FSRB Chpt 177

==The Federated Suns Reborn - Chapter 177==
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October 3070Peace Talks
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Castle Sandoval
Robinson, Le Blanc PDZ
Draconis March
Federated Suns
First Prince Victor Davion sat softly talking with the two figures on either side of him as they awaited their "guests" arrival at a large table. To his right sat the ageing but still sharp Duke James Sandoval while newly promoted Lieutenant General Caradoc Trevana sat on his left. Amongst such company there was no such thing as small talk, but the three men made ever effort to keep things as light as possible. After all everything they planned to say had been worked out well in advance of the arrival of their guest.
Minoru Kurita strode into the room clad in the uniform of the Kanrei of the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery. He advances across the room towards the three men who rose in respect to his arrival. Although the Duke of Robinson was perhaps half a second slower in rising than the two other men, perhaps due to his age or perhaps another reason. Following Lord Kurita, was Tai-sa Jarvek Dolmassay, who had accompanied him from Galedon. Lord Kurita gave a formal half bow which was returned with a head nod from the ruler of the Federated Suns and salutes from the two AFFS officers and Tai-sa Dolmassay. Victor waved the younger man and his aide to chairs on the opposite side of the table. "I thought it best to discuss matters in a more informal setting. I trust you don't mind...?"
The heir to the Draconis Combine sat and inclined his head with a slight twist to his smile. "I am prepared to discuss matters for the time being between us. My own staff and yours can finalize any details that we can agree."
"Excellent. Well firstly I am prepared to grant a full ceasefire. As the troops stand. Nobodies troops withdraw from their current positions. As of today if you will agree." First Prince Victor made the first gesture. Ignoring the slightly sour look on Duke Sandoval's face.
"I can certainly agree to that." Both Minoru and his aide smiled with almost relief at that agreement. After all it prevented any further losses to the Combine.
"I thought you might... Now that I've made the first gesture... I think it's time you tell us what you want, Minoru..." Victor said levelly.
"Well peace of course... Surely that's what we all want?" Minoru attempted to smile in a friendly manner which was somewhat difficult as Aaron Sandoval snorted.
Ignoring the glaring Tai-sa the Duke of Robinson spoke up. "Peace? Or a ceasefire?"
"Peace... We want a peace which allows both sides to move on with honor..." Minoru ground out.
"I want to believe you, Minoru, but I have to admit that Aaron makes a damn good point." The First Prince spoke. "So... Convince me. What would be your "peace with honor." that wouldn't merely be a ceasefire?"
"My father believes that a return to the pre-war borders would..." Before Minoru could continue or Sandoval could interrupt angrily the First Prince silenced them both by laughing. A slow bitter laugh that filled the room. Both Caradoc and Aaron were soon smiling with dark humor as the two Kurita officers turned red in anger.
Finally the First Prince stopped laughing and raised a hand as the Kurita prince began to speak again. "No. I won't hear any more of that nonsense, Lord Kurita. If you genuinely think that can be the basis of peace, with me giving up all the worlds my soldiers have fought and died to take... Get. Out."
The last words were spoke with utter ruthlessness and seemed to hang in the air. Tai-sa Dolmassey furiously went to stand up, but froze as Minoru stone faced placed a hand on his arm and pushed him back into his chair. Staring at the First Prince the Kanrei slowly nodded his head, all pretense of warmth gone. "Very well, Prince Davion. We are prepared to cede to you the worlds of the Fomalhaut, Saffel, Nirasaki, Deneb Algedi, Al Na'ir, Biham, Halstead Station, Lapida, Tannil, Barlow's Folley, New Aberdeen, Misery, Huan, Capra and all worlds "behind" them in the lines. No less than twenty seven worlds, including key factory worlds such as Quentin and Al Na'ir and two Prefecture capital worlds..."
"Try again." Victor sighed and made an upward gesture.
"What? That isn't... That isn't how things are done. You should tell me your own terms... Then we attempt to compromise..." Minoru looked confused for a second.
"That's where your wrong, Lord Kurita. This is exactly how it's done here and now. Because you are working under a misapprehension even now. We aren't discussing or negotiating the terms. You are going to meet my bare minimum conditions or House Kurita will join House Cameron and House Amaris in the history books..." Victor didn't raise his voice but he might as well have slapped the two Kurita officers. While Aaron Sandoval's smile would have done a dire wolf proud. Again Victor made the upward gesture. "Try again..."
Tai-sa Jarvek Dolmassay snarled. "You are trying to humiliate us!"
"YES!" Victor half stood over the table and roared back. "Finally, one of you is GETTING IT. I have TRIED to be House Kurita's friend. I have TRIED to be your ally. I fought for your worlds. I fought alongside your House. I led your troops into battles. I LOVED your sister and what did I get in return? My child withheld from me. My worlds raided. My honor insulted. My realm threatened. Your father and brother intended to invade my realm. I just hit you before you could hit me. I have tried the hand of friendship with House Kurita. You simply don't get it. You are too lost in your megalomaniacal dream of a Kurita Empire dominating the entire Inner Sphere to understand. So now I will talk in a language you DO understand. Force. Might. The mailed fist. Let us be very clear with each other, Kurita. I have my foot on your ****** House's neck and if I so choose I can finish the job here and now. Put an end to centuries of warfare and hate. At some cost I will grant you, but I can finish this. Finish you. All of you. So... Give me a reason not too. Give me sufficient reason not to drive my sword home in your "Dragon"'s guts! Pay the Danegeld. Because Duke Sandoval is right... This is unlikely to be a peace. This will almost certainly be a ceasefire until you and yours think you can try again. So if it's to be a ceasefire I intend to make it almost impossible for you to threaten my realm again. I intend to geld your entire damn realm for decades. If the only peace that your House understands is one enforced upon it by a superior foe... Then so be it. If you don't like it, then fine... Lets see how many more worlds I'll carve from your crumbling realm before you are incentivized to bow your proud necks and admit you have lost. What will it take? Benjamin? Galedon? New Samarkand... How many more worlds can you lose Kurita before you lose it all? So I say again... TRY. AGAIN..."
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