The Stoinians were completely disgusted by this whole idea. It was an affront to what they had to endure during the Velutarian War. Vice Admiral Vujić was visibly disturbed by it, for he was forced to fire upon ships which were crewed by enslaved Terran cyborg. The horror he had to face when their corpses floated into space and still had to fire upon them as some were still active. Unspeakable. None of these xenos truly understood the pain he had endured like trillions of Stoinians. It was something not discussed in public for the wounds were still too deep, even to this day. Twenty years was too short a time to heal from such traumatic events. Berrocal noticed it, he knew what was going on with Vujić. Speaking about it openly certainly wasn't going to help, so instead he tried to disrupt the conversation.

"I don't intend to be the offend your Majesty, but we have official matters of state to discuss. I am sure we can have a cheerful conversation about synthetics and the science behind it AFTER we have our initial meeting."

Berrocal spoke with a strong tone an confidence. If this wasn't pleasant for the rest of the company, then so be it, but he wouldn't allow his friend to stand any longer in front of this abomination.

Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor

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"Of course, Legate.  Septimus, as you were."  The Emperor nodded to the synth, the slight rise of the bony ridge above his eye making it quite clear that he intended to discuss this further as time went on.

"At once, Most Beneficent Emperor."  With that, Septimus' holographic visage winked out, retreating to whatever duties he had left to attend to, even as his sovereign motioned for his guests to follow him further down the hall.  The behemoth of a being clasped his hands behind his back as he strolled, his black and silver robes flowing with each heavy step like a shimmering, silken river before he came to a halt a handful of meters away from two sets of doors.

"Gentlemen, Teemas, your quarters await you.  If you so desire, you may take the time to rest and settle in, take a moment to speak to your immediate superiors regarding any developments you may have, or request prior to supper later this evening.  We have taken the liberty of selecting the suites with access to the main garden, if you wish to browse them.  The Autumnal arrangements have always had a romantic charm to them, if I must say."

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The Legate thanked the Emperor and went into his quarters together with Vice Admiral Vujić. They both relayed a message of precaution regarding the Sosa and Cariscoids, any further threatening of these species wouldn't be allow as to not harm the diplomatic mission. Vujić still was a little shook up, but then a report from Commodore Tuuc was relayed to him. This part of the sector suddenly seemed very open to artificial life, one the Stoinians will take a note of.

"Can you believe these people Umberto? Just casually making synths in this corner of the sector for their efficiency. Don't they understand what path they are taking?"

"Please Vujić, The Drakari Celestial Imperium has stood longer than even the Stoinian Ideal was conceived. I'm confident they have a reasonable explanation for how this came to be. For all we know they are successful with failsafes, that will be part of my mission as Legate, but for now we have to ensure a non aggression pact and diplomatic relations. Without them we have no foothold in this corner of the sector and any effort against the synths will be closer to futility."

Vujić still didn't like it, but he wasn't the Legate in this situation and he was to observe and advice on military affairs.

"All right. Let's get this over with."

The Stoinians had spend half an hour in their quarters and were ready to leave for the meeting.

Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor

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The rest of the evening the diplomats from all three nations sat together. First up on the agenda were trade agreements. All parties agreed that open trade and commerce should be allowed and strengthened between them. Plans for trade routes and channels were laid out. To protect the technology of each nation, all parties agreed that for the next 5 T-years only native companies could introduce their own native products to the new markets. As well as all militaries would help protect the trade routes from piracy. The first day showed promise for further cooperation. Legate Berrocal was amazed at Emissary Teemas ease during the talks. He knew she herself was in a similar situation as he is now. He invited her for dinner with the Treecuu Emissary in one of the Drakari restaurants in the evening after the talks of the first day. There they both would admire the ancient architecture of the Drakari. Both diplomats enjoyed the Drakari hospitality. Meanwhile Vice Admiral Vujić looked over the first reports that came in from the Joint Fleet. He too was satisfied and decided to spend his days wandering the halls of the Palace and discussing with a few of the Royal Guards he previously threatened. Luckily they all could see it from a positive perspective and he would even be invited to one of the Knight Imperators' morning rites. He decided he would visit them on his last day here.
The following morning more positive reports came in. Terrans all throughout the Imperium were living lives up to Stoinian standards. The following talks were about migration and tourism. While the Treecuu were less interested in it, they agreed on stricter terms. The Drakari and Stoinians agreed that they wanted to prevent another incident where Stoinians mistake the Sosa and Cariscoids for ancient enemies. Therefore a gradual opening through a species by species systems would be allowed. First the Drakari, Yapatha, Sinthari and Drakari Terrans would be allowed and over time, the Sosa and Cariscoids would be allowed to visit the Stoinian Star Kingdom until their existence was sufficiently notified and they would face unjust persecution. The Drakari showed well versed understanding. From a species that praises the Great Stewardship, they understood the struggles of some of the "younger" races. Berrocal admired this stance, but couldn't help but speculate on devious plans. The Drakari however, saw this as a long term investment. They recognized the Stoinians were in a transitory phase of accepting xenos and concluded that cooperation would fasten this process. On the evening of the second evening, the Emperor had invited the diplomats to a Drakari Opera. Vujić wasn't convinced, but Berrocal and Teemas enjoyed the majestic performance. It disproved High Admiral Chekov's early reports and showed that similar civilizations were out there. 
On the last day, terms of a Non Aggression Pact were introduced. For the Stoinians this was one of their primary goal and had already made the documents. The Drakari were stunned at first by the radical stance of the Stoinians. It was Stoinian foreign policy to ensure peace with fellow Terran Brethren. Berrocal explained that the Terrans in the Terra Nova Enclave lived prosperously and that the Star Kingdom seeks peace with all star nations who ensure the rights of Terrans. The Drakari were sceptical at first, for the Stoinians had proven their disdain for xenos. Berrocal, who now had learned a few tricks from Emissary Teemas, convinced the Drakari that while their ancestors did fight against xenos, the current Stoinian government does uphold the same standard as the Great Stewardship. Teemas herself was in a precarious situation for the Drakari had investigated the annexation of Yim-Lootuu III. However, her experience and previous interaction with the Drakari had proven sufficient that day. While the Treecuu had an active policy of repressing any FTL technology on primitives, not many knew about it. Some suspected it as rumours slowly spread from the Empire, but the Drakari had to reluctantly agree to a Non Aggression Pact with them as well. If only for the same reason to influence the Treecuu on the long run. Thus the three governments had made significant progress to gain influence, commerce and recognition. Many felt this would be a continuation of the trend that had been set. As a show of good faith, both parties gave away new information on star nations the others may not have discovered. The Stoinians gave the same data they had found on their way to Star Fortress Watchful Guardian with the same conclusions of a machine empire next to the Drakari. Meanwhile the Stoinians and Treecuu learned of the Empyre Finixis which shared many similarities with the Drakari and had already started to trade with them. Berrocal announced that he'd return back on Pax Dracon as the Legate of the Stoinian Star Kingdom in the new Embassy and looked forward to enjoy some tea with the young Drakari Emperor. Though Vujić was mesmerized that morning.
 

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Vujić was escorted by two Drakari Knights Imperator to a large hall were dozens if not hundreds of them. The elegant gray armour they wore was nothing like Vujić had ever seen. It seemed made of stone yet it was flexible enough to show the agility of the Knights Imperator. On one end of hall was what he perceived to be the senior officer of the guard. The experience was a chilling experience as the Knights Imperator shouted their mantra ever louder in the sinister room. The mantra was repeated over and over again. Getting ever louder with each repetition.

"What is your Duty?"

"To serve the Emperor's Will."

"What is the Emperor's Will?"

"That we fight and die."

"What is Death?"

"It is our Duty."

Perhaps the Drakari would have wished to intimidate the staunch and proud Stoinian. If so, it had done its job best it could. For all the including and joyful Drakari, the haunting chanting of these Knights showed Vujić a truth. It wasn't just the Stoinians who would defend their ideals so zealously.
 

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On their way back home, the Joint Fleet did its best to avoid Gaurathi space for they didn't want a war. The Drakari would perceive them as treacherous and all work would be undone. For now, the Klvassa Incident would remain a state secret and a show of force for the Gaurathi. A staple of a new beginning where the Stoinians and Treecuu would ascend in the political sphere of Sector A1-0.

Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor

(This post was last modified: 06-21-2021, 01:57 PM by Maverick.)

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