"Woah." Lucendez answered, holding up a hand. Montoya looked confused, but Lucendez continued. "Woah, hold it, hold it. That was just a recommendation. Lots of things have happened since then! I'm ... mad! And ... the council chambers have been disturbed! I mean ... the door hinges!" Lucendez pointed to the old door as though to make his point. He realized that wouldn't do, so he paced further.
"I don't have the combat experience that an Elder should have! When I send pilots into battle I need hundreds of battles under my belt. They need to know that I've risked my life and came out of it. Plus I haven't piloted anything bigger than a freighter. Ok, maybe a transport or two, but not even a gunboat." Lucendez started to stutter.
"You don't know me! I might be a spy!" Lucendez grabbed his sword and pointed it at Montoya, "I might have been sent here to kill you. Look at the guards outside!" But he didn't, Montoya just stood there. Lucendez lowered his sword and sheathed it.
He took the full scabbard over to the case and packed it up. "I respectfully decline the position of Eldership, on the grounds it would be inappropriate on a number of levels..." He didn't end his sentence, his thought was incomplete, because there were levels he didn't want to go into. The black box closed and the seam disappeared, becoming the single piece of obsidian-like material it once was.
"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."
"Pedro's recommendations are not final, I just didn't think you would decline so I simply assumed. I am sorry for assuming so.
But remember, the number of battles you have under your belt simply isn't an issue, nor is the fact that you haven't piloted anything larger than a freighter.
For now you have declined, I will respect it. I just thought you wanted to share your opinion with the Elders in a more formal manner.
No matter, I see what must be done clearly. Pedro's last wishes will come true."
With that, Montoya walked over to the larger communications station and begun composing a transmission.
"Montoya..." Lucendez said, slinging his box over his shoulder and gathering his papers. "you know where to find me. I have been honored by Pedro, but I simply don't think it's the time for this. I came here to have my voice heard and potentially stop something that was threatening. I will follow the will of the Council of Elders to the best of my ability. ... Oh, and Juan? Thanks for not killing me on sight."
And with that being said, he walked out. He couldn't help but think that this wasn't the right path either, part of him wanted to apologize and turn back into that chamber. The other part wanted to just go home. His Titan parted the Cretan skies and disappeared into the stars.
"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."
Raul heard a sound. It came from the Chambers of the Council of the Elders. Raul rushed there, and on his way he saw Juan Lucendez with a black box on his shoulders walking past him. Juan seemed in a thoughtful modd, so Raul thought it'd be better not to disturb him, and continued to go to the Chambers.
When he arrived, he lifted one eyebrow. The injured guards were inspecting the damaged door hinges. "Hola, what happened here?" Raul asked. "Hola Elder Yanez, Brother Lucendez came here. Shame he could knock us out, then he seemed to intrude into the Chambers, as you can see on the poor hinges..." - "Thanks, diligent guard, you don't need to be shamed."
Raul rushed into the Chambers, where he saw Juan Montoya at the communications terminal. Raul waited until Juan finished the message.
"Not about those directly, just the sound of them. I was worried because something could have happened here, but everything seems fine. I just saw Brother Lucendez passing next to me, and the guards said he broke the doors. What's the matter? Why did he intrude into the Chambers?"
"Yes, yes he did brother. He did so to make his opinion heard to me. It goes against everything that the chambers have stood for, but he made the right decision. He convinced me, along with Maniaco's last will, to reverse my decision yesterday. Honestly, I feel better now that I recinded my order. It made me look like a weak fool, but it was the right choice. Thats what happened in a nutshell. There isn't really anything else to discuss unless you wish to know more...or use this communication console."
Juan stepped aside, to let Raul listen to the busy machine process all the incoming data into audible voice.
Raul stepped to the terminal. It looks like Elder Ares and Brothers Sephardi and Skyelius are arguing. "...Indeed, these are hard times... Juan, I need more time to think about it. They are indeed right that we must unite, maybe we can introduce it with something like a meeting. We call all corsairs to gather on Crete and to listen to us. But this is only a quick idea of mine... If you excuse me, I'll head to my quarters. Good night, Elder Juan." Raul disappeared in a corridor of the Chambers.
Juan stood like a statue with a moving head, as he watched Raul depart.
He then turned his attention back to the communication console; it had attracted his attention to yet another transmission. He listened, and then listened again. He composed his thoughts yet again, and begun recording...
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