Trouble in the Batavian Confederation?
ZIJINCHENG/ZEEBURG (e.e.r.s.t.) – The long
standing rumours that there is a row between the Grand Duchy of Southbatavia
and the Free State of Zeeburg, the constituent nations of the Batavian
Confederation (Bataafse Bond), have now been confirmed, as the state-influenced
gutter press have reported that Southbatavia will no longer share its military
secrets (or state secrets in general, as this reporter has heard a Jingdese
colleague say) with Zeeburg. At the source of these tensions lies the fact that
Luc van de Bakoven, a ‘relative’ of Zeeburg’s bailiff Luc van den Braende, has
joined the Flemish cabinet as Minister of Culture, Sports and Education.
Although there recently has been a normalisation, it is no secret that the
relationship between Flanders and Southbatavia has often been strained.
The Batavian Confederation, whereby the leader
of the Southbatavian regime promises to protect Zeeburg in exchange for a
yearly tribute, emerged in the aftermath of the dissolution of ‘Greater Batavia’
last year. Some now question the long term viability of this unnatural alliance
between the violent autocracy on Western Cibola and the brave little merchant
republic. These countries are very different indeed – not only geographically,
but most importantly politically and culturally. They don’t even share a same language, as some may mistakenly believe. Indeed, what does the Free State of
Zeeburg have to gain in an alliance with a partner that doesn’t want to share
information that is vital to the island’s security, but still wants a revenue
from it and demands that Zeeburg’s foreign policy conforms to that of
Southbatavia?
Finally, should any Southbatavian read this, it
may of interest to them to know that not only Zeeburg’s leader has ties to Flanders. A ‘relative’ of their
Heavenly Light is also a Flemish MP, a position that implies the defense of the
interests of the Flemish nation. Can that person, ‘radiating’ in the Imperial
Palace of Zijincheng, still be trusted?