"To be clear Deputy Alesandese, this would entail turning over all intelligence assets on the Human Plane over to the Presidium if and when the proposal for Inclusion is approved by the Parliament of Fae." Mira Levasseur, Primus for Intelligence reiterated.

Deputy Stasio Alesandese, Deputy Ash Dyson Thornwood, and Elder Iyas Ghannam of the Clan Bukharin sat before the Pillar of Intelligence's Special Commission to present plans for Transparency as part of the Human Plane's proposal for Inclusion.

After Dyson had finished dinner with Bo, Trick and the four amigos he caught up with Stasio and Iyas for the meeting. The meeting was being held inside one of the conference rooms within the Intelligence Pillar quadrant of office buildings within the Grand Strategum. When Dyson first visited the Grand Strategum he stood in wonder of the place; it was like visiting a self-contained city the size of Paris with all of a city's accoutrements. It's architecture mimicked that of the rest of Presidium and seemed to have more greenery placed throughout. He was so taken by the surroundings he spent half a day just wandering about. The Grand Strategum was so vast and the buildings so tall they were bound together by five walkways levels that reached higher than Dyson's wolf eyesight could see. Dyson chuckled. It was like something out of sci-fi movie except that it was real.

Each of the Four Pillars, along with The Agency and the Brynai Society of Engineers had their own subset quadrant of office buildings within the Grand Strategum, and by that Dyson found to mean each of the Four Pillars was like a sub-city in it of itself. The Intelligence Pillar alone had 200 office buildings and the conference room they were meeting in was more like a grand hall. The room itself was oval-shaped with Stasio, Dyson, and Iyas and their staff of 50 seated at conference tables in the middle of the room. The tiered seating in the room reached twelve levels and was packed with members of the committee who looked down upon them. It was one of the most intimidating setups Dyson had ever been in, but Dyson suspected that was also the point.

Dyson had never been through a more painfully detailed process in his life, an assessment of the intelligence strata and capabilities across the entire Human plane of existence, except perhaps Dr. Lewis's medical check-ups. Nor had Dyson ever seen a Special Commission of that size either. Among its 235 members there was Their Serene Highnesses Atia and Dakari, Councilor Lavina Heatherington, an old friend of Their Majesties, Mira Levasseur, Primus for Intelligence who headed the Special Commission, and her Deputy, Lysander Brixius who sat on her right. It was a late session that had been going on for hours. In his short time there Dyson wondered if the Presidium ever slept.

"We are prepared. The Agents the Presidium sent have been seeding themselves into every known and not so known Intelligence Agencies on our plane." Stasio replied.

"They will be critical in implementing the acceptance strata for the plan." Primus Levasseur said.

"And essential in rooting out and dispelling any dissent as well." Councilor Heatherington added.

"I understand." Stasio replied.

"For clarity, may I ask Councilor Heatherington what she meant by rooting out and dispelling any dissent?" Dyson asked.

"I mean exactly as you infer from it, Deputy Thornwood." Councilor Heatherington replied.

"Councilor, you do realize that, for the Human Plane such a transition needs to be handled with a certain…finesse. After all, it is the Fae whom are in the minority on our plane." Dyson clarified.

"And an obscure minority at that." Elder Ghannam added.

"Our presence cannot be lorded over the humans." Dyson said.

"At least right away." Iyas chirped. Dyson quickly threw him an askance.

"It will have to be managed." Dyson said.

"The Presidium is well-versed in managing transitions, Deputy Thornwood." Brixius said.

"But it's first in managing a non-Fae one, Deputy Brixius." Dyson reminded. "Humans do not react well to change. Especially, one that will transform their very way of life, flipping the tables so to speak. Some will react violently." Dyson replied.

"And we shall deal with it if they do." Brixius said. Dyson's eyes narrowed.

"How?" Dyson challenged.

"Dyson…" Stasio warned in a low voice.

"Accordingly, Deputy Thornwood." Brixius replied.

"Enlighten me." Dyson pressed.

"Do not presume to press me, Deputy Thornwood! I…" Brixius said as he scooted forward into his seat.

"Ash Thornwood!" Dyson interrupted to audible gasps in the room.

"What?" Brixius shot back.

"I am the Ash! That means not only am I the leader of the Fae, I am their Protector, to include the Humans under their protection." Dyson replied.

"You mean 'claimed' humans." Councilor Heatherington reminded. "Let us be as precise in our terms if we are going to be precise in our titles, shall we?" Dyson took a in deep breath.

"Councilor, what I meant to stress is that if this proposal goes through I will be responsible for all humans, not just 'claimed' ones. That's why it is imperative the transition is managed properly." Dyson replied.

"Why do you care so much…Ash…Thornwood?" Brixius asked. Dyson's eyes narrowed again.

"Your point, Deputy Brixius." Ash Thornwood replied.

"While we may have to be considerate, the honest truth is this: the Humans are nothing more than cattle." Brixius replied.

"I think you mean 'chattel', Lysander." Councilor Heatherington clarified.

"That too." Brixius agreed. "There is only so much…toleration…one will allow with food arguing back before killing it altogether." Brixius said self-assured.

"Lysander!" Primus Levasseur warned. Brixius looked at Primus Levasseur and then surveyed the room to find all eyes rested upon him with various expressions of shock, surprise…and smiles. Brixius looked back at Primus Levasseur.

"Apologies, Primus! This was not the forum to express such…free…thoughts." Brixius offered.

"No it was not." Councilor Heatherington commented. Primus Levasseur surveyed the room.

"It has been a long night, and we have reached the early hours of the morning. We shall adjourn and take this up again in a few days." Primus Levasseur announced.

"Your Excellency, may I ask what are the next steps?" Deputy Alesandese asked.

"If your proposal passes our review we will present our final recommendations before the Joint Agency of the Grand Strategum. That body will combine the final recommendations from the assorted Special Commissions and present the summary recommendations before the Tetrarch. The Tetrarch will then review and present the summary recommendations before the Parliamentary Council and upon review that body will submit their final recommendation before the Parliament of Fae who will then submit their approval or non-approval before The Queen."

"Presidium bureaucracy at its finest." Councilor Heatherington added with a brief smile.

"With over 200 billion Fae and a multitude of planes of existence to manage, even more so." Primus Levasseur said as she stood and everyone followed suit.

"We are adjourned. Deputy Brixius, a word?" Then she turned and left with Deputy Brixius right behind her.

Everyone moved about as they chatted and collected their things when Stasio turned to Dyson.

"What was your exact agenda there a few minutes ago, Dyson? To piss off as many Fae as possible?" Stasio angrily asked.

"I just wanted it clear that we have unique considerations." Dyson replied.

"While Evony may have history with The Queen it does not offer us protection against those who do not favor our Inclusion." Stasio said.

"I realize that." Dyson replied.

"And while Bo comes from the Human plane, it's nostalgic! She's Fae! Selected by Destiny itself to be the next Queen so it makes no difference in the Realm's eyes!" Stasio said.

"I realize that too." Dyson replied.

"Our first consideration is that of the Fae! The entire point of our Inclusion! We must assure the acceptance of us first!" Stasio said.

"I agree with Stasio, Dyson. We can deal with the Human aspect if and when the Presidium takes over because then we shall be in the clear majority. Until then, we have no footing." Iyas added.

"I'm not disagreeing with that. If our proposal for Inclusion is accepted we will need to be even more vigilant with our defense of the Humans." Dyson replied.

"Fine! But first, we need to tend to the practical realities and ensuring our proposal is approved. Once that is done we then can entertain…altruistic notions! Until then, we keep our heads!" Stasio replied.

"Stasio…!" Dyson began.

"Do you understand me, Dyson!" Stasio asserted.

"Look, Stasio, I know you have plans for yourself, but I do not want those plans at the expense of either Fae or Humans." Dyson replied.

"What are you trying to get at, Dyson?" Stasio asked.

"Look, I want the same thing you do for the Fae." Dyson replied.

"Really? Doesn't sound that way." Iyas said.

"Well, I do! I think the Fae would benefit from being part of the Presidium in more ways than could ever possibly be imagined. But the Humans can also benefit. But I'm concerned the disdain of some of the Fae here at the Presidium may not be limited to just the Humans." Dyson replied.

"What?" Iyas asked surprised.

"I have been getting the funny feeling that we may not be seen in the same light as the Fae here." Dyson replied.

"What makes you say that?" Stasio asked confused.

"It's a feeling. A theory, perhaps. It could be politics. It could be history. But if you haven't noticed a lot of moves are being made to exact old revenges, and our proposal for Inclusion maybe exacerbating the matter." Dyson replied.

"Or giving it license." Iyas commented.

"Look all I'm saying is that we need to mindful as we continue these discussions, to reiterate to forces we can see and cannot see that we are watching as well, that we are not coming in desperate, that we are looking to be accepted as equals, not as inferior, Fae or Human." Dyson said.

"Dyson has a point, Stasio." Iyas replied. Stasio took in a deep breath.

"Look, I'll speak to Evony and Trick about what you said, but in the interim, during these sessions, let's keep the antagonism to a minimum." Stasio replied.

"Fine." Dyson replied.

"Ash Thornwood?" A voice called out from behind them. They all turned to find Her Serene Highness Atia standing behind them with her Bas, Bas Lilka. They all bowed and Atia acknowledged it with a bow of her head.

"Your Serene Highness, how may I assist you?" Dyson asked.

"A moment of your time?" Atia asked.

"Of course, Your Serene Highness." Dyson replied.

"Please walk with me." Atia said then turned and headed for the door. Dyson glanced at Stasio and Iyas and then followed Atia and her Bas out the door. Out of all the Prescotti children, Atia was the shortest, standing at only 5 feet, one inch in height. Her Bas, Bas Lilka, a woman with blonde hair and a sleek, slim, athletic build was 5' 8' inches tall. Outside in the hallway, Dakari stopped Atia momentarily with Bas Ramin right behind him.

"We are still on for tomorrow?" Dakari asked.

"Of course!" Atia replied.

"Good!" Then Dakari's eyes narrowed. "You look a little more tired than usual."

"I'm fine. Just a very long day, and we both have to be up in a few hours." Atia replied.

"We can postpone you know." Dakari said.

"And miss hunting with my favorite brother?" Atia replied.

"Be careful, Jock will get jealous." Dakari replied and they both chuckled. Dakari kissed her on the top of her head. "Get some sleep."

"I will." Atia replied.

"Ash Thornwood." Dakari greeted.

"Your Serene Highness." Dyson quickly bowed as Dakari and his Bas, Bas Ramin turned and left.

Atia resumed her walk down the corridor with Dyson right on her left and her Bas a few feet behind them.

"Is there something you wish to speak to me about, Your Serene Highness." Dyson asked as they walked along.

"I just wanted to say don't pay any attention to Lysander. He comes from an old world view of things. Rest assured, considerations will be made to ensure we simply do not rush in."

"That is most appreciative, Your Serene Highness." Dyson replied. "But I have to ask why you nor your brother Dakari did not say anything?"

"Our… responsibility is to listen and observe. Not only to what is being said but what is also not being said and by whom respectively. Besides, it seems you were able to handle yourself just fine in there, Ash Thornwood." Atia replied.

"Deputy Thornwood is just as fine."

"Oh, really? You seemed very intent on the title?" Atia queried.

"Only because I may be the last if this proposal goes through." Dyson replied.

"Nostalgia?" Atia asked.

"More out of history." Dyson replied.

"I understand. So, how are things coming along for you here?" Atia asked.

"In what way, Your Serene Highness?" Dyson asked.

"Generally speaking." Atia replied.

"It has been very busy first week. Frankly, I don't know how you all keep up with it all." Dyson replied.

"You shall have to get use to this pace if the proposal for Inclusion is approved." Atia said.

"You think we have a real chance?" Dyson asked.

"There are always real chances, but the complaints against the Human plane are valid. As you realize, if approved, yours will be the first non-Fae plane in Realm history to be accepted by Fae with the expectation to be treated as anything beyond food." Atia replied. That made Dyson stop a moment and look at Atia. Atia stopped and turned and smiled.

"My dear Ash, don't worry. If you are approved, policies will be put into place to assure your plane is not reaped as if it were harvest season, but I must be honest it will be a high hill to climb." Atia replied.

"Your Serene Highness, is this your way of saying you may be one of them who thinks that way?" Dyson asked.

"As you also realize that despite Her Majesty's support, and the fact that Her Royal Highness comes from the Human plane there are also realities." Atia replied then turned and resumed their walk. "Not to mention the hurdles Grand Ducal Marquis will have to jump in order to be welcomed again…." Atia continued but then she suddenly staggered off to one side and rested herself against the nearest wall.

"Your Serene Highness?" Bas Lilka called out as she quickly came to her side and helped steady her. Atia gripped her eyes shut then steadied herself.

"I'm fine. It's been a long and involved day." Atia said as she steadied herself, took a few more steps then suddenly grabbed her head with both hands and fell to her knees in agony. Then suddenly the area around them shook and everyone was knocked off their feet. Dyson was knocked into a wall and held firm as he looked at Atia.

Atia cried out again as the area shook harder, knocking nearby Fae onto the ground and causing debris to fall to the ground. Bas Lilka held Atia close as Atia struggled to control herself only to struggle in agony.

"Presidium Medical!" Bas Lilka called out into the air.

"Medical here!" Came a response.

"I need immediate transport!" Bas Lilka ordered.

"What is the name of the patient?" Came a response.

"Here Serene Highness Atia!" Bas Lilka replied.

"Prepare for transport." A transvortex suddenly opened up around them and they disappeared.

Dyson looked at where Atia and her Bas once were and then looked around as Fae worked to recover themselves and ran about.

"Dammit!" Dyson exclaimed and then quickly walked off in the direction of the reeling crowds.