Private Ancestral Shadows

[Makai Dashiell]

TYGARA

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Elpsis Kerrigan

​

High in the mountain ranges of Tygara, a project had been underway over the past six months. Construction was slow, materials flown in and workers scarce to come by. War had taken the planet not too long ago. Everyone was trying to rebuild. It didn't matter to someone like Aina Holdings, who had deep pockets, but to the locals it was a struggle. Which is why Makai purposely spent the extra money to bring in outside resources and hire locally when possible.

It was a leap, the project. They hadn't gotten governmental approval to mine. Yet some projects had begun : mapping and surveying. It was all more ammunition for their push to work on the planet. Once Aina figured out who was actually in charge, of course, which seemed to be Elpsis Kerrigan. The woman having ties to the Dashiell family, Makai personally came to Tygara once construction was complete.

A personal invitation to Elpsis was sent, giving the days he would be on planet. If it came down to it, the project could easily serve as an outpost for their vessels passing by in the area. It wasn't a horrible investment. Yet he would need assurances the horrors seen under Siobhan wouldn't be seen again. Last he met Elpsis she had changed. War changed people. So did power.

Question was if Elpsis was different enough from her mother.​

​

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Makai Dashiell

The mountain ranges lay within the territory of the Mirzate of Suqua, one of the states of Tygara. Siobhan Kerrigan would have arrived with plenty of fanfare. Large, fancy speeders, a herald to announce her with a long list of real and invented titles, many of them absurd, and a huge entourage composed of guards, minions, hangers-on and photogenic 'secretaries' in very brief outfits. She would have, of course, worn a pretentious uniform bedecked with medals, or perhaps a royal gown.

Elpsis - more commonly known these days as Karrigan'Alpsis or Alpsal Jai Azal, her regnal name as Queen of Suqua - arrived without fanfare. Her military camouflage fatigues bore no insignia or decorations that would have set her apart from a common soldier, but then there were no other redheaded human cyborgs with burning cracks in their face on the planet. She wore light grey hiking boots. Her brow bore no crown. The traditional floral scarf was draped around her shoulders. Her long red hair was tied back into a strict braid. Her skin was tanned from the all months spent fighting in the towns and deserts of southern Tygara. A lightsabre was strapped to her belt.

She rode atop a fearsome looking, bipedal lizard beast with cunning yellow eyes, dozens of dagger-like teeth and skin like dragonscale. The Yazgid female's frontal 'arms' were small, but she looked tough and fierce, her body marked by numerous scars. She stood tall and proud above the rest of her pack. Spying some aliens moving about the fledling facility, the Yazgid sniffed and licked her lips. "No, Mirza, not food," Alpsal told her sternly in Zandri, the Qadiri language. The Yazgid pouted slightly. Alpsal made a note to take her hunting later on.

"They clearly haven't wasted time," a middle aged Qadiri woman who rode at her side commented. Tall, lean and heavily tanned, she bore a scar down the side of her face. Her armour was devoid of any flummery, with her rank insignia on it. She carried a blade in her scabbard, and a sidearm on her hip. The warleader had a cold, ironclad presence, as cold and precise as a rapier. Her name was Zabhara Jai Ghazana. "Let's see what they have to say. You said the human running this business was a...friend of yours, yes?" An innocuous statement, seemingly.

It had not been long since Firemane held Tygara in a death grip. Sweatshops, slave labour camps, ecological devastation had been its hallmarks. Their tyranny had been broken, but healing took time. Suqua was among those states that had suffered the worst during the war. Humans were unwelcome, especially corpos. They had been driven out or killed. If the foreigners wanted a foothold in Suqua, they would have to prove themselves...and abide by the natives' rules.

"Yes. We'll see whether that still holds up. People change," Alpsal remarked. Her white eyes darted from the mountain range towards the women who had won her the Suquan throne...and taken her hand in marriage. "Suquan interests first. Always."
"Suqua has no eternal allies, only eternal interests," Zabhara said.

Behind them rode two Qadiri women. One wore the fiery robes of a priestess of the Goddess Azali, the other a cotton sari with a floral scarf covering her intricately braided hair under the throbbing sun. Their names were Izana Jai Azali and Navandra Jai Suqua. The two were joined by a Xioquo male called Karrigan'Narzan, who wore sunglasses, a cloak and carried a umbrella to shield himself from the sun. About a dozen guards completed the set.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"Sir, we've got a contingent of locals incoming. I...uh...are you sure they are who we're expecting? I have heard stories about Firemane."

The security officer held a pair of macrobionoculars to his face, scanning the region. He was surprised to see a beastly mount of unknown origin, but the rider seemed to have it in full control, especially as the mount seemed to sniff at some of the workers. His gaze fell back to Mister Dashiell before shaking his head and going back to surveying the area.

[ It appears to be a column of dignitaries. Locals, clearly. My programming gives me little else at the moment. Ocular sensors do indicate the lead female is in fact Queen Elpsis Kerrigan . ]

Makai looked to their impending arrivals. Slowly making their way towards them, clearly surveying the progress made on the now completed outpost. A risky gamble but Makai was ready to let the project mothball if needed. To sit and wait for a better time. Yet as the planet was rebuilding he considered it the perfect time for all parties. He would just have to get the locals to view it in the same manner he did.

"Let's greet our guests, shall we?"

The half-Galan called out, assembling those to come and line up to receive Elpsis and the others who had traveled high in the mountains to visit them. To see their progress. Aina Holdings had brought a small contingent of ten security guards, a geologist, a three person cartography team, an environmental engineer, and the potential regional manager for the project.

Makai stood in the middle of the assembled workers with Thirty-Seven, relaxed in posture as Elpsis approached, expression neutral.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Makai Dashiell

Whatever the Aina Holdings employees had expected, it probably did not entail a party of Qadiri and Xio riding up to the installation atop giant lizard beasts. The Yazgids' movements sounded like soft leather shoes, but with the click of claws on the stone. Gravel and stone alike shifted as they traversed the mountainous landscape. Alpsal and Zabhara rode alongside each other, with Izana Jai Azali, Navandra Jai Suqua and Karrigan'Narzan following behind them. Zabhara's eyes studied each of the aliens in turn. There was an intensity about her, and her gaze was sharp and measuring. The same could be said about her Yazgid. It was strangely calm, but alert.

A couple metres away from Makai, Alpsal signalled her mount to come to a halt. Gazing towards the half-Galan with her predatory yellow eyes, Mirza sniffed quizzically. Alpsal petted her, whispering some words in Zandri. Then she slowly dismounted. Zabhara raised a gloved fist, then lowered it. The guards kept their hands on their reins, but close to their weapons if needed.

One of the knights, a well-built, muscular and tall Qadiri woman with a face marked by battle scars, and a blaster rifle strapped to her saddle, proclaimed, "You stand in the presence of Alpsal Jai Azal, Mirza of Suqua." Mirza was, as the Aina Holdings employees had probably learned, a Qadiri title that basically meant Queen. If this had been Siobhan Kerrigan, a long list of titles would have followed. Doubtless it would have been intended to sound impressive...rather than revealing a narcissistic despot's desire for self-aggrandisement.
"He knows. He knows the old name, too," Alpsal told her in Zandri, the common Qadiri language. Then her gaze turned to Makai. "Welcome to Suqua."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Makai could feel the uneasy shifts behind him. His team had never seen the beasts, nor had he. They seemed potentially vicious but under control, trained quite well it seemed. Which also concerned him. Anything that well trained meant they could easily turn on the group with a simple command. With those teeth he didn't think they ate vegetation.

"You stand in the presence of Alpsal Jai Azal, Mirza of Suqua."

If 'Alpsal' wasn't close to Elpsis, Makai would have thought the woman might have been introducing herself. Yet his suspicions were concerns when 'Alpsal' spoke to the one who had introduced her in another language. Makai could easily tell it was Elpsis, judging by the flaming cracks on her face. They seemed less intense than before but perhaps the shock of seeing her had worn off, unlike last time where it had been a jarring event.

"Welcome Alpdal Jai Azal, Mirza of Suqua. Welcome, esteemed advisors of the Mirza. Thank you for your greeting. I look forward to opening a dialogue between us and am eager to share ideas."

He paused, moving away from the ones assembled, straight towards Elpsis Kerrigan herself. Without hesitation, the half-Galan drew her in for a hearty hug, squeezing tight in an annoying-little-brother like fashion.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Makai Dashiell

The moment Makai moved to hug Alpsal, one of the guards started to draw his sidearm. Reacting promptly, Zabhara held out her hand to the side, fingers out. Then she lowered the arm. Taking the hint, the guards quickly settled. What Makai would notice when he hugged her in the most typical little brother fashion was that Alpsal burnt very hot. In the literal sense of the word. Not to the point of putting your hand on a red hot stove, but hot. Alpsal was momentarily taken aback and rolled her eyes, then returned the hug with her flesh arm. Her grip was very strong. Her cybernetic arm, which seemed to glow in the sun, remained in its spot so as to avoid potentially accidentally hurting Makai.

"Look at you, little brother, all grown up," she whispered in Basic. Then she let go and took a step back. "This is Zabhara Jai Ghazana," she indicated the middle aged warleader at her side. Alpsal was far from short, but Zabhara still had an inch or two on her. "General of the Armies of Suqua," there was just a brief pause, "and my wife."
"My wife has mentioned you," Zabhara spoke, a completely neutral expression on her face. "I'm curious about your findings."

Next Alpsal gestured to the Qadiri women dressed in pale scarlet robes. She had a completely shaved head, and intricate tattoos that resembled flames went up the side and back of her head. As a sign of her status, she carried a staff. "Izana Jai Azali, priestess of Azali the Goddess of Fire and the Desert," Alpsal introduced her.

Then to the Qadiri woman wearing a sari. She had green eyes, was slight of stature and thin. Her expression was stoic as she took in the party of aliens and humans. A rising sun was tattooed on her right cheek. It covered a number she had once been branded with. A green scarf with pink, red and yellow flowers painted on its centre and fringed tassels hanging from the edges covered her intricately braided hair. "Navandra Jai Suqua, Vizier of the Earth and Fields."

Last but not least, she indicated the sole male among her advisors. His features were obscured by sunglasses and an umbrella, but whereas the Qadiri had tanned skin and dark hair, his skin was grey and his hair was white, for he was a Xio. He was lean, and his face was scarred. "Karrigan'Narzan, Delegate of the Workers' Alliance."

One of the Yazgid hissed, showing off an impressive array of sharp teeth in the process. Thereupon Mirza immediately growled at her, raising herself to her full height. It was always important for a Yaz matriarch to maintain dominance over the rest of the pack. "Zabhara, can you move the guards and our mounts off to the side? Then join us inside," she said in Basic for Makai's benefit.
Zabhara nodded curtly. "The girls just need some space and a meal. We brought meat." Having said that in Basic, she immediately barked some commands in Zandri that got the soldiers moving.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Makai wanted to make an off-color joke about Elpsis Kerrigan being hot but upon seeing the neutral expression on her wife's face, he knew better. Being a married man himself he had picked up well enough when to try to make such remarks and when not to. This was one of those times to keep quiet. Which lead to another issue ; how to greet those assembled. Typically for women he greeted them with a kiss on the cheek, men a handshake. It typically worked well for a good number of cultures.

Something told him that the same may not translate as well today.

Instead he offered a short bow. Seemed harmless enough and the titles of many assembled were those of people in higher power. Whether it be the monarchy or the local religion.

"A pleasure to meet everyone. I look forward in getting to know all of you but especially Zabhara. It will be fascinating to get to know the woman who stole the heart of the Mizra."

Makai didn't think Elpsis the marrying type. Not the one he knew before. Yet people changed. Perhaps it was merely a political alliance, a marriage to strengthen territories. Much how others married just to join two high-profile families together.

"Let us go inside. We have tea and refreshments. I think everyone assembled will enjoy seeing our extensive maps of the mountains. Very layered, I'd like to extended a copy to you, Mizra. You'll see more once we enter. Please, ladies first."

​

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Makai Dashiell

Outwardly, Zabhara's expression remained as placid and neutral as before. She approved of the human male's polite gesture though, and returned the short bow in kind. "I did not think I would find myself wed to a human, but we all make mistakes. She's scandalously young. My daughter's embarrassed," she commented dryly.
"Well, I never expected to have to overthrow my adoptive parents and become ruler of a country, so we all make our mistakes. Anyway, I did give you lots of land and a fancy hat, so you can deal," Alpsal countered, though her tone was semi-joking rather than annoyed.

"And a sacred vow was sworn. One does not go back on such commitments lightly, lest one anger the Goddesses and Gods, and even the strongest Zari would be foolish to measure themselves against the heavens," Izana Jai Azali spoke gravely.
"So say we all. I figure it's tolerable enough," Alpsal gave Makai a nod, and stepped inside. "I'd appreciate the map."

"I used to help run mining operations for the Temple," Navandra Jai Suqua spoke. She had a cute accent, though her severe expression likely made many discinlined to mention this. "I'm interested in all the details of your findings."

"Same. Water would be nice, thank you," Karrigan'Narzan said politely. He spoke Basic with a thick Xio accent. As soon as they had crossed the threshold, he closed his umbrella and took off his sunglasses, revealing green eyes with dark pupils. His face was marked by vicious scars. He took out a handkerchief and wiped some sweat from his brow. Even with protection, travelling under the sun was not easy for Xio. But as they stepped inside the outpost, he took careful note of the installation.

Meanwhile, the Suquan guards were firmly and cautiously herding the Yazgid further away and feeding them some nice, bloody meat so that they would not be tempted to make the humans their snacks. The Yazgid were a bit rambunctious and unruly, but Mirza helped maintain some discipline among the pack.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"I did not think I would find myself wed to a human, but we all make mistakes. She's scandalously young. My daughter's embarrassed,"

"As someone who married fairly young by most standards, I get it. Although I am sure the Mizra is most likely the best mistake possible. Life tends to lead us where we did not intend. I certainly didn't expect to have a two year old.Please spare me a lecture.." He looked pointedly at Alpsal. "..I know how it happened."

Makai chuckled as they advanced through gleaming corridors, listening to the group as he did so. Scrutiny was the name of the game but he was fine with it. Welcomed it. Especially in such an area with such a history. War torn and prone to enslavement, someone could easily attempt to exploit the people. The half-Galan saw it as an opportunity to build it back up.

"I used to help run mining operations for the Temple,"

"So you're familiar? This is good. Due to recent events it was hard to find anyone with local knowledge, so some things may be incomplete. I find science only goes so far."

Entering the conference room, various maps were already projected into the air. They slowly turned, certain areas blinking various colors. The most prominent was the very mountain range they were on right now. As promised at the large table, teas and water along with various fruits and pastries for easy grabbing.

"Please take a seat. What we have in front of us in the current mountain range. Mapped out and highlighted the various resources my workers could find. There's a reason I've gathered the most important sentients on the planet here. Aina Holdings would like to mine. However, we also want to provide skilled work to the planet...I am aware there is a trust issue, I would like to know everyone's thoughts and concerns...plus if this is something the leadership sees as viable."

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Makai Dashiell

Alpsal's steel foot made audible thumps on the floor while she walked. As they entered the conference room, Izana gave the array of drinks and pastries a suspicious glance. Her gaze lingered on them for a while, before her shoulders relaxed. It would be rather foolish of the human - was he one? They did not usually have scales - to try to poison them. So the priestess took a glass of juice, and sat down.

Navandra Jai Suqua pointed a slender figure at one of the projections above the table. "They found large copper deposits. That has to be enough for several million tonnes of refined metal. Very important for electricity," she told Alpsal in Zandri. The blind human could, after all, not actually see the holograms without technological aid.
"We're going to need a strong force to protect this place from raiders," Zabhara remarked, also in Zandri. "Commanded by someone reliable who's not going to skim off the top."
Alpsal acknowledged this with a curt nod. "Got someone in mind?"
"Certainly."

"It's nice of you to say we're the most important people on the planet. Others might disagree. Anyway, thanks for your presentation and your efforts," Alpsal said to Makai. "Tygara and Suqua specifically have a troubled history with outsiders. The first sky people who came here were pirates and raiders, then Firemane and the Eldorai. Firemane gave shinies and baubles, and created a slave state. Cities lie in ruins, millions are dead. Many more have no home, have suffered injuries, are sick. You get my point," her tone was firm, but not unkind or belligerent.

"You're not Siobhan or Tegaea, that's clear. But we can't and won't ignore our history. We'll pay you for the survey. But foreign ownership of the mine is out of the question. Our resources are the property of the nation. And, frankly, with how volatile things still are here, you're probably better off not running the whole place yourself. What we can offer is a profit sharing deal. You have the machines, the experts and all that. We've got staff, workers, political liaisons, security."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"You're not Siobhan or Tegaea, that's clear. But we can't and won't ignore our history. We'll pay you for the survey. But foreign ownership of the mine is out of the question. Our resources are the property of the nation. And, frankly, with how volatile things still are here, you're probably better off not running the whole place yourself. What we can offer is a profit sharing deal. You have the machines, the experts and all that. We've got staff, workers, political liaisons, security."

Makai nodded, still had the head of the table, standing as he answered questions. It made it easier to flip through presentations and not seem as if he wasn't taking the meeting seriously.

"This is not an unusual arrangement. Most major governments prefer to lease the mining rights instead of letting them be bought outright. Normally its a plan where we are paying into the government for the rights in some form or fashion and then we provide everything else. Having no control of the staff, workers, political liaisons and security gives me pause."

There was, as Elpsis Kerrigan said, good reason to not ignore history. A large piece of history was on his mind. One that greatly concerned him. Without having some type of framework in place of assurance, the half-Galan wasn't sure they would be able to come to an agreement.

"As you stated, we cannot ignore the history of Tygara." He paused, iced blue eyes turning to look at each person assembled. "I run a tight ship. No slave labor is ever allowed near any of my operations. Nor would I want bloated officials with a rotating door of sex workers taking an office inside this building under a guise as 'management'. The planet was once ruled by two corrupt sex fiends. I need assurances that those assembled aren't just the same with a better sense of fashion."

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Makai Dashiell

"The sex fiends were not Tygaran," Zabhara spoke pointedly. She didn't raise her voice, she didn't need to. But she was firm, resolute. Her accent had thickened. Her eyes were as hard as her mouth, hard as the hilt of the sword in her scabbard. "They came to us with false promises of enlightenment and harmony, only to chain us in velvet shackles and force us to obey their designs. Many of us were taken in, even I, but when I saw the dark hand for what it was I spurned it, fought against it. I was reviled, mocked, given a place of humilation by them, but I did not take that lying down. If you think all the Qadiri are is sex workers and vapid fashion models, you should turn and go right now, for you do not understand us. We fought tyranny, we bled, and when no one outside Tygara would aid us we threw down the tyrants and drowned them in our own blood, crushed them with the weight of our bodies, broke them with our cries of vengeance. The Qadiri do not come to beg again to off-worlders to be puppets again, we offer a partnership, a true one, because your company was said to be trustworthy. I hope this is true."

Alpsal stared into the direction of the half-Galan entrepreneur. She had an incredibly slow blink speed. When she spoke, her tone was flat and serious, without any hint of levity. "By the by, Suquan sex workers are unionised. Creeps are beheaded. But that's besides the point. Been a while since we've last met, Makai. Makes sense you don't know me as well as before. Or you just see Sio and Tegs," she spoke the names with unmistakeable, hate-filled venom. "I get that. I'm their daughter, I inherited their sins. Last one standing of that degenerate family. I'm not them. Could've easily been that. Spend my life as Firemane's propaganda mascot, have a harem of slave girls, grotesque palaces covered in gold. I'm the one who lit the fire that burnt down all they loved. Their decadent skypalaces, their wealth. All the parasites. I gave my blood, I gave my health. From the frozen tundras of the Northlands to the cities, deserts and mountains of Zhukathis and finally into the sky to the Arx. I'm sitting on the throne - well, I don't actually have one at the moment, it got wrecked when the city was bombed and I've got better things to do than waste money on a new one - because the people put me there. Because I fight for them. I'm not letting corpos - any corpos - walk in and buy and sell this country. In the greater galaxy, Tygara matters little. Suqua's not even a blip on the radar. But though it's a small nation, it's going to be a sovereign nation. You can work with us under our terms, prove you're better than the rest and make money. Or collect the fee for your survey work and walk out." If he did not agree, she had no qualms about terminating the talks.

"Quite. I have a proposal," Navandra Jai Suqua, who had been jotting down notes, spoke up calmly. "We provide a list of local people who would be employed here. Your people, Mr Dashiell, interview them and determine whether you can work with them. Control remains in Suquan hands, but you'll be able to find out if you can build a working relationship with them. They in turn get a feeling for the sky people they be working with. trust must go both ways." Alpsal gave her a curt nod.

"Workers here won't serve foreigners," Karrigan'Narzan said bluntly, his Xio accent thick. His voice was gruff and no-nonsense. A working man speaking for working women and men. "Work with them, learn from them how to use machines. Not under them. Need representation on the group running the mine. A spokesperson, chosen by them."

The priestess Izana Jai Azali was the last to speak. "If we reach agreement, the Temple will educate the workers about the terms of the bargain, make sure they know that their rights and obligations and that there means for them to seek recourse for grievances. The Temple can also provide translators. The vast majority of workers do not speak the sky people language."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

If you think all the Qadiri are is sex workers and vapid fashion models, you should turn and go right now, for you do not understand us

I get that. I'm their daughter, I inherited their sins. Last one standing of that degenerate family. I'm not them. Could've easily been that. Spend my life as Firemane's propaganda mascot, have a harem of slave girls, grotesque palaces covered in gold. I'm the one who lit the fire that burnt down all they loved. Their decadent skypalaces, their wealth

It seemed Elpsis had gotten his point. Makai did not see the locals as the issue. They, for the most part, had to adjust and adapt to the situation at hand. That situation had been Firemane and the two at the top who had bent those to their will. Hindsight was always twenty-twenty, and frankly many should have seen the signs earlier, even his own father. Yet the Dashiells and Kerrigans hadn't been particularly close beyond one business contract for security services.

"I understand, I do not blame the locals for anything that happened. They had little choice in the matter. My...concern, was directed more towards you Mizra. However..." Makai paused for a moment. "As you so eloquently pointed out, we are not our parents."

I'm not letting corpos - any corpos - walk in and buy and sell this country. In the greater galaxy, Tygara matters little. Suqua's not even a blip on the radar. But though it's a small nation, it's going to be a sovereign nation. You can work with us under our terms, prove you're better than the rest and make money. Or collect the fee for your survey work and walk out." If he did not agree, she had no qualms about terminating the talks.

"Workers here won't serve foreigners," Karrigan'Narzan said bluntly, his Xio accent thick. His voice was gruff and no-nonsense. A working man speaking for working women and men. "Work with them, learn from them how to use machines. Not under them. Need representation on the group running the mine. A spokesperson, chosen by them."

"This is not an unusual request nor it is it an unusual situation. My previously mentioned concern comes from the fact the company name is still attached to this operation. However, with those fears addressed, I'm sure there is something that could be worked out easily. In fact, what first comes to mind is perhaps the locals or the royal government forms a union to represent those who work in or around the mine. It would create a built in liaison between the planetary concerns and Aina Holdings. It would also give me the assurance that the workers are being paid fairly and treated well."

One whiff of bad worker conditions, even if contracted, could spell disaster for his reputation. Important when he was trying to expand and make a different mark in the mining world.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Makai Dashiell

At Makai's words, Alpsal's expression softened slightly, seemingly placated. The somewhat disconcerting stare remained. "We Suquans are quite adept at a making a bad ruler a head shorter. It's in our mother's milk," Zabhara commented stoically.
"The fire of the Suquan heart burns against such injustice and tyranny, and in the end consumes it," Izana Jai Azali added in a somewhat dramatic fashion.

Karrigan'Narzan looked momentarily surprised when the half-Galan brought up workers' rights, before he resumed his stoic expression. "Didn't think you'd be the one to promote a worker's rights. If that is your concern, that is good, human," he commented.
Alpsal coughed slightly. "He's half-Galan."
"A what?"
"Half Galan, half human." Now was not the time to get into the finer details of xenobiology.
"I see," the Xioquo representative frowned, mentally filing this away. It did help explain the scales. He'd been wondering about those. These sky people were strange. "The point remains. We're working on building more just structures to give the worker their due, their pride, their voice. Much work to be done. Workers' Alliance is a first step."

"Indeed. Narzan's going be your main contact person when it comes to workers' issues. For a start, no worker employed in a venture with a foreign company should be non-unionised. That ought to plain to everyone in the country. As for trust-building, I can work with Jai Suqua's suggestion. The interviews would obviously be reciprocal. I'm going to want a clear picture of who our people are meant to be working with."
"I can oversee the process, Mirza," Navandra Jai Suqua said crisply. "And liaise with the workers' representatives," she added with a nod directed towards Narzan.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Makai managed to look amused as they debated the status of human or non-human. It didn't quite matter to himself, most of the time he didn't get a second glance. Wearing suits helped that, the scales along his neck though couldn't be helped. Either way, he didn't think it mattered much to the conversation at hand.

"Yes, workers rights. I don't think any corporation, native or not, should be on the planet without considering the history of its people. Otherwise, I don't foresee longevity in the slightest. Not for Tygara, but for those businesses who refuse to take much into account."

At least he seemed to be gaining a small bit of traction now. Workers rights seemed to put him on the right track towards getting into some kind of favor. It appeared talks would be moving towards interviews for his people. It did put a small damper on merely appointing a volunteer who wanted to be this far out in the Tingel Arm, but it was fine. Finding a couple and letting them run through the gauntlet set up by the locals would be just as easy.

"What are the other concerns? Beyond labor, it seems that is forming up to be something we both can agree on."

Elpsis Kerrigan

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

Makai Dashiell

Karrigan'Narzan leaned forward. "Promise and words are easy, easily snuffed out as candlelight. Actions are harder to perform. Will wait and hope these promises are performed."

"There are financial questions," Navandra Jai Suqua stated. "Refining of the ore has to take place here in Suqua. We can pay if you provide the machines and train our people in their use."

"Indeed. We're going to deploy a full company - about 150 soldiers - to protect the facility and personnel," Zabhara declared crisply. "Mountain troops, a few light vehicles, mobile cavalry, a few specialists. Your people will meet the commander in the coming days. We'll set up the facilities."

"I would also suggest that a small shrine for the workers and soldiers might be set up. Nothing...fancy, but Azali is the goddess of the forge as well as fire, it would be fitting," Izana spoke. The fact it was also her cult, and that of Alpsal was purely coincidental. "We will organise the upkeep and maintenance, and include place for the other cults to to worship."

"While we're talking about Firemane's sins, there's another one that's going to directly impact operations here," Alpsal suddenly spoke up, tone firm. "Firemane mining operations polluted rivers and farmland. Thousands of people across the country lost their livelihood and their homes, grew sick, children died, animals died. I've met the villagers, seen the corpses. I've smelt the pollution, I've tasted it. I won't allow that to happen again. Waste must be safely stored, taken off world or destroyed. I expect a proper plan to deal with that. I'm not sacrificing the nation's health for crude capitalism."