LT Melvin Martinson - Pocket Aces

[Aine Sherlock]

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

Mel just wanted to see exactly what he was dealing with as Aine hadn't given him much to go on. Roleplaying was a simple enough tool that he'd had to use many times. Whether it was training or prepping for a negotiation, Red Teaming the scenario was good practice.

Martinson: Okay then, have at it.

Nilsen: er…erm. I am Lt Lhandon Joseph Nilsen. I am the representative for the United Federation of Planets. We are here to discuss terms and secure rights to the duranium ore. Now let's start by being honest with each other.

Taggart: I would hope, Lieutenant Nilsen, that our being honest with each other went without saying.

Mel took in a deep breath and held it. Taggert's roleplaying was mirroring his own thoughts.

Martinson: So, good to identify yourself. Good to identify who you work for. Good to identify your reasons for being there. But you left a huge opening there. It assumes a lack of trust.

Nilsen: Ah okay, that's how I started the King's Path talk, I wanna talk about that after this ::to Taggart:: Hold on, sorry mate, bare with me. Okay back in the game. ::back to the roleplay:: Why don't you tell me about the mine? Maybe how your people came about it?

Taggart: The mine orbits the third planet of our home system.

Still not great. Mel, personally, would have done the research ahead of time if it were the real deal. And in a roleplay, he'd have played that up. He nodded to Nilsen as he took mental notes.

Nilsen: And are we the only ones you’ve contacted so far?

Taggart: At present, yes. We do have several interested parties however.

Martinson: Okay, that last one was good. You're probing and it's giving potential options.

Nilsen: response

Taggart: We have much more duranium ore than we could use in a million lifetimes. We wish to share this resource.

Mel raised his eyebrows and nodded towards Nilsen. Sharing was good! The Federation wasn't greedy so this could be an excellent opportunity to expound about the resources of the Federation and how it could help mine, possibly as a lease or profit share.

Martinson: That's something.

Nilsen: response

Taggart: Naturally, for a price. But a fair price we feel.

Nilsen: response

Mel sat quietly, he had a feeling he knew what was coming next...

Taggart: Membership of your Federation.

...And there it was.

Martinson: Okay, so, of course, you can't offer the world, right? So, now's your chance to get creative.

Mel would definitely have to work on one thing with Nilsen, positioning. Unfortunately, the young officer was currently defensive. He was the one that had to compromise and negotiate. Taggert on the other hand, was holding all the cards. He struck first and struck hard.

Nilsen: response

Martinson: Remember, broad discretion. It's up to you. But you also have to remember, you have something they want too.

Nilsen: response

Taggert: response

tags/TBC

LT Melvin Martinson

Trade Negotiator

U.S.S. Octavia E. Butler

R239712AS0