At Uma’s declaration, the council begins.
Included in her pheromones are her desired places for all the members.
Thus, with some space between each other, we princesses walk to the table to take our position in front of the queen, while the humans have to gather off to the right, separated by a wide line of drones.
It's not like the queen would just abandon all caution.
Speaking of her, after yesterday's events with Uma, I totally feel uncomfortable in her presence, but this is important, so I have to prevail.

 

<I'm glad that all of you managed to follow the invitation.> (U)

 

Why did she have to look at Honiu there?
Of course, nobody dares to speak up without permission in front of the queen, which is why she's the one continuing the talk.

 

<As you all should be aware, we have gathered here to once and for all settle the question of how the matter of the surface and its inhabitants should be resolved.> (U)

 

She couldn't have this worded any more ominous, could she?
Murmurs are spreading among the humans, as they naturally become distressed at the thought of being "dealt with" by a titan.
Perhaps sensing the increase in general agitation, Liseti is the first to dare say anything at all.

 

<Mother, maybe you should first clarify what your general thoughts and intentions are before our input proves to be fatally off-track.> (L)

<Liseti, the reason for this meeting is to hear all the different opinions. It wouldn't do to limit them.> (U)

 

Which doesn't necessarily mean that she'll mind those different opinions in the end.
Yet there's one thing I want to be sure about.

 

<Just so we're clear, killing the people of this country hopefully isn't on the table, right?> (E)

 

Naturally, the nobles become agitated at this idea I just opened up.
Yet none of them has anything to add to my question.
So they instead opt to wait.

 

<The humans cooperated to a degree. It wouldn't be appropriate to punish desired behavior. Not even hunters would be trained like this.> (H)

 

Yeah, the comparison to pets won't make her friends among them.

 

<I wouldn't see any reason to do so. There's little to gain, as the surface doesn't offer sustainable territory for our kind. I was even informed that at the end of each cycle, the temperature would drop considerably. Also, the losses our brood would sustain due to skirmishes wouldn't be agreeable. Not to forget, the human nature as a species to bond together against things they fear would likely put us at odds with humans we haven't even interacted with yet, causing a wholly unnecessary conflict at a scale we wouldn't want to spend resources on. I can't support such a course of action.> (L)

 

I suppose Liseti also worries that losing our military force like this would weaken us against the other swarms out there.

 

<I see. The general opinion seems to be clear on this. As I had no personal inclination on that topic, aside from a certain irritation regarding the incident revolving around Erys, I think we can consider this point as resolved.> (U)

 

Great.
No big human culling.
That's a step in the right direction.

 

<However, while this notion makes sense, we shouldn't forget that hostile actions of the highest magnitude were performed against our kind. Suitable measures should be taken to rein in the kind of threat the humans pose. So I'd like to hear suggestions on how this threat in our direct vicinity should be controlled.> (U)

 

What does she want to hear?

 

<I would advise against a permanent occupation. Already in the short time this one has continued, I have had to quell a multitude of disruptions of order. The human nature for individuals to cause trouble is truly an annoyance of amazing magnitude. I don't envy the ones responsible for having to deal with this on a regular basis.> (H)

 

At this, I just have to look at the king, who visibly sighs.

 

<This doesn't seem to be much of a suggestion, as it only entails what we shouldn't do.> (U)

 

At this, I perceive from Honiu the pheromone equivalent of clicking with her tongue.

 

<Be that as it may, my personal assessment is that a prolonged stationing of our drones within the human settlements will eventually lead to revolts and subsequently frequent skirmishes. In the long run, the damage to our side would be greater than the estimated gain of controlling the humans while we could just leave it to them.> (H)

 

I look slightly nervously at the humans.
They weren't directly allowed to approach the table.
Actually, it looks like Uma doesn't even plan to let them partake in a meaningful way.
They are merely here to observe our discussion.
Of course, it isn't actually easy to call the titan out on her bias.
So it seems like it will be on me to bring up their concerns.
Albeit in a roundabout manner, so I don't seem to be too inclined to their side.

 

<What about Koreso? If we just retreat they'll eventually overrun all of Tarsona's defensive lines. If that happens we'll have a direct neighbor who is much more likely to take action against us than the current.> (E)

<Would they truly spend so many resources on such a fruitless endeavor?> (U)

<Humans can be petty. Be it that they want payback for any losses we caused them already or that they can't accept us as a threat in their vicinity, it would eventually prompt them to attack us. Also, regarding what I know about them, they see themselves at the top. So they supposedly think of us, who aren't even the same species, as lesser beings. > (E)

<Where do you intend to go with that, Erys?> (L)

 

By now, I'm aware of this tactic.
Liseti opens up a window for me to give all the relevant information in front of Uma.

 

<Well, they might still see us as suitable slaves. Something they can use for their convenience.> (E)

<Ridiculous. Our brood would never serve those humans without our orders or permission.> (L)

<They might still try. And then would likely attack us to remove an unusable threat when it doesn't work out.> (E)

<In this case, wouldn't the best option be to demand suitable compensation for the trouble that was caused to our side and then abandon any contact? Destroying all existing connections would rid us of all the problems involved with the humans. Above us or further away.> (U)

 

I don't like the direction this is going.

 

<Well, they might try to dig us up and deal with us for good.> (E)

<Yet wouldn't it be more advantageous to let them come to us and fight on our terms if this were to be the case? Otherwise, we would just continue fighting battles for beings who acted hostile towards us. I don't see much reason in doing so. Isn't this correct?> (U)

<Uh, well, humans can develop quite a lot of things. One shouldn’t underestimate what kinds of technology humans can create. We, we would completely miss out on that research in the future if we'd just bury ourselves.> (E)

<But would that possibility truly be enough to justify this kind of engagement? To sacrifice our brood for such a reason?> (U)

<I, I don't know.> (E)

<As you say. Thank you for your input, Erys> (U)

 

Which basically means I've lost the argument.
Sigh, I'm really not cut out for this.

Perhaps I should take lessons from someone knowledgeable about how to lead a discussion?
I expect this will not be the last council Uma will request my presence for, nor will it be the final time I must convince her of something to get what I desire.
Yet, every meeting with her leaves me feeling woefully inadequate.
Usually, nobles train their entire lives for a task such as this.
No one would ever expect a farm girl to speak to a queen on their behalf.
Maybe Olira could provide lessons, though I’m afraid Uma will soon cut me off from her if things continue in this direction.
My only other choice would be one of the princesses.
Probably not Liseti, she’s too straightforward.
That's neither my nature nor am I certain that this style is all that effective.
But am I really so desperate as to ask Honiu?
And what would be her price?

 

<It seems all the relevant information has been shared. As such I'll now declare my decision.> (U)

 

The room quietens.
While the drones had been silent during these talks, the human’s low murmuring was ever-present.
But now, no one makes a sound as we all await this titan’s verdict.
My heart pounds as she draws in a breath…

 

<Mother, I object!> (Chera)

 

Abruptly, pheromones rush into the room, pulling all the attention to the one who just entered.
Just what is Chera doing here?