Central Calendar 1639, Month 11, Day 11. 1st Foreign Affairs Department, outer gardens of the Paradis Palace, Parpaldia Empire
It's been a day since the Parpaldia Empire's Imperial Forces' bland success invading the Nishinomiyako Provinces of the Fenn Kingdom. Despite the territorial gain, they failed to capture individuals with ties to the FPDA. This shortcoming didn't just anger the young Emperor Ludius of the Parpaldia Empire; it also infuriated Remille, the head of the 1st Foreign Affairs Department.
"Damn it! Damn it!"
Remille cursed under her breath as she ripped the report papers. The news had come as a shock, given the careful planning and overwhelming force they had deployed. Yet, their primary objective - to secure key figures linked to the FPDA and use them as leverages in a request - remained unfulfilled.
As she paced the ornate office, her mind raced with the implications. This failure would undoubtedly embolden their enemies, perhaps even attract new allies to their cause. The Empire could not afford such missteps, not with the fragile political landscape both within and beyond their borders.
"How could this happen?" she muttered, slamming her fist on the mahogany desk.
"We had everything under control!"
Remille took a deep breath, looking out of the window at the sprawling capital city. The stakes had never been higher, and she knew that failure was not an option. She brainstormed about the best solution to give the FPDA a 'proper dressing' and she must make it fast, or else the Emperor's good impression on her will be tarnished forever.
That's when a solution came in and a malice smile carved on her face.
"Oh, such a disgusting idea... Yet, worth a try..." she muttered under her vile expression.
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Central Calendar 1639, Month 11, Day 11. Hotel, Imperial Capital of Esthirant, Parpaldia Empire
"Mr Andrew, can you believe this?" asked Ms Zulaika.
"Of course, not. The sudden shift from us mediating with the 3rd Foreign Affairs Department to the 1st Foreign Affairs Department is something that I never expected," replied Mr Andrew.
"As the saying goes - ada udang di sebalik batu," added the female Malaysian diplomat.
[A/N: The phrase 'ada udang di sebalik batu' or its literal translation 'there's a prawn behind the stone' is a Malaysian, Indonesian and probably Singaporean proverb that denotes a fishy business taking place without one's acknowledgement but the premonition of its ongoingness is high]
This afternoon, Remille, as the head of the 1st Foreign Affairs Department sent a letter directly to the hotel where the Malaysian and the Singaporean diplomats that represented the FPDA resided, intending to summon them without going through the 3rd Foreign Affairs Department.
Upon receiving the letter, the two prepared to leave.
"What do you think the phrase 'Come Quickly!' supposed to mean, Mr Andrew?" asked Ms Zulaika.
"While the accompanying document certainly presented vague hints, I hope that this meeting would result in a positive outcome, at least..." Andrew replied.
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Overcome with uncertainty, Ms Zulaika and Ms Andrew left the hotel. There was an imperial carriage waiting for them; after they boarded, it departed silently. They travelled along a cobblestone road reminiscent of ancient Rome as it rained cats and dogs. The carriage didn't have a suspension system like motorized vehicles did, so the shaking did a number on their rear.
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Summoning the Five Power Defence Arrangments
ActionThe Nations of the Five Power Defence Arrangements; the United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand were mysteriously transported into another world. Without any outside contact with Earth, the five Nations must now rely on each...
