When Opposites Collide

“Jenova Incenerator, I too thank you for hosting these talks.  It is important in such situations that we have someone who has no stake other than peace.

"Councilman Johnton, allow me to start talks with a show of good faith.  At this time we are unilaterally repatriating mister James Davanto, who was detained by my security team in wake of the Task Force 6-13 incident.  Let this gesture show that Heraklea is committed to a diplomatic solution to our differences, provided such a solution can be found

“Further, at this time I am revising the previous demands made by Fleet Admiral Zlenka, as is my prerogative as the designated diplomat of the State of Heraklea.  I ask that you allow me to put forward my entire list without interruption before you make a determination on the matter.

“First, an admission of fault by the Free Planet of Christana in the matter of the Task Force 6-13 incident.  Second, a fixed amount of war reparations from the Free Planet of Christana to the State of Heraklea to be paid in either a lump sum or over an extended period with interest.  Third, recognition by the Free Planet of Christana of the Transitional Authority of Corta as the legitimate government of the Cortane System and its jurisdiction over its citizens.  Fourth, extradition of the Cortane criminals to the Transitional Authority of Corta.  Fifth a guarantee that the Free Planet of Christana will never again make war with the State of Heraklea.  This guarantee must be more substantial than simply a promise of peace.  And sixth,” Commodore Pershing paused, then took in a long slow breath before releasing it in drawn-out, controlled exhale, “Pilgrimage rights for Heraklean Odinists to visit the 'Shrin of Unson.'  Do you find these terms acceptable, Councilman?”

*Paladin Komtur Maya gave a deathly stare to the Heraklean ambassador but said nothing because of the Ordenreich's promise to the Burninites to remain neutral in the peace talks*

OOC: What? We did step down our demands after all. And we even gave a sign of good will. What more do you want at the start of talks?

The council man drank some of Jenova's tea while the ambassador mumbled in his Heraklean accent. After he finished the Johnton payed attention to the Burnites first.

"Not only were you kind enough to host these talks but you also have made some of the best ea I have ever had. You must tell me how you make this later."

Johnton cleared his throat and looked back at the ambassador.

"Before I give off my demands I must say that your terms sound more like surrender terms than status quo. Now then on to my terms." Johnton took out reading glasses and a list.

"First we request reparations for the damage caused by the invasion as well as money to the families of the miners who died in Paris I. Second we request a public apology for the unlawful acts of intimidation and invasion. Lastly as requested by the Rangers, more specifically the Katmota huner sub faction. Every four years there will be a battle between Rangers and the Odinists on an uninhabited world. I believe that your marines would be more than happy to agree to that last request." Johnton said before sighing.

"As for your terms we will agree to the last demand as long as it does not interfere with mining operations. For the rest, I believe we require further diplomatic discussion."

Jenova says nothing and betrays no emotion, unlike the people from the Ordenreich. Inwardly, Jenova is surprised that the Sacaens have decided, without prompting, to 'follow the Burninite lead.' It's quite confusing to her.

In any case, the former queen of Burnination, the highest ranking Burninite busies herself making the men of these alien states comfortable in her conference room.

Commodore Pershing snorted.

“I think you can probably get the Einherjar to agree to that one with little difficulty.  State may have a few things to say about it, but I doubt the Grand Admiral will be too heart broken.  Stars know how they get when they go a few months without a good melee.

“As to the rest of your demands, well, who's attempting to dictate terms of surrender now?  To your first point, we are willing to take into account the damages done to your economy in the reparations we demand.  To your second point, however, I must say no.  Heraklea will not apologize for taking necessary steps to ensure our security.

“Perhaps the councilman is unaware of the rogue remnants of the Cortane Navy that have refused to stand down following our war with them.  They have a nasty habit of attacking anyone they find, with a particular penchant for attacking Heraklean vessels.  These terrorists possess a number warships that can be classified by Heraklean standards as battlecruisers, and patrol in flotilla strength around our north-western frontier.  We were justly concerned about the security of our mission due to our status as a Heraklean vessel and the fact that we fully expected to be transporting the Cortane criminals you have granted sanctuary, and thus Task Force 6-13 was ordered to escort us to and from Christanan space.

“Also, let us not forget Councilman that it was Christanan warships that fired first on that day, not Heraklean.  I was there.  I was in command.  Your people fired the first shot.  Your people attacked a clearly out numbered and gunned task force.  Your people started a war.  Your people, Councilman.  Not mine.

“We will give no unmeant apology.  We will demand none from you.  You need not apologize, you need not be sorry about your government's and your navy's actions.  What we demand is that you own responsibility for your actions.

“Further, I notice your terms ignore the matter of the Cortane criminals and the legal authority of the Cortane Authority.  I restate that we demand the criminals be extradited to the Cortane Authority and that you recognize the legitimacy of that government.”

OOC: Commodore Faith Pershing is a woman, Odinists refer to members of the faith, Eniherjar are the marines.

(OOC: Oh forgot about that part.)

"Yes how silly of me, well you see you can try but you would have a hard time. They have been let out of the tower and been integrated into society, It is against ranger law to send them tohunt people down without a trial first."

“Are you telling me that in order for criminals to be apprehended, you need to hold a trial first? That hardly sounds like a good system. Certainly a warrant can be issued for arrest prior a conviction. Much as warrants have been issued by the Cortane Authority for the criminals you have 'integrated,' along with requests for repatriation of the Cortane children illegally taken out of the system.” At this, Commodore Pershing produced a data chip which, plugged it into a screen reveals thousands of documents issued by the Cortane Authority.

OOC: I don't know what you could possibly mean Heraklea... Maybe Maya is just playing mind games. I wasn't suggesting anything

*Paladin Komtur Maya continued to remain strangely silent she seemed content to let the two conflicting factions work it out. If not for the blinding white robes that made up the dress uniform of Ordenreich command officers she could have blended in with the burninites bulkhead with her escorts*

"Well Commodore, we don't have many laws for the populace, if you have an issue usually you work it out instead of asking for government help. The only time someone is arrested is if they commit a crime that violates the laws of individual independence or national independence. Therefore you would have to find them and take them yourselves, but for that you would need permission to first. If you sent a secret team they would most likely be killed by either a ranger team, bandit gang or wild animal."

“Well, that certainly is an interesting... system,” said Commodore Pershing.  If you can call it that, she couldn't help thinking.  “In that case allow me to petition on behalf of the Cortane Authority for permission to send squads of Einherjar to the Christanan surface to track down the Cortane criminals and children.”

"Let the Cortane take their own people back."

"As per the terms of our treaty with the Cortane Authority, we are empowered to act on behalf of Corta in the international diplomatic arena. As such I again request that our marines be given permission to track down the Cortane on your planet.

"I also wish to continue our discussion of other elements of our current disagreements. I restate our demand for an admission of fault, reparations, recognition of the Cortane Authority legal sovereignty and a guarantor of continued peace."

"I will sum it up for you. No!" The council man stood up in an angry rage.

"You invade my planet and ask for an apology? Get out of my face you pig!"

Commodore Pershing cocked her head to one side and calmly regarded Councilman Johnton.  After a few moments, she straightened up in her seat and began speaking.

“I would like to reiterate that I do not demand an apology, merely an admission by your government that your navy fired first on a diplomatic mission.  Which is the truth, however little you care to admit it.  But we seem to have a bigger problem than a disagreement on faults and apologies.”  Commodore Pershing pushed away from the table and stood, then turned to look at the projection on the wall of the room, away from the Christanan.

“Are you familiar with the symbolism of the sword in Heraklea?  It is relatively simple, really.  A sword is a weapon, a tool of violence.  And violence, the ability to use force, being the supreme authority from which all other authority is derived, it then is no large leap to understand why a sword is considered a symbol of power.”  She turned back to the table, drawing her sword in the process and laying the blade across her off hand.  “Herakleans carry swords as symbols of our authority.  When we lift it, we are demonstrating our authority, our right to wield power.”  With that, she spun the blade around and stabbed it several inches into the table.

“I give you the authority now, Councilman.  If there is no path to peace, if this can only end in war, then take up my sword and declare it.  If you are ready to see this day continue with more bloodshed, then by all means: end talks now.  But if you are interested in a diplomatic solution, then quit flinging about insults like child and give me a counter offer.”  Commodore Pershing then turned to the up until now silent Sacaen.

“Paladin Komtur, I do hope that you have taken note of the course of these talks.  I hope you will note that I have attempted to be extremely diplomatic during these talks, that I have flung no insults at the Christanans and that I started talks with a show of good faith, by repatriating a Christanan citizen without prompting.  I hope you will consider these facts if the Councilman decides that these talks will go nowhere and resumes hostilities.”

Jenova makes no response to all this, save to have somehow moved the glasses away from these events so none of them are broken by these actions. Her eyes burn with fury when the Heraklean commodore stabs her table and utters nonsense about violence being the root of true power, but she holds her tongue.

Barely.

There is a clicking sound from the wall of the ship immediately when the Heraklean draws a weapon, but nothing seems to happen. The click is almost entirely masked by the sound of the weapon being drawn, but if one were listening very closely, it would have been possible to hear. Again, nothing happens, but it is likely that Jenova had some sort of contingency ready in case violence breaks out in her conference room.

“You do not agree?” Commodore Pershing asked, noticing the look on the Burninite woman's face. “Consider a country which has no monopoly on the legitimate use of force within its borders. It has no ability to grant or refuse those within its jurisdiction legitimization of force. It is unable to prevent its citizens from using force against one another to compel obedience lawfully. Can such a nation be truly considered a state? Or merely a failed state?” Commodore Pershing's eyes dart over to the table before returning to the Burninite.

“I also acknowledge that stabbing your table was most likely inappropriate. It is a move of historical significance in Heraklea, but perhaps not desirable in this case. I will personally make recompense for the table.”

Jonton calmed down and sat back down. "As great as that is, an idiot can swing a sword. Do you know what our symbol is? A bow and for good reason. It symbolizes the hunter, men who live freedom. A bow is harder to use but much more effective, it takes training but when you master it you are deadly. A sword grows dull after a few hits and can even break in combat. So I ask you, could your people fend for themselves if you were gone? Ours can."

"You underestimate the sword councilman. It takes years of study and practice to become a master, much like your beloved bow. And the effectiveness of each is predicated on its user. Such points are moot in comparison to modern weapons which require little skill at all to become proficient and deadly with.

"To answer your question, Concilman: yes. My people can fend for themselves. Because we our society is not so weak that the removal of a handful will plunge us into chaos. We have a chain of command that ensures that as some fall, others are ready to step up and take charge and there is no question about who that will be. Our society is strong councilman, not just our people.

"And yet you continue to avoid the question. You continue to refuse to engage diplomatically. So I again offer you the opportunity to end talks. It's your choice. End talks, or give me a counter offer."

"I gave you my counter offer and you refused it. They can grab their own people but not your marines."

"You are focusing solely on one issue, failing to engage all points. I ask you for a comprehensive peace proposal, not just offers on one point. If we have no deal, then war continues. Give me something to work with other than obstinant demands and insults."

"It is not the ability to take life that grants authority," Jenova responds softly. "It is the ability to grant life..."

After the Christanan fails to accept the return to a state of war, Jenova closes her eyes and places her hand on the oaken table. The sword rises from the wood, clattering to the table, having been pushed from inside the table. The wood, it seems, regenerated itself, pushing the sword free.

"Keep your currency, Heraklean. I do not condemn your ways. I merely have great faith that there is a better path.

"I do not intend to intrude upon your discussion again."

"We are also not admitting fault unless both sides admit fault."

"Well, I would agree we could have been more effective at communicating our concerns and reasons for sending a task force with the diplomatic mission."

"We will allow you to bring a squad of non destructive tanks that can work quietly. We will also claim fault if you do and we may pay each other, acceptable terms?"