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+--- Thread: Summit at Gaia (/showthread.php?tid=108474)
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Summit at Gaia - Omi - 12-08-2013
The Taureau hung in low Gaia orbit, sheltered from the harsh glare of Edinburgh's twin suns. On the other side of the planet, the Castres continued to oversee the system's security, although by now, its once-vital duties were quickly becoming redundant. Few raiders ever made it through to Edinburgh these days, as most of Bretonia and her allies' efforts were focused on the Agincourt front line.
This, of course, was exactly why Lucie had selected Gaia as a venue. Not only was the view very pleasing, but the proximity to the Castres and Betheny would ensure her safety - as well as that of the ambassador. Without making the long trip back to Gallia proper, this was one of the most secure locations in the Gallic Occupied Territories.
Aboard the Toulouse itself, Lucie had had her office prepared for the administrator's arrival. Confidential documents had been sealed away, the panoramic shutters were open to reveal the unspoiled, verdant world below them, and a couple of gel-padded, state-of-the-art chairs had been arranged appropriately. She was still in full uniform, though, thinking that it looked rather imposing and grand.
Satisfied that everything had been in order, Lucie had made her way to the back of the ship, towards what used to be a full-sized cargo hold. The Toulouse was heavily modified, of course, and part of the hold had been retrofitted as a makeshift docking bay, big enough to accommodate anything smaller than a gunboat. The ambassador had mentioned the word "shuttle", which brought to mind a small sort of vessel, but in the event of him arriving in a fully-fledged Liner, she had ordered an Aurochs to be on standby, as well.
In short, everything was as prepared as the General could get it, and the appointed hour for the meeting had arrived. Therefore, Lucie strode imperiously towards the back of the ship, flanked by two Royal Marines. The shuttle would surely arrive any minute now.
RE: Summit at Gaia - Doc Holliday - 12-08-2013
For most of the trip, Doc paced within his quarters aboard his yacht, [TAZ]Ambassador's.Ark. Built long ago when he served as ambassador, he made it a home away from home, it's intentions to be able to take him to meet anyone, anywhere and without incident.
Doc was thinking as we paced with his hands behind his back, thinking about his past attempts to find some level ground with the Royals. His hatred of Aurelia DeFrance was forever permanently etched in his mind, the many threats and insults from Princess Ariella, the failed meeting with Prince Joseph, the Punishers and all of the incursions. Yes, he had much to ponder.
He dressed in his best robes and was well groomed. He didn't much like Royalty but he was ready to try things again. The thought of "A different kind of Royal" wasn't helping him much.
"Administrator Holliday," came the bridge commander's voice of Nicole Schmidt, "The Toulouse is in visual. You should see this. It's orbiting Gaia and it's a beautiful picture."
"I'm on my way, Nicole. Thank you."
Doc took a turbo lift to the bridge level, stepping out to the very view he was told of. It was spectacular. Still, it did little to calm his nerves.
The commander called ahead to the Toulouse, "To the bridge of the Toulouse, this is [TAZ]Ambassador's.Ark seeking docking clearance. Administrator Holliday is on board."
While she waited, she looked to her boss, "John, I think you're nuts to go there with security."
"So noted, Nicole," he answered, "I need to show good faith."
Doc stood patiently awaiting a response and finally, boarding. Going aboard a Gallic Navy warship for the first time would be a treat......he hoped.
RE: Summit at Gaia - Omi - 12-08-2013
"To the bridge of the Toulouse, this is [TAZ]Ambassador's.Ark seeking docking clearance. Administrator Holliday is on board."
Upon hearing this, Guillaume, the Taureau's captain, strode to the rear of the bridge, peering out the windows at the incoming ship. "Shuttle" was a bit of a misnomer, it seemed. The approaching vessel was a fairly-sized yacht, not the small craft he'd been expecting. Luckily, it was small enough to not matter, as the Toulouse's mooring point was more than capable of handling a ship of this size. It was right outside the makeshift docking bay, too, so the Général wouldn't even be put to the trouble of moving.
Guillaume depressed the "transmit" button on his headset and spoke:
"Oui, Ambassador's Ark, you 'ave clearance to moor. Administrateur, General LeBlanc will meet you just past the airlock."
Meanwhile, Lucie was watching the yacht approach with interest, viewing the external camera feed on a data-tablet. Evidently, some Zoners had more style than others. Undoubtedly, the approaching vessel hadn't been designed for combat in the least, but it was certainly pretty to look at.
As the Ark swung in for the final approach and prepared to complete its mooring sequence, Lucie snapped her fingers at the two Royal Marines.
"I've changed my mind," she declared, staring up at the nearer of the pair. At barely over five feet, the diminutive général was many inches shorter than the fully-armoured marine, but Lucie had never let a height disadvantage intimidate her. "Both of you, back to your quarters - or wherever it is you normally are. I shall receive our guest alone."
The marines stared back, briefly, but they knew better than to argue.
"Oui, madame général," came the reply, and the duo promptly turned and marched out of the bay.
Satisfied, Lucie returned to her data-tablet, observing the Ark as it finished docking.
RE: Summit at Gaia - Doc Holliday - 12-09-2013
The docking sequence complete, Doc stood in a mirror to make sure he was well assembled. His robes were perfect on this day, clean and flowing. As he prepped, Nicole came from the bridge to escort him to the door.
"I still think you should bring escort, John," she said concerned as the door opened.
"I will be fine, Nicole," he interrupted, just smiling. He then turned to step aboard the Toulouse.
Thoughts raced through his mind. He couldn't forget the ugly past but he managed to put them in the back of his mind. He was more concerned about etiquette with Royalty. He remembered his trip to meet Queen Carina herself on Bretonia and the advanced briefing of etiquette before he was so much as allowed to be in her court.
This was a General, a military noble. He prepared to at least maintain respect and professionalism. As his Dad taught him as a child, "shake a woman's hand only if she extends hers first." His Dad would know being a former military man himself.
Not wanting to walk onto the ship without permission, he waited, his hands together behind his back to present that "open front" appearance.
RE: Summit at Gaia - Omi - 12-09-2013
As the airlock door swung outwards, Lucie drew herself up to her full - albeit still pathetically short - height. When you had as few centimetres as she had to work with, it was prudent to make full use out of each and every one. Predictably, though, once the metal bulkhead had finished creaking open, she was still forced to look up at the Doctor, who was standing there with his hands clasped behind his back. Lucie had never let her height (or lack thereof) get to her, though, and she wasn't about to start now.
"Adminstrateur," she began, smiling as warmly as she could manage. As smiles went, it was a decent effort, although it never quite reached her icy blue eyes. "Enchantée. Welcome to the Toulouse - my 'command corvette', if you will."
She extended a hand by way of greeting, almost imperiously, while glancing at the empty airlock behind him.
"You are, ah- coming aboard alone, oui?"
RE: Summit at Gaia - Doc Holliday - 12-09-2013
Doc accepted her hand, giving an easy shake and a gentle nod.
"Oui, Madomoiselle, Je vais être seul internat," he said perfectly. "I suspect that the need for my security won't be a need."
He then released her hand and went where she was going to take him, the door closing behind them to the shuttle. As he walked beside her, hands again clasped behind his back, he looked around at the hardware around him.
"I've heard just how beautiful and well built you ships are in story," he commented, "Now I'm seeing it for myself. I know some Zoner designers that would be envious."
He then looked to her. "I would like to start by thanking you for this opportunity. In my opinion, it's long past due."
Yes, she was very professional. "Perhaps later," he thought to himself, "I will complement her eyes."
RE: Summit at Gaia - Omi - 12-10-2013
"I've heard just how beautiful and well built you ships are in story," he commented, "Now I'm seeing it for myself. I know some Zoner designers that would be envious."
Smiling ever so slightly, Lucie let the compliment wash over her. "Oui,", she began, without even a hint of modesty. "Gallia's engineers are the finest in all the world, and the Toulouse is an impeccably-crafted, custom-built version of the already-excellent Taureau line. I wouldn't allow looks to impeach on a Naval vessel's peformance, non, but the Taureau class blends form seamlessly with function."
As they arrived at her office's entrance, she waved away the thanks with a dismissive flick of her hand.
"This meeting wasn't my idea. It was Ansel that pushed for it, in light of the growing tensions between the Crown and your Zoner group. You have him to thank, not I."
She paused mid-motion - halfway through opening the door - and turned to look at Doc.
"Although - with that said, I am pleased that you saw the sense in forming a proper, professional dialogue over these matters. Many would have written diplomacy off at the very mention of the Royal Navy."
Lucie allowed herself another small smile, though it held little warmth.
"To their own detriment, of course. Still, the effort was made on your part, and it is appreciated."
Pushing the door open, she led the way into the office. Although this room was Lucie's personal workspace, it was nothing short of luxurious. Clearly, no expense had been spared in its furnishing; the floor was (genuine) polished mahogany, the back wall was dominated by an enormous view screen, and a full-size, reinforced glass window opposite the entrance allowed the room's occupants a panorama of Gaia - the verdant, green world rotating below. Two impressive, modern-looking chairs had been strategically placed by the window, with a small table standing between them. A bottle of champagne and two glasses perched on the table completed the scene.
"Veuillez prendre un siège," Lucie offered, gesturing to the pair of seats. Leaving the Doctor to make himself comfortable, she went to scoop up her cigar case and a lighter from her desk.
"You don't mind if I smoke, do you, administrateur?" she asked, though her tone made it sound almost rhetorical.
RE: Summit at Gaia - Doc Holliday - 12-11-2013
Doc just gave a light smile and with a gentle wave of his hand, "That's all right, Madamoiselle, feel free to smoke if you choose. I don't miss the habit myself."
He then gave a joking finger wag as he let the doctor out a bit, "You should give that up. You'll feel better."
Doc then got back to his professional self as he sat, allowing Lucie to sit first.
"I will admit," he began, "I was reluctant to try and talk again with the Royal Navy. Recent events, my past failings, I wasn't sure I wanted to try it again but when I thought about things, my people aren't totally blameless. While I do encourage them to speak their minds, I don't encourage them to initiate hostilities. Past and present and including myself, we aren't......" He paused, searching for the right wording before continuing, ".....free of sin."
"I would like to start out with an apology for past transgressions," he continued, "those who have violated Gallic space in attempts to assassinate Princess Aurelia DeFrance, for those who flew in despite my orders not to. I disciplined most of them figuring it would be enough."
He was being deliberate as he spoke, making sure that he had his thoughts straight and that he said what he felt, "I don't seek our groups to be buddies but what I do seek is for our groups to peacefully and mutually co-exist since we often fly the same space. Perhaps with time and earned respect, we could visit Gallic space legally. That is why I initially tried making contact when the jumphole in Orkney opened into Languedoc, it's beauty and wine."
He took a few breaths after being so long winded, watching the General exhale her smoke. "Do forgive my being long winded but I've been wanting to say that for awhile."
RE: Summit at Gaia - Omi - 12-11-2013
Having allowed the doctor to finish his spiel, Lucie stared at him, her expression guarded. Then, after a long draught on her cigar, she spoke:
"Your apology is accepted. Such things are long in the past, non? We must look to the future and the present, administrateur, not dwell on foolish mistakes that were once committed."
As she continued speaking, Lucie leant forwards to pour the bottle of champagne, methodically filling both glasses.
"Peace between the Crown and your group will be a more than adequate solution to these current tensions. Anything more than simple neutrality - permissions, and so forth - that remains to be seen."
She set the bottle down with a soft clunk, leaning back into her chair and meeting Doc's eyes with a glacier-blue gaze of her own.
"Gallia's quarrel - and therefore, the Royal Navy's - is not with your particular sect, non, or indeed with any Zoners. Unfortunately, though, it appears that many of your kind have been intent on provoking hostilities, one way or another. Be it rudeness, a lack of respect for the King's authority, or anyone of umpteen other methods."
Lucie paused briefly, allowing the Doctor some time to respond.
RE: Summit at Gaia - Doc Holliday - 12-12-2013
Doc took the glass and raised it respectfully to the General, taking a sip to wet his dry palate.
"This is some fine quality bubbly," he said with much approval, "I would be honored to serve it at Shasta."
He then put the glass down and responded, "I cannot speak for all Zoners. I tried that once and it went very wrong. While it's not an excuse, the history of the Zoners as a people might shed light on why. We left the current houses, making homes in those parts of space where no one wanted to be. The radiation of the Omegas, Nomad infested space and even just outside the border areas of houses and for awhile, it worked. We learned to live on little, building biodomes to sustain ourselves and even using our extras and diplomacy to live amongst people that house authorities view as "undesirable" or even "criminal." We were at peace for a very long time."
"In time, we as a people have watched one home world taken while the Bretonians lay claim to the first Freeport built. It generated resentment. While that Freeport is still in Zoner control, the arguments with Bretonia often continue so many a Zoner will be quite rude or even disrespectful."
He took another sip, enjoying the taste, before continuing, "And I mean no disrespect with this but many see Gallia as conquerors with Zoners of all types being caught in the middle. They used to be able to freely travel the Taus without incident but not so anymore. The politics of the Gallic Royals aren't our concern. The memory of the Zoners is a long memory, one in which they remember Bretonia and even Liberty either conquering or trying to conquer what they have worked so hard to build so it's not a lack of respect or even rudeness that you may be encountering but the past and maybe even a small amount of fear."
He took another sip of his champagne, "Damn this is good," he commented.
"I do hope that sheds a little light on things."