Vice President Jason Paladin, the fifth to hold the name in his lineage, had been left in charge of the Confederacy as its first and longest running President went about his farewell tour. Officially he was anticipated to take over the Presidency shortly following the end of the farewell tour, when the seventy-odd something old President and Confederate Founder would step down and live out the rest of his days in quiet solitude. Unofficially, he was already the Second President of the Confederate States. At twenty-eight, that was quite the achievement, and he already had the necessary backing of the military establishment thanks to the blessing of Tiberius Samsus.
He sat in a courtyard not far from the Confederate Capitol Building, otherwise known as the Confederate White House - a smallish structure housing the majority of government operations. There were Military Policemen around him - not visible, but around him. He was relaxing and performing his necessary duties of state from proxy, utilizing a government issued laptop to full effect as he drank an afternoon cup of coffee. The warm afternoon sun seemed to glean off his professionally combed brown hair, and his expression seemed boyish and youthful, betraying his years of service in the Military.
In recent months he had acquired a "friend" in a fellow nation that once had very close relations with the United Republic of Anagonia. Jason was only a boy when the Master Sergeant-turned-President Tiberius Samsus founded the Confederacy following the Great War, an event that inspired him to join the new military and serve his mandatory term. It was a chance meeting with the President that influenced him to go into politics; a dare between the President and the young soldier, with a promise of position should he succeed. He had completed the challenge as he undertook a campaign for Senator, and after a year was hand-picked as the Presidents second-in-command. It was through these events that this "friend" had been discovered, and more specifically, a person behind that friendship.
Finishing up his message, he clicked send. His friend far away had enjoyed a notable discourse with him over the years. It had started as merely a pen-pal relationship; e-mails sent between two parties that eventually would evolve into something more. He had learned so much from the e-mails about the old country of Yohannes, and through it, learned much about the joint history that had been shared between Anagonia and Yohannes. It had fascinated him at the time, always at the back of his mind, until his bid for Senator was successful. From there it had become a destination, an accomplishment demanding completion with due haste. To get there, however, required a meeting.
A Lunar Eagle landed nearby, gaining the attention of most of the MP's around the Vice-President. Jason couldn't help but notice - it had landed in his eyesight just a ways off. His eyes locked onto the beautiful Eagle; a rare breed outside of Anagonia, so he was told, due to its moon-like feathery texture that seemed to reflect the sunlight both during the day and at night from the moon itself. They were quite common in Liberty, but rarely if ever had he seen one land so close to where people stood. It seemed to stare at him for a moment. Then, as it spread its massive wings, it took off.
A smirk played his lips. Perhaps it was a good sign.
TO: My friend in Yohannes
FROM: Your friend in Anagonia
SUBJECT: Our scheduled meet-up
My closest friend,
It's been several years, hasn't it? We never shared our names. We never talked much about what we did. Somehow, we always kept close despite what clearly left a void. I have enjoyed our communications over these past years. During my time as a soldier, as you are aware, your messages kept me going. During my time as a public servant, as you know, your messages inspired me. Now I am at a high level position, and as promised, I send you this message letting you know I'm no longer as busy as I once was. There is, finally, a chance we can meet and discover who we both are.
If you're still interested, contact me back. I think it's time we get to know each other in full.
Truly,
Your Soldier
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