Post by bluesnailok on May 14, 2023 20:27:52 GMT
It had been mere weeks since the ceasefire had taken effect, and the battle for Aedleshaven had come to an end when the Telirans turned up on the doorstep. In typical ASN fashion, they had staved off any kind of dialogue or show of support, to the point of inaction, throughout the duration of the battle. Yet curiously, although unsurprisingly, once the conflict had ended, they surely came knocking.
Their offer had already been made clear before any actual physical delegation by the Telirans had even arrived. The ASN was ready and willing to protect Aedleshaven and to assist in its recovery following their recent onslaught. A neutral power to the end, the Telirans had only made the move the moment OMPAF had taken the strategic decision to depart from their association with CONA and, like a vulture, the ASN was quick to take the initiative on this new opportunity.
Curiously though, the wording of their written offer was ominously teetering on the border of a threat. “The Ancerium Corridor’s impartiality is now of utmost importance” the missive said, “...And the ASN is prepared to take whatever steps necessary to ensure that neutral impunity is protected, no matter the cost.”
To the cause of the diplomatic outreach, Natar had sent their most important figure, a subtle hint at the importance they saw in the mission, Saljir Arcamavir. A notoriously distasteful man, Arcamavir was far from a likable man, but he had squeezed La Serena during his tenure as Director of Finance into becoming a de facto vassal to ASN hegemony and had financed the destruction of Natar’s early freeport rival: Hamil’s Hideout. An external affair’s man through and through, Saljir now saw The Aedleshaven Deal, as he was calling it, as a prime chance to score a diplomatic victory for Natar… A well-needed achievement as his approval ratings hovered just above zero.
An aide came to the side of the Stadtholder as their vessel approached the LZ, “Now, sir. Please understand that these people have made it abundantly clear that they have grown hostile to foreign powers dominating and using them… They won’t be wanting another uncaring hegemon like O-”
“Yes, yes!” Saljir interrupted as he viewed his magnificent robes in the mirror. He admired himself, “I am quite familiar with recent news, Mr. Santegan… And I am quite familiar with the stakes.” His face drained with emotion. He was a hated man back home; nearly everything he had done had been made with the opposite of adoration. Even when he was genuinely trying to do something positive, it only seemed to end with catastrophe. But now, Saljir thought, was his chance to save his career. It was a gamble for everything.
With a thunderous roar, the opulent Teliran diplomatic ship, dressed in cascading metallic purples and blacks rested itself at its landing zone for the meeting and the Stadtholder made his descent from the stips of his ship; escorted by a dozen robotic escorts emblazoned with the Triarch logo. Halting halfway down, he looked out to inspect his hosts.
The political situation with OMPAF following Aedleshaven was one of turmoil.
Withdrawing from CONA and the huge withdrawal of both SAGA & CONA assets on the surface had left OMPAF with a vacuum. True, most of their Ancerium facilities which were needed by the galaxy remained intact, but they had suffered. Their world was yet again invaded, cities and towns destroyed and tens of thousands of dead. It would have been an awful situation for any nation, especially with their political associations being self-cut off, OMPAF would find no economic aid from anyone other than moderates of both sides.
As such they had accepted the ASNs offer for a meeting. OMPAF wasn’t blind or stupid, they fully knew it was an attempted power play, when it came to Aedleshaven virtually nothing was done out of true altruism, it was always about controlling the star of the corridor. But Abelcain was cunning, OMPAF had something which no other nation in the galaxy had, not just their strategic importance and location, but something new. That something was clear to any who now made their way through the Aedleshaven system, something that even the ASN would have directly observed on their way in, the biggest debris field outside the Junkyard, right on their doorstep. Shipwrecks from almost every force that had fought here, technological and resource treasure troves ripe to either press into service, sell off outright or exploit. OMPAF may have been cut off from CONA and other avenues of aid, but this veritable goldmine on their literal doorstep was the key to their future.
The truth would be if this key was shared.
Where once raging storm clouds had concealed the surface, Aedleshaven now stood undaunted. The orbital lanes were a nightmare, filled with debris and wreckage the transport had to be given constant course corrections. But when the final co-ordinates given for landing appeared, there almost seemed to be a mistake.
Their target was Lyne.
Touching down the makeshift landing zone the Stadtholders vessel looked quite out of place. Around them pre-fab buildings were erected, and beyond that the blasted and melted hellhole that was once a bustling OMPAF city.
At the head of a small delegation stood Abelcain himself. His frame was massive, covered in hair with piercing predator like eyes. As a member of the Naqoyqatsi species he was impressive, a link to a past where their species was not enslaved by Coronans.
“Welcome to Aedleshaven Statdholder Saljir Arcamavir. I believe we have much to discuss”
Saljir’s arrival at Lyne was received with one of surprise. Was he not deserving of a higher honour than meeting on a rock like this? He finished his descent onto the debris-strewn platform and scowled at the dust that was almost immediately picked up from his first step onto the surface; he turned to an aide.
“No doubt some of that is the ashes of half a million people from this dump…” He grinned before making his advance across the stretch and towards his counterpart.
“Abelcain, friend!” Arcamavir cheered with his arms outstretched to let his vibrant robes flutter in the winds washing through the ruins.
“It’s so good to see you! It was a shame not to see you at my grand gala last month!” He lamented like he didn’t understand the man had been leading a war for national survival at the time.
The Stadtholder offered his palm out for handshake with a strained grin; trying his best to disguise the Teliran’s disdain for the man’s shaggy appearance.
“Yes- yes- Discussions… Yes… But why the hurry?! This is a time to celebrate! No doubt you have a-... a banquet or grand parade planned first for me, no…?” Arcamavir inquired eagerly. His words might have conveyed oafish ignorance, and perhaps even an exaggeration of his own lack of tact, but the man was well aware of what he was doing. He intended to both embarrass Abelcain and remind him of Aedleshaven’s weak position from the get-go and, by doing so, undermine his negotiating position.
Abelcain wore plain and unadorned clothing, just like those that surrounded him. In fact it was nigh on impossible to really distinguish them from the others working in the surroundings. It was a clear opposite of Arcamavirs own approach.
He didn't even grace the Stadtholder a reply about the gala.
"Current food stocks are unfortunately being relayed to those in need, and all active military assets are deployed on patrol routes or to assist in humanitarian operations and clean up. I am afraid you have chosen rather a inauspicious time for either option."
He turned his head to the side to look over the ruins of Lyne, it was only for a brief moment but that motion was a statement to the Stadtholder, that Abelcain was not up for playing political games.
"As you can understand our situation is ever changing and very hands on, hence my hurry for talks. I apologise for my eagerness but I would not be here personally if talking to you was not important"
Abelcain might have not been up for games, but Saljir was more than happy to play them. He cracked a feigned upset face to his peer’s response at the lack of ceremony,
“Oh Abelcain, you disappoint me!” He chuckled before giving the man a joshing smack on the shoulder, “I kid, of course, but if shortage was truly your concern I should’ve hosted our little get-up instead! I would have you pampered and living in the luxury you deserve in an instant… You should be running things from the rear…! Not wasting your time and your abilities with on-the-scene work…! Trust me, some heads of state run their systems entirely from idyllic manors on Natar… You’ll be amazed at the technologies for personal convenience we have at our disposal these days… You would never need to get up and rush about again!” He grinned as he made what was effectively a bribe offer.
“Well- At any rate let us discuss the boring intricacies of what we’re here for then…” The Stadtholder started to stroll across the landing pad and raising his hand to the rubbled cityscape around them, he stayed silent as he gestured to the destruction before returning his stare to Abelcain, “...Need I say more?”
With a smile, the Teliran leader expounded, “Your people are destroyed, Abelcain… Crippled, depleted, exhausted… And a weak society makes for a weak government… You need immediate restabilization before someone takes advantage of your nation’s vulnerability.” He put on an exaggeratingly patronizing look,
“...You have fought and repelled the invaders well, but now you are alone… Isolated… And you’ve alienated the entire galaxy to your nation… Aedleshaven must recover, Abelcain, whatever the cost…”
With a click of his fingers, one of Telirans from the legions of bureaucrats that the Stadtholder had brought along rushed forward with a dossier of financial plans. Each project involved dozens of ASN registered organizations to reconstruct what Aedleshaven had lost, funded all at the personal expense of not the ASN, but Stadtholder Arcamavir himself. How or if he had the money for this was anyone’s guess.
“I am here to save you, Abelcain; all I need is your cooperation and I will replace every last business, refinery, port, and asset you lost.” He gave a toothy smile.
"With all due respect Stadtholder, I do not wish to be pampered. I firmly believe in running this nation from the trenches, it is how I have gained the position I am in and why I am respected by the people. I am a hunter and a worker at heart, take those things away and I am nothing" The thought of living and ruling like many did on Natar disgusted him truthfully but he did not outwardly show it in body language. But Saljirs entire outlook was grating him.
"It is perhaps ironic that an ideology taking advantage of my people is what got us into this mess, one giant political lie. With all due respect Stadtholder, my people are not destroyed. We have weathered invasions like this before, some far worse than the current damage dealt. No doubt you have already seen the treasure we now poses more than any other galactic nation, on top of our controlling location within the corridor"
Abelcain did not seem to be intimidated or impressed by the theatrics and offer, however he did bow his head at the offered dossiers, picking them up and analysing them carefully as the wind blew, ruffling them in the giant Naqoyqatsi's hands.
"I appreciate the sentiment Arcamavir, I am surprised to see your personal finances behind this. But you must understand, I have heard those exact words before, from the AGA, APP, CONA, SAGA and more. Everytime is a promise for economic prosperity and protection and each time fire and destruction comes to this world. What can you promise which will change that? Financial recuperation is much needed, but Aedleshaven needs far more than money"
“Oh really now Abelcain…” The Stadtholder chuckled, with his demeanor taking a sinister twist bubbling below the surface now as he gestured around them, “You say this dump isn’t destroyed…? You can’t be blind!”
He took a step forward “...You don’t realize how determined Natar is to help you. We won’t let anything stand in our way. The others ran away; we have no intention of running.”
With a fat finger, Saljir poked up to the sky, “Floating above us is a treasure trove… A treasure trove of other people’s property, and they want it back… I think a thousand national governments will have a very different outlook on you rummaging through their military hardware to Natar’s.”
He took another step, “...And they’d flock to sponsor someone offering to return their wrecks to them for nothing more than the costs to run the operation instead. Some impartial power they would rather trust with control over the debris than the likes of OMPAF.”
The smiling, smug facade Arcamavir preferred to put on had mostly faded now. Something far darker about the man was left in its wake, it was a knowing and calculated aura not unlike a man clasping a bloody baseball bat in a dark alley would have.
“...Do you see what I'm trying to warn you of, Abelcain?”
"You are warning me of a future where my people take their own destiny. The nations of this galaxy ran from this system as fast as they could the moment the battle ended, of course they have salvage operations. But we own this system and everything in it. We have already salvaged much Arcamavir, yet you seem extremely eager to get a cut of that money"
Abelcain crossed his large arms.
"You seem awfully eager to 'help' us, and yet so much is in it for you. I may be the leader of a world that has been touched by war but I watch and listen. I know what happened to La Serena Stadtholder, the jewel that you were so willing to pump money into, until it was no longer needed or relevant. I will not let Natar support us only to be a puppet or thrown away."
He sighed.
"I am willing to accept the help, but I will not tolerate sharks in the water sniffing blood, with all respect"
Arcamavir’s face looked like it was ready to burst a vein at the mention of La Serena.
“It was a mistake to believe the La Serenan’s had anything to offer… They were a dying station with little future ahead of them long before the Orillians turned up. Your civilization on the other hand… Has plenty of fundamentals.” His piercing gaze shot through Abelcain.
“Look, there’s the easy way to let us rebuild your people… Or there’s the hard way. Do I have to remind you of the state your military is in right now…? Do I have to remind you of the state my military is in…?” He chirped cockily through bared teeth, “...It’s the carrot or the stick, Abelcain… You can either have a seat at the table of the future of the scrap up there, or none at all.”
"You threaten to use the military of a neutral nation against another now neutral nation? Surely you must realise that could impact your own people far more than the damage could impact mine. The ASNs neutrality is legendary, to throw it away over this is simply outrageous."
The huge Naqoyqatsi turned to look at the rubble.
"My people have been handed many carrots on many sticks. I am aware of our fundamentals and it is those that always allow us to rebuild. I will not sell the future of this world or the people on it for personal or political gain, here on Aedleshaven we shoulder and share the burden. I would not advise throwing away one of your peoples strongest fundamentals to do the same"
"Should you wish to discuss mutual trade or sharing of potential salvage I am always willing to listen, but we are not puppets"
“Oh I have no intention of the ASN going to war, Abelcain.” Saljir grimaced with malicious intent,
“The Association has contacts with any mercenary company worth its salt… And financial channels to every warring power in this galactic war… I’m sure banks registered in the ASN would happily finance those countries to, say, contract mercenaries to retrieve their… Damaged goods?” With a smile he gestured to the clouds.
“Your stake on that scrap is only as good as your ability to defend it. I think you and I both know you need those wrecks to build back your country; to build back your defence forces. So what happens when you’re cut off from scouring that treasure?”
He grimly watched his counterpart for a few moments to let the silence set in.
“I can afford someone else’s war with you, in fact, the international community might even thank me for it afterwards. Can you afford another great war right now?”
The Stadtholder put out his hands in a reproachful manner,
“I have no aspiration to puppet your countrymen Abelcain, nor do I seek a war if I can avoid it... I have little to gain from dictating the way your people live their lives. All I ask is the right to oversee and safeguard the assets we rebuild for the mutual benefit of our nations… Not control of your internal affairs… To protect your foothold over the corridor… I think you’ll find Natar to be a lot more of a hands-off comrade than your Orillian friends. All we seek is to build assets, to bolster your defences with our own… And to ensure that your corridor doesn't fall into the hands of either of the warring factions. I am prepared to fight, if necessary, to ensure the safeguard the corridor's sovereignty from either side."
"Fighting us through proxy. How prudent. If you choose to go down that path I believe that your people will suffer for it. It is true, we lost a sizable portion of our fleet in the battle, but not all of it. I have men and women recommissioning that scrap even as we speak."
Abelcain remained like an unmoving statue.
"If you choose to fund that endeavour, it will consume you just like this place has consumed all those who have sought to fight in this system. The APP too claimed to be hands off in their approach and we payed the price all the same."
"I will agree to a joint effort for rebuilding certain infrastructure and recovery efforts for the wrecks. But. I want full autonomy and a guarantee as an equal, not a minor power. I will not throw away these peoples agency. You will get your resources and assets, we will get our fleet, our infrastructure and rebuild, and everyone wins. Nobody loses, no underhanded control, no predatory oversight. That is my final offer for a deal"
“Full autonomy translates to a free handout, Abelcain. You must think I'm a damned fool if you think a bailout of this magnitude will ever be acceptable without supervision or a say of some kind…” Arcamavir seethed through his teeth, his stare unmoving from his target.
“I will not move on my terms. You must tolerate our protection of the corridor or you will force us to use violence to protect you before somebody else moves in, and I guarantee they won’t be so peaceful and light-handed.”
There was silence for a few moments. The wind was bitter as it came off the Vistofe mountains, another site where many had fought and died on both sides of this war.
"I accept."
The statement was surprising.
"You will have your oversight, we reserve the right to have our sovereignty however. I have been betrayed by both CONA & SAGA. I hope, Stadtholder, that the ASN will be different. If not, then things will not end well. But until that potential day, the Golden Corridor will be aligned with you."
With the final concession to the proposal by Abelcain came a newfound smile drawn across Arcamavir’s wiley face.
“Then it’s a deal!” He beamed; chuckling heartily. He wasn’t ignorant to Abelcain’s conflicted feelings though. Roughly putting a hand onto his counterpart’s arm and giving him a rough, reassuring shake, the Stadtholder announced,
“Cheer up, Abelcain, my friend! This is the best option for both of us! Anyhow- The Association and those Vaplanan pacifists are organizing a pact to protect the rights of nations and people… If you’re worried about everything played by the book, perhaps you should consider participation…?”
Abelcain reluctantly allowed the man to touch him and shake his hand, he knew this was the best approach. But it also conflicted with his beliefs. Still Abelcain would use this as a means to an end, just like he had done for everyone else, Aedleshaven came first, no matter the cost.
But the comment about another potential block caused him to narrow his eyes.
"A new power bloc? I have seen many rise and fall over the years, what can this one do that others cannot?"
“I’m not that involved in its internals to be perfectly honest. But as I understand it, it’s intended less to ally its partners strategically and more to enforce an underlying moral code to how nations engage with one and other. Anti-slavery, decent treatment of prisoners, natural-born rights, peaceable conflict resolution. That kind of thing. I suppose its aim is to bring a moral and legal basis to international politics.” He huffed, “Anyhow, more importantly it binds nations to certain expected behaviour.”
"I see. As a nation that has seen many with their own sense of law and justice prove themselves to be hypocrites I am eager to see how this endeavour ends. I am interested, perhaps in time it may actually establish a galactic standard, a true standard. Not some ideological rule of law for some and not for others. Consider us interested in its creation." Abelcain seemed almost tired now.
"Will that be all Stadtholder? I am sure I can muster a few men for a small marching parade" It was clear however that while he was willing to accept what was given to him his personal beliefs about Arcamavir himself were bare to see.
“Very good. I’m sure it’ll find a way to work.” The corrupt Teliran chortled.
With a snide, grimacing smile, Arcamavir shook his head and laughed,
“I’ll be quite content as things are now, anyhow, to return to my humble little home back on Natar. Parades are far too tiresome for me anyway… Too much standing and waving, it’s far too taxing and demanding.” He explained.
Grabbing some documents and minutes that had been transcribed in real-time during the summit by one of his toadies. The Stadtholder gave a final, half-hearted nod of respect to Abelcain before booming out,
“Until next time, Abelcain! I look forward to a prosperous partnership between us two!”
Arcamavir and his team then made their departure. Retreating to their vessels and taking off, the ASN left almost as quickly as they had arrived; leaving Abelcain to meditate on all that had just transpired.
Their offer had already been made clear before any actual physical delegation by the Telirans had even arrived. The ASN was ready and willing to protect Aedleshaven and to assist in its recovery following their recent onslaught. A neutral power to the end, the Telirans had only made the move the moment OMPAF had taken the strategic decision to depart from their association with CONA and, like a vulture, the ASN was quick to take the initiative on this new opportunity.
Curiously though, the wording of their written offer was ominously teetering on the border of a threat. “The Ancerium Corridor’s impartiality is now of utmost importance” the missive said, “...And the ASN is prepared to take whatever steps necessary to ensure that neutral impunity is protected, no matter the cost.”
To the cause of the diplomatic outreach, Natar had sent their most important figure, a subtle hint at the importance they saw in the mission, Saljir Arcamavir. A notoriously distasteful man, Arcamavir was far from a likable man, but he had squeezed La Serena during his tenure as Director of Finance into becoming a de facto vassal to ASN hegemony and had financed the destruction of Natar’s early freeport rival: Hamil’s Hideout. An external affair’s man through and through, Saljir now saw The Aedleshaven Deal, as he was calling it, as a prime chance to score a diplomatic victory for Natar… A well-needed achievement as his approval ratings hovered just above zero.
An aide came to the side of the Stadtholder as their vessel approached the LZ, “Now, sir. Please understand that these people have made it abundantly clear that they have grown hostile to foreign powers dominating and using them… They won’t be wanting another uncaring hegemon like O-”
“Yes, yes!” Saljir interrupted as he viewed his magnificent robes in the mirror. He admired himself, “I am quite familiar with recent news, Mr. Santegan… And I am quite familiar with the stakes.” His face drained with emotion. He was a hated man back home; nearly everything he had done had been made with the opposite of adoration. Even when he was genuinely trying to do something positive, it only seemed to end with catastrophe. But now, Saljir thought, was his chance to save his career. It was a gamble for everything.
With a thunderous roar, the opulent Teliran diplomatic ship, dressed in cascading metallic purples and blacks rested itself at its landing zone for the meeting and the Stadtholder made his descent from the stips of his ship; escorted by a dozen robotic escorts emblazoned with the Triarch logo. Halting halfway down, he looked out to inspect his hosts.
The political situation with OMPAF following Aedleshaven was one of turmoil.
Withdrawing from CONA and the huge withdrawal of both SAGA & CONA assets on the surface had left OMPAF with a vacuum. True, most of their Ancerium facilities which were needed by the galaxy remained intact, but they had suffered. Their world was yet again invaded, cities and towns destroyed and tens of thousands of dead. It would have been an awful situation for any nation, especially with their political associations being self-cut off, OMPAF would find no economic aid from anyone other than moderates of both sides.
As such they had accepted the ASNs offer for a meeting. OMPAF wasn’t blind or stupid, they fully knew it was an attempted power play, when it came to Aedleshaven virtually nothing was done out of true altruism, it was always about controlling the star of the corridor. But Abelcain was cunning, OMPAF had something which no other nation in the galaxy had, not just their strategic importance and location, but something new. That something was clear to any who now made their way through the Aedleshaven system, something that even the ASN would have directly observed on their way in, the biggest debris field outside the Junkyard, right on their doorstep. Shipwrecks from almost every force that had fought here, technological and resource treasure troves ripe to either press into service, sell off outright or exploit. OMPAF may have been cut off from CONA and other avenues of aid, but this veritable goldmine on their literal doorstep was the key to their future.
The truth would be if this key was shared.
Where once raging storm clouds had concealed the surface, Aedleshaven now stood undaunted. The orbital lanes were a nightmare, filled with debris and wreckage the transport had to be given constant course corrections. But when the final co-ordinates given for landing appeared, there almost seemed to be a mistake.
Their target was Lyne.
Touching down the makeshift landing zone the Stadtholders vessel looked quite out of place. Around them pre-fab buildings were erected, and beyond that the blasted and melted hellhole that was once a bustling OMPAF city.
At the head of a small delegation stood Abelcain himself. His frame was massive, covered in hair with piercing predator like eyes. As a member of the Naqoyqatsi species he was impressive, a link to a past where their species was not enslaved by Coronans.
“Welcome to Aedleshaven Statdholder Saljir Arcamavir. I believe we have much to discuss”
Saljir’s arrival at Lyne was received with one of surprise. Was he not deserving of a higher honour than meeting on a rock like this? He finished his descent onto the debris-strewn platform and scowled at the dust that was almost immediately picked up from his first step onto the surface; he turned to an aide.
“No doubt some of that is the ashes of half a million people from this dump…” He grinned before making his advance across the stretch and towards his counterpart.
“Abelcain, friend!” Arcamavir cheered with his arms outstretched to let his vibrant robes flutter in the winds washing through the ruins.
“It’s so good to see you! It was a shame not to see you at my grand gala last month!” He lamented like he didn’t understand the man had been leading a war for national survival at the time.
The Stadtholder offered his palm out for handshake with a strained grin; trying his best to disguise the Teliran’s disdain for the man’s shaggy appearance.
“Yes- yes- Discussions… Yes… But why the hurry?! This is a time to celebrate! No doubt you have a-... a banquet or grand parade planned first for me, no…?” Arcamavir inquired eagerly. His words might have conveyed oafish ignorance, and perhaps even an exaggeration of his own lack of tact, but the man was well aware of what he was doing. He intended to both embarrass Abelcain and remind him of Aedleshaven’s weak position from the get-go and, by doing so, undermine his negotiating position.
Abelcain wore plain and unadorned clothing, just like those that surrounded him. In fact it was nigh on impossible to really distinguish them from the others working in the surroundings. It was a clear opposite of Arcamavirs own approach.
He didn't even grace the Stadtholder a reply about the gala.
"Current food stocks are unfortunately being relayed to those in need, and all active military assets are deployed on patrol routes or to assist in humanitarian operations and clean up. I am afraid you have chosen rather a inauspicious time for either option."
He turned his head to the side to look over the ruins of Lyne, it was only for a brief moment but that motion was a statement to the Stadtholder, that Abelcain was not up for playing political games.
"As you can understand our situation is ever changing and very hands on, hence my hurry for talks. I apologise for my eagerness but I would not be here personally if talking to you was not important"
Abelcain might have not been up for games, but Saljir was more than happy to play them. He cracked a feigned upset face to his peer’s response at the lack of ceremony,
“Oh Abelcain, you disappoint me!” He chuckled before giving the man a joshing smack on the shoulder, “I kid, of course, but if shortage was truly your concern I should’ve hosted our little get-up instead! I would have you pampered and living in the luxury you deserve in an instant… You should be running things from the rear…! Not wasting your time and your abilities with on-the-scene work…! Trust me, some heads of state run their systems entirely from idyllic manors on Natar… You’ll be amazed at the technologies for personal convenience we have at our disposal these days… You would never need to get up and rush about again!” He grinned as he made what was effectively a bribe offer.
“Well- At any rate let us discuss the boring intricacies of what we’re here for then…” The Stadtholder started to stroll across the landing pad and raising his hand to the rubbled cityscape around them, he stayed silent as he gestured to the destruction before returning his stare to Abelcain, “...Need I say more?”
With a smile, the Teliran leader expounded, “Your people are destroyed, Abelcain… Crippled, depleted, exhausted… And a weak society makes for a weak government… You need immediate restabilization before someone takes advantage of your nation’s vulnerability.” He put on an exaggeratingly patronizing look,
“...You have fought and repelled the invaders well, but now you are alone… Isolated… And you’ve alienated the entire galaxy to your nation… Aedleshaven must recover, Abelcain, whatever the cost…”
With a click of his fingers, one of Telirans from the legions of bureaucrats that the Stadtholder had brought along rushed forward with a dossier of financial plans. Each project involved dozens of ASN registered organizations to reconstruct what Aedleshaven had lost, funded all at the personal expense of not the ASN, but Stadtholder Arcamavir himself. How or if he had the money for this was anyone’s guess.
“I am here to save you, Abelcain; all I need is your cooperation and I will replace every last business, refinery, port, and asset you lost.” He gave a toothy smile.
"With all due respect Stadtholder, I do not wish to be pampered. I firmly believe in running this nation from the trenches, it is how I have gained the position I am in and why I am respected by the people. I am a hunter and a worker at heart, take those things away and I am nothing" The thought of living and ruling like many did on Natar disgusted him truthfully but he did not outwardly show it in body language. But Saljirs entire outlook was grating him.
"It is perhaps ironic that an ideology taking advantage of my people is what got us into this mess, one giant political lie. With all due respect Stadtholder, my people are not destroyed. We have weathered invasions like this before, some far worse than the current damage dealt. No doubt you have already seen the treasure we now poses more than any other galactic nation, on top of our controlling location within the corridor"
Abelcain did not seem to be intimidated or impressed by the theatrics and offer, however he did bow his head at the offered dossiers, picking them up and analysing them carefully as the wind blew, ruffling them in the giant Naqoyqatsi's hands.
"I appreciate the sentiment Arcamavir, I am surprised to see your personal finances behind this. But you must understand, I have heard those exact words before, from the AGA, APP, CONA, SAGA and more. Everytime is a promise for economic prosperity and protection and each time fire and destruction comes to this world. What can you promise which will change that? Financial recuperation is much needed, but Aedleshaven needs far more than money"
“Oh really now Abelcain…” The Stadtholder chuckled, with his demeanor taking a sinister twist bubbling below the surface now as he gestured around them, “You say this dump isn’t destroyed…? You can’t be blind!”
He took a step forward “...You don’t realize how determined Natar is to help you. We won’t let anything stand in our way. The others ran away; we have no intention of running.”
With a fat finger, Saljir poked up to the sky, “Floating above us is a treasure trove… A treasure trove of other people’s property, and they want it back… I think a thousand national governments will have a very different outlook on you rummaging through their military hardware to Natar’s.”
He took another step, “...And they’d flock to sponsor someone offering to return their wrecks to them for nothing more than the costs to run the operation instead. Some impartial power they would rather trust with control over the debris than the likes of OMPAF.”
The smiling, smug facade Arcamavir preferred to put on had mostly faded now. Something far darker about the man was left in its wake, it was a knowing and calculated aura not unlike a man clasping a bloody baseball bat in a dark alley would have.
“...Do you see what I'm trying to warn you of, Abelcain?”
"You are warning me of a future where my people take their own destiny. The nations of this galaxy ran from this system as fast as they could the moment the battle ended, of course they have salvage operations. But we own this system and everything in it. We have already salvaged much Arcamavir, yet you seem extremely eager to get a cut of that money"
Abelcain crossed his large arms.
"You seem awfully eager to 'help' us, and yet so much is in it for you. I may be the leader of a world that has been touched by war but I watch and listen. I know what happened to La Serena Stadtholder, the jewel that you were so willing to pump money into, until it was no longer needed or relevant. I will not let Natar support us only to be a puppet or thrown away."
He sighed.
"I am willing to accept the help, but I will not tolerate sharks in the water sniffing blood, with all respect"
Arcamavir’s face looked like it was ready to burst a vein at the mention of La Serena.
“It was a mistake to believe the La Serenan’s had anything to offer… They were a dying station with little future ahead of them long before the Orillians turned up. Your civilization on the other hand… Has plenty of fundamentals.” His piercing gaze shot through Abelcain.
“Look, there’s the easy way to let us rebuild your people… Or there’s the hard way. Do I have to remind you of the state your military is in right now…? Do I have to remind you of the state my military is in…?” He chirped cockily through bared teeth, “...It’s the carrot or the stick, Abelcain… You can either have a seat at the table of the future of the scrap up there, or none at all.”
"You threaten to use the military of a neutral nation against another now neutral nation? Surely you must realise that could impact your own people far more than the damage could impact mine. The ASNs neutrality is legendary, to throw it away over this is simply outrageous."
The huge Naqoyqatsi turned to look at the rubble.
"My people have been handed many carrots on many sticks. I am aware of our fundamentals and it is those that always allow us to rebuild. I will not sell the future of this world or the people on it for personal or political gain, here on Aedleshaven we shoulder and share the burden. I would not advise throwing away one of your peoples strongest fundamentals to do the same"
"Should you wish to discuss mutual trade or sharing of potential salvage I am always willing to listen, but we are not puppets"
“Oh I have no intention of the ASN going to war, Abelcain.” Saljir grimaced with malicious intent,
“The Association has contacts with any mercenary company worth its salt… And financial channels to every warring power in this galactic war… I’m sure banks registered in the ASN would happily finance those countries to, say, contract mercenaries to retrieve their… Damaged goods?” With a smile he gestured to the clouds.
“Your stake on that scrap is only as good as your ability to defend it. I think you and I both know you need those wrecks to build back your country; to build back your defence forces. So what happens when you’re cut off from scouring that treasure?”
He grimly watched his counterpart for a few moments to let the silence set in.
“I can afford someone else’s war with you, in fact, the international community might even thank me for it afterwards. Can you afford another great war right now?”
The Stadtholder put out his hands in a reproachful manner,
“I have no aspiration to puppet your countrymen Abelcain, nor do I seek a war if I can avoid it... I have little to gain from dictating the way your people live their lives. All I ask is the right to oversee and safeguard the assets we rebuild for the mutual benefit of our nations… Not control of your internal affairs… To protect your foothold over the corridor… I think you’ll find Natar to be a lot more of a hands-off comrade than your Orillian friends. All we seek is to build assets, to bolster your defences with our own… And to ensure that your corridor doesn't fall into the hands of either of the warring factions. I am prepared to fight, if necessary, to ensure the safeguard the corridor's sovereignty from either side."
"Fighting us through proxy. How prudent. If you choose to go down that path I believe that your people will suffer for it. It is true, we lost a sizable portion of our fleet in the battle, but not all of it. I have men and women recommissioning that scrap even as we speak."
Abelcain remained like an unmoving statue.
"If you choose to fund that endeavour, it will consume you just like this place has consumed all those who have sought to fight in this system. The APP too claimed to be hands off in their approach and we payed the price all the same."
"I will agree to a joint effort for rebuilding certain infrastructure and recovery efforts for the wrecks. But. I want full autonomy and a guarantee as an equal, not a minor power. I will not throw away these peoples agency. You will get your resources and assets, we will get our fleet, our infrastructure and rebuild, and everyone wins. Nobody loses, no underhanded control, no predatory oversight. That is my final offer for a deal"
“Full autonomy translates to a free handout, Abelcain. You must think I'm a damned fool if you think a bailout of this magnitude will ever be acceptable without supervision or a say of some kind…” Arcamavir seethed through his teeth, his stare unmoving from his target.
“I will not move on my terms. You must tolerate our protection of the corridor or you will force us to use violence to protect you before somebody else moves in, and I guarantee they won’t be so peaceful and light-handed.”
There was silence for a few moments. The wind was bitter as it came off the Vistofe mountains, another site where many had fought and died on both sides of this war.
"I accept."
The statement was surprising.
"You will have your oversight, we reserve the right to have our sovereignty however. I have been betrayed by both CONA & SAGA. I hope, Stadtholder, that the ASN will be different. If not, then things will not end well. But until that potential day, the Golden Corridor will be aligned with you."
With the final concession to the proposal by Abelcain came a newfound smile drawn across Arcamavir’s wiley face.
“Then it’s a deal!” He beamed; chuckling heartily. He wasn’t ignorant to Abelcain’s conflicted feelings though. Roughly putting a hand onto his counterpart’s arm and giving him a rough, reassuring shake, the Stadtholder announced,
“Cheer up, Abelcain, my friend! This is the best option for both of us! Anyhow- The Association and those Vaplanan pacifists are organizing a pact to protect the rights of nations and people… If you’re worried about everything played by the book, perhaps you should consider participation…?”
Abelcain reluctantly allowed the man to touch him and shake his hand, he knew this was the best approach. But it also conflicted with his beliefs. Still Abelcain would use this as a means to an end, just like he had done for everyone else, Aedleshaven came first, no matter the cost.
But the comment about another potential block caused him to narrow his eyes.
"A new power bloc? I have seen many rise and fall over the years, what can this one do that others cannot?"
“I’m not that involved in its internals to be perfectly honest. But as I understand it, it’s intended less to ally its partners strategically and more to enforce an underlying moral code to how nations engage with one and other. Anti-slavery, decent treatment of prisoners, natural-born rights, peaceable conflict resolution. That kind of thing. I suppose its aim is to bring a moral and legal basis to international politics.” He huffed, “Anyhow, more importantly it binds nations to certain expected behaviour.”
"I see. As a nation that has seen many with their own sense of law and justice prove themselves to be hypocrites I am eager to see how this endeavour ends. I am interested, perhaps in time it may actually establish a galactic standard, a true standard. Not some ideological rule of law for some and not for others. Consider us interested in its creation." Abelcain seemed almost tired now.
"Will that be all Stadtholder? I am sure I can muster a few men for a small marching parade" It was clear however that while he was willing to accept what was given to him his personal beliefs about Arcamavir himself were bare to see.
“Very good. I’m sure it’ll find a way to work.” The corrupt Teliran chortled.
With a snide, grimacing smile, Arcamavir shook his head and laughed,
“I’ll be quite content as things are now, anyhow, to return to my humble little home back on Natar. Parades are far too tiresome for me anyway… Too much standing and waving, it’s far too taxing and demanding.” He explained.
Grabbing some documents and minutes that had been transcribed in real-time during the summit by one of his toadies. The Stadtholder gave a final, half-hearted nod of respect to Abelcain before booming out,
“Until next time, Abelcain! I look forward to a prosperous partnership between us two!”
Arcamavir and his team then made their departure. Retreating to their vessels and taking off, the ASN left almost as quickly as they had arrived; leaving Abelcain to meditate on all that had just transpired.