Aontacht Cheilteach (UKUG-Eleria diplo)

[Greywall]

"Eleria!?" Thomas Mays was still stunned by his assignment, he stood on the deck of a liner commissioned to take him to Eleria. The telegram sent to the Imperator that the Ulster-Gaelians wished to engage in dialogue was something of a risky move. Eleria had shut itself off from the world for years now, and Mays was going to try and enter it. 

[DrMedic]

A response would be swiftly dispatched, informing the Gaelians in rather curt, though professional wording that the Imperator would receive their diplomat in Iomairt.

[Greywall]

To say Mays was shocked is an understatement, no one, heard from the Elerians. But perhaps it would be some small cultural similarities that would help, he also wondered if no one just tried to reach out to them. In any case, his vessel entered the ports of Iomairt and would request docking clearance.

[DrMedic]

A very heavily accented voice responded over the radio to the Gaelian vessel, "Yae've ben clear'd tae dock on the northernmost end, dock one. We've left it open for yae, shore crew's waiting fer ya. Fàilte gu Imperium Mòr Eleria, Caiptein."

Ashore, a group of military personnel awaited the arrival of the foreign contingent, each marine with a pristine uniform, all standing at parade rest as the band began to play the Gaelian Anthem. To the Elerians, it was a peculiar thing, the Gaelian Anthem was so incredibly similar to their own, but just different enough that it sounded foreign. The sound of bagpipes, drums, and an array of string instruments filled the air, signaling to all within earshot that for the first time in ages, the Elerians' mainland kinsmen had arrived.

[Greywall]

Mays would be stunned, he had heard stories, but the Elerians were indeed Celts, as the ship docked, and an off ramp was placed he would make his way down to the port. He wore his clan Tartan and business attire for this meeting his staff following him wearing their own tartans and more casual dress attire for the time. They would await the arrival of Elerian officials to greet them.

[DrMedic]

The Imperator and Imperatrix stood at the opposite end of the stone walkway, flanked on either side by a large contingent of guards. Both were dressed in decorated service uniforms, but even to a foreign eye, it was clear that they were from different branches. As the band stopped playing, the man shouted in Tireil, ["Present Arms!"]  After a count of one, each of the men turned to face the center aisle, holding out their rifles as instructed, those without arms rendered a salute to the foreigners, the Imperator and Imperatrix included.

[Greywall]

Mays blushed slightly before bowing to the Imperator and Imperatrix, "Thank you for welcoming me to your country. I am Thomas Mays with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the United Kingdom of Ulster-Gaelia. His majesty Rufus McDonald has sent me here to open dialogue with our nations." He was honestly shocked by the reception given the nation's streak of isolationism. 

[DrMedic]

"Open dialogue, surely, but tae what end? I must admit, dinnae have the slightest idea wha' it is yae would need tae reach out fer, but what should I say? Curiosity got the be'er of me." Replied the Imperator, giving the diplomat a nod and offering a handshake.

[Greywall]

"We would like to establish a trade network with Eleria, we believe there's much we can gain."

[DrMedic]

"A trade network? I must admit, that isn't what I expected. The rest of the world has left us alone to mind ourselves and we've been quite content with that. What is it you want from us then, and what do we receive in return?" Replied the Imperator, stroking his neatly trimmed beard.

[Greywall]

Mays would nod and respond, "we're seeking a share of Eleria's raw resources, in exchange we will uplift Eleria's industrial capacity and provide the ability to build and lease modern military weaponry. It won't be cheap, but surely you understand Eleria falling behind is dangerous to its Imperium. We can close the gap for a price."

[DrMedic]

"I see... I would assume things aren't going terribly well in the rest of the world, cannae see why yae'd come to us if all was well. We'd be most grateful fer whatever help yae'd be able to provide us, but considering yae'r talking about quid pro quo, I ken there's a lot more we can do tae help ya than just give yae some raw materials. We've been careful tae keep the mainland organized well fer the sake of logistics, so if yae need we can help with that. At the very least, I ken whatever trade we have between us will be swift. We've got combat ready men in spades, many with veterancy, could always send some your way tae perform joint exercises or training. Of course, we can build yae a lotta things too, yae need a manufacturer offshore in case of a fight, yae've got one. Help us advance, we'll pay dividends the rest o' this shite continent could only dream of." The Imperator replied, offering a handshake. "Yae know, if yae weren't celtic, I'd run yae off my island without givin' it a moment's thought."

Marina, having been paying very close attention to the conversation, spoke up, "If we do decide to go through with this, I must request you help us obtain access to some more advanced tooling and techniques than we have at the moment. Intelligence leads me to believe our vehicles are a bit further behind than the rest of the world, that goes for land, sea, and air. I'm sure you understand why we find that intolerable. If you think it would be prudent to exchange knowledge as well, I believe we could potentially share some of ours with Ulster-Gaelia, though given our isolation, I wouldn't be surprised if much of what we know is either already known, or surpassed. I believe we may have some tricks up our sleeves that would prove useful to the UKUG though, provided you wanted them and took the time to implement them correctly."

Laurence checked his pocket watch, it was just about time for their chauffeur to arrive and whisk them off to base for dinner. "If yae dinnae mind, I ordered a banquet prepared fer yae at Fort Irving, it would be an honor tae have yae join us."

[Greywall]

Mays shyly smiled; this had gone far better than he thought. "I believe we can outline this exactly. A proper military alliance, industrialization aid, and equipment leases. In exchange Eleria sells us resources at a discounted price and gives us access to your ports for the Royal Navy to resupply and pressure our geopolitical rivals. In five years' time we should have Eleria industrialized and stronger, richer and powerful. Our long-term hope is to earn your trust and gain a proper ally here in Touli."

[DrMedic]

As the Imperator was about to speak the chauffeur pulled up by the port, the white and brass car gently coming to a stop and letting off a small burst of steam. Laurence beckoned the emissary over to the vehicle and held open the back door for him, "As long as our goals and beliefs align, cannae see why we wouldn't be close. Only thing I'd advise, touch not the cat bot a glove."

[Greywall]

Mays would make his way to the car, the Imperator's accent and dialect was an old one so he struggled to understand what was said in the last statement and reacted with a sheepish grin and laugh.