He arrived in alone. For someone spending his life in a tin can flying trough omega 41 Ivan looked very healthy and strong. Looking around the room he saw few familiar faces and greeted each and every one of them until he sat down, leaning in his seat and palming his chin.
It had been some time since the council had convened, gathered in this room at least.
Yet it felt good to take this seat again - Laowai had been absentee for some time, his numerous personal distractions had prevented him from being here in person and the last round of meetings he had been involved in he had conducted from distance over long range transmission.
He took his seat, and his attendant smiled, "Welcome back Elder Laowai" he said, "Would you be having the usual?"
"Oh by Crete yes" he said, handing the man his coat and taking his seat "You do still have some left don't you?"
The man took the coat and nodded, "Yes Sir, Kusari Baijiu, we still have a few of the bottles you had shipped in".
Nodding, Laowai turned, and flicking on his desktop data pad he nodded to the assembled new faces around him who greeted him in turn. He chuckled.. he remembered his first day in this place, and the sense of overwhelming responsibility that he had felt, coupled with more than a little self doubt.
"Gentlemen" he said to the room, "we're awaiting a few more individuals, please - Help yourselves to the bar and call the attendents for anything you would like to eat, the breifing will begin shortly."
Seeing the Attendees still filing in, Laowai decided to open the proceedings... He stood in his place and motioned to the room.
"My friends, let me address some of what has come to pass recently."
He paused a moment, and glancing at the data which was still being updated on his monitor he continued.
"Recently, we have seen a split among our enemies, the Reapers of Sirius, once blood tied to our Mortal enemies the Outcasts, have seen fit to seperate themselves somehow from their former bretheren and take up their arms in their own crusade..... they say, they wish to end the conflict among us, however, from a very real and tactical sense, their motives are irrelevant, they still turn their guns upon us.
The difference is now, they also turn thier guns on their former bretheren... we have seen this in our own space, and we have intelligence gathered that indicates this is now their operational agenda. We must gaurd against them of course, but this could also open up an area of tactical advantage.....
Either way, we still have an enemy, and that enemy bears watching."
Laowai took a swig of Baijiu and continued:
"Recently, the Hessians have undertaken a more agressive mode of operations on our fronts in the Omegas.... They are, it seems, continually backed up by our old friends, the SCRA..... alone; their numbers are pitiful, however combined, they represent an altered challenge to the status quo and we need to be ready to address this..... the Hessians recently claimed they have been mining Omicron Gamma with Sensor bouys.... this is true, however, all of these were recovered and were of such pitiful quantity that on that note, we have little to fear."
"Operations in Dublin are returning considerable wealth to the Empire, however, at this point i would urge a continued vigilance on the home defence, engage your various dealings on the economic front, our piracy operations must of course continue unabaited. That said, we must continue to mointor the home systems....."
Sitting back down, Laowai withheld the remainder of his information, prefering to hear from the rest of the council before he continued with his briefing.
Hessians and Coalition are a constant nuisance ever since we lost a good portion of Omega 47, and although the Corsair smugglers still pass without any danger, I must report that other smugglers working for Hessian side have "gained their wings" as well. I have caught more than five of them carrying blood diamonds across omega 41 in past week. Something troubling indeed.
I know that we usually turn a blind eye when smugglers work for both sides, but I dislike where the entire thing is going.
However, I would not encourage more smuggler imports to our grounds until we are ready for a serious combat initiative.
My proposal to the Council would be that they draft an combat plan, estimate our expenses and then open up the doors for Engine Components commodities and allow smugglers to import them without any objections from Corsair side.
I know that will make me lose a hefty amount of cargo I pillage, but perhaps this is a good chance to swing more of them to our side.
Options would be either contracting a group of Junkers for this, or any general smugglers who promise a considerable amount of engine components weekly. I feel that more military presence in Omega 41 and Omega 5 would strengthen us again. Someone should pick up where OPG left.
::he scratches his head once and continues::
I would also like to commend the pillaging of Dublin, but would also like to point out more and more aggressive Rheinland miner parties who seem to have gotten some serious weaponry on their hands. Launching daily skirmishes of our bomber squads and transports would certainly reel us in more profit.
Miguel found himself approaching the Council Chambers again. It always came back to this building. Miguel had called the Council together to name his replacement for Ramirez's seat. As usual, it had been some time since the Council had been in session. Carlos had been locked inside his Villa for weeks, or so Miguel had been told. Grimly had been replaced. Miguel had sent out the message, but he wasn't exactly sure who he was going to find when he walked into the Chambers. "Ah well" he thought to himself, as he approached the doors...those damn doors. Some nights Miguel cursed Carlos for bringing him back to the Council. He was flanked by the Brotherhood's newest Elder, Carson Hawking, a brash and confident young Corsair, with, most probably, more spirit then brains, but that is what makes a Corsair, Sephardi thought to himself. "I am getting to old for this sh...." Miguel trailed of under his breath. With another sigh, he pulled open the doors, walked into the room, and with a booming voice announced " Mi Hermanos.. as tradition dictates, as we have for generations, I give you.. Elder Carson Hawking."
*Vincent walks into the Council Chambers. As a newly appointed Brotherhood elder he walks with his head held high and proud. He takes a seat next to Elder Globalo, and starts pouring some rum from a Jug that is at the centre of the table.*
My Fellow Elders,
Firstly I would like to thank Elder Sephardi and Elder Montoya for the confidence they have shown in me to honor me with the title as Elder. This is not something I asked for, but was presented to me. I have always been un-diplomatic in the ways of negotiations and dealing with our enemies. I trust they have taken this into consideration when they appointed me as a Elder of the Brotherhood.
For those here that do not know me, I am Vincent Valentine.
Now, onto some serious matters arising. There are the issue of the hunters claiming victory after victory in our neighbouring systems, outcast invading our home of Gama on a regular basis, and indie corsairs running around leaderless like a headless chicken. *Valentine Downs his Rum and slams the empty glass onto the table* Senors, it is time for us, the elders to step up, and start leading this people of ours. *He glances at all the elders sitting around the table* For too long we have negotiated, talked, and cowarded behind these doors discussing, and discussing like woman..and not take the fight to the our enemies like Corsairs.
Now, my time as Elder may be short lived because of my words here today, but if it be so, then let it be. Just know that we are a strong people, but we need leaders, setting examples. And as Elder, I intend to do that.
*Valentine sits down, staring the other elders in the eyes* What say you Elders?
Weeks passed since Espi enterd this room. He was on the road with the Black Sails, and it was a long flight back to Crete. This was important though, and he refueled his Titan and headed back towards the Omicrons as soon as he could. His lieutenants will keep the Sailors on a leash in the meantime.
Docking on Crete, he noticed a fellow in a Zoner uniform standing next to something that looked like a cave digging device with a wing on one side.
Silvan Argus... What a coincidence we arrived at the same time. Amazing what people call a spaceship these days, isn't it? Then again, looks aren't everything. Is it dependable? Espi started some small talk before they arrived to the Council Hall ...
Elder Espi, it is good to see you again. I trust space has not been too cruel to the sails of late?
He looked over his shoulder at his ship and a low chuckle escaped his lips
Aye, it is a dependable vessel, at least for my purposes. For research and exploration, it is a fine vessel. But I would assume you would be more familiar with vessels of the combat persuasion?
Silvan turned and followed Elder Espi as he made his way through the city, and eventually to the doors of the Council Hall
Once again Miguel found himself in the Council chambers. It seemed to him that no matter how many time he tried to leave this place, he kept getting pulled back. At least this time it was not as an Elder, but instead a diplomatic adviser to and spokesmen for the Council. Still, he had managed to keep himself out of the Chambers for half a year, "better than last time," he thought to himself. Finding a nice quiet place in a corner, the old man pulled two chairs into the corner, sitting on one, he threw his legs up on the other and waited for the others to arrive cloaked in the shadows of the large room.
After a few hours of walking through the Capital, Espi and Argus entered the Council Hall. Sephardi was present, and Espi greeted him with a respectful nod.
Unfortunately, I couldn't bring any rum. I'm sure the stock I placed in the kitchen will still be around. There was a note that it's my private stuff and none should touch it. Let's call the kitchen and have some delivered here, si?
Anyway, how were you lately, Miguel? And how does the situation in Fifty look?
He sat down to his usual place and gestured Silvan to sit where he would find fit.
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