Aosta had a track record in the past of having welcomed people from afar, but things were changing. When they'd accepted the Bene Gesserit Aosta had vast stretches of farmland that needed labour, the Bene Gesserit brought wealthy with them and then things began to change, the world had modernised and now in the 21st Century there was  in Serena's view less need for the Empire to need people to do things for them. "I think we perhaps here may see division. I understand the CSTO and CSU had provisions for visa free movement of such. I personally don't hold with that 100% but I do believe if we're to help each other in circules such as science, business and even education then making it easier for some to move will be a good step. I therefore propose the following.

On order to ease the movement of citizens throughout the ADSN region members of the ADSN agree to the following measures.

1. There shall the the establishment of a three path system for visas. These shall be the Short Term Visa, Business Visa and Educational Visa

2. The Short Term Visa shall be available to any individual who books return or onward passage via any means at least 30 days before the date of travel. So long as these dates are no longer apart than 60 calendar days then the individual may enter visa free so long as the receiving nation do not believe that the person poses a risk to the security or good order of the nation. Holders of this visa may not undertake any work while staying in the receiving nation.

3. The Business Visa shall be available to any individual who is travelling on business purposes. To obtain this an individual must have a guarantor from a business within the receiving nation. This visa shall allow an individual to remain in the receiving nation for 180 days and they may undertake paid employment while based there. This type of visa may not be renewed for 90 days. Should the receiving nation believe the individual is a risk to security or good order of the nation then entry may be stopped.

4. The Educational Visa shall be available to any individual who has obtained confirmation of the offer of an educational course within a receiving nation. This visa shall cover the entire duration of the course and will permit the holder to a maximum of 20 hours per work employment during their course.   Should the receiving nation believe the individual is a risk to security or good order of the nation then entry may be stopped.

5. Any individual breaking the conditions of any of these three visa programmes is liable to deportation and may be banned from travel to the receiving nation indefinitely.

6. The home nation shall take all reasonable steps to ensure anyone deported and banned from travel is prevented from returning.

Serena was happy to sit back and listen while the two other Empresses seemingly had different views. "I'll explain where my nation sits. We do not want full tariff removal. Our economy has an outstanding agricultural and processed foods sector for example. The problem this organisation has in a way is so does the Eastern part of Abertone. As a result if we remove tariffs our own and Abertone's Eastern Empire agricultural markets will be coming head to head and while competition can be good the average workers wage in the East of Abertone is much lower than our own. Potentially our own markets become flooded with Abertone wheat for example and our pasta begins to be made with foreign wheat before being exported to the rest of the region meaning our farmers loose out. They're are likley other such conflicts of interest around the table. What I propose therefore is this. Each year every member nation producers a list of their tariffs for the coming year. We agree that, unless a seperate treaty exists, we all are charged the same tariff rate and that the rate on each item, product, material etc is lower for ADSN members than other nations. For example we may put a 5% tariff on wheat imports into our nation on the ADSN but 6% on non-ADSN members. This promotes regional trade but allows us who wish to protect our economies.

Now in terms of other areas I would like to propose the establishment of the ADSN Science Consortium. I would like to see a body set up that would see each of us who are willing invest a lump sum each year. As such we each receive a equal share of the Consortium. We recruit and fund scientists, engineers and the like and let them be about their work. When they patent something new or unlock some research we all get an equal share of it. For example we saw Heyra and East Moreland work together to create the vaccination for the Yellow Tongue outbreak, their drugs companies no doubt making a profit from its development. We could then utilise the body to undertake such work on our behalf and maybe get the body to be self sustaining in terms of funding."

Name of Band - Måneskin
Nation:  - Aosta
Song 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRs7QwtL0CU - Zitti E Buoni
Song 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_96YkgtGCnc - Baby Said
Song 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kOzW0HPLT0 - Begging
Song 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq9KzVjx97Y I Wanna Be Your Slave

As they sat and the rest of the room filled with the other attendees Serena was interested in how things would start. She had two documents in her leather binder which she'd unzipped and held in such a manner as concealing them. Both creamy white bits of paper were covered in green pen scrawl. As the Empress talked stopped talking she looked out the corner of her eye and to the uninitiated it would appear that Olivia Adimari was merely loosening her fingers and fidgeting with the string that marked the page in her ledger but to the Empress, fluent in Bene Gesserit "doublespeak" it was clear "Now is the perfect time" the Empresses aide signed. Serena gave a small nod, more to herself than anything else.

"Empress I'm happy that you've invited us here and its actually convenient that you begin by talking about the Illumic and their various arrangements. I am well aware King David spent many years discussing Illumic Self-Determination and at times your nation and his have not seen eye to eye over how that was interpreted. Now though that region is peaceful and prosperous showing such a body as what your suggesting does work. With that in mind and Illumic Self-Determination being such a corner stone I believe we should perhaps consider the notion of Straits Self Determination. The ASDN, or whatever name we finally settle on, will at some point have to face a test in how it handles things. Very few existing relationships exist between us so perhaps a test is needed before we from this body to see if we are capable of co-operating."

She laid her own piece of paper on the table.

CONCERNED about the current situation within the city of Troyes

MINDFUL that a clear message has been sent from the citizens of the city regarding their future

COMMITTED to the notion of people being free to shape their own future.

The nations gathered on this date in Rokkenjima believe the following.

1. The City of Troyes should return to the nation of Marseilles.

2. The Kingdom of Seaforth should remove, as soon as realistically possible, its armed forces from the region.

3. The Kingdom of Seaforth be permitted to remove any sensitive or classified materials from its military establishments.

4. As the people of Troyes have contributed to the Royal Treasury of Seaforth the Kingdom of Seaforth is to ensure Troyes military establishments are left functional. This to be achieved with co-operation with the Marseille military.

Agreed by....

"Consider this a kind of trust fall exercise before the main work can begin. "  Serena sat back leaving the document on the table.

Empress Serena has spent the last 24 hours hosting the Mayor of the Seaforthian enclave known as Troyes. Jean-Baptiste Bret won the Mayoral election there in late 2021 and represents a party that is calling for the Seaforthians to leave the city which they claim ownership of. There have been a number of protests there and all recent elections for councils have returned results showing anti-Seaforthian occupation. The city lies just 50km from the border of the Empire and the Empress has described it several times as an "occupied territory of Marseille" During Mayor Bret's visit the duo toured the capital city of the Empire, Ovado, which during the Marseille conflict played host to a community of refugees. The Mayor meet with people who had run programmes helping these refugees and carrying out various other humanitarian efforts. The two then returned to the Imperial Palace for a series of talks. Following a busy day of meetings and tours the Empress and Mayor drove to the border of Marseille together where the two bid each other farewell. The Empress went on to say, "The Empire of Aosta believes strongly that the city of Troyes is property of Marseille. The number of protests there, the will of the people there and even the culture there clearly shows the people are Marseillian. Travel there and you don't see haggis and kilts, you see a love of fine wines and fine food. The recent action by the group called The New Real Marseille shows people will not take their occupation much longer. We will do whatever is within our means to support the people of Troyes to rejoin their fellow citizens of Marseille."

It was later confirmed that the Empress has agreed that should Troyes become part of Marseille she would be willing to offer it free port status in a similar way as to the agreement between Aosta and Lodja. She has also confirmed that she will permit fisherman from Troyes to land their catch tax free in Aosta to avoid paying any taxes to Seaforth.

The Empress is currently in Rokkenjima to discuss a potential cross Strait of Shaw agreement. There are however concerns that the Empresses outspoken support of Troyes may cause issues there as Rokkenjima have traditionally been extremely pro-Seaforthian and even have a member of their Imperial Family who has served in the Seaforthian Navy.

Today the nations F-5 Febris Air Defence Fighter made its final patrol before being withdrawn from service. Aircraft enthusiasts lined the fence at the National Aerodrome Academy Air Base where a pair of Febris aircraft landed following an hour long sortie. Flt. Lt Roberto Tomadahl made the final landing in the aircraft that has been in service since the mid 1970's. While the aircraft was at one time considered the leading fighter within the Imperial Air Force it has since the early 2000's found itself reduced to more of a training and routine patrol aircraft. It was confirmed that the 35 Febris left on the books of the Air Force are to be split between various museums and 15 sold to private collectors across Mundus. Flt. Lt Tomadahl spoke with the media following the final sortie saying, "The Febris has been my aircraft for the last three years and in that time I have had several young pilots cut their teeth in the fighter. The time has come though for the old lady to leave us and while we will miss her iconic shape and lines we are excited at what is to come."

The Air Force have been expecting a total of 60 N-AX fighters from Nya Aland to be delivered. The first of these is set to arrive tomorrow however 18 members of 165 Squadron have been in Nya Aland learning the controls of the new state of the art aircraft over the last month or so. The new fighter is a definite jump forward and features a range of stealth technologies with much greatly updated systems. The new aircraft will be known as the F-28 Farfadet and Flt.Lt Tomadahl will be the first pilot to take the aircraft on patrol. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence stated, "We've over worked the Febris for far too long and changes need to be made a while back. We've been a little lax in the situation but people should now be assured we've a very capable aircraft entering service. We're thrilled the Alanders have agreed to fulfil our needs and we look forward to welcoming their work to the Empire."

purchased from Nya Aland

Serena felt a wave of relief wash over her that the Reverend Mother hadn't been angry or offended that they'd worked their own grand scheme out. She knew that the Chapterhouse would support her so had no worries. "I would love to be able to say that I could lead the Empire into the light of the Sisterhood but we all know that will not happen. We make up 10% of a nation that clings desperately to its old folk faith. We have seen some movement towards the sisterhood since the faith embraced Mundus openly again and I think if the Missionara do their job correctly that could continue. From my own point of view I intend to come back with some kind of arrangement between our nations short of an alliance. I want to support you with trade, with diplomacy and some infastructure support. What I will not be able to do is offer mutual defence. I would be open to some backdoor arms supplies however. In return though there are some things I would like. At the top of that list would be to have the Gordon family recognised as a Holy House, I would say the Colombera but that would be too obvious. I would also like to have the Missionara find me a husband. I believe that my bloodline could be a useful one, we've been able to become the leaders of an Empire and we couldn't have done that unless blessed in some way. The lengths you can go to may well determine what I can offer."

The Empress thanked Arthur for his time and followed Erin back out into the streets. "Rest assured we are proud to have the Chapterhouse school in Aosta. The academic contribution it makes is fantastic and its an institution I know that many look up to. If we can continue to support it I will do so." The Empress was a little puzzled by where they were going as it didn't look like a grand museum. The way she simply skipped past the rope with no ceremony made Serena wonder just how often she did this and the surprise increased as they found themselves in what seemed to be a bar. With the large number of Truthsayers around she guessed it would be among the most safe places within the Theocracy.

Captain Olivia Adimari had not expected to feature in the discussion but was happy that her religious leader showed an interest. "Well Your Holiness it actually made the move from Truthsayer to Air Force simple being at the Chapterhouse. While everyone else on basic training was still learning how to polish their shoes I was busy brushing up on advanced navigation. It was a great foundation for a career in the service. I was disappointed they refused to allow me to come here during the war with the Soviets but I suspect that was because you didn't really need pilots. Serving the Empress has been a good second option though. I see it as I get to demonstrate first hand to a monarch overseeing our diaspora that the Bene Gesserit are a group that will be good citizens and make a positive contribution, even if our hearts live in this desert." She glanced at the Empress to see if she approved but her face was expressionless as she enjoyed the music and a drink.

As Olivia finished her answer the Empress took over. "I think this is a place where if your move towards freedom began than it is a fitting place for me to ask for some council from yourself." She took a deep breath unsure how this would play out. "In the 1860's the 16 year old Cairistìona Gordon and her family fled Kaitaine and ended up in Aosta. She was expected to become an Honored Matres in Kaitaine but instead found herself in Aosta with a significant amount of wealth behind the family. Her younger brothers were able to con the Aostan system and by the time the 1870's came about had got seats on our Sheppards Council, despite its name an important part of our government. Cairistìona by now was in her mid 20's and had married a minor nobleman. She had a daughter Seona who became a member of the Missionara and rather than being put into academic service she found herself able to help her cousins become members of the Senate of Families. She was setting a ground work for what was to happen next. The third generation of Gordon women were born after Seona married an influential military officer. She had three daughters and all attended the Charterhouse, a Truthsayer, a Mother and an Honored Matres. It was the Matres, a woman called Isobel who managed to seduce Duke Massimo Colombera. Within three generations the Gordon family had infiltrated the highest echelons of Aostan society through wealth, guile and dedication. With the Duke away on government work so often Isobel ensured all their children were raised Bene Gesserit and by the year 1900 the family were committed to the faith all be it in secret. It was the Gordon's connections that made the Colombera family influential. While the men of the Colombera thought it was their wise business sense it was the Gordon's manipulating the Bene Gesserit global network to raise the families advantages. When in 1922 my ancestor Lorenzo married the Princess and heir to the throne, since then we've had secret Bene Gesserits on the throne. As Olivia here can confirm while I have not attended Chapterhouse, much the pity, I have been tutored in a private class with seven other noble girls in similar situations. My tutor a teacher at the Chapterhouse and should I have been able to sit the streaming exams I am told I would have become a Missionara. The purpose of my visit was two fold. First to support the Bene Gesserit of Aosta, the second to seek your blessings. I am afraid I must still live a lie as a member and leader of the folk faith, but in my heart I'm a Bene Gesserit and if I can support you then I will. I suppose before we go any further I must ask forgiveness for a deception kept even from the command of the Missionara and for your blessings as a follower of our faith."

Olivia spoke next. "Its true Your Holiness. The Empress had a small class of Bene Gesserit with her, as have her siblings. One of them, Princess Amelia would have been a Truthsayer had she gone to the Chapterhouse. The leaders of our faith in the past often talked to us in the Chapterhouses of having plans within plans. I suspect that as it was so long before we had a Reverend Mother there would be many such self sufficient plots across Mundus. I am confident this deception to the world is something we as Bene Gesserit can be pleased with."

The duo looked hopefully at the Reverend Mother, potentially the entire relationship between the two nations hanging in the balance.

The city was very much like Serena had imagined from the pictures that she had seen. If anything they were more dusty than she imagined but the lack of traffic didn't kick up too much. She would have liked to stop and speak to some of the people who had come out to see the Reverend Mother but that could come maybe later. She found the tales of giant sandworms in many ways laughable. Surely if such a beast existed there would be evidence. The Missionara seemed willing to investigate anything yet had not found proof of ginormous creatures that slithered through the sands. It just didn't make sense. It was though a fun story and so Serena smiled as the leader of the Bene Gesserit faith told the tall tale.

When she saw how unmechanised the process of the spice farm was it was in some ways impressive. In the day and age when everything and every process seemed so mechanised here were people doing things the same way they had for probably hundreds of years. It was like stepping back in a time warp. As Erin offered up one of the "Sandworms" Serena was at first repulsed by the thing but then seeing it run across her hosts hand she allowed it to cup into her hands. She had for some reason expected it to be slimy but it was for from it. The creature continued running but the constant placement of one hand in front of another meant that it always had a path to run on. After a while she carefully dropped it into one of the troughs close by and watched as almost instantly it vanished without a trace. She wondered how many called that particular mini desert home. As Arthur arrived Serena was glad of the refreshment, while the weather back home in Aosta was usually rather pleasant it wasn't desert warm and so the tea was a welcome beverage. "I've heard several people say the spice is rather addictive? Is that true?" she asked as she carefully sipped the tea. She figured it did taste of cinnamon but was still disappointed she didn't see the future or hear the voice of God, perhaps she just wasn't as spiritual as she was supposed to be. She accepted the gift from the man, "Thank you. I believe there are recipies for such things as spice cakes , if you had one I'd maybe like to try baking them upon my return." She asked.

Olivia was a bit more familiar with the spice and while she indulged annually she too had never experienced anything other than a slightly sweet taste. She however had never 100% known it was a pure supply as so couldn't resist licking her finger and trying a bit of this gift. Like her Empress there was no voice from the clouds or flashes of foresight. She wasn't disappointed, that was the job of the Mothers, she as a Truthsayer existed to simply protect those of that caste and that didn't require divine communication.

Serena pondered questions for a while, beyond a recipe request she had just one. "I have around 8million of your faithful in my Empire, I wonder how we could set up a system of regular supplies for their rituals and festivals? Could Seitch provide spice for 8million people?" It didn't seem possible but men like Arthur would likely know the answer.

Born in the Imperial Place in 1994 her father was Emperor Franco X and her mother Empress Lucille it was apparent she would one day inherit the throne when at the age of four it was discovered that her mother would be unable to have any other children. She already had a half brother called Roberto from her fathers affair in 1986 however he was unable to inherit the throne. Her father went on to have another two children, Amelia (b.1998) and Stefano (b.2001), both with the blessing of Lucille as it was considered that should anything happen to Serena then one of these children or Roberto could be legitimised.

Serena was educated at the Palace in a class made up of seven other children of the same age from noble families across the Empire. She spent her childhood closely guarded by the family and the Imperial Legion along with her hand picked friends. She showed an interest in anthropology and at the age of 2012 was enrolled in Ovado University and began studying the subject while helping fulfil royal duties. Upon graduation she served from 2015 and 2017 in the Imperial Carbinieri, a kind of cross between the army and police. In 2017 she left the service and returned to University to gain a 2nd degree in International Relations. She however dropped out of the course in late 2018 after her father became ill. When he died in early 2019 she had already begun undertaking many of his duties.
 
She was the first foreign head of state to visit Seicth in the Theocracy of Kaitaine where on paper she reached an agreement to make travel for the Aostan Bene Gesserit diaspora between the two nations easier. In truth she revealed to the Reverend Mother that her ancestors had manipulated the Aostan royal family until they reached a point where today the ruling dynasty is secretly Bene Gesserit.

To the Reverend Mother of the Bene Gesserit Faith.

As Empress to over 8million of your faiths people I believe that it is important that the Empire of Aosta and the Theocracy seek to pursue a path of friendship. I believe that it is vital I show this significant portion of my people due respect and a visit to your city of Seitch would be a very public show of respect for your faith. I therefore ask that you accept my request to visit the city and meet with yourself.

With Respect

Empress Serena III of Aosta

The entire notion of government in Aosta is centred around the Emperor/Empress and the concept of service to the community.

Service is rewarded with a greater voice in how the nation is run.

There are three Councils that form the Empire.

The first is the Consiglio del Pastore which translates literally as Council of Shepherds. This Council is responsible for the day to day affairs on a set geographical area of the Empire. It takes its name from the fact that any member of the Empire who could provide a set number of herd animals to the monarch a year could take a seat on the Council. Today to qualify an individual needs to have lived in the region for 10 years and be able to provide evidence of fifty citizens also eligible endorseing them. People wishing to be part of the Council of Shepards must register there names, proof of residency and details of the fifty people who support them annually. Once convened the Council pick one of their members to be the Mandriano which translates as Herdsman, who is the person responsible for organising the Council. They make decisions on local levels such as how to spend certain government funds on things like roads, forestry, flood management etc.

The next step up is the Senato delle Famiglie which translates   as the Senate of Families. This Council is responsible for many of the day to day matters of running the nation. This includes approval of matters from the Council, judicial and law enforcement appointments and drafting suggestions for the Monarch. In tradition the Senate could be joined on meeting three conditions. The first was by having served 5 years in the military, by having 1,000 people willing to support your membership and owning a set amount of land. Today the Senate is open to anyone who is from a "Registered Family". Since the 1600's the Empire have kept a list of families who own a set amount of land (as a collective), and can find the support of 15,000 people. The Senate can vote to make a family a registered one. Each summer the Senate is sworn in and each person wishing to be a senator must arrive with their families written statement of support, a verifiable list of 15,000 supporters and deeds to land owned by the family.

The final step is the Assemblea Delle Guardie which translates as the Assembly of the Guards. This body acts as the monarchs personal council and must give approval for budget changes and oversees the rest of the mechanisms of government. To get onto the Assembly you need to have served in the elite Imperial Legion or be the child of someone who has.


The final say with any piece of legislation, unless it is about approving the budget, is down to the monarch. While they often follow the advice of the lower bodies they are not bound to.

Following the disaster in the region of Dauntal the quaysides of Ovado in the West of Aosta had been paid a visit by the Imperial Carabinieri. They made headway to the  Andino Oil Companies tanker sat ready to leave to head south. It would though today not get that far. Sergeant Maldana presented a document to the Captain as he barged his way up the entrance ramp onto the ship. The task was simple, ensure the ship was safe and wouldn't present a risk to Aostan activity within its EEZ. They had brought with them several members of the Imperial Naval Police who were experts in this manner of work and much to the annoyance of the crewmen it delayed their departure. It would annoy them even more when four hours after the inspection began the Maldana presented the ships captain with an impound notice. There was in the moments that followed a scuffle and then two arrests as Neuva Ardian crew men attempted to punch members of the Imperial Naval Police, never a wise move with members of the Carabinieri present. They took joy in pepper spraying the two sailors and dragging them off to local police stations.

The notice was clear, the inspection had found the ships navigation system was four years out of date and the fire fighting equipment wasn't up to spec. As such the government made the decision to offload the 3.5million barrels worth of oil and impound it.

To:- The CNN Nations, Lodja in particular

Having heard the distress call of REMNS Philip the Wild we offer our hopes that the crew are safe. We offer our ports as a safe refuge if needed. Furthermore we would like to see Leopold Hamsik and his rebels brought to justice sooner rather than later. As we are aware that REMNS Philip the Wild may have been a part of your nations cordon for aircraft carriers on operations in Zhoya we would like to put one of our ships, the Frigate Pippen at your disposal to plug any gaps in the short term if required. Furthermore her sister ship Bastian will be avaliable to escort the Philip the Wild to port.

We hope this is useful under the circumstances and are willing to help in anyway required to bring this situation to a close.

Best Reagrds

Princess Brigida