The Antarctic Investigation

[Beverly Strom]

Welcome to the new KNAK presentation of Verbatim, a show designed to carry you into the very heart of the lives of the famous, the decision making of the influential and the brink of adventure. We'll be taking you on an astounding journey, aboard La Tierra de Fuego, flag ship for the Peruvian Empire's Agua Azul Harvesting and Collecting. Right now, we are twelve hours away from rounding the tip of Argentina and entering the Drake Passage, known for having the most turbulent waters in the world.

We began our voyage first, in Santiago, Chile, where the delegates gathered with Interform crime specialists, construction engineers and mining experts to view the damage to the Antarctic ice shelf. From there, it was a short drive to the Port of Valpariosa, where we boarded the heavy cruiser. As you can see, the hull is much heavier and taller than the average cruiser. This is because the force of the waves can sometimes come up over the deck.

In other news, the simultaneous break downs of the greater Burbanks desalination plant and its satellite city state, San Francisco, after an intensive investigation, have been declared accidental mismangement. Said plant inspector Audrey Kushing, "the plants are nearly fifty years old. Sediment builds up after awhile. The dual incidents were unfortunate, but don't entitle a criminal investigation."

Surprisingly, the San Diego complex, built within the same time era, is functioning normally. Although Governor Osbourne of greater San Diego could not be reached for comment, President Hernandez, whose Mexican Nation shares the border of the city-state, said, "we do not wish to be met with accidental mismanagement."

[Beverly Strom]

(speaks into com link) Got that, Jess? Listen, i'm putting the scan away for awhile. These 'mats are the real ice bergs. They are all either spin happy or act like you just popped a sensurreal in front of them every time they see the little blue box. And anyway, I'm going dancing, and dining and playing god-damned shuffleboard if i might die within the next twelve hours. Of course I might die! Hell, I'm already freezing and we're still coasting off the mainland.

[Pres. Vladimir Novogrod]

Hello, Ms. Strom. You've put away your play things for awhile? In my country, we do not waste so much of our time airing scandal. Do you know why? Because scandal isn't the truth. Scandal only serves to destroy reputations. Why do you suppose your people enjoy scandal so much? Because it's here and now. It's immediate. It brings ratings to your entertainment industry. While you are being entertained, you are foolishly and wastefully being led. We do not work this way. We direct attention to what needs to be done. More farm land in Lithuania? Then there shall be farm land in Lithuania! Do we need a wall in Leningrad, a space port in Petersburg? Than, this is what we shall have. There is no time to waste on scandal.

If you wish to know what goes on beyond the scandal, than listen carefully. More decisions are made in a friendly round of drinks or at a pool table than inside the chamber meetings. Don't ask so many questions. Only pay attention, and you might learn everything.

[president Ting]

Ah, Ms. Strom, Prime Minister Novgorod. Out enjoying a little fresh air? Vladimir, I hope you're not indoctrinating this young lady into Russia's somewhat dictatorial way of doing things. No need to protest. It's true, the Russian government exerts a great deal of control over its media. Nor are its news reporters so well paid and comfortable as those within the Democratic Nations. Do you have any idea how much a citizen must pay for a luxury cruise such as this? Thousands of credits, yet here you are, traveling with the world's resource giants. I understand this is your first major assignment as an outstanding g-net correspondent. My congratulations on your new show and I wish it every success. I know that Burbanks has been struggling hard to get itself out of its economic slump since the break down of its twin desalination plants but perhaps this new era of news reporting will help rejuvenate it. It would be a pity if its millions were left with no choice but to face the barrens, like cattle. You have a wonderful opportunity here. I hope you make the best of it.

[President Sal Stafford]

It's those god-damned media people who are the problem. You know I always say to my colleagues I don't think America would have ever split if not for the media fanning the flames of hate and co-producing a war. It all started back in the early part of the century. The same constitution amendment we fought for is the one that brought us down. Damn freedom of speech. Sometimes having total freedom of speech can be a destructive thing.

As for this "accident", I don't entirely buy that yet. I think there should be an ongoing investigation. I'm sure the people of Iceland would beg to differ with the foregone conclusion about these fragile plants. We've had bridges well over 50 years old that stood the test of time.

[President Troyal Barker]

Jumping Jehosaphat it's cold out here! (Shaking his hands in his pockets) Boy, I tell ya. I can't wait to get back home to the south! Put on a fire and heat up some hot chocolate and barbecue hot dogs. I think we've seen enough thus far. This is political isn't it? I already took my vacation this year in Cancun, Mexico. Spent half the vacation in my room, it was so darned hot.

[Pres. Vladimir Novogrod]

President Stafford, are you prepared for whatever consequences an investigation into this accident might yield? This is how your country fell apart; not because of free speech; but because you don't think out what you're going to do next. One person says, "do nothing." The next one says, "we can't. We have to do something." Another one says, "but it will cost money." Then someone says, "but it takes money to make money." And it's true. It all takes money.

How much money do you think it cost for the Peruvian Empire to take us on this little boat ride? They have a problem, one that could produce serious consequences if they sit on their hands and do nothing. They invite our best team of experts to examine it; very good will, yes, but also sound politics. Who will examine the desalination plants? Whose money will handle the costs? Whose team of attorneys will press charges in the case of a non-accident?

We have many concerns; piracy, border skirmishes, sabotage. If an investigation is to begin, than it must not stop until all of it is uncovered. Are you prepared for this, President Stafford? Are you, Da-Xia Ting? Are you, little miss reporter? You haven't thought about it. And you haven't thought about what you should do once the truth has been uncovered.

[Beverly Strom]

President Novgorod, am I hearing you right? Then you do believe sabotage was involved in the break-down of the desalination plants? If this is true, something should be done. There should be justice. Millions of people have relied on those desalination plants. If the Peruvians had not agreed to fill the Burbanks reserves with the ice shelf run-off, they would have nothing.

[president Ting]

Vladimir, you always did have a flair for the dramatic. Quit frightening the poor girl. She's shivering so much, she's turning blue. The problem is really very simple. We need more relaxation over water controls. People are tired of rationing. They're tired of taking bucket baths and collecting rain water to wash clothes. The skirmish battles, the piracy wouldn't exist if we were simply allowed more water. You're from the suburbs, Ms. Strom. I'm sure you understand.

[President Troyal Barker]

Stafford, that's simply not the case. The former United States fell apart because the Democratic extremists betrayed the country's constitution. I think Vladimir definitely gets it. The original United States, the ones founded by our forefathers were men of pride and men of action. Those goddamned liberals are the ones who ruined the country. They made it all about money. They were men of inaction. Postponing. Procrastinating. They ran the whole damned country like a fucking bank. I bet old George Washington was turning over in his grave every time one of those Demon-crats got up there on the podium and gave some brainwashing speech about change or "progressive thinking."

As for the big crack, I always say you play with fire and you get burned. Maybe they same thing goes for ice. You try and hold the ice too close to your bosom and it cracks from all that heat. (Laughs) I think now is the time to take action. We've got the Northern Alliance scrambling right now like chickens without heads. Take the water for yourselves. This is survival, gentleman and lady. Not diplomacy 101.

[President Sal Stafford]

Well, we should continue to negotiate with the Northern Alliance and keep our word about a peaceful resolution. We may have more leverage now. But that doesn't change our commitment to helping the Northern Alliance. The States are still on their side. We do owe it to them to help them with the investigation. If we were to show our support and come together as a United Earth, I'm sure the Northern Alliance would be far more cooperative. They want us to demonstrate that we're a learned people. We're intelligent. We have a solution to the water shortage.

As for the United States...well...(shakes) that's neither here or there right now. There were many factors that contributed to the split. You can't sum it up in a sentence.

[President Troyal Barker]

What the hell is wrong with you, Stafford? A peaceful solution? Now? Hey listen. If you want to drive your own country into the ground with this pacifist talk then form an alliance with Switzerland and make a Stick Your Head in the Sand holiday. I for one am not letting The Democratic States ruin the entire planet the way they ruined the former U.S. The Confederacy is not going to lay back while this god-sent opportunity flies by. I'm sure the madame from China agrees, now is not the time to build the Northern Alliance back up to power. Don't give these savages a second to recover.

[Pres. Vladimir Novogrod]

Ms. Strom, take this overcoat for a few minutes until we arrive below deck. Did you think you were going to bundle up for one of your artificial ski slopes with little boots and jackets, like miss snow bunny? You can be cute when you place the scan in front of your face. You can be cute when you are dining in Seattle. But when you are out here, where the cold and wind don't care how you look, it's better you stay warm.

I will speak frankly. The desalination plants are not our jurisdiction because they were privately owned. I scrutinized and saw nothing in the contract that insured the plants faultless production beyond twenty-five years. It was a highly unfortunate incident, but the fact remains that the plants did not belong to the City State of Burbanks. If they wish an investigation done, they must seek private attorneys, not the assistance of the Council.

Unauthorized skirmishes and territorial piracy, however, is our concern. We have frontiers of our own to protect and will not welcome any invasive tactics near our borders. Keep this in mind, President Barker, when you begin advocating force.

[president Ting]

There you go again with your dramatics, Vladimir. Nobody said anything about force. The truth is, however, federal Alaska belongs to the Eastern United States. It's not an invasive tactic for them to utilize their resources there. However, an unauthorized border skirmish is a violation of treaty. If it should be discovered that the Real United States is at fault and committed an illegal action, than it must relinquish its custodial rights to the general council. We must walk placidly, not hastily, when making decisions.

[klaus Vandeweerd]

I see everyone is conspiring without me. Ah, I see. Making the acquaintance of the new press lady. Are you properly impressed, Ms. Strom? Is your investigative mind running away with ideas? I have a better one that involves getting down below and enjoying a couple of drinks. We've got a poker game going at one of the tables. Are you with me, President Novgorod?