Fish in a Barrel - A Story by the Andromedan Islands

[The Andromeda Islands]

Government Center
Buakonikai, Teardrop Islands
Friday, November 30, 2029
4:00 pm

After dealing with new clerical staff, office arrangements, technology issues and general confusion, Rosie Okonedo finally arrives back at her office. Much of her lunch still sits on her desk. She collapses onto her chair. She checks her watch. Rosie usually receives a phone call from her cousin at around 4pm.

Rosie and her cousin, Violet Navarro have been assigned by Andromeda Naval Intelligence to assist in the Teardrop Islands’ transition to statehood. Rosie has spent the past few weeks in and around Government Center helping make things more efficient in Koni. Now, she sits in her office waiting for Violet’s call. She checks her watch again. Her cell phone rings.


Buakonikai is the capital of the World Assembly Trust Territory of the Teardrop Islands.

ROSIE: This is the office of Rosie O…

VIOLET: It’s me.

Violet is on a boat returning to the main island from the Abu Salih continent. She has been away from Koni for several days.

VIOLET: Yes, and I have good news. The Snow Leopard Brotherhood has agreed to stay away from the Teardrops, for a price.

ROSIE: There’s always a price. What is it?

VIOLET: They want us to support their efforts to unite the Abu Salih Continent under their rule. I told them that once Koni is transferred to our control, the Andromedan Government would assist them in their efforts.

ROSIE: Support and assistance. Does that mean money?

VIOLET: They were much more specific.

ROSIE: Guns!

VIOLET: Lots of guns. One of them said they would talk to Luigi Vampa…

ROSIE & VIOLET: (in a mock announcers voice) Lew-ijiiiiiiiiiiii Vampa!

Luigi Vampa is a local “businessman” who has connections throughout the Koni underworld. He also happens to be head of the transitional government.

VIOLET: To make a long story short, Luigi will arrange for Triumph Security Services to arm the Snow Leopard Brotherhood.

ROSIE: So, we should invest in TSS?

VIOLET: The Street loves TSS. Call your broker. Buy. Buy. Buy.

Rosie and Violet laugh. They’ve known each other since they were young.

ROSIE: V, will you be home soon?

VIOLET: I’m on the boat. I can see Koni now. I’ll be there in a few hours, but I won’t be in much of a mood for going out.

ROSIE: Neither will I. It’s been rough here. I’m going to get takeout, then I’m going to relax.

VIOLET: Get me some, too. I’m in serious need of some take out and a hot bath.

ROSIE: I hear you. See you soon.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Rosie and Violet’s Apartment
Buakonikai, Teardrop Islands
Friday, November 30, 2029
8:30 pm

Rosie is stretched out on a couch. She is watching a news channel on a big screen television. She has changed into pajamas. She is eating Chinese takeout out of the carton. She notices a strange reflection in the television. She looks behind her and sees nothing. The front door opens. It’s Violet.

VIOLET: Hey, Rosie. You get any food?

ROSIE: It’s in the fridge.

Violet walks into their bedroom.

VIOLET: (yelling) Anything new on TV?

ROSIE: Same old stuff. Andromeda City says that Catherine Gratwick may come for the statehood ceremony on New Years.

VIOLET: (yelling) Really? The Head of the World Assembly? That would be something.

Rosie watches television for awhile. Violet gets on the computer in the bedroom.

VIOLET: (yelling) Hey Rosie, were you on the computer?

ROSIE: No. What’s up?

VIOLET: (yelling) Someone’s been on the computer. Come look at this.

Rosie walks into the bedroom. Violet has changed into her pajamas and is on the computer. She points to something on the computer screen.

VIOLET: You see this? That wasn’t there last time…

ROSIE: What’s that doing there?

VIOLET: That’s what I’m saying. That shouldn’t…

The ladies hear what sounds like someone beating on their door. They hear the door being broken down. Two men wearing black ski masks come in and walk toward the bedroom. Both men have guns. They see the Rosie in the bedroom and start shooting. They walk into the bedroom. The first gunman shoots Rosie a few more times to make sure she’s dead. He notices that the window is open.

FIRST GUNMAN: Go get the other one.

The other gunman climbs through the window, but doesn’t see Violet. The first gunman steps on something under the bed. He hears a sound. He unloads his gun on the bed. He looks under the bed and sees Violet’s dead body.

FIRST GUNMAN: (yelling) Never mind. Found her.

The other gunman climbs back into the room.

SECOND GUNMAN: We never did find that file we were supposed to find.

FIRST GUNMAN: It’s probably in that computer or around here somewhere. Take their keys.

The other gunman grabs two sets of keys, but wonders why. The first gunman takes Rosie Okonedo’s purse.

FIRST GUNMAN: Take anything that has a flash drive or might look like a flash drive. Also, let me see your gun.

After the second gunman checks the desk drawers, he gives the first gunman his gun. The first gunman shoots the hard drive on the computer.

FIRST GUNMAN: So now, we either destroyed the file, or we have the file in our possession. Our job is done here. Let’s bounce.

The two gunmen leave the apartment. As they leave, one of Rosie and Violet’s neighbors sees the men walk out of the building. One of the men, the first gunman, looks at the neighbor with a cold stare. Although the men’s faces are covered by their ski masks, the neighbor sees that the first gunman has odd looking eyes. One eye is brown and the other is green.

SECOND GUNMAN: Let’s get out of here, and make the call.

The two men walk to the car. As the Second Gunman drives, the First Gunman makes a call with Rosie’s cell phone.

FIRST GUNMAN: Is this the Koni Police Department? There has been a murder.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Rosie and Violet’s Apartment
Buakonikai, Teardrop Islands
Friday, November 30, 2029
8:30 pm

The Koni Police Department has arrived at the apartment. They are examining the crime scene. Two officers carry Rosie’s body out of the apartment in a black bag. Detectives examine the crime scene. One of the police officers who have sealed off the crime scene pokes his head through the front door.

POLICE OFFICERS: Everyone, the Governor’s coming.

The Governor of the World Assembly Trust Territory of the Teardrop Islands is Luigi Vampa, a local businessman with ties most of the major shady characters throughout the Teardrop Islands.

Since the Allied States has assumed control of the Trust Territory, the murder rate has plummeted to levels similar to urban areas within Portsmouth. Much of this is because of Luigi Vampa’s influence within the Koni underworld.

The Detective in charge examines the bedroom as two officers place Violet Navarro’s body in a body bag. The detective sees that the hard drive on the computer has been destroyed. He hears a squad car pull up. He assumes that the Governor has arrived. He pulls out a notebook from his jacket

Two more police officers walk in, flanking a short stocky man who walks into the apartment. The short guy, Luigi Vampa, is the current Governor of the Teardrop Islands. The Governor seldom intervenes in cases like this, so the police officers can safely assume that these two ladies were important people.

DETECTIVE: Governor. I’m surprised to see you here.

VAMPA: Can you tell me about what happened here?

DETECTIVE: The victims are Rosie Okonedo and Violet Navarro. They worked in Government center, assisting with the transition.


Luigi Vampa will be the first Andromedan Governor of the Teardrop Islands.

VAMPA: I know who they are.

DETECTIVE: As for the killers, whoever came in here wasn’t from here. I can tell, because they had problems opening the door.

Vampa looks around. He appears worried.

DETECTIVE: Also, they were looking for something. My guess is that they were looking for some sort of computer file.

The two walked into the bedroom.

DETECTIVE: See here. This was their desk, and yet all of the drawers are empty. No disks, no flash drives. Nothing.

VAMPA: And the computer down there. It’s in a million pieces.

DETECTIVE: Whatever these men were looking for, it had something to do with the information on this computer or a flash drive or something.

The Governor thought of that day a few weeks ago when Rosie gave him that envelope. He put the contents in a place where nobody would find it.

DETECTIVE: Governor?

VAMPA: Sorry. You thought they were looking for one of those little flash things.

DETECTIVE: They either wanted to find something or destroy it. If it was here, they have it. If it’s in Rosie’s office, you can bet that they’ll be there in the morning, if they aren’t there already.

VAMPA: These two ladies were part of the transition team. They were also close to Fabiana.

Fabiana al-Aziz and Luigi Vampa were, for all intents and purposes, husband and wife.

VAMPA: Find these killers, detective.

Vampa motioned to the two police officers who accompanied him.

VAMPA: Back to the office. I need to make a few phone calls.

Vampa and his two police escorts leave the crime scene as quickly as they arrived.

[The Andromeda Islands]

The Assembly of the Allied States
Andromeda City
Wednesday, December 5, 2029
11:00 am

The debate over the final bill of the Fall Session of 2029 Assembly was about to conclude. The bill is likely to pass within the next couple of hours. The final speaker is the author of the bill, Assemblywoman Fabiana al-Aziz of St. Thomas. The presiding officer, Assemblyman Joe Clark of Portsmouth, calls on the designated floor leader for the majority, Treasury Minister Augustus Thomas. Assemblymen start to gather in the Chamber, in anticipation of the final vote.


The Assembly of the Allied States

CLARK: Are there any other speakers?

THOMAS: Mr. President, the final speaker is the author of the bill, the chief proponent of statehood for the Teardrop Islands, the gentlewoman from St. Thomas, Fabiana al-Aziz.

Fabiana al-Aziz, dressed in a traditional Koni outfit, walks up to speak. This is her maiden speech in front of the Assembly.

FABIANA: Peace be upon the Assembly of the Allied States. Half a dozen years ago, the Teardrop Islands, like the rest of the Abu Salih continent, was plunged into chaos when the Second Islamic Republic overthrew the House of Abu Salih.

Queen Rania, the last ruler of Abu-Salih, was Fabiana’s aunt. Fabiana’s family ruled Buakonikai and the Teardrop Islands under the old regime. She would have been the Duchess of the Teardrop Islands under the Old Kingdom.

FABIANA: The culture of the Teardrop Islands has been linked to the Andromeda Archipelago since before the Old Kingdom was founded nearly four centuries ago. We have had more in common with the Archipelago than we have with our troubled Continent. Our traditional religion and culture are much more in tune with the old Andromeda religion. Traders from the Archipelago have visited Koni for millennia. Our business practices have been described throughout the Abu Continent as “distinctively Andromedan,” which some of us would consider a complement.


Fabiana al-Aziz speaks in favor of Statehood for the Teardrop Islands.

Many of the Assembly members laugh. The Archipelago has been notorious for questionable business practices. The World Assembly currently describes the Allied States as a “Corporate Bordello.”

FABIANA: During the election last month, there was a second referendum bringing the question of statehood to the people. 76% of voters were in favor of joining The Andromeda Islands. My people have been Andromedans in heart and in soul. A vote for this legislation would merely codify the clear connections between the Teardrop Islands and the Andromeda Archipelago. I urge everyone to vote for this bill. Thank you, Mr. President.

After Fabiana’s speech, and some applause, Joe Clark recognizes Treasury Minister Gus Thomas.


Augustus Thomas, the Treasury Minister, is the majority floor leader for today’s deliberations.

THOMAS: Mr. President, I ask for a roll call vote.

Usually, Cabinet members don’t take time to assume the floor leadership, but like a number of Assemblymen, Thomas owes Fabiana a number of favors. Fabiana’s bill passes overwhelmingly.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Todd House
Andromeda City
Thursday, December 6, 2029
8:30 am

Vaughn Dunlap, the President of the Allied States, sits at his desk, looking at a couple of papers. One paper is a list of the current Cabinet. Another appears to be Dunlap’s ideas as to the composition of next year’s Cabinet.

Dunlap plans to retire at the end of his term next November. Aside from Louis Sinclair in 2026, each Andromedan President during the past eight years has chosen not to run for re-election. The Presidency of the Allied States has become the most thankless job in Government.


Vaughn Dunlap, 10th President of the Allied States

Dunlap sits and looks at the two pieces of paper. He has been thinking about reshuffling the Cabinet for the past week. He has to replace the Minister of the Navy. Admiral Winnfield plans to resign from the Assembly in January.

Dunlap’s first cabinet had three members who had also run for the Andromedan Presidency last year. There is also at least one member who also plans to run for President next year. Dunlap’s cabinet reshuffle will reflect a number of realities.

Dunlap’s wife, Clarissa, walks into his office. She knows that her husband has been troubled in recent days.

CLARISSA: What’s troubling you?


First Lady Clarissa Hawkins Dunlap served as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Judiciary Council before becoming First Lady.

DUNLAP: I have to make some changes in the cabinet next year.

CLARISSA: Yes. Jules is retiring. Did he say why?

DUNLAP: He has a job lined up with a Defense Contractor. I had a problem with finding his replacement until two days ago.

CLARISSA: What happened?

DUNLAP: I got a call from the Vice President.

CLARISSA: Captain K or Gina C?

DUNLAP: The REAL Vice President. Anna Kaewkhonkaen. Get this! She’s not running for President next year either.

CLARISSA: She’s spent most of her term so far abroad.

DUNLAP: I told her about the vacancy. Not only did she say she’d take it, but she would give up the Vice Presidency. She only wants to be Naval Minister. It makes things a little easier for me.

CLARISSA: So would that mean Gina C becomes Vice President?

DUNLAP: Not if I have anything to say about it. Gus Thomas will move up to Vice President. I trust Thomas more than I trust Gina C. That would leave the Treasury Ministry open.

CLARISSA: Thomas doesn’t want to be Vice President and Treasury Minister?

DUNLAP: He’s not like Gina C. So, here’s the boldest move! Union Kane becomes Treasury Minister.

CLARISSA: But he’s the Conservative Leader.

DUNLAP: We need some Conservative support if we’re going to get the things done that need to get done. Besides, Kane can’t be both Treasury Minister and Conservative Leader. There will be a leadership fight.

CLARISSA: I suppose Kane would make a good Treasury Minister.

DUNLAP: I think so. I trust him to run the Department responsibly. I trust him more than some of the leftists in our own Party.

CLARISSA: So, that’s it then?

Dunlap looks at the two pieces of paper. He draws a red circle around his reshuffled cabinet.

DUNLAP: Yeah. I guess that’s it.

CLARISSA: Good. Breakfast is waiting in the dining room.

DUNLAP: I’ll be down in a minute.

Clarissa Dunlap goes down stairs. Dunlap looks at the two pieces of paper. He takes them, folds them and puts them in his pocket before he joins his wife in the dining room.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Todd House
Andromeda City
Thursday, December 6, 2029
12:00 am

President Vaughn Dunlap and Julius Winnfield, Minister of the Navy, have a light lunch on the terrace behind Todd House, overlooking the garden. When he’s in town, President Dunlap likes to have lunch with Cabinet members about once a month. Dunlap plans to return to Joppa this weekend.

This is the last meeting between President Dunlap and Winnfield before Winnfield joins the Board of Triumph Security Services in Hippostania. Dunlap wants to discuss the Cabinet reshuffle with someone who doesn’t have a special interest in it.

DUNLAP: So, who would you choose to replace you, if you had to make that decision?

WINNFIELD: Out of anyone in the Assembly? Someone who served in the Navy, of course. And someone who isn’t especially partisan.


Admiral Julius Winnfield (ret.), Assemblyman from Andromeda City, is resigning from the Assembly next month.

DUNLAP: Jules, everyone in the Assembly is partisan. But my pick might surprise you.

WINNFIELD: Who is it?

DUNLAP: Anna Kaewkhonkaen.

Winnfield doesn’t appear a bit surprised.

WINNFIELD: She asked me herself about being the Naval Minister. I asked her about being both Vice President and Naval Minister. I don’t think she’s going to head the Green Party next year.

DUNLAP: That was an odd choice, Captain K didn’t seem comfortable as a Green.

WINNFIELD: Brother, I was just as surprised as you were.

DUNLAP: So, you have no problem with her as your replacement?

WINNFIELD: Will she stay on as Vice President?

DUNLAP: She doesn’t want to. I think she’s finally settling down with someone, but she hasn’t said who it is.

WINNFIELD: I can guess who it is. So, does Gina C move up to Vice President?

DUNLAP: Does she become my chosen successor? I think not. She can be “2nd Vice President” all she wants, but as far as I’m concerned, she’s just the Justice Minister. Gus Thomas will replace Captain K.

WINNFIELD: Thomas is a good guy. I trust him more than Gina C. Will he stay on at Treasury?

DUNLAP: He doesn’t want to be both. I talked to him about it. He suggested that we let Union Kane into the Cabinet.

WINNFIELD: You think that’s wise? The leaders of the three parties all in the Cabinet?

DUNLAP: In this case, yes. Union Kane’s like Wayman Phillips. They’re Andromedans first, Conservatives second.

WINNFIELD: So, will you run again?

DUNLAP: For the Assembly, maybe.

WINNFIELD: You know who I think would make a good President?

DUNLAP: Who?

WINNFIELD: Fabiana. It’s not often that a bill passes so easily through the Assembly, especially one that important.

DUNLAP: She had been picking up favors for months. We’ve had to negotiate and cajol people just to get the basic spending bills pass. Here’s Fabiana, getting near unanimous support for statehood. She definitely has political gifts.

WINNFIELD: Like Captain K or Gina C?

DUNLAP: I think Fabiana enjoys the attention more than Captain K. As for Gina C, Fabiana has a more gentle touch than Gina C.

WINNFIELD: I wouldn’t mind a light touch like that?

The two gentlemen laugh.

WINNFIELD: Dap, you know what I’d do? I’d appoint Gina C to replace Mike Knox. She’d definitely be out of your hair then.

DUNLAP: If only I could, Jules. If only I could.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Gina Castiglione’s Apartment
Andromeda City
Friday, December 7, 2029
6:00 pm

Gina Castiglione graduated from the University of Joppa Law Center, the most prestigious Law School in the Allied States in 2012. A child prodigy who speaks five languages, Castiglione was only 22 years old when she passed the Angeles City Bar Exam. She had an active private practice, representing clients from the Seven Hills neighborhood where she grew up.

Gina C gained a reputation as a tireless advocate. In her two years of private practice, she won more than 90% of her cases. She was also a founding member of the Social Democratic Party in Angeles City.


Gina Castiglione, 2nd Vice President and Minister of Justice

In 2014, the Social Democrats won 14 of 22 seats in the Angeles State Council. Castiglione, known as Gina C, was elected Governor of Angeles City. She is one of the first Social Democrats to be elected State Governor. At age 24, Gina C was also the youngest person to be elected Governor, a distinction she still holds.

One of the other Social Democrats elected in 2014 was Angeles City police officer Owen Madden. Castiglione and Owen Madden met after a murder trial. Madden was a witness for the prosecution against Gina C’s client. The evening following the cross-examination, Owen Madden and Gina Castiglione went out on their first date. Castiglione and Madden married in December, 2014.


Angeles City Governor Owen Madden

Crime rates have fallen during Gina C’s twelve years as Governor. Angeles City is also the only state in the country that has government run universal health care.

Last year, during Gina C’s first term in the Assembly, she nearly won the Social Democratic nomination for President before agreeing to support Vaughn Dunlap. Under Dunlap, Gina C serves as 2nd Vice President and Minister of Justice.

Gina C is now one of the two leading candidates for President for 2030. She talks with Madden as they both get dressed and ready to make an appearance at Fabiana’s penthouse. Fabiana al-Aziz will host key Assembly members who assisted her in helping her bill become law. Gina C and Owen Madden will make an appearance. Gina C stands in front of a mirror in the restroom while Madden ties his tie.

GINA C: So, which district will you run in?

MADDEN: My old neighborhood district. The Assemblyman there is retiring.

GINA C: And who will take your place?

MADDEN: Spencer. He’s a solid guy and he’ll take orders.

GINA C: And you’ll serve on the Justice Committee?

MADDEN: I’m a lawyer and a former cop. It would make sense, no matter who wins.

Gina C applies lipstick while Madden sits on the bed.

MADDEN: So, what do you think of Fabiana?

GINA C: She’s hard to read. She has good political skills.

MADDEN: She comes from a family that ruled a Continent for four hundred years. She knows a little about politics.

GINA C: Yeah, but she’s smooth. She knows how to horse trade. You don’t learn those kinds of skills at court or in the classroom. You remember summer, last year. The Party Conference. Fabiana was hedging her bets.

MADDEN: She was playing with the cards she was dealt.

GINA C: She could have endorsed me, Owen. She didn’t, and Vaughn Dunlap won the nomination.

MADDEN: You don’t know. Maybe they made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. You can’t fault her for playing the game, Gina. Besides, you only served one term. Even Sarah Vale had to serve four years before she became President. Besides, Fabiana’s not running this time around.

GINA C: Neither is your friend, Miss Anna Maria Kaewkhonkaen.

MADDEN: What do you mean, my friend? All I said was that she was attractive, and that was one time.

Madden walks behind Gina C as she finishes applying her makeup.

GINA C: Is she more attractive than me?

MADDEN: Naw. Besides, now that I think about it, she kind of looks like Mike Knox…

Gina C laughs, realizing that Madden is right.

GINA C: She DOES looks like Mike Knox, with hair. It’s like they’re brother and sister.

Madden thinks about it for a moment. Then he puts his arms around his wife.

MADDEN: You know what, it doesn’t matter. You’re the only woman I want.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Fabiana al-Aziz’s Penthouse Apartment
Oujda Tower
Andromeda City
Friday, December 7, 2029
7:45 pm

When the Kingdom of Abu Salih still existed, Oujda Tower housed the Abu Embassy to the Allied States, as well as the residences of many Abu residents in Andromeda City. The culture in the Kingdom was known as perhaps the most libertine in the region, which is part of the reason why the House of Abu Salih was overthrown.

Now, the power of the House of Abu Salih is significantly diminished. The only part of the Old Kingdom still under control of the old order is the Teardrop Islands. Fabiana al-Aziz’s ancestors have held control of the Duchy of Buakonikai for nearly 400 years. In the Teardrop Islands, Fabiana is still referred to as “The Duchess” by locals.

Fabiana also inherited Oujda Tower, which is still the tallest building in the Allied States. Fabiana has taken residence in the penthouse. Tonight, she is hosting a party celebrating the signing of the Teardrop Statehood law. Most of the Assembly members have left for the Christmas holiday, so this get together would be only about 50 or so guests.


Oujda Tower is the tallest building in the Allied States.

Fabiana talks with Treasury Minister Augustus Thomas and his wife, Abby. With them is Assemblywoman Stephanie Brandt, who came to the party with the Thomas’.

G. THOMAS: I think it can be done, but I’m not sure we should pursue it.

BRANDT: Why not. Health care costs have skyrocketed in recent years.


Stephanie Brandt represents Social Democrats in Beta City.

THOMAS: But nationalizing the whole health care system? Honestly, I’m not sure it’s a good idea. I understand that costs are high, but is that really our concern?

Fabiana looks at Brandt. Brandt knows that Fabiana wants to talk to her in a few minutes, alone. She receives a call on her cell phone. She sees the number and knows it’s Luigi Vampa.

FABIANA: How far away are you? (pause) See you in five.

Fabiana hangs up the phone.

FABIANA: Steph, I need your help in the kitchen.

Fabiana and Stephanie Brandt walk into the kitchen where caterers are waiting to bring out a cake highlighted by a design of the Teardrop Islands in red and blue. Fabiana turns to the caterers

FABIANA: Eight o’clock you can bring it out.

Fabiana talks to Brandt.

FABIANA: So, what’s your assessment of the Treasury Minister?

BRANDT: Gus Thomas is definitely a man’s man. He likes women, but he loves his wife. And there’s something else.

FABIANA: Nothing bad, I hope.

BRANDT: Far from it. He was very careful not to be in the room with me alone. It was always the three of us or me and Abby. Never us alone.

FABIANA: And everything else checks out. Whatever irregularities they found were anomalies. And it’s comforting, because it either Thomas or…

Fabiana and Brandt hear Gina Castiglione’s voice.

FABIANA: Her…

----------

As the caterers bring out the cake, the party goers are clearly divided into two camps. On one side is Thomas with his wife, Brandt and Assemblywoman Charlie Young, who will likely be his campaign manager. On the other side is Gina C, Owen Madden and veteran campaign manager Ambrose Barnes. The Thomas camp seems a bit larger than the Gina C camp. There are several other party goers, but these are the main groups. Fabiana comes out, following the caterers. She pours herself a glass of wine, takes a spoon and taps on the wine glass to get everyone’s attention.

FABIANA: It has been many years since the Teardrops have basked in the light of freedom. Earlier this week, we in the Assembly have done our part in making the Teardrop Islands the newest partner in the Allied States. I want to thank everyone here who has helped pass the Teardrop Law. Thank you.

Fabiana’s thanks are lost in a shower of applause.

FABIANA: On New Year’s Day, when World Assembly Secretary-General Catherine Gratwick officially ends the World Assembly Protectorate, the Teardrop Islands will officially become part of the Allied States. Catherine Gratwick will personally visit Koni on New Year’s Day, along with His Excellency, President Vaughn Dunlap, and officially hand over the Teardrops to the Allied States.

More cheers.

FABIANA: So, tonight, I want to thank each and every one here who has helped make that happen.

Fabiana cuts a piece of the large cake. Party goers line up and start to load up plates. Gina C walks over to Fabiana.

GINA C: Could we talk in your office for a few minutes?

----------

Fabiana sits down at a small table with her piece of cake. Gina C looks at all the books on Fabiana’s bookshelves. Fabiana starts eating her cake.

FABIANA: Mmmm. Gina, this cake is delicious. You should try some.

GINA C: I’ll try some later. Listen, Fabiana. I want to make this quick. What will you do during election time this year?

FABIANA: I’m not sure. I’ll either run for the Assembly seat in Koni or I’ll help Luigi with the Government there.

GINA C: That’s nice. But what about the Presidential race?

FABIANA: I’m not running this time.

GINA C: That’s not what I mean. The choice is clear. Will you join us, or will you support Thomas?

FABIANA: Honestly, I’m not sure. The Party Conference isn’t ‘till this summer. A lot can happen.

GINA C: But if you had to choose, right now…

FABIANA: Madam Vice President, I don’t have to choose right now.

GINA C: So, you’re playing coy, just like the last Party Conference.

FABIANA: You and Dunlap both pledged support for statehood. I couldn’t just endorse one of you over the other. It would have been a betrayal to you both. So I sat on the fence. I hope you can understand my position.

GINA C: I understand. You played the cards you were dealt.

Fabiana eats another piece of cake.

FABIANA: I’m definitely hiring these caterers again. This cake is wonderful. You should try some.

The door opens. Luigi Vampa walks in. Fabiana springs up. The two go toward each other and kiss. Gina C gives them an odd look.

FABIANA: How was your trip?

VAMPA: The same as it always is, Duchess.

Vampa looks at Gina C, annoyed that she’s still there.

VAMPA: (to Gina C) There’s some guy out there bothering a few of the ladies. He looks like yours.

Gina C leaves the office.

FABIANA: You just stared down Gina Castiglione, the Justice Minister.

The two kiss.

---------

Meanwhile, Owen Madden makes small talk with Assemblywoman Charlotte Young of Todd’s Cove. He’s had a few drinks.

MADDEN: I see you came alone.

YOUNG: I came with some friends. We wanted to celebrate the end of the winter session before we went back to Todd’s Cove.

MADDEN: Oh, Todd’s Cove. So, your husband’s there?

Young sees that Madden has been drinking. She lies.

YOUNG: My boyfriend, yes. He plays for the Clippers, and he can get very jealous.

Madden looks over at Stephanie Brandt.

MADDEN: What about your friend there? Is she available? Are you two close friends?


Assemblywoman Charlie Young’s expression masks disbelief.

Madden sees his wife approaching. Gina C has a disgusted look on her face. He changes his tone.

MADDEN: It’s nice to meet you, Miss Young. We’ll keep in touch.

Gina C, Owen Madden and most of their people leave. Stephanie Brandt and Abby Thomas start talking to Young.

A. THOMAS: What was that all about?

YOUNG: Abby, you should be thankful you have a husband like Gus.

BRANDT: Augustus Thomas is a good man. You found yourself a diamond in the rough.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Emerald City Plaza Hotel
Emerald City, Emerald Republic
Sunday, December 9, 2029
5:45 am

The World Assembly Territory was founded in land that was originally part of the Emerald Republic. The World Assembly Territory now sits in a center of a densely populated area called the World Assembly Metropolis. Over the last 30 years, the Metropolis extended beyond the official boundaries of World Assembly Territory and has effectively merged with the capital of the Emerald Republic, the Emerald City.

The Emerald City is the oldest area in the Metropolis. The Emerald City Plaza Hotel sits within a few hundred yards from their Congressional Buildings and their Presidential Palace. Among the many guests there are two people from the Andromeda Islands: Andromedan Vice President Anna Kaewkhonkaen and her personal bodyguard, Captain Chester Brown. The sun is just rising over the horizon as Chet Brown puts on his running clothes.

BROWN: Hurry up. I want to be on the road as the sun comes up.


Chester Brown has known Anna Kaewkhonkaen since her days at the Naval Academy.

The Vice President is still in the restroom. She walks out after putting her top on. Her hair is covered by a black knit hat.

CAPTAIN K: Chill out, Sergeant Brown. I outrank you.

BROWN: Don’t start pulling rank now. Besides, we both left as Captains. It’s Captain Brown.

CAPTAIN K: I’m the Vice President of the Allied States.

BROWN: We’re not in the Allied States, soldier. I’m in charge of your security, so I’m in charge.

Captain K walks slowly toward Brown.

CAPTAIN K: Security, Darkness? Where’s all the other personnel?

Captain K walks up on Brown.

BROWN: What the fuck? So now I’m Darkness?

The two kiss.

BROWN: Let’s go.


Since she became Vice President of the Allied States, Anna Kaewkhonkaen has visited more than two dozen countries.

Chet Brown and Anna Kaewkhonkaen run around the Congressional buildings. They’re running past the Presidential Palace. Brown drills Captain K about the basics of both the Emerald Republic and World Assembly Territory.

BROWN: Who’s the President of this country?

CAPTAIN K: Conrad Green. He owns the main TV news station here and a few tabloid newspapers. His news station is the most popular in World Assembly Territory.

BROWN: Does he run things here?

CAPTAIN K: He runs the media in the Emerald Republic, but the Administrator of the World Assembly Territory also has big pull. Marius Butler is a former President and he’s one of the top people in the World Assembly.

BROWN: Anything else?

CAPTAIN K: Green is like 169 years old. Some people claim that he’s not all there.

BROWN: And what about World Assembly Territory?

CAPTAIN K: Catherine Gratwick runs the Secretariat. Marius Butler runs the Territory. People from all over the world live in World Assembly Territory.

BROWN: What’s the more popular name for World Assembly Territory, soldier?

CAPTAIN K: Babylon, Sergeant. Welcome to Babylon, Captain Brown.

Brown and Captain K run back toward the Hotel on a crisp, cool December morning. Brown and Captain K have plans to essentially disappear for a few weeks, in order to get married.

BROWN: So, we’re making it official?

CAPTAIN K: Yes, Captain Brown. We’re making it official. We visit President Mike Knox and then I become Mrs. Chester Brown.

BROWN: Right after we visit the Wizard.

CAPTAIN K: You mean Catherine Gratwick, the leader of the World Assembly.

BROWN: And then, after we get married, you finally learn how to cook.

Brown laughs as Captain K playfully hits him in his side.

[The Andromeda Islands]

The Office of the Municipal Administrator
City Hall
World Assembly Territory
Monday, December 10, 2029
9:00 am

The World Assembly Territory was founded less than 40 years ago. In that short time, the Territory and the surrounding metropolis now make up more than half of the population of the Emerald Isle.

The Chief Administrator of the World Assembly Territory is Marius Butler, a Deputy Secretary-General of the World Assembly. He looks out of the window and talks to an unidentified voice on a Speaker phone.

VOICE: It’s done. Most of the pieces will be in the right place at the right time.

BUTLER: Both Queens, the Bishop and the Rook, but not the Knight.


Marius Butler, Deputy Secretary-General in charge of the World Assembly Territory, is a former President of the Emerald Republic.

VOICE: Don’t worry about the Knight. He’ll be knocked off the board well before the Big Event.

BUTLER: And the Emerald News Service will react as planned.

VOICE: The Queen is dead. Long live the King.

The call terminates. Butler presses a button on his intercom.

BUTLER: Bring in Miss Corrino.

A woman walks in, wearing a skin-tight dress. Iulianna Corrino is a member of Catherine Gratwick’s inner circle.

BUTLER: So, what’s Conrad Green up to now?

CORRINO: He and his wife, Jae Young, are keeping up appearances, but the marriage is not a happy one. A divorce is imminent.

BUTLER: This is his third marriage?


Iulianna Corrino, a member of Catherine Gratwick’s inner circle, is also a confidant of Marius Butler.

CORRINO: Yes. The biggest factor is the age difference. Jae Young loves the money, but they’re just too different.

BUTLER: Will Green be able to hide this until the end of his term?

CORRINO: Under normal circumstances, no. But the man controls the mainstream media in this region. Most people won’t even hear about it.

BUTLER: But rumors will spread throughout the underground press.

CORRINO: They already are.

BUTLER: Good. I still can’t believe that Conrad Green, a man with so much business acumen, could be so politically daft. He’s been useful to us as a distraction.


Conrad Green, President of the Emerald Republic, with his wife, Jae Young.

CORRINO: So, the Big Event is still going forward?

BUTLER: Everything is going according to plan.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Office of the Secretary-General
World Assembly Secretariat
World Assembly Territory
Monday, December 10, 2029
9:30 am

Catherine Gratwick became Secretary-General of the World Assembly in 1993. At the time, the 29-year-old Gratwick was supposed to be a figurehead that would only serve for a few years. 37 years later, Gratwick is one of the most powerful people in the NationStates Universe. The World Assembly has has been under some measure of Gratwick’s control since its founding.

Gratwick retired as Secretary-General in 2022. Less than four years later, after Vladimir Kronsteen’s unexpected death, Gratwick became Secretary-General a second time. Gratwick expects to retire permanently at the end of next year. Before she retires, she wants the World to accept her designated successor, Deputy Secretary-General Miguel Estrada.

ESTRADA: So, who are we meeting this morning?

GRATWICK: Andromedans. Their new Vice President, Anna Kaewkhonkaen, and Mike Knox.

ESTRADA: And this has to do with one of our Trust Territories on the Abu Continent?


World Assembly Headquarters.

GRATWICK: The Teardrop Islands have voted to become part of the Andromeda Islands. The Andromeda Islands agreed. The transfer will occur on New Years Day.

ESTRADA: So, we will start our World Tour in some backwater on a continent in chaos.


Miguel Estrada, a former President of the Republic of San Marcos, has been Gratwick’s right hand man since 2020.

GRATWICK: We start out with the successful transfer of the Teardrops. It’s a good beginning. After our stop in Koni, I’ll announce that I’m stepping down at the end of next year.

ESTRADA: And the World Assembly will assume that I’m your successor.

GRATWICK: You’ll be at my side for much of this tour.

ESTRADA: And the Red Guard. They have signed on to this?

GRATWICK: They have.

There is an awkward silence.

ESTRADA: I’m curious. What are these two people like? Knox and…

GRATWICK: Anna Kaewkhonkaen. Knox is a former President of his country, like you and Butler. I offered him a job, but he refused.

ESTRADA: You offered him the job of restoring order over the Abu Continent. Nobody in their right mind would want that responsibility.


Mike Knox, a veteran Andromedan politician, has been their representative to the World Assembly since 2023.

GRATWICK: We need Mike Knox on our side. My sources say that the Sovereignty Blocs in the World Assembly have approached him. He turned them away.

ESTRADA: And the Vice President?

GRATWICK: She’s been travelling the globe pretty much since she took office last year, visiting Andromedan embassies. She may even be groomed to replace Knox. When I asked him about working for us, he said that he planned to return to Andromeda.

Gratwick’s Secretary buzzes in.

SECRETARY: Ms. Gratwick, Mr. Estrada, Ambassador Knox and Miss Kaew-khon-kaen will see you now.

GRATWICK: Send them in.

Gratwick switches off the intercom and turns again to Estrada while she opens a file.

GRATWICK: Watch this. This ought to be interesting.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Office of the Secretary-General
World Assembly Secretariat
World Assembly Territory
Monday, December 10, 2029
9:35 am

Ambassador Mike Knox and Andromedan Vice President Anna Kaewkhonkaen walk into Catherine Gratwick’s office. Gratwick sits at her desk with Miguel Estrada standing by her side. Gratwick and Estrada exchange pleasantries with Knox and Kaewkhonkaen before they’re escorted into a board room.

GRATWICK: Madam Vice President, I’ve asked the Ambassador several times if he would join the Secretariat. He has refused every time.

KNOX: Tell them what position they asked me to assume, and you’ll understand.

GRATWICK: Deputy Secretary-General in charge of Administration of the World Assembly Trust Territories on the Abu Continent.


Catherine Gratwick, Secretary-General of the World Assembly

KAEWKHONKAEN: So, he would be your Viceroy over the Abu Continent.

KNOX: One of the most troubled areas in the World.

GRATWICK: Anyone who can maneuver Andromedan politics should be able to assist us on the Abu Continent.

The four walk into the largely empty boardroom. There is a single manila folder on the table.

ESTRADA: There are some in the World Assembly, the Sovereignty Movement, who believe that the Secretary-General has been in office for too long.

GRATWICK: What they don’t know is that I agree with them. That’s why Vlad Kronsteen was Secretary-General for four years and that’s why I’ll step down by this time next year.

ESTRADA: Both of us will begin our world tour in Koni. We’ll participate in the ceremony that will transfer control from World Assembly control to Andromedan control. It will be an example of our successful peace keeping efforts.

Knox and Kaewkhonkaen are surprised. One of the purposes for their visit was to request that Gratwick attend the ceremony on New Year’s Day.

ESTRADA: The General Assembly can be unpredictable. They aren’t always open to our suggestions.

GRATWICK: They may not want Miguel to be my successor. The most important thing for both of us is to make sure the World Assembly is in good hands.

KAEWKHONKAEN: What sort of term of office is involved?

GRATWICK: It’s set by the General Assembly every time they elect a Secretary-General. It’s usually four or five years. Some of my opponents want to put in term limits. They don’t think that a Secretary-General should serve for more than five years.

ESTRADA: The Security Council and the General Assembly choose the next Secretary-General. Whether it’s me, Catherine or whoever, we want as large a good candidate pool as possible. We’ve been asking everyone on our short list to join the Secretariat.

GRATWICK: In a few minutes, Miguel and I will again ask you to be Viceroy over the Abu Continent, but before we do, we have something to show you.

Everyone sat down. Gratwick sat between Estrada and Knox. She turns to Knox.

GRATWICK: That folder’s for you two. Open it.

Inside the folder was the picture of a vaguely familiar man and a family tree, including both the Ambassador and the Vice President.

GRATWICK: I know who you both are. Queen Rania was your aunt, Mr. President. You’re both descended from that man.


Muhammad al-Aziz, Duke of Koni, served as Prime Minister under King Darius IV. He is an ancestor of both Mike Knox and Anna Kaewkhonkaen.

GRATWICK: That man is your great-grandfather, the Duke of Koni. He’s also the grandfather of Queen Rania. The last King of Abu-Salih was your first cousin, Mike. Was he not?

Both Knox and Kaewkhonkaen are silent.

KNOX: Madam Secretary-General, with all due respect, where are you going with this?

GRATWICK: I’m just pointing out that it would make perfect sense, Mike, if you joined us.

Knox looks at Catherine Gratwick.

KNOX: Madam Gratwick, when I became President of the Allied States, I had no idea who my father was. I didn’t become President with any sense of entitlement. I never thought I was born to rule, and I still don’t.

KAEWKHONKAEN: Is this some sort of blackmail?

GRATWICK: Far from it. This isn’t just about bloodlines. My bloodline is far from distinguished. I’m asking you to join us because of your character. We think you would do a good job. Miguel and I just found it interesting that you were both related to this man.

Anna Kaewkhonkaen looks at the family tree as Gratwick and Knox talk.

KNOX: So, if I say no, this won’t go to the press? You won’t ruin Anna’s political career?

GRATWICK: This is for our reference, Mr. President. It doesn’t leave this room.

ESTRADA: So, Ambassador Knox, will you do it? Will you help us bring peace to the Abu Continent, the land of your ancestors?

Knox sits. He is unsure.

KNOX: Give me a few days. I’ll get back to you by the end of the week.

GRATWICK: That’s all we ask, Mr. President.

Estrada stands up.

ESTRADA: I’m sorry to cut this short, but we have a video conference in a few minutes. Nice to meet you, Madam Vice President.

KAEWKHONKAEN: Nice to meet you, Mr. Estrada.

GRATWICK: We’ll hear from you by Friday, Mr. President.

KNOX: If not sooner.

[The Andromeda Islands]

The World Assembly Stranger’s Bar
World Assembly Complex
World Assembly Territory
Tuesday, December 11, 2029
1:05 pm

Aside from Catherine Gratwick’s penthouse, the World Assembly Stranger’s Bar is the only place in the Complex to get good food. It’s also massively expensive.

Mike Knox doesn’t especially like the Stranger’s Bar, but occasionally makes an appearance. In recent years, Knox only shows up for special occasions, electing instead to either visit with other Ambassadors or eat at home, away from the craziness.

He’s meeting today with key members of the Sovereignty movement. Thankfully, they reserved a private room in the back. The Sovereignty leader, Benito Hoover often speaks with other anti-Gratwick Ambassadors here. After exchanging pleasantries with Hoover and his two friends and ordering, the men get down to business.


Ambassador Benito Hoover is the leader of the most ardently anti-Gratwick faction in the General Assembly.

HOOVER: As you know, the Secretary-General and her allies in the General Assembly want to stop us from passing our term limits proposal. Her term is up at the end of next year. We have enough votes on the Security Council to force a contested race, but we don’t have a single candidate to unite behind.

Along with Ambassador Hoover is Ambassador Orville Robbins. Robbins was the Sovereignty candidate for Secretary-General in 2026, eventually losing to Catherine Gratwick.

ROBBINS: Four years ago, when Vlad Kronsteen died, we were caught off guard. The insiders had united behind Gratwick and our side was divided. The rest of the Assembly chose the side that was more organized.

Knox remembers. He, like most of the World Assembly, had never heard of Orville Roberts, so he voted for Catherine Gratwick.

ROBBINS: There are so many different factions that are against Gratwick that got bogged down in egos. They wanted their candidate to be the opposition candidate. Many of those groups decided that if their man couldn’t be the quarterback, they would take their ball and go home. But now, we have more of a game plan. We can present a united front against the insiders.


Ambassador Orville Robbins was Gratwick’s chief opponent in 2026. He came in a distant second, received just over 30% of the vote.

ROBBINS: What we need is a focused effort on all fronts. Things need to change and we’re willing to do whatever it takes to make it change. We want someone on the inside that believes in a World Assembly with more limited powers.

The waiter brings their food. All four men ordered steak. The third Ambassador, Jim West, continues.

WEST: Listen, Knox. We know that you’re an insider. We know you don’t have much interest in dismantling the system. You met with Catherine Gratwick just yesterday.

HOOVER: Really? I’ve never met her.

ROBBINS: Neither have I.


Ambassador James West once referred to the Secretary-General as “The Whore of Babylon” and “A Bucking Fitch” during a floor debate.

HOOVER: Your country has more people employed by the Secretariat than all three of our countries combined.

KNOX: My country has been doing this for years, long before I got here.

ROBBINS: We don’t begrudge you, Ambassador Knox. In fact, we want to encourage you.

HOOVER: We’re not telling you to stop. Like Ambassador Robbins said, we want someone on the inside.

WEST: Let us help figure out who our leader is. We want someone on the inside we can trust, who shares our basic world view.

HOOVER: And we also want to meet with you, about once a month. You’re an Ambassador who agrees with us on enough of the important issues, and you have the best network out of all of us.

ROBBINS: You even ordered the same thing we ordered.

KNOX: I didn’t want to spend too much time on the menu. This was a super-secret meeting, so I didn’t want to waste time ordering.

WEST: See, Benito, I told you. We all understand each other.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Todd’s Cove Social Democratic Club
Todd’s Cove, Allied States
Monday, December 31, 2029
11:55 pm

This year’s New Years Eve Party at the Todd’s Cove Social Democratic Club is also a fundraiser for Augustus Thomas’ presidential run in 2030. Thomas is seen as President Vaughn Dunlap’s political heir. Thomas speaks to the crowd with just a few minutes left until midnight.

THOMAS: As we usher in a new year, we should keep in mind that 2030 will be a year of new beginnings. It will be a new beginning for Abby and I.

Everyone knows that Thomas’ wife, Abigail is pregnant. A number of partygoers cheer.

THOMAS: And it will be a new beginning for our country.

The crowd cheers. The large television screen behind Thomas switches on. The scene is of a block party in downtown Portsmouth. A large crowd stands on the campus of the University of Portsmouth, in front of the University’s clock tower. They anticipate the ringing of the clock tower that traditionally brings in the New Year.


Treasury Minister Gus Thomas, a former Governor of Todd’s Cove, plans to run for President in 2030.

The clock strikes twelve. Fireworks go off above Portsmouth. Gus Thomas has moved among the crowd with his wife. The two kiss.

THOMAS: Happy New Year.


Abigail Gratwick Thomas, daughter of the WA Secretary-General, is several months pregnant.

After a couple of hours, a number of the party guests have gone home. Neither Thomas nor his wife have had much to drink, but they are very tired. After Thomas shakes hands with supporters, they go to the parking lot. The cool air hits Thomas’ face.

ABBY: You think we can make it home. We can stop at Charlie Young’s until the morning.

THOMAS: There isn’t that much traffic between here and the house. We should be fine.

As the two reach the city limits, Thomas notices that they have been followed by the same car since they left the Social Democratic Club. Thomas abruptly turns off of the main highway toward the beach.

THOMAS: We’re being followed. That black car’s been following us for at least the last 10 minutes.

The black car rear ends Thomas’ car. Thomas’ car hits a tree. A gunman runs out of the passenger side of the car, wearing black gloves and a ski mask. He shoots Thomas as soon as he gets out of the car. Thomas falls over dead. Abby tries to hide, but the shooter walks to the passenger side of Thomas’ car and shoots her twice.

A second shooter, also wearing black gloves and a ski mask, gets out of the driver’s side of the black car and unloads his gun on Thomas for good measure. The first shooter looks around and sees that nobody else is around.

FIRST SHOOTER: Should we make the call now?

SECOND SHOOTER: Let’s wait until we get back to the hotel. We don’t know how close the local police are, and we definitely don’t want to be seen here.

FIRST SHOOTER: Good point.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Government Center
Buakonikai, Teardrop Islands
Tuesday, January 1, 2030
11:55 pm

As far as the Assembly of the Allied States and the World Assembly Secretariat are concerned, the Teardrop Islands became part of the Allied States almost twelve hours ago.

A number of local and national officials, as well as the two top officials of the World Assembly stand in front of Government Center in Koni. The streets in front of Government Center have been blocked off. Andromedan President Vaughn Dunlap reads from “The Instrument of Statehood,” before he signs the symbolic document.

DUNLAP: On this day, January first of two thousand and thirty, the former Duchy of Buakonikai becomes part of the Allied States of the Andromeda Archipelago.

The crowd cheers as Dunlap signs the document. He is the first President to preside over territorial expansion of the Allied States. World Assembly Secretary-General Catherine Gratwick joins President Dunlap at the podium. Gratwick wears an odd looking black cloak.

GRATWICK: On behalf of the World Assembly, I, Catherine Gratwick, hereby hand over control of the Teardrop Islands to the responsible stewardship of the Andromeda Islands.

Gratwick signs the document. As she does, Fabiana al-Aziz walks up to the podium. Fabiana was the Duchess of the Teardrop Islands under the Old Kingdom and will likely be a key member of the Government in the Teardrop Islands for years to come.

FABIANA: I hereby attest to the transfer of authority over the Teardrop Islands from the World Assembly to the Allied States of the Andromeda Archipelago.

Fabiana signs the document. The crowd cheers, knowing that they are under the protection of the Andromeda Islands. The three officials, Gratwick, Dunlap and Fabiana, join hands and raise their arms.

The celebration is interrupted by gun shots from a hotel window across the street. Catherine Gratwick covers herself with her cloak and hides behind the podium as Dunlap and Fabiana fall down, dead. The crowd panics.

The officials on stage also panic. In the confusion, Miguel Estrada is also shot and killed. Luigi Vampa runs up to Fabiana and cradles her dead body with no regard for his own safety. Andromeda secret service surrounds and escort the First Lady to a safe place.

Koni police immediately seal off the hotel and search the rooms. They find two men trying to leave via the fire escape. They appear to be Muslims, which isn’t surprising in Koni. The police break into the men’s hotel rooms and find automatic rifles. The police also find a third shooter in a neighboring room, praying to Allah.

After examining, a number of people on stage, paramedics have found five people dead, including the President, Miguel Estrada and Fabiana. They also find Catherine Gratwick, black cloak, but there is no sign of Gratwick.

The three alleged shooters are immediately taken to police custody. Luigi Vampa, now the Governor of the Teardrop Islands, is berating police officials for failing to secure the area.

VAMPA: You didn’t think to check all of those rooms?

POLICE CHIEF: We never had anything like this before.

VAMPA: Didn’t you think to have this ceremony inside?

POLICE CHIEF: We told Fabiana that it would be easier for us to have this thing inside. She insisted that it be outside.

Vampa stops for a minute. He weeps, remembering just how good Fabiana had been to him.

VAMPA: Do you have anyone in…

A police officer interrupts the meeting

POLICE OFFICER: Governor, we have the shooters in custody.

Vampa storms out of the office. He sees three men. Two of them are wearing plain black suits. The third is dressed well, but also wears a turban and a beard. Vampa talks to the men in Arabic as the men are being booked.

VAMPA: (In Arabic) Who sent you?

The three men ignore Vampa.

VAMPA: (In Arabic) Why did you do this?

ARAB SHOOTER: (In Arabic) Shut your mouth, little man.

Vampa punches the man in the mouth. He turns to the police officers.

VAMPA: Check these clowns for cell phones.

The police officers find two cell phones. The Arabic man apparently didn’t have a cell phone. Vampa took the cell phones. The Police Chief came out of his office as the three alleged gunmen are escorted to lockup.

POLICE CHIEF: Are these people locals?

VAMPA: If they were, I would have had them caught before all of this. These people aren’t from around here. Have the police go through these men’s rooms. Whoever is behind this, I’m going to make them pay.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Marius Butler’s Villa
The Emerald City
Tuesday, January 1, 2030
3:30 pm

Marius Butler’s home is in a prominent suburb just outside the City limits of World Assembly Territory. Butler, the Chief Administrator of World Assembly Territory, is also a two-term President of the Emerald Republic, which surrounds World Assembly Territory on three sides.

Butler received a phone call from the Secretariat about an hour ago, informing him of what happened in Koni. He expects an official escort from the Secretariat to arrive in a few minutes. He’s to give a brief address from the Secretary-General’s office, announcing that he will assume all the powers of Secretary-General.

Butler has just finished changing into a suitable outfit. Also in the bedroom is Iuliana “Julie” Corrino. The television is on the Emerald News Network, which has reported that both Catherine Gratwick and Miguel Estrada are dead.

BUTLER: Everything’s going according to plan. Remember, Princess, you’re not supposed to be here.

CORRINO: I’m well aware, your Excellency.

Both Butler and Corrino like pet name that emphasize their exhalted stations in life.

CORRINO: We’ll reveal our relationship in a few days.

The doorbell rings. Butler gives Corrino a kiss.

CORRINO: I should be back in a few hours.

Butler races down stairs to the front door. He opens the door. Outside, there is a limousine and 4 police motorcycles.

BUTLER: Let’s go.

----------

The limousine takes the quickest route to the Secretariat. On the way, the limousine takes a shortcut through an urban neighborhood. There is some looting at a few quickie marts.

BUTLER: What’s going on?


World Assembly Police come out in force to maintain order.

DRIVER: When people in the favelas found out that Lady Gratwick was killed, they just started going crazy. Normally, the Red Police put the kibosh on stuff like that, but they must have taken New Year’s off.

Butler knew better. The Red Guard doesn’t work for the Secretariat. They work for Gratwick.

DRIVER: We’ve never had anything like this happen, which is why we need you to reassure people and take power. With Gratwick and Estrada out of the picture, you’re next in line.

BUTLER: I can only hope that I’m just as capable as Lady Gratwick.

DRIVER: I think you’ll do a good job, your Excellency.

Butler smiles. His reign as Secretary-General has begun just as he pictured it.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Somewhere over the Western Islands
Tuesday, January 1, 2030
5:00 pm

Catherine Gratwick wakes up. She has no idea where she is. She appears to be in a cargo area of a vehicle. Judging by the shape of the vehicle, she guesses that she is in an airplane.

Lucy Kwon, an Asian woman flying the plane. Gratwick walks gingerly to the front of the plane. She tries to remember what little Mandarin she knows.

KWON: I speak English.

Gratwick is relieved. She sits in the co-pilots seat.

GRATWICK: What time is it?

KWON: 5:03 pm, New Year’s Day, 2030.

Gratwick remembers some of what happened a few hours ago.

KWON: You appeared in my plane a few hours ago. We’re flying you to a location in the Western Islands.

GRATWICK: Of the Andromeda Islands?

KWON: That’s right.

GRATWICK: How do you know where you’re going?

KWON: You told me. You were pretty out of it, but you told me to check your purse. I’m following the instructions in your purse.

Gratwick has a bad feeling.

GRATWICK: A lot of people died today.

KWON: Yes, Lady Gratwick. A lot of people died. And it’s not just in Koni. The Treasury Minister was killed this morning.

Gratwick sits in silence. She remembers that her daughter, who she hasn’t seen in years, was married to an Andromedan politician.

KWON: He and his wife were both killed in an auto accident. Apparently, he’d had too…

GRATWICK: What were their names?

KWON: Augustus and Abigail Thomas.

Gratwick sits in silence. She now knows that her youngest daughter is dead.

GRATWICK: It wasn’t an accident. Someone’s going after my whole family. Abby Thomas is my daughter.

KWON: Thankfully, they haven’t succeeded.

After about an hour, Gratwick is still talking about her daughter. The sun is about to set.

GRATWICK: Abby wanted nothing to do with me after that. It wasn’t easy for her, having so much to live up to. She used my mother’s maiden name when she went to college here.

KWON: And what is your mother’s maiden name?

GRATWICK: Baker. She wanted to be her own person. She didn’t want to be known as Catherine Gratwick’s daughter. Now, I can hardly blame her. There are times when I just go somewhere without telling anyone where I went. People aren’t so direct and honest with the Head of the World Assembly, but sometimes, I like to hear people’s honest opinions. It’s easy to lose touch when you’re surrounded by sycophants.

In front of them is a mansion on an island.

GRATWICK: So, that’s my estate?

KWON: Yes, it is, Lady Gratwick.

GRATWICK: I’ve never found time to visit.

KWON: It’s really nice. The staff is looking forward to meeting you.

GRATWICK: There’s a staff?

KWON: Locals, mostly. Grounds keepers and such.

GRATWICK: This should be interesting.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Somewhere in Threlizdun
Tuesday, January 1, 2030
3:30 pm

Anna Kaewkhonkaen has spent much of the past year away from the Allied States. She has visited nearly every Andromedan Embassy throughout the world. Her last stop will be on Friday in Rocky Shore, where there is a large Andromedan community.

Chet Brown has been by her side for most of the trip, acting as her personal security. He has been her shadow for the past few months.

Last night, Captain K and Chet Brown celebrated New Year’s Eve with locals in a small town on the north coast of Threlizdun. Captain K and Brown decided to go “off the grid.” They decided to rent a room at the only hotel in town under assumed names. This is perhaps one of the few times in months that Captain K can be who she was before she became Vice President.

Captain K and Chet Brown went on a hike at about 11:45 that morning. Unbeknownst to either Captain K or Chet Brown, President Vaughn Dunlap died more than two hours ago. Chet Brown received a text message from Andromeda City about an hour ago, instructing him to call Security Headquarters.

They arrive at the hotel after a long afternoon of hiking. Brown calls Assembly Security Headquarters.

BROWN: This is Brown. (pause) The Queen and the Black Knight were out hiking. (long pause) I see. (long pause) So, the two pieces need to cross the board? (long pause) Taking the low road. Got it.

Brown hangs up the phone.

BROWN: Anna, Vaughn Dunlap was killed a couple of hours ago. You’ve been acting President for the past two hours.

Captain K sits on the bed, silent.

BROWN: Fabiana’s also dead. Anna, we’re in trouble.

Kaewkhonkaen closes her eyes and mouths a short prayer. Brown waits. Once she opens her eyes, Brown continues.

BROWN: There’s more. The Secretary-General of the World Assembly is missing and her deputy was also killed. Gus Thomas was killed last night in a car accident. Whoever’s behind this may not be finished.

KAEWKHONKAEN: We proceed as planned. Nobody knows where we are, so they won’t know where to look.

BROWN: We take the train to Westocks tomorrow, and we arrive at Rocky Shore tomorrow night.

KAEWKHONKAEN: There’s just one change. We make our Rocky Shore plans public.

BROWN: I have no objection to that. A President shouldn’t live in sin.

KAEWKHONKAEN: You had something to do with it, too, Chester. What about this guy, Johnnie Foster?

BROWN: He was the Chaplin in Portsmouth when I first joined the Navy. He has

KAEWKHONKAEN: He’s a real Minister, right?

BROWN: He married Bill and Julia Todd. I think he’s qualified.

Brown’s phone rings.

BROWN: Brown. What is it now? (pause) Do you know why? (pause) I see. We’ll be home before the Assembly meets. Bye.

Brown hangs up the phone.

BROWN: The 86er has been activated.

Captain K has heard about the 86er, a contractor who is loosely associated with Naval Intelligence. The 86er is often employed by Naval Intelligence to perform tasks that are outside of the duties of Naval Intelligence.

KAEWKHONKAEN: Do you know which side he is on?

BROWN: Just that he’s been activated and that he is also off the grid. We don’t know who activated him, just that he’s activated.

KAEWKHONKAEN: Just so long that he isn’t on the train tomorrow. I have no desire to meet this man.

Brown goes to the kitchen. He comes back with a bottle of Threlizdun whiskey and two shot glasses. He pours two shots and gives Captain K one of the glasses.

BROWN: To the new President of the Allied States…

KAEWKHONKAEN: To Captain Darkness.

Brown tries to maintain a stern look, before they both laugh.

KAEWKHONKAEN: My strong, loving husband.

Captain K and Brown down the shots. Captain K is taken aback.

KAEWKHONKAEN: Wow. That’s some shot.

BROWN: This stuff will knock you out.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Angeles City Airport
Angeles City, Allied States
Tuesday, January 1, 2030
5:03 pm

Gina Castiglione and one of her aides are rushing through the airport, surrounded by Andromeda Naval Intelligence Agents. The Presidential airplane landed about an hour ago. Gina C has assumed the powers of the Andromedan Presidency since President Dunlap was pronounced dead a few hours ago.

She is talking on a cell phone to Naval Intelligence Agents.

GINA C: Have you got any leads on who’s behind all of this? (pause) What do you mean it could be a number of groups? The people want answers, not uncertainty. They want to know who the enemy is, and that something is being done.

Gina C and her entourage dart through the airport to the airplane. She hangs up her cell phone and talks to her aide.

GINA C: Unbelievable. They don’t even know who did it.

AIDE: They have three assassins in custody in Koni. Luigi Vampa…

GINA C: Luigi Vampa? His incompetence put the Secretary-General and the President in this position. I don’t want to hear about Luigi Vampa.

CHET BROWN (voice over): We have to think about who profits the most from this.

Gina C and her entourage walk onto the runway, toward the Presidential airplane.

KAEWKHONKAEN (voice over): With me out of the country and with Vaughn Dunlap dead, Gina C is in charge, at least until I get back.

CHET BROWN (voice over): And let’s say that you’re killed before you get back. Gina C becomes President outright, and what’s to stop her from saying that the Snow Leopard Brotherhood is behind all this?

KAEWKHONKAEN (voice over): So, we lay low until we get to Rocky Shore.

----------

Somewhere in Threlizdun
January 1, 2030
6:30 pm

Chet Brown and Anna Kaewkhonkaen are in the kitchen of their hotel room, preparing dinner.

CHET BROWN: And she’s been really interested in intelligence about the Snow Leopard Brotherhood.

KAEWKHONKAEN: That makes no sense. They have no presence in Koni.

CHET BROWN: We know that. Gina C probably knows that, but the public don’t know that. Now would be the perfect time for her to use this crisis to take over.

KAEWKHONKAEN: Do you think she’s already found someone to blame?

CHET BROWN: Anna, she’s cleaning house. She probably has people looking for us right now. And once they kill us, we both know who’s to blame.

KAEWKHONKAEN: The Snow Leopard Brotherhood.

CHET BROWN: That’s why we can’t take any chances. As far as I know, nobody knows who we are. We use the fake passports until we get to Rocky Shore, and we go incognito.

KAEWKHONKAEN: What about Marius Butler?

CHET BROWN: Who?

----------

Office of the Secretary-General
World Assembly Headquarters
Tuesday, January 1, 2030
7:30 pm

Marius Butler sits behind a desk. There’s a television camera facing him. They’re getting ready for what Butler sees as his maiden speech as Secretary-General.

KAEWKHONKAEN (voice over): He has just as much of a motive as Gina C would. Probably more so, since Gratwick has ran things in the World Assembly for years.

A makeup person puts some slight touches on Butler before his speech.

CHET BROWN (voice over): And the Andromedan President is collateral damage?

KAEWKHONKAEN (voice over): If it happens away from the Emerald City, nobody would suspect that Butler was behind it. Koni is in a sketchy part of the World, the Abu Continent. Butler knows that if something happened there, it could be anyone. Anti-Gratwick people. Muslims. The finger points in a lot of directions.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Office of the Secretary General
World Assembly Territory
Tuesday, January 1, 2030
7:00 pm

Marius Butler gives a televised, prime time addresses to the people of World Assembly Territory. He has assumed the powers of Secretary-General.

BUTLER: Good evening. Earlier today, in the Teardrop Islands, two of our world’s great leaders were brought down. Secretary-General Catherine Gratwick, and the Chief Deputy Secretary-General Miguel Estrada were among several people killed by assassin’s bullets in Buakonikai, which is now controlled by the Andromeda Islands.

BUTLER: Also listed among the casualties is Vaughn Dunlap, the President of the Allied States of the Andromeda Archipelago. His government has supported the World Assembly, but many in the Allied States have not.

Many in the Allied States have a negative view of the World Assembly, mostly because of the July Conflict of 2026.

BUTLER: The area where this tragedy occurred has been notorious for its violence and lawlessness in recent years. Once the General Assembly and the Security Council reconvene, we will reconsider whether the handover of the Teardrop Islands to The Andromeda Islands was a good idea. Judging by this afternoon, the handover appears to be a big mistake. Two of our leaders are dead because of it.

Unbeknownst to Butler, Catherine Gratwick is very much alive.

BUTLER: Rest assured, the World Assembly Police Force and local authorities in Koni are working tirelessly to find out who exactly is responsible for this.


Among the many groups suspected are the Snow Leopard Brotherhood, which run areas on the Abu continent close to the Teardrop Islands.

BUTLER: But right now, we should take time during the last few days of this Holiday Season to remember what Catherine Gratwick and Miguel Estrada have given to the world. We should be thankful that they existed among us, promoting the ideals of world peace and international cooperation. I pledge to continue the policies of Catherine Gratwick. I feel that’s what she and Miguel Estrada would want. Wherever they are, they can rest assured that their policies will be continued by their successors. The face of the World Assembly may change, but the Mission will live on.

Butler is actually upset by recent developments since he arrived at the Secretariat. The Red Guard has refused to follow his orders. The head of the Red Guard told him that they would consider following his lead once they knew that Catherine Gratwick was actually dead.

BUTLER: It’s hard to believe that more than 36 years ago, a young woman was chosen for what many thought was a ceremonial, thankless job as head of the World Assembly Secretariat. Many people thought the World Assembly wouldn’t last six months, but under Catherine Gratwick’s leadership, the World Assembly has thrived to become the premier organization promoting world peace and cooperation. It will be difficult for many of us to imagine a world with someone other than Catherine Gratwick at the helm.

Butler pauses. It looks as if he’s taking a moment to maintain his composure.

BUTLER: I hope that I can somehow measure up to the legacy of Catherine Gratwick.

BUTLER: I thank you for your time. May the light of goodness continue to shine over the World Assembly during this Holiday Season.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Catherine Gratwick’s Villa
Somewhere in the Western Islands
Wednesday, January 2, 2030
2:30 am

Catherine Gratwick’s plane landed at the air strip last night. She arrived incognito and went straight to her bedroom, which was one of several. She walked around the house for the first time.

Aside from the occasional plant, the inside of the Villa was nearly bare. A couple of the rooms were well furnished, but the rest of it was bare. A man’s voice calls out from down the hall. It’s Jordan, the caretaker.

JORDAN: Lady Gratwick, is that you?

GRATWICK: Remember, I’m not Catherine Gratwick. I’m Miss Baker, the Head Mistress. I’m here on Catherine Gratwick’s behalf.

JORDAN: Sorry… Miss Baker.

GRATWICK: Does the Villa have a large staff?

JORDAN: It does. Mostly gardeners, now.


Catherine Gratwick’s Villa is the largest home on the island.

GRATWICK: So, who else has taken residence here?

JORDAN: Just me, Miss Baker. I have treated the place as if it was mine, so I have had guests on occasion. I do apologize.

GRATWICK: No need, Jordan. The people who live here, are they friendly?

JORDAN: They’re nice enough. Miss Baker, but we don’t get many guests out here.

GRATWICK: What do they do?

JORDAN: Most of us out here work for the Fishing Collective. A few of us are part of the… the Coast Guard.

GRATWICK: Will they have time to talk?

JORDAN: Perhaps, but before you do that, we have some other people, I’m not sure if you can call them people.

GRATWICK: What’s that?

JORDAN: We call them fish people. They sometimes visit. They’re not quite human.


Fish people can be found in remote parts of the Western Islands. They keep to themselves.

JORDAN: We see them all the time, but to an outsider…

GRATWICK: We have all kinds at in World Assembly Territory. I doubt that they’re anything I’d be surprised by.

JORDAN: Will you need anything else tonight, Miss Baker?

GRATWICK: You have food in the kitchen? I’m going to make myself breakfast.

JORDAN: Will you need me to accompany you tomorrow?

GRATWICK: I think I’ll manage. Good night, Jordan.

JORDAN: Good night, Miss Baker.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Somewhere in the Western Islands
Wednesday, January 2, 2030
12:00 pm

In World Assembly Territory, Catherine Gratwick is constantly surrounded by the Red Guard and a number of sycophants. She has few opportunities to escape from her responsibilities and just be anonymous. She walks along the beach hoping that she can remain anonymous for a while.

She walks into a settlement on the other side of the island. A number of women are looking over some gutted fish hanging outside. She points at a large fish with a pointed nose.

GRATWICK: What kind of fish is that?

The women appear surprised. One of them speaks.

WOMAN: Sword fish. We don’t normally see those around here.

GRATWICK: What kind of fish are native to this area?

WOMAN: We don’t know the names. To us, most fish are just fish. Who are you?

GRATWICK: Kathy Baker. I’m the head mistress at the Gratwick estate.

The women whisper to one another.

WOMAN: You mean the Big House?

GRATWICK: Yes, the big house.

WOMAN: You know, the Big House could house most of us on the island.

GRATWICK: How many people are on the island?

WOMAN: About 30. Our husbands will be back this evening.

GRATWICK: They’re out fishing?

WOMAN: Yes. They’re part of the fishing collective.

GRATWICK: I see.

Gratwick takes a look out to sea.

GRATWICK: What do you think of the government here?

WOMAN: Out here, we don’t deal much with the government. An election official comes out here every two years or so, but other than that, no contact.

A second woman walks over.

SECOND WOMAN: The Andromeda Fishing Collective is run by the Western Islands. They take a percentage of the catch for the week. The rest is ours. That’s mostly what we see of the government here.

WOMAN: For the most part, they leave us alone.

SECOND WOMAN: Our President was killed yesterday. I heard on the radio.

GRATWICK: Did you vote for him?

SECOND WOMAN: We voted for his candidate. Some rich woman named Fabiana. She was killed too, along with some World Assembly people.

GRATWICK: Catherine Gratwick and Miguel Estrada. What do you think of the World Assembly?

SECOND WOMAN: My husband goes on and on about how bad the World Assembly is, but frankly, it doesn’t affect us.

WOMAN: It doesn’t affect the price of dried seaweed.

GRATWICK: They were all killed?

SECOND WOMAN: All of them except Gratwick.

The second woman starts looking at Gratwick in an odd manner.

WOMAN: We only get two radio stations out here: Emerald News and Andromeda Conservative Media. Neither one are really reliable, but the ACM is pretty good, if you can listen past the commentary.

SECOND WOMAN: Do you know who Captain K is?

Gratwick had met the Vice President of the Allied States last month.

GRATWICK: I’ve read about her.

SECOND WOMAN: She’s going to be the next President, once she returns from wherever she is.

WOMAN: She came out here last year. It was the first time anyone that high in Government ever came out here.

GRATWICK: Amazing. Well, I got to get back. Will you be here tomorrow?

WOMAN: We’re out here almost every day, Miss Baker.

SECOND WOMAN: Nice to meet you… Miss Baker?

The second woman gives Gratwick a knowing look. She raises an eyebrow, as if she knows who Gratwick really is.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Todd House
The Assembly Plaza
Andromeda City, Allied States
Thursday, January 3, 2030
12:00 pm

Gina Castiglione sits behind the desk in the President’s Office. She and Grand Admiral Adam Richter will pose for a photo op for the Andromeda News Network, demonstrating that the Andromeda Government is functioning as normal.

Under the Andromedan system, theoretical power exists with the Assembly. When the Assembly isn’t in session, power is customarily delegated to the President. As acting President, Gina C actually has little power. She can’t alter the course set forth by President Dunlap, because the power of the Presidency has not been officially given to her.

Gina C will sign a number of documents that allow for the essential functions of government to continue until the Assembly reconvenes. Also among the documents is a summons. When a President of the Allied States dies, the Assembly has to choose a new President within two weeks.


Until Anna Kaewkhonkaen returns from abroad, Gina Castiglione is acting President.

Gina C and Richter talk as the ANN camera crews set up.

GINA C: Admiral Richter, has Naval Intelligence found out anything about the assassination?

RICHTER: The Koni Government has men in custody. It was at least a three-man shooter team.

GINA C: Do they know who they work for?

RICHTER: They’re not locals and they’re not from the Abu Continent.

GINA C: You sound certain of this?

RICHTER: The Koni police say they were too well dressed to be from the Snow Leopard Brotherhood. Plus, their Arabic was terrible.

GINA C: Anything else I need to know about?


As Grand Admiral of the Andromeda Navy, Adam Ruchter is also head of the Andromeda Civil Service, the national bureaucracy.

RICHTER: They were likely paid by some organization that’s against Catherine Gratwick. President Dunlap and Fabiana were collateral damage.

GINA C: So, it’s the World Assembly’s problem and not ours.

RICHTER: We also heard from Vice President Kaewkhonkaen.

Gina C appears surprised.

GINA C: Where are they?

RICHTER: I’m not at liberty to say, but I can tell you this: Chet Brown is with her.

GINA C: Her lover.

Captain K’s relationship with Chet Brown is one of the worst kept secrets in Andromeda City.

RICHTER: The Vice President should be back in a few days.

GINA C: So what’s this ceremony about?

RICHTER: It’s to give off the appearance that everything is under control.

GINA C: Is it?

RICHTER: Well, aside from the President, the Treasury Minister and Fabiana al-Aziz all being killed in the past couple of days, yes.

After about five minutes of Gina C signing documents and Admiral Richter standing behind her, the camera crews stop filming. At that moment, Gina C and Richter end the façade.

GINA C: I’ll sign the rest of these documents later and have the courier send them to you. Admiral Richter.

RICHTER: Madam Vice President.

As Admiral Richter leaves, the receptionist buzzes the office.

RECEPTIONIST: Madam Vice President, the Governor of the Teardrop Islands is on line 2.

Gina C rolls her eyes. She isn’t a big fan of Luigi Vampa.

GINA C: This is the President.

VAMPA (on the phone): Vampa here. Admiral Richter told you we have the shooters?

GINA C: He did, Luigi.

VAMPA: And he told you that they were foreigners?

GINA C: Yes, he did. How do you know they’re foreigners?

VAMPA: I talked to them. I told them all that I’d rip off their heads and sh8t down their necks, in Arabic. I counted to ten in Arabic. No response.

GINA C: You get anything out of them?

VAMPA: Nothing concrete. The shooters are either anti-World Assembly or anti-Catherine Gratwick. That narrows it down to about 40 million people. We called all the numbers on their cell phones. All of their numbers have World Assembly area codes. The people we called are probably middle men, but we’ll get to the bottom of this.

GINA C: Keep on it, Luigi.

VAMPA: Madam Vice President, rest assured. I’m going to find the people behind this, and when I do, they’ll wish they were never born.

Vampa hangs up the phone.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Emerald News Network
The General Assembly
World Assembly Territory
Thursday, January 3, 2030
6:00 pm

A voice over reporter for the Emerald News Network is live on the floor of the World Assembly General Assembly.

VOICE OVER: Earlier today, in a hastily called session of the General Assembly, a motion was made to install Marius Butler as the fourth Secretary-General of the World Assembly.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT ODOACER O’BRIAN: Catherine Gratwick would want the World Assembly to continue functioning to promote peace and stability throughout the NationStates Universe. We cannot do that without a strong leader at the helm. I move that Marius Butler, who is acting as our leader in all but name, be elevated to the office of Secretary-General of the World Assembly.


Most of the General Assembly members have yet to return from their home countries.

VOICE OVER: Many in the World Assembly have not returned from their home countries. The World Assembly was not originally scheduled to reconvene until Monday, but the deaths of Catherine Gratwick and Miguel Estrada have compelled many on the pro-Federalist side to take decisive action.

O’BRIAN: We must take decisive action to show the World that the World Assembly is bigger than Catherine Gratwick. Our mission will not be thwarted by the death of an individual. The World Assembly isn’t just a collection of countries. It is the embodiment of a big idea, a New World Order.


Ambassador Odoacer O’Brian, presiding officer of the General Assembly, nominates Marius Butler.

VOICE OVER: Others in the General Assembly have urged a more patient approach. Ambassador Orville Robbins, a key member of the pro-Sovereignty faction, has urged calm.

ROBBINS: The Emerald News Network has said that Catherine Gratwick is dead, but they’ve offered no proof. I’m frankly surprised that the president is so willing to believe the Emerald News Network, given their past record of playing fast and loose with the truth.

VOICE OVER: Ambassador Robbins and his allies in the Sovereignty faction have forced debate over what was anticipated to be a routine motion by President O’Brian. A number of Sovereignty Ambassadors have questioned the need for such a vote. Ambassador Jim West took the floor against President O’Brian’s motion and engaged in a small colloquy with Ambassador Robbins.

WEST: Ambassador Robbins, we’re not the biggest supporters of the Catherine Gratwick Regime. We also find ourselves in the odd position of going against the Emerald News Network.

ROBBINS: Indeed, Ambassador West. If anyone in the World Assembly wanted to get rid of Catherine Gratwick, it was us. But we wanted to go at it the right way. We want to change hearts and minds here on the Assembly floor.


Ambassador Orville Robbins urges the Assembly to wait and see if Gratwick is actually dead.

WEST: Now, Ambassador Robbins, I’m relatively new here. Is this the first time Catherine Gratwick has disappeared for an extended period of time?

ROBBINS: Not at all. In fact, during her first stint, the World Assembly seemed to run better when she was gone.

VOICE OVER: Ambassador Robbins and Ambassador West have pledged to delay a vote to replace Catherine Gratwick until they have what they call “irrefutable proof” that Catherine Gratwick is dead. This is the Emerald News Network.

[The Andromeda Islands]

Marius Butler’s Villa
The Emerald City
Friday, January 4, 2030
7:00 pm

Butler is yelling on the phone in his home office.

BUTLER: You listen to me. I don’t care how long it takes or what you have to do. I don’t care where you have to go. You find her and make sure that she’s dead. (pause) I know nobody has seen her since Koni. That’s the problem. (pause) If nobody sees that she’s dead, someone will think she’s still alive.

As the person on the other end of the line talks, Butler silently counts to ten. He calms down.

BUTLER: Find her, and kill her.

Butler slams down the phone. He collapses in his chair. He hears the front door open. His lover, Iulianna Corrino, has returned for the night. She walks in to find Butler sitting in his chair. He looks up.

BUTLER: How was the funeral, Princess?

In the aftermath of the Koni Massacre, members of Catherine Gratwick’s inner circle were all killed, with exception to Corrino, who was at Butler’s Villa.

CORRINO: There weren’t a lot of people there. Being part of Catherine Gratwick’s harem didn’t make them popular.

BUTLER: But you had to be there. They were your friends.

CORRINO: Yes, to some extent, they were. You know who else was there?

BUTLER: Who?

CORRINO: Mike Knox. Barbara was a friend of his. He was there with her two children. Knox has people all over the Secretariat.


Barbara D’Ambrosio, a member of Gratwick’s inner circle, had a son and a daughter. She also gave generously to children’s charities.

BUTLER: Sounds like Knox has been with people all over the Secretariat. Do these children of hers have a father?

CORRINO: I don’t know who their father is, but I’m sure we can both guess. So, how was your day, your Excellency?

Butler sighs.

BUTLER: It’s still not official. The Three Stooges are standing in the way of my official ascent.

CORRINO: Benito Hoover, Orville Robbins and Jim West.

BUTLER: Exactly. I’m surprised Gratwick hadn’t had them killed. The world would be a better place.

CORRINO: She ran the World Assembly for nearly four decades. She didn’t do it with force.

Corrino walks behind Butler. She gently touches his face as she moves in front of him.

CORRINO: She had a light touch.

BUTLER: Not only that, but the Frog has joined their cause.

CORRINO: The Frog? Nobody listens to the Frog.


Known throughout diplomatic circles as “The Frog,” Kalen Tyranno has represented his country in the World Assembly since its founding.

BUTLER: But he knows enough to delay proceedings for days, perhaps weeks.

CORRINO: Let the children have their fun. They’re just delaying the inevitable.

BUTLER: What do you suggest?

Corrino sits down on Butler’s lap and strokes his head.

CORRINO: The Three Stooges and the Frog are all ridiculous. Let them have their moment in the sun. By the end of next week, the Assembly will tire of their silliness.

BUTLER: Perhaps you’re right. There’s also the Red Guard.

Corrino stops stroking Butler’s head.

BUTLER: What’s the problem?

CORRINO: What about the Red Guard?

BUTLER: They’ve stood down. They act like they’re no longer part of the organization. If the Red Guard were on our side, order would be restored in the city, and the Assembly would vote me into power.

CORRINO: It means that Catherine is still alive. What are you doing about it?

BUTLER: I’ve got people looking for her. The Emerald News Network has also started reporting that Gratwick is dead. They’re also putting pressure on the Red Guard.

CORRINO: Nobody believes the ENN.

BUTLER: Enough people do.

Corrino starts stroking Butler’s head again.

CORRINO: You know what happens if Gratwick resurfaces?

BUTLER: That’s why I’ve got my best men on it.

CORRINO: And if she does resurface.

BUTLER: It’s over.