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Peace in Jugol?

Záhorie

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Almani sat back and nodded at Koskinen's words. "I appreciate your thanks, though, it was not my exact idea to be here. Until a few days ago, I was enjoying a rather quiet retirement" he said with a thin smile. He gazed round the table, shrewdly noting expressions before continuing. "Winning peace is up to you" he said, turning to Koskinen. Almani's smile had faded. "What happens here is wholly up to those who would bring on war. After all, Justosian fleets did not show up on any of your doorsteps. Did they? No, certainly not" he said, shaking his head.

"The fact is that Justosia is being targeted. Targeted for its own sovereign decisions and growth. It is sad to see such actions carried out in the name of democracy, no?" Almani said calmly. "Yet, we are past discussing your motivations and your blind justifications" he said, waving his hand dismissively. "Let us be plain. We are here because you want something. Yes, our host has been most gracious in offering to host this chance at peace. And we applaud that effort. The hospitality has been top notch. However, this is no social event" Almani said, restraining the urge to stare at Doyle who had passed him the bottle of beer earlier. "I suspect that some are here to not find a solution but rather to merely impose terms and find a victory. So. Let us not play at games. Let us hear you proposals........or rather, your terms" he said, betraying little emotion.
 

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Koskinen thanked the Pohjanmaan for kindly bringing him some coffee, it had an unusual but exquisite taste, however there was no time to enjoy it. The Justosian wanted to get to the point, so to the point he would get.

"Justosian fleets may not have showed up on our door step mister Almani, but it is one of the main reasons we are here. The growth of this navy has been quite the concern among diplomatic circles across the world, your seizing of "uninhabited" Vanguardia and the so called Porton Naval district which were quickly militarized in a misguided attempt to create some sea spanning empire has also brought much concern. You of all people should know the almost bipolar manner in which your Empress' ministers conduct foreign relations has caused shock in some courts and made you a laughing stock in others."

Pointing his finger at Almani, Koskinen continued, "You may claim that you simply wish to defend yourselves, but the composition of these fleets and this unchecked aggressive expansion into neighboring landmasses is a poorly veiled attempt at locking down the south Silk sea as your Empress' own personal playground."

Koskinen set his hand back on the table and straightened up in his chair, "Yes our fleets have shown up at your doorstep, but may I remind you that our operations have been conducted entirely outside of your national boundaries. You may call us the aggressor here, yet let me remind you..." Koskinen pulled a picture of Lt. Spalding out of a file he had, "... that it was the itchy trigger finger of the Justosian military that deprived Lieutenant Erin Spalding of the Ambrosian air force of her life! Then clearly not satisfied with this one death, your pilots then approached the Sylvanian navy in international waters on an attack vector, forcing our pilots to defend the fleet, resulting in the death of one of your own. It is Justosian aggression that has brought us to this point, our government as well as the governments of many other countries asked that you see reason, that this military buildup was endangering the peace, yet you continued, nationalizing whole industries and no doubt sending many an innocent Justosian into dire financial straits. So it is Justosian ignorance and aggression on the high seas and on the political stage that have brought us here and by extension brought you here."

Realizing he still had the photo of Spalding held up for Almani to see he set it down on the table, keeping a serious look upon his face. If the Justosian wanted terms they would be given.

"I don't think I should have to remind you, mister Almani, but we don't have to be here. The powers that are arrayed against your empire are many, this meeting represents our handing to you the last chance to resolve things diplomatically. You want terms? Then you shall have them." Koskinen turned to his Pohjanmann colleague, "Miss Lahtinen if you would be so kind as to deliver our terms."
 

Jydsken-Østveg

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Anneli was a bit surprised. She didn’t expect to get so much responsibility at this meeting. The thought made her laugh in her mind. The girl that grabbed the coffee gets to deliver the terms. Imagine the intern getting that role! Despite her whimsical mental musings, her facial expression was still stone. She opened a folder and took out a paper which had some notes on it in a scribbled Fennic. Her parent couldn’t read her handwriting, would Martin sitting next to her? Probably not assuming he understood her impossible language. She took another sip of her coffee and as she put her hand up as if for everyone to wait a moment.

“Yes, of course. The terms for the DDI+ goes as follows... we demand that the fourth fleet, its construction and current operational abilities be scrapped and sold. Furthermore we demand that the waterways between the Silk Seas and the Loong Seas be unobstructed and free of transit for all nations. That all military exercises in the region be announced with 30 days notice. The days notice is negotiable. That the military exercises be at least 500 nautical miles from this region and away from all common shipping lanes. This distance is negotiable. Vanguardia will be recognized as a demilitarized Justosian colony. That no future ships of battleship, battlecruiser, or aircraft carrier be built without future consultation and approval with the DDI+ and if required a neutral arbitrator that is agreed upon by both parties. No new fleets either... naturally.” She paused and flipped the paper to the backside. It was blank. The last part she added herself on the spot. She hoped that would go well with the allies.

“As you can see, we are quite amenable to our terms. We are flexible and not tyrannical. We do not wish for war, we wish for peace on terms that will prevent future war in this region. We urge you to accept our terms during peace time because our terms should war be declared will be punitive and harsh. Inflexible. Know this, we do not wish to cripple Justosia either. We do not wish to ruin its traditions and culture. If you wish to test or inquire as to how bad the terms can eventually be for Justosia, I am more than willing to share this information as well.”

She took another sip of the coffee and stared blankly. Her facial expression and the tone of her voice was flat the entire time. “I believe that covers everything.”
 
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Záhorie

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Almani nodded at the responses. He sat back, un-perturbed. He had expected such hostility and harsh terms. Though, he did not expect that the terms would be so plainly laid out so quickly. Almani took a moment to look into the faces of each person in the room and nodded lightly.

"I think I understand. You do not wish to offer terms. You wish to impose your imperium. We must inform you of this, inform you of that. I'd expect similar demands by an emissary of Ivar. You DDI types. Marching your ideals under the cover of democracy" Almani said, shaking his head. "Perhaps the next time you offer terms, it will be your real terms" he said, looking around the room again. "You could not expect us to accept those terms. So..what are the real terms? The ones you were truly expecting to agree to?" Almani asked, before holding up his hand, palm out in order to stop a response.

"I've been negotiating for decades. You cannot be so naive that you did not come up with your real terms. As I see it, you have no right to dictate what Justosia does in her home territory. Imagine, if the Rurikgrad showed up on your doorstep and started dictating such things! You would laugh in their faces. Not because you hide behind the mask of the DDI. But because that manner of demand is ignorant. You wish to dictate terms instead of offer them? That is the work of dictators. So, let us be clear, the only thing that will start a war here is the DDI. We have done nothing to warrant the response that has taken place. The shooting down of a pilot is truly a tragedy. But to steam your fleets to our front door and then demand draconian terms which not only challenge our very sovereignty but turn us into some pseudo vassal?" said Almani, in the most casual and relaxed of tones. He again held up his hand as he sipped the fruit juice.

He turned to Anneli. "Madam, in the future, when somebody asks for terms, try not to use the word "demands". It ruins the atmosphere. It can turn a negotiation into something it does not need to be" he said before shifting in his seat- leaning forward. "Now, let us review your options. For academic sake.....that I refuse to meet these ludicrous 'demands' " he began, eyeing Anneli as he said the word.

"First option. You launch a full scale war. Judging on the distances and the military situation as I understand it- it would be rather costly for you. Both financially and in terms of manpower. Nobody, I think, wants this. That conflict would be as draining on you as it would be for us. Second option. You carry out strikes against Justosian fleets and then ask us back to the table and offer us the same terms. Perhaps even harsher. We refuse, and we are back to the first option. Third option, you blockade Justosia. Economically hamstringing the nation. More importantly, you cut food supplies. But here's the hound's tooth. We are more willing to resist. Justosians will never accept these terms. Not just the Empress. So, picture this. Imagine, in some country such as Eiffelland, Pelasgia, or Madurja. A man sits down to read his newspaper. A year into the blockade. Which, of course would be expensive. The first thing he sees is a young Justosian girl. Laying in the street. Her eyes wide and mouth hanging open. Dead of starvation. That image will be plastered on every news outlet around the world. Sure, you might censor that from your news sources. But. Every other nation in the world will look at the DDI as tyrannical monsters" he said- his face like stone.

Almani sipped his fruit juice before continuing. "If your goal is to swell the ranks of the Rurikgrad Pact or the ODS.....I bid you congratulations. Option four then. You accept my proposal. Everyone wins. No war happens. DDI appears to be a lion tamer. Justosia retains her sovereignty and her dignity. First, Justosia will announce the cancellation of a fourth fleet. We make no pledges to never build a fourth in the future. But we can set an appropriate amount of time. We will not notify you of any of the nonsense you proposed. The current ships being built will be quietly distributed among the three existing fleets. Your newspapers can claim that they stopped Justosian military expansion and all that jazz. Second. We will commit to free transit. We will negotiate, with you, the amiable standards by which this will occur. As for Vanguardia, nothing changes in terms of its status." Almani concluded. He leaned back in his chair and interlaced his fingers. "Now, may I remind you that a chief mission of the DDI in this instance is to ensure free transit. I am offering this to you. I am offering you a press victory. I believe your national leaders will greatly appreciate the political boost seen from such a victory. However, if you refuse to meet halfway- the war will be costly. And I suspect, heavily costly for you"
 

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Doyle would not bother using the image or story of decedent Spalding as any sort of emotional guilt chip, it simply would not work on this grayed pensioner with numerous other private payoffs. "When you, Señor Almani, return to quite retirement: how can we be assured anything we agree to here mattered?" Dean asked.

"If the fourth fleet will not be scuttled, then duly expect the enhanced trio to be monitored and checked from now on because there is another option you have not mentioned: that the Democratic Defense Initiative can continue to roll across the blue mat day after day, month after month, and in perpetuity to smother any further expansion beyond Vanguardia and the Justosian Continent." Secretary Doyle said, offering the propagandized notion that Justosia was a continent at face value.

"Ambrosia would be open to this deal where the fourth fleet integrates with the existing three, but I want you and your government to be fully aware that we, they the DDI, us the free world will have our free transit in the Silk because that is not Justosia's to give or take away." Doyle declared with a hand directed straight at Almani, the avatar for a regime which had as much or less credibility as his Pohjan counterparts.

The Ambrosians did not want a full out war, for indeed it would be costly in so very many ways, but the notion that if war or peace was not settled on this day meant Ambrosia and allies would simply ignore or walk away from the region was not a given. Next year or earlier, when the funding was right, Ambrosia could invite DDI partners to posture in the Implarian here again, and again, and again.
 

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Anneli pulled her hand through her hair and took another sip of coffee. She appreciated Doyle’s comments but wasn’t sure what to make of the immediate concession of the existing new ships. What she did not entirely understand she did not have time to dwell on though. She nodded to Mr. Doyle. ”Thank you. That is a good start for a compromise.” She turned to Almani knowing she now had some leverage to play bad cop to Doyle’s attempt at good cop with his mentions of continents and allowance of existing ships. “You speak a lot Mr. Almani. You will unfortunately make me speak a lot. We accept your commitment to free transit just like my colleague has stated. We accept your pledge to cancel the fourth fleet and let you maintain already existing ships. From here we have the basis to continue to negotiate. We are near a deal. I thank you for your willingness to work together.”

She continued to touch on his former points, “I do think you underestimate the Pohjanmaan ability to endure the criticism of the world. Already no one likes us. Already we are the villain. What makes you think anything changes for Pohjanmaa when Justosians look mummified on TV? When you are the villain, sometimes bad things happen. It is expected. It is only when you are the hero that you can fall. Have you considered that maybe we are not heroes, and perhaps we don’t even see ourselves as true villains? What if we only played in a gray area that found satisfaction in a little chaos. What if that meant we don’t totally starve you? What if we let you have just enough food so the people have enough energy to riot? Maybe we can drop Pohjanmaan Rye from the sky to help in that effort too? The world would look at us kindly to see us send you food. What I think is that you have mistaken the DDI+ for the ODS. I wouldn’t make that mistake again. Do not play to our good intentions. I will embrace the tools needed to get what I want.”

She took her long hair and pulled it up into a ponytail as she spoke. She did it to change appearance. She felt she looked a bit more intimidating and less cute like that. To show that despite being the tiniest one here, Pohjanmaa’s reputation was for little people doing big things and generally being jerks about it. It bothered people for awhile, but now it had become something of an accepted national ethos. She could say things that none of the other alliance members could. She was a bit more talkative and outgoing than President Lepomäki, the woman that most of the world had grown accustomed to having short direct outbursts and generally sitting in silence as everyone else talked. She was her father’s daughter. Her father won the war against Strathclyde.

“I think you should consider the fact what our terms will be should we go to war. It will be nothing short of the loss of all overseas Justosian territory. If we never sign peace, so be it, Vanguardia will be administered by us anyway. So I implore you to take this more seriously on behalf of your Empress, for an Empress cannot be an Empress without an Empire after all. There is a peace that can be arranged today that can legitimize Vanguardia in the eyes of the DDI. Such legitimacy can go a long way when we desire to maintain a status quo in the future.” She paused and decided maybe she’d give an analogy of sorts. “Maybe you are gambling man? Do you like Hold ‘em? Let me put it this way, with our military might we hold pocket aces and you have a two of clubs and a 6 of clubs. This deck however is stacked. DDI owns this casino. We can say for certain that at least another ace will be in the flop... maybe even two aces. You have the cards just to give you just enough hope to get a straight flush. Will you really cling to your poor odds though? Especially when the means to get this straight flush may cost you everything? Let us not play in hypotheticals anymore. It does neither of us any good while certain truths remain. So posturing hopefully being finished, let me return to the bargaining table as we are so close to a deal...”

She took another sip of coffee and looked at Almani in the continued cold unsmiling, emotionless face that she had before. “What do you want from us? We want some things from you and perhaps some of it you are not authorized to give. Maybe we can give you something to get such authorization though. There is still a point of contention I really want. If that is solved then perhaps this can be finished we can shake hands and go for a drink tonight. Although obviously I cannot speak for my colleagues entirely... but I am nearly satisfied with the results of this meeting.” She paused again hoping to make it clear there was still one major point of contention left and in reality they were not far from a deal. “It was not long ago your Empress wanted to be friendly with the DDI. What can we give you to guarantee and commit to us that no fourth fleet will ever be made? What can we give you to adhere to safe and rational war games notice? If that answer is nothing, then I’m afraid you only back yourself into a corner. So surely there is something. Be creative, nothing is off the table yet.”
 

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Koskinen did not have much to add to that which was already said, he was prepared to make a deal as long as it made sense to. "If I may add to my colleague's words. Sylvania is no stranger to adversity and suffering, if it is necessary we are prepared to take any of the war options you have put forward. I will not bandy about any further words on what lengths we are ready to go to and how much criticism from the rest of the world we are prepared to take, I think it has been made clear what we are ready to endure."

Koskinen finished his coffee and set the cup back down. "I think you overestimate the response the rest of the world will have to Justosian sufffering and I find it funny you would even invoke the name of the ODS here. Already with what we would call their most powerful member we have tacit agreement that Justosia is a threat. Let us not forget it was one of your ministers that threw a tantrum and removed itself from ODS offices in a spectacular way and then announced your further naval construction. It is too bad that you were not in charge of your foreign ministry, perhaps things would be different, but they are not. The fact of the matter is, Justosia is alone, friendless even, unless you count your relations with Eiffelland, the Eiffellanders threw their own allies under the bus to avoid war, they will not use their pull in the ODS to even speak out for Justosia."
 

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Almani nodded again slowly. He had counted on much of this. His eyes looked up to the ceiling in thought. Decades of trade negotiations and now he was here. He was not cut out for much in life. But the decades of diplomacy had taught him well. He had many colleagues across the globe which he considered friends. It had been a tough reputation to earn, especially with the government's primary policies.

He first turned to Koskinen. "I believe you have misheard or misread my mentions of other alliances. Justosia is under no illusion that she is alone. I never said I would appeal to them or that we are reliant on them. I merely meant to say that the DDI's approach to this situation will be read very carefully by nations not aligned in the future. Not to mention how it will be read with nations who may wish to negotiate with the DDI in the future. I do not speak for what other ministers have done. I merely speak for the Empress. I exercise full authority in her name. I am further authorized to make any deal I see fit. If you think, that I am somehow relying on the world response, that is an error" said Almani, scratching the tip of his nose and nonchalantly raising his palms to the sky. "Justosia may be reliant in herself at this point. I merely went through potential outcomes. I am under no illusions, sir" he said.

Almani turned with a curious look to Anneli. "Of course I talk a lot, madam. I am a diplomat. These are talks. What else would you have us do?" he said with a thin gleam of candor in his eye. He continued. "I am under no illusions, as I said. There is no magical world power coming to our aid. All am saying is that you may wish to consider the long game. As I also said, nations and leaders will look carefully before negotiations. Think on that. I wonder, do you not think we are taking this as seriously as you? What gave you that impression? This isn't a casino, madam. This is real life. People will die" Almani said, leaning forward- calm but stone faced. "I am offering the key-most points of what you want- and more. I am giving you a diplomatic and political victory. A victory that is a net-loss for Justosia. We would not create a 4th fleet. We would do everything required to guarantee free transit under customary maritime law. Is that not the reason why the DDI has decided to bring its fist down on Justosia? I am offering you a victory and yet you continue. I cannot guarantee that no 4th fleet will ever be made. No sane diplomat ever makes an agreement in perpetuity. 20 years from now. 30 years from now. Madam, if you have a crystal ball, you may want to share that with the world" Almani said, slowly nodded. He continued in his calm and measured voice. "I am offering a peace that suits everyone in this room. You then continue to ask, 'what manner of vassal would you wish to be'". Almani coughed slightly and finished the rest of his juice. He glanced at the bottom of the empty glass. It was quite a good juice. He made a mental note to ask what it was so he might find some at the market before his flight home.

"Madam, nobody knows the future. I have offered to sign a treaty restricting the creation of a 4th fleet for some time. I have offered to uphold customary maritime law. I have offered to have the new ships and those near completion integrated into currently existing fleets. As for Secretary Doyle's point, yes, we agree that it is not for us to dictate maritime laws and customs. As to your question of guarantees" he said pausing to reach for his suitcase, "you will find that they are of the highest order" he said. Almani placed a very battered and stained briefcase on table and brought out a folder. He gently opened it and pulled the first sheet out. "This is from the foreign minister. This says that I have full authority and that any deal I make here will be fully backed by the Foreign Ministry and the Imperial Government" he said, sliding the sheet to the middle of the table. Almani pulled the second sheet from the folder. "Her Imperial Majesty, Queen et cetera et cetera" he began, paraphrasing the titles and preamble- "Her Imperial Majesty grants full power to Angelo Almani, to act in the name of the Empress in all maters pertaining to negotiations and the peaceful conclusion of the current crisis. Signed. Dated." Almani said. He slid the second sheet to the center of the table calmly. He looked around the room to ensure he still had their attention. "Madam. Gentlemen. If this is not enough, you may ask your foreign ministries about be. If you find old enough people in them, you may find that it is known that I keep my word. I never promise that which I cannot deliver. In this instance, I can deliver the word of the Empress. If we have an agreement, Her Imperial Majesty will sign. But" he began, holding a finger in the air. "If we fail to find peace, it will not be because I have broken my word".

"Madam" he said, turning in his chair slightly, rubbing his knuckles due to the onset of arthritic pain, "We are willing to consider notifying you of war games. However, we are not willing to notify you every time a keel is laid down for some military tug. We will not notify you when our ships are on procedural exercises. Frankly, those are terms which you give to a defeated enemy. Which, we are not. I have met the DDI's primary concerns. I have gone beyond what some of you have expected- I am sure of that. We are willing to make the concessions I have mentioned. I am too old to be going out for drinks. Too tired of this diplomatic life. We can give you notice of war games. What those might be can be negotiated. I am not a military man. I spent a brief amount of time in the navy in a warehouse. I've been on two ships for a grand total of 2 days. That, I will need to speak about with my assistant. As I have said, the guarantees I offer are a treaty and my word. Its the only guarantees I can make. We can set a time of 5 years perhaps in which we guarantee that no 4th fleet is created. After which, the treaty may be reviewed by the signatories. You will get no agreement of perpetuity. That is simply madness. I am offering you peace and victory all at once"Almani concluded.

He slowly placed his briefcase down and looked around the room. "So, is peace and victory not enough?"
 

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Anneli nodded and wrote on the back of the paper she had flipped over earlier sliding it over to Martin. It read: I accept the terms. It’s not perfect, but I think we get most of what we want.

Either way she felt like her job was done. She fought for what she wanted and got it for the most part. Some changes, but that’s diplomacy. It was up to Martin, Doyle, and Kato decide if they wanted to keep fighting for something else.
 

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"The Anti-State finds these terms agreeable", Kato broke the silence as all eyes in the room turned towards the Touzen man in charge of the often suspiciously eyed Anti-State's foreign policy designs.

"However..", he continued, pausing to slowly readjust his velvet tie, before looking up and towards Almani, "...there is something else that my administration would consider to be highly conductive towards our goal of making sure that this is a permanent settlement."

"You will be aware, no doubt, that there has been a certain degree of understanding between your government and the free people whom I am representing here today. Indeed I feel it would highly benefit both sides to reinforce this image towards the global audience that we will get for our little press gathering after these talks. A PR victory both for your Empress and for the Democratic Defense Initiative."

"Now, Your Excellency, I do not have to tell you that your seizure of Vanguardia irritated the Central Opera", the Officer continued, referring to the seat of the Anti-State's dictator, "but we have shown extreme leniency for the sake of peace by not demanding you to cease your operations there, in spite of their disorderly influence on the status quo in Touyou. I will not demand so now, rest assured. I am after all also not representing Ivar here today, else ships would already be unloading troops and some stooges trained in political propaganda academies somewhere in the hinterland of Sarmatia would be preparing to set up some People's Government of Vanguardia or some nonsense to that effect."

"We will announce that, as part of this deal, the Empire of Justosia and the Anti-State have agreed to coordinate and cooperate in a spirit of mutual responsibility for the South Silk, and to that effect, liaison officers of Anti-State military organizations have been invited to assist with training troops and coordinate unspecified joint activities in the South Silk and some such matters. Let's say, 200 or somewhere in that ballpark. Some Justosian officers can also go to the Anti-State if you would find that beneficial for keeping up appearances. There's a lot of entertainment districts to keep them busy all day."

"Now before you ask, what I am saying is, Shinkyô is willing to overlook this territorial imposition in Touyou, but we will want a guarantee. Our men there will be very attentive to make sure that you will not be violating this agreement, and they will also see to it that troop numbers in Vanguardia are kept at levels that are conductive to the maintenance of this peace. I will not ask you to make this an official part of this deal, I believe this understanding can be on a gentlemen's level. We expect that troop numbers in Vanguardia are not increased beyond current levels, that no more than 1/3 of the Justosian fleet will be docked there at any time, and that no more than two squadrons of fighter aircraft will be located on Vanguardia at any given time.

The Anti-State will make no further requests beyond this one. I'm ready to sign provided the aforementioned concerns will be addressed, if all the other fine people in this room are."
 

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Despite finding the events in front of him almost bewildering, Boqor Tiirka Illah tried to appear unmoved as a wild game of diplomacy unfolded before him, each move explained and translated to him by the army of translators and advisors that surrounded the monarch.

The Azraqi Emperor had hosted foreign dignitaries and was aware to many, Azraq - and especially the Azraqi elite - often appeared exotic, outlandish or even alien to outsiders. Yet there was the first peace summit he had ever over seen.

Sensing his slight concern, the Emperor's entourage whispered to quietly reassure him this way not the way Azraqi diplomats behaved, with passive aggressive sipping of coffee, violent waving of papers and grandiose speeches.

Still, for what often felt like watching children play acting, it sounded like they were edging towards an agreeable outcome that would avoid war.

Not only would that be a huge coup for the Emperor, who was under increased scrutiny after his dramatic intervention into Azraqi domestic politics, it would make his plans to modernise Azraq much easier if the northeastern Himyari empire didn't have a major conflict blowing up on its doorstep.

As the Touzenese delegate submitted his final demand, the entire Azraqi contingent watched with bated breath for the reaction of the Justosian envoy.
 

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A rueful smirk crossed Almani's face as he listened to the newest demands. The demands a victor placed on the defeated. He had wondered which delegation would try to derail peace. The hands had been so close to clasping. Now a new obstacle was thrown in the way. Almani had expected the push. In the end, he recognized it for what it was. It simply was the addiction that the DDI had developed in a short time. Soon, they would be no different from Ivar's pack of vicious dogs. Two packs of dogs. It would only be a matter of time before the dogs fought over the junkyard.

Almani puffed his cheeks to act as if he had been taken aback. "We are already handing you an immense PR victory. The terms you propose seem like more terms you wish to impose" said Almani, dismissively. "However, in the interest of peace, I will counteroffer. First, your observers or whatever you wish to call them must adhere to Justosian laws. Second, I find 85 to be an agreeable number. Let us not pretend they are there for any other reason except to observe" Almani continued, reaching down for his briefcase again. Without placing it on the table this time, he placed it in his lap. Silently, he opened a file and began scanning some papers. Nodding, he replaced the papers and placed the briefcase back on the floor.

"Troop levels may remain the same with the exception of the new naval hospital being constructed. It will only add perhaps 150 personnel. Otherwise, the Empire agrees to keep its troop levels at current levels. We would agree to the naval restriction under two conditions. First, we reserve the right to revisit this issue in 4 years. Second, if Justosia becomes under threat of war again- I mean this in defensive terms, this restriction is lifted until hostilities conclude. On the issue of two squadrons. We find this acceptable. I assume this only restricts combat aircraft and not search and rescue or transport aircraft? If this is the case and you agree to our stipulations- we have peace. You have a victory" he said quietly.
 

Touzen

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“I would not seek to limit the ability of your forces to conduct search and rescue operations. They are meant to save lives. And that is what we are here to do today, after all.”

The Touzen man looked towards his allies as if to reassure himself of their support, then the Azraqi emperor. For a moment, he pondered as he took in the sovereign’s attire that had caused his Sylvanian partner such visible discomfort as had not escaped his keen notice.

Perhaps much like the Touzen people who had built their neo-imperial dominion under the banner of an ideological superstructure meant to legitimize the state that fashioned itself not to be one, the Azraqis had to content with a white gaze that denied them legitimacy ex nihilo. Both the polity he was representing and the man styling himself an Emperor had to contend with having to permanently reearn their legitimacy in the eyes of the western world through displays of brute power. He could not but feel a certain respect for that truth and shared burden.

“It shall be as you say. And while it might not seem like it today, Mr. Almani, I hope that one day, when we are long gone, our meeting here today will be looked back upon by our peoples as the beginning of a path towards a shared future in peace and prosperity. You should not see the outcome here today as a defeat, but rather a victory for your people. It takes a man of great character to commit to a decision like this. But you have saved thousands of lives, not only Justosian, but also those of many sons of Touyou, and for that you have my sincere thanks.”

Kato turned back towards where the Azraqis had positioned themselves.

“Made possible, of course, by the intercession of our gracious Azraqi hosts.”
 

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Koskinen had yet to speak up for Sylvania and finally after all had been in agreement he added his last statement. "The Continental Republic of Sylvania accepts these terms as they have been laid out.
 

Azraq

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The Emperor's translators all soon excitedly that peace had been agreed between the various parties. For the first time since entering this particular room where the talks would take place, Boqor Tiirka Illah let out a genuine smile. Sharing his smile with the assembled delegates, he then gestured towards their respective translators to convey his pleasure and satisfaction that an agreement had been reached.

They were then informed a giant banquet would be held in all their honours, with the best dishes from each country's cuisine served, along with local Azraqi delicacies, and enough drinks to satisfy every kind of thirst: ice-cold water, traditional Azraqi teas and coffee, fresh juices and of course, beers, spirits and other liquor.

Azraqi diplomats would work together in the background while everyone was feasting to pull together a document setting out what had been agreed to in paper form for them all to sign, they were then told.

Heaps of praise was then lavished on them all - for being gracious hosts, for avoiding war and saving the lives of thousands, soldier and civilian alike - before Azraq threw in a final offer of its own: to host regular summits between the signatory parties to act as forums for dialogue and also to contribute towards observing missions to ensure everyone was sticking to what had been agreed.

Lastly, they were told the Emperor would join them for some of the dining and drinking before having to leave to attend to ill-defined 'imperial duties' and he would be replaced by foreign affairs minister Abdisalam Yusuf Omaar.

As the translators finished, the first round of food and drinks were carried in my an army of servants, and a traditional Dawamalian celebratory tune could be heard playing in one of the palace's many courtyards.
 

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Anneli stuck around as that was her job as a diplomat. A most of her staff stayed with her for the banquet, but she let the junior staffers return to their hotel rooms if they wanted. She knew that this was a prime opportunity to also open up better relations with Azraq and had even signaled as much to Kato and Koskinen in private. As opposed to her more forceful approach to the negotiations she felt it would be nicer to socialize and spoke a bit with everyone. She hadn’t started drinking yet because she felt she was still on the job. Perhaps once everyone else indulged. She waited for her DDI colleagues and hoped to hear from the Ambrosian as well. After all, they were now the new kid on the block. She’d let one of the others take the lead in talks this time. Pohjanmaa hadn’t started on the right foot with Azraq after all. Although to be fair, when did Pohjanmaa start on the right foot with anyone?
 

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"I would feel that it is only right that I try a course from each country!" Dean Doyle, a portly man of significant age, declared to his hosts. Having conquered acid reflux with unnatural prescriptions and treatments, Dean approached the Azraqi food without fear and dug in.

The Sylvanian food, if Doyle made it so far, was of no concern to the Secretary because it would be as nearly from home as a northern born Ambrosian. Still, what presentations of raw or fermented fish the lady and lord from Pohjanmaa and Touzen gave Dean some hesitation.

From the Ambrosian table he imagined there could be any number of hot dogs, sausages, or pulled pork. As an Ambrosian, and a Big Beef advocate at that, what Dean would be certain to recommend to the others was a cut of Ambrosian steak. The Ambrosians intended to start, fight, and win something of a beef war that the rest of the world could hardly care to imagine.

"I doubt they could ever achieve this grade of marbling in Justosia," Dean barked towards Almani, "Nobody does beef like we do. Not the Johnston's, and do not get me started on the Hesperians: we will crush them!" Secretary Doyle declared to some likely confusion.

"None-the-less, please, take me on a small food tour from your nations please?" Doyle asked with his arm towards the next table.
 

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As the festivities unfolded and course after course of exotic meals got served, Kato had eventually smooth extracted himself from the side of his DDI and Ambrosian partners. He could, after all, talk to them wt any time. The Azraqi ruler, however, was another matter entirely.

Though ideologically compelled to disdain royalty, the realism of the age had made it a necessity to be studied in the way of properly addressing the all too many crowned heads of the European concert. Kato has drawn upon the best Himyarists from the University of Shinkyo to properly introduce him to the motions, phrases and customs that would be befitting when addressing the Azraqi ruler. In a way, he preferred it this way: Regulated and ritualized behaviors were nothing unheard of in Touyou, in fact some of the older orientalists had mused in the past that is was what had enabled Himyar-Touyou trade to blossom the way it did in the medieval ages.

“Your Majesty, I wish to once again convey my gratitude for your enablement or this most auspicious of understandings. I am sure that the security of the peace now provided is a welcomed relief to all our peoples”, he opened once he had drawn closer to the man just as a group of servants had placed a fresh array of foods on the tables in the room, conducting their role with seemingly stoic indifference and oblivious to the high ranked assembly in the room.

“I must say that I am particularly happy that wehave avoided any results that could have troubled those that would have suffered as a consequence of this dispute at no fault of their own. Having seriously felt such negative consequences ourselves in the past, our Dictator will be extremely pleased to have emphasized to the world community our commitment to the preservation of order and stability.”

The officer let the words sink in for a moment. He was, of course, referring to the Long Sea issues of the past. Hayabusa would indeed be elated to have thrown a serious wrench into the propaganda that emphasized an anarchist past of the Anti-State. The reality was of course that the Anti-State by now presented part of the very establishment it had once set out to tear down. Previous conflicts of recent years had given easy material to the reactionaries on the left and right to spin their tales, so this massive DDI diplomatic victory has been just the kind of Narrative victory Hayabusa had been looking for. It was a personal victory for Kato as well - only weeks ago, he was on the way out for his hawkish foreign policy, but there was no conceivable way anyone would replace the old eminence anytime soon now. Reinventing himself perhaps just secured his place in the history books.

“It is a bit unfortunate I just say, and perhaps even embarrassing, Your Majesty, that the diplomatic relations of our polities could be described as...perfectly adequate in recent years, for which I have to take the blame. Far from being discordian that is of course, we highly appreciate your moderating influence on the world stage. But perhaps today’s summit shows us that we would stand to gain if we were to explore avenues that go beyond adequate, and perhaps we have not fully explored the potential of our natural relations in the past. Certainly when it comes to stability in the Implarian and security of international trade, our polities could find creative ways in which to further shared principles and ideals. Just like our ancestors have in the past.”
 

Azraq

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The Emperor could barely hide his disgust as the Ambrosia envoy stuffed his mouth with every dish available with his own hands. In Azraqi culture your loved ones - or concubines if you were imperial nobility - hand fed you by using sour flatbread to pick mouthfuls of assembled Azraqi delicies.

Azraqi cuisine was a riot of colour, smell and spice, a direct legacy of trade with Toyou and beyond. In a slightly sinister display to the delegates, exotic meats were brought out in full before being carved and served - zebra, gazelle, snake and even deep fried scorpions.

For the less adventurous there was grilled meats such as lamb, chicken and goat as well as fish and seafood all seasoned with traditional Azraqi mixes.

While determined to try the food of his guests, the Emperor kept to predominantly Azraqi food, his entourage constantly coming to interrupt him with the latest gossip.

it was during one particularly lurid tale the Touzenese delegate began to speak to the Emperor.

The Anti-State and Azraq had not always had the easiest of relations. Many Azraqi exporters were banned from selling goods in the Anti State for alleged use of slave labour, while Jugol frequently bemoaned the regular - and often announced -passage of Anti-State military vessels through the Pillars of Nearchus.

There is was a long standing rivalry too. Toyouan merchants and Azraqi sailors clashed around the islands around the Implarian Ocean and Silk Sea for centuries.

Yet for as much fighting there had been commerce. An economy built in the exchange of raw goods, exotic luxuries and even people.

Among the Dawamalian elite especially there was deep fascination as to what the Anti-State really was. Its politics, traditions, customs and beliefs were so alien. Yet as a continental sized behemoth and successor to the Eternal Empire, it could not be ignored.

Still being fed by an army concubines, the Azraqi Emperor spoke slowly between mouthfuls and was careful never to spit his food out or break eye contact.

"Our peoples have never been far or close," Boqor Tiirka Illah began thoughtfully, a skimpily dressed translator speaking for him. "Our cultural interactions have always been between middle men who care more about silver than anything else.

"Today's aggreement certainly avoided needless bloodshed and for that I am truly grateful. And for the constructive approach each delegate took during the proceedings.

"I certainly agree our relations could be improved and look forward to your formal invite to a state visit," the Emperor finished with a half smile.
 
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