On the hospital ship ASS Marr by the maritime border of The Megatridimensional Order...
“Clearly...they shot...my foot!” He screamed and pointed at his right foot, encased in bandages and a brace that covered the foot and lower leg.
“More specifically, your achilles tendon, sir,” continued the doctor. “Mending and resetting the bones broken by the bullets wasn't a problem. I'm afraid the bullets ripped the tendon apart and the damage was too severe to fully repair it, my lord. I was able to piece it back together by harvesting your part of your plantaris muscle with some Artelon. However, even with the best rehabilitation therapy, I'm afraid you'll walk with a slight limp for the rest of your life.”
The Chairperson was upset to hear the news. “WHAT do you mean a slight limp?!” But it was not the thought of the permanent limp that really angered him as the coming to terms of being a target of an assassination attempt. The confirmation of Babushka's death. Babushka... The apparent revival of the Ascendancy, an old rival of his grandfather. The doctor had, unintentionally, become his emotional outlet.
Only recently did he wake up from surgery and been delivered all the news on what had happened in the past 10 hours. He also watched the security footage of the attack released by the Megatridimensional Order. He remembered hearing the gunshots and the burning pains to his foot while being shoved into the limo before passing out. He slightly came to when he realized he was in a helicopter surrounded by his own Spec Ops medics. Very woozy as the painkillers did their work before passing out again until a couple of hours ago.
In the Duke's hospital room, his grandfather had already arrived, sitting by his bed. Nine flatscreens, sitting on wheeled carts, each with a Director of the Board present. Discussing recent events and the options. The doctor, with an assistant and a nurse checking the medical machines and IV attached to him, had just explained the extent of his injury.
His grandfather got up and shooed the assistant and nurse out towards the door, grabbing the doctor along with him. The grandfather told her in a low voice, “It's not you. It's everything. Please forgive him. I'll call for you when he is in a better mood.”
The room, now just with the two of them and the Board. Regent Christopher, the Fifth, of the Bustos, looked at his grandson. “It isn't easy being the Duke, is it?” he joked.
Duke Alosiso gave a small smile and shook his head, still staring at his injured foot. “Babushka asked me to wear a Kevlar vest under my suit. Maybe it should have been Kevlar socks instead?”
A few smiles and small laughs came across the flatscreens.
“Babushka...”
“I know,” said the Regent. Ten years ago, he personally selected her as his grandson's bodyguard from the Karzvojn Clan. He walked over back over and stood besides his bed.
“Her pups?”
“Her family, is now, our family. Same goes for Drahoslav's.” The Regent squeezed the Duke's hand and paused for a short moment before looking back at the faces on the flatscreens. “Now, let's review our thoughts and options again. We'll need to follow up with a course of action soon.”
2 hours later, an encrypted communique is sent to the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of the Megatridimensional Order.
(http://wiki.taijitu.org/w/images/c/ca/AlliedStatesCoA.png)
To: Octavius Silvercrone
Prime Minister
The Republic of the Megatridimensional Order
From: Hefina Eleri Bowen
Director of the Office of Public Relations
CEO of Regional Consulting
The Allied States of Bustos
First, we are happy to report that Duke Valerio Alosiso, the First, of the Bustos, Governor of Valorium, Chairperson of the Allied States of Bustos is in satisfactory condition despite wounds sustained in the Ascendancy's assassination attempt.
In a couple of days, at his insistence, Duke Valerio Alosiso will return to lead his delegation and see to the Summit's end. He will not allow the actions of a few terrorists, derail the opportunity for future prosperity and peace. To ensure the Chairperson's safety, new security procedures and measures will be undertaken. See attached security files.
We are sending a team of investigators, including counter insurgent specialists, to support your team in finding the specific person(s) involved in this attack. They will place themselves under your team's direction. You will not only find them quite eager and motivated but, have access to our intelligence, military, and satellite networks. We hope they will prove most useful. See attached personnel files.
We will continue to maintain a carrier battle group by your maritime borders to provide any type of support to your forces combating the Ascendancy, if and when needed. A marine expeditionary division will be attached to the carrier group. Note, they may conduct independent operations beyond your borders. See attached military files.
The Chairperson will not forget the heroic actions of your Order Guard and the Allied States will stand united with the Megatridimensional Order against the Ascendancy.
May our relations grow strong and profitable.
Agreement Between
The Republic of Megatridimensional Order
and
The Allied States of Bustos
on the Establishment of Free Trade
The Government of the Republic of Megatridimensional Order and The Megacorporation of the Allied States of Bustos (hereafter, “partner party”), in order to:
Strengthen the bonds of friendship and economic relations and cooperation between them;
Establish clear and mutually advantageous rules governing their trade;
Promote their mutual interest through trade between their nations; with a view towards raising living standards and promoting economic growth, investment opportunities, development, prosperity, employment and the optimal use of resources in their territories;
Raise the capacity and international competitiveness of their goods and services;
Agree as follows:
1. Each Party will eliminate import taxes on originating goods of the other Party.
2. A Party may not introduce a new tax on imports or a new quantitative restriction on imports in trade between the Parties.
3. Each Party will accord to nationals of the other Party treatment no less favorable than it accords to its own nationals with regard to the protection and enjoyment of all intellectual property rights and any benefits derived therefrom.
4. The Government of the Republic of Megatridimensional Order, within 45 days of this agreement, will release documentation, including design specifications and laboratory trials, of the Digital Megaprocessor Microchip Technology (DMMT) to the partner party for use in both parties’ current and future goods and services.
a. The Government of the Republic of Megatridimensional Order waives all intellectual property rights and all claims to compensation from the DMMT as used in goods and services created or originated in the national boundaries of the partner party in perpetuity, including after this agreement is dissolved.
b. The Government of the Republic of Megatridimensional Order retains all intellectual property rights and all claims to compensation from the use of the DMMT in goods and services created or originated in the national boundaries of nations with whom the Government of the Republic of Megatridimensional Order has no existing free trade agreement.
5. The partner party agrees not to sell, give, trade or leave unprotected the design specifications or any other documented or verbal instructions on the DMMT.
6. Each Party will implement fully the obligations of this agreement within six months from the date of signature.
7. Nothing in this Agreement will be construed:
a. to require any Party to furnish or allow access to any information the disclosure of which it determines to be contrary to its essential security interests;
b. to prevent any Party from taking any actions that it considers necessary for the protection of its essential security interests:
i. relating to the traffic in arms, ammunition and implements of war and to such traffic and transactions in other goods, materials, services and technology undertaken directly or indirectly for the purpose of supplying a military or other security establishment,
ii. taken in time of war or other emergency in international relations
8. The Parties will make every attempt to arrive at a mutually agreeable resolution:
a. whenever a dispute arises concerning the interpretation of this Agreement;
b. whenever a Party considers that the other Party has failed to carry out its obligations under this Agreement; or
c. whenever a Party considers that measures taken by the other Party severely distort the balance of trade benefits accorded by this Agreement, or substantially undermine fundamental objectives of this Agreement.
If Parties cannot come to a mutually agreeable resolution, parties will agree to abide by the ruling of a third party moderator from another Taijitu nation within thirty (30) days of date dispute was initiated and communicated from the aggrieved party to the other party. If parties cannot agree on a third party moderator, this agreement will expire forty-five (45) days from date dispute was initiated and communicated from the aggrieved party to the other party.
9. Either Party may terminate this Agreement by written notification to the other Party. This Agreement will expire three (3) months after the date of such notification.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective governments, have signed this agreement in the City of Nirvana, Cetacea, Republic of Megatridimensional Order on the date of XXXXXXX.
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The Prime Minister's speech was broadcast live in the Allied Stares on both the Bustian News Network and the Allied Media channels. The Valorium Chronicle put the speech on the front page of the following day's paper. The show of support from the Prime Minister boosted the Allied States Stock Market when it reopened, regaining lost points and more since the assassination attempt. Many companies announced plans to bring their goods and services to the Republic of Megatridimensional Order once the trade agreement was signed.
As per tradition, by courtesy of the Chairperson, the Board voted on the treaty. Unanimous in favor. Free trade and a gift of technology? The Board would have approved on the promise of free trade alone. After the lawyers tripled checked the treaty, the Chairperson, happily, signed the agreement. He only waited for the Prime Minister's signature before sharing a Peace Blunt with him to conclude the summit.
_______
“A free trade agreement, an advance in technology, and the potential of billions of golds in revenue; all at the cost of the deaths of over 1500 people and a permanent limp.” That's how his grandfather put it. The Regent certainly was satisfied with the outcome and the cost.
For a moment, the Chairperson felt like a pawn on his grandfather's chess board. Such a cold statement.
The Regent noticed his grandson's face. The young Chairperson was upset at his remark. “Don't misunderstand me. You must always see the good in the bad and remember... No risks...”
“...no profits,” cutting off his grandfather. The Chairperson for the first time felt a slight numbing of his grief for Babushka. He wasn't sure if the trade agreement gave him some comfort or if the end, indeed, justifies the means. When he heads back home, the team of investigators and the patrolling fleet will return with him. In those few days of the summit, the Chairperson learned, it ain't easy being the Duke.
The summer day in Pelagis was much more mild than the day in Nirvana, a fact which Gilas was silently thankful for despite his wish to be back in the equatorial climate negotiating. He wandered the halls outside the rotunda of the Council of Great Houses, worrying about his future in the Foreign Office. Minister Morvene did not take well to failure - even if it was due to circumstances entirely beyond someone's control. The mission was to sign a treaty, and to do anything less was as bad as spilling coffee on the document itself.
He leaned against a wall. To his right was the door to the Council cafeteria, closed until suppertime.
"Your secretary told me I would find you stumbling around here," Sarandas said from down the hall. Gilas pushed himself off the wall and faced the Chamberlain. He had a few pieces of paper in his hands. "It's two in the afternoon, what, are you already drinking?"
Gilas pursed his lips.
"What do you want?"
"Your plane for the Order leaves tonight. You have a place at a hotel known only to the employees there and two members of Section 6, who will be accompanying you. For security."
"I'm going back?"
"Well, it wasn't my choice to waste Treasury money on this nonsense. But Her Majesty insisted."
"She vouched for me?"
"Not exactly."
Gilas nodded. "It was the PM's speech."
Sarandas scoffed. "It was the Bustians."
"What?"
"Following that whole debacle with the Ascendency, the Bustians stand to be the only ones profiting once everyone else turns that treaty down. I wouldn't be surprised if they planned it from the beginning, myself, but - "
"The queen doesn't want a state with economic ties to no one but the Bustians." Gilas said, nodding.
"Something like that," Sarandas replied. "She told me she would rather see a state with no ties to anyone than a Bustian monopoly, and since that's not happening, two leashes is the next best thing."
Gilas paused.
"The Letonnans still haven't declared. Or the Khem."
"The Khem won't let their intentions be known until the end, but we can't count on them breaking a Bustian monopoly." Sarandas said, gesturing with his free hand. "And if the Letonnans sign, even better. Those goods will flow over our border like a river."
Gilas smirked. "Will this pass the Council?"
"With the Quarrovth majority," Sarandas said, "It might as well already have." Gilas nodded again.
"Is that the treaty in your hands?" he asked. Sarandas nodded and handed it over. Gilas skimmed it before smiling.
"I'll have to read it from the plane."
"You'd better get to the airport," Sarandas said, looking at his watch.
Agreement Between
The Republic of Megatridimensional Order
and
The All-House Union of Myroria
on the Establishment of Free Trade
The Government of the Republic of Megatridimensional Order and the Council of Great Houses and the duly-elected Sedera of the All-House Union of Myroria (hereafter, “partner party”), in order to:
Strengthen the bonds of friendship and economic relations and cooperation between them;
Establish clear and mutually advantageous rules governing their trade;
Promote their mutual interest through trade between their nations; with a view towards raising living standards and promoting economic growth, investment opportunities, development, prosperity, employment and the optimal use of resources in their territories;
Raise the capacity and international competitiveness of their goods and services;
Agree as follows:
1. Each Party will eliminate import taxes on originating goods of the other Party.
2. A Party may not introduce a new tax on imports or a new quantitative restriction on imports in trade between the Parties.
3. Each Party will accord to nationals of the other Party treatment no less favorable than it accords to its own nationals with regard to the protection and enjoyment of all intellectual property rights and any benefits derived therefrom.
4. The Government of the Republic of Megatridimensional Order, within 45 days of this agreement, will release documentation, including design specifications and laboratory trials, of the Digital Megaprocessor Microchip Technology (DMMT) to the partner party for use in both parties’ current and future goods and services.
a. The Government of the Republic of Megatridimensional Order waives all intellectual property rights and all claims to compensation from the DMMT as used in goods and services created or originated in the national boundaries of the partner party in perpetuity, including after this agreement is dissolved.
b. The Government of the Republic of Megatridimensional Order retains all intellectual property rights and all claims to compensation from the use of the DMMT in goods and services created or originated in the national boundaries of nations with whom the Government of the Republic of Megatridimensional Order has no existing free trade agreement.
5. The partner party agrees not to sell, give, trade or leave unprotected the design specifications or any other documented or verbal instructions on the DMMT.
6. Each Party will implement fully the obligations of this agreement within six months from the date of signature.
7. Nothing in this Agreement will be construed:
a. to require any Party to furnish or allow access to any information the disclosure of which it determines to be contrary to its essential security interests;
b. to prevent any Party from taking any actions that it considers necessary for the protection of its essential security interests:
i. relating to the traffic in arms, ammunition and implements of war and to such traffic and transactions in other goods, materials, services and technology undertaken directly or indirectly for the purpose of supplying a military or other security establishment,
ii. taken in time of war or other emergency in international relations
8. The Parties will make every attempt to arrive at a mutually agreeable resolution:
a. whenever a dispute arises concerning the interpretation of this Agreement;
b. whenever a Party considers that the other Party has failed to carry out its obligations under this Agreement; or
c. whenever a Party considers that measures taken by the other Party severely distort the balance of trade benefits accorded by this Agreement, or substantially undermine fundamental objectives of this Agreement.
If Parties cannot come to a mutually agreeable resolution, parties will agree to abide by the ruling of a third party moderator from another Taijitu nation within thirty (30) days of date dispute was initiated and communicated from the aggrieved party to the other party. If parties cannot agree on a third party moderator, this agreement will expire forty-five (45) days from date dispute was initiated and communicated from the aggrieved party to the other party.
9. Either Party may terminate this Agreement by written notification to the other Party. This Agreement will expire three (3) months after the date of such notification.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective governments, have signed this agreement in the City of Nirvana, Cetacea, Republic of Megatridimensional Order on the date of June 25, 1983.
(http://wiki.taijitu.org/w/images/thumb/5/53/Myroria_seal.svg/600px-Myroria_seal.svg.png)
ՖՌԵԴՌԻԿԱ I ՔՒԱՌՌՕՎՏՀ, ՍԵԴ․ 24 ՖԵՆՍԻ 1983, ՊԵԼԱԳԻՍ
FREDRIKA I QUARROVTH, SED. JUNE 24, 1983, PELAGIS
ԳԻԼԱՍ ՔՒԱՌՌՕՎՏՀ, 25 ՖԵՆՍԻ 1983, նիռվանա
GILAS QUARROVTH, JUNE 25, 1983, NIRVANA