trans_9 | "Going where I list, my own master total and absolute" (Part 2

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"Going where I list, my own master total and absolute" (Part 2 - Diplomacy, Tourism, and Processing)

The trip down was uneventful. The view was gorgeous when the viewing window shields were raised again when they were through the atmosphere, especially as they passed down to Megalopolis, the simply-named giant city that was this world's capital. To the Earthlings there, the continents of this world would look vastly familiar, but that didn't mean anything, did it?

Eventually the sparkling city spires of the mega-city, interspersed with flying traffic, rose up to meet them, and Obs Deck, attached by its massive shielded umbilical cord, deposited them at the Council's private spaceport. It retreated back up to Stacy after they'd disembarked.

This world was a gorgeous world, that much they could likely tell while standing there on the landing pad, looking at the rounded curves of the beautifully designed spaceport. Buildings rose up above them in shades of white, paneled with multi-colored glass, in creative architectural designs. The air traffic weaved neatly in endless lines between buildings, and the overcast sky was in shades of orange and pink, with occasional slips of a bright blue peeking through.

The Council of Five was waiting for them in person, clearly glad to see them all, dressed in resplendent clothing.

"Welcome to the Megalopolis, our capital city, and welcome to Galilee. We are the Council of Five, and we're honored by your presence."

[ooc: The first subthread is now open. They have split into groups! All subthreads are now open! Please do not set up new subthreads. The plot-runners will set them up as needed as we go.]

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Querl had displayed great interest in the shuttle, and other constructions, but very little in his snacks or the aesthetics. The holoscreens were not terribly impressive but he took a moment to consider them before turning to Allin. "We have a wide array of talents and abilities, Councilor. I believe you will not be disappointed. Your society is noteworthy for its accomplishments. It would be a shame if it were to be disrupted."

Daniel politely declined the snack as well. As much as he appreciated the hospitality, he preferred to get straight to business this time. With some cultures, it could be taken as inexcusably rude, either as implying the food was offensive or the host unworthy, or rejecting the food that a tribe banded together to provide to guests. Daniel didn't think that was the case with this society. It felt more like a formality. He should be fine.

Besides, the view had been dizzying enough from the shuttle as it was that his stomach was still feeling queasy. Better to wait and eat later. The archaeologist took a seat, and removing the field journal and pencil from his bag, he rested them against his knee. He began to jot down notes and his own thoughts.

/So far no serious conflict for generations. If not planet-wide, then at least within this continent or main city. Whatever was upsetting the status quo also wasn't something new, not like the discovery of a Stargate or something that big that could easily upset a balance of power or cause mass panic. Not something like a World War breaking out. No sudden coup d'état./

Daniel let Querl speak as he wrote. /Something that was already here then?/

"We're pleased that you think so highly of us. Thank you," Daniel said. He set the pencil down. "I'd be interested in hearing more about the nature of this hazard."

Edited 2011-06-20 07:25 (UTC)

Doc helps himself to something that looks like a sausage roll but tastes more like hotly seasoned beef wrapped in wet paper, soaking up the atmosphere, resisting the itching urge to just TOUCH things. Most of the others have probably been planetside on a world this high-tech before but the last time HE had an off ship mission he was dropped into a forest and ended up running for his life, hacking through underbrush and hauling people out of rivers.

A diplomatic meeting in a setting like this is just... cool.

Not so cool that he can't pay attention of course, just cool enough for him to SEEM like he's not paying attention.

"I have to admit I'm curious about what exactly could gum up the gears in a place that's run so smoothly for so long."

Ildraniath chose to listen and observe at first. It would be better to see the crew in action and it would help her assess the situation without looking too much like a major player in this particular game.

Yet, at least.

"Every citizen in our world is cared for, provided for. Everyone has enough to have whatever they desire. Our society itself, barring the attacks, is very stable, with low crime rate, skilled police forces, and a high rate of criminal rehabilitation. There is no political unrest, not because it's oppressed or because we limit freedom of speech like some backwards worlds do, but because our society is that idyllic to live in. It is only this one specific terrorist group that takes issue with how Galilean society is run: The CLF."

He was trying to impress on the fact that it was joy to live here and how bizarre their actions were.

Pictures immediately popped onto the screen of various terrorist attacks, of EVS workers helping the injured with advanced technology, of children being carried off in stretchers.

"Our society is run through the mass labor of clones. Programmed with only the most basic intelligence required for their clone caste's job requirements. These clones have a limited lifespan and are quite content to do their work until they expire. Marked by a caste mark that allows us to track and identify them, they are biological machines, in a sense, and programmed to be nothing more. Clones live interspersed throughout our society and are usually quite harmless as they go about their life's duties."

A particular attack rose up on the screen of the Clone Processing Center in the capital.

"Ten years back, a scientist by the name of John Savage started a radical group called Black Zero that claimed that despite their programming and their biology that clones were sentients that deserved freedom. He managed to obtain a position in the Capital Clone Processing Center, orchestrated an outside attack as a distraction, and during the chaos, managed to upload some of his memories to the Mother Brain Computers, the ones responsible for the programming of all clones. These computers are as nearly old as the Galilean Republic, and so complex as to be nearly organic in the nature of their programming. The memories were removed as best as our genegineers were able to remove them, but only way to remove these memories from the system permanently would be to rebuild them from scratch, which would be akin to reinventing the computer itself. That's the kind of undertaking it would be, and it would take us years to do it. We don't have years, given the nature of the attacks."

"Since then, we've had random crops of clones infected by his radical thoughts and ideas, sometimes upwards of 3% of an entire batch. Some of these clones are so mentally damaged by their conflicting programming they merely kill themselves. Others, however, have found ways of hiding tracking of their caste marks. These clones have formed an underground resistance, the Clone Liberation Front, that has been performing horrific acts of terrorism against Galilean military and civilian targets, as you can see by the information provided on your individual holopads."

There was news info, even some military intelligence there.

"They are gathering more and more clones into their movement, and have at their disposal Sigma-caste soldier clones providing them military training and tactical knowledge. We also have leaks in our military intelligence, due to unknown soldier drones quietly engaged in sedition against our society. Due to the millions of other clones of their batches and castes, routing them out is nearly impossible. We've decommissioned and retired whole batches in our efforts to pin down and eliminate resistance leaders and major players, but some of them have at their disposal dozens if not hundreds of body doubles they've used to thwart our efforts at eliminating resistance targets."

"Negotiation with the CLF is out of the question as an option. We've attempted it, only to have them respond with further violence and bad faith. This threat must be routed out or their attacks on government targets, cloning facilities, and civilian targets could destabilize our society and our way of life."

"We've contacted the GIA in the hopes that their aid can be provided, and they've sent you. In exchange for your aid in ending the threat of the CLF once and for all, we will offer the GIA--and your ship--full access to our technologies and medical databases and enter into GIA itself as a member world. We intend to provide as many resources as we are able to help combat the Ohm threat."

Lex managed to keep a straight face, and didn't even have a ghost of a smile. But one could guess at the bit of mirth he was feeling with this level of delicious irony. He didn't have time to enjoy it much, though. Knowing this crew, he figured someone was probably going to blow up in a fit of moral self-righteousness and completely sink the negotiations. So he decided to speak up first.

"I'm certain that none of us in this room can condone such indiscriminate violence. And many members of our crew have years of experience dealing in counter-terrorism, and could provide the highest level of training for your law enforcement officers.

"That being said, getting the approval of our leadership may prove to be... difficult on this matter." To say the least.

"Very difficult."

Dick had known that with Kang diverted to another group, a good portion of the diplomacy for the ship's leadership was going to come down to him. Because Zetta wasn't exactly known for being diplomatic. (Actually, how many members of this team were? It made Dick's head hurt.)

All through the story, though, Dick's face had hardened, becoming more unreadable. More of a mask than the domino he'd forgone for the mission.

He pulled up his omnicomm, checking through quickly and punching in a message to Kang before he straightened, stepping forward and looking the councilor in the eye. "Your Councilor Kanner singled out one of our ship's council members, two members of my security team and two other members of Transmigration 9's command structure. I overheard him say something about taking them to Central Processing."

Kon and Fate were clones. Z was a synthetic human. Who knew how that showed up on their scans? Kang was...magically created, but a sort of clone as well. That more than hit the three he mentally needed for a tally of 'conspiracy'.

"As far as I'm concerned, until they are returned to us unharmed and in the condition they left in, approval of anything is not happening."

Ter'thelas steepled his fingers, one of his rather extravagant eyebrows arching as he listens to Dick and the others. How best to approacht his situation. Perhaps concilatory, attempting a compromise. Try to ingratiate their hosts. He smiled slightly.

"Now, now Grayson. I'm certain that our hosts mean no harm to our crewmates. Especially since they seem to relying so heavily on our coming to their aid." He looked towards Allin, his head tilting as his glowing eyes appraised their host.

"So long as they're not killed or irreversibly damaged, whatever happens to them will end up stopping people on our ship from being killed or damaged," Zetta pointed out. "Needs of the many and... whatever. I forget how that goes."

After all, no one he particularly cared about being damaged in was in that group.

"If we need anything right now, it's specifics," the book continued on quite pleasantly (or as pleasantly as it was possible to be when you inherently sounded like a god lording it over the puny rest of the multiverse). "We want your medical stuff, you want our help. So, you tell us exactly what you want and what we get... uh, I'm assuming like almost all developed worlds, you've delved into the black Netherworld arts of contract law, so in written form would probably be best. Then we can start negotiating off its details."

Plus that allows them all sorts of fun adventures in technicalities and loopholes.

"They'll be fine, of course," said Allin. "They're merely being processed. They're foreign clones, that means they have to be registered and assigned guardians to be able to travel through our society freely. Everything is being explained to them by my fellow Councilman as we speak, I assure you, and barring the one of them that's registered as having a genetic match among the sentients of your group, we'll even allow them freedom to choose who they want as their assigned guardian during their stay."

The look on Allin's face was as reassuring as anyone could make their expression look.

"There are private scanners everywhere, looking for unmarked clones, as well as law enforcement looking for free-wandering clones not attending to their assigned duties as part of our security measures in the face of the terrorist threats facing our society. The last thing we'd would be for your people to accidentally get marked as possible terrorists. Their registration is for their own safety."

"As for the rest, of course, we can work out a contract. We intend to. What we need from you is a way of eliminating key resistance leaders so that the movement falls apart. We need a way to infiltrate the resistance itself, to get close enough to their core leadership to discern which clones aren't body doubles. We also believe they're making another run for the Mother Brains, like John Savage before them, and we need your assistance in stopping them before they permanently damage the Memory Banks."

Querl pressed his hands together and waited for the others to stop talking before speaking in a calm, even tone. "I assure you, Councilor, there are many of us who are willing to help you in this matter. I wish, however, that you had informed us earlier. You have placed us in a difficult situation. We appreciate your concerns for the safety of our crew, however I fear they will take this as a personal affront. Councilor Kang will no doubt be angry. He and the others will have to be appeased. Understand that any actions he may take will be a reaction to cultural differences- one that could have been avoided had you told us your intentions. Please do not take it as a sign that we as a whole do not wish to assist you. I trust that you will return our crewmates to us as soon as possible so we may ensure that no further misunderstandings occur so as to avoid any unpleasant consequences that may irreparably damage our relationship.

"As for the contract, it seems that we can come to an arrangement. I believe I can assist you with the Mother Brain and removing more of the stored memories, as well as stopping the resistance before they strike again."

Of course this wasn't going to be a milk run. What was he thinking? Having an entire society hinged on the fact that it needed clone labor, and decided it knew what a person was and wasn't was pretty troubling. Cloning was already a tricky enough ethical issue back home, and they hadn't even gotten anywhere near as advanced as the Galileans. The part where people were created just to be tools and nothing more bothered him. Obviously some people and some clones had a problem with it too, which put a damper in that 'our clones are happy, our clones are safe, this is utopia' spiel Allin was so fond of. Clones weren't the happy workers that Allin implied. And now some of their own was missing.

Was this really was for their safety, as Allin claimed or was the diverted group being held as insurance? He didn't like the signs that pointed to yes on option two. Daniel let the others speak as he reviewed what just came up and the options. The fact was that they'd been diverted by the Galileans after landing, and even this big issue with the clones hadn't come up until now, when it should have, especially considering how rooted clones were in both the society and their dilemma. It was either an oversight, due to cultural differences, maybe they didn't think clone or clone labor were anything out of the ordinary, or the Galileans had done it very deliberately, possibly counting on the fact that group would be less than thrilled with the situation.

By the time the others had spoken, Daniel wanted to bury his head in his hands and groan.

Some of these people seemed to be doing fine on the diplomatic front. Querl especially. More than fine, they were feeling their way around carefully, not quite agreeing to anything. It was the others that Daniel wasn't so sure about. How did they qualify to negotiate at all in the first place? Did Kang just pick and chose at random? When what's his name, Zetta, spoke up, Daniel knew they were in trouble. This sounded like a man who seemed used to being obeyed and in fact, was practically making demands, not so much negotiating as telling them how it was going to be, like some fact of life. Zetta was handling this was the same precision as the military which, Daniel thought, was about as subtle as a missile going into a bunker.

"I think we need to hear the Councillor out more before we start thinking about contracts," Daniel said firmly. New information had just come up that he wasn't comfortable with himself. From the looks of it, neither were some of the others. He didn't think they were in any position to even think of contracts just yet. Maybe the Galileans had medical technology they needed, but there was such a thing as coming at too high a cost. They didn't have nearly enough information to make a decision. Daniel also didn't think they were going to get the full picture from the Councillor. They had to look around themselves, start asking the pressing questions.

"Thank you for your concern for our crew. But this does make us uneasy," understatement of the year award to Dr. Jackson right there. "We don't know how you view clones who aren't uh, born here and don't fit into your worker criteria. Or what happens to the person you say is a genetic match." Daniel couldn't bring himself to say 'created', as if from a tube. It seemed wrong, turned them into an object instead of a person. He hadn't even known they were clones until right now. And honestly, he didn't think it mattered how they came into this world anyway. They were about as far from what the Councillor insisted a clone was as could be. Not people made just to serve, not mindless automatons. They were just people. And that was freedom for a clone, huh? Letting them choose their chaperone. "I don't think we can settle on anything until we have them back."

Daniel wanted to tell Allin that they weren't mercenaries for hire or assassins, but that wasn't entirely diplomatic. The archaeologist chanced a glance at Dick, silently asking permission. "It might be a good idea to put the negotiations on a brief recess until then. Personally, I'd like a chance to visit one of the processing centers or the Mother Brains and speak with the staff. I'd love to learn more about your society firsthand."

Edited 2011-06-24 04:50 (UTC)

Doc pressed himself back into his chair, jaw and fists clenched firmly, all but staring daggers across the room at Allin. He would have sincerely liked to ask where the hell these people got off manufacturing sentient beings just to put them to work as slave labor, what made them think that this crew would be willing to assist them in squashing the dissenters of said caste, but he supposed that that wouldn't be particularly diplomatic.

He also didn't particularly trust himself not to launch himself across the table at Allin if he didn't get a satisfactory answer, and he knew no answer that he was given could meet those criteria in the first place.

Sucking in a breath he crossed his arms, his tone unequivocably displeased but as polite and calm as he could manage all the same as he spoke.

"I agree with Doctor Jackson. I think we're going to need some time to confer among ourselves and get a first-hand look at how things are run here before we can agree on a course of action."

Ildraniath nodded slowly, fingertips pressed together as she listened to the exchange. Interesting. And somewhat troubling, but mostly interesting. What most irked her was the presumption of these people in removing a group of crewmembers for the sake of their idiotic laws. Not that she particularly cared about the clones, of course, but in theory the members of Stacy's crew were her allies and she didn't like the idea that potentially useful people might end up wasted or misused because of primitive culture.

When she finally spoke up, her tone was rather icy. "I believe we will still be able to assist you, but as mentioned, this may become difficult, if you've decided to treat members of our crew as if they're members of your society. Your law or not, they are guests and potential allies - spiriting them away to be processed is not in the interests of making those potential allies feel welcome."

She leaned back in her chair, considering for a moment.

"That said, I think we will be able to help you. Of course, the terms may have to end up changing to reflect this rather unfortunate oversight. But... once again, that is something we will have to discuss among ourselves."

"Very well," Allin said, looking slightly perturbed and maybe a little surprised. "We can have a recess in negotiations for now, to allow you to meet up with the rest of your crew. I'm sure once you realize they're fine, we'll be able to pick up again."

He looked to Lex. "As I said, one of the clones was a genetic match--the hybrid, I believe, and as such, his guardian is automatically his closest genetic match. The member of your party named Superboy? He'll be assigned to you, Mr. Luthor. Otherwise, your clone--" There was the slightest pause "--crew members can be assigned to anyone they see fit among your party. It is highly advised that they don't travel alone. As I said, it's best for their own safety."

"We've arranged for accommodations for your crew--and security--in one of our most magnificent hotels, and all your other groups will be teleported there. Shall we reconvene in the morning?"

"...I see." It was impossible to tell what Lex was feeling about that. He figured that most people knew by now that Kon was Kal's clone, but now it was out that he was a Lex Luthor's clone as well. That wasn't a piece of information he wanted public, particularly since this crew was far too full of simpletons to comprehend that he wasn't the Lex who was responsible for Kon in the slightest (really, if people weren't so damned obsessed with thinking he has an obsession that he does not have, life would be so much easier on all of them), that was going to make this balancing act very, very delicate from here on out.

But, if anything, Lex did love a challenge.

"Yes, I believe its best to continue this in the morning. However," Lex added, placing his hand on Allin's shoulder, "I would hate for things to end on such sour note because of a simple cultural misunderstanding. Perhaps, as a sign of good faith, you provide us with copies of all of the data you received during our initial scans, as well as the results of all the test you ran on the samples you collected from us, in addition to assurances that the samples will be destroyed if we so wish once all testing has been completed." And Lex, having held negotiations with world leaders before, know just how to hit the right tone of voice such that they knew his suggestion was not a suggestion. "Furthermore, since you'll be providing us with as much information about this dissident group and their recent attacks as is reasonable... if you could also provide us with a copy of all laws and ordinances, as well as access to one of your legal aids to answer any questions we may have, that would go a long in preventing any future misunderstandings during our stay here."

Strength of will alone kept Dick from facepalming at that. Great. Now Kon had Lex as his 'Guardian'. Whatever the hell that meant on this planet. At least Lex knew he'd be watched after what happened on the ship, whether he'd actually had anything to do with it or not.

And he was doing his best to keep as open a mind as he could on that. Though his glance to Lex may not have been the most friendly, he could at least hide behind the fact that NONE of this was exactly making him a friendly guy.

Still. He had to give Lex credit for what he was asking for. It was definitely going to be needed. "I think we could all use that information," he said, doing his best to keep his tone polite. He'd already gone as far as he could toward losing his temper. "And I agree that a couple of our people should get a...better understanding of your culture." Dr. Jackson had a good point. "In fact, Dr. Jackson is uniquely qualified for such a task. Perhaps Dr. McNinja would like to accompany him."

He'd snag them both before they went anywhere. Especially McNinja. He wanted to know more about those facilities. "Until then, yes. A chance to regroup and consider would be much appreciated."

Had to stay polite. Had to stay calm. They were stuck until Stacy returned, after all.

"It seems reasonable enough to me. We are on their planet, and we are to be expected to follow their laws, are we not? In any case, it's settled. I look forward to further negotiations." He bowed his head slightly and tucked his hands behind his back. Certainly nothing to get in a tizzy about. A few days of inconvenience, albeit humiliating, and then they could leave and the put the whole thing behind them.

Then again, the people aboard the the ship didn't seem to enjoy rational, cool-headed thinking when they could get outraged over something instead, it seemed. He glanced over the rest of the negotiating team.

"I'm certain we have much to discuss."

"With those laws and stuff, it'd be good to know where exactly you want us to stand. Deputized police? Military? Something special?" the book said. "While we're looking over 'em we can figure out if that role is enough, if we might need more power in one area or not as much as you've given in another."

The latter wasn't damn likely, but hey, bargaining chips are bargaining chips.

"By the way, just how sold on our intervention is your populace?"

"All of that can be provided," Allin said to Lex, and his expression seemed open. Seemed. "We'll send a courier to your hotel with all the requested information."

"As far as our population is concerned, your intervention is welcome."

"Before we take a recess, do you have anymore requests or questions?"

[ooc: Go in posting order and skip Allin's next turn. If your character wouldn't, have them say no or just be silent.]

Querl turned to this others. Of course he always had more requests and questions but he felt that now was not the time.

Daniel turned to look at Luthor for several seconds, blue eyes wide and unblinking. The archaeologist looked remarkably like an owl behind the over sized glasses as he sized the man up again. Daniel had taken note of him earlier. Something made him stand out then even before he said a word.It wasn't just his appearance, it went beyond that. There was something about him. It probably had everything to do with the feeling of charisma and sheer authority that he seemed to naturally radiate. It was the way he carried himself and the way he looked at people. Seemed to live and breathe it. Something about him screamed power.

Luthor was a smooth talker, he'd give him that. One of the best Daniel had ever seen. It wasn't outwardly threatening. Actually, Luthor had been perfectly pleasant about it. Amiable. Perfectly diplomatic. Not even remotely as confrontational as Dick or Zetta. Daniel found something about him disconcerting all the same. Maybe it was in how perfect and effortless his maneuvering was. How in control he was, and just how in control he seemed to be of Allin.

It was almost frightening how easily Luthor maneuvered the Councillor. Daniel's mouth pressed into a thin line. Luthor didn't just soothe away the initial tension, he included Allin as if he wasn't a separate party, just with a simple hand clap, turning him into a friend who'd just made a simple mistake and could be forgiven... then Luthor applied a subtle bit of pressure in the same breath, by 'suggesting' that the Councillor hand over data, make amends in apology, without offering a single thing in return. Just the lure of a promise that it would be enough to make the rest of them forget the matter. Daniel could read between the lines well enough to know none of this was a suggestion at all. Luthor backed the Councillor further into a corner. And he had somehow managed to place Allin firmly in a position to practically service them, to owe them too. Maybe even with a smile. Lex manipulated Allin as if he didn't have to think twice about dominating the man. Allin might not even realize it was happening. If you didn't know what to look for, it'd be easy to miss.

Daniel finally blinked, licked his lips, but said nothing to undermine Luthor just yet. As much as the display unsettled him, Luthor was right. They did need this information if they were to move around this society without anymore mishaps.

Sure, they were expected to follow the laws, but when the Galileans were trying to get something out of Stacy's crew, it was also expected that the Galileans show respect for their ways as well. Diplomacy wasn't a one-way street. Anyway it looked like today's negotiations were over for now, and better yet, Dick might be giving him approval to poke around. The archaeologist rose. He wanted to speak with the others and review before he went into more questions. "Thank you for your time, Councillor."

Edited 2011-06-25 12:30 (UTC)

Doc nodded sharply, taking Daniel's lead to push back his chair and head for the door before he completely lost his temper.

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"Going where I list, my own master total and absolute" (Part 2 - Diplomacy, Tourism, and Processing)

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