Ishani shook their head. “Really, just like that they’re gone?”
“Remember, we need to take things slow. There’s no point in negotiations when the foundation won’t hold true. The problem for us is not time, but figuring out how to best spend it.” Scytheros put a hand of Ishani’s shoulder. “You’ll figure it out eventually.”
Ishani nodded and looked back at the portal. “I guess while they’re back in their space, we might as well try fufilling our side of the bargain. It’s time to talk to dad.”
Scytheros sighed and signaled to the guards to secure the room. He and Ishani walked back to the elevator to begin the long journey up. “This ought to be fun.”
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“Well, time to get moving. I’ll report progress to the Senate, though it’ll take a bit to go anywhere. Handle events slowly. Also, get decontam on the sites. Seriously. Don’t want a viral infection of any kind.”
“Well, let’s hope it all goes according to plan.”
“Yeah, time to make a house in the middle of jack nowhere, and plant some beacons, like what Kelsie did with the Galactyi Settlement.”
“Don’t plan on buying food from them again, it was odd tasting and… Hot.”
“Spice. Supposedly makes food taste better.”
“See you later. I’ll contact you when progress is made.”
“See ya!”
Rose Senatorium, Stardate 09-98-137
Lisa groaned. It’s been six months since talking to Syctheros, and fighting was going directly down party lines. She patiently waited for the response she was hoping for. As the arguing subsides, she waits for the result. She returns to the Nexus, and heads back to beacon.
Technical Research Outpost, Outskirts of Cascade-23A
The glossy surface of Cascade-23A shimmers as the outpost received more parts, the first of several prototype vessels. Scientists and Engineers huddled about, studying blueprints and classification of these vessels. They eventually began construction of the first vessel, RNDFV Constellation of Purpose.
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Ishani took a deep breath. They knew they could do this. They’d spent tears studying diplocacy before hand, and Scytheros himself had redied them as much as possible. Still, Ishani felt the lingering doubt of inexperience. Gingerly, they inched their way into the portal.
Colonus Pact, Araknis
Araknis Keep
“I never would have expected this from you, Scytheros. Such blatant disregard for the chain of command-”
“Is unbecoming of me, yes, I know. I simply couldn’t allow you to ruin this.”
“You had no right!”
“I had every right! As your eldest child, heir to the throne, with the full backing of the Royal Senate in these matters, my voice should mean something to you!” Scytheros paused, looking out the window. “But it doesn’t.”
“You’ve always taken everything personally.” Scytheros whipped around with a burning rage.
“I took your disloyalty personally. When my beloved mother died, were you there at her deathbed? Or were you already off, seeking new offspring? And of course there was the coverup! Ishani, the last child of Araknis and Xelsien! Preferred heir to the throne!”
“Is that what this is about? Power? Greed?”
“No. This is about our people. I’m tired of monarchs and emperors choosing themselves over their people. Ishani’s not ready, not yet. They need far more time than you can give them. We need this alliance if we ever hope to stand against our neighbors. I knew you’d never listen to me. That’s why I needed Ishani.” Araknis grumbled.
“Fine, you’ll get your alliance. You’ll get your crown. But you need to swear to me that you’ll protect that child, with your life if necessary.” Arkanis reached out his arm. Scytheros took it.
“I’ll keep Ishani safe.” Araknis nodded and reached into his desk. His hand reappeared clutching a knife.
“Good. Now, what’s a promise if you’re not willing to spill your own blood for it?”
“Nothing but a lie.”
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–Intrusion–
Databolt Overridden
Disabling…
Sadie looked back towards the portal to see Ishani
“Hey, fancy seeing you 'round here. Need something? By the way, how does this place look so far?”
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Ishani looked around.
“Uh, it looks fine I guess, I’m not really an expert on alien design. Is that a coffee machine?”
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“Can you drink… Coffee? Or do you like tea?”
Sadie motions around the machine, changing it
“Pretty cool, huh?”
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“Uh, I don’t drink human… drinks.” Ishani took another minute to look around.
“So, how are things going on your end?”
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“Well… What do you drink?”
Sadie motions around the machine, changing it back to a coffee machine
“How am I supposed to know? I said im building here, you go ask-”
Sadie looks at Ishani, before looking away
“Actually, you stay here.”
Sadie clicks a pager
“Sigil Forty Five, Sigil Thirty Two. I need a check on progress.”
“Nothing, Sigil Forty Five.”
“Sigil Forty Five, Sigil Thirty Two, thanks. Over and out.”
“Sigil Thirty Two, Sigil Forty Five, over and out.”
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“That doesn’t sound good. I’d hate for this to die before it even starts.”
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“Well… Yeah we won’t get very far, being the current storm in the area, the beacon got lost in transit, and if I recall… You look the way you do… No offense, but anybody sees you, a Databolt will hit you faster than it hit that weird demon from earlier.”
Ring… Ring…
“Sigil Forty Five.”
“Forty Five, Lisa’s sending someone on her behalf. Designated Wayfarer Six Five. Should be nearby.”
“They walked?!?”
“The weather went away. You’ve been there 180 days.”
“Oh, right… See you soon. Over and out.”
“See you soon. Over and out.”
Sadie looks back at Ishani
“Cool, a friend should be here soon. I don’t know when they should get here, soooooo.”
Sadie plops down and forms a rubix cube again, looking out the window
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Ishani was taken aback. It wasn’t often that someone insulted royalty with such brazeness, especially when it came to appearance. They tried to chalk it down to cultural differences and clicked their mandables in annoyance. Anger wouldn’t solve anything.
“Things should be smooth on our end. Between my brother and the senate, there should be enough pressure on my father to force his hand in this matter.”
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Sadie looks over at Ishani, and tilts her head slightly
“Why the weird look?”
Sadie looks back down at her cube, before looking back at Ishani
“So your dad… Didn’t know? If he didn’t know, why’d you… He sent the spy ship… So if he knew, he wouldn’t be happy. Am I correct? Was I at least close?”
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“It’s… complicated. He knew all right, but none of this has played out how he imagined it would. When you live as long as he has, it become very easy to get lost in that past and forget that you’re living in the future. Scytheros knows how to handle him though, so we’ll be fine.”
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“So your dad is just old? I mean, fair enough… My dad enlisted me in a part time planetary defense force, which transitioned me to the 300th Sci Ex Corps, which landed me here… Forever… I think. Nobody knows, nobody has lived long enough to find out. Pretty neat. Also, I can do this…”
Sadie searches for something resembling a drive, before taking it out and raising it into the air, before data swirls around it and enters the drive
“And here you go… Should be something interesting. Don’t open it near the portal.”
Sadie tosses it to Ishani, before looking outside to see someone walking towards the small building.
“And that… Should be Wayfarer Six Five.”
Sadie dissipates the rubix cube and stands up, before walking out to greet the Wayfarer.
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Ishani looked at the drive. This alien sure had their quirks. At least the arrival of a wayfarer, whoever that was, suggested some developments.
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Sadie looks back at Ishani, before looking analytically at Wayfarer
“So… You are…”
“Tullia Cicero. Lisa’s Daughter. She sent me here with documentation…”
“Wait, your mom sent you?”
“Yeah…?”
“Oh, interesting. Anyways, let’s take a seat and discuss.”
“Can I atleast take a shower beforehand?”
Sadie points to another part of the embassy
“Well… We’ll be waiting.”
Tullia comes out of the dressing room wearing Class B Formals, and sits down at a table
“So, here’s the document. I assume you want to look at it before you take it back to your… Brother?'”
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“Yes, Scytheros is my eldest brother, and something of a legend among certain communities. So, this documentation is from your legislators?”
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“It is…”
Tullia sighs, and sits up straighter
“Truth be told, my mother is forcing me to take a diplomatic posting here. She says it’ll build… Character. So, with that out of the way, this documentation gives us, party A & B, which for our purposes will be A, The Colonus Pact, and B, The Scientific Directorate of Rosecordia. Stop me if I become too confusing.”
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“I don’t think you’ll need to stop, the children of Lords have a carefully prepared education, including lessons in diplomacy and legislating. It’s just somewhat refreshing to see a product of legislators actually having enforceable power. The Royal Senate’s power has always been in military pressure rather than constitutional authority.”
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“The Rose Senate usually handles the allocation of materials. But, I guess it’s alright. So, both parties agree to a defense pact that only involves defense. In other words, any offensive actions, whether it be a military operation, war, and other words that could describe military action that does not involve the defense of your own territory. Party B will not be allowed to use the Rose Nexus to conduct any operations in the territory of Party A. Party A is allowed to bring in inspectors, which will be stationed here, in Party A’s Embassy Building.”
Tullia clears her throat before continuing
“On Security of the Nexus. Party A shall not in any circumstances, attempt to access the Nexus, or research technologies that could lead to access thereof. Party B will provide any additional technologies contained in the research and reverse engineering of any technology acquired. Party B will also return the bodies of the vessel that impeded upon Rosecordi territory. This making sense?”
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