MSNPC Zebba: What am I doing here?

[Darwin Awkward]

((Conference Room, USS Eagle-A))

Zebba had to hand it to the alien demons, at the very least they had nifty meeting rooms, and the catering was nothing to scoff at either. Perhaps that was how they convinced you to sell your soul? If so, they had better arguments than, say, the Brotherhood of Seth.

Speaking of which...

Zebba shared the table with Cane Man, who was apparently the Big Boss of the aliens, the mind-invading witch, who was apparently their diplomat (yes, seriously; Zebba wondered what their bloody-minded military types sounded like, and prayed he never met them), Epoma, who looked like death in shallow waters, and the priestess from the Sethtites.

That sounded like the setup for a joke, but Zebba was not laughing. Because apparently he had freshly graduated from loud guy with a gun to prisoner of war, and from there to representative of the Disciples of Efon at a high-stakes negotiation table.

On the plus side, the tea smelled good, but it was served by the blonde witch, so he would wait for one of the other two to drink it first. Just in case.

Adea: So, welcome to the USS Eagle, all of you. I am Captain Adea, and I will be mediating this discussion along with our counsellor here, Lieutenant Stendhal.

Stendhal: :: With a nod :: Thank you, Captain. My role here is to ensure that communication remains clear and that we address the underlying concerns of all parties. We are here to listen, but more importantly, we are here to find a path forward that doesn't involve a planetary funeral.

Epoma: ::Tired:: Most appreciated.

Zebba changed his mind and quickly swallowed a gulp of tea, because what would have gone out of his mouth otherwise would certainly have caused a diplomatic incident.

Octil: Response

Cane Man - Captain Addia, apparently - rested his cane against the table and took something that was likely a diplomatic pose. Or a dramatic pose. Or a scheming pose. The Alomian had no idea, alien body language was not among his people skills, such as they were.

Adea: I guess the first thing to establish is, what does everyone want… ::he raised a slender finger from the clutched hands:: baring in mind that in a true compromise, everyone will end up slightly dissatisfied.

Stendhal: The Captain is right. Compromise is usually a bitter pill, but it’s better than the alternative.

The (former? disgraced? soon-to-be?) Minister spoke first.

Epoma: I would like whatever is happening on Ondo to be handled with the least amount of disruption to the planet and the Alomian people as possible.

Right... Zebba smirked openly. That ship had sailed, floundered, and been eaten by sea worms long ago. As far he was concerned, the Disciples had already won.

Adea: ::turning his attention to the others:: And you two?

That was a good question. Mostly because Zebba barely knew what he wanted, let alone what the Disciples as a whole would want. Except the very basics. And possibly more tea.

Zebba: No more secret deals. :: He did not look towards Epoma, who certainly viewed transparency as a "disruption to the Alomian people" :: And to be left alone once the apocalypse is averted.

Because contrary to some, he did not have a hankering for martyrdom.

Octil : Response

Stendhal: Before we look at technical solutions or political concessions, we need to be honest. Are we here to save a way of life, or are we here to save the lives themselves? Because at the current rate of terraforming, you may not have the luxury of choosing both.

Epoma: Saving the lives of course.

Adea: Agreed.

The Disciple of Efon was loathe to share an opinion with Epoma, let alone so strongly, but he would make an exception in this case.

Zebba: Of course! What kind of choice is that? 

Octil : Response

... Ah. Of course, it was always possible for a stupid question to get even stupider answers.

Epoma: You and your followers are certainly welcome to stay and ‘meet the gods’ if that is what you wish, but we are not required to follow you into death.

Damn, he almost felt himself respecting the old sea-hag for saying that. It was easy to sound like someone reasonable when seated next to a Sethite, wasn't it?

Adea: I’m sure all of us would like to avoid unnecessary loss of life.

Do not snark, do not snark, do not snark... 

Zebba: Is that really a problem? :: he raised his hands in a placating gesture as soon as the others looked his way :: I mean, if all the Brotherhood of Seth wants is to go meet their gods on Ondo, it's their, what's a name, informed choice, right? They go there, we stay here, and you guys... :: He gestured towards the two aliens :: do your thing?

Octil / Epoma / Stendhal / Adea: Response

Zebba pinched the back of his jaw between two fingers, massaging his mucus glands wearily.

Zebba: Can we please stop pretending these people do not have the means to crack Ondo, or Alomia for that matter, in two twice over? I am in a remarkable position to tell you that what you have seen so far was them treating us with kiddie gloves. So that leaves the answer to your own question, Captain. :: He turned towards the black-furred alien :: What do *you* want?

Tags/TBC

-- 

Lieutenant-Commander Kettick

Chief of Engineering

USS Eagle-A

G239107LR0

Your Engineering department kindly reminds you that you are supposed to read the flakking manual.