October 17th, xxxx
IT TURNS OUT, ALPHA Blue Sun needed three days to ruminate on Alpha North Star's proposition. The red lights in the meeting room like three days before are on but the curtains are drawn, the day slowly creeping to ten in the morning.
The first counteroffer went like this,
"Five percent but the current watchtowers stays."
"One percent and your watchtowers can remain."
"Alpha North, what you're suggesting is preposterous. The watchtowers on our land has nothing to do with North Star."
"As a sign of good faith, Alpha Blue. Concluding this issue doesn't wash away decades of animosty. It's a gradual process. And one of that process is to be assured we aren't surveiled."
"Watchtowers are erected for safety. It's to ensure no trespassers cross. It's to see what's coming into our land—"
"And what's going on in another's."
Fingers steepled under chin, Alpha Blue smirks. "Frankly, Alpha North, our watchtowers are on our land. You have no claim to it. You can't dictate what we do with what belongs to us."
Crossing his arms and legs, Precious inclines back on the chair assuming an unperturbed pose.
"I won't lose sleep if we don't resolve this matter. It's you who's eager to get grabby hands on our land," the Alpha opens his mouth to give lip but Precious doesn't give him the chance. "It's five percent and your watchtowers gone or one percent and they stay. Your choice."
For what felt like hours, Alpha Blue stares and contemplates but Precious knows he's got him. One percent is nothing, five on the other hand is something.
"Five percent and one watchtower stay up."
"Both has to go."
Peace isn't just sweet words and intentions. It's action, according to Alpha Blue and maybe he believes what he'd said, maybe he's genuinely worried for future generations, maybe this headache of territory has been hurting him too.
Or maybe it's exactly as Cam says—the watchtowers aren't in use. Whatever the reason, after fifteen minutes of contemplation they sealed they deal with a firm and vigorous handshake.
The first hurdle is over. There will be talks, reviews, debates, conferences—about that, the first conference review will be happening a month from today.
Until then, Alpha North will be going back home with good news and to draft the contract at the counsel feet of the Elders.