Carlos broke the silence that followed. "Am I to understand, Sr. Yanez, that you are shutting these talks? We resort to diplomacy senor, because we refuse to spill the blood of fellow Corsairs.
A motion was passed to restructure the council through which this nation is run. I will not blindly accept such a proposal without proper consideration and discussion just so we can get the meeting over more quickly".
"The Departure of your brothers, while sad, has nothing to do with us, and we shall continue to press our point of view, and strive to do what is best for the nation, regardless of their desertion".
"I, and my family, would like to propose modifications to the motion put forward by the now absent. We now command the only flagship currently stationed above Crete, and thus, are the only ones that can currently be fully equipped to defend our people. "
Carlos was standing. He had all the Elders' attention as he spoke.
"Why are the commanders that we appoint for our fleet (the ones currently watching over this planet) worth so much less than those appointed in secret by the Brotherhood?"
"Our fleet is only in this system for the duration of this meeting, and is more than well prepared, once again, to leave, if we do not find ourself in a more friendly position at the end of these talks. Many of my family want us to leave this planet and never return. They believe that no matter what modifications we make to the proposal, we shouldn't submit to the council's rulings. However, I, and the majority of the family, are willing to compromise to a degree. We "would" demand no more or less than the same number of representatives and equally weighted votes in issues as the Brotherhood."
The silence could have been cut with a knife, as Carlos continued...
"...but today is a day of pragmatism, of compromise, of healing wounds and closing rifts that could tear us all apart. Our proposal is thus; Brotherhood Elders be equal in seniority, respect, and council vote power, to the Commandante, Praetor, and Consul of the Benitez family."
Furtive whispers where exchanged between the elders seated before Carlos.
"...The Senior Elder of the Benitez Family Council, we wish to make equal in seniority, respect, and council vote power, to the Tribune of the Brotherhood.
The "Elders" of the Benitez family council, we wish to make equal to the Centurions of the Brotherhood, adopting that name and the respect and status therein.
And, above all, we wish to ensure that the soldiers that the Brotherhood and the Benitez family lead into battle, remain nothing more, and nothing less than absolute equals."
More whispers came as the noise grew. Nodding and affirmative comments came from many, others disputed the Benitez' right to equality, or at least near-equality, to the Brotherhood.
"We also wish to ensure that new Elders only be appointed (on top of previously chosen filled roles) with a majority Council Vote".
Expecting Carlos to have finished, many elders made motions to wish to rise and have their say, but they came to late to prevent him from continuing to lay out his families aims.
"Our re-assumption of friendly terms with this council and with the Brotherhood comes with a cost. We have 2 more aims. First, we wish sincere apologies to be exchanged regarding comments made during recent difficulties, so that respect between our organisations can once again grow. Second, we wish se?or. Ares, who, by whatever means, is here with us today, have his status as Elder restored, along with his well deserved honours. He was expelled without consultation of the council, and belongs here".
Carlos sat down, and let chaos irrupt. He realised the Brotherhood would never sacrifice their stranglehold over the council, but this was a tiny shot of hope, at fair democracy being created by the end of the meeting. He'd compromised, perhaps more than he should have. His family may be upset with this. But 3 Elder positions instead of 1 still did not threaten the Brotherhood's overwhelming majority, and if peace, justice and honour could be achieved by the end of the meeting, it would be worth the sacrefice.
On the Velasco Costello had used his old access codes to gain access to the surveillance cameras in the great Corsair conference hall.
Although he had chosen another path he still had an interest in how these talks would end.
The chuckling could be herd as far away as the engine room.
He couldn't help but laugh at the last message from "Don" Carlos. As he flicked a few switches a screen in the conference hall lit up with a view of Joe smiling to himself.
"My dear Carlos you make bold words but its a shame they don't resemble the truth, you would have everyone believe that your "fleet" (i say fleet but its one Osiris class battleship a couple of gunboats and a couple of fighters, hardly a fleet) above Crete is all that is holding our enemy's from our home, you are sadly mistaken, the Velasco may have left Crete's Orbit but it does not mean it has left gamma.
And thats just one ship "Don", you forget the brotherhood has a fully operational dreadnought class ship just for defending Crete aswell as another one on standby.
And thats not to mention our fleet of fighters, bombers, Gunboats and Cruisers.
Your demands are outrages and I do hope the other Corsairs see through this load of rubbish.
And you even have the cheek after what the Benitez did to US the true Corsairs is quite unbelievable.
Now just some advise to my old brothers, your talks should be with the SCRA not with Carlos, at least the SCRA have honor, at least they don't run of when an invasion force is at Gamma and leave there own families to the fate of others, no they stay and fight till the end, they are your true allies.
Now Im sure in one form or another we will meet again "Don" Carlos."
Lucendez paced down the center of the hall, hands behind his back and a sad expression on his face.
"The reason is this is your home. You go off into your little adventures and kill things and bring back loot and party, but your home will always be here. It's not technically treason, but it must be said you don't serve the Corsair nation. This is not a crime, but I would appreciate it if you stayed out of our politics and foreign affairs. This goes for the SCRA as a whole as well."
"Speaking of politics." Juan spun around to meet the Benitez delegates.
"You all have been playing a very good game. Congrats on the mud-flinging. The politicians in Liberty would be proud." At the end of his sentence he took a metallic orb out from his pocket and dropped in in the center of the floor. A holographic projection sprang up detailing system chatter and log entries for most of the Corsair zone of influence. Lucendez walked around the projection, eyeing Carlos all the time.
"We have received intelligence that a possible act of treason was performed yesterday concerning the double-prong attack from Outcast and allied ships. Unlike Ares, who has chosen his path and tries his best to not stray, you sir have secretly used our enemies to your own personal advantage and put the security of Crete in jeopardy because of this."
"I move for the other familias of Crete represented by the Brotherhood to strip the Benitez of all political and military power over Omicron Gamma and her sister systems. Under penalty of death. The Brotherhood is done playing games."
"I relinquish the floor."
"The thirteen saloons that had lined the one street of Seney had not left a trace. The foundations of the Mansion House hotel stuck up above the ground. The stone was chipped and split by the fire. It was all that was left of the town of Seney. Even the surface had been burned off the ground.
Nick looked at the burned-over stretch of hillside, where he had expected to find the scattered houses of the town and then walked down the railroad track to the bridge over the river. The river was there."
"We have asked for no more than near-equality with the brotherhood, the restoration of an Elder who was expelled without a Council Vote, and an exchange of sincere apologies. How is this too much to ask?
The Benitez where willing to compromise. The Brotherhood where not.
As explained to you, the diplomatic situation after we chose to leave the farce of a meeting was unclear. We had no idea if we would be shot at by TBH if we went back to fight. We, as has been stated, came to our senses and intervened through a counter-attack in Omecron-Alpha, destroying an Outcast Battleship and a number of fighters. We, as further compromise, admit that leaving Gamma 3 days ago (as correction to your previous statement) was a mistake.
Accusing us of mud-flinging and over-use of politics is laughable. It was TBH that called the meeting, TBH that offended us with ridiculous demands, TBH who did not keep control of their members enough to let us speak, and TBH who flung accusations and personal slander at me and my family following the invasion and counter-attack incident. If anyone is to be accused of corruption and buerocracy, it is the Brotherhood.
By expelling us from Omecron-Gamma, now officially, you will have prevented us from aiding in the defence of Crete. Thus, we cannot be accused as we have for not turning up to defend Crete ever again. We will return all ships to Delta, to be with OUR families. OUR people, rather than the ones who would cast us out.
While the Brotherhood continues to fall apart at the seems, their arrogance throws away all support they have from outside their organisation. Meanwhile, the Council of Crete will once again lack any members that do not belong to the Brotherhood. You still refuse to acknowledge the nature of your own autocracy?
Before this meeting began, Praetor Zavier asked Srta. Chavez weather this was a Corsair council, or a TBH Council that we where invited to.. we have our answer. "
Ares surges to his feet, his chair clattering behind him.
"How ignorant are you, Lucendez?!"
He points at him with his good hand, his face showing his fury.
"I have said, time and time again, why I joined la Revolucion."
Hes stops to cool off a little. Observers might just possibly be abnle to see smoke coming from his ears.
"I joined the Coalition for the people of Crete who need another way forward. I serve the people. If I don't serve the Corsair nation, then maybe the nation isn't serving the people either!"
He remains on his feet and looks left to right before dusting his hands and preparing to leave.
As the Brotherhood Elder sat there and witnessed the explosion that came about from his statement, he couldn't help smile to himself. The hot-blood that is every Corsair's inheritance was very much present in this room.
"Carlos ... I want to stress that this rift that has enveloped between us is your doing. You, or your family, retreated from a battle above Crete. Plain facts speak louder than words. The very fact that you let your pride of family or fear of retaliation stop you from defending your home makes us all question your loyalty to our cause and the unified defense that we are calling for."
Lucendez held up his hand. "But perhaps I was too harsh. I was simply calling for a vote, not ordering you out of the system. I want to give you a chance to regain your composure. I want to move to keep the Benitez military authorization."
"Ares, wait." Ares stopped and turned to face Juan.
"I want to make something perfectly clear. I respect your decision to fight in the SCRA, always have. Any kind of misgivings I have about the organization do not effect my respect I have for you or your decisions. I know I serve the will of the Corsair people because I have not been challenged by any citizen for my choices, and until very recently I was one of those citizens. Perhaps I am ignorant of la revolucion, but I'm doing what I think is right for the Corsair nation's independence. My apologies if I offended you, but I do mean everything that I've said."
"Now, I'm not alone in this Council, the other Elders need to join in the discussion. I'm sure they've got insight that is wanted, and desperately needed."
"The thirteen saloons that had lined the one street of Seney had not left a trace. The foundations of the Mansion House hotel stuck up above the ground. The stone was chipped and split by the fire. It was all that was left of the town of Seney. Even the surface had been burned off the ground.
Nick looked at the burned-over stretch of hillside, where he had expected to find the scattered houses of the town and then walked down the railroad track to the bridge over the river. The river was there."
One of the hologram Benitez's stood. The features were sharpened to reveal it as Custo'. Rage burned in his eyes, a rage that had not faded since he had first learnt of the severity of the situation back in the Pilots Bar. He looked around him staring at each of the Elders seated around the room.
'How can you all tolerate this, the supposedly wise Elders of Crete? The Benitez familia have nearly the numbers and millitary strength of The Brotherhood and yet we are treated as inferiors! Every Corsair is equal, and yet we are treated as unequals due to our blood-line? I am sure this is a sign of things to come, unless we act now! The Corsair nation was once a great and powerful empire, a empire that reached for the stars and then crushed them under it's feet. We were feared. Fear is not sustainable method of control when our enemies can plainly see us bickering like small children, fracturing and falling to peices. Look at what is happening. The forces of the Brotherhood are weakening. Even tonight you have lost two of your hermanos, two fine pilots. You not only lose them but their ships, two of the Osiris class dreadnoughts I believe? A very hard ship type to replace.
The Brotherhood is losing it's allies fast. First the SCRA, who have been pivitol in the defence of Crete, Gamma and all the Corsair people. They have proven themselves in the fires of battle, as have my familia the Benitez. We have both lost ships, and the lives of our hermanos in the fight to defend the Corsair people. I know The Brotherhood has lost many too, shouldn't this loss draw us together even more? We fight for the same cause (exept of course the SCRA, they have their own agenda.) Apart from us who else can The Brotherhood truly call it's allies? The LLDLG have dissapeared from the face of Sirius and you are percecuting your last ally, us the Benitez familia. Soon you will be alone in the cold unforgiving depths of space.
We are asking for equality not domination over the Brotherhood or any other independant Corsairs. The forces of The Brotherhood have for centuries been the most powerful- the dominant force in Corsair space, perhaps even all the Omicrons but that is changing. Your perceptions of greatness has made you arrogant, with the majority of you believing you are supreme in every way to us. You accuse us of cowardace and label us as tratiors to the Corsair people. You have percecuted us, but it is your fault this whole situation has arisen through your intolerance! We -are- your equals wether you will accept that or not. It was The Brotherhood that has caused this whole situation! You have be-littled us and ignored us! You are wrong, and it is only a matter of time before you discover that. Our enemies circle, vultures waiting for a moment of weakness. For the Corsair Empire, this is a moment of weakness, do not let the vultures close... Let us relight the flames of battle, but not with each other. Let us turn these blazing flames on our enemies and break them asunder our guns!
These opinions are my own, and not nessicarily that of my familia and my Don. Take them as you will, but as my home- our home! Grows weaker, I will not stand by idly. You have been warned, the vultures are coming. You have a choice: Unite as equals or die.'
The rage still burned in Custo's eyes, but now they were dimmed, as if exausted by his speech. He bowed his head and re-seated himself allowing the holo-image to blurr once more, fading him into obscurity.
Carlos stood up abruptly, as if to interupt Custo's speech.
"Custo! Those are brave, powerful passionate words."
His head turned from Custo, now addressing the whole assembly.
"The powerful words of a true Corsair. Look at this man! Does he look like a pilot that would shrink away from battle, in cowardice or deceit? We Corsairs are a proud race. This pilot has risked his life countless times, not to save the lives of his people; for the Outcasts would not murder our people in genocide, they would enslave our families on their drug plantations. Custo' fights to save the honor and dignity of our people. Corsairs bow to no man. In the same way, Custo' does not wish his family to bow down to the Brotherhood.
I ask you if this man looks like he would ever hide from battle, because, this day, and for the past 4 days our family has been accused countless times for betraying our people by sitting idly-by while enemies where at the gates. This, as WE have said countless times, is a lie. Our family almost immediately set course for Omecron-Alpha, and intercepted a support wave containing a Battleship and a number of other warships that would have assisted in Gamma and tipped the balance of the battle had we not intervened. Weather you believe this to be true is not of my concern, but this is the last time I will tolerate my family being accused of cowardice, hiding away while our people where in danger. Not one of our pilots where not in battle that night, fighting for our people.
Custo, spoke out for what he believes in, and Custo believes in equality between the Brotherhood and the Bentiez family. But even though many share this belief, we offered a compromise to end these wretched talks. Our compromise is yet to be rejected, or accepted..."
Montoya heard the outburst from Custo, and the well worded words of Carlos.
In his chair, he wheeled over to the centre of the chamber and waited for silence, which took a long time coming.
He repeated the words of Carlos, out loud.
"...equality between the Brotherhood and the Benitez family...
That, brothers, is what is in question here. You don't have to be a genius to figure out that this can never happen, for one very good reason.
A family, a single bloodline, cannot and will not control a large population of other Corsairs. This is the reason this chamber was built, the reason why the Elders were chosen, the reason the Corsairs have prospered.
Costello wrote, that the Brotherhood had forgotten its policy of guns first, words later. To an extent, this is true. However, what he missed, was the intentions I had of coming here.
The Brotherhood is not powerhoarding. We have been the main body, representing all families of Crete, for generations. The Benitez wish to shift power away from the Corsair people into their own hands. They are willing to do so even as Outcasts and Dragons smash down our gates. They say they went to attack Omicron Alpha, this part I do not doubt. However, those ships that were supposedly part of the Outcast reinforcements were actually mainly comprised of the pilots that the Brotherhood and loyal Corsairs had sent packing with half a ship or a piece of scrap metal with engines on the back.
Leaving that aside here, the main issue is that the Benitez, a single family, wish to be equal to an organisation formed to protect the interests of all Corsairs, not just the Benitez. And will the ambition stop there? I think Carlos is dreaming of bigger, better and higher heights.
It is my duty to curb those ambitions. I will do everything in my power to make sure that the main body of Corsairs, formed to represent the interests of all Corsairs, those serving on the fronts in Leon and Cadiz, as well as back home on Crete, prevents a single family from gaining power and influence.
I took an oath, when I joined the Elders of the Brotherhood. An oath to safeguard the present and future interests of the Corsairs. And I will be damned if its in the interests of the Corsairs to let a single family wield half of the power. As I said though, it wont stop there. If the Brotherhood capitulates to your demands now, we will fade into the past.
I will not allow it. Simple."
As Juan finished the last word, a slight rumbling, getting louder, shook the Chambers. Outside, it wasn't clear what was causing the disturbance, until a large battleship entered the area, and fired its retro-rockets. The letters on the side, spelt out the words:
The Black Emerald
As the craft landed, the ground shook violently, cups of drink and plates of nibbles eternally present in the Elders Chambers fell and smashed on the floor. Most were grabbing for their seats for stability, though some appeared impervious to the violent vibrations.
No more than a few seconds after the vibrations subsided, the doors to the chamber opened, revealing a figure at the door....
Every single pair of eyes in the room were now on Skyelius' figure. A slight smile in his face, one that Juan Montoya clearly recognized, was perceived by all his fellow brothers..
"I'm sorry for taking my day off, mis hermanos..", he said. "But I saw something Joe left me. I realized something important, as if I had seen Maniaco himself in my dream last night, one of unity, brotherhood and..."
Everyone was expecting him to finish the sentence, wondering if he had finally come up with the solution all the Corsairs dearly hoped for. Instead of immediately granting them their wish, the young Corsair walked towards the painting of a hero. He stared up at the smiling, proud face of Pedro Maniaco, looked back at his brothers, and just lay there, with a piercing, yet friendly and encouraging look that everyone liked.
Then suddenly, out of nowhere, Raul stood up, about to say something, but Juan Montoya hurried up and said: "..sacrifice".
This one letter word cast a shadow of uncertainty on the Benitez, yet didn't seem to bear any hostility behind it. Sky then opened his mouth: "Gracias Raul, Montoya.. you are definitely worthy of your title". He then signaled them to sit and relax, then grabbed a chair of his own to complete the circle in the Council.
With everyone half-confused, he continued: "We all regret seeing our dear brother and Elder Joe Costello leave Gamma. I'm sure his heart still pumps Corsair blood and Brotherhood spirit, and for him and all our brethren's future, I return today from my short vacation, renewed in strength and with new wisdom in my mind. We all know the Benitez family.. their military power, their sheer numbers, their desire to be 'equal' and also, their ambition. However, we must honor our tradition, and protect our interests to ensure the best future for out people. The Council of Elders have, for centuries, upheld all the true values of our way of life, with their strong arms, open mind and brave heart. Before the Nomads revealed their existance to the humans in Sirius, and before the first war amongst its houses were us, the Corsairs. The Benitez can shame themselves struggling to create a society of young brothers who cannot see through their guns' range, and can never lead us to our well-being and a bright future. We are one, and being one makes us equal in a sense of life and rights that come with living. But as wisdom exists, and people are enlightened, respect also exists, and is earned through solid deeds and sincere actions, desires, ideals that promote our best hopes for freedom and success. That is why Elders exist as well. What would a human society be, without people playing different roles, living different lives with different purposes?
I have always defended equality, but do not be blinded and tied up by shadowy visions, plans within plans, and lies behind truths. I had agreed a rank system with the Praetor of the Benitez family, and now I see the family has rejected that fair agreement, in the hope that with the recent losses, we would have no choice but to accept their new proposal. Now all of us remember how they were still in Gamma when we stood between our enemies and our families in Crete. Corsairs are smart enough to tell a scheme from a coincidence. It was all so clear, as it is clear to me now.
We know how it feels to be alone and without allies, because that is what our ancestors and true Corsairs lived! Yet they lived for their loved ones, died for their fellow brothers and their strong belief in a future, a future that has now become present, and that we are now standing on. We have become strong, recognized by our enemies, proud with the way of life we should always defend. I see that Benitez no longer care about the prosperity of out people, but treating them as our brothers, I invite them to stay as the powerful family they still are, but unable to break our tradition of two Elders in one family. They may have 'private ranks' amongst them, even disgracing the great word 'Elder' by entitling their own with this name and more. Pitiful drama and meaningless acts, they are. Sirius knows there is one Council of Elders, one true Corsair spirit. They all know that amongst us lie cannibals, primitive and small rabble that call themselves Corsairs. This new, dirty group now takes the shape of some Benitez, and the young and old that have been influenced by them, their neverending quench for Outcast organs instead of their blood, their need to go out and battle, not defending Crete, but attacking bees' nests, hoping for a counterstrike, and praying for more power and influence. They can land on their homes, walk amongst us, but are not and will never be Corsairs.
We should not drag us all into a civil war, not let them take away our honor and our dignity, our sense of righteousness and our pride. Carlos is not and will never be fit to be recognized as a true Elder, and he cannot steal this title, granting his family the dishonor of being called something they really aren't. It is abiding by this truthful fact that I tell you all to ignore these actions, and let the ones who desperately seek this power rot. Do not fire on shot on the Benitez, and do not lock your weapons on their ships. They will be there, but in honor they will not.
The only and the real, the honorable and the wise Elders are those which have proven themselves, those that take a sincere, heartful stand for our people. Those are Juan Montoya, Juan Lucendez, Raul D. Yanez, Joe Costello and perhaps soon, even our dearest Teresa Maniaco. They are the ones that truly and proudly carry the weight, responsibiliy and wisdom to lead our people to their great future, and all Corsairs' destiny! Long live the Elders! Long live the Corsairs! Long live the Brotherhood!"
"It is a cold universe until you know God as your Father, and then it becomes a home. Even the next life simply becomes the Father's house, home."
—David Pawson
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