Chp. 30: Uncivil Discourse

March 13, 2024

United Nations Headquarters, St. Ark

Evan Clark, Osean Ambassador to the United Nations, set the tea tray down on the table between him and Lukyan Kapalnakov. The Yuktobanian Ambassador nodded with a cordial smile and a quick "Spasibo" while the Osean sat down with his cup. The Yuke was always surprised by the man's affinity for tea. Ambassador Clark always had the appearance of an action star. Like that one man who stared in that movie about snakes on a jet. Kapalnakov couldn't remember the name.

"I got your memo regarding the Verusean chemical weapons. I can tell you outright that the Union of Yuktobanian Republics will support the Osean Federation in condemning Verusa for this. This kind of escalation is unacceptable and there must be consequences. The world has to condemn this matter! I will ensure that the Frontier States agree." Kapalnakov said. Evan nodded and looked at the man with a wary frown.

"I've been asked to approach you about threatening to become directly involved in this conflict should the Veruseans refuse to back down, Lukyan. I bring it up in this manner because I fear that the Veruseans might overreact to the possibility of intervention." He revealed. The Yuktobanian man's eye widened enough to make his receding head of blonde hair go back even more.

"Do you or your government firmly believe they'll escalate beyond chemical weapons?" He asked.

"Oured fears that they might, but the more optimistic types insist it will only happen if we actually invade."

"Then why bring it up?"

"To clear my conscious, perhaps. Maybe I hoped that maybe, just maybe, it might not be as bad an action as it sounds in my head."

Kapalnakov nodded slowly at Clark and picked his cup and saucer up again. He took a long drink of the cooling liquid and searched for a solution. This war concerned Yuktobania as much as Osea, especially because it was so close to their borders. Inter-superpower cooperation against rogue regimes and all that.

"Sanctions might be the best route, but some in my government feel they'd be too little, especially in the midst of the war." Clark added.

"Perhaps, but you feel they can be done better?"

"Yes, that's the solution I'm backing. Exploiting that on a much larger scale then we've been doing. Most of the world sees this as a regional dispute and have remained neutral on the matter. We need to squeeze harder on them."

"Yes...I am certain that your government knows the Verusean economy is struggling."

"It's one of the two leading theories as to why they started this war. The other being long-standing animosity with Songolians and the Shimojis. Of course, the reality will likely be a combination of the two."

"Might I make a suggestion about how to do this?"

"I'm all ears, Lukyan."

"My country learned a valuable lesson during the Cold War, and that was that a disenfranchised people can be, when pushed to the edge, a government's worst enemy. Consequently that is why the communists that once ruled from Cinigrad kept the Yuktobanian people so tightly controlled."

It seemed like the appropriate time for a wry chuckle, but neither indulged themselves in that. Instead they got back to their tea and the other matters of this gathering in Lenshire. Clark mental noted any nation whom he could convince to support them in exchange for Osea's help. Besides the war in the South Pacific, there were riots in the capital of Tajiristan over a poor harvest and Leasath was struggling to rebuild following the war in 2020, now compounded by mudslides in its mountainous regions. He expected the Verusean representative, Liu-Chen Jie, to throw every party line at the man and to prey upon every possible flaw he could. Clark steamed a little at the fact that he would have to remain calm, lest the Verusean diplomat jump on that to further back up his arguments. His mind also returned to Erusea; the best he hoped was that they would vote neutrally on anything he tried to pass. The other major players would be on his side, but certain regional powers might use their country's grievances to rally their local allies against his cause. He poured himself some more tea, glad he'd gone for the herbal stuff. It was going to be a long session…


Twenty-five men and women of various appearances, plus their entourages of assistants and translators, gathered around a horseshoe-shaped table inside one of the UN's main chambers. The permanent members of the group were largely keeping to themselves, save for Ambassador Clark. He'd spent the ten or so minutes before the meeting was due to begin talking with just about everyone on the council. Towards the end, Liu-Chen Jie was also starting to draw a few of the non-permanent members, namely those with a government similar to his or whom his country had sought investment in. He also noted that Clark had an easel out. What it was for was a guess right now, but it was probably related to the war. He looked up at the clock, then towards the apex of the horseshoe.

Jonas Nkosi of The Republic of Rhubango, General-Secretary of the UN, rapped his gavel against its sound block to hush the soft buzz of conversation. He looked at Sameul Bronfman of the State of Aslan, head of the Security Council, who nodded and cleared his throat. He lifted a piece of paper from his seat at the massive, circular table and looked up at the others.

"This meeting of the UN Security Council will now come to order...the agenda for this meeting is as follows: The continued effort to seek a diplomatic solution to the military conflict in the South Pacific, militant unrest in the Republic of Tajiristan and humanitarian concerns in The Democratic Republic of Leasath. This agenda is hereby adopted." Bronfman began in a slow, Lenish-accented voice. He looked to Clark, who nodded and stood up.

"The Osean Federation wishes to bring to the attention of the Security Council evidence that the People's Federation of Verusa has attempted to introduce chemical weapons to the conflict in the South Pacific." He announced.

Predictably, Jie, sat up straight with a furious glare. The Verusean glared at the President, then sat back. Clark turned so the easel was more visible to those gathered.

"Over the past week, reconnaissance conducted by the Osean Air Force and Osean Navy have revealed activities consistent with the movement of chemical weapons. Two particular incidents involve the containment of a train's cargo after it was attacked in an airstrike and elements found in the waters surrounding sunken cargo ships consistent with Sarin."

He showed the train wreck, as well as images of individuals in what appeared to be hazmat suits. For comparison, he had his aides include pictures of Verusean hazmat gear to help illustrate the point. He saw Jie clear his throat and paused to hear what excuse he might have.

"Do you have any scientific proof that this train carried chemical weapons, or that this alleged convoy did the same?" He asked in a deep drone.

"Yes, Ambassador Jie, we do." Clark replied, holding up papers he'd had on his desk.

"Samples taken from the attack on the convoy, which was bound for the Shimoji Islands, were consistent with what is found when Sarin gas breaks down. While we recognize that the Verusean military is allowed to move said weapons inside its territory as it pleases, the timing and direction of the train brings about a great amount of suspicion. The convoy's intent cannot be interpreted any other way."

It seemed like he might have a short duel with the slender-faced Verusean, but the man seemed to have a defense.

"Have any third parties confirmed this through their own tests?" He asked.

"No, and they would not be able to in this situation. Not in a realistic manner."

"Are you implying that the Verusean People's Armed Forces would impede upon an investigation by a neutral party?"

"No I am not, Ambassador. However, that is besides the point. Based on evidence collected, a Verusean military convoy was transporting Sarin to the Shimoji Islands. If you have evidence to contradict my country's findings, please present them."

The Verusean sneered at him for a second.

"Your country are the ones who have made this accusation; the burden of proof is on you."

"And we have the proof in these reports, which match the scientifically proven signature of Isopropyl Methylphosphonic acid. Do you have proof to the contrary?"

"We cannot accept your test results as unbiased, Ambassador Clark. Your country has a vested interest in discrediting mine. Who is to say that the results have not been doctored to fit your narrative?"

The son of a bitch was really going for labeling this as false data! Propaganda! That it was the Oseans trying to do what Verusa specialized in! That didn't sit well with the Shimoji Representative as well as Lukyan. Tomodoki Matsumoto was quick to object to such an accusation.

"We support the findings of the Osean Federation, Ambassador Jie. Yes, my government has a vested interest in doing so, but that interest is in preventing this war from spiraling out of control. The mere suggestion that your country may be trying to employ chemical weapons on our soil is, I dare say, a gross escalation and a show of contentment towards such terrible tools of war." He said, words as sharp as knives.

"I can assure you that no such weapons are being shipped to the Shimoji Islands, Ambassador Matsumoto. Furthermore, any territory liberated by the People's Armed Forces is now under my country's jurisdiction. As Ambassador Clark said, we are free to move such materials around within our territory."

"That is besides the point, Ambassador Jie."

Bronfman rapped his gavel against its base until the room was under control again. He looked at both Matsumoto and Jie with cold eyes.

"Gentlemen, you will both calm yourselves...Ambassador Clark, please continue." He said, quieting at the end. Clark nodded gratefully.

"Members of the Security Council, I ask that it be considered...that the People's Federation of Verusa be subjected to further economic sanctions for its attempts to introduce Sarin into the military conflict in the South Pacific. In fact, I'm calling for a total economic blockade. The Osean Federation will be willing to call for an end to this blockade, should Verusa agree to cease hostilities and peacefully withdraw from the territories it unlawfully occupies. It is also the position of the Osean government that, should the Veruseans successfully introduce chemical weapons into this conflict, Osea will be forced to retaliate in kind."

Jie was stunned, looking like a provoked animal. He voiced his opposition to the matter, which surprised no one. The Verusean looked to the Erusean ambassador, Mirko Kivela, who signalled he wished to join the dialogue.

"The position of the Imperium of Erusea is that such a blockade could have far reaching effects...and that a third-party investigation would be a more appropriate solution." The man said in thickly-accented Lenish. Lukyan also jumped in at this point.

"The Union of Yuktobanian Republics believes that such an investigation would only be possible following a cessation of hostilities and a peaceful return to pre-war borders. A formal proposal by Erusea and Verusa for said investigation would also be required for Yuktobania to support the motion." He said.

"The government of The Imperial Songolian Union seconds the proposal by Yuktobania and, should the requirements for the proposal not be met, supports a total economic blockade of the People's Federation of Verusa." Ambassador Song Choi-Li spoke up. Clark looked towards Lukyan briefly and swore he caught a mischievous glint in the man's eye. Bronfman struck the base with his gavel again and looked about the chamber.

"Very well, do any other members wish to support this motion before it is formalized?" He asked.

"President of the Security Council, the Republic of Romny wishes to condemn these actions by the People's Federation of Verusa. We do so in the interest of seeing this conflict resolved and ended, not escalated. If Verusa and Erusea's request for an independent investigation is to be carried out, then we support the conditions laid forth by Ambassador Kapalkanov." Galina Chovanec spoke up.

"The Republic of Emmeria concurs with Ambassador Chovanec's position." Jean Luc Duponte added.

"As does the Republic of Kedhan." Anwar Al-Matuk nodded.

"Very well then, and those against?" Bronfman asked, to which Erusea and Verusa objected. It was just a formality, though; there was enough support to create a formal motion.

"Very well then, the proposal shall be formally created for further debate and a proper outlining. We will reconvene after an hour of recess in order to prepare for said debate."

The final rapping of the gavel signalled a small, but important victory for Clark and Osea. Jie hurriedly excused himself, talking in rapid-fire Verusean to one of his aides as they hurried to the exit…


"Chemical weapons?" Wáng-Xú asked with audible displeasure.

"Yes Comrade President; the Osean ambassador managed to convince a number of nations on the Security Council to vote in favor of us either calling for a ceasefire and withdrawing so an independent investigation can be undertaken, or that an economic blockade of the country be implemented." Jie confirmed uneasily.

"I'm not surprised...well, do what you can to block the resolution...or at least delay it as long as possible until a better defense can be mustered to stop it outright. Please keep me informed of any new developments."

"Yes, Comrade President."

Wáng-Xú very robotically hung up the phone and relaxed only when he was certain he was once again alone in his office. Sarin gas? He picked up his phone again and paged his secretary.

"Miss Xiaoyan, please have the archives room bring me the notes from the last five meetings I've had with any members of the Central Military Commission...and try and reach General Chen. Tell him I wish to speak to him immediately." He said, slipping some urgency into his words.

"Right away, Comrade President." The woman replied.

Chen was supposed to be back in Vinhau at his forward headquarters, and the man was found within minutes of the President's request.

"Yes, Comrade President?" The man said in a respectful tone.

"General, I have received news that the Oseans have accused us of attempting to deploy chemical weapons, specifically Sarin, to the Shimoji Islands. I was under the impression that such a move was only possible through my orders. I don't recall giving any such orders." His superior replied. There was a stunned silence.

"Sarin, Comrade President? I have received no such orders related to that, either. Is it possible that this is Osean propaganda?"

"...Likely…"

There was a long pause as the President considered thoughts swirling about his mind for a second. He felt a deep sense of dread settling over him. A sense that the de facto machinations of the country's political system were in motion.

"Comrade President?" Chen asked, sounding a bit angry.

"...It is likely, but my intuition tells me that if we're to prove that, we need to have an impenetrable defense against these accusations." Wáng-Xú replied.

"What are your orders then, Comrade President?"

"I want you to appoint a trusted aide to conduct a personal inspection of all manifests for cargo leaving our ports. Anything bound for the Shimoji Islands I want checked. I will send you presidential orders demanding full compliance if I need to. Anyone who resists? Threaten them with arrest! And ensure that any orders pertaining to the deployment of Sarin or other chemical agents come through the proper channels and that I have properly authorized them."

"Yes, Comrade President."

Wáng-Xú hung up and eyed his telephone again. He sat back, making the creaking of the leather on his chair sound far louder in the quiet room that it otherwise would. The revelation of what might have happened had him feeling hyper aware of his surroundings. The old men would reasonably have prepared for him stumbling upon this...if they had anything to do with it. Those loyal to him were becoming ever more important. The time would inevitably come that he would have to gather them to curb actions behind his back. He needed matters at the UN to move in his favor. He needed time! He picked up the phone again to call the man back; he would not withdraw his forces. However he could, and more importantly would, stall for time with promises.