10-28-2020, 06:34 PM
Taugen Airport, Outside Geminus, Eiria
April 3rd, 2020
Alice Lancaster sat in the Limousine parked outside the Taugen Airport's first terminal, careful to not sit too close to the windows. Even though the windows were tinted, if she was seen, or worse, pictured... It could destroy the shroud of secrecy this project had been created on. She watched the Terminal doors open and close, people pouring out of it at different intervals. The biggest Airport in Eiria probably wasn't a good meeting place in retrospect, She thought. The Limousine Driver stood outside, instructed to wave down their passenger as soon as they arrived.
Rahul Srinivas, recently appointed Legionite Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, was a relatively unknown man outside Legionas. He was however known as a shrewd and calculated man within the corridors of power, a powerful asset for Nicholas Moretti. He checked his environs while he walked, calmly moving through the Terminal, admiring the relative calm among the travelers who moved about in a relatively orderly fashion. A passenger knocked into him, momentarily startling Srinivas. "Damn, of course I just had to cause a commotion while trying to be as inconspicuous as possible!" He thought. He aided the lady, who had fallen her purse, and whispered a rushed yet friendly apology as he proceeded towards the exit. He noticed the limousine parked at the entrance to the terminal, and who he believed to be the contact he was informed to meet with. He proceeded on and was ushered into the waiting limousine by who he assumed to be the driver.
Alice donned a diplomatic smile as Srinivas entered the Limousine and took a seat across from her. "It's a pleasure, Deputy Minister. I must admit, though your resumè was hard to find, It was quite impressive. You're known as a Legionite 'Secret Weapon', something I quite admire."
"Well thank you, Ms Lancaster, your reputation precedes you and it's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for the praise, a true compliment from you." Rahul took off his hat and placed it on his lap while placing his briefcase securely between his legs in one deft move. "Now where to, Ms Lancaster?"
"The National Archives Building, actually. There's a Meeting room there that overlooks the first few floors, and that is secretive enough to not be detected. Plus, we have the ability to order lunch from the Restaurant connected to the Archives. It's a really nice meeting space, in my opinion. It's been reserved for us for the rest of the day." She tapped on the divider, and the Driver pulled out of the Airport Pickup lane.
Rahul glanced out of the window, analyzing the façade of the airport for the few moments he could, allowing his mind to preoccupy itself while also collecting his thoughts on his task. He was one of the chief proponents of the negotiation of a Catican Union, an organization that could greatly strengthen every Catican nation that was willing to get involved in such an organization. He was wary, however, of the continent's recent spikes in instability, the greatest catalyst being the Xiomerans, with the current civil war being a topic well within international discourse. His thoughts were briefly interrupted by a thought. "Ms Lancaster, do you believe in Caxcanan Unity and cooperation?"
Alice paused for a few moments, considering the question. "That would depend on your definition of unity. I believe in Cooperation. I believe we can come together for our greater interests. But I don't believe that Caxcana would be able to integrate fully, as one whole nation. An economic and Political Union, sure. But not a sovereign nation. Our nations and cultures are too different to be a single combined nation. At least, that's just my opinion." She sighed. "Enough conflict and controversy will attack this potential Caxcanan Union already. I can't imagine the chaos of a full Caxcanan Sovereign nation." She looked across the limo at the Deputy Minister. "What are your opinions on the subject?"
Rahul mulled over her words, sifting through her points which he indeed agreed with, but as with all opinions, there was always a caveat. He nevertheless decided that he agreed with her, and was now excited for what they could accomplish in their meeting at The Archives Building. "Ms Lancaster, hopefully we can sow the seeds of a great Caxcanan Union of nations today, and I most definitely agree with you on that last part. Caxcana simply is too diverse to unify into a singular sovereign state."
---
The Limo came to a halt in front of a grand stone building with small gardens tracing the steps. The Façade was supported by tall pillars, making the roof that jutted out above the entrance look supported. A large inscription in Eirian traced above the multiple sets of doors. "Welcome, Mister Srinivas, to the Eirian National Archive." Alice donned a baseball hat and a pair of sunglasses, hoping to arouse less attention as they entered. She lead Srinivas through the doors into a large cavernous building.
The Archive Building was a huge domed building, with a set of help desks positioned directly below the center of the dome. The outer ring of the circular interior had multiple levels, consisting of rooms full of files, pictures, and documents. "Minister Lancaster, here for a conference. I reserved Crown Room One." She spoke to a security guard, who let them skirt around the Metal Detectors and past the Check-in Desks. "So, what do you think? Stereotypically Eirian, to have a huge, elegant building like this for Records?".
"Well, I'd say it looks grand, it actually reminds me of Aunistria and her artificial feel of elegance via her new buildings, perhaps something we picked off you lot. I wonder how much information this building holds within its walls." Srinivas adjusted his hat and moved his briefcase to his more dominant left hand while being led by Alice.
"Well, a good chunk of our records are digitized, but this building still holds an absurd amount of physical information as well. Anyone with a certain clearance can learn a dangerous amount of things." She walked over to a double door labeled "Authorized Personnel Only" and swiped a key card. The doors parted, revealing a bright elevator. "A separate elevator, for secrecy. You can never be too careful." The elevator brought them to the Fifth and highest Floor, and Alice opened the first door they encountered.
Inside was a grand oak meeting table surrounded by comfortable chairs. Bookshelves lined the walls, and a wall of glass overlooked the hustle and bustle of the ground floor below them. "Here we are!". She sat, gesturing for him to choose a seat also.
Srinivas took a seat, easing up a little as he relaxed in his seat. He analyzed the room, his eyes skimming through the bookshelves, nodding subconsciously every time he recognized a title. He grinned and faced Alice. "Well then, here we are indeed! I'd say, this is quite the meeting point," gesturing at the vast array of books which lined the walls of the room. "Alright then, I was sent here by Prime Minister Nicholas Moretti, on behalf of our government to commence negotiations into an economic and possibly political union of Caxcanan nations. We believe, as a nation, that increased continental cooperation is required in such turbulent times." He placed his briefcase on the table and removed a series of documents, neatly organized and bound. "Although I'm sure you knew that already," he smiled.
Alice smiled back. "Maybe I did. Though a reminder is always helpful." She sat back, contemplating the situation. "Although I'm sure a proposition for increasing continental cooperation will be welcomed on the Senate Floor, there will be much hesitation across the board on certain aspects of this Union. Particularly its jurisdiction and management. It'll be an interesting thing to negotiate, politics wise"
"Ah yes, of course!" Rahul smirked "There's been quite the debate within the higher circles of our government as to several aspects of this union however we do still see it prudent to go ahead with it and work all of this out with your government." He slid the documents over to Alice and continued "These are the provisional blueprints we've devised on our side for the union for perusal on your side. We hope that both our governments can negotiate and agree upon a joint blueprint soon in the future."
She opened the documents and scanned them, her facial expression blank and thoughtful. She closed the file and looked back at Srinivas, nodding. "This is a good start to a union, I must admit. Though we may want to add a few things, just for an Eirian touch." She stood and picked up a few menus off of a nearby bookshelf. "Would you like something for Lunch? I can't really do much to edit or propose edits without a Committee of Senators, I'm afraid. Eirian bureaucratic processes are anything but simplistic."
"Oh, for sure, I know how annoying bureaucratic processes can be." He skimmed the menus for a bit, "I think I'll only have a cup of tea today, not really hungry unfortunately."
"Okay, I'll call that in." Alice tapped on the screen in the center of the long table, navigating the menus. "There we are. That should be up soon." She sat back down and took another look through the documents. "Do you mind if I make a copy of these, so I can make some notes? The first meeting of the new Caxcanan Union Committee is tomorrow, so I can draw up some notes before then. Oh, and that reminds me." She slid an ID card across the table to Srinivas. "This is your Clearance Card for Tomorrow. Since the meeting was classified as S-10, the second-highest clearance in Eiria, you needed special diplomatic clearance. Though you do have to sign for it." She slid a paper and pen across the table as well.
"Don't worry, you can keep that batch of documents and make copies." He began signing his clearance papers, "I've gotta say, this is quite the honor, having such a high security clearance," he laughed and took the ID card, analyzing it, "I'm assuming we'll be meeting here tomorrow, or will we occupy another venue?"
"We will actually be meeting in the Senate Building, in one of the Committee Meeting rooms. All four party leaders, as well as various other members of the Senate, Speaker Nērala, and my brother will be present. The spoken language will be English, not Eirian, for your convenience."
"Oh, why thank you, I'll admit I've always wanted to learn Eirian but I really have never been good at languages. It'll be interesting to meet them and I hope we can start off on the right foot."
She nodded. "So do I. I think we'll be fine, as long as Dukov and Legrand don't start arguing. As entertaining as it may be, it would stall negotiations significantly. And that's probably not the best thing to do in front of a foreign dignitary."
"Well then, let's hope we get something done without them squabbling." Rahul said.
April 3rd, 2020
Alice Lancaster sat in the Limousine parked outside the Taugen Airport's first terminal, careful to not sit too close to the windows. Even though the windows were tinted, if she was seen, or worse, pictured... It could destroy the shroud of secrecy this project had been created on. She watched the Terminal doors open and close, people pouring out of it at different intervals. The biggest Airport in Eiria probably wasn't a good meeting place in retrospect, She thought. The Limousine Driver stood outside, instructed to wave down their passenger as soon as they arrived.
Rahul Srinivas, recently appointed Legionite Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, was a relatively unknown man outside Legionas. He was however known as a shrewd and calculated man within the corridors of power, a powerful asset for Nicholas Moretti. He checked his environs while he walked, calmly moving through the Terminal, admiring the relative calm among the travelers who moved about in a relatively orderly fashion. A passenger knocked into him, momentarily startling Srinivas. "Damn, of course I just had to cause a commotion while trying to be as inconspicuous as possible!" He thought. He aided the lady, who had fallen her purse, and whispered a rushed yet friendly apology as he proceeded towards the exit. He noticed the limousine parked at the entrance to the terminal, and who he believed to be the contact he was informed to meet with. He proceeded on and was ushered into the waiting limousine by who he assumed to be the driver.
Alice donned a diplomatic smile as Srinivas entered the Limousine and took a seat across from her. "It's a pleasure, Deputy Minister. I must admit, though your resumè was hard to find, It was quite impressive. You're known as a Legionite 'Secret Weapon', something I quite admire."
"Well thank you, Ms Lancaster, your reputation precedes you and it's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for the praise, a true compliment from you." Rahul took off his hat and placed it on his lap while placing his briefcase securely between his legs in one deft move. "Now where to, Ms Lancaster?"
"The National Archives Building, actually. There's a Meeting room there that overlooks the first few floors, and that is secretive enough to not be detected. Plus, we have the ability to order lunch from the Restaurant connected to the Archives. It's a really nice meeting space, in my opinion. It's been reserved for us for the rest of the day." She tapped on the divider, and the Driver pulled out of the Airport Pickup lane.
Rahul glanced out of the window, analyzing the façade of the airport for the few moments he could, allowing his mind to preoccupy itself while also collecting his thoughts on his task. He was one of the chief proponents of the negotiation of a Catican Union, an organization that could greatly strengthen every Catican nation that was willing to get involved in such an organization. He was wary, however, of the continent's recent spikes in instability, the greatest catalyst being the Xiomerans, with the current civil war being a topic well within international discourse. His thoughts were briefly interrupted by a thought. "Ms Lancaster, do you believe in Caxcanan Unity and cooperation?"
Alice paused for a few moments, considering the question. "That would depend on your definition of unity. I believe in Cooperation. I believe we can come together for our greater interests. But I don't believe that Caxcana would be able to integrate fully, as one whole nation. An economic and Political Union, sure. But not a sovereign nation. Our nations and cultures are too different to be a single combined nation. At least, that's just my opinion." She sighed. "Enough conflict and controversy will attack this potential Caxcanan Union already. I can't imagine the chaos of a full Caxcanan Sovereign nation." She looked across the limo at the Deputy Minister. "What are your opinions on the subject?"
Rahul mulled over her words, sifting through her points which he indeed agreed with, but as with all opinions, there was always a caveat. He nevertheless decided that he agreed with her, and was now excited for what they could accomplish in their meeting at The Archives Building. "Ms Lancaster, hopefully we can sow the seeds of a great Caxcanan Union of nations today, and I most definitely agree with you on that last part. Caxcana simply is too diverse to unify into a singular sovereign state."
---
The Limo came to a halt in front of a grand stone building with small gardens tracing the steps. The Façade was supported by tall pillars, making the roof that jutted out above the entrance look supported. A large inscription in Eirian traced above the multiple sets of doors. "Welcome, Mister Srinivas, to the Eirian National Archive." Alice donned a baseball hat and a pair of sunglasses, hoping to arouse less attention as they entered. She lead Srinivas through the doors into a large cavernous building.
The Archive Building was a huge domed building, with a set of help desks positioned directly below the center of the dome. The outer ring of the circular interior had multiple levels, consisting of rooms full of files, pictures, and documents. "Minister Lancaster, here for a conference. I reserved Crown Room One." She spoke to a security guard, who let them skirt around the Metal Detectors and past the Check-in Desks. "So, what do you think? Stereotypically Eirian, to have a huge, elegant building like this for Records?".
"Well, I'd say it looks grand, it actually reminds me of Aunistria and her artificial feel of elegance via her new buildings, perhaps something we picked off you lot. I wonder how much information this building holds within its walls." Srinivas adjusted his hat and moved his briefcase to his more dominant left hand while being led by Alice.
"Well, a good chunk of our records are digitized, but this building still holds an absurd amount of physical information as well. Anyone with a certain clearance can learn a dangerous amount of things." She walked over to a double door labeled "Authorized Personnel Only" and swiped a key card. The doors parted, revealing a bright elevator. "A separate elevator, for secrecy. You can never be too careful." The elevator brought them to the Fifth and highest Floor, and Alice opened the first door they encountered.
Inside was a grand oak meeting table surrounded by comfortable chairs. Bookshelves lined the walls, and a wall of glass overlooked the hustle and bustle of the ground floor below them. "Here we are!". She sat, gesturing for him to choose a seat also.
Srinivas took a seat, easing up a little as he relaxed in his seat. He analyzed the room, his eyes skimming through the bookshelves, nodding subconsciously every time he recognized a title. He grinned and faced Alice. "Well then, here we are indeed! I'd say, this is quite the meeting point," gesturing at the vast array of books which lined the walls of the room. "Alright then, I was sent here by Prime Minister Nicholas Moretti, on behalf of our government to commence negotiations into an economic and possibly political union of Caxcanan nations. We believe, as a nation, that increased continental cooperation is required in such turbulent times." He placed his briefcase on the table and removed a series of documents, neatly organized and bound. "Although I'm sure you knew that already," he smiled.
Alice smiled back. "Maybe I did. Though a reminder is always helpful." She sat back, contemplating the situation. "Although I'm sure a proposition for increasing continental cooperation will be welcomed on the Senate Floor, there will be much hesitation across the board on certain aspects of this Union. Particularly its jurisdiction and management. It'll be an interesting thing to negotiate, politics wise"
"Ah yes, of course!" Rahul smirked "There's been quite the debate within the higher circles of our government as to several aspects of this union however we do still see it prudent to go ahead with it and work all of this out with your government." He slid the documents over to Alice and continued "These are the provisional blueprints we've devised on our side for the union for perusal on your side. We hope that both our governments can negotiate and agree upon a joint blueprint soon in the future."
She opened the documents and scanned them, her facial expression blank and thoughtful. She closed the file and looked back at Srinivas, nodding. "This is a good start to a union, I must admit. Though we may want to add a few things, just for an Eirian touch." She stood and picked up a few menus off of a nearby bookshelf. "Would you like something for Lunch? I can't really do much to edit or propose edits without a Committee of Senators, I'm afraid. Eirian bureaucratic processes are anything but simplistic."
"Oh, for sure, I know how annoying bureaucratic processes can be." He skimmed the menus for a bit, "I think I'll only have a cup of tea today, not really hungry unfortunately."
"Okay, I'll call that in." Alice tapped on the screen in the center of the long table, navigating the menus. "There we are. That should be up soon." She sat back down and took another look through the documents. "Do you mind if I make a copy of these, so I can make some notes? The first meeting of the new Caxcanan Union Committee is tomorrow, so I can draw up some notes before then. Oh, and that reminds me." She slid an ID card across the table to Srinivas. "This is your Clearance Card for Tomorrow. Since the meeting was classified as S-10, the second-highest clearance in Eiria, you needed special diplomatic clearance. Though you do have to sign for it." She slid a paper and pen across the table as well.
"Don't worry, you can keep that batch of documents and make copies." He began signing his clearance papers, "I've gotta say, this is quite the honor, having such a high security clearance," he laughed and took the ID card, analyzing it, "I'm assuming we'll be meeting here tomorrow, or will we occupy another venue?"
"We will actually be meeting in the Senate Building, in one of the Committee Meeting rooms. All four party leaders, as well as various other members of the Senate, Speaker Nērala, and my brother will be present. The spoken language will be English, not Eirian, for your convenience."
"Oh, why thank you, I'll admit I've always wanted to learn Eirian but I really have never been good at languages. It'll be interesting to meet them and I hope we can start off on the right foot."
She nodded. "So do I. I think we'll be fine, as long as Dukov and Legrand don't start arguing. As entertaining as it may be, it would stall negotiations significantly. And that's probably not the best thing to do in front of a foreign dignitary."
"Well then, let's hope we get something done without them squabbling." Rahul said.
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