The Southwark Summit

[The Kingdom of Bretonia]

The procession was seated in a horseshoe around a long conference table, which had been set with items from the Grand Service - a dinner set loaned from the Royal Household. It consisted of ornately wrought silver-gilt plates and cutlery, many commissioned more than three hundred years ago by one of Queen Carina's distant forebears. As the last of the delegates entered the room, discrete men in suits closed the doors behind them, signalling with nods and murmered confirmations that all VIPs were now in place.

One of these officers - possibly the security detail lead - drew a small device from his jacket pocket and pressed a button. For a moment there was a near imperceptible whine that rapidly down-pitched into a low drone, before disappearing completely. Those present who had participated in national security briefings before would likely recognise this as an electronic dampening field, intended to prevent unintended ears from listening in.

Sir Ambrister Jones took his place at the head of the table, with Kusari Prime Minister Miyasu on his right and Crayter Foreign Minister Ward on his left. The rest of the group were dispersed across the seating plan according to rank and seniority. "Please, do be seated," Sir Ambrister smiled. Serving staff moved forward to withdraw chairs for the guests. A susurration of small-talk and introductions filled the room as the politicians sat and greeted their dining partners.

It did not take long for the first of four courses to be served, with regal waiters and waitresses sweeping into the room with the entrée. The dish was poached Grafham langoustines, set on a nest of cucumber alongside a basil mousse and chilled tomato consommé. Benedict Thomson sighed in appreciation as he speared one of the crustaceans on a fork.

"These wonderful creatures are farmed on Cambridge, did you know? The Grafham Reservoir is renowned for them. Preserving the genestock and adapting it to Sirius truly is a Bretonian contribution to Sirian cuisine." He paused with a wry smile. "I'm led to believe on Earth, these were once known as Dublin Bay prawns." He shot Prime Minister Miyasu a knowing wink, as if they were two old friends in on the same joke.

Sir Ambrister rolled his eyes.

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