The World Assembly Strangers' Bar

[Wallenburg]

OOC: So sorry for the extended absence, all. Holidays so soon after a loss in the family tend to become an emotional marathons and I haven't had the time or inclination to post.

RL always comes above RP, especially in such a case as yours. My condolences to you and your family.

(Kay sits next to Helen, gently nudges her, and smiles.)

Neville, that cheeseburger was awesome. Can I get another?

Trevanyika smiles back, but strange thoughts begin to enter her mind. Arya is taking the genocide of her people surprisingly well. She pulls her paperwork back in front of her and begins to work again.

[Sierra Lyricalia]

OOC: So sorry for the extended absence, all. Holidays so soon after a loss in the family tend to become an emotional marathons and I haven't had the time or inclination to post.

OOC: By all means. Hope everything is looking up from here!

IC: Steph re-enters the bar, a few additional wrinkles around her eyes telling the tale of someone arguing too long with a brick wall by phone. She approaches Ahume and hands him a sheet of paper. She speaks quietly but not to conceal.

"I finally convinced the foreign aid office that delivering everything here is legit. Here's the delivery schedule - first trucks at the loading docks downstairs day after tomorrow. I won't pretend to have the slightest inkling how you're gonna get the stuff from here to West Bumfuck Minor in the Perseus Arm, or wherever. But I also won't pretend I don't know things can go into your office and... not come out. Paperwork's filed with Building Management, I confirmed the pallets will come up in whatever order they usually would for your locale. Please do let me know if there are any fuckups. Even without the..." Steph sneers. "--PR considerations, if even half the shit I've heard in here is true, these people need the goods, pronto. So lemme know how else I can assist."

[Potted Plants United]

OOC: I swear this whole storyline is SP's plot to get the Strangers' Bar thread reach 500 pages!

Now then, the cactus has been sitting on the bar counter all through this hulabaloo, and it can hear - its sight is less better, but its hearing is fairly close to human when it comes to spoken language. Of course it can't hear anything the fancy gadgets conceal, but the space war stuff has, to my understanding, been fairly public and not censored by various things.

In case no-one remembers Johan Milkus anymore, he was Araraukarian ambassadorial aide, at one point temp ambassador, when Janis was stuck at a rehab clinic back home, but PPU... sort of bought him (not slave trade, think of long term work contract), and he's got some of their more advanced plant tech literally on him, though hidden from view.

**It feels like it has been ages since I was last in here,** Johan Milkus thought, as he entered the Bar. Being a communications-and-business liaison between the plant hivemind and his former homeland had kept him busy, but this was important enough that he had been called back to the WA Headquarters.

It took him a moment to spot the persons he was looking for - if the resident PPU member had one failing, it was bad eyesight. Probably due to the lack of proper eyes.

He approached the former Wad Arya carefully, in case he was going to interrupt something important. "Miss Kay, may I first offer the condolences of the Potted Plants United for the genocidal loss of your chosen homeland and people? The hivemind has no space resources to offer, but it is very good with tampering with plant genetics, even those plants that are not part of its sapient collective, and PPU officially wants to offer the Tollan people help in long-term survival. Whether you will remain in space settlements or find new home on a planet, you will - if you want to accept the gift - receive seeds and saplings for plants suited to whatever parametres you require, whether they be for terraforming purposes; soil enrichment, atmospheric composition change or maintenance, water filtering; or just for food or relaxation purposes, you merely need to send a message via some of your WA friends as to what you require, and the hivemind will divert all of its free resources to helping you out."

Johan held out the official printed documents detailing the plants' offer. "The hivemind is sorry it cannot help with the acute issues, but it does wish to be able to help you in the long term."

[Separatist Peoples]

"This place is never calm, I see. Anybody mind if I pour some more bad news on top?"

KAY: Oh, no, what is it now?

"It appears that Donnaugh has leveraged his glory from arresting the smuggler ring's head into the position of temporary diplomat to the World Assembly. Guess he had just enough favors in Central Command to get his name on the list. He'll be here within the week, which complicates my work."

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

Johan held out the official printed documents detailing the plants' offer. "The hivemind is sorry it cannot help with the acute issues, but it does wish to be able to help you in the long term."

(Kay smiles as an old adage about fish comes to mind.)

That is a most generous offer; on behalf of the Tollan, thank you.

(The smile fades as she reflects on the words of the PPU's proxy.)

the genocidal loss of your chosen homeland and people

(As Dressler begins to talk about her latest issue with trying to free Bell, Kay whispers an "excuse me" to Helen, walks over to a power-drained Herby, enters the back seat and shuts the door. It finally hits her. Genocidal loss. They are all gone. I turned my back on my own nation, and my family, broke sacred oaths, and in the end I'd procured sub-standard weaponry, drawn another nation into the conflict, and ultimately failed in my efforts to save my adopted homeland. Millions dead. The entire planet rendered uninhabitable. Monte was wrong. I didn't do all I could. In the end all I did was buy them some time, and give false hope to my friends that we had a chance. Mother was right all along. Perhaps a more diplomatic solution would have worked; perhaps going to her first, I could have prevented this genocide. But now, we'll never know. And mother was right about one other thing as well: I would be better off dead. She was right to have my sentence altered after all. Kay buries her head in her hands and sobs, quietly yet uncontrollably.)

[Araraukar]

OOC: Just putting this here, in case other peeps wonder if their nations should offer help...

General Assembly Resolution 38, Convention Against Genocide wrote:

3. Member nations must provide aid, protection and refuge to victims of genocide to the best of their ability, and must deny such aid to the perpetrators of genocide.

Of course this isn't the only reason the PPU hivemind wanted to help, but it is mindful of the existing resolutions, too.

[Wrapper]

OOC: Just putting this here, in case other peeps wonder if their nations should offer help...

General Assembly Resolution 38, Convention Against Genocide wrote:

3. Member nations must provide aid, protection and refuge to victims of genocide to the best of their ability, and must deny such aid to the perpetrators of genocide.

Of course this isn't the only reason the PPU hivemind wanted to help, but it is mindful of the existing resolutions, too.

OOC: Thanks for pointing that out. The "to the best of their ability" is obviously a limiting factor here, so it's understandable if not everyone can help. Also, the Tollans aren't WA members, and they haven't yet asked for help from anyone, so, the fact that anyone is voluntarily helping them, after years relative isolationism, is both surprising and incredibly generous from their point of view; offers like this would kind of blow them away.

[Araraukar]

OOC: Thanks for pointing that out. The "to the best of their ability" is obviously a limiting factor here, so it's understandable if not everyone can help.

OOC: Of course not, and I wouldn't want to force anyone to RP one way or another! Just thought to point it out, in case someone would like to partake but is shy/unsure if they're allowed to.

Also, the Tollans aren't WA members, and they haven't yet asked for help from anyone

Yeah, but the resolution doesn't say anything about the genocide victims needing to be WA members or in WA territory or having to ask for help first (I checked).

[Wallenburg]

Helen follows Arya to Herby, curious as to what she wants from a sleeping car. She looks over Herby briefly, then approaches the door Arya entered by. She presses her ear against the window and hears nothing. She frowns. What could she be doing in there? Just sitting?

She goes over to the other side of the car and carefully opens the door. She peers in and sees Arya's face buried in her hands. She quickly shuts the door. Oh, dear. Poor thing. She must be far more hurt than I thought. She sighs and sits down on the floor, leaning her back against Herby.

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

She goes over to the other side of the car and carefully opens the door. She peers in and sees Arya's face buried in her hands. She quickly shuts the door.

(Kay, face in her hands, is still able to notice the light pour into the darkness of Herby's interior. She hears the door close as she removes her hands from her face. She puts her face to the window and sees no one there... until she looks down. She sighs, takes a moment to compose herself, and cracks open the door.)

Come on, Helen. Before I change my mind.

[Wallenburg]

She goes over to the other side of the car and carefully opens the door. She peers in and sees Arya's face buried in her hands. She quickly shuts the door.

(Kay, face in her hands, is still able to notice the light pour into the darkness of Herby's interior. She hears the door close as she removes her hands from her face. She puts her face to the window and sees no one there... until she looks down. She sighs, takes a moment to compose herself, and cracks open the door.)

Come on, Helen. Before I change my mind.

Trevanyika flinches a bit in surprise. She looks over to Kay and nods. "All right then." She takes the door in one hand and climbs into the car.

[Ferret Civilization]

"I would assume some time within 24 hours, since the Regal Heart and Long Night of Solace both have their slip space drive disabled and have to rely on Advent Redeemer which is pulling for an extra 2 placing strain on the Slip space drive. And what's the bad news?" Ilya replied

Furettium looked between all the IFF personnel, bad news continuing to pile up for the others. "Well, how long do you think it will take to find them a new home?"

[Wrapper]

"It appears that Donnaugh has leveraged his glory from arresting the smuggler ring's head into the position of temporary diplomat to the World Assembly. Guess he had just enough favors in Central Command to get his name on the list. He'll be here within the week, which complicates my work."

ARI: So the head troll returns? Great. Need us to keep him occupied?

Furettium looked between all the IFF personnel, bad news continuing to pile up for the others. "Well, how long do you think it will take to find them a new home?"

AHUME: Given their scant numbers, it shouldn't take long.

[Wallenburg]

AHUME: Given their scant numbers, it shouldn't take long.

Gerald chimes in, "How many are there, Wad Ahume? Perhaps Wallenburg could finally find a way to help."

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

"I would assume some time within 24 hours, since the Regal Heart and Long Night of Solace both have their slip space drive disabled and have to rely on Advent Redeemer which is pulling for an extra 2 placing strain on the Slip space drive. And what's the bad news?" Ilya replied

Furettium looked between all the IFF personnel, bad news continuing to pile up for the others. "Well, how long do you think it will take to find them a new home?"

"That would depend on the Tollan anatomy and finding a place safe from their persecutors. Im uncertain of their interdimensional capabilities but from the looks of the devastation it would appear that their persecutors are barbarians that are incapable of diplomacy regardless of technological advancements." Replied Sir Helsing while 2 Guards dragged the General out of the bar.

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

KAY: Oh, no, what is it now?

"It appears that Donnaugh has leveraged his glory from arresting the smuggler ring's head into the position of temporary diplomat to the World Assembly. Guess he had just enough favors in Central Command to get his name on the list. He'll be here within the week, which complicates my work."

"Does Donnaugh drink alcoholic beverages? I could always mildly poison him with our Devils ale" said Ilya

[Separatist Peoples]

"It appears that Donnaugh has leveraged his glory from arresting the smuggler ring's head into the position of temporary diplomat to the World Assembly. Guess he had just enough favors in Central Command to get his name on the list. He'll be here within the week, which complicates my work."

"Does Donnaugh drink alcoholic beverages? I could always mildly poison him with our Devils ale" said Ilya

"If you were proverbially being sent behind enemy lines, would you be dumb enough to accept a drink from an unknown party?" Dressler asks archly.

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

Trevanyika flinches a bit in surprise. She looks over to Kay and nods. "All right then." She takes the door in one hand and climbs into the car.

They're gone, Helen. They're all gone. Millions dead. I... I don't know how I can live with myself after... after....

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

"Does Donnaugh drink alcoholic beverages? I could always mildly poison him with our Devils ale" said Ilya

"If you were proverbially being sent behind enemy lines, would you be dumb enough to accept a drink from an unknown party?" Dressler asks archly.

Ilya smiled, "If one were proverbially behind enemy lines in espionage one would take the the necessary precautions. fortunately since our livers and immune system are stronger than other humanoid sapients, we don't have to worry about being poisoned from drinking certain alcohols such as methanol, although to be frank, I'd prefer regular alcohol like the next person."

[Wallenburg]

Trevanyika flinches a bit in surprise. She looks over to Kay and nods. "All right then." She takes the door in one hand and climbs into the car.

They're gone, Helen. They're all gone. Millions dead. I... I don't know how I can live with myself after... after....

"Arya, you did the best you could. You did everything to get your people weapons and support. You have already sacrificed so much. And because of your selfless efforts, your people will not go gentle into that good night. They shall live on." She looks into Kay's eyes and sighs. "I'm so sorry, Arya."

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

"Arya, you did the best you could. You did everything to get your people weapons and support. You have already sacrificed so much. And because of your selfless efforts, your people will not go gentle into that good night. They shall live on." She looks into Kay's eyes and sighs. "I'm so sorry, Arya."

No, Helen, I did not do my best. I led them down the path to destruction. I took shortcuts, buying the first weapons I could get my hands on -- untested, unreliable surplus from unreliable crooks. And do you know why I took the first deal I could get?

[Wallenburg]

"Arya, you did the best you could. You did everything to get your people weapons and support. You have already sacrificed so much. And because of your selfless efforts, your people will not go gentle into that good night. They shall live on." She looks into Kay's eyes and sighs. "I'm so sorry, Arya."

No, Helen, I did not do my best. I led them down the path to destruction. I took shortcuts, buying the first weapons I could get my hands on -- untested, unreliable surplus from unreliable crooks. And do you know why I took the first deal I could get?

"I would imagine you took the first offer because you wanted to arm your people as soon as possible. In the face of imminent destruction, you can't be choosy."

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

No, Helen, I did not do my best. I led them down the path to destruction. I took shortcuts, buying the first weapons I could get my hands on -- untested, unreliable surplus from unreliable crooks. And do you know why I took the first deal I could get?

"I would imagine you took the first offer because you wanted to arm your people as soon as possible. In the face of imminent destruction, you can't be choosy."

And yet, three months ago, our destruction was not so imminent. I could have taken a little more time, gone deeper into the CDSP military, and made a deal above-board instead of dealing with the criminal element within. Or I could have been patient and, who knows, maybe if I hadn't already made a deal, I could have talked to others and found good, quality help sooner.

Helen, were you here a few weeks ago, the day my Tollan contact, Narim, came by? After I told him our supply from CDSP was cut off, Ilya approached him, trying to make a deal for some undelivered surplus. Instead of taking the first deal available, he was patient, and soon enough Markhov got involved, with superior weapons and a superior shipping schedule. Narim didn't take the first deal. But I did. I felt like I had to... just so I could prove my worth to the Tollans.

[Separatist Peoples]

Ilya smiled, "If one were proverbially behind enemy lines in espionage one would take the the necessary precautions. fortunately since our livers and immune system are stronger than other humanoid sapients, we don't have to worry about being poisoned from drinking certain alcohols such as methanol, although to be frank, I'd prefer regular alcohol like the next person."

"None of which is actually the point. Humans have no such precautions, and the smart ones wouldn't be so keen. You seem so confident in your own limited protections that you'd throw caution to the wind. Somehow, I'm not so sure you'd make it through the C.D.S.P. Academy's Tactical Considerations courses with that attitude."

[Ferret Civilization]

"That would depend on the Tollan anatomy and finding a place safe from their persecutors. Im uncertain of their interdimensional capabilities but from the looks of the devastation it would appear that their persecutors are barbarians that are incapable of diplomacy regardless of technological advancements." Replied Sir Helsing while 2 Guards dragged the General out of the bar.

AHUME: Given their scant numbers, it shouldn't take long.

Gerald chimes in, "How many are there, Wad Ahume? Perhaps Wallenburg could finally find a way to help."

"Ah, well that makes thing even more interesting now doesn't it. Good luck with finding them a place, I still hold my offer if the there needs be of it."