A Kink in the Hose [Koi-Kumosenkan]

[EpicToaster1]

Fuyonouso, Kumosenkan

With the summer beginning, the workers of the Fuyonouso ports would be more lethargic than during their colder months. The large spider people could be seen lounging around in the shade of anything they could hide under or behind from the blazing sun as the days grow longer. This would be especially true for Kobayashi Docks, their lack of ships in port causing many of the workers to seek shelter among the containers and dock offices to escape the inescapable heat.



The silence of the tired air of Fuyo Bay would be broken in an instant as the old ironclad's horn tears through the warm air. Soon, a dozen other horns would follow suit, from each of the several escorts trailing the capital ship. The giant masts overstretching the funnel held a massive, orange flag; the unmistakable Koian flag, with the seal of the Staol Trade flying just below it. Across her bow, the name KIVIROOS followed by the number 1 would indicate the oldest battleship of the Koian Oranž Merevägi. Following close behind would be two Light Cruisers, any knowing the history of Koi being aware these were both the Sädelev Meri and Briljantne Valgus, each also flying large storm flags of Koi and the Staol Trade Seal. Behind them, only flying the Koian flag, would be all four of the Koian Raske Hävitajad [Heavy Destroyers] of the Termingrad-Class. Surrounding the whole fleet would be ten Suur Rannik-Class Fregatid [Frigates], each with the Koian flag. In the midst of the fleet would be a Riigimees-Class Transport and an Abimees-Class Refueling Staollier. If it wasn't for the neutrality of the nation, it would look like they were preparing for naval combat with how they were in formation.

The Port Authority would receive a radio communication requesting docking permissions, though the tone would come across as almost more a statement they were going to whether the port was prepared or not. The majority of the fleet would come to a halt within the bay close to the Kobayashi Docks to be within their jurisdiction and not blocking access to other ports, but remaining out at sea until given further instructions by the Port Authority. The Ironclad and the Transport would continue to steam into the port, pulling in to dock. The ironclad would let off another blast of its whistle as it came to a stop. Several soldiers, about a dozen, would flutter off the side of the warship and stand six to a side as another individual hopped off the side of the ironclad before all the dock workers. The twelve soldiers would file in closely around the individual, hiding them from view of the dock workers.

The transport would toss a ramp over the side onto the dock, the loud metal clanging causing anyone not prepared to jump before two trucks and a car would drive over the side and down the ramps. The first truck would be filled with further soldiers, their eyes scanning the docks as they stand looking over the sides the open-top truck. The formation of soldiers and the individual would move to the car, the individual breaking off and hopping into the car. Clearly a male Belila Koian, though their exact identity would be difficult to see aside from a pristine suit adorning their blue-fluff frame.

The soldiers would step away from the car, allowing the first truck and the car to start moving. They'd all take off in unison and jump onto the second truck as it follows behind like a well-oiled machine, the three vehicles zooming off the dock property and towards the Palace of the Empress without a word.

The ships, on the other hand, would soon begin proper docking procedure, the captain of the vessel climbing off to talk with the Port Authority and square away the details of their visit and what they'd need serviced for the fleet while they were present in Kumosenkan.

[Sophie]

Koian warships were some of the only foreign warships allowed to dock in Kumo ports. Koian or not, they were foreign warships in their docks. The dock workers felt a pinch in their necks as they began work servicing the foreign warships. More narrowed eyes were directed at the trucks and the car. Armed soldiers on Kumo soil. Friendly or not it was enough to send a chill up the average Kumo's spine, despite the heat. Those in the know about the Koian visit worked quickly to expedite their departure and comfort.

The extreme rigidity of the visit gave the Kumo thanks for the freedom and relaxation they were afforded.

Once the convoy reached the Palace, they were quickly allowed inside. Of course, the guards weren't allowed inside the palace itself. Only the complex. The Empress and the Princess were ready to greet their Koian visitors as soon as the maids welcomed them inside.

[EpicToaster1]

The convoy would pull up to the palace, all three vehicles stopping in unison. The guards would take up positions around, two directly standing on either side of the rather large Koian stepping out of the car. The rest would take positions as if preparing for an incoming ambush, two even remaining standing within the trucks facing towards the entrance as their eyes watch the Kumo royal guards. Another Koian would step out of the car, much smaller in stature and holding a briefcase would step around the car and fall in behind the larger one and their two guards, stepping up to the palace entrance.

The two guards would break off, giving a quick bow before they'd take up post right next to the Kumo guards next to the doors. The two would step inside, the larger dressed in a clean, straight-cut storm gray suit while the smaller would be dressed in a form-fitting suit with a cream coat and navy blue pants. The two would bow in unison to the Empress and the Princess as the door shuts behind them.

The larger would be the first to lift from the bow. "Thank you for being able to see us on such short notice, Empress Shiraori, Princess Reitō."

[Sophie]

"It is always our pleasure to host you." The Empress returned the bow. She invited them inside, and the four retreated into a secluded meeting room. "Now, what is the purpose of your visit and how may I aid you."

[EpicToaster1]

The Dictator would motion for them to lean in close.

"We noticed a recent request for more staol on top of the doubling from a few years ago. While I'm positive you and your people are aware how much we love your business, we have hit a bit of a snag... The council has declared we cannot open more mines to meet this new demand, as I'm sure the news likely propagated by now."

He'd turn to look at his aide, nodding to them. They'd turn and reach into the briefcase, meanwhile he'd return his gaze to the two giant spiders.

"Now, while we're honor-bound to our treaty to listen to the council, we're also honor-bound to uphold our end of the staol trade first and foremost. As such, we come needing a bit of...extra information. Something we can use to either convince them to change their mind, or save that, we can use to work around this little problem."

The aide would pop back above the table, sliding across a packet of papers showing the various ports that handle Kumosenkan staol across the entire network, including ones for Elenria. "We need to know where this is going and what's the best way to operate under their current rules."

[Sophie]

"Ahaha." Shiraori's laugh was flat and humorless. "Is it really any concern of yours where the Staol is going? All you need to do is deliver it to the northern prefecture as we ordered. From there, is it any much more concern of yours?"

Shiraori leaned back a bit. "Deliver it to these three ports here, and from there, we'll use it as move it as we see fit. Surely our yairen is more than enough to sway the council to do as you need."

[EpicToaster1]

"Your yairen means nothing to Galra and their puppet of Grinvel. They're keeping the council deadlocked."

Vidrik would lean back in his own chair. "We will have to increase the amount in the sending ports by a small amount. Forty-something-odd thousand units a season? We can make some of the boats work harder by carrying more, but if we had to construct whole new fleets they'll know we're going against them, and thus justification we're going against the treaty. It's bad enough they're holding the Tyniti canyon railroad over our heads."

[Sophie]

"If money doesn't talk to Galra, I'm not certain of what else could be done." Shiraori put her hands up. "I'm not quite sure what you expect me to do about it. The last contact Kumosenkan had with Galra was them begging for use of our port and us only letting the civilians in. That was years ago now."

[EpicToaster1]

"Yes yes, we recall when that ship was found and subsequently destroyed by...I believe it was your own sailors who said it was a battleship shell, which the Roskanans could collaborate while the Gaelians and Elenrians were too incapacitated at the time to remember. Yet there has still been no discovery of this ghost battleship. And all those civilians were from our ghost ship, yet had no recollection of where they were or why they were in their predicament. It's still plagues Minister Alekseev and the rest of MiniLife."

He puts up a single hand.

"But we're not here to talk about that incident. I'm not here to negotiate a way to convince the council of anything. Shiraori, you know all too well our nations depend on each other. I'm not about to be the Dictator that causes a strain in that relationship. What I need from you is some leeway and willful ignorance. We can attempt to make some magic happen, but we need you supporting us while we do so."

[Sophie]

Shiraori smiled and leaned forward. "I'm glad we can meet in the middle here. My rope has a lot of slack to give. Especially if it is to subvert someone like Galra. Just tell me what you need from me, and I will ensure it arrives post haste."

[EpicToaster1]

Vidrik would smile back. "So we can't open new mines. But, we do have some mines operating on single-shifts rather than round-the-clock. If we can increase our outputs from these mines, we may stand a chance of meeting your requests without opening a single mine. This we can do without the council's approval. But, the also won't authorize new loading areas in ports, so we can't accept new ships, least not without causing delays elsewhere. How willing are you to accept overloaded staolliers? If we can hide additions to the ports as general capacity increases and you provide new ships over time, we can work it back to normal and safer conditions, but until then would you be willing to accept some ships dealing with heavier loads than normal? We'd have to have them sailing out of these ports here," He'd point along the coastline of Almerzhinsk, Orthoria, and Pomaz, "just so they aren't trying to combat the whole ocean overloaded, but this will bring significant risks in the shortterm while we work on a longterm goal."

[Sophie]

"That is acceptable yes." Shiraori confirmed.

"Isn't that, kind of dangerous?" Reito piped up. "Can we offer them some naval support staff? Or extra training to ensure the safety of the overloaded staoilers?"

"If Koi is willing to accept our help, we will offer it." Shiraori confirmed with a smile to her daughter.

[EpicToaster1]

"We're always willing to accept help. Half the burden is ours, half the burden is yours. Any way we can mitigate it between each other serves us both better."

[Sophie]

"Then I consider this matter solved, yes? I am willing to send up to two damage control officers per ship you need to overload for training on safety measures and damage control." Shiraori smiled and offered a hand.

[EpicToaster1]

Vidrik would clasp her hand back, but speak before he shook. "Not a word of this gets out." With that, he'd give her hand a shake. After they separate, he'd then equally extend a hand to the Princess.