peoples. Especially so when left out in the cold.....while Europe looks to be carved up, between the big three. If your republic was alone, would you truly not survey the current geopolitical situation and assess the same need? Or are we getting off track?

She flicked her brown locks back.

"I needed to be sure, Director. Your letter was read quite diligently. Pardon the repetition. For the record, our first military buildup was ordered by the Emperador himself, in secret. This slight reinforcement was ascended by the Imperial Senate. The will of our people. Fifty eight percent of our public supports this. It was announced. With no shame. Nor should there be. It was to put Europe at ease this was."

This next part she had only received security clearance to utter just before she got on the plane.

"This new fleet WOULD have been our contribution to the ODS joint forces. Shame.....their utter lack of vision. Now it's just to ensure the empire isn't carved up along with the rest of Europe. Surely you have anticipated what could very well be coming Director. Anyone in your position worth their weight in gold would.

Furthermore, you may define a gaffe as you like. Wanting to rebuild and modernize one's military to match the times, a decision clearly vindicated, will never be one. We didn't come as far as we have by kow towing to international opinion. The Halcon must always soar higher than that.

Also, the meat of this matter. The Continental Empire has SOMETHING your republic wants. I respectfully ask, what is it?"

 

[Justosia]

Ambassador Vargas was receiving secure texts from Avalon. Europe was moving, literally. The geopolitical map was shifting. Even Sylvania & the three party DDI would be at risk soon.

"Shit madam, or get off the pot."

She thought to herself.

 

[The Federation]

"There is nothing you have that we want, perhaps you haven't been listening as I have spoken to you." Director Faraday responded curtly, sensing a foul attitude oozing out of the polite demeanor of Ambassador Vargas.

"It's what you will have that is the problem, this fourth fleet has, as I've said earlier, signaled a threat to our Silk sea operations. It's why I am telling you that the Continental Republic means to announce soon that it will match your fleet building and on top of that we shall have a new carrier strike group soon. This strike group will most likely placed in the Silk sea and will most assuredly operate with fleets from Touzen and Pohjanmaa, which means we can box you in if we want and cut you off from important trade lanes before you can even think of doing the same to us"

Director Faraday took a breath and then changed her tone. "None of this needs to happen however, you can have your fleet but you will sign a document that will enter into a non-aggression pact with the Continental Republic and DDI allied nations present and future, in it you will agree to not interfere with DDI allied nations ship movements military and civilian. That means, for example, if we wish to gather a 300 ship combined navy and sail it past your waters, bristling with guns, missiles and planes on our way to some exercise or even war, you will do and say nothing but grin and bear it. In this treaty you will recognize the supremacy of the DDI nations over the Silk seas and also our authority. You promise to notify all DDI nations of training exercises undertaken by Justosia in the Silk seas and finally you will limit yourself to four carrier battle groups, no more than that will be built by your country."

"If you do not agree to this or at least make a counter offer, then you will have shown us that you are no friend to the DDI and that your wild card nature must not be trusted and should be challenged at every step. Your country is already at it's limits in military spending and I assure you that we will be able to out spend you by twice as much with only the slightest strain upon DDI economies. Already you have strained your people too much, even if they voted for this naval increase, I feel that Justosians will be regretting it soon come time to pay their tax bills. Upon this treaty may be the building blocks for closer ties, but until then we must keep you at arms distance and you must become less of a threat to us, this treaty will accomplish this.

 

[Justosia]

Ambassador Vargas smiled politely.

"I'll do you one better."

She then wrote & signed a document saying the following:

"This conversation has been recorded. It has also just been transmitted to Avalon. Which, having its suspicions about your war mongering state confirmed, will release it to Europe. By the way dear, your box doesn't mean much to certain kinds of submarines."

Ambassador Vargas then got up & left. Was quickly en route back to Avalon.
___________________________________________

OOC: It's a sign of poor RPing ability to let some ooc spat you choose to blow outta proportion affect the aforementioned. You should think twice about your last post. Perhaps in allowing it to derail anyone else's current arcs, before we proceed.

 

[The Federation]

Minister Vargas was promptly detained for spying. Nothing was transmitted and Vargas was a fool for attempting to do what she did.

ooc: no whats a poor sign of rp ability is thinking you can just do that and get away with it. also being a jerk and trying to hurry someone a long who had the decency to even try and rp with you after several others just ignore you. you have the chance to counter offer but instead you god mod instead. just like you godmodded yourself two carriers in less than a year. thats poor rping.

 

[The Federation]

As was usual the NID had been monitoring the communications of the new arrivals from a field office they kept at the Foreign Affairs department. Though Ambassador Vargas attempted to blackmail Director Faraday with her overt act of espionage, her transmission was intercepted and held for decryption by NID.

Director Faraday sighed and hit a button under her desk. Promptly two Federal Security agents burst in and gently detained the Ambassador, confiscating her phone and any recording devices.

"Destroy the phone and any other electronic devices she has." Faraday ordered.

"That was a foolish move you just made Vargas. Perhaps you forgot but we gave you the ride from airport. You aren't going anywhere unfortunately."

Her phone and recording devices were taken away and the rest of her delegation had their devices removed as well in case she made some sort of short range data transfer.

The federal agent placed his hand gently on minister Vargas' shoulder, "Ma'am you are being detained for the time being. Come with me."

 

[Justosia]

OOC: Nice try. But your move had a window of maybe 4-5 hours tops. Not almost a WHOLE DAY. Moves that could, wrongly, be construed as espionage, require more real time responses. You didn't RP sweeping her for anything when she came in. So nothing stopping that texting, or her transmitting a recorded conversation back to Avalon. I mean, that's just on you dude. So your ideal move can't void that.

She left. But if I'm forced to RP that, you'll have no way to prove she's a spy, which means you're detaining a diplomat for no reason. IE holding her hostage. IE committing an act of war.

Your move. Cede to logic, or probably start a war you couldn't possibly emerge seriously unscathed from.