22nd August 2022, 13:24 Local Time Slavna Kapitala, Pozlacenslavia
Susanne Fichtner, Auileria's attache in Pozlacenslavia, walked into the Pozlacen Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She folded up her black umbrella. Local issue. For all that was said about Pozlacen products, they knew how to make a decent umbrella. They'd better do, she thought as she sidestepped the doorway and pulled out a little mirror to check that her hair was still in shape. Weather like this.
She looked around for the reception desk and soon found it. She approached.
"Good afternoon," she said in accented Pozlacen. "Susanne Fichtner. I believe I was expected?"
Last Edit: Jul 9, 2016 17:03:15 GMT -5 by Auileria
Post by pozlacenslavia on Jul 9, 2016 22:40:58 GMT -5
An older lady with a bouffant looked up at Susanne with her horn-rimmed spectacles. "Are you capitalist Auilerian attaché?" They always like to rub in the fact that I'm a capitalist and they're communist... "Head upstairs to right. Vadim will escort you." She pointed at a beefy guard standing next to the elevator, which was bizarre, because the sign on her desk said "Vadim." Oh well. Vadim opened the elevator door with a click and let her up to the third floor and through a door, where a burly suited man sat behind an oak desk. He had three red polished medals in a display case, and a sign on his desk that said "Minister Sergei Markov." I hope that that's actually his name this time. "Welcome, Susanne. What did you wish to speak about?" He finally spoke, gesturing to a plate of vodka bottles on top of a brueau, and then to a chair.
Last Edit: Jul 10, 2016 9:58:56 GMT -5 by pozlacenslavia
"Minister." She nodded in greeting. "Oh no thank you," she said to being offered vodka. "My stomach's been a little upset today." She sat down.
She pulled out a sheet with notes. "It's come to our attention that your country has ambitions to start a space program. It so happens that we're planning to go public with a similar plan soon. Our two countries haven't historically been close, but we think we could both benefit from cooperating in this."
She checked her notes.
"There is the matter of the launch site." She knew only what she'd been briefed on the day before. She was a diplomat, not a rocket scientist. "The bean counters ran some numbers. We are considering a few options, but in any case both the construction and operating cost of the facility would be large, even if it sees only infrequent use. Our proposal is to construct a joint launch site, with the costs shared equally between our nations. The details of the proposed facility are in here." She pushed a small bound report over the desk to the minister. "Basically, it would be staffed by a mixed Auilerian and Pozlacen ground crew and launch schedules are determined together. My question of course is whether that is something your country would be interested in. I understand if you need some time to discuss this with your government, minister."
Post by pozlacenslavia on Jul 11, 2016 19:20:35 GMT -5
The minister leaned back in his large leather chair, briefly glancing out of the window at the beach, where the Pozlacen Marine Forces were doing a training exercise. "It sounds like a worthy endeavor." He finally spoke, looking back at Susanne. "I'm sure some money for this could be... rustled up. I can't wait to see the results." He smiled, standing to shake hands with Susanne.
Last Edit: Jul 12, 2016 14:08:20 GMT -5 by pozlacenslavia
She stood too. "I'm sure we'll be in touch. Have a nice day Minister Markov." She left, leaving the folder with the plan on his desk.
~~
25th August 2022, 10:50
For the second time that week, she stepped through the double doors of the Foreign Ministry, having been called back for another appointment. This time, however, she was escorted by a tall man in grey suit and tie. The pistol holster on his belt and the way he scanned the lobby the moment they entered pegged him as a bodyguard.
She presented herself at the reception desk again and was soon shown to the same office.
"Mr. Foreign Minister," she greeted Markov. "How are you? It's dreadful what happened in Grastina-Grad. Dreadful. Have the police made any progress in finding those responsible?"
Post by pozlacenslavia on Jul 12, 2016 14:05:26 GMT -5
The minister was clearly shaken up as he swiveled, distracted, in his chair. "This is... the first attack we've ever had..." He mumbled. "Anyways, you... you wanted to talk more about the space program?"
"I can see it has been quite a shock. You have my condolences of course. If this is not a bad moment, I wondered if your government had come to a decision yet about our proposal."*