The Confrontation of the Gods

(GM NOTE: This thread is for the communication between the TECHNOCRACY OF SATURN and the TRICENT. )

Year 4; Fall.
As two Factions work dilligently towards their goals, a confrontation of sorts occurs. A convoy from the Tricent, wandering aimlessly to the north, Happens upon another Faction. The Technocracy has been aware of their approach for some time, however, and thus has been able to prepare for that fateful time when these unknown individuals actually happen upon their Doorstep.

But now, Between the Children of Mars and the Children of Saturn, a confrontation of the gods occurs...

(Allow the Technocracy to post first, as they will determine the setting for this confrontation)

The people of the Technocracy, while not entirely surprised by the meeting, do not seem to be particularly ready for it either; especially as the strangers were first found in land that was being newly terraformed. A small group of them are escorted with care (should they let them) to the capital of the Technocracy, Rhea. The statehouse is fairly rough and was obviously one of the first buildings constructed upon landing on this planet. All furnishings are similarly simple, most made of the native plantlife although there are some few pieces made of earth woods. However, the people seem well-fed and happy enough. The visitors are given a chance to rest for the night and in the morning are brought to the council room, which has 4 people seated around a large circular table and spare seats for at most 6 more.

The leaders of the Technocracy are, seemingly, present. One is a young woman, still in her early twenties, seated directly across the table from the door. She stands and says, "welcome to the Technocracy, friends. I am the leader of this colony, Chief Director Lillian Kemper. This is my coworker, Director Violet Dillard."

To Lillian's right is an older woman with a stern expression and a stack of folders in front of her that she occasionally rifles through. To Lillian's left is a surly looking younger man and to Violet's right is a man in about his mid-40s. No names are offered for these two.

From the ranks of soldiers, a single man steps forth. He is dressed much the same as all the others, with a few unknown marks seemingly denoting rank, though they are not standard to any other army. He is a very large man, standing head and shoulders above the rest of his non-trivial soldiers.

He speaks in a somewhat menacing but not unfriendly manner, with a deep and resounding voice.

"Good morning, Director. I am Supreme General Alexander IX of the Tricent Empire, and I have brought my troops here to negotiate the surrender of your people. My terms are simple: you will contribute what you can to the war effort and reclaiming our system in the name of humanity. If you comply, you will keep your autonomy and life for you will be generally unchanged. As I do not know particulars about how you have fared here, I cannot say with certainty what you will be asked to contribute yet, but I personally assure you that it will cause your people little extra strain. The other condition is that we will have authority over any military you set up. Again, you will remain in control, but ours will supersede your orders should it become necessary. If you do not agree to these terms easily, we will force you to agree to them, and your nation will be fined heavily for its selfishness. I realize this is a great deal to take in, and you were very hospitable, so I will allow you some time to discuss this and request any clarifications you desire."

When the General announces his ultimatum, for a few brief seconds there is complete silence in the room. Then the surly-looking man bursts out. "Director! You could not possibly allow these, these people to just barge in and demand our surrender! That will not be tolerated by any of the people of this place. Who knows who this person is or what he wants of us?"

Lillian raises her voice above his. "Can you be quiet for once, Brent? I agree that I will not blindly accept any conditions, but nor can I fail to listen to this man."

Violet then turns to address Alexander, "We would like to know who you are, where you came from, and what you desire before I can make any promises. I am sure you can understand our reasoning about this."

"As I mentioned, I am Supreme General Alexander IX, leader of all the Martian forces and the great Tricent Empire. As I'm sure you know, our headquarters were previously set up on Mars, and more recently I am stationed with the rest of my men to your South, in the colony of Sparta. My goals are quite simple: to take back our system and remove the vial alien taint spread over it. To do this, we need to unite our forces under common rule. As we are the most experienced at the task of war, and have taken initiative, it will be under us that this alliance is forged.

"A new concern has also arisen, in that the location of this planet seems not quite the secret I had hoped. Your presence here proves that. Thus, it is possible, and likely, that the invaders also know where we went. Should they come looking for a fight, disorganization here would spell disaster for the remainder of the human race faster than I care to contemplate. This is why leaders who are responsible for their peoples' well being will not deny me."

"Your fears are natural, but unfounded. Our purpose in acquiring your loyalty is so that you can provide another pillar of strength to humanity. Taking food from you or grinding you to dust would serve no one. With no threat intended, if our purpose was merely to take what we wanted and leave, this meeting would not be happening right now.

"Quite to the contrary, we wish primarily for your strength and well being. If you are not well, you cannot be an asset to the last holdout of humanity. We will ensure your safety as a mother protects her child; it is in all of our best interests.

"We also have no desire to usurp your control of the situation. I would assume by your existence here that you know how to lead your people best. We only require control over your military and that you contribute what you can while still remaining effective."

After the General's speech, Chief Director Lillian stands once again. Everyone else from the Technocracy seems to tense. "You make extremely good points and it would certainly not want our nations to be hostile, this is not a decision that I can place in the hands of those in this room. I request a period of two days during which to consult with those of my staff who are not currently present and learn their opinions. You and your party are welcome to use our facilities and we will do our best to make you comfortable during the intervening time. We would give you our decision at sunset tomorrow."

"Hmmm... This could easily be a stall tactic while you come up with a plan to do something foolish, but I choose to trust you in this. I will also not insult your intelligence or desire to do what is right by your people. I eagerly await the destiny of your people."

He talks to his men without turning, "Men, settle in, we're staying another day. Send orders for the men outside to make camp around the city."

The men, who until this point have been at strict attention without moving a muscle, file out orderly with a "SIR YES SIR!"

"Thank you again for your hospitality. My men will be on their best behavior. If you have any problems, please let me know.

"Thank you, General. We will meet again in two days." She signals somehow and people arrive to escort Alexander and his men to their rooms. After they have left, Lillian and the rest move to more private rooms.

At sunset on the second day after they had first met with the Tricent, the leaders of the Technocracy reconvene at the same room as before and wait for the Supreme General to come.

Alexander arrives in a timely fashion, flanked by two men of high rank on each side, and followed by a modest company.

"Chief Director, it is good to see you again. May I assume by your presence here that you have reached a decision?"

The expression on Lillian's and everyone else's face is extremely sober, although the sullen looking man from earlier now seems as though he wants to kill everyone in sight.

"We have thought over this and fought for the last two days and we have come to an answer."

She pauses and stands, then goes to kneel before Alexander. "Supreme General Alexander, by the authority vested in me by the directors of the Technocracy, I hereby bestow the sovereignty of the Technocracy upon you. May this between the beginning of a long, prosperous relationship between our nations."