Accessibility of Space Administration and Treaty Organization

[Alucard Tobor]

From: Minister Sun-min Buyeo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
To: Ambassador M. Liao-Berenson, RoC; Minister Grace al Ramagi

The Federation of Korea would like to extend to both the Republic of China and Kingdom of Victoria an offer to attend a meeting in Seoul, regarding the future of access to and utilization of outer space. This meeting will, hopefully, produce an agreement regarding the sharing of information regarding launch vehicles, non-military satellites, manned spacecraft, and scientific developments regarding or resulting from spaceflight.

As the Republic of China does not yet possess a launch facility, such an agreement may, if requested, include provisions for launching spacecraft on behalf of other signatories, and for assisting in the production of future launch vehicles and spacecraft.

Regards,
-Minister Sun-min Buyeo

[Cataphrak]

To General Chen Ruidian, this was all very surreal.

It had been more than thirty years since he first came to China, a kid from Portland joining a warlord air force to help defend his grandfather's country from the Japanese. He'd scored nine kills in biplanes - before the crash, before the Japanese killed his first wife in front of him, before the surgeries.

Now, he was head of the air force of a soon-to-be-unified China, landing at the site of a meeting in a former Japanese colony in a massive aircraft which had travelled at a speed and a height which would have been thought impossible just ten years ago.

And that didn't even get started on what this meeting was supposed to be about.

"Eyes up, General. Let them see your scars. This audience will appreciate what they mean."

"My-" The air force general's hand rose to his face almost by reflex. It'd been twenty five years since that Japanese rear gunner had put an end to his career as a fighter pilot. When they had pulled him out of the wreck, they said that only his eyes had been unburned. A year of surgeries had given him a face back, but even now, it was still a patchwork of pink star tissue and grafted skin.

"The Victorian Queen used to be a soldier herself, though she doesn't look the part. You can expect that anyone she sends will have a certain respect for someone who's gone through what you have, only to keep fighting."

The General nodded. The Widow had been the artifact of an even earlier age. She had been born in the time of the last Qing Emperors. Yet even so, she seemed to always know the right thing to say - which was probably why the famously un-diplomatic Premier had sent her instead of coming himself.

An aide stepped into the aisle and delivered a slight bow, just as the roar of the engines faded away.

"General Chen, Madame Minister, they're ready for you outside."

The Widow unbuckled her seat belt, and got up out of her chair, elegant even at her age. "Well then? Are you ready?"

In the old days, Chen Ruidian's grin had been something of a hit with the ladies. Now, it was somewhat less attractive. He smiled nonetheless.

"No, but it's not like we have a choice..."

[Sabriel]

Colonel Mikaela Kyenge al Victoria was Victoria’s representative to the meeting. She was attended by several aides from Victoria’s space program, but they were clearly subservient to her.

She made some courtesies to the Koreans, and gave a respectful greeting to the Chinese.

[Alucard Tobor]

"Madame Cabinet Minister. General Chen, Colonel Kyenge." Foriegn Minister Buyeo looked significantly less than her forty years; offering a small smile, she bowed her head to each of the new arrivals. "Welcome to Seoul. Apologies for the abruptness of our communique regarding this endeavour, but the new government is somewhat busy, I'm afraid."

Once the relevant pleasantries were exchanged and everyone situated, the Minister passed over a folder to each of her counterparts. "To make a wordy document less wordy, the Federation of Korea is proposing to build upon the tripartite alliance our nations are all members of to allow for the easy sharing of information and capabilities regarding space launch. While naturally, some things - spy satellites, military communications, et cetera - should remain secret, the growing civil space industry would no doubt benefit from co-operation; and I imagine your own nation, Madame, General, would doubtless appreciate the ability to launch satellites aboard Korean and Victorian rockets; until you have your own facilities, at least."

[Cataphrak]

General Chen nodded agreement. "I won't deny that the past few years have shown the economic and military benefits of holding a position in orbit. Our own space programme is still rudimentary in nature, and it would certainly benefit from Korean and Victorian expertise."

"The Republic has the industry to support an extensive orbital presence," the Minister of the Economy added, her lips pursed carefully. "In return for the use of your launch sites, we would be happy to collaborate regarding the joint-launch of satellites and the sharing of any information derived from them not classified as a state secret."

[Alucard Tobor]

"Parliament is particularly interested in scientific data gathered in orbit; it is our intent to put humans in space by 1970, and preferably establish some form of semi-permanent orbital facility by 1975; perhaps earlier. Additionally, we are prepared to share any intelligence information garnered that might be of interest you China or Victoria - with only a few restrictions." Buyeo acknowledged, eyes flicking between the Minister and Chen.

"I've also been asked to extend the offer of carrying Chinese or Victorian personnel into space; understanding, naturally, that Victoria will likely prefer to do so with their own program." she continued, passing a folder across the table; contained within were several pages of notes regarding the possibility of an international orbital facility.

[Sabriel]

“Victoria is open to a joint space program. We have… More than a few satellites in orbit. And an excellent launch facility. We aren’t opposed to providing support for either of our allies in this area. As per the terms of our existing treaty, we already share relevant intelligence.”

[Cataphrak]

"A semi-permanent orbital facility? Why that sounds very-"

The Widow's warning glance was enough to make the General curb his enthusiasm, at least a little.

"Our main interest is in putting some of our own satellites in orbit," the Economy Minister replied smoothly. "In pursuance of that interest, we believe we already have the facilities and infrastructure required to help greatly increase both Korean and Victorian presence in space. In return for the privilege of borrowing the use and personnel of your own launch facilities from time to time, we would be happy to make our own industrial resources available for your current needs and-" she glanced at the plans for the international station now sitting on the table. "-any more ambitious future endeavours."

[Alucard Tobor]

Buyeo smiled faintly, passing another set of folders over; these containing a draft of the proposed agreement. "Naturally. I'm informed our own bottleneck is production of launch vehicles and the satellites themselves, not launch pad availability; as such, anything you'd like launched should be simple enough to fit within our yearly schedules."

[Sabriel]

“Victoria would be willing to donate three sets of rockets and satellites each year to the alliance. That is, we’re willing to build the rockets and satellites to the alliance’s specifications, and launch them.”