Stopping the Pebble Halfway

[Severyane]

Severograd, Severyane

---

Ignati put his cigarette out in the ash-tray and took another quick glance at the tablet computer in front of him. He sniffled and looked up at Pyotr, sat low in his swivel chair across the table from him. He put the tablet back on the table and let out a deep sigh as he ran his hands through his thinning hair. So many little fires to deal with... so little time he thought. Pyotr leaned forward as if perceiving Ignati's thoughts.

"Mr. Secretary, we could still ignore this. Our delegation is already attending the conference in the West Brigidnan Union. The Saratovans are bitter folk, and though they have extended this olive branch it is not likely that they will take our presence at this conference very well."

Ignati leaned forward as well, his elbows on the table and his fingers interlaced, he stared directly into Pyotr's eyes. "Under-Secretary Litvinov, do you know what the Consul and the Prime Minister's foreign policy agenda is?"

Pyotr scrunched up his face, as he so often did when he was confused. "Yes..."

"Do you truly? Because I think that if you actually knew, you would know that we cannot refuse this invitation. Letting this petty free-trade commission set up in our own backyard, free of Severyanian influences, would make us look weak. The Carpathians, the Mordvanians, the HLE... all of our opponents on the world stage, they would all see it as a failure to keep our own domain straight. No... we must attend this conference. Send an attache to represent our interests. Our best diplomat, and a team specializing in Brigidnan politics and International Law to support him."

Pyotr stood up quietly and gave Ignati a nod. "Of course Mr. Secretary, I'll see to it at once."