The order to put hallucinogens into Mrs Blunt's drink came from the very top of the Bretonian government, yet without the knowledge, let alone approval, of most of those in it. It was carried out by no other but an SIS agent. This was for two reasons: firstly, Bretonia wanted to improve relations and an excuse was needed to replace Blunt, even though she had just had a successful mission (albeit not thanks to her competence, but rather to Kusari's willingness, to determine the level of which was the very reason of her being there); and secondly, should Kusari have taken offence at her antics, Bretonia would stand innocent, because substance use is easier to hide than incompetence -- or, in an extreme case, falsely accuse Kusari of drugging Blunt in the first place. But since everything had been proceeding smoothly, it was in Bretonia's interest to keep the affair quiet for the time being. Blunt was recalled, but instead of being fired, she was given a cozy office job at home. Joyce knew nothing of this, but he knew that mentioning Blunt could reverse the progress that's been accomplished (as expected to know by his superior), so on the second thought, he decided to intentionally forget about her.
It is obvious enough, but it should be pointed out that Joyce was a man and relatively old too, as he was 61 -- the exact kind of person that Kusari traditions preferred in politics. And he was quite a political animal, a political beast more likely. He was a man of good manners and good intentions, but if he knew that a certain Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade from Ancient Earth, said: "In an age that is utterly corrupt, the best policy is to do as others do" -- then this would be his motto. It was because of this that his weakness were much younger women. He was fascinated with the ancient Kusarian geisha culture, because in their apparent innocence he found comfort and refuge -- from his own corruption. The Kusarians didn't know this yet, but it was only a matter of time before they would find out.
"This one's perfect", Joyce referred to the same bonsai that Blunt had laughed at before. "So tiny, yet it's the product of so much devotion. That's what I like about your people, Mr Toshinori. You understand the relevance of the little things." He cued at the cup of gyokuro in his hands. "There's several little things in the Treaty of Rishiri that are immensely important. For example, Clause 2, where Kusari considers a part of our and our allies' space its sovereign territory. Or, interestingly, the Reparation Agreement: the term used is the war, it doesn't say which war though it obviously refers to the most recent one, yet it doesn't free Gallia from having to pay reparations for the first war, the one in 818. Or Clause 4, where Kusari de facto claims the entirety of Tau-23 -- does Clause 4 really exist? AHN published the supposed treaty and all the clauses you've decided to show us match with that document, yet you seem to have forgotten that Clause 4 should also be relevant. Is there anything else that you forgot to mention?"
Toshinori had his own theories about the apparent substance abuse of Mrs. Blunt, reaching from this being the truth - a scenario he deemed unlikely at best - to this move being a tactical move from Bretonia's side. He was quite sure about the latter being the case.
Regardless, he was pleased with the choice Bretonia made with Joyce. A far more promising person than Mrs. Blunt.
Initially even more pleased at the sight of some culture from the Ambassador, it quickly faded at the barrage of inquiries. He had hoped for a slow start.
Nevertheless, Toshinori knew when to show his disappointment and when to just play along.
"Let me start with the territory issue. Firstly, the Treaty of Rishiri indeed outlines the navigational east of Tau-31 to be under our authority. The status of Tau-31 is undecided for to begin with. Prior to the negotiations, we combed through whatever official documents we could find but next to Queen Carina's title as "Empress of Taus", a total lackluster of data regarding Tau-31's general status in Bretonia's perspective was met. Merely the Crayter Republic, a micro-nation in open conflict with Kusari, had declared a system wide claim over the system. In respect of Planetforms ongoing operations on Planet Harris and the newly constructed Lewes Shipping Platform, we draw the borderline ourselves at the Holman junction, passively considering the second half of the system as under Bretonian authority. It was apparent that Bretonia would rather sooner than later reach out to us, seeking to further discuss this matter. Let us just say, it worked. You are here now."
Toshinori took a sip of tea, granting Joyce some time to let his words sink in before he continued.
"Your assumptions regarding the Reparation Agreement are correct. We reserve the right to hold the nation of Gallia liable for the war of 818 direct consequences, including the civil war as a more indirect consequence."
His eyes wandered through the room for a moment, instead of an assistant, he settled on simple video and audio recording this time.
"Clause 4 indeed exists. It is not subject of this discussion but I will briefly elaborate it regardless. I beg you to read clause 4 carefully, as it exclusively limits itself to Tau-23's natural resources and by far not the system itself. Should the Kingdom of Bretonia wish to restore BMMs operations within Tau-23, Kusari is more than willing to discuss possibilities of economic benefit for both our nations. We should not forget the reason for our own past conflicts. Tau-23 is a delicate matter which will require special attention at a later point." He paused briefly.
"We are here to settle on a mutual beneficial way to conclude this small dispute over Tau-31 and how to react to the Natio Octavarium's wish for a defensive treaty against Gallia. Let us focus on this now."
Joyce took a sip of gyokuro. He intended to have a thought: was Tau-23 really worth discussing? Did he go past his mark? The war reparations clause was in fact his primary aim. But the overwhelming aroma of the tea and the immersive nostalgia distracted him.
"Tau-23...", he uttered indecisively, trying to catch his train of thought. "Bretonia's borders are most precisely defined by the Bretonian constitution. But during the 8 years since its latest alteration, the galactopolitical spacescape has suffered crucial changes. I think that our nations must conduct a delimitation before anything more serious is considered."
Joyce slightly raised an index finger by reflex to indicate that he wasn't finished yet. "For example... the constitution claims that Tau-29 -- Tau-29! -- belongs to the queen herself. But Her Majesty is a constitutional monarch, and if the constitution is amended, Her Majesty will reign according to the new constitution. In reality, the border is obvious. I believe Mrs Blunt was already instructed to tell you that we have no interest in Tau-29, that our only interest is Tau-31, and that our only interest in Tau-23 is that no one -- no one, not even us -- makes a serious claim. Great Powers of history used to embrace the concept of buffer zones, I don't know why our contemporaries have abandoned it. We think that Tau-23 should be a buffer zone between the three Great Powers. Our ideas are that neither may make a claim, but it is left to our respective corporations to exploit at will. It will be up to them to agree how they will share it. Our governments must have nothing to do with it. The only condition is: Gallia may not set foot. Not their navy, not their police, not their corporations, no one. Who enters must return. Gallia stays in Gallia."
Joyce took a lustful sip, purposefully giving Toshinori time to reflect.
Toshinori listened closely, enjoying his cup of tea while doing so.
"Kusari's interest and claim goes merely as far as your expectation for a Tau-23 as buffer zone. The Treaty of Rishiri enables a free and full access to our Keiretsu without worries about the Gallic corporate rivals. Naturally, Bretonian corporate access is nothing we wish to limit in any way. Neither does the Kusari Empire desire to actively send the Naval Forces or Police Forces to Tau-23. " He went silent for a brief moment. "Regardless, your stance regarding Gallics in the Taus is certainly a stance we can share. Let us return to focus on Tau-31 and disregard the lack of constitutional changes on your side for the moment.. as it appears Tau-31 and especially the Crayter Republic will remain our main point today."
The Bretonian ambassador grabbed a small notebook and a pen from a pocket on his suit. He wrote: "1. t23 rsolvd fvrbly". Toshinori couldn't see what he wrote, but he could guess. "I have another point to address", said Joyce, "But I am your guest here, and it would be polite to first deal with the matter that you have invited me for. Only one condition is imperative: Bara must be returned to Crayter. A permanent KNF presence in Tau-31 is not something that we will like, but it's something that we can negotiate given the right conditions. We have no interest in Tau-29, so this can't be symmetrically reciprocal, but we do have a system to rebuild. If the Kusari government could fund Samura to rebuild, say, Stokes Station for the BMM, Bretonian media will have something tangible to display as a sign of Kusari's friendship and the government will not be criticised if we sign a treaty that will legalise KNF presence in Tau-31."
He could have worded that more concisely, Joyce thought in hindsight. English had become the lingua franca of Sirius, so there was no translator present, and although Toshinori was adept, it was not his first language. The Bretonian put a soft smile on his face to encourage the Kusarian that it was not rude to ask if he hadn't understood something.
Toshinori used to be quite horrible at English, but after two decades in service of the Kusari Government there are no traces of his former issue remaining.
"The return of the - bluntly spoken - wreck called 'Barra Anchorage' being a matter we are willing to undertake is the very basis for why you are here. Though, nothing in this world is for free. The Kingdom of Bretonia holds sufficient knowledge about the Crayter Republic, I hope. You could probably enlighten me about goods of economic interest their Republic has access to or if there are any lucrative projects going on in their small corner of space. I have an additional idea, originally proposed from within the Naval Forces too but I will wait for your words on this matter."
He paused briefly.
"On the topic of Samura assisting with the rebuilding efforts of Stokes and a follow-up defensive Tau agreement allowing Naval Forces within Tau-31 without your government losing its face, I agree with this approach. Samura had shown interest regarding Planet Harris before, so I assume they'll find interest for the revitalizing of the Leeds system too. However, conditions past the credits required to hire Samura are out of our hands."
Finishing his turn, Toshinori sipped from his cup of tea. Brainstorming already how to explain the idea regarding Barra to the Bretonian.
"Credits should suffice", Joyce said curtly, satisfied to close the subject and eager to unravel the mysteries of the new one. Overeager, because it was entirely out of his expertise. He should have prepared better, he thought, but it was not his fault. He should have been prepared better. Bretonia saw Crayter as a military ally because of its location on a major supply artery of the former Gallic Kingdom, but never had much interest into its small economy, nor the surplus to invest in its development. It was unprofessional to hide this.
"But I must apologise, Mr Toshinori", Joyce said after a sip, "I am no expert in the Crayter Republic. Maybe you should invest in their shipbuilding? They've just lost two fleets to Malta. Still, take this as a layman's opinion. Please, do enlighten me on your ideas."
Joyce's lack of knowledge was not all too surprising. "No worries, Mr. Joyce." He said calmly, emptying his cup. "I am glad you reminded me of Crayter's recent losses." While saying this, he pressed a button under the table and a medium-sized holo-screen went online: Showing data regarding the Helios, a Zephyr wreck in Tau-29.
"Our proposal consists of two parts, the first being this wreckage. Due to - bluntly spoken - disinterest about inferior military technology, the wreck was left alone by Kusari following this analysis. It is still within Kusari territory and due to its untouched presence for years, is to be considered owned by the Kusari Empire. The vessel is in a hopeless state, according to our experts. Though apparently sufficient parts are intact to be salvaged and repurposed in a new vessel. We would offer the transfer of the Helios back to the Crayter Republics main residence, Coronado, as a purchase for the full market value the ships materials hold."
He waited for the Bretonian, letting the idea sink in. "I'll get to part two of our proposal in a bit."
What Joyce saw here was an introduction into "We will keep Barra, but we will agree to sell Crayter what should rightfully be theirs". If it was up to him, he wouldn't mind even if this was unfair, as long as Crayter was satisfied and someone else funded Bretonian reconstruction. But he didn't decide on this, the government did. His job was to secure Barra for Crayter. It was professional to hide his personal contentment with what seemed to be proposed and stay on course.
"We have no business with whatever remains of the Helios. It is neither our space nor our property. Bretonia's only interest is that Barra is returned to Crayter. About Helios you should speak to them."
He let a smile slip through his usually plain and professional expression.
"I'm well aware. It's a matter of courtesy to inform you about this very idea beforehand. On the matter of Barra.." He continued, then suddenly stopped and a new slide appeared on the holo-screen, displaying a thorough analysis of Barra Anchorage's internal structure, weak points, weaponry, defensive capabilities, all laid out for the Bretonian to see. "Barra Anchorage as we encountered it. As to be expected of a hastily set up Gallic construction, multiple structural weak points, recordings of several malfunctions. Overall, the base is a mess and what Crayter did with it could be best labelled 'makeshift'. It would last less long than many civilian outposts in the case of a hostile assault."
He let another smile cross his face.
"Our proposal is simple. Barra Anchorage will be deconstructed. The base is a safety hazard to the Holman Junction and if it wasn't for your approach to negotiate the return of the base, it would have been scuttled in favor of a new construction soon anyways. We will offer the Crayter Republic exactly this - a new construction, one fulfilling common safety standards, one capable of withstanding an Outcast attack. Depending on how Crayter decides regarding the Helios, the costs of this project may vary. Naturally, agreeing to take the Helios off us, will grant them a favorable price for the new.. 'Barra'."
Toshinori made a short pause.
"Not the friendliest approach, but it is what it is. A significant amount of Cabinet members recalls the past and are not too keen on Crayterians."
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