Hells Bells

Delegations

(The photo above is of the British Sparrow Anti Orbital missile. Which was supposed to shoot down ships in orbit, by launching the main body at the ship while the small boosters surrounding it jettison and explode acting like a sort of Chaff to help the rocket reach it's target. Of course the British only made 20 of them and scrapped the project when their economy collapsed in 2020. The only operational platforms are in the hillsides around London, making up a strategic part of London's Iron Wall Defensive Grid. Hell if you even remember, the first photo in the context chapter was of these platforms taken sometime in 2022.)

Originally Written in 2023

January 12th, 2026. Washington DC. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

A monument stands in the empty lobby, piercing near the height of the second floor's railing. A blade cloaked in darkness on a bronze pedestal. Electrical wires dangle from various places on the blade with some touching the pedestal. The woman staring at it turns to the group she's with, and asks in a curious tone.

ITIL: Do any of you gentlemen know why a B2s wing is on display in this place?

7 out of the 10, in the group, stare at each other not knowing what a B2 is and the remaining 3, just shrug their shoulders. Unsure why she's asking them. Another group of people enter through the main entrance, approaching the group apologizing for the wait. Itil spins around and asks the forwardmost man about the strange structure outstanding in the lobby.

ITIL: I want to know the history behind this B2s wing, if you please?

The man adjusts his glasses.

DIP: Miss Itaki Itil from Azeal, you should've heard some rumors of this city's destruction.

ITIL: I have, but those rumors are too abnormal to believe.

DIP: You're currently standing in another world. So it shouldn't sound that crazy.

The diplomat motions to a sign near the entrance. It states, no civilian drones should be flown over the airport as the military may shoot it down.

DIP: In this world, militarism is not seen as dictatorial as in yours. Of course the populace is sure to make their voices known if the government oversteps.

He then points to a tv behind her, showing mass riots in Russia over their president increasing mobilization.

DIP: Of course they're not alone. In 2022 the ayatollahs in Iran collapsed due to civilian unrest. China experienced mass demonstrations after their loss in WW3, which led to the PLA and CCP arresting their premier in 2024. And who can forget the recent riots that have encompassed the capital until a month ago.

The diplomat turns and walks back to the entrance.

DIP: now if your curiosity has abated, the motorcade awaits.

The airport's terminal is lively with reporters trying to get a quick glance at the otherworldly diplomats. Upon leaving the terminal the delegation is overwhelmed at the amount of reporters outside. They are rushed into the vehicles to avoid the non tech savvy diplomats from freaking out over the flashing lights. The sea of reporters part as the motorcade moves forward. They are then further moved by military police. Itil and the others are a bit appalled at the scene, but are reassured by the US group that it's for their safety. Which was true to some extent. The first diplomatic corps from various dimensions, setting foot on their world's soil is a tedious situation. In the 22 years of the portal gun being in use, efforts have been made to conceal the home world from various potential threats interdimensionally. Though as technology rapidly progressed and new forms of nationalism took root in the world's leading countries. It became more about convenience than protection. The issue of allowing other worlds to set up embassies in our world has been brought up, but has been struck down for the aforementioned convenience. It would always end up with the host country relaying the embassy's word back to their home country, because handing them technology to communicate across dimensions is off the table. After the whole "schism" following the UN conference in 2025, the US wanted to do an experiment on allowing delegations from various dimensions, to tour the capital and discuss prominent political issues in DC to see how it could affect said discussions. So after conflicts subsided and prominent worlds fell back to limited contact, they decided no time like now. It is never that easy. The US has many enemies who would leap at a chance to sour relations between the US and dimensional partners. No matter how locked down and defended DC is, a few unwanted guests slip in a time or two. Though they don't stay for long.

ODIN: Convoy is proceeding into DC on time. Delta 3-1, status on Tango 3-1.

D3-1: Tango 3-1, has not moved from their AO on the shoreline, over.

ODIN: Copy, additional DCI agents are converging on your position. Suggest you move back across the river..

D3-1: Copy, withdrawing.

ODIN: Delta 3-2, Status on the AO around Tango 3-2.

D3-2: Tango 3-2, has been boxed in from the north and south by the DCI and MPs. they have yet to notice them.

ODIN: Good read 3-2, when operations commence withdraw to guard point 3.

D3-2: Roger that, Gp3 upon operations commence.

ODIN: Delta 3-3, Operations against Tango 3-3 have commenced. How's the AO?

D3-3; DCI has cleared Tango 3-3 of potential hostiles and have begun to funnel the escapees towards Delta 4's position.

ODIN: Copy, hold your position.

The motorcade moves through the city with little confrontation. Itil points out a suspicious unmarked van near the river, but the diplomat brushes it off. Even when people in combat gear exit the van, the diplomat doesn't acknowledge it. The DCI isn't the most inconspicuous when it comes to raids but they are effective in preventing the civilian populace from hearing about it. The Dimensionals stare out the window at the newly constructed skyscrapers and under construction storefronts.

DIP: After most of the historic streets and structures were destroyed, the government decided to modernize the heavily hit places and restore the lightly hit places, hence the weird hodgepodge of old storefronts and skyscrapers. Upon further building up the defense grid in DC, they regulated the skyscrapers' limit to 20 stories to avoid them getting hit by laser based weapons.

The delegate from 135 raises a question.

ELI: What parts of the city remained untouched during the destruction?

DIP: Mostly monuments and memorials as their destruction would've done nothing in the wider sense. Surprisingly the capitol building and white house sustained light damage if you call the capitol's dome collapsing and the white house being completely charred on the outside light damage.

An awkward silence falls upon each delegation. Driving down Independence Avenue and reaching the capitol building. Upon them leaving the motorcade, the silence is broken by delegates from the Innerworld, who stumble over each other trying to ask their question first. This stumbling turns into arguing then to fighting. The DCI and secret service agents guarding them, intervene by separating them. The US diplomat reprimands them in a calmly, yet fierce manner.

DIP: Delegate from the Hillion Empire, delegate from the Yensom Federation. I know the situation in your world isn't best, with your homelands killing each other and your neighbors eyeing the conflict closely. That is no excuse to fight one another in a neutral space, that can potentially become your ally

The two calm down and after a hushed conversation between them, they ask their questions once more with the delegate from Hillion going first.

HIDIP: You mentioned protests and unrest going on in the streets, but our journey showed no constable or military lines to counteract said unrest.

He asked with a heavy Germanic type accent.

DIP: Ah, that. I did explain this in my whole lesson for Itil, perhaps I didn't word it right. The protests encompassed the city for months, but ended 2 weeks ago. There are still some military vehicles roaming around but those are a part of the city's defense force and all police forces have been stood down back to normal operations. I hope that helped.

The Hillion nods his head, the delegate from Yensom then asks his question. His accent being a heavy mixture of French and British

YEDIP: I want to know if it would be possible to get some souvenirs to show to the homeland.

DIP: I don't see a problem with that.

After the questions have been answered, they are then led into the capitol building. This otherworldly delegation proved to be a resounding success, despite a minor dispute with unwelcome tourists.