This gave Elizabeth the opportunity she was looking for to explain the state of matters in short.
"A father had two sons. One of them betrayed him and went to have a life of decadence. But he regretted, deeply regretted, and returned to his father to ask for forgiveness. His father forgave him. This prodigal son from then on had an unbreakable conviction to do what was right, because he had felt, on his skin, the pain of doing wrong. Your field marshal has returned to you and he regrets his prior choices."
Keller was almost impressed by the reference Elizabeth used, she was beginning to show actual class as opposed to pretending to be a canvas at risk of extreme paint runoff. "Luke 15:11. Good application of it, but if you paint more of a flowery picture I might just cringe." He nonetheless gave her what seemed like a nod of approval and waited for Selim's response.
The people of European descent in the room certainly had the advantage on Selim on that note. At least his next move didn't mandate a perfect understanding of Judaeo-Christian lore. " Well, Commodore, I can't hold Keller's past actions against him too harshly. It was in the Coalition's best interests of the time, even though his methods and mannerisms were of less civility than mine." His gaze shifted over to Keller himself. " It's really up to him if he wants to continue fighting for the kind of principles that will actually make a difference in the Sector."
It was quite the moment, but Keller seemed confident in what he wanted. "I've come to a decision. But there are things I must ask for in return. First and foremost is the fact that I have family in Liberty. My parents, I'd like to have them resettled to Bretonia." He crossed his arms and visibly stiffened, he was finding spitting out the next bit quite difficult, and it would unsurprising as to why. "Admiral, I will also need your absolute knowledge of Dagon. Not because I intend to know her better, but because she was the link between me and.. well, someone I distanced myself from to protect." Apparently he was not quite comfortable discussing the details of his love life in front of people he had not quite grown to trust. "Do these things for me. Promise me. And I will forsake everything I used to be, submit myself for citizenship and swear allegiance to your Empire. I won't be a privateer, with no offense to Selim but I've had enough of the roguish lifestyle. I'll serve until I either die or this House is no more. Whichever comes first, because it will be a literal bastion of everything I have left to fight for." In stark contrast to his arrival, he almost seemed vulnerable now and his tone felt made what he'd asked for appear to be a plea rather than demands.
Elizabeth was essentially getting what she wanted, he was at her mercy as the local authority. But perhaps the stakes were dramatically more personal than what was originally intended.
Essentially getting what she wanted, but not entirely. Elizabeth was standing there, wishing to advise Redmond against this, but criticizing a superior in front of an outsider was a well known path down the ranks. She was sure that this drunk of a Redmond would accept the offer, and if he did, she had to. The developed enemy espionage network on Exeter and the multiple attempts on her life had made her paranoid. To her, Keller was a very possible enemy spy, and she would certainly not have him in the Armed Forces themselves, at least if she was the one making decisions. She stood there, not aware of her sudden, frightened stare, caused by Keller's seemingly emotional outburst.
She decided that she would never approach as close to a suspicious guest as she did that day.
John stood a few paces from the others in the room, close to the drinks cart and within sniffing distance of the alcoholic beverage companions that to some people qualified as food. From a distance you might assume John was in deep contemplation over the words being uttered, but in truth John had been eying the selection and was debating making everyone drinks. However some fairly serious words were being uttered in his direction, and he was being compelled in part by the silence of Elizabeth to make reply.
John acted less off of deep thought and more on instincts forged by experience, and so he wasted no time replying to Keller. "The family will be sipping Vodka Martinis within a week. I will tell you all I know, share all I have of Dagon, hopefully over alcohol. But your final ask, to be in her Majesties Armed Forces I can not grant so lightly." John took a few steps, go get closer to the group. "Keller, I have nothing against you, and I feel you are sincere, but you will have to show patience. Join your old friend Selim, and the good governor will ensure you and your family is well cared for. And for your joining of the Crimean Privateers, I will release Armed Forces assets to you, the contents of which we can discuss again, hopefully over alcohol and the latest catalogue of guns guns guns Bretonia edition, where you can do some mail order shopping of the latest military hardware."
"Yes", Elizabeth gladly joined, "In Bretonia, one doesn't simply become a citizen and then join the military in the same week, based on a promise. There is a long and demanding legal process. But I believe we both strive to bring the world closer to a meritocracy", she intentionally appropriated values she thought were Keller's, "So here: have a chance to prove that you indeed can contribute. I could then make sure you pass the legal obligations in minimum time."
He seemed disappointed, but not so displeased that he was going to storm out of the room and yell. When Elizabeth made her comment about meritocracy, he looked at her with a dumbfounded expression, as if you silently question if she really was trying to pander to an assumed outlook on his ideology. "I understand that a promise is not sufficient as far as procedures are concerned. But life as a Privateer while my family lives in Bretonia? Do you expect me to voluntarily make myself a hostage again? You could just keep them across the border and then disavow the Privateers whenever convenient. And then what? Force me to do whatever's needed because you have all the leverage necessary? You're asking me to take an awful lot on faith while also disregarding my own word." It was likely that he'd been manipulated several times before, the most prominent trauma must have occurred thanks to Heinrich. His reaction rang out with paranoia and cynicism and for the briefest second it was unclear if he wanted to scream, cry or do both.
Instead he chose to steel himself, to make no blatant reaction but state what he saw as fact. The terms were clearly not perceived as attractive to him, and Elizabeth's assurance might as well have not been made. "I'm not a mercenary. And I've made ample representation of my true intentions. From each time I fought alongside your men on my own initiative and up to my order to intervene when Leeds was being scorched. But at the moment, it appears to make no difference, so perhaps thousands, or even a hundred thousand souls may as well have burned instead." He shook his head, visibly unhappy. And he contemplated just walking out of the building, flying away with no destination in mind and taking his chances on sweet nothings. Perhaps wasting his life away would prove better than constantly being funneled onto paths that he would rather not tread.
John looked at Keller, then looked at Elizabeth, and back to Keller again. "I fear we have trust issues with the young man. You fear leverage, you fear we will hold a gun to innocents to manipulate you. My dear Keller, this is not Dresden, and this certainly is not Omega 52. I have in my possession several thousands of Gallic prisoners of war, and do you know what they're doing? Sipping tea and playing chess on Bretonian rations, while Leeds still burns. We are a house of morals, a house of standards. It may seem strange considering what happened on Gran Canaria and Aland, but we still maintain ourselves as bastions of honour. But platitudes won't sate a man so damaged as yourself, what do you want as insurance from me, from Hall?" John spoke as if he were a different person to the joke making, inebriated seeming man he seemed mere moments ago.
As he pondered over Redmond's words, Keller would let his head hang low, leaning on a nearby table but not encumbering it with the entirety of his body weight. The last thing he wanted right now was to damage any of the Governor's furnishings and incur more potential prejudice. "How long do I have to wait until you decide that you can trust me?" It was the only thing he could think of, but at least if he was even given a loose time-frame, he could bring his current turmoil in line with a little help from the mind. His ship had seen a great deal of neglect lately and was in no position to be thrown into combat without an extensive servicing. Strangely enough, he felt the same way. Like a ragged machine under performing. What made it worse was that he knew why, but could nothing about it, at least for now. But it appeared as if Redmond's interjection had salvaged this negotiation and prevented Keller from walking out.
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