01-04-2025, 12:49 PM
Newport Castle, Bekenial, Adelia, Kingdom of Hutori (April 5630)
The grand halls of Newport Castle had seen their fair share of momentous discussions, but this meeting was anything but ordinary. What was traditionally a private weekly briefing between Prime Minister Michael Kensington and King Charles III had expanded to include the leaders of Hutori’s major political parties. The gravity of the topic demanded it.
Seated in the King’s private study, Kensington took in the room’s occupants. Opposite him sat Robert Calloway, the Conservative leader and Leader of the Official Opposition, who appeared unsurprised by the revelation. To his left was Rachel McKenna of New Labour, her sharp gaze analyzing every word, and Jason LeClerc of the Greens, whose skepticism was already evident. Douglas Warren, the Republican leader, sat with a more reserved expression, his body language a mixture of concern and reluctant acceptance. Overseeing it all, from a seat beside the King, was General Beatrice Steuart-Carmichael’s the Chief of the Air Staff.
“I imagine this is why the Department of National Defence’s budget ballooned as drastically as it did?” McKenna asked pointedly, leaning forward.
Kensington didn’t flinch. “A significant portion, yes. There were already planned increases for modernization, but Project Satanil required additional funding. This is not a light undertaking.”
“And His Majesty is aware of this?” LeClerc asked, his tone cautious. “Has been aware?”
The King, who had been listening silently, finally spoke. “I was not informed initially, which I have made abundantly clear will not happen again.” His voice carried the weight of authority, sending an unspoken warning to the Prime Minister. “However, I have since been briefed extensively and do not oppose the decision.”
That statement alone made LeClerc pause, his arguments suddenly losing weight. He and his party were staunchly against military expansion, let alone nuclear armament, but opposing the King outright was an entirely different matter.
McKenna exchanged a look with LeClerc before addressing General Steuart-Carmichael. “Can you guarantee this will be responsibly managed? That we won’t be pouring money into a program with no oversight?”
The King's cousin met her gaze evenly. “I can assure you that every measure is in place to ensure accountability. This is not a reckless pursuit of weapons. This is about deterrence. About ensuring Hutori is never in a position of vulnerability.”
Calloway finally spoke, his voice laced with familiarity and experience. “None of this surprises me. I assume you already knew I’d come around on this, Kensington?”
The Prime Minister smirked slightly. “Given that it was your government that appointed most of the senior military leadership, I had my suspicions you still had connections.”
Calloway gave a knowing chuckle but said nothing more.
Douglas Warren, who had remained quiet until now, cleared his throat. “While my party would prefer an elected Head of State, we swore an oath to the King, and we will respect his decisions. That said, I expect strict oversight. No blank checks.”
Kensington nodded. “There will be full parliamentary oversight. You’ll have a seat at the table.”
That seemed to satisfy Warren, though his expression remained wary. McKenna and LeClerc shared a glance before the New Labour leader finally exhaled. “If the King won’t oppose it, and if there will be oversight, then New Labour will not stand in the way. But we will scrutinize every step.”
With that, the most difficult hurdle was cleared. Kensington allowed himself a moment of relief, though he knew the real work was only just beginning.
The grand halls of Newport Castle had seen their fair share of momentous discussions, but this meeting was anything but ordinary. What was traditionally a private weekly briefing between Prime Minister Michael Kensington and King Charles III had expanded to include the leaders of Hutori’s major political parties. The gravity of the topic demanded it.
Seated in the King’s private study, Kensington took in the room’s occupants. Opposite him sat Robert Calloway, the Conservative leader and Leader of the Official Opposition, who appeared unsurprised by the revelation. To his left was Rachel McKenna of New Labour, her sharp gaze analyzing every word, and Jason LeClerc of the Greens, whose skepticism was already evident. Douglas Warren, the Republican leader, sat with a more reserved expression, his body language a mixture of concern and reluctant acceptance. Overseeing it all, from a seat beside the King, was General Beatrice Steuart-Carmichael’s the Chief of the Air Staff.
“I imagine this is why the Department of National Defence’s budget ballooned as drastically as it did?” McKenna asked pointedly, leaning forward.
Kensington didn’t flinch. “A significant portion, yes. There were already planned increases for modernization, but Project Satanil required additional funding. This is not a light undertaking.”
“And His Majesty is aware of this?” LeClerc asked, his tone cautious. “Has been aware?”
The King, who had been listening silently, finally spoke. “I was not informed initially, which I have made abundantly clear will not happen again.” His voice carried the weight of authority, sending an unspoken warning to the Prime Minister. “However, I have since been briefed extensively and do not oppose the decision.”
That statement alone made LeClerc pause, his arguments suddenly losing weight. He and his party were staunchly against military expansion, let alone nuclear armament, but opposing the King outright was an entirely different matter.
McKenna exchanged a look with LeClerc before addressing General Steuart-Carmichael. “Can you guarantee this will be responsibly managed? That we won’t be pouring money into a program with no oversight?”
The King's cousin met her gaze evenly. “I can assure you that every measure is in place to ensure accountability. This is not a reckless pursuit of weapons. This is about deterrence. About ensuring Hutori is never in a position of vulnerability.”
Calloway finally spoke, his voice laced with familiarity and experience. “None of this surprises me. I assume you already knew I’d come around on this, Kensington?”
The Prime Minister smirked slightly. “Given that it was your government that appointed most of the senior military leadership, I had my suspicions you still had connections.”
Calloway gave a knowing chuckle but said nothing more.
Douglas Warren, who had remained quiet until now, cleared his throat. “While my party would prefer an elected Head of State, we swore an oath to the King, and we will respect his decisions. That said, I expect strict oversight. No blank checks.”
Kensington nodded. “There will be full parliamentary oversight. You’ll have a seat at the table.”
That seemed to satisfy Warren, though his expression remained wary. McKenna and LeClerc shared a glance before the New Labour leader finally exhaled. “If the King won’t oppose it, and if there will be oversight, then New Labour will not stand in the way. But we will scrutinize every step.”
With that, the most difficult hurdle was cleared. Kensington allowed himself a moment of relief, though he knew the real work was only just beginning.