Fwurg

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

((OOC: This is a public hearing, concerning the Veolian Commonwealth and the Astrian Colonial Authority))

"Thank you all for attending this hearing.

I will be adjudicating and will listen to all the arguments made, but the primary discussion will be guided by Investigator Pilos, whom I will now give the word as to the manner in which he intends to guide this discussion."

[Investigator Pilos]

"Thank you Minister.

The manner in which this hearing will take place is that I shall ask questions of the two parties involved to establish the facts. Both sides may bring forth witnesses, experts or other testimony to answer these questions, as well as supporting evidence.

It is crucial in this that both parties address only myself, or if they must, the Minister, but never each-other. This so as to prevent a hostile environment developing between those involved. Rest assured, I will create more than enough hostility myself to go around, as I intend to question both sides with some level of agression.

We will not be accepting written testimony or hear-say. Any witnesses must be present in person, unless they can provide very valid reasons why they cannot do so. A full agenda is not sufficient to refrain from a personal presence!" he stated sternly

"All statements made here are under oath. If it is determined that statements made under oath are misleading or flat out false, those who make such false statements may be punished!"

The man seemed to have a very different tone from the Minister, who was generally much more kind and understanding. No doubt that was his specific function, so as to ensure that the hearing was both taken seriously and did not devolve into political pandering.

"This hearing is intended to investigate two matters brought before the Ministry of Justice.

The first is an accusation that in a recent trading, the Astrian Colonial Authority negotiated in bad faith. I believe this matter can be settled rather quickly, so we will start with that.

The second part is far more interesting, but I shall investigate the underlying question, not the literal request for a ruling that the Veolian Commonwealth has made. The reason for this is that their statement begs the question regarding some facts that are rather crucial to the discussion, which would start it off on the wrong footing.

Before we get to that, let us start with the Astrian Colonial Authority. We wish to call Senator Kachiso Doshima to the stand."

[Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima]

Kachiso stood up and approached the stand.

"Investigator." He greated the Investigator with a polite nod.

"Before we start, may I ask exactly what negotiation, or part of negotiation, is believed to be done in bad faith by the Astrian Colonial Authority? And what you believe to be the underlying question in the request by the Veolian Commonwealth?"

[Investigator Pilos]

"You may not. I shall be asking the questions here."

The inquisitor stated quite frankly.

"The accusation by the Veolian Commonwealth states that you negotiated with the Veolian Commonwealth, first making them an offer and then refraining from making an agreement with them.

To resolve this matter, you need to answer one simple question:

Was your original offer a genuine offer which your government would have stood by if the Veolian Commonwealth had accepted it?

Please answer these questions for us, Senator."

[Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima]

Instead of replying to the Investigator, the Astrian Senator looked toward the Minister.

"Minister, I can not properly defend my world if I do not know exactly what we are being accused of. If justice is to be served a fair hearing is a must. I am sure you can agree that the defendant needs to be able to defend themselves properly for a hearing to be fair.

In that regard I would again like to ask exactly what Investigator Pilos believes to be the underlying question in the Veolian Commonwealth's request."

Looking back to the Investigator, Kachiso paused a moment.

"But to answer your question Investigator. Yes, my original offer was genuine and had the approval, and backing, of the ACA."

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

"I am here to adjudicate, and I will listen to all the arguments made. The primary discussion, however, is guided by the investigator." the minister stated "For the moment, the investigator has stated that he would first address the accusation that the Astrian Colonial Authority negotiated in bad faith. So let us focus on that investigation, conclude it, and then tend to the second matter. I am sure that Investigator Pilos will enlighten us in his train of thought when he believes the time is right. "

[Investigator Pilos]

"Thank you. And do you have any documentation to back up your claim that the original offer was genuine? Perhaps records of communications you had with the home office, or papers from your economic advisor suggesting this deal was favourable? Or a decision from your government to make this offer, written down?" the investigator inquired.

((OOC: Normal players don't keep extensive records of the conversations all of their citizens have - for example, I don't detail all the communications between the IO processes, because my brain would explode if I did. Thus, if you believe that your world kept records of preparations for negotiations, feel free to bring them up them at this point.

Extra note: I don't need the actual details of the document. Should you choose to do so, you can simply explain your senator presents the relevant paperwork and add a note OOC whether or not they are genuine.))

[Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima]

As a former lawyer the Astrian Senator was less then pleased by the minister's reply. It showed on his face.

Never the less he answered the Investigator's question.

"I do have communications records of the arrangements made for the offered deal, however these records are confidential so I cannot share them with this court."

Kachiso said. Then he entered a few things into his console.

"I can share the contract between the Astrian Colonial Authority and the ACA based businesses that would have supplied and/or received the traded goods. The contract lets the ACA guarantee the delivery of goods to the specified trade partner, in this case that would be the Veolian Commonwealth, and ensures the ACA gives legal support should it be required. In exchange, the ACA receives a higher taxation rate as well as a few other things.

I have provided a copy for you Investigator."

((OOC: The contract is genuine.))

[Investigator Pilos]

"So you basically have only indirect evidence that this wasn't an elaborate ploy." the Investigator concluded.

"Thank you for answering these questions. We will come back to you when we address the second matter of this investigation.

Now, I call the other negotiating partner 'Serrah' to the stand."

[Serrah]

Serrah walked to the stand. It is clear that she has put some effort into wearing a fitting outfit for a formal investigation: she is wearing an outift that is slightly more modest than her usual attire. Though not by much.

"Investigator", she also greeted the stern-looking investigator.

After that, she remained silent.

[Investigator Pilos]

The Investigator looked at Serrah, giving her a stern look and keeping the stare locked until she looked away, as if asserting dominance over the situation.

"Miss Serrah." he stated "Please enlighten the people at this hearing about when your mistress instructed you to file your complaint against the Astrian Colonial Authority. What was her mood when she ordered the paperwork drawn up?"

His gaze never wavered, keeping it locked on the woman.

[Serrah]

Serrah, being well-versed in conversational hostilities through her long time on the veolian homeworld, determined that it was in her best interests to not agitate the investigator. So, after a moment she looked away to show her deference to the investigator's dominance of the situation. Then she looked back, and answered the question.

"I am afraid I can not answer that question, investigator", Serrah replied in a neutral tone. "She did not order me to file this complaint. I did so of my own volition, after senator Kachiso Doshima informed me that he is of the opinion I have no authority to represent the Veolian Commonwealth."

[Investigator Pilos]

"Ah, so you are saying you filed this complaint without the consent of your mistress." he noted "Most interesting."

"Then at least tell us how she reacted when you explained your failure? Was she pleased with your inability to complete the task that she assigned to you? Did she punish you?"

[Serrah]

"Once more, I am unable to answer your question, investigator. As far as I am aware my mistress does not view the negotiation as a failure. Nor did she specifically task me with handling this conversation with the Astrian Colonial Authority, I did so in the course of my duties to perform the many tasks of a senator."

[Investigator Pilos]

"As far as you are aware? So you did not check with her. Interesting. But not relevant for the moment then."

he turned his back to her a moment as he paced around the room before turning and looking at her once more.

"What motive do you believe the Astrian Colonial Authority had to end the negotiations without a treaty?"

[Serrah]

Serrah, not exactly happy with the fact that she was being questioned thoroughly on matters that seemed irrelevant to the case at hand, continued to honestly answer the questions of the investigator with a calm, neutral tone.

"I belief that they did so because of two motivations. Firstly, I belief that the Astrian Colonial Authority does not wish to trade with the Veolian Commonwealth, for reasons I explained to them in my notice of cancellation. Secondly, I think that senator Kachiso Doshima is of the opinion that I am beneath his station and can therefore not be endowed with full powers, leading to his conclusion that I can not negotiate a trade treaty for the Veolian Commonwealth."

((OOC: FYI: Wikipedia on Full Powers in diplomatic context.))

[Investigator Pilos]

"I am afraid that I cannot accept your reasons, Miss."

The investigator gave a stern look towards the woman, as if she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar - not a serious crime, but one that warranted sternness.

"You were not at that time, nor are you now, under the belief that the Astrian Colonial Authority did not want to trade with the Veolian Commonwealth, Miss Serrah.

To be clear, I believe you may have convinced yourself of that because it is conveniently in the interest of your constituents to believe it - and I might even commend you for your dedication to your faction. But deep down you are aware that your theory about the Astrian Colonial Authority does not hold. So allow me to help you bring that knowledge back to the surface."

The man turned around and paced through the room as he explained his reasoning.

"First of all, wasn't it -you- who cancelled an existing trade with the Astrian Colonial Authority, rather than the other way around? And secondly, isn't it the case that you have made a loan to the Astrian Colonial Authority since filing this complaint - a loan on which your faction receives some 33% interest?

Your notice of cancellation mentioned that your acclaimed belief in the unwillingness of the Astrian Colonial Authority to trade, was founded in the price they asked for the goods you needed. That price was, in your view, too high because the unit price being asked was 0.66 , while the Praetorian Empire had received an offer of 0.35 .

Now, I can follow you there in theory - for that specific deal only in any case. Yet in response to your complaint and cancellation, the Astrian Colonial Authority immediately offered you a significantly better price. It offered you a discount on their original offer of no less than 50%. That seems to me like a show of good faith, rather than an indication that trade is undesirable.

The fact that their condition for this more favourable deal was for you to continue trading with them strongly suggests that the Astrian Colonial Authority remains interested in trading with you."

From the other side of the room, he looked at the Twi'lek woman.

"I might add that the unit price they offered in their new proposal was 0.33 , which lower than the offer made to the Praetorians that you cited in your cancellation notice."

He rummaged through some papers, getting out an official looking document.

"Now, in your original complaint, you address the fact that the Astrian Colonial Authority came with that new offer. In fact, that is the whole basis of your suggestion of bad faith negotiations: you claim that the offer made by the Astrian Colonial Authority was a trap attempting to bait you into an unprofitable deal, and that when you did not fell for it, they cancelled the negotiation."

The investigator put the document away, walking back towards her.

"Yet in earlier communications with the Astrian Colonial Authority, you yourself claimed that you can generate up to 0.38 from these goods! Now, your situation may have changed since, but there was no way for the Astrian Colonial Authority to know that at the time their offer was made.

Therefore, while you may believe the offer to be insufficient, by any reasonable measure their offer was both plausible - in that they could execute it - and reasonable - in that the price was lower than what they ask of others for the same goods, not to mention being well below the maximum price which you stated you were willing to pay! That does not seem like bait for an unprofitable deal to me."

The Investigator stepped forward.

"Now, Miss Serrah, do you have any further evidence which proves that the Astrian Colonial Authority negotiated in bad faith?"

But before she was given a chance to answer, he added something more, with a suddenly strong and intense stare such as normally only produced by cream-yellow ponies with butterfly tattoos and deep voices.

"Because if you do not, then I strongly suggest that it is in your best interest to drop this complaint and apologize to the Astrian Colonial Authority, as they have done several times already in the course of these events. That would also allow us to step away from this matter and continue into the uncharted - and much more interesting - legal territory of sovereignty and representatives."

[Serrah]

Serrah, while in strong disagreement with the reasoning and conclusion of the investigator, she sees the point of retracting the complaint. She doubts whether the eventual fall-out, as promised by the investigator's stern and slightly threathening tone, would be problematic for her or the Commonwealth, but the next part of the investigation is much more intersting to her as well.

"I understand, investigator."

Serrah stands up, "I hereby officialy withdraw my accusation of negotiating in bad faith at the address of the Astrian Colonial Authority. It is clear to me now that it was not the intent of senator Kachiso Doshima to negotiate in bad faith."

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

"Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima, is this acceptable to the Astrian Colonial Authority?"

It was mostly a formality to ask, but an answer was needed nonetheless.

[Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima]

"It is minister. The Astrian Colonial Authority accepts the Veolian Commonwealth's withdrawal of their accusation."

The Astrian senator looked at the minister expectantly. His look made it clear he still expected the formality of an official verdict to be spoken.

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

"Since the Veolian Commonwealth has withdrawn the accusation and the Astrian Colonial Authority has accepted this, the matter is hereby officially closed."

lacking a gavel, there was no banging of any such, however it seemed this officially ended the matter. She looked at Investigator Pilos

"Investigator, are you ready to proceed?"

[Investigator Pilos]

"I am ready Minister"

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

"Excellent. Then we shall proceed after a short recess."

With that, the investigation was adjourned for a moment to allow different parties to get something to drink and take care of necessities before the session reconvened.

[Mercury]

((OOC: The above recess is purely an IC fluff thing. As before the meeting will continue on the forum, and it will have the same notes regarding time to prepare, have people flown in, etc, as before. Therefore please don't interpret the above fluff as a pause in the roleplay itself.))

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

"Thank you all for rejoining this hearing in which we will discuss the second part of the request by the Veolian Commonwealth.

As before, I will be adjudicating and will listen to all the arguments made, but the primary discussion will be guided by Investigator Pilos.

Investigator, would you please do the introduction?"

((OOC: I will need a little bit of time to write up a good introduction, and expect to have it done this week.))