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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Mar 16, 2017 3:42:29 GMT
 Hours after taking off from the airport in Austerain the President lands at Dublin Airport. The Military Band is there and starts playing the national anthem when Edwards steps off the plane. The runway even though it has high security has a large crowd of people waiting for the return of their President and the arrival of the Grand Chancellor of Austerain.
When Edwards steps off the plane he first looks around and takes a deep breath and then smiles happy to be home. He walks down the steps where the assembled guards snap to attention and salute. He salutes them back and then proceeds to shake their hands. He then walks over to the crowd and starts shaking their hands as they are going wild. They begin chanting "Long Live the President" After shaking their hands he walks over to a certain area surrounded by guards where he will witness the coffin of Secretary Cox being placed into the hearse and wait for the arrival of Chancellor Versace. |
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Post by Austerain on Mar 16, 2017 3:58:48 GMT
 The white Gulfstream jet with the Chancellor's official seal on the side lands on the runway. The Grand Chancellor Sarah Versace and former First Lady Angelina Asher step down the steps and wave to people.  Versace and Mrs. Asher reunite with Secretary Sinclair and shake hands with Edwards as photographers click away. "What a delightful welcome, President Edwards!" Versace shouts above the chanting loud enough for Edwards to hear. |
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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Mar 16, 2017 19:57:27 GMT
When the Chancellor steps off the plane the military band starts to play the national anthem of Austerain and the crowds break out in a large cheer before resuming shouting "Long Live the President."
He shakes hands with the Chancellor, Mrs. Asher, and Secretary Sinclair "Indeed it is. Wasn't quite expecting the crowds!" He shouts back with a smile while the cameras continue to click away.
He then leads the group to the motorcade which will take them to the Presidential palace for the night.
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Post by Austerain on Mar 16, 2017 22:51:42 GMT
They wave at the cameras. Chancellor Versace and Mrs. Asher shake hands and take selfies with people in the crowd as they walk to the motorcade.
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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Mar 17, 2017 0:30:31 GMT
When they get into the limousine the President has a book thrown at him from someone in the limousine. "What the heck?" he says as he ducks. "You didn't think to call?" says a voice. The President finishes getting in before speaking "Sorry kinda had a bullet in my shoulder." he says. "Don't act that way with me you can sleep on the couch tonight with that attitude. I was scared." The President sighs "Michael, chill I'm alright. But please be more sensitive." He looks at everyone else "Everyone please meet Michael. My husband. Michael please meet Chancellor Versace, Secretary Sinclair, and Mrs. Asher." Just as he says that the motorcade leaves from the airport to head through downtown Dublin to head towards the residence.
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Post by Austerain on Mar 17, 2017 2:24:59 GMT
Versace, Asher, and Sinclair smile amused as Michael gets onto the President's case. Sinclair is trying to contain his laughter when he gets a shoe thrown at him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Michael," Versace says shaking his hand after Sinclair and Mrs. Asher do so, "The President has been busy since he was released from the hospital. Even as he traveled, he was recovering, being briefed, and absorbing all that happened. The experience was traumatic. Things are hectic."
Mrs. Asher clasps her hands around Michael's right hand and leans forward, "We've all been scared over the past 48 hours, Michael. Thank goodness he made it through with only an injured shoulder, hm? Treasure him." She smiles sadly and pats Michael's shoulder with affection.
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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Mar 19, 2017 0:10:12 GMT
Michael shakes everyone's hand "Oh trust me I know but I've been worried is all." He looks at Mrs. Asher "I do treasure him and I am glad he got by with just what he had. I am deeply sorry for your loss." The motorcade pulls up to the Presidential Palace  When the car stops at the front of the doors a guard comes up to the limousine and opens the door for everyone to pile out. "Here it is ladies and gentleman home sweet home, well sort of." Edwards says before walking into the house |
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Post by Austerain on Mar 19, 2017 1:29:36 GMT
Mrs. Asher says, "Thank you. You're both very lucky."
As they step out of the limousine upon arrival, Versace, Asher, and Sinclair look around impressed at the well-manicured gardens and green lawns of the Presidential Palace.
"Beautiful gardens, Mr. President," Versace says, "I'd like to have lawns like this at the Palace of Auster. Our gardens have too much foliage and not enough open space."
"What a charming and gorgeous country you have here, President Edwards," Mrs. Asher says in awe, "It's much more quiet out here than the noise of Austraton around the Palace of Auster's grounds. Do you get to ride around the grounds?" (Referring to horseback riding).
Versace receives alerts on her phone from back at home about the union of the south islands into Austerain and of the Asher-Cox Firearms Restrictions Act, then smiles again.
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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Mar 19, 2017 5:43:58 GMT
"Thank you. I am quite fond of the gardens. Nice place to walk through and think." Edwards says "I do some horseback riding but not much. We're about 4 miles from the city centre but it's still fairly quiet. Have a nice view at the river behind the house." he says "Shall we eat?" he says before leading the group through a large formal dining room, down a hall with paintings hung up on the walls, and into a smaller room with an 8 seat dining table in it.
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Post by Austerain on Mar 19, 2017 5:57:57 GMT
"It seems fairly peaceful around here," Mrs. Asher says, then she looks at Versace, who is gleaming.
"What are you gleaming about, Sarah?" she asks her.
Versace says, "Vandercraft just notified me that the islands have joined, and we've got the Asher-Cox Firearms Restrictions Act through Congress. I'm sure you'll be pleased on the latter, Mr. President. It was long overdue. A unity memorial is being planned in a few weeks in front of the State Department."
They nod at Edwards' offer to eat and follow him into the dining room.
"Stunning paintings, Mr. President, your people have a taste for art" Sinclair compliments as he pauses a moment to see the fine details of the art.
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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Mar 19, 2017 6:19:51 GMT
"Well indeed that is good news. I suspect Congress will soon be doing the same. Our opposition in Congress is crumbling. Well the opposition party. 20 members of the NPA in Congress resigned from the party today. I suspect they'll be more willing to work with us."
The President looks at the panting "Indeed they do. The culture is so interesting." Edwards points at a painting "That one is from Austerain, I just have no idea who painted it." Edwards says
A young man comes walking out of the kitchen when the President and everyone else sits down "What may I get for you, Mr. President?" he says "Ah yes. May I get grilled chicken with creamed cabbage and striker's potatoes O'Brien, and of course a small glass of whiskey to go along with it. Thank you, Scott." Scott nods and looks at the Chancellor "And for you Madame Chancellor"
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Post by Austerain on Mar 19, 2017 17:29:13 GMT
"Well that's good news to hear," Versace nods, "The political infighting can be advantageous to you, though I'd keep a close eye on all of them and respond if necessary."
Sinclair looks at the painting that Edwards pointed to, "It looks like a Holdeaux painting. George Holdeaux was a famous artist a couple centuries ago known for his subtle political messages in his paintings when we had our first female Grand Chancellor. Very proogressive for his time."
As they sit down and the young man asks for their meal requests, Chancellor Versace responds, "What is your recommendation for a full experience in Irish cuisine, Mr. President?"
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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Mar 19, 2017 17:53:59 GMT
"I keep a close eye on members of my own party of course I'm gonna keep a close eye on them." Edwards says
"That painting arrived here after the Royal Revolution in the 1860's. Been hanging in random areas around the country since then. Good to know who painted it though." Edwards says with a satisfied smile
"Well you could get Irish stew with boxty. That's always a nice dish. You could also get what I got but replace the chicken with lamb if you want true Irish cuisine."
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Post by Austerain on Mar 19, 2017 18:06:33 GMT
"It must have been smuggled out of the country during the Great Exodus in the 1840s and 1850s during a depression. It's funny that it ended up here to be seen by leaders of both countries!" Sinclair laughs to himself.
Versace smiles and says, "I'll have the lamb then. When in Rome!" Sinclair and Mrs. Asher order the stew.
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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Mar 25, 2017 19:51:05 GMT
"Very well." Scott says with a smile and then walks back into the kitchen to get the meals ready. Minutes later the group is eating when an assistant walks in and comes up to the President. "Sir, the Senate rejected your budget." The President drops his fork "Who voted and against it and why?" The assistant looks at the paper "A few of our own guys and they didn't like it it seems." Edwards clinches his hand up "I'll meet with them sometime tomorrow. Make sure it happens." The assistant nods and then walks out.
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Post by Austerain on Mar 26, 2017 2:13:41 GMT
Versace and Sinclair look at each other, then she turns to Edwards, "Why would your own party reject your budget? Something unusual with it from the budgets of your predecessors?"
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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Mar 26, 2017 3:31:11 GMT
Edwards sighs "I don't know. They might have problems with cuts to defense. Defense spending was astronomical or rather is. The proposed budget cut defense from 30% to 4% but with the recent economic turn around and the government bringing in more money the cuts were only about 100 billion euros. I think 485 Billion is more than enough to run a military. I'm not gonna have a budget of 1 Trillion when we have people that are poor, uneducated, and sick."
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Post by Austerain on Mar 26, 2017 4:07:26 GMT
"Perhaps you should meet them halfway," Versace suggests, "Say somewhere between 10%-20%. It's not as drastic as your null proposal, but this alternative would cut the defense budget to satisfactory levels."
Sinclair nods in agreement
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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Mar 26, 2017 19:12:03 GMT
Edwards sighs "I'll have to speak with them tomorrow. If any of the committee chairs voted against the budget I'm gonna ask the Majority Leader to replace them. No one came up to me or anyone in my administration with concerns about the budget. Good thing I'm not a Prime Minister or else I'd probabaly be resigning." Edwards continues eating.
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Post by Austerain on Mar 26, 2017 19:50:26 GMT
"Usually when the party didn't vote his way, Giorgio would invite those that didn't vote party lines into the official office with press outside, and have them explain themselves. Something when he chewed them out, he threatened party funding from their campaigns."
Versace laughs, "If I was in your position, Mr. President, I would do the same. Though I hope you're not facing a party revolt, you don't want your party divided. Maybe replacing them isn't needed- just use your political capital over them as Giorgio did to get your next amended budget passed."
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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Mar 29, 2017 20:19:30 GMT
"Oh trust me I'm gonna ask them to explain themselves and use any political capital necessary." Edwards says with a sigh "I don't think I'm facing a party revolt. I just don't know what they are doing by voting against it. If they can't come to me and tell me they have problems with the budget then they don't need to chair committees."
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Post by Austerain on Mar 31, 2017 21:35:59 GMT
"I would only threaten their chairmanship as a last resort," warns Versace, "It would be rash to dismiss them suddenly. If they continue to oppose you unreasonably or if they have been doing so, by all means you should."
Sinclair's cell phone pings urgently and he picks it up,
"Yes, Stephen, what is it?" As he listens to the voice in the phone, Sinclair's face pales and his facial expression becomes serious, "Alright, thank you. Contact Ambassador Dartmoor and tell him to arrange a Council of Leaders meeting. I'll go as soon as I can."
Sinclair hangs up and looks at the group, saying gravely, "Madam Chancellor, Mr. President, a nuclear war has broken out across the world. I've instructed our SLU Ambassador to arrange an emergency Council of Leaders meeting, which I'll be headed to as soon as possible."
Versace looks stunned, "Good thinking. Regional leaders have to arrange a collective response in case the war is brought here."
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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Apr 1, 2017 19:47:34 GMT
"Well if I don't dismiss them now I will certainly hold it above them." Edwards sighs "They better have some good ideas if they voted against it."
"You have to be kidding. Well there are laws in place here in case of that. If any meeting happens I'll have to send delegates or attend via computer as I wouldn't be allowed to leave the country."
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Post by Austerain on Apr 1, 2017 19:58:23 GMT
"Their excuses ought to be interesting then" Versace nods.
Sinclair continues, "Six allies around SLU have been struck, so I've authorized an aid package for cleanup and recovery. President Edwards, it may be a good idea to consult with your National Security Council, or whatever the equivalent is here"
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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Apr 4, 2017 19:15:12 GMT
"Well now all that is over how about we head up to bed? Busy day tomorrow." Edwards says with a slight smile
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Post by Austerain on Apr 4, 2017 22:29:35 GMT
The three Austerens nod. First Lady Asher says, "I thought you'd never ask."
They stand and follow Edwards to their rooms
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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Apr 5, 2017 2:22:02 GMT
On the way to the rooms an assistant comes up to Edwards. "Mr. President" he says gasping for breath "North Wales has voted to secede." he finishes. Edwards stops and says "You have to be kidding me?" The assistant shakes his head. Edwards sighs before looking at his husband "Please escort them to their rooms. I'll see you later." he says before walking in a fairly fast paced manner towards the Situation Room.
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Post by Austerain on Apr 5, 2017 3:13:33 GMT
Versace and Sinclair look alarmed as Mrs. Asher looks confused. Before he goes, Versace calls out, "Would you like me to come as well or shall we wait until tomorrow?"
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Post by New Ireland and Wales on Apr 5, 2017 3:22:43 GMT
"Ah it'd be nice if you came along too Madam Chancellor." Edwards says
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Post by Austerain on Apr 5, 2017 3:38:16 GMT
Versace smiles and nods to Sinclair and Asher to go to their rooms, mouthing "I won't be long". With that, she follows Edwards
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