| The Treecuu Visit - The Birth of a New Era |
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It has been two weeks now since all the commotion had calmed down. Contact with new Stellar nation was made. One very smoothly which resulted in friendship, the other in a near outbreak of war. It had proven a very stressful week for the Stoinian Officials. Eventually through communications between the King and Governor Seect, a Treecuu visit was to be held on Stoinian itself. The Capitol would be the place where the officials would meet and discuss the matters of this new friendship. The neo-classical structure of the Capitol was preserved in the entirety of Sinaia. Only a few structures were higher than the Capitol, as the Space Port and a few others integral to travel infrastructure.
The Treecuu had already arrived in orbit. In mere minutes their shuttles would arrive near Congress. A long red carpet was put on the stairs which the visitors would have to climb. It was perhaps a small symbolism that they were the boss around here. Surely the Treecuu wouldn't see it as an offence. If the roles were switched, they would have done the same. The Stoinians would certainly not see it as an offence. Dozens of journalists and photographers stood in their designated areas, ready to take pictures of this historic event. Far away as to not blind the Treecuu officals, who have been informed of these practices. A xeno setting foot on Stoinia itself and it would live to tell the tale?! The King would either be appreciated or condemned for it. Some Republicans were already looking to take advantage of this and create political instability. The King has gone mad, they would yell. The King however knew this would happen and has faith in the Treecuu. After all, their communications were very fruitful. The Treecuu shuttle landed with grace. Soon the Treecuu officials would disembark and than the Stoinian Royal Band would play the Stoinian Anthem and then the Treecuu Anthem. Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor
The president of the Treecuu Star Empire was the highest ranking person in the government, at least according to the constitution, and most people still believed this to be the case. In reality, Cuul, or the entire political system really, was being outmanoeuvred by the Committee for the Expansion of the Empire, and the presidency had been reduced to a mere figurehead position. Such was its power that no one had dared to openly oppose it, and President Cuul played his nominal role well, clinging to what little sway he had left. And he was popular, especially among liberal metropolitans in the Ecteen and Utac Mandates. Him attending the imperial ball in Ryccia had been a huge boost in popularity. This also favoured the Committee.
Cuul had kept to himself for most of the voyage to the Stoinian capital. He had tried to avoid the bullying of the Committee members that of course had to come with him on the state visit, by engrossing himself in degrading paperwork. For the last hour he had had to listen to a boastful debate between the Chair of the Comittee, Tham, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivict. In essence they wanted the other to know who had the best approach to dealing the subject species. They both ended agreeing that the 'governor's landing', which was a way of asserting dominance by burning the landing thrusters extra while landing on a subject world to casually cause some damage that the subjects had to deal with, was the way to go. Cuul couldn't believe it when they even debated doing this on Stoinia itself. He was grateful that they decided against it. Indeed they valued good relations with the Stoinians and saw in them a partner, or even a peer. Cuul was relieved when the captain of the flagship of the Remote Fleet, RFS Vaan Candacteec, announced that they had dropped out of warp near Stoinia and that they could board the shuttles. ***
The doors of the glossy white Star Yacht opened elegantly. The first one to step out was President Cuul. He was an amphibian, a species who closely resembled humans except for a yellow skin with a rougher texture and a total lack of hair. He wore a midnight blue suit-like attire with a standing collar and a long black cloak. The second one to step out was the Chair of the Comittee, Tham. He was also an amphibian, but he wore the strict green full dress uniform of the Remote Fleet. The third person to disembark was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivict. He was an insectoid, and on the lower end of what would be considered normal height for his already short species. He wore a suit similar to the president, but all black and no cloak. The rest of the entourage consisted of service personnel, carefully select journalists and members of the military life guards remained inside the shuttle during the welcoming ceremony. Governor Seect had been forced to stay at home. He had received far too much good publicity after the first contact with the Stoinians. Also, there had to be a high-ranking Committee member left to govern the nation. Cuul had taken notice from captain Tuuc, and started walking towards the Stoinians to meet them half way on the red carpet.
The anthems had stopped playing. The Stoinians as always sang it as loud as possible and then followed by the Stoinian Ura's. Perhaps a subtle message to the Treecuu to not expect the Stoinians to be obedient to them. The Stoinian King proceeded to meet the Treecuu entourage. He was followed by the Chancellor, the Strategos and Princess Elena as well by four Royal Guardsmen. Princess Elena went first and held a large bread.
"President Cuul, welcome in our capital. I greet you as friends and may this visit create an everlasting friendship between our two nations. Please, it is customary in our nation to offer bread with salt as a welcoming gift. From what I know it isn't poisonous to any of your kinds. Please accept this gift." Princess Elena smiled at the xenos, although she felt a bit uncomfortable. Nonetheless it was her duty as Princess to do these things. With pleasure or not she had to get through this, history would surely remember this. Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor
President Cuul enjoyed what he could see of the architecture when climbing the stairs. It was evident that the Stoinians cherished their history and had, like the amphibians, tried to preserve classical buildings. Somehow the Stoinian architecture was so similar, yet different. Perhaps it had to do with both species having the same kind of "set-up"? Two arms, hands with five fingers and so on. Most of the subject species were more... exotic.
Bread as a welcoming gift, however, was not a habit that he had heard of anywhere on the Treecuu home world or in its history. Nor on any of the subject worlds. "Thank you your highness. May this new friendship be forever!" Cuul accepted the bread and had a closer look at it for a few minutes as to admire it as a polite gesture. He then looked at the princess. "It looks like a delicate produce. Despite our cultures similarities, we have never received such a gift. How would we best honour it? Do we sample it now, or save it for a later occasion?"
"It is customary to eat right now. But let's continue, we have arranged a balcony from where you can hold your speech towards the Stoinian People. I am sure they will be more than curious."
He waited for the Treecuu to eat a small piece of bread. Afterwards the went through the Capitol. Enjoying the many paintings on the wall and the architecture. The building itself was a symbol of Stoinian stoicism of what they had endured. A symbol the Treecuu better had taken notice of. Soon they arrived at the balcony, which had been used for centuries to hold speeches towards the people. Even the great General MacArthur had held his speech there. The King stepped forward and began a small speech. "People of Stoinia! I, King Andrei III, welcome President Cuul and his entourage of the Treecuu Star Empire. We have had a fruitful first contact and let us hope that these talks will further strengthen our bonds. I hear you ask, but why? The Treecuu just like ourselves have suffered massive extinction campaigns just like we did with the Mardakii. If such an achievement isn't worthy of respect, then we ourselves would lose all the respect we have. I will now let President Cuul hold his part of the speech." The King stepped back and waved his hands towards the balcony. The nearly 1 million Stoinians were waiting to hear this President Cuul's speech. Would he indeed be worthy of such a high regard? They would know in a few moments from now. Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor
President Cuul stepped forward and took a moment to take in the view. He then spoke up with a clear and voice.
"Stoinians! On behalf of all Treecuu, I greet you. Not only did you prevail against the fiercest of enemies facing the greatest of threats: eradication. You emerged stronger, and it is evident even for an alien such as myself that you have thrived and built something great. Just like His Royal Highness said, the Treecuu know all too well what it means to come under occupation of those that wish nothing but your destruction. It is an honour to stand amidst you. When I look upon this beautiful city it is evident that you have an unyielding faith in a bright future, true to your ancestors and their traditions. A testimony of hard work and committent to order and peace." Cuul's voice changed to a warmer tone. "Now, who are these Treecuu really, you may wonder. We are a hard-working people from a nation to your north. We have a special relationship with nature and enjoy the great outdoors, especially in the company of family and friends. We have just, like you, started making contact with other civilisations. Our first steps have been tentative and we have been on our guard. We are glad to call the Stoinian Kingdom one of the very first official first contacts. It went well, much thanks to the personal dedication of His Royal Highness. I am sure that we will get to know each other better. Thank you for a warm welcome!" Cuul stepped back and nodded at the king.
The crowd was stunned. A xeno had spoken on the balcony where all the monarchs' had given speeches. A few hours ago not a single soul on Stoinia would have the courage to even think about this. Yet the King had done so. This was bound to be controversial. The opposition parties would stir up the politics for the following weeks.
A few moments of silence settled after President Cuul's speech. The crowd remained frozen, doubting the Treecuu's words. The Treecuu spoke about a common ground, but this was not enough to gain the respects from the Stoinian people. The Treecuu will have to prove themselves, just like the Cheunh have. "President Cuul, we will now go to a conference room where we will begin talks about our shared border. I believe both parties would like to mainain their territory and interests. Please follow me." The King marched forth followed by the Treecuu entourage. They came in a large room with a large chandelier and a portrait of the frist Royal Couple. The officials sat a big round table made of luxurious wood. The chairs themselves were made from Mardakii leather and were very comfortable for the humanoids. The Stoinians sat on one side of the table while the Treecuu sat on their side. After everyone was settled the King tapped on the console and a large map was revealed on the table of the shared border detailing every significant star system. "As you well know we share a common border and it's imperative that we maintain it. I believe both sides should mark their systems. The Treecuu already have done so and our Navy has already started putting buoys on the border systems. In mere weeks these buoys will be fully operational. I also suggest that for the time being no vessel may cross this border as of yet. I do not know about the criminal activities of the Treecuu, but the newly claimed space may be a breeding ground for Stoinian pirates. Until we have made trade routes which are ensured of protection no vessels shall cross the border. If one does, one may apprehend it, though the pilots should preferably be taken alive. Would this be agreeable for the Treecuu?" Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor
"There are no noteworthy criminal activities in the Star Empire" noted Tham, Chair of the Committee for the Expansion of the Empire with a hint of suppressed arrogance. "But we agree completely with your proposals."
The insectoid Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivict, spoke up. "In addition, we suggest that if either nation were to conduct operations involving fleet movements of more than ten frigate-size ships or above within 10 light years of the border, the other nation should be notified in a timely manner."
"Very well, we will limit our patrols to 5 of our destroyers, which if I am correct is 5 of your frigates. If they encounter heavy pirate resistance, a bigger patrol will be sent. We will make sure that our Military outposts will relay such movements. Of course we will need a secure transmission line for this. I am sure that wouldn't be much of a problem to put in place."
The Strategos, Douglas Hague, said, the head of the military alongside the King. Then the Chancellor spoke up, he wasn't going to let this opportunity pass. "I agree with both the gentlemen. However I want to propose potential trade routes. Our current sector capitals of Arcadia and Hyperion would be most suitable. Since they have the necessary infrastructure. Our military outposts are well within range for trade routes patrols. I would suggest that each nation provides patrol support for their part of route. Of course if anything crazy would happen, perhaps a joint operation could be run to apprehend troublemakers. Would the Treecuu Star Empire find these terms agreeable? Of course on what exactly we will trade will be settled tomorrow morning, but a trade route wouldn't be too difficult to propose." Pacifica: Myria, Sallodesia, Stoinia • A1-0: Stoinian Star Kingdom • Aurora: Kingdom of Threnebor
Ivict nodded.
"It seems to be a trait of the Stoinians: your terms are well balanced and realistic. We agree again. The Elvoon System about 50 ly across the border is already an important internal Treecuu trade hub, it is the obvious choice for the Treecuu end of the trade route" he answered and looked at Tham. "Indeed. Perhaps Your Highness would be willing to come to Elvoon and inaugurate it together with the President? We also be honoured to have you as our guest in the capital to return the hospitality, perhaps as part of this first invited visit to the Star Empire." Tham hoped that the king would find his reference to the first contact event funny, or at least not be offended. |
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