Council of the Corsair Elders

[Carlos_Benitez]

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.

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