Yacht Rashiq.
The Rashiq, the motor yacht of the Sultana, was more then just a nice ship... and apparently, she wasn't really the Sultana's either. The parts of the crew, which weren't Handmaidens or Tabardariyya were so obviously Navy, that one would need to be blind, deaf and dead to not see that.
And yet, here I was... Soraya Geal, daughter of a Lieutenant Commander of the Fleet Ground Forces, the closest thing to a girlfriend of Prince Mahmut ibn-Idris had, a girl of fifteen (I would turn sixteen later this year)... and wore nothing but a blue silk towel while sitting in something, which the Sultana Her-bloody-self had called the Hammam Advisory Council, aboard a highly modern mobile command post concealed as a private yacht steaming along with a cruiser as an escort.
I sat to the Sultana's left, Mahmut to my left, next to that Princess Fara, next to her Crown Prince Ilia (who looked about as hot in the blue towel as he did in his leather jacket), Grand Vizier Hassan ben Sahid next to him, Vizier Azad Safir on his side, Sarah, the Ilkhana of Kyrene on his side and then the Sultana.
The notabilities of the Sultanate were assembled here to give council to their Sultana... and then there was me.
"In summary... it is not unlikely, that this freighter lost its freight on purpose or that someone ratted them out to bring this cargo into the hands of the wrong people.", Crown Prince Ilia continued his report, "The press release by the Imperial and Royal War Navy has us confused a bit as well. The Ostmarkians never even proposed an exercise in a more relaxed setting, let alone now. I think, they are searching for an excuse to bring material and ships close to the area of concern. I am not sure, if I like this, whether they are on 'our side' or not."
"The Ostmarkians are not the Yammies.", Vizier Safir said and shook his head slightly, "I spoke with Mister Caomhnaigh, the Free Lands have made good experiences with them during Operation Spartacus."
Crown Prince Ilia nodded. "There's one more thing.", he said, "We are unsure, if the Babenberg is underway. A carrier, which is very similar to her is currently laid up in Pola, as satellite images show. The only reason why we can't say its her or not is, that the areas, where the hull numbers are supposed to be, are covered up." He shrugged. "Might be her, might not be her. As for the Fusonese and their ships, I have no news yet, but so far, their foreign office has not published to any effect."
Silence for a moment.
"We know, that the Ostmarkians have a certain interest in the situation and that they are mostly supportive of the Reunification.", Safir said, shrugged, "So maybe we should play along? Maybe even invite them into the Shajarat Alnakhil?" Crown Prince Ilia raised an eyebrow. "If they really have more suspicious intentions, we could use the chance to gather intelligence from the sailors. We all know, how loose the lips of men are in the presence of beautiful women." There was a round of agreeing nods and amused snorts. "On the other hand, I doubt, that the Ostmarkians don't know about that security risk as well, so maybe they have curtailed the access their sailors have to information from the get-go."
"Possible.", the Crown Prince said, "Yet never underestimate the accuracy of the grapevine. I'll see to it, that a corresponding invitation is sent."
There was something nagging at the back of my head, though.
Of course, the Sultana caught onto it immediately.
"You look thoughtful, Soraya.", the Sultana suddenly said - and I felt my face heat up as all eyes in the room turned to me. "Please, speak up."
"Oh, no, I am sure, that..."
"Speak.", the Sultana ordered.
I was silent for a moment, then spoke hesitantly: "Well, I was thinking... the major sources of information, which we have about the ongoings in the Archipelago are from Shikonjima and some foreign reporters, not our own... what is, if the Shikos are lying through their teeth?"
The Sultana nodded. "The RBI-Team is actually supposed to guarantee that, the Kuros lend us valuable aid during the Al'Arz Aftermath.", she said and I nodded, preparing an apology, "But..." I stopped. "...you do have a point. We lack our own eyes and ears. Ilia, have Naval Intelligence prepare some people to send to Shikonjima and the Ferinan-Archipelago. Both openly and less so."
"Oh, I'll ask the Chandshar if they don't lend me Jamkiya. He should be open enough.", the Crown Prince confirmed, smiling slightly, "And I'll prepare the Fleet Ground Forces."
I couldn't help but think of Dad, still comatose since nearly two years now.
To:Yamura no Kyouko, Princess of Shikonjima, Viscountess of the Oui no Tochi, Highest Servant of the Four Souls, Highest Lady of the Kazoku.
CC:Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bakufu no Hiroba, Nashinya, N01SX504, Shikonjima.
From:Razia-Sultana Umm Albilad, Lady of the Five Deserts, Ilkhana of Utica, Daughter of Kyrenaia, Mother of Her People, Highest Servant of the Lioness.
Subject:The Ferinan-Archipelago.
Diplomatic Correspondence.
NOT to be released.
Dear Kyouko,
indeed, CG6 is moving closer to your waters. Ilia is currently working on adding a complement of the Fleet Ground Forces, which might be useful in the current situation. We will see, what he will come up with to do that.
I am also sending someone from the Chandshar, Captain Ilia Jamkiya, with a small team of six men and women in total, to the Ferinan-Archipelago. We still have no news about some of our citizens and my personal concern grows. His mission will be to find these people and, if they wish to, repatriate them. It should not require too much time and while your people's support would be appreciated, I am sure, that they have currently more pressing matters, which is understandable.
Meanwhile, the HAC is unsure of the intentions of the Ostmarkians. We will be playing along for now.
Indeed, let's think about that once the situation is solved.
Signed,
Razia-Sultana Umm Albilad
To:HRM Atakheer Khan, Lord of the Sharulsi Khanate, Father of the Steppes, Son of the Yellow Desert, Unifier of the Black Hordes.
From:Razia-Sultana Umm Albilad, Lady of the Five Deserts, Ilkhana of Utica, Daughter of Kyrenaia, Mother of Her People, Highest Servant of the Lioness.
Subject:The Ferinan-Archipelago and Yamatai involvement.
Diplomatic Correspondence.
NOT to be released.
Dear and Esteemed Friend,
you are very welcome. I am sure, that I do not need to run the official line with you, but be assured, that Kyrenaia considers both Shikonjima and the Sharulsi-Khanate its friends. One can say many things about us, but let it never be said, that we abandon our friends.
Naval Intelligence uncovered information, that the Yammies (as we came to nickname them) are about to suppress another revolt, one, which resorted to terroristic means and is currently gassing their own countrymen. So... maybe they need a new field to occupy their military with in case they have that one solved? It is speculation, especially considering the militarized nature of their government. Your guess is as good as mine.
As for Kyouko, it is good to hear confirmation of her having a good head on her shoulders. I will not hesitate to aid her and I doubt, that you will hesitate, too. Her stability means a lot to the region, an unstable Ferinan-Archipelago will not spell direct doom and gloom, but it will certainly not be advantageous to anyone in the region - and needless to say, what a Shikonjima in upheaval would mean. Apparently, some groups are working hard and steady at achieving especially the latter, if Naval Intelligence and Chandshar are to be believed.
Then you must be twelve years younger then me, my dear lad! ; )
Signed,
Razia-Sultana Umm Albilad
P.S.: Informed and acknowledged. I'll see to someone sending you the IFF-Codes.
Official Press Release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Kyrenaia
On the matter of the naval exercises between the Sultan's Navy, the Imperial Fusonese Navy and the Imperial and Royal War Navy:In the Name of Razia-Sultana Umm Albilad, Lady of the Five Deserts, Ilkhana of Utica, Daughter of Kyrenaia, Mother of Her People, Highest Servant of the Lioness, I am honoured to publish this message.
We gladly welcome our friends from the Imperial and Royal War Navy and the Imperial Fusonese Navy to our exercises and are glad to learn from them and to teach them our ways. To the end of maybe alleviating the stress of the sea voyage a little bit, Crown Prince Ilia and Admiral Azad Saefa have cordially invited the Carrier Battlegroup Babenberg and the First Carrier Division to the Shajarat Alnakhil, to enjoy the hospitality of the Sultan's Navy, the Sultanate and the little Archipelago and its inhabitants.
For all communication by state-actors, please send your messages to:Azad Safir, Vizier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qaleatan Maktab, Utica, Ilkhanate of Utica, Sultanate of Kyrenaia.
For all communication by non-state-actors and press, please send your messages to:Public Relations Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sub-Department 01, Qaleatan Maktab, Utica, Ilkhanate of Utica, Sultanate of Kyrenaia.
As usual, messeges sent to the wrong recipient will not be replied to!