1377/Negotiations

Negotiations
Date of Scene:	20 January 2015
Location:	Bar and Grill at the Edge of the Multiverse
Synopsis:	Psyber and Lezard meet to negotiate over a Dragon Ball and discuss terms.
Cast of Characters:	253, Lezard Valeth

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Lezard Valeth has posed:
Lezard Valeth picked the area for a number of reasons, not the least being he was in the mood for a fine wine to cleanse the palate of multiversal grandstanding. So it is that he sits in a private booth with a bottle of wine, casually swirling his wineglass as he waits for Psyber to arrive.

Who knows? The negotiations might even be successful. More insane things have been known to occur.

Psyber (253) has posed:
    In contrast to Lezard's wine, Psyber has a bottle of Scotch the Bar and Grill keeps for him. Old, smooth, and mild. He walks over with the bottle in one hand and a glass in the other. Sitting down, he pours himself some.

"I am hopeful it will be easier to negotiate in person without radio chatter."

Lezard Valeth has posed:
"Indeed. I believe this is the first time we have met in person. Your reputation precedes you, Colonel Psyber." Lezard says with a polite incline. He smiles, leaning back in his portion of the booth, relaxed. "I will make my position plain. There is no need for us to waste time on the usual trappings. I have an interest in acquiring the Dragon Ball, and the Union has little need for them. You have more than enough similar devices on hand to spend the time and pain needed to acquire them. I have many talents and unusual resources which you might find useful in exchange for the Ball. This will resolve the umbrage of our more aggressive Saiayan friends and gain the Union something of more immediate use than a Ball which may or may not ever actually be activated."

Psyber (253) has posed:
Psyber leans back in his seat a bit and keeps his gaze level on Lezard, "Well, understand that the Union's position in this is the natural stake in preventing dangerous Confederates with a habit of invading planets from getting their wishes. Such a fact makes the object very valuable." He folds his hands behind his head and thinks it over, "And while reports and heresay of your cunning and skills do make rounds, and I have witnessed several myself on Lady Priscilla's world, I have something else I want in mind. Now I doubt, personally, you can approve any trades today. But I will negotiate with you so that we can both take the offers to our bosses."

Psyber smiles, "So, negotiations. My opening offer is this: The Confederates will deliver Field Marshal Dracula's head on a pike with a written agreement he will not be resurrected for ten years." It's a pretty classic play of 'Go WAY over what you want and then haggle down'. It's incredibly transparent.

Lezard Valeth has posed:
Lezard's reaction to the initial offer causes him to laugh. "That was an excellent joke. I appreciate the Lord Marshal's leadership and capacilities far too much to do this."

He takes a sip of his wine, and then gestures to Psyber. "Besides, you and I both know that whoever would replace the Lord Marshal in the ensuing power vacuum would be likely far worse. Thus it is with Serori. She is not Vegeta, nor is she Gohan. She is by far the most stable and reasonable of the Saiyans in the Confederacy. So far we have destroyed a horrible android using it as a power source, and non-lethally distracted a pair of large and brutish pterodactyl."

Lezard pauses. "It was the height of villainy." He says dryly, then flicks a hand. "I can approve anything involving my personal resources. The rest would have to be approved by someone who is a ranking officer, of course. Now, do please attempt a more reasonable request. Perhaps you would like a service involving a crafted homunculus?" He smiles. "Far be it from me to believe that no one in the Union could eventually replicate my designs, but I wager few of them are willing to make the... commitment it requires."

Psyber (253) has posed:
    "At least worth a shot," Psyber says, taking a sip from his Scotch as he watches Lezard from across the table, trying to read the reactions, "Serori seems reasonable, if prone to rash action at times. While she is neither Vegeta nor Gohan, she exacerbates both of their underlying poor traits." He points out.

    "Hm. A homunculus is tempting, but I don't know what I'd do with one, I admit," Psyber notes, rubbing a hand under his chin, "I also understand that you can willingly trade any of your services for a Dragonball, but that any offer requiring a Confederate movement or acquiesence would be up to your upper officers. Likewise, any negotiation I make is going to require Nathan or Paarthurnax to sign off on it."

    But a more reasonable offer. For that, Psyber runs a hand under his chin, "Okay. My real bottom line and a more reasonable offer: I want the Planetary Trade Organization out of Namamura and the area returned to the care of Yunomi Stadler with an agreement of no further aggression. I also want the favor that Nathan owes the Confederacy nullified."

    "For a chance at an unstipulated wish, I feel these are very minor concessions by the Confederacy."

Lezard Valeth has posed:
"I would say she keeps them under control, but I suppose that is a matter of perspective, would you not agree?" Lezard shrugs, smiling. What does he want here? What's /his/ reason for doing this?

"A homunculus, like any body, is but a vessel, Psyber. It contains anything you wish to place within it. That process is something I can assist with should you need more... esoteric services."

The second offer causes Lezard to arch an eyebrow. "Oh my. I was not aware that you had a stake in the fate of Namamura." He shrugs. "There are a number of devices that can fulfill wishes in existence. Perhaps I should direct Serori to intervene in one of the Grail Wars?" He smiles. "Access to such is not a difficult thing for one with my powers. A Saiyan with a Servant would be a terrifying sight to behold, would it not?"

He sighs, and taps the side of his head as he seems to be almost bored at the moment. "Perhaps you could decide which of the two you might find more valuable. I could see them possibly agreeing to one, but both would be more difficult."

Psyber (253) has posed:
    Psyber smiles evenly at Lezard throughout the statements, eventually replying with, "I hold little stake in Namamura's ultimate fate," He bluffs, "But the relinquishment of a planet controlled by the PTO would be a powerful bargaining chip among elements of the Union that wish to maintain control of the object."

    He calmly and slowly refills his glass with another finger of scotch, gathering his thoughts, "If Serori wishes to participate in a Grail War, she is more than welcome to find a new iteration of one or to interject herself into one of the existing Grail Wars." A hand comes up to rub under his nose a couple times, "The Union can also elect to find six other magic spheres and get a wish." His smile, though present, is a mask for both a strong poker face and a cold demeanor. He's taking Lezard very serious as a negotiator. Probably more serious than most deals he bargains for.

    "I will accept one or the other as a fair concession, but I will not be the one to choose which," He begins, leaning back in his chair and looking across the table, "We can both go to our factions and see what their stance is and the take of the higher-ups. If we bring it to our factions and if the deal goes through, I'd like to see the Syndicate hold both sides of the trade and act as an intermediary to foster a certain level of... reliability."

    "I'm sure you understand my reasoning. In light of recent unpleasantness, the Confederate bargaining position and ability to claim honor and reliability have been slightly diminished. Particularly when one of its former Field Marshals makes an overt statement on the Public Channels that you are not to be trusted as recently as..." He looks at his watch, "18 hours ago."

Lezard Valeth has posed:
"The Union doesn't deal in wishes." Lezard taps on the table. "Not in this manner that I have seen thus far. Else I am sure some fool would have attempted to wish us away by now." He pauses, and then sips again. "Or perhaps they had tried, and were taken away to a place that we will never find or see... It is worth a thought, is it not?" He chuckles at that.

Lezard does, however, nod at the presence of the Syndicate. "I am in favor of the Syndicate as a mediator for any possible exchanges." He shrugs. "The Confederacy is a place that caters to those of ambition, Colonel. Sometimes, some find their ambition to be worth more than their honor." At that, he pushes up his glasses, and nods. "You will find that the terms of any agreed upon deal will be held to, I am sure. However, the question is whether those concerned will accept the terms of any given deal. I will bring your requests to those in the Confederacy who will be able to accept or deny them. Let us know what your choice will be in the meantime." His expression is as jovial as usual, but it's clear that he doesn't appreciate the thought of one of their former people making a statement like that.

Psyber (253) has posed:
    "I appreciate your candid demeanor and statements of reliability," Psyber notes, sipping from his glass, "I have spent years attempting to foster a reputation as a more trustworthy member of the Union. And, speaking simply, the Union has its own share of the overeager," He concedes, adding, "I will not hold that against you in terms."

    "I will decline to make the choice at this moment, however. Instead, I will opt to present the choice to my superiors and allow them to make the choice, if a choice is made at all. I will inform the Union we have a choice of one or the other, and we will see if they accept and which they choose, if EITHER option is available. I would prefer to not obligate the Union and be misinformed on what they wanted in the end."

Lezard Valeth has posed:
"Indeed. I will convey the potential demands to those in the Confederacy that will be concerned with them, for similar reasons." He drains his wineglass, and sets it aside. "While I am not overly concerned about the fury of Lute, Gohan is someone I would ill wish to anger by speaking for him. I am sure you understand." He smiles at that. "Tonight has been a fascinating evening, Colonel Psyber. I appreciate your time and look forward to our next meeting." At this, he offers a hand.

Psyber (253) has posed:
    "I will extend our end of the deal to the Union and see how receptive they are to the matter, Lezard. I can make no promises for matters above my head, but I appreciate that you and I were able to reach a reasonable, if only hypothetical, accord." He grips the hand of Lezard tightly and gives him a firm shake, moving to stand up, "I shall be curious to see how this plays out."