Nationwide Crisis in Jutensa

[Zimmerwald]

"Actually, Delegate," replied Daquing, "just before we left, we received reports of crop failures in the north of Xanadu province.  Dr. Sebastian has the most information on this; she brought plant cultures with her, and I believe two of them are native to that area."

Daquing took a moment to register the reactions of the Jutensans.  His news, it seemed, was even less welcome than he had guessed it would be.  The reactions varied from shock to distraction; he noticed one Jutensan biting his nails.  Daquing now judged it his obligation to provide some sort of relief, but he didn't have to.

"That's right," Sebastian interjected.  "Though fortunately I got them out before they were subject to the plague.  The North China-Jutensa strains of rice, I've noticed, are markedly different from the strains of South China, especially around Taipei.  I have samples of those as well, and I want to test their vulnerability to the virus.  If they're less vulnerable, we might be able to breed a new strain into your rice and save the next crop.  That's why I think I should be going to one of the outstations," she concluded. 

She'd been debating with Dr. Hao over whether she should stay or go.  Hao was better at synthesizing data than collecting it, and Sebastian had helped him to develop his statistics algorithm.  But she preferred working with the actual specimens.

"Do you ever stop, Lydia?" joked Daquing.  "I'll stay if you like."

[Allama]

The Jutensans were distressed by the news of the plague's intrusion into lands so far south; it had not seemed to have gone that far yet, and the surprise was less than pleasant.  The good news of the foreign rice samples to be tested helped ease their worry, albeit only slightly.  Delegate Tobayashi, on the other hand, appeared entirely rejuvenated after he had a moment to think about cross-breeding plants and mucking about in their DNA.

Carlotta leaned her arm surreptitiously into Delegate Zhang's elbow to alert her to her nail biting.  She's very competent, but she really needs to stop doing that.  Every time her mind wanders her hand goes right to her mouth... probably thinking about foreign virus strains swarming all over her beloved trains.

"Whoever you send won't be leaving until tomorrow, so feel free to take your time deciding," Delegate Bianchi said, "For now, why don't we show you to the rooms in which you will be spending the night?  I'm sure you must want to get a little rest before the briefings; travel can be so tiring."

Zhang looked like she disagreed highly with her colleague's last statement, but refrained from offering her opinion.  I think she's only happy when she's moving, Bianchi thought fondly.

[Solnath]

None of the three men leaning to the railing on the upper deck of the A.C.L. Arynka were happy. They were, in fact, quite the opposite. The reason for their discontentment was not this assignment they had been sent on on such a short notice nor was it the fact that they had been dragged away from their personal research projects.

No, the problem these three men of the highest standing in the scientific circles of Arasel were facing was much more serious. They all had hangovers. They had - too late - discovered the true nature of the Arynka when they found out that the first three letters do not in fact stand for "Araseli Cajsna Lomera" or "Araseli Battle Cruiser" but rather for a more international name. Even the fact that Arynka translates to Sealily did not raise any alarm in them. After all, everyone knew that the Military types were weird.

The full name of the A.C.L. Arynka, as they found out soon after they saw the ship, was the Araseli Celebration Liner Arynka.

The youngest of them, who seemed to be having the worst time, groaned. The oldest, a biologist with three grand-children asked the middle-aged one what the youngest had said.

"He says we're going to be at Qinghai soon," he replied and the young one groaned again.

The oldest looked at him and replied to the guttural noise, "Yes, I believe they have aspirin in Jutensa."

---

Two hours later when the ship was finally approaching the port, the project leader, Major General Kanshei Lundgren, boarded the pilot-boat to meet up with the Jutensan officials before the landing started. He sighed as he remembered the state in which the ship had been in the evening, even though it was no wonder that anyone who spent their days sniffing fumes in a dark laboratory would, once unleashed to such an opportunity, party their brains out.

As the boat approached their pier with the large cruiseliner behind it, Lundgren made small talk with the first-mate of the Arynka. He was, however, quite concious of the small white envelope in the breast pocket of his uniform. He had nothing against making a delivery, but the Top Secret -stamp on it tickled his curiosity.

[St Oz]

OOC: Primav is 'highest mav' and basically the Leader but more he overlooks and leads the Oligarchic Meritocracy. his name is Primav Amelio Devi Parpaski
IC:
East Garden

She was starting to suspect him, he should have known better than to mettle in such a Social Market Economic System. He wasn't going to reveal that the Primav was his older cousin but he figured it was in his background check anyway, "Delegate, I don't think you understand, we're one of the largest companies of St Oz and my cousin is the highest Authority of Ozia in the land. We do a lot of Government work even though we are a private company. Besides in Ozia there's no such thing as "Foreign Aid" it's almost inconceivable unless it's family. We always make deals and agreements. The Ozian Government approves our activity and doesn't stand against it. You most likely won't receive any type of Message from our Government unless they want to make a deal or you want to make a deal. You should just imagine 50 of Ozia's Brightest People debating in one room, they really don't bother with other people's problems and instead gives companies the right to do so if they so wish."

[Allama]

Location: Capitol Building's East Garden
Several days in the past
"No.  I am afraid it is you who does not understand," Bianchi said, rising to her feet and turning to leave in a single fluid motion.  Her tone was even and lacked malice, but underneath she was annoyed that he had called her understanding of the situation into question.  That Italian temper did act up sometimes, though most would never know it.  Her ire might have seeped into her voice, had she possessed any less of an iron will.  She radiated calm, sounding more as if she was discussing what to have for dinner than handling a delicate political situation.

"I am sorry, but unless you have official authorization to act on the behalf of the Ozian government, we cannot accept your proposal.  Now, if you'll kindly excuse me, I have matters to attend to.  We ask that when you leave, you take everything you brought back with you.  I hope our meeting found honor in your heart."

Bowing politely, she turned to go and saw her assistant coming around the corner with a tray.  Once he realized the meeting was over, he looked flustered and executed a rapid about-face, nearly tipping over the teapot.  That didn't go too badly at all, she thought. Now Vendecci knows better than to try adding his "influence" to Jutensa's markets.  Once he and his entourage have left, I may actually find some time for sleep.  Her internal monologue was wry but pleased as she made her way back to her office.


Location: Capitol Building
Afternoon
The briefings went well; the experts on both sides seemed confident and hopeful, though they would have to take many more samples and run a great number of tests and simulations before a solution would be found.

Delegate Mao, the serious-faced Minister of Science and Technology, almost smiled when he entered the laboratories, escaping the sun that shone so brightly in the West Garden.  The Capitol Building was not actually a single building. though it had started out as such.  Though it had long since expanded beyond the Capitol Hall and now encompassed a number of buildings, great and small, the name had stuck.

The two Gallipoli-Chinese who had chosen to remain filed in after him, and they got straight to work.  There was much to do.


Location: Port City of Qinghai
Early evening

If the six-member committee was tired from their long day of welcoming foreigners, they didn't show it.  Instead, they stood on the end of the pier watching the incoming ship with great interest.  It looked much like one of their own country's cruise liners.

The Arynka's pilot boat pulled up, engines cut to prevent over-turning the docks' other residents.  Once its passenger had disembarked, the six Jutensans approached and bowed.  Delegate Bianchi greeted him much as she had the Gallipoli-Chinese earlier that morning.

"Please accept our most humble welcome.  It has been a great many years since we have welcomed a foreign delegate; until today.  You will be greatly honored."  A second bow, and the introductions began.

[Solnath]

Lundgren bowed to all six of the Jutensans and introduced himself simply as "Major General Kanshei Lundgren of the Central Military Agency's Intelligence Department of the sovereign Hegemony of Arasel." He smiled at the annoyance of the litany and glanced at the slowly crawling carbon-copy of the Love Boat. "Would you prefer I spoke Chinese?" he asked the Jutensans with a slight smile on his lips, using the aforementioned language before switching back to English, "Or should we continue using English?"

[Allama]

Location: Port City of Qinghai
Early evening

Delegate Bianchi stifled a titter at the harmless but entertaining plight of the others in her group.  Probably only two of them were familiar with Mandarin, the dialect he had chosen to use; Cantonese was the lingua franca in Jutensa.  A pleasant smile on her face, she replied, "Major General, we will gladly use English if it is what you are most used to.  Jutensa is a multi-lingual nation."

At this point she introduced the remainder of the little party in English, with each bowing in turn as he or she was named.  The Arynka drew closer and closer throughout the exchange, finally arriving at the end of the dock just as the formalities were drawing to a conclusion.  The Jutensans looked up as it came near, wondering how long it would take to moor and release its Araseli passengers.

[St Oz]

East Garden- Days Before

Vendecci hated and admired the woman. She had stood up to him, she knew the game and she stuck to the rules. Perhaps he should try and corrupt her. Though the system itself corrupted her free soul. Vendecci pulled out his cell phone as she was leaving and began to speak in Ozian to his associates. He clasped the phone down and spat in the bushes (OOC: gives those guards a present ). The Ozian walked out of the garden area, noticing the noise and commotion on the north garden.

3 Days Later

"Ship's loaded Dire," the Captain, Heriov, swiped some sweat from his skin, "So damn hot out here."

"Indeed, that pai'hulu uniform doesn't help," Dire Vendecci chuckled and then contemplated on this situation, They've been watching me, they must have known my status and about my company. One thing about socialist governments I dearly hate. They're utter hate of private owners. He noticed the researchers going onto the ship and guards in their Mafia uniform stepping on with I-19s at their shoulder. They were probably hotter than anyone, wearing that ushanka looked painful to see but he made sure they stayed hydrated. Besides there were cool breezes coming from the salty ocean. He walked up the chain bridge to get to the ship. On board he noticed the researchers complaining about the heat and the soldiers gathering some air.
 
The captain walked to him in his limp fashion and said to him, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," he said but then added, "Well, yes something's wrong."

The Captain raised his eyebrows and then said, "Was it that bitch Delegate?"

Vendecci got a warm smile and laughed in his head but he was also a little bit angry that he called her a bitch. She was beautiful in standing up in what was her ideal society, he admired that, "No it wasn't her," he paused to think about what he was going to say. Looking behind the captain he saw a worker, wearing clothes much like the citizens of the tiny country, "I think it's time to call an old friend," he walked away from the captain with haste and caught the worker he talked with him and he had a puzzled look on him.

--------

Conversation with Dielpov and Vendecci- translated from Ozian, dev Ozhi ev Inglish vocediraevi
"Dielpov, my drinking buddy."

"Vendecci?"

"Yes of course!"

"I'm a bit busy right now, What's so important?"

"I need your help, Could you arrange a fake ID for me?"

"What?"

"Make me a Jutensan"

"What the hell are you doing there?"

"You know..."

"That is true..."

"I can pick up the package in Derva."

"Ok, ok. Afterall I do owe you a favor, you convinced Amelio to put me in my position."

"Yes you do, Well I have a long ride ahead of me."

----------

[Mercantilist States]

"Unidentified vessel, you are entering restricted waters. Turn your vessel around now or you will be fired upon," a military vessel flying a Jutensan flag said said over a loud speaker.

"What should we do?" Marcus Johnston asked his brother Avery.

"Turn around damn it," Avery said. "A shame, those islanders really wanted this sugar too."

"Where to?" Marcus asked as he slowed the boat down and began to turn it around.

"Back to the States I guess, there's a black market for sugar there with that stupid monopoly they gave to the West O Company. Unless you know of another market?"

Marcus shook his head, deferring to his brother like usual.

"And what in the hell is going on in that country?" Avery wondered aloud to himself as he stood on the back of the boat watching the Jutensan islands disappear over the horizon.

[Mercantilist States]

From the Mercantilist States Department of Commerce: All ships of Jutensan origin or who have crossed Jutensan ports are prohibited from docking and trading at Mercantilian ports until the agriculture crisis in that country has been resolved.

-Secretary Alexander Wallis

[Musachanage]

"Mr. President? I'm sorry to interrupt your mee-"

"It's okay", President Samson replied. "We were just about to end it anyways. What is it about, Mrs. Meyer?"

"We've had news. Of other nations. It seems the nation of Jutensa is undergoing a calumny : An epidemic." The secretary was looking bleak. Maybe she didn't expect such harsh things to happen a week after the creation of Musachanage. Maybe she expected a little calm month, but it seemed like panic was to be installed.

"What kind of epidemic?", Samson calmly replied.

"Agricultural one. And as we are actually near them..." Samson cut her approximations short.

"Then we need to react. A near neighbor suffering from an agricultural epidemic is nothing to react lightly about. Find a way to contact Mrs. Rousseau and Mrs. Morand-Duceppe. We will need them both."

--------------------

A bland Saturday afternoon. Gray skies, gray thoughts, and bad news. Minister Rousseau came rushing to the President's office. I'm finally going to see some action, she thought. A loud bang was heard as she stumbled on the front carpet.

"You called me over, Mr. President?", she said.

"Well, it seems your first duty has come. As our International Relationship Minister, you will be charged to see the outcome of the crisis in the nation of Jutensa. If you haven't been informed, it seems the country is undergoing a terrible agricultural epidemic. As we are a fairly new nation, we cannot do much, except offer our natural resources. Our henchmen are too few, our population is just about done with all the moving from a nation to form another, we cannot tell them we will help them with hands to work on the field. Even scientific resources to help fight the epidemic are too few in here. But we are near them. Ignoring the crisis would be terribly impolite. We must impose an image of fraternity and of strength."

"What do you suggest we do, Mr. President?" Minister Rousseau was eager to start working, but had no idea what to do. Offer them a polite 'We support you', or promise them a 'We will give you'?

"Don't make them wait. Tell them we support them, no more, no less. We are too weak right now." President Samson seemed worried. "And where has Mrs. Morand-Duceppe gone?"

"I have no idea, Mr. President, but I'll start working on that letter right away."

"Good. Oh, and tell Mrs. Meyer to calm down. She seemed over-nervous about the situation." The door slammed shut. At least our first crisis to deal with isn't in our borders, he serenely thought.

----------------------------

To : Mrs. Carlotta Bianchi, Minister of Foreign Relations of the nation of Jutensa.
From : Mrs. Annie Rousseau, Minister of International Relations of Musachanage
Subject : National Crisis in Jutensa.

We have been recently informed of your present state in what concerns an agricultural epidemic of nationwide proportions. As we are a new and coming nation in this world, we cannot do much else than offer our full support and natural resources to your nation. We are frankly saddened by the news, even though they might have came in late, but we are assured that your nation will be strong enough to rise back from this crisis.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Annie Rousseau, Minister of International Relationships of the Nation of Musachanage, Depute of L'Avalon-Sud.

[Khem]

To: Parliament Speaker Cheung Li
From: The Uichi Ryan Scientific Institute Of Genetic Enlightenment

we would like to set up a labratory and classroom in your nation, we wish to learn about this plague, how to fix it and how to make it useful.

[Mercantilist States]

Undersecretary of Commerce for Agriculture Patrick Nebraska was reading the latest briefing report about the situation developing in Jutensa. He had no idea so many governments in Taijitu were that compassionate…

Secretary Wallis and Deputy Secretary Scooter Evans were concerned about the virus and had limited all imports from Jutensa. An overreaction he thought, they didn't have any rice paddies in the Mercantilist States.

"Sir, there seems to be trouble in Ginto," Marilyn Manning, his assistant said as she entered his office and took a seat across the desk from him.

"What else is new?" Nebraska said half jokingly.

"No, I mean agriculture trouble."

"What do you have?" Nebraska asked, a bit more concerned.

"We have seperate reports from the Mercantilist Brewing Company, the Mercantilist Fruit Company and the Mercantilist West O Company of losing entire crop yields in North Jazzville. They withered, in what sounded like a fashion very similar to the rice paddies in Jutensa."

Nebraska sat silent thinking. He knew a Merchant diplomatic delegation led by Ambassador William Jackson was on its way to Vusun, Varkour to negotiate borders for the Ginto territories. If this was made public, it could seriously undermine those talks and add an unneeded concern to the negotiation.

"Ok, Send word to the Brewing Company and West O not to talk to the press about this. Contact whoever the hell is in charge in North Jazzville and make sure their local paper keeps it a Jazzan matter," Nebraska said. "I will notify Scooter and see where we go from there."

[Mercantilist States]

Avery Johnston docked their boat at the harbor in North Pass, Tenokee, Mercantilist States where they were greeted by a friendly, albeit suspicious, Department of Commerce agent with a clipboard.

"Greetings Merchant vessel! Point of origin?"

"North Jazzville," Johnston said as the agent marked on his clipboard and peered onto the deck of the ship.

"Cargo?"

"Boxes of trinkets from the Ginto territories, some tobacco and fruit," he had to take care not to mention the sugar stored below deck as it was still under the West O monopoly.

"Ok, thank you. You're cleared to dock. How's Ginto?"

"Mighty fine. Rumors of war, but you know, that's rumors. Good to be home."

The agent left to inspect the next ship and Marcus Johnston emerged from below deck.

"We clear?" he asked.

"Yeah," Avery asked as he continued to watch the agent.

"Hey, you know there's still some bags of rice down there we missed in North Jazzville."

"Really? Contact your Mor'os rice importer; see if he's interested."

Marcus nodded and they proceeded to unload their "official" cargo. The rest would have to wait until nightfall.

[Allama]

To: Mrs. Annie Rousseau, Minister of International Relations of Musachanage
From: Jutensa's Minister of Foreign Relations

Your support is deeply heartening in these troubled times and we humbly thank you for your interest and good will.

Soon our embassy complex will be ready and we will be opening diplomatic relations with all comers.  I would like to invite our neighbors in Musachanage to accept an ambassadorial suite upon completion and for your delegation to receive a tour of our nation's capitol.

Yours,
Carlotta Bianchi

To: The Uichi Ryan Scientific Institute Of Genetic Enlightenment
From: Jutensa's Parliament Speaker

I personally thank you for your offer of aid and wish to accept your delegation.  We will provide security for your scientists for the duration of their stay.  You are welcome to send a small armed escort from your nation, if this is not to your satisfaction.

Our embassy complex will soon be complete.  Please accept a premier ambassadorial suite.  We would be very pleased to have your delegation in our capitol.  I hope to some day offer you a tour.

Yours Sincerely,
Cheung Li

"Honored sir, there is news from the Southern border patrol."

Cheung Li sighed as he heard the routinely self-effacing aide speak from just behind him.  The girl acts so much like a servant I barely noticed her standing there, he thought as he turned back towards the Parliament Hall doors.  The session had just ended and there seemed to be more he needed to hear already.

"Wong, there is no need to be so humble.  Please speak frankly with me."

"Yes, yes sir... I mean, of course.  Sir."  Blushing at her awkwardness, she went on. "It seems the patrol keeps encountering un-announced merchant vessels.  No matter how often they run one off, they return."

Hmmm... why don't they just declare themselves and let us monitor the cargo they take on?  Buying rice from us now could be dangerous; who knows if our stores have a dormant form of the virus that could flare up when it comes near live plants?  The tests haven't been concluded yet...  The rice we have isn't harmful when consumed, but I still don't see why they're so determined to risk an outbreak.

"Thank you, Wong.  I'll deal with this immediately."

Fifteen minutes later the Speaker had drafted the orders for the border patrol to be reinforced again, and was preparing to make yet another public statement to reassure the people of the country he cared for so much he'd given up all his other desires to serve.