Rising Hope

Nina walked into the predetermined meeting room in the abandoned building. Since the bombings, there were several of these, all eerily empty and creepy to boot. The leader of the RRR didn't like this place one bit, perfect location for an ambush. And though she felt uneasy about the locale, the man she was meeting today made her more nervous. She knew to an extent what to expect from Wolfgang, the King of Gelemorte, when they met a week or so ago. The new leader of Amestris however, was a mystery. Nina had tried to find as much as she could on him, and though it was relatively easy to fine, it didn't tell her much. From what she read he looked to be a good and respectable man, which she was happy for. At the same time though, his position made him somewhat intimidating. One wrong move and the might of the powerful Amestrian military could destroy the RRR with a flick of the wrist. It was scary to say the least, but Nina knew she needed to be strong. No fear, no doubt, only endless fortitude and a strong will to survive.

She swallowed hard as she walked through the empty hallways, dim emergency lights keeping it slightly lite. Creepy as hell, looked like a scene from a scary movie. When she walked around a corner, two men in Amestrian military uniforms approached from the other side, guns in hand. For a split second, her instincts told her to run, but she fought that back and stood tall as they approached. "Are you Nina Shostakovitch?" one man asked, his voice low and scratchy. "Yes, I'm here to see the chancellor," she replied, handing him her identification papers she'd been sent to prove herself when she arrived. Security was huge around the world right now, especially in a country as embroiled in the conflict as Amestris.

Confirming her identity, the soldier returned the papers to her. "Right this way ma'am." And with that he turned on his heels, the other soldier following behind me as we walked down the dimly lit hallway. We stopped in front of a door, the two men taking positions on either side of it. "The Chancellor awaits you inside," he said, waving towards the door. Nodding, Nina walked up and grasped the doorknob. Here goes everything! Turning the knob, she pushed the door open and entered the room, taking in her surroundings quickly. An almost bare room, it's only notable features were the lack of a window, and a small white table sitting in the middle. Two chairs were set next to this table, one empty closest to Nina, and the other filled with the man the world knew as Hans L. Reinhardt, Chancellor of Amestris.

Hans was displeased… and uncomfortable. He had been contacted, through his chief of security, about a resistance group forming in Drachma that was extending their open hands for help against the Soviets and Alena. Arms, funds, personnel… whatever was available. Brigadier General Stuka had already sent a message to the leader of this group, a Nina Shostakovitch, in regards to potentially enlisting Amestris’ support. Not Hans’ personal way to go about things… personally, it made more sense to ask for these type of things. In this case “it is better to ask forgiveness than permission” to not apply. Hans had been placed in a sort of bind. He did want to get Drachma unbalanced, to keep them so focused on internal struggle, they’d be less likely to attack Amestris. Yet if Amestris openly supported this Red Ribbon group… Drachma would love to turn their angry eyes onto Amestris in their weakened state. So how to support this group while remaining presumably innocent to the public eye? He sighed, shaking his head. A bind, indeed.
 
And yet, here he was. He had suggested meeting on the outskirts of Amestris, while on his journey to Carraig, yet this young woman had chosen instead to come to Central City. A true mark to her bravery, to be sure. So Hans sat in an abandoned building around the outskirts of Central, two of his personal bodyguard standing watch. He found the concept of bodyguards a bit silly and never used them… but today it seemed like a fair idea. Better security. The room was dimly lit and there was an small folding table and two folding chairs. Hans was uncomfortably squeezed into one. He longed for his office in his home, with its nice, big desk chair. The brighter light, the more inviting feel. All in all, far more comfortable. But this was the safest bet for such a meeting. He flipped through the small folder in front of him, a smattering of information about this Nina that had been hastily gathered. Underneath it was another folder, regarding his chief of security, Stuka. He intended to give Stuka control of this “mission,” once the details had been finalized. He believed it fair for Nina to have an idea of who he would be sending to her aid.
 
As Hans mused, he heard the door of the room creak open. Closing the folder, he stood somewhat slowly (damned chair!), and moved forward to greet the young woman. He reached forward and shook her hand in a firm (but not crushing grip), a small smile alighting his features. “Welcome to Amestris, Miss Shostakovitch.” He gestured for her to sit in the chair opposite him and when she had, he resumed sitting in his own chair. “I apologize for not knowing much Drachman yet; I am still learning. Now then, your proposition?” Hans did not want to dally in this building any longer than was necessary. Pleasantries could be had when there was no longer the need for shady dealings.

As Nina walked into the room, the Chancellor slowly stood, obviously having difficulty doing so with the small chair. He then approached, hand stretched out to shake hers, which she did so. His hand shake was firm, but she could sense it was not as tight as could squeeze. “Welcome to Amestris, Miss Shostakovitch.” he greeted in Drachman, slightly surprising Nina. Most people outside of her homeland didn't know her native tongue, so to hear it from the leader of another country was odd, but pleasing all at once. "Thank you Chancellor Reinhardt, it is an honor to meet you," she replied, bowing slightly as she did. Nina was trying to be as formal as possible today, knowing that her actions could very well shape the future of her country, perhaps even the world. She had even gotten rid of her uniform and normal attire, instead wearing a business suit. It felt odd, but comfortable at the same time, she quite liked it.

“I apologize for not knowing much Drachman yet; I am still learning. Now then, your proposition?” She smiled in return, taking a seat across the table from him. Right to business eh? Sounded good to her. The less she had to sit around in the dark, creepy building, the better. "Oh that's quite alright Chancellor, I'm just happy I know how to speak Amestrian well enough," she replied, chuckling lightly as she did. "Yes, my proposition." Nina cleared her throat and began. "As you know, I am in the process of beginning a large scale rebellion in Drachma. Though we have a lot of local support, a significant percentage of the population on our side, most of them are farmers, blacksmiths, and the like. Men and women who have never even touched a gun before, let alone shot one. Most of the Loyalist army having been defeated in the Soviets rise to power, we simply do not have the right resources to properly train our soldiers to fight. Therefore, I come to you today to ask for your aide in this manner. All we ask for are men and women willing to train us, to help us win this fight against the Communist Regime and their RIOTE masters." Now, she only hoped he would agree...

Hans leaned back as best he could in the tiny seat, listening with a neutral expression as Nina presented her request to him. As she spoke, he felt his insides boiling slightly. This rebellion was going to cost a lot of innocent lives... and there were little enough of those still in the world already. Yet he knew that asking them to sit and accept their evil overlords... the small woman would find help elsewhere. Maybe he should say no? He didn't trust that Alena... the new leader of Drachma. And he certainly didn't trust that she was so openly allied with RIOTE. No... he had to provide something. Or perhaps, one thing. She looked at him expectantly as she finished her small speech and he rose from the chair again with slightly creaking knees. He began to pace back and forth across the small room to stretch out his legs. He also allowed his mind to solidify the plan he had in his head. His hands folded behind his back, he spun sharply on his heel to face Nina again. “As I'm sure you're aware, Miss Shostakovitch, Amestris can't give you the full support that I'm sure you would appreciate. I'm sad to say what I can give you is very minimal.”




[Sorry it's short! Posting this for lack of bumping, because I dislike it XD]

Nina nodded in reply, listening to what the imposing man had to say. She could see it in his eyes, the concern he had for this agreement. Couldn't blame him though, without really being in her shoes and seeing what she sees on a daily basis, it was hard to make one understand. Her job here wasn't to make the leader of Amestris understand, but to gain support. She hoped dearly that this would work out of course, for if it didn't things would get very complicated in Drachma, and fast. Their clear lack of military training and discipline was beginning to become apparent, and if something was not done soon the Resistance might fall apart before it even truly starts. This hope was in the form of training from none other than the strongest military power in the world, Amestris.

The man stood up, obviously in deep thought. Nina knew this was not an easy decision. She did not want to rush him, but an answer was needed before she could leave. “As I'm sure you're aware, Miss Shostakovitch, Amestris can't give you the full support that I'm sure you would appreciate. I'm sad to say what I can give you is very minimal.” She nodded, seeing this coming for some time. Since the battle with Creta and Aerugo last year, followed closely by the bombing of their major cities and their recent conflict with Drachma, Amestris had taken some heavy hits lately. It had been tough for many nations in the last year. Drachma had received its fair share of destruction, that was certain. Yet they all marched on.

"I completely understand Chancellor, your resources are already stretched thin. I, we, will appreciate any amount of support the great Amestris can give sir, small or large. And on our side, we will assure your countries involvement with our activities will be kept completely and utterly secret, you have my word as a leader and a soldier," Nina replied, her eyes never leaving his. When she finished, she closed her eyes and bowed her head slightly out of respect. When a Shostakovitch made a promise, they kept it.

Hans continued to pace again, two fingers coming up to lift his glasses slightly to rub at the bridge of his nose. He was getting a headache. A monster of a headache. He really disliked this under the table business. But this young woman stood there so expectantly for the help that was semi-promised to her. He wasn't entirely sure he could refuse without her displeasure. Not that one woman could do much, but... Amestris (and Hans) had a long list of people that disliked them. He didn't feel like adding anyone else. Yet... there was an uneasiness in his stomach at this exact moment. Okay, it might be because he was the tiniest bit hungry. But it was definitely more than that. Something... some feeling was telling me this wasn't a good idea. And his gut had not let him down before.

He turned again, standing just before Nina. “You speak for you and your organization, which is a dangerous thing to you. You can assure your own silence and no one else's. No, Miss Shostakovitch, Amestris can offer you no support. If individuals of an Amestrian nature wish to help you, then I have no power over that. But other than offering your name to said select individuals, I am not moving another finger in this situation. Am I understood?” His level gaze bore down on the young woman. She was intelligent; he expected that she would catch onto his current scheme.

Nina had a bad feeling about this. Not that there was any imminent threat to her life or well being, or anything like that. More a sinking feeling in her stomach. This was not going according to plan, she could feel. And as soon as the Chancellor spoke, she knew that feeling was right. “You speak for you and your organization, which is a dangerous thing to you. You can assure your own silence and no one else's. No, Miss Shostakovitch, Amestris can offer you no support. If individuals of an Amestrian nature wish to help you, then I have no power over that. But other than offering your name to said select individuals, I am not moving another finger in this situation. Am I understood?”

At first Nina was disappointed, as of course she had hoped for more help from Amestris. Simultaneously she expected this. After their recent losses and battles with many an enemy, Nina asking for support during such a trying time was most likely ill timed. If she had waited longer, perhaps he would have been more willing to give them aide. This was a turn of events, as this would push them back on the time table. So much for beginning operations in early April. Looked like it would have to wait a few more weeks, perhaps even months before the RRR could make themselves known.

None of these thoughts were evident in Miss Shostakovitch's face or body language however, instead only showing understanding. She got his meaning, well hidden as it was. He didn't have 'control' of individuals under his rule, crafty man indeed. Nina nodded in response. "Yes sir, I understand." She stood up and extended her hand once more. Smiling as they shook hands, she continued. "Thank you for meeting me today Chancellor Reinhardt, especially under these circumstances. I hope that one day we can meet again without having to hide in the shadows." As she walked out the door, Nina turned around and said one last thing. "Something is coming. I don't know what, when, or even where. All I do know is that it will be big. And soon. Be careful Chancellor. Until we meet again," she finished, turning around and walking through the door briskly.

Outside the building a small black car sat there idling. She opened the door and got in, the car taking off almost before the door closed behind her. "How did it go?" Boris asked, turning around from the passenger seat. "We're going to have to push back the action date, but it looks like we might be getting something. We have a chance Boris, I just hope Amestris makes it through whatever is coming in one piece..."

Hans was silent as the young woman left. He sensed the disquiet in the air as much as anyone. When one sat at the top... one saw a lot. He sighed, going to the small table to grab at his folders. These would go back to his filing cabinet and be tucked away until such a time that they would be needed. Which could be soon... or could be never. Hans could never tell. Politician in may be, but it wasn't an easy task to wrap his head around the political turmoil that this world was in. Friends one day were enemies the next and the other way around. And RIOTE stood ever powerful in the shadows, always one step ahead. It infuriated Hans to no end some days. Sighing and shaking his head he removed himself from the tiny room. It was time to be rid of this abandoned building and to move onto happier things. Glancing over at his two bodyguards he smiled. “Come on boys, let's move out. We'll grab a bite to eat. My treat.” And with that, the Chancellor was gone, leaving the abandoned building empty once more.