Meeting of the First Grand Council

“Ladies and Gentlemen, in light of certain…events, I feel that it is of great importance now that we take action to ensure that weapons of mass destruction are not used on civilian targets. I firmly believe they should be removed from the table altogether, but of paramount importance is that we keep as many safe as we could.” Dr. Akapo raises a paper. “This is a proposal, stating simply that all nations undersigned will not use any weapon of mass destruction first, nor will they use any weapon of mass destruction on purely civilian targets. There are no tricks, no gimmicks, no wording that can be twisted around by a lawyer.” A brief smile. "Such is not our way. We do this because our women and children have had to pay the price of those that sit sheltered and protected. We do this because we are a nation comprised of those who want nothing more than to be safe from horrors they have no control over.

“We do this because it is the right thing to do. There has never been a time when the destruction of noncombatants has been for anything other than petty ugliness, no matter the military justifications that one may pretend to have. I ask all of you to please consider this. Before any more have to suffer for the myopia of their rulers.”

Fleur smiled.

“We must disagree with your proposal. Casualties are always a factor in a war. If you did not want any casualties, you should have rolled over in the fight. You didn’t though, and we can respect your peoples’ determination.”

She turned to face the council in general, but continued to address the doctor.

“Good sir, I give you what may be a hypothetical situation. Say a certain superpower decided to ally itself to your cause, and had been positioning a high powered particle cannon directly at the heart of your enemies… With a single action, the fear inflicted onto you by your enemies would vaporize, as your enemy began to fight for their own freedom. They would lose eventually, if for nothing else than the sheer numbers and devastation wrought upon them. Would you not be happy? Is that not exactly what you had wished for upon requesting the help of your neighbors?”

Fleur looked down towards the doctor, the light having gone cold in her eyes. If one looked closely, one could see the faint outlines of the bionics implanted into the skin behind her eyes.

“War is a terrible thing. My people have lived it for their entire existence, from the bondage wars that broke our slavery, to the assimilation wars of Tasselvalta. It is unnecessary though. Without the power to stand up and protect yourself, someone else will eventually force their own will upon you. I ask you again… Would you really ask the enemy of your enemy to hinder itself in its conquest? With one strike, their ability to strike you would be all but eliminated.”

“While I appreciate the the Pax representative concern on the matter, this is not the time or place to find recruits or hypothetical situations. This is for the bigger picture of the region with a common goal to form a stronger regional government role in the region between all of our nations and find ways to cooperate and be a guiding light to helping nations and bring peacekeeping to the region from a neutral standpoint,” Erik said trying to bring the conversation back on track with getting a fully functional regional government.

Silent throughout the meeting, delegate Shriven of the corporate state of Norvan suddenly rises out of his seat to speak.

“The Nation of Norvan would happily support a unified regional peacekeeping force. However, the costs of such an action concern us. We must keep in mind that money is a primary concern of any government. The funding of this proposal is of paramount importance before we agree to any such idea.”

Pulling out a pocket computer, he begins tapping rapidly, obviously checking his company’s possible profit margins.

“To start with, any proposed army, even if you name it something as quaint as a ‘peacekeeping force’, will need a standardized rifle, main battle tank, fighter jet, and other associated materiel. My nation’s associated corporations would be willing to produce and sell these items at a fraction of the competition’s costs.”

“Of course,” he adds, lowering his voice as if he desires nobody to hear what he’s about to say. “We would need this deal to be exclusive, with no other nations’ companies being allowed to manufacture items for this organization.”

“To start with, any proposed army, even if you name it something as quaint as a ‘peacekeeping force’, will need a standardized rifle, main battle tank, fighter jet, and other associated materiel. My nation’s associated corporations would be willing to produce and sell these items at a fraction of the competition’s costs.”

“Looks like this “Grand Council” has already started.”

The voice of the young person in question was staring off into the ocean atop the jet black deck of the AIN Apathy, one of the Azulitan Imperial Navy’s prized super-battleships. He wore what seemed like civilian attire for someone going on vacation, despite the two cream blue dress uniforms of the ship’s staff behind, one hazelnut skin human female with blood red hair in a top bun and a avian resembling a bald eagle, a scar across his upper beak and cold blue eyes. The avian officer clicked his beak in amusement, crossing his wings over one another. “Not even properly dressed for this meeting and we’re already late as is. The Fleet Admiral would have you cleaning every ship in the fleet for your current behavior if he saw you.” said the avian.

“Look here Jacob, i was given this assignment by his Highness and our superior personally. He’s still tied up awaiting with the region’s top officials over our country’s existence and wrapping up loose ends from our civil war in various corners of our home.” The smooth white fur of the panther stood on end then relaxed as the young male turned around. He wore what seemed like the latest fashion craze of human tourists from Azulita, short sleeved green shirt and blue beach shorts. His tail flicked up and down as he surveyed the faces of his fellow officers and his equals with his green eyes.

“I’m sure you’re happy to be picked for this delegation trip to the capital district, but seriously put some military clothes on Alexander.”, spoke the young female human, reaching in her pocket for her tablet computer. “We represent the combined armed forces of our homeland, wearing these uniforms marks a special occasion, as we’re the only ones to have these and they’re made from the highest quality of material around the world.” She sighs as pockets the tablet. “I know you think of this as time away from the battlefields left over, but we’re still serving a purpose for the greater good. Try to take this matter seriously.”

snicker “But i like this clothing. You know how often i get to wear regular clothing, much less something like this?” Alexander twirls in place, getting another click of disapproval from Jacob. “Besides, we’re still being dragged into port by these tugboats, I’m not gonna waste my time putting that uniform on. There’s no rush. We got a radio here tuned into the Grand Council meeting and its being recorded and sent back to the homeland as we speak. Might as well enjoy the sights and sounds- Alexander’s stomach growls in protest, getting a laugh out of his companions How about we head back into the ship for some lunch?”

Curtis Mannes, Foreign affairs Minister to the Republic, stepped off the helicopter and looked to the waiting ship at the Sans Ilume docks. With the burgeoning international interest fostered by the new Hegemon he would be first Kerban to enter the East Pacific Grand Council. It would be the only time he would do it alone. It had been decided, though he disagreed on some points, that the Hegemon’s advocate would be a part of the Grand Council delegation.

But this first trip was his. Taking a ship to the meeting place was his idea. he felt he needed time away from UshraKerbal and everything else before he stepped into the main arena with the leaders of the region. Two weeks at sea would be a good mental staging area before he swam with these more trained sharks.

Already he knew of weaknesses and strengths they faced. Their reliance on ground forces over air power left them weakened compared to many of the super powers. Their isolationism left them well behind the intelligence gathering game and in the dark about most of the players on this new field. The advantages they had were few but potent. Their reliance on ground troops had a heavy flip side. Ground support aircraft of the Replublican forces were formidable, robotic ground vehicles were and had been standard with the Marines and Armies of the Republic for ten years and were a generation ahead of most other nations. Anti aircraft weaponry was a national specialty, along with Micro tanks and mini combat subs.

The almost draconian educational systems of the last thirty years had pushed sciences in all areas ahead and were on the edge of bearing fruit in dramatic and powerful ways.

Curtis walked up the ramp to the main deck of the ship. “Captain, you have my leave to depart. Make all speed if you would.”

((OOC: I don’t have time to reply tonight, but you’ve earned a lot of points by RPing with Kerbals!))

It is winter back home, Alacrity’s favorite time in Trantor, but here he was, at Grand Council. Curtis having been recalled for talks with the Naltans the time was right for the Hegemon to address the Council. “Where is my speech Davis?”

“Here sir, and your notes from Curtis.” Timothy Davis had served as personal body man to the Hegemon since his time in the Council Arena Earthen House. “Try to resist improvisation. Minister Mannes has my personal number and will never forgive me if you cut loose.”

“Curtis will just have to learn to live with disappointment.”

+++

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Council, I come as the Hegemon of the Peoples of the Republic of UshraKerbal. We too long had hidden behind the worry of the grander world have justly been held back from our potential.

As a peoples we now come forward, willing and able to face that grander world and ask that you see us as fellow travelers to greater heights. As we take our first steps off our shores and over our mountains we live in hope to find open hands of friendship and mutual respect that will lead to the strengthening of all involved.

On our Eastern Continent we see quiet and peace and plan to strive for growth and understanding of all in that region, and that growth will spread as we ourselves reach out ever further.

In this light we reach out to our brothers in the West, who face a dire time of uncertainty. Be it known that those in need will find friendship among the Kerban peoples, a partner bent towards the alleviation of suffering. To the end the Arena Council of UshraKerbal under my direction is currently debating a resolution to put forth humanitarian aide for that war torn region in the form of our REA. This group, trained in disaster relief, will be available to any nation wishing assistance of a completely non military nature. Specializing in recovery operations, refugee management and relocation, and on site hunger and basic needs relief, the REA can and will help those it can, when it can.

On the flip side the UshraKerbal Republic finds it can not at this time offer any military power to the region for any one side. We feel as a peoples that it is not our place to decide matters of foreign nations, but only secure and help those persons caight in the cross fire.

It is hoped by us that the West can find middle ground and peace in the near future and we welcome all overtures toward that peace."

+++

Alacrity stepped down from his speech, and headed for the car. “See I can behave myself at the microphone.” He said handing his coat off to Davis.

“Yes you managed to only put one part of our Government on the spot under the glaring eye of international pressure. High Councilman Jarrods will not thank you for cornering him into accepting the resolution to send aide. Caroline Poplus is probably having a stroke right now.”

“She’ll get over it, it was her idea in the first place. And Jarrods knew he would have to pass it anyway with the peoples support behind it so totally, I just took the steam out of his dithering machine that would have held it up for weeks.” Alacrity sat in the back of the Le Mize limousine and poured himself a drink. “Get me back to the embassy. If I am going to get yelled at by to Ministers of my own Quorum I want to do it sitting in a comfortable chair, not the back of this car.”