Teddy Rose, The President of the Republic rose as the Lunar Ambassador entered.
"Welcome" he said walking around his desk to shake hands, He then led the Ambassador over to a pair of comfortable chairs near a fireplace.
"You know of course why I am here." Said the ambassador going directly to business
"Trilar of course."
The North cluster was once again at war though it was undeclared. The Trilar held slaves of Kif origin or Kif parentage.. When this had been proven the political situation within the Kif nation had quickly pushed the Domacrator to demand their release and the punishment of those who had authorized or engaged in the act.
The trilar simply denied there were any slaves or that the 'workers' had been abducted.
The Kif had then mobilized and so had the Black Forest. Both moved forces toward the Trilar 'border' and soon there after reports began to come of raiding of Trilar shipping.
Trilar was supported by Kruger and both had approached the Republic and Luna suggesting an alliance.
The ambassador was here to talk about this proposal.
"What are you going to do?" he asked Teddy. "The Trilar are declaring you will protect their ships."
"I told them that the Republic's navy will always assist a ship they see is being pirated." Said Rose.
"Not quite what they are claiming." Observed the Ambassador.
"Have you decided if you wish to ally with them?"
"I met with the cabinet earlier today and all of us desire no alliance with two wack jobs like Kruger and Trilar." Said Rose.
"Will you go to war then as a co-belligerent?"
"Only if we have a reasonable chance of advancing our interests. At the moment we do not see that happening." Said Rose.
"I am surprised." Said the ambassador. "We expected you would enter into an arrangement with them since they could well turn the balance of power."
Rose smiled but shook his head. "The Trilar have other enemies who have pledged support to the Kif. Both Triania and Champaign are anti slavery powers and hd wanted to take on Trilar for some time. They leaped at the chance. The King of Triania, The queen of Champaign and Representatives of the Black Forest are meeting in the Kif Capitol according to my intelligence agency."
He leaned forward. "You are correct that we want war with the Black Forest but we want to do that with your backing and a time of our own choosing. Our navy still has not recovered from the last war and frankly public opinion here is sympathetic to the Kif."
"We know your desire to engage in war with the Black Forest and will back you though we suggest you set clear and obtainable goals before you do so." Said the Ambassador.
"I thank you for that clarification of your support. We will then issue a set of conditions we want to occur. The timing will depend on when and if we can get the Great Deal party to agree on such declaration."
+++
The Tiger Hall was the Great Deals national headquarters. In addition to it large auditorium where Conventions were held there were restaurants, meeting rooms, several bars and a comfortable library that occupied the entire third floor.
RKO spent a good deal of his time there. It was comfortable and good place to meet members of many ranks to socialize or do business.
Today it was business. RKO met with the party executive committee (He was a member) talking policy and the upcoming convention. The elections were early next year and the deal making was starting.
"I will happily stand aside for you, Hank. I'd really prefer to be Secretary of War again anyway."
Hank Rutherford had been twice President and twice lost an election. However he was greatly loved by Party members and most members in the party elite.
"So will I." said Jim Farley who was openly running for Presidential nomination.
"I wish you would." Said Hamilton Fish.
Fish had been Secretary of State during Rutherford's two terms. He had made it clear he wasn't running but he was a formidable power broker having as his base the Maple leaf and Shamrock States.
"I am running for President." Said Jellico.
He was the very popular governor of the new state of Jutland.
"That is fine gentleman but I do not seek a last hurrah." Said Rutherford.
"Will you support anybody?" asked Farley.
"I'll wait to see what the Metro state delegation looks like before deciding that."
That was good news for RKO. Like Rutherford his political base was Metro. If RKO could win in Metro he couldn't win anywhere.
There was considerable discussion of party strategy before Rutherford changed the subject.
"Rose has asked us to clarify what we think our objectives against the Black Forest should be." He said. "Do we have a response?
"That should be up to the nomine, " said Jellico.
The others remained silent.
Then Hamilton Fish spoke up. "Actually it is up to the convention not the candidate. More over constitutionally the elected Secretary of State has more voice in the matter then the President."
"Well as party leader the nomine should be the first to propose to the convention. " said Jellico.
"Then we will leave it until the convention." Said Rutherford.
"I will recommend the liberation of Cabernet be our war goal." Stated Hamilton Fish flatly.
RKO nodded. "I'll support that. Might add more later but that was the issue we fought for in the first war."
Farley nodded but didn't say anything.
"Is that realistic?" asked Jellico. "Perhaps we should content ourselves with restraining future expansion of the Black Forest in the Northern area."
"I think liberation is possible." Said Fish.
"Well I suggest you take the discussion public as part of the campaign gentlemen." Said Rutherford.
+++
Maria (Smith) was incensed when RKO told her of Jellico's position. Without mentioning his name she made it the subject of both her blog and podcast.
"Damn it we went to war twice to gain liberty for Cabernet." She stated to her audience in her daily podcast. "You all know about the brutal occupation by the Black Forest. Those people are depending on us. To give up on them would be to make the sacrifices of the last two wars vain."
"Yes we want to stop the Black Forest from expanding. That goes with saying really. They will be a danger to all of their neighbors and have always been. Just ask Legena or Id about that.'
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
