Meeting in the Windy City

[Sarah Tintagyl]

It was a bit longer trip then the Countess was used to, given the extensive war that was taking place up and down the eastern seaboard of the Federated States, her flight from the neutral country of France took off towards Disparu and from there, it was a series of travels by rail across the Disparuian border into Northern New York and from there, the Countess relaxed for the day trip that would take her from the border to the distant city of Chicago in the western territories of the country. The trains that she selected hugged against the boarder of the Great Lakes State, one of the most scenic routes in the entire Federated States. Her eyes, under the black veil kept looking out the window at the beautiful rolling hills and flowing rivers of North America, she sighed thinking that she had never actually been to North America, only once to dispatch a few degenerates to the afterlife. Soon however the green hills of New York and Pennslyvania began to fade into the smooth stretches of plains beyond Appalachia approaching the metropolis of Chicago. From the rail station, the Countess took a limousine towards the Drake Hotel where she had forwarded a letter to the President that she would have liked to meet him in the hotel's ballroom for their discussion.

Arranging her room and reserving the ballroom for her meeting was done only a few minutes before she arrived and having explained to the hotel management that if this could be done, five million Australian Dollars would be delivered to them. Needless to say, by the time she had arrived, everything for the meeting of the Chicago Historical Society had been cleared out and her entrance was greeted with the appropriate amount of respect. The Countess dressed in a long black gown, her blonde hair pulled into a tight bun, was hidden behind a large black hat with a black veil hiding her face, long black gloved covered her slender arms, and her heels clicked on the tile floor of the ballroom as she walked inside.

"Everything was emptied just as you wanted Your Grace. Though you said the President is meeting you here?" The hotel manager said a bit surprised at this was all happening in just a few hours.

"Yes, he should be here soon." She said, her voice cold to the sound. "I would ask not to be disturbed. Understood?"

"Of course Your Grace, I will make sure the workers know and I will direct the President this way when he arrives." The manager turned and walked out of the ballroom, the Countess standing there by herself. "Odd woman."

However when Johnson would arrive, the manager would be quick to direct him to the hotel's ballroom and upon opening the doors, he would see the black figure looking back, underneath the veil.

[JEDCJT]

Chicago.

With a population of 2.8 million, Chicago is the second largest city in New England, after New York City. However, despite its sprawling size and huge population, Chicago—like many other cities, even New York—was nearly deserted. Indeed, the only individuals that were still on the streets were Army troops, police officers, FBIS agents, and the occasional government official. The Countess would see that as her limousine cruised through the city’s streets. This was due to the curfew and martial law in place, as were everywhere in New England.

Chicago did live up to its nickname; it was really windy that particular day. The hotel management of the Drake Hotel, eager to “give a great impression” to the Countess and not to mention, turn out a bit of profit, agreed to prepare a room (“[i]one of the finest rooms in all of Chicago![/i]”, the manager would tell the Countess after she told her that “five million Australian Dollars” would be delivered to the hotel). Indeed, the hotel management would live up to their promise; when the Countess went to her room, she would see that it was “lavishly decorated, to the minutest detail”.

Not too long later, a limousine arrived in front of the hotel. President Lyndon Johnson stepped out, to be followed by Secretary of State Franklin Roosevelt (who was carried out by Secret Service agents and carefully placed in his wheelchair), and the others (Secretary of Defense Robert Gates opted to remain behind in Washington, FD to oversee the current war. He, however, asked Johnson to send his greetings to the Countess). True, the FBIS and Secret Service wasted no time establishing a ‘protective cordon’ around the President and his delegation; they would remain in that until the President had safely entered the hotel. Not only did the FBIS and Secret Service shadow the hotel, but the hotel’s security participated too. Army troops, stationed a few blocks away, also watched the streets leading to the hotel and so were the Chicago police.

When President Johnson entered the hotel, he was greeted by the hotel manager, who strode over to him with an outstretched hand and grin. “[i]It’s an honor to have you here, Mr. President! I have been notified therefore of your arrival and thus have undertaken preparations, as you can see.[/i]” The hotel manager, a Mr. Andrew Drake, said as he shook hands with Johnson; Mr. Drake also greeted the delegation.

“[i]Yes, before I forget—and I would not do that for anything in the world—you have a guest waiting for you. She is in the ballroom as we speak. Come, let us go there.[/i]” He said as he led the President and his delegation to the doors that led into the ballroom.

“[i]My, the Countess’s here? She must be really looking forward to meeting here.[/i]” Johnson whispered to Roosevelt. “[i]Ah, either that or she’s really excited to see you.[/i]” The Secretary quipped with a grin and glint from his eyes, which prompted a chuckling eye roll from Johnson.

“[i]Here we are.[/i]” Drake grinned as he opened the door. Johnson and his delegation would see a black figure in the distance, her face obscured by her large black hat and veil. She looked nice, so to say, for the black gown the Countess was wearing hugged her figure rather nicely.

President Johnson stepped forward. “[i]So you must be the Countess de Germain. I must say I’ve been looking forward to meeting with you.[/i]” He said, smiling.

Edited May 2, 2010 by JEDCJT

[Sarah Tintagyl]

The Countess smiled and bowed at the President and Secretary of State before approaching them and removing her right glove for them to take her hand in greeting. "Yes Mr. Johnson, I am the Countess de Saint Germain and it is a pleasure to me both yourself and Mr. Roosevelt, I trust you both are well. What is being done throughout North America is a true pity and I fear that these are only the first of dark clouds on the horizons of what is going on in the world. Rather not then beat around the bush Mr. President, I have come to offer a proposition to your government. I have under my command a rather extensive organization of forces who have no real way to begin to create the dream that I have held sacred to my heart for too long. To put my goal for the world out where you can see it, I would like for you to imagine a world for a moment, a world that is free from the power struggles of nations, a world free from the constant back and forth of attacks and politicians quest for imperialism. Men like yourself Mr. Johnson, Mr. Roosevelt, for the most part you are able to leave the country and find a place to retire even after a failed war. People treat war more as a game to be waged under the eyes of gods then wars that actually effect the people of this world. I am sure already, innocents have died in the Federated States, children, men, women, lovers, people who have no desire to fight and while I regard Tahoe as an evil in the world. There are different ways to go about a state's destruction then picking it to pieces like vultures."

"The dream that I mentioned in the letter, a stateless world, a world where the innocents can live without the threat of warmongers and imperialists. A worldwide revolution that will not stop until the leaders of the world realize that they gamble with the lives of the innocent. I will not allow more defenseless people to die because of closed-minded philosophies. However, I realize that the Federated States cannot just go out of their way to support such a movement, what I am asking for is that we need material and research for our weaponry and for our military development, things that we cannot do without civil backing on a national level. The Federated States, one of the most advanced nations on Earth is able to do something like this, my offer is that you allow my organization to function without persecution in your government and in your material development departments and help me build my revolution into a face that can eventually sweep the world and save those who need to be saved. Remake the world Mr. Johnson, this cold dead rock is breathing for life and you and I can breath life back into it."

She raised her hand, still embraced in his own to be kissed. "I am a woman who understands loyalty as well and I promise that if you help me in my quest to rebirth the world, I will do what I can to make sure that loyalty is repaid. A woman holds her word beyond all else."

[JEDCJT]

Johnson smiled as he shook hands with the Countess, listening to her proposition. He duly kissed her hand as well. “[i]Yes, I am well. Thank you for asking.[/i]” The President said as he glanced at Roosevelt, who then reached out his hand to shake hands with the Countess. “[i]As for your preposition, it is certainly interesting, but not something that cannot be discussed over a table.[/i]” At that note, Drake nodded and led the President, Countess, and the delegation to a long table. “[i]Take a seat, ladies and gentlemen.[/i]” Drake said, smiling as he gestured at the table.

Clapping his hands together, Drake smiled as he looked around at the table and its occupants. “[i]So, shall I get you anything, ladies and gentlemen? Say anything, and it shall be served! After all, this is the Drake! We have everything here. Unfortunately, business is not as thriving recently…[/i]” He said the last part to himself under his breath.

Johnson grinned, and after glancing at the Countess, ordered a glass of Coca-Cola. Franklin Roosevelt, after teasing the President for his choice of drink, ordered a sparkling cider (“[i]Cider? That’s what you’re going to order?[/i]” Johnson teased Roosevelt sarcastically, of where Roosevelt replied with a “[i]Shush you, this cider is the finest in the world![/i]”)

Drake grinned and shook his head as he walked away, muttering something about “[i]silly politicians[/i]” under his breath.

Turning to the Countess, Johnson grinned. “[i]Please do pardon us. As for the proposition in hand…[/i]” His expression on his face became somber. “[i]…it is quite an interesting one, so to say.[/i]” He then smiled again. “[i]This is something I certainly can say. The Federated States, as it is, is a great industrial power. It has more than the capacity to produce whatever material you need.[/i]”

Johnson paused as he glanced around the table. Roosevelt and the rest of the delegation silently nodded as they awaited Johnson’s words.

Continuing on, Johnson nodded. “[i]Well, you should know that New England is a sort of an…imperialistic nation. Or at least, that’s what other nations have—and still do—called us as such in the past.[/i]” Taking the Countess’s hands in his, Johnson gave it a gentle squeeze. “[i]With that said, I give permission for your organization to work in the Federated States, and if anything else, I will provide you all the support and funding you could need.[/i]”

He paused for a moment. “[i]But…how would this proposition apply to the ongoing war?[/i]” He inquired. “[i]As you might be aware, the war exacts a lot of demand on our nation’s resources and infrastructure.[/i]” As he looked at the Countess’s veiled face, Johnson could not help but notice that she looked somewhat familiar...

Edited May 2, 2010 by JEDCJT

[Sarah Tintagyl]

"It would all depend what you would need from me Mr. Johnson. After all, if you are professing your loyalty to my cause then I believe we will be able to work well together. I assume that you are asking though how I could possibly prevent the destruction of your country. Firstly, Mr. Johnson, I will do what I can for the diplomatic corps of your country, maybe speak to this silly coalition dedicated to destroying Tahoe, the fact that the Oceanics, right after their non-colonial policy is attacking outside of their sphere aggressively disturbs me along with many of the other nations pitted against you. In addition to that, I am at the moment raising a private army and while I will not put them at risk on the front lines, if you will give me your loyalty Mr. Johnson, I will employ them to limit the war machine of your enemies as best as I can. Mind you, I have not prepared everything just yet, but I am working towards making a viable shadow force. Once I have those capabilities, I would be happy to help those who help me. As to not having full resources, I understand, I have gotten along well with light resources and continue to do so."

"So are we in accord Mr. Johnson?"

[JEDCJT]

Johnson pondered about that for a moment, before he nodded and smiled. "[i]Yes, I believe we are in accord. Besides, you bring up a wonderful point about the Oceanic nations intervening in the war against Tahoe outside their sphere. I haven't thought of that.[/i]" He paused for a moment to contemplate his next words. "[i]So, anything else that we need to discuss further or will that be all?[/i]" He inquired, smiling.

At the time, a waiter appeared at the table and placed glasses in front of everyone at the table. Roosevelt grinned as he sipped the glass, favoring the taste of cider.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

"Not at all Mr. Johnson, if we have the deal of allowing my organization to function in the Federated States, I need to know where we would be able to set up camp. Since we will have the full backing of your Republic, the most important things are access to ballistic production, military material for my forces, and possibly anything you know on biological and chemical production as well." She put up her hand. "Also do not worry about being incriminated in attacks that will come later, we just need a forward base, the nations of the Hudson Reich and the Canadian Empire are ripe for the collapse of their governments and from there expand our revolution. If you can give us a place to begin sending a forward advance, soldiers, scientists, and engineers, I will be out of your hair from this point." Johnson could see a smile form under the veil. "Unless you'd rather want to keep me in your hair, a lot of people do. I'm quite fun to have around Mr. President. Nevertheless, a place and production material driven there for our arrival. From that point, I'll take it from there."

[JEDCJT]

Johnson laughed. "[i]I wouldn't mind having you around, ma'am.[/i]" Upon glancing at Roosevelt and his 'conspiratorial grin', Johnson glared at his Secretary. Turning back to the Countess, Johnson contemplated about the location of the forward bases. "[i]How about Tennessee? It's quite mountainous, particularly in the center and eastern portion. It should be easily defended and would provide for a perfect place for your organization to base itself in.[/i]"

[Sarah Tintagyl]

"Tennessee would be perfect Mr. Johnson, I will let my associates know and begin to filter into the foothills of Appalachia. It is a beautiful country, so I've heard and I'm honored for you to allow us to set up base there. I assure you, you will not be disappointed and I'll be sure, once my ranch is built down south, I will be sure to hold a light party for you both and your government. We'll have a great time I assure you. Other then that Mr. Johnson, I don't have much else to talk about." The Countess stood up and bowed her head. "Well unless you gentlemen have any other questions, I will be taking my leave. I appreciate the time you have taken to meet with me." She would wait to see if there was anything else to talk about, or she would be taking her leave out of the hotel.

[JEDCJT]

When the Countess stated that she will leave unless anyone has any question, Roosevelt began to raise a hand, to ask her for a refill of the cider, but Johnson shot him a glare. Pouting slightly, the Secretary retracted his hand.

Johnson stood up and kissed the Countess's hand. "[i]Thank you for taking the time to meet with us all. It was a honor meeting with you, so to say.[/i]" The delegation voiced their agreements, and they each bade the Countess good-bye. The director, Mr. Drake, also bade her farewell, but not before escorting her outside.

The meeting was over.

OOC: I guess it's finished, then.