Chapter 6
"This is not the first time that you have stood before this body in the last several months, Ambassador Rakzel. It reflects poorly on your nation that you have been called to explain incidents involving citizens of the Batarian Hegemony so frequently," councilor Tevos said as the delegates from many Council Races settled into their positions. Most of them were spectators, but the involved parties were easy to spot by the number of delegates that had assembled and the fact that they were forced to remain standing throughout the proceedings. The Citadel occasionally held meetings like this one to act as mediators in a diplomatic incident, influencing any settlements that might be reached. This time, it was the Federated Volus Clans, the Human Systems Alliance, and the Batarian Hegemony that were represented in the august chambers of the Citadel today. The usual number of spectators and news stations had gathered on the surrounding balconies to watch what promised to be an entertaining development in contemporary galactic events.
It was curious that the Volus had chosen to appear themselves, rather than allowing the Turian Hierarchy to represent them. Usually it was advantageous for the diminutive species to allow their more powerful overlords to negotiate in their stead.
The Batarian representative was a truly imposing figure, a real specimen of his race. With a broad, powerful build and a haughty presence of nobility he was truly what every Batarian male aspired to be. His height afforded him the undivided attention of the entire room as he drew himself up to address the presiding members of the Citadel Council. "As I have said before, the people you are referring to are considered outlaws, and are not individuals that are represented by the Batarian Hegemony. Their deplorable actions do not represent the views or the actions of the Hegemony any more than the rogue terrorist agency Cerberus represents the views of the Human Systems Alliance. However, we have deigned to attend these proceedings as a courtesy to our friends in the Alliance and throughout Council space."
Ambassador Udina at once began to refute the comparison, without following the strict rules of etiquette which were usually observed in this chamber. "Whereas Cerberus has never been proven to actually exist, and has not perpetuated multiple attacks on sovereign entities within Citadel Space, the Batarian Hegemony's personal brigands and disavowed henchmen have in fact been caught in the act of piracy and slavery multiple times. Large sums of money have been found leading investigators back to Hegemony space and members of Batarian nobility have already been arrested several times by Council peacekeeping forces. Clearly, there is a difference between rumor and well-substantiated fact, Ambassador Rakzel. The Human Systems Alliance demands reparations for the honorless attack which killed nearly twenty thousand Alliance citizens on Elysium and which resulted in another three thousand enslaved. We also wish to put previous incidents which have been dismissed out of hand by this chamber up for retrial."
"Your accusation that the Batarian Hegemony associated with the worthless scum that were responsible for the attack against Elysium is a grave and undeserved insult to the Batarian Hegemony," the batarian replied calmly, but his voice was filled with steel. "If there had been evidence that one of my colleagues was in collaboration with the individuals we turned over to the Council following extensive manhunts throughout Hegemony space, they, too, would have been extradited for sentencing along with the rest of the pathetic villains that were executed to appease the Alliance's sense of justice. I resent the implication that the Hegemony is in some way responsible for the actions of criminals when we have repeatedly acted in good faith with regards to the treaties that we signed with the other Council Races."
The Council members had heard all of these arguments before in the weeks following the Blitz, and they were not going to suffer another useless entanglement here, when there was a settlement that had to be reached. They had already assured their own people that there would not be a war between the Hegemony and the Alliance, despite the outrage which defined Alliance sentiment. Councilor Tevos sought to bring things back on track. "Please remember that we are here to discuss the current issue, which is the settlement agreement between the assembled delegates, and not to bicker over past disagreements."
"Of course," Ambassador Udina practically sneered, although the man would never dare to forsake proprietary to the extent of actual developing a facial expression. "I forgot that justice was not the aim of today's proceedings. Rather, let us agree on the measure of petty concessions that can be given out to the poor Human Systems Alliance so that they might forget what has been done to their people. I will have you know that the Alliance is entirely prepared to take what satisfaction we can find if it may not be found at this tribunal."
At last, the volus representative, a senior banking mogul with a lot of skin in the game, so to speak, cleared his throat. Batarian piracy was one his largest expenses. "I, too, find the matter of Batarian aggression to be an issue of supreme importance, honored Councilmen. Repeatedly, they have slain my brothers in their commendable businesses, and taken from their bodies what profit might be found through base savagery. If the Batarian hegemony will not take responsibility for these slights, then the Federated Volus Clans will have no choice but to seek a means by which we can protect our profits."
Although the promise made by the diminutive, bulbous, rather unassuming fellow seemed innocuous, there was an underlying bite to his filtered voice that indicated the Volus would consider a martial solution, rather than a diplomatic one, if no settlement could be reached.
"Now, we are here to reach an agreement which will satisfy all involved parties in this matter," Councilor Sparatus said smoothly, giving the Volus a sharp look and ignoring the murmur of disbelief that ran through the spectators. As a protectorate of the Turian Hierarchy, Federated Volus Clans were not permitted to have military assets beyond a number prescribed to the them in a series of treaties which were collectively referred to as the Palaven Accords. Suffice to say, their military fleets were small and lightly outfitted. "The Council has reviewed the evidence submitted by all nations and proposes an agreement. The Hegemony will agree to allow Citadel fleets to operate near its borders in anti-piracy operations and provide military assistance to those fleets if necessary. The Hegemony will pay a small annual tribute to the Volus and the Systems Alliance to help repair the damage dealt by Batarian pirates. In the spirit of compromise, the Alliance will agree not to settle colonies in the Traverse, and the Volus shall alter their trade routes away from high-risk sectors."
All three of the delegates from the minor nations appeared eminently unsatisfied, but it was Ambassador Rakzel that spoke first. "While the Hegemony would be delighted to work in cooperation with Citadel forces to root out pirate havens within our borders, we refuse to accept any agreement which requires the Hegemony to acknowledge outlaws as our citizens. Such a thing would violate the laws of the Hegemony, which are held in higher regard than a treaty with the Citadel Council or the Human Systems Alliance. Paying reparations for the actions of these outlaws would constitute an acknowledgment of their citizenship."
"Is the council choosing to remain ignorant of the fact that the Alliance does not, in fact, dictate the actions of its colonial entities?" Udina began. He leveled a dark glower at the Batarian ambassador. "And rather than forcing the culpable nation to accept the consequences for their lackadaisical stance on intergalactic law, the council proposes that the Alliance give up our territorial rights in response to badly concealed Batarian proxy wars? That seems ludicrous."
Councilor Valern was shaking his head as Councilor Tevos responded to this rather brazen statement. "There has been no conclusive evidence implicating the Hegemony in the attacks on human colonies or Volus trading vessels. It is only reasonable to cut down on potential risks by scaling back enterprises in the Traverse and along the border of Terminus space. Rather than sending more colonists into potential danger, the Alliance should dedicate their resources toward safer enterprises."
"Perhaps the Alliance should mobilize the Sixth Fleet in order to guarantee the safety of our colonies in the Traverse," Udina replied tersely, gesturing forcefully with a closed fist. The involved delegates and even the observing citizens appeared shocked speechless by the human's proposal. "These are human lives we are talking about, Councilors, not potential risks."
After the First Contact War, which had been an embarrassment for the Hierarchy and a pyrrhic victory for the Alliance, the Humans had amassed a fleet which was well beyond the provisions of the Treaties of Farixen. Although they refused to dismantle their navies entirely, they agreed to mothball the Sixth Fleet at Arcturus Station, which brought the tonnage of their official military forces below the amount specified in the Treaties. After twenty-seven years, it would be expensive to mobilize that fleet, but it was still possible.
The first to capitalize on the words was Ambassador Rakzel. "Really, how can we be expected to negotiate amicably with people who would be willing to violate the conditions of their own treaties rather than considering reasonable precautions which ought to have been in place already?"
"Surely you exaggerate," Councilor Sparatus addressed Udina, a tinge of warning in his voice. "The Alliance would not dare renege on the Treaties of Farixen."
"Those documents established a balance of power clearly against the interests of the Alliance, which we only agreed to under significant duress by the forces of the Turian Hierarchy. So, yes, the Alliance is prepared to recant or renegotiate all promises made in the signing of those documents," Ambassador Udina declared with a voice that cracked like a whip. "I have been authorized to inform the Council that the Alliance is willing and able to declare total war over matter. The slaughter of our citizens and the destruction of our cities is not something that can be swept under the rug by bribery!"
"You would be wise to remember your place in the galaxy, human," Councilor Sparatus responded with his own fire. "A breach in treaties that you have lawfully agreed to would be grounds for interstellar sanctions on the Systems Alliance."
"If the Council would take the side of slavers and pirates, rather than legitimate enterprises, then the Alliance holds all agreements we have signed with the Council in contempt," Ambassador Udina informed the council with icy calm. A wolfish smile twisted his lips. "So, allow me to present my own proposal, honored Councilors. The Batarian Hegemony will pay a sum of forty-three billion credits to pay for the destruction of Mindoir, Elysium, Hunter's Star, and Orion's Buckle. For the destruction of the SSV Farragut, the SSV Enterprise, the SSV Ophelia, and the SSV Denmark, all of which were destroyed while in combat against the attackers involved in the attacks on the aforementioned colonies, the Alliance demands five billion credits or a comparable amount of raw materials. All of the slaves which were taken illegally from the Traverse must be returned to their colony of origin. Finally, the Hegemony shall relinquish all claims to Alliance territory in the Traverse. The Alliance reserves the right to respond to additional attacks on our citizens should the need arise in the future."
"Now who is being ludicrous?!" Ambassador Rukzel barked in such virulent language that the galactic translators almost failed to communicate his meaning. "The Alliance has no right to make demands of the Batarian Hegemony over this issue. We refuse every provision of the proposed settlement." The last word was spat like a curse.
"Now, Ambassador Udina, surely you can be reasonable," Councilor Tevos said patronizingly. "The continued attacks on Alliance colonies are regrettable, and the Council has offered to help prevent future aggression by lawless elements, but the attacks on Alliance affiliated colonies were not uniformed military actions taken by the Hegemony. Nor is the Hegemony directly responsible for the actions of pirates, regardless the species of the brigand, unless their direct involvement is proven beyond a shadow of a doubt."
The Volus spoke before Udina could offer a counter-argument. "The Federated Volus Clans offers their support to the Human Systems Alliance in rebuilding their destroyed colonies and in combating piracy operations in the Traverse. We beg the Alliance to agree to the Council's proposal of joint efforts in Batarian space in order to avoid a wider, more detrimental conflict."
For a moment, there was silence as everyone processed the surprising words of the powerful alien banker. Councilor Tevos organized the proceedings into a final agreement. "The Hegemony will agree to open their borders to joint anti-piracy efforts by Council peacekeeping fleets, the Alliance will issue warnings to their colonial enterprises about the risk of attack, and the Volus will change their trade routes in the interest of avoiding pirate aggression. Any agreement between the Alliance and the Volus can be negotiated in private at a later date."
"Let it be recorded that the Volus promised their support to the Human Systems Alliance," Ambassador Udina added petulantly. It was the only wise thing to do, even though it really irked the lifelong politician to let the Batarians go scot-free. They might never have such an opportunity to squeeze concessions from the Hegemony again, if the slavers had learned anything from the snafu which became of the assault on Elysium, thanks to the war hero John Shepard.
The proceedings concluded with a whole lot of pomp and ceremony, and when it was over, Ambassador Udina went immediately to speak with the volus representative. The diminutive alien gestured for him to wait a moment as they walked through the halls of the Citadel, back to the human embassy, which happened to be a large, three story structure just adjacent to the Tower itself.
Once they were in Udina's rather utilitarian office, the human gestured for his guest to take a seat. "Drink?" He asked, indicating some volus-friendly beverages on the shelves abutting the left wall. The suited alien refused with a wave of his gauntlet and hopped up into a chair too tall for his legs to touch the floor.
"Not now, perhaps later," he said. After a pause and a hiss, "I assume that the Alliance has taken measures to ensure that no one listens in on confidential discussions taking place in this office."
When Udina nodded warily, the volus clasped his hands together and set them on the desk with a heavy thunk, even though he had to lift them above his lap to do so. "My name in your tongue is Petrov Ilyunakev, but that is a poor translation. I know that I did not give it during the earlier proceedings, but I was acting in an official capacity, as trustee for the entire Federated Clans, and therefore remained anonymous. Now, I am just a businessman, and here we can conduct business."
"There will be no agreement with the Federated Volus themselves?" Udina asked suspiciously.
"It would have been rather conspicuous for me to offer anything less than that in the tribunal. Please, hear me out before you take the Clans to court for a broken promise. I am sure you know that I have many resources at my disposal. Regrettably, the Turians refuse to allow the Clans to arm ourselves beyond what they consider the bare necessities required to defend our distant trade avenues. This has long been a point of contention between the Federated Volus Clans and the Turian Hierarchy. Instead of sending uniformed soldiers against the Batarians, thereby risking international reprisal, allow my company to provide resources to the Alliance through untraceable avenues. Disavow a detachment of your soldiers and commission them to act against the Hegemony as privateers. You heard the Council admit on official records that they would not hold a nation responsible for piracy by members of their race. As long as the money trail doesn't lead back to my feet or yours, the Alliance can refuse involvement in the actions of their, what was it you called them, 'personal brigands and disavowed henchmen?' However, in this way you can still respond forcefully to the attacks on Alliance territory."
"Privateers," Udina repeated quietly, once again offering that wolfish smile. "It has been a long time in human history since the days of pirates and privateers. Perhaps in a more advanced age, we ought to look back to find the way forward. I think that we might come to a suitable agreement, Mr. Petrov."
"Then let us 'hammer out the details,' as you humans might say."
