The Importance of Being Earnest

Jonasz Bur was walking around his room nervously. Rebels had recently hit the food-convoy going to the military base near Weertia. Almost third of the recent transports were hit. Almost all of them were food. They are leaving the weapons and man transports usually (though once they stole ammo), but the food is their main target. It’s like they are trying to starve our soldiers to death. Sneaky, communist bastards, trying to lower the morale, are they? Well, it’s not like the soldiers have any morale left. The only reason they are somewhat loyal, is because almost every Strol a Stromburgian currency that is still worth more, than this useless Nab that was introduced after the revolts – he has he spends on them, instead putting them off on his Swiss account. And that was the only reason he became El Presidente! He really ought to get rid of them, but WA forces that stationing here aren’t really his best friend. General what’s-his-name? Lou-De Frau? Loo-De Fewr? Something strange like that. The point is, that bastard told him, their job is to lower the civilian casualties, not to keep him in power. That schlitt-yu had a courage to threaten him the Great El Presidente, that if something similar to the last time happened, that bastard would ask WA to stop their peace mission at this island. If only he had a way t……
“"Sir, the guest from Serenitech has arrived"” a voice came from the little speaker on his desk
““Good Michelle, let him in”.” What is this corporate drone business here? That Serenitech already tried to sell weapons, technologies and medical equipment. Don’t they realize that New Nabbers is currently in a hole so deep and black, that the chance that anything would be affordable is just purely ridiculous?
“"I’’ve told you that before. We do not have any money to buy your products.“” Bur said as soon as the door started to open.
“"Ah, Mister Bur, what a cheerful way to greet a delegate and a client!”” said a dark haired man in gray suit that has entered a room. Shaved, clean and standing upright. Bur didn’t like him already.
"“You act as if I care. I told you, I do not have money for any of your fancy stuff"”

After a second he realized ““Wait,… did you say ‘client’?””

Serenitech official smiled. Well, he was smiling before, a strategy used by all salespersons around the world to gain trust. Now he just smiled more.
“"My name is Joahim Borotowsk, and I came to here to talk business!”"
“"There isn’’t much you can buy here, you know. Our economy is collapsing, there are no working industries, and even if you try to enter our market, you would find people to poor to buy anything."” Jonasz Bur was, of course, drawing a picture much worse than the existing one. Hopefully those Serenitech bastards will pity Nabberian people and give them better price. “What are you planning to do, buy our people?”

'‘In a sense’’ wasn’t the answer Bur was expecting to hear. But that was the answer he got. He fell down into his chair. This moment of quietness was exploited by his quest to explain the offer. ““You see, we would like to buy certain chunks of lands of your country. Start up the industry there. But for that we need workers. So we would like to buy citizenships for all the people living there.””
““What?””
““Yeah, generally we are interested in the Donna peninsula, the are between Trowa mountains and the Bur Bay. Actually a whole Bur Bay. Possibly also the town of Intris…”…”
““40 percents””
““…huh?””
“"That’s how much of your earnings and taxes from that area I want. All of that coming to my Swiss account. Of course everything will be secret I suppose? Then we also need a cover-story. Let’s say a hundred thousand dollars per square kilometer? Also I expect…”…"
“"Don’t you think that’s a tad too costly?” "
“"Listen pretty boy. …What was your name again?”"
““Joahim Buszerwsk””
““Ok, Joahim. I know that everything Serenitech touches suddenly becomes prosperous. I want a constant flow of cash.””
““That is unexpected. I’m sorry but, I’’m unable to give you answer at this point of time. Would you care to wait a few days for a reply? I gotta ask my CEO.””
“"Off you go."” Jonasz Bur lightened up a cigar after his guest had left the room. Ahh, the feeling of power. Forty percents? Good luck with that. There is no way they would accept this. Of course even twenty would be a great deal for him, but this over the top offer will show them that he is the one in power here. Suddenly he realized why he became El Presidente in the first place.

— Begin quote from ____

Jonasz Bur
El Presidente of the New Nabbers

On behalf of the Serenitech Corpocracy I would like to say we accept your extremely inconvenient offer. In exchange we await a legal renounce of the terrains marked on the map in the attachment. We also offer you modernizing your army using the money that you are now in possession of.

CEO Malcolm Sharpe
Serenitech Corpocracy

— End quote

‘Seriously’ was one of the only family-friendly thoughts that crossed Bur’s mind. They agreed? Did they want that lands so bad? Why? Or were they just messing with him.
In any case he would be rich when they start up their industry. Oh the sweet, rich future!


“"So exactly we did we accept his offer? We surely could force him to lower the price.”" Joahim was speaking to the CEO of Serenitech on the videophone. Yellow-tinted glasses where shining in the sun of the well-lit room of the Serenity Tower. Malcolm Sharpe really liked clean looks of his office and company. It always made the clients certain, that Serenitech wouldn’t use dirty tactics. Oh, what a bunch of gullible idiots.
““Joahim. That will leave him in euphoria over the size of his bank account. He will now do anything to help us to industrialize that areas. What’s more, it will leave him in a very inconvenient position of being our ally. What we need to do now, is assure him that he is right. For now. I’’ll leave for Stromburg in a few days to try to convince him to accept the deal done by Bur. Possibly also try to persuade him to help us get rid of him.””
““So he’’s not,– I mean Bur, is not our ally?””
“"Oh no, Joahim, he wanted forty percents of our income from Nabbers! Nobody that tries to rob me is my friend, nor my ally.”"


http://i.min.us/ijRBvO.png

Premier’s Office, Centreford, Stromburg

The Prime Minister with his aides stepped into the conference room. An emergency meeting with relevant ministers and staffs was convened. Beforehand, he was briefed about the crisis and it was not looking good. The conflict threatened economic growth and stability in and around Stromburg. Waves of refugess had arrived on Stromburg through boats and ships, with more expected as the situation worsened.

" I had been given the latest update on New Nabbers. It seems that the country is almost bankrupt and rebels are increasing in numbers. Our immediate concerns is the refugees but our primary long term concern is the stability of New Nabbers. What are our options?"

Minister for Defence Adam Van Buren spoke," 30,000 troops had been mobilised to deal with the refugees. About 9,000 had arrived on Haven Island. That number is estimate to rise by 20,000 in the coming weeks. If the situation run out of control, a martial law in Haven Island is necessary. "

Then Minister for Foreign Affairs Henry Lee Schultz continued, " New Nabbers crisis caught us in a dilemma. Our relation with New Nabbers is described as occasionally hostile and mostly unfriendly. Continuing economic aid to the current regime will not be in our interests, Jonasz Bur is a ungrateful and unreliable bastard. Supporting the rebels is even worse, they literally hate Stromburgians! Military intervention carries a risk of being condemned by the WA. There is bound to be resistance among the New Nabbers. None of this option benefits us in anyway."

National Security Advisor Harris Yuan broke his silence, " There is another option."

The ministers’s attention turned to Harris.

"I received report from our intelligence that a Serenitech official just met the El Presidente. We could not confirmed the detail but I bet their intentions is to exploit benefits from this crisis. This deal is probably big, a possible game changer to the situation. I advise Mr Kenobi to establish further ties with Serenitech. Hopefully, Mr Sharpe’s visit will bring us news and assurance about this secret dealing with the Nabbers. "

To which the Prime Minister replies, " I hope so. I’ll be grateful if those incompetent islanders won’t cause us anymore trouble. "

Few days after the Meeting

" Good Evening Mr Sharpe, the Prime Minister is waiting for you in his office.", said the Chief of Staff Regina Yan.

======================================
OOC

  • NOTE:
    Prime Minister’s full name is Jones D. Kenobi . ( Mr.Kenobi or Mr. Prime Minister)

Capital City of Stromburg is Centreford.

“You can now unfasten your seatbelt, Mr. Sharpe” a pilot’s voice came from the speakers.
“Thanks, Milo. Fine flight as always.” Sharpe didn’t hear the reply to this. He was too busy gathering his thoughts up. In about 20 minutes he would have an appointment with the leader of Stromburg. Hopefully everything will go according to plan. If so, this could be the best Serenitech’s operation in history. Oh, let that Mr. Kenobi be rational and prone to make compromises. If he dislikes the New Nabbers, but also wants to retake the island, this would certainly put Malcolm in a good position.

The doors of the car slammed. Expensive Limo, few body guards. Not enough for full protection, but also a number that doesn’t make a gangster impression. Besides there were bodyguards in a few other cars, disguised as normal civil vehicles behind him. Soon enough the car stopped in front of the building in which Prime Minister of Stromburg was expecting Malcolm. Sharpe quickly gathered his suitcase, adjusted his tie, and entered the building.

“Good Evening Mr Sharpe, the Prime Minister is waiting for you in his office.”, said the Chief of Staff Regina Yan.
“Evenin’” Said Sharpe, without stopping. He knocked on the doors, to the Prime Minister’s office, and entered. A rather expensive-looking room didn’t shock him. Every leader liked to have an office that represented his country, and Stromburg certainly wasn’t a poor country. A huge map made up of marbles on the wall was a nice touch, Sharpe had to agree to that.
“Mister Jones Kenobi! I hope I’m not late!” Of course he wasn’t. He was right on time, as always. “You may, perhaps, wonder why did I insist on talking with you. I want to talk with you about the New Nabbers…” Sharpe decided it would be best to just get straight to business. Hopefully this would be the right way to approach Prime Minister of Stromburg.

“Mister Jones Kenobi! I hope I’m not late!” Of course he wasn’t. He was right on time, as always. “You may, perhaps, wonder why did I insist on talking with you. I want to talk with you about the New Nabbers…”

" You’re very punctual. Take a seat first, Mr Sharpe ", the Prime Minister showing his left hand toward the couch.

Immediately, Jones settled down on his side of the couch and spoke with a straightforward manner, " So Mister Sharpe, I am sure you are a wise man and I do believe you knew what are my stakes in New Nabbers. Currently with the array of issues at hand, New Nabbers is the most sensitive of all. I wish I can devoted more time to the issues. Unfortunately, I need to be accounted for my people this year. The situation caught us in a political dilemma. Any political action toward carries unwanted risk for us.

Now here is my priorities, I want New Nabbers to be stable and less volatile in the long run. My hopes for reform had dashed and I will support anyone who can pacify that failed state. To be honest, Your dealing with Jonasz causes some concern and questions. Don’t mind me if I asked, but what was your interest in New Nabbers?"

Sharpe sat down, when Kenobi was speaking. “My interest? I am the CEO of the biggest international corporation in the region, and one of the biggest in the world” Sharpe said with a smirk. “Our interest is of course money. But who doesn’t need the money in today’s world? I’m sure your predecessors” said Sharpe looking at the portraits in the room “also cared for money. And I’m sure you do. Money gives us happiness. It gives us power. It gives us the ability to defend and care for the people who trust us.” He looked back at the Prime Minister of Stromburg. “And I’m sure you care for your people, so you would understand. There is always not enough money. Welfare, healthcare, public transport, industry, military to defend them. All of that costs. And people know that.”
He paused for a second.
“That’s why I decided to help New Nabbers. Of course not for free. They didn’t have any money, and I struck a deal with them. Hopefully he will use it to help the people on this island.”
Sharpe stared at the wall for a short while.
“I understand your position at this point of time. You want stability in the region. But you also want the island back. That’s why I came to you. I want to ask you, for the sake of New Nabbers, and all Nabberians and Stromburgians there, to acknowledge and accept the deal I’ve struck with that country.”

“Besides” Sharpe smiled looking back at Mr. Kenobi. “I also want to make you an offer. If Mr. Jonasz of New Nabbers will happen to be a scrooge, and the money he squeezed out of us won’t help the people living there, I can assure you we will make our biggest efforts to help you take back the rest of the island. Without condemnation from the WA. And I know he is not a very generous man. Are you interested?” A sincere smile showed up behind Sharpe’s beard.

The Prime Minister thought to himself for a while and he looked toward the marble map of Stromburg on the wall before turning back to Mr Sharpe. He give his reply," In my whole premiership, I never trust anyone who mixed businesses with politics. But for you, I will make that exception. " He smiled and prepared to shake hands with Mr Sharpe, showing that he was interested to the offer.

Ah, the warm feeling of pieces falling together. The plan is going perfectly, and Sharpe loved it. Mr. Kenobi was a valuable friend. Malcolm noted to possibly make more contacts with Stromburg in future.
“Great! Then what we must do, concerning the New Nabbers, is wait for the time being. If anything happens I will surely come here again, to discuss next steps we shall take.”

Malcolm wanted to stand up, but a thought made him turn around back to Prime Minister of Stromburg.
“Is there anything more, you would like to discuss? Concerning both, New Nabbers, and just regular business. I’m a busy man, but I always have time for my allies.”

A sincere smile has shown up on the face of the CEO of Serenitech.