A Plate of Development for Dinner

[malloc]

With the conclusion of the televised event, the leaders would have a final dinner before their departure the next day. Deep in the interior of the Kumo Palace the party had already begun before any of the leaders were able to arrive. Kumo, Gaelian, and Amalian elite polulated the massive open dining room. The walls were made of wood and paper. The tables were made of cherry wood. The room was primarily lit by a central massive chandelier and candles scattered across the tables. Appetizers had been served and the room was alive with conversation lubricated by alcoholic drinks.

President Rizzo, dawned in a more traditional Amalian garb, would be sitting near the head with the Empress, a look of deep thought crossing his face. He partook of the appetizer but, despite the general attitude of Amalians and alcohol, didn't drink too much. He appeared to be writing on his napkin using a pen, writing down ideas in New Amali with only names like "Elenria" and "Longo National Farming Co." being in proper Common.

[Sophie]

The Empress was wearing a special Yukata designed especially for the dinner. It was a playful combination of Amalian, Gaelian, and Kumo garb using colors from each of their flags in the design. She had to hold herself back from stuffing herself with the food that was already present at the dinner. She avoided the alcohol not wanting to become intoxicated around her new allies. The Empress's ever-growing curiosity at the President's writing could only be held off so long. She took a peek at the napkin and her interest peaked upon seeing 'Elenria'.

She swallowed the last of her appetizer and looked over to Rizzo. "Excuse me, President Rizzo? What exactly are you writing there?"

[malloc]

"Elenria is going to be a sore point regardless of an alliance," Rizzo replies, a bit more cold than intending. "The region is underdeveloped, and your recent food taxes are likely going to exasperate issues down there. We've heard reports about the Greatferns and, great that you're keeping them in check, but shooting them and taking their food isn't productive to a long term solution. Trying to see how we can balance food exports between the UKUG and Amali to you and reduce the food taxes, and try to increase their food production in the process as well."

"Even if we solve the food production problems, we still have distribution issues. The infrastructure that isn't on the coastline is damn near the worst and only just ahead of Arema. It all comes down to one thing..."

[Sophie]

"Elenria is..." The Empress paused searching for the right words. "A problem child. We've invested quite a lot in that prefecture. I have been considering all options to deal with the greatferns, but how do you deal with civilian murdering terrorists if not with excessive force. If you believe it wise, I will look into lowering the taxes against them. I've received some reports of the Elenrians struggling to distribute resources. We've invested in building new railroads but the issue is still the terrorists in my borders. They frequently blow up rail lines. I can only dedicate so much to building new infrastructure when I'm busy fixing the old stuff."

[malloc]

Rizzo nods, not looking up at her. "I believe we can more easily finance and build up Elenria, and by we I mean the factories back in Amali. You can focus on the terrorists, that's fine, but reprisals against civil population on the premise they may be terrorists will make those who witness it terrorists. Most likely we will deploy a contingent of Republican S.I.s to protect the workers, which we plan to source both from our nation and locally, but we want to work alongside the Elenrian government to hit the areas that need the most help."

He sits back, looking at the Empress, "If the Greatferns are blowing up infrastructure, and you can prove it, use it against them to convince the common people to support Kumosenkan. My troops will not engage in suppressing the terrorists, as I doubt they would view another power coming and shooting would be viewed as good, but we will defend supply lines and population centers. Likely we will focus on food security and distribution first, as everything from that point on becomes easier without the millions of hungry people."

He pauses for a second, nodding to an idea of his, "The uniforms they will be wearing will display a simplified form of the Aegis Pact emblem below the normal insignias."

[Sophie]

The Empress paused as the main courses were being dished out and only responded after the serving maid had left. "Your financial aid would be more than welcome in Elenria. Though I must be clear. We have never prosecuted a citizen of Elenria unless they drew arms against TAKPOE. We do inform the populace of the greatfern's terrorist actions. We have a massive information campaign to ensure that any action they take is used against them.

"I agree that a foreign power coming in and shooting things would not go over well, but your presence is more than welcome in Elenria. I believe bringing you in will help assure the citizenry of their security. Especially recruiting local citizens. We will aid you in anyway we can in achieving this. To begin with, I'll talk to my ministers about lowering the tax in Elenria."

[malloc]

Rizzo nods, thanking the servant carrying his food, before saying, "When I get back, I'll talk to my folks in Congress about drafting a bill for appropriating materials and assets for Elenria. If this goes over well, we may look into other investments into Touli. More money in their economies means they're more likely to buy goods from all of us. The best ones we can look at adding to our economic union. A few of them have some serious potential, mostly in the west. The east is still too destabilized even after Nevarra's decolonization."

"In the mean time, I believe our expanded funding of our agricultural sector will yield some promising results by the year's end. Would work well to counterbalance the demand your nation has for food and allow Elenria to modernize and stabilize faster."

[Sophie]

"I will do anything within my power to aid your mission into Elenria. We currently have a significant economic investment going on in them to the tune of twenty-five factories. However, with your own investment, I'd say we could confidently double that." Reitō took a few bites of the food in front of her, fresh tuna sashimi. "I am a bit surprised by how committed you are to helping my prefecture. I did not expect the Aegis pact to bear fruit so immediately. I am in your debt." She closed her eyes and slightly bowed her head before returning to the sashimi.

"I think you are quite wise, and your plan sounds very well thought out. I look forward to helping you execute it."

[malloc]

"Sitting on your..." He pauses for a second, "Rear does not bear good will in a democracy. Action must be taken to prove it works, otherwise another side will capitalize on the weakness to make it a platform to leave or undo the effects of my administration. I'll talk with my advisors and see what we can commit, most likely on the tune of fifty dedicated factory campuses at the most. If all works out well on the home front as well, we may be able to invest more."

[Sophie]

"Speaking of your democracy." She spoke, taking a deep swig of her tea. "I believe it's in my best interest to see you, and your party? Re-elected in the future. If there is anything Kumosenkan can do to aid in future re-election campaigns please don't hesitate to ask. Of course, ensuring your investment into Elenria isn't deemed wasteful will be a top priority for us regarding your re-election."

[malloc]

"While I appreciate the offer, I believe so long as Elenria isn't a complete failure and the Aegis Pact doesn't become a repeat of the Entente, my party will be sweeping in the midterms and my reelection," he says. "Our home economic investments will see some fruit, I imagine, and will keep the swing states voting for us. The big challenge will be after my final term in office, and seeing how the world looks after eight years. That is the more challenging thing to predict. Most Amalians are worried about a war brewing with Ashigawa seeing as they have ramped up military pressures in the desert."

[Sophie]

"Kumosenkan shares those fear of war with Ashigawa. Some see it as inevitable. While I am eager to show the might of my new Hokori class ships, I am not happy to throw the lives of my people away without good reason. I hope that war can be avoided and I believe that our alliance will help to deter anyone from making aggressive moves against any of us." The Empress responded. "Should Ashigawa make a move against you I promise my fleet will keep them off your shores."

[malloc]

"I have no doubt the greater Amalian population will appreciate the support," the President says, "And we would like to formally extend an invitation to the biannual war games we host for our military. It'll likely be important to figure out military cohesion now rather than during a major war, and also allow us to further cement ties as the military report good cooperation with allies. I believe the largest threat we will have to face in the immediate future is Galra, seeing as they barely demilitarized after the Fifth War."

[Sophie]

"Their standing military has always been cause for concern." The Empress nodded. "However no one is looking to be friends with Galra, their navy quite simply wouldn't be able to stand up to mine. We could launch a barrage of naval invasions they couldn't hope to defend against. That combined with a war on three other fronts they don't stand a chance. I don't think they can truly be considered a threat to anyone."

"It would be an honor to join your war games. Keeping our military active and begin the integration sounds like a perfect idea."