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Within the Cabinet - Morbius - 10-29-2011 03:23 AM
The Emperor's private study within the secrecy of the Cabinet was known as the place where the real decisions were made. Located just off the Throne Room, the Cabinet was that private area the Emperor used to meet his advisors, work in privacy, or have a light meal on his own without the need of others around.
"Altaia...a land of resources, opportunities."
"Indeed, excellency. And the Emperor likewise agrees that we should amuse the Wolgos and the Hellish in this venture. Perhaps some worthy investments will come of it."
"With Gannoric in Vittmark right now observing the coronation of Anna av Kulla, seeing how things develop there, we'll have to turn elsewhere for someone to front the Empire's interests in this matter."
At this the Emperor turned to look at the assembled men. "And you have someone in mind?"
"I do, Master. I would recommend, at your sufferenace, my erstwhile colleague Lord Lupentramme."
Those hard, hazel eyes studied the woman for a long moment. The others of the Twelve waited quietly, not daring to say a word. Judge Lupentramme arched a blonde eyebrow.
"You would believe my Minister of the Interior suited to handle such a thing?"
Again the man bowed. "Yes, Majesty."
At this, Judge Consular Andronikos Dezsetes folded his arms across his chest. The taciturn Minister of War usually kept his words for those things that he had a genuine interest in, or knowledge of. But his well-chosen words were always listened to, as the soft-spoken officer put his thoughts behind his opinions and never spoke unnecessarily. "Failing to act on this will risk us being seen in an unfavorable light later. The Empire would be thought weak, hesitant, even afraid."
The Emperor nodded without saying a word. The Twelve awaited his next thoughts, knowing that simple nod could be far more complex than it readily appeared.
"It is well, then." That imperial gaze swept to the Minister of the Interior. "My Lord Lupentramme."
The Judge bowed his head deeply. "My Emperor."
"You will await a reply to the brief message of interest originally transmitted to the other nations. See what their reply is. We will act from there on your counsel."
Garoche Lord Lupentramme bowed his head to the Emperor once more. "As my Emperor commands."
"You may yet be my voice or my sword in this matter, Garoche. Remain vigilent. Go with Avo's blessings."
The Twelve bowed as one to the Emperor, and turned to depart. All left but Judge Consular Sarchen Kyell Humaise, the Minister of Law.
"Have the Bureau of Statistics monitor this situation, Gaius. Offer Garoche any and all support. My mind is set but my heart unsettled. Time will ease the questions, but I take one step at a time."
The Judge smiled. "I am here as you need me, Cephorus. Whatever you ask will be done."
The Emperor smiled, setting his hand on his childhood friend's shoulder. "I thank you, Sarchen. Now...let us see about dinner, yes?"
RE: Within the Cabinet - Morbius - 05-08-2012 03:15 AM
Emperor Cephorus IV laid down the document once he'd finished reading it. Rather than say anything, he picked up his wine glass and walked to the windows.
Each of the Council had read the letter by then. Now it remained to be seen what the opinions of the Judges were on the matter. What they thought would influence a very important matter in future Imperial decisions made towards said matter.
Lodisian involvement in Vittmark.
Lord Humaise spoke first. "Assuming no alterations were made, this missive reveals some interesting things."
Lupentramme let out a short laugh. He pointed at the copy, where the Emperor had laid it on his desk. "The Document Analysis Section has already looked that over. You know what their conclusion was."
Lord Belesarious snorted and shook his head. "You expected otherwise?"
Lupentramme shook his head. "We're being played. And you know it. The question is to what end."
This brought a rumble from Dezsetes. "Vittmark benefitting from the competition, of course."
Lupentramme nodded. "And even in his promotion of his ideology, Reisenburg sounds terribly stockist. He's offering them 'support' in exchange for an 'inevitable drop in Häverist extremism. He's supporting those loons, he may as well be admitting it, and if he gets what he wants, they'll 'behave'. Pfft."
Waleran nodded. "And now we're seeing subtle hints of Reisenburg's involvement in Vittmark. Spies in the royal court. Likely among the retainers and minor staff. And the commentary about southern extremists..."
Belesarious stood up. "None of which will likely abate lest Reisenburg gets precisely what he wants."
Lupentramme folded his arms with a thoughtful look on his face. "Perhaps we could make a few maneuvers that'll test reactions..."
The Emperor nodded, sipping his wine. "Summon my brother Emthoro to Cedelphia. We need to talk face to face ."
RE: Within the Cabinet - Morbius - 05-11-2012 11:22 PM
Aside from hair and eye color, Emthoro Oreyn and Cephorus Malavai Alexandros had a lot in common. Both were tall, wiry-built men who carried themselves in a manner befitting a military officer. One was clad in the uniform of the Imperial Legion, the other in an impeccable double-breasted slate gray suit with a deep purple silk tie.
Also present were Lord Lupentramme, Lord Dezsetes and Lord Marshal Vinzer Brocktree, the Supreme Commander of the Legion.
"So now you know the full story, Emthoro. As the supreme Lodisian commander of the peacekeepers we maintain there, you'd best have all the details."
Emthoro nodded. He looked over to Brocktree.
"Lord Marshal?"
Vinzer Brocktree was tall, raven-haired, and respected by the troops he had been put in command of at Cephorus' ascension. Even if Emthoro technically outranked him in the social structure of the Empire - Emthoro was a Prince Imperial and Brocktree a Count - from a military standpoint he was his boss. Aside that, Brocktree had the Lodisian Bloodstripe on his trousers and was a veteran Hoomhoffer and sniper. He crossed his arms over his chest and nodded.
"The Vittmarkers expect us to be their primary safeguard. Perhaps we will be, but we're going to contract a little bit. The Triple C will be pulling its full strength to concentrate where it's stationed now. On your way back to Vittmark, your airship will stop long enough to pick up a transport. The Seventh Hoomhoffers will be accompanying you back. It is possible the Fifth Groundnaut Mechanical will follow within another week."
Prince Emthoro nodded, looking back at his brother. "Are we expecting anything specific?"
At this, Lupentramme shook his head. "No. Just hold your troops on their current assignments. Let the Hooms patrol more openly."
Emthoro blinked. "But what did Lord Durla's visit do?"
Lupentramme smiled. "All Talon wanted to do was go there and get a litmus of the Queen's mettle. She may hate him for it, but she doesn't have to know he was acting. I doubt he cares, anyway."
Dezsetes nodded. "Just carry on, but put the Hoomhoffers out on open patrol for a while. Let the Triple C stay near Fort Taromoth."
The Emperor put his wine glass down with a chuckle. "I've had Count Heterodyne and his three associates go to the embassy and not do anything yet. Let's first get you back. Keep an eye on things..."
RE: Within the Cabinet - Morbius - 05-22-2012 01:21 AM
"This could have turned out better."
Commodore Jerec Halaster Lord Alexandros, Prince Imperial of Leesoft, threw the report down on the Emperor's desk and picked up his wine glass. His elder brother the Emperor nodded to him as his icy gaze swept his Judges.
"You were correct, at least, Talon. She wouldn't react well to such prodding. Emthoro played the part of the bully quite well."
Lord President Talon Durla shrugged. "I miscalculated how far she would go, I admit. But the end result is the same. Anna is going to know Lodis will not shield her, or be there forever. She doesn't expect either thing, but to maintain a timetable, we have to make things ugly to an extent before they get better."
Lupentramme rested his left boot across his right knee. "We'll eventually be done there."
Dezsetes nodded. "And not a day too soon."
The Emperor returned to his seat. "Jerec raises a valid point. It could have gone better. But we will learn and move on, yes?"
The Emperor smiled. The Twelve smiled with him.
RE: Within the Cabinet - Morbius - 06-28-2012 05:14 AM
"And as you can see, You Majesty, the plan is prepared according to your exacting specifications. The operation will take approximately four hours to complete upon arrival. All that is required now is your approval."
Emperor Cephorus IV studied the papers laid out on the planning table in his study. He would occasionally turn to share quiet words with Lords Lupentramme and Dezsetes. Standing on the opposite side of the table were Admiral Jeratai and General Brocktree, who were flanking the officer who had put the plan together.
A short man with raven hair streaked with silver, Commodore Uros Havyili was ominously quiet and contemplative. His deep brown eyes seemed to follow everything, but his calm expression and thoughtful manner would put people off to him being much to think about. He had been a first rate spook during the Pan-Anarian War, infiltrating Stoldavian territory to sabotage military equipment and gather intelligence.
The Emperor settled his icy blue gaze upon Havyili, and the darker, shorter man withdrew into himself ever so slightly, though his posture never slackened. He looked back at his lord with those his dark eyes, Karsk and Cheltai.
"Tell me your confidence, commodore."
The officer straightened his shoulders a touch more. "I am certain this operation will work, Majesty. Timeliness and efficiency are key, and both are present in the units involved."
Without another word, as if dismissing Havyili's presence, the Emperor turned his gaze towards Jeratai.
"Who have you selected to oversee the squadron?"
A man closer to Jeratai's height stepped up from behind at a gesture from the lord admiral, trim in his Armada black, his tunic and trousers bearing the gold stripes of a flag officer. His hair was solid white, and he had faint lines on his face. Cephorus raised a single blonde brow.
"Ah, yes. Commodore Toka."
Devlin Toka had been in the Imperial Armada for nearly 20 years and had served in both combat and support roles during that time. He was currently Chief of Armada Logistics Command, responsible for maintaining supply routes and supplies in general for Armada stations and major yards. He was known as a stickler for detail, a fact that was credit to his ability to ignore the rumor that floated around the Armada that Lord Dezsetes thought him a 'nitpicking ninny' and that Armada Command liked to call him "Commodore Card-Index" behind his back.
Such talk was mute in the Emperor's presence, however.
Toka bowed to the Emperor, who nodded. He turned back to Dezsetes.
"Andronikos, issue the necessary directives and see to it the commodore is prepared. He moves south as planned, yes?"
The Minister of War bowed at he waist. "Majesty."
~to be continued~
RE: Within the Cabinet - Morbius - 06-29-2012 12:34 AM
~continuation~
"Cephorus, you know what it means if we go through with this, yes?"
From his desk, Cephorus Alexandros looked up at his Minister of the Interior, who stood before his desk, arms folded across his chest. The comment brought the Judge an imperial frown.
"Yes, Garoche, I do. Why? What's on your mind?"
The aristocrat settled down into one of the chairs before the Emperor's desk.
"The uncertainties of the outcome. What they might do if they find out. And the possibility that we'll need the services of Adjustments before this is all over."
Cephorus shrugged. Took a sip of his wine.
"Right now I am not interested in what they think. Quite frankly, they and their opinions can take a flying leap of Orensus Mons. Right now, to be honest, to hell with the lot of them."
The Judge fell silent, pursing his lips slightly. He reached for his wine glass.
"Garoche...I have an idea..."
Lupentramme looked back up at his Emperor. "Yes?"
"Find Lord Hithire for me. Summon the Senate. Let's rattle the hornet's nest a little."
Lupentramme stood, draining his wine glass. "As you wish. We've the Yggingi issue to vote on in the morning, as it is. The way Endrami has been calling wanting my thoughts on the issue, at any rate. Dawn?"
"Mm. Yes. And don't worry about the Yggingi Proposal for now. I'll have Senator Endrami put off for the time being. And tell Vice Chair Kalkor that his assistence will be needed. I am expecting Senator Poraganu for lunch tomorrow, so I expect it'll be no trouble having Endrami delayed."
Lupentramme bowed at the waist, turning, and left.
~to be continued~
RE: Within the Cabinet - Morbius - 09-25-2012 04:11 AM
"This is an interesting proposal, indeed..."
Lord Belesarious nodded quietly as he stood at the Emperor's side, the taller man reading the fine writing on the rolled vellum the Minister of State had delivered to him, having himself received it from the Bureau of Correspondence earlier in the day after its delivery from the Ithrieni Embassy. The words on it spoke warmly of proposals for new Lodis-Ithrien relations, as well as propositions for certain exchanges and opportunities to increase trade and profit between the two nations.
Finally, the Emperor rolled the vellum up and tossed it onto his desk with a faint slap. Turning, he found Belesarious gazing away to avoid the Imperial gaze and Lupentramme with an arched brow. Across the room, Dezsetes was seated and reading a book from the shelves and sharing a bottle of wine with Humilio and Durla.
Cephorus picked up his own wine glass and sipped from it thoughtfully. "These Ithrieni can certainly weave a tapestry of pretty prose and flowery phrases, hm? And here I thought you and Durla over there were my two best word-weavers, Gannoric."
The Minister of State smiled, turning to face the group. "I'm not going to lie to you when I say there's a good bit of tempting opportunity in that list of proposals. Though some of it still makes me squirm, somewhat..."
The Emperor raised both eyebrows at this. "Oh?"
Belesarious nodded, but was interrupted by Lupentramme. "He's itchy about the prospect of droves of Ithrieni students coming here to study. In a way, so am I. Gods blood can you imagine?"
From his chair, Durla snorted and reached to refill his wine glass. "Yes and no. But this is a proposal that looks like free trade but really isn't. They're skewing the board to tempt us into a formal arrangement that they can use to expand their own business mindset back home."
This brought a faint laugh from Lord Humilio, who had stood and was standing by the Emperor now. His eyes were flinty, but the smile on his lips spoke against ominous thoughts.
"Perhaps, Cephorus, we could test the waters a touch, hm?"
Everyone looked at the Lord Privy Seal. He continued. "Let's send someone down there and see what all they're up to. Gauge the people, the nation. Let them see a little interest from Lodis and likewise show some interest back. Make it a friendly but diplomatic visit."
The Emperor nodded, sipping his wine. "Not a bad idea. Any suggestions who?"
At this, Lord Dezsetes rumbled softly. "I'd suggest either Talon or Gannoric."
Lupentramme nodded. The Emperor smiled.
"Then let us be about this. Talon, prepare for a trip to Ithrien. Let's say hello to our far southern neighbors in a way we've not quite gotten around to in some time, yes?"
RE: Within the Cabinet - Morbius - 01-06-2013 04:37 AM
The Cabinet chamber was quiet, the soft breeze outside the windows the only sound that dared punctuate the silence. The room was far from empty, however, as the Emperor sat at his desk and in front of him were five Lords Paramount - Durla, Belesarious, Lupentramme, Alde and Affaladi.
In the Emperor's hand were a few sheets of flimsy, his ice-blue eyes hard and lacking of anything resembling emotion. After a long silence, he put the papers down and looked up at his gathered councillors.
"Where is he now?"
Affaladi nodded his head. "Third General in Bellucente."
"And who is responsible?"
Affaladi cut his eyes briefly to Lupentramme, who said nothing. Gazing back to his liege sitting there, he shrugged.
"We are not certain, Majesty. We have arrested two men who were loitering in the area that did not have their identity cards and were lacking any documents that supported their claims that they were Ithrieni contract traders."
This brought a chuckle from Lord Alde. "Ithrieni contract traders, my ass. We'll be finding out very soon precisely who they are. Jalen already has my affadavit releasing him from any legal obligation regarding the welfare of the prisoners. I'm sure the capable agents at Statistics can learn a few useful things."
Lord Lupentramme crossed his arms. His pale eyes were dark with preoccupied thoughts. "Still...this means we've a vacancy on the Council now. A critical one that will have to be filled..."
The Emperor nodded with a grim acceptance. "Indeed so. I've a short list prepared, and I know what you all think of those names. I'll be considering this for the next few days and making a decision by the end of the week."
RE: Within the Cabinet - Morbius - 01-06-2013 05:05 PM
The Lords had left the Cabinet, walking back to the north wing. As always, Lord Humilio was the sole Lord that remained with the Emperor. Walking along, other bureaucrats and minor officials who traversed the corridors would see them coming and make haste without being obvious of it to be out of their path. The Lords wouldn't acknowledge any of them. Their business involved things above their pay grades, many of them gladly would accept such as they would rather not have the burdens the Lords Paramount carried.
It would be Lupentramme who broke the silence as they reached the executive lift. "Any of you have a preference among those on the short list?"
Alde rumbled thoughtfully. "General Organa."
This brought a chuckle from Lupentramme. "That's what I was thinking."
Belesarious looked over at the taller Lupentramme with a quizzical look. "I'd have thought that myself. It was between him and General Beltane."
Alde nodded, calling for the lift. "Beltane is a good officer, from what I've seen and heard of him. Whatever happens, I think those who are on the list but not chosen will still have that mark for the Emperor's future consideration."
Lupentramme looked over at Durla. "What about you, Talon?"
The Lord President smirked. "I've been in on a few of the Emperor's discussions with Lord Humilio on who might be best suited for the post. You're not far off."
The Lords chuckled as one, enjoying a private inside joke as they stepped onto the lift. A few more business matters, then the group was off to lunch.
RE: Within the Cabinet - Morbius - 01-07-2013 04:07 AM
The office of the Lord Minister of the Munitorum was located in the western wing of the Imperial Manse, on the second floor, where each of that wing's four floors was dedicated to the four arms of the Thousand Scales. It had a magnificent view of Lake Drelliad, and was decorated in the same hardwood and marble style as the rest of the wing. But as every Lord Paramount could decorate to some extents with their own discretion, Lord Dezsetes had included several suits of armor from various nations that were part of his personal collection. He also had several displays showing antique swords, daggers and even a pair of maces.
Lords Belesarious, Lupentramme and Affaladi had joined Lord Humilio there just after lunch at the request of the Lord Privy Seal. They all sat in the chairs around the small conference table at one side of the spacious office.
"How can Cephorus have already made a decision, Thorseph? It's only been a day and a half."
The taciturn lord privy seal shrugged. "Some things even I only know so much about, Ganno. What I can say is that he'd discussed the choice with me more than once. I'm sure there are plenty of sound reasons behind it."
Lupentramme nodded at this one. "He is a member of the War Trust, after all. He's at the top of the list when it comes to how much Andy trusted him."
The others nodded. Whatever else you said about Lord Dezsetes, he was a man who had trust earned. He preferred it no other way.
Affaladi looked over at Humilio. "So when is his investiture?"
Humilio took a drink of wine. "Two days from tomorrow. He is being fitted for the robes for the ceremony and is being briefed by President Durla. Tomorrow, I talk one-on-one with him."
Belesarious refilled his wine glass. "Mmm. Should be an interesting next few days, hm?"