Photon Mind (RX)

[GEAR]

When the delegation from Hyperlight Industries arrived after months of back and forth hemming and hawwing from either side, the Union may have been surprised to see how small it was, consisting of only a handful of suits, lawyers, and scientists. Whether this was all that truly composed the Colonial corporation's inner circle, or perhaps only those that wished to show their faces, was uncertain. Many of them seemed awed as they witnesed the Lunar surface, talking animatedly amongst themselves, gushing over the Union's present GN-XIII suits and the particle technology that sustained them.

Only one - a woman in a crisp, jet-black suit with not even an atom out of place - had marched directly from the ship's ramp in the immediate direction of whoever it was that looked most important to make their presence and purpose known:

Negotiation.

***

Faustine Blanchefleur currently stood before her most important audience yet, cool and composed. A large, circular conference room, one that had formerly belonged to certain Lunarian, served as her auditorium, and at present was packed with Union government and military officials. She spoke in a clear, authoritative tone - that of a born leader, and as she did, holographic representations bobbed into view behind her.

A blue and white Gundam, with bright yellow eyes and a swept-forward head with two pointed antennae, came into view, dancing through space. It cut and curled through the vacuum, leaving a trail of light behind it as it did. Lances of light erupted from its form - a beam rifle tearing into the dark at unseen foes, before it jetted away, out of sight.

"We call that one the G-Self. It is one of a variety of proprietary prototype designs we developed for use with this new technology, part of our "G Project"." She said, arms at her sides as she spoke.

"For those unfamiliar, these devices are a new kind of energy source - a kind of compressed light. Highly compact, each contains extraordinary power for its size and weight, far superior to a conventional fusion reactor - albeit, with a more limited lifespan. We like to call them "Photon Batteries".

"We at Hyperlight Corporation have been researching these devices for quite some time, and felt the time was right to share them with the people of the Earth sphere, as well as other advancements in technology from our Colony."

"Under our proposal, we will provide the Union with Photon Batteries in exchange for financial and material reimbursement, preferred trading partner status, and official recognition as a neutral, sovereign entity.

We have no desire to take sides in what we see as the latest iteration of a never-ending conflict between Earth and Space. Our Colony has always been a safe haven for those seeking respite from the ravages of war, and we aim to continue honoring that ideal."

"Of course, we are also not naieve, and recognize that these devices can and will be used for warlike purposes, as well as peaceful ones. To that end, we have created a variety of Mobile Suit frames and blueprints, which we offer as part of this agreement to both yourselves, and the Commonwealth."

"Select mobile suit designs have already been completed, and can be provided upon request and payment from the catalogue before you. Modifications to them are permitted, but we request that they be taken care of at our facilities, so as to ensure the proper tools are used, and that any feedback from them be provided to us for future research."

"We will provide the facilities for further research and development on-site at our Colony in Amadeus bunch. Authorized personnel subject to our screening process will be permitted to enter and operate these at their leisure, so long as they abide by the posted security protocals. Hyperlight personnel will be on hand to provide expertise and advise in matters of safety."

"We reserve the right to revoke this access at any time, for any reason, to any individual suspected of misusing them. Those suspected of corporate espionage will be prosecuted, and subject to the penalties of our justice system, up to, and including execution. Our current policy of extradition may be suspended in the event we have reason to suspect government involvement in these cases."

"Photon batteries are equipped with a mechanism that will destroy the device if they are otherwise tampered with. We consider this a necessary step to protect our intellectual property, and safeguard our independence. A safety warning is included with each unit, and we recommend it be followed in order to prevent any unfortunate accidents."

Here, the CEO paused, and the lights in the room went back on. She clasped her hands, giving all assembled an even-handed look.

"That about sums it up, ladies and gentlemen. You can find the finer details and fine print in the document before you." She said, holding in the air a razor thin tablet currently displaying the first page of a legalese-heavy volume, before tucking it under her arm.

"I'll now be taking questions."

[Black RX]

This was, as far as Andrew Destin was concerned, everything he hated.

After a moment of reflection, he reconsidered that, correcting it that it was almost everything he hated. Even the Commonwealth was involved, in a roundabout sort of fashion.

Much like the unification of the Earth Sphere, technology should be collected under the Union's aegis. Too many madmen running around with weapons of incredible power was what caused the Cataclysm, after all. Or at least the worst parts of it.

Even worse, he knew he couldn't really argue against their terms. His superiors might, but to be left out of any new technological development might well be suicide. If the Union couldn't control this new technology, then they damn well had to be in bed with Hyperlight until simply being "one" option became "the only" option.

For a moment, Andrew waited as the others talked amongst themselves, before he rose and cleared his throat. The tall, slender figure in the black and midnight blue dress uniform of the Lunar Guard stood out, and not just for the mane of golden hair that fell down his back. While it belonged to the Union, Artemis - and Luna itself were his charges, and that showed in every bit of his bearing.

"I can't say I am happy with some your terms, but I see the need for them. These are troubled times." He began, staring across the room at the immaculate figure that had addressed the Union contingent. Then a hint of a smile crossed his face, and he raised a hand and gestured over his shoulder, as if at all the others. "But I cannot speak for the Union as a whole. I am a soldier, and not a diplomat."

And thank God for that. The thought came and went, amusing him.

"As far as Luna, and the forces under my control, I welcome you and intend to honor your agreement. Though I am sure the lawyers will have some fun with it." Andrew did honestly intend to read it, but given the sheer volume of things that crossed his desk, it would take some time. Being in command definitely had it's own disadvantages. That desk chair felt like the only thing he had piloted in months. "The elite pilots of the Garde Impériale were always near the forefront of the Union's technical development, and we follow in that mold."

Then his eyes brightened a little, and the smile on his face became quite genuine. "I would be pleased to pilot one of these machines myself. Some of these designs you offer are..interesting."

[GEAR]

The various lawyers and diplomats from Hyperlight and the Union both mingled, their conversations turning to a dull murmur that filled the room discussing the terms of the agreement in more granular detail. Blanchefleur watched them do so, eagle-eyed, but eventually settled her sights on Admiral Destin, as he spoke, listening to his words with rapt attention. She had little respect for desk jockeys that didn't get out and do their own work, and she could only imagine that being cooped up in such a place made men go mad.

"We appreciate the warm welcome, Admiral Destin." She said clearly, "We won't outstay it."

Blanchefleur placed her hand on her chest, passionately as she spoke to the assembled, sincerity filling her voice for that brief moment.

"I ask only that your official representatives here on Luna please submit it on our behalf to the Union assembly on Side 3 for consideration, and ratification. Until then, we shall provide provisional assistance via the prototypes requested."

And with that, she stepped forward as the groups began to blend together, intending simply to stride purposefully out of the room, and onto the next item on her agenda... but the sight of the Admiral gave her pause, and slowed her step. She turned on her (stiletto, designer, jet-black) heel, and instead made a beeline for him, politely shoving her way through the throng in such a way that it appeared to part before her effortlessly, until she was before him, fixing him with... Well, not exactly a scowl, but a certainly intense look, arms folded.

"Actually Admiral, if you'd like to try one for yourself, we've brought some with us..." She seemed to catch herself before continuing, sharply; "For demonstration purposes and self-defense, of course."