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A Transfer of Power (Altona &Lakhzovia)

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Altona:

To the Government of Lakhzovia

It has been brought to my attention that your nations media recently reported that your nation has opened its first nuclear power station. With similar projects having taken off successfully in Altona as of late I think that we stand in a strong position to help each other. Our nation has a small population and already utilises substaintail wind and wave power to produce electricity. It is likely that we will produce more electricty than we need in years to come. With our close geographic proximatey I see no reason why we can not explore to possibility of the Altonan electrical grid transferring our surplus into the Lakhzovian system. In addition with your own developments I believe we can work together to make our own nuclear power developments more efficient in the long term.

With this as a foundation for discussion I would like to invite yourself, or a representative to meet with myself and relevant members of our ministries. The Royal Chamber at Kaiserplaza shall be prepared for if and when you wish to discuss the energy proposal and any other matters of interest.

From A Neighbour

King Rutger of Altona

Lakhzovia:

Office of the President
of the Lakhzov Republic
To His Highness King Rutger of Altona

I am grateful to you for reaching out to our country. We have long felt that there is much to be gained from cooperation with our neighbours on the Cotf Peninsula. The development of cross border infrastructure links promises great benefits for both our nations and I look favourably upon exploring the possibility for cooperation on energy and other projects.

I will send a delegation consisting of Minister of Economy Nal Parnassa and Minister of Energy Erdan Araval for initial exploratory talks.

It is my sincere hope that this proves the be the beginning of a long and fruitful friendship between our respective peoples.

May the Blessings of Emet be upon you,

Sachim Kadassa
President of the Lakhzov Republic

Lakhzovia:
Nal and Erdan had arrived together in the Altonan capital by plane. Despite the proximity of the countries it was recognised that the poor infrastructure in the borderlands between Lakhzovia's Transmecuria province and Altona meant that a journey overland would have be slow and uncomfortable - a situation that hopefully would change in the future depending on the outcome of the talks.

Scenes of Altona's capital fled by the windows of the car as it wound its way towards the Kaiserplaza where the meeting had been set for. The two men were busy reviewing their briefings and discussing the finer points to be raised in the negotiations.

"Two minutes gentlemen" came an announcement from the driver. They reluctantly dragged themselves away from their work and began packing their files away, completing the task just as the car pulled up in the plaza. They exited the car to the usual mix of press and curious bystanders that gather at such events, and were ushered towards their meeting.

Altona:
Kaiserplaza was a place in the centre of Altona's large sprawling city the old 18th Century buildings that had been rebuilt in the old medieval heart had replaced a tightly packed twisting maze of streets with a wide open grey stone paved square. On two sides it was flanked by buildings each grand and imposing. The one to the North was a squat square building with statues of warriors in chariots above the entrance. This was the Chamber of Swords, it was the building that was used when the nation needed tod discuss matters of the military and war. To the west was a domed building, its roof topped with a golden spike. This one was the Royal Chamber where the nations usual business was carried out. With the Lakhzovians having been given a police escort into the heart of Altona the run had been speedy and efficent, perhaps an advantage of the vast empty spaces beyond the city was having airports built relatively close to the edge of the city allowing greenspaces such as parks to act as a buffer between the aircraft and the population, it did make things rather speedy reaching the centre though.

As the car stopped a phalanx of black jacketed soldiers filed down the steps of the Royal Chamber, each carried a polished wood stock rifle appearing to be a good 80 years old at least. The tip of each had a silver bayonet attached and the large group of soldiers filed out the Chamber in pairs and marched towards the Chamber of Swords making a kind of human barrier across the bottom of its steps. Local Police ensured the crowds of people stayed back, until a few moments ago many had been enjoying a pleasant morning of people watching and pigeon feeding in the square but now stopped to watch a little pomp and ceremony. The soldiers formed now a kind of corridor down the steps of the Chamber and to where the car had stopped, one arm of this corridor joined up with those blocking the entrance to the Chamber of Swords.

This was the first time Rutger had hosted a foreign guest in the city itself and not on one of the small estates his family owned in the woodland that enveloped the vast majority of Altona. There had been some informality in that meeting but now Rutger knew he would be expected to look regal. As Nal and Erdan finally stepped out the car Rutger appeared to make his own way down the steps between the soldiers who saluted as he passed in a kind of smart military Mexican wave. At the bottom of the steps Rutger approached his guests. He was unsure which held senorirty and so with the economic related ministers holding higher rank in Altona he extended a hand to Nal Parnassa first and then quickly to Erdan Araval. "Welcome to Altona." Rutger said nervously. "I hope you forgive the large military assembly, they do love a good parade." A large crowd was gathered taking photos of the scene between the heads of the police who ensured a safe gap between VIP's and public. "Naturally we'll be meeting in the Royal Chamber here, we only use that building for times of war or miltary matters and traditionally the soldiers at the bottom of the steps send a message that we do not wish that to be used between us." It was until the early 1900's a case that a permanent guard prevented anyone from using the steps unless it was for those purposes however today the Chamber of Swords also housed a small museum and conducted educational tours for tourists and so the guard had gone.

Rutger lead them up to the Royal Chamber which as they entered was more a hive of activity as various Altonan government ministers were still going about the portfolios business. Their staff made way for the King and bowed respectfully as he passed towards a large red door which was flanked by two black jacketed soldiers who seeing him approach pushed it open. Inside was a room more like a library, on three sides of the room books filled shelves from floor to high roof. A large round coffee table dominated the centre of the room and armchairs surrounded it. The final wall was home to a huge window looking out into a courtyard where a small pond and fountain sat with benches around it. In summer it was a glorious place to sit and chat with others but today the autumn chills were beginning to set in. "Please be seated." Rutger gestured and waited for the men to take a seat before he himself did. As though perfectly timed the door they had entered through was opened once more and a middle aged portly man in a red waistcoat, white shirt and white powdered wig appeared. His back ramrod straight he held a silver tray before him and neatly approached the table deftly placing the tray down. Without interupting the King further he proceeded to arrange three delicate white cups and sauces before the men and then poured a steaming black liquid into each. He placed a cup and saucer of the black tea before each person present and then left in the centre of the table an ornate cream jug, a pot with perfectly square lumps of sugar and a saucer with silver tongues on and slices of lemon. He placed the tray under his left arm, bowed to the King and left. The King broke the small talk just long enough to say "Thank you Conrad" and the man left, pulling the doors closed behind him.

"Conrad is the Chief Steward, while he has many people working for him to make sure things here run smoothly he can't resist the old traditions and formalities." Rutger placed a slice of lemon into his tea and stirred with a silver spoon before placing the spoon carefully on the saucer allowing his tea to cool. " Now if I may begin by saying I'm rather looking forward to us working together. Our nation has often relied on our financial services, tourism and militaristic ways[1] to make things tick for us. I want that to change. We've developed a successful nuclear energy programme and our recent arrangements with Lijiang are seeing us use that as a kind of export. I want to further develop our wilderness, much to the annoyance of my sister and some environmentalists, but we have a growing population and this city can only get so big. I want us to utilise that space and so we'll be developing rather significant projects moving forward. I see a more connected infrastructure with yourselves, Eskdale and potentially Seaforth eventually as a key part of that. No point making things if we can't get them places. I also want us to be useful. I get the impression you're a nation that will outstrip its current energy production. We're a nation likely to outstrip our current energy use. It therefore seems ideal we team up, we get the potential to improve our economy selling you power or helping you overcome your problem if I've understood things correctly. You then get the reliable power you need to ensure your economy grows and people can run their factories and the like. I think it could be a certain win win if we get things right here. So I suppose my first question is have I interpreted the situation correctly, sadly I'm stuck with things from the media and we both are probably only too aware how wrong they can be so its better to hear it from the horses mouth so to speak." Having finished talking the King picked up his tea gave it a precautionary blow and then took a delicate sip, he determined the lemon needed more time to permeate its flavour and so drank no more while he listened to his guests.  1. I've hinted at Altona having a significant number of PMC's and "Security" providers based here.

Lakhzovia:
Nal picked up the jug of cream and added a liberal amount to the tea, followed by an excessive amount of sugar and the contents of a small sache he seemed to manifest from an inner pocket of his suit. "Cardamom powder" he said by way of explanation, as he caught the look on the faces of some of the others gathered "I am a bit of a stickler for tea in the Lakhzov manner."

Erdan diplomatically added a slice of lemon to his own tea in mimicry of the King, hoping to ameliorate the rudeness of his fellow Minister. He took a small sip before returning the cup to the table while listening to the King's introduction.

"We thank you for the opportunity to meet with you, President Kadassa sends his apologies, he would normally meet a fellow Head of State in person, unfortunately there are rather pressing domestic matters that have demanded his attention, he hopes to have the opportunity to rectify this soon though.

In terms of your offer, it is true that Lakhzovia's energy transition will be greatly eased if we were able to import excess power from Altona. It is our longstanding policy, and ultimate aim, to maintain energy independence, however that does not preclude working with others on the road there. Doubtless you are aware that we have a number of nuclear power plants under construction as a part of our energy modernisation programme - however we are not likely to have quite the capacity required for at least 5 years which will leave us with a 3 year energy gap.

We are aware also of your recent nuclear dealings with Lijiang and feel that there is great potential for a wider cooperation in the fields of nuclear technology. Now as you may or may not be aware, Lakhzovia is not a signatory to the MAEA, it is felt by our government that the organisation intrudes too much into areas we believe should be sovereign; frankly we feel that the organisation is yet another way for certain world powers to hold power over emerging nations. It is for this reason we are tentatively considering the possibility of some alternative form of organisation aimed at promoting peaceful nuclear cooperation between nations outside of the draconian framework of the MAEA. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on such a proposal - of course whatever your opinion it will not affect the outcomes of today's discussions."

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