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Izaakia · 06-08-2022, 09:47 PM

President Blanc was at the exclusive Dolphin Club gym in Izaakston, completing her usual 50 lengths of the pool in the morning when she was interrupted by an advisor with breaking news from Irykia, where Junta officers had been removed from power, and a new government was declared under former Transport Minister Lily Stloncht. President Blanc was immediately relieved that the Ryccian junta had been ousted from Keyli, as the security risk from Irykia had been weighing heavy on her mind since the Junta came to power.

She almost flew out of the water with 23 lengths left to do, and said to her advisor, “Get the facts straight, I want to know who this Lily Stloncht is, how viable this opposition is, and I want you to get the car right now.” She grabbed her towel poncho put it on, and grabbed her gym bag, without getting changed she was in the car.

Within 10 minutes she was in her office at Fin House, barefoot, still damp, wearing a swimming costume and a towel poncho, surrounded by advisors, aides and security officials. They confirmed that Irykia was under opposition control, the newly declared Lily Stloncht was a viable and reasonable opposition that posed not threat to Izaakia, and that the Ryccian nuclear arsenal in Irykia was under their control.

She told her advisors there is no time to waste, and that she wants to meet this new government as soon as possible, and that no time can be wasted to secure Keyli, and keep the junta from launching a counter attack.

Later that day, she was arriving at IAF East Izaakston, to board the new super sonic Presidential Jet Bomber Command One. She was wearing an ensemble of dark blue jeans, a medium grey marl woollen turtle neck jumper, and a stylish navy blue gilet with discreetly disguised Kevlar body armour.

Unlike normal foreign trips, Bomber Command One was not filled with the normal journalists and numerous advisors, but was filled with Security Services in full body armour to ensure her security. The jet took off with an escort of fighter jets, to protect bomber command one from any rogue junta loyalist air defences.

As the plane approached Mirrey, President Blancs right leg was restless as she was nervous as to how this meeting would proceed, whist Izaakia and Ryccia had horrifically bad relations, even before the junta came to power, it was pivotal that this meeting had a positive outcome.

Gianni: “Izaakia, I hate you so much. You’re such a good bad guy. Must be because of your genes“.
Gianni, 21:42 14 Dec 2020, # Pacifica Discussion

Ryccia · 06-09-2022, 02:01 PM

Mirrey, Irykia
"Ryccian Federation"

Never in a million years did Lily Stloncht ever hope to be Prime Minister, less so President or even a symbol of Ryccian democracy. But now, she was all three at once.

Although she did belong to the country's political elite, she was also in the outer periphery of it all. She thought that Minister of Transportation was to be the highlight of her political career.

Fate is often mischievous.

She was the only cabinet minister worth her salt that escaped the junta's grasp. She had taken a private holiday to Transsuneria to relax, and thus was far away from the junta's purge once they overthrew the government. She got lucky, and thus had two choices: either hide and seek asylum somewhere, or try to do something about this malicious development.

She decided to not cower before the junta's might, and her fear for her own life was less than you might think. Stloncht actually came from a respected family of career military officers. Her father, now a retired and aging man, had been a high-ranking General, and her brother and two cousins were all Major Generals in the army. She knew that the junta's respect for the Stloncht line meant that, although they may decry her as a traitor, sentence her to death and have her own military relatives condemn her on state media, they wouldn't kill her on the spot like they had done with the ambassador to Sedunn. The Stloncht family was, after all, part of the military elites, and so, although she had betrayed them, her blood shielded her more than you might have believed at first glance. The red that flowed in her veins gave her the right to die honourably in the military's eyes, not shot like some random mutt in Grovne. Even if there's a black sheep in your otherwise perfectly white herd, your first instinct is not to kill it immediately.

It was precisely because of her military pedigree that she had been brought into cabinet. Had she not been a Stloncht, she might've remained just another low-level MP in her Centrist Party. She was a sort of informal point of contact between the politicians and the military, and the role she had played in the last few years behind the scenes was secretly influential. She had even stopped a full-on coup attempt a year ago when the military, frustrated by William Altrecht's anemic support for the Valoran royalists, decided to depose him. Her intervention had calmed them, and though she was on paper yet another minister in the Altrecht cabinet, there was no doubt in Ryccia's chattery political circles that she had soft power by her mere existence.

As a military insider, she knew where to strike and how. She knew that the military high command effectively exiled those officers who disagreed with them to the overseas territories. Whilst on the Mainland, the officers were, in their majority, pro-junta, the story was different elsewhere. The top commanders in both Irykia and the Siculite Islands followed the junta's lead, but those officers below them hated the coup, reluctantly following orders. It was precisely due to this reason that, although the junta's repression was vicious in the Mainland, they took a way lighter approach in the overseas territories, paranoid of an uprising by their own disgruntled outcasts who were angry over the new regime.

She just had to hit in their weak spots, and that she did.

She phoned a childhood friend of hers who had been de-facto exiled to Irykia. Major General Darius Isurben, a fanatic democrat and closeted socialist, happily agreed. He contacted other officers who felt like him and, in just two days, threw the Irykian high command in jail. The territory was now under her control, and she declared herself the legitimate acting President and acting Prime Minister of the Ryccian Federation.

Despite her blitzing takeover, she was actually anxious as hell. Not only did she fear some retaliation by the junta by some terrorist attack or a counter-coup, she also knew she was an amateur playing in the big leagues. She was only 38 years old, and she was aware that her talents were sorely lacking for high office, especially in a time like this. Yet, what other choice was there? If not her, who?

The junta back home was fuming that the Izaakian president was attending an official state visit on Ryccian soil. Marshal Lachuentstin herself sent a private message to Stloncht, calling her a traitor and that she wasn't dead for now because of her friendship with her retired father. Most politicians Lachuentstin had arrested or even executed were just dehumanized obstacles for her. However, with Stloncht, it was personal. She felt betrayed by this upstart whippersnapper who had been at her house a month ago, with Stloncht attending with her father as part of a celebration of his service to the country.

As President Blanc stepped out of the plane, she was greeted by Stloncht and an honour guard. Despite Izaakian-Ryccian relations being as frosty as the climate here, Stloncht let out a diplomatic, rehearsed smile and shook Blanc's hand.

"Welcome to the Ryccian Federation, President Blanc. Thank you for being here in such short notice. I hope our talks prove fruitful for all of us"

Yes, the Ryccian Federation. Never mind that Mirrey was not the capital, but a city far from its core lands. Yet, this was the Ryccian Federation, and she was leading it.

Deputy Regional Minister of the Planning and Development Agency(March 8-May 19, 2014)

Local Council Member(April 24-August 11)

Court Justice of TSP(August 15-December 7)

Quotes

[Image: 9ehfkQV.png]

(This post was last modified: 06-09-2022, 02:20 PM by Ryccia.)

Izaakia · 06-10-2022, 09:46 PM

As President Blanc disembarked from the plane, she at first was blinded by the low sun, but as her eyes adjusted to the light she was quite pleased to see the welcoming delegation from President Stloncht, all very well prepared for a government less than a day old, with very little time for preparation. She hadn’t quite known what to expect, but so far it seems she had prepared for something far worse than what she met.

She was greeted by President Stloncht, and in reply said with steamy breathe in the bitter cold “Thank You so much for your warm welcome, and congratulations on your new role, I’m sure it’s not how anyone would like to come to the highest role of their nation, but none the less I’m sure you’ll do a fantastic job in such difficult circumstances”.

As they walked away from the plane President Blanc said “Do you know, this is my first state visit abroad, and I do believe the first ever all Keylian state visit by two female presidents. History is in the making, and I do hope we come to some historic agreements to keep Keyli safe, and help your cause”

Gianni: “Izaakia, I hate you so much. You’re such a good bad guy. Must be because of your genes“.
Gianni, 21:42 14 Dec 2020, # Pacifica Discussion

Ryccia · 06-15-2022, 10:05 AM

An interesting historical quirk, it seems, ultimately irrelevant to the discussion at hand.

Blanc had forgotten that these were still Ryccian officials, with Ryccian interests and desires. For instance, the Mirrey government knew that there was some suspicion to certify Izaakian involvement in Valora, although there was more evidence suggesting a rogue Ryccian armaments company looking to get rich. The suspicion was enough for Mirrey to look at Izaakia with mistrust, however. The Mirrey government knew it had to look good for its cause to get any traction whatsoever, and so they opted to advocate for a ceasefire and a negotiated peace settlement in Valora. The future could wait. Ryccia could still influence its historical lapdog in other ways.

Keylian security was, of course, on the top of the Mirrey government's immediate agenda. It was a net benefit to negotiate with the Izaakians, no matter how much they distrusted them. Besides, they knew they had to come to Mirrey. Mirrey may not like Izaakston, but it didn't wish for Castiana's fever dream of seeing the USI bathed in blood and chaos, forever broken and eternally dead.

And so, Mirrey was receptive to diplomacy. Time would tell if the junta's bombastic rhetoric of Izaakia being completely untrustworthy would come true.

"Yes, our common security is indeed a topic worthy to look at. Thank you for your support and recognition to the only legitimate administration of the Ryccian Federation"

The two leaders strode through the usual state ceremonies. Review of the guard, anthems, and a short motorcade as was custom for Ryccian state visits. The people of Mirrey, in an impromptu crowd, welcomed Blanc with cheers. Despite the cold, Mirrey was a welcoming city. Its people were known for their generosity, probably a cultural trait held by their affluence compared to the rest of the country. After all, Irykia had massive oil reserves it profited from, and Mirrey was the epicenter for it all.

They then arrived at the Governor's Palace, which was temporarily being used to house the new administration. The governor could live elsewhere, and he voluntarily agreed to temporarily relocate anyway. There were podiums prepared for a brief press conference and for some photos meant to be taken for the occasion. Reporters had massed in the palace's reception hall, ready to ask questions.

"President Blanc, Mario Sorsang from the Mirrey Observer. Why did you come here in such short notice? Could you explain in detail?"

Deputy Regional Minister of the Planning and Development Agency(March 8-May 19, 2014)

Local Council Member(April 24-August 11)

Court Justice of TSP(August 15-December 7)

Quotes

[Image: 9ehfkQV.png]

(This post was last modified: 06-15-2022, 10:19 AM by Ryccia.)

Izaakia · 06-15-2022, 10:36 AM

“Thank you Mario, great question, and I think it’s quite a straight forward answer. With the situation here in Ryccia being quite fluid at the moment, I think it’s important that when such a positive development happens, we help that development to solidify and gain traction before the junta has an opportunity to snuff it out. Especially when this development happens so close to Izaakia, and when us helping the Mirrey government, enhances both our respected nations security. And yes, I’m aware this is the successor to the government we’ve been butting heads with recently, but sometimes it’s better the devil you know.”

Question
”Hi I’m Hughbert D’Arcy from the New Mako Times, and my question is for President Stloncht, Madam President, where do you see your counter coup headed, and what part do you see Izaakia playing in your opposition to the junta?”

Gianni: “Izaakia, I hate you so much. You’re such a good bad guy. Must be because of your genes“.
Gianni, 21:42 14 Dec 2020, # Pacifica Discussion

Ryccia · 06-15-2022, 11:28 AM

Stloncht chuckled a bit at that statement, and so did many journalists. The two states had treated each other as devils indeed, so they were already familiar with one another.

She then proceeded to answer, determined to defend the nation by every word she spoke.

"I know it will be characterized by critics as 'petty wordplay', but I have to set the record straight. This is no 'counter coup'. This would imply that we seized power in an illegitimate coup d'etat as our opponents in the junta have done. No, what we have done is restore the legal and constitutional order in these territories, and lawful governments use force to maintain their sovereign existence"

"Now onto the actual question. Despite all its flaws, despite all that has happened, Ryccia has been a democratic nation for almost a century now. Every single patriotic Ryccian citizen knows of the arduous Democratic Revolution that lasted from 1888 to 1925, and our democracy's centennial is this year, in December, celebrating when the first democratic elections were held on the territory of the First Ryccian Republic in 1922. Our ancestors fought for 37 years to finally and forever attain their liberty. No matter how long it takes, we're certain we'll see this through, no matter what it takes"

"Izaakia has shown itself to be a nation that respects international norms by recognizing the truth of our administration. This we are glad to see. As a coinhabitant of this continent we share, we have to look for our mutual security during these trying times. That's all"

"Heather Fordhorter from The Republic's Irykia branch. President Blanc, do you expect a warm-up of relations with the Mirrey administration? If so, can you tell us if you expect these developments to impact future Ryccian-Izaakian relations if the Mirrey government manages to take control of all Ryccia?"

Deputy Regional Minister of the Planning and Development Agency(March 8-May 19, 2014)

Local Council Member(April 24-August 11)

Court Justice of TSP(August 15-December 7)

Quotes

[Image: 9ehfkQV.png]

(This post was last modified: 06-15-2022, 11:30 AM by Ryccia.)

Izaakia · 06-17-2022, 02:46 PM

“Well, I certainly think there is room for a thawing of our relations with the legitimate democratic government of Ryccia, and when the government in Mirrey takes full control, and note I said when and not if, I hope perhaps our relations, if not close, are perhaps less adversarial. Even if they are not overly improved, they will certainly be better than with the Junta.”

Journalist
“President Stloncht, I’m the Viscount Houghgart of Newall and Little Meison for the Izaakston Tittle Tattle, how do you rate your chances of prevailing and bringing back democratic rule to Ryccia, and what would you need to expedite this cause?”

Gianni: “Izaakia, I hate you so much. You’re such a good bad guy. Must be because of your genes“.
Gianni, 21:42 14 Dec 2020, # Pacifica Discussion