A Talk of Tolls
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Roberto Balaguer, the private driver in this summit, welcomed Sarah Gladwell to the Torrejón de Ardoz airbase. The Guardia Civil, who was incharge of the protection of the terminal buildings, also saluted the Imperial Foreign Officer like if she was the head of the Police force. This was a very important summit that also required high security, and the Spanish Government didn't want to let something uncontrolled. Despite Inimicus being a well reputated nation in Spain, some far-right voters from VOX were u to boycott the event. That's why the Policía Nacional and the Centro Nacional de Inteligencia were ready to escort Ms. Gladwell to the Palacio de la Moncloa, where she would be welcome by the Deefence Minister, Mª Dolores de Cospedal, the GSSA director and Councillor of Commerce of Gibraltar, Albert Issola and the Spanish President, Jesús Aguilar.
After a short talk with Sarah, Roberto opened the car's door and the Imperial Foreign Officer got in. He closed the door and got into the driver's seat. The motorcade started was given the green light by the Policía Nacional helicopter and they started to head towards Moncloa. Roberto was a 42-years-old man, and was wearing a suit and sunglasses. He decided to give some kind of conversation to the Imperial Officer, as the way to Moncloa was a bit long. It wasn't the first time he was driving for a foreign high office, but last time he didn't dare to talk with them:
"Welcome to Madrid Ms. Gladwell. I'm sorry that the temperature today is not as cooler as it could be in any other season of the year, Despite feeling like 34ºC, which is the maximum temperature we could reach today, it's only 29ºC. Is it that warm in Tellum?"
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Sarah Gladwell felt slightly welcomed by her driver Roberto's small talk, which took some of the nervousness of the occasion away. "Telum, and Inimicus in general, has a very temperate climate, Roberto", she began, "Very temperate, indeed, for our latitude. I believe, though don't quote me on this, that it's to do with some kind of warm current entering the Persian Gulf. Or something along those lines." She laughed nervously. In her briefing, she had read she would be received by dignitaries rather than a driver at this airport, and apart from her trusted aide Luyt, who had been by her side for eight years, she was all alone here.
Sarah looked outside and saw what looked like a line of almost militarised police holding back protestors, who chanted something she didn't understand. Was she not liked here? Did people even know who she was? She never knew people could get so upset over a few minor arms deals... Luyt shook her up from her thoughts, and gestured towards the front of the car, where Roberto indicated the motorcade's arrival at wherever their destination was.
And finally, as she disembarked the car, familiar faces. "Ah, Mr President", Sarah began as she shook Aguilar's hand, "Minister de Cospedal, Councillor Issola, pleasure to meet you." A moment of awkward silence ensued, a moment in which the sun appeared to burn just that bit harder, the light appeared to shine just that bit brighter, and Sarah felt just that bit more anxious. "Well, gentlemen, lady, shall we?"
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Aguilar, Dolores de Cospedal and Issola shook hands with the Imperial Foreign Officer. Then Jesús took the word: "Nice to meet you too, Ms. Gladwell. Let's go to the meeting room, we will talk there" Aguilar smiled and the 4 politicians walked through the corridors of Moncloa. Dolores de Cospedal talked with Sarah, while Albert decided to talk with the President. He muttered to Jesús: "It seems like our far-right friends have given warm welcome to Sarah, Mr. Aguilar". Aguilar looked at him and shrugged his shoulders. He didn't like that, recently, VOX was becoming more disturbing. Hopefully, in Andalucía, Juanma Moreno had the support of the Partido Socialista and Ciudadanos. He promised he would never reach agreements with the far-right parties more than just for a full consensus on certain topics, and he was accomplishing this.
The 4 politicians entered the Tàpies hall, where the President welcomed all the foreign visitors. The press took some pictures and went out. The butlers closed the doors and the meeting could finally start:
"Thank you for coming Ms. Gladwell. First of all, I would like to excuse myself in the name of all the Spanish people that don't share the actions of the far-right party VOX, which actually is getting to be disturbing when talking about foreign visitors. A huge majority of the society wants you here, so does the Government. Before we start this summit, I would like to give you a gift." Aguilar took a book called "Una España Mejor" or "A Better Spain", from the ex-President Mariano Rajoy. "This book is from the last Spanish President, Mariano Rajoy. The publisher has translated only this book to give it to you as a gift. It's a biography of Mr. Rajoy and also, he tells the readers about how he had to deal with all the crisis we had in 2011 until 2015. He refused in 2018 after lots of preasure with the party corruption, and I took the party lead, so here I am now. I hope you like it." Aguilar smiled.
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"Ah, how fantastically lovely, Mr Aguilar", Sarah Gladwell said, genuinely pleasantly surprised by the gift from the Spanish President. She felt immensely out of place, not having brought any such gifts herself. Inimicians did not generally give gifts - giving gifts was considered something for the most special of occasions. Children did not receive gifts on their birthdays (birthdays themselves being a completely minor occasion in Inimicus), couples did not receive gifts on their weddings, so this gift touched Sarah for definite.
Gladwell was furthermore intrigued by the controversy surrounding former president Rajoy. In a way, it was good to know Inimicus was not the only nation where such things happened - this thought was soon banished from her mind, however. Inimicus was strong, stable, and democratic. In some ways. "Such an interesting topic, too. I must admit I could be better on my Spanish politics, so this will be a great help."
Carefully, Sarah put the book down on the table in front of her, treating it with the respect Inimicians always treat gifts with. "Well, gentlemen. Shall we begin? I have been mandated by the Imperial Government to negotiate safe, secure, and above all, free passage for vessels carrying Our Inimician Flag or the Imperial Standard of Inimicus through the Strait of Gibraltar. Perhaps you could tell me something about the system you have in place for tolls in this area and what kind of exemptions you have made for nations in the past?"
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Aguilar smiled and Albert Issola decided to speak, as he was the Gibraltar Strait Security Agency President: "So, as you may know the vessels, exactly cargo freight vessels are all controlled by GPS and radar systems. The radar systems we have in the Strait of Gibraltar allow us to detect any vessel as to know their registration, their flag and their route. Once we get their flag, we contact with them and send them the back account where they have to pay for crossing the Strait. Normally, they pay while they are passing through, so there's no trouble on the payment. Excemptions have been made following contacts with close allies and also the nations that need to go through the Strait because their coasts are on those seas the Strait regulates. Then, we also taxed some countries we have bad relations which, as Reitzmag for example. Inimicus was taxed at 1% as we have really good relations which in the case of Gibraltar, while was taxed at 0% on Adventuranza."
Aguilar smiled to the comments Sarah was making. Even if she didn't know about the Spanish Politics, which was better for her as they have always been a mess, she showed interest. The service entered the room to bring some water and then left. The President drank some water from the glass, which had the Spanish coat of arms on it. He then spoke: "When the sound taxes were established, we said we were open to get deals with other nations, as Inimicus. We are also open to upgrade our relationships as we are seeing Inimicus as a close ally for the Kingdom of Spain and a nation we can trust on." Aguilar said.
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Sarah watched with intent as the server brought the water into the room. Such nice glasses too. The Imperial Foreign Office had its own branded everything, from pens to buttons to diaries to fans to lamps to coasters to postcards. But no glasses. "Damn, outclassed again", thought Sarah as Mr Aguilar explained the Spanish situation. Nervously, she sipped the water, which, although it was far from the crisp, soft taste she was used to from the bottled-at-spring water she was served in the Imperial Palace, the liquid was still welcome.
"I see, Mr President. Well, Inimicus certainly isn't innocent of trying to defend its interests on the world stage, although you have to imagine a tax, however little, on Inimician trade passing through the Mediterranean is a completely unacceptable set of regulations for the Imperial Government. Our shipping frequents the Strait of Gibraltar extremely regularly and this toll dissuades companies and the government from trading with some of our most vital partners.
"That being said, the Imperial Government was extremely pleased to hear that other nations have found exemptions to this toll, at some cost, it must be said, but still. Given the vital importance of our trading relationship with Mediterranean nations, and our general strategic interest in this region at the heart of Europe, we are more than interested in coming to such an agreement. Please, Mr President, tell me, what have been the terms and conditions of the agreements you have made thus far?"
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Aguilar, who managed the agreements with other countries, decided to talk about this: "With Inquista, Icholasen, Fremet, Montenbourg, Vayinaod and others the agreement is the Treaty of Finisterre, which introduces a new currency between us all. There are 2 exceptions to this I must say, which are Angleter and the Duxburian Union, with whose we don't have any agreements on a paper, but I think that respecting the claims we have done in exchange of that are enough. I also understand that Inimicus pretends to protect their interest, as there is lots of sea traffic which goes through the Strait."
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Ah yes, the Treaty of Finisterre. Sarah Gladwell was all too well aware of how much value was attached to this Treaty by its members. However, she had been explicitly forbidden by the National Imperial Council from even saying a single positive word about the entire organisation. "Sarah", Executive Representative Leader Christopher Strathclyde had said, "an Inimician candidate is currently arguing for increased self-determination for member states in their race for Premier. We're not about to give away our weaponry, only in order to give away national sovereignty, too. Plus, I really fancy the design of Inimician Guilder notes, anyway." So no, an agreement which involved such an extensive Treaty was no option for Gladwell to even discuss. She decided to take a different approach.
"Well, Mr Aguilar, you seem to understand our situation well", she began, "I think you will also see that Inimicus is keen on negotiating this agreement on a bilateral basis - between the two of us, if you will. Now, we do not have any claims of yours to recognise, Inimicus has always kept well clear of any such things and will continue to do so" - Sarah sipped her water and, by so doing, let a poignant silence fall - "However. All is not without hope. We have certain specialities in Inimicus. Our arms manufacturing sector is of the highest quality and volume. We produce some of the most top-notch fighter jets, the most seaworthy naval instruments, the toughest and sturdiest army gear. The Imperial Government would be more than happy to come to an agreement regarding this - and perhaps, regarding further substances of strategic and tactical interest."
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Aguilar nodded and smiled about the comments Sarah made. He drank a bit of water and looked at María Dolores de Cospedal. When he made his government, Cospedal needed to be his defence minister. She is a strong, independent and convinced woman, who knows how to do things under preasure. She started to speak as the Defence and arms manufracturing sector was of her competence:
"We always look at other countries' Arms Manufacturing sector and we can share the vision you have of the Inimican industry when we talk about quality and value. We have tested the Eurofighters Typhoon which you lent us a week ago, and we could proof the high quality of them. All the test performed have got possitive results. As the Minister of Defebce, an agreement for letting the ships go free in exchange of those type of jet would be perfect for the Kingdom of Spain."
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This was, indeed, what Sarah had hoped for, and what she had been mandated to achieve. Eagerly, she asked her aide Luyt for her papers, which she promptly received. She had, of course, come prepared, and the full technical specifications, production counts, delivery times, and instruction manuals, were all contained in the briefcase Luyt had brought. Most of this stuff was entire over Sarah's head, it was the type of stuff interesting to her former colleague Basil Lawson, perhaps, who would start salivating at the mere sight of a jet engine, but not to her. She courteously handed over the document packs to the Spanish representatives before speaking.
"Ah, well, excellent. The Empire is happy to hear the prototype was entirely to your satisfaction - although whether Walter Cocx was happy it was used to market Jean-Claude Juncker's campaign is entire another matter, haha! In the information pack I have just given you, the Imperial Defence Office has collated all the necessary specifications you will need for your consideration. I have also taken the liberty of suggesting some figures - but please, tell me, how many fighter aircraft are you thinking of purchasing? Furthermore, does Spain have the appropriate ground infrastructure to handle these Eurofighters?"
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María Dolores looked at all the papers Sarah displayed about the Eurofighters. "She is a really good retailer" Cospedal thought. With permission, she took some to read them and she smiled when she saw everything right. She left the papers back in the table with a sincere smile and proceeded to speak:
"We are thinking on buying around 40 of them. The Eurofighters caracteristics are what Spain really needs in order to defend its territory from foreign threaths or countries we have bad relations with and which could turn crazy in any moment. About the infrastructure, we have the necessary hangars and bases to handle these Eurofigters, along with prepared personnel to check them when needed. What would be the price of those Eurofighters and when would they arrive if they start making them since September?"
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The information packs had done their work. Good. In her years at the Imperial Foreign Office, the former Foreign Affairs Ministry, and the Teluminan Republic's Foreign Office, Sarah had learned it is usually best to impress, even if the impressions left are completely empty content-wise. Indeed, this strategy had served her well all the way back at Telum University, where she was famous in the student community as one of the best academic blaggers around. And her professors had always said blagging was a skill no one would ever care about... yet here she was, employing what she had learned in a crunch meeting, with the fate of her country's prestige depending on it.
"Ah, 40. Well, Ms Dolores, I think the Imperial Government can satisfy that demand extremely easily. As for the details, the Imperial Defence Office estimates the unit cost of one Eurofighter Typhoon ar around €90 million, meaning.. let's see, that's €360 million altogether. Of course, what we have to determine now is how many years of Inimicus not paying tolls adds up to €360 million. How long would the Spanish government want this agreement to last?"
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Albert Issola decided to talk. Cospedal thought on asking on a discount, as they would go free through the strait and the Government, with who Issola didn't have the best relation as they are from opposite parties; was paying 360 million for 40 jets. He thought that maybe explaining how the Strait works would be much better for the Inimical Foreign Office. He spoke:
"Ms. Gladwell, the tax Inimicus payed was a 1% of the value of the cargo carried in the ship. That means that there's no estimation to see how many ships would make 360 million Euros of benefit to the GSSA coming from Inimicus. Once you get included on a certain group for a tax value, it stays there forever with 2 exceptions: The Government along with the Gibraltar's Government decides to abolish it or Europe intervenes our sound taxes and we feel forced to retire them. That's how the Gibraltar and Adventuranza's sound taxes work"
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Issola's words were good news to Susan's ears. Indeed, this was better news than she had expected - Wilfred Cocx would be proud. She had been mandated to give the jets to Spain for free, or, well, in return for the abolition of the tax. "Mr Issola, thank you", she began, "Now, of course, I was in no way implying that the Spanish government pays for these jets - our payment, if you will, is the abolition of the sound tax."
She decided to make a move that may end her some criticism in the National Imperial Council at home, "however, if the Spanish government has reservations about whether the jets themselves are enough payment for the abolition of the tolls, the Imperial Government is more than happy to add as many as 5 or 10 extra jets to the offer."
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Cospedal smiled. Despite Issola not being his best friend, his explanations had been crutial for getting things better for both sides. She decided to speak when Sarah finished:
"That are great news for us, Ms. Gladwell, and we must thank you for that. About adding 5 or 10 extra jets, we think that 40 is enough for us by now. If we need more jets of this kind, we have noted that we can count on Inimicus for anything military-related."
Aguilar stood up and went to the printer that was installed intentionally there when he got the Presidence of the Government. He had been writing a treaty and he was going to give the papers to the Foreign Office. He sat down again, smiled and spoke: "Ms. Gladwell, this is the treaty we are signing today to get this agreement finally done. If you would like to change anything, just tell me and I'll print it again. The papers we don't use are used as recycled paper for my children or we make recycled paper in other places. We believe in an eco-sustainable world and we, as the Government, want to show we are really concerned about is to our citizens, and we try our best." He smiled and gave the sheet of paper to Sarah, Albert, María Dolores and Aguilar kept one too. "Shall we sign it or any changes shall be done?" Aguilar said.
Madrid Agreements
PREAMBLE
We, the Kingdom of Spain and the Empire of Inimicus, trying to achieve better relations and a deal about sound taxes in the Gibraltar Strait, have signed the following agreement:SECTION I - SOUND TAXES
- The Kingdom of Spain and the Gibraltar Strait Security Agency will no further tax cargo vessels registered as Inimican ships.
- The Gibraltar Strait Security Agency will be responsible of warranting these terms.
- May the Gibraltar Strait Security Agency tax any Inimican flag cargo vessel, the Kingdom of Spain will cease the director of such organization.
SECTION II - MILITARY AGREEMENT
- The Kingdom of Spain will acquire 40 Eurofighters Typhoon jets from the Empire of Inimicus.
- This acquisition will be free in exchange of the elimination of sound taxes for the Empire of Inimicus.
D. Jesús Aguilar
Spanish PresidentDña. María Dolores de Cospedal
Minister of DefenceHon. Albert Issola
GSSA Director and Councillor of Commerce of Gibraltar -
"Perfect", Sarah noted, "As for these Madrid Agreements, I feel I have some slight changes to make to some of the wording of the treaty, but apart from that, I feel fully warranted to affix the Seal of the Empire of Inimicus to this document, and sign it with the Authority and full Imperial Prerogative of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Artabanos of Inimicus."
Sarah hand-edited the document somewhat before passing it over to the printing aide. In minutes, partly spent making small talk, partly spent in awkward silence, the revised document was presented to all attendants. "Excellent, many thanks. Well, Mr President, Madam Defence Minister, Mr Director - I am ready to sign."
After Sarah's signature had been affixed to the document, she paused for a while. "Now, to be careful", she thought. She remembered the task Wilfred Cocx had given her. Yes, an abolition of sound taxes at a minimal price, which she had achieved. But more. "Now, Mr President, at risk of taking some more of your time, the Imperial Government has also mandated me to discuss some... other matters. In particular, Inimicus is looking for a strategic - and, indeed, military partership in your region... Perhaps we can lay the foundations for such a partnership today?"
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Aguilar, Dolores de Cospedal and Issola signed the treaty. Issola added: "The changes to the sound taxes are now official and the GSSA webpage has been updated. From today's midnight, no more cargo vessels from Inimicus will be charged." Aguilar smiled and listened carefully to the words of the Foreign Office Gladwell. When she finished, Aguilar started to speak:
"This rewording makes the treaty much better, congratulations for that. And of course, we can talk about the military partnership today, we have nothing best to do and I saved a huge amount of time for this summet just in case we delayed or anyone wanted to add anything to this summit. Could you tell us what are you asking for exactly? Military bases in Spain for example, commerce between both countries...?"
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Sarah finished what remained of the glass of water she had been poured, and nervously signalled that she would appreciate some more. After her request was fulfilled and appropriate 'diplomatic silence', as she called it, had been experienced by all, she began: "I and the Imperial Government are happy you are taking our request seriously, Mr President. What my government proposes is this. A Madrid-Telum axis. You help us, we help you. We have plenty more Eurofighter Typhoons where these 40 we already agreed on came from, and a large amount of other military material to boot. Inimicus can arm the Spanish army. Inimicus can help defend Spain. And in return, Spain can help defend Inimicus and its interests. Spain is placed immensely strategically, with access to major seaways such as the Gibraltar Strait and within air range of major European players."
"Inimicus, and the Imperial Armed Forces, will defend Spain. And in order to do so, Spain could give Inimicus access to a naval base overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar, and a centrally-located air base. Spain, in return, may also establish similar bases in Inimicus if it so chooses. We also propse a series of regular joint military exercises and the formalising of this defensive pact in treaty form."
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Jesús listened with a serious face, the one that these situations required, the offer the Empire of Inimicus was offered. He looked as Cospedal, who would talk later as she had more knowledge than him on the matter. Then, Aguilar spoke: "Despite Spain being able to defend himself, I like this offer very much Ms. Galdwell. Also, we are always open to get new alliances with those nations like yours, which always have great attitudes towards those that don't have the same resources. Before María Dolores tells you about the bases you are requesting, I want to say that we are accepting this proposal and if it's ok, we will be setting some bases in Inimicus, one or 2."
María Dolores then spoke: "The nearest base to the Strait of Gibraltar is Rota, which is able to host large military forces and equipment if needed. It has direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, and the Strait is just some kilometers away from there. The central military base you are requesting could be Torrejón de Ardoz in Madrid, Northolt in Londres, Villanubla in Castilla Y León or Brize Norton in Oxford. About the joint exercises and the treaty, you can also count with it." Cospedal smiled.
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Busily, Sarah Gladwell looked through some of the files she had taken with her to Spain. She had no intention of being embarrassed by her general lack of topographical knowledge of Spain, so before she answered she surveyed the printed map of Spain she had brought with her. "I'm sure the Imperial Government and the Emperor personally will be most pleased with this newfound friendship, Mr President - indeed, I'm sure He hopes to meet you Himself soon. Very well, the Imperial Armed Forces shall set up a naval presence in Rota, and an air force presence in Villanubla." She double-checked whether she had chosen the right places - there could be no greater embarrassment in the corridors of the Imperial Palace than to make a mistake in this regard.
Gladwell started drafting a makeshift treaty on a piece of paper - Imperial Foreign Office branded, no less - paused, and asked: "What are the Spanish government's requirements for the bases to be set up in Inimicus? We have plenty of locations available along the coast, up in the mountains, or even long the border with Dromund Kaas (which should be an excellent training location). Furthermore, about these joint military exercises, shall we say we alternate where they occur every year? One year in Spain, one year in Inimicus?"
The Kingdom of Spain