PART IV
1190AD
Another stranger meets Hatshepsut for the first time
STRANGER: Welcome, Hatshepsut! May your empire flourish and grow for as long as it remains useful to us! I mean that sincerely.
HATSHEPSUT: Our empire is flourishing and useful without puny Japan, thank you very much.
TOKUGAWA: Yeah, well, Japan might be puny, but it is also honourable.
HATSHEPSUT: It is an honour to have peace with you, then.
TOKUGAWA: Who said anything about peace? I might want to declare war.
HATSHEPSUT: Oh? Go on then.
TOKUGAWA: Erm . . . ok, peace it is. However, Japan will be a threat. Do not underestimate us.
HATSHEPSUT: If I compared your military to couple of Archers, would that be underestimating it?
TOKUGAWA: Erm . . . Im going now.
(Tokugawa exits)
HATSHEPSUT: Its a miracle!
KHALID: What?
HATSHEPSUT: Look at the diplomacy screen. As you can see, my wars havent gone down too well with the rest of the leaders, for reasons I dont understand. They must all be peace-loving wimps.
AY: Indeed, my lady.
HATSHEPSUT: Anyway, Tokugawa is the only free leader who isnt Annoyed at me. And normally, were sworn enemies! In one game, I tried everything to keep him sweet, gave him techs, spread my religion etc, and he STILL declared war on me within 200 turns. The guys akin in my opinion to a certain Meso-American leader, and Im not talking about Pacal.
KHALID: I doubt itll stay that way. Hes not giving Open Borders yet either.
HATSHEPSUT: Bloody hell, Khalid, do you really think I give a damn for some idiot who lives on a small island and wont let anyone else in? Anyway, hell let ME in someday, whether he likes it or not.
(Catherine enters)
HATSHEPSUT: Alright there Cathers, hows things?
CATHERINE: Not bad, zank you Atshepsut. I thought you might want a little trade vith Russia, as ve have something you may vant.
HATSHEPSUT: Oh yeah? Ill be the judge of that.
CATHERINE: I see your puny scientists do not know what Theology is, whereas mine have mastered it. I will give you zat plus 50 Gold for ze mere secret of Paper. Note zat I do this not for myself, but to help weaker civilizations, such as Egypt.
HATSHEPSUT: Nice try, Catherine, but unfortunately, our survey said . . . NO DEAL!
CATHERINE: Come on, Hatshepsut.
HATSHEPSUT: Nope, sorry, but Egypt does not trade with people they might or might not attack in a few turns.
CATHERINE: What? You are going to attack us?
HATSHEPSUT: Damn. How did you figure that one out?
CATHERINE: I must go, Hatshepsut. Goodbye! (Catherine exits)
HATSHEPSUT: Man, and I thought I disguised it well.
AY: Yes, very clever, but not clever enough, apparently.
HATSHEPSUT: Ay, I dont need your criticisms. You wouldnt have done any better, so SHUT UP!
AY: My lips are sealed, my lady.