Striped Negotiations, Part II - RPLOG
Participants
Date
21/12/2017
Log
A brief recess is called for the negotiations. The agents and the tigers aren't allowed to mingle while it's ongoing, so mostly it's just a lot of standing around the firepit chatting idly. Narwen is called off the scene by Zephyr to something he's desperately needed for; exactly what is not expanded upon, but he's off in a hurry and replaced with haste by Emacs. Once everyone's back in place, the Big Lady lets out a long sigh and rolls her hand in gesture. The shamans wobble again. They're gettin' real tired of that. She turns to each agent as she addresses them, "Alright, let's continue. Emacs, I welcome you to the discussions. I'd like to reiterate my previous questions: Mokou, how can I be sure the Prometheans will provide support regardless of our ideological differences? Phosphorus, explain how Zephyr and RSX differ significantly in their ideologies. Rokarion, please elaborate upon your distaste for Zephyr, preferably in a more constructive manner this time- if you are to make an accusation, I assume you also have something to back those words. Finally, Emacs! The previous representative suggested sending a scientific team to study the unique energies around the area without tapping into them. This is a tempting prospect, and I do have the means to watch over it, but what aid would we get in return?" With that, she lets out a soft 'phew' and listens intently.
"I am honored to join you in this negotation." Emacs says, "Let me be level with you. This is a false choice. We are capable of offering technological, logistical, and military support. RSX is capable of all these things. The Prometheans are capable of the latter two. Zephyr has no dogma to sell you on. We are professionals. We will not include frivolous morality clauses. We can offer these things, but there is a question, why would we not all be allowed to pursue our goals here? RSX and Zephyr have a long history of cooperation, and the Prometheans of charity."
"I will not suggest that you accept only Zephyr or exclude RSX or the prometheans. What point is there in that? We are all working to build a new world of some sort, and while I can't say that Zephyr's ideal world is the same as RSX's or the Promethean's, I suggest that we all convene a scientific team to jointly study the extraplanar power here. "
Rokarion raises a brow briefly before shaking his head, "If I sounded accusatory, then I apologize. Also, I do not have any personal dislike to Zephyr. I simply wanted to point out certain caveats that I thought the previous representative was underselling." He added with a nod before pursing his lips, thinking on a way to rephrase his thoughts. "Essentially, you have your village that you care about, want to see flourish, want to maintain its political and cultural identity, and want to ensure its independence from foreign influence." Roka said as his tail idly wagged behind him, "You also have a very lucrative resource that you are using as a negotiation tool. Zephyr is a company solely based with profit first and foremost. I am saying that they are not going to aid you in a way to ensure your independence from them. Yes, they will be quite helpful in developing with their technologies, but they will make sure that you will not end up in any position to ever stop 'trading' with them." The poodle then went silent, deciding this was enough for now.
Mokou quietly dipped her head, a quiet shiver running up her spine as she considered all that had been said. Her head dipped, ears folding back at the words that had been offered back. Kind words, full of concern, but yet all the same... Words of tact and wit. Sharp and prying. The quiet, aching throbs that assaulted her mind never ceased, never let up... but her muzzle turned. Words, sharp yet honest came from her. "The ideologies that they hold are their own. A protection of the weak, a strength of the strong, and that all might have their mind returned, in some manner. They believe that to act as a feral... the loosing of oneself by ones's own actions... It is difficult. It should not be. If that is not a part of your own... docterine... then I can't say they won't... attempt to influence you." A shake of her head, a tremble running down her tail before she gazed back up. "But they are one thing if nothing else. They would... and will... provide support if you let them. They have argued before for those whom they... disagree with. Violently. RSX and Zephyr too, to some degree. If you open the door... help will come. They may speak and wish you to familiarise yourself... but support will be given none the less. That is... all I can say for Promethian... For all of us. We can not exist alone. To be alone... to be in the dark by oneself..."
The little fennec dipped her head, that ever so familiar scent reaching up, speaking silent delight and irritation to her, a situation beyond that which was desired... yet it ever remained. A touch of a grin lighted upon her lips, the lass looking down. Not gazing up. Not looking to them. But words... precious and sharp. "But... As I said before, I represent Prometheans... and myself. And you asked something... difficult. For a Coup..." The little lass shook her head, not looking up. "Ma'am, I can no more predict such a situation than you. Think from your stance... If we were to support in a coup, whom would we support? How do you choose whom would recieve aid when both deserve it? How do you help sway the future of an independent tribe without influencing it? What can we do that would leave you happy? No... To act would be to throw our lot. Yet to not act would be to abandon you." Her lips held a sharp smile, eyes closing. Be silent. Be still. Don't step over your bounds... You are a representative. Yet her lips parted again. "... But. These words... they are my own. A coup... it exists for a reason. Good, bad, honest or no, it exists. Something creates that disconnect. No outside force in the world will resolve internal strife. That is something I am... intimatly familiar with..." But a single eye opened, the lass glancing up, her smile too toothy... "Then it comes upon the Tribe. The choice whether to heed the words of those below and resolve what is within, or to cling to what one knows towards the end. No good choice, but the only ones."
"RSX and Zephyr differ heavily ideologically." The panda appears more refreshed after the break, having hydrated and grabbed some local nibbles. Her dress uniform remains pristine, despite having been worn for a fair time, in a hot jungle. Takes effort, that. "Zephyr is motivated by naught but profit. They're... soulless, for lack of a better word. No offense to our Emacs, here. RSX, well... we're committed to restoring society. Perhaps not as noble as the Prometheans, in that we still do research and make profit, but it isn't our core goal. We are... people. Despite it all, you are people. That's what's most important, in the end, to us. That... well, society and order return. You seem to have a perfectly functional society here. I would like to remind you of our offer to train your populace to fight, in addition to supplementary defense. Also, if what our dear Promethean friend says is true... well, we would do our best to prevent a massacre. Our dear friend Rokarion comes from a Parliamentary Monarchy -- perhaps we could borrow the ideas of their government?"
Phos continues, "RSX is not perfect. As a former technological and military contractor, it had a hand in developing the nanites. It was not ultimately our project, though, and I believe we only wrote different modules. Even after... P-Day, our history is bloodstained. Woodfield ferals are violent. That policy, the one that protected us, applied to first contact with Fairhaven. We've since changed, but... that image is etched into some Fairhaven residents' minds. I hope you understand... well, me telling you our main negatives, and why you should consider us despite this."
Lilac listens to the lengthy explanations from all the other representatives, trying to take it all into consideration. She stands up a bit straighter, tightening her bed of coils to gain a bit of height, and adds her own comment. "I would not want to let all three corporations into the village at once. Each of them is capable of keeping a low profile and minimizing their impact through coordination of their own resources, but it would be harder to coordinate with all the others in such an effective way. I think a gradual introduction of the outside world would be healthier for the tribe." She turns to the representatives, smiling. "And I would commend my representatives for remaining courteous despite the earlier aggravation. This is not a place to air grievances about each other per se, but about how we can work together with the Big Lady and the tribe for the betterment of all."
The Big Lady nods a bit while she listens to each argument provided. She acknowledges Emacs first. "Provided the proper incentive, everyone has their place here. I am largely uninterested in the equipment Zephyr can provide, though. I do not want us to become reliant on your technology. However, logistical assistance and back-up in the event of an attack are both things that could prove beneficial for us. We are willing to open trade and exchange knowledge between our warriors, without compromising our identity or independence. If you are as well, then I am more open to allowing study of the local energies to Zephyr. That said, your ideology is largely a mystery to me. I am curious about what future we will help build- for both our peoples- through our cooperation."
She turns to Rokarion and smiles warmly. "I understand your concerns and adopt them myself. It is good to hear the opinion of someone who has experience here. I will take this into consideration during these negotiations. As for the K9 Unit, your sincerity, honesty and desire to assist is refreshing, and if you are their representative then I am willing to deeply consider accepting your offer of assistance."
Her gaze falls once more on Mokou, a little more grave this time. "Your perspectives are... Interesting, on this matter. Very interesting. Your ability to admit to what you have speaks volumes of you and your people. I suppose, then, that our differences will simply have to be resolved through continued diplomacy, should we ally. I am not averse to this, however... Hrm. What, then, would you provide in assistance to our tribe that more impartial parties have not? I have heard stories of Promethean medicine and treatments. Curing urges with a gentle touch, guiding those of wayward mind back to 'the Light', but I don't know what any of it actually means. Perhaps you could elaborate."
Now Phosphorus. "Society and order need not 'return' here as it is already present. That said, I do understand what you're getting at. I appreciate your conviction and I believe we could learn something from it, but by the very nature of your origins I feel I should be very cautious. Zephyr may have its heart in profit, but profiteers can be given a tight leash. Someone who believes they're doing the right thing, however..." She shudders. "I know all too well the dangers of holding onto something so tightly that it is crushed in your palm. That all being said, I would never want my people trained by anyone who lacks conviction, and I suppose in a way I can trust RSX for consistency, if little else..."
The Lady seems increasingly frustrated with the myriad of options, and Lilac's words ring true to her. "Yes... I suppose you're right. To accept all at once would be to drown ourselves out. Very well... Very well." She straightens herself up a little more and holds out her palms. "Representatives! Present your closing arguments. I will make my final decision."
"Very well then." Emacs smiles, "I am certainly quite happy to provide guarantees of logistic support and information services as you see fit. Zephyr is committed to building a brighter future, I'll come back to this in a moment, after I explain profit motive. We believe in profit. Until there exists an economy, we cannot achieve this so legitimately as our ethics and legal department would prefer. As a result, we can certainly provide supplies and tactical support for you for some period during and after the study ends. Eventually, however, we would want to find some means of earning something from you. I believe that I can offer you significant discounts for an indefinite period of time after the end of our agreement, but I cannot guarantee it for free."
"The future that we seek is inclusive. It includes all those that can come together under it and function together. We believe in capitalism, the partially regulated marketplace, and the private ownership common to the past. We can do better than that now though. Once we make fairhaven safe, we can improve human life like never before. If you don't want our technologies however, to produce the substances and industrial capacity we would need to continue this support indefinitely, you would have to develop it yourselves. I do not doubt that is easily within your grasp, but it is something that I believe I must be clear about. We can offer a very generous deal, but it can not last forever, and should you become dependent on us, I cannot imagine that pulling away while you are dependent on us would leave you with anything but bitter memories of us. And I do not wish to set a deal in motion for that to be the result. We will honor your stipulations, so stipulate to us the words that control our relationship. What we gain from this is immense, and you must have time enough to grow beyond the need of our support if you wish to ever do without it."
