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It was settled. Prince Joseph DeFrance decided to meet Doc at Shasta in his office. On one hand, Doc was honored to have the presence of such a high profile family visiting his home, something not even Bretonian royalty would even consider. On the other hand, he felt unsure, the brother of his former rival and someone he considered a traitor would be face to face with him. Still, he wasn't Aurelia and the fact that he was the first member of royalty to not give a hostile response was worth respect.
Doc was dressed in his finest robes of diplomacy and his office was given a good cleaning with a carpet wash. A table with two chairs facing each other set next to a window looking out towards Planet Eris had a wine glass set for each while a nearby bar had just about anything one could desire.
A small riser behind his personal desk had two flags. On the left was the flag for TAZ, the other was a flag from a Royal cruiser. He had acquired it from someone on a nearby Freeport. It was claimed to have been captured.
The rest of his desk was neat as well, his wedding picture with Midori set for all to see and smaller pictures of his three kids. On a far wall was a large picture of Malaclypse. To Doc, it was the prize of his office.
His office set, he gave himself one final check before walking to the docking bay where Joseph DeFrance's shuttle would land. It would be him alone that greeted him as he wanted him to feel at ease and welcome.
Until he arrives, he went over his notes in his datapad.
Joseph stood in the hangar of his beloved Valor, the DeFrance Royale, glancing through a view port at the system that surrounded him. It was boring to look at, poorly placed stations; easy for an assault and little to no patrols.
While he found it amusing that his small wing of ships made it this far, he was confused why there hasn't been any ambushes. Maybe this man was truly as he said he was. Peaceful.
Once in the actual system, he had his small battle force hold at the jump hole. He was to shuttle in, mostly unarmed.
He gave a sigh and started walking towards the Aurochs shuttle that awaited him. Before stepping on board, he picked a small briefcase-like box near the ramp. He smiled at the rusty old thing before ducking inside.
Joseph sat with his eyes closed for the short trip over, thinking about how nice his little break had been. He enjoyed a little break or two from his duty and an assignment like this was just what he wanted. Years of being on the front line can really number how long one lives, and Joseph wishes to make his life quite long.
Finally, the call for landing was announced and Joseph strapped himself in. The docking bay was around his ship and he could feel the change in gravity already. Seeing the straps were useless, he undid them and stood up. The light by the loading door turned blue and Joseph walked up to it. Two men of the Royal Guard stood by the door, and he gave both of them a nod. The door inched open and the two guards walked out. Finding things modestly safe, they reported it in. Joseph walked out in his formal service uniform, his favourite jacket hung over his shoulders and, as he said, the sword dangling from his hip. He had his box in his right hand, the old leather handle gripped tightly.
One of the Royal Guards stepped forward but Joseph shook his head. They bowed took up positions by the ship, the door still open. Joseph looked around and saw another person. He glanced at his box once more and started his way towards the other man.
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Doc stood, his hands clasped behind his back to present an open front when the Prince stepped in. As he did, he bowed his head as a show of respect. There was no security around him. He then extended his right hand as he greeted him, "Prince DeFrance, welcome to Shasta Orbital Skyhook, the heart of our system. It is an honor to have you here."
He then looked around himself a bit and continued, "Excuse the lack of a welcoming committee but I wanted to start out with just us. If you wish, you may bring a member of your security team but you can rest assure, we are safe."
He awaited the Prince's reaction. Would he accept his hand? He was careful, not wanting to screw up a golden opportunity.
Jose switched the box to his left hand. While he did not bow himself, he gave a welcoming nod and took the hand firmly.
"Je vous en prie, it's a pleasure to be here."
When extra security was mentioned, the Prince frowned.
"I do not need them. The agreement was a one on one conversation, non?"
Joseph suddenly leans forward, but not too much to appear threatening.
"You will thank me later," Joseph said quietly before stepping back. "Now, how are we to do this?"
The Prince awaited to hear what was planned for this meeting. He didn't expect a royal welcome, as those take days. He wonder if it would be a short talk with nothing changed or, perhaps, something that could change how Gallia acted. Or maybe just a knife in his back.
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Doc motioned down a wide hallway, "My office isn't far. I have set us up to chat there." With his hands behind his back, they made a casual walk to his office.
As they walked, Doc gave a brief history of Baffin and of Shasta itself. "Shasta sits above the Goddess Geode. It is the Geode that enables us to mine the pineal amulets that have become so popular with many. We set them in gold, silver, platinum or a combination of them depending on the customer," he explained, "the only real draw back is that Shasta sits off the superhighway but it's visible to traders who wish to stop."
They approached the door to his office which slid open. He allowed the prince to enter first.
"My home away from home," he stated as he allowed the Prince to look about. "This was the office given to me by our late founder, Malaclypse, a man to whom I owe much. As such, his portrait sits on my back wall. Beyond that wall is quarters for when my wife and kids come to stay."
Beneath the portrait was also a baby grand piano.
He stood by the bar, his hands still presenting the open front. "Might I offer you a drink, Prince?" he asked, "You have many choices."
"I know of Malaclypse, I expect he was as great man as you say."
At the notion of a drink, the prince smiled.
"Oh yes, I would love a glass of poison. Your pick."
The prince grinned at the statement, hoping to have this infamous man loosen up a bit. Glancing around the room, he saw the mighty picture of the former head, along with the piano. He loved the sounds a piano could make, but detested the lump of wood due to a strict teacher he had back when he was a toddler. He remembered a song or two, but he wasn't here to play music. He was here to fix his sisters messes, per usual.
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Doc gave a soft smile. He then took a bottle and two glasses. He poured one and then the other. He then handed one to the Prince, "Cognac. I always enjoy it before official functions. I could tell you stories of it's origins but it would bore you I'm sure." He then took a sip, savored it and carried his glass as he began to speak.
"Prince Joseph, I wish to begin this with an apology. I am not blameless for the tense relations with your people. I apologize for TAZ transgressions into Gallic space and I apologize for the attempt on your sister's life by then Commander Rajuc. It was an act he did on his own and against my orders. I was only able to give a verbal reprimand as he and his crew was killed shortly thereafter in Dublin space by the Mollies. For all of it, I have no excuse."
He took another sip of his cognac, "My people were interested in wine and tobacco trade. Lately, they have expressed interest in cryocubes. Prince, I'm not asking to be buddies nor am I asking for trust as I know that the latter must be earned. What I ask is for a fresh start. I have little to offer except the amulets we produce."
He paused a moment, realizing he had just done something he swore never to do....but it was a necessity. He became a bit more somber, "I let a personal matter between your sister and I affect my judgement with everyone. It still is personal but I have unfairly judged your family for it."
He then put on a light smile again, feeling some relief as if a lot of weight had just left his shoulders.
The Prince stood quietly, having turned his attention back towards the man who offered him a glass of cognac. Which he gladly accepted. He knew of the upstart his sister had caused before returning back to Gallia itself, and knew that the distaste ran deeply between Doctor Holliday and Aurelia. Though the thought of their feuding did make him smile softly.
"Commander Rajuc should've succeeded in the attempt to kill my sister. He would've spared her from suffering insanity. Either way, I offer my condolences." He remarked, grinning softly as he brought the glass up to his lips, taking a brief sip before looking over at the piano again, "We both know the events that led us to standing in this very room are in the past, as the old saying goes. What's done is done. However, we can begin anew."
Joseph smirked some as he looked over at Doctor Holliday, raising the glass slightly in the air, "Please do inform your transport captains that upon my leave of this station, they'll be allowed access into Gallia for procurement of cryocubes, tobacco, and wine. In exchange for nothing more than a favour to be called upon when deemed appropriate. I'm sure that's sound, non?"
((Notice: Joseph DeFrance changed hands once more. I have skype logs on hand if you wish to view them.))
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Doc just turned in a mild state of shock. He stood frozen, the cognac in his glass settled from the delay in motion.
"I am shocked, Prince," he finally replied, "I seriously thought I would have to give retribution at least and now I find my people allowed to traverse into Gallic space."
He then took a few steps towards him, "I will make it easy for you. I will supply you with a list of trade ships, ships that will require transponder frequencies for safe passage and I will keep it limited so that they may be closely monitored. Escort ships I will leave up to you as to yea or nay."
Doc was still shocked. He wanted to free up the Taus for Zoner travel but didn't want to push his luck. He sipped his cognac and carefully asked of him, "would it be much to ask for Zoners to be able to pass through the Taus, namely Tau 31 and Edinburgh? It makes running goods to and from our home world and visiting families much easier and for security patrols to protect Zoner transports from piracy."
He delayed and finished, "My goal is to earn some trust from the Royals. Mal always loved the Privas cluster in Dauphine."
He stepped away for a moment and then turned back to him, "You really would have rathered Command Rajuc to have succeeded? To think I disciplined him for it."
He then took the cognac bottle, "Refill, Monsieur?"
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