225.3 Seira

[Corwin]

[20:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> ------(ZOMBIE KO)--
[20:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Catching up to Lord Salman is easy enough for Seira. He lingers on the stage as the others depart, giving Seira a chance to speak her mind as she wishes...
01[20:27] <Seira> "Would it be possible to speak to you in a more private setting, Sir?" Seira asks the ruler quietly, using the chance granted to her by circumstance.
[20:30] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Certainly," Lord Salman nods, "Come, the honor guard will head back to the residences for now. We can speak there."
01[20:31] <Seira> "Thank you," Seira responds. "It is a matter I do not wish to delay any longer, and this is a good opportunity to bring it up, especially in light of that attack."
[20:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The honor guard, Seira and Lord Salman pass back into the residences. Here Seira and Lord Salman meet in his office. "By all means, speak your mind, Seira."
01[20:36] <Seira> "I'll get straight to the point, then," she says, nodding curtly. "We are faced with many threats from those who hate us just for who we are and what we stand for. We can either submit to them, or we could fight back. However, as things stand, we cannot cover every corner of the known world. The world around us keeps on growing, leading to a numerical inferiority on the side of the Guard."
[20:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Yes, we have read the reports from Balmuria. Tales of places as far flung as the borders of the western jungles, and then going past those impossible lengths." Lord Salman folds his hands together. "The world seems vast and yet accessible at the hands of magic in this changing era."
01[20:43] <Seira> "And we know that there are those both willing and able to reach across those patches of land previously thought untraversable to strike at us. However, what if we had the means to strike back in force, Sir?
01[20:43] <Seira> I have been working on a concept of connecting ourselves with our distant allies via magical portals, eventually creating a network where we could react to our enemies as soon as they are discovered without the need to rely on those of us in the Guard capable of teleportation. The costs alone are prohibitive, but what I truly lack is a strong force capable of achieving armed interventions that go in our favor."
[20:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Lord Salman peers forward now, "How heavy are the costs, Seira?" Lord Salman asks, "For this network of portals you speak of? Further, by an armed force, what do you mean? If the Crimson Guard is not sufficient, do you mean an army proper?"
01[20:48] <Seira> "In the area of thirty thousand gold for a two-directional link," Seira says, unable to conceal a wince. "Naturally, such lines connecting the distant spots of the world could be used by the temples of Waukeen to improve trade and standard of living, and that would even serve as fine cover for this secondary purpose for the portals. However, the costs I'll do something about."
06[20:48] * Seira stands a bit straighter as she delivers the next part. "What I am talking about, what I would like to form, is a special force dedicated to armed interventions against evil in any form."
[20:52] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Could a link between Victoria and Balmuria be made?" Lord Salman asks after som ethought, "How large a force then? How capable?"
01[20:56] <Seira> "It could be, though my priority in funding it would be lesser than the hot spots of the world," Seira admits. "As for what I seek... Sire, while the Guard is capable of taking on a country and winning, this fact is not truly understood by its people here," she presses a hand to her chest, "even if they realize it intellectually.
01[20:56] <Seira> To achieve true deterrance, it must be a force capable of stopping a vanguard conventionally, or giving the appearance of such while we support it as well. We won't seek the eradication of evil so much as a deterrent for those with evil intentions who think about acting up on those."
[21:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I see. You speak of.." Lord Salman stops there, "No, continue. Tell me all of your plan, all of the specifics."
06[21:08] * Seira nods once more at the prompting. "There would be a secure location which would serve as the hub for portals going back and forth to locations all over the world. Through it, we could project military force if needed, while bettering our friends both near and distant through Waukeen's grace.
01[21:08] <Seira> In many ways, the plan calls for a carrot and stick approach, Sire. Wealth and prosperity are the carrot, and if there are those who would not be satisfied with that, military force would come in. If there are problems stirring in a distant land like Kesse, the aim is that we would hear of it from the start and intervene before it becomes an issue we must mobilize our entire force again.
01[21:08] <Seira> We cannot rely on the enemy's arrogance in launching a first strike at us before they are truly ready again, like in that instance."
[21:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "What you are speaking of is a grand undertaking, Seira," Lord Salman stands now, talking as he walks. "What you speak of could very well be seen as the start of an empire of influence. With that great a project and that great a power, great responsibility must follow or the entire enterprise will be folly."
01[21:32] <Seira> "I understand that!" Seira exclaims. "But how long must we remain fragmented, divided by petty rivalries inherited from those who came before us? How long are we to let fiends and vile gods dictate the state of the world? I refuse to accept that reality! And if it means taking on the world to change this status quo, then I will gladly spearhead the effort!"
[21:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Then, what is your ideal world?" Lord Salman asks, "What is the ultimate fruit for this labor?"
06[21:40] * Seira thinks about the question. "A world where everyone, regardless of status, can raise to the top. Where the way is open for them to do as they wish. A world without poverty and ignorance and pointless battles, as many die for the pride of few. I want a world where everyone has a choice before them, and they make the right one."
06[21:40] * Seira smiles crookedly. "It's an ideal, and those usually can't be attained. But they can and should be struggled for, so that we might create a more perfect existence!"

[Corwin]

[19:18] <Kozzz> --------
[19:19] <Kozzz> > "I see. You speak of.." Lord Salman stops there, "No, continue. Tell me all of your plan, all of the specifics."
[19:19] <Kozzz> * Seira nods once more at the prompting. "There would be a secure location which would serve as the hub for portals going back and forth to locations all over the world. Through it, we could project military force if needed, while bettering our friends both near and distant through Waukeen's grace.
[19:19] <Kozzz> <Seira> In many ways, the plan calls for a carrot and stick approach, Sire. Wealth and prosperity are the carrot, and if there are those who would not be satisfied with that, military force would come in. If there are problems stirring in a distant land like Kesse, the aim is that we would hear of it from the start and intervene before it becomes an issue we must mobilize our entire force again.
[19:19] <Kozzz> <Seira> We cannot rely on the enemy's arrogance in launching a first strike at us before they are truly ready again, like in that instance."
[19:19] <Kozzz> > "What you are speaking of is a grand undertaking, Seira," Lord Salman stands now, talking as he walks. "What you speak of could very well be seen as the start of an empire of influence. With that great a project and that great a power, great responsibility must follow or the entire enterprise will be folly."
[19:19] <Kozzz> <Seira> "I understand that!" Seira exclaims. "But how long must we remain fragmented, divided by petty rivalries inherited from those who came before us? How long are we to let fiends and vile gods dictate the state of the world? I refuse to accept that reality! And if it means taking on the world to change this status quo, then I will gladly spearhead the effort!"
[19:19] <Kozzz> > "Then, what is your ideal world?" Lord Salman asks, "What is the ultimate fruit for this labor?"
[19:19] <Kozzz> * Seira thinks about the question. "A world where everyone, regardless of status, can raise to the top. Where the way is open for them to do as they wish. A world without poverty and ignorance and pointless battles, as many die for the pride of few. I want a world where everyone has a choice before them, and they make the right one."
[19:19] <Kozzz> * Seira smiles crookedly. "It's an ideal, and those usually can't be attained. But they can and should be struggled for, so that we might create a more perfect existence!"
03[19:24] * Kozzz is now known as Kotono
[19:26] <Kotono> "Seira." Lord Salman begins, "Long has our nation put our hopes into the Crimson Guard. From it's inception nearly two years ago, it has become a shining beacon of hope for our nation. You speak of making it a beacon of hope for all nations. Yet never have we held our hand as the Guard strives and we will not hold it this time. You have our permission to proceed. Further, we will commit 10,000 gold to establishing a pathway from Balmuri
[19:26] <Kotono> Further, we will commit 10,000 gold to establishing a pathway from Balmuria to Victoria. Without a doubt, Balmuria is our most important city. Let it be connected to our capital truly."
01[19:29] <Seira> "It shall be done, Sire," Seira promises.
[19:32] <Kotono> "Then let it be so," Lord Salman declares. "Are there any other matters?"
06[19:36] * Seira considers her next words for, perhaps, longer than is proper. "In addition to the request for troops and support, Lord Salman, there is one more matter I wished to raise if the response was positive. The matter of intelligence and counter-intelligence, to be specific. It is an open secret that every nation gathers intelligence on others, be they friend or foe.
01[19:36] <Seira> To be especially effective and to respond before the situation gets out of hand, we need that capability. If we need to train such agents from scratch, then I would like to start on that. If such resources already exist and we have not been made aware of them until now, could our cooperation be tightened in the future?"
[19:55] <Kotono> "We have begun to take measures in that field since the second Malmuthian war." Lord Salman nods, "The organization is largely seperate from the Crimson Guard; they report directly to me. Our agent in Torm's ranks in Balmuria is one such person. However, the service is still new and raw, useful information contacts take time to establish."
01[20:01] <Seira> "I have access to information that goes through the temples of Waukeen," Seira voices, "though except in unique cases, it would likely be useful as background information at most. Unfortunately, nothing truly useful has come out from this so far, though eliminating travel times is bound to affect this." She looks both upset and embarrassed at that fact.
01[20:01] <Seira> "Perhaps you could have someone coordinate with the allied priests, Lord Salman? I'm afraid that my expertize is either in direct infiltration or by gathering peripheral intelligence, and this situation calls for something midway through the two."
03[20:09] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-514d2c08.l1.c2.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
[20:09] <Kotono> "It can be done," Lord Salman agrees.
01[20:12] <Seira> "Of particular concern to me, right now, are the nations around Kesse." Seira frowns. "They are simply too far, and we haven't had any contact with them until recently. We know next to nothing about them except that Kesse's previous leadership was on good terms with most of them.
01[20:12] <Seira> While not a portal, normal teleportation would allow several skilled people to be dispatched there so that we would be able to keep an eye on that corner of the world. Would that be possible, Lord Salman?"
[20:17] <Kotono> "We will grant you leave to deal with that matter, yes,"Lord Salman agrees.
01[20:20] <Seira> It's certainly very nice to have her liege's ear on such matters, and Seira decides to quit while she's ahead. "Once again, thank you for supporting me in these tasks, Sire. I will not betray your trust in me," she says, bowing deeply.