In the Bretonian Parliament

[jammi]

Lord Edmond Grey had been for the most part been snowed under with paperwork regarding falling production quotas on Leeds, constant intrusions by blockade running smugglers and a particularly awkward trade agreement with the Zoners. The War was placing extra pressure on his already suffering Ministry. Without the aid of his Chief Clerk, he'd probably be halfway to being admitted to Bedlam! Needless to say, the Tau Pact had caught his eye. After listening to Lord Marlborough, he dusted off his lap and smoothed out a stray crease on his suit before rising to stand.

"I'm afraid I have to agree with Lord Marlborough on this issue. As he rightly said, we have been waging this war against Kusari for three long and bloody years, costing a great many lives and billions of credits in lost revenue.

"However, this is not why I speak. This Pact stands not to secure Bretonia an ally, but rather cripple our long term economic policies! During peacetime one of our Nation's primary goals was to expand it's dominion further into the Taus, sending exploration groups and survey teams to the edges of the realm to reveiw uncultivated areas for industrial viability, before implementing Bretonia Mining and Manufacturing task forces to obtain further resources, and thus feed Bretonia's hungry industry.

"Signing that piece of paper more or less gives the Independent Miners Guild sovereignty over the Taus! As Lord Marlborough stated, we are in an ideal position for a counter-attack, wielding an axe over the Kusari Serpent's overly-extended neck! Once the decisive battle has been won, do you honestly think all will be right my Lords?

"My Office employs market analysts and economists to predict the outcome of every plausible possiblity. If we win the war, our economy will stagnate due to the lack of necessity. We are being preserved through the heightened sense of need and fear brought about by a War Economy. Once that War Economy has stagnated, our House will be ruined by economic privation, not the enemy's weapons! That is unless we can exploit every available resource!

"Giving away the Tau's to a loosely banded rabble is not an option! It is shooting ourselves in the foot and makes a mockery of any form of long term economic planning! Think about these words my Lords, for your choices here may well affect the survival of our great House itself."

Grey seated himself, looking slightly flustered. One of the countless and seemingly faceless beaurocrats of the Ministry had left a wedge of paperwork for him to sift through next to his seat. There was the agreement with the Zoners sitting on top. So much work to do. So much work...

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