The Pot Boils Over

Roleplay Library
41

Gordon leaned back into his chair and pulled out a fancy looking piece of paper. “This my friends is the charter which will bind us. At this moment it is in it’s most basic form, the floor is now open for debate. Keep in mind that this is to be a confederation not a one world government.”

— Begin quote from ____

THE ALLIED CONFEDERATION OF THE EAST PACIFIC
CHARTER

This document hereby establishes the Allied Confederation of The East Pacific (ACTEP) and the Confederation Council which will be headed by current executive leaders of all member nations. The sole purpose of the confederation is to create free trade and a common defense. This charter will outline what powers the Confederation Council holds, it also outlines what actions the council can or cannot take upon member nations.

I.All member nations will hold sovereignty within their own borders.
II.No member nation may create unnecessarily high tariffs, embargos, or any legislation that severely restricts trade between two member nations.
III.No member nation shall be taxed or receive any penalties for acceptance into the confederation.
IV.No unifying currency will be established for member nations.
V.Threats made toward any member nation will be considered a threat to the body of the confederation itself, and action towards a common defense of all member nations will be established.
VI.No member nation will be forced to use military action.
VII.Member nations may request for a garrison comprised of other member nation armies to be established in their nation.
VIII.No member nation shall be forced to establish a garrison upon any member nation.
IX.The Confederation cannot conscript a standing army from member nations, instead the Confederate Armed Forces will be comprised of all member nations militaries which will be commanded by the corresponding member nation.

— End quote

This charter will be enabled by a unanimous ratification vote. Subsequent member nations must also ratify this charter in order to be recognized as a member nation.

42

tag for update later.

43

“Works for me,” Selvala said. “Only thing I would add is an equality clause, which states that in this union all sentient species are to be viewed as equals.”

Evesuni didn’t pay much heed to Selvala’s comment. Instead, he grabbed the document and scanned it over. He could barely read English, but dared not let anyone know that. “I… It’s awfully vague,” he said. At least he could make judgments on the parts he could read. “Article Nine requires that all nation commanders think on the same wavelength, otherwise any attacks will be uncoordinated and messy.”

“Article Nine already assumes that all military commanders will have to work in unison,” Ikrisia replied.

“Article Eight… doesn’t make sense.”

“The article which says 'No member nation shall be forced to establish a garrison upon any member nation?” Ikrisia asked. She flashed a slight smile at the Listonian Dictator.

“Yes… alright, I suppose it’s just worded funny. I would like to include a clause that establishes no nation should be forced to have a garrison placed upon it, an addendum to Article Eight. Also, I would like to clear something up - member nations may trade to non-member nations, correct?”

A long pause followed. “How would we even enforce that if we placed restrictions on our trade? It’d be stepping on our necks, of course we are free to trade with whoever we wish.”

“But precedence should be given to member nations,” Ikrisia added.

“That’s asinine. Restricting any economy spells disaster for a nation,” Selvala remarked. “Then again, I would expect that from a military commander. Thank the Almighty for established roles. No, restricting trade in any shape or form is highly dangerous.”

“Agreed,” Evesuni added.

“But a resistance to trading within this agreement is equally detrimental,” the Vekaiyun Prime Minister added.

44

“If I may interject, if my proposal was allowed to come to fruition, the gains in transit between our members would almost make all trade more profitable to be done inside the alliance. All we ask is for settlement rights to be allowed, and we in return will build the rail lines.”

45

“Settlement rights?” Gordon repeated. “Are you insane?”

"This is the most ridiculous proposal I have ever heard! What we are creating here is a confederation! An alliance of sovereign states! Your ‘proposal,’ if it can even be called that, goes against the very definition. The Alleghenian Union rejects this proposal outright, and we will hear nothing more of it at this table.

Now back to more reasonable proposals thank you very much. An equality article can be added but I see no reason why it’s needed. "Gordon began to write notes in the margins of the paper for later editing.

— Begin quote from ____

“Article Nine requires that all nation commanders think on the same wavelength, otherwise any attacks will be uncoordinated and messy.”

— End quote

“I do not think article nine should be changed. Alleghenian commanders have been known to be quite independent when it comes to battlefield tactics. To try and constrain them under a new international entity would be too difficult. It was hard enough trying to instate a Supreme Commander for our forces.”

Gordon turned to face Ikrisia. "Commander I think you will find it very easy to work with Commander Phillips when it comes to tactical planning.

“As for article eight it is indeed worded quite oddly, I must have had a mental lapse when writing it, forgive me. Your proposal will be added.”

“And for your question about trade Mr. Evesuni, It is intended that member nations may trade with any non member nation they choose without restriction. To clarify this it will be added into the charter.”

46

Noi grimaced.

“The way this is turning, the alliance is nothing more than a trading bloc that wishes to use the Pax horde as its defensive wall! How would allowing small groups of immigrants to settle across our lines be going against sovereignty? If we can not even talk of a more open gathering of nations, then we may as well just go back to trying to open up the EPTO. All we wish is to see a more unified area of the EP. Think about it. If Pax drones, and the other races and peoples of the alliance are allowed to live in peace together, what kind of wealth would that bring to the alliance? Together, none could stand before us! Your attitude though, although I can understand it, is not one of someone wishing to work together. Tell me, what would an Allegheny military patrol do with a Pax over mind at it’s command?”

47

“Fair enough,” Ikrisia said as she responded to Gordon’s comments. “It would be nice to work with another commander for a change.”

Selvala scowled at her Kral Commodore, but paid little heed to her comments. “If it would interest the people at this table, I don’t foresee any major problems with conceding to Packilvania their requests. They are a world power for a reason, and they might have what it takes to transform ACTEP into a machine which could very well rout the rest of The East Pacific.”

“That’s it,” Evesuni replied monotonously as he stood from his seat. “I can’t do that. It’s not my goal to assimilate, to jeopardize my nation, or to water down the culture of Listonia and the Listonians who call that culture their history. I must refuse anything that brings into question any of that.”

Selvala rolled her eyes. “Please. As if anyone at this table believes your opinion here holds any weight, Kivo Evesuni. What are you going to do? Where are you going to go? Can your nation really survive without these nations in ACTEP?”

Stapen Evesuni cringed. “If you weren’t a woman, I would strike you for such comments, Selvala.” He walked over to where she sat.

“You do, and you can consider ‘Listonia’ being re-named ‘East Vekaiyu’.”

“Enough! I’ve been dealing with your nation since you were at your mother’s tit!” he shouted. “I know the Vekaiyun way of working with weaker groups!” He turned to Noi. “Just like your way! The promises of unity, so long as it is controlled unity!” He looked back at Selvala, then her. “The belief that your way is the right way, when all others are wrong… everyone else is simply there to increase a particular culture or race while watering down the other… I won’t hear of such things!”

“You’re out of order, Evesuni,” Selvala said with a smile hidden behind her hands.

“This is supposed to be a trade and military alliance,” he added. “That does not include anything regarding settlements or assimilation…”

“Kivo Evesuni believes in segregation,” Selvala said curtly.

“Says the pot calling the kettle black!”

“Please!” Ikrisia shouted. “People at this table, you have to realize us vulpines are not entirely gung-ho when it comes to anything regarding other nations settling in our borders or trying to tell us what to do. We’re a very private race. While we do settle in various locations across the region, we rarely spread out from those locations… we’re just an untrusting race, untrusting because of our past. Any attempts to change that will be met with a lot of friction.” She looked up a Noi. “I hope you can understand that, General. It’s nothing personal.”

Evesuni loosened his jaw. He cleared his throat. “That is quite true, but it could also be said for most cultures.” He paused. “Excuse me, I will return.”

Selvala watched the Listonian dictator leave the room. Her grin grew. “My Kral Commodore is correct. I feel the need to apologize on behalf of Listonia… it is… quite odd for any leader to lose control like that.”

48

Gordon was about to respond to Noi’s comments when the two vulpine delegates interrupted him with their argument. He let the argument play out between the two…

“Please people lets at least try to maintain an air of civility here. Ms. Selvala this alliance is not to meant to be a tool used for world domination!”

“And to you Ms. Noi, I have never said nor even intended that Packilvania be used as some sort of defense shield. Mr. Evesuni is correct, this was only supposed to be an alliance of trade and militaries, there will be no settlements, there will be no assimilation of cultures, I believe our differences will make us stronger and if that can’t be accepted by any of you who sit here before me then there is no place for you in this Alliance.”

Gordon sighed and leaned back in his chair and looked at a mural on the ceiling that depicted the meeting that formed the Alleghenian Union for a few moments.

“You speak of things as if they can be implemented with no troubles at all, I cannot even fathom the reaction that would happen if people from other nations began settling in Alleghenian cities, it might break us apart at the seams and I have no intention of ruining that which took the blood of fifty million men, women, and children to rebuild. Doing what this document says now will be hard enough.”

49

Unwilling to lose what could be the most profitable contract on his nation history, Ludwig decided to suggest a compromise:

“May i have your attention?”

As they turned to him, he spoke:

“Mr. Gordon, i´m sure that Ms. Selvala was only pointing out that together we´d be safe even from an unlikely offensive made by all other nations in the regions in union.
And Ms. Noi just want the opportunity to show the Pax way for her allies. My nation knows from experience that having a node within our territory didn´t brought us harm.
So maybe a very limited integration, such as the one my country made with Pax in our pact would be acceptable. My country already has school island node and Vekaiyu will have to accept a few anyway due to the Arkane. This leave Allegheny and Listonia. Since Mr. Evesuni pointed out his country might be the first target of an enemy of ACTEP, perhaps a node within the area to be conquered would make said enemy think twice, as it´d be striking Pax as well, in a way. For Allegheny, well, both the Union and Pax will take land in Tassalvata, so i think your people wouldn´t be that upset if you allowed a single node just within your side of the new border. And obviously, as we stand here as equals, i´m sure we could extend this “single settlement” right to all ACTEP nations as well. It´d increase the bond between our people, allow us to showcase the best our nations have to offer, and solve the greatest obstacle to the signing. How does that sound?”

50

“No,” Gordon said, “No more. I need time to think about everything that is happening here. This is going too fast and I admit that I am not the best negotiator here. This has gotten out of hand and I think everyone here needs time to step back and think about what they really want out of this. I will not propose any time limits, you may leave and travel back to your country or you may stay. Whatever you choose I ask that you really think about this.”

Gordon got up from his chair and began collecting his papers from the table that had been set up specifically for the meeting.

“If you wish to speak with me I will be in my chambers on the upper floor of this building. For the time being this meeting is over, good night.”

Gordon promptly pushed his chair under the table and motioned for his aides to converge upon him. He disappeared behind the large heavy doors of the senate chambers that lead out into the hallways.

51

Noi acknowledged and rose to walk out.

‘Hive overlord. Command from Noi. Ready troops for deployment. Ready orbital cannons. Prepare for casualties inside borders.’

Noi looked up as she was sending he commands over the Hive. She smiled when she was done.

“I hope this meeting is more productive in the morning. For now, I have a nation to run. I shall be in my quarters.”