The smooth rumble of the limousine racing over crusty concrete and the occasional blast from each passing vehicle on the highway echoed in Jimmy Carson's mind as he reviewed all that had occurred over the past week, how quickly the situation had blown out of proportion from the media, accusing just about every other god damn race for the destruction of shipping yards in Carlé. Carlé was the country belonging to humanity, it was hit by multiple explosions about four days ago causing minor casualties and injuries. This act of aggression if committed by another country could spark all out war if the situation was not quelled peacefully early on. Carson had no evidence passed along to him from Carle's military concerning who may have carried out these spiteful bombings.
"Has your military uncovered anything Jim?" Carson was brought back to the real world by the voice of Kep, ambassador to the Kig-Yar nation. Humans and the Kig-Yar always did prosper from a mutual relationship stemming down centuries back for their shared use of mercantile and travelling vast oceans to expand and grow their civilisations. The friendship of the two races became vital in remaining as free states, being the smallest and weakest of the species in the world put them at a distinct disadvantage in any combat situations with the other races, with exception to the Unggoy however the Unggoy have natural protection from invasion as they are habituated in the south polar region of the planet which has its own methane eco-system upheld by old Forerunner technologies. Investigation or sabotage of the barrier supporting the drastic change in atmosphere is prohibited from the flying Forerunner mechanical protectors, dubbed Sentinels by most people.
Carson looked up at Kep whose grey skin almost matched the colour of his black suit with exception to his bright blue plumage, his skin was slightly aged as was Carson's, he never did ask Kep his age but he remembered being surprised to find out how old he was when he was invited to Kep's 43rd birthday celebration about nine years ago. Despite all their talks as friends he had never got his age out of him directly Carson believed he didn't like talking about it, both of their respective political parties had both been in power now for about a decade. Many thought that the lasting relationship of the two countries was upheld if not strengthened by the two of them; the relationship strengthened both countries making both parties very popular back in their respective homes. The two of them had become very close within that time.
"Not a single thing, there were no reports of anyone out of the ordinary entering or exiting the area."
"The only connection in these attacks is that they have only been carried out in our countries." Carson didn't like to admit it but Kep was one hundred percent accurate, he even hoped that the Sangheili or Jiralhanae nations would be bombed so he could rule out either of them of being the culprits.
Many people were sceptic of how much control the Human Kig-Yar alliance had become; many dubbed them the world's super power able to have great influence over the other nations of the world with a stronger economy and military than the other nations however with one major yet unconvincing suspect, the nation of Spire. This nation of Spire was founded only 74 years ago, named for its location, an old Forerunner superstructure that dominated the sky above. It was an independent republic state made up of all the races; Human, Kig-Yar, Sangheili, Jiralhanae and Unggoy. Its Unggoy population was very large due to the Unggoy visiting the Spire as part of their pilgrimage; the Unggoy followed the original teachings of the Forerunners almost like a religion after the Dilap Dynasty about seven centuries ago, the Dilap family run the whole of the southern pole as a monarchy encouraging heavy breeding and war with the north. The high reproduction rate of the Unggoy led them to almost rule the world but one last reunited resistance of all the races pushed them back into the southern polar region, to this day all Unggoy believe strongly in Forerunner teachings of peace, some believe it is because of guilt some believe it was to avoid destruction from the other races. Spire also had a very large Sangheili population, the Sangheili strongly boast themselves as strong warriors, and those in their community who are not are resented as weak. Those who lacked the ability to fight and excelled in art, science, mechanics fled the Sangheili nation to live a better life in Spire, this greatly weakened Jijoori the Sangheili nation for without those to uphold all other aspects of the strong country such as economy and technology the country slowly declined in power.
Carson hesitantly threw out pessimistic possibilities "Is it possible that Jijoori, Veruas, Dilap or even Spire would attack us to try and weaken us for possible invasion or gain a stronger influence globally?" his facial features all started moving out of their resting place as his anxiety washed over him, publically he was a stone politician but he felt relaxed around Kep and their bodyguards feeling the need to not hide his emotions or thoughts.
"I guess we'll find out when we get to the summit. Your argument prepared?" This summit had been called by the Human Kig-Yar coalition in response to the attacks on their countries, each meeting of nations would be held in a different country each time in a rotation, this time being Spire. Security was at double the usual standard at Spire this year for the summit talks as Spire was celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Carson could feel the tension of the possible dangers from the bodyguards sitting with Kep and himself in the limousine it mattered not whether they had jaws, beaks or mandibles they all lived to protect Kep and himself with their lives if not because they had grown somewhat close because the pay check was tripled if all went smoothly.
"I'm going to have to lay into Veruas, they are not co-operating with our demands to search their country, and everyone else is letting us except for them."
"You're going to try and negotiate with that ape Bratus?" Kep peered over at Treatus "No offense." The Jiralhanae simply stared forward through blacked out sunglasses as if the radio in his ear blocked out all that Kep had said.
"Do I have a choice? As Prime Minister of Carlé it's my duty to do what I can for its residents." The mood in the limousine turned sour for the remainder of the journey for the two of them knew what was at stake, it was impossible to ignore the strong feeling rising in his gut anymore. That was until they reached Spire's global embassy palace, all the architecture in Spire reflected that of Forerunner design, looking out the window Carson witnessed the sleek buildings most of them having walls that angled in some fashion, the area was somewhat brighter than usual, the lanterns luminescence giving the streets a colourful life. People of all races were out celebrating with each other the toneless clashing of glasses, drunken rants, speechless flirtations, all Carson could see was a soundless scene, the absence of audio created from being stuck in the vehicle.
The limousine pulled up to the entrance of the embassy which was swamped with the press and paparazzi, Kep and Carson both removed themselves with obscured reluctance with painted smiles and waving frantically at the press. As they were marched through the narrow alley through the press created by their bodyguards Carson's ears were pounded with questions too many for him to pick any out, he just smiled, nodded and kept waving as he was pushed up the stairs from what he assumed were his bodyguards, blinded from all the flash photography.
Inside the negotiation chambers the decor matched that angular metallic Forerunner design, around the table sat the representatives of; Spire, Veruas, Jijoori, Dilap, himself and Kep. Both Carlé and Sou'ot were internationally recognised as individual states and saw themselves as separate states however for the past decade their joint actions led other nations to be wary of their close relationship especially when addressing either one of the nations at these summits.
Each representative was now seated and talks got underway, many of the topics to be discussed had gone well. The Sangheili of Jijoori were concerned with the amount of intellectuals leaving their country, they were proposing a quarantine or stopping them from leaving by force, this worried Dilap for it breached the ancient Forerunner Sentient Being Rights Act that all countries had agreed to sign and be part of 70 years ago, to appease Jijoori; Dilap, Carlé and Sou'ot agreed to send them aid in the form of workers and teachers from each of their respective countries to help boost their economy and technological advances, this would be new for young residents of Jijoori as fighting arts had always been put ahead of academic skills but now both would be taught at the same level.
One problem remained: Veruas. All other states had a bone to pick with them for not only did they seem reluctant to co-operate with other nations on most topics but they were abusing non-Jiralhanae residents as well as acting cagey every time terrorist attacks were brought up in conversation. It was not unusual for species not native to a Country to reside there for each Country did not stop immigration, many emigrated to Sou'ot for its temperate and reliable climate, people emigrated to Jijoori for business opportunity or for the adventure and thrill seeking experience of their martial beliefs and old architecture style, people lived in Carlé for the human race was the most open minded due to their inquisitive nature and the most recent government pushed political correctness and forward thinking making the people of Carlé famous for their hospitality and making cross-species relationships all the rage, people often visited Dilap for spiritual cleansing however most of those in Veruas only lived there trapped there from the fallout of the Pack Wars which followed the Dilap Dynasty, the Jiralhanae saw an opportunity to make their packs the strongest, their society became fragmented many using foreign slaves to try and outcompete one another. The following generations of these slaves even after the abolition of slavery and apartheid were still treated with somewhat racist views by the Jiralhanae any that did flee fled to Spire the nearest Country which boasted the strongest multi-cultural population in the world which somehow worked for Spire even from its creation all species living there melded together harmoniously without qualm.
Bratus had spent most of the evening slyly dodging anything that had been thrown his way that was until Carson somewhat overstepped the boundary "These attacks on our cities must not be allowed to continue! They could spread to any other country it is within your best interest so please tell us why you persist on not letting us into your Country, that is unless you have something to hide." The entire assembly burst into an uproar the moment after the sentence escaped Carson's lips. There was a flurry of papers that diplomats were holding, people's words attempting to calm the situation together made an even worse mess of chorus. Bratus stood from his seat "Just because I do not want my Country to be sodomised by brash falsely accused investigations, that's more than I can say for your relationship with Sou'ot." Once again the chamber erupted into squabbling from all aides parties and the leading representatives from each Country themselves, Carson had always noticed how much things harder had become with Bratus, he was elected based on his old line ideology that being dominance earns respect, it reflected from his attire. He was the only politician to wear old military clothing back from when he was a General, his aged white platted beard overlapped old rusted medals, his facial features always looking angry at least for a Jiralhanae, his negotiation was sincere to the point and sometimes quite insulting, it made him quite famous around the world politically, whether it was out of respect or facing the firing squads of comedians who ripped apart his persona and famous quotes, no doubt his last remark would be front page along with a nice cartoon of Carson engaging in sexual acts with Kep in the papers the next morning.
In the war cries of negotiations in the chamber he met eyes with Kep who he shaked his head at admitting that this debate was going to get them nowhere with Bratus. The summit was soon adjourned after the deafening banter had ceased, Carson was forced to shake hands with one of Bratus' deputies as Bratus clearly stood in the background with his back to Carson.
Carson was back in the limousine with Kep except the mood this time was somewhat more relieved from the hype of the summit that was until Kep uttered "I think we should send covert military reconnaissance in to uncover just what the fuck is going on." This abrupt side of Kep reflected the Kig-Yars slightly more aggressive nature to that of the Humans.
"And I was just about to say how at least he agreed to do something about the treatment of non-Jiralhanae in his country. Damn it Kep I'm not sure about this, this could throw all that we've worked to create over these long fucking years."
"We have the best mixed race task force secretly kept from the world; they will be in and out before anyone can say Z.E.T.T.I.C."
"But Z.E.T.T.I.C are illegal we're not supposed to be coherent when using our military, I don't even know why I agreed to its formation. Dilap will go crazy." It was Dilap that proposed The Independent Military Doctrine 30 or so years ago so that even if countries were in collaboration it would stop one group having too much power. Instead of replying Kep just passed Carson a mobile phone. Leaning forward and clasping his hands together "It's for the best Jim and you know it" The two of them spent all night organizing the top secret infiltration of Veruas with the collaboration of the top Generals of both of their nations, the mission would go ahead tomorrow night, the sooner it started the more off guard Veruas would be.