Orgullo

[Justosia]

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Finanzas Ministerio
Government Quarter
10:00 AM Justosian Time

Top floor Conference Room Alfa had been decked out in the appropriate fashion. Considering a meeting like this was unprecedented. The Soberana, Canciller, Senado Orador, & Finance Minister, & all their accompanying staff. There was actually an active betting pool on how successful this meeting will be amongst the Finance Ministry staff.

The motorcades arrived. Pleasantries exchanged. Ways made. They were announced & seated. Annabella led a prayer before the meeting actually began. What followed was a surprising awkward silence before Senate Speaker Castro spoke.

"All due respect Your Imperial Majesty, Canciller, the armed forces remain under funded."

Castro had yet to call him His Excelencia. To him there was nothing excellent about him. This provoked an immediate response from Albares. Who had noticed this, albeit quietly, already.

"Have you forgotten what the last sovereign put us......did for us to rebuild and modernize the military? Are you serious?"

"I said under funded. Not under equipped, Canciller."

"Bullshit. Unless you have some new grandiose design in mind. God help us...."

"Nothing cursed about a land based missile defence system that ultimately rings the entire archipiélago."

"Except for the SEA based missile defence system that already, very adequately, serves that purpose."

"The Air Defence Frigate Fleet isn't enough. They can be more easily neutralized. For starters."

Finance Minister Fox was refusing to even entertain this debate so far. He was scrolling through some official documents. Albares pivoted.

"Your Majesty, please be a beacon of commonsense."

"Tomas, dear Tomas, no, I think. Too expensive. Need I remind you of the construction, still underway and coming along well, of our five new submarines from Tarusa? Move on. Is what I think you should do."

This was a very blunt response where usually the Soberana was more delicate with her wording. However no budget imperils too many important things in the capital for this to continue much longer. Both palaces were keeping track of how many emergency spending bills they've had to sign until now.

Castro was silent for about 10 seconds before speaking again.

"Very well. We believe our Active Duty Infantería deserve a pay raise."

"Far more noble, but alas Orador, the citizenry has gone without for longer than the military had to. I'm happy to have another conversation about this. In the semi near future."

"Try closer to next year. Or simply next year."

Finance Minister Fox finally chimed in. Annabella signaled her willingness to hear this again. They then moved on. Albares spoke.

"The budget is three hundred billion. This is the largest budget we've ever proposed. History needs to record that it went to the people. To their general welfare. The ultimate investment. Specifically towards expanding welfare. Especially for youth, seniors, and families. The mainland's system of railways and bridges. I believe funds should be allocated there as well. To reinforce, modernize, rebuild what must be. I won't watch our infrastructure crumble for a second. Also I believe that we should sanction the construction of a bridge. Between the points of the mainland, and Puerta Island, nearest to each other. It makes sense. Travel is currently hindered. Our archipiélago needs to be as connected as possible. I also believe this administration should start investing, seriously finally, in greener energies."

Castro was preparing a retort. Well, more of a trirade. Annabella could see it on his face. Fox was doing related math on a piece of paper as Castro spoke. Then she did.

"I agree with every item just listed. For the simple fact that our military has been built up and modernized already. At great expense. Financially, nationally, and spiritually. My late husband our first Emperador went through hell to ensure this. It was not, for not. Your Excelencia, what figures do you have in mind?"

"Currently, one hundred fifty billion. To be adjusted incrementally hopefully, as needed, as the senado actually undertakes passage. The rest going to other administration needs, debts both domestic and foreign, the military, etcetera. Interior deserves the biggest budget. Followed by Finance, then Defence."

"I see no problem with the current figure. Gentlemen. I have offered my input, advice. In my constitutional right to be consulted. I must take my leave now. Your Excelencia, Orador, I'm sure you will disagree yet. Please don't waste time finding a rational compromise. Something closer to what Manuel described, I think. God bless both of you."

They stood. She left. Castro began tearing into Manuel. Neither bettor won it seemed.

 

[Justosia]

Santificado Palace
Emperatriz Apartments
1:30 PM Justosian Time

"Your Imperial Majesty." Foreign Minister Guzman, successor to Manuel Albares, bowed respectfully.

"Ah Fernando. Spicy Fernando. I'm glad to see you again of course. Bit of a late lunch I know, but I thought it prudent to give you a chance to explain yourself..."

"......Majesty doesn't approve of my latest statement."

"Not particularly. I don't want the boat being rocked right now. San Jose might very well be a Communist Wolf in Socialist Sheep's clothing, but I'd rather wait for their full coming out party. Then the coal raking can begin. They are presently not an....immediate threat."

"I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

"Don't. You're a man. A Justosian man. We should never beg. Man or woman. Instead, advise me, in the capacity of your station, how to approach sending an observer delegation to Caira."

"They say they hold us in high esteem. Let's show them it's mutual, mi Reina."

 

[Justosia]

Arcangeles Cathedral
Government Quarter
June 7, 1995
12:00 PM Justosian Time

"By the power invested in me by God Almighty, the state, and this church, I now pronounce you husband, and wife. King, and Queen. You may kiss the bride."

The recently coronated Carlos II didn't wait for Grand Archbishop Marseilles to finish. He kissed his bride as the dark veil of his father's recent passing began to lift. It would lift further upon his new wife's coronation as Queen. Although legally she was Queen now. Carlos II demanded a grand coronation for her. Annabella suggested forgoing it to save some taxpayer §, but Carlos was having none of it. So of course she acquiesced.

"I love you."

"I love you."

"Now come, glowing bride of mine. Your subjects came from near and far to see you."

They kissed again & exited to a tidal wave of fanfare. Soon after they were in the royal limousine.

"Justosia is a tiny, dried husk. On my sacred honor, I am going to change this. I have a plan, wife. You have a role to play. Upon the end of my reign, whenever God decides that is, this nation will be very, markedly different. I am going to modernize and rebuild our military. It's a fucking joke right now. When I pass, love, you will be this nation's first female sovereign. Our House will not end with me. I know you're strong enough for this. I know this because you married into my House."

He said jokingly as he held her hand & looked at her.

"Your job will be to revitalize Justosia domestically. Also to repair the damage internationally to our reputation. For these older, more established nations will not understand our struggle to save us."

They talked as the limo pulled off.

 

[Justosia]

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[Justosia]

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Cancillería
4:30 PM Justosian Time

Normally the Soberana would never go to see the Canciller. Always vice versa, but Carlos wasn't really the Soberano so he didn't care. He arrived. He told the Imperial Guards to move. They did. He & Manuel sat down to ludicrously expensive bourbon & cigars.

"I prefer red wine, Manuel."

"Well, Your Royal Highness, I have bourbon."

Carlos shrugged & took the glass.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"I'm bisexual. I prefer men. I think gay marriage should be the law of the land. I believe in God more than I don't, but don't consider myself particularly religious. I really don't care if a woman wants to have a First Trimester abortion. I could disagree but it's still her choice. I agree with what you negotiated for welfare. This archipiélago could stand to be greener. I'm more of a hawk than a dove if that same home is threatened. When it comes to foreign policy, ideals are wonderful, but business is still business. So, think you can make it to my reign? Excellency?"

Carlos smiled & raised his glass for a toast. The Canciller, with an inquisitive grin, raised his.

 

[Justosia]

Intelligence Sub Ministry Underground Entrance
Location classified
11:30 AM Justosian Time

After a litany of security measures via the Imperial Marines guarding this secret entrance to the mainland's domestic & foreign intelligence apparatus, Canciller Albares, Defence Minister Aguilar, & Intelligence Sub Minister Calderon, were in. There was an underground tunnel constructed during the reign of the late Emperador connecting the Defence & Foreign Ministries. The palaces of the Order Branch had their own underground facets. The Intel Ministry was a sub branch of Defence of course, but it was more expansive, & expensive, then most knew. Which when one thinks about it, to be expected. Everything overtly sensitive in intel nature was stored here underground. The Defence Minister spoke first.

"Should we not wait for the Soberana?"

"She's en route. What we can't speak to each other? Every word said in here is recorded anyway." Calderon replied.

"What of the Foreign Minister? Interior Minister Reyes who's at the heart of this?" Albares asked.

"What of him? This is explicitly a defence matter. That's why you're here, Excelencia. When we know more about who to blame, we'll ring Minister Guzman. Reyes is on Lockdown Protocol." Aguilar said. Before a rather surprising question from Calderon.

"Is this a false flag? Javier....is this you?"

"I should be asking you the same question, and first, but no. An operation like this has too many variables, risks. Though that would make this meeting more amicable."

"Well I say before the presence of God and Christ, this wasn't me. You know I'm too conservative for something like this. Besides if it were me, I would never want one of my agents to go kamikaze."

"Do you even have agents anywhere these days?"

"That's classified." Was Calderon's tongue & cheek response.

"Than it's neither of you. Good. Thank God....pretty certain I would have to be consulted about an operación like this prior anyway." Albares reminded them.

The two Nationalists both looked at him ready to sneer & retort. However they bitterly remembered that they were both out ranked. The conversation then drifted to the Emperatriz arrival before the secure, steel reinforced door opened again. Not Annabella, but the ISB. One could almost hear the collective "FUCK." They were greeted, searched, scanned, & provided seating.

 

[Justosia]

Emperatriz Apartments
8:30 PM Justosian Time

Annabella was sifting through imperial documents when she was informed she had a call from the Canciller on a secure line.

"Manuel?"

"I think you should order the Foreign Ministry to recognize San Jose, and put Gran-Occidentia to Neutral. Lastly that it should inform the senado that it will no longer follow an archaic law detrimental to imperial security. This is better for internacional security and business. It would show our commitment to de-escalating current tensions in Europe. The fact that firm but cordial ideological differences remain will be evident. I stake my station on this being the right move. I will formally petition the senado tomorrow to vote to repeal the law. This is truly the wise course of action, Your Majesty."

 

[Justosia]

Study
Emperatriz Apartments
11:00 AM Justosian Time

Annabella looked over the order. She had wrote it herself. Orders to the organs of Imperial Government require no senado approval of course. However this Imperial Edict will fly directly in the face of that senado law. This is why His Excelencia, who was standing right beside her, was there to advise before he trotted off to the senado to petition them to repeal the law. Annabella turned to him.

"And if Tomas refuses via his majority conference?"

"I'll take it to the Capital Court. Current constitutional precedent favors you. Our branch. Tomas knows this. The rest is up to his pride."

Annabella just stared at the official letterhead, thinking.

"Majesty if this backfires on you or the nacional interest in any way, I'll resign. I say this before God and yourself. If you truly want your reign to be remembered as one of peace and prosperity, this is the way."

"You will be held to that, Canciller."

Annabella ordered the Imperial Guards posted outside the room to retrieve the Palace Senado Liason immediately.

 

[Justosia]

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Interior Ministerio
Imperial Seguridad Oficina
Avalon Sede
​

9:21 PM Justosian Time
For Her Eyes Only

Your Imperial Majesty,

The Nacional Social Democrático Subterráneo is officially a security threat. Recommend authorization of tracing of IP addresses. This site needs to be shut down & any potential successors blocked. Top administrators & moderators need to be tracked down via the aforementioned & taken in for questioning. Have also received your correspondence about tracking certain Nacionalista senadors in various forms. Setting up logistics as you read this. The official report for the incident, & all related new briefs are attached. Lastly, we have no reason to believe the mainland or islands are suffering infiltration from agents of any foreign power currently. The Febrero Intelligence report will be with you tomorrow promptly of course.

Will communicate again when needed. Always at your service Mi Señora.

Felix Calderon
Intelligence Sub Minister

 

[Justosia]

Emperatriz Chambers
8:00 PM Justosian Time

Annabella was hosting Intelligence Minister Calderon & Defence Minister Aguilar. Felix was first in briefing his Soberana on a select number of Nationalist senadors.

"Your Archipelágic Imperial Majesty's suspicion is correct. Certain members of the Nationalist party in that chamber either dislike, or distrust you. It is indeed because you are a woman. Key word was weak."

"Minister....expand your wire tapping and surveillance to every senador. Both parties. Recent events have made it clear that I can't fully trust either. Especially the party that's supposed to be for me."

"They're for strength, Mi Reina. Until your reign that went hand in hand with the throne. You're our first Soberana. This is a patriarchal nation of tradition. Surely Majesty expected this in some form eventually."

".......Communicate to ISB headquarters in every major city in the archipiélago to remain on heightened alert. Thank you."

Calderon bowed & left.

"Minister Aguilar?"

"Majesty, the construction of our five new Emperador class submarines is nearing completion. God bless Tarusa."

They began talking about readiness levels into the night.

 

[Justosia]

Medical Wing
Santificado Palace
11:00 AM Justosian Time

Annabella's doctor performed her weekly checkup. Accompanying it was the works. MRIs, blood work, etc. This was semi regularly as her health is of course paramount.

"Your Archipiélagic Imperial Majesty is in very good health. Save for your blood sugar. Slightly higher than normal. I am aware Majesty is very partial to her breakfast pastries. I recommend a slow down there."

"Unwelcomed, but appreciated news doctor. I know you'll let me know the results of the more invasive tests promptly. I have an unrelated question. Can Depression be hereditary?"

"There's still no firm evidence that provides us with a direct link Majesty. No. Worst case is more prone, ultimately."

That's a yes to her. Annabella was feeling the weight of the crown more & more with each passing month it felt now. She was convinced that same weight, & his years in Royal Navy Intelligence are what really killed her late husband too. For it was there that Carlos II learned, saw, just how behind Europe Justosia was militarily. It changed him from wanting a domestic infrastructure Renaissance, to an international, power one. Annabella knew her son better than anyone. He was beyond prone to the same things that killed his father. She, 48, would need to labor to reign for at least 20 years. God willing by then war will be a bygone thing in Europe & he'll be fully mature.

"Thank you as always doctor. God bless you."

 

[Justosia]

Meridian Sea
6 miles off pre Avalon Coast
01/01/1719
11:32 AM Justosian Time

"Land ho, Lord Francisco."

"Thank you, Franco. Fetch Lord Alessandro for me."

Lord Ferdinand Francisco was Sollagan nobility. God willing he will soon be King Ferdinand Francisco I. One does not become great, nor advance their station closer to the divine by remaining stagnant & wallowing under the rule of those fucking Catholics. His fiance Isabella was his first disciple so to speak. He was 30 & her 27. This plan was born of them originally. The future on this rock would be theirs. They had planned a dynasty that will endure. For his interpretation of the Bible will lay the foundations for this new nation's official Protestant church. Slaves to the 'Holy' See no more. The Divine Right of their House enshrined. To produce a girl would be a sin against God as far as Ferdinand was concerned. His constant praying in years leading up to this laid bare what the good Lord put him on this world to do. Ramon Alessandro, Ferdinand's best friend, approached.

"God is good Ramon. We're home. We're going to birth a nation here. Your House should succeed mine should that horrid time ever come. Kindly do me some favors please. Anyone suspected of being a dissident is to be killed and thrown overboard. Starting now. Upon landfall, anyone found to be conspiring against me is to be arrested and burnt at the stake. Be my enforcer, mi amigo. It's time. Prepare to disembark."

 

[Justosia]

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Conference Room Beta
10:00 AM Justosian Time
Santificado Palace

One does not refuse an invitation to the placio by the Emperatriz. She wanted a working breakfast with the Canciller, Finance, & Foreign Ministers. They were presently arriving & being escorted to her. After being announced & seated, they began.

"Good morning gentlemen. It's a beautiful day of our Lord. I call you here today because of my enduring concern for the peace of Europe......or perhaps I should say security. I desperately want the two to be the same. The radical left nations of this region will not, are not likely, satisfied with us officially recognizing them whilst their ideologies still demonize & call for the destruction of our way of life. They have begun uniting. Festering. Via economic, diplomatic, and likely military pacts, agreements, etcetera. United as they are becoming, it will be easier to export their toxic ideologies to the east, and beyond. I am not satisfied with this. You three are paid very well to advise me on issues like these. Please, advise."

It was Minister Guzman who spoke first.

"Does Your Imperial Majesty view this as a nacional security issue at all?"

"Do you see Defence Minister Aguilar present? Fernando?"

"Forgive me, mi Emperatriz."

Canciller Albares was investigating the room. He hadn't been in this one yet. This is actually one of the LESS grand rooms in the Imperial Palacio at that. There wasn't much on the walls. Save for the large portrait of King Ferdinand Francisco IV or Ferdinand the Great as known. Finally Carlos II didn't like this room. Made Manuel taking a shine to it nearly fated.

Finance Minister Fox would speak second.

"Sell our petróleo cheaper, marginally cheaper that is, to @Tarusa and the @Holy Frankish Empire. Our archipelago has come far in a short time praise God. However these two right pillars of Europe, as Minister Guzman's office has labeled them, they are capable of defending eastern civilization in any facet, far more than we are still. We need to be useful to them. This is a very pragmatic way to be. Our relationships with them have benefitted us greatly as well. As I know Majesty, and you know, Minister."

Fernando commended Vicente while Albares cautioned against getting too deeply into bed with any foreign power, but ultimately abstained from the vote as he would be overruled anyway. The idea was likely to be put into practice. Annabella summoned the appropriate Palacio Enlaces to inform the necessary Ministers & the senado as the conversation then drifted.

 

[Justosia]

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Carlos Francisco I Internacional Aeropuerto
Avalon
12:30 PM Justosian Time

Pedro Montez was generally not the happy person. Not ever since being looked over for Finance Minister for Vicente Fox anyway. He wasn't over it & refused to accept it. Though Fox, more introverted & a neurotic egg head, was a pretty good fit for that role, he knew it was meant for him. This was his dorado opportunity. What the Tsar's government had proposed was brand new ground for El Archipiélagic Imperio. If he traversed it well, that spot in the Big 4 would surely become his. He wasn't like Trade Minister Rivera. He was not at all content to remain stagnant in the Finance Ministry.

He was also a bit of a wine enthusiast albeit a highly functioning one. Not a drop today though. One can get drunk when it's time to watch Fox resign or be fired. He boarded a state plane.

"I am not to be disturbed. I won't tolerate tardiness either, pilot. Also do your utmost to avoid turbulence. Begin taxieng as soon as ready."

(Sorry I had to retcon the Commerce Minister's name. Forgot again even though I made a list lol. Will update.)

 

[Justosia]

Emperatriz Apartments
Santificado Palace
1:30 AM Justosian Time

Annabella had the best from every national church choir in the capital brought to the palace. The oldest chants in their version of the Bible. They were paid, handsomely, to chant them as well as they knew how, until the break of dawn. It was like out of a movie, her son thought. Although they did sound amazing & the Imperial Palacio's acoustics were top notch. This was the perfect white noise. She no longer saw her late husband laying beside her out of the corner of her eye. He is with God & his protection enveloped the most sacred ground in the empire.

On the other side of the palace, in Carlos II's apartments, the echoing word of God did not help him finish having sex. With a female surprisingly. He kicked her out & poured a very late, or early glass of red. He began reading a book until he passed out.

 

[Justosia]

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Belalcazar
7:00 PM Justosian Time

The fighter escorts broke off as the jet began its final descent. Carlos was thrilled he had his own place in the eastern empire. He had actually never been to Belalcazar. The city had a certain reputation. Highest crime rate in the whole archipiélago. All this really meant was that it had the craziest night life. Carlos was keen to find out. The jet passed over the city's crowning jewel. The Carlos Francisco I Science Museum. The vision was grand & the plans sprawling. Worse was the 11 years it took to finally finish. Carlos II's rapid modernization of the military sapped the funding & materials needed to finish halfway thru construction. It was worth the wait. The palace had also chipped in §10,000,000 from the family's own coffers.

After touchdown Carlos disembarked to find his cousin Nicol waiting for him with a limousine. He had rented out the top floor of the city's best hotel. He popped open a §1,000 bottle of champagne which stained Carlos' §5,000 watch. They shared a hug & got in the car. They were going to have a bachelor's weekend. Doing everything young male royalty does that would send a Socialist or Communist into convulsions. Nicol simply had nothing better to do. Gleaming token of Annabella's mercy that he was. Carlos was happy to get away from the capital for a time. They pulled off.