Hitomi nodded. It seemed that at least part of her plan had worked out. Without much further ado, she pressed a button embedded in her side of the table, and the screeen changed, flickered and now showed an ornamented list of goals, listed in English, French and Japanese.
Imperial Goals Wrote:
The signing parties of the treaty acknowledge the Empire-in-Exile of Kusari as a sovereign national entity, with all the diplomatic repercussions this includes
The signing parties acknowledge the Empire-in-Exile as the sovereign overlord and sole rightful claimant of the following systems:
New Tokyo
Kyushu
Honshu
Shikoku
Hokkaido
Tottori
Hiroshima
Tohoku
Chugoku
Nagano
Saga (commonly known as Tau-29, with the exception of an area of Space around Freeport six, which is considered Zoner sovereign space
The signing parties declare the Tau Decree for void and instead use the Borders suggested above when referring to Kusari or Imperial Space, as well as consider themselves and their citizens subject to imperial Law while visiting systems controlled by the Empire, and refrain from visiting imperial Space with large fleets and/or capital vessels without asking permission beforehand.
This treaty is a treaty among equals. Every action or decision that concerns the Alliance, such as inviting new members to the Alliance, is to be brought to a round table, with ranking officials of all signing parties, and has to be decided on a vote basis. The system for this vote has yet to be decided here.
"As you can see, Gentlemen, this is not really a surprising list. There is not much to explain about all of them, although I am open to questions of course. So without further ado, are there any?"
Seeing upon the list of goals the Kusarian representative had shown didn't make him curious until he saw the bottom of the list, slowly standing to take point. "With all due respect Madam Hitomi, in your proposal I see two small points and a question I wish to address. The Tau 29, or Saga, system as you have named, may I suggest the natural barrier of the ice field in which Freeport 6 resides be a natural zone in which those aboard have as sovereign space? Second. In behalf of my brethren of Discord, may I suggest an exclusion zone between the Freeport 6 and Nago fields south along the trade lane to the Baffin jump hole? Thus would allow traffic through our system to continue unhindered as we have had such for quite some time. If this is possible then I will have no issues in these claims within Saga. A brief pause took place as he pondered in thought. "You will have to refresh my memory on the Tau Decree in which you ask to decry. What does this decree inscribe?"
With a concerned look on his face LaFlamme was studying the list while listening to the pope. When Brettonias ended his speech with the question about the decree, he turned to him. - Allow me to answer instead: If I recall correctly the Tau Decree was an agreement signed on Freeport 6 years ago between the Gallic Kingdom and the Kusari Republic about GRN having authority over one half of Saga while KNF watches over the other half. - with that he stood up and turned to Hitomi to voice his concerns and ask his questions.
Taisho Hitomi, while I understand the intent behind these goals, I found a few issues with them possibly getting in the way of our future cooperation if not treated correctly. The first two points as well as the last one I can agree with, mostly, as similarly to Pope Brettonias I too would like to retain authority over the Roussillon entrance et it's immediate surroundings. - Grabbing his tablet he suddenly remembered he didn't inform the delegates about these tools. - Oh, I almost forgot, these tablets are for each of you, they are linked to both the table's holographic display et the screens on the wall, providing a better user interface with more options than the table's own. - As some sort of demonstration he tapped the screen of his tablet a few times to get the 3D hologram of the map of the Tau-29 system above the table. - I would like to propose that the area south from the lane connecting the freeport with the Jumpgate to Tau-31 is to be a common authority of us, where I wish Council defenses not to interfere with Imperial operations, but still be able to defend ourselves should the need arise.
After a short pause he continued: My other concern is your plan to restrict fleet movements to your own authority in Saga. That system has been frequently traversed by many of the Council's supply et combat fleets in between the rest of the Tau region et Roussillon in the past et I do not wish to cease these movements or look for alternative, longer, perhaps even more riskful or dangerous routes to fulfill the same purpose. We have been ignoring the Tau Decree ever since it came to existence, declaring it for void requires no effort, but I also request free fleet movement for ourselves within that system only if you want us to adhere to Imperial laws in Saga at the same time. - With that he sat down back into his seat, waiting for the response.
Corvin sat, silently listening to each of his interlocutors' statements and questions. As Hitomi presented her goals, he didn't notice much to comment over, until Tau 29 came up. Still, before he could bring his comments forth, the General and the Pope already provided the necessary terrain for debate.
Corvin slowly rose from his seat right as the General took his, then started turning his eyes towards each one of the people at the table ... "It seems the issue of Tau 29, or Saga as you called it, - he gestured towards the Kusarian representative, then continued to look in a general direction - brings quite the debate.
I, as well, feel obliged to voice my concerns, yet I believe we can reach a compromise beneficial to all parties involved. As the General pointed out, due to our ongoing war with the Gallic Royal Navy and their allies, the system of Tau 29 represents a direct route towards the battlefield... at times even part of the battlefield itself sadly."
He takes one moment to catch his breath, then continues... "The Crayter Republic has no issue with following the Imperial Law within the system, however, I would like to propose that you allow, to all parties involved here, more of a free hand when it comes to fleet movements. By this I mean that you would permit us to bring large fleets or capital vessels within the system of Tau 29 without the need for permission, yet proper notice should be brought to your forces as soon as possible. Of course, this particular modification only makes sense in the current, conflict-ruled, context. So, when the Gallic Royalist threat is removed, I see no problem in fleet movements being restricted to your initial proposal."
As he ends his suggestions, he takes back his seat and sends a certain glance towards his bodyguard, Sentinel, who notices it and requests to leave the room.