NationStates Jolt Archive

The murmuring of two people is something easily ignored, but the murmuring of ten is hard to avoid hearing. When that number reaches five thousand, "murmuring" ceases to explain the cacophony of pure noise.

Thankfully, the architects of the Grand Hall of the Conclave, desiring to reduce the frequent diagnoses of hearing loss among politicians, had designed it with sound-dampeners.

It was an early day, one full of importance, as a special session of the Conclave of the Five Thousand, the popular organ of the the Allech-Atreus government, had been called to hear the testimony of a special individual, testimony on the growing crisis in the Sujara system. Arsaþ Mannon Fouray glanced about the huge room at the multitude of other adherents from around the galaxy, at the myriad colors and costumes they wore, and drummed his fingers on the table in front of him. He wasn't even sure what this was all about- the Order For Summons calling members to session were typically detailed, but today's had been sparse and secretive.

A sound, smooth and careful, emanated from the Throne of the Chamberlain in in the center of the gigantic amphitheatre, hushing the thousands of representatives from all corners of the theocratic space state.

"The Throne calls order to this Conclave, for the special session of the 638th iteration of this body." a soft voice boomed out from the central throne. The current Chamberlain was Master Joren Osseiy, from Thier in the Gandar System, a thin and soft-spoken politician with a disarming appearance of weakness. Fouray had never met the Master personally, but his uncle Babille, who was High Magistrate of the Council of Irony, carefully instructed him on the leading politicians the day he became a member of the Conclave. The only piece of advice he got regarding Osseiy was to avoid his company and friendship.

"Appearing at the command of the Conclave, for testimony as required by Canon Law, in regards to the situations developing in the system of Sujara..." the litany of official language continued on for a certain time, indicating the date and consent of both the Supreme Council and the Symposium of the Canon Law (the executive powers and the 'supreme court', respectively), as well as the official number of members in attendance that day. Fouray sighed and began to drift, until the soothing note of the call to order came out again.

"The Throne calls forth for testimony Sagast Ghothata, High King of the Sujara under grant from the Order."

There was a collective murmur, silenced once more. Ghothata! This was unusual. Sagast Ghothata was a former Master, considered for the Supreme Council, who renounced his title and married the only daughter of a Sujaran noble, promptly getting himself elected High King of the system.

Fouray furrowed his brow. The Sujaran claimed to be the indigenous inhabitants of their system, but were in growing conflict with several Beldani Fleet Lords over who should control the system- the Beldani (non-humans from outside the Order) claimed the system and it's planets were originally Beldani, while the Sujaran claimed it rightfully. The situation was murky, because technically the system is administered by the High King under "grant" from the All-Order... and these particular Fleet Lords were not members of the faith. Fouray knew Ghothata's presence here was the turning point- the Council and Symposium feared conflict if they wanted to hear his testimony.

OOC: This is semi-open, please TG me for entry. The actual questioning will be parsed, and the High King will launch directly into a speech. Involvement from other nations, I'm hoping, is ambassadorial comment on the proceedings with some possible military development later.

Details in the TG. I'm very open to ideas.

OOC: Sent you a TG

Fouray sat back, contemplating the sight of the former Master and current sovereign walking, with great presence, to the raised box in the center before the Throne. Ghatatha's family wasn't Sujaran, and in fact had increased their fortunes fivefold by marrying the rich noble Kivessein scion and securing the throne. Fouray himself was old-line Kolthurnian, with genealogies leading back thousands of years to the time of the Empire... but he certainly understood what would drive someone to seek fortune.

The young Arsaþ broke his reverie, though, as the Interrogators of the Conclave entered the chamber to take their place- all nine members of the Supreme Council of the Masters. Master Staiybhaat (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/kuroutesshin/MasterStaiybhaat.jpg) and Fillarot (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/kuroutesshin/MasterFillarot.jpg)- the "humanists," a code word for anti-alien xenophobes- and next to them u'Om A'hu (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/kuroutesshin/MasteruOmAhu.jpg) and Iid Kaa (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/kuroutesshin/MasterIidKaa.jpg) (the only female on the Council). The Zurrian 'k'Hall (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/kuroutesshin/ambasador_finish.jpg) and the Beldani Master Chaa (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/kuroutesshin/MasterChaa.jpg). The infamous Øbad-om (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/kuroutesshin/MasterObad-om.jpg) sat petulantly gazing around, and Master Uddanaor (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/kuroutesshin/MasterUddanaor.jpg), the only Tangol, say next to the head of the Council, Master U'umä (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/kuroutesshin/CabalPatriarch.jpg).

The cacophonous murmuring started up again, until the soothing boom of the Chamberlain's silencer reduced it. The procession of legal oaths and statements proceeded with the High King, and he stood to give his testimony.

Sagast Ghothata was a tall, inspiring figure, with piercing eyes. He was known, when a member of government, as a powerful speaker able to convince hundreds, something that had gained him support for membership on the Council that would be questioning him.

"My friends and colleagues, I am happy to return to the light of Åm and give testimony to my comrades in the Faith. I have come to tell you of themost grievous threat facing the people of Sujara- who have lived and died on those worlds for a thousand years. The peaceful life that I have supported during my reign as their elected High King, by grant from this Conclave, is threatened by an enemy from beyond our Order, a group of non-believers who seek to seize our land and force my people out from their ancestral homes."

The High King's voice was sonorous and passionate, and Fouray saw how many had fallen under his spell when he sought political power. The sovereign gestured, clenching his fist to emphasize the danger.

"Yes! A cabal of Beldani Fleet Lords, warlords of the highest order, are seeking now to seize the planets of the Sujara system and force out the rightful inhabitants, my human brothers! Claiming that they, and not our people, first inhabited the land, they desire to remove us by force. Only the strength of our convictions keep their attacks from coming tomorrow."

"I come before you, pleading for the support of this Conclave, to support your fellow Faithful against this unbelieving horde of usurpers! Protect the fellow humans, seeking to live their lives as their ancestors did!"

He sat, to moderate applause from the more radical sections of the Conclave. The political scene was divided, in this day, between radical anti-alien groups (racists, really) and the progressive humans and non-human members of the Order. Master Staiybhaat and his ilk were notoriously contemptuous of the aliens who sat on the council, while people like Master Chaa and 'k'Hall led the opposition.

It was Chaa, Beldani himself, who rose to question the High King. Tall and thin, like most of his people, he had a high lilt to his voice, slightly musical, and had a reputation as a kind and happy person.

"High King. What truth do the claims of the Fleet Lords, that the Beldani first inhabited the system, have?"

"None. They are fiction." the High King said simply. He was clearly lying.

"None, do they? Of the whole, what is the percentage of non-human inhabitants in your system?"

The High King flinched. "...sixty-five percent are non-human."

"And how much of that percentage comprise native Beldani?

Another flinch. "Sixty percent are native Beldani."

" I see."

He say, and it was the short, bearded Staiybhaat who rose. He was nicknamed "the Bull," for his low, gruff voice and his tendency to erupt in anger.

"High King, perhaps you can shed more light on these numbers. What was the percentage of Beldani inhabitants... say, 25 years ago?"

The man smiled as he answered. "Less than half that, Master Staiybhaat."

The Councillor feigned surprise. "Really? So you're saying they're all immigrants into human territory?"

"Exactly, Master Staiybhaat. We are being invaded."

The Master sat, and next it was Uddanaor's turn. He was Tangol, an alien that maintained an independent Empire, and while a majority of their people were adherents of Aatem Nal they retained much independence- as they had in the days of the old Empire. Uddanaor, a supporter of U'umä's policies, was as tall as Master Chaa and twice as thick, giving him a huge commanding presence.

"You say there is no evidence of Beldani inhabitance prior to the arrival of the... let's see... Yorso Colonists 1000 years ago?"

"Yes. They are fictions, created by the Fleet Lords."

"Are they now. Would you be surprised to learn that the records of the Grand Library of Åm, as well as the fragments we have from the Imperial Hall of Records, indicate that there were Beldani settlements on Sujaran planets well before the collapse of the Old Empire? Would you be surprised to learn that the Censorium of the Taganar on Tang Um indicate Tangols began trading with the Beldani nearly four thousand years ago?"

More murmuring. Hearing Master Uddanaor was always enjoyable for Fouray, because he gave no quarter and was characteristically fierce in his questioning. This would be interesting.

The High King furrowed his brow, angering.

"I am sure you know, as a Master of the Council, the fragmented sate of the records of the Old Empire, and as a scholar I would be hesistant to trust the veracity of any of the information given to us by the Empire of Tangallamarnay. We cannot trust the fracturous, obsolete methods of record practiced in that time- much of it is still untranslated."

The Tangol Master nodded, his brow furrowed in mock understanding.

"Is it now. Are you familiar with this report I have in my hand? Of course you are. For the benefit of the Conclave, this is the Summary of Findings, published on the discovery of Beldani ruins in Sujaran Space... authored by Master Babille Krefs, ancient and respected scholar. Master Krefs, it seems, discovered Beldani ruins dating back thousands of years... merely 200 years ago!"

The High King was silent, and Uddanaor raised his head in lofty victory.

"You need not answer. Silence speaks volumes."