Another IC provided to you jointly with @Mikkel Glahder
The Synod of the Qään - with a few guests
An armoured personnel carrier came bumbling on the road leading to remnants of Ponel. “My Shas’El, why are we going to this anarchistic hell hole?” Shas’vre Li’Han asked, “I thought we were done with this place.” “You see Li’Han,” Shas’El Pho’Chan Aldon began, “we have been invited to oversee a meeting in whatever council they have established. Besides, our Sholah recognizes the people living there as his subjects, and our scouts report that they have brought order to the place.”
The vehicle stopped, and the Shas’El walked out flanked by four armed Shas’Vre’s. His personal bodyguard, handpicked from his own tribe. As he stepped out into what he regarded as dust, he remarked: “It seems it is still made of dirt.” He scanned the city, and Shas’Vre Li’Hán bowed and asked: “My Shas’El, how can these people live in such conditions? Most of this city is still in complete ruins.” “It is indeed, but I believe that we can still trust the lizards running the show.” He paused, “Even if their interpretation of Lha’tchai is a little bit… special. Anyway, their Nexus is right over there.”
The Vir’Tho envoys were received by a toad in elaborate, visibly Ponel-made, armor. This was Khleb, the stratege of Qään in command of the ‘fortifications’ of Ponel. The city was certainly no citadel, but some earthworks had been erected, and watchtowers as well as firing positions constructed. In fact a number of human serfs were busy digging a ditch and a trench, as well as laying down obstacles when the envoys arrived. It wasn’t very much, at least not yet, but still far more than during the day of the United Races Mandate. Khleb walked towards the Vir’Tho visitors, with a grin on its slimy green face, smoking a cigarette.
“Welcome, welcome, guests and friends of our mighty Qään. Sadly we do not have the time to tour this place in detail; the meeting of the Protectorate Synod is set to begin right now. And, as you might guess, the Qään absolutely hates delays. But you might see that not much has changed since we took this place back. Those damned robots certainly caused quite a deal of havoc. But, we are, of course, doing our best to fix things as soon as possible. The fact that the population has also more or less collapsed doesn’t exactly help. But we are getting there, I can assure you that.”
The Shas’El looked at the humans in ragged clothing, working, and he said: “At least you put them to good use, these anarchistic humans.”
He observed the toad’s armour, and while he found it primitive he did not comment upon and rather asked him: “What is the military situation in Ponel, and do you need a permanent garrison of troops from Vir’Tho?”
“Well, yes. I assume they didn’t leave a good impression to you either. That crony, whatever his name was. Hamilton-something? Anyway. That treacherous human just tried to cheat you for weapons and aid, not at all aiding in the liberation and restoration. He got what he deserved, and so did his people. To each their own, based on their ability.”
The toad looked at the envoys, their superior weapons and advanced armour, clearly thinking for a second. Then he looked at them confidently, tossing away the cigarette. “The military situation is good, once we start producing our own ammunition, weaponry and armour in full capacity. Workshops are being set up. We have a plenty of the former colonial militia still loyally serving our Lord Qään, and our enforcers will keep the society in check. As long as there is no new robotic threat, we should manage on our own. However, maybe a forward Vir’Tho military colony could be set up close to the city, supplied and provided for by us. But that is, naturally, for our Qään to decide.”
“Really? Good to hear. Perhaps those militiamen should be properly trained. Now, please let us into the chamber, I believe the Qään is getting anxious if the meeting begins to late.”
“Yes, of course. Please follow me.”
The toad led the Vir’Tho delegation through the former center of the city, The Hub. It was still quite ruined, but yet the most intact and best restored part. Many of the outlying districts had been abandoned and the population concentrated here, some if not most, in makeshift shacks and hovels. But something was different from the rest of the town, there were actually creatures on the streets. And a few shops. And a smell of warm food provided from a canteen to the workers of the Qään and to those doing public work. “This, this right here, is probably the best we have to offer.”
The toad remarked and then pointed at a building on the edge of what had once been a central square, but now was full of checkpoints and fortified positions. “There is the old administration headquarters for the previous colonial administration. Now it serves as the Qään’s hall of power. The meeting of the Supreme Protectorate Synod will be held in the great hall. Come.”
The toad led the visitors into the building, which was from the inside in far better condition than what it had looked from a quick glance outside. The toad walked through the halls, filled with reptile guards armed to teeth. Then it pushed open a huge metal door and they arrived to the great hall. The toad bowed down. “My Qään, the Vir’Tho representatives are here.”
“Por’O Qään,”
The Shas’El began, “A pleasure to finally meet you in person. I do not believe we have met before. I am Shas’El Pho’Chan Aldon, one of the Sholah’s most trusted commanders, and chief of the Pho’Chan tribe.”
As he walked towards his seat, and sat down with his guards close by, he said: “It is a lovely work you have done with the inside of the building, and the Sholah will be glad to hear that normal life once again, has returned to Ponel, if somewhat at least.”
He looked at the assembly which composed mainly of lizards, before he continued: “But I do believe we have matters to discuss, some more urgent than others perhaps, and thusly I will not delay the meeting further.”
“Oh, we haven’t yet officially started, and I am still waiting for my Vizier, the esteemed Khämir, to arrive. He has some urgent matters to attend to. But he should be here shortly. But first, Shas’El Pho’Chan Aldon. Please, tell me what you think of the current condition of this place. I am sure my stratege Khleb managed to show you at least a short glimpse of the colony. And please let us know what are the latest directives of the Sholah in relation to our Protectorate over Ponel.”
“The condition of Ponel is… improving, and is improving quite a bit, ever since it was destroyed. But I also sense a determination in making it better, and more functioning than it was before. I do hope that I am not mistaken. As for the directives from the Sholah, he wishes for you to rebuild the city and clean up the mess where there live no people so it may be used for something useful. You will also have defend it so it doesn’t get destroyed a second time, but I do see that you are already preparing defences.”
The Shas’El brought forth a document and laid it on the table. Then he said: “We know that you have established a race hierarchy, and while there is no problem with that per se, we have noticed that the Ki’Hári has not been mentioned in said document, at least not to our knowledge. Why is this, and what position would a Ki’Hári have if one was to visit Ponel?”
“Oh, let me start with the question relating to Ki’Hári visitors. Of course, I can overrule these ranks if I want to, and this is such a case. The Ki’Hári would enjoy privileges on par with the reptile caste. And secondly, your people are omitted from the Manifesto simply because according to our census not a single Ki’Hári resides within our walls.”
The Qään stopped for a moment as Vizier Khämir entered, waving for him to sit down before continuing. “As for the directive of the Sholah, we are already busy fulfilling as you might have witnessed. A lot of work remains to be done, but we have already moved to establishing a working economy. First manufacturing shops are working at almost full efficiency by now. But now, with everyone present we can begin.”
“My Qään, fellow reptiles and esteemed members of the Synod, but above all our Ki’Hári guests, let us begin the meeting.”
The reptiles stood and sat down, doing their brief prayers before continuing. “Now, I have just returned from the lower district 6, and the problems of food shortage and malfunctioning sewers have caused the outbreak of several diseases there. Even though, as we all know, lower district 6 is reserved for the three least races, I think it is a necessity to address the problem at once, in order to avoid a potential riot.”
The reptiles started to laugh and jeer before the Qään ordered them silent. The sole human present was more than disgusted at such behaviour and the complete denial of the rights of humans, but stood quiet. The Qään stood up. “Fellow lizards, I think there is something a few of you didn’t understand. In my speeches, in my Manifesto I did indeed quite heavily attack the human race. But they aren’t completely worthless like many of you have started to believe. I command that fixing the problems of the lower district 6 is now the primary responsibility of lizardy brothers Gha-män and Kül-saq. I want these disturbances dealt with within the week. Next.”
Fleq'ú, a huge bird responsible for the economy spoke. “My Qä’än, our economic efforts have been a tremendous success in the past months. Unemployment has been cracked down heavily, and now almost the entire population of Ponel serves in the workforce. We have established a good number of workshops, especially those producing our prime product. The one we are most well known for. I have seen reports about its tremendous spread in several areas, and the effects it has had on the nearby human settlement of New Brussels. Seemingly, coupled with the infiltration of our gangs and the huge arrival of refugees, the entire place has collapsed and is currently being abandoned. Yet another weak and decadent human state has collapsed thanks to your work, my Qä’än. Our product has found a good market in other colonies too, not anymore limited to ones inhabited by humans. My recommendation is that we make its production the cornerstone of a new proud economic powerhouse.”
Shas’El Pho’Chan Aldon decided that he would bring up the concerns of Vir’Tho, and spoke. “It is good to hear that you have managed to employ the maximum amount your population, and thus created an economy that may be more stable than it was before the… invasion. Concerning that, I have been instructed by the Sholah to inform you that negotiations concerning tax from the province of Pash’Fakin going to the central government will begin soon, hopefully within two years. We will therefore in the near future invite the most honored Qään and some of the most esteemed members of the Synod to discuss that issue.”
”Concerning the collapse of decadent and anarchistic New Brussels is indeed something to celebrate, it was collapsed partly because of the Collective that some years ago ruined Ponel completely. We therefore believe it would be most beneficial if Ki’Hári troops are stationed in Ponel that together with your army will ward off any attack. I hope you agree that that, is valuable.”
“Of course, it is an important duty to show gratitude when such a virtue is due, and this is an example of that.” The Qä’än stood up as he spoke, his mighty reptile figure turned even more intimidating by the dim lightning. “We should be ready to provide you with the required taxes in due time, that should help repay for the financial burden invested into liberating Ponel, as well as for the continued presence of Vir’Tho troops protecting us. As for the deployment of troops, we would gladly accept. Please survey the lands outside our humble colony as you leave, my stratege Khleb will tour you. Select the most suitable site for a garrison and inform him, we will begin constructing the facilities. Are there any other requests from our benevolent Sholah?”
“There are none at the moment honoured Qään.”
The Qään sat down and the toad warrior started his briefing on defensive preparations Ponel had undergone in the past few months.
