Open Trade Negotiations

[Dominion of Compassion]

The timid arrival of Earmarn catches the Father's eye. "Welcome!" Exclaimed the father, gesturing to the heaping table of food, "please help yourself! Plenty to go around, for you and your.... Wait a moment, where is your bodyguard? Isn't he usually always with you?" The Father-Saint inquires.

[person67]

"No, he is taking an evening off and he would not be needed here. I assume your security forces are more than capable of ensuring my security and kofor agreed that you were perfectly capable of protecting me" he quickly spoke and then realized he had rushed his speech. Picked up a chicken breast and carefully cut it up and then eat it.

[Dominion of Compassion]

"Hmmm" the Father-Saint hummed softly, glancing meaningfully at his two best and right hand Archangel bodyguards, Cheru Bum and Sera Phim. "Quite unusual, my king." Whispers Sera Phim. "Yes indeed, your majesty" breathes Cheru Bum. "We suggest continuing as usual until we can discuss things privately." "Nice thinking," whispers back the Father-Saint, turning his gaze to Earmarn, "of course my security detail is enough to protect us all. They are very adept at their jobs... They never miss anything." Calmly remarks the Father-Saint, eyes blazing humorlessly over his goblet as he gazes at Earmarn.

[person67]

"that is fabulous to know your majesty." he said.

This guy knew something. He probably has guys following kofor but nothing he could do just follow his orders. This was a suicide mission at that moment he knew both that the plan would work and he would be killed.

[Dominion of Compassion]

Through the dark streets, two more archangels quietly followed Kofor. They had been with him since he began this frivolous walk, observing him picking what appeared to be an unmarked package up while fooling with his shoes, and once they saw that, they immediately reported it through communicators to Cheru Bum and Sera Phim, the accompanying guards at the dinner party. Of course it had been reported to the Father-Saint. He was an actor to the core, letting rarely a hint of this revelation even cross his eyes, let alone his features. Finishing the moderate portions of his meal (Augustus was by no means a robust man) he crumpled his napkin and placed it on his plate. Turning, he murmered to one of the Archangels encircling the dining hall as he left the room. Moments later, that Archangel approaches Earman, and whispers "The Father-Saint wishes to meet with you in his private offices after the conclusion of your meal. If you please, we shall wait for you, and guide you to the correct place when you are finished." Without any trace of emotion, the Archangel returns to her assigned spot.

[person67]

Earmarn eat for another hour. Why rush the man? He eat a lot and finally totally full up called up kofor to verify he had picked up the package and where he was heading. He then wandered to the Father Saint's private room and knew it would only take him one good strike at the Father Saint to end it all. He had to play this just right and he could do it.

He strolled down to his private office and knocked on the Father saints door. To await to be called in.

[Dominion of Compassion]

"Enter." Called the Father-Saint. He knew he should be afraid, but he wasn't; Cheru Bum and Sera Phim were with him as always, and four other Archangels waited in rooms adjoining the office, and could be in to protect Augustus in seconds. It's time, Augustus thought to himself, straightening objects on his desk to perfection.

[person67]

"Hello your majesty, was there something you required from me or my city."

he was going to play his ace well he walked right up to the desk the Father saint was at and stopped waiting for his reply.

[Dominion of Compassion]

"You could say that." Replied the Father-Saint, gesturing for Earmarn to sit on the plush armchair across the desk from Augustus. "It seems as though there's been a problem; your guard, Kofor, was spotted taking a suspicious package left for him somewhere in my parks. As my Archangels tailed him, he seemed to realize it and tried various times to shake them before I recalled them back here. Mighty suspicious if you ask me." The Father-Saint paused, then said "Earmarn, this isn't my first day ruling this nation. I understand what this ends as: an assassination. You clearly plan to make sure this is my last night ruling. Whatever the reasons are beside the matter: I accept this is your plan, and that I could stop you easily, using my Archangels, resulting in your imprisonment or even death... But that's not my style. Violence breeds violence, which breeds hate. Instead, I feel as though your superiors are somewhat to blame for this situation; so I offer them this deal: end this attempt on my life, and I'll allow you and Kofor to remain in my nation, as ambassadors to my senate, allowing your nation a direct opinion and vote on matters brought to attention in my nation. That way, your nation has a voice and isn't disregarded for larger nations, and my nation gains a staunch ally and a glimpse into new ideas and culture." The Father-Saint clasps his hands together on the table. "What say you?"

[person67]

"Your accusing my nation of an attempt at an assassination. Kofor was getting me alcohol, in that package is 150ml of pure ethanol. It is poisonous but I plan to dilute it and drink it myself. This is an outrage I will be reporting back to my nation about this incident and we will demand an official apology for accusations of such a heinous crime. I will take my leave both of your presence and your nation Sir."

His camera in his button should have hopefully picked all that up and help explain things when he got back home. He turned his back and started to leave.

[Dominion of Compassion]

The Father-Saint chuckles menacingly. "And perhaps my secret police force will be hearing this." He said, humorlessly. The speakers in the office turn on, playing back the one-sided recording of Earmarn ordering Kofor to create a poison for the handshake assassination of Augustus after the treaty signing. The recording finishes playing and plays again, set on a continuous loop. "Perhaps you should be more careful. I don't bug rooms for everything, merely keywords; once said, the bugs begin recording and transmitting immediately. You tripped it three times; kill, Father-Saint Augustus, poison. Now, shall we continue our civilized discussion, or shall I send for the Shadow Walkers(the secret police)?

[person67]

(OOC: can my guy open the door or am I locked in)

"do whatever you will, I am a foreign diplomat and that recording could have been faked easily. No government will accept audio evidence obtained by bugging diplomats rooms. We will not be held hostage." he said almost confidently and walked over to the door.

[Dominion of Compassion]

(OOC: lol you'll see! )

The Father-Saint claps his hands together. "Walk out that door if you choose, it isn't locked; but let me fill you in on what's about to happen. Or rather, listen for just a moment, and you'll understand." As he said this, Chru Bum and Sera Phim are speaking wildly into their hidden communicators, halting all transport into and out of the nation, as well as alerting the Shadow Walkers of the attempt on Augustus' life. "Sir, Shadow Walkers incoming, ETA: 3 minutes and counting." Declares Sera Phim. "Tell them to surround the Hotel, and not to allow anyone into or out of the hotel. Now, mr. Earmarn, perhaps you can take a seat, and we can have a civil conversation. No one has to die or be arrested; play your cards right, and you can walk free, and maybe I'll even forget this happened and try to remain cordial and friendly to your home nation." Says the Father-Saint, resting his chin on his hands.

[primeon]

(OOC: I know i'm not actually in this thread but I've been lurking. There really hasn't been an attack on Augustus' life yet.)

[Dominion of Compassion]

(OOC: while there hasn't been a physical attack, it's been planned and caught on a bug recording)

[Central Ruska]

Romanov and his assistant had been slowly walking the halls of the hotel, making their way towards the dinning hall when Romanov was brought to a halt when he heard the familiar tone of his phone. As he answered the call, Artem wandered towards one of the windows overlooking the entrance to the hotel. Artem stared out of the window, watching the cars go past when he noticed something, several black vans had come to a screeching stop outside. He continued to watch, mesmerised by the scene outside, the doors on the vans flew open with armed men jumping out, sprinting towards the entrance. "Err, Sir. Sir! It looks like we've got a situation outside!" he exclaimed, looking over his shoulder. "What is it, hold on, I'm going to have to call you back." He said, hanging up the phone as he looked out the window. "Yebat', they're law enforcement, I think... Something is going on. Artem, call for the cars. We're leaving now." He replied, grabbing his briefcase as he began to move towards the reception.

As the group rounded the corner into the reception, they witnessed the armed individuals searching everyone. "Artem, just walk straight past them. I don't think they're here for us. If they stop you, let me do the talking." He stated, as he marched towards the door.

[Dominion of Compassion]

Father-Saint Augustus sighed in despair as he watched what was supposed to be a glorious event crumble before his eyes. It had been ruined. "Sera Phim, call off the trade agreements; this has become something disgusting and awful. I order all foreign delegates be deported peacefully back to their nations at once. No one will take this seriously after what has happened." He sighed again, lowering his head into his arms.

[person67]

(OOC: am I free to go?)

[Dominion of Compassion]

(OOC: Just slip past the security)

[antalayana]

Talbot and Devon looked at each other worried.
The Tension between the slender representative called Earmarn and Father-Saint Augustus was nearly unbearable.
"See, Talbot, that is why I told you to be careful with honesty. That there is something happening, that is far away from peaceful trade negotiations is clear."
Talbot swallowed hard.
He just ate a piece of raw grained, spiced oatmeal bread with a jelly of some kind of bittersweet fruit, absolutely delicious, but the food lost its taste in this grime situation.
"You are right. But I dare say, Father-Saint Augustus is a politician I'd like to see more often. Because I felt he was also honest."
They observed Earmarn eat painfully slow and knew there would be a bad end to this.
Still Devon persisted on staying in the well guarded dining room.
Painful remembrance was visible in his eyes. He was there at the Grand treck that was made by their founders. And he was part of the committee for independence, though he was one of the few still living to witness the slaughter of the peace embassaries to their former oppressors.
When they heard the Cars outside and some dark looking figures sweeping through the halls Devon turned to Talbot and saw him directly into his eyes.
"Stay still Talbot, stay here and be save. The Dominion of compassion is well known for their capable police force. We are save as long as we stay still."
Talbot again saw fear in his uncles eyes he never saw before.

[Dominion of Compassion]

The Father-Saint burst back into the dining room, flanked not only by Sera Phim and Cheru Bum, but by a line of Shadow Walkers as well. "Talbot, we must get you out of here! We're under attack and at any moment we could be killed. There's a safe house a few miles away from here; I'm being evacuated to there immediately, and we'd like for you to join me there, if you feel as if we can continue these trade discussion."

[person67]

Earmarn was in a cafe with kofor. He had amazingly managed to simply walk out of the building. He had been stopped by Shadow walkers twice and claimed that the misunderstanding had already been resolved and he had a plane to catch in 10 minutes. The Shadow walkers had attempted to stop and ask him further questions but he simply started shouting at them about how he had already been interrogated once by the Shadow walkers and Father saint Augustus had not not been happy causing them to ask for confirmation from higher command and he simply strolled off. On one occasion when trying to get through the perimeter 2 guards were pursuing him but kofor was waiting on the other side of the perimeter with a 'borrowed' car and killed both men before driving off with him.

"we are going to drive to the coast and are getting pulled out by a corrupt fisherman from central ruska who will hold onto us until we can get picked up by one of our own ships." said kofor.

"nice to know. I doubt Dominion will pursue we already ruined their trade summit they don't want to be arresting any foreign diplomats." Earmarn replied.

The mission had gone alright. He had not created the diplomatic incident intended but he had managed to ruin the trade summit and get out alive. He might get told off for failing when he got back home but frankly he was glad he would not be playing spy anymore and could work as a desk jockey.

[Dominion of Compassion]

The Archangels had followed Kofor and Earmarn from the cafe. After seeing them get to the docks the Archangels called it in to the Father-Saint and the quietly slipped back towards the hotel.
******************************************************************
The Father-Saint smiled as he listened to the report of the would-be assassins escaping. Things hadn't gone according to exact plan, but he could definitely use this incident in the future.

[antalayana]

"Yes, we are coming with you. Whatever there has been, I promise we came for peaceful trade negotiations. Nothing else. Our Nation believes in solutions without violence."
Talbot stood strong and proud, for he really believed that violence breeds violence, and he knew he was not alone.

[Dominion of Compassion]

"You are a star among the shadows of this political world" the Father-Saint remarked smiling a true smile. "Follow me!" He turned and ran down the hallways, flanked as ever by Cheru Bum and Sera Phim, the Shadow Walkers forming up behind Talbot and his uncle unthreateningly. As they were escorted towards the door, the Father-Saint stopped them. "Out here, we will be taking three dark, unmarked and tinted cars, in case they launch and attack while we are in transit: Talbot, you and your delegation will take the first car. It's the least likely to be attacked, as they'll think it's a decoy; the second car will be the empty decoy, and my bodyguards and I will take the third and final car." The Father-Saint explained quickly.

[antalayana]

"Ok." Talbot believed the Father-Saint. He had no way of knowing if he spoke the truth, because this kind of conflict was very new to him.
Devon trembled in fear, as they stepped into the car.
"Talbot please say it will be fine."
Talbit took the hand of his now really old looking uncle.
"Everything will be fine. Devon please calm down. They seem to know what they are doing."

[Dominion of Compassion]

The cars came to a screeching halt outside the safe house, which was already being guarded by several Shadow Walkera. Before Talbot gets out of his car, the Father-Saint flung open his door. The Shadow Walkers moved to form up around the Father-Saint. "Don't concern yourselves with me yet; get our guests inside and safe before attending to me." The Father-Saint waved them away and gestured for the guests to exit the car and enter the safe house.

[antalayana]

Talbot and Devon hurried to the Mansion and once safely inside took a deep breath of relief.
They seated themselves on some nice and comfy looking armchairs and thankfully accepted the sudden silence after the mind grounding drive.
"Please, Talbot, remind me to stress out the need of packing a huge thank you package. "Devon said. Looking around for some kind of Bar.
Talbot was a little more controlled and took a quick look through the room.
It was looking comfortable, Yet practical. The kind of furniture he would want to have in a flat he did not use too often, but still needed to be ready, just in case.
He gave some thought to the 'case' and came to the conclusion that he hoped never ever to have to deal with it.
He just hoped now it was save.
He still held fast to the idea of Augustus being the kind hearted nice men he seemed.
This trade-agreement was important for Antalayana.

[Dominion of Compassion]

"I apologize for this madness" the Father-Saint said sincerely. "I had no clue it would all go down like this." He said sitting down in an armchair, waving to a couple Archangels, who brought out a tray of cups and various drinks, both alcoholic and non. "Please, help yourself! Now, where shall we begin?"

[antalayana]

Devon helped himself to a strong drink that by first smell burned Talbot's nose hairs.
It was the first time Talbot saw him drink.
He himself took some iced tea that smelled of the nice bittersweet jelly he had for dinner.
"I'm sure you meant no harm, for as I remember you invited to a peaceful Trade Summit. "
Talbot smiled.
"Perhaps we may scratch out some foundation, like goods we are to trade, or if you propose general tariff agreements."