BtH84

==Chapter 84 - By the Horns==
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The Obsidian Fortress
Saso, New Syrtis
Federated Suns
March 2nd, 3026
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Edward politely nodded at the man who directed him—and the four other delegates that formed his negotiation team—to their assigned seats at the long table. Directly across from his place, the young noble saw a placard with the name of 'First Prince Hanse Davion, Federated Suns' emblazoned upon it with another six chairs arranged three to either side. One by one, the members of his delegation sat, arranging their notes and briefing papers and data cards, some pouring water into crystal glasses from the carafes placed next to each of the delegates.
A minute passed, then two, and three, and finally, the doors opened and a man entered the room. "The First Prince of the Federated Suns, Hanse Davion." he announced.
Edward stood, the members of his delegation following his lead as the leader of the Federated Suns, possibly the single man alive most despised by the majority of the Taurian citizens entered the room. Four men and two women accompanied him—outnumbering the three men and one woman in Edward's own delegation—to the table, each taking their own seat. Edward waited until the First Prince sat and then he sat as well, quickly followed by everyone else at the table.
For a moment, the two men only looked each other over and then Hanse Davion nodded.
"You requested this meeting, Sir Edward." he said in a calm and crisp voice.
"My father requested this meeting, Your Grace." Edward corrected. "Although he did so at my urging, I must admit. We come here today to New Syrtis to start talks between our governments, which will—hopefully—lead to some degree of defusing tensions along our mutual border. We are also willing to share with you the contents of a Taurian Data Core, originating in 2596 that contains information that the Federated Suns could well make use of. We would also like to consider the signing of a free trade agreement between our realms and to open Taurian markets to facilities both the export of goods to the Federated Suns and the import of goods to the Taurian Concordat. It is our sincere belief that such an action can only reduce the level of animosity between our nations and our Houses."
Hanse nodded. "I had expected to be bargaining for the Data Core—an exclusive bargain which my agents inform me is no longer the case, Sir Edward."
"No, Sir, it is not. Due to the actions of agents of the Free Worlds League, Lyran Commonwealth, Draconis Combine, Magistracy of Canopus, and your own Federated Suns on Taurus—actions that were instrumental in preventing the detonation of a weapon of mass destruction against Taurian citizens, my father—the Protector of the Taurian Concordat—has chosen to make the Core and its information to all of those involved in stopping this reprehensible Capellan plot."
Edward paused for a moment. "However, in appreciation of the efforts of your people to preserve and defend Taurian citizens, the Taurian Concordat, with myself as the accredited Ambassador Plenipotentiary of Protector Thomas Calderon, we are willing offer the Data Core—and all of the information contained therein—to the Federated Suns at a somewhat lower cost than that other powers will be paying."
"And what price would the Protector and the Taurian Concordat ask of the Federated Suns, Sir Edward?" Hanse asked quietly.
"There are some in my government and my delegation." and Edward very carefully did not look to either side, but instead kept his eyes focused solely on Hanse Davion, "who desire to see all of the worlds awarded to the Federated Suns by the Star League at the conclusion of the Reunification War as administrative territories to temporarily govern until the reestablishment of a Taurian Concordat government willing to accept member in the Star League returned to the sovereign state of the Concordat, to once again be a part of our nation and our House."
Edward paused, but Hanse's face showed no emotion whatsoever, and he nodded.
"However, while I and my father, the Protector of the Taurian Concordat, have been advised to do this, we do not choose to do so. Rather, we ask that the Federated Suns, with appointed monitors supplied by the Taurian Concordat, their numbers chosen by further negotiations, ask for a plebiscite on each former world of the Taurian Concordat to determine whether or not the population desires to become—once again—part of our interstellar state."
"Taurus, and the government which rules the realm, will abide by the decisions of the people living on those worlds if they choose to remain part of the Federated Suns. We ask that should any such plebiscite shows the population in favor of rejoining the Taurian Concordat, that we may conduct further talks to arrange for such a transfer of sovereignty—a peaceful transfer."
Hanse inhaled and then he nodded as he looked to the left and his right and then again at Edward. "That is acceptable to myself and the Federated Suns, Sir Edward. For monetary compensation, what does the Protector of the Taurian Concordat suggest?"
Edward waited for a moment, as he thought about how best to phrase this. Using the Protector's words—his father words—of 'get every bloody cent you can out of them' would be rather counter-productive.
"At the moment, we do not have a set price on the Data Core, Your Grace." Edward replied. "We are willing to allow representatives of your government look at the data contained on the Core—after which, and following time for you and your delegation to confer, we would ask what price you would be willing to pay. I believe Doctor Banzai is a member of your delegation." Edward said with a nod towards the famed scientist and leader of the mercenary group Team Banzai, as well as a renowned instructor at the New Avalon Institute of Science. "The reputation of Bartholomew Banzai extends even as far as Taurus. What we propose is that he, aboard our DropShip Black Bull, escorted by a security contingent of your own people, examine the copy of the Data Core we carry and its data and make a determination of its value. Which we may both then take as a starting point for further negotiations."
Hanse nodded. "Your proposal is acceptable. Anything else?"
Edward nodded once in reply and he placed a data-chip on the table and slid it across within arm's reach of Hanse Davion.
"As promised by my father, Thomas Calderon, Protector of the Taurian Concordat, and Henri Jouett, Minister of the Taurian Concordat Office of Special Intelligence and Operations, in return for keeping me alive and safe to conduct these negotiations with you, for your assistance in the defense of New Vallis by members of your own Regiment of Heavy Guards, we hereby present to you all of the information we have gathered as regards the construction, theory, and operation of Hyper-Pulse Generator Stations, including, but not limited to, the data schematics of Stations that are currently under the control of the Taurian Concordat. Unfortunately." and Edward blushed slighty with a hint of embarrassment, "after examining and operating these stations—despite a ComStar Interdiction of our Realm, we have determined that elements of their construction in form of an integral component designed to fail after a short operating life-span are beyond our current abilities to replicate and construct. Perhaps your NAIS might have better luck with their analysis of the component and come up with a satisfactory replacement or a means to replace this component. If so, the Taurian Concordat would be willing to conduct further negotiations to acquire that information from you and your government, Your Grace."
Hanse put one finger on the data-card and he tapped it lightly. "I accept this gift with humility and appreciation; you may rest assured that the data will be analyzed thoroughly and that further negotiations on this matter will be discussed at the highest levels of government."
Edward nodded and then he placed both hands on the table. "In that case, Your Grace, may I suggest a recess for Doctor Banzai and his staff to examine the data contained within our Core? Three days, perhaps? After which, these proceedings may resume. With your permission, of course, Sir."
"I think that might be a wise course of action, Sir Edward." Hanse said as he stood and he gave Edward a slight bow. "We are hosting a state dinner this evening at the Ducal Palace for you and your delegation; I do hope that you shall be able to attend."
"We would be honored, Your Grace." Edward answered, with a bow of his own as he and his delegation stood, followed by the remaining members of the Federated Suns negotiating team.
"In that case, Sir Edward, ladies, gentlemen, until tonight." Hanse said simply and then he turned and exited the room.
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