Chapter 53 - Important People[]
The Triad - Royal Palace
Tharkad System
Lyran Commonwealth
January 22nd, 3098
Andrew mounted the podium and then he counted.
"Well... better." he said. "Not ideal, but I think we can work with this. Some of you are probably wondering why I called you here."
He smiled humorlessly, "Believe me, there's a reason."
Aides came down from the gallery and began handing single-use Padds out from heavy shoulder bags.
"We'll wait." he added. "Until the briefing materials are distributed."
There began a rumble as Delegates looked at the document readers.
When the aides reached the end of their bags, they left the chamber.
Andrew studied the crowd, looking for it... looking for it... there and there... and there.
A delegate from Donegal tried to rise. A returning page stopped him, holding up a Sternsnacht heavy pistol.
"I didn't dismiss anyone." Andrew said. "I see you, Carthy. Sit down."
He tented his fingers and began, "Okay, it looks like everyone's at least taken a look at the first couple of pages. I think we're ready to begin! The first page in the briefing document I have supplied well the first thousand pages, isn't digital media neat? Is a listing of certain members of this body, and their political, economic, and social ties to groups outside the Lyran Commonwealth. This includes quite a lot of the blackmail material you hold on one another. Isn't transparency fun?"
A lot more were looking at him, and showing signs of the onset of panic.
"Yeah, it is. Now that we all know each others dirt. We all know that I know all of your dirt? We're going to discuss the national budget. Then we're going to discuss the national interest. Once done, we're going to discuss a host of related issues. Beginning with the events of last month." He untented his fingers, and gripped the podium with his left hand.
"I can see wanting to kill me. Did you really think it was a good idea to try to kill, Hansi? Did those of you involved in the plot? I know who you are now. Did you really think even Victor would approve of murdering his mentally disabled nephew? I mean, excuse my language but, that is ****** cold... and wrong."
"This session will discuss whether or not the Lyran Commonwealth is in shape to continue." Andrew stated. "In particular, whether this nation will remain a nation or I get to order my loyalists to kill every one of you. We are actually going to debate this." He glared and continued, "Like Civilized people instead of Beasts!! Once that debate is over, we will discuss as Civilized people. How to move this nation forward as a nation."