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Minister Jacobs entered the governor's office flanked by an entourage of bodyguards. The man that pushed in the door appeared to displace an even metric ton, while the smaller ones to the left and right quickly cased the rest of the office at near the speed of light. Another three just like them brought up the rear. He disliked the cumbersome nature of moving through executive offices with such a bulky suit of armor but recognized its necessity in light of recent events.
"Minister Jacobs! To what do I own this – invasion?" The hefty governor stood behind his desk, looking from one large mercenary to the next and nervously plotting an escape route.
"Relax Charlie," The Minister cajoled, extending his hand in greeting. "I have urgent need of a Vidcom, in private, and you are just the lucky soul that I get to displace."
It was unmistakable, the man was in a hurry and, as he escorted the governor politely by the hand to his own office door, he assured the man amid his feeble sputtering of protest that it wouldn't take long. Truth be told the governor was relieved to be out of there. Of course, nothing says important like using an important man's office for your business. The governor waited outside standing between two men in shades and black suites, nursing his slightly wounded ego.
The tall, slender Minister of Commerce seated himself behind the governor's desk and switched on the Com unit. He looked large and imposing even though the chair in which he sat was clearly made for a much wider man. His demeanor filled the ample space with a graceful casualness that contradicted his current inner turmoil.
"What news do you have for me Commander?" He asked politely as the form took shape on the screen.
"Very little I'm afraid. Sorry Minister." The officer apologized. "It appears that Minister Raven's convoy was attacked, but by whom is still unclear. All perished. Captain Loe reports the loss of the Minister's ship and one of his G8 escorts. "
"I had heard rumors." The minister's look was relaxed but curious. "What happened?"
"According to the captain's report they were attacked by pirates."
"and where did this all happen?"
"That is still not clear to us Sir. The data and the reports do not agree. It appears they were not where they were supposed to be. Outer band of Persephone."
"Pirates near Persephone?"
"That is what the report says, sir."
"Thing have gotten bad, I admit, but that is still hard to believe."
This was the third Minister to die within the last month, and Jacobs was starting to get nervous. The 1400 pounds of black suites around him weren't making him feel any better. Someone was making a power play for the parliament, as hadn't been seen for a century.
Andrew Jacobs had thought the Alliance was stronger than this. All of one year ago he would have denied that any such disintegration could have happened. No other minister believed more in the integrity of the Alliance than he, but none-the-less here it was. Planets vying for power in a new landscape resembling a gladiator's arena more than a federation of equal states. Ministers extorting, poisoning and assassinating one another. Jacobs shook his head, his face was drawn with concern.
"Do they have any leads on the culprits?" The Ministers asked, his demeanor calm.
"Loe is putting inquiries out on a Firefly, captained by a Malcolm Reynolds. A possible Independence terrorist Sir."
The Minister laughed. "A Firefly? He can't be serious."
"They have a suspicious past Sir. And Reynolds fits the profile."
"I have heard of this Reynolds before. He is a thief and smuggler. Didn't he heist the Laceter?"
"Yes sir, that's the one." The Commander confirmed.
"I'd heard he fell in with Jayne Cobb and turned a new leaf. Doing good for folk on the rim. Not the type to get into the thick of a political battle Commander. Particularly one where the sides are not clearly defined."
"I beg to differ with you Minister. He is an Independent and an idealist. He is exactly the type – and I'm not at all sure that this Jayne Cobb really exists. Folk heroes rarely do."
"So whom is he fighting for – this idealist?" This was the key thing on Minister Jacobs' mind. Who was killing off his fellow ministers?
"At this point Sir, it hardly matters. If they were involved we have to send a message."
"Have it your way, they are likely of no consequence. Find out what you can."
"Yes, Sir."
"But Commander." The Minister cautioned. "I need to know who is behind all this. If there is even a chance that this Firefly was involved in the Minister's assassination I'd like to talk to this Malcolm Reynolds. You can send your message after."
"Yes Sir."
The Minister switched the Vidcom off and relinquished the office back to the Charlie. As he said his jovial goodbyes to the nervous governor, the Minister pondered what this new twist in Post-Miranda parliamentary politics could mean. Another powerful contender for leadership in the new government was dead, this one an ally of his. The field was narrowing and the stakes were rising. Was Blackwell consolidating his power or was someone else working here? He would have to be more careful in the near future. The Alliance itself may hang in the balance.
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