The Toll

Roleplay Library
1

OOC: I thought this would be an interesting idea. If you can find a way to post here, post!

Auvo Heinonen, Gliat Shea’s Minister of the Economy, entered the council room. Already there was Jarmo Karvonen, Gliat Shea’s Minister of Foreign Diplomacy, and Mikael Karvonen, the Holy Emperor of Gliat Shea.

“Greetings Auvo,” Mikael said, turning away from Jarmo.

“What did you need to discuss, my liege?” Auvo asked after saluting.

“As you know,” Mikael started, “Our economy isn’t exactly the best right now. Sometimes we even have to rely on gifts from Asendavia.”

Auvo nodded.

“Anyway,” continued Mikael, “Jarmo brought up an interesting idea. As you know, we control the strait and multiple trade routes pass through it. Jarmo suggested we impose a small tax for ships passing through it. I see a small problem with enforcing it, especially since the strait is quite large, but we can always have a few more ships patrol the straits.”

“I do like the idea my liege. Even though I’m not sure how it would turn out, I think it would be a worthy risk to try,” Auvo replied.

Jarmo spoke up, “I can handle sending out messages declaring our intent and our reasons.”

Mikael nodded, “I suggest you start now Jarmo.”

Jarmo saluted and left the room, nodding at Auvo.

Mikael turned back to Auvo, “You may go now as well.”

Auvo saluted and left.

2

A speedy worker dashed into Leader’s office, shoved a telegram on the man’s desk, and continued their journey out the door and through the adjacent hall.
The Mascot of the USM, not in the least bit stricken, held up the slip, creased back the lines, and read it.
“Craaaaap,” Mister Leader II said, gawking at the new knowledge. Straightening, Leader called up an adviser by modern fax. “Send in Howard, if you don’t mind. No, not the custodian, yes, the other one.”
Five minutes later, Jonathan Howard was settled in the doorway of the Leader’s quarters, waiting to be acknowledged. “Come in, please; sit down.”
The official took his place.
“Do you know what just happened, in your terms, that is?”

“Uh, no, Mister Leader, I’m afraid you’ve lost me on that one.”

“Listen closely, then. We have new developments, as I’ve just now received, that have to do with the trade and diplomatic policy of Gliat Shea. I’m sure you’re familiar with the nation concerned.”

“Yes, to an extent, sir.”

“Good. Here’s the deal. The government of the nation, Shea, has just announced their intentions to impose new taxes on trading vessels going through their waters of jurisdiction. Of course, some very important routes go through that area, specifically ones headed over to the Federation and Vekaiyu. Obviously, that’s gonna be a problem. Wallstrim is booked like usual, and I have little clue on where Beartrot is at, so I’m going to need you to head over their and see what’s going on. Will that be alright?”

Howard pondered a moment. “Of course, Leader, I can make arrangements.”

“Great. Here’s my plan. You should probably go along with it, unless you really think you have something better. Got it?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Okay,” Mister Leader started. “Here’s the deal. You take a flight over to Stromharad and see what support you an get over there. We need to get our buddies on the case if we’re going to get anywhere with this. If you knew a little more about diplomacy, you would most likely already know that Gliat Shea and Asendavia are already really close. That being said, they’re gonna be our ticket out of a ticket. And don’t worry about all the simple stuff: I’ll get that settled for your mission of sorts. You catch?”

“Yes, Mister Leader. One question, though. What would be the alternative if we couldn’t get this trade route back at its full capacity?”

“That is a good question and really only has one answer. The ships would have to sail over Borea.”

“Ouch,” Howard commented.

3

Jon Zharkov, the oldest son of Viktor Zharkov and the acting Minister of Foreign Diplomacy, was sitting in Stromharad Airfield with his guard when the plane they had been informed about arrived. They saw a man, Howard they thought, exiting the aircraft. Jon signaled the man and walked up to him. When they were close enough to speak, Jon stopped. “Greetings,” Jon spoke, “I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting before. I am Jon Zharkov, the oldest son of Viktor Zharkov and the acting Minister of Foreign Diplomacy.”

4

Speaking in de facto Codexian, Howard said, “We sure haven’t met. I’m Jonathan Howard; call me Howie if you’d like. I am the son of an unimportant father, who has nothing to do with this effort, and probably never will. Anyway, shall we get to business?”

5

Premier of Vekaiyu Ikrisia Levinile furrowed her brow as she read the apparent terms of Gliat Shea - establishing some sort of toll for trade vessels moving to and from the sea buffered by the nation on both sides. She hadn’t had much interaction with the nation in question, but knew enough of the region to where pulling up a holographic screen of the Urth map was a mere formality. The sea was huge, nearly the width of Allegheny. Considering the increasing volatile actions that recently came across that state, she figured it wouldn’t be much of an issue to avoid interaction entirely.

She set to work drafting up an email to the necessary parties.

— Begin quote from ____


To Jarmo Karvonen
Minister of Foreign Diplomacy of Gliat Shea

Greetings,

I am afraid it is my duty to inform the nation of Gliat Shea that Vekaiyu and The Vekaiyun Union will not be subjected to any toll or tax upon the international waters bookended by the nation of Gliat Shea. These waters shall remain free for all Vekaiyun craft, all craft traveling to the Vekaiyun Union, and all craft traveling from the Vekaiyun Union. Furthermore, Vekaiyu will defend its right to traverse freely across all international waters and reserves the right to utilize force in order to ensure this right is enforced. Not that the nation or its union wishes to engage in hostilities, but hostile actions that affect the integrity of this union or its allies will be met with a tempered yet firm response.

In closing, we will consider this announcement to be made in error and will continue to operate under normal maritime circumstances.

With best,
Ikrisia Levinile
Premier of Vekaiyu

— End quote

She mulled over her response for a moment, then sent it out, practically as the Vekaiyun Minister of the Interior, Vanse Iliskalu, arrived for a scheduled meeting. “Enter,” she exclaimed. She watched carefully as the minister entered her main office and sat in one of the provided chairs in front of her desk.

“Milady, I feel the need to get right to business,” Iliskalu said.

“Naturally.”

“Interested officers have looked over the recent proposal by the nation of Gliat Shea in response to the meeting we had earlier this morning regarding these concerns. Some have suggested providing escorts as a display of seriousness.”

“No need,” she said as she set several papers to her right. “The move would be both unnecessary and perceived as aggressive. Any attempts at engaging any craft associated with trade to this union or its allies will be met with a physical response, but we will not initiate any sort of aggression.” She shrugged. “It is what it is. We’re not going to accept a tax on international waters.”

6

Jarmo was in his office when he noticed a new email. He sighed and opened it. He skimmed over it and saw it was from Vekaiyu’s Premier, Ikrisia Levinile. He opened up a new tab and began to type his response.

— Begin quote from ____

To:
Ikrisia Levinile
Premier
Vekaiyu

Salutations,

We sincerely apologize for imposing a toll on the strait. Our economy isn’t in the best condition so we thought of it after looking at a map of trade routes of various countries. Though I am sure we can think of better ways to improve our economy now. Rauha olkoon kanssasi.

From:
Jarmo Karvonen
Minister of Foreign Diplomacy
Gliat Shea

— End quote

After finishing up his short email, he clicked send and closed it. He opened another new email and after a few minutes of typing, sent it to his king and the Minister of the Economy. He sighed and shutdown the computer. “Maybe we should try mining next,” he muttered to himself, “I hear the mountains are good this time of year.”