As written by Lobos and barney_fife...
Commander Eisehart and Agent Panderson’s stepped to the fore of the delegation before seating, the naval officer snapping to attention to deliver a curt bow compared to his peer’s more graceful one. Behind them, the Wolf team offered crisp salutes at the greeting, before moving to take the flanking seats as the envoy leaders offered their own welcome.
“We thank you for the opportunity to address this Quorum for this emergency meeting, Viceroy Randolph.” Ian addressed the viceroy with a calm, projected voice. “If we apologize for the unfortunate misunderstanding that necessitated it’s calling.”
The remaining two standing Dominion representatives took the central seats.
The Viceroy returned their salutes, and their bows with a nod of her own, while the rest of the Quorum delegates, a room of about six hundred individuals representing provinces all across the Empire took their seats, and made their preparations.
The tone was rather hushed, with the shuffling of paperwork, a few errant coughs, and the delegates whispering amongst themselves.
“As I’m sure you’re aware…” The Viceroy said calmly. “The United Aschen Empire is currently in a state of war with the entity that calls itself the Terran National Government.” She said, shuffling some paperwork. “The scope of hostilities has been amended to include supporters, sympathizers, and allies of the Terran National Government, and unfortunately the nature of your cordon places you squarely within that scope.” Cleo added. “What say you, Commander?”
“I can confirm that we are aware of your combative relations with the TNG. And further, we are newly aware of the expansion of hostilities to include, summarized, all known associates.” Ian paused, turning his gaze to slowly pan over the assembled politicians of the Quorum. “And I confirm that the Dominion has entered a state of coordination with the Terran National Government in relation to a matter of extranational importance.
“The Quorum is aware of the anomalous spatial distortions present within the Sol System, is it not?”
The Quorum delegates whispered among themselves, while the delegate of the Province of Tal’dor offered Viceroy Randolph a nod. She turned her gaze briefly to the Tal’dor delegate, and then back to Commander Eishart.
“We are aware of the anomalous activities surrounding the star system, and have been monitoring the situation closely, in coordination with our strategic missile command, and the Imperial Defense Force.” She explained, while briefly going over a handful of star charts, as well as FTL Charts in and around the local region.
“We understand that the Dominion believes it is in everyone’s best interest that these strange anomalies are contained, however, we cannot peacefully coexist with a viable Terran National Government, whom willfully harbors enemies of the state, supports dissent and terrorism within our Empire, and spreads sedition and lies which are not only disruptive, but harmful to the party’s interest. We called this meeting in the hopes we could reach a compromise, and avoid a bloodbath; but this government has considered it’s options, and is prepared to neutralize the Terran National Government, and its supporters by whatever means necessary.” She briefly cast her gaze towards Admiral Hanley, and General Kalfas, the commander of the Strategic Missile Command.
Her gaze returned to Eishart. “Given these circumstances, this quorum is open to hearing your suggestions on how we can avoid this coming fire.”
Eisehart glanced to Panderson, who nodded and settled his hands on the table, folded cordially. “We understand the motivations of the Empire in regards to the TNG’s continued existence. However, the Dominion also recognizes the concerns of the TNG in regards to the still, well and truly unknown capabilities of the torn space that sits on its front door. We would like to remind this Quorum that the anomaly exists because of your feud, and because of the resources you have reached for in pursuit of that feud.”
The Agent let that sink into the assembled members for a few moments, before lifting both hands, palms up. He raised one. “In one hand, we have the concerns of a galactic political power, whom is concerned at the concessions and actions of a planetary government. On the other…”
Raising the other, he continued. “We have the request of a planetary government to independently establish a quarantine around a potentially dangerous region of damaged space-time.”
“The Cordon was established prior to the public announcement of the Empire’s updated scope of war. It was briefed by the TNG on what little was known of the anomaly, and in absence of a similar briefing from the Empire, performed an independent analysis of the TNG’s claims. Those findings formalized the Cordon’s existence. To that end, the Cordon’s position is simple: travel in any form, ingress or egress, is to be heavily restricted, or outright refused.”
“I will remind the Quorum of the definition of a compromise. Both parties must sacrifice to reach an agreement of mutual gain. There is little the Cordon task force can sacrifice and maintain its mission, but we are willing to attempt to negotiate. Given that the Empire can afford the concessions more freely, we are prepared for a list of possible options.”
Cleo listened to the Commander intently, jotting down the occasional note, while the Quorum whispered in agitation, whispers that threatened to erupt into clamoring until the Viceroy banged the gavel. “We will have order in this Quorum!”
When the Quorum’s clamoring died down, Cleo continued to listen, while quietly going over a real-time transmission of text from the Emperor, he was willing to make concessions to buy time to recover from the last bout of losses.
“You refer to the deployment of our new tricobalt weaponry.” Cleo said calmly. “These weapons were tested extensively prior to deployment, they did not display the tendency to generate persistent anomalous tears, the tears were generally brief, not lasting more than a few minutes, depending on the cochrane yield of the warhead.” She tapped her tablet, glancing down for the briefest of moment. “Don’t be so quick to blame our weapons on these anomalies, while I admit they exacerbated the situation, the anomalous activity existed prior to our deployment of these weapons, I have data from several of our cruisers that proves such.”
Turning back to her tablet, she made a few more notations. “The immediate cessation of all military, materiel, financial, and humanitarian aid to the Terran National Government, the enforcement of your cordon across all aspects of travel, if you’re going to quarantine the system, that quarantine should broadly apply to everyone, all vessels must be refused unless they are part of your cordon.”
“We will establish a zone of demarcation, and relentlessly pursue, and destroy any vessels that attempt to enter, or leave the Sol System, We will also demand transparency, so that your cordon is not used as a pretense for a military buildup. We must be allowed to freely communicate with, and coordinate the assets still trapped on Valore for a safe and timely extraction, which must be done by Imperial assets, whether under escort or not.”
Cleo cleared her throat, and placed the papers on the podium. “If these terms are accepted, and enforced, the Empire will suspend hostilities until the mission of the Cordon is satisfied.”
“Do we have an agreement?” Cleo asked, as the quorum votes began to tally.
“On the subject of the quarantine’s universal exclusion, we can only offer the diligence assigned to non-critical ingress or egress. The Cordon cannot and will not interfere with other Valoran political entity’s engaged in vital trade, however,” Eisehart held up a hand to forestall the expected surge of anger. “Members of the Shintenchi nations receiving vital trade from their AXIS memberstates abroad are still subject to selective refusal of non-vital escorts when supplied with an impartial escort through the Cordon’s services. This position has no room to flex, as our job is not to initiate wars, it is to prevent the anomaly from further increasing. Further, investigating entities have already been engaged and refused passage, redirected to independent meetings to clarify our purpose of mission. Such non-vital traffic is already under interception, and it is within parameters to engage such by force if necessary.”
“It is within your rights to do as you will with attempting interception and pursuit of those that attempt the Cordon, I will strongly advise against said pursuit if it begins to penetrate the Cordon proper. At such time, any vessels regardless of nationality will be considered open and free targets. Elsewise we have no exceptions to you pursuing what course you may, but formally absolve the Cordon of any responsibilities associated with aggressions executed in said pursuits.”
“Transparency can be provided at request, and will be prefaced that there is no intention at this time to establish a forward operations position for military action against any entities at this time.”
“Communications to Imperial assets is a concession that we are amenable to, the extraction by Imperial vessels we are not. Extraction can be supplied via Cordon assets, to be delivered without detour or molestation of assets extracted directly to Imperial holdings, with exceptions to assets that include materials, data, or personnel that would constitute gross breaches of containment of the anomaly.”
Eisehart settled, turning his gaze to the viceroy. “Are the amended provisions acceptable?”
Cleo listened carefully, taking down further notations and making her own comments to the amended provisions on the tablet, while reading feedback from the Emperor in the form of a live chat.
“We understand the Shintenchi have open hostilities with the Terran National Government, and see no problem with AXIS assets moving in and out of the system, I didn’t consider that provision and will be sure to relay the appropriate protocols to Admiral Hanley.” She said, nodding in agreement.
“Our objective is to prevent materiel and humanitarian aid from reaching the Terran National Government, and I presume you have no objection to the cessation of same on the Dominion’s Behalf.” She added.
At the mention of extraction being performed by Cordon personnel, the acting IIA Director visibly shook his head, and leaned over to whisper something to Minister Chaska, whom stood up to speak.
“Imperial assets embedded undercover will not reveal themselves for extraction unless it is performed by Imperial assets, we also cannot entrust high value personnel, data, and intelligence to your custody even with ‘promises’ that they would remain unmolested, such a move would be naive and foolish.” Chaska said aloud. “Unless extracted by Imperial personnel, these forces will remain embedded among the population of Valore, carrying out diversionary tactics until notified otherwise.” She explained.
“You understand these communications may include encrypted orders, and in the interests of transparency…” Chaska said, casting a glance to the IIA Director. “While outright military aggression will be suspended, counterintelligence operations will likely continue, while we will make no attempt to violate the cordon itself, we have several assets on planet with missions to fulfill, none of which should contravene the cordon’s mission.”
“Prime Minister Vaeros is a snake in the grass, and it is in our interests to have our eyes and ears on her government at all times.”
Cleo nodded to Chaska, and spoke up herself. “Other than the concerns the IIA director, and the Minister of Defense have voiced, I have no problems with your amendments.”
“The only further position of the Cordon in regards to humanitarian aid is that if it is applied in regard to prevention of worldwide destablization, for example pandemic. In such case, we cannot in good faith decline such aid, given pre-existing states of treaty with other Valore-located nationalities.” Panderson said before nodding. “We will not interfere with active missions except as where potential breaches of quarantine may occur, which I feel safe assuming without confirmation by this Quorum are unlikely to happen with terran-based operations.”
“Amended conditions are accepted by the delegation from the Cordon.” Eisehart pronounced.
Cleo considered, and then nodded. “Only what is absolutely necessary.” She then sent everything out for a vote, there was a brief silence among the Quorum as they cast their votes.
A large number flashed on a screen above them, the Quorum members had all cast their votes, five-hundred and forty five votes in favor of the cessation of hostilities, with fifty five votes against.
“The Quorum accepts your amendments, and hereby ratifies this armistice between the Shade Dominion, and the United Aschen Empire, with an addendum that this armistice shall apply to the Terran National Government until the mission of the Cordon is satisfied, at which point the Quorum of this Empire shall re-evaluate the political situation on Valore, and in the Galaxy when determining to re-initiate military hostilities, or to ratify a formal peace treaty.” The Viceroy said, as the numbers flashed green, and an aide approached the delegation with a physical copy of the armistice, with a place for them to place their signatures, which was adjacent to the seal of the Quorum.
“Hopefully the lives of those lost will not be in vain, and we can avoid future misunderstandings.” The viceroy added.
The delegation signed as directed, with first Panderson, then Eisehart taking the final two slots. Ian nodded at the viceroy’s wish. “I sincerely hope that this will give meaning to the conclusion of conflict, and all parties involved will emerge the better for this armistice.”
With the audible bang of Cleo’s gavel, the Quorum session was concluded, slowly the delegates all rose from their seats and shuffled out the door. Cleo, along with Chaska made their way down to greet the Dominion delegates. “Your visas don’t expire for another two weeks, you’re welcome to do some sightseeing, otherwise we can arrange transit back to your cordon.”
There was a visible sigh of relief from the Minister, and from the General Kalfas. He offered the Viceroy a firm handshake. “I’m glad we made progress, I was having reservations giving the command that would more or less burn this whole sector of the galaxy to the ground.”
Chaska smiled, and shook the viceroy’s hand as well. “I’ll notify the committee, and tell Inviere she can stand down.”
Chaska then offered her hand to the Dominion Delegates. “Safe travels back to Valore.”
Shaking the offered hands, the cohorts of the delegation stepped aside to talk among themselves while Panderson excused himself to join them. Commander Eisehart nodded wearily.
“We’ll be heading back to base if that’s alright. I’m glad that cooler heads prepared. If the Dominion knows anything, it’s that wars of escalation are never pleasant. Each side constantly holds the mere hope that that was enough, and more often than not are proven all too in error.”
Holding up the armistice treaty, he offered those present a final bow. “Govern in grace.”
