Alkor Centaris
Son of Liberty
E X A R C H
The room came to life, as predicted.
Fear, anger, confusion. An uproar of dissension, and a call for reconsideration. The disbelief that they could be called into question. How dare they be held accountable?
They did not know him. They could not believe the decision to name a non-player in their game as Exarch. It stung them to know that the rules had changed. Everything Metus had intended and more fell into place like pieces in a puzzle closing in on completion.
Alkor did not care what they wanted. Summarily, they had not earned the right to make demands of this body. For years, the Southern Systems stood and some of these people had held office from the very beginning. They had been given a chance to lead by example and failed. So, to all of their voices, the newly ordained Exarch held up a single finger. Slowly it came to his lips.
Alkor waited. As Luna Terrik finished speaking, his eyes moved over the crowd. He waited for dead quiet to fall over the chambers. Once it had been achieved, he lowered his hand.
"Members of this body," Alkor greeted. "Esteemed representatives, bureaucrats, whatever you claim to be, or feel that you are, listen well."
He stepped past Isley, and took a seat with his legs hanging off the edge of the platform. He leaned forward, closing the distance between himself and those listening. Alkor did not raise his voice. To hear him, they would have to listen.
"The Office of the Vicelord has heard the cries of your people, and we have seen their suffering. Ever has it been the duty of these Viceroys to make decisions and preside over the making of laws and overseeing the day to day life of our worlds."
His lips curled into a soft smile.
"But the question has risen. Have you heard them?" Alkor rested his hand on his lap and considered the Viceroy of Eriadu. "We have called to order the Alpha Protocols of the Knights Obsidian, a clause that has existed since the Charter was penned. Nothing set forth in the Vicelord's address is outside of their inherent powers. He has simply invoked the pre-existing nature of the Knights, and is asking for you to cooperate with them.
But, knowing what the Knights are, and what they do, you resist the formation of a proper body and standard of operation under the natural laws of the Confederacy. This does not encourage good faith, friends. You ask us to have faith in you, but it is clear that you have no faith in us."
Alkor's gaze flicked to the representative of Mechis III. "We will not give oversight of this inquiry into internal corruption to the Viceroyalty, that has time and again proven its inability to lead or act in a proactive fashion. We will see that the threats to this Confederacy, both internal and external, are met with appropriate measures. And as we do so, we will decide who has the best interests of the people in mind, and who has neglected to set aside personal gain. I call on you, Viceroys, to make that decision. Do you act for your constituents, or do you seek to profit off of the woes of this nation? If you wish to step down peacefully, I respect your decision and will gladly accept your resignation immediately. I will gladly explain, personally, to the people of your worlds why they are electing new representation."
He folded his hands in his lap.
"If you have not heard my name before today, or come under my scrutiny, there is a strong chance that these protocols will not change anything in your everyday life. For those of you with reservations or worries, I challenge you with this: if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. But most of all-"
Alkor's cerulean gaze hardened.
"Make no mistake. Freedom is a privilege. The function of this body is to be unified, to act in accordance with the best interests of all people in this great nation, and to protect our citizens from harm. We absolutely can not lead while we are leaving things to chance and only responding to threats after they strike us. If you want my trust, if you want the trust of the Vicelord, or of any Exarch, do not simply ask for it.
We are finished with expecting things of you only to be met with dissatisfaction. Now, we are demanding.
Lead with us, follow behind us, or get out of our way. There are people who need us now, more than ever.
I do not intend to fail them, nor will I allow you to continue."
Alkor's smile had faded, and as he finished speaking, his eyes had moved icily from one side of the room to the other.
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