When Sparrows Shout [IC · MT · Attn: Mercateria · Closed]

[Voltrovia]

In-Character Roleplay · Modern Technology · Greater Mercateria · Enquiries by Telegram · Out-of-Character Discussion
When
Sparrows
Shout

AND THE WORLD GOES TO WAR

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The politician acts for today.
The statesman acts for tomorrow.

But what will tomorrow bring?

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archirix.imtsparl.gv.vt

ARCHIVAL SERVICE: IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT OF VOLTROVIA | MANCHOVIAN LANGUAGE

Imperial Journal of the Palace of Subjects — 12th November 1997 — Proceedings of the High Chamber

Accessing Page 547: Lines 13651-13662

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Extract Start

Noble Legate for Iullet South: "Concluding my remarks, fellow Legates, it is my belief that this settlement on the Sasabili Matter, in which the Imperial Government has such unquestioning pride, is premature and most concerning."

Some Esteemed Legates: "Nonsense!"

Noble Legate for Iullet South: "This initiative will divide the continent, weaken our position and I fear eventually lead to another war-"

Legate for Mosmer-Balys: "Hyperbole at its finest!"

Some Esteemed Legates: "Madness!"

Scholar Legate for Extheven I: "Let him be heard!"

Baron Iyllor [Speaker]: "Order. There will be order in this Palace. If there is not order I shall not hesitate-"

Legate for Talyis North: "A senile old pig!"

Noble Legate for Iullet South: "Don't describe yourself too loudly, someone might hear you."

Scholar Legate for Extheven II: "This is a council of state, not a circus!"

Baron Iyllor [Speaker]: "Order! Order! I hereby name the Imperial Legate for Talyis North and the Noble Legate for Iull-"

Noble Legate for Iullet South: "War in not twenty years!"

Extract End

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1. The situation above is made more disorderly (and constitutionally complex) by the fact Baron Illyor is a deputising invitee from another chamber chairing in the absence of an ill Speaker over a bitterly divided assembly in the midst of one of the most contentious debates of the century.
2. These legates have differing titles and ceremonial positions but enjoy a kernel of common rights and responsibilities. If you happen to be interested in Voltrovian parliamentary procedure, telegram me and I'd be happy to delve into the subject!

[Voltrovia]

Eighteen Years Later

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Wolis Gardens
Government Quarter
Maltrovis
Voltrovia
22°C [Inside] | Dark, Partly Lit| 03:01 | Heavy Snow Outside

There was a certain peaceable, ordered calm that defined Wolis Gardens. The mellow heart of Voltrovian capital was a pristine, assured collage of venerable institutions, grand parks and ancient squares. It surely was a sight to infuse a slight awe into even the most weathered of the many to walk its streets. Today, however, Artten Sanderist had little time for the chiseled arches and cobbled paving stones that he had seen perhaps a thousand times before. He was being driven at an appalling speed through an empty city reclaimed into darkness by the Night. And high drama aside, his country had now been at war with a sovereign power for all of five minutes. In one hand he clutched an ungainly sheath of documents, most of them marked with the words 'Most Secret' printed in fluorescent red ("Ghastly colour", he thought). In the other, his left, he held the car phone, into which he spoke. "All efforts have failed. We are officially going to war." A faint chatter replied and then he responded in explanation. "Yes, the resolutions just passed, all three of them. The Rennine motion was not tabled, in any case it would not have survived a vote. There is to be a meeting of the Imperial Council beginning in several minutes, whence we will execute our operations. It is war." A rapid, respectful farewell emanated from the other end of the line and First Ardian Sanderist quietly replied, bidding his subordinate a good, if sleepless, night.

With that he placed the phone down and gazed out onto the snow-covered metropolis that Flight Cadet Sanderist had been so moved by when, many years ago, he had set eyes upon the Imperial Capital for the first time. Outside a petty tempest raged, bitter winds harassing aged spires and new towers alike. Ten hundred tired thoughts danced about his tired mind. The Imperial Dominion was at war.

Eleven Minutes Earlier

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World Council Conference Chamber
Building III, Palace of Nations
Maltrovis
Voltrovia
25°C [Inside] | Well Lit | 02:50 | Heavy Snow Outside

Events had, as ever, attempted to take a path of their own.
On this rare occasion, it appeared that they might well have succeeded.
Thus far.

His Imperial Majesty's Most Excellent Voltrovian Envoy Extraordinary to the Congress of Nations gave out a quiet sigh. No sum of dexterity, not even his own, could possibly reverse the veritable catastrophe now happily unfolding half a world away. Incidents decades in the making were taking place, the product of problems which had been almost cast into oblivion - before, by chance of fate, being allowed to slowly fester: waiting in the shadows to return and strike with terrible vengeance. But Edmer was getting ahead of himself. He could ponder the wretched sequence leading to the crisis at hand for hours and it would do no good. Nor, as he casually reminded himself, would it alter the past. In any case, it was the legacy of the '84 War - that great triumph of old - rather an inescapable commitment, wasn’t it?

He straightened his tie and sat up in his chair, staring with a modest smile at the assembled representatives of the great nations of the World. Pursing his lips, he remembered the sober answer to a young lieutenant's intriguing question about Sasabil. "That country was an enigma yesterday, is an enigma today and will be an enigma long after tomorrow," had been the imposing reply. But for Deralat to invade northern neighbour, that was something more mad than anything that had previously conceived of. Sheer insanity and despicably bad news. The realm of memory, however alluring, could not distract him now. As the various ambassadors, plenipotentiaries and ministers filed in to cast their votes on the elaborate array of motions they had spent the night constructing, Edmer Talistern turned his mind to the matter at hand. Exhaustion would not get the better of him.

The Foreign and External Office had been at work since news was first received. A satellite had even been retasked (as Marshal Beyers had so kindly put it, "at tremendous and unconscionable expense") to confirm the reported events as fast as possible. But now, after every effort, it would indeed be war. Deralat was simply 'asserting her sovereignty over her northern provinces', a phrase that hardly gave meaning to an act of wanton aggression in gross violation of international law. Entire armies rushing into the Sasabili interior, ever nearer to their aims as the grand timepiece on the wall approached Three in the Morning Mercaterian Mean Time. The orchestra of conflict would soon be playing vigourously. But this was no ordinary strife: it was an invasion of territory guaranteed by the Imperial Dominion and by the Congress of Nations itself. The Government of Sasabil had requested their support in the World Council and per the treaties they had signed. "Our security treaties!" he thought. Voltrovia was obligated, nay compelled by her interests and by the letter of the law to become involved. This was 2015, not 1975 - best not to so much as even think of '75 with Rennien's ambassador walking by - and something had to be done. As he had said earlier, quite eruditely he thought, "The only appropriate response is to take every action to deter and halt these violent acts, and failing all efforts, to wage war solely in order to preserve the sovereignty of Sasabil."

The inumerable complexities of Voltrovian and Manchovian foreign policy had not lended themselves to the effective consideration of the problem. After much debate, it had been agreed that no fewer than three motions would be tabled to complete the tasks of one. Thankfully, Rennien's delegation had decided not to table an 'anti-imperialist' motion this session. Such a motion would have been a deeply symbolic yet utterly useless display of national emnity, consuming an unholy length of time for precisely no functional purpose whatsoever. Inevitably defeated at vote and hated by all who had to stay awake through its reading, even the Rennine party had grown resentful of their government's latest tactic of 'socialist resistance.'

It would only take about a minute for him relay the results to the Emperor and the Imperial Council, and perhaps a minute for them to complete a formal declaration of war. The Imperial Parliament would support it in an extraordinary plenary at 11:00. Other nations would become involved almost immediately, not to mention rest of the Empire. And with that, the world would be at war.

But now, at 02:54 on the morning of 2nd December 2015 IKC, the First Session of the Fourteenth Emergency Convocation of the World Council was almost but not yet at an end. Three votes soon to come to a close - a new chapter soon to begin.

[Voltrovia]

[Reserved post.]

[Voltrovia]

Please do not reply to this thread yet. It is under construction.

[Congress of Nations]

Record Of Resolutions Tabled And Put To Vote At The Fourteenth Emergency Convocation Of The World Council Of The Congress Of Nations

Procedural Note

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Resolution WC.1.14/3212: 13 FOR, 0 AGAINST, 1 ABSTAINING. Motion CARRIED and ADOPTED AT ONCE.
Resolution WC.2.14/3213: 12 FOR, 0 AGAINST, 2 ABSTAINING. Motion CARRIED and ADOPTED AT ONCE.
Resolution WC.3.14/3214: 9 FOR, 2 AGAINST, 3 ABSTAINING. Motion CARRIED and ADOPTED AT ONCE.

[Currently under construction.]

[Congress of Nations]

[Reserved post.]

This roleplay is being restarted