"Sir, I heard about the other day…" Ivan grinned as he joked at my expense.
"You don't say?" I replied sarcastically.
"It's not often the beauties of the officer corps go on a date… but two at once sir? That's impressive." he joked as he parked the truck outside the park.
"It wasn't a date." I growled.
"Of course sir… just a day of shopping for clothes, a romantic dinner, then spending almost all night seeing every movie the theater was playing? If that's not a date I'm going to have to go get a dictionary…" he grumbled as we got out of the truck. I looked at the meet and greet, a couple people were already lined up at the small booth in the park. We walked over and the major continued to harrow me.
"So sir, which one caught your fancy, the Slavic beauty, or the Germanic wonder? Maybe both?" he asked as I slid into the seat a bit early, I pushed the packed lunch I'd brought under the table. I glanced at the first people in line and realized my day was going to be ruined immediately.
"So we have to track you down for a public meet and greet? No official meetings, no appointments?" the representatives from across the pacific asked, annoyance clear on their faces.
"Ivan, get them chairs." I directed the Major to get the gentlemen seats. I waited for them to sit before I started.
"Look, when you arrived you asked to speak with the one that represents the people… thats the Premier and his office…"
"We were told to meet with the user. Not some random dignitary in an office." The German grumbled.
"Alright… What is it you want to discuss?" I asked.
"We represent the Pacific alliance, an alliance between the Australian Union and Singaporean Republic." The American guy said.
"I know… I got the pictures a few days ago…" I replied.
"Pictures?" The two seemed startled. I pointed straight up, let them figure out that my brother's guys in the Pentagon were using all those satellites in orbit to create an intel picture of each 'user'. They'd located five so far.., as well as some rather concerningly sized hordes across the Asia Pacific.
"Based on what I've seen… I'm perfectly happy to work with you, but what the hell do you take me for?" I asked.
"You've seen a good chunk of my forces… how do you think your summoner compares?"
"You have… a sizable force. If we work together we can reopen trade…" the American started. I opened the system, flipping to the mostly unused, direct chat.
'Chat messages:
L, J. what did you send the envoys for? They barely seem to have a clue as to their purpose. -A
They were to seek out an alliance? Did they bungle something? -L
Trouble in paradise? The strong don't need others! -Z
Well they don't seem to understand how to make that happen. -A
I'll see if i can make time to head over in a few days then. Will that suffice? -L
Whatever works for you, its no big deal to me. -A
L, you want me to tag along? -J
No, deal with the issue. I'll take care of this misstep. -L
I'll prepare for your arrival then. -A'
I closed the window and looked at the two. "Whichever summoner goes by L will be here in a few days. They'll iron out your blundering stupidity."
The two blistered but got up and left. The first few actual people started coming up. Asking common, everyday questions. Most crowded around as they started speaking with me. I even struck up a conversation with some, talking about my vision for a prosperous future. I tried to paint it as realistically as I could, without embellishments.
These people worked hard, calloused hands and souls. Just a few blocks from here was a wall, not necessarily designed to keep people in, but to keep the few undead that just seemed to pop up out. Large sections of the city, though cleared countless times, still turned up handfuls of undead and so far no patrols had found anything under the city, yet they were still worried. I suppose the military news outlet was focusing pretty hard on Las Vegas and the shit show that was becoming, there really wasn't any other sizable operations other than some redeployments going on.
"What about those rumors out of Arizona, that there's a warlord carving an empire out of it?" one spectator asked. I sighed slowly, leaning back in my chair. Yeah… There'd been a few reports that had come sliding across my desk, but I wasn't really trying to bring the issue up right now, more of a post-election issue once I announced the expansion plans for the Union.
"What about them? If it'll ease your worries I'll confirm what reports I've received." I replied.
"Is it true it's a military junta out there?" one asked. I shrugged and nodded.
"By our best estimates. Basically…" I replied.
"Do you plan on cooperating with them?" another asked.
"We have agents in the field acting as feelers, I am still waiting on their reports before I either make a decision or bring my recommendation to the General Secretary. So you'll know in late March, go vote for your preferred candidate." I tried to put on a small smile, but it probably looked more like a grimace.
"Do you think you stand a chance in the election?" he asked. I laughed at that one.
"Unless I am very bad at math I'm very certain of my victory. But the Premier could force the department of records to start issuing citizenships. He'd only need to get about… fifty thousand approved and issued to make it contestable again… the districts are a bit weird, should probably just have them vote by localities instead of whatever weird lines they came up with over in the Ministry of Justice." I allowed.
"Do you think war is likely?" another person asked. I gave the crowd a solemn look.
"We are in the apocalypse. I wanted to give you all a taste of the old world. But out there soldiers are living and dying for me to give you that illusion. Do not disregard the sacrifices they are selflessly making for you." I trailed off, staring at some of the Spetsnaz around me and the park. Maybe I should push for some kind of official holiday, something like veterans day?