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
