Torn pages
The Xanthalian nation once stood strong as a pillar of equality and justice in the Universe. Our predecessors built up a nation of peace and collective prosperity under the ideal vision of socialism. Aellis, our capital, was a beautiful fortress, in which all willing to live in harmony under our ideals were welcomed, and those that would break that comradarie cast out and barred with the might of our expansive forces.
Those days are gone. Aellis claimed by the Abh, whisked beyond the borders of known space to places unknown. Our territories remained, but, over time, succumbed to the chaos following the collapse of the Xanthalian order. It is with pride, but also measured trepidation, that we stand unified again today. The Treaty of Xanthal was able to restore a small flame to the once blazing torch of our nation, bringing the territories of Mirfak, Than, and Trasnia together again under one government.
We now have set about the task of rebuilding what once was, and face the difficulties of acknowledging the mistakes of our ancestors and repairing the flaws in their proclaimed ideal vision. We are older, and, we can only hope, wiser for the purgatorial years we endured waiting for the day when order would be restored to us. With our internal conflicts abated, we were able to turn our eyes outward once again, to make new friends and establish new interests outside our small corner of the galaxy. We have, in the fiften years since our reunion, established again our presence as a peaceful, contributing member of the international community.
With the dawn came a new darkness however, a looming threat that we cannot dispel on our own. The universe did not wait for us during our absence. We awoke to the new day to find whole worlds risen and fallen. Many of our old allies had been claimed by the sands of time, and those that remained hardly recognized or cared for us, a mere shadow, incomparable to the nation they once knew as Xanthal. Our old enemies have grown, and new enemies risen to fill the places of those that have gone. We are forced to accept that the security we once had is gone, and with it the confidence in our "perfect" state. It is for that reason that I and the Council have agreed to pursue membership in the Extra Solar Union of Systems.
We are a contiguous three-system nation, with a three-branch government, two of which are democratically elected and the third appointed. We control four extra-galactic outposts where mining operations are conducted. Within our jurisdiction are four inhabited worlds, guarded by a midsized defensive military; the Labule. Our 3.6 billion citizens enjoy modest political freedom, abundant civil liberties, and an excellent economy that balances the social equality of socialism and the free markets of capitalism. In-depth information on our government and people is available in our public factbook, and individual questions can be answered by my office upon request.
With all information before you, we hope you will favorably consider this, the application of the Socialist Republic of Xanthal, and allow us membership in the Extra Solar Union of Systems.
Signed and officiated:
Frederich Dahy; Alphin of the Socialist Republic of Xanthal
Xanthalian Ministry of Communications news report, yr 321 da 570
After last-ditch negotiation efforts with the rebel forces that have held IGC278-ISC18's mining facilities for the past two months, the Alphin obtained permission from the judiciary to use the military to apprehend the criminals. Light of Crimson Glory, the thanic Councilor and leader of the Xanthalian Domestic Defense Party who has been in close contact with the rebels over the past several weeks, finally admitted last week that there was little real hope of peacefully breaking up the movement, which was formed by an illegal union of miners in thirdmonth.
"I have been able to communicate with them, identify their concerns, and negotiate several deals with the leaders of the National Miners Union, but it is time for even me to admit that there is no appreciable chance of negotiation leading to their stand-down or the reclamation of any of the primary mining complexes," the DDP leader testified before the Council in their eighthday session. "Reports that they have been obtaining advanced weaponry from outside sources indicate their intention to defend their illegal claims and possibly even incite revolution in the Republic itself. As much as I may sympathize with their concerns, this cannot be accepted. It is time to deal with the threat to national integrity they represent."
Reports of rebel arming began to surface early this month, as the Ministry of Information's intelligence division picked up on rebel communications with an unknown merchant. All attempts to identify their suppliers and the exact nature of the ordinance they were stockpiling failed, and three seperate information-gathering attempts by the Ministry inside rebel jurisdiction resulted in the capture and subsequent public execution of their agents. When government negotiators were forced to leave IGC278-ISC18 last ninthday, Alphin Frederich Dahy recieved permission to attempt military capture of the NMU, and use all necessary force to destroy the organization.
The Daiho itself was able to authorize the military force through an absentia trial of the NMUs membership, which found the organization's membership guilty of treason six weeks ago, fourteen weeks after the Union overtook system law enforcement officers and demanded government acknowledgement of union rights. Xanthalian law permits workers to take grievances before its courts, but not collectively act outside of the courts when it causes a "disruption of operations" at their workplace. Unlike most military operations, which must be approved by the Council, this domestic operation was authorized through the judiciary for the three key reasons that the rebels were Xanthalian citizens operating within Xanthalian territory in violation of Xanthalian law. Under normal circumstances it would be up to national law enforcement agents, which operate out of the judiciary, to break up and apprehend a rebel operation, but due to the volatility of the current situation, it was decided between the Daiho and the Alphin that the military, which is controlled by the executive, should conduct the operation in order to minimize risk. The members of the NMU forfeited their rights at trial by refusing to appear before a judge.
The military deployed its only offensive unit, the Tenth target assault Fleet, along with the Fourth supply Fleet to secure IGC278-ISC18. The fleet engaged the cargo and police vessels under rebel control on fourthday, and reported successfully securing the star system through the outpost's high-speed communications array less than a day later. The weapons that rebels had been receiving were apparently high-output shield disrupters, which were used aboard several rebel vessels, allowing them to significantly damage at least five Labule starships. The military estimated in its communication that thirty percent of the NMU rebels were killed in the operation. The Alphin has ordered the Fifteenth patrol Fleet to the system in order to guard Xanthalian interests there until normal operation of the facilities and law enforcement presence is restored. Initial reports of the events of the battle against the NMU's forces and the status of their technology are still unclear, and full details, as well as the delivery of surviving insurgents to judicial officers, are expected when the Fourth and Tenth fleets return to Mirfak early next week.
Agent Ireth Melwasúl crouches unhappily in a deserted room of Building 17 on the second planet out from IGC278-ISC18. The seventy year old elven woman is pale, even more so than usual, and breathing hard from the exertion of her unsuited spacewalk just seconds before. Though it had been barely ten seconds long, every inch of her body now pains her. The enormous pressure exerted on a humanoid by lack of atmosphere is crippling for most, and even for Melwasúl, highly trained and prepared for just such a situation, those ten seconds alone of eye-popping, lung draining, skin stretching horror were more than enough for a lifetime.
Taking a deep breath and mentally placing aside her pain, she recalls her displeasure with her mission. The impossible task of infiltrating a space colony undetected had been a daunting prospect, and, as she had known it would, the essential first-phase stealth aspect of her mission has already failed. She curses softly as she forces her legs to lift her. The Ministry of Information is out of its mind. Two agents lost in the attempt of this same idiotic mission, and they just toss in a third. She passes out of the room and begins making her way quickly but cautiously through the halls. This ore storage area was not being used with mining operations all but ceased under the rebel leaders' command. They had picked up her low-profile shuttle on sensors as she approached the planet, and she doesn't doubt that they registered her use of the airlock either, though she had not actually docked her spacecraft, parking it instead under the umbilical to hide it from orbital searches of the barren world (the reason for her spacewalk).
The noise of oncoming running footsteps warns her to duck into a side hall. Pressing her slim form against the bulkhead, she watches two armed men, one human and one nietzschean, rush past on their way to the airlock. She sighs and continues on, using a digital map display she was given to help her navigate the massive facility to locate the main docking facilities, over ten kilometers of walking distance from her current location. Once there, it is her objective to locate any records or units of the technology the National Miners Union has reportedly been receiving. She rolls her eyes at the pure absurdity of her task, which requires her to either miraculously become invisible to the human eye and security sensors, or to singlehandedly take on the control room staff and guards, along with any reinforcements.
As she evades one patrol after another on her way to the target, she is amazed at the number of weapons they seem to have. Whoever is supplying these super weapons to the rebels is apparently giving them plenty of handheld weapons as well. She reassures herself by resting her hand briefly on her own sidearm. As a field intelligence agent on assignment in a hostile area, she was one of a very few Xanthalian groups outside the military allowed to carry anything more deadly and ranged than a kitchen knife. Two agents dead... she thinks to herself as she approaches the control room. What a waste. She checks herself briefly to be sure that she can't implement her invisibility plan, then grins and shakes her head.
She steps before the control room doors and mentally prepares herself for the next step in her task. She pulls her weapon from its holster at her waist andholds it ready. She opens the door with her left hand and opens fire with her right, taking out the guards flanking the entryway and pressing into the room, taking down every threat in sight with the deadly precision and speed only highly trained and naturally talented special agents like herself can. Here comes number three!
Xanthalian space was supposed to be secure so that things like this didn't happen. Regulations were supposed to prevent any proliferation of hostilities. These thoughts and many others run through the head of Kragin Farr. A staffer and a fully-credentialled diplomat of the Socialist Republic, Farr is also a dwarf. Called upon to deal with the crisis that had rapidly developed as a result of extra-national combatants taking their war into the Trasnia System, Farr has been given the task of talking the angry leadership of a foreign empire down from declaring all-out war on the Socialist Republic.
The currrent situation had arisen out of a series of unique situations and failures to follow proper protocol. First, the fact that there was no military presence around Trasnia was unusual in itself. Generally the nation's fleets were deployed evenly around its three key stars. Second, that on that particular day a group of ships fleeing enemy pursuit would emerge from whatever form of faster-than-light travel they used and run through a system full of private and commercial traffic hailing from dozens of different nations created a recipe for trouble. Had the proper procedure been observed, the two groups would have been steered clear of and allowed to fight their way out of the Trasnia System, but of course some wannabe-hero captains, mostly aboard ships that weren't even registered to Xanthalian owners and with foreign crews, had diverted their vessels to assist the fleeing ships and destroy their evil antagonists. Now that the whole story is out the Socialist Republic, naturally, was reaping the whirlwind.
Farr rises from his seat in the functional, unfurnished conference room and goes to greet the foreign delegate that walks through the door. He bows in respect and motions him to a chair, inviting the guest to partake of the water set out on the table. Returning to and clamboring up into his own seat, the dwarf clears his throat and addresses the newcomer.
"The Socialist Republic has only the greatest sympathy for the families of the crews that were lost in our jurisdiction. The events that occured in Trasnia are ones that we all wish could have been prevented."
The representative, a tall, lanky creature that Kragin can only guess is male or the equivalent thereof, responds in a tone of displeasure, and perhaps a note of disdain for the small creature representing such an insignificant nation before him. "True, but your apologies are no recompense for the loss of two hundred and thirty-four lives. I came here to negotiate, not listen to a sob story."
Farr sighs inwardly It never gets any easier. "Very well then, let us address the matter directly. The Socialist Republic, not being directly responsible for the destruction of your ships..."
He is cut off immediately by his angry counterpart. "Not responsible! Your audacity is unbelievable! It was your failure to properly enforce your policy that led to the destruction of our ships!"
The Xanthalian holds up his hand for peace. "Please Ambassador, let me finish. The Socialist Republic, not being directly responsible for the destruction of your ships, does acknowledge indirect responsibility in light of the fact that the incident did occur within our territory and that our law enforcement agencies were not able to stop the attack on your ships. Therefore, we are willing to offer an official apology to your nation and the families of thse deceased."
The imperial representative seems satisfied by this, and continues the dialogue. "That we will greatfully accept, but as I said before, apologies are not enough. We will take your nation itself as compensation for your deeds if we are not satisfied by your offers."
"Sir, as you are obviously a people that value life highly, why would you wish to inflict more damage by going to war with us? Consider the costs involved. Your people would die, our people would die. You would have no trouble annexing Xanthal, there is no mistake about that, but take a moment to think about what you would be gaining. A remote territory with resources inconsequential compared to your own, one in a notoriously violent and unstable region. Four worlds which you would be forced to secure bearing the full cost yourselves, worlds full of people from myriad races and backgrounds, all of which you would be forced to integrate. Even after the war was over, you would face rebels and loyalists for years or even decades after your victory. I know that your leaders realize this, and I know that is why they held their fleets back from our borders and sent you. You are the hope of both our nations, Ambassador."
The lanky alien scoffs. "Don't patronize me. I know very well for what purpose I have been sent." He breathes deeply and looks out a window briefly, viewing the planet of Mirfak III below them. Somewhere beyond it, outside the boundaries of Xanthalian space, sat the mighty imperial fleet, ready to swoop in and crush its enemies at a single order. He levels his eyes again of Farr, who wears a bank poker face, the trademark of a diplomat in a compromising position. "What do you suggest?"
Farr hadn't realized that he had stopped breathing until now, when he lets out a rush of air. He takes a drink of water to cover for himself, then continues. "We can offer you open lines of trade, that you may use or not as you please. We will issue official apologies to everyone involved, and provide five million quinaults of compensation to each family, as well as full compensation to your government for the ships that were lost in Trasnia."
The alien nods slowly. "That is acceptable. And those responsible will be extradited to our jurisdiction?"
Kragin bites his tongue. This was the question he had been dreading. "...No. We can not give you our citizens, nor can we force those from other countries to face justice in your nation."
His opponent's eyes narrow. "That is not good. How are we to excuse your nation if we cannot ensure that those who did this are punished?"
The dwarf backpedals the conversation. "What would justice in the Empire be?"
"Death," is the simple response.
Farr considers this, then comes back to the topic at hand. "Do your courts recognize any jurisdiction outside of your own?"
"No."
Kragin purses his lips. So much for that. "Unfortunately, I cannot deliver anyone to you. However, records are very clear on who participated in the attack. All Xanthalians that were involved will be sentenced to either extensive detention and rehabilitation programs or death. That much I can assure you."
The imperial ambassador looks blank. "Rehabilitation?"
"An extensive program designed to educate a citizen on their mistake and how to avoid making it again. It is accompanied by a lengthy detention sentence." The alien looks visibly dissatisfied with this answer. "I realize that this may not be your version of justice, but consider the alternative. Nobody wants this war, on either side."
Farr's pendant drums his hand on the table, then snorts in resignation. "Fine. What about the ones who aren't your citizens?"
The Xanthalian slides a folder towards the ambassador. "We have extradition agreements with several of the nations that had ships involved. We'll use them to get everyone we can. Not, however, before you have the opportunity to call on them as you have on us to demand justice."
The alien looks down at the little man before him. He says nothing for a moment, then laughs. "I don't like your laws, I don't like your policies, and I don't like your galaxy, but I like your style." He takes the folder and stands, walking to the door and then looking back at the Xanthalian representative. "I'll give your proposal, and this list, to my superiors. I believe they will be amenable to your offer. I might even recommend that they spare your little nation myself, if I'm in a good mood."
Kragin smiles thinly. "Thank you, Ambassador. That will be very much appreciated." The door shuts and the dwarf is left alone again in the room. He collapses in on himself, pale, sweating, short of breath, and heart racing. He feels sick to his stomach, but experiences also a sense of triumph. His nation had lost billions of quinaults and a certain measure of dignity, but it had gained a new lease on existence. All this hinging on two men in a small room drifting through space. He walks to the window and looks down on Mirfak. He smiles to himself even as he slouches to the floor in exhaustion. Best damn job in the galaxy.
Though the sord indexing efforts of the Xanthalian government are essential to the continued viability of planespace travel in an ever-expanding intergalactic domain, it inevitibly leads to problems. Since ships passing through into normal space through an uncharted sord rarely have any way of knowing where it will dump them, the territorial violations that have periodically resulted require the constant diligence of the Alphin's diplomatic corps.
ISI-79283102, or rather the star system it opens into, is proving to be a particular problem. Not only is the system claimed and its owners unhappy about the intrusion, but the scouts that indexed the system have reported that the Socialist Republic may have technological interests in the area. Far be it from the Xanthalian government to deny the ligitimacy of what it recognizes as a valid claim, the Alphin has decided that it would still be worth pursuing some sort of agreement with the Generians to facilitate joint exploration and analyzation of the apparently deserted orbital facility.
In order to cut around the usual diplomatic channels, resolve the current situation, and investigate the possibility of Xanthalian participation in the technological research of the city, Alphin Frederich Dahy arranged for a direct communication between himself and the Generian in charge of international affairs; Foreign Minister Ciwa Calos. He now sits at his desk, waiting for the Minister to answer his call. The videoconference begins as Calos appears on the screen and greets the Xanthalian executive. "Ah, Alphin Dahy. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Frederich, who only took office ten months ago, is still new to his job. He smiles in return. "I assure you, the feeling is mutual Minister Calos. I assume you know why I called?"
The Foreign Minister nods sagely. "Ah, yes. The incident in the Krilos System. Most unfortunate."
"Yes, that. I wish to offer my full apology to you and your government for our intrusion. Our method of inter-system travel necesitates..."
Ciwa cuts him off. "I'm well aware of the circumstances behind the intrusion. I'm certain that your apology will be more than sufficient for the Conclave. It was, after all, an innocent mistake with no harm done."
The Alphin feels a strong sense of relief. Dealing with so many foreign powers that were all fire and brimstone, it was comforting to run across the more reasonable ones. "I thank you, Minister, for your understanding." He hesitates for a brief moment, wondering if he is pushing his luck, then plows ahead. "There is another matter I wish to discuss."
The Minister looks vaguely surprised at this, but gestures openly. "Please."
Dahy proceeds cautiously, watching the Minister's expression as he begins. "Our scouts detected an orbital city around one of your planets." He pauses, waiting for the Generian to respond.
The Minister obliges him, replying, "Yes, that would be the second planet. We haven't given an official name to the place yet."
"You are, doubtless, aware of the technology therein?"
Calos catches on quickly, moving ahead without his counterpart. He looks faintly amused at the Alphin. "Mister Dahy, let's skip the dance. You want to know if you can share in the proverbial spoils, correct?"
The Xanthalian smiles half-heartedly, somewhat more disinclined now that his cards have been put on the table, by the other player no less. Still, he continues out of perceived duty. "Yes, in so many words. I would like to open a dialogue about possible joint investigation and analysis of the orbital habitat."
Foreign Minister Calos nods appreciatively. "That's not entirely within my domain, Sir. However, I am fairly certain that the Committee on Technology will be disinclined to share their find with a non-allied force."
Frederich sighs openly. "I suppose I should have expected as much."
The Generian chuckles. "I will have my officers investigate the possibility and get back to you. Don't get your hopes up, though."
Dahy bobs his head in response. "Thank you Minister. I look forward to hearing from your people."
"I am glad we were able to resolve these issues like civilized men. Too often with foreigners it's all about fire and brimstone." Dahy almost laughs at the unconscious echo of his earlier thoughts, but maintains his easy smile. "I hope to hear from you again, Alphin Dahy."
The channel closes and the Alphin's screen returns to its main view, offering access to all his various applications and documents. The executive leans back in his chair, spinning around to look out the window of his highrise office and over the rooftops of downtown Jin Rin City. Fire and brimstone, is it? he thinks idly. He watches an odd-looking bird-like creature native to the planet fly past, then swivels around and returns to his work.
The main chamber of the Xanthalian Council is large. Rows and rows of desks stand on a slightly-graded platform, one for each of the five hundred Council members. A few are vacant, but the vast majority are filled with representatives of myriad species, races, and genders. The room is equipped with modern technology, but the theme is twentieth century, and most of the furniture is made of metal and wood, except for the computer terminals built into almost every desk surface. The walls are bare, and an observation deck for curious citizens or visitors is on the back wall, raised two stories and divided from the room itself by thick glass which serves the triple purpose of being bulletproof, soundproof, and a one-way mirror that prevents the Council from seeing the goings-on among the observers. At the fore is the 'stage' of the room, with three podiums on the left and an area raised on the right, where the Speaker sits and presides over the Council.
This is where floor debates and official votes are carried out. The offices of the Councilors are located on the upper floors of this five story Council building in Government Square, which houses all three national government branches' headquarters in the center of Jin Rin City, on the Nibel continent of Mirfak III. Several press rooms are also here, along with the public visitor areas. The chamber is currently in one of its more orderly states; and order is being maintained quite nicely. The Xanthalian Council has become known for some of its more impassioned debates; which in some cases have degraded to shouting matches on the floor. Several years ago a punch had been thrown, but the impeachment that followed drew a line at physical persuasion that has not since been crossed.
The Speaker of the Council, a short human female barely 150 centimeters tall with short, ruffled black hair, a round face, and a slightly rounded chest, has just finished calling a clerk to the podium to announce a new bill. "Item S6RR389: Repeal of S1R492. Passage of S6RR389 will strike S1R492 from the Law of the Socialist Republic, and remove the ban on Xanthalian military equipment exports as defined in CD940723." The Clerk steps down and returns to her seat, out of the way. The Speaker nods. "The chief proponent of S6RR389 may stand and address the Council."
Chill of Winters Touch moved from his seat in the hall to the podium in the centre, he could feel the gravity of the situation upon him. Being one of the new wave of Thanians from Than VI entering the political spectrum, he felt it was partially up to himself to show that Than VI was ready to embrace change and not just fall back to the old ways, especially to prove that the Had changed in the first place.
As he reached the podium, he swept his gaze over the crowd, in some places outside of Xanthal, he might encounter the masses of people reviling at his sight, the fact that he saw the world through compound eyes betrayed that much. However, Xanthalian nations Cosmopolitan makeup allowed making this kind of opportunity possible.
He twinged slightly when he looked at the manifesto for this days legislation and realized that his main opponent in this debate was a resident of Than IV, the name churning up bitter memories of the civil war that ravaged the Thanian people and led to the brutal oppression of brothers. However, this was not the time nor place to be conjuring up such a dead issue, they had fought a good fight, they lost, surprisingly, but the time was over now, the Empire was reformed and things were changing, if this government was any give away.
He stood up at the podium, his PIP pin flashing proudly on his Suit; he looked over the respected men and women of government once again before diving into his debate speech.
“Before I begin, I would like to personally thank Ms. Speaker for allowing me this wonderful opportunity to show the positive aspects of repealing this stifling bill, instead of throwing it off to the first Councillor who wanted it.” He began, showing off a modest compliment to the speaker
“Now, getting down to the real issue here. I am here today to tell you fine people why we should vote to repeal this decrepit bill. First of all, this bill has long since expired in usefulness. I don’t know why we didn’t want to sell our quality weapons in the first place, but that is beside the point now.
“We live in an age when most militaries that would find any usefulness in our technologies already make their own, and no longer need to purchase them. Gone are the pre-fall days when Nations had hundreds of contracts clamouring at their doorstep, we have to realize that the Galaxy has become more self-sufficient. However, we are still shutting the door on a most lucrative opportunity.
“There are many an insecure people out there who would probably pay a handsome sum of money for the sale of some our surplus weapons. And whom is it hurting? So long as we don’t furbish entire militaries that we know have a risk of attacking us, we shouldn’t have a problem. Besides, even if we were attacked, we would know all the short comings of their weapons, for we designed them.
“I’m not saying that the minute we repeal this bill we’re immediately going to see our cutting edge military technology head to the auction table, I’m just suggesting that should we repeal this bill, we would have that opportunity, and for me, an opportunity turned down is better than not realizing that opportunity in the first place…”
Satisfied that he had started to uncover the outer edges of this issue, he allowed space for the opposition to get a word in.
Bringer of Clear Thought stood when referred to. "Thank you Madaam Speaker. Fellow lawmakers, we passed S1R492 for a good reason. That good reason is to keep our weapons for ourselves. While many other nations burst onto the galactic scene and start hawking their wares, they never think of the consequences. What if a nation that purchases our fine wares is run by a mad man, and there are a few of those out there, and then decided that he didn't like the product he had recieved. Well, there goes our nation and we won't worry about profit. We should strive to create quality arms for our military to give us the advantage when it comes to war. When we go to war, we should be able to say 'Eat our 30 Megawatt Plasmacannon' not 'Eat our 30 Megawatt Massproduced Plasmacannon that you just fired and hit us with' and that just doesn't sound right now does it? That is all I have to say."
A few of the Councilors laugh quietly at the opponent's jibe. The Speaker herself smiles, then calls out. "Are there any comments or questions on the floor?"
Several stand, but all immediately yeild to a xanthalian, a stately-looking man that appears born for the political role he now plays. This is Zenko Yanagawa, a member of the Xanthalian Socialist Party and one of the most respected Councilors in the legislature; the senior delegate of the national capital province and a veteran of his office, he served for three terms on the Mirfakan Council, and was re-elected in the major shuffle that took place when the first new Xanthalian elections were held, one of only a few that kept their places in the shift, which divided 500 Mirfakan seats into 500 seats shared by provinces of all four Xanthalian planets. He is serving his fifth consecutive term, which he captured with almost sixty percent of the first-choice vote, a rarity in a system with six major parties and a large independent body. Now working on his twenty-first year as a national legislator, he is arguably the best-credentialled member of the Council; key member of several important committees, respected among his allies and opponents in politics for his thoughtful consideration of all sides of any issue, tact and negotiating skills, and personal integrity.
The Speaker nods in acknowledgement, and Zenko speaks. "To the proponent of the repeal at issue. Sir, what do you estimate the repeal of S1R492, which I myself voted for in the very first session of this Council, could potentially generate in revenue for this government, and what limits on sale and trade, if any, do you think appropriate to safeguard our military from being compromised by the publication of its technologies?"
Chill of Winters Touch stood at the podium while the retorts came in, sighing while clicking his mandibles in frustration, he was more than a little irritated when he realized that not only were the opponents of his proposal saying the same thing, they were also failing to listen to his arguments. However, he was not going to make a scene by providing the legislature with an emotional outburst. After taking a deep breath, he felt able to begin again. After requesting permission from the speaker, he began.
“If I may reiterate my original point, I never implied that we straight out repeal with bill and open up our markets to whoever just happens to have a big wad of quinault’s in hand. What I should have more clearly stated is that we do repeal this archaic bill, with some restrictions” Touch returned, emphasizing the last point.
“In Response to Bringer of Clear Thoughts, arguments, I remember saying that we sell our surplus weaponry, Because I agree with that point, we should not just go about selling out most cutting edge weapons, we should keep them for ourselves. But as with every military, I am sure we have a stash or a buildup of excess military equipment as newer and better weapons have fazed them out of usefulness. Therefore, I am proposing that we repeal this bill not entirely, but enough as to turn a profit selling of weaponry we already use. Also, I will again reiterate our point that if the buyer is foolish enough to attack Xanthal outright, we will know the shortcomings of the weapons, and the advantages of ours.” He finished, then turned his attention to another member of the legislature.
“As to address the Respected Zenko Yanagawa’s concern, I do not entirely know what kind of revenue we could expect to generate as I have not had the opourtunite to make some sort of inventory on the weapons we would be selling. Perhaps that could be a job for a military committee to work on if this bill passes. But I digress, In order to clarify my stance; I will outline what my modification is on this proposal. First of all, we would not sell any weapons developed or deployed in current use within the last ten years, because that would be undercutting our own superiority as Clear Thoughts as already stated. Also, we would not sell any of our core technologies, that, while have been modified, have remained roughly the same over time. We would also refrain from outfitting entire militaries, restricting clientele to Colonial Militias or Traders who feel they need a little more security and would look into our opening market.
“However, what I do know, is that no matter what revenue we stand to gain, we definitely don’t stand to loose any, by the simple task of reassigning certain jobs, we can essentially create a small scale ordering system which would handle any and all requests. Now, if the weapon supply even ran out, that is just what would happen, the market would dry up, and the resources assigned elsewhere, until needed again. However, if we can create a reliable cycle of phasing out antiquated technology, this would never happen. Also, for a reasonable investment, we could even start producing the outdated weaponry for the sole purpose to sell.
“I hope this sates your concern Councilor, the restrictions on the repeal of the bill are what I offer, and if revenue is your concern, I can only hope to show that we stand to loose none, but also stand to gain none if we do not try in the first place.”
With that he nodded to the speaker to allow the next wave of criticism to come in.
The Speaker shifts her eyes to the Council again, and another group stands. After a few moments, an old female dwarf, the only one of her kind in the Council, remains on her feet. This is Sarisal Myoujin, independent representative of the nation's only real rural province: Serenis. While not terribly influencial, she is an icon of Xanthal's small agricultural population. She is serving her second term, though that is decieving because her first term lasted only two years rather than the normal five due to the mass election of the legislature after the Xanthalian Constitution was put together, giving the first elected officials either one, two, three, four, or five years before being submitted to their constituents for reapproval. Still, she has over four years under her belt, which is a very common number at this time.
She speaks in a gruff voice, with the Xanthalian equivilent of a rural accent. "For the chief proponent: I do not know much about the military, Sir, but I know enough about law to realize that this is a repeal, not an amendment. If we do pass this item, our military will be able to sell anything it wishes. Since it is illegal to export military technologies, there are no regulations in place. If it occurs to me, a country girl, you must know as a former military man that if we distribute our technologies our enemies will be able to pinpoint the same strengths and weaknesses you mention, and use them against us whether they actually fit the stuff to their own vessels or not. Now, I personally trust the Alphini to use sound judgement in an interim period, but as lawmakers we ought to lay out the rules for them and everyone else. Are you and your allies able to bring forward passable regulatory legislation yet this session?"
Chill of Winters Touch paused for a moment as he let the comment made by the dwarf sink in. Then it hit him, he really had been arguing for the wrong type of motion all along. Deeply embarrassed, he quickly made up a counter-point in an attempt to throw off any speculation that he had been caught unprepared, after being recognized by the speaker, he began:
"Councilors, my Apologies, I have been foolishly arguing for practically no gain. Yes, what I have been preaching for is an amendment, which is what we are not here to do. Athough I believe that an amendment would be the best course of action, since it has to be one or the other, then I still side with repealing this law.
"Although by repealing this bill will allow our military to sell its technologies to whomever it wishes, I would hope that they would have the intelligence to sell them to reputable people, but if that isn’t the case, so be it. If I may return to my very first statement, we live in a very different Galaxy that what was before the fall. In this Galaxy, no more is the singe nation a power, only through a collective, such as the ESUS can one have any sort of influence.
"If we were to sell our weapons, and the buyer was foolish enough to either turn them around on us, or reverse-engineer them to find their weaknesses, and use that against us, we would have the might of the ESUS backing us to prevent their attack. Not that I’m suggesting we be reduced to a dependency, but in this day and age, it is very rare for one single nation to attack another unsupported. Therefore, we need not worry about attacks from the outside at all, less so from nations that have purchased our weapons, and we still would be able to turn a profit!
"Therefore, I propose that if there are no further arguments over what may or may not happen if some petty nation decides it would be a good laugh to attack the nation who has just sold them their weapons, I would like to put the issue to a vote, and finish it once and for all, and hope that we all make the right decision."
Once again he relinquished control of the floor back to Mrs. Speaker and awaited either more arguments or a vote, which he was prepared for either.
The Council rumbles amongst itself for about ten seconds before the Speaker brings them to order again with a few bangs of her gavel. "Enough chattering. Are there any more questions on the floor?"
The body seems to look amongst itself for a moment, the proponents hesitant to stand because their chief has called for them to stay silent, and the opponents holding back because, so far, they have been winning the argument. After about five seconds, a proponent, frustrated with her position, stands. She is a than, a native of the same planet as Chill of Winters Touch and, in fact, elected in the same province. End of Dark Night has a reputation as a staunch opponent of big government and big military, and a passionate hater of the thanic royal family. A long-time member of the Democratic Capitalist Party, the eighteen year-old than (55 in Earth years, about half through her natural life) has often been at odds with Chill, who represents the neighboring provincial district, and has been in office just as long as he.
"For the chief opponent. The military of the Socialist Republic is a massive drain on the money of taxpayers, and decreases by thirteen percent annually the return each individual gets from their total investment. Most of you know me by now as an opponent of military spending, but that is not at issue here. What is at issue is an opportunity for this drain on resources to earn a return. As lawmakers we must consider just as we do as individuals the financial assets we control. For every dollar we can give back to our taxpayers, who already put over half of their yearly earnings into our bank, our potential to grow more capital, both in the public and private sectors, grows. Our military has not been a component of any offensive or defensive action in the last six years. Do you not think that it is time for it to profit the people of this country?"
Bringer of Clear Thought sat for a time, and digested the information. After he was sure that he understood the question he stood up.
"That is an excellent point. One for which I have no argument."
Another Councilor stands, a stocky human woman with long brown hair and piercing blue-green eyes. This is Heather Dostrikas, from Trasnia. She is a Nationalist Collectivization Party member, and, though she is not a high-ranking member of the Council, she is always ready to give her opinion. "Ms. Speaker, permission to address the floor?"
The Speaker nods, smiling kindly, but also with a hint of amusement. "One minute Ms. Dostrikas. Try not to make me cut you off this time."
Heather nods and begins. "Councilors, the people of the Socialist Republic are counting on the Labule to protect them. Our role as lawmakers is to ensure the freedom, prosperity, and safety of those we represent. However, we also must be aware that to give on one front frequently takes from the others. The people pay taxes to sustain our armed forces so that they may have some degree of assurance of safety and stability in this all-too-unstable universe. That is what they, and we, pay for. If we compromise what little defense we have for the sake of profit, we are not only unfit lawmakers, but we are unfit to be citizens of this Socialist Republic." She meets the eyes of both the chief proponent and opponent before continuing. "Our military is not capable of serving as a workhorse. We maintain only defensive forces; forces barely adequate to protect ourselves. If we employ them elsewhere, we are vulnerable. The Democratic Capitalists and Private Interest Party makes up the bulk of this repeal's support base. To you I say, what could be more in the interest of the individual than the knowledge that they are safe when they wake up in the morning; confident that they will survive the day ahead? Is it worth risking our democracy and freedom for the sake of a few trillion dollars? I think not."
She sits down. Many Councilors are silent, surprised by the minor member's impassioned speech. The Speaker allows a few more seconds to pass as murmers ripple through the chamber again, then bangs her gavel. "Time for discussion on the repeal is over. Final arguments will now be heard. Chill of Winter's Touch, you have two minutes. If you do not use all of it, you will forfeit the rest. Proceed."
The Socialist Republic decides to dispatch CLX-01, its newly-launched general purpose starship, still in shakedown, to the ESUS Senate in order to monitor the situation and, if necessary, evacuate staff. It will not arrive, however, for almost an hour.
Alphini Yatzil Omsai and Eiko Oishi release a joint statement in the interim:
"The ESUS is being crippled by the foolish actions of its members. Initial errors in judgement should have been met with legal action by the alliance; but they were not. Instead, military threats and retaliation ensued. Parties meaning well attempted to end the conflict by their own means, but only exacerbated the situation. We condemn this continued rashness, and call for an immediate end to the fighting. This has gone beyond the law's ability to resolve; for if the proper rules were followed nearly every nation that has sent ships into this fight would be ejected from the alliance.
"All that we can ask for now is that the nations of the alliance resume the positive relationship of allies that they are meant to have, and cease this insane contest of brinkmanship. We call upon Torontonias to end its illegal blockading and compensate those it has harmed. We call upon Balrogga's commanders to release the dimensional anchors holding their own friends at bay. We call upon all other nations to stand down and negotiate without the aid of deadly force. As we make these calls, we do not expect them to be heeded. It has become apparent that your admirals and other commanders, for many reasons of varying ligitimacy, are not willing to listen to voices of reason. If there are those among you who see the truth: that no matter your reasons continuing this petty conflict until it claims more lives will only wound the ties we all share as fellow nations and destroy valuable sentient life, we call upon you to rise above the adversity that has grown up in these past days and end what has already gone on far too long.
"As those who are powerless in the face of your massive military might, we can do nothing to stop you. You must stop yourselves, or be stopped with the firey death that true war will bring. We entreat you, do not let it come to that. If you truly wish to kill one another, we will not try to stand in your way."
Senator Shingen Ashia is a late-middle aged xanthalian man, just over 180 centimeters in height. He dresses tidily, in a manner befitting his position, and keeps himself clean and shaven at all times. Aboard the station, Ashia remains in his office, fielding calls from officials across the Socialist Republic, and even a few from other governments, with his staff. Shingen has occupied the office of Xanthalian Senator to the Extra Solar Union of Systems since the Republic was admitted into the alliance just over a year ago. In all that time, he has never been under the pressure he is now. He finishes his previous call and picks up on another line.
"Hello, Sir... No Sir, I don't have any new information... Well, there is a small fleet of command and battle ships outside the station. You tell me... Well, get it here quickly. I am not going down with the station if this turns into a firefight... Of course not! What did you think, that I would be negotiating with them? I am a politician, not a military man... I am sure you will get the same memo everyone else will when this is over... Well, it is all you are going to get. I have business to attend to."
The Senator hangs up and looks at the extensive list of callers waiting for his attention. Not being prone to aggression or anger, as is the case with most xanthalians, he simply sighs and rises from his desk, moving into the outer office where he sees his two staff members, a human and a perseid, also on the phone. "Has anyone called to tell us something rather than ask us something?" The two secretaries look grim, shaking their heads in unison. "Fine. My office is not an information service. I want you to start getting rid of callers that do not have anything useful to say. I am going to find out what in the Universe is going on around here."
The two staffers say nothing, but the perseid looks concerned as the Senator leaves. "The nations commanding those ships are at war. I do not care what they say, this is dangerous."
The human, a young male, sticks to his work. "So what do you suggest? Unless you want to go jump in a lifepod, all that you can do is your job."
Out in the hallway, Shingen is greeted by a rush of aides and personnel, all heading in different directions. Obviously, he is not the only one who has been kept busy by the current situation. He tries to pull someone aside, but nobody seems to know any more than he does. Giving up on this tactic, he heads through the bustle towards the chambers of the station, where the Senate meeting room and courts are located.
Ashia intrudes on the proceedings with a bang, as the doors to the chamber swing open. He looks around, taking in what he can of the assembly, and walks forward; addressing Ambassador Strauss. He uses his native tongue, not bothering with Galactic Standard in his state of upset. Nevertheless, his tone is level. Translators make sure his message goes through to everyone. "This seems to be the location of the party, so I am going to ask you why there are warships parked outside of my office window. I demand to know what is happening here. I may be new to my office, but I will not stand by as war is brought to the doorstep of the Senate."