05-07-2020, 05:27 AM
Cabinet Meeting Room, Senate Building, Geminus
May Sixth, 1:01 PM
William Lancaster, Chancellor of Eiria, was not usually one to be intimidated. Although he doesn't appear as much of a threat, His brilliant negotiating skills, as well as his advanced strategic skills, usually keeps the opponent on the defensive. Alas, while sitting in front of his Cabinet of Ministers, Military Commanders, and Senators, he couldn't help but be a little on edge.
"Good Afternoon, everyone. Thank you for meeting here so quickly. I take it you all are aware of the situation in Xiomera. It's time for us to discuss how we will proceed. As much as I would love to settle this diplomatically, the junta have blocked that option, and we burned our side of the bridge with that letter". He made a small sideways glance at the Senators, mostly party leaders and their assistants, and continued on.
"So, that leaves us only a couple options on how to proceed. We could do this militarily, with brute force, or we could do this covertly. Maybe a combination of both. Either way, it seems that backing Texoccoatl with all the resources we can is the best move right now. On the subject of the Crown Prince, he has invited us to send an envoy to Laeralsford. We need to work out who that will be".
Doctor Jared Darana, the Minister of Health, sighed. "It sounds like we have a full docket. However, I'm not sure how some of us, myself included, are able to help with this matter. This is a bit out of my area of expertise".
The Chancellor nodded. "Yeah, I probably shouldn't have called all of you here. It was much easier to call a full meeting though. If this is not related to your job and you wish to leave, you may. That includes Health, Education, Agriculture, Interior, Labor, Transportation, etcetera. I would request that the Senators and Military Leaders are among those staying though.".
A bunch of Ministers stood up and went to the door to leave. "Actually, Ministers Haley and Nērala, could you remain as well. We do need you input".
The Ministers for the Economy and Justice sat back down in their seats. "Thank you. Now, let's start with the envoy issue". He looked to his sister. "Alice, do you have a suggestion of an Ambassador to send to Laeral?".
She sat forward. "I do, as a matter of fact. I would like to volunteer as our diplomat to the Crown Prince. I've been idle for a bit too long, and given my reputation and track record, I'll do everything I can to aid the Crown Prince".
The Chancellor chuckled under his breath. He had known without Alice telling him that she would volunteer for this job. She doesn't often get to show her skills at diplomatic and public strategy, so he knew what she would say. "Very well. Please put together a team to assist you and head to Laeralsford as soon as possible". He glanced at her, discreetly signing Contact the Guard in Eirian sign language. He hoped she would get the message.
"Anyway, next matter of business is what I called Minister Haley back for. What effect is our Diplomatic Cessation and the conflict itself having on our economy? Have the Xiomerans done anything to limit trade?".
"Well, it's not having as big of an effect as I had originally thought. It seems as the corporate sector in Xiomera is either involved with the coup or indifferent to the sudden change in leadership. Either way, not much is happening. And as far as I am aware, no restrictions have been implemented. I believe that's actually why the Xiomerans haven't made a public statement on us withdrawing our Ambassador. They want to keep the private sector happy".
Will nodded. "That could work to our advantage. Also, the other reason I called you back is that the Crown Prince made a request of us regarding Xiomeran Government assets in Eiria. Could you start freezing any accounts, investments, any economic material belonging to the Xiomeran government, so we can turn them over to the Crown Prince?".
He nodded. "It may take awhile, but I'll set up a team to start working on that. The only issue is that by law I need to have authorization. Otherwise I can't do anything without breaking economic rights laws".
"I'll issue a Chancellorial Mandate right after this, so you won't break any laws". He turned to the four party leaders. "I trust I won't have a challenge posted to this mandate?".
All four shook their heads. "Good. Thank you, Minister. You may leave if you'd like. Now, Chief Justice Nērela. I need your assistance in a legal matter. The massacre of the Shorn Ones at the Imperial Palace has circled social media, and there are likely many other atrocities the new Provisional Government are guilty of orchestrating. I would like for you to begin building a case against the Provisional Government. We'll get you the intelligence you need if it exists, and we need you to build a case not just by Eirian law, but by international law as well. That way, when the Provisional Government is taken down, if they have committed any war crimes, we have enough evidence if there is a Tribunal".
She nodded. "I'll get a team reading up on the laws of IDU nations, and international procedure. I need that evidence if it exists. We will also have to send any evidence that we procure to the Crown Prince. He could also serve as a source of information for your Intelligence operatives".
Daniel Antral, Vice Minister of Intelligence and effective Manager of the EICA, tapped his pen on the table. "That would definitely be helpful. I'll get working on setting up agents in Xiomera for future operations. I have a feeling we'll need them soon".
"Yes, we will. And there another thing that we must discuss". He nodded to the Solar Guards, who exited the room. "The following information is S-10, and any disclosure to the public will put countless Eirians at risk. Do all of you understand?". After counting the nodding heads, he continued. "I have contacted the Guard. They are heading into Xiomera as we speak. And this is their plan….".
Midgard Headquarters, [REDACTED], Eiria
2:32 pm
"The Lancasters are either very brave, or very foolish. According to our mole, they are committing fully to the Crown Prince. Now they are bringing the Lunar Guard into this. I wonder if they are trying to draw us out".
Odin, leader of Midgard, sat in his office reading the Intel report from their source high up in government. We certainly got lucky that someone so high up yet so discreet was willing to give us intelligence. The report had just been dropped in a couple minutes earlier by their secret source, and Odin's compatriot, Frigg, had just arrived.
"I wouldn't put it past them. There is something odd about those twins. They are certainly more formidable than they first appeared. They also rose to power way faster than normal. I suspect something is amiss".
He raised an eyebrow. "You always suspect something is amiss.". He sighed. "How sure are you? I admit their rise to power was quick, but you have to admit, they are prodigies."
"You'd do well to remember being suspicious is part of my job. And it's part of your job as well, although it seems you've lost that trait, and that loss has cost Midgard dearly". She opened her bag and took out her work phone. "I'm more suspicious of them than normal, which isn't good. Luckily, we won't have to worry about the Chancellor or his scheming sister any longer".
He turned back to her, brow furrowed. "They are siding with the Crown Prince of Xiomera, and getting closer to finding us every day. We have everything to worry about when it comes to the Chancellor and his Sister".
"Oh, to the contrary". She opened her phone and typed in a few commands. "Do you remember when I told you about one of my agents moving a prisoner to cell G-6-F, and refused to tell you any more information?".
"Yes, what about it?".
She placed her phone on the table. The screen showed a man sitting in a small cell against the wall, staring at the chipped paint. "Who is this?".
"Someone who only a few people since 2014 would be able to identify. Someone who everyone thought dead, shot in the war trying to escape a resistance base". She placed a file on the table. "This is Adrian Frank, Minister Lancaster's allegedly dead fiancee".
May Sixth, 1:01 PM
William Lancaster, Chancellor of Eiria, was not usually one to be intimidated. Although he doesn't appear as much of a threat, His brilliant negotiating skills, as well as his advanced strategic skills, usually keeps the opponent on the defensive. Alas, while sitting in front of his Cabinet of Ministers, Military Commanders, and Senators, he couldn't help but be a little on edge.
"Good Afternoon, everyone. Thank you for meeting here so quickly. I take it you all are aware of the situation in Xiomera. It's time for us to discuss how we will proceed. As much as I would love to settle this diplomatically, the junta have blocked that option, and we burned our side of the bridge with that letter". He made a small sideways glance at the Senators, mostly party leaders and their assistants, and continued on.
"So, that leaves us only a couple options on how to proceed. We could do this militarily, with brute force, or we could do this covertly. Maybe a combination of both. Either way, it seems that backing Texoccoatl with all the resources we can is the best move right now. On the subject of the Crown Prince, he has invited us to send an envoy to Laeralsford. We need to work out who that will be".
Doctor Jared Darana, the Minister of Health, sighed. "It sounds like we have a full docket. However, I'm not sure how some of us, myself included, are able to help with this matter. This is a bit out of my area of expertise".
The Chancellor nodded. "Yeah, I probably shouldn't have called all of you here. It was much easier to call a full meeting though. If this is not related to your job and you wish to leave, you may. That includes Health, Education, Agriculture, Interior, Labor, Transportation, etcetera. I would request that the Senators and Military Leaders are among those staying though.".
A bunch of Ministers stood up and went to the door to leave. "Actually, Ministers Haley and Nērala, could you remain as well. We do need you input".
The Ministers for the Economy and Justice sat back down in their seats. "Thank you. Now, let's start with the envoy issue". He looked to his sister. "Alice, do you have a suggestion of an Ambassador to send to Laeral?".
She sat forward. "I do, as a matter of fact. I would like to volunteer as our diplomat to the Crown Prince. I've been idle for a bit too long, and given my reputation and track record, I'll do everything I can to aid the Crown Prince".
The Chancellor chuckled under his breath. He had known without Alice telling him that she would volunteer for this job. She doesn't often get to show her skills at diplomatic and public strategy, so he knew what she would say. "Very well. Please put together a team to assist you and head to Laeralsford as soon as possible". He glanced at her, discreetly signing Contact the Guard in Eirian sign language. He hoped she would get the message.
"Anyway, next matter of business is what I called Minister Haley back for. What effect is our Diplomatic Cessation and the conflict itself having on our economy? Have the Xiomerans done anything to limit trade?".
"Well, it's not having as big of an effect as I had originally thought. It seems as the corporate sector in Xiomera is either involved with the coup or indifferent to the sudden change in leadership. Either way, not much is happening. And as far as I am aware, no restrictions have been implemented. I believe that's actually why the Xiomerans haven't made a public statement on us withdrawing our Ambassador. They want to keep the private sector happy".
Will nodded. "That could work to our advantage. Also, the other reason I called you back is that the Crown Prince made a request of us regarding Xiomeran Government assets in Eiria. Could you start freezing any accounts, investments, any economic material belonging to the Xiomeran government, so we can turn them over to the Crown Prince?".
He nodded. "It may take awhile, but I'll set up a team to start working on that. The only issue is that by law I need to have authorization. Otherwise I can't do anything without breaking economic rights laws".
"I'll issue a Chancellorial Mandate right after this, so you won't break any laws". He turned to the four party leaders. "I trust I won't have a challenge posted to this mandate?".
All four shook their heads. "Good. Thank you, Minister. You may leave if you'd like. Now, Chief Justice Nērela. I need your assistance in a legal matter. The massacre of the Shorn Ones at the Imperial Palace has circled social media, and there are likely many other atrocities the new Provisional Government are guilty of orchestrating. I would like for you to begin building a case against the Provisional Government. We'll get you the intelligence you need if it exists, and we need you to build a case not just by Eirian law, but by international law as well. That way, when the Provisional Government is taken down, if they have committed any war crimes, we have enough evidence if there is a Tribunal".
She nodded. "I'll get a team reading up on the laws of IDU nations, and international procedure. I need that evidence if it exists. We will also have to send any evidence that we procure to the Crown Prince. He could also serve as a source of information for your Intelligence operatives".
Daniel Antral, Vice Minister of Intelligence and effective Manager of the EICA, tapped his pen on the table. "That would definitely be helpful. I'll get working on setting up agents in Xiomera for future operations. I have a feeling we'll need them soon".
"Yes, we will. And there another thing that we must discuss". He nodded to the Solar Guards, who exited the room. "The following information is S-10, and any disclosure to the public will put countless Eirians at risk. Do all of you understand?". After counting the nodding heads, he continued. "I have contacted the Guard. They are heading into Xiomera as we speak. And this is their plan….".
Midgard Headquarters, [REDACTED], Eiria
2:32 pm
"The Lancasters are either very brave, or very foolish. According to our mole, they are committing fully to the Crown Prince. Now they are bringing the Lunar Guard into this. I wonder if they are trying to draw us out".
Odin, leader of Midgard, sat in his office reading the Intel report from their source high up in government. We certainly got lucky that someone so high up yet so discreet was willing to give us intelligence. The report had just been dropped in a couple minutes earlier by their secret source, and Odin's compatriot, Frigg, had just arrived.
"I wouldn't put it past them. There is something odd about those twins. They are certainly more formidable than they first appeared. They also rose to power way faster than normal. I suspect something is amiss".
He raised an eyebrow. "You always suspect something is amiss.". He sighed. "How sure are you? I admit their rise to power was quick, but you have to admit, they are prodigies."
"You'd do well to remember being suspicious is part of my job. And it's part of your job as well, although it seems you've lost that trait, and that loss has cost Midgard dearly". She opened her bag and took out her work phone. "I'm more suspicious of them than normal, which isn't good. Luckily, we won't have to worry about the Chancellor or his scheming sister any longer".
He turned back to her, brow furrowed. "They are siding with the Crown Prince of Xiomera, and getting closer to finding us every day. We have everything to worry about when it comes to the Chancellor and his Sister".
"Oh, to the contrary". She opened her phone and typed in a few commands. "Do you remember when I told you about one of my agents moving a prisoner to cell G-6-F, and refused to tell you any more information?".
"Yes, what about it?".
She placed her phone on the table. The screen showed a man sitting in a small cell against the wall, staring at the chipped paint. "Who is this?".
"Someone who only a few people since 2014 would be able to identify. Someone who everyone thought dead, shot in the war trying to escape a resistance base". She placed a file on the table. "This is Adrian Frank, Minister Lancaster's allegedly dead fiancee".
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