Chapter 179: Partnership with the Chiss
The Syndic who questioned Nuruodo had delivered the information that he got from her to his superiors which was elevated all the way up to the top. This was the first time that the Chiss had encountered an alien species, so naturally this required the most important people within Chiss society.
And those important people were the Nobles families who ran the various cities on the planet. In total, there were 43 underground cities across the planet, but only 18 noble families. Of these 18 noble families only 4 held the most power.
Those 4 houses were House Nuruodo, House Mitth, House Csaplar, and House Inrokini. Below them were the major houses and then the lesser houses.
Upon receiving the information, the respective leaders of the 4 houses assembled within the great chamber of Csaplar city, the recognized seat of planetary authority a few days later.
The chamber itself was a reflection of Chiss ingenuity—hollowed from a single sheet of blue-white calcite and rimmed at its perimeter with slanted pillars that rose toward the illusory "sky" of bioluminescent sheets.
The nobles wore their house colors as sashes over utilitarian uniforms; they stood in a rough square around the central platform, with security and household aides fanned out behind each house leader similar to a military formation.
The report was presented to them with each word being translated into Cheunh, then back into the two most common city dialects, as was the custom for any matter of first contact. They may not have ever had a first contact, but like any other species, there were always signs that aliens were out there somewhere.
Throughout the presentation, the alien communication device rested on a black silk cloth at the foot of the platform.
The eldest present was Mitth Baan’eroen, a woman whose hair had gone entirely white with her age. When she spoke, her voice was soft but without any trace of uncertainty.
"We are presented with an opportunity that no Chiss has faced in living memory. Strangers have breached the sky and bested the outcasts—not with overwhelming numbers, but with a force and discipline we have not seen from any of the wildlife or lesser sentients on Csilla."
House Nuruodo’s leader, a younger man named Jeris, countered what she was saying. "We have evidence of military capability, but no evidence of intent. That they assisted a Nuruodo agent is promising but let us not forget that all inquiries—every word, every gesture—has been measured for effect." He nodded at the device. "They have not pressed us. That does not mean their patience is infinite."
Inrokini’s matriarch, Ysel’na, chimed in from the far edge of the chamber. "If their patience were infinite," she said, "They would not have revealed their weapon to us. Instead, through fire and battle, followed by negotiation. They made a show of strength, expecting that to form the basis for all further interaction."
"Which is what we would do," Csaplar’s patriarch, Vaedren, replied. "It is only logical." He turned to the Syndic who had brought the device, now stationed at the base of the platform. "You observed it yourself. How did their leader conduct himself?"
The Syndic of course, did not observe it himself. He simply used the recordings to see what happened and then used that to make him look better. "Like a warlord who knows what he is. Imposing but not boastful. Dismissive of the outcasts without any apparent malice. In all things, he deferred to action rather than discussion—until the matter was settled."
A wave of approval passed through the advisors behind the noble leaders. The Chiss respected decisive action above nearly all other virtues.
Ysel’na looked at the device, her fingers flexing at her side as if she wished to dissect it herself. "We must establish the first principle before contact."
Baan’eroen nodded. "The first principle will be this: Meeting them on mutually acceptable terms, in a neutral territory. Let them believe them choose the time and place, but ensure that it is on our terms nonetheless. Present ourselves as equals, not as supplicants or prey. And make it clear—without words—that we possess our own means of defense." Jeris Nuruodo made a gesture for the device to be placed on the central pillar. "We respond," he said, "But not with haste. There is an advantage in allowing them to wait. The one who controls the timing of the meeting controls the direction."
"Balance patience with caution," Vaedren Csaplar added. "If they wished to dominate us, they would have done so by now. But power used sparingly does not mean power is ever absent."
With that, the decision was made; the device would be activated after the next rest cycle, and the ’sky people’ would be invited to meet not within the walls of any city, but on a neutral surface above the greatest ice chasm that separated the four main urban centers of the Chiss. There, the first true contact would be made.
The following cycle, the invitation came as expected. Syndic-Aspirant Nuruodo, designated as the emissary, activated it in the receiving chamber.
"Contact," a voice said on the other end.
"This is Syndic-Aspirant Nuruodo of the Chiss," she said. "We accept your proposal for dialogue. Our leaders wish to meet. There is a neutral place, atop the Caelon ice chasm. If you are willing, we will receive you there."
"Accepted," came the reply. "We will bring a delegation of six. You may do the same." There was a brief pause. "One additional request," the stranger added. The room collectively held its breath at what the other end was going to ask for next. "State it," she replied.
"You will grant safe passage to four unarmed noncombatants, who wish only to observe the meeting. They will wait at a distance and will not approach unless invited."
"We allow this," she replied. "On the condition that the observers wear only the markings of their origin and abstain from any signaling or communication until the parley concludes." "Agreed." The line went silent.
Nuruodo exhaled. The nobles behind the glass screen nodded; the arrangements were as favorable as could be hoped and preparations for the meeting began.
A day later, the day of contact arrived. The ice chasm—Caelon’s Scar—spread more than 18 miles across at its widest point, with only a thin bridge of engineered crystalline composite spanning the gap north to south. There were only two such bridges on the entire planet.
The Chiss had selected the one furthest from any city and had leveled a neutral platform at its center—an old observation deck, decades old, now repurposed as a diplomatic stage.
As time passed, both sides had arrived. On one side, the four Chiss leaders stood in wearing the markings of their houses, flanked by two aides each. Syndic-Aspirant Nuruodo stood at the rear of her own delegation, a pale blue scarf now draped across her shoulders as a sign of her new status. The Chiss didn’t favor ceremonial dress, but they knew the purpose of symbolism.
At the far side of the neutral platform, the Imperium party was already present. Daimon stood front and center, with Cortana beside him. Lord Maxim and two Empyrean Guards flanked them.
Behind them, four noncombatants—two Balance Keeper initiates, a civilian scientist, and a scribe—stood in neatly pressed blue and silver robes.
The Balance Keeper initiates were there for experience. The civilian scientists there to study and analyze the first contact with the Chiss. The scribe was there to write down everything that happened for record keeping in the Imperial archives.
For a moment, nothing happened. Both sides faced each other in absolute stillness, sizing each other up.
It was Daimon who broke the silence, projecting his voice across area. "We thank the Chiss for agreeing to this meeting. We honor your caution and your traditions. My delegation speaks for the Imperium, and for myself. I am Emperor Daimon."
Mitth Baan’eroen, as the eldest and most senior, took a step forward. "We receive you, Emperor Daimon, on behalf of our people. I am Baan’eroen of House Mitth. With me stand the voices of Nuruodo, Csaplar, and Inrokini. For a thousand of our cycles, we have ruled, and for a thousand more we have prepared for this kind of day."
Daimon inclined his head. "Then let us speak plainly. Our first encounter was in conflict, though that was not our intention. My people value the strength you showed. We do not seek to conquer you or absorb your people. We seek understanding, and, if possible, partnership."
The small coalition of Chiss leaders felt the words deeply. For an alien to know the nuance of power and the indirect language of negotiation was not expected. They thought their culture to be unique in that aspect, yet here they were proven wrong.
Nuruodo Jeris, with a boldness that had run in his family for generations, asked, "Why now? Why seek our partnership, when you have already proven your ability to best the outcasts with ease, and, as you must know, could possibly do the same to us?"
Daimon did not hesitate to answer this question as it was one he had answered a hundred times before, just with a slightly different answer. "Because conquest is not the only way to grow. My Imperium spans thousands of worlds and incorporates hundreds of cultures, many of them vastly different from each other. Some joined by right of arms, others by choice. The strongest and most enduring states are those that understand how to incorporate the differences between difference species, not eliminate it. All I want is to elevate the Chiss to the next evolution."
Baan’eroen showed a slight smile at what the Emperor had said as it wasn’t the first time hearing such a thing. "The galaxy has rarely rewarded idealism, Emperor. But it has often bent to the will of pragmatists." She looked at her counterparts. "We have learned caution the hard way. Brief us: if the Chiss were to accept, what would you ask, and what would you give?"
Daimon nodded to Cortana, who stepped forward. "We would first offer a framework for mutual observation—technical, cultural, and educational exchange. Next, we would propose a sharing of non-military technology, focusing on medical and environmental engineering, to demonstrate intent. Finally, we would extend an option, not a mandate, for Chiss to travel to Imperium space as guests or students. We expect no fealty, no immediate enmeshment in our politics or military. The only standing request is neutrality toward our wider interests, and open communication should incidents arise."
There was a moment of silence as the Chiss took in what was just said to them. Jeris Nuruodo looked at his peers, thinking about his response, then he looked at the Emperor.
"Mutual learning between our two species," Daimon said. "I’m not here to harvest your resources, if I may be plain, I just like to see the development of species throughout the galaxy."
The things Daimon were saying sounded quiet good. If this deal went as they hoped it was going to go, then they would go down history and set their species up for the future.
"I think that’s enough of that." said Mitth Baan’eroen. They had already come here with goal of establishing this new partnership with these aliens. And while they may have had their skepticisms, they still couldn’t deny the possibility of how great this was.
And the things Daimon were saying had alleviated their worries.
"You have revealed that you come with good intentions, and we can’t deny the benefits to this relationship. So, if nobody has any more questions or concerns, I say we go ahead and agree to this partnership." Mitth Baan’eroen looked around and saw that nobody had anything to say.
"Great, now we look forward to seeing this benefits that you claim you can bring." she said.
Daimon inclined his head. "Once you see what we have, you will not be disappointed." replied Daimon.
With that, the party had started talking about the more technical details and stuff which would take some time to hash out.
All in all, Daimon had peacefully made contact with the Chiss, minus the first interaction, completing one of his goals. Only time will tell if his other goals will be met as time goes on.
