Laowai breathed in deeply, exhaling loudly through his nose he addressed Juan directly. "I have in fact done exactly what you have said"
He turned and looked towards Gentle - who was leaning back in his chair, holding a half full glass of whiskey in his hand, watching with a slight smile on his face. He knew where this discussion was going to go.
"i have asked several independent Corsairs in the skies of Crete how they respond to some of the elements inherent in the Code, that is, the code as i know it. They have all responded as a Corsair should, i have even been chided for asking such seemingly rhetorical questions."
He gestured around the room. "Some here, believe i asked them leading questions, which could only be answered in a certain way." He leaned forward. "And yes i did, because this is my point, these people you claim are a problem need leadership, by example, words and deed, not ostracism, banishment and bullets"
Sitting back he went on. "And if you wear the title of Elder... and your's is the role of an adviser and a leader - but never in Corsair history have Elders been the dictators of a Corsairs personal destiny, and nor should they be".
He smiled
"But i am one man, this is a council of great houses and noble clans"
He picked up the whiskey again, nodding quietly to Gentle he took another sip. It really wasn't his brew of choice - when this meeting ended, he decided he was going to head over the bar and drink something more to his liking.
"So you are suggesting, that we wait for the problem to go away?"
Juan took in another breath, while thinking.
This man was a hard nut to crack. It was doubtful that he would see reason, or that he would factor in may of the variables associated with the advancement of the Corsair civilisation.
"We have been doing what you have said since the Brotherhood was reformed, but the problem seems to have only gotten worse the more we have left it.
To me, what you suggest is simply leaving the Corsairs to their own devices, to shoot our artifact smugglers and to run down our stocks of supplies. I am sure you cannot say that we can't take action in these situations, but it seems as if you do. If we are to only advise them not to do these things, and not force them to stop, then that is not a method we can persue any longer.
You are suggesting we help them with words. If only it was that simple, friend.
Those that cause this trouble mostly ignore the words of the Elders. So what are we to do? Keep talking and being ignored, or take action?"
Lucendez snapped awake when he heard Laowai say "dictator." The fire in the hearth was warm and soothing. Lucendez couldn't seem to stay awake much longer, and his water had run out. Getting out of the plush arm chair, the Elder paced around to the back and leaned against it.
"I believe what we are all missing here, is the scale of the problem." Lucendez cleared his throat, as all Elders bore their eyes into his.
"Generations ago, our forefathers landed on this planet to escape a possible death in the blackness of space. Their hearts were not cold, like their brethren aboard the legendary Hispania. The colonists would die a fiery death if they were to be condemned to it, not a cold death, or worse..."
Lucendez paused, unsure of what everyone's reaction was going to be.
"Since then, our nation has underwent changes, many rudimentary in nature. When space travel became possible, Crete let her children roam out into the stars and pillaged what we needed to advance. Well everyone, we advanced. The Corsair civilization no longer sends out our mighty Titans and Centurions, but we also service cruisers, battleships, and recently our very own Legate-class Dreadnaught. I don't want to constrain an individual's right to pirate where he wants and defend Crete with the hot-blood that is his birthright."
"When an individual, without coordination from others, takes his hulking warship into the fray, he risks other's freedoms simply because he doesn't want to be constrained. The fact is, we can supply dozens of Centuries worth of fighter craft easily, but a single dreadnaught is much more clumsy and precious than a single fighter. If that individual wants to pirate, defend Crete, or play poker, whatever, in a Titan, that is his own business. But, that same individual getting rich off the artifact trade and buying his own Battleship must adhere to the will of the people he serves. Even more so because of his dependence on supply from Crete."
Lucendez finished his long-winded speech and sat back down.
"The Elders aren't here to rule over the people with an iron fist, SCRA is handling that nicely with the few Corsairs still serving in their fleet. We instead simply wish to come to a decision about a problem that threatens the whole of the Corsair civilization, and perhaps move into the next stage of our evolution as a nation."
"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."
Gentle sat quiet. Listening and slowly coming to terms with what was being said. Corsairs had taxed and destroyed the lifeblood of his operation. OTC smuggling ships had been destroyed on 2 occasions by these so called corsairs. tax had been demanded and when a reasonable explanation had been given it was disregarded. Gentle would not tolerate this abuse any longer.gentles temper got the better
"Goddamit, I wont tolerate these idiots opening fire on my people. The OTC has lost millions due to these idiots. I warn you amigos I will tolerate no attacks on the OMega Trading Corporation when delivering essential food and water supplies and will not accept any taxing for releasing our finest artifacts to the wider masses. i have made my decision here today. Any independants taxing the OTC will be warned once before I unleash the OPG on them in retribution. I wll hunt down every perpitrator of this stupidty with every last breath in my body. i will annihilate them and anyone who stands in the way of our essential trading lifeline. Do as you wish on your own parts amigos but I will not be swayed from this decision. I am no diplomat and never wish to be. I am first and foremost a pirate and I will protect my interests with all of the force that I can bring to bear. Your own course of action can be your own decision but I urge you to consider my move here today and enforce it also"
The whisky bottle exploded in Gentles hand as his grip crused the body of the bottle. Whisky and blood leaked onto the table and the rage drained from Gentles face.
"Amigos I have urgent business to attend. I must take my leave of you. The dictate I have spoken of will be law in the Omegas and I urge you before I leave today to accept this as law in Gamma. Should you decide against this then I will accept your law in gamma but perpetrators of stupidity will remain kill on sight the moment they leave Gamma.
Adios."
gentle stood and tipped his head to each of the elders before leaving.
The lanky Corsair listening to Gentle and his outburst, raising his eyebrows.
"All in favor, say Aye!"
Taking a drink of water, and moving before anyone else could, the Elder stood up.
"Aye!"
"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."
Carlos touched his earpiece, and then rose from his seat.
"I would like to partially divert from the topic at hand, and for a moment discuss the state of affairs with the AW. It is my opinion that we continue to offer assistance to all fellow Corsairs who have not proven to be dishonourable, negligent or disloyal. In short, I refer to the Brotherhood, Benitez family, Omega Pirates Guild, and any indipendant pilot who has the interests of the nation at heart.
If war results, so be it. At this point, I welcome it. If the AW are wiped from existance by the combined power of the Corsair nation, my belief from my understanding of the stance of the rest of the Zoners is that they will not be missed. "
Gentle halted his departure from the table. Carlos straight face hinted at a touch of amusement. Gentle's hatred for those meddling AW was reknowned. Always a thorn in his side and now we are balanced on the brink of war with them.
"Damnit carlos i was about to go and get some action with the wives. OK hermano you have our guns should you need them against the AW. I need you to back me up with these indies though. Only today the herakles was destroyed by another over zealous corsair numptie"
"So I take it thats an Aye from you on the other issue?" the wiley old pirate looked searchingly at Carlos.
There was one constant in his people he thought to himself, Their hot headedness and their tempers. The pain in his side flared up again. Reminding him of pressing matters outside this room.
He raised his voice once more.
"It is not an Aye from me"
He leaned forward, the collective eyes on him once more and he became aware of his status as an outisider in this room. He could see Gentle looking at him darkly, flexing his cut hand. Laowai continued.
"Though it matters nought as i have no vote in this house. - You all know my views, you called me here to hear them, and hear them you have."
He nodded to gentle, who was signaling to someone for another drink. "you have the right to defend yourselves as you see fit - You gentle, state that OTC vessels were stopped and taxed. You will recall if you will, that i myself challenged one of your vessels some time ago, this is because i simply did not know who they were until you informed me, their IFF did not say Corsair, and so it is my responsibility in space to challenge such vessels."
Laowai reached across for the glass of water in front of him. The pain in his side cut slightly and he breathed in to ignore it. "No shots were fired, and as of this moment, i am unaware if your vessel's IFF status, but you must know, that we encounter time and time again traders who will tell us anything to avoid spilling their wallets, i can see why the more ignorant of our brothers made the error in question"
"i do not condone it, i state only that i can see how it happened - it is because i know you, and trust your word, that i have never challenged an OTC vessel again".
"as for the AW, i transmitted a message about that recently, it is not in our strategic interests to allow a safe haven and marshaling area for our enemies a mere one jumphole from Crete.
"but those matters gentlemen, are for Elders, not lowly independents such as myself"
A sharp pain cut through his side and he winced. His expression was noticed by a few at the table who raised questioning eyebrows.
Laowai stood and signaled for his coat from a waiting aide, who scurried off quickly.
"Gentleman, i must take my leave of this council" he said, "recently, i have.... suffered an injury in combat, the prognosis was not good. I'm afraid i will not be able to join you in the skies above Crete again for an indefinite period."
A murmer circled the room. And as he reached back to take his coat the pain cut his side again, he inhaled sharply.
"So as it stands, the weight of my words here are essentially meaningless anyway, if i cannot back them up with blaster bolts"
A small patch of blood had started to appear on his shirt above where one of the wounds he carried was situated. He knew he had to get to an infirmary, and possibly shoot the medic who did the stitching.....
He turned and strode out of the room. Each step burning, but he didn't flinch again until he was round the corner and out of sight of those assembled. He scowled in frustration... and continued down the corridor and out of the building.
Montoya's eyes on the viewscreen trailed Ben out of the room, as did the rest of the council's eyes.
Despite their different beliefs, Juan could not help but feel sorry for the aged man, and he did see the logic in his arguements. Defence and not attack was the best option. Guiding each Corsair was, perhaps, the best option. It was clear that the OPG would do what Gentle willed, and it was attitudes like that which made the Elder chambers stand for nothing. If the authority of the Corsair council was ignored, then what hope was there?
"Hermano Gentle, your transports should travel with an OPG escort to show our wayward hermanos that your trading vessels mean no harm. Even though they carry supplies and food, we Corsairs have always been suspicious of outsiders. I mean no harm to you or the OTC, but what good reason apart from your words do they have to let you land, especially if you do not carry the Corsair ID and IFF?"
"Moving on to the AW, however, it is my position that we, as a council, contact the Zoner council and display our collective message in full force, with the signatures of all three of our organisations. This is what I propose the message to contain:
1. A request stating that we wish the Zoner council not to recognise the AW as Zoners and to take away their vote on that council.
2. A notification that all AW forces will be eliminated wherever they lie.
3. A notification that the Corsairs will increase their presence in Omicron Theta, hence meaning that the Zoners may need to increase production of certain goods, such as food, engine components, consumer goods and light arms for our purchase. The point needs to be made that this can only be a good thing for the Zoners, as business will increase as the Corsairs gain access to Omicron Theta, which was previously restricted by the AW.
We wish to be at peace with the Zoners. Due to the recent agression and subsequent declaration of hostility by the AW, this cannot happen. They need to be eliminated before we continue to foster a good relationship with the Zoners.
I myself recognise the AW as a mercenary organisation aligned with the Outcasts, taking up residence in Zoner space, whereas I recognise the TAZ, the bulk of the Zoner establishment, as Zoners true to their creed.
Unless there is significant opposition to this, or changes, I suggest this is sent off as fast as possible. Also, I suggest you and your men bribe the Zoners into fixing your reputation with their establishment, if you havent done so already.
As the AW have been ejected from ownership of the Zoner guard system, I see no reason why we shouldn't visit that from time to time. But this is more to do with, if the AW decide to use it as a fall back point, expecting their "brothers" to shoot us.
Carlos eagerly listened to Montoya's proposal. He rarely saw eye-to-eye with the elder, but the occasions that he did where welcomed.
"Wise words, Montoya. I believe such a declaration should be made, although perhaps a little less hard-line. Let us not also forget the influence of the Jupiter Guild, a Zoner affiliated mercenary organisation who have supported us in the past, who have earned our respect many times on the battlefield. They are surely another group who will fight our corner in the Zoner council".
"Regarding the issue of shooting down Corsair ships who's captains display no honour or regard for Corsair beliefs and policy, I would like to propose a variation on the theme.
I propose that the council be given the right to requisition the assassination of captains who are deemed to be disonorable and a detriment to the nation ONLY AFTER that individual's actions have been discussed in this chamber, and ONLY AFTER a vote has been taken as to weather to have that individual assassinated, or clan disowned.
This, I believe, will prevent abuse of this statute.
Let us not forget that all persons whom are members of this council have earned it, and independent corsairs also have a voice here.
I would also like to make the point that this is not my submission of a vote, as this does not represent the opinion of my family, within which opinion is fiercely divided on the issue. "
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