A Battle Unseen

[vesica]

Natalie Ross had always found negotiations to be a game of patience and perception. Every meeting was a battlefield, and she wielded her words like precision-guided missiles. She watched as Premier Axel Rodin and Deputy Premier Gerard Virmer settled into their seats, the weight of their latest predicament evident in their rigid postures. They had requested this meeting, which meant they were already on the back foot.

"Mr. Premier, I see we have additional guests today. A pleasure, Deputy Premier," Ross said smoothly, masking her intrigue.

"The pleasure is mine, Madam Ambassador," Virmer replied, extending his hand.

She shook it with a practiced grip, taking a seat without waiting for an invitation. "I'll be honest, gentlemen. I wasn't expecting a call so soon. How can Hutori be of assistance?"

Rodin exhaled slowly. "Let us get straight to it. Herr Virmer here just recently got back from a meeting with a Herr Dragovich, former security commissar in the Legionary Kundrati, to discuss the possibility of a military alliance."

Ross felt an involuntary twinge of contempt at the mention of the Legion. Thugs wrapped in ideology, parasites gnawing at the roots of civilization, desperate to restore some imagined past glory. She had seen their kind before—small men playing at power, mistaking brutality for strength.

"I'd say the meeting went well, to be honest," Virmer continued. "As a former SSB officer, I had analyzed Dragovich's files beforehand and expected more erratic behavior. But in essence, Davostag made it clear that we have no intention of signing a military alliance with them and are content with the arrangement we have now. Obviously, they were annoyed, which was expected, but the issue is that they made a not-so-subtle threat claiming that they've put many ethnic Davostagers on their trade vessels and will use explosives as well as chemical weaponry in case of a Hutorian boarding."

Ross cocked her head slightly, suppressing a smirk. "So... hostages to fortune. As I said was a possibility."

Rodin’s lips pressed into a firm line. "So it would seem, yes."

"It's the boarding of the ships that's a problem?"

Rodin hesitated for a moment, exchanging glances with Virmer before responding. "We wouldn’t say that necessarily is the problem, but the fact that they are using trade vessels as weapons certainly is."

"What are the actual trade goods you send to them?" she asked, leaning forward, already suspecting she knew the answer.

Virmer shifted uncomfortably. "We'll have to take a look at that specifically. It is free trade, after all, and private sector Davostager companies manage those things. The government's customs agency just does controls at our ports to ensure that nothing illegal is carried over. We have a large private food sector, car sector, and tobacco sector, so those would probably be the most common trade goods."

Ross steepled her fingers, her gaze sharpening. "Let me ask a blunt question, Mr. Virmer—and this is not a time for coyness. Are any of the goods you sell them or buy from them related to the defense industries or could be utilized by their domestic defense industries?"

Virmer hesitated before answering, and Ross noted how Rodin's fingers tapped lightly on the table—a tell of discomfort.

"The defense industries in Davostag have very limited private sector involvement. Those that are involved must abide by tough regulations and are supervised by the state-owned Allstatliga försvarskompaniet ("All-State Defence Company," ASFK). No military equipment is sent over to Kundrati, as that would require a separate diplomatic agreement with the Ministry of Defence. However, we also have a large metals industry of rare irons, which is divided between public and private sectors, and which could be used in military production. We haven't issued any directive regarding such goods in trade deals at the moment... but that can obviously change."

Ross leaned back, the answer precisely what she had expected. "So to be clear... it's a free trade agreement... but you are under no obligation to trade these sorts of critical goods to Kundrati? You could, for example, sell them to a neighbor for whom the costs would be significantly lower, and for whom transportation would be far faster? With the... appropriate encouragement to private Davostager interests, of course."

Rodin and Virmer exchanged glances, both understanding exactly what she was implying.

"Well, of course," Rodin said carefully. "Such is the way of free trade."

Ross allowed herself a small, knowing smile. "Much like uranium, of which Hutori has a true abundance and Davostag needs and desires, I have no doubt there are a litany of Hutorian firms, and even the Hutorian government, that would pay handsomely for those goods... in fact, I have no doubt our coin would be even better. If I'm not mistaken, the cash you do give Kundrati and the investment is mostly used to buy your goods... so you are essentially selling your goods for your own money back... or do I have the economic situation incorrect?"
Rodin and Virmer nodded stiffly, their discomfort evident. Ross merely nodded back, as though accepting it as an unavoidable truth.

"As for the point of the ships... if they are Davostager citizens, and they are coming back to a Davostager port... what's to stop them from... again with gentle support... just not boarding the ship again?"

Rodin exhaled through his nose, thinking. "That's true... Unless they are literally holding Kundrati Davostagers detained in their ships, unable to leave."

"That's the problem with hostages—you have to keep them close, or else they cease being useful. Regardless," Ross continued smoothly, "it's the ships that we can't board? What about the containers when they are still on the docks? You said it yourself—your government customs agency checks all containers. What if, as a matter of—let’s call it compromise—you allow us to review the goods before they are loaded onto the ships? Anything unaffected by sanctions goes straight onto the ships. Anything that is... we find an alternative buyer for before it becomes an issue. The sanctions are thus technically being enforced, and we aren't placing your people in jeopardy."

Rodin took a moment to think. He looked at Virmer, who gave a slight nod of agreement.
"I believe you are right. About it all. We'll agree to your compromise. You'll be allowed to review it all. If necessary, we can provide customs service uniforms to keep things under the radar. We'll also formulate a plan based on your advice concerning bringing our people home."

Ross smiled faintly. "That can work. This will allow you to preserve your national honor, and if it starves the Legion... we'll call that a nice bonus."

She took a sip of her untouched water before adding, "And yes, before you ask, Mr. Premier, as I have no doubt your dossier on me suggests... I am former HSIS."

Rodin blinked, then let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. "So it would seem. That explains a lot."

Virmer, who had been piecing things together, let out an exhale of understanding. "And here I thought you were just naturally terrifying."

Ross merely smiled. "You know where to find me, gentlemen."