“Now now, we don’t exactly like CoUS, but so far they haven’t posed a threat to us. I wouldn’t mind knocking them down a peg, but I don’t want us getting dragged into a war. This seems more like a defense pact for you. The question isn’t what can we do for you, per se, but what can you do for us.”
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“. . . Didn’t we just break into your top secret bunker that doesn’t have coffee? Like, look at them, they look starved of sleep! But… I see your point. If you need information on people, things, items, ship locations… My Rift Walker friends are really good at finding data that can help you find things? If we need to help others. And if you get into a fight, guess who can help with production of weapons and other items of interest. Maybe a few extra brightspace drives… Is that what it’s called? IFTL? Y’know what I’m talking about, right?”
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“Ah, I see… we can handle our own production, thank you. But data… that would prove invaluable, especially if we’re thinking of expanding this… friendship. Speak to your government, I’ll see if I can’t handle things on my end.”
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“Yeah I can talk to… Actually. I’m not dealing with Nexus Territory bureaucrats, I’m gonna go ask friends at the Senate for this. It was nice to meet you, friend. I’ll see you around!”
Sadie stands up, and walks through the portal, waving to everybody before departing
“We are so sorry about her.”
The other Rift Walkers leave, but the portal stays
Two Stardate Later…
Sadie and Lisa Cicero sit in a Nexus Cafe
“Can we… Y’know… Accept that?”
“Yeah, I don’t see why not.”
“Can I have that written down?”
“Sure?”
“Can you come with us as a governmental representative?”
“Why don’t you get a Nexus Representative for this?”
“No. Just no.”
“Fair enough. Let’s go.”
“Okay! Let’s go.”
“How did you get Lisa of all people to be a diplomatic representative?”
“Bribery?”
“SADIE!”
“What?”
“YOU CANT BRIBE SECURITY TO LET YOU TALK TO PEOPLE, WE’VE BEEN OVER THIS.”
“But it worked?”
“Fair enough.”
Sadie, Laurence and Lisa begin walking back to the portal
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“Scytheros, do you hate me?” Scytheros was clearly taken aback. Ishani always seemed to have that affect on him. Anyone else, and they bet he wouldn’t even blink.
“I don’t hate you, Ishani, you’re my sibling. It’s my job to protect you.”
“But do you like protecting me?” Scytheros shook his head.
“Ishani, is there something bothering you?”
“No, no, I just wanted to know.” Ishani didn’t know what they were thinking even bringing it up. Scytheros looked concerned, but let the subject drop. The doors opened, delivering them to the bunker.
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Sadie, Laurence and Lisa arrive at the portal
“Hey Laz, hey Cayden. Anything pop through?”
“Nothing, not even a coffee.”
“That’s okay! We aren’t close friends yet.”
“Well, best get moving, they are waiting.”
“No time like the present.”
“Who’s… Gonna tell her?”
“Not now, Sadie.”
“Aww, alright, anyways, datastar coming out!”
Sadie excitedly enters first, followed by the rest, each throwing a new datastar
“You couldn’t get her to leave?”
“She insisted.”
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Scytheros and Ishani walked into the server room, now fitted with a table and chairs.
“You’re going to be fine, Ishani. I can do most of the talking.”
“Then what’s the point of bringing me along?”
“You have to start somewhere. If that means observing today and acting tomorrow, then that’s what you’ll do. You’ll be 25 in three months, and you’ll be elevated to the position of Lord in a handful more. I want you to ready.”
“For what?” Scytheros declined to answer. Ishani readied themself for their alien guests.
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“Hello friends! It’s been a split second, but we’re back! And here’s our other friend-”
“That’s quite alright, honey. Why don’t you take a seat, and I can do the talking, like you asked me to do?”
Lisa attempts to pat Sadie, but misses due to her being incorporeal
“Alrighty, if you insist!”
“Thanks, sweetie.”
“Anyways, I’m Lisa Cicero, President Pro Tempore. Representative on behalf of the Scientific Directorate of Rosecordia, and have authority to make deals on her behalf. It’s an absolute honor to meet you.”
Lisa bows her head, before sitting down
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“Greetings. My name is Scytheros, Lord of the Human Fragment, eldest child of High Lord Araknis, and heir to the crown. This is my youngest sibling, Ishani. Together, we have been granted authorization to represent the Colonus Pact and it’s territories durring this discussion.” Scytheros paused. “Now, with all those formalities out of the way, let me say that it’s an honor to meet you as well.” Ishani and Scytheros sat down and looked at the Rosecordi. Ishani took a deep breath.
"So, first things first; the ship. We’d like any survivors, as well as the bodies of the dead, to be returned to us, although we understand if that’s impossible. Furthermore… furthermore, Colonus will not protest your possession and production of any captured technology, but we will not help you with reverse-engineer or further advance it. This should be pretty self-explanatory, but both parties of this negotiation are to stop spying on each other should and alliance arise. Alright, that should be the basics. Is there anything you’d like to add before we move forward, President Cicero?
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“Well… Hmm. I’ll see what I can do about the bodies, but given SDR Scientists tendencies to open up foreign bodies like opening up an MRE… I’m unsure if the bodies are intact. But as for us, there isn’t much to know, and I understand that you don’t want to advance the tech. However, my friends behind us, their job is to archive data from the sector. They take it and store it, should an event that would destroy the sector befall all of us, since the Nexus is fairly safe. We’ve done this to many different star nations, and it’s no different to you. Now usually, they don’t poke holes into reality, but this time it was slightly different. We would be willing to share this space with you. Is this still conflictable?”
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Ishani and Scytheros looked at each other. Already, they had hit a bit of a standstill. Scytheros once again began to speak.
“I can’t say I understand the desire to archive all of this data, but I’m convinced that we can’t expect to stop you, either. Very well, I’ll talk to Araknis and see if we can’t both be happy. Be advised though, the best you’re going to get is archiving with oversight. We already have Hexadecimal, and I’m sure our scientists could find a way to make something work.”
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“Hexadecimal? The numbering system?”
“No, it’s not that Hexadecimal. We’d be willing to work with oversight. Right Sadie?”
“Kelsie would refuse, but she’s been on settlement defense, so… No, no issues. Also I hope you like walking! Especially since you are… Human? We walk alot! It doesn’t hurt for us, might for you.”
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“One way or another, I don’t expect to run into any problems…” As Scytheros was lost in thought, Ishani began to speak again.
“Now, it’s my understand that CoUS was brought up as a reason for this alliance. We’d surely have better chances fending off CoUS if we work together, but how could two Star Nations hold off such a large alliance?”
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Lisa was about to start speaking, only to be interjected by Sadie
“Asymmetrical Warfare! You can’t beat such a large force, at once. So essentially… Jump in, jump out. Deal enough damage, don’t get damage done to you. Hit and run in space! It’s amazing! You can deploy forces via the Nexus, sabotage key items, get out. Remember, attackers need a three to one advantage to succeed, usually. Attritional warfare is a best friend. By the way, ever heard of Kessler Syndrome? According to a TFS Source, they were nearly hit from invisible projectiles, which was later confirmed to be “Miral Space.” another form of IFTL. Using Kessler Syndrome, you can destroy these Miral Space launched projectiles. Any questions?”
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“Yes, actually. If you have this ability to steal valuable information from CoUS, why did you still lose the war?”
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“Huh? We didn’t lose the war, the TFS did. And they got their teeth kicked in because they fell for the oldest trick in the book! Insider revolt. And that’s us, in case you’re wondering.”
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“Ah, please forgive me for the confusion. My father has implimented a spy policy I can only describe as nostalgia. If we had acess to our more modern spy ships, we may have known enough to not confuse you with your… would I be correct in saying predecessor state?”
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“Technically yes.”
“Well… Anyways. What’s our plan now? What else do you guys need from us?”
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“Unless you have some more proposals to put forward, this should be it for now. I see no need to rush relations between our star nations.”
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“I’ll leave this gate open, for communication. You can probably walk through, I’ll be building stuff for an embassy or something. See you guys later.”
“It’s nice to meet you, I’ll also be leaving, hopefully, we can get documents signed soon.”
The Serniani leave
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