The Kazarai

Posted on Sat Jan 25th, 2020 @ 8:30pm by Lieutenant Baktosh Redclaw & Captain Christine Applegate & Lieutenant Commander Ian Ryan & Deka Maran

Mission: Mission 3: Negotiations
Location: Kazara Prime - Bunker of the Council of Kazarai Nobles
Timeline: 2389 20 at 0930

Deep in the underground bunker on Kazara Prime, the Council of Kazarai Nobles were briefed on the reports by their survey ships. A risky venture, to be sure, and no Kazarai worth his wealth was prone to risk, but the military deemed it safe enough to try.

At two meters tall, perfectly average for a Kazarai, General Vonar stood on four thick limbs behind a podium. Two diminutive touched a control panel on the podium, advancing the presentation on the giant screen beside him.

"This morning," he began, "our drone survey ships returned from a mission of great import. With strong armor and shields at maximum, three vessels, one after the other, entered close orbit of Serris V and obtained detailed scans of the planet's biome and mineral compositions. Each returned without incident, though they are fairly certain they were detected."

Though happy that no ship was damaged, there were murmurs of concern about the detection.

"We must call this venture off!" decried Duke Corrin. "If someone is already looking at this world then we cannot take the risk!"

"It's too valuable an opportunity to waste," said the Baron Harno. "Have you not been skimming the General's report? The initial scans show so much." His hand, absurdly tiny compared to the grey fleshy bulk of his body, waved his tablet around for emphasis.

Next was Duchess Sitane. "My factories could do much with the unique minerals here. Trade goods that any buyer would want."

"And the lifeforms," added Count Ferson, "once exploited, could make new medicines to protect ourselves and sell around the sector! Maybe the whole quadrant!"

"If I may continue, my lords," the General interrupted, earning him a scowl or two but no challenges. "The ships were not pursued. At most there are some probes from another civilization somewhere in the Serris System. It's just as likely that someone has long-range sensors pointing at multiple worlds, much as we do. There's no evidence anyone claims this world or would defend it. No artificial structures on our near the planet or its moon, or as far as we can tell on another other body in Serris. And you know my strategies, my lords. We would not risk Kazara or her people."

Marquess Ezac looked to his peers. "Our economy stagnates. Our people fear poverty as much as they fear death. I believe the drone fleet of General Vonar can protect us while we take what we need from another world. If someone can offer transport ships, I'll fill them with worker-Kazarai, controller-Kazarai, and worker-drones."

"You may have my ships," said the Viscountess Iva.

Silent to this point was King Dashamma. He listened intently to the words of his fellow nobles, and to his general, a commoner by birth but truly an expert who controlled the drone army and fleet for the past eleven years. He oversaw the colonization of three important systems in recent times, though none of those even risked being claimed. This was the first time were confrontation was possible.

But maybe there were other options than confrontation, even if it was claimed. Maybe the people who watched this world would be willing to buy some goods. Most were suspicious of non-Kazarai, but the economy needed people to trade with and tourists to visit. Nobody visited Kazara Prime; its gravity was too strong for all the hardiest species. But the various colonies offered delights if only people knew to visit.

"Thank you, general," the King finally said. "My friends, this world offers challenges and risk, but also unimaginable wealth. It is a bigger risk to abandon it. Gather together an expedition, but do not launch it without my explicit instruction." He then looked to his daughter, Princess Rulan. "I want you to work with the General and send a drone ship out past Serris. I want you to find out who has been watching this planet. Find a way to speak with them. This world will be ours, but if they're close by, we need to set a border and sign a trade deal. As you are responsible for dealing with outsiders, I give this task to you, my daughter."

The Princess stood from her seat, faced her father, and lowered her head -- all without moving her forelimbs unnecessarily, for she was trained too well to risk a fatal fall. The meeting over, the Nobles slowly recessed and returned to their holdings, to prepare for what might be the biggest boon of the century.