Chapter 641: Politically Charged Meeting
Jace hummed as he looked at the Lance of Thanatos. It was ready to fly or more likely combat... again. He did not even have to lift a finger this time. The areas that needed repairing and updating got repaired and updated. There was little to nothing left for them to do.
As for his overall goal for the Lance of Thanatos. They were no longer going to be used as a warship. The cruiser at not only Solisa and Hielo’s insistence, but many others requested it be a mobile academy for the young people joining the Cerberus Unit.
Jace agreed. Mostly because their mission would be to retrieve rare materials. Not fighting. Which was also what the meeting he was waiting for would be about. It would be an official meeting with him replaced as the leader of the Cerberus Unit. With several high level politicians and military commanders from multiple fronts attending. But the big three were the Speaker for the Political faction. Director Fenrir who was still the head of MILD. Then the last one was the High Priestess who was still the same woman he slept with so long ago.
They would be discussing the future. The political faction called for it because they wanted to bring Cerberus back in and obtain the technological advancements that they had managed to obtain.
Which was not the plan that Jace had in mind. He actually planned to keep Cerberus separate and it seemed everyone else seemed to accept that aside from the politicians. This meeting would be more about understanding the state of things since several things had changed over the last few months for almost all of the fronts.
"Refitted and completely repaired." Hielo walked up next to him. She was in a loose jacket and jeans which were almost completely matched by Jace’s cargo pants and black hoodie. Very informal clothes for what should have been an official meeting. "I am sure you are excited to take it out."
"I am. Shilla will remain its captain. I plan to only direct the cruiser and utilize it to get the materials we need to finish the gravity shielding device." Jace explained as he looked down at the open hangar where they were moving in supplies. All of the plants and other items they added for longevity had been removed or put into storage.
The items that might be needed again were put into storage. Like the bases and designs for an onboard greenhouse room to a daycare center. One that looked very much like the baby room that Jace built aboard the Lance for Shinobi and Valkyrie.
Those two, Eduta, and the pair’s child were actually staying aboard the station. They planned to establish a religious order that would span the entire galaxy and would be accepting of all religions. Which was a pretty high standard already and might end up just growing.
They were currently in need of resources and were requesting it from Jace. But he was less of a politician so he was going to leave it in the hands of someone more experienced in those matters. Vana.
"Hey, we are ready." A voice announced and Jace turned around to see West in her relaxed ’uniform’. As a sort of solidarity, none of the members of Cerberus were in uniform unless they were getting ready for battle. It sort of made them feel a bit like an unofficial mercenary company with how many liberties they could take.
Jace and Hielo walked into the room. Following West back into the room. It was a massive holographic meeting room that was being held in another location. They were just joining the meeting as holograms. But apparently they were the star guests of the meeting today.
"-have we really needed the help. These last few weeks we have been on a roll." One of the politicians declared. "We have reclaimed dozens of systems."
Jace and Hielo followed West to a spot where she pointed to a position they could stand and they would be seen in the hologram on the other end. While they could already see and hear the entire room where the meeting was happening. But Jace held a hand up to stop Hielo as West moved away to a console that controlled their receiving and broadcast signal.
"Actually, those are the total numbers." The High Priestess declared in what was definitely a throne near the center of the room where the Central Political Speaker and Fenrir were also sitting. "Our military numbers are a lot lower. Because of the limitations you are putting on us we are unable to fully deploy."
"Then what are these numbers?" Another politician asked.
"Those are Cerberus, the defense fleet, mercenaries, and other unassociated groups." Salem declared from her seat. They could not see it. But Jace could tell she was working on something else. Only partially paying attention during this meeting.
"Which is the main point of why we are here." The speaker politician stood up. "We are here to see if we can bring such groups in line."
At that Jace decided to step forward and Hielo stepped forward with him. The moment he did it was clear that they became visible to the others. Some of the politicians flinched and the speaker actually frowned. He could see Salem look up from what she was doing for a moment and the High Priestesses eyes lit up but she hid her facial expression.
"Ah... perfect. Jace Hex-"
"That is not my name." Jace growled out. The speaker visibly flinched when he was interrupted, his eyes widening in surprise before anger took over.
"Jace, you are not to interrupt me. I am the Speaker of the Governing Council-"
"Anyways!" Jace huffed out interrupting the speaker again. "What the hell did you lot want to speak to me about? I am busy. Unlike politicians who only know how to demand power. I actually make an effort to justify my power."
The speaker was clearly getting red in the face but they could not really see the color change through the hologram. But as he opened his mouth to speak again, Fenrir jumped in. Already aware that biting back was exactly what Jace was aiming for. If he could get the speaker to lose his temper he would be able to do what he wanted since the conversation would go nowhere.
"Jace Wintry, I believe the governing council are worried that you and Cerberus Unit do not plan to return to the fold." Fenrir glanced at the Speaker who seemed to pout before sitting down. "Doing so would set a dangerous precedent."
"Unfortunately that is what is happening." Jace gave a cheeky smirk. "I believe the newly established Spectre Galactic Government needs both a carrot and a stick to be kept in line. Otherwise you might try to crush the little people."
"What makes you believe you can do that, you filthy ant!" A politician stood up and screamed from his seat. Even the speaker seemed to know that was the worst possible response.
Jace looked over at the politician before looking back at Fenrir. "Need I say more?"
Fenrir looked at the other two and this time the High Priestess could not hide her smirk. "Told you." She spoke aloud. "He hates politics but he knows how to piss people off for his own benefit." It probably helped Jace that the politician that spoke up was a human.
"Okay, so as long as Jace and the Cerberus Unit do not attack the larger galaxy unprovoked I see no reason to leave them alone." Director Fenrir declared. "He has plenty of reasons to stay in line. So we just need to make sure we do not give him a reason to be hostile. To that end. I suggest the Cerberus Unit has control over their own territory and upon the resolution of the current conflict will return to their territory and not leave it."
"With a bit of caveats and exceptions, that sounds good." Jace shrugged.
"We will pick your territory and where you can stay." The speaker declared.
"No, you will not." Jace scoffed. "We already know where our territory is. You are going to have to live with it. Because I am not the one in need of assistance." Jace told them.
"It is not like we are strained on territory." The High Priestess reminded them. "Or were you under the belief that the planetary re-nobility bill would actually pass." This time it was not just the speaker that looked appalled and shocked. But most of the politicians and a few of the military commanders. "There is a reason I have revoked such bills before and that one will be no different. In fact," She looked over at Director Fenrir. "I believe the director actually has her own ideas as well."
"I do but they come from human history." Fenrir smiled which even made Jace shiver and Salem look up and pay attention. "It is my belief that the title and concept of notability becomes a wholly ceremonial thing and all positions are earned. I have written up and forwarded a dozen bills for the governing council to look over."
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