Chapter 1, Part 5: Krenshawz
If you want to start at the beginning....
Rules for this referee-less, play by post game.
Chapter 1
Part 5
Krenshawz
Scene in government hall begins: we have 2 days to RP with each other and the Krenshawz delegation. This is the first round of negotiations, feeling out what each side wants, needs, etc.The Krenshawz delegation sits in a semicircle at an elegant, dark wood table with a high gloss sheen. Lero can see the rankings of importance by the height of the people. Despite being tall for a Krenshawz, Premier Norman sits only slightly higher than Morrissy, for the seats have been set at specific levels. It gives the Krenshawz delegation an odd appearance...a perfect and even dropping of height from Norman to the various secretaries of the government agencies.
The aides who set up the seating for Lero, the count, and the XO apologize profusely for not knowing their height or rank. Lero accepts their apology and sits down. Glasses of water and what looks to be a tea sit in front of him.
Once all are seated, Norman stands and begins a long speech about the glories of Krenshawz and how they have long thought highly of the Imperium. Lero cannot honestly tell if it is a bunch of BS or not. He gives the benefit of the doubt. Norman’s speech ends, and she looks at Hertwig in anticipation.
Once all are seated, Norman stands and begins a long speech about the glories of Krenshawz and how they have long thought highly of the Imperium. Lero cannot honestly tell if it is a bunch of BS or not. He gives the benefit of the doubt. Norman’s speech ends, and she looks at Hertwig in anticipation.
The Count starts walking around the room. He knows that if the height of the chairs was an indication of tank, by standing up, Hertwig is trying to send a subtle message about the status of the Imperium over Krenshawz. "Thus, trust is a key component to any relationship. We fully trust you government and as a token of goodwill, we are willing to extend to your people all the benefits we provide our allies. This includes preferential access to medicine, food and tech that should help your people live long and prosperous lives. In exchange, we ask for your trust and support in case of any intergalactic conflict, plus preferential access to your spaceports. We can help you against any external forces threatening your people, but we cannot be caught up in all the usual red tape in case of an emergency.” The Count goes back to his seat and looks straight at the Primer and President Morrissy, waiting for their answer.
Scene that evening after the formal talks begins: we have 3 days to RP with each other and the Krenshawz delegation and aides. These are smaller, private conversations, intended to influence the next day’s talks.
Lero smiles. "I’d be delighted.”
They had some small talk, sharing histories and what their careers were like. The navy is the navy, no matter where, he thinks. He tries the delicacy—a glassy looking bulbous item. Dozens of them on the plate atop greens. The first one is, well, interesting. A briny fleshy flavor. When he pops the second one into his mouth, she sees his reaction.
“Different, right?” McRoddon asks.
"Very. This is spicy. With some earthy root vegetables or something.”
“She smiles. It’s up to the chef’s whim and what’s available. I don’t know how they make it.”
The conversation proceeds ever more into the political and diplomatic. He finally says, "Forgive me if I’m blunt, but I want to get to the point.” He watches her nod. "What is it you want before we can really negotiate?”
She wipes her mouth with a white cloth napkin. “We have some raiders in the outer system. Used to mine the asteroids orbiting Neronton, the gas giant there. They’ve apparently gotten bored and are disrupting merchants coming in system. We could take them out, but there’s a level of sympathy for them from quite a few people. If you, if the Deimos could take them out, well, let’s say there’d be goodwill enough.”
"You got to understand that just like you are looking out for your constituents, in Asian culture, the needs of the pack supersede those of the individual. I got carried away in my speech, but it is because I know that an alliance between the Krenshawz and the Imperium will benefit both sides. Now I know you are in the last year of your mandate, so my question to you is how would you like to be remembered? What would you like history books to write about government? Even better, how would you like to have a shot at a second term in office?"
The Count leans on the table and looks straight into the eyes of President Morrissey. "President Morrissey, wouldn’t you want to be remembered as the one who brought stability to your people and gave them access to food and tech available previously out of their reach?" The Count then waits a couple of seconds in silence, trying to read Morrissy’s reaction.
Lero watches the faces as Hertwig stands, and he sees a series of grimaces and frowns fan out across them. The premier in particular seems uncomfortable. "What is going on,” the commander thinks. "These people are on our border. Only good can come from a closer relationship.” Perhaps some gaffe in the ritual. He remembers commanders who would get all bent out of shape if the salute was not exact enough for them.
Norman, remaining seated, says, “We recognize that the Count is not familiar with our ways. We choose to believe he meant no ill will by standing and strutting around our,” she emphasizes the word, “chambers. Perhaps we would best be served by splitting our delegations to engage in more intimate and meaningful areas of mutual interest.” It is not a request. She stands, and the others stand in a carefully ordered sequence of rank. She leaves the chamber as aides approach the crew of the Deimos.
A pasty-faced young man dressed in burgundy coat and pink shirt approaches Lero. “Come with me sir. The High Command of the Navy wishes to speak to you.”
Lero stands and pulls his coat at the bottom to straighten it. "Lead the way.”
Norman, remaining seated, says, “We recognize that the Count is not familiar with our ways. We choose to believe he meant no ill will by standing and strutting around our,” she emphasizes the word, “chambers. Perhaps we would best be served by splitting our delegations to engage in more intimate and meaningful areas of mutual interest.” It is not a request. She stands, and the others stand in a carefully ordered sequence of rank. She leaves the chamber as aides approach the crew of the Deimos.
A pasty-faced young man dressed in burgundy coat and pink shirt approaches Lero. “Come with me sir. The High Command of the Navy wishes to speak to you.”
Lero stands and pulls his coat at the bottom to straighten it. "Lead the way.”
Scene that evening after the formal talks begins: we have 3 days to RP with each other and the Krenshawz delegation and aides. These are smaller, private conversations, intended to influence the next day’s talks.
Lero follows the aide out and into the hall. The aide turns and says, “High Commabder McRoddon wishes to invite you to dinner. The restaurant is around the corner.”
Lero nods and keeps pace with the aide’s quick pace. He steps into the evening light. The city shines brightly. Instinctively, Lero looks up for the Deimos, but he has little time to take in the sky or even the city, Empyrea.
The restaurant is a small, non-descript place. A host leads Lero to a table for two, at which sits a proud looking woman wearing the uniform of the Krenshawz navy and festooned with ribbons and medals. She stands as he approaches. They perform the necessary bows and then she gestures for him to sit. “I hope you don’t mind,” she says, “but I’ve taken the liberty of ordering for us. I thought you might like to try a Krenshawz delicacy.”
Lero nods and keeps pace with the aide’s quick pace. He steps into the evening light. The city shines brightly. Instinctively, Lero looks up for the Deimos, but he has little time to take in the sky or even the city, Empyrea.
The restaurant is a small, non-descript place. A host leads Lero to a table for two, at which sits a proud looking woman wearing the uniform of the Krenshawz navy and festooned with ribbons and medals. She stands as he approaches. They perform the necessary bows and then she gestures for him to sit. “I hope you don’t mind,” she says, “but I’ve taken the liberty of ordering for us. I thought you might like to try a Krenshawz delicacy.”
Lero smiles. "I’d be delighted.”
They had some small talk, sharing histories and what their careers were like. The navy is the navy, no matter where, he thinks. He tries the delicacy—a glassy looking bulbous item. Dozens of them on the plate atop greens. The first one is, well, interesting. A briny fleshy flavor. When he pops the second one into his mouth, she sees his reaction.
“Different, right?” McRoddon asks.
"Very. This is spicy. With some earthy root vegetables or something.”
“She smiles. It’s up to the chef’s whim and what’s available. I don’t know how they make it.”
The conversation proceeds ever more into the political and diplomatic. He finally says, "Forgive me if I’m blunt, but I want to get to the point.” He watches her nod. "What is it you want before we can really negotiate?”
She wipes her mouth with a white cloth napkin. “We have some raiders in the outer system. Used to mine the asteroids orbiting Neronton, the gas giant there. They’ve apparently gotten bored and are disrupting merchants coming in system. We could take them out, but there’s a level of sympathy for them from quite a few people. If you, if the Deimos could take them out, well, let’s say there’d be goodwill enough.”
The Count and President Morrissy head to her private office where they continue the preliminary negotiation. Hertwig is still upset the strategy did not work as planned. He knows he was taking a risk by breaking protocol but he had hoped it would give him an edge during the negotiations. Unfortunately, he really underestimated Norman's influence over the delegation. Thus, his main objective is to get some time for a one-to-one conversation with Morrissy, away from the Premier.
The Count says, "Thank you for agreeing to meet in private President Morrissy. I would first like to apologize for the events that transpired back in the main hall." The Count approaches Morrissy's desk and waited for her to sit down before pulling out a chair.
He is sure that the President is not 100% aligned with the Premier’s views, so if he wants to close a deal beneficial to the Imperium, he has to tackle that angle.The Count says, "Thank you for agreeing to meet in private President Morrissy. I would first like to apologize for the events that transpired back in the main hall." The Count approaches Morrissy's desk and waited for her to sit down before pulling out a chair.
"You got to understand that just like you are looking out for your constituents, in Asian culture, the needs of the pack supersede those of the individual. I got carried away in my speech, but it is because I know that an alliance between the Krenshawz and the Imperium will benefit both sides. Now I know you are in the last year of your mandate, so my question to you is how would you like to be remembered? What would you like history books to write about government? Even better, how would you like to have a shot at a second term in office?"
The Count leans on the table and looks straight into the eyes of President Morrissey. "President Morrissey, wouldn’t you want to be remembered as the one who brought stability to your people and gave them access to food and tech available previously out of their reach?" The Count then waits a couple of seconds in silence, trying to read Morrissy’s reaction.
Roll Diplomacy to determine how well the message was delivered
/roll 2d6+2
/roll 2d6+2
2d6+2 = (1+3)+2 = 6
Roll now for the reaction with a -2 effect
/roll 2d6-2
2d6-2 = (2+3)-2 = 3
President Morrissy remains quiet for a full minute. The Count initially thinks she is thinking over her answer, but it soon becomes evident that she is deeply angered by proposition (or at least to the way it was framed) and she is mustering all of her energy to provide a “politically correct” answer to Hertwig.
“Count, with all due respect, my performance as President has been extraordinary despite what some people think or what you could have heard in some of the right wing propaganda that passes as 'news' these days.”
Breaking her own protocol, Morrissy stands up from her chair and walks over to the window where one could see the southern part of the city. From this altitude, the whole city resembles any of the more affluent cities in the Imperium, although the President knows that the unemployment levels have skyrocketed during the past 18 months and crime is rampart in some parts of the planet. She knows that things could be way better if she just had the support of the Premier. Still, she is not willing to take any more criticism about her job as President, let alone from a second grade Aslan trying to play nice with her.Roll now for the reaction with a -2 effect
/roll 2d6-2
2d6-2 = (2+3)-2 = 3
President Morrissy remains quiet for a full minute. The Count initially thinks she is thinking over her answer, but it soon becomes evident that she is deeply angered by proposition (or at least to the way it was framed) and she is mustering all of her energy to provide a “politically correct” answer to Hertwig.
“Count, with all due respect, my performance as President has been extraordinary despite what some people think or what you could have heard in some of the right wing propaganda that passes as 'news' these days.”
She says, “It is true that there are areas where we could do a better job, but are trying to keep the economy stable while pockets of insurrection appear all around the sector. Do you really want to forge an alliance Count? Then show us some of the “good will” you talk about. We have a group of raiders who have been attacking our ships and disrupting some of our trade lanes. Take care of them and maybe we can consider striking a deal with the Imperium. I have to go now, but my aids will gladly take you to the chambers we prepared for your visit. Have a nice evening”
The president walks out of the office, leaving the Count with a bewildered look in his face.
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