"Going where I list, my own master total and absolute" (Part 2 - Diplomacy, Tourism, and Processing)

[meat_mooks]

The trip down was uneventful. The view was gorgeous when the viewing window shields were raised again when they were through the atmosphere, especially as they passed down to Megalopolis, the simply-named giant city that was this world's capital. To the Earthlings there, the continents of this world would look vastly familiar, but that didn't mean

Comments

[goddamnwingman]

Strength of will alone kept Dick from facepalming at that. Great. Now Kon had Lex as his 'Guardian'. Whatever the hell that meant on this planet. At least Lex knew he'd be watched after what happened on the ship, whether he'd actually had anything to do with it or not.

And he was doing his best to keep as open a mind as he could on that. Though his glance to Lex may not have been the most friendly, he could at least hide behind the fact that NONE of this was exactly making him a friendly guy.

Still. He had to give Lex credit for what he was asking for. It was definitely going to be needed. "I think we could all use that information," he said, doing his best to keep his tone polite. He'd already gone as far as he could toward losing his temper. "And I agree that a couple of our people should get a...better understanding of your culture." Dr. Jackson had a good point. "In fact, Dr. Jackson is uniquely qualified for such a task. Perhaps Dr. McNinja would like to accompany him."

He'd snag them both before they went anywhere. Especially McNinja. He wanted to know more about those facilities. "Until then, yes. A chance to regroup and consider would be much appreciated."

Had to stay polite. Had to stay calm. They were stuck until Stacy returned, after all.

[seasindorei]

"It seems reasonable enough to me. We are on their planet, and we are to be expected to follow their laws, are we not? In any case, it's settled. I look forward to further negotiations." He bowed his head slightly and tucked his hands behind his back. Certainly nothing to get in a tizzy about. A few days of inconvenience, albeit humiliating, and then they could leave and the put the whole thing behind them.

Then again, the people aboard the the ship didn't seem to enjoy rational, cool-headed thinking when they could get outraged over something instead, it seemed. He glanced over the rest of the negotiating team.

"I'm certain we have much to discuss."

[i_am_the_bafo]

"With those laws and stuff, it'd be good to know where exactly you want us to stand. Deputized police? Military? Something special?" the book said. "While we're looking over 'em we can figure out if that role is enough, if we might need more power in one area or not as much as you've given in another."

The latter wasn't damn likely, but hey, bargaining chips are bargaining chips.

"By the way, just how sold on our intervention is your populace?"

[galilee_npcs]

"All of that can be provided," Allin said to Lex, and his expression seemed open. Seemed. "We'll send a courier to your hotel with all the requested information."

"As far as our population is concerned, your intervention is welcome."

"Before we take a recess, do you have anymore requests or questions?"

[ooc: Go in posting order and skip Allin's next turn. If your character wouldn't, have them say no or just be silent.]

[level12headache]

Querl turned to this others. Of course he always had more requests and questions but he felt that now was not the time.

[hi_there_aliens]

Daniel turned to look at Luthor for several seconds, blue eyes wide and unblinking. The archaeologist looked remarkably like an owl behind the over sized glasses as he sized the man up again. Daniel had taken note of him earlier. Something made him stand out then even before he said a word.It wasn't just his appearance, it went beyond that. There was something about him. It probably had everything to do with the feeling of charisma and sheer authority that he seemed to naturally radiate. It was the way he carried himself and the way he looked at people. Seemed to live and breathe it. Something about him screamed power.

Luthor was a smooth talker, he'd give him that. One of the best Daniel had ever seen. It wasn't outwardly threatening. Actually, Luthor had been perfectly pleasant about it. Amiable. Perfectly diplomatic. Not even remotely as confrontational as Dick or Zetta. Daniel found something about him disconcerting all the same. Maybe it was in how perfect and effortless his maneuvering was. How in control he was, and just how in control he seemed to be of Allin.

It was almost frightening how easily Luthor maneuvered the Councillor. Daniel's mouth pressed into a thin line. Luthor didn't just soothe away the initial tension, he included Allin as if he wasn't a separate party, just with a simple hand clap, turning him into a friend who'd just made a simple mistake and could be forgiven... then Luthor applied a subtle bit of pressure in the same breath, by 'suggesting' that the Councillor hand over data, make amends in apology, without offering a single thing in return. Just the lure of a promise that it would be enough to make the rest of them forget the matter. Daniel could read between the lines well enough to know none of this was a suggestion at all. Luthor backed the Councillor further into a corner. And he had somehow managed to place Allin firmly in a position to practically service them, to owe them too. Maybe even with a smile. Lex manipulated Allin as if he didn't have to think twice about dominating the man. Allin might not even realize it was happening. If you didn't know what to look for, it'd be easy to miss.

Daniel finally blinked, licked his lips, but said nothing to undermine Luthor just yet. As much as the display unsettled him, Luthor was right. They did need this information if they were to move around this society without anymore mishaps.

Sure, they were expected to follow the laws, but when the Galileans were trying to get something out of Stacy's crew, it was also expected that the Galileans show respect for their ways as well. Diplomacy wasn't a one-way street. Anyway it looked like today's negotiations were over for now, and better yet, Dick might be giving him approval to poke around. The archaeologist rose. He wanted to speak with the others and review before he went into more questions. "Thank you for your time, Councillor."

[wantstobebatman]

Doc nodded sharply, taking Daniel's lead to push back his chair and head for the door before he completely lost his temper.