The Few, The Forgotten

[MostGloriousLeader]

"I understand. We were hoping to set up shop here as well since it seems this is where you want people to meet you anyway. This outpost will have communications facilities, living quarters, storage and power facilities and an airfield so it might take up some room but it will all be in this area and won't encroach any further. Hopefully your people won't be alarmed by the construction crews that will arrive to build this place. In terms of personnel I'm not sure what numbers you're comfortable with as we estimate that it will take some 300-400 people to keep this place running smoothly although we will leave it up to you to give us a limit. Also, it will take some time for this to get underway but we will be anchored offshore until a relief vessel arrives so you will be able to communicate with us easily".

[Subtleknifewielder]

Now she [i]really [/i]didn't get all the terms he was mentioning. But again, she was fairly confident she grasped the important things. Like the promise not to venture further beyond this point. And the numbers. Numbers were one thing she did understand. As a leader, it was an important skill to have, even out on the ice.[color="#ff00ff"] "Will keep...more more hostile tribes...away. Should be easy. So many don't like to come so close to..."[/color] she struggled here, trying to voice a concept from her language that didn't seem to have an equivalent in English. [color="#ff00ff"] "ice's edge."[/color] She gestured helplessly in the direction of the 'shore,' such as it was. Though it got the point across, it lacked the full connotations as expressed in their language. But there was no helping that. Instead.

[color="#ff00ff"]"While...offshore..."[/color] again, an unfamiliar term, but she figured it meant while they weren't actually in this place, [color="#ff00ff"]"how we contact you?"[/color]

[MostGloriousLeader]

"If you need to contact us just use the radio again. Specifically our ship is the Gettysburg so make sure to say that if you want to talk to us" he said gesturing towards his vessel not too far offshore. "Remember, Gettysburg. If you do want to talk we can come back and meet face to face again whenever you need. Construction crews and additional personnel should be here within the week so we'll come back here a bit before they do to give you a heads up. It was very nice to meet you and your people ma'am" said Captain Perry as he extended his hand again.

[Subtleknifewielder]

[font="Arial"][size="2"]Radio...yes, the device she'd used to send out her message. She'd been half-certain it wouldn't work anyway...but it had gotten these people here. As she contemplated that, however, she made certain to pay attention to his words.[color="#ff00ff"]"Gettysburg..."[/color] she spoke slowly, enunciating every syllable, nodding when she was sure she had it. The pronunciation was predictably off, but though the accent from whatever local patois she normally spoke badly mangled it, it was still recognizable. She glanced out at the horizon, seeing something way out on the water...the ship he kept referring to? It certainly wasn't the color of the ice.[/size][/font]

[font="Arial"][size=2]Turning back to the Captain, Sabina understood he was telling her when they'd be back, though the time period meant little to her. She figured though, from the context, that it would not be long. She nodded again.[color="#ff00ff"] "Nice...to meet you, too, Captain Jonathan Perry,"[/color][color=#FF00FF] [/color][/size][/font][font="Arial"][size="2"]she said, again taking his hand and shaking it enthusiastically. [color="#ff00ff"]"I...am forward looking to it."[/color] OK, so her command of the language was still lacking. It still expressed the sentiment she wanted to convey. And as she released his hand, she stepped back one pace, and brought up her hand and arm in an almost perfect imitation of the salute the lieutenant had given him, and the one he'd given her.[/size][/font]

[MostGloriousLeader]

Captain Perry smiled and returned the salute. With that the captain and the marines boarded the helicopter and returned to the Gettysburg where they would await the arrival of the construction vessels and crews. Three days later a large cargo vessel arrived with construction crews and materials that were to be used to construct a diplomatic outpost. A heads up was given over the radio to the natives and a Seahawk took Lt. Rivera and a squad of marines to the same place they first landed to provide a familiar face to smooth things out with if needed.

Barges and heavy lift helicopters brought by the vessel began to move crews and materials to shore where prefabricated shelters designed for the arctic climate were being constructed. Another crew worked on a power station and a desalinization plant to provide basic necessities for the facility. These were the first priorities in order to ensure a basic infrastructure that could support further construction efforts.

In the next several weeks more vessels would arrive and more personnel and materials were available. The outpost was beginning to look like a small city with neat rows of buildings and roads with electrical, water and sewage infrastructure built underground to support the population. Dozens of buildings had been constructed and outfitted. A central communications center was the command post of the outpost and had the latest in communications technology and allowed for real time video conferences with anywhere in the world.

Numbers wise a large chunk of people were military personnel responsible not only for the defense of the outpost but also operating and maintaining the communications gear. A single company of 200 men from the 1st Mountain Division was stationed at the outpost to provide security and were deployed with arctic warfare equipment. Supporting them were four M1 Abrams stored for use if needed and several Blackhawk helicopters modified for the climate. Another 200 people were scientists, technicians and maintenance personnel that would help run the facility and ensure its smooth operation.

With everything in place a team of linguists was brought in to try and improve communication with the native population.

[Subtleknifewielder]

Sabina and her...entourage, such as it was, watched until the helicopter was a distant speck on the horizon. Then, wrapping the coverings around her face once more, she turned away, back toward the little underground shelter she and her tribe had dug, waiting for contact with someone...anyone else. Though even one responding was more than she had half-expect.

When the cargo ship arrived, she started awake as the radio her scout had salvaged crackled, and she listened, frowning, puzzling over the crackling noise she recognized as words. She went out to see the marines she had met with before, again unwrapping her face so that they would know it was her, and not a representative, that they dealt with. Aside from her and her chosen guards, however, most of the natives stayed out of sight. Particularly as the men and material, including machines, were brought to 'land.' Though any detection equipment would indicate significant numbers, curiously watching unseen from a distance, none but her and the individuals with her revealed themselves overtly, asking questions about the process where she could, but trying not to unduly interfere as first the shelters, and then other buildings, were set up. As it neared completion, the first thing she did was seek out the people in charge, and attempt to communicate that some defense, aside from weaponry, was needed. Preferably walls.

The reason, of course, being defense. not only against the hostile weather...but against the less welcoming tribes. She tried to ensure they understood that not all inhabitants of this place were friendly.

And friendly this bunch might be...but they were reticent about sharing their own language, whispering quietly among themselves where they could not be overheard, or at least where they believed themselves out of earshot of any eavesdroppers. They were perfectly willing, however, to learn better English.

[MostGloriousLeader]

At the suggestion of Sabina the decision was made to erect a perimeter wall made of reinforced concrete and steel high enough to prevent a person to scale it by themselves. In addition to this motion sensors and cameras with optical and thermal vision were placed on the walls and in the area around the outpost. Guard towers were erected on the walls as well to give a wider view of the surrounding area. The decision was made to send some Apache gunships in the next arriving shipment and they were placed in the special heated hanger constructed near the runway. Care was taken to conceal the facilities weaponry in order to not alarm the natives but it became standard procedure to have one helicopter (usually a Blackhawk) patrol the perimeter of the base in order to provide training time for the pilots.

In the meantime the linguistics team's efforts to decipher the native's language were progressing very slowly but they seemed to be able to grasp English fairly easily so that would be a start. Any communication was better than none. It was evident that english wasn't really a base part of their language so several foreign language experts were also flown in to contribute.

[Subtleknifewielder]

At first, Sabina wasn't sure she had accurately conveyed the urgency of her suggestion, but her fears were soon laid to rest. The currently visible security measures should now be enough to deter all but the most foolish and foolhardy from even trying ta assault their guests.

The few times they communicated within their own language where someone could overhear them, a few recognizable words from various languages would be detected. Some from English, of course, but also Welsh, even to Finnish and a few other European languages. Even a bit of Russian and a couple Asian ones. But the context in which they were used made absolutely no sense, and of course, the pronunciations and meanings were a ways off from the original, no matter what the original language of the recognizable words.

And as noted, they were much more willing to learn English, at least. When she thought they had a firm enough grasp, Sabina finally sought out the captain once more. Or whoever he pointed her to as the person in charge, the one to talk to. [color="#ff00ff"]"It is time to do more than just talk,"[/color] she said, her unveiled face displaying utter seriousness, a change from the fascinated curiosity that usually shone through. The time spent with the linguists had been time well spent. Her accent was fainter, and her grammar and syntax much more correct than upon the first meeting.

[MostGloriousLeader]

Queen Sabina was escorted to the base's command post and communications center by an MP to meet with Colonel Terry Meyers who was now the commanding officer of the facility. While he had only recently arrived he had stopped in often during the linguistics sessions to introduce himself and familiarize himself with the natives. Standing at 6'8" he was a pretty tall person but he had a fun smile, a hearty sense of humor and a good work ethic, earning him the popularity and respect of his troops, especially in this dreary setting.

He was going over some of the latest reports he received in his office concerning terribly boring but important things like supplies, maintenance and troop rotations when the MP knocked on his door. "Enter" said the colonel looking forward to doing something else, even if only for a little bit. The MP opened the door for Sabina and closed it behind her, waiting right outside the door. "This is an unexpected surprise, what can I do for you today your highness?" asked the colonel with a smile which began to fade slightly as he saw a more serious expression on her face. "Well that's fine, what do you need to talk about?" he asked after hearing her response.

[Subtleknifewielder]

One of the concepts she and her band had been educated on...was the one of rank, and the way it was attached to names. Also, how one was not required to use the whole name of a person every time you addressed them. By now, she had begun to grow used to doors, such as they were, though just a few weeks ago she had barely ever heard of such a thing. To alleviate some of the concern he was surely feeling at her serious expression, she did offer a small smile as she approached the man. [color="#ff00ff"]"Colonel, it has been...enlightening, these past few weeks. Opening our eyes up to an entire world beyond the harsh mistress of the ice. Knowing of these things...it pains me, knowing that my people could have them, and yet don't. Living every day in a harsh environment, dieing needlessly when such things could be avoided."[/color]

She looked sad at that, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. [color="#ff00ff"]"Old ones, but more importantly, those too young to fend for themselves...too many of them perish before having a chance at a real life. And yet...they would not accept...what is your word? Simple charity. They would not accept these things, this knowledge, without knowing it had been earned, or...'payed for,' in some manner."[/color] And there was the issue she had come to discuss. Some sort of trade, or barter. If there was anything they had, or any service they could provide, to earn the right to be taught how to improve their own lives...that was what she was implying they would do.

[MostGloriousLeader]

Colonel Meyers was a bit surprised at this revelation as nobody really knew much about the natives but it was observed that things here were more primitive than anybody was really used to. "Well thank you for seeing me and bringing this to my attention. We are more than willing to provide access and knowledge to basic things like modern medicine and ways of living but I somewhat understand and respect that your people don't want what they perceive to be charity" he said sympathetically. "This is not a problem as my people are more than willing to engage in commerce with your people but I'm not a businessman. I'm a soldier and therefore not fully versed in these matters but I'll do what I can. So what are you looking to offer in exchange for what you want from us" asked the colonel.

Edited August 30, 2012 by MostGloriousLeader

[Subtleknifewielder]

Here...the young Queen visibly hesitated. She saw what these...Americans had, what wonders they possessed...what could her people hope to trade for what they needed? Surely her people had little to offer these visitors in the way of material things. The ice did not afford many luxuries. But what they had, they would give, even if she had to personally pledge her service to these Americans for the rest of her life. [color="#ff00ff"]"We...we do not have much,"[/color] she admitted. She reached a hand inside the bundle of her clothing, withdrawing it to place an unidentifiable lump of something on his desk. Unidentifiable because it was wrapped in a bundle of penguin feathers. If he unwrapped it, he would find a good-sized chunk of gold, and if he used the appropriate equipment on it, faint radiation traces. it had been picked up near a source of uranium or plutonium.

[color="#ff00ff"]"We have a few pieces of this--we understand it to be valuable--but not many. Mostly...what we have, are ourselves. The labor of our minds and bodies, in whatever tasks you can teach us to help with."[/color]

[MostGloriousLeader]

"Well that is something now isn't it?" said the Colonel with a bit of awe. "You are correct in saying that it is valuable and this might be just the thing we need to get things rolling for you. I'm gonna have to send this to the lab and get it analyzed" he said as he activated the intercom on his desk. "Corporal, I need you to take something to Doctor Harris in the lab". Seconds later the corporal entered the room and eyed the shiny chunk of gold on the desk before wrapping it back up and taking it to the lab. "He'll have to examine that to see if there are any other properties to that gold and that's going to take take some time but in the meantime I do believe that this means I need to give something in return" he said smiling. "I'll tell you what, I'll have a medical team dispatched to take a look at your people for starters. They'll do what they can and gauge the situation and see what else needs to be done in that respect. However, that isn't contingent on receiving anything that you give me although you can tell your people that if it helps things go smoothly. I'll also take a look into what we've got in terms of spare supplies but that shouldn't be a problem. Is this acceptable to you?" asked Colonel Meyers.

[Subtleknifewielder]

Sabina sat very, very still, waiting to see what the Colonel would say...his reaction startled her, to say the least, and she openly gaped at him in shock for a few precious moments before gathering her wits. So, the thing was more valuable than she had known. [color="#ff00ff"]"What other...properties...might it have?"[/color] she asked. [color="#ff00ff"]"Useful properties, I assume?"[/color] People, in her experience, did not covet such things unless they had some use, and the light in his eyes, if his tone and words had not, would still have indicated the value he assigned it. But his offer made her smile and nod. [color="#ff00ff"]"Yes. But I'll need a little time to prepare them, first...most, aside from the guards that have accompanying me, have not seen anyone from beyond...Ice's Edge."[/color]

She still didn't know a suitable English term to convey the meaning of that phrase...

[hr]
When analyzed, the gold would prove to be a fairly good quality. Not pure, of course, but few enough impurities that if they could figure out where it came from, it would certainly prove economically viable to mine. And that didn't even account for the trace elements of a Uranium isotope useful for making plutonium. If they could find where THAT had come from...they might have a truly valuable source for nuclear weapons and power.

As for the medical team, they would be led to a sizable encampment half a mile out from the embassy containing nearly a thousand people of various ages, from the newly born to the very old. Most of the people were pale-skinned as Sabina herself, though now that they were among a larger sampling of the population, they would notice one peculiar genetic trait. Many individuals, regardless of age, tended to have hair that was completely pale, white, completely lacking in color. But aside from this curious quirk of genetics, they were still very obviously human, and very obviously got ill or injured just like anyone else. The most common ailments among them were, predictably enough, cold-related ones. Hypothermia, frostbite, and other such things. There were also a number of broken bones and sprained limbs among the young adults, most likely from falls through the sometimes treacherously thin ice into crevasses below.

[MostGloriousLeader]

The dispatched medical team consisted of 40 doctors and nurses consisting of a combination of civilian and military personnel. An escort was provided by a rifle squad attached to the group. The distance wasn't far but carrying the required equipment wasn't going to be easy so the group was provided with a variety of snowmobiles and other similar types of transportation, mainly Humvees with snow-tracks.

Arriving at the village the group began to work at sorting and treating the variety of ailments, most of which weren't overly life threatening but were serious and could become problematic if left untreated. Things like broken bones were set and would heal over time but there were things that were being caused by the very environment these people lived and medical treatment could only alleviate the symptoms, not fix the problem. As a result orders were placed for more medical supplies and prefabricated arctic shelters that would arrive in several aircraft and be assembled by a contingent of engineers who did what they could to try show the natives how things worked. However, in the absence of electricity or any abundant fuel source these shelters were only temporary measures.

In the meantime the chunk of gold had been analyzed by Dr. Harkins and was confirmed to be a good quality ore with a trace of radioactivity indicating the presence of uranium. Both were in demand throughout the world and especially the Commonwealth with it's current economic boom and an planned expansion of nuclear energy. Government agencies contacted several mining corporations and chose one to develop mineral exploration activities in Antarctica with heavy regulations and government oversight. The cost of actually starting operations down there would exceed any profits made initially but was estimated to become profitable within a year or two and the federal government was subsidizing the operation until then which convinced the company to take the deal

Before anything else was done though, representatives of the company were flown down to attend a meeting with Colonel Meyers, who would be the company's ultimate supervising authority in Antarctica, and Queen Sabina who was requested to attend.

[Subtleknifewielder]

Despite preparation, the people still stared, openly shocked at seeing such technology, such medical knowledge...and of course, [i]people[/i], people from beyond the icy world that was all they had known until now. Still, they were grateful for the assistance, as they had been told it had been payed for. They weren't told how. That would come later. And when the shelters arrived, something else they had never seen before, they watched, soaking up the knowledge that these outlanders had to offer them, with Sabina and her guard contingent translating when necessary.

Of course, Sabina was made aware it was only a temporary measure, but with what she had learned while in the Embassy...she possessed hope that this could be changed for the better.

[hr]
The Queen had no clue why her presence was requested...OK, that wasn't completely true. She hoped, prayed, that it had something to do with improving the lot of her people. But beyond that...nothing. So she walked into the meeting, accompanied only by a single member of her guard. The rest of the ones who had learned the foreigners' language were on Embassy grounds, spread out and socializing with the soldiers and civilians who staffed the facility.

[MostGloriousLeader]

"Hello Queen Sabina" said Colonel Meyers as she walked in. He moved to shake her hand and then introduced her to the newcomers present in the room. "Ma'am, this is Mr. Harding, Mr. Olken and Mr. Ernst. They are representatives of Mann Co, the company that has been chosen to develop mining operations in your nation. This is a meeting to set the terms of their operation in your nation. These terms will be in place for one year after which a renegotiation will take place for any future agreements".

One of the seated men stood up and introduced himself. "Ma'am, my name is Mr. Olken and I am going to be the supervisor of operations for Mann Co's activities in your nation. At the urging of the Commonwealth government we have agreed to present very generous terms for the first year of operation in Antarctica. First off, we will begin training workers hired from your nation with our own personnel and they will be the majority of workers in our employe here. All of your people will be treated in accordance to the Commonwealth's own laws relating to labor, safety and wages. Second, we will provide for the needs of workers and their families with adequate housing, food and medical care. We will establish a permanent town in the vicinity of mining operations which will be fully serviced by our company. Third, in exchange for these benefits we will pay a somewhat lower royalty fee to your government of about 5% of revenue generated from mining activities. Is this acceptable to you?" he asked.

[Subtleknifewielder]

Sabina took his hand, having learned in her time here that her earlier enthusiasm was a bit...beyond the normal. So the handshake she gave him was definitely less wild than her initial greetings with the newcomers. She still had little but the vaguest concepts of what a year was, though she guessed it had something to do with the cycles of day and night here. The sun was in the sky for a season, then for another it was gone, and then back again...

She turned to face the representatives of this...'company' as the Colonel introduced them. She smiled at Mr. Olken, nodding her head in greeting as she listened to his terms. Again, though she'd come a long way in the time these Americans had been here, she still had a lot to learn about their ways, their language, and their culture. These terms were a little confusing...but she did understand the important things. The majority of the workers would be her own people. They would be provided food, shelter...and medical care. They might grumble and complain for a time, having to work with outlanders, but in the end, they would see the benefits. So in the end, she nodded. [color="#ff00ff"]"As long as the number of your own people is kept within strict limits, that is acceptable,"[/color] she agreed. [color="#ff00ff"]"Also...if possible, the homes should be located under the ice. It is much easier, I have noticed, to keep warm, when you do not have to worry about wind and storms."[/color]

[MostGloriousLeader]

"I understand" said Mr. Olken. "The only people we will be really staying here in are training, administrative personnel and some engineers. Less than a hundred people and most of them will remain in the facilities here rather. As for your shelters, I'm not really an expert on those things but they have been designed with this environment in mind and are built partially underground to allow for better insulation and once we get an electrical grid up you'll have indoor heating". We've got a whole little town planned out that'll be constructed to house the workers of the mine and we'll show your people how its done so you'll be able to do it on your own as well".

[Subtleknifewielder]

Sabina took in his words passively, giving no thoughts away as he acknowledged her terms, explaining in turn their own position. At the end, she nodded. [color="#ff00ff"]"That is honestly,"[/color] she admitted, [color="#ff00ff"]"much more than I expected, or even hoped for. To be given shelter...and in the process taught how to make it ourselves. To be fed, clothed...and taught how to do these things for ourselves. I had feared..."[/color] she trailed off, shaking her head.

[color="#ff00ff"]"You do not want to hear my fears,"[/color] she apologized. [color="#ff00ff"]"Instead, I believe it is your people's custom to solidify things such as this with some sort of written agreement? A...treaty? Or contract...I do not remember which..."[/color] She gave a sheepish smile, though honestly, who could blame her? She had done so well, but no one expected her to learn an [i]entire[/i] language and every single one of its concepts and words, much less so quickly.

[MostGloriousLeader]

"Well if you study our culture a bit more you'll see that we usually enjoy helping others and to be honest your situation was very unique" said Mr. Olken. "As for a written agreement we have one here" he said as he opened his briefcase and pulled out a binder with the contract in it. He opened it and put it on the table and presented it to Sabina. "If you'd just sign here we can conclude our business" he said cheerfully. "Just one more thing" added Colonel Meyers. "This contract is legally binding but it has a clause that allows the commander of this facility, which would be me for the present, to override or change parts of the contract if needed as a precaution so if you have any issues with it let me know and I'll see what I can do". He doubted she had much insight into how business worked in the rest of the world but its usually better to not place too much trust in big businesses.

[Subtleknifewielder]

Sign...yes, she knew how to right, if only in theory. And read a little. It was the only reason she'd been able to speak as little English as she had when they had first arrived. And she had learned more since then, both in the embassy, and supervising their efforts to aid her people. She had learned enough, in fact, to understand that the word 'unique' was an understatement, and this provoked a laugh from her. The sound was as pleasant, melodic, as her speech, and the smile truly lit up her features. [color="#ff00ff"]"Trust me, Colonel,"[/color] she assured him, [color="#ff00ff"]"so long as nothing in here contradicts the spoken agreement, or allows them to somehow...legally...break it, I will have no issues with it."[/color]

Turning to Olken, however, her stare turned from a smile to a stern fierceness. There was steel in that gaze.[color="#ff00ff"] "However,"[/color] she said, all trace of humor gone from her voice, [color="#ff00ff"]"should anyone attempt to circumvent this agreement in a manner that brings harm to my people, an equal repayment shall be afforded those who are deemed responsible."[/color] With that expression, there should be little doubt as to what she meant. Life on the ice was harsh, and its justice would be equally harsh, and brought with the swiftness of a storm.

[color="#ff00ff"]"Now..."[/color] she said, reaching for the pen provided her. [color="#ff00ff"]"I sign on the line, yes?"[/color] Upon affirmation of this, the tip of the pen descended toward the page, the ink trailing behind leaving something only just barely recognizable as her name in English.

[MostGloriousLeader]

"I'm glad we could do business Ms. Sabina" said Mr. Olken as he shook her hand. A couple days after the greenlight was given mining equipment and several dozen training personnel were brought in along with construction crews and equipment. The mining town was constructed first and the construction crews included a large amount of natives in the construction effort showing them how things were done. Soon they had constructed a power station, water plant, stores, roads and enough housing for the workers planning to live there.

Next the mining crews would begin teaching and supervising the native workers in how to conduct mining operations. Things were getting up to speed and in a couple months output was improving to the point where profits were being made. Royalty payments were set aside and put in a special account for the government of the local population in the Commonwealth's national banking system. Full authorization for transactions were given to Sabina allowing her to order things like more housing, supplies, cold weather equipment and anything else that they might need.

[Subtleknifewielder]

[color="#ff00ff"]"As am I,"[/color] the Queen said.

She was amazed at how quickly the construction efforts moved forward, particularly since she knew her people had no experience with this sort of thing. But since she told them they were going to be earning their own way into a better life, they were only too happy to comply. Well, most of them, but there were always malcontents . That was nothing new. She just hoped the other tribes did not take an aggressively hostile stance on this matter. If they did...well, they would deal with it, she supposed.

In the meantime, she had to quickly learn how to order these things, and the value of this currency...once she did that, she ordered what she was told were basic medical supplies, along with more housing, as expected. The cold weather equipment she didn't bother with for now...her people knew how to deal with the cold. But one thing she did begin learning about...were their weapons. This bunch of outsiders was apparently friendly, but there was no saying if that was permanent. Even if it was, there was no saying for certain that others, less friendly, might come. So for now, while she did not yet try to buy such, she learned of them, against the day she felt they might become necessary.

Edited September 12, 2012 by Subtleknifewielder

[Subtleknifewielder]

As the mining town slowly came into existence, and the locals were taught how to do these things on their own, they came to realize running this town required more than just miners. Slowly, tentatively, other professions would begin to develop, as members of other clans also trickled in, seeing the opportunities presented. Guards to protect the machinery and homes against hostile attacks were a given, but also training mechanics to maintain them, particularly in this freezing weather. People to watch the children, to teach them how to continue their trades...and the start of literacy...

[hr]
Realizing her learning about the people from America was not enough, Sabina sought, once again, a meeting with Colonel Meyers. This time, to dispatch a few members of her guard, the ones that spoke English better, as...'diplomats.'

Edited September 22, 2012 by Subtleknifewielder