Tombstone Estate was prepared for the arrival of all delegates as John Holliday himself finished a briefing with his security detail. It would be tight and only those invited would be admitted.
John himself was worried a bit. New delegates would arrive of newly formed Zoner groups and administrators he had never met in person. He also decided to be the host and allow his own Ambassador, Xavier Triton, to represent TAZ. He vowed to himself only to ask questions or take notes and discuss concerns with his ambassador later. He trusted Xavier but still, it was weird to him.
As he went about the estate, overseeing every detail, his wife prepared the house itself for the arrival of the guests. Beverages and food from all over Sirius and Gallia would be prepared with her famed Mahi fish as a main course. She would dress in her best kimono and her smile.
John also had a personal matter to tend to. He had been at odds with a friend, Victor Cross. He knew that the two men needed to talk privately. Gallia had been a large rift between them and it was tearing the friendship apart. It was probably the most unsettling thought he had.
His estate hand, Grady, was in his best suit as he would greet the guests at the doors. He noticed his boss's uncertainty and took a moment to loosen him up with a joke. Still, John poured himself a glass of Coalition Vodka and tried to relax as he sat by a window overlooking the landing pads where the delegates would land.
The shuttle Stranger in a Strange Land rocketed out of the Glorious Advances' docking bay, through the short, but bright, white stretch of space that was Omega-49, and into the atmosphere of Gran Canaria.
Marvin has never been to such a formal diplomatic meeting before. Nearly all of his diplomatic gatherings were around crowded, loud card tables laden with booze and the air filled with a pungent, skunky haze.
He was glad that the meetings agenda list was so varied, wide with topics, from the first step of Gallia upon the door of Freeport 11, to the 77th... Mostly listening, or rather, sitting around drinking free drinks and eating free food...
Marvin bought the suit for the meeting from SpaceNeimans, a dashing, black suit, with an almost baby blue tie. Cost quite the pretty penny, although, he doesn't often impress the same sex with clothes... his defense of Freeport 11 and handling of diplomatic do-dads and shebangs does that quite well enough.
The shuttle flew down through the atmosphere, the great green continents and vibrant blue oceans growing greater and greater in detail.
Doc Holiday's estate was quite impressive, even at a distance.
The shuttle finally landed on the designated pad, the guide lights flashing white, and green.
The Osprey belonging to Teresa Whitehall exited the Omega 49 jump hole, finally out of Dublin and away from that psycophatic redhead.
Of course Genine, get held up and send me throue Moore's territory. I feel s-o loved.
Teresa sighed, hitting cruise. The flight to Gran Canaria had been uneventful. Lucky for her; Leeds had been strangely quiet the last couple of days. Calm...in war, it never was good. It only was a harbinger of chaos.
She sighed, banking around some idiot's Nephilim, and entered the docking ring. Soon enough she was winging away across Gran Canaria towards the Holliday estate, Tombstone. Looking around the estate from the air, she began her descent.
Her Osprey settled onto a landing pad, Teresa turning everything off in the Osprey before climbing out, clad in a simple but elegant cream-colored dress. Rolling her shoulders, she stood there, breathing in the Gran Canaria air, before slowly making her way to the estate.
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Elyssa cursed as another rock hit her Roc. She had been lost in the ice clouds - these were ice clouds, right? - in Omega 49. Finally finding her way out, Elyssa headed to the planet, carefully skirting the edge of the giant Nephilim.
Overcompensating for something? she mused, heading down to the surface. Winging her way over the landscape, she nearly lost control and crashed, she was so enthralled. It was mostly untouched, unlike Erie.
Smiling to herself, Elyssa headed down to Tombstone, settling down near an Osprey. Hopping out, Elyssa twirled once, her red dress billowing.
"They better know how good they got it."
Elyssa headed off towards the estate, a dozen steps behind Teresa.
Xavier Triton's Osprey entered Omega-49 on approach to Gran Canaria.
Many thoughts crossed Xavier's mind as he plotted atmospheric entry.
Could a Zoner Council really succeed? Will the threat of Gallia become
apparent? These were a few of those thoughts.
Xavier's Osprey began it's dissent into the atmosphere with a slight orange
glow as it pierced the atmosphere. Xavier was then greeted with a great
view of Gran Canaria's lush environment, largely untouched by human hands.
Xavier spoke to himself on approach to Dr. Holliday's estate
"Perhaps Doc had the right idea when he took up residence here. A fair
distance from Baffin it may be but no one can deny it's serenity."
After this brief self discussion Dr. Holliday's estate came into view.
Despite his recent absence the estate was as clean and peaceful as
it always was. To be expected with such a dedicated partner at Dr. Holliday's
side.
Xavier noticed the landing pad and had seen a few participants had also just
arrived. The ship touched down gently on the landing pad and Xavier exited
the cockpit. Xavier was wearing an old Earth fashion. Two-piece suit complete
with a Temporary Autonomous Zoner overcoat of Xavier's own design.
Xavier proceeded toward the estate and prepared to greet Dr Holliday and
the other participants.
Maximus in his corvo jumped from Omega 47. " It's not far from now..just pass the ice cloud and there we are." The planet appeared from the nebula clearing out. " Beautiful as always " Maximus order the crew to prepare the ship for his next research expedition and to inform him of any urgent transmissions forwarded both to him and the Phoenix. It's not the time to get carried away and he knows that.
Maximus softly lended nearby the Tombstone Estate and went straight to it without hesitation. "Well Senior Holliday old friend...let's get this done...long time not seen" - he thought.
James stirred in his bed as his personal alarm went off, the strident tones indicating that it was the start of another beautiful day on Freeport XV, as well as Gran Canaria. As he lay there wishing that he had the power to destroy the alarm with his mind he pondered the practicalities of synchronising his sleep rhythm to the day-night cycle of Gran Canaria. It did, however, come in handy to have one's sleep rhythm attuned to the largest city on the only planet where one really did any business and so he supposed he would have to deal with it.
Dragging himself at last from his pondering of the nature of alarms and synchronised timepieces, James shambled over to the stimulant dispenser for his morning caffeine shot, much more bracing than any coffee. Having braced himself somewhat for the day he made his way over to check on what had happened since he had last logged into the terminal.
Brushing past yet another report about that damnable Horde of Terrorists he saw, floating in the background of his holographic display, his invite to the estate of Mr. Doc Holliday. James Leisurely brought the invitation to the foreground and began to reread it. It was at this point that he was glad that he did not drink coffee for the revelation that he had to be halfway across Sirius in time for the next day would likely have ended with coffee all over his desk.
Rushing himself through a quick shower and flipping the sign on his door to read "All enquiries through Fluttershy" he ran towards his Osprey, a lovely little craft that one. Fast, sleek and manoeuvrable he silently blessed the designer while he shot off into space. Thankfully for James he encountered almost no-one as he raced towards Gran Canaria and Tombstone Estate.
Arriving into orbit and espying the bulk of the Glorious Advance in low orbit he made his way to the docking ring and landed with little incident. He set his craft down next to a similar one and exited, being sure to straighten the tie of his all black business suit before walking towards the nearby house.
The preparations have been made.
The Obsidian bomber squad led by Mykonos Ancestor undocked from Murillo. They headed to the Delta JH, in an attempt to create a small diversion for Mikrosh's departure. The bomber squad was assisted by Michael Drakon, Mikrosh's adopted son, and by some TO bombers. They provided enough action for the bounty hunter blockade so, Mikrosh could meet with the Prometheus and the Jump team. It is a long and dangerous way to Omega-49. Therefore a hyperspace jump would be the best option.
Since this is a diplomatic meeting and there are various groups to attend to it, Mikrosh decided to jump to Omega-3 and fly from there.
"I know that you are concerned for my safety Mrs. O'hanna, but it is of no good to bring and armed convoy to
the meeting. We will only cause more harm. Don't worry about me, I'll reach the meeting in one piece." tried Mikrosh to calm he's security chief. Even though O'hanna wanted to escort the Overseer to Gran Canaria, she couldn't disobey a direct order. So they jumped near Alland station in Omega-3, from where Mikrosh flew to the
meeting.
"One more thing Mrs O'hanna, take good care of Murilo until I get back. And keep an eye on my sons in case I don't make it. They will be blinded by hate if something happens to me, and they might do something stupid. I entrust you to baby sit them as you did with me, *he smiled* I look forward to meet you again, Collin!" those was Mikrosh's last words before he got out of the communication range.
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After a long flight, Mikrosh reached Gran Canaria safe. He was wearing a long yellow robe with obsidian rocks attached on few red ribbons that where sawed to the robe. On he's way trough Doc's residence Mikrosh couldn't stop to admire the architecture.
An energy peak were spotted by GC near the Omega -50 jump hole.
Few second after a Zoner ship sent his IFF from the Jump Hole.
IFF-05698-Z-006k Armatura Zoner Fearless.
On board with the basic crew, the two administrator of Ames and Boa who were in an extensive debate on the appropriateness of a new survey of Sal.
Few minutes after the ship reached Gran Carina and begun docking procedure.
E.Malrone : Well, let's see this time if we will arrive to decide something.
V.Havelock : We will see.
Then they took a transporter to reach Doc's house.
Mr Llama had just landed on Gran Canaria space port and walked up to some taxi drivers infront of the space port terminal. "Oy lad, you know where Doc Holiday lives?" The driver looked up and started speaking in Broken Spanglish. "Si senor, I know where he lives, get in and I'll take you!"
Dali entered the taxi and thought to himself. One of the few places that corsairs and zoners live together without weird tensions due to other people shooting them. I wonder if I could visit Port Douglas after the meeting. Always been interested in what the Bretonians are doing here anyway.
Bzzzzzzzzzz Bzzzzzzzzzz
"Accept," Victor barked at his computer. "Mister Cross, unit two is reporting that drive assembley is nearly complete." "Have them run diagnostics and pre-tests before you contact the customer to arrange for pick up" Victor said in reply.
"Sara, I'm heading down to the surface for the meeting with Doc; can you check up on that market research for me while I'm out?" he asked as he passed by Sara's desk. "Only if you promise to bring me back some fresh fruit" came Sara's reply. "Done."
OSI's office suite occupied levels 30 thru 34 on the port side Nichols, all of which had access directly into the station's trade bazzar. While Victor's office gave him a wonderful view of open space, nothing beat the view of Canaria from the trade bazzar and that was where Victor headed. As he neared the observation area on level 33 he couldn't help but think about how fortunate he and Gabe had been; had Nichols failed he, Gabe, and OSI would all have been in financial ruin. Initial costs to get the station up and running had eaten through OSI's credit accounts and both men had invested their own credits to see the station to completion. He admired Canaria for a few minutes before heading to level 8 and boarding a shuttle bound for the surface.
The shuttle landed on one of his personal pads behind his manor; lifting back off after Victor was safely inside his home. Victor didn't spend as much time on the surface as he would have liked, his office was on Nichols and the cost of shuttling back and forth wasn't really worth the hassle. Soon enough though, they'd move their offices planet-side to free up the space they occupied on Nichols for lease to tenants and other various projects. He showered and threw on a nice pair of jeans and a polo, comfortable cloths by his standards; but not what he normally wore to these types of meetings.
This meeting was different, though, most of the people that he was going to see where friends and acquaintances; not diplomats, admirals, CEOs, or directors. Grabbing a few bottles of Gallic wine and a box of fine cigars and loading them into a pack he then strapped to his back; Victor made his way to the garage where he kept his ground car and motorcycle. Gabe called the motor cycle Victor's mid life crisis toy, but Victor just enjoyed the freedom and rush of riding the machine and the road to John's estate was one of his favorite routes.
Stopping as he crested the last hill on the road to John's estate, he watched as a number of craft touched down on the estates private landing pads. Greeting Grady as he entered John's home for the first time in well over a year, he took a few moments to observe who had arrived and who was busy chatting with who.