The Marenesia Conference (2019)

[Iverica]

@Sancti Imperii Catholico, @Seylos, @Gallambria, @Girkmand, @Variota, @Andalla, Prymont

OOC: In case some are wondering if this will be one of those narrative story-type RPs, I have good news--it WILL NOT BE. We'll discuss things, probably on discord and include anything we want to make IC in a summative bit more formal prose that will be posted here for canon. Questions can be directed to myself or Gallambria on Discord. kkthxbye

[Iverica]

THE MARENESIA CONFERENCE

October 1-4, 2019
Bromwich, Gallambria

 

Held at the newly opened, General Sir Sebastian Martin-Powell Theatre at the Gallambrian Command and Staff College in Bromwich, the Marenesia Conference was a 4-day forum headed by the Treaty Council. Starting on October 1st, the conference was attended by council secretaries and top staff from all of the 6 current member states. In addition, the proceedings also saw the invitation of representative parties from the Holy Salvian Empire and the Kingdom of Seylos--each respectively the focus of primary conference points.

The conference was to touch on contemporary security issues, future civil programmes, the future of state memberships, and other operational specifics. Given the importance and sensitivity of the meetings discussed, specifics were relayed to the press via a liaison officer whose role it was to explain the salient points without compromising operational security. The officer, Coronel Jean-Eric Guy of the Exersito Iverica staged the concurrent open press conferences in the Theatre annex.

The following is a summary of agenda-related questions asked by members of various press agencies.  

Q: What is the reason for focusing on Alharu and Aurelia?

A: Simply put, many of the nations in either continent have used their militaries to harmful effect in the past. The false flag operation conducted by an Aurelian nation during the Verde blockade is one such example. Another indicator discussed was how some of the unrecognised states of the western coast act with militant impunity. 

TRIDENT has skin in this game. Shipping routes around Alharu, Thalassa, and Marenesia are important to the treaty member states.

Q: What are some measures TRIDENT is taking to protect defence interests in those regions?

A: Among some measures discussed was the building of joint bases. This would naturally entail that quick reaction forces are planned to be on station there along with intelligence positions and Aerospace defence. Where these bases will be positioned has already been determined. For security reasons, we will confirm these locations as soon as our infrastructure and administration are ready--though the public can be assured that TRIDENT will only place such facilities well within its own member state sovereign areas.

Q: On the point of "security in the Northern Adlantic"--TRIDENT members have little to no presence there, what can the treaty members realistically do to address your concerns in that region?

A: While TRIDENT has no static instalments in the Northern Adlantic, the council discussed the capability of members states to set up protocols for active security in that area like aero-naval patrols and action plans for security scenarios. Likewise, more passive measures like the deployment of unmanned or manned early warning systems are also being discussed. 

Member states already in the vicinity of our "far adjacent oceans" like the Northern Adlantic and the North Oriental oceans have since been committed to maritime security in regions there. While most concerns were national and manifested in sporadic operations or in soft policy, the presence of TRIDENT now as a unified body opens the areas to more effective joint measures like those mentioned above. The wide reaches of these oceans will always be an avenue for ill-meaning entities to exploit, so it is only natural that the treaty renews its commitments there with greater material investment.

Q: A minority among public sentiments questions the legitimacy of Salvian inclusion into TRIDENT--how do treaty leaders and Salvian leaders justify this move?

A: For one, the Salvian representative has made his case for his government's political support and the positive public sentiment. The majority of Salvians favour membership within TRIDENT for similar reasons as Gallambrians have cited in the past. They, like the Gallambrians, have significant interests in the Argic-Alharun commercial areas--mostly maritime and commercial. It will, of course, mean amending the Tricontinental Treaty to specifically allow Marenesian cases for membership, but given the Treaty Council's unanimous support, the draft for that will not be far away.

Q: Then won't the name "Tricontinental Treaty Organisation" be inaccurate?

A: I don't see how. If we consider the Treaty's express purpose to promote security with the Tricontinental area, we also consider adjacent nations that have an overwhelming interest in the region--historically, financially, and defensively. Not to mention the strong alignment of defence policy interests between Salvia and the current member states. If you were to press for speculation, I would add that the name "Tetracontinental Defence Treaty" has already been discussed among members of the council--I can't confirm anything on that matter though.

Q: Speaking of Salvia's inclusion into the treaty--can the council give definite details of when and how this will take place? What steps will be taken to integrate the first non-founder member?

A: Yes. The treaty council discussed an upcoming consular visit to Salvia. This will include a general inspection and exchange of military demonstrations. The treaty will be amended in Deopolis. The last day of the visit will include a signing ceremony with visiting heads of state. I would also add that the sentiments towards this inclusion in the conference hall have been very positive so far. I can also confirm that members of the Treaty Council had already held multilateral talks with Salvian state leadership on the matter since early this year--though these were conducted on a need-to-know basis to prevent potential media sensationalisation.

Q: There have been mentions of the term "Partner for Peace". The common idea is that this is some sort of aligned observer status for non-members. Could the council clarify on what being a "Partner for Peace" entails?

A: A "Partner for Peace" is indeed similar to an observer status. However, unlike a regular observer--say of ATARA or other IGOs, a Partner with TRIDENT must be a sovereign state which has aligned interests and aligned foreign or defence policies. The council expressed its understanding that some states may be unable to join TRIDENT formally, because of many political reasons. In effect, the PfP would grant them a channel to cooperate with the treaty without serious defensive commitments.

Q: Notably, representatives from Seylos are present at this conference--what comments can the council give us on this invitation?

A: The Seylosi stance on the matter was very much aligned with their long-standing policy of avoiding explicit membership in military treaties. A strong emphasis on their objective of peaceable relations with neighbours being a main motivator. So their express interest in the partnership should be no shock given the aligned vision for regional security they have long shared with Gallambria.

 

@Andalla @Gallambria, @Girkmand, Iverica, Prymont, @Sancti Imperii Catholico, @Seylos, @Variota

[Iverica]

@Andalla, @Gallambria, @Girkmand, Iverica, Prymont, @Sancti Imperii Catholico, @Tagmatium Rules

[Salvia]

November 3rd, 2019

2 Days Before Stage II of the Marenesian Conference

Salvian Airspace, 1917 Hours

Giattus Calibrani, Salvian ambassador to Iverica, hadn’t been to Salvia in a long time.  Looking down at the northern Salvian countryside, he forgot how beautiful it could be in the view of the setting sun.

Green, grassy hills were dotted only by the occasional villa, which was typically accompanied by the organized rows of a vineyard or farm.  Windy roads wound around and up the rolling hills, creating a picturesque scene of Salvian beauty that was exploited endlessly by painters for centuries, and now in the present, the photographers that were visiting tourists.  With dusk now approaching rapidly, the occasional villa became little pinpricks of light in a sea of advancing darkness.  Calibrani himself grew up on the Sicani islands and so was used to the villas and farms that sprawled all over Salvia, yet there was something about the rolling hills and windy roads that have been around since the First Imperium that, to him, made northern Salvia more beautiful.  The flatlands that dominated the rest of the country went almost uninterrupted for miles and quickly became dull.  This region, at “golden hour,” lit by dusk sun streaming in through thin clouds dotted across the sky, was a pictorial representation of Salvia: inviting, charming, and something to be experienced if one wanted to consider themselves complete.  It was the end goal-- perfection.

 

November 5th, 2019

Salvia-TTCO Summit, Marenesia Conference

Deopolis International Airport, 1300 Hours

“Jesus f*cking Christ it’s hot,” the aide de camp muttered under his breath as he pulled at his suit shirt while standing at attention.  The airstairs were wheeled in to greet the planes that were grounded just minutes ago, yet despite the recent entrance, they had been outside for almost an hour, setting up and looking pretty.  A good 200 yards away from the shade of the airport terminals, the entire ensemble had been baking in the afternoon sun waiting for some politicians and generals to prance out their luxury jetliners, walk around for hours, then sign a piece of paper that they had probably already agreed upon months before.  Still, it was nice to be at an event that garnered international visitors.  International visitors haven’t been to the country in decades- since the end of the war in the 70s- and it would be another step forward for Salvia.  Too bad it was hotter than balls.

“Oh stop complaining Martin.  At least you aren’t in heels, or wearing one of those gay ass uniforms the band are in,” a woman next to Martin muttered to him.  Martin chuckled at what she said, “Always band kids that get shafted.  Almost feel bad for them.”  

The national anthems of the member states of TRIDENT began playing as the leaders and military officials climbed out of their respective planes: first Prymont, then the aide didn’t give a sh*t so he stopped paying attention.  The aide’s legs were already growing exhausted- his crossfit workout was yesterday and now he was going to be standing for hours.  He should’ve just called in sick, but he suspected a lot of people already did that.  Plus, his boss was an ass and would’ve just told him to come in.  The prick.  

The personnel, after exiting the plane and greeting the president and vice president, filed off to the side.  Once everybody had landed and were in position, the president read a speech welcoming the whole ensemble, then the leaders were guided off to their limousines to meet at Alexis Hall.  The rest of them- mostly security, media, or aid personnel- began to exit after them and would meet the state leaders at the presidential building.

 

@Andalla, @Gallambria, @Girkmand, @Iverica, @Prymont, Salvia, @Tagmatium Rules

Edited April 29, 2020 by Salvia (see edit history)

[Iverica]

The Marenesia Conference, Stage II | IVERICA
1300 Charlie Time (+3) | 5th of November, 2019
Deopolis Int'l Airport, Salvia

---

It was indeed, quite hot. It would be winter in Iverica now. Snowing above the Mariposa line, and just bracingly chilly below it, in the big cities of the South. Salvia's weather was on backwards it seemed. Like summer in the Verde beaches... except in November.

Iverica had tasked Capo-Comandante Ferran-Arnau Macharius with the Seal of the Republic. To represent both Iverica and the greater Federal Commonwealth in the amending of the Tricontinental Treaty. Appropriate, as Macharius was also the acting Secretary-General of the Treaty Council. Though recognised often through Iverican news stories and through press-conferences, he was rarely the sole face of Iverica at a state event. The conference would place him under scrutiny, an uncommon happening to a normally silent and cavalier individual.

At his exit from the ExecMin S-1011 Trestrell, he was escorted by a small party of Republican Tercios, each in their navy blue and burgandy dress uniforms, adorned with aiguillettes and button looped high-collared coats. Their figures were emphasised both by their stature, standing at a minimum of 6-feet and by the rakish silhouette of their peaked red-banded hats. Each hip was fastened with a tan-and-burgandy stained wide belt of leather, which looped once about the right shoulder and then about the hip and had on it a spada-dei-lato on the left in an similarly coloured scabbard and an artificed automatic pistol on the right holstered in leather of the same colour.

Macharius, whom the overtly dressed Tercio veterans were escorting however, contrasted them by the relatively simplicity of his own dress apparel, but distinguished himself in status by his bearing and appearance. He was a decidedly dour man. One who had only found popularity in the niche of Iverican military tradition--without which he would be labelled as too unfriendly and abbrasive for such a high office.

Macharius lived his career. As though he would somehow cease to exist without his office. A testament to that was his shaven head, scarred lip, and hard expression. When he smiled at the cameras, he smiled as though a statue might, contrived by the strike of a chisel, rather than the humours of man. His Comandante's dress uniform was pressed to the sharpness of a razor's edge and was adorned only with what decorations he deemed worthy, the rest only alluded to out of formality by the grid of esoteric chip-ribbons on the left breast. On his right breast hung only two decorations, a Cross of the Order of Saint James (Orden Dei Sant'Iago) with laurelas and swords, and his medallion of office as Capo-Comandante of Iverica's armed services.

The Comandante paused only briefly to be received by the Vice President's delegation. A wan smile here, a firm handshake there, and perhaps a wordless nod of appreciation before allowing himself to be shown to his vehicle (an ExecMin Kopel Destrier), waving once at the cameras as he strode off.

 

---

 

"By the Taco, they sent him? He's respectable sure--I've got nothing but admiration for what he did in the 90's--but he has the warmth of a state-run morgue", exclaimed the ExecMin clerk Tomas to his colleague beside him.

"Come now, he's not so bad. The silence gives him... err... likeable mystique", replied Quinto, the colleague.

Both men had been stood just behind the divider cords, watching from their coveted position just underneath a convenient jet bridge. The heat was still sweltering, but the shade was welcome. Both men had opted to leave their coats behind, instead content to sweat into their now dampened white dress shirts.

"Well why couldn't Deitorr or Morra do it? They're dry serious bastards, but at least they have an endearing wit", pressed Tomas.

"Deitorr has to play nurse with the FedCom. Morra just hit me when I asked her last month", Quinto said rubbing the side of his temple where Morra's purse (he swore there was a millstone in there) had been so expertly swung.

Tomas threw his hands up briefly in response.

"Suppose its not on our heads whom Chief Ayala recommends. Madame points, we ask...", Tomas concluded. He looked of in the distance at the rolling hills of vine and country.

"Might be a bit late to say but, its rather like Argon here, no?", Tomas said, holding his palm over his brow like a visor.

Quinto followed his gaze.

"I suppose. Though the women are... more wholesome", Quinto replied.

Tomas snorted.

"You mean, tight shelled", Tomas snarked. Remembering that one of them had struck him in a bar with a large peppermill. Tomas couldn't see why they were so offended. He had only asked her if she had wanted to peruse Genesis 1:28 together.

Quinto put on a voice that was supposed to sound mentally handicapped.

"hEy mUcHaCha, WhAt sAy yOU AnD mE Do a LiTEL biBliA estoOooDy eH, MiA doLciTa--with pick up lines like those, the only pants you might climb in are Neanderthal lederhosen", Quinto half-snorted.

"Quinto you little shit, don't make me remind you of the time you took us that shady bar in Andalla, cabron---ooooooooooooooooooohh yes, I'm never letting you live that one down. Lets not forget how that little bombshell Anamaylin was actually--"

"Hey that's not--", Quinto interrupted, talking over Tomas.

"Oy hermano, I recall you walked out of that room with a slight limp and some stickies on the seat of your undies, no?"

At this point, people in their small section had begun to cast them looks. Quinto, ignorant of this, had begun to make loud nonsensical ululations to drown out what were probably facts--which only really drew more looks and some open staring as the two sweaty Ivericans competed to embarrass one another.

By the time they noticed the awkward looks they were getting from various foreign nationals, they were out of breath and quite red in the face.

"Err, its f*cking hot. What's say we get out of here, eh?", said Quinto, casting embarrassed looks at the other attendees, all of whom had distanced themselves from the two imbeciles.

"Too right, my balls are damp and itchy", replied Tomas, scratching himself slightly.

The two, a tad late for a dignified exit, made a sheepish and quiet one instead. Gallivanting off to hidden wine bars and delicateserias of Deopolis--hopefully in enough quantities of wine and smoked meat to forget their display. 

---

 

OOC: I was 5 paragraphs in when I noticed that the tone didnt match Salvia's intro. So it begot that^ to try to refocus the light humourous tone. 

[Tagmatium Rules]

Perhaps it could be considered strange that Arhomaneia was petitioning to join a foreign military alliance. Such alliances had never truly set Europa in good stead – they had been a source of conflict, aggression and disruption between the nations of that continent. Ultimately, they sowed the seeds of the Great Europan Collapse, as the alliances refused to cooperate with each other and the continent spiralled into economic ruin. Only south-eastern Europa under the EOS, the pet project of the Orinese, remained more or less intact throughout the troubles that had beset Europa during this period. The thinking of Tagmatika was that it was less an alliance of equals than a way of the Omorfoautokrateia ( @Orioni) to spread its tentacles across the east of the continent and enmesh those foolish enough to agree to be a part of it.

So, the question begged, why was the Megas Agios Basileos then trying to enmesh itself in a military alliance that wasn't even from Europa, but based in the New Wurld? The answer to that was relatively simple – the alliance with the Exousiokrateia ton Gharon, the Sovereign Imperium of Machina @Haruspex, was in danger of completely collapsing. The new monarch, Ji'Mar, had consistently run roughshod over the alliance and treated the Heart of Civilisation with no respect. And now the invasion of Koussoeia and the driving of the heretic Christians from their homelands and into Arhomaneia was the latest humiliation in a string of them, as well as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. The potential for a catastrophic breach in the decade-old alliance seemed to be increasing from month to month and the Agios Basilikon Kounsistorion felt that an alternative to Prathen needed to be found.

And that was the reason why the Megas Logothetes tou Stratiotikou, the Minister for War, was on an aeroplane landing at Deopolis International Airport. It was a small airliner, painted in the light blue-grey of the Basilikoaeroporeia and painted with a black-bordered red stripe along the length of the fuselage which displayed that it was in the service of the Tagmatine government, as well as the tail painted in the flag of Arhomaneia. Along with Honorios Kontarian were a smattering of military officers, officials from his own Logothesion and some from other Logothesia as well as the ever present clerics. They were all there to aid the Megas Agios Basileia's aim to forge ties with the TRIDENT nations. Since October, some of them had already been working with Arhomaneia to rescue the Gerenians from the clutches of the perfidious Gharoi and their Ji'Mar.

That most of the members of TRIDENT were Christian nations, if heretical, was an added benefit and was considered to be much better than the heathen northern barbaroi.

As the Arhomaiki aircraft taxied to a halt, Kontarian couldn't help but notice how bright it was outside the windows. In the Occident, it was creeping towards the shortest day of the year but, here, it was edging towards the longest. He had had to look that up before taking the flight. Old travelogues also said that the water in drains went the other way below the equator. Honorios was taking that with a pinch of salt, however. The crew announced that the aircraft had stopped moving and those onboard started to get to their feet, stretch and gather their immediate belongings.

“It's pretty damn warm out there. It's the height of summer, after all. Apparently.” The speaker was a strategos, a full general. The deep purple trousers he wore may have struck foreigners as clashing with the dark khaki of his jacket, shirt and tie but they demonstrated him to be a member of the Palatinoi, the so-called “field army”. His collar tabs were a deep grey, which indicated he was from the armour branch. Isaakios Akilios was a veteran commander, which was shown by a slew of medal ribbons on the left of his chest.

The weather, though, was a strange novelty. Kontarian had never been to the southern hemisphere before. Parts of Europa itself crossed it but they were far away from the Arhomaiki focus of attention. That tended to be the Occident, Burania and Argis.

“Yes, it looks like it, Strategos,” replied the Megas Logothetes, nodding. And slightly dismissively. He was too preoccupied about the meeting to think about the weather. “And we're supposed to be heading into one of the coldest winters on record back home.”

Those poor f*cking Gerenians, he thought. Another reason to dislike the regime of Ji'Mar. Some held that it was more of a shame that they would freeze before they could accept True Religion into their hearts but that struck Honorios as particularly cold, pun not intended. The barbarians were attempting to inflict the worst human misery on the hated Christians. It was small wonder that the Megas Agios Basileos had opened its arms to them, even if they were a mass of heretics. Kontarian hadn't seen any of the refugee camps first hand but his ministry and the armed forces were instrumental in setting them up. They were the best that could be done and a damn sight better than the transit camps in Gharon that they had come from.

In front of Kontarian, the detachment of the guards regiments, the Tagmata, stood up to lead the way out of the aircraft. Often, there were merely a pair or a handful from the guards regiments accompanying envoys from the Megas Agios Basileos. This time, however, there were twelve – two from each regiment – in order to emphasise the military history of Arhomaneia. They would certainly be a splash of colour, as each regiment dressed in a different colour of robes and their armour was either covered in a coloured lacquer or polished to a mirror shine. Perhaps the Agios Basilikon Kounsistorion wished to dazzle its potential allies with the size of its uniform budget. Before anyone disembarked the aircraft, a priest stood next to the plane's door and uttered a prayer for the success of the mission. All of those present bowed their heads and stood in silence whilst he did so. Once he was done, six Tagmata guards descended from the plane and acted as a vanguard.

Not that it was necessary. There was no reason to expect any threat to the illustrious personage who were getting out of the plane. The impact of the heat must have been apparent almost immediately for the men and women of the Tagmata, dressed as they were in robes, lamellar, plate and closed sallet helms. The men and women would likely be dripping with sweat but discipline would make them carry on nonetheless.

As the anthropomorphic paintbox lined up outside of the plane, Megas Logothetes Kontarian and his team got ready and descended from the aircraft. Honorios tried to not feel out of place. He was from an ancient military family but he had never served in any military branch himself. His brother was a Komes (colonel) in the Tagmata, his father a Tourmarkhes (lieutenant general) in the Palatinoi, an aunt a senior officer in the Basilikoaeroporeia. Because of this sidestepping of his family's ancient tradition and his role as a representative of the civilian government, he had always been kept as arms' length by the military, even as Kommodos gave them glory and success.

And now he was potentially tying them to a barbaroiki organisation. He hesitated at the top of the airstair for a moment.

Ultimately, they wouldn't blame Kommodos III in Christ, Agios Basileos kai Autokrator ton Arhomaioi, the Leader of the Free Wurld, if things went wrong and the barbaroi led them astray. It would be the cuckoo in their midst. The old tyrant would dodge that bullet through being above suspicion as the Thirteenth Apostle. It was easier to blame mere mortals.

“Awfully hot out here. A glass of watered wine and ice wouldn't go amiss,” announced a deep voice behind Kontarian. Akilios, despite being of aristocratic background – and a cavalry officer as well – managed to have a way with the ordinary people that most of them did not. He was genial and didn't hold himself above anyone, something that the typical Arhomaiki officer tended not to be. “I would suggest that we close the distance, Megas Logothetes. They might have something to drink, after all.”

Kontarian gave a slight nod and descended the rest of the way down the stairs. The Tagmata bowed to him as he drew level with him and then the vanguard marched ahead. Unlike the @Iverican Tercios, who had a height limit, there was a clear difference between the men and women of the guards. Arhomaneia had had a gender integrated military since the Long War and they were all either decorated veterans or individuals who had excelled beyond the expectations of their instructors to win a position in the vaunted guard regiments.

The vanguard marched forward and the rest of them kept pace behind. The priests followed the vanguard, swinging thimiata, billowing forth clouds of incense and giving thanks to God for a good flight over and praying for a successful conference for God's Chosen Land on Eurth. When Megas Logothetes Kontarian drew level with the @Salvian president and vice-president, he gave a deep bow, lower than the usual that might be offered a barbaros head of state. The Salvians, despite their heretical ways, were still the first country to acknowledge Christianity as their state religion. That meant they held a higher position than the usual, run-of-the-mill savages. After that, the Arhomaioi listened to the welcoming speech and then were lead off to their appointed vehicles.

[Prymont]

Deopolis International Airport | 1300hrs
5th November 2019
Marenesia Conference
Salvia

 

Fabian Thorvaldsen breathed a sigh of relief as the plane touched down. He opened his eyes, dabbing at his brow with a tissue and taking a sip from his water bottle. For a man with twenty years of experience in the USP Air Force, he was terrified of flying. Before he'd signed up, it was just another mode of transport, like driving or sailing. However, an accident during a training flight which saw him accidentally eject as the jet came in to land put him off flying for life and resigned him to a career on solid ground. He was proud of the work he'd done at USPAF Skatval as part of the WARD project, and after leaving the military he'd gone on to an executive role in Girkmand's National Weapon and Machining Works. A fair few years abroad left him yearning for home, and upon his return he sought a career in politics - mostly because he thought it'd be something easy to retire with.

In truth, being the Defence Minister was far easier than serving in the military. He knew the industry and where the shortcomings were, and it meant he was able to keep in touch with old friends too. Mostly he was left on his own to crack on and get the job done, and the fact that the Prime Minister rarely bothered him meant that he was doing a good job, or that he was doing a forgetful job. Either way, it was an easy pay check in a rewarding role. Most of the time he got on just fine.

Most of the time. His job rarely asked him to go abroad, and even rarer was it a requirement to fly. The advance notice meant he could've arrived by boat, but a plane was far more convenient and there weren't really any government-owned boats he could employ for such a journey. The plane rolled to a stop away from the runway and an aide motioned for him to prepare to disembark. The minister unbuckled his seatbelt and stretched his hands, noticing that his knuckles had turned white from gripping onto the armrests. Bloody flying.

He patted his sweaty palms against his blazer to dry them off as the door of the aircraft was pulled open. It would serve no real use, as the sweat would come thick and fast thanks to the overwhelmingly invasive Salvian heat. He'd spent some time in Iverica with the WARD system but had never experienced heat of this magnitude. He readjusted his collar as he descended the stairs, wishing that the conference was being held somewhere closer to home. It was snowing back in Prymont and he could only hope and pray that thinking of the plummeting temperatures would cool him down. In reality he'd need a drink, something icy and strong. 

He wiped his hand once more as he approached the President, forcing a grin of sorts as they exchanged pleasantries. Like arse is it nice to be here. The idea of travelling abroad for TRIDENT meetings wouldn't be so bad if it were kept to the tricontinental area, but the safety of the region took precedent over the comfort of a minister for a few days. This is an easy job, he reminded himself as he sat down for the welcome speech, but it'll be easier once we get into a car with some air conditioning.

Edited May 5, 2020 by Prymont (see edit history)

[Gallambria]

Somewhere over the Agrillian Mountains.

An Air Force officer walks out of the flight deck, holding a folder in his hand, and walks up to one of the passengers. "Ma'am, we're about 30 minutes out of Deopolis." - The woman, sitting with a group of advisors and senior military officials, was Charlotte O'Neill, the incumbent Secretary of State for Defence.

"Thank you Graham," she said. Looking through her notes and various files relating to Salvia, she posed a question to one of the gentlemen sitting with her, "Nate, where are we at with Salvians and JOTHRN?", going through his notes and talking to his aides, he constructs somewhat of a blunt answer, "Nowhere, Ma'am." He continues to outline what has happened, "Ma'am, the concern is that, at the moment, we can't ensure that the Salvian's security apparatus is sufficient, to ensure that the Batengdei's can't get to it. Yes, they are 500 miles apart but the general consensus with the other delegates is that we aren't prepared to risk the integrity of the network, to an unproven system." - "OK", she sheepishly replies, "Now, I'm going to be honest, I have no idea what this JOTHRN is all about, or it's capabilities, can I count on you to cover me when we bring it up at the summit?"

"Yes ma'am," he replies.

Twenty minutes later. A voice sounds over the airplane's PA system.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the flight deck, we're on our approach into Deopolis, please ensure that all luggage is stowed, seats are upright and seatbelts fastened

Moments later, the RGAF Altjira VVIP aircraft, is on finals with Deopolis Airport, the pilot, Wing Commander Harry Underwood, a 25 year veteran, butter's the landing. His voice sounds over the PA system again.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Deopolis, where the local time is 1430 and the temperature is 35 degrees."

As the aircraft pulls up to its parking spot at the FBO, Charlotte gets up and starts getting herself ready for the onslaught of media and, meet and greets.

"Nate, I'm not ready for this," she said to him.

"Sure you are Ma'am, we've got your six." He responds.

[Variota]

''Pop the bubbly! And let's get a good snort in!''

Corks could be heard being popped in the airplane. When Dina Diva celebrated, she did it right. And for her, life was one big celebration. The jetliner that she traveled in belonged to Vooters Air, one of her favorite ways to travel. Half the plane was filled by her own crew as even this flight was televised live to the world, her fans needed it, craved it. For those living a mundane life, Dina Diva's life was the living equivalent of crack and her 24/7 live show was the dealer that kept refilling their pipe with new rocks. The other half consisted of the Vooters Air staff, barely legal twinks that were barely clothed, and some of her friends. When you were invited by Dina Diva to party in the sky, you didn't say no. And those working were often paid handsomely as Dina Diva was as generous as she was festive. After all, angry and irritated staff didn't make for a fun time nor looked great on camera.

Originally, the ministers of Defence and the Armed Forces had been planning on going to the Marenesia Conference. But as Dina Diva hadn't been to Salvia before, she had made it so that she was the one going. She wasn't exactly sure what, if anything, fun was able to be had in Salvia but she had packed enough alcohol and drugs for a fun visit. The agent of Het Apparath that had been made to go along to protect her had told her that drugs were illegal in Salvia, something that had been given a long and hard boo from those partying in the plane.

Of course, diplomatic immunity was a great thing and the jetliner was similarly protected. The drugs would stay back but Dina Diva would have her crew carry along enough bottles for her to continue on to have a good time. She didn't expect the Salvians to be as great a hosts as Variotans would be but then again, that'd be difficult for anyone. Even if she wanted to be sober, which she didn't, tapering off would be better anyway. And thus, two crew members were selected to carry along a bag with bottles each. She didn't need glasses in those bags because Dina was classy and environmentally conscious, drinking straight from the bottle helps to save glasses from needing to be washed.

snnnniffffff

The cameras closed in to watch Dina do a line off the bubble butt of a Vooters Air twink, balancing her drink perfectly as she bowed down to enjoy the body snort. Body snorts or body shots, Dina could never decide which one was better so she tended to do them both. Why choose when you didn't need to?

''So guys, it's Dina here. Of course you, like, know that. You're watching my show, after all. So, you might be wondering where I get my coke from. And you know, your girl Dina keeps it real. I only use 100% Variotan cocaine. Buy local, people. I read that some of you, like, fans were all like where can you get the best cocaine? I don't know! I have people to buy it for me, hahahaha. Hold on, I'll ask. Piet! Piet!''
''Yeah?''
''Where do you get my cocaine?''
"SnuifFuif. They give us a discount if I buy a kilo at a time.''
''See people, SnuifFuif.''
''Dina, they can get a discount.''
''What?''
''If they use the code DINADIVA, they get shipping and handling for free when buying online.''
''See, you get the best things when watching me! Haha! Enjoy people and send me vids of you enjoying it! Life's a party, you know, like, a day not enjoyed is, like, a day not lived! Where's that guy gone off to? I'm going to see if he has a innie or an outie! Shotsssss!''

As the party continued on, the plane made its way to Deopolis. The TRIDENT officials would be in for a treat.

---

Deopolis International Airport

The doors of the Vooters Air jetliner were kept closed for a bit longer than normal. Dina Diva being the World's Greatest Diva, she had to make an entrance that was suitable for her stature. Of course, the Variotans were always very respectful of other cultures and knowing that the Salvians were a more demure people, the entrance had been kept relatively low key.

''So, everyone is on the same page? We walk down, I stand there all, like, strong and military-like and then when I go 'It's Dina Diva, b*tch!', you guys start. Oh, and save me a glass from those bottles if possible.''

The doors opened and Dina Diva and six of her assistants walked down. Two carrying Variotan flags, two carrying pyrotechnics and two carrying a bottle of champagne each. As she walked to a place where they'd be able to do their entrance, the six others hurried to take their place. Two to the sides of her, four behind her. Dina Diva gave them a hand signal.

''It's Dina Diva, b*tch! Wooooo!''

Simultaneously, bottles popped and soaked Dina Diva's shirt as the pyrotechnics sent two jets of fireworks off to her sides and the Variotan flags to her sides were waved around patriotically. Part of the respect that the Variotans had for the Salvian culture had meant that Dina Diva had covered her nipples with nipple pasties that had the Variotan flag printed on them. If any Salvians attempted to see her nipples, all they'd see was the Variotan flag. Whether that'd help stem any arousal was another question.

Dina Diva did a salute as the pyrotechnics and the champagne ended and grabbed one of the bottles off of her assistants as she lowered her arm. She felt very lucky that this ended up going well. During one of the repetitions back in Variota, the pyrotechnics had ended up setting the flags on fire and burned away the hair and eyebrows of one of her assistants. Thankfully, working for Dina Diva came with a great healthcare insurance policy and that person was now resting easily in a recovery center.

The bottle didn't have a lot left in it, barely two glasses and thus Dina just chugged it down. After all, she is nothing if not compassionate and having these people wait any longer than they'd need just so she can swallow between glasses wasn't a compassionate thing to do. The empty bottle was handed off and as her assistants pulled back to the jetliner, Dina Diva went towards the Salvians. Her crew would be shadowing, doing their thing.

Variotan cocaine, it's one hell of a drug.

Spoiler

Thanks to Pry for pointing me to the fact that Katie Price did a SAS thing.

Just imagine Dina Diva wearing this, except with the shirt being completely soaked with champagne and Variotan flags being seen on the place where her nipples are:

 

[Salvia]

Fort Beleturi

1650 Hours

The entourage of diplomats, military officials, aides, and the media ambled throughout Fort Beleturi as the base commander, Colonel Harold Rino, showed them all around.  Quick stops at troop housing facilities, hangers, runways, and the port proved satisfactory to the international visitors.  Little questions here and there - rather simple ones, really - were asked occasionally and easily answered.  Which just made the Salvian leaders even more nervous: shouldn't this be a bit... harder?  

"What do you mean by that?"  The woman turned towards Martin.  "I mean, I thought these guys would be shredding this guy right now."  He motioned with his head towards the colonel, who was in the midst of showing off several Salvian infantrymen in the newest equipment possible.  "But they might as well be asking where the loo is."  The woman simply shrugged, "Saving face, maybe?  Tough questions would make it look like there's no faith in Salvia.  They probably already came here a few months ago for the actual questions." 

The colonel interrupted their musing, turning around to face the entourage.  "And that concludes our tour of Fort Beleturi.  Shall we head to Alexis Hall?"  There were nods and muttering of affirmation as the colonel turned back around and led the whole group towards the numerous limos and cars that were ready to transport the whole group back to the capital.

Alexis Hall

1715 Hours

Despite the fact that the entire retinue had accompanied the diplomats and military officials to Alexis Hall, most of them had retired to their lodgings, leaving all the important people at Salvia's legislative building.  Several Concilio members, chairmen of the Committee of Defense, met the group and escorted them to the Central Office, a room with a large, thick rectangular table that stretched across the entire room's width, plush armchairs seated around the whole table.  The various officials sat down at their assigned seats while the more necessary aides who were still not quite as important shuffled around and stood in the corners.

A plump, cheerful man, Defense Minister Vernon McCoy, was seated in the middle of the rectangle and looking at every single person with a large grin on his face, he began, "I hope your visit of our facilities proved satisfactory!  I wish to extend an official welcome to you all and hope the heat is treating you all alright."  He paused as he opened a folder that was set in front of each seat, which had a copy of the TRIDENT treaty.  "So!  Shall we?"

 

 

@Andalla, @Gallambria, @Girkmand, @Iverica, @Prymont, Salvia, @Tagmatium Rules

Edited June 28, 2020 by Salvia (see edit history)

[Iverica]

[Iverica]

The Marenesia Conference, Stage II | IVERICA
1600 Charlie Time (+3) | 5th of November, 2019
Fort Beleturi, Salvia

---

"Is it just me, or does this place feel... too Salvian", remarked ExecMin flunky Tomas as they passed a Salvian propaganda billboard. The small tour crowd had just passed the barracks, rows of Salvian personnel had stood-to for the inspection.

His colleague, Quinto, snorted.

"Its a Salvian Base you Mér-á-Capessa*!"

"I mean, there's just something that feels comically stereotypical about this place", remarked Tomas defensively. He stopped, facing Quinto. Behind him, a billboard mounted above the barracks compound's postern gate loomed in full view.

The billboard featured a larger-than-life Salvian crusader complete with tabard and barrel-like great helm. He stood in the foreground with a finger pointed in the general direction of the viewer. Whereas in the background, a city looking suspiciously like a Europan holy city of religious import burned merrily. Meanwhile, in the midground, an anachronistic array of mixed trebuchets and modern field guns were featured in various states of firing. Prominently, lines of Salvian men in uniforms from varying eras charged the gates with fixed bayonets and handsomely shaded musculature and jawlines. In large bold text, supposed to appear as speech from the helmed crusader were the words: "I want YOU to retake the HOLY LAND!" Report to your local recruiter today. 

Quinto squinted, looking around.

"I don't quite see it. Whatever do you mean?", Quinto asked as the tour group moved on, passing a main battle tank with a large brass crucifix (complete with suffering Christ) welded on to its upper glacis plate.

"I can't rightly say. The way everyone walks? Their accents? The way the place smells maybe?", said Tomas.

"Can't you just accept them as brothers in the Saviour?", asked Quinto, slightly exasperated. They passed a prototype fighter jet that featured prominent nose art. Painted on it, a rather attractive looking nun struck a bold pose as she spanked a strangely dressed boy (presumably a heathen) on the buttocks.

"I suppose I can. I just get the strangest nigglings from this place", acceded Tomas.

Quinto shrugged.

"I can't relate.", the pair continued in silence walking passed a line of cuirassed troops in attention as they received a blessing from a priest in woodland-pattern battle-dress cassock. The smell of incense from the priest's swinging censer lingered on the nose.

 

* Mér-á-Capessa- (n.) Expletive. Literally: faeces on/atop a head. Semi-common Iberic expletive used to refer to someone annoying or unpleasant, as bird droppings on one's head might be. Likely originated from sailor's expressions during the age of sail, as it was common for seabirds to perch on yards and booms of a square-masted sailing ship.

OOC: @SalviaThis doesn't have to be canon. As you might have already surmised, I'm f*cking about. I thought it would be funny.

---

 

17:15 | Alexis Hall

After the cue from a very jolly Defence Minister Vernon McCoy, CCO. Ferran Arnau Macharius gave a very terse speech about the unity of the Marenesian continent. Briefly, but also sincerely, he addressed the delegation from @Tagmatium Rules (OOC: and @Seylos if he's still up for it) thanking them for their open-mindedness and initiative in being the first to become Partners for Peace. To Macharius, and no doubt, most of the others assembled in this chamber, it was a welcome breeze of sense against the stifling air of confusion that seemed to waft about the wurld.

Macharius would later spare a brief thought to that confusion. There seemed to be an otherwordly notion that TRIDENT was out to get them or start rows. All the more ironic when, just 2 years prior, TRIDENT was founded simply a mutual-defence measure against WMD armed rogue states and Communist proliferation in Argis. Where these narratives came from, Macharius could only guess. For all of TRIDENT's existence, all it had done was stop a revolutionary government that assassinated its former king from sending a nuclear fleet into the Mediargic (See: Kirov Class Battlecruiser and the Verde Blockade), hosted a naval exercise to keep an Aurelian rogue state with a penchant for false-flag operations on their toes, launched an initiative to standardise electronic communications and designation systems, and hosted a summit to expand diplomatic and strategic cooperation with states of fairly good repute. Hardly the league of nefarious, hand-rubbing, cat-stroking villains. One might even say that TRIDENT contributed to cross-cultural understanding and wurld force-parity. But, what would Macharius know? He was just the Capo-Comandante of the Republican Armed Service--hardly qualified for such lofty understandings.

Macharius' speech instead focused on the great step of including Salvia and the Partners for Peace while also touching on action plans for 2020. Covering in brief the Treaty Council desire to exchange liaison officers with the Partners for Peace, the plans to hold further joint training exercises, to establish joint bases that could allow for member states to troops and support capability in an ally's part of the wurld.

Lasting all of 7 minutes, Macharius ended his speech and gave a small nod to his aides de camp, who began walking the assembled plenipotentiaries and Council members through the amendments made in the Tricontinental Treaty

 

OOC: Embedded the Treaty w/ amendments to this post. Big (finally official) Welcome to Salvia and the Partner(s) for Peace!!!

At this point we can assume that everyone agrees to the amendments. Feel free to post your conclusions and perspectives on how this affect's your nation's bottom-line.