A Sheriff in Slava

[Achkaerin]

President Kravec,

In recent times your nation has made several statements in regards to slavery which initially at least for the most part went unheeded, however as the facts have become more widely known it's becoming unbelievable that nations, especially those that have their names on the MCUR - a document that commits its signatories to an anti-slavery position among other things, are not taking action to deal with this, worse still one of the founding nations of that document is seemingly cuddling up to Tamora, the nation that appears to be the last major refuge of the trade. Given the unacceptable nature of this I would like the opportunity to meet with you and discuss this issue and what options we believe are available to us at this time.

Signed



Sakura Sheppard
Sheriff of Leonaise

[Rhodes]

The Presidential Suite was hectic following the announcement that he had signed off on the execution of Dilara Haghighi. A task he felt no small amount of satisfaction in. Fucking Tamorans. As he fielded a call from a former colleague in Rodina a member of his staff came into the office. The staff member waited until he said his good-byes and as he hung up the phone, approached the desk.

"Mr. President. You have an encrypted dispatch."

Kravec reached for the well worn encryption key, but was stopped by the staff member.

"No, sir. The INTERNATIONAL line."

Raising his eyebrows he opened a desk drawer and pulled out a small case. Blowing the dust off of it he cracked it open and retrieved a second encryption key. Using the key he printed out the message and called for his Premier, Vedran Marek. Marek arrived just as he finished.

"Take a look Vedran."

Quickly scanning the document, Marek's eyes opened wider and wide in surprise.

"Finally, they are listening Vaclav. But....but what is a Sheriff of Mayonnaise?"

Kravec rolled his eyes. Marek was his premier because he could be manipulated and was loyal. Not because he was smart or had a good command of a language other than Slavic.

"Leonaise, Vedran. Leonaise…..hmm she did quote me though."

"This is obviously only because the Tamoran is going to die."

"Obviously. I'm sure they just don't want Haghighi executed....although....they are critical of Beatrice. Disturbingly so, for such a historic ally. Anyway, she is not set to die for some time, so what is the harm in meeting with her?"

"It's what you wanted Vaclav. Someone, somewhere to treat you seriously."

Kravec's eyes shot daggers at Verdran, the man withering under his gaze.

"I..I...mean outside of Glorious Slava!" Stammered Marek.

Kravec dismissed him with a wave and set about replying.

Sheriff Sheppard,

That someone outside of Slava Lavosk now see's the Tamoran Empire for the evil, oppressing regime it is, is an answer to my prayers. I knew the rampant hypocrisy rife within the Midaranye could not cloud the eyes of everyone. I would be delighted to meet with you and discuss these options.


Vaclav Kravec,

President of Slava Lavosk

[Achkaerin]

Sakura sat in her seat on the plane as it began its final approach into Sarajevo, all the way in air Sakura had been for the most part silent as she'd spent her time going through a few papers - Rokkenjima's media comments, Slava Lavosk's counters, anything she'd been able to get on the camps, she'd then turned to her tablet and a noted commentary on various international treaties such as the MCUR. Of course she'd also read as much as she could about the case of Dilara Haghighi, she didn't know for certain what the international response would be if the execution happened but she was fairly certain it would be the sort of moment that there was no going back from, it was entirely likely that everyone knew that Dilara was going to be the elephant in the room and it was probably expected that at some point there would be some conversation about it. Sakura had thought long and hard about how to broach that subject and while she knew it would be tricky she was a glass half full kind of person.

As the plane touched down and then taxied Sakura took a letter out of her pocket, it was a letter from Carpenter only not Tim Carpenter it was from his brother Greg and part of the tradition of CTO Secretary Generals, in truth Sakura took the letter to every diplomatic event she went to, she unfolded the letter and read it one more time

Spoiler: Gregs Letter • show

To Secretary-General Sheppard

Let me first on behalf of my brother Tim convey congratulations on attaining this position. I know it is tradition for the outgoing Secretary-General to leave some words of wisdom for their successor however in the abscence of my brother I thought it important we try and at least hold part of the tradition together.

My brother has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which manifested itself through a deep psychosis. With the life Tim has lead this is not surprising, to have dedicated a life to campaigning for good causes across Mundus, technically dying twice during the regency crisis, then escaping execution during the Cult of Helus Genocide while having to do something which for Tim was possibly the worst thing he could do, take another human life, there has to be a breaking point and sadly it came at a time he was doing a job he was most proud of. He saw the Secretary-General's position as one which could do great things, could bring the world together and create great solutions to our problems.

Tim believed that anyone working for the CTO needed three things and it is these that I would urge you to embrace.

1. Determination. He often spoke of how at times the CTO was an organisation that could frustrate, it needs strong hands on the rudder to drive it towards its goals. That needs someone determined to get things done in a timely manner, "Every second saves a life" Tim believed the CTO could spend too long talking unless determined to act. You must make it determined.

2. An acceptance you don't know everything. Tim often said "You only know what you know and I know nothing" but he considered that a strength. Realise that a time will come when you need to surround yourself with wise advice, and make picking those your priority. Tim did so with Dr.Merriman, a man he trusted to be his wisdom when he had none.

3. Humanity. Tim believed this had gone. While many in the CTO may now see his attempt at moving the CTO HQ to Uppsala as one connected to his condition I believe that is far from the case. He believed the CTO has lost its humanity. The fact the organisation talks but does not act. The fact many state the organisation does vital work, which they then don't support. Two nations have stood time and time again when asked. If the CTO is to survive it needs a human face, it needs to be approachable and it needs to show it stands with the normal people of Mundus not above them. Imagine the feeling the people of the world would have had seeing people such as yourself sorting the challenges of Mundus from one of its poorest areas, not its richest? Yes it may have seemed insane, but was it really? You must reconnect the CTO with people outside of politics.

These words of advice may mean nothing. They come from a young man who has never held political office, whose sole concern is whether the stresses on my construction projects are calculated correctly. Yet they are from someone who idolises his big brother, who knows that despite what the historians may end up writing about him that he has laid a foundation for yourself to build upon. It is my hope that you can use what he has left to rebuild the CTO into the glorious organisation the idealist Tim Carpenter will look at and smile once he has recovered. When that recovery comes the CTO can rest assured that Tim will be back in CTO action, be it some political role, or as an aid worker, or at worst leading the CTO Fan-Club. I myself will be leaving in the coming days to work as a volunteer in Uppsala, it is my hope that soon I will be joined by people from across many CTO nations.

I wish you the best. May The Gods Watch Over You and Your Secretaryship Know Success.

Greg Carpenter

Be determined, remember you don't know everything and be human Sakura mentally repeated the words over and over in her head, she looked up as her companion for the trip Achkaerin's Minister of trade Viola Summers stood from her seat.

"Are you ready Minister?" Sakura asked
"Yes." Viola said
"Then let's see what we can do." Sakura said, nodding to the steward to open the aircraft door once off the plane they took a few seconds to get their bearings and then proceeded towards the welcoming committee.

[Rhodes]

Yosef Orloff did not want to be here. He did not want to accompany the Premier, Vedran Marek, or meet with this foreign girl. Yosef pulled at the collar of his heavy greatcoat, a holdover from the Soviet era. Who was he kidding, though. Almost everything was a holdover from the Soviet era. Greatcoat, fur hat, rank insignia...right down to the ammunition in his AKS-74U sub machine gun.

Orloff was conscious however, that someone was willing to interact with Slava Lavosk without shitting on his country. A common occurrence ever since the fall of the Soviets. So Orloff would be a good Senior Lieutenant and act like a professional. As Premier Marek met the woman, Orloff and his guard detachment fell into step behind them, providing an escort to the motorcade.


"Sheriff Sakura, a pleasure." Said Marek as they shook hands.


A photographer snapped pictures as they shook, then the Premier ushered her into one of the cars and the motorcade sped off.


"President Kravec is able to spare a small amount of time today. Very busy man. However, if the initial meeting proves interesting....he may be able to free up more time as things progess. I am less optimistic than the President. Slava Lavosk does not need to be....handled. Or lectured to by filthy rich bluebloods who look down on us because we were forced to become a Soviet puppet. Even now the so called progressive nations would take Tamoran money and resources and overlook millions of slaves, than befriend poor Slava. I say these things because a Premier can, where a President cannot. There, I have said my piece."


Crossing his arms over his chest, Marek said no more until introducing Sakura to the President, which he dutifully did. Entering into a conference room, Sheppard was greeted by the President and half a dozen of his closest advisors.


"Mr. President, may I present Sheriff Sheppard of Achkaerin."

[Achkaerin]

"Mr President." Sakura said shaking the President's hand "May I introduce you to Viola Summers Achkaerin's Minister of Trade."

"Mr President it's good to meet you." Viola said also shaking Kravec's hand, Sakura's eyes had flicked around the room it wasn't an unusual or unfamiliar situation for her she was here to talk human rights and that's what she'd do. Viola was there because there were several things in the works back home and Slava Lavosk was a nation that in blunt terms Achkaerin didn't really know an awful lot about certainly not now as the history was a satellite state of the USR, so it was imperative to understand the workings of Slava Lavosk to ensure that there were no inadvertent side affects to the things that were in discussion back home.

"As is customary for a first contact visit as my Uncle calls them" Sakura said "May I present you with this small replica of the Cradle Stone[1]." the replica was made from glass with the engravings on the stone etched into the glass in minute detail "As we're meeting in your country to discuss our mutual concerns I believe it only right that you as the host set the starting point for our talks."

1.	OOC - think Rosetta Stone at paperweight size or slightly larger

[Rhodes]

President Kravec accepted the gift and idly placed on his desk, nodded a greeting at Viola.


"This is Admiral Konrad Radvak, my chief military advisor and Markus Bathory, Foreign Secretary." Said Kravec waving a hand in their general directions.

"What mutual concerns could we have? Slava Lavosk is a pariah. The Kingdom of Lavosk was thriving, the careful steward of Slava Major and Slava Minor. The Great War changed all that. Your friends in Sesforth destroyed us, eliminated most of the nobility. Broken and bereft, we had little choice but to become a USR puppet." Said Radvak.

"Now, now Konrad." Said Kravec. "Konrad and Markus here are remnants of that nobility...but he does have a point. Does it really take a crucifixion to gain the attention of the Holy Empire? You want talking points, very well then. Tamora must not be allowed to continue profiting off of slave labour. They walk among the nations of Mundus, unaffected by the stigma of slavery. They are sanctioned only by damned Seaforth of all nations. The nations of Mundus, yours included have sanctioned, blockaded and attacked many other countries for much, much poorer reasons. Why now are the Slav's relegated to nothingness and Tamora held up in respect? Why do your precious treaties mean nothing? Answer me that."

[Achkaerin]

Sakura glanced at Radvak after Kravec finished speaking

"You wanted mutual concerns Mr Radvak? I think you just heard the bucket list of them." Sakura said before turning her attention back to the President "I completely agree with you, the idea that in this day and age a nation that engages in the slave trade isn't getting a stronger condemnation is frankly disturbing especially when they are quite open about it. It's a frustration of a fair few people on Mundus including myself that we have an international community full of nations that seem to take the opinion that treaties are only useful so long as you benefit from them, once they become an issue we see nations trade their principles and they're tossed aside. Case in point Rokkenjima and Quintelia both nations signatory to the MCUR have citizens that have purchased slaves from Tamora, their actions go against the MCUR both in letter and spirit because the act of purchasing slaves is engagement in the slave trade and something the MCUR and any nation that's signed it should be against.

Even worse is that forty million people are held in slavery in Tamora and that's without accounting for the others that are held abroad in places like Zimalia. A line needs drawing but when that line is drawn and I hope we can draw it here or at least begin to, it is important that the line is not ignored and that's obviously where this crucifixion comes in. You've arrested her, you've tried her and you've convicted her for involvement in the slave trade but the manner of the death you announced is concerning."

Sakura paused for a moment thinking carefully, she wasn't a historian but she understood a little about crufixion it wasn't so much an execution as it was a method of intimidation, it was about saying 'defy us and this is what we do to you.' it was designed to attract attention so to announce it for something like this? Whose attention were the Slavan's trying to get? Then her eyes widened slightly Remind me never to introduce you to Rion Ayanami she thought, right in front of her wasn't it?

"But you knew it was going to be seen as concerning, especially with the Iwi and their methods." Sakura said "You said it yourself 'does it really take a crucifixion to gain the attention of the Holy Empire?' It shouldn't take that but you have our attention now." she paused again "We share concerns over slavery, we share concerns over how the international community seems to tolerate Tamora I think that's a foundation we can build something on and I'm hopeful about our chances provided they don't have something that shouts louder than we do which in my view at least is what crucifying an eighteen year old girl is going to be.

Now I'm not a politician, so I'm not going to tell you what to do, I'm not going to say free her, I'm not going to say don't her and I'm not going to say commute the sentence." Sakura turned her gaze back to Radvak for a second, just long enough to get his attention and then flicked back to the President "I simply ask that you consider all your options" she hoped she'd played her cards right, it wasn't a threat it was an offer "Now may I enquire where the bathroom is?"

[Rhodes]

Kravec listened to the young girl speak so succinctly, mentally gauging her points. He gave Sakura a sly smile when she hit on the attention the crucifixtion  garnered, acknowledging the astute observation...though she wasn't quite there all the way.

When Sakura had finished, Kravec hit a button on his desk and a female close protection agent came to escort her to a private washroom. This gave Kravec, Bathory and Radvak a chance to discuss the opportunity among themselves...another veteran move Kravec was mildly impressed with.

When Sakura had returned refreshed, Kravec offered her refreshments. That taken care of he casually leaned back on the edge of the large Presidential Desk and crossed his arms.  Slowly he began.


"Dilara Highaghi was tried, convicted and sentenced in a Slavan court. I merely confirmed the sentence. Slavery is an ancient practice, barbaric in it's existence. Crucifixtion is also an ancient and barbaric practice. The punishment must suit the crime. If Tamora insists on keeping alive this practice so will we. You see, the crucifixtion is much more of a statement than an execution. A sign that we will meet fire with fire, a sign we will not bow before the Manist disease that lives on the souls of those chained. This execution is our Oriflamme, our war banner. It is a our pledge to a new crusade, this one against the Manist slavers."

"I hope this DOES shout louder than the Tamorans. I hope it serves as a rally cry for all of Mundus! 40 Million slaves in Tamora and you come HERE to talk about one guilty slaver? Deus Vult! God sent you here for a reason! To witness the first day of a GREAT CRUSADE!"

Here Kravec scooped up her hands in his, his voice dropping to barely over a whisper.

"I know God sent your here to join us. The Holy Empire of Achkaerin will join us on this crusade of liberation...and I will give you this gift to seal our commitment. Dilara will die by crucifixtion, but I will give you the power of choice. We can raise her up and death will take days upon the cross, or...once raised we can break her femurs with sledges and she perishes within hours,"

[Achkaerin]

Sakura's eyes narrowed, she knew the significance of this position and she knew what it would force back home. Still what were these choices called? Impossible choices? Pilate's dilemma's? What was it the Christian Bible said? 'You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish'

She wasn't a Christian herself, the Achkaerinese education system required students to be educated about faiths other than the Cult of Namis yes but that hadn't applied for Sakura because she'd been educated at secondary level in Dartfordia, she could still remember that teacher who'd been quite interesting when approaching that part of what Christians believed, it had been a very good analysis and explanation of how all the key players had been working off the same logic for different reasons yet only one of them knew the whole truth in the matter.

"So option one I choose for a girl to endure potentially days of pain as she slowly dies, option two I choose for the same girl endure a great amount of short term pain leading to a quicker death or option three I decline the choice which would be washing my hands of the situation." Sakura said "But there's a problem with those, well the first two at least, because it puts the power in the hands of little old me. I'm not a Slavan citizen, I know little about this country for a great number of reasons, I have no right to make such a choice. However with fairness and mercy in mind should not the choice be given the to condemned?"

[Rhodes]

Kravec smiled sadly.


"The condemned has already been tested and found wanting. She has no more say. No my dear, this was your test. Not hers. As a politician, I understand the need to sidestep, to leave yourself options. It's even more important when you become elected. That was a fine political answer, worthy of King Solomon, but a politician that lacks conviction, that lacks the ability or the fortitude to make a difficult decision...they sound hollow. They ring false. I wanted to see your will. Your conviction. Your morals. Why? Because Mundus is so concerned with "culture" and "feelings" they have lost the plot. Look how much effort was put into getting LGBT rights into the MCUR, the same MCUR that says slavery is illegal. They care more for Pridefest and political correctness than chattel slavery...the so called beautiful and unique Tamoran culture than the suffering inflicted on millions of Tamorans. You need not know a country and a culture to make a moral decision, neither Slava Lavosk nor Tamora. What I am about to do to this girl is brutal. It is wrong. I will do it anyway because I must. For the greater good of my people. I had hoped you would be stronger then that. I had hoped you would have the moral conviction necessary to tell me that what I am doing is wrong. The same conviction needed to tell the Emperor's, yours and Tamora's, that this ongoing slavery is wrong and convince Peter to stand against Tamora with more than words."


Kravec dropped his hands from hers and folded them behind his back. He slowly turned and walked back behind his desk.


"I must draw a line in the sand. The girl dies tomorrow. I will give her the mercy of a quick death. It is all I can do."