Post by Dakari Johessman on Jan 17, 2014 0:34:23 GMT -5
This is a cold war
you better know what you’re fighting for
This is a cold war
Do you know what you’re fighting for?
They met on neutral territory, in Switzerland. The change was especially noticeable to the Johessmans, who were coming from more tropical climes. The committee itself seemed comfortable enough.
Rayleigh Johessman was seated at a separate table, apart from the other representatives, opposite them. She was flanked by her oldest son, nicknamed "Young," on her left, and his twin, Anastasia, on her right. The other triplet, Dakari, had respectfully been asked to be left behind due to her firecracker temper and her dangerous ability.
There were members from every developed country and some others as well. The International Committee on Worldwide Concerns met often, but this was the Johessmans' first appearance. There had never been a need for it, not even when the Johessmans first took Jamaica.
The spokesman for the committee was, of course, the one from the United States. After the typical greetings and motions, the spokesman said, "You and your family have accumulated a great deal of land in a short amount of time, Mrs. Johessman."
"We have. We simply felt it was time Jamaica expanded our current holdings," Rayleigh replied calmly.
"It seems to me that those 'acquisitions' were already entities, recognized by this very committee, not so long ago."
Rayleigh nodded. "They were. But the practice of holding independent entities is not one that is alien to many of your nations, is it? United under one banner, and one name, but independent nonetheless, once upon a time."
"The time for imperialism is over, Mrs. Johessman," another delegate said. "This is an entirely different era."
"Yes," Rayleigh answered. "One where countries are won by words, not by wars."
"Your takeovers have been largely peaceful," the spokesman agreed. "We will give you that. However, we would like to know how many weapons - specifically, those of war - you have in your holdings."
"Very few," Rayleigh said, without pointing out that these days, some humans were weapons too. "No more and no fewer than our constituent countries had."
The delegates nodded and looked at each other. "That's good to know," the spokesman said. "At any rate, that is not what we called you here for."
Rayleigh genuinely frowned. If the ICWC was not concerned about their growth, then what else was there?
"We have received word of the Dominion of Jamaica's intention to take control of the Panama Canal."
Rayleigh and Young frowned in confusion, but Ana burst into laughter. "No way," she chuckled. "But, now that you mention it, it does seem like a good idea."
Rayleigh glared at Ana. "What my daughter means," she explained to the committee, "is that the Dominion did not and does not plan to make an attempt on the Panama Canal."
The spokesman gave a faint shrug. “We have the opposite on excellent authority. Someone from your very own Cabinet, in fact.”
“That’s disturbing.” Rayleigh’s tone was flat; she did not care. Whoever had given them that information was lying. “I’ll have to weed out the delusional persons in my camp.”
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Mrs. Johessman,” another delegate said, but in a different language. Before the interpreter began, Rayleigh responded. Her ability allowed her to understand all languages.
“I’m not the one talking about war machines, Madame. That, I think, is the more dangerous game.”
The spokesman narrowed his eyes. The interpreters hurried to work. “You have just admitted that you have none. In fact, you stated that you had nothing beyond what the conquered nations already had. If you want to play games, Mrs. Johessman, I suggest you prepare yourself more readily than that.”
“There’s no need.” Young shrugged. “All of our troops are trained in defense, and we plan for no military offense. If you want to challenge us, you can try.”
“Who said anything about challenging?” The spokesperson backpedaled quickly. “We simply want to be sure you have no ill intentions against the Canal.”
No one paid much attention to the dark-haired woman seated near the back of the hall.
“We don’t.” Ana shrugged this time. “Can we go now?”
The spokesman glared at her for a moment. “And what evidence do you have supporting your claim?”
“What evidence do you have supporting your claim?” Rayleigh asked.
Young added, “Aside from a social-ladder climber in our Cabinet who wants to impress.”
Yet another representative called out, also in another language. Rayleigh intercepted. “We do have further plans, yes. They do not involve Panama or any of the other entities that are already owned by your countries.”
“And those plans are?” the spokesperson pressed.
Rayleigh smiled sweetly. “Divulging those now would render them ineffective, wouldn’t they?”
“That sounds like a lack of cooperation to me. That alone is cause for concern, and for a more personal inspection.” The spokesperson gestured around the room. “It would be best if you did not make enemies of us.”
“Consider it whatever you like.” Rayleigh stood, and her children did as well. “Make no mistake: we do not want war. But enter our lands, and we will garrote you.”
Rayleigh Johessman was seated at a separate table, apart from the other representatives, opposite them. She was flanked by her oldest son, nicknamed "Young," on her left, and his twin, Anastasia, on her right. The other triplet, Dakari, had respectfully been asked to be left behind due to her firecracker temper and her dangerous ability.
There were members from every developed country and some others as well. The International Committee on Worldwide Concerns met often, but this was the Johessmans' first appearance. There had never been a need for it, not even when the Johessmans first took Jamaica.
The spokesman for the committee was, of course, the one from the United States. After the typical greetings and motions, the spokesman said, "You and your family have accumulated a great deal of land in a short amount of time, Mrs. Johessman."
"We have. We simply felt it was time Jamaica expanded our current holdings," Rayleigh replied calmly.
"It seems to me that those 'acquisitions' were already entities, recognized by this very committee, not so long ago."
Rayleigh nodded. "They were. But the practice of holding independent entities is not one that is alien to many of your nations, is it? United under one banner, and one name, but independent nonetheless, once upon a time."
"The time for imperialism is over, Mrs. Johessman," another delegate said. "This is an entirely different era."
"Yes," Rayleigh answered. "One where countries are won by words, not by wars."
"Your takeovers have been largely peaceful," the spokesman agreed. "We will give you that. However, we would like to know how many weapons - specifically, those of war - you have in your holdings."
"Very few," Rayleigh said, without pointing out that these days, some humans were weapons too. "No more and no fewer than our constituent countries had."
The delegates nodded and looked at each other. "That's good to know," the spokesman said. "At any rate, that is not what we called you here for."
Rayleigh genuinely frowned. If the ICWC was not concerned about their growth, then what else was there?
"We have received word of the Dominion of Jamaica's intention to take control of the Panama Canal."
Rayleigh and Young frowned in confusion, but Ana burst into laughter. "No way," she chuckled. "But, now that you mention it, it does seem like a good idea."
Rayleigh glared at Ana. "What my daughter means," she explained to the committee, "is that the Dominion did not and does not plan to make an attempt on the Panama Canal."
The spokesman gave a faint shrug. “We have the opposite on excellent authority. Someone from your very own Cabinet, in fact.”
“That’s disturbing.” Rayleigh’s tone was flat; she did not care. Whoever had given them that information was lying. “I’ll have to weed out the delusional persons in my camp.”
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Mrs. Johessman,” another delegate said, but in a different language. Before the interpreter began, Rayleigh responded. Her ability allowed her to understand all languages.
“I’m not the one talking about war machines, Madame. That, I think, is the more dangerous game.”
The spokesman narrowed his eyes. The interpreters hurried to work. “You have just admitted that you have none. In fact, you stated that you had nothing beyond what the conquered nations already had. If you want to play games, Mrs. Johessman, I suggest you prepare yourself more readily than that.”
“There’s no need.” Young shrugged. “All of our troops are trained in defense, and we plan for no military offense. If you want to challenge us, you can try.”
“Who said anything about challenging?” The spokesperson backpedaled quickly. “We simply want to be sure you have no ill intentions against the Canal.”
No one paid much attention to the dark-haired woman seated near the back of the hall.
“We don’t.” Ana shrugged this time. “Can we go now?”
The spokesman glared at her for a moment. “And what evidence do you have supporting your claim?”
“What evidence do you have supporting your claim?” Rayleigh asked.
Young added, “Aside from a social-ladder climber in our Cabinet who wants to impress.”
Yet another representative called out, also in another language. Rayleigh intercepted. “We do have further plans, yes. They do not involve Panama or any of the other entities that are already owned by your countries.”
“And those plans are?” the spokesperson pressed.
Rayleigh smiled sweetly. “Divulging those now would render them ineffective, wouldn’t they?”
“That sounds like a lack of cooperation to me. That alone is cause for concern, and for a more personal inspection.” The spokesperson gestured around the room. “It would be best if you did not make enemies of us.”
“Consider it whatever you like.” Rayleigh stood, and her children did as well. “Make no mistake: we do not want war. But enter our lands, and we will garrote you.”
Words: 896.
Attire: Suits.
Excerpt: Janelle Monáe, “Cold War.”
Comments: OOC explanation forthcoming.
