Arrival and Announcement

[Mouxordia]

It had been an eventful morning in the lowlands below the ?ipro?ka mountain range that geographically divided the country. A light fog had settled over the state of Kakoška, and it's port-capital Kakovi? was no exception. However, Man waits not for sunny weather. Late in the night, a cargo ship flying the flag of Andrenne arrived in the port city and moored at the Mouxordian Naval Base in the harbor. Aboard the civilian-flagged vessel were crates and crates of sidearms. The Andrennian SP-921, which had been purchased some weeks before by the Mouxordian government to supply its military and paramilitary forces with a much-needed replacement for their own aging equipment, had finally arrived. A celebration was planned, and for a few reasons.

Primarily, the purchase from Andrenne was the first official diplomatic action taken by the fledgling nation since its inception earlier this year. News outlets were abuzz with political analysts speculating as to what this could mean for Mouxordia's proposed prosperous future. Citizens were eager to leave behind the memories of the civil war and turn their eyes toward what-ifs and what-could-bes. Most notably, this sparked a public interest in the nation of Andrenne. The President's Chief of Staff had previously relayed to him that travel agencies and websites were reporting a spike in travel arrangements to the northern nation. The people were interested in this far-off land and becoming globalized. It could only mean good things for Mouxordia, in those regards.

Secondarily, it would be a good public relations even for the President both internationally and domestically. Support for the military was still very high, and the fact that the President had pushed the purchase of new equipment for his servicemembers through the legislative Sabor was tantamount to him actually caring in the public's eyes. The fact that he was attending the festivities was mere icing on that proverbial cake. At least, that's what his Chief of Staff had assured him.

Andrej honestly really did care about his military. As a small coastal nation, they couldn't afford to be weak - not economically, nor militarily. In his opinion, they deserved the best the government could get for them, and his Secretary of Defense had assured him that the Andrennian weapons would fit the bill perfectly in those regards. He missed his military days, so this would be a good experience for him, too. Hell, he might even see some he had previously served with. The man allowed a wry smile to grace his lips as he idly straightened his navy blue suit. That'd be a treat.

"Mister President," his aide, Anja Kom?enovi?, said quietly as she poked her head in through the door of the room he was using for an office at Naval Base Kakoška, "If you're ready, SECDEF and the CNO will escort you."

"Yes, of course, Anja. Thank you," Andrej said, ceasing his fiddling with his clothing and following Anja out the door. It was only a handful more steps until he was greeted by his Secretary of Defense Pavao Piškuli? and his Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mislav Gulin.

"Andrej!" Pavao roared, heartily clasping his friend's forearm and shoulder in greeting, "How have you been? It feels like you've been out of the country for ages!"

Andrej chuckled at Pavao's excited demeanor, "Pavao. I am well, now that I am home again in Mouxordia." The man turned his gaze to the Admiral, who dipped his head respectfully toward him. The Navy did not salute indoors, not even for the President.

"Mister President," Admiral Gulin greeted, more formally than his civilian boss.

"Admiral," Andrej grinned, respectfully shaking the man's hand and secretly admiring the scrambled eggs on the man's headgear tucked neatly in the crook of his elbow.

"Well, President Gogovi??" Pavao continued on, leading the trio to the glass-paned double-doors that would lead them outside to the bandstand, "I wonder what you'll say to capture the hearts and minds today?"

Andrej chuckled again. He honestly didn't know if it would capture the hearts and minds.

 

[Mouxordia]

Andrej was greeted first with the blazing sunlight burning away the morning fog. He glanced down at his watch and noted that it was 0800 on the dot. Excellent. As the President took to the stage, he was greeted again by a round of applause from a sizable audience. He recognized some political figures within Mouxordia, but the more local leaders he hadn't met yet, and as such didn't recognize them. He noticed a division of sailors in their dress whites assembled at the rear, standing at attention in his presence. Andrej couldn't help but feel a momentary surge of pride for his fellow sailors. Regardless, he continued up the stairs and to the podium, gesturing with his hands in a placating manner and chuckling at the enthusiasm of the crowd. The constant clacking of camera shutters could be heard from the press in the front row.

"Well," he began, speaking into the microphone as he adjusted it to suit him comfortably, "Thank you all for joining me and the CNO here in beautiful Kakovi?. Thankfully, the Sun shares our enthusiasm and will hopefully burn all this fog away." The crowd chuckled at his, admittedly, lame joke. "Behind me - across at Lima Pier - lies moored an Andrennian-flagged merchant vessel with a very important cargo, as I'm sure you're all aware. It has not been a well-kept secret - published, in fact, for all to see - that the cargo it carries what the Andrennians call the SP-921, but what we will call the OP-150. It is a pistol - a sidearm - new not only in design, but manufacture, and here to supply our armed forces with a more capable weapon to better defend not only themselves, but others.

"The OP-150 - or osobni pištolj - is not only a symbol of our renewed dedication for our own freedoms, but in the encouragement of providing those freedoms to other nations that desire it. Simultaneously, it serves as a springboard to build further relations with the nation of Andrenne, and to propel Mouxordia itself to the global stage. Although small in comparison to the world's gargantua such as Syrixia, Stan Yera, Xentherida, the Merilian League, McMasterdonia, and many others, this procurement of modern weaponry and building of modern ships for our Navy announces to the world that we will uphold our own values: values such as freedom in both speech and of assembly, liberty, and equality. This announces to the world that we abhor totalitarianism, autocracy, dictatorships, and other forms of government that oppress freedom of thought and the rights of their people."

Andrej paused a moment to allow the mood to settle into the crowd. He could feel the tension. The crowd was enraptured by his speech, fully on-board and in agreement with what he had thus far spoken of. His eyes scanned the crowd, and he could see the fierce determination in their eyes. They all still remembered the civil war, fresh in their minds and bodies.

With a breath, he continued on to the final portion of his speech. "So it is today that I also choose to announce to the world our affirmation and dedication to protecting and promoting those ideals. I fully support the path that the far-away nation of Necerierra wishes to take. However, in their quest for equality and stability, there are those that have risen up to uphold their twisted ideals of oppression. Necerierra has desperately cried out for help, and Mouxordia will answer the call. We will not stand idly by as a democratic entity calls for help. Mouxordia will help, not only with supplies, but with military might and diplomacy. Tomorrow, as I leave to extend our international relations to our northern neighbors, Task Force-111 - comprised of 21 warships and nearly two-thousand Marines - will set sail to Necerierran waters. Their mission is simple: to assist the democratic Rego Alberty government retake its country from the hands of fascist separatists." The shutters of the cameras clacking was almost deafening to the man at the podium. His face remained fierce and stoic, belying the anxiety underneath. He had done it, and relayed what he wanted to Rego Albert I de Havena, and to the world.

Andrej continued, "It is to these ends that I say the following: Mouxordia is fierce in its determination and steadfast devotion. We will speak softly, though firmly, whenever possible. However, we will not hesitate to use a big stick. Thank you." Many reporters stood and began to ask questions, but Andrej would answer none. He had said everything he needed to, and his Chief of Staff could field questions and offer additional information for him tomorrow. With a wave of his hand and a smile to lighten the mood, he walked off the stage to thunderous applause.