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OOC: FWL will be attending and sending a Ministry level official

Thomas and Isis Marik plus various FWL staffers are in Comstar custody for the FWL.

[Imperial SuiteSacher HotelVienna, TerraSol System]

OOC: this would have taken place shortly after being escorted from the meeting.  I've meant to get this out early but have been busy / lazy with stuff I didn't have to get done.

Imperial Suite
Sacher Hotel
Vienna, Terra
Sol System

Thomas was disappointed in the outcome of the meeting, though not entirely surprised at the outcome.  Over the last centuries, barbarianism had been on the rise and it was only recently that civilization had started to make progress once more.  Thomas hoped he was doing his part in this struggle, but the pettiness and self-centered actions of several of his contemporaries, while not unexpected, were not helping.  Some people just couldn't look past their immediate wants and needs.  If the Primus viewed these "Clans" as a threat, then most likely they will be one down the line.  Comstar had always done him well in the past, and also done their part for civilization.  Unfortunately there wasn't much he could do with his country being threatened at the whims of Katrina Steiner.  If the war ended, things would be different.

Now I just have to convey that to the Primus, he mused to himself as he sat down to work on his correspondence.....

OOC:Thomas is interested in learning more / doing what he can to help Comstar.  The necessity of defending his people / realm are still foremost, but his ability to lend aid will go up drastically if the 5th SW ends. 

This is to open up the option of dialog between Tommy boy and Comstar / Primus. (if you want it of course )

As the various initial reactions subsided Thomas Marik entered the discussion.

"I'm sure the Primus has more proof that shows that this is more then just some Periphery crackpot getting lucky.  I do agree with Prince Champion Sortek though that more is needed before we start yet another needless war.  Most of us already are busy dealing with local aggression and do not need another front, especially one at such a distance that it is of no immediate concern."

[Imperial SuiteSacher HotelVienna, TerraSol System]

Imperial Suite
Sacher Hotel
Vienna, Terra
Sol System

Several days had passed since the FWL delegations arrival on Terra.  The FWL delegation had arrived on Terra with much less fanfare then any of the other Houses.  If not for Comstar's guarantee of safe passage, he wouldn't have made this voyage personally.  Archon Steiner's word was not worth much in these troubled times.  With the Lyrans dragging his nation into the expanding fray caused by the Cappellans, Thomas was busier then ever with affairs of state.  He had enough faith in Comstar and the LCCC to allow him to come personally hear what the Prius had to offer.

At least he'd been able to spend some time with his daughter Isis while he waited on Comstar conference to begin.  She had been enthralled during their private showing of Karkulka a Cerveny Balonek.  The famous Divadlo Minor troupe had held a special showing in the beautiful Národní Divadlo just for the FWL delegation's families.  He really shouldn't have brought her along with him to this meeting, but he couldn't resist sharing with her the culture of their ancient homeworld.  There was just never enough time in the day for the two of them.  Glancing over his shoulder, he saw his 6 year old daughter enjoying the house specialty.  Now if only he could convince her to share some of the cake the hotel Sacher was famous for......

Is comstar guaranteeing safe passage? If yes tommy boy will be there, else a minister will represent the fwl.

That would be acceptable as a first step Magestrix, especially if you have verifiable proof.  You of course would not object if we send forces to liberate our own worlds in the meantime.  Unlike the Lyrans, we do not like leaving our citizen's fates in the hands of others. Even more so when they are unknown forces. 

Still having not heard from the Magestrix, Jiltanith was curious as to what the FS ambassador had to say.  With all that was going on, hopefully this was more then just a social visit.  I guess I'll find out shortly as her aide bused for entry.

"Madam Ambassador, welcome and please make yourself at home."  Gesturing at the nearby tea service. "Is there anything we can get for you?"

"Welcome to the FWL Embassy Madame Ambassador, I'm the ambassador's executive assistant Neil Dylandy.  If you and Mr. Setsuna Seiei would follow me, the Ambassador's waiting."

[Throne Room, Palace of the MagestrixCrimson, Canopus IVNow]

Throne Room, Palace of the Magestrix
Crimson, Canopus IV
Now

In the early hours of the evening, Jiltanith McIntyre was shown into the Canopian throne room by a pair of well-armed royal guards. A few moments later, from another door, Angela Summers was also admitted to the opulent room, again with blue-garbed guards ushering her in with all due diligence to her personal security.  The Marik and Davion ambassadors were led to the end of the turquoise-tiled path that ran from the massive double doors of the entrance to the Canopian throne itself, upon which Magestrix Emma Centrella sat with an expression kept carefully neutral and even.

The two pairs of guards took up station to either side of Emma, and the Magestrix looked down at her guests with steel-grey eyes that gave away nothing. "Ambassador Summers, Ambassador McIntyre. I know why both of you have petitioned me for an audience, so I have taken it upon myself to, as they say, kill two birds with one stone and grant you both a personal audience. So let's talk."

"Magestrix, I'm here to stop a war before it engulfs either of our nations any further.  Your unprovoked attack has us perplexed and concerned.  Usually nations attempt diplomacy before resorting to open warfare.  We have no understanding for why you launched your offensive let alone what goals you hope to accomplish.  We both know any short term gains you have made will be only fleeting.  Both sides have much more to lose then gain in this exchange.  I, and my government, wish to end this before any more lives are lost, but it is not up to us alone. It takes two willing parties for diplomacy to work."

Edit: I just noticed your(TK) post in the INN, so this was originally posted without knowledge of it.

[FWL EmbassyCrimson, Canopus IVShortly after the beginning of the Canopian invasion of the FWL.]

FWL Embassy
Crimson, Canopus IV
Shortly after the beginning of the Canopian invasion of the FWL.

After hearing the news, Ambassador Jiltanith McIntyre, knew it was up to her to try and sort out this mess before it escalated any further.  Why the Magistrix would launch such an ill advised foreign adventure had her perplexed.  According to SAFE, the Magistry only had 12 mech regiments, and Jiltanith knew for a fact that the FWL had twice that in the nearby Andurien region alone following the Andurien Succession Crisis.   The invasion was something more typical of Emma's deposed mother.  There had to be something else going on.  Had the Marian's secretly usurped the throne?

At first she'd thought that her assignment to this post was nothing short of exile, but the more time she spent on Crimson the more she came to like and respect the place.  She didn't want to see this escalate further.  If things progressed further there might not be a free Magistry, and while she was loyal to her country she didn't want to see what in here opinion was the most civilized periphery nation destroyed.  Unfortunately that decision wasn't up to her, and there were still plenty of folks at home who thought the Magistry needed punished for their recent interference with the Andurien crisis.

She couldn't avert further conflict by herself though, it was time to see who if anyone in the Magistry government would give peace a chance.

[Breaking News from INN - Atreus]

Breaking News from INN - Atreus
Captain-General issues Ultimatum? "Marik" Doctrine established?  Ghurkas gone wild? Have you tried the newest beverage sensation, the Purple Nurple? Would you like to know more? ....
I avail myself with relief of the opportunity of speaking to the people of the Periphery. I do not know how long such liberties will be allowed. The stations of uncensored expression are closing down; the lights are going out; but there is still time for those to whom freedom and parliamentary government mean something, to consult together. Let me, then, speak in truth and earnestness while time remains.

It is no good using hard words among friends about the past, and reproaching one another for what cannot be recalled. It is the future, not the past, that demands our earnest and anxious thought. We must recognize that the Parliamentary democracies and liberal, peaceful forces have everywhere sustained an unfounded invasion which leaves them weaker, morally and physically, to cope with dangers which have vastly grown. But the cause of freedom has in it a recuperative power and virtue which can draw from misfortune new hope and new strength. If ever there was a time when men and women who cherish the ideals of peace and freedom should take earnest counsel with one another, that time is now. hypocrisy

All the world wishes for peace and security. Have we gained it by the sacrifices of the Illyrian Palatinate?  After we have averted our gaze for a while from the process of subjugation and liquidation, everyone will breathe more freely; that a load will be taken off our chests; we shall be able to say to ourselves: "Well, that's out of the way, anyhow. Now let's get on with our regular daily life." But are these hopes well founded or are we merely making the best of what we had not the force and virtue to stop? That is the question that freedom loving peoples in all their lands must ask themselves today. Is this the end, or is there more to come?

There, in one single word, is the resolve which the forces of freedom and progress, of tolerance and good will, should take. It is not in the power of one nation, however formidably armed, still less is it in the power of a small group of men, violent, ruthless men, who have always to cast their eyes back over their shoulders, to cramp and fetter the forward march of human destiny. The preponderant world forces are upon our side; they have but to be combined to be obeyed.  If, through an earnest desire for peace, we have placed ourselves at a disadvantage, we must make up for it by redoubled exertions, and, if necessary, by fortitude in suffering.

The light of civilized progress with its tolerances and co-operation, with its dignities and joys, has often in the past been blotted out. But I hold the belief that we have now at last got far enough ahead of barbarism to control it, and to avert it, if only we realize what is afoot and make up our minds in time. We shall do it in the end. But how much harder our toil for every day's delay!

Is this a call to war? Does anyone pretend that preparation for resistance to aggression is unleashing war? I declare it to be the sole guarantee of peace. We need the swift gathering of forces to confront not only military but moral aggression; the resolute and sober acceptance of their duty by all the nations, great and small, who wish to walk with them. Their faithful and zealous comradeship would almost between night and morning clear the path of progress and banish from all our lives the fear which already darkens the sunlight to hundreds of millions of men.   Neither I, nor the Free Worlds League, shall stand idle any more.

-Captain General Thomas Marik

[Excerpt from the Irian's IEEE Spectrum technical journal, January 3040 edition]

Excerpt from the Irian's IEEE Spectrum technical journal, January 3040 edition
...
The Helm Memory Core's most vital function was as a sort of Rosetta Stone. With the Memory Core's information, many half-understood Star League documents suddenly started making sense. This has led to the improved military equipment, medical treatments, and purification equipment for water, atmospheres, and whole planetary environments.   

The development of Corean Enterprise's new advanced superconducting alloy is just one of these innovations made possible by the discovery of the HMC.   New applications of this alloy have brought about advances in technologies including super efficient home HVAC systems, high-gain antennas,  sustainable civilian mass transit, and possibly even civilian mass drivers for low cost orbital lift just to name a few.  Even the standard toaster and microwave oven will be improved at a new lower price entry point.  Experts expect the overall standard of living to rise as these new technologies propagate throughout the League and expect a boom in the already growing FWL economy.  Would you like to know more?

[Thomas Marik's State of the League Address, January 3040]

Thomas Marik's State of the League Address, January 3040

My Fellow-Countrymen

Now, at the expiration of nearly ten years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself, and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

On the occasion corresponding to ten years ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all sought to avert it. While my father's succession was being debated in Parliament, devoted altogether to 'saving' the League without war, urgent agents were in the city seeking to 'destroy' it. Seeking to dissolve the League and divide effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would 'make' war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would 'accept' war rather than let it perish, and thus the war came.

To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend their own interests was the object for which the insurgents would rend the League, even by war, while Parliament claimed no right to do more than to restrict the abuses of the Home Defense Act and unfounded aggression against our neighbors. Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the 'cause' of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. The prayers of both could not be answered.  Thankfully this turbulent period has finally come to an end.  This great League once again being whole.

From this point forward, with malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.
-Thomas Marik, Captain-General FWL