After both Golanski and Heinrich were done speaking, Kara once again cleared her throat, feeling like she'd need to make clear what her intentions about the Hessians were. Anna was proficient in making it look like the Guild was intending to use the Red Hessian Army like a tool that can be abandoned as its needs were fulfilled. Logically, such a way of approaching anyone wouldn't make a good impression on herself and the whole Guild. "Miss Heinrich-" she said and even stood up now, which was showing how serious she meant that. "I am very well aware of the fact, that alliances are not bought over night. Earning them is a high standard priority to set, yet, as a corporation with merely a paramilitary, also regarding our position with the unlawful and lawful groups around the sector, we cannot aid in a way in which I think you would value, ultimately letting us earn you as an ally." She took a deep breath and looked over Anna at the wall as if she carefully planned what to say next. "Other than providing you with fuel and financial resources, The guild will never be able to do more than that, as long as we do not fight a common enemy. This means, to make us able to earn you as an ally, we first need to use the aid you are offering. If there is anything else, maybe you want to propose something that would mean something to you." She gestured to Anna with a short hand movement. She was hoping that a more suitable offer from her would come, earning an ally as a corporation that is not able to provide more than resources was difficult, it seemed. Kara wanted Anna to know that she would indeed like to prove that the guild was worth as an ally, which was probably self-explanatory but didn't seem to be enough for Heinrich, while making clear that the guild wasn't able to provide more than what was offered already, unless the Rheinland - Gas Miners Guild war would indeed happen. She felt that negotiating with Anna was far more honorary based than what the other side could actually do. Something, they were very different in, for Kara, it was just important that the business was running and the monopole protected, in such a situation.
I don't want your military assets, and I don't want your money. I don't need you, and I don't need the Guild's aid, the case is vice versa. You came to me, and quite literally fell back on me when you announced to Bundestag that you would call me to "take care" of the Union threat. She replied quickly, the Guild's assets were a nice bonus, but nothing necessary, at best having the Guild in the fold would become more of a liability. The Guild was a corporation, and corporate agendas change based on what client pays more. Allies help each other gratis, and I will not help you gratis until you win this war and prove your resolve. Anna took another sip from the glass and leaned back, thinking of ways to convince everyone the war was beneficial for them and not her alone. She knew the others would be hesitant to get their hands dirty, and it was obvious the Guildmistress already hesitated to prove her "resolve" to the Bundestag. After all - war had not yet started, but still, it would be necessary to solidify positive relations with the Army and its assets in Rheinland. Something that would mean something to all of us is this war, if the Bundestag won't start it, you must. It's the only thing that will strengthen this triple alliance here, and will work to our benefit in years to come. So that leaves us with one question, do you wan't this alliance to work or not? Anna had everyone's attention, and nervous looks with it. The sound of war made the other two hesitate, sure they were no strangers to people getting killed on their accord, but a full scale war against the second most powerful warmachine in Sirius was something that made them both hesitate.
Anna's words slightly confused Kara, asking if a war was something in her or the whole guild's interest seemed out of place, the countless times she said that they did not want the war should have reached Anna as well, so her reaction to what she said fell out slightly unusual. She opened her mouth a little, sitting too comfortably to speak, though, she hesitated to speak and sat up straight again firstly. Her head was a bit lowered and her eyes didn't cross hers. "The whole plan behind this meeting... Miss Heinrich... was to make an alliance prior to the war, which would assure a benefit for all of us." She looked up, now facing Anna directly again. A little pause was in place, as she gathered her thoughts on what Anna was thinking right now, and if this would lead to a quick end of the whole meeting, an unpleasant result for her, just as for Golanski, she thought. "I have said it numerous times before and I will say it again, I don't want a war, not at all, but I am fighting it, if it happens. This meeting has the purpose to talk something out so in the extreme case, we're not standing there and don't know what to do. Allies never help each other for nothing, the least they need to have are ideological goals and the second Rheinland declares war on us-" She wiggled her finger back and forth, pointing to Anna and then back to herself. "-you and me have something in common, we both wish Rheinland to fall." She sighed, it felt like this already made less and less sense but then continued to speak again. "You see, of course we both don't need each other, but I'd rather know your army to be on our side, basically, I wish the Hessians to become the same as the Golden Chrysanthemums and the Blood Dragons. Those two are being funded by us and attack Samura ships and gas miners, which makes our bank account happy. Even if this war would not start, which would be great, I would finance you enough so you can concentrate on.. let's say Kruger. Don't think that I am trying to buy you, but this is how we get ourselves partners, since, I can only repeat, we are not an army by ourselves." She hoped that this came across correctly to her. Having the Hessians classed as a friendly entitiy in times of peace and an allied on in times of war was her goal to reach. In both states, the Hessians could prove to be very reliable. "Of course, you can also ignore that part and remain as neutral as before, then we would have the part about financing in times of peace off the table if that is your wish. " With these words, she hoped that Anna would understand her point, it was one of the plans of the guild to make any possible entity near them as friendly as possible. The Hessians were part of that.
The whole point behind this meeting as the admiral mentioned, was to discuss our common interests and how we can aid each other. I won't be providing you my aid if there's no war. Upon finishing her second glass Anna took a breath and put the glass down. The Guildmistress being unwilling to start a war was troublesome, the war might eventually start, but it could be a matter of months. The sooner the better, for Anna at least. You think I wish Rheinland, my house, the thing I am fighting to re-stabilize, to fall? I have been at war with the corrupt corporate influences and their federal slaves for much longer than you have, and none of my actions have been put in into play so the house would entirely come to nothing. Not only are you making me and my Army out to be a bunch of tools for you to fall back on against some band of pirates that calls themselves a union. But you want my house to fall completely in the event a conflict that you both insinuated and now wish to stop for unknown reasons, would occur? You want bribe me to finish off a near bankrupt corporation we very much don't need your funding for while you continue to lie in bed with Daumann making a fortune as you had in the past? Anna's tone sharpened with hostility as she worked her way towards the end of her statement. The GMG were known collaborators with Daumann, and bribing the Army to attack Kruger minerals didn't help her case one bit. That remains to be the largest issue at hand, Guildmistress. She paused for a second, now fixing her eyes on the Guildmistress. If like your predecessors, you do remain in business with Daumann and refuse to finish this conflict you started. You wont have an ounce of my help. Upon finishing her statement she looked forward again, fiddling with the glass she had just drank from. If you won't start this war, this discussion is pointless. The Bundestag will not start an open conflict with the Guild, especially if the corporation buying it out sees potential business benefits with the Guild to put itself ahead of Kruger, which it has in the past as you must know Admiral. Unless the Guildmistress has something to add that might peak the interests of myself and the Order than I think this meeting, and with it this collaborative effort, can come to a conclusion.
He listened to the banter in between them, keeping quiet as they deal with their own issue. He kept listening closely, not betraing any of his thoughts on either claims and suggestions of the both sides. Michal kept his integrity until Anna brought up The Order's interests, which in his opinion she knew not enough.
"I cannot imagine such thing as too many ressources. The Order takes to monitor every system, every major colony settled by humankind. An art of war is useful to know, but those who want to administrate this agency need to study the logistics spanning several dozens of light years across. It is true, we sit next to Sirius fuel reserve that everyone calls Sigmas, sit on particularly metal rich world and command adequate manpower to defend ourselves. Yet, we can always do more."
He spoke these words to both of them, yet he aimed and dedicated next part of his monologue specifically towards Anna Heinrich, his Hessian counterpart. Perhaps with words that would convince for something... low level until hell breaks loose.
"Rheinland wont fall until its economy does. This behemoth pumps more and more of its most valuable ressources into inefficient military that seeks to expand more than they can effectively police. I have to be honest here, I am not among proponents of torching corporate section of Omegas but I am also not a person who fights YOUR conflict on daily basis. I am however main strategist of The Order. Do things cheaper than your enemy and sow thoughts of alternate states that promise to put bread in their mouths. Exactly the reason I backed the Bundschuh many years ago... a cause why I am not interfering with Heinrich's front who makes Daumann families go hungry tonight. Volksrevolution will win popular support that way."
Admiral hated extremists but knew which values to choose to appeal to both sides, from all who he could relate but never trully align with. GMG's stalling the war and refusing to act as the aggressor that Imperialists need will sabotage eventual war effort at home, which he believed may as well be inevitable. He smiled mischieviously, continuing his war rhetoric to topple the giant of a House.
"Imperials are making you a favor in a way, Anna. They put out more families out of work as they manipulate their puppets and contacts into diverting Rheinland's lifeblood into affairs that wont bring prosperity to your regular Hans or Anna. Every single Sirian credit put into Rheinwerh operations in Sigmas is one Sirian credit not spent on civilian market. Take's Guild's support, as much as is your price towards co-operation. Let your enemies bleed out as you grow stronger. Unioner's will to expand will only pay off if they win and manage to seize the GMG's assets. Draw them into unjustified war, in eyes of both locals and citizens of other Colonies and strike them down. Those who follow fascist rhetoric blindly will be issue now and after you win. Better to cull them now."
The Admiral was right in a manner of speaking, if the Union started a war everyone was certain Rheinland would loose, than countless people would flock to the Volksrevolution. But that would imply the war would actually start as a result of the Union. Which would take a very long time, which would mean Anna would have to spend more time looking over her shoulder in Dresden while preparing to possibly evacuate Omega-11. The faster the war occurred, the more relief Anna had, even if it wasn't ideal, she was willing to overlook the means by which the war started. However, it was quite obvious the Guildmistress wasn't going to budge on the topic, and having eyes in the Sigma systems might prove to be halfway valuable. Anna leaned back, exhaling, she kept her eyes front thinking for a moment before speaking. So be it then, SOA personnel can be dispatched to the Sigma systems basing their operations from Bruchsal. Any hint of partnership with Daumann will compromise this, when the war starts additional assets may moved depending on the Army's state back home. With all that being said I do hope you both have a plan for when the war does start, the Military might overextending but it is still not a force to be taken lightly. Anna replied, taking this chance was a bit risky, if she started to evacuate Omega-11 without the Military distracted things could get chaotic very quickly.
Finally the words became more and more appealing. Golanski had a good way of putting things, while Kara didn't have much information about the intel of the Volksrevolution and its plans to overthrow Rheinland, what he said sounded kind of logical even to her. She imagined that in Anna's head this must have looked better than in hers, that was okay and predictable. The fall of Rheinland as a whole wouldn't make her feel bad, not after what happened, not regarding how useless their mere existence is to the Guild. As bad as it would sound from a human side, in this moment Kara just had business in her mind, not how the people would be, a fleshed out ability in highly capitalistic organizations like the Guild. As Golanski finished his dialogue, Anna began to add her opinion. SOA agents within Sigma-13 was something she would normally not approve of but it was a necessity right now. But something kept her thinking, the topic of starting the war. If she would begin an attack, it would surely win Anna's trust but if it was worth taking the risk was a matter of opinions. When she finished talking, Kara nodded a few times, looking down at the table as she thought about what to say, it seemed like with Anna's more or less agreement, as well as Golanski's previous willingness to cooperate, the meeting was done already. "Well... miss Heinrich, I highly appreciate any effort of the Hessians within the Sigmas until this yet cold war is over. Starting the conflict would be questionable, something that the people living in the Sigmas wouldn't want or support me with. What I might gain is you as a more or less trusted ally, what I definitely get, though, is a bunch of angry Rheinland capital ships. If this can be nullified by anything, then I will seriously think about it, but until now, this just seems like an over exaggeration from our side." She said calmly and shook her head when she spoke about the conflict. She tilted her head slightly, quickly getting her eyes back focused on Anna, clarifying that she was talking serious, which could be heard in her voice now as well. "If you require something that we can get for you or the agents stationed there, then feel free to tell us." She hoped that these last words of willingness for a cooperation would furtherly give Anna the feeling that she really wanted this "alliance" to be secured from any threat.
Admiral's hands on the table joined together as his pieces of his plan fell together. Some baseline agreement between all three combined to battle Federal influence in the Sigmas. There were other factors and some matters to settle with Heinrich later...
"So it is settled then. We will have responce from the Army, adequate support from the Guild and I will continue stacking odds in our favor. Do not worry about the battle plans. Just let your agents do what they do best, I would contact the Hessian commander should I need an extra muscle for something..."
He took liberty in refilling his own glass with the Corsair drink he brought along, relieved he managed to get these two work along. Taking a generous swig of the alcohol, he was ready to continue.
"The Order is able to provide support in entirety of Sigma sector, Rheinland and within reason provide assistance towards Omega region. Our scouts and skirmishers are already deployed. Until war begins, there is no need for more. Miss Heinrich, we also have Hessian-Order matters to talk about... in four eyes meeting. Miss Yukari, I will talk with you privately concerning The Order's needs once you make it safely to Guild space. If you have any further inquires that I can answer right now on behalf of The Order, shoot away."
Kara nodded along Golanski's words and tapped around on the table with her fingers a little until she noticed that it was audible and stopped. She was glad when Golanski announced the "end" of the meeting from her part. Although she thought about anything specific that she could ask about now, her will to just leave and relax for some time dominated, she could still ask him over the neural net. "No, I think I am done for now as well, should something jump in my mind, I will be contacting you on our transmission channel." She said, a nod ending her sentence, paired with a slight smile on her face to both of them as she got up and stood at the end of the table, where the door was she came in. Just before she opened it again, she turned around once more. "Thank you for your time, Frau Heinrich and Admiral Golanski, I am sure that we will manage this properly. And with those words set on a serious face, she opened the door and left the room for Heinrich and Golanski. While walking her way back to the Bishamon, she had mixed feelings. On one hand, it seemed to have worked out just fine for her and the guild. On the other hand, a clear bond of any kind, and even if a fight was to happen, the relation to each other would feel cold and built on pillars of sand. But to avoid pessimistic thoughts, she just went on and tried to relax from all this for now, after all, the war had to happen first.
Upon hearing the door shut behind the Guildmistress, Anna turned her head towards the Admiral. She didn't show a look of optimism, rather a deep, sinister stare. If what my sources say is true in the ongoing talks between the Guild and the bundestag, she won't be capable of leading her own people in the event war does start. She turned her chair to face the Admrial as well, putting her hands on top of the table, one on top of the other. But you know that already, so Admiral, what about the Omega territories interests you?