Ministry of Foreign Services
Global Strategies and Deployment Administration
There was a smart rapping of knuckles upon the door, followed by a gravely gruff " uhn..", which is the universal sign of entry to be expected from the veteran officer and senior diplomat of the foreign relations ministry residing within. Twisting the brass knob, and pushing the door open allowed for the entry of Officer Sigelac Nasi. In his right hand was a binder filled with missives, but only one was fished from it's prison and set before the somber individual at the desk before him. Senior Officer Gier, Sir. We've received a request for sales and diplomatic services from a variety of nations. I thought that perhaps that this would be a perfect time for those interested parties to send representatives, as per most of the service fleets are gone. It would make it easier to showcase models that we've available.
Karl Gier, the career officer of the Northern Takhisian Naval Services, and by default, that of the Kmuno yht Lueh, which loosely translated, meant Glory and Coin. An old term from days of yore to describe the Northerners and their sellsword ways. He gave the missive a good once over, noting the requirement to have the guests show up for transport to the citadel in the port of Khaz. After a moment, he leaned back in his chair and offered a faint nod of that sculpted dark hair, nearly jet black in hue. It had a certain shine that was illuminated in the electric haze of the fluorescent lighting. I'll approve this, and make sure Commodore Harek receives authorization to mobilize the ships of coin in fair order Officer Nasi. The stamp of approval given in several places along the form of receiving guests and deploying vessels from storage, before handing it back to the officer before him.
As Gier dismissed Officer Nasi, he was already at work, sending an electronic missive to what few nations the Takhisian Northern Province had actual dealings with. It would be encrypted not by the usual methods, but requiring the voice of the recipient to actually unlock it. These sealed messages were then sent to Havasu, Xukuth, Rhydin, Bremotica, Ruskieva and the Asahi.
When decrypted the message reads as;
Dear allies and patrons of our services,
We are writing to seek a meeting with you to discuss the role of information and media in the context of the post-2017 development agenda.
The post-2017 framework will have considerable influence on global and national development priorities. There are a large number of important areas under consideration in the post-2017 development framework including security, future patronage, technologies education, industrialization and infrastructure. We welcome the opportunity meet you to discuss the post-2017 agenda and role of information and media in development, and hope to remain in contact as negotiations at our diplomatic summit.
Yours sincerely,
Karl Gier
Senior Diplomatic Officer
Ministry of Foreign Relations
cc. Northern Takhisian Provinces
Nasi stood stiffly and saluted with his left hand coming to temple before he received the order of dismissal. Pivoting upon left heel, he marched out of the office with a purpose, as the door closed behind him. He stopped by the records and business administration to process the now approved of deployment orders, getting a copy of his DVP-2, DVPC-3, and CSM-2 paperwork of which had to be signed, dated, stamped and so on before he could head to the control tower within the Citadel of War, and the officer of Commodore Harek, the man in charge of the storage berths.
The trip to the tower was a short one, but it meant riding with all of the other employee's and service personnel. The trolley's were packed around midday and as luck would have it, it was now just cresting the time when everyone and their mothers was to be out and about, heading to the docks or back towards the Citadel of War. Dozens of trams and trolleys littered the sky on lines that crackled with lightening like flares. Jostled into a sardine can of a trolley, he felt the deck plates move now and then as they would slide across the expanse of nothingness. Hundreds of feet below was the harsh earth of the Northern lands, the snow, rock, and ice that stayed year round after round.
As the sun burst through the clouds, partially appearing to set the heaven's ablaze, and against the smooth brass of the trolley's roof came a gleam of light that could blind someone directly looking upon it, he pushed himself through the throng and onto the floating partition dock of the naval gateway. Waiting there, as per he'd called ahead, was an officer's tug, ready to take him into the great maw like depths of the NorTak Naval Yard.
A group of young sailors were his company, the navigator and the pilot plus two others who were probably linesmen or just security and needing a ride back to the barracks. The schooner itself was little more then a dull bronze hued box with a box and t-crossing span underneath it that housed the ragnite repulsor engine. Like a negative magnet, it kept itself afloat against the magnetic nature of the earth below. Propulsion came in the form of a engine on the rear that pushed forced air out the rear.
He stepped within and documents in an attache case, he settled upon one of the benches nearby, crossing right leg over left and leaning against the thinly padded backrest. The hum of the engine made for a soothing massage as the schooner pulled from the partition dock and headed for the yard. At a fairly fast clip, it wasn't long before the shadows of the yard engulfed them. Ships of the line were housed here, undergoing construction, repair, or updating. Sparks and so forth danced across the heavens as the schooner hurtled towards the center of the shipyards, the Citadel of War looming up, and much like their naval vessels, others wondered how it defied gravity as it did. It was always breath taking to see, the Citadel of War was a massive construct, nearly three times that of it's sister, the Citadel of Coin.
The Citadel of War is the strongest part of the naval yard, positioned to be the last line of defense, should the enemy breach the other components of the fortification system. Which would be impressive if they could do so. The fortress bearing a U-shaped structure built about a central courtyard, being four hundred-twenty metres long, one hundred sixty metres wide, and three hundred four metres tall. It has a complement of sixty eight 6 × 28 cm (11 in) guns on turrets, forty eighty 8 × 15 cm (5.9 in) turret cannons, fifty 20mm phalanx turrets, and forty quad box launcher turrets, capable of firing air to air intercept missiles, and twenty four dual box launchers firing anti-ship torpedoes (Missiles).
Support for the Citadel is also in the form of twelve fighter wings from any one of it's four launching areas. Most aircraft in question are the Kmuno class fighter, although other variants do show up at times. Supporting the fighters and vice versa is also the Citadel vanguard fleet, composed of twenty seven vessels. Ranging from Yoweth class heavy dreadnaughts to that of the Jelduneuic class cruisers. Carriers and destroyers are also in this vanguard and they support the citadel and any fleet that may be scrambled to protect the naval yard.
Nasi felt entirely like an insect as the schooner zipped under one of the massive hulls of a heavy cruiser and shot into the welcoming berth and the lowest point of entry into the Citadel. A maze of ramparts and steps, ladders, elevators and what have you's were all over the place. It was some time before Nasi found himself walking through the foyer of the Commodore's holdings, noting it's marble tile flooring and a stair descending to who know's where and, through another set of doors in a screen with translucent leaded glass sidelights and fanlight, a hall; both rooms in beige, cream, and gold. The small dining room similar in decor, with robin's egg blue walls and white-painted trim. From the ceiling hang two crystal chandeliers illuminated the area for him and this was the lobby of sorts to that of the Commodore's office.
Past the dining area/lobby of sorts, was a small arrivals office. Here one would find several administrators, naval officers and supporting staff. As Nasi entered, there were several salutes. Naval wise, Nasi's actual rank was akin to Major. He was therefore afforded all the respect and tradition that came with such a title and status. He returned them politely enough before approaching the desk of a man he well. Captain Theris. Officer of the Watch, and first line of defense you could say for the Commodore.
Good day Captain Theris, I've orders from Senior Officer Gier, and my appointment is in a moment according to the time.One must always be proper and punctual. Theris looked up from typing something to reply, pushing up his glasses a moment with one finger. Ah yes, Officer Nasi, the Commodore will see you.A push of a button near the keyboard and there was a soft clicking sound. Nasi nodded his head and turned the door knob, opening the door and closing it politely behind him. Turning about he laid his gaze upon the man before him.
Commodore Harek was an old man. At least in his seventies, and yet, as sharp as any blade could be. A thin wisp of grey hair coiled atop his scalp, bushy brows furrowed a moment. Settled behind a rather ornate desk, of which didnt surprise Nasi because of the exterior office's grand approach, it was still quite the setup. A wooden chair decorated in red velvet and gold embroidery sat before the Empire styled desk on a sculpted stone base decorated with a lion's head. Piled on the desk was that of a pen, several books, dossiers and rolled papers. More rolled papers and a map were on another table nearby. The glow wafting from a small monitor propped up on one corner of the desk, the keyboard for the moment being left alone.
Nasi settled himself down into the ornate chair before the Commodore's desk. The small folder settled before the older man's gaze as Nasi spoke.Sir, express orders from Senior Officer Gier about mobilizing the storage berths and welcoming guests to the Citadel of War for diplomatic meet and greets. Nasi continued on after the initial brief. Accomodating paperwork is also present so that we at the Ministry of Foreign Relations, and your own Ministry, that of the Naval Service and Sales.
Harek grumped a bit like Gier while looking at the paperwork presented, though he could have received this on one of those infernal machines, he did appreciate an in person visit.Very well, inform Gier that all is accounted for, and that several vessels will be available for visits. I will have others on standby due to our guests requirements, if they have any. Also, guests will be quartered within the council's staying chambers, as per they have recently transferred their office to the Citadel of Clouds. Such as it is, the space shall be used as diplomatic space, of which Gier should have no issue with. Your Ministry will be responsible, is that understood?
Nasi nodded politely.Yes sir, thank you very much Sir for your graciousness. Harek nodded and gestured towards the door, of which Nasi abided by and rose from his seat, and headed out the way he came. Just as he was heading out, he dialed his senior's office line and followed it up with a few short words. It's done. Now he wondered if those that were invited, would be indeed coming.