LT Melvin Martinson - A Study In The Making

[Aine Sherlock]

((Conference Room, Deck 5, USS Octavia E Butler))

Now that Lhandon had some basic tips, it was time to turn it up. No negotiations, no matter how small, ever went easy. It could be two people trading a cup of water they each had and it could lead to all out war. And the only way to learn was to be put into impossible situations and work one's way out.

Martinson: So ::looking back and forth between Taggart and Nilsen::, round two?

Taggart: Sure, lets go.

Nilsen: :smiling: It’s go time.

Martinson: Alright. Play out the same basic scenario, but try to shake things up a bit this time, alright?

When Mel looked at Taggart he gave him a wink to say, "Let him have it!"

Taggart: Membership would be most valuable to our world. It would guarantee the steady flow of our resources.

Nilsen: Quite a few member worlds feel that way, and we’re proud of that, but I can’t offer you membership at all.

Martinson: Good, you've taken it off the table.

Taggart: Mining is a dangerous business, Lieutenant. And we would always be grateful for extra protection from any interlopers and thieves.

Taggart had raised an interesting point. It was a more subtle steering for more involvement on the part of the Federation. If they did join in any sort of alliance, it would almost be required for them to intervene.

Nilsen: o0 I think I can see where this is going 0o We can certainly talk about some kind of arrangement, but I don’t think we can go for full protection, we were looking for just a simple transaction.

So far, Mel liked the direction Nilsen was going. He gave a simple and subtle nod. The topic Taggart brought up was both addressed, and then dismissed and brought back to the initial point of the meeting. He was bringing it back on track to avoid exactly what Mel had told him could happen.

Taggart: There may have been.... issues.

Nilsen: Issues?

Taggart: Response

Nilsen: I mean, that sounds like we will need to devote a lot of resources to fix that, the kind we give member worlds, and it sounds like you really want the membership, but as I said before, that is off the table, so if that’s all what you want, I’m afraid we’ll have to end it there.

Nilsen stood and began to walk away, just as he was told. And now Taggart would have to compromise...possibly. Mel leaned towards Taggart and raised a hand to his mouth to block Nilsen from seeing and hearing what he was about to say.

Martinson: ::whispering:: I'd hit him with the old your enemy is interested. Unless you got something else hidden up your sleeve.

Taggart: Response

There was a moment of silence as everyone contemplated what was going to happen next.

Taggart (optional): Response

Nilsen returned to the table and sat, looking across the table at Taggart thoughtfully.

Nilsen: Okay, tell you what, you said this was pretty dangerous right, interlopers and thieves, so what if I could solve your problem. No membership but, we know how to deal with this, we know how to defend our convoys. Let us have exclusive rights to the ore.

Taggart: Response

Mel sat back and looked at Taggart. Not only was he reframing the negotiation, he was using that broad discretion.

Nilsen: You see with federation ships always in the system, and crews likely looking to spend their credits when they visit. You get a steady stream of people bringing money into your economy and criminals think twice when even a Nova shows up in a system. You basically get all the benefits of federation membership, without the need to devote much to us, just the mine.

Martinson: Now that sounds like a helluva deal.

Taggart: Response

Mel looked back and forth between them before landing on Nilsen. He was quickly getting the hang of this diplomacy thing.

Martinson: Alright, I think we've hit on a high here. ::gesturing towards Nilsen:: You learn quickly.

Nilsen/Taggart: response

Martinson: Maybe not full on negotiations for real. But something more on a micro level, should be enough to handle for now.

Nilsen: response

Martinson: Definitely practice more. And I mean all the time. In little things in day to day dealings, you can find little ways to see if you can get a situation going in the direction you want.

Nilsen/Taggart: response

tags/TBC (Or good place to end?)

LT Melvin Martinson
Trade Negotiator

U.S.S. Octavia E. Butler

R239712AS0