13022/Shi'ar: Ex Amicitia Pax

Shi'ar: Ex Amicitia Pax
Date of Scene:	12 October 2022
Location:	Public Rotunda - Atlantic Starport
Synopsis:	T'Challa lays down the law to the Shi'ar, PG is Very Mad, Diana and Donna try to diplomacize... and Tabitha rocks her spacejail couture. Although some political agreement is reached, it seems unlikely Deathbird will abide them. Emma hatches a plan for telepathic questioning, even as Oracle has already failed at the task. And Commander Shrivan will need a vacation.
Cast of Characters:	Jean Grey, Emma Frost, Karen Starr, Tabitha Smith, T'Challa, Diana Prince, Donna Troy

---

Jean Grey has posed:
It is not the first time a Shi'ar diplomatic shuttle has landed at the port, although in comparison to prior visits, the emphasis seems less on pomp and circumstance as it does on security, and there is tension in the air. The long, sleek vessel is identical in class to the one that shot its way out of the port, but not the same vessel. That one was damaged by the X-Men as it fled the scene, and is currently held aboard the orbiting (but often suspiciously cloaked) cruiser B'rynal. Part of its crew - including the assassin - remain in custody at the port, left behind as it fled, while the rest were caught with the fleeing ship.

The new shuttle makes its landing, and a small diplomatic party is escorted from the vessel, under Amazon guard, while the ship itself remains under no doubt heightened scrunity. With the assigned diplomat being the one dead, the Shi'ar have either not yet sent - or elected not to send - a replacement in equal kind and rank. Instead, the envoy group includes the B'rynal's first officer Shrivan, Investigator Kalar and his assistant (familiar to those who went aboard the ship), and the Imperial Guard member Oracle. The latter, no doubt, to provide their own telepathic abilities and defenses. They're escorted with much less ceremony toward wherever the local authorities have designated.

They also transport with them a single human, Tabitha Smith, who had been held aboard the cruiser for questioning after the X-Men were taken aboard. A show of good faith in returning her, perhaps. "Greetings," Shrivan begins, somewhat abruptly, once they have arrived. Clearly, he is not some eloquent statesman himself, pushed into the situation by the circumstances. "I have been designated to speak with the Captain's authority in regards to the recent incident and the death of Sub-Minister K'van."

Emma Frost has posed:
Oh, Emma Frost has questions. Ever, ever so many questions. Among them as to what she's going to have done to Tabitha later for getting arrested -during- an interstellar incident. But, some levels of standards must be maintained for decorum. And now Emma is amongst those awaiting the investigator's party.
    Emma is wearing something more appropriate from the days of the Hellfire Club, locket around her neck over with a symbol of the X-Men. Now, it's time to play at this parley.

Emma is not a diplomat or a negotiator by trade. She's a murderer. She comes from the realm of money, finance, and business.

One squeezes over a corpse until there's no more water to give then sell it as coal. She plays at an affair of barbs and blades while the others play at a game of compromise and camraderie. Emma is here now to see whether the blade's game of the White Queen is needed for whatever intergalactic escalation they'll be participating in. Because someone has to be htere to take the Black Pieces.

Karen Starr has posed:
    Any diplomatic mission needs security. That much is certain. Sure, the presence of Wonder Woman, the Amazons at her call, and the combination of Wakandan and Antlantean forces are intimidating, but at the end of the day, there is nothing more imposing than a six foot tall blonde that can crack a planet in half with her bare hands.

    She has little to say, verbally, but the expression on her features shows her /incredible/ displeasure that they're even entertaining such a visit. First, the Shi'ar threaten the whole of the planet to kill one person. Next, a faction within them commits a political assassination on Earth.

    As the diplomats approach, Power Girl is not front and center, but her attitude is. Near the back of the assembly, arms folded, face a stern mix of disapproval and genuine disgust, it is a matter of luck that she is not really supposed to be part of the discussions- whether that will remain that way is a troubling matter in and of itself.

    Either way, the Shi'ar know what she is capable of- so her mere presence cannot be understated.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
Tabitha gets herself a nice trip to space jail. And then back. Untill there's an official handover to whomever is sent to collect her she stays handcuffed and powers dampened. That bit she's in the dark about but Tabby expects someone's going to be all frowny at her.

The Shi'ar treated her well enough. The delightful Oracle was pretty gentle with the telepathic probes. The blonde did consent and cooperate. But she's still Tabby and maybe wasn't that easy to get out of information with that scatterbrain of hers..

She might have actually enjoyed the time. It's a cultural exploration. Just not one that someone on a proper vacay might have ever considered. Or enjoyed.

At least when the guards eventually release her they can breath a collective sigh of relief. And Emma might possibly have caught a sudden case of extra annoyed. "You know lotta girls get picked up from being released by girls wearing far less than this Emma. Positively conservative!" she says playfully.

That is a very bright orange jumpsuit. Enough she wishes she still had het glasses. They could have been used to make weapons or escape implements. Formality can be a pain sometimes.

T'Challa has posed:
There also requires someone to at least attempt to keep the peace. Whether or not that is T'Challa on this day remains to be seen. For the time being, he is not in the Panther Habit, but rather typical Wakandan clothing that has a ceremonial look to it, blacks, purples, and silvers with tribal designs embroidered in places. No crown, but he has never had need of a physical one. In costume, the habit itself serves well enough.

His arms are crossed, the bearded man's countenance stern and expectant as he watches quietly for the moment, brown eyes sharp on the Shi'ar vessel and its inhabitants. Four Dora Milaje flank him, as much to protect as to impress. No doubt there will be words very soon. In fact, a few follow the ones from Shrivan.

"Then speak, and explain what led to the incident. I am T'Challa, the Black Panther, King and Protector of Wakanda, and I am one of the ones responsible for the existence of this place," he says, voice sharp as steel.

Diana Prince has posed:
With the arrival of the representitives, Diana looks to each of them in-turn before she regards T'Chala who starts the talks off.

The Princess is dressed unusually today, having been in space for a public affair, using the Invisible Jet to take several importants guests to the Starport up in to space. Dressed in a Wonder Woman stylized body suit, crafted from leather and shining golden trimming, it honors her usual armor, while playing up the futuristic look of a space faring society.

With her hair back in a tightly braided ponytail, the Princess is quiet while the others start to talk, her eyes dancing around those on both sides of this affair.

Donna Troy has posed:
    Troia is on the 'hanging around in the background just in case' side of things too. In fact she's even further back than Power Girl is as the deputation arrives, standing at the head of an Amazon detachment which is keeping well back but helping to make it clear that security is being taken seriously, and there are eyes on the perimeter.

    As such, Troia is quite definitely in martial rather than diplomatic mode today. Like Diana, her outfit takes its design inspiration from Themyscira, but doesn't look like anything the other Amazons are wearing, being distinctly more high-tech looking in construction -- an armored full-body suit in gloss black, with two lines of silvered stars running down the sides from neck to boot. She has her shield strapped over her back, and a sword and lasso at her belt.

    With the landing of the shuttle, Troia turns to give some quick instructions to the Amazon detachment, who spread out around the edges of the rotunda, to ensure that there are no more surprises. Hopefully. As the Amazons move out into their new positions, Troia steps closer to the group, coming to stand beside Diana. She gives her sister a quick nod before turning her attention to the Shi'ar visitors, and the prisoner they're returning.

Jean Grey has posed:
Met at first with more in the way of stern expressions, intimidating presences, and lethal fashion, Shrivan... takes a momentary pause, as if deciding what he ought do next, and decides on silence until T'Challa finally speaks up. Ah. Yes, someone who seems to be in charge. Well. He bows his head. "Greetings, your Majesty." Then he takes a breath, as if summoning up a speech. "Her Imperial Majesty, Lilandra Neramani, Majestrix Shi'iar, re-affirms her friendship with your world and the good that has come of it, for your planet, for the Imperium, and for the universe as a whole. She expresses regret for the incident, both for the loss of a devoted servant of peace in Sub-Minister K'van, and in the violence toward your people which followed. As before, she desires for the treaty process to continue so that the Imperium's relationship with your world can be attested in law, and hails the creation of this port as a beacon for future cooperation."

It all comes out in that one big breath, nearly. Quickly and precisely delivered. Probably memorized. "As for an explanation, I would leave that to Investigator Kalar, who has been placed in charge of all investigation."

Kalar is gestured forward, from where he remains near the captive Tabitha, dipping his head slightly when he is acknowledged. "I believe your side has most of the relevant information avaialble, but to summarize: Engineer 2nd Grade Tiva Rilanari was assigned to a combined work group as part of the technological exchange program that was instituted as part of the treaty negotations, in exchange for local cooperation in the return of Shi'ar technology salvaged during the illegal actions of the false-Majestor D'Ken." There is a lot of political distancing in that one.

"Harboring terrorist sentiments and loyalties, she made use of the access her position granted to gather equipment. This allowed her to build a single-use energy weapon, along with an improvised explosive. The former was used to assassinate the Sub-Minister. The latter, set off to disrupt some of your port defenses as her comrades escaped aboard their shuttle. It was pursued, ironically by the vessel benefiting from that technological exchange, and disabled as it escaped Earth's atmosphere. Shortly thereafter, both vessels were taken aboard the B'rynal."

Kalar then looks back, toward Tabitha. "Miss Smith was among those on booard. She was held for questioning, given her close working proximity to the assassin, but found to harbor no motivation in abetting the attack nor other suspicious ties or knowledge. She is released with our thanks for her cooperation." The last is actually accompanied by what seems like a gracious smile to match his words, although the man is nothing if not unfailingly polite. At this point, the guard keeping hold of Tabitha moves to unlock her fancy cuffs. She's free!

Emma Frost has posed:
Lovely, they're in banter mode. Emma Frost gives Tabitha a 'quiet, take your turn' look while then going to quickly take account of the room. T'Challa is on point, but in a more relaxed spectrum. Diana is in what is intended to play off the regalia of a warrior in attire to match the aesthetic. Donna is waiting as backup. So Emma is the representative of Xavier's here to take back custody of Tabitha.
    Now, see whether this diplomat will go more on the formalities, play up courtesies and functionaries, or get to business. There's a spectrum from bureaucrat to belligerent, from casual to cruel. Time to see where the replacement fell along the lines. Was Lilandra sending her best or someone down the lines of court and where power played?
    The recitation and memorization is acceptable. Someone quickly being brought in as a replacement to maintain continuity? Were they junior or senior? Ah well, something to look up along the heirarchy later. Did Shi'Ar do postings based upon caste and clan or within the bureaucratic functionaries and turf wars? More things to review later.

She goes to speak as Investigator Kalar spekas up. The one in charge here. If not officially, then the one that was handling the direction. Hmm. Interesting. Was this normal for Shi'Ar proceedings or a sign that Lilandra was sending someone she personally charged?
    "Thank you for returning our wayward student to us. And you've summarized things rather succintly. Do you have a full chain of custody for contacts of the assassin from off planet monitorings for her associations?" Now time to play their hand and see how things play out. T'challa will be King, Diana will be Diplomat.. So Emma will take her role as spoiler.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
No more handcuffs! Freedom! And on top of that with the cuffs gone, so is the power dampening. First thing she does is let her power flare on the spot but not so much she actually generates any plasma. It just gets veryu warm around her as she breathes in and out like she just took a hit from a joint.

<<I'm actually fine Emma. You're dressed to kick ass!>> she sends telepathically while she can and stretches about as she looks around for something to at least drink. Preferably something that's earth made more than alcoholic.

"Hope someone remembered to bring me some spare clothes? But I can wait!" she adds and considered where she should sit even though if it wasn't for the arest, she really doesn't have a place or a reason to be among dignitaries.

Karen Starr has posed:
    "So let me get this straight," Karen begins, bursting into the negotiations like as if she was told not to do it, which she very likely was. "You have a splinter faction, who chose to commit a diplomatic assassination, here, on Earth, and in response, you capture citizens /of/ this planet while they're doing /your job/ in pursuing and capturing the remaining members of said splinter faction."

    She pauses, for a moment, "Then, you imprison them, and do... Who knows what, and we're supposed to just step on up here and go 'oh yeah whoops, totally happens sometimes, those crazy assassins. Definitely /had/ to detain some of your people and imprison them'?"

    Gesturing swiftly, "Thank you, for releasing the prisoner you shouldn't have taken, now can you give us any /real/ good reason that we don't push you back onto your shuttle and /literally/ throw you back to your homeworld? Can you give us any reason, even /one/, to trust your presence on our planet when one of your dissenters was apparently very capable of murdering one of your own on a different planet?"

T'Challa has posed:
The things that are said, T'Challa takes them in without a show of emotion. Information filed away, compared to what he already knows, filling in blanks that need to be. Meanwhile, he works out how he may wish to respond, a glance had in the direction of the Amazons in particular.

That is when Karen happens.

Some may grimace. Others could be prone to pinching the bridge of the nose, rubbing at a temple. Not T'Challa. Instead, he leaves Karen's words untouched, giving the off-worlders the chance to respond before he jumps back in.

He does look toward her, if only to acknowledge via eye contact.

Diana Prince has posed:
Diana continues to quietly observe. She does look to Karen, when the powerful woman takes the method of going hard to the paint on this subject. With a calm breath, Diana glances back to the others before she turns and starts to calmly walk around the perimeter of the group, her lasso swaying gently from the black leather harness that its affixed to on her back now. She reaches one of the Amazon guards and leans over to speak to her softly, the guardswoman leaning in-turn, to listen to the Princess before she straightens again, nods and turns to leave, apparently sent on some mission, or maybe to warn people to run if Karen starts throwing aliens around.

Either way, the Princess looks back to the group, just watching for the time being, as she knows the ins and outs of this already, and wants others to get a chance to speak up to the delegation.

Donna Troy has posed:
    Power Girl happening is one of those things that is to be expected. She's protective of the Earth, and that's great. She's also about as diplomatic as she is flimsy.

    Which is not to say, in Troia's mind, that Power Girl is in any way /wrong/, just that maybe there are better ways to express these things. True, the Shi'ar are being jerks, and true, they probably need to be taken down a notch. There are questions that need to be answered about Star Port security, and there's an argument to be made for giving the Shi'ar some indication that things aren't as one-sided as they seem to be assuming. Or at least that Kalar seems to be assuming. Perhaps that's an inevitable problem given the secrecy involved in the star port's defenses. Those aren't questions to answer now though. It's unlikely that Wakanda, Atlantis or Themyscira are best served tipping their hands quite yet, just because a Shi'ar functionary is being a bit dismissive. In which case, Power Girl being Power Girl is probably, in Troia's estimation, a reasonable state of affairs for the moment.

    Which is not to say it's not also a state of affairs that doesn't need a little monitoring. Troia detaches herself from Diana's orbit and casually makes her way a little closer to Power Girl -- not close enough to be seen as backing the Kryptonian's play, but close enough to be in line of sight where she can make 'tone it down' gestures behind her back if she feels it necessary.

Jean Grey has posed:
"It is not our policy to maintain constant scans of planetbound crew members in non-crisis situations, and your shields would have hampered th eeffort regardless. So we are limited in our access and monitoring of her contacts here at the Starport, beyond her logged reports," Kalar answers Emma. "Your local security systems might have recorded more." They have, although nothing conclusive: the shuttle's crew as a whole mingled at the Starport quite freely. They ate in the food court and made acquaintances with the locals. Tiva had contact with various crewmates, some of whom escaped, some of whom were left behind and are now in custody with her. And with X-Men, like Tabitha. Maybe others. She was cautious, gathering odd bits of equipment to build her weapon over weeks spent working on the SR-X.

"And she was the greater part through a two-year rotation on the B'rynal. Of course, we are making efforts to track her associations, but that is a much more complex and uncertain process." Kalar makes a broad gesture. "If it was obvious someone had terrorist leanings or connections, they would not make a good terrorist.

He then glances toward Karen. "That is an accurate recounting, short of any mistreatment of Miss Smith." Oracle even speaks up to clarify the 'who knows what': "She was questioned and mentally scanned. No harm was done. Your friend there does it all the time." She up-nods Emma in an even... saucy way that suggests at least some kind of familiarity between the two."

Kalar gives a soft click of his tongue to regain focus. "She was is unharmed as you can see. And I would posit that there exists no legal framework at all to operate under. By most intergalactic standards, your world, lacking even a unified government, has no standing under which to assert jurisdiction, no authority to assert it. Who would we speak to? America's President? The UN Secretary General? Your own ad-hoc organizations? Is Superman in charge? Nonetheless, we are happy to cooperate in good faith, and have returned your citizen promptly. You are still holding a number of ours."

Then he seems thoughtful a moment, weighing Karen as he considers her final question-slash-ultimatum. One good reason? "I might point out that diplomacy breaking down is precisely what the assassin seemed to intend. Ergo, 'not being easily manipulated by a blatant ploy'?" It is not a diplomatic way of putting it, but that's not his job! That guy is dead.

This leaves Shrivan looking somewhat awkward. "Our goal is still diplomatic union. It not the precise purpose behind this place inviting such contact? Whether or not 'leave us alone' is realistic foreign policy, you have not chosen it. You have invited contact. The Majestrix will not force a presence here, and we will depart if requested. But you are... already involved."

Emma Frost has posed:
The others are making their calculations even as Power Girl is going up and over in to the face of the Investigator. Of course, go after the individual that in theory might have some actual interest in aiding them here - rather than the ambassador, whom can be treated like a chew toy as far as anyone seems to care. As Tabitha goes to approach the group, Emma keeps her eyes focused on the escalation.

T'Challa and Diana are not intervening here, and it's not her place to muddle with whatever the twoy royals might meddle in. "I believe Ms. Smith, that you've quite outdone yourself this time. Consider me impressed." Tone in thick Boston accented English. Emma's focus is on hte greater arch. The aggressive Kryptonian, the Inquisitor, the Ambassador..
    But most of all on the AmazoN Princess and the Wakandan King. They're the ones that will control the tempo here. And Emma gets the impression there's ag reat deal of feeling out of one another's strengths and positions.
    She would turn to one of the Amazons, "Can.. One of you please get her something quick to wear? She's been here through this so far, she deserves to see it through." Kalar goes to elaborate over on the jurisdictional framework, their knowledge of the assassins operations and contacts.. Emma does smirk over at 'good terrorist' and murmur 'quite' in a very Betsy-like manner to his comments to Karen.
    A sign of implicit agreement - strife is what they came here together to prevent, an what the assassin wanted to break. Emma gives a glance over at T'Challa; a slight query as to whether she should intervene more or stay on the outskirts. Because this was all a very delicate, chaotic balancing act..

Tabitha Smith has posed:
"They treated me better than most law enforcement on Earth would Peej. Includding more than a few of our heroes." Tabitha states and shrugs. "They didn't have to. I wasn't just snatched up. They eliminated me as a suspect. They're just waaaay too stuffy about how I chose to cooperate." Tabby, the afformentioned snatched, says. She really isn't hurt. Any injuries visible to X-Ray vision showing a state of healing that hunts anything there was from well before all this mess. And Karen knows what Tabby's power could do. To herself even.

Oracle gets a snap point when she defends her actions and treatment of the young mutant woman. Donna, her sister and T'Challa even get smiles and finger waggles.

"No one is going to war over me. At least it's. Wow. it wasn't really just Helen of wherever she was shacked up at the time being hot that started that war right?" she asks Diana, Donna and any of the remaining Themysciran guard.

"I'm fine, we're fine. We're all fine here now, thank you. How are you?" she asks to the group with a bright goofy smile to try and keep some levity.

Karen Starr has posed:
    Donna taking position is noted, and important. After all, when things go to hell, it's imperative that the Amazons state that they tried their best to hold back a Kryptonian.

    So far, it doesn't look like it's going that far, but Karen isn't the kind of person to, you know, /back down./ In fact, as is evident in her everything about herself, she's the kind of person to /double/ down.

    "Oh, yes, unharmed, certainly. Definitely, of course, currently uninjured, but you've returned a person to us whose mind you have apparently 'probed,' a statement that lacks a concrete definition and you'll have to pardon if I, again, violently distrust the empire that was /very/ happy to destroy a planet to flush out a single entity not long ago. I did not ask for your diplomacy- if I had my way, I'd have flown out to greet your ships and turned them right back around myself. But, sadly, you're here. Pardon my surprise when your presence results in more violence, and pardon my statement that your presence is likely to invite /yet more/ violence. You see, I'm not being manipulated. I /already/ don't like you, and you're not making any sort of case."

    There is a moment, where Karen looks to Emma, and then back to Oracle. "I have very little idea who she is, but if we're in the what-about game, I'll be very clear- if I find out that she's 'probing' the minds of prisoners that she shouldn't have detained in the first place, I'll go ahead and put an end to that too. I think it's disgusting."

    You don't have to be psychic or wrap her up in a magic lasso to determine that she is /definitely/ telling the truth, there.

    "As for who you should have contacted or whose laws you should have abided, perhaps consider that you shouldn't have taken /any/ prisoners that weren't /yours/ to take, regardless of any dilemma on which government might hold jurisdiction, because at the end of the day, whatever government it would have been, it /wasn't yours./"

T'Challa has posed:
T'Challa speaks again, and there is no need to clear his throat, wave for attention, or anything of that nature. He is accustomed to others listening when he has something to say. "You are correct about some things, but incorrect about others. Earth has, for one reason or another, become home to a number of visitors from afar. You have just been spoken to by one of them." A hand indicates Karen, naturally. "It has also led to others seeking to claim this planet for their own, and they have been repelled by a combination of forces. Not without damage, not without loss, but their efforts have been unsuccessful all the same. For a world made up of many different countries and people, often not unified as a whole, you should find that tells you certain things about our resolve."

He moves a full step closer to the Shi'ar contingent, an arm sweeping out to take in the whole of what they see around them. After noting Tabitha and her condition, he goes on. "The Starport is an undertaking meant to welcome those from beyond who are in need of aid. I believe your people squarely fall under that category. It is also meant to be a place of learning, for all of its visitors to come to understand this unique world. At the same time, we present a line of defense against those who would do us harm. We are not aligned with any specific nation. Defense of the planet is larger than that. However, our hospitality is not without limits. One does not make a mess in the home of another and expect there to be no consequences. Unfortunately one of yours, with different loyalties, caused all of this. We have held discussions about the matter and determined that we will not expel the Shi'ar as a whole, but at the same time you will understand the need for greater security and more thorough checks."

Here, he tells it as clearly as he can. "Whatever problems you have identifying those who are loyal to your Majestrix and those who are not, those are yours to solve. If that means seeking help from anyone here, it is for you to request." Again, Karen is given space to voice her opinion without being told to stop. Good question whether or not that would even be successful anyway.

"To the matter of prisoners, returning someone who had no reason to be taken captive to begin with is not an equal trade for the ones we have in custody now. What happened is the result of your own people's lack of control in matters that are yours to resolve. A murder and an attack has already been made here, and it was unprovoked. Is it justice you wish to exact upon those who acted as they have? They /may/ be released to you once we are confident what has happened will not be repeated. What assurances can you give us? Any?"

Diana Prince has posed:
"Let us remember that this situation is unique for the people of Earth." Diana says as she steps forward, her hands together in front of her lap. "This Starport, and the interactions it is designed to help foster, are new, and will continue to be laced with ... firsts. Our societies have to spend time together to learn what is, and is not appropriate."

She looks to the others around her, before her, and exhales lightly. "What we can all agree on, I hope, is that threats of physical violence toward one another, will not solve anything. What happened was unfortunate, but it is our duty to work together to find common ground, and strive toward a future where these ... terrible incidents, can be worked through, far more smoothly. We are very different cultures, but we all want peace, and do not wish to harm one another. We opened this place to show that we wish to know our galactic neighbors better, not to seek ways to clash, rather than resolve our differences together."

Donna Troy has posed:
    Troia gives Tabby a nod and a smirk. "I don't think you have to worry about us launching a thousand ships for your benefit," she assures Madame McSplode.

     It's unlikely the alien visitors are going to understand that reference. In the distance, the masts of a Themysciran sailing vessel pass lazily against the blue skies. Themyscira doesn't have a thousand ships, and none of them would be much use against a spacefaring civilization anyway. Where would Earth get a thousand /real/ ships from? Let's draw a discreet veil over the Atlantean fleet... besides, Namor would probably prefer to see Karen dealing with things her own way than getting Atlantis into a fight with the Shi'ar over an surface worlder X-person. If they didn't turn out for the Warzoon, they're probably not going to turn out for this either.

    "It is understandable that there would be confusion about jurisdiction; the governance of Earth is certainly a confusing question," Troia calls out to Kalar. "We represent the local authority of the space port. A crime committed on the space port can and should be referred to our own security services, but of course we too are happy to cooperate in good faith. No doubt the nature of that cooperation will become clearer to both sides as we have a chance to work together more. Perhaps it would be constructive to dismiss this as a learning experience and move on. No harm seems to have been done." Ahh, diplomacy.

    "It seems however we have omitted to fully inform you of jurisdictional matter beyond this small affair though," Troia continues. "While we do not have unified governance for local affairs, we do indeed have a unified planetary policy as regards external affairs. Under the United Nations General Assembly Fourth Committee, extra-terrestrial diplomatic affairs are enacted through the global authority of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. Princess Diana and King T'Challa are both ranking diplomatic representatives in the United Nations General Assembly, but I will ensure that you are forwarded direct contacts with the UNOOSA directorate if questions of a wider application arise in future. The legal framework is indeed in place."

Jean Grey has posed:
Kalar does seem pleased to hear Tabitha's defense of her treatment. A matter of professional pride, perhaps. "Though war is a constant of the universe, we value the power of civilization, where it can be won. Law and order, not barbarism." Meanwhile, Oracle has a certain expression of aloof smugness that seems... like it might somehow be genetic across telepaths the universe-over, a look one could easily imagine on Emma. They both even have the 'Ice Queen' color scheme going.

"You wouldn't really know if I did it, no," she admits. "Just like you wouldn't if I was doing something to you right now. Just like you wouldn't if she," and she indicates her counterpart, "brainwashed the lot of you." She smiles. Telepaths are creepy everywhere, it seems. "If you want to be paranoid about that kind of thing, that is."

Shrivan, obviously, is distressed by the greater ease with which the others take up the combative banter. "Ladies, please..." He looks positively beleaguered. Still, T'Challa's announcement seems to bolster his spirits somewhat. "We understand that security is of utmost concerm, of course. You will have our full cooperation, when the Majestrix sends a replacement. Obviously, we will need to more carefully monitor the technological exchange program as well, as it seems to pose a... vulnerability. And a temptation, to some."

However much his 'underlings' are willing to give as much as they get, Shrivan seems to have clear orders to make nice. If there's any disagreement with T'Challa, he simply leaves it out of his replies. He glances from him to Troia next. "We will direct our communications appropriately. As for the prisoners, we do request their eventual return, and we will re-iterate that request through proper channels. It is likely the bulk have no involvement, although we defer to your own investigation so that you may be satisfied of the fact. No doubt, you will treat them as we have treated Miss Smith." Is that tacit approval for Emma to do what she wasn't allowed to do on the B'rynal? "Tiva has already confessed to her crimes, so the only question..."

And here, predictably, Law & Order speaks up again: "...is the sentence. You'd be doing her a favor, to keep her here, by the way." Then he shakes his head. "Assurances? None. The opposite, in fact. Deathbird has no interest in this meeting. It's likely that she has other operatives on your world already. They are coordinated by a system we don't understand. So this is going to get worse, before it gets better." Shrivan's face: Dude why?!

Emma Frost has posed:
Oh, how lovely. Any sort of deference that Emma might have given over to the Shi'Ar contingent as they would be exchanging comments of politeness and seeming actual agreement is now cast aside as the alien telepath goes to 'talk' over the room. Emma files away what's said over on the jurisdictional matters. Something she leaves for others. That's why one has lawyers and functionaries to handle those little details. One delegates such trivialities or they get bogged down.
    "We appreciate the return of Ms. Smith.." Emma would watch over as T'Challa would speak of 'assurances'. And her eyes would narrow. What was the way to thread that line deftly? "I'd hardly advertise it so cavalierly. But you do make a good point there. Since the security issues have come from your personnel, perhaps we should have some deeper review of them?" She would glance at T'Challa. "For the committee to decide, but perhaps some level of greater security and analysis of arriving individuals and their craft? To look for any sort of further irregularities. Since as you did just note, Oracle.. You hadn't had luck tracking them before now."
    A little barb. For Emma's sake, it's seeing whether the Investigator would reprimand Oracle.. Or herself in the matter.
    Then as there's talking over of simply going -through- and Emma would smile and show her teeth. It's a very, very deep and dark smile. A sadistic one, almost. "I'm sure we can sort out the exact jurisdictional dictums easily enough. But.. I do have a thought.."
    She would tap at her cheek. "If she's so loyal to Deathbird.." Oracle had just gone on about how /well/ she could have made them not know anything..

Tabitha Smith has posed:
The expression on Tabitha's face as people talk about her like she wasn't in the room is one of exasperation. Like she'd gone from happy to be free in zero seconds. "Not my first time I got accused of doing stuff I wasn't going to do. By people in this room." she puts out and arches an eyebrow at Karen and folds her arms against her chest.

"Like if they were gonna brainwash someome as a sleeper agent. Think they'd pick a better candidate than me. Access to a target is one thing, as is skill to do the job. But there's other hurdles too." she has performed BlackOps work with X-Force. She'll probably get her brain combed by about a dozen different telepaths when she gets home. At least.

"Trading prisoners. It's just basic law enforcement crap. Cleared me from being a possible conspirator. No harm, no fowl. Now they wanna totally extradite people suspected of and had an actual hand in attempting to kill their people."

Karen Starr has posed:
    There is a pointed gesture from Power Girl to Oracle. "Actually, I would. I've been fighting people like you for a long, long time. I know when someone tries to mess with my head, I know how to keep you out, and if you were to get in, I know of a few really, really good ways to send you packing, tail between your legs and more mental trauma than you've ever heard of." While practically an invitation, it's one that nobody should take lightly. Karen /isn't/ the joking type in this scenario.

    Her attention turns to Kalar, on his revelations. "Oh, of course. There it is. Of course there are more agents. Of course you can't keep your own problems contained to your world. I try to respect when people need help, but you all need a lot of it, and if it's made its way here, if this conflict is happening on this planet, we're already a part of it. It sounds like we should be giving this Deathbird the same treatment as D'ken got, assuming he got any treatment at all."

    There's a pause, then. She turns, and looks to Diana and T'Challa. "I'm stationing myself at the port." It isn't Justice League jurisdiction, or any sort of thing- Karen isn't really a national entity at all- and hell, she even shows up on other planets from time to time to help out. This is to say, she has no technical authority to make that statement, or that call. Instead, she's challenging anyone to object.

    "Won't be long before anyone with ties to Deathbird slip up in a way they won't even know they did. Then, the violence stops, and we can go back to ignoring their incompetence." A finger, over her shoulder, gestures towards the Shi'ar delegates.

T'Challa has posed:
T'Challa's hands come together behind him. He has a way of letting others state their own positions without allowing it to show in his reactions, regardless of heated opinions that are cast about.

"Then it is a matter of trust, and at the moment trust is lacking. You are visitors to our planet. We have one of yours who is certainly guilty, others where their loyalty is still in question. You may be involved in helping to determine that. Are there others loyal to Deathbird who have already infiltrated different places? I do not doubt it. If that is a situation you wish to see fixed, then it is in all of our interests, yours in particular, to cooperate with us and prove you can be trusted," the King says, looking more to the Amazons for a moment prior to addressing the Shi'ar further.

"For the time being, you will have an escort of guards while you are in all public spaces on the Starport, and you will consent to random searches of your vessel and any areas you stay in here, at our discretion. Should we learn of any attempts made to manipulate or control anyone here," he speaks more directly to the one called Oracle, "You may consider that trust unrepairable."

He finishes by adding, "Your people have brought your conflict to our planet. It is your responsibility to help deal with it." A nod follows to Karen's statement of where she will be, then he turns his attention from Tabitha to Emma. "Please, share your thoughts regarding the one who has already admitted her guilt. It is clear the Shi'ar would like to have her back."

Donna Troy has posed:
    Troia idly contemplates the outcome of returning from this meeting in a brainwashed state. She figures it would take Raven about seventeen seconds to notice and do something about it. And that it would take a whole lot longer to persuade Raven not to send the Shi'ar homeworld through a dimensional rift into some unspeakable hell-dimension out of sheer pique. The half-demon can be very protective.

    Shrivan gets a respectful nod though. "We can assure you that we treat prisoners very well. You need have no concerns on that account," she replies. If she has anything further to add, it's interrupted when one of the guards approaches her bearing a long cloak of deep blue, and whispers something to her in Themysciran. Troia nods to the Amazon warrior towards Tabitha, who is soon presented with a rather glorious and somewhat too large cloak to cover up her gaudy jumpsuit with. Emma's request was indeed heard. By the time Troia's attention has returned to the meeting, T'Challa and Karen have had their chance to speak.

    "I'm sure they are as eager as we are to ensure there are no more repeats of this factionalism, King T'Challa," she says. "As they have pointed out, we are not the most unified of planets either." A truly diplomatic statement -- apparently supportive of the Shi'ar while at the same time turning their implied criticism of Earth back on them. The kind of thing neither side should want to disagree with, without being entirely happy to agree with either. This is after all Queen Hippolyta's somewhat sneakier daughter.

    "/,Rhaogrys-shed, urvish/," she mutters to Karen. /Peace, Power Girl/. Specifically, the harmonious peace of /urvish/, one of the eleven Kryptonian virtues. Switching from Kryptonian back to English, and at a more normal talking voice, she adds "As we open up to other worlds, we import some of their problems alongside the mutual benefits, Power Girl. It's inevitable. Especially as long as we continue to allow ourselves to be underestimated. It is to our benefit, though it has its drawbacks, too. No doubt some day people will start paying closer attention and become more wary of Earth, but until then we can expect a few misguided people to think things are easier here. The JLA Rotunda has quarters available for you as long as you wish to station yourself here."

Jean Grey has posed:
"I haven't," Oracle admits to Emma. "And not for lack of trying. I'm sure you're familiar with Shi'ar military mental training by now, but being the one that usually -does- it? It's surprising I haven't been able to catch these people more easily. Our concern is that they're using some... more novel way to communicate, maybe even to program and activate their agents, if they're actual sleepers." Now they're getting into shop-talk. "So if you can get anything more than I have?" Then Emma wins telepath ego battle points!?

And speaking of ego contests, she has to at least shoot one back to Power Girl: "Maxima was a fair loss. But she knows that kind of power, has it. I wouldn't be so confident, in your case."

Shrivan continues to look distressed by all of this! Plz stahp!

"D'Ken is currently incarcerated at a facility managed by the Imperial Guard," Kalar is happy to supply. "As a once-sitting Majestor, even illegally," ah those political hedges, "and member of the royal family... well, my understanding is that Earth is familiar with how privilege and power tends to work, when it comes to criminal justice. Deathbird, however, has never held the throne, and is considered an enemy of the state, her claims poorly supported. So there is more leeway in handling her. Not that she is without assets, including, if our intelligence is to believed, the aid of a powerful metahuman. If you want to fly out and catch her to show off?" He shrugs. "By all means. I doubt she'll target the port again, regardless."

Shrivan, of course, is in the designated position of sucking it up and taking what he's given, dipping his head at T'Challa's demands... albeit with one caveat. "I may not be able to secure total free and unfettered access to our vessels." This guy is definitely not of the rank to OK to something like that. "But it is my understanding that you have a system for routing transporter signals securely. If no agreement can be reached on docking protocols, perhaps that will suffice as an alternative. If anything it will place our envoys even more at your mercy. Shi'ar understand the risks inherent to such a posting."

Troia, in turn, receives a look that is actually... somewhat grateful. The man certainly knows he's no replacement for the murdered man, so her effort to fill the gap? While everyone else bickers? Make that very grateful. "I'm sure there is much we can accomplish together. Nor would it be the first time. Sublime is the joining of those in opposition, unstoppable their powers joined." The last has the flavor of a prayer of sorts.

With those allowances made, he straightens up again, clasping his hands together with a look of nervous uncertainty. Hoping he hasn't blown all this! "If there is nothing else, I will report your requests to the Captain, to be forwarded on to the Throneworld for approval." He looks between his companions, and as quickly as he was up, gives another small bow. "For now we will return to our shuttle, and to the B'rynal, ahead of any new security protocols."

He seems very eager to get out of there, no doubt to stop the sniping among the 'underlings.' Kalar does have a parting remark, although it is not a barb per se: "If you need any help with your side of the investigation, you can..." Hmm, that's actually complicated. He looks at Emma. "Just think at Oracle really hard, I guess!" And with that, they are soon on their way.