To: Imperio del Corsario || From: Cmdt. Saint-Cyr, GRI

[The Sovereign]

Kyria Isabelle,

Very well, lets dig into it.

Conditions and terms:

• Point 1, accepted as presented.
  
• Point 2, accepted as presented. I will be the personal representative of the Custodi and the Corsair Empire as a whole in the embassy on New Paris.
  
• We will grudgingly accept the terms about Cambridge, as we recognize the intrinsic value that it holds to both sides. However, in lieu of complete control of the planet and system, we'd offer a counter-offer. The Poole system. Home to a large amount of Molly insurgents, it would be a grueling task for the forces of the royal navy to claim throughly. But our people know how to fight in the asteroid fields and in a war of attrition. Give us the system, and we'll crush the rogue elements within it. They did side with Bretonia against us both after all.
  

You wish to see the might of the empire, and I wish to level it against an enemy we've had for centuries. But before I can do that, we need to ensure that the Dorian people will not be treated as outsiders and cast-outs after the inevitable victory. The forces I offer can change the course of the war. Fresh, battle-hardened people from the harshest corner of Sirius.

I doubt that the Roi, for all his might, would be willing to turn aside an ally who has fought and held two of the great houses for decades while only ever growing stronger.

I await your reply.

Yours sincerely,
Άργος Νικήτας
Argus Nikitas

[Lanakov]

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MARINE ROYALE GAULOISE

Nouveau message entrant.
Identifiant : Amiral Isabelle Montlaville de Chanteloup
Unité : Etat-major de la Marine Royale Gauloise
Destinataire : Monsieur Argus Nikitas, membre du Conseil des Anciens, Custodi

Sujet : RE : Contre-offre.

20 juin, 741 A.G.S.
Ile-de-France

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The screen reveals Chanteloup in a different background, a lavishly decorated office and a wooden desk. You can hear a faint, soft piano air being played in the background, something like Debussy. Naturally, the amiral looks pissed off.

Kyrios Nikitas,

Your reply has been found reasonable and has made my government very pleased indeed. Even the last part, mind you...

A cigarette appears on her lips in a flash, from somewhere.

... Even despite some reservations on my part.

Looking away for a second, she lights up the cigarette.

Just to make sure we are on the same page here, Kyrios Nikitas : you request sovereignty over Poole in return for our compromise in regards to Cambridge ? Those are terms my government are ready to accept. We have only a moderate interest in Poole, except for strategic reasons. We are therefore willing to concede its ownership to the Imperio, provided you allow for passage and temporary military operations of the Marine Royale within. That is all we ask, at this point. Your apparent expertise in counter-insurgency will be very valuable : we expected more from the Mollys than merely betraying their ideals and siding with their centuries-old oppressor against us. They will pay for their lack of political alacrity, and you will act as our creditor.

I am glad we managed to come to an arrangement, at any rate. I tire of this conflict, Kyrios Nikitas. We came down on the Bretonians and expected a quick and costless victory on this tired and broken people. We counted on them welcoming our generous peace treaty and finally putting an end to decades of battle and hardship. But they've proven more stubborn and resourceful than anticipated. However, beyond stubborn, there is obstinate. And Gallia is that. With your help, we will expedite our decisive victory and finally be able to move on to pastures new. We will show Sirius that little can get in the way of the Gallo-Dorian friendship. I can't wait.

I will demand that our people make the necessary preparations and work on the ever-bothersome paperwork to make sure your ships are welcome in Gallic space. Meanwhile, Bordeleaux will lead the delegation to Crete at your convenience. I hope you won't mind if she comes with a sizeable escort : her convoy will need to cross a fair amount of dangers on the way.

The piano stops, and Chanteloup smiles. Her face is clearly not accustomed to it, but for the moment, she looks... friendly. She gently puts the dead cigarette in a very elegant glass ashtray next to her.

This has been productive. I enjoy productivity. I look forward to meeting your delegation in Paris, Kyrios Nikitas. They'll enjoy their new home, I can promise you that.

Au revoir.
The transmission fades.

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Feedback, insults, marriage proposals and declarations of fealty

If everyone was a bit more like Lanakov, the entire world would be more positive. Including pregnancy tests.