A Little Give, A Little Take

[Hans L. Reinhardt]

Bodyguards were so overrated. Good men and women, yes. But were they always necessary? How many times had he been to Creta before, just himself and his wife? Not a dark suit in sight. And now? In a convoy of black sedans, dark suits all over the place. He supposed it just came with the title. But it did make getting around a little more complicated.

Hans Reinhardt, Chancellor of Amestris, had gone a'traveling. The one-time diplomat was now journeying to Creta for far different reasons that he had ever visited before. His first formal visit as Chancellor was first to see Dietrich, the high and mighty of Creta. Formal introductions aside, this was also a matter of business. A simple peace had been made with Creta; it was time to solidify it. It was also time to see what funds or supplies Amestris could acquire from their neighbor to help rebuild. Hans sat in the backseat of a sedan, musing over what this event could bring as the cars rolled up towards the White House. Security clearances passed and Hans was led to the entrance. He managed to get the door open before one of his suits could do it, flashing him a quick grin as he emerged from the vehicle. He stretched his limbs, which were nicely dressed in a black suit. His dark green shirt was matched with a soft green and silver striped tie.

He was led inside the White House by Dietrich's suits, leaving his own to mill about with their Cretan compatriots. He was led to an office, intimate enough for Hans to pick up that this was to be more informal, just as he had discussed with Dietrich over the phone. He also noticed a bottle of scotch to one side of the room, which pleased him to no end. But it would be rude to drink without his associate there as well. Hans settled himself into the largest chair in front of the desk, legs crossed. He knew that Dietrich would be along shortly, and was willing to wait. He rested his head back against the chair, eyes closing momentarily.

[Guest]

Dietrich strolled casually down the White House hallways, running just a tad bit late for his meeting with the Amestrian Chancellor. Not that he did it on purpose, of course. Bills to sign, reports to read…

”You’re certain he’s here Sullivan?” he asks his right-hand man.

”Perfectly certain, m’lord. Under guard as you asked.”

Dietrich nods his head, needing to say little else. It was good that he was under guard. There were plenty that were still… unhappy with Amestris. Better to be safe than sorry, as always.

Approaching the room, he noticed the men in black suits posted outside the doors. ”Relieve them of their post, Sullivan,” he says, entering into the small office on his own. He wouldn’t have his only exist covered by anyone other than his own Royal Guards, and for good reason.

Closing the door behind him, he smiles at Hans. ”Ah, Chancellor Reinhardt, a pleasure to meet you finally.” Approaching the chancellor, he gives him a firm handshake. ”I understand that you’re a busy man, so I appreciate that you have the time to visit me today. There’s some important matters we need to discuss. But first…” Grabbing the bottle of scotch and two glasses, he sets them down on the desk before taking his seat opposite of the man. ”So, Chancellor – or would you prefer Hans?” he asks, waiting for his guest to pour himself a drink first. ”I’m sure you’re aware that Creta is no longer at war with Amestris, but we’re neither officially in an alliance. I’m afraid I must admit I considered the junta unstable, and preferred to make a formal agreement with a more permanent leader such as yourself. However, I assure you, I’ve been treating our cooperation as nothing less than a pact between our two countries, though I haven’t been able to afford all the luxuries that that entails, as you might’ve heard with my severe lack of forces in the Drachman Coup incident. A formal treaty, however, would bypass Parliament, allowing me to assist Amestris in any and all military situations, as well as spur some trade incentives between the two of us.”

Pouring himself a glass of scotch, he sips at it for a few moments. ”As-is, I’m treating our cooperation as a non-aggression pact between ourselves, and providing support where I can. I’m willing to offer full-fledged cooperation, and extend that non-aggression pact out to at least two years from when it started. Of course, if there’s anything else you’d like to tack on, I’m sure we can work out a reasonable deal.”

[Hans L. Reinhardt]

Hans stood as Dietrich entered the room, returning the firm handshake. The young man moved quickly and seemed to talk faster. Hans grinned faintly as the scotch and glasses were placed in front of them. Hans sat again, pouring himself a heavy glass as he did so. “Hans is acceptable, if you don't have any issue with me addressing you as Dietrich.” He took a small sip of the scotch in his glass, rolling the woody flavor over his tongue. Ah, delicious. Now he could work.

”I’m sure you’re aware that Creta is no longer at war with Amestris, but we’re neither officially in an alliance. I’m afraid I must admit I considered the junta unstable, and preferred to make a formal agreement with a more permanent leader such as yourself. However, I assure you, I’ve been treating our cooperation as nothing less than a pact between our two countries, though I haven’t been able to afford all the luxuries that that entails, as you might’ve heard with my severe lack of forces in the Drachman Coup incident. A formal treaty, however, would bypass Parliament, allowing me to assist Amestris in any and all military situations, as well as spur some trade incentives between the two of us. As-is, I’m treating our cooperation as a non-aggression pact between ourselves, and providing support where I can. I’m willing to offer full-fledged cooperation, and extend that non-aggression pact out to at least two years from when it started. Of course, if there’s anything else you’d like to tack on, I’m sure we can work out a reasonable deal.”

This man wasted no time, it seems. “Hello” seemed to be the only pleasantry that would be exchanged until things were settled. Fine, straight to business it shall be. Hans allowed himself another sip of scotch as he considered all the words the man said. A firm, official alliance was definitely something that Hans preferred over whatever it was that Creta and Amestris had agreed upon prior to his promotion. Trade incentives were essential to what Amestris needed now; they had a serious increase in military numbers, although they were still not too their original force. It was money that was the problem right now. And frankly, Creta had more of it.

“I believe a non-aggression pact is the best course of action between the two of us at this stage. There is still some trouble on both sides but frankly, our strife is tiny compared to what stands at large over the world today. I don't want this to be entirely one-sided. We can offer you military aide, within reason. And I think setting up some decent trade incentives would be a great boost to the economy. My primary concern in all of this is funds. At this point, Amestris needs money.”

Hans frowned, shaking his head. “I don't want to get down on my knees and beg to anyone, but I can't fund the rebuilding of my country alone. I wish to set up a loan, to be repaid within five years. Hell, I'd like to say two, but I've got to be realistic about this.”

[Csilla Angelis]

{BUMP}

[Guest]

“Hans is acceptable, if you don't have any issue with me addressing you as Dietrich.”

A reasonable expectation of the situation. By no means did he expect to call Hans “Chancellor” in private, either. Being on first-name basis with other leaders was friendlier, anyway. That, and some leaders preferred long titles, like Vasco, or had too many, like himself.

“I don't want this to be entirely one-sided. We can offer you military aide, within reason.” Not exactly what he thought Creta needed, but…

”I suppose we can do joint-military exercises every now-and-then. I keep hearing of an Amestrian navy but, no offense, the possibility of its existence perplexes me.” Sure, the crater in South City was large, he supposed, but ships were for so much more.

”My primary concern in all of this is funds. At this point, Amestris needs money.” Ah, there we go. Dietrich leans back, taking another sip of his scotch. Betweent he Carraig Accords, the destruction RIOTE caused, and getting the country back up and running, Amestris certainly was in a tight spot. “I don't want to get down on my knees and beg to anyone, but I can't fund the rebuilding of my country alone. I wish to set up a loan, to be repaid within five years. Hell, I'd like to say two, but I've got to be realistic about this.”

Leaning forward, he puts down his glass. ”You’re brave enough to be honest, at least,” he sighs. He still had the funds for the intended rebuilding of West Amestris from the previous summer, so it wasn’t a matter of scrounging up the pounds for it. Temporary allies, short-term neighbors of uneasy peace, assuming a worst-case scenario… ”A loan is more than possible, of course. Interest will be involved, but I imagine I can convince parliament to cut it down to cover for inflation, as opposed to looking for a profit. A sort of minimum installment plan can be implemented, giving your people a date to pay it back by, but allowing you to pay more when you can afford it. Paying it back more quickly, consequently, would also mean having less interest. The best of both worlds, I suppose.”

Rapping his fingers on the table, he thinks for a moment. ”There must, of course, be collateral. It’s not a matter of whether I trust you, Hans, but rather a guarantee Creta will get it’s money back, should Amestris find itself changing leadership again.” He pauses for a moment before adding, ”Nothing personal, but with the death of Czar Loki, I can’t afford to rule out the possibility.

”Of course, there’s also the matter of how much you’re asking for. I’m sure that if you’re in the market for a quick infusion, and would rather avoid paying someone else back, Amestris can always sell something. If the offer’s good, I’m confident that Creta would be willing to make a mutually beneficial trade.”

[Hans L. Reinhardt]

”I suppose we can do joint-military exercises every now-and-then. I keep hearing of an Amestrian navy but, no offense, the possibility of its existence perplexes me.”

Hans chuckled, shaking his head as he sipped at the scotch. “No offense taken. A lot of rumors at this point, to be true. As nothing official as come across my desk, it's not much to worry about.”

”A loan is more than possible, of course. Interest will be involved, but I imagine I can convince parliament to cut it down to cover for inflation, as opposed to looking for a profit. A sort of minimum installment plan can be implemented, giving your people a date to pay it back by, but allowing you to pay more when you can afford it. Paying it back more quickly, consequently, would also mean having less interest. The best of both worlds, I suppose. There must, of course, be collateral. It’s not a matter of whether I trust you, Hans, but rather a guarantee Creta will get it’s money back, should Amestris find itself changing leadership again. Nothing personal, but with the death of Czar Loki, I can’t afford to rule out the possibility. Of course, there’s also the matter of how much you’re asking for. I’m sure that if you’re in the market for a quick infusion, and would rather avoid paying someone else back, Amestris can always sell something. If the offer’s good, I’m confident that Creta would be willing to make a mutually beneficial trade.”

Hans listened in a somber silence as Dietrich mused out the possibilities. Hans was well aware of the general Cretan feeling towards Amestris; hearing that Creta loaned Amestris money for nothing would not go over well. And then there was Dietrich's own ambitions. Hans knew there was only one thing that Amestris had that could serve as appropriate collateral for a loan: land. And the thought of handing over Amestrian land in case they couldn't pay back the loan turned Hans' stomach in a most unfortunate way. Yet he had nothing else to offer. Collateral was acceptable... selling was not. He would never willingly sell any land, nor even suggest it to the politicians and military leaders back home. It would not go over well at all, and he wasn't ready to risk it. Yet saying “fuck off, you can't have our land” did not seem rather diplomatic and after all, Hans' previous job had been a diplomat.

So it was simple to see what Hans would have to do next. Make a commitment without making one. “I agree that we need something secure so that the loan is repaid, no matter who is leading Amestris or Creta. Our government is still assessing the damage and determining how much funds we need. But as desperate as we are for funds, we still need to provide food and supplies to our people. If you are willing to provide what you can, that will constitute a loan and we would repay you in money. I'd like this to be as official as possible; I don't want any dealings under the table.” Hans leaned back in his chair, finishing the scotch in his glass. Dealings under the table weren't necessary but he needed to be careful. This needed to go right; Amestris needed an ally and they needed what Creta had to offer. And so he had to dangle what he little he had to get the Cretan government to bite.

[Shula Brighton]

{BUMP}

[Guest]

”Our government is still assessing the damage and determining how much funds we need. But as desperate as we are for funds, we still need to provide food and supplies to our people. If you are willing to provide what you can…” Ah, so that’s how it was. Clever man, indeed.

”I’ll be interested to see how you handle Ishval, then,” he says, with some amusement. He wasn’t a fan of poverty and shanty villages, but he was amused by Amestris’ general disregard for the problems there. But, that wasn’t the only problem…

Amestrian money? Numbers flashed through his head. Amestris needed supplies, he couldn’t deny that. The influx of Amestrian Cenz would be nice, but… There were more valuable things in Amestris. Things that they probably wouldn’t care to part with.

”So, food, water, miscellaneous supplies… I’m certain I can scrounge shipments together quickly enough. However, why not barter with something you have?” Tapping his fingers on the table, he pondered. ”I won’t lie, Amestris has always been an alchemical powerhouse. But, historically, you’re very secretive about what you develop, and gear it for war. Why not release some of your research to Creta, and let us develop civil uses for it?” Dietrich takes a deep breath, pondering. Something to go off of, something to save time, money, and effort, and, most importantly, to save mistakes from being repeated. ”I understand it’s out of right field, but, please, take it into consideration before you throw money my way. I’d consider it Amestris’ most valuable export, and I’m sure it’ll cover whatever the expenses are for these supplies.” Dietrich sits in silence for a few moments, finishing off his drink.

”At any rate, a simple list of what you need will do. I’ll make sure to send any and all items you require immediately. Method of payment, of course, is up to you.”

[Hans L. Reinhardt]

”I’ll be interested to see how you handle Ishval, then,”

Hans shrugged his shoulders lightly. Ishval was another problem that Hans would face in the coming months. But to be entirely honest, that wasn't really Dietrich's business. However, a good measure of diplomatic decorum kept Hans from saying that out loud.

”So, food, water, miscellaneous supplies… I’m certain I can scrounge shipments together quickly enough. However, why not barter with something you have? I won’t lie, Amestris has always been an alchemical powerhouse. But, historically, you’re very secretive about what you develop, and gear it for war. Why not release some of your research to Creta, and let us develop civil uses for it? I understand it’s out of right field, but, please, take it into consideration before you throw money my way. I’d consider it Amestris’ most valuable export, and I’m sure it’ll cover whatever the expenses are for these supplies.”

Hans issued a low whistle. He was asking for... alchemy? He was asking for the research that most alchemists' would rather take to their graves than pass on to others? This was... yes, definitely out of right field. And left field. And center field as well. Hans felt somewhat astounded at the request. He also knew that it was something he did not have the right to agree to. As an alchemist, he would've had a say. But... he was no alchemist and he wasn't going to alienate a good chunk of the Amestrian population by demanding they hand over their research so the rest of the country could eat. Handling the alchemists of Amestris made dealing with Dietrich of Creta look like child's play.

”At any rate, a simple list of what you need will do. I’ll make sure to send any and all items you require immediately. Method of payment, of course, is up to you.”

Now that, he could do. He reached into the breast pocket of his coat, pulling out a folded piece of paper. He handed it over to Dietrich. The contents were simple enough. A list of of the absolutely necessary supplies needed, the rough amounts and at the bottom, the location they could be shipped to. “I'm afraid, Dietrich, that I will have to approach others in regards to alchemical research. That is not my domain and I will not overstep my bounds. But I will have something of equal value to give you in return.” Hans stood, placing his empty glass to one side. He waited for Dietrich to rise and then reached across the table, shaking Dietrich's hand firmly. “I appreciate your time. I will be in touch to solidify the details and get this non-aggression pact official.”

Hans turned after he completed his farewells, exiting the office. Royal Guards were stationed outside of the room, but he wasn't all that surprised. Some of his own men and moved into the hall as well and Hans hailed them with a raise of his hand. They came over to him and together, they exited the White House. It had been an eventful trip to Creta, although not as definitive in the answers that he sought. Now he had another list of things to do. Get numbers from his government to pass along to Dietrich, get the pact finished and signed. Oh, and yes. Finding out what research the alchemists would be willing to give up to help feed a hungry nation. As Hans climbed into the back of his car, it was that thought that made him groan.

[EXIT THREAD]

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