1123 hours - New Berlin Central Spaceport - Planet New Berlin
A man of middle age tried to cut his way through a hopeless crowded asile in a Rheinland shuttle.
The man had a coat over his arm and was carrying a briefcase.
He finaly managed to find his reserved seat at the window.
Outside his wife and 5 year old boy waved him goodbye, not knowing where he was sitting exactly.
Suddenly the shuttle began to move and he pressed his hand against the window.
The spaceport slowly disappeared in the falling snow while the shuttle made its way towards the upper atmosphere.
Breaching through the thick clouds revealed a clear view. Planet New Berlins orbit, a busy place.
The shuttle steered to the starboard side, passing police patrols inspecting towed transport near the mooring fixture.
The middle aged man took a look outside his window and started to smile.
Military patrols passed the shuttle and suddenly The Ring appeared in the window.
A large station combined with a shipyard and many docking fixtures around the ring like construction, that is why it was called The Ring.
The mooring points of the station were occupied by several larger ships.
Military cruisers, civilian transports, liners and other ships occupied the surroundings of the station.
One giant ship caught the mans attention.
The Ravensburg. The Rheinland flagship herself was towed at The Ring. Movers and other small vessel swarmed the large ship. Obviously it was beeing refitted or repaired.
A quick turn to the right side made the battleship to disappear and a new towed vessel made it into the field of view. A large liner was also moored with The Ring, awaiting her passengers.
Suddenly the loudspeakers began to blast out a loud female voice.
[color=#33CC00]"Sehr geehrte Fluggaeste, wir befinden uns im Landeanflug auf das Linienschiff Dresden. Bitte halten sie ihre Paesse bereit. Danke fuer ihre Aufmerksamkeit."
The same transmission was made twice. The first one in German, the second one in English. The recent years he old language became popular again. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are approaching the liner Dresden right in this moment. Please keep your passports ready at any time. Thank you for your attention."
Once the shuttle landed onboard the Liner Dresden the doors opened quickly. Time was crucial in this business.
A passport checkpoint was established by the Rheinland Federal Police.
The man pulled out his passport and showed it to the checking officer.
A name and the Kanzleramt stamp could be seen on the passport. Dietrich Schreiber. Kanzleramt
Dietrich suddenly shivered and decided put his coat on. He quickly checked his briefcase and moved on. "Great. That is why I hate public transportation systems. The airconditioners are always adjusted the wrong way.
I just hope Cambridge isn't that cold during this season of the year."
The Liner undocked from the station and set course for Bretonian space.
A two hours travel was ahead of Dietrich Schreiber. His seat was right next to a young family with a baby.
Dietrich closed his eyes to get some rest, but somehow he already knew that he would not be able to sleep at all.
Charles Canning, 9th Earl of Malmesbury and Foreign Secretary of Bretonia, walked briskly through the corridors of the Radcliffe Conference Building in Cambridge University. At his side, numerous aides jogged alongisde taking notes on clipboards before dashing off down side passages with their instructions.
[color=#FFFFFF]
"...and get me the legal team from Rawletts here by 7 O'Clock sharp. I need 5 copies of the constitutional sovereignty handouts for the delegates, get them printed over at the University Press Office - actually, make that 6. And where's Thompson?"
"I'm here Your Lordship!" replied the young aide, rushing up the corridor clutching a file of papers, "The conference room has been laid out exactly as instructed and I have news that The Chancellor's representative has been dispatched on the eleven-thirty express liner from New Berlin. They should be landing within the next hour my Lord."
"Splendid. Get a welcome team over to the landing pad. Sir Humphrey can go, he should have finished the agenda by now."
Canning walked through a pair of large oak doors and into the pre-prepared conference room, a large oblong table occupying the centre with seats at either end for the diplomatic representatives of the two governments. Platters of luxury chocolates and exotic fruits from the Cambridge plantations adorned numerous centrepieces the length of the table and an aide was laying out place markers in front of each seat, the first one reading "Dietrich Schreiber". Several of the other seats along the middle were already occupied by lawyers, policy advisors and various representatives of corporations and security services, whilst aides and secretaries rushed to and fro from the room with sheets of diplomatic papers, one of them laying out dossiers in front of each of the delegates. Lord Canning himself took a seat at the far end of the table, next to a tall man in a crisp suit whose lapel badge marked him down as from the Bretonian Corporate Alliance group in Parliament.
"Ah, Charles. I see everything is prepared?"
"Indeed it is. I have sent Sir Humphrey down to the spaceport to greet the Rheinland delegate. They should be with us within the hour...."
Meanwhile, a few miles down the road at the Cambridge University Spaceport, Sir Humphrey Appleby, Permanent Secretary to the Bretonian Foreign Office, stood waiting with a couple of BAF escorts and a driver outside a black government hovercar. He glanced at his watch and then up at the sky, as a large transport interchange shuttle from the inter-system spaceport in Cambridge City began it's descent...
1343 hours - Cambridge University Campus - Planet Cambridge
A long luxury limousine stopped near a side entrance of the University. Cambridge police officeres cordoned off this entrance for the diplomatic meeting.
Dietrich Schreiber, Sprecher des Kanzleramtes, exited the vehicle and got dazzled by the sun.
It was a warm and sunny day, everything Dietrich had wished for.
Dietrich thanked the driver for picking him up at the space port and confused him with his friendly gesture.
It was not common that people like him would even talk to the driver and a "Thank you" was really the exception.
[color=#33FF33]"Maybe I was born in the wrong place, at least here I get the proper treatment as a representative."
Dietrich was pissed due to the fact that he was put into a civilian liner to visit an important meeting for the Rheinland house. He even had to drive to the New Berlin space port on his own.
A bretonian diplomat was already awaiting Dietrich Schreiber and somehow Dietrich had the endowment to confuse everybody today. "Good day Sir, it is an honor to have you in Bretonia Sir. If I may ask Sir, where are the others?" the Bretonian diplomat asked. I fear I am on my own today. Everything we need is in this briefcase. The Kanzler had the opinion there is no need to send out many Rheinland representatives when one is suffice, mein Herr.Dietrich replied with a smile. Verry well Sir, if you would follow me Sir.
Dietrich Schreiber followed the Bretonian diplomat to the designated room.
Once entering all present gentlemen stood up and greeted the Rheinland Representative.
Again confusion, since he was the only Rheinlander to enter the room.
Dietrich Schreiber was directed to his seat. It was in the middle of two empty ones, designated for other two Rheinland representatives.
A steward stepped up to Dietrich Schreiber and asked what he would like to drink. Just a glass of water mein Herr, danke. Non-carbonated if you would be so kind. I've heard the Cambridge water is one of the best.
Despite the initial confusion at the single Rheinland representative, the Bretonians typically refused to allow their surprise to affect their appearances and made no mention of the fact. The two empty chairs were silently removed by staff and the rest of the seating arrangements subtly adjusted so as not to unbalance the table. Lord Canning took a sip from his glass of brandy, before clearing his throat and addressing the guest.
"Mr Schreiber. We are most pleased to have you with us. I am Charles Canning, Secretary of State for Foreign and Colonial Affairs and shall be representing the Bretonian Government at these talks. To my right this is Lord Fox who is representing the interests of Bretonian Corporations and Parliament, and to my left Admiral Edmund Cunningham representing the Armed Forces." The men nodded in turn as they were introduced.
An aide poured out a glass of mineral water for Dietrich as Lord Canning continued,
"On the table in front of you is the draft dossier drawn up by our legal team, you can see the key agenda points that will require the most discussion have been highlighed in yellow."
1. On the Sovereignty of Omega 7
2. On the Sovereignty of Omega 3 3. On joint security protocols for the Omega Trade Route
4. On the reduction of trade tarrifs and barriers between Rheinland and Bretonia
5. On the standardisation of commercial regulation
6. On matters pertaining to House influence in the rest of the Omega Star Systems
7. On the coordination of efforts to combat the Corsair menace 8. On the sharing of police information and extradition proceedures
9. On the establishment of permanent diplomatic Embassies
"I think we can safely skim over points 4 and 5, they are largely matters of economic regulation that have remained unchanged for over a century now and most likely do not require amendment. As for 6 and 7 they remain for you to raise any issues if you wish. However, let us begin with the first point, unless you have any objections?"
Dietrich Schreiber pulled a dossier out of his briefcase.
"Well meine Herren, lets start just straight away with the first point, shall we?
Ah yes, here it is what I was looking for. Omega 7."
He made a short break and obviously was reading a few lines to recall the matter even better. "Rheinland is currently refraining from claiming this specific system to the Flag of the Rheinland sovereignity.
The Rheinland corporations like Kruger and Daumann are mining this area and have set up various bases for their mining operations within the system. Their security is crucial for the Rheinland ship manufacture process to win the war with Liberty.
Furthermore are we dependant on the Bretonian additional supplies to maintain a high production load factor.
To ensure maximum security within the Omegas, the Kanzler is willed to sign a new addition to the current Omega Trade Pact which allows Bretonian Armed Forces to maintain security operations within Omega 7.
These joint operations will be maintained under both our flags.
The Bretonian Armed Forces will be able to maintain patrol operations within Omega 7 and do not need to inform the Rheinland Military of crossing the borders to Omega 7."
Dietrich Schreiber sipped from his glass of water.
"Mhhh .... now where was I? Ah yes of course. Excuse me.
I will directly jump to the second point. Omega 3.
The Kanzler wishes an exactly mirrored protocol for the Omega 3 system as well.
Which means Rheinland Military forces beeing able to cross the borders to Omega 3 to pursuit possible hostiles and maintain patrols within the Omega 3 system.
Of course will both sides have the authority of their direct border systems at all given times.
No authority will circumvent the other when beeing present in their border system.
Now I would like to hear the Bretonian interests and sugguestions for the Omega systems.
Especialy regarding the joint operations.
Admiral Cunningham, I believe you are the one to adress about that."
Admiral Cunningham, a somewhat large man with balding head leaned back in his chair and stroked his extensive moustache thoughtfully.
"Well. The idea of extending operation zones is welcome, to be sure. I'm in complete agreement that it would help us crack down on piracy to have freedom of movement between Omega 3 and 7. As for keeping BAF authority in 3 and Rheinland authority in 7... that seems a reasonable suggestion. Though we'd need to clarify unusual circumstances, such as whether independent ships of our reserve fleets would have full authority over junior officers of foreign primary fleets in their systems. Also would docking rights be granted to the BAF at Freistadt base? We would perhaps be inclined to accept RM fighters docking at, say, Aland for repairs in exchange, though of course that would all need clearing with the IMG as well."
Lord Canning sat, drumming his fingers on the table as he pondered the proposals. Increased security and influence made this a most tempting proposition, not to mention the possibility of strengthening ties with Rheinland at a time when many in Bretonia feared their diplomatic proximity to Kusari.
"If I might interject with a brief clarification of the legal position of Omega 3 from a Bretonian standpoint. Now, under our constitution Omega 3 is not part of the United Kingdom of Bretonia and therefore normal Bretonian laws do not apply there. It does however, have the rather more loose status as a "Dominion" within the Greater Realm of Bretonia, placing it under the general authority of the Crown, even though it is exempt from most laws and governance. This is the legal basis on which BAF forces operate there to fight piracy and certain other offences, for example slavery and terrorism, or to catch wanted criminals, though we do not as a rule consider it legitimate to arrest smugglers of certain other goods that would be considered contraband in Bretonia proper. I was wondering if I could ask for a couple of clarifications - first of all would Rheinland be prepared to offically recognise the limited Bretonian sovereignty in Omega 3, for instance to help us with current disputes with the Zoner Alliance who I would point out have been guilty of harbouring corsairs to the detriment of both our Houses. Secondly how much "law" is enforceable in Omega 7 - naturally you fight piracy there but do the RM for instance have the authority to arrest smugglers there or those committing other acts normally crimes under Rheinland Law? Naturally the BAF would respect whatever current arrangements the RM had regarding law enforcement in Omega 7 and we would expect the RM to do likewise for Omega 3."
Dietrich Schreiber adjusted his tie after closing his briefcase.
"The Rheinland Military only patrols Omega 7 to secure the area for civilian trade, commerce to ensure the safety of the miners and their facilities as well.
Regarding smuggling attempts the Military only scans cargo near the entry points to Rheinland sovereign territory.
If the Military encounters a smuggler trying to enter Rheinland space, they will simply be turned around and their access will be denied.
Pirates are usualy driven off and routed from the lanes or facilities. There is no need to arrest them or pursue the individuals into the Walker cloud.
The Military presence ensures the safety due to detterence, not agressive pursuation of any possible criminal ship until its destruction.
The ships will only be destroyed if they were caught during an act of piracy itself.
If we sign this new subitem to the Omega Trade pact, we definately need to come to a consent decision regarding smugglers and known criminal organizations within the Omega systems.
Rheinland would appreciate a more aggressive way to deal with smugglers and pirates within the Omega systems, to ensure they never reach our sovereign territory alive.
Since we agree in keeping the authority within Omega 3 with the BAF and within Omega 7 with the RM, we could check another point on our list.
Regarding the establlishment of permanent Bretonian embassies on every major settled planet, I confered with the Kanzler himself.
The Rheinland government will check suitable places for them on all major planets and in their capitol cities.
Rheinland would also appreciate it if we could expand our embassies within Bretonian space as well, so every major settled planet is covered for the Rheinland Volk being outside of their Vaterland.
At this point I would like to add another concern to our list regarding the education both of our great nations.
The university of Cambridge is a place of knowledge and wisdom and it would be a great addition to both our education status, if we could unite the major universities of our homelands.
The university of Munich and the university of Cambridge could share their knowledge and establish an exchange student program if the Bretonian government agrees."
Lord Canning carefully listened to Dietrich's points, whilst delicately dissecting a ripe Cambridge Pear on his plate and eating small segments. Finally, he lay down his knife to reply to the Rheinlander's points.
"Well, I think we are fairly close to a consensus regarding the joint protocols. Anyone considered to be a threat to the free flow of trade between Bretonia and Rheinland can be asked to disperse and leave the region of the trade route or be destroyed - known corsairs can obviously be engaged if sighted near the trade lanes, though usually as you say there is little need to pursue them far unless we beleive they are building up forces for a major attack. As for smugglers, I suggest we come to some firm conclusions. I suggest that we liberate any slaves found being transported for humanitarian reasons and destroy any shipments of artifacts, in order to harm the corsairs' economy. Regarding other contraband, however, I suggest we generally leave it at simply preventing smugglers of drugs or other items from entering our house space, but don't actually prevent them from carrying the goods freely in the Omegas between non-Bretonian or Rheinland facilities, in order to save ourselves unneccessary trouble. After all, what do we care if some borderworld inhabitants want to consume narcotics on Freeport 1 or somewhere? As long as they don't look like they're bringing them to our houses, I see little reason to divert our valuable resources to dealing with them. I also suggest that for smugglers we do stop and seize the cargo from, we don't bother with fines, as it would be too complicated to work out a system of fines to split between both Houses given that we have different laws regarding different contraband. Simply seize the cargo and then let the ships go."
"I'm glad that we are agreed over improving our diplomatic ties through more permanent Embassies and Consulates - Bretonia will gladly host a permanent Rheinland diplomatic corps on New London and smaller Consulates on each of our other Planets, and will make arrangements to do the same in Rheinland space. I beleive the Countess Lafiel Tarrant of Arundel would be a suitable candidate to appoint as our Permanent Ambassador to Rheinland, assuming no objections from yourselves."
"As for universities, naturally Cambridge is in a rather unique position in that the Cambridge Research Institute is partly separate to the main University and untertakes some classified research on behalf of the Bretonian Government, military and some private corporations such as Cryer. However, we would be happy to establish exchange programs with the main body of Cambridge Planetary University and to have channels opened between leading academics at the two institutes through which research in various fields can be shared and academics can collaborate on major projects."
"The only other point I wished to discuss briefly was to ensure that there were channels available from both our Houses through which we could file extradition requests against particular criminals who we have in our respective custodies. However, as long as we agreed on the basic principle that there should be the possibility of extraditing such criminals, I am content to leave the precise details of any arrangements up to the RFP and the BPA."
"Now, do you have any other major points you wish to raise? If not I shall presume we can skip over the commercial regulation without need to amend it and instruct our legal team to start drawing up any terms of the amended Pact for signature."
Dietrich Schreiber returned into the converence room after a 15 minute break.
He contacted the Kanzleramt and appeared to be in a jovial mood.
"Lord Canning, I confered with the Kanzleramt to inform them about our great developments and since all needed points have been processed, we can turn on assembling the treaty and get it signed by the legal team.
Then the only thing we need to do, is arrange the ceremony where both the Queen and the Kanzler sign this glory step towards a better future.
I will stay on Cambridge until the Kanzler and the Queen signed the paper, just in case you may need my advice or need me to answer further questions."
Schreiber raised his glass.
"Meine Herren, this may only be water, though due to this glory moment it will taste like the best drink I ever had. There will be enough time for a real drink once our jobs are done. I am looking forward to this moment gentlemen."