The North PacificBoard

Prime Minister Skagen was in his weekly parliamentary questions session. He had been defending his government’s record for the last twenty minutes. Skagen dreaded this event each week but it was one of the responsibilities that came with his position. This week's session had been going as they usually did a parliamentary argument between Skagen and the Leader of the Opposition, although this was soon to be a session to remember. As Skagen finished responding to the opposition leader he couldn’t help but notice the ever growing amount of MPs whispering to one another or staring at their phones. To Skagen’s right side was the interior minister who informed Skagen of the reason for the commotion once he had sat down. The minister showed Skagen a phone open to the news and he read the headline ‘Kravanian President announces military intervention into Stavasan’. Skagen looked at the minister, “Is this confirmed?”
“Yes sir, the ministry of defence has identified troop movements from the Kravanian and Vandeholmer militaries.”
“Call the Deputy Prime Minister and get the defence council assembled, I will petition for this session to end prematurely.” The minister agreed and left the chamber with several other MPs. Skagen stood and addressed the speaker. “Mr Speaker, I have just been informed of an unprecedented and developing situation that i’m sure many of this house have also become aware of. I thereby request a suspension of this session in order for His Majesty’s Government to properly execute the duties of government.”
The speaker stood from his chair. “In light of the situation that is ongoing I will suspend the remainder of this days sitting under the statutory powers invested to me by this house. The members of this chamber are hereby dismissed.”

The prime minister left the house alongside the other members, outside of the doors was a team of his staff waiting for him. They immediately began briefing him as Skagen was ushered out of the parliament and into his car. His car sped away from the parliament and towards the government district. Inside he car a mobile belonging to an aide rang. They briefly spoke on it before turning to the prime minister. “Sir, the President of Stavasan is on the secure line.” Skagen picked up a phone in the car door.
“President Lundell, may I express my deepest concern for your nation in these times and that we are monitoring the situation extremely closely.”
“Thank you Prime Minister, this is a dark day for my country and I must say that we do need your support.”
“Of course, I'm currently en route to a defence council meeting. I can then discuss what we can do to support Stavasan. I must suggest to you Mr President that we evacuate yourself and your senior officials.”
“We are in the process of moving government mechanisms eastward but I must remain in Soderholm for as long as our military can hold off the assault.”
“I understand your desire to remain in the capital but you are at considerable risk from not only ground invasion but aerial attacks, I urge you to relocate.”
“I can not abandon my people, Prime Minister. I shall stay. I’m sure you can understand that we have much to do here so I must go but please inform us of the decisions of your defence council. Goodbye, Prime Minister.”
“Goodbye, Mr President.” Skagen put the phone back in the car door and awaited his arrival to the government district.

As his car arrived outside one of the many grand buildings in the district Skagen could see a notable increase in people outside. He exited the car and was led inside. A few floors later he was inside a meeting room which was currently hosting the National Defence Council, a collection of ministers, senior advisers and military officials. As Skagen entered several people stood up from their chairs. “Please remain seated.” Skagen urged the room. “Lets get to everything then.” One general stood and began speaking.
“Prime Minister, we know that at approximately 1100 hours this morning a combined assault from the Kravanian and Vandeholmer militaries was launched into Stavasan. The President of Kravania announced twenty minutes later that an intervention into the country had been authorised to secure the strategic interests of the two nations and the ethnic minorities along the shared borders. The invasion force has advanced up to ten kilometres into the country with aerial attacks on a number of Stavasan’s western military installations.” The general started pointing at a map on a tv screen. “As you can see the capital of Soderholm is just some forty kilometres from the border, putting its capture as a very possible outcome. We are aware that President Lundell has decided to remain in the city for the present time but I must stress how quickly this situation is developing and our analysts believe that the capital could fall within the next 48 hours. And if President Lundell does not leave then he may very well be captured by the enemy force.”