Governor Titaria stood outside of her office, flanked by ten legionnaires, all of whom stood armed and armored. She had readied her conference room for the arrival of the Erinoran diplomats, but she could not help but feel a sense of impending dread due to recent events from the Frost Empire's colony. Already she had heard of fishing ships and freighters being harassed and followed by Frost warships for a short distance, and it had gone contrary to the utopian vision she had for her people and neighbors.

She had taken to pacing back and forth in front of her guardians, a nervous habit from back home, moving her 6'4" frame moved to one end of the plaza to the next. By the time she had crossed in front of the soldiers a fourth time, she heard a car pulling around the corner. Realizing the diplomats had arrived, she composed herself and dusted off her formal robe.

Yamera Ara-Marco was unsure of what she had let herself in for. Recently appointed chief diplomat representing the interests of Erinor in the New World, she had instantly become the most senior Erinoran politician in the region whilst the issue of the governorship was being determined and New Erinor remained under military control. The expansion of the new colonial powers was much faster than she had thought possible and Erinor's interests would have been at risk even before the actions of the Frost Empire. Now it seemed they were in danger of starting a war just by sending ships to and from mainland Erinor.

But the response of the Governor of New Dracon had been encouraging. As a larger power, they could provide some much-needed clout, whilst Erinor could always offer the things it was rich in: gold, copper and oil. Of course, the abundance of resource in the newly discovered continent had already begun to devalue the Erinoran stockpile...

Governor Titaria was waiting for her outside the office. She was an imposing figure and the guards that stood to either side of the doorway only made her seem more so. Combine that with the obvious tension in the governor's movements and Yamera found herself even more uncertain.

"Lejarunea vusu, Governor Titaria. I'm Ambassador Ara-Marco, chief representative of the Democratic Republic of Erinor in the New World. My team-" she gestured at the smartly dressed cadre of young civil servants behind her "-and I have come to you today because we are greatly concerned with how the situation is playing out over here and we believe it is time we started making strong alliances in the face of this unwarranted aggression from the Frost Empire. Given your recent statement on the issue and the extent to which we are both affected by the Frost claims, it is our hope that you would consider and offer of a non-agression pact between our nations and their colonies, if not a full mutual-defense pact.

"I'm aware that this is a blunt request, but this is not a time for pleasantries. May we step into you office to discuss it further?"

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Governor Titaria couldn't help but smile.  She appreciated that Ambassador Ara-Marco was willing to get right to the heart of the matter regarding the current crisis.  She silently nodded at the legionnaires, who quickly split into two lines in parade stance before the entrance.  Her aides, who were standing quietly thus far, turned to open the engraved doors to the colonial capital.  She beckoned to the ambassador and her retinue to follow her inside.

"By all means, madame.  The Frost Empire's belligerence threatens us all unless we put up a united front.  If you would please follow me, I am sure we can come up with a way to deal with these agitators."

If she were to be completely honest with herself, however, Governor Titaria didn't feel any less nervous when she stepped into the cool, marble antechamber leading to her office.  She could feel the gazes of the statues of influential Emperors, Empresses, Grand Ministers, and heroes of the Imperium's past drilling into her soul.

[OOC:  Aesthetically, Pax Dracon is pretty much a 21st century version of Rome, with some elements of Gondor and Versailles thrown in.]

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Yamera allowed herself the merest moments to admire the art and architecture of the Drakari building as they progressed inside, and wondered how they had managed to create something so impressive in the few months since colonisation began. There was no time to let the thought linger much longer, however, as they swiftly made their way into the Governor's office and Yamera was offered a seat opposite the desk.

She had started bold and to the point and saw no need to let up now they were inside.

"Governor Titaria," she began, "thank you for receiving us on such short notice. Our nations have barely got the chance to know each other since you came out of isolation and yet now were are thrown together in the midsts of a genuinely new world, in diplomacy as much as in territory. The threat that the Frost Senran High Command poses to our ambitions is not to be dismissed lightly and their attitude of submit to diplomacy - as if submission was diplomatic - or face the consequences of war is not one that my government is willing to tolerate. We are not a strong nation - indeed we have become influential in the last year very much in spite of our size and military strength - and so we know we must rely, at least to some degree on others.

"We've already seen the impressive strength and prowess of the Drakari people. Even coming here we have been amazed by what you have achieved in this colonial situation when Erinea pulea is little more than a collection of lean-tos and military personnel. As I said outside, I believe it is in both our interests to agree to a non-aggression pact between our nations whilst the Frost situation is navigated, though I would prefer to leave here with the beginnings of a mutual defence pact to ensure we put up a united Front against Frost aggression.

"What Erinor lacks in size, it makes up for in relative wealth. The mainland is rich with valuable metals and oil, which, whilst undoubtedly plentiful somewhere in the vastness of this new landscape, will be needed in part to open up those possibilities. It is these resources, as well as Erinor's good standing in the international community that I bring before you today as our principal contribution to this relationship, though, of course, the Vamarconin and Qassumarconin Erinead will be ready to fight alongside Drakari forces, if it comes to an all-out conflict."

She smiled.

"I know it was the intent of the Ura'sia that we build up a relationship of cultural enlightenment, sharing our rich histories and all that makes us unique in Pacifica, but it seems we have come upon unenlightened times and we must preserve that which we would promote. It is our hope that you think likewise."

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Titaria nodded as the Erinoran ambassador stated her case.  Many of the people living in Pavonis and other settlements throughout New Dracon were becoming nervous due to the Senran High Command's aggressive behavior within the past few weeks, and the legions stationed throughout the colony were carrying out drills daily in case the worst came to pass.

"If it is any comfort to you, I completely agree with your sentiments, Miss Ara-Marco," Titaria said.  "This is indeed unfamiliar territory for all involved in this nightmare.  Many Drakari came to this land in search of adventure and opportunity, not international strife.  I would like nothing more than for peace to be secured with the Frost Senran Islands, but we must ensure that this peace is on our terms, not a form of submission and subjugation to a renegade colony."

She stood up and walked to a nearby cabinet, pulling out a decanter of brandy and two glasses.  She filled them both nearly to the brim with the amber liquid, offering one to her guest.  Titaria then motioned to the balcony overlooking the city.

"I expect that the Frost Empire will offer peace talks in the coming months," she continued, "But I see now that they only respect strength.  You see that ship out in the harbor?"

She pointed towards the docks a short drive away with her free hand.  Amidst the military vessels and merchant ships that moved about in the water was a titanic battleship, almost the size of a Nimitz carrier.

"While I will attend with peaceful intent, I will be arriving in that beast.  A cliched ploy to be sure, but it will get my point across:  The Imperium and its neighbors will not be bullied," she said with a grin.  "And as such, I agree to your request for a defensive pact."

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The rest was all basically paperwork, something that the cadre of diplomats Yamera had brought with her excelled at. She left them to it and took the opportunity to talk to the Governor candidly.

"Our government has high hopes for this New World," she said, "but not, perhaps, for the same reasons as others."

She stood and began pacing. "The resources will be useful, of course, as will the extra territory, but, in truth, it is not so much the control or what we gain as the discovery that we hope for. This is a completely unmapped continent, vast a full of possibility and it is the belief of the Erinoran Government that the principal opportunity that exists here is not one of dominance but of contact. As we forge new alliances in these isles and plains, forests and mountaintops, so too, we hope to discover new cultures and new opportunities to broaden our definitions of what it means to be human.

"I've been given permission to tell you this because my government believe that your nation, out of the many who have come here, might just appreciate things on the same level. It is our hope that, should yo make any meaningful kind of contact with native civilisations, that you would inform us and grant us the opportunity to meet representatives where possible. It is with the alliances we might make with such peoples that we most believe that Erinor's place in the international community will be secured and our vision of a truly globalised Pacifica will come to fruition."

Yamera glanced back at the Governor. It was hard to read what she might be thinking. She only hoped that she had not said too much.

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Quintina Titaria had considered the possibility that there may be indigenous societies outside the peninsula, and while normally she request that the Senate organize an expedition to uncover and initiate contact, the recent tensions would make such situations all the more dangerous.  The Erinoran ambassador almost seemed nervous when mentioning this, if hopeful.

Carefully putting her glass down, she looked at Ara-Marco with an understanding gaze as she strode over to her.   "I understand your concern, Ambassador Ara-Marco.  The histories we have read suggest that when two cultures meet, the utmost caution is needed to ensure that neither are harmed.  Rest assured that should any of the settlers or legions in New Dracon discover any native societies, you will be the first to know.  A joint meeting with these individuals would benefit everyone involved."

"However," she quickly added, "we have no assurances the Senran High Command will allow these cultures to exist peacefully.  Should their aggressive expansions continue, it is logical to assume they may threaten these potential groups with assimilation and cultural extinction at best.  Genocide at worst.  Is it not our duty to protect not just our people, but all humans from such a threat?"

She gently placed a pale hand on her guest's shoulder, as if to emphasize her point.  "Such a loss of knowledge and valuable points of view would only rob the New World of its beauty and diversity."

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