A Caribbean Starman (Gadalland & Aspern - Spain Summit)
-
-
Official Itinerary for Mr. Aguilar on arrival to Gadalland and Aspern:
Day 1:
- Drive to Hemberdale Railway station
- Meet with Ms. Dina while on the train to Slalium
- Meet Head Braetha Fornithias Cranst, inaugurate the new spaceport in Slalium
- Get the train to Araguas House in Esterey, home of Head Braetha Fornithias Cranst
- Join Mr. Cranst for a Seeing In the Masts Ceremony and traditional dinner in the evening in Esterey
Day 2:
- Meet with Mr. Cranst in his home in Esterey
- Ferry to the West Olves from Diagonathroe
- Visit pilgrims to the Ruins of Ribahjinda
- Return to Esterey
- Take the overnight train back to Hemberdale, dine with Mr. Cranst and Ms. Dina
Day 3:
- Meet with the Braetha in the War Room
- Attend a Bothorist Christian service at the Church of St. Araway
- Watch the Games in the evening, over a traditional meal
Day 4:
Fly home -
Presidential Plane
Somewhere over the Atlantic OceanIt was another day in the Spanish President life, which changed back in 2016 when former President of the Partido Popular and the Spanish Government Mariano Rajoy decided he was the ideal person to succeed him at the front of the main political party in Spain and, if Jesús was lucky enough, as the Head of the Government. Aguilar, who has always enjoyed having to face new challenges and addressing them effectively, accepted such an important task and completed it with success, but now he had a challenge giving him lots of headaches and that he had had to leave behind due to a very important event taking place.
And that important event was no other but the inauguration of the second Spanish spaceport in Gadalland and Aspern, which was accompanied by a three day long trip around the Caribbean nation. Jesús was always very keen on being informed by his secretaries and advisors about the happenings on the Caribbean, and with the recent election of Fornithias Cranst as the Braetha of Gadalland & Aspern, Aguilar knew this would be a key trip in what seemed to be a new era on the relationship between both nations. During the trip, his whole team slept, but he preferred to read a book rather than having some rest. At some point, a member of the crew realised that the President was not sleeping, and the man decided to ask Aguilar why:
"Why are you not sleeping, Mr. President?", the crew member asked. Aguilar, who was reading a book, raised his head and answered politely: "I have never liked to sleep while I travel, no matter if it is on a bus, a train or a plane. I guess I am weird sometimes", he said, laughing slightly. The crew member laughed too, and told the President that he was making the final checks before the descent started. Aguilar fastened his seatbelt and the plane started its approach to Hemberdale, where it landed 30 minutes later. Then, it taxied to the gate, where two fire trucks were waiting and a water arch was performed to welcome the Spanish delegation. Finally, the plane came to a stop, and everything was now ready to begin.
-
Hemberdale railway station
Edutitalle Dina was advised of Mr. Aguilar's arrival at Hemberdale Airport, and that the Spanish President was on his way to meet her. She straightened her posture while her support staff finished off her makeup in the ticket office, which was closed to the public.
When she was ready she walked through the glass doors to the outside of the station, where the press awaited. She was instructed not to say anything until Mr. Aguilar arrived, when they would make a joint statement before the very first train service in the Sertian Railway network.
She saw Mr. Aguilar's envoy and gave them a wave as they pulled up to the station. When the president stepped out and the cameras began flashing, Ms. Dina walked up and gave him a hearty, warm handshake.
"Mr. Aguilar, welcome to Hemberdale railway station. I'm glad you've made it safely. Shall we head to the platform? Our train is due any minute".
-
Jesús was really happy when he first saw Dina after arriving at Hemberdale Railway Station. He shook hands with the Sertian Councillor in the European Council, and spoke: "Ms. Dina, nice to see you! It is a great pleasure to be here for three days and to be able to visit such an amazing nation as Gadalland and Aspern. And of course, let's head to the platform and see how that shiny new train looks!"
Both the President and the Councillor headed to the platform, where the President had been informed that a joint statement between Ms. Dina and him would take place. When they arrived there, he waited for the Sertian Councillor to announce if the statement was taking place or if they were leaving that for later.
-
Dina beckoned for Aguilar to join her as they proceeded through the ticket office and onto the platform where the brand new, unused train awaited.
"We'll have a press conference when we arrive at the Spaceport. It's a quick 15 minute ride", she told the Spanish president.
Steam rose from the tracks below the train. An envoy of Dina's assistants held the door open for her and Mr. Aguilar. Within the carriage were sets of tables. The two were directed to the table in the middle, where attendants waited with platters of food and fizzy drinks.
"Well, as it's only 15 minutes there doesn't seem to be much time for official discussion. I've directed my attendants to give you the traditional Sertian dishes, but you're more than welcome to our selection of Spanish cuisine we've got as backup", Dina told Aguilar.
"Now, then, I trust things have changed since you've last been here, yes?"
-
Aguilar paid attention to the arrival of the steam train to Heamberdale station, where their trip would begin. He followed Dína into the train and took a seat in front of her. "I will take the Sertian dishes, I have been told they taste fantastically well and you do not have the chance to prove it by yourself every day, Councillor", Aguilar said. The waiters served the Sertian dishes selection, which were indeed delicious, and the Spanish President asked one of the waiters to congratulate the cooker for his awesome job.
While both eated, Aguilar answered to Dína's question: "They have changed indeed. I see that Gadalland and Aspern has changed a lot and that is showing the European Union the potential we both knew it had. I must confess you that I feel ashamed when some continental nations use those despicable words to describe your nation, and I usually say that they do not know the real Sertia. Also, how big of an impact has the Caribbean Transatlantic Fund had since its establishment in our last summit alongside Nofoaga?", Aguilar inquired, filled with curiosity.
Just after the train arrived to the Sertian city of Slalium, the Sertian Councillor and the Spanish President headed towards the spaceport, where the action would begin. There, the recently elected Head of the Braetha, Fornithias Cranst, awaited for the arrival of his friend and Jesús Aguilar. When the Spanish President arrived, he shook hands with his Minister of Science, Innovation and Research, Anja Karliczek; the Spanish Ambassador to Gadalland and Aspern, and several members from the Sertian Delegation before finally reaching his new friend, Fornithias. Both shook hands and Aguilar spoke: "Mr. Cranst, it is an amazing pleasure to finally meet you in person! Thank you very much for such a nice welcoming to your nation, Councillor Dína and I have been able to have a nice, fluent and interesting conversation during our journey towards our encounter".
Aguilar then started to walk alongside the Head of the Braetha towards where the media from Gadalland and Aspern and Spain were waiting with their microphones, as a joint address would take place in the spaceport. The Spanish President did not let the chance to speak a little bit more to Fornithias while they headed there: "How are you doing, Mr. Cranst? I have heard that you have had a lot of work since you took over office from Mr. Wond; as I follow the news from Gadalland and Aspern and our common Caribbean friend, Nofoaga, with huge interest". After their little talk concluded, Aguilar and Cranst arrived at their own lecterns, with the Spanish and Sertian flags on the background alongside the European Union's flag. Aguilar was the first to speak:
"Good morning everyone,
First of all, I would like to begin by thanking the Sertian delegation, and specially Councillor Dína and Mr. Cranst, for their warm welcome to Gadalland and Aspern, and also for asking me to open this press conference. I would also like to thank the workers that have made this spaceport possible before I start, and the Spanish delegation for their hard work alongside the Sertian people and Government in order to get this project going. Without someone's work, this spaceport would not have been possible.
Today, Gadalland & Aspern and the Kingdom of Spain give a very important step towards the future, marking an important ocurrence in both nation's calendar. The opening of the Slalium spaceport does not only meet one of the goals our Governments set back in our last summit in Antequera, but also opens the door to creating new ones. Mr. Cranst, the spaceport that we are inaugurating together at this moment also starts a new era in our bilateral relationships, making Spanish-Sertian cooperation strenghthen even more: that is why that I would like to announce that if the Sertian Government accepts, a Sertian astronaut will accompany 2 Spanish astronauts to the Moon when the mission departs from this spaceport.
We have three amazing days ahead, but one thing will be clear from the start to the end of this summit: the Spanish Government and myself love Gadalland and Aspern and have a nice relationship with our Sertian counterparts. This summit is a celebration of that friendship, that began a few years ago and has increased since the entry of Gadalland into the European Union. And I would like to send a message to everyone following this press conference from the continent and that has some prejudices about this island and Nofoaga: ask the people here about what they want instead of assuming that they wish to have certain things. The Caribbean's voice is strong enough to say, loud and clear, and without intermediaries, what they want, and Spain will always respect the will of its people and help them in what they need, whenever it is needed, and wherever it is required.
Thank you very much, I now give the floor to today's main character, Mr. Cranst".
Aguilar smiled and looked at Fornithias, that was set to speak a few seconds later...
-
Dina began her speech:
"Thank you, Mr. Aguilar, and I'd like to give my thanks for your support in this joint effort. After lots of meetings and talks, this symbol of cooperation of our governments and interspersal of our cultures is a milestone for Gadalland and Aspern's relationship with the EU. We hope this massive effort can be an example to other nations that cooperation is possible and preferred over conflict.
Though there was some controversy in our government about the implications of such a spaceport, we are privileged to call Spain one of our closest allies, and their contributions to the prosperity of the Caribbean region have not gone unnoticed. And despite some of the disagreements I have voiced, friendship between governments is not based in winning or losing an argument. It's based in acts of mutual service and concern.
As Gadalland and Aspern continues to grow and prosper, it is also important to look back at where we came from: our parents and grandparents built their lives from the ground up, and we ought to carry on their legacy by continuing to grow and be a force for good in the EU.
She left the stage, and Mr. Aguilar and her posed for a few official photos outside the spaceport before they were escorted back to the train station.
"Well, Mr. Aguilar, I will see you in Hemberdale two days from now. Mr. Cranst is waiting for you on the train. Do enjoy your trip to Esterey and the West Olves, and don't get too caught up in politics!" she joked.
-
"Ms. Dina, it has been a pleasure to see you once again. Before we both part our ways, I wanted to give you a little gift that we, the Spanish Government, usually prepare for our closest allies as a sign of gratitude; as I would like to thank you for the kind words you have used to describe the Kingdom of Spain". Aguilar then gave the Sertian Councillor a box, that inside had a replica of the projected 'Miura I' rocket, a project to put a Spanish satellite in orbit during 2023. Then, the Spanish President said goodbye employing the traditional Spanish manner, giving a kiss on each cheek of Dina.
Jesús then headed to the train, where his new friend, the Head of the Braetha Fornithias Cranst, was waiting for him. He entered the coach where Fornithias was waiting for him, and sat next to him: "Well Fornithias, tell me, what is next on the agenda?", the President inquired while the train started its way.
-
The train slowly pulled its way out of the station, going faster and faster, headed southwest. "Well, Mr. Aguilar", Mr. Cranst said, "We'll be arriving at my home in about three hours. I think we have some things to discuss. In the meantime can I offer you some palm water?"
The Kingdom of Spain