ABSENTEES: ATTORNEY GENERAL Hélène Marie Bourque; SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY Hannah Morris Buchanan; and PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE WORLD FORUM Nancy Arden Roosevelt.
APRIL 28, 2019
GUTZWILLER CONFERENCE ROOM, PRESIDENTIAL MANSION
PRESIDENT BLYTHE: Alright folks! Welcome to the first meeting of the new Executive Committee. It's been a long time since we last met in a big group like this, but we've got a lot to do.
CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE STAFF SORENSON: The last time we met, you still had some brown hair!
(laughter)
PRESIDENT BLYTHE: Those were the days! Ok, we have one topic that needs to be discussed in this meeting. It is to respond to the Frosts' reply of the ultimatum. It is a long tradition for the next most senior member to start, so, Mr. Vice President?
VICE PRESIDENT UNDERWOOD: Mr. President, members of the Committee, it's nice to meet you all today. It's my wish that there will be fruitful discussions and hopefully, efficient solutions coming out of this meeting. The Admiral on the other side made it clear that they're not going to go our way. They've called us "war criminals" for standing against justice and killing the people of the Frost Empire, when in fact it's actually them who deserve the title. If we're going to keep our international standing and make sure we come out of the battle with our goals achieved, we need to move forward and united in executing our plan.
SECRETARY IRVING: And let us not forget, our primary goal right now is to secure our territory in the Reizen and Zett islands, not to battle face-to-face with the Frost Empire. We chose to take the land in first place, because the RDC needs a stronger voice and a seat at the table. If we were to do this well, we need to coordinate a joint effort between the military and the diplomats.
AMBASSADOR LOISEAU: What [Secretary Irving] was totally correct. We must never forget our original intentions and goals. Mr. President, we've received enough international pressure already. You see the Frosts accusing us in the World Forum and allies turning against our back and pouring support and resources for the Empire. I believe we must do things in a more conciliatory manner, for the best interests of this country and of our future diplomatic conquest.
CHIEF OF PROTOCOL SECKLER: With regards to responding in a more conciliatory manner, I believe we should send more military troops and equipment moderately while also defending our stance and actions on the world stage. The latter we haven't managed to do much and we're letting our foes tread on us.
SECRETARY IRVING: I'm sorry, Mr. Seckler, but I think you may have not understood the main idea of warfare. In a battle, there are challenges in which you cannot predict in advance. That is why we send an abundant amount of resources into the war. The more we send into battle, the easier it will be for us to win. We don't want more and more of our precious resources lost in this war, but I get your point. We must do things responsibly and make sure that our actions fully reflect our interests and intentions.
SECRETARY RASMUSSEN: So far so good. My plan for our response is that we form a comprehensive one that covers all major aspects of our involvement in the war, including military, economic and diplomatic. We should send in more troops and equipment to ensure our forces are superior to them in the battle for Reizen and Zett Islands. At the same time, as mentioned before in the Presidential Directive, we should refrain from making any attack against Frost forces. Only when they fire at us will we start firing back while trying to get to shore. We have never implemented any economic actions since the Directive was established, therefore I'd like us to sanction non-allied countries or entities which are supporting the WPR, RIM and Frost forces. And above all, in order for all of this to work, we must rally support behind it. I see Ryccia as a potential partner for collaboration in the Reizen Civil War.
DIRECTOR CORCORAN: I have to say, Secretary Rasmussen's plan is impressive and comprehensive. But I feel a need to add in just a small important detail to our mission, and that is intelligence. We have an always-ready group of agents who can help us with our clandestine and secret activities in Reizen and other specific places. Sometimes, when we are not able to command international support, that hinders our ability to achieve our goals. However, if we were to start conducting clandestine activities on our enemies and groups of interest, we can get what we want without the need to make public actions.
PRESIDENT BLYTHE: Everyone, you've been magnificent today. Your contributions and ideas help me in deciding the best course of action for this country. Regardless of how much we have accomplished in today's meeting, work still needs to be completed. The Defense Department and the Defence Staff must work together to form a military response to the Frosts' rejection of our ultimatum. Highly important. Secretary Rasmussen, please work with our Ambassadors and delegate tasks accordingly. Chancellor Carnegie, please report on our economic sanctioning options and their potential effects to our country. Other than that, everyone, you may now leave. Hold on, except for Doug (Chief of Staff ot the President)!
CHIEF OF STAFF STAMPER: Sir?
PRESIDENT BLYTHE: The parliamentary elections are coming up. Our performance in Reizen will affect our administration's and party's chances in securing a victory. I don't want to lose this at all. I'm worried. We can't afford to make a mistake now that we went so far in the jungle.
CHIEF OF STAFF STAMPER: I'll make sure we maintain good communications with the party leadership, sir.
PRESIDENT BLYTHE: If we lose the election, I'm fucked. The Liberals are gonna feed us shit! And the Frosts!
CHIEF OF STAFF STAMPER: Sir, we're still in this. I'll work as hard as possible to make sure things go our way.
He then gently pads the President's shoulder as he leaves the room.