All That Glitters Ch. 43

"Yes, Master Lindelle. Those who do go to the fleets are indeed aware of the risks. However, it is rare that we lose an entire fleet, and when we do, there is usually a significant loss of life and material. It is also rare that we have the ability to make an exchange.

"In this situation, there has been a minimal loss of life. Only 62 of the crew were killed and a further 133 injured. The remainder were captured alive, along with their vessels.

"This is an unprecedented situation. The Landstradt is in that unique position of being able to offer a one-time deal to get back some of those who have been captured.

"We should consider this option. There has already been a significant loss of life for Alliance forces during the Great Raid. In addition, our economy has suffered. The Union, THE UNION! is providing us with a potential means to reverse our recent misfortune and get our economy moving again, if only in a limited means.

"That being said, we should realistically consider the prisoner exchange. That is my opinion as a member of the Landstradt. As the Chair, I now open the floor to debate on this issue," the Chair said and sat down.

The debate was lively and fierce. The debate did not center around whether or not to conduct the exchange but rather as to what level the exchange should be.

All noted that, while the crew knew the risks, no one expected that a fleet would be captured nearly intact. In the end, there was no decision. It was decided that if the exchange could be made, it should be.

The Chair called in the Union representatives.

"I would like to note that you have been exemplary prisoners, attending the sessions, and waiting patiently on us. The Landstradt thanks you for your attitude.

"However, the Landstradt finds itself in a situation where we must ask the Union if they would consider a prisoner exchange for our recently captured fleet with the bodies of the Union crew that died in orbit and are now in our possession and the six members of the Union fleet that were captured here on Adenomere.

"Would the Union consider such an exchange?" the Chair asked formally of Ambassador Flynet.

"Chair, the Union will consider this exchange. We shall return all the crew that were captured, including the dead for burial, unless you specifically ask that we confer burial rites in space for those who have died.

"In exchange, we ask that all charges be dropped against Captain Raymond Clark, Sgt. Jacintha Aurans, Sgt. William Brogues, Tech. Sgt. Brian Donnes, Sgt. Melinda Tanten, Sgt. Brianna Wilder, and that all of our dead that are in your possession, be returned to us," Flynet stated.

"Why so generous, Ambassador?" the Chair asked the question that all wanted to know.

"Chair, despite the acrimony in the recent sessions of the Landstradt, the Union and the Alliance have made great strides in recent days. We will consider this exchange as an act of good faith, in the hope that the Alliance will reciprocate and negotiate the return of our missing citizens.

"This would be a win-win for both the Alliance and the Union. The Alliance will have to cut its reliance on slave labour by returning our citizens. In doing so, the Alliance will find itself allowed to take part in the great leap forward that most humans are now enjoying," Flynet stated. "We cannot force this on the Alliance, you must come to this decision on your own.

"However, we have noted that there is an intent on the marked improvement of slave conditions in the Landstradt, which means Union citizens will benefit from these changes," Flynet finished.

"Thank-you, Ambassador. There is also the question of the material. The captured ships are a significant investment for the Alliance," the Chair said.

"The TGA will consider returning the civilian cargo ships, the Navy Supply Ships, four Cormorant Class ships that were stolen from the Navy mothball yard, will be recommissioned as Union Navy Vessels. The two CP Naval Supply Ships, are unfit for continued use in space. They will be decommissioned and scrapped. That means we shall be returning twelve cargo ships of various configurations to you.

"All of the military vessels will be confiscated by the Union. Those that are still viable, will be recommissioned into the Union Navy. Those that are not will be scrapped. No military vessels will be returned to you as we do not want them to become pirate vessels again.

"Understand, that, as these vessels are considered criminal spoils, none of them should be returned to you, but the cargo vessels can be used for legitimate civilian purposes.

"However, should these vessels be found in another pirate fleet, the Union will consider that the Alliance is in breach of any contract that it will complete with the Union or the Greater Community. If that should occur, the Alliance will be banned from any future contact with the Greater Community and any benefits that could be derived from such contact.

"Do we have an understanding, Chair?" Flynet demanded.

"The Landstradt understands what is being asked of it, Ambassador. There are some here that would spit in your face, however, doing so would not help the cause of the Alliance.

"We, the Landstradt, still have to determine if we shall accept the principal of ending piracy and slavery. If we should do so, we will accept the specified points of your prisoner exchange. Until then, let us consider a reciprocal act of good faith.

"The Landstradt will drop all charges against the prisoners and allow them to leave Alliance space. Will that suffice for now, sir?" the Chair asked.

"Yes, Chair, that will be a suitable act of good faith. Thank-you, Chair." Flynet gave a low bow to the Chair, turned and bowed to the floor.

The Senate, Capital City, Terra

The Senators were watching the events in the Landstradt via ICS. When the news came out that the Union was going to release all of the recently captured pirates, the Senate exploded.

"YOU DID WHAT!?" one of the senior Senators called out. "How could you give away so many of the pirates when we could have used them to get some of our citizens out?"

"Settle down, Senators," Senator Winslow of the Military Oversight Committee demanded.

"It has been decided to give them this concession as forcing them to give up our citizens for their captured would only foster resentment in the Alliance and would take months to negotiate. By being magnanimous, we set ourselves above the Alliance. That will work for us in the future, vice nit-picking on demanding a Union citizen for one of theirs," Winslow said.

"But that means our citizens will continue to live in the conditions that they have for some time to come!" a Senator shouted from the floor.

"Yes, it does," Winslow agreed. "However, the actions of many of the Landstradt to bolster the conditions of their slaves is a positive step forward. We do not want to throw the proverbial monkey wrench into gears of these changes. This gives us the advantage of the moral high ground under conditions that would otherwise have forced a major revolt against the Union by the Landstradt. The Landstradt mindset is changing. We must allow those changes to move forward..."

Landstradt HQ, Adenomere City, Planet Adenomere, The Adenomere System

"Ambassador, Lady Junelliya stated that the Harradi representative would be here today?" the Chair asked.

"The Trine left for Liramor-23 this morning, sir. It should be back before the end of this afternoon's session," Flynet told him.

"Wait! It is 182 light years from here to Terra, and 106 light years from Terra to the Piscium System, that means a minimal flight of 286 light years to Liramor-23 if we don't go the long way along the tangent, which would end up being almost 289 light years. Yet that ship will be back by this afternoon?" someone on the floor stated.

"As I have said, the Union has enjoyed a number of advancements since it has contacted the Greater Community. The modifications on that ship, Jump-grid technology, advanced Marilon/Aruna generators, and the ICS system, are but a few of them. That technology can add to the advancement of the Alliance or bring about its destruction. The choice is yours," Flynet gave another short bow and turned to leave. This time, no one stopped him.

The Harradi Embassy, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

Ambassador Clend, it is good to see you again," Junelliya greeted the Harradi dignitary,

"And I you, Junelliya, especially when you bring us such an opportunity," Clend returned. "I would like to introduce to you our Harla, Salum Fannett, who will be our representative to the Alliance."

"Well met, Harla Salum Fannett," Junelliya replied in the typical greeting of the Harradi. The Harradi were surprised that she wasn't using the translator codex but was actually speaking the words in Harradi, with near perfect inflection.

"Lady Junelliya, you need not be so formal, I would prefer that you call me Salum and that I have the opportunity to call you Junelliya," Salum replied, smiling.

Junelliya returned the smile. "That would be acceptable Salum. It will be good to work with you, though I suggest more formal titles when working with the Alliance people. They will be resistant to your proposals, keeping things formal will provide a start point for all negotiations."

"Thank-you for the advice," Salum bowed.

"Shall we move to my ship?" Junelliya asked, turning to lead the way.

They were interrupted by a call from the Asocan embassy, asking for Kim...

The Asocan Embassy, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

"Kim, it is good to see you again. Thank-you for coming on such short notice," Ambs. Alvoie stated as Kim, Junelliya, Ambs. Clend, and a Harradi that Alvoie did not recognize came into his conference room. Kim noted the presence of another Asocan on the monitor.

"Good day Sensei," the Asocan, who Kim now knew was Guro<, bowed to her.

"And you Gakusei (student)," Kim returned. She saw a violet coloured lacquered box on the conference table and instantly recognized it as a human product. She saw the sigil of Tatsuya Hajime on the box and nodded.

"We have just received this box from one of your more prestigious Weapons Masters," Alvoie advised the group. "It is a gift for Guro<'s father, War Dragon Minister Kloä>. However, after picking up and handling this weapon, I am curious as to how to ask for your Weapons Master to make more of the same?"

Alvoie opened the box and Kim saw, for the first time, the weapon in question. It was a double-edged weapon that was wider than her Katana, though not quite as long, with the far end from the hilt being fatter than most of the length. She noticed immediately the same sheen of metal that her own swords had.

Kim pulled her Katanya in the approved fashion and flicked her nail against the blade. It sang its song clearly for all to hear.

Alvoie picked up the >Curlat and flicked it as he had been shown. The sound it made was similar to but not exactly the same as the sound the Katana had made, understandable considering the difference in construction. Kim nodded and returned her Katana to her Saya, her eyes never leaving the two Asocan.

Alvoie and Utan> both noted the manner in which she replaced her weapon, shocked at how easily she did it. Utan> recognized a practiced professional. Her opinion of Kim, already high from having witnessed her unarmed martial arts abilities, elevated another notch.

Alvoie placed the >Curlat back in its box.

Kim pulled a silk hair ribbon from her hair. She gave it to Alvoie and told him to weigh it. The ambassador noted that it did not weight much at all.

Kim then asked him to unfold it and let it float down to the table. The Ambassador did as directed, all present watching as the ribbon slowly floated down until it nearly touched the table where Kim snatched it from the air. She had Alvoie pick up the >Curlat and hold it with a blade side up.

Kim floated the ribbon over the blade. Everyone watched as it sank down until it touched the blade. The ribbon folded itself over the blade, then, shockingly, parted in two.

With the exception of Kim and Junelliya, every mouth in the room was open in surprise.

"Such a blade could not keep its edge!" >Utan voiced her thoughts.

Kim drew her Katana again, showing the blade. "I have now been in thirty-nine combats with this blade," Kim advised. "There are no nicks nor is it any less sharp than when I received it.

"The blade is made with traditional steel; however, it is blended with new metallurgy that gives it special properties: it will not rust, it is highly resistant to damage, and it will keep its edge.

"These materials are not supposed to be able to bind to steel, Hajime-San has determined how to do this. These materials also give the blades their distinctive sound. One knows Hajime-San's work from the sound alone," Kim finished.

She showed them her blade and Alvoie ran the very edge of a talon over the cutting edge. It took off the tip of his talon.

"I will sharpen it for you later," >Utan snapped at her boss, disgust obvious in her voice at the stupidity of his action. "At least you had the sense to use your talon and not your finger," she mused, getting a smile from Junelliya at her antics.

Kim opened a link and threw it to another monitor. A minute later, the image of Hajime Tatsuya came up. He bowed to Kim, who returned her own.

"To what do I owe this extreme pleasure, Oshiiru Kimiko?" Tatsuya asked in Japanese, which was dutifully translated by the comps each of the others were wearing.

"Master Smith, the Asocan Ambassador has the weapon you made for my Student Guro< in his possession, meant for Guro<'s father. He wishes to know how to order more of this weapon?" Kim asked.

"Then the recipient is happy with the weapon?" Tatsuya asked.

"The weapon is in the Asocan Embassy on Liramor-23," Kim answered, "the intended recipient has not yet received it."

"Then I can do nothing for you," Tatsuya remarked. "This was a one-of-a-kind weapon, meant for the War Dragon Minister Kloä>. I would need his permission to make a copy of this weapon."

"I understand, Master Hajime," Kim replied. "However, there is much interest in this weapon."

"As I would expect. Guro< tells me that this will become a presentation blade for his Clan, Mutt Korld. As such, I am bound by my word. I cannot make a duplicate without permission. If you gain permission, I will take orders for new blades. They will take four months to make and will cost nearly 32,000 credits each," Tatsuya finished.

"We understand, Master Hajime. We will let you know of what happens," Kim assured him.

"As always, it is a pleasure speaking with you, Kim-Chan," Hajime bowed and closed the link.

"32,000 credits!?" Alvoie exclaimed.

"Four months of hand forged, manual labour, each time handling the blade risking a mistake that would make it unsellable. Include the cost of materials and the time for each weapon made," Kim told them, shrugging.

"A weapon like this is cheap at that price," Utan> exclaimed. "I would beggar myself to own such."

"How long will it take to get this weapon to the Asocan home world?" Kim asked.

"I have no idea," Alvoie admitted. "We are still at the mercy of the Djinaëte to move about.

"However, the Asoc is coming to Liramor-23. The Minister for Interspecies affairs War Dragon Minister Kloä>, will be with her when she arrives. I will give it to him then."

"Guro<, Hajime said that this was to be a presentation blade?" Kim asked.

"Yes, Sensei. It was not made to be a family heirloom," Guro< stated.

"That is how we will approach this with your father then," Kim told him and the others, who all nodded. "You can probably have this blade laser etched by one of the techs on Liramor-23. That will allow you to make this a true presentation blade without overtly damaging the blade itself."

"Then we should make this a presentation blade from Liramor-23, with the crest of Mutt Korld, the Crest of Liramor-23, and the crest of Mutt Herrtt on the blade," Guro< suggested, getting significant interest for his comment from Alvoie who understood immediately who this blade would be presented to.

The Trine, In Transit Liramor-23, The Piscium System to Planet Adenomere, The Adenomere System

Soon, The Trine was on its way out of the VIP Bay and accelerating to speed for its first jump, Ambassador Clend, and Harla Fannett the only two passengers of note. They had just settled in when Sylvie Kinlo advised Junelliya that something of significance had happened at the Landstradt.

The three new people watched the recording of the offer and counter offers for the prisoner exchange.

"Good. As soon as we are able, we will have to take the prisoners on our ship and get them out of Alliance space. I do not want anyone to think they can take pot shots at them in order to break up the budding romance between the Union and the Alliance.

"What about the Ambassador?" Sylvie asked.

"His ship is supposed to arrive on Adenomere before we return. That will give him a means of moving around that can support Salum, while providing her with a vestige of diplomatic immunity. However, when his ship arrives, our diplomatic immunity will be voided. We must leave as soon as we can get the prisoners aboard," Junelliya stated.

Capt. Bellany gave the warning of impending jump as the ship made its first 190 light year jump, coming into an unnamed star system along the long axis of the route. An hour later, they jumped the final 99 light years to Adenomere and requested permission to bring the Harradi Ambassador and the Harla down to the Landstradt. Twenty minutes later, they were on the ground.

The hatch opened and Junelliya, Fayad, and Hanalei came down in the first row, Hanalei and Junelliya holding their respective child. Urano and Kim came immediately behind the trio, while the Harradi Ambassador and the Harla came down after. They were met at the ground by Ambassador Flynet and the Chair.

"Good afternoon, Chair. It is my pleasure to introduce to you Ambassador Hollard Clend of the Harradi, and Harla Salum Fannett," Junelliya said by way of introduction.

"We welcome you to the Alliance, Ambassador. Harla," the Chair replied in turn. "Shall we enter the Landstradt?"

The group followed the Chair into the Landstradt. For the second time in less than a week, the members of the Landstradt craned their necks to get a look at their second Alien species.

The Chair took his place and addressed the Landstradt. "We have here before us, Ambassador Hollard Clend of the Harradi, and a member of his people, Harla Solum Fannett, who is the equivalent of a senior scientist among her people," the Chair told the Landstradt.

"Ambassador, you have said that you people could help the Alliance with its reliance on manual labour practices?" the Chair began.

"Yes. That is not much of an issue. What I am hearing and seeing from electronic samples sent to me on Liramor-23, is that your people are in need of new techniques for the growth of your plants.

"The soil on Adenomere is weak and does not retain much of the elements needed for that which you grow to eat. You need new techniques to help enrich the soil before you can truly gain capacity in your crops.

"I am told that someone on Adenomere attempted to grow Cocoa and Coffee plants with little success other than getting a lot of pulp to use for paper. The weak soil is the reason why. There is no reason that you cannot grow appropriate crops on Adenomere if you correct for this," the Ambassador stated.

That surprised the Landstradt. They knew there were issues with the soil on Adenomere but no one had been able to figure out why. It had always been thought that there was leaching from the soil rather than an issue in the soil itself, which explained why they had not been able to adjust for it.