Austeren Leader in Hirematia

[Hirematia]

"We will also be contracting our share of the bridge development to a private firm," Maamuashi replies. "We've found that contracting construction off to private firms usually speeds completion times and decreases costs. A joint commission would be a good idea, although I think the commission should be limited in size, say to about, 5-10 members for each of our nations. As for the rail system in your nation, who owns it? In Hirematia, the government owns the railways but there are 3 rail companies that service different areas and in some areas, overlap."

[Austerain]

"Right, these projects are usually most efficient when we partner with the private sector," Taylor says, "In Austerain, the railways are nationalized although the Austraton Underground is a public-private partnership between the Department of Transportation's Rails Authority and a company called Sunwest Lines. I think a joint commission would be good to operate the bridge authority. Are we open to having toll booths with a small fee to use the bridge as a source of revenue to help pay for the costs?"

[Hirematia]

"Implementing a toll is a good idea," Maamuashi replies. "Although the tolls should be set by the commission. I also think the rail line should be managed by a commission and be subject to a fee as well. I personally think that the rail line should be managed by a separate rail commission that works closely with the bridge commission. What are your thoughts on this?"

[Austerain]

"I would agree," Taylor responds, "Separate commissions might be more productive than a single commission, so yes, that would be fine. Should we have another separate commission to maintain the energy components as well?"

[Hirematia]

"That would be a good idea," Maamuashi says. "The bridge commission could have 14 members, the train commission could have 12, and the energy commission could have 8. I think the energy commission should only have control over system repairs and capping energy flow. Our governments should have control over the excess energy from the system. In Hirematia, both power suppliers and the energy grid are nationalized, and all citizens get a small amount of free electricity each month, enough to power a small apartment, a small stove, and charge 2 cellphones, and after that fees are charged. How is the grid owned in Austerain?"

[Austerain]

"That sounds good," Secretary Taylor says as she writes down a few notes. Versace is also taking notes in her black briefing book.

Versace looks up over her glasses, "Our national grid is also nationalized, although many power suppliers are owned by private companies in partnership with the government. The Department of Energy has been buying up nonrenewable suppliers such as coal and oil companies to shut them down and retrain those workers into clean energy companies. The DoE has been investing a lot into solar and wind plants as well to lower the costs of energy. From the energy produced from the bridge and tunnel, it will of course be government-controlled."

[Hirematia]

Mechhai looks up from his laptop, where he is taking notes, to say, "I agree with the plans for the committees and for joint ownership over the structures. As for the blueprints themselves, I'm not going to get too involved. I'm just here to put my signature on the project and ensure that we get the best price. Speaking of which, Taji, did you file the blueprints with any companies yet?"

"I've gotten preliminary estimates from 5 firms," Maamuashi replies. "The best so far is from an upstart firm called Auahe Solutions Inc. They're offering us a 4 year, 7 month completion time for our half of the bridge as well as a cost estimate of 35 billion SMU. However, they're asking for 5% of all toll money collected in exchange. I'm not too keen on letting them collect toll from a publicly-owned road, but their estimate checks out math-wise and beats the other estimates by a long shot."

[Austerain]

Secretary Taylor takes out her tablet to access her email and says, "We've been in touch with a few civil engineering companies, but we will be partnering with Blackwater Co, whom of which we already have a contract with to build highways connecting mainland Austerain to our southern island provinces. They have been reliable for our highway projects before. They've estimated our half at A$37.4 billion to include the highway junction and the purchase of additional land for the connection, and should be completed within a range of 5 years, 2 months."

Versace asks, "Do they want a percentage of the toll revenue?"

Secretary Taylor looks up at her, "Yes, they're requesting 12.5% of revenue collected each month, the same as their request regarding the tolls for the Southern Islands Parkway."

"Tell them no more than 10.8% and we have a deal," Versace says, "Do you have anything from the EcoFuel Corporation on the piezoelectric crystal strips and solar panels?"

"Yes, they'll supply the resources and workers for A$170 million, which includes labor," Secretary Taylor says.

[Hirematia]

"10.8 percent of toll revenue?" asks Maamuashi in shock. "We'll have to raise the tolls to about 5 SMU per vehicle in order to raise enough money to pay off the bridge cost! Can you work out a lower percentage with Blackwater, say, 8.5%?"

"I agree that their percent of the toll should be brought down as much as possible," Mechhai comments. " And is the offer from EcoFuel for the entire bridge or your half? If it covers the entire bridge, we'll split the cost with your government, as that would be better than our best offer so far by a long shot. If that estimate only covers half the bridge, then we'll stick with our best offers so far: ordering solar panels and piezoelectric crystals from FuturAlternatif and hiring an installation crew from Kempegowda Contractors Inc. It will be slightly more expensive than EcoFuel, but people will appreciate their government choosing domestic labor."

[Austerain]

Secretary Taylor nods, "I agree, I should be able to get them down to at least 8.6%. I'll ask for 7.5% first so it'll be easier to get them to agree to something between 8.0%-8.6%. The offer would cover our half of the bridge."

Versace's phone pings and she reads it for a moment smiling with relief. Taylor continues, "Right. Have we covered everything?"

[Hirematia]

"We have covered everything," Maamuashi replies. "We just need you to clarify whether EcoFuel's estimate covers the whole bridge or just your half."

[Austerain]

"Our half," Taylor responds, "But I could ask for an estimate for the entire bridge if you'd like, it would most likely be a little over double, of course."

[Hirematia]

"That's fine, we'll use domestic providers," Maamuashi replies. "And I think that concludes this part of the negotiations. We can take a short lunch break and begin environmental negotiations."

"Wait," Mechhai comments, "Who's building the submerged tunnel?"

"I've already filed claims with 4 different firms," Maamuashi replies." She checks her laptop screen. "I've already gotten the estimates back. The best one is from a firm called Katoa Waanua Maglev. They're not the cheapest offer, but they're promising us a MagLev train that can complete the journey between Austerain and Hirematia in just 30 minutes. In addition, they want to make a tube-shaped train (except for the bottom, which will be flat) with plexiglass sides as well as plexiglass sides to the tube. It'll cost extra, but imagine how impressive that would be. They're also offering to install a neon light display at the ends of the tunnel. It will use about 0.2 megawatts per day, which the company will be happy to pay for so long as they can collect 25% of the fare. They're also offering to complete your half of the project. They can complete our half alone for 17 billion SMU and the entire project for 33 billion SMU. The light show proposal, which we will probably refuse, will cost an extra 1.3 million SMU, and they've even offered to employ Austeren labor for your half for an extra 3-6 million SMU, depending on the deal that they get. What are your thoughts?"

[Austerain]

Taylor nods, "Good deal, we will of course, pay for our half (that goes without saying). A MagLev train would be brilliant, we ought to upgrade our current train lines to MagLev."

Versace gives her a side eye, "You can ask the President-Elect about that when we return. By my understanding, he has a massive infrastructure plan in the works, so you can lobby him for that, Secretary Taylor. And I'm sure he would be open to hiring the Katoa Waanua MagLev firm to do the upgrades, Premier Minister."

[Hirematia]

"That sounds wonderful," Maamuashi replies. "As for time estimates, they've given 3 years and 7 months for digging tunnels from the train stations to the ocean front, creating the tunnel segments, and fitting them with track. They will begin creating the submerged floating tunnel once the bridge is completed, and that is estimated to take 8 months. We will have to close the bridge to the public during that time."

[Austerain]

Secretary Taylor types on her tablet for a couple minutes. She smiles and says, "Excellent, that isn't too long. And as for Blackwater and their requested revenue, they've agreed to take in 8.35% of the revenue for the bridge tolls. I think that's everything."

[Hirematia]

"That concludes this part of the negotiations," Mechhai says, looking up from his laptop screen, where he is drafting the treaty. "It's 12:30. Does everyone want to take a short lunch break or discuss an environmental pact over lunch?"

[Austerain]

"Yes, a working lunch should be in order," Versace responds as she begins to take other papers out of one of her folders, "My Secretaries of Agriculture and Domestic Security could not attend so they've given me the briefings from their department for the environmental pact, I hope that's alright."

[Hirematia]

"That would certainly be fine," Mechhai replies. "I anticipated our meeting to be more about joint initiatives regarding the strait that separates our countries, so the head of our national Port Authority will be present via video call. I can call in our Secretary of Agriculture for the negotiations."

[Austerain]

"Very well, sounds good," Versace says, "We should also discuss matters of air quality, fishing and poaching, and of course protection of the marine life."

[Hirematia]

"Sounds like a plan," Mechhai says, as he sends a text to the kitchen staff from his phone.

"Before we begin, I'll need a briefing on conservation efforts in Austerain," Sivasaa says. "Hirematia has a ban on fossil fuel cars effective 2032, the government is reducing fossil fuel usage by an average of 7.2% each year, fossil fuels supply 38% of the power supply, and we're on track to become carbon neutral by 2045. 32.6% of our lands are protected, 18% of our marine territorial claims are protected, we have strong regulations to protect against overhunting and fishing, and poaching is mostly not a problem. However, we do have a problem with the poaching of a protected species of salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch. Fishing of this species is allowed in small quantities, but there has been a serious problem with their overfishing, and the government has been unable to stop it. It's been estimated that their continued poaching will set back their restoration program back by decades, and may even cause the species to go extinct."

[Austerain]

Versace reads from her briefing documents, "Yes, as I've said, 67% of Austerens with vehicles are now driving electric cards since we began subsidization of electric cars and investments into electric power stations, and we're hoping to have all petroleum vehicles phased out by 2025-2030, which will include gas-guzzling trucks. Nonrenewable sources of energy are also being phased out, although we've had an issue with the petroleum lobby's influence on the Progressive Conservative legislators. With the new Congress in place, they shouldn't be an issue in our efforts to phase out petroleum. About 33% of mainland Austerain is protected by environmental regulations and/or as national parks, but about 46% of the land in the southern islands is protected. Poaching has been an issue in our southern islands due to the local traditions there, but there are strong regulations when it comes to overfishing, poaching, and overhunting. In Austerain, all fish retrieved from protected areas are reported to local fishing authorities, and these authorities have police boats to monitor the waterways and the coasts, so it isn't too significant of an issue for us. The species of salmon you've mentioned is not on our endangered list, however, I can pass along to word to propose legislation and enact regulatory policies that would restrict fishing and grant funding towards anti-poaching efforts."

[Hirematia]

"We also have patrols to monitor legal fishing companies," Sivasaa replies, "But most poaching happens in the backwaters. It's hard to send patrols to these areas because the roads are small and the surrounding land is heavily forested. These salmon are used in traditional cooking, most of the poachers are just trying to feed their families, and the independent nature of these communities makes community policing hard. I think the best way to stop the poaching would be with an education program. And these fish are only endangered locally. What are the most poached animals in your country?"

[Austerain]

"Of course," Versace says, "In Austerain, we established standards a few years ago as part of the environmental science courses for secondary schools and as prerequisite for post-secondary institutions- they've been quite effective as numbers of endangered species have stabilized and somewhat increased. The most poached animals in Austerain are harpy eagles, Andorian tigers, Valian bottlenose whales, and Monktrout in the upper Tiberus River."

[Hirematia]

"That's strange," Sivasaa replies. "I've seen a slight uptick in sales of Valian bottlenose whales in our markets. They sell them whole in many fish markets as a luxury item usually bought by fancy restaurants. The uptick could be explained by an unexplained decrease in price. They are on our threatened list, so limited hunting of them is allowed, but perhaps Austeren poachers are selling to our markets. I'll be sure to order the Port Authority to monitor shipments of large fish and whales for a while and issue a ban on bottlenose whale meat. Toothed whales have dangerously high amounts of mercury anyway."

A waiter comes out of the kitchen and asks them what they would like for lunch.

"I'll have the grilled Valian bottlenose whale fin," Mechhai says laughing, while getting a nasty look from Sivasaa. "Just kidding. I'll take the ceunawaana."

"I'll have the okralamelogara," Sivasaa says.

"I'll take the grilled lamb shank with muruwalith," Gururaja says.

"I'll order the billibada skewer with vegan yogurt and tomato," Maamuashi says.

"I'll take the aanaba-e-meka omelette with habenero," Baahubala says.

The waiter notes down the orders and then asks, "What would the Austeren delegation like to order?"

[Austerain]

"That is odd," Versace arches an eyebrow, "The Valian bottlenose whales are found off the coast of the island province of Springvale in southern Austerain maritime borders, and they migrate up the western border to the northwestern Hirematian martime borders toward Avaerilon. It seems we'll have to crack down on fishing at certain times in the west to help prevent hunting of those whales."

The Austerens gasp slightly at what Mechhai says until they realize he's joking, and laugh with him. When it's time to order, Versace tells the waiter, "We'll have the Premier Minister's recommendation, or the recommendation of the chef."

[Hirematia]

"Ceunawaana is a raw tuna dish served with fish broth, chili paste, and green chili. Muruwalith is a creamy cheese made from cow, sheep, and goat milk. okra melogara is a curry made from okra, tomatoes, spinach, tomato broth, and assorted spices. Billibada is eggplant, aanaba is mushroom, and meka is goat."

"I would recommend the ceunawaana, billibada skewer, and lamb shank," the waiter says. "Depending on how hungry you are. And none of the dishes have peanuts."

"If you want the billibada skewer, it normally comes with regular yogurt. Maamuashi is going vegan temporarily, so she ordered it with vegan yogurt," Mechhai says.

Maamuashi nods, and opens a program similar to Skype on her computer. "It's a secure video chat app specially made for our governmental use," she explains. "It's much more obscure and harder to hack into." She calls Jegatishwanatha Taankatawa, Chief of the Hirematian Port Authority.

[Austerain]

"We'll have your recommendation, that sounds excellent," Versace smiles to the waiter, "Thank you."

General Brockwell says, "We have a similar program in Austerain between the Departments and the President. There was one program we had years ago that was hacked into and surveilled by a group of freelance hackers, or black hats if you will. The cyber division worked for months to create a new program that was secure enough to avoid intrusion. It's good to see other governments using this technology."

[Hirematia]

"There was a similar incident in the last administration," Baahubala comments. "But private details were leaked as well. Let's just say that the information that was leaked led to the previous Premier Minister's divorce. It also set back the fight against piracy by our military, as it revealed troop locations to the public. For the record, I'm talking about real-world piracy, not digital piracy."

A beep sounds from Maamuashi's computer. Taankatawa greets everyone with a warm hello, which is received equally warmly. He then says, "Nice to meet you Mrs. Versace. Can you introduce me to your cabinet?.

[Austerain]

Versace smiles, "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Mr. Taankatawa. This is Secretary Joshua Daniels from our Department of Urban and Rural Development and this is Secretary Stephanie Taylor from our Department of Transportation. The gentleman sitting between them is General Brockwell of the Austeren Army. How do you do?"