level, Nivrosky had asked him here for a reason. The intelligence commander continued as Banks’ image grew less prominent and the other two returned to focus. “From what we have been able to learn, the member states of the Oduran League are not under stable control of the central authority. Several states have risen up in rebellion against the League, with several local leaders rising up in rebellion.”
An admiral further up the table spoke. “Could the League be dissolving? Or could these rebels become allies against the rest of the Odurans?”
Kenning shook his head. “Neither seems to be the case. The rebels belong to a variety of different factions, but there seems to be relatively few of them we could even generously consider being possible allies. Though they may not appreciate Banks’ heavy handed control of the League, they still seem to continue the hatred of the Union that has motivated the League thus far.” The commander touched another control, and the robed figure snapped into sharp relief. Banks faded into the background.
“A good example would be Reverend Thomas Gates. He is an influential figure in both Oduran politics and culture, though evidence suggests he, as well as many of his sect, originated in the Celostian Union.”
A grumble of discontent swept through the officers. Many had left the Union behind for one reason or another, striking out on their own like the Telosians or defecting to the League for a variety of reasons. Some had been lured by the promise of the League’s wealth and power, others driven by ideologies or creeds, still others by simple, pure hatred. None had the true respect of any loyal Celostian officer and never would.
For his part, Kenning did not notice the stir his statement had provoked. He continued. “Gates has an intense dislike for all things Celostian. In fact, he was a member of the parties within the Oduran League who helped motivate the government to launch the latest series of attacks against the Union. His speeches are one long diatribe of hate and contempt for our way of life, and as a result he is considered a viable threat to our interests. He has also recently begun speaking out against Banks and has called for him and his allies to be replaced as leaders of the League.”
Kenning turned to face the rest of the officers, his voice growing firmer. “He is not alone. There are many others who are speaking out against Banks, but they are just as dangerous to us as we are too them. If anything, Banks is serving as a brake for many of their destructive appetites, since he apparently is currently unenthusiastic about launching another campaign against us. Our forces, thanks to the leadership of Admiral Nivrosky, dealt them enough of a blow that Banks hesitates to face us for some reason, and now for that same reason he might be pulled from his throne.”
He manipulated the controls again, and Gates faded slightly while the last image grew distinct. “We assume this man is intended to replace Banks as the de facto leader of the Oduran League. General Franklin Al-Mustafa, a leader in the military who has served in repeated campaigns against the Union. He participated in the razing of Rigannin as well as the raid against Erad afterward, though apparently his ship left the Oduran fleet before it met defeat at our hands. As a result, he stands with a strong record of strikes against us, without the stain of the disaster at Liandre.” Kenning leaned back, crossing his arms. His lips twisted in a half smile as if the image of Al-Mustafa amused him. “Al-Mustafa has currently been assigned along the borders of our territory and is likely responsible for encouraging the small scale attacks against our frontier. He cannot launch a larger-scale strike without the approval of the Oduran leadership, which under Banks is unlikely to happen, but if Banks falls…” He trailed off suggestively.
“Then we could be looking at Rigannin all over again.” The words
An admiral further up the table spoke. “Could the League be dissolving? Or could these rebels become allies against the rest of the Odurans?”
Kenning shook his head. “Neither seems to be the case. The rebels belong to a variety of different factions, but there seems to be relatively few of them we could even generously consider being possible allies. Though they may not appreciate Banks’ heavy handed control of the League, they still seem to continue the hatred of the Union that has motivated the League thus far.” The commander touched another control, and the robed figure snapped into sharp relief. Banks faded into the background.
“A good example would be Reverend Thomas Gates. He is an influential figure in both Oduran politics and culture, though evidence suggests he, as well as many of his sect, originated in the Celostian Union.”
A grumble of discontent swept through the officers. Many had left the Union behind for one reason or another, striking out on their own like the Telosians or defecting to the League for a variety of reasons. Some had been lured by the promise of the League’s wealth and power, others driven by ideologies or creeds, still others by simple, pure hatred. None had the true respect of any loyal Celostian officer and never would.
For his part, Kenning did not notice the stir his statement had provoked. He continued. “Gates has an intense dislike for all things Celostian. In fact, he was a member of the parties within the Oduran League who helped motivate the government to launch the latest series of attacks against the Union. His speeches are one long diatribe of hate and contempt for our way of life, and as a result he is considered a viable threat to our interests. He has also recently begun speaking out against Banks and has called for him and his allies to be replaced as leaders of the League.”
Kenning turned to face the rest of the officers, his voice growing firmer. “He is not alone. There are many others who are speaking out against Banks, but they are just as dangerous to us as we are too them. If anything, Banks is serving as a brake for many of their destructive appetites, since he apparently is currently unenthusiastic about launching another campaign against us. Our forces, thanks to the leadership of Admiral Nivrosky, dealt them enough of a blow that Banks hesitates to face us for some reason, and now for that same reason he might be pulled from his throne.”
He manipulated the controls again, and Gates faded slightly while the last image grew distinct. “We assume this man is intended to replace Banks as the de facto leader of the Oduran League. General Franklin Al-Mustafa, a leader in the military who has served in repeated campaigns against the Union. He participated in the razing of Rigannin as well as the raid against Erad afterward, though apparently his ship left the Oduran fleet before it met defeat at our hands. As a result, he stands with a strong record of strikes against us, without the stain of the disaster at Liandre.” Kenning leaned back, crossing his arms. His lips twisted in a half smile as if the image of Al-Mustafa amused him. “Al-Mustafa has currently been assigned along the borders of our territory and is likely responsible for encouraging the small scale attacks against our frontier. He cannot launch a larger-scale strike without the approval of the Oduran leadership, which under Banks is unlikely to happen, but if Banks falls…” He trailed off suggestively.
“Then we could be looking at Rigannin all over again.” The words
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