Walter was sat at his desk. It was 5 in the morning, and whilst it wasn’t miserable outside, it felt as if a blanket of negativity had been laid across the sky. He sat at his desk, slowly blinking and rubbing his eyes, occasionally sipping a small black coffee which was dressed in a posh ceramic cup. Walter yawned and let out a very exaggerated sigh, before opening several draws and laying his equipment on his desk in a particularly neat fashion. He went on to open the first page of a 613 page document titled “Official Government Report on Terrorism.”. He turned over one page after another, reading the documents contents excessively.
It was twelve minutes past one in the afternoon and Walter closed the narrative. After thirteen coffees and five trips to the toilet facilities, he had finally studied the entire document. Lambertus had already confirmed his approval, which meant it was his turn. He smiled and confidently filled his large signature in the Prime Minister position. He dully noticed directly besides his signature sat the empty space for the Lord Governor, Fredrik Constantine of Caltharus.
He stood up, pushing the chair out from behind him using the sole of his shoe. He walked to the exit with the government report and made his way for his five o’clock meeting.
[hr] Five Fifteen, Anonymous location in Sani Bursil.
Walter was welcomed into a boardroom, accompanied by several familiar faces including Lucas Brom and Fredrik Constantine, whom he smiled to in acknowledgement.
“Hello Johannes.” Fredrik smiled, bowing his head in politeness to the Prime Minister.
“Afternoon Fredrik.” Walter, also smiling, approached the gentlemen. He sharply offered out his hand which was taken for several seconds.
“Your hair!” Walter gasped, sarcastically. Fredrik stared at Walter, unsure of how to respond.
“It’s starting to recede.” He noted, given Fredrik’s uncanny reaction.
Took back by the comment, he brushed his forehead with his fingers. “I see.” He smirked.
Walter, turning to Lucas, patted him on the shoulder.
“Been busy I have heard. Good man. Plenty of work is coming your way after today.”
Lucas smiled, concealing his hatred for the man.
A man, presumably the official responsible for the organisation of the meeting coughed in conjunction with the attendees.
“Ehem.” His eyes looked up from the documents Walter has supplied, with his head remained facing downwards. “Prime Minister Johannes, Lord Governor Constantine, Director of the CIB, Brom, Director of the SIIA, Warbor, The Caltharusian Speaker of the House, Urquhart, and myself, Winston Niwel. I welcome you all today.” He glanced down at the documents and turned the page.
“We have received an overwhelming percentage of votes in favour deciding to implement the Staynish-Caltharus Empire into an operation which would fight terrorism at its roots, specifically terrorism within our borders, and with Johannes being the most recent signatory, that leaves you, Lord Governor. We will allow the representative of Caltharus, you, Fredrik, to ask the representatives of this operation anything within legislative respectability and we hope for a viable conclusion by the closing hours of the day.” He looked at his audience. With that notice given, Fredrik opened his notebook.
[hr]Exactly Nine o’clock.
The group, who had been sat in the heated boardroom for an immoderate amount of time had been fidgeting for the last hour, seemingly frustrated with the delays.
“Thank you for the considered answers, gentlemen. now as Fredrik has asked all of his questions respectively, it is now his decision to join, abstain or decline.” Winston sat down and slurped his drink. He turned the documents around in the direction of the audience, which had remained on his desk the entirety of the meeting. Fredrik glanced over to Lucas and Finnur Urquhart, whom both simultaneously nodded in a rhythmic fashion. He slowly stood up from his seat and strode over to the document. He clasped his fountain pen and slowly but carefully sew his signature in his rightful place. A magnitude of joyous claps, most of which in relief, bellowed around the room.
“Thank goodness for that.” Walter quietly whispered to Henry Warbor whilst slouching into his chair, retaining his clapping.
“This meeting has officially concluded. Thank you.” Winston roared over the clapping. One by one the representatives of their respective departments made their way to their residencies, all exhausted.
Walter caught up with Fredrik who had pulled out his phone and was on his way home. “Excuse me, can I invite you to the Serena Inn tonight? All drinks are on me.” He simpered to himself. Fredrik looked up at the man.
“Well, if that’s the case, I’m all in.” Fredrik shared his odd smile. They were escorted to the Inn by their bodyguards, taking a brisk walk down three blocks.