Fwurg

[Nehket Aeka]

Senator Nehket Aeka was already waiting in the senate hall while the other senators and representatives arrived.

"Fellow senators and ministers, chancellor,

The Socialist Republic of Niom requested military aid and invoked article four of the alliance declaration: at 2012-04-30 11:38, a large unidentified and unresponsive flotilla of ships entered sector 14 -7 on route to the Hepra system. At that time, I dispatched the Thaikonderoga fleet, which was standing by in sector 14 -6. Initial reconnaissance arrived 35 hours later, at 2012-05-01 22:45.

The flotilla appears to be a refugee fleet from sector 17 -9, in abominable conditions. Communications is impossible for the moment, as all available communication frequencies are flooded with requests for help. The flotilla seems to be without any form of centralized leadership, and appears to be unarmed. Initial estimates put the number of refugees upwards of 100 million.

The flotilla, even unarmed, poses a significant security risk to the Union, and to Niom. A course of action must be determined: the Union can either turn them away, or offer them refuge. Both options will require a significant commitment of the Union's defense fleets.

I have been authorized by the chancellor to call a vote on the matter. As we have only a few days until the flotilla reaches Hepra, I will open the vote immediately:

The vote will stay open until 2012-05-10. All Inner Worlds and Minor Worlds are allowed to vote. Please vote Yes (offer refuge) or No (turn them away).

As per the Union Voting Law, the vote shall stay open for seven days, however I ask everyone to vote in a quick and decisive manner, the security if the Union is at stake."

Senator Nehket Aeka let her last remark sink in before continuing.

"Furthermore, speaking as Senator of the Veolian Commonwealth, my government wishes me to convey the following. The Veolian Commonwealth is willing and capable of offering refuge to up to 5.0 billion refugees. The Commonwealth is capable of committing at least 500 , 100 , 100 and 100 per turn to render aid and help the refugees reach the Smi-Halek System. In addition to this the Commonwealth is capable of constructing enough infrastructure and the required power supply to support such in increase in demand.

I urge any government leaning towards sending these refugees away to rethink their opinion, and allow us to offer refuge and aid.

Thank you."

[Nehket Aeka]

As soon as the senator stepped down from the dais, her aide offered her a communications pad.

She quickly entered a short message, and had it delivered to the Sundarian and Daryan delegations:

"Friends, my Emperor wishes to convey his wish to offer refuge to as much of the refugees as possible. Not only is it the right thing to do, he also wishes his wife's diplomatic visit to the Slave Rebellion to start off with a positive note.

Please use your influence, both political and economical, to make sure that these refugees find a home in the Commonwealth."

[Senator Gregory Konev]

The Unified Republic of Darya votes yes.

And we are willing to pay up to 100 per to help them reach their destination. We believe that these people need our help. We are also of the opinion that the Veolian Commonwealth, who have experience with large groups of people, should be more than able to house them.

[Senator Jothe Sias]

Yes

[Senator Afra Mesti Vanlind of Komès]

"Komès does not believe it is in the Unions best interest to start taking on refugees in these numbers. However, we are moved by the Veolian's open-heartedness towards these refugees. Since they are willing to take them up, we will vote 'yes'."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"We support the Veolian Commonwealth in this matter and are willing to house a portion of the refugees as well.
Praeto and Tiamara have enough space left for new inhabitants.
If needed we can provide some financial support as well."

[Senator Odakim V of the Rising Suns of Deominius]

Deominius does not believe in extending Union benefits to non-Union worlds. We vote no.

[Zoreone Abaroa]

We vote Yes.

We feel that if new faction that already happens to life inside, or near, union territory can turn to the union for help, and membership. Then faction that go through the effort of going to the union for their help should at least be allowed these same benefits.

[Former Senator Cabew Illix of Skuldda]

"I am afraid that Skuldda is unable to support this endeavour - though we appreciate the noble gesture, we fear there may be unseen financial consequences to accepting refugees. For one, it may attract many more refugees. We therefore vote no."

[Senator Salixa of the Silver Forests of Remunzia]

"Remunzia supports offering aid to the refugees. We vote yes, because it is the kind thing to do."

[Former Senator Bolv'ar of the Confederacy of Excaria]

"We must consider the security of the Union before the interests of the refugees. We are not opposed to helping them, however we are opposed to offering refuge. We therefore vote no."

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

" The aid for refugees is important, and we support the Veolian initiative to offer them refuge within the Union. We therefore vote Yes "

[Senator Shahkra of the Federal Republic of Bisidn]

Bisidn does not believe this to be beneficial to the Union. We vote No.

[Representative Lophos of the Interregnum Democracy of Scir]

Our Veolian friends are quite capable and we trust them not to promote this if it is not a good idea. We vote yes.

[Senator Acehtoo of the Miomanian Colonists]

The Suman representative has let it be known to me by holonet that Suma votes Yes in support of this plan.

[Senator Enrorgh of Meritonia]

"Meritonia votes yes."

[Representative Uriel of Liberal Assencia]

"Let the slave rebellion tend to their own people. We vote no!"

[Representative Anselim of the Free Peoples of Wrarrbo]

"Wrarrbo votes no."

[Senator Ght'Twwf of the Socialist Republic of Niom]

"Niom votes no and counts on the Union to help it protects it's borders from these refugees. If the Veolian Commonwealth wishes to take them in, they are welcome to do so, but if Niom is to function as a half-way point and a base for refuelling to them, we will require compensation for the costs we make."

[Nehket Aeka]

"Since all votes are in, I hereby close this vote.

Results:

• Yes - 9 votes
  
• No - 7 votes
  
• No abstention

16 votes total of which 9 are yes. An absolute majority was reached. Motion carries. The Union will offer refuge to refugees from the slave rebellion.

To ensure the safety of the Union and its members I will immediately dispatch a second defence fleet to sector 14 -7, task the fleet Thaikonderoga with the protection of Hepra, and task a third defence fleet with patrolling a corridor along the bozzy spine to assist the refugee vessels in reaching a hospitable planet.

I ask the Socialist Republic of Niom to designate an appropriate area for refuelling and resupply operations. I assure you that you will be compensated for any costs you make.

Three members of the Union have offered their direct support in the form of housing, goods and funds. The Unified Republic of Darya and the Veolian Commonwealth together have made 600 , 100 , 100 and 100 available per . The Veolian Commonwealth has made 5.0 worth of housing and infrastructure available on Mirda, while the Praetorian Empire has made an undisclosed amount of housing and infrastructure available on Praeto and Tiamara."

An overview of the votes is made public as well:

Code: Select all

Vote overview:

YES Corporation for intergalactic exploration of Xi
NO Federal Republic of Bisidn
YES Interregnum Democracy of Scir
NO Confederacy of Excaria
YES Principality of Suma
YES Kingdom of Meritonia
YES Silver Forests of Remunzia
NO Socialist Republic of Niom
NO New Communist Imperium of the Rising Suns of Deominius
NO High Chiefdom of Skuldda
NO Free Peoples of Wrarrbo
NO Liberal Assencia
YES Sundarian Federation
YES Kingdom of Komès
YES Unified Republic of Darya
YES Limëan Republic


[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"Since people insisted on numbers:
The Praetorian Empire is willing to house up to 7.0 billion. Financially we should be capable to provide support for 3.0 billion. The Praetorian Empire will make sure the necessary infrastructure and supplies are available for these 3.0 billion.
We will prepare Tiamara for the arrival of refugees."