Wow, another chapter. I am getting as many of them off today as possible, as I am experienced a rare burst of creativity. Any improvements would be welcomed. Anyway, enjoy this one!



The shuttle arrived in Chiron City three hours before the meeting. Deirdre was amazed at the size of the settlement. It had been built at the very moment her faction had gone into its self-imposed exile. To build a unified city, without divisions of faction loyalties, or any false patriotism, that had been the plan.

Every faction, including her own, had contributed something to the construction. Parks and groves filled the city, alongside synthmetal factories. These factories were different though. She and Morgan had sat down together for days, discussing ways in which to maximise profit, and still preserve the environment.

It cost more money to construct, but the new model of factory, named the Green Factories, were built around the theories of recycling and burning waste. No energy was wasted, for it was circulated around the factory repeatedly. Morgan had been unhappy about the extra cost, but he had been more than exultant at the way these new factories hardly needed managing at all. It all came from the concept of a perpetual motion machine.

Back on Earth, scientists had dreamed up ways of creating a machine that would keep moving continually, using the same energy repeatedly. If anyone had invented one, they would have made millions. Imagine cars running on the same amount of petrol each day. Deirdre smiled when she remembered the mad rushes to claim the last oil resources, when she was sixteen. The western countries had been forced to turn to other things then, like water. A great day for the Greens.

The only problem with perpetual motion machines was that they could only ever work in a frictionless environment. Friction slowed down movement, and so no machine could run forever on the same energy, because eventually, the friction would slow it down.

With the discovery of the magtube technology though, frictionless environments were made possible, and now factories were run on the same fuel, never ceasing, never stopping. The Sleepless Factories, they were called. The result of a unification of Morganites and Gaians.

The University had contributed centres of learning, the Believers immense cathedrals of epic proportions. The Peacekeepers had given their schools and other public works. It was a true beauty, thought Deirdre. A sign of hope.



"Welcome back, Deirdre. The Lord himself had nearly given up hope. Will you sit? I have heard of your plans to stand for leader. I approve whole- heartedly. Perhaps you could join me in my chambers shortly?"

She gave a polite nod to Miriam, and sat down next to her. Lal stood in the centre of the small room, talking about some sort of legislation. Pointless waffle, thought Deirdre. Why was he seeing to these things, when he knew it was time for an election?

The reason hit her straight away. He was trying to pass his own laws before she came to power. He had automatically assumed she was going to win, and so was trying to get everything done to his advantage before he lost his position.

"Lal. I think it is time for the election, do you not?"

The leader of the Peacekeepers sighed, and nodded shortly, before speaking, with the voice of an orator: "Lady Deirdre has expressed a wish to stand against me for the position of Council Leader. Would anyone else wish to stand against me?"

Nobody moved, and Lal smiled. "Good. I vote for Deirdre. She is a breath of new life into this Council, and I for one will be glad to alleviate myself of these responsibilities. It will be good to spend more time at home."

Zakharov stood. "I choose Deirdre as well. She has been absent for too long, but that can be used to our advantage. She will have no bias to the motions passed, and can choose the fairest course of action."

He sat, and then Miriam stood: "My faction will support her."

Morgan nodded, but did not stand. "Aye. Mine too."

Everyone looked at Yang, and he rolled his eyes, before standing. "I choose Deirdre."

Then it was done. Deirdre had been elected to the position of Council Leader.

Nobody but Deirdre saw the flicker of triumph that appeared in the eyes of Provost Zakharov, and she smiled. He smiled back.



"Council members. For many years now, Zakharov of the University has been engaging in un-orthodox testing of chemical weapons, which endanger the stability of the peace, and damage the sanctity of the environment. In order to ensure that all members of the Council cannot be put at risk, I ask that we be allowed to construct our own weapons, for self-defence. In order for this to be permissible, I ask that the Atrocity Ban be lifted."

Miriam sat, and waited patiently as Deirdre stood. It had been ages since she had stood in this room, speaking for or against an argument. She had not even realised how much she had missed it.

"Council members. The point that Miriam made is correct to some extent. Chemical weapons do endanger the stability of peace, and the environment. However, she is not right on the account of Provost Zakharov. For years my Empaths have searched every faction for traces of chemical weapons, in the aim that should I encounter them, I would appear before this Council to denounce them, whoever they may be. Zakharov had no weapons, and indeed, still has no weapons. Even if he had them, I would still not endorse this act. You merely have to look at Earth, to gain the answer to this. For years, nuclear powers stared at each other over the heads of these missiles that could wipe out whole nations. There is no hope of peace when both sides are split by mistrust due to these weapons. No. The atrocity ban is wrong."

She paused, and sipped at a glass of cold water, before saying: "I think it is time to vote, Council members."

It went exactly as Zakharov had foretold. Lal went with her, as did Zakharov and Lal. Miriam and Morgan both voted to abolish it, but cursed in frustration when they realised they were outmatched.

Then Zakharov stood. "I propose a new act. Chemical weapons shall be made legal for all factions."

Deirdre frowned. He had said nothing of this. "What are your reasons for this, Provost Zakharov?"

Zakharov smiled at her warmly. Damn him, what was he doing? He had no right to carry on in public! It undermined her position. Did he want them to think she was eating out of his hand?

Looks were exchanged between members of the Council, and a few open frowns. It was obvious that they thought exactly that. Deirdre would have sworn, if she had not been in public.

"My lady. I believe that the possession of these weapons must be made legal. What is to stop factions from possessing them illegally? At least if we make them legal, we know who has them, and how many."

Deirdre shook her head. "Zakharov. That will just ensure more distrust between factions. I say no. Cast your votes, Council Members."

The result was surprising to say the least. Miriam and Morgan, both apparently staunch opponents of Zakharov, voted for his motion, as did Yang. Lal followed those three. Clicking the switch that processed her own vote, she voted against it as well. It didn't matter anyway. She couldn't even use her veto. The act was passed.



Yang stood next, courteous and kind as ever. "Council Members. I am sure you all know of the riots that have gripped cities throughout Planet for the past few years. These are damaging to public safety, and to the well- being of our social infrastructure. These riots cannot be allowed to continue. I propose that we issue orders to the Council forces to stop these riots, and to prevent the protesting of these dangerous individuals. Who will support me in this?"

Miriam and Morgan both automatically flicked 'Yes'. Lal waited a little longer, but, with a torn expression, pressed yes as well. What was that idiot doing? He was a democrat, approving the use of police powers against protesters?

Zakharov flicked yes as well, though his face remained solemn as he did so. Perhaps there were things going on that she didn't know about. She would have to speak to him about it after the Council.

Sighing in frustration, she glanced at the votes. Unanimous again. With a groan, she flicked no. What else could she do?



The proposing of motions went on all day, and Deirdre watched, helpless as the voting allowed the pressing down on the people of all factions, the removal of many environmental acts; and the approval of many other acts that would never have been passed the day before. Zakharov had made a severe blunder, it seemed.

When the session was declared over, Deirdre remained behind, and said, over the comm-link: "I would like to see Zakharov, if he is not too busy."

The Provost remained behind with her, a smile on his face, until the last of the members left. Then he sat beside her, tears in his eyes. "Deirdre! I did not foresee any of this! I am so sorry. We opposed the abolition of the atrocity ban, but I was powerless to stop anything else. Deirdre, I am so sorry!"

Deirdre said quietly: "You know exactly how this will look, don't you, Proctor? The common people will see me as leader of the Council, and will observe how on the very day I came to power; I began to systematically destroy democracy, and the environmental safeguards! Why did you vote for all those motions? I could have vetoed them had you not! Explain yourself!"

Zakharov bowed his head, and Deirdre was surprised to notice that he was weeping. He looked up, anguished and tearful: "Oh, Deirdre! I couldn't, Yang has his fist over my throat. If I budge a tiny bit away from him, he will destroy me. I could not vote against him!"

Deirdre frowned. "You defeated him in the last war, though."

Zakharov shook his head. "No. He defeated me. He made it look as though I had crushed him, but in actuality, his forces hold all my bases except for University Base. I am a puppet, Deirdre, and I cannot do anything about it!"

Deirdre shook her head. "Planet preserves us. Zakharov, why did you not tell me this before now? I could have done something to stop it. Why?"

He roared: "Because I love you, my lady! Because I would have had to dishonour your vow against war, because I would have shattered the peace of your faction. Because I am a craven worm who cannot think for himself! Forgive me, lady. Please, forgive me."

Deirdre felt a sudden longing for this man, and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She had missed the feel of Zakharov, and the scent of him, a strange chemical scent that had always attracted her.

"Zakharov, I could never do anything but forgive you. I love you so! I have missed you, and I could never say anything about it." She paused, and then continued to speak, this time much more quietly. "Come, let us forget about these troubles for the night, and tomorrow, we will deal with Yang."

And so right there, on the floor of the Council Chamber, the made love once again, Deirdre crying in anguish and despair, and Zakharov in horror and hopelessness. It was a dark coupling, with their love tinged with fear.

Nevertheless, when Deirdre woke in the morning, and found Zakharov beside her, she felt the happiest she had in years. For once, somebody was looking at her with adoration, instead of respect- and pity.