Watching Planet's clouds was only interesting for so long, Zakharov decided.  The flight from University Base to Sparta Command was about six hours long, seeing as how the two bases were just about on opposite ends of Planet.  He turned to Shila, who was sitting across from him, giddy as a schoolgirl.

"Two council meetings…in two days!  Aren't we lucky, Prokhor?"

He stared at her incredulously.  "I have no idea why you're so fascinated by these things.  It's just a get-together of all the leaders of Planet.  It's not exactly a party.  Frankly, I'd rather just contact everyone through comm. like we used to during war time."

She stared at him like he was crazy.  "How can you not think this is fun?  We get to see all the factions in action!  Hey, that almost rhymes!"

Zakharov ignored that.  "Don't forget the reason we're going to this.  We have to convince the council not to issue Mandelev College a faction.  We can't afford to lose a base right now, especially since Bibliotyek Science is so vulnerable right now to new government, and I'm afraid it might be tempted by the new rebel faction.  At latest report, the diplomats were making progress, but we can't afford to take any chances."

Shila looked out the window at the ground below.  "What was Earth like?"

He stared at her.  "…what?"

"You heard me."

"Isn't this an odd time to ask?"

She stretched in her seat before standing and sitting next to Zakharov, learning her head against his shoulder.  "I've been looking at old vids on the Datalinks, but we both know nothing's like a view from someone who'd been there.  Do you remember Earth?"

He closed his eyes.  "It's all just kind-of fading…it's been a hundred years since I saw that blue orb fade from the sky.  What I do remember…blue skies, blue oceans, green grass…one sun.  So vastly different from Planet, yet in some ways, quite the same…"

He faded off and looked at Shila, then blinked in surprise.  She was no longer listening to him, and had her eyes closed, breathing softly.  Zakharov was dumbstruck.  Is she…sleeping? 

He wanted to shake her awake and ask her, he suddenly had a hundred questions for the hologram.  However, she looked so peaceful…he could wait till they landed.  He pulled a pad out of his sack and began to write down some notes:

Mendelev College

Facts:

Property of the University of Planet as of fifty years ago. Unauthorized governor taking control of the colony. Rebel base attempting to form faction, Remnants of Planet.

The University of Planet's stance:

Rebellions will not be tolerated. We wish the Planetary Council reject the proposal for new faction formation. Furthermore, Peacekeeping council should be ordered to the city to return it to it's faction and reinstate proper government.

End

Zakharov put the pad back into his sack, then noticed Shila stir next to him.  He looked at her eyes, now drowsy.

"I'm sorry, did I wake you?"

She shook her head.  "No, no."

"Shila, you don't need sleep.  Why-"

"Why did I fall asleep just now?" She stretched herself in the seat and shrugged.  "For some reason…I don't know.  I just felt…tired."

"Are you still tired?"

She nodded.

"Then get some rest, we have a good two hours before we reach Sparta Command."

She nodded again and laid her head on his shoulder, utterly ignoring the pillow she'd left on the seat across from them.  Zakharov ran a finger through her hair and stared at her.  Why can't I understand you...I created you, yet you continue to surprise me every passing day.  He smiled and looked out the window again, pondering.

----------------------------------------------------------------

"The council now recognizes Meskha Treibek to have the floor."

Zakharov recognized her as soon as he'd entered the room, and it took effort not to glare at her while the meeting was in process.  Now, however, he felt no such qualms.  He stared at her with frustrated eyes.  Meskha started cheerfully.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Planatory Council, I thank all you kindly for taking time out of your lives to return to Sparta Command.  I especially thank Governor Santiago for use of her base once again."  Santiago nodded.  Meskha looked around the room as the delegates stared intently at her.  The only one in the room who didn't give her full attention was Shila, who was fiddling with her pen.  Zakharov broke her gaze and stared at Shila.  He gave her a "Cut-it-out" look, and she returned her gaze to the speaker.

"Let me get to my point.  I am the leader of Mendelev College.  Our people have broken away from the University of Planet and have formed a new faction, the Remnants of Earth."  She paused and waited for the murmers of the council to halt.  Zakharov growled beneath his breath.

"I have come to the council to ask for admission to your league.  I trust you will give me and my faction the same respectful chance that you gave all factions that were once aboard the Unity."

Zakharov could take no more as he stood.  "Pardon me, council members, I would like also to offer my thoughts on the floor."

Santiago nodded.  Zakharov noted that she wasn't very animated for a Planetory Governor.  Then again, for someone who hates democracy, it was surprising she still came to these meetings.  I guess when you have priority over the other factions, you sacrifice time to watch them ask you for permission.  He tried not to think about that and removed his notes from the bag.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, as you know I represent the University of Planet.  Mendelev College is a base of mine that was overtaken by rebel forces, apparently led by Miss Treibek.  I have been in control of Mandelev College for over fifty years now.  Everything inside of that base belongs to the University of Planet.  Asking the council to admit my base as her own is bad enough, but forming her own faction from my base is an insult, plain and simple."

Meskha looked at him.  "I understand that on Earth, thirteen colonies banded together and formed their own faction.  All of their colonies were founded by another, and yet, for centuries they became the most powerful nation on Earth."  The murmers around the room began again, and Zakharov waited for them to finish before he started again.

"You assume I know less about history then you?  America was founded through the bases of the British, but if you read your history correctly, it was only after years of war that the British accepted the colonies as their own power.  I have no intentions of fighting you, Meskha, but I have no intentions of letting you steal your base from me, either."

Santiago quieted Meskha before she opened her mouth.  "The sides have been announced.  Return to your seats…the council shall now vote.  All delegates, please cast your votes.  They will be calculated and announced in one hours time.  Until then, I'm issuing that one-hundred feet must remain between Meskha Treibek and Prokhor Zakharov, as well as the members of their respective factions.  Once all the ballets are cast, there will be a one-hour recess.  Begin."

Zakharov and his delegates registered their votes of no.  Across the room, however, Zakharov noticed Deirdre walking up and down the eisles, whispering in delegates ears.  He couldn't help the shiver that involuntarily ran through his body.  What is Deirdre up to?

~