War is Diplomacy
"I was expecting something different—a dish completely unknown on Earth maybe?" Cypher whispered to Savant while looking at the food spread out on the table.
The dishes in Attilan were the same as the ones found on Earth. Steaks, fish, noodles, lobsters, and such. The preparation method didn't seem to deviate much either. If anything, Attilan food seemed like something you would get in a diverse American city.
Medusa heard Cypher's whisper and explained with a kind smile, "We try to produce as much of our food on Attilan as possible but it is very resource-intensive on a barren place like the moon. So we have to source a portion of our food from Earth."
The Inhumans have always wanted to remain isolated and independent from Earth. But living in a city that is basically a spaceship on the moon is very difficult. Even more so because the city can only effectively sustain a couple thousand residents with its resources.
Even with thousands of individuals with superpowers, going beyond the city's resource limit was impossible for the Inhumans. So, even though they had people who could level cities on their own, their population had to be carefully controlled not to grow beyond a couple thousand.
"Why haven't you tried to contact Earth and create diplomatic relations? It could've made life easier for you." Savant asked while happily peeling a lobster.
Black Bolt answered telepathically, his tone calm and cold, "We have witnessed the persecution of mutants by their fellow humans. It is easy to mistake us for humans and we have smaller numbers. What would have happened if we tried to come out in the open, you can do the math?"
"If you have been keeping an eye on Earth, you would have seen that the persecution of mutants has been completely rooted out since a few years ago. You could have tried to make contact with the Earth Federation." Doom made his opinion known on the matter.
There were many things that the Inhumans could have done differently. But they didn't and the reason was straightforward. Medusa's sister Crystal answered for her race, "Fear. We were scared by the increasing power of the Earth Federation. How can we believe an organization that is only a few years old to treat us equally when their strength is much stronger than ours?"
Diplomacy between two parties is simple when one of them is much stronger than the other. It will be wrapped up in pretty words but ultimately it is a subordinate relationship. The weaker one is forced to be led by their nose based on the stronger one's whims.
"It wouldn't have been any different in our case either. Earth's own history has proven this fact. Even if you look at the diplomacy between the member nations in your Federation, you will see the same thing. So we can't expect any different from you." Crystal put it bluntly.
It wasn't false. America was losing its status as a superpower but still clinging to the Cold War-era style of diplomacy where the weaker country had to move based on its whims. If there was a dispute against China, it would force Japanese and European allies to impose sanctions.
The same worked for other large countries as well. Although the emergence of the Federation had largely affected this style of diplomacy, it continued. And it continued for a very simple reason because it worked. It was extremely effective.
It was as simple as, we will support you in your growth and protect you from others so do our bidding. If not, they had to withstand the military might of the stronger force. And by definition, the stronger force is well… stronger.
Doom nodded at the young girl's honest answer. "It is true. There cannot be an equal relationship between the city of Attilan and the Federation. No matter how you look at it, it doesn't make any sense for a small city of just a few thousand to be equal to an entire planet of billions."
Doom's nonchalant admittance that they weren't equal made the atmosphere very tense. The room turned silent with the sounds of teeth grinding and fists being clenched flowing in that silence. The Inhumans were beyond angered.
It didn't seem to bother Doom in the slightest as he continued, "There is no need for anger. It is not Doom's intent to say that you are inferior as a race. Not at all. I am merely pointing out the fact that you are incredibly weak."
Cypher froze up with his spoon right in front of his mouth. He turned toward Doom and spoke out in a low voice, "I don't think that is going to help out in calming their anger."
Savant chuckled at Cypher and continued watching the drama that was the Doom style of overbearing diplomacy. They didn't need to please the Inhumans and they didn't need anything from them. The Inhumans on the other hand had a lot to gain or lose based on what kind of relationship the Federation chose to have with them.
"It is a very one-sided relationship. Honestly, aren't there a lot more Inhumans on Earth than in this city? Most important of all, no matter if you call yourself Inhuman, non-human, or whatever, your race is simply a subset of humans that was genetically modified. You are just humans who are forcibly evolved through Terrigen mist." Savant added to Doom's words.
Maximus flinched at Savant's statement. As for the other Inhumans, they seemed even more offended if that was even possible at this point.
"Did you come here to pick a fight with us? Is that the Earth Federation's diplomacy?" Black Bolt's angered voice rang out in everyone's heads through telepathy.
Doom shook his head. "No, we were just letting you know the reality. The Federation doesn't care if you remain a city-state and play your make-believe games of royalty in this city on the moon. But we can't possibly overlook a potentially hostile force so close to us when they can be a threat to the peace of the planet."
The young Crystal couldn't control her emotions and lashed out, "You belittle us by calling us weak and then you turn around and call us a threat to you. How are we a threat to you?"
"Aside from you being a group of super-powered individuals capable of mass destruction? Let me see, how about the fact that you claim to be the literal royalty of the Inhuman race that has a population in the millions even if they are dormant at the time. A single 'king' being able to command such an army is a clear threat." Doom answered coldly.
"The dramatic irony goes well with this glass of wine," Savant smirked and whispered to Cypher. Doom just scoffed at Savant while the Inhumans gaped at the supposed attendant being sarcastic to Doom, the Chancellor.
"I thought you said you stopped the persecution of the mutants. But your tone suggests something else. Are you trying to persecute us Inhumans too?" Medusa asked while trying to hold back her anger. Her red hair was already flowing and waving wildly as if to show her anger.
"The mutants chose to follow the laws of the Federation. They are citizens of the Federation and enjoy all the rights while fulfilling their responsibilities. Even after their power returns in a few years, this will not change. It is the same for the thousands of Inhumans living on Earth.
The Federation is prepared to provide the same for all of you as well. You can take this city and park it somewhere on the Pacific if you'd like. Take an uninhabited island or something. But as long as you live within the sphere of influence of the Federation, you have to live under it."
Doom finally got to the point. The stance of the Federation was clear. They will allow the Inhumans the same rights as all their citizens and even let them establish a separate state like the mutants. But they had to come under the Federation. There were no equal negotiations.
"Are you stupid, or are you really just confident about your strength?" Black Bolt sounded genuinely curious about Doom's recklessness in speaking like that when he was surrounded by Inhumans in their territory.
"I heard that your angry shouts are enough to level cities. Why don't you try it on Doom and find out?" Doom smirked at Black Bolt.
The situation became incredibly tense with everyone except the three of Doom's group still sitting on their chairs. Surrounded by the Inhumans who glared at them menacingly, Savant was smiling while sipping the wine, Cypher was nervously looking at his companions, and Doom was staring right at the king Black Bolt.
Medusa felt that the situation could blow up into a fight at any time so she turned to look at Crystal. She communicated through her glance for Crystal to teleport away with the weaker members with the help of Lockjaw.
Crystal was reluctant but given the situation, she agreed with her sister and turned to Lockjaw and gave him instructions, "Lockjaw, take us outside."
Doom and his group didn't try to stop anyone from leaving. "It doesn't have to end in a fight. But if you want to fight, we can take it somewhere open where your people and your city will not get hurt. A fight is the best and only way to settle diplomatic disputes anyway."
No two leaders can ever come to a straightforward agreement when they have their own interests and the interests of their people to uphold. And as such, all diplomacy is either preceded by war or leads to a war where the actual terms of diplomacy are decided. War is diplomacy.
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Author here, it is my birthday today. I am thinking of putting up advanced chapters on Patreon again along with all the stories that I am in the process of writing. Maybe even custom fanfics based on your suggestions? Would you guys be interested?