Kingdom and Greater Imperium

[callmedelta]

Lang bit her lip, thinking. "I don't know if airlifts would help connect Franerre and Eleria that well. Certainly, they could be of great boon to your outlying settlements, but unless you are using Franch airfields, I do not see how we could help with them. Even if you did wish to use Franch airfields, the closest airfield would be at Fort Merceus, outside Setange, and I don't know if the air force would be willing to let you use it or not. What could be of use are Franch goods. If a railway were to be built, like we have proposed, Franch goods could be sent into continental Eleria for much cheaper then it would take to ship them from the island, I presume, which would make colonization much easier. Speaking of the island, that brings me to another of the points I wished to bring up. While Eleria may control the sky, it is Franerre who controls Touli's waves, and as such we naturally have quite the experience in shipmaking. To better help transport goods from the island to the continent, we have several companies who would be able to expand Eleria's merchant marine at very competitive prices.

[DrMedic]

Marina sighed, setting down her tea and looking Ambassador Lang directly in the eyes, intending to drive her point home.

"The up-front cost of a railroad is still quite a bit more than is feasible, not to mention actually working out the logistics for that many men to go out and build it. I can offer pilots and planes to carry goods between our nations, we don't even need an airstrip to do it. Building a railroad though? There is no reason to go spending so much money on such an underpopulated part of the Imperium, especially when I don't know if that infrastructure will be used enough to make it worthwhile. If there were more inhabitants in the area, I'd be more inclined to give a further look into it, but as it stands there's nothing I can do until things on the continent develop further. As far as a merchant fleet goes, there is little reason for us to purchase ships. We have our own shipyards, we can produce merchant vessels, but maritime trade is something that is typically handled in the private sector in Eleria, save more basic resources such as Staol."

[callmedelta]

"You said it yourself that airlifting would be more expensive than rail lines," Amélie countered, "And Franerre would be happy to cover part of the cost of building a rail line to Kincraig, provided a deal could be worked out. From Kincraig, you could airlift to other parts of Eleria, if further airlifts would be needed."

[DrMedic]

"When I said it was more expensive than rail, I meant more expensive in the long term. I wouldn't want to have that running permanently, but as a stopgap to at least get supplies between our nations without spending the money for steel, staol, wood, and paying the salaries of thousands of men, it's much cheaper. I would love to trade with Franerre, Ambassador Lang, it could help bolster both our economies, but there is a safe way to handle this, and a risky way to handle it. I don't know if you've spent much time at war, but speaking from experience, the safe way is always better. You would receive the same answer from my husband."

[callmedelta]

"Ah," Ambassador Lang nodded, "I believe I understand now. At first, I thought you were suggesting that the airlift remain in place full time." Amélie picked up her cup of tea, and took another sip. The drink had cooled during the women's deliberation, though it still tasted good to Amélie, but more importantly it gave her a moment to think. Setting down her cup, Amélie said, "I believe this may be an acceptable compromise, at least in the short term. The only thing more that I ask is that some Franch pilots as well as Elerian pilots be allowed to run the airlifts. Eleria may have a larger air force than Franerre, but we have our own pilots who could use the hours as well."

[DrMedic]

"I suppose that could be done, but the question remains. What goods have you to trade?" Marina asked, quietly taking a sip of her tea as she thought of what Eleria could provide.

[callmedelta]

“Well, one of the largest advantages of trade with Franerre is that it would likely be cheaper to ship goods from Franerre to continental Eleria rather than from the island. Franerre specific goods, however, are another story.” Ambassador Lang withdrew a small box from her briefcase, handing it to the Imperatrix. Inside was a pearl of above average size, just larger than the woman’s thumb. “Franerre is most famous for her pearls and wine, neither of which is likely to help your colonies, however. We already discussed Franch shipyards, and your lack of need for them. Franerre does have a small sector of civilian goods that can be made rather cheaply, though you do get what you pay for.”

[DrMedic]

"I understand. Now, a question for you," Marina said, sitting forward and staring Amelie directly in the eyes, "how exactly did you know of our air force? We don't run combat air patrols over continental Eleria, and we keep them minimal so we don't draw any unwanted attention. If you have spies within our borders, I would highly recommend you get them out swiftly before we consider that an act of war from a hostile power."

[callmedelta]

A bead of sweat began to form on the Ambassador's forehead. “Well, I don’t know where my superiors got that information, as I was briefed by the FA, not the GA.” Lang swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. All of the work she’d made today, and it would all go up in flames for a simple slip of the tongue? No, Lang couldn’t let it happen. Amélie smiled, putting on a brave front. “If this deal goes through, I’m sure my superiors would be happy to consider any agents currently in Eleria the first exports to Franerre.”

[DrMedic]

"Alternatively, I could always send a message that we are not to be played with. I will not jeopardize the security of the Imperium, especially over trade. Unless you can make a very sweet deal, the only shipment you'll receive from Eleria will be bodies."

[callmedelta]

Another bead of sweat formed on Amélie‘s forehead. Then another. Then a third. What could have been Amélie‘s crowning diplomatic achievement, and it was going to end in murder. She needed time to think. Lang reaches for her pocket, retrieving a small pocket watch. It was around dinner time, thankfully. A good enough excuse to leave the palace for her accommodations. Amélie quickly drained the rest of the now cold tea in her cup, before closing her briefcase and standing up. “While I would love to continue tonight’s negotiations,” the Ambassador hurried out, “It is getting rather late, and it is hard for me to focus on an empty stomach. Please, excuse me for tonight, and we will be able to continue tomorrow.”

[DrMedic]

Marina raised an eyebrow, issuing a cold reply. "Of course, Miss Lang. Before you leave the palace though, I'd advise against overstaying your welcome now that you've got my undivided attention. I wish you a peaceful night."

[callmedelta]

“Thank you,” Lang said, swiftly exciting the room and quickly walking all of the way outside the palace. Now outside of view of any prying eyes, she let out a long sigh. She could fix this. Amélie Lang was a fighter. The walk to her hotel was quiet, which was fine to Lang, the only occasional interruptions being to ask locals for directions. The walk gave Amélie plenty of time to think. If those spies were the ones jeprodisring her mission, well, she’d have to find some way to deal with those spies. Could this cost Lang her place in the FFAA? Yes, she knew that fact well. But that would be better than being relegated to some far off post Father know’s where. If she failed, at the very least it’d be the most spectacular failure in the FFAA’s history.

[DrMedic]

Now alone, Marina finished her tea in silence, thinking her next move over. She could do any number of things to put pressure on the foreigner. She could seal off the island, ordering all unauthorized vessels to be sunk. She could mobilize a task force to track the spies down and imprison them, forcing the poor diplomat to bend the knee to preserve her countrymen. She could simply deport her and let the  Ministry of War's Imperial Intelligence Bureau hunt down the rats, then use them as leverage against Franerre. So many options, yet she knew she could only choose one. With a sigh, she made up her mind. She'd allow Lang to do whatever it was she had planned, make her earn the scraps she'd try to salvage. Perhaps the diplomat would surprise her, but she wasn't willing to cut her loose entirely. Throwing on her coat once more, the Imperatrix settled on taking a cool evening walk down to the IIB to discuss the next course of action.

Opening the door to the office, she gave a salute to the clerk at the front desk, who promptly returned it.

"Good evening your Majesty, how can I be of service?" He asked, directing his full attention to the Imperatrix.

"I've got an assignment for the bureau, a foreign contact I'd like you to keep very close watch over."

"Yes ma'am, please, follow me to the director's office."

With a silent nod, she followed him down the hall and into a waiting room, where after a moment, an office stepped out to greet her.

"Imperatrix Marina, to what do I owe the honor?" 

"Not what, but who. A Franch ambassador by the name of Amelie Lang has revealed they have spies currently operating within our borders. They knew of our air force's dominance at the very least, and there's no telling how much more information they've built up on the Imperium. I need you to watch her closely and keep me informed of her activities. Redouble your efforts in counterintelligence as well, we cannot allow foreign actors to learn of our strengths and weaknesses so easily."

"I see, would you mind siting down with me a moment so we can talk about this further?"

"Whatever I need to do to help the Imperium." She said with a nod, stepping into the director's office. The pair discussed matters for quite some time, building up a plan of action to deal with their Franch visitors, as well as several contingencies depending on what was to come. Once they were through and Marina was confident her duties for the evening had been fulfilled, she retired to the palace, patiently waiting as the situation developed.

[callmedelta]

Lang mentally reviewed the plan in her head. As far as she knew, everything should work, but then again, what did she know about international espionage? 'Enough to get them all killed,' Amélie glumly thought. 'Oh well, at least it shouldn't be too hard for me to pull off. I just need to meet with my contact at the restaurant across the street.' Her stomach growled at the thought of going to a restaurant. It was probably time for the woman to leave. Lang got up and exited her room, taking the stairs down to the first floor. She was on the fifth floor, so the Ambassador easily could have taken the elevator, but she decided she needed the time to think. Unfortunately for Lang, she spent most of that time thinking of all the ways she would screw up. Dismissing the thoughts from her head as best she could, Lang entered the lobby, scanning around for anyone she thought looked conspicuous. It only made sense for the Imperium to have someone sent to watch her, but as Amélie gazed around the room, she realized she was hopeless. Lang was an ambassador, not a spy, and had no chance of shaking any Elerian tails. But it was just a quick walk over to a restaurant for dinner. There was no way that Lang could get in contact with anyone, right? Amélie hoped that was what her tail thought as the woman made her way out of the lobby, across the street, and into the restaurant. When inside, she took a seat at the table in the farthest corner of the restaurant, where her contact told the Ambassador to sit. A few moments later, a server came up, speaking to her in Tireil. “Sorry, I don’t speak Tiereil,” Lang said, the only purpose she knew in the language.

“Ah,” the server in heavily accented commons said, "May I take your order?"

"I'm sorry, could you say that again?" Lang asked, "I'm not good with accents."

"May I take your order?" The server asked, this time reducing as much of her accent at the woman could, which struck Lang as odd. In fact, looking at the woman, she matched the description given to Amélie. 

"The Lady would like your finest water," Amélie recited, the waiting for the response to her code phrase. 

"You won't find much fine water here," the agent responded. Amélie let out a relieved sigh. "Hello, Ambassador. I'll slip you a note with your food about what to do next. For now, just order something. 

"Uhh," Amélie hadn't even had time to look at her menu, "I'll just take a salad and a water, please."

"Coming right up." While she waited, Amélie looked around the surprisingly sparse restaurant. For a restaurant at this hour, it certainly didn't have a lot of customers. Amélie didn't have too much time alone with her thoughts, as soon the server returned with her salad, water, and utensils, wrapped up in a napkin. Unrolling the napkin, inside she found a small note reading, 'Finish your meal then go to the bathroom. It should be mostly empty.' Amélie ate her salad rather quickly and soon enough found the server waiting for her in the empty women's restroom. Taking out a small ring of keys, the agent locked the door before speaking. "Well, what do you need, Ambassador?"

"I fucked up," Lang said with a sigh.

"The FA? Fucking up? That's certainly to hit the frontpage of all the papers in Pareau," the agent retorted in Franch.

"I really fucked up. The Imperatrix knows that there are spies in Iomairt." Lang rubbed her forehead, wondering if her hair brained scheme really could save the day.

"Now that one might be headline worthy," the woman said, "But so what. We know how to leave and stay low. Myself and the other agents-"

"The Imperatrix threatened to send you home in bodybags," Amélie interjected. The agent didn't have a smart retort for that one. For a few moments, silence reigned in the room. "I'm not going to have those deaths on my consciousness, at least not if I can help it."

"So, what's your plan, then?" the agent asked.

Lang took a deep breath, steeling her nerves. "In the meeting with the Imperatrix, I said that if our trade agreement went through, that the spies in Eleria could be their first export to Franerre. Well, I plan to make that happen. I need you to get all of the spies in Iomairt together as quickly as possible."

"That's certainly an FA scheme, that is," the agent said, "and there is the chance we can just stay low until this all blows over."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Lang said, "You didn't meet the Imperatrix face to face."

The agent relented. "Fine. It'll take me two days to get everyone here."

Lang sighed. She didn't know if she could keep this going for two more days, but she would have to try.