[AU]Babel

“The world will not stand for this, Tlant. You are not the only nation in the universe with spaceships. If you continue on this course we will have to call in friends, and believe me, we have many. And many friends of friends who cannot abide attempts to construct totalitarian empire. You cannot even hope to prevail against the universe.”

“Emergency actions now.” murmured Kerk’s aide into his phone.

“Roger.”

Alan Kerk’s anger could be felt in the room, but it was Maurice Leblanc who stood up, tore the folder in half and tossed it to the floor. He walked towards Tlant.

“Go ahead and nuke us again. Go ahead! Your troops have taken over already for all I know. And you can kill us all, but you’ll never take our souls.”

When, following Tlant’s words, the Hive aide moved near the Rezielan representative to hand her the blue set of documents, the bodyguard made a step forward, as to prevent him from approaching the woman, but he immediately froze. Ileana had turned towards the aide, stretching her arm and smiling warmly as a sign of both thanking and appreciation. A puzzled glance on his face, the Archangel observed her skimming through the pages.

Reading the document with only half of her mind, Ileana found herself relaxing a bit more with each passing moment. Her former fear had vanished. Thinking to it, the woman realized it had just been fear of the unknown, surprise to the unexpected kindness of the Pax. Now, everything was right once again. The Pax were the enemy. A terrible enemy, sure, but nothing else. No diplomatic relations to plan, no need to make mortal leaps not to offend them.

Raising her glance on Tlant and looking straight in his eyes, she charmingly smiled, putting down the document.

«Lord Tlant, I thank you for having considered the Grand Duchy of Reziel worth enough to become a vassal of your glorious nation, but I fear we cannot accept your kind proposal. Just like you, we are full of hope for the future, too … but that future does not involve being annexed by another Empire, be it interstellar or not. And if you’ll consider this answer as an unbearable offence… I fear you’ll have to live with it. You can hope you’ll be strong enough to defeat our nations, but as our Kelssekian friends have stressed right now, you will never have the chance to seduce us and to conquer our souls»

The aide quickly pulled back the enraged Defence Minister. Maurice Leblanc didn’t resist. He had stopped wearing his air force uniform since entering politics, but he still had the proud bearing of a commander, and a furious one, as the aide nudged him back towards the seat he had just vacated. He never took his eyes off Tlant as he sat.

“Please, relax. There’s nothing we can do, Maurice,” Alan Kerk whispered in his laboured French, “but to get out of here alive, so we can rally nations with the capability to defeat Packilvania.”

Bowler looked at the blue paper. And the red paper. Then his aide turned them the right way up.

“Oh, buggeration.”

The Bighat turned to the figure next to him, and asked “Do they do this sort of stuff often?”

Lazlow wasn’t surprised. Imperialist countries are always tha same. They all want world domination, the same old dream. And when they have the power, they will do it. Lazlowia’s only chance is to ally with an other country. But they don’t have much time, so they must get word to Lörcs, the First Secretary of the Lazlowian Communist Party. While nobody was looking, he took out a cigarette case and opened it. Instead of cigarettes, there were three butons in it: a green, a blue and a red. He pushed the red button and closed the case.

Through the ether, the emergency signals were recieved at the Military Signal Station in Ittombol. The station immediatly alerted Lörcs.

Rita was walking up and down nerwously in the presidential office. Lörcs tried to calm her down.

“-Please, calm down, Comrade Costa. Comrade Lazlow can look after himself. There are four armed people around him, and a dozen other people around him. And the fact, that he sent the emergency signal means, that he is still alive. I’ll take officialy the presidential position and appoint Comrade Stark as the first secretary. I’ll also mobilize the army.”

“-But what if he is already dead? Can we send there a special commando to rescue him?”-asked Rita.

“-We could send the ‘Vidrocki Marine Commando’, but that is risky. If he is dead already, than he sure died as a true communist.”

“-NO, I don’t want him to die, just send in the commando or I’ll go there myself.”

Meanwhile

Lazlow stood up and started to talk:

“-You may kill the revolutionary, but never the revolution. My communist people will stand up and fight till their last drop of blood. If anyone wants to fight against the tyranny of this imperialist country, me and my nation will gladly join them and fight event if I die. You shall never defeat the free people of the world.”

OOC: Apologies for length, but, a lot to do here…

Rillanon
Capitol Building - Magisterial Assembly
When the aide approached, Terrus took the red folder calmly, opening it and actually beginning to read. He had nothing better to do, after all, and he was rather interested to see what kind of propoganda the Pax would be sending at him.

To Terrus’ right, his aide pulled out a cell phone, calling back to FPS to alert them of the situation. Meanwhile, to Terrus’ left, Bellhaze pulled out his own phone, opening it and dialing a number he’d memorized long before.

“Capitol Building Security.”

“Code Red, Magisterial Assembly, Hostage Situation. Bellhaze calling, Authorization Delta Bravo Six Six Nine.”

“Have an excellent day, sir.” The line cut, and a moment later, alarm bells began to sound in the building, as the building’s security force began moving to secure what the Pax hadn’t already taken and fortified. Two miles away, the Rillanon City Police Station began dispatching backup for the capitol building’s officers.

The two NPA Agents behind Terrus both quietly drew out their weapons, switching off the safeties and preparing to protect Terrus, if necesary.


Liberty City - The Blue House
WMD Bunker - The War Room
“Are we all here?” As Kroidrik sat down at the head of the large table in the middle of the room, he glanced at Terrus’ Cheif of Staff, who was sitting to Henrik’s left.

“The Secretary of Defense is with the President, sir,” the man replied, “but his under-secretary is present.”

“Alright. Then let’s begin. Exactly what is the situation?”

“Well, Henrik, from what the president’s aide said over the phone, the Pax are demanding that all East Pacific nations either join their empire as vassal states, or be annexed.” Boris responded, looking over the logs from the phon call Terrus’ aide had just made. “Apparently, we weren’t one of the nations offered vassal status. Tlant went on to note that he would kill anyone who attempted to leave. The President appears to be stalling for time while the building’s security force and Rillanon Police prepare to retake the Magisterial Assembly.”

“So, the Pax have taken Terrus hostage, and are demanding our surrendur?” Kroidrik asked, hardly able to believe what he was hearing.

“Yessir.” The Assistant Secretary of Defense replied gravely. “Sir, I’d lke to advise we immediatly proceed with Plan P, as President Terrus ordered us to do in this exact situation. As acting President, you do have the authority…”

“Now, just hold on.” Boris spoke up, cutting off the ASD. “Henrik, Plan P was created for the situation of a Pax invasion…”

“Which this is!” The Assistant-Secretary of Defense objected.

“…the difference is that the Pax are not only invading FPS.” Boris continued, glaring at the ASD for a moment. “They’re invading every other EP nation as well. Which means we have a number of potential allies that we could coordinate with, thus increasing the amount of damage to be done.”

“In doing so, however, we’d be giving up precious time, allowing the Pax to prepare for a defense against our strike.” The Assistant-Secretary stated, glaring right back at Boris. “With all due respect, sir, we need to strike now, before the element of suprise…”

“Element of suprise? You think they’re not expecting…”

“Gentlemen!” Kroidrik stated loudly, standing. “That’s enough. Boris, I do agree that cooperation with the rest of the East Pacific is a necesity.” Henrik held up his hand before the Assistant Defense Secretary could speak. “Nonetheless, I think we do need to start taking our own action, lest we be whiped out.”

“Boris, get in touch with every EP power you can. Make it clear to everyone that the only way we can survive a war with the Pax is if we work together, unifying against them. Additionally, get an EPTO Emergency Meeting going…at the least, we can get that group together.” Kroidrik looked towards the Assistant Secretary. “In the meantime, I want the nation sent to full alert, in preperation for a Pax invasion. Activate all military forces, including reserves, and scramble them to their failsafe points according to Plan P. Nationalize all paramilitary forces. And get the draft going…Class 5. I want everyone we can get in the army. I’ll get congress to emergency pass the bill as soon as I can…in the meantime, we continue without that authorization. And get Galactica back to Earth, NOW.”

As Kroidrik finished speaking, the room became alive, as everyone got to work with their assigned tasks. Across the nation, military alerts went out, as the Emergency Broadcasting System overrode every TV and Radio channel, and air raid sirens began to blare. Police forces began to return to their stations to arm themselves as heavily as possible even as the nation’s numerous militia groups were contacted and informed of their incorporation into the FPS Military.

#1 Avenue of Heroes

“I should’ve gone.” Tammy Hagans was nervous and pacing her office. “Now that I haven’t, whatever cop out was available to us is now gone. Even just someone else, so we knew what was going on.” she spoke to her Prime Minister, Lori Lueck, who was a sweet old lady, but little help.

“You’re smart Tammy, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

We need to call someone and figure it out. “Peter Coakson would know…”

“Madame President. The Free Pacificans just called us, it’s bad.” Defence Secretary Phillp Arnold stormed into the room. “Apparently they’re moving to take the whole region. Are we on a war footing?”

“Yes, don’t declare it. There will be no formal declaration. We are at war with the hive. General Murphy is to mobilize everything. Is there any reserve of military equipment that could be brought into this?”

“Well, there’s the Darrowmerians old stuff still sitting around. It’s old, but its ready. What about the people to man it?” Arnold had no idea how to solve the problem.

“General amnesty. For the People’s Front of Darrowmere, Coocoo National Front, everyone with a gun. Lori…” Hagans paused. A sweet old lady was no #2 in a situation like this. “…it pains me to say this, but I really need a strong #2 and can’t promote anyone, now’s not the time for a cabinet shuffle. Who’s qualified to run the government? Phillip? Are you ready for the coalition to go to the next level? We need a unionist government.”

“Yes.” He nodded in approval.

“Then I know just who to call.”

Coocoobad University

“Furthermore, I beleive the common man is capable of far more than he gives himself credit for.” Maxim Kaygorodov adressed the theatre, packed with Political Science students. “Our system…” he was interrupted by an aide and hauled off the stage. Within seconds, he agreed to take the Primeminister’s chair, something political precedent would frown upon. He retook the stage. “Comrades, I have received dire news. The day we have feared for many years is upon us. To the west the horde is moving upon us. They intend to absorb this country into their empire. The president has offered me the primeminister ship and I have accepted. I recall, barely, a situation when in 1941, when I was a 5 year old boy. My father, with a knapsack of food and a Nagant, bid goodbye to us, as he had joined the Red Army, upon hearing of the taking of the fortress at Brest. He patted me on the head and when I asked him why he was going away, at least my mother’s account of the story was that he simply said ‘Za Rodina’, for the motherland. While I never saw my father again, I also never saw the enemy he went to fight. Comrades, to paraphrase a Soviet Partisan at the gallows, 'There are 76 million Coocoostanis…THEY SHALL NEVER KILL US ALL!” He left to a mixed reaction, some wild cheers, some confusion, a few people consoling others. But the 1941 story was appropriate, as for the first time since then, the streets of the nation bustled with preparations for war.

Magisterial Assembly Hall, Rillanon

About to respond to Terrus’ question when Tlant rose and made his “announcement”, Chantal focused her attention on Tlant with an apologetic look first at Matt. As Tlant’s aides made their rounds, Coons and Marks rose to their feet, instinctively standing between the Vice President and the Pax aide who approached, Bob accepting the red package of material and handing it to Chantal.

An ironic smile on her face, Chantal opened the package and quickly scanned through the pages. Truthfully, there were no options given. The “procedures” for annexation were laid out as precisely as the schematics for the design of a plane. Just as Tlant had said, there were no terms for discussion, simply statements.

Chuckling, Chantal turned to the woman on her left after hearing her comments to Tlant. “We do seem to have very friendly neighbours, willing to make us part of their own just like that! I see you’ve only been given the option of becoming a vassal state. How ungenerous of General Tlant! Chantal Scythes, from Kangarawa.”

[hr]

Department of Defence, Tasman City, Kangarawa
Office of the Under Secretary of Defence, 30 minutes later

“No, you heard me quite clearly, General. Declare a state of war. Against the Pax.” Mappins looked unbelievably haggard, but was having very little difficulty thinking on his feet.

“EPTO being called in?”

“That’s what I’ve been told, Chris. United front.” Hayes was making notes as they spoke, as were both General McKinstrey and Commandant Montgomery. “Activate all troops according to Operation Scorpio, particular attention to the borders. All reservists recalled to active duty.”

“Any plans to reinstitute the draft?” Montgomery glanced up as he spoke.

“Not at the present time.”

Fisher looked from Mappins to Hayes. “With Claind out on medical, and Chantal in Rillanon, you’re second in command, Chris. That means the two of you need to be in the bunkers. No arguments. I’m quite capable of handling the demands of the EPTO.”

About to argue, Hayes looked at Mappins who shook his head. “Chantal’s family as well, along with all necessary emergency personnel,” Mappins added.

Glaring at Fisher, Hayes nodded in compliance as everyone rose from their chairs and hastened from the room, needing to complete the initial steps in order to initialise Operation Scorpio.


Cabinet Room
Neorvins

Immediately after preventing Leblanc from jumping on Tlant, Alan Kerk’s aide went back to his mobile phone, filling in the Cabinet on the situation.

Alan Kerk’s suspicions had been entirely accurate, and all that was left was for the plan to be executed. The first two steps were very simply accomplished. President Drapeau quietly signed the ready-made documents, and Julianne Smitson decided to call Liberty City first. Peter Coakson would handle incomings and there were bound to be some. The military officer nervously opened the suitcase containing the codes for the nuclear and orbital weapons and placed it on the table, still handcuffed to his left wrist.

It probably was a bad idea to have let Leblanc go along with Kerk; they needed a friend with the respect of the military after all the chaos of the past year. But Alexandre Desbois had been in the navy for a while so he would be an adequate stand-in until they could settle on someone more suitable.

“Hello? Yes, good day to you too. This is Prime Minister Smitson of Kelssek speaking.”

— Begin quote from ____

Chuckling, Chantal turned to the woman on her left after hearing her comments to Tlant. “We do seem to have very friendly neighbours, willing to make us part of their own just like that! I see you’ve only been given the option of becoming a vassal state. How ungenerous of General Tlant! Chantal Scythes, from Kangarawa.”

— End quote

Pretending to look at the blue paper with a sad glance, the Rezielan Foreign Minister smiled amusedly at the Kangarwan’s words.

«Ileana Almsyck De Corde, from the Grand Duchy of Reziel. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Vice President Scythes. Both your Ambassadress in New Irem and Peter Mappins have an incredible opinion of you. And about the latter… I was so sure he would have attended this summit personally. But… well… he probably already knew about the Pax stinginess. Not even a single tray of appetizers. This is definitely the worst diplomatic meeting I’ve ever seen» she chuckled.

A couple of steps behind her, the Archangel bodyguard grabbed his personal mobile, stifling a smile. He knew perfectly well Lady De Corde was worried about the ongoing situation, but as always she was making a point of honour to not show it. Grinning, he waited for his phone call to be answered.

OOC: No Power here. Computer use limited. Will resume posting my stuff when power back.

Using Ileana Almsyck De Corde’s response as an aid to keep her herself calm, Chantal extended her hand, smiling warmly into the woman’s azure blue eyes.

“Please, it’s Chantal. No, Peter wouldn’t have missed the appetisers, but without a sweet tray of some sort, he’d have been terribly disappointed, and would most certainly have agreed with you.”

Chantal paused, glancing over at Bob Coons who nodded almost imperceptibly, indicating to Chantal that he’d activated the so-called “panic” button he carried. To the best of Chantal’s knowledge, he’d not had to use it his entire career. Slightly discomfited, she focused her attention once again on Ileana, brushing a stray strand of her flame coloured hair away from her eyes.

“Marilyn Janus is a lovely person, with a brilliant future ahead of her. However, she’s also my niece by marriage, so she may be a little bit biased. I’d take anything she had to say about me worth a grain of salt,” Chantal chuckled. “Almsyck? Any relation to Lord Frances Almsyck?”

As the two women spoke, Paul Marks kept an eye on the Pax aides who continued to distribute material around the room, and watched appreciatively as the FPS machine smoothly rolled into action.

«I just hope this is not a skilful attempt to introduce an officially complaint about Francis, Chantal. You know… we had warned David Miller about his passion for fishes, so I fear it’s a problem of yours, if he’s now depleting your warehouses»

When the Kangrawan chuckled, shaking her head, Ileana threw a quick glance to her bodyguard, who nodded in return, putting his mobile away. Smiling, the Foreign Minister focused back on Chantal Scythes.

«Jokes aside… yes. Francis is my uncle. My father’s brother, to be exact. I’m already missing him, but I’m sure he was the right person to be sent in Tasman. He’ll definitely be a terrific tutor for young Deianira Valenstar. Moreover, he’s surely a skilled diplomat… and I’m not saying it just because he’s a relative. Just as, biased or not, I’m sure Marilyn’s words were not an empty compliment, Chantal. You know… I’m happy to hear the two of you are related. Considering her peculiar position in the Grand Duchy, this will probably give us the chance to meet outside a solely diplomatic context, every now and then»

[hr]
Christie Island – Rillanon – The Rezielan Consulate

Putting down the receiver, Codric Valenstar glanced outside the large window on his left. Far in the distance, the Rezielan Consul in Rillanon could see the profile of the Magisterial Hall building. Clenching his teeth, he shook his head and turned towards the East Pacific map on the opposite wall, his eyes focusing on its centre. On Packilvania, to be exact.

Grabbing the receiver once again, he dialled a single number. When he got his answer, he took a deep breath.

«New Irem… the Fortress. I have to speak with Lachdanan. And call me Francis Almsyck in Tasman, too. Double Archangel encryption, please. It’s a matter of national security and… no. Sorry. It’s a matter of worldwide security, I fear»

Tlant looked at his aides and motioned for them to wait.

“To the representatives that have signed, or refused to sign, you are free to go. I just want definitive answers from the group.”

Christie Island - Capitol Building
Magisterial Hall
Terrus was the first to stand. “Though Free Pacific States does greatly appreciate the offer to be annexed by the Pax Empire, at this time, we do not feel it in our best interest to accept.”

As he walked out, he glanced at Tlant. “I do hope, General, that you will be more intelligent then Father was in chosing what you will do next.” With that, he made his way to the door, exiting along with his entourage.


Christie Island - Capitol Building
Magisterial Hall
“Tell all units to hold at inner perimeter.” The building’s Chief of Security stated, watching as Terrus exited the hall. “Let’s see if they do let them all out.”

Chantal smiled warmly at Ileana, saying, “I hope we have the opportunity to continue this conversation at a later time. It seems Marilyn has been up to more than she’s let on. It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Ileana.”

Turning her head to watch Terrus and his aides leave, she nodded at at Coons and Marks, ensuring that she remembered to pick up the red folder to show Peter as they all rose to their feet. Smiling slightly, she nodded to Tlant.

“It’s been a pleasure to put a face to a name, General.”

Turning, and closely followed by her two bodyguards, she left the Magisterial Hall, her heart beating rapidly.

Upon exiting the hall, Chantal was immediatly confronted by a rather scary looking group of heavily armed soldiers. Upon recognizing her, they waved her and her bodyguards past them, retaking their positions just outside the doors.

After passing them by, Chantal was met by a several police officers, who led her to a nearby lounge. Entering, she found Terrus, Bellhaze, the aide, and the two NPA agents already inside. As the officers made their way back out, Terrus stood. “They’re holding us here until a detective can arrive to take our statements…apparently, they’re dead set on prosecuting Tlant for this one. Though I don’t know how they would pull that off, taking into account his diplomatic immunity.”

The FPS President took a wavering breath, displaying the fear he was obviously attempting to hide. “Anyways…are you quite alright? You look a little…shaken.”

Ileana De Corde had been really surprised by Tlant’s words. Instinctively, despite being full aware of the risks, she would have stayed, just to see what Tlant’s next move would have been. But when the delegacies of both FPS and Kangarawa had left the Magisterial Hall, her Archangel protector had been unmovable: without the support of the other bodyguards, the situation would have become too risky. Shaking his head and signing her the exit door, he had de facto forced the Foreign Minister to leave.

However, escorted inside the lounge just in time to catch Terrus’ final question to Chantal Scythes, Ileana finally relaxed. Grabbing a glass of water, she realized the Archangel had been right. Remaining would have been utter foolishness. Tlant and the Pax were simply too dangerous. Smiling, she waited for Chantal’s answer, wondering on what will have happened next.

The Bighat was completely oblivious to the activities of the other, more intelligent leaders. He was twisting the papers this way and that, while his aide silently wept for the future of Really Nice Hats.

“Excuse me,” Bowler said eventually. “But… Why do you want to build an attic on Really Nice Hats?” he asked, holding the red letter up in the air.

Chantal let her breath out slowly before replying, knowing full well that the pallor of her skin was a dead giveaway as to her state of mind. “I’m fine thanks, Matt. And no, I can’t see an attempt at prosecution going anywhere either.”

Attempting a grin she continued, “A man of few words, isn’t he?”