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UCSS-Achaian Relations
Topic Started: May 15 2014, 05:58 PM (225 Views)
Mastropa
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Zinovios Mesolongias, Epistatis

“Sir, it looks like we’ll need to get another ambassador ready,” Basileus Kypseli said as he walked into the anax’s office. “Observation and Communication has determined that some communications signals to the west are consistent with an organized nation coming out of isolation and joining the wider world. At least one of them has been the announcement of a newly-formed government and international diplomatic aspirations.”

Kerameikos sighed. “It’s like a constant rain,” he said, “at least now that we are prepared to meet with them at all. Do we know anything about these people?”

“Only that the signals are extremely sparse,” Kypseli answered. “The signals we have indicate that the new nation has an organized infrastructure, but there are so few signals that it seems hard to credit the level of development they suggest, in both their encoded form as well as their actual content. We can only assume that there is a very effective blackout going on throughout the nation, either by prohibiting communications at all or stopping most communication signals from leaving predetermined areas.”

Kerameikos frowned. “If there is such a technology, I want it,” he demanded. “Ask Pagkrati and Exarcheia if they have anything of the kind in development. If not, we will determine if things are as you say with this new nation, and see if we can purchase the technology from them.” He jotted down a note for himself as he gave these orders. “Nonetheless, this seems extremely ominous, Kypseli. These do not seem to be the kind of people that are likely to be friendly.” If he was honest with himself, the anax thought that they seemed more like the kind of people that the Achaian government strove to be—and wouldn’t it be a joy for a paranoid nation just emerging from isolation to try to deal with its own mirror?

The basileus’s expression did not make Kerameikos any happier. “I’m afraid, sir, that there’s not much choice in this one,” he said. “The signals all originate from just beyond our western borders. It appears we have neighbors now.”

The anax blinked for a short moment. Then he leaned forward and snapped, “Tell me everything.”

Kypseli straightened at the anax’s demand. “They call themselves the Unified Chaos Servant State,” he said. “There is practically no information available to describe this new government, except that it is democratic. The signals are filled with references to what we believe to be the state religion, speaking of a ‘Covenant’ and a ‘Fair Lady.’ These communications are all official, as far as we can tell, which suggests a traditional theocracy; the new government might also fall into this line, but it is also possible, considering the amount of press it achieved, that the new government really is something ‘new’ and out of the ordinary for these people. Again, we have practically no information about the government itself, except that it is—according to its own communications—entirely democratic.”

“Will they have any serious problems with a dictatorship on their borders?” Kerameikos asked pointedly.

Kypseli shrugged helplessly. “I’m sorry, sir, but there’s no way to tell without direct negotiations with them.”

Kerameikos frowned. “Better to find out now than later,” he said. The anax pulled a sheet of stationery from his desk and began writing. Upon completing the draft, he folded the paper and handed it to the basileus in front of him. “Fetch Exarcheia and send him to my office,” he ordered. “Then send this invitation to our new neighbors. The sooner we know who we’re dealing with, the sooner we will know if we can continue our previous operations without interruption.”

“Yes, sir,” replied Basileus Kypseli, taking the note and heading out of the anax’s office.

To the Unified Chaos Servant State:
Kerameikos, Anax of Achaian Peloponnese, sends Greetings!

We have recently learned of your nation’s presence, in close proximity to our own. As anax of the Achaians, I would like to express my pleasure at discovering that we Achaians have a neighbor, with whom we can hopefully share a friendly and productive relationship. If your government agrees, I would like to send an ambassador from my nation to yours, in order to discuss how exactly we can develop mutual cooperation in the service of both of our interests.

I hope very much to hear back from you soon, and I look forward to our future cooperation and friendship.

Sincerely,
Kerameikos
Anax and Defender
Achaian Peloponnese
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MAKARIA to the Achaian People:
Be as Many as the Stars
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Mastropa
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Zinovios Mesolongias, Epistatis

Basileus Exarcheia became somewhat uneasy as he listened to High General Telvan attempt to describe her goddess without much success. There was not necessarily anything untoward about a religion that maintained its secrecy, but at the same time, a secret religion that happened to govern an entire nation could only make the nation itself secretive—perhaps, the basileus worried, too secretive to actually deal with.

Iris, on the other hand, had no such qualms. Several Achaian tribes maintained their own mystery religions in the face of Makaria’s national expansion and support, and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Matters had been asked to deal with local religions that its representatives could not fully understand many times over during Iris’s own career. She set aside her own concerned question (‘What is the point of secrecy if the religion rules the entire nation? Who was the secret being kept from, when the nation was too isolationist to have uninitiated visitors?’) and instead focused on the high general’s return question regarding the religion of Achaian Peloponnese. “Achaians are a conglomeration of many different peoples,” Iris began. “We underwent Unification more than a hundred and twenty years ago—not long ago, to be sure, but distant enough that most of our knowledge of the time prior to that event is completely missing. Unification was traumatic partly because it was instigated by an outside invasion, which meant that it occurred in the context of a very bloody war. But it was also traumatic because it resulted in a melding of ideas and beliefs, and even of languages, that it is a wonder that Achaian Peloponnese survived the death of the first anax. Just as other cultural aspects of these different tribes were mixed together, so too were religions. Achaian Peloponnese has a saying: ‘as many altars as there are tribes.’ It is false, since many Achaian tribes were once—and some still are—polytheistic. Various tribes in rural localities maintain their specific religions as a sign of uniqueness, and as something of a protest against the centralized power of the Megaron and the anax. Many of my office’s duties revolve around attempting to prevent these local traditions from spiraling into dissent against the central government in Kerkyra; I can tell you that it is not always an easy job.”

Iris brightened as she reached her next point. “Regardless of the number of religions in Achaian Peloponnese, the nation is most devoted to the goddess Makaria. Her cult is the nationally-recognized religion, and for very good reason. Makaria is a warrior goddess, and the patron goddess of the tribe from which Vyronas, the first anax, was born. As I said earlier, the Achaian people underwent Unification during a time of invasion and war. The Dorians, who held an empire across the sea, invaded the Peloponnese and easily conquered the various tribes as individuals. Ironically, the Dorians labeled us all ‘Achaians,’ regardless of our previous divisions. It was because of the Dorians’ failure to differentiate us that the people were able to unite, but even then leadership passed to Vyronas only because of his personal power as a tribal lord. Makaria was his goddess, and she not only led him to victory over the Dorians—destroying their empire in the process, I should add—but she also helped him to maintain the tenuous unity that the Dorians had imposed on us, and became the most important goddess of the entire nation as a result. Regardless of the local importance of certain small cults, the Cult of Makaria is universally known in Achaian Peloponnese, and even those local cults have no choice but to accept Makaria’s presence beside them in the local chapels and shrines.”

Iris shrugged. “Makaria values strength and survival. Our national motto, ‘Survive and Remember,’ comes directly from the command of Vyronas, made on her behalf. When we worship Makaria, we ask mainly for her strength in our battles, so that we can withstand the attacks of our enemies, and return them blow for blow when the time is right. But we understand also that Makaria is not interested in the battles of a single person, but of the Achaian people as a whole. Makaria is a reminder of our great triumph at the foundation of our nation, and a promise that her strength and guidance will lead us to our next success as a people and as a nation, together.”

“Makaria threw out the Dorians when no other god would,” Exarcheia agreed, “for she alone brought us the leader who could do the deed. We have worshiped her since that time, but we have also done our best to ensure that she would never find her people in such dire straits again.” The basileus nodded his head toward his hosts. “I extend my condolences to your nation for the disasters you suffered while experimenting with outside ideas. Achaian Peloponnese has often been unwilling to accept such ideas as they arrive, for fear of bringing about a weakness that could lead to another invasion no more bearable than the first. But at the same time, our nation has sometimes attempted to use outside ideas as a source of strength. Our nation is ruled by a single man, proven above all other Achaians to be capable of the duty, in clear defiance of the rise of democratic ideals in the recent past; we understand the reasoning and the desire for self-government, but we also understand the weaknesses that it can engender, which are all unacceptable for any Achaian to contemplate. However, our nation at least has suffered no ill effects from its capitalist nature; instead, the buying and selling of goods has only meant a constant flow of capital to the Megaron itself, which the anax can direct toward the business of defending the nation. Where there is money, there can be goods—goods to defend oneself in war; goods to sustain a people under siege—and there can be leverage against states with little money but a desire for more. We have never had a reason to regret our capitalist system, but we are saddened to hear that this was not the case in the UCSS.”

Exarcheia thought for a moment. “It is possible,” he said, “that other nations might not consider us ‘capitalist’ in their own traditions. Our companies and corporations are very rarely independent from the Megaron or the military, and almost all of them have direct ties with the government that prevent them from moving against national interests. In that sense, we do not follow other nations’ ideal models, and we cannot judge what those models of completely independent corporations whose only goal was profit might have done to Achaian Peloponnese. It might have resulted in still more revenue for the Megaron and, thus, still more power in the long run. It might also have resulted in disaster. As we are perfectly content with our system as it stands, I can only say that we are not in the mood to experiment with it; in that sense, we understand and applaud your conservatism, and your return to a more traditional system of government and economy.”

The basileus frowned as he considered the high general’s last point. “I believe that a joint military operation would be a very helpful thing,” he said after a bit of thought. “Our nations should learn to work together, and as our greatest shared asset is our strength, it would be a shame to waste it. Unfortunately, I do not know just how many extra men the anax can currently spare.” Exarcheia nodded toward Telvan. “You know already that we are interested in the south; however, our interest lies specifically in the southeast, away from the borders of the UCSS. I do not know if any operations have actually begun there, though if the anax has learned of your support of the Neutrality Pact, it is very likely that he has decided to shift his attention and his military back to the southern borders again. If that is the case, I cannot promise that Achaian Peloponnese will have the manpower to work with you in the territory nearer to your own borders. Nonetheless,” he said, “I can almost guarantee that Anax Kerameikos will be extremely pleased to hear of this offer regardless. As I mentioned earlier, your offer presents our nations with the opportunity to combine our most important assets for a common goal, which will certainly overcome our previous differences. Even if it cannot be done just now, I am sure that the anax will look forward to a joint operation in the near future.”

Exarcheia’s frown deepened. “I am not pleased, though, to hear that the UCSS is suffering from the same problem that Achaian Peloponnese has only just discovered,” he said. “The slavery trade that had involved our own territory turned out to be much less serious than we had first feared when we discovered it; that aspect of the smuggling ring was taken apart almost immediately after the first raids were conducted. Now, though, I have to wonder if the reason our nation was not as affected by this trade is only because the slave traders, as opposed to the smugglers who have occupied our attention for the last several weeks, have been based in the southwest rather than the southeast, and escaped our attention entirely.” The basileus shook his head. “If there is any opportunity at all for us to cooperate in the near future regarding this situation, I believe Anax Kerameikos would almost certainly take it—not just to cement our good relationship, but to put a threat to our mutual security to rest once and for all.”
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MAKARIA to the Achaian People:
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Lyskal
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Telvan listened intently to the two as the corporal had actually begun writing notes about what was being said.

"It's good to know that your religion has such a solid and respectable base to work from. I can't see any religious issues propping up between our nations as both of our religions are localized." the High General smiled and folded her arms, she felt the meeting had gone rather well, but was starting to think there wasn't much more to do or say without rushing things beyond due time.

The High General noticed they'd been talking for quite a while now.
"Is there anything else you would like to know? I suspect we might be nearing the time to return to our respective duties and digest the information we've shared, after all you can't rush building roads or relationships. Plus I have a feeling the Queen would want to be a part in further discussion, interaction and potential negotiation. After all this kind of interaction isn't common for the UCSS."
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Mastropa
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Zinovios Mesolongias, Epistatis

Basileus Exarcheia nodded. “There is one thing that I would like to bring up before we retire,” he said. “While I am no economist, nor am I a diplomat, I do understand how friendlier relations between nations are often the result of important economic ties. As I have said before, Anax Kerameikos wants very much to become your friend. Achaian Peloponnese’s economy is driven by our mining capabilities: Our precious gems, especially our Peloponnesian rubies, are practically their own currency, while our base metals provide the nation with the mass production capabilities it needs to defend itself and its allies. We also mine coal from the Peloponnesian Mountains, for emergencies as well as for trade; our own energy needs are met by hydroelectric power. We have a serious surplus of all of these things, and we are more than prepared to give some of them up in return for items of equal value. Like you, the anax is interested in developing a symbiotic relationship between us.”
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Lyskal
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Corporal Miorill Azu whipped out a folded piece of paper from her breast pocket and laid it down on the table triumphantly.
"We were not sure if it was rude to be so direct so early, however this is what we have to offer in return for what I imagine would be our interest in your gems and base metals. While we don't mean to frighten you we also don't mean to lie however. The gems are mainly for religious, luxury and RnD purposes, the metals would be used to boost our industry and our large domestic military factories among other things. While our mines also have rich bounties, they don't have enough base metals for us to function to the level we would want without importing more."

The list was quite intensive. Neat columns and borders held lists of rare earth elements/metals, reactive metals, some forms of gas and also precious metals.

"We have no need for energy as our nation runs on clean energy via geothermal and hydroelectric means, we supplement this with nuclear energy meaning our country constantly has cheap and clean power. You might be interested in what we posses and obviously the electronic and manufacturing sectors, not to mention any high end research you could be doing could be greatly aided by what we have to offer!" the corporal looked very excited as she turned back to the High General who just blinked at her, she was also sliding a phone back into her pocket.

Telvan spoke flatly "Considering our charming president comrade in our little neutral alliance seems prepared to become a hypocrite, maybe this industrial boost will help our two nations before something... unpleasant happens. Imagine the possibilities of domestic electronics mass production. With what we both have to offer combined almost all of our military industries will be entirely domestic. That eliminates fear of sabotage, embargoes and ruined supply lines. Luckily it appears our nations aren't worried about food or creature comforts... I actually like where this is going."

The High General gave one of her slightly alarming twisted smirks and laughed. "Well it looks like we've only got reasons to get on each others good sides now. Through our hard work and synergy, who knows. Maybe someone will need to take us seriously one day soon." the High General sat back and sipped on a glass of water, giving them time to discuss amongst themselves and read it thoroughly.
Truth be told they had slowed down mining due to lack of demand and moved people into agricultural practices instead. This would be a good boost for the workforce and allow a population reshuffle, which was always good to keep everything lucid. The corporal quickly sat back down next to Telvan and whispered in her ear.
"I know in our culture you're supposed to let people close to each other offer refreshments out of respect for their relationship, but isn't the host usually supposed to do it?" the corporal looked a little worried that she may have offended someone, but her fears were soon dismissed with a laugh from Telvan.
"Do I look like I remember anything from my foreign interaction classes? They don't seem the type to get easily offended by harmless misunderstandings. If anything they appear to be more empathetic than we are." the General's tact for riling people up and tactics seemed to be balanced with her lack of social etiquette. The corporal remembered how she was hired and could only shake her head and laugh back.
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Mastropa
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Zinovios Mesolongias, Epistatis

Iris and Exarcheia both blinked at the corporal as she quickly and efficiently explained her nation’s economic standing. Obviously these people were well-prepared; the basileus was beginning to wonder if he should have brought an actual economist along.

His attention turned once again to High General Telvan when she brought up the Neutrality Pact, however, and he mentally groaned as she brought up President Freeland—with up-to-date information that he currently did not have, no less. “Pardon me for a moment,” he said apologetically. “I usually try to avoid to use my telephone during diplomatic meetings, but if the Neutrality Pact is at risk, I have to contact the Megaron to be sure of our position.”

Getting up from the table, the basileus retreated some distance away and pulled out his phone. Iris continued to look at the paper in front of her, however, and was keen to discuss the matter further with her guests; while she worked for the Office of Religious and Spiritual Matters, she was not completely ignorant of the government’s other offices, especially when it came to the basics of Achaian Peloponnese’s military status. “I definitely understand your desire for domestic production; I can tell you that Achaian Peloponnese’s military is supplied and developed entirely at home, mainly because we desired to avoid gaining outside attention by having outsiders ship us goods of any sort. However, this policy has cost us in terms of our technological development; we certainly see that now. We have already negotiated an important trade deal with Brasilia specifically to bring technological advancements to Achaian Peloponnese, and we are already pleased with the resulting improvements. Sadly, Brasilia is… no longer taking our calls, I suppose. Even if they were, however, high-end metals and materials from the UCSS, as well as technological advice, would be greatly appreciated.” Iris smiled. “I think I speak for Basileus Exarcheia as well as Anax Kerameikos when I say that Achaian Peloponnese will be more than happy to reciprocate when it comes to the rubies and base metals fit for mass production.”

“I will personally ask the anax to expedite trade between Achaian Peloponnese and the UCSS,” Basileus Exarcheia added as he returned. Sitting down, he said, “Again, I apologize for the interruption. And I agree, High General, that things are not going well for our new alliance.” The basileus frowned. “Minister Peiraias tells me that a number of very strange maneuverings have occurred in our absence, all of which combine to make the requirements of alliance members very ambiguous. I will explain later,” he said to Iris, who looked on in confusion. “At the current juncture, it appears as though Dawinia will attack Medai. If this occurs, based on the current situation, Anax Kerameikos holds that he is required by the treaty to either defend Medai, or to attack Dawinia. Fortunately for Medai, they will almost certainly have the help of Gilead and her allies; sadly, our own relationship with Gilead and her allies soured during the neutrality summit, and the anax does not know what kind of reception they will give us if all goes as expected.” Exarcheia shrugged. “As I said, the legal matter itself is ambiguous; as such, while the anax believes he should put forth some effort on behalf of his ally, he will have no regrets about withdrawing entirely if he finds any of his supposed allies treating Achaian Peloponnese with anything less than the respect they would show each other.” Exarcheia snorted. “And considering the treatment Gilead bestows upon Medai in all of their communications, the anax might decide to bring his men back home even then.”

He brought his focus back to the matter at hand. “All this is a fine reminder that we cannot trust the outside world. Achaian Peloponnese has attempted to reach out in the name of friendship and mutual defense, only to be ignored, rejected, undermined, and insulted. One can only hope that the UCSS does not suffer the same lack of progress when other nations finally take note of you—and you may be sure that they eventually will, even if only to summon you to their halls of power like a child as Gilead once did to us.” The basileus scoffed. “No. While Achaian Peloponnese will not reject the outside world, neither will we depend on it. We had hopes of living in friendship with the world, only to watch them shrivel and die in Medapolis. The world rejected us; the anax has rejected it in turn, turning his attention to his private pursuits on our continent, all the while waiting for the aftermath of our ill-timed attempt at protecting ourselves from the war to drag us into it instead. Now, however, your friendship offers us something else, something new to look forward to. Perhaps we are not meant to speak up in the world, but we can at least ensure that the world will never speak down to us—and we can do that best if we work together.”

The basileus extended his hand. “Unless I have completely misread my anax’s mind, I am willing to believe that our agreement today will spell the beginning of a productive and powerful friendship.”
Edited by Mastropa, Jun 1 2014, 08:47 PM.
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Lyskal
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The High General took it and replied "Hopefully we'll get the chance to see the fruits of our labors before we have to spend some of them protecting the innocent civilians of vain and corrupt super powers."
She was speaking out of line, but didn't seem to be bothered or particularly malicious.

The two UCSS representatives stood, with the corporal collecting her notes. "I imagine it's time we report to our respective superiors with the good news. Sadly I won't be able to accompany you back to the airport. We currently have naval vessels blockading post-civil war remnants on the islands to our direct north and with this news we really can't afford to have those assets tied up, looks like plans are going to need to be changed..." Telvan seemed to be thinking out loud, but soon shrugged it off and went with the corporal to escort them back to the car.
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Mastropa
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Zinovios Mesolongias, Epistatis

Basileus Exarcheia nodded as he and Iris left the room with their hosts. “As I am sure that you will be in the thick of the fighting, High General, I wish you a quick and sure victory. I’m sure the Fair Lady will bestow her aid on you; for my part, Makaria’s altar will soon bear the inscription of your name. I look forward to hearing of your victory in the north, just as I look forward to the blossoming of our nations’ friendship in the days to come.” The basileus nodded again to the high general and the corporal. “It was most certainly a pleasure,” he said. “Thank you, and goodbye.”
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