A Journey into the Spider's Web (Mil'Nor/Kumosenkan Diplo)

[Sophie]

"You are asking for quite a lot," Sugii answered. "More than you are offering. I believe that offering up our shipyards for commission and selling you our bound for mothball hucks is an easy sell. The Docking and R&R rights are a wonderful step, but if you wish for us to establish a naval school together, joint naval cooperation would require a much larger commitment on your end. After all, our naval tradition is rivaled by none."

[Kira]

"A fair point, but perhaps the allotment of officers to aid in the training in both operation and use doctrines of warfare then. If we are to operate them effectively, we must be educated in their use...and I believe it would do us best to learn from the best. I would say I know of what else your people could be looking for, but I must admit to the scope that which we are unfortunately limited to. Our place on the continent, along with the wars of the old world, has left us little choice but to look to the old world for aid."

The woman leaned back into her chair, her hands interlocking together and resting on the table as she continued.
"Kumosenkan made the most clear choice, out of the two that we had to immediately consider. Although our news has been scarce, we have heard of your victory over the Ulster-Gaeila, and if we are to survive with our sovereignty intact..."
The woman's words tailed for a moment before the elder spoke up, his observance of the conversation ended as he finished the girl's sentence.

"I see no reason for us not to choose the ones who killed the Empire so easily to lead us forward"

[Sophie]

Sugii practically purred in satisfaction. "Very well said. I suppose we could open a limited naval college in Mil'Nor. However, we would need more than favorable trade deals. We would need a commitment to both a pact of non-aggression and a promise not to commit to any such pact with the UKUG. With that level of mutual friendship, a naval college will be an easy sell."

[Kira]

The man gave a nod as he returned to his silence, Kathrine shooting him a glare before speaking once more.
"We find these terms agreeable. However, and this does not by any means need to be apart of our agreements today, I would like to at least suggest the creation of a telegram line between our two nations. If Kumosenkan would like to wait to invest in such a thing, we understand, but a close relationship will be aided with the ability to send communications between our governments quickly, along with anything of note we may find on our own frontiers with the UKUG."

[Sophie]

Sugii continued to speak directly to Kathrine, "A trans-oceanic cable is no small feat. We had to crack open our treasury to build one for Elenria. I believe a better option would be to establish formal embassies in each other's nations. As well, we could station a small task force of hunter-killers and light cruisers in your ports to act as a quick response force for immediate defense needs until your crews can be trained on the ships you purchase from us."

[Kira]

"An appreciated gesture. So far, The Empress has shown herself to a true friend of Mil'Nor. With these agreements between us, Mil'Nor will surly be led into the new age before the world. We will not forget the aid and gifts given"
The woman let out a sigh, breaking eye contact as her gaze turned idle for a moment.
"Unless there is anything else, I believe we have an agreement made and a treaty to write, yes?" 

[Sophie]

Kumosenkan - Mil'Nor assistance treaty

Kumo will be given Majority Stake in the export of Mil’Nor Gold and Silver, at a favorable price
Offer of Sale&Commision of Ships to Mil’Nor as purse and ability to lease production/vessels from Kumo
Offer of Kumo Companies establishing branches within Mil’Nor, allowing private investment into Mil’Nor. Mil’Nor will retain tax rights, and disputes will be handed per the company’s favor in most cases.

Free Naval Access to Kumo. Kumo within Mil’Nor lands will be given diplomatic immunity. Mil’Nor will establish premium service for Kumo officials and military staying within the, per committee review, embassy and offices deemed necessary. Kumo will base a small defense fleet for their officer’s protection and ensure the continued flow of trade for these arrangements. In order to ensure Mil’Nor’s own ability to use what weapons of war are sold, officers from Kumo will be attached to naval schools and fleet deployments, as well as engineers deployed to proper repair and eventual retrofit of the Mil’Nor Fleet.

Mil'Nor Exports/Pays: 400,000 units of raw ores, 200,000 units of gold, 150,000 units of silver, and 20,000 gemstones.
Imports/Buys: Kumo construction companies worth 1,000 construction factories, Access to 400 Kumo shipyards, 24 escort destroyers, and 2 light cruisers.

Kumosenakn Exports/Pays: Kumo construction companies worth 1,000 construction factories, Access to 400 Kumo shipyards, 24 escort destroyers, and 2 light cruisers. The deployment of a single small cruiser division including a dozen destroyers, four light cruisers, and a heavy cruiser.

[Kira]

---

War had come to Valdera, and as Kathrine read the report from Harrowsburrow, she knew action had to be taken. Plans had been taken to seek arms from both the UKUG and Kumosenkan, and with Xagreau attack, good reason for a larger request had finally come. A meeting with the Kumo Ambassador was requested about the matter, news of the events having leaked and spread like wildfire on the lips of rumors and speculation. Kathrine and her escort arrived at the embassy established for the Kumo within the Foreign Quarter. The woman was hopeful about the talks, given how things had transpired last she negotiated with Sugii.

[Sophie]

Miharu Sugii and Yukiko Murai were on deck to receive the call in the newly constructed Kumo embassy in Mil'Nor. The embassy was still a madhouse, with dozens of Kumo working around the clock to get the embassy working at one hundred percent. An exhausted and very much overworked intern who had graduated college less than a month ago approached Katherine. She was only twenty years old, her glasses took up half her face, and her brown hair was stuffed into a very messy bun. "Mengele-kama, right? Follow me." She ordered without a confirmation; why else would a Mil'Nor be allowed in here? "Sugii-kama is extraordinarily busy but she's made time in her schedule for you."

After being led up two stairwells, Kathrine was brought to a private meeting room with Sugii and Murai. "Mengele-kan. It is a pleasure to meet with you again." She bowed with a smile.

[Kira]

Following along with the intern, the Deacon held her tongue. The matters at hand came first, with little room to waste on such a childish mistake. Those Mil'Nor working with the Kumo as intermediaries 
had been chosen by Mengele, as all affairs beyond the border fell within her jurisdiction as Deacon. A crisis with the Spider was hardly what the nation needed now, between both the Xagreau war and dealing with the few dissenters left after the Talamore Crisis. 

Upon entering the room, Kathrine bowed in return. 
"While I can say the same as for seeing you, the reason for this meeting is not as nearly as pleasing. I am unaware if you have heard the rumors probably already spreading, but we have been attacked. The state of Xagreau has raided our lands and engaged in bloody warfare to our north."
She'd pause for a moment, catching her breath before continuing
"I understand this matter beyond our initial deal, but we would like to request any and all aid that can be negotiated. Your aid before has been invaluable in serving the needs of our people, thus I'd like to see what we can do to strengthen the mutually beneficial arrangement we've made thus far."
  

[Sophie]

Sugii pressed her hand to her heart and bowed her head. "So the rumors were true. I am deeply sorry that such a cruel fate must befall your people, beseeched upon thee by those who see naught but enemies to conquer. I will pray upon my ancestors to protect your soldiers from unjust harm as they fight valiantly to keep your honorable nation safe from such savages." Her words were filled with heart but could be seen through as a platitude as it was a canned response taught in the college of foreign affairs.

"I fear that Kumosenkan has no diplomatic ties to Xagreau, and as such, we have no leverage to weigh against them. However, what we lack in a diplomatic pull, we can make up for in overwhelming firepower. An attack on a friend of Kumosenkan will not be ignored. Consider our arsenal open. Tell me what you need from your ally to bury these feral swine in their own dirt before they can even begin to regret such hateful actions."

"Land attacks may not be covered under our initial deal," Murai confirmed. "But Kumosenkan protects her allies without hesitation."

[Kira]

"I thank you for your words, Ambassador." She said, seeming pleased by Sugii's words. "While arms for infantry and armored vehicles would be appreciated, we believe there are greater threats then the Xagreau to be weary of. We have heard word of the Galran "Soverign Union", as it's called."
Her slight cheer seemed to muted for a moment as she continued.
"Their seizure of Union territory has drawn a great deal of worry, if I may be candid. As a result, we'd like to call to your people's strengths once more. The Republic of Valdera requires a battlefleet, one to match the might of those powers of Touli at the very least."

"Our coffers are once more open, a selection is all we require"

[Sophie]

"Our eyes too lay weary of its overwatch upon Galra and its deemed 'Sovereign Union.' They pose a mighty threat to all across Ouhiri. I fear I am not at liberty to provide more of our warships at this time, though I do believe you still retain rights to a non-insignificant number of shipyards. When it comes to armored vehicles, I fear they are too costly to sell at any fair price. They're still in their late development stages. However, our arms and ammunition are ready to be shipped at a moment's notice. We have our state-of-the-art Shihiku Type Twelve straight-pull rifle, which runs a cost of two-thousand eight hundred and five yairen a unit. Our older bolt action Dokueki type six should still dominate the field against anyone here in Touli; they only run twelve thousand Yairen a unit. If you're in need of indirect fire, we can offer the type thirty-eight one hundred fifty-millimeter-howitzers. These have only recently been replaced and are still competitive even on the world stage; they'd cost a million yairen a unit." Sugii offered, reading from a list that Murai had just handed to her.

Murai continued the offer. "Of course, we understand spending that kind of money during a war would be like filling a pool during a drought. Kumosenkan would be willing to loan, in yairen, enough to cover whatever you wish to purchase, upon which you could pay us in kind in Ducet. Once your war is won, you may pay us back at your leisure."

[Kira]

"For the shipyards, we would seek replicate four more fleets that match the types you gave to us before. A flagship is also required, and if possible I would like some of our engineers and schematics to be sent to aid for Mil'Nor needs in mind." The woman gave a slight bow before she resumed. "I do not mean offence, of course. We have found the needed refits for our use better to be accounted for in construction is all."

Kathrine paused to consider the offer for a moment.
"We will take...roughly enough of your Shihiki Type's to sustain a force two hundred thousand strong. Four hundred of your offered artillery will be purchase alongside the arms total, but i would like to ask about your automatic weapons. The use of such a gun has seen great effectiveness in both the Great Touli War and in our defense against the Xagreau."

[Sophie]

"Replicating a fleet of that size will take significant time, but it can be done. There is no offense taken. They are your ships and shipyards to use at your leisure." Sugii answered. "We have more than enough Shihiki rifles to arm you, but it will be extremely costly. Along with four hundred artillery pieces, enough ammo to arm them, as well as the automatic weapons you're planning to request. Of course, our currently in-use weapon is the Jido Taiho Type Twenty-Two squad-operated automatic weapon. They alone run two hundred thousand yairen."