[Order of Malta] Message to The United Kingdom

[Odinson]

SOVEREIGN ORDER OF MALTA
OFFICE OF THE GRAND CHANCELLOR
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________​

SUBJECT Establishing Diplomatic Relations
RECIPIENT Foreign Minister of The United Kingdom ( @Jamie )
SENDER Silas Delacroix. Grand Chancellor of The Sovereign Order of Malta
SECURITY ENCRYPTED


Good Evening,

The Lieutenant Grand Master has instructed me to contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss establishing diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom, and the Order of Malta. Specifically, we would like to exchange embassies between our nations. The former Republic of Malta operated an embassy in London, and the United Kingdom has an embassy in Malta for the Republic of Malta. For simplicity's sake, our governments could continue to operate these facilities.

I understand that this message comes after some rapid and, at the time, very worrying events in Malta. I can assure you that the Order has reestablished law and order over Malta, and that we only occupy our current place in this transitional government with permission from the Maltese people. The United Kingdom has been considered a natural ally to the Republic of Malta, which is why Her Majesty's government is the first that the Priory of Foreign Affairs is contacting. I wold be happy to deploy a new ambassador to the United Kingdom who can formalize relations between our governments, including mutual recognition and perhaps more.

I look forward to hearing back from you at your earliest convenience.

Respectfully,

Silas Delacroix
Grand Chancellor

 

[Jamie]

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

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To:	Silas Delacroix. Grand Chancellor of The Sovereign Order of Malta
Cc:
Subject	Re:Establishing Diplomatic Relations
Security Level:	Private / Encrypted

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Dear Silas Delacroix. Grand Chancellor of The Sovereign Order of Malta,

Thank you for contacting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Unfortunately, the Secretary of State for Foerign Affairs is currently engaged in other meetings. However, I have sought authorization and have the clearance to negotiate on behalf of Her Majesty's Government. My name is Edward Murray, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. We would be happy to discuss the prospect of Diplomatic Missions but feel this would be more viable to do in person and therefore welcome any deployment you do to get an Ambassador to the United Kingdom for us to discuss further. If you would like to send your Ambassador at your earliest convenience, I will meet with them in person to discuss.

Kind Regards,
EMurray
Edward Murray
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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☎️03700 00 22 44​

✉️Ministry of Foreign Affairs, King Charles Street, London, SW1​

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@Odinson

 

[Odinson]

SOVEREIGN ORDER OF MALTA
OFFICE OF THE GRAND CHANCELLOR
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________​

SUBJECT Establishing Diplomatic Relations
RECIPIENT Edward Murray, The Chancellor of the Exchequer of The United Kingdom ( @Jamie )
SENDER Silas Delacroix, Grand Chancellor of The Sovereign Order of Malta
SECURITY ENCRYPTED


Mister Murray,

It's a pleasure to hear from you. I understand your preference to speak in person. Things are extremely busy here in Malta at the moment, however the Order values its relationship with the United Kingdom dearly. I will personally fly to London tomorrow morning. I very much look forward to meeting with you.

Respectfully,

Silas Delacroix
Grand Chancellor

 

[Odinson]

The Priory of Foreign Affairs privately confirmed to the Foreign Office that the Grand Chancellor, along with a limited number of staff and a few Sovereign Guards, would be leaving early in the morning from Malta so that he may arrive in London by 8:00 A.M. Silas and his team arrived at London, exactly on time, and his aircraft followed the direction of British air traffic control so that they could safely land at either Heathrow or London City Airport.

@Jamie

 

[Jamie]

With the expected arrival of those from Malta to be coming to London, additional security preparations were made with a 3% increase of armed police officers, and a general 5% increase of beat cops on patrol in the area. Private travel would be hired ready for the arrival of the designated guests. Providing a safe haven point at Heathrow airport to allow a quick transition into said private escort vehicles. Once all arrangements were in place, a memo was sent to the Maltese Authorities to inform them.

@Odinson

 

[Odinson]

Silas and the other Maltese graciously took the private transportation provided by the British. The rest of his team - whom all happened to be knights of the Order - took in the sights seeing as many of them had never been to London before. Silas, on the other hand, was going over the notes he had made in the small black notebook that he kept in his breast pocket. Once they arrived at the location of the Foreign Office, Silas, his staff, and the guards exited their vehicles. Two of the three guards requested to stay outside with the vehicles, while one stayed by Silas's side. He was, after all, a Grand Officer and the second-most powerful person in the Order.

@Jamie

 

[Jamie]

During any transit that sees the guests in visible public, a contingent of Armed Police Officers remained close for their own protection. It was a relatively short trip but offered enough of a journey for those visiting the country to take in the sights. Upon their arrival, as per procedure, security remained tight for the transition to into the Foreign Office where the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Edward Murray, had temporarily re-located too for the purpose of the meeting. The doors closed behind them and the meeting itself kept in private for any discussions. The Chancellor approached the Senior Maltese Official, extending his hand. "Welcome to London" he smiled, indicating to the available seats. Enough for the Maltese Delegation. "Could I interest any of you with a glass of water or a hot drink?" he queried, beginning to pour himself one.

@Odinson

 

[Odinson]

The Chancellor of The Exchequer would note that 60-something year old Grand Chancellor wasn't in his formal uniform, but was instead wearing a very nice black suit and tie, with a small gold Maltese cross lapel pin. The Priory of Foreign Affairs decided that it might be best for him not to look too flashy. He extended his hand to his British counterpart and shook it, "Mister Murray, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Silas Delacroix. I'm happy we could meet on such short notice."

Silas and the rest of the Order's delegation took a seat. "I would appreciate a cup of tea, if it wouldn't be too much trouble."

After receiving his tea, he would start the conversation off. "The Lieutenant Grand Master wanted me to inform you that law and order has been reinstated in Malta. He and the rest of the government are working hard so that we can transition to the new government as quickly as possible. The Order has been in touch with officials at the Global Assembly to assure them that Malta is safe. In fact, at their request, we've deployed five-hundred police officers the campus to temporarily be under the Acting Secretary General's command... I imagine you may have a lot of questions. I'd be happy to answer any of them."

@Jamie

 

[Odinson]

@Jamie

 

[Jamie]

(Sorry for delay. As you know, Hollie has been in hospital)

The British Chancellor smiled, extending his own hand back to the Grand Chancellor and shaking it "It's our pleasure to have you visit." before nodding to the order of beverages. Stepping in the doorway to request a nearby member of staff of the order before returning to his seat. Over the next 5 minutes, drinks would be brought in for the guests. The Chancellor remained silent, waiting for the Maltese Delegate to finish before speaking up: "It's good to hear of stability returning to Malta, and I'm sure the additional police officers are of great importance to the Global Assembly. I think the last thing the International Community needs is concern over where the Global Assembly is housed. Do you have any expectation or insight as to whether you're expecting any more problems or do you think that is the end of it?"

@Odinson

 

[Odinson]

Silas sipped the tea he was given and breathed a sigh of relief. There were no caffeinated drinks on the aircraft for some reason, and he was close to entering withdraw. He set the cup down on its saucer and sat back in his chair.
"The Lieutenant Grand Master sent a message to the Acting Secretary General to inform him that the Order supports the Global Assembly in its mission, and that we will honor the agreement to house it in Malta, with some minor changes that we can work out later. Both the Order and the GA are in a period of transition right now, so we don't need to squabble over the small details. I would say that the worst of the troubles are over now. The Order was founded almost one-thousand years ago as a humanitarian organization, and it remains one of its primary missions today. I think we have that in common with the GA, and we will be able to work together with them closely.

"When I return back to Malta, the Order will be holding an election for our permanent Grand Master. Once we have him, whomever he may be, that will help stabilize our situation further... I also wanted to discuss the exchange of embassies between Her Majesty's Government and the Order of Malta. As it stands, the United Kingdom has an embassy in Malta, and the former Republic has an embassy in Britain. However, as a first step in mutual recognition of each other's sovereignty, I would like to request that the Order is able to send a new ambassador. In exchange, the UK can keep its current embassy in Malta, along with its staff and ambassador, and it would simply be re-purposed from being an embassy to the Republic of Malta, to being an embassy to the Sovereign Order of Malta.

"I understand that this may seem like a game of semantics," Silas said before sipping from his tea cup. "However we take our relationship with the United Kingdom very seriously. We think that it's important to make it clear that Britain recognizes the Order as sovereign, and that we return the favor in kind, so that we can move our relationship forward because frankly, there's a number of Anglo-Maltese here who I imagine would like their new passports to be accepted at British ports of entry - and I'm sure visa versa. The coup in Russia has also been on our mind, as well as the Suez crisis, as well as the recent troubles in Malta... I think we're entering a new epoch that wont be as peaceful as the past fifteen years have been, and I think the Order could be a strategic, if not worthy, partner of the United Kingdom."

@Jamie

 

[Jamie]

The British Chancellor retained his silence whilst his guest had spoken, nodding to acknowledge what was been said. "I do agree that the position of Malta been in line with the Global Assembly is something that makes sense and provides a sense of stability given the intention of both Malta and the GA itself. Perhaps the troubles that you had come across were simply a spanner in the works but I'm confident in your ability to provide a stable standing point for both parties. Nonetheless, if you do require any support from Britain, do let me know and I will try to ensure we can help with any resources we are able to provide

Whilst on the discussion regarding cooperation, we would be very happy to receive a new Ambassador to the United Kingdom that will be able to represent the Order. You won't have any worries from this government regarding the sovereignty or integrity of the Order of Malta so the interest in working with us is welcomed. You have a string of concerns which is understandable, we've also heard similar worries surrounding Russia, and perhaps we'll see how the new Egyptian Government handles the Suez. Speaking of such, could I inquire as to your position regarding the recent revelation from the Russian Coup which has shown the return of the Soviet Union?"

@Odinson

 

[Odinson]

Silas took another sip of tea, perhaps to give him a few extra seconds to contemplate his answer to the question. "The Order has made no official public statement on the events in Russia... that would be something for the Grand Master to authorize. If you are asking me personally, Chancellor, I would say that the fall of the Soviet Union was the most important, and greatest, event to happen in the second half of this century... Communism is incompatible with Christianity, and is an evil ideology that murdered hundreds of millions of people. I can only imagine how many more millions of Russian lives will be brought to an end either through hunger, purges, or hard labor. That's not considering the millions more that could be killed in war...."

Silas took another sip of tea, "As I said, though, the Order has yet to take an official stance on the coup... I'm sorry I can't provide a better answer than that," Silas said dryly.

"What is the United Kingdom's position?" he asked in return.

@Jamie

 

[Odinson]

@Jamie

 

[Jamie]

Understanding the lack of public statement regarding the Russian Coup, the Chancellor merely nodded before responding to her question. "To be decided.." he paused, taking a sip of his own drink. "Like yourself, we've made no official statement or ruling regarding the matter. It's something we're watching and remaining cautious given the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Nonetheless, we've kept out thought process out of the minds of the International Community as we're not sure what the new Communist Governments goals or stance will be on.. well.. anything. They've actually been really quiet. I suppose time will tell, and then maybe we'll both have more defined answers as to our governments positions on them.". Again, he paused, taking a sip from his glass and exhaling. "I suppose it'll be a case of waiting and seeing what will occur."

@Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"Only time will tell if the new communist government is a grand organization of intellectuals who support the well-being of the world. I have my own opinions on this matter, but that's why the Order is comprised of better men than me, who are slower to judgement," he said as he finished his first cup of tea.

"Has the Foreign Office spoken with the Americans on this matter? We were given the impression that they are very displeased with these events... I might go as far as to say extremely displeased... Does the United Kingdom plan on taking action with the Suez Crisis, and do you have any policy objectives with the Middle East? The Order would like to open a hospital or two in Jerusalem, if Israel allows us to, however I fear that countries in some other parts of the world are watching us maliciously..."

Silas set down his cup and folded his hands, "Enough doom and gloom, though. Do you think the United Kingdom would be open to establishing a free trade agreement with the Order?"

@Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"I believe there is discussions with the American Government, but whether that includes the concerns of the communist government, is something that I'm not aware of I'm afraid. That meeting is still taking place so I've not had any briefing in relation to it. I should learn more following it's conclusion so I may be able to provide you with insight aftrerwards.
There's no current plans to take action anywhere. Our government is focused on the development of relations in a positive light, and we hope to work with the Egyptian Government. Regardless of our thoughts on the Suez fees, we've not made any opposition and the Suez Canal is of great importance to.. well.. every country that uses trade.
We're yet to observe a response from the international community. But from what I know, the British Prime Ministers focus is international development and supporting humanitarian and peacekeeping efforts foremost."

There was a short pause. "Whilst we are open to such agreement, this would abolish that tariffs for any sales from us or companies that originate in the UK. This is currently 20% for any UK Sale.
May I inquire as to the tariffs that are currently included in Malta? The ones that would be abolished with such FTA?"

@Odinson

 

[Odinson]

Silas felt as if he had been staring back into the eyes of the Chancellor of the Exchequer for quite some time. He did this too when he was young – it had actually been a poor habit he had most of his early life, and still sometimes now. On top of making some people feel uncomfortable when there was silence or a time of momentary contemplation it also worked against him in social settings, especially when he was younger and trying to build relationships.

“Imagine that you’re standing, casually, with some other fella’ at a bar,” said one of Silas’s old mentors. He was a bonafide doctor from New Orleans - that kind that study how people think and act with each other, not the real kind of doctor that can fix your broken bones or help you die ten times slower than you would in God’s natural world.

Silas was drinking Jameson, neat. It was almost eleven in the morning. He and his doctor-mentor-friend were at an illegal salon in West Texas – the year was 1955.

“Alright Mike, I’m at a bar with some fella’ other than you. Now what?” Silas asked as he downed the Jameson. He set his glass down beside him and gave a nod to the barman, implying that his vices were just beginning for that day.

“Y’all don’t know each other all that well – in fact I’d reckon you just met maybe ten minutes ago. Neither of y’all want to be talkin, but for some fucking reason you gotta keep a chat going – maybe you’re both about to start law school or something together… I don’t know, that’s not the point,” he said, before downing his glass as well.

“Oh, you’re actually trying bestow myself with some wisdom, Doc? I thought you were just spewing more of your senseless-“

“Just give me some rope here, Silas,” Mike pleaded.

“Yeah, enough to hang myself,” Silas said as he turned his attention to the bartender. His sarcastic smile turned more to a sour glare when he noticed that both he and his doctor-mentor-friend’s glass was still empty. The old barkeep, unstirred by the drunken scowl of a 25 year-old European, slowly walked over to the two men with a bottle of Jameson and refilled each of their glasses to three fingers.

“Anyway, you’re having this conversation you don’t want to have with this prick, but for some reason you need to impress him or at the very least let him know that socially he isn’t above you. You’re listening, you’re staring him right in the eye, you’re smiling like a big fuckin’ idiot, and you give him every ounce of your worthless, youthful, undivided attention… He’s not even talking about anything worth your thought – it’s probably small-talk about the weather, or some useless shit… You know what that guy’s thinking?” Mike asked as he took a microsip of his whiskey and then cocked his head, demanding an answer to his should-be redundant question.

“I… I don’t know, I’m paying too much attention?” Silas just said the first thing that came into his head.

“You bet your fucking ass,” Mike said with a nod, and then another microsip before continuing.

“You’re givin’ him all you got. Nothin’ in the world – nothin’ in that room for sure - is gonna take your attention away from that carpetbagging-cocksucker. He now subconsciously thinks that he’s more important than you because you practically bent over and took it up the ass while he was just talking about the weather or some shit. Do you get what I’m saying?”

This time Dr. Mike took a big gulp of the copper liquid and downed it like a man.

“Yeah alright, I get it. But when I’m around new folks in fancy places I… I don’t fucking know, I look at them because I get nervous. I’m not for standing around at fancy parties, drinking tea or wine, listening to some jackass tell me why he thinks the sky is blue, Mike. I mean Christ, it’s not even high noon and we’ve already been in two gunfights and we’re drunk. I’m not that type of man,” Silas whispered the last part, but no one in the dusty saloon was paying them any mind.

“Well… the gunfights happened before the sun came up, so I think the Jews would say that was technically yesterday,” Mike retorted with a shitty grin.

Silas finished his drink, and this time turned the glass upside down, indicating he wanted no more.

“My point stands, jackass,” Silas said as he approached a drunken stupor.

“Yeah,” Mike said. He clumsily grabbed a handful of peanuts from a nearby wooden cup on the bar, and stuffed them into his mouth. About a third of the legumes fell down onto the front of his shirt. He chewed for about twenty seconds, and let silence fall between them.

“Yeah, it does… But you can’t do this forever, Silas. You won’t. Your folks are gonna go back to Europe and you sure as shit aren’t staying here,” he said with a chuckle.

“The fuck I’m not?” Silas asked, suddenly upright and alert again.

Mike turned his head to him, still chewing on some peanuts, and nodded, “Yeah, the fuck you're not, partner. The situations you’ve gotten us out of, the words you used to stupefy those idiots back at the Caprock Canyons? We were hold up in that place,” he said, starting to laugh as he recollected, “and the first boys that got there, guns drawn, were dumbfounded when you told them, ‘This is an outpost of Her Majesty’s government. An attack on this outpost-‘” Mike couldn’t help himself and just started laughing. Silas started laughing with him.

Mike slapped his knee, sending some of the peanuts that had collected on his lap flying onto the floor as they both recalled the adventure they had just narrowly made it out of. After a couple of minutes, they calmed down.

“My point is, Silas, you got your way with words, and you speak just about fourteen fucking languages – half of which probably get those French girls all riled up. You’re alright when it comes to drawing, I’ve seen your writing, and you led that Army thing just south of Bryan – that was pretty impressive. I know your paw doesn’t show much, but he was smiling when y’all were marching around in those fancy formations. My point is you got it in you to do…” he burped, loudly, “some shit. This… this isn’t that shit,” he said, gesturing at the saloon and all the dirty, dusty, drunken, and disorderly folk around them.

Silas extended his hand to Mike, who quickly grabbed it, “That’s the nicest fucking thing any old man has ever said to me,” Silas said truthfully. It wasn’t Shakespeare, but it was nice. “Alright, I go back. But first another fucking round.”

Mike smiled as they shook hands. Silas could smell the bartender approaching – likely with two new glasses – so he didn’t bother to turn and face the grimy old man.

Silas blinked and looked directly at the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who also appeared to be in deep thought as he just was. He reached forward, grabbed his tea, and took a sip.

“I’m sorry I… I honestly forgot what we were talking about,” he said with a bit of a chuckle.

“It was a long flight to get here. Let me think… Ah! Yes, you had mentioned trade. The Receiver of The Common Treasure says we have a policy of 'Mutually Assured Economic Destruction' with our friends and enemies around the world. The Order has a policy of imposing the same tariffs that other nations impose on us - we believe in reciprocity, as well as whatever the antonym of reciprocity is. So in the case of the United Kingdom, that would be a twenty-percent tariff. We would, of course, be willing to abolish it in the name of the aforementioned reciprocity.

"The Order is also going to be building up its fortifications in Malta. We are especially interested in establishing a strong air force, and also have anti-air, ground-based weaponry. I understand that you might not have the exact information right now – that’s alright – but do you think that it would be possible for the Order to purchase some equipment of this nature from the United Kingdom, or whomever you acquire your equipment from? We’re at a bit of a… disadvantage at the moment, I’m afraid.”

@Jamie

 

[Odinson]

@Jamie

 

[Jamie]

The silence was quite unnerving, occasionally shuffling in his seat before speaking "Are you Ok?" he queried, before the Chancellors head perked up when the Maltese Delegate had begun to speak and address his query. He couldn't help but chuckle at the admission of forgetting were the pair were up too in their conversation "Apologies if I'm boring you." he laughed, speaking in jest. "I'm sure we can wrap this up so you can get some well-deserved rest in some of our best accommodation." he added. Falling silent whilst the Maltese visitor continued to speak. "The United Kingdom also has a tariff of twenty-percent, so I can see a mutual benefit. We would be happy to look into signing a Free Trade Agreement with yourselves to abolish both tariffs. I don't suppose you have a draft of what you'd like us to sign regarding the FTA for us to evaluate? Undoubtedly this would assist yourselves with your plans to purchase air assets and ground based weaponry. The UK has quite the collection it could potentially offer, or you could explore options with Nexus Defence. Do you have any ideas as to what you would be looking to acquire?"

It was safe to say, the encounter with the Maltese was unorthodox. A political staring contest is what he had expected the least, nonetheless, it was a sign of relief that left his mouth immediately when his guest begun speaking again.

@Odinson