From: Greg Monforton <gmonfort@direct.ca>
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 22:16:58 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE - Corellian Diplomats

***Corellis***

        The high duchess Livia, minister of External Affairs of the
Corellian Regency and sister to the Regent, frowned.  The report she
held in her hand detailed an increasing trend of separatist activity
on the three worlds of Soday, Pivak, and Geador.  This rising trend
was suspicious considering the arrival of a Federation ship to the
Regency.

        Every effort had been made to keep the arrival a secret of
course, but some things were destined to be leaked.  And while the
Federation presence at the negotations was as mediator, and not as
an evaluator of Corellian suitability to the UFP, she fully expected
the issue to be used by the ShipOres company.

        Handing the report back to the young page who had delivered
it to her, she pondered her negotiating tactics.

        The Regency already had a large amount of trade with the 
Federation, mostly in support of the established mining colonies.
A technological assistance package and military protection agreement
had given the UFP the current mining operations, which they then
leased to private interests, and a few other planets had been 
purposely left out of the agreement as chips for further agreements.

        Now ShipOres was trying to use the ambiguity to get a foot
in the door.  They had only secured lease of one other Delta Corellis
planet for mining, and seemed eager to expand their operations to 
keep pace with the larger company involved.

        They would claim, of course, that since the planetoids were
devoid of life, that they had just claim to them since they explored
them first.  Livia would dispute that claim, and make the point that
they were *Corellian* planets, as the Regency claimed ownership of
*all* the planets of Delta Corellis.  Since they were not provided
for by treaty, ShipOres had no right to them, and wouldn't unless 
the Federation first leased them for the Regency.

        Officially, the Regent Kadaris (her brother) and the government
was 'gravely concerned' with the threat to Corellian sovreignty 
presented by this bold move.  But more truthfully, those rocks were
useless to Corellis.  They had no shortage of mining operations.  The
real reason they protested was one that couldn't be brought up in 
negotiations.  

        The only thing missing was proof, but it was highly suspected
that ShipOres was providing some well concealed assistance to the 
separatist rebels, possibly in exchange for some political clout.  If
ShipOres were to expand, they would certainly reward the rebels with
additional incentives.  There would be an outcry for martial law by
the hardline loyalists, and the Regent would be pressured to suppress
the rebels.  This of course would lead to rejection of the Corellian
application to join the Federation.  It was already a touchy subject,
which was why she didn't wish to make an accusation at the negotiating
table, if it could be avoided.

        Besides, *proof* was about to be established...

        "Duchess Livia, Duchess Livia!"

        Livia rolled her eyes, as her stocky aide ran into the room.

        "What is it, Falgor?" she said crossly.

        Falgor, with the most outrageous beret flopping over an eye,
stopped to regain his breath.  It was a long run for him, from one
side of the compound to the other.

        "I wanted to let you know that the Duchess' luggage is packed,
and the honourable representative of the Mining Guild has arrived.
We are ready to depart."

        "Very well.  I will arrive at the teleporter room shortly.
Get Mr. Coltair and meet me there with my things."

        Falgor shook his head in agreement.  "As you wish, m'lady."
He then hurried off.

        A few minutes later Livia arrived in the teleporter room,
where Falgor waited with their luggage.  Standing in the middle of
the room was Menary Coltair, Senior Vice-President of the Mining
Guild.  His artificially jet black hair glistened slightly under
the light of the room as he bowed slightly to Livia.

        "Greetings, Mr. Coltair.  If you are ready, then we shall
beam to the Federation ship."  There wasn't much else to say, as they
had been discussing the negotiations for the last week.

        "Yes, my lady."

        They stepped onto the platform, and with a nod the operator
set the device in motion.

        (Sparkle effects go here)

***USS CHESAPEAKE - Transporter Room***

MD 13.1430

        An assortment of humans were there to greet them.  Livia
attempted a smile, but it came out as one of those diplomatic
smirks.

        "Greetings, Duchess Livia.  I am Captain Amanda Bell, and 
on behalf of my ship and the entire Federation, I welcome you to the 
Chesapeake."  Captain Bell had a similar diplomatic smirk.

        "It's an honour.  May I introduce Menary Coltair of the 
mining guild, and my aide, Falgor."

        With that, the diplomatic pleasantries began.

        *NRPG* - I apologize profusely for the delay.  My computer
has been bordering non-functionality.  I'm hoping to have a new
one soon.  For those who don't know me that well, I'm from Vancouver,
Canada.  19, and starting university studies in September.  I'll stop
at that, because if I go on, I'll really go on.  :)

It's both an honour and a pleasure to be your guest.

Greg Monforton
Corellian Delegates

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