Montigny - April 24, 1836

"Twelve merchant vessels lost in the last month, my lords!" Edward Townshend articulated vehemently. "This is completely unacceptable!"

The politician was currently seated in a small but opulent room on the second floor of the Royal Hotel, along with twelve of the more prominent members of the Federation Parliament. Independence Hall was where Parliament met and argued, but this little room was where Federation policy was made. Only a handful knew of its existence, but those who did mattered.

"There is nothing to be done," one of his colleagues said wearily. "There is no proof that it was anything other than what the Empire stated it to be."

"Pirates?" Townshend asked scathingly. "Do you really believe that nonsense? Twelve merchant vessels, all taken in Imperial waters, with no other incidents elsewhere, is no simple coincidence!"

"Well what do you suggest we do?" another delegate piped up. "We are in no fit state to fight. The army is still reorganizing, and the people will not be willing to support military action for the sake of twelve vessels."

Townshend groaned in exasperation. "Well, do you suggest we do nothing at all then? Just let the Imperials keep on taking our ships for their own? The value of the goods taken so far comes to little over a hundred thousand pounds. If this trend continues, shipping companies are going to refuse to ship goods through Imperial waters. We'll have to ship them south of Europa, a delay of some sixteen thousand kilometers." He paused for a moment. "This could end up costing Federation merchants a fortune, gentlemen. A fortune!"

A portly man from Remesal stood up. "I must agree with Lord Townshend. This situation is intolerable."

Townshend glanced up in pleased surprise. The other politician was probably only concerned with lining his own pockets, but...

"Very well, what shall we do about it then?" the second delegate said. "I once again stress the necessity of avoiding a war with the Empire."

Townshend smiled. Things were going according to plan. "According to the Atlantic Accords we and the Empire signed last year, nations have the right to use 'whatever force deemed necessary' to halt a pirate menace. Thus, we have the legal right to move a Federal fleet into Imperial waters to escort our shipping." He looked down at a small map spread on a table. "I thus would appreciate it if you gentlemen would support me when I propose moving the Eastern Atlantic Fleet toward Imperial territory."

The other men murmured approvingly. "A good plan," the portly man said. "I shall convince my associates to vote likewise."

As the last of the members finally nodded their agreement, Townshend raised a hand. "One final problem for us to address. This is not an issue for Parliament, but a vital one none the same." He picked up a newspaper from where it was lying on the arm of his chair. "The Imperials appear to have inflicted a defeat upon the Gallian rebels a few days ago. What remains of the rebel army is now fleeing back toward Randgriz."

"We are all aware of this my lord," a man said. "What bearing does it have? None of us expected the Gallian resistance to last more than a few months anyway."

"It has considerable bearing," Townshend shot back. "Putting this rebellion down is tying up the better part of the Imperial Army, giving our own forces time to regroup with no fear of being attacked again."

"I see. You recommend aiding the Gallians then."

"I do," Townshend affirmed. "The longer the Imperial Army is occupied, the more chance we have to build our own armed forces back up." He slashed a line across the map spread on the wall. "In addition, the cover provided by our fleet will allow us to make some… discreet shipments to Randgriz and Fouzen."

The other diplomat clapped slowly. "Bravo, Mr. Townshend, bravo. You seem to have all the answers for the Imperial problem. Before we put it to a vote however, just what will these 'shipments' contain?"

Townshend picked up a file he had picked up at the Ministry of Defense the day before and leafed through it. "As we are in the midst of reequipping the Federal Army with a new design, the machinery and dies for the old lever-action repeaters are being sold off for scrap. We could divert their journey to Gallia, and give the rebels some extra firepower."

The politico considered. "That is tantamount to an arms shipment. How are we going to explain it if the Imperials ask?"

Edward Townshend actually winked. "Ah, but there isn't anything to explain. If a private purchase was made and shipped to Gallia by private individuals, there are no government records to show." He waited as the other delegates murmured and considered among themselves.

Finally, the spokesperson for the group turned back to him. "Very well. We shall see to it that the purchase is made."

Townshend smiled tightly. Good. His two controversial pieces of legislation were through. Perhaps his dream of controlling Parliament wasn't so farfetched after all. He thumbed to the next page in his notes. "Now, onto the subject of Kievan…"