Post by EmperorMyric on Mar 22, 2021 15:19:09 GMT
Diplomacy was not Pierre LaPointe's strong suit. He was a veteran of the international stage, sure, but he'd spent his time there working as an analyst with the Commonwealth Intelligence Service. Predicting actions the major powers may or may not take in given scenarios was an altogether different beast than attempting to negotiate with said powers. But by war's end, the new Director had been keen to force out the 'old guard' (as he had termed them) and replace them with newer, younger, fresher faced intelligence operatives.
Pierre LaPointe, pushing sixty, had been classed as part of the old guard and had been forced out in short order. Replace by a younger man, with a bunch of fancy degrees that wouldn't mean a damn. But LaPointe was a good soldier (so to speak) and he followed orders. He took his retirement package, accepted a position in foreign relations, and been promptly sent (with a gaggle of assistants) on a trip around the galaxy to affirm Vestahl's neutrality in the ongoing war and (hopefully) extract non-aggression pacts from the powers that be.
Hell, maybe even establish an embassy or two.
It was boring work he supposed, routine stuff best left to junior diplomats or indeed aging veterans out of place. But it was work that needed to be done.
LaPointe's ship abruptly dropped from FTL, the Rangvald cruiser exiting through a wormhole along with four escorts on the outskirts of Celefra. He closed the file he'd been reading, stashing it in his briefcase, and removing his glasses before rubbing his eyes. While he steeled himself for the first round of boring meetings and routine negotiations, the Commander of the small force made contact through the appropriate channels, confirming the delegation's arrival and requesting further instruction.
As usual Celefra was awash with activity. As the capital it was defended like no other system, layeres of defense platforms, starbases and more ringed the approaches to the fairly arid world of Celefra itself. Thankfully the sheer amount of civilian traffic was bypassed as the official diplomatic lanes could be opened to the Commonwealth represenatives.
It wasnt long until the singular Rangvald cruiser had made it through repeated security checks (with Triarch being quite thorough about it for no particular reason) and the vessel had been given a specific orbital trajectory and landing co-ordinates for the city below. Surprisingly, it was not to the diplomatic areas or to the embassy halls, but to the palace itself.
Inara was sat in the gardens once again, it was one of her favourite places to spend time in this age, the sound of the birds and the flowing water calmed her. Sometimes it was better to get away from the raging fires of war and appreciate the little things. Elena sat on her lap, humming to herself as she made daisy chains, Inara occasionnally helping her while reading one of Shakespears works, the Tempest to be precise, surprisingly in actual paper format, a rare occurance for the galaxy as of late. She had provided the represenatives with her location, no guards stood nearby, just Inara and her daughter.
"Dont you have a meeting soon mummy?" Elena asked looking up into Inaras eyes. The girls beautiful innocent eyes made Inara smile genuinely in happiness, another rare occurance of late.
"I do, a very important one to be precise" She replied wiping a bit of hair from Elenas cheek.
"Do you want me to go?" She asked. Inara shook her head.
"Why dont you stay and help me? Im sure your genius will be needed in this meeting" Inara grinned as she stroked Elenas hair. The girl beamed and nodded.
"Ok mummy ill help you in any way I can!"
Pierre LaPointe scowled as one of his aids informed him of the change of course. He didn't like change, especially not at the last minute. He'd expected routine boring diplomacy. Documents would be presented, he'd argue with a junior diplomat over wording for six hours, and then they'd sign on agreements. The venue being changed to the palace didn't bode well for his hope of a routine negotiation.
He surveyed his aids, some were middle aged career diplomats, others viewed their posts as stepping stones toward higher political positions, and still more were former VRF fighters, recruited as part of the Truth and Reconcilliation initiative. The decision on who to take was one he had to make carefully. He'd initially planned on taking one of the careers... but now... maybe someone fresh faced with a different perspective.
"Ms. O'Shea," He called to a scarred, blue eyed red head. She perked up hearing her name and visibly paled when he motioned for her to come with him. He'd read her file, one of the VRF's infamous door breachers. She'd learned two different martial arts over the course of the war, nearly died on three seperate occassions... he supposed having someone with a combat background may prove necessary if things got... complicated.
The red head gather her papers into a brief case and joined LaPointe in the shuttle down to the palace. She said nothing, but LaPointe could feel the burning question as to why she'd been chosen. He wouldn't tell her yet. Let her stew on it for now, see what conclusions she jumped to.
He took a deep breath and cracked his knuckles. He had a feeling this was going to get complicated.
The representatives were greeted by several Capitol servants, who gestured for them to follow. Numerous Hydra guard stood overseeing the shuttle, all armoured in their ornate armour courtesy of the Empress royal guard. Four peeled off to follow the group as they were taken through several large hallways, each butressed and vaulted in exquisite ways with beautiful paintings showing the images of Capitols historical moments.
Finally they were led out into the gardens, a massive wide open area several km across located in the centre of the huge palace complex and with several sections that were tropical, savannah and more. They were however taken to a fairly functionable area, a wide flat field of Verridian blue grass had been mowed perfectly, arrayed with flowerbeds of cherry blossom trees and other trees from several other worlds of varying different colours. Under one of the trees on a rather unassuming bench was Empress Inara, and on her lap her daughter Elena. They sat as Inara read a book to her daughter before looking up to their new guests nodding to the servants as they bowed and walked away.
"Welcome" Inara smiled. Elena grinned.
"Yes welcome to the gardens! What do you think of them?" She beamed.
Yes, things were getting very complicated. Why the Empress herself would wish to meet with LaPointe was a mystery, at least a mystery for the moment. It could be a tactic he supposed, something to put the diplomats off balance. He'd have to tread carefully.
"Empress," LaPointe said with an easy smile and a bow, O'Shea quick to mimick his bow with a small curtsey of her own. "What a pleasant surprise, and a welcome change of venue from stuffy board rooms and offices. I'm Pierra LaPointe with the Vestahl Commonwealth's Foreign Relations Council and this is D'Arcy O'Shea,"
"A pleasure to meet you my lady," O'Shea said with an easy smile of her own. "Your gardens are quite lovely, and very expansive,"
Inara nodded "Sometimes one must get away from the artificial and become one with the natural. It makes for an excellent change of pace and helps to clear ones head. It is a pleasure to meet you both, normally I would have delegated this matter to one of my aids however your people have garnered my interest. No small part in thanks to the actions of the media and the events surrounding your people" She smiled like a predator.
"Im glad you love the gardens!" Elena replied to O'Shea before gesturing to the bench near to their own opposite "Please have a seat" The young girl was still excited. Inara also gestured for them to sit.
"I have to say, your nations appearance on the grand stage of the galaxy was a rather amusing one. Although I mean no offense of course" Inara added.
"The war crimes trial I presume, you're referring to?" LaPointe said taking the offered seat. O'Shea stayed standing for a moment, her fists clenched. The former revolutionary had not taken the news that her comrades had been denied justice well and for a moment he feared she may snap at Inara.
But it was only a moment. Her fist unclenched and she sat down beside LaPointe with a deep breath, the easy smile returning once more.
"Yes that was a rather... unfortunate event," LaPointe said, picking his words carefully. "I can't claim to be entirely satisfied with the end result, but much and more has already been said to that effect. Better to look to the future and let the past stay dead."
"Wise words" Inara said aloud "If anything that trial was a farse, anyone could see that. Justice was taken from you and I can relate to that. The Davians are amusing at most, but the destruction they have caused is anything but. The intelligence reports I have recieved about the damage done to your world of Vestahl say it is bad..."
Elenas smile disspeared at the mention of damage to their worlds she looked apologetically to the Vestahl delegation.
"I am sorry, you can make your world better again cant you?" She asked, Inara smiled and stroked her hair.
"They can, I imagine its partly why they are here, to ask for our help you see?" Elena nodded her face lighting up again.
"We can help you make your world better for sure!"
"All damage is reparable in time," LaPointe answered. "Construction crews erect new buildings, and fields of flowers have already been planted to clean up the radiation around Levitsky. They've only just begun to bloom as spring sets in. O'Shea has seen them but sadly I haven't found the time to make the trip just yet,"
He paused momentarily, and seeing as the situation was pleasant (for the moment) he motioned for O'Shea to present their paperwork. A brief look of shock passed over her features but she hid it well.
"We've come today in the interest of continued peace for the Commonwealth," she explained. "The galaxy wide war threatens to engulf even small nations such as ours and we wished to affirm our people's wish to remain neutral in the conflict, and perhaps begin establishing trade relations with your nation, and others, should you find such an arrangement agreeable."
Inara was somewhat visibly disappointed in the statement about neutrality, but then again she had expected it anyway. Elena however was happy to hear about the flowers being planted and blooming, although she likely didn’t understand the implications of radiation she found the prospect of flowers on another planet exciting.
"I bet they look beautiful, you should go see them. I have never been off world sadly, I would love to come see the flowers your people have planted!" She beamed. Inara chuckled dispelling the disappointment she had felt.
"I am sure I can see to a non aggression pact from our side and the APP, and trade agreements would be much welcomed. At this point in time we are happy to trade materials and man power for production capability loans and shipyards, things to help our war effort. If those terms are agreeable for your own people" Inara replied.
"Perhaps you'd like to come see them? A memorial service is being held on Vestahl for those lost in the war soon. You'd be welcome to attend,"
"And I'm sure Ms. O'Shea would love to escort you," LaPointe added. "The terms are agreeable provided you understand we'll need to make similar offers to the AGA in the interests of neutrality. The specific details of the trade agreement will need to be worked out between your government and the Trade Council. I'm sure they'll have many meticulous spread sheets to bore you to tears with so I highly recommend delegating the task to someone who enjoys that type of thing,"
Elena breamed "I would love that! Can we go mummy?" She asked Inara who chuckled.
"Maybe, we will have to check our schedule, hopefully we can attend and you can see the flowers" Inara replied "Forgive my daughter she is ever the botanist, at that stage where everything is exciting in the universe" She stroked Elenas head again "If only things were so simple for all of us like they were at this age" She kissed her daughters forehead before turning back to LaPointe.
"I understand fully what it entails, neutrality is to be impartial to both sides, I have no problem with such as long as we work beneficially with each other. I will assign a delegation to oversee the minute points of such an agreement althought I dont truly think anyone enjoys that type of task. And if there is well I would advise they choose a new form of fun..." She smiled.
"Yes, all children are quite easily excited at that age," LaPointe said with a nod and a smile before pulling a set of documents from his brief case.
"This is a standard non-aggression pact as well as an agreement to open negotiations with the trade comittee to establish a beneficial relationship between our peoples in the near future. Provided everything goes well then I imagine in a few months the Commonwealth will be looking to establish an embassy here as well. You need not sign the documents now. They're long and filled with lots of legal jargon so feel free to review them at your leisure."
Elena smiled although not quite understanding the context of the conversation, before Inara could take the documents Elena gently took them, and started giving them a read over. She raised her eyebrow and cocked her head, not quite understanding the terminology used. Inara chuckled to herself.
"I shall pass them on to one of my close aids so they can look it over, any revisions will be worked out with your people. As for an embassy I will have them look for an open space within the embassy district. And I can see they are full of Jargon... Even Elena here is having a problem with them" She laughed. Elena nodded.
"Yea, some of these words dont make sense mummy"
"Thats because their written by lawyers and legal people darling"
"Written by worse than lawyers I'm afraid," LaPointe commented. "It was written by politicians."
He closed his brief case and leaned back in his chair with a sigh, quite pleased witht he direction the negotiations had gone. Although the trade deal, even in the early stages of negotiations, would necessitate he visit one of the allied powers before too long to ensure Vestahl's neutrality would be respected... and then he'd have to figure out just what to do with D'Arcy. She had a good rapport with the Empress and her daughter so he imagined he'd need to send her back to the capital in case either (or both) decided to attend the memorial.
It would complicate things, but it was workable.
"Even worse indeed..." Inara replied "I think thats everything wrapped up here. I will give your proposal a read over, and then sort the situation out with one of my aids. Then everything can be officially signed off for and ratified" She smiled.
"Then we can go see their memorial right mummy?" Elena asked.
"We shall see darling, remember we have a very busy schedule. And mummy cant easily go off world anymore remember?" Inara sighed with a hint of sadness in her tone. Elenas smile lessened.
"Yea I remember, but if we cant go get whoever does to take pictures!" She grinned. Inara chuckled.
"I will" She replied, Elena got up off her mothers lap as Inara stood up, shaking LaPointes hand and nodding "Everything seems concluded here. I shall have my aids escort you back to your shuttle. A good day to you all" She smiled, one of the aids seeming to appear out of nowhere to direct them away and out of the garden. As they left Elena turned to Inara.
"Do you trust them Mummy?"
"We shall see darling. We shall see"
Pierre LaPointe, pushing sixty, had been classed as part of the old guard and had been forced out in short order. Replace by a younger man, with a bunch of fancy degrees that wouldn't mean a damn. But LaPointe was a good soldier (so to speak) and he followed orders. He took his retirement package, accepted a position in foreign relations, and been promptly sent (with a gaggle of assistants) on a trip around the galaxy to affirm Vestahl's neutrality in the ongoing war and (hopefully) extract non-aggression pacts from the powers that be.
Hell, maybe even establish an embassy or two.
It was boring work he supposed, routine stuff best left to junior diplomats or indeed aging veterans out of place. But it was work that needed to be done.
LaPointe's ship abruptly dropped from FTL, the Rangvald cruiser exiting through a wormhole along with four escorts on the outskirts of Celefra. He closed the file he'd been reading, stashing it in his briefcase, and removing his glasses before rubbing his eyes. While he steeled himself for the first round of boring meetings and routine negotiations, the Commander of the small force made contact through the appropriate channels, confirming the delegation's arrival and requesting further instruction.
As usual Celefra was awash with activity. As the capital it was defended like no other system, layeres of defense platforms, starbases and more ringed the approaches to the fairly arid world of Celefra itself. Thankfully the sheer amount of civilian traffic was bypassed as the official diplomatic lanes could be opened to the Commonwealth represenatives.
It wasnt long until the singular Rangvald cruiser had made it through repeated security checks (with Triarch being quite thorough about it for no particular reason) and the vessel had been given a specific orbital trajectory and landing co-ordinates for the city below. Surprisingly, it was not to the diplomatic areas or to the embassy halls, but to the palace itself.
Inara was sat in the gardens once again, it was one of her favourite places to spend time in this age, the sound of the birds and the flowing water calmed her. Sometimes it was better to get away from the raging fires of war and appreciate the little things. Elena sat on her lap, humming to herself as she made daisy chains, Inara occasionnally helping her while reading one of Shakespears works, the Tempest to be precise, surprisingly in actual paper format, a rare occurance for the galaxy as of late. She had provided the represenatives with her location, no guards stood nearby, just Inara and her daughter.
"Dont you have a meeting soon mummy?" Elena asked looking up into Inaras eyes. The girls beautiful innocent eyes made Inara smile genuinely in happiness, another rare occurance of late.
"I do, a very important one to be precise" She replied wiping a bit of hair from Elenas cheek.
"Do you want me to go?" She asked. Inara shook her head.
"Why dont you stay and help me? Im sure your genius will be needed in this meeting" Inara grinned as she stroked Elenas hair. The girl beamed and nodded.
"Ok mummy ill help you in any way I can!"
Pierre LaPointe scowled as one of his aids informed him of the change of course. He didn't like change, especially not at the last minute. He'd expected routine boring diplomacy. Documents would be presented, he'd argue with a junior diplomat over wording for six hours, and then they'd sign on agreements. The venue being changed to the palace didn't bode well for his hope of a routine negotiation.
He surveyed his aids, some were middle aged career diplomats, others viewed their posts as stepping stones toward higher political positions, and still more were former VRF fighters, recruited as part of the Truth and Reconcilliation initiative. The decision on who to take was one he had to make carefully. He'd initially planned on taking one of the careers... but now... maybe someone fresh faced with a different perspective.
"Ms. O'Shea," He called to a scarred, blue eyed red head. She perked up hearing her name and visibly paled when he motioned for her to come with him. He'd read her file, one of the VRF's infamous door breachers. She'd learned two different martial arts over the course of the war, nearly died on three seperate occassions... he supposed having someone with a combat background may prove necessary if things got... complicated.
The red head gather her papers into a brief case and joined LaPointe in the shuttle down to the palace. She said nothing, but LaPointe could feel the burning question as to why she'd been chosen. He wouldn't tell her yet. Let her stew on it for now, see what conclusions she jumped to.
He took a deep breath and cracked his knuckles. He had a feeling this was going to get complicated.
The representatives were greeted by several Capitol servants, who gestured for them to follow. Numerous Hydra guard stood overseeing the shuttle, all armoured in their ornate armour courtesy of the Empress royal guard. Four peeled off to follow the group as they were taken through several large hallways, each butressed and vaulted in exquisite ways with beautiful paintings showing the images of Capitols historical moments.
Finally they were led out into the gardens, a massive wide open area several km across located in the centre of the huge palace complex and with several sections that were tropical, savannah and more. They were however taken to a fairly functionable area, a wide flat field of Verridian blue grass had been mowed perfectly, arrayed with flowerbeds of cherry blossom trees and other trees from several other worlds of varying different colours. Under one of the trees on a rather unassuming bench was Empress Inara, and on her lap her daughter Elena. They sat as Inara read a book to her daughter before looking up to their new guests nodding to the servants as they bowed and walked away.
"Welcome" Inara smiled. Elena grinned.
"Yes welcome to the gardens! What do you think of them?" She beamed.
Yes, things were getting very complicated. Why the Empress herself would wish to meet with LaPointe was a mystery, at least a mystery for the moment. It could be a tactic he supposed, something to put the diplomats off balance. He'd have to tread carefully.
"Empress," LaPointe said with an easy smile and a bow, O'Shea quick to mimick his bow with a small curtsey of her own. "What a pleasant surprise, and a welcome change of venue from stuffy board rooms and offices. I'm Pierra LaPointe with the Vestahl Commonwealth's Foreign Relations Council and this is D'Arcy O'Shea,"
"A pleasure to meet you my lady," O'Shea said with an easy smile of her own. "Your gardens are quite lovely, and very expansive,"
Inara nodded "Sometimes one must get away from the artificial and become one with the natural. It makes for an excellent change of pace and helps to clear ones head. It is a pleasure to meet you both, normally I would have delegated this matter to one of my aids however your people have garnered my interest. No small part in thanks to the actions of the media and the events surrounding your people" She smiled like a predator.
"Im glad you love the gardens!" Elena replied to O'Shea before gesturing to the bench near to their own opposite "Please have a seat" The young girl was still excited. Inara also gestured for them to sit.
"I have to say, your nations appearance on the grand stage of the galaxy was a rather amusing one. Although I mean no offense of course" Inara added.
"The war crimes trial I presume, you're referring to?" LaPointe said taking the offered seat. O'Shea stayed standing for a moment, her fists clenched. The former revolutionary had not taken the news that her comrades had been denied justice well and for a moment he feared she may snap at Inara.
But it was only a moment. Her fist unclenched and she sat down beside LaPointe with a deep breath, the easy smile returning once more.
"Yes that was a rather... unfortunate event," LaPointe said, picking his words carefully. "I can't claim to be entirely satisfied with the end result, but much and more has already been said to that effect. Better to look to the future and let the past stay dead."
"Wise words" Inara said aloud "If anything that trial was a farse, anyone could see that. Justice was taken from you and I can relate to that. The Davians are amusing at most, but the destruction they have caused is anything but. The intelligence reports I have recieved about the damage done to your world of Vestahl say it is bad..."
Elenas smile disspeared at the mention of damage to their worlds she looked apologetically to the Vestahl delegation.
"I am sorry, you can make your world better again cant you?" She asked, Inara smiled and stroked her hair.
"They can, I imagine its partly why they are here, to ask for our help you see?" Elena nodded her face lighting up again.
"We can help you make your world better for sure!"
"All damage is reparable in time," LaPointe answered. "Construction crews erect new buildings, and fields of flowers have already been planted to clean up the radiation around Levitsky. They've only just begun to bloom as spring sets in. O'Shea has seen them but sadly I haven't found the time to make the trip just yet,"
He paused momentarily, and seeing as the situation was pleasant (for the moment) he motioned for O'Shea to present their paperwork. A brief look of shock passed over her features but she hid it well.
"We've come today in the interest of continued peace for the Commonwealth," she explained. "The galaxy wide war threatens to engulf even small nations such as ours and we wished to affirm our people's wish to remain neutral in the conflict, and perhaps begin establishing trade relations with your nation, and others, should you find such an arrangement agreeable."
Inara was somewhat visibly disappointed in the statement about neutrality, but then again she had expected it anyway. Elena however was happy to hear about the flowers being planted and blooming, although she likely didn’t understand the implications of radiation she found the prospect of flowers on another planet exciting.
"I bet they look beautiful, you should go see them. I have never been off world sadly, I would love to come see the flowers your people have planted!" She beamed. Inara chuckled dispelling the disappointment she had felt.
"I am sure I can see to a non aggression pact from our side and the APP, and trade agreements would be much welcomed. At this point in time we are happy to trade materials and man power for production capability loans and shipyards, things to help our war effort. If those terms are agreeable for your own people" Inara replied.
"Perhaps you'd like to come see them? A memorial service is being held on Vestahl for those lost in the war soon. You'd be welcome to attend,"
"And I'm sure Ms. O'Shea would love to escort you," LaPointe added. "The terms are agreeable provided you understand we'll need to make similar offers to the AGA in the interests of neutrality. The specific details of the trade agreement will need to be worked out between your government and the Trade Council. I'm sure they'll have many meticulous spread sheets to bore you to tears with so I highly recommend delegating the task to someone who enjoys that type of thing,"
Elena breamed "I would love that! Can we go mummy?" She asked Inara who chuckled.
"Maybe, we will have to check our schedule, hopefully we can attend and you can see the flowers" Inara replied "Forgive my daughter she is ever the botanist, at that stage where everything is exciting in the universe" She stroked Elenas head again "If only things were so simple for all of us like they were at this age" She kissed her daughters forehead before turning back to LaPointe.
"I understand fully what it entails, neutrality is to be impartial to both sides, I have no problem with such as long as we work beneficially with each other. I will assign a delegation to oversee the minute points of such an agreement althought I dont truly think anyone enjoys that type of task. And if there is well I would advise they choose a new form of fun..." She smiled.
"Yes, all children are quite easily excited at that age," LaPointe said with a nod and a smile before pulling a set of documents from his brief case.
"This is a standard non-aggression pact as well as an agreement to open negotiations with the trade comittee to establish a beneficial relationship between our peoples in the near future. Provided everything goes well then I imagine in a few months the Commonwealth will be looking to establish an embassy here as well. You need not sign the documents now. They're long and filled with lots of legal jargon so feel free to review them at your leisure."
Elena smiled although not quite understanding the context of the conversation, before Inara could take the documents Elena gently took them, and started giving them a read over. She raised her eyebrow and cocked her head, not quite understanding the terminology used. Inara chuckled to herself.
"I shall pass them on to one of my close aids so they can look it over, any revisions will be worked out with your people. As for an embassy I will have them look for an open space within the embassy district. And I can see they are full of Jargon... Even Elena here is having a problem with them" She laughed. Elena nodded.
"Yea, some of these words dont make sense mummy"
"Thats because their written by lawyers and legal people darling"
"Written by worse than lawyers I'm afraid," LaPointe commented. "It was written by politicians."
He closed his brief case and leaned back in his chair with a sigh, quite pleased witht he direction the negotiations had gone. Although the trade deal, even in the early stages of negotiations, would necessitate he visit one of the allied powers before too long to ensure Vestahl's neutrality would be respected... and then he'd have to figure out just what to do with D'Arcy. She had a good rapport with the Empress and her daughter so he imagined he'd need to send her back to the capital in case either (or both) decided to attend the memorial.
It would complicate things, but it was workable.
"Even worse indeed..." Inara replied "I think thats everything wrapped up here. I will give your proposal a read over, and then sort the situation out with one of my aids. Then everything can be officially signed off for and ratified" She smiled.
"Then we can go see their memorial right mummy?" Elena asked.
"We shall see darling, remember we have a very busy schedule. And mummy cant easily go off world anymore remember?" Inara sighed with a hint of sadness in her tone. Elenas smile lessened.
"Yea I remember, but if we cant go get whoever does to take pictures!" She grinned. Inara chuckled.
"I will" She replied, Elena got up off her mothers lap as Inara stood up, shaking LaPointes hand and nodding "Everything seems concluded here. I shall have my aids escort you back to your shuttle. A good day to you all" She smiled, one of the aids seeming to appear out of nowhere to direct them away and out of the garden. As they left Elena turned to Inara.
"Do you trust them Mummy?"
"We shall see darling. We shall see"