OOC: Collab post between me and SY.
Cecilia was tired and exhausted. She had been busy going to meetings, talking with politicans, and visiting various citizens, while also getting ready to visit Stu. She was having difficulty staying awake. She saw that they were nearing the runway. She wondered if Stu was there to meet her. “I told him this morning that I would be arriving around noon Mountain Time. Wait, what time is it other when I called?” Cecilia stretched a bit before taking a deep breath and sighing.
A black four door sedan with government plates pulled into the fenced off aircraft parking area and came to a stop at a predetermined parking spot for Cecilia’s plane. The driver and passenger side doors opened, and two well-dressed Lobo males stepped out of the sedan. They stood side-by-side on the right side of the sedan. One of the men placed his hands on his hips, revealing his badge and pistol. The two began talking. In the control tower, the air traffic controllers took notice of Cecilia’s plane.
“This is Confederate Plane Sigma-Delta, requesting permission to land,” the pilot asked.
“Confederate Plane Sigma-Delta, permission to land granted,” the air traffic controller replied. “Land at Runway Zero-Niner.”
“Roger that control tower. Proceeding to Runway Zero-Niner. Over.” The plane soon landed. Cecilia, still tired, got out of her seat. A human CPG was nearby and handed her her coat. It was her new Premier uniform, except the colors matched her Air Force uniform. “Thank you Ted.”
“No problem, Premier. You okay? You looked rough around the edges.”
“Just a bit tired that’s all. I should be fine.” The CPG nodded. He opened the door for her. After straightening her uniform, she readied herself.
The two Lobo men stopped talking when the aircraft was taxied into the parking spot by a tractor. The plane was rotated so that the door was facing them. The two remained where they stood.
A staircase was wheeled up to the door to allow Cecilia to exit the aircraft.
Cecilia exited the aircraft, although she was a bit slow, mainly due to being tired. She thought, “He better not make a jet lag joke.” Ted came out of the plane as well.
The two FSO agents approached Cecilia and Ted. “Welcome to Laiatan, Premier Rainard,” one of them said as he extended his hand.
“Thank you,” she said as she shook his hand. “I’m surprised Commandant Riskotov isn’t here to greet me, or even the President himself.” It was meant as a joke.
The agent in charge chuckled a bit. “Well, they do still have work to do.”
“Anyway, if you come with us we’ll take you right to the Miugonik.”
“Alright. Lead the way.”
Ted had got her luggage for her. “Do we need to check these through customs,” he asked.
The lead agent shook his head. “Don’t worry about it, I’m sure you two aren’t smuggling drugs or some kind of weapon.”
“Now why would I want to do such a thing,” she said, laughing. She didn’t have the heart to tell them that she had brought along her Magnum autorevolver just in case. “I’m guessing Commandant Riskotov will be meeting me at the Miugonik, then, correct,” she asked as she got into the car.
The lead agent shut the door behind her and got into the passenger’s seat. “That’s correct. We’ll take you right to his office.” The second agent got into the driver’s seat and turned on the car. He began driving the four out of the airport. The lead agent turned around. “By the way, I’m Agent Suikov, and this is Agent Rynov.” Rynov looked into the rear-view mirror. “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to you as well,” Cecilia said. “This Ted Jackson, a member of the Confederate Protection Guards.”
“Nice to meet you both as well. We CPGs are sort of like the Royal Secret Service found in other countries,” he said.
Suikov nodded. “We’re from the Federal Protective Service. We’re essentially the Secret Service, but our duties and allowances are much more… free.”
The car continued down the road and turned onto the freeway.
“Free?” Cecilia asked.
“We can do things that others can’t.”
“More freedom to complete our jobs,” Rynov added.
“By that you mean, if the President wanted you to quietly get rid of a mob boss or drug lord, you could do it and no one would raise a fuss about it,” Cecilia asked.
“No comment,” Suikov said, grinning.
She nodded. “Will I need some sort of badge or ID card or even fill out any forms before I enter the Miugonik,” she said.
“You’ll be given a Visitor’s Badge. It’ll get you to the lobby, food court and tour area, but that’s about it. We’ll accompany you down to the offices where we can get you a limited access badge,” Suikov replied.
“What areas am I prohibited from entering?”
“The War Room, offices, Command and Control, and any level past -2 and +1,” Suikov began. “but if you keep the Commandant with you, you’ll be fine.”
The car pulled into the parking garage of the Miugonik. “Okay, we’re here,” Rynov said. The two agents exited the vehicle and opened the doors for Cecilia and Ted.
“Any areas that I cannot enter even with the Commandant?”
“Anywhere after the War Room,” Suikov said, shutting the door behind Cecilia.
“What’s after the War Room?”
“Command and Control, and a few other places that are classified for security reasons.”
“There’s a reason the War Room, Command and Control and other areas were built that deep into the earth,” Rynov said.
“Ah I see. Well, I guess we should visit the Commandant, provided he isn’t extremely busy. I don’t want to bother him if he is in the middle of an important meeting or project.”
“I think his schedule is pretty clear today,” Suikov said. He lead the group over to the elevators. He slid his identification card, and a small circle opened on the wall, as well as a small thumbprint scanner. Suikov looked into the retina scanner and placed his thumb on the scsanner. A ding was heard and a small green light lit up on the ID card scanner. The doors opened, and Suikov stepped inside, waiting for the others.
Ted and Cecilia entered the elevator. Cecilia yawned a bit. “Excuse me. A bit tired.”
“No worries, I understand.” Rynov followed behind them, and the door shut behind them. All of the buttons on the elevator panel were lit up, except for one. Suikov pressed the ‘Offices’ button, and the elevator began taking the group down into the Miugonik.
The elevator came to a stop on the offices level, and the doors opened.
“So, how far down does the Miugonik go?”
“The last floor is about 20 stories deep.”
“Wow. How long has the Miugonik been around?”
“It was started in 1948 and was completed in 1953. There have been improvements, like the addition of the bunkers in the 1970s. We didn’t want a well placed bunker buster take out our entire Joint Cheifs of Staff. The offices are above ground, with everything else important and crucial to our military below ground,” Suikov said.
“So, where is the Commandant’s offices?” Cecilia had been wearing gloves and took them off revealing that she had bandages all over her fingers.
Suikov noticed, but didn’t pry. “Right around this corner.” The group walked to Stu’s office door. Suikov knocked and opened the door. Peering in, he scanned the office. “Huh, he’s not in here.” Suikov opened the door further to allow Cecilia and Ted entrance. Suikov pointed to the couch. “Just take a seat, I’m sure he’ll be in here in a moment.”
Inside was a massive office, a desk and computer on the far end of the room, and a leather couch, two leather chairs and an oak table couch, two chairs and a table closer to the center. The office offered an amazing view of Volkgoroda through the massive windows the office featured.
“Understood. If it’s anything, Premier, I’ll wait outside. I don’t think some sort of crime syndicate’s hitmen are going to try to crash through the window, guns ablazing in an attempt to kill you,” Ted said. Cecilia nodded as she sat down on the leather couch.
“No one has ever been assassination here before right,” Ted asked Suikov.
“Never,” Suikov said. “Besides, we’re on the second floor, and those windows are completely bullet-proof. Most they’ll do is shatter, but they’ll stay in place.”
“Okay. Well, the windows of the Rhombus are both shatter-proof and bullet-proof. We had one stupid assassin try to crash through a window. Quite easy to arrest someone when they’re unconscious,” he said, with a smirk. Cecilia sighed. “So, is the Commandant in a meeting somewhere?”
Suikov looked at his watch. “He should be getting back from lunch, actually.”
Murmuring was heard from outside the heavy wooden door of Stu’s office. The door began opening, and Stu’s voice could be heard. “I told you the Lions would beat the Cubs today. You owe me ten rublas,” which was followed by a laugh. “Talk to you later!” The door opened all the way and Stu walked into his office.
Stu balled up some aluminum foil and tossed it in the trash can next to the door.
Cecilia smiled as Stu entered the room. “I didn’t think military officers were supposed to bet,” she said.
Stu looked up and smiled when he saw Cecilia. “It’s not a bet if you know you’re going to win.” He walked up to her and kissed her.
She kissed back. “Hm…I’ll have to remember that.” She stretched a bit. “Sorry, if I’m not my usual active self. I’ve been run ragged since we talked last week as I was busy with meetings, charity events, speeches at schools, chaperoning a school dance, and working with corporations in building Vulshain’s new fighters and tanks.”
“All that matters is you’re here now, and can relax,” Stu said. Suikov led Rynov and Ted outside, the heavy door silently closing behind them.
Stu looked down at Cecilia’s fingers. “What happened?”
“Oh these. I was knitting you a scarf that’s all. Nothing serious really.” She laid down on the couch. “So, you were out at lunch huh?”
“Aw, thanks,” Stu said, smiling. He took a seat in one of the chairs and nodded. “Yup.”
She nodded. “So, where did you go?”
“Just to the Gordioniv’s in the food court here.”
“Ah. I see. What else do they have there—Wait, food court?”
“It’s a big room with a bunch of different restaurants for the staff here.”
“I know what a food court is. I was just surprised that you have a food here.”
Stu nodded. “We do. Makes it a lot easier to get food than driving into the city.”
“That’s true.”
“So, how’ve you been these last few months?”
“Oh I’ve been doing okay. There were times it was stressful, especially when I had to go to several meetings one after another. But overall, things are good. We finally got all of the bugs worked out of the Caladbolg fighter, and it was approved by the Military Budget Committee. The Excalibur has already started production, and we just rolled out our first ten Excaliburs.”
“The mechs were approved as well, but we won’t be producing as many, not until the economy has picked up some more.”
She shifted a bit in the couch. “Sorry, I had to go to several meetings before I left Vulshain for here. I’m a bit tired at the moment. So, how’s Zak’s approval ratings?”
Stu smiled. “Well that’s good to hear. Don’t worry about being tired, I’ve been there before. As for Zak’s approval ratings, they’re through the roof. Up to about 87% last I checked. I don’t know how he does it.”
“I think that makes him the highest approved president in the history of Laiatan.”
Laughing a bit, Cecilia said, “Well, he must be doing something right to get such a high approval rating.”
“I would assume so,” Stu replied, also chuckling.
Stu stood up. “If you want, you can take a nap here. I’ve got a couple of things I need to finish, then we can go.”
“Thanks. I might go ahead and take a nap.” She took her shoes off and put them on the floor. “It’s good to rest…And…could you pick me…something from the food court as yawn as well if possible. Haven’t eaten…anything today.” Cecilia fell asleep, snoring softly.
Stu smiled and quickly headed back to the food court, and returned with a sandwich. He set it on the table and headed over to his desk, and began working again.
Cecilia rested for quite a while. She soon woke up from her night. Stretching, she said, “Ah! I needed that nap. Ah thanks for the sandwich!” She got up and started eating it.
Stu smiled from behind his computer. “No problem.” He continued typing, and stopped after a few minutes. His printer began printing a few pages. He took the pages and stapled them together. He placed them in a folder, then placed it on top of his briefcase.
“I’ll let you finish that sandwich, I need to run this file down to the Chief of the Air Force’s office,” Stu said picking up the folder.
“Sure. And don’t worry, I won’t plunder through your files…much,” she said with a wink.
“I’d be careful, some of those files could lead to imprisonment,” Stu said heading out the door, winking back.
“I’m joking.” She laughed a bit. After he left, she thought, “Wonder if it has anything to do with those chemicals a couple years back.” She finished her sandwich. “Ah. Relaxation, here I come. Just several weeks of no meetings, no politicans, and no mountains of paperwork.”
Stu came back in a few minutes later without the file. “Okay, ready to go?”
When Stu came back, she smiled. “Sure.” She put her shoes back on.
Stu grabbed his briefcase, shut down his computer, and turned off the lights. He grabbed his service cap from the coat rack and opened the door for Cecilia.
After Cecilia walked out, Stu turned off the lights and locked the door behind them.
Ted followed behind them as well. “Stu, this is Ted Jackson of the CPG.”
“Nice to meet you Commandant.”
“Nice to meet you as well.” Stu noticed Suikov and Rynov. “Andry, Dortin, good to see you again.” The two agents smiled as they followed the group. “You too, Commandant.”
“I take it you three know each other,” Cecilia said.
“They’re assigned to me whenever I go out on important meetings and other events. In other words, they’re my body guards.”
“I see.”
The group got out to the parking garage. Suikov and Rynov got Cecilia’s luggage and brought it over to Stu’s car, a 2009 Uklonei.
Stu put the bags in the trunk. “Ready to go?”
“Ready when you are,” she said. “So, where do you want me to sit?”
“The passenger seat up front,” Stu said, opening the door for her.
“Thank you,” Cecilia said, as she got into the front passenger seat.
“Thanks you two,” Stu said, shaking Suikov and Rynov’s hands. “Ted, do you have arrangements made for where you’re staying?”
“I’ll be staying at the Vulshainian embassy,” he said.
“Okay. Andry and Dortin can take you.”
“Sure. That’ll do. You take care of Premier,” he said.
“You too Ted,” Cecilia said. After the bodyguards left, Cecilia gave Stu a license.
Stu looked at it a bit puzzled. “What’s this for?”
“Your Vulshainian fishing license. You can fish anywhere in Vulshain now.”
Stu smiled. “Aw, thanks. Can’t wait to use it.” He kissed Cecilia before backing out of the parking spot and began driving to his home.
“So where do you live? The Wolfsden?”
“No, I’ve got my own house,” Stu said.
“Not to far from here, actually,” he said as he continued driving, taking a few turns. About twenty minutes later, Stu pulled onto a street where neighborhood kids played and his neighbors waved to him. He pulled into the driveway of a single story brick house.
The lawn was well kept, as were the bushes, trees and flowers.