Ezo Conference Room, Aomori Station

[Asbestos]

The largest conference room on Aomori, the Ezo Hall, had been tidied up, seatings rearranged, and the banners of the Kusari Republic and the Gas Miners Guild hung along the walls.

The centerpiece of the room, a giant, circular table, had been shaped in the image of the planet of Honshu; major continents and many island chains were vaguely visible amidst the light blue ocean, all being portrayed on the tabletop. To the members of the Guild, it would be a reminder of the humble beginnings of their forefathers, several centuries ago.

Taro Katsuo, one of the Guild Masters of the Guild, stood by the side of the great table. He took one of the glasses that had been placed on it, alongside a flagon of cool water. He slowly poured water into the glass and took a mouthful. It had a twist of lemon, if ever a taste so slight.
Moments ago, Katsuo had the Aomori Control clear the representative from Kusari for final approach and docking with the station. In an instant, he remembered the tedious talks at the previous negotiations with Kusari, from which the Treaty of Aomori had been written. Face grinning, he tried to suppress the feeling of a headache at the back of his head, but to no avail. He would have a full-blown migraine by the end of the first negotiation session, and no one knew how many more there would be until both sides could agree to anything. He took another mouthful of water, wishing he had have some Sake instead. The situation demanded a clear head, even if it was throbbing the entire time.

By the water which had been sour, Katsuo could now only taste bitterness.

---

[Bakamono]

Yamagata suppressed his nervous feelings beneath the familiar mask of stern certainty, “Arigatou Aomori control, vector laid in, approaching bay three.”

His guards had been briefed and the clerk instructed to ensure accurate records. As control guided the Chimaera in Gongoro gawked at the passing traffic. It had been a long time since he, or any officers, had been here.

Sleek-hulled Kujira fresh out of the yards floated moored to the giant construct, transports came and went, traffic docked and launched frequently, the sheer amount of fuel alone was impressive.

Once their craft had landed in bay three, Gongoro bowed to the envoy as his team submitted to the necessary checks typical of a working port, before following an aide to the Ezo conference room. He had not expected the air to taste different, a faint scent of ionised particles rode the artificial current. It was not unpleasant.

Gongoro instructed his modest guard to co-operate with Guild security and stay alert, his men waited outside the Ezo room. Only the clerk accompanied him beyond the threshold.

Yamagata was a little taken aback upon seeing the lengths the guild had gone to. Flags of both parties lined the sleek walls, bathed in their vaguely golden light. He bowed slowly to the Guild-master.

“You honour us guild-master Katsuo-sama, arigatou for your courtesy.”