Showtime Pt. 2
Posted on Thu Nov 14th, 2019 @ 9:08am by
Mission:
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Location: Claddin Station
Timeline: MD09. 1045
2088 words - 4.2 OF Standard Post Measure
Claddin Station was in full regalia to welcome the crew of the Majestic. Decorative banners from each of the member races stretched from floor to ceiling, bearing the crest and symbology from the three distinct cultures. The organized chaos was most evident in the main atrium, where most the gathered hundreds of Felev, Bordere, and Crustillians were en route to events scattered across the base.
Branching off of the main atrium, three wings extended away, each with unfettered access to the main floor. Each section served as the base of operations for one species of Claddin delegates. There was no mistaking the arboretum-like habitat of the Bordere, nor the hard-packed sand floor of the Crustillian wing. At the end of the atrium, a staircase ascended upwards and disappeared into an artificially created cloud.
Cassie took a moment to admire her new environment. It had been a long time since she had last been on a station, but she had never seen anything like this. To be fair, this was a momentous occasion for the Claddin Empire; it was only normal that festivities and events would run parallel to the actual negotiations.
All three main wings emulated the habitats of the three main societies. While it seemed eclectic at first sight, it was truly a harmonious, cohesive whole, as if the station embodied a united empire. Cassie wanted to explore, but she felt that it may have to wait until after her meeting.
"Computer, time."
The station's computer chimed a soft melody before its voice spoke it what were multiple languages at once. They all contrasted with each other, and with Federation Standard. "The time is 1042 hours, 16 seconds."
Indeed, a meander throughout the main atrium would have to wait. "Computer, direct me to High Matriarch Ho'sidia Excin'vodia's suite, if you please," she instructed. A small illuminated blue circle appeared on the floor before her feet, and immediately snaked its way toward the immaculately white staircase.
Cassie smirked: she had guessed the High Matriarch's quarters would be in, or even above the clouds. She and her escort followed the blue indicator, and started the ascent of the spiral stairway. They eventually vanished in the artificial cloud, and although she shouldn't have been, she was surprised to find herself completely dry when she arrived at the top of the stairs, which peeked just above the clouds.
She was greeted by none other than Dor'dalus ai'Ho'sidia, who stood on the landing at the top of the staircase. His plumage was even more shimmery than Cassie remembered: he had evidently taken great care in it for the upcoming events. He slightly bowed to the young diplomat. "Greetings, Diplomat Cassandra Leblanc. It is an honour to meet you in person. The High Matriarch is not one to be kept waiting, but I do believe we have a moment if you would like to enjoy the view."
"If you would be so kind," Cassie responded, and with a nod to another aide from Dor'dalus, the clouds slightly parted. Cassie couldn't help but gasp: the lush vegetation emulating the Bordere homeworld was simply astonishing. The Majestic's botanists would kill to anything resembling this, she was sure of it. The Crustillian wings seemed barren in comparison, but it also teemed with life: flora that thrived in desertic areas, where water was scarce. Further out, a clear pool had been erected. She couldn't see if there was any marine life in it, but she made a mental note to take a better look later one.
The clouds slowly started to obstruct Cassie's view, and she stepped away from the railing, slightly disappointed she couldn't linger. "It is time. If you would please follow me," she heard Dor'dalus say, and saw him walk away, towards the High Matriarch's suite.
High Matriarch Ho'sidia Excin'vodia was standing on a balcony overlooking the main atrium with her back to the entryway of her suite. Dor'dalus took a moment to gather himself as he was clearly not expecting to see his superior waiting for them. Such a thing was unheard of in Mai'Aiud culture, but that didn't make the significance of the High Matriarch's presence any less real.
"The High Matriarch welcomes you, Diplomat Leblanc."
"Dismissed, Dor'dalus," the figure on the balcony spoke before Cassie had a chance to respond. The Matriarch's assistant bowed and disappeared into another area of the suite. Slowly, Ho'sidia turned away from her view and focused her attention squarely on her visitor.
"I have studied your human culture and found that this 'punctuality' is high among your rankings of social laws. For this, I make an effort to not keep you waiting. Welcome to Claddin Station, and most importantly, welcome to my suite. Do you require sustenance?"
Cassie curtsied. "Thank you, your Highness, but no. I've already eaten," she said as she rose back to full height. "I believe water will suffice."
With a slight declination of her head, Ho'sidia took a few steps and stood in front of a terminal that was integrated into her desk. She made a few, precise gestures that resulted in an aural tone. A moment later, an administrative assistant arrived carrying a tray with two stone goblets. Placing the tray onto a table, the Mai'Aiud assistant bowed and departed back through the door he had entered from.
Cassie sat on a plush chair opposite the High Matriarch. "I understand it is customary for guests to offer your Highness a gift upon meeting." She placed the red velvet case on the table between them, careful not to touch the High Matriarch under any circumstances.
"You have arrived well-researched, Diplomat Leblanc," Ho'sidia's golden eyes flashed between Cassie and the velvet enclosure. "Come, explain your gift."
"It is what we call a Fabergé egg," Cassie explained, opening the case. "Multiple eggs have been created some five hundred years ago, and were at the time offered as a gift to the Russian Empress, which would be the equivalent of a High Matriarch. They now have some cultural and historical value on Earth." She paused, taking the egg out its case and placing it on the gold stand. "I've had this one made based on the egg called 'Pelican'. With some modifications, of course."
The High Matriarch stood and took a step towards the egg that had been brought into her office. Her piercing gaze pored over the intricate details on the exterior, pausing their scan for a moment as they lingered over the symbol of a charity that bore her name. Ho'sidia made another gesture. This time, a group of three assistants came and whisked away the egg and its stand into another room.
"You are correct about our tradition," the High Matriarch spoke. "In my advanced age, I have come to grow fond of things that remind me of happier times. I hope this gift forebears a result that I can look back on with a good feeling in my hearts. Now, back to the task at hand.
"For many years, the position of the Mai'Aiud was that of survival. Survival is the nest mother of progression in all things. While we may be steps behind our crustacean and arboreal sistren in some aspects, power generation has always been the domain of the Mai'Aiud. For decades, centuries perhaps, it had powered our cities and kept our trading vessels faster than any others of the Claddin Empire. This technology was freely shared in exchange for resources that are more plentiful on other planets. An agreeable situation, yes?"
Cassie nodded. "Of course, as long as the conditions of the agreement are respected by all parties. Are they?"
"And now we arrive at the crux of the matter. We have evidence that our crustacean friends have taken our propulsion secrets and used them to trade with members outside of the Claddin Empire. Our long range sensors, ironically provided by the Crustillians themselves, found evidence of our energy signature in a place where no Mai'Aiud vessel has ever been. A trade lane known to be frequented by the Crustillians.
"This breach of the original agreement cannot continue. Our position is simple. Either the spoils from the outside trading are shared among the Empire, or we will be forced to terminate our part of the agreement."
"Fair enough," Cassie responded, taking notes on her PADD. This was new information to her; she had been made aware of the conflict regarding control of trade routes, but not that the Crustillians, who had explicitly called upon the Federation to mediate, had possibly been sharing industrial secrets. "Have the Lai'Adi been made aware of these developments?" she asked.
Ho'sidia exhaled, sharply at first, but eventually drawn out much like a deflating balloon. "Forgive me. To deal with the Lai'Adi is a ponderous venture. They have been made aware; they tarry, as always."
Cassie made a note to discuss the issue further with the Minister, when she met with him in the afternoon.
"The Crustillians, when they first called upon the Federation to act as mediator during these proceedings, mentioned that there had been some tension as of late about control of the various trade routes. Since there currently is no written trade agreement that we know of, it's been difficult for us to ascertain who officially controls what," she explained, placing her PADD, already displaying a map of the Claddin Empire, on the table with both hands. She then brought up the map on a screen floating above the table.
"The routes outlined in yellow, including this one," she said, pointing to the one exiting the map, "are the ones we have been told were most frequented by the crustacean power. The ones in green are presumably currently controlled by the Mai'Aiud, the blue ones by the Lai'Adi." She then pointed to the red lines. "These few red ones are currently in contention between you. Am I correct?"
"Correct. We maintain our position that without our propulsion technology, those routes would not be profitable. The Crustillian ambassador speaks in the language of profit. Perhaps he would understand that better coming from the mediator than from me. I have," the High Matriarch steepled the feathers on her forelimbs, "a reputation of intimidation. I fear it hinders as much as it helps."
Cassie smiled as she pinched the map back into the PADD, then took a sip of her surprisingly crisp water. "Indeed. And we're here to help the Empire find solutions that will benefit everyone. Are there other grievances you would like addressed during the proceedings?" she asked.
"Between us, young diplomat, the Mai'Aiud are quite happy other than this 'grievance' as you defined it," Ho'sidia lowered her voice as if the walls were listening. "But the others must not know. We are always looking to advance our position."
Of course you do, Cassie thought, her face impassive. Weren't they all trying to get the biggest piece of pie. She stayed silent for a moment as she took notes, but she had one last question before this meeting came to a close.
"Aside from compelling all parties at the table to respect the terms of the present agreement, and distributing profits generated by external trade, what do you hope to achieve by the end of the negotiations?"
"A fair and equitable solution to the problem you describe is all we want. We are not as ruthless as our reputation might suggest. But the Mai'Aiud understand the worth of our contribution to this Empire. We will not be undersold. Do right by us, young Leblanc. Do right by me."
It was then that Cassie sat back in her chair, crossed her arms, slowly crossed one knee on top of the other, and looked the High Matriarch straight in eye. This was certainly not her first rodeo: she knew an implied threat when she heard one.
"My role, as mediator and neutral party during these negotiations, is to assist Minister Emnath, the Honourable Woohsaaa, and yourself in coming to an agreement you will all be satisfied with. Any advantage either of you may or may not gain in the coming days will be through your own efforts. My goal is to do right by everyone."
The High Matriarch mulled over the response. "Yes, I suppose that is your duty. Let us hope my counterparts remember why we entered into this Empire together in the first place. I bid you a good day, Diplomat Leblanc. I have other matters to which I must attend. Fare well."
Ho'sidia Excin'vodia
High Matriarch
Cassandra Leblanc-Reed
Diplomatic Officer
