King Toal'Dius - You work for me now
Jania Nis
(( Royal HQ, Koreli IV ))
Supreme Director Toal’Dius sat engulfed in the gessygrass smoke. He had added so much fuel that the heat of the sauna was nearly fatal, and his ears buzzed from the fumes. He thought of the doctor’s comments about his brother. The audacity of accusing him of murder.
The king hadn’t done much of a job of hiding it from them, admittedly, but it wasn’t about guilt--it was about -time-. If he could get the colony functional again, the other Zet would have no choice but to honor his claim, even if the guildmasters were upset about the murder of a Deathless.
Still, if the news came out too soon, they would think he lacked finesse.
Chief Reeve: The Federation team has arrived.
Toal’Dius: Already?
The chief reeve nodded, so the king sighed and stood, his gracile arms smooth from the steam, but for the welts left from his bracelets. They were the first things he put on again. The itching pain they sent through his arms was reassuring.
Toal’Dius: Is it wrong to admit I’m growing sick of this part of the job already?
The chief reeve nearly gasped, and he looked at the floor rather than answer. A Zet growing weary of negotiations was a sad sight indeed.
Chief Reeve: My director?
Toal’Dius narrowed his eyes. Next came the pectoral amulet, which he donned wordlessly.
Toal’Dius: It must be done, but it brings me no joy.
There were two options before him: the Starfleet personnel would accept his offer to attack the incoming fleet in exchange for their leader, or they would not. If that happened, the prisoners would eventually attempt to escape, and he would have just cause to execute them. It should work out either way, yet he felt no passion or excitement.
He passed from the steambaths to the throne room and sat wordlessly as his servants genuflected around him. Soon the new group of Federation members walked into the room.
Arlill: Your highness ::bowing slightly::
Toal'Dius: Mmm. Well, let us begin.
Nijal/Yinn/Katsim: Responses
Toal'Dius: With the negotiations, of course.
Arlill/Nijal/Yinn/Katsim: Responses
Toal’Dius: You most certainly will face negotiations. You already broke our first agreement by failing to deliver the metal panels you said you would to a flood-ravaged wasteland--abandoning the Danni while they were in need of assistance, in fact. Then your leader fired her phaser extremely close to me, nearly striking me. Your disgraceful soldiers have been agitating the Danni against me, and on top of it all, you are hiding my renegade nephew on-board your ship.
This was a guess, but it was worth trying.
Arlill/Nijal/Yinn/Katsim: Responses
Toal’Dius: I do not want much. And, in fact, my demands are in your best interest. All I want is for you to stand and fight when the fleet arrives--fight for -me-.
Arlill/Nijal/Yinn/Katsim: Responses
Tags/TBC
King Toal'Dius
Supreme Director
Koreli IV
O240108JN2