Post by EmperorMyric on Mar 22, 2021 15:10:14 GMT
On board a diplomatic ship destined for Vestahl Commonwealth territory sat two brothers, Greg Darcy and William Darcy. Greg was part of the TDA Diplomatic Corp and William was an Operations Planner with the Rose Syndicate. Their target today was the Vestahl Commonwealth they had an agenda of peace and prosperity that would hopefully secure the Commonwealth as a future ally. The ship went through the wormhole at Gorganos Prime and exited at the Vestahl system edge. They broadcasted their arrival in the system and awaited instructions.
Vestahl was a bustling system, jam packed with cargo freighters, Rangvald warships (bearing the insignia of the Black Rabbit Security Corporation), and no small amount of salvage vessels slowly working their way through the debris of the space battle that had occurred some months earlier.
The biggest change however, was the massive shipyard now in orbit around one of the system's gas giants, the Vestahl workforce already working away on replacing it's lost fleet. On visuals alone the brothers could spot no less than fifteen warships of varying sizes and classifications being busily worked upon by man and machine alike.
"Three Domains Alliance Vessel, this is Senior Operations Manager Zachary Blazer with Black Rabbit Securities, please switch to frequency seven and coordinate landing procedures with traffic control, how copy, over?"
Upon receiving an affirmative and switching channels traffic control was quick to provide the vessel with an approach vector to the now repaired Central Command Station and the orbital elevator housed there.
The ship followed the coordinates exactly and landed at the orbital command centre. The pilot announced over the PA system that they had arrived and were able to disembark. As they were approaching the door Greg stopped Will.
“You’re gonna leave old mate on the ship right? Not a chance he’s tagging along to the talks.” He said sternly laying down the law to his younger sibling. He was of course referring to the Rose Syndicate Violet. Violets were essentially the company’s “Goon Squads” they were however some of the most professional and deadly soldiers in existence.
“Alright, calm down will you.” Will replied in a tone similar to that of a pouty child before giving a nod to his body guard.
“Now lets go make us some friends and business partners” Greg said chuckling as they entered the elevator and exited from underneath ship and walked out into the hanger.
If the TDA expected any kind of fanfare they found none awaiting them upon exiting into the hangar. There was no honour guard, no grand delegation awaiting them, only a rather flustered looking young woman (who's neck tattoos and fluorescent hair cut made her look horribly out of place in the suit she was wearing)
"Mr. Darcy," She said approaching the two men. "And uh... Mr. Darcy. If you'll follow me,"
She turned and took a few steps before pausing to ensure the two men were following her. They were led to an elevator which took them to the planet's surface in a few short minutes and from there into a waiting car which drove them through the bustling city center to an old city hall building.
She explained that it was temporary while new 'accommodations' for the government were built in the wake of Levitsky's destruction. The two men were taken into the back and finally into an office where a blonde woman abruptly ended a phone call and stood.
"Thank you Claire," She said to the flustered young woman. "Close the door on the way out,"
She motioned to the seats opposite her and sat down before clearing her throat.
"I'm Anastasia Malashenko, head of the Foreign Relations Committee, what brings you to me today?"
“Good day Miss Malashenko, I’m Greg Darcy and I’m with the Three Domains Alliance Diplomatic Corp and this is my compatriot William Darcy who is an Operations Planner with the Rose Syndicate. He’ll have a piece to say at the end.” Greg said grinning. The two brothers sat down in the chairs provided.
“Now onto business” he said pulling out a tablet from his briefcase and reviewing its contents for a brief moment before directing his attention back to Malashenko.
“The TDA Government would like to sign a Non-Aggression pact with your nation in an effort to secure and maintain peaceful relations. We would also like to sign a free trade agreement as well so that we can both benefit from our relationship economically.” Greg said moving from his casual tone of voice to his professional one.
"A Non-Aggression pact is agreeable," The woman answered simply, holding out a hand for a copy of the agreement. "Free trade is out of the question. The Commonwealth is only beginning to economically recover from the war, I'm not about to undo what little progress has been made by flooding the market with cheap foreign goods."
She paused and pushed her glasses back up her nose before continuing.
"Not to mention we're having elections in a few months and Vestahl already stands to lose nearly half her seats in the General Assembly to VRF sympathizers who are already campaigning hard to walk back trade agreements from before the war. I'd rather not hand them more ammunition by signing a free trade agreement no one asked for,"
“Understandable, elections are always a tricky time of year our last elections gave us a majority house and now the ruling party gets just about everything through that it wants to so nothing is getting held up in parliament being discussed over and over.” Greg said sympathetically before looking over to his brother.
“That being said I take it you wouldn’t want a foreign corporation coming in and leading the rebuilding effort. I can easily make adjustments to the timetable if you want us to source materials and manpower locally instead of bringing it in off world. That would definitely curry up some favours with the voters.” William said charismatically
Malashenko motioned again with her outstretched hand for a copy of the NAP before replying.
"Foreign corporations leading any kind of a rebuilding effort is going to go over like a lead balloon," Malashenko answered with a sigh. "It was hard enough selling the public on Dirge support with some early reconstruction projects and everyone actually likes them. No one's going to be all that keen to see a foreign corporation getting government contracts, locally sourced or not, and especially not one from the TDA."
Just before William could speak again Greg butted in, sliding over a copy of the NAP as he did.
“I wasn’t aware of any disgruntlements between our nations. Could you enlighten us on what we did to cause this?” he remained professional as he spoke.
"The war crimes trial didn't leave the greatest impression on the voting base," Malashenko said flipping through the agreement with a careful eye for anything out of the ordinary.
"Your President came off as overbearing and manipulative. He stocked the media gallery with his cronies, then attempted to construe a moronic and preventable accident, but an accident nonetheless, as a malicious and intentional attack, and then stormed out when he didn't get his way leaving Councillor Var to argue his case without a friendly voice to corroborate or support him. It left my people feeling very much like the Commonwealth only mattered to the TDA insofar as we furthered your own political agenda,"
She paused to look up at the two.
"As such the Commonwealth is prepared to maintain cordial relations, but with the elections coming up, no one is keen to be seen as giving the TDA preferential treatment,"
Just before William could speak again Greg butted in, sliding over a copy of the NAP as he did.
“I wasn’t aware of any disgruntlements between our nations. Could you enlighten us on what we did to cause this?” he remained professional as he spoke.
Greg understood what was happening here, politics plain and simple such an offense could be forgotten over time. He budged his brother and whispered to him to check on the TDA restoration and rebuilding budget.
“I see how that could have been easily misinterpreted, you see like your Councillor Var President Johnson was out for truth and justice on the incident that claimed so many lives. You see however in our political body as is dictated by the Articles of Alliance put together some time ago for anyone to serve in a political office they first must complete a term of service in the military so seeing so many soldiers killed in battle by friendly fire was a bit of a touchy spot for everyone. So that’s why he pushed hard for the truth in case it was a malicious attempt in which luckily it was not. However the ‘Cronies’ were elected officials of the Alliance Government who’s presence were required. As I said before we may have a majority ruled parliament but that doesn’t mean everyone there was part of the same political party for a government our size and to represent all the people as best we can our parliament is huge, so what was at the trial was like a drop in the ocean. So yes while there were people there in the same party as the President not everyone there would have been a supporter for him but everyone came to work together to get what was best for the people. Now why he walked out I can’t say it’s above my pay grade but what I can say is that your people were most certainly not used as a political tool and on behalf of the Government I express my deepest apologies for our failure in not being able to help out a friend in need.” He said solemnly before looking at William who gave a thumbs up and a head nod.
“And to show that we are sorry we’ll cover the costs of the rebuilding effort from our own coffers. The Restoration and Rebuilding budget has been rather bloated these past few years in anticipation of an attack on our home turf but I digress. The offer is there and it’s yours if you want refuse it and we’ll just walk away happy with the NAP.” He said smiling
Malashenko put her signature on the NAP before sliding it back across the desk.
"I won't tell you how to run your country but suffice to say, intentional or not, your president has left a bad impression on the voters and since everyone is only concerned with re-election at the moment you can understand why no one's wanting free trade or military alliances with your or anyone other than the Dirge for that matter. And even with them its touch and go."
She opened a drawer on her desk and pulled another sheet of paper, signing it before handing it over.
"This will authorize you to negotiate with the Trade committee if you so desire. Free trade is off the table but you can discuss tariffs and resource exchanges with them. More than that we're not prepared to offer at this time. As for your offer my original point still stands. It will look bad for a foreign corporation to be taking work and money away from domestic ones.
Locally sourced, or paid for by your government, it won't matter to the voters. You'll still be the foreigners coming to take their jobs and so on."
Greg took the piece of paper and put it inside of his jacket pocket.
“Well that’s our agenda for the day done, if you don’t have anything to raise with us we’ll be on our way.” Greg said still smiling.
"Then we appreciate your coming," Malashenko said standing. "Claire will take you back to your ship,"
Vestahl was a bustling system, jam packed with cargo freighters, Rangvald warships (bearing the insignia of the Black Rabbit Security Corporation), and no small amount of salvage vessels slowly working their way through the debris of the space battle that had occurred some months earlier.
The biggest change however, was the massive shipyard now in orbit around one of the system's gas giants, the Vestahl workforce already working away on replacing it's lost fleet. On visuals alone the brothers could spot no less than fifteen warships of varying sizes and classifications being busily worked upon by man and machine alike.
"Three Domains Alliance Vessel, this is Senior Operations Manager Zachary Blazer with Black Rabbit Securities, please switch to frequency seven and coordinate landing procedures with traffic control, how copy, over?"
Upon receiving an affirmative and switching channels traffic control was quick to provide the vessel with an approach vector to the now repaired Central Command Station and the orbital elevator housed there.
The ship followed the coordinates exactly and landed at the orbital command centre. The pilot announced over the PA system that they had arrived and were able to disembark. As they were approaching the door Greg stopped Will.
“You’re gonna leave old mate on the ship right? Not a chance he’s tagging along to the talks.” He said sternly laying down the law to his younger sibling. He was of course referring to the Rose Syndicate Violet. Violets were essentially the company’s “Goon Squads” they were however some of the most professional and deadly soldiers in existence.
“Alright, calm down will you.” Will replied in a tone similar to that of a pouty child before giving a nod to his body guard.
“Now lets go make us some friends and business partners” Greg said chuckling as they entered the elevator and exited from underneath ship and walked out into the hanger.
If the TDA expected any kind of fanfare they found none awaiting them upon exiting into the hangar. There was no honour guard, no grand delegation awaiting them, only a rather flustered looking young woman (who's neck tattoos and fluorescent hair cut made her look horribly out of place in the suit she was wearing)
"Mr. Darcy," She said approaching the two men. "And uh... Mr. Darcy. If you'll follow me,"
She turned and took a few steps before pausing to ensure the two men were following her. They were led to an elevator which took them to the planet's surface in a few short minutes and from there into a waiting car which drove them through the bustling city center to an old city hall building.
She explained that it was temporary while new 'accommodations' for the government were built in the wake of Levitsky's destruction. The two men were taken into the back and finally into an office where a blonde woman abruptly ended a phone call and stood.
"Thank you Claire," She said to the flustered young woman. "Close the door on the way out,"
She motioned to the seats opposite her and sat down before clearing her throat.
"I'm Anastasia Malashenko, head of the Foreign Relations Committee, what brings you to me today?"
“Good day Miss Malashenko, I’m Greg Darcy and I’m with the Three Domains Alliance Diplomatic Corp and this is my compatriot William Darcy who is an Operations Planner with the Rose Syndicate. He’ll have a piece to say at the end.” Greg said grinning. The two brothers sat down in the chairs provided.
“Now onto business” he said pulling out a tablet from his briefcase and reviewing its contents for a brief moment before directing his attention back to Malashenko.
“The TDA Government would like to sign a Non-Aggression pact with your nation in an effort to secure and maintain peaceful relations. We would also like to sign a free trade agreement as well so that we can both benefit from our relationship economically.” Greg said moving from his casual tone of voice to his professional one.
"A Non-Aggression pact is agreeable," The woman answered simply, holding out a hand for a copy of the agreement. "Free trade is out of the question. The Commonwealth is only beginning to economically recover from the war, I'm not about to undo what little progress has been made by flooding the market with cheap foreign goods."
She paused and pushed her glasses back up her nose before continuing.
"Not to mention we're having elections in a few months and Vestahl already stands to lose nearly half her seats in the General Assembly to VRF sympathizers who are already campaigning hard to walk back trade agreements from before the war. I'd rather not hand them more ammunition by signing a free trade agreement no one asked for,"
“Understandable, elections are always a tricky time of year our last elections gave us a majority house and now the ruling party gets just about everything through that it wants to so nothing is getting held up in parliament being discussed over and over.” Greg said sympathetically before looking over to his brother.
“That being said I take it you wouldn’t want a foreign corporation coming in and leading the rebuilding effort. I can easily make adjustments to the timetable if you want us to source materials and manpower locally instead of bringing it in off world. That would definitely curry up some favours with the voters.” William said charismatically
Malashenko motioned again with her outstretched hand for a copy of the NAP before replying.
"Foreign corporations leading any kind of a rebuilding effort is going to go over like a lead balloon," Malashenko answered with a sigh. "It was hard enough selling the public on Dirge support with some early reconstruction projects and everyone actually likes them. No one's going to be all that keen to see a foreign corporation getting government contracts, locally sourced or not, and especially not one from the TDA."
Just before William could speak again Greg butted in, sliding over a copy of the NAP as he did.
“I wasn’t aware of any disgruntlements between our nations. Could you enlighten us on what we did to cause this?” he remained professional as he spoke.
"The war crimes trial didn't leave the greatest impression on the voting base," Malashenko said flipping through the agreement with a careful eye for anything out of the ordinary.
"Your President came off as overbearing and manipulative. He stocked the media gallery with his cronies, then attempted to construe a moronic and preventable accident, but an accident nonetheless, as a malicious and intentional attack, and then stormed out when he didn't get his way leaving Councillor Var to argue his case without a friendly voice to corroborate or support him. It left my people feeling very much like the Commonwealth only mattered to the TDA insofar as we furthered your own political agenda,"
She paused to look up at the two.
"As such the Commonwealth is prepared to maintain cordial relations, but with the elections coming up, no one is keen to be seen as giving the TDA preferential treatment,"
Just before William could speak again Greg butted in, sliding over a copy of the NAP as he did.
“I wasn’t aware of any disgruntlements between our nations. Could you enlighten us on what we did to cause this?” he remained professional as he spoke.
Greg understood what was happening here, politics plain and simple such an offense could be forgotten over time. He budged his brother and whispered to him to check on the TDA restoration and rebuilding budget.
“I see how that could have been easily misinterpreted, you see like your Councillor Var President Johnson was out for truth and justice on the incident that claimed so many lives. You see however in our political body as is dictated by the Articles of Alliance put together some time ago for anyone to serve in a political office they first must complete a term of service in the military so seeing so many soldiers killed in battle by friendly fire was a bit of a touchy spot for everyone. So that’s why he pushed hard for the truth in case it was a malicious attempt in which luckily it was not. However the ‘Cronies’ were elected officials of the Alliance Government who’s presence were required. As I said before we may have a majority ruled parliament but that doesn’t mean everyone there was part of the same political party for a government our size and to represent all the people as best we can our parliament is huge, so what was at the trial was like a drop in the ocean. So yes while there were people there in the same party as the President not everyone there would have been a supporter for him but everyone came to work together to get what was best for the people. Now why he walked out I can’t say it’s above my pay grade but what I can say is that your people were most certainly not used as a political tool and on behalf of the Government I express my deepest apologies for our failure in not being able to help out a friend in need.” He said solemnly before looking at William who gave a thumbs up and a head nod.
“And to show that we are sorry we’ll cover the costs of the rebuilding effort from our own coffers. The Restoration and Rebuilding budget has been rather bloated these past few years in anticipation of an attack on our home turf but I digress. The offer is there and it’s yours if you want refuse it and we’ll just walk away happy with the NAP.” He said smiling
Malashenko put her signature on the NAP before sliding it back across the desk.
"I won't tell you how to run your country but suffice to say, intentional or not, your president has left a bad impression on the voters and since everyone is only concerned with re-election at the moment you can understand why no one's wanting free trade or military alliances with your or anyone other than the Dirge for that matter. And even with them its touch and go."
She opened a drawer on her desk and pulled another sheet of paper, signing it before handing it over.
"This will authorize you to negotiate with the Trade committee if you so desire. Free trade is off the table but you can discuss tariffs and resource exchanges with them. More than that we're not prepared to offer at this time. As for your offer my original point still stands. It will look bad for a foreign corporation to be taking work and money away from domestic ones.
Locally sourced, or paid for by your government, it won't matter to the voters. You'll still be the foreigners coming to take their jobs and so on."
Greg took the piece of paper and put it inside of his jacket pocket.
“Well that’s our agenda for the day done, if you don’t have anything to raise with us we’ll be on our way.” Greg said still smiling.
"Then we appreciate your coming," Malashenko said standing. "Claire will take you back to your ship,"