Tailville, DR Anti-Slavery Summit (SEMI-OPEN, *PART I*...)

[Salzland]

After General Daniels finished speaking and Capon caught his thoughts for a minute. Capon spoke

“I meaning “the kingdom” agrees with the nation of Salzland and General Daniels, for far too long many of these nations here have sat around in summits just as this talking when people where being killed and land was being taking and countries destroyed. As we sit here drinking our tea and coffee hundreds of thousands of people men, women, and children are being sold around the world into slavery. Men being sold for force labor, women being sold as sex slaves or forced labor, and the innocent children being sold into forced labor and sex slaves. We wouldn’t allow this in any civilized nation. We shouldn’t care that this is the second or third oldest profession in the world it’s a sick and violation of human rights. We as free nations owe it to our fellow human beings to save them from their fate as slaves. The kingdom of Imbrinium is at the final stages to deploy its fleet and troops around the world to take the fight of the people without a voice to their keeper, to free the oppressed or else. If it takes invasion of nations to free the oppressed and kill those who oppress then so be it."

"The Kingdom of Imbrinium stands with General Daniels and the nation of Salzland in both overt and covert operations against slave nations. With your permission General would like our nations to start talks into joint operations against slave nations as soon as possible, plus intelligence sharing to make operations effective as possible."

OOC: Thinking of starting a thread this weekend or maybe early next week on a taking action on slavers.

"Thank you, sir," General Daniels replied, turning to face Duke Capon. "I do not believe that I could have said it better myself. While I will have to speak to my government before committing to anything, I believe that the President and the Congress will be more than happy to work alongside your great nation in the days to come. While I have no authority over the Defense Intelligence Agency, I can personally assure you that by the conclusion of this conference planners from the Salzland Defense Forces will be in contact with their counterparts in your military to begin planning joint operations."

He continued, "I would issue the orders to my troops immediately, but for one factor. It is the hope of my government, and myself personally, that we are able to assemble a grand Coalition at this meeting, committed to use any and all means necessary in order to bring an end to the organized, state-sponsored slave trade. I personally believe that it would be much more efficient to have representatives of all involved nations' armed forces in one centralized location, yet to be determined. It would cut down on the delay in distributing vital communications and intelligence, and it would allow a unified High Command the opportunity to plan our campaigns in greater detail, factoring in the individual strengths and weaknesses of each participating nation's military. If we wait until we know for certain the core group of nations that are willing to join us, we will be able to accomplish all of these tasks at once, rather than doing so haphazardly. I do hope, sir, that you do not interpret this position as a snub against you or your nation, or as a sign of disrespect. I do wish to humbly submit that we will be far more successful if we are all pulling together in the same direction, if you will forgive me the use of a cliche."

[Osea 767]

“Why thank you, Mr. Ambassador,” the minister said, “I would certainly agree with you on that. While I have gone about much business with the Lamonians, the Wagdians, the Pennsylvanians, and others here, I do not think that I have been well acquainted with you or a number of other here.” Carter realized that he was short on time before the parade began. He did not waste very much of it before continuing, though he did stop long enough to allow Stolypin to respond. There was no need to crowd out his counterpart.

“I came with one other purpose in addition to wanting to be better acquainted with you before the beginning of the working sessions. I wanted to discuss, if only in short, some of the points raised by the delegates at the introductory breakfast.

“While I will not be so presumptuous as to form opinions about my own speaking, I think that most of the delegates have accomplished something already in offering knowledge and assistance derived from their respective areas of expertise.” Carter was finished with defining the future direction of the conversation. For the present, he needed to address a more pressing issue.

After a quiet breath, he resumed speaking in smoother, melodious language that would avoid all hazards of appearing brusque. “Even though I have studied economic theory to some depth, I may have been mistaken in assuming so hurriedly that socialist economics were somehow morally equivalent to slavery. I ask your forgiveness if my inapt comparison came across as insulting, especially when it is considered that under socialism there is only one economic class, and slavery requires that there be at least two, masters and slaves.”

Stolypin listened carefully as Carter made his apology. He noted the tone used carefully, though the apology was less required than the Monavian thought. This was quickly shown in Stolypin's response. The tone he used was quire warm and friendly, which would surprise those unfamiliar with diplomacy as the two men had met only minutes ago.

"While you are correct that the assumption that socialism is slavery, you are also partially correct. Some forms of socialism can be considered a form of bondage. An example of this would be Stalinist communism. In this model, the party separates itself from the rest of the populace and then the populace serves to enact the plans of the party. It is an unfortunate part of human nature that there are many who react in a greedy and vainglorious to the acquisition of vast power. The way that the Stalinist system works shows this. The members of the party decide, after their victory, for some self-glorification.

Often these can be taken from the regime that preceded the Stalinist one. They don't stop though, and in this system they often take all the symbols of the old autocracies, with the general secretary replacing the tsar and the word of the party becoming the new gospel. As for the people, they often effectively become slaves. This is not the true spirit of socialism, yet it does exist".

He then looked at his watch before continuing. "Ah, I do not wish to bore you to death. Perhaps we should move on to other matters. I do not thing we will have more than a little time to discuss such things if you do. However our hosts have an itinerary to our visit. I would not want to keep them waiting".

[The State of Monavia]

OOC: This is such a short post.

---

Near the Diplomatic Annexe attached to the parade ground stands
Palace of the Revolution
Tailville, DR
Revolutionary Commonwealth of Wagdog

Though seemingly half-hearted in terms of directness, a measure meant to prevent any appearance of weakness or simple inexperience from manifesting itself, Carter’s apology was at least sincere and easy to understand. Diplomats by nature develop some amount of tolerance for gaffes and slips of the tongue, and some even hold no qualms about the effects of theirs. The minister’s words were not there simply to pay some form of abject lip-service or atone for some indiscretion, but also to make an amiable impression on the Osean in addition to becoming better acquainted with his new counterpart. He seemed to take well to what I said, thought the minister as he noted the way in which Stolypin warmly responded.

“But of course we cannot keeping the Stewardess waiting,” Carter said. “Anyway, I’m sure that more deplorable matters of using reasonable economic systems for unreasonable and even insidious ends can be discussed later.”

Minister Carter was about to turn around and depart from the group and go back to the stands, but his movement was arrested by the presence of Miss Vardo. Her positioning behind Capon had obscured her from Carter’s view, as did her initial arrival by means of a path that was outside his range of vision. If she had moved within this zone during her transit he would have certainly caught a glance of her, even if he did not recognize who she was.

Within feet of the pleasant figure that had come close to his path of egress, it seemed only proper to offer his greetings. “Good morning madam.”

[Lamoni]

OOC: Vardo: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p281/matt518672/240982007060704582211.jpg Short post is short.

IC: "Good Morning, Minister Carter." Now that she had Minister Carter's attention, Vardo was confident that something would happen. "I've been given to understand that you have been wanting to meet with me, so here I am."

By some odd coincidence, Vardo had never met the famed Minister Carter in person before. She figured that it would be better to rectify this now, instead of later. Used to being looked at by men, she rarely even noticed that sort of thing, anymore, but stood her ground, and smiled at Minister Carter. Interestingly, beautiful women could get away with quite a lot in society, a fact that had been known for ages, but one which still had no counter, especially amongst men.

While waiting for Minister Carter's response, Vardo noticed that the day's weather seemed perfect for a parade. Of course, as long as it wasn't too hot, too cold, or too rainy, this would undoubtedly apply. This would be Vardo's first military parade, and she was looking forward to it.

[The State of Monavia]

Near the Diplomatic Annexe attached to the parade ground stands
Palace of the Revolution
Tailville, DR
Revolutionary Commonwealth of Wagdog

It was not possible for Carter to avoid Vardo without turning sharply and going around her, yet her simple presence, communicating a wish to converse, had more to do with stopping the minister than where she stood. “You are Miss Greene, I presume? Your credentials and the good repute of your work precede you.”

Vardo Greene’s diplomatic work had come to the attention of the Monavian diplomatic mission in Lamoni, and after the exchange of a few cables detailing the dealings she had in her capacity as a diplomat, the Ministry had found it necessary to keep a short dossier on her. This practice was not rare; the Ministry kept dossiers on not only its own diplomats, from ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary down to chancery attachés, but on foreign diplomatic staff in countries which had any ties to Monavia, a list which had grown from a handful only a few years earlier to veritable scores.

The electromagnetic interference caused by Vardo’s proximity to Carter affected his PDA, albeit minimally, for it was partly hardened against signal jamming and remote data interception. His watch, however, was a mechanical one, driven by gears and springs, and its winding mechanism was powered by kinetic motion rather than a battery.

[Wagdog]

"His Works require the sacrifice of all Faithful in one way or another. Many of our Brothers and Sisters work the entirety of their lives to produce, and when they die, their family carries on this task, sometimes thanklessly, almost always eternally. Others are wounded terribly in war, their bodies torn to test their souls. Others die, their appointed time met and their fate sealed, their joy eternal once more as they are reconnected to the Akalaha.
We ask, Our Great Protector, that the Arch-Bishop's soul has been taken from this Earth as her appointed time had been met. Because she was found worthy in your eyes. Not because she misrepresented Your Will, but because she pleased you the most and you find yourself enriched by her mortal life.
We ask this in your name. Atali'Roftalan, e'rush tzeliradin brolindarin, cazadore clui'kasha. Sela'Dinar."
"Sela'Dinar."
The Cardinal-Superior and his small entourage stood in an enclosed space with the window open to the southwest, in the direction of the First Cathedral. It had taken some time to find this spot, as any other point of prayer was not worthy of the Arch-Bishop's death.
It had also taken time to finish the many prayers. There was the prayer for the dead, prayer for the soul's passing, prayer for guidance, and the prayer of reconnection just to name a few. Not all of these were required, but it was a naturally response. Saranasata was lost momentarily. The Arch-Bishop, Janice, had been a healthy woman. He had earnestly despised some of her more pacifist policies- the dismantling of the Home Guard among them- but respected her as a person and as the personification of the Holy Marsh's will.
With her soul having passed on into the Akalaha, her life having ended, a new sign shone brightly to all faithful. And having read the leaves correctly, Saranasata knew the future. He would be Arch-Bishop, and billionbs beating hearts and souls in need of guidance would soon look to him. The thought both chilled him and warmed him in equal measures fear and joy, pride and terror.
His attendant returned, having brought with him the shattered form of his host. Without waiting for permission and without hesitation, he took her hand with his two.
"A'sili, chu'chalen arvlock." He said before letting her hand go, "I know the Arch-Bishop was a friend of yours. I suspect you are deeply wounded in some ways by her passing." He finished, his intuition not challenged as her face and body language showed in plain view a woman in suffering. But as soon as he was warm with her, a certain chill soon developed within that shown through his eyes.
The Will and the Work were never to be delayed.

Palace of the Revolution Hallways...
The walk down the halls to where the Marshite delegation had set up their impromptu sanctuary had seemed far too much like some surreal collage to Christine as the aide had led her there. No matter that she passed murals and frescoes and statuary celebrating the various resistances of freeholders against slavers, peasants against extortionate lords, nascent capitalists from the Age of Sail against mercantilist navigation-laws and their enforcing cutters; every ideology was represented in some triumphant allegory somewhere in the titanic building these days. The various civil-society groups affiliated with those ideologies saw to that; ever since ten years ago the more-offensive individual samples among the Communist-era trappings had been quietly shelved and new space auctioned off to all parties willing to pay into the redecorating of the Palace, those parties had seen to that with an efficiency to rival feeding piranha. No, as far as Christine was concerned she couldn't be entirely sure at times whether she was walking the same cold, lonely steps to where her stillborn son Harold lay buried as she had so many times before; as she would so many times from now on each would've-been birthday of his until she too finally left this mortal realm. Maybe this was just that despite having to try no thanks to her job, she was well and truly poor at dealing with death even yet?

While she let the soothing bits of Marshite glide past her eardrums, Christine felt parts of that gloomy haze crushing her present home in the past's aura lift. Now she felt that which had been blacker than the foulest void was merely murky as roiling smoke. Still, though not possessed of quite the same degree of effect Janice's invocations of Marshite blessings to Christine'd had, Cardinal-superior Serenasita's prayers did help well enough. She could maybe see some color in the world now, just perhaps...

And that turned, momentarily, to another surreal recall right then. The aide had led her through normal halls; what had been normal anyway, until the area had been repurposed by the Marshite delegation. Clearly the security had seen to their requests, but Christine had noticed some people still making way out of the area early while the aide had been bringing her here. And on that way, though she'd been too ensconced in sad reverie to really notice, she'd noticed some shadowy persons along the way. Sticking to the halls... Yes, sticking to the shadow of the halls, usually around whom she figured were members of the Allanean delegation. But which Allaneans, she thought, had eyes like what had briefly (she was sure) fixed-her dead-on; irises like ruby rings and pupils sapphire-blue?

Of course, she had more immediate eyes to worry about now right in front of her. Serenasita was back to all-business again; she could see the change in his affect and frankly, it made the perfunctory impression that his particular blessings had given worse. She couldn't help but think that though his loyalty to Janice was and had been genuine, he was as much attending to protocol as anything more heartfelt in the prayers underway right here at this lower-floor window facing southwest out of the Palace base. And she didn't want to think that way!? It was just... damn; body-language, always having to play the stick immediately after the carrot! And before she was done enjoying a good gnash, too...

"It is good that you called for this summit to go ahead as planned. The Holy Marsh's Will is delayed by mourning for no mortal, not even the Holiest among us. Slavery is an affront to the Holy Marsh Himself and must be destroyed as swiftly as we can achieve it and as totally as mere mortals can accomplish."
He started walking down the hall with his host, who even in mourning had a certain glow about her that was regal and emboldened. That was a good thing.
"Marshites have a saying regarding slavery that is often misinterpreted by the ignorant. 'In order to become a master, one must become a master at being a servant'. What this means is that in order for Marshites to become the masters of humanity's path to salvation, they must first become the greatest servants possible to the Holy Marsh. This is the greatest expression of free will that the faith allows. We choose to serve, to devote, to pray and to hold fast our faith through the fires of eternity. Slaves have no such choice, no choice to devote oneself. This is a denial of their basic right given to the Holy Marsh- to devote oneself to one of the many paths of salvation. Those that deny these poor souls this right are vile, disgusting beasts that deserve to be wiped out and the entireties of their culture erased from the fabric of reality for time immemorial." He finished as they reached the platforms once more.
"Every second we spend here is one more soul lost to the flame for an eternity of wandering. We must quickly get to the decision points of this meeting so we can then act on what we decide here."

She smiled again as she let him lead her down, however; for the first time in some minutes'. Too often in her experience, spoken language came off the worse against body-language in terms of communication priority. Here, though her misgivings weren't totally gone, they had been adequately quieted. Although not herself a Marshite, and of no inclination yet to become one formally, Christine had through Janice gained sufficient basic understanding of what Cardinal-Superior Serenasita was saying to understand; both the mistake he mentioned and why it was such.

Her own life, as she recalled for an instant, had made that understanding easier. Not always the ways she'd imagined it would, either; 'twas one thing to join a then communist-led revolutionary coalition almost a world away from her birthplace in Prestonia to successfully overthrow the kleptocrat Governor Wudda Tis'ata, on the ruins of whose Governor's Palace from the days the Atrean Empire had first held sway over its Eastern Star Sea island colonies, before he'd unilaterally pinched them as the Empire convulsed to create a private-empire all his own, this Palace of the Revolution had been built as the signal of the then-Eastern Star Popular Front's triumph. It was something else, after the United Socialist States of Wagdog had been successfully established despite subsequent calamities both metaphysical and political, to recognize and correct in one's own self the beginnings of the evil the Cardinal-Superior had spoke of; fortunately for all involved however she and Charles had in time managed it, and so far succeeded in keeping their own pet revolutionary nation-building project to a higher standard than most. More 'paths to salvation' were open now to her own people than then, even if then had also seen many as well and no less; now it was a (not mere) matter of seeing them stay that way and more join the list.

She nodded as all the reply she needed. "I had suspected as much; that you would want, no..." She was still being clumsy! "That Janice would want, the decision I took." The proceedings would go on, unaltered; mentions made where appropriate but as Cardinal-Superior Serenasita had pointed out, this had begun about more than just the late Janice Krywenscki in the first place; now it was about far more. She bid her leave from the pontiff and approached where she'd previously taken her leave from the proceedings for this small, but important, task.

---

Reviewing Stands, Palace of the Revolution Complex Parade Grounds...
Taking her place at the podium, she saw things were pleasantly still in the early period before the parade started. Maybe she'd even managed to beat Eileen here? No small luck that, arriving before her own grand-marshal of the proceedings despite delays...

Christine took the podium gracefully from Charles' watch, lightly hugging him as he stepped down. "Good boy; I see the natives and guests kept order, without you needing to loose the dogs on them."

"Well, good company is as good company does, dear." His thin smile still had some gruffness to it, though wasn't cold. "We're ready for you to kick off the ceremonies, as is your right." He bowed and waved her way to the podium, Christine mounting it and fixing the assembled soldiery well with her initial gaze as her husband sat down where he was allotted to. After a short scan she saw Marshal Millenhaus' staff car waiting at a far corner of the parade-ground square, prepared for its special task. Good; no need for any more delay, not that she suspected even such good guests as these would put up with it. She then closed her eyes and breathed a moment, before addressing all present again.

"I offer my sincerest thanks to all here, this day, for awaiting my return from what necessary delays pertinent to the passing of former Arch-Bishop of the Theocracy of the Holy Marsh, Janice Krywenscki, imposed upon my prior plans for celebrating the official opening of this conference. It was a great indulgence to ask of all of you; the assembled soldiery of the Revolutionary Guard in your inspiring discipline, the gathered dignitaries of our own and other nations' diplomatic corps in their trained patience, and all citizens of ours with a stake in these proceedings in their faith that we may yet do what best good possible in a world steadily under subversion by the forces of evil. Thanks to you, all of you, the memories of Arch-Bishop Krywenscki and all those whom she fought for... whom we continue to fight for, shall not yet perish from this world; shall not yet expire for want of justice being done.

"In the spirit of that struggle for justice due, by any means necessary and proper, I hereby entrust to one of our special guests the opening of the commemorative parade. In the name of those fallen to the violence of the slaver, throughout all afflicted lands and ages, I ask us all to give the proceedings to our own Chief Marshal Eileen Millenhaus, Secretary of Defense on our nation's Supreme Directory and Chair of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff, and the Protectorate of Lyras' own Senior-Marshal George Wallins. Let the colors of freedom and resolve fly!" Christine motioned to the staff car where Millenhaus stood, and it began...

Originally I was going to do the parade kickoff in this same, single post; certain needs to advance the story however have demanded that I cut that part into another draft to finish it, and post this part right away instead. Until that time, please keep posts between this and that draft going up to taking seats, conversation and perhaps impressions of the proceedings so far. I plan to start the working-sessions as immediately as possible too, and with those up in a second thread we can fluid-time the parade to form the end of this soon-to-be renamed "Part I" thread. Thank you so much for your patience, everyone; I do this so that may be rewarded with what you all came here for, and not wasted on my account as is in my power and desire to avoid.

[Libertarian Governance]

Surprised by the movement on the podium Thomas put quickly hit as few commands via his Lucid PDA's touch screen. Once the game was closed he slipped the device into his pocket. Fiddling with his tie for a moment he looked around nonchalantly to see which delegates were going to be seated nearby. The event had been moving along at a reasonable pace. There seemed to be some genuine efforts by those here to take serious action that against the deplorable evil of slavery. Some of the conversations he had overheard had clearly impressed him. He was not at all surprised by the assortment of nations and their government types.

Thomas for years had sought the soften the nations stance on some regimes, most notably those of communist or socialist leanings. It was apparent though in many recent foreign affair initiatives that such a softening had began to occur. It had begin with the Concordia affair when Libertarian Governance had made a decision to intervene on that states behalf in its stand off with a slaver. Though, few people were aware LG had previously covertly armed or provided aid to several socialist groups opposing slavery. Only recently was there a official push to make more of a coordinated effort and improve relations with socialist, communist and other governments that opposed slavery.

Unlike the worthless organizations that claimed to fight slavery all the while supporting the institution many of these ideologically opposite nations fought and bled to make people free. He gazed at the troops assembled then pulled his PDA out again. Flicking his camera on he snapped a quick picture of himself with a wide smile. Then with a few touches of the screen sent the picture loading to his personal profile on LGs premier social media site Konect!. Answering a few post from friends and co-workers. Nothing too serious, just harmless fun really. he decided to take a picture of the troops too. He zoomed his camera, not very good but enough and snapped a picture. He uploaded that to the site too.

Flicking the device off the social media site he returned it to his right jacket pocket. He held his eye on the troops occasionally watching the woman at the podium. This should be interesting he thought. For once, he thought a real dent could be made in the institution of slavery. Many of these states had policies that matched Libertarian Governance. It is an absolute shame he thought that better relations hadn't been pursued earlier with some of these states. he was intent on making the most of the current conference.

[Lamoni]

Vardo had been about to reply to what Minister Carter had said, but it seemed that Stewardess Christine had returned to kick off the parade, her voice being dutifully projected by the PA system.

Once Christine's artificially augmented (by the stereo system) voice had finished, Vardo was finally able to answer Minister Carter's question. "Yes, I am Vardo Greene. I can assure you that you are held in high esteem by the Lamonian Foreign Ministry as well, Minister Carter. Since the parade seems like it is about to start, might we find seating to watch it? It looks like there are a couple of extra seats near the delegate from Libertarian Governance, if you want. We can continue this from there."

[The State of Monavia]

Parade ground stands
Palace of the Revolution Facilities
Tailville, DR
Revolutionary Commonwealth of Wagdog

“Those seats are fine, Miss Greene.” The minister walked towards the seats that she had indicated.

While the interruption of their conversation was bound to have taken place sooner or later, Carter did not expect it to happen so soon after beginning it. In spite of this, he continued. “I guess that it’s my pleasure to be held in such esteem. Indeed, I would much like to visit the Free Republic again sometime.”

He looked at McWain, noticing his use of some machine or another. He seems to have a hobby for photography. In only seconds, the pair had reached their seats.

Meanwhile, a few rows removed from Greene and Carter, the other Monavians were watching the beginning of the parade. Golikov would have plenty of material when it came time to host a press conference, though he did not plan on one happening until the following day. If time needed to be filled, he could always briefly describe the parade, though brevity has an inherent inability to do justice to such things as the unfolding display.

In a few more seconds, the voices of Chief Marshal Millenhaus and Senior-Marshal Wallins would saturate the already charged air.