King Delrowe held the flight stick tightly as the plane climbed to 10,000 feet. It was a strange experience being in sky when he had often led his people on horse back. He was once hailed as the horse back king to the affection of his people. And he gave the years of his youth to traveling the high mountains to survey redoubts for a home. Now, he was the only person in New Odessa who rides. Everyone else flew.
Today, the king was to appear before the league of colonies for peace talks with Krosia.
"What about the confidence of our investors?" He asked his seer in second cockpit behind him.
"Another 3 quarters before all of them pull out. I suggest we quickly lease them the Costol Mountains before Krosia takes them from us. That will extend the period to 6."
"Then, where do we go from there?"
"Build on what we already have. A quick airfleet to retake the Sea of Gurshan. The precious deposits will allow us to buy more stakes in the Exchange. Then we ally with Krosia's enemies and force them to shut down their factories."
"I understand. You must fight my case before the league. This will be the last time I seek council from your association. We must not lose our city to Krosia."
"I won't, your Majesty. I stake my life on this."
The plane sailed into the full view of a guard tower over the Sea of Odessa. Airlofts belonging to the League were anchored to it. Giant mechnical branches extended out to the Airlofts. Blue, yellow, green, orange and brown. The pastel coloured floating fortresses surrounded the largest craft anchored at the top of the tower. A black Galdanian heavy cruiser.
The biplane landed on its massive steel deck. A guard of honour bearing the flags of the League states saluted him as he climbed out of the cockpit. Then, a motorised carriage resembling that of Ford Model T pulled up in front of the plane. Delrowe waved off the offer, unfasten a hinge of a bulging compartment behind Schuber's seat. He pulled open the door and led Celeste, his white steed. He mounted the saddle galloped off from the parade. Schuber empathically told the distraught driver, "Please tell the host that my king still prefers riding to the council tower."
The delegates in the Board Chamber observed with silence at the spectacle played out before them. Delrowan biplanes were being shot out of the sky. Some went down with their pilots still trying to get out. The chamber was spared the rest of the carnage as image crackled, sputtered and stopped. The room lit up. A Krosian official was seated at the table with 3 fission seers. Delrowe and Schuber was on the other side. Between them, a hologram showed 6 blue Krosian fleet columns and 3 yellow Delrowan flight brigades. A robed hand emerged from the shadow and swiped away the lost aircraft. Another hand emerged nearer at the Krosian side, and with a lowering motion made 2 Krosian fleet columns disappear beneath the water.
The hall further illuminated to reveal showing 5 fission seers in red robes wearing glowing full-faced masks. The caps that sat on their heads with a wide forecrest that pointed backwards like a set of horns . A delegation of diplomats sitting behind them viewed the 2 parties with expectantly.
The largest of the seers in red motioned for attention.
"A reminder to all parties present here is that the League is united in keeping trade safe. We will deal openly, fairly and decisively with all who undermine and threaten what is left of known civilisation. I, Aldon Shrenar, declare this Assembly open."
"Last August, the Association of Halycon agreed that hostilities with Delrowan would cease by the start of winter. But, instead hostilities have grown and are now threatening the sea routes. Ambassador Silanus, you are aware of the penalties this will impose on Krosia. You have the odds in your favour and the Executioner by your side. Your guarantors have great expectations. We believe you will end this conflict soon for at stake is your membership in the High States."
Ambassador Silanus assured,"The Krosia Republic stands with the League. We will do nothing to threaten the peace and security of our Guarantor states. My associates will ensure that our agreement to end the hostilities within a month is honoured."
Associate Corbelus stands to address the League.
"Our forecasts percieve the conflict to end within a month. What is left is how the guilty party to accept the terms of surrender."
Schuber rose and intercepted the claim.
"I wish to counter-propose to the delegation."
"Motion accepted." Aldon granted.
"We wish to open lease for the Mountains of Costol. Any party willing to accept this offer will be entitled to full returns of investment once the war is won. We only ask in return free supply of rations and aircraft for the next 6 months."
"Objection! The terms are clear that hostilities must cease unconditionally within a month. The foundations of their reservoirs are collapsing due to over-use. Delrowan is making a promise it can't keep!"
"It is also noted in the terms of agreement that the time-frame within this year is the premise of the party under referendum. We are also entitled to the same rights as anyone in this court. Just as you have a chance to answer your creditors so do we have a chance to ours. Or do you wish to offend anyone here who could one day be your trade partners?"
Seer Provus struck back,"Delrowan is running out of time. Where is the feasibility of your counter-proposal when our army is already kilometres from Costol?"
"The bid is open! And all who dare to risk their future with ours shall be rewarded! I open this offer to all of you now!"
Commissar Aldon raised his hands for silence.
"This has been the most remarkable excursion for the day. Ambassador Silanus, the party under referendum will have a say in the date at which it will respond to your demands. I see great potential in this offer. Are there any parties interested in taking this bid?"
The delegation turned to their own seers and discussed with their eyes on Delrowe. Then, two hands came up. The state of Albernia and Gulren.
"Now it's time for us to put forward the stakes. Silanus, what is your pledge?"
"Twenty-seven Krosian warships!" Silanus barked. "All of Krosia's finest!" Provus formed 3 naval fleet divisions and pushed to the centre of the table.
"And you, King Delrowe?"
"I pledge my city, all my people and my life." Schuber drew the city New Odessa, a cloud of planes and a replica of the king's steel crown and likewise pushed them forward. Some delegates sighed and shook their heads at Deruwan's suicidal determination.
"Let the Executioner rise." Aldon commanded.
The red seer with a black hood rose from beside the Krosians and stood between the two parties. He spread out both his hands. He broke the holographic models down into hexagonal pieces and collected them into piles. He closed his hands into fists and threw them into the air. Great lines of yellow sprang from the floor of the chamber, surge towards the pieces and formed them into a cloud. If you crane you head upwards you will witness a spectacle of a great constellation of virtual clockwork and lever instruments spinning away efficiently. Among them sat the insignias all the colonies with circular charts that ran around them. Red for weak, orange for strong and white for dead. Krosia's sign was glowing a blazing orange and Deruwan a fading red.
In a deep and hollow voice he spoke,"The rules on this game are based on the general progression of all surviving colonies. The strong must rule to ensure the world will rebuild before the next Census Winter of the next 5 years. Protracted conflicts will not be tolerated."
"As the odds already favour Krosia. Galdania will provide an addition of 27 warships to continue the status quo. Deruwan has plead desperation. But the penalty as the losing party will limit Albernia to providing only aircraft and Gulren only essential supplies. Deruwan still must fight for its existence as much as for its shareholders."
Delrowe closed his eyes in agony. Silanus chuckled at his seemingly good fortune.
"However." The Executioner continued. "Should Krosia fail to end hostilities as promised. The penalties will be double of your new combined fleet. You will have to answer by the standards of the League and will see your position as a legitimate member in peril."
Corbelus whispered nervously into Silanus' ear and his smile evaporated.
Like a puppet master the Executioner drew the pieces of Krosia and Deruwan stakes back and formed criss-crossing field of dates planes and ships.
"In the natural progression of 723 possible outcomes for the conflict. Deruwan's resolve to win will
increase the shares of Albernia and Gulren to over 700% as compared to Krosia's 413% percent when it becomes the next regional superpower. Hydro purification infrastructure will greatly benefit the landlocked Gulren economy. Krosia's future is assured full possession of all Glender and Deruwan territories. New Odessa will burn to the ground. Creditor states for Krosia will be assured returns from every sector of a resurgent Krosian economy."
"Once conflict ends, the preparation for the next Census Winter will continue. All weaker states will be consolidated into a stronger League as planned. If Krosia and Deruwan fails, Galdania will be forced to intervene."
The seer folded his arms. The great mechanical sphere in the chamber broke apart and folded itself into the shadows. The chamber lit up once more and the Executioner returned to its place by the Krosian seer.
"As all grievances have been put forward and resolved. I declare this Assembly closed. Thank you for convening with us."
Aldon and his seers departed from chamber first followed by the delegation.
Silanus hissed. "I will burn New Odessa to the ground."
Schuber replied ,"We'll see about that."
The Krosians left.
Schuber tells Delrowe, "I have done all I can your majesty. The rest of the battle is your's."
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