Fwurg

[Senator Gregory Konev]

Senator Konev entered the senate room and he did not look happy at all. In contrast to his normal appearance of friendliness he looked like the military man he had been before. His peaked cap on his head and his generals coat neatly worn instead of loosely over his shoulders and the Star of Darya on his chest.

"Comrade senators. I have come here before you because our people have noticed an action of great uncomradelike behaviour." He seemed very upset about this statement.

"As most of you know the Daryan Expeditionary Forces are fighting the war against the Mandalorians. While our people are fighting and dying there we have noticed that the Astrian Colonial Authority are only defending their home world and not joining in the fight to liberate their system."

"But this act of cowardliness is not the biggest issue we can find. We believe that the ACA is in act of war profiteering. It was calculated that the war would cost them 250 witch is of course a bad thing. But in an act of great comradeship the IO protocol promised them to pay this difference. But now they are not actively engaging the Mandalorians and being defensive and protecting there trade lanes. This means that they are stretching the war and get more money from the IO in this way." Konev looked to be even more upset than before. "They are making a profit from this of about 100 as their fleet does not cost more than 150 and they are still capable of trading via their holonet making them even more profit."

"We find this a very, very appalling abusing of the goodwill of the IO and general uncomradelike behaviour as they're not joining in the battle. If the ACA does not fix this situation in the next we will have to retreat and repair our fleet as our comrades are dying out there and can't keep this up for very long. And we will not return to help you as you clearly let our people die and do nothing to help."

[Maria Latharion]

Maria kept an ice cold expression on her face while senator Konev talked. When he was finished she met him head on.

"Senator, I can understand your position. However, I'm afraid you are underestimating the gravity of the situation for the Astrian Colonial Authority.

As you already pointed out this is our own sector, our home. That means we have no place else to go."

Maria spoke firm, but everyone in the senate could hear the emotions leaking into her voice.

"Your people kindly offered their help when we asked for it, but we asked you to protect trade fleets. You decided to engage the Mandalorians directly.

We understand your people are giving their lives, but we need to look at a bigger picture here. There are over four billion people in the Novalia system, what do you think will happen if the send more fleets into sector 7 -4? What if they send these fleets directly to the Novalia system?

Say we do send our fleets to aid in the conflict and they manage to defeat the Mandalorians together, only to return to a system laying in ashes. Personally I find the comment of 'well at least we're not being called cowards' to be a rather uncomforting one when being an endangered species."

Maria's voice broke at the last word. Taking a deep breath she continued.

"And war profiteering? Well if trying to prevent the ACA economy from breaking down is war profiteering, then yes I suppose we are. Please excuse us for wanting to be able to have something other than our lives left when this damned war is over.

Pull your fleet back if you must senator Konev, but don't expect the ACA to take these causeless accusations lightly when our back is against the wall."

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"Senator Maria Latharion, we of the Consensus understand that you cannot personally be hold responsible for the strategic decisions your government makes. However, we of the Consensus and the ministry of defense believe that the choice to hold back your own fleets is selfish and unwise.

The best way to become safe from the Mandalorians is by eliminating the Mandalorian threat. Keeping both fleets out of the conflict only prolongs the war. What if the Mandalorians do break trough the defensing Union fleets? Do you, the ACA, believe that your fleet will be able to stop them? If your fleets both join the fight, they can support the Union fleets and the Daryan fleet in a much more favorable situation. Any Mandalorian ship that will try to reach the Novalia System will immediately be hunted down and destroyed before they can do any harm.

And if the Mandalorians go en mass to the Novalia system, then the situation wouldn't be much different, as our fleets, the fleets in combat in your sector, will follow them to protect your, system."

[Maria Latharion]

"I respectfully disagree with you minister. You are correct that our fleet can't compare to the Mandalorian fleet. Are you seriously suggesting we send our people to certain death, with little to no chance they will make a difference? While they can put up a decent defence in the Novalia system?

Do you really think the best defence is a good offence? You know as well as I do that is ridiculous and anyone who truly believes that is a fool.

But while I can understand Senator Konev's concern for his fleet and the demand the Colonial Navy provide more direct aid in the conflict, I will not simply take an accusation of war profiteering. Especially when this war is waged in our own backyard."

[Maria Latharion]

Maria closed her eyes and turned away for a short moment. A confused frown appeared on her face, then quickly disappeared when she opened her eyes again.

"Well senator Konev it seems your words have reached the ACA. There was a significant error made by Colonial Intelligence, depicting a far worse scenario than the actual situation.

Lady-Fleet Admiral Nethorius is preparing the Colonial Navy First Fleet for heavy combat as we speak and they will join the fight in 125 if all goes well.

Do not think, however, that this settles your false accusation of war profiteering."