Pedro Maniaco was preparing the list of events that should be discussed. He was sitting in a quiet oval room, waiting for others to come.
Invitations were sent to:
- The Elders of the Brotherhood (Alexander, Farquar, Montoya, Maniaco, Costello and Yanez)
- The Leader of Omega Pirate Guild (Gentle)
- The Don of the Benitez Family (Carlos Benitez)
- The Commander of the SCRA, Honorary Elder (Ares)
He looked at the list again. The never-ending barfight! He hoped they all find a solution to finally put an end to that one. Then there were another disturbing news about OPG pilots mounting Outcast equipment. And yes, there was the Mercenary issue. Some of those he met in Gamma insisted, they were hired by the Benitez family, which was odd. Those guys couldn't be trusted any more.
Sound of silent steps interrupted his thoughts, he looked to the door and saw Elders Montoya and Costello coming to the room.
His uniform was immaculate as usual, even if the additional bandana around his neck and the medals on his chest made it look odd.
He shuffled through some papers in a file in front of him, carefully thumbing through its contents with his good hand, his mechanical one holding the 'Action Report Zeta' in front of him.
"Hola, amigos. Business as usual then?"
Despite trying to sound lighthearted, his facial expression betrayed a most serious anger.
Carlos Benitez seated himself opposite Ares, in the cold and barren Benitez wing of the Council Chamber.
The room his ancestors had used to discuss the future of their race, ambitions, plans and strategies for continued survival continued to give a feeling of splendour, but today Carlos was impatient. He could foresee today's meeting reducing itself to a brawl between the OPG and SCRA representative, and prayed that the ancient meeting place would not be defiled by their petty squabbles.
In the dark and rarely noticed corner of the chamber, Don Carlos made himself comfortable, intent on remaining neutral in their bickering, and withholding involvement.
A stocky man walked in and closed the door behind him, he suvayed the room around him, such an amazing place, all around the room there where pictures of Elders that had ruled before us.
Costello had heard about the things that where going on in the bar on Crete, he didn't venture into that place very often, he liked the piece and quiet of his office in his villa and the company of his family to much.
Walking over to his seat he nodded to Pedro, probably one of the wisest men he had ever met and a fierce fighter aswell.
Costello sat down and looked at Ares for a second, a great fighter he thought but by god he had the Ego to match..
His attention turned to Carlos of the Benitez family, there numbers had dwindled somewhat but he was glad to see Carlos back.
Costello settled in his seat.
"Lets hope the others get here soon, i have other things to attend to."
"Gentlemen. While we wait for everyone to arrive, I took the liberty of having refreshments prepared. The finest in Corsair delicacies that Crete has to offer. Please, help yourselves."
~A lady pushes a trolley into the room, laden with plates piled high with strange and exotic delicacies. Every person makes a noise of pleasure and approval, and partakes eagerly of the food. All except Ares; he picks up one morsel and sniffs at it suspiciously~
"My dear Ares! The food is not to your liking?" ~Farquar chuckles~
"It just seems a bit extravagant with all the starving children around is all..." says Ares, a sad look in his eyes. He doesn't like eating like this when the rest of the planet goes hungry. He would join in only if everybody had a similar chance...
~Farquar puts down his plate, having suddenly lost his appetite~
"This food was a gift from a generous trader, who's name I cannot recall. But our Coalition brother is quite correct." ~Addresses the serving lady~ "Se?ora... please takes this food to the local poorhouse, and see it is distributed to the needy."
Ares is quietly impressed with Farquar's change of heart, he obviously meant well. He nods to him silently, and leans back, reading his notes, awaiting the arrival of the others.
Watching through the window of the door into the council chamber wasnt usually the way he would observe his brothers. Always going to be the outsider in a council of people who had grown up together and been forged into a single unit by their experiences. In contrast the Omega Pirates had lived a fringe existence away from the main corsair base on crete. A hard existence living among the rocks in space had opened their eyes to many things this council stood against. Gentle considered carefully before deciding if he would attend this meeting..........
"Yes I owe i to them to give them my thoughts even if they are not to their liking."
Pushing the door wide Gentle stepped forward into the room and noticed the food being taken away.
"Where would you have me sit hermanos.... on your floor at the feet of Ares? or am I to be allowed a chair before you pass judgment on me?"
The faces in the room sternly addressed Gentle. Walking forward he pulled up a chair and moved it next to Ares.