Fall, 2321
High Kong Zi Orbit, aboard the Chao Guang (Faster than Light) class mobile SLE, Da Han
The Da Han was the first of its kind in the HFR, a domestically assembled mobile SLE, spurred on by continued AU control over the confederacy's stationary SLE's. Being the first, the Da Han wasn't particularly well optimized, the FTL drive consuming far too much fuel, thus having the size of a dreadnaught but non-engine space of a frigate. Still, it was a great pride of the HFR, now repurposed for interstellar diplomacy and a sort of arkship, in the event of disaster. The non-engine space of the vessel was filled with leisure and office space for bureaucrats, along with a large array of communications.
Luo Meng waited in front of the main docking port as the Jiang Xue, a Jing Ye Si class Cruiser, docked with the Jiang Xue. As the double doors parted, the prime minister found herself face to face with Kal Young and Hak Bo-Hee.
"President Kal. Grand Admiral Hak." Luo nodded to both of them. "I'm sure you have a reason for lingering in Li Ming. Don't you have a presidential debate scheduled in a few weeks?" She raised an eyebrow at Kal in particular.
"That pales in comparison to the matter at hand, Prime Minister Luo." Kal dismissed her concerns, following her as she guided the party to her office, well lit by soft yellow light and decorated by book shelves, a waste of mass that only high ranking officials could afford. Hak stayed standing while Luo and Kal both sat down.
"Shen Zhou's intelligence has confirmed that the Empress is no longer in the Daqin capital." Kal informed Luo. "At the same time, one of their diplomatic vessels have entered FTL space, destination: Sol system." He paused to gauge Luo's reaction, which was muted and thoughtful, before continuing. "There is high probability that the Empress herself will be on Olympus Mons."
"Of course she is. The recent damages that the GDW and the Soyuz inflicted on each other has their bloodshot eyes aimed right at Daqin. She has to do damage control in person." Luo commented. "She must be desperate too, to expose herself like this."
"What are you going to do about it?" Kal's tone cooled as he inquired.
Luo sensed the shift, her eyes narrowed slightly. "The Empress might be higher ranking than Sakamoto, but she's still just a diplomat in this scenario. We follow the plan that we agreed on: publicly announce our anti-Daqin alliance with the CCM and the GDW, then strongarm the AU into doing the same. No amount of sweet talk is going to get the Empire out of this mess, not with fresh blood---"
Kal scoffed. "Prime Minister Luo, are you so blind? Our greatest adversary puts herself in front of us and all you want to do is talk?"
High Kong Zi Orbit, aboard the Chao Guang (Faster than Light) class mobile SLE, Da Han
The Da Han was the first of its kind in the HFR, a domestically assembled mobile SLE, spurred on by continued AU control over the confederacy's stationary SLE's. Being the first, the Da Han wasn't particularly well optimized, the FTL drive consuming far too much fuel, thus having the size of a dreadnaught but non-engine space of a frigate. Still, it was a great pride of the HFR, now repurposed for interstellar diplomacy and a sort of arkship, in the event of disaster. The non-engine space of the vessel was filled with leisure and office space for bureaucrats, along with a large array of communications.
Luo Meng waited in front of the main docking port as the Jiang Xue, a Jing Ye Si class Cruiser, docked with the Jiang Xue. As the double doors parted, the prime minister found herself face to face with Kal Young and Hak Bo-Hee.
"President Kal. Grand Admiral Hak." Luo nodded to both of them. "I'm sure you have a reason for lingering in Li Ming. Don't you have a presidential debate scheduled in a few weeks?" She raised an eyebrow at Kal in particular.
"That pales in comparison to the matter at hand, Prime Minister Luo." Kal dismissed her concerns, following her as she guided the party to her office, well lit by soft yellow light and decorated by book shelves, a waste of mass that only high ranking officials could afford. Hak stayed standing while Luo and Kal both sat down.
"Shen Zhou's intelligence has confirmed that the Empress is no longer in the Daqin capital." Kal informed Luo. "At the same time, one of their diplomatic vessels have entered FTL space, destination: Sol system." He paused to gauge Luo's reaction, which was muted and thoughtful, before continuing. "There is high probability that the Empress herself will be on Olympus Mons."
"Of course she is. The recent damages that the GDW and the Soyuz inflicted on each other has their bloodshot eyes aimed right at Daqin. She has to do damage control in person." Luo commented. "She must be desperate too, to expose herself like this."
"What are you going to do about it?" Kal's tone cooled as he inquired.
Luo sensed the shift, her eyes narrowed slightly. "The Empress might be higher ranking than Sakamoto, but she's still just a diplomat in this scenario. We follow the plan that we agreed on: publicly announce our anti-Daqin alliance with the CCM and the GDW, then strongarm the AU into doing the same. No amount of sweet talk is going to get the Empire out of this mess, not with fresh blood---"
Kal scoffed. "Prime Minister Luo, are you so blind? Our greatest adversary puts herself in front of us and all you want to do is talk?"
Last edited: