An Imperial Visit (BK or CF welcome)

[lloyd]

The sun shone brightly above the grey clouds that hovered over Penglai island as the Chinese Federation transport suddenly dipped into the clouds. Kayeri tried to hold down his twitching fingers as he looked at the airplane dinner in front of him rattle sickeningly. Whatever they say about facing your fears, they're lying, Kayeri thought as he suppressed the urge to vomit. Every time he got onto an aircraft he had tried to swallow the generally delicious but also almost always inedible dinners provided by the Chinese craft. As the airplane touched down in the rain, Kayeri adjusted his chinese noble's cloak, worn over his native Iroquois tribal clothing. While this visit had not been announced, the chinese still technically owned penglai island, and Britannia would not harken well to the fact that the Black Knights were in negotiations with the heir to the second largest corporation within their borders. Shaking an umbrella open, Kayeri and two bodyguards stepped out into the rain towards the murky outlines of the buildings that now were the main headquarters of the Order of the Black Knights.

[vierre]

Vierre leaned idly against the wall, bracing himself with his forearm as he gazed out an upper floor window of the Black Knight’s Headquarters. His fingers drummed a rhythmic sequence against the wall repeatedly. From his vantage point at the window, he could see an aircraft descending onto the runway and rolling to an eventual stop. It was a Chinese Federation model by the look of its lines and shape, further confirmed by the passenger disembarking garbed in a Chinese Imperial cloak. However, even at a distance, Vierre could pick out another set of clothing underneath the cloak that spoke of a rather different heritage. The passenger, accompanied by his two guards, approached the main gates.

Lackadaisically, Vierre pushed himself off the wall and propelled himself into motion. Making his way to the main entrance, he stepped out into the hazy overcast day, shielding himself from the drizzling rain with a hand temporarily, before giving up and deciding to ignore the weather. He approached the apparent representative of the Chinese Dynasty, intercepting him and the rest of his party in front of the main entrance, leaving the stationed Black Knight guards behind to wait diligently at the doors themselves. He wore his typical Black Knight uniform, though the collar was left haphazardly undone.

“A man important enough to demand the lives of two others—who are not, by the way, benefiting from your umbrella. I assume then that I am terribly under dressed for such an introduction. My humble apologies,” said Vierre, bowing slightly but clearly not apologetic. “Welcome, nonetheless.” As he spoke, his eyes swept over the man, gauging him followed by his two companions, who stood attentive and stern, despite the unpleasant weather.

“Please then,” continued Vierre, gesturing out with his arm, inviting the man to speak. “With a grand entrance involving an aircraft, and a nobleman’s cloak, I’m hoping for an exciting tale.”

[lloyd]

Kayeri shrugged slightly at the Black Knight's comment, sending a small cascade of water from the cloak. "They would work for someone else if they resented it," he said in lieu of a reply as he moved underneath an awning. "I have no bedtime stories to tell, though I did hear a rather good joke about a bear and a priest..." as if realizing that this was probably not a good idea to tell a joke about a bear and a priest, Kayeri looked at the buildings. While the generators that were existent at Penglai in the past had been bare-bones at best, the Black Knights had certainly built an imposing facility, lent an air of gloominess by the disappointingly murky weather of the China Sea. "I happened to be on the way to Saigon from Kyoto, and Penglai looked like a pleasant place to weather the night." The irony of the fact that it was pouring in Penglai was not lost to Kayeri. He had already ample warning through KyotoCorp to Penglai of the visit. Due to the reputation of Zero, the legendary masked leader of the Black Knights, the Chinese had never been especially interested in uprooting them from Penglai. For one thing, the proximity to China and the fact that China had been the first nation to legitimately recognize the United States of Japan gave an air of solidarity, though the Chinese and the Black Knights very rarely associated. For another, the Black Knights were an asset in the fact that they were a constant drain on Britannian forces and a dividing factor in the European Parliament. Yet, for this visit, Kayeri had no intention of representing China--today, it was not Prince Li Tziling who was now visiting the Black Knights, but Sachem Kayeri Brant of the Five Nations district that was now here.

[vierre]

As the other man relieved his cloak of a minor sheet of water, Vierre was acutely becoming aware of the fact that his own clothes were starting to become saturated in the rain. This meeting would have to conclude quickly or continue inside, but he was not at liberty to simply invite the visitor in without some confirmation of his identity, despite his apparent ties with the Chinese Dynasty. He followed the man as he moved underneath the awning, not complaining as it brought him out of the direct rain as well. He glanced at the two Black Knight guards positioned at the doors and nodded to them succinctly. Both of them took a step to their sides, allowing the conversation to continue without intruding, but keeping the entrance barred until further instructions from the First Division Captain. Not that Vierre was expecting anything to get out of hand. It would not benefit the Chinese Dynasty in the slightest to incite an incident here.

"I have no bedtime stories to tell, though I did hear a rather good joke about a bear and a priest..."

A cascade of disappointment washed over Vierre’s face for a brief moment as the man trailed off, with apparently no intent to actually share the joke. What a terrible tease. Jokes involving bears and priests simultaneously weren’t subjects to bring up and then not deliver on.

"I happened to be on the way to Saigon from Kyoto, and Penglai looked like a pleasant place to weather the night."

Vierre raised an eyebrow, then turned his head to gaze up at the dreary skies, smothered in heavy clouds. “Mm hmm,” he mumbled. “I must admit, this is not how I anticipated this conversation to go. First of all, a tale, even in the form of a joke, is always worth telling as long as it is done with passion. More importantly though, I was hoping this would be the part where you… oh say, introduce yourself. But it seems you have forced my hand. I will have to introduce myself first. Vierre DeMara, First Division Captain of the Black Knights. No point being secretive about the affiliation here of all places eh?” He bowed his head just slightly.

“Now, if perhaps you would return the favour, I would be much obliged,” continued Vierre with a hint of a sly smirk behind his lips. “Perhaps some identification too, hmm? For security confirmation, of course. It is somewhat of an important building after all.”

[lloyd]

"Well...a bear is chasing a Priest through the woods..." Kayeri began. Behind him, though, the older of the two bodyguards, a Chinese man, coughed. The jokes would have to wait, apparently. Instead, he clasped a clenched fist with his other hand and then bowed slightly, the appropriate response of a Chinese nobleman. "Kayeri Brant of the Iroquois Confederacy," he responded in lieu of an introduction. Reaching into his robe sleeve, Kayeri produced what looked like nothing more than a belt of beads. On closer inspection, though, one would see that each bead was unique, hand-crafted individually with loving care. This was wampum, the Iroquois form of currency prior to the arrival of Britannia. While its equivalent could be easily mass-produced in China or in Southern Britannia, its status as a symbol of Iroquois tradition meant that it was still handmade. Once used as a historical record, Kayeri's had been passed down generations, from the days of Washington's Rebellion, each length being a contribution from each generatino of the Brant Family. Not exactly tech-savvy, but ah well. "You wouldn't have let a member of Britannia through if I had been flying on an Iroquois transport," Kayeri explained apologetically as one of the black Knight guards glanced at the transport, emblazoned with the Red and yellow of the chinese Federation.

[vierre]

Vierre slid his gaze slowly over to the stern bodyguard who coughed, interrupting the man as he began telling the joke. The Black Knight captain was less than impressed, but reluctantly let it go. No point in getting the man in trouble with his own people. Still, he was glad to observe that the man was willing break the mold of formality. It was much more suited to Vierre’s own carefree style, despite the fact that he typically shifted seamlessly to dealing with nobility or performing his military duties.

"Kayeri Brant of the Iroquois Confederacy," responded the man then displayed a series of intricately made beads. Vierre nodded and inspected the wampum. Certainly not as secure as other forms of identification, but the captain had been briefed on some basic facets of Iroquois tradition KyotoCorp had liaised with Penglai about this visit. However, other than providing a name and a few scraps of circumstantial cultural information, they had not stated a purpose for the trip. For now, the name and item provided by the man were as expected.

"You wouldn't have let a member of Britannia through if I had been flying on an Iroquois transport," Kayeri explained apologetically.

Vierre nodded again. “Ironic perhaps that I am born Britannian, but that detail is besides the point. Thank you Mr. Kayeri Brant, a pleasure to meet you. The ID of your transport did indeed already check out based on the information provided by KyotoCorp. You will have to forgive me for the rest of the formalities. Welcome to Penglai Island.” He turned to the two guards, giving them a look without a word.

“Yes sir,” they said in unison, responding to the unspoken command. Putting their weapons at ease, they opened and held the doors of the base open for the Captain and the visiting delegate.

“This way please.” Vierre led Kayeri and his bodyguards through the base, keeping away from the sections of high security sensitivity. Up an elevator, down a long hallway, and through another set of sturdy doors, the group entered a section of the base that appeared significantly different from the previous area. “These are our living quarters,” explained Vierre, finally stopping in front of one particular door. “They are not lavish by any means, but we have prepared an available unit for you.”

Vierre fished a thin magnetic card from his pocket, and swiped it smoothly through the door sensor, causing the door to open automatically revealing the simple apartment-style unit, dressed in somewhat drab decor. He flipped the card around in his hand a couple times, then stopped it between his index and middle finger, and held it out for Kayeri to take. “This will give you access to your quarters and limited access to the rest of the base. If your guards have the luxury of sleep, we may be able to arrange something for them as well. Now, if I may ask, is there another purpose for your visit or is this but a mere layover before you continue on to Saigon? The KyotoCorp did not provide us with many details.”

[lloyd]

Kayeri glanced at the rooms. While somewhat spartan and bare in terms of furnishings, these living quarters were amply furnished in the typical Japanese tradition of simplicity. "They'll do fine," he replied. Kayeri also felt a little relief. KyotoCorp WAS reliable after all. While the bribe needed was a bit high, it was still nice to know that something had come of it. "As to my reason for coming...as a Chinese Imperial official, I am actually at the moment in a red-light district in Macau," Kayeri explained cheerfully as he walked through the many hallways, guided by the Black Knight. "I came more as a businessman than a politician...to offer a business deal. Walk with me."

Of course, Kayeri had never been in Penglai Island, and so now he could only walk back the only way he had come from. However, if they were always moving, there was a lesser chance any one person would catch the whole conversation. "The fact is that both the Black knights and Britannia have returned to a deja-vu of combat again--but the situation has changed in Britannia." Kayeri looked out a window at the rainstorm outside. it was now obvious that he had no idea where he was. For a moment, Kayeri saw DeMara's military uniform. Is it a good idea to approach a military officer with politics? However, one of the most important things one had to keep in mind as a salesman or politician was to never be condescending--and no matter how beautifully he phrased it, a rebuttal would be an insult. For Britannians, a proud people, this would be even worse. it was slightly ironic how Elevens and Britannians, enemies as they were, were both such proud people. Maybe that's the very reason they are such enemies...Moreover, DeMara had obviously been trusted to be given the information relayed by KyotoCorp, meaning that he was at the highest possibly a high-ranked civilian official as well or, at the lowest, simply a gate guard who was meant to be political. Both ways, this put the man at a position to know this information. "As you know, Britannia is not by any means an absolute monarchy, but actually a Legislative Monarchy. While the Emperor is supreme commander of all military forces, the Imperial Senate (The Senators of the Commons and The Senator Lords) approves financial measures and also is the only group allowed to levy taxes. In the past, in the days of Emperor Charles X, the Senate approved every measure the Emperor asked for. For one thing, War is good Business. The Commons are dominated by Corporations, and wars are fought on Knightmares made from companies such as Rosenburg and Ashford, with troops armed with ICCA Weapons, with food packaged by WacDonalds, and equipment produced by Wal-MarTong. Emperor Lelouch simply dissolved the Senate, and the Senate continued to approve Empress Nunnally's Actions because she encouraged Free Trade and because rebuilding war-torn cities also is big business. But now things have changed. Since the Valentine's Day Crash at the Victoria Stock Exchange, Emperor Alistair passed corporate regulations that basically amount to protectionism, alienating the House of Commons. Emperor Alistair has still not completely restored the privileges of the Nobility, and so the House of Lords is also discontent. Despite Britannia's outside solidarity, the fact remains the Britannia is actually splintered. The House of Commons and the House of Lords are now on teh same side, and turmoil continues to plague the economic front in Britannia. And this is what the ICCA has been waiting for. Once again, we have been demoted to Twos where we were once an independent nation. And yet, while we are prepared to rebel, we cannot, mainly because a large britannian force remains in Pendragon. And this is where i would like to suggest a business deal..." Kayeri stopped as he looked around at a completely unfamiliar corridor. "And, for that matter, do you have any idea where we are?"

[vierre]

"I came more as a businessman than a politician...to offer a business deal. Walk with me."

Vierre raised an eyebrow. He didn’t particularly want to get drawn into this kind of talk, or more accurately what would undoubtedly be some kind of negotiation. Kayeri’s thoughts were right, he was indeed a soldier, and while a fairly intelligent one, he did not have the patience for politics and/or business. Still, he would do his best to listen for now. In the end, any kind of deal with the Black Knights would have to find its way through Sakura or Yekaterina… or even Zero now that he had returned.

Vierre nodded sporadically, listening carefully to the background information Kayeri was providing. It was detailed, but he delivered it well enough to make the spiel seem more succinct than it actually was.

“…And, for that matter, do you have any idea where we are?"

“Just outside the fitness and recreation facilities. We try to provide some amenities to our members stationed here. Allow me to be frank, and I’m sure this is no surprise to you, but the Black Knights must be very selective about any potential business deal. As you know, our resources are constrained by the fact that many of our operations are high risk maneuvers. Taking on any kind of additional partnerships must be weighed and considered carefully. In the end, it will have to be discussed by the Black Knight executives.”

[lloyd]

Kayeri blinked. That was certainly abrupt, though the objection raised as to the need for a superior was perfectly understandable. "Of course. After all, only chiefs make good promises," Kayeri noted. Alri ght, that was retarded. The proverb sounded outdated in his mind the moment he said it--one of the things that the first Joseph Brant had said just before he scalped several defectors from his own Mohawk. It was probably the bloody details of the scalping that had gotten the attention of history, not the grammatical ability of the man who came to be the Grand Sachem of the Iroquois Confederacy. "The essence of it is pretty basic, though. Japan is a black hole that has Britannia's pride on the line. Britannia will not allow itself to be subjugated by Zero again, whereas Zero will never simply yield Japan. As long as the Black Kinghts keep this Black Hole going, anger at the government of Britannia increases. People are dying for the occupation of an area that most Britannians don't give a rat's ass about, and fewer and fewer Britannian resources are in the East, the Iroquois power base. The fact is that Britannia's many ethnic groups in the Americas are not homogenic at all. In the Northeast coast, around the old capitol around New York, the population is largely immigrants from the EU, many of whom have been refused the good jobs and now rummage in the dirt. Upstate and on the Great Plains, there are few Britannians, and the population is mostly the Plains Iroquois such as the Sioux. Down south, Cubans have been waging an insurgency for god knows how long. Lastly, the Spanish Britannian territories in South America are the most dangerous. For one thing, their first independent nation, Gran Columbia, was crushed viciously by Britannia. Secondly, settled originally by the SPaniards, Southern Britannia is heavily catholic. And, for a nation taht had long since attempted to quash any "superstitions" (for good reason too, for otherwise many Britannians would be influenced by the Papal States in Italy), the area is particularly volatile. the only thing htat has kept Britannia united is the fact that it has always been growing, always fighting for something that unites them. The longer a war limits this growth, the greater the distances between each ethnic group." Kayeri glanced at the exercise machines. All made for making muscles. The interest in thick muscles was quite a modern phenomenon, in fact. The Aztec Jaguar Prowl Knights were known for their tubbiness--along with their ability to jog 40 miles nonstop and then fight a battle. Kayeri himself wasn't especially muscular, though he was nimble. Knightmare Pilots didn't need muscles. Would muscles have done me any good anyway? Not that it mattered any more, but there was no way he would turn to Knightmare pilotry again after That happened. "I might use those exercise machines someday," he mused out loud as he looked around. he wasn't quite sure where to go anyway, he realized with some embarrassment.

[vierre]

For all the fine details in Kayeri’s political and social exposition, he had yet to actually spell out any kind of actual deal. How typical of a politician to rely on the sharpened word as a weapon, brandishing it about boldly without delivering the blow. Vierre had no problems with this, though. He wasn’t the right person to talk to, and as he already explained, a partnership was not something to be taken lightly, and certainly not something that could be agreed upon after a simple walk down the halls.

"I might use those exercise machines someday," mused Kayeri.

Vierre nodded. “Certainly. You are welcome to the fitness facilities. Your card will allow access to them. We try to provide for our members and our guests, of course. The Black Knights aren’t savages after all, despite what some media outlets might want people to believe”

The Black Knight captain watched the guest carefully. He realized the other man had been walking during the conversation for the sole purpose of simply moving, but now that he had stopped something needed to swoop in to occupy the vacancy. Vierre clasped his hands behind his back. “You seem uncertain about what to do. Lost, even. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

[lloyd]

Kayeri was fairly sympathetic with The black Knight's indignation at the word "savage". Despite Britannia's official policy of referring to the Iroquois as equals, many in Britannia (such as the Purists) still referred to the Iroquois (quite openly) as savages and questioned their votes in the Imperial Senate. "Media Outlets do not have the best of memory...after all, 'savages with guns' almost defeated the Britannian army...on the other hand, 'A book, a coat and a printing press does not a civilized man make'." Another retarded quote Kayeri had remembered, this one from Lord North of Great Britain in the late 18th century, regarding a certain rebel named Thomas Paine across the ocean. The irony of it was that Lord North died in the Napoleonic invasions, whereas Thomas Paine died peacefully in Paris the day after the Congress of Europe (The precursor of the EU) was created. I really need to stop remembering these worthless bits of information, Kayeri reminded himself.

Vierre's question was rather conveniently timed. As the Black Knight Division Captain had aptly stated, he was completely lost. On the other hand, it was more urgent that he had met a higher-up. While Kayeri had dropped hints of his intentions, Vierre was right in that these decisions should not be left to subordinates. "If you have time, Captain, is it possible to arrange a meeting with a higher-up capable of concluding such a deal?"

[vierre]

Vierre almost laughed out in the open. “Yes, well, the Purists are a questionable bunch in general. I’d point out that I hope you don’t regard all Britannians in the same light, but I think it is clear that you are knowledgeable enough to know better.” Furthermore, the quote offered by Kayeri tugged at Vierre, drawing out a grin. “I’ve never heard that before,” explained Vierre. Centuries old history was not his strong point. “But I will have to remember that one.” He appreciated cleverly twisted word play and images. Almost as much as he enjoyed the thrill of competition, and the even greater thrill of being victorious.

"If you have time, Captain, is it possible to arrange a meeting with a higher-up capable of concluding such a deal?"

Vierre nodded politely. “You needn’t even ask, Mr. Brant of the Iroquois Confederacy,” he said light-heartedly, as per usual playing loosely with formalities. “I will be forwarding a report on immediately indicating your request. If I may ask, is there a method to contact you should you be out of your quarters? I will pass that information along as well.” Vierre knew that it was possible that one of the executive members of the Black Knights would simply show up at Kayeri’s quarters, but just as likely they might want to set up a formal meeting through a junior member messenger. Or it was also possible that no one would be available and scheduling a meeting for the future, whether in person or via telecommunications would have to suffice. Vierre sighed in his own mind. He had no love for schedules. They felt so restricting.

[lloyd]

Kayeri smiled slightly at Vierre's caution regarding alternate communications. After all, he was risking a security breach by even stopping off at Penglai, and if one were to wait for bureaucracy to do its work without a few bribes, Kayeri may as well prepare to raise a family on this island. "I suppose that neither of us has the time to wait for paper-pushers to reach agreements...well, I will have to return to Saigon in two days...no matter how strong my sex drive, I still don't think I would stay in Macau any longer than that," Kayeri said with a slightly crooked grin. Anytime after that, you can probably contact me via the local KyotoCorp headquarters, the ICCA corporate headquarters in Hokkaido or directly to the Chinese Embassy." Corporate Blackmail had a way of creating connections. "Contacts in KyotoCorp seem to indicate that Britannian forces are no longer...welcome in Narita...is that true?" Kayeri did not wait for a response--any good soldier would immediately deny it or find a way to keep him silent. "I owe you one. If things go badly, contact the ICCA...we should be able to bribe out the safety of you and some of your colleagues. After all, Gold is the best silver tongue."

[vierre]

“Precisely why I try not to bother with paperwork in the first place,” mused Vierre. “Sadly, that approach doesn’t always work out quite so well. The pen may be mightier than the sword, but at least the sword doesn’t take six months to make a single simple decision, eh?” The bureaucracy that infested every minute action or potential action from his time in the Britannian Military had nearly driven him mad. He couldn’t understand how his older brother could stomach such slow-footed inefficiency, or how both his parents had done the same for that matter. But his brother was always that much more level-headed than he.

"I owe you one. If things go badly, contact the ICCA...we should be able to bribe out the safety of you and some of your colleagues. After all, Gold is the best silver tongue."

Vierre smiled. “A generous offer and one that is well noted. While I hope the men and women under my command as well I will never require the aid… unfortunate circumstances do tend to happen from time to time. And always at the most inconvenient of times.”

Making a few mental notes on the information he intended to pass along, Vierre offered his hand. “Thank you very much, Mr. Brant. I will pass that information along to the appropriate people. For now, feel free to enjoy the recreational facilities or if you would like to return to your room, follow this hallway back, third right then first left. That will bring you back to the living quarters and from there the signs will help you find the unit number listed on your card there.”

With a nod Vierre added, “Now, if you will excuse me, I will go submit that report. I’m not too pleased that you’re making me do paperwork, but you can make up for it some day by telling me the rest of that joke. Take care, Mr. Brant.” With a slight bow, he walked by Kayeri, intending to stop off at an encrypted computer terminal immediately in order to forward the politician’s information on for consideration. At least it was electronic paperwork.

[Exit]

[lloyd]

Kayeri sighed as he watched the Black knight go. While he was fairly sure the Black Knight would indeed relay the message, he knew that he would probably have to repeat the process he had went through with greater detail to have anything close to a chance of convincing the Black Knights Command. Ah well...after all, 'If everything works out perfectly, something's wrong...and now he had an exercise machine to try out.

-Exeunt-