Quote:The door chime rang, and Her Imperial Majesty looked up from her desk. She touched a buzzer on the desk that unbolted the door and permitted entry. In strode the Chancellor of the Empire, flanked by her legislative Assistant.

"Lady Alvarez, this was intended to be a private conversation," said the Empress.

"Your Imperial Majesty, I brought Carlos with me to ensure that neither of us say anything we can deny later. He will transcribe the conversation but otherwise will remain silent and not contribute."

"Madame, this is highly inappropriate," the Empress responded.

"Your Imperial Majesty, you may be the Empress but I still have rights, and I stand on them. Carlos will remain for my own sake, if not for yours. I affirm that I will be honest and forthright, and am bound by both my office and my faith to do so, though you may not share the same limitations. If we can begin then..."

The Empress paused, looked Carlos over and suggested he sit at a near by table to do his transcription. She then politely asked "Tea?" Carlos responded "Yes please..." But the Chancellor shot him a look and then back to the Empress, "We're fine. Thank you for the offer, Madame."

The Empress sat again, and began sizing her Chancellor up, but said nothing. She was clearly waiting for the Chancellor to begin speaking. At length, Lady Alvarez took the hint and said, "Well, then. Can I ask Your Imperial Majesty why you have not met with me in weeks?"

"We believe you know the reason," answered the Empress.

"No, Your Imperial Majesty, I do not."

"Jennifer, the Democratic Club was an ambush. We... I was utterly floored and unprepared for that treatment. You gave me no warning, you were the one who pushed for it. You set me up to fail and to look petty in front of those people, and I walked right into it. I just... I don't know if..." The Empress cut herself off, almost afraid to say the words.

"If you, can trust me anymore... That is what you want to say, isn't it?" Jennifer asked.

"Yes," said Mary.

"Madame, I had no idea what the people would ask. The President of the Club informed me that the questions would be candid, and that's all. I don't believe he knew what the people would ask. But I assure you, it was not an ambush or a set up. It was an opportunity for the People to see you. They don't see you. They don't know you. But they want to. We want to. We want you to be our Empress as much as you think we are your people. It's hard for people to feel that way."

"So now, you presume to speak for the People too, Jennifer?"

"Madame, I am a Brethrenist. I am among the Majority, even if we don't have the seats in the Assembly."

"Are you a democrat?" asked Mary, with more than a measure of spite in her question.

"I am a democrat in as much as my role is to represent the People and to express their needs and wants to you honestly, and to help you better govern them."

"How dare you!" answered the Empress. "You represent me."

"Madame, I am a member of the National Assembly. As such, I am not your representative. I am your advisor. I help you do what you need to do."

"Lady Alvarez, you are out of line."

"If Her Imperial Majesty is displeased with me, she may always dismiss me, but I will remain nonetheless inside the National Assembly as a Deputy. And I will always work in the interests of my constituents, which are the people of Suldanor, where, to my understanding, Her Imperial Majesty does not live or vote."

Mary seethed. She clenched her fist. She shot a look at the stenographer who paused his writing and looked up at her to wait for her response--She thought for a moment about lashing out at him, but then the moment passed, and her eyes returned to her Chancellor. "Lady Alvarez: Who is the Empress in this Nation?"

"You are, Madame," said the Chancellor.

"Correct, and do I not govern by fiat, Lady Alvarez?"

"Your mere breath is the source of all law, My Lady." said the Chancellor.

"Then how can you say that you serve your people rather than me?"

"Your Imperial Majesty, I am your Citizen, not your subject. I will remind you, at the risk of my own life and liberty that you yourself maintain the title of Empress, 'By the Consent of the People'. It is how your title starts, as I am sure Your Imperial Majesty well knows."

Mary, for once was at a loss for words.

"Madame, you picked me, knowing what I was. I am a Brethrenist, and I believe in equality of humanity, and your answers to those people, while they may be true, were not given in the most politically intelligent way."

Sarcastically, Mary responded, "I suppose my Chancellor will tell me how I should have responded then?"

Lady Jennifer took a breath, realizing she was about to fall into a trap, and simply answered "I wouldn't presume so much, Madame."

Mary looked at her and said, "Then we order you to so. How should we have spoken to those people?"

Jennifer realized she had two choices here: She could hear it in the Empress's switch from the singular pronoun to the Plural. She could either answer or resign. And probably retire for good. "Madame, Truth is important, Honesty is important. But these people wanted to be reassured that you are not a tyrant. When I met with them, they said they were very concerned about some things and that they believe you are out of touch with your citizens. They wanted to know that their voices were being heard. And you... you went in there, Madame, and you answered them like a petty dictator, when I know you are above that. I know you to be a kind, caring and peaceful woman. I have seen you around your friends and family. But to the people of Sulari, and... to me... you appear to be resentful, disdainful, and arrogant. When you could have at least taken the opportunity to appear receptive."

Mary sat silently but eventually breathed. "I have never been spoken to that way in my life, Lady Jennifer. How they spoke to me..."

Jennifer responded. "I know, Your Imperial Majesty."

"Is it that obvious?"

"It is, Your Majesty."

Mary took a moment to collect her thoughts. "So will you resign then?"

Jennifer answered definitively, as if prepared for the question, "If it is Her Imperial Majesty's wish, I will. I serve as Chancellor of the Empire at her pleasure."

Mary pushed the question, "If I commanded it, would you jump off the Wilson Point Bridge?"

The Chancellor sat up. This was a question she was not prepared for, but was just as clear on the answer, "No Madame. I would disobey that command."

Mary smiled. "Your service will continue to be required. I am in need of someone who will tell me the Truth. You and Margaret are the only ones who have the stones to do that."

Jennifer smiled. "As you please Madame."

Mary nodded, and said "We shall speak no more of Sulari. But please tell us, Madame Chancellor, what drives your courage in the face of such a wrathful and arrogant Empress?"

The Chancellor thought for a moment. "Madame, perhaps it is my faith. As a Brethrenist, I know there is no reason for me to fear your wrath: You are a person like I am, and though you may have been angry with me, we all get angry. This is natural and is part of what makes you and I people. The same. When I talk of Equality, this is what I mean. While we all get angry, and disappointed, and I can relate to how Your Imperial Majesty felt in that forum, what matters is what we do with it. Do we blame, or do we try to understand? I can only hope that Your Imperial Majesty will have taken something from that forum to help you grow, and realize that if your people did not care, they would not have shown up."

"Do you think all Brethrenists would have reacted the same as you would have had me react?" Mary asked sincerely.

"No, I don't. But that's another thing I think makes us the same: We are all different."

"One last question, Madame Chancellor. Did you say there was another forum coming up in Vrassa?"

Jennifer paused a moment. "Yes, Madame. There is, but its in Eshar actually."

The Empress thought, and then said "Could you get us an invitation to the Forum?"

"Does Your Majesty mean as a member of the audience?"

"A panellist, if possible..."

Jennifer smiled, and said "I'll make some calls Your Imperial Majesty. I don't think I can promise anything, but they did ask before the Sulari folks did."

Mary gritted her teeth in mock fright and said "And perhaps you will speak with me a while before we go in?"

The Chancellor nodded and said "It will be my pleasure."

Quote:"Well, Your Imperial Majesty, that concludes the business on trade with Gaduridos. Things are going well and we will continue to look for new opportunities to continue investing," said Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller. "The last item on the agenda is the... the Referendum." The Chancellor saw the Empress noticeably stiffen. The Empress shot a look at her sister, Princess Margaret who was also observing in her capacity as Director of the IBSI.

"Lady Alvarez, we would like you to exclude the rest of the Government for this discussion," said the Empress.

"Your Imperial Majesty, if I may ask an indulgence, may the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Justice remain as this discussion may interest them."

The Empress thought for a moment. "You may," she said at length. "We are curious as to what they will have to say." The Chancellor excused most of the Government.

Once the majority of the Ministers were gone and the door was closed behind them, Princess Margaret spoke up. "Jennifer, you really f--ked this one up." The Chancellor was not prepared for this.

"Your Highness?" she asked, incredulous.

"You heard me, Madame Chancellor. You totally blew that referendum."

"I am sure I don't know what you mean, Highness. How could the referendum which expressed broad support for increasing choice on the ballot be... something bad... I don't understand."

"Madame Chancellor," said the Empress. "We agreed to the referendum because it was not supposed to matter."

"Your Majesty: what made you think that law would survive a fair vote?"

"The Single Party Law is fundamental bedrock of this political system." said the Empress.

"I am sorry Your Imperial Majesty, I don't quite understand. You approved the Referendum."

"Yes, we did, because we thought the outcome would be the other side. If we had thought the people would vote against the Question, we would never have approved anything."

"Madame, if I may. Not only did the people of this nation get to express their opinion in a way that cannot be mistaken or spun, but they turned out in historical numbers. We usually get turnouts in the mid teens. We had 53% turnout for this referendum. Why isn't that exciting?"

"Are you insane?" asked Margaret. "This not only smells of democracy, but it is democracy, and we can't put that genie back in the bottle."

"Your Highness, you are right. It is what the people want."

"You almost sound proud of yourself," said Princess Margaret. "You know, when it came time to select a new Chancellor, I supported you. I thought you would be the person this Empire, your Empress needed. And here you are: A god damned democrat!"

"Your Highness, I most certainly am not a democrat. I cannot accept such slander."

"How can you say that when you were the one who pushed the Empress to go to the Democracy Forum, and then pushed her to accept the referendum?"

"My Lady, I did not."

"And now you are calling me a liar?!" demanded Margaret.

"Margaret," said the Empress. "Enough. The Democracy Forum was my idea. And so was the Referendum."

Princess Margaret turned her head sharply to her sister with a confused look on her face. Mary nodded slowly.

"Madame Chancellor, my sister will apologize to you in private for accusing you. And we also apologize to you. But we are in a real quandary now. How do we undo this?"

The Chancellor stood, took a breath and said, "Thank you for the apology, but I am not entirely sure it is something you can undo. As the Princess said, the genie is out of the bottle, and now we have to deal with it. This is why I asked the Justice Minister and the Interior Minister to stay with us. We have had some preliminary conversations about this topic since the referendum. At this point I'd like to ask Your Justice Minister Wilson to speak about the Single Party Law, so we can get straight what we are talking about."

The Honorable Gale Wilson, the young but experienced Justice Minister took the discussion. "So please Her Imperial Majesty, the Single Party Law has a number of very important provisions in it, as I see it, only a handful pertain to this referendum. The People have spoken very clearly that they want the monopoly of formal Party Organization currently held by the Institutional Party abolished. But the Bill is titled "To Name The Institutional Party the Single Political Party of Kalistan, and to Outlaw Fascism and Abolition of the Monarchy." From the point of the law, Her Imperial Majesty can authorize the abolition of none, some, or all of that law.

"We would advise her to ask the Assembly to amend the part which guarantees the Institutional Party a Monopoly on political organization," Judge Wilson continued. "She may do that in a number of ways, with only superficial changes to the law: For example, she may formalize the Factions with separate leadership and their own platforms. Or she may permit additional Parties. Or some other options. But at any rate, she could do so without getting rid of the prohibition on organizing to abolish the Monarchy or outlawing fascism. Thus she could preserve the most important parts, while also appearing to substantially endorse the voice of the people."

"Thank you Judge Wilson," said the Chancellor. "And I want to also let Your Imperial Majesty's Internal Minister Sorenson talk a little about what she thinks would be the political formations that could possibly come from this."

"Thank you Madame Chancellor," said Minister Sorenson. "As the Princess will certainly confirm, there are a number of political organizations that will immediately form if the Party Prohibition is lifted. The Institutional Party will likely split first of all. I would imagine that the Brethrenists will immediately form their own Party..."

"As long as I remain the Leader of the Brethernist formation, we will remain within the Institutional Party," said the Chancellor.

"Well, there's one," said Minister Sorenson, with a smile on her face. "In the next elections, the Orthodox Faction will also retain the majority in the Party. The Internationalists could really go either way: Some of them genuinely do not like the Orthodox direction, but a lot of them remain aligned with the Brethrenists, and if the Brethrenists remain aligned with the Institutional Party, the Party may only lose a handful of deputies. We are more interested however in the Liberals and the Socialists, both of whom have expressed for decades that the Institutional Party does not represent them at all.

"The Socialists are fairly tight. They can be expected to form a single unified Party, likely under the banner of the Socialist Party of Kalistan. But they and the Institutionalists tend to have a lot in common too: as Her Imperial Majesty likely is aware, the Institutional Party was once the Monarchy Caucus of the Socialist Party, and the Orthodox Faction is what is left over from the old SP. They are nationalists and they are committed institutionalists. But they could attract some Orthodox members who might be dissatisfied with Institutional Leadership."

"And what about the Liberals," asked the Empress.

"Well, Her Imperial Majesty should know, the Liberals are pretty split. There are some liberals, which we can called the anti-socialists, who think the State should be doing nothing. They will likely support a completely unfettered, free market, limiting state intervention in the economy, and the removal of health, safety, and workers' organization rights. They're out there, and they would likely be the locus of any moves to limit the power of the Monarchy..."

"Yes, we're keeping close tabs on them," said Princess Margaret. "They're out there, but they also seem to be allergic to any sort of organization: Something about hating top down leadership. I'd call them anarchists..."

"Well, as your Majesty says, they are there none the less, and they do have the potential to organize if they ever get half a mind to do so. But on the other side are the people who actually focus on improving civil rights and civil liberties for the people of Kalistan. They do think that Her Imperial Majesty holds too much power, but they don't seem to be laissez faire fanatics. Their policies align in significant ways with the Institutional Party's. But they would tend to push for a Republic and full substantive democracy."

"Will they be able to organize?" asked the Empress.

"I am more, perhaps its not the correct word, but, optimistic for consolidation among this group. They are certainly more palatable to the average working person, in that they seek to empower people. A lot of these individuals are already organized behind the Democracy Forum, so it will be easy for them to simply move from that to a more formal political organization."

"God," uttered Princess Margaret. "Mary, this was a mistake. We shouldn't have let it get this far. If I can advise you, remember that 100 years ago, there was another organization that held Democracy Forums, and they ended up killing our Grandfather. Now here they are again. I suggest you simply over rule this referendum and just get back to normal."

Mary, who was clearly thinking as the Internal Minister spoke, said without looking at her sister, "No, Meg..."

The Princess looked confused again. "Mary. Think of the Crown, think of our family, think of your children. Reform is dangerous, it is a mistake."

Mary slammed her hand down on her desk. "Madame, Please wait for me outside." Margaret was taken aback.

"Excuse me?" she asked.

"Princess Margaret, you are dismissed. Please wait upon us outside of this office." The Empress said firmly. Margaret took a beat, then stood up, smoothed her skirt, and walked to the front of the desk. "As Her Imperial Majesty pleases," she said with a formal bow, and then backed out of the room. She opened the door and backed out of it, closing it behind her.

Mary sat silently. "Madame Chancellor," the Empress said.

"Your Imperial Majesty..." the Chancellor acknowledged.

"We shall pay attention to the request of our People as expressed in this referendum. As you reform the Single Party Law, please work with our Justice Minister and our Internal Minister to redraft the law that removes the prohibition on additional Parties, but keep the other parts of the law, as the Judge proposes. You must make it seem as if you are bowing to the will of the people, not doing our bidding."

"But Your Imperial Majesty, wouldn't it serve you better to be seen to acknowledge the will of your people yourself?" asked the Chancellor.

"Madame Chancellor: Our sister was out of place before speaking that way. But in many aspects, she is correct, and she certainly is braver than we are. We are an Ananto and the Dread Sovereign of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan and the Anantonese Empire. Nor are we Brethrenist, as you are, and do not hold that there is any person above us, even if it is the whole population speaking with one voice. We do not answer to the People, even if they are right- For better or worse, we must not let the people believe that they can sway us one way or another.

"But: One either adapts or one dies. And this is a moment when an excuse to reform is handed to us on a silver platter. We just can't be seen to too enthusiastically grasp it, or soon the people will incessantly demand more than we can give. The people are like children: If you give them an inch, and they invariable want at least a mile. Unlike children, they will tear us apart if we cannot give them what they think they deserve. You all, however are politicians, and so you can benefit from being seen to acknowledge the calls of the people. You said you represent your People. We wish to allow you to do this and ask you to do what you can to keep our Party together."

"Does Her Imperial Majesty still intend to go forward with the elections next month?" asked the Minister Sorenson.

"Postpone them until March, and explain that you are developing new rules for new Parties to participate."

"It shall be done, Madame," said the Chancellor.

"Now, Madame Chancellor, please remain seated. You others are dismissed. And Minister Sorenson, please ask my sister to return to the office. She has a personal matter to attend to." The Justice Minister and Interior Minister both stood, bowed, and backed slowly out of the room with their heads facing the floor.

Quote:"Alright, we have all the principles here, Your Imperial Majesty," said Chancellor of the Empire Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller.

"Thank you Madame Chancellor. We would like to keep a cool head about this Baltusia thing. This is the most important goal. We have made great progress with that nation, and our cousin sits on the throne there, so it is imperative that we treat the Kundrati matter as a road block rather than a setback," said the Empress.

"My thoughts exactly," said the Chancellor. "Mr. Hewlett, to start us off today, would you give us an update please?"

"Thank you Madame Chancellor," said Her Imperial Majesty's Minister for Foreign Affairs. "The FM has issued a travel advisory for those going into or coming out of Baltusia for any reason, even if they transited a third country in the process. They are subject to additional scrutiny at ports of entry, in Lucid City, Sulari, Yoshimi, Addisjah and Kaliburg. We have asked AeroKal to suspend direct flights between Kaliburg and San Luis which just began last year, and they have agreed to comply for up to two years, but really want to restore them after that, and sooner if possible. We've also ordered the barring and expulsion of any foreign alien who is of Kundrati origin from entering Kalistan, though we haven't made that public. As for diplomatic matters, the Embassy in Johnston remains open and operational, and still processes visas for travel, though the plans to open a consulate in San Luis have been shelved for now. And we have officially withdrawn from negotiations with Baltusia over the Northern Seleyan Economic Community treaty. The AESA being also dead, that ends our officially open trade stance with Baltusia. We've lodged a formal complaint with His Majesty's Government, and remain open to the possibility of talks on this issue specifically, while stressing that we remain friendly toward the Baltusian Government on general matters."

"Thank you Mr. Hewlett," said the Chancellor. "Next, I'll ask Ms. Boone for your report on how trade is affected."

Her Imperial Majesty's Trade Minister, Melanie Boone organized her papers in front of her. "Upon Her Imperial Majesty's orders, the TSR link at the border has been cut and cargo trains are being turned back in Lucid City. You have chosen to deny entry of cargo trains in from Baltusia, since ensuring that nation of origin stamping on the materials coming in from Baltusia is too difficult given their openness to trade with Kundrati. This will cost Kalistan billions in potential trade volumes over the next few years, so we are hoping that this disruption in trade is temporary. As far as we know, Gaduridos has not followed suit, so we may still end up with Baltusian origin materials via Gaduridos, but brokers in Gaduridos are working with us to begin segregating Baltusian goods from materiel sent to Kalistan. This is also reinforcing the travel advisories. It also, unfortunately cuts overland trade with Gaduridos, so we may want to ease this restriction sooner than later if we want to avoid any major economic fallout."

"Thank you Ms. Boone," said the Chancellor. "Next on the list is Defense Minister Martinez. If you please Sir."

"Thank you Madame Chancellor," said Her Imperial Majesty's Minister for Defense, Lt. JG George Martinez. "The Army South is conducting drills along the Lucid River Frontier above Lucid City. we have 3 Artillery regiments set up along the border and they are doing firing drills, and are ready to move forward within an hour's notice. Additionally, we have limited infantry access to the morass, given its the dry season, we are drilling our pathfinders to take advantage of known trails through the swamp which will remain accessible until May, after which, not again until November. We have also increased security around the passes in Suldanor and Nevaras. Army Central and North remain on alert but are still in their barracks for the time being. And the Second Navy is moved out of the Ocean and is now conducting patrols along the coast between Yoshimi and Gaduridos to monitor all civilian shipping in the area. Finally, we have put the 1st Navy on alert at the Karzon Strait and throughout the Northwest Anantonese to track and monitor all civilian traffic and any military traffic that may attempt to sneak through. It's not a full closure of the Ananto Strait, but we are keeping a tight screen in place."

"Thank you Lieutenant." said the Chancellor. "The last report we will hear today will be from her Highness, Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis, for IBSI."

"Thank you Madame Chancellor," said Princess Margaret. "I've held separate council with Her Imperial Majesty, and IBSI has been instructed to maintain high readiness for opportunities in Baltusia. We understand there may be some tension between the King and the Government there that may pan out in our favor. Without saying too much, lack of public appearances or statements by the King suggest that he has been largely sidelined by the First Minister. This may or may not present an opening. We've heard no stance on the decision one way or another from the King, and have advised Her Imperial Majesty to take caution in messing around in the workings of another government. However, should the opportunity present itself, Special Programs has developed a number of contingencies so we can take advantage of those plans. IBSI has stationed agents at the borders to ensure that everyone is properly screened coming into Kalistan and to assist Interior with collection and handling of any possible intel coming in. Two of our agents have made contact with members of the Monarchist factions in Santiago and let them know that Kalistan stands ready to assist, but will not move on anything unless there is a plan that is workable and also stands a reasonable probability of succeeding, but we are not attempting to sway them in one direction or another. And we are encouraged by the support of the Gaduri Government for our position, and we have made it known to them that Her Imperial Majesty will do all in her power to continue to support them with whatever they need. This is a touchy situation, as I am sure you all know. We're ready, but we definitely do not want to force events that are not ripe, or may be based on a mis- or incomplete understanding of the situation there."

"Thank you Your Highness for the report." said the Chancellor. "Does Her Imperial Majesty have any questions?"

"Yes," said the Empress. "How is the Legislature holding up?"

"Your Imperial Majesty," began the Chancellor. "There is some opposition from the Liberals, who are making statements about Baltusia's right to self determination and their right to conduct trade with whomever they like and so forth. Some of them come dangerously close to praising Kundrati, but our Government believes that is more along the lines of pushing a narrative that Kalistan should stop hating Kundrati than an effort to say Kundrati is good. A few of the Social Democrats have gone to their side, but surprisingly most of the Socialists and SocDems are voting with the Government in preventing any efforts to lift sanctions, mostly on nationalist grounds. We aren't in any danger of losing any votes, but the public statements of the Liberals to the Press are somewhat troubling. I have a meeting with their Leader this week. I don't hold out a lot of hope, but I'll keep the meeting."

"Very well," said the Empress. "Thank you Ministers for your reports. You may be excused." As the Ministers stood up of offer their dutiful bows to the Empress, she said "Lady Jennifer and Lady Margaret, please stay a few more minutes. We have some things to talk about."