A man dressed in a simple formal suit was sitting at a wooden desk and reading reports on a translucent piece of glass, simply called a tablet. The paperwork to stop trading with Maquis has been sent to the Premier and is awaiting his signature - Stanislaw would give much to make the system less "efficient" by decentralizing it, but the process has just begun and cannot be accelerated in any way without harming the end result. However, he was more concerned about the upcoming meeting with the eccentric Minister of Plenty.
A manly woman dressed in a formal suit in red colours and a grey cloak entered the cabinet. She has scars on her face and a cigar in her mouth. In a moment, while she entered the cabinet, the secretary tried to notify due comlink that Minister Isabella Lonergan was already there and entering.
She took off her cloak and threw it into the hands of a Black Guard guard who arrived just in time from behind. From his actions, it was clear that this guard was part of the minister's security squad. And since this all was done in complete silence, such situations probably happen often.
After the doors were closed, and this sudden moment ended, Lonergan removed a cigar from her mouth launched a smoke cloud and said:
Any chance that you will propose a seat to the lady?
"Of course, Comrade Lonergan, but put out your cigarette first - no need to clog the atmospheric filters." calmly replied Deputy Gajewski. A soft yet cool smile appeared on his face - he had begun their meeting by setting up the hierarchy, a small demonstration of who was on top after all. Now the question was whether or not the overbearing woman would accept it.
Before continuing talk Lonergan launched a new smoke cloud:
I don't have an ashtray and don't see it here.
She made new smoke cloud:
Such things as smoke nothing for atmospheric filters. Maybe you don't know but we produce only military filters and use them everywhere. Not so technological as those made outside of omegas, but quite resistant and undemanding if someone will ask me. If there was a variant to buy them and use at Leeds. Of course, I mean before it was the bombardment. I would buy them because they produce fewer problems.
Lonergan sat down in an armchair at the table. And she continued to speak with a face that has not changed all this time:
So it's an official meeting? Or do you want to say to me something personal out of record?
"I would say it's both. Some topics are official, others less so." the man replied, looking intently at his companion. So far the only opinion he had created for himself was that he did not like her. Not one bit. "Let's start with the subject of the Maquis. Perhaps you can explain to me what benefits the Coalition has from trading with these anarchists rather than directly with the Great House of Gallia?"
I think it's pretty simple it's an additional source of credits. Great House Gallia right now doesn't control the Roussillon system. Caussade Depot is not reachable for their forces.
Lonergan took a pocket version of the ashtray, opened her and flicked the ashes into it. After again before the continuing to talk, Lonergan launched a new smoke cloud:
So we have stable point to where we can deliver our stuff. Maybe if you saw the list of deliveries you may know that they get only Volgograd Ordinance. Mostly they get different equipment and auxiliary supplies for it. But if you ask me, I can say that almost everything that they get was restored or was in use. They don't get from us weapons to ships, and all that we deliver to them is pretty popular on the black market. And yes equipment in even worse conditions we sell to junkers they too restore it and resell.
"Dealing with the terrorists is making a path to nowhere," was an answer from Stanislaw's mouth. "Sooner or later, but Gauls might find our trace. Should it be our equipment or even a few bottles of drink or packages of food, but it might enough to break the truce we trying to build. You might think we don't need them, but if we want to step on interstellar arena as equal to any other nation, then we need them - need their recognition of the Sirius Coalition as the state. Not as the some communistic terrorists with agenda outdated for a millenia or even more."
"If you disagree with me on this, you may ask the Premier himself why he allowed me to push new agenda and approach different from what our ancestors did for centuries with no success followed." with a shadow of slight smile on his face, continued man. "Should he agree with you, I might just stop right there and resign, as my effort would be considered futile."
Unfortunately, you are right, and this can indeed happen. And to my regret, your intervention ruins certain plans that forced us to act faster and more radical.
Lonergan launched the last smoke cloud, put the cigar in the ashtray, and hide it in her pocket.
Your work and ideas are pretty good, but you appeared at the wrong time. I accept your resign Stanislaw.
And while he was taken aback by her words, she just got up and opened the doors. Already not paying attention to the actions of Stanislav, she said to Guards:
