Russian Roulette

Chapter 12 : The Summit

New York

The vice presidential motorcade stopped in front of the venue and the Secret Service then proceeded to barricade the roads. I drew in a breath and got out, stepping out into the rain. But Timothy quickly handed me an umbrella before I can say anything. I nodded tensely and entered the building with him in tow. This year's summit is a two-day meeting but something tells me that we already have a common problem that needs to be discussed. 

The doorway connecting the elevator lobby to the meeting room is eerily quiet but nonetheless filled with protection details of each member state's leader. No one objected when I approached the crowd of protection details, them moving aside for me to pass. At the lounge before the meeting room the G7 leaders chatted and talked with each other. For Prime Ministers Jessica Pierre and Jason Duncan it's their first summit since assuming office. However, to Prime Minister Takaguchi Kawa, Chancellor Lucas Merkel, and President Francois Louis we are like old friends. We exchanged laughs and handshakes as old friends would do. "Good to see you again Madam Vice President." the German chancellor greeted. "You have passed a horrific month I see."

"The Wolf is no more Chancellor Merkel." I replied, a smile on my face. "We have dealt a blow to our enemies."

"The terrorist group, yes." he said, peering at his uncuffed sleeves. "A tremendous blow." Looking at his watch Prime Minister Kawa gave us the signal that we shouldn't be late and we entered the meeting room. Inside the meeting room there is a large round table, decorated with miniature versions of the national flag for each member state along with nameplates. Normal-sized national flags are also present, surrounding their respective nations. The doors closed back, isolating the reporters and the protection details from the room as we took our respective seats. 

"I'm glad that we're all here today." I said, folding my fingers. "As we all know, we have more things to talk about besides economic policies."

"Quite right Madam Vice President." said the Canadian prime minister. 

"It seems that the Russians are up to something this time." the British prime minister chipped in. "Sergei Volodin is hardly a threat to the Russians, why the poisoning?"

"Andrei Baranovsky is already dead and Aleksei Yuvchenko is incarcerated. These two are the ones that Sergei Volodin criticised the most." the German chancellor said. "He was lucky to receive asylum in the United States, of all places."

"But, does your law enforcement agencies has any discoveries?" asked the Japanese prime minister. 

"They're working on it Mr. Prime Minister." I replied. "But the olive branch extended by the new Russian President has been complicated due to the poisoning."

"They haven't said anything since the news broke." the Canadian prime minister. "Can we believe that the Russians could be hiding something from us?"

"I can only take the assumptions at a fifty-fifty rate Jessica." I replied. "After all, Vladmir Romanov is former KGB."

"It's hardly a secret to us Madam Vice President." countered the Italian prime minister.

"The whole world is aware, Prime Minister Ferrero." Prime Minister Duncan replied. "Surely that you're not the last to know that right?"

"I am not." 

"But the interesting thing is this : although Romanov is KGB he is acquainted with Sergei Volodin." said the German chancellor.

"Could it be that he, in some way or another, offended the new president?" the French president asked. "After all, we have cases of political opponents belonging to the Russian Federation being murdered or poisoned."

"You raised a point Francois." I say. "Although the Russian President has publicly broke off relations with the dictator his allegiance is murky at best."

"Has President Reagan voiced his response yet?" Prime Minister Ferrero asked.

"You have to ask him yourself Mr. Prime Minister." I replied, folding my fingers together. "He knows the news earlier than I do, his response remains a secret and question mark."

"I sincerely hope that the problem in the Middle East region can be handled as soon as possible." said Chancellor Merkel. 

"President Reagan should have arrived there. I really hope that Chancellor Merkel's hopes will come true." I say. "This war has taken more lives than we can imagine. I'm saying this, as the perspective of a veteran who is lucky to have came back alive."

"It's a shame that the representatives from the European Union will be arriving late due to the issue involving their flight to the United States." British Prime Minister Jason Duncan shook his head. 

"They are a part of every G7 summit, their lateness is greatly frowned upon." Canadian Prime Minister Jessica Pierre added. "But problems happen from time to time."

"But we can't continue further without them." said the Italian Prime Minister. The six of us nodded in unison without a second thought. 

"Excuse me, Madam Vice President." my chief of staff, Oliver Evans, entered the meeting room. "Pardon me." he addressed the leaders. "The delegates from the European Union are here."

"About time." smiled Chancellor Lucas Merkel, looking down at his watch. "I was thinking of taking a nap if they haven't arrived yet." his words prompted laughter from the heads of the member states.

"Yes Chancellor Merkel." I replied. "Thank you Oliver." standing up from the chair we departed from the meeting room to greet Jean-Paul Leroy, the President of the European Council and Vanessa Dupont, the President of the European Commission. We reached the main entrance just as the motorcade carrying the leaders of the European Union stopped at the same place. "Mr. President, Madam President." I greeted, extending a hand. "Welcome."

"It's always a pleasure, Madam Vice President." the Council President smiled, shaking my hand.

"I'm glad that we arrived on time." said the Commission President, clearly unhappy about themselves being late to the meeting on the first day of the G7 summit. Both presidents then proceed to greet and shake the hands of the remaining G7 leadership. "We have a lot of items due to discuss." she said. We reentered the summit venue again, letting the reporters take more pictures of one of the widely anticipated global summits. The table displays have changed last since we left, including chairs, nameplates, and the flag of the European Union. Each of us slid back into our seats and waited.

"I'm sure that all of you present here is aware of the fact that a nuclear attack has befallen Indonesia two years ago." I addressed the room.

"Yes, an unfortunate tragedy." said the British prime minister. "My predecessor informed me about the tragedy before leaving office."

"No leader should ever have nuclear weapons." said Japanese Prime Minister Takaguchi Kawa. "Because of the devastating effects it brings along."

"I agree Mr. Prime Minister." said the Canadian prime minister.

"The devastation is slowly killing the country." said the Italian prime minister. "It was all over the international headlines."

"Before President Reagan left for Cairo he asked me to present this question in this summit : can we pledge our support to the nation?"

"Of course, the international community has been voicing their opinion in providing global aid to the nation." said Commission President Vanessa Dupont. "The European Union itself condemned the unprovoked act of war that has been carried out."

"Commission President Dupont is correct Madam Vice President." said the Council President, buttoning the cuffs of his shirt.

"I propose that we pledge 200 million dollars in financial aid on behalf of the G7." the German chancellor chipped in. The other members stared at Chancellor Merkel at first and then agreed. "Should President Reagan be notified on this matter Madam Vice President?"

"He will be, chancellor. I promise." I say.