TBntG-2 Chpt 39

=The Bull and the Genie=
==Chapter 39 - Book II - The Ninety-five Theses==
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==Star League Counsel in Session==
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Epsilon Eridani System, Federated Commonwealth
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The general briefed June as they drove up to the convention center. "It's important that you take the first motion from Candace Liao," she'd said, as June glanced out of the armored car to the convention center.
 
Which no longer had any ads for future shows on it. Just the flags of the great houses, and in between them…
Oh God. This isn't a nightmare. That really is the Star League Flag.
 
"Ms. Williams?"
 
"Y-yes?"
 
"Breathe. They get dressed just like we all do. Trust me, the first time is the worst."
 
"You're a general."
 
"Well, I didn't start out a general." General Cheng smiled. "You'll do fine. Now the big issue is going to be the Council's communication with the First Circuit about their new Primus." 
 
The car was silent for several more moments. Then General Cheng spoke again. "Breathe, please."
 
So then June, after a few moments of meditation, found herself in a room, with…
 
Don't worry June. Any one of these people could whistle up armies and spends more money on tableware than the entire city budget. No stress.
She focused on the fact that evidently the need for security had required the convention center's normal tables and folding chairs to be used to accommodate the most powerful men and women in known space. 
 
"Ah, I have been appointed under Section 270, Subsection 21b, as revised on June 1st, 2740, to serve as the interim Chairperson of the Star League High Council. Let all present carry out their duties with courage and honor."
 
I can't believe I'm saying that. Nobody had said those words for real since the End of the Star League!
 
"If there are any motions that wish to be offered—" Candace Liao raised her hand, and June felt the insane desire to find out what she'd said if she told them to wait to raise hands until after she'd finished talking.
 
"Yes?"
"The Capellan Confederation, having withdrawn from the candidacy for the First Lordship, suggests that any discussions regarding any future occupants of that office in future sessions be tabled until the motion receives a two-thirds majority vote."
 
Wait, there's going to be a future—"Ah, yes. Do any second the motion?" Hanse Davion and Takashi Kurita both raised their hands. 
"I suggest, that unless any member disagrees, that we pass the motion by acclamation." Edward Calderon said. Moments later, there were nods from all present.
 
"Very well, the matter of the First Lord shall be tabled."
"I would like to open to floor to considerations as to Myndo Waterly's suitability for the position of Primus." Katrina Steiner stated.
 
Agreed." Edward nodded. "Her actions, as contained in your briefing packets, make it highly doubtful that she is equal to the importance of maintaining Comstar's neutrality."
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===New Leadership, New Direction===
ComStar Councel Chambers of the First Circuit
Terra, Sol System
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The First Circuit was assembled, both in person and virtually. Myndo came storming into the chamber. "Who called this meeting!"
 
"I did." Will said, sprawled out bonelessly in one of the chairs. He was the only one sitting down. "Pardon me, the tour was a little exhausting. As was the kidnapping attempt." He smiled. "Sloppy that. Better to just kill someone if you really think they're dangerous, instead of getting clever, like Max did."
 
"I have no idea what you're talking about. That was Max's decision."
 
"And yet, you gave him the tools. Either you knew he might do it, or you weren't smart enough to realize just how unstable he was." Will sat up. "And then of course there's the issue of a new Holy Shroud." 
 
"Who—" Myndo shot a venomous gaze at Precentor ROM. "In any case, regardless of such fantasies, I am clearly the choice for Primus."
 
"Well," Will said. "the rest of the Inner Sphere might have something to say about that."
 
"Comstar is independent of the House Lords, something you have forgotten."
 
An Adept walked into the chamber, and Myndo turned around to glare at him. "What is it?"
 
"Ah, uh, a message."
 
"Who?" she asked. "Especially considering how important this meeting is."
 
"The House Lords, Pri—Precentor, all of them."
 
"All of them?"
 
"Yes. They ah, have identified themselves as the High Council of the Star League and wish to speak to the First Circuit."
 
"By all means," Will said. "Let us not keep the body that our legitimacy rests on waiting."
 
"The Star League?" Precentor Atreus asked. The holo image flickered for a moment, and a new image joined them.
 
The House Lords, sitting around a table with an unknown woman standing in the place where the Chair of the Council normally stood.
 
<{"Greetings to the First Circuit,"}> the woman said, sounding nervous. <{"I am Chairwoman June Williams, appointed by the vote of the Representatives to this Council. I request and require your cooperation, in the name of the Star League, in reference to section 5, subsection b, of the resolution of October 10, 2780."}> She looked up and swallowed once. <{"That would refer to the Council's right to discuss future appointees to the position of Minister of Communications, or Primus as it is currently known."}>
 
"What is this… foolishness!" Myndo snarled. "Comstar is independent, and you have no role—"
 
<{"That is not true,"}> Takashi said. <{"You have acted independently because the council never reconvened. And now here we are."}>
 
Myndo paused. <{"You would join with Hanse Davion? Think carefully…"}>
 
<{"I have, and your offer of mechs, while taken in the spirit which you made it, would not protect the Combine. While we were waiting for the connection to be made, I and the First Prince, with the mediation of the Chairwoman and Protector Edward Calderon have come to a better agreement."}>
 
Will carefully didn't notice the way everyone else looked at Myndo when the word "mechs" was used.
 
"What is that?"
 
<{"A fifteen year truce,"}> Hanse Davion said. <{"It's interesting that we have both shared cases of Comstar exceeding its mandate."}> 
 
"I nominate Precentor Chang!" Precentor Atreus said. "It is clear that we need new leadership!"
 
"What?" Myndo said, looking like a coiled snake. 
 
Best back off, Myndo, Will thought. Comstar had always managed to play one house against another, and that wasn't going to work. From Janos' expression, Will had a feeling that someone had put the pieces together regarding why they had a civil war right when their economy was improving.
 
"Agreed," Precentor New Avalon said.
"You—you will bring everything Blake created to dust!" Myndo snarled. 
 
Poor girl. Walked in here expecting a coronation and got a political assassination. Will counted the votes. 
 
"Well, it seems that you have called me to serve, and as Blake wills, so shall I serve. Please Convey Precentor Waterly to a lounge, she appears to be distraught." Not that I'm safe. None of these people are idiots, and they know I probably had something to do with this, and they're wondering what payment I'm going to give the House Lords.
 
Will stood to face the House Lords. "I take it this appointment meets with your approval?"
 
<{"For now. But Comstar has been implicated in other affairs. Not least your failure to control your own renegades."}>
 
"We will control them." Will paused. "But I see you in council, but no First Lord."
 
"We have decided that at this point, or at any point in the foreseeable future, there is no reason to attempt to appoint a First Lord."
 
"Understood, and wise. But you will be sending representatives to Terra, to stand in for the House Lords when the Star League Council meets, correct?"
There was a mutter from his surrounding Comstar officials and Edward looked surprised. 
 
Oh Edward, you came up with this idea, but I am going to make my own little alterations. Because just because I think Myndo was a fool doesn't mean, I won't work to make the future Blake hoped for.
 
<{"I am not certain I understand."}> Hanse Davion said. 
"I should think it's plain. It's true that the Star League no longer exists as an organized polity, but the Council, in addition to your authority over some aspects of Comstar, can serve a vital role. After all, people who are in the same building… can stop and have conversations, even if their nations are currently, shall we say, in conflict. Communications and meetings can be made at the local diner that would be politically impossible if they were formally organized."
 
<{"What would you request?"}> Kyalla Centrella asked.
"I? Oh, I'm just a bureaucrat. But if a member of Comstar were to be appointed to your august body, well, it would help keep everyone in the loop, as it were."
Talk all day, but better jaw jaw than war war. 
Then Will took a deep breath. "If you've appointed me, I need a speech, but I don't have one. All I can say is that I've walked the dead worlds, seen the bones, buried some of them. You are getting more technology by the day, prosperity is going up by the day…and that prosperity, the bounty of the core can be used to make a dead world flower… or take a paradise world and make it a dead world. Build hospitals or build salted bombs. I do not think your predecessors were evil men and women. I think they walked into hell by a thousand little decisions until they couldn't turn back. So I implore you. Not in the name of Blake. Nor in the name of any great religious figure, but all the nameless dead who have paid the price for the decisions of the great. You talked here. An issue has been solved without conflict. Keep talking. Not as if your lives depended on it, but as if the lives of all your citizens depend on it."
 
"Thank you."
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