Dance of Wolves (HELISTE)

[Atmora]

Ambassador Lodewijk Gerritsz
Atmoran Embessay in Mohilev, United Kingdoms of Vozh
5 October 2016

Gerritsz was appointed by High Queen Katherine II to the position as the Ambassador of the Atmoran Confederation to Vozh, 2 years ago back when things used to be cooling down for the Cold War. When the Confederation and Vozh were mending their shattered relationships. I remember when I presented my credentials to the High King of Vozh, never would I thought of the possibility that I would have to deliver a declaration of war. Following the build-up of Atmoran and Vozhsk troops along the northern borders. The Foreign Ministry has given out new directives to the Marechaussee detachments in the Embassies in Ghelen, Vozh, and Aravea. In an unprecedented time of uncertainty, the Foreign Embassy hereby directs all Financial Marechaussee detachments to hereby dawn combat uniforms with their service nearby in case of the embassy gets stormed by hostiles.

Gerritsz looked the window from his office to see FMAR Secret Service sentries in their BDUs with their signature blue caps at the Embassy gates. Gerritsz tried to convince Minister Beverdam that his embassy guards in Mohliev should be dressed in their dress blues, not their battle dress uniforms. That it will send the wrong message to the Vozhsk government, Alexandria has been unmoving on it though. There was nothing that Gerritsz could do to dissuade Alexandria from this. All that Gerritsz hopes that is he can broker a deal with the Vozhsk and prevent yet another bloodshed in Halkeginia.

Awaiting for the Vozhsk delegation to arrive at the Embassy, Gerritsz heads down to the main entrance of the Embassy building with his staff. Doing his best to hide the nervousness of the gravity of the situation that Alexandria has placed him in. One simple mistake and Halkeginia could be plunged into yet another war.

[Vozh]

Lord-Ambassador Ivan van der Heuk
Atmoran Embassy in Mohileu, United Kingdoms of Vozh
5 October 2016

His Excellency Count van der Heuk was unusual by Vozhsk reckoning. Standing a 'mere' 5'11", he found himself dwarfed by his bodyguards and aides, presenting a somewhat comical imagine in his own opinion. A fiercely proud Atmoraans with extensive political education and descent from one of the minor Wolf cadet branches, he seemed a natural liaison with the Atmorans in the eyes of the Vozhsk government.

As he entered the room; he immediately took a seat opposite his Atmoran counterpart with little ceremony. He understood far too well the threat posed to Vozhsk neutrality by the events of recent months, and as such was determined to find common ground on the issues of territorial disputes, terrorism, and continued Vozhsk non-alignment.

"Well, Ambassador Gerritsz, it would seem we have much to discuss. I would prefer if we started this meeting with some explanations for recent Atmoran violations of the Vozhsk border. What does your government have to say for yourself?"

Perhaps if the National Salvation government had time to do proper research, they would have discovered the new Vozhsk ambassador was infamously a prick.

[Atmora]

Atmoran Embessay in Mohilev, United Kingdoms of Vozh
5 October 2016

The Foreign Ministry had a file on Count van der Heuk and his meetings with Atmoran diplomats. Some lesser Wolf descendent from the Rothenburg branch of the House of Wolf. So far removed from the main House of Wolf, that even the Wolf family archives in Saint Visenna, have considered Lord Heuk too unimportant to keep track of. However, what the Foreign Ministry kept track of that Saint Visenna have decided was unimportant to keep in records, was Lord Heuk's infamous unpleasant attitude.

Gerritsz understood well that Alexandria would want him to defend Atmora's actions in disputed waters within the Atmoran-Vozhsk maritime borders within the Sedna Sea. Along with even seeking reassurance from the Vozhsk government of non-interference in a potential case that the Ghelen crisis boils out of control. Gerritsz listened to Lord Heuk give his government's stance. Ambassador Gerritsz leaned forward, to Lord Heuk after he finished talking.

"Heer Heuk, the Government of Atmora stands by it's maritime claims in the Ungava Bay and the Sedna Sea off the coast of the islands of Salikuit. The Rijksmarine operations in the Ungava Bay and the seas off of Salikuit, are coastal patrol missions undertaken by the Rijksmarine. Officially speaking from the Government of Atmora."

Gerritsz paused for a second before resuming to talk.

"However, Heer Heuk we both know that isn't the entire truth. The truth of the matter is that Alexandria wishes to know why the National Salvation Government has broken the Tripartite agreement. Alexandria is concerned that by dissolving the government of Jelena Andreeva and pulling out of the Tripartite agreement. Between governments of Atmora, Castarcia, and Vozh. That the Vozhsk government is chosen to ally with Aravea in a potential conflict between the Confederation and the Aravean Union."

[Vozh]

Atmoran Embassy, Mohileu, UK Vozh
5 October 2016

"Mijn Heer, I must firstly and emphatically assert that the United Kingdoms are in no way whatsoever allied to to the Aravean Union nor to any other country on God's Earth. Indeed, our entire reasoning for withdrawal from the Pan-Halkeginian project was that the Constitutional Court found our membership in transnational organizations to be in conflict with the perpetual neutrality clause of the constitution. It would require a constitutional amendment approved by popular referendum to excise or change this clause."

After taking a moment to light a cigarette and summon a briefcase-bearing aide; he produced a sealed envelope bearing the seals of the High King and the Premier.

"Heer Ambassadeur, Her Most Catholic Majesty's Government has authorized me to present for the scrutiny of your government a proposed solution to the White Sea Question. HMCM's Government would have the issue submitted before an international arbiter, with both parties agreeing to abide by the ruling of the arbiter. Failing that, we would also submit to the internationalising of the disputed areas; to be administered as a demilitazrised condominium of the Confederation and the United Kingdoms. Pending word from your government, I'm afraid that is all that I am permitted to discuss this day."

[Atmora]

Atmoran Embessay in Mohilev, United Kingdoms of Vozh
5 October 2016

Alexandria had really put Gerritsz in a tough situation diplomatically. Alexandria has put him in the situation where he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. The only hope Gerritsz had for these negotiations was if he could manage to convince Heer Heuk of it.

"Mijnheer, you must understand Alexandria's concerns. It's not that Vozh's declaration of neutrality in any potential conflicts is the concern here. It's if the Araveans or anyone else will respect that neutrality. The easiest way to strike Atmora through the east for the Araveans would land their forces in Vozh and push through the Chukotkas. After all, if Aravea controls the east, then Atmora is cut off from the Emporic. Alexandria is concerned about the eastern trade routes, and Vozh's sovereignty."

The Ambassador leaned back into his chair and signalled one of the embassy aides to get him and the guest some refreshments. Gerritsz looked at the documents that Lord Heuk had placed in front of him. After looking at the documents, Gerritsz leaned backed lighting a cigar.

"Alexandria, may be inclined to consider these proposals if Alexandria knew who the arbitrator maybe? Alexandria doesn't want to be put in a disadvantageous situation you must understand of course. However, you must also understand the Rijksmarine and those in Parliament wouldn't be inclined to the demilitarisation of the White Sea. As we know the White Sea is of strategic importance to the Krijgsmacht. But perhaps, the only way the Rijksmarine may consider demilitarisation of the White Sea region would be if they gained a new strategic asset that is of more importance than the White Sea."