NationStates Jolt Archive

(OOC: (further ooc will be denoted through the use of parenthesis) Some prior discussion has taken place over IRC. Further discussion will take place over IRC. Mostly because while I can do responsive cultured speek, my cultured projective is practically non-existant. Anyways, this is, obviously, a closed deal between myself, FSP, and Britmattia. Presumably further information will become available at a later date, this pathetic post is merely to 'get the ball rolling' (well...umm...if the ball was a cube, anyways) so to speak.)



RSCSS Calirnevris, Office of the Sector Administrator, RSN Sol Station, Sol

Sector Administrator Rel Markinsen, Earl Hartford, ran a hand through his dark red hair. The hair ran in the family, he wasn’t actually a genetic freak. Well, at least not an isolated one. The other thing that ran in the family was Diplomatic Service. It was expected, and like most Markinsens, Rel excelled at it.

In fact, he excelled at it to the point that he had risen to be the Administrator in charge of Sol Sector, perhaps the most important…hell, probably the –only- important sector the RDS had to deal with.

Right now, he had himself a task, a task that came directly from his only superior…High Chancellor Sero Relaren, the Administrator-in-Chief himself. The task was simple…the formation of what Sero called ‘The Axis.’ The idea was simple as well…Revenia had been out in the dark too long; it was time to start casting lines into the light.

The proposal suggested a linking of three Sol nations through what Sero called a ‘Triangular treaty.’ The idea was not to create a pact that could grow…that sort of structure tended to get out of hand very quickly. The idea was, rather, to take three nations and link their political ‘oomph’ together.

So, thus it was that two messages would make their way from his desk. They read…

(one)

TO: Britmattian Foreign Office or Equivalent
FRM: Rel Markinson, Sector Administrator, Sol Station, RDS
SUBJ: Request for Visit.

Revenia finds itself in the dark in current foreign affairs. With the…self-destruction…of the United Emirates, we must seek our friends elsewhere. Thus, it is with this in mind that I propose a meeting between Myself (representing the Supremacy) and an equivalent personage of your own nation.

(the rest is your standard goobledeegook that I don’t want to get into right now. Summarized: Suggested location of meeting: Somewhere in Britmattia. A flat out statement that I intend to drag somebody from FSP along and that my intention is the formation of the Axis. As to what the ‘Axis’ is…there is some above, the rest we hash out elsewhere)

(two)
TO: FSP Foreign Ministry or Equivalent
FRM: Rel Markinson, Sector Administrator, Sol Station, RDS
SUBJ: Invitation

My nation has found itself in a hole. We lack friends. It is our intention to remedy this, and as such diplomatic overtures have been made towards the Kingdom of Britmattia. It is my understanding that the aforementioned nation is not well known to you. This is considered unfortunate, and we wish to remedy the situation. Thusly, I would like to extend an invitation to a personage from the Federation to accompany me to a conference of sorts in Britmattia.

(forgive my lack of OMG POLITE LANGUAGE…I like to think I have the mind. I don’t have the upbringing. Anyways, assume much of the same as in the britmattian letter. Flat out statement of intention to form the Axis—which isn’t an ‘org’ treaty ‘tall…but like I said earlier, we can hash that out later.)

Thus having done that, Rel leaned back in his chair, put his heels up on the desk, and cracked open a book. No. Not ‘The Prince.’ It was Clausewitz.

Bruce pondered the message sitting, blinking silently in the holographic display of his computer, and then smiled. Why not? He sent a message, and confirmation was quick in coming. Bruce nodded, then relaxed, contemplating his response...

<TRANSMISSION Opens: ESS-FSP Alliance Encrypt>
<TO: ADMINSTRATOR Rel Markinsen, Sol Sector, ESSR>
<FROM: SECOND Ambassador Bruce Reynolds, IRD, FSP>
<RE: BRITMATTIA Trip>

Rel,

I'd be delighted to accompany you to the Kingdom. I'm interested in learning more about them myself, as is the Federation. We're also interested in this Axis proposition of yours. I can either meet you in Britmattia, or you can route through Griffin. See you soon.

~Bruce Reynolds, SA, IRD, FSP

<TRANSMISSION Ends>

CentGov Spire, Royesse, Britmattia.

"Ah, Vlad, just the chap I was waiting to see. Take a seat."
Vlad, bald, barrel-chested and elaborately and darkly moustachio-ed in the Bathamian fashion nods and lowers himself in a heavy armchair across the desk from his Sovereign.
"Majesty."
"I have something of a task for you. How familiar are you with the FSP?"
"Big stellar naval power. One of the indies, but Yuttie aligned. Ran that shithole Allanea for a while after the One Day War before it sank into the sea."
Owen nodded.
"The Revenians, who I feel you'd get on with, have approached us with regards to forming some sort of triple entente with them, independent of our other er..entanglements..shall we say. Given how you feel about our other stellar allies, I feel you're just the man for this job."
Vlad grunted.
"And you want me to host at Thur Tor?"
Owen grinned. "That would be excellent. I shall leave it in your and the Lady Anne's capable hands then?"
Vlad grumbled agreement at his grinning monarch.

<Format : DiploMissiv/CentGov/FleetCom|SendTo:RevSolCom &PROXYTo:FSP>

Honourable Rel,
The diplomatic service will by now have confirmed our interest in the axis, and I will be acting as Owen's representative from this point forward in the negotiations.
Hence, it's my task to invite you and the FSP's chosen representative to Thur Tor, my Ducal Seat, to continue our discussions.
Awaiting your arrival in anticipation of a prosperous relationship,

Vladimir, Admiral of the Fleet and Duke of Bathame by the Grace of Mithras

-Signed and Sealed in the name of Owen I, Ard Ri of Britmattia-

(Presume that Mr. Reynolds can meet Rel in Britmattia.)


The message returned to the Duke of Bathame was short. Very short.

In fact, it went along the lines of:

"Accepted."
---

The assault shuttle was identical to the assault shuttles used by the RSN and Fleet Marine Corps, except that it was painted with the RDS colors: light blue and white. Mostly white.

Said shuttle would drop gracefully onto the landing pad/strip/expanse of cleared grass/whatever at Thur Tor, the ramp would lower...and Rel would emerge, dressed in the white robes of his office, and holding the Tri-Staff that was both symbol and weapon. Mostly symbol.

It did not really matter what color the sky was outside the drive field, because inside, it was blue. It was something that was not really clear unless you had studied the drive, of course.

Some people thought it was when acceleration, either positive or negative, was applied that the drive glowed. Others thought it was when it encountered resistance, even so slight as air.

Both of those were true, to an extent. But mostly, the drives glowed blue because no power was being expended to operate in a stealth mode. No attempt was made to cover up the warping of the electromagnetic gravitonic fabric of the universe.

In other words, when operating under maximum power efficiency, the drives glowed blue. Pretty simple, but certainly not clear from the outside.

The blue effect died as the primary drive was shut down and the Eagle-class diplomatic shuttle was revealed, sharp black lines punctuated by an overlaping pattern of the Sword and Stars. When the whine of its antigravs finally died away and the shuttle was settled safely on whichever landing area had been allotted it, the door slithered open soundlessly and Bruce Reynolds disembarked with a bounce in his step. He was not obviously armed in any way, though a weapons scan would likely pick up a knife slid along the inside of his overtunic.

The long trench coat swirled as he moved away from the shuttle, and he nodded to Rel across the pad, before looking about to see who which it was whom had come to greet them.

Thur Tor, Bathame Duchy, Britmattia

Vlad watched impassively as the shuttles touched down, bare arms folded across his barrel chest, ignoring the chill of the spring air.
As Reynolds and Rel descended from their respective shuttles Vlad shifted from his lean against the hulking black form of H'sin'et, and strode towards them, leathers creaking as he trod his way across the small shuttlepad, which also served as the Tor's airstrip and dragon roost, hence H'sin'et and his ebony fellows peering interestedly from various perches.
He reached the two foreign diplomats and nodded calmly.
"Gentlemen. I'm Vlad of Bathame, I'd like to welcome you to the Kingdom,"
He gestured at the gothic looking castle which towered over the shuttlepad.
"And more specifically, Thur Tor. Now if you'll both follow me to the Tor, we may as well get you settled in."
The muscular Duke, already moving towards the stairs to the Tor, rough stone slabs hacked from the hillside looked back over his shoulder at the two men and smiled cheerily through his moustaches.
"After all, the sooner we begin, the sooner we have success to report to our respective lieges, yes?"

Somewhat Later, Upper Hall of Thur Tor.

If "Barbarian Splendour" had been a design school, it would have run courses on Thur Tor. The ceilings were high, but the walls were still nearly covered in weapons, banners, paintings, animal heads, animal hides, and in one particularly striking example of the taxidermists art, a stuffed and mounted vampire dating back from the Kingdom's foundation.
All this assorted medieval bric`a`brac reached it's pinnacle in the upper hall, dominated by a massive oak table, accompanied by a massive open fire, which Vlad occassionally stirred with what looked like it had been a scimitar once, but years of casual use as a poker had turned black, reading the latest edition of Janes' with obvious enjoyment, and occassionally taking a swallow from the tankard balanced on a helmet stand within easy reach of his hand.
A swift knock came and the heavy double doors of the hall opened and a young man wearing Bathamian black and red livery half-bowed as he stepped through them.
"The foreign diplomats have been shown to their rooms, Your Grace."
Vlad nodded equably, took an other swallow, then spoke.
"Ask them to join me here when they're ready will you Malthus?"
"At once, Your Grace."
Vlad went back to reading Janes', looking every bit as patient as the tundra wolves which howled in the distance.

Bruce shivered as the chill brushed his face, though the rest of him was plenty warm. Nanofabrics were useful that way. Duke Bathame was abrupt in the manner Bruce was used to from military personnel, and he smiled at the small thought of home.

As he followed the man, his mind wandered and he considered D’ron’s reaction to being called ‘his liege’. In the loosest usage of the term, it might even be considered true.

His eyes roamed over the black shapes adorning the pad around the shuttle and he grinned up at them. He always found the countries where the huge animals still lived fascinating, even if many of those countries found themselves at odds with his own. He knew, in theory, that some of the creatures still lived hidden in the Blackfoot Range on Imicron Island in the Federation, but no one had seen them in generations.

Not since the fall of Laysing’s last royal house, anyways. His thoughts wandered as they walked, of course, due to the silence. Laysing, and, for that matter, all the other states in Dor Lomin. Something had happened just before he left, and over the course of what seemed like a day, every government fell excepting that of the Federation.

No one was sure what was going to happen, really. The Imperial President had ordered a wait and see attitude, of course.

When the Duke broke off from the party, and the two visitors were guided to their rooms first off, Bruce took the opportunity to key up his implant comm. Go ahead and bring my stuff in, Petty Officer. He took off both coats and draped them over the back of a chair.

A few minutes later, the Petty Officer arrived, carrying Bruce’s duffle, and at Bruce’s nod, deposited it on the bed. “That’ll be all. We’ll probably be here a couple of days, so you all do… whatever it is you military types do during down time.”

The young woman grinned. “Of course, Mister Ambassador. We’ll do what we always do. Hurry up and wait.” She and her fellows would undoubtedly remain on board the shuttle the entire time. They did have bunks for a reason. Having slept in one before, Bruce refused to think of it as a bed.

He glanced back around the room, then plopped down for a moment, stretching out the travel kinks from his system. This is a bed. Then he got up, put away the few possessions he had brought with him, washed his face, cleaned his teeth, and checked in the mirror to make sure his hair was artfully messy. Grabbing his sport coat, he swung it on before stepping into the hallway just in time to meet Malthus, whom he trailed back to the Upper Hall.

With Rel, he walked into the hall and was suitably impressed. Of course, the whole Dark Ages – Gothic thing the castle had going for it was impressive everywhere, and Bruce rather strongly supposed it had not been built to resemble that time.

The naked stone and bare wood made a striking contrast to the sterile curves of Griffin or even the oversized ‘Southern’ elegance of Imperial House. He walked forward to meet the Duke, trailing behind Rel, more than content to let him run the show for a bit until he had some more information.

Rel was not bothered by his quarters -- he never was. He could sleep well just about anywhere. He also travelled notoriously light, after all, one did not need to pack large numbers of white robes when said robes were effectively self-cleaning.

Beneath the robes he wore a CF-weave softsuit over a pair of compression shorts. The shorts were self-cleaning, the softsuit could be washed in a bathroom sink.

At any rate, his preparations consisted of finger-combing his hair. He kept his hair long, but not too long. About mid-back. It was dark crimson, the same color as every other Markinson. Call it a family trait.

Having completed that, he picked up his briefcase and waited for some sort of lackey to guide him to the Duke. He didn't wait long.

Rel hardly even thought about Mr. Reynold's choice of positioning -- it made sense, as this was a Revenian initiative -- Rel's initiative -- after all.

So he managed to look focused while taking in as much of his surroundings as possible, and what little he saw again didn't surprise him. He was used to "castles." Hartford, his own family seat, was a "castle."

That necessity completed, Rel would return his thoughts to the task at hand.

High Hall, Thur Tor, Bathame, The Kingdom

Vlad closed his book and leaned back in his chair as the two men were ushered into the hall by Malthus, who ducked a bow and let himself out as the diplomats seated themselves.
"Ah, gentlemen. I trust your rooms were to your satisfaction?"
Polite agreements came and he nodded, shaved scalp gleaming in the firelight.
"Capital, capital."
A kobold servant ducked into the room, swamped in it's bat-emboidered tabard, bearing a heavy tray with the various necessities any meeting requires. Vlad nodded his thanks and the kobold bowed and scuttled back out of the room.
The Duke leaned forward, chin resting on his folded hands, looking at Rel.
"So Ser Markinson, as this meeting is your initiative, I shall yield the floor to you. Explain your plans, or at least expand on them."

Rel nodded.

"As I said in my letter, my intentions are simple. I want to form a power bloc. Nothing so...crude...as an expandable "organization" like, say, the Triumvirate of Yut. Effectively, we sign three treaties. These treaties link Britmattia, Revenia, and the FSP into a triangular 'alliance.'"

He paused, then continued for a brief bit.

"Question, comments? We can get into the details later, of course."

The duke nodded shortly.
"Very general. Hrm."
Vlad leant back, wooden chair creaking under his solid frame. He tapped his fingertips together, making a solid "thunk" sound as he did.
"If the Kingdom wasn't interested, we wouldn't be having this meeting. At the same time...we need convincing it's in our best interests. We're comfortable where we are, NDA membership and quiet contacts here and there with other people, no enemies to speak of."
He paused, rolling thick shoulders, resting his elbows on the table, palms up.
"This is not meant as insult, but it is my duty to advise his Majesty honestly, and I am yet to be convinced that a formal treaty is required. Restrained friendship is of course welcomed, but you must understand our position has always been one of limited involvement. This is reinforced by the UE's collision with the FKC and our near entanglement in the ensuing conflicts."
He turned to Bruce.
"Of course we do welcome contact with the FSP whatever the outcome of these talks., but as for alliance? That depends on Ser Rel's ability to convince me such a thing is needed."
The burly duke leant back, one powerful hand lifting his tankard to his mouth, dark eyes keen as he considered the effect his words had had on the other men.
A prickly stance to start with, but Vlad always had believed in going on the offensive, and you learned most and quickest about people when you pressured them...

Bruce suppressed a grin, and then suppressed a frown, keeping his face pleasantly blank as he realized something.

It was not a system of triple alliances that Rel was actually proposing, in reality. After all, the Federation and the Star Supremacy were already aligned. What they really wanted was for the Kingdom to sign independant alliances with both of them.

Whether that would take the form of a trilateral pact or two bilateral treaties, Bruce was unsure, but he was smart enough to realize he, not Rel, was going to have to convince Vlad to sign with the Federation.

But then, that was his job. And he was very good at his job, so he let the tiniest smile crease his face as the game began.

Rel nodded. This was...hardly...unexpected.

"The UE was...a mistake. Our experiences with that particular...polity...have weighed strongly in our decision to pursue the concept we are gathered here to discuss today."

He quirked his lip up at the corner just a bit...

"You need hardly worry about such things as the clash with the FKC within the Axis, your grace. We do not believe that it is fair and just for anybody or anything to dictate the policy of another nation...save for that nation's own leaders."

He steepled his hands before him, thinking...

"As such, it is my personal belief that any action taken by "the Axis" would have to actually be taken by the Axis. That is, it would be the result of a consensus between the Axis nations...of which there can be only three. There is no opportunity for expansion to include other nations save for one, which I will get to in a moment. At any rate, it seems to me that your nation could hardly become entangled in a conflict it did not wish to enter through the Axis if the Axis could not act in regards to said conflict without the consensus of your government."

He shrugged amiably, smiled, continued...

"As to that method of expansion I mentioned earlier. The only way to gain "Axis Benefits" that I could forsee is to become an Axis nation. Seeing as there can only be three Axis nations, the only way to, then, become an Axis nation if one was not an Axis nation already...would be to become part of an already standing Axis nation.

Alternatively, I suppose, one could attach oneself to an Axis nation in return for whatever favors the Axis nation might grant...something of a "patronage" system, if you will."

Rel paused to let -that- sink in, then continued.

"I am also authorized to inform you that a formal treaty -is- necessary. The NDA might enjoy backroom politics, favor trading, and other sorts of "who you know, not what you are" games, but the Star Supremacy has never favored those tactics. I might go so far as to say that we look with great distaste upon such things. It is our belief that if one is not willing to make a statement publicly, then one should probably not be making that statement at all."

Vlad took an other thoughtful swallow, nodding.
"I fear you've mildly misunderstood me Ser Rel. The Kingdom would of course be willing to have public friendship treaties with both you gentlemens' nations, it's whether the Axis is a necessity that is the issue I am tackling."
Vlad smiled, knuckling some foam from his moustache.
"You also mention priviledges and benefits. What would these be? Military or economic? Political? Give me something that I can show to my King and say "This is why we need to join the Axis my liege."
He sat back, eyes calm.
"Do you know why we joined the NDA? Because they offered the best deal. Oh the stupid Trium rules pertaining to democracy and other such idiocy were a hindrance, but the NDA's willingness to maintain a hands-off membership style whilst still being very valuable partners is unmatched."
The Duke barked a laugh suddenly.
"I guess those halfwits in METUS have to maintain a hands-off policy too at the moment with their civil war. But I digress. If we commit to the Axis we will commit with the same totality we gave to NDA, it's just a matter of you convincing us it's something of use."
He paused a moment.
"Admittedly that totality does not apply to Iraqstan, but still..."

Rel raised an eyebrow, then shrugged.

"Not a misunderstanding, Your Grace. More of an attempt to sell you on the concept rather than on the details. Failed, but that in and of itself was and is hardly surprising."

Rel produced a notepad from one of the concealed pockets of his robe and flipped it open.

"I had hoped that we could settle on the concept, then move onto side details...but if that is what you wish to speak of, then speak of it we will."

He paged through the notepad, then nodded as he reached the proper page.

"We could include anything we desired in the treaties, anything from mutual defense clauses to military cross-training to joint technological research to a unified military force to selected tech sharing to free trade to economic concessions to joint intelligence. Since we're here, we might as well get down to the nitty-gritty. Only restriction I can forsee is that the governments of all three of our countries must have no issues with any clause we might care to include."

He shrugged, "To start off, I'd say that any Axis nation would have military access to the Nexus Orbital shipyards. Might not sound like much, but Nexus Orbital was built by the Ascended Supremacy. Given the resources and the will, one could potentially assemble ships of incredible size there.

I'd also like to suggest the development of an Axis-specific IFF transponder. Uses of said item could vary from free use of Axis-controlled Warp Chains to unrestricted trade to whatever."

He raised an eyebrow just slightly...

Bruce took the opportunity to seize on something the Duke had said. “You say the NDA offered the best deal for you. While the Federation agrees in principle with most of the ideals held by the Triumvirate of Yut, we are no longer part of that organization because it disagreed with its methods. Both the NDA and the Triumvirate seem to enshrine a non-interference clause, explicit or not, and this is unacceptable to the Federation and to the Supremacy, I believe, though perhaps Rel can better answer that than I.”

The Second Ambassador smiled. “Your comment on Iraqstan seems to indicate, at least to me, that you believe that sometimes, non-interference is taken too far as an ideal.” His smile grew as he slipped into his element. “So what we propose is… not a better deal to the NDA, but a complimentary one.”

“You ask what political benefits the Axis will gain the Kingdom. You will have the powerful backing of both the Federation and the Supremacy on the International stage. We may not speak often, but our voice is loud when we want it to be. While Sentient Peoples and Revenia are not friendly with every nation, neither of us have any remaining true enemies, except perhaps those who are enemies of all civilized nations. So people will listen.” Bruce made a motion with his hand to indicate ticking off an important point.

“Military benefits are another something you’re worried about. While I’m sure you’re much more aware of the relative military strengths than I, Your Grace, the NDA on its own is relatively weak in Space Forces. I believe that has always been justified, especially in the minds of the Lady Nathicana and the Emperor Treznor, that they could always call on the Triumvirate for assistance. But comparatively to the major power blocks, the NDA is weak in space. VERITAS, Yut, and Metus each have powerful space forces. The Axis would, with the combined fleets of our three nations, easily outstrip the NDA or even Metus. Military benefits, and if history has taught us anything, a very powerful political benefit as well.”

Bruce made the little counting motion again. “The economic benefits are enormous. From the Federation, an ally would have access to 98% of the tech base, completely free access to Federation markets on four worlds, no restriction on Warp Point transit and therefore free access to the massive resources other systems in the Apache Warp chain provide. Even as massive as the Sol system is, with trillions upon trillions in it, the resources are limited. We can provide free access to more resources than any nation could ever use.”

The Secretary of Alliance Relations grinned. “Those are just the specific benefits I can think of off the top of my head, but I’m equally sure all of those would not have to be included, nor would they necessarily be the only ones that would come from the Axis.”

Vlad leant back in his chair, taking a long careful swallow from his tankard as he mulled over what Bruce had to say.
"Excellent points. Not entirely sure on those relative fleet strengths, but yes, excellent points."
He paused, tankard held easily in a huge hand.
"Gentlemen, to be honest, my primary training isn't really as a diplomat, so I'll be blunt, the offers you've laid on the table sound very appealing and I will be heavily recommending them to His Majesty."
Pausing again, he looked at both men.
"So I am convinced enough for these talks to advance from selling the Axis, to whatever else needs to be discussed."
He leant back, took an other drink and gestured.
"The floor, my Lords, is yours."

Rel nodded slightly.

"So. One question, your Grace. Are you here as a fully empowered ambassador, capable of helping Mr. Reynolds and myself in beating out the treaties themselves...or are you merely here to take notes on the thing and propose it to your monarch? If the answer is the latter, I don't think that I could, in good conscience, continue.

My reasoning, you see, is that if Britmattia is going to be the third point, it would be grossly unfair if Britmattia was...inhibited...in the discussions that will hopefully churn out a set of treaties that would be acceptable to all parties while providing the maximum amount of benefit possible from the cooperation of the three nations."

Rel shrugged. He, unlike many diplomats, was empowered with the ability to make any foreign policy decision he liked short of outright war. That came with the rank of Sector Administrator, and was the reason that an individual had to have the complete and explicit trust of not only his or her own superiors but also the High Council in its entirety if that individual was to have any hopes of attaining the higher ranks associated with Administrators and the RDS.

Vlad eyed Rel quellingly.
"I am one of the four highest nobles in this nation. My authority supercedes any ambassador's. If I agree to something Owen will be bound to consider what we agree on."
He considered the Revenian for a moment.
"However you would do well to consider the concept of "ratification", which I'm assured is traditional for agreements made by people who are not the direct leaders of their specific polities!"
Vlad's voice had gotten steadily louder as he spoke and the last word was accompanied by the "SLAM!" of his fist bouncing off the table.
Bathamian dukes had been Kings themselves once, the superceding of their authority by Britmattian royalty was a touchy point even at this distance in time.
"So Sir Rel, yes, you may in good conscience continue the negotiations secure in the knowledge the Kingdom is not...inhibited."

O.O.C Quick and nasty post. I'll be out of touch for a while, my modem got lightninged on sunday night and replacing it's going to be a time-consuming process, but I should be back within a fortnight.

Rel directed a calculating glance towards the Duke. A glance that seemed to evoke somewhat Rel's position as, perhaps, the foremost master of Revenian pistol dueling currently alive. But only somewhat.

"You are correct, Your Grace. Yet in order for a ruler to ratify a treaty, that treaty has to first exist. At this point, the Axis is merely an idea. There is no Treaty to ratify, Your Grace. Not yet.

My question was not intended as an insult. I was merely wondering if you were of sufficient...influence, I suppose...to act as the Britmattian delegate to the meeting, if you will, that has the stated end purpose of presenting to the rulers of Britmattia, the Federation, and mine own Star Supremacy...a set of treaties that will establish now and forevermore the place of our three nations as, if not the foremost than -among- the foremost powers in this galaxy.

Revenia has stood at the sidelines not because we chose to, though indeed we did, but because we had no choice but to. My Lord Warprince speaks often of options. How he might pursue a course of action that seems odd or counterproductive merely so that he could allow himself options at a later time.

I spoke of strength. The Axis would represent a decidedly potent concentration of strength. Yet that strength is nothing but a tool, in the end. It allows our rulers the luxury of being able to have a choice between action and inaction."

Rel exhaled, "I rather fear I have wandered off-topic. We are all three important people, and I can only imagine that we have many things to do...so. Let us get to it."

"Lacking any formalized structure at this point, I would suggest that we decide to cover the three pillars of any grouping of people in turn. That is, the military, the economic, and the political. I see no reason not to start with the military."

He flipped through his notebook...then nodded.

"I would prefer to hear your proposals, my friends, before I advance any of my own. So, as they say. The ball is in your court."

Vlad tapped his fingertips together thoughtfully.
"Given the Kingdom's newness to being a stellar polity rather than merely a global one, we would be mostly interested in the space side of any military pact."
He grinned widely at the other two men.
"You'll forgive me if I say I feel you don't really have anything to offer on a blue-water basis. As for ground forces, well...I must admit to an ignorance of our respective strengths in those areas. Anyway, proposals. Cross-training, officer exchanges, exercises on a regular basis."
He paused, considering something.
"Hrm, I assume these "warp chains" you mention would allow for fairly rapid deployment along their length? If so that allays a mild concern that Northfell is perhaps somewhat isolated from the FSP and Kingdom for both timely movement for training purposes and for necessary military movements, Mithras prevent their need."
He sketched horns in the air as he spoke, continuing.
"So, we definitely need some sort of discussion as to the relative needs and strengths of our armed forces before we can decide what we need from each other in that respect."

Rel nodded.

"One supposes. The RSN is powerful by anybodies measure, I'd think. We maintain around a thousand combat starships, around half of which are carriers. Our ships are designed for an entirely different combat environment then normally experienced in Sol, however, unfortunately.

Ground-wise, we specialize in shock assaults. Blitzkrieg. Armored units spearheading assaults supported by armored infantry. Generally assisted by precision artillery and air strikes.

Our, uhm, special...forces...are...good. I suppose.

Anyways, our greatest weakness is in holding land. We can do it, but we aren't optimized for it. That and we're not too good in the 'weapons of mass destruction' department."

There he paused, unsure if he wanted to continue...then sighed and did.

"Magic Wand weapons are a definate weakness. We don't believe in them. It is quite within our reach to develop weaponry capable of...unimaginable levels of destruction. Yet we don't. Because it would be...unfair. Stacking the deck. Loading the dice. Whatever."

He shrugged, "At any rate, I believe the greatest problem facing the Axis concerning the Revenian fleet is that, as I said, the RSN is designed for an entirely different combat atmosphere then is common within Sol."

"With warfare in Sol, you don't need any sort of bulky "faster-than-light" magic drive to take you from system to system. You just need a nice little reaction drive to shunt your ships to the next planet or whatever.

Compounding that, the high-threat environment of Sol has given birth to nations with very large space fleets. The relative smallness of Sol has allowed those very large space fleets to be concentrated in very small areas.

The RSN is big, yes. But it is also responsible for the defense of at least six star systems. There are advantages and disadvantages to that...but at base it means that Sol nations can maintain much larger offensive, projective forces, percentage wise, then Revenia can ever hope to field."

He shrugged.

"So. Mr. Reynolds?"

Bruce steepled his fingers slowly in front of him, leaning back into the chair. His expression was slightly blank for a short moment while he considered, and called up the facts from his internal memory. Then he wondered if…

Perhaps indeed. No. No need to show off. Linking himself into John’s mouthpiece would be silly. Just the facts.

“Well, like the Supremacy, the Federation is focused on space warfare. Our current expansion will be taking us to just over one thousand warships, organized into four main formations, each of which is split into a host of sub formations. It’s trained primarily for small unit patrol and large scale fleet battles, two opposite sides of what I believe the Revenian fleet is aimed at. Additional space forces under construction consist of our Scout Fleet, the first ship in which should commission soon. That will be the only fleet built completely with integral FTL drives.”

He paused for a moment. “We’re refitting all our ships to have the FTL drive, and as we built them with the goal of eventually gaining an FTL drive to install, there is no real penalty to it. Further, we’re building a few courier vessels that are basically a hull wrapped around a faster-than-light drive.”

He frowned slightly, pulling up his thoughts. These facts were not something he used every day, and so, were harder to locate in his implant memory. “Attached to the Space Navy are the Space Marines, which are heavy shock troopers, boarding and inspection parties, the usual for marines. They number less than a quarter of a million.”

The information was flowing more quickly now that he had located it all. “Additionally, on the ground, the Federation maintains twelve field armies of two hundred thousand field troops. While all the armies are cross trained, four specialize in defense, four in occupation, and four in offense, though the specialization training is perhaps only twenty percent of their training time.”

The Second Ambassador frowned more seriously. “The major problem we’ve discovered is occupation. Even with eight hundred thousand troops trained for it and their supporting elements, when we occupied Allanea, before it, well, sank into the ocean, they were not hardly enough for the nations of the size which exist here on Earth, nor anywhere in Sol.”

“As to the mobility of those troops, we can deploy three field armies at any given time to the orbiting Anglachel battlestations, which will allow us, using dropships and drop pods, to deliver the entire force to a given location very quickly. Other than that mobility, they are strictly limited. The Federal Government maintains no transports of their own large enough to move anywhere near enough troops at speed off the motherworld, so off planet ground assault relies on the Space Marines.”

Another shrug. “We’re currently working on a few more assorted projects that will have implications on our surface tactics, mostly designed to augment the abilities of the ground based aerospace fighters and fighter bombers which form the first line of defense of the Federation.”

He smiled. “Like my colleague said, our special forces are… good. One might even say… good enough, though we’ve never actually used them in a hostile situation of any sort.”

The lie was obvious just by its content, but one could never tell it looking at Bruce’s face. He continued with the last bit. “We also maintain a, uh, fairly large arsenal of both large and small scale strategic reprisal weaponry, both on the ground and in orbit.”

Vlad's face twitched in a half smile.
"Strategic reprisal weaponry. Haven't run across that particular euphemism before. Ah, well. The Kingdom also maintains such a force, but in a slightly more..."
He scratched his moustache, searching for the words.
"I'd say "prominent" but it's not right. Hrm. Er..all Kingdom naval units have strategic level weaponry on board. It's not something we advertise publicly, but we make damned sure it's bruited around the circles where such might...dissaude actions we might take offence to."
He grinned.
"Which needs neatly back to what I said about our bluewater capacity. The Royal Navy is second to none. Mark that. That's not me blustering about my baby, but my assessment as it's Commander. More flexible hulls than GMC, better reliability than Eurusea and more capable vessels than pretty much everyone else."
Vlad paused.
"Well...that's my assessment at least. The Star Navy is a baby branch of the service, less of a priority because we simply don't need the force projection with it that the wet navy requires. We've established the Marine Corps as a different service, based around rapid reaction to threats, but they also provide ground personnel and pilots for the Star and wet navies."
A pause while Vlad reviewed information from his toot, then he began to speak again.
"The Royal Army is optimised for long term deployments and conflicts. Massive assaults, defeat in detail of any and all enemies. We've essentially built the sort of army we wished we had the start of our civil war, and kept modernising it without changing it's tactical doctrine. The "bigger hammer" school of army building if you will, rapid response forces provided by the Marines and the 12th Division.”
An other pause, while the Duke combined his own take on the 12th with the official information.
“The 12th are both regular forces and not. Our airborne units, what remains of them, plus the Raven’s Own, the Queen’s Own and the Utlanning are all a part of it. As for the effectiveness of these forces...hrrm. I don’t boast.”
He smiled at the other two men.
“So those are our forces then? Well, it all sounds relatively simple, no special needs or necessities, the simple programs I suggested should be easy enough to implement and should be all that’s necessary, for now, at least.”
Vlad tapped his fingertips together again, went on, expression intent.
“What is tied to the military side of things is discussing when and where we’d be calling upon each other for mutual support. For example if the Axis had been extant during the Allanean occupation we would have provided support at all levels for Federal actions where as some acts may be a little murkier on whether or not a treaty partner would be required to aid the others…”

Rel nodded, slowly. "We agree to all of your proposals, your Grace...and would like to put forward a few of our own."

He glanced at his notebook, and...

"Firstly, I would suggest that intelligence be shared between the Axis nations. I won't use the word unrestricted because our Director of Intelligence would kill me in my sleep...but information that would be useful or involves another Axis nation should be shared with that nation."

He hrrmed and hummed and glanced over the rest of the list...

"Subject to be debated would be combined military command. Nothing large, mind you...not with the current problems with certain "alliance fleets," but rather a small, rapid response unit. Possibly not more than a hundred or so ships. Say...twenty carriers, each with four attached cruisers and a full fighter complement. As stated earlier, we would be willing to provide the hulls, as we have them...and we aren't going to be using them."

"At this juncture I can raise no objection to intelligence we gain being utilised by other members of this Axis. However, information gained via other sources...well."
The Duke shrugged helplessly.
"I don't want to have to explain at some stage why intelligence supplied to us by the Federation ended up in the hands of an analysist in the other Federation. If you follow me."
He cleared his throat.
"But yes, intelligence gathered by our nations can be reasonably freely shared. As for the rapid reaction force, we don't really have enough trained personnel to crew our own hulls, but we can provide experienced crew for the fighters, and, if the vessels you mentioned require a Marine contingent, the Corps is probably the most experienced portion of our armed forces at present."
Vlad grinned slightly.
"As a whole at least..."

Bruce sat back in the chair as Vlad paused, reviewing his ‘notes’. Well, his distillation of the conversation so far.

“So far, I’ve yet to see anything that falls outside the realm of the usual form of treaties. Cross training is a definite must. The Minister of War has been bugging me for months to get him someone to engage in actual maneuvers with. The Icies and the Nems are too quiet most of the time for us to do anything with them, and while there is the war on with Lost Americans, we can’t deploy anyone away from home to play with the Revenians.”

He smiled at Vlad. “As to the personnel shortage for your space military, we can probably help there. We would certainly open the academy and training facilities to our allies, or we could help send some instructors to help increase your class sizes. Trained personnel are not a problem. We could probably provide a small battle line to flesh out the carrier force, as well as providing a large number of the personnel for the Reaction force, though I’m not really clear on all the details there, they not being something I would need to know.”

Tracing a circle on the back of his hand, his eyes lit with a suppressed grin. “As for the intelligence sharing, I can understand the situation in the NDA. They’re a rather close mouthed organization as a whole. Our view is somewhat different, as we regard information as a something we can all use. We have no problem passing bits of information gathered by allies to other allies if we think it can be of assistance.”

Bruce started ticking off points with his fingers again. “So basically, we have, mutual defense, cross training, a small combined force, intelligence sharing at whatever level we’re comfortable with. The Federation, of course, would expect no assistance in the current war with Lost Americans. That’s certainly not our purpose here in seeking this treaty. But the biggest issue remain that I can see is mutual offense.” He paused briefly. “Not in a retaliatory sense, but in the sense of a first strike.”

Vlad ran his hand across his head. In any other man it would have been through his hair, but the Duke's shaven scalp prevented that.
He smiled sourly.
"The N.D.A would have us disavow such courses of action, but given the erhm...flexibility the council has displayed in the past, I'm certain we'd be able to justify supporting other allies if the necessity arose."
A pause, and then;
"Basically we support any initiative that does not pull us into extraordinary circumstances. There are elements out there we simply have no interest in meeting in any capacity, as I'm sure you gentlemen can understand, whether because of opposition to our own interests, or because of the circumstances surrounding such a meeting."
Vlad leant back, considering the other two men, then he nodded and spoke.
"And I feel that's about covered the military end of things. If neither of you gentlemen have anything else you wish to table, we can probably end here for now, and resume negotiations in the morning."
A grin.
"After all, we've got reports to write and relay don't we?"

Bruce nodded. "That sounds like an excellent suggestion, Your Grace. I did notice that the bed in my assigned room was very comfortable. I look forward to finding out for a full night." He grins. "It's sad, really, I get far more sleep when I sleep in strange beds than in my own."

"Would you gentlemen mind if I wrote up some of the proposals we've put forward tonight in the form of a rough draft, for our further consideration tomorrow?"

The Duke gestured expansively.
"By all means go ahead and produce such a draft Ser Reynolds. A written framework of what's covered so far will definitely be helpful."
He smiled at the other man.
"And I understand your point about strange beds, I sleep more in my office in Royesse than my bed in Thur Tor."
He shrugged.
"Such is a life of service."
A rueful grin softened the somewhat pompous phrasing as the Duke looked to Rel for his assent to finishing the day's talks.

Rel nodded.

"Most certainly in both respects, my friends. That said, I bid you both good night."

He rose, bowed, and headed to his assigned room. Having arrived therein, he would fetch up his briefcase and pop it open, flip the computer's screen up, and compose a short message to the High Chancellor. Then he would drift off to sleep propped up against the wall by the power outlet.

Bruce drummed his fingers on the desk for a moment as he marshaled his thoughts on the discussions of the day. He had had to write many treaties just like this one before, so this should not be a problem. He began to dictate into his datapad. It was easier than writing directly from one’s mind.

Article II: Of Military Alliance

Section I: Of Mutual Defense

A: In the Event of A Declaration of War or Sustained Military Operations or Other casus belli armis by a Power external to the Axis of Nations against a Member of the Axis of Nations, the other Members of the Axis of Nations shall immediately pledge All Available Military Support to the attacked Member.

B: For the Purposes of Immediate Response in the Situation of Mutual Defense, the International Reaction Force of the Axis of Nations shall be henceforth created. Originally, the Members of the Axis of Nations shall provide the following for the International Reaction Force of the Axis of Nations:
i. The Exalted Star Supremacy of Revenia: Carriers and Heavy Cruiser Hulls, Fighter Personnel with Small Craft
ii. The Federation of Sentient Peoples: Other Battleline and Support Hulls, Fighter Personnel with Small Craft
iii. The Kingdom of Britmattia: Marine Personnel and Support Craft, Fighter Personnel

Section II: Of Mutual Cooperation

A: As such as Allies are as much friends as Brothers, and Brothers in Arms at that, the Members of the Axis Nations shall agree to provide support in the form of basing facilities and staging areas as prove necessary and desirous both in peacetime and in war time. Further, military construction and training facilities will also be considered the proper support due other Members of the Axis of Nations.

B. Further, Joint Training and Exercising of Military Units between groupings of National Units and between National Units and the International Reaction Force of the Axis of Nations shall commence on a regular basis. Such training should include everything from Small Unit Tactics to Intergalactic Fleet Strategy.

C. Of the Matters of Mutual Importance and Individual Importance to which Information is gained of Military Nature, vital to the preservation of National Security of One or More Members of the Axis of Nations, this Information is to be distributed to the Member or Members in Question with due regard for the Security of Information Flow.

Section III: Of Mutual Offense

A: In the Event of Mutual Defense as described in Section I, Clause A of this same Article, and in the Event of the Progression of the Conflict past the stage at which defense is required and offense is permitted, a Mutual Offense shall occur utilizing All Available Military Forces to the Axis of Nations.

B. In the Event of Unilateral Action of Offensive Nature undertaken by a Member of the Axis of Nations, such support as determined by the Governments of the remaining Members of the Axis of Nations is to be given.
i. Upon Cessation of Hostilities created by Offensive Action as described above by form of Legal Authority, all changes in territorial claims by the Undertaking Member of the Axis of Nations are to recognized by the remaining Members of the Axis of Nations.
ii. In the Event that Complete Destruction or Loss of the Undertaking Member of the Axis of Nations seems imminent, Measures shall be taken by the remaining Members of the Axis of Nations to prevent Complete Destruction or Loss of the Undertaking Member and Weakening of the Axis of Nations.
That would do it, Bruce decided. He sent it out to his shuttle on a secure link. He knew that they would bring him hard copies in the morning before he met again with Vlad and Rel.

Bruce awoke the next morning to a intensive knocking on his door, yawning loudly. Blinking sleepily, he took in the time from the gleaming numbers of the alarm clock over on the desk, and groaned. “It’s seven in the morning. What do you want?” he called towards the door.

The voice of the shuttle pilot came through to him. “I’ve brought the documents you sent to us to print out last night, Mister Ambassador. And there’s a nice young girl out here with your breakfast. She’s not been able to knock hard enough to wake you up.”

Heaving himself out of bed with a sigh, Bruce padded over towards the door. “Alright, Lieutenant, give me a second.” Stretching out first, he unlocked the door and opened it. The shuttle pilot walked in silently, despite wearing combat boots, and set the folder down on the desk. Behind him was the servant girl, whose eyes dropped as she saw the ambassador in just his boxers.

“I’m sorry for coming in so early, Ambassador. I had no desire to wake you,” she muttered embarrassedly under her breath, though Bruce’s enhanced hearing caught it easily.

Bruce smiled gently. “Don’t worry. If this is the usual time for awakening, I suppose it means business starts earlier than I thought. I would not have wanted to be late. Just set the tray down on the desk.” After she did so, she backed out of the room, all under the watchful eye of the military officer who had brought in the folder and of Bruce. “Thank you,” he called after her as she retreated into the hall.

The young officer continue to watch as the girl retreated, but Bruce quietly interrupted his staring. “Remember, Lieutenant, they don’t have certain things we take for granted. I can’t imagine that girl is older than seventeen.”

The young man looked startled. “Of course, sir. I’ll remember that.”

Bruce grinned. “If you’re going to be a diplomatic shuttle pilot, you’re going to go a lot of places where we have that advantage. If they look old enough to you, they probably aren’t.”

The Lieutenant gulped. “Yes, Mister Ambassador.”

* * * * *

Some time later, having eaten, showered, and dressed in a sweater and slacks, and carrying the folder brought to him, Bruce was escorted back to the Great Hall to continue the discussions.

Rel's eyes opened, and the very first thing he did was check his watch, which told him that it was exactly five fifty five. One generally placed the reasons behind such things as "bizarre things that one does not ask about."

He closed his briefcase and rose to his feet, tromping over to the bed, where he removed his breakfast from his day bed. Revenians required not only somewhat strange nutrients to survive, but they also required a lot more of the nutrients that humans required...which was the price for the rippling physique, don'tchaknow.

Rel practically inhaled three nutrient bars and a bottle of orange colored liquid. Then he pull the small command circlet from a pocket of his robe and slide it on, checking the video bugs he had planted on the first day.

See, the RDSS had grown out of the Directorate. Most old-school administrators still retained much of their intelligence training, and the RRT Administrators, like Sir Vernon Sevirek, had been trained almost the same way.

Anyways, he noted the lack of anybody in the small conference room, and he hadn't bothered trying to bug either of the other two delegates...

So he returned the command circlet to zee pocket and waited to be summoned by some sort of servant, who did in fact come at the proper time, leading one Sector Administrator Rel Markinson, Earl of Hartford, to the conference room. He would arrive a few moments after Mr. Reynolds.

As the two men wander into the conference room, they are greeted by the sight of Vlad reviewing a thick sheaf of paper, a red title page stamped TOP SECRET, rather absently gnawing on what looks like an oversized chicken leg.
Looking up from his papers, which are actually rather mundane, merely being the night's reports from FleetCom, Vlad gestures welcomingly with his not-chicken leg.
"Ah, gentlemen, good morning. I trust you slept well."
He takes an other bite off the drumstick whilst the two diplomats take their seats, then points with the drumstick at a platter on the table, where the (turkey-sized) cooked carcase of an oddly shaped animal is resting, plainly the one the leg is from.
"Demon-Squirrel? Don't worry about the name, they're not actually demonic, our ancestors just thought the little bastards were."
The Duke continued perusing through his file whilst the other two settled themselves in, waiting calmly for Bruce to hand around the written points they'd settled yesterday.

Bruce greeted to the two other men when he arrived, and after being seated, he calmly slide copies of the document he had prepared the night before across to them, carefully avoiding the ‘Demon-Squirrel’ in the Duke’s case.

He declined some of the large animal. “No, thank you, Your Grace. The provided breakfast was quite sufficient. Perhaps later.” He looked more closely at the animal. It looked more like a dog to him than anything else. “But before we begin, might I enquire as to why it was believed to be a demon?”

The Duke waves the limb absently.
"Sure? It's excellently prepared...oh well."
He shrugs, last night's leathers replaced with the formalness of red and ebon House Bathame Dress Blacks, a gleaming obsidian bat on each lapel.
"Well, the little bastards range up to the size of a labrador and they're rampantly carnivorous, climb like monkeys and can gnaw through oak. Nasty little shits, if they didn't make good eating we'd have wiped them out long ago."
Stripping the last of the meat off the bone and flinging it into the fireplace, he gesticulates to the omnipresent kobold servants, who promptly remove the carcase.
"As for believing they were demons, well, doesn't that sound mildly demonic to you? It certainly did to our ancestors, whom, given the state of the country when they arrived here, certainly had reasons to suspect the demonic in every corner."
He gathers the folios and papers up and hands them off to an other servant, saying something in a language which is all little barks, squeaks and sibilance.
The little creature yips and scurries off, Vlad smiles pleasantly and turns back to Bruce and Rel.
"So, thanks to Mr Reynolds, we've got the framework for an excellent military agreement right here. What do you suggest we tackle next?"

Rel exhaled and produced a sheaf of papers from one of the many pockets concealed about his robes of office. He set tapped them against the table to straighten them into alignment, then set them down before him. If one glanced at the top, and one was familiar with Revenian academicia, then one would probably realize that it was a Nexus School format title page, reading...

"Economic Implications of the Axis of Nations and Suggestions to Maximize Results Therein,
Professor Aren Denagal, University of Nexus -- Central."

Or something like that.

"Professor Denagal is on Retainer with my service as an advisor on economic situations, largely because the average Administrator, myself included, wouldn't understand deficit spending if you beat them with a stick."

He exhaled, "I admit that I'm not entirely certain myself what the esteemed Professor is saying in this paper of his, but the jist of it..."

He paused, took a deep breath, then began.

"It seems to me that our greatest advantage at this point is the exclusive control of the Apache Warp Chain enjoyed by the Star Supremacy and the Federation of Sentient Peoples. We have, in this chain, a relatively safe conduit that will allow effective trade between Sol and the Revenian systems to be made by freighters that do not possess faster than light propulsion.

The Star Supremacy has long been a multi-system entity, and we are firm believers in the concept of mutually supporting entities being greater than small, self-sufficient entities. To a point. The Star Supremacy is largely self-sufficient, and this is a necessity, due to the vast distances between ourselves and our nearest neighbors.

Intra-Supremacy trade, however, has long been an accepted practice, and one that we have made great efforts to promote. There are, generally speaking, two methods of intra-supremacy trade.

The first is, perhaps, the crudest. We use it only for raw materials and non-vital items. In effect, we load materials into large containers, tow them out to stations near to the warp point, then, using a rather gargantuan gravdriver, fire these containers through the warp point. They are then retrieved on the other side.

The second method is more...elegant. Instead of reaction drives, our intra-Supremacy freighters mount solar sails. You are no doubt familiar with the theory? Using "solar winds" to propel a craft? Well, the problem with sail-craft is that they are next to useless once you get a few AU away from a star. What we have done is built our own trade winds.

The answer was in light, you see. Lasers. We constructed a network of large laser stations. Sail-craft simply lock themselves onto the network, and off they go.

What I would propose was a similar network constructed along the Apache Chain. Truth, sail-craft lack the speed and maneuvering capability of any of our military starships. However, I'm not entirely certain about the lot of you, but I know that our military-grade gravitics and primaries have annoyingly high operating costs.

Sail-craft, on the other hand, especially ones that mount banks of solar cells and operate as much as possible on capacitor banks, have drastically lower upkeep costs.

Now, that understandably, uhm, radical proposal aside...we can move onto the usuals.

I hardly think that a common currency is necessary, but it might be something to consider in the future if we are so inclined. The far future, hopefully. Preferably after I'm dead. I don't particularly want to get involved in that sort of debate.

Degrees of trade and whatnot...yadda-yadda. Free Trade doesn't go well over the distances involved because very few smaller concerns can afford the startup costs necessary to ship things over interstellar distances.

The things I have forgot or haven't mentioned must be legion at this point, but I'll go ahead and stop rambling now. My friends, the duty of bringing up all those little things that I have left out...is yours. Revenia trusts that you shall rise to the occasion."

That last bit was said with a decidedly sarcastic lean to it.

Bruce snorted as Rel finished. “If you both will forgive me for saying so, I’m afraid the Federation will probably end up being the economic power of the Axis, simply because, as far as I can tell, it has a more diverse economy. Both your nations seem to definitely epitomize the so-called military-industrial complex even more so than the Federation, which is surprising, for I had always thought we had it bad. That aside, a number of civilian, non-military contracting companies have expressed interest in expanding into the Axis nations should this become an option.”

He scowled slightly. “CID is still working on how the plans leaked to those companies. While I agree that the distances involved make the idea of large amounts of trade impractical, the Federation prefers to have no artificial hindrances to trade with it allies, at least in monetary terms.”

His face grew dark. “And if anyone were foolish enough to insist on a common currency, they could find themselves a new third Axis member.” Then he grinned, and turned expectantly to the Duke.

Vlad twitched a smile at Bruce.
"Certainly have to agree with you on the common currency statement, damn fool idea except for states that trade a lot more than we're likely to."
The Duke then frowned thoughtfully.
"I can't say I agree with you on with regards to your assessment of our industries, Bathame is certainly not concerned with producing anything for the military-industrial complex other than recruits for the former, and I've not doubt that's true of more than a few of my brother lords too. However, it's unimportant for our purposes what exactly will be traded, especially as I suspect most trade along the warp-chain would be in exotics, things that cannot be found at one or the other ends."
A pause, Vlad tracing the tips of his index fingers down the line of his moustachios as he considers the other points.
"I would argue that Free Trade is possible for our purposes, given the likely limited nature of that trade, any barriers in place would probably kill it still-born. But I see no reason not to subsidise those trading concerns which merit it..."
An other swipe of the moustache and a thoughtful "hrrm." came before the Duke spoke again.
"What we could offer is the global reach. I won't insult the Federation by implying that you cannot supply your citizens across the globe, but in many cases it's simply more convenient to have things shipped and organised via concerns which are already present, and where our forces go our major corporations follow, sometimes to our dismay. We can give you access to the N.D.A's markets, to a reasonable extent and also access to our own trading points in the various colonies, protectorates and free towns we've acquired."
Vlad looks grumpy for a moment.
"About time those bloody places started earning their keep...but I digress. What we can also offer, to a greater extent than current, is naval support."
He spreads his hands at the other two men.
"I mean no disrespect to your own militaries, but orbital strikes are perhaps a more...blunt...way of doing things than you'd really desire? It's far better to imply a threat than actually have to carry it out, and that's rather easier with an obvious naval presence, than some distant notion of retribution from space. Not only does the implied threat hinder those who might try their luck at...trade inhibitory activities, shall we say, the fact that there are warships on station providing security tends to boost trade, at least so we've found, but it's also rather easier to support trading vessels, both with ports and with search and rescue capabilities, should they be needed, any where, any time."
He smiles again.
"I may be going entirely off-course, but I suspect literal shipping is still cheaper than any other alternative."
A shrug.
"However if you feel differently...?"

Bruce smiled slightly, being of sufficient civilian rank to know exactly what the Federation was building in those sealed facilities up the deep Griffin River. It was hoped that any overwatch would be thinking that it would be more of the ACVs, given that they had built in similar facilities.

“While I meant no insult to your nation, Your Grace, my own analysis led me to believe otherwise. I am not a trained economist, merely a diplomat. As for any trade along the warp chain, I agree with you that it would mostly consist of exotics, and that any imposition on that trade would kill it stillborn. For that matter, most of the Federation’s imports already are exotics and luxury goods, and I see no reason that would change. And while our surface transport has ever yet to be attacked by pirates that overwatch fighter squadrons were unable to handle, I’m sure that knowing there were naval vessels to call on would reassure some of our merchant marine, which has long argued that eliminating our surface navy was a mistake.” Bruce shrugged slightly. “I assume that a simple bit of the treaty eliminating tariffs and other restrictions on trade between our three nations would not be out of order, then? For if we are all agreed, we can move onto the political arena, and its results on the treaty.”

Rel shook his head idly, "You are, in fact, mistaken, I fear, at the nature of the Military-Industrial complex within Revenia. To a point. We construct vehicles -- spaceships, tanks, whatever...ourselves. We do not, however, build the majority of our weaponry.

You see, we have found it simpler for ourselves to design our weaponry, then commission construction of the parts from other peoples -- ORA nations, currently, allowing us to simply assemble them.

All things considered, it wouldn't be that much more expensive to import the goddamn components from Sol than it is now from our own sphere. But, irregardless of that...

I suppose that our definitions of Free Trade differ somewhat -- our definition is not simply "trade without restriction," but is rather, "trade without any sort of government intervention at all."

Using your definition, yes, I would agree entirely to that proposal. Let's tackle the third and final bit, then we can go write our separate reports and get this damn thing sent off to the oh-so-illustrious leaders who can then do their bit..."

He didn't -quite- sound disgruntled. Quite.

“Well,” Bruce continued after a long moment, “the basic political aspects of the treaty should be obvious. Extradition, support and recognizing of claimed territorial integrity, promotion of a more stable international environment, support and maintenance of the current government and its legal successors.” He shrugged.

“I suppose the important details are in how we manage all those things.” He looked around expectantly at the other two.

The Duke looked thoughtful, running a thumb down the line of his moustache.
"Hrm. Political and legal bindings are rather more difficult than military and economic ones. Binding oneself to support an allies government, and it's legitimate successors, is risky. I won't be specific in my examples, but I'm sure you gentlemen can infer from the N.D.A's current...situation...the problems of committing to supporting a government in perpetuity."
A frown.
"We can commit all we like to supporting our respective governments, but the truth is in the truism. Things change. Thus, I cannot say that we will always find it in the interests of our citizenry to support the regimes we represent."
He smiles.
"Not that I mean to imply anything sirs, but as I said. Always is not forever."
He shrugs, heavy shoulders writhing the black uniform.
"So, I must respectfully decline to support any agreement binding us to support current governments, no matter the actions taken by those governments, without a get-out clause, at the least."
The Duke looks mildly pained. "If I could think of a way around this little problem, I would suggest it, unfortunately no solution presents itself, other than hoping our leaders remain moral and upright."
An other shrug, completing his thoughts on the issue.
"As for the legal matters, it's my position that these niceties are at somewhat of a less prominent level for discussion than the majority of what we have to discuss and could be best handled by those specifically trained for handling international law."
He runs his thumb down the side of his moustache again.
"The promotion of international stability is easy enough, where there was one, now there are three. A hindrance to the ambitions of others, and a need to retain the support of allies a restraint on adventurism within the Axis."
Vlad smiles again. "As for the territorial integrity, well, it should chime under the military agreements. Defence of allied lands a given and more...assertive actions examined on their own merits."
He folds those powerful hands before him on table, smiling still.
"Your thoughts, sirs?"

Rel shrugged his shoulders, rather broad shoulders for his build, but you couldn't really tell that, what with the robes and such.

"Umm, I'm sure you have your own best interests in mind when you say such things...and I can't -really- fault your statement. I can't really say that I have much problem with not forcing the hands of our governments. Perhaps we could merely say that the government of a given component may request aid from the whole? Said request, then, to be judged by the three? That seems fair to me."

He shrugged again, and scrawled a few things down on his notebook in that odd shorthand he used...

"I'd agree with you on the details of international law, however, generally, I'd suggest that we simply agree to support the established law within the borders of the component from which that law was established. Then we take everything else on a case-by-case basis so as to decide jurisdiction...hmm...that leads to a good point."

He smiled idly and flipped to a page in his notebook.

"Amendments. I propose that we allow amendments to the...document...at hand, but require full consensus of the governments of all three components. You might be able to get away with majority rule in a large alliance, but we are three equal nations, not two nations and a...junior partner."

He shrugged, again, then.

"Comments?"

Bruce nodded slowly at each point the other two men raised, acknowledging the validity of them. “All of that does make a certain manner of sense, and I can see no disagreement to an appropriately worded document, then.”

He looked back and forth between the other two men. “As Rel mentioned, it would seem to make sense for amendments or changes to the treaty document to have to be approved by all three states involved, of course, though I think the provision for dissolution of this Axis should just be based on a majority vote.”

He smiled. “Unless we have something else to discuss, I’m sure I can work out a full first draft of the treaty by dinner time, if you gentlemen so desire it.”

Article I: Of Introduction

The Representative of the Federation of Sentient Peoples, Second Ambassador Bruce Reynolds, the Representative of the Exalted Star Supremacy of Revenia, Sector Administrator Rel Markinsen, Earl Hartford, and the Representative of the Kingdom of Britmattia, Vladmir, Duke of Bathame, gathered in Discourse, in Thur Tol, Bathame, the Kingdom of Britmattia, do propose an Alliance. This Alliance is henceforth known as the Griffin/Royesse/Caer Malant Axis, or alternatively, the Axis of Nations, and shall take the following Form.

Article II: Of Military Alliance

Section I: Of Mutual Defense
A: In the Event of A Declaration of War or Sustained Military Operations or Other casus belli armis by a Power external to the Axis of Nations against a Member of the Axis of Nations, the other Members of the Axis of Nations shall immediately pledge All Available Military Support to the attacked Member.

B: For the Purposes of Immediate Response in the Situation of Mutual Defense, the International Reaction Force of the Axis of Nations shall be henceforth created. Originally, the Members of the Axis of Nations shall provide the following for the International Reaction Force of the Axis of Nations:
i. The Exalted Star Supremacy of Revenia: Carriers and Heavy Cruiser Hulls, Fighter Personnel with Small Craft
ii. The Federation of Sentient Peoples: Other Battleline and Support Hulls, Fighter Personnel with Small Craft
iii. The Kingdom of Britmattia: Marine Personnel and Support Craft, Fighter Personnel

Section II: Of Mutual Cooperation
A: As such as Allies are as much friends as Brothers, and Brothers in Arms at that, the Members of the Axis Nations shall agree to provide support in the form of basing facilities and staging areas as prove necessary and desirous both in peacetime and in war time. Further, military construction and training facilities will also be considered the proper support due other Members of the Axis of Nations.

B. Further, Joint Training and Exercising of Military Units between groupings of National Units and between National Units and the International Reaction Force of the Axis of Nations shall commence on a regular basis. Such training should include everything from Small Unit Tactics to Intergalactic Fleet Strategy.

C. Of the Matters of Mutual Importance and Individual Importance to which Information is gained of Military Nature, vital to the preservation of National Security of One or More Members of the Axis of Nations, this Information is to be distributed to the Member or Members in Question with due regard for the Security of Information Flow.

Section III: Of Mutual Offense
A: In the Event of Mutual Defense as described in Section I, Clause A of this same Article, and in the Event of the Progression of the Conflict past the stage at which defense is required and offense is permitted, a Mutual Offense shall occur utilizing All Available Military Forces to the Axis of Nations.

B. In the Event of Unilateral Action of Offensive Nature undertaken by a Member of the Axis of Nations, such support as determined by the Governments of the remaining Members of the Axis of Nations is to be given.
i. Upon Cessation of Hostilities created by Offensive Action as described above by form of Legal Authority, all changes in territorial claims by the Undertaking Member of the Axis of Nations are to recognized by the remaining Members of the Axis of Nations.
ii. In the Event that Complete Destruction or Loss of the Undertaking Member of the Axis of Nations seems imminent, Measures shall be taken by the remaining Members of the Axis of Nations to prevent Complete Destruction or Loss of the Undertaking Member and Weakening of the Axis of Nations.

Article III: Of Economic Cooperation
A: Between the Three Nations of the Axis, there shall be imposed no Artificial Barriers to trade, in the manner of duties, tariffs, or taxes, or other such fees which accompany the transfer of Goods and Services from one Nation to another.

B: The Economic Entities of each Nation shall have, as such, in accordance with the first Term of this Section, as Unlimited Access to the Markets of all Axis Nations in accordance to that which those Markets can bare.

Article IV: Of Political Cooperation

Section I: Of Internal Politics
A: In the Event of Internal Situations arising, which may or may not Threaten the Stability of the Axis of Nations, in a Member Nation, the Government of that Member Nation may request any support from the Axis of Nations. The Council of Axis Nations will then either Agree By Unanimous Consent or Refuse By Dissention on whether the Support Requested is justified and acceptable.

B: In the case of Crimes committed in a Member Nation, that Member Nation retains the right to judge the case based on its Internal Codified Legal Processes.
i. As such, should a Citizen of one Member Nation commit a crime in a second Member Nation, the Nation in which the crime is committed retains the exclusive right to pass judgment.
ii. Further, should a Sentient commit a crime in one Member Nation, and thenceforth flee to another Member Nation, and following this, be detained by the Justice System of the second Member Nation, the Sentient shall be returned to the first Member Nation for Legal Proceedings.

C: Travel arrangements shall not be suspended between the Nations of the Axis without just cause, as Agreed by Unanimous Consent, of the Council of Nations.
i. Pursuant to the Item C, Sentients who travel under passport of any Member Nation of the Axis of Nations shall be given, without previous request, travel authorizations for up to ninety standard Terran days for travel of a non-commercial nature.
ii. Pursuant to the Item C, Sentients who travel under passport of any Member Nation of the Axis of Nations shall be given, without previous request, travel authorixation for up to sixty standard Terran days for travel of a commercial nature.
iii. Pursuant to the Item C, Sentients wishing to travel to a Member Nation while under passport of another Member Nation of the Axis of Nations for more than the lengths of time defined in Points i and ii of Item C, shall be granted travel authorization upon request if no justification exists for denying said travel.

D: No Government of a Member Nation shall directly interfere in the Sovereign Affairs of another Member Nation in its Internal Conduct.

Section II: Of International Politics
A: The Axis of Nations shall act as a Coherent Unit on the International Stage, to present a Single Voice in those Affairs whenever possible.

B: The Goals of the Axis of Nations in International Politics will be the promotion of Sentient Rights, the Stability of International Relations, and the Creation of Peace between Nations.

Article V: Amendments

Section I: Standards of Adoption
A: An Amendment to the Treaty of the Axis of Nations may be proposed by any Member Nation to the Council of Nations.

B: All Amendments are subject to Approval by Unanimous Consent of the Council of Nations.

Section II: Adopted Amendments

Article VI: Of Conclusion

This Treaty of Alliance, creating henceforth the Axis of Nations, shall come into Effect at such Time as it has been Ratified Under the Legal Proceedings of the Federation of Sentient Peoples, the Exalted Star Supremacy of Revenia, and the Kingdom of Britmattia. Until such Time, it has no Authority on Conduct on the Proposed Member Nations.

The Treaty of Alliance, and the Axis of Nations, will therefore continue until such Time as a Majority of the Nations forming the Axis, do choose to End the Axis of Nations.

So signed and witnessed in the name of the King, His Majesty Owen I,
by His Grace Vladimir, Duke of Bathame and Fleet Admiral of the Kingom of Britmattia.

Rel flicked out his pen and signed in his characteristic spidery handwriting...

"In the Name of the Members of the High Council of the Star Supremacy of Revenia,

His Exalted Majesty Sir Adrian D'Marek Blackstar-Stark, Lord Stark, Defender of the People's Justice, Shield of the Supremacy, and by the Grace of the Creator, High King of Revenia.

His Highness Sir Dysaryn Levan Blackstar-Stark, Prince Celestian, Champion of the Supremacy, and By The Hand, Warprince of Revenia.

His Grace, Sir Sero Relaren, Duke Thryska, and In The Name of the People, High Chancellor of the Star Supremacy.

~By the Grace of the Creator, In the Name of the High and the Low, So Signed --
Sector Administrator Sir Rel Markinson, Earl Hartford, Administrator-In-Charge, Sol Sector, Revenian Diplomatic Service.

Witnessed and Signed this day,
Second Ambassador and Undersecretary for Alliance Relations Bruce Reynolds, FSP-IRD, for The Imperial President, D'ron Christopher Smith