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Post by Sophie on Jul 13, 2022 19:45:39 GMT -5
From
Kumosenkan, Office of the Empress
Empress Shiraori Tetsu Kumo
For
Republic of Koi
Ministry of Staol
Minister Eliisabet Aasmae Kangur
Kangur-kas, it is truly a pleasure to be writing to you once again, as it has been quite some time since Kumosenkan has had to reach out to Koi. This is a compliment. Your shipments have been so consistent and satisfactory that we have had no need for further communication. However, we are contacting you once more as an opportunity. In accordance with our continued economic growth and expansion, Kumosenkan has need of more Staol. Much more. Both to cover our expanding military and industries, but also to act as a safety net. We are in the process of constructing massive Staol bunkers, and we would like to fill them. As such, I am now requesting to double our usual order of Staol. From half a billion tons per quarter to a full billion per quarter.
The whole of Kumosenkan eagerly awaits your response.
Signed,
皇后白折鉄雲
Empress Shiraori Tetsu Kumo
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Jul 23, 2022 17:14:10 GMT -5
Eliisabet stared at the letter, dumbfounded. A billion tons per quarter... She'd turn towards the buzzer on her desk, pressing it. A meak voice spoke out on the other side. "Secretary Kuusivana speaking."
"This is Kangur. Get me the MiniState."
The convoy would enter Mensgami Bay, the Koian fleet billowing smoke as it closes in on Fuyonouso. The old ironclad battleship, the Kiviroos, the namesake of its class, leads the group, followed behind by the light cruiser Briljantne Valgus of the Sädelev Meri-Class Cruisers. Trailing behind in an inverted-v-formation would be four Termingrad-Class Destroyers. The battleship would blow its steam horn as loud as it could, signaling its approach. It steams into port of its own power, its escorts slowing to a crawl and remaining further out until given permission from the docking authority to dock and refuel.
The Kiviroos would pull to stop at an available dock, the ship hissing as its engines are given a rest and the pressure is released from the boilers. A group of six Koians would hop off the side of the ship onto the concrete port below before any of the crew would begin mooring the vessel, their wings fluttering at the last moment to absorb some of the shock. The group would consist of a single Satlin Koian, an Aleta Koian, two Lüiõ Koians, and two Celöösa Koians. One of the Celöösans would produce a hardened, green stalk of something from their pocket before lighting it and smoking it, the scent sweet as the group of six walk out to a more open area of the port.
Describing the six directly, it's clear they are here for business. The Satlin Koian at the head adorns a dark black suit jacket with a bright orange tie designed with the signature four-pointed stars of Koi, a pale blue button-down undershirt underneath that contrasts just enough with her white fur to stand out, and a slightly darker than tan pair of khakis. She'd say something to the others in heavily accented Koian, her curt movements towards the one smoking causing them to pull the object back out and mash it on the ground. They'd adjust the rifle slung over their back, a Koian 1921 Service Rifle, large caliber and unique lever-action on an otherwise plain and lightly damaged wood showing its age. They'd have on a white overcoat that clashes with their red and white fur, standing about even with the woman speaking to him. Their legs are covered in light gray cargo-pants, the dark color of grease evident giving it an almost camo-like appearance, though on closer inspection it's clear it's just smeared grease from their hands that has since stuck. The other Celöösan, one of the Lüiõns, and the Aletan would all be wearing similar clothing, protecting them from the cool air of the tundra. The Lüiõn would have a different rifle slung over their back, however, and judging by its similar design it is still clearly a Koian Rifle, likely making the 1929 variant with its smaller caliber. The last of the group, the other Lüiõn, would be dressed more similarly to the Satlin, though their smaller frame is dwarfed by the Aletan trailing behind them. In their lower hands would be two briefcases, the upper two moving about as they speak with the others. A dark red suit jacket contrasts to their green fur; a white button-down under that is dressed with a similar bright orange tie, though decorated with a white set of railroad tracks down the length instead of the stars; and a pair of light tan khakis that looks freshly pressed.
The group would come to a stop, the Satlin looking at her watch. She'd speak in very-heavily accented commons to the group behind her. "Did we arrive too early?"
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Post by Sophie on Aug 4, 2022 17:56:18 GMT -5
The assorted docks, piers, wharves, slipways, and marinas of Fuyonouso were bustling with activity. Thousands of vessels populated the area, some departing, some arriving, many laying in port loading and unloading . An entire fleet of Kumo warships lay moored in dock a few hundred meters from the shore. The port authority sent a small contingent of hunter-killers to sail alongside the koians and helped tug them into the dock. Once the gangway fell from the dock onto the Koian ship, the two hucks returned to their idle positions among the fleet.
A small group of Kumo approached the disembarked Koians. The first of the four women to speak was the shortest. She was addressed all in soft pink threads, even a fanciful sun hat to help her fight the summer 'heat'. "No, you're right on time." She bowed as deeply as she could. "It is always an honor to host Koians in our humble empire. I am Kazumi Yamanaka, the Minister of Foreign affairs. Thank you for making the long trek from your home to ours. Empress Shiraori is excitedly awaiting you in her home. We have a car ready and waiting to take you there immediately."
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Aug 4, 2022 22:11:48 GMT -5
The Satlin and the formally-dressed Lüiõn would bow in return. "I am Eevi Valgus, Minister of the State. We thank you for being ready on such short notice." She would smile, motioning to the cars. "Shall we?"
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Post by Sophie on Aug 5, 2022 16:14:40 GMT -5
"We are honored by your presence, Valgus-kama." The minister pulled up from her bow and nodded. "Yes, let's." The entourage turned towards the cars and guided the Koians inside the cars. The palace complex was only a few miles out from the port, making the drive short and pleasant.
Once at the palace, the Empress was ready and waiting to greet the Koians at the entrance to the main building. "I welcome you to my home, Valgus-kan. I am thankful you made the trip out here. I trust you've been treated well?"
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Aug 5, 2022 17:04:28 GMT -5
Eevi would bow lightly to the Empress as they'd approach the entrance. "It is a pleasure, Ms. Empress Shiraori. Minister Yamanaka was right on schedule when we arrived at port, and I trust your wonderful docks are tending to my crews." She'd look over at the others, the Lüiõn in his suit would step forward, bowing. Eevi would speak for him. "This is Alo Malk, deputy diplomat for the Ministry of Staol."
He'd raise from the bow, smiling. "If you need any numbers or such, I have your answers."
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Post by Sophie on Aug 5, 2022 18:47:15 GMT -5
The use of 'Ms.' and 'Empress' hit Shiraori's ear in an odd way, but she ignored it and smiled at the moth-like biped before her. "Our docks would fully retrofit your ships if you asked." She laughed at her own riff. "I hope your crews are able to enjoy some time off in our city." She turned towards Alo Malk as he was introduced. "I don't believe we've ever had the pleasure Malk-kas. It is an honor to host you in my home."
As if to nag at her directly for forgetting about her, Reito, the Empress's daughter, tugged on her mom's Kimono just slightly. "Oh, of course! Valgus-kan, I don't believe you've ever had the opportunity to meet my second in command and daughter. This is Reito Doku Kumo. She will be attending the meeting as well."
With a quick bow, Reito spoke in turn. "I am honored to attend a meeting with someone as important as you, Valgus-kan. I hope to learn a lot today." Reito smiled.
"Let us continue this inside," Shiraori said while turning to the doors the maids held open. "There is much to discuss."
The Empress and Princess duo quickly lead the Koians through the twisting hallways of the Palace and into a rather large meeting room. Small teacups waited in front of every seat, and a plate of pastries sat in the center of the desk. As the parties began to seat themselves, Reito picked up the platter. "I took this opportunity to attempt to make Pirukas. I filled them with raspberry jam instead of meat and veggies. I hope they are up to your standards."
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Aug 20, 2022 12:29:39 GMT -5
The guards would all remain at posts randomly about the palace, two staying at the entrance, one somewhere around the middle of the path to the meeting room, and one outside the meeting room, standing guard as the group went in.
The two would sit at the table, Eevi digging straight into her bag and pulling out various papers, one of which was the telegram that started this whole journey. Alo would place his briefcase on the table, popping a single lock before looking at Reito as she spoke. He'd smile, graciously taking one. "Thank you, I can't wait to try one." He'd place it down on the plate next to him before popping open the other lock, opening the briefcase to reveal several massive rolls of documents, pens, stamps, and what looked to be smaller boxes strewn about where they could fit inside.
He'd pull out a single piece of paper, sliding it over to Eevi as she'd stop organizing her papers to smile at Reito. "Thank you." She'd take a pastry, bowing slightly in her seat before turning back to her papers. With one hand holding the pastry, she'd softly take a bite into it while her other three continued organizing the papers. She'd slide a single paper across the table to the Empress, the paper showing the current half a billion tons of staol and how they're currently transported to Kumosenkan.
She'd set the half-eaten pastry down, wiping the crumbs off her lips with a napkin before looking at the two Kumo across the table. "Two things. One, Miss. Reito, this is amazing and I would love your recipe for it some time. Two, before you, ma'am, is the current breakdown of transportation for your current amount of staol shipments. As you know, everything runs on a very tight schedule to ensure everyone gets their deliveries on time."
She'd take a quick sip of tea to clear her throat.
"How do you plan for us to fulfill doubling our transportation to your nation?"
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Post by Sophie on Aug 20, 2022 17:27:44 GMT -5
"I'm so happy it's up to your standards! I will be sure to compile the recipe I used and send it to you as soon as I am able. Thank you for the compliment." Reito cheered, happy that she and her mom's cooking time together had begun to pay off.
Shiraori let Reito cheer for a moment before answering the question. "I figured I would send you an unending amount of money, and the staol would end up in our ports, as it has been done for the past hundred or so years. As usual, we'll happily dedicate our hunter-killers to escort your convoys." She overlooked the documents of the current transports, though she didn't fully understand them. "We can have more dedicated staol unloading docks constructed, and if necessary, we do have dedicated staoilers that we can use to transport staol from your shores to ours. Though typically, those are reserved for use as an auxiliary force for the Royal Battle Fleet. If you wish, I am open to developing a new class of Staoilers, with the help of Koi, to handle the increased output."
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Aug 27, 2022 18:28:17 GMT -5
A simple chuckle would escape Eevi before she'd press a finger down on the paper before the Empress. "You wish to double your imports. Currently, we have a fleet of five hundred locomotives dedicated to transporting staol from our nation to ports close to yours for transport." She'd move a second hand over, flipping through the pages rapidly, each page showing a different locomotive, its number, the traincars it carries, its average schedule, and its start and end destinations. As she'd flip through it, the actual size of the package of papers would become more and more apparent. Suddenly, another packet would be pushed into view next to it, Eevi's hands letting the papers of trains rest for a moment as they changed over to the other packet. "And this is every vessel, Koian, Kumo, and otherwise, transporting staol to you." She'd flip two pages, but then immediately reset the packet, quickly resetting the packet of trains alongside it, allowing the Empress to see the absolute units of required transports needed to get their half a billion tons to them.
"Simply put, we're going to have to overhaul." She'd look over at Alo, him providing yet another stack of papers. At this point, it's at least fifty pounds of paper lying before the Empress and the Princess, and they haven't even gotten off the topic of the original transports yet. She'd flip the packet open to the first page. "This is every port we utilize, from Almerzhinsk to Verak to Orthoria to Pomazanniki, as well as some of our own when your government requested more direct connections. This will strain the capacity of all these ports, and we can't just make them all expand as they're not all ours."
"To proceed with your request, we will have to commission..." She'd look over at Alo, pausing as she gathered her thoughts.
Alo would quickly step in. "We would need four-hundred-and-eighty-two new locomotives, over one-hundred-thousand new train cars, five-hundred-and-forty-two...no, five-hundred-and-fifty-two new staoliers, and well over ten-thousand new docking stations built across both shipping and Kumo docks." Alo would quickly nod to Eevi, who'd turn her attention back to the Empress.
"Still following so far, Ms. Shiraori?"
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Post by Sophie on Oct 13, 2022 10:47:35 GMT -5
"I'm following what you're saying, but I do not understand why it's my burden to solve your logistical issues." Shiraori's voice was already showing her frustration. "If you have the staol to sell, and I have the money to pay for it, I thought that'd be the end of it." Shiraori looked over to Reito with her exasperation clear. Reito sat stiff-backed with her most professional face plastered on. The Princess gave a quick confused gesture to her mom, and Shiraori silently sighed. "Kumosenkan will help you develop a new class of staoiler; we'll also build up to seventy-five percent of what you believe to be necessary to fulfill this deal, fifty percent of which will remain under the full control of Kumosenkan. As a stop-gap measure, we will break off as many of my auxiliary staoilers from the Royal Battle Fleet as I can spare to fill the role."
"As far as train cars go, I'm afraid we won't be much help in anything but construction. We purchased all our designs from you. I am willing to commit our factories to construct half of the needed train cars, and I am willing to allow all of them to be under your permanent control. However, with this much commitment on our end, I will expect a significant break on the price of staol. At the very least twenty percent for the next two years."
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Nov 5, 2022 16:56:03 GMT -5
A sigh would escape the Minister of the State, equally as frustrated as the Empress. "We have already commissioned some shipyards from private firms in Koi, Galra, Ulster-Gaelia, Grinvel, Marrlan, Roskana, and Amali. Some Kumo firms thrown into the mix would help to lessen the problem of the number of ships, but it does not fix the last issue. Where will all these ships start and stop? Koi commissions sixty percent of the docks from Almerzhinsk to the border of Orthoria. The remaining docks are not outfitted for large or even medium staoliers. The waters would become a railyard; the average citizen could walk from Almerzhinsk to Fuyonouso with the amount of steel waiting to get into functional ports."
"In order to lessen the strain on the existing ports, we'll have to purchase more dedicated ports in Pomazanniki, Amali, and Galra, along with opening more of our ports for direct trade to your nation. Without closer open ports, as there are plenty in the Confederation to your North who would love the direct railroad connections and could then open their ports for our use towards you, we are still met with the glaring issue of the Dirian Federation who continues to remain outside of allowing discussions for that possibility, so we must resort to other areas to open these connections. Heck, if we could get Diria and the Mestrian States on board, I'm certain we could even build a direct rail from Põhiliin to Fuyonouso. Until then, we'll have to get others to open their ports to us to use for you."
Alo would then speak up. "And then once we have new export ports, we'll have to work on expanding your allowable ports. Many of your seaside industrial cities have dedicated staolier ports. With the influx of ships, we'd need to expand all of them, or open more dedicated areas in other ocean-facing settlements who could handle new ships coming in and your own trucks or trains hauling it off to where it needs to go." He'd slide out another stack of papers... Everyone's pretty sure a whole forest is stacked within Alo's briefcase at this point. "We can handle the railcars. Whatever we need immediately can always be shipped off to one of our neighbors if needed immediately to reduce the transport cost so it's not having to be shipped across the Woodpool."
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