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Many of the waitstaff were still making final details for what Ambassador John Holliday would hope to be another successful gathering of Zoner officials and officers in the primary conference room at Shasta Orbital Skyhook.
He stood for a moment in the doorway as they worked, fretting over each and every detail before he returned to his office. On the way, he stopped for a moment at the locked door to Mal's office. He purposely kept it locked and Mal's name plate on the door. As he looked at it, he felt a bit of guilt before he entered his own office.
He took a bottle of Gallic wine from his wine rack and poured himself a glass. As he sipped it, he paced in his office before a young boy entered.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Sir," he said as he entered without a knock.
Doc just replied with a smile and a hand wave, "No, no, don't worry. What may I do for you, young man?"
"Oh, nothing, Sir. I just wanted to report that the final preps on the conference room are set. Shall I send out those invitations you made up?"
Doc didn't answer right away and the young child cued on it. "What is wrong, Sir?"
Doc just turned and with a slight smirk and a nod, "You're very perceptive. It's like this. I need to speak with those I call friends." He paused and looked skyward as he rolled his eyes a bit, "what few I seem to have anyway. I seemed to have raised some tensions amongst them. I do hope I can balance my feelings with my fears with them."
"Fears, Sir?" the boy asked, "The Gallic Royals you so often grumble about?"
Doc could only chuckle, "Yes, Child, them. Now, if you would, please send out those invitations I gave to you."
"Yes, Sir," he replied, "I'm on my way." With that, the boy left and Doc stood alone in his office. He again looked skyward, "Dad, I do hope I'm doing the right thing. I wish I had your prowess here."
He sat down and went through his paperwork as he waited for responses.
Watching out the forward observation deck of the Solar Breeze, Victor smiles as Shasta comes into eye sight. How he had enjoyed his trips to the surface of Geode and his brief stay on Shasta. As the vessel finished mooring to the skyhook he gathered his things and disembarked. Two ZDF security agents flanking him, which was rather odd for him, but since the ordeal at Freeport 10 he keeps them close by now days. Entering the conference room he smiled when he saw Doc sitting down rummaging through some papers.
"Doc, how have you been old chap? How are the wife and the newest Holliday?"
Peter Hansen appeared just a couple of minutes after Victor.
"Mister Holliday!" he smiled "It is a pleasure. How's your wife and the little one? Oh, Victor, you're here, too. And i thought i was rather too early."
He placed a stack of papers on the table, while having a look at a picture on the wall.
"Now that's a comfortable chair. I wish my conference had one." he said, after he sat down.
"Well, about the Gallics... Oh, we're waiting for someone else?" He opened a small wooden box.
Charles finally arrived at Shasta ans walked straight into the conference room "Sorry that i'm a tad late he said. There was still some ZTC business to finish. We just where in the middle of some internal process." He sat down and continued "Alright, what is this all about?" he asked. "Well, might be some Consortians are on their way to Shasta too, if you don't mind."
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John Holliday greeted each person as they entered. Although he was trying to hide it, he was visibly distraught and a bit tired. He brought a lot of it on himself so he never really complained. As each person entered, they were met by a waitstaff offering either a drink from her tray or something from the bar.
"Victor!" smiled Doc, "It is good to see you again." He then toned down his voice a bit, "I'm glad you could make it. I know time is precious so I'll try to keep this to the point when everyone arrives."
He noticed Peter Hansen already taking some comforts. He just chuckled at the sight, "Mr. Hansen, it's good to meet you, Sir. While I discourage the practice of smoking, you may do so." He then slid a smokeless ash tray to him. "You may smoke even if the rest of us don't want to."
Shaking Charles' hand, he greeted him as well, "Thanks for being here." He then sighed, "I have some explaining to do I think. Once the others arrive, I will make an opening statement. Now, if you will excuse me."
Doc then left for his office to get some information. As he did, he made an even poorer job of hiding his state of mind from Charles. It was obvious something weighed heavy on him.