[Cagontia]

Jat Karlson sat staring at the cracks in the plaster surrounding the central portion of the stained glass ceiling. ?They need a conservationist in here before that gets out of hand,? he thought to himself. The Cagontian Foreign Affairs official was sitting sipping a coffee and eating a croissant even though what he really desired was a beer and oysters. Those could come later?for now, he was waiting for a representative of the ?new? Heklocharisian regime. Events in that nation had moved rapidly over the past several years, and in the space of just a few months there was a new emperor and now a new minister-president. Like their parent nation of Hekloslogravia political instability seemed to be endemic.

Despite their instability Heklocharisians were punctual?in their own way?and almost precisely 15 minutes after the agreed meeting time Jat saw a short, bespectacled, dark-haired man walk into the bar. Rising to greet the newcomer, his tall hulking frame presented quite a contrast to anyone who might be observing the two men as they strode toward each other and shook hands.

?Good day, Mr. Karlson. A pleasure to see you as always,? the Heklocharisian said in a detached but sincere manner.

?Martin! How are you? I?m glad to see you?re still around!?

?I?m well?,? he said with a faint triumphant smirk appearing on his lips before he replied, ??and is there a reason I would not be??

?Oh, it?s just been so long?,? Jat said with a smile before glancing toward the door as it opened?