"Well Mr. Coen, While I sincerely wish that people could just get along, I cant argue with the numbers of the matter. Since we have stopped trying to break up the fights and disputes of others, such incidents have decreased to zero as far as I know. Perhaps this is the best course for the Zoner community at this time."
Folding his hands behind his head, Silvan looked at Coen
"I'll see what I can do. However, there is one thing I would like to know. Why me?"
"Superiority T position." Thought Coen. "Let's hope I never become like that."
"Well, I am glad you agree with me Administrator Argus." Coen nodded. "The policy is effective."
Coen grinned devishly before continuing. "You're special. We chose you out of millions. I doubt you believe that though, and I do not blame you, for I am pulling your leg so to speak."
"The real reason is quite simple. You are the closest Freeport to us, and we hold the most influence with you, both in terms of leadership and populace. That, and you are in a warzone. Surrounded by people who want to rip each other's throats out, and your policy so far, in practice, has had little negative effect. You were a good test run with visible results to show and publicise." The glass clinked against Coen's ring as he picked it up and drained it.
"And making other Freeports adopt the policy means less headache, not so much for the unaffiliated Zoners who manage to disappear when the going gets tough, but the ones in large groups which have to weather the storm. At least, that was somewhat along the line of my thinking." Coen put down the glass.
"It is good to know at least one of the Omicroners has managed to keep a sense of humor after all that has happened. I see your point. The voice of experience is more convincing than a sheet of statistics, right?
Silvan looked at his console
"Well, I now have a very large meeting to arrange, and I'm sure you have a very full schedule as well Mr. Coen. Shall we adjourn this meeting and get about our business?"
"Omicroners never lost their sense of humour, but they keep it amongst themselves. For the most part, we have gained a profound sense on how to strikingly insult someone sarcastically." Coen replied lazily. "And yes, experience beyond paper, mainly because some of our brethren are too lax to both to read, and I admit I did contemplate a colourful graph with crayons, but some of us are not yet Corsairs and may be offended."
"Indeed I do. Should I question how you know about it? Coen laughed. He knew Argus knew nothing much of his schedule.
"I do not see why not. I came, I proposed, you accepted, we had a laugh. Not much more else to it." Coen nodded to himself a few times
"Sounds about right. I will show myself out, and sorry about the security." His eyes shot a look at where his guard should be standing, outside the closed door.
"Pleasure having a normal conversation with our neighbour in these unusual times." Coen said, walking towards the door.
"Indeed it was a pleasure. Perhaps soon a day will come when you can join me for a drink here in the bar. Hopefully without the need for such security. Have a safe trip back through the jumphole."
Silvan then turned and began to compose his message to the other station administrators
"Well, when I get back I'll drink to that. It will be to peace and safety, on Zoner terms." Coen said quietly, opening the door and striding through it whilst Argus turned back to his papers.
His two guards escorted him silently from the conference room to the hangar bay. They launched effortlessly and Coen's ship was immediately encircled by the two other escort ships which were flying around Freeport 9 during the meeting.
Their trip to Freeport XV was dead silent. No-one on scanners and no comms between any of the pilots. They landed on Freeport XV, and Coen breathed a sigh of relief. "It's over for now."
"Best call that battlegroup off too, before we burn though more resources." Coen thought and laughed, whilst leaving XV's hangar and heading for Raluca's Arcadia. "Doesn't really matter. We have more where that came from."
The four guards left Coen. Two of them went to their rooms on the Freeport, whilst the other two headed to Livadia Shipyard for their respective quarters.
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