2230

It was dark when the Gulfstream G650 touched down at the airport. It was dark green overall, with a broad white V starting above the &#$@pit, down the sides of the cabin to where the wings meet it, then out across them. On the tail was the number TI-1DS with the flag of Taeunas right above it. It slowly taxied up to the tower and stopped. A crewman opened the door, lowered the stairs and saluted as Christos DeSchaine paused in the opening. "Very smooth flight, Captain. Thanks." He slowly walked down the stairs and was met by several officers. They all saluted him and waited for the return before speaking.

"Welcome to Vantaa, Hensa, Mr. President." said Col. Larkin, the senior man there. "I trust your flight was ok?"

"Ok? It was so smooth I could swear I was drinking twelve year old scotch. Got a bunk ready for me?"

"Yes sir. We have some accomidations set up for you in officers country. This way, sir."

DeSchaine followed him to an APC. After climbing in, it wisked him over to the temporary barracks area. The room was nice enough, considering he was visiting a frontline unit. Sitting on the bed, he gave the commander some final orders.

"Col., I want a call placed to the PM's office at, oh, say 1000 hrs. Please inform her that I am in country and would like to start the discussion that we agreed should happen. In her own good time, of course."

"Yes sir." Col. Larking left, closing the door behind him. DeSchaine kicked off his shoes and then decided on a shower. After which, he climbed into bed and passed out.

1000hr
Diet Hall, Helsinki, Hanseatic Republic

Sarah sat at her desk looking down at Helsinki harbor, it was a beautiful day out and the sun's rays struck the water in just the right way that the light bounced off the rippling waves sending majestic rainbows across the azure crests. Looking down at the morning reports in her hand she held a porcelain tea cup, two spoons of sugar, more then enough to keep her awake for the remainder of the day. A quiet knock was heard on the door and beckoning the aide inside Sarah turned and placed the teacup and reports back down.

"Your Excellency, we just received a call from Vantaa Airport. The Taeunasian President is in the country and says that you agreed to meet him to discuss troop withdraw."

Sarah wiped her mouth from the tea and crumbs of food from breakfast this morning and nodded. "Yes that would be fine. Tell him that as soon as he's available he can come in. I'm free all day so I look forward to his meeting." The aide bowed and turned to go out before being stopped. "Tell the chef to make something small for us and when the President comes in take him to the Conservatory, I'll take his audience there."

"Very good Your Excellency."

The aide walked out and Sarah turned back to the reports waiting to head up to the Diet Garden to take lunch with the President.

1130

DeSchaine looked out the open door of the chopper at the city, so recently a total mess, now on its way back to greatness. Here and there you could still see burned out buildings and cars. Crews still worked on cleaning up the city. It seemed as if law and order had been restored to the fullest. In Vantaa, his troops still worked with the local authorities to keep the peace. There was something to be said for men in body armor carrying semi- and full-auto weapons in fighting crime.

He touched the headset he wore and told the pilot to circle a construction site. Welders were attaching steel girders together on the upper level of a building. Below them, masons had begun to brick up the lower walls. Another touch, and the pilot flew on to the Hall.

He had reviewed the file that his Foreign Ministry had put together on Prime Minister Tintagyl over breakfast. Secretary Adams had summed it up best in a handwritten note. Young and pretty, fair and tough. A combination that could prove to be a blessing, if she used it right. As far as the file was concerned, she was very bright, so she probably did. Other notes had been made by the team of soldiers assigned to communicate with her during the conflict. All said pretty much the same thing. Honest, involved, not afraid to get her hands dirty. What was meant by that, DeSchaine wouldnt ask. Certainly, she wasnt one for blather.

The chopper flared a bit as it touched down outside the Diet Hall. The crew chief slid the door back and stepped out. DeSchaine jumped out after him and ducked down, the breeze blowing at his navy blue sportcoat and khakis, walking out to meet the PM's aide before the blades had stopped. A quick handshake and he was ushered inside.

Edit: Hold on...messed up

The Conservatory had been added to the roof Diet Hall after the nuclear crisis with some of the money that the Hanseatic Government had donated to help the people. The room was open to the public for most of the day, but Sarah used it as a relaxation place and many citizens knew that if they had a problem with something going on in the city they could find the Prime Minister here, she tried to make herself available to all citizens as often as possible. Today the room was closed, but she sat at one of the wicker tables, fashioned after the furniture in the Palaces of the United Kingdom. The food was brought out, small sandwiches and a few glasses of lemonade. It was the middle of winter, but with the greenhouse it felt just like spring.

A aide walked in through the glass doors and bowed. "Your Excellency, my I present President Christos DeSchaine of Taeunas." The President walked in after. Sarah stood bowed slightly and smiled.

"President DeSchaine, the pleasure is mine. Welcome to the Hanseatic Republic. Please, sit, join me for lunch." She pointed at the empty seat.

"Thank you, Prime Minister. This is a very beautiful place to hold a meeting." he replied as he sat across from her. He took a sip of lemonade and sighed. "Wonderful. Lightly tart without being truely sour. Execellent." He took another sip. "I observed the reconstruction efforts on my flight over the city. Things seem to be going well in that area. The reports from my decon teams also seem favorable, and places them slightly ahead of the so-called schedule the experts came up with." He rolled his eyes at "experts."

"Agreed Mr. DeSchaine, agreed." Sarah sat back. "What I mentioned at the Coronation and what I want to bring up again now is the first of various troop withdraws from the Hansa. My police force has assured me that most of the civil unrest has been contained now that the threat from ex-Council Members has been removed. However after the troops are recalled and even now, the Hansa has matters to repay Taeunas for their incredible support that your country has given us." Coming forward close to the President she folded her arms on the table. "Taeunasian soldiers were instrumental in securing Vantaa airport and the suburbs around the city and pushed forward our cleaning schedule my an enormous amount and for that President DeSchaine, Taeunas must be repaid somehow. The Hansa is prepared to do whatever possible to return the gratitude your state gave ours."

"In addition, Your Excellency, the Diet has asked me to inquire about your thoughts of signing a Pact of Non-Aggression and Mutual Defense Treaty. The Hansa counts Taeunas as one of our closest friends and considering we are already part of the M.A.C Accords with free-trade and open borders we would like to pursue this friendship even further." Sarah smiled bringing up a glass of lemonade to her lips. "Your thoughts President DeSchaine?"

DeSchaine nodded, pleased with how things were going. "I agree that my troops should be withdrawn as soon as possible. I'm sure its hard on your people having foreign soldiers around, and its hard on my people being away from home. Apparently our reports both agree on the status of your police. As soon as I return to Vantaa, that particular order will be given. Combat forces will be the first to leave... tanks, APC's and infantry forces. Our engineer and CBR teams will be among the last, so that your people may benefit from their expertise as long as possible. Most of the fleet will return as well, with the Warder still be off shore for serious medical emergencies, and to train your people, if needed." He paused and took a bite of a sandwhich as he ordered his next thoughts.

"Taeunas does not require payment in any economic form for the services we have rendered. With all that has been going on recently, it was not only a humanitarian mission, but one of self intrest. We would rather have a stable, non chaotic and friendly government than some lunatic with delusions of grandure." He paused again, finished off the sandwhich and brushed the crumbs from his hands onto the plate.

"I do think, therefore that a pact between our nations would be a fair payment. I will have to take the matter up with my own cabinet and senate, of course, but I dont think those gobshites will have a problem with it." He took a long pull on his lemonade.

"Mmm. Delicious. Anyways, if we are to enter into a Defense Treaty, I must inquire as to the general state of your military. If there is something you need or want for your troops, I would be willing to lean on our defense contractors to get you some deals and credit lines."

"Well I will admit Your Excellency that the Hanseatic Military is less than sufficient as a world force. Our entire army only consists of 50,000 soldiers, with 100 tanks that are technologically insufficient. I believe the circa is the 1960s and since the nuclear attack we have no air force to speak off, nor do we have the power to amass a navy. However, economically we are doing quite well and it is through economic power that I would like to see the Hansa build a military that could be used as a peace keeping force around the world, much like yourself and our allies have done here. What I am looking for militarily is foreign training instructors for my commanders and my soldiers and maybe looking into buying your faulty equipment and machines and try to restore them."

"Before the crisis, Gadget Tech built four factories outside of Helsinki and those factories are again operational. In addition I would like to embark on a series of building projects that would include military reform. As for deals and credit lines if you could look into that it would be great. However there is no need to rush, but I am extremely pessimistic that war can stay out of Europe forever and I would like the Hansa to be able to defend herself if the opportunity would ever arise instead of relying on larger states to protect her. But I appreciate you approving of the treaty suggestion."

"Sending instructors to you is also something I will have to take up with the Senate, however, if they approve the treaty idea, I dont see why not. We do have surplus equipment, and would be willing to sell it to you. I can have Secretary Mulcahy compile a list for your people. I know for a fact that Aerodyne Industries has a production model of the Xerxes bomber that has been authorized for international sale."

"I agree with you in that home produced equipment would be the best, and that war in Europe wont be gone forever. If you can find Hansa owned and operated companies willing to take on the task of retooling and such, I think getting you credit will be quite easy. Especially since all those companies will have to do is lease the designs from our companies. These transactions will all have to be approved by the Armed Forces secretary and the senate." He smiled half apologeticly. "Also, I hope you understand if we dont release our latest and greatest designs."

She chuckled. "No I wouldn't imagine that we would have access to anything of the sort. But I do hope that your Senate approves of those requests they would be a great help for the advancement of our military and hopefully if war would break out again that we would be able to aid your country in every way possible." Finishing her sandwich and the glass of lemonade Sarah stretched back and sighed. "As soon as the treaty is approved by your Senate President DeSchaine, please send me correspondence and we can begin to get the credit and other features in line, I look forward to continue to do business with the country."

"But before I return to work. Is there anything else you'd like to discuss? Anything at all?"

DeSchaine stood. "Two more things. First, how does our setting up an embassy here sound to you? And second..." He reached into his jacket and pulled out a manilla folder and layed in on the table in front of her. "This is a rough draft treaty that we use with pretty much any country. Terms are negotiable. Look it over, if you have any ideas for changes, dont hesitate to call. Good day, Prime Minister." He smiled, gave a slight bow, turned and left.

Walking to the chopper, his aide caught up with him.

"How did it go sir?"

"Pretty much as we expected. For the first time in a long time we have a stable and SANE leader in this region. I hope the same can be said for the country up north." He gaved that way for a second before boarding the chopper. "I think that we have a viable partner in this young lady. Maybe she can exert a little control in this region through her... contacts."

He climbed aboard, settled the headset over his ears and signaled for liftoff. On the flight back to the airport, he marveled at the young ladys steel and hoped she didnt get in over her head.

After President DeSchaine had landed at Vantaa Airport getting ready to return back to his homeland a young man in a white Hanseatic military uniform approached him holding a gray folder. "Your Excellency, I'm glad I was able to catch, the Foreign Ministry was called as soon as you left and our nation would be extremely interested in creating mutual embassies between us. In the folder is the diplomat that will be representing the Hansa in your country, if you would be able to wire the Foreign Ministry after you return about your ambassador's information that would be most appreciative." The soldier handed the president the folder, saluted, clicked his boots and walked away. In the folder was the personal dossier of Ambassador Eikka Aarino.

DeSchaine glanced at the file and decided to read it in full on the plane. For now, he had other matters to attend to. He quickly gathered all the senior staff of the two combat brgades, the engineers and the ad hoc CBR battalion.

"Ladies and gentle men, its my pleasure to report that your mission is accomplished. This country is stable and has a smart leader at its head. Therefore, I am pulling out all Taeunas forces. The combat units will be the first to leave. As soon as we're done with this meeting, I want units being recalled from the field and packing to leave. Chem, you'll be next, with the engineers last to provide as much of a boost to these people as possible. Major Hardy."

"Yes sir?"

"I want you and your team on the plane back with me. On the way to the corination, I recieved some information on a situation that I want you to deal with."

"As you wish sir."

"Col. Larkin and Col. Connelly... your brigades will be routing to a new base in the north. The rest of Third division is already there, so you should have no problem settling in. Ok, thats it. You all have your orders. Lets get a move on."

DeSchaine waited around until the first few units had started to collect their gear, then he boarded his plane. Major Hardy and his troops were already aboard. "Ok, lets go home." He settled into a seat and opened the file as the plane taxied and took off.

OOC: Assume about a week and a half for all the forces to get back to Taeunas.