Chapter 432: Temporary Recovery Administration Charter 2

Aurelian saw no reason to reject the request, but Valeris was an independent community, and its council had a say in the decision.

He asked the representatives to arrange a separate discussion about the cooperative’s status before giving Rhoswen another instruction.

"Forward the archive to Orison and the Veyr legal team," he said, checking that the files were complete. "But don’t present it as a verdict. Tell Orison we’ve received additional historical records and want to hear their response."

"Understood," Rhoswen replied with a nod. "I’ll make sure they receive the original files too."

After the meeting, Aurelian returned to the tactical map and went over what they had learned.

The new information changed the negotiations, but it didn’t settle anything yet. Orison might have later documents that expanded its recovery rights, while the cooperative’s archive could be missing important records.

Even if the temporary charter was genuine, someone still needed to establish which wreck fields it covered and whether those rights remained valid under current law.

Still, the visitors had given them something useful.

Aurelian contacted Cassian again and forwarded the records. His father spent several minutes reading the summary before looking up.

"That is interesting," Cassian said, returning to the first page.

"Very," Aurelian agreed. "It could change how we handle the recovery zones."

"Have you sent it to the Veyrs?"

"Yes. Rhoswen is forwarding the original archive as well."

"Then wait for their assessment before including it in a formal proposal," Cassian advised. "You don’t want to build an agreement around a document that turns out to be incomplete."

Aurelian nodded. "I also want Orison’s response before we decide anything."

"Good. If their authority comes from being the lawful continuation of the old recovery administration, then their founding documents should matter to them."

"Unless they’ve spent centuries interpreting those documents differently," Aurelian replied, looking toward the disputed areas on the map.

Cassian gave a small nod. "Then you’ll need to find out exactly where the disagreement begins."

That was the difficult part.

Aurelian couldn’t simply announce that the cooperative was right and Orison was wrong.

Both sides had records to examine, and Valeris had to approve any agreement affecting its shipping routes.

Even a genuine historical claim wouldn’t automatically justify everything Orison had done.

He was beginning to see a possible settlement, though.

Orison could receive recognition for recovery sites it could legally claim, while Valeris would have protected civilian shipping corridors.

Disputed wreck fields could be reviewed independently, and Kestrel could pursue compensation for its losses.

They would also need clear rules preventing Orison from forcibly relocating another settlement.

None of that would solve every disagreement between the communities, but it might prevent the current dispute from becoming a war.

After the call ended, Aurelian summoned Astra, Eirenne, and Neris for a short planning meeting.

He also invited Seraphiel and Talyra, since both had equipment that could help monitor shipping routes without assigning a large warship to every civilian transport.

Once everyone had joined, he opened the Valeris map and highlighted two possible corridors.

"We may have a way to settle the boundary dispute," Aurelian explained, "but I want to know whether we can monitor these routes without committing half our fleet."

Seraphiel leaned forward to examine the display. "Two corridors?"

"Yes. One serving the mining settlements and another connecting the fuel operations to the main shipping route."

"How much traffic are we expecting?"

Eirenne brought up the latest figures. The routes weren’t especially busy compared with the Crownward March’s main trade lanes, but Valeris depended on them for mining equipment, fuel shipments, and regular civilian transport.

Closing either one for too long would cause problems for several settlements.

Seraphiel studied the distances, then shook her head.

"A permanent patrol presence would be expensive. We’d need ships covering both ends, with others moving between them."

"And we don’t have that many ships to spare," Neris added, checking the current deployment list. "Not while we’re still repairing the sanctuary and reinforcing the other routes."

Talyra examined the map for a moment before pointing toward several locations along the outer corridor.

"Then don’t patrol every section continuously. Put passive observation platforms near the approaches and use mobile scouts whenever something unusual appears. We can watch the traffic without following every transport."

Eirenne ran a quick comparison using the proposed positions.

"That would provide reasonable coverage without requiring a full escort group. We’d still have gaps, but the scouts could investigate anything suspicious."

Aurelian turned toward Seraphiel. "Can your coordination network handle the information remotely?"

"Once the relays are established, yes," she answered. "My frigate doesn’t need to be physically present at every location. I can coordinate the platforms from elsewhere as long as the connections remain stable."

"How many would we need?"

Talyra began calculating the distances and overlapping sensor ranges. After adjusting two positions, she brought up her estimate.

"Six platforms for the main corridors, with another two held in reserve. That should give us enough coverage without making the whole system too expensive."

Neris checked the equipment list and nodded. "We can supply those without delaying the current repairs. The reserve units might take a little longer, but that shouldn’t affect the initial deployment."

"Good. Prepare the plan," Aurelian said. "But don’t deploy anything until Valeris approves it and Orison accepts the monitoring arrangement."

Talyra glanced up from the map. "Even the platforms outside their claimed zones?"

"Even those. I don’t want anyone thinking we’re using this dispute as an excuse to establish permanent military control over their shipping routes."

Seraphiel nodded in understanding.

That distinction mattered. Crownward could offer equipment, technical support, and security assistance, but Valeris was not its territory.

Aurelian had no intention of quietly turning an independent region into another patrol zone simply because its council had asked for help.

The meeting ended with Eirenne and Talyra preparing the sensor plan while Neris checked which equipment could be released from storage.

Aurelian was about to return to the charter reports when another message arrived from Rhoswen.

Orison had responded to the archive.

He opened the channel immediately.

"What did they say?"

Rhoswen appeared on the display with an unusually serious expression. "They acknowledge that the emergency charter is genuine."

Aurelian sat straighter. "That’s useful. At least we don’t have to argue about whether the document is real."

"Yes, but they also claim the cooperative’s copy is missing an amendment."

His expression changed. "What amendment?"

"They haven’t sent it yet. Their representative says it was issued thirty-one years after the original charter."

Aurelian frowned and reopened the historical timeline. "Does it expand their recovery zones?"

"That’s what they’re claiming."

"Ask for the complete document, including the signatures and registration records. We need to know who approved it and whether it was properly recorded."

"Already did," Rhoswen replied, looking pleased with herself.

"Good."

She hesitated for a moment, which caught his attention.

"There’s something else."

"What is it?"

"Orison wants to send a delegation to Valeris," she explained. "Not another anonymous voice over a communication channel. They want actual representatives to attend a formal meeting."

Aurelian looked toward the map.

That was new.

Until now, most of their dealings with Orison had involved remote communications, military warnings, and arguments over old recovery rights.

Sending representatives in person suggested its government was willing to discuss the dispute through something more than demands.

It didn’t guarantee an agreement, but it was a useful change.

"Has the Valeris council agreed?" he asked.

"They’re discussing it now. Some representatives want the meeting, but others are worried about security."

"Then let them decide. If they approve, Crownward can provide security for the meeting, but the invitation needs to come from Valeris."

Rhoswen’s serious expression slowly turned into a smile.

"Does that mean I get to meet them?"

Aurelian glanced at her. "You’re already there."

"I meant in person."

"Yes, Rhoswen. If the council agrees, you can attend."

"Good."

Aurelian could almost hear her planning what she wanted to say.

"Be polite."

Her smile disappeared immediately.

"I am polite."

Aurelian said nothing and simply looked at her.

Rhoswen held his gaze for a few seconds, then sighed.

"Fine. I’ll behave."

"Thank you."

The channel closed, leaving Aurelian alone with the recovery map again.

A few weeks earlier, Orison had been an unknown military threat operating nearly forty armed ships and attacking civilian traffic.

Now its government was preparing to send representatives into Valeris for a formal meeting.

That was progress, even if the situation remained far from settled.

The next stage would be more complicated than exchanging cargo for prisoners. There were historical claims to examine, competing records to compare, shipping rights to negotiate, and compensation demands that couldn’t simply be ignored.

Several independent communities also wanted their interests recognized, which meant any agreement would need more than Orison and Crownward signing a document between themselves.

Aurelian could already imagine Astercourt’s reaction when he forwarded the latest paperwork.

He sent it anyway, attaching the archive, Orison’s response, the proposed sensor arrangement, and the request for a formal delegation.

Less than a minute later, a message appeared on his display.

I will need a larger office.

Aurelian smiled.

That was probably true.