Captain Valeray had been at the helm of the Malocchio for over twenty yahrens. His blue eyes were still sharp and piercing, but his sandy brown hair was beginning to evince the passage of time, with streaks of grey starting at his temples and weaving their way sporadically through his closely cropped hair. He held himself militarily erect, though he had been a civilian his entire career. His position was a matter of pride, and he had always felt that the way a man presented himself should reflect his status.
His bridge was impeccable, not an item out of place, as Captain Apollo and Lieutenant Starbuck entered. It was difficult to believe that it had been one of the sites of an insurrection and subsequent take over.
Valeray nodded a greeting to the Colonial Warriors. He had been briefed by the Quorum only moments ago and warned to expect them. He dusted off an obtrusive fleck from his uniform. "Gentlemen."
"Captain." Apollo nodded in return. His eyes ran over the bridge. "Things appear to be back in order here."
"Yes, Captain Apollo. I run a tight ship."
"So we've heard . . ." Starbuck muttered recalling Siress Ama's accusations regarding the rising ale consumption.
Apollo turned a jaundiced eye towards his subordinate. Starbuck squirmed somewhat apologetically and then shrugged nonchalantly. The captain sighed and turned back to Valeray. "Captain, it was my understanding that the bridge was taken, yet, as I look around, I don't see any signs of damage or any indication of a forced entry."
"No." Valeray nodded curtly, as if the very thought was abhorrent. "That would be because I opened the hatch and let them in."
"Perhaps you could explain why." Apollo pressed.
"Well, when I was unable to reach any Quorum members, I took the only option left to me, I called into effect the Defense of the Empire Act."
"Which is?"
Valeray's eyebrows shot into his hairline as he regarded the young captain. "You do not know?" he asked incredulously.
Something about the man's tone made Apollo feel entirely inadequate. "No. Please enlighten me."
"Hmm. Well, I suppose it is somewhat like declaring martial law, only we obviously do not have our own military to enforce it." He paused to gather his thoughts. "It is a crisis management measure. Our citizens know that once the Defense of the Empire Act has been executed, that they are to return peaceably to their quarters until the newly formed Quorum can be convened."
"And who ensures that they do so?" Apollo enquired.
"Anyone who does not will lose their title and standing in Empyrean society."
Starbuck smiled slightly. "Well, that would do it." The Sagittarian Empyreans valued social standing above all else. "What about this newly formed Quorum? How does that work?"
"We have a list of names of qualified people for just such an occasion. Six are randomly chosen to join the existing Quorum to ensure that the immediate concerns of our people are addressed. It effectively dissolves the Quorum as it stands until such time arrives that the members reach a majority decision regarding our future."
"It sounds more like you're declaring a lack of faith in your Quorum." Apollo suggested.
"That is true, Captain. Perhaps it is a more accurate analogy after all."
"What's the role of the princesses when your Defense . . . Act is called?" Starbuck asked, wondering why Lia and Luana had joined the fray.
"They will once again be asked to either take up their rightful role as Imperial leaders, or to abdicate as they had previously decided."
"What's the relevance?" Starbuck asked.
"I am sure you realize the importance of once again having an Emperor to lead our people, Lieutenant. You, of all the Colonials, should understand."
"With the survival of our fleet, and the search for Earth as our main priorities, our knowledge of our Empyrean brethren is perhaps insufficient for us to comprehend all the intricacies of the moment." Apollo ventured.
Valeray smiled. "Nicely said, Captain. You have some of your father's diplomatic skills. However, as you probably know, it all may be for naught."
"Meaning?" Starbuck asked.
"Well, as things stand, our Quorum is really a mere symbol of our once glorious past. In reality, they simply decide things which your Council of Twelve has no interest in, or does not understand." Captain Valeray informed them frankly.
"With upcoming elections for the Council of Twelve, that will change." Apollo returned. "Your people are not the only ones who feel their representation is inadequate."
"Yeah, after all, the original Council of Twelve worked at a more planetary level. In addition, there were national and civic levels of bureaucracy. The council have proposed that the time has come to expand our bureaucracy to a more local level." Starbuck elucidated.
"It is interesting that the proposal was raised in conjunction with the announcement of elections. It will be interesting to see what other issues arise, as candidates begin to campaign." Valeray nodded. "Perhaps you are right to presume that this is not merely an Empyrean issue."
"Our similarities as Humans can usually overcome any cultural differences." Apollo suggested.
"Especially when we remember that we have a common enemy in the Cylons." Starbuck noted.
"Spoken as a true warrior, Lieutenant."
"It's what I do." Starbuck shrugged. "Frankly Valeray, it won't matter how many people are on your council or what bureaucratic powers they have if enough Cylon base ships catch up to us before we reach Earth."
"We haven't seen Cylons for some time. Why is it a warrior thinks we must always function as though we are still fleeing from them?"
"Hey Pal, if I had my way, the Council would have a lot less say in what happens from a military perspective around these parts." Starbuck returned. "We're playing the odds, Valeray. When an alien race spends the better part of a yahren pursuing us with the objective of total elimination, I don't want to take any chances on the unlikely possibility that they've just disappeared. I don't buy that. Besides, peacetime is when we should focus on sorting out separate levels of government, not while every man, woman and child in the fleet is still in jeopardy."
"No Cylons for five sectars, Lieutenant." Valeray pointed out. "When do you decide that it is safe for the citizens of our fleet to start living like human beings again? Or as close as we can get to it. I think perhaps you underestimate the importance of a grassroots level of bureaucracy in our overall picture. Cede some important decisions to our people, and the long journey to Earth will be more tolerable knowing we have some say in our futures."
"Oh, I understand it. I'm even for it; I just don't think the timing is right. I think it's a ploy by some of the Council members to buy votes. Yeah, for the civil decisions, it would be good for people to have some input, but when it comes to the overall safety of the fleet . . . Lords, I can see the Council of Twelve trying to take more responsibility for important decisions that could affect lives if some of their lesser duties are passed on to local bureauticians. I guess I just have a lot more faith in Commander Adama's leadership than the Council's, especially while we're running from what's behind us, and don't really know what's ahead of us." Starbuck conceded.
"With apologies to the captain, Commander Adama will not be around forever. We need men who are able to fill his shoes, both as a bureautician and military leader. This is a good beginning to groom the bureauticians of our future. It is time for younger men . . . and even women, to learn to take the reins of leadership."
"Did you need to have a riot to get your point across?" Starbuck asked.
"They needed the riot to enact the Defense of the Empire Act." Apollo interjected. "Isn't that right, Valeray?"
Valeray shrugged noncommittally. "It is only enacted before great civil disobedience or dire emergencies. The last instance was half a millennium ago."
"Five centi-yahrens since last enacted? Sounds like your people need to get good and riled up about things before they're inclined towards civil disobedience." Starbuck commented.
"I'm certain the prison-like existence that they endure lends to the volatile environment." Captain Valeray returned.
"Not to mention Regus' sudden proposal for distinct society status as well as all those stories about me." Starbuck added grudgingly.
"What are you suggesting?" Captain Valeray asked curiously.
"That this whole thing was a ruse by your Quorum—or at least half of it—to force a change in the governing body." Starbuck growled. He wasn't sure how much was a set up, and how much coincidence, but regardless, they were using him. Frankly, he had a problem with that.
"Hey buddy, you're jumping to conclusions." Apollo stopped him, but he couldn't help but notice the brief glance of concern that crossed Captain Valeray's features, before he quickly contained his emotions. He put a restraining hand on Starbuck's shoulder as resentment and aggression oozed from the lieutenant's pores. "C'mon, Starbuck. Let's check in with Boomer. Thanks for your help, Captain. It's been very informative."