Conclave (The Silver Ships Book 20) by S. H. Jucha

Author:S. H. Jucha [Jucha, S. H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hannon Books, Inc.
Published: 2021-04-14T22:00:00+00:00

22: Méridien

“I can’t say I’m looking forward to this presentation,” Alex grumbled, as the fleet emerged from its transit into Méridien space.

“What troubles you, my love?” Renée inquired, as they dressed for morning meal.

“I regret inviting the entire council last time we were here,” Alex replied. “I said it to quiet Gino’s fears about leaving the council in the hands of others for the length of time he’d be gone.”

“You worry that the number will make conclave dialogue unwieldy?” Renée inquired.

“Yes. It would be no different if Jess brought the entire Tsargit,” Alex replied.

“He might,” Renée said, laughing. “You didn’t give him specific parameters.”

Alex frowned. Concerns about the alliance briefly troubled his thoughts, and then he shook them off. “He won’t,” he replied. “He’s dealing with the same dilemma that I’m about to encounter.”

“How do you get a fair representation without everyone joining us?” Renée inquired.

“Exactly the problem. Whatever the chosen method, I need a small group of Leaders who are given authority to negotiate,” Alex pointed out.

As the couple left the suite for morning meal, Renée’s implant accepted a link from Julien.

<Ser, Council Leader Gino Diamanté is calling for Alex,> Julien sent. <I detect that you’re headed for the dining room.>

<Inform Gino that we’re going to quiet the beast first,> Renée replied.

<I’ll translate your message for the Leader,> Julien replied.

At the table, Alex noticed that Z and Miranda had taken positions behind Renée and him. They inhabited their Cedric and Frederica avatars. The message that the SADEs intimated wasn’t lost on Alex, and, for once, he wasn’t arguing.

On the last visit to Méridien, there’d been a clash with Darse Lemoyne and Lawrence Teressi at an event hosted by Gino. The two Leaders were antagonists of the individuals who Alex supported, and their hatred for Alex was palpable.

Before the arguments ended, Gino had warned the two Leaders that at the next Council meeting he planned to call for their censure and request the Council vote to expel them from representation. He promised that if his motion was accepted, their Houses would be forced to select new Leaders.

Alex was sure that the offer to the Council to participate in the conclave would rankle Lemoyne, Teressi, and their supporters. He wondered what action the Leaders might initiate. The thought crossed his mind to check with Gino on the status of the two Leaders and see if they still held their seats. However, when plates of warm food and hot thé were placed in front of him, the thought was placed on hold.

When the meal ended, Alex prepared to return Gino’s call, but Julien intercepted him.

“You’ve a lengthy message from Mickey and friends,” Julien said. “Might I suggest you and Ser make yourself comfortable in the salon, and you invite some guests?”

Alex smiled at his friends and nodded. There was no need to ask more or who should be invited. Julien would arrange those things and probably better and quicker than he could.

When a collection of close associates arrived at the owner’s suite, Julien activated the holo-vid in the central table.

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