The idea that Hireshmont didn't propose a treaty is just silly.
But, oddly enough, that's exactly how I read it. The language used in the "terms" was completely unlike anything I've ever seen from a treaty, and completely unlike the treaty that Asylon and Terran had just signed. Plus I expected a much longer process. The fact that Hireshmont would have come out of proposed a complete treaty in a first message just seemed ... wrong.
If he had written up a formal document that said the same thing, he'd be lambasted as not giving Astrum a chance to contribute to it as well.
And besides: it's not like Brance ever proposed anything.
Brance hasn't ever gotten to the point of actual negotiations on the treaty. And now he probably won't. "You're lying. Now sign this treaty!" isn't something he is likely to respond to favorably.
We pick based on what is politically convenient.
Of course we do.
