First Minister Victoria Gallo sat in a comfortable seat in her official government plane. Reading a pamphlet, she flew with her Chief of Employment who sat across from her in an equally comfortable seat. He was largely occupied with staring out the window, before mentioning the meeting to his boss at last.
"Shir Gallo, what is the real reason we are going to Byzantium? Surely it's more than just a meeting with Sartoria, since they're halfway across the globe and a former rival of ours?"
Victoria looked up from her pamphlet and sighed. "We're going to Byzantium to talk with the Crown Prince of Selene. Trade has been decreasing through the Bosporus lately, and that trade is necessary for our nation to become something powerful again. Also, we need a failsafe in case Procellia makes any sudden moves. Their military power is unknown, and ours is almost laughable."
"So that's why. You were very mysterious in this back in Kantu Tero. Many Ministers thought you were going insane."
"Maybe I'll need to have a talk with some of them. For now, let us focus on the Summit. Sartoria is sending their Foreign Minister and as a close ally of Selene, we can't afford to piss them off."
"Of course, Shir Gallo. I have the notes here, if you'd want to go over them again."
"A good course of action. Hand me a copy."
They continued on their flight from Kantu Tero to Byzantium with little extraneous conversation after that.
Grazia Marelli was in balcony of her room at the Hotel Bosporus, overlooking the Artemian Strait. In her position as Foreign Councillor for Sartoria, she had visited Byzantium several times already, but the city never ceased to amaze her, particularly the sense of history that one could perceive just by walking through its streets. In fact, it was in that very city where she had first met Marco Valerio. They were both exchange students and had shared several classes, and the friendship that they forged extended even after both pursued different career choices: Marco in the Senate and Grazia in the Foreign Service. While she was often detailed to far away countries, they always made time to meet whenever she was in town, and they both shared several views with regards to foreign policy. So when Marco became the Council President, she was his first and only choice for Foreign Councillor.
She was in Byzantium on his orders, with clear instructions to meet in secret with representatives from Sylon. Marco distrusted Procellia, after their stunt with a half-hearted military infiltration, and she had later received word from him of a terrorist attack in Afgurla. While Marco returned to Mekselia, she was tasked with putting aside all differences with the Sylonnic to ensure their mutual safety in the event of either international terrorism or further military interventions from Procellia. Word was that Sylonnic First Minister Victoria Gallo would attend the secret meeting. They had never met, but she expected the talks to be productive.
Just as she thought that, Grazia saw a single car entering the hotel driveway. It was quite discreet, so nothing that would call for attention, but for some reason she thought Victoria Gallo was in that car. Sure enough, someone behind her called out:
"Councillor, Victoria Gallo has just arrived."
Gallo sighed. Taking a small bag with her, she stepped out of the discreet car she drove to the Hotel in. Her thoughts on the hotel weren't all good, but if the Sartorians wanted it, she'd do it. The rivalry between the two needed to be put aide for this meeting.
Walking into the lobby with her Chief and three guards, she had little idea of who the Foreign Minister would be like. Obviously she knew the public details, but talking to a political official is something else entirely. The line gets blurred between public and private in talking, and it's a gift to know where the line is.
She sat down while her Chief talked with the receptionist, as he made the reservations in his name.
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Councillor Marelli waited in Conference Room #1 for Victoria Gallo. She was in a fairly good mood, and was hoping for a productive talk. He was some folders with foreign policy information on the table. She was also accompanied by two aides and a translator, though she had been informed that Minister Gallo was fluent enough in Selenid. She was humming a song that had been stuck in her head since the flight from Mekselia when the door opened, and Grazia rose, ready to greet the First Minister.
The Sylonnic delegation walked into the meeting room with a dismal air, but shrugged it off when Gallo sat down on the opposite side of the table.
"Councillor Marelli, good day. I suppose formalities are just a technicality in this time, so I will get to the point immediately.
The Sylonnic Government has a deep fear of the possible power of Procellia, due to the unknown capacity of the formerly isolationist nation. Although there has been a historic rivalry with Sartoria, I think we both know it is wise to put it aside in order to be able to better protect both our nations."
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Grazia rose to greet the First Minister, and nodded when she mentioned going straight to the point.
"First Minister, I would like to extend formal greetings on behalf of First Councillor Valerio. He conveys his good wishes, and hopes that any rivalries may be cast aside in the face of the concerning attitudes by nations in the southern hemisphere. I have news that negotiations in the Mekselia Summit have been unproductive, following aggressive and even expansionist rhetoric by nations like the Sol Federation. My government believes that there is much to be gained by forming an alliance focused on mutual defence and the exchange of technologies and commerce between our two nations and Tepetitlan, whose representative should be arriving any minute now."
Grazia turned and held out her hand, an aide giving her a folder with some pages inside, a report drafted that same morning by the Foreign Office. "If you review this report, recently drafted by my staff, you will see an assessment of the economic benefits of such an alliance, and the diplomatic and security advantages of standing together. With the withdrawal of Selene from active politics, it comes down to us to ensure international peace and security are kept, and unity is paramount to that goal."
She leaned back, waiting to hear what Gallo had to say.
Citlalli Atl, after receiving immediate orders from the Premier, delays from inclement weather, and a bird-strike while halfway through the flight causing an emergency landing for repairs, was relieved to finally to begin talks with Sylon and Sartoria. Having double checked everything, Deputy Secretary Atl breifly reviewed her notes, and entered the confrence room.
"On behalf of the the Secretary of State, Premier Quetzal and the Federation of Tepetitlán, I extend my formal greetings to both Foreign Councillor Marelli and First Minister Gallo. I am Deputy Secretary Citlalli Atl. Do forgive my slight lateness, as not only was I sent on short notice, our plane suffered a birdstrike, and had to make an emergency landing in Cuautla for repairs."
Grazia turned to the door, which had suddenly opened, and was pleased to see she had been right about the impending arrival of the Mexica representative. She stodd in greeting, making a gesture to a nearby chair, and waited for the Deputy Secretary to approach them before sitting again.
"Deputy Secretary, how fantastic that you could join us." she handed Atl another folder, containing the same report she had given Gallo "As I was telling to the First Minister, the withdrawal of Selen from international affairs leaves a power vacuum that could well be filled by impulsive and aggressive nations, such as the Sol Federation. We caught a glimpse of their intentions during the recent Mekselia Summit, no doubt everyone in this room knows what happened there. My government proposes an alternative leadership, one spearheaded by openness both at home and abroad and a trilateral commitment to social, economic and technological development."
Gallo nodded during Marelli's piece, thinking of the request to form an alliance. When the report was offered, she stood up and gently grabbed it, flipping open the folder and skimming the papers to quickly glean the economic benefits. She took no note of the Mexica representative arriving. Upon reading technological exchanges and increased commerce, Gallo closed the file and began to speak after the Foreign Councillor had finished speaking.
"Deputy Secretary Atl, welcome. On behalf of the Sylonnic Government, I will agree to a trilateral alliance between our three nations. Economic development is in the top interests of the Sylonnic Government, and by focusing the alliance on increasing free trade and the economy of the three respective nations as a whole will eventually lead to a higher standard of living for our nations, especially Sylon. In exchange for economic development of Sylon, we can provide a military protection that is one of the best in the world, due to our previous First Minister's on the military over other matters that benefit the state."
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The Deputy Secretary, having taken her seat, reviewed the report handed to her diligently. Having weighed the pros and cons, Deputy Secretary Atl was ready to decide the fate of her nation.
"The Federation of Tepetitlán will also agree to a trilateral alliance with Sylon and Sartoria. We believe that Tepetitlán has a lot to offer, and can be a major force for good in the foreseeable future. Tepetitlán is a producer of many fine goods and food crops that we believe can be put to good use in foreign lands, as we have been having surplus production over the last several years."