The accused was stuck for words. Graves drank some water and tunred to his fellow Guildmasters.
"Well, gents, the guilt is clear from his reaction alone. However we'll give him some time to compose himself and prepare his plea for leniency."
Graves had picked up on the general atmosphere of annoyance among them. There was still something of the impulsive killer about them all, and long, tiresome meetings were not their favourite ways to spend evenings.
"Be assured, gentlemen, that we would not lightly convene a session. The Council's judicial function requires many voices so as to ensure that Guild members receive a fair trial.
"Of course, if you trust your fellows to run the various Chapters by all means say the word. The Guild must police itself. Who else will? If needs be, we can amend the Guild's letters of patent to allow summary justice to be administered by the Guildmaster within whose domain the infraction occurred.
"That might mean allowing people like Jones the pwoer to throw people out of the airlock on Dabadoru. But hey, you can't make an omelette and all that.
"One other thing: we need to re-negotiate some contracts with several corporations - the IND being one. I'm too old, and frankly, too incontinent, to spend time travelling to Newark Station. So if anyone can take this up?"
Graves sipped more water. The accused was still looking quite pale.
"Well?"
It was clear that the Hunter would need more time. Graves suddenly found himself contemplating having to entertain a group of cranky hired killers.
"Hey, have I shown you all the captured Paretorian in the shipyard?"
Graves looked at the stacks of files relating to the hearing. He turned to his fellow Guildmasters.
They looked anxiously at the vast amount of paperwork they had to read and sign.
"It would appear that these large sessions involving all Guildmasters make too many demands on our time."
"Therefore, I propose that the Guildmasters for each region deal with offenses in their own jurisdictions in a more informal manner as and when such incidents occur. Summary justice should save us fees for all these photocopying."
"We shall reserve Council meetings for matters of more general importance. Unless there are any objections, I will consider this organisational matter closed."
"As to the present case, the accused has completed his psych evaluation, and after a short stay on Baden-Baden is ready to re-commence duty."
"I believe all our Core operatives may be susceptible to psychic stress caused by the brutal nature of the Omicron Wars and the invasive nature of Nomad mind-atacks. Our research division, headed by the eminent Rheinlander, Professor Franckelin Von Stein, will be operating in Dabadoru. As well as being a leading expert on Nomad research, he is also a practicioner of Jungenfreundenel MetaCognitivePsychAnalysis. He will be available for consultations. I cannot stress too greatly the need for level heads in the Omicrons, given the tenuous nature of our foot-hold there."
Graves closed the folder.
"Now I wish you all a safe journey back home. I would ask you to consider a candidate for the second Rheinland seat in your own good time."
Graves sipped some water. He looked much recovered since his stroke, younger almost. Uncannily younger. Like he had undergone the kind of medical treatment you could devise using some hyper-advanced alien stem cell therapy and a supernatural power source.
"Gentlemen, fellow Guildmasters, hunters, veterans, the current situation we find ourslves in is troubling. I am calling this emergency session to establish the exact details of the incident in Leeds which has caused the Kusari Emperor to suddenly start throwing his weight around like a promiscuous hippo.
"Why didn't our representatives in Kusari didn't see this coming?
"Had the Kusari had planned something like this all along and were just waiting for a chance to grab Deshima?
"How have events have progressed since we issued orders to secure the base?
"What should our next step be?
"I have bought us some time by agreeing to return these individuals. They aren't really what's at stake. What troubles me is how poorly our relationship has progressed with the forces of the Kusari government. I mean, this Emperor, he's a puppet surely. I want to know who is pulling the strings. Who stands to gain from the seizure of Deshima?
"We decided long ago not to get involved in this war between Bretonia and Kusari, and our long-term goal of a Sirius-wide operation must remain the ultimate aim. But I wonder if we can expect to move closer to that in the current climate..."
He turned to the packed Guildhall. Hunters from all Houses, independent operators and former affiliates of disparate agencies were seated. It looked like it could be a long session.
The grey and silverhaired gentleman known as the spokesperson of the Miller hunter family rises and speaks:
"I for one have directed my nephew young Maersk Miller, to station his vessel at Deshima for now. As for why the emperor suddenly are going ballistic regarding Deshima station is not something I will speculate about. But he and his puppetmaster should be aware that all the ressources of the Guild will be brought to bear against agressors towards Guild property.
On behalf of the complete Miller family, I hereby pledge my unconditional support to the Guildmasters with regards to any decisions taken to resolve the kusari situation. Even if that means war with the riceaters.
On this, I McKinney Miller give you my word."
The grey and silverhaired gentleman sits down again.
Out of bats, Out of bots, Out of torps - Down to harsh language...
Joshua Karjalainen places his notepad on the table and clears his throat to speak:
"Esteemed colleagues, Guildmaster Graves. Considering the official Kusarian stance on a) all things non-Kusari and b) bounty hunters as a whole and c) activities on the Bretonian-Kusari front, it is not suprising that Jien Kogen reacted as he did.
That said, he is more of a tool than a puppet, methinks. He is a shortsighted fellow, to be sure.
Regardless, it would be prudent to be diplomatic when dealing with the Kusari authorities and I believe Mr. Graves has been diplomatic in his own trademark way.
Releasing the Kusari pilots is a no-brainer. However, those pilots who are considered by our Bretonian clients to be terrorists and thugs should stay put for judicial processing.
Paying the Kusaris monetary compensation might grease the cogs of negotiations in peace time, but it's not an option in the current political climate. Bretonia would interpret such transactions as aiding and abetting the enemy.l
If Kogen-san still persists in having it all his way, he is quite possibly revealing his government's cards to us. Perhaps they have been looking for an excuse to annex Deshima all this time. When the ideal opportunity arrived, they naturally took advantage of it.
I suggest keeping a heavy detachment posted at Deshima consisting of all vessel classes up to gunboats, for the time being. And let us hope that the Kusaris understand the inherent difficulties involved in a two-front war.
"I too, sir, pledge my allegiance to the Guild and am ready to defend our outpost at all costs. I've already had one ship destroyed by these aggressors. Luckily a crew aboard Deshima was quick to tractor in my pod for which my crew and I are grateful. Another gunship is being produced as we speak and will be stationed at Deshima until this matter is resolved."
As Mr. Romeo finished his short speach, a young Hunter by name Clive Hunt stood up to speak what was on his mind about this matter:
"I may not been very long in Bounty Hunter Guild, but I am well aware of Guild relations with other house governments, and current status with Kusari forces is not looking good at all. This whole "incident" about Kusari pilots is somehow fishy to me.
Kusari forces overreacted, and made a bit to much agressive admission to it. I believe it could have been resolved on easier way.
Well, I not sure about it, but I have felling that Kusari forces were just waiting some "incident" like this to use it as excuse to take over the control of Deshima station.
As far as I heard, some conflitcs have been already made in Shikoku, as further is this moving, the more I am starting to think my felling is correct.
As I am assigned in defense wing for Delta front, I got in contact with my old buddy Martin Prophet. He was always more kinda guy for house systems, and by orders he reached Kepler system yesterday. His bomber is currently stationed at Research station in Kepler. He sent message over me to respected Guild Masters and fellow Hunters that you got his full support together with mine in above mentioned "incident".
That would be all from me."
Clive sit down and took a glass of water as his throat dried.
Neil sat near the back, wondering what was going to happen now that we are fighting on two wars. None the less, one thing was sure in his mind, the will of the Guild would prevail, we would crush the Order soon enough, he thought, but as for Kusari, that was another matter.
The tall, heavily built scouse stood up with a pastie in one hand and spoke loudly to the hall, 'Now lads, as ye all know, ah dun plan on goin' anywhere like, bu' as fer this problem wi' Kusari, ah'll be movin' me Manta to spport tha lads at Deshima like.'
He took a bite out of his pastie and continued speaking while spraying the rows in front with crumbs, 'I jus' dun think that we should let 'em off wi' this y'know, at least make 'em 'urt before we get thrown out like.'
He sat back down and continued to listen intently to all that the others had to say, while sipping from a large bottle of cider.
"War is bad for business. At least a war in which we have to pay the expenses out of our own pocket. I'm in the Guild for money, but I ain't so stupid that I'd like to lose all the benefits that being a member entitles me by doing what we must if a push comes to a shove. So count me in."
"It's a tough call. We used to be making headway for getting more operational freedom in Kusari space, but all that hard work seems to slip through our grasp like grains of sand now. I fear they try to renegotiate our agreement with them. And that's a no-go if you ask me."
"This is a tricky situation. We can't be made to look bad in the eyes of the other houses or we might find our deals deteriorating all around Sirius."
"But you can't put a price tag to some things. The Emperor can't have Deshima. That's final. And I'm willing to defend the station and I'm moving my bomber there."
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