Recieving Carthage

[Zoot Zoot]

With the Carthaginian acceptance of the invite to come to New Babylon elaborate preperations were put in place to receive dignitaries from such an ancient power that had been reborn, much like the Empire, Tikal and other states which has risen since the collapse.

 

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Neatly dressed ranks of Imperial Guardsmen in ceremonial uniform lined the route through the city and into the Palace, the giant earth shaker artillery platforms ranged around the palace itself would fire a massive sixty two gun salute in honour of the guests. Security would be as tight as ever with the city on lockdown from aerial traffic with the exception of military craft and any guests with a good eye would see snipers, and dubious looking men in black suits talking to themselves as the motorcade cleared the many junctions leading to the palace.

 

On arrival, they would be escorted directly to Ishtar Kuna's office where she was waiting. As they entered she would greet them.

 

"Welcome to New Babylon, please take a seat and we can begin"

[Centurius]

With the African League formed and order established throughout the Kingdom it was time to look outwards. While a global network of allies wasn't exactly an objective of Carthage establishing something with Babylon most definitely was. After all it was one of the major powers in the area and a likely ally. 

 

The formal delegation from the Kingdom would consist of Anysus, his Councillor of Intelligence and National Security Alethea and of course his Sacred Band security detail in their ceremonial armour. As they were escorted through the city and towards the Imperial Palace Anysus couldn't help but admire the architecture. The city was most certainly impressive. As they arrived at the palace Anysus turned towards the Sacred Band. "Stay here" He ordered, fully trusting Babylonian security precautions. Without the security detail he and Alethea continued inside and thanked the Babylonian guards escorted them once they arrived at the office. 

 

Anysus nodded at the woman who greeted them. "Thank you, it is a pleasure to be here." Anysus said before he and Alethea took a seat on the other side of the desk.

[Zoot Zoot]

Once Anysus was seated, Ishtar would begin the meeting.

 

"Your Highness, I trust your journey was comfortable and without incident" she asked politely.

 

"The Holy Emperor is glad that you accepted his invitation, he regrets that he cannot be here in person but the duties of his office often keep him isolated from meeting heads of state and other duties, as such they get delegated to me, Ishtar Kuna, and I am always more than happy to meet the worlds leaders and representatives, keeps me on my toes." she said with a smile.

 

"Now then, it is the Empires wish to officially open dialogue and diplomatic channels with Carthage and then discuss the opinion of Carthage on several matters including potential treaties."

[Centurius]

"I understand entirely, it took quite some convincing for my own Senate to even let me go away from internal affairs long enough to travel here" Anysus said while Alethea took some notes. 

 

"In this world every country needs friends, in our eyes Babylon is an ideal partner considering the history of our respective states and our current situation internationally. We will gladly consider whatever Babylon has in mind"

[Zoot Zoot]

"I understand entirely, it took quite some convincing for my own Senate to even let me go away from internal affairs long enough to travel here" Anysus said while Alethea took some notes. 

 

"In this world every country needs friends, in our eyes Babylon is an ideal partner considering the history of our respective states and our current situation internationally. We will gladly consider whatever Babylon has in mind"

 

"That is good to hear your Highness." she said smiling. Taking a sip of water before she continued.

 

"First of all, I would like to propose an economic agreement for the very fundamental reason that money makes the world go around, and it is mutually beneficial to both our states given our industrial capacity and future potential as close trading partners it makes sense. Furthermore, I would propose some sort of military agreement along the lines of a mututal defense agreement".

 

"I only request the latter simply due to the African League directly bordering the Empire. Babylon shares a military alliance with Alexandria and I am currently awaiting to hear back from Novak as well about a military partnership. As we are not an African nation, we are not eligable to join, so it makes sense to spread out our diplomagic across Africa to ensure friendly and prosperous relationships."

[Centurius]

"While in principle I would not be opposed to facilitating trade the articles of the African League bind my hands where it concerns trade policy to non-member states. However I would definitely support some kind of agreement between the African League and Babylon concerning trade. Carthage however will gladly sign onto an agreement concerning mutual defence and intelligence cooperation"

[Zoot Zoot]

'I hope that Carthage could speak on our behalf when it comes to trading with non-members and perhaps talk the other members into accepting a bloc wide trade agreement with the Empire or something of the sort, given our proximity and vast natural resources, it would probably be the best deal made for the African continent for decades.'

 

'I am heartened to hear that your would be happy to enter such a military agreement with the Empire, it serves us both equally well and protects us against more... hostile and belligerant states. On that matter, I one final question. How applicable would Carthage be to a joint weapon program to develop a conventional replacement for weapons of mass destruction?'

[Centurius]

"Carthage has already committed itself formally to engage in no development of biological weapons beyond the extent necessary to develop effective countermeasures and treatments to known biological agents. We also in practice already do not maintain chemical weapons in any capacity beyond those systems traditionally used for such things as crowd control. However at this point we fear abolishing nuclear weapons would serve as a disadvantage to the Kingdom unless it is a global effort. So we will gladly aid on the development of a non-nuclear alternative system but until all states abolish these weapons we cannot in good faith give up our own"

[Zoot Zoot]

"Carthage has already committed itself formally to engage in no development of biological weapons beyond the extent necessary to develop effective countermeasures and treatments to known biological agents. We also in practice already do not maintain chemical weapons in any capacity beyond those systems traditionally used for such things as crowd control. However at this point we fear abolishing nuclear weapons would serve as a disadvantage to the Kingdom unless it is a global effort. So we will gladly aid on the development of a non-nuclear alternative system but until all states abolish these weapons we cannot in good faith give up our own"

 

'You misunderstand me your Highness, whilst I say replacement, it would only serve as a replacement for the Empire as our own nuclear weapons are to be disarmed and destoryed over the next twenty five years or so.  Such a weapon that I propose offers an alternative weapon system to be deployed when nuclear force is over kill, but nothing else would do the job.

 

A missile based system similar to an ICBM that can carry a massive explosive payload and kinetic penetrators for deep strike targets so to speak. The warhead itself would be interchangable with other varients depending on the mission from clustering munitions, guided anti armour bomlets and the list would go on. It would give both our states a devestating, conventional arsenal of inter continental weaponry that could wipe out a tank division or an airfield or a fleet without using nuclear ordenance. I am proposing a conventional weapon of mass destruction based around smart technology to provide accurate strikes with minimal collaterol damage.'

[Centurius]

Anysus nodded. "Very well, in that case I can unveil that over the past few months Carthaginian engineers have worked on something we call prompt global strike. This new system which is built around using a highly detailed image of an area and delivering a precision strike package within an hour anywhere on the world will provide a significant capacity to accomplish just those goals. While I cannot give you full access to this PGS system there are definitely possibilities for our engineers to cooperate with your own on the initiative"

[Zoot Zoot]

"This weapon system in one missile carries the destructive potential of a nuclear warhead? Unless I am of course mistaken, the PGS system sounds like a long range, highly accurate cruise missile system. The Empire is developing a weapon that will replace our nuclear arsenal, and as such, must be able to deal as much damage as possible depending on the target. Our R&D division wishes to have a prototype missile capable of rendering an airbase beyond use or to obliterate an armour division using guided, armour piercing cluster munitions such as SADARM or DPICM muntions used in the M982 Excalibur artillery round, only bigger and smarter.  Likewise using JP233 or 'Low-Altitude Airfield Attack System' weapons as a template to develop smaller, more accurate and effective guided cluster munitions to destroy airfields.

 

Other modular warheads would be developed and mounted to the specific mission at hand. Your Highness, we are trying to develop a non-nuclear, nuclear warhead if that makes sense. We dont want a MOAB or a FOAB, we want a hard hitting, area of effect smart weapon, that minimises collaterol damage, but maximises military casualties."

[Centurius]

"Prompt Global Strike is beautiful in how diverse it is, while precision cruise missile strikes are part of it it can include anything from those cruise missiles to sea or land launched ballistic missiles with different packages. While the explosive power is not nearly as large as that of a strategic nuclear weapon a proper warhead can very much take out formations of hostile forces and even enemy bases. Add to that the political acceptability of producing them in mass amounts and their use in war and you have a system that is perfect to take down an enemy force."

[Zoot Zoot]

'So based on this mutual, yet seperate development of such a weapons system, perhaps it would be beneficial for our states to jointly develop this weapon, with the exception of extremely sensitive technology, which could be developed independently. For example, I know that we have our own guidance systems and warhead development programs, and I have no doubt Carthage has the same programs." finished Ishtar.

 

By now, her tablet had completed drafting the initial document of mutual defence. She offered the tablet to the King to see if it was satisfactory.

 

'Does this look ok sire?'