Death in Fatatatutti [Closed: Attn Krsta]

[Fatatatutti]

Harmony Chang got off the bus at the mini-mall and walked past the BunsMaster Bakery to a plain door marked 'Ministry of Defense'. She was dressed as befitted a Fatatatutian cabinet minister, in jeans and a bright red T-shirt with a hammer and sickle on the front.

"Good morning, Minister," chimed Suzanne Keystone from behind the reception desk. "Captain Murphy is waiting to see you. He has some bad news."

"Thank you, Sooki." Harmony walked down the hallway to a plain door at the end marked 'Minister'. Her Army liaison, Capt. Milo 'Surfy' Murphy was indeed waiting for her. In camouflage pants and shirt, he looked every bit the field officer that he once was until a heart condition had put him behind a desk. "Good morning, Captain. Sooki tells me you have bad news."

"I'm afraid I do, Minister." He handed the preliminary report across the desk to her as she sat down.

He continued, knowing that she liked oral reports along with written, "As you know, there's been a lot of rain in some areas in the interior and a lot of flooding. Roads are washed out, a lot of villages are cut off and so on. The only way to get into some of those places with food and medical supplies is by all-wheel drive, so we've got a lot of our troops volunteering to do that."

He cleared his throat, mostly as an excuse to pause. "Last night, one of our trucks lost its footing on the side of a mountain and rolled over into the river. The water's pretty high and the current's pretty strong. The driver and passenger were swept away."

He paused again. "Their bodies were found this morning."

Harmony looked up as he finished speaking and she finished reading at the same time. Although she hadn't known either of the dead soldiers, they seemed like brothers to her and she felt like crying. "It says here that one of them was from Krsta," she glanced at the report. "Where the hell is that?"

"No idea," Murphy admitted. "They have a small detatchment training with the Foreign Legion."

Harmony touched the intercom button. "Sooki, get me the Krsta Defence Department on the phone, please."

"Yes, Minister. Krsta?"

"K-r-s-t-a."

"Yes, Minister."

Harmony turned to Murphy again. "I understand General Castro-Stalina is in town?"

"Yes, Minister, I believe she is."

"Would you get in touch with her please, and ask her to come and see me sometime today?" It was important to contact civilians through civilian channels and the military through military channels. "I'd like to have her in charge of this situation."

"Yes, Minister."

Harmony touched the intercom button again. "Sooki, do you have the file on our boy? Higgins, is it?" It was also important to deal with visitors first and then with locals.

"Yes, Minister. It's being messengered over from Central Filing. I'll bring it right in when it gets here.

"I'm trying to get through to Krsta."

When Murphy had left, Harmony leaned back in her chair and frowned. It was her worst day yet as Minister of Defense, and it had only been a month. All in all, she decided, she would rather be a juggler.

[Krsta]

"The number you have dialed is unavailable at the moment. After the beep please record the message," the voice was heard on the phone line. The long "beep" followed, and depressed Gen. Willtember began in panic:"Hey, George, I have really bad news: our soldier has died in Fatatatutti last night. I was contacted by their Ministry of defence this morning. He was serving in their Foreign legion since April this year and died in the floods while entering the hazardous area. What shall we do now?" He waited for a couple of minutes, just to hear a telephone in his office ringing. He just saw the minister's number and before he was able to say anything into the receiver, he heard Mr. Klein's voice:
"Did you contact the family?"
"Yes, I did, sir and they demand to meet with you." Willtember replied.
"Hell, when?," minister asked nervously.
"They say NOW," General answered.
"When... wait... bloody hell! What did you say on that?", minister was completely upset.

Then the silence occurred and lasted for about ten seconds, until minister didn't repeat the question.

"What could I say?! I just replied I'll call the minister...," Willtember began justifying himself.
"I'll call the minister! Wonderful! No matter of the fact maraquean king is visiting me in less then 20 minutes, I need to meet the family of the dead soldier... can't you... bloody hell!", George Klein was really furious.
"Maybe he could meet MoFA or something," Willtember was feeling unpleasantly.
"He already met everyone in the whole bloody Government, I am the only one left," Klein began yelling out of madness.
"Wait, Minister, Maraque doesn't have a military, why the hell is then their monarch visiting you?!", Willtember was a bit confused.
"OK then, I'll call Rudolf and ask him to say I am on the trip or something... call the family and...,"Klein had a plan, but...
"I don't have to call 'em, they are already on the way to the Ministry building!", Willtember said in panic.
"Oh, bloody hell! OK, call you later to report what happened. Goodbye!"

Before Willtember said anything, phone was already off.

[Fatatatutti]

"Good afternoon, General. Thank you for coming." Harmony shook the general's hand.

"I heard about the accident," Gen. Castro-Stalina said. "What can I do to help?"

"Well, I've talked to the Defense Department in Krsta. They seemed a bit, well, excitable. I get the impression that they have other issues going on.

"I don't know if they're going to send a military delegation or if the family is going to come in person. I'm waiting to hear from them again. Whatever they do, I'd like you to meet with them and guide them through the process. I don't know if they'll want to go up to the accident site or if they'll want the body shipped here. I don't know if they'll want to be in on the accident investigation. I hope you can be the liaison on all of that.

"Like I said, I'm waiting to hear from them again."

The general nodded. "Just let me know when anybody is due to arrive. I'll take it from there."

"Thank you." Harmony reached for a folder and opened it in front of her, though she didn't really need to consult it. "As it turns out, our boy Timothy Higgins is originally from a place in the Caribbean called Gidney and Cloyd. His parents still live there. They've been contacted and they're on their way here. I hope you can meet with them too and shepherd them a bit. I think they might like to meet the parents of the other fellow. I don't know.

"But anyway, he has a cousin here in Fatatatutti, Akroyd Higgins, his closest relative locally, I think."

The general nodded. "I know him. I guess I should go and talk to him."

"Thank you."

*************

Gen. Castro-Stalina parked the jeep in front of the modest house just a block from the beach. She wasn't used to driving and it made her feel uncomfortably official.

When she knocked on the door, Ackroyd answered it smiling. She had hoped against hope that he had somehow heard of the incident already but she wasn't that lucky. "I'm afraid I have some bad news for you," she said.

[Gidney and Cloyd]

Bronson Tartouffe stopped his car in front of a neat little white house that was almost hidden in the trees. In the distance, he could see the bright blue of the Caribbean, which seemed altogether too cheerful for the job he had to do. He got out and walked up the path to the house and knocked gently.

The lady who came to the door smiling might have been his own mother. "Good evening, ma'am. Are you Mrs. Higgins?"

"Yes, I am." She seemed a little surprised. Perhaps she had thought he was a salesman.

"My name is Bronson Tartouffe. I'm the Consul-General for the Republic of Fatatatutti."

"Fatatatutti?" She smiled. "We have a son in Fatatatutti."

"Is your husband at home, ma'am?"

"Yes, he is." She seemed surprised again.

"If I could come in and talk to both of you for a moment... I'm afraid I have some bad news."

"Bad news? Is it Timothy? Has something happened?" She led Bronson into the living room where a man who might have been his father was sitting on the couch. "Harold, this is Mr. Tartouffe, from Fatatatutti. He says he has some bad news."

"Is it Timothy?" Mr. Higgins asked.

Bronson cleared his throat. "Mr. and Mrs. Higgins, I'm sorry to have to tell you that your son Timothy has been killed in an accident."

Mrs. Higgins slumped down on the couch. "Are you sure? maybe...."

"I'm sorry. We're sure. Your son and another soldier were identified by their dog-tags."

Mr. Higgins put his arms around his wife, who had begun sobbing. He looked up at Bronson. "What happened?"

Bronson cleared his throat again. "I know it isn't much comfort, but your son died a hero, bringing food and medical aid to a village that was cut off by flooding. They accomplished their mission but on the way back to their base, their vehicle slipped on the muddy road and rolled down the mountain.

"The people of Fatatatutti would like to thank you for his service and they send their condolences.

"I know it's too early to be thinking of such things, but the people of Fatatatutti will pay to return your son's body to Gidney and Cloyd, assuming that you want him buried here. They will also gladly pay for your flight to Fatatatutti if you wish to escort the body in person." He took out a business card and set it gently on the coffee table. "Please feel free to contact me whenever you're ready and i'll do whatever I can to help make the arragements."

[Krsta]

Minister of defence, George Klein, was really upset in every meaning of that word. After he finished with General Willtember, he called Prime minister Allfreid to say that meeting with maraquean king is cancelled and then he was ready to contact the fatatatuttian Government and inform them... someone knocked at the door. It was his secretary, Ms. June Brightville. "Sir, it's...," she began, but he interrupted:"I know, Joel called me. The family, right?" "Yes, yes, family of the fallen soldier," she answered with the meaningless smile. Woman in her mid - 60s, in a gray, old - fashioned coat, made of cashmere, entered, followed by man in the semi-casual suit, black, but tie-less and with a formal, white shirt. As both of them sat into the comfortable armchairs, in front of the Minister's desk, he asked them "Are you for coffee?" "I prefer tea," a man replied, while his wife* ignored the question and switched to the topic they came because. "Mr. Minister, my husband** and me wish to request from a state to help us go to Fatatatutti and investigate about the last-night incident. We wish to go to the spot on which our son died... you know, he was a great person. Brave, modest, honest. I still can't believe, you know, he was... he loved Krsta and he wished to help it, he was citizen since his 14th and worked hard until now for full 12 years and he did much for this country and our people. We wish some kind of a state support." "Yes, yes, I understand you, madame, and I am sorry for your loss. I want you to know that this country will support you in any needed way in investigating this shocking incident. PFC Ray Fortville will be buried with all state honors of the Republic of Krsta and with my attendance. I will call Fatatatuttian officials tonight and inform them about your solution to go there and see the death spot," Minister replied emotionally. "Thank you, sir. Fred, let's go," woman said preparing to leave the office, when Klein said "Wait, would you like some coffee?" He paused, and then added "Or tea?", looking to the man's face. "No, thanks," woman answered. Minister smiled, but she didn't. She remained cold and left the office with her husband*** following her.

* There is no conventional marriage in Krsta. "Married" are those who fall in love.
** There is no conventional marriage in Krsta. "Married" are those who fall in love.
*** There is no conventional marriage in Krsta. "Married" are those who fall in love.

[Fatatatutti]

"Minister, I have General Castro-Stalina on line one."

"Thank you, Sooki." Harmony switched from intercom to line one. "Hello, General."

"Hello, Minister. I've spoken to Akroyd Higgins. He took it pretty hard. He and his cousin grew up together.

"Apparently, the parents are coming up to claim the body. Ackroyd is going to meet their plane and they'll be staying at his house. I'll meet them too, as soon as I can, depending on whatever else you have for me to do."

"Okay." Harmony penciled some notes in a scrawl that nobody else would ever be able to decipher. "The parents from Krsta are coming too. They want to go up to the accident site, so I'll let you get started on arranging that. They have concerns about what caused the accident. I hope we'll be able to ease their minds about that."

"I can take them up there by helicopter if that's enough for them. If they want to see the site on the ground, that's another story. It was too dangerous for vehicles last night already. We found that out the hard way. And it's still raining. I can get them in on foot if they insist - and if they're up to it.

"Any idea when they're arriving?" the general added.

"Not yet. I expect they're pretty disorganized over there, just like we are. This isn't the sort of situation you deal with every day. We'll hear from them when we hear from them." Harmony tapped her pencil on her desk, a habit which had annoyed many a diplomat on foreign missions that she had undertaken for her government. "I've talked to the Council of Generals and they've agreed to leave everything up to you and me."

"Right. I expect carte blanche from them on most missions. They're not likely to interfere in something as delicate as this one."

"Mm.... Okay, keep me appraised."

"I will," the general replied.

[Krsta]

It was another sleepless night in the home of Fortville family. However, it was different from all other sleepless nights in their home - even TV and radio were off, the lights were off. They were both silent, when woman said:"Fred, we need to call them. We don't know anything, when is it going to take place? What is going to happen? Who are we going to meet?" So many questions, but the situation kept silent, minute by minute. "Fred, for the God's sake, do something!", she was furious. "What shall I do?! We'll see...," he was calm and quiet. "I can't believe! Our son, so your son, too, Frederick Fortville, died while serving in the military in a foreign country and you will don't do anything to search and investigate more about the event?! You don't care at all!" she began yelling at her husband. "Elle, calm yourself! I can't do anything, as you can't too. The only thing we should and can do is just to sit here and wait for someone to call us and give us some instructions," Fred replied. Silence. "Well, Fred, I hate that I am saying this but that's true. We really can't do nothing. It is hard to admit that to ourselves, but... it's a fact."

With every single minute passing their impatience was rising and in the dawn, Helen Fortville couldn't wait anymore - she went to the phone and called Minister of defense.

"Yes?", it was a female voice.
"I need Minister of defense," Helen said, trying to calm herself as much, as possible.
"Sorry, who's there?", a woman on the line asked.
"Helen Fortville, mother of the soldier who died in Fatatatutti 2 days ago. I need Minister of defense," she was impatient.
"Well, just a moment."
---silence---
"Good morning, madame..."
"Sir Minister, I want answers on the following questions, as first: on what date and at what time are Fred and me flying to Fatatatutti, what airport, what flight, who are we supposed to arrive and who are we supposed to meet, what is going to happen there and..."
"I am sorry that I am saying this to you, madame Fortville, but we are completely disorganized, as our comrades in Fatatatutti are, and as all of the people which were shocked and appalled by the Tuesday's incident are... we still don't know anything, I'll do what I am able to," Minister interrupted.
"Hear, Sir Minister, I am mother of the soldier who died while training in the Foreign legion and I don't care about did it shock you, someone in Fatatatutti or whoever, or not, I want to see that place, I want his body, I want a full documentation about the event and report from the professional commission about everything that happened that night, and..."
"Madame..."
"No, you are not going to interrupt, you are going to hear me, because you are my Minister and you are there to serve me and help me and I need help! And I want you to call those guys in Fatatatutti IMMEDIATELY and ask for all of this and I want you to prepare the airplane, to inform me what flight, what time and what date, and what I am supposed to do in Fatatatutti except going to the accident spot?! You have twenty - four hours!", her madness was larger then she could ever imagine.
"Madame, I am going to do everything I am able to..."
"You are Minister of the country which sent it's soldier to be trained in the foreign country and YOU, and no one else, are responsible for that what happened and you are the one who is going to get all of those information and help me get there, to Fatatatutti."
"OK, Madame. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Sir Minister."

As the call ended, she just looked at the Fred's appalled face. "What? What? Did I said something which was false?," she asked and then sat on the armchair. Fred always knew she was so hawkish, but this... this was something no one of them could ever imagine.

[Fatatatutti]

"Minister, I have the Defense Minister from Krsta on the line. Mr. Klein."

"Thank you, Sooki." Harmony pushed the button. "Hello, Mr. Klein? This is Harmony Chang, Defense Minister of Fatatatutti.

"I'm sorry if there's been a miscommunication about times and places. We're ready to welcome your party whenever they arrive. If you'll just tell me when your aircraft is due to arrive, I'll make sure there's somebody ready to meet you at the airport."

[Krsta]

"Hello, madame Chang. So, I think that July 2nd could be fine, wouldn't it?", George proposed.

[Krsta]

It was a bit godmoded (telling about the other nation's events),but not so much. Just a bit, with "when did the floods began" et cetera...[url]http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=59126[/url]

[Fatatatutti]

OOC: I wouldn't call it godmodding. You're just reporting the event as your nation perceives it.

IC:

"Yes, July 2nd will be fine, Mr. Minister. I'll be at Fatatatutti International Airport myself to meet your people."

She paused for a moment. "I understand that the parents are very eager to get to the accident site, so we've arranged to change planes at the airport and fly them directly up to one of our bases in the mountains. It will be easier to operate from there. I hope that's all right with you."

[Krsta]

"Yes, that's fine," Minister said, "I'll contact the family."

[Fatatatutti]

"Good." Harmony hesitated again. "There's one more thing I have to ask you about.

"It's been a couple of days since the accident and it seems like it will be a few more days before you take the remains home. We've brought them here to the capital and they're ready whenever you want to claim them... but we were thinking that maybe we should have them embalmed, if that's all right with you. That way, the parents will be able to take their time to set their minds at rest about the circumstances of the accident."

[Gidney and Cloyd]

Major Kennedy was the first to step out of the aircraft when the door opened. He paused at the top of the stairs, squinting in the bright sunshine. He was pleased to see that Fatatatutti looked a lot like home, except that it was much larger. Noticing the ominous gray clouds in the distance, he wished he could have been there under pleasanter circumstances.

He held out his hand to Mrs. Higgins, whose blue print dress contrasted his simple khaki uniform.

As they descended the stairs, the delegation sent to greet them approached. The small woman in camouflage, with the red beret and blonde pigtails, was undoubtedly the illustrious Gen. Castro-Stalina. Next to her, the slightly larger woman, dressed all in red with a long black pony tail, must be Minister of Defense Harmony Chang. And the tall black man with the dreadlocks must be Ackroyd Higgins, cousin of the deceased.

Major Kennedy removed his forage cap, bowed slightly and extended his hand to the Minister. "Major Antoine Kennedy, representing the Gidney and Cloyd Defense Force, at your service. Please allow me to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Higgins." He shook hands all around. "Madam Minister. General. Mr. Higgins."

"Welcome to Fatatatutti," the Minister said. "I'm so sorry for your loss." She held Mrs. Higgins' hand in both of hers. "If there's anything we can do for you during your stay, my office is entirely at your disposal."

"Thank you," was all that Mrs. Higgins could say, in a voice that seemed a little hoarse.

"Mira and the children will be happy to see you, Auntie." Ackroyd put his arms around her shoulders. Then he turned to his uncle. "After you've settled in a little, the general will come and talk to us about Timmy."

[Krsta]

"Good." Harmony hesitated again. "There's one more thing I have to ask you about.

"It's been a couple of days since the accident and it seems like it will be a few more days before you take the remains home. We've brought them here to the capital and they're ready whenever you want to claim them... but we were thinking that maybe we should have them embalmed, if that's all right with you. That way, the parents will be able to take their time to set their minds at rest about the circumstances of the accident."

"Hm, I don't know, I'll need to ask 'em... you know, Krsta is quite a liberal nation, supporting all reforms and everything new and modern, but those people are really... erm, traditionalist... conservative... get it?"

[Fatatatutti]

"Yes, I understand," Harmony replied. "We don't want to offend anybody, especially at a time like this. We'll certainly comply with the parents' wishes, whatever they are. We won't proceed with anything until we get the go-ahead from you."