LOCATION REDACTED
Local Time- 3:00 pm
Compared to the dwelling places of some national leaders, the Ryvernian Presidential Mansion is a modest estate. A classical two story, 80 room house is set on 25 acres of some of the nation's most picturesque countryside. From the air, depending on how far you go up, it could be any other mansion, but on the ground the heavily fortified fences and surplus of armed guards separate it from the abodes of the upper echelon of Saint Ryvern's society. Lush foliage and impeccably manicured flowerbeds lined the fences, shrouding the ugliness of security cameras and mounted guns in their human-enhanced natural beauty. The previous president's wife, a lovely woman who endeared herself to the Ryvernian people far more than her husband, was a great fan of shrubbery, so she always maintained the quality of every twig and thistle in all 25 acres of the estate. From the air, it made the view of the land more pleasing, something the guardsman who monitored the security satellite view of the mansion appreciated.
Most of the day the guards watching the satellite feed sat around, maintaining a strict code of silence, passively watching the same image, one that only changed minimally, if ever. However, in the past few minutes there had been a flurry of activity. An unannounced SUV had pulled up to the gate, and many of the guards on duty had turned their safeties off. No one notified the president, the SUV didn't appear to have violent intent, but everyone was ready to take action. After a few hectic moments the Minister of Foreign Affairs was identified as the driver of the vehicle, pissed off but even more intent on reaching the president. Back in their seats, the satellite guards watch the MoFA hurriedly pace along the paved trail that travels around the house to the Olympic-sized swimming pool that President Azebry had installed 13 months into his term.
President Chinua Azebry, his friends in university and law school called him "Zazbee," a nickname he hasn't heard in years, has been a swimmer since he was three years old. Now, at the age of 39, the young leader slices through the dark blue water like a hot knife through butter; like scissors gliding through paper. Goggles on, waterproof earbuds in, blasting rap music from his childhood in inner city Lagos, he puts all of his frustration and stress from running a country into his fourth mile of the day. Approaching the wall, he lifts his head slightly to prep for a flip turn, but instead catches sight of his Minister of Foreign Affairs, the tall and lean Mariana Ejaita. He comes grinding to a halt, causing a slight splash that lands on Mariana's designer shoes, painting her face with a grimace. "How are you doing, Ms. Ejaita? You aren't on my schedule, are you?" Chinua's voice is smooth, he is a fast talking and quick-witted man, which gave him a leg up in the debates against his elderly opponent.
"Get out of the water, Mr. President. Your guards almost shot me when I drove in here, and I don't intend to stay long enough to give them another chance to do it." Many national pundits and establishment politicians criticized Mariana's appointment to the president's cabinet. Chinua marketed himself as a young alternative to the gray-haired dead-eyed politicians that dominated Ryvernian politics for the past few decades, and once he was in office he had no intent of having his strings pulled by a cabinet filled with people old enough to be his grandpa. Instead he appointed people near his age, many of them from circles that typical politicians were not drawn from. Mariana Ejaita was 31 years old when she was made Minister of Foreign Affairs, but she was an easy pick in Chinua's eyes. A graduate of the nation's top university at the age of 15, receiving two master's degree in international business and global studies at the age of 19 from the same university, she was an up-and-coming executive for some of the country's largest international companies. Chinua fielded her before the national primary, asking her to keep his request a secret, and she was charmed by his vision for the nation, gladly signing on to his cabinet when he won the election in a landslide. Since then she remained charmed by his national vision. doing a good job contributing her work ethic and intellect to its achievement, but the grind of national politics had deteriorated the sweet resolve she used to charm her way up the corporate ladder.
"Alright, alright, Mariana. Give me a moment," the president takes his time breaststroking to the side ladder of the pool. When he climbs out her quickly dries himself, pulling on a robe that he left laying on a nearby armchair. "Walk with me," he says to Mariana as he heads towards the house, his intention the kitchen.
"New Karelograd has embarked on an unprecedented wave of aggression. They've killed two Letskian nationals and two Swietzian nationals, and destroyed both nation's embassies in one day. We are in the process of extracting the few Ryvernian national inside their borders, but we need to take some sort of official action. You have to release some sort of statement-Chinua, Chinua!" Reaching the kitchen, the president began looking through his fridge, striking an annoyed cord with his rightfully concerned Minister.
"I understand, Mariana. I understand. This is a tragedy, an ugly display by Karelograd that took the lives of four innocent people, that has enraged two nations that should not be enraged. I'll draft something, send it to your office for approval, and then send it along." He munches on a protein bar and drinks some disgusting looking green juice as he speaks, his brow furrowing with concern.
"There's more. Letskia is prepping for war, they're pissed off, Chinua." Taking a folded piece of paper out of her jacket pocket, she slides it across the island towards the president. It is a transcript of the speech that Chancellor Henderson gave to his people earlier. Unfolding it quickly President Azebry reads it carefully, his face like stone as he reads the words on the page.
"It's time to make some moves, Mariana. I hope you understand what I mean."
"I do, Mr. President, and I agree."
Later that day, a message was sent to the Chancellor of Letskia from the Office of the Ryvernian President. It reads:
To the esteemed Chancellor of the Federation of Letskia, Jacob Henderson
On behalf of the entire nation, people, and government of the Independent African State, I offer my most heartfelt and sincere condolences for the pointless loss of Letskian life that occurred yesterday in New Karelograd. Brutality of any sort cannot be tolerated, especially when it ends the life of an innocent person; this unforgivable offense occurred four times in New Karelograd less than 48 hours ago, and Saint Ryvern will not forget. The assets of the State are devoted to peace, but the Gorilla will beat its chest to intimidate and subdue when necessary. The Wolf has its claws; the Gorilla has its strength; together the two beasts may exert a great amount of power on any stage. The Independent African State would be more than willing to support the efforts of the Federation to react against the inhuman activities of New Karelograd. A machine needs oil; soldiers need bread; and boots need rubber. We have many resources that would help you, and we are willing to help you, as long as there are equal benefits for Saint Ryvern.
I would prefer to discuss these matters further in person. I understand the amount of stress on your nation, and I will gladly travel to Letskia to meet with you. My office awaits your reply.Chinua Azebry, President of the Independent African State of Saint Ryvern