"Hmph. Such hostility. I will have to see if I can soothe such anger...we have no support nor structure. It will have to be the slow way." He said thoughtfully
"Well, yes, that would break her will, but it would be against my role as Envoy. I must negotiate, not force our future negotiatees to indulge carnal attraction." Mala agreed as he put a hand on Miria's his idly.
“Hmph… Canus evolved from dogs, they should be treated like them.” Miria stated, even as Void perked up at the word dog, raising her head as she assumed it was directed at her.
"Not you Dog." He said patting Voids head. "They may have evolved from beasts, but they have held hemselves quite well. We just need to domesticate them to the Empires house hold." He said.
Void shrugged as he pet her, lowering herself back down and closing her eyes without a care in the world. Miria continued to grumble to herself, even as the crew busied themselves with orbiting the world below.
"I was a warrior. But now I am the Envoy. And we have no guns on this ship. Either way it is not my duty to wage war any longer. Even if it would be faster." He said
Miria silenced herself as he spoke, crossing her arms and clearly thinking about what he’d said. But she didn’t speak again, not as orbit was secured, not as they descended in a Wisp, and not as the Canus woman stood before them.
Mala stepped forward to the Canus, his Se at his flanks, gesturing to Miria fir her to introduce him as expected. As she delivered her Mawa, his titles and his pageantry, Mala'konzo eyed the Canus. His mask hiding his expression and his Aelfen scent not betraying anything.
The Canus in turn didn’t seem to give anything away as she met the masks eyepiece, the cold stare almost seeming like she was staring through it into his eyes. Then she turned her eyes to Void, where she crawled on all fours behind him “What is that? Mockery of our history, or an attempt at flattery, taking a Terran off shoot and making them act like an unevolved Canid?”
"Neither. This used to be a pirate who had made the mistake of raiding my Vessel and harming my crew. I decided that she would be much more useful as an example rather than merely dead. " Mala said aa he folded his arms behind his back.
“Perhaps because such appearances are not seen in the same light to other cultures. You may see it as acceptable, but to do this is seen as reprehensible in mine.” She replied, even as Mirias frown deepened.
"I'm certain that is not a one way lane." He said as he stepped forward. "I can allow her to remain on the ship if your discomfort will prevent negotiation"
“No. I merely wanted to be certain you knew the way such displays may be seen to others.” She replied, studying Voids face further “As for your pirate… she has many Canus ships to answer for. I consider your ‘example’ adequate in punishment.”
"As you will. Perhaps you could brand it onto her rear, like a cattle mark." She shrugged in return "But your retinue is not what I am here to discuss and we have tarried enough with such. What terms does your Empire offer?"
"Our terms are simple, Join and Prosper, Aelfen artifice, our trade routes, and the wider Empire will not force tithes on your people. We can talk further terms ofcourse." He said
"I see. There is the Iron Fist hidden in your velvet glove. Join our Empire now, or be forced in later when we levy economic ruin upon you." She replied in a soft, neutral tone "What other reasons do you give me? My people will not simply roll over and show our bellies to you."
"You misunderstand. We will not torment you with sanctions, the Federation will. If you do not join, we will not threaten or harm your economy. But the Federation is more than a fan of sucking the economic power from any they cross with. Your Independence will be stripped down with warm smiles. I've no need to secret away iron, our trading power would make your worlds the...apple if alls eye" He said
The look on the womans face didn't shift much as she considered his words "Mmm... You talk pretty words, but what guarantee do you have? You claim the Federation will cripple us, tariff us into non existence... But they have had ample time to do so already. Surely, if they were ever to plan such, they would do so in reaction to use joining you."
"I'm aware of the sneaky nature of the Federation, as a isolationist sector, I'm sure you are as well. I have seen them suck worlds dry while claiming my Empire's previous....mentality was too brutal. We altered our ways. They have yet to do the same. If I must draw account of every world I've witnessed chokr under the grip of the Federations methods, I will send you the log files." He said simply
"Do not trouble yourself. There is naught to your log files but the same manipulations of truth that the Federation themselves have offered us." She walked to the window and looked out, across the city "Do you miss it, Envoy? Your... old ways? Do you see them as simpler times, where you never had to converse with others, where the only interaction would be grinding them beneath bootheels?"
"Hm...the conquest was thousands if years of blood shed, hardship, and Aelfen military bravery. Every system to gather in the palm of the Emperor's hand...it was simpler , yes. ofcourse. Conquest is always quite simple. But do I miss it..." He hummed thoughtfully. "It is no longer my path, so I will not seek it."
"Hmmph. Outside your cabin, perhaps." She retorted, a smirk crossing her lips even as she continued to face away from him, still looking out across the city "It would have been... interesting. To see your military cross guns with ours. We outgun the vast majority of the Federation alone, after all..."
"Conquest if that nature shall naturally show how our people have unified." He said his masked voice betraying a slight smirk of his own. "Hm. A mighty feat. The Federation had been chasing our advancements. To rival them with such a small garden is proof of your usefulness."
"Ha. The Federation aren't chasing you. They've been chasing us." She replied in a mocking tone "There are records of fleet engagements between our scouts and yours. We sent yours fleeing every time." She turned to look at him, wondering how he'd respond to that proclamation.
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