Emerson had spent the time that elapsed as he drove from the Diet to Pyrena Castle reassessing the task he had to initially take on, the simple inescapable truth was that to much of the international community Rokkenjima's image was at the very least a tarnished one, a series of statements and actions that were at times ill judged, other times reckless but most of the time it was the inaction that had done the damage. The Empress herself wasn't completely out of the woods yet either courtesy of the perjury conviction against her name. Emerson had known when he took the job on that one of his first priorities had to be rebuilding the image Rokkenjima projected internationally, positions consistent with international law, understanding and addressing concerns, understanding clearly that it wasn't so much what was said that mattered but the action that implemented it as the Morelander's said 'deeds not words'. He knew that in order to achieve this he was going to have to shake things up, this was why the Imperial Council had been dismissed and would be reformed, this was why he'd just been to the Diet, because it needed to be made clear that the Empress and the Diet had to work together there was no way he was prepared to allow anything less on his watch.
Priority number two was Adriana, the girl who would after Beatrice sit on the Rokkenjiman throne, she needed experience but she also needed to be allowed to enjoy her youth, a difficult balance but he'd put forward a plan when he'd been interviewed and it would be implemented. Calls had been made, decisions had been taken and if all went well that would soon be in motion.
Which brought Emerson to the more immediate problem, a problem emphasized by the presence of a
black bus like vehicle and several
cars, normally an entourage this big would never happen but these weren't normal circumstances. The problem? The Anausa and certain allegations and potential implications thereof. Having parked his car Emerson went over to the black bus, in truth a mobile command vehicle, and knocked
"Let's go see her." he said.
A few moments later Emerson as well as a man and a woman, both had been on the bus, were stepping inside Pyrena where Amy met them.
"How'd the Diet go?" Amy asked
"We'll see." Emerson said "I think they'll do it because there's no other choice. What about you?"
"I think she's with us on this." Amy said "Now the hard part right?"
"It sure is." Emerson said
"Right this way then." Amy said
Amy led Emerson and his two companions to where Beatrice was waiting for them, the Empress and Viceregent exchanged their pleasantries and then they all sat down.
"Allow me to introduce you to
Matthew Kirby and
Kayleigh Pryde, both work in Achkaerinese intelligence. Mr Kirby?" Emerson said
"Your Majesty, the Viceregent has explained to the pair of us the situation of the Anausa and its present state we already know some of this due to information that was passed onto us a few months ago, in simple terms as you know the Anausa is a corrupted entity due to the actions of certain individuals, what we don't know is the extent of that corruption, what it entailed and who was involved. The Viceregent I believe already has your agreement for a review of the Anausa to take place, which is why I'm here, I've been asked by the Viceregent to with your agreement oversee the review, this is not going to be a short process by any means due to who is involved we are going to be going all the way back to when you and Charles Ofdensen first got to know each other." Matthew said
"The more immediate problem your Majesty." Kayleigh said stepping in when Matthew had finished "Is the Anausa's second role, they aren't just a component of Rokkenjima's intelligence community they are also the bodyguards for you and your family. Clearly the risk posed to you and your family by the Anausa at this time is not acceptable and that arrangement cannot continue until the review is complete and acted upon. My responsibility, with your agreement, will be to head up the security of your family until such time as we can determine whether or not the Anausa can resume that responsibility, at which point further decisions will need to be taken one way or the other but I suggest we cross that bridge when we get to it."
"I apologize for the ambush." Emerson said looking at Beatrice "But you and I both know this needed dealing with first."