The delegation got ushered towards the entrance and upon arrival Doctor Hollidays security would look expectantly at the Bretonian soldiers, awaiting them to hand over their weapons. The Lieutenant in charge turned to Davis for direction
You know what chaps, why don't you wait out here. Don't worry, I'm still wearing that tag you insist on me having so I won't go wandering off, and I'm sure if there's an incident the good Doctor's security will allow you to assist them.
He hurried through before they could complain too loudly. Wonderful, he thought, now Diplomacy may resume. He spotted Holiday quickly, making his way directly towards.
Doctor Holiday, thank you for hosting this arrangement this evening. I'm aware of the commotion that Her Majesty's Ship Stirling has caused, it is my hope we will be able to resolve this tonight and ensure a peaceful resolution for all. I did not want it to turn out this way, but my duty to my home and the people I represent compels me to speak to those assembled here. Again, I thank you.
He shook the doctors hand, moving to find himself a seat in the congregation. He sat for a while, watching and listening to people's reactions. Finally, he stood, making his way to the front. A silence seemed to spread across the room. A mixture of emotions flowed throughout the room, and angry, expectant, demanding eyes followed him. He gently picked a glass of water to sip from, clearing his throat.
Please allow me to introduce myself. Richard Davis, Permanent Secretary of the Home Office of the United Kingdom of Great Bretonia..
He trailed off, smiling lightly to himself
I realise that title must come as a joke to some of you. As a house, we are nothing if not traditional...
I would like to very lightly touch upon the old treaty. The Port Jackson treaty that my overzealous colleague has been discussing with such vigour.
He glanced at the Steiner sitting in the darkened corner
Whilst so brazenly stated, he is correct in that when the Council of Zoners - heaven knows where he got the Cee Oh Eff from - was disbanded, when it ceased to be I mean, the treaty became null and void, as one signatory, and hence enforcer of the treaty, ceased to be. May I remind every honourable gentleman and gentlewoman in this room though, that Bretonia continued to respect the sovereignty and independence of the Zoners, not just in Omega 49, but also the Zoners of Freeport 1 in Omega 3. May I also draw to people's attention that we also sent aid ourselves to Freeport 11 when it was attacked by a N E M P device. Our struggles in Bretonia have been long and hard, but my point is that even whilst we are on our backsides, fighting to defend our home, we have always respected our friends and neighbours in the Zoner community.
He stopped, taking a sip of water to clear his throat
We can argue this point all night. I know there are those that disagree but I feel that best path forward is to renegotiate our respective positions. Before I go into that though, I wish to share a bit of truth with you. As a number of you have already commented on, you see a Bretonian warship that has set a course for your homes. You quite rightly comment that it is sent by a house that finds its backs against the wall. What you don't know, is that it was ordered by a house scared for it's safety. It was ordered by men and women, who through their fear, believe the only way to secure their safety and that of their families, is to ensure a safe haven to escape to. There are those voices that suggest we should take this land by force..
He took a sip of the water as the voices grew in anger
Yes, yes, I understand. And this, ladies and gentlemen, was MY exact reaction when this was brought before parliament. The Home Office issued the immediate order to halt any operations in the system. We are Bretonian, we have long respected the Zoners independence and we do not wish to encroach upon that. However, I would be a fool to state that this was the end of our interest here. Nay, Bretonia's people must have somewhere safe to fall back to, and we, as the Government of the Bretonian people, have a duty of care to our citizens. This is why we would propose a new treaty, where the division of land is redefined, where the laws of the system are re-written by the influential parties. That no one member holds total control. Our suggestion, is that Bretonia, the Coalition, and chosen Representatives of the Zoners, such as Doctor Holiday, come together to negotiate the terms of the future of the system, so that no-one, not Bretonian, not Zoner, not Coaltion, is snubbed by any other group.
As for the corsair problem, Mr Steiner is right. We cannot allow the Corsairs to remain, not with the threats being so casually thrown around. Despite this, we are willing to agree that the civilian population, that being farmers and private traders, be allowed to trade with the Zoner population centres, though this of course will all be discussed in a private negotiation over the treaty itself.
I understand there will be questions, so I welcome them, and thank you for allowing me a chance to speak.
He bowed his head in respect, before taking a step back from the podium
//My apologies it took me so long to write this. I can only work on these posts after work. I get home at 18:00 Mon-Fri, so if people can try and be patient with me, and my apologies if I missed anything in the hundreds of messages! Many thanks all