The North PacificBoard

May 11th, 2020, Fort Lahos

Several weeks had passed since the defeat of the last pockets of loyalist forces on the island. Things bad begun stabilizing on the internal front, however, as the nation began looking to its future, one major concern arised -- the Akharan people had almost always, been led by an elected official, so a military officer ruling the state would call into question the legitimacy of the entire government on an international scale -- not to mention the fact that after most of its territory broke away, the Akharan State would appear weak, perhaps even vulnerable to outside attack.

To address these issues, High General Karilis called upon many of his subordinates for a strategic meeting so as to make an unanimous decision on what to do next.

Before him stood the most experienced and well-versed personnel that the Akharan Isles had to offer -- which, seeing it's previous leadership, did not necessarily mean much, but still.

"Our first priority should be the re-union of our lands." stated General Mileas, a generally agreeable, normal, perhaps even inoffensive figure chosen to be the second in command of the AAF.

"Look at those Armatasian scum occupying our lands, even on this island!" yelled High Commander Stavrou, a particularly fierce patriot and former fighter pilot, born in the Gelkanos Islands neighbouring their now-owner. "We should strike against them first, that will prove the world just how strong we are!"

"Now, now, there is no need for us to become warmongerers yet," intervened High Admiral Kalla, a woman whose tendancies in managing her fleets range from overly disciplinary to borderline sadistic, "when we can show off our forces and humiliate them."

"Are you all mad?! Do you have any idea how much of a strain that'd put on our supply lines? There's no way we'd pull this off!" butted in Lieutenant General Economides of the Akharan Logistics & Transport Corps, a rather hesitant military officer in regards to mostly anything.

"Remember, people, we need to think strategically." followed up Major General Alexandros, leader of the Special Forces Command and one of the most decorated staff in the military. "We need to assess the state of our foes, friends, and the world at large, before choosing a path. I would suggest expanding our intelligence network in other countries." A few other officers of less importance agreed with one or the other officers above.

The High General sighed. He had quickly realized that, while in wartime this group would probably form a formidable command force, in peacetime they would be unable to do much except strategize. He had awaited a few more seconds, until a creaking sound indicated the opening of the room's door.

"High General, sir! The prisoner is here!" blurted out a more likely than not panicked MP, who got the unfortunate job of transferring prisoners for high command. He dragged along a woman in suit, almost as if she had been dressed for this occassion. Once she was seated down, the soldier rapidly left the area, allowing a brief silence to set in as the rest of the staff present analyzed her.

"Ahem... I believe I was called for a meeting of some sorts?" said the unidentified woman, before sighing. "Deputy Diplomat Aleta, at your service."

"An employee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs -- well, before it was dissolved." pointed out the Major General, ever well-knowledged in his government's structure.

"Correct, yes. One of the few not extracted from the country, and not a confirmed (but still suspected) accomplice in crimes against the Akharan people, either." The High General had brought her in with the hopes that she would (hopefully) be a good enough replacement diplomat for the ones they lost. "Would you be able to render some sort of aid in our plan regarding our reunification?"

"Perhaps, if you stopped having an armed guard drag me everywhere, yes." she said, with a hint of sarcasm. "It would be wise to at least get the basic concepts down. We should try signing along a few international treaties, and begin re-opening our borders and embassies. Following that, we should seek closer ties with the nations inhabiting our former lands, so that we may know their willingness to negotiate for reintegration. Though -- don't forget that those territories broke away by vote, so we do need to be careful. On a wider scale, we should show a stable image, preferably keeping away from looking as a dictatorship. Is that good enough, for a beginning perspective?"

Most military officers in the room did not much value the advice of the diplomat, yet the High General had been listening attentively. A professional opinion mattered to him much more than any other comments, and so he heeded her words well. What followed was some not particularly important chatter, before the meeting was adjourned.

At the High General's request, Aleta followed him along the halls of Fort Lahos. "Is there something else you require me for, before you send me back to my cell?" asked the woman in a half-tired, half-annoyed tone.

"Well, yes, actually... we just moved the global communications system here. Maybe we could, ah... work something out, as you would say...