Dark Fate, Chapter 276 (Patreon)

Chapter 276 – Resolution

With their air power basically gone, and nuclear weapons off the table, the Indian Army wasn’t able to stop the Pakistani Army’s renewed assault, as air strikes and artillery took out any concentrated defenses. The army was only a little more than 80 kilometers from New Delhi at this point, almost within artillery range. That, and the fact that their commanders in the field were unwilling to commit to launching nuclear weapons, forced the Indian government to sue for peace.

Since neither side fully trusted the other, and for good reason, they needed ostensibly neutral ground for talks to begin, and with a third party to stand witness. Since my forces were already in the area, I made myself the witness and arbitrator, and told the two countries that the negotiations would be held on the Si Vis Pacem, which I had flying alongside the Black Tear. Because I was subtle in my messaging like that.

Because I was going to be there, personally, I made certain that both sides understood that I expected fellow heads of state to be there. The Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan would sit across a table from each other and work out a deal, or I would be cranky. The messaging worked because India couldn’t afford any more losses, and Pakistan really didn’t want to ruin their gains by making an enemy of me.

Of course, even though Pakistan was a trading partner of Ceres, I couldn’t favor one side too much over the other. Playing things fairly would do far more for my reputation in the long run than any short-term gain I’d get through playing favorites. And since I was a Greater Incubus, whose lifespan was generally ‘until something or someone kills them’, playing the long game was important, both because I intended to be around for a long time, and because playing favorites tended to get the other side very, very interested in finding ways to kill you, and I wasn’t always going to be multiple tiers above everyone else on Earth.

Lilith and I were waiting in one of the smaller conference rooms aboard the Si Vis Pacem when the delegates began to arrive. I was very specific about the size and composition of the parties. On the Indian side, it was the President, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of External Affairs, which was their version of the US Secretary of State. For the Pakistanis, it was the same lineup, except they called their chief diplomat the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The Indian delegation was the first to arrive. President Veer Limbu was a stern-faced man, a Level 20 Fighter / Scholar and an Elf. The Prime Minister was Sena Gulati, a Level 23 Priestess / Diplomat with a gentle face but eyes like iron. And the Minister of External Affairs was Om Nambiyar, a Level 31 Mind Sorcerer / Diplomat, and was the most visibly concerned person in the room.

I greeted them warmly, though it was obvious none of them were exactly comfortable with the situation, or with being face-to-face with a pair of demons in their true form. That much was understandable, considering the circumstances. However, all three remained civil, and respectful, which was fine. They didn’t have to like me, the situation, or the other party coming to the meeting. They just had to make honest, good-faith negotiations for peace.

The Pakistani delegation arrived soon after. President Parima Kurd was a Level 32 Bladedancer / Huntress with sharp features and the build of someone used to fighting. Prime Minister Arasp Jalbani, on the other hand, was kindly, grandfatherly-looking man, and a Level 15 Priest / Healer. And then, there was Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaya Orakzai, a half-dragon with silver scales and Level 23 Fire Warrior / Arcanist.

My gaze lingered on Orakzai. That was an interesting combination. As a half-dragon with silver scales, that meant he was immune to the cold, and had a cold-based breath weapon. As a Fire Warrior, he was immune to fire, and could wreathe himself and his weapons in flame. As an Arcanist, he could learn spells from a variety of sources, casting them much like a wizard did. While it lacked the power of a specialist, the mix of immunities and abilities offered him a great deal of power, flexibility, and utility. That was the kind of person any group would kill to have as their fifth or sixth member, someone who could fill in gaps where they might be needed, shifting positions as the circumstances required.

Turning to the room as a whole, I motioned for everyone to sit. “You all know of me, even if you haven’t seen me in person. You know I’m not one for the kind of diplomatic dancing and gamesmanship that most leaders engage in. I’m going to speak plainly, bluntly, and without holding anything back, and while I’m not going to intentionally hurt any feelings, I’m not going to engage in doublespeak to shield them, either.”

The atmosphere in the room, which had been thick with tension, changed. There was still tension, but it was of a different quality, now. Less guarded, more honest. Everyone understanding that things were going to be out in the open, as much as possible.

“For clarity’s sake, I will tell you all that not only is meeting being recorded, from multiple angles, with full audio pickups, but the room has been warded, to prevent mental influence by anyone, including from passive racial effects. Those of you who have items or abilities which allow you to communicate with others mentally will still be able to use them, but mental influence, mind control, and other such abilities will not work in this room. So, no one can claim that magic forced them to act a certain way, or say that mental magics made them sign a deal they opposed.”

Multiple eyes flickered to Minister Nambiyar, and then away. Confirmation that everyone was aware of his class, and the implications it had. A further change in the atmosphere, as both sides realized what I was doing. I was removing excuses. Between the recordings and the wards, there would be no ‘he said, she said’ or ‘magic made me do it’. They couldn’t even point to the pheromones Lilith and I gave off as clouding their minds. There would be a clear, unedited record of everything that happened, and everyone would be in their right mind from start to finish.

I took a breath, and said, “Now, since we are all busy people, ground rules. There’s a clear winner and loser in this conflict, but we aren’t going to have any massive indemnities or other foolishness, like the Allied powers did after World War I, because I don’t think any of us want to be revisiting this conflict in another twenty years, yes?”

There was a series of grim nods. While the Indian side looked bitter at having been so blatantly called the losers in the war, they couldn’t exactly argue the facts. Likewise, the Pakistanis were a bit put out at the implication that they weren’t going to get to go for the throat, but they understood the historical parallel I was making, and no one wanted that kind of scenario with nuclear-armed states. If both sides were upset, you knew that it was a decent compromise.

President Kurd was the first to speak. “We will not accept going back to the pre-war status quo. The conditions between our nations have materially changed in the past month, and a lasting peace must reflect this new reality. However, I believe that we can agree that humiliating the Indian people or anything of the sort is not in the interests of Pakistan, or peace.”

President Limbu looked as though he’d bitten into a lemon, but nodded once. “Yes, much has changed. And there is a great deal of damage that has been done, throughout our country. Damage that will be years in the recovery.”

I nodded slowly. “Then perhaps that is the shape we can craft this peace treaty towards. Territorial concessions from India, and aid in rebuilding from Pakistan? With a focus on rebuilding and improving any civilian infrastructure that was damaged in the fighting?”

Prime Minister Gulati’s opinion of that was clear on her face, but she kept her tone civil enough. “You suggest selling our land off like it was nothing, in return for aid in rebuilding what these warmongers destroyed?”

I eyed her carefully, and said, “I am suggesting that you would officially cede territory you’ve already lost, territory that is also partially claimed by China. Meaning that those disputed borders would no longer be your problem. And, instead of humiliating India by simply taking the land, Pakistan would ‘buy’ it by helping to rebuild civilian infrastructure in the areas affected by the war. Infrastructure that directly affects the lives of the common people in your country.” A pause for effect, and then, “And if you are so poor a politician that you cannot make that seem like a win to your people, then I question how you ever rose to such a position of power in the first place.”

Foreign Minister Orakzai nodded once. “This would also help soothe tensions on both sides of the border, solidifying the idea that while our governments are rivals, the people of our nations are not enemies. It would help work against groups in both countries that have been working at radicalizing disaffected individuals. The effect of the Flames of Vengeance drove the war, but it also urged those already radicalized to the front, where many found that, despite the System and the Flames, they were still mortal. Doing what we can to keep the next generation from arising is a good idea.”

Prime Minister Jalbani nodded, as well. “And focusing on the common people will help soothe the soul of our nation, as well. Casualties are expected in war, but if we can reduce the damage once the battle is done, and ensure that people do not end up in a cycle of loss and hatred, it will only benefit everyone, in the long run.”

“How magnanimous,” Minister Nambiyar said evenly. “But how much of our territory are you suggesting that we lose thanks to this conflict?”

President Kurd took a breath, and said, “Our forces already hold the province of Punjab, and the territory north of it. Parts of Haryana and Uttarakhand provinces are in our control, as well. However, it would be seen by many as a ‘reasonable compromise’ if, instead of taking everything, we drew back, and claimed only the provinces of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. That would remove most of your disputed borders with China, with a minimal disruption to the majority of your territory.”

President Limbu sighed, and said, “Minimal disruption. Though I doubt the people of those provinces would think the same. Even with the Initialization, and the monsters, and the war, there are still fifteen million people living in those three provinces.”

“Those provinces are mountainous,” Orazaki said. “They will adjust, and adapt. Most people, in the end, do not care which capital they send their taxes to, so long as they have roofs over their head in the rain, walls to keep the chill out in winter, food on the table for their family, and medical care available when they need it. And it will be our responsibility to provide that.”

I cleared my throat, and said, “While that is true, there will always be those who will rail against the changes, or will proudly beat their chests and say that neither side went far enough, since the war ended before total annihilation. The Ceresan Empire will accept all ‘political refugees’ who cannot accept the changes, on either side of the border. Even those who are… less than willing refugees. Those who want a new life will be welcomed to the Empire, and those who cannot let go of the past will find that there are still options that will allow them to rail against the powers that be, without causing trouble to the majority. After all, Ganymede is officially open for immigrants, now, and the facilities on the newly terraformed Titan will soon be ready, as well.”

The leaders looked at their delegations, and then their opposites. It was not a perfect solution. In fact, it was a fabulously imperfect solution. However, it was a solution that had everyone giving up something, and offered someplace to ship any troublemakers before they could disrupt the peace. That was the grounds for a workable deal. Now, they just needed to work out the specific numbers, like how much rebuilding aid Pakistan would provide, and what type that aid would take.