Arctica-Aleutian-Lamerikan Diplomatic Meeting (IC/Invites)

[Lamerika]

Olympia, Washington, Lamerikan Federation
National House

The heatwave the had hit the Lamerikan coast continued to cook the Olympia, the nations capital. The sea side residents felt as though they were walking on the surface of the sun itself, though with humidity it was only about 30 degrees celsius. Still, it was much to hot for the liking for General Secretary Jameson Taylor, still sweating despite rolling up the sleeves of his uniform to the elbow. The breeze blowing off the water did little to help, as did the cigar stuck between his teeth.

He stood just off the helipad at the back of National House, the current seat of the Lamerikan Government. It was a modern looking building, tall pillars and glass reaching high towards the mid day sun above, while the exterior was shrouded by greenery and sparse splotches of Aboriginal Art. The helipad itself was surrounded by thick bushes, unfortunately to short to provide the Lamerikan leader with any shade whatsoever. But all he could do was wait for the delegation from Arctica-Aleutia to arrive, pushing his black army cap back, and wiping sweat from his brow as members of his own delegation stood behind him.

[Arctica-Aleutia]

At a nearby airport, Wyatt, Larisa, and their son Marty disembarked from the economy-class section of an airliner. The hit Wyatt hard and Larisa even harder, but didn't affect Marty as he was a ghost. Once they got through customs Marty went invisible so as not to scare people who had never seen a ghost before.

Wyatt had planned to drive to the meeting in his 1905 Locomobile. It might stand out a bit, but that was worth a nice drive. However, before he could head to where his car was to be unloaded he was approached by a suited official.

"President Wyatt and company, I presume? General Secretary Taylor is waiting for you at the National House helipad."

Wyatt frowned. "Helipad? Were we to arrive by helicopter? I was under the impressions I was to arrange for my own transportation." He pointed to the car out the window.

[Lamerika]

Olympia International Airport

"Not to worry, Comrade President." The Lamerikan Agent nodded, "If you wish to take you're own vehicle, you may." He took a minute to look out the airport window at the old vehicle outside, raising an eyebrow behind his reflective shades. "We'll be more than happy to provide you with an escort to the National House, if you feel you'll require one. Besides that, Comrade Secretary Taylor will meet you at the main entrance." He flipped out a cellphone to call ahead and let the National House itself know of the change of plans.

[Arctica-Aleutia]

Wyatt could sense the man's skepticism about the car. "Don't worry, I have it running like a top. I don't think I shall need an escort."

Soon Wyatt was driving at the speed limit in the roadster with his wife by his side and Marty flying behind (invisible again, because he didn't want to spook anyone and cause an accident). The car soon arrived at the National House, and Wyatt pulled it smoothly into the nearest parking space.

[Lamerika]

National House, Olympia

The grounds of the National House would be very open and welcoming at first glance, the plain looking gates locked open into the courtyard. A roundabout wrapped around a large fountain in the center of the courtyard, circled by sprawling gardens. The parking lot was sparsely populated by electric cars and hybrids, along with a few armoured vehicles. Members of the Red Guards, elite Militiamen loyal to the Secretary General himself patrolled the grounds, carrying AEK-971 assault rifles. Despite this, they seemed relaxed, chatting to one another and smoking, some pointing out the old car parking near the main building.

Taylor himself was waiting in the shade of the arcing entrance, before heading down the front steps to meet his guests. He was joined by his family; his wife, Orlene, and his 14 year old daughter Elizabeth, both walking alongside him as the Lamerikan leader approached the young President and his family.

"Mr. President?" Taylor smiled warmly, removing his cap and holding out his hand to shake, "Welcome to Lamerika! And you must be Mrs. Wizard? It's a pleasure to meet you both." Taylor said, failing to notice Marty who was likely still invisible, "If I may, let me introduce you too my wife, Mrs. Orlene Taylor, and my daughter, Elizabeth."

[Arctica-Aleutia]

Marty appears, smiling. "I'm here too!"

Larisa: "Don't spook anyone, Marty. It's good to see you in person, comrade Taylor, and to meet your family."

Wyatt: "Same here."


(OOC: I know I was distracted from this for a while, but now I should actually have time to post frequently.)

[Lamerika]

Marty appears, smiling. "I'm here too!"

Larisa: "Don't spook anyone, Marty. It's good to see you in person, comrade Taylor, and to meet your family."

Wyatt: "Same here."

Taylor and his wife jumped, a bit startled by Marty's sudden appearance, but were quick to recover. His daughter simply gave the spirit a quizzical look. "Nice to meet you Marty," Taylor chuckled in spite of himself, "And Mr. Wizzard, Mrs. Wizzard, likewise, it is an honour."

"Yes, great to meet you!" Orlene Taylor smiled, speaking with a thick french accent. As she did, the Lamerikan leader's eyes wandered over towards Wyatt's car, raising an eyebrow.

"When we're done, you might have to let me take that around the block." He laughed, "She's quite the looker, my friend. But... No need to stay out in the heat any longer than we have too, eh? Would you like to follow me inside?" Taylor gestured towards the National House's main entrance.

[Arctica-Aleutia]

Marty appears, smiling. "I'm here too!"

Larisa: "Don't spook anyone, Marty. It's good to see you in person, comrade Taylor, and to meet your family."

Wyatt: "Same here."

Taylor and his wife jumped, a bit startled by Marty's sudden appearance, but were quick to recover. His daughter simply gave the spirit a quizzical look. "Nice to meet you Marty," Taylor chuckled in spite of himself, "And Mr. Wizzard, Mrs. Wizzard, likewise, it is an honour."

"Yes, great to meet you!" Orlene Taylor smiled, speaking with a thick french accent. As she did, the Lamerikan leader's eyes wandered over towards Wyatt's car, raising an eyebrow.

"When we're done, you might have to let me take that around the block." He laughed, "She's quite the looker, my friend. But... No need to stay out in the heat any longer than we have too, eh? Would you like to follow me inside?" Taylor gestured towards the National House's main entrance.

Wyatt: "Certainly. And I'd be happy to let you try that car out. I actually found it and restored it myself. There's some interesting history behind it, you see - "

Larisa: "I think that can wait until after the meeting, darling."

Wyatt: "Fine, fine. I'll just warn you in advance, the brakes are pretty much useless."

They followed them inside, and Marty spoke up. "If you guys are going to be talking about classified stuff, I can wait outside. I mean, I already know most of what my parents do, but..."

[Lamerika]

"Aye. If you didn't want to tag along Marty, I'm sure Elizabeth wouldn't mind giving you a tour of the place. If that's fine with your parents..."

Taylor's daughter smiled at Marty, "Sure, I don't mind!"

"Now, let's get this show on the road." Taylor sighed, motioning for those remaining with him to follow. He lead his guests past a tall statue in the National House's Lobby, depicting three armed Lamerikan Rebels Carrying a Flag while fearlessly charging into battle. Past the statue was a long corridor, rather plane with high, vaulting stone walls with paintings of Lamerikan Revolutionary Heroes. Jameson Taylor, Orlene Laforge, Nick Dalliha and Nikita Zakharov sat at the entrance of the hall, the red and black flag the Lamerikan Rebels had once used hanging behind them as their starred out into space nobily. Countless other faces stretched down the corridor, including a faded patch on the wall were a painting had clearly once been. While the painting itself had been removed, the name tag Samantha Lybarger still rested below.

At the end of the hall was a set of wooden doors, pushed open by two guards as Taylor's group approached revealing the room on the other side. It was simple and modern looking, with a soft breeze blowing in through the open floor to ceiling windows. In the middle of the room as a long table, with some water and cups in the middle. Taylor pulled out a chair for his wife before sitting down himself.

"So where should we begin?"

[Arctica-Aleutia]

Wyatt admired the interior of the building as Marty went off with Elizabeth. "I was hoping you'd have something in mind. I suppose I could start with what your people generally think of my nation. It is a bit strange, I won't deny; syndicalism has largely risen without government involvement, and mostly coexists with capitalism." He sat down at the table with Larisa.

(OOC: I'm sorry I always seem to get distracted from these things... life is hectic.)

[Lamerika]

"Well, recently support for you government has drastically risen." Taylor began, reaching out and pouring himself some water from the pitcher on the table, as well as some for his wife before holding it out in Wyatt's direction. "Solidarity, whatever form it comes in means a great deal to us. I have my doubts over whether or not Capitalism and Syndicalism can coexist with one another in the same nation... They are diametrically opposed to one another after all. Capitalism advocates a Privately ownership of the means of production, Syndicalism advocates common ownership..."

"But don't get me wrong, we are glad to hear you are in support of us and our cause, and knowing more of your people and your government are taking an interest in the Left is greatly reassuring. What drew you to our cause in the first place, if you don't mind me asking? If I'm correct, I've heard you, Comrade Larisa, are an Anarcho-Communist, but Wyatt is a Libertarian. Forgive my ignorance on this front, but most Libertarian Parties I'm aware of typically espouse Far-Right beliefs..."

(OOC: Don't worry about it, I've been rather busy myself xp)

[Arctica-Aleutia]

"Well, recently support for you government has drastically risen." Taylor began, reaching out and pouring himself some water from the pitcher on the table, as well as some for his wife before holding it out in Wyatt's direction. "Solidarity, whatever form it comes in means a great deal to us. I have my doubts over whether or not Capitalism and Syndicalism can coexist with one another in the same nation... They are diametrically opposed to one another after all. Capitalism advocates a Privately ownership of the means of production, Syndicalism advocates common ownership..."

"But don't get me wrong, we are glad to hear you are in support of us and our cause, and knowing more of your people and your government are taking an interest in the Left is greatly reassuring. What drew you to our cause in the first place, if you don't mind me asking? If I'm correct, I've heard you, Comrade Larisa, are an Anarcho-Communist, but Wyatt is a Libertarian. Forgive my ignorance on this front, but most Libertarian Parties I'm aware of typically espouse Far-Right beliefs..."

(OOC: Don't worry about it, I've been rather busy myself xp)

"The meaning of the term libertarian changed a lot over the years where I come from. Several decades ago it was definitely far-right, but in recent years its come to represent support for increased civil rights and self-determination for districts (my nation's equivalent of states). I don't consider myself one anymore. I find such labels to be too limiting. Larisa sees herself more as a syndicalist now, but we tend to be open-minded to ideas from all ends of the spectrum. As for the economic situation in my country, I'll try to explain. Syndicalism rose over the years through a system of 'guilds' for each industry. These groups were like labor unions, but instead of lobbying corporations they strove to give workers the means to practice their trade independently and collaborate on projects. Essentially, they provided an alternative way to make a living that didn't involve private companies. This has led to the mass decline of large corporations, but has proven beneficial to smaller businesses that are more in touch with the working class - local restaurants, small start-ups, that sort of thing. These small businesses and the guilds like to cooperate, and this benefits them both.
A lot of these guilds were founded in the mid 20th century, but some have been around a lot longer, like the Railworkers' Guild, founded in the 1800s. The Artificers' Guild, which deals with many areas, has been around since the late middle ages.
Vladivostok and Zeppelinburg are still dominated by corporate influence, and their pollution results from this. This is the result of the radical pro-corporation policies of my predecessor, and we're working to combat them."

[Lamerika]

"Fair enough," Taylor nodded, "It can be hard to pin yourself down... I myself am in some strange limbo in between Libertarian Socialism and Anarcho-Syndicalism, but hey, it works." He chuckled, taking a sip of his water.

"I may be mistaken." Orlene spoke up, leaning forward in her chair, "But do different regions in you nation have a modicum of independence to them? This being why Vladisvostok is more corporate than some other cities? It is a system we in Lamerika have been working towards, the idea of Libertarian Municipalism... You create small, self sustaining communities, or at least as close to being self sustainable as one can manage, all working together in a Federation for a common purpose. In our case, these communities are managed by Worker's Syndicates which organize to coordinate production on both the local and national levels."

"But regardless, your system does have merit to it." Taylor stated, "Smaller cooperatives have always been more efficient than Corporations anyway. If only the Guilds could take hold in Vladivostok and Zeppelinburg... What is holding them back, may I ask? Is it simply that the corporations are too powerful?"

[Arctica-Aleutia]

Wyatt: "Different districts - that's our version of states or provinces - have considerable autonomy. This has led to more regulation of guilds in some than others, though the federal government keeps things from getting too extreme. In Vladivostok and Zeppelinburg it is largely due to corporations being quite powerful and difficult to oust due to local laws. Of course, some corporations in other parts of the country aren't nearly as nefarious, but as a whole they've caused a fair bit of trouble. The libertarian municipalism you describe sounds intriguing. I suppose my goal is to let the people decide what economic system my country follows in the end. The guild system has taken hold gradually over the past few decades, and that's probably a good thing. Rapid, drastic change can be necessary sometimes, but can also have horrid side effects."