[center][h2]Vanemmaat Timo Oja's office, Noerfae, The United Noerfaen Commune[/h2][/center]

A shuttlecraft raced over the city towers, the signature red color adorned with the seal of the United Noerfaen Commune glistening in the sun. Eventually the shuttle touched down on a landing pad extending from the Communal Committee building. From within the shuttle stepped a Noerfaen in a well-made outfit, adorned with the symbol of the Commune Diplomatic Corps., and a nametag identifying him as Ülemveebel Sten Illar, the Noerfaen representative to the Galactic Council. With him came two armed guards, wearing the customary dress uniforms of the Communal Marine forces. The trio paced across the landing pad, where they were greeted by a Committee member, who introduced himself as Rait Opik.

"Welcome, Ülemveebel, to the Communal Committee offices. I do believe the Vanemmaat is expecting you. If you would follow me into the building, we'll get you to his office right away." Rait did an about-face and guided Sten and his guards into the building, and to an elevator. Sten dismissed the guards, who gave the representative the customary salute by placing their left fist over their chest, before walking back towards the landing pad. Stepping into the elevator, Sten and Rait spoke with one another, Rait's voice showing signs of nervousness at meeting such an influential member of the government.

"T-The Vanemmaat informed me that this m-meeting is to discuss what p-points you'll b-be presenting to the g-galactic council, c-correct?" Rait stammered out, the claws on his fingers rapping against each other.

[color=lightgreen]"That is correct. Our plan is to finalize which positions on which issues the Commune is to align with in the Council meeting, and to go over how we wish to present such decisions. The ongoing war between many of the council worlds and the Resurgent Mandate is one particular area of interest, though I'm not permitted to elaborate on the details. I'm sure you understand."[/color]

The elevator silently lifted up to the 60th floor of the building, where the Vanemmaat's office awaited. Sten stepped from the elevator, giving Rait a final farewell, and rapped his hand against the door of the office.

[color=gold]"You may enter."[/color] spoke a voice from the other side, which prompted Sten to carefully swing open the door and step inside. Sitting at a desk made from fine Heigoian wood was Vanemmaat Timo Oja, leader of the United Noerfaen Commune. Greeting Sten, he invited him to set down at the chair opposite him by the desk. [color=gold]"Can I get you anything? A drink perhaps? We just had several bottles of Valbe Red brought in this week from their vineyards on Heigo, would you like a glass?[/color] Asked the Vanemmaat, his clawed digit hovering over the button for the intercom speaker at his desk. Sten nodded his head, relaxing a bit in his chair. [color=lightgreen]"That would be perfect, Vanemmaat."[/color] Vanemmaat Timo made a pleased expression, and pressed down on the intercom button, speaking. [color=gold]"Liia, bring in a bottle of Valbe Red, and two glasses please."[/color] A female voice confirmed the order on the other side, and in a brief moment a female Noerfaen stepped into the room, carrying a tray with a large glass bottle of red liquid, and two appropriate glasses.

[color=gold]"Thank you kindly, Liia. Leave the bottle here, if you would. I'm sure the ülemveebel would enjoy more than one glass."[/color] The woman nodded, setting the tray down on the desk, pouring both glasses, and then leaving the room, the door closing behind her. Sten took his glass in one hand, taking a sip. [color=lightgreen]"Aah...Now this is true šampanja. None of that replicated nonsense. Much appreciated, Timo. Now if we could, onto the matters at hand..."[/color] The Vanemmaat nodded, taking a sip from his own glass before speaking. [color=gold]"Right, of course. Now, the most pressing issue of course, is the war. With the Great Revolution still fresh in people's minds, the lack of antagonization against us, and the Communal Comittee still expressing the need for galactic peace, I do not believe it is time for us to offer full military support in the war. However, several Committee members have offered their support in passing a legislation that would allow us to give non-military goods, such as food and medical supplies, to the Council membernations currently engaged in the war."[/color]

[color=lightgreen]"I believe that to be a wise course of action. The people are certainly not ready for another war, but we definitely need to show the Galactic Council that we [i]are[/i] on their side. I believe that I can negotiate some deals with those nations involved in the war. It should be enough to show ourselves as supporters of the Unity Accord, without losing the support of the people here at home."[/color]

Vanemmaat Timo nodded, sipping again at his drink. [color=gold]"Well, that's certainly good news to hear. I look forward to the results of your work, Sten. Now, as for..."[/color]

The meeting continued for another hour or so, with Sten and Timo going over various positions the Communal Committee had voted to adopt on various issues, and how to present them to the Galactic Council. When the meeting ended, Sten left the Vanemmaat's office, taking the elevator back to the entrance hall, stepping out onto the landing pad, meeting up with his escorts, and boarding his shuttle.

The shuttle docked with the UCV-Valjas, a Noerfaen Frigate, and Sten's diplomatic transport for the journey to the Galactic Council meeting. Taking his place in his quarters, Sten settled in for the journey to the warpgate, going over his notes again and again.