War and Treachery: Celestial Knight: Book Three by D. R. Rosier

Author:D. R. Rosier [Rosier, D. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2022-09-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

The next morning the negotiations started in earnest. They were all present, as were several advisors on Aria’s side of the table. Twelve in total, the two leaders and five others for each side.

He half listened during the morning, as it was mostly a regurgitation of the arguments they’d planned to use, that has already been covered in these pages. Arguments that stressed her government and people were in just as much danger, if not as imminently as the Kingdom’s. That Aria’s program of missionary work was in danger of failing as well.

The fact Aria wasn’t pleased with the confederacy locking her out or attempting assassinations in her own temple ensured she was at least receptive to thinking about each and every point. It was an open dialogue, and she had an open mind.

It also scored Aria some political points on her home ground, as her greatest opposition came to realize an expansion of the church’s influence by force would’ve been playing right into the confederacy’s plans of invasion and annexation, and it would’ve doomed both the kingdom and the communion at the same time. Not that they’d admit it straight out, but it also more solidly put the moderates on her side.

It wasn’t until after the lunch break that the discussions broke new ground.

Aria said, “I agree with all you’ve said in theory. It is in both of our best interests to see the confederacy’s attempt at annexing the kingdom worlds fail, that isn’t in question. Yet, I can’t commit my forces and the lives of my people against a possible threat in the future we can’t be sure will materialize. Dacen used a similar argument on me, this needs to be an even exchange of efforts, not just one of ideals.

“I may be willing to send fleets to two of their worlds that have the largest military build infrastructure in space. They can remove the fleets and other military infrastructure. Remove their ability to build new or repair old ships, at which point they’ll have to pull back their reserves in fear we’ll do something else. They also won’t be able to risk a war of attrition at that point either. But I’ll need an equally large commitment from you to do so. What is it the kingdom offers for the Grand Communion’s aid in this matter?”

Daniella countered, “I can agree to that in principle. I wouldn’t ask you to aid us for nothing, even if it is in your best long-term interest to do so. Short-term as well, given the missionary program you so value, but it isn’t your responsibility to make my planets safe for your people. What is it that you want for that support?”

He was getting the idea Aria didn’t know what to ask for, and they sure as hell didn’t know what to offer or what the communion needed most. It also wasn’t his responsibility, and he wasn’t about to stick his nose in. Though he had nothing to offer either that way.

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