Zakharov stared at the wall as he slowly sipped a glass of tea.  He'd spent forty minutes of the hour simply pondering the events of the day.  Soon the council would be reconvened, and he'd have his answer.  Either Mandelev College would be returned to the University of Planet…or he would have a serious problem on his hands.  Shila didn't seem to share his concern.

"Prokhor…how much longer?"

"Fifteen minutes…five minutes less then the last time you asked."

She sighed.  "Such a long recess…"

Zakharov felt a weight on his shoulder.  He looked back and saw Sheng-ji Yang behind him.

"Prokhor…may I sit?"

He tried to smile.  "By all means, friend."  Yang sat across from him and began to speak, but then looked at Shila.

"Why, Prokhor, I don't think you've introduced us."

Zakharov looked at Shila.  She smiled at him.  "Yes…this is Jane.  Jane, Sheng-ji Yang."

"How do you do, milady."  Yang looked at her with a smile.  She smiled back at him and nodded.  Yang then turned his attention to Zakharov.  "Zakharov, it's about Deirdre.  She's buying votes for Meskha."

His eyes widened.  "She can't afford to convert the entire council-"

"She doesn't have to," Yang interrupted, "There are still some who support the faction on their own."

"Who?"

"Well, Deirdre for one.  And she has plenty of delegates to change the course of a vote."

Zakharov rubbed his temples, frustrated.  "What does she have to gain by helping Meskha form a faction?"

Yang laughed.  "Oh, come now, Prokhor.  The Remnant's of Earth is a rebel faction that was once part of the University.  Should Deidre pledge votes to bring them into existence, she'd have Meskha's vote on anything in the future.  Hell, Zakharov, she'd have one more vote towards her vote of abdicating the U.N. charter.  She could even run for Planetary Governor!  It's all just another bought vote."

Yang let the words hang in the air as he stood and walked back towards the conference room.

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

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

Zakharov watched as she slowly made her way to the center of the room.  He could feel his heart pounding just a little bit harder then it was during the recess.  He turned to Shila, who was also staring at the girl.  The future of the University would be decided on this day.

Santiago spoke first.  "Meskha Treibek of Mandelev College, the factions of Planet have voted for your entrance into the Planetary Council.  The votes have been tallied.  The Remnant's of Earth has been initiated into the Planetary Council with a vote of 47-13.  I congratulate you."

Zakharov shut his eyes and exhaled as a sigh.

Santiago began again.  "Provost Zakharov, the council has voted that the prior colony of Mandelev College be transferred to the control of the Remnant's of Earth.  It has been noted and logged in our records.  Please do the same."

Zakharov looked at her with defeated eyes.  "Certainly, Governor.  If I don't write it down, maybe I'll forget and attempt to picnic there someday."  A few chuckles broke out throughout the room.  Santiago seemed to ignore it as Zakharov continued.  "Might a say a few words to the council?"

Santiago nodded.  Zakharov stood and walked to the center, near to where Meskha stood.  The tension in the room was thick as fog.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the council, I thank you for helping Meskha here to steal one of my finest bases.  You've seemed to save me a great deal of trouble.  You see, I'd always wanted one of my colonies to be forcefully removed from my control…but I've never seemed to think of how to do it, exactly.  Please remind me to send you all personal letters of thanks as I return to one of my remaining bases."  He walked back to his seat, leaving the council stunned at the Provost's sudden burst of sarcasm.  Across the room, the entire council could hear Yang chuckling to himself.

Santiago began again.  "As is custom of the U.N. charter, we shall now hold a vote for the Planetary Governor.  As the polls stand, the factions eligible for election are my own and Gaia's Stepdaughters.  I now ask you to vote openly…there will be no recess."

Zakharov has a headache.  Not only had he lost his colony, but now there was a chance that Deirdre might lead the council…and the last thing he wanted was a leader who already hated him to be governor.  He decided to take desperate measures.  He contacted factions one by one through his side computer in hopes of offering technology to other factions, and was fairly unsurprised when they told him their votes had already been promised.  I don't need this right now…

Deirdre accepted nomination as Planetary Governor.  Her first order of business was to meet once more in comm. links in one month's time.  Zakharov watched his feet as he walked out the door, Shila close behind.  He had expected even that news to sober her…and fortunately, it had. 

"Deirdre's in charge now, huh…" She said, keeping up with Zakharov.

"…yes."  Zakharov sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time today.  "Shila…let's go back to U.B.  I just want to get lost among my stars."

She smiled.  "But we've still got a six-hour flight ahead of us."

Zakharov looked at her, moaning internally.  "You're not very good at cheering my up, Shila."

She looked confused.  "You don't like shuttle rides?"

"Never mind.  I just want some rest."

She smiled.  "I'll sleep with you."

Zakharov froze.  "…what?"

Shila yawned.  "I'm tired too."

Zakharov exhaled.  "Remind me to teach you about human slang sometime."

She blinked in confusion as Zakharov smiled.  "Come on, let's get to our shuttle."  Somehow, Shila, you always seem to cheer me up.  I'm lucky to have you…

~