Fwurg

[Maria Latharion]

Lady-Senator Maria Latharion rose up. She waited a moment looking at the senate, waiting for their attention. After a moment of tense silence she started to speak.

"Senators, representatives, ministers and chancellor...

As you all probably already know, the Stellarian Triad Federation government was removed from office a short while ago. My people could no longer hold confidence in them and we have concluded that the system we used no longer worked. We have created a new method to govern ourselves and it is with pride that I announce the formation of the Astrian Colonial Authority."

She paused a moment.

"I humbly ask all of you to recognise our new government and allow us to remain a part of this great Union. If it is deemed necessary I will give up my position as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

I would also like to assure our trading partners that the deals they made with the former STF are still recognised and wanted by the ACA and we would like to continue them in the future."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"This is surprising news indeed. I hope that the stability returns to your system. I do have some questions.

Do you still have the full support of your people as senator?" Ardios paused for a moment.

"What does this mean for the military situation in the Novalia system? Is your government capable of functioning at full capacity with the possible Mandalorian evasion? Does your government still reject military fleets from member worlds that are willing to help protect the Union and your system?"

Ardios was capable of firing more questions at the Senator but paused again. This time he was waiting for answers.

[0x71A7E17A (mask of 0x71A7E17A)]

0x71A7E17A"301 - Moved Permanently

The IO Protocol has updated its references and will direct future requests as instructed."

[Maria Latharion]

"I assure you senator the situation in our sector is well under control.

While the day-to-day governing is still being set up, the Astrian Colonial Authority is making sure my people are safe.

I have been told I have their full support as Lady-Senator and I will remain in this function for the foreseeable future."

"The ACA is willing to allow military fleets to aid in our defence, on the condition they follow the Colonial Military command structure."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"This is good news. I think that there is no reason for you to stop as minister of foreign affairs as well than.

Could you tell us more about the Colonial Military command structure?"

[Maria Latharion]

"The Colonial Military command structure is similar to most military command structures. What the condition basically entails is that your fleet has to follow the Navy's commanding officers orders. That would be Lady-Fleet Admiral Lythia Nethorius."

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"The Astrian Colonial Authority is not at war, has complete dominance over their home system, is of sufficient size and self sustaining. As the ACA is fulfilling the requirements of the Union Membership Acts, the Teprogrenaian Consensus approves the membership of the ACA. Technically we of the Consensus believe that the ACA is a new faction and thus they should be re-invited by the chancellor for the position of minister of Foreign affairs. However, the political change is only internal and of little impact to the politics of the Union Senate so the paperwork does not have to follow the long trail trough the senate in our opinion."

[Nehket Aeka]

The seat of the veolian representative had been empty for about four weeks now.

This changed as Serrah, the slave of the veolian senator, entered the senate hall. As always, the lethan twi'lek wore daring clothes that seemed to belong somewhere else. In fact, those seated closely to the veolian delegation could see that she wore just a little less than what would be considered polite -- of course, that judgement depends on one's culture. The slave put a few actual papers quietly sat down, and appeared to wait for something.

A few moments later, the veolian senator herself entered the senate hall, and calmly walked to the seat of the veolian representative. She sat down, glanced at the papers, and stood up again to speak, conform the traditions of the senate.


"Fellow senators, representative Maria Latharion,

The Veolian Commonwealth wishes to congratulate Lady-Fleet Admiral Lythia Nethorius on her successful coup, and looks forward to cooperating with her newly founded empire.

However, as the Teprogrenaian Consensus points out, the Astrian Colonial Authority is a new faction. And as such, before we can acknowledge the Astrian Colonial Authority, they will have to go through the normal period of candidacy during which their candidacy can be challenged.

Furthermore, as we do not see this as a purely internal affair, but as an actual change of membership, we would support other Union members' claims that their contract with the STF is null and void. However, we would prefer to see such contracts be carried over in good faith.

As the newly formed ACA is a candidate, they are not yet part of the Union. Therefore, they do not have to be protected by Union fleets. In this case, we would be happy to support a proposal wherein they remain under protection by the Union fleets, but inherit the tax and subsidy status of the former Stellarian Triad Federation."


She looked at the other senators with a smile.

"Finally, I would like to point out that the ACA's willingness to allow military fleets to aid in their defence is not at all helpful.

Representative Latharion, you claim that "The ACA is willing to allow military fleets to aid in our defence, on the condition they follow the Colonial Military command structure." and that this basically entails "is that your fleet has to follow the Navy's commanding officers orders."

Of course, you will understand our position, when I say that the Veolian Commonwealth will not hand over command of their fleet to someone who just successfully completed a military coup. Thought we appreciate the audacity of Lady-Fleet Admiral Lythia Nethorius to even propose such a thing."

[Maria Latharion]

"Senator Nehket,

First of all, welcome back.

Second I would like to correct you on a few matters. While Lady-Fleet Admiral Nethorius did remove the Triad Boards from office, she did not take over the government. She commands the Astrian Colonial Military not the Astrian Colonial Authority.

I thank you and the Veolian Commonwealth for their support, senator."

[Nehket Aeka]

"Ah. Of course she does not.", the veolian senator said in a tone made clear she had no doubt about the actual influence of the lady-fleet admiral.

[Senator Gregory Konev]

"I would like to counter the statement of the Veolian Commonwealth that the Astrian Colonial Authority is not a member of the union as we did not get a message form the union that we should immediately cease and desist sending restricted goods to a non union member."

With that comment Konev sat down again.

[Nehket Aeka]

"As it stands right now, there seems to be some ambiguity with regards to the status of the ACA. But the fact that the Union does not immediately attend you to your world's illegal dealings does not make them any less illegal. In your reasoning, any non-notified illegal action would be deemed legal, and this is certainly not the case.", the veolian senator replied swiftly.

"I propose that the chancellor looks up the necessary regulations. If they are not available, the Ministry of Justice will have to determine how this situation will have to be handled. In the meantime, I am of the opinion that the newly formed ACA is not a Union member yet, and that the trading of special goods to them is illegal as per the Special Goods Regulation Act."

[Maria Latharion]

"Senators, if you really see the Astrian Colonial Authority as a new member. Than I suppose you would agree that we, as a new member, would be entitled to the rights from the Offer of Aid Law. Granting the ACA exemption from taxes and 1000 to spend on zone construction and upgrading each turn for a ten turn period."

Maria gave an innocent smile as she spoke.

"Of coarse, if the ACA is already a full member of the Union and has been all along we wouldn't be entitled to such things now, would we?"

[Nehket Aeka]

"Of course, but in that case we would have to retract all our Union defense fleets as well, Maria, as the ACA is not yet a member, but only a candidate. And with the Mandalorian's at your border, this might not be in the ACA's best interest.

Which is why I already proposed that we would be happy to support a proposal wherein the ACA remains under protection by the Union fleets, but inherits the tax and subsidy status of the former Stellarian Triad Federation."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"It is interesting how the capital ships that are supplied by the Unified Republic of Darya are immediately used to overthrow a government...

Since there is doubt on the Union membership of the ACA we can not allow the Unified Republic of Darya to supply them with capital ships. Since capital ships are regulated the trade must be paused until this matter has been resolved. If the Unified Republic of Darya continues to supply the ACA with capital ships before they are an official member again they should be fined."

[Senator Gregory Konev]

Since it seems that the minister of defence has now made an official statement in name of the cabinet we will halt our delivery of capital ships to Astrian Colonial Authority. As we cannot deliver capital ships to someone who is not a union member.

The Unified Republic of Darya however hopes that the Union will keep us better informed of the membership status of those who are in its area. As it is hard to keep to the law if there is no place where we can see who is member and who is not.

Also if this was not a statement from the cabinet pleas correct me as soon as possible. As we do not like having to break a deal because of procedural diddling.

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"We of the Consensus are against appointing the offer of aid to the ACA as their former government, the STF already have received the offer. If the ACA is entitled for the offer of aid, I would hereby announce that the Teprogrenaian Consensus will change its government to the Teprogrenaian Cooperation and claim to be entitled for the offer of aid as well.

Of course when this is possible, the end is lost as every faction then can simply abuse the aid meant to help small faction to grow.

We of the Consensus think as well that it is very typical that ships which should be meant for the defence of a world are apparently used for the personal gain of a selective few. With a decent background check this would be much less likely to have happened. We propose to send independent observation parties to the ACA to see if the transfer of the Government indeed went as smooth as the news likes us to believe."

[Nehket Aeka]

"Please, senators. Give the Chancellor and the Minister of Justice some time to deliberate on the matter. I do not think that stopping the trade of capital ships is in anyone's interest. The only thing that will achieve is to weaken the ACA, and thereby our defence against the Mandalorians."

[Maria Latharion]

"Senators,

While you find it typical that these ships where used to remove an internal threat, I find it typical that the ones who question their use are the direct competition of our supplier. Further more I would very much like to know how senator Tassar and senator Eldrilith think it is any of their business what my people do with their property internally."

Maria looked around with a frown.

"It is as senator Nehket says. The way I see it, the Minister of Defence should welcome the shipments of Capitol Ships to the ACA. Seeing as how this will improve our ability to fight off the Mandalorian threat."

She now looked directly at the minister and Maria did not look happy.

"Instead the Daryans are threatened with fines and our integrity is questioned. On top of that we have already been threatened with with the removal of all Union Fleets from our sector if we don't cower behind the Preatorian Empire!"

[Senator Mathi-ey C'b'rton of the Divine Fiefdom of Highmons]

"Senators,

I have carefully investigated the matter involving the Stellarian Triad Federation to Astrian Colonial Authority conversion.

It is my determination as Minister of Justice that the Astrian Colonial Authority may reasonably be considered by intergalactic standards to be the Successor State of the Stellarian Triad Federation. As such, the Astrian Colonial Authority inherits the rights, obligations and properties of its predecessor state, including extra-system assets, treaties, memberships and debts.

This means, in practice, that all deals made with the Stellarian Triad Federation, including membership of the Union and the status for Offer of Aid Law funds continue to hold true for the Astrian Colonial Authority with no changes.

The suggestion has been made that a committee may be formed to ensure the transfer of power from the Stellarian Triad Federation to the Astrian Colonial Authority has been handled correctly.

Any Senator may make a Motion of Inquiry to find out any information they deem necessary regarding the matter. This said, the mandate of the Union does not extend to interfering in internal politics of its members. Thus, while we may learn the transfer of power was handled incorrectly, the Union has no grounds on which to challenge this as it is an internal affair of the people in the Novelia System. Any action by the Union to challenge the transfer of power would change the nature of the Union from a confederation to a federation, which goes beyond the bounds of this specific situation.

However, looking at the discussion here, there is another matter which may require an inquiry that the Union can indeed interfere in, should the outcome suggest this is warranted.

Specifically, a Motion of Inquiry may be made to determine whether or not the Unified Republic of Darya was involved in the transfer of power from the Stellarian Triad Federation. If such is found to be the case, a very serious case may be made against the Unified Republic of Darya regarding violations of the Alliance Declaration.

To be clear, I am not making any calls for a motion of inquiry on either issue, I am merely - as Minister of Justice - reporting on the possible legal options that Union Members have in regards to this situation."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"The Praetorian Empire has not threatened anybody with the removal of Union fleets. Furthermore I can tell you as Minister of Defense that your system is in Union territory and this sector will be defended when necessary.

As far as I know Senator Nehket Aeka is not the Minister of Defense! She started questioning the legality of the special goods that your faction is buying and she threatened with the removal of the Union fleets.

Furthermore the shipments of capital ships to your factions are not logical. Since the Mandalorians are at your doorstep your military fleet should already be in the process of switching to defensive. The capital ships can be better used to upgrade one of the Daryan fleets while they can still activate the other fleet as well.

If the cost of activating your military fleet is a problem I am willing to subsidize this action. I will make an announcement soon on subsidies for Union member fleets that are willing to provide support in the conflict with the Mandalorians.

I call for a Motion of Inquiry to determine whether or not the Unified Republic of Darya was involved in the transfer of power from the Stellarian Triad Federation to the Astrian Colonial Authority."

[Senator Gregory Konev]

"I as the representative of The Unified Republic of Darya second the motion of Motion of Inquiry.

Darya wishes to know if our products are being abused in the transfer of power from the Stellarian Triad Federation to the Astrian Colonial Authority."

[Maria Latharion]

"If this is indeed the case, Minister Ardios Eldrilith, than why did you say AND I qoute: 'As minister of defense I can not guarantee that there will always be a Union fleet to protect your system when the war has started.' During an earlier meeting of the senate?"

"And when, pre tell, did I claim Senator Nehket is the minister of defence?

Yes, she was the first to question the legality of the shipments, but it was YOU who threatened the Daryans with fines and it was YOU who first questioned the ACA's integrity.

You say sending capitol ships to the ACA is not logical, well than I hope you will forgive me for placing my home, the planet I was born and raised on, over logic!

As Minister of Defence it is your duty to protect the Union and it's members, according to the Minister of Justice the Astrian Colonial Authority IS a member of the Union. From what you say, it becomes very difficult for me to believe that you are trying to protect the ACA."

[Nehket Aeka]

Senator Nehket Aeka stood.

"Senators", she started with a calm voice. "Please, there is no need for such agitation."

"The Ministry of Justice has swiftly and succinctly clarified the situation, so the point of ACA Union membership has been decided.

The Praetorian Empire has called a motion of inquiry and moved for an independent committee to observe the proceedings surrounding the transfer of power from the former STF to the ACA. The motion has been seconded by the Unified Republic of Darya.

I propose that we stop this discussion as further deliberation is moot at this point, and leave the further execution of this motion in the capable of hands of Chancellor Acehtoo. This will allow us to focus on the more important matter: the Mandalorian aggression.

Thank you."

((OOC: The motion used here is a motion (parliamentary procedure) are from the Law of Motions proposal we have been working on; the proposal is not yet an IC law, but it is good to see them in use already, as they offer every PC some clear examples of what political influence they have in the senate!))

[Maria Latharion]

Maria closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Very well.

I would like to ask that the Jedi are appointed this task, so that all parties can be assured of an impartial investigation and verdict."