[b]Prime Speaker's Office
Rolvius
0:34 Since Foreign Fleet Arrival[/b]

The Prime Speaker's office was usually a modest mess of activity, with staffers, bureaucrats, interns and Ministresses coming and going at speed or providing needed updates. At the moment, Vannifar had closed herself off from the needs of her cabinet and staffs. Thirty minutes of peace. That was all she asked for, but the sounds of people being turned away outside the Speakers Bough made it seem like there was a small mob waiting to return to business as usual.

First and most important was the Commonwealth. The use of courier ships was expensive and, sooner or later, an investigative reporter in either their jurisdiction or Rolvius would begin asking questions why such-and-such's intern's betrothed was making expensive, unannounced trips to Foreign Capitals. Then the proverbial shit would hit the fan across the news networks- the coverup of the two notes would be worse than their "crime". This would have to go through the official channels and prepare the groundwork for her campaign to hold on to power.

[hider=Lord Chancellor Clement Herzog von Metternich]
[@Ozerath],
I am writing this message to inform you that the Commonwealth's Ambassador to Rolvian Space, Ambassador Tarkovsky, has been found to be unfit for his duties in the eyes of this Government. The Branch of Justice has concluded an independent review of his contributions to several Speakers campaigning for office, and we have found a disturbing pattern among his activities of favoring candidates of a particular political party. Be it known that Ambassador Tarakovsky has Eight Rolvian Rotations to remove himself, his family, and his personal effects from our space and to make room for his successor.

~ Signed and Sealed, Prime Speaker Vannifar[/hider]

It didn't spell out that this was in direct reply to the message sent, but Metternich was a smart cookie. There'd been no problems with Tarakovsky's behavior that she'd voiced, but they had been found getting too chummy with the Naturalist Genome Front. The NGF wasn't a major player in the elections, so it posed little threat in the grand balance, and it gave Vannifar some anti-corruption credibility with those who weren't as concerned with flexing muscle against foreign adversaries.

Plus the bumper crop from Manir was coming in. Prices were dropping at a steady rate and Treasury was warning they needed to dump the food ASAP or enjoy a full crash. Lucky for Treasury, Vannifar had a buyer lined up in the Commonwealth The contracts for grain shipments were already being floated to the Praetorian Exchange. Initial bites were slow, but Vannifar assumed it was a matter of time before Metternich got his cartels and colonies to buy, buy, buy.

Then came the matter of the Federation.

[hider=Your Excellency, Alanna Decroix]
[@Taeryn] My Abassador has forwarded their cables to my attention and I feel it is necessary for me to intercede on these matters briefly.

First, let us not mince words. The intern wounded by the Tigers was at fault, not the animals. I understand that they were at one time an apex predator, and if she was unable to hold that in her mind and was too focused on their fur and feline behavior, that was her fault. The tigers will be delivered to Terra within the month aboard the R.S.S. Fortunala. I have been assured by the genetic engineers that genome randomization will continue for several generations, allowing these two specimens to provide viable offspring without danger of detrimental effects from inbreeding for two generations. If the pair prove to be healthy and hale for several years, we can begin cloning a viable population to ensure their spread. On a side note, do please let me know if the Elephant population continues to boom. I found those creatures particularly endearing.

Captain Morgan and his crew. They are currently enjoying some civil protections on Manir and have established a settlement of Neuveau York. They are not full citizens of Rolvius, however. I will not pack them all up and ship them to Federation space. But I have no issue with your Justice Officials to bring their investigation to Manir. Warships will not be welcome above Manir, but I will see to it that your personnel receive all necessary immunizations and genetic markers to prevent wildlife attacks while they conduct interviews and review the wreckage in orbit. 

Doctor Foia's disappearance concerns me on a personal level. Maya is a recently incorporated colony, from what I understand. If Federation control hasn't fully extended there, that is understandable. But the safety of my citizens is of the foremost concern to me. The Amazon project is going to require dozens of specialists with no security training be present on Terra. I fully intend for that project to continue with your blessing, but understand- the Rolvian government is monitoring this situation closely. It is my hope that she will be found alive. And quickly.

~ Signed and Sealed, Prime Speaker Vannifar[/hider]

The Federation was a tightrope and a half. They hadn't set foot in Rolvian Space beyond escorting shipping cartels and providing humanitarian support. They hadn't gone so far as to fire broadsides with Rolvian ships against the occupiers, but there was good blood between them. Still, the situation in Maya was concerning. If a single, high profile Geneticist vanished while on a humanitarian mission, what might be bubbling beneath the surface for their larger projects on the horizon?

Then came the two with the most weight, the most consequence, the most to lose and gain from.

[hider=Hierarch Nok of the Lokoid]
[@Liotrent]
The Star Republic returns its respect to you, Hierarch of the Lokoid.

We find your Supreme Hierarch's suggestion of direct discussion amenable and support it entirely, though we had hoped to have more time to prepare a proper welcome for your arrival. There have been some complications with this arrangement, however. Representatives of the Asrian Ascendancy have arrived in our territory with warships as well. To prevent the potential of an unnecessary escalation, we are asking that you prepare to dock on Rolvus 3, the larger of our lunar bodies. A suitable representative of the Republic will be on site to begin talks immediately.

~ Signed and Sealed, Prime Speaker Vannifar[/hider]

[hider=To Your Excellency Amara Lisett, Throne Emperor of Alduur,]
[@Sierra]
I extend my salutations on behalf of all citizens of the Republic, and the gratitude of the people of Manir for this generous offer. We are  a proud but not unreasonable people. Any offers of construction or restoration assistance may be sent through the appropriate channels to my Minister of Trade, Raolesk. I trust him to review the facts and figures of what you have to offer to the people of Manir.

The presence of a foreign fleet in the skies above Manir at this time is a dangerous proposition for us to entertain. While I have no illusions about our capability to fight off the fleets of the the Empress, by the time this missive reaches you it will be public knowledge on all of our news networks that the belligerents of the Great War are converging not just on Agdemnar, but also in Rolvian Space. Lokoid Ambassadors with a guardian battlegroup and a member of the Asrian Royal Family has arrived in space with a Battlecruiser escort. In short, the situation here is becoming a powderkeg. Our armed forces stand at full alert at this time. If you plan to send a representative to Rolvian space, it is to your benefit to be aware of this precarious situation...

~ Signed and Sealed, Prime Speaker Vannifar[/hider]

With all of these notices sent via the secure com networks, Vannifar stood from her desk, opened the door to her office, marched through a throng of interns and bureaucrats, and loudly called for a full council be called in the next three hours and a bottle of Terran bourbon with ice.

[center]---[/center]

[b]The Executive Branch Bough
Rolvius
3:34 Since Foreign Fleet Arrival in Rolvian Space[/b]

Speaker Vannifar strode out to the upper boughs of the Executive Branch, the sunlight of Rolvius Prime in cascading through the heavy leaves up above the platform. For the first time in local weeks, near the entire cabinet was assembled in the same place at the same time- barring one significant absence.

Ministresses Multana and Thrun stuck together, thick as thieves, firmly in their Manir Solidarity corner. The two most dangerous members of the cabinet at the moment- if they gave the signal, the Manir faction could up and leave, join the opposition, and the government would topple, raising the Reactionaries to power. Fortunately, the two of them were still in Vannifar's pocket. They seemed to be enjoying the profits coming their way from managing the reconstruction efforts on Manir. Their clothing and jewelry showed they definitely weren't left wanting. 

Ministress Rayne, head of the Treasury, was rubbing elbows with Defense Ministress Kiora, both of them trying their best to look disinterested in the business of state while chatting over a shared love of the show [i]Will It Splice?[/i] Brain drivel on the holonetworks, but Vannifar couldn't fault them for having their own 

"Alright, let's bring this to order and get down to business. We've got a secure line to Nok up on Three but I'm not sure how our encryption holds with modern Asrian Battlecruisers and Battleships in the void above, so watch your mouths. Defense, how are we looking?"

Kiora brushed a lock of blue-brown hair behind her ear and opened her tech-pad, prompting the others' at the table to open a display.

"First, Second, and Third Flotillas are at ready condition Yellow. Converging on Rolvius at the moment. Civil Defense on Manir is mobilizing, but we have no signs of invasion hyper-prints at this time. Admiral Giana is in contact with our arrivals and directing them toward Rolvius 3 for parley. The Ashtar ruins are secure and Mass Extinction Protocol is on the table."

"Wait, we're entertaining that option?" The hologram of Roalesk Ran, Minister of Trade, flickered briefly, but his deep frown could cut through any static.

"All options are on the table, Roalesk. If everyone wants the toy and is willing to touch off another Great War for it, it may be best that no one gets it. This might at least force them to sit at the table and talk about this like reasonable adults instead of kicking off another campaign that will kill millions of our people."

"'Reasonable adults?' You've never met Lady Olliana have you? Her Solstice Gifts might as well be mail bombs! But let's back up here- how are we sure that triggering the Operation it won't be localized? What if it cracks the planet? The Asrians never breached the lower levels of the facility. We don't know what's down there! It could be a private art hall, or it could be an inert Ashtar Reactor!"

[i]Why do you think I nicknamed a[/i] [i][b]geonuclear detonation[/b][/i] "Operation Mass Extinction",[i] Ran?[/i]

"I'm aware of the dangers. But we can't sustain another full blown Campaign for Manir, even with the Gaea operational. We're weeks away from an election, we have multiple star nations now traipsing around in our borders - one friend, one foe - and there's active shooting on Agdemnar. It's an undeclared war right now, but if someone gets kicked in the testes too hard, it will go hot, and quickly. If anyone thinks it'll be just fine to open a second front in our space, there's not much we can do to stop it unless they come in range of Rolvius or Mezla. We've got enough orbital defenses and Strike Craft to blow anyone to smithereens, but no ability to project power into the void beyond the [i]Gaea[/i]- and we all know what [i]that[/i] was built for. We need to have an option to shoot the hostage this time. So yes, [i]Operation Mass Extinction[/i] [b][i]is on the table[/i][/b]. The end."

Minister Ran offered no further objections, but Vannifar could tell he was less than thrilled.

"Now, for our unexpected arrivals. Ran, I've directed the Green Agency to secure the Overlook Resort in the Marayan Hills. It's the best and most defensible location for our high profile guests. Rustic, but plenty of space and it's approved for off-worlder tourism. If they want a royal suite or a hunter's lodge, arrange it. Make the visitors comfortable. Extend every courtesy. Let them know that I'll be making a trip to hold negotiations in person once I've got everything squared away down here."

There was no waiting for an acknowledgement. Ran was aware of the defensive implications and military options. He would be able to make informed decisions from there until Vannifar could make the trip. But his pained expression might as well have spoken for him. 'Don't leave me with these people for too long.'

"Now. The Lokoids, Alduur, and my damned [i]pet cronach[/i] all want to forge a military alliance while there's smoke coming from the engine room. Let's talk strategy..."