Council of the Corsair Elders

[Chico]

Jose was going to give him one of those looks. Why was he always late anyway?
Chico knew the way to the Council chamber buildings. Every corsair did. He'd even been on the school tour but that was a life time ago and since his first posting on the frontline in Eta, he'd never been back since.
Now, as his hover wagon screeched up outside with a whine of the grav generators, he was daunted at the prospect of returning.
He rushed up the stairs to the building, two at a time and buttoned the flight suit he still wore.
Security was tight and he was held up in a queue of excited school children at the entrance. When he finally got to the desk, the clerk took one look at his papers and quickly called an escort.
"Councilor Benitez" she gushed, "What an unexpected pleasure. We would have thought you would have used the councilor's entrance rather than the front door" she raised an eyebrow quizzically.
"Er...yes well, nerves signora...first time etc"
The guard escorted Chico through a maze of rooms and corridors and presented him infront of two huge doors. The entrance to the inner chamber itself. The two armed soldiers eyed him nonchalantly. The officer at the desk looked up and dismissed the escort.
"Councilor. I would ask you to divest yourself of any firearms here before you enter" he said.
Chico surrendered his sidearm silently and then turned and entered the chamber.
There were several faces Chico knew. The wily old Corsair Miguel Shepardi sat eyeing him. Taking a measure of him.
Vincent was there and another, unknown to him sat there. The man Chico was looking at was not a Corsair and Chico knew it. It was an odd feeling. Uncomfortable even but it was the wish of the Council. Time would tell. Chico nodded a greeting and then walked over to Jose and greeting him, took his seat next to him, slightly behind.
He was right. Damn. Jose had given him one of those looks.

---