The Zoner Conference

[Dusty Lens]

Oh, hurrah, tuck in. So belay that drink for a bit.

Well I would like to take a moment to applaud your efforts in furthering your goal of, what was it? Working towards a common goal. A common goal distributed by pamphlet to those found worthy, I suppose. So that's cool.

Which does serve as a rather poignant call for the case of the whole Zoner Council bit. A note on which I'll indulge in uncharacteristic brevity.

It's a horrifically poor idea which could only be brought to fruition in the fertile ground of the feeblest memories.

The last one was a miasma of cronyism and political maneuvering which fell apart at the first sign of real trouble as the presiding body attempted to fling the Zoner's war potential at the first problem it didn't feel like solving. The result was a bloody war in which we and any ally we suckered into joining our cause being pulped, Freeport Nine being kersploded and a deep rift being rent through the Zoners as a whole.

Pretty much because creating positions of political authority has this weird tendency of drawing in people who want to be in positions of political authority. Then when the buggers have it, they want to use it.

The current non system seems to be working a treat. The ports look to their own affairs and if things go tits up the TAZzers and the OSIers stand in a position to kick up dust that needs kicking. Something they've not failed in yet.

Councils tend to invent and invest in non issues to justify their own existence or to provide validity to insecure leaders. I say nay nay.

Rhyme allowed himself a cynical smirk.

Furthermore, on what grounds shall we determine whom amongst us shall be disenfranchised? Are the representatives of the Zoners anyone who sits on the highchair of a oxygen bubble sitting in space without an engine on one side? The numbered ports? Are we going to go with One through Fifteen but sit Sparta on its heels? By region? Is the vote of Ten going to weigh as heavy as that of Five when it comes to affairs concerning relations with the Corsairs?