The Best of the Worst (Franerre-UKUG Diplo)

[callmedelta]

Relations between Franerre and the United Kingdom of Ulster-Gaelia were...interesting, to say the least. The Gaelians held vast swathes of eastern Touli under their dominion, a natural tension point between Franerre and any foreign state. Colonization had left its' scars on Franerre, and they got off light compared to many peoples across Touli. Yet with the great beasts of Kumosenkan and Galra on her border, and the friendship between the Lusatians and Gaelians, the United Kingdom was often seen in a more positive light than the former two. They were the best of the worst, so to speak. 

~



To the esteemed Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom of Ulster-Gaelia,

With the recent developments in the ongoing war against the Union of South Touli, we believe that a naval blockade of the Union of South Touli would bring a quicker end to the violence. In support of this effort, we would like to request the use of Gaelian ports in the overseas territory of Zedonia for resupply of Staol and repair of any damaged ships. We would additionally like to enquire about the potential import of Gaelian consumer goods in large quantity.

May this letter find you swiftly,
Robin Gaumont, Franerri Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Ulster-Gaelia.

[Greywall]

Anton McCaig's eyebrow raised slightly, "Frannerre? They never seem to have wanted to do much with us. Send Murphy and see what this is all about."

Robin Gaumont

Please make your way to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building here in Baile Glas, Barbara Murphy will be the diplomat you meet with.
Thank you,

Anton McCaig
Minister of Foreign Affairs, United Kingdom of Ulster-Gaelia

[callmedelta]

Robin made his way to the Foreign Ministry building, walking with the fast pace that one does when they want to get somewhere quickly but doesn't want to look like they're rushing. According to Pareau, he was one of the few people who truly knew how bad the consumer goods shortage, and if the Gaelians caught on to that fact they'd be able to exploit the situation to their advantage. Not a good outcome for Franerre. At the very least, the other matter of discussion for this meeting would provide a useful cover for his urgency.

[Greywall]

Ambassador Murphy stood at the center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, a warm and inviting center room greeted its guests from the cold Northern winter with a comforting heat that slowly enveloped you as you entered. "Robin Gaumont?" Murphy would say in her best attempt at Franerri, "I am ambassador Barbara Murphy, I was assigned to speak with you concerning trade and potential port usage? If you would please follow me, our room is on the second floor".

Murphy would guide Gaumont to the rear center of the building where a set of elevators waited for them, as they entered Murphy would press a button numbered 2 and the elevator would ascend. They exited the after it finished and entered a long hallway before turning toward a decently sized room with wood paneling walls, a book shelf, a table and chairs at its center and on the back wall the UKUG coat of arms with a particularly dark green stag at its center. "Is there anything I can get you? We have tea, coffee, water, some fruit drinks and of course if you need something to eat, we have food I just don't know if anything would be um...familiar?"

Murphy would pull herself a seat next to a small box, an intercom and politely wave her hand to the seat across from her for Robin to sit.

[callmedelta]

“A nice tea will be all, thank you,” Robin replied in his own tongue, “I wish I could say my Gaelian was as good as your Franerri, but I’ve never been quite able to nail it down. I wish we had time to exchange niceties, but time is of the essence with this operation.” In more ways than one, but the Gaelian didn’t need to know that. “Every day that naval blockade isn’t around the Union is a day they could import more guns and material. Due to the distance between Franerre and the Union’s shores, we would like to use Gaelian naval bases in Zendonia for resupply and repair, if necessary. We’re prepared to offer a sum of silver for the privilege, but ultimately you are the one who must decide how much it’s worth.”

[Greywall]

Murphy smiled despite a few things said wrong here and there, "Our language is called Caledonian. And Zedonia is the colony, but that's quite alright. So, you wish to use the ports in our colony for your war, a risk for the United Kingdom as we'd need to resupply your ships as well as be able to harbor the sailors from said ships. This effectively but not directly involves us in the war, so the payments would be determined by how many ships you plan to send to our ports. Off the top of my head the Sepedia ports will not be used as they're consistently shipping goods and in out and would be far too traffic heavy. So, the ports would be Costa Nua and Fuar."

A member of staff would walk in with two cups, one tea for Robin and one coffee for Murphy with foamed sweet cream at the top. "Thank you, i'll let you know if we need anything else" Murphy politely told the staff member. Murphy took a small sip of the coffee before saying, "there's also the purchase of consumer goods, how much would the Kingdom of Frannerre need?"

[callmedelta]

Robin chided himself internally. He’d always heard the language called Gaelian back home. He did know that Zenobia was the colony, and wasn’t quite sure what the Gaelian meant, but that wasn’t exactly important right now. “10,000 tons,” Robin said, “Franerre’s willing to offer 9,000 tons of silver for the goods. The naval task force getting ready to move on the Union is…” Robin paused as he looked through the documents in his briefcase, “…30 combat capable ships, and an indeterminate number of noncombat transport ships. I believe a payment of 10 tons of silver per combat ship, totaling 300 tons of silver, would be a good place to start the negotiations. That figure would just be purely for the docking rights, not for the purchasing of any additional staol needing for said ships, which may be needed for the operation. For such staol purchases, Franerre may need to be extended a line of credit, though if you prefer hard silver at the time of purchase that could also be possible Is that an amenable sum?”

[Greywall]

The amount of consumer goods was a large amount, but Murphy wrote down the amount and the silver offered as it was more than a fair deal. But the dock request seemed low, "Please understand that having a foreign military force use our docks is a rather, tricky political position we're being placed in. For this to work for us we believe 90 tons of silver is more appropriate, this come to 2,700 units of silver for the Frannerre fleet and its likely a sum needed to be paid for however long seasonally our ports are to be used."

She wrote down the offered amount in her notes before proceeding about the Staol, "The staol purchases is also something we'd prefer silver at the the time of purchase. 4 units of silver per ton of Staol."

[callmedelta]

Robin pondered the deal, realizing that he may have been a tad underprepared. He didn’t want to try and debate the basing figure, but not being a navy man Robin had no idea how much staol ships burned to run, or whether the four unit figure was a good amount. He pulled out his own pencil and notebook, flipped through a few more pages in his briefcase, scribbling down some figures while Robin pretended to do calculations. The Gaelians had been amicable so far, so Robin doubted he was getting completely scammed, but those figures could still rapidly balloon the cost of this operation. His mind resolved, Robin sat down his pencil. “The 2,700 units for docking rights is acceptable, but I think three units of silver per ton of staol is a fairer price.” Truthfully he thought three and a half would be a good number, but for a ‘compromise’ to be reached he couldn’t start there.

[Greywall]

"Excellent, we can begin distributing the goods to Frannerre soon the Iron Bank of Baile Glas will handle the transfer of silver for those units. As for the ports, Grand Admiral Lennon will be informed, and the Royal Navy will provide you with the docking you need in Zedonia. Was there anything else I could assist with you today?"

[callmedelta]

Well, Robin wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. He stood, extending a hand to Murphy. “I believe that will be all, and I extend Franerre’s thanks to the Gaelian people for their willingness to work with us in bringing this bash war to a close.”

[Greywall]

"Of course, if you need me i'll be here. Please enjoy the rest of your day." Murphy would shake Robin's hand and let her leave while she gathered the needed paperwork, to Murphy it was a standard arrangement for the UKUG another trade deal that would likely get her a bonus and some additional holiday.

In a matter of days, the factories in the UKUG would receive the order for various items needed in Frannerre for the initial shipment, Admiral Yarbough of the 98th Fleet would personally oversee the Zedonian docking of Frannerre ships.

[Greywall]

Following the Lusatian proclamation on silver sales, the use of UKUG ports had now become a complicated condition. Frannerre was asked to send a diplomat to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet with Ambassador Murphy to discuss the current situation.

[callmedelta]

Perhaps it was a vain hope, but staring up at the Foreign Ministry building, Ambassador Gaumont hoped this meeting could be a blessing in disguise. There was a chance that any renegotiation could result in a better deal for Franerre, especially considering how this was all the Lusatians' fault. Robin entered the building, making his way toward where he knew the Foreign Minister's office to be.

[Greywall]

Ambassador Murphy greeted Robin warmly, “welcome ambassador! Can get you anything to drink?” While Murphy gave the offer she pulled some papers onto the desk concerning the requests from the crown and parliament pertaining the Frannerre deal.