[Lauchenoiria]

Suleman Chaher ripped the phone out of his socket and dumped it in the bin by his desk. He then proceeded to put his head in his hands and tried to slow his breathing. He had to get a hold on his temper, it was causing no end of trouble for him. The unexpected call from the President of Laeral had shocked him. After a few minutes, he exhaled and buzzed Jonas on the intercom.

"Get me Rowan," he demanded.

Several minutes later, his Foreign Minister, Rowan Martin, entered the room, with Jonas trailing behind him. Chaher waved for Jonas to leave them.

"I'll have the report on the risk of Gnejs supporting Aeluria by..."

"No, that's not what this is about," Chaher cut him off, "I just had a call from President Brennan."

Martin lowered himself into a chair and spoke cautiously, "and what did President Brennan want?"

"To inform us of new sanctions, and to threaten that unless I resign and release all the Laeralian citizens in custody, he will basically go to war."

"In those words?"

"Not as such, no. But the implication was pretty clear."

"And what are you going to do?"

"I will not be intimidated. Walker is not the only one with allies. I am going to contact Gonhog, they offered their support last night. I'd like you to get in touch with Kerlile. We've detained a large portion of the fugitives who fled here from their country," Chaher handed Martin a document. "Offer their return in exchange for support. And hint that when we capture Sonja, we may offer her to them."

"Of course, Prime Minister."

Rowan exited, and Chaher picked up a different phone, dialling Gonhog. If Laeral moved against him, they would regret it.