What had initially been a nuisance was now a full on issue, the Round Table Council otherwise known as the RTC
[1] had been called and assembled it comprised the senior members of the Royal Family, advisors, Government Ministers and staff, military leadership and members of the intelligence community. Chairing the meeting from his seat at the oaken round table was the Achkaerinese Emperor
Peter Azurewind, on her feet at the opposite end of the room in front of a large wall computer touch screen that showed a map of Mundus was
Lt Colonel Kara Thornton of Achkaerin's Military Defence Initiative.
"In the last few hours your majesty we've had three reports from Achkaerinese shipping vessels transiting the Matilda's and Ardian Gulf area." Kara said "Everything we know leads us to believe that this is the Gungnir showing they can make good on their threat."
"I see." Peter said "How are Nya Aland doing in hunting down the Gungnir?"
"I would assume they're doing the best they can."
Adam Sheppard the Minister of Defence said "Fighting terrorists is never easy especially when you go hunting for them because you're on their turf and most of the time you don't have the full picture. I'd expect that if the Alander's weren't doing a good job then the Morelanders would be saying something, I mean they've got a base right there and they train the Alanders."
"Probable progression?" Peter asked
"Terrorists don't stop until they're stopped." Kara said "This doesn't end until either the Gungnir are neutralized or we find a way to block what they're doing."
"Do we think the Gungnir might escalate things?"
Michael Williams, the Consul and head of the elected government asked
"It's something we have to consider."
Cheryl Holmes, the Minister for the Diplomatic Office said "At the moment they're trying to pressure Mundus against Nya Aland..."
"And succeeding somewhat."
Crown Princess Serenity said from where she sat next to her father.
"Thank you Serenity." Peter said "Cheryl please."
"The question is what happens if the Gungnir decide to change tactics." Cheryl said "We should take steps to make sure that the risk is minimal."
"We should also throw support behind the Alanders." Serenity said "When it comes to combatting terrorism, shoulder to shoulder is how it has to be."
"Agreed." Peter said "Admiral what ships have we got in the area?"
Fleet Admiral David Jackson turned to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty we have the
INS Stardust and
INS Normandy in the Karifan and the
INS Groundon is in port in Vaguzia." David said
"Ok send new orders to the
Groundon they're to proceed into the Alucard and standby to evacuate Achkaerinese diplomatic personnel if the situation escalates." Peter said "Task the other two vessels to assist and protect and put phase one of Sunstrike in effect."
"Yes your majesty." Cheryl said, Sunstrike was the procedure for evacuating an Achkaerinese embassy, there were stages to this and the first stage was basic preparation."
"If we go full on with that then the
Groundon will be where we evacuate to. Diplomatic back channel in others in and let them know that we can assist them if they have to take similar decisions. Let's try and avoid having a naval car park sat off the Alander coast shall we?"