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Post by Admin on Aug 6, 2015 13:37:06 GMT -6
The Wuxianese were a people who valued order and decorum, and the Kwazan Conglomerate was happy to oblige. In the wake of the development of wormhole drives and all the complications that went with it, establishing relations with the eminent Yuyan was more important than ever. The Conglomerate sent Mma Mana Tsawne Imatagwe, Conglomerate representative and tribal elder. The middle-aged woman was greatly respected on the home planet and it was the Conglomerate's hope that sending such a prestigious visitor would show their regard for the Yuyan.
Mma Mana herself was a middle aged Kwazan, but not lacking in vitality despite her age. She wore a dress of fine tribal patterns and no shortage of ornamentation, such as her beaded bracelets and golden earrings. She descended from the ship with a warm smile and bowed generously to her host.
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Post by zurajai on Aug 6, 2015 14:07:03 GMT -6
The Kwazan diplomatic vessel was accepted wholeheartedly into Wuxian airspace, directed to land at a docking platform just outside the Yuyan's Imperial Palace. The ship, once docked, was met with agents of the Ministry of Defense; smartly dressed but armed with only elaborate stun batons belted at the waist, these guards were nothing but a formality. The Conglomerate representative was immediately taken by lift from the platform to one of the numerous entrances into the Imperial Palace where another group awaited her and after a brief but ever essential rite to exchange the representative's care to the new party Mma Mana Tsawne Imatagwe was properly greeted.
"Mma Mana Tsawne Imatagwe, I presume," came the gentle call of the immaculately dressed, bowing representative of the Chancellery, headdress arranged to be perfectly parallel to the floor as the famed Wuxianese smile was presented to the woman, "It is a great privilege to make your acquaintance. I am His Divine Imperial Majesty's Administrator Ju Min. I trust your trip was calm and relaxing. Before any pleasantries may begin we must first pass through the Palatial Processing where you will receive identification that shall give you, as an Honored Guest of the Yuyan and representative of your Esteemed People, freedom to appreciate the grounds of His Divine Imperial Majesty's Imperial Palace at your leisure. An estate on the Palatial Grounds has been reserved for you in the case of your prolonged stay as His Honored Guest. With my sincere apologies if I have failed to share any information pertinent to your stay I will now accept any questions you might have before we continue."
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Post by Admin on Aug 6, 2015 16:23:39 GMT -6
"You honor me with your welcome, Administrator." Mana replied. "I would appreciate any guidance you can provide on proper decorum for meeting with the eminent Yuyan. The Conglomerate wishes to show its regard for Wuxian custom and avoid as faux pas while meeting with his imperial highness."
"If I may be so bold, I am also interested in the Administrator's opinion of the RWU and the current domestic political situation." She would probably get canned, official answers to such questions, but it was worth asking. Even official stances provided clues to the true situation. If she could make the administrator feel more important by answering questions, all the better.
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Post by zurajai on Aug 6, 2015 18:09:05 GMT -6
"With my sincere apologies I must decline to answer such a question," immediately responded Ju Min, nodding with his continuous smile, "Such external matters are not my duty. I am sure the Chancellor would be happy to provide you a more acceptable and thorough response than I ever could."
As soon as he had passed that hurtle Ju Min seemed to perk up, apparently finding the idea of educating the woman on the proper etiquette of meeting with the Yuyan quite enticing. Before any of that could happen though he moved her forward, entering the gatehouse that made up one of the many Palatial Processing chambers. Although a decent line of visitors had packed the hall waiting for processing the pair entered a separate line reserved for foreign dignitaries and upper government officials. A cursory check of information later to make sure everything was proper and correct later and the two had entered the lush Palace grounds with Mana now in possession of an identification badge printed of hardlight.
"A wondrous creation," Ju Min marveled with a smile, "Hardlight, that is. It is the most recent technology shared by the Yuyan with his people. Now. On your meeting with the Chancellor and the Yuyan; you will enter the chamber after I have announced you. To your left and right will be the members of the Chancellery, other Advisers and Administrators like myself, with the Chancellor seated directly in front of you. You shall bow to him with arms outstretched and hands brought together, your right hand open and wrapped around your closed left hand. While you bow you must keep eye contact. He will return the bow then greet you, say several words, and then when ready the Yuyan shall enter. You shall bow to Him in the same manner but you must lower your head and avert your gaze to the floor. Only end this bow when the Yuyan has spoken. I offer my sincere apologies if I have not sufficiently answered your questions and will happily answer any others."
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Post by Admin on Aug 7, 2015 13:25:53 GMT -6
Mana had found the notion that the Yuyan "shared" technology with his people peculiarly absurd, coming as she did from a nation that had torn their technology from the hands of invaders tooth and nail. If he was so benevolent, why did he take so long to "share" technology? Most of the Conglomerate's thinkers considered it another part of their emperor reverence: attributing breakthroughs by their own scientists to his guidance. There was however a minority who suggested that the Yuyan's method might be legitimate; after all, the Conglomerate had taken its technology from foreigners. What if the original colonists or the Antoviyans had been benevolent instead of malicious? Wouldn't they now be in the same situation?
But she kept such thoughts private; now was neither the time nor the place for them. She followed Ju Min's instructions to the letter as she approached. The Wuxian themselves were quite alien, but she found their culture somewhat familiar. While the Wuxians decorated themselves in headdresses and formal robes, she wore patterned clothes and the tattooed marks of her tribe. Both had an appreciation for custom and aesthetic that, so far, seemed sorely lacking in other nations. She knew the RWU and Asteron would probably scoff at such formality.
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Post by zurajai on Aug 7, 2015 14:07:45 GMT -6
The Yuyan's throneroom was just as described, with deep reds and greens coloring the walls mixed with newly furnished, vibrant yellow hardlight constructs that served as beautiful decorative pieces added to previously extant architecture. As she entered, as stated, she was flanked by hosts of Chancellery Administrators who remained absolutely quiet as per proper etiquette in such meetings. As expected, Chancellor Zhao Yu remained seated just left of the throne, forming the right hand of the Yuyan. Opposite of him sat the female Prime Minister Mei Lin whom remained patiently in position with a glowing tablet of hardlight that no doubt served as some note taking device placed carefully on her lap. The seat adjacent to her, reserved for the Imperial Secretary, remained empty.
"Welcome Honored Guest and Representative of your Esteemed People, Mma Mana Tsawne Imatagwe," intoned the Chancellor as he returned the bow just as she had given it, "You and your Esteemed People are known to the Yuyan as highly moral and respectable. His Divine Imperial Majesty would have it that you were treated as you treat Us and is truly interested in your words, no matter their purpose."
With that everyone in the room bowed their heads and raised up their hands in proper salute to the Yuyan. Lowered from his chambers above this and into the throne itself, the Yuyan took his rightful place. He, though with no identifying features to determine such a gender, had skin of pearlescent coloration and a face with note a single feature to it. Four pairs arms, with one pair in expected position for a humanoid and the rest sprouting from his back like wings, remained in immaculate position as he slowly descended into his seat before his primary set arched forward to return the bow.
"I humbly greet you, Mma Mana Tsawne Imatagwe," chanted the Yuyan in a resonant voice that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once and seemed as if several were speaking all together, "You have come a long distance to meet with me and I would not see you disappointed. I can see that in you're heart you are as respectful as you are dignified, noble traits in any being, and so I wish to hear you out; what brings you before me, so far from your home?"
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Post by Admin on Aug 9, 2015 10:15:22 GMT -6
"It is an honor to meet you in person, eminent and esteemed Yuyan." Mana replied. "We in the Conglomerate wish to pursue amiable relations with you and the Wuxian people. We believe that our two nations share an appreciation for the importance of custom and tradition and for the need to maintain a strong culture. We hope to work together for mutual prosperity and to strengthen each other through mutual support against those who might desire to undermine social order for their own goals." She did not mention anyone explicitly, but allowed the Yuyan to infer what he wished. The RWU was fond of decrying and disrupting anything that didn't fit into their narrow vision of "Worker's Rights," and there were others who wished to spread their own religions or philosophies at the expense of the recipient.
"In order to build such trust we propose a treaty providing open trade and travel between our nations, as well as a provision allowing for the passage of trade ships and diplomatic vessels through each other's territory. We hope this may be the first step towards an enduring and valuable relationship."
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Post by zurajai on Aug 9, 2015 11:09:04 GMT -6
"Such an agreement, as no doubt my Well Respected Advisers of the Three Departments see, can only be beneficial. Such freedoms are fundamental to this universe and the mutual good that shall come to both our people; after all, governance exists to serve its citizens. The Imperial Secretary shall write up a document to officially open our borders to trade and the Ministry of Revenue shall open the Office of Foreign Commerce to regulate the new trade until such a time where regulation is no longer needed."
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Post by Admin on Aug 13, 2015 13:54:20 GMT -6
"We look forward to mutual prosperity." Mma Mana replied. "May this be the beginning of a long and beneficial relationship for us both."
"The Conglomerate is also interested in establishing an agreement for mutual free passage, so that our officials and trade ships may pass through our respective systems without hindrance. Such an agreement would be be quite advantageous for both of us, I believe." Perhaps more advantageous for Wuxian, given their relative positions and Kwazan's role as a galactic hub. But such favors could only bring them closer together.
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Post by zurajai on Aug 13, 2015 14:23:41 GMT -6
"Agreed," intoned the Yuyan with his melodious voice, "It shall be added to the document that mutual free passage shall be given to all Kwazan ships and citizens as it shall be done for the Wuxianese in your system."
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Post by Admin on Sept 8, 2015 17:52:23 GMT -6
Mma Mana had settled in as the Kwazan Ambassador to Wuxian. The embassy, a large building near the spaceport, was now staffed with thousands of Kwazan citizens whose duty it was to issue visas, passports, and collaborate with their Wuxian counterparts on all the minutiae of bureaucracy that were necessary to maintain a healthy trade. The tower had been decorated with elements of Kwazan artistry and a small garden of native plants was kept in the top floor greenhouse. Appearances were important.
But there were on occasion issues more weighty than whether or not to issue a trade permit. Asteron's looming election was unnerving to the Kwazan, who disliked the RWU's blatant meddling. A common response was necessary.
For that reason she sent a missive to the Yuyan and his government, requesting a meeting with them to discuss the "Asteron Issue" and arrange a mutual reaction to the situation so that they could act in agreement, rather than risk disrupting each other's efforts.
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Post by zurajai on Sept 8, 2015 20:16:43 GMT -6
The missive reached the Yuyan's advisers from the Chancellery and was rapidly acted upon, the upper tier of the government well aware of the Asteron problem and the threat it posed to stability of the interstellar region. For that end Chancellor Zhao Yu quickly sped through a meeting with the Kwazan Ambassador, to be held in his private domicile within the Imperial Estate, so that an agreement could be swiftly reached.
"Well-Respected Ambassador Mma Mana," cooed the Chancellor, tell-tale grin showing bright as he brought his hands together before him in standard Wuxianese salute, "I am pleased that your government sought action rather than rely on the passive passage of time to assuage this troubling issue. My fellow Imperial Advisers are in agreement that something must be done. Our discussions with the Yuyan have proven to be equally fortuitous; the great Divine sees issue with the rampant change that faces Asteron and seeks to let blessed enlightenment lead to rule of law, not demagoguery and its ilk.
So, Ambassador, what does your government propose on the matter?"
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Post by Admin on Sept 8, 2015 20:31:07 GMT -6
Mma Mana recovered from her respectful bow and smiled gently. "My government is primarily concerned with the growing sway of the RWU over Asteron's politics. Whatever their history and political leanings, we believe it will be harmful for Asteron's people if the once proud nation is reduced to a puppet of the RWU. Perhaps it would be wise for us to provide support to some of Asteron's more moderate parties - preferably one that is still interested in maintaining Asteron as a proud and independent people." More importantly, a people who wouldn't jump at the RWU's every command. Asteron had been a textbook example of the kind of social manipulation that the Conglomerate feared in its own territory.
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Post by zurajai on Sept 8, 2015 20:38:16 GMT -6
"The Chancellery is very much in agreement with you on the matter," responded Zhao Yu calmly, "The blessed and Most-Revered Yuyan in his boundless benevolence views the RWU as his own people as many of their citizens and Wuxianese stolen from his enlightening presence. On their world, for their people, they have found an acceptable balance. The worry is, as the Antoviyans did before them, that they will seek to spread what has worked for them to the four corners of space albeit with misplaced benevolence, not aggression. In service to the Yuyan our interests remain stalwartly the same; if Asteron is to truly be the democracy that the RWU forced upon them than it must be up to them and not a puppetmaster to decide what is best. The Three Departments will support the political party of your choice, albeit with proper research into the subject, so that Asteron may once again return to peace and prosperity."
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Post by Admin on Sept 9, 2015 20:15:04 GMT -6
"We have two options then." Mma Mana suggested. The People's United Front is obviously far too favorable towards the RWU. We could funnel support into the competing Asteron National Front in the hopes that they win the election - they are polling well enough that, given assistance, they have a fair chance of winning the government. They are also far more amenable to trade and foreign culture than either the current government or the PUF is likely to be.
"We could also funnel our resources into the Asteron National Front. It's unlikely that they'll win, but with our support they may split the vote into a plurality and force the winning party to form a coalition. That could put a strong dampener on any radicalization in Asteron and open up the possibility for a more moderate government.
"Sadly the Conglomerate does not currently have the agencies necessary to provide support to either party without our involvement being traced at that time. If the Wuxian government is able to arrange a transaction we would be willing to contribute funding."
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