6 Diplomatic… Something – 2

(3° person POV)

Wolf shifts uncomfortably on his horse. Not that the saddle is more bothersome than usual, but the several strange weapons pointing at him from atop the metal walls and the strange small structures where the blue metal soldiers are inside, pointing their guns at him and his soldiers.

He came here with only four other people, with swords and armor to defend from the monsters. however, that made him anxious if the other party would consider that a rude act. Before he could even introduce himself at their gates, an unbelievable loud voice sounded, ordering them to stop.

And now, several minutes have passed. Suddenly, the giant metal gates started to open, sliding inside the six meters tall walls also made of smooth metal.

(Wolf): "Amazing. A few days ago, there was nothing here. They built everything so fast…"

From inside the gate, a group of ten blue soldiers came out, armed. Wolf gulped nervously, they probably wouldn't attack them, as they could have done that from the safety of their walls and metal boxes.

(Marine): "Dismount of your horses and out down your swords."

The one in the front said, his voice a bit distorted from inside the armor, sounding strangely normal in volume despite his face being covered. Wolf nodded and looked at his companions as he dismounted.

They followed his steps, taking off their swords from their belts and throwing it to the ground. The metal soldier's face was covered, so a reaction wasn't possible for wolf to see.

(Marine): "Follow me."

He said, making a hand sign to his comrades. Five of them moved to take the horses and the rest escorted Wolf and his followers inside the fortress. Inside, he saw something unbelievable. An army, bigger than a few days ago.

Every single man and woman a soldier inside an armor, every single one armed with one of those weapons of mass killing that tore the monsters to shreds. He gulped. He was guided to one of the larger buildings in his vision, a building of strange shape to him, made solely of metal, with a dome-ish shape.

The door opened by itself as they approached. Inside, their escorts said:

(Marine): "I will guide you to the Commander. Watch your tongue."

He said, in a not threatening tone, still intimidating due the nature of his words. Wolf simply nodded. The other soldiers stayed behind, and Wolf followed the one who talked to a metal box that is surprisingly big.

The marine entered and waited for Wolf's followers to enter before pressing a button besides the open entrance. Metal doors slid and closed the entrance, and the whole room started to move upwards. Wolf and his man lost balance for a second, but the soldier in armor seemed fine.

After a few seconds, the room stopped, and the doors opened again. What was revealed is a large room with a long table where someone is sitting at the head.as wolf enters the room, he can make out the person sitting on the table. It's a boy, more specifically, a human boy.

Wolf holds back a frown, seeing a human. In the end, the negotiation mind end up badly for their side. Wolf and his companions stand in front of the table, and the marine behind them. The boy leans back in his chair and says:

(Vladmir): "Sit."

Wolf then sits in the chair opposite to the boy in the other end of the long table, and his companions sit on the chairs beside them.

(Vladmir): "Well then, to the introductions. My name is Vladmir Grigori, I am the Supreme Commander of this army."

He says, looking at Wolf with a meaningful stare. Surprisingly, he feels that this kid is dangerous. For some reason, ever cell of his body feels that he won't beat this kid no matter what happened.

(Wolf): "H-hello. I'm Wolf, leader of the beastman town not far from here."

(Vladmir): "Welcome, Mister Wolf. Please, sit."

When Vladmir said it, Wolf felt a pressure on his body, forcing him to sit on the opposite end of the table. The others with him also sat down, afraid and suffering from the same pressure. With that, the negotiations started.

(Vladmir's POV)

Strange… I felt this sensation when around the marines but chose to ignore that. But now, I sense the same thing with these beastman around. Yes… it's the presence of a weak mind. Although I don't consider myself a strong psychic, I have an affinity to bending minds.

The marines have weak minds, the pilots have stronger minds, but I can still get in their skulls if I try hard. The medics… I can't even get near their minds these girls are quite strong mentally. However, these guys… their minds are weak.

Not that they are stupid, but I can feel that they are more soldiers than thinkers. I'll try to use this at my advantage.

(Vladmir): "Well then, Mister Wolf. What do I own your visit to my fortress?"

He smiled nervously, trying to make a friendly face.

(Wolf): "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister Vladmir. I came here to stablish a friend relationship as neighbors."

A friendly approach… it seems that he telling me a half truth, I can partially read his mind. However, his objective is more to assess the situation and grant that I won't do a hostile invasion. It's quite transparent. Even so, I don't want a hostile relationship, but I still need to keep a strong fist over them.

(Vladmir): "It's an interesting concept, mister Wolf. Indeed, although I'm a military commander, I'd prefer a peaceful relationship."

Wolf smiled, and his followers as well. Ok, Vladmir, first the carrot.

(Vladmir): "Well then Mister Wolf. I'd like to discuss trading."

He smiled and we talked for a while about goods and trading. What I have to offer is simple technology, such as lighters, pens and other paraphernalia that makes the live of the beastman easier, as well metal.

What they have to trade is small amounts of food, some money that they can produce with the metals that we provide, since I can produce basically any kind of metal at my factories, as well monster cores that will be their main trading stuff.

Of course, the discussion took at least four hours. Not only that, since the start I had one of our medics, out of her armor, to write down the contract with several clauses where our trading terms are stablished. However, that was the carrot… and the stick follows.

I ominously lean my elbows on the table, crossing my fingers and hiding my face behind my hands, creating a serious atmosphere.

(Vladmir): "Mister Wolf, although I do have the impression that you are a good natured person, I'm still a military commander."

His face paled visibly.

(Wolf): "M-mister Vladmir… I can assure that the beastman village will be a great business partner!"

(Vladmir): "Don't misunderstand. I have no prejudice against your race. Much the contrary, I could not care less about it actually. However, as I said previously, I'm a military commander. My nature is to distrust, and I wouldn't like to jump in a agreement without a guarantee."

Wolf swallowed dry, his face serious. After hesitating for a few moments, he said:

(Wolf): "What kind of guarantee?"

I held back a smile and kept my serious countenance. Even if I'm a child and his companions don't seem to take my seriously, I can't show myself a cruel dictator that delights in their suffering.

(Vladmir): "A long time ago, when my kind still dwelled in castles, we had an costume in the lack of better word."

Wolf just stared at me, his face filled with determination. Still serious, I said:

(Vladmir): "normally, as guarantee the offering party would send a youngling of importance to the other party to be raised as part of their family, and trusted as one."

Even though it doesn't seem that much, as his face clearly showed, he slowly got the meaning. Because that means giving off a child of your own family to another house. And if the relations get sour all of the sudden…

(Wolf): "A hostage…"

(Vladmir): "It's a point of view, really. After all, you have no intentions of betraying my army, right?"

He and his companions paled considerably. Before they could say anything, I made my follow up.

(Vladmir): "Although I believe that having under my wing the child of only one clan wouldn't be considered a diplomatic consent from the whole village…"

Wolf looked at me shocked.

(Wolf): "I never mentioned other clans…"

(Vladmir): "That's my condition, Mister Wolf. Send me one child per clan of your town and we will seal our trade and friendly relationship for the years to come. I just hope we can maintain a friendly relationship in the future… if you wish to consider carefully, I'll give you one month."

I said, raising one finger, still with a serious face. Wolf's face contorted with conflicted feelings. Now, show me. Are you a father or a leader first?