The Chandler Tripartite [IC | Septentrion]

[Nova Sylva]

Foreign Office
Chandler, National Syndicalist Republic
11:00 Chandler Mean Time

Rain lashed in sheets against the squat buildings of the capital. The grey clouds had collected and burst once more over the city, a present from the mountains in the north. In the city itself, trams and buses carried on their normal business without regard for the few pedestrians and yet with high regard for the few cars that actually plied the basically empty roadways, presumably government officials going about their daily business. And in the background, industry continued to boom, darkening the skies again with smog.

Business as usual, then.

Under-secretary Leons — Comrade Under-secretary to everyone except the man he was going to meet — was a little wet. An umbrella, a grey macintosh, and a government car did only go so far, after all, in Chandler, the Valley City. Luckily, arriving early had allowed him to dry off most of the excess water. Whether or not the Achesian ambassador was going to be punctual didn't concern Leons so much — all the more time, the better. Leons was precise, and methodical, and prepared too, like the Foreign Office itself. A photographic memory had helped him learn as much as he could from the briefs. Not just the pages and pages of academic text about historical foreign policies of Achesia, not just the carefully documented report about the ambassador himself produced by the Directorate of Internal Security, but everything he could lay his hands on about that country. He was prepared indeed. There would be no cultural misunderstandings. There would be no misunderstandings at all. In fact — Leons allowed a smile to wobble his moustache — the ambassador would understand everything Leons was telling him.

If he had done his job right.

Which, he believed, he had.

The negotiation room flickered gently and renewed light washed across it, demonstrating its bareness. Outside, some lights went off in the city. Leons almost frowned — hardly the best image of the country, at this crucial time — and forced his frown away. To keep himself busy, he re-arranged the ashtrays and the water beaker so that they were properly aligned. An eye for precision had got him this job, and the discipline to carry out that precision had let him keep it. The city washed itself with a burst of light again, although the building's generator had already kicked in. There. Now the empty crystal glasses were perfect too.

There was a knock at the door.

[Achesia]

Those in the know, knew what a certain Ambassador Gier was about. His political loyalties were as grounded as the lapel pin he wore on his grey suit... easily taken off and replaced with a snap. The former Senator from Plood and former member of the Achesian National Party, now turned Royalist Party Member, had built a reputation of exchanging political loyalties for advancement during his days in Fawnnorth. With the fall of the ANP majority in the senate, and the rise of the Monarchy in absolute power once more, Grier saw an opportunity to capitalize on the situation.

Ambassador Grier was a pilot fish, feeding off the underbelly of the larger fish in political circles. Ever since University he had made friends that were going places, and he thusly latched on tightly. Big fish, meant big shit. Such was the case with his university friend, and now Minister of Statecraft. With the war in Sylva over, a new position in Chandler opened, and all it cost Grier was a change in political color.

While on the outside Grier was wearing Royalist Violet, on the inside he still bled his own self serving shade. Clogging down the hall towards the meeting, staff in tow, he looked every bit his new position as Achesian Ambassador to Sylva, smug and haughty. Though it was mainly the subject of Fawnnorth political gossip and tabloids, his assistant (and alleged mistress) Ms. Riker was not far behind, clogging with her own heels of haste and extension. As they turned endless corners of the well decorated political offices, some of the other staff members seemed to look to each other as if the same idea came across their mind... is Ms Riker walking a little... bow legged?

Ambassador's warm-up activities to this meeting aside, he was every bit as prepared to discuss terms for partnership with the Sylvans. This was an important matter the Minister of Statecraft had assured him, and securing the Sylvan's loyalties would go a long way in the jostle for power in the region.

As they approached the door to which the meeting was located, Grier smiled as a young, female Sylvan staff member knocked on the door to announce their arrival to Under-secretary Leon. She had a good form... quite... fit, from what he saw looking her up and down. After she opened the door and introduced the Ambassador he smiled as if to thank her for her announcement, and perhaps the beautiful welcoming to Sylva. Stepping across the threshold though, Grier had his game face on. It was time to play out his war, a diplomatic one, a war of political wills, one in which he was just another Achesian mercenary sent to do the dirty work.

"Mr. Under-secretary, a pleasure to meet you." He extended a hand, smile like a friendly, neighborly viper.

[Nova Sylva]

The Old Reunion
Chandler, National Syndicalist Republic
17:50 Chandler Mean Time



The Old Reunion restaurant had not changed very much throughout the years, its clientele remaining basically the same. No doubt the old princes sat where the Minister was sitting today, thinking about the same affairs of state. The Minister's wife watched; she knew that something was up. She laid her hand on his from across the table. "Something big?"

"You could say that," he said, wryly. "Yes, you could say that. Leons is on the job as we speak. You know Leons, don't you? Young lad."

"I think I remember."

"He's talking to the Achesian ambassador. The deal might be one of the biggest foreign policy deals we've ever made. It's really, really big. The Achesians want to station troops in Sylva, and we’re prepared to let them do that, as a side clause to a larger agreement of mutual defense with Lendol and possibly Nasaira."

"Why wouldn't they accept that?"

"Well—" the Minister began to reply, until a waiter arrived.

"Comrade Minister, the Château de Chêne Cabernet Sauvignon you ordered isn't available at the moment. I'm terribly sorry."

The Minister looked incredibly annoyed. "Alright, what about that Bordeaux I asked you about?"

"I'm so sorry, Comrade Minister. We don't have that either," the waiter replied. He was doing his best to keep his composure, the Minister's wife noticed, and gripped the Minister's hand a little tighter.

"It doesn't matter. Just bring us something red and Aurdecois," she intervened. The waiter scampered away. "You were saying, darling?"

"Well—all we are asking for is access to military hardware and some minor economic stipulations."

"And what do they get?"

"Well," the Minister said, "Achesia wants to exert its influence within Casaterra. That's fine - Chandler is alright with that and prepared to allow them to base troops here, if they agree to support us."

"Yes, darling," the Minister's wife paused, as if to finish, but then she was caught up again. "But—are they really going to accept that? That's a big deal. What if they just turn it down? Rethink and try again?"

"If they don't accept—" the Minister sighed, "then—"

"—Comrade Minister, I'm awfully sorry to interrupt. I'm the Chief Concierge. I just would like to make a sincere apology about the wine. We managed to find this Château Rothschild. It's a great Bordeaux, Comrade Minister, one of the best. For the inconvenience, please accept it as an apology."

The Minister took the bottle. He looked at the Chief Concierge, and then the bottle, and then the Chief Concierge again. "Grand," he said. "Absolutely grand. Thank you." The Concierge spent another minute apologising, poured two glasses, left the bottle on the table, and then withdrew. The Minister and his wife clinked their glasses together.

"To Comrade Chief Concierges everywhere," the Minister's wife said.

"And to the Syndicalist ideal," the Minister replied, smiling.

Post-preliminary terms of the Chandler Tripartite Agreement

Opening terms

The Treaty consists of obligations from both sides that must at all times be fulfilled. The terms of the Treaty may be renewed every five years and may not be re-negotiated until that period.

Achesian obligations

— To provide services for any citizens of the respective nations to obtain visas lasting up to 90 (NINETY) days at a charge of no more than 100 (ONE HUNDRED) EMU,
— To allow the flagged vessels of representative nations to dock in ports of Achesia in accordance with the regulations applied to flagged vessels of the Realm and not those regulations applied to other foreign flagged vessels.
— To guarantee for a period lasting until the permanent end of the Treaty, the sovereign independence of all states against unwarranted and/or unprovoked aggression against third parties, including a first strike against a highly provocative third party.
— That neither shall impose any taxes, tariffs, cabotage or rates on citizens (who do not hold dual-nationality) or registered firms (which are not subsidiaries of a third party) which are not ordinarily imposed upon the citizens of either signatory nations within the respective nation.
— To assist in the training and armament of the armed forces of Sylva and Lendol, and to provide both signatories with access to otherwise restricted military hardware and software.

Cooperative Defence Zone obligations

SYLVA

— To allow access through the designated Cooperative Defence Zone of any Achesian military units EXCEPTING those equipped with offensive CRBN-arms upon notifying relevant Sylvan authorities within 24 (TWENTY FOUR) HOURS,
— To allow the Achesian military to purchase or rent land for the construction of military bases to support deployments as necessary i.e. not within excess of what is required to materially support presently existing or immediately-to-exist military forces,
WHEREBY all Achesian personnel on Sylvan soil are obliged to comply with local laws including legal tender laws, EXCEPTING those laws required for their duties as military personnel FOR EXAMPLE employment laws, vehicle laws and firearm laws.

LENDOL

— To allow access through the designated Cooperative Defence Zone of any Achesian military units EXCEPTING those equipped with offensive CRBN-arms upon notifying relevant Lendol authorities within 24 (TWENTY FOUR) HOURS,
— To allow the Achesian military to purchase or rent land for the construction of military bases to support deployments as necessary i.e. not within excess of what is required to materially support presently existing or immediately-to-exist military forces,
WHEREBY all Achesian personnel on Lendolsi soil are obliged to comply with local laws including legal tender laws, EXCEPTING those laws required for their duties as military personnel FOR EXAMPLE employment laws, vehicle laws and firearm laws.

THIS TREATY shall be signed in CHANDLER, SYLVA, by lawfully appointed representatives, and shall come into force within 30 (THIRTY) DAYS.

[Achesia]

After the formalities had finished and the smoked had settled from a few Sylvan cigars that Ambassador Grier and Under-Secretary Leon shared during the informal bantering between the two statesmen, several hours of deliberations followed. Details on bases and troops seemed to entangle the minutes that the puffs of smoke settled into every fiber of every chair. The room seemend to be silent in those momments that the statesmen took puffs and tapped their drags in ashtrays, the staff of Ambassador Grier rarely chiming into the conversation unless prompted... he didnt like to be upstaged. It was often that a new staff member when giving inputs to a meeting or brief would try to take the lime light to build their reputation, but not long after they stuck their head up would Grier cut them down. The staff that lasted with the Ambassador, learned to be quiet.

It was the final moments of the meeting that the Ambassador looked over the document, a treaty of nations. He had thought the name of the alliance unusual, something very Sylvan in name, but original none the less. It took only a few moments for the Ambassador to look over the core obligations of the treaty, and once he finished he nodded and smiled, like any polite statesman would. He turned to Ms. Riker whom handed him a pen straight from the Ackular's desk, the Ambassador took a glance over the document one final time, and signed under the Achesian responsibilities.

Achesia was the big brother of this document, defending the rights of the two other signatures as if they were innocent virgins, the Ambassador thought. But being a big brother had its advantages, and it was ideal to adopt as many of the children in Septentrion as possible before they ended up fostered by the Organized States. The Columbians had organized their own orphanage worth of smaller nations that now march lock step with Fairford. It was beginning to form into an unbeatable bloc of hawkish democracies, inhibiting the Ackular from exacting his will within the Region. The new Minister of Statecraft saw this as the time Achesian must break from its isolationism, and form friendships with the other it still could.

With a few loops and strokes the ink from the Ambassador's pen stuck to the page, and Grier passed the paper back over to the Under-secretary.

"To a secure future." He tipped his glass of water and took a sip before subsequently taking a drag of his cigar. He turned to his assistant, and- purposefully or not blew a puff of smoke in her face. She winced slightly and tried to mask a cough but listened to the Ambassador as he whispered into his ear. She nodded her head and stood up from her chair, walking over to another one of the Achesian staff members who stood in the corners of the room taking notes of the proceedings. They exchanged a few words and Ms. Riker walked back over with a long object wrapped in a velvet red bag. Grier stood from his chair and took the eloquently wrapped gift from her hands and held it on the tips of his fingers. He turned to Leon and extended it.

"A traditional gift to an Achesian ally. To the people of Sylva" The velvet bag with golden draw strings was passed over the table. It was a weighty object, a cultural Achesian sword. A tradition that has lasted through the ages, given to those who would ally with the Ackular. It was made of the finest steel, with a hilt made of silver and decorated with many jewels. The Ambassador bowed his head and smiled as Leon looked it over to his side.

[The Lendol Archipelago]

Lucas Chapuis had always enjoyed noticing the differences between Lendol and the various other countries he had had the pleasure of working in.
One such example was the Lendolian prohibition of cigarettes and cigars. He, like many others, was glad for it. After all, it was a dirty habit, one that not only polluted one's own lungs, but those of any others who had the displeasure of being near you.
Despite his detest for cigars, Chapuis refused to let it show. In fact, other than his polite refusal of a cigar when one had been offered to him, there was nothing to give away the fact that that room was the last place he wanted to be in that long moment.
That is not to say that he wasn't immensely honoured to be entrusted with his new position, of course not, but the risk of lung cancer was admittedly a large sacrifice to make for one's country. It was, however, a risk he was more than willing to take.

He did know that he was exaggerating the risk, of course, but this was a habit that had, and would continue to, come in handy. By exaggerating anything that worried him, he ensured that much less would be left to chance or ignored altogether. He also knew that dwelling on things that brought him anxiety was not a healthy habit in the long run, especially in the high pressure role that he had been appointed to. A much unhealthier habit was smoking, something his two new colleagues enjoyed, so Chapuis continued as before.

Once the deliberations had begun, he came into his own. He had been thoroughly briefed and had undertaken research on the matters that were likely to come up, and on some that weren't. He knew what was expected of him, from both his home country and from those in the room. Chapuis was glad for his staff, because where Ambassador Grier's were largely silent, his were making input without needing to be prompted; this was largely because they were in the same boat as Lucas - they had been chosen for their role and what they were to achieve would make or break their career.

When it had came to the end of the meeting, with the document lying in front of him, Chapuis felt more pride than he had on any other occasion. With a smile, he took the pen that was offered to him, despite having two of his own, and put it to paper, signing his name on possibly most important document he was ever to touch.

[Nova Sylva]

The cameras flashed.

Leons did as he was taught, and smiled. That part was easy.

The hard part, in his mind, was not blinking. It was, to him, a crack of lightning every time the photographers clicked. The issue was, in his mind, that he couldn't blink. One of the lesser known talents of statesmen - to give firm handshakes for sixty seconds while smiling and not blinking. He started with the Achesians' hand. Then he shook the hand of his Lendolsi counterpart. Then Leons stood while the Achesian and the Lendolsi shook hands. Three people, three minutes. When it was done he motioned for a glass of water.

The formalities were done. Now, it was time for perhaps the worst part: the press conference. As host, it was Leons' job to select reporters. He and his two counterparts sat behind a small table and he pointed to the first one.

"Allison Watson, Achesian National. How do you believe the international community will react to this treaty?"

So we're starting with the hardballs. "We hope the nations of Casaterra and Septentrion as a whole will see this treaty for what it is - a stepping stone into the future, and the formation of closer bonds between the countries which have signed it. It's in no way, shape, or form an ideological alliance, or somehow geared towards the furthering of any geopolitical goals except for peace on Casaterra and the mutual security of all signatories."

"Follow up question, Mr. Undersecretary. Isn't their a clause that requires military support, even in the case of a first strike?"

"A first strike against a highly provocative third party, Ms. Watson. I don't claim to be an expert in military matters, but I do know that in some cases the best defense is a good offense. Next question."

"Adriana Velasquez, Acropolis Journal. Sir Minister, exactly what Achesian military units will be based in Sylva, and how many?"

[Achesia]

Ambassador Gier smiled, the average statesmen would dread time in front of the media, but Grier instead relished his time in the limelight. He had listened patiently to the side of his counterparts as the media peppered them with questions, and now it was his turn.

"Yes an important question that I am sure is running through the minds of every Sylvan citizen." He answered Adriana. "Royal High Command officials will be working closely with their counterparts both here in Sylva and in Lendol to determine the exact strategic needs of both nations. It is important that all three of our militaries are in close synchronization during this process to ensure the security of all of our peoples. The situation on the Cassaterran continent has increased in trepidation over the past year, with the unstable islamic government in Murovanka, as well as the aggressive interventionism by the Organized States and the Republic of Westervelde. The Columbian Bloc wishes to force its will onto all of us, and we all as partners now must be vigilant to these destabilizing acts by the Columbains." He finished this answer and took a sip of his water.

"Mr. Ambassador" this time the reporters turned to the Lendolsi diplomat. "Allison, Achesian National again, what do you think, with the Organized States just across the Columbian Sea from your country, the greatest threat to regional security and this Alliance is?"

[The Lendol Archipelago]

Ambassador Grier was much the same as his Sylvan counterpart, he was rather enjoying the limelight. That worked for Lucas as it meant that, between his two colleagues, he'd spend less time on the spot. However, the question that lay before him proved that he would have to spend at least some time on stage.

"I think," Lucas begun, "and I'll apologise for my terribly vague answer now, that there are far too many threats that we face now, and far too many unknowns, to quantify the single greatest threat. The best we can do is succeed in spotting threats and dealing with them accordingly."

It was Lucas' turn to choose a reporter. After a brief glance across the crowd, he pointed towards a vaguely familiar Wankan journalist.

[Murovanka]

From the back row, a tall, gaunt man stood up. He said, “Franz Oberhausen, Kronstadter Kurier. Few questions. Firstly, back to what Ambassador Grier said, and I quote, the ‘unstable islamic-shahid government in Murovanka’. As we are well aware, Wanko-Sylvan relations have deteriorated significantly since the regime change in our country, with CENTO falling apart and Sylvan officials calling Wankan control of Saxony illegal and as a breaching of the Erus Accords, with some officials reportedly saying that Wankan Saxony, with a hostile Wankan government in place, is a security threat to Sylva. Now, the emphasis of this agreement appears to be on the stationing of the Achesian military in Sylva.”

He paused, then continued. “If I may, the Chandler Tripartite Treaty and the accompanying rhetoric strongly resembles the general build-up to the Saxon War, specifically the Septentrion League at that time. In addition, the Saxon War was initiated by a large-scale first strike by League air forces, and a clause in this treaty specifically permits a repeat of such action. My first question is, would ensuring mutual security for all members entail a Saxony under Sylvo-Achesian alignment? Secondly, could you elaborate on what this treaty means for Wanko-Sylvan relations; and lastly, between the OS-aligned bloc in Aemen and Wanka, which would qualify as the greater threat to Sylvan security and in what way, offensive or defensive, will the resources of the Chandler Tripartite be allocated toward these threats?”

He sat back down.

[Nova Sylva]

"Well, Mr. Oberhausen, we ussualy only allow one question at a time. However you bring up some very good points, points I'm sure everyone would wish to see addressed, so in this case I will make an exception."

Leon's took a sip of water.

"The National Syndicalist Republic is dedicated, as all nations are, to the preservation of their territorial sovereignty, and, perhaps more so, the protection of its people both at home and abroad. We wish no war with Wanka. But the insistence of suppressing the Sylvan minorities within Saxony of political freedoms, religious preference, and in some cases, basic human rights, is most troubling, not just to this country, but to all parties to this treaty. If you remember, Mr. Oberhausen, I believe the Wankan goverment used the same excuse to invade the Sellenland and to buildup along the Saxon border. Now, I apologize for any misgivings between our two countries since that time - but if you will remember, Mr. Oberhausen, at that time, Sylva was led by a monarch. Just as during the Sellenland, Wanka was led by a dictator. Sylva is willing to let bygones be bygones, and has faith that the new Wankan goverment is more interested in peaceful coexistence than its predecessor is. We are willing to trust in this, but for history's sake, will verify. The Tripartite, then, is that verification."

"Now, your second question. What will the Tripartite be more geared towards defending against - the Wankans, or the OS bloc? My answer is simple - whichever poses the greater threat. Now, next question."

[Achesia]

Petite blonde woman stood up from her chair in the crowd of reporters. She scrambled through some notes haphazardly before finally coming to what she was looking for. Smiling and stroking back her long blonde hair behind her ear, she cleared her throat in preparation to read off her question.

"Under-secretary Leon, Julia Barnnett, Ack-Nat dot net, what do you view as the scope of this alliance? Do you see the Chandler Tripartite operating beyond Cassaterra? Example being the recent use of chemical weapons by the Allied Nations in their war against the Allancian Empire? Will the alliance intervene in such instances beyond the member nation's continent?"

[Nova Sylva]

"As I said before, the alliance will gear itself towards the greatest threat to mutual security. The geography of a single landmass does'nt exclude the fact that other, larger threats may be a simply an ocean away. So yes, if neccessary, the Tripartite will act outside of just Casaterra."

"I'm afraid that's all the time we have today. Any further questions should be addressed to the Press Secretary. Thank you."

[Nasaira]

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