Politics

Sometimes, the most uncontroversial things can blow up. Gerrard DuNord, CEO of the Rough Riders, lobbied to have the alliance standing orders changed to let any director of any corp discipline any alliance member for being rude in the alliance private channels. This seemed to come about because when he tried to discipline someone in Gradient, they told him to pull his head in. He didn't like being ignored.

Well, if I wanted Gerrard to have authority over me, I would have joined the Rough Riders, and there were a few people who agreed. The alliance forums got a bit heated. Gahrian resigned as a director of the Rough Riders in protest at Gerrard's proposal being rushed through. Gerrard resigned as CEO. Gahrian accepted the position of CEO of the Rough Riders. I may have been a bit... forceful in suggesting that we were not a military organisation, and that nobody but Eva or my clan, not even Rocius the executor, could give me orders - just suggestions.

Elsebeth thinks it was a plot by Re-Awakened to remove Gerrard. I had tried chatting to her about trying to stop the heated comments damaging the alliance. She seemed sure that EM would go on, but was disappointed in ReAw.

I'm confused. She seemed to think Eva did it - apparently there's been some bad blood between Eva and Gerrard. But I was one of the vocal opposition and Eva's never talked to me about Gerrard. I don't think Eva's been around to talk to anyone else, except maybe Killjoy and he hasn't talked about it.

When I told Elsebeth that, she said obviously it was so subtly done, using an atmosphere of distrust, that I wasn't aware of it... She seemed incredulous that we would be unaware that we were being played.

And then she said she didn't blame Eva. That had she been in her position...

And then she told me no more, except for a cryptic comment "Any price". I asked what she meant, and she asked me would I betray a friend to save the Republic. I said no. She said I was a better person than her. I said perhaps a worse patriot.

Now I'm filled with doubt. Dark thoughts. Questions. Was Eva playing me? I don't think so; I may be oblivious to some things, but not forever, and not usually after it's pointed out. Was Elsebeth trying to play me after the fact? Maybe. Perhaps it suits her for ReAw to take the blame for something she wanted to happen?

From here it looked more like Gahrian put the screws on to Gerrard to get him to step down. Did Elsebeth organise that? What did Gerrard do to Evanda? And if Elsebeth thought Evanda would be at least somewhat justified, why is she upset? Did Elsebeth throw Gerrard away as the price of getting Eva back on side? Is that what she meant by "Any Price"?

Suddenly there's a new world opening up. A world of calculation behind every comment. Questioning of every motive. Distrust of every action.

I don't like it.