View on the council chambers inside the agrodome of Bachburg fortress
Archduke Leopold von Bach stands at the window of the new council chambers in the Bachburg fortress, formerly the Bacharche. Surrounded by all sides by green it was the closest thing compared to the old lush home planet the Archduchy once had. He sighed. A gas giant was their new home now, the name New Styria conjuring up the images in his mind of a better time in the past. It only augmented his determination to restore his people to their ancestral homeland down the road, or at least during his lifetime providing them with a better homeland then the asteroid belt and the assorted moons around the gas giant, however big and expansive they may be. One of them, the very same the Bachburg stood upon was comparable to the size of a small planet in itself.
Deep in thought, he did not notice his trusted council members file into the room at first.
First is his chancellor Ivan von Kinsky, about the same age as Leopold and one of his oldest childhood friends and his brother-in-law. A calm, collected and analytical mind lurked behind his eyes.
Francis Tegethoff who lost a leg during the evacuation of Styria, whilst holding the line on the last arch before leaving the planet. His father Joseph, Leopold´s former commander of the archducal forces had been left behind and Leopold had to promise to Joseph to ensure that Francis went off the planet according to his father´s wish. His desire of vengeance against the Insectoid Threat was only tempered by his sense of duty and family.
Duchess Anastacia von Fuchs comes in next, responsible for the economic affairs of the Bach estate and by extension of the whole archduchy. Never a prospect for the throne of her duchy due to five other successors older then her, she welcomed the chance to enter the service of the Archduke itself when offered a minor administrative position and had worked herself up the ranks.
Duchess Anastacia von Fuchs
Closely follows Richard Kaunitz, the foreign minister of the Archduchy whose job as everyone else´s had undergone rapid changes. Centuries old relations were useless in the fringe, as the Archduchy was one of the few powers in the old neighborhood who took the insectoid threat seriously and so the new diplomatic landscape provided for quite the challenge.
And last in struts Caroline Swieten, responsible for clandestine operations in the Archduchy. Her predecessor was one of the few not making it off Styria in the evacuation. She is in the words of the Archduke “colorful” caring not about protocol or status. A former smuggler, she joined the evacuation of Styria and offered her services and her knowledge to the Archduchy in exchange for amnesty. Her expertise already proved valuable during the hectic flight after the evacuation and whilst deserved her appointment is a point of friction with the other council members.
Caroline is the one who makes Leopold notice the councilors as she struts loudly in and with a noticeable thump places herself on one of the seats. Archduke Leopold turns around and after gathering his thoughts speaks up:
“Thank you all for coming, with most basic tasks in getting our colony up and running achieved it is time to look into the future. Everyone here presented me with the most pressing issues and we will sort through those one by one. Ivan, you go first.”
The Chancellor stood up whilst Leopold seated himself at the top of the table and addresses the room.
“I have been in intensive contact with the leader Eugen Montecuccoli of the colony called ‘New Triest’. The good news is that they are interested in peaceful co-operation with the Archduchy. As our size dwarfs theirs by quite a measure they were quite happy to see that our intentions were peaceful as well. Channels have been opened with them and we have already agreed on a joint-venture in getting the Tylium ore production up to speed.
With your ascent I would offer them associate status as a free city in the Archduchy and offer our protection to them. Pooling our ressources is the smart thing to do here, I think. Doubtless Anastacia will agree with me.”
Anastacia nods and Leopold agrees: “This is most wise, Ivan, thank you.”
Next up is Kaunitz:
“Our immeadite neighbourhood seems to have attracted only one colony, the Kingdom of Arlia. They seem to be organized as a monarchy as well, which bodes well for future relations. Apart from King Erion Arlian contacting us and wishing for peaceful relations, they seem to have signed the Valor Accords and have sent whatever fleet they have left after planetfall to support the Directorate against our insectoid pursuers. Doubtless Francis will fill you in on our military situation later. The insectoid threat it seems is far from over. I would advise to sign the Valor Accords as it is our best to contain it early and also as a sign that we are interested in close co-operation with the Kingdom of Arlia. Also Anastacia proposed to open trade routes with the Kingdom, we should get trade flowing as soon as possible and it is an excellent possibility to see if we can get a company in our sector interested in working for us early on.“
Leopold nods and ask: „Francis?“
Francis Tegethoff speaks up:
“I am hurting for action and normally I would advise caution in getting back into action that quickly. But it seems our homefront is safe for now with Arlia heading off and New Triest being peaceful.
I think with the Directorate our odds of a small victory are good and people could use a boost to morale. I will personally oversee our few corvettes and fighters we can spare.”
Leopold thinks upon this for a few moments and then agrees:
“Yes, better together now then stand alone later. Make it happen. Anastacia?”
Duchess Anastacia von Fuchs stood next, whilst the others sit back down.
“Our initial scans have been verified by our prospectors. We have uncovered substantial Tylium ore deposits on New Styria. We should get them going in no time and I am more then curious to see how our industry will fare with actual ressources, which we never had back in old Styria. As soon as Kaunitz hears back from the Kingdom we can look into getting some Tylium Ore to customers.”
Leopold responds:
“Good, so much for the most pressing issues. Now onto our population figures….”
Fleet Order: The Archducal Navy under the command of Francis Tegethoff will rendezvous with the Valorous fleet at Agatha Minor, participating in any action against the Insectoids together with the Directorate.
Base Order: The Archduchy will enter in diplomatic negotiations with the colony and offer them the status of a free city in the Archduchy.
Diplomatic: The Archduchy will sign the Valor Accords.
The Archduchy will open channels with the Kingdom of Arlia and will offer an economic contract to a company soon, if the Kingdom is interested in establishing a trade route.
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