The next day, we were at the negotiaton table again.
"...and the Republic, after carefully considering the options, have decided to proceed with the Federation's guidance." Nuan completed summarizing our ideas.
"We are pleased to hear that you actually decided to continue with us." the Federation side replied. "Since you have made your decision, I think we can talk about the draft and modify it according to the needs of the parties."
"A point of concern on our side." the Alliance delegation interrupted. "The Republic had promised to hand over some territory in return for our declaration of war against the Federation. We will not let this issue go unnoticed."
"Is this true, Ms. Nuan?" a Federation diplomat asked.
"...Yes, it is." Nuan replied.
While all of this was happening, I was just sitting there and listening most of the time; making use of Nuan's superior diplomacy skills.
"However..." Nuan continued. "We have lost the war, and as a result, those territories no longer belong to an independent People's Republic of Mars. We are a Federation member, and if you are still claiming those territories, you will have to discuss it with the whole Federation."
The Alliance side couldn't respond.
"Opportunists..." I silently murmured. "Nice save, Nuan."
Hearing this, she smiled a little bit.
"As the Republic side already mentioned, we will have to hold another set of talks for territorial claims." the Federation delegation said. "Now, I think we can start with the technical details..."
I interrupted this time.
"There is one more thing I wish to add. The full name 'Atlantic-Pacific Federation' does not fully represent the true expansion of the union, neither does the flag. I am suggesting that the Federation changes it's official full name and flag as the Republic joins in." I said.
Nuan looked at me, trying to imply something; but I couldn't quite get her message.
"Your... reasons are pretty valid, and the suggestion is acceptable. Furthermore, I agree that a change is required." a Federation delegate said. "We can discuss a name and flag change right here, but it will have to be discussed and approved by the entire Federation before it becomes official."
"Understood." I answered.
"Now, the technical parts... Perhaps most importantly, we will integrate the Republic into the Federation's internal free-trade system. For the military assets, a certain percentage of the military industries and the naval forces will be a part of the Federal Navy. Apart from that, the Republic will be allowed to produce as many military assets and train as many personnel as required..."
Nuan and I nodded as we listened.
"...the communication and intelligence services will be interlinked with other Federation countries. Those facilities will be required to house at least 50% of the personnel from other Federation countries."
"Acceptable." said Nuan.
"About military operations... No Federation country can start an offensive war without a voting session, and this will remain as it is with the Republic's entry. However, in a defensive war, no matter which Federation country or countries are targeted, all Federation nations must declare war on the common enemy." Federation delegation kept talking. "If that is also agreed on..."
The discussion about technical details lasted almost the entire day.
- - - - -
"...so, this final draft includes everything we have agreed on." Nuan said.
"We confirm." Federation delegation said.
Nuan turned to me.
"This is the big moment." she said. "We sign this, and we are a Federation country."
I looked into her eyes. She was looking really happy.
"I hope we are not making a mistake, Nuan." I said.
"Come on, it was your idea to begin with." she said.
I silently signed the treaty. She did the same. The Federation delegation followed, and everyone stood up.
"Congratulations, Interim President Kagan." the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada was the first one to congratulate us. We shook hands afterwards. Many other diplomats did the same.
"Congratulations on being a part of the Solar Federation."
"Cheer for the Republic of Mars!"
As Nuan and I prepared to leave spaceship Equinox, a Federation diplomat stopped us.
"Mr. President, the Federation will send the material aid to help you rebuild planet Mars as soon as possible. Once we do, we will also put an end to that civil war." he said.
"Thank you for the help. The Martians are thankful for all the help you provide." I replied.
Since the Republic was now a Federation member, we could bring our ships closer to other Federation ships with no hostility in between. Republic warships Lodos and Persephone has been informed of the treaty, and were now waiting near the spaceship Equinox. Nuan and I boarded a shuttle and started flying to Lodos, which was still under command of Mei.
"Okay, so why did you make me the interim president?" I asked Nuan.
"We would need someone with legitimate power to approve the treaty. The title of president works the best." she said.
"I know... but as the political figure here, why didn't we make you the interim president?" I asked.
"I think you deserve it more, as a hero of the Republic. The only thing I did was... just talking a lot." she said.
After a short flight, we entered the hangar bay of Lodos.
- - - - -
As soon as I stepped back into the bridge of my ship, everyone started cheering.
"You did it, Admiral!" Aziz shouted.
"Congratulations!" Karl said.
I suddenly felt a warmness on my chest. Mei was hugging me tightly.
"You made it!" she said, but then qucikly got away from me. "Who is she?" she asked, pointing at Nuan. Nuan herself was a bit confused.
"She was our ambasador to the Alliance, and later the Federation." I explained. "Nuan Qing. Lodos will be giving her a lift back to Mars."
Mei curiosuly looked at her, making Nuan a bit uncomfortable.
"H-hello!" Nuan hesitantly said.
"Do you know each other?" Mei asked me instead of answering Nuan.
"Uh..." I looked at Nuan. She looked away. "Sort of, I guess?"
"Well, Admiral..." Mei wanted to say something, but I stopped her.
"About that 'admiral' thing..." I said. "There was a change of plans. Ms. Mei, you have been promoted to the rank of admiral. I am assigning you to the command of this fleet."
"Hold on, who are you to promote someone to the rank of admiral?" she asked.
"I am the interim president of the Republic of Mars for the time being." I said. "Admiral Mei, a Federation fleet will meet us in a few hours, and together, you will get the fleet back to planet Mars."
"Whoah, whoah, whoah!" Mei said and moved a few steps away. Not only her but the whole bridge crew was in shock.
"We are going to remove the former grand admiral from his dictatorship seat and put an end to that civil war." I said. "Objections?"
"What happened to the 'PEOPLE'S Republic of Mars?" Karl asked. "This is betrayal!"
"There is a self-declared dictator named Rashid al-Merihi sitting in the president's office. The government no longer exists. We are starting off again, from scratch." I said. "Once we get everything back in order, we will hold elections to choose a new president and create a government."
"So you can say that this is actually the exact opposite of betrayal." Nuan added.
"So, it is..." said Mei. "LC/M Lodos and her fleet's allegiance is to the Solar Federation, the new Republic of Mars, and it's interim president."