Government Office
New LaconiaPresident Rowan was pouring over papers on his desk with Kevin Martin on the couch when the door knocked. “One moment,” he said. First, he put the papers away. Second, he walked over to the mirror where he noticed his collar was askew. He looked over at Martin, who didn’t notice until he cleared his throat. Martin pocketed his phone and then took another seat near Rowan’s desk. Finally, he stood next to his desk, but reconsidered and moved behind it instead, then said “Come in.”
Ober entered first, followed by a dour-looking Bailey. “Madame Secretary, please have a seat. We have much to discuss.” They both sat down on both sides of Rowan’s desk. Bailey was at a bit of an angle and had to twist a bit.
“I have seen the Geta letter,” he opened. Hugh Atkins had thankfully insisted that she share it with Rowan immediately. “I am afraid your statement has put us in an awkward position. Our national prestige is on the line now.”
“It was on the line the moment they opened fire on those protestors. Adiron should not be standing by while freedom of speech is suppressed,” Bailey said firmly.
“Madame Secretary, please, when I am done,” Rowan said, making eye contact over his glasses. “As a matter of fact I happen to agree with the concerns you raised—in fact, not one person on my staff said your instincts were wrong about what happened in Fineberg. Yes, it would be entirely possible to use terrorists or fake terrorists as a scapegoat to conduct a purge. The Imperium has done exactly that in the past. It is terrible that people lost their lives. Princess Jocasta’s remarks about Homofront could indeed have provoked a deadly and counterproductive panic. However, we don’t
know any of that for a fact, and furthermore the way in which you chose to express yourself has nevertheless left us vulnerable. You’ve seen what the Edomites want?”
“I have,” Bailey said tersely. “Mr. President, with all due respect, I think you have become just a bit too pragmatic. I’ve heard you speak of the Republic, but when it comes to the Republic’s ideals, you seem to think everything is up for compromise. Everything.”
“That is
not true, Madame Secretary,” Rowan said sharply, staring at her a moment. “It is simply not true. Rather, I have faith that natural rights will endure. They are universal. After millennia of absolutism and conformity in Hostillia, Adiron found allies receptive to liberty, albeit in their own way and without a full understanding. In the darkest corners of the Imperium and Urdnotia, there are Cetans who resist those regimes’ determined efforts to extinguish the last remnants of Old Ceti’s republican culture. Your own family on the Council tapped into this impulse to expand and secure foreign aid, ultimately founding this nation. Now in Fineberg, in spite of constant government pressure, in spite of popular disapproval, in spite of their own religion, Edomites risked their lives because they know deep down that something about their law isn’t fair or just. Would you agree?”
Bailey looked dubious. “I would, Mr. President.”
“This demonstration was held on embassy row for a reason, though. They, like the Council, could not win on their own. Our ideals might be universal, but they’re up against centuries-old entrenched powers and the ignorance and hate born of poverty and desperation. Our ideals are widespread, but without material backing and hard work they remain little more than dreams. The Republic is the means by which we make those dreams reality, Madame Secretary. The Republic must be strong enough to defend its interests, it must be seen to be effective, it must be a great ally and terrible enemy.”
“And we have not given the world much confidence of that,” Rowan said, briefly adjusting the cuff of his sleeve. Bailey braced for it.
“I naturally accept the responsibility for that failure,” Rowan said. Bailey blinked. “That means I must change the way I’ve handled our foreign policy. We must change the way we work together.”
He waited for Bailey to reply, but she didn’t. “The thing is we didn’t work together much in the Assembly. We don’t even know each other that well really. After a year in office I know the values you advocate. I know that you are determined to continue that advocacy. I found out from Leslie that you share her love of painting. That’s hardly enough.”
“Mr. President, we could trade our autobiographies, but I would frankly search for the one page in which you declare your own values and what you will stand for as President,” she replied.
Without hesitating Rowan replied “My concern, my principle concern, must be the Republic. It falls to me to produce a vision for our national security. If that vision is true, then I will have the support of the people and therefore the Assembly. If not…” he shrugged. “The voters will decide, although I will certainly make my case as best I can.”
“But I’m not a king or an emperor. One of the strengths of our government is that I cannot govern alone. I need the Assembly, the civil service, the courts, and my Cabinet. Including you,” Rowan said. “We must work closer together from here on out. But understand that working together means give and take, and it means transparency. No more tiptoeing around each other out of mistrust for each other’s motives. It is vital that we have a foreign policy for the Republic, not just wings of our party. I must have your agreement on this.”
“Or?”
“Or the Republic will suffer. We’ll keep working at cross purposes in the dark. Adiron’s international reputation will continue to suffer until new leadership is elected who may have entirely different ideas of what’s best for Adiron. I will not willingly accept that,” he said, taking off his glasses and looking her in the eye.
“And what would that mean for the Edomite matter?”
“It means we stand by each other,” Rowan said matter-of-factly. “As I said, we’ve arrived at a matter of national reputation. The Edomites have taken your admittedly unfortunate gaff and in response have called us liars and presume to give orders to our government. This is unacceptable. I take offense to that, so should you, so should the people of this nation. They also appear to be leveraging the peace agreement over an unrelated diplomatic incident. This is also unacceptable. Are they the judge or the prosecution? They can’t be both.”
“I agree, Mr. President,” Bailey said cautiously. “And I believe that abandoning our principles would send a message to other regional powers. Serrice, Fineberg, Constantinople, Avantine, Ghish, Yanque, all of them.”
“And that is a good point, we should not act alone. New Edom has drawn international condemnation from other nations, and also has surrounded itself with allies. Kevin tells me the Shrailleeni issued a statement of their own in spite of their alliance. Several others from outside Cornellia have as well, isn’t that right?” Rowan asked Martin directly.
“Good as place as any to start,” Martin offered.
Bailey looked a bit bemused. “Mr. President, you have in the past stressed restraint when dealing with the Edomites. You said that the future of the Republic hinges on this agreement and we cannot give it up lightly.”
“We are not giving it up. We don't walk away unless they alter the agreement. If this is really all it takes to sink the peace deal, then it was dead on arrival to begin with,” Martin offered bluntly.
“They are separate issues until they are not. Do we understand each other, Madame Secretary?” Rowan asked.
She nodded a bit warily.
“Then good, we have to get to work,” Rowan concluded.
Adiran Embassy
Fineberg, New EdomSome of the defiant had shown up at the Adiran embassy, their belief that the crowd size would protect them dashed brutally. Among them were a pretty boy with his tribal tattoos on his thigh and arm, along with the rose flower on his lower back, and wearing a bulging banana hammock. There were several males in make-up and dresses with large, flamboyant, fluffy, vivid feathers, some of those feathers now looking very tattered and torn, some of that makeup streaked by dirt and tears. There were several masculine females with boyish clothing, most of having styled their hair in Mohawks, shortly trimmed, and spiky,
There was also the usual gaggle of university students who were part of the Edomite free speech and free thought groups, were Young Lecks or the like. If interviewed, the outrageously dressed folk would in some cases admit that they were not actually gay or lesbian or trans, but were staging a street protest and would then reveal that they actually lived relatively normal lives, but just wanted it recognized that ‘appearances were not everything’.
Eastnam was among them, now lacking his camera. He was sure he wouldn’t be allowed back in the embassy again anytime soon except under guard. Didn’t matter, he got a story today.
In accented Latin he had been asking them what they’d been up to at the march, what they’d seen when it all went wrong, why they had turned out that day, and generally what it was like living in New Edom as countercultural folks.
Eventually, however, embassy security appeared in the lobby. A soldiers in service dress announced to the room “If I could have your attention please. Please be advised that the embassy is closing for the day. If any of you have business with the embassy, please speak to Janet to make an appointment or pick up a schedule.”
To: Ambassador Katara Telta fe Vangarra, the Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire
From: Ambassador Raymond Nelson, the Republic of Adiron
Encryption: Private
Your Excellency,
I thank you for your kind words. While I was working for Ambassador Redstone I often heard him praise your composure and perseverance through New Edom’s troubles. I look forward to meeting you in person. I wish I had received your letter under better circumstances, however, and I hope all of your embassy’s staff has been safe today.
The issue of LGBT rights has regrettably been a source of tension in Adiran-Edomite relations before. This is not the first time the Secretary herself has personally attempted to broach the subject, and as long as the current policy stands, we will inevitably relive this yet again. After all, New Edom clearly intends reeducation and emigration to be a permanent policy solution to a permanent policy question: the mere existence of an LGBT minority in New Edom.
Therefore I think it entirely appropriate to compare notes, as it were, and discuss further the measure which you proposed. It is equally alarming to my own government that such an incident might have occurred by accident. This is of course why the Secretary herself urged against panic in her statement. Perhaps a meeting of some sort would be in order to discuss matters further?
Sincerely,
Raymond Nelson
To: Ambassador Dominic Kang, MBA, the Confederation of the New Visayan Islands
From: Ambassador Raymond Nelson, Republic of Adiron
Subject: Current events
Encryption: Highest
Your Excellency,
I believe this is the first official communication our embassies have had since I recently took this post. I wish it were under better circumstances, and I do hope that your own embassy staff have been safe throughout this episode.
New Edom has declared the violence at the march today the result of some error committed by local police forces, to be investigated in the due course of events. The bombings are still a near total mystery. No group has claimed responsibility, not even Homofront, which will claim responsibility for nearly everything as a recruitment tool.
My government shares concerns about the welfare of LGBT groups in New Edom, and we noticed that tour government has recently opened talks with New Edom on this Rainbow Pipeline project. This would appear on face value to be a continuation of New Edom’s existing emigration policy.
If I might ask plainly for clarification, what are your government’s ultimate intentions in New Edom? Our government hopes, one way or another, to reduce the prospect of political violence in New Edom. Would your embassy be willing to share its own account of today’s events?
Sincerely,
Raymond Nelson
To: Ambassador Jaimi Barretome, the Kingdom of Ru
From: Ambassador Raymond Nelson, Republic of Adiron
Subject: Current Events
Encryption: Highest
Your Excellency,
I believe this is the first official communication our embassies have had since I recently took this post. I wish it were under better circumstances, and I do hope that your own embassy staff have been safe throughout this episode.
New Edom has declared the violence at the march today the result of some error committed by local police forces, to be investigated in the due course of events. The bombings are still a near total mystery. No group has claimed responsibility, not even Homofront. As such we are still in the dark on this.
My government has concerns about the welfare of LGBT groups in New Edom, and we noticed that your embassy similarly offered shelter to a number of marchers during the pandemonium earlier today. This was a considerable risk, especially in light of the bombings, and we find your actions commendable.
If I might ask plainly for clarification, what are your government’s ultimate intentions in New Edom? What my government ultimately hopes is to end the prospect of similar political violence in this country. That such a response may have been prompted in error—or worse, panic—is reason to be deeply concerned enough. Would your government therefore be willing to share its own account of today’s events?
Sincerely,
Raymond Nelson
To: Hosidius Geta, Foreign Minister
From: Amy Bailey, Secretary of State
Subject: Fineberg
Encryption: Highest
Your Excellency,
It has been a long time since we communicated directly. The last time may have been one of our conversations in Padan, in fact. I realize that you contacted the embassy, but after discussion with Ambassador Nelson I felt given the contents of your previous communication that my office should respond directly.
I am sure any inquiries into the events in Fineberg will be conducted at the appropriate time. Adiron does fervently hope that the civil commotion will come to an end shortly, and the Republic unequivocally condemns the terrible bombings which have taken place since the last communication. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones.
We are of course heartened that His Majesty intends a productive dialogue on the matter at hand. In the interim we will continue to facilitate emigration of LGBT individuals from your nation to the Republic through all legal and proper channels. However, we wonder if you could clarify two points in your previous communication. You referenced an ‘LGBT Agenda’ as contrary to the constitution and the national religion. How does your office define this agenda?
In your previous letter, it was also stated that freedom of expression is not a priority of your government. It was furthermore stated that the present policy of reeducation paired with emigration is unlikely to change. With these points in mind, what action is possible as a result of this royal petition?
With respect to Edomite citizens currently within the embassy, we have been in contact with the Ambassador. It is against embassy policy to allow outside persons to remain on the grounds past normal operating hours without appointment—except, of course, in event of emergency. Most returned to their homes at the earliest opportunity. Those requiring medical attention were evacuated already.
However, my government does not think a public address in the manner you suggested is appropriate at this time. In consultation with my own office, the Ambassador clarified the remarks in question. If this will not suffice, I must say we will be deeply grieved given the years of productive diplomacy and trade relations between our nations. However, I am sure it was not your intention to flatly disregard Adiran values and then follow it up with insinuations upon our character, especially after we made it abundantly clear that we respect the role your nation’s values play in maintaining domestic tranquility and national security.
My government is furthermore troubled that the Imperium would allow this to potentially interfere in the peace process. Adiron has been operating with the understanding that the Imperium desires a lasting peace that is equitable to both our nations. The toll a resumption of hostilities would take on both of our nations requires that we treat this with the utmost gravity. My government is therefore profoundly concerned that the Imperium is prepared to casually disregard this reality. We trust that in its role as arbitrator, your government will pass along our clarifications and concerns to Magus Civitas.
Sincerely,
Amy Bailey
Secretary of State