"You can take a few steps to the window and see why that idea is lunacy!" Heimerdinger shouted. Do the fools need more violence to understand the danger?

Mel stood from her chair, her hands steepling on the table. "That is a reason to intensify the military option, not retreat from it. As a man of science, you should welcome an opportunity to check what can combat hextech."

Heimerdinger hopped into his chair. I am no stranger to non-yordles trying to intimidate me with height. "If you value scientific learning so much, I fail to see why my report apparently has gone unread. The hextech shield bears no offensive threat to Piltover." He slid his report in front of him in her direction.

"What if they expand it? The hexgates are more crucial now for commerce, but they could stop our shipping lanes," Salo argued.

"Or perhaps they can create a version around Piltover and force us into a quarantine or blockade," Hoskell added.

"What are the military committee's suggestions anyway? Shoot at the field until it surrenders?" Cassandra chided. She did not respond well to the news of Mel's aggression on the bridge.

Bolbok took half a second for his voice box to catch up. "We have reports of shimmer neutralizing the effects of hextech in some circumstances. Perhaps we could have some volunteers who take shimmer medicinally or an addict check if the field is permeable to them."

Shoola fingers danced absent-mindedly on the table. "Since the military committee doesn't have a plan to counteract the field at this time, it only makes sense for the diplomatic committee to take primacy and meet with the Zaunite leaders. We could simply march under a flag of truce on the bridge and parlay with them."

"We show that sort of weakness right now and it will be the Undercity that will be ruling us." Mel contended. "To say nothing of the concerns of our neighbors. Demacia, Ionia, and of course Noxus will not look favorably at an ascendent "Zaun", especially with hextech. They all have rebel and resistance groups that would see a successful independent underclass as an inspiration. They could even try to form solidarity between them and any current ruler with a functional brain would see that they would need to be snuffed out before the fire could spread. This would be another way that our status and wealth would be endangered."

Are we so lost that this is what it has become? Afraid to support the rights of refugees and the unfortunate because of the whims of foreign rulers or diminishing the noble families prestige and money?

Heimerdinger made a long sigh. "I will remind everyone that fighting in a war where either side relies on weaponized magic like hextech will bring collective ruin. I saw countless annihilated by the arcane. The olive branch is the only option that does not end in mutual destruction."

Sheriff Derek took a few steps forward. "Respectfully, I don't believe that is true. It's correct the field is presently not offensive and while the Trenchers can cross it under some circumstances, it is my assessment they've dwindled their options a great deal. We can put them under a blockade and siege. Our ships can be converted for military operations with ease. It shouldn't take long for their food, water, and perhaps even breathable air to dwindle. If the pollution there is half-as-bad as they claim they will be harming themselves greatly soon."

Enough! Heimerdinger quietly pressed a button under the table and sat while Mel spoke after Derek. He was no longer listening. It was a short time before Jayce, Caitlyn, and a dozen armored enforcers marched into the council room with their firearms shouldered.

"As founder of Piltover and by the power invested in me by the Charter of the Ethos, I declare the Council dissolved," Heimerdinger announced.

As predicted, the military committee rose as one in vocal and fierce opposition while the diplomatic committee stayed seated. Shoola nodded in resignation. Caitlyn looked disappointed, though that may have more to do with her daughter being ready to aim at the sheriff than not being able to sway her peers.

"Treason is it?" Hoskell scoffed and dropped the new child's toy he had bought.

"You have no right. Interpretation of the Ethos has always fallen to the Council," Salo said.

Bolbok was waving a paper around. "This is also folly. Decapitating the government in the middle of a crisis will only make the Undercity bolder."

Mel had her eyes on the Sheriff Derek. As was tradition, the sheriff was the only one not expected to yield their weapon before entering the council room. Derek was looking with icy rage at each enforcer, then Jayce, and then Caitlyn.

"Why?" he finally challenged her. His hand was near his holstered revolver.

"You did let me define the Undercity Division's mission. 'Justice for the people,'" she answered. Her eyes were locked on his.

"Though the heavens may fall?" Derek replied. The tense moments stretched, then he held out his hands. "Without recognizing the legitimacy of this coup, I surrender."

Jayce brought out cuffs but Caitlyn touched his wrist. "There's no need for that, Jayce." She turned back to her former boss. "We will need you to turn over the revolver though."

Mel seethed as the other enforcers moved to the military committee members and started escorting them away. Furious eyes tried to pierce Heimerdinger. "What are your plans for us then, Tyrant Heimerdinger? Do we disappear? Public execution? Stillwater?"

Heimerdinger shook his head. "Former Councilors Medarda, Bolobk, Salo, and Hoskell will be placed under house arrest. They will have a loyal enforcer present when discussing matters with those outside the household. There will also be new investigations into their businesses."

Scoffing, Mel glanced to the side. She smiled a little before turning back to him. "But not ex-Councilors Kiramman nor Shoola. Selected use of the enforcers against political enemies. Not too much will change, it seems."

Do not let this register on the emotional level. "The urgency of the investigations will be influenced by compliance with the emergency and temporary dictatorship. Cassandra and Shoola will be members of the peace cabinet for the conference with Zaun. They will also help secure key points from disloyalty."

Mel felt a hand lightly take her elbow and she jerked it violently and stared down the presumptuous enforcer. Still, she started slowly walking away with her.

"I ask the enforcers present to swear an oath. Though you have already shown your steadfastness, swear allegiance to the Ethos, to Piltover, and to the emergency dictatorship," Heimerdinger called.

There was a moment of hesitation as the enforcer's looked at each other. Jayce stepped forward and said the oath. Then Caitlyn. Then the rest.

Derek spat at the floor as he was taken out the door. "Fools, cowards, and bootlickers."

Heimerdinger acted as though he didn't hear anything. "Mr. Tallis is to assume the role of Sheriff of the Enforcers with Captain Caitlyn Kiramman as his deputy."

"Heimerdinger, I would prefer she be recognized as my partner instead. She is too important to be seen as my subordinate."

Nodding, the yordle gestured with an open palm. "Very well, Sheriff Tallis and Sheriff Kiramman. I need you both to ensure the new government is domestically safe. Jayce, suspend enforcers that are disloyal, review those who are uncertain, and reward those who are loyal. Caitlyn, discuss the time and place of our conference with the Zaunite leaders."

Mel was a few steps from the great door when she stopped and turned. "This will be in vain. You could have won a war with minimal bloodshed. Now you're trying to play at statecraft without even knowing all the players. You were given the choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor, and you will have war."