"You cannot be certain of the lies and deceit these so called "Protectors of mankind" have! For now they sit in our court room with tight bonds between the Kusari Emperor and those unhonourable Hogoshan hounds. What does make these men and women any better than them? I for one look at the Order's errors in the past and they look to frequent. how can we be sure a steady relationship can work between us? All i see is more uncertainty with these shaded men. The big question is like you said, are you willing to break ties with your old allies? "
Hirosho Horatami's guards opened the doors to the court as soon as Kintaki finished speaking, showing the daimyo laying upright on a medical bed.
"I have a better idea!"
The guards placed Hirosho in the middle of the room, close enough for the Taishogun to see him bow slightly.
"I propose we offer the Order a chance to display their worthiness."
Shogun Sum and the Taishogun looked at each other, then back at Hirosho.
"Let them pick which side they want to take. Who they rather be allied to! I agree with what brother Kintaki has stated, therefore for us to truly be certain that the Order are who they say they are, they must cancel all ties with the Emperor and all his minions!"
Hirosho Horatami leaned even more closer to the crowd, and with emphasis stated his final sentence before being wheeled over the the side of the room.
"They must choose, US or THEM! And their decision, must be displayed in this room, for all of our brethren to hear!"
Everyone now had different expressions upon their faces. The order, mostly, confusion. Some of the dragons where cheering and clapping, greeting Hirosho, while some smirked and ignored the Daimyo's proposal.
"Your giving those guys an ultimatum to betray one group to ally with another? Isn't that what your accusing us of doing in the first place? You want them to repeat their mistakes all over again because of your differences?
Trent now glares at the Shogun.
And uhh, you laying in the bed. I don't know you, but asking a group to prove themselves just to satisfy your quarrels with a group you don't get along with isn't a great way to progress. I know you have your differences, but there must be another way.
Trent now turns to the Daimyo.
Tell you the truth, I barely know anything about these Hogosha folks, but they're not the threat right now. Don't you agree?
"All who support the illegitimate Kusari government are a danger to the Dragons. This does not impact on our humanitarian mission to defend against the Nomads. We have a legacy of years of research that is preserved to this day."
Sum looked down on Daiymo Hirosho with a stern expression.
"As for proof of Honour, always it is in the actions, not the words - however passionate they may be."
Sum also looked the Daiymo up and down, doubtless taking in the extent of Hirosho's injuries.
"It is not necessary for solemn oaths to be made by the Order. Once the Order pledges to work with us again, it is only a matter of time before our enemies find out about it. Fate shall then ensure the Order is paid whatever wages are owed to them for past dishonour."
There were many murmurs of agreement at this last statement.
Robert waited for the din to quieten before he spoke again.
Most of what I've wanted to say has already been said. Now let's get straight to business. I, on the behalf of the Order, would like to re-new and forge an alliance between our two peoples. I understand it's hard, and the Order has erred on a few counts and in the choosing of it's allies which has not turned out....very well.
That's why I say we do not return to a full alliance just yet, rather give it time so as to re-forge and re-gain the trust that has been lost between the Dragons and the Order. I'd like nothing better than to fly again against the common threat, and hope to eradicate it, as we know that the Dragons have some of the best pilots in Sirius, and it's completely true.
The Order, for the time being, would like to share all relevant knowledge we have about the nomads, and their compatriots, the Wild, with the Dragons, and in return we just ask this. Assistance against the nomads and the Wild, and limited docking rights on your bases for our fighter and bomber wings. We assure you the same shall be provided to Dragon wings on Order bases.
I understand completely that the trust between our two organizations has waned, but if you give us a chance to prove, and to earn back the trust, you will not be disappointed. Trust is earned, not given. The Order has failed in the past, we ask for a second chance.
He bowed to mixed applause and murmuring all around the hall.
"Honourable Trent Edission. You out of all people relied on trust, no? Then why do you not see the reason why many Dragon Warriors are hesitent for this alliance. Old trusts are being forged once more and many are becoming relics."
Kintaki turns towards the order spokesman.
"Can we trust you though? Protect each other like we did in the Nomad war? If so many warriors don't want to see deteriorating relations again. That all comes under trust."
Teraku adjusted a bandage around his right arm. He was standing in the passage which led to the Court Room, aware of the tense situation inside it.
Even so, he walked silently into the Court, sitting in the nearest corner. He closed his eyes but kept listening the uptight speech between the Order delegation, Trent and Dragons high ranks.
"Trust huh? I've never had much use for it, seeing as the sides keep changing. But you've got to make use of what ya got. Instead of scorning it. The longer you hesitate, the quicker they'll die."
Trent looks at The Order spokesman.
"You people I can never trust again, but it would be stupid not to make use of what ya got."
When Mister Trent had left the room, Shogun Gok-Li nodded to the Taishogun, the Leader and his econd clearly had an understanding.
"The Taishogun shall now make His determination."
The Court was deathly silent.
"It is said that diplomacy is a three-edged sword., that is it can cut both ways, and in other ways most unexpected and illogical. Truly, diplomacy in recent years has been cutting with the third edge."
Kintaki was interrupted in listening to the Taishogun, by a Court Official - who handed him a scroll with the Imperial Seal on it. The Taishogun continued to speak as Kintaki read it.
"The Taishogun and His ancestors are nothing if not patient. We have waited for the time when the Order would seek a return to its core values and mission. It is why we have always kept a link to the Order through the exchange of scientific information - even whilst the Order sought power for its own sake, and sipped tea at the table of ignominy."
Daiymo Hirisho was interrupted at the side of the Court by several guards, who pushed aside Hiriosho's own aides, and began to wheel him out of the Court. "Shogun Gok-Li wants to see you, Daiymo."
Protestations from Hirosho's men grew louder as they moved into the halls outside the Court, and were only kept at bay by the drawn swords and firearms of the Court Guards. The Taishogun continued to speak, paying no heed to the commotion at the back of the Court.
"And so here awaits the Dragon, not ready for warm embrace - but not turning His back. Fate has decided that our destinies shall once more be intertwined - and that the the goal of the Dragon shall be further uplifted by the desire to protect and serve humanity."
With that, the Taishogun left to great applause. Some of the applause was hesitant, and it was clear that the Taishogun accepted that suspicion would still abide in spite of any reconciliation.
The floor was now open to Shogun Sum-Gok-Li, who read the following Declaration:
"By the Will of the Taishogun, the following Ordinances shall be implemented.
1) Capital-class vessels of the Order shall be permitted to dock at Sendai Research Facility, or Ryuku Base.
2) Capital-class vessels of the Order shall not dock with, nor loiter within 5K of any other Dragon base. Such vessels shall be removed from the local system at the discretion of the ranking Dragon on duty.
3) Order vessels may pass freely through Dragon space. Order vessels are wholly responsible for the conduct of any escorts they bring with them. Escorts who we deem to be suspicious or undesirable shall be turned away at the discretion of the ranking Dragon on duty.
4) Order vessels may not refuse escort and/or monitoring by the Blood Dragons within their space. The Blood Dragons pledge to respect the same within Order space.
5) To facilitate further cooperation and harmony - one Blood Dragon shall be based from Order space, and embedded into their units. The Blood Dragons shall require one Order Agent to be embedded with us. It is up to each party to maintain and supply their own agents at this time." Kintaki gasped - this is what his new orders referred to. He was to be the first embedded Dragon within the Order. His first report would be due in a weeks time.
There were murmurs of approval from the Court. The Ordinances Sum outlined would allow the suspicious Dragons to keep a close eye on Order ships - and kept away the larger ships that might attract too much attention.
The Shogun then left - he had appointments of his own waiting in his chambers...