Xeno Alliance Leadership and Hellfire Legion Leadership "talks". (AO)

[Tanker]

Jonathon looks up as Anette comes stomping up..He raises an eyebrow in question. "Relics!, These are the best we got!" she grumbles. As Jonathon puts away the duct-tape and snubs out his cigar , "No worries Anette. They may be old stuff, but,.. The foreignors are sure as hell frightened of them." He chuckles.

"Well, I guess you found where the meeting room is?" Jonathon asks. Anette nods. "Well, then. Let's not keep them waiting"

They head on down the corridor towards the meeting room. Jonathon greets the few people he knows with a nod of his head. At last they come to the guard at the last room.

As Jonathon looks at the guard he notices him smirk when he glances at Anette. Jonathon looks up at him and says quite seriously, "Son, the last person who made fun of Anette here, never had a chance to do it twice"

While the guard was speechless, Jonathon took Annette's arm and walked into the meeting room.

He sees a man sitting at the conference table. slightly startled at the somewhat abrupt entrance.

Jonathon holds out his hand, "Fleet Admiral Wainright, I presume. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jonathon Jones. Commander of the Xeno Alliance."

[wainwright]

At the sound of the door being opened, Richard looked up and instinctively reached for his sidearm. His hand closing on an empty holster, he swore silently. Zoner regs about sidearms were all well and good, but if they couldn't bloody well control who entered a room and when, it didn't bode well if there were assassins aboard the station.

Entering the room were two people. Richard relaxed, for he would have recognised them for what they were immediatley, even without the detailed files provided by the Legion. They were meekly followed by the guard, who shrugged in apology at his failure to announce their arrival. The man, shadowed by the blue haired woman, held out his hand.

"Fleet Admiral Wainright, I presume. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jonathon Jones. Commander of the Xeno Alliance."

Still slightly thrown by the abrupt nature of their entrance, it took a few seconds for him to react. Richard stood, and took Jonathon's hand firmly in his own.

"Mr Jones. This is a very great pleasure. Your reputation proceeds you, sir." He then turned to the blue haired woman. "And Miss Patrick. He bowed ever so slightly. Please, take a seat. Would you care for a drink before we start?

As he seated himself, he quickly studied the movements of the two Xenos. Jones was stalwart, considered, though certainly forthright, considering his entrance. A man who rarely acted before he thought, it seemed. Miss Patrick, or Coral as she preferred to be called, was obviously reactive. As her eyes flicked around the room, Richard saw a feral nature to the woman. A good match to the leader of the Xenos, who now took his place at the table.

This was going to be interesting indeed.

---

All the old knives, that have rusted in my back, I shall drive deep into yours.

Betrayed

[Penpen]

So that's how Fleet Admirals look like...
Coral actually expected an old fart with a long grey beard, smoking a cigar or a pipe aswell. Wearing a funny hat and one of those funny vintage uniforms they wear in movies.
But that.. The fact that she usually wasn't wrong made her look down while blushing a little.

"Coffee.. Black" she answered a little too harsh while taking a seat. The sound of her voice surprised her, but noone seemed to expect anything different. "ehrm.. if you don't mind... that is" she then added.

It was a huge room. There was a bar, a pool table, a huge humidor, plants everywhere. The leather seats were really comfortable and felt like those she had at home. Home.. it was so long ago.

Coral catched herself dreaming. 'you're not here for daydreaming girl! It might still be a trap!'
Her eyes scrutinized every single detail of the room. The fact that she lost her gun made her look twice. Yes, even thrice. Every detail.. there must be something. This was too easy if not.

'I want my god damn gun back' she thought while watching the Legions Fleet Admiral, talking with the Boss. 'I don't want to kill someone with an ashtray if i have to.' Coral sighed, while playing with her hair.

---

[Tanker]

As Jonathon shook hands with the Admiral, he noticed a few things. One, his handshake was firm and steady, and while startled slightly at their rather abrupt entrance, didn't rattle easily. His estimation of the man went up another notch.

Jonathon took his seat and said with a grin, "Of course Admiral, a drink would be just fine. Maybe you would like to try some of mine." Jonathon pours two glasses half full of a very clear liquid from a rather nondescript glass jug. "We call it "Mother's Finest". "

He takes a good drink first while handing over the other glass to the Admiral, "I do hope you like it. It is one of the things the pilots look forward to after a difficult mission."

As Jonathon relaxes alittle, He notices Anette's heightened agitation. He then pours her a glass as well.
She downs it in two gulps.

"Thanks Boss, I needed that" she replies..

[wainwright]

He took the profferred glass apprehensively, and sniffed the liquid it held. The fumes made his eyes water slightly, though it didn't smell too bad. He mimicked the Xeno leaders way of drinking, knocking back the contents of the glass in one.

The liquid slipped down effortlessly, leaving a slight burning tingle on the tongue and throat. It was a most pleasant drink, reminding him of some of the finest Bretonian whiskies. It was only when Richard breathed in that the trouble began. The tingle turned to fire, and he felt his airways constrict. The burning in his throat exploded in his stomach, and at the same time it felt like someone was pouring molten lead into his lungs. Gasping for breath, he pounded the table in front of him.

"Good god!" he wheezed. "This stuff is worse than Molly poitin!"

The woman, Coral, passed him a glass of water, which he raised to his lips. Just before drinking it, a thought occurred to him and he turned to Jones.

"Drinking this'll make it worse, won't it?" he asked, raising the glass. He took a quick glance at Coral, and spotted the edges of her lips curling up as she tried to withold a smile. Jones beamed openly. "Thankyou for your concern, Miss Patrick."

A bout of coughing interrupted him. Once it had passed, he felt like he could breathe properly once more. It was time to begin.

"We all know why we are here. We have similar ideals, I believe, but we are both hindered by the forces that oppose us. Alone, we struggle to achieve our goals. It is the belief of the Hellfire Legion that together we can overcome these difficulties and prosper. It seems likely you feel the same."

He paused, and studied the Xenos intently.

"It is for this reason we propose an alliance between our groups. In this, I speak with the full authority of the Hellfire Legion."

He leaned back to allow the Xenos to speak, and to better guage their reactions.

---

All the old knives, that have rusted in my back, I shall drive deep into yours.

Betrayed

[Tanker]

Amused at the Admiral's reaction to the drink, Jonathon , slightly taken aback at the Admirals frank question. Instead of answering quickly, he thinks on how he should respond. It is true the Xeno Alliance needs much more funding...so many hungry workers.. , the lack of spare parts.. Jonathon comes to a decision.

"Admiral, This does come as a bit of surprise. It is true. We are somewhat lacking where it comes to spare parts, base supplies, as well as the funding and food for the soup kitchens on Texas and Pittsburgh."

Jonathon takes a breath, more for the pause than anything else...

"However, As much as we need those things... What is it that you want Admiral?"

"What would we, the Xeno Alliance be able to bring to the table, so to speak?"

"I do have a question as well. A rather important one actually. You know where our loyalty lies," Jonathon pauses for a moment, unsure how this last part will be taken. "Admiral, I don't mean to insult ya, but where do you'alls loyalty lie?"

Jonathon takes a drink, refills his glass, takes another, and waits to hear what the Admiral will say...

[Penpen]

"Don't get the Boss wrong here, Admiral. Xenos are being hunted since the funding of their movement, around 600A.S. Your message surely came out of nowhere and really.. unexpected. Unexpected, since we never met each other in space."

She sipped at her coffee while playing with her hair.

"As so to speak... We won't run blindly into something that could lead to our all deaths. So, we'd like to know what you want from us. What you can give us is irrelevant at the moment."
She sipped at her coffee again, trying to read the Admirals reaction.

"So... What do you want from us? Admiral... And the most important.. what makes you.. trustworthy."

---

[wainwright]

Richard nodded, acknowledging the concerns voiced by the two Xenos.

"You voice understandable questions. I would have been disappointed had you failed to ask me them. On the subject of trust, Miss Patrick, I have found that it is only one's actions that can deliver any form of trustworthiness. For that reason alone, my trustworthiness in your eyes should be low. You would be foolish to have come here with any other preconceptions. However, I would hope that my presence here at all would go some way to alleviating some of your concerns. The rest, I think, can only come with time."

Pausing to take a sip of water, he then turned his attention to the leader of the Xenos.

"The loyalties of the Hellfire Legion lie firmy with Liberty. We are all Libertonians at heart. We fight to return to Liberty a military it can truly be proud of. One that is answerable to the citizens of Liberty, and only to them. One that fights only for them. One that will never again allow the few to abuse, murder, embezzle, kidnap, coerce or lie to any true citizen of Liberty.

As to what the Xeno Alliance brings to the table, Mr Jones, well, that can be addressed somewhat more immediately. You bring political perspicacity with you, and most importantly, the ear of the common people. We are a military machine, and the wranglings and numerous pitfalls of public relations are, to be frank, distinctly distasteful to us. We are not good at it. Our attacks on the military forces and installations of Liberty are too easily painted as criminal operations, or the mindless terrorism of traitors.

We have no means of letting the people we fight for, the citizens of Liberty, know that we are fighting for them. That we are determined to remove the corruption which is endemic within the Liberty military, and that we are as much victims of this corruption as any man, woman or child within Liberty. That we are no danger to the everyday citizen of Liberty. That we actively seek to safeguard them against all threats, both internal and external. You, sir, would be our voice."

---

All the old knives, that have rusted in my back, I shall drive deep into yours.

Betrayed

[Tanker]

Jonathon sits back and thinks over what the Admiral has just said..

"Admiral, you seem to have done your homework on us" comments Jonathon. " As have we"

Jonathon takes a few moments to collect his thoughts, and says, "It is true we have the ear of the "common" people. It is us that sponsors the soup kitchens on Pittsburgh and Texas. Though not everyone is aware of that fact. And yes, Our aim is for a stronger Liberty. One which does not bring in foreignors that displace the honest Liberty workers. OR the corporations who sell the wealth of Liberty to ANYONE with credits in their pocket!

"It is true, we have no love for the local law enforcement" Jonathon chuckles, "And, we have no problem removing the corrupt officers of the Navy, or any within the ranks that take advantage of their position for personal gain. ...."

Jonathon takes a drink and continues, "While you may not entirely agree with this, We have been known to assist the Navy on those rare occasions when the Rheinlanders has launched one of their attacks.. We very much care for Liberty, As I can see you do as well. This may be something that we will need to discuss a bit more indepth at a later time"

"Admiral, I am sure you would appreciate my being frank with you, as much as I would appreciate that from you..my next question is not to question your sincerity..or your integrity. We do not question your love for Liberty,....." Jonathon takes a breath, " We have heard that you do have connections with the Junkers, Hackers, and the last I am not sure of..the Rogues..Admiral, if this is true.. we will need to discuss this.."

Jonathon sits back and hopes the sincerity in his questions are not taken the wrong way..The Xeno Alliance has always been on the most hated list. Even though, all they wanted was the best for Liberty.....

[wainwright]

He took some time before answering, considering his response carefully. The wrong words now could jeopardise all chance of an agreement being reached, and that was something the Legion could not afford.

"It is true, we have long had links with all of the groups you mention, and I fully understand your concerns. When we originally broke from the Liberty Navy, we needed sanctuary, and it was the Hackers that offered us this. We owe them much, but as we have regained our strength, we have run into problems with their .............. methods. They, like us, started out as idealists. They have forgotten their past though, or at least chosen to leave it behind, seemingly embracing criminality in all its forms. Our alliance with the Hackers is over. We bare them no malice, but we cannot stand with them and still claim to be what we are."

Richard paused, looking directly at both Coral and Jones before continuing.

"The Rogues and Outcasts we have distanced ourselves from for some time now. We must maintain a pretence of friendliness - or neutrality at least - towards them for the time being, while we finalise our plans to separate ourselves fully from the Hackers, and enforce their vacation of our home system, Vespucci. Once this is done, we will finally be in a position to sever our ties with these groups."

He fixed eyes with Jones. He knew what he was about to say was what Jones really wanted to hear.

"The Outcasts we will tolerate so long as they offer no threat towards us, yourselves, or any honest citizen of Liberty. Smugglers of their dreaded cardamine will be dealt with with extreme prejudice. The Rogues, I expect, will spare no time in declaring us their enemy, and will act accordingly, as will we. I also expect that before long, the Outcasts will respond in kind.

As to the Junkers, that was always a union of convenience. We make use of their bases, as we have none of our own within core Liberty space. With access to Xeno facilities we will no longer require the Junkers, and will be in a position to fight the malignant cesspit of criminality they represent. We will, I am sure, have no troubles in assisting you to erradicate all trace of them from every corner of Sirius.

The Hackers, though, we will tolerate. While they continue to lose sight of the ideals that formed them, we still hope their actions can one day be redirected. We will not fire upon them, save if they target us directly. As I said, we are aware of the debt we owe them. How they will adapt to our separation remains to be seen."

Sitting back, Richard hoped that he'd worded things correctly. What G.R.A.C.E. would do if he screwed this up didn't bare thinking about.

---

All the old knives, that have rusted in my back, I shall drive deep into yours.

Betrayed