The ambassadors were seated in the lecture hall – the closest semblance to a senatorial meeting house that could be found. The veil of action had disintegrated, and most, if not all, were coming to the shared, but still unspoken, realization that they knew nothing of the ambassadorial trade, nor what force had moved then from their home sectors to Koagrad. Still, the ambassadors did their best to maintain the pretense of knowledge and experience as they spoke amongst themselves.

A stocky man dressed in poorly fitting and unnecessarily flowery garments walked to the lecture podium and with great apprehension addressed the crowd.

“Guys… uhm, Ambassadors, please attend me. I am Felp Mehjar, engine- Director of the Koagrad Peace Talks.”

He let his unease fester in a long pause. A grunt from an ambassador roused him to continue.

“We are here today because, uhm, we need to determine what we will do. We can… declare independence, unite, or… return to Verdan Rule.”

He shrunk back as the yelling commenced.