The Best of the Worst (Franerre-UKUG Diplo)

[Greywall]

Murphy went into her office to report to Minister McCaig of the situation, the Minister was having a busy quarter and wanted to take a summer holiday but when this crossed his desk he requested for Robin to appear at the Gaelic Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at his office on the fourth floor.

[callmedelta]

Esrellia 15th, 9:24 am Pareau, Franerre/4:24 p.m. Baile Glas, United Kingdom of Ulster-Gaelia

Robin had already sent a telegram back to Pareau informing them of Gaelia’s inaction. He had resigned himself to that fate. After racking his brain for any ideas, and finding none, has resigned himself to the bottle. The summons from Minister McCraig himself was completely unexpected. Robin didn’t know how much would come if this meeting, but things couldn’t get worse. It was an odd sort of optimism, perhaps better called a silver lining, but it was what Ambassador Gaumont carried with him into the Fourth Floor of the Ministry. At least it helped keep the worst of his hangover at bay. Robin was just lucky had hadn’t started drinking yet today.

[Greywall]

McCaigs office was filled with the sounds of a typewriter and the smell of Nevarran coffee freshly brewed in a nearby pot, Robin would be walked in as McCaig kept at the paper he was writing. "Come on in, grab a seat, there's some coffee on the counter there if you want some." McCaig was clearly focused on his work, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was overloaded with work and needed more ambassadors no short due to the work of Minister McCaig. He allowed Robin time to get adjusted and a drink if they wanted before rolling up the paper and clicking a loud button, "Anderson, i'm done with the Taoiseach report." A young woman hurriedly rushed into the room taking the paper and back out as McCaig took a long drink of coffee and walked over to the counter to get a refill.

"Robin yea? Frannerre. Kingdom of Frannerre." McCaig said finishing putting some cold cream on the top, saying his comment as if to remind himself of this meeting. "So what exactly do you want Ambassador? Best we can do is apply international pressure but i've seen birds shitting more effective than that working against Shiraori."

[callmedelta]

Robin walked over to the coffee counter, eager to take a drink of what would be a rather expensive treat back in Franerre. He didn't think much of Minister McCraig's comment about their meeting. Robin didn't even expect to be here - he'd take whatever shot he could get. "In an ideal world," Robin began, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "Franerre would be willing to pledge military assistance against Galran colonies should Gaelia be willing to defend Franerre at this moment." Robin had only had coffee once or twice before, and they had been quite awhile ago. He took a drink of the coffee straight, finding it much to bitter. At least the caffeine helped with his headache. "But I understand that may not be something Gaelia was willing to commit to. I had another idea, however. There's a port city in eastern Franerre, Desterque. It's the largest port we have outside of the Bays, and those will be much easier for Kumosenkan to blockade. If Franerre wants to fight Kumosenkan, we will need imported guns, ammunition, and raw materials to keep our war economy going. During the war with the Union, Franerre was unable to sink Kumosenkan weapons shipments going into the Union due to fear of starting a war. I would imagine Kumosenkan would face much the same fears if it was Gaelian ships going into Franerri ports. In exchange, Franerre is still willing to commit forces against Galra." Robin scooped some cold cream into his coffee and began to stir.

[Greywall]

McCaig sat into his leather chair drinking his coffee, "I think the best solution is to talk to Kumosenkan, there's a solution to this but given the nature of the Kumo it is quite difficult to pinpoint what." He placed the coffee mug on his desk and pulled up a file, "This is the only real option we can offer, sponsor a proper transfer of the area and establish a demilitarized zone along the banks of the river. There's no real way around it, Frannerre will lose that territory. The United Kingdom isn't very interested in involving itself in a war with Kumo, and the offer to support against Galra isn't enticing. We're aware of Frannerre's involvement in the UST war and that conflict along with this situation will leave the Kingdom in a weakened state." He slid the file over to Robin, "That's the Taoiseach's offer, not the crown's. If Frannerre accepts UKUG sponsorship in the deal our industry will, like with Ashinara, help in the modernization of Frannerre's military industrial complex in exchange for extensive trade."

[callmedelta]

Robin didn't even open the file. Hell, it was hard not to jump out of his chair and start screaming at McCraig, or walk out of the meeting right then and there. To get Robin's hopes up, for this insult? "I don't know if you understand what you're asking us to do here, Minister," Robin said, edge seeping into his voice. "Would you cede Marshall to Kumosenkan without a fight? Would you cede Stafford or Avalon without a bullet fired? What about Solstiem or Tannak, without a drop of blood spilled? Would you cede Faroe to those damned spiders without a fight? Because that's what you're asking us to do here, Minister."

[Greywall]

"The difference, is we are capable of defending those territories, you are not."

[callmedelta]

“In that case,” Robin said, standing as the file still lay unopened on the table, “I think we are done here.” He took the file from the table, but it was hard to feel like it was anything more than an afterthought. “I’ll move this onto Pareau, but so long as it’s contingent upon ceding territory I believe we’ll be passing on it.”

[Greywall]

McCaig shrugged, he took the file and placed it into his desk and back to his work. "Good luck Frannerre" he said to himself, knowing the situation was just a bad one but not one the UKUG could risk with the SU looming over, war with Kumosenkan meant a weaker UKUG in the event war came closer to their home.