Interlude - Ambassador

Jennifer Taylor winced. As Blake’s chancellors continued to argue over taxes, his mood visibly plummeted. 

And he had been doing so well, too.

For the first half of the meeting, Blake had kept a stoic expression as he patiently listened to each report. However, as disagreements arose, he could no longer hide his frustration. 

Jennifer shifted in her seat. 

Visible annoyance may have been fine if he were ten or twenty years older. Unfortunately for Blake, he did not look his real age. He currently resembled a petulant teenager who just wanted to go outside and play.

She quickly composed a message and sent it over to him.

Jennifer Taylor: Blake, remember your poker face.

Hopefully he didn’t turn off notifications for the meeting.

His eyes glazed over as he accessed his interface. 

You would think he could hide reading that better with all the practice he’s had.

A moment later, he met her eyes and gave her a small nod of acknowledgement. After that, his expression blanked once more as he pretended to be unaffected by their disagreements.

Eventually, when the chancellors and heads of security failed to come to an agreement, he put his foot down and dictated their new policy. Jennifer could tell that the others were upset when they did not get their way, but she saw a hint of respect in her father’s face. 

If there’s one thing dad hates more than a corrupt leader, it’s an indecisive one.

Of course, the stern, old man almost immediately squashed the emotion before Blake was made aware. After all, he was all stick, no carrot. 

Jennifer would know. 

She allowed herself a momentary reminisce. Her entire life, she was only lectured on her failures, never praised for her successes. For years, she sought out his approval, yet failed to earn it. In the end, she ignored him and sought out her own happiness.

Ironically, that was when he finally began to treat me like an adult.

After the matter was decided, the topic changed to alliances.

“My sources say the Cardinals faction in Phoenix is seeking an alliance,” her father began with a deep clearing of his throat. “After the Sonoran Empire’s aggression, the Cardinals are worried they’re next, and have started reaching out to others for protection. I believe this could be an opportunity. Since the Sonoran Empire has refused to consider anything more than a basic trade agreement, we could ally with the Cardinals and use that as leverage over them.”

Does dad know nothing about Rajesh? That sounds like a horrible idea.

“Won’t that just antagonize the Sonoran Empire?” Blake’s mother asked, saving her the trouble of pointing out the plan’s flaws. “Rajesh seems the type of person to take things personally, and from what I remember, he was adamant that Phoenix would belong to him.”

“Nonsense!” Indigo Wasabi disagreed, loudly, startling a few council members. The subfaction leader then gestured to Blake. “Our glorious leader would utterly destroy anyone who dared face him. This Rajesh would be best served to submit.”

Jennifer rolled her eyes.

Wow, over the top much?

Blake, too, seemed embarrassed for the man. The young faction leader buried his face in his hands. Strangely enough, her father did not shut Indigo down. The intelligence advisor looked thoughtfully at the subfaction leader, but did not interrupt.

That’s weird. Dad usually hates ass kissing.

“Why are we tip-toeing around these people?” Indigo objected. “We should be conquering them, not placating them!”

“That would put us in the wrong,” Donna frowned openly at the irate man. “Neither myself nor my son would ever do something so despicable.”

Are you sure about that? You may not know your son as well as you think you do.

Jennifer had seen Blake execute people without remorse. She did not disagree with his reasoning for doing so, but the fact that felt zero guilt afterward was telling. 

The kid had gotten used to it. 

I really should stop thinking of him as a kid. Hell, he’s older than I am.

Every time she looked at his baby-faced countenance, her mind screamed ‘high schooler’. She then immediately lumped him together with every other immature high schooler she had ever met. His temper only made things worse.

Jennifer continuously had to force herself to treat him as an adult. 

“I am not suggesting we attack,” Corwin calmly corrected the misconception. “I propose we negotiate with the leader of the Cardinals to discuss the potential for an alliance. While doing so, we can gather intelligence on the condition of the faction and their disposition. Remember, just talking with her does not require us to agree with anything. And, if she is desperate enough, she may give in to almost any demand.”

“That’s actually not a bad idea,” Blake replied thoughtfully and stared off into the distance. “We can make some connections, get some intel, and maybe set up some more trade.”

It was Indigo’s turn to outwardly frown.

Wow, this really has him upset, but why?

“Exactly,” Corwin nodded. “We could also use them as a moat. If we were to sign a mutual defense pact with them, and Rajesh were to turn on us, he would first focus on our ally. That would give us time and a Casus Belli to attack.”

Jennifer groaned at the familiar term her father used.

No one here’s going to know what that means.

To her surprise, either Blake did know what it meant, or he ignored the Latin term entirely. Instead, he met her father’s eyes and shook his head. “No. The only way we promise to defend them is if they become our subfaction.”

Corwin frowned. “Mutual defense treaties are common in politics. Is there a reason you are so set against them?”

Blake took a deep breath and let it out before he responded. “You’re right, they are common. In my past life, people used and then abused them all the time. Do you know how many times I saw an ally purposefully antagonize another faction because they knew they were safe to do so? After all, who’s gonna attack them when they have defense treaties with five other factions?”

“That is the point,” Corwin replied dryly.

“Yeah, well, people did attack," Blake revealed. "Those defense treaties dragged almost every faction into a war that no one really wanted. I’m never going to let some ally force us to go to war.”

“In my experience, deterrence works,” Corwin disagreed.

Blake snorted and shook his head. “That’s because half your experience isn’t relevant anymore. Invasion day changed everything.”

“I see,” her father replied and then leaned back into his chair, silent.

Did he just force dad to back down? Holy shit! 

Jennifer smirked.

“But,” Blake offered an olive branch. “I do like the idea of going to talk to them. I just don’t have time to go myself. Like I said before, I need to get stronger so we keep that deterrence you talked about before in place.”

Before anyone else could suggest an envoy, Jennifer spoke up. “Bobby and I can go.”

All eyes shifted their focus to her.

Corwin shook his head and immediately dismissed her suggestion. “Too dangerous.”

Are you serious?

She turned to Blake for backup, but the kid seemed almost amused at their familial disagreement.

Well, screw you too!

Jennifer turned back to her father. “Bobby and I are the same level as Blake. We can take care of ourselves. I’ll also be streaming the visit, live. If they attack us, the whole world will know about it. And, if things get bad enough, we can always teleport back to the portal room.”

“Others can do the same,” he argued. “There is no reason for you to assume the risk yourself.”

Her jaw dropped and her eyes narrowed. “You didn’t argue like this when I went to Prescott. How is this any more dangerous? Hell, it’s actually safer!”

Her father nodded his head toward their faction leader. “Blake was there to protect you in Prescott.”

Luckily, Blake finally came to her rescue. “Your daughter is more capable than you think.”

Thank you!

She nodded graciously to Blake.

“Besides,” he continued. “She has certain… advantages… that make her the perfect ambassador.”

Her father narrowed his eyes as he attempted to decipher Blake’s statement. Currently, only Bobby and Blake knew she had learned the Read Thoughts spell. Jennifer was tempted to use it on her dad to see what was currently running through his mind. However, she still regretted using it on Bobby, and had resolved to never use it on family or friends.

Although, I guess Blake thinks it’s okay to use it on some random faction leader. Bigot.

Her father made a few more arguments against her participation, which Blake easily refuted. Eventually, he was forced to acquiesce and the discussion moved on. After the council meeting concluded, the advisors, chancellors, and heads of security either disconnected from holo-chat, or packed up to leave. 

Blake was the first person out the door.

He really hates this stuff.

Jennifer, meanwhile, remained in the air-conditioned room in her comfortable, padded, chair and filtered through her social media messages. For the next five minutes, she ignored the outside world as she focused on her task, which is why she was surprised that her father remained behind.

“Jennifer,” Corwin began in his steel-like voice. “I understand you are an adult, and I can not stop you from putting yourself in danger. However, I would ask that you at least bring a few combat teams along with you.”

She closed her interface and focused entirely on her father. “You know they will never let me bring soldiers through their gates. Are you trying to sabotage my visit?”

“We can disguise them as merchants.”

Jennifer snorted. “That’s even worse. All it would take is a single person with Analyze and then we look like we’re there to attack.”

Her father finally leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “I know, but I am worried about you.”

“Don’t be.”

Corwin chuckled. “Easier said than done.” After a moment, he asked, “What did Blake mean when he said you had advantages that would make you perfect for the role? And, don’t say your experiences with social media. I heard his emphasis on the word, and I know there’s something you aren’t telling me.”

She paused and immediately knew her face gave her away. 

Should I tell him?

Blake had advised her to keep her spell a secret, and had even gone to great lengths to assist her in that endeavor. The fact that he kept it quiet to even his own council was telling.

But this is dad.

In the end, she caved. “You know my class uses psionic energy, right?”

Corwin nodded.

“What you don’t know is that the first spell I took was Read Thoughts.”

Her father opened her mouth to reply, paused, then scratched his freshly shaved chin as he considered the ramifications of her statement. After a moment, he glanced back at her and asked, “I assume that allows you to read people’s minds. Does it work on everyone?”

“Everyone but Blake,” she replied bitterly.

“Yes,” he replied absently. “I imagine his mental resistance is high.”

“That’s an understatement.”

He ignored her remark. “I could see why that would make you the perfect envoy. Negotiation would be child’s play if one could read the other person’s thoughts.”

“That’s the idea,” she confirmed.

“Would you be willing to assist me as well? I have a few agents that I don’t quite trust.”

She shrugged. “Maybe. But, it’ll cost you.”

I won’t be your pawn this time.

His eyes narrowed. “I didn’t hear you discussing a price with Blake in the meeting.”

“That’s because I already owe him. He gave Bobby a shield worth at least fifty mega-nano. Besides, this will help the faction.”

“Confirming my agent’s loyalty will help the faction as well,” her father countered.

Jennifer smirked. “Yeah, but if I didn’t charge you, you’d abuse my good nature. You’d have me spend the rest of my life by your side, reading people’s minds.”

Corwin frowned. “Are you reading my mind right now?”

She snorted. “No, I just know you.”

“If I am forced to pay for your services, it will get very expensive, very quickly. I might as well learn the spell myself.”

Jennifer grinned. “Exactly. Now you’re getting it.”

Her father sighed. “It will take me some time to gather a hundred million nano. In the meantime, there is a target I feel deserves our priority.”

“What, some spy you think might be a double agent?” she joked.

Corwin shook his head. “No, I’m worried about a mole on the council.”

Her brows rose. “Really? Who?”

Is it Chancellor Tessay? Maybe Sir John? No, he’s got a soft spot for former law enforcement.

“Indigo Wasabi.”

“Huh?” she replied automatically. “He sounds like Blake’s biggest supporter.”

“That’s exactly why I suspect him,” her father argued.

“Then why did you vote for him to be made the Black Diamonds faction leader?”

“At the time, I assumed his rhetoric was used to build support for Blake among the populace. Essentially, I thought he was campaigning. However, it has continued behind closed doors and in private. He already has the position, there is no reason to be so… zealous.”

Jennifer grinned. “And, you hate brown nosers.”

Her father did not disagree. “Can you read his mind over holo-chat, or do you need to be present in person?”

“In person.”

Corwin sighed. “I was afraid of that. Is there any chance you can make a trip up to Prescott before you head down to Phoenix?”

“It’s the wrong direction,” she pointed out.

“You didn’t answer the question.”

Is he serious? He’s supposedly worried about me going down to Phoenix, but doesn’t give a shit about sending me to confront a potential mole? Screw that!

“You only suspect him because you hate ass-kissers,” she argued.

“Yes or no?” he asked with infuriating patience.

Jennifer stood. “No, I will not make a special trip to Prescott to confront Indigo on a whim. If you really suspect him, you’ll just have to go yourself.”

After her fiery retort, she strode out of the room and slammed the door behind her. She had a hundred things to do before she could leave for Phoenix, and she had not yet even asked Bobby to accompany her. Jennifer did not think he would refuse her request, but it was always polite to ask.