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Today is the day. Could be one fatal mistake on Leon's part. Could be it destroys his company's biggest asset. Could be this meeting ends his life. In between the feelings of regret and anxiety, there's an inkling of hope that what comes next will be a civil negotiation and the result of it won't be catastrophic. Representatives of the Outcasts and Corsairs, Malta Hyperspace Starfleet and Deterrence respectively, are scheduled to meet on Starflier Base to discuss a ceasefire in a secluded area of the Omicrons. Leon has offered his station as the system is quite secluded, even more so with the storm running rampant. As he prepares for the day, the internal announcement system turns on.

Making their way from the Omicrons, the small Deterrence fleet arrives at the Kepler System and stops right in front of the Starfiers' home station. Didn't take them long to get here, as this area doesn't get much, if any Corsair activity. The docking master in charge this day notices a huge shadow emerging from Kepler's storm. This shadow slowly turns from a black silhouette to a giant warship. A microphone gets activated as the docking master loudly shouts:

"Attention crews of Starflier Base, can someone tell me why a Legate-Class battleship is on our doorstep?"

The voice is heard across the entire station, only a handful of people out of the 800 or so on board have that power. One of the other people on board is Leon, who has already prepared his response to the announcement.

"Docking Master, you'll find a priority one message on your terminal."

"Understood."

This message was quickly composed and sent off after Leon's response. The docking master turns around and sees "This vessel has clearance to land. Another ship of that size is expected to arrive soon too, make sure they are both welcomed and bring both parties to Conference Room 03". The bulkiness of the vessel makes it slightly difficult for it to dock seamlessly with the station. The two escorts touch down with little effort, after a lengthy sequence, the bulkheads and exterior doors open up and a group of Deterrence representatives make themselves known. Within the group was their main representative, Executor Ravenna Nagash. After brief introductions, the group is lead into the designated room while the crews prepare the remaining vacant spaces for an equally sized ship to arrive.

About 40 minutes later, a smaller capital vessel arrives in Kepler. The docking master had previously programmed a green light for all Starfleet ships, so their docking sequence went smoothly. A Hasta-Class battlecruiser with two escorts safely land on sight. Like the Corsairs, the Outcast delegates disembark, among them was Alpha Conqueror Eduardo Montalban. Once their first steps were on Starflier Base, they immediately stared daggers at Corsair engineering who they now share a docking bay with. After brief greetings, the same team walks the Starfleet members to the conference room. At this point, Leon has prepared himself for what could be a very bloody meeting, both in the verbal sense, and quite possibly a physical sense.

Both groups come from warring organisations. Both groups don't like each other very much. Both groups want these relics for one reason or another. Once everyone was in the room, it was silent. You could feel the laser fire already if the cold dead looks weren't the only things happening right now. Leon positions himself at the head of the table, which places him for a quick exit from the room if needed. Starfleet on one side, Deterrence on the other. Everyone settled down, then the negotiations began.

"I appreciate you two taking the time to make it all the way out here to the Kepler System. I realize it's a long way, let's hope it's worth the trip. To start, I'll formally welcome the Malta Hyperspace Starfleet to Starflier Base. Alpha Conqueror Eduardo Montalban, I hope you and your party were welcomed upon arrival. Executor Ravenna Nagash of Deterrence, welcome to my home, make yourselves comfortable and we'll get started. I guess we'll go through what has happened so far and then I'll have you two take turns detailing your grievances on the situation."

With a couple of buttons, Leon brings up a series of open comms describing the situation on his terminal. The holographic nature of this terminal gives both parties a weird look as the contents appears backwards to them.

"To my knowledge, this is a brief recap of the events over the last month or so. The Deterrence fleet has built an installation with Knossus' atmosphere to sort and export these "Xeno Relics". Since this same space is crossing over into Outcast territory, Starfleet has declared an assault on this base so Deterrence doesn't have a foothold in Knossus. Since my tradesman Rex is interested in these relics and finds it useful having an outpost to buy them from, I'm here to mediate negotiations between you two in regards to the relics, the outpost and any issues surrounding these two items. This next step is important as it looks like all parties are interested in these relics and we'd rather not waste resources fighting each other over it. If I'm missing something, feel free to correct me during your discussions."

Everyone nods in agreement, despite their rather angry stares between the blood rivals.

"I'll have Starfleet address their concerns first. Alpha Conqueror Eduardo Montalban, if you please."

A couple of frustrated grunts are heard from the Deterrence side of the table.

---

Eduardo Montalban, Alpha Conqueror of the Malta Hyperspace Starfleet and veteran of over a century of service to the Outcast people, addresses Leon.


"Our position is simple. In the many long years of war between us and those savages, Planet Knossos has remained contested territory. While historically we have not much cared about alien relics, recent research has increased their interest to the Maltese. Allowing a corsair base over Knossos uncontested would effectively cede the entire planet to them, and with it access to the relics.

This is unacceptable."


Having made his statement, he awaits a response.

Seated on the other side of the discussion room are four of Deterrence's most respected members: Executor Ravenna Nagash, her second in command Eros Galanis, Mining Overseer Omer Lazar, and Base Administrator Achates Galatas.

Shortly after the Alpha Conqueror finishes his brief words, overseer Lazar bursts into laughter.

"Unacceptable, he says!" Lazar proclaims, trying to express words without laughing some more. "You Outcasts had absolutely zero interest in relics before we started exporting them! Nada!"

"Calm the hell down, Lazar," shouts High Commander Galanis, "we're here to establish a truce, not put our enemies to shame."

"And how are you so damn calm?" Snaps Lazar. "I mean, contested territory? He's not even aware that Planet Knossos is in Omicron Xi!"

He faces the Conqueror, "that's Corsair territory, you know. Can you even read a starmap?"

Eduardo Montalban, turns towards Omer Laza, directly addressing the Corsairs for the first time.


"As far as I'm concerned, the only territory you are entitled to is a burning hulk drifting into the nearest star. Regardless of where Planet Knossos is located it stands out as one of the few planets with an atmosphere stable enough for significant starship operation, with an alien jump gate leading directly to our borders.

If such nuance is beyond your primitive faculties, then I question why I even bothered to travel here."

---

A brief moment of silence comes after Eduardo Montalban's words. Both parties are clearly angry with each other and a couple eyes turn on Leon for his response to their opening statements.

"I had a feeling this would escalate, please respect the station you are both on, otherwise I will ask you to leave."

A shiver went up Leon's spine saying those words. Flying defenceless across Sirius has made him very relaxed and at the same time, not having grown a backbone to backup a threat of any kind. He continues...

"Opening statements have detailed that Deterrence has taken the first step in establishing a base in contested territory. The Maltese have an increasing interest in the relics and do not like the Deterrence outpost in that area. Executor Ravenna Nagash, I will ask you this: Since both Deterrence and Starfleet want access to these relics, what would you allow Starfleet within Planet Knossus? Since your outpost has clearly angered them, it would make sense in my mind to allow them to do something within that space too. My thoughts are to grant Starfleet to construct a base on the opposite sector of Knossus and agree to a No Fire Zone between the two of you? I feel that's a fair compromise. What do you say to that?"

---

Quietly observing the unfolding situation up until this point, Ravenna Nagash slowly raises from her chair and proceeds in a collected, measured tone.

Gentlemen, here are the facts. A full-scale war will cost a lot of lives, ships, and resources on both sides. It will weaken either side and open us up for invasion from other enemies we have. More importantly, the possibility for a collateral damage is extremely likely. A destruction of these ruins and the source of these relics benefits no one. It makes sense to come to some sort of agreement regardless of our shared animosity. After all, they say money talks, wherever you go.

A slight coy smile warms up her otherwise cold and detached face.

She turns to Eduardo Montalban.

Just to be clear - Xi and Knossos are sovereign territory of the Corsair Empire, this will continue to be the case. Furthermore, there are other factions within Corsair space for which we cannot, nor wish to speak for.

She adjusts her long red hair, then focuses on Leon with her piercing green eyes.

Having said that, a minor Starfleet presence is not something that we'll oppose. A demilitarized zone in Knossos makes sense in my mind, provided that some ground rules are established. As mentioned, destroying the source of our relics in a full scale war will benefit no one here. However, allowing a Starfleet base to be built in our sovereign space is a delicate matter... Let me put it this way, we are not interested in long term sieging efforts. We have other things to focus on. If you manage to survive the inhospitable environment, or its great many hostile denizens, then so be it.

With that statement made, Ravenna Nagash sits back and crosses gently one leg over the other, leaning comfortably on her chair, a mischievous smile on her face. Her eyes, green as jade, taking in the reactions of the other men around her.

Alpha Montalban considers the proposal.


"A matching outcast base would restore the balance in the system, true. But there remains the issue of using the base as a staging ground to attack our installations in Omicron Beta. A cease fire in Knossos would mean little, if a corsair battlefleet could transit straight to our borders. Nor do we recognize Planet Knossos as sovereign space of the corsairs.

We would be willing, however, to divide the area into areas of influence. With neither the outcasts nor corsairs side being allowed to transit between Omicron Beta and Omicron Xi through Knossos."

Ravenna's face remains expressionless, her eyes sizing up her opponent. She proceeds in a neutral tone, while slowly shaking the ice cubes in her whiskey-filled glass.

Debating about sovereignty will get us nowhere fast.

She gestures towards Eduardo Montalban.

You also similarly know that we've made incursions in Beta and Alpha before, without the need of any base. Logistically, we can re-supply our fleets in Xi and move just as effectively into your territory. We don't need a station in order to mount attacks against you, if this was our intent. Similarly, Deterrence can contact other allies. I'm sure they'd be more than willing to accommodate us for that purpose. If I recall, isn't Akabat very close to the Beta Jump-hole? Not to mention, you are fully aware, that there are alternative methods to reach you directly, if necessary, by-passing any blockade.

She concludes with a dry half-smile. A small sip of the whiskey in front of her, she begins her next point patiently.

Outcasts and Corsairs not being able to transit between Xi and Beta would also be impractical. It would require enormous effort on both parts, as well as maintaining a proper blockade on each side, in order for us to enforce such prohibition. Having to dedicate and hold down a sizeable force to a single area is not strategically sound. I suggest that we keep the freedom of movement unrestricted and instead - to establish proper protocol of conduct within that space. In my experience, any congregation of ships leads to unnecessary escalation of tensions. The purpose of this meeting is to avoid that.

Furthermore, I would like to remind you that any agreement that we come to here will be between Deterrence and the Malta Hyperspace Starfleet. As mentioned, we do not speak for every other Corsair faction, nor do we wish to. Similarly, you cannot promise that every Outcast out there will follow whatever deal we come up with.

But let's not get distracted from the task at hand. Having anticipated such possible turning point in our discussion, I've already drafted a potential treaty that outlines common contentious points that either side might have.

She snaps with her fingers and transmits a digital document on Leon and Eduardo's screens.

Please, do take your time to review and let's discuss any points you might have. I trust this agreement would alleviate any concerns on both sides.

She turns to Leon with a slight apologetic smirk and points to a little engraved tobacco box. As she lights herself a hand-rolled cigarette, she asks innocently:

I hope that's not a breach of any of your station's regulations?

She takes a small drag and shakes her glass in a rhythmic circular motion, while waiting for her counterparts to review the treaty. The ice cubes make a satisfying sound inside the amber-colored liquid.

---

Both sides look to be making progress, despite the underlying negativity between them. It was at this point that we can see an end in sight, with a document just drawn up and now being displayed in front of everyone.

"Since we're in an enclosed room, I'd suggest putting that out. Not everyone here are smokers. Let me take a look at this, as Starfleet is no doubt already doing the same."

With a reverse pinch, Leon displays the document in full and begins reading it silently. The treaty reads as follows:


"You came up with this before or during this meet? At this point it doesn't matter. After giving this document a thorough read, all points look to be above the table. Eduardo Montalban, once your finished going through all the details of the treaty, I'd like to hear your thoughts."

---

Alpha Montalban frowns at the document as he reads.


"I cannot speak for all of Malta. Outcasts are a freedom loving people and our Dons have a high degree of independence. For the Malta Hyperspace Starfleet, though, I can agree to this."


He looks up at Ravenna.


"You seem to be cut from different cloth than the average Corsair. It's good to know a shred of Hispanian cunning can still be found amongst your ilk."