[War] Australia: Family Breakfast

[Daniel Sanderson]

“Family Breakfast”
Prime Minister Jack Decker
Australia
June 16 2014


“…and it’s seven o’clock, the temperature outside is currently three degrees here in our Canberra studio. Coming out now, are the news headlines for this Monday June 16…”

Jack Decker lashed out, and hit the button on the clock radio. He rolled over to kiss his wife, but found an empty space. She was always up early, to get the kids up and moving. He groaned and lifted his sleepy head from the pillow, looking around. Seven? Lisa had been messing with his clock again.

He rose, and padded into the bathroom, reaching into the shower and turning the hot water on. He pulled his pyjamas and looked at himself in the mirror. He was getting lazy, he thought as he tapped his belly. Not too bad, but he had to be mindful of it. 

He stepped into the shower, and smiled as the hot water cascaded over his body. The only problem with Canberra in June was the cold, which meant that if you jumped into the shower you’d get that needle sensation all over you. He remembered a school trip when they’d pulled into Alice Springs at five in the morning, all raced into the showers, and then all screamed at the sensation. But Jack couldn’t complain. Between serving on ships in the tropical northern waters, and in embassies in the Middle East, it was time to deal with the cold.

He dressed in his suit trousers and shirt, and stuck his tie in his pocket as he walked from his bedroom towards the kitchen. The Prime Minister’s Lodge in Canberra had a small staff of six, two chefs, a childminder, and three house attendants. For the most part, the chefs were only on when there were functions or visitors. Jack and Lisa still liked to do their own cooking when they could.

Jack and Lisa had four kids. The twins, Michael and Jennifer, were seventeen, quickly approaching eighteen, and in their final year of high school. Thomas was fifteen, and last but not least was Anna, at eleven years old. When Jack entered the kitchen he saw Jennifer and Anna sitting at the table, and Thomas was standing by the toaster. The distant sound of running water told Jack where Michael was.

“Morning all.”

“Hi Dad.” Came the monotone reply. Decker walked over to the table and picked up The Australian newspaper that was there. The headline was CAUCASUS TINDERBOX, as the world prepared to send troops into the region to intervene in Iran’s invasion of Azerbaijan. Decker was announcing today that the 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment, along with an SASR component, would be deploying to the area. The HMAS Perth and HMAS Newcastle were also deploying to the Persian Gulf, to take part in an Allied exercise in the area to rattle some sabres at Iran, and assist with the embargo operations.

“You want some toast Dad?” Thomas asked as he took his out.

“Yeah, thanks.” Jack said, putting the paper back down as Lisa walked in, smiling. “Hey beautiful.” Jack said, putting an arm around his wife’s waist and kissing her on the cheek.

“Morning.”

“You fiddled with my clock again.”

“What does it matter? 6.30 or 7?”

“Then why fiddle with it?”

“You are so anal!” She replied, kissing him again.

Decker had his toast, and a cup of tea, and by then two men in suits entered the kitchen.

“Morning officers.” Decker said with a smile, and quickly ducked upstairs to finish getting dressed. The two officers were from the Australian Federal Police’s Protective Service. Decker returned downstairs, and grabbed his briefcase. “Have a good day.” Decker said, kissing his wife and daughters, and giving his sons a scruff. They were past the age of kisses.

"Good luck with the announcement." Lisa added. Most of Parliament were aware of the decision by now, and in Australia, major foreign policy debates were rare, most people would agree that Iran couldn't get away with their invasion.

Decker headed outside to the white Commodore Statesman, and he got into the back.

And with that, another day began…


Actions:
1. General introduction to the PM.
2. Mentioned military deployment to Azerbaijan




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