ARCHON
The following scene excerpt is from chapter four, featuring Prime Minister Omenia Alonna and Minister Gedrin Vohn.
Omenia wasn’t sure she could tolerate the sound of Gedrin’s voice any longer. She’d already had a extremely taxing afternoon and still had a comm-call with Chancellor Mavin to look forward to. She’d invited the young Future to her office hoping to find reason with the man. It pained her to even acknowledge his immature antics, but there was a volatile stew brewing in the Council’s cauldron. She didn’t need an idiot stirring the pot.

The setting sun pressed hard against the window of her office. The smart-glass robbed its heat and reduced the light to a charitable glow that didn’t offend the eyes. The rosy hue saturated the Prime Office making the decor appear even warmer than it was. Unfortunately, it did little to ease the numbing sound of the voice droning on in front of her desk.

Omenia glanced at her chrono, rolled her eyes. It was obvious they weren’t going to reach an amicable resolution. There was no reason to continue the charade. She raised her hand, stopping him mid-sentence.

“Gedrin, forgive me, but my time is short. Simply put… I do not understand your apparent desire to make me look like a fool in Councils. I find your criticism misplaced and unprovoked, but…you are well within your right, and there are no formal measures I can take to stop you.

“You desire to establish yourself as a strong force within the Councils. Now that…I do understand — might even applaud if you had chosen a less abrasive method to achieve your goal. But that is the path you have chosen, so here were are, at odds.”

Gedrin straightened in his chair. “Yes. It is unfortunate, Sister.” Her candor seemed to have caught him off guard. “But I’m afraid my conscience will not allow me to support your failing pol—”

“Yes, yes, Gedrin — you once thought of me as a lion, but now think I have lost my passion for the realm—I understand that. You already made your point. Now, please…allow me to make mine.” She smiled. “You see, challenging the ruling Prime is by no means a new tactic among ambitious Futures such as yourself. They create as much friction as they can, knowing their opponent will soon retire and they will not have to face retaliation, at least not for long. Crude, and bit childish, but,” she shrugged, “it often works. In fact, it probably would have worked for you; however, your situation is now quite different.

“Tensions with the Sol-born have escalated. So much so, that I will undoubtedly be named Archon, and…quite possibly be forced to use that power. In which case, I will find myself bound to Councils, unable to retire until they see fit to grant me leave.” Omenia’s smile widened as the fire dimmed in his eyes. She shook her finger across the desk. “ Now you see your problem.”

Gedrin licked his lips, rubbing his hands together as he leaned forward. “Perhaps you misunderstand my intentions, Sis—”

“On the contrary,” said Omenia as if humoring the ridiculous. “You were kind enough to make yourself perfectly clear. So I will respond in kind. That way, there will be no misunderstanding between us.” She straightened her face and sat forward, hands clasped on the desk. “I dare you to continue your open defiance and obstruction of my rule. Because if you do, I promise you, Brother—and truly—for the remainder of my Prime, and years that follow if bound as Archon, my single source of entertainment will be castrating you in the eyes of this council. And so proficient will I be at this pleasure that by the time you reach your Prime, your influence within the Houses will be virtually non-existent, your reign…nothing short of inconsequential.” She punctuated the pledge with a stabbing gaze then leaned back in her chair. “Now… Do we have an understanding?”
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