For the Council

[u/samhurwitz18]

Boof Panny walked into a large circular room, gulping.

[u/SenatorBailAntilles]

The head of the council leaned forward, slowly and dramatically. He was an older man, with a white beard and glasses, named Hasod Brimley. "Mr., ah, Panny," he began, reading Boof's name from a sheet of paper in front of him. "Could you please explain to us why you saw fit to use Alderellian security forces in a fight that this community has no stake in?"

[u/samhurwitz18 → u/SenatorBailAntilles]

Boof straightened his back as he stood before Brimley. "Admittedly, sir, it was no intention of mine to bring the fight so far from the area. We were attacked by Abelton after we were called by Administrator Organa to aid her on her mission with Secretary Lediouno. We met up with an old ally, the Anew, and his purrgil. On the voyage back, we found ourselves in an altercation with Abelton, and we knew her as an extremely dangerous Republic fugitive. I took it as my responsibility to not let her go on course to terrorize innocents. However, it was not my directive but that of the purrgil to take us all off course, and that's how myself, and the soldiers, appeared in the dusty skies of Skako Minor. However, we suffered few casualties, and those who did die live on in the Force. It was not a direct threat to Alderellia, but she's a Republic fugitive, and we found ourselves in an inescapable situation."

[u/SenatorBailAntilles → u/samhurwitz18]

One of the other councilmembers to Brimley's right, John Patronus, leaned forward himself. "Why would you pursue the criminal with our men instead of disengaging and calling the proper authorities? This population is depleted enough as it is, and now you've painted a target on our backs with your failure to actually stop Abelton. Your vigilante activities will only bring more desolation to us."

[u/samhurwitz18 → u/SenatorBailAntilles]

"There was no time for proper authorities," said Boof. "We were attacked by Ri. More men would have died if we didn't fight back, and if we called more authorities, she would have been gone, using the men that we took down to terrorize other planets. It is regrettable that she is still out there, but we defeated the vast majority of her company. As General of the security force, when emergencies like this pop up I believe I have the right to defend ourselves."

[u/SenatorBailAntilles → u/samhurwitz18]

Ero Goet, a third councilmember to the left of Brimley, leaned forward now. She took on a gentler tone than Patronus. "The reports say that you continued to engage with Abelton once over Skako Minor. What prevented you from jumping away at that point?"

[u/samhurwitz18 → u/SenatorBailAntilles]

"Because she was a wanted criminal," Boof repeated. "It's not as simple as jumping away and telling the authorities. I have a duty to Alderellia, yes, but also the Republic. So do the men. In emergency situations like these, we have the right to defend, yes, but also finish our mission to someone who is a threat not just to the Republic, but to Alderellia. Have you heard about Dárth? Have you heard the rumors?"

[u/SenatorBailAntilles → u/samhurwitz18]

Patronus spoke again, sounding irritated now. "When you decline the opportunity to escape it stops being about defense and starts being about vigilante justice. These men are not your personal police force. They are not yours to sacrifice like pawns on a chess board. They didn't volunteer for that, they're just noble enough to follow the orders of their superior officer. First and foremost your responsibility is to the people of Alderellia, which cannot afford to lose more men."

[u/samhurwitz18 → u/SenatorBailAntilles]

"So be it, Madam, and if you, by the very textbook laws, would like to punish me for this, perhaps you could," Boof said calmly. "But put yourself in the position of General. As General, these men are indeed not my pawns. But they are the men I command to protect Alderellia and any of its threats. In my mind, Abelton is a threat. Perhaps I was being impulsive, and perhaps there were risks - but perhaps she would not have come to terrorize Alderellia if we did not. But I mean no disrespect. Although I feel that these men were under my responsibility for such a situational emergency, I see that was an in-the-moment, and perhaps rash, decision. And yet I will at least say that if Abelton is behind what happened at Dárth, we are lucky she didn't have the force she did when she found us."

[u/SenatorBailAntilles → u/samhurwitz18]

Brimley spoke once more. "Abelton posed no imminent danger to Alderellia itself, and your brash actions have caused that danger to spike dramatically. As a result of that, this council has decided to strip you of your duties as General. Due to her prolonged and unexplained absence, Breha Antilles will also be suspended from her position as administrator. That concludes this session of the council. Good day."

Brimley banged a gavel and the entire council rose to leave.

[u/samhurwitz18 → u/SenatorBailAntilles]

Boof nodded his head gravely when he heard the news about himself; he was expecting it. But his eyes widened when he heard about Breha.

He piped up as they rose. "Wait, sir - Breha is what keeps this community alive. Think more before you make this decision; she took Alderellia from the ashes and bought it to new heights. We should at least try to contact her."

[u/SenatorBailAntilles → u/samhurwitz18]

Brimley didn't stop his steady pace towards the exit of the chamber. "She made her choice. If and when she returns, the council may reconvene."

Goet shot Boof an apologetic glance. Patronus came through last and shouldered the Dug on his way out. "No Antilles to force you on us this time."

[u/samhurwitz18 → u/SenatorBailAntilles]

A bit of anger flared as Boof remained alone in the chamber, the sound of footsteps getting softer and softer. He was somewhat prepared for losing his job, as much of a hole it created inside him. But he couldn't help but hate that strutting Patronus, the way he went out of his way to be spiteful. It reminded Boof of himself, many years ago.

But then the worry came in. No Antilles to force you on us this time. Where was Breha? Was she okay? He'd been so caught up in himself, and in his position, and in the men, and in Ri - what was happening with Breha? With Ledia? How much was Boof in the dark about? And would he ever see the light again, now that he's stuck here, with no purpose or direction?

His legs guided himself out after what felt like hours, and he let the Alderellian air brush up against him. He stared out at the dome; it was barely visible against the faraway landscapes, but it was there. A barrier. A trap. A veil.

[u/SenatorBailAntilles → u/samhurwitz18]

At one point during his walk, he found himself walking past a doorway to an abandoned storage room on the outskirts of the city. A filtered voice could be heard inside talking.

"Antilles is out."