With the war now over, recent changes from both a military and political standpoint have made it necessary to have a somewhat difficult conversation with you, our allies. The current status of the Tau-31 system is one that touches at Bretonian pride, the system that saw battles between ourselves, Kusari and Gallia now lies, once more, out of our reach. This is not, of course your fault yet we do not wish for our interest in the system to be ignored.
However, as mentioned, recent changes have happened. Leeds is now a Tomb word, the system also is devoid of life and Bretonian wounds require time to heal. Tau-31 is a long way from New London and Leeds is still only just under our control. We therefore have a proposal for you.
The System of Tau-31 will remain a Bretonian system, yet leased to the Craytarian Republic for a period of five (5) years. This agreement to be revisited annually for agreement or amendment.
The system, being leased, will be subject to Craytarian Laws, not Bretonian Laws.
The Bretonian Armed Forces and the Secret Intelligence Service will be allowed access into the system and beyond to provide assistance to the Republic against the Enclave and other hostile Forces. Bretonian Law will not be enforced by either the BAF or SIS.
Trade will not be hindered, but all Gallic traders will be stopped at the Bretonian Border.
The Crayterians, as payment for leasing the system, will continue to trade with Bretonia and assist in reconstruction efforts where applicable.
The possibility for Planetform to finish it's terraforming projects also remains if the Republic wishes it. We have no interest in bad blood between our wartime allies and we are happy to discuss the above terms if they are not to your liking.
Encryption:Medium Priority:Medium Target ID:Alexander East, Secretary to the Cabinet Subject:Your Offer
Secretary East,
I thank you for reaching out to us. With the end of the War, we found ourselves controlling Tau 31 which we have both fought for side by side and I am well aware of the value and pride it held with your men on the Battlefield. Rest assured we meant no disrespect or any of the like to you and your people. With that being said our High Command and myself have read through your proposal, and while it is quite a good proposal, the High Command has revised it and proposes the following counteroffer to you and your people:
- The system, so far as it includes Planet Harris, the jump gate to the Leeds system, and the direct space in between the two, is considered as Bretonian leased to the Crayter Republic for five (5) years. All else will belong to and be administrated by the Crayter Republic. This agreement to be revisited every six (6) months for agreement or amendment.
- The system, so far as it includes Planet Harris and the jump gate to the Leeds system, will be jointly administrated by the Crayter Republic and the Kingdom of Bretonia, effectively acting as a border.
- Bretonian Armed Forces vessels will be authorized travel through Tau-31 for the purpose of transit and defense against hostile forces of the Crayter Republic and Bretonian Crown.
- Trade will not be hindered by any party within Tau-31, and the act of doing so will be subject to law determinant on the location of the crime within the proper jurisdiction. Gallic trading vessels insofar as they are not aligned with the Royal Enclave will be protected under Crayter law as per standard defense of civilian traffic.
- Crayter, in payment for the lease of Planet Harris, the jump gate to the Leeds system, and the direct space in between the two, will allow for the continued operation by Planetform, Inc. on Planet Harris, and protect the integrity of convoys from Bretonian space to Planet Harris by all Bretonian merchant vessels.
- Bretonia will divulge the details entailed within the 'Basilica Treaty' so as to preserve the interests of the Crayter Republic and all civilian traffic within the system.
We also have no interest in bad blood between our nations, our allies and brothers in arms during the war. If you have any more concerns or terms you would like to discuss, please do so.
The government has reviewed your counter proposal and we have a response, you have our apologies it took so long.
We agree that the agreement/treaty ought to be revisited every six (6) months for agreement or amendment.
We agree to lend continued military and Intelligence support to the Crayter Republic.
We agree that trade within the system of Tau-31 is the business of the Crayter Republic, and we have no issues nor complaint with whomever you choose to trade with.
However, we reach the point of debate now regarding your other suggestions. Bretonia cannot give up our claims to half of T-31 when it was once ours. As I mentioned prior, it is a matter of Pride. We of course understand the stance that some may have within the Republic, that the system is at current Crayterian, and that Bretonia either should not, or cannot debate that point. I therefore refer you to the Treaty of South Shields, in which we all agreed on our respective zones of influence. We do not wish to cause offence, nor trouble in referencing the treaty.
I am afraid I cannot speak for or about any matters regarding this 'Basilica Treaty' simply because I am not privy to any information regarding it.
On behalf of the Republic, I apologize for the lateness of this response. To keep Bretonia hanging for this long was an unfortunate error. I'm hoping the outcome of this issue will make up for such.
Firstly, a brief introduction. I am Admiral Lisa Combes, First Chief of Staff for the Crayter Military and Administrator over the Barra Crossroads. With Admiral Townley stepping down due to personal matters, I will be assuming command of Crayter's defense and response to territorial disputes so far as it includes Tau-31 and any systems on the Crayterian frontier.
To the matter at hand..
Crayter is well aware of the terms of the Treaty of South Shields. The terms provided by Admiral Townley were a best case in response to the current political climate of the system, and by all manner Tau-31 is promptly a Crayterian system. While I mourn for the losses of those on Leeds, their loss effectively put the Bretonian border at Leeds, leaving Tau-31 relatively extended for the Armed Forces. That is, at least as far as I see it.
Crayter will accept the terms of the current proposal, with a single stipulation that the signatories of the Treaty of South Shields convene to reexamine the current environment of the Tau systems in general into a pattern that more properly depicts the climate of the area. I do not wish to invoke a sense of encroachment upon our ally in Bretonia, as the Armed Forces certainly pulled their weight and then some in regards to defeating the Gallic Navy, but Crayter cannot have our own accomplishments ignored simply due to a treaty that, while it was signed eight years ago, speaks so little of the relationship our nations hold.
With that, we will also drop our request for details pertaining to the 'Basilica Treaty', though should the details be forwarded to Crayter at a later date I'm certain the outcome could be more favorable for the Kingdom.
The ball is in your court now, Secretary. Rest assured we'll come to terms.
It is with our deepest apologies that this series of messages halted so unexpectedly.
Upon reflection to the Tau-31 issue, the Bretonian Government has decided to relinquish our interest in Tau-31 except for Planet Harris and the Leeds Jump gate (and the corridor that links the two. Thus, everything else that happens outside of this zone is entirely your business, as is the remainder of the system.
The terms you've laid down appear to be quite similar to those proposed by Admiral Townley several months ago. As stated in her message, Crayter is very welcome to the concept of Bretonia commanding the Harris/Gate strip, and ourselves the prospect of governing the Barra Crossroads. You will find no argument from myself or the rest of the Defense Ministry, and Planetform themselves have already been granted unlimited access to Planet Harris for quite some time now to continue their work.
I will give notification for the Hades fleet to prepare traversal of the passage back to Barra, and leave Harris to Bretonia's governing. Should you feel the need for a document to be signed, then we can oblige, but beyond that I feel this matter should be dealt with as is.