The two civilian Abwehrans seemed to be a bit surprised by the defenses around the area, but didn't say much to further confirm it. "Thank you," Helga replied with a nod. "We appreciate the offer," she continued politely. Professor Kortig seemed to not bother speaking up at that point.
Kommodore Holst glanced at the guards through her goggles, silently observing their alertness as well as their size. The Noble might not have been affected by their stature compared to the Abwehrans, but Hildegard had to wonder how well they could fight compared to enemies like the NMX (and silently pondered their mettle against an Abwehran Soldier).
The operative and the Solar Commander both turned and began walking down the path leading the way towards the palace's star port entrance. The Guards stood at what could be viewed as their version of attention. They did not move, and helt their rifles against their right shoulder with; the barrel facing the sky. These troopers were very clean, and their armor was very finely crafted and featured intricate curvings that seemed to be unique to the individule soldier.
The Solar Commander looked back to find the Military Members of the group were observing the RRF troopers who guarded this palace. The small uniformed woman slowed her pace to let the pair catch up. "These are the Rapid Reaction Force." She said gesturing to the guards. Each guard they passed held out his rifle as a salute. 'They are responsible for guarding the ship's of the Union Navy, and responding to military situations as they unfold. You see them guarding this palace as an Honor they earned for besting the Union Army in a series of war games a few years back." The Solar Commander spoke all of this in a calm, abit indifferent voice. But she was a member of the Navy. "They currently have engaged the NMX on a world called Ether, and though I can not give details, Rumor has it that the RRF are making them fight for every inch of that planet."
The group would enter the palace hall, and make a sharp left into a large ornate conferance room. The Room was decorated with obsidion walls and had dim lighting. Furnashing it was a large 15X4 table with pillows. The table sat low to the groun meaning the whole party would conduct this meeting sitting on pillows. The wall had a glass case which feature models of Gartagen star ships, and had a Star Map looming over it. At the center of the table was a large bowl shaped device that had many lenses, directly above it was a similar device built into the ceiling.
"Oh?" Hildegard replied thoughtfully. "Sounds a lot like the Weltraumflotte's Marine Corp...only your Rapid Reaction Force seems to be separate from your Navy," the Kommodore deduced as they continued away from the shuttle pad. "The Imperial Palace back on Abwehr does their security differently though. We have a Special Force trained to guard both the palace and important persons. They're pretty much elites brought over from our Planetary Forces and Marines." the Officer explained before they entered the palace hall.
The Solar Commander nodded as Hildegard spoke. "The ones protecting this Palace are the best of the best from the RRF, specially trained and equipped. They are however very much their own entity, but they work VERY closely with us." She said calmly. On entering the room the Operative decided to kick start the negotiations by speaking
“Your people were spoken very highly of by the Yamatians, who I am authorized to inform you that we have entered into a defensive pact with. The negotiations with the Yamataian Star Empire went well and we came to a mutual understanding. They however made it a point to direct us to you.” He kneeled down at the table activating the holographic projector at the center of the room which showed a 3 dimensional star map. It showed the all the races encountered by the Union. The image zoomed in on Lorath, Abwehran, and Gartagen territory. “We have expanded to the areas several light years out side of our home system, rather swiftly. The war with the NMX is in full swing, and the Lorath; a race we have yet to speak to but whom we are aware have set up a colony near our claimed territory. Aside from them though, your people are our closest neighbors.”
“By that definition we are taking our diplomatic negotiations with your people very seriously, and we are hoping for the greatest out come and mutual cooperation.” He then zoomed to the empty expanse in between Abwehran and Gartagen space, and drew a line below Gartagen territory. “The question is the zone of colonial expansion. It will affect both of our futures. But I will say the Union has no interests in hindering the expansion of your empire. So the question we have is what are you current colonial plans and how may we help you in keeping to those plans?”
Glancing at the map, Helga nodded in understanding. "Thank you for your consideration," the Noble replied. "And to answer, I have been pondering very much the same since I was assigned to meet with you. The simplest answer to the 'Expansion Issue' would be a simple matter of direction. If the Union would be kind to keep their expansion towards the galactic north and north-east, the Abwehran Star Empire would keep our expansion towards the galactic east and no farther north than the two stars approximately 30 light years west of your Gamjie Colony and ten light-years north east of Ether."
"This is much too generous!" The Operative said smiling. "We find these terms aggerable, but wish to state that your people are free to explore the systems in those buffer zones freely. If a world is discovered that is habitable of of value we should meet to inform each other of the desire for acquisition in the buffer zone." He said calmly. "We would not see relations strained due to border conflicts; and fear of military aggression. Are we in agreement?"
"We are not like Yamatai in the fact that we can develop planets at rapid paces," Helga replied with a small smile. "It will probably take us a few years before we can even expand that far, so this is a perfectly good plan," the Noble continued before pausing a moment to ponder. "That seems acceptable to the Empire."
"Now then onto the other diplomatic issue. We seek to establish a Free Trade agreement with the Abwehran empire. In that Civilian ships may enter each other's territorys provided they announce them selves and submit to any laws or searched each nation feels the need to preform. An unrelated agreement we have largely stipipulates that civilians, if they so wish may immigrate to each nation, using the nations immigration laws to the fullest in order to apply for citizen ship. We are an autocratic nation, but we do not need to keep our people here with walls and machine guns."
"We are seeking close and friendly relations with your Empire. If not closer, so as a gesture of good will we will finance the construction of a fully equipped embassy on our home world, in our capital city to your specifications and needs. This Embassy and the land it is built on will be considered Abwehran territory for all intents."
The operative would wait for a response then go on to say. "If you have any issues or treaties you would like to be addressed, please by all means. If not then I shall hand the floor over to the Solar Commander."
"A Free Trade agreement would work perfectly," Karl finally spoke up, taking the reins from a slightly annoyed Noble. "Of course, we'd have to figure on some restricted lists for items that are illegal in our territories, but that can be decided upon at a later date." the Professor continued before Helga spoke up.
"As for immigration, we are perfectly fine with accepting those who wish to join our Empire. We are currently working out an amendment to our Constitution to allow dual-citizenship, though it is taking a while to get through Parliament." the Noble explained. "We too would like to form an Embassy in your territory if you would allow us. Very few nations seem to agree to Embassy from our experience."
"Understandable. An Embassy would allow easy communication between our two nations, and possibly avert a war due to mis-understanding. Speaking of wars..."
The Solar Commander handed the Military Commanders of the Abwehrans two data pads. "We do not know how you are about letting your civilian leaders view military documents. But this is why I am here."
The Solar Commander would hit a button on the table changing the star map considirably. "This star map is a listing of our military scans." Several red blips showed up in the gulf between Gartagen and Abwehran space, as well as many bright ones in the middle of the Yamataian front. There was on massive blip which was where Ether used to be, as well as scans indicating known star ship positions.
"Our forces are left off the map due the stragity of the war. The NMX." She said. "We know little about them, we know what the Yamatians have let us know, and we know they are technologically and numerically superior to us. We have joined the war because we had to face the reality that when the NMX are finished with Yamatai and Nepleslia; we will be slaughtered."
"However the Yamatians are not weak, and we have to consider what happens if and when the Yamatians win this conflict? So far the Yamatians have been kind to use, but races like the Lorath and NMX alarm us. The idea I was sent to try to convay, both are aggressive, and from what the Yamatians say the Lorath are aggressive, and patient. Not to mention any other hostile and technologically powerful race."
"We are not proposing a war of aggression in any way; we are not an imperialistic race and have no deigns on galactic domination of any alien species. We are proposing a mutual defense pact. We are close neighbors, but as a race new to the galactic scene, we seek to guarentee your own species right to exist as free people, and your nation's right to be a nation. Like wise we would only be bound to help each other if one nation was activly attacked. The sharing of military intelligence is a given. We would also be willing to allow for joint training and perhaps even operations in order to learn from each other. More importantly different minds can produce powerful technology. It is all very big, but it is a reality we the Gartagen Union had to accept when we were discovered. We are not the biggest fish in the pond, and we need to seek out reliable and honorable allies."
"I don't think," Helga began before Hildegard spoke up, interrupting the woman.
"Interesting data," the Kommodore stated with an eyebrow raised over her goggled-eyes. "And much of your data would confirm basic intelligence packets I've received," she went on even as the Noble seemed about ready to throw a fit. "A mutual defense pact would be beneficial, however..."
"However, the Abwehran Star Empire does not," Helga tried to get in her protest.
"I'm afraid the Government maybe hesitant about defense pacts. They tend to force nations into situations they are ill prepared for." the Kommodore stated, surprising the politician a bit. "But I believe a mutual defense pact against 'future' enemies would be acceptable." Hildegard stated, as if explaining that the Empire wasn't willing to jump into the current war against the NMX at that point.
"This is understandable. So far the NMX have not pushed against your race. We have destroyed three scouts attempting to do long range scans into your territory. But have no desire to pull your people into a war." The Solar Commander said looking at the woman and transmitting the data of the encounters to the data pads of her Abwehran counterparts. The Data would detail the location of the scans, and the details of the battles. The battles were done at long range, with the Gartagens striking the craft down using their star figh"We just wished to try and make it official that if your empire is attacked, you may call on use to defend it. Even if the agreement is not mutual. From a stratigic stand point...if your empire falls it would only hurt us and endanger our soverign right to exist. I am sure you race can see that if we were to fall the same can be said."
"The offer of a mutual defense pact will remain on the table for your government to look over."
Deciding not to acknowledge receiving the data at that time, since it probably would have sent the Noble over the edge, the Kommodore nodded silently.
"I believe the Empire would find that acceptable," Helga stated politely, her voice neutral. Though something about her seemed to say the Kommodore would be getting an ear-full later. "Would the Union have anything else to discuss?"
"I would say these proceedings have gone well." The Operative stated. "The only thing I have to say is do you have any questions or proposals that need to be addressed? If not then shall we tour this palace so learn more of each other's respective peoples?"
"We have no more questions,"
"Then these proceedings are concluded."
