Karbarra Heavy Industries District
Amalgamation of Elders
First official meeting,
in attendance;
The Forgebear incarnate (previously known as Rodar ). Diplomate Lron . Elder Hw’arn
(Blood Clawed) Master of Terrestrial Manufacturing and heavy industry. Elder Su’Veno
(Rust Fur), Master of Repairs, Karbarren Space Station. Elder Hasternwood
(Amber tooth), Master of Mining operations.
“Hello my brothers, I
thank you for making your precious time available to us.I believe that we need, no we are compelled,
to meet here today. That we might help
map the way forward for our people.” Lron’s smooth language and mannerisms
suited him well, they bespoke of his exceptional diplomatic skill.
The assembled group
sat forward, a mix of curiosity and intrigue running as an undercurrent of
emotions. This would be a rebirth for the
bearfolk of Karbarra , a moment that
would be recorded in their histories and grievous mistakes must be not permitted
to happen.Though likely that they would
stumble in their steps forward, they were steps taken by a free race. They would be proud steps, and each member
felt acutely the weight of responsibility of his position.
“We have obtained our
freedom, for which we owe these Humans a debt of gratitude…” Lron continued, gesturing to an image
display wall depicting still image captures of the squalor they endured living
under Invid Rule.“Construction of our civilian
area’s is gaining momentum, at a truly commendable pace.However, the works are disorganized and
chaotic, we need direction, we need strong leadership.”
Raising a paw, Su’Veno waited to speak.“ This is why we are here, we all know this Lron . Speak plainly and do not season your words that you might make them more
palatable.”
“Yes Lron , your words, as always, drip with
the honeyed romantic notions.We owe these
humans a debt of gratitude, honour dictates that. Be practical, what price our honour, what
cost to repay our debt unto them?” Hw’arn spoke out of turn, with tinges
of hostility colouring his language.
“Do you believe that we
can place a barter point against a debt of this magnitude Blood Clawed ?” Hasternwood replied, eying Hw’arn evenly. All had suffered under the Invid, though Hw’arn had suffered more than most, with
his cub slaughtered before his eyes. How
the had the strength to continue Hasternwood
did not know, yet Hw’arn the Blood Clawed had not broken. Perhaps his rage was what drove him?
“Friends do not call
me Blood Clawed, Elder Hasternwood . You
do not wish to be other than my friend, you shall not call me by that name
again.” Hw’arn replied evenly, the threat of unspeakable violence evident
in his voice.An uncomfortable silence
falling over the table, violence was a deplorable notion for their culture, an
unspoken threat ranked as a most serious breach of etiquette.
The ornate hardwood
table groaned as the Forgebear broke
the silence and stood.“ My words are not
elegant, my mannerisms unrefined as of yet. Much of the Karbarren I was, being gone now, this is a sacrifice that I
made for the betterment of our people.”The voice that spoke belonged to Rodar ,
yet the youth that had been banished to Arcturus was no more. The personality interwoven into those that had gone before .
“Make no mistake,
sacrifices have been felt by all. Hw’arn yours chief amongst them, but
there were far worse atrocities committed. Your anger has no place here, your threats against other Elders are
undeserved. Lron, the display please.”
The display wall image
changed to data sheets and tables.“If I
may deliver my presentation honourable Forgebear …?”
Lron enquire respectfully. He had reservations about the mood of the
group, discretely making the sign of the Forgefather
he continued.
“These humans have
systems of economics quite different to our own. It has taken much effort to
determine a barter point for the aid that they supplied us with in our
liberation.The other issue being that
there seems to have been two masters, Mistress Lisa Hays through her Military officer Rick Hunter and T.R. Edwards
who appears to command much of their air assets and fleet. Both had different requests and barter
points.”
“Edwards claimed a
tithe, in line with our stories of lore, and chose many of our prize atmospheric
heavy ore carriers. This has
substantially depleted the merchant fleet by 1/5, however he considers our debt
to him to have been paid in full.”
“That is a very high
price Lron ! Of those ships left, it
would appear that all are incapable of interstellar trade.” Su’Veno exclaimed, shock driving his
eyes wide as he mentally calculated the effect that this would have on his
maintenance bays aboard the space station.
“Brother Elder Lron , Honourable Forgebear , though it
is undoubtedly poor form to barter a tithe, this price will severely hamper our
mining efforts.” Hasternwood gasped,
idly tracing a clawed nail over his Amber teeth.An Invid enforcer had beaten him senseless in
captivity before they had broken him, the replacement teeth a constant reminder
of their brutality.
“Sacrifices and debts
MUST be paid.” the Forgebear replied gravely. “Irrespective of the cost, we shall
maintain this tradition.Lest we lose
our way and our honour”.
“Lest we lose our way
and our honour” The group echoed back gravely as one.
“Please tell me that I
am not the only one to notice that we have lost sight of the fact that we have
yet to speak of our second debt”. Hw’arn chastised his fellow Elders. “Please
Lron , having graced us with this news
of this initial loss, do tell us of the debts we still have yet to satisfy”.
“Elder Hw’arn, I would not do you the
dishonour of disguising the truth from any of you.” Lron exclaimed. “The second
debt may indeed be greater in total; however, we have been granted more time in
which to clean the slate.” Lron replied,
the fur around his ears prickling with embarrassment at the prospect of the
news he had yet to deliver.
“This news, the way in
which we propose to deal with it, it is vital that you understand how it shall
change our lives, and those of our bearfolk”.The Forgebear interjected
flatly, not a hint playing in his voice.“Not a word shall be uttered until Lron
has given us his full presentation, then and only then, shall questions be taken,
and proposed changes be submitted”.
Lron had practiced for days on this presentation, yet he found that his
mouth had still become dry, nervous concern causing him small facial tics as he
gave his presentation.The expressions
of all save the Forgebear, a fluctuating mix of concern, hope, and anger.The two former emotions could be dealt with
and used to focus an effective path forward.The internal anger, however that Hw’arn
harboured, found an outlet at both him and his radical ideas to satisfy their
debts to the Humans.
In the end, after
lengthy discussion and some heated debate, the group managed to reach an
agreement.A War Tax was to be
introduced for every Karbarren , the funds
from this tax (managed by the Amalgamation of Elders), would be used to fund
the costs of supplying machines and armaments to Rick Hunter and his Mistress.Financial drafting estimates, conservatively predicted that they might satisfy
their debts within 37 years. A more than acceptable target all had agreed.
What did take the Group
by surprise however, was Hw’arn Blood Clawed’s
shock announcement that he was abdicating his position, handing control over to
his nephew.Apparently, he had chosen to
discard his power and position, to lead and help train a young novice group of Karbarrens in a detachment on Arcturus.
“This war has cost us
so much already, there has been such a substantial losses of life already.” Lron thought to himself sadly.“I hope that the Blood Clawed doesn’t wish to
sacrifice himself as well”.
