A Deal with the Devil You Don't Know (Franerre-Galra)

[Greywall]

Stowe appeared annoyed, no angry that the Frannerri didn't just simply agree to his request. He had found great ease in convincing Shiysil and the Elerian military to join the SU. Here was some...Toulian, wanting to talk to him as if he was an equal. "It'll be improving upon the failures of your nation, better railroads, superior weapons, a flow of ammunition, supplies, bases, access to the SU markets and of course. Revenge on those who have wronged Franerre."

[callmedelta]

Legault looked to his fellow conspirators. The Galran's words had not inspired the confidence he had hoped. If anything, it had done the latter, given that Cailleaux's enthusiasm seemed to be dampening by the word. "I believe you've given us much to discuss here, Galran, though I request we do so in private, if we m-"

"Hold on, Legault," Ranulf said, raising a finger. "You may have organized this, and you may be an informal leader among us, but you do not speak for all of us. I still have a few very important questions for our esteemed guest." Keeping a straight face while saying those last words felt like pulling teeth for Ranulf. "I've heard talk of a 'future plan,' for Touli that Galra has. I'm curious as to what this plan of yours entails, as I'm sure it, and especially Franerre's role potential role within said plan would be quite a topic of discussion."

[Greywall]

"The plans are pretty straightforward, we're going to create a new Touli, one that will take out the enemies that have restricted it for over a century. We will help take back the notch, punish Kumosenkan. Make Frannerre more than equal to the continental powers. Frannerre will serve as a proper bridge between the SU Touli nations and eventually rise up to be a key power."

[callmedelta]

"One final question for you then," Ranulf said, cutting off a comment from Legault. "What of the rest of Touli? I can imagine you Galrans taking over Gaelian colonies, Shysil and Eleria getting some sort of concession, Kumosenkan kicked out of Elenria, but what of the rest of the continent?"

[Greywall]

"It shall be uplifted, properly" he said coldly.

[callmedelta]

"Those are all of my questions," Ranulf said. He looked to the other conspirators. Silence from all.

"I believe you are free to take your leave while we debate exactly how to present this offer to his Highness," Legault said. "I understand that your accommodations here may not be up to Galran standards, but given the discrete nature of your stay here, I've accommodated you the best I could." With that, Stowe was escorted out of the sitting room by the two Gendarmerie agents, the conspirators were free to discuss amongst themselves.

"They're going to burn down all of Touli," Ranulf stated as soon as he felt Stowe was out of hearing distance, his voice cold, "Kill us all or die trying."

Cailleaux scoffed. "The man rubbed me the wrong way, sure, but saying that they will 'burn down all of Touli' is a bit of an exaggeration, no?"

"They clearly men to conquer it all, at the least. From a nation who's religion considers half of us Toulians subhuman what else could 'proper uplifting' mean?" Ranulf answered. "If anything, my words weren't harsh enough. They mean to genocide all the non-humans, and probably find some reason to kill all of us humans too."

Cailleaux seemed to have another retort, but he was cut off by Legault. "Most likely, yes," the man concluded, "All of it save their own colonies, Shysil, and Eleria, evidently. Franerre would be prudent to include herself in that list."

"First of all," Ranulf said, "You assume that the Galrans can win a war against every other nation on Touli. Being realistic, us independent Toulian powers have a slim to none chance. But do you think the Galrans can take on Kumo or Gaelia? And second, that shouldn't even matter -- there is no way in hell Franerre should allow herself to be complicit in a continent-wide genocide for Christ's sake."

"On your first point," Legault replied, "Evidently the Galrans seem to think they can. They're gathering allies, perhaps planning on taking the independent states out piecemeal before fighting either Kumo or Gaelia, most likely the latter, and then moving onto the other. There's nothing stating the Galrans must declare war on the entire continent at once. On your second point, why care about the rest of Touli? Pan-Toulism died on a ship in Noscovo. I've read the reports and Marshal Zelgius was there himself. First and foremost, it is Franerre that matters. It is Elenerre that matters. Galra can give us that, and the rest of Touli can burn for all I care."

"This goes beyond any notions of 'Pan-Toulism,' or some other ideological nonsense, this is about being a decent human being!" Ranulf shouted, before getting control of himself. There's a chance Stowe may have heard the last few words. Ranulf swallowed, continuing. "I do not care if the Valderans, or the Kithium League, or even the UST like us or not. This is a matter of entire races and nationalities being put to the chopping block for something they cannot control. I find it hard to stomach the idea of standing by and watching that happen, even if I can understand why Franerre might. But to actively be complicit, to ally with the people perpetuating it, to assist them in even the smallest of ways? That is something I can never allow."

"Then why allow Franerre to ally with Lusatia and Gaelia?" Legault asked. "How do you think they acquired their colonies? What Galra proposes is, conceptually, no different."

"Gaelian and Lusatian colonialism were and are evil, vile things," Ranulf answered, "But Franerre can do nothing to change them. The difference between them and Galra is that Franerre can do something about the here and now. Franerre can’t turn back time or raise the dead. Those crimes already committed cannot be undone, but that does not justify committing those same heinous acts in the here and now. I’m going to the King and when he learns of this, he will order you to end this lunacy.”

Legault grit his teeth. Killing and imprisoning Legault would likely cause more problems than it solved, but just letting him walk out of here and to the King could not happen. He looked to Zelgius. The man seemed on the fence. He looked to Cailleaux. The man was passionate for sure, but he was no politician. No, Legault would have to do this himself. Sighing, he took off after Ranulf.

[Greywall]

Stowe would retreat his accommodations convinced he had Frannerre in the bag, he felt they would be foolish to refuse SU membership. He judged harshly his surroundings.