"Wring as much as possible out of them at the negotiating table. It's clear they need our help or they wouldn't have asked for it in he first place. Our ultimate trump card is simply leaving without doing anything for them - so use it."
She flicked her wrist in a little gesture that might be read as dismissive.
"This planet's fate ultimately doesn't matter one whit to us. If their technology can be helpful - which it does not seem to be so far - then we take it, at as little cost to ourselves as possible. If that means stealing it? So be it. However, I do not think we should be entertaining any ideas of acting against the local government unless we are forced - in which case we should not hesitate to do what needs to be done."
She tapped her fingertips together for a moment.
"Pawns or not, we do not have much of a choice in the matter - for the moment our lives and existence is entirely dependent on the GIA, as Councillor Zetta has noted. We either play by their rules or we risk losing everything. Given the millions of pods aboard Stacy, they can probably afford to annihilate us, if they feel they need, and simply cycle through crews until they find one more amenable to following their agenda."
She spoke from experience at manipulating people and events. That's what she would have done.
"They have insulted us. They have injured us. So make them pay for it - but we cannot jeopardize ourselves, the mission or the ship for the sake of subjective morality. We should be focusing on achieving our objectives. IF we cannot? Then we leave once the ship returns and allow them to fall or stand on their own merits. Or possibly allow another GIA ship to intervene."
no subject
She flicked her wrist in a little gesture that might be read as dismissive.
"This planet's fate ultimately doesn't matter one whit to us. If their technology can be helpful - which it does not seem to be so far - then we take it, at as little cost to ourselves as possible. If that means stealing it? So be it. However, I do not think we should be entertaining any ideas of acting against the local government unless we are forced - in which case we should not hesitate to do what needs to be done."
She tapped her fingertips together for a moment.
"Pawns or not, we do not have much of a choice in the matter - for the moment our lives and existence is entirely dependent on the GIA, as Councillor Zetta has noted. We either play by their rules or we risk losing everything. Given the millions of pods aboard Stacy, they can probably afford to annihilate us, if they feel they need, and simply cycle through crews until they find one more amenable to following their agenda."
She spoke from experience at manipulating people and events. That's what she would have done.
"They have insulted us. They have injured us. So make them pay for it - but we cannot jeopardize ourselves, the mission or the ship for the sake of subjective morality. We should be focusing on achieving our objectives. IF we cannot? Then we leave once the ship returns and allow them to fall or stand on their own merits. Or possibly allow another GIA ship to intervene."