Hyperspatial Travel
11-01-2007, 15:21
"And, lord Tyrant, I have invited them to meet with us. I assume I did this correctly."
"Of course! We could hardly risk offending such an organization, especially in the state the Starfederation is in now."
The Tyrant Golheas, of course, spoke of the Galactic Empire. A few days hence, they had entered minor diplomatic discourse - nothing especially major, and nothing frightening, such as the rumours they had heard of them. Although perhaps a somewhat.. rigid form of government, they certainly seemed powerful.
Four hundred systems under the wing of the Starfederation, and fewer true capital ships than that to protect them. True, the majority of them were mining or research installations - a hundred-and-ninety six worlds were inhabited by alien lifeforms of some kind, and Starfederation warning buoys had been placed there, as well as around a hundred and fifty mining operations. There were approximately fifty colonies, none of them with more than a hundred million, and the five coreworlds, which served as the Starfederation proper - the rest of it was merely to make sure no-one set up military bases within their sphere of influence, to tell the truth, and to look suitably impressive on a map.
He sighed. It had been quite the set of journeys - 0.8 parsecs at least, 2.2 at most, to each of the five coreworlds, in order to set at ease their fears about his rule. But that was done, now. The legitimacy of the new government could more easily be established by talking with other nations - once other political bodies acknowledged them as legitimate, it made the Articles of Unification seem more like a constitution of a sovereign nation, and less of a few scraps of paper written by an idealist.
He had sworn off alcohol at the time - he hadn't wanted to run the nation, and had become a drunk as a result. But now, it seemed, a few drinks from time to time did not effect him adversely. After all, as Tyrant, he was supreme ruler - he dictated what happened. And it was easy enough to dictate responsibility for colonial management and law enforcement into lesser hands.
But enough of that. He had to meet with a delegate from this.. Empire. He shivered. There had been the occasional message from other nations at first, but this was a true meeting - he had never done such a thing. He was a poor administrator, although charismatic, he had been told.
He sat at his desk, thinking for a moment, and then stood up, opening a drawer in the desk, taking out a laspistol, and putting it into the inside pocket of his shirt. It paid to be cautious.
He opened the door, and walked down towards the landing pad. From what he knew, they would be landing.. any minute now. And he would be there to welcome them, grandiose, and perhaps even impressive, in the opulent clothing of the Tyrant. After all, he could not afford to make a bad impression.
Looking out a window, he saw a pinprick of light in the sky. That would be the delegates. Seeing it descend, he broke into a run. Ruffled clothes were understandable, but rudeness would not be....
"Of course! We could hardly risk offending such an organization, especially in the state the Starfederation is in now."
The Tyrant Golheas, of course, spoke of the Galactic Empire. A few days hence, they had entered minor diplomatic discourse - nothing especially major, and nothing frightening, such as the rumours they had heard of them. Although perhaps a somewhat.. rigid form of government, they certainly seemed powerful.
Four hundred systems under the wing of the Starfederation, and fewer true capital ships than that to protect them. True, the majority of them were mining or research installations - a hundred-and-ninety six worlds were inhabited by alien lifeforms of some kind, and Starfederation warning buoys had been placed there, as well as around a hundred and fifty mining operations. There were approximately fifty colonies, none of them with more than a hundred million, and the five coreworlds, which served as the Starfederation proper - the rest of it was merely to make sure no-one set up military bases within their sphere of influence, to tell the truth, and to look suitably impressive on a map.
He sighed. It had been quite the set of journeys - 0.8 parsecs at least, 2.2 at most, to each of the five coreworlds, in order to set at ease their fears about his rule. But that was done, now. The legitimacy of the new government could more easily be established by talking with other nations - once other political bodies acknowledged them as legitimate, it made the Articles of Unification seem more like a constitution of a sovereign nation, and less of a few scraps of paper written by an idealist.
He had sworn off alcohol at the time - he hadn't wanted to run the nation, and had become a drunk as a result. But now, it seemed, a few drinks from time to time did not effect him adversely. After all, as Tyrant, he was supreme ruler - he dictated what happened. And it was easy enough to dictate responsibility for colonial management and law enforcement into lesser hands.
But enough of that. He had to meet with a delegate from this.. Empire. He shivered. There had been the occasional message from other nations at first, but this was a true meeting - he had never done such a thing. He was a poor administrator, although charismatic, he had been told.
He sat at his desk, thinking for a moment, and then stood up, opening a drawer in the desk, taking out a laspistol, and putting it into the inside pocket of his shirt. It paid to be cautious.
He opened the door, and walked down towards the landing pad. From what he knew, they would be landing.. any minute now. And he would be there to welcome them, grandiose, and perhaps even impressive, in the opulent clothing of the Tyrant. After all, he could not afford to make a bad impression.
Looking out a window, he saw a pinprick of light in the sky. That would be the delegates. Seeing it descend, he broke into a run. Ruffled clothes were understandable, but rudeness would not be....