P Finance and Frustration

[Big Dicc Marty]

"I will NOT let the Collective be torn down over the influences of Senti, this pathetic New Dusk Conclave or any other nation!"

The Council was in an uproar. One of the many bricks in their great wall had spoken up with devastating news and a wealth of new information that fell on frightened ears. An emergency meeting was called immediately for the entire council to discuss all of the things that had missed as they kept their attention away from what was far from their walls and eyes. They should have known better than to believe the rust-skinned pirates were all there was in this infinite galaxy.

"I second her. Though their constant interjections on every possible problem regardless of if it were her field waste my time, this little imp of agriculture finally brings intelligence. The Collective is safe here, these other nations are of no worry to us. Trouble will come to our walls. No need to invite it." The Head of Industry prodded his abnormally raspy voice, a rare occasion on full council meetings. A political enemy for sure, but the two polar opposites had finally agreed on something. The Collective stays where it is, comfortably in the wealth of protection it had made. This little meeting that happened at their door step was surely a one time issue.

A small set of whispers continued after the Head of Industry had sat back down, slowly coming into a roiling boil of talks then more bickering and extensive arguments typical of Drhuvian Politics. The voices shut to a silence once the Head of Finance made his ever intimidating presence vocal. "You are, all of you, the product of thousands of years of failure. The unfortunate produce of the weakest grime scraped from the under of Isomerias claws. I am disappointed." He finished his insulting as the other Council members sat relatively relaxed. This was the standard for the Head of Finance, fortunately his little secretary did a much better job of manners. He continued, "To hide behind walls is to invite our own destruction. How can we defend against something we have no knowledge about? To open ourselves and freely invite the influences of other nations and their economies would be no different than letting termites into our home to consume our foundation slowly and painfully."

A short breath continued, followed by a heavy cough as the booming voice he projected took a toll. He looked to the other members, daring them to interrupt. They allowed him to continue. "We can do both without injury to our glorious Collective. Send a volunteer representative and two cruisers. We will swoon this NDC beast into our arms and extract the locations of Katamura, as they seem to be much more friendly with that little invasive species. This may be the ticket to ending our longest standing problem to date and ensuring the Senti end their relentless clawing. Additionally, we can pull information about a new possible enemy and prepare accordingly."

He raised an eyebrow to his other members, one last scan of the room before sitting. "All in favor, announce yourselves. All against, speak now or forever hold your peace."

The Council took a moment, secretaries stood up from the shade cast by the one oppressive light hanging from the center of the room and consulted with their superiors. The ending decision, after a small shutout of the Secretary of Warfare, was to go ahead with the idea the Head of Finance presented. The Berserker Kingdom would be contacted for their vessels and the Houses would be contacted for any possible volunteers. First, the Head of Finance would meet with Animus to discuss this plan and source the troops required to protect the representative.

 

[Big Dicc Marty]

A tiny woman slowly stepped down the long, royal hall of the Berserker palace. She was forced to squint as the giant red star pouring into the glass slowly crept up from her shoes to her hair. A single tall shade was cast as she approached the throne of the Berserker throne.

"Animus." She announced her presence, pulling a data pad from under her arm and looking down at the list of things she was tasked with. First, acquiring guards for her diplomatic expedition. Nothing much was needed, two quick frigates. She would bring her own vessel to be escorted. She looked back up and sighs, watching the giant speak with a gentle croak.

"Hello, little mouse. My spendings were in order last I had checked."

"Yes, they are. This is not the issue of today. The Council has a request of you. Are you aware of the recent encounter with the New Dusk Conclave?"

The man shifted on the simple throne, a small jingle coming from under his large coat and harness as he rested his gargantuan weight on one arm of the chair. He seemed quite interested in what the Council had to say about something he surely heard about before them in far more detail. "Yes. I spoke with Chernus once he had rushed in here. I suppose the Council wants to go after this alien existence?"

"Yes... sort of." She cleared her throat and looked up to the crimson eyes staring down at her, not intimidated by the difference in size. Her superior frightened her worse until she was desensitized by the idea of conflict. "I require to frigates worth of guards. The Council is sending me, as a volunteer, to gain the location of Katamura through the New Dusk Conclave's wealth of... interactions with the pirates."

A hardy chuckle came from Animus as he heard of the youthful anger the Council expressed regardless of whether they intended or not. He had seen many different councils, this was one was no different to him. "Always the pirates." He took a moment to think, pondering what he wanted to send. He turned his gaze to the side, nodding to the nearby guard armored in red and gold power armor. A moment passed before the guard returned from time away with a data pad larger than his already tall figure. He stood beside the king until it was taken from his hands then returned to his post.

"I have a few candidates on my mind. Assuming the Senti will be present, an unwelcome one, the Council may have a gem from my very crown as well as a return of part of that little commissioned force they seemed so insistent upon. One Metallurgist frigate, one personal frigate of mine from this very fleet with my gem and her pack aboard. If you wish to make a statement and prevent any Senti, she will be your instrument." The king played upon the giant data pad with a clawed finger for a moment before a confirmation buzzed upon the pad clutched in the hands of the woman before him.

"Thank you, your highness. I will assemble these two together shortly, gather supplies and maybe be the first councilman to perform such an excursion." Her face bowed, both in respect to the warrior king and in anxiety of the task she was assigned by her superior. She turned away and took a few steps before stopped her.

"Thank you for letting her upon a task. She was becoming stir-crazy and I was fearing the only other thing to keep her occupied was live fire exercises."

The secretary turned, then nodded before turning back and continuing a quickened walk. She wanted to get this over with as soon as she can so she can enjoy her seat in the shade of the Council House again. How she missed it already.

 

[Big Dicc Marty]

The secretary desperately missed her cloak of irrelevance as she sat next to the grinning iridescent skinned woman that was now her assigned personal guard. She was... a lot.

"And I just get free reign?"

"No. No you do not." She restated. She took another deep and frustrated breath in. This gem was certainly the instrument she needed to prevent any Senti meddling. It just doesn't have an off switch. "You are to ensure no other Senti are present or involved in the talks between me and the NDC representative. However you do it doesn't matter but do not start a damned war and keep things verbal. Do not cause physical altercations. Do not cause a war. Understood?"

"Sounds like free reign to me."

"Fine, your definition of free reign. Keep it under wraps. Keep it cunning. Don't get our talk compromised."

The silver skinned woman couldn't grin any further without her multitudes of fangs splitting her face and opening into the maw of her goddess. She stood up to her feet with all the excitement of a wolf meeting a pile of free prey for the taking. "Let us embark."

"Please stay in your quarters for the trip. I will call when needed. You can access the kitchen and anything you else but please, stay off the bridge and my quarters."

"Whatever you say, councilwoman."