Invitation to 2nd International Relations Conference

[Tom]

From: Empress Himiko
To: Elysian Gov, Nepleslian Gov, UOC Gov, Abwehran Gov

You are cordially invited to the second International Relations Conference of YE 30. The intent of this meeting is to promote peaceful and profitable relations between our countries. The IAA needs to be refined and extended. As before, the conference will be held on Pisces Station.

Signed,

Empress Himiko

It seems that the Yamataian Star Empire would like to engage in a second round of negotiations between our nations. I do not contest this idea, as Yamatai's growing relationship with the Elysians presents a new wrinkle in the diplomatic landscape which must be addressed.

What say you, Senate?

-Robert Davis

 

[SUBLIMEinal]

Attendance is a necessary evil. I'd honestly prefer for us to just shut the doors; it's not worth the time and effort to be fucked with like last time, in my opinion. However, with the alliance between our two neighbors, probably against us, I feel we must go.

It will also be fun to hear what slander their princess throws at us this time.

-Ioannes Calero

 

[Dragonnova]

Drake couldn't help but roll his eyes a little. (Yes, he can do that even though they're mechanical.) This seemed to him like little more than a chance for Yamatai to make threats to them, toting around their alliance with Elysia like it was some kind of weapon.

"I'd be happy to know that they're at least trying to keep the peace for once... If I didn't believe this was a total crock." His armored hand gripped the arm of his chair, a small crack being heard over the video/audio feed. "But, I suppose we have to go. Otherwise they may see it as hostile intentions and do something stupid."

"As for Elysia... I've never really been fond of them in the first place." What he didn't mention was that outsiders were generally greeted with a cold reception in his area. "But, knowing Yamatai's paranoia, it's probably more than just 'a gesture of friendship.' Or whatever they're saying about it."

"I'm a soldier, not a diplomat though. I say you should go ahead and go, if only to avoid appearing suspicious. I'd go myself, but I hear their kittens don't like cybernetics and well..." He chuckled slightly as his eyes flashed brighter for a moment. Truthfully, he didn't care about what the neko's would think of him. If Robert wanted him to come along for whatever reason, he would. Though he couldn't imagine why he would.

"I say yes to going, if only so we can quote their insults and let the nepleslian people laugh at it."

-Drake Regnier.

 

[Exhack]

I'm more or less of the opinion that we should go, echoing my fellow senator's worries. We live in an age of troublesome alliances, where one spark could set the entire sector on fire, and anything that we can do to keep those flames down should be one of our primary concerns as the Senate of Nepleslia.

I'm still tied up here in the UOC, so I likely be unable to attend until the last few days of the session.

Signed,
Haytham Quezzil

 

[Tom]

Mr. Quezzil,

I and the senate are looking forward to hearing the details involved in your discussions with the UOC. I anticipate the senate will have some good measures to vote on after all is said and done.

~~

Senators,

Let us assume that Nepleslia sends a delegate to the meeting. What shall this delegate's discussions focus on? Are we to continue to uphold the current agreement of non-violence or aim for something higher?

I am in no way supportive of measures that would put our military technology at a disadvantage, given the YSE's tendency to 'acquire' our goods without permission. However, I am open to discussing ways in which free trade can be encouraged between civilian corporations. Popular opinion of Yamatai remains incredibly low among our general populace, but we can use this meeting as a way to try to promote some sense of community among our nations.

Yamatai, whether they are true to their intentions or not, are making a very public push to appear benevolent in spite of their previous actions. I do not want to risk their PR stunts turning into something that makes us look like the devils in the universe.

What say you, Senators?

-Robert Davis

 

[Tom]

...

What say you, senators?

 

[SUBLIMEinal]

Considering Yamatai has just declared war, again, on the Free State, I'm wondering just how this meeting will go.

I'm also concerned about the Elysians signing a treaty with them. It seems odd the Angels would do such a thing, although considering they've signed one with the UOC as well, it appears as though they're simply grabbing for friends. I don't know if this will have any effect on the conference proceedings for us, other than some amusement at seeing how our neighbors feel about having treaties signed with their antagonists.

As for speaking points in the conference, I'd like to motion for a treaty barring foreign military vessels from our space. Although the IAA supposedly prohibits moving active military vessels into other nations as acts of war, its hazy enough that I worry some of our less-than-friendly acquaintances may exploit it. Of course, I have been told I worry too much.

Other things we could touch on:
- Unauthorized NAM technology proliferation.
- Possibly purchasing the space for the route between the Nepleslian Core and the Colonial Expanse from Elysia/ Yamatai.
- Removal of Yamataian fleets from the old Free State.

The last point given above was supposed to have been resolved many months ago. The Yamataians promised to remove their fleets from that space and have since refused to do so, barring humanitarian aid to the Free State remnant. I also worry of Yamatai annexing the space, in clear violation of their IAA-mandated expansion zone.

My final note would have to be recent reports of a Red Faction supply base being constructed on Halna. My usual philosophy towards such an action would generally be gratefulness that at least they're not building it here. However, considering that it is more or less under guard of a Yamataian fleet, I am becoming increasingly suspicious of their involvement with the traitors. Combined with reports of Yamataian equipment being fielded against our marines (most recently a Mindy armor was spotted by soldiers on the NSS Nerkat), this is becoming an increasingly touchy subject.

Senator Ioannes Calero,
Rok'Veru

 

[MoonMan]

I apologize that I haven't been able to attend some of the more recent meetings, fellow senators...my re-election as representative governor of Delsauria isn't going as well as I would've hoped.

Anyway, despite the many shortcomings of the Yamataian government, we are still heavily invested in foreign trade with Yamataian civilian companies, and I personally would like to keep our economy in the state it has been in so far. If Yamatai wants to start acting beneficent, then I don't see why we can't just nod our heads while at the same time keeping them at arms length.

We should also focus some attention on our own expansion plans conflicting with those of Elysia. As Nepleslia is ultimately heading northward, we've also been given the direction of the Northwestern expanses, which may or may not conflict with Elysian expansion. We could at least hammer out the details with those winged pricks.

I myself am not so worried about the Reds or the Freespacers. At the moment, the Red Faction military has been reduced to little more than roving gangs, and Red civilians are already under amnesty. The Freespacers are rapidly becoming more trouble than they're worth, as well...it doesn't matter if what they do is misinterpreted by Yamatai or not, but if they keep getting themselves embroiled in conflict with that nation, I don't see any upsides to affiliated ourselves with them. It's cute and all that some of us want to coddle and protect these people, but as a businessman, trends like that end up being bad for the profit margin.

Senator Edward Vanderhuge
Delsauria

 

[SUBLIMEinal]

This is not a business, Mr. Vanderhuge. It is a government. You'd do well to remember that; perhaps there are reasons you're having trouble in your reelection.

Senator Ioannes Calero
Rok'Veru

 

[Dragonnova]

"Cool it, Calero. I hardly think making personal insults amongst ourselves before this thing will do us any good." Drake rubbed the rims of his eye sockets. "Forgive my short absence, Davis. We've been coming across.... complications lately."

"Though the freespacer ordeal, from a moral standpoint..." He chuckled slightly at the word 'moral'. "We probably should back them up. But truthfully? I do not see any reason to take sides. Who we choose to let wander through our borders is our business, It doesn't mean we have to get into their politics though. As for Elysia... I imagine any conflict between our expansions will likely be looked down upon by Yamatai in favor of their new pets."

Regnier sighed, "For now, let us keep the peace. At the very least, it is beneficial to our economy. And who knows? Maybe Yamatai will rethink their policy of declaring war on whatever doesn't bend to their will." There was a slight pause and the audio was muffled as Drake tried to hide his laughter, obviously not believing his last statement.

 

[MoonMan]

Calero, if you want to go at it about the Freespacer issue right now, I'm ready to state my case. You know very well that the Freespacer nation has nothing to offer us that we don't already produce in spades. They also seem very keen on getting themselves into trouble and subsequently running to us whenever the nation they piss off brings down the hammer on them.

It's wonderful that your appearance of having morals and wanting to baby this race helps you maintain your planetary senator status, but Delsauria isn't buying it, and neither am I; and I'm still having to work my ass off for this re-election period against this upstart from the Juhana provinces.

I'm not saying we should abandon them, although I hardly think they'd take the drop without grace; they've survived long enough to get picked up like a helpless puppy by us. What I'm saying is that if this puppy turns into more trouble than they are worth, you won't just hear me complaining...you'll hear the people complaining too. And as a government, we are required to listen...isn't that correct, Calero?

Senator Edward Vanderhuge
Delsauria

 

[Tom]

Personal differences on this issue aside, I believe we are starting to go into another area altogether. The Spacers, at this current junction in time, are taking sanctuary within our borders, and there is nothing we can do to change that in the immediate future.

We will need to address the Spacer's future, but that is not an issue for Yamatai to demand of us. I refuse to have us bossed around on this topic, for if we capitulate to demands, we will find ourselves losing a piece of our galactic influence.

Spacers who wander off to get shot can do so on their own time, but Nepleslia will not permit Yamatai to drag that battle into our space. Many of our populace are just waiting for any excuse to go over there and start shooting.

I doubt Yamatai would test those waters.

-Robert Davis

 

[Koenig808]

You will all forgive my inattentiveness to this particular matter of importance, and towards others.

I'm sure that we all remember the events that lead to the last conference being held. And based on these current issues, it is very hard to simply take this next one at face value.

But I do agree with Calero. Though I'd rather spend time ignoring the Yamataians and focusing on our inability to reform the Caretaker Corps' ability to cook a decent meal, it would do us some good to at the very least play along with the Yamataians on this.

Senator Roy Garza,

Kennewes Senator

 

[Tom]

I suppose I shall go then. I will be relaying information to you after the day's proceedings.

For the Democratic Imperium of Nepleslia.

-Robert Davis

 

[Dragonnova]

"Huh..." Drake still seemed dissatisfied about something. Nonetheless, he echoed their leader,

"For the Democratic Imperium of Nepleslia." he paused before adding, "Good luck."