[IC] Endless Worlds: Scarlet Fragments

[Mtntopview]

Before Jazz could respond to the one known as Haman, he was interrupted by their smaller female companion. At her question, he let out a small chuckle, "There is no pilot. I am an autonomous robotic organism from the planet of Cybertron." He said, giving her a moment to take that in, "However you can call us Autobots for short." Although he wanted to press on and ask about why she believed that there was a pilot, he knew it would be slightly rude. The idea of a humanoid machine piloted by humans was an alien idea to the cybertronian, and it didn't even occur to him that such a thing even existed.

Meanwhile, Optimus had decided that Jazz was handling himself well, something that made him proud. Although many Autobots had become dull, and rather rude due to their extended civil war with the Decepticons, some retained their politeness. Both he and Jazz shared that fact, while other such as Ironhide and Grimlock became more rough and more interested in combat then politics. Of course, that didn't lower his opinion of them at all, Ironhide was one of Optimus' oldest friends. It merely meant that he had to be rather selective at who he would send to meetings such as this one.

((Sorry for the late response))

[Flamelord]

Mineva frowned as Jazz replied, working out the words with a vocalized "autonomous...robot organism," trying, and somewhat failing, to repress the confusion that was brought up as a result, but his addition made it that much easier for her to say, if not understand. "Ah, I see," she said, with a slight bow. "My apologies then Mr. Autobot. I did not intend to offend you." It didn't seem like the Autobot was actually offended by the error, but who could tell with 'autonomous robot organisms'? It wasn't like this was an experience they'd had before.

Meanwhile, two figures approached from the side, drawing the attention of the trio, who glanced over to see them standing there, interesting fellows with varying degrees of enthusiasm for being here, yet still emanating an aura of experience and knowledge. But perhaps Haman was imagining things. She looked over to her blue haired companion. "Mashymre, please assist Princess Mineva in answering whatever questions this Autobot may have," she instructed with a considerate tone.

Mashymre proceeded to almost fall over himself as he snapped out of whatever daydream land he had been in, hastily bowing. "Yes Lady Haman,' he said in a slight rush before stepping forward to stand beside Princess Mineva, looking up to the Autobot and perhaps instinctively comparing it to his Galluss-J Mobile Suit. Now that would be an interesting sight to see. He then reiterated what he had just been told. "As per Lady Haman's request, I will endeavor to answer any questions you may have on our great Principality of Zeon and the ideals that drive her." Mineva glanced up at Mashymre, and one could get the impression that she was sighing internally, but the blue haired commander was totally oblivious to the feelings of his sovereign.

Haman, meanwhile, left the duo and walked over to the two waiting in the wings to be spoken to. "I am Haman Karn, current Regent to Princess Mineva. You may speak to me on any matters involving the Principality of Zeon and international affairs," she said with a calm tone, giving a show of authority and strength when she wasn't going for intimidation. She had the feeling that that part wouldn't work anyway, but she had a feeling that they would prefer to talk to the true power behind the throne, and not Princess Mineva, no offense to her.

[Dead Cruiser]

Augustus smiled warmly upon being addressed, and Levi acknowledged the greeting in a similar, if more confused manner. Upon receiving a telepathic prompt from Augustus, Levi bowed formally to Haman, cloak billowing as he did so, and Augustus soon after following suit.

"A pleasure, Your Grace." Levi said with his most deliberate efforts put into his courtesy, "I am Leviathan Corax, Grand Master of the Order of the Raven."

"I am the Grand Master's direct advisor; you may call me Augustus." The older man quickly introduced himself.

Being supplied with enough telepathic cues to essentially constitute reading off a script, Levi went on, "It was the observation of my Order that both we your nation share the common trait of utilizing humanoid vehicular weaponry. Perhaps after today's proceedings we could arrange some manner of equitable partnership? I believe we have much to offer each other, to say nothing currently of the other Directorate participants."

Levi hid his confusion and irritation, sending Augustus a few angry telepathic messages, questioning this borderline heretical proposal. Augustus waved away his concerns, only replying that the Order would convene on the subject very soon.

[Flamelord]

"Likewise," Haman affirmed with a bow as the two men introduced themselves, from this 'Order of the Raven' that had been mentioned by the Terran Dominion in previous diplomatic encounters with the organization, but her information on this order was scarce due to geographical distance and a seeming lack of political relevancy, especially compared to Zeon neighbors and the Terran Dominion itself, given possible similarities to the Earth Federation. But whether that would turn out to be true remained to be seen.

She had, however, heard the reports from the Dominion that the Order of the Raven used machines that were similar in form and function to Mobile Suits, though with fairly evident differences. that she was less certain on though, and a partnership of sorts as Leviathan proposed would be useful, for bolstering the capabilities of Zeon's Mobile Suit forces, as well as gaining intelligence on a potential foe. If they had Mobile Suits as well, she needed to know their strengths and weaknesses, in case they came to blows. She would not accept the loss of her forces because they didn't know enough about the enemy.

But those were internal thoughts, and she was unaware in turn of the telepathic conversation going on between Levi and Augustus, since her own powers worked on a different level than the powers of those two. She glanced back to Mineva, who was currently engrossed in her conversation with the 'Autobot', and then back to the two men before her. "That seems agreeable, and I doubt Her Highness will object to it either. I look forward to meeting with you after the conference so we may work out the details," she confirmed, with a pleasant expression meant to lull them into a false sense of security about the personality of the twenty one year old Regent. She would take advantages where she could get them, and one of the more easy ones was people underestimating her based on her age. A mistake they generally only made once.

[ActRaiserTheReturned]

"Okay, the Council of Copenhagen will now convene." Zefyrn stated. . . "As we now understand it, there is no nation that has been through something quite like this. Some of you don't know the difference between a prestidigitater, and a prestigious alligator. Others of us, like myself just sixty years ago, don't know the difference between a Victorian Era industrial invention from a computer that can run an entire interstellar star ship. As you can tell from your dinner plates, every one of us has our own tastes. Some of us like spicy foods, others of like sweet tasting meats. . . you know the drill, different strokes for different folks."

"Government is not the same, for the most part. Copenhagen's assembled league of allied states know from experience that our governments have their different drawbacks and different flaws, for lack of a better word. Some of us have been far more successful than others. Others of us have not been so lucky, but we all agree on one thing. We do not want our sovereignty violated by either side of this current world conflict, either in the name of Tyranny, which is very obviously wrong, or even genuine freedom of citizens, which is good, to be fair, but not easily recognized when it's enforced unwillingly, which seems very contradictory."

"For this reason and many others, the Copenhagen Conference convenes. We wish, in Copenhagen Coalition member states, to stay out of the strife effecting the countries surrounding us. We therefore are giving every present country the right to speak publicly and privately with each other in diplomatic negotiations."

[Zarkun]

[Jake]

I sat in a darkened corner of the main meeting area, my rifle back in assault rifle mode as I listened to the proceedings. Almost immediately, Zefyrn outlined the reason for the meeting and made certain to clarify that any of the nations in the Copenhagen's nations wanted no part in their war. Not a whole lot of good it'll do. Governments that want support for a war will find some way to get it, especially from neutral nations. The Dominion had done it to all the neutral planets back in the Sector, all to fight against the Zerg. Of course, they weren't hard to garner help against, since they had a "kill and/or infest everything and anything" policy that they lived by. Settling into my seat, I watch all of the dignitaries closely, waiting for them to make some move that spoke of hostility.

[DELETED324324]

Airforce One rolled onto the Tarmac really late, luckily there was already a limousine waiting for the president when he arrived, who stepped off the plane with all the poise and class of an emperor or a ruler, there was nothing humble about Bradley Dugan and he knew it but he didn't have to be humble, he was here for one purpose and that was to meet with his allies and hopefully settle something with those robots who squatted in his beautiful country. Flanked by secret service agents the president got into the limo and enjoyed the bumpy ride to the conference.

The limo had made post haste to the meeting, it had already started seeing as all of the delegates with the exception of the giant 20ft tall robots was already inside, he opened the door to the conference, immediately eyes looked his way but if the president cared he showed no signs, to be honest he wanted them to look at him, to know his face. Taking his seat next to Japan a member nation of the directorate the president turned his eyes towards the speaker.

[Flamelord]

Time had passed by, and at last the meeting was about to start. The delegation from the Order of the Raven had departed peacefully, though sadly Mineva hadn't really gotten to talk with Jazz about Zeon or it's culture. Still, it certainly made Mashymre feel a bit safer to get away from them, since he hated the thought of anything happening to her or Haman. There would always be time for that sort of thing later, after all.

For the moment, the three of them proceeded inside, arriving in the grand conference room, it giving off vibes of the Earth Federation assembly hall, at least to the three of them, though they had only seen pictures of it. But it was for a different purpose, a different intention. It was no longer a struggle for freedom from the power of Earth, or the souls that were weighed down by gravity. No, it was a meeting of nations, of equals, theoretically. And that Haman could work with.

The three sat down, Mineva in the middle, Haman and Mashymre to her sides, though the blue haired man seemed sad, or jealous, at this arrangement, with the delegation near the other Directorate members, but slightly apart as well. They watched as the other delegates arrived and took their seats, and the meeting was called to order.

As Zefyrn finished, Haman rose. "We of the Principality of Zeon would like to thank the Copenhagen Coalition for hosting this meeting, and allowing us to participate. Zeon has known war. In the span of under a year, more than half the population of the Earthsphere was killed in the conflict between the Earth Federation and the Principality. It is thus that we recognize the foolishness of war, and express our desire to never have to repeat such tragedies again.

What we desire is not war, or conquest. What Zeon seeks is peace, and a return to space, to the new frontier and the destiny of humanity. In the ideals of our founder, Zeon Zum Daikun, Earth is the sacred birthplace, the cradle of humanity, but one that mankind must eventually leave. It is in the stars, in space, that the future of humanity lies. And it is there we seek to return, so humanity may grow, evolve, and become more than it is.

Zeon does not desire conflict. We do not wish to repeat the mistakes of the past. But we will defend ourselves, and we will bow to no one. It is my hope that with the assistance of this Conference, the new world we find ourselves in can be tamed, and a place made here for all of us."

She sat back down, and Mineva whispered to her. "Well said." Meanwhile, Mashymre's eyes glistened, and the man seemed on the verge of tears, in admiration. It was obvious he truly believed what had just been said. It only remained to be seen how the others would react.

[Dead Cruiser]

Bowing away gracefully from the Zeon delegates, the two sorcerers made their way into the conference room. All the while, their telepathic debate continued; Levi shooting off questions and accusations and Augustus waving them away noncommittally. The two seated themselves at a non-intrusive corner of the table, awaiting the beginning of the delegations. Levi produced a simple device of brass and vinyl, no larger than an envelope, which would serve to record the proceedings so that the other leaders of the Order would be able to review them.

The Principality of Zeon, not unexpectedly, was the first to speak. They desired peace and independence above all else; or at least so they said. Levi mistrusted them on principle, but Augustus felt cautious about them for other reasons. Perhaps it was different on their world, but from the elder sorcerer's experience, nothing good lurked among the stars. Earth was the safest place in a harsh and unforgiving universe, full of dangerous secrets best left unknown. Someday Zeon could perhaps learn that lesson someday, perhaps not, but either way Augustus feared what could come from venturing out past the isle of the Earth into the dark sea of stars.

Elsewhere...

The commencement of the conferenced was watched by eyes of flashing amber. As the proceedings began and the attendants made their opening remarks, this distant viewer observed silently. Resting somewhere between peaceful tranquility and languid boredom, the conference was paid only half of the observer's attention. With each new statement, their thoughts wandered further from the scene. In such fascinating times, was this truly the best that a collage of worlds could offer? A petty airing of desires and grievances? Pathetic. This world was a glorious stage, fit for a new scene in the drama of eternity. A fresh canvas, ready to be filled with the colors of a new era. The time would soon be at hand, and once this new world had been made pure and beautiful, all others would follow.

[Zarkun]

[Jake]

As I listened to the representatives from Zeon speak, I chuckled lightly, my eyes passing over all the delegates. Sure, space was a wonderful place when you didn't have to worry about the apex predators that are your neighbors trying to infest or kill everyone you know. And you. Or the super advanced race of reclusive aliens glassing your home just because one person got infested. Granted, that usually meant the Zerg, but Terrans had held their own for a long time, they could continue to do it. Of course, at least I understood the Zerg and the Protoss. These people I'd been fighting against for the last six months? I couldn't wrap my head around them, not yet anyways. For the most part, they deployed tactics like the Raiders or even the Dominion when it came to battle, but that was where the similarities ended. Bringing my mind back to the real world, I glance out the window at the giant Autobots. I wasn't sure any of the delegations here had anything that could even phase those guys if it came to a fight, I knew I didn't. Shaking my head, I keep my vigil, waiting for a better chance to speak.