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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 7129628" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 137, "Round Six: A Treaty", September 13, 1882, 3:30PMQueen Neferka returns from her shopping excursion, is briefed by George, the Colonel and her sister, and prepares for the treaty meeting. Once Colonel Hassan and George Eastman conduct one more reading of the treaties they are satisfied, and send for the British, the Rebels and the Queen.George calls for the British delegation and the rebel delegation to come to the conference room. Once they arrive, he will announce the Queen for the finalizing of the treaty. Places are set up in the room, with a place for the Queen in the very center, to be flanked with George on her left and her sister on her right. Colonel Hassan's chair is situated on the opposite side of the table so that he is physically between the other two delegations.George sits in his chair, then stands up and heads over and opens the locked cabinet, pours a glass of whiskey, downs it, then closes the cabinet back up, locks it, and heads back to his chair. he gestures to Hassan to take his seat as well. Hassan sits as well and George signals the Ogre guards to let in the two delegations, while the Queen and Princess wait in a separate room to enter last.Colonel Hassan announces the arrival of the Queen as everybody in the room stands. Neferka enters followed by a number of retainers. Her sister follower, accompanied by half as many retainers. They stand by their chairs and Neferka commands everybody to seat, as she too takes her seat. She turns to George and says, "I will let my Interim Chief of Staff summarize the treaty." The scribes produce the half-dozen parchment scrolls. General Orabai and his generals have facial expressions that range from surprise to anger. One looks as though he is about to speak, but General Orabi makes a motion that stops him.George watches the exchange with aplomb as he waits for the Rebels to gather their composure after being held in check by General Orabi. George catches Hassan's eye and gives him a partially raised eyebrow as he gives Hassan a half smirk. Hassan conceals his own smirk behind his hand as he shakes his head in disbelief. George catches Neferka looking at him, she had apparently saw the exchange or at least Hassan's face, and she was now looking quizzically at George for a moment before returning to her Queenly serene composure."Gentlemen" begins George "Thank you all for your patience, consideration, cooperation and reasonableness. A three-way negotiation is never easy, and everyone was willing to compromise to come to a fair, equitable and reasonable treaty. As the Pharaoh has requested, I shall summarize the salient points of the treaty. Please do remember gentlemen, that each delegation was negotiating with the Crown, and not each other. Please refrain from any commentary until the full terms are read. I believe, truly believe that, everyone can live with the terms of this treaty. It has the sanction of the Pharaoh and of Bast, and the crown holds this treaty to be valid under the rule of law and divine authority."George pauses a moment to let those facts seep in, especially for the rebels. "This treaty states thus: The armed forces under General Ahmed Orabi which left the authority of the Crown, and fought against it, shall immediately disarm and disband." There is a growl from a rebel general that causes George to pause and glare at the man before Orabi whispers to him. George continues "Additionally" begins George strongly "Additionally, all members of the insurrection shall reaffirm and swear allegiance to the Pharaoh and the Crown and to the divine right of the Pharaoh to rule these lands as granted and reaffirmed by the Goddess Bast herself. For the defense of the state, and in understanding of their stated aims for insurrection."Here George pause "which as an American I can quite understand" he says with a sly wink to Drury-Lowe. George continues: "A small number of these men shall be reinstated in their service to the Crown as a special garrison to serve as a Canal Security Force." Here an English general vocalized his displeasure, and George shot him a scathing glance, which settled him down. "No officer under General Orabi will be eligible and the men will be chosen by a designee of the Crown from the Royal Army.""The British Army will immediately withdraw their forces from Egypt, excepting for a garrison sufficient for fleet resupply. These forces shall be restricted to the existing base in Alexandria. The base and forces shall be permitted to be used by the British Navy for a period of ten years from the date of the treaty, any continuance shall be solely at the discretion of the Pharaoh. Additionally, the British Empire shall endorse and support a reversion of fee rates for canal usage. Henceforth ALL foreign vessels shall pay the full fare required to utilize the canal, saving those of the British Navy, and then only for the period of the lease of the Alexandria base.Additionally, the British Empire shall endorse and support the restoration of the original terms of the canal in so far as ownership of the canal will return to Egypt. Restoration of the original fee rate WITHOUT discount will enable the Crown to pay back the loans upon the canal in a timely manner without usurious fees or attempts at transnational economic annexation."George pauses and takes a drink of water. "Gentlemen, this treaty does not provide everything to everyone, but it is the best of all possible outcomes, ensuring autonomy, peace and prosperity for all involved" finishes George. "Please take a moment to read over the details" says George as copies are handed out.Half an hour passes as each contingent reads the treaty-word-for-word. There are clearly objections from both groups, although each has an influential member who advises the others to accept what is written and not reopen negotiations. With the British it is Duruy-Lowe and with the Egyptian Rebels is is General Orabi. Both groups reluctantly agree to sign.George watches each group as they read. He knew he had gambled on this, but he was confident each side got enough of what they needed to accept it. What was the old saying 'if neither side is happy it is a good compromise'. Cooler heads help, but he had divine right and might to hold over the Rebels and economic and legal threats over the British. They had no legal leg to stand on and knew it. Only this time, George wasn't going to be bullied by a larger military force they way the British had maintain military presences in the past. Still pulling this off would be akin to passing a camel through the eye of a needle. This gave the the Queen the best possible outcome to stabilize the country. George found he had been holding his breath as the groups finished and gave a small sigh, too small to be heard by anyone but the Queen as both groups agree to sign.George signals an assistant who brings out the pens for the ceremony. "Gentlemen, thank you all for your thoughtful contributions. This treaty will signal the beginnings of peace and prosperity for both nations. Please, sign with these pens made from the tail feathers of Nile peacocks. "says George while passing out the pens and inkwells. As each copy is signed, George and Hassan help pass them along, with George bringing the copies to the Queen for signing. He gives her a sly wink when he brings the first one up and is given a small smile in return before her face returns to queenly composure. After all six copies are signed and countersigned by all the parties. George rolls them up in vellum tubes and gives copies to all."Now to commemorate this fine day of cooperation, champagne to toast peace," says George signaling to have the champagne brought in. As the beverages and brought out and distributed, Neferka announces that she will use her Chariot to transport the Generals back to their troops once the brief commemorations end, as she is still very concerned about the armies being camped so close together is akin to a powder keg, so the sooner they know of the peace agreement the better.She says that the British will be brought back first, to begin their withdrawal at 3:00PM and that she expects them to all be away from the Tel el-Kabir and Zakazik region by dawn. She tells General Orabi to start disbanding his army as well, but for them to all remain in the Tel el-Kabir and Zakazik regions until 3:00PM tomorrow. That way there will be little likelihood of the British and Egyptian Rebels encountering one another on the road, which could incite clashes. She also suggests that any or Orabi's enlisted personnel interesting in joining the new canal force should remain in the area for interviews.George looks at the generals as they confer quietly, as all agree. George mingles shaking the hand of each of the generals and thanking them for their efforts for peace. As the generals filter out George signals the guards to close the doors, leaving just Hassan, Amisi and Neferka in the room with him. George walks over, pour a double measure of scotch and slumps in a chair. "Damnnation. We pulled it off," he says grinning at Hassan. "See, don't talk to people you don't need to!" George laughs" downing half his drink. Neferka says, "I had no doubt in my mind. One thing that my father was right about, if you put the best people in charge and give them the freedom to do what is needed they will always leave you satisfied."George raises his glass to Neferka, "Your Majesty is too kind. I could not have succeeded without the colonel here", says George indicating Hassan. "His information on troop numbers and logistics was invaluable. But I did play a high stakes game with them, especially the British, I had a few aces up my sleeve," says George finishing his drink. He gets up refills the scotch and continues, standing now. He chuckles to himself "I thought Woolsley was going to have a stroke when I told him that I was going to seize and nationalize the canal," George laughs."Oh that reminds me" George starts again turning to Hassan. "How is the military's armaments? How update date is the arsenal?" The Colonel says, "It is not, which is one of the reasons that the King called on the British to assist with the rebellion. And half of what we did have for armaments was seized by the rebels, some of which was used up during the battles these past several months. We will need to upgrade the armaments used to control the canal. I would also like to acquire a pair of modern warships, one to be docked at Suez, the other at Alexandria.""Well, I can't do much about a warship, other than use some connections for you. Whatever the rebels took will be recovered though not ammunition or damaged pieces true. But I was thinking that, with your Majesty's permission of course," says George raising his glass towards Neferka. "That I would set up a factory here in Egypt, to make a modern firearm for the exclusive use of the Egyptian army. The Swiss have a new Madsen out that has some kind of magazine on the top. I think it would do quite a bit to advance the modernization of the army. About an 8mm shell I think. We could set up a foundry for the smelting and casting of the casing here, make you self-reliant for ammunition. Oh and of course I have a more than passing interest now in airships. There may be an opportunity for that as well," says George finishing his scotch and pouring yet another, it had been a tense morning.Neferka says, "My, you are ambitious. I anticipated your requesting a factory here for your photography business, not munitions, although I would favor both under the general terms that you have just outlined. I have also heard that your associate James Parker will be arriving here this evening, and he wishes an audience with me to discuss establishing an Egyptian branch of his AGELESS Corporation. What can you tell me about that Mr. Eastman?""James Parker is an honorable man, and has the highest motives. I actually have business with the man and need to see him when he arrives as well. I think though that an AGELESS chapter here would be good. I am glad you are receptive to both factory ideas. I believe that an updated military is important for the security of the state. And mining for silver and mining for iron go hand in hand. Investment in heavy industry will be beneficial for the economy here. If that goes well perhaps we can discuss an airship factory. I got bit by that bug while here." says George grinning.She smiles and says, "I concur. Having the one airship already will certainly help to patrol the canal, having more than one will help with everything. "George leaves with a written and signed agreement in principle for the factory. He shakes Hassan's hand and promises to consult him over the next few days. He takes his formal leave of the Queen and Princess to find Ruby.George leaves the conference room and heads to the garden. There he sees Drury-Lowe having a cigar as well and George joins him in a smoke as they recount the negotiations and discuss the future. Drury-Lowe says that he will remain in Egypt to help establish their base while General Woolsely returns to England with the treaties and General Graham will sail off with the majority of the troops, who are now needed in South Africa. After cigars George heads out to the hotel and finding out from the concierge that Ruby had gone shopping, heads out to join his fiancee in a well deserved break.Meanwhile, Ruby had quietly followed Ela around while she did her chores, lost in her own thoughts. There were quite a few things on her mind and all it took was just one word to remind her of some of them. She tried to snap out of it. "Is there anything I can do to help?" Ruby asked her guide. Ela says, "With the first two vendors no, but you might be of help with the third. He has an eye for European and American women. The more distracted he is the better price I should be able to get." Ruby smiled. "I'm sure I can help you with that. It's the least I can do after the nice day you've shown me."The first two food transactions go rather quickly. They then find themselves in a canvas-awning style tent attached to a building where a tall thin Egyptian man with a full head of dark hair and a long thing goatee is approached by Ela. She introduces Ruby to him saying, "This is Jabak, the man who I spoke to you about. Jabak, this is Ruby west, a personal friend of our new Queen." With a dazzling smile, Ruby walked forward with her hand delicately extended. "It is a pleasure to meet you Jabak. I've been lucky enough to make many fine new trips on my visit here. What exactly do you sell here?"Jabak says, "I sell primarily lamb and goat meat. But from the business side, I have others to raise the beasts. And what brings a beautiful woman such as you to this city on the verge of war?" She says, "Yes, I imagine the raising of the animals to be less than desirable. Actually, I was here before the fighting broke out. Poor timing for an expedition I suppose. But I have it on good authority that the fighting has stopped and peace will be agreed on soon. I look forward to being able to explore without the threat of war," she laughed. "You have such a beautiful country and culture, I would hate to miss any of it." "I would be happy to show it to you," he replies.Ruby laughed lightly. "I very much appreciate the offer however I would never dare dream of taking you away from your business here. I am certain many people will have need of a great meal to celebrate with now that the threat of war is ceasing." He says "Do you know something? The last I heard, both armies were still at Tel el-Kabir and preparing to resume battle once this temporary truce falls apart." Ruby is suddenly reminded that Ela has planned to use the war as a means to obtain the best pricing.Ruby says, "Oh, well, I just prefer to think positively that the truce will last. Hopefully we hear soon that it has so I can return to my exploring!" Jabal says, "So where would you like to explore? I can give you a private tour of anywhere in Egypt." Ela interjects, "Indeed, but before the two of you go running off I do have some business to attend to. I need to purchase 30 sheep, 12 goats, and approximately 100 of whatever fowl you currently have in stock. I will give you a better price than Orabi's army, who would minimally compensate you, or the British who would just take them."Ruby smiled. "Business first, yes, I suppose that would be wise." She leaned back against the wall, waiting for business to be finished. The business is quickly concluded, with Ela getting favorable prices as he is far too distracted by Ruby. He then says to her "So, shall we dine together this evening?" Ruby smiles at the man. "Oh, I am sorry but I already have a dinner date tonight. But that was so sweet of you to offer. Thank you."Ela says to him, "Yes, this evening Ruby is advising our new monarch on her upcoming investiture ceremony. When the Queen wants you one does not say know, even if the alternative is dinner with a handsome man such as yourself." Ruby kept smiling while she nodded in agreement. "It can be a difficult thing being a friend and advisor to the Queen but someone has to do it. Of course, that means being at their beck and call. Perhaps another time." Ruby nodded to Ela that she was ready to go.</blockquote>

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