Orochi-Gerulfing Accord

The Orochi-Gerulfing Accord is a bilateral treaty signed by the Empire of Galia and Republic of Laelia on noon January 8th 2822 (767/99 4:8:00 UST). The Accord officially established relations between the Empire of Galia, and the Laelian Republic following a short cold war after the conclusion of the Avelanian War, and formally defined the border between the two states.

## History

Following the outset of the Avelanian War, dissenting members of the Galian Empire, primarily centered in the east, and especially around the system of Uvars declared independence. These separatists declared themselves to be the 'Republic of Chutov', and stated an intention to return to the original democratic values of the Galian Systems Alliance, the predecessor of the Empire. Primarily occupied with its war against Avelania, Galia found itself entirely unable to fight a two front war, and chose to focus its efforts on defeating the Avelanian Principality. By the end of the war, the heavy loses and extensive devastation experienced by all factions (But felt especially strongly in the Republic, after the destruction of its capitol world Chutov, and its sister Uvars), the Empire and Republic (Now named for its new Capital, Laelia) found themselves unable to muster enough strength to fight.

A two year cold-war followed, as both faction attempted to rebuild its military infrastructure to such a state that it could be used to destroy the other. Ultimately internal pressures within the Republic forced then President Ludwig Gerulfing to extend an offer of peace, which the Empire accepted. The Empire appointed the Director-General of the Crown Diplomatic Service Orochi Obara to negotiate on its behalf.

### Controversy

Galia maintains that the Orochi-Gerulfing Accord does not mean the Empire has formally recognized the Republic of Laelia as an independent nation. Rather, the Empire's official line is that the Accord is simply an internal treaty signed with an autonomous vassal state, citing the Treaty of Izuna which concluded the Avelanian war as legal precedent. The Republic of Laelia maintains, however, that through the Accord, the Empire had formally recognized the Republic as an independent body from itself, as Avelania was prior to its signing of it's treaty. The subject of Laelian recognition remains a hotly contested subject, as Galian allies likewise have refused to recognize Laelia, while anti Galian factions have flocked to support Laelia. Terra has not yet recognized Laelia, but does maintain formal relations with the state, and has supported it extensively, especially as its alliance with the Empire gradually fades into irrelevancy.

## The Orochi-Line

The final terms of the treaty specified the new border of the states, which would come to be known as the 'Orochi-Line'. The new border would be drawn between the loyalist systems of Tekkera, Alka, and cut through Chutov (Which would be made an international zone under neither's control), while the Republic would take the systems beyond. Both factions would be required to maintain checkpoints in all border systems, and much unlike the porous Galia-Terra border, passage between the two would be heavily monitored, and require a passport. Further both factions are prohibited from crossing the border with any police, military, or sanctioned militia forces. Despite this, the border systems of Alka, and Erilia have become heavily militarized systems, and the border as a whole is among the most militarized in the human sphere.

#### Uvars International Zone

The former capitol of the Republic, the Uvars system (Referred to as Chutov in the Empire) was declared an international zone by the Accord, with neither faction having ownership of it. Both parties agreed to contribute to the mutual redevelopment, and restoration of the ecology of the heavily irradiated world of Chutov, and toxic world of Uvars. Military installations are formally prohibited in the system, however both factions are allowed to maintain national police and militia forces, leading to the gradual militarization of the system, with the Galian Chutov Frontier Rangers, and Laelian Sector Rangers acting as a paramilitary, and recently the growth of an Imperial Militia force on the ice world Sienna which has been called by some in the Republic a 'War Fleet in all but name'.

With recent strides in the redevelopment of Uvars, the planet has recently been declared safe of life again, and has seen the growth of a substantial settler population passing 10 million. With both the Republic and Empire scrambling to lay down roots in the world and increase their own claim to it settlements has begun to spring up across the world, with Galian and Laelian towns frequently being constructed next to one another, greatly contributing to rising tensions on the world.