Few foreigners could understand the implications of the
C.E.P. (Heyra –Tamora contract) had for Tamora. While most foreigners would focus on the economic effect and maybe the geopolitical repercusions (such a potentially straining Tamora’s relation with RS) almost none understood the domestic implications such a deal had. While many outsiders viewed Tamora as an authoritarian state with theocratic tendencies infamous for the continuation of chattel slavery in the XXI century that was only a superficial description. Tamora institutions and society were extremely resilient to change and each of the main interest groups: nobles, clergy and businessmen carefully guarded their privileges and where determined to maintain the status quo. Having the Emperor himself sign a treaty (or technically a contract) and giving away Tamoran land not only
upset the native Manist Church but also unsettled the kings of Tamora’s federated kingdoms and nobility of their kingdoms. Was the Emperor going to give their land away and create enclaves in their kingdoms without consulting them? What impact would these foreign enclaves have for their tax collection? Could this signal a shift of policy in the Imperial administration, one aimed at favoring business over the nobility? If slavery could be sacrificed for such a deal despite the opposition of the Manist Church then clearly the privileges of the nobility could be revoked too for it was no secret that despite the Tamora’s relative low taxation, businesses would like their taxes to be lower or even to have a greater say in the running of the administration.
So choosing the people that would represent Tamora on this board would have much more importance than non Tamorans would care to know. All the higher echelons of Tamoran society were keen to see who were the representatives and thus speculate what the Imperial government plans and intentions were. The representatives announced were:
Rita Sargsyan, the CEO of a local Attican bank and a loyal supporter of the Queen of the federated Kingdom of Attica (where the Elysium project was to take place). Furthermore, she had been named by royal decree of the Queen of Attica showing that one of the two positions will be name by the leader of Attica and not the federal authorities. She was to be in charge of the Tamoran delegation.
Azar Iravani, a former colonel in the Tamoran Imperial Airforce, now retired. It was announced that his position would be interim until the project “would advance to a state that would permit the federated kingdom of Attica to assume full control of the representation of Tamora”.
The announcement calmed many fears in the nobility by showing that the Imperial authorities had no intention to assume control and instead would leave the project (the Tamoran side at least) to the regional authorities. It was also clear that the Attican authorities were supporting the project witch further alleviated concerns that this project had been done without the consultation of the regional authorities. The business faction was also pleased to see that the main Tamoran representative would be a businesswoman and thus focused on getting the project done. The Manist Church was not impressed with the representatives but had little reason to be further annoyed.
Just before the two Tamorans representatives entered the room, the aids of the Tamoran delegation made some quick preparations. They made sure that each Tamoran delegate had at this table setting the dual Tamoran-Attican flag. After the aids were done with their preparation. Rita and Azar entered the room. While Rita was wearing the standard business suite so familiar in many Mundus countries, Azar was dressed in his service uniform of the Tamoran Imperial Airforce where he had served for over twenty years.
After Maxime finished his opening line, Azar stood up and almost cut him off and not allowing him to get to the voting part.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as article XI of the C.E.P acknowledges the importance of religion in the Empire of Tamora, let us stop for a moment and say a silent player to God before proceeding further.” While for most readers of C.E.P. it would be clear that article XI had little to do with praying before the meeting, it was clear that Azar was not willing to debate. Rita quickly followed suit and stood up, lowered her head, closed her eyes just as Azar did and after approx. 30 seconds of silence the both of them stood down and allowing Heyrans to continue. Normally Tamorans did not pray in silence but since Azar and Rita were of different religions with Rita being in charge (of the Tamoran delegation), custom was that praying was to be done in silence.
During the very brief voting process none of the Tamorans made any motion and stood still as if observing a ritual and not interfering. Once the formalities were done and Maxime address the Tamorans, Rita replied:
“Congratulations Mr. Anginer, that was indeed Heyran efficiency in action. As far as we are concerned, we are here to make sure you have everything you need to get the project going and to explain the Tamoran customs when need it. “As she said the last part she looked briefly at Azar before looking again at Maxime.
“I am prepared to address all the topics you mentioned as well as decided on them during this meeting if consensus is reached.”
