Hesperia
Mr. Capitalism
East Sidra Air Force Base
Sidra, Sultanate of Hajr
The East Sidra Air Force Base, normally no more than an off-limits military location to most Hajris, today found itself the center of attention, in both the Far Himyarite nation as well as the world. In the past few weeks the base had been subjected to a frantic work pace at odds with the calm of military discipline it normally found itself under, as work teams scrambled to transform it from air force base to the site of the biggest international convention Hajr had ever seen. Trillions of dirhams were at stake.
Built on the eastern edge of the Sidra metropolitan area (the biggest in the Sultanate and the country's economic and cultural hub), the road to the base was usually only frequented by military vehicles. The slums and ramshackle neighborhoods that characterized the edge of most Hajri cities were kept a good distance from the base's perimeter by the occasional bulldozing.
The past week, however, had seen a constant stream of commercial trucks pour into the base as Sultan Huseyn's military exhibition was built up. Defense companies from a dozen different countries had set up shop in one of the several hangars that had been cleared especially for IMEX, or out on the tarmac. Another base would have to supply the patrols protecting the Sultanate's airspace the coming days.
It was early in the evening as the last preparations had been finished, and, under extraordinarily heavy security, the motorcade carrying the Sultan of Hajr himself pulled into the military base turned expo center. Nevertheless the temperature was still 35 degrees Celsius, and the base's generators were working overtime to keep the air conditioning that had been installed in the hangars running. Hangar 1, the largest, had been converted into a convention center. It was here that the Hajri monarch was to open what he hoped would become one of the world's most important military events.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome His Majesty, your patron, the Sultan of Hajr, Huseyn the Victorious!"
The announcer backed away from the Sultan in deference as the monarch walked up to the microphone, flanked by officials from the Diwans of Foreign Affairs and War and several Princes of the royal family, dressed in his traditional robes of office, the dark bisht cloak over a white thobe, and wearing a shemagh of rich fabric in the Hajri style, signifying his royalty. Thrust in the black sash around his waist was the wicked curve of the khanjar dagger, traditional symbol of masculinity. He greeted the standing ovation he was given with a pearly white smile, and waited until it subsided.
"Esteemed guests, We welcome you to the International Military Exhibition, to great and ancient Sidra, and to our beloved Hajr!" the Sultan began, speaking in the finely clipped English he had learnt while studying abroad as a Prince, laced with a slight Arabic accent.
"We have brought you together, here, in order to foster and create an atmosphere of trust and cooperation, so that this venue might become a source of new commerce and new trade. It is Our sincerest hope that this event will mark a great leap forward in the defense industry and the provision of security for states around the world.
"At this venue, state parties and defense contractors from across Europe can meet and develop new partnerships, strengthening both the industry as well as state security. We have labored in order to provide a stage on which leaders in defense technology can showcase their latest products before the world's eye. IMEX is a window to the world, and for the world to look into.
"The coming five days, you of the leading defense companies of the world will be introduced to the most advanced and modern technologies on the market. You will have the opportunity to meet with state parties and seal lucrative deals. With IMEX, We aim to create new markets and new economies for the defense industry.
"Hajr is more than happy to have you. Our great nation welcomes you with open arms. To a successful today, and a successful tomorrow!"
With a flourish, the Sultan produced a wine glass, handed to him by a servant hovering nearby. He toasted with the assembled corporate representatives, and downed the expensive champagne inside in one go. There were no camera's or pesky reporters here, of course, to register such a breach of Islam by the Sultan of Hajr himself.
Following another standing ovation, the monarch descended from the platform and mingled amongst his gathered guests. This evening was for the reception, before the exhibition and convention proper would begin tomorrow. That was when the real work would be done.
Sidra, Sultanate of Hajr
The East Sidra Air Force Base, normally no more than an off-limits military location to most Hajris, today found itself the center of attention, in both the Far Himyarite nation as well as the world. In the past few weeks the base had been subjected to a frantic work pace at odds with the calm of military discipline it normally found itself under, as work teams scrambled to transform it from air force base to the site of the biggest international convention Hajr had ever seen. Trillions of dirhams were at stake.
Built on the eastern edge of the Sidra metropolitan area (the biggest in the Sultanate and the country's economic and cultural hub), the road to the base was usually only frequented by military vehicles. The slums and ramshackle neighborhoods that characterized the edge of most Hajri cities were kept a good distance from the base's perimeter by the occasional bulldozing.
The past week, however, had seen a constant stream of commercial trucks pour into the base as Sultan Huseyn's military exhibition was built up. Defense companies from a dozen different countries had set up shop in one of the several hangars that had been cleared especially for IMEX, or out on the tarmac. Another base would have to supply the patrols protecting the Sultanate's airspace the coming days.
It was early in the evening as the last preparations had been finished, and, under extraordinarily heavy security, the motorcade carrying the Sultan of Hajr himself pulled into the military base turned expo center. Nevertheless the temperature was still 35 degrees Celsius, and the base's generators were working overtime to keep the air conditioning that had been installed in the hangars running. Hangar 1, the largest, had been converted into a convention center. It was here that the Hajri monarch was to open what he hoped would become one of the world's most important military events.
* * *
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome His Majesty, your patron, the Sultan of Hajr, Huseyn the Victorious!"
The announcer backed away from the Sultan in deference as the monarch walked up to the microphone, flanked by officials from the Diwans of Foreign Affairs and War and several Princes of the royal family, dressed in his traditional robes of office, the dark bisht cloak over a white thobe, and wearing a shemagh of rich fabric in the Hajri style, signifying his royalty. Thrust in the black sash around his waist was the wicked curve of the khanjar dagger, traditional symbol of masculinity. He greeted the standing ovation he was given with a pearly white smile, and waited until it subsided.
"Esteemed guests, We welcome you to the International Military Exhibition, to great and ancient Sidra, and to our beloved Hajr!" the Sultan began, speaking in the finely clipped English he had learnt while studying abroad as a Prince, laced with a slight Arabic accent.
"We have brought you together, here, in order to foster and create an atmosphere of trust and cooperation, so that this venue might become a source of new commerce and new trade. It is Our sincerest hope that this event will mark a great leap forward in the defense industry and the provision of security for states around the world.
"At this venue, state parties and defense contractors from across Europe can meet and develop new partnerships, strengthening both the industry as well as state security. We have labored in order to provide a stage on which leaders in defense technology can showcase their latest products before the world's eye. IMEX is a window to the world, and for the world to look into.
"The coming five days, you of the leading defense companies of the world will be introduced to the most advanced and modern technologies on the market. You will have the opportunity to meet with state parties and seal lucrative deals. With IMEX, We aim to create new markets and new economies for the defense industry.
"Hajr is more than happy to have you. Our great nation welcomes you with open arms. To a successful today, and a successful tomorrow!"
With a flourish, the Sultan produced a wine glass, handed to him by a servant hovering nearby. He toasted with the assembled corporate representatives, and downed the expensive champagne inside in one go. There were no camera's or pesky reporters here, of course, to register such a breach of Islam by the Sultan of Hajr himself.
Following another standing ovation, the monarch descended from the platform and mingled amongst his gathered guests. This evening was for the reception, before the exhibition and convention proper would begin tomorrow. That was when the real work would be done.