A NEW Beginning - Book 3

Chapter 6 - Day 1 - Matt - Daibazaal

The crowd went silent, then slowly erupted as what Lotor said sunk in. What started as a quiet whisper soon turned to yelling across the room. The majority of The Jupiter Project was happy with his decision, while others felt it robbed the people of their democratic rights. Some of the Garla cheered loudly, while some booed, and others just stood silently in shock, staring at the leadership table.

Kolivan stood frozen, blinking at Lotor, who had taken his seat again, and seemed more interested in looking at his nails than the mayhem around him.

Bumberthatch stood up to address the room again.

"Silence!" his loud voice boomed. This was the reason we chose him as our spokesperson. His smooth baritone voice would catch the attention of the room, even in a whisper, so when he raised his voice, it demanded that you listen.

"Clearly things today have not gone as planned," he glared at Lotor, "And while most of us would agree that this is a good outcome," he paused, as another round of boos came from the Galra, "There is still much work needed to be done."

"I think it best if we give Kolivan and his team some time to process this development before we move forward. All those for reconvening at a later date?" A loud noise of consent came from the majority of the crowd,

"All those against?" There were a few naysayers, but they quietened down quickly.

"The majority has it!" Bumberthatch announced. "My fellow members and I will have a discussion about how we want to move forward at this time," he said, addressing Kolivan, "But I assume we will want to set up a representative party to stay here and assist until we can meet again," he looked around to some of the more influential members surrounding him, including Ezor, Zethrid, and myself, and we all nodded. "Before I excuse you, I must address the room." he said, turning around on the spot, "Is there any other items to be discussed at this time."

There was silence and a number of shakes of the head.

"Is there anything further, Kolivan?" he asked, turning back to the new leader of the Galra Republic.

"No, Thank you, Bumberthatch, Jupiter members," he said quietly, nodding his head. Although this was a win for him, and the Galra, and the universe for that matter, you could tell he was embarrassed by how the events of the day had occurred. It was poor form of Lotor to do this. He could have stood down at any time, but he chose to do it in front of 50 of Jupiter's most influential members, who had come all this way to have their time wasted.

"Then you and your peoples may go," he said, nodding to Kolivan. The rest of the table stood and turned to leave.

"Lotor," he addressed, as Lotor tried to slip out of the room, "Can you please stay momentarily?"

Lotor sat back down in his seat, looking up at us, as the rest of the Galra filed out of the room.

Once the door had been closed behind them, Bumberthatch turned to Lotor.

"We obviously accept your stepping down, and we won't go into the reasons behind your decision, but what we would like to know your intentions from here forward," he paused, seemingly to weigh up his words. "Meaning are you stepping down entirely, or are you happy to be an advisor for Kolivan? Kolivan is going to be a great leader, but there is still so much he needs to learn. Victory or death isn't going to work here, but neither is knowledge or death. Kolivan has only had experience leading a small group of vigilantes, he has no idea how to run a planet."

"I thought you wanted him in power?" Lotor asked him, seemingly annoyed.

"We do," Bumberthatch confirmed, "But, to be honest, we had hoped he would learn a lot more from you before that happened. We don't trust you, Lotor, but there is no denying that your upbringing has a certain advantage when it comes to leading. The Galra are so very black and white, but you have a wider knowledge, and see things from a broader perspective."

Lotor nodded, yet looked sad at the same time, "I can see why everyone doubts me. I have my followers, but I would never have the support and loyalty required of a true leader. And that, along with what is in my heart, is why I must stand down." He lifted his head, "I am hoping that, if things go in my favour, I will not be returning to Daibazaal to live," he continued, "I will, however, be happy to advise Kolivan from off-planet. I'm willing to have an open path of communication, and I will only be a short trip away most of the time," he assured us, "And, hopefully, the relationship between Kolivan and myself will become easier now that I have made my decision, and we won't be under each other's feet all the time."

"Okay, we will take this knowledge forward," Bumberthatch responded, "Are we correct in the knowledge that you are leaving Daibazaal later today?" he asked.

"That would be correct," he responded, "this was planned out well in advance, and has in no way any connection to the events today."

"Very well, is there anything else you wish to discuss?" he asked and, when Lotor shook his head, added, "You are free to leave."

Lotor stood, and nodded to the room, before turning to leave.

"Can you check on Narti?" Ezor called after him. He smiled and nodded, before walking out and closing the door behind him. I gave Ezor a questioning look, and she just wiggled her eyebrows and giggled at me.

"Can all those up the back come down to the floor?" Bumberthatch asked, "It's time for more of a discussion, rather than me addressing you. I may love talking, but even I get tired of my own voice."

There was a laugh around the room as those that were further back made their way down. About 20 of us remaining seated while the others gathered around.