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Jackson Woolf got out of the car, and greeted Zharkov “Minister Zharkov, how good it is to see you. I must say, Stormharand is quite stunning. As a lover of history and classical architecture, you should be proud of yourselves.”
Viktor Zharkov put on a smile as Woolf got out of the car.“It’s good to hear that another man loves history probably as much as I do. As for Stromharad itself, thank you. We are indeed quite proud of it.”
“I am very excited to attend the Kaiser’s coronation. Furnifold’s gift to your new empire is on its way, but all precautions were to be taken to ensure its safe arrival, so it is heading here by barge. As for what it is, well, I don’t want to spoil it.”
“I’m very excited to see it,” Viktor replied. “Shall we head inside and speak in my office?”
"Indeed."As they walked, Woolf explained the situation. "We have some minor issues with our ally Kuthernburg. They have a tendency to get involved in conflicts and ask us for assistance. We feel obligated to assist in whatever way possible, but, because their conflicts involve traveling around the world, we find that it is usually unsustainable to assist for a long period of time. Our ships are not nearly as advanced, so we have to make port often. In fact, our task group naval vessels near Xagrurg are heading back to our closest base, in Gronmund Port, as we speak. If Kuthernburg, or any other ally, involves themselves in a conflict in your proverbial neck of the woods, we would be out of luck until we could negotiate port access rights.“I would like to request a mutual exchange, a foreign-flag agreement between our nations, to allow each other’s naval vessels to make port in each other’s territories. I think Furnifold’s location on both the mainland and in Gronmund Port would be advantageous to your nation, and having connections across the waters is certainly advantageous for us.”
Viktor nodded. “It does sound tempting. I’ll have to bring it up with the Kaiser first. I’m thinking that he would accept it, though,” Viktor opened the door to his office for Woolf and they entered.Viktor sat down behind his desk and folded his hands. “Regarding Xagrurg, recently the Kaiser has found an interest within the Auroran and Atlantian conflicts. What can you tell us about them, besides the obvious information thats already out in the public?”
Woolf remained standing, pacing as he said. “Currently, the fighting is most intense in Yor, but barring any influx of GXE forces, we will be able to take the island. The mainland poses a problem though, due to the number of ICBMs Xagrurg inexplicably has. I believe right now we are looking at establishing a ceasefire to set up boundaries on the border with the SCE, a difficult task as you may imagine.” I believe these lines in the sand will be drawn, but the GXE has taken Kostoria-Obertonia, and that is something the allied forces will not stand for. I think it would be in our best interests, especially if Asendavia were to join, to take the fight to Kostoria-Obertonia and attempt to liberate them. The GXE will surely fail through attrition, but we do not want Kostoria-Obertonia to be taken along with them"
Viktor nodded again. “A ceasefire seems almost impossible to me. The GXE seems too volatile and hostile to accept a ceasefire. However, given the number of countries against them, it does seem a bit more possible. Add the fact that Stratarin isn’t in the war yet, and it seems even more likely. So, it doesn’t seem as unlikely. As for the possibility of Asendavia joining the war, I could see that. Given Asendavia’s military, we could defenitely be useful in the war. However, one of the problems I see is that of transporting the soldiers. We do not have that many transport ships, so transporting mass amounts of soldiers, if we were to contribute mass amounts of soldiers to the war, would prove to be a dificulty. As with all things, however. I would have to bring it up with the Kaiser,” Viktor took out a bottle of akevitt and poured himself a glass. “Want any?” he asked, gesturing at the bottle in his hand.
Woolf accepted the bottle, pouring himself a glass. “That is understandable. My prior service in the navy definitely helps with understanding military campaigns, but they are not my specialty. From the foreign affairs perspective, it seems our best bet is to work with the SCE to conduct a campaign to liberate Kostonia-Obertonia. How is Asendavia’s relationship with the SCE?”
Viktor took a sip from his glass. “Sounds interesting. As for our relations with the SCE, I wouldn’t say that they’re good or bad.”
“I believe that after the coronation, you, me, Queen Naomi of Kuthernburg, and Prince Oaloanu of Oan Isles should sit down and discuss the next steps in this war.”
“Sounds interesting. Although, the Kaiser should either replace me in the discussion or also come with me.”
“Certainly sir. Now, I will take my absence, and go to my quarters. If you could talk with our dear Kaiser about what I have said, that would be most appreciative.” Jackson Woolf put down his glass, barely touched, and stood up to leave.
“Of course,” Viktor stood and offered his hand to Woolf.
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After shaking Viktor’s hand, Woolf left the office, an aide waiting nearby to tell him that his luggage has been moved to his room and to follow the aide. He obliged, wishing he had finished that glass of akevitt, because he had a throbbing headache. We’re down in Xagrurg, and now I am asking to get little Furnifold involved in this? I hope this is the right plan. Hopefully still, Viktor takes everything up with the Kaiser.
Woolf got to his room, laid down, and took a couple of pain relievers. He opened his phone and placed a call to his aides, asking them to prepare foreign relation dossiers on Asendavia, Kostoria-Obertonia, The Oan Isles, and Kuthernburg. No sense in not being completely prepared when meeting with the future Kaiser, after all.
