After the battle and the hasty clean-up

[duke_kostan]

There's a hasty tidying-up of the Council Hall and reorganization of the Guard. Kostan curses, looking over all the briefings. One officer of the guard already has been arrested for negligence, with a dozen more to be called for an explanation of their inaction

Comments

[violeteyedmage]

Tempest raises his eyes in response. Best not to go on the defensive, but stay on the offense. A show of strength.

"A blatant power play, Kostan? Please... you'd rather close your eyes to the sharks circling than attempt to deal with them. Yes, I have gone to the surface -- to attempt to track down the source of the drugs. Clearly, however, you are much more concerned with whether or not you can take my position than whether or not Atlantis can be saved."

He turns to the other council. He can't say that the drugs are coming in due to the efforts of the council. Not yet. It could ruin the investigation.

"The attack we suffered was clearly an attempt to disrupt our alliance with the Amazons. Both our foes have faced Amazonian justice before. I 'brought these troubles' with me? I brought an Amazon and an Honor Guard. If bringing in such old, strong allies is 'bringing trouble,' then perhaps Duke Kostan would prefer to hide in a trench so deep that not even the gods can find him anymore."

[duke_kostan]

"And if you have been engaged in solving the issue of who's been polluting our citizens, then what have you learned? Why is it still here? these chemicals came from the surface, that's true. We are too soft on them, too tolerent of their wasteful ways. If they are poisoning us, then it is an act of war."

[violeteyedmage]

"You have proof that these poisons came from the surface, then?" Garth counters. "And why wasn't this proof shared, Kostan? Or are you making an assumption out of laziness?"

[duke_kostan]

Kostan looks a little strange - just a split second. "You were up there researching the poisons, or so you said. You were months away. One can only hope your jaunts aboroad have been more than pleasure-trips."

He shakes his head. "Try to direct the currents how you like, but they're still present. These drugs came in only after we opened up trade with the surface. You come down here with a 'honor' guard - the Amazon, I understand, but the others are air-breathers. And when they've come down, both this time and the last, we've found ourselves under attack!"

"If you have evidence that this curse isn't a product of above, show it."

[middle_amazon]

Meanwhile outside the chambers...

Troia is being propped up by Jesse and Nightwing. Her dress is in shambles after that fight and her hair...Well, Roy is going to pout. This is all the least of her issues right now.

"No, I am here to give my address to the council. Just because I was interrupted -"

[jla_extras]

"As I have stated, Princess. The only reason you and your honor Guard are not arrested for the deaths of those along the Royal Avenue this morning is because we cannot spare the men on you. One of your number has retreated already. Why should we believe -"

[middle_amazon]

"Who exactly -" Despite her injuries, she still manages to exude a side of herself the Titans rarely see - that of a royal. "Ordered you to question the word of a daughter of Hippolyta?"

[jla_atlantis]

"Many of us, ambassador." A late comer answers smoothly. "Though your sister is renown for the truth, you are an adopted daughter, correct? And really, what Amazon invited males to her Honor Guard? What exactly do you call your underling group on the surface, again?"

[middle_amazon]

And as they enter things haven't improved.

[jla_atlantis]

An elderly man eyes them with sadness and frustration. He neither welcomes them or tries to prevent them from sitting in the empty chairs around him.

[middle_amazon]

She recognizes him. One of the Council Members and suspects. "You are from Shayeris, aren't you? The Regent's home city?"

[jla_atlantis]

"Yes, I am the representative of Shayeris here," he answers sidestepping the other inquiry. "Is there something I can help you or your guardians with, Princess?"

[duke_kostan]

He nods coolly to Donna. "You'll have your turn to testify, Princess."

But he shakes his head at Garth. "Can you fight your battles alone? This display suggests otherwise."

[violeteyedmage]

Garth merely raises an eyebrow.

"Did I invite them in, Kostan?" He shakes his head. "However, I am not so foolish as to dismiss allies when they present themselves. Perhaps you are afraid of what they have to say?"

[duke_kostan]

"No, they just broke every tenet of protocol to leap to your defense, as though they realize you've not got a fin to swim with otherwise."

"I have the evidence of these drugs, I've been handling this crisis in Atlantis in your stead, and I am standing up here on my own rather with an entourage that seems to invite disaster with each visit. Now, you?

[violeteyedmage]

"I'm curious to see learn where you uncovered this evidence," he admits. "Now, if the ambassadors who are quietly sitting and observing the process are 'leaping to my defense,' I see how badly I need assistance from a man who claims to rule Atlantis by himself in my absence. I think everyone in this room can agree that everyone has a role to play in Atlantis, whether I am here or not. Do not take so much credit, Duke, that you overshadow the work others... within this very chamber... do."

He glances at Donna. "Now, you have accused our Amazonian allies of bringing trouble with them with every visit. Perhaps they should be given a chance to defend themselves? Or, since you singlehandedly rule Atlantis, Kostan, would it offend your delicate sensibilities to allow our allies to speak before accusing them of such crimes?"

[violeteyedmage]

"Thank you, Duke. Your generosity knows no bounds." Garth's voice drips with sarcasm. "Now let me see if I may pierce through your attempts to grab power, your attempts to disgrace Atlantis through insulting and accusing our Amazonian allies, and your attempts to take credit for the work of other hard-working Atlantean council-members. When we strip all that away, Duke, there is very little left to address.

"I have managed to track down every possible lead. The drugs are not, in fact, coming from the surface. True, they are coming from Chemical World, as you also discovered, but they are not coming via the surface. This means that someone within Atlantis itself has been bringing this poison in

[middle_amazon]

Two broken legs, so she has to lean on Dick and Jesse to stand. The stitches and other wounds are apparent, and obviously considerable in amount and seriousness. Her voice, however, carries as if nothing were amiss and her strength was at full

[jla_atlantis]

A kindly old hand is raised. "I do not believe such things are needed, Troy." To the assembled. "There is much to consider. I move for adjournment for today."

[jla_atlantis]

"Seconded."