002 - Delicate Diplomacy

Publish date: 22nd Oct 2019

Perspective: Tom

The Roak leave me no choice.
Lllarkerh ran off after our little chat, and I've been informed that he's not attending the coalition session.
Guess it's time for a second first impression.

[PERIOD 15 - MOMENT 350] Personal message from Human ambassador Tom Alberto to Human fauna and biology

Frank,
Publish Human biology documents at period 16, moment 30.
Physical section only, high priority.
Send a copy to the Oba ambassador in advance.

- Tom

Hopefully I've timed that right.

As I'm making my way towards the session chamber, I'm gretted by the Oba ambassador, and my close friend, Loe.

Loe:Hey, I heard what happened.
Seems like Lark saw fit to drink himself to sleep!

Loe: Finest brewers in the galaxy!

I've been meaning to try their drinks, I've heard good things from some of my generals.

Loe looks at me, with slight confusion.

Loe: Do you have something planned for the session?
I can't help but notice that extra spring in your step.

Observant, as always. Either that, or she can read me like a book by now.

Any moment now...
Ping!

I didn't plan on meeting Loe on the way, but when the opportunity presents itself, you can't say no.

Loe dutifully opens up the documents clearly titled [HUMAN BIOLOGY - PHYSICAL].

Loe:Are you sure?

Loe:I always do, even when I shouldn't.

Loe is clearly intruiged, but as she reads, her eyes widen.
I can't blame her of course, that section details our bone and muscle structure, and she's quite the biologist.
It also conveniently states impact resistance and exertable force.

Loe:I...You...You're capable of this?

She's handling it quite well, all things considered.

Loe: It's...Wow. This changes things.
Lark must've had a front row seat?

Loe:Article 73a?

Loe:Not if I get a front row seat. Give them hell.

She really can read me like a book. This should be fun.

We enter the chamber side by side, Loe wearing a smugness unusual for someone who just got hit hard by raids.
The Roak seem not to notice, they're too busy boasting about their "glorious combat" against civilians.

Absolute filth, the lot of them. I'd be lying to myself if I thought this was for the betterment of other species.
I have vengeance to enact.

Loe:I still think it's strange that you're the only Human who comes to these.

As we take our seats, it looks like Loe got her wish. Front row.
Some of the other Oda ask her questions. She smiles, looks at me, and says something I can't make out.
A Roak general takes the podium in the centre, and raises one hand. The chatter quickly fades.

Roak general: As Lllarkerh is unable to attend, I will be acting as the Roak ambassador for this session.
The Roak have made their demands clear to the Oda, we covet the systems their colonies are in and we will continue to take payment until the issue is resolved.
If the Oda are willing to negotiate, please step forth.

Most of the species present nod, a standard session so far. All eyes are on Loe.
She grins, and this time the Roak notice. One of them elbows another, and mutters something.
Loe tries to force down any enthusiasm in her voice, and for the most part succeeded.

Loe: The Oda call upon the defensive treaty established in 17311 with the Humans.
Due to the attack on our colonies, and unnecessary loss of life, we consider the actions a declaration of war.

The other species present gasp, the Roak grin and look in my direction, and the other Oda are sitting in stunned disbelief.
The Oda closest to her look at me, looking for the source of her new-found confidence.


Showtime.

Most of the Roak break out into laughter. I am, after all, Prey with a 1.4 threat. For now, at least.
I glance at my watch, period 16 moment 29.
Loe appears to be showing the other Oda something, presumably our biology.
A Ping! echoes through the room, as the other ambassadors receive the documents.

Some of the Roak in the back start looking at their portable computers. Notably, their biologist.
However, it looks like she won't have time.

The Roak general, almost frothing at the mouth at such an opportunity, start bellowing with a massive grin on his face.

Roak general: We accept your challenge as per Article 73a, and will gladly take your lands as well as those of the Oda!
May the best predator win!

Article 73a is a simple document, often exploited by the Roak when they're on the receiving end of raids.
No other species had dared use it. No other species would survive.
Put simply, it demands that the aggressor fights the defendant in a one-on-one match in front of an assembly.
Should the aggressor refuse, or lose, the defendant is free to make demands as an ultimatum.
In this case, the session will suffice as an assembly.

Seems like he's eager to start, too, given that he just threw the podium to one side. It lands with a Thunk.
I stand, remove my tie, and head towards the newly formed clearing.

As luck would have it, Loe was chosen to initiate our match.
I suppose the Roak think this is punishment for her insolence, but she's relishing the opportunity.
The Oda are watching intently, whilst the other species are talking amongst themselves.

Loe: Are the combatants ready?

Roak general: Ready!

A quick glance to the Roak biologist confirms my suspicions.
Our eyes meet, and I let out a toothy grin. She starts sweating, unable to look away.

Loe: Begin!

Loe hurries out of way, just in time to avoid the general's first swipe at me.
I quickly jump back, barely escaping having a horrid scar across my face.
They really don't mess around, do they? He presses, swipe after swipe, but I'm faster.
Each one misses more than the last as he falls into a predictable pattern.

His feet start to line up, a clear change in tactic. Finally. He's going for a punch.
I can clearly see where it's going, but I'm here to make a point, and I let it hit my face.
CRUNCH
I take a step back, slightly dazed, but the general fared far worse.

Roak general: AAAAAAAHHH!!

Looks like his hand is broken.
It's dangerous for another Human to go for the face, but for another species, it's a guarantee.
Our bones are three times as dense as theirs.

Having the intended effect, the general blindly charges into me, in an attempt to pin me down.
I meet his charge, shoulder for shoulder. I hear his pop out, and he lets out another scream of pain.
As I look towards the Roak, I can see the disbelief and horror present.
The biologist knows what's coming, and makes for the exit. Not that I can blame her.

I duck under his arms and grab him by the waist, the stench is awful. Do they not bathe?

With a quick heave, I have him firmly on my shoulder. He scrapes at my back with his working arm.
I grit my teeth, he's managed to land a firm strike on my back, and I'm pretty sure I'm bleeding.
I toss him back down, angling to have him land flat on his back. He's knocked out by the impact.

With that out the way, I make my way back to my seat, taking in the shock still present on everyone's faces.
Everyone except Loe, that is.

Loe: The Oda appreciate your assistance in the matter.

I give a quick nod to Loe, put my tie back on, and take my seat once more.
Let's see how far this goes, I'd love to take some of our new toys out for a spin.
Loe, now without a podium, simply stands in the centre of the room.

Loe: Roak, as per Article 73a, you will return all stolen goods to the Oda.
In addition, you will provide the necessary support to restore our colonies to working order.
Finally, systems QF-516-A and QF-516-D are considered part of Oda territory, and shall be ceded.
Failure to accept our demands will be considered a declaration of war.

Loe is playing hard-ball, those systems aren't even close. Almost like she wants a war.
One of the Roak stands, looks like a captain. Guess he's third in command.
He checks something on his portable computer, and fear quickly turns to rage.

Roak captain: Preposterous!
Those systems aren't anywhere near your territory!
How can you expect us to agree to these terms?

Loe: Very well, the Oda declare a defensive war against the Roak.

She definitely wants a war, and it looks like I get to play with my toys after all.

[YEAR 17450 - DAY 71 - PERIOD 16 - MOMENT 407] SYSTEM UPDATE


{OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS UPDATE} [Human]
Discovered: [Y17425-D595-P22-M9]
Type: Prey -> Predator
Threat: 1.4 -> [FAIL]
Speed: 7.0 -> 9.8
Strength: 2.5 -> [ESTIMATE: 14.0]
Endurance: 3.1 -> [FAIL]
Dexterity: 6.8
Balance: 5.7 -> 4.0
Intelligence: ?
Ideal gravity: 2.3x
Environmental tolerance: 6.3 -> 8.7
Food tolerance: ?
CRITICAL: [Threat] cannot be measured, manual verification required
CRITICAL: [Endurance] cannot be measured, manual verification required
WARNING: [Strength] scale exceeded, estimate may not be accurate
INFO: [Intelligence] cannot be measured, insufficient material
INFO: [Food tolerance] cannot be measured, insufficient material


{COALITION SESSION} [YEAR 17450 - DAY 71 - PERIOD 16]
Declaration of alliance: [Oda] [Human]
Effective date: YEAR 17311 - DAY 433
WARNING: [Effective date] predates [Oda] discovery
WARNING: [Effective date] predates [Human] discovery

Acknowledgement of Article 73a: [Human]
Aggressor: [Roak]
Result: [Aggressor incapacitated] [Aggressor refuses demands]

Declaration of defensive war: [Oda]
Aggressor: [Roak]

Declaration of defensive war: [Human]
Aggressor: [Roak]

Tom:Since we're officially allies, I have something else to show you.
I think you'll enjoy it.

Loe:But I've already had so much fun!
What could possibly top that?