The Senate (Embassy)

[Brome Teks]

Ambassador Pirrad looks over the Seeded Empire's revisions as he begins to drink a coffee-like confection. He nearly does a spit-take when he sees some of the changes the SE ambassador made. He turns on his mic. "Some issues here," he begins. "First what is central space? Distances do not matter to those of us that do not travel in normal space. It would not be an issue for any of us to hide weapons in the next galaxy over or on the far side of the universe for that matter. In addition to that, Space is huge. It would be very simple to set up a weapons cache in or around any naturally occurring body, so worrying about using neutral planets for that is an enormously moot point. Next, the Right of Asylum is all well and good, but we would demand that extrication treaties be arranged for people who have committed crimes that are not political in nature.

"Next, establishing neutralized zones within combat areas for the wounded and noncombatants is very important. Without it, All involved parties are only more likely to just leave their soldiers to die, which is unacceptable. You don't seem to care about this, though, and it shows. How humane.

"You also, as far as considerations allow, have to be able to tend to the wounded of the enemy, or as our revisions suggest, hand them over to someone who can tend to them. If you do not, they will be dying slow, painful deaths as they succumb to their injuries, or be left with permanent, painful scars that debilitate them for the rest of their lives. It is inhumane to leave them unattended to. It is for this reason that weapons designed to merely maim and not kill are forbidden within the AGSF.

"And what defines a 'trustworthy nation?' Trustworthy to whom? You? The Imperium? No one is going to be universally trustworthy.

"Furthermore, Section two, which you almost entirely threw out, defines procedure for the governing of gained and lost territory. Without that, control of disputed zones will be a logistical and bureaucratic nightmare. Both sides will likely abandon the disputed zone and leave any remaining civilians to fend for themselves. Again, unacceptable, especially since the facilities for food and care will likely be devastated.

"Because of these deep problems, The Arrkric Greater Star Federation also votes to throw out all the changes suggested by the Seeded Empire."

[macrorufus]

"My dear Ambassidor Carsona," Tai Kin started, "going back to your previous quesiton, I feel that it would be correct to say that the standards of normalcy will vary wildly. We don't have an agreed understanding on /what/ is 'civilised.' Although, bearing the word's origin, I would think it right for the prisoners of war to be treated with the same rights afforded to the civilization that took them prisoner. That would be the most prudent translation, so I would think."

Tai Kin frowned at the proposal forwarded by Chammara. He thought about it for a moment, constructing his answer in a form he thought might impact the Seeded Empire's psyche.
"We share your belief in a total war, and indeed, Calerans have been quick to use such a phrase. We believe that every person in a nation contributes to its success in war. Would it not be more expedient then, for your wars to remove the costs of keeping prisoners by returning them to their nation? Of course, even the Seeded Empire, for all its fearsome reputation would take prisoners. The information they might hold, too valuable to pass up. And of course, your own soldiers being returned will be able to fight again."

Leung Tai Kin smiled. Of course, the CCA liked the ammendment to return soldiers. Their soldiers were drones. If a drone could be returned, they'd just take out the E-Brain and re-insert it into another drone. And the CCA didn't need to bother attempting to 'treat' their wounded. The CCA mindset believed, if you wouldn't treat a tank, then why a drone? The CCA also didn't have enough prime real estate to care for prisoners.

Tai Kin looked around at the less warlike species.
"Of course, despite the military disadvantage, I think it is both the moral and 'right' thing to do. We have a responsibility to our own soldiers, and people. We cannot simply do things 'the easy way.'"
He looked meaningfully at the rest.
"Morally, we are honour bound to protect our people. This includes the wounded of war. I speak of 'right', when I speak of those abandoned in war. Imagine fighting for your country, being wounded, only to find your nation wishes no more with you. A broken tool dismissed. Your sacrifices would become bitter memories. And possibly lead to insurrectionist feelings."

He tapped the slate he held.
"While I do admire the concept of buffer zones between states, not all empires are geographically united. We can't simply draw lines on a three dimensional map and expect it to work. Space is too large to keep a buffer zone."
His point was truthful, indeed, the CCA couldn't even stop their own rogue traders thanks to their jump drive technology. His voice turned thoughtful.
"I like this idea of a minor and trustworthy nation being placed in charge of these buffer planets."
His grin turned sly as he winked lewdly at the Seeded Empire's representative.
"Being a representative of one of the smallest nations here...."
He left the suggestion unspoken, interested in seeing how the Seeded Empire dealt with the ribbing.

"The Caleran Core Alliance also votes for a 'throw out.' Though we do not necessarily agree to the reasons why."
Tai Kin didn't make eye contact with the SRC representatives. He'd try to win them over later.

[Samantha Arrow]

"Throw it all out. Are you dumb? With so much taken out of it you can simply use this as a baseline and add to it as needed." Chamarra spoke, then addressed one party in particular "I also think it amusing, that you choose to make a revision that would only benefit you. For a race that can travel anywhere instantly, I find it very doubtful you can't care for our wounded. Just teleport a pod full of food to the location and it's all good. In fact you could probably better care for us than we can your people"

"And sense you seem so egar to point out our issues, let's point out the issues in the original." Ragar spoke now:

The wounded and sick shall be collected and cared for.

"This is pretty obvious. The point of war is to kill and defeat the enemy. Obviously taking care of them beats the point. So you're saying every weapon best be a one shot kill weapon then? Hell, we'll take advantage of this. You hit us and I get a scrape, now you have to take care of me! I had you in my sites a minute ago now you have to feed me! Of course anything related to this 'daycare' of your enemy has to be trashed with it, which is about everything."

When the Parties concerned have agreed upon the geographical or astronomical position, administration, food supply and supervision of the proposed neutralized zone, a written agreement shall be concluded and signed by the representatives of the Parties to the conflict. The agreement shall fix the beginning and the duration of the neutralization of the zone.

"Hello my mortal enemy! Would you like to join me for a cup of tea while we exchange pleasantries? Splendid! This neutral zone will have to be established near the battlefield so where will we be fighting? Ah good, now we can't surprise attack the enemy or perform any ambushes! Hundreds and thousands more will die because no-one will have the advantage! Just splendid!"

As far as military considerations allow, each Party to the conflict shall facilitate the steps taken to search for the killed and wounded, to assist the shipwrecked and other persons exposed to grave danger, and to protect them against pillage and ill-treatment.

"Ever heard of to the victor goes the spoils? Might as well declare my ship in grave danger near the end of the battle so we live, we don't lose our ship, and you have to take care of us. Great fun."

"Are you all so naive? Using your resources to help the enemy, planning the battlefield and where the neutral zones will be, not claiming the spoils of war? All it does is slow things down, more people will die while you drink tea with your sworn enemy. You're forgetting the whole point of war, requisition of territory, gaining of resources, and defeating the enemy."

[Arratra]

The Admiral slammed his fist down on the desk when he saw the revisions; this action, extremely rare from the well-disciplined naval officer, showed how outraged he was by the Wurrlens' extremely poor suggestion.
"That is outrageous!" he exclaimed, jumping to his feet, heedless of the pain in his bad knee, "The suggestions in this... this..."
"Sit down, Admiral," Myko said sternly, herself now on her feet, "However strongly you feel about this, shouting will not help our cause here."
"Of course, Ambassador," the Admiral said, heaving a heavy sigh and falling back into his chair, wincing as his knee moved awkwardly, "My apologies."
"What the Admiral was trying to state, however," Myko said in his place, "Is essentially correct. The suggested... revisions by the Seeded Empire fly directly in the face of our very nature as Draconians. And in the face of common decency for the other races," she added, looking darkly across the senate floor at the Wurrlen contingent, holding up a video chip, "Look upon this, and know why it is so."

She plugged the chip into her terminal, and displayed the file contained in it to the rest of the senate.
"Dantius Two," she said, over the faint sounds of wind flowing over the blasted, cratered landscape visible, "Formerly, one of our colony worlds. Now it is this," she continued, bitterly, "A blasted, scorched, and heavily irradiated wasteland. Over the course of two of the Draconic Wars, and much of the Third, we managed to keep this world secret from the Andrians."
A wave of her hand transformed the wasteland into verdant grasslands and thick forests.
"This is the colony as it was before the warheads fell," she said, staring at it herself, as a civilian hovercraft, clearly of Draconian design, meandered across the image.
The image rapidly zoomed out, until it was a view from orbit.
"We don't know how, but the Andrians found Dantius Two," Myko said quietly, as a massive explosion suddenly appeared in the image, "But Dantius Two only had a local garrison of conscripts for defense; it was so close to the jump central point that our navy could have arrived in seconds... But the Andrians targetted communications first. This satellite feed is all we have. It comes from a weather satellite they decided to leave alone."
More explosions slowly filled the screen, and the Admiral, more familiar with this part than Myko, took up the thread.
"Those explosions are from massive, but primitive nuclear weapons," he said, "Below even fusion-grade warheads. Simple plutonium and uranium slabs, in a coating of high explosives and ablative heat shielding. So simple, so crude... and so, so brutally thorough... Too much so. To this day, no living thing can set foot on that planet, even with the most advanced of protective suits. There's just too much ambient radiation. Not to mention the amount of radioactive dust..."
He fell silent, sighing.
"We lost five million in the first bomb, which impacted in the main settlement," Myko said quietly, "A mixed population of Draconians and Gekkos. All up, there were perhaps fifty million others scattered across the planet. Not one could have possibly survived."

[Shade Leshyr]

Xax stood, facing Chamarra, and spoke, "Our deepest apologies Ambassador, but the Arkkatoor can not stand behind your revisions. Here we must stand firmly with the Draconians, with this being a sense of honor. Warriors fight opponents who stand equal to you, barbarians leave the wounded to die. An enemy is only an enemy as long as he or she poses a threat to you, after that, they are either a casualty, or injured."

Xax took a deep breath, "We also vote for the denial of these revisions, and would like to suggest that we press the revisions Arrkric Greater Star Federation to be passed. With the addition of these revisions, the proposal would be beneficial to the ones who are not involved, or can no longer be involved, in the wars."

Looking around, he braced himself for the rebuttals against his next remark, "We would encourage the more stubborn members of the Senate to please look at it from outside your narrow points of view in order to see how many lives can be saved through this proposal and stop focusing on how it affects your respective nations individually, for it affects all of us."

Finally, hoping to lighten the mood, he returned his attention to Chamarra, "And Ambassador? I highly doubt a scrape is going to stop a member of the Seeded Empire's military from fighting."

[Brome Teks]

"Well my dear ambassador," Pirrad begins again, "Your failure to understand the differences in our physiologies betrays your race's refusal to admit their own weaknesses.

"Even if we did ship pods filled with food to prisoner camps, our food, unlike the ESA's artificial stuff, Is for the most part completely inedible to other species. We evolved on a separate planet, our biologies digest proteins that evolved with us, and not with you. Because of this, Zrackli foods are inedible and even poisonous to almost every other race in this senate. Where do the facilities lie to make food you can eat? Why, they lie on your worlds, which is why we would have to return your soldiers in order to keep them from starving. However, if you refuse to take them, Our care facilities will be happy to inform captured soldiers that they are starving to death because of one government's stubborn pride. However, I get the feeling that yours won't mind that."

Pirrad continues. "As for the point about killing your enemies, that is true, but the wounded are the ones who can no longer fight due to their injuries. While caring for your enemy isn't the most strategic choice, we are looking at the most humane choice. That is the option that makes it the most likely for soldiers to return home to their lives and their families.

"As for your revisions regarding how 'The wounded and sick shall be collected and cared for. (Only applies to one's own race and their allies, the enemy shall not be tended)', treating your own is sort of a "Well duh" concept. Your revision here defeats the entire purpose of this proposal, since most of us care for our wounded soldiers anyways. This proposal is to ensure that all of the wounded are given help somehow. Without this, there is no point whatsoever in this proposal. Which is why your revisions must be thrown out."

[macrorufus]

Leung Tai Kin coughed politely.
"The point of war is not to kill. But to subjugate another, for one's own benefit. As such the Art in war is to ensure that you subjugate without losing anything, both from your own body, and from the body you take from."
This was said rather quietly with a hint of reproach.

[Arratra]

"Ouch," muttered Ferraye to the Gekko Ambassador.
"Yup," came the response, and Ferraye suppressed a giggle. Considering the consequences the Wurrlens were already facing, a somewhat vulgar term that was rather widely known among all the races had apparently not made its way into the Seeded Empire.
"And this is why I hate politics," the Admiral said flatly; already, favour in the Senate was turning sharply against the Seeded Empire. Public opinion would likely be even more tilted against them.

"Do not presume to insult our honour again," Myko said coldly, now directly to the Seeded Empire, "We stand as the only reason why two species still exist today. The Gekkos. Ferraye's people. Our honour is sacred to us. Not because our deities ask for it, but because it is in our very blood."
Ferraye sighed. Her people's name was impossible for the Draconians to pronounce; their triangular snouts, despite their nimble lips and tongues, simply could not wrap around the sounds required to voice it. Much like the rest of the language. Which was a real pain for Ferraye, but there wasn't a whole lot she could do about that; she was not, after all, a miracle worker. Rather one of the only two living adults of her people. Hence, her posting here, rather than anywhere else; she was the only one available for the job. Her intended had no political skill at all, but rather was charmingly bumbling in that way; he was a scientist, by all definitions, not a diplomat.

Myko took a deep, steadying breath.
"I am sorry for that outburst," she said eventually, although not entirely evenly, "The Draconians, too, vote to have the Seeded Empire's... revisions, dismissed."
Already five votes were cast... All in favour of dismissing the Wurrlens' pared-down version of the accords. And three of those votes from the most unexpected of the camps, Myko noted; the CCA, Imperium, and DQH had all cast against the Wurrlen motion. The others were clearly already leaning that way.

"Talk about a political... oh, sorry, ma'am," the Admiral said, wincing when he remembered that he was in the presence of not just a Wardancer, but a Priestess on top of that, and their highest-ranking diplomat, despite her young age.

[Samantha Arrow]

The Wurrlens talked to one another then stood up, Chammarra spoke "Well then if our proposal is unacceptable to you, we cannot accept anything more than what our proposal has. Unless one of you is going to purpose something more sane, we cannot vote on this accord at all. So, we cast our vote as 'no' for anything that is voted on today. It's pointless to stay, we take our leave."

The Wurrlens prepare to leave the chamber, it was pointless for them to stay, there was better things they could be doing.

Chammarra stopped and turned to face the senate again, "Oh I almost forgot. Just one revision I can't see you denying. When the battlefield poses a hazard to your people the wounded can't be gathered. For instance extreme radiation, like what senator Myko mentioned in the Dantious Two case." She waved her paw dismissively, "Even if that revision does go through, we still have an overall 'no' vote."

[BIos_Reaper]

Watching with silent disdain, not evident in their faces, the A.I. representatives of the Eastern Spiral-sector Alliance were rather disappointed in the Wurrlen as they held such promise, if not for their brutish nature they could become so much more. Scanning the faces of the other representatives he could catch glimpses of hidden intents, harmless self-promotion events and lie-detection software also helped determine who was actually sincere, though its reliability on other species than their own was questionable at the very best.

"It seems we of the ESA have had no need to intercede in the goings of this proposals revisions rejection, I suppose it comes with being an A.I. to be ignored for the most part, nonetheless. The ESA is more than willing to provide food, shelter and medical support for injured soldiers. If a war should break out between our different civilizations there would be no point in being brutal and, to quote a term of a species recently liberated from tyrannical rule within our sphere of influence, "heartless" in our dealings with the soldiers of other species.

If a battle unit is damaged or injured and unable to fight, our targeting software designates them as non-critical threats, however injured soldiers unable to fight should take care not to try and take advantage of their damaged conditions to lure enemy combatants into traps, such is quite simply a low-yield tactic. To counter something said by the representative of the AGSF, our food is not artificial, but cloned from tissue and blood samples, organic food able to be prepared, sterilized and chemically adapted to any species in need of it and shipped out via massive automated cargo-liners.

A single med-fed laboratory can supply a population of over a million with a decades worth of continued, easily stored food supply, hence why food is one of our major exports aside from entertainment and assistant education.

Had we had the opportunity to vote against the Wurrlens "revisions" we would have done so, though by "quitting the field" they have apparently abandoned their desire to continue debates or discussion regarding this matter, though we would like to suggest that technology not be stolen from those fallen on the battlefield, our technology is protected by fabrication rights management technology at least, which makes it illegal, and difficult for technology to be copied, as such attempts lead to automatic self-destruction of the technology, but not the soldier in possession of it.

In regards to neutral space, our latest development, the pulse-field sensor, enables us to keep watch over entire solar systems via strategically placed defensive platforms. To us neutral territory is anywhere we are not directly established, yet monitor with our sensor network to ensure the safety of species we have aided in the past, such as safe-guarding them from illegal profiteering or raids by smaller species. We refer to these territories as "Zero Sectors" to identify them from regular "Sectors" even though we control less space than many other species in his senate, we still like to keep a "watchful gaze" over those we render aid to."

With that the A.I. representatives finally took their seats, communicating with each other on a thousand and one separate methods to remain quiet and observant. The Altinians had no desire for war with anyone, which is why they remained quiet observers, only speaking when the need arose on any particular subject matter.

"We apologize for speaking out of turn it seems, we just felt we needed to say this, it will not occur again that we speak out of turn, please, let us continue like civilized civilizations do, in matters of interstellar politics."

He smirked mischievously, "Interstellar politics" was little more than a joke to him, but he willingly admitted that when coupled with diplomacy it sometimes bore some edible fruit one could share, if a bit too rarely for their liking.

[Brome Teks]

Pirrad groans and rolls his eyes at the Wurrlen's departure. "Smooth like gravel. I hope they realize that in almost every legislative body in history, walking out on a session forfeits your votes..."

He looks to the ESA Avatar. "Semantics. Regardless, we don't have the same adaptable food technology as you. Though we do feel we should note that our Deoxyribonucleic Acids are not the same bases as yours, so direct copying of them probably isn't entirely effective.

"As for the monitoring of space, we have a similar system, for monitoring our systems, but we rarely place them outside of our territory.

"And I don't think anyone would dispute that you have the right to protect your technological secrets. But personally I think that enforcing a law against gathering remains in a debris field after a battle has already occurred Would sort of be... impossible. However, you are entitled to fit your technologies with self destruct mechanisms. We also have similar protocols, And our miniaturization technology is most certainly impossible to replicate or reverse engineer without an understanding of the physics behind them, just as I'm sure the same is true for ESA energy and shield technology.

"So yeah. You can add whatever protections you want to your technologies, but a law against scavenging it would be almost impossible to enforce. I'll add wreckage and scavenging rights to the agenda for future meetings...." He begins to type into his aide.

[Crusadra]

The SRC ambassadors would talk among themselves, First Ambassador For'dez would read a message, tap his screen, sigh then stand, "Since the Wurrlens left quite suddnely and quite rudely, they left us with an odd number... and due to some more unfortunate and more pressing matters, I would like to make it an even one by excusing the Se'Rallies Confederation from this meeting." The others of the SRC would stand and walk quickly towards the exit, some looking quite worried, the rest quite confused. For'dez trailing, mumbling to himself seemingly quite angry.

[Arratra]

"Is everyone going to leave?" the Admiral asked incredulously, "By Bahamut, this is getting out of hand!"
"Admiral," Myko said warningly, turning her head to look at him. He subsided, sighing.
Myko, however, agreed with him, and rose from her seat.
"I cast that the session be adjourned until the SRC delegates can return," she said loudly, "Also, please inform the Wurrlen delegation that the issue of the Andrians will be raised soon... If they do not join us for that discussion, inform them that they will be barred from combat with the Andrians the next time we come into contact with them."

[Cobalt3924]

Adamo was surprised as she watched the races get up and leave. “Wow... It hasn’t even been an hour and already we’re two races down...”

Adrevek simply smirked a bit at how much every race was opposed to the Seeded Empire. He’d been an Ambassador Monarch for quite some time in Rakrai terms, but he’d never seen an idea get smacked down so aggressively before.

“I’ll have to agree with Ambassador Myko. These propositions will be going nowhere fast with the absence of Two Races.” Adrevek growled: Standing up.

“But I’m afraid that someone Else will have to inform the Seeded Empire of their need of presence discussing the Andrians. Because of our Ty’Phera awful Pilots and differing Opinions: Our relations are less than stunning to put it nicely.”

[Brome Teks]

Pirrad sighs. "Well, we don't necessarily have to wait. While it is the considerate thing to do, remember that they walked out on us. And leaving a session forfeits your right to make changes on any matters that haven't yet been signed upon, As the Wurrlens seem to fail to understand. The Se'Rallies can sign the accord at a later date. If no one has any further objections, I move that we begin the signing session, unless anyone has further objections that they are willing to bring forward and compromise with.

"Barring that, The AGSF will be willing to sign this current iteration of the accord."

[OOC: According to reaper, er, Nelle, This acts more like the UN than the US sentate. That means that we don't necessarily vote on things, We just offer revisions until the majority are willing to sign the accord. One isn't legally bound to sign the accord, but if they refuse to do so they will lose signatory nation rights, such as aide and economic development assistance (Like free trade), free access to certain scientific developments, et cetera, if the accord is important enough. And it can be signed later by a nation that is late to the game or needs to deliberate before agreeing to sign it.]

[Shade Leshyr]

Xax looked to his fellow representatives for any last minute objections. With none forthcoming, he stood and spoke, "The DQH is in agreement with the AGSF and will sign. Here is to hoping that peace, however uneasy, lasts us for a long time." The other Arkkatoor nodded their heads in agreements with this statement.

[BIos_Reaper]

"We of the ESA find nothing needing further debate nor discussion regarding this matter, we wish to sign the document over for potential approval." With that the A.I.'s took their seats again, not about to start bothering people, they usually only spoke what they had and needed to say, other than that they remained quiet, though the coming discussion about the Andrians would hopefully show some promise.

[Arratra]

"The Draconians, too, will sign," Myko said, receiving a nod from the Admiral for saying this.
"Do not ask us to give the message either," Myko said after a long pause, "The Seeded Empire is fast becoming more and more an ideological antithesis of our very existence."

[Brome Teks]

"You have no idea..." The Vice Admiral mutters to himself.

Pirrad cuts him off and says, "We can put it at the top of the agenda, and it won't really matter who sets it when the Seeded Empire gets their announcement of the next meeting."

[macrorufus]

The CCA delegation spent a while discussing, casting furtive looks around the hall, and some dismay at the SRC and SE's departure.
After some squabbling, they seemed to reach a consensus.
"We will sign this."