Tu te reconnaîtras

You will recognise yourself

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Anne-Marie David, interim President of the Federal Republic of Icholasen

The negotiations seemed simple to Anne-Marie David. She was happy to just become independent. The only point of contention was to be the status of Cesae Vauvra / Saint Regina. As a neutral zone, neither party controlled it.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank you for coming to the table." Cécile said.

"It is my pleasure, Cécile."

Cécile presented a map, detailing modest concessions from the Continuity UNSR to the Federal Republic. This was very satisfactory to Anne-Marie, it was beyond her wildest dreams to just be here.

"This is an acceptable initial border for us. But, what about the status of Saint Regina."

Cécile raised her eyebrow of the use of the old word for the city, since renamed Cesae Vauvra. "We think it should be under our control."

"Well, I obviously do not agree with that. There must be some kind of compromise. Would you accept it being a neutral city ?"

"No. But what I would accept is it being divided."

"Are you nuts ?!"

"It is the only deal my colleagues and I are willing to accept, other than it being under our control."

"Well..." Anne-Marie said, looking again at the territory of her new Republic. "What demarcation line have you chosen ?"

"Like this. We control the East, and you would control the West."

"We are prepared to provisionally accept that. What about the nuclear weapons ?"

"We would keep them, but would not throw a fuss if you were to accept those decadent capitalists' nukes on your territory.

Anne-Marie David was a passionate environmentalist. She hated everything nuclear, and was happy to let them have their dirty bombs. She also knew that her fledgling republic's security was not under threat from the continuity UNSR. She believed she would have the support of almost all of the European powers.

"We are prepared to agree to that."

"Is that all the housekeeping ?" Cécile said, nonchalantly, as if she hadn't just divided an entire country.

"Yes, I believe so."

The two women signed the treaty, dividing Icholasen in two.

Large disturbances during the Territorial Guard protests

The worst fears of the authorities were confirmed and the ultra group called Territorial Guard caused chaos in the main streets of Emerita Augusta yesterday.

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Militants of the criminal group arrived from all over the country, and the Vigiles were out late into the night trying to contain the protests. During the demonstrations there were assaults on bank branches and shops, barricades were erected and containers were set on fire.

The tensest moments came when the Vigiles had to fire into the air to prevent an attempted assault on the General Diet.

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The entire political class condemned the incident. The Guterres government has announced that it will declare the Territorial Guard a terrorist group, due to the security threats posed by their protests. At this hour, the Vigils and other police forces have arrested 732 members of the group, accused of crimes of vandalism and attacks on the police.

Emerita Augusta wakes up from the nightmare.

Anthony was in deep gratitude for Mr. Key's kind words.

AA: Yes, with us being friends, we should have a good relationship.

He immediately dove into the food prepared for him. He forgot to eat before leaving, so he was ravenous.

John Peter Key responded " Thank you I am glad you agree on a cargo rail link. In fact I think it would be a good idea to have a segregated line so it can operate most efficiently with a link to Baltia Port too. I am also glad you like the idea of the bloc for a free movement zone and others have expressed interest providing all agree. Moving on we at the moment have tariffs and trade is still strong between us but I think we could benefit both our countries by eliminating tariffs entirely and encouraging trade and investment. I 'd also like to have scheme for businesses in both countries to collaborate between them and the universities in our countries on research and help universities commercialise their scientific discoveries and research. "

MacPheadair responded "We can certainlty agree to this
Section II Border
1.We the parties of this agreement agree to a joint Czech-Strathae border protection agency and to fund efficient but quick border processing points and manage the joint Strathae-Czech borderlands. "

She listened to see if its what the Czechs wanted.

"That is a fair deal. There is no way I would oppose that. Furthermore, I am looking forward to extending that in the future." said the princess with a smile on her face. It was a good start, she thought. It is always good to start off negotiations with the good ones first. But well... she did know that talks about the trait and taxations aren't inevitable.

"On the economical side, we have been developing and investing in a working bank system with maximum privacy. We'd love to have you as our guest and partner as it will be truly beneficial for all the parties involved."

John Peter Key replied of "Of course , we know its a big issue so we understand if you consult parliament on such a big issue. On trade still in regards to tourism we propose up to 60 day tourist visa for each of of citizens in order to increase travel between our countries , after all you have so much to see and offer to our tourists and us to yours. Especially if we have sleeper trains and high speed Eurorail reach you from us in the future through the tunnel in the Mediterranean. through negotiation with Hellas. We could also cooperate on joint research projects between our universities and each others businesses to boost our economies potential as well as have education exchanges for our nations students to give each the option to study in our respective countries. What do you think?"

"It has indeed", said Jesús, shaking hands with Anthony. "And same, if you ever need anything, just give me a call and I will find a gap for you. Not everyone has that priviledge!", said the Spanish President, laughing.

Aguilar then left to San Diego's Airport, where his Falcon Dassault plane was waiting for him. The President's plane took off on time and headed back to Madrid, leaving an awesome country and a great friend behind, but with hopes of having a friend for his entire life. Another summit to put on his diary.

Aguilar laughed too, and smiled. His adviser brought a document, which was a joint declaration that would be published later on alongside some others that the Spanish Government had pending to publish. "Well, I think this leads to the end of the summit! Thank you very much for this welcoming and for the nice atmosphere we have had during this meeting. And I hope to see you soon.", said the Spanish President, shaking hands with both Lusitanian leaders.

Aguilar then left the Palace and went back to the airport, where the Airbus A321neo was waiting for him. The President climbed the stairs that led to the plane's door, and had a final look at the airport and the visible landscapes. He said goodbye to Africa, his photographer entered behind him and the plane took off without any inconvenients, making its way back to Madrid. "It has been a very productive meeting", Aguilar told his wife, to whom he was speaking on the phone.

The summit was over, and Spain had a new friend in Africa.

"Of course Emperor, if there was anything you could do I would tell you about it. But right now, my father is old and wants to live life... I still remember the day we went to visit him and we were told he was not there. My mother inquired the guard and then came back with a disillusioned gesture to our car. I guess he got caught by her...", Felipe said, in a normal tone. The King had got used to his father adventures and romances, but he hoped that one day, both could reconcile and his father excused himself to the Spanish society for his behaviour.

"The Telum summit will definitely be one of the events of the year in Madrid, that is for sure. I have not been kidnapped, but it is not an adventure that I would like to experience. You made many of us worry about you, those Rimrothian could have been smarter and not blowing up whatever they wanted to get with such a silly move", Felipe said before being politely interrupted by Leticia, who wanted to know more about the Emperor's kidnap: "may I ask what was the funniest part of it, Emperor?", the Queen asked.

Felipe was happy to hear that Artabanos and the Spanish President had a good friendship, and he could not hide his smile when he got to know. "There was indeed a time when the Royal Family, mostly the King, had the power to appoint and dismiss some representatives, but that was before the French invaded us. Carlos IV and Fernando VII, father and son, were not very good at carrying along well, just like my father with me! They got easily busted by Napoleon, and jailed in France for some time until the Spanish raised in arms against the French and we managed to kick them out. While that happpened, some liberals in Cádiz made a constitution and tried to impose it on Fernando, but he did not accept it and in 1920 a Coronel raised against him and he had to sign the Constitution. However, three years later a huge army made of 500,000 French soldiers entered the country and ended with the liberal regime, so Fernando kept absolute power until 1833. When he died, the lack of a son and the repeal of a law that did not allow women to become queens, made Spain go into a civil war and Isabel, his daughter and the following sovereign, had to get the liberals support to win it. And that is the history of how we lost mostly all of our powers. But, I will be honest with you: I prefer it this way, Spanish politics are messy."

(The discussion between panelists is longer than expected, as the recount seemed to have picked a fast pace. Suddenly, the RTVE Election theme starts playing, and the camera shows Ana and Carlos standing together)

CF: Ladies and gentlemen, we have some Breaking news. The rest of the regions have just proclaimed their results, and we are now able to tell you who the winner is. But first, let's go through the last round of regional results.

AB: The Partido Popular has won in mostly every single region except two of them: in Portugalia Centro, where the Partido Socialista has won by just a handful of votes and in El Rif, where the nationalist, pro-independence party Futuro para el Rif has won. In the newly created Ultramar constituency, the Partido Popular blasts the PSOE on a 3-1 seat distribution. And that take us to the final results...

CF: Ladies and gentlemen, the Kingdom of Spain has a new President, which happens to be the one we have had for six years. Jesús Aguilar and the Partido Popular win the Spanish General Election with 264 seats, with a majority of 3 seats! In second we have the Partido Socialista Obrero Español, with 121 seats; VOX on 3rd with 40; Sumar and the SNP on 4th and 5th with 18 seats each; Esquerra Republicana with 13; Unidas Podemos with 12; the Partido Nacionalista Vasco and Junts per Catalunya with 6 each; EHBildu with 5; Navarra Suma with 3, Ciudadanos with 2...

AB: And with one seat each, Coalición Canaria, Nueva Canarias, the Bloque Nacionalista Galego, the Candidatura d'Unitat Popular, Foro Asturias, the Partido Regionalista de Cantabria, Teruel Existe, Soria Ya!, Por Puerto Rico, Plaid Cymru, Futuro para el Rif y Huriyah Unida.

And now, we move to the Senado de España results...

AB: The Senado de España results have also been announced and, just like in the Congreso de los Diputados, the Partido Popular gets a majority with 140 seats. Then we find the Partido Socialista Obrero Español with 80; VOX with 7; the SNP with 6; Navarra Suma with 5; Esquerra Republicana with 4; the Partido Nacionalista Vasco, Sumar and the Partido Regionalista de Cantabria with 3, Junts per Catalunya with 2...

CF: Unidas Podemos, Ciudadanos and EHBildu with 2 seats each; and finally with a single seat on the chamber we have Coalición Canaria, Geroa Bai, the Bloque Nacionalista Galego, Huriyah Unida, Más Madrid and the Partido Aragonés.

AB: And this has been our special coverage of the Spanish General Election. Thank you very much for following this very important day with us...

CF: And good night from Spain!

Concession Speech
I would like to thank for Juncker for his participation in this race and all the staff who helped run elections and count the votes. All of this is key to European Democracy. I think needless to say a full EPA term is not what I wanted or alot of nations wanted here but the majority did and thats what matters. I am proud still to have ran and got concessions in the EPA campaign including a concrete promise of 35 billion euros EDA budget which I am dissapointed wasn't a bigger promise but its better than it otherwise would have been. I do still believe it will prove necessary to have national offices, boards and allocations at that level of funding but I'll let this fact be found out through real world problems.

For now we must restructure and look at if we need to run next time and also make sure at the council Juncker is held to account. It is my understanding some councillors who supported me will only vote for a fully funded and spent budget that unleashes the full power of Europe. So congratulations to Juncker and I genuinely hope you do well since it is important for you to do so for the sake of the EU and its nations but I have one warning for you , we are watching for you to hit your promises , if we see a half used budget and massive surplus or ineffective management and lack of EDA budget being claimed we will hold you to account and call for the necessary changes to an allocation based system.

Thank you Europe and I wish you and Juncker the Best

Dear Aunt Lilibet,

It is with great pleasure that I receive your letter inviting both my wife, Queen Leticia, and myself on a State visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

I am writing this telegram to accept that invitation, and to express our great desire and excitement to revisit a friendly country such as the United Kingdom. I hope that on this visit we will be able to honour together the memory of Uncle Philip, who left us a year ago, and for whom we had great affection and love.

I look forward to meeting you soon,

Felipe VI
King of Spain

Extraordinary Session of the National Imperial Council of the Empire of Inimicus

21st July 2022

Summary agenda:

9.30am: Opening statements, if any.

Followed by: Determination of the National Vote for Premier, Internal Affairs, and Foreign Affairs Commissioners of the European Union

Present: H.I.M. Artabanos, Vicarius Wilfred Cocx, Nicholas Benfield, James Cocx (Imperial delegates); Basil Lawson, Henman Vern (Centurio); Matthew Birch, Alaina Kaach (Domini); Simon Lane, Jeffrey Speller (Legati); Edmund Everett, Simge Galanth (Quaestoris); Edith Oxley, Ralph Jaevons (Rosarum); Charles Honeybourne, Hetty Tilki (Praestoris); Dilkes Ayla, Nazil Schout (Diutius); Christopher Strathclyde, Karen Smith, Boris Mancov, Sarah Gladwell (National Executive).

Absent: none

Wilfred COCX, Chair: "The Council shall come to order. Before us today is the determination of the National Vote for three members of the European Commission. Unless there are any Opening Statements, I suggest Councillors move to discussions on the choice before us."

Dilkes AYLA, Emperor's Finest: "Vicarius, with your leave -- I do not think any of us know the outcome of our decision for Premier Commissioner today, although perhaps our choice for Interal Affairs is more clear-cut. I am, myself, in doubt whether Jean-Claude Juncker will keep Imperial interests at heart, given his record of integrationism and European-level legislation. At the same time, Kühnert seems to be an un-nuanced choice, and his answer to everything appears to be national sovereignty. That, too, is not in the Empire's interests. I wonder what other Councillors' opinions are."

Jeff SPELLER, United Progressive Front: "I think, colleagues, Your Imperial Majesty, there is one large distinction between Mr Juncker and Mr Kühnert, and that is experience. Juncker, for all his integrationism which some at this table -- not I -- object to, has been a Commissioner in the past, he is a seasoned politician, and we know what to expect from him. That alone makes him win my vote."

Simon LANE, Centre-Conservative Union: "Yes, Juncker is experienced. He is. But experienced in what? What did he actually achieve during his terms in office? Barring, mind you, Eurorail, which indeed was more of a Reitzmic influence, I suspsect."

H.I.M. ARTABANOS: "Juncker can indeed be credited with Eurorail. But we know Kühnert values the rights of member states over those of the EU. Councillors, there must be other things to consider."

Christopher STRATHCLYDE, ind.: "I suspect I recognise the intent of His Imperial Majesty's comments, Councillors. Perhaps most importantly, far beyond the limitations of sovereignty vs integration, progressive vs conservative, there is a highly influential other factor. His Imperial Majesty has Juncker's ear. Juncker and the Emperor get along. That may be worth far more than talk about sovereignty or not. Having a Premier Commissioner that has rapport with Our Emperor is essential."

Simge GALANTH, Emperor's Finest: "A fair point, Lord Strathclyde. However, I suspect no one, not even His Imperial Majesty, would vote for an office as important as that of the European Premier based on rapport alone. Dinners and visits and cruise yachts are all well and good, but political intent is just as important."

Vicarius COCX: "With those concluding words, Councillors, I suggest we move on to our ballots."

RESULTS OF FORMAL BALLOT:

Ilmaras KALESSED Kevin COTILLA Total H.I.M. ARTABANOS 5 10 15 OTHER CLLRS 2 18 20

RESULTS OF FORMAL BALLOT:

Jean-Claude JUNCKER Calvin KÜHNERT Total H.I.M. ARTABANOS 8 7 15 OTHER CLLRS 11 9 20

COCX: "Very well, thank you, Councillors. I therefore certify that the Empire of Inimicus's votes for Internal Affairs Commissioner in the Summer 2022 contest are as follows: First preference, Kevin COTILLA; Second preference, Ilmaras KALESSED. I further certify that the Empire of Inimicus's votes for Premier Commissioner in the Summer 2022 elections are as follows: First preference, Jean-Claude JUNCKER; Second preference, Calvin KÜHNERT. Thank you again, Councillors. Council is adjourned."

Silas once again decided to study Areai's note as he seated himself on a sofa. Areai's message was confusing, yet also alluring and exhilarating. Areai often wishing that Silas never existed brought him a sense of joy and happiness, knowing that he occupied that sort of space in her mind. Since Areai was currently tucked away in rather unreachable whereabouts, Silas figured it was probably necessary to make use of Rikkalek's presence, and have Rikkalek relay his message back to her.

The Bishop Secretary pulled a black fountain pen from his suit jacket and penned a response on the back side of Areai's letter. Before Silas began writing, Emperor Artabanos came walking past him. Silas quickly lowered his head and intensely fixated his gaze on the letter, which he drew close to his face. Once Artabanos was gone, Silas quickly decided to write.

Josephine,

I am beyond atonement. My life has been nothing but a culmination of sickness and torment, and my soul has been rendered worthless a long time ago by the many unforgivable acts that I have committed. There is no saving me.

Instead, I must be punished. I am a monster that must be broken, and you must be the one to do it. By punishing me, you will do a great good, and you will cleanse yourself. Liberate yourself from the chains that you have described, and come find me, and come hurt me. You must wreck me, body an soul, so that you can become good again, and so that you can become whole again. If I am not ruined, then I shall ruin others. Please, you must.

Yours faithfully and entirely,

Silas

Once he finished writing his response, Silas tucked the letter back into the envelope and made his way around the yacht to where Rikkalek was seated. Silas dropped the envelope on Rikkalek's lap and knelt down beside his chair. "Please return this to her. It's of utmost importance."

Silas slung himself back up and ruffled Rikkalek's hair with his left hand, before then giving him a slight pat, as if he was a pet. The Bishop Secretary returned to the couch and then began to count the guilders that he was bribed with by Artabanos. Realising that Artabanos had not returned from the bathroom, Silas decided to get up and find him.

The Bishop Secretary walked into the bathroom to find the Inimican Emperor studying himself in a mirror. Silas announced himself so as to not disturb the Emperor too harshly.

"Artie," Silas declared. "You are too generous."

Silas waved the guilders in his hand. "You have my discretion. Glad to know that we speak the same language. Just know that I am a big fan of your work. You have no idea how much money I've been investing in companies that hinged on the success of this canal. For that, I must thank you.

I am also a big fan of your other work, although, sometimes, you are too forgiving with those who cross you. Don't be afraid to be dirty, Artie. If you ever need more loyal men to do some housekeeping, let me know.

Anyways, I wanted to speak to you in regards to that uranium you mentioned. I know that this might not be the right time or place, but it is best that we discuss it in person. I am not the paranoid type, but it is best that we keep our communication as private and minimal as possible."

Siled smirked before continuing. "As you know, our friends in Czech Slavia will be developing nuclear weapons. What's more is that it should be in your best interest that Inimicus develops more nuclear weapons as well. I am sure I can find a way to have the Archbishop give a resounding 'yes' to any request that you make to the ENAA. The future is truly nuclear, isn't it?

Expanding and opening more uranium mines in those mountains would be quite lucrative. We should make sure this opportunity is seized, shouldn't we?"

Silas then returned the guilders from his hand to Artabanos. "Consider this an early investment. I am more than happy to fund any further uranium mining projects in Inimicus. I heard the market dividends for the mining industry can be quite good, so who knows, maybe you should look into going into business there? I'll pass the information of some good investment banks your way. If you also happen to award any contracts to my Inimican friends, then remember that I am a giving philanthropist, and that the Artabanos Foundation could receive some additional financial support."

The Bishop Secretary smiled and bowed slightly, turning, ready to walk out of the bathroom, before then turning around again. "Oh, and as an aside, I wanted to let you know that the Port of Saint Dominico is a good entry point to the markets of Central Europe and the Mediterranean. It'll be more than ready to accept and help distribute as part of any supply chain if you increase export capacity in uranium, gas, or any other commodity. The port is very secure, and Kligenberg Industries controls most of it... but sometimes things slip through. Some of the workers at the port don't have very good vision, as part of an affirmative action campaign to hire the less abled, of course, and so sometimes, things that shouldn't be legally trafficked, make their way through anyway. Just something to note, I suppose."

Silas winked and exited the bathroom, prowling around the yacht to find another glass of something to drink.