ARCHIVED: McMasterdonian State Visit to Eumenor

A link to the OOC thread for this RP: http://forum.thenorthpacific.org/topic/7323583/1/#new


Taken from the front page of Eumenor's most popular paper.

The Ersulian Reporter​

McMasterdonian Royal Family to visit Eumenor later this month, confirms a state spokesman.​

The McMasterdonian Royal family will land in the Blue Havens, from where they will spend five days touring the nation, visiting each of the five provincial capitals, before arriving in Minas Ersul where they will stay for the remaining duration of their visit. During this time, they will experience the rich Eumenorian history and culture, and have a chance to meet some of Eumenor's citizens, before proceeding to Speaker's Square and the National Assembly to meet with our government and Spokesman. Dates have not yet been released to the pubic.

In light of current unrest in McMasterdonia, security will have to be tight, but officials hope that the event will build bridges between our nations, and help establish Eumenor on the world stage. The Spokesman was interviewed at his residence this morning:
"I look forward very much to meeting again the McMasterdonian royals; this diplomatic event is one which we think is very significant."

While public opinion on the McMasterdonian royals varies, Eumenorian citizens are looking forward to the opportunity to meet the delegation, hear what they have to say, and present their own opinions. It is believed a number of news items will be formally announced; collaboration on various projects, a new international airline hub, and the establishment of the McMasterdonian embassy.

More information, including timings will be released shortly. For now though, Eumenorian people and press wait in anticipation.

S. Cribbler, Ersulian Reporter

"OK, that's good. So there will be guards stationed here - and we need some more security fencing for over there." The Spokesman's Head of Security, Markus Round, was directing the preparations for the Queen's arrival. "Where are the barriers I ordered? And there should be a second line of security fencing here."
"Really? More security fencing?" asked a worker, conspicuous in his bright yellow vest.
"You can never have too much security fencing."

At that moment, the Spokesman and a small entourage disembarked from a line of jeeps. They were standing in an airfield; the runway stretched away towards the small terminal, the cluster of hangers, and the air traffic control tower, its windows gleaming. Just on the horizon squatted the bustling constructions of Blue Havens International. This aerodrome was normally only used for officials - but there would be crowds of citizens here today. It was unusual to see a monarch in Eumenor. The Spokesman shook hands with Round, smiling.
"Let me show you, sir, the arrangements we have made."
"Your men seem to be doing a good enough job. What is the plan?"
"They land on this airstrip, disembarking to meet you and the press over here." They continued towards the hangers, Round occasionally indicating things with his finger.
"There will be a small crowd waiting over here, behind this security fencing."
"Do you not think there's a slight overkill on the security fencing? This is Eumenor, not... Cronaal."
"You can never have too much security fencing."
The Spokesman nodded in agreement, sighing inwardly to himself. There was a large part of him that wanted nothing to do with McMasterdonia, or its monarch.

Eumenor International Airport

Matilda winced as she made her way down the stairs of her aircraft. Her husband had insisted that they take the Boeing 747 to Eumenor. He had said that they would need the extra space for the Foreign Affairs entourage and the press corps - he was right. But it didn't make the descent down the stairs any easier. An attack on the Commerce Ministry last month had left her with quite a sore knee, and it was killing her after the long flight over.

She could already hear the shouting of the crowd, and not the nice kind either. The protest signs were flying high above the crowd. Fortunately, the Spokesman of Eumenor had ensured that the airport was properly secure. She felt Richard's hand against her back, supporting her down the stairs. She had learned from her Mother and Father how to perform for the camera's, she gave a polite wave to the crowd and quickly approached the Spokesman who was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs.


"Your Majesty" The Spokesman said with a bow "It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Eumenor"
"You have my gratitude, Mr Spokesman. I made a commitment when I assumed the throne, that the foreign relations of the Kingdom of McMasterdonia would be my priority."
"We are very glad to hear that, Ma'am."
"I would prefer if we head straight to business. Standing on the tarmac with hundreds of screaming people, isn't exactly how I imagined this trip would go"
"Very well Ma'am. Right this way"

The Queen and her entourage moved towards the waiting motorcade, and the first day of the trip to Eumenor was underway.

The motorcade made its way away from the airport, and they began the long drive South to Belmere and the scenic lakes, where the party would spend the night and conduct the first day's talks. There was no crowd here, out in the rolling Eumenorian countryside. The motorcade rolled up outside a large hotel, the Belmere Superior, from where the discussion between the Eumenorian and McMasterdonian government would take place. On the agenda for day one: the proposal of a grand embassy in Minas Ersul to house representatives of Matilda II, and an Eumenorian embassy in McMasterdonia.
The Belmere Superior pictured below.
"There is no greater diplomatic advantage," said the Spokesman, "than having an embassy in another nation. It is a declaration of your intent to be allies, to trade, and to have close international relations with each other. We hope to bring Eumenor closer to others in the region via our embassy programme, and this one is almost the jewel in the crown."

The delegations parted company for the night and retired to their rooms. The Spokesman lay awake visualising the speech he would make in tomorrow's conference. He thought about Eumenor's people; many of them loved the McMasterdonian royals.
While the nation did not want their own monarchy, he could see the population was... amused by the prospect. However, some of Eumenor's people were rather anti-monarchist. They disagreed with the notion of hereditary power. Come to think of it, did he agree with the notion of hereditary power? Why was Eumenor forging relations with those who could be considered immoral? This was a question he would be asking himself throughout the course of the visit.

The first day of talks had gone relatively well. The Spokesman had seemed more reserved than one might expect of a Head of State, but he had listened intently to everything the Queen had to say and had voiced a concern occasionally. Marles had informed her that he was concerned that the Spokesman and his government were not as supportive of the Queen's cause as they had first hoped, he believed that Eumenor may even consider action against the government if they did not return to democratic elections within the year. The Queen didn't believe that Eumenor would dare to take such a public stance against the nation given what was at stake, Eumenor had been promised a huge placement of the Royal Mcmasterdonian Airline in Eumenor, as well as the establishment of a large diplomatic presence. Eumenor was a growing nation that would have a strong place in the world, they fully intended to use the Mcmasterdonian relationship to further their advantage. The Queen could handle ambitious people and ambitious nations - they were predictable.

The Spokesman had asked that the Queen make a public address in the Speakers Square, the seat of the Eumenorian Government. Her motorcade was slowly pulling into the museum district, and the Queen couldn't help but notice that there was an incredibly loud crowd awaiting her arrival. She waved politely as she exited the vehicle and walked towards the Spokesman who was waiting for her at the centre of the Speaker's Square. Strangely the Spokesman went straight to the stage to introduce her, he didn't do the traditional bow, nor did he shake her husbands hand. Very strange indeed, perhaps he had forgotten the protocol that they had previously agreed upon.


As the Queen took the stage, she looked up behind where the spokesman was sitting, and she saw the previously cheering crowd raise their hateful signs. "Death to tyrants", "NO MORE OLIGARCHY", "IMPEACH THE SPOKESMAN", "NO EUMENOR TRADE WITH MCMASTERDONIA". The signs were held up far and wide across the crowd. She looked across at her husband, he gave her a reassuring look and she knew that her statement must go on, even with the opposing crowds".


"The Spokesman of Eumenor, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentleman. It give's me great pleasure to be here today in the beautiful nation of Eumenor. We have travelled a great distance to meet with our close friends, the Eumenorian people, and their duly elected government.

Over the coming days we will visit many places across your diverse capital city. The Spokesman and I will announce many new initatives that we hope will bring our people closer, and that they will greatly increase the cooperation between our two respective states. The most crucial step in this process will be the opening of the new Embassy right here in the capital. Over the last two years, the Eumenorian Government has worked in conjunction with my government, to build an Embassy that will faciliate a strong and ongoing presence of the Mcmasterdonian Government in Eumenor. We're very optimistic about this ongoing relationship and what this new Embassy will bring for the people of Mcmasterdonia and Eumenor.

In addition, I am pleased to announce that the Government of Eumenor and the Government of McMasterdonia has agreed to establish the largest hub of the Royal Mcmasterdonian Airline outside of the Kingdom of McMasterdonia. This hub will service international and domestic flights for the people of Eumenor and will greatly facilitate trade and tourism between our two great nations.

Our two countries have vastly different systems of government, and vastly different historical and cultural issues to consider in all political and economic decisions that our respective governments make. It is important in order to understand the challenges we face today and into the future, that we consider strongly our history and our past mistakes. It is only with an informed mind that we will be able to meet the ongoing challenges of a globalized world and an increasingly volatile and international market.

The Spokesman and I are both confident, that together, McMasterdonia and Eumenor will be able to overcome any challenge that we may face in the future. The economic and social challenges that we face are best fought with a combined and cooperative effort - one that highlights our respective strengths, one that shares our respective burdens, and one that recognizes our respective cultural differences.

Later today, I will visit many of the museums and galleries in the Capital City. This was upon the invitation of your great Spokesman, a truly great and visionary individual. These visits will help to inform my government about the culture of Eumenor, which I reiterate, is of vital importance if we are to understand how to best approach the international and bilateral challenges that are certain to arise in coming years.

I would like to state my thanks to the Spokesman and his government, for inviting the Government of McMasterdonia to visit your beautiful nation, and to all the wonderful people who have came out so early to listen to this statement. God bless you! And god bless the nation of Eumenor!!"

---

The Capricornia Chronicle:
Uncensored news about McMasterdonia

Her Royal Majesty, Queen Matilda II was heavily embarassed today when on the second day of her official visit to the Republic of Eumenor, she was greeted by hundred of protesters. The protesters had lured the Queen into a false sense of security and had only raised their signs of protest once sshe was prepared to take the stage. This is a startling result for the Queen, who is well known for taking security protocols very seriously and having large crowds inspected before she makes a public appearances. This has led to questions about how seriously the Government of Eumenor is taking the visit of the McMasterdonian government and the security of the Queen of McMasterdonia.


Some of the protesters at the Queen's official statement to the public of Eumenor

It was noted in many international newspapers that the Spokesman of Eumenor had snubbed the Queen and her husband when he immediately proceeded to the stage and did not bow to the Queen or even shake her husbands hand. It is unclear whether the spokesman intended to create a scandal during the visit or if he had simply forgotten the importance of royal protocol.

The Capricornia Chronicle still strongly condemns the Eumenorian Government for inviting Her majesties Government for a state visit, when her majesty is so complicit in the oppression and murder of her own people. Prince Albert, Commander of the Royal McMasterdonian Armed Forces is continuing his strict crack down on protesters and continues to impose a curfew on 60% of the countryside. Even the capital has been effected, with the military patrolling the streets and arresting anyone outside their homes 8pm.

The visit to Eumenor has certainly became more interesting, with the growing numbeers of protesters, and the snubs or blunders of the Eumenorian Spokesman in his dealings with the Queen. The Capricornia Chronicle will continue to keep our readers up to date with uncensored information about the Queen's embarrassing visit to Eumenor and the ongoing activities of Prince Albert.

---

The McMasterdonian Times
Government Approved News

The Royal Visit to Eumenor continues today, with the Royal Delegation making an official visit to the Speaker's Squarer in the Capital of Eumenor. Her Royal Majesty Queen Matilda II was invited to speak to the assembled public and members of the Eumenorian government about her historic visit to the beautiful country.

The Queen outlined her view that the ongoing challenges of an increasingly globalized world are best met with a joint effort from Eumenor and Mcmasterdonia. Any such effort must address the natural cultural and historical differences, as well as accept that these differences will inform any practical plan for the future.

The Queen's visit to Eumenor has been met with large crowds of adoring fans who have been very excited to catch a glimpse of the foreign dignatries. The visit continues later today, with visits to many historic and famous museums and galleries in Eumenor.

The McMasterdonian delegation wondered leisurely around the Eumenorian Art Gallery, pausing to point out some piece of particularly notable works. It seemed to the Spokesman that, for the most part, they were impressed with what they saw. The impressive building, adorned with columns and large windows, made from finely chiseled stone imported from the North, faced out onto a square by the canal. The motorcade pulled out of the square and swung onto Ersulia Way just down from the government buildings, where the fencing that had been erected to contain yesterday's crowd was being removed. The National Museum entertained the Queen for a few hours, and then they were transported to the Opera House, where they were treated to a performance by the symphonic orchestra. A few small groups of pedestrians lined the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of the royals. The attitude in the capital today was much more pro-McMasterdonian than it had appeared at the address yesterday. Opinion was divided. The Spokesman suspected the mild apathetics and soft pro-royals had simply been shouted down by a hardline minority. Although, having thought this, he almost immediately checked himself. He knew Eumenor had no faith in monarchy. It had struggled itself under oppression in the past.

The McMasterdonians returned to the grand hotel at which they were staying. The Queen was certainly satisfied with her accommodation. The Spokesman, however, was still unsatisfied. Did the people support him in his decision to invite the McMasterdonians here? He felt he had been too aloof at the address the previous day. But that was over, and he couldn't change the past. He reluctantly pulled on his state suit and went down to join his delegation and their guests for dinner. Tomorrow: the embassy. He was finding it hard to believe in what he was about to do, but he felt it was in the best interests of his country. About to leave the room, he stopped, snatched up a sheet of monogrammed note paper and penned down his thoughts. He then proceeded to screw it up and bin it, retrieve it and smooth it out again, and then pocket the crumpled remains.
(OOC: I will release this letter at a later date. It may be useful as evidence.)

The dinner would run smoothly, the Spokesman would make an effort to reach out to the McMasterdonians, and the visit would continue as planned. He caught a glimpse of the brightly lit inner-city night out of a large glass window, brought swiftly above his line of sight as his feet took him down to the ground floor until all he could see were the flags below the flat roof of the building opposite. A newspaper stand rattled somewhere out of sight, the words, "Grand Embassy to be Unveiled" in bold print beneath the iron mesh affixing it to the sign. The doors opened, and Hans-Adam Alois, the Spokesman of Eumenor, took his place at the head of the table opposite the McMasterdonian queen.

The State Banquet

The Queen smiled politely as the Spokesman of Eumenor strolled up to the table of the banquet. What had kept him so? She thought it very strange that the Spokesman would arrive late for a State Banquet where he was hosting a foreign Head of State. The Eumenorians were certainly not sticklers for protocol.

"Good evening, your majesty" the Spokesman said as he bowed to her
"Good Evening, Mr Spokesman"

The pleasantries were interrupted by a large orchestra who had begun to play the National Anthem of Eumenor. The Spokesman joined them in song, and the Queen at the very least pretended to know the words. At the conclusion of the Anthem, the food begun to flow out onto the tables. It was an incredible array of the finest Eumenorian cuisine. It included signature dishes such as the Eumenorian Trout, and the Eumenor Duck Legs with maple sauce. The Queen had not dined on such fine food in a while, during the visit, they hadn't had much opportunity to sit about and simply enjoy a good meal.

She recalled fondly her early memories of living as a Princess of Intelligentsia, as she was then known, occasionally her Mother would let the cooks have a weekend off, and she would spend the whole weekend baking for her family. She missed her Mother greatly, and certainly hoped that her brother would locate her very soon. The Queen Mother and the Crown Prince had both vanished after attempting to seek asylum with Alunya, a now defunct nation.

Her husband, King-Consort Richard, was entertaining the Spokesman in chit-chat about military matters. Thankfully this meant that the Queen did not have to engage with the spokesperson, as she was still slightly annoyed at the way he handled her at the public event in the public square.

Just as quickly as the food had arrived, the waiters were taking it away. She thought to herself that she might like to ask for the recipe for the Duck Legs with maple sauce.. Hmm, no, that might not be appropriate she thought.

The Spokesman rose and gave a short statement to the assembled journalists and the dignatries of both delegations. He spoke of the need for cooperation, for peace, for diplomacy, as well as for the need of greater trade and economic ties between the two nations. Overall it was a rather unremarkable speech, but the Queen appreciated it nonetheless, as she was sure the Spokesperson wanted to say a great deal more about the state of democratic reform in McMasterdonia and the idea of a hereditary monarchy. Or perhaps she was just reading too much into his social ineptitude at state functions.

It was then the Queen's turn to speak;

"I would like to thank the Spokesman and his Government for inviting the King and I to visit the people of Eumenor. It has been a great honour and privilege to speak to so many of your people, and to be taken on a journey of cultural understanding through your magnificent museums and art galleries. I hope that perhaps one day, a cultural exchange will occur, where the Museum of Intelligentisa can house antiquities from Eumenor, and the National Museum here, can house antiquities from our historical era.

Enough of history, we are here visiting the great people of Eumenor to focus on the future of our two great countries. I eagerly await opening our grand embassy tomorrow morning, and I am very hopeful that we will see an even greater economic relationship between our two great nation states.

Thank you".

The Motorcade Journey

The Queen's motorcade hummed along the central avenue of the Capital of Eumenor in relative harmony. The Queen was growing rather tired of the numerous outspoken protesters that had been attending her events, and some of the Spokesman's behaviour had given her some cause for concern. She had considered returning home to McMasterdonia, her brother, General Albert of the Royal McMasterdonian Armed Forces had been leading operations in the far east, near the city of Ceduna, that had given her cause for concern. The City of Castello now was little more than a burning pile of rubble, and her brother had used mustard gas against protesters in river city of Whitewater, and presumably wiped out the remaining members of House Stuart, vassals to the House Capricornia. She regretted that she had been unable to control her brother's actions, but her father had said that her brother was like a grenade, sometimes you need to simply pull the pin and find your target. Let him do the rest, her Father had said.

Unfortunately things were not going as planned. Her brother's brutal crackdown had gathered international attention and some condemnation from rival states who envied McMasterdonian power. The bombing of a train of refugees fleeing for the border 12 months ago, had rallied many of the northerners and rural citizens to the cause of the Government. Few could believe that the extremist rebels, led by Rosemary Whent, or the Flemingovian Council of Elders, had resorted to such devastating tactics. This action alone was enough to meet her brother's ire. He had immediately ordered the leveling of the City of Castello, which caused hundreds of thousands of casualties, and it was believed that the noble House Granthem had been completely eliminated by members of the Elite Royal Guard (ERG) unit.

While contemplating the war effort, she was awaiting a secure email from her brother that would describe in detail the stance of the Government of Eumenor and it's citizens on the McMasterdonian conflict, as well as their view of violence and military action specifically. She was aware that Eumenor described themselves as pacifists, and many of the people in power that she had met with, would meet that description. However, the protesters outside the many events she had attended, seemed to suggest a more volatile and violent underbelly of this seemingly civilized society.

"Ma'am, the email you were waiting for has arrived"
"Thank you, Ed." she said

Secure Email:

Dearest sister,

I hope that this email finds you well. I have had the Royal Intelligence forces working on this overnight. I hope that it will answer all of your inquiries. The Intelligence Unit agrees with your opinion that the nation of Eumenor, and specifically it's government is of a pacifist nature. We find it extremely unlikely that the people of Eumenor or their Government would materially intervene in the ongoing conflicts we are facing at home. At worse, we believe that the Spokesman's Government may have considered condemning some of our necessary actions in the rebellious provinces, but we believe that this issue has subsided significantly and that he will not be doing so.

Additionally, I wish to inform you that we have conducted independent research into the protesters that you have been dealing with. We believe that these protesters are part of a minority anarchist group in Eumenor. I really do wish to emphasize to you that these people are absolutely in the minority. The vast majority of our research indicates that the Eumenorians certainly do not approve of the very necessary actions that we have taken, but that they are too respectful and peaceful to actively fight against you or the visit. It may affect the reelection chances of the Spokesman, but that is hardly our concern.

Finally, I wish to inform you that the city of Whitewater is formally under our control and request that you appoint Lady Cassandra of House Lanners as the liege lord for the city. She is loyal to the family and a firm moderate on religious matters. I know that you may have concerns about her strong military ties, but I am confident that she is best placed to work with the local community in rebuilding. I will be travelling to Whitewater later this afternoon to meet with her and officially give her your approval, should it be granted.

Your ever loving brother,
Albert

Click to expand...

The Queen quickly typed up a very short reply "Thanks for the information Albert, and I grant my approval for Lady Cassandra. I am concerned about her very strong ties to the military, but I trust your judgement that she will be able to work with the civilian population. Look forward to seeing you, Matilda."

*beep*

Another secure email, this time from Count Gregor, the Queen's Uncle and long-time confidant. She had not been expecting to hear from Uncle Gregor as she knew he was left running the affairs of state while she was abroad in Eumenor.

Secure Email2:

Your majesty,

I write to you in great urgency, I have received intelligence from a highly trustworthy and reliable source within the Royal Intelligence Agency that says that your brother, General Albert, is travelling to meet with Viscount Markus, of House Clarke, in the Westerlands of McMasterdonia. This is not what is shown on his registered schedule with the military or with the intelligence service, which says he will be visiting Whitewater and Lady Cassandra of House Lanners.

I have received similar reports to these over the past couple of days. I believe that your brother has been sending you misinformation, and I am unsure why. What is clear is that he has been meeting with provincial Lords and Ladies who have not yet been involved in the conflict, have recently withdrawn from the conflict, or who have strong ties to the military of this country. I believe that he is meeting with them to use them to help rig the upcoming elections. This is against your strict order your majesty, that the elections be free, fair, and meaningful, and without vote tampering.

If I am correct in this belief, then General Albert is disobeying a royal command and must be reprimanded for it. This is not the first time this has become a problem, the last time he used mustard gas and violence against your direct command. I await your urgent reply.

Uncle Gregor"

Click to expand...

Reply to Secure Email 2:

Uncle Gregor,

This is very disappointing and a most grievous offence if true. I ask that you do not do anything rash and that you await my return. Tomorrow, our new Embassy in Eumenor will be open. I will make a grand statement about interregional affairs and unveil the opening of the Royal McMasterdonian Airlines hub in Eumenor. This will captivate the media attention and we will begin to win the propaganda war against the extremist rebels.

I'll handle my brother when I return tomorrow evening. In the morning, write to him and request his presence for my return to Intelligentsia. Don't tell him anything else.

Matilda

Click to expand...

And with that, the car had pulled to a stop, and the Queen returned to the Official Residence of the Spokesman for her last evening in Eumenor. Tomorrow, she would open the Embassy, and she would need all the sleep she could get for the journey home.


OOC: These secure emails may be released later as evidence.

Hans-Adam had always liked to know exactly where he was going. Part of the reason his campaign for the Spokesmanship was so successful was that he always seemed to have a vision for Eumenor. He'd started out as speaker in one of the local assemblies in a sleepy constituency near Rosehedge, north of Ersul. From there he'd slowly climbed the ranks, spending a few years in the secretariat, a button pusher in the Home Office. By thirty, he was Speaker for the Ersul council, and by then, the path to the lectern at the front of the Assembly was spread out before him. This was his second term in government, and he was now in his early forties. Spokesmen didn't tend to have families, as most of their time was dedicated to the job.
From the windows of his three bedroom apartment facing into a picturesque square, just off a tributary of Ersulia Way and a seven minute stroll to the doors of the Assembly, he watched the people walking to and fro in the street. Some walked with purpose, briskly bobbing along the tight-paved ways, pausing to hail a taxi or cross a street, or to glance at the Sunday paper lazily hanging from a rail on the newsstand. Others glided along leisurely, their features indistinguishable from three floors up. Some didn’t look like they knew where they were going at all. He wondered who these people were, where they were going. Some would just be heading out to work, in the city or on the streets or some in the various government buildings scattered around this area. He wondered if any of them ever looked up, saw his windows or maybe his face, looking back down at them. They all had lives and struggles like he did, a cast of recurring characters who he’d never meet. He probably only featured in their worlds as a voice on the TV, a box on the ballot paper, a friendly face at rallies and assemblies up and down the country. Hans liked to get hands-on with the people he was representing. Knowing them a bit more closely helped him to help them make the decisions they needed to make to keep their country working, and, he felt, let him speak abroad like he knew his people, his country, and knew exactly where Eumenor would be going next.
Did he know where Eumenor was going anymore? He wasn't sure. Of course, closer relations with a nation as large and powerful and McMasterdonia would benefit Eumenor. But his heart wasn't in it. He felt something was wrong. Up to this point, he'd put it down to the cultural differences. The McMasterdonian attitude to democracy and their hereditary monarchy got on his nerves. Perhaps he was worried about the state of the country at the moment, developing closer ties with a struggling power. But he couldn't shake the feeling that something was not as it should be.
He tore himself away from the window and sat down to write. This was Eumenor. He had a secretary, but of course, he'd still be expected to email the McMasterdonian monarch himself. It was then he realised he didn't actually have an address for the queen. They'd all go through layers of PAs first. These cold rulers had no connection to the people anymore. They weren't even voted in. So he phoned up his contacts in the intelligence service.
"Hello, EumenEye."
"Ken, it's Hans."
"Hello, Sir! How can I help you?"
"I need an email address for the Queen of McMasterdonia."
"There is none listed - hang on a moment - here." He dictated the secure email address to the Spokesman. "She's been in correspondence with family back home, but we can't see the contents, the email's secure. No reason to believe there's anything malicious going on."
"I hope you've got one eye on the events back in Intelligensia."
"More than one eye, sir!"
"Very good. I look forward to seeing you at the opening tomorrow."
He typed up a quick email to Matilda to let her know he'd be unable to travel to the embassy with her the next morning, and to apologise for the short notice. That was absolutely the last thing he wanted to do, for reasons best known to himself. And anyway, he had business to attend to before the unveiling. A thin excuse was all that was needed. He chuckled to think how she may receive the personal letter, but that's how things are done in Eumenor.
And with that, he closed his laptop and dialled the people responsible for the smooth running of the events the next day. They would all be working late into the night, and so would he. For the best interests of Eumenor. Whatever that meant.

Downtown, Eumenor
Enroute to the Embassy
11.00am
“Excellent speech darling, you masked your contempt for the Spokesman rather well.” Richard said with a slight smirk on his face
“I don’t think I mentioned the Spokesman at all?”
“You did not. You made him seem quite irrelevant to affairs of state”
“Well, that was the plan. As far as I am concerned, the Spokesman has made himself an irrelevancy. He shall no longer be invited to state functions in McMasterdonia, we shall invite the Foreign Minister”
“How long till we get there Belinda?” Richard asked.
“About 25 minutes, if traffic is good.” She replied.

The Eumenorian Government had spent a great deal of time preparing the passage of the Queen and the Royal Delegation through the capital city. The goals of this careful planning had been to 1) ensure the safety of the Delegation and 2) to ensure that they could get where they needed to be, in a quick manner, without unnecessarily delaying the day of Eumenorian citizens. This had meant that some of the roads were closed off, to allow the vehicles through. These vehicles included the Mercedes Benz S limousines provided by the Government upon their arrival, as well as three Range Rovers and two vans for general staff and travelling journalists.

Belinda suddenly noticed the extremely loud sound of a roaring engine, followed by a crash, as a large Hummer type vehicle smashed into the Range Rover directly in front of her limousine.

“Get down your majesty” She shouted, and the Queen immediately complied and crouched down upon the floor with her husband.
“Security, we need assistance NOW!” the radio was dead. The men had already began to fire upon the security in the rear vehicle, this was a professional hit squad and they were doing their jobs perfectly.
“Security! Assistance now! We are taking heavy fire” Belinda shouted down the radio, but she knew that at this point the Eumenorian Security were never going to come to their assistance. It was no use. She could only hope that the vehicle would be strong enough to withstand the assault.

A tall dark figure walked towards the car and placed a charge on the rear doors. Belinda laid herself across the top of her mistress, but she knew it would make little difference. It was over.