"So you agree to our terms?" he asked haughtily. The Iridium negotiator was an imposing figure. Standing with hands firmly planted into the table and dressed in a grey military uniform, he towered over me and Colonel East.

"Elaborate."

He sighed greatly, saying "You know which ones. I don't know how Paternians can pick someone so stupid to negotiate their defeat."

Colonel East shot up from her seat and staring the man in the face, she growled "Listen up dimwit, I have had enough of your posturing! I suggest you sit down like the rest of us here!"

The Iridian scowled "Or what are you going to do, buttercup? Have me dead in a week? I could shatter your spine like a toothpick."

Before any melee broke out, my African counterpart and I stood up and very nearly pulled them apart. Taking to Colonel East aside, I told her "This isn't time to start making threats, Olivia. We're ending a war here, not starting it."

"Well it does not seem they want that, Doctor Rasheed."

"They're just acting to rile you up. Don't let it get to your head." Reaching into my pocket, I dug up a clothespin and handed it to her.

"Just settle down, alright? Don't let him get to your head. You don't like losing, do you?"

"No."

"Then don't let him get to your head. You know what to do if he does that, alright?"

"Alright."

"Let's finish this up."

As we sat down at the table, the Iridian said "Didn't know that Paternians were such bad parents that they need goddamn psychologists to let them function." My worries that Olivia would get another outburst was soon assuaged when the Dutch African jabbed his elbow into his arm. The Iridian visibly recoiled, and I could sense some sobering up.

I glanced at Olivia and saw that the clothespin was pressed firmly open in her hand. Releasing it, she stuffed it in her pocket, adjusting it slightly.

She looked at the Iridian and calmly said "Here are the terms we bring." Filing through the documents, she brought, she read "The Paternian Republic shall withdraw forces in Iridium back to their positions status quo antebellum with the exceptions of the islands of Kunashir, Habomai, Shikotan, and Iturup. Do you agree with the terms to the cessation of hostilities?"

The Iridian was back on his feet, yelling "And what of your murderous rampage of Moscow? And the war criminals you harbor? We want payment for the damages, and the complete surrender of all your war criminals. To make sure this does not happen again, we want Canada under our control."

Colonel East, her demeanor still calm, asked "Do you agree with the terms we requested?" with an almost neutral tone. I could see that her hand was in her pocket, clenching what I presume was the clothespin.

The Iridian paused and took a deep breath. "Yes. We can concede to that. But what of the goddamned criminals? Or does the Paternian Republic harbor criminals as you harbor Nazis?"

"Sir, that is irrelevant to the current discussion. All Paternian personnel which have been convicted of war crimes have been punished in accordance to Paternian Military Law."

"THAT will not do for us. We want them punished by us."

"That is irrelevant. And as for Moscow, we apologize for the destruction of the city. We will offer $900 billion Paternian dollars in compensation for --"

"We'll take it!" the Iridian exclaimed, but the African interjected "Let the lady speak."

"Fine. What else do you have to say?"

"As I was stating, the Paternian Republic will offer to pay $900 billion Paternian dollars in compensation for collateral damage in Moscow in exchange for $900 billion Paternian dollars in compensation for collateral damage in Northern Korea and Ukraine." I could see that she had already taken the clothespin out of her pocket, and that it was closed.

He sighed "I guess I'll agree to those stupid terms. But I have several other terms, namely the cessation of all rebel activities, the surrender of all traitor scum, and your hand at suppressing them."

"I do not think your terms are practical." I saw her hand clenched, an open clothespin under it.

"Be it so," he said. "We will resume hostilities if none of my terms are met." The African glared at him and said "I hope you don't start a war," in a heavy Dutch accent.

She replied "I agree with the Afrikaner. You are in no position to continue. This is an opportunity for all of us to leave this table with dignity."

The Iridian sighed. "Fine. We agree to the withdrawal of Paternian forces from our land, will allow you to keep the damned islands, and will accept payment for reconstruction of Moscow. But we will not pay you a cent for what we did."

"That is acceptable. Now that we have established an agreement, we will meet tomorrow to formalize it. We are some time behind schedule, about 30 minutes." I saw that she had put the clothespin in her skirt pocket, but her hand was outside it.

"Whatever. We can talk tomorrow to 'formalize' this sordid affair," before leaving the room with the African.

As they left the room, I could see a slight grin formed on her face. I asked "What are you smiling about?"

"Nothing," she said, snapping out of her 'zone' before packing the papers. We made a brisk but quiet walk to the staff car waiting outside.

As the driver got the staff car moving, I asked "How do you feel, Olivia?"

"Good," she said, as she stared out the car window, eyes fixed on the clouds.

"Would you care to tell me about the meeting?"

"Good." She was still at the window, eyes wandering in the distance.

"How so?"

"I won," she said. I could see a slight grin grow on her face.

"Hm. How so?"

"I gave Paternia the best terms she could have."

"I don't get it. Care to elaborate?"

She turned to me and said "Some people define themselves through conflict. And once those people don't have anyone to fight with, they'll end up fighting with themselves." Looking out the window once more, she said "And Iridium is one of those people."