Xanthal
03-08-2004, 16:10
The long-anticipated Threshold Agreement has finally been approved by both the Socialist Republic of Xanthal and the Abh Empire, beginning what is expected to be a long-running, if not permanent, cooperative alliance. The terms of the agreement, laid out in the Treaty of Lakfakalle (named after the Abh capital, where it was signed), make the Republic and the Empire partners in development, trade, and, to a limited extent, defense. It is one of the most heavily unbalanced equal alliances ever recorded, with the less than three billion citizens of the Xanthalian Republic being placed on level ground with the over five hundred trillion people of the Abh Empire and its territories. The Abh are a formerly-human genetically engineered race, with lifespans topping three hundred years, beautiful bodies, and blue hair. They are built for life in space, and most of them have a certain disdain for planets and those who live on them. Their capital is a singular structure, an expansive complex of a space station that houses the nation's emperor (or empress) and his staff. The sole reason for their peaceful intrusion into our galaxy is their technological inferiority. Despite their incredible advantage of numbers, they are new to the universe's "Cradle of Technology." Xanthal is a mostly unremarkable target, but their best chance for a lasting alliance and to get a leg up on weapons and defenses that far outpace their own. The Abh, however, hold more than a few advantages in other areas, which is why the Xanthalians agreed to the alliance. There are rumors circulating in some areas to the effect that the Xanthalian government has a secret deal with the Abh that would spare the Xanthalian nation in the event of a galactic invasion by the Abh in the future, but both the Empire and the Republic firmly deny that allegation. The Xanthalian fleet does not have the capacity to Establish a presence around Lakfakalle, but the Abh have committed a fleet of 100 of their own military vessels to the Aellis system in order to help ease communication and cement relations.