When the delegates from the Empire broke for their discussion the whole of the Azera party waited with well masked tension. They all had excellent poker faces, a pre requisite of being chosen for a diplomatic mission, but they were nervous. The nightmare scenario was the Empire drifting towards the Stellata and every offer made in the world of international politics, had the risk of backfiring through an offence that was not intended or a consideration that had been missed. When words of acceptance came the whole group was invisibly relieved, the Field Marshal more than any of them. He was an experienced soldier who knew just how bad wars could get. And he knew a war with the Empire would be one of the worst. 

But it was Lady Visar who spoke. “Excellent, I am glad we could reach this understanding. I’m confident it will bring the most easterly and westerly powers of this continent close together.” She seemed pleased at the way things had progressed, but her body language suggested they were not done yet. 
“Of course your own region is not without its upheavals. How goes the war against the orc tribes?” It was not a condemnation, but a genuine inquiry. They were keen to learn how the war was going and concerned. They had no doubt the Empire would win, but how quickly and at what cost? The Empire’s answer to this question would also factor in to the next query the Azera had. 

You could tell this time they were being more cautious, Lady Visar’s tone was as easy as ever but the words themselves spoke of caution.
“What we have to say next, is purely speculative. We are making this query on the off chance. It bears no real link to the trade deal we have already discussed. And let me assure you, that rejection here will in no way have a negative impact on the relations between our nations.” There was a slight pause as she steeled herself to ask the question. She leant forward, her arms folded on the table.
“We wish to purchase the production licenses for some of your military technology. Specifically, we are interested in your single man portable light weight machineguns, as used by your nxun. Your steam powered armour, as used by your Valdra and the rumoured automatic rifles they have been reported to use. The Field Marshal here, indeed the entire military establishment, speaks highly of these pieces of technology and in covetous tones.” There was a tiny hint of humour in her speech when she said the word covetous, but only a tiny bit. An easy rapport was important but this was still major diplomacy and should be treated as such. Returning to more level tones she continued. “We will not steal this technology, even if we could. Nor will we strong arm you into it. Such behaviour would be contrary to the growth of the budding friendship between out nations.” Interestingly she meant what she said, she really meant it and it showed. The Azera had a dark reputation from a million whispers and outdated prejudices that they were still trying to shake off, indeed such a reputation was an unacknowledged driving factor behind the tensions on the east coast. But anyone could see she was being genuine when she spoke on this topic. “But we would like to buy it. As I said, saying no to this will carry no negative repercussions, but know this. I have been authorised to pay your nation well, either financially or non-financially. We value this technology, we recognise its worth and we are willing to pay a fair price.”