Chapter 05: Opening Arguments

[uso]

Diplomatic Room, IAS Edward Deming

There had been ample time for the delegates to make their way into the Diplomatic room onboard the Edward Deming. Displays around the edges of the room would cycle through national flags and images of the surrounding space, while the circular table in the middle of the room gave each nation plenty of space for their primary delegate to sit at the table. Any additional staff would have to either wait outside, or use some of the additional seating to sit just 'behind' their primary.



"Thank you for coming here today. I know everyone here has their attention focused on matters of the home, and we have had to make the time for this kind of meeting where the international community can get together.

From here on out we will be following an order for speaking, as per the rules of the summit."

The circular table in the middle of the room didn't have a 'head' of the table... though Wazu himself had taken the seat facing the main door. This would suit his position as moderator for the discussion. He had the Eretsu seated to his right, and the Reich seated to his left. This would hopefully give those seeking 'order' the greatest voice in the neutral-ish discussion. Taipain... or rather Hoshiko... was seated closest to the door, giving her a little bit of space to her left. As isolated a position as one could manage given the circumstances.

The rest of the delegates were situated randomly around the table.

A very obvious Mic was positioned in front of each seat, along with a small display where users could request time to speak, vote, or otherwise make requests of the staff. Further topics of discussion could also be entered here. The table also contained various sets of translation systems from directed audio, to augmented realty text displays over individual's heads that would show the requested language for only the individual using that specific translator. Despite the rather humble look, there was enough technology backed into this room to make any needed imagery.

"Our first speaker, is Queen Tiamat Ealamassi Caer Kinnon of the Constitutional Dominion of Ersetu, who wishes to discuss the expansionist policies of Lemais and Taipan."

[Gunsight1]

Diplomatic Room, IAS Edward Deming

Queen Tiamat stood, towering over all the seated delegates, her glowing gold eyes surveying those seated around the table. Some she knew, some she knew of, many were new to the international community. She turned to their host and inclined her head.

"First, I would like to thank Mr. Wazu for arranging and hosting this conference of nations. It has been far too long since the powers in this corner of the galaxy gathered to talk in peace." she spoke English easily, though her voice was heavily accented.

"As has been stated, I wish to bring two subjects of concern to this council. The Empires of Lemais and Tai Pan, who have, in very short periods of time grown to encompass vast swaths of space. This imperialist expansion of these two very young nations has brought great caused for concern to the Dominion of Ersetu, and I have no doubt also for the other, older nations represented in this council." she said, "And while we do not have representatives from both of these empires present, I do wish to learn the intentions of the one that is present" she continued, her gold eyes flicking to Hoshiko.

"Before that, though, I do wish to speak on the subject of the Lemais and the threat they now pose to the entirety of this sector of space." she went on, "Since the reformation of their government under new, and alien.... human leadership, the Lemais have begun a campaign of aggression against all those around them. Their territorial expansion, which has been unchecked, has seen them snap up dozens of star systems in the last few short cycles and open hostility against all interstellar trade." she paused. "I think the representative from the Interstellar Alliance will also have something to say on this subject when it is his turn" she nodded to Ambassador Pullings, seated part way around the conference table, who nodded in response.

"Merchant, passenger and other civilian vessels conducting trade between the Dominion and her trading partners have been subjected to attacks by vessels of the Empire of Lemais, resulting in an ongoing loss of life, cargo, ships and capital for many. In this last cycle alone, the frequency attacks on our merchant vessels and those of other nations traversing the trade lanes near Lemais space has grown exponentially. The Dominion will no longer stand for this aggression by the Empire of Lemais and have enacted policies to counter them suitably in accordance to the level of hostility."

The Queen turned her attention back to Hoshiko, her gold eyes burrowing into the small Tai Pan woman. "It is worrisome enough to have one hostile nation openly taking territory and attacking the fair trade between the other nations of this sector." she said, her voice, tone and pace of speech had remained impeccably calm and continued so. "Representative Kōrui, if you could allay our concerns of the actions of your empire, who have shown themselves quit eager to snap up territory in vast quantities over the last fifty or so cycles since it's appearance in this sector. If you could please be so kind as to inform us, what are the intentions of the Empire of Tai Pan and its continued expansion?" she asked, then slowly and serenely settled back into her chair, turning over the floor for the moment.

[Yoshi]

Leaning back in her chair Míngliàng de yáchǐ's throat bobbed as if she was speaking, but her lips were not moving. Her assistant/bodyguard nodded and linked a few files to the screen before Míng. bringing up the cosmic map of the local galactic arm, her finger traced a few lines on the screen as her assistant's throat lightly vibrated, communicating through sub-vocal com-devices the Konglong were making sure what they were going to bring to the table was the most current they had.

Standing the large Bào lóng nodded to the Ersetu Queenypoo. "Greetings," she voice both rumbled and hissed out with an lilt alto voice. "While one of the reasons I was sent here was to bring grievances with Ersetu, they are minor to the main reasons. TRADE." It wasn't yelled but she had adjusted her voice so that the word reverberated around the table.

"With in said goal, I must also request... nay... demand to know what the Tai pan and this Empire of Lemais. AND while there is no representatives from said Empire of thiefs, There are those here standing for the Tai pan. Expansion for resources my peoples can understand, for if there isn't enough foods to go around, chaos is soon to follow." She let the possible answer to the Tainess expansions lay on the table for a few moments.

"Then again... if one is expanding for power... or greed..." She let the accusations roll off her tongue and through her polished fore teeth. "These are reasons for others to put stop to the aggressors." She tapped the top of the table before her with her claw, the threat laid out.

[CadetNewb]

IAS Edward Deming,
Diplomatic Room
3019 GSC

When the Kishargal regent spoke, Kōrui Hoshiko was not bothered in the slightest. However, when that reptilian Thing, did, her ears twitched in annoyance. Even so, when her turn came, she rose. In truth, almost any Taianese was tiny in comparison to the average Kishargal, even when held up against the 'short' queen, who stood at over eight feet tall. Hoshiko however, was only five even when most of her kind were half a head taller. But even so, she stood.

"Queen Tiamat," the Tigress began, her brilliant blue eyes looking upon the royal, and her alone. "When my people escaped from our human makers, our slavers, we vowed to not be like them during our long soul searching voyage," she began, her tone simple, laconic and plain as she completely ignored the alien speaking out of turn. "When we did finally settle however, it soon became clear that we were wrong to the cost of nearly everyone and everything we held dear. In order to survive our genocide, our holocaust, we had no choice but to become what we are now," the Zhōngjiàng calmly explained. "As a result, our objective is simple; survive. We wish to seek Living Space so that we may not be...snuffed out."

With that, the small woman quietly sat down.

[Ham]

IAS Edward Deming Diplomatic Room

Ambassador Kohle's eye twitched at the Taianese admiral's call for living space. It was a threat. Neue Hesse was already at threat by the Limais, and if they didn't quell this hostile expansionist, the Reich would be in shambles. They might not be as old as the Gartagen Union or the Dominion, but the thousand-year Reich would stand her ground. Kohle stood up and adjusted the microphone before looking daggers through Hoshiko. "Your borders are wide enough. The Kaiserreich will not allow some animalistic and outright undiplomatic empire from expanding without quarter. Your lackluster attempts at diplomacy insult everyone is this room. I do not speak for every representative in this room," he motioned broadly with his right hand across the entire table, "but the Reich will not stand for this. If you claim one more system closer to the Reich, you will be met with sanctions of the highest degree. And dare say you ignore that, there will be war."

Kohle let that sink in before he addressed the entire room. "The Reich has been where it has been for almost a thousand years, we are not the oldest power in the region but we are not new. Our deep space colony of Neue Hesse is already threatened by the Limais, but we will not allow it, or any of our systems, to be threatened by the expanding Taianese or Alliance, or anyone."

Kohle adjusted his tie before sitting down. "Thank you."

[Gunsight1]

IAS Edward Deming Diplomatic Room

"The Alliance shares the concern of our fellows" Ambassador Pullings said into his microphone as he leaned forward in his chair. "I hear loud warning bells when you, the representative of the Tai Pan government quote one of the architects of a most dark and horrible time in our peoples shared past.Or do you not know your history and that Nazi Germany, on Earth of old, would make it's push for world domination and cause the death of millions not long after in the second world war, in it's own demand for 'living space', as you put it" he asked.

Queen Tiamat sat up slightly in her own seat. While she remained calm, she did fix the Tai Pan representative with hard eye. "I will take that statement as your government's official stance and threat of hostility against the other nations then. "She said. "You are not native to this part of space, but have been allowed to settle here and have territories to call your own, now you design to threaten the sovereignty of those who are native to these parts and those who were here before you and have lived here in relative peace." she frowned. "That is unwise."

[Tony]

Maruka then poke. "The Gartagen Union, however, is Native to this part of space." She said, her high pitched voice whirring as her translator spat the words back to the Ersutu queen.

"You speak of expansion when we have watched you people expand over the corpses of our own. So let's not pretend we are the victim here when you were likely the provocateur. Our records of the Lemais are over a thousand years old. A bearly sentient species in its stone age if memory serves. If the Queen would like to tell me...how did a strange aged people breach hyperspace in such a short span of time? A human is in charge of them? I understand you people have no formal code of contact. Generally, interference with primitive societies is...shunned." Maruka narrowed her eyes at the massive Kishagarl queen. "The more I think on it, the more I find my self-wondering who was the aggressor. The Lemais, or you, the Warrior Queen of the Dominion. Should we call them an ally?

Maruka then turned to the Alliance diplomat. "Do not forget that your closest ally in the room is Tai Pan, Ambassador. We in the Union have not. Our soldiers remember the stench of your blood on our soil a much as that of Tai Pan." Maruka went silent letting her words sit. "Of course. I will take that as Alliance and Taianese disinterest in the renewal of the Armistice....."

[Gunsight1]

IAS Edward Deming Diplomatic Room

"Ah yes" Queen Tiamat smiled coldly, "Here we are once more, with the Gartagen Union bemoaning their lot once more" she eyed the blue skinned diplomat. "Shall we remind all those gathered that the events you speak of occurred thousands of cycles ago, long before the foundation of the Dominion, let alone any of the other nations present. Shall we also remind everyone gathered that those territories were abandoned by your Union, which saw fit to give them up, unable to govern any longer. Shall we remind everyone that your great Union has been on the decline for eons, failing and rotting from within since long before our new human neighbors has discovered electrical power?" she said, her voice calm and serene all the while as she spoke.

"Let us all keep these facts in mind and remember that the Gartagen people will forever wail and fret over every single perceived slight from the beginning of time. If it were their ancestors ancestor who had taken umbridge with a neighboring farmer dead these long thousands of cycles they would still cry about being wronged to those who had nothing remotely to do with the event."

[Lone_badass]

the kinswoman listened to everything while seated especially to the tai pan representative before speaking.
"easy there kitty, i remember a old fraze those who dont learn from their history are doomed to repeat it. from the slaving to the openly going after other nations youve become them only question is will you bite off more than you can chew and someone topple you?" the kiwomian let that sink in before continueing "let me make somthing clear if you think to lay a tallon in any allied area with the intent on hostile action you will find it pretty hard to keep your head once we rip it from your delicate shoulders. if we must help you learn from your past that is we will." the kiwomian woman finished.

[Readlliea]

The adlet kept his mouth closed, struggling to listen over the pounding of his heart. The aching of his chest and the sick feeling he was getting more of. As he sat there, he listened to the others speaking. So the Tai Pan were going around and conquering random places? All for what? A place to live and not fall prey to what humans did to them in the past? This was...extreme from what he was hearing. What was the point in taking over multiple planets and territories? They just needed one place, one planet. If something was wrong, why didn't they just ask for help? Then again...from how this cat lady reacted and interacted with things around her, he got the feeling that they were far too used to being ordered by someone. Either being ordered or just lashing out like a child. Unable to tame their emotions.

Still, he felt it wasn't his place to butt in. The Queen of the Kiwomians; now sober thanks to some medicine. Spoke up, voicing her say on it. Well. She held enough solid standing in his mind on that. So silence was all that came from the adlet.

[Jabonicus]

Tension.

It didn't take a historian or even a seasoned galactic diplomat to feel it, Yetara certainly felt it, after all. There was an armistice, but if the Gartagen's comments held any truth to them, then it was quite possible that it would expire, or simply stop holding the value that it did. The extended peace did not solve the conflicts that war was made to stop. Two questions rose as Yetara's eyes shifted from Diplomat to Diplomat as they spoke, and each question caused her gut to churn in an anxious, uncomfortable way. How much did each faction lose in their last wars? How much would they lose in the next? Peace between them all was seeming to quickly fall apart, and if peace had already failed them, then it would take even longer for such a result in the next, assuming any side even considered it to be an option.

The Valorian Gerontocracy was not just outnumbered and outgunned, if worse came to worse, they would be caught between an unstoppable force and an immovable object. No matter what they had managed to hide from the eyes of the Galaxy, every weapon they had hidden like parasites into flesh would not be enough. They needed time, time to grow and match the strength presented before them, to to spread and secure their own borders to match that of the Galaxies own walls, and most importantly...

They needed allies.

Banding with small groups could work, she was sure such alliances had been done in the past, but the more individuals that banded together, the more they disagreed on fundamental aspects of morality and law. She shifted in her seat, a hand going to her chin as the Kiwomian representative continued her blunt 'politicking.' If the Valorians were to thrive, they would need to be more tactful than them, that much was certain.

The Tai Pain were the threat, one of the two largest, with the close second being the Alliance. While the Taianese were the military threat, the Alliance would pose a threat in more... Cultural ways. An influence against everything that the Eld had built. Neither were viable, but other options... She eyed the Gartagens for a brief moment, as well as others. Maybe, but she wouldn't speak of it here, not yet.

[Yoshi]

A loud growl built up within the Konglong's Ambassador, which then caused her bodyguard slash assistant to hiss and click his toe claws on the deck of the ship. Standing, Míngliàng de yáchǐ let the growl slap it's way across the table. "Face it you are looking for ways to push and push until you reach the borders of the peoples around you, Then..." She slapped her hand on the table letting her claw nails to scrap and squeal along it's top.

"Then you are going to what? Annex their worlds for... Oh wait let me guess... Their protection?" She laughed, though the sound was far from jovial. "Or will you just at that time announce to us all that you are the superior race and should rule over us all? You speak of your Race's past... And how you were enslaved... But isn't that exactly how you plan to handle the rest of the galactic neighborhood?" She growled again before looking at the Ersetu's Queen and the Ambassador Pullings before nodding.

[CadetNewb]

IAS Edward Deming,
Diplomatic Room
3019 GSC

Bickering, bickering, bickering. It was all so pointless. Stupid. The Taianese woman pondered at how those born for diplomacy ever managed to do this, how they could ever stand this idiocy, and now she knew. They couldn't. That was why none of them wanted to come. Instead, the position was simply left empty, allowing for Sakamoto to scoop it up with a smile and hand it over to Hoshiko, the Tigress realized. Retreating into her mind, time slowed to a snail's pace as she sighed in her inner sanctum, a specter standing besides herself. Taking a deep breath, as unnecessary as it was, she paced around the room, examining her 'peers' at every angle, slowly contemplating what to say. She hated them all - or at least, most of them save a small handful she admitted to herself, glancing at Diana - but she still had a job to at least try to do. And that was the big question. What would a Dragon or Rooster, perhaps even Sakamoto, do?

The cold, unblinking gaze she gave to the disgusting Kiwomian Queen could have blasted through hull or froze helium. But it only lasted so long, as the Konglong soon spoke. She ignored them as best she could however. They were irrelevant.

"I would rather my people be compared to those of the Jewish faith, Ambassador Pullings," Hoshiko turned to address the man, her voice flat and emotionless yet loud enough to hear, and nothing more. "With all that has been done to us in our short, miserable lives, what my people wish to do is perfectly sensible." Gesturing to them all, hand upturned, she asked, "I am no historian, but have any of you had the entirety of your people enslaved? Then nearly ground out of history, their population reduced to a Tiny. Burnt. Speck?" the woman slowly tapped her finger on the table for emphasis. "In such a case, the motto 'Never Again' would be excusable with any of you," the Zhōngjiàng known for her belligerence pointed out. "I understand that there are concerns," Hoshiko continued, inwardly hating every single word as she then looked at Ambassador Kohle in turn, "But we wish to ensure we never face genocide again, and may be willing to make...concessions," she finally admitted. The vice admiral then turned her gaze to the Gartagen delegate, Maruka. "With our Armistice for an example, if the terms are not satisfactory to you, we may consider altering the terms until they are," Hoshiko offered. "With Paradise for an example, we could offer to send a portion of the resources acquired to the Union.

Hoshiko hated the idea of compromise, but swallowed down that bitter pill.

[Tony]

IAS Edward Deming,
Diplomatic Room
3019 GSC

The Ersutu Queen showed her true colors if only for an instant. When her rant was resolved Maruka smiled and poke a small response. "Don't bemoan us about Dominion problems created by the Dominion."

Maruka drew silent once more, though she felt the Dark Elf Ambassador's eyes on her, she knew not to match the woman's Gaze. Part of her mission was to seek Allies. The Ersutu would be tied up with the Lemais for some time, and unfortunately, the First Lemais Empire did not send a representative. Allies. Maruka shifted a glance between the Taianese Ambassador and the Alliance Ambassador. Yes. The Alliance and Empire of Tai Pan did not have formal Alliance. But it was damned close to it. Many here seemed to forget that fact. Tai Pan's expansion was directly benefitting the Alliance. As was the mining rights treaty. The two nations were "friends" and this fact seemed lost on everybody in the room.

Maruka remained seated as she was directly addressed. "That could be something worth discussing Ambassador." She said into her microphone. "Of course as stipulated in the agreement...The Alliance must agree to the terms too...a per your Treaty of Non-Aggression and military cooperation."

Get it all on record. Let the other nations make of it what they wanted.

Alliance Ambassador Two

It was then the doors to the meeting room slid open. A second more Junior alliance Diplomatic officer entered. She was a woman in her late twenties. Thick straight brown hair, and large dow eyes. She had a tall nose and a wide smile. She hurriedly sat down next to the senior Ambassador. "Apologies for my Tardiness. I was stuck in a meeting with my Government. Which was focused on the very subject of the Armistice.. and yes, the Alliance is open to an extension of the treaty. Provided the Empire of Tai Pan is satisfied with the negotiations."

She held a hand over the microphone and leaned over to the Senior ambassador. She whispered "How is this going? Have the started screaming about Taianese Expansion yet?"

[zach]

Diana had remained seated in the outer ring, feeling every distinct beat of her heart reverberating in her ears as she listened into the heated conversation below. Her camera still pivoted and circled about the room, careful to be as quiet as possible as she took photos of the various Ambassador's as they went about their arguments and talking points. She could hear that the whole of the Summit quickly breaking down as the minutes ticked by, it seemed that the Ambassadors were more content to fight amongst one another rather than trying to reach an actual diplomatic solution to the various tensions between them. Though seeing the Ambassadors targeting Hoshiko and the Tai Pan's expansionist greed sent a small smile to Diana's lips that she quickly covered up.

As she continued to write down various notes and quotes from the Ambassadors as they spoke, she felt herself freeze up as Zhongjiang Hoshiko spoke, the gaul of that creature to act as though her people were the victims of the galaxy and simply longing for survival and Living Space in the galaxy. Hoshiko's comparison of the supposed plights of the Tai Pan to the vicious slaughter of the Jewish people caused Diana to quickly snap her jaw shut, gritting her teeth together to avoid making a sound. She knew history well enough and she had never heard of the Jews killing thousands of people or broadcasting the lobotomization of good men and women as a fear tactic. The Tai Pan were monsters and Hoshiko's belief that they were somehow the victims in all of this somehow led to Diana growing to loathe the feline even more.

Despite the searing anger that Diana felt welling within her stomach, she forced a neutral expression onto her face as she felt Hoshiko make a moment of eye contact with her. Better to keep up the ruse of being amicable and willing despite her desire to shot the tigress out the nearest airlock and watch as she popped, if she could remain in the good graces of the Tigress maybe she could help out in her own small way. After Hoshiko looked away, Diana returned to her note taking, keeping quiet and and listening.

For a moment she looked towards Dr.Zenigata and watched the Adlet's trembling form, she could admire what he had done in a sense, something she had always dreamed of doing. Getting up in the face of a Tai Pan like Hoshiko and reading them their filth yet she also was aware that would result, his people would likely suffer greatly for what he had done. The suffering would be senseless and cruel and it would just be another bit of proof to the fact that the Tai Pan Empire was nothing but a disease that needed to be cut away as it rotted and took from the galaxy and she felt a bit of longing for that moment to come before she returned to her notes once more.

[uso]

IAS Edward Deming,
Diplomatic Room

Heram felt a little bit bad that the first thing that came to mind washow much money he was going to make off this. So many nations all looking for weapons, for allies, for co-operation and talent. He was already in the perfect position to deliver. The fleetyards of his homeworld are already geared up for the export market. Demand for his product was being driven hard by Hoshiko... to think he was just here initially to make allies.

Aspirations of being the next quintrillionare aside, there was still the question of how to moderate this particular discussion. Certainly discussion on the expansionism should be brought to a close. Certainly not returning to that here would be beneficial for the Alliance for the time being. That left the question of the Armistice.

"Perhaps we should allow some time to develop requirements for moderating expansion?

I would like us to move on to discussion of the armistice for now. We already have a groundwork laid for the Armistice, and I would like to open the floor to discussion on what a reasonable armistice extension should look like."

[Lone_badass]

The queen sighed "look I'm not calling anyone here a victim or a enemy, we all have disagreements but that's it."
Looking to everyone she scanned the room before sighing.
"Now, this does not mean never again should be used to conquer those beneath you, however I understand the want to keep yourself from being snuffed out. To solve this problem I suggest you may attempt to diplomatically not aggressively gain territory, peacefully with society integration of other nations or ask for help defending your boarders.
However if you were to conquer a planet, you must have a good reason for example they attacked first or its a non sentient wildlife filled planet."
The queen let that sink in before finishing guessing that a few people in the room may abject to this idea.
"The term never again or your past should never be your reason to attack those lower than you who aren't even able to fight back or refuse to let you integrate thus denying a planet to your nation. so thats my suggestion in how this armistice should go for anyone here not just tai pan. but breaking this could react in all out war."

[Ham]

Ambassador Kohle stood up again, "On regards to the Taianese expansion, the Reich believes that they have their space. As former Alliance ambassador, I find comparing yourselves to both the Earth Jews and then demanding your Lebensraum to be the opposite of the same card. If I am not mistaken, the Earth human who demanded space invaded his neighbors in the exact same ways you do: without thought of the invaded. This isn't Earth, and the Reich will not allow such mindless expansion, from anyone."

Kohle looked to the Kiwoman Queen with a raised eyebrow. "This Armistice is a lynchpin, and actions that the Reich has observed are clearly actions that seem to disregard this armistice ever being written. Conquest is a tool, and a dangerous one. Tai Pan uses this tool by the day. These 'New World' empires do not know how we work. How we cut our ground to build what we have. Where our own died for their successors to live. 'Never Again,' the Taianese say, will they allow themselves to be genocided, but how many whole nations have you crushed under your war machine to expand your ever growing borders? Well we say never again will we allow these New World Empires to expand without consequence. The Reich now requests the Gartagen Union speak to discuss their mind on adjustments to their Armistice."

Kohle sat down and looked to Maruka with an expression that seemed to say 'Go on, this is your item' as well as 'We stand by you' at the same time. He hoped that by the end of this damned conference, that the Reich could walk out with their hands held high and alone no longer.

[Tony]

Maruka moved to open her mouth but was soon silenced. The room doors had hissed open and an envoy stepped into the room. Buckled shoes, an ancient military uniform, with a cape. A plumed, round Bicorne hat adorned the figures head. The man was human, which caused Maruka to sigh audibly into her microphone.

The man approached his seat at the table and gave a bow. "The First Lemais Empire greets you all in peace in harmony. My Emperor desires to have a very productive diplomatic meeting." He then took a seat and shifted smile to the Taianese envoy.

Maruka looked stunned but regained her composure. She was not expecting a human envoy from the Lemais Empire. "The Armistice. Yes. We in the Union agreed to the armistice on the grounds of ceasing bloodshed. A courtesy if you will. But now the time limit on the Armistice has come up to renegotiation. If the Alliance and Tai Pan wish to renegotiate the Paradise mining treaty and extend the armistace...we will need a better agreement than the original."

[CadetNewb]

IAS Edward Deming,
Diplomatic Room
3019 GSC

There was an absurd amount of blabbering going about, and it took all her restraint not to tear her ears out in VR. When the representative of the Lemais Empire arrived, Hoshiko was relieved, if only for a moment. Even so, her blank face did not betray any of the surprise she most likely shared with the other delegates. Like with some of the other powers here, the woman believed they simply didn't matter. At least, right until the man smiled. She did not like that he had something in mind with Tai Pan, even though the expression meant friendship. Whatever it was though, it'd show itself in time.

"Of course," came Hoshiko's emotionless reply to the Gartagen ambassador. She suspected the Gartagens did not want to keep the armistice since they did not benefit as much from it, and and as a result, the terms would become less favorable in its successor, but even if it were undesired, Tai Pan only had to say no. The Tigress would only be forwarding the proposal home for final approval after all. However, there was something that bothered her, and no matter how much she had paced about in her own head, she couldn't get by it. "As you said, we will have to renegotiate. However, I must apologize, as there is an annoyance I must deal with first. Please stand by."

Her smoothly turned like an auto-turret, its aim settling right onto the Reich's ambassador.

"Are you a Broken Record Ambassador Kohle? Perhaps someone who does not know history too?" the Zhōngjiàng plainly remarked, her intense, blue eyes watching every bit of him. "The Jewish wished to acquire living space after their Holocaust. They did, and defended it aggressively, with the concern of another Holocaust as the driving force behind their militant actions. We are not so different from them in these regards," the Tigress pointed out to him, her words calm and almost flat. Almost. "Dealing with them meant addressing their primary motivation, their concern. Therefore, you must take into account these motivations - my and my people's motivations - and act accordingly, rather than simply saying the same demands and statements over and over," the Tigress calmly berated the man. "Unless you can provide a better alternative, acquiring additional territory is the most efficient and effective way to ensure our survival." A faint smile traced its way across Hoshiko's lips, casting her in a far more sinister light. "However, if you did not intend to find a peaceful settlement to begin with Herr Kohle, simply say so, and Tai Pan will oblige."

And just like that, the smile was gone.

"Thank you for standing by," the Taianese woman addressed Maruka again, her voice plain as ever. "What terms or changes would you suggest to the armistice?" she asked as though the previous statements were never made to the other ambassador. Drawing on every little tidbit she had learned from Sakamoto regarding haggling. Hoshiko only hoped it was enough, and that she hadn't already failed. This simply wasn't what she was bred for, and she was afraid it showed.

[Ham]

Ambassador Kohle's eyes burned in hatred for a second, but he was quick to regain composure. He was not about to walk himself into war, but there was something he did have up his sleeve still, but it still wasn't the right time. He gave a sly grin towards the Taianese admiral that was just ever so more unsettling than she gave him before turning to Maruka. His voice was smooth as satin finish, his eyes warm and enticing. "I believe this would be a fair time to ask about requesting a Reich request for mining rights, should the Union view it favorable."

And like that, Kohle laid the first card from his hand on the table. Mining rights would potentially allow for the Reich to not only put her foot in the door between the Union and the younger human empires, it could also boost the Reich's internal economies. All it needed was an okay from the Union. If Muraka and himself could agree on this, it could aid the construction of his pact and secure the Reich's back. It was time to act, to work, no longer the time to argue like petty children.

[Tony]

Humans. They were quick to move without consideration of the consequences. Maruka was silent as both spoke as she considered. Allowing Tai Pan and the alliance to continue to mine the system would maintain the status quo for another few years, allowing the Union time to strengthen its political infrastructure. But this would leave this alternative culture of humans angered and a potential ally of The Alliance.

The Second option was to do neither. This would starve Tai Pan, and the Reich of the valuable minerals needed to initiate hyperfold events. She would not tell both sides that The Union had vast reserves of the mineral, and simply refused to even trade it. But this kept a bargaining chip on the table, and thus allowed the Union some method with which they could deal with these upstarts at an advantage.

The third option was ... A surprise. Kohle did not realize it, but his maneuver would effectively make the Reich a buffer state. A hypothetical war would mean that the conflict would not take place in Union, Alliance, Or Tai Pan space, but within the Reich. Kohle would have starved Tai Pan, and The Alliance of valuable fuel, and be able to dictate the price, making the Reich an economic power...while becoming a shield.

Maruka eyed her Alliance Counter Parts. Then eyed The Taianese Ambassador. Then her sapphire eyes landed on Kohle. "Such an arrangement, would be preferable." She said flatly.

The alliance Ambassador sat, looking shocked as she watched the Armistice agreement virtually evaporate. She leaned over and whispered to her Senior. "Who are these people? These Reichmen?"

The Lemais Ambassador flashed a smile at the Alliance Ambassador. "Oh. Trade." He remarked with a soft chuckle.

[CadetNewb]

IAS Edward Deming,
Diplomatic Room
3019 GSC

In her mind, the Zhōngjiàng had been telling the truth regarding her own people and their interests, with their arguing about Tai Pan's expansion and self-preservation little more than an annoyance or even a small side topic than anything serious. That was why she raised a single feline ear ever so slightly like one would an eyebrow, as in an instant, the status quo had changed, yet stayed the same.

"Tai Pan will allow mining rights to transition from bi-party to tri-party," Hoshiko remarked, her voice emotionless as she ignored the irrelevant bits of chatter. Tai Pan did not expect the Gartagen Union to want the armistice, as it allowed for the mining of those crucial resources necessary for FTL drives. Her nation needed to expand, or die, so it was only natural that the aliens would want to stymie the life-blood in any way possible. They just needed a good enough excuse - or perhaps even the tiniest of ones - and Tai Pan knew it. As a result, everyone had given up on trying to preserve the armistice and mining agreement, but for some reason, the Tigress now found herself stubbornly clinging onto it for some reason she couldn't quite explain, and didn't want to. At least she was allowed to of course. She then turned her bright blue gaze onto Kohle once again.

"The Reich now has our attention," the Vice Admiral plainly stated to the man. It simply didn't before.

[uso]

Heram watched as the discussion went on, considering what tools he had for directing this conversation. While upholding the armistice helped everyone, losing the armistice hurt everyone aligned against him a lot more than it would slow him down. Throwing a wrench into Hoshiko's plans would also provide valuable time to move on Dr. Zenigata's people and the Kiwomians. Domestically, his own talents for manufacturing would let his connections adapt better to the crisis than competitors... the bottom line would be more money. More money meant more capabilities, more ability to complete his goals.

It took a few moments of looking at Hoshiko for the solution to present itself. She was a military woman after all. There was bound to be one topic that would serve as a non-starter for her.

"It seems that we are in agreement on the Armistice. However, we should discuss the security arrangements. Adding another fleet of ships to an already disputed zone increases the chance of international incidents. Taipan has also threatened to invade two of the nations here already. I think it would be in everyone's best interests to ban military ships from the armistice area."

[Yoshi]

Sitting back quietly as everyone bitched their way toward an armistice deal, Míngliàng de yáchǐ was about to start playing a game on her communication device when the subject of security of said Armistice zone. Clearing her throat loudly she took the moment to speak up.

"I may have a solution for this. A neutral military that can go an sustain themselves off of local trades. A force that can patrol the zones involved, and will not shy away from enforcing the Armistice with what ever force is needed, If it is to escort a military group through the space, to the level of full combat rolls." The Konglong diplomat leaned back into her chair.

"My people would be a great option for this, We have our own territories, far from said areas. A worldship along with it's support fleet can move into the Area. Using said worldship as a base of operations, can run the long range patrols that would be needed. And above all else, The world ship could, IF they decide to, can open parts of itself for trade by the factions involved in that region."

She smiled a toothy grin and tapped her foreclaw on the table. "It would work and we would only ask for access to trade lines across the areas in question and back to our own territories."

[CadetNewb]

Hearing this unacceptable proposition, Hoshiko rose from her seat in one smooth motion and drew her plasma pistol, firing it from her hip the moment its muzzle lined up with her target. Heads simply exploded as her arms moved in a blur, the guards blasting apart first as the Tigress's own sprang to life, storming in to quickly cut down the largest threats. By the end of it, only a few heartbeats had went by from the first shot to the last. Frowning at the burning corpses, the woman holstered her pistol, disappointed that she derived little satisfaction from the action. Some had come closer to being a threat than others, but in the end, they were all irrelevant.

"I object."

Outside the VR simulation she had run, the statement coming from the pretty little lady in the yellow cheongsam was bland enough. However, the air in the diplomatic room seemed to immediately grow cold with the flat rejection. As always, the words that came from the woman were mildly pretty yet completely innocuous in tone. And yet, there was something wrong with them. Very, very wrong, and that animal part of them, their most primitive core, screamed at them all that they were in mortal danger. Hoshiko was born and bred to charge out and kill, and for some reason, they all felt that in her blue, ice cold gaze more strongly than ever.

"Having one additional party - which was previously uninvolved and irrelevant - be included is already a large logistical and military burden on Tai Pan, and chances are, the Alliance as well," Hoshiko's polite voice began, her gaze briefly settling on the Alliance diplomats as though challenging them to say otherwise. They needed the vital resources just as badly to build their ships, she knew, and having any more interlopers would interfere with that. As much as she loathed to admit it, their interests happened to align. "However, a second such useless entity would simply be too much. Especially with the requested logistical entanglements. Our prior arrangement, with each group mining on the planet being responsible for their own sector, would remain functional even with a third party included," the Taianese Vice Admiral plainly stated. "After all, those involved are all intelligent and responsible."

[Ham]

Ambassador Kohle rolled his eyes as the Taianese admiral spoke her piece. As much as she tried so hard to use fancy diction and language, Kohle just thought she was more and more annoying. Deep down, Kohle hated all this back and forth. But he had to deal. It was simply his job. "As much as I hate to agree with her, the Reich does. While we appreciate the," he stopped for a moment to read Míngliàng's electronic placard, "Konglong's sentiment, and make no mistake we do, that area of space will end up crowded with tonnage and dispute." He gave a formal nod to the Konglong delegate as a show of friendliness before his face fell solemn as it turned back to the rest of the room.

He turned towards Wazu and then the Taianese delegate again, "We all know this armistice is the fragile agreement holding Tai Pan, the Union and the Alliance just far enough apart to keep from claiming Paradise by force. With the Reich in a growing fuel shortage, that soon might become an epidemic for both defense and trade, I would feel safer if, should the Reich sign a part of the 'armistice,' our transports return to the Kaiserreich with their hull and cargo intact no matter the circumstance. If anyone should guard Paradise to prevent it from being a warzone it should either be the Union since they can claim it legitimately as a fallen world, or the Reich as we were not apart of the conflict to begin with."

Kohle seemed all too comfortable speaking his suggestions, almost like he could read the answer as he was asking the question. He was either stirring the pot or attempting to cook it, and only Kohle knew which he was doing. The man both loved and hated his position, and as long as his objectives were seen to this diplomatic outing was a success.

[Gunsight1]

IAS Edward Deming,
Diplomatic Room

Ambassador Pullings stood as the room finally quieted enough for him to interject. "I must state that the Interstellar Alliance finds the The Bundesdeutsche Interstellare Kaiserreich's attempt to insinuate themselves into a situation that they had and have no part in most inappropriate. The Kaiserreich was not involved in the armed conflict, nor the peace treaty that the Alliance negotiated to end hostilities between the Empire of Tai Pan, Gartagen Union and ourselves. While I can sympathize with the Kaiserreich's resource situation, we see this as nothing more than a cheap attempt to grab resources for themselves and position themselves to have a military option to assume control of the territory and resources involved in this negotiation."

"I have to say, that as of this time the Alliance finds the Kaiserreich's attempt to involve themselves in this unacceptable."

Queen Tiamat leaned forward in her own chair, speaking as soon as Pullings finished his short statement. "The Constitutional Dominion of Ersetu has to agree with our neighbors in the Alliance." she said, breaking her long silence. Her people, of course, had no interest in this system and it's resources, but did have interest in the outcome of this treaty negotiation. "This conflict was between the Alliance, Tai Pan and the Union and should remain so. All uninvolved parties here should remain, as they were then, on the sidelines and no more."

[CadetNewb]

IAS Edward Deming,
Diplomatic Room

While Hoshiko knew that Tai Pan needed the resources, she began pondering the Alliance's own needs given their rejection of the Reich, which the Gartagen Union supported. Did they accept losing the armistice as a possibility? Or, perhaps this was just how negotiating went? She couldn't help but doubt herself, and wonder if she had caved in to the Gartagen demand of the Reich becoming involved too quickly. The Taianese woman knew that this was nowhere near her vocation, and even after downloading the information on how to negotiate, none of it came naturally to her. In other words, the Vice Admiral was a novice, and she felt it acutely, now more than ever. But there was no point moping over it. She had to keep trying!

"I concur," the Tigress's plain voice added, her inner temper cooling in the face of her own lackluster performance. "It is not only an unsightly attempt by one party to desperately grasp for resources, but also an obvious attempt by another to insert a Meat Shield," Hoshiko remarked, the last words in plain English, emphasizing the crudeness of the concept. A part of her wanted to remark about the previous acceptance, to say something to save face, but in the end, gave. It wasn't worth the effort, and she would learn.

Even then however, she couldn't help but loathe these lesser beings for all this hassle.

[Ham]

IAS Edward Deming
Diplomatic Room

Kohle seemed entirely unphased. He tilted his head slightly back like an aristocrat and simply gave a 'hmph.' His eyes looked to each individual before finally resting on Maruka. To Kohle, she was the final flop card in a high stakes poker game. The only person to which actually held the Reich's stakes. He adjusted his notebook and papers before clearing his throat quietly. "I tire of all of this bickering. Every suggestion for the armistice has been all but shot down. I feel, as you Alliance would say, the ball is in their court. They hold the pen and the sword."

Kohle then simply sat down, and began to pack his things back up. He did not leave, but he showed his final hand. He didn't seem like he needed to do very much else. At least for now.

[uso]

IAS Edward Deming,
Diplomatic Room

"Perhaps this is a good moment to bring an end to the group discussions. There have been a few ideas put forward, but I think we all need some time to form requirements and proposals. That can be carried out among the interested parties... If you do need to speak with anyone here privately, there are several private rooms setup just outside." Heram said, looking over the assembled group, his attention settling on Hoshiko.

He'd have to deal with her first, before tackling other issues.

He'd also need something else besides just hanging the armistice negotiations over her head. Though perhaps if he moved fast enough on that he wouldn't need a fallback plan?

Then again, he could always come up with a fall back plan after the first plan failed. That was more in line with the need to move fast.

"I am also hoping to open more formal relationships with many of you while you're here."

[CadetNewb]

IAS Edward Deming,
Diplomatic Room

"Very well," the Tigress plainly replied. Rising from her seat, she was perhaps the first to simply leave the table and turn her back to the other delegates. Of course, Wazu's gaze was not lost on Hoshiko in the slightest. She knew that it was all too likely that many would seek an audience with her soon, but right at this moment, as she quickly walked out and broke line of sight, she sighed. Perhaps just a little too loudly, the Taianese woman realized. Once again finding herself a private room, she settled down just out of sight, hidden by the open doorway's frame itself while her guards flanked it to either side. Though the path was open, this place was still the tigress's den. Even so, as she sat there, one of the guards moved to her will, and moments later, a bowl of chocolate ice cream sat in front of the Vice Admiral, her feline ears drooping ever so slightly as she began to eat.

The negotiations were important, but Tai Pan did not expect them to go well, and simply did not bother. And yet, allowed her to at least try. As Hoshiko brought one spoonful and then another to her mouth, she wondered why.

[Tony]

The Gartagen Ambassador stood up, and bowed. "I will inform my government that the Armistice will soon be at an end. Good luck to you." She then turned and was escorted from the room by her bodyguard.

[Gunsight1]

IAS Edward Deming,
Diplomatic Room

Before the Gartagen ambassador could scuttle out of the room, Queen Tiamat spoke, her voice filling the room, powerful and commanding, but not anything aggressive as a yell or even a hint of anger. "Ambassador. before you storm out of this conference to have your government to prepare for war, a moment" she said. "I suggest you reconsider your threat of hostility. As I remember, the treaty negotiated by the Interstellar Alliance to end the conflict has saved many countless lives for both your people, Ambassador, and the Tai Pan Empire since it was signed. And while you have had to allow two foreign powers to mine from this system, it has saved lives of your people and many millions in military cost and hardship that would otherwise have been thrown away in needless bloodshed if this treaty had not been." she said.

"Do you, or any of you involved," her glowing eyes swept across the ambassadors from the Alliance and Tai Pan, then back to the Union ambassador, "Want to start fighting once more? To spend your peoples capital and lives over the resources of a single star system?" she asked, but did not let anyone answer, as she continued on.

"The Dominion will not tolerate any further destabilization of the region" she said. "And will enact economic sanctions against any nation that moves to drag this region of space into war. And, conversely, we will negotiate trade and economic cooperation beyond what we already have between us, with any nation willing to continue along the path of peace and prosperity" she said, then uncrossed her arms, gesturing at the Union ambassador.

"You may go" she dismissed the woman.

[Ham]

"Mein Gott..." Kohle's eyes went wide with complete disbelief as his voice stayed beyond the word quiet as the Queen of the Kishargal spoke her mind and stated her piece. That was it, the final straw that would keep Paradise from becoming another warzone, and any hope of the Kaiserreich gaining anything from it. Whether this was a blessing or a curse was still far from apparent. Kohle adjusted his tie after Queen Tiamat dismissed the Gartagen Ambassador. He blinked twice and did not speak a word, as he seemed caught somewhat off guard.

It would possible prove to be a problem for the Reich. While not immediately between the Gartagen Union and the Ersetu's Dominion, it might as well be. It held the only infrastructure and sustainable ports between them. They would easily be caught in the crossfire, and would soon be forced to take side if the Kaiser willed it or not. The Union had a large and substantial army and navy, but so did the Dominion. The Reich's Interstellare Marine had roughly over half of both the Union and Dominion's warships that would be brought to bear, and some of them were still in drydock for overhaul. While far from inexperienced, it had been a fair time since the fleets' ships had fired their guns in anger. Most of the dreadnoughts were in various stages of life, the later ones barely kept afloat through extensive refitting and repairs. The Kaiser's navy would have its work cut out should the Astral Seas be caught in war's fury.

On the other side of the coin, the Interstellare Heer was much better off. The soldaten of the Kaiser's armies were well trained and equipped with finely made laser weaponry. While the synthetically-treated wooden stocks of their rifles and machine guns made their guns look antique, they did not bend nor break when it came to rigorous combat. Hence why the Reich Stahlholz trees were so precious to the Bundesdeutsche from the core systems to the far corners of space. Their artillery and armored corps were somewhat behind the Gartagens, and the Reich's cavalry was rarely used in combat like the Dominion. It would be a unique fight, given that the Heer had to either embark and advance, or entrench themselves and defend.

Kohle had a lot now on his mind, from forming a pact to securing the Kaiser's long-term effect of power among the nations. The Bundesdeutsche Interstellare Kaiserreich was far from a superpower, but it wasn't small. Kohle wanted as much as Kaiser Friedrich for this to stay the same. With Maruka on her way out, she was now priority. Everyone else would come second. Kohle stood up quickly. Quick enough to cause his chair to lean under the sudden stress. He swallowed before to looked towards Admiral Lürssen, who had been so silent at the edge of the room at attention this whole time.

"Lürssen! Komm hierher!" The Admiral clicked his heels and quickly marched over to the Kaiser's ambassador with military quickness. Kohle leaned over to whisper into the Admiral's ear, his eyes locked on the door. "Geh und sag Botschafter Maruka, dass ich bald mit ihr sprechen werde und ich entschuldige mich für die Verzögerung. Schnell!" As soon as Kohle finished, Lürssen turned on his heels and swiftly walked out the door. With Kohle still standing, her quietly addressed the group in a tired tone. "If there is any nation that wishes to address the Kaiserreich in formal relations outside of this discussion, please make it known now. I will make as much time as the Kaiser will allow of me." Kohle pulled at his coat as he looked amongst the ambassadors in the room for any response. The clock was on the run, and the white rabbit had already gone for the hills.