New Avalon
Royal Estates
David Sheridan had rarely enjoyed such beautiful scenery. The expansive gardens of the royal residence were exquisitely maintained and laid out, no doubt the product of generations of diligent work and careful attention. It was a chill morning, as would be expected at this altitude but still bright, the climate of this planet was almost ideal for human habitation. He had taken his time at breakfast and now wandered these gardens, marking time until he was finally joined by his aide.
"Mr. Morrison." He greeted the telepath. "Any trouble heading over here?"
"None, I think the staff are keeping an eye on us, but there isn't anyone tailing us."
"I'm pretty sure the waiter this morning was military intelligence, hands were too rough." Sheridan smiled. "But I don't see anyone out here, and I don't think they'd have listening devices so far out."
"I know what you're going to ask me." Morrison's expression hardened. "And no, it's not because I can read your mind."
Sheridan chuckled. "So obvious?"
"I don't perform unauthorised scans, I need full consent from all parties." Morrison stated firmly. "I can only break that rule if there is an obvious and immediate threat to life. This doesn't count."
"I respect your position Nigel, honestly I was just going to ask for your opinions on our hosts."
"Oh." The telepath cleared his throat. "Well so far they seem honest enough, they are playing their cards close, but I don't think that's a surprise."
"Can we make a deal with them?"
"I think so."
It had been the big question of the journey so far. The Davion household seemed open enough for what it was. He doubted they had a dungeon full of political rivals under the castle or maintained their rule by force or arms alone. In many ways, they seemed more stable than the Centauri, and while they were undoubtedly only showing the best of themselves, he could work with that.
"You can still read their surface thoughts though?" Sheridan checked. "Nothing specific, but enough to tell me if they are being truthful?"
"Yes, which I expect is why I'm here, isn't it?"
"I don't need to know all their secrets, we have other means for that should the need arise." He didn't delve into details. "I just need to know that they can deliver on any promises."
"Understood, that I can do." He paused. "Someone's heading this way, right toward us."
"Smile and enjoy the view." Sheridan advised, firing up his best diplomacy face.
He pretended not to notice until the last moment, turning with fake surprise when the newly arrived individual was just a few steps away. He had mostly come to terms with the medieval themes at play, the buildings, the ceremonies, and so on, but he did have a moment of difficulty accepting a grown man showing up in a wizard's robes.
"Mr Sheridan, sorry to ambush you like this. I wanted to catch you yesterday, but the First Prince had you all to himself!"
"Perfectly fine." Sheridan put on his best warm inoffensive smile. "You represent Comstar, right? Your uniform is pretty unique."
"Yes, and yes." The man took a moment to look out over the view, perhaps trying to show an interest in the same thing Sheridan was. "Precentor Huthrin Vandel, I oversee the HPG station here."
"Glad to meet you." Sheridan shuffled his memories to see what they had on Comstar. "Your organisation maintains the interstellar communication grid, if I recall?"
"That is certainly what we are best known for, but we also seek to preserve and nurture knowledge, as was the goal of our most reverend Blake."
"Blake being your leader?"
"Our founder, over two hundred years ago." Vandel clarified for them, indulging them as a teacher educating students. "He foresaw the disasters that would befall the Inner Sphere and charged us all with keeping the flame of knowledge alive."
"A noble goal, Precentor."
"I am glad you understand. As I hear it, you have preserved some knowledge yourselves?"
"I hope so, knowledge is power after all, wouldn't you agree?"
"It can be, if one were inclined to use it as such." Vandel answered pleasantly, a smile nailed to his face. "But knowledge is also a reward in itself."
"True enough." Sheridan accepted. "Did you have a proposal?"
"I did, as I understand it you mentioned wanting to open relations with the rest of the Inner Sphere?"
"As a matter of fact, yes, the Federated Suns are the closest to our border, but ultimately we'd like a broader understanding of how things are."
"Comstar would be overjoyed to help." Vandel made the offer happily. "We have a presence on every major planet, it would be trivial to arrange a meeting for you."
"That would be very helpful." Sheridan waited for the catch. "Why would you go to all that trouble?"
"It's no trouble, and we are happy to help foster peace and understanding." Vandel replied humbly. "Normally, the leaders of the great houses wouldn't have much time for a periphery nation, but they'll pay attention to anyone who possesses warships."
"Ah yes, that." Sheridan chuckled. "They seem to have made an impression."
"Quite disruptive." Vandel said simply. "But so far nothing that can't be managed."
Sheridan was definitely uneasy around this man. The basic intel they had on Comstar didn't offer too much, simply they were a quasi-religious cult that maintained the galactic communications network. In theory, they were harmless, but any organisation that gathered knowledge while also running the only long range communication system struck him as a major conflict of interest. That said, if they could set up meetings with the other nations, that would be worth working with them in the short term.
"I'll talk to my government, but intend to recommend accepting your offer to arrange diplomatic meetings." Sheridan stated, much to Vandel's happiness.
"That is wonderful news, Mr Sheridan, wonderful news." The Precenter beamed. "But how do you communicate with your home?"
"Very slowly."
"Ah, well, perhaps we can help there too." Vandel raised. "There is a HPG station on Tortuga you know, we disabled it some time back because, well, pirates, but we could have it working again in a few months."
"Really? How very convenient."
"Very much so." Vandel seemed to think Sheridan was sincere. "We may even be able to place one on your homeworld."
"Well, one step at a time." Sheridan dialed back. "We'll talk about diplomatic overtures first and look into the communications later."
"Of course, forgive my enthusiasm."
"Well, I consider that a productive meeting, but if you'll excuse us it's getting close to our summit with the First Prince." Sheridan made his excuses. "We'll talk again once I have my instructions."
"I very much look forward to it." Vandel bowed his head. "May Blake's wisdom light your way."
"Right back at you."
The robed man made his exit at a fairly brisk pace, no doubt keen to share the results of his conversation. Sheridan gave him a good long time to vanish before turning to Morrison.
"What do you think?"
"I think he's about as genuine as a Centauri trader offering us the real Mona Lisa."
"Right." Sheridan laughed softly. "What about the meetings?"
"He'll do that, take credit for it, of course, to advance his standing." Morrison worked out. "But we'll get what we need I think. I'm not so sure about the communication facility on Tortuga, that's not for our benefit."
"We'll string them along until we get our diplomacy done then." Sheridan resolved. "And maybe pick up more information on these Comstar guys. I get the impression we're going to be running into them a lot."
Hanse Davion was still mentally running through topics to raise when he noticed someone falling in beside him, the dark beard and amused eyes of Jaime Wolf offering a nod of welcome.
"Morning, Highness."
"Colonel Wolf, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Hanse wondered.
"Just seeing where we stand on our guests." The mercenary voiced. "Will you be pressing them for more details today or are you satisfied with their story?"
"I'm not, but looking at the list of trade goods they can offer, I'm not sure it matters." The Prince exhaled. "I want to learn more, but at the same time we really don't want to risk losing this deal."
"Pretty handy that. Some might say they are buying you off."
"Some might not know what life is like on the outback worlds." Hanse countered. "Politics is the art of compromise, and we are willing to compromise on the truth to gain this deal."
"Can't say I really agree with that, highness." Wolf offered his opinion. "Might return to bite us all."
"Nothing stopping us from continuing our investigation after we make a deal." Hanse observed as they walked the halls. "In fact, it could make it easier."
They continued through the residential quarters and down through to the secure wing.
"You seemed to have some ideas about them." Hanse noted. "Your questions seemed pretty specific."
"You picked that up?" Wolf grinned. "Of course you did."
"I can understand your concern, one group coming from nowhere with Warships is worrying, the idea there is a second group out there just the same... It is a definitely worth an investigation."
"On that we agree completely."
"But you had a specific idea didn't you?" Hanse pressed. "If you want me to ask, then I need to know what you are thinking."
Wolf walked silently for a few steps mulling over exactly what to say, nodding to himself as he reached a conclusion.
"Did you ever hear about the Minnesota Tribe?"
"Once or twice." Hanse wracked his brain. "An old story about a mercenary group? A ghost fleet that vanished into thin air centuries ago?"
"More or less." Wolf nodded. "They weren't ghosts, they were real. I've had some people looking into it, mostly just a curiosity, but I like a mystery."
"That all it is? A mystery? Odd you'd devote time to old stories, Colonel."
"I have my quirks."
"And you think that's who we are dealing with?"
"At first." Wolf nodded. "The Tribe was said to have warships and they were last seen heading out to the periphery through Suns space. But they were also exceptional mechwarriors and this Earth Alliance? No, they haven't got a clue about mechs. It's not them."
"So you believe they're a cut off scion of the Terran Alliance?" "Hanse considered. "The name certainly fits."
"It does. But that raises the question of who they were fighting. An enemy able to hurt their warships and inflict heavy losses on their army. Maybe enough losses to force them off whatever planets they owned."
"Drive them back toward the Inner Sphere." Hanse understood. "The Minnesota Tribe?"
"It's the best theory that fits the facts, but it's only a theory." Wolf said. "I want to know the truth, because if it is them, if it is that tribe? You're going to want to send us out there with every gun you can spare."
"There's no way Ian would go for that, he's getting ready to throw you at the Dragon." Hanse shook his head. "Besides, our Alliance friends claim to have resolved that war. The Tribe might be powerful, but these are the people who still have their warships. Definitely suggests they came out on top."
"Maybe, but I really want to know for sure."
"I'll see if I can pick anything up, I'm interested too." Hanse admitted. "But not at the expense of derailing a trade deal."
"Fair enough, highness."
"Leave it to us from here on out, Colonel. I can appreciate your concerns, but this is the province of House Davion now."
"Understood loud and clear." Wolf nodded, recognising the order for what it was. "But if you need anything, or require us to handle any other unexpected periphery guests, we're always ready."
"So noted Colonel, I'm sure we'll have something to discuss later."
There was no pomp and ceremony this time, the weaving colours of the royal court a memory of yesterday. Now there was just a table with David Sheridan and his two aides on one side, and Ian Davion, Hanse, and Yvonne on the other. It was a far more spartan set up than the usual royal opulence, but practical offering, no distractions from the work to be done.
"We've had a chance to look through your list of trade items, and frankly it looks very appealing." Ian waved the paper in his hand. "You can spare this stuff?"
"We can," Sheridan confirmed. "Seeds, chemical fertilisers, hardier breeds of common farm animals, and water purification facilities."
"Any particular reason to offer these goods?" Hanse questioned pointedly.
"As a matter of fact, yes. Many of the slaves we freed from the Tortuga pirates were from your fringe planets. A lot of farmers and labourers. We asked them what they thought your nation needed and this is what they said." Sheridan related. "And of course, we will return those citizens to you."
"Reads like a farmer's wish list." Yvonne Davion remained unreadable. "But it's also valuable. This could greatly improve life on the outback worlds."
"Better food production means a healthier population, that feeds into more industry." Hanse extrapolated. "It will strengthen us."
"And that is the real benefit." Ian agreed. "If we can bring those planets up to a higher standard, it improves every element of the nation. I see no down side, and your requests in return?"
"Some basic raw materials for use in our own construction projects. Silicon sands, certain rare metals, and beside that some information on the state of the galaxy."
"We can probably arrange that, though nothing too classified." Ian chided. "Can't give away all our secrets."
"Of course, majesty."
"Can I assume that when you contact other houses you will offer the same trade goods?" Hanse worked out. "Agricultural assistance, nothing that offers a technological advantage? No weapons?"
"That's right."
"Could we convince you not to?" Ian asked. "Perhaps we can offer a little more if you keep this exclusive?"
"I regret I can't, my President is very clear on maintaining neutrality. That means not picking favourites."
"Once you meet the other Houses, you might see us in a far brighter light." Ian suggested. "The Steiners are reasonable enough, but the others are a mixed bag."
"That is something we must discover ourselves, with respect."
"Very well, Mr Sheridan, I'm certainly not going to refuse a deal like this just because somebody else might get it too." Ian seemed keen to move on. "I think we can shake hands on this."
"There is something else, something we didn't want to put on paper." Sheridan halted them. "It's about Comstar."
"Right, those guys." Ian exhaled. "Have they been trying to worm their way into your inner circle too?"
"Yes, but this is something my President wanted to offer before we met them. In brief, full point to point secure interstellar communication."
That had the desired effect. The room went quiet as they each ran through what that meant, even Ian who usually just tolerated these kinds of negotiations was suddenly very attentive.
"What kind of communications?" Hanse took point.
"As I see it, the HPG system is right now the only means of interstellar communication, and Comstar runs it, correct."
"Go on." Hanse nodded. It wasn't the whole story, but it was close enough.
"If you wanted to send secure information, how do you do it? How do you guarantee Comstar doesn't just read all you mail?" Sheridan asked.
"We use heavy encryption." Yvonne answered. "And if it is valuable enough, courier ships."
"So you need to either hope your encryption works, or you have to use a very lengthy and not entirely safe courier, correct?" Sheridan already knew the answer. "We have an alternative, a system of transmitters and booster relays you will own yourselves with no external interference."
"How secure is it?"
"It uses a system that doesn't even exist in the Inner Sphere, tachyon communications." Sheridan explained. "Now I'm not a scientist, so I can't say exactly how it works, only that it is instant across almost any distance, it is fully secure, and it allows face to face video."
"So basically it is a perfect system that does everything we want?" Yvonne was obviously sceptical. "And you just give it to us?"
"We value secure communications, it would allow my President to speak to you directly at any time. No need for couriers or Comstar peeking at our secrets."
"And if we wanted to adapt this for battlefield use?" Ian switched his focus. "Is it only between your home and mine, or can we use this more broadly?"
"We will provide enough transmitters and receivers so you can put one on whichever major world you want. And the relays to position in space to make it work. Just drop them every ten or fifteen light-years to keep the signal strength good."
"And you will really just give us this?" Hanse frowned. "This is unprecedented, people don't just give away technology on this level."
"It isn't a gift, its part of the deal. Rare metals, certain minerals." Sheridan repeated. "And secure communications benefit us too."
"Will you be offering this to other powers too?" Yvonne recognised a pattern.
"We will, so it is definitely to your advantage to take it."
"How do we know you can't intercept these signals?" Hanse recognised. "Are we swapping one Comstar for another?"
"We can show you how to encrypt your system, scramble the signal to your own specifications."
"These rare metals." Hanse raised again. "These are used in weapons aren't they? Laser focusing lenses, magnetic coils, heat resistant materials?"
"They are."
"So you are building weapons, looking at these numbers, lots of weapons. And if you are giving the same deal to each great house, that translates as enough raw materials to mass produce high energy weapons on an unprecedented scale."
Sheridan had to respect the young man, he was a sharp customer.
"We do have a need for some new weapons."
"Nobody has the industrial capacity to turn this much material into functional weapons. This would be equal to hundreds of warship grade weapons every month." Hanse did some quick arithmetic. "Either you are building a strategic stockpile, or you have a weapons industry equal to any great house."
"We are in need of weapons, and it is a long term plan so we are looking to gather as much material as fast as we can." Sheridan replied. "But I don't think we'll use it all in one go."
"You wouldn't expend these resources building weapons if you didn't need them." Hanse pushed on. "Giving away valuable communications technology is also very unusual. I am beginning to wonder if you are benefiting from this deal more than we are."
"It doesn't matter." Ian stated simply. "This deal lifts countless millions of our people toward a better life. How can anyone benefit more than we do?"
"There is danger out there, the threat you face, it hasn't gone away. You are still at war." Hanse extrapolated. "Who are you fighting?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Tell me and find out."
Sheridan glanced at his two aides, neither of them able to help much. This was going to be on his shoulders.
"Well, my President didn't exactly want me to share this too early, but I can see you have a right to know. Just in case we didn't arrive here alone."
"Who is it?"
"This can't leave this room."
"Agreed. Who are you fighting?"
Sheridan had no choice.
"Aliens."
It was done, from this point he'd have to tell the truth, the reality hopping, the wild science that put them here, the Minbari war, all of the-
Ian Davion broke out into a massive peal of laughter. He threw his head back in mirth and took a few moments to compose himself.
"Keep your secrets then, but if there is ever danger to my borders I expect to be warned. I am content for us to be neutral partners, but if your actions or inaction threatens my security, I will be displeased. Is this acceptable and understood?"
Sheridan didn't know exactly how to react, he just nodded. "Understood."
"Fine, I'll have some scribes draw up a treaty. Nice fancy writing on parchment, it'll be a summary, we sign, apply the seal, then get on with other business. Agreeable?"
"Brother, wait, I think..." Hanse began but was cut off with a wave.
"Agreed?" Ian asked again.
"Agreed." Sheridan accepted. "Once it's settled, I can put you in touch with our trade and development departments. Get things moving."
"I'll have my people ready." He stood and extended a hand. "Thank you, Mr Sheridan."
David rose and took the hand.
"Thank you, First Prince."
"We'll do the signing for the cameras tonight, just a formality."
"We'll be ready majesty. With your permission then, mind if we break for lunch?"
"A fine idea, eat hearty my new friends."
The Davion trio remained seated as the Alliance delegation left, Hanse barely waiting until the door closed before launching into a tirade.
"Why did you leave it at that? They are mass producing weapons! How do we know they won't throw them at us?"
"Do we have any warships?"
"What? No!"
"Do you know where their factories are?"
"No!"
"Do you think that if we refused to sell them rare minerals, our opponents would do the same thing?"
"I, I don't know."
"So how do you propose preventing them from making weapons?" Ian asked simply. "We don't know where they are, and even if we did, we can't get a mech force in there to destroy their facilities when they have even one warship on guard and we have none. And if we try to stop their production, they just go elsewhere, better they come to rely on our supplies. That is leverage."
"Leverage for what?"
"For buying those weapons ourselves." Ian stated the fact as if it were obvious. "They are remaining neutral right now, but when they go see old man Kurita and he informs them they belong to the Dragon, what then? What about when they go talk to Max Liao and figure out he's going to lie, cheat, and kill to get his hands on what they have? What about the Taurians and their belligerence? He's going to go out there, and that hope for neutrality won't last six months. Then he comes back to us, sees we're the only sane party on his border, and he'll want to strengthen ties."
"At which point we cut a better deal." Yvonne nodded along. "Weapons?"
"Warships." Ian smiled immensely wide. "I think you are right little brother, I think they are making weapons for warships. I think they have a functional shipyard and that is why they are being so evasive. I think that they will be ready to swap one or two of those precious ships in exchange for a full alliance with us and protection from the other great houses. I think, little brother, that our plans are looking ever more realistic."
"And what about the people they were fighting?" Hanse reminded. "What if they really are aliens, or someone just as powerful? If there is danger out there, our worlds will be struck first."
"Then we really will need some warships." Ian seemed to be decided. "This is to our advantage, while the other houses try to lie, cheat or steal what this Earth Alliance has, we will simply wait and smile and let it all fall into our laps."
