The Continental Fortress
May, 2210. Memorial House.
It was once again a calm morning, the former President, Secretary of State, Rhonda Reguwu was completing yet another morning walk in the State Garden. Just two years earlier she had been interrupted by a junior diplomatic administrator, informing her upon the plight of the Imperial diplomat’s mistake of acting aggressively towards Kafrican interests. This time, the director of FISK, the Federal Intelligence Service of Central Kafrica, with a brisk, but calm walk quietly rushed to greet her.
“Mrs Reguwu”
He called out upon entering the gates of the State Garden, causing the woman to turn her head towards her name being called. It tilted as she squinted, trying to discern through the morning sunlight who was interrupting her this time, mind racing from the last time she was interrupted. The Secretary had always told her staff, and the heads of other agencies that she was not to be interrupted during her walk. Unless, it was a case of national and state importance.
It took her a while, however out of the morning glint, came the unmistakable silhouette of the Intelligence Director, responding she called back
“Yes?”
Her voice was immediately clocked as stressed, the memories of the plight of the Imperial Union’s diplomatic stupidity running fresh in her mind.
“What is it, Mr Director?”
She asked, yet waiting for him to get within normal speaking distance for him to respond, matters of intelligence discussed in the open are to be in hushed, almost innuendo-ridden tones.
“Mrs Secretary, I have information that will require the United States of Central Kafrica to redefine its policies once more.”
As he spoke, Rheguwu leaned her ear towards him, her racing brain missing a few words in his speech, yet gaining enough information to understand his directive.
“Okay, so what happened?”
She would ask him, moving to now walk alongside him, with the Secretary looking slightly downwards towards him, with an expressive, concerned demeanour on her cheekbones.
“ Earlier, in the Tau sea, Irsmuncast conducted interdiction of Elohimian Morsers using Ekranoplans. All Morsers were lost. We are interpreting this interdiction and sortie into the Tau as a potential prelude to an attempted hunt and pursuit of Imperial assets in the Tau sea.”
The Director took a pause, looking at the calming wrinkles of the aging Secretary’s level and wise head, reminding him of the main reason for the Central Kafrican diplomatic position. His eyes would dart away from her, slipping a silent, yet knowing smile to his dry lips, before dropping it to an assertive and serious neutrality. His breath rose as he prepared to speak again, sensing that Reguwu was deep in thought and ponder of this news.
“Now, as you, and myself are aware. It has been the policy of essentially all who have sat within Memorial House, your own included, that the United States of Central Kafrica observes any uninvited non-Kafrican originating invasions upon our continent as a threat to not just her own security. But the security and prosperity of all nations who call this historically condemned continent home.”
The Secretary nodded, gazing down and to the left, wiping her forehead as the cogs of international relations and policies began to churn within her mind. Neurons firing like small car engines, revving into the gears of bureaucratic apparatus.
“Well, in this case, the policy would be for Kafrican troops to come to the aid of the Imperial Union. Which as you will remember is a nation who threatened us two years ago?”
She would press the Director, taking her government’s pledge of neutrality to heart. Yet, the director, who was attempting to convince the Secretary otherwise, that the United States of Central Kafrica should take a Drimp era policy for this specific issue. As in his mind,
nothing good will come if the Imperial Union collapses on our doorstep.
Taking a moment to formulate, the Director gazed up at the blue sky, listening to the birds chirp in the May morning.
“Mrs Secretary, the United Imperial Federation closed its borders on the Baskay. They are doing so because Basil, a nation aligned with Irsmuncast and the greater Basilsphere. Threatened to invade them should they find the UIF mildly inconvenienced them. Now, remember your history, Avalon and the later emergent KAFSOC state, did pretty much the same thing in the 2090s.”
He would gaze at the secretary, still not finished with his response to her concern.
“Should the war appear in ANY, Kafrican nation, especially the Imperial Union. Who our intelligence has suggested are throwing their entire industry and military into the conflict in the Baskay, subsequently fall. Then it is likely that the continent will become an intense domino effect. Much like how after the fall of the Osini Federation, the Theocracy of Elysium, and then subsequently the Northern Kombined States and the far northern Azenian State crumbled to Avalonian pressure. Leaving only Krome to cause the collapse of the Avalonian State.”
He would take another breath, observing the Secretary in a state of slight, yet subtle, startle, pondering even more deeply than before.
“You see, Mrs Secretary. Our economy is weak to the point where the United States of Central Kafrica fought a war against a prepared power in Kafrica. A power that was prepared to invade us, a power that had practically infinite economic resources. As this would be the case in the event of a capitulated Imperial Union. We would most likely last a year at most, fighting each and every one of our states, body by body. Slowly being pushed back to Rinn or Diosca.”
Rhonda paused, gazing up at each cloud as they passed overhead, bright, white and fluffy. Reminding her of her pet dog at home. Oh how she loved that critter. Wagging his tail, jumping up excitedly at all her guests, chasing random cattle around when he was bored. Suddenly, taken out of her dog ridden thoughts. Tapped on the shoulder by the Intelligence Director.
“I suppose so. I suppose it would probably be better to meet the Basilsphere at the shores should they ride the tides of battle to our condemned continent.”
She nodded, speaking calmly. Raising her hand and spinning swiftly in the direction of the man.
“Have you spoken to the President, Vice President and chiefs of staff about this?”
He paused, pivoting to face her
“No I haven’t, I think it would be better if you did however”
Rhonda nodded, slowly starting to walk back towards Memorial House.
Walking past the guard checkpoint at the staff entrance to the Presidential complex, Mrs Reguwu and the Director, each giving the guards an affirming nod, both of them had been frequenting the house since 2207, and Reguwu even longer. The guards, in peacetime, needed not to check their papers as they were known quantities. Traversing the hallways lined with prestigious names such as Gulsi Tibbard and , and other disgraced names, such as Rachel Kerman and Blimp Drimp. Each who had led the nation in some form or another over the preceding two centuries. Occasionally, the pair would pass offices and residential rooms. The dark oak paneling of every frame. All with brass grates at their bottoms, allowing for air circulation throughout the immense construction.
Taking a left, they reached a T junction. On their left, the President’s private office, affectionately known as the Policy Room. On their right was the room of duty, this was where the chain of command would meet during an international crisis or conflict.
As they looked ahead, the paneled door and its frame, adorned with the signatures of the nation’s previous Presidents. Two signatures from former President, Secretary of State Rhonda Reguwu and two signatures from the current President, Lilly Barrett. Sandwiched between them was the signature of the disgraced former President, Blimp Chud Drimp, signed as Chuddy. The director raised his arm to the door gently tapping with the leading edge of his hand.
No answer, after a second or two of silence, he tapped with his index, alerting the President. Her voice, immediately recognisable, echoed through the thin wooden door.
“Come in!”
She affirmed, always open and non-assuming to what would confront her. Turning the doorknob, Rhonda would unlatch the door to what was once her own public office.
The Ellipsoid, named this after its ellipse form, lit in daytime by the large, bay windows at its far end. By night, lit by the electroliers hanging from the ceiling.
At the intersection between the major and minor curvatures of the room, sat an old wooden desk. Decrepit sure, however the names who have sat before it and signed policies speaks to the history of the Central Kafrican State. It was from this desk that the Kroman Conspiracy was crafted. It was from this desk that the Kafrican Wars were commanded from. It was from this desk that the Reconstruction Authority was legislated. It was from this desk that the United States of Central Kafrica was founded.
Steeped in history, yet still writing within its pages. Behind it, in contrast, situated behind the desk was a modern, comfortable office chair. Sat within this chair, was the President and commander in chief. Lilly Barrett, slowly reviewing her morning schedule, yet this meeting wasn’t a part of it. The pair closed the door behind them, the hinges creaking as it shut, the latch springing into the frame with an affirming snap.
“Good morning you two”
Lilly opened cordially, gazing up at them with a smile.
“Good Morning, Lilly”
Rhonda replied in a reciprocal cordality. The Director, not as acquainted with the President replied by himself,
“Good Morning, Mrs President.”
His reply is almost robotically formal.
“So, what brings you to the Ellipsoid on this beautiful Rinn morning?”
Pressed the President, curious as to if they were here to give her good news, or bad news. The Secretary spoke first,
“Mrs President, me and the director of FISK would like to propose a policy change in relation to the events in the Tau sea. I’m sure you have read them already.”
The President nodded, she had already seen the brief provided by FISK this morning.
“So what are your suggestions?”
Open mindedly asking the Director, suspecting that he had masterminded it. Detailing his policy to the President, the director explained.
“Mrs President, as im sure you know, it has been the policy of multiple administrations that the protection of the Kafrican continent is paramount to the survival of the Central Kafrican state. Inferring the reports coming out of the United Imperial Federation, I, and the Federal Intelligence Service of Central Kafrica can foresee the potential for an invasion of the United States of Central Kafrica. This invasion would come after the fall of the Imperial Union’s Kafrican dominions. Of course these events haven’t happened. However, the interdictions in the Tau signal the tides of this war may roll upon Kafrican shores.”
He would observe the president at this point, who was deep in thought, contemplating what his suggestion probably was, yet not stopping him, nor objecting. Continuing on,
“It is therefore my suggestion that the United States of Central Kafrica moves to guarantee the independence and self-determination of the Dominions of Vocavium and Westray.”
Jumping up to her feet, an idea formed in the Secretary of State’s mind, bouncing around impatiently, the Director gave way.
“What is it, Mrs Reguwu?”
Responding in a wall of ideas and policy, the former President blurted out almost in a rude tone of voice.
“We should also condemn Irsmuncast for their shootdown of the IBC Stormchaser.”
The President went wide-eyed, almost shocked to hear this.
“Oh, they. They actually did this? They actually shot down the helicopter and then Basil kept telling the UIF they would invade?”
The President gave a disgruntled yet surprised expression. Her eyes wide, her lips scrunched in disgust.
“Yes they did” the Director responded, adding, “We suspect the UIF is going to embargo the Basilsphere for this action”
The President chuckled, remarking
“I suppose both sides are fucking idiots then. Basil more so as they clearly didn’t learn from the Imperial Union’s greatest diplomat. ™.”
The three giggled like schoolchildren.
“Yeah you fuckin bet!”
Laughed the Secretary of State.
“Yup, they clearly can’t read. Its mental.”
Chuckled the Director.
Returning to more serious matters, Rhonda would speak to the President, reinforcing the ideas the Director had suggested.
“Anyway, you should consider this, should Kafrica be invaded, we should rush our forces to defend ourselves. Perhaps the Imperial Union was correct that the war would come to Kafrica. If any nation becomes subject to a ground invasion, its our best interest to join then and there, rather than later when our adversary would be in a better position to fight us.”
Nodding and agreeing, the President picked up her office phone. Dialing the extension for her Press Officer, summoning her to the Ellipsoid. Only then would she give her thumbs up approval.
“This is mental, but a great idea!”
With immense pleasure the President joyfully stated. Always excited to interact with the world diplomatically, the trio would wait for the Press Officer to arrive. Within a few minutes, the tap at the door came.
“Come in, Kaitlain!”
The President gave a hearty bellow, showing glee at conversing with her PO.
“Good morning, Lilly!”
Kaitlain would give an equal, hearty shout, immediately warming the room with her soft pink cheeks and temperate smile.
“The Director of Intelligence, the Secretary of State, and myself. Would like to announce a new policy for Kafrican Security.”
The President would inform her, going over what the trio had already discussed. Directing Kaitlain to release at noon.
After around an hour, the Press Release was drafted and ready to be posted on the Memorial House website. In due time, at noon, the policy and press release was made public. It reads.
The United States of Central Kafrica, at the request of the President. Issues the following information to the general public, and the nations of the planet Kerbin.
In recent months, we have seen the fall of East Hook to Basillic invaders. Read the newspapers coming from the Imperial Broadcasting Corporation, about the various threats from the Second Republic of Basil towards the slumberous United Imperial Federation.
These threats are a scorn to the international community. Basil is misguided and evidently refuses to learn from the mistakes of her adversary, The Imperial Union.
In the course of the last few weeks, President Barrett has observed with grave concern the intensification of the conflict in Baskay. The only respite and cause for celebration has been the gallant victory of Hearthian forces over the bankrolling Sarkizyan state.
The eyes of military outlets globally have turned their focus to the sea monsters in the Tau Sea. As a result of this interdiction the President has felt compelled to act in the interests of the Kafrican continent. Therefore, she would like to issue the following warning to any and all nations who may or may not be planning an invasion upon our continent.
The United States of Central Kafrica will defend the independence of the Imperial Union’s Kafrican territories. We will rush to meet you at the beaches if you invade. This warning also applies to any invasion of any Kafrican nation by any nation in the IU-Basil conflict.
In addition to this, the President is appalled and distraught at the actions of Irsmuncast in the destruction and shootdown of the IBC Stormchaser. It serves as a reminder that neither Basil, nor Irsmuncast have learned from the missteps of their adversary. It is in this mindset that the President has requested the Secretary of State to revoke all visas issued to individuals holding an Irsmuncast or Basillic Passport. This revocation will not affect dual citizens with exception to dual Irsmuncast-Basillic nationals. The above described revocation is effective immediately.
God Bless the United States of Central Kafrica.
Godspeed the crew of the IBC Stormchaser.