Impromptu State Meeting

[Dominion of Compassion]

(This is an impromptu state meeting between Odrin and the Dominion of Compassion only.)

The luxury jet was cruising at several thousand feet. On its way to the Dominion of Compassion capital city, the Heart of Compassion.

Sergeant Lucas Mayweather of the DoC military exits the cabin and makes his way to the center aisle. "Alright, honored guests! We will be arriving in approximately 10 hours. I've radioed ahead, and Augustus and his platoon of bodyguards are expecting us. Rooms are being prepared in his lavish palace for all of you. Augustus treats his guests well, assuming they show him the respect due to him. Upon landing, his honor will meet us, and you, personally on his private landing strip. Quite the honor. He hasn't done this that I can ever recall. He will also personally conduct you on a tour of his marvelous city." Lucas claps his hands together and smiles warmly.

[Odrin]

The expression on the Commanders face is somewhere between excitement, and pure terror. He stutters for several moments before saying "Are you sure? Why us? The only one of us of any governmental importance is Agent One and even he isn't incredibly high ranking."

Several seats down Jones whispers "Do they treat all of their POW's this nicely?" to Locke.

[Dominion of Compassion]

Lucas' smile gets broader. "Oh, he's quite sure! We treat our guests well! Political significance, quid pro quo, not important to us. Human beings are human beings, and deserve to be treated as such." He smiles a true humanitarian smile. "Oh, and before I forget: I hope you all are hungry, because tales of the feasts the Father-Saint throws for his guests are legendary!"

[Odrin]

There was still a general air of confusion among the men but that began to dissipate. At the mention of the feast, the plane grew silent, before erupting with cheers and smiles. "We have been on half rations of MRE's for the past three days, this is a very welcome surprise!"The Commander said in a happy voice!

[Dominion of Compassion]

"It's so wonderful to hear that! I think you'll be pleased!" He smiled an almost unrealistic broad smile.
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Augustus was overseeing the final preparations for the feast. "Look sharp everyone, this is important! These are our honored guests, and we will give them a feast to make all other feasts seem like nothing! Spare no expense! All the finest wines and spirits for them, and call all of the castle chefs, and all renowned chefs from surrounding areas! This must be perfect!" The banquet hall erupted into cheers and sobs of joy and love. These people truly loved kindness, and believed Augustus to be the embodiment of kindness. He could rally anyone to his banner, and they truly loved him and his spirit. His bodyguards, the Archangels, actually smiled at this display. One of them, Cheru Bum, received a notification on her communicator. "Sir, the plane has entered Dominion airspace. They'll be arriving within an hour, two at most." Augustus clapped in anticipation. "Let's get a move on! We're almost ready!"
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The plane touched down. As the ramp descended, two lines of men formed a path leading from the ramp to Augustus' party of bodyguards and himself. These men held aloft their trumpets, with the banner of the Dominion, a white dove upon a fleur de lise hanging from each trumpet, began to blare a stirring, jaunting tune. Augustus awaited, his face concealed behind a white ceremonial veil, matching his pure white robes, etched and lined in gold.

[Odrin]

The Commander straightened his posture before exiting the aircraft, walking towards the Father-Saint before stopping about three feet away and raising his right hand palm so it was facing forwards with the fingers almost touching his beret. His men stopped behind him and gave the same salute. Near the end,Jones and Locke were supporting Agent One as they all attempted to give the salute.

[Dominion of Compassion]

"Please, you're too kind." Augustus remarked behind the veil, clearly enjoying the respect. One of his main bodyguards, Sera Phim, stepped forward and lifted the veil from his face, revealing a young man with brown hair and matching chocolate eyes, with a very intellectual gleam. "bring out the wheelchair." He said, gesturing to agent one. "We heard you had an injured man, so we came prepared." He chuckled. The chair is brought out swiftly, and agent one lowered into it. "Now, if you'll be so kind as to follow me, we have quite the reception planned. I don't know if you've heard about our feasts and festivities, but you'll experience them all, firsthand! Please, follow me." He leads the way, his platoon of bodyguards forming two lines and entering the building first, his two favored guards, Sera Phim and Cheru Bum falling in step beside him. As the party of newcomers makes their way into he building, they're greeted with applause and cheers, waiving handkerchiefs and roses and other exotic flowers being thrown before their path from the castle residents and servants, and onlookers from balconies above. Rose petals of exotic and eccentric and almost surreal colors fall on them gently from above and coat the walkway before them, creating a delightful aroma permeating the elaborate and brightly lit corridor. They stop at the elaborate and ornately carved gilded double doors outside the banquet hall. Augustus turns to them with a glint of wonder and ecstasy in his eyes. It seems like each time he hosts one of these gatherings, that it's the first time, and the excitement returns again. "Are you ready for this?" He asks, in a tone of wondrous anticipation.

[Odrin]

"I doubt that I am ready sir, especially if it get better then this!" The Commander says with a smile. The men behind him had looks of wonder imprinted on their faces, having never seen such beautiful architecture in their entire lives.

[Dominion of Compassion]

"Oh, but it does get better! So much so!" At this, he threw open the doors. Inside, five wall-to-wall ornate oaken tables had been set up. Each one lathered in foods of every kind imaginable. Soups, casseroles, salads, bowls of fruit (exotic and native) piled to the point of almost spilling onto the table itself, of every kind dominated four of the five tables. The fifth table, the closest to the center, was dominated entirely by every type of meat imaginable. Five full roasted pigs sat on the table, apples in their mouths gleaming. The chives and cloves of garlic and many other exotic spices coated the pigs themselves and sat around them on the large platters, lending lush and purely delectable flavors to each one. Aside from these, roasted chicken and hens, were scattered periodically along the table, spices simmering in the grease. Mutton and various beef platters were spread out as well, lean and sliced to tender perfection. The mere aroma from the foods was intoxicating. "Please," he said, gesturing with open arms to the huge banquet hall, his voice echoing to the vaulted ceilings painted with angelic images, "make yourselves at home!" Chairs are spread periodically around the center table, right next to the table of meat. Elaborate golden plates, and the finest China and silverware had been carefully arranged, the napkins modeled to be shaped like angels.

[Odrin]

The men look to the Commander for permission, which he granted with a nod. They then descended on the feast in a frenzy that only a man who had been eating MRE's for the last three months could experience. The Commander thanked Augustus profusely until he to turned to claim a portion of the massive array of food before him. Over the course of ten minutes, he chose and sampled a several of the foods before moving to the table to sit among his men.

[Dominion of Compassion]

Augustus took his place beside the commander. He claps his hands, and a line consisitng of ten servants emerge from a kitchen, beating trays stocked to the brim with drinks of all kind: alcoholic drink, non alcoholic drinks, fruit juices, sodas, various types of water, lemonades and other fresh squeezed punches, and the waiters began cavorting around the table, allowing the men to choose their drinks. "I'll have a small glass of champagne and a glass of green apple-ade, please!" He said, enthusiastically. He waited until his guests had been served and taken their share of the food, and then took pieces of the roast chicken, various fruits, several small salads, and a bowl of chicken and broccoli soup for himself. After finishing a mouthful, he remembered something. "Ah, we can't forget the rolls!" At this mention, the servants immediately brought out large entire loafs of hot, fluffy, fresh-baked bread, and awaited whom to serve it to. "So, how are you liking it so far?" He asks pleasantly.

[Odrin]

The commander responded enthusiastically,"It has been amazing!" As the men finished swallowing, they echoed his sentiment enthusiastically.

[Dominion of Compassion]

"Excellent!" Augustus exclaimed! At this point, the doors burst open, and a boy enters dressed in a similar fashion to Augustus, but his robe is lined with silver. Augustus looks up. "Cyril, you knew we were having guests, where have you been?" He asks. Cyril looks chastised, and explains, "I'm sorry, I meant no disrespect towards you or our guests," here he bows to them from the waist, "but I was studying in the grand library." Augustus laughs. "Well, if you are late for any reason, that is an acceptable one. Cyril, please, meet our guests from odrin. Honored guests, this is my apprentice, the selected heir to the throne, Cyril." Cyril piles food on a plate and sits on Augustus' right hand side, like he always does. "My apologies, commander. I didn't think he'd be this late." Augustus politely whispers from the side of his mouth.

[Odrin]

"It is perfectly fine Father-Saint, if there is any reason to be late, educating oneself is acceptable, if not commendable!"The Commander whispers back. He then turns to Cyril, looking him up and down before saying "It is nice to make your acquaintance Cyril. My name is Commander Nine Nine Sev-"Realizing what he is saying, the commander goes red in the face and looks down at his boots.

[Dominion of Compassion]

Cyril cocks his head slightly to the side. He smiled brilliantly. "Nice to meet you, commander." He says taking a bite of his food. "Please, don't be self conscious regarding your name. I've studied several societies that do the same. Training program, correct? I think it's interesting. We can't all be the same. Why not be different?" He smiles reassuringly.

[Odrin]

The Commander gave a halfhearted smile before saying "Ah, I am but a relic of days past. A time when complete and total uniformity was regarded as perfection. Now that we have an ethical and sensible man as our leader, we can start moving towards a better and brighter future. If you wish, you can refer to me as Commander Shepherd."

[Dominion of Compassion]

"Of course, commander shephard." Cyril said smiling. Augustus glanced over at his young apprentice. This child will do marvelous things, Augustus thought to himself, he has such a way with people. He has the true potential to be the best leader we've had in a while. Augustus returned his gaze to his guests. Standing, he addresses them. "Well, if everyone has had their fill, perhaps we can have a look around the city?"

[Odrin]

"Sounds good!" The Commander said happily. His expression lost some of it happiness as he thought of the conversation he knew he would soon have to start, fervently hoping that Cyril wouldn't have to be there to witness it.
(OOC: This doesn't mean I don't want Cyril to be there for the conversation, I would actually like it if he was there for it.)

[Dominion of Compassion]

"This way!" He exclaimed, opening the double doors and exiting. As the party followed him (including Cyril) they were met with more applause. Some people even fell to their knees, weeping with joy at having been so close to the group. Augustus led the way out of the gleaming palace corridor, down one of two ornately carved marble staircases, one at each side of the balcony, and exited the grand foyer into the palace courtyard outside. There, a trolley awaited to take them on the tour. "Climb aboard everyone! If we can't all fit inside, there's an observation deck on top!" He remarked, swinging up into the trolley, Cyril following closely behind.

[Odrin]

The commander and several other men lifted Agent One onto the trolley.The commander then hopped up onto the trolley and sat across from the Father-Saint. He was closely followed by Locke and Jones, who sat beside him. The rest of the men proceeded to get on the observation platform. The commander clearly had something on his mind, but when he realized how obvious it was, he tried to hide it with a smile.

[Dominion of Compassion]

Cyril discreetly nudged Augustus. Augustus responded with a small nod. Cyril had always been incredibly perceptive. "Commander, is something the matter?" Augustus asked, genuinely concerned.

[Odrin]

The commander, surprised that Augustus had noticed stammered "No-no sir. Everything is fi-"he then just stopped and sighed before saying "Are you aware of why I was in Miras in the first place?"

[Dominion of Compassion]

"Intelligence said to collect information on the MLA."

[Odrin]

"No. I was sent there along with several other men to negotiate the release of one of our Agents sent to gather information. We were told that our Agent had sustained only minor wounds during the interrogation. We sailed there on the destroyer Hyperion before taking several smaller boats to the shore. When we arrived, we negotiated for a few minutes with a woman wearing some kind of headdress before she agreed to allow Jones here to come and check the agent over. It turns out that he had a concussion,bruising, a bleeding stab wound on his hand, and had been shot in the back of his knee. As soon as the medic reported back, she used our Agent as a human shield before demanding that we hand over all files that we had on the MLA and the Personians. We had expected treachery, so as soon as she did it we had twelve guns pointed at her. Before anything could happen though, some kind of missile flew over our heads, destroying the Hyperion. She then proceeded to yell about it being the Personians and stabbing our Agent in the neck and running to a truck and driving away. If you haven't guessed already, the Agent in question is Agent One here. What worries e the most though is that the last footage that High Command got from our Helmet Cams was Agent One being held at knifepoint by the "negotiator" and our ship being destroyed. You seem like good people as a whole, so this footage may lead to some... misleading preconceptions about you. I don't know the name of the Agent responsible, but she was the one that arranged our surrender."

[Dominion of Compassion]

Augustus smiled a knowing smile. "Ah. That would be mrs. Adalyn. We call her Nicki. I know her well. Graduated top of her class in our secret police force, and was promoted to a prominent spy position. I can assure you, she had no intention of inciting hostilities. I've read the report. She thought it was a trap, and acted how she thought would benefit both parties. She had no intent to harm agent one any further. In fact, she tried to protect him when he was in central Ruskan custody. However, when she recognized agent four, she became blinded by her rage. They have a history." He pauses here, solemnly. "My military and all espionage agencies are taught on a basic premise of compassion. We don't harm people unnecessarily. We don't kill unless we must. Nicki was so shaken, she forgot her training. Although, the missile is still a mystery to us both. It may have been the Personians, they're the likely guess, but it may have been someone or something else. The point of that matter is, it certainly wasn't us."

[Odrin]

"I can understand why she hates him. Locke carried a message from your Agent, Nicki to Agent Four and got beaten for talking back to Agent Four about his decision, Jones was beaten after he helped Locke. After that I decided that the best course of action was to get as many men out of there that I could. I hate to ask this, but may I make contact with High Command sometime soon? They most likely assume that we are KIA, and...well...how do I put this? The President get rather angry over the unnecessary loss of lives. He most likely wont investigate this further without a testimony from somebody involved and will jump to the most immediate possibility of it being a trap. It could very possibly prevent a war between our two nations." The commander said sincerely.

[Dominion of Compassion]

"Of course! We try all diplomatic ways to avoid war." Augustus reaches under the seat and pulls out a relay transmitter. "Here you go! I always keep one in any vehicle I ride in." At this point, the trolley crests a hill, and the entirety of the Capitol comes into view.

[Odrin]

"Thank you..."He stopped speaking and just stared at what had to be one of the most amazing things he had ever seen. His jaw slowly dropped at the sight of the cathedral. He blinked a couple times before looking away, mentally preparing himself for the call. He dialed the number and hoped High Command would pick up. "Hello,this is Command Nine Nine Seven Bravo Delta Bravo. Yes I know that I have been marked down MIA,presumed KIA. No, I am still alive. My reenactment code?Sure. Nine Seven Four Tango Bravo Foxtrot Lima Bravo Delta Bravo. Happy?. Good. Hello, High Command? I am putting you on speaker." "---irresponsible, should have called us sooner, should have checked in, wait what? Oh. Sorry about that. Who are you with?
"Father-Saint Augustus. Sir." "THE Father-Saint Augustus? What the hell have you gotten yourself into? He explained the basics of everything that had happened to high command before continuing "Sir, I would like to clarify a few things. The DoC is not attempting to be hostile. Here speak to Augustus yourself then."He says before passing the transmitter over to Augustus.
(OOC:Blue=Command
Red=High Command)

[Dominion of Compassion]

"Hello! High command, I presume?" He asked, always pleasantly.

[Odrin]

As if stunned by how friendly he was in a situation like this, the man on the other side of the line went quiet for a minute before speaking. "Sir, I am patching the President and the Board Of Generals into the call."He gave a basic overview with what he had covered with the commander before speaking to Augustus again "Sorry to have kept you waiting sir. Just clarifying,you didn't launch the missile and your nation wasn't responsible for the torture during the interrogation. The interrogation resulted in A concussion,a broken nose, a shot to the kneecap, A stab wound on the hand, A matching stab wound on the neck. Do you have any knowledge pertaining to the identity of the perpetrators of these acts?"