<<ZONE VOX HOLOCLIP>>
ZONE VOX: This is Jamez Ardlusse at the Firetruce of the Tribes of Man on the beautiful world of Bella Omega. I'm sitting here with none other than Renn Gistos yl-Harabec, the Phoenix Prime and presiding luminary here.
CAMERA PANS FROM ARDLUSSE TO GISTOS.
ZOOM TO CLOSE UP OF PHOENIX PRIME.
<<Holy Hunter. That's not the same man he used to be. Look at the indications of weight loss.>>
((He's an old man.))
<<Yes, but four months ago he had at least twenty more kilos on him. Check the records.>>
RENN GISTOS: Hardly that, Jamez. There is a Speaker here, you know. I'm just an old man trying to help bring people together.
PAN BACK TO SHOW GISTOS AND ARDLUSSE SEATED ON EITHER SIDE OF A TRIGON BOARD.
ZV: Milord, I understand this event is only held once every fifty years.
<<See? Those have to be fleshpads to make his face look less wasted.>>
RG: That's true. We should probably host it more frequently, but really it's a culmination of a lot of other diplomatic work over the years. Given the vastness of the wilderzone, having regular Firetruces would become quite tiring very quickly, I suspect.
ZV: Can you tell us what you see ahead for the current Firetruce?
ZOOM TO CLOSE UP OF PHOENIX PRIME.
RG: I have much hope, Jamez. The Tribes of Man are weary of war.
<<Party line. If they're so weary, why do they continue to fight after so many centuries?>>
PAN BACK
ZV: Tell that to the Blood Eagle and the Starwolf, Milord. We understand Fury is mounting a campaign that will start another B-E civil war.
<<Christ. That's insane.>>
((Konovalev's the insane one. Fury may be onto something.))
<<Are you kidding me?>>
RG: Complete madness. I don't understand such a decision, especially with Ursula DiVaragas threatening at their doorstep. I had hoped-
<<Hey, look at this.>>
ZV: Milord?
ZOOM TO CLOSE UP OF PHOENIX PRIME.
ZV: Milord?
((I see he's hesitating. What do you think?))
<<Computer, freeze frame. OK, take a look. See the tightening of his jaw here?>>
((Yes. Interesting.))
<<That's a man in pain. A lot of it.>>
((OK, so we know he's suffering, and we have a better idea of what's causing the weight loss.))
<<How in hells did they keep this under wraps?>>
((The wilderzone's a big place. Spies can't be everywhere.))
<<Yeah, yeah. Computer, resume play.>>
RG: Nothing… nothing. The… thought struck me that… the war might well result in the indiscriminate use of ecocidals.
<<Nice recovery, Renn, but I don't think she buys it.>>
PAN BACK
ZV: Are you well, Milord?
RG: I am recovering from a touch of the X-pox, nothing more. (laughs) But thank you for your concern. It's quite touching.
ZV: Can you tell us why you've allowed the Diamond Sword to host this Firetruce? I understand it was quite a controversial decision in your own ranks.
<<That's THE hardball question.>>
((Quiet.))
RG: It was an easy decision. The Children of Phoenix are the First Tribe, and we've borne the responsibility of the Firetruce for centuries. It was time to see whether one of the other tribes was willing to shoulder the responsibilities of leading the search for tribal unity.
ZV: So you're ceding leadership to the Diamond Sword?
ZOOM TO CLOSE UP OF PHOENIX PRIME.
RG: We're not relinquishing our historic primacy, no. We are broadening the scope of who may participate in steering the institution, however. I can tell you Unity will not happen unless all the Great Tribes take a fair share of responsibility. That means we Phoenix have to adopt a more inclusive strategy.
PAN BACK
ZV: Is that why an independent tribal has been appointed Speaker?
((Now this is interesting. Why this particular girl?))
<<She's cute.>>
((She's a scion of the Phoenix. Read the files Imperial Sec has compiled on her.))
RG: (laughs) You have found us out, Jamez. The independents must also play a role.
ZV: Let's turn to her for a moment. She's very young, isn't she?
RG: Yes, but I - we - have the utmost confidence that she will rise to the occasion. She's a remarkable individual.
ZV: Very popular among the independents. Did you choose her yourself, Milord?
RG: Hardly. We worked with the Diamond Sword on Firetruce arrangements, and her name floated to the top.
ZV: Milord, are you an aficionado of Trigon?
RG: Eh?
ZV: This board between us. There's a game in progress, obviously. Who's your opponent?
PAN TO BOARD
RG: Ah, yes. Trigon is such an elegant game. So subtle. I'm not very good, you know, but I hope to improve. Here I'm merely playing against myself.
((I believe he's lying here. The indicators show a tension spike. Look here. And here.))
<<Interesting. You think there's something else going on.>>
((Yes. Take a still of that board position and have it analyzed. Get a para-sape on it.))
ZV: Sort of a mental exercise, then?
PAN BACK
RG: Exactly. I'm afraid I only have time for one more question.
ZV: Already?
RG: (laughs) Now that obviously isn't your question, Jamez. But yes, I have a taxing schedule and not much time. Please try again.
ZV: Very well, Milord. How do you respond to Anton Malderi's accusations that you have sold the Children of Phoenix out to further your personal agenda and cement your place in history?
<<Now she's just fishing. Malderi's a psychopath and everyone knows it.>>
((He's very popular in the Children of Phoenix. Remember, he's calling for a return to the good old days of elitist glory. He could be a real threat to the Empire if he wins power.))
<<That'll never happen.>>
((I think it will.))
CLOSE UP ON GISTOS
RG: Firelord Malderi is a proud man who supports Unity in his own way. That said, his accusation is groundless and short-sighted. I have not "sold out" the First Tribe. Our power and prestige is undiminished, and I have no desire to secure any place in the annals of history. I merely seek Unity so that the Tribes of Man do not continue to sacrifice the lives of their young men and women in pointless wars.
PAN BACK
ZV: Very good. Thank you, Milord.
RG: It's been a pleasure. Thank you.
<<END RECORDING>>