Council of the Corsair Elders

[McNeo]

"The Benitez's can do as they please. It is not up to us to dictate to them what they can and can't do, unless it affects the sanctity of Gamma. If they choose to station a battleship on Cadiz, all the better, Ronneburg base will fall that much faster.

I have read the reports on the GC and I really don't know what to say. On the one hand, it isn't our business what deals our brothers make. On the other, its disturbing to have suspected bribery. However, now you have found out, its up to the Benitez's to make the next move.

On the Outcast issue, I will agree with you on that. Maybe the OPG aren't to be trusted, but they have exiled themselves and that was what we were going to ask of them, no? Besides, I doubt very much Ximen would pilot one of our Osiris' against us. You overestimate everyones scheming. Don't be paranoid.

Tell you what. Instead of the Brotherhood aiding you in the southern attack, why don't you allow the Benitez's to fly on your wing. If what you really want to do is prove their guilt, then be my guest. Show me first hand their treachery and I'll believe you. Until then, have faith."

Juan awaited a response.

[bluntpencil2001]

"Interesting, Juan. Most interesting. However, there is a problem. Low-ranking Brotherhood pilots know to respect SCRA officers' authority and are, as a rule, dependable when it comes to following a chain-of-command in a combat situation, which is necessary for victory in many engagements.

When it comes to the Benitez family, we have an unknown factor guarding our backs. I'd prefer my wing to fly solo than having an unreliable ally at our rear.

I would require assurances from Carlos that they can be relied upon.

And again, the Outcasts. The Omega Pirate Guild has shown itself to have shady dealings with them. And now, with Benitez aid, after accepting 'exile', they construct a battleship. A battleship which is of no use in the space in which they currently reside. It makes me wonder where they plan on using it."

Ares is obviously unhappy at having to fly alongside the Benitez family. If such a ridiculous measure was taken, they'd have to know their damn place.

---

[Equinox]

Costello Sighed..


"It seems you have completely missed my point my brothers, we gave the Benitez family certain privileges we have never given another corsair faction before, what im saying is they no longer have the resources to keep to that agreement of keeping gamma safe, we bestowed on them certain powers in gamma which they can no longer back up, there is only 1-2 active members in this faction and one has just barged in here uninvited to tell us he will be flying a capital ship for the OPG, case in point , those powers we gave them should be withdrawn until they can function as a proper corsair faction and until we can see where there loyalty's lie. If Carlos would grace us with his presence maybe this could be settled"

"Also this council was not opened for one discussion but to discuss all matters that concern the brotherhood and the corsairs them selfs"

---

[bluntpencil2001]

"Well, Costello, I guess you could invite them to join the Brotherhood, instead of revoking their privileges. Then again, that's me speaking as an observer..." offers Ares, raising his hands in front of him, to show that was an innocent suggestion to keep the Corsairs united.

---

[McNeo]

"Yes, that should be done. If they are incapable of sustaining themselves, then that is the way forward. We will absorb them into the Brotherhood, if they agree to this. Ximen must be warned though, to relinquish his control of the battleship, or to cancel its progress if it is still under construction."

[Equinox]

Costello smiled a little.


"I have already made this offer to the ones ive seen, infact we even have one flying with us now but he wanted it to be confidential so the brotherhood arranged a new identity for him."



"Now i guess you want to get back to planning the Rhindland assault?."

---

[majkp]

Pedro observed their squabble while remaining silent. He looked at his personal comm pad and read the last message he recieved. Gentle agreed to help with attack on the Rheinland after all, but their wing has to stay under their command. That could be arranged, Rheinland was large and giving them separate area for their strikes was possible.

Now, speaking of Benitez, Pedro hasn't heard direct support from Carlos, so he could just hope, they would never let their brothers die alone in fulfilling the dreams of their common ancestors. Pedro also talked to the leader of LDDLG and although they didn't seem much organized, they still could bring some chaos in certain parts of Rheinland.

He narrowed himself and said calmly: "That's enough."

After the silence overwhelmed them again he continued...

"It's settled then. All Brotherhood forces are moving to the Sigma 13. The shipments of the scrap metal from Tripoli have already started so we can start moving our ships there."

Then he turned to Ares,

"But, Ares, OPG, Benitez, and sometimes even LDDLG are going to fight with us. And if you think they are not organized or skilled and they don't respect you, then okay, their attacks will be led separately, and under their command. Most of the fights, however will be done by TBH and SCRA forces, and especially those on the Rheinland military. It seems our pilots are the only ones who are acceptable for SCRA to fly with. I know you maybe would have done it different way, not relying on some bunch of unorganized pirates, but if you haven't already forgotten your roots, this is our way, we are Corsairs and we are all brothers to each other, not some stupid military, taking orders from their corrupt government. And we are fighting for our people."

Pedro stood up and finished the Council, shaking his hand with every Elder and hurried up to send a message to all brothers...

"So it starts..." he whisperred when he was leaving the door of the Council Chamber.

[Equinox]

Costello nodded back at Pedro and the other Elders and then stood up..


"Council is closed until other matters need to be discussed"


"See you all out the my brothers"


"For the Corsair Empire!"

---

[bluntpencil2001]

Ares rises to return to his Titan, ready to ship out immediately. Rheinland would collapse, its populace rising in Revolution against the corrupt government.

"...for the People."

---

[Carlos_Benitez]

Carlos awoke in his council chair. He had nodded off for a while, but awoke to find a room filled with empty chairs, and a memo from Ximen sitting on his console in front of him. He glanced at it, and then using the console, perused what had been said while he was asleep.
What he saw shocked him. Elders, former friends, old rivals, all taking advantage of his state of unconsciousness to land accusations, questioning the honour of both him, and his family. He tapped a broadcast code into the console, and began to record a video- message that would be sent across the sector, to Corsair elders at home and abroad.

"I read what has been said, and I find myself filled with sorrow, anger, and an overwhelming sense of betrayal". The voice that entered the reciever was cracked and quiet, the verbiage of a man very unwell.
"I have been accused of harbouring Bounty Hunters in our space. Let me assure you that I have never invited such scum into our midst. I take great pride in purchasing as many Bounty Hunters as I can, that find themselves part of Crete's slave-trade, and seeing to it that every one of them meets a fitting painful end".
He motioned toward a strap across his chest, upon which where fastened some thirty heat-deformed rank tabs from Bounty Hunter uniforms.

"I read that a topic on the agenda has been that Benitez are a dying family, that we can no-longer protect Crete. I dont give a damn what you think of us. Over the past month, an assassin, or group of assassins have killed at-least 5 of my very best men. 2 killings took place as they slept, in their homes in this very city. Bodies of the other men have not been found.
Little support has been given to us from the rest of you, and from what has been said, it is becoming to seem apparent to me that the Brotherhood of Crete wish to drive away all allies wishing to defend Crete, in order to gain favour with the Coalition Revolutionary Army, to whom they clearly show more value."

"The Omega Pirates Guild has left us. If a conflict had have arisen between them and the more recognised Corsair nation, I would have sided with my brothers and the democraticly elected representatives that help make this nation great. The commitment the Benitez and TBH made to eachother was intended to be withheld in both good times, and bad times. As it stands, I feel increasingly isolated from the nation, as if I and my family are being forced out. I feel as if I am just awaiting a notice from the Council majority, notifying me of my expulsion from the Council"

"I have been anticipating such action for a while, and so am making preparations for an exodus of my family and anyone else who wishes to join us to a new homeland in a system discovered by our scouts. It is hoped that with the space a new home will provide, our family may yet grow again. Hopefully, any such exodus is not necessary, and we can reduce the scale of the operation to construction of a simple outpost, but that greatly depends on the political climate at the next council meeting."

"I apologise for the intrusion by Mr. Ximen, who I'm afraid has taken my absence as an opportunity to push forward his own independent ambitions and plans that are not in keeping with the family's. Any Battleship requisitioned by him for the Omega Pirates Guild was not cleared by me, and therefore I accept no responsibility for it.
The Battleship Talos was moved to Sigma-13 against my will, and I may send it back to defend Crete (the purpose for which it was constructed) in the next few days. I am still to commit my family's involvement to the war in Rheinaland, or submit my opinion on it. For the time being, my family has far too many internal issues to battle with than we can cope with whilst fighting a full-scale war too. For this reason, the Benitez will not be participating in this war until other issues are resolved, and until I can be sure that the Benitez family still have your trust, respect and friendship."



ooc:
For circumstances beyond my control, I cannot be in-game, or even on forums from Monday-Friday. Before I am accused of being uncommitted, when others manage to do their duty while holding down full time jobs, i'd like to clarify. From Monday morning to Friday night I am living in basic accommodation 30 miles away from my home with no internet access.
Id like to hope that you could be supportive, and try to help us rise out of this slump in activity, rather than condemning us.
We are looking into purchasing a home system of our own, and as I said in my In-character speech, if we are made to feel unwelcome, make no mistake, we will up-and-leave Gamma.
If the Benitez are a dying clan, so be it. Highlighting the fact really isn't helping.

---