Fwurg

[Nehket Aeka]

"Refusing to negotiate with anyone other than me would simply lead to diplomatic relations between our worlds breaking down. I can think of no situation in which the Veolian Commonwealth would even consider giving in to such demands. Even if you can somehow convince a few other worlds to do so, the commonwealth will most likely react by breaking all ties and halting all trade until their senator is acknowledged... I do not think that that is a beneficial situation for anyone involved."

"Depending on what kind of variant we come up with here, it might even be better if I do not claim to have come up with it. Sometimes, such things have more impact if they come from the opposing camp. Regardless of who came up with it, we first need to find a proposal that would be acceptable to us both -- and that you can convince the other worlds on your side of.

You sound like you have an idea of the direction of this proposal, what do you have in mind?"

[Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima]

"Very well." Kachiso answered.

"I would suggest to replace slavery with a lifelong contract. This contract would set up a nearly identical relationship as that of master and slave, the difference would be that there would be no ownership and that the contract can be nullified by both parties. I would also suggest a different name is used for the contract and the people who hold and sign the contract."

"Would that be acceptable?"

[Nehket Aeka]

Aeka thinks over the proposal carefully. She sees some promise in this but it is still not without cost, for her and for the commonwealth. There's still some issues to work out, of course. She quickly makes a mental list of all issues still present. Both parties being able to nullify the contract makes it worthless from the start. The worlds that are arraying against her way of life have no organisation and are against her for wildly differing reasons, so any deal here is a waste of her time unless the rest is brought to heel. And finally her conversational partner has carefully steered away from what the ACA would be giving up as a compromise.

She decides to start out with the actual meat of the discussion, she is confident that the rest can be sorted out if an understanding can be reached.

"I see how that would solve the problem the ACA has... Though I fail to see how this contract would be any different from outright abolishing slavery? If both parties can nullify the contract, that is the same as having no contract. It undermines the whole point of someone voluntarily binding their fates to another; since they an get out of the arrangement at any time, they can not be trusted any more than a normal servant or delegate. A relation with such a contract is in no way 'nearly identical' to the relationship between master and slave."

"What do you think about a lifelong contract that binds the fates of master and slave together until the end of times? There would be no ownership in this scenario either, but the most integral part of binding the two together remains."

[Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima]

"Possibly, though I believe it would be prudent to work some of the laws you have, protecting slaves from abuse, into this contract. Termination of the contract seems like an obvious part of the punishment of such a breach.

I think we should also discuss the trading of such contracts or the limitation thereof.

I am not familiar enough with Veolian culture to know if there are any standard procedures regarding such things. Or what these would entail."

[Nehket Aeka]

"I feel that the same laws that now protect slaves ought to be able to still protected them if this change to the legal structure of slavery in the commonwealth is affected. And I agree that termination of the contract is the least of the compensation from master to the slave. Next of course, to banishment of the master.", the last was added with a smile.

"I think that the trading of such contracts should not be allowed at all. I think that if ownership is the principal point of concern for your people, the probition of trading such contracts will effectively take away the concern?"

Aeka looked at her empty cup of tea.

"I will suggest this compromise in the senate forthwith. I think it best if we continue the debate on the solution in public, don't you agree, unless there is something else you wish to discuss off the record still?"

((OOC: I think this is a natural point to wrap up the meet ^_^ (also senate discussion post!)))

[Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima]

"Very well. I can't think of anything else we would need to discuss right now."

Kachiso got up.

"Since we are both busy people, I will take my leave. Chancellor, while we may not see eye to eye, I'm glad reason is victorious today.

I wish you a good day, Chancellor."

He made a small bow and, if Aeka had nothing else to say, he left the chancellors office.

[Nehket Aeka]

Aeka got up when Kachiso did.

As she had little more to add, she simply replied with "A good day to you as well."

After Kachiso has left the chancellor walks back to the desk. She mutteres to herself while she shakes her head. No one was in earshot to really hear what she muttered, but if they were they would have heard "Why do they all talk of compromise in private, but only repeat a single sentiment in public?"