Keeping Order in the House

[Touzen]

"How the hell could that happen? Are you all mad?"

Sakamoto Kaito was the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Ministry, tasked with all matters regarding the Imperial family and the Imperial cult. Nominally his position was rather limited in the scope of its power, but in reality he was one of the major influences behind the scenes in Oikawan politics - if things had to get done, it was almost inevitable that his blessing had to be on the project, if it was not to be bogged down in a flood of Imperial inquiries and other bureaucratic obstructionism. Regardless of whether it concerned domestic or foreign matters - one could assume that Sakamoto always had his hands in it, in some way or another. When other officials were busy with other matters, it was not uncommon for him to jump in and act on their behalf. Thus he had become a sort of cook-general of Imperial administration.

Now, Sakamoto, who usually was a calm and some would say even sly person, was running around the office like a mad tiger.

"You have a Communist insurgency at your hands and the first thing that comes to your mind is staging a coup. Dammit!"

He slammed his fist on the beautiful mahogany and jade desk.

"Do you even realize what potential danger that poses? Why did your government not realize that something was going on? Why was it not moving to prevent what is now happening? Now we all got a mess on our hands. Free elections? Questioning the authority of the king? What is next? A republic? Entering the Alliance for a Greater Europe?"

Sakamoto shook his hand, took a deep breath and settled down on his chair behind the desk again. Slamming the drawers of the desk open, he retrieved a cigar from Coronado, reached for his golden lighter in his chest pocket and lit the expensive tobacco product. He inhaled, closed his eyes, and then exhaled after several seconds. His voice had calmed down, maybe even too much, for it now had a cold and slightly threatening touch to it.

"We need to find a solution to this. A solution that ultimately will ensure stability in Ratomkira, lest we have to ensure it. Don't you agree, ambassador?"

 

[Calidia]

Sopheap Natak was stressing out, barely being able to contain his emotions but somehow still pulling it off. Being the Ratomkiran ambassador to Oikawa hadn't been easy. Among other things it took him many days and nights to learn al the imperial protocols not to mention that he was often called upon to explain Ratomkiran politics and strategies. How he would explain the events of the last few days where as much a mystery to him as to the angry Oikawan sitting in front of him. He pulled himself together and placed his glass back on the table while wiping some spilled water away with his hand.

"As you know I have been appointed to this position 3 years ago by the King himself. My loyalty still lies with His Leadership and the old government, just to be clear. However I am in direct contact with the leaders of the coup and they have told me my tasks.

First of all they wish to stress that they have no intention to turn against the League of Free States or any other ally, most importantly Oikawa. According to the military government the army was on the verge of collapse, desertion rates where through the roof, morale had hit an all-time low, corruption was beyond control, finances have been depleted,... and so on. They say that the takeover was essential to preserve law and order in Ratomkira, without it there would have been unimaginable chaos. The militarists view the former government as incompetent and weak as they would have send the nation into oblivion."

Sopheap felt uneasy to say at least. He was an old man with much experience not only in foreign affairs as well as internal politics, but he had never faced such an important assignment. While feeling the smooth desk under his fingers he continued.

"I have received much information from the leaders of this uprising and will be able to clarify most of your doubts. I feel that it would be best if you could formulate the most urgent questions of the Empire. That way I will not wast your time."

 

[Touzen]

"Very well."

The Grand Steward leaned back and reached for a lever at the right side of his chair, putting it even slighter higher than the seat of his counterpart. It was to be obvious to both men in this room who the one giving orders and who the one receiving them was.

"What will happen to members of the old government? Most importantly, what will happen to His Majesty? Also, are there plans to changing the status of Oikawans as a brother people? And, how exactly does this new government think will it be able to cope better with the insurgency? We are all aware that introducing so called democratic reforms might destabilize the situation at large - what guarantees us that a government that wants to leave the League won't be elected into power?"

He paused for a moment.

"As you can see, there are a lot of questions and I could name many more. Maybe you now realize why Nokanawa's patience is wearing thin and why we will have to contemplate all possibilities when it comes to ensuring the interests of the Oikawan and Ratomkiran people."

 

[Calidia]

The Grand Steward had successfully intimidated ambassador Sopheap Natak. However that wasn't really out of the ordinary. When it came to these kind of talks the Oikawans always made sure that their counterparts knew and felt the hierarchy. He quickly watched over some of the documents that lied in front of him before answering the many questions.

"The old government is scattered across the country. Some have been placed under house arrest while others are still unaccounted for. A small number of governmental officials, including the former Prime Minister, have reportedly managed to enter the Pomnichin province, which is as you know the last province in the hands of the 'royalists'. This has made their efforts to create a government in exile increasingly difficult.

The exact location of His Leadership is unknown to me, but the military stated that they have him, in their own words, 'contained'. The leaders of the coup say that they will give the monarch his powers back once he accepts the new government."

In his head Sopheap was constantly thinking on how he would formulate his answers. He knew that many lives depended on this meeting. After taking another sip from his drink he continued.

"They promise to keep the law of brotherhood in effect. As a sign of goodwill they increased the amount of forces in and around the Oikawan settlements to prevent any of the hate groups from taking advantage of the situation. In regards to the insurgency they believe that the path of diplomacy must be tried out. It is one of the main reasons why this uprising is so popular. The Ratomkiran people and soldiers where sick of the daily attacks and ever-growing list of casualties without having the slightest say in the matter. If the peace negotiations will be a success is unknown but the new government has assured me that they will not make concessions at the cost of our nations sovereignty or the security of our allies.

To answer your last question, the military government has told me that in the event that the democratically elected leaders decides to pull back from the League they will intervene. They realise the importance of the LFS and the Greater Oikawan Empire and don't wish to destabilize the situation any further."

 

[Touzen]

"Mh."

Sakamoto pondered and starred at the man he was facing, while really looking behind him, into the void. Thinking, he rhythmically opened and closed the drawer of his desk and continued to do so for at least a minute or two, but it certainly must have felt like an eternity for the other man. Finally, he closed the drawer for a last time and harrumphed.

"Very well. Though there is a decisive problem we face here...PR."

He let his words rest for a few seconds before proceeding.

"This is an immense issue in this time and age, and especially in our position. First of all not doing anything at all in this affair will make the Empire look weak, especially if it permits a democratic regime of whatever taint to emerge. Also, not to think of the issues we would face if we moved against the will of a democratically elected government, we would possibly even risk sanctions by the international community since there are enough vultures that would only be waiting for an opportunity like that..that is simply a possible outcome we cannot risk.

Here is what I strongly suggest: you will get representatives of both the junta and the old government in here by Tuesday. Here, in Nokanawa, they will then decide to form a compromise for the sake of national unity and regional stability."

The Grand Steward leaned slightly across the table.

"Failing that, we will have to take our own measures."

 

[Calidia]

"I have no doubts that representatives from both parties will gladly oblige. I will personally do everything within my power to make the meeting on Tuesday a reality, although it will not be easy."

To Sopheap it felt like an enormous weight had fallen of his shoulders. He had done what the new government asked from him while not betraying the old leaders an somehow making his Oikawan colleague a lot calmer. A job well done he thought to himself. He still had a lot of work ahead though, but al least the work ahead didn't have any more of these mind-tormenting talks. Now the biggest question on the ambassador's mind was who he would tell the news to first: the King or the Marshall. After all he had his own career to worry about.

"I do believe I did my part. Will you be needing me any further today?"