Hopkins sat way out in the corner of the table, his pilot's jacket stained, his legs hoisted on the table itself sporting a pair of iron plated boots, himself smoking a rather fat cigar, clearly paying more attention to trying to puff a perfect smoke circle than what was happening in the room. By sheer chance he looked across the table to see everyone watching him.
- "What?" - Hopkins exclaimed in surprise before realising. - "Oh... yeah. Stuart pissed off into hiding, Fraser might as well get his seat then."
The men at the table continued looking at him.
- "What?!"
Nobody even bothered to say anything, and just carried on from there.
Jack Fraser stood up, bowing to the lady down the table and fixing the navy blue tunic he wore so that it sat correctly.
"Numbers being what they are, with my own vote cast I have the majority... clearly." He bowed to their host and arbiter. "I think it is safe to call this election and get back to real business."
Marandan inclined her head, "It has been decided by the code, and now you are the Captain here, Jack."
Cap'n Jack smiled lightly as he looked at the men.
"Then it is simple, there's a lot of fat traders sailing with impunity out there in Kusari waters. Amongst them, Zoners... I say we go Whaling. I'll give a bonus to every man amongst you who scans these war profiteers and provides proof of Zoner hypocrisy."
He set his hands on his hips, "and there's an extra bonus in it as well of Thirty Million Credits to the man... or woman amongst ye, that can bring me the sword of a Kusari Naval Officer! Get to yer ships, get to the lanes, and by gods... make them pay!"
Nobby Preston woke in a puddle on the tavern floor. It smelled of beer. Strange memories were nudging his swirling mind.
He had a feeling ... vague recollections of a meeting earlier that evening. Lots of people speaking one after another ... Well, it surely wasn't too important, if nobody bothered about waking him up.
They might have forgotten about him, though. His table was out of the way in a far corner of the tavern and he didn't remember when did he exactly slide to the ground ... He'll have to ask someone what was that all about.