Dead Star Dockyards

217 Commission

It had been about a few centuries since the Arboreal Maiden had last done paperwork in anything resembling a significant amount, and she found it no less boring than she had back then. If anything, the fact that it wasn't in English made it even  tedious. Sanctum-Script, a tool she had viewed to be so useful for storing and conveying information in the past, was something she now saw as an active hindrance. Having to separately interpret every single character both independently and in relation to the symbols to its left or right was just too time consuming."This one . . . no, we've already given them four in the past two years."

So what was she doing? Well, she wasn't looking over job applications or reading the specifications for a piece of equipment like she had seen people in the various movies make themselves busy with, though it was similar in a way. The Arboreal Maiden was reviewing and issuing commissions to be granted to various willing parties.

"Five commissions in seven years . . . four of which were deemed to be of unsatisfactory quality. They can't be trusted for this one."

She had to make sure that the kingdom she chose for each contract was capable of completing it to the desired standard while also being certain that she was being fair to all parties. These commissions were requests for materials or services, payment almost universally being turned down by the contractor, so it was for the most part acceptable for the quality of the received product to be lower than the highest possible. Quality, while nice, was only half of what the Sanctum desired in these commissions.  needed to be given a fair chance at satisfying the needs of the Sanctum if they wanted to maintain their neutral status.

"This one looks decent . . . fifty commissions in forty seven years, all of superior quality save for their first three assignments, and on the smaller side as far as kingdoms are concerned." One of these nations who claimed to be capable of fulfilling this order had caught her eye, which would normally be suspicious for someone trying to be neutral. "I must admit, the fact that they have a Verdant Globe under their control makes me hesitant to select them . . . however based on their track record and frequency of commissions they have been given thus far it would be discrimination to not consider them. Please have the Merchant see if this nation is better suited for any of the other jobs we have available this time around. I do believe they may be best suited for this task though."

The Arboreal Maiden rolled up the sheet of paper, tying it with a thin leather strap before handing it off to one of the Skwiven. A salute and a squeak, and the squirrelly little creature was already scampering out of view.

"Hmm, while I do not wish to make a decision based on a nation's lack of history completing commissions, I owe it to the two of them to ensure that they receive the required goods in the desired quality and within the proper timeframe . . . given the youth of their king and their current rate of expansion I would recommend that the Marshall or one of his subordinates contact them about the potential for providing a piece of artwork to be displayed on the Oberlux, most likely some sort of weapon."

Once again she rolled and secured the parchment, handing it to another of the Skwiven. This Kingdom was practically brand new, and as such did not have much of a resume to present to her. They didn't know what they were good at in relation to everyone else.

"Remember, this one should be handled by the Marshall. He should be able to grasp the quality of their weapon smiths better than the Merchant. Hopefully this task will provide them an opportunity to find something they can produce to a high level of quality."

Another salute, another squeak, and the Skwiven was darting away.

The Arboreal Maiden waited for the Skwiven to get out of earshot before sighing. Should she call for them, more Skwiven would arrive to act as couriers for her, however she did not want to continue. The job may not have been over, but she was finished for the day. She had gone through a few hundred applicants today, a few thousand in the past few days. They hadn't exactly applied for this commission in particular, for the most part they were just applying for a commission in general, but that didn't mean that she wouldn't be able to find someone capable of fulfilling the incredibly specific needs of the Terrans.

Honestly, she had given up on fulfilling  desire, though she had to admit that she had been able to 'fill' more of the conditions than expected. Whether or not they would actually be able to fulfill their orders to satisfaction was an open question, but at least she had found someone who could provide trace amounts of iridium.

How exactly these people had managed to identify the iridium as a separate and valuable metal was beyond her knowledge (that intel wasn't on the forms) but they had marketed as one of the 'precious metals' they could provide. Could they actually do anything with it aside from polishing? No, but Arc had managed to identify and confirm it based on visual and factors and the Arboreal Maiden's estimations of its density. Should Donovan and Arc be provided with a sufficient quantity of the metal, they should be able to do . . . something . . . with it. 

Personally, she thought the most likely use would be as a building material for a forge or reactor due to the high melting point and relatively limited reactivity when exposed to other elements, but Arc was being awfully silent about it.

Speaking of, a notification from Arc had just popped up. 

"Hm? Tomorrow, is it? I suppose I been a little bit too absorbed in work recently to keep track . . . I wonder if I should make an appearance as Chestnut this time around."

another notification, Arc's response to her.

'

The Arboreal Maiden sighed, frowning slightly. She had hoped Arc would have taken it as a joke. It wasn't like she could take on her secret identity in front of the Holifanians there anyways, they would be able to see through it easily.

"If you say so. May I ask who this individual is?"

- 

"One of the great powers? I see she has been hard at work. I should remind her not to go too overboard in her involvement with them, most of the great powers are not on the best of terms." The Arboreal Maiden took a moment to jog her memory. She had lived through the reigns of so many great powers that it was pretty hard for her to remember the more recent ones. Many of them hadn't really made much of an impact or impression yet. "I believe house Bulsa and their vassals are embroiled in a rivalry with another great power, the Vrie Imperium, and its premier noble family. Still, I cannot say I know much about their current relationship. Advise her to proceed with caution, she may end up making an enemy equally as powerful as the ally she desires to secure."

She sat in silence for a few seconds, pondering.

"Under most circumstances I would say no, however my investment in your future compels me to make sure you are not misguided in your motives. Please, reveal to me what it is that you know."

"Hm, yes, I suppose mounting an effective resistance would be impossible if Donovan managed to make interplanetary movement impossible. Do keep in mind that resistance placed on the capital may make such arrangements impossible though. Do you know if the prince has a sister?"

"I have lived to see more than my fair share of succession crises. While it is rare, I have heard of scenarios where both contenders for inheritance are slain within a relatively close time-frame of each other. Should such a thing happen, it is not out of the question for the First Princess to ascend to the throne with the blessing of the upper nobility. A political marriage between her and Donovan before the crisis comes to fruition may be beneficial."

"While I must say that is a possibility, that was not my implication. I was insinuating that should Crown Prince Merndil fall in the war for the crown a rapid dispatch of his brother, the other contender, will make it so that your investments are not completely lost. The nobility may not take kindly to an interloper dynasty suddenly gaining control, but I don't think you should have much difficulty handling them after they have exhausted themselves amidst the crisis." The Arboreal Maiden shook her head. Arc didn't even know if there  a first princess, nor did it know if she was on good terms with the Crown Prince. "Should Donovan prove himself to be powerful enough in the field or in command, those that were fighting in support of the Crown Prince probably wouldn't raise too many objections."

consider

" Titanyana, is it? Am I to assume that her situation is not as bright as we had hoped?"

"I can imagine. He doesn't seem like the type to get carried away by emotion, but having the minimum population he was expecting to start with cut down to a fourth of even least optimistic estimates would be enough to enrage anyone, myself included. The worst part is that he can't blame anybody for it."

The Arboreal Maiden shook her head. That was just as bad of news to her as it was to them. As far as she was concerned, their successes were her successes, their failures were her failures.

"I believe that the phrase is 'Man Proposes, God Disposes,' is it not? I suppose it is a decent lesson for him that things won't always turn out the way he wants them to."

"There's a bright side to everything, I suppose. Do make sure that he doesn't overdo it though."

The Arboreal Maiden buckled slightly as she read the message before doubling over in laughter.

"Oh you don't need to worry about that! The Great Csillacra is more than happy to provide as much latex as you desire! I imagine it will be thrilled to learn it is being used for something besides a weapon of war." Once again, she shook her head. This time she was getting rid of the slight burst of joviality she was experiencing. Aside from it being a dangerous state of mind for one such as herself, the next topic was not a particularly happy one. "How is Lady Tempest? Is she handling the loss well?"

"You are really going all out on this demonstration, aren't you?"

Once more, the Arboreal Maiden sighed. She did not agree with his method, but it wasn't like Donovan had another option. If Titanyana was depressed because she feared for the lives of her people, then this was an excellent way to demonstrate just how safe they would be under Donovan's control.

". . . have you three decided on a name for the planet yet?"