Senate: Defeated Proposal #123: Regional Suzerainty Act

[demibear]

RP Date

YE 46.1

RP Location

Kyoto

The Imperial Senate had been quiet once again since Proposal #121 was withdrawn in the 5th month of YE 45. It did not really bother Yokota Tamafune as she used the opportunity to further refine the Fujiko Trade and Cultural Exchange Office's staff. Despite their genetic engineering supposedly giving them an edge, the Nepleslian Reds' Quetzalcoatl Types were still very wet behind their ears when it came to diplomacy. A phase that made her laugh even more considering they are all vat-born. But she quickly realized that the growth of the Fujiko Development Corporation and their defacto system government status on three worlds was starting to potentially butt heads with some within the empire. Seeing that a fellow proposal to introduce the abandoned Proposal #117 was not ready, she decided to polish it and make it as neutral as possible before sending her own for a vote.

"The Yamatai Star Empire is home to a multitude of cultures and peoples working under the benevolent gaze of the Imperial Sovereign. For example the Nepleslian Reds of Fujiko, Rufusland, and Ukmirt. 17 years ago the Yamatai Star Empire was gracious to allow a defeated people a second chance to live on when the Fujiko system and the region around it was offered to them as residents of the empire." Senator Yokota Tamafune of Fujiko, actually present at her seat in person to present her opening remarks for her proposal. To emphasize her association with the Reds, she wore a pomegranate red qixiong ruqun with an onyx top.

"For 17 years the Yamatai Star Empire has its implicit desire for systems to govern as they wish, provided they remember they are still part of the greater Empire. Those 17 years have molded us into what we are today, coming to a collective decision after our cleansing of corruption 3 years ago: we work better as an organized whole than a group of individuals. The Fujiko Development Corporation was formed as an attempt at a regional coordination, but I feel there is a much more formal relationship that can do the job better. This is why I stand before you, my peers with my proposal."

Tamafune said before she paused once again to allow the distribution of the text of the proposal to be sent. The full text of the proposal already sent of Proposal #123 to the offices of her Senators prior to the proceedings, but a sending extra copies was always good form.

Text of Proposal #123

"The Yamatai Star Empire already has a tradition of planetary governments, limitations on planetary defense forces as authorized by the Military Centralization Act of YE 28 should they be created. It also has the suzerainties of the Elysian Celestial Empire and Xiuluria that act as more formal and organized forms of governance than what planetary governments are currently. Built on former Senator Takagawa's Proposal #117, Propsal #123 is designed to formalize this tradition in a similar fashion as the suzerainties and ensuring all remain compatible with Imperial Law. A more organized empire is a stronger empire."

 

[FrostJaeger]

Karael Malarch, a fair-skinned, blond-haired, and breathtakingly-beautiful Patrician female with eyes the color of steel and wings the color of snow spent several silent minutes reading the proposal’s contents, then let out a quiet sigh - and spoke. “The Elysian Celestial Empire votes yes for Proposal 123.” Beneath her serene expression, the Elysian was dismayed, to say the least, because she knew that her nemesis in the Elysian Senate - the conniving, warmongering, and thoroughly-corrupt bastard known as Barachiel Valeria - would throw the mother of all temper tantrums if he wasn’t chosen as a Governor of some kind. And worst of all, his foolish antics on Osman have made him popular enough with the public and my colleagues in our Senate, which means he very well might get his way if push comes to shove. Damnation, this couldn’t have come at a worse time…

 

[raz]

"The Tami System votes no for Proposal 123," Senator Maeda Yusuke said when it was his turn on the roll call. "On its face this proposal is tortuous and labyrinthine, and is almost as lengthy as the Empire's Constitution itself. And counter to Senator Tamafune's claim, the text of this bill was not provided to my office in advance for review."

Today Yusuke spoke with the same dry and straightforward as he always did, with very unjudgmental and matter-of-fact intonations. All Senate business was simple procedure, and big rhetorical flourishes had no place for him despite their popularity in fiction. Still, his feathery blond mullet stood perfectly quaffed above his elegantly tailored suit cut from cloth dyed the same blue as Star Army uniforms were made of in elaborate contrast to his flat demeanor.

"Within this proposal are far too many issues that cannot be resolved here on the Senate floor," he continued. "I will not name all of them, but the people of Tami have concerns that include verbiage omitting the possibility of military governors, as well as deep concerns over national security. For example, several systems that host essential Star Army Fleet Depots and Arsenals would fall outside of the Imperial Demesne's governance. The latter point is especially unacceptable. If we had actually been provided with an advance copy then these issues and many others could have been ironed out in advance."

Tami's Senator paused to examine his fellow representatives, taking a moment as much to gauge their reactions himself as he did to wait for a new stream of information from his office to be processed within his digital mind.

"Perhaps even more worryingly," Yusuke said after a quick breath, "Proposal 123's main thrust seems to be to provide a legal framework for organizations and movements without the best interests of Yamatai and Yamataians at heart to find loopholes that would sunder this great Empire and do so during a time of war against the Mishhuvurthyar. If this proposal passes following the stacked votes of Discourse Party sock puppets as well as those opportunists who support their corruptive ideas, and without the consent of every system entitled to Senatorial representation — even those systems whose Senate office is currently vacant — then Tami will immediately submit a request to the Imperial legislative affairs liaison asking that the Empress use her Imperial powers to strike down this law."

 

[FrostJaeger]

The Senatorial Legate was clad in an elaborately-wrapped teigha with a starkly-violet outer layer, a vibrantly-blue middle layer, and a white inner layer; beneath it, she wore the customary white-hued iyko, while above it she wore a finely-made, violet-hemmed soh’k’toh the color of ivory. Rounding out her appearance were several exquisite pieces of jewelry; after pausing for a moment, Karael - whose previously-serene features had darkened noticeably after her colleague’s politely-worded temper tantrum - scanned the rest of the Senate floor, then made her move. “Although I shall leave defending the points of the proposal itself to Senator Tamafune, I can confirm that my office was indeed provided with a copy of this proposal prior to this session, Senator Maeda. That you apparently can’t be bothered to read your own mail is hardly a cause for this proposal to be rejected, nor is it a reason to forgo the process of simply amending the proposal, something I note you raised no objections to when it comes to your own proposals. I similarly find it quite curious that you’re demanding a vote from every Imperial system - including, might I note, those that are literally incapable of doing so given their lack of a representing Senator - on this proposal, but did not make such a demand for your own.”

“Perceived irregularities aside,” continued Karael after taking a breath, “I find it extremely offensive that you would label the Elysian Celestial Empire - whose citizens voluntarily sacrificed their lives to defend the Yamatai Star Empire during the Kuvexian War - an ‘organization without the best interests of Yamatai and Yamataians at heart,’ just as I find it extremely offensive that you dare to label your fellow democratically-elected Senators ‘sock puppets’ with ‘corruptive ideas.’ I in fact demand that you issue a formal apology for what you said just now, or I will personally motion that you be censured for your heinous misconduct.”

With that, the Patrician finally sat back down. She knew that she’d probably been much too scathing in her rebuke, but it would be an extraordinarily cold day in Hell before she let someone get away who compared her to that slimeball Barachiel scot-free.

 

[raz]

"Unless the honorable Senator from Elysia has something substantive to say about changes to this bill that would modify it to better serve the Empire and its citizens, I ask that she please refrain from outbursts that impede the smooth procession of voting on this proposal," Maeda said after standing, directly addressing the Imperial Steward, before quickly sitting again.

 

[demibear]

Tamafune just smirked slightly when the Senator of Tami made their statement and the obvious no vote. Though the smirk only grew ever so wider when the honorable Senator of the Elysian Celestial Empire highlighted points in the past. It was almost like the Karael was reading her digital construct, she was going to have to do a full diagnostic after the proceedings to rule out the idea. She merely nodded her head towards the Elysian, letting the remarks stand as they were.

"Before I get on with my right of reply, I would like to remind the honorable Senator of Tami that my surname is Yokota. I am sure you meant nothing from that. Having said that..." Tamafune said before continuing with her right of reply as Yusuke had directly talked to her in his remarks. "Unlike some, I will not use a Take it or Leave it approach in my duty as a Senator. A proposal that wishes to define what is already an informal relationship should be a lengthy one detailing clearly what is being added and what is being changed. If the honorable Senator finds a section of it offensive to their perceptions, I am open to rewriting or striking it if the body votes it so." she said, deciding to omit his comments of not 'receiving the proposal beforehand'.

"Military governors are omitted as it is up to each region and system to define how their governments will operate. If you go to Title VI subsection 4 states A Charter must specify the following: where immediate at clause A it says How their Governor and Senator are selected, as well as how bylaws and regulations are created, amended, and repealed. where the definition at the very beginning at Title I subsection 2 states Governor : A System or Regional executive leader who is subordinate to the Imperial Sovereign. Where Governor is used in this Act, an equivalent local or traditional term (such as Jarl) for head of state may instead be substituted.

As a Senator it is not my job to to dictate nor my desire how others wish to govern their systems and regions. If they desire a military governor from the Star Army of Yamatai to lord over them, that is for their populations to decide. Which brings me to the next point is the Star Army of Yamatai already independent and not subject to the whims of whatever civilian government that co-exists with them? Are we implying that somehow the Star Army's assets will somehow be transferred into a Regional Suzerainty's control? Where has anything remotely like that ever occurred?" Tamafune paused for a moment before her time was up.

"And last is this assertion that somehow allowing more effective organization of regional associations that only strengthens the Imperial Sovereign's hold over these regions somehow allows those disloyal to the Imperial Sovereign gives them more room to do so. Calling others ideas as Corruptive can only be interpreted as you believe those individuals are enemies of the State. With attitudes like that existing in this body representing the people you think do not have a voice in determining if they wish to form Regional Suzerainties approved by the Senate or the Empress, I say the following: Title IV subsection 2 - The formation of existing Yamataian Systems into a new Region must unanimously pass a special referendum comprising all Governors and Senators representing those Systems, and a draft Charter approved unanimously by the same, before the request to begin the process of constituting a new Region shall be presented to the Imperial Sovereign by the Premier.

With that, I yield the rest of my time to the Premier." Tamafune said before sitting back down. She started devoting a small portion of her processing power to contact and consult with her IT specialists about her Consort body.

 

[Ametheliana]

"Whereas there are numerous mentions of the Elysian Celestial Empire in this proposal, I find my own suzerainty omitted except in your opening remarks," Sachiko noted, idly running her index finger along the table next to the proposed bill as her opalescent eyes glanced at it. "The last thing Xiuluria needs is a regional defense force, but it will be the first thing it gets if this bill passes. I vote no for that reason alone."

 

[raz]

Yusuke nodded along to the Red Senator's remarks, glad she was able to articulate some semblance of redress beyond the bellicose posturing others in her caucus seemed solely capable of. After waiting for Sachiko of Xiuluria cast her vote, he reclaimed some time to reply to Tamafune.

"The Imperial Demesne ought to extend out to 40 lightyears from Yamatai, exclusive of the Elysian Suzerainty established by prior treaties or legislation, as well as up to 50 lightyears as to encompass the entirety of the Bard Cluster and Samurai Sector. Although the Empress would have final say for the establishment of new regional suzerains should Proposal 123 be implemented, Imperial citizens residing in these systems would be best served to know they will forever remain within the warm embrace of the sovereign's personal territory."

The Senator from Tami would not address any of the barbed whining that had come in response to his comments on corruption, for anyone virulently offended by such general statements as his earlier remarks must have felt some pang of knowing guilt in the back of their mind. Snap polling showed the vast majority of Yamataian citizens from across the Empire who watched today's proceedings agreed with Yusuke's statement about the Discourse Party — whose disgrace of a leader had penned the first version of this proposal and whose hand thus still tainted it — and found little offense in what he'd said. After all, the Empire had voted overwhelmingly for Bellflower candidates and Independents adjacent to the party in last year's Imperial election.

"Further, although the people of Tami still believe a majority of all systems with populations qualified for Senate representation should be required to vote on a law so lengthy and impactful as Proposal 123, the logistics of making that happen may be impractical," Senator Maeda added. "So at least the people of fair Yamatai itself, beyond those hailing from Xiuluria, should get their say via whichever candidate wins the race for Premier Hanako's vacant seat there. Input from Nataria's representative would help give this proposal legitimacy, too."

 

[Soban]

Anslen considered the proceedings carefully as the back and forth of the senate debate flowed. In addition to his normal assistants, his Helashio granddaughter, Marigold, was watching in person as well. He took notes on what was being said and some of his own concerns.

Iemochi Seinosuke grinned winningly at the cameras and waved. While the circumstances of his departure from the Star Army were inauspicious, and were even the reason for a new senatorial election on Virginia, he had won a landslide victory for the Discourse party over a Bellflower candidate. He smiled for his beloved wife and children, who he had been able to spend much more time with now that he was out of the Army. This also let him spend much of his time working on behalf of his constituents and they loved him for it. The combination of practical experience in the military and a listening sympathetic ear was a powerful one. The truth was that despite the tears he had shed over the loss of his career in the army, he found his new life representing Virginia to the Empress, spending time with his family, and personal projects deeply satisfying.

The Neo-Caelisolan senator stood and took the floor, "My friends, neighbors, and countrymen if you will lend me your ears for a moment let's talk for a moment about the proposal before us today. Not as enemies, but as coworkers towards a stronger and better Yamatai. I deeply believe that all of us in this chamber today not only have the best interests of the Empire at heart, but that we genuinely want to represent our constituents to the best of our abilities. The question before us is not 'if' we want to make the empire better, but how."

Iemochi looked out from the podium out not only at his fellow senators, but at the population of the empire represented by the diverse array of species and cultures in the visitor's gallery. "Twelve years ago, Empress and the people of Yamatai laid the legal framework of the Empire as we know it today. In it we enshrined ideals, ideals that we haven't always lived up to. However, that doesn't mean they're not worth us trying to live up to. The recent history of the Empire could in many ways be written as our struggle with those ideals and how to implement them."

Iemochi picked up a tablet, "Forgive me a moment while I read some of them. 'In this document are enshrined the principles that govern the Yamatai Star Empire, a state based on promoting universal happiness, affection, and enlightenment, and the pursuit thereof.' One of the things I've learned about the empire in my time serving her is that we all have different perspectives on what universal happiness even is. You ask a Separa'Shan Fashion Designer and they will tell you something very different than a Nekovalkyrja farmer. For me it meant growing beyond even the species that I was born as."

"With so many different visions of how to pursue universal happiness, we must ask ourselves how do we support such a diverse array of visions?" Iemochi paused a moment to let the listeners think about it. "I've thought about it a long time, and I've come to the conclusion that the answer is 'choice'. Real meaningful choices. However, it's immediately obvious to anyone that thinks for a second that pure unbridled choice can become chaos and there are competing values and goals. Right now there are billions of Mishhuvurthyar who are choosing to try and destroy the empire we have created. However, the conflict in choices can also be more subtle. How much do we allocate between private and public enterprise for example. We can't allocate that split in two different ways at the same time. That's logically impossible. Yet both splits might be optimal in different ways."

"To put it in more concrete terms, think for a moment about our Shuristian citizens. I recently was honored to take a tour of their massive space going home. They have a wonderful system of water credits to help ensure that everyone has the basics. They promote civic mindedness to the point where positions that many other cultures would fight for are taken only by reluctant professionals who know their skills would serve the people best. I also had the honor of visiting the Abwehran worlds recently added to our Empire. They have lived under an oppressive government and so to be a loyal Abwehran is to criticize their leaders' decisions and to assert their political rights rather than just stand idly by and obey without question. Both Shuristian and Abwehrans seem happy with their governments which are very different and lead to different emphases on what governments should and shouldn't do."

Iemochi seemed more like he was having a casual conversation than a part in an intense debate and the snap polling of people watching reflected that. They approved highly of Virgina's senator's approach to the question. "To pursue universal happiness then what is required is effective local governments. But not identical ones. Governments that are attuned to the facts on the ground rather than trying to rule a space-bound ecumenopolis in the same way as a newly founded colony. On the other hand, if we do not stand together against the Mishhuvurthyar, we shall certainly fall separately. In this the colony world and the ecumenopolis are united."

Imochi picked up the tablet again, but didn't look at it. "Purpose, Item seven, 'To enshrine in law the de facto tradition that Systems are self-administrating while still being subject to Imperial sovereignty.' The goal of this legislation is to navigate the very question we have been considering here. It does so by establishing that we have a single Sovereign, the Empress who watches over us all. Her concern are the problems that face us all. She delegates the authority for things we might differ on to the local governors and Suzerainties. Each will, through listening to its own citizens, determine how best to rule them within the larger framework of the Empire and its Imperial Laws."

"A few questions about this have been raised by other senators. Such as that this would sunder the empire into dozens rather than uniting them. However, by understanding that the Imperial Sovereign deals with the issues that unite the empire this allows the sovereign to focus on what matters to all. It also allows the local governors to focus on what matters to their own citizens and how they wish to pursue happiness. Far from dividing the empire, it unites it on a core value of allowing people to chose how to pursue happiness."

"Others worry that this will mean that they will have to raise forces to defend themselves. However, this legislation mandates no such thing. Some will want more protection or to even help in their own way against larger concerns certainly. However, this legislation allows, within the limits of Imperial Law, for each to choose if and if so how to accomplish that."

"Some people think that the imperial desmene should be larger or smaller. In response I ask this question, 'What will best promote the differentiated flourishing of our people? Is it by having more and more people subjected to a singular rule or by allowing each system, each people to make their own choices about their local issues?' The Empire is not a monolith. Indeed, not being a monolith is its strength."

"There are many other issues that others can and probably will speak to. What I wish is to lay a foundation here for judging between the options. What aligns with our purpose of empowering universal happiness? Is it putting into words the already existing defacto tradtion that Systems are self-administering or leaving what everyone already knows unsaid and vulnerable to bad actors?" The senator paused for effect. "I find that I must vote Yes on this proposal." With that Imochi returned to his seat.

Anslen subtly checked the numbers. Iemochi's speech had apparently touched a cord with the public and rallying support for their cause. People agreed that the Empire wanted to promote universal happiness and that the best way forward would be choice. The tall lanky Separa'Shan senator rose, "I concur with the Senator from Virginia, Essia votes Yes."

 

[Yuuki]

"While I have made it a point to differentiate myself from my predecessor, as we are different people with different politics, I don't think that the new text of this is in the spirit of that which she had put it forth- which was to remove the objectionability that led to the prior bill on which it is based to be defeated, that she believed needed to be passed, and to add elements that were advantageous to her– to our, my constituency." Kára Kurogane paused for a moment. "Though we are different, I still agree with her vision for it, imperfect as it was in its unfinished state. Given this deviation, Koukotsu votes 'No.'"

 

[Andrew]

Cheol listened as the others spoke, the new Norian Aestaesys adjusted his posture uncomfortably. Unlike these people, his had been to the brink, and most were just happy to be alive. This was his chance to reflect on differences between the people of Tsenlan and their brothers in the Imperium, "Akina and the State of Tsenlan, votes no to this proposal. We trust in the Star Army for our defense and the rest of this proposal is on a detrimental path that our former government fell into." It was all he needed to say.

 

[Wes]

Ketsurui-Chinomari Minori, a recently-elected senator from the well-known Ketsurui Clan, and a retired Star Army Taisho, joined the Senate, taking the seat reserved for the Yamatai star system.

"Greetings, everyone. I submit a proposal to change the bill by including the Elven Republic of Xiuluria as a listed Suzerain. As senator of planet Yamatai I promise that the Xiulurian people and government will continue to enjoy the respect and freedoms they have possessed since the time of Yamatai's founding."

OOC: @Ametheliana

 

[Yuuki]

"If I may, I do have some insight into my predecessor's intentions that this be solely about those entities that consist of entire systems or groups of systems, perhaps made more evident in the wordings of the definitions," Senator Kurogane replied, "I believe the omission was simply because it did not address the Gated Suzerainty's status at all, one way or the other, considering it a different enough situation to not merit inclusion." She cleared her throat before continuing, "But if it helps for the scope to be amended, perhaps then..." Kára trailed off, with a rising intonation in her purring, velvety, Type 33A-deep voice.

 

[Ametheliana]

"The issue is the division within my suzerainty on not only the utility of this bill, but its application after it is complete. By disallowing Xiuluria access to this bill's proposed changes, you will please half of the council while the other half revolts. With its inclusion, the once displeased half merrily rallies behind the machinations of defensive weaponry and rank that this piece of law promises. Caught in the middle, I see the one half of my council that wants no change to the peace that is our current status while the other half would love to go back to the ways of the past that has caused so much death among those that should not have died so young."

Standing, Sachiko's white dress glittered with intricate red stones delicately embroidered to spill out of its bust line and over the high empire waist only to evanesce into the wispy tulle-like fabric that fell into its wide hem behind her senatorial desk. Her grey hair was pulled away from her face in long sweeping segments while chunks in front of and behind her piercing ears curled towards her shoulders and the pale twinkling locks melded with the white of her dress.

"My elves have seen loss we shouldn't have, senate." Like the wind trembling a leaf on a branch, Sachiko's tone rose and fell with powerful memory. "Our people shouldn't fall so soon but we've watched elders and young alike, felled. Something so unprecedented and perturbing to a long-lived species such as ourselves makes the eyes wet for longer than many of you can imagine. My tears have dried but some of them amongst my people are not yet clear. I don't want to put a gun in the hands of someone whose vision is clouded like that.

"Neither that nor tell them why the angels were given privileges not afforded to the elves," Sachiko's voice rose. "The elves with whom their current benefactor Yamatai did not need to fight off in three separate wars, but who were yoked by Yamataian companies without complaint and fought alongside Yamataian militaries as if they were our own. Do not make me explain to the people that have only sought compliance with Yamatai are afforded no privileges. Again, neither that nor a defense force for my family to die in. My vote for no stands regardless of amendment for Xiulurian inclusion."

 

[HarperMadi]

"Shurista votes yes," Senator Shretas Natus seemed deflated in his projection to a more comfortable size. It may not have seemed obvious, but the ancient Senti had been dying for some time, and now.was a mere telepresence from some hospital room where Yamataian medicine fought to keep him alive. "My life grows short. It is our responsibility to preserve the cultures and their laws of the peoples of Yamatai, giving each the right and ability to enshrine them in law. So as my last act as Senator, assuming the lovely Yamataian doctors do not find a way to extend my life, I will vote yes to this proposal."

 

[Wes]

"Yamatai votes yes, as the bill seems to have addressed all the previous issues that caused my predecessor to vote no," Senator Minori of Yamatai said. "I encourage the other senators to, if this bill is mostly good but has a sticking point, to approve it and immediately submit a proposal to change the wording of the area of concern, or to submit a motion for change as I have for addressing the concerns from Xiuluria. The bill puts into writing the way that Yamatai has operated more or less for some time now, and if it fails, we'll simply be stuck having to write a new version. Why not fix this one now?"

 

[raz]

"Tami seconds the motion to recognize Xiuluria as an existing suzerain under Title VII and modify the text of Proposal #123 to reflect such," Yusuke said.

 

[Yuuki]

"Koukotsu seconds Tami's proposal to extend Imperial Demesne in radius and to include systems hosting Fleet Depots and Arsenals, and also moves to include the entireties of any desgnated military sector."

 

[Wes]

"Yamatai seconds Koukotsu's proposed modification," Minori nodded.

 

[HarperMadi]

"Shurista recommends wording to mark systems and worlds as being any habitable place whether megastructure or naturally formed planet. While this has no effect on the application of the bill, it does clarify terminology. I ask this specifically because of the term 'non-planetary orbiting body' which would not normally include mobile megastructures such as Shurista or rogue planets that for any reason are habitable despite not being part of a star sytem. It would also allow systems of megastructures, including the tying of other Senti Flotillas into the Yamatai Star Empire under her laws under the Shuristan banner without filing individual charters. I believe the Shuristan charter is still being translated and summarized, and will be made available to the Senate by my successor." Shretas spoke slowly, considering his words. "I do not expect other Flotillas to simply band together under Shuristan leadership except when operating in Yamataian territory due to our nearly species wide cultural value on volunteers and expertise. However, this will streamline the process significantly."