SCMR Chpt 51

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==Chapter 51 - Self Configuring Modular Robot==
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"Hello, Romano. It's been...
...a long time since your father tried to replace me." Hanse Davion looked across light-years at the ruler of the part of the CapCon that didn't defect with Candace. "I won't say I'm eager to let that go, but...I might."
"What?"
"Alright, here's the deal. YOU, want me to not invade you again. You probably want other things, but that's one of the big ones-that the Federated Commonwealth not come kicking in your door, stomping you down, and conquering your nation. Keep in mind, after what your dad did to me, I'm kind of okay with doing exactly that-but as my sainted wife reminds me, war is bad for children and other living things. So I'm going to offer you the chance of a lifetime, I'm going to offer the Capellan People the chance to have a safe border they don't have to worry about, and I'm not asking for much in return besides having your border stay quiet...and you'll have some juicy trade opportunities you don't currently have."
"What do you want for this..promise of peace?" Chancellor Romano Liao asked
"Oh, we'll start with the genetic surgery team your pops used to try and copy me, and copies of the textbooks they learned from." Hanse told her, "My dearly beloved has decided she wants to go after one of the Incurables, and if I want to try for kid six, I have to back her on this...and trust me, I do want to go for offspring number six-the trying is that good."
Romano consulted with someone in the background.
"No." she finally said, "I don't trust you."
"Well, I kinda wanted option B. Thanks for obliging me." Hanse smiled. "Now I can tell Melissa that I tried and she can be a little angry, but that'll go away when we've got Sian, so thanks again. I've got new weap-"
"Wait...you were serious?"
"Yeah, but you said 'no' so-"
The paranoid leader of the CapCon was in a bad spot, and she knew it. "Counter-offer, University of Sian gets partial credit for the successful research!"
Hanse frowned, "So...you're not saying 'no'??"
Romano looked flustered and frustrated on the screen, then, "I am not rejecting the outcome of your offer, I am negotiating the methods to get there!"
"Damn." outwardly he looked disappointed, inwardly, Hanse Davion was cackling with glee. "Okay, let's talk specifics..."
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