Chapter 16
The Chapterhouse
14th of Sixthmoon, 6 Charles 9
Gogorov Airbase, Gavrilgrad, Vlatoska
They were lined up in three files with Sir Armand in the center, Root and his people on the left and Captain Tsai and the Imperials on the right. Once the loading ramp was lowered, they were met by a joint service honor guard, six and six, leading to an officer in a blue dress uniform and his entourage. There was a military band that started to play "My Homeland, Beloved", a Byrandian patriotic song—not the national anthem or else they would be obliged to stand at attention for the duration.
Realizing that the honor guard was too close together for three files to comfortably pass, the order was given for them to step back a couple paces. Once that was done, Sir Armand motioned for them to go down the loading ramp.
As they approached the officer, he saluted and said in somewhat stilted Franca, "Ma, Major General Pawel Radomirowich Wasilyew, Minister of Foreign Affairs."
Sir Armand placed his hand over his heart and bowed slightly, saying, "Sir Armand de Haviland, special envoy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
General Vasilyev extended his hand to Sir Armand and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Armand."
Sir Armand accepted his hand and replied, "The pleasure is all mine, General." He gestured to his right and said, "Allow me to introduce Captain Tsai Nali of the New Earth Empire's Imperial Navy."
They exchanged handshakes and pleasantries, then Sir Armand motioned to Root.
"Colonel Sir Rutger Maartens of His Majesty's Royal Army, military liaison and aide-de-camp to His Majesty the King."
General Vasilyev looked a little surprised someone of Root's rank was acting as military liaison, but he tried to hide it as he shook Root's hand.
"Welcome to Gawrilgrad, Colonel Maartens," he said.
"My pleasure, General," Root replied. He might have tried piling on some more niceties but decided it'd be better to leave the smooth talking to Sir Armand.
The band switched to playing one of their native songs as General Vasilyev gestured for them to follow him.
"Please follow me," he said. "I will take you to the Chapterhouse."
Vlatoskan history wasn't that widely studied, but Foreign Affairs gave the participants in the mission a primer course before they left Saintcharles. When Vlatoska was first plotting to break away from Slanoa, the dissident boyars met in a monastery and that monastery later became the main building for the government, the Chapterhouse General Vasilyev was talking about.
During the Second League War, the Grand Duke was overthrown in a coup by the military and the aristocracy was abolished. A military junta held the real power, but they maintained the pretense of a civilian legislature. You have to keep up appearances, after all.
There was a car for the top-ranked guests and a bus for everyone else. Root felt uncomfortable being apart from the Princess, but she would have Sir Willem and Azuki with her, so she was about as well-protected as she could be. That didn't stop him from imagining dozens of horrible scenarios. Danger was a part of living, but being in a foreign country at a time like this brought that danger closer to the forefront of his mind.
General Vasilyev tried making small talk as best he could to pass the time on the long drive to the Chapterhouse. It took at least two hours and once they reached the Chapterhouse, they were routed into an underground parking garage in the back. It was far enough down and reinforced enough that it could've withstood most bombings.
From there they went to a security checkpoint where their entry was logged. Ordinarily, any weapons would have to be checked, but in a gesture of diplomacy, the Byrandian and Imperial guests simply had to have their weapons inspected and registered in the logs before they were allowed to pass through. With an armed escort, of course.
They were led upstairs to what appeared to have once been the chapel but was restructured to more resemble a courtroom. Where the altar would have been, there was a two-tiered desk for three with the center seat positioned higher than the two on the sides. Judging from the uniforms of the three officers sitting at the desk, they represented the three branches of service. Standing behind them was an Imperial officer and his aide-de-camp. The Imperial officer said something, apparently to Captain Tsai, in their language and she responded in kind.
General Vasilyev gestured to the man seated in the center and said, "Allow me to introduce Chairman of the Executiwe Directorate of the Republic of Wlatoska, Colonel General Maxim Ilyich Bladikow; and Wice-Chairmen Admiral Lawrentiy Ustinowich Chernekow and Lieutenant General Wladislas Malkowich Makarow."
He then introduced Sir Armand, Root and Captain Tsai to General Bladikov in Vlatoskan. Sir Armand gave a greeting in Vlatoskan, and General Bladikov responded likewise. From there, interpreters were called by both sides to act as intermediaries for the discussions. Root didn't fail to notice that they weren't invited to sit for all this.
"Comrade General welcomes our guests from Byrandia," the Vlatoskan interpreter began. "Vlatoska has not forgotten our two nations' reconciliation since the War and particularly the warmer relationship that has been forged since your King Charles came to the throne. We understand that Byrandia seeks to formalize an alliance with us over the matter of the Saintcharles Accords and this so-called Coalition of Free Miravel."
"That is correct... Comrade General," Sir Armand replied, sounding a little unsure about using the same form of address as the interpreter. "His Majesty the King has spoken with Lord Admiral Globus of the Imperial fleet and negotiated an arrangement where we Miravellans put down the Coalition's rebellion, both as a gesture of loyalty and to limit the extent of Imperial reprisals."
General Bladikov said something grim that seemed to trouble the interpreter as he tried to come up with a way to word it in Franca.
"The, ah... the Comrade General says that we must pay homage to the distant Emperor with a blood sacrifice so that more blood wil not be shed."
"That is exactly right," Sir Armand replied without flinching.
No point in pussyfooting around about it. Root was glad they were dealing with people pragmatic to get right down to it rather than wasting time dressing it up first. That would make this go faster.
Next the interpreter said, "The Comrade General says that we are a small country. What assurances are you prepare to offer in exchange for our cooperation?"
"The Comrade General should be aware that we are being watched by our Imperial friends and our efforts now are sure to be remembered later. Vlatoska may be small now, but she could be great in the new order. The more that is given, the more will be received.
"If you are worried about your neighbors, our nation has had good relations with both Slanoa and Gandoh. They stood with us in Benvenue and we have every reason to expect them to stand with us now. At any rate, Vladovec and Heiankyoh are the next stops on our mission, so we will be sure that you are remembered in our discussions. Unlike the Grand League, which has denied you a seat among equals, we are prepared to welcome you as a full partner in this venture."
"The Comrade General says you speak of the land, but what of the sea?"
"The Ellemaine Sea Fleet will exert all effort to suppress any threat from Verness and Laruna. Combined with your navy and that of Gandoh, maritime superiority will easily be ours."
"What about air superiority?"
"Neither Verness nor Laruna can effectively project airpower this far out and the Palatinians would have to go through Slanoa first before they could threaten you."
"What about the Tungese and the Malvinans?"
"Unless you have heard otherwise, Tunggwo has not declared itself for the Coalition, nor have the Malvinas. The Tungese would have to advance via Nurchin and Soochian. The former would pit them against the Gandohese and the latter would prove to be a quagmire. As for the Malvinas, if the North goes one direction, the South will go the other as they have always done and will most likely be too busy fighting each other to spend their resources fighting anyone else."
"The Comrade General says that while he does not necessarily agree with your conclusions, he does acknowledge that you have considered the wider situation."
That was a statement that really didn't say anything. Why was the 'Comrade' General beating about the bush like this? If he was trying to haggle for concessions, why didn't he come out and say what he wanted?
"Comrade General," Sir Armand said, "we are offering you a place among equals. We are pledging blood and steel in common cause with you. We are offering this nation a path to avoid the devastation that has been unleashed on those who oppose the Empire. What more do you want? What more can we give?"
General Bladikov bypassed the interpreter and said in surprisingly good Franca, "How about you give your lives?"
He stuck his fingers in his mouth and whistled. Some twenty guards then burst into the room and surrounded the diplomatic party, turning their rifles on them. Root held up his hand to stop any of his own people from drawing. Apparently Captai Tsai didn't even need to do that.
Unfazed by the display, Sir Armand stepped forward and said, "I didn't take you for a man with a flair for theatrics, Comrade General." He motioned to the guards around them. "Is this supposed to be intimidating? Yes, a word from you and a lead slug from one of these young gentlemen is sure to kill me dead, but a bullet is only good for one man. Have you seen what the Imperials can do? I watched an entire island disappear like it never even existed with as much effort as you would use to pull the trigger, maybe less.
"No, Comrade General, there isn't a thing on our world to match the sort of threat the Imperials pose to us. That's why I'm here, so that no one else has to suffer the way the Palatinians have been made to suffer for their fool of a king. Surely you're no Seleuceus, Comrade Genenral. You'll agree to this alliance and you'll fight by our side for the sake of this nation, her people and their future."
General Bladikov stared at Sir Armand a while with his piercing hawklike gaze before barking an order that prompted the guards to shoulder their rifles.
"Your king chooses his men well, Comrade Armand," the General said. "I did not see what you saw firsthand, but I was shown a filmreel. It was enough. Only a madman or a fool fights a battle he cannot win. You will have your alliance. Our two nations' ministries will work out the details as I imagine you will not be staying for long."
"That is correct, Comrade General," Sir Armand replied. "Time is of the essence. The sooner we can solidify this alliance, the sooner we can bring this uprising to an end."
"We will see that you have the provisions you need and send you on your way," General Bladikov said. "But I am wondering if I might impose on you with a representative for our nation's interests as you continue your mission."
"I would have to get the approval of my superiors first, Comrade General," Sir Armand said, "but speaking for myself, I have no objection. I cannot offer much in the way of comfort, though. We are travelling on a military airship, after all."
"Vlatoskans are not so delicate, Comrade Armand. Go to your embassy and contact your superiors, then return here by twenty-hundred hours. We will hold a proper reception for you then."
Sir Armand gave a slight bow and said, "We are obliged to you, Comrade General. By your leave."
General Bladikov nodded and with that, the audience was over. They managed to get through it well enough, but Root hoped their hosts wouldn't make a habit of pulling weapons on them. He'd have a hard time resisting the urge to put a bullet in anyone who tried that nonsense again. Was all diplomacy like this or was he just uniquely blessed?