"I'm willing to give up particular pieces of territory… Even increase the limit on their military power. But the core principle of N.E.M.O. is that Reach expansion must stop. Several member worlds were in the process of being ground out of existence before the war started."
"Is it within the power of the maltusians to relocate them?"
They shouldn't
have to.
Good, sensible races don't go conquering their neighbours, you know.
"They can build new planets, yes. But they won't have the infrastructure or history, and that will… Probably result in their inhabitants wanting to take their original world back at some point. I don't think that will result in a lasting peace." I shake my head. "That's why I included that bit about them joining; to preserve peace by eliminating future points of conflict. 'They stole our home' isn't a narrative that lends itself to that."
"Have the maltusians relocated populations before?"
Though I doubt anyone would trust the Reach citizens with anything in the first few
centuries... Some races do have long lifespans, and longer memories...
"Yes, and I could -grudgingly- tolerate letting the Reach keep worlds that they've already captured. Less grudgingly, I could accept them keeping worlds they've already settled. But giving them planets that we've liberated… I'd best see a lot of movement from them before I even consider that. I don't want to do it, and I don't think I could sell it to N.E.M.O. member worlds."
"But even if ratification proved difficult, would it not be better to have a ceasefire in place for the interim?"
I suspect more than a few members would laugh in his face. Or maybe punch him for even suggesting it. Or
both.
"No, not really. We have the advantage and momentum at present, and we can show results to our members in return for the effort they're putting into the war. A ceasefire would see the Reach entrenching and shifting their economy over to full war production. I can't see us stopping while a peace treaty was debated unless it was significantly in our favour."
She nods slowly.
And an empire as big as the Reach has a
lot of production potential. That's why the war is going to take a
lifetime.
"I will keep that in mind. You.. mentioned earlier that some N.E.M.O. members just enjoyed war?"
"I think I said that there are always some. But if you're worried about them going after the Reach in violation of a peace treaty, don't be. It's a big universe and there's always a war going on somewhere. If they want new planets to settle it would be less hassle to take apart a gas giant only system and put together a new one than it would be to renew hostilities."
Though most cultures don't
start out at that level, you know. Still, by now, it's probably easier. But Reach gonna
reach.
"Given that both the maltusians and the Reach have that technology, I struggle to understand how such hostilities could exist at all."
"Two answers to that. The obvious one is: we're fighting back because they keep attacking us. The other is: 'Some-"
To paraphrase the Geth from 'Incompatible System': "Reach Faction is
Reach." They're used to doing it this way. I wouldn't be surprised if doing it this way has become a point of pride for some, putting one over entire worlds.
My ring blinks.
"-men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.'"
And OL finds that sort of attitude
wasteful. And when they're defeated, he will
rejoice.
I smile and raise my ring to my left ear.
"Illustres?"
"Drusa. Have the negotiations ended?"
I hope this isn't just a pleasure call, Drusa. Not that OL's busy, but...
"No, we're just taking a little break. Why?"
"A Reach flotilla has appeared at the edge of the system and is asking for emergency transit."
...Well, shit. Looks like Reach gonna
reach indeed.
"Hold on." I hold my hand out in front of me and project a construct image of Lantern Drusa's head. "Say that again."
"A Reach flotilla has appeared at the edge of the system and is asking for emergency transit."
Oh, that's bad. I have the feeling the war is coming to Yuna whether they want it to or not...
"The Reach frequently trade here." Miss Arfat shakes her head in a pacifying manner. "There isn't anything untoward about ships arriving now. The will be directed to the opposite side of the planet to your ships, conduct their business and then leave."
"Did you know this flotilla was arriving in advance?"
I rather suspect the High Council Office is in a
panic right now...
"I-. I personally didn't. But-"
I stare through the wall at the Negotiator, empathic vision turned up. No, I'm not seeing anything that indicates an increase in confidence or joy. I frown slightly and turn in the direction… There it is, the Reach trade mission. Nothing much there either.
...Which isn't indicative of anything. They may have emotion-concealing gear. Or they might simply not have
known this was coming. It's not impossible they weren't told the military branch might be trying something against the Illustres...
"-I'm sure that someone did."
"How many ships are we talking about?"
"One cruiser and four escorts. No cargo ships."
Definitely not a trading party, then. I'm betting they're loaded for
bear Lanterns.
"No cargo ships?"
"Cruisers don't have a large internal volume. They might be carrying something small, but it seems unlikely."
I mean, sure, they might be here to collect the Super-Ring as the Negotiator expected to be able to...
"Well, a… Security measure, then. The Am-. Negotiator was concerned about your presence."
"The ships are moving."
Wow, they got pilots that quickly? Someone must have turned quite the profit...
"They got pilots already?"
"I didn't detect any going on board."
...Or not. Yeah, I don't think they're friendly
at all. The system's traffic command is probably screaming rather loudly at them...
I give Miss Arfat my full attention.
"Would you mind terribly checking this? You might be right about the reason for their visit, but I've died twice due to be insufficiently cautious."
And he's definitely in no mood to go for a
hat-trick.
I have the ring put a map of the system in my head. Given the.. angles…
I create a construct shield covering the ceiling and the spinwards side of the room. Miss Arfat looks at it in concern, then grabs her communicator.
Oh, that's not a good sign. He really thinks they'll bombard him from that far out? No, stupid question, of course they'll try.
"Arfat, High Council's Office. Confirm my identity."
There's a short pause.
"Good. Do we have a border situation in relation to the incoming Reach ships? This is highest priori-"
"Uh... The watch officer says 'No
doi!' Is that what you were hoping to hear, ma'am?"
Turquoise light appears on the far side of my shield, the building disintegrating around it! A beam weapon? A faster than light beam weapon?
"-tTTTTTTTYYYY!"
Wow, okay. They
really want him dead. You don't bust out big guns like that for just anybody.
An instant later the beam cuts out, showing the line it blasted through the government office block we're meeting in and the.. three next to it.
"We're under attack! Where did that shot come from?!"
On the upside, Yuna is not likely to remain neutral for much longer.
"Illustres, they fired-!"
"Yes, thank you. Hold on a moment. Miss Arfat?"
A little
late there, Drusa. Then again,
FTL beam weapon. It's entirely possible causality got a
wee bit confused there.
"Con-confirmed. The Reach vessel just tried to kill-. Killed-. Ah. Under the circumstances, N.E.M.O. assets are authorised to act against them."
I-.
Cha-
ch-...
"Just that group! We don't know that they're working with the Reach mission already on Yuna! This could be an internal dispute!"
...-
ing! Dangit! No snagging the Super-Ring in the confusion.
"Alright then. Lantern Drusa, engage at your recognisance. Prioritise protecting our ships and then the planet. I'll be up shortly."
"Acknowledged."
Still, being able to go weapons-hot against their attackers is fine. And they can show the gyuanites and company they'll fight Reach aggression to protect them.
Her construct disappears.
"Now let's go and ask the Negotiator what's going on."
Prediction: "I know nothing of this! This is... is a rogue element!"
Which does certainly feel not right. There's got to be something more going on... Hopefully we'll learn more tomorrow.