Plans to open up to the galaxy

Command: Attention Dominion vessel, this is O.S.S.C Orbital Command Livenstein, we are reading you and have been told to expect you. You are cleared to establish orbit over Livenstein and your ship is officially designated as a diplomatic vessel therefore granting you diplomatic immunity. The Ordenreich will give you a minimum of 3 kilometers of space and ensure the safety of your vessel. Meeting ground is the ultra-dreadnought T.S.F. Total War. The Hochmeister is currently abroad at this time and your ambassador and escort will be taken to the meeting room upon boarding the ultra-dreadnought. Acknowledge?

"Acknowledged O.S.S.C Orbital Command" came the response over the communication channel. The Dominion vessel pulled slowly towards T.S.F. Total War until the two ships were docked. Once the docking tube was properly pressured, the doors were opened and Ambassador Eliza, along with two Veridian soldiers, stepped onto the Ordenreich's ship. After small pleasantries were exchanged between the Ambassador and the Ordenreich soldiers that greeted them, they were quickly shown towards the meeting room where the Hochmeister was awaiting them.

"Hochmeister, I am Ambassador Eliza of the Dominion of Veridia Prime" said the Ambassador as she introduced herself. "Allow me to express the Dominion's gratitude for this meeting as well as convey their optimism over diplomatic relations between our two people."

*Hochmeister Micah had his back turned when the ambassador walked in. He was exhausted. The moment he got back from talks with the factions of Alpha Centauri he was bombarded with updates from the rebuilding planet side. The meeting room had a window and it showed a view of Livenstein from orbit. A large ugly black spot spread across a 1/4 of the planet showing the complete devastation by the FOAB. He was just signing an approval form to start another section of the reconstruction when the ambassador introduced herself. When she was finished he took a deep breath and put his diplomatic face on to hopefully hide his exhaustion. He then turned around.*

Micah: Greetings Ambassador, I am glad we were able to meet. The Dominion's gratitude is well-received and we return the favor. Let us hope for a fruitful meeting. I apologize for the location, currently this ultra-dreadnought is the safest spot to hold a meeting like this at Livenstein. As you can see Livenstein is still not ready to assume the role as the Ordenreich's capital.

*The Hochmeister gestures to the giant scar on Livenstein's surface seen from the window.*

Ambassador Eliza gazed upon the scarred landscape and hope that her own homeworld would not befall the same fate. "There is no need for the apologies Hochmeister Micah" Eliza said who smiled a bit though the Hochmeister probably didn't notice. Eliza's face wasn't easy to see given that the Ambassador had come on board the ship in a full environmental suit, though it was practically form-fitting.

"This war is going to cost dearly, especially for galactic states such as ourselves" said Eliza as she continued. "The Dominion feels it necessary to create a strong network of trade in order to help with what will undoubtedly be a long period of reconstruction, more so for some than others. That is why I have been sent, the Dominion is eager to learn what our two people can gain from one another through trade."

*the hochmeister looked at the ambassador and smiled the best he could but wear and tear was beginning to show. He thought he saw the ambassador smile but who could tell with those environmental suits? He did admire the craftsmanship of the suit. He seemed very well made.

Micah: but of course. The Ordenreich has no problems with trading with your people. The recent attack taught my people a harsh lesson. That we cannot stand alone anymore. Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to read up on your people due to the demands of this post but I an willing to listen to whatever you offer. My people use a fuel called element zero in our starships. It's very abundant in our empire and we be willing to trade or sell to your people cheap. We also have large reserves of refined uranium that we can sell.

OOC: I swear I wrote a reply to this yesterday...I am so confused.

IC:

"Element Zero is something the Dominion also uses, though we do not use it for power purposes." said Ambassador Eliza. "For power we use Naquadria, an element we've engineered from a naturally element found on our planet known as Naquadah. However, after we discovered a small natural deposit of element zero on a dead planet in our own home star system, we've experimented with it extensively. Currently, we use element zero primarily to generate artificial gravity."

"Importing element zero would certainly help to off-set the demand we currently have for the element. Of course, what the Dominion is most interested in is what we can offer to you. Understanding your apparent immediate concerns, the Dominion has extensive medical technology that we can offer to help your people rebuild. Of course, if the Ordenreich is in need of something else or something more, the Dominion is willing to consider whatever the Ordenreich wishes to propose."

Micah: Interesting... could you go into greater detail where this medical technology will help my people? We will of course be willing to sell Element Zero at a fair market value that should help increase supply to meet your demand

"Well the Dominion has an extensive pharmaceutical industry and can offer the Ordenreich several medicines that could be quite useful to your people during these times. For example, is radiation poisoning a problem since the attack from the hildenburen? If so, we have a medicine known as Hyronalin that can counter it. We also can offer Retinax, a drug used to counter several different eye diseases that we've thus far encountered. The drug is slightly modified, depending on the disorder. Serisone is a rug used to prevent fluid from building up in the lungs. It is quite useful during surgery and other invasive procedures. We also have a genetically modified bioplasm that helps with wounds and other punctures on the body and even environmental suits."

Ambassador Eliza turns again to look out onto the scarred landscape of the Ordenreich homeworld. "Of course these medicines and tools only help to heal the wounds one can see. I imagine, after surviving such an assault on your livelihood, your people also have deep wounds that cannot be seen. If your government is interesting, the Dominion can also provide powerful drugs which will allow your people to deal with the pain and horror better. "

Micah: I believe psychological drugs might be a tad irresponsible to use on my people. My people will cope naturally and we I believe our psychologists are well enough qualified to deal with the situation. As for radiation poisoning, don't worry about that. My people's existence has been threatened and has coexisted with nuclear power for as long as anyone can remember. On top of the extensive infrastructure and weapons we have built using nuclear power we have extensive knowledge of treating radiation sickness. Even now we are reclaiming the land on Livenstein from the nuclear wasteland that spreads across its surface. I am interested in the other medicines you have offered however. The Ordenreich's medical knowledge is vast but it seems yours is even more so. I would be interested to exchanging medical knowledge with your people

"Very well" said Ambassador Eliza, "the Dominion can beginning shipping medical supplies to your worlds immediately, in larger quantities especially after this war is over. Of course we also imagine that your people may be in need of building materials. We can offer several refined and synthetic materials for a variety of basic purposes. From rebuilding structures on the planet to providing fresh clothing, we can also offer such things to your people in this great time of need."

"Of course" said Ambassador Eliza as she continued, "while I speak of the here and now, we must also be mindful of the future. The alien threat to this galaxy will soon be over, the Dominion is quite confident that the allied fleets of this galaxy can defeat the enemy. However, once this threat is over we fear that the galaxy will return to its pre-war status and for us, that is troubling. Your people are as aware as ours are that there is clearly a line between the have and have-nots in this galaxy. Those galactic powers that have a clear advantage over others. The Dominion would rather see a more clear balance of power in the galaxy. We feel the Sacaen people might have similar aspirations, that is why I was sent here in the first place."

Micah: We appreciate it. We will take all the help we can get. However, all this help you offer, forgive me if I seem ungrateful but there must be something you want from us? I would not have the Dominion aid us in such a way without some find of reward.

*Micah then listened to the second proposal the Ambassador spoke of and was quiet and attentive during her whole purposal. While he wasn't alarmed in the slightest by what she proposed he thought that this could potentially be a very dangerous line of thought to follow.*

Micah: I see... and what do you propose we do about this balancing galactic power? The Ordenreich was remained unaffiliated and neutral ever since we joined the galactic community. Our only other people we ever felt remotely close to was the Centaurians because of their help in uplifting us in the first place. If this was before the Hildenburen attacked us I would have stopped you right there but the attack has clearly shown that my people cannot stand alone. What are you suggesting?

"What the Dominion proposes is that we stand on a more united front" said the Ambassador plainly. "Surely this war has shown the Ordenreich that some of the galactic powers don't treat every race the same. The people of the Burnination for example, their technology is expansive from what little we've seen but never once have we received any direct communications from them. The Centauri were quick to trade with us and the Rheans, while a bit objective, still provide us with some materials with which to trade. Still, the Burnination remains exclusive but they are not alone. I am sure the galaxy is full of civilizations that would rather horde their technology than share it."

"Of course, the Dominion understands that trade must come with respect and respect must be earned. However, how are we to show our worth if certain races won't give us the light of day? Surely the Dominion is not delusional, tell me Hochmeister that surely you too have seen this to some extent?"

Micah: well I will admit that there is something of a running joke in our military where it is a historic occasion that's cause for great celebration when the burninites actually talk to us. I have gotten that vibe that many civilizations want to keep their secrets to themselves. The Ordenreich itself keeps knowledge of the FOAB a top secret because we deem that it's general use in the community is too dangerous. Who are we to judge though is my question. I am sure many races keep to themselves because as I said, some tech is simply too dangerous and forcing the issue risks war. I certainly hope you don't plan to force people like the burninites to give up their secrets?

"No, no, on the contrary we wish to do nothing to the Burninites, or the Rheans, the Centauri, or even your own people" said Ambassador Eliza. "You see Hochmeister, the Dominion fears that galactic civilizations, such as the Burninites, the Rheans, and it seems to some extent, the Centauri now, use their advance technology to the disadvantage of the rest of us. They dictate to us what we can and cannot do beyond our homeworld. Why, to whom gave them this authority? Because of their advance technology we should simply bow to every whim they have about the way we conduct our business? Our only recourse is war and surely any civilized society would give us some other option but do they, no. No, we do not wish to take from them, we simply wish them to leave us alone. What we do in our small edge of the galaxy is our own business and what they do in theirs, is their own. Surely the Ordenreich agrees with this philosophy, if only minimally?"

Micah: agreed. At least to some extent. While I do believe everyone is entitled to function on their own path without interference from others there must be some cooperation so, in the case of the hildenburen invading, we can stand united against a common foe and we must not manipulate the affairs of preflight species. Other than that though I can agree that no one race or a collection of races should be able to dictate what others due without their consent. What is it exactly what you are proposing?

The Ambassador smiled again, damn those suit helmets

"Excellent, I can assure you the Dominion will be quite glade to hear that we share similar ideas. An we agree, in times of galactic emergency, a show of unity against a foe is a necessary form of cooperation but should not be the only show of cooperation between us. What the Dominion would like to propose, at least initially Hochmeister, is formalizing diplomatic relations between our two people with the establishment of embassies and the exchange of Ambassadors."

"Of course" said the Ambassador, "I'm sure as we grow to better understand each other we will find that we have much in common and will no doubt choose for even closer cooperation and relations."

*hochmeister Micah smiled after ambassador Eliza finished her proposal*

Micah: why didn't you say so in the first place? Of course the Ordenreich will accept your proposal. I share your enthusiasm that our people will grow closer together. I will be the first to admit that we seem to be wrong about the dominion. I hope we will be able to see more of each other in the future

*the hochmeister held out his hand to offer a handshake*

The Ambassador looked down at the hand in hesitation, before finally taking it and shaking. Tactile contact with an alien species was, frowned upon. She did reason with herself however, that was was in suit and therefore was not actual tactile contact.

"I apologize if my course of conversation seemed evasive at first. However, as you will no doubt recognize, one must better gauge and analyze an individual and society before a course of action can be determined. The Dominion knows very little about your people however, your strong show of force in this conflict and your people's resolve gave it the indication that our two people have some things in common. This diplomatic relationship will only further both our understandings and perhaps one day, great projects of cooperation that shall benefit both our people."

"If there are no other matters with which to discuss" said Ambassador Eliza, "I shall return to Veridia Prime and report our new course of action. I am sure the Dominion shall dispatch a permanent ambassador as soon as this conflict is completed. Arrangements for an ambassador to come to Veridian prime can aslo be made at that time."

*Hochmeister Micah bowed as the ambassador finished*

Micah: Of course milady, my guards will escort you and your entourage back to your vessel. This meeting has been... enlightening. I look forward to our future exchanges

*Hochmeister Micah turned his attention back to the window overlooking Livenstein as some Order Knights came in and prepared to return the ambassador back to her guards and then escort them all back to her vessel*

The Ambassador and her staff returned to their ship. After receiving the proper clearance from the Ordenreich patrol ships, the ships left their system and soon made the jump, back towards the homeworld. Though the trip would be relatively short, the Ambassador was pleased t be back on board her ship. Decontaminated and now without her environmental suit, she let her hair down...as the expression goes. Taking a minute to enjoy herself, she soon got to work filing a official report to be received by the Dominion government. In it, she spoke highly of the Hochmeister and her perception of his ability to lead. Equally as flattering was her take of the Ordenreich itself and its people. Not Veridiain, she still insist in her report that they would prove to be a great asset to the Dominion in times to come.