Ehjy Yslevestri paced around the large gathering room complete with a center table where other highly important ministers sat. He was careful to avoid the drink carts wheeled too and from the room, and didn’t mind the frivolities from the ministers who received their glasses. After all, he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Vekaiyu, one of the more powerful individuals in the room. And he was equally recognizable too - wearing his trademark black suit with slicked back black hair and thick rimmed glasses. The vulpine individual gripped his lapels as he cleared his throat.
“I thank you all for attending this meeting. Milady,” he said with a bow, which was received well by Premier Ikrisia Levinile. “I do apologize for scheduling this meeting on top of our weekly meeting on organizing the upcoming military parade in Eldura. But I feel this matter is of enough importance where we simply cannot wait on this issue any longer.”
“I’m speaking of two growing factions which seem to be concentrated on other continents on Urth. One organization, South East Pacific Coalition Forces, appears to at first be concentrated on the continent of Aurora, but has expanded since then. Now this alliance includes roughly one dozen nations, including Tretrid, Staynes, Tuvaltastan, Emberwood Coast, and Setzna, to name a few. Now, this alliance was mainly built in opposition of another alliance, The Fire Pact, which includes nations such as Tripartite State, Gilat Shea, and Asendavia, to name a few. There’s been some squabbling between the two, but the Fire Pact in particular appears to be a union based on trade. It is unclear if the other union is as well. Both are of course military alliances.”
He waited until a large holographic map finished updating to highlight the states in question. “The Vekaiyun Union prides itself as one of the largest and most prosperous trade alliance on Urth. I know this because I’ve had it drilled into my head from Imanov Risilake over here ever since the Yasterian Highway System was complete. We get it, you did well.” He paused to let the chortles subside. “So let’s take a look at the map. You’ll see that the Fire Pact Alliance contains Gilat Shea to the east and Asendavia to the west. Should they in any way restrict or conflate our trade, it would become a rather difficult issue.”
“Perhaps we should send escorts?” Kral Commodore Yamano Nevikalu, a human, asked.
Ikrisia shook her head. “No. Unnecessary. They wouldn’t attack us unprovoked. And if they did, that would have the whole of Yasteria against them. Trade between Yasteria and the local continents are a delicate matter.”
“But what I am trying to say is it may be unavoidable to remain neutral in this conflict,” Ehjy Yslevestri continued, still gripping his lapels. “Tripartite State has declared war for both factions, while Stratarin has declared war on Tripartite State. This situation is quickly delving into a state of intercontinental war, something we’ve not really seen since District 57.” He sighed. “Our hand may be forced here. We may need to select a side.”
The room erupted in several conversations going on all at once.
“Enough,” Ikrisia began. She grimaced. “I just don’t see a need to join an alliance at this time. Unless I am missing something, we can still remain neutral in this conflict and continue trade with both factions. Why would we willfully enter a war? What exactly do we have to gain in this conflict?”
Imanov Risilake, the Minister of Foreign Trade in Vekaiyu, piped up. “Well, many of the nations highlighted have limited relations with Vekaiyu. They trade, sure, but if this is a long war where we are far from the action, it’d be beneficial for us to pick a side and fuel one of them from afar.”
“That’s not exactly ethical,” replied Ikrisia. She shifted in her seat.
“But if we stay out of this, we risk being passed up.” Ehjy Yslevestri walked over to the Premier, who stood up. “Milady with all due respect, my team has run simulations and produced preliminary numbers on this issue. We’ve arrived that it has a strong possibility to enrich our nation if we-”
“I am not concerned with entering a war we have no business being a part of,” Ikrisia interrupted. “Your duty is to establish strong relations and you will do that, Yslevestri. Don’t use a war as an excuse to make your job any easier, for it will not be. Vekaiyu has no purpose in this war, especially as we look to potentially expand our Union elsewhere.” She motioned over select areas of the map. “Dveria has been a struggle to this union, but the eventual submission and synergy has eased my fears… to a degree. But I am not in the business of war-mongering, Yslevestri. There are… significant benefits to not acting in that manner, and I am disturbed that you believe entering a war will benefit trade.”
Kral Commodore Nevikalu shrugged. “Depends on if we pick the right side, I think.”
“Exactly!” Yslevestri responded.
“The answer is no,” Ikrisia answered stoically. “It’s too early. If they wish for us to enter their war, I am sure they will come to us. For now, we will continue to play both sides and trade accordingly.”
