Turn 10.3 - 2179 - The summit at New Ireland
Winner said:
The first thing you do in the morning is track down your liaison once again, this time to get a meeting with the leader of New Ireland. The man smiles when you inform him of your desire.
"Just in time, Mr. O'Rielly. Ms. Choi still has half an hour free in the afternoon. Shall I schedule a meeting in her office?"
The time and place set, you spend some time checking up on domestic matters with Ken and Lena, who assure you that everything continues to run smoothly. Then it's another short trip down the main avenue to the white mansion that serves as the head of government on NI. On closer inspection the building isn't just painted white concrete but actual marble facades, the front door surrounded by veiny pillars of pure rock.
The lobby is fashioned in the old Victorian style – pillars line the walls, holding up twin rows of balconies accessed by a splitting staircase at the end of the room, lit by elaborate chandeliers hanging from the high arched ceiling above. The alcoves created by the supports beneath the balconies have little wall-lights and plush red couches to wait in, and a few of them are occupied. Unlike the empty lobby of the EU embassy, this building feels alive as people are coming and going between offices above and occasionally an elevator dings or someone's phone rings, leading to a muffled but busy ambient noise.
Unlike the ostentatious structure, the people waiting for a meeting look more like freighter captains than diplomats, many still wearing the common jumpsuits, making your own dark suit and tie stand out. However, you're quite punctual, so as you reach the central reception desk, you're immediately waved forwards up the stairs and in through the set of double doors.
You recognize the woman behind the desk as Heather Choi. She's shorter than you expected and there's a few more lines around her eyes and mouth, but otherwise she looks just like her official picture. The man next to her almost looks like a sibling were it not for the quick peck he places on her cheek.
"Yes, honey, I'll get it sorted by tomorrow," he says as he departs the room via a side exit.
You merely quirk an eyebrow at the interaction and wait as the woman turns to you.
"My husband, Arthur. While we've not met, Mr. O'Rielly, I believe introductions aren't necessary," she motions for you to sit down, "What can New Ireland do for you today?"
"I like being direct," you take the chair opposite her, "so I think it would be best for both of us if we went into the meeting with a clear idea of what the other wants. I'm here to find out what New Ireland plans for herself."
"Very well," she folds her hands on the table, "We were established as one of the first outposts, with the foresight to tell that a boom is coming and fuel and water will be in high demand. We have a long history, as much as that can apply to this new world we find ourselves in, of honest and efficient dealings. I intend to continue on this path, even without the original asteroid remaining."
She takes a deep breath, "Without a large asteroid to support us, our growth will be capped, quite soon if my data is correct. Meanwhile, you are situated on one of the larger ones around and, false pride aside, will eclipse us one day. Tell me, O'Rielly, are you a student of history?"
You merely nod, waiting to see where she's going with this.
"I want to be to this sector as Hong Kong is to China, as Luxembourg is to the EU, as L1-Moonrise is to the satellite clouds. You can have the industry, the military, the population. Leave us some of the soft power, and I won't use my current lead on you to make your life hard."
"Threats already?" you quip, less intimidated and more curious as to how she'll respond.
"I'd like it if you didn't take them as such. In fact, I have to thank you for services rendered already."
"You're welcome, I'll have my accountant send you the bills as soon as you explain that."
She smiles, "By rebuking Miss Rousseau, you've denied the EU a natural position of power within their own holdings. That they then came to me and my station is a boon I can never hope to repay."
"How do you see yourself slotting into their bureaucratic webbing?"
She waves you off, "They have dozens of other sectors to make into their model examples. Here, it just means that they'll sponsor the colonists and drive traffic through me, hardly a heavy burden to bear. It's not like I've ever wanted to start up a rival army or trade drugs and people. Their laws aren't entirely unreasonable. Now, I'm not all stick and no carrot. You wanted to know what NI wants, tell me what you want from my summit?"
"I want independence and success. I want to look back on my life a hundred years from now and see that I've built something that has stood the test of time. I don't want to ride on someone else's coattails or see my efforts snatched away by someone else. What can you offer to help with that?"
"Lofty goals," she drums her fingers over the table between you, "If you support my position at the meeting, I can help cement your status as a free colony in the sector, not subject to EU taxation. I can also promise you that we'll be buying your food, air and fuel in bulk quantities and fair prices. I noticed that you've procured your own ship, but it's not a cargo hauler; I can probably get another freighter to include you on their flight path," she ticks off each point with a tap of a finger. "We can do quite a bit for you. Not all at once of course, you understand, I've got to keep some of my chips for later, and I can't guarantee you preferential treatment, there's others I've got to sway as well."
Both of you fall silent, mulling over the discussion for a moment, before the intercom on the table pings, startling you both.
"I'm a busy woman, just as you're a busy man, O'Rielly," she stands up and offers you her hand, "I hope you've found this meeting productive, but time doesn't wait. I'll see you at the summit."
"Likewise, Choi," you shake her hand.
Back at the hotel, Miguel Ruiz is waiting for you in the lobby.
"Ah, Mr. O'Rielly. The representatives from Azure Star and Ironbond LLC have both expressed a desire to meet with you regarding diplomatic and business matters. I told them you were out for the day, but that I'd pass on their request at the earliest convenience. Either of them can meet with you tomorrow."
"I'll take that under consideration, thank you. Could you tell me a bit more about them?" you ask as you head to the restaurant for dinner.
"Certainly. Azure Star is an EU funded private colony about a week or so behind us here at NI. They were established a few years back and currently they represent about two hundred people. Their main export is gold and I believe the LVMH Group is looking to invest in them for a new line of jewelry and assorted luxury fashion goods," he follows half a step after you, "Ironbond is a Norway based corporation known for precision machinery and arms manufacture. They have a small outpost similar to Deckard Station – I understand you're familiar with them, sir – also a week behind us, but much more sunward." He pauses for a moment, "As to what they wish to discuss with you, I'm merely a messenger, not privy to matters of state."
With that, he leaves you and your escort to eat in peace. After dinner you retreat to the private communal room in your wing of the hotel, dismissing your guards and settling on the sofa to go over some reports. A few hours later as you're just about to retire to your room for the night, Erikson joins you in the empty lounge.
"Hey Will, got a minute?"
"Sure," you close the feed on your tablet and turn to the man.
"So, uh… you know how Hailey and I have been sort of together for a while now?"
"I've gotten that impression, yes. I hope you appreciated the loft on the flight over, I gave it up for you two."
He nods absently, "We've decided to make the matter official. Doesn't make much difference to me, but it's important to her."
"Congratulations," you shake his shoulder affectionately, "you two are good for each other. When's the big day?"
"Well, remember when we were coming in on the lift cab and there was a church? We're only here for a few days, and it's not like we'd have some massive ceremony regardless, so it's tomorrow. Hailey didn't want to bother you, telling me you're busy and stressed enough, but I know it'd mean the world to her if you could make the time."
He stands up and turns to head to his room, "Just think it over, choice is yours and no hard feelings if you've something more urgent on the table."
Choose what you do for the third day of your stay in New Ireland, the summit is happening on day four.
[ ] You know the Children of Dreamers are present, talk to them.
Find out what your closest neighbors are hoping to achieve here and perhaps sway them over to your side.
[ ] Try to catch the newcomers and find out who they are on your own.
Maybe you can find out who arrived after you, set up a meeting and introduce yourself on your own terms.
[ ] Tour the industrial side of the station with Miguel Ruiz, the guide.
This place is famous for her refineries and the whole station could be seen as an elaborate dock. The engineer in you is itching to get a closer look at their facilities and the businessman wants to know what they lack and what they need.
[ ] Leave your evening blank, just let them come to you.
Just as you're itching to meet with your rivals, so too must they be interested in meeting with you, and they can't do that if you're permanently busy yourself. See who comes and what they offer.
[ ] Meet with the representative from Azure Star.
Another colony, probably most similar to yours of the ones in your sphere of interest, has expressed interest in seeing you. Find out what it is that they want before the summit happens, and more importantly, how you can profit off of that.
[ ] Set up a meeting with Ironbond.
A corporate colony similar to Prismdust, except they specialize in precision machinery manufacturing and small arms, two things that could definitely be of use to you. If they want to see you, then they want something from you, which means you can get something from them in return.
[ ] Ragnar and Hailey are getting married by an official priest, attend.
Foreign concerns are just that – foreign. Of course you'll attend the wedding ceremony of some of your closest friends, the world won't burn down around you if you take a day off.
[ ] Write-in.
Actually, you've got something else in mind.
