Fwurg

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

Ardios Eldrilith invites the Ministers to a meeting room in the Ministry of Finance. The invitation states that he wishes to plan for the war effort regarding possible war tax, contact with the Echani and better cooperation with the Jedi. Furthermore this meeting is meant to discuss other plans for 121-140 as well.

The meeting takes place in a luxury meeting room with a large oval table in the center of the room. A fitting seat has been arranged for each minister.

Ardios Eldrilith is already in the meeting room 30 minutes before the meeting starts. He is currently discussing notes with Dareal Noxim. Ardios Eldrilith is seated at the head of the table.

When the first minister arrives the conversation is paused. Ardios Eldrilith and Dareal Noxim both greet each entering minister.

[Senator Danar Tassar]

Minister Tassar entered the room five minutes before the meeting would start. He was followed by some aides, equally Danar and Fecta.

"Avé," He greeted the chancellor and Dareal Noxim. Tassar took place relative close to Ardios to make a conversation easier.

[Atheos]

Minister Atheos entered the room a couple of minutes before the scheduled time, but after minister Tassar. He chooses the seat furthest from Ardios Eldrilith. Leaving the closer seat to be taken by Minister Nehket Aeka.

"Hello" He replied in response to the greetings by Ardios and Dareal and afterwards went back to some last minute checking of the notes he had made for the meeting.

[Nehket Aeka]

Minister Nehket Aeka entered the room last, just a minute before the scheduled meeting time. With the minister, who was wearing her ceremonial armour, as she always does when going somewhere in an official capacity, was her twi'lek slave. Her red-skinned slave walked slightly to the right and behind her, wearing an outfit of diaphanous silks connected by golden hoops. Underneath her outfit, the details of black lace undergarments could be made out. The girl carries a small bundle of paper.

Nehket Aeka makes her way to the empty seat next to Atheos and sits down. Her slave puts the papers on the table, and steps away from the table to timidly wait until her mistress commands her.

"Chancellor, ministers.", the veolian greets the almost assembled cabinet. As the minister of justice is still absent, Nehket Aeka leafs through the notes her slave prepared.

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

The Minister of Justice nodded in greeting but remained silent. Her strategy seemed to be one of listening to the others rather than speaking up with plans.

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"Welcome all. As you are all aware the military situation has changed rapidly in the past weeks. We currently have 5 combat-ready Union Defence Fleets which is already costing us 1250 / . Furthermore trade is being blocked by the Mandalorian fleets, we should work on securing the sectors of the ACA, Hiocans and Azaryans and free them to restore trade.

To do this there are multiple things we should consider:

1. War tax
2. Help from the Echani
3. Military support from members
4. Better cooperation with the Jedi

1: Since we are officially at war and the normal funding for the Ministry of Defence is not going to win us the war we will need to gather war tax.
I have looked into this matter and have already found three possible methods for raising this tax. First of all we could temporarily raise the Union tax with for example 100 / member, for the duration of the war. Another option would be to reduce the bozzy spine upkeep subsidy by 100 which basically means the same.

Another source of could be the military intelligence budget which does not seem to produce any actual results, better than the Sundarian scanning fleets. It could also be decided to use this on the creation of hyperspace monitoring grids since we know what they are worth.

2: We have not had any status update from the negotiations with the Echani recently. Since the battles have started and we have not seen any Echani we would like to ask the Ministry of Foreign affairs to contact the Echani and communicate the results with the cabinet. Will they help us? With their help it would make things more affordable.

3: I am in favor of continuing to subsidize the member worlds that actively participate in the combats with the Mandalorians. The additional military fleets should give us the advantage that we require.

4: We should ask the Jedi to help us with securing these objectives and rescuing the Union citizens that are now being raided. They could help us push the balance of the fight in our favor. Now we have a better idea what the Mandalorians are capable of we should call for special enforcement missions.

I would like to have your input on these plans and would like to know what other plans you have for this period.
Thank you for listening."

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"With the current contingency budget from the ministry of defence, and the tax spend in the war funds, we would be able to keep the 5 fleets combat ready for 11 . With the current situation, the Consensus is in favor of a war tax.

I haven't spoken yet with the DUMIE committee to ask their advice, but given the situation, we of the ministry of defense believe an implementation of the fund is favorable over research. We could use it to keep the Union fleets combat ready, that will by us an additional 4 .

We of the Consensus also believes it is a good idea to subsidies members who provide aid for the war effort, however, some clear guidelines should be created. For example, it is our believe that Excaria does not receive funding, while they patrol the Union border near the Hutt Families. Which is a significant contribution, thanks to them the Union fleets from there can be sent to the front.

We also think the jedi should be closer related to the war. Their knights and masters would make our fleets much stronger.

We of the Consensus will start a war advisory committee, every union member will be allowed to sent an advisor, we think that this combined knowledge of races and cultures will result in useful strategies."

[Nehket Aeka]

"I shall initiate contact with the Echani. I can not guarantee anything, you all know how secretive they can be, and communication has been difficult in the past."

She looked at the papers in front of her.

"My calculations show that although war taxes would allow us to keep up the current level of activity, they wouldn't be enough to both maintain all our war fleets, and to subsidize those Union members that send aid. On the political side, it would probably put a lot of the more pacifistic members of the Union against the cabinet. This might also be something we have to avoid. Careful positioning and clear boundaries on the proposed legislation will be needed to guard against opposition."

"I fully agree on asking more of the Jedi, and relating them to Union forces. In fact, I would go a step further, and propose to grant all Jedi rank in the Union Defence forces. I would suggest the ranks of lieutenant for padawan, and general for knights and masters. That way, the Jedi are assured of any resources they require during their missions."

[Atheos]

"I would favour a temporary tax increase of 100 over a decrease in funding, as a tax increase would be clearer. I concur with Senator Nehket Aeka that there should be clear boundaries on this legislation. On say the duration and the spending of the allocated funds.

I caution that a committee consisting of an emissary of every union member may be far too slow to give any useful advice for this war. Though more involvement and knowledge from each member might be appreciated.

I agree that members participating with their fleets in our efforts to defend against the Mandelorian Threat should be subsidised.

I would agree to use a part of the funding set aside for gathering intelligence to subsidise the Sundarian scanning fleets that are currently gather actual intelligence, as opposed to the current intelligence funding which does not appear very effective. This fund should be dedicated to the current war effort. When this war is won we can re-purpose it to best gather intelligence, such as building hyperspace monitoring grids.

I agree that the Jedi should be given military ranks and thus involved in the military and assuring them of necessary resources."

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"We of the ministry of defense know such a committee is slow, that's why it will be an advisory committee only on voluntarily basis.

Involving the jedi sounds like an excellent plan.

Creating a war tax has our favor for the same reasons as Atheos mentioned, however, lowering the trade lane upkeep subsidy might be easier to achieve."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"I have contacted the Jedi masters and asked for a meeting with the cabinet.

I am not sure if it is wise to give all Jedi rank in the Union military. We could open this question for discussion in the senate after we discussed the situation with the Jedi.

We should discuss the boundaries for the war tax. If we can set the correct boundaries we might be capable of putting it to a vote without a very long senate discussion.

I think that the flat increase of 100 Union tax for each world that pays tax is the most simple and clear version. This tax should be used on Fleet upkeep for fleets that actively commit (Union Defence Fleets and member fleets) to driving the Mandalorians from our sectors or defending the other borders. I think that this tax increase should automatically end when we have a peace treaty or when all Mandalorians fleets have left Union territory. What kind of wording or other boundaries did you have in mind?"

[Nehket Aeka]

"I think reasonable boundaries on war taxes would be until we are no longer at war with the Mandalorians. No further wording seems required. I must, once again, emphasize that I feel that we should tread carefully with this war tax. In the past, aid was offered to the ACA and the Hiocans, and they clearly refused it.

I understand the need for increased funding, as the Union Defence Fleets require upkeep, but I think that a lot of member worlds will not share this opinion, regardless of the need for funding. Might I suggest that instead of phrasing it like 'the options are: pay more taxes, or pay no extra taxes', we phrase it more in the likes of 'the options are: a temporary war tax, or a lowered hyperspace lane upkeep subsidy'?"

She looked at the other ministers. 'Again... It is as if they do not recognize the power of the Jedi.', she thought to herself. Those paying detailed attention to her slave could see the corner of the twi'lek's mouth twitch a little, as if she was carefully maintaining a neutral expressions.

"Chancellor, if I might ask, what objections do you have against giving the Jedi increased influenced and responsibilities?"

[Nehket Aeka]

While the chancellor was pondering his reply, a servant of Aeka entered the room and handed a datapad to Serrah. The twi'lek slave looked it over, and handed it to Aeka immediately.

"Chancellor, ministers. My contact wiht the Echani was brief and uninformative. It is not clear whether they still wish to uphold their side of the agreement to help each other out against the Mandalorians. To me, they do not seem to interested in helping out the Union, now that we have become the target of the Mandalorian Fleets."

She then shared her diplomatic communcation with the Mandalorians: To Echani: The Mandalorian Fleets attack.

[Atheos]

"Given this reply by the Echani, I would not build any plans around them helping us in the fight against the Mandelorians.

Furthermore I agree with Senator Nehket Aeka on the wording of the war tax.

On the question posed by Senator Nehket Aeka, I would add that I am not opposed to giving the Jedi increased influence and responsibilities. Except perhaps giving command of the union fleets to 9 year old padawans."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"I am afraid we will have to wait and see what they will do next. If they attack the Mandalorians from their territory it should put pressure on them as well. Maybe you could ask them to meet in person again?

My office will start writing the war tax vote using the proposed suggestions.

I agree with Atheos that not every Jedi has military training or is capable of leading military forces. I do agree that we want the adult Jedi to be able to request support from the Union Military.

I have arranged a meeting with the Jedi Council to propose this matter. I think it is best to discuss this issue face-to-face with the Jedi Council and our cabinet."

[Nehket Aeka]

"Good. Minister Tassar, what is the current status of the war fund? If we know how fast the fund is being drained, this might give us some insight about how to address further budgetary issues."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"Unfortunately the Union is at war. The current budget for the Union Defence Fleets is not sufficient for a active war with the Mandalorians. To win the war more will be required. Without this additional funding the Union Defence Fleets will soon be unable to do their job. Therefor we now vote where this will come from."

Option one is every tax paying Union world pays 100 war tax for the duration of the war with the Mandalorians.
Option two is lowering the hyperspace lane upkeep subsidy from 200 to 100 ."

“The following member worlds may vote:

• Unified Empire of Azaryan Colonies
  
• Astrian Colonial Authority
  
• Confederacy of Excaria
  
• Federal Republic of Bisidn
  
• Free Peoples of Wrarrbo
  
• High Chiefdom of Skuldda
  
• Hiocan Society
  
• Holy Heimgolian Theocracy
  
• Interregnum Democracy of Scir
  
• IO Protocol
  
• Kingdom of Komès
  
• Kingdom of Meritonia
  
• Liberal Assencia
  
• Miomanian Colonists
  
• New Communist Imperium of the Rising Suns of Deominius
  
• Principality of Suma
  
• Silver Forests of Remunzia
  
• Socialist Republic of Niom
  
• Sundarian Federation
  
• Unified Republic of Darya
  

Voting closes on Sunday 20 October.”

"Here is my proposal for the vote. Does anyone have any changes or additions?"

[Nehket Aeka]

"I would like to hear the actual figures from minister Tassar, as they might influence how we can best bring the bad news to the senate."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"I am very interested on these numbers as well. I hope the Minister of Defence can present these numbers before the end of this day since we will have to open the vote as soon as possible.

If we waited longer we will not have enough funding for the war. If Minister Tasser does not produce any results I will have my analysts produce a short summary."

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"At this moment, 3 factions claim subsidy from the war fund. The Unified Republic of Darya, the Sundarian Federation and the Praetorian Empire." Tassar gestured at one of his aides, who handed over a datapad.

"In the past three turns, a total of 1155 is used. The last two turns the amount of subsidy claimed was 460 per . The 5 active fleets used 1250 per a total of 3750

So at the current state, 4905 is used from the war fund, with a current rate of 1710(:tax) per . In 2.6 turns the fund is depleted. The contingency budget of the ministry of defense is depleted in 2.9 turns. So we can hold this for 5 more turns.

With the current spendings and development of the war, we need a total 20 520 for the last 12 turns. This means that we need an increase of 68 from 129 onwards."

[Nehket Aeka]

"Chancellor, if there is nothing else to discuss, I would like to be excused. There is a lot of work to be done."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"Thank you for your time.

We will meet again if there is new information that requires our attention."