Ward seemed pleasantly surprised, assured that Kusari wouldn't budge from their interest in Tau-31. The counter-offer was like music, though still a bit foggy. "I'd be interested in knowing how much Kusari considers to be a 'purely symbolic sum', then. Should it be reasonable, Crayter could very much live with this development."
The advisor began to write this development down, flipping to a new page as he wrote.
The Shinnōke smiled for a moment. Everything so far went just according to the plan. "Fifty million credits, preferably in materials such as Niobium or Beryllium mined by your dear friends of the IMG. The wrecks' sheer size would render it awfully time consuming to tow it to Crayter space, so this price contains the fee for one of the Keiretsu to disassemble the Helios, get it ready for shipment and proceed to your desired destination. Naturally, you may overlook the disassembling. The Naval Forces will dispatch a small force to act as escorts up to the Holman Junction, from there on, convoy security would lay in your and the Keiretsu's hands."
The Presidential advisor seemed to be waiting for Ward's input before he began writing down the Kusari response.
'Fifty million for the Helios', she thought. CDI would have a fit over submitting any level of funds for Crayter property, but Defense would likely see it as an acceptable sacrifice for a symbol of the Republic's defiance and stubbornness. "Fifty million is acceptable. I will need to speak with the IMG about the requested payment in materials, and should they refuse or give no answer, I can arrange for the treasury to pay the sum."
She paused for a brief moment to take a drink of the complimentary glass of water before her, then continued. "However, CDI and the Ministry of Defense would be agitated if we agreed to allowing foreign corporations to haul Helios back to Crayter space. Understand that it isn't a matter of trust, as I'm sure your Keiretsu are more than capable of accomplishing the task. However, recovering, processing, and salvaging Crayter Military losses has always been a task that we've entrusted CDI to oversee. Despite this, we are still willing to submit fifty million credits, either in cash or materials, for the Helios."
The Shinnōke took the opportunity to briefly exchange a few words with the Admiral, then he gave the Crayterian delegation a small nod. "We understand your concerns. Instead of leaving everything to the Keiretsu, it appears the most suitable to leave the deconstruction process to our Keiretsu, have them either directly load your transports or if the need arises utilize the Keiretsu's respective nearby installation to act as transshipment point. From there on, your logistics can handle the return of the Helios to Crayter Space."
He finished his sentence, his eyes briefly meeting the Natio's representatives. The Admiral took a sip of water, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.
Ward nodded at Itō's response. "That can work, yes. CDI will need to oversee the deconstruction, but I'm sure that won't be an issue. Beyond that, I believe that should cover the Helios' return in full."
Ward then turned her eyes towards Consul Riley, who, to her dismay, had been kept out of the talks since they began; Unintentional, and certainly not what she'd wanted for Crayter's other friend in these talks, but perhaps with the major issues handled the focus could shift towards Natio's position. "Now, unless I've overlooked any other details, perhaps Natio Octavarium and Kusari can put an official end to their conflict."
The Bretonian delegation made itself busy. The assistant had written down everything that was said word to word and Mountbatten announced a 10 minute break for the participants to rest until she manages to formulate a treaty that she was intending to present. There was an instance where previously achieved Bretonian interests were potentially in danger. She presented the treaty via the projector when everyone had reconvened.
Quote:
Treaty of Harris, First Chapter
Hereby, the state of war between the Empire of Kusari (further: Kusari) on one side, and the Crayter Republic (further: Crayter) and Natio Octavarium (further: Natio) on the other side, ends.
Kusari will return Barra Anchorage to Crayter.
Kusari recognises the Tau-31 System as a territory of the Kingdom of Bretonia (further: Bretonia) and Crayter.
Bretonia recognises the Tau-29 System as a territory of Kusari.
Kusari has full rights to position a military outpost at the Tau-31 Jump Gate in the Tau-29 System.
Kusari will allow Crayter to peacefully tow the remains of the Helios from Tau-29. Crayter will compensate Kusari with 50,000,000 credits worth of niobium or beryllium, or in currency.
Bretonia will allow KNF ships of all sizes and up to one fleet at a time to be present in the Tau-31 System for the sake of performing action against pirates and criminals or upholding the clauses of this treaty. In exchange, Kusari will cover 50% of the planned cost of the Stokes Station reconstruction project.
Kusari, Crayter, Natio and Bretonia will form a defensive pact against the House of Gallia.
"This is the agreement that we can officially conclude so far by our understanding", Mountbatten said. "Everyone please read it and say if you have something to add. Otherwise, let us proceed to this pact against Gallia."
Itō listened closely to the Natio representative and couldn't resist to smile when the Bretonians proposed this first draft. They were acting hastily. "We understand your desire to move onwards, Miss Mountbatten, but unfortunately there is a tiny detail we wish to discuss with the Natio Octavarium representative before moving on.
He gazed at Riley, knowing well why the Natio representation did not talk until being addressed: They were a minor factor in this gamble, sufficiently small to be sidelined or even discarded of if the need arose. Your.. hm, micro-nation, declared war on Kusari, yet barely anything happened according to Okamoto-san. We're not opposed to re-opening trade with Natio vessels, Crayter vessels are another topic but let us not stray too far away from the topic - one question requires clarification. Beyond a seemingly tight alliance with Crayter and a friendly relation to Bretonia, what are the Natio's diplomatic relations around Sirius, especially the Taus and Kusari next the authorities and the keiretsu? Our intelligence generally focused on - to be blunt - targets of higher importance and thus the data on the Natio Octavarium is relatively limited."
He briefly nodded at Admiral Okamoto, signaling him to handle Riley's reply, then he leant back in his seat and took a sip of water.
The Natio was content only with ending the war with Kusari, but they rejected being part of any kind of a binding agreement on the grounds of their aspiration to self-sufficiency. The Bretonian delegation was indifferent about the matter and about the Natio as a whole. The Whig representative was happy that the Natio was sidelined back to an observer as they were supposed to be, and Mountbatten was content because she was no longer obliged to repay the personal debt she had to the Natio. Mountbatten hurried to finish this verbal dessert and move onto the main course, which was to disrupt Gallia.
"Since I am aware that you understand my desire to move onward", Mountbatten said to the Kusarian delegation, "Then let's not allow tiny details to bog us down. Shall I then have this treaty produced in analogue shape so it can be signed?"
Itō knew the interesting part just begun. Paragraph eight of this treaty. "Naturally. Article one to seven are fine as they are for us. The defensive pact should be our focus from here on."
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