Fwurg

[Nehket Aeka]

"Milady, The next call will be to the Sundarian Federation. Do not forget to inquiry as to their feelings on the upcoming marriage," her aide said softly before setting up the holonet connection.

"Lady de Montrève, you look as stunning as ever.

I wish to discuss a proposal I will soon present in the senate: a green Unity. The current terraformation of Unity is progressing only slowly, and due to a lack of research with some problems. I propose that we make the terraformation of Unity a priority among Union members. The Green Unity project will offer a much needed common goal to the Union, and will allow a large amount of technological innovation -- and not only in the terraformation field.

It is well known that your world specializes in research and information. Since the planet Unity is not part of a solar system, new and unknown factors play a part in it's terraformation. One of this factors is the interstellar medium. My scientists have told me that a system to protect Unity from constant bombardment will require breakthroughs in at least the fields of high-energy projection and computation systems, something that might be of interest to your world.

Would you be willing to support the Green Unity proposal?"

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

Therefore i believe that we should seek to secure clients... Thomas Pendra said to Lady Peinaili, while they were discussing the upcoming political debate on Glasslyn, in preparations of the increased trade options in Holonet Relays. But he was interrupted by the chime of the Senators holodisplay, letting her know that she had a call waiting. If you would excuse me Thomas, we shall finish this later Peinaili said as she saw the call came in on the official delegates line.

...

We support the notion for more cooperative projects to benefit the Union as a whole. And this project, as you suggest, seems to be beneficial in terms of technology and cooperations, and will most likely improve the 'Union Spirit'.

While you are right that the technologies, directly involving Terraforming, are not of our direct interest; this project however seems to provide enough opportunities for technological breakthroughs in other areas of research as well. We shall therefore be happy to support this endeavor.

[Nehket Aeka]

"It is good to hear that the Sundarian Federation supports our plans.

If you could spare me a few moments more; how has the news of the betrothal of mister Pendra and lady Khaw Jikena been received on your world?"

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

" Ofcourse Senator, we are happy to support initiative that prove beneficial to our mutual interests.

As for the news of the betrothal of Mister Pendra and Lady Khaw Jikena, it's a delicate matter. While the people and Senate are in general glad that mister Pendra has found his happiness in the person of Lady Khaw, the policital implications of the marriage are a matter of debate with a small minority within our Senate. Though i trust these will not pose much of a problem, i would advise we discuss these issues during the negotiations for the marriage contract and other arrangements.

It is also my understanding that the fact that mister Pendra is not of noble blood might pose a problem for your people and his standing within the Veolian society. It is my pleasure to announce that a special comity can be formed, if you agree, to determine if Mister Pendra can be eligible for a title and on what bases such a decision can be justified. "

[Nehket Aeka]

"While I am happy that your people are glad about mister Pendra's bethrotal, I'm afraid I fail to see what happiness has to do with this marriage -- this is clearly a marriage of convenience. Should they find happiness together, so much the better, but it will not matter once the couple is wed. We will iron out the details of this marriage during negotiations.

The matter of mister Pendra's ennoblement might be problematic. While it is true that it would be helpful of mister Pendra were the descendent of a respected and influential noble house, this is not the case. Any legal construction in which he is ennobled does not change this fact, as his family does not become esteemed or strong of blood just from a decree by committee.

It is uncommon, but a marriage between nobility and commoner might be respected, envied even, of the commoner were of strong blood. However, mister Pendra is not Hemet, as a fact he does not even have a drop of hemet in him."

Senator Nehket Aeka paused to allow Lady de Montreve to digest this information. Though the cultural difference were large, she knew that the other woman will understand the precarious position of mister Pendra.

"As I see it, there are three options. The first option is to leave everything as it is now. Lady Khaw will wed mister Pendra, and that will be the end of it. Their offspring will most likely be recorded as bastards, even though the marriage is official.

The second option is for mister Pendra to be ennobled, both by the High Lord of your world and by the Emperor of mine. Their association with the Emperor will buy House Pendra some influence. But this will soon dwindle as they have no history of blood or deeds to be noticed by the great houses of the Veolian Commonwealth. When Mister Pendra dies of old age, Lady Khaw will most likely remarry, and the children of her first husband will be forgotten quickly.

However, none of this matters if the offspring of the union proves to be strong of blood. My people will not care about the nobility of mister Pendra if his offspring is hemet. They will not care about the history of a clerk that came to wed a daughter of House Khaw.

I think that we should labour to make the third scenario come true. I have already discussed it with the Emperor, and he agrees with me on this -- it is time for the Veolian species to grow more diverse, and through this become stronger. I think it will also be the best option for mister Pendra himself. If his children are strong, he might well be wed to four wives in only twenty years."

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

" Thank you Senator, for giving your insight on this matter. I shall advise against the forming of a committee, as clearly shines more of a weakness on Mister Pendra's position. "

Lady Peinaili responded after giving the opinion of Senator Akea some thought. The cultural implications of this marriage between Thomas and Lady Khaw where unmistakably complicated and Peinaili, being noble birth herself, understood full well the uses of marriage within the politics of diplomacy and nobility. This marriage would seal a bond of unison, not just between Mister Pendra and Lady Khaw, but also between the Sundarian Federation and the Veolian Commonwealth.

" I agree, we should strife to achieve the third scenario, although I'm not sure how much influence we could possibly have on the matter. "

[Veolian Commonwealth]

"Unless mister Pendra is incapable of siring offspring we could influence this factor. If we continue our cooperationg on genetics research into the field of xeno-obstetrics and recessive augmentation induction we should be able to assist the couple in such matters."

Senator Nehket looked pensive for a moment, as if considering a difficult point.

"Now that we have determined to take this route there is one other issue that we need to discuss: we think it prudent to bar mister Pendra from forming his own noble house until he sired desirable offspring. Not only does het not have the support of a noble house, nor the resources of one, it is unknown whether this match will work out. Should everything work out, mister Pendra and lady Khaw will be allowed to found their own noble house. Should their union take a wrong turn, having mister Pendra tied to an official noble house will wreak havoc with our efforts to resolve the situation.

Am I correct in assuming that your government will accept this solution until we know the results of this union?"

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

" You assume correctly Senator, " Lady Peinaili responsed, " While we could find the support within the Sundarian Government to grant mister Pendra permission to form a noble house, it is in our direct interest that we keep the favor of the senate with an eye on the upcoming elections. We shall therefore wait and see how this match works out for both parties involved.

In order to improve our odds of succes, i have urged the minister of Finance to find funding for research in the field of Xeno-Obstetrics, which, as i understand it, has already been acted upon. I therefore invite the Veolian Commonwealth to partake in this research. "

[Nehket Aeka]

"We would very much like to cooperate with the Sundarian Federation in this research.

I think it fair for the Veolian Commonwealth to pay half of the research cost. Given the amount of tax to be transferred we would like to do so over a period of 10 , which would be 150 per turn. Is this allowable?"

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

We are glad to work together on this Senator, I have discussed the terms of funding with the Ministry of Finance, and these terms are accepted a such, a payment of 150 per for 10 starting at 30.

Given the ammount of tax already invested by the Sundarian Federation into this project and the estimated time before the research will be completed, we shall strife to have the research completed and made available to the Veolian Commonwealth by 38.

In the event of a future sale or licensing of this joint research, by either party and a third party, we propose that both parties herein, both the Sundarian Federation and the Veolian Commonwealth, to receive an equal share. Is such a term agreeable ?

[Nehket Aeka]

"We appreciate the quick availability of the xeno-obstetrics technology.

However, the licensing or transfer of the technology might be a problem. Especially if the technology is transferred as part of a deal that includes intangible forms of payment such as political statements. We have a counter-proposal.

First off, it is my understanding that this technology can not be used on behalf of another faction in the way terraformation technologies are used. Any future licensing will most likely involve the permanent transfer of this technology to the interested party, unless further research is done to adapt this technology.

Secondly, it might be the case that the technology is transferred as part of deal consisting of intangible benefits, such as political statements.

We therefore propose that both our factions are allowed to trade or transfer the technology as they see fit, with the understanding that any form of direct financial compensation is to be shared equally."

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

" Such a proposal can carry my support Senator, under one condition.

The Sundarian Federation proposes an addendum to include notification of transfer to a 3rd party. While we see it not necessary to have full information to any deals made between one of our factions and a 3rd party, we would consider a notification of transfer of the Xeno-obstetrics Technology to be fair.

Any direct form of financial compensation shall then be shared equally, wherein deals involving only non tangible or political benefits require only a notification of transfer.

[Nehket Aeka]

"I agree that a notification of transfer should be send as a courtesy to the other party. I shall have the agreement drawn up forthwith.

I think this concludes our discussions for this time, good day Senator."

Senator Nehket Aeka closed the holonet transmission, and walked outside her offices. She shook her head while leaving, Ennobling someone by committee... what kind of notion is that....