Fwurg

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"Fellow Senators,

It has come to our attention that the upkeep cost for trade fleets is extremely high.
Since open trade is one of the main reasons the Union exists we would like to emphasize the importance of having multiple active trade fleets with many trading partners. Currently a starting system can support only 3 trade fleets and has to pay 100 upkeep per turn for every extra fleet.
No starting Union world has this much spare and the larger worlds are losing a lot of on this.

We would like to propose a research project conducted by the Ministry of Commerce to look into this matter. We hope to reduce the upkeep cost to a quarter of the current cost. Since this is the same as the cost of Holonet Relays we think this should be doable for most Union worlds.

We hope to improve the efficiency of trade fleets by looking into cheaper and better fuel, combined with high quality freighter maintenance depots providing repairs and support around the bozzy spine. Other options could be in the area of financing, Union grants on fuel or exemptions for .

Thank you."

[Nehket Aeka]

"The Veolian Commonwealth seconds this proposal.

We would like the Ministry of Commerce to provide a rough sketch of the time and cost involved in the proposed project."

[Senator Acehtoo of the Miomanian Colonists]

"Fellow senators,

I have spoken with the Ministry of Commerce and several scientists regarding this matter. They believe that it is indeed possible to make significant savings in fuel and logistical costs using Gravitational Reducers and Freight Catalysts. Though neither technology individually will be able to achieve the proposed savings in cost, together they should provide the means to reduce the cost of new trade fleets to this level or less.

The costs of developing either of these technologies will be somewhere between 750 and 1500 and should take roughly three turns to develop.

Unfortunately, the Ministry of Commerce does not have funding available for this project at this time, however, it should be able to provide a subsidy should members worlds decide to develop this technology."

[Nehket Aeka]

"Fellow Senators,

The Veolian Commonwealth intends to start research on both technologies starting next turn. Our plan is to complete the research on both technologies in turn 20, under the assumption that each research project will cost 1500 .

We invite any member world to join us in this research on the premise of equal division of costs, provided that they can commit the requisite resources for the set period.

Additionally, the Commonwealth wishes to know the level of subsidy the Ministry of Commerce can offer. We understand that other subsidies will put a strain on the ministry's budget."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"The Praetorian Empire will join the Veolian Commonwealth in this project and will commit an equal share of resources on this project."

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

" The Sundarian Federation will also commit an equal share in these projects. "

[RemcoSwenker]

"the Unified Republic of Darya also wishes to join in on this research. We are correct in assuming that it will cost 150 per turn for 5 turns as it stands with 4 members interested?"

[The Lifebringer Clans]

"The Lifebringer Clans are interested in assisting in development of these technologies. We have two caveats. First, we have no to spare on Turn 15. If you wish to start researching that turn, we cannot contribute. We are of course willing to catch up on later turns. Second, we would like to come to an agreement on the terms under which these technologies can be acquired by nations that do not contribute. If the Ministry of Commerce is to give us a grant for this research, a plan for sharing it with other Union members should be made.

As a starting point, we propose that if a new nation wants to acquire this technology, that nation will pay each nation that has already contributed to it an amount of , so that the costs for development are evenly shared between all nations that utilize it.

For example, suppose 4 nations develop this technology, and it costs the worst-case projected amount of 3000 . In this case, each of the 4 nations has contributed 750 . If a fifth nation wishes to acquire this technology at a later time, they should pay each of the original 4 nations 150 in total, so that each nation has contributed 600 . If, later, a sixth nation wishes to join, they pay each of these five nations 100 , so that each nation has contributed 500 in total.

We are aware that this model does not take into account the lost interest on money spent earlier. There is no incentive to spend the money before this technology is actually needed by a nation. This may discourage research. As we said, this model is merely a starting point for discussion. We would like to hear the opinion of the Praetorian Senator and the Ministry of Commerce on this matter."

[Nehket Aeka]

"We concur that an agreement must be made regarding the transfer of the technological benefits of this research. However, we do not see the use of divining such an involved scheme. It does not seem to be the current tradition that union subsidies are used to allow every member of the union to benefit, as can be seen with the 200 subsidy.

Furthermore, the Lifebringer Clans have expressed disinterest in starting this joint research in a time frame reasonable to the other participants. However, the Lifebringer Clans show an interest to catch up at a later time. This is effectively the same as borrowing money from those that wish to start in turn 15. Given the inclination of the Lifebringer Clans to choose short-term gains over long-term relations we propose that the Veolian Commonwealth, Praetorian Empire, Sundarian Federation and the Unified Republic of Darya start this research in turn 15.

We will offer guarantees to the Lifebringer Clans that they will have the opportunity to buy this technology once it has been researched.

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"The Praetorian Empire supports the Veolian Commonwealth on this matter. Due to the information that we have gathered on the information corporation summit and current deals on the Information Corporations we are not willing to loan any to the Lifebringer Clans. We have no problem doing this project with the current four member worlds. Of course other Union worlds are allowed to buy the research from us when it is finished."

Ardios looks in the direction of the chancellor.

"We would like to know what the actual options on Union subsidy are since we are going to research both technologies."

[The Lifebringer Clans]

The Clans' Senator appears to be surprised at the Veolian hostility. Agitated, she rises.

"Three points. First, our suggestion of delayed participation constitutes a loan only by the most creative of interpretations, as no changes in any nation's expenditure other than our own is suggested, and no timetable is altered. Second, your response to the founding of an information joint venture was surprising and disproportionate for the reasons outlined at the closing of that summit. Third, we were not the only party present at this summit. Singling out the Clans as the target of your ire is similarly puzzling, and betrays underlying sentiment.

We will draw our conclusions."

The Lifebringer Clans Senator and aides leave the senate halls.

[RemcoSwenker]

Konev stands up "Darya finds the plan of our good comrades from de Veolian Commonwelth a good plan. The four of us should be more than sufficient to handle this research."

He then joins in looking at the chancellor.

"Comrade chancellor i would like to support the query of the good senator of the Praetorian empire."

[Senator Acehtoo of the Miomanian Colonists]

"My fellow Senators, let us not turn this wonderful plan into a matter of control and financial flows. Is not the main purpose of this meeting to find solutions to a shared problem, common to all member worlds?"

She looked around

"Let us look for a collective solution. The Lifebringer Clans have stated they are willing to contribute to this project, they simply indicated they need time to arrange for the proper funds to be freed.

Perhaps they can compensate for this by increasing their contribution to the effort - say, 5% over their share. This should more then compensate for any 'loan' factors any member may feel they are providing by allowing the Lifebringer Clans to pay their share over a shorter and later period?

Would our member worlds be open to such an arrangement?"

The details regarding the subsidies were still being calculation, so the Chancellor waited for the moment to answer any questions about that. ((OOC: Expect tomorrow or thursday evening at the latest))

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"We agree that it is best to look for a collective solution. We can work with the proposal of 5% extra on the share."

[Nehket Aeka]

"As always chancellor, your suggestion is one of elegance and simplicity. We agree that the main purpose of this research is the find the solution to a shared problem. Perhaps we have misunderstood the Lifebringer Clans' argument." After the Veolian senator looked at the Sundarians for a short moment, she continued: "We are willing to chalk this misunderstanding, and the information corporation summit, up to a simple matter of miscommunication. We might have misunderstood their proposal as unnecessary bookkeeping. The Commonwealth does not think It necessary for the Lifebringer Clans to contribute more than their share, should they still wish to participate."

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

With slight nod to the Veolian Senator for her courtesy, Lady de Montrève voiced her opinion on the matter

" We see no reason to charge an interest to the Lifebringer Clans, should they wish to join in on the project on a later moment. We only ask, and their Senator has long since confirmed this, that they partake in an equal manner. "

[Senator Acehtoo of the Miomanian Colonists]

"After speaking with the other Core Worlds, we have come to the conclusion that the Union at this time does not have the funds to provide a subsidy on this project.

However, the Core Worlds have collectively agreed that they will sponsor 150 on this project out of their national budgets for every one of the new member worlds that participates in this endeavour. Thus, if two new member worlds each pay a share, the Core Worlds will together provide 300 , for example. That amount is in total, not per week.

We believe this will encourage the new member worlds to participate in this endeavour.

We do place on this the condition that once the technology has been completed, the technology shall become available at a reasonable price to all union members eventually."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"Currently we have 5 participating new worlds for this research project. In that case the Core worlds will pay 750 from the expected maximum of 3000 if i am correct.

We now have 2 choices on this matter. We could do the research in 3 turns with 150 per turn for the participating worlds starting in turn 15 ending in turn 17. Or we could do it in 6 turns with 75 per turn, ending in turn 20.

The Praetorian Empire votes for completion in 3 turns. We have no problem providing this 150 per turn.
If all participating worlds voice their opinion on this time frame as soon as possible we can start immediately."

[The Lifebringer Clans]

The Lifebringer Clans delegation rejoins the meeting a few days later. Their Senator appears somewhat humbled:

"After conferring with our government, the Lifebringer Clans have decided to make some alterations in our budget allocation. We will support the research project under the proposed terms, supplying 150 each week, effective immediately. We thank you for your patience."

[Nehket Aeka]

"We thank the core worlds for their contribution.

The Commonwealth will also commit 150 per turn to complete both projects within 3 weeks."

[RemcoSwenker]

Darya can handle 150 per turn and we thank our comrades of the core worlds for there help

[Sundarian Federation]

" We thank the Core worlds for their generous contribution to this research effort. The Sundarian Government has agreed to commit 150 per turn in order to finalize this research in the shortest time frame possible "

[Senator Acehtoo of the Miomanian Colonists]

I am proud to announce that the research into both Gravitational Reducers and Freight Catalysts has been completed. Naturally all participants shall immediately receive the final report with all the technological details and the scientist who worked on this are available to them and their people.

((OOC: That means the Sundarian Federation, The Unified Republic of Darya, the Veolian Commonwealth, the Lifebringer Clans and the Praetorian Empire now all have access to these technologies! Please add them as technologies known on your faction page if you have not already. ))