Marcusburg and Portalto Ally
Balance of Power Punctuated

Without warning on November 7, 2000, the Chief Hobo of Portalto secretly announced to the Prime Chancellor of Marcusburg that he wanted Marcusburg to come into Portalto to make much-needed economic reforms and to provide military protection. Disturbed and worried by the Samchoragean militaristic developments, the Chief Hobo decided to start a process that would result in the greatest integration of two Great Powers ever known on the Mapp.

The Prime Chancellor, wary of the days before the "Portaltan Spring", the revolution by which the Dockmaster was overthrown, decided to go ahead and gain a permanent ally. Careful to not radically shift the balance of power, the Prime Chancellor urged the Chief Hobo to not become a protectorate of Marcusburg. Instead, both nations remain sovereign - the first clause of the Platinum Nexus.

The Great Republic of the Marcusburg Empire and the Empire of Portalto are not one nation. The two powers have a common defensive policy but have separate offensive and foreign policies. Although the Chief Hobo has allowed a Marcusburg official to take civilian control of Portalto, he has the final say in Portaltan affairs. All military decisions rest with the Chief Hobo. No integration of political systems is to take place.

Both powers can have separate treaties with separate powers. If the interests of Marcusburg and Portalto come into conflict with one another, both powers can stay neutral or can actively assist either side to any extent, except going to war against one another.

Economically speaking, a free trade agreement is included in the Platinum Matrix. All multinationals are immediately transferred between the two powers even though treasuries, tax rates, and income and expenses remain separate for both powers. Research, a branch of economics, can be independent or coordinated.

Outside analysts call the alliance an excellent deal for both parties. Portalto gains permanent protection and sees its economy improve while Marcusburg gains a permanent ally and increased defenses from Portalto. Both nations have nothing to gain in terms of offensive measures.

Response to the development has been one of widespread worry and condemnation. Many see the Platinum Nexus as a development as dangerous, if not more so, than the measures Samchorage had taken to prepare for total warfare. Response in Samchorage has been one of outright hostility and anger. Many fear that irreparable damage may have been done to the Magnum Entente.

The Ethnarch of Rattanjeetland remains nervous about the Platinum Matrix and urges both Marcusburg and Portalto to take balance of power into account in future actions. Reaction in Lindsholm has been one of indifference although officials there concede that the balance of power has been warped beyond repair. The Secretary-General of Congressional Parliament welcomed the Platinum Matrix, citing it as an example of international cooperation but strongly urged the Prime Chancellor to restore the balance of power by releasing the other political possessions of Marcusburg.