Aer Glítteann Chartered Flight #137
Over the Solarian Sea
Red-eye flights were never ideal, but when it came to conducting international diplomacy they were often a necessity. After all, Hyndana was almost a world away from Glytter and was several timezones behind Glytter. This meant that a prompt nine o'clock arrival mandated a departure long before the sun rose over the Ghaillish shores. Despite the early nature of the flight, for those on-board there was little time to sleep. A special delegation was being sent to meet with officials from the Hyndanan government in order to negotiate what was intended to be the first major achievement in O'Reilly era foreign policy. However, for Foreign Minister Julie Royce this was her first chance to make headway as in her new post. As Defence Minister she was known for her careful management of the small nation's armed forces and for overseeing the process that kick-started the ongoing expansion of the Royal Glytteronian Navy. It was a long and tedious process to negotiate the terms of naval expansion, but it earned Royce a reputation as a sound negotiator - something crucial to what her Taoiseach had tasked her with doing.
The hum of the engines helped keep her awake. The sun had emerged long ago while the plane was still high above the Continent. Royce was tired, but that was something she was used to. Unlike the Defence Minister, the Foreign Minister seldom enjoys much sleep. Something is always happening that requires attention.
She carefully sipped her cup of freshly brewed coffee as to not spill it. She liked her coffee black and she often joked it helped keep her young. On the table in front of her were a series of briefs, proposals, graphs, and more. They littered the cream-colored table. If she was to ask the Hyndanans to cut their carbon emissions long-term by switching to more expensive energy alternatives, Royce needed to do her homework.
O'Reilly had determined that he would not only continue the Walker-era policy of subsidizing nuclear and renewable energy abroad in developing countries, but that Glytter would actively work to reduce carbon emissions in major emitters. Thus far, the international community had failed to reach a common consensus on cutting carbon emissions.
"We can lead by example, not only by cutting our own emissions but by directly playing a role in aiding developing countries cut their emissions" O'Reilly had said at Monday's Cabinet meeting.
Royce was in full agreement, though she was hesitant. She knew the post-colonial, imperial giant would be reluctant to accept the values of a Northern, industrialized nation - especially one that was among the wealthiest per capita and a leading petroleum exporter. It was a bit hypocritical, she thought, for Glytter to dictate energy policy in other states. However, that is where the subsidies would come into play.
The Government was very confident in its abilities to cipher off the capital required to subsidize energy alternatives in Hyndana and O'Reilly was willing to be quite generous in this instance. The true reason for his generosity could never be publicly made known, but it was well known among the delegation. After all, there was a reason that the Trade Minister and half of the International Investment Office's top brass was on the flight.
It was just yesterday that O'Reilly reminded the Cabinet that it was "with good intentions we are seeking a deal with Hyndana". These good intentions in part were to cut carbon emissions from one of the world's leading emitters, however it was also to incentivize the Hyndanan government to funnel investment into Glytter.
Royce looked out the window and marveled at the beauty of the blue seas. She was interrupted by a message from the pilot.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are about an hour out from Jalandhar. We will be landing on time".
