When it Comes, it Comes

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21

“The Premier is on Vacation?”

The Vekaiyun Minister of the Interior, Vanse Iliskalu, looked up. He recognized the voice immediately, especially since the man was not one to avoid cameras. Vanse smiled at the Speaker of the Ropke, Viktor Imusre. “Yes, yes she is. Would you like to leave a message at the sound of the beep?”

“No, actually. I was hoping to meet with her on this union she’s trying to pass. But since she’s not here…”

“You can speak to me freely,” Vanse said as he set down his pen. “With the Premier away, the Minister of the Interior assumes her duties temporarily.”

“You don’t need to tell me about the laws of this land. I’ll just wait until she returns.”

“Oh, come on. I know that the proposal is on the floor. And I know your group is likely to approve it.”

“Based on how the Ropkians voted in the past, sure. But people are uneasy with a union that involves Dveria.”

“Even if it’s under Vekaiyun control?”

“Yes. With that new leader in place, no one really knows how he’s going to react. He’s royalty, Vanse. What sort of musical chairs is this?”

He shrugged. “A human state needs a human leader. You know that. Even the tight security around Ileskari couldn’t keep him alive. Let them have the taste of Vekaiyu from the mouth of a human being. Otherwise they’ll think it’s mere barking from a dog.”

“How much power does he have at this juncture?”

“It appears he is more figurehead than anything else. Brash and ignorant. But he will learn. Your lot trusted Ikrisia with much more when you knew much less about her.”

He huffed a sigh. “Indeed.”

Vanse smiled. “He is surrounded by a strong Vekaiyun presence. There is no chance he would dare go rogue. It is occupied Vekaiyun land - if he falters, another will take his place.” He held up his pen and held it with both hands. “The system in place is a strong one - it will not fail. And if he fails.” He snapped the pen. “Well, I am sure you understand we can make changes.”

Viktor grimaced. “This is a very bizarre situation.”

“Yes. We’ve slain the enemies of our childhood, have we not?”

Viktor sat down. “Quite. But I am very curious as to the future of this… ‘union’.”

“The future is indeed muddy, I’ll give you that. Even I don’t know exactly what consequences this union will have. But, any union which gives Vekaiyu more control over its neighbors is something I will always support.”

“Neighbors.” Vanse laughed. “There is a reason we chose Ye’leli for the location of this union.”

“More Vekaiyificiation?”

Vanse shrugged. “Perhaps. It’s certainly in style, isn’t it?”

22

— Begin quote from ____

Iliskalu,

I have had quite a wonderful time on this island of Akulu - the waters are clear from dawn to dusk, and beauty abounds both above and below the water. Such beauty is quite different than what we are used to with respect to our aquatic ambiance. And their populace have taken a liking to the vulpine peoples. The clear waters have given me enough time to clear my head. Hence, I shall make my return to the Vekaiyun homeland on Tuesday.

I do hope you have left the state intact. In the meantime, I have made a decision with respect to the quandary in Listonia between Evesuni and Yiskevi. Evesuni will return to his status as premier. Yiskevi, on the other hand, will be elevated to the status of General Secretary of the Vekaiyun Union, a body he will oversee in my absence and will ensure Vekaiyun traditions are kept.

Until my return,
Premier Levinile

— End quote

Vekaiyun Minister of the Interior, Vanse Iliskalu, set the letter down when he was finished dictating the letter to a collection of Vekaiyun officers, some of which were high in the Vekaiyun Armed Forces.

“I fail to see how this concerns us,” Ler Commodore Lebivistre barked.

“You heard our leader,” Iliskalu replied. “Her infatuation with this paradise-like island has intrigued me. We must do everything possible to annex it and incorporate it into our new union.”

The Vekaiyun Minister of Communication, Aleki Lemevous, scoffed. “We cannot just waltz in there and take over a foreign nation.”

“We do not ‘take it over’,” he corrected. “We entice it. Did you not read her letter? They appear to love our kind.” He began to pace around the room. “This is not our first time, Lemevous. And the Premier could use a more Vekaiyun vacation spot.” He looked around the room as he stopped pacing. “Let me make something perfectly clear to everyone in this room. We are no longer a monarchy. We are no longer a dictatorship. But we very well could be without the Premier. This woman has provided us a legislature, limited democracy, courts that follow the law and not the veskono, market socialism that is damn near capitalism at this point. Freedoms which would be foreign and appear shifty some thirty years ago. She is the unquestioned leader of the great Vekaiyun nation, and one of the most powerful living beings on this planet. We owe her for the dark times she removed us from. The least we can provide is a means to take a break now and then.” He banged a fist on the table as Lebivistre rolled his only good eye. “I would gladly fall on a grenade for milady, just as the man who served before me did. I suggest everyone here adopt such a stance. Thank you.”

23

— Begin quote from ____

To Premier Levinile and her Minister of the Interior,

I cannot, indeed will not accept this assignment without greater assurance in the Listonian state. It is to this end that I require the annexation of lands east of Listonia. Such annexation will facilitate the following:

  1. Creation of a Vekaiyun state to the east of Listonia that will provide trade from the open sea. Vekaiyu will effectively cut the continent of Yastoria in half, and will achieve dominion over trade.

  2. Such an annexation will halt expansion of Packilvania and The Fourth Imperium, while relegating Smigsachenweiz to nothing more than a Vekaiyun dependency primed for inclusion.

  3. Such an annexation will further isolate Sevropia from Lazlowia, weakening the state and preventing it from producing a quick attack on Vekaiyun lands.

  4. Such an annexation will further isolate Elphana and will inevitably strangle it into submission.

Again, I must stress I will not accept my new assignment until such an annexation is made. We would be foolish to ignore such an opportunity. The foolishness would be doubled in this specific case, as I am prepared to fight for my position here until I am satisfied that Vekaiyu has acheived all it is capable of, for the time being.

I shall provide a rough sketch of the soon-to-be Vekaiyunized lands.

Warm regards,
Lso Yiskevi

— End quote

24

— Begin quote from ____

Lso Yiskevi,

Permission granted. We shall visit this once I return on Tuesday. Proceed with the annexation as the new General Secretary of the Vekaiyun Union. I trust you will do this with enough tact whereby we would have low international tension.

You have decided to put your neck on the line by announcing this very bold blackmail, Yiskevi. I will let you do that. But if it does not go as planned, Vekaiyu and the Vekaiyun Union will do whatever it can to protect its image and its interests. May you be successful, Yiskevi. I would rather commend you as a hero than dictate your eulogy.

Regards,
Premier Ikrisia Levinile

— End quote

25

Premier Levinile studied the map provided by Lso Yiskevi, altered slightly to include more strategic points of interest by the Vekaiyun armed forces earlier in the day. She studied the area fairly well on her plane ride back to Eldura, noting the demographics, reviewing some of the prominent features of the land, the likes. It was fairly uneventful territory: steppe to the north, rice fields to the south. Some industry peppered in between. Perhaps the biggest selling point was the coastline, which would provide Vekaiyu with access to the opposite of Yasteria. It simply had to be theirs.

“Move this border about 15 kilometers to the east,” Ikrisia said, pointing to the border on the coast. “We will need to cover both sides of this inlet.” She looked up to the speaker of the Ropke, Viktor Imusre. “You will pass this to vote?”

He nodded. “It can be done. It is a little unorthodox, but then again, troop movements in Dveria and Listonia happened rather quickly.”

“I am not one who wishes to wait very long. Which is why I’ve brought you here,” she said, looking at the Listonian. “Southern Commodore Isoli Erstruvi, your troops can be ready for a strike… when?”

“They will need approximately two days to get into position. Are we alone in this endeavor?”

“Evesuni will sign this outright, so unless my legislature is tardy, we will move into position. I have already informed my Kral Commodore of the situation. He is preparing.”

“We will look this over thoroughly,” Vinsent Uyaskovi, speaker of the Ileskari, informed the group as he leaned back in his chair. “I’m not a military man, but I don’t see why we need to be hasty here.”

“Opportunities come and go, my dear Ileskarian,” Ikrisia warned. “With Dveria no longer a threat, we must take every opportunity to improve our general well-being. Doing this will weaken Sevropia’s ties to Lazlowia, and provide a buffer between us and The Fourth Imperium. But alas, who am I to state such benefits? It appears Yiskevi has outlined them already.”

“Yes,” Lso replied. “And I have prepared a speech to both chambers if necessary.”

“Do you plan to put our legislature to sleep? Or perhaps give them confusion as to why the former Cadipremier of Listonia is giving them marching orders? You do nothing of the sort. Your business is with addressing matters pertaining to The Vekaiyun Union, internally and not externally. Should we wish for you to issue a statement, we will ask for it. The only thing we require is a statement addressing foreign powers regarding this annexation.”

“Of course. It shall be done.”

“Good.” She turned to the legislatures. “Get on this vote.” Once she stood, others followed. “And work closely with Kral Commodore Nevikalu on planning a general occupation of the area,” she told the Listonian Commodore. “This is the first test run for the Vekaiyun Union. As such, we will soon convene to discuss this matter.”