[b]The Imperial Palace Imperial Council Chambers Rijkstad, Kadath[/b] Emperor Kerxec was ill. At his age, it was not a rare occurrence. His health was failing, and repeated attempts at genetic therapy had only managed to stave off the inevitable results of aging for three decades. At 8am local time, the Imperial Household publicly issued an official announcement stating that the Emperor had been admitted to the Medical Ward of the Imperial Palace, and the best doctors within the system summoned to attend to His Imperial Majesty. This left the Imperial Government with a problem, given that the Emperor had summoned the the First Minister and select members of the cabinet to the Palace on that very same day to coordinate the actions of the Union in the increasingly unstable galactic climate. In the Emperor's stead, it was left to the Regent Theodrik Vengabirg to act as the bridge between Crown and Cabinet. "Well then, let's skip the pleasantries and get down to business, refreshments are available near the door. Lady Arta, we will save the report from the Office of the First Minister for last. For now, let us begin with the most important portfolio for this meeting." The assembled ministers quickly turned their heads to look at one another in response to Theodrik's vague declaration, unsure as who should start first. Among those present, Arta excluded, were Amalrik Vesla, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Henrik Aksmun, the Director of State Security, Etou Kurolea, Minister of Defense and the Minister of Finance, John Sinclair, a Human most noted for his competency at his post, as well as being one of the few non-Saralai politicians in Kadath. A few seconds of awkwardness passed before Kurolea cleared his throat, and reached for the holopad laid out in front of him. With a few brief flicks of the screen, a display of the ISD Triumphant, Kadath's hyperdreadnought, came up onto the screen. "Sir, the [i]Triumphant[/i] has just finished the last of its trials within the Gwyn Nebula, alongside with the handful of dreadnoughts we began constructing in secrecy within the past decade. High Admiral Cresten informs me that once the remaining equipment and personnel have been delivered, that they'll be ready for deployment to the First Fleet." Etou turned briefly to look at Henrik, receiving only a nod in response. "In addition, he continued, the Directorate of State Security has been assigned additional assault carriers that have rolled off the drydocks for their operations within Agdemnar." A hard expression appeared momentarily on the Regent's face, before simply nodding. "Very good, Kurolea. With these vessels I have no doubt that the security of the Union is in good hands." That was of course, a lie. Out of anyone within Kadath, Theodrik was the most distrustful of the growing power of the Directorate of State Security. Granting them additional ground-based assets was fair enough, they needed them to do their job, but the increasing amounts of naval assets diverted to the Directorate meant that they posed a security risk, even if that threat was relatively minor. Nevertheless, as His Imperial Majesty's most trusted servant, and head of His Knights, he knew that the Directorate had to be kept in checked. "Next on the agenda, may I have the news from Agdemnar?" He asked, gaze directed at Henrik. It was rather obvious that the man was weak-willed, spineless and far, far too accommodating. Theodrik had accompanied His Imperial Majesty that on many cabinet meetings, some of which included Henrik. The man was a puppet of the Vice-Director, Erijk Mielke, plain and simple. "To be honest sir, not much has happened." Henrik said with a sigh. "Lieutenant-Colonel Nyklaus Sazan has established a resupply point for S.A.D vessels on Agdemnar VIa, as well as a listening post on the surface of the planet not too far from the planet's shield generator. In his report, he has noted that for the operation to be successful, he will need a larger fleet. Frigates and Cruisers aren't cutting the mustard when most of the opposition is fielding Great-War surplus or modern battleships." "Are the Assault Carriers dispatched to Agdemnar not sufficient?" came an inquiry from Kurolea. "If that is the case, I can put in a request to the Admiralty to [i]loan[/i] a few Valusias and Unitys to the task force in the system. Do keep in mind that they are to be returned as soon as the operation is concluded." He stated, to nods from the rest of the room. "Thank you, Aksmun. Continue to ensure that operations in Agdemnar proceed as intended. The fate of this nation depends on it." Theodrik said. "Now, to Mr Sinclair. What's the report from the treasury?" "Unsurprisingly enough sir, the Imperial Budget is running on a deficit, the new wave of re-militarization hasn't exactly helped the state of the Union's bottom line." John spoke with a hint of pessimism, drawing glares from Kurolea, as well as a sigh from Arta, who had until this point remained silent. "Don't give me that, Sinclair." Arta declared suddenly. "I gave you this portfolio because you have a reputation for keeping even the most financially ruined corporation on Far Port afloat for long enough to recover. This should be child's play." "Lady Arta, if you could let me finish. I am currently making contact with several banking firms within the Union to extend a line of credit at interest below standard rates, and in addition, am drafting a proposal to issue additional government bonds, which will finance the trade deals that we have concluded with both FedNat and the Hierarchy." "His Imperial Majesty will be delighted to hear the news." Theodrik nodded. "Everything on the financial department seems to be going according to plan. Next, what's the diplomatic report, Vesla?" "A mixed bag, if I may be honest. Our missive to the Commonwealth has gone ignored, and their response has been, if you'll excuse my language, a polite request for us to sod off. Of course, there's also reports that the Federation and Commonwealth are conducting war games close to the Rolvian border. Add that to the current squabble over Manir and we have a recipe for another Great War on our hands." Vesla sighed heavily, as the rest of the assembled ministers threw in their thoughts. Kurolea began first. "Should I inform the General Staff to raise the defense condition of the Armed Forces? I have a mobilization order drafted in advance during the Detente that can get our forces ready for war within a month." "No, no. Are you mad? Raising the defense condition of the Armed Forces is asking for everyone in this region of space to do the same. It's blatant suicide." Arta protested. "I must concur with the First Minister on this one, Kurolea." Theodrik interjected. Adopt a passive approach, and head to Khulda Point to directly liaise with the General Staff. Vesla, continue the report." "Right. The Utopians are still silent, probably because they haven't got our missive yet. A note came in recently that the Asrian Crown Prince perished recently in a military action of the Ascendancy on Agdemnar. We've also received a missive from the..." "The...?" "Taulron. It was addressed to His Imperial Majesty but had to go through my Ministry. Whilst the Emperor is incapacitated, it more or less falls to you to reply, sir. I'd recommend we reply favourably. We will need powerful allies for the road ahead." The Taulron... they were technically allies of Kadath during the Great War yes, but that fact does not obfuscate the reality that the Empire was imperialist in nature, cut from the same cloth as the Commonwealth. It was true however, that life under Taulron overlordship was better than life as a colonial territory of the Commonwealth, but even so, it would be better to rule freely for a decade than a millennium as a stooge to a foreign power. Theodrik knew the price of freedom well. He had fought for it and paid for it, freedom not solely for Kadath, but for others as well. During the Great War, he bled on the surface of countless alien worlds, fighting for the right of the Kadathi, and so many other smaller states that had fallen beneath the Commonwealth's boot to decide their own destiny. To put it concisely, cooperation with the Taulron may be a necessary evil, but Teodrik can never delude himself into thinking that today's allies will not become tomorrow's enemy. "Understood, Vesla. I'll pen a reply to the Taulron after this meeting is adjourned, in the case of the Asran Crown Prince, the usual condolences for a decased foreign royal will do. For the moment, let us finish with the report from the First Minister. Lady Arta?" "Yes, yes of course. Lord Regent. On the overall direction of the Union-National Government, everything is proceeding roughly according to plan. As mentioned by Kurolea, naval deployments are proceeding as scheduled. If current estimates are any indication, we should be able to get several modernised fleets into service by the end of the year. On the foreign policy department, attempts to secure resources for rearmament have succeeded, though attempts to forge diplomatic ties are slow for the time being. Agdemnar will require additional backup if the Directorate intends to make any significant breakthroughs. With these in mind, the next priority would be to prevent the outbreak of war in the most likely flashpoint; Manir. Unfortunately, there is really nothing we can do without revealing our hand, after getting rebuked by the Commonwealth. That is all." Theodrik nodded once again, before rising to speak. "As the representative of the Imperial Household and His Imperial Majesty himself, the Emperor will no doubt be pleased with the results produced by the efforts of his government. Please work to ensure that such results are maintained, for all our sakes. If no one else has anything to add, this meeting is adj-." The doors to the cabinet chamber were unceremoniously opened with a resounding creak that echoed throughout the room, causing the assembled politicians to momentarily cover their ears. In the hallway, stood the Crown Princess, Cerula of Dzijmeter, flanked by a handmaiden and an Imperial Knight. "Y-your Highness, what is the matter?" asked Sinclair as the room rose to bow. "The dominoes are starting to fall." She muttered. "I told you we should have raised the defense condition..." Kurolea replied, a smug smile appearing on his face, much to the annoyance of both Theodrik and Arta. ========================================================================================== [hider=Reply to the Taulron] To His Imperial Majesty, Salos VI of the House of Taulros, 99th Emperor of the Taulron, I must first apologize to His Imperial Majesty, Salos VI for the inability of my father, His Imperial Majesty, Kerxec XV, to respond to your missive. It is indeed, a sad truth that the galactic order that billions have worked for, fought for, suffered for and died for is on its deathbed. The contributions of the Taulron, and the bonds forged between our respective peoples can never be forgotten. If it is the goal of His Imperial Majesty to bring about a new order, to ensure peace and prosperity for a thousand years, then how could the House of Dzijmeter refuse? Writing in the name of His Imperial Majesty Kerxec XV of the House of Dzijmeter, 13th Emperor of Kadath Her Highness, Crown Princess Cerula of the House of Dzijmeter [/hider]