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Post by Artaxerxes Hirren on Jun 3, 2007 16:28:29 GMT
Artaxerxes simply listened to the speech, he knew that they could not get on peacefully with the Imperials, certainly not Hirren, they would be taken out on their own, and there was nothing he could do anout it. Unless.
His kohl lined eyes turned to look at Leonard with a dark grin. "Now, Mr engineer, would this be that dear Steam Tank you told me about?" The smile on his face was a little too presumtious. He could not go the war on his own, but something had to be done to protect his people, and himself.
"If it is anything as dangerous as the last few inventions I have seen from you, I think it would be a definate asset." His eyes raised to the Imperial ambassador, listening carefully. "But I don't think we ought to give our secrets away before we have even discussed them." His flicked a heavily ringed hand to the imperial ambassador that was looking incresingly worried.
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Post by Hasekura Takamori on Jun 3, 2007 16:37:36 GMT
Things were sliding dangerously before Hasekura's eyes, and he knew something must be done before talk got into too much detail about this possible war.
"I think that revealing any secret may be a bad idea, not just because of our Imperial...." His words dripped sarcasm, "...friend here, but because each one of us is looking out for ourselves. If we were, say, to go to war with the entire Empire, and say we won, with that taste, could anyone say they would stop?"
"I have fought, many times. Against raiders from the east, against pirates, and that is something addictive, especially war on a large scale. This war would be larger than has plagued our lands for many centuries - larger possibly than anything that has come before. Can anyone say we would not turn against each other once our common enemy is removed?"
He looked to each of the other ambassadors in turn, solemn eyes locked on each of theirs. "Can anyone say that to me, that they could control themselves and their people....afterwards?"
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Post by Lu-Nai on Jun 3, 2007 16:48:08 GMT
Lu-Nai remained silent. Ofcourse the Minisu wouldn't ever wage war against anyone, they do not trouble themselves with much outside the Monastery. There was simply nothing outside of their simple lives that led them to distraction, for they had everything they needed.
Not to say they wouldn't help others and defend their own safe haven to the death, however.
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Post by Leonardo Leconus on Jun 3, 2007 16:54:40 GMT
Leonardo puffed on his pipe again he didn't understand why they would talk about the Imperium while a ambassador of theirs was present. "I agree with you good self, none of our societies would ally themselves with one another after the Imperial is defeated and what is worse is the fact that this is just one Imperial city, after the war another armada would be sent our way with a much stronger fighting force, we cannot simply go to war and win."
Leo stood up and then looked at Lu-Nai. "You do not want war as do we, but you Hasekura and Artaxerxes." Leo now looked directly at the warrior and the pirate. "You only seem to care about yourself and nobody else, do you not know how big the Imperial stretch? They would wipe us out if their Imperial city is taken over."
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Post by Artaxerxes Hirren on Jun 3, 2007 18:19:19 GMT
"If you haven't noticed..." began the pirate, "they are going to do that anyway." He pushed back a few of the dreadlocks from his face, hearing the clinking of the silver rings that encircled a few of them. He pirate cast his gaze on all of them in turn, feeling the insistant prodding of his advisers telling him that he had to come out with something profound. And he was likely to fail them again.
"I'm not saying we waltz on over there, knock on their door and ask politely if we can have a war, I'm, saying we need to defend ourselves for the inevitable. Can you tell me you haven't noticed increased Imperial troups?" There had been far too many for his liking. Too many ships, too many on the wildernes roads, they seemed to be stretching like a plague.
"Besides, after a war on such as scale as that one would be, who would have the strength to mass an attack at the other cities. I certainly know I wouldn't. My power is at sea, not on land." His dark lined eyes closed for a moment as he thought, and processed the insult(?) that Leonardo seemed to give him.
"My dear man, of course I only care about myself. If our city was being attacked by a horde of imperials, would you really put your lives at risk for no good reason." He grinned at Leonardo. "You wouldn't fight unless it was likely that they would attack you next, would you?" The pirate smiled darkly.
"Anyway, what kind of pirate would I be if I cared more for others than myself?" He gave a vague smile, as if thinking over the question himself before he raised his eyes fiercly to the Imperial Ambassador that now seemed to be taking notes.
"Mr Ambassador..." He began, leaning right forward on the pulpit with a malicious look in his eye targetting the poor imperial ambassador with some hatred dripping from his charming voice. "I have here, in my belt, a loaded Flint Lock, and not for decoration, I'm a pretty good shot." And the way he smiled told you to believe it. "I would remind you that this is a meeting, not a lecture, and you are not here to take notes. You can either participate, or leave, I don't see a point otherwise, unless spying counts." The pirate was obviously not happy with having this man in here, and his threat didn't sound all that empty, he wasn't willing to divulge information with his presence.
"I won't talk openly in front of Him." He spat the last word.
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Post by Lu-Nai on Jun 3, 2007 18:46:03 GMT
Lu-Nai was taken aback by most of what was being said here. He had come to discuss the future, not partake in threats and warmongering.
He made a point of getting down from his place and he bowed to the other 3 leaders.
"Excuse me, I should leave." He didn't give a reason as to why he 'should leave' but instead, gave a slight nod to the Imperial man and headed for the door. His head was full of worry for the State especially with these warlords as leaders.
He would need to consult the Minisu.
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Post by Hasekura Takamori on Jun 3, 2007 20:43:33 GMT
Watching Lu-Nai leave, Hasekura hung his head, terribly saddened by the path the meeting had led itself down. He thought about stopping the monk, making him listen to sense, but it would be pointless, and make it seem as if he was taking charge, that the Shirezei were taking control. And that would be very bad, tantamount to a declaration of war.
Instead he nodded to an advisor, who hurried off after the monk, to arrange an individual appointment, a one-to-one, where Hasekura could attempt to make his point for peace. Turning back to the other two, he sighed deeply.
"My fellow leaders, we are in a grave position. Even us, powerful and strong in our positions as the leaders of our people, in war and peace, cannot get along for the duration of a single meeting." Another mournful shake of the head, and Hasekura looked up slightly to the men. "What are we to do? If the Imperials can continue this, this infighting, they will not need a war."
"We shall tear ourselves apart." This last was said in but a whisper, however in the solemn silence of the Forum it floated out, seeming to reverberate in the empty air.
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Post by Leonardo Leconus on Jun 3, 2007 20:52:21 GMT
Leo sat down and then scratched his chin. "I do not want a war, it will cost too much Ulthan cannot afford it at this moment, our technology although advanced cannot simply be conjured out of the air at any given point if we do go to war we will need resources from everyone obviously we will pay you with technology or even after the war pay you back with a monthly salary."
Leonardo dabbed his finger and silenced the red flame in his pipe. "This war will affect us all in one way or another can any of you two relie on everyone else to help you win this fight for I will not trust a pirate in war."
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Post by Artaxerxes Hirren on Jun 3, 2007 21:17:37 GMT
The pirate captain could not help but feel that his own attitude has caused this argument and he was somewhat cooler now. His glare still fixed on the Imperial Ambassador, he frowned and closed his eyes, lowering his head, feeling the heavy dreadlocks fall in front of his face for a moment.
"Then there will be battle, only a silent destruction of each city on their own." The pirate raised his eyes to meet with those of the other two. "We are not strong enough on our own to hold fort against this force. Of course, the descisions of the leaders on the whole govern everything." The captain allowed a small smile, turning his head up to look out of the windows that lined the once dusty, unused room.
"Ignore the mutterings of a scoundrel. It might be that we rely too much on battle to feed our people." The pirate was a little insulted by the words of the engineer. "I would add that although we are pirates, we are not mercenaries. Our sides do not change."
Leaning against the side of the rest, he looked at the others with a calmer frown. "Understand why I am so pressed for battle. Our town supplies you with all kinds of good, most of them taken from the imperials themselves." He waved his hands as he spoke, gently rotating his wrist. "And because of this, we are a rather large target. I have my people's best interests at heart you understand, it would be foolish to lock ourselves off from you all and make enemies out of allies."
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Post by Hasekura Takamori on Jun 4, 2007 15:49:39 GMT
"I truly understand your position, and your fear for the people of Hirren. None of us wants to see another destroyed - be it for sake of trade, or any other reason - and in the chance of an Imperial invasion, you can be fully expectant of our support. But, we cannot strike the first blow - even given my people's past, I cannot bring myself to sanction such a.....such a......"
Hasekura's trademark eloquence deserted him for a moment, then he continued on, "Such a potentially disastrous loss of life. A smaller common enemy, my sentiments would be opposite, but not something as powerful and indomitable as The Empire."
A slow shake of the head, and he motioned to the guards at the doors. The great wooden portals were opened, and he nodded to the other leaders in turn. "For now, our positions have been made clear. Any of you," And his gaze passed over the Hirren, the Ulthan, and the Imperial ambassadors, "Who wish to talk with me privately can feel free. For now, let us be content that blood has not yet been shed."
With that, Hasekura turned and left the Forum, solemned by the events of the meeting.
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Post by Leonardo Leconus on Jun 4, 2007 15:54:24 GMT
Leo stood up and followed suit, he didn't want war with the Imperial, the Hirren would need to fall before the Ulthan people declared war.
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Post by Artaxerxes Hirren on Jun 4, 2007 20:47:52 GMT
The captain was last to leave, he knew that Ulthan had not wanted war, but he didn't expect such cold behavior when they were usually on such good terms. The imperial Ambassador was quick to leave, rather than be left in the sights of the captain and his Flintlock.
"Capt..." His adviser was cut short by a rather unhappy growl. "I need a drink. I'll see you back in Hirren." It had all gone rather badly, although at least they weren't at war with each other, it was not as bad as it could be.
He picked up his tricorn hat, slapped it on his head and walked out, the heavy boots knocking angrily on the floor, it was obvious he was irritated. The Advisers were left, watching him leave, before exiting themselves to get their horses and leave the city on their own, he would find his way home, he always did.
The pirate captain was muttering under his breath and he made his way down the stairs. "You've done it now. Ah well, we'll just have to see how it goes." There weren't enough Imperial ships to pose a threat to Hirren just yet, and an attack through the marshlands would be foolish. They were safe, but for how long...
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Post by Hasekura Takamori on Jun 4, 2007 20:57:51 GMT
As Artaxerxes left, and the remaining clerks and advisors filed out, a silence and solemnity fell upon the Forum once more. The great room turned once more to the mournful testament to ancient times it normally was, as the great wooden doors were closed shut once again.
But in a few weeks, when the next meeting was to be held, it would be alive once more, and hopefully then, a final decision would be made. Haekura mused all this as he walked round the gallery once again, having decided to return just one last time before his meeting with Lu-Nai.
Nodding solemnly, he crossed his hands behind his turqoise silk shirt, and walked slowly out of the Forum, a guard bowing slightly, closing the last door open into the great meeting room behind his leader.
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