Chapter 19

The next day in a conference room on Prince Valerius flagship

Captain Kircheis brought the handcuffed Vice-Admiral Eelis Hakkinen into the room, where Valerius was sitting at a large conference table.

"Welcome on my flagship Vice-Admiral Hakkinen. I have to apologize for the handcuffs, but you must know that I also have to follow safety regulations. Especially if these regulations concern my own safety."

The admiral nodded in understanding.

"I have understanding for the procedure, since I would have done the same thing in your place."

Prince Valerius nodded as well, as he realized that this Terran admiral is as reasonable as Inaho has described him.

"Please take a seat. I hope your time as a prisoner of war in our custody was not that bad."

Admiral Hakkinen took a seat opposite of Valerius and Kircheis took his place and stood next to Valerius.

"My men and I were treated much better than I expected. We were treated with respect and as I could see the wounded got the medical treatment they needed." The admiral answered with a neutral voice.

"You must know that I'm a keen student of law and history. I believe in the rules of war such as the Geneva Conventions, therefore I loathe senseless slaughter and bloodshed, but I'm also willing to set aside my personal feelings, if my opponents force me to do so."

This short conversation gave Admiral Hakkinen a deeper understanding of the man opposite of him. Despite being young, that man was at least his equal in experience and they shared many common values. They both wish to follow the rules of war, but they are also willing to do things, which would go against their conscience or sense of honour, as when he approved the assassination attempt on princess Asseylum in their latest failed operation.

Hakkinen could feel that Valerius was a straightforward man, therefore he asked him directly.

"What do you want from me?"

"I want you to act as an intermediate in the oncoming negotiations with your government."

"Why me?" Hakkinen asked a little bit surprised.

"Because you are one of the highest ranking military officers of the UFE, besides someone in your position must have some connections and the experience in dealing with politicians."

"You are quite a terrifying opponent and I don't wonder that we lost to you."

"Thank you for the compliment. But now let's get back to business."

"Yes, we should. What do you want from us for a peace treaty?"

Valerius smiled and activated a holographic projection, which showed the Earth and the areas, which the Vers Empire was holding.

"What I want are North and South America, Antarctica, Oceania the Midway and Hawaiian Islands, Green and Iceland."

When Hakkinen was scanning the map, he realised immediately, that the Vers Empire held much more territory than what the prince has mentioned. This gave him the hope that there was a good chance that this war might end soon, but he had to be sure.

"Am I wrong, or are you really willing to give up a sizable part of your conquests?"

"You are not wrong. That's what I'm willing to give, if you accept my terms."

"Why are willing to retreat, if you have just won a decisive victory?"

"If it was a decisive victory will be decided in the aftermath. If you can achieve your objectives with this victory it will be a decisive one or else it was just a victory."

In this moment, the admiral realised that the prince was an even better politician than he was, therefore he had to treat the situation with utmost care and he wanted to ensure that the prince was sincere. Hence, he asked him a few more questions to solidify his opinion of that man.

"What are your goals? What do you want to achieve with this treaty?"

Prince Valerius closed his eyes for a few seconds, but then he opened and answered in a calm voice.

"I want us stop killing each other."

These few words took Hakkinen aback, but the way Valerius said the words convinced him of his motives. This man in front of him did not start this war, but he came to end it one way or another. If that is really his goal, then he promote it with a clear conscience.

"If your objective is to end this war with as little bloodshed as possible, then I'm willing to act as your intermediate."

"You have my thanks admiral, but now I think we should discuss the groundwork of the treaty, before you contact your superiors."

"Yes we should. I might not have the authority to make any decisions myself, but I have a good overview of the opinions and views of most of our political and military leaders, therefore I think I can say what they are willing to accept and what they can't."

"This will be very helpful for both sides."

"Yes it will be. First, I can assure you that they will not be able to seize Oceania to you. It is too close to our southeastern flank. You can be sure be treaty won't survive the first day it was signed."

"This would also mean that the other territories are acceptable for your leadership?"

"Yes, the Command of the United Forces of Earth General Headquarters, has more or less given up on reclaiming these areas, since our forces were stretched too thin and our supply lines would be too vulnerable."

Valerius contemplated for a short moment, but then he responded.

„I will have to do some convincing, but I should be able to persuade the Orbital Knights to accept this treaty. However also I have some conditions, which I cannot ignore. "

Hakkinen was curious, which condition he had and the hoped that he was not wrong about him.

„I think we can agree on the exchange of all the prisoners of war on both sides."

Admiral Hakkinen nodded in agreement.

„Then I want the remains of all the versian soldiers, who have fallen, back."

Hakkinen also nodded.

„And last but not least I want each and every piece of versian technology back, you have captured. Especially all the Landing Castles, Kataphrakts and Aldnoah Drives."

„I think these conditions will be acceptable for my superiors, but I think they want to see a goodwill gesture in order to convince them of your sincerity. Besides it would silence the war hawks in our government."

„I am willing to withdraw some of our forces from Europe and Asia and allow humanitarian aid to reach all the other occupied territories, but you also have to make clear to them that, if there is no treaty the war will probably only end with the total destruction of one side or both sides and at the moment it's more likely that it will be your side, which will be totally destroyed."

It was then when that Hakkinen saw again the man, who had defeated him in battle. A kind man, who would turn into a monster to achieve his goals. Someone who loathes bloodshed, but also willing to do so, if forced. He could only hope his superiors will be wise and reasonable enough to make the right choice and accept this outstretched hand, because he does not want the outcome if they rejected his offer for peace.

Admiral Hakkinen then stood up and reached out his cuffed hands followed by prince Valerius. Both men shook hands signalling that they had come to an understanding.

„I will make the preparations necessary for you to contact your government and I hope that the negations will be fruitful."

„I hope so too. It would be better for both of us."

This will be my last update for awhile.

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