He hadn't even settled himself into the plush chair when President Dalia made her quick entrance, and he got up immediately, fumbling anxiously.

"Its alright Suvi, sit down, lets get to business." she said, sounding oddly flustered.

And so he did, she was the only one who called him Suvi now, despite the fact that he was already forty. She had always called him that when they were younger, before things had changed, before the world grew larger. And somehow she never grew out of the habit.

"Its about the Yishites"

This was going to be a long day he thought and sighed. Clearing his throat he spoke.

"Dali, our diplomatic position is quite clear, the kingdom of Jothanda cannot and will not intervene with matters that are not directly within our spheres of influence. And on other matters we take the same stand as the general global community."

"I know what your bloody diplomatic stand is," she hissed. "They're killing our people, doesn't that mean anything to you."

He felt the blood drain from his face. They had thought about that, the king and his advisors, and he certainly felt an ache within his heart for the people of Jeannica.

"The official stand is that we cannot take a side. However I would like to let you know that the king and his advisors have indeed considered your plight. Dali, I have argued your case before them but the truth is.... we cannot ask our people to die in battle, so that yours may live."

"So thats it then isn't it. You're going to sit back there while they lob missile after missile into the country, crushing the lives of innocents?"

"Dali.."

"They've showed no sign of stopping, they have no reason to. They won't stop until they take back their holy land."

Another mark against his case, the Yishites were clearly after the land, this was not an expansionist Nazi Regime, just a bunch of fanatics waging a holy war. The fall of Jeannica would not lead to the end of Jothanda. How then could the King ask his people to fight for anything other than their own defense.

"We can try to push your case, however at the UN..."

"Those useless fools?" She spat. " International Justice my bloody ass, they only do things for their own gain. They have nothing to gain out of this but unpopularity in their home countries. Why go up against the Yishites and their army, what do they have to gain?"

Silence reigned for the next two minutes as Suvinder shifted uncomfortably in his chair. President Dalia called for a cup of wine and she drank it slowly from the glass. Swirling it, in thought.

"Tell me Suvi, what am I supposed to do?"

He did not answer, there was nothing to say.

"The free republic of Yishi has a standing army of 300 000, we have 200 000 men, including our reserves and a home guard. Enough to prevent them from considering a full scale invasion. However, we are powerless against their rocket fire. We ran out of counter rockets two months ago, and its a good thing they don't have a large bomber force."

She paused, taking another long sip from the glass.

"Naturally we found a solution, and we worked on it. And after five months, our scientists have finally got it." She stopped and look at Suvinder in the eye.

He felt a stirring in his stomach, something was oddly familiar about this, and it was not good.

"Ambassador Dali, over the past few months our Scientists have been working on nuclear technology. I must say, we tested the first one last week. We have about 300 bombs ready for deployment."

"You don't mean to say.."

"It is the only solution."

Thoughts raced furiously through his head as he tried to deal with the stunning revelation. Facts. Figures. Three hundred bombs, in this day and age... would be enough to level Yishi many times over. The Yishites would not be able to stop all the bombs, but enough would get through to do the job. And before they met their horrible end, they would no doubt launch their own bombs which he was quite sure existed.

"Dali, you're talking about the massacre of millions, the death of an entire country, or at the very least permanently crippling an entire community."

"How is that any different from anything that they are doing to us now? Do you know how many civilians are killed in Jeannica everyday? How large the death toll has risen, and how large it will get? They won't let us get away." She leaned forward and spoke, her voice hard. "Not until each and every one of us are nailed down in our coffins, six feet under."

He pulled away and looked out of the window.

"The UN won't stand for it, they'll condemn you."

"Keep looking out of the window Suvi, look at the people, the houses, the buildings. If things continue as they are everything you see will be destroyed in a rain of fire. Everyone will die."

President Dali walked to the window and stared out at the Jeannican landscape.

"There will be no survivors." she said touching the glass. And there was silence again.

Suvinder looked down, trying to find any semblance of comfort in the parquay floor. Tracing the lines in the wood, futilely.

"I know they have nuclear weapons dammit, I'm not stupid. They'll launch them. Many people will die. But not all. Don't you understand Suvi? They don't have that many. Five in fact. And our missile defences are down already. Don't talk to me about the death of millions Suvinder. Not when you're not the one who has to agonize over the fate of five cities."

Ambassador Gupta sat there, trying to accept the death of millions that lay before him, there had to be way to prevent it...to save those lives..

"Those lives worth saving Suvi? Worth sending Jothandan men to die for?"

He swallowed hard, how could he say no?

"How?"

"Fix it so we don't have to use the bombs. Stop the Yishites, tell your king and no one else. You know what will happen if the Yishites find out."

He nodded silently. They would strike first he knew, complete annihilation.

"Good." she said, stepping softly away from the window to the door. "I know you'll do the right thing Suvi. I'm sorry I have to force you this way, I realize its been hard."

He rose with a sigh, and brushed off the dust on his suit.

"Dali, you never do anything you feel isn't absolutely right. Its been hard on you too. I understand perfectly."

The two old friends regarded each other once more.

"I-" Dalia started as Suvinder opened his mouth. They both stopped and smiled a bit.

"You first," Suvinder offered

"No you."

He smiled again, it was pointless to argue.

"Thank you."

Words, hardly spoken genuinely and sincerely especially in the circles she traveled of late. Not in the political circles of endless plotting and calculation.

"Thank you too." She said warmly.

Suddenly catching sight of the clock on the wall behind him, she awoke from her happy mood with a start.

"I'm very sorry Suvinder but I must be going."

"I understand your excellency."

She tapped at the door and gestured at the attendant snoozing outside on an ornate chair.

"Charice could you please show Ambassador Gupta out and arrange an escort for him back to the embassy."

As he made his way back down the steps he wondered indeed for the sanity of his friend. He was glad that she had found a solution. The King would not be pleased, but he felt relieved inside, once again she had made the tough decision for him. Not that it was ever his to make, but the burden had been upon his heart.

Dali Dali Dali...he thought, forever insisting on running his life.

For that he thanked the heavens.