The Meeting

By: John Page

The latest rounds of talks were not  going well. The meeting was meant to bridge the divide that had grown among the powers of the western arm of of the Galaxy. Yet the talks had gone wrong from the start. The high technician of Leng and the speaker from the Holy Song got into a screaming match over the nature of reality before the ten powers could be seated. First the Lengi had made a crack about religious mania which caused the fungi to mock the Lengi’s genetic practices. Nastier words were exchanged with greater bitterness.  It became a fist fight (well fungus growth tentacles fight) After pulling tentacles off, the prone priest and helping the Lengi brush spores off his face mask the open ceremonies started.

Unfortunately the Free Clan’s choice to have a prayer for peace inflamed Leng and their allies the Wu-Hun. After more arguing we finally got to work. I smoothed my fur and started to explain how increased trade and tourism would benefit every power. As I was talking in my most soothing voice and kept my claws sheathed, despite the normal protocol of my kingdom to never let a Tolon warrior ambassador be disarmed in front of others. My attempts to show a peaceful front was a mistake. The man sent from the secret eye of Wu-Hun kept mocking my efforts and it grew increasingly hard to not maul the blue snake man right between his fours eyes.

After he sent a particularly nasty comment on the courage of my race, my king and the justness of my God, I reminded him that many of his people had fallen to warriors such as myself. I allowed my claws to be extended just enough to have them be seen. I knew that the under seer has suffered a nasty wound to the gut from a talon lighting claw during the last war our nations has fought. With a yelp he shut up and covered his gut with his tail. I barred my teeth with a burst of joy.

My allies at the table looked at me with disgust. The other members of the pact of peace are all herbivores and find displays of violence distasteful. I try to consult with them but they are angry with me, even the avian free claner has her feathers ruffled.  This meeting is not going well at all.

Perhaps we should take a break and try tomorrow.