The Queen inclined her head in agreement, reaching out to scoop up a flute of champagne that a servant held out for her on a tray. She held the glass a moment, sipping at it, as she continued to look out over her capital world.
"I would like to talk to you about dreams," she said at length. "I would like to purchase a planet from the Zoner people."
She watched his reaction, listening to his diplomatic answer, which was an expected refusal.
Smiling lightly she rested a hand on his upper arm, "surely, there is room for future negotiation. A Bretonian investment in... what was it again?" she frowned, "oh yes Gran Canaria... would mean greater prosperity for the people there. And we both know that your mutual... squatters? Would be easily dealt with by Bowex security forces, were it worth their while."
She patted his arm as she turned away, "but again, that is better left for a future discussion. For now I have need of your... unique position as a 'Neutral' party. This trouble in Snowdon, with our cousin Niklaus troubles me greatly. And perhaps... you could reach out to them with a cease fire proposal?"
The Queen kept her voice low, her eyes studying the men in the room about her. "You can understand that neither Bretonia nor Rheinland can afford to appear weak over this matter. And if such a proposal were to come from either house, it would be cause for the other house to declare victory... and each House has hawkish enemies that would pounce on any such perceived weakness."
She drained her glass, handing it off to a servant as she studied him.
"I am asking you to be the peace-maker that your reputation has crafted you into. If our lost Cousin, Charles, is stirring restlessly, then we have to be ready for him... I am sure you catch my meaning, there?"
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He now knew why the Queen had summoned him, peace between Bretonia and Rheinland. He knew neither side could afford this war and for Bretonia, it could end up double jeopardy with what he suspected from the west and Gallia.
"Yes, your Majesty, I do catch your meaning and I share your concern," he answered, "they have it in for me no doubt."
"As to getting back to a peaceful solution with Rheinland, I think it can be done. It has to be for all of us," he continued with a hint of concern. He added, "I would even do this for a solution with Kusari as well. Enough have died in that conflict and many more people displaced from their livelihoods. But for now, one place at a time is a wise approach."
Doc looked at her inquisitively, "While I have some thoughts on a solution with Rheinland, I must first ask the Queen what she would want for a solution. I do caution you though that both sides will have to give a little for this to work but I think you know that."
He gave her a moment to reflect, to get her thoughts together.
"The answer is simple, Doctor," the Queen affixed him with deep dark eyes. "I expect peace for my people and an end to the bloodshed that neither of our houses can well afford. As for compromise, that can be arranged. But before then, we must arrange a cease fire."
She motioned with her hands out of the window at the orange-hued space beyond. "All these stars, and we cannot find a way to share them. I have Kusari to the North East, Gallics to the North West, Molly's to the South, Rhienland to the South East... and Reavers in my rose garden. All those stars, and yet so many with eyes on the ones we call Bretonian."
Sighing lightly, "Bretonia cannot appear weak in these negotiations, we are a strong, proud people of a rich and noble culture. And our enemies have to learn that we are strong in our own right. I have heard the transmission from Gallia where our Cousin, King Charles, has emerged from the fox hole and is now loose amidst the hens of the hen house. You, yourself, know what is at stake."
She pressed his arm, "a storm, unlike any we have ever known, is coming. I can feel it, let us not be caught unawares."
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He nodded as she pressed his arm, "I do know, Majesty......more than you know."
He gave a smile of assurance, "We can do this without anyone appearing weak. First, we must get the Rheinland government interested in a peace treaty by a third party. With so much commerce running through the system, each house having a mining operation in system, researchers around Planet Sprague, the Independent Miner's Guild and Zoners each having stake in the system, I don't think it would be difficult."
He then turned to her, "With your blessings, I can contact Rheinland and arrange a summit. It would be best advised to keep it quiet. Just what we don't need are people deciding to spoil the festivities. I would also recommend, using secrecy as a guise, that security be kept at normal levels. Too much will tip people off."
After a pause, he continued, "I also suggest that the basis for a peace settlement would be to make Omega 3 a buffer zone. In other words, no one lays claim to it but naturally, both houses can send security patrols, as needed, to their respective bases in the system. By not making claims, both sides show good faith to the other."
She looked at him as if he had just crawled out from under a rock, at first in disgust but slowly that gave way to pity, obviously he simply didn't understand.
She patted his arm.
"The Snowdown system is mine by birthright, Doctor. I own everything inside of it," she brushed the sleeve of his robe, and picked off a little lint. "The Rheinland forces will pull back to Omega-7, and we will continue to keep patrols in Snowdown..." she chuckles a little at him.
"I must commend you on the try, though, but I am afraid your station is the only thing neutral about Snowdown, and that continues to exist by my grace shared only by Gods. How about you focus on peace and... not attempt to manipulate the situation to your benefit..." she shook her head. "They warned me you were a cunning one... but don't be too clever."
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Doc just smiled and chuckled, "But your majesty, I wasn't trying to be cunning or manipulating, I was offering suggestion. You may own Omega 3 but just incase you haven't been there yourself in awhile, it's about as wild as the Old American West on Old Earth. Hessians and Corsairs are the Indians of the area, the pirates the wanted outlaws and your armed forces is the cavalry while the Zoners are the settled civilians who either work with those neighbors and if needed, take up arms themselves."
He got back to the point, trying to avoid politics, something he had a failing history with the Crown.
"A peace summit," he explained, "we must get this initiated. As I said, a low keyed event in the public eye to avoid unwanted attention. I may have an idea that would work, using my own Med.Force.One as a meeting place, cloaked within the space of Omega 3. The ongoing medical work on board would overshadow the ongoing negotiations. By doing that, we take the spotlight off of Freeport 1 which would be on obvious location and, if someone found out, an obvious target."
"Just.....another suggestion, Majesty," he said, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Then if we are to proceed, I want your word. Your oath of honour, Doctor. Not one word about a 'Buffer Zone' will be mentioned at any peace negotiation." She looked firm. "If you cannot swear this, then I am afraid you are not the man I thought you were."
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"I will consider that a condition that is not acceptable and you therefore have my word on it," he answered immediately, "Shall we get busy with getting this settled with Rheinland?"
"You may make the initial overtures." She nodded her assent.
She folded her arms.
"Add to the deal the unrestricted access to Rugen station. Along a direct flight corridor." She turned away from him.
"High society can be burdensome for those not blessed with the right social graces, or education to handle it." She looked at him again. "You are dismissed Ambassador," she waved her hand. "I have other affairs to attend to, and I don't wish to trouble you by keeping you in a place where you don't feel comfortable."
She returned to her chaise, "Norfolk, see the good Ambassador out of my presence."
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He writes in his datapad the instructions on Rugen.
"Very well, Majesty," he nodded, "and please, before I go, I wanted to give you this as a gift before we got started, a token of our thanks from the Temporary Autonomous Zoners. It is an arrangement of our amulets mounted in Bretonian Gold. The amulets are of many colors. I think you will find the necklace rather beautiful."
The craftsmanship was exquisite with a lot of heart put into it.
//An example.
"With it," he continued, "is the headpiece. The amulets at the front cover the pineal gland when worn. We use them in thought during meditations and spots where some extra wisdom would help." He then handed her the felt box that they came in.
With that, he followed the Duke of Norfolk out at the request of the Queen as he had work to do.
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