Co-written with PeZook
RogueIce wrote:He picked up the phone to Warren Wright, his Secretary of State. "Get in touch with the PeZookian ambassador. Tell him I need to see him urgently. I'll come to the embassy. And that I don't want a media circus out of it." Then he got on the horn to the head of his protective detail, telling him he'd be departing for the PeZookian embassy. "But I don't want the full motorcade. I want this done quietly, without attracting attention." Cradling the receiver once more, he stood up, put on his coat, and with the file in hand, left his office to go to the basement of the Shinra Building.
The obvious urgency of this meeting was a surprise for the staff of the PeZookian embassy. Not an unexpected one though, in light of the crisis, even if they did not expect the President himself to come and pay a visit.
Appointments were cancelled and security was steeped up quickly and discreetly. By the time Rufus Shinra arrived, the Ambassador was waiting. Pleasantries were conducted quickly, before both officials retreated to the Ambassador's study.
"Well then, Mr. President...how may I be of assistance to the Republic?"
"As I'm sure you have guessed, I'm here about the growing crisis between the NFT and Old Dominion. I have a rough idea for a solution, but I would very much like to have King Paul's guidance on my plans. Additionally, my idea does require his assistance to implement, whatever form it may take. I know that simply calling His Majesty doesn't require me to come over here, but this part of it does." He handed the ambassador the folder concerning the Wilkonian findings. "I'd like you to take a look at that, and then transmit it to King Paul using whatever secure, but rapid means are available. I'm sure you can appreciate the time pressures we face with this, and my haste in wishing to pursue a solution."
The ambassador reviewed the folder, and almost managed to hide his surprise on seeing what was inside it. While he was not a military man and did not understand much of the terminology, a summary by a Shinran intelligence analyst said it all.
"I...will transmit it immediately. Would like me to arrange a VTC with King Paul as well? We can do it from here, all necessary equipment is on the premises.."
"Yes please," replied President Shinra. "If such is acceptable to His Majesty, I would invite your counsel as well regarding this matter. To paraphrase an old saying, three heads are better than two."
"Certainly. Please give me ten minutes to make the necessary arrangements."
The President nodded, and the machine was set in motion. Urgency of the matter could be felt in the air, and embassy comms staff quickly set up the necessary equipment inside the main conference room. Not fifteen minutes later, both the Ambassador and president Shinra were seated in comfortable leather chairs.
"We're ready. Other end of the line reports some technical problems...", a crypto technician whispered into the Ambassador's ear. An assistant brought in tea, before the room was locked out and antisurveillance systems activated - and then, finally, the lights were dimmed and the large folding screen came to life, showing King Paul - in his own leather chair, looking a bit haphazard and tired.
"Mr. President...I received the data you so graciously provided.", he began, "And I will bring it up when I speak to Sidney...president Hank later today. I was also informed that you mentioned having a rough idea for a solution to the crisis? I'll admit, I'm out of ideas, so any are welcome."
"Essentially, my idea is that we pressure them both to back off. I was thinking, that if CATO privately told President Hank that they wouldn't have his back in any aggressive war, that might make him more cautious. Not just in this current crisis, but in other matters as well," Rufus said, indicating the Japanistan incident. "The MESS will of course make the same thing known to the Old Dominion, although we would have to supply other pressures, I'm sure, as no alliance backing may not be enough on its own to convince the Dominion to alter course. I was thinking economic pressure, perhaps withdrawing assistance from his various reconstruction efforts if he keeps it up. That might send a clear message to him.
"On the public arena, we would issue statements reaffirming that both alliances are defensive, not offensive, and would only take such action for a good cause...such as stopping genocide and similar situation," Rufus continued, obviously including the Sirnoth and Costas operations in this one. "And privately, we let them both know that no matter who feels wronged here, the alliance will consider any armed conflict to have been the result of aggression on
both sides, regardless of who shoots first or other considerations. Essentially, we're not going to have a global war because of this dispute between them, and if either alliance were to get involved it could easily spin out of control into such a conflict. And frankly, I don't think the Lord Fairfax's pride is worth such a thing, and I don't think President Hank's pride is worth it either on your end, would you agree?"
Paul listened quietly, and then leaned back in his chair. Several uncomfortable minutes passed as the King considered the proposal.
"Mr. President...", he finally began, cautiously, "You're asking us for a serious favor here. President Hank may see us pressuring him as a breach of trust, and I hope you understand that I will need some sort of guarantee for your part of the deal. As far as I understand it, this idea is yours alone, and hasn't been consulted elsewhere, correct? Again, I trust you and your word, but this isn't necessarily true of everyone, and especially the NFT. If we can get them to back down, can you guarantee that the Old Dominion will as well? I'd hate to see a situation where NFT backs down and are rewarded with a cheap shot from the Lord Fairfax, looking for some sort of 'victory'."
"I understand your concerns. I believe that Wilkonia and Canissia would go along with this plan, as I do not believe either of them wish to see a war happen. For guarantees, I think we would do well to work out a phased drawdown of sorts between them. The Old Dominion withdraws their Global Hawks, which have almost assuredly been deployed by now, and the NFT stands down whatever their response will be. That sort of thing. Additionally, I may be able to work out that the other MESS states would withhold reconstruction assistance; and I am sure CATO nations wouldn't exactly be rushing to fill in the gap. Such an economic shock as that may be enough to get their attention."
He took a deep breath. This next part was really him going out on a limb, and he had no idea if anyone else would back him on it. "As for the Dominion trying to score a cheap shot...were they to do so, I know I personally would be seriously reconsidering how much they contribute to the alliance, against how much harm they can bring to all of us."
Paul was obviously surprised with the President's statement, despite trying not to show it.
"Well...in this case, I am willing to try this plan. I will pass this information along to other CATO states, then ask the NFT some tough questions...I propose we meet in person in, oh...three days? To discuss details of the drawdown, if we manage to arrange it."
Paul smiled, but was interrupted by something happening off-camera. An assistant could be seen handing him a handwritten note.
"Oh....shit!", the King uttered in a most unroyal way, "We may have a problem when it comes to talking with Sidney Hank..."
Rufus looked worried. "What's happened?"
"President Hank has just been admitted to the hospital due to a heart attack, and it looks like he has other problems, too..." Paul trailed off, still trying to process the information.
"Damn it," cursed President Shinra. His PDA buzzed, and he quickly pulled it out. "All over the airwaves...that was my Secretary of State. He heard it from Worldwide One and passed it on." Rufus considered the situation for a moment, and then continued. "Well, first things first: we need to get up to speed on Sidney Hank's condition. Both for the practical reasons, and personal: despite everything, I still think of him as a good person. Trying to do right for his people, even if I don't always agree with his course. But we also need to talk to our allies, and soon. As unfortunate as Hank's situation is, there are bigger problems facing us. I think he'd agree with that."
"Exactly. It's important he makes it, though - I think he'd agree to your proposal. Other cabinet members of his? I have no idea.
Anyway, I will contact everyone ASAP and pass the word. Hopefully, we'll avoid any more deaths because of this whole clusterfuck. Fuck. Everything was much simpler on Old Earth..."
And with that, the VTC finished. The ambassador looked quite...taken aback at the King's use of rough language, but he was a professional, and didn't comment on it in front of a foreign leader.
PeZook OOC: Yeah, I know Paul let something slip 
He was upset and didn't even realize that.
Rufus, completely ignoring the reference to 'Old Earth' merely stood up, thanks the ambassador for his assistance, and departed. There was much work to be done.
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