FSRB Chpt 234

==The Federated Suns Reborn - Chapter 234==
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January 3072Interlude: Clarification
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Office of the Regent (General of the Armies) 
Asgard, Mount Wotan
Tharkad, Donegal Province 
Lyran Alliance
17th January 3072 
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As the Federated Suns Ambassador to the Lyran Alliance was led into his office by one of his aides the newly appointed Regent forced himself to stand up without grimacing in pain from the still freshly installed mechanized replacements for his legs. He even managed to force a smile onto his face. "Ambassador Cunningham, as always you are more than welcome. Please have a seat. Can one of my staff get you any refreshments?"
"No thank you, Lord Regent, but thank you for the offer." As the retired former Marshal sat down in the offered chair with a nod of thanks and pretended to not notice the flash of pain on Adam Steiner's face as he himself sank back into his chair. "Thank you for seeing me so quickly."
"In the circumstances, it didn't seem polite to keep you cooling your heels, Ambassador." The man who still at heart considered himself General of the Armies rather than Regent of the Lyran Alliance admitted openly. "So... What can I do for you today?" 
"Firstly Lord Regent, I must as I did at our last meeting, formally protest the continuing imprisonment of over one hundred members of the Estates General. The First Prince saw this as a serious matter and has requested that I bring this matter up so that you are aware of his disquiet over the issue. He is further alarmed by the fact that an additional seven Honored Representatives have been placed under house arrest for no crime other than merely questioning the imprisonment of their fellows." As Adam nodded to acknowledge his awareness of Victor Davion's displeasure the Ambassador moved on from the preliminary pro-forma points. "The First Prince, however is aware that you are in a particularly difficult position with foreign powers seeking to seize your worlds and domestic enemies seeking to undermine your newly forming government. He would of course wish to help you with these difficulties, but you have made that particularly difficult by arresting many of those who he would have sought to influence on your behalf. You have left him no recourse to bolster your government, as he now feels that should he contact anyone in order to support you he is opening that individual up to arrest in a similar manner to how you have already arrested so many of his friends within your realm! By your government's heavy handed crackdown on the Estates General you have effectively tied his hands in attempting to support you." 
While none of this was a particular surprise to Adam Steiner the tack, that Victor was taking with his lack of support was one he hadn't anticipated. The suggestion was clear. Cut loose those members of the Estates General who were friends or allies of Victor Davion and the First Prince would then use his influence to help him. Which would of course lead to him having even more influence within the Lyran Alliance. Shaking his head the Regent forced himself to be polite. "I am afraid Ambassador that what your Prince suggests is quite out of the question. As I stated in the Great Hall everyone arrested will be given a fair trial. I cannot interfere with the legal process."
Inclining his head to acknowledge the polite refusal Ambassador Cunningham continued. "The First Prince had of course anticipated your response. However, he feels that perhaps the Lyran government dropping any proceedings might be a suitable way to deal with that. Since however you don't seem to see that as possible we can table that matter, but I do have to say Lord Regent that this matter is one which will continue to be raised by the First Prince and his government. As for supporting you militarily, the AFFS will continue to maintain troops in the border region between the new Federated Suns border, the Draconis Combine, and the Free Worlds League. We will also continue to support your efforts against the Free Skye Movement and will do everything within our power to prevent an open revolt by said group. If they do make any further military moves to secede then the AFFS will support any Lyran action against them. The First Prince also assures you that he will continue to ship the agreed upon military equipment and supplies into the Lyran Alliance with payment deferred for the time being."
Adam interrupted Cunningham suddenly. "And the sale of our Fox corvette to Kell?" 
"That was... unfortunate. However your own actions made it impossible for us to proceed with the sale of such a major piece of military hardware to someone who had just arrested many of our friends within our realm. Consider it an extremely severe protest against your actions by the Federated Suns." The Ambassador shrugged in his carefully tailored suit. 
"And the Davion III Class destroyer that is due to complete in March? Will that too be confiscated or sold out from under us?" Adam demanded. 
"That would depend upon your actions, Lord Regent. If you continue on your current path then yes it may be. If however you can at least show that you are prepared to temper your position with mercy and listen to your friends... Then the destroyer might still be offered for sale to the Alliance." Cunningham answered. "However, the First Prince is prepared to help you as much as your own actions allow..."
"How? How is Victor going to help me?" Steiner ground out. 
"House Blackstone has thrown their support behind this separatist forces of the Protectorate of the Rim. Indeed they are basically the premier military formation of this break away state. First Prince Davion suggests that if you were to formally request that their factory complex in the Federated Suns on Vandalia be seized and confiscated as the property of traitors, then he would be more than happy to do so on your behalf. With the understanding that the Lyran Government would then sell said facility to the Davion Government at a fair market value. Perhaps the value of which could be put towards the extensive loans and deferred payment of military equipment that the Alliance has found itself owing to the FedSuns...?" Cunningham explained carefully.
"That rat bast..." The Regent managed to stop himself from continuing with the curse. "He's going to steal the Blackstone's factory from them and wants ME to help him do it legally?!" Adam snarled hitting the table with his prosthetic hand hard enough to dent the hardwood.
"Not at all, Lord Regent. Prince Victor is merely attempting to a) help you punish some rebels while b) cutting off a source of funding for said rebels against your government." Cunningham responded. "Unless you would wish him to continue to make payments to a company owned by a House that is sending their troops to seize your worlds...? Payments which they can use to hire mercenaries, buy additional military equipment from outside sources, etc...? Is that what you want...?" 
The Regent of the Lyran Alliance didn't have an answer for that. Or at least not one he could say out loud. His meetings with the Ambassador of the Federated Suns were swiftly becoming remarkably unpleasant. He shook his head slowly. "No, that's not what I want."
"Good. Talk it over with your staff and legal team." Cunningham went to stand before pausing. "There is one final thing, Lord Regent..."
"Yes?" Adam had to wonder what final concession the ambassador was intending to drag out of him now! 
"Something we have noticed. You have been appointed "Regent of the Lyran Alliance". But at no stage has ANY official wording or documentation been provided as to whom you are Regent FOR. Now naturally we have taken this to be a simple oversight, as you are naturally the Regent for Hanse Steiner the First Prince's nephew...!" Cunningham paused for a second. "However, you do know diplomats and civil servants, they get themselves rather worked up on such small matters as poor word choices, etc... It would reassure my government tremendously if you could clarify this situation as a matter of urgency. As well as the First Prince." 
The two men locked eyes for a long moment, the steel in the Ambassador's voice during the last six words obvious to the Regent of the Alliance. This was not something he could avoid clarifying, one way or another. He forced a short nod. "Of course. As you say, no doubt a simple oversight. I will... arrange for it to be rectified." 
"Good. Excellent in fact." Cunningham stood and bowed. "I thank you for your time, Lord Regent..."
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