SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the Second

[Lonestar]

Duke James smiled sardonically, and responded: "It's quite simply, Your Excellency. We simply add a line reading: Possession or use of biological, bacteriological, or chemical weapons shall be cause for national obliteration."

Lord Wythe, Special Delegate from the Old Dominion, leaned forward.

"What do you know of national obliteration, you little turd? How many nations ahve you obliterated? How many of your neighbors threatened you with national obliteration on a daily basis? Are we to interpret this to mean that if we don't join your little kum-ba-ya circle you'll declare war on us?"

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Imperial Chronicles

"Are we hoping to achieve overly too much?" spoke the Basilleus. "This treaty is going to be extraordinarily hard to enforce. Would weapon inspectors like to comb through the thousands of bunkers I have in my nation, some of which are simply out of bounds by virtue of national security? Needless to say, bioweapons and chemical weapons weren't exclusively used by Shepistan in the last conflict, though they were a major user.

And National Obliteration? A bit hasty I should think, and no country would willingly go down without fight, and that much is absolutely certain."

[DarthShady]

"Comrades I believe we need to calm down and discuss this like gentlemen.", Zoran Stojkovic Foreign Minister of the USSR began, "Lord Wythe has a point. Have we learned nothing. We came here to make sure that these horrible weapons are never again used, not to threaten each other with war."

"The USSR is willing to support the treaty in it's current form, but we do share the concerns of our Byzantine allies. How exactly will we make sure that the inspections are successful and that nobody is making Bio death in a hidden location?"

[Lonestar]

"Comrades I believe we need to calm down and discuss this like gentlemen.", Zoran Stojkovic Foreign Minister of the USSR began, "Lord Wythe has a point. Have we learned nothing. We came here to make sure that these horrible weapons are never again used, not to threaten each other with war."

"The USSR is willing to support the treaty in it's current form, but we do share the concerns of our Byzantine allies. How exactly will we make sure that the inspections are successful and that nobody is making Bio death in a hidden location?"

"The Old Dominion is not taking this conference seriously, especially as multiple members here are well into the deployment stage of potentially more deadly weapons, the so-called 'Nuclear Weapons'. We we not allow anyone foreign inspectors on our soil to search for our military technologies, nor will we sign any international agreement that mandates it."

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

Biological Weapons Ban Conference
Cancun, Wilkonia

"With all due respect, Lord Wythe, if you are not going to take this conference seriously, then why are you wasting your time here?" Duke Lelouch interjected. "If you want to take your former neighbor Shepistan's place as the resident rogue state of Nova Terra, by all means, feel free. Just hope that the rest of the MESS will bail you out when the rest of the world collectively makes you bleed from your breasts."

"That said, I actually find myself in agreement with Lord Wythe concerning these...nuclear weapons. While chemical and biological weapons may be more subtle and insidious in their effects, many of them are slow to take the desired effect and can be completely nullified if the opposition takes proper countermeasures. From what I have read and been told, nuclear weapons are unparalleled when it comes to sheer destructive power. A single bomber armed with these weapons can accomplish what would have taken a dozen of the same bombers armed with conventional bombs and missiles. If we truly want to control the proliferation of these...weapons of mass destruction, we need to regulate nuclear as well as biological and chemical ordinance. Again, the major problem is enforcement of such a treaty, but I hope that we can resolve it satisfactorily, so that even Lord Wythe here can put his signature on the paper when the time comes."

[CmdrWilkens]

Biological Weapons Ban Conference
Cancun, Wilkonia


The breezes off the sea were the pleasent sort that folk singers and neatly snookered middle age couple would raise a toast to. It was an arean of almost total calm as the thousands of tourists and beach goers went about their business with little care as to the goings on in their midst. Drinks were mixed and served with regularity and while the conversation steered now heavily towards politics it turned, as often happens when young men gather in such numbers, to the female of the species congregating on the vast stretches of white sand in little more (and often as not little less) than would be considered decent by their mothers.

Yet in this hazy tropical land there was a quiet whirlwind brewing in the core of the old town.

Here steel and concrete gave way to stucco and adobe, classic structures that refelcted and era when Wilkonia was the pre-eminent world power from MESSamerica. These had been the residences of emperors who had once ruled over a host of islands many lost centuries ago. The grandeur recalled the power and culture of a nation that had laid roots everywhere but never any so deep as to keep lingering affection for the mother country. Now the eyes of the world were once again on the drama within the Summer Palace.

"I put forth that there are two courses we may move through seperately and without concern as to each other," Andreneas spoke for the first time in the entire conference.

"We have before us a proposed language for a treaty banning the development, stockpiling, and use of viral and bacteriological agents. Thus we have two issues. The first is to define what SHOULD be done about these weapons and the second is to define HOW. We need not make this initially about both at the same time. I move that we should consider first what SHOULD be done and reach a consistent and agreeable position on that issue alone before we move to the much mroe contentious issue of HOW to enforce this."

Thus we propose:

- Whereas bacteriological and viral weapons present a grave threat to humanity
and
-Whereas the use of these weapons has caused, and offers the unmitigated risk to cause agian, undue loss of civilian life
and
- Whereas the development of such weapons and their production by nations presents a grave risk to us all that they may be used again

Be it resolved by the nations here undersigned that the development, testing, production, and use of bacteriological and viral agents as weapons shall be now and forevermore banned.

----------

Let us agree to this at the least before we move to the more contentiout matter of how, and in what degree, to enforce this resolution.

[K. A. Pital]

Bioweapon Limitations Conference

- "National Obliteration"? - CSR Ambassador, comrade Gromyko, laughed so hard that he eventually got his own mouthwater stuck inside his throat. - Khe-khe... khe... what the hell? You speak in such a fashion in the presence of Great Powers, "Duke" James? Ah, I just got a nice reminder why we shot our nobility during the Great Revolution. You are too detached from reality to even make sense. Are you threatening us? We fully agree with the Old Dominion, starting a conference in such a fashion is absolutely unacceptable and insulting.

He then turned to Lelouch.

- Yes, you undoubtedly know much about the effects of new military techologies that the Crimson Star Republic already has in possession, - he spoke flat, without any threatening intonations left in his voice. - But are you willing to say that their development had anything to do with the current conflict that left two nations absolutely devastated, and the world economy suffering it's first major crisis in decades?

Gromyko's voice became louder.

- This war came to be for the recklessness of nations which used weapons of mass destruction on each other. To be clear: during the Cold War our nation pointed huge arsenals of biological and chemical weapons in the direction of Shroomania, with the reverse being also true. However, neither ever used those. They were, and remain, a weapon of deterrent in case of a war.

- We consider the talks aimed at limiting the biological weapons the only theme of our meeting. Their limitations are important, since their use causes extreme economic damage to the world, forcing the shutdown of major communications, trade, and also the installation of martial laws and curfew, leading to total economic collapse if such measures are upheld for a long time.

- Other weapons do not cause such effects even if used for the purpose of mass destruction; therefore, we will not discuss limitations on other types of strategic arms.

[CmdrWilkens]

"As a point of order the gentleman from the CSR is correct. This conference concerns biological weapons ONLY. While we may certainly convene at a later time or place to discuss other measures at this time my government will only sign an agreement on biological agents. This conference was opened for the express purpose of such a treaty and I would highly doubt that even the highest ranking of ambassador's here has been granted leave to expand the reach of these talks."

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

Biological Weapons Ban Conference
Cancun, Wilkonia

"Very well," Lelouch sighed. "We'll leave the discussion of nuclear weapons for another conference, then. Hell, I'll even offer to hold that conference in Ashford City if you want. Now, let's get back to what we came here for. I'll sign the document when it's finally presented."

Lelouch chuckled softly to himself. "'National obliteration.' What a load of bullshit," he muttered. "You can talk tough all you want, 'Duke' James, but when the time finally comes, can you back up those words with deeds? You keep messing with these bulls, you'll end up getting the horns...all at once."

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

"I think the best we can do, is to agree on not to use biological agents, and preferably chemical agents as well. Ultimately, too many nations have declared and undeclared stockpiles to make this agreement in its current form useful in sense of the word. At best we can agree not to use them on each other, or face the threat of retaliation from signatories. Failing to even agree on that would simply mean that this meeting is close to pointless," said Basilleus.

[K. A. Pital]

- Biological weapon facilities could be declared by the major powers, and the information on agents developed by the bioweapon programs and the nature of stockpiles could be shared, - voiced Gromyko his opinion, - a Convention or Accords strictly prohibiting the use of biological weapons - and demanding the declaration of stockpiles at the very least - in either tactical or strategic warfare should be signed by all present parties, and non-signatories could be considered rogue nations. The question of economic sanctions against non-signatories could be left to each nation to enact as it sees fit.

[PeZook]

"PeZookia also won't accept a doctrine of national annihilation. Threats of force will only encourage non-signatory countries to develop failsafe measures using the very agents we want gone: we propose the Accords should be signed voluntarily and in good faith, with signatories agreeing to full disclosure. Ultimately, if we cannot trust signatories to obey the Accords, the conference is pointless. Hiding a bioweapon program from inspectors is easy, after all.

It is the position of the Crown that accords designed to foster peace cannot be maintained by force, especially not in the case of something so easily hidden and produced as biological weapons."

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

"Then if there are no checks in the system, then the accord is indeed pointless, beyond a feel good measure. If we follow what the good Gromyko has suggested, then we are back to the same problem when Shepistan still existed. Remember that a rogue nation, especially one as large as Shepistan, could willingly refuse to follow international convention. Economic sanctions can be enforced, but whether or not they are effective is a wholely different question.

Ultimately gentlemen, this accord without some form of deterrence is only as useful as the paper itself. Byzantium fails to see the usefulness of such an accord if it fails to compel nations to not use biowarfare weapons in the future. In which case then, Byzantium will be forced to resort to measures to ensure deterrence. And deterrence, I might add, is only as useful as the assumption that the enemy isn't overly... suicidal."

[K. A. Pital]

Biological Weapon Conference

- And this is why, comrades, ladies and gentlemen, I must once again stress - there are safer means of deterrent. The nuclear weapons, which certain leaders have lambasted for their power, at least do not require a total quarantine and do not spread contamination around the world, neither do they pose a risk of... - Gromyko took a theatric pause. - Total, global, life-wiping pandemia!

- We, as responsible and voluntary signatories to the convention, must abandon the use of bioweapons. In any case, as we know, deterrence is useless against madmen, but the convention can at least ensure that there is less users of biological stockpiles as primary means of deterrence. The less potential users - the less is the chance that a random act of war between two random nations will unleash plagues on the world as it did this year.

- We propose that biological stockpiles of signatories be reduced voluntarily, under international supervision from other signatory nations, while newer means of deterrent replace the "boomerang"-doctrine weapons of old.

- For 40 years have we foolishly harnessed the threat, making it rise and evolve, produce newer and newer strains of deadly agents - and now we are here, with weapons that should've never been used being thrown as usual munitions. This situation must change.

- The great powers alone reducing their biological stockpiles would have a great result. We are also clearly willing to give vaccines specifically developed by our bioweapon programs. It is possible that rogue nations would engage in biological warfare, but third-generation agents and above would be hard to create for poorer nations. And basic varieties of virii and bacteria could be fought efficiently with vaccines grown out of 4th to 7th generation strains.

[PeZook]

"The Crown agrees with our CSR allies in entirety. Effectively, there is nothing the signatories can do to force non-signatories to comply, but biological weapons are not necessary for deterrence against them, and are incredibly dangerous to even keep. Even if the Accords are never signed by countries other than those present here, the reduction in bioweapon stocks will make it worthwhile in the opinion of the PeZookian Crown. Thus, we entirely support comrade Gromyko's proposal for the Accord's enforcement."

[Siege]

Biological Weapons Ban Conference
Cancun, Wilkonia

What in the name of the Sweet Lady is the Duke thinking? President Hank felt like slapping his fellow Frequesuan leader. One did not joke about 'national obliteration' in the presence of Great Powers, especially not when they were known to respond to perceived slights with strategic bombing. Time for damage control...

The President nodded. "We are in full agreement with King Paul and Ambassador Gromyko", he injected, pausing briefly to sip from his glass. "Backing up a treaty with threats of force, of annihilation even, is not a constructive way of doing business. Instead the nations of the world should be convinced to give up their biowarfare agents in good faith and of their own volition, with international supervision being voluntary.

Still, perhaps we can also find some manner of positive encouragement so to make it more attractive for nations to sign the treaty? For example the establishment of an international storage bank maintaining an ample supply of vaccines for the most common strains, to be opened to any nation facing a pandemic, could not only help developing nations deal with naturally occurring plagues but would also potentially greatly decrease the effectivity of biowarfare, thus making the weaponization of pathogens a less attractive prospect."

The President smiled a disarming smile, the smile that had been so instrumental in allowing him to climb to the top of the corporate ladder as fast as he had. "Of course I'm no expert on biological weaponry, and some people tell me that advanced pathogens are lethal in hours rather than days or weeks, so that might not work as well as I'd like. Bear in mind that it's just an example of something that could be done to warm hesitant nations to the treaty."

[PeZook]

FASTA bulletin

Mercury 2c rolled out to launch pad

Finishing assembly nearly two months behind schedule, the Mercury-Atlas spacecraft was rolled to the JSC's Atlas-Sputnik Launch Pad A this morning. FASTA administration commented that labor shortages are making it difficult to keep the launch schedule up-to-date, and launch of the second Japanistani satellite has been postponed even further.

"We have enough facilities now, but what we lack are technicians - travel trestrictions kept most of our staff stuck far away. Fortunately, these are being rescinded, and launches will get back on track quite soon."

Chim Chim, the first simian to orbit the Earth, is currently being prepared for loading into the capsule.


Chim Chim feels important, as he is strapped into his Life Support Rig

Class 2010 recruitment begins! Apply now!

Delayed massively by the Pathogen Wars, the recruitment campaign for Class 2010 astronauts is a go! Candidates from all over the world, from all walks of life are encouraged to apply for the Astronaut Training Program. Fill out a form on the FASTA website, mail in your application or inquire with your local authorities for a chance to become a part of Man's greatest endeavour.

Why wait? Become a hero today!

[Lonestar]

Biological Weapons Ban Conference
Cancun, Wilkonia

"With all due respect, Lord Wythe, if you are not going to take this conference seriously, then why are you wasting your time here?" Duke Lelouch interjected. "If you want to take your former neighbor Shepistan's place as the resident rogue state of Nova Terra, by all means, feel free. Just hope that the rest of the MESS will bail you out when the rest of the world collectively makes you bleed from your breasts."

"Listen here, you runt! The Old Dominion is here in the interest of international co-operation, not to rattle sabers at everyone else! And how has this conference started off? With prattle about 'National Obliteration' to those who do not bow to the will of the collection of retarded small states who have a smaller GDP even AFTER The Old Dominon's contraction."

"I was unaware that this was a mandatory treaty, or that there was some kind of international police force to enforce it. There are perhaps a handful of people here who are negotiating in good faith, obviously you are not one of them."

*gets up*

"I'm going to go lie down for a bit...this is angry-upping my blood."

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

Biological Weapons Ban Conference
Cancun, Wilkonia

Lelouch heaved yet another sigh as he saw Lord Wythe get up and leave the room, quite obviously fuming at what Lelouch had uttered earlier. "The joys of impulsive behavior," he mused sardonically to himself. "Well, I did shoot my mouth off a bit early, but at least I didn't directly threaten him with 'national obliteration.' Well, maybe I did in a roundabout way when I said he'd be needing the entire MESS to rescue him. Bah. I should just shut up already and listen to what the other leaders have to say."

"And this is why you usually don't go out to official diplomatic events like this," Marquess Schneizel said to his younger brother. "You always tend to say the worst possible things at the worst possible times to the worst possible people."

"...Shut up, Schneizel."

[PeZook]

"Lord Wythe, if you could please note that the Duke's...proposal", you could hear the quotation marks when Paul said that, "Wasn't taken well by most delegates. There is no need to grow upset about the matter."

"Now, if we may continue on topic...are we agreed that signatories of the Accords would voluntarily submit to bioweapons inspections by a common, independent regulatory body, and forego the use of direct force in expanding the treaty?"

[Shroom Man 777]

Shroomanian Stories
Cancun Conference



The Prime Minister kept his mouth shut for a while. Partly, it was because he was still brooding. Goddamn Rufus, WIBBLE was an awesome name and everyone knew it. In these times of near-apocalyptic darkness, everyone needed to lighten up. Everyone needed a... WIBBLE.

Aside from that, Shroom also didn't want to open his mouth first or else he'd end up sounding like an idiot - which was what just happened to Duke James. Duck James, haha. Now the other Duck... Duke, Duke Langley, said something and now the Old Dominion Dude's veins were popping out of his neck. The Old Dominion Dude got off and went out, wanting his nappy-time or something.

Shroom sighed and look at his side. Alison was busy scribbling down notes.



"What's that?" Shroom asked her.

"Oh... nothing. I'm just drawing Duke Lelouch, that Langley guy. He looks cute."



"Ah. That's actually a pretty good drawing," Shroom admitted.

"Really? Aw, thanks." Alison smiled. Which made Shroom feel really crappy, crappy for hiding his filthy secret from her. Goddamn it. "Hey, what are you doing?"

"Uh..." Shroom uttered, just as he noticed that he had gotten off his seat, looking like he was about to declare something.

The delegates and diplomats and journos and world leaders, yes, the world leaders, were now looking at him - expecting him to say something.

"Oh shit..." Shroom muttered beneath his breath.

They kept on looking at him.

"Gentlemen..." Shroom began.

"Please, enough about this talk of national obliteration and breast-bleeding. This conference was called precisely because of the obliteration of two nations and the breast-bleeding of their entire populaces. We here to make sure none of this ever happens again, but if we go down the path of threats of national breast-obliteration, as both our Dukes have spoken of, then we're only going to aggravate and exacerbate the situation and end up doing the exact same things we're trying to avoid from doing again. We hardly need or want anymore wars sprouting up at this time because of biological weaponry, of all things.

"That said, I am in agreement with my friend Paul, as well as Ambassador Gromyko - whose country shares an intimate understanding with the Sovereignty in precisely these... delicate matters. I also believe that one of the things President Hank has mentioned:

Still, perhaps we can also find some manner of positive encouragement so to make it more attractive for nations to sign the treaty? For example the establishment of an international storage bank maintaining an ample supply of vaccines for the most common strains, to be opened to any nation facing a pandemic, couild not only help developing nations deal with naturally occurring plagues but would also potentially greatly decrease the effectivity of biowarfare, thus making the weaponization of pathogens a less attractive prospect.

"Bears further discussion. Wasn't one of the proposed agendas of this meeting to discuss how the international community intends to clean up the mess in Astaria and Shepland, to help the people who might still be living - or dying - there, and how we'd go about with distributing aid? President Hank's proposed initiative might tie in with that goal...

"Overall, the Sovereignty of Shroomania is agreeable to the outlined convention of President Rufus. However, I do have a tiny nitpick regarding the naming of the thing..." Prime Minister Shroom smiled and, if he wasn't mistaken, he also heard a subtle but collective groan coming from just about everyone in the room.

"Oh Shroom," King Paul said to himself while shaking his head.

"Not that WIBBLE crap again," Rufus cursed silently.

"Goddamn Shroomanians," one of the remaining Dominion diplomats muttered beneath his breath.

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) Weapons and on Their Destruction

"While it is a tiny nitpick... biological weapons don't just encompass bacteriological and virological agents, but also fungi as well. If they are left unmentioned, well, we wouldn't want anyone to exploit the loopholes, am I right?" there were murmurs of agreement, after all, who knew better about fungal agents than the crazy person who kept on going 'mushroom this' 'toadstool that' and 'fungi there'? There were also sighs of relief, since Shroom didn't bring the goddamn WIBBLE up.

The Prime Minister thanked his peers and sat down.

[Lonestar]

Virginia Times-Dispatch

Martial Law eases in most of the nation.
Martial came to an end in most of the nation yesterday as Citizens and residents went back to work. Martial continues, and will continue for the immediate future, in specially designated zones along the borders of Shepistan, East Shepistan, and Kanawha. For a full list click here


Defense Review impending.
Following the most cataclysmic event to occur on the Shepland Continent since the arrival of the Old World colonists and the Crusading Orders, a thorough defense review is under way for the Old Dominion. It is likely that the ODAAF, ODN, and Air Defense Command will receive a greater emphasis in the future.


The Royal Palace
"No! You cannot do this!" Blitzschlag roared. "Mein Allegheny Blood Fever, the Kïru Parasites, zee Deliverance Spores…"

"You'll have to, sorry Doctor. Don't worry, we're still keeping the Vampire-pathogen under wraps, but it appears as if we can't wiggle out of this." Lonestar said, wearily. "Besides, with the Atomic weapons program well underway, we will have a reasonable replacement. You've seen the reports from our comrades in the Tian Xia."

Blitzschlag snorted. "And with no way to deliver them…"

"Which is the point of the defense review. Look, Doctor, we're facing a 10% contraction of the GDP, maybe more. Maybe a lot more. I don't think that anyone is going to try to wipe us off the face of the Earth if we refuse to sign a BW treaty, but they might issue economic restrictions against us. Do you want the Old Dominion to be a welfare state, taking money from the MESS, barely keeping afloat?"

"No." Blitzschlag said sourly. "But Lord Wythe's comments…"

"Lord Wythe has his instructions. He's our delegate because of his, uhm, unique idiom…"

[CmdrWilkens]

It would appear that the following is what might work as a viable treaty amongst us here assembeled and any other nation that may later join:

1. Each signatory nation agrees to ban the development, use, production, stockpiling, and testing of bacteriological, viral, and fungal based weapons.
2. Each signatory nation agrees to the creation of an international inspection agency which shall be responsible for overseeing the destruction of existing stockpiles and the review of any possible hidden stockpiles.
3. Each signatory nation agrees to grant right of entry and free travel to accredited members of this agency to allow inspections of existing, purported, or potential biological weapons development, production, stockpile, or test sites. Upon request by the host nation the agency must provide twelve hours notice of intent.
4. Said agency to be composed of at least one member from each signatory nation with each nation holding a single vote on any agency decisions. Members of the agency are granted, by all signatory nations, diplomatic immunity when in service of the agency within the bordes of nations not their own.
5. Each signatory nation shall receive full information regarding the actions on the agency in a report by the duly elected chairman of the agency (by majority vote of the member delegations with each nation having a single vote) on a monthly basis unless requested more frequently by at least three signatory nations.
6. Each signatory nation agrees to hand over to the agency a sample of all vaccinations developed against existing biological weapons agents. In turn the agency will publish to each signatory nation a complete listing of all known vaccine's and shall, on a quarterly basis, issue to all signatory nations an update in regards to stockpiles of vaccines maintained by the agency.
7. Each signatory agency agrees to committ to funding the agency on a basis determined by a rolling average of the last four years GDP of that nation. That is funding proportionally shall be equal to each country's share of the combined GDP of all signatory nations. The agency shall submit three months prior to the next fiscal year a budget for review by all member nations, this budget must be approved by a super majority [2/3rds concurring] of the member delegations to the agency.

I would request that we entertain that as the basis to move forward from with either edits additions or subtractions.

[K. A. Pital]

Lubyanka, People's Propaganda Commitee (PPC)


- A lack of response in Christian populations has driven us to seek a more positive image for our doctrine. For example, take Jesus. We know that many believe in the FSM god instead, but some still cling to the Christian faith. Jesus drove the traders from the temple, and acted like a commie - that is during the times when he did not act as a nut believing himself to be god, - spoke the chief artist.

- This is our new image that would be used for propaganda in heavily Christian populations... border states, poor nations of Veleria and such...

Andropovsky almost managed not to cry.

- God, NO!

- Why not, - interrupted President Stanislav, entering the room. - We do not care for the means to achieve our goals. In fact, Lenin, the father of our Great Revolution, spoke once that if a prole believes in God, excising God is a counterproductive task until we have won and established Soviet power. Education and secularization after our ultimate victory will do the rest.

- It's ridiculous!

- Might be, - the President smiled. - But since the entire concept of God is ridiculous, we should at least put it to good use.

[PeZook]

Biological Weapons Ban Conference
Cancun, Wilkonia

Recess

Paul was reading the Wilkonian proposal and discussing it with his aides during recess, while munching on the hors d'ouevres provided for all delegations. Eventually, he closed the folder and handed it back to Karol.

"It's completely reasonable, but I think we'll move for addition of provision allowing for defensive research into weaponized pathogens for the purpose of developing vaccines. All completely transparent to the control agency, of course."

Paul swallowed the fancy little cheese stick,and since he had some time, decided to go shake some hands.

"Excellent show, ambassador.", he complimented the CSR negotiator, "Concise, to the point and practical, much like your people."

"Thank you for the kind words, your highness.", Gromyko answered, wearing his trademark smile.

"And please pass on my condolences for loss of life in the CSR. That nuke attack was...unexpected."

"Of course", the Ambassador agreed, studying Paul intently

"Excellent.", the King answered and moved on.

"Shroom!", he exclaimed upon seeing his wacky friend. Shroom wiped his milk moustache and smiled back.

"Long time no see...Alison", the King nodded towards the Prime Ministerial aide after approaching the delegation, "Hey...is that milk?", he asked turning back towards Shroom.

"Uh...Yeah."

Shroom tried to look at Alison without twisting his head.

Does she know? Ohmygod, does she know?

"Yeah. Milk. Totally normal milk."

"Ah, ok. You know, there is a funny story related to milk...you see, in a report from our Astarian liaisons, I've read about this one milk brand they had over there..."