The Calm Before the Storm

In 1045, the various treaties signed between the Republic of Marezia and the United Kingdom of Caledonia expired.

The last to expire was the Arms Limitation Treaty.

It was a fifteen-year treaty between the League of Nations’ member states and seven other countries.

The treaty’s original purpose had been 'Colonial rivalry is all well and good, but let’s not go to war with one another.'

Accordingly, it barred the signatories from maintaining an army above a certain size on their home territory during peacetime.

As the treaty’s expiration date approached, delegations from the two countries sat down at the negotiating table.

The Marezian ambassador gave a terse reply to the Caledonian foreign minister’s customary request to extend the treaty.

"Our Republic will no longer be bound by the outdated international order."

"Is that your country’s final position?"

"It is."...