"Yes, It sure is, extreme and strange." Quiron's pulse slowly restored to its normal stance. "If you treat your allies like this in times of negotiations Pope Brettonias, I wouldn't belong to your enemies." said with a strained smile. He already knew that the only time when he can relax again, will be the one undocking from Malaclypse Freeport. What if he is going mad again? My stomach...
"Anyway." he took a deep breath."You have brought up the topic about our common project with the Order which was mentioned and proposed earlier by our side. If you would like to talk about it, then me and my associate are all ears and we may continue this meeting." he stopped for a moment and looked over the TAZ members searching any sign of reaction in their faces. "However, I must state right now that our opinion about the Leviathan class warship is definite and won't change due to the previously described concerns. That ship belongs to the Omicrons and should be remain as it is."
Eric was just at his ease.. Just listening while everything did happen he did not worry about Brettonias.. After all he even gave a hint to Theodore. But guess he was scared it might end up very badly. Eric had faith within Pope Brettonias as even in the delegates of the Phoenix.
When Quiron poke the words.. "However, I must state right now that our opinion about the Leviathan class warship is definite and won't change due to the previously described concerns. That ship belongs to the Omicrons and should be remain as it is." Eric got some mixed feelings within. Who are the Phoenix to decide where the ship would be the most safe? Also the Omicrons? At their home within Zeta which is wandering with Nomads. And is basically a warzone? With this in mind he turned around. For the first time facing Quiron in the face.
"I think you are deeply mistaken Quiron.."
he walks slowly towards Quiron.. "I am not sure how you go along with the nomads, but I have heard they are very dangerous. Even a huge number of reports them attacking Zoners. If they leave you alone for some reason with such tech I begin to wonder if your higher in command Captain Christian Burton is not infected..."
He did pause a moment. While everyone was overthinking what he just told within the room and he was standing next to Quiron facing him straight into the eyes.
"I do not know Christian Burton personally, so I cannot judge this. But considering the hostile space where you live.. The ship could easily be lost. Crushed by the Nomads, even spread upon the passing ships. Which beams equipment op which was shot down of the ship or of the wreck which it did leave behind. What would it leave to us fellow Zoners? If we can reverse engineer it, then so can our allies and even our enemies! This may NEVER happen! It may not fall under any other then us Zoners! Keep this in mind Quiron.. Could you?"
Eric takes another look at the window.. "Quiron could you follow me to the window? Do not fear I mean you no harm." Quiron nods and slowly walks along with Eric towards the window.
"The Nephilim, Aquilon and all other zoner ships are derived of the Levithian. If this ship will be lost it will be gone for all eternity. It is not that the ship is still hidden within the nebula, with the huge minefield around it within omicron 74. But within a warfield called Zeta. After several years of research, it might even be possible to make another one. We must all aim towards the future. As do our enemies."
Then they arrived at the window. It shows planet Eris and in the far far distance you can see Pueblo Bonito with Ravenhurst Watch. The station defending the entrance and exit of it.
"Quiron.. Take a good look at Pueblo Bonito. So much empty space.. It is peaceful in here as you might have noticed before Pope Brettonias showed a little Chao in here. If you even look closely you could see the goddess watching us above the planet Eris within the stars"
Eric waited a minute and then continued.. "I am pretty sure you are also aware of the station watching over our unwanted visitors. Problems in the past we had with people trying to steal Blueprints of our beloved Aquillon. We gave even a few towards several of your comrades within the Phoenix Quiron. It was a security which we sadly had to take. We cannot put it on Zoners only as everyone has unique ship papers. But due to this tool. We can defend our home and fellow Zoners so our technology will not fall into hostile hands. And what is it what you are doing to make sure for our technology not to be endangered?"
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Watching over the window glass Quiron stood by Eric Stone with his hands behind, listening carefully his words. He tried to understand the reasonings of their hosts, but his opinion about this matter differed from the funds.
"Mr. Stone, maybe I'll sound blatant..." he turned to the fellow Zoner. "...but I would rather see the Leviathan is destroyed by the Nomads than Gallia may notice about Her existence and taking the ship over. Have you thought it over what would happen in such case? Why do think your allies, the Council, who is pursuing a desperate fight against their homeland wouldn't betray you for such technology in the hope of victory? Or the Colonials to strengthen their position in the Taus? What about the Oucasts? Or Liberty, the greedy Liberty? Not to mention Kusari or Bretonia." he returned his look to the window. "Do you see our fear? You are surronded by warmongers in every direction, Baffin is a highway within the heart of Sirius. Only a single spotting with evidence and not Gallia will be the only one you have to deal with but the half of the sector. Humans are greedy, alliances and friendship would mean nothing to them if they can aquire great powers."
The Phoenix made a little pause to gather his thoughts. "I understand your sensitive situation with Gallia, but please do tell me again, how do you think that a single warship would defend you from the whole Gaul army? As I've heard the news, nobody could stop them so far, and they have already faced larger fleets than the Zoners will ever have. I'm sorry, but I simply couldn't be convinced that Baffin is capable to defend such technology. Even if you do your best." Quiron turned once again to Eric Stone. "About your fear according the safety of the Leviathan, I'm sure you all know the Omicrons more or less. If you want to hide something, that is the best place for it. We have managed to do that for a significant amount of years so far and won't fail about it in the future."
Eric Stone gets a littlebit concerned about the matter. He just told he was affraid that if it was destroyed by the Nomads the remains of the ship might fall in hands of the enemy. It might be even Outcasts who would end up with it in the end. Or maybe even worse.. He waits a moment and reminds himself of Captain Newberry which he spoke just before he went to the conference room..
"Quiron... You do realize taking the Levithian to Zeta brings the ship in danger.. With your allies up there. Meaning the Order and BHG core. They are both are so eager to destroy the nomads. BHG Core would even kill humans or in this case destroy the Levithian warship to obtain technology for the destruction of others. Not only against the nomads but possible also against us if we would stand in the way. Basically the same goes for the Order, with some of my journeys in the past I have seen the Order flying along with the Levithian. Yet at that point I had a life to save of one of our Popes. But they know about its existance and who knows what they have obtained from it already."
he pauses a moment.. and looks outside the window seeing passing traders...
"You are playing with fire.. Sooner or later it will happen. It is the same fear we have towards you having it out in the Omicrons. Like i told you its not hidden anymore in the nebula within omicron 74... Speaking of that.. With taking the ship out of there all Zoners where beeing hurt. As no one could research it during the time you took it, but only the Phoenix itself. I will not say you have had bad intentions with it. But it certainly concerns not only me, yet all Zoners throughout whole Sirius."
With several thought on Erics mind he resumed
"Quiron as you might see we are both in dangerous situations. You stated mostly our allies, but how do you look towards the Gauls then? You have the same situations as we have with the Gauls, or am i mistaken?"
then suddenly Eric turns around and leave Quiron for a moment to think it through..
"Theodore, could you check how it is going with Doc Holliday? I did see him before i came to this room. To be honest i thought he was just enjoying the cognac there, but he might be interested to join the conversation?"
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Quiron lost in his thoughts while watching Baffin's space from the Freeport, he clearly felt that the meeting was slowly departing from the original subject, the schematics of the Leviathan. We are arguing now who is in a worse situation, who is more capable to have such a technology. And above all, we all want to keep away that ship from the human nature like this. I think that's called irony. He laughed within himself. Although, one name suddenly brought him back. Doc Holliday. The honorable Doc Holliday is here in this station? Why didn't he join to this meeting from the beginning, I wonder.
"Mr. Stone." he started while still admiring the view from the conference room. "I won't lie to you, as we live on the other side of the Sector, we don't have any particular issues with the Gauls, since we’re avoiding any battlefield or conflict in the first place. As you’re living in doorstep of new powers in the Tau sector, we highly recommend to change the plasma fire to the weapon of diplomacy as Zoners usually do. Anyway, of course it doesn't mean we approve or accept the acts of the Royalists, but I'm sure I don't have to explain it further to a Zoner."
He turned to the addressed. "We both agree that the ship shouldn't fall into the wrong hands, as you and we have expressed our concerns before. Now think it over, if we somehow are able to construct a second Leviathan - which actually had never successed before - that would double the chances of this ship is getting attention by external unwanted parties. That would be oil on the fire you have mentioned. Also, we are still waiting for a proper answer about how you would plan to beat off a full house army with a single warship in case of a Gaul attack."
After a small pause, he started his final thoughts. "About the safety once again, Elizabeth Tate has left her ship into the custody of our small group, not the TAZ's. I think that proves a bit our reasons according to the placement of the Leviathan. You should be assured, we have learned from the mistakes of our predecessors as keeping ourselves out of the spotlight, which seems impossible here in Baffin due to the geographical circumstances."
Theo moves to the window again and looks at Quirion.
You are mistaken, the Persephone would not be the only warship facing Gauls if they ever decide to knock heavily on this doorstep. There is a fleet growing in Baffin, a fleet of many colours, badges and flags. A fleet formed by the alliance of all who wish to remain independent to the megalomania of a mad monarch. The union of the free peoples of Sirius. This station is not only a Freeport. It is also a fortress, a garrison were the banners will rally on the day of Verwirrung.He made a pause.The Persephone would be our secret weapon. A warship so secretly hidden that their intelligence services do not know anything about.
He turned his sight to Eric Stone.
I am afraid you are also mistaken Pope Stone. John Henry Holliday, a.k.a. 'Doc', is right now at Ravenhurst Watch attending other matters.
"Theodore, I guess Eris did fool me. But could you sent a quick message toward him please? I think he might have interest in it."
He began to answer Quirons questions. Yet he did wonder why they seem to avoid his.. But first.. "My apologies Quiron. I hope you don't mind that our belowed Dr John Henry Holliday will attend? He was on a sabbatical, due to this he was not here from the very beginning."
He made a pause.. And did sign towards Theodore for some drinks. and resumed the conversation
"I think Theodore just did answer how we would defend it. Do not forget we poses Jumpdrive and other secret technology and we could bring it in safety when needed."
"You are aware that the levithian warship codename Hyperion. It has technology onboard which we still do not know exactly how it fully works. And i doubt your scientists did manage to fully understand all what is onboard of it. We want full schematics. But the technology we don't understand we could replace in time if we ever will fully understand its workings. For the meantime we could use the technology on it which we do have at this point."
A few seconds did pas he wanted to hold back, but he decided to speak out his mind..
"I did hear indeed that the Levithian class warship does belong to Elisabeth Tate. Its been put for safe keeping and while nothing did happen to it i must say i think it is outrageous you let it beeing known by the Order and BHG Core. and who knows who even more? Instead of some decoy and keep the original with its technology onboard hidden within Omicron 74. You decided to use it a not fully functional ship which you fail to fully understand the technology which is onboard."
Suddenly he filled with some anger.. He takes a small breath and starts to think. "would it be worth this? Phoenix even deny and want to rather let fellow zoners beeing slaughtered while wandering themselves with that treasure through the Omicrons. Who knows even the Gallic Royal Navy might know about it existence already?"
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"I've never met with Doc Holliday personally, but his renown walks long before him. Certainly, we don't have any objection about it." said to Eric while looking at Dirk to read any expression from his face.
Then he started to talk to Theodore. "Please tell me Mr. Sturgeon, when did the TAZ change their policy of neutrality to siding certain parties? As Zoners, we have to upkeep our reputation. Even if we sympathize with third parties, we don't share it with the world. We help them from the shadows, not with warships. Almost every parties of Sirius are killing each other for self-interest, why are you interested in joining this nonsense? Just imagine if we declare our alliance with the Order, in a few days The Core, Liberty and who knows else would start the witch-hunt against the Zoners. As I said earlier, you should reconsider your future moves and retake the true path of our movement, before it's not too late."
"And Mr. Stone," he turned to the other TAZ member. "I fear I cannot say anything about your accusations. I neither confirm nor deny that the Core knows about the Leviathan, since even myself rarely see the ship. I would hardly believe it though... I don't know where you get such information, but I'm unable to react on that. On the other side, the Order already knew about that Leviathan when I left the aviation school in Gran Canaria. Blaming us for that is just demagogy or false inference."
Theo shook his head as Quirion adressed him. The man was under that impression, or so it seemed.
I beg you pardon Quirion my friend, but you seem to have a rather "public" idea of what Zoners are and should do. What you are saying is what can be heard by the regular Sirian when asked about his opinion on Zoners. "They are neutral to everyone, they profit from this, since they are traders", or "they wouldn't and can't wage war against no one, they are pacifists".
I want to think that you know better than this. We have shipyards, we have military research facilities, warships, and one of the most extended information networks this side of the galaxy, bested only by junkers probably. Zoners are not just 'friendly traders' just as the Bounty Hunters Guild is not a simple mercenary corporation. There are activities inbetween our more public smokescreens. I know you are aware of the role Zoners fulfill in keeping things shiny between Nomads and Humans. You are there, in the field of action, you have seen it.
Besides that, the Temporary Autonomous Zoners are also Erisian Zenarchists, and we have a lot of things that are important to us other than being ok with everyone. Doc Holliday is a man with a vision more like the one you picture, but I can assure you that the gross of the Temporary Autonomous Zoners don't want to have a friendly relationship with the monster that is Gallia, and if you are smart, humanitarian, or both, you will agree that they are a threat to that thing that Zoners treasure most: Freedom.
Having said that, he approached the door.
Now if you will excuse me, I'll drop a line to Doc..
Brettonias stood by with his back against the wall as he listened closely to conversation continuing to unfold before him. As Quiron spoke for a moment about how they operated, a sharp smirk escaped from his lips, watching Theo walk past on his search.
Our change in policy, was forced upon us... And not by our choice. Several times we have already come under attack by the Gauls, and thoses times we somehow prevailed. If there was another way to escape such we would have done so. But we're at our ends on options.
He began to shake his head a bit as he propped away from the wall, walking to the broken window and cupped his paws behind his back.
You talked a moment about humans being greedy and corrupptible. I'm glad that I wish to be the vessels commander if its built for I am the least human in this entire system. But in this talk... We're all sounding like a broken record here.. I can't wait to see what Doc says to all this.
-"If we do not learn at least one thing a day....Our minds turn to stupor"- Kyle Sparrgrove -2005