Characters: Darrurz, Joe, Mazun
NPC: Arthur, Zhosokh, ZeeBee
Location: Paql Reveresh Ridl, parked at Sugutadho Downport
System: Sugutadho
The locals provided lunch for the Darrurz, Joe, and Arthur while they waited for
the representative from the Federal Republic of Faedzaevoer's defense
department.
Two Vargr wearing military officer's uniforms approach the trio. One male, one
female. The female introduces them, "Hello, I'm Colonel Eguerruen and this is
Major Goerku. Welcome to the Federal Republic of Faedzaevoer."
After Darrurz does the introductions for his group, the colonel sniffs the air
and continues, "I understand that you've been brief by our civilian
representatives on many aspects of Sugutadho's state of affairs, so I won't
rehash them. I have no doubt that you've surmised that there's a bit of a
rivalry between Faedzaevoer and Ezagharuethung. We're hoping that besides trade,
we can possibly secure military supplies that can give us an edge should they
decide that peace is no longer in their interests. We realize that there are
bigger threats to the safety and security of our world, but if we're to combat
those threats, we can't be undermined by xenophobic elements here at home."
Darrurz replies, "I'm not a military specialist, but can you give us an overview
of how both your good selves and Ezagharuethung stand against each other in
military size and capabilities?"
Major Goerku replies, "We believe that we hold a slight edge in size and
capabilities, but that assumes there aren't any secret projects that we're
unaware of. Should the Commonality of Guedaedaks and the Republic of Oghzan join
in a military conflict, they would assure either side of coming out on top
despite their relatively small sizes. However, both countries would prefer to
remain neutral, having grown tired of conflict."
Arthur says, "You have to understand that we're a first contact/recon operation.
We're not authorized to broker deals no matter how we feel about who we're
talking to."
Colonel Eguerruen nods and listens to Arthur's PDA translate his Galanglic into
Gvegh. "Yes, we realize that. Still, you can forward our request on to your
superiors. We're sure that they would appreciate knowing that there is a
potential ally awaiting an official envoy."
Joe nods. "That is certainly self evident.
"Perhaps you can fill us in on any background regarding the xenophobia. Is this
just a response to the Vakh? Was this pre-existing before the Vakh? is there
some particular source instigating it?"
Major Goerku replies, "Sugutadho has a history of xenophobia. Back before the...
collapse of interstellar trade, our world's rulers were afraid of espionage
from competitors in the agricultural sector. Even after the 17th Disjuncture
took over, visitors from certain worlds weren't allowed to set foot on our
world.
"It wasn't until after the 17th Disjuncture had abandoned us that some of us
began to think that xenophobia was an unhealthy mindset. I'm sure Nguers and the
others filled you in on what happened next."
Joe then asks, "If we are to discuss your position with the leadership back at
home, what are your immediate needs, threats, and targets?"
"We're always concerned that the People's Republic of Ezagharuethung will spread
its xenophobia and foment dissent. So long as they're content to stay within
their borders, they're not a problem. But that isn't the case. We know that they
have spies who've relayed back to their masters that we've had visitors from
offworld. They see that as a threat to their way of life, worrying that it'll
lead to Vakh destroying what little technology we have left. Our computer
scientists assure us that nothing we have is capable of holding any semblance of
what the Vakh is, but this isn't good enough for them. To be brutally honest,
certain members of the military leadership are suggesting that a decapitation
strike may be necessary to end the threat once and for all. However, the
civilian leadership contends that the other nations won't support such a move at
this time, and there isn't enough support in the electorate."
Darrurz asks, "Do you have any relic technology left that might provide you with
an advantage?"
The major and the colonel exchange glances. The major shrugs, and then Colonel
Eguerruen answers, "Yes, if we could get it functional."
Darrurz tilts his head to the left and his right ear pricks up and he emits a
curious slightly higher pitched whine. "Ok, so this might seem like a question
without scent, but if you'll indulge me... What have you got, and what's wrong
with them?"
"Food processing equipment. We'd get an economic advantage from being able to
improve our efficiency with what we harvest. But... What we really would like,
what would give us a paw up on the competition, is if we could get our cache of
laser rifles repaired.
"When the 17th Disjuncture abandoned our world, they took nearly all the
advanced weaponry they could. You saw our array of surface-to-air missiles. We
were fortunate enough to get those working, and we're not the only ones who were
so lucky. The laser rifles that were left behind are broken, which is probably
why they weren't taken. So if we can get those working, we'd have the best
equipped platoon on the planet."
Darrurz replies, "Well, we might be able to help you there. Our engineer is
pretty good. I'd have to ask him though. I'll not promise anything he's not
willing to do. How many laser rifles do you have? You said platoon so what 50,
60 odd? And are we talking laser rifles of the tech level you were before the
Collapse?"
Eguerruen tilts her head side to side. "Well, it would be a small platoon. We
have twenty rifles, and we have no idea what tech level they're at. They were
brought in by Disjuncture security forces from offworld."
Darrurz continues, "And what about your food processing equipment: What is it
and could you bring it to the ship?"
She chuckles. "Oh no. We're barking about an entire facility, industrial-level
processing." She elaborates further on the variety of equipment used, focusing
on maximum nutrient extraction from various sources and ensuring facilities are
free of harmful contaminants that tend to creep in at their current tech level.
Darrurz looks to Joe and Arthur and asks them, "What do you think about fixing
the laser rifles?"
Arthur replies, "I'd be good with that."
Joe says, "I'm fine with fixing the rifles." He follows up with a couple of
questions, "How are they charged, and what's the state of the battery packs?"
Major Goerku replies, "We've been charging them during offpeak hours at the
power station, which is powered by natural gas. Our scientists aren't sure if
it's a problem with input or the age of the battery packs, but we can't get them
past 50%."
Darrurz gets on the comms channel to Mazun. "Mazun, our friends from the Defense
Department have some laser rifles that need some attention. Do you fancy having
a look at them to see if you can fix any of them?"
"Sure, if it gets us in their good books, I'll do what I can."
Darrurz turns his attention back to the major and the colonel. "He's happy to
try and fix them. Did you want to get them delivered to the ship in say two
batches of ten and he can take a look. Depending on what type of laser rifle
they are, would you be happy for us to keep one or two? I ask because the Pack
is looking to enhance its manufacturing base and it's easier to do with working
examples, as opposed to trying to re-invent the technology from scratch.
Hopefully it's a win-win. You get working laser rifles and the Pack gets an
example to base its innovation on."
The pair of wolves exchange looks. The colonel answers, "Is one ok? My superiors
will be fine with letting one go as a price for getting the others working."
Darrurz replies, "I understand. One will have to do. We might need some raw
materials. Our engineer will let me know if we do, and I can pass that on." He
stands and offers his forearm to the colonel to shake on the deal.
The colonel grasps Darrurz's forearm, shaking on the deal. "We'll be back in a
couple of hours with the rifles."
Darrurz replies, "See you at the ship. Can we talk about landing rights for
Tagan Pack and Tsougak Trade Federation ships sometime later?"
"Absolutely."
With that, the meeting ends.
[...to be continued...]