10:15AM
30 June 2020
1 Bursil Street, Sani Bursil
After enclosing the contents of the letter with the most important wax seal in the nation, Barvata strode down the corridor and handed this hefty duty of care to his trusted aide. The letter would travel a long distance by land and sea until it reached its destination. If the Prime Minister of Great Morstaybishlia sealed his letter with the wax seal inscribed “Office of the Prime Minister; duty of His Majesty” it was a time of great significance, and this sacred tradition of communications using this seal from Morstaybishlia to its ally went back to 1917 after the dissolution of the First Urthian Empire, or as most called it- Morstopackia; and the start of a prosperous relationship that would eventually resume and continue until present day. Barvata had a digital copy prepared just in case, but hoped this letter would be received and welcomed by the right audience.
[hr]
18:30PM
30 June 2020
Bingol, Packilvania
Noi stared down at the plate in front of her. Baked fish, greens, and what could pass as a pudding, she guessed, sat on an ornate plate. She frowned. Her aides insisted on a healthier diet as she aged. She took a bite. It was as bland as it looked. As she ate, an aide came into the room. It was odd that anyone disturbed her while eating, her dinner being one of the few times she decreed was personal. The guards let him through though, so it must have been of some import. The aide, a young male dressed in white traditional clothing knelt before her.
“Padişah efendim , please forgive me for disturbing you, but the following letter has arrived. I was instructed to deliver this immediately” he said rather nervously, looking at the floor. The aide presented a letter with both hands, being careful not to meet Noi’s gaze.
Noi took the letter and dismissed the aide, thanking him. He left quickly, closing the door to the dining room behind him. Noi was alone again. She looked over the letter and couldn’t help but smile.
‘He must think this important to use the old seal.’ She thought as she sliced the wax with an extended claw.
She read the letter. It was formal, and succinct. Noi set it down and took another bite into her dinner, ignoring the lack of flavour. ‘This is interesting indeed.’ she thought as she finished the last of the food. She smiled. “I can make this work” she said out loud to no one in particular.
She rang a small bell, and waited for the servants to clear the table, making sure to keep her hand over the contents of the letter in front of her. That being finished, she rose and summoned her personal attendant.
“Compose a reply at once and have it sent over the secure line. I will be in my office waiting for the call.” She said, passing over a handwritten response. “Have the servants prepare tea as well. I suspect I will be busy tonight.”
[hr]
Back in Sani Bursil
After eating dinner with his wife, one of Morstaybishlia’s famed national dishes not for what it is but for its absurd name, Frog in the Pit; Barvata awaited the 7:30PM mark which he had informed Empress Noi to expect a telephone call. When it crept up to him, Barvata brewed a Hobsti tea and sat at his office desk. He felt as if despite being in the relaxation of his day to day home whilst Prime Minister, this degree of phone conversation required his formal wear to be kept on.
Barvata turned on his study light and brought out several notes and his laptop which showed him classified military documents to refresh his memory. After studying the contents for a brief moment, he was confident in his pitch and picked up the phone, before dialling the number to probably the single most powerful woman on the planet. It rang once before being picked up.
“Good evening, this is Prime Minister Barvata speaking.” his initial welcoming tone was rigged with a sense of nervousness.
“Good evening. You are speaking with Noi. I will dispense with the normal reading of titles. Let us take a more casual approach to this meeting.” She spoke into the phone, trying to maintain the dignity of an Empress.
“Hello Noi. How are you today?” Barvata sat back in his chair, more calm now than before since the ice was broken.
”I am quite well, thank you. Blessings of *** Be upon you and your own.” She said, giving the traditional greeting of her peoples. She exchanged pleasantries with the Prime Minister as etiquette required her to.
”I have read your letter and must say I am quite intrigued. We have been watching the state of the world for some time now, debating if we should reenter the drama of the world.”
Barvata could be heard briefly sighing. “It is, without a doubt, a mess,” he paused. “What are your views on this?”
”The situation is concerning. I do not want to see a regional war break out, but it seems that some are ready to bring this to conflict. If Rufinia would have us, I believe a presence in the region would have a drastic effect on quelling tensions. Not to mention, the fringe benefits to both of our nations.” She said calmly. “Once upon a time, our peoples shared a sphere of influence over much of the world. I would not mind reasserting a bit of that influence.”
“Of course, Noi. Although Great Morstaybishlia has been seen as the face of democracy for years, this action is plunging us further away from that realism than ever before. It’s quite important that our interests are maintained, and that’s one of the only reasons the MBE is going against the grain in this dire time,” he paused briefly, “I’m sure you are notified on our recent course of action- the news of Morstaybishlia deploying its Home Fleet has spread to peoples’ houses across the world as people fear for war, but many times have I asserted that our presence is to mediate the conflict and affirm our beliefs in forcing the UCA to de-escalate. I’m afraid that despite no motion of allegiance yet to Rufuina and even our very obvious delivery of humanitarian aid-” he stopped. “They have continued this very dangerous road of ‘shoot first, ask questions later, and if this is the case, we will have no choice but to defend our interests,” Barvata ended that sentence in a more enthusiastic tone. “What are your plans moving forward?” he asked calmly.
”First, the issuance of a joint statement declaring our joint intent. The world needs to be ensured of our cooperation.” She said as she made notes to herself. “Next, at the very least, the Pax would deploy its fleet into the region to apply political pressure. I would hope this forces a deescalation.” She sighed as she put down her pen. “I maintain a sense of realism though. Lastly, we would deploy our ground forces in the Puntalian areas.” She paused for a moment, trying to find diplomatic words. “As stated before, I hope the Rufinians will have us. If not, the Pax may have to take other actions.”
“Of course, of course,” Barvata thought on what she said. “I am very worried that Norgsveldet is going to drag other powers into the mix of things, which would force Morstaybishlia to retreat and cause unfound chaos in Arcturia to levels never seen before. With Packilvania’s presence alongside Morstaybishlia, for your own reasons of course; we can bring security to the region and work out the differences between Rufuina, the NSTO and UCA in the Fargo Summit tomorrow. Ah- on that note and under the circumstances President Hanlon invites Packilvania to the summit, will you, or a suited dignitary be present?”
Noi thought for a moment. “I will ensure a personal representative appears at the summit tomorrow. If I were to personally appear, I worry that the situation could be misunderstood as an assumption of sovereignty in the matter.” She paused again. “If I may ask a question? Have your people gauged the likely reaction from the other world powers? I have my people offering opinions of the situation, but fear a standoff between nuclear powers if certain other nations get drawn to the region.”
“Unfortunately we have been analysing movement of Asendavian ships and garrisons within their homeland and overseas bases via satellite and have come to suspect that they’re beginning to mobilise in league with Norgsveldet. That will be a problem,” Barvata scuffled with his short hair for a moment. “We’ve not seen a reaction from South Hills, Peregrinia or Vekaiyu, but simply believe this conflict of interest is out of all of their own spheres of influence and by extension duty of care. I’ll ask you the same question, as your intelligence may differ.”
”I have been advised much the same. My main concern would be old rivals coming to pick a fight, but I personally believe that a unified front would dispel much of that.” She looked across her office at a map hanging on her wall. “It would not take much to mobilize our own navy. The ground forces would depend on being welcomed peacefully, but should not be too difficult to mobilize. May I assume we are in agreement moving forward?”
“We are in total agreement, and I have my faith that Rufuina will accept ground forces because they have little other option. From hereon in I will forward military discussion to be with Secretary of State for Defence Mikhail Sankuda and Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Otto von Hessius, as well as their respectful under-staff. The future political discussions and other interests that our nations may have going forward should, in my opinion, remain on this line of communication. I am very pleased that Great Morstaybishlia and Packilvania are in league once more, despite these unfortunate circumstances…” Barvata pushed back into his chair a lot more relaxed now than at the start of the conversation. “One more thing- I’ll send over the correct communication lines to Rufuinan President Mark Hanlon to your inbox in case you would like to discuss things with him.”
”I thank you.” Noi said after taking a sip of now cold tea. “I am sure we will be in touch. I will also order my cabinet to begin coordinating with your own equivalents. Is there anything else to discuss this evening?”
“I think this is everything so far ma’am,” Barvata thought for a second, “Please expect something to arrive tonight, a small gift of sorts for you to enjoy alone or with company.”
”Then I will wish you a good evening. May *** light our paths. I have many orders to give tonight.”
“Thank you Noi, good luck with it. Good bye for now.” Barvata waited for her response before putting the phone down.
Noi ended the call, and leaned back in her chair sighing. It would be a long night, and she was reminded again of how heavy the crown could be. She summoned her joint staff, and her aide for new tea.
