C33 Diplomatic Aftermath
Diplomatic Aftermath.
During the 5th day of Anthony’s training…
“ So, Ludwig is sure that Anthony is pre collapse ? “ Marianna asked Aria, sitting in her private chamber, located within the Queen’s palace on Eden. Which was in fact more a large Manor located just outside Eden’s capitol city, Cole’s Landing.
It was named, as it suggested, after the fact that Jonathan Cole had landed the NH 01 in this area, after Marianna had sufficiently Terraformed this world for their joined habitation. And he was not very happy about it back then, but it was chosen by the then still small population.
“ Yes. Everything said seems to point to that fact. Earth then was still split into many nations. After the collapse, only four nations arose. “ Aria responded.
Marianna would lean back onto her bed. For her, and Eden, this would probably make no difference. He was a human, a Psyker, and had the protection of a new First, even if she was still asleep.
But still suspicious that the First may be involved, there must have been more. Was it his Ability ? Or was there something else still, something she could not see yet ?
“ He also reports that Anthony seems to grow increasingly irritated with him. He keeps himself in check, but it seems to be getting harder. “ Aria spoke through the comms unit.
“ That does not say anything yet, other then that he finds Ludwig annoying, I would tend to agree with him on that. “ Marianna countered, herself not very fond of Ludwig’s character.
“ It would still coincide with Thomas’s observations. He does not get along with others longterm, unless he has some form of control over the situation, a more dominant position over others he interacts with. “ Aria noted.
“ Promising. “ Marianna said in sarcasm.
“ Marianna, I just detected a Terran vessel entering Merag. “ Aria then announced, causing Marianna to quickly sit up.
“ Just one ? “ She asked alarmed, already moving to leave her chambers, expecting the worst.
“ Yes, it is sending out a request for Diplomatic talks. One Moment. “ Aria responded, leaving Marianna to stop in her step.
“ Talks ? “ She wondered, having expected the Terran’s to try a large offensive.
Whoever created that slaughter in Vigal, might just have scared them enough that they consider war with Eden unprofitable ? Maybe ? That may not be all that bad for Eden, an uneasy peace would still be better then the current situation.
“ This is Commander Petrov of the Envoy TMS Warden. We are unarmed, and desire to engage in talks for a ceasefire. Please Respond. “ Aria replayed the communication the ship was sending out.
“ How are we going to respond ? “ Aria would then request from Marianna as this was a decision she dared not make herself.
“ Any sign that this is a trick ? “ Marianna asked.
“ I am scanning Ten lifesigns aboard their vessel. No weapons, and no defensive measures either. There may at most be explosives aboard, but the likelihood seems slim at best. “ Aria assured.
Marianna’s mind was racing at that, running through scenario’s how to make the best of this situation. The ceasefire offer was something they would definitely use to their advantage.
But how to engage in talks with them was the question. She would need Thomas, to assure the validity of their words, and when they were genuine in their intend, show the same sincerity.
“ Contact them, guide them through the Catapult, and have them dock to Haven Station. And inform Thomas, I will need him there. “ Marianna instructed.
“ Thomas is already informed, I assumed as much, and he seems to know Petrov. “Aria reported.
“ Good. Get me a shuttle. And prepare a conference room on Haven. “ Marianna insisted.
“ We’ll be rid of a lot of worries if this works. “ She then mutters to herself as she readied herself for the transfer to the station in orbit around Eden.
45 Minutes later, aboard Haven Station…
Marianna and Thomas where already waiting near the dock where the Terran ship was to moor, flanked by a group of lightly armed guard in Eden’s standard White and green uniform.
Marianna and Thomas watched on the screen how the Terran ship finalized the docking maneuver, soon to extend it’s transfer bridge, where a delegation of three Terran’s would pass over onto the Station.
“ Thomas. “ Walter Petrov greeted with some distaste when he left the passage to set foot onto the station.
Clearly he wasn’t that fond to see Thomas as one of the Eden delegation greeting them, as Thomas, formerly a Terran envoy himself, was being considered a Traitor by the Terran Commonwealth.
“ Walter. “ Thomas greeted formally, showing merely an inviting smile as he had no reason to dislike Walter, as he once had been a good friend of his. Thomas even dared to still think of Walter as a friend, even if their paths had diverged.
“ Commander Petrov, I am Eden’s Queen, Marianna, and one of the resident Siren. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. “ Marianna interrupted that awkward moment between the two of them, offering her hand in greeting, which was accepted only after a moment of hesitation by Walter.
“ Walter Petrov. I am here to offer a ceasefire agreement after that little incident in Vigal. “ Walter spoke, and one could hear in his voice that he was not very happy about the circumstances, which was the reason why he even mentioned the Vigal incident.
“ Perhaps we should get comfortable first ? And, if you would care to share what happened ? “ Marianna offered, watching as Walter’s expression suggested a degree of distaste.
It was surely unfit to be shown by someone on a diplomatic mission. But from the Terran perspective, they felt like they were being blackmailed into this. And after that display of power, they had little choice but to accept, considering the implications of what might happen if they kept going with their war efforts against Eden.
Approaching Eden was only their way to show that they had no intention to engage Eden in the foreseeable future, to assure the Siren would not release more of the weapons they used in the Vigal incident. Or, what they thought where the Siren’s weapons at anyway.
“ Please, do lead the way. “ Walter spoke, nodding politely towards Marianna, even if his gaze spoke of distrust towards her.
“ This way then, please. “ Marianna offered, leading the way, together with Thomas, while the guards of either side waited at the exit to the port occupied by the Terran vessel.
And once they reached the small conference room reserved for them, Marianna would offer for Walter to take a seat, while she and Thomas sat down opposite of him.
“ So, you mentioned Vigal. Would you mind telling us, what exactly happened ? “ Marianna begun then.
“ Is this, some kind of game to you ? “ Walter spoke with a hint of anger.
“ Walter, humor us. “ Thomas requested, causing Walter to look at him with open anger, barely held back by his duty to assure they would agree to a ceasefire.
“ Very well. “ He responded, reaching into his jacket to pull a small Holo-projector from it, placing it onto the table between them where soon it would play a recording of the incident, saving Walter the effort to try and explain, and grant him the freedom to merely observe the other side’s reaction.
And what he could see, was either them trying to think him a fool, or genuine concern. But considering the circumstances, trying to pretend innocence held little value, none that he could see anyway.
Thomas was simply watching the recording with a degree of concern, but Marianna’s eyes went wide seeing the person that revealed itself on the bridge of the TMS Wrath.
“ Turn it off. “ Marianna spoke once the recording reached a certain point, she could hardly order the envoy of the Terran Commonwealth, even if they where both aiming for this ceasefire. But what she saw was enough for her to feel sick.
It was the first, and she was mocking the Terran’s. That music, the use of the word “ little “ when addressing the captain and the crew of his and the other ships. Even that forced act of intimacy, it was mockery, to assure the other side knew, they where insignificant to her, something that was uncharacteristic even for their first.
And Marianna was sure it was the first, because other then the Firsts only Son, no other Nah’Rahan bothered to use wings unless it was to fly. Those wings where like a royal mark only she ever carried around in casual context.
Walter would lean forward, turning the projection off at Marianna’s request, but seeing her reaction, and the aversion to what she was seeing made him curious.
“ Is there something you wish to say ? “ He asked outright, feeling that there was something of significance here that she just discovered herself.
“ She made her statement. “ Marianna groaned, and adds then, “ Unconditional ceasefire, for both sides. “ the friendly tone in her voice gone, replaced by something that might have sounded like anger.
It caused Walter to lean back, letting her words play through his mind just to assure he heard that right, as they had come here nearly expecting actual conditions. That firm claim of Unconditional Ceasefire had not been predicted by their side.
“ Unconditional ? “ He asked, just to make sure once more.
“ Yes, unconditional. “ Marianna responded.
“ There is something your not telling me, is there ? “ Walter tried again, calmer then before, trying to gain a feel of why Marianna’s mood changed so suddenly.
“ There are things I can not tell you. I suggest, we go with the Unconditional ceasefire for now.
In the future, hopefully, we can work to come to more of an understanding. But I think you will agree that, no matter what I say right now, there is already a firm opinion about my kind after this. “ Marianna explained, trying to calm her anger to remain somewhat professional.
“ Very well. Unconditional Ceasefire. “ Walter agreed, seeing that Marianna had no intention to share any information.
“ Then please, with my best regards, bring our agreement to Terran High Command, with the assurance that Eden’s Siren’s will not engage in any hostilities. “ Marianna spoke, letting Walter know that he was invited to leave, with merely a hint given, that if something happened in the future that may seem related to her kind, it would not be them.
Marianna would have liked to be more specific, but that would only sound like an excuse, or even a veiled threat. Terran’s already were paranoid towards them, and if she implied, or outright warned them that there are Nah’Rahan all across the universe, well, it would only foster more Paranoid behavior from them.
“ Then I will take my leave. Perhaps in the future, we may actually have the chance to come to an understanding. “ Walter said, finding himself surprised that the mood had taken a complete turnaround, with him now being the one suggesting a hope for good relations. But Marianna’s behavior had somehow left him unsettled.
“ Fuck. “ Marianna groans under her breath after Walter Petrov had left, leaning back in her chair.
“ That was Quite unprofessional, Marianna. “ Aria reprimanded the Queen while Thomas just sat there, watching Marianna while waiting for her to calm her nerves a little.
“ Yes, I know. “ She groaned, and then looked over to Thomas, understanding that he was waiting for her.
“ It’s the First. “ She admitted, feeling grateful that Thomas was being patient with her.
“ I guessed as much from your reaction, and it seems your suspecting something ? “ He remarks.
“ Just that we now owe her, she made that pretty clear. She did not have to do it like that, but she did, and that means, she wanted us to know. “ Marianna explained.
“ Any Idea what she is after ? “ Thomas asked.
“ No, other then, taking care of Anthony ? I have no clue.
But given that she has not implied a specific demand, I think we are doing exactly what she want’s us to. So, we go with the current plan.
In a few weeks, as Ludwig suggested, he gets his ship, and the truth, including Ina, and then, we can only hope it will be enough. “ Marianna uttered, leaning forward to rest her head between her hands.
“ And, if it isn’t ? “ Thomas asks.
“ Well, I have no idea right now. Because Anthony hasn’t really made his own intentions clear. “ She uttered, and then looks over to Thomas. “ Or, do you have any bright idea’s ? “
“ Not a clue. But if he ends up trying to take power. “ Thomas responded, and then just looked at Marianna.
And Marianna groaned, knowing to well what he was getting at. She was a Siren, and she was Queen. Siren were not built to rule, she knew that to well as she relied a lot on Aria and others to build this world.
And while there was a governmental body composed equally of Siren and Humans, they still relied heavily on her and Aria to have a final say in important matters.
Well, if things went sideways, she’d be fucked, quite literally.