A Battle Unseen

[Elena1012]

Dealing with the Past.
Somewhere in the Hanzen Shield Mountain Range, Karosawa, Xsampa
June 23rd, 5667
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Jamma sat in the helicopter patiently. They were flying towards an undisclosed location, only dubbed Site E-11. He looked out the window, seeing the endless snowy mountains. All this security for a lousy gem, he thought to himself. The supposed Meleh's Gem. Secured during Operation Guilty Masquerade in 5642. Previous administrations didn't care much for it and neither did he. As far as Xsampa was concerned, the Gem never existed. Xsampans only wanted the trial of Maria Kadiyot. Only the government knew the Gem existed. And even they knew it was worthless to Xsampa. This gem was the only reason that the Internal Security Committee was still involved and not on constant vacation. They watched it like a hawk at E-11. He thought to himself, pondering. Why was he coming here again? Because he was going to decide it's fate. It was always called a valuable asset, useful for deterrence but was it really? Before he knew it, the helicopter gently landed at the helipad. The door opened, a chilly breeze hit Jamma and he stepped out. He adjusted his coat and met the Site Director. They quickly walked inside the Site. 

"So, Comrade. About the gem..." Jamma left the statement open, intending for the Site Director, Kechok Derocles to answer. As they walked down the hallway, she answered back rather quickly. "Yes... The Meleh's Gem. We've had it stashed in E-11 ever since Operation Guilty Masquerade and ever since then, we've never been instructed to do anything else with it. So we've kept it here. We're aware of the security risks that the Gem brings, mostly in being a prized possession from the former state of Beiteynu. But there's been no issues. As if they don't even know we have it." She finished, before opening a door. Jamma walked in, and sat down at a table, before replying back. "It's good to know that Internal Security is still as vigilant as ever. I want to put a permanent solution to this gem problem. It clearly has no value to us and as rumours speculate in Seleya and the West about Yeudi Meddling coming back, this puts a big target on us. Too big of one. I want to stop a problem from emerging again. I don't want history to repeat." Jamma frowned gently at the not so subtle reminder of the Bargas Chenpo. Kechok stood up, standing by a glass window overlooking the mountain range, shooting her thoughts back to Jamma.

"Yes... No one wants a repeat of history. No one wants history to rhyme either. Its bad enough with Vascania. So then, Comrade. What's your proposal for the fate of the gem? The People's Assembly is debating on lifting that travel ban with Amudim. And once that happens, they'll ask questions about the gem." Jamma tapped his foot silently. He didn't like that PAX was debating lifting the travel ban. If he could, he would veto any legislation to lift the ban. But the Premier couldn't veto. Only PAX could remove laws. He had been trying to stop debates on lifting the ban but evidently that has been failing. He stayed silent for a moment before responding. 

"We have... A handful of options. We can simply melt down the gem and deny we ever had it. We could just send it back to Yishelem, refuse to elaborate and leave it at that. We could chuck it into the Sovereign Sea and let the sea solve it. Or, we could sell it to the highest bidder. Amudim has made plenty of enemies. Plenty of enemies who wouldn't mind buying the gem for a hefty price. What do you think, Comrade?" Kechok turned around, facing Jamma and spoke. 

"I don't think we should melt it down and deny we had it. That would raise too much questions. Personal opinions aside on lifting the travel ban, it could sour any proper reconciliation. Giving it to Amudim is an option, but I don't know. It feels.. wrong. Throwing it into the sea doesn't seem any better. If it's international waters, then Vascania can always hunt for it and then they have Meleh's Gem. That's the last thing anyone wants and the Committee for State Security will eat us both for dinner. Selling it could be ideal. But who would even buy it?" Jamma put his hand on his chin and thought. That was a valid point. Who would even buy a worthless gem? "Perhaps some of the western monarchies? It's no secret that Hutori and Kalistan has an interest in gems, especially Yeudi ones. I doubt our comrades in Egelion would want it. Same for Luthori." He replied back, somewhat confident and somewhat curious.

Kechok pondered for a moment. "Hutori and Kalistan would pay a mighty sum just to have it. Puts us in a position of power. Only issue is the same as melting it down. It can harm reconcilation efforts before they even happen. But, ultimately, it's your call Comrade. We can get the gem ready in 24 hours. For whatever reason." Another valid point. Jamma didn't like this. He just wanted this lousy gem out of Xsampa. But every solution had some problem. Vascania, PR or reconcilation. His foot tapped faster. He didn't like this one bit. He smiled gently and responded, as an idea struck. "Well, it's not like we ever had a reputation for liking Yeudis. I don't think the world will care much for us selling a gem we took when they were the ones who nuked us. I'll get the PCFA ready. We'll see to it that the gem is sold to the highest bidder. At the very least, we can make this worthless gem benefit the Xsampan Proletariat and get some economic benefits. I'll see to it that the government is ready to announce that it'll be sold by the end of the year. Then we'll go from there." He stood up as Kechok nodded. He shook her hand as she went to an intercom by the door to put in the request to get the gem ready. Jamma walked out of the room and began to return outside, ready to board the helicopter. This lousy gem wasn't worth all this trouble. Just a little bit longer and it would be out of not just his hands, but Xsampa for good. He boarded the helicopter and sat down. As the engine started roaring to life, the door closed and he shivered a bit. This gem had issues. It would only bring issues. But at the very least, it'll be someone else's problem. Not Xsampa's.