บท 413: Elder Trial
Hardin's accusation quickly causes chaos to erupt in the room. There had been a rumour that Hardin was vying for the Elder's position, but none thought he'd be so blunt about achieving it. The rule McNamara had broken was a relatively unknown and vague one called 'The Chain That Binds'.
Essentially, people under your command cannot be ordered to do something by someone else, regardless if their position is higher than yours. In order for them to use your men, they would have to order you to use them instead. Truthfully, Afton had thought that no one bothered to adhere to that rule as he'd seen higher officers break it before...
Unfortunately, since McNamara had revealed that he'd broken it, there was just cause for Hardin to try and oust him as Elder... This wouldn't be good for anyone, Afton and his group especially due to Hardin's apparent hostility to them.
The members of the Brotherhood quickly break into a discussion on the validity of Hardin's accusation, as some were of similar minds to Afton on the matter. McNamara decides to bring back some semblance of order to this shit-show of a trial... It'd changed from Afton being under the axe to McNamara... Only with the executioner's axe having Afton's name on it.
"Silence!" McNamara calls, his voice somehow breaking through the muttering discussions and forcing them all to stop. He looks to Hardin, "Head Paladin, please air your grievances and accusations, afterwards, I will explain my actions and a vote will be held to decide the fate of our Chapter." he states.
Hardin nods and glances around the room at the various allies he'd gathered during his time preparing for this, people were fed up with living in isolation underground, so it wasn't hard to bring them to his side... Though, McNamara's earlier words would sway a few.
"Brothers, sisters, we all adhere to the Codex as it has not ever led us astray, even in these dire times. All of us are aware of its utility, but for it and our Chapter to work as it should, strict adherence is required! We cannot go flouting our rules and traditions simply because it may be convenient in the moment, this is especially important for one such as the Elder, who should be a beacon of what we should all strive to be...
Elder McNamara has broken this delicate balance, altered the Chains That Binds and altered the order of command. A rule which was designed to stop tyranny and corruption from occurring, to prevent Elders from overstepping their bounds and causing needless death.
My men, three squads had gone missing with no logs or records of where they might've gone. They were all good, honest men with families, yet, due to Elder McNamara overstepping his authority and commanding them without my knowledge, they are all missing or dead.
Hardin pauses while examining the room for reactions to his words... He was difficult to tell under their helmets, but the uncomfortable shifting of their bodies made it clear he was rather convincing.
"Additionally, Elder McNamara's choice to keep us all hidden underground like rats, in my opinion, is slowly causing our extinction! It is clear our enemies already know of our location, but the choice is what we should do about it... Should we stay here, hiding like rats until they send a big enough force to squash us? Or should we stand up with our heads held high, and fight for our freedom, our pride, our fate!" he almost shouts the last part, afterwards nodding and stepping back slightly to show he was giving the floor to McNamara.
The reception to Hardin's words were... Semi-positive. Most liked McNamara and considered him a good leader. He was the only reason they'd managed to survive Helios One after the last Elder abandoned them after all.
Over at the side of the room, Afton's group were all looking incredibly confused. They'd only come to try and save Veronic and Afton's families from the Legion, but now they'd been caught in some kind of power struggle... Boone looked annoyed, Anja looked fearful, Josie was curious, Tamia looked bored, Karl looked contemplative, and Veronica was keenly focused on the discussion itself.
Elder McNamara nods at Hardin and stands from his seat to address everyone. "I will not lie to you all, I did break the Chain That Binds us." he states, causing a few of Hardin's supporters to glare daggers at him, "But, there was a good reason for it. Most of you hadn't known until now that the ventilation systems of the Bunker were slowly degrading, this was causing the air quality to slowly drop. Of course, this would need cause any noticeable effect until a couple more years, but the fact that we were eventually going to suffocate down here was unavoidable." he says, causing most of the people here to look at one another in semi-fearful apprehension.
McNamara continues, "Look at your reactions to this news. Even now after we have recovered the parts necessary to fix it, you are all still fearful. Imagine that twice that fear amongst the entire Bunker... I have no doubt that there'd be a mass exodus of people leaving the Chapter, we would cease to function properly under it, which is why I did what I had to...
I gathered three squads known for their abilities, and sent them off to discover the ventilation parts required, as I'd thought Knight Parker had perished after not hearing a word from him. I did this without notifying anyone else to keep information about the ventilation quiet. In the Codex, there are numerous rules pertaining to situations like this, ones where the Elder must act against previous mandates for the Chapter. I hold no shame in what I did, even if it is now somewhat unnecessary due to recent events." he states, focussing on Head Paladin Hardin.
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บท 414: Trial by Steel
McNamara continues after allowing the crowd to process his words. "Now, how the subject the Head Paladin so gracefully brought to our attention... Our position underground in the bunker..." he says almost mocking Hardin.
"As I said before we moved into this place, it was necessary to keep our enemies unaware as we regained our strength. Unfortunately, it appears we've been deluding ourselves with the notion that we were still hidden. With the recent attack, it is obvious we cannot remain here, regardless of the outcome of this trial, we will surface again and take our rightful place in the Mojave, as protectors of the people, and guardians against misbegotten and dangerous technology." he states, removing that angle of Hardin's argument entirely.
All the man had left to oust McNamara out of his position was the Chain That Binds, yet, the Codex did indeed grant special protections depending on the circumstances. And, unfortunately, the potential destruction of the Chapter just so happened to be one of them.
Elder McNamara looks around at everyone, "You have heard us, but it is for you all to decide, as trusted members of this community and Chapter, you all will have the choice on what occurs now." he pauses, "Those for my removal as Elder?"
A great many of the crowd hold their fists out and give a thumbs up, meaning they were for the motion. The split wasn't great, maybe 60/40, but it was still enough to be obvious at who'd one their favour.
Elder McNamara slowly nods, "And those for Head Paladin's ascension to Elder?"
Again, people hold their fists out to vote, but it is much closer this time, forcing someone to count each individual to come up with a number... The eventual verdict is 53% for Hardin, and 47% against.
McNamara nods, not showing any inkling of disappointment or anything else to indicate his mood, "You have all spoken, I will return to my rank as Paladin, while Edgar Hardin takes up the position of Elder. It will be in your purview to select a Head Paladin, Elder. I would recommend you do so quickly, as time is of the essence." McNamara states as he steps down from the raised dais where the desk was located.
Hardin replaces McNamara and stands behind the desk in his Power armour, smirking at everyone with a smug look on his face. "My first action as Elder will be to decide the fates of the traitor and his companions." he states, causing McNamara to stop and glare over his shoulder at Hardin.
Afton could only watch the events with a grim look, "Shit." he thinks to himself, wondering what Hardin would do to them... He didn't want to do anything drastic, these people were family after all, but if he was forced to he'd beat and kill his way out to freedom...
He glances over at his group who were already sending nervous looks at him... Hardin was already listing out their various crimes however...
"Knight Parker, for the theft of dangerous technology and abandoning the Chapter without going through proper protocol, your punishment will be imprisonment for five years, that should set you straight... All in favour?" Hardin calls out, already pointing his thumb to the floor...
"Hardly partial, are you..." Afton grumbles as he watches people around the room decide.
Unfortunately for Hardin, it appears that Afton's action of providing the Ventilation components were enough to prove his innocence... Why would he return with them if he was a traitor after all, especially after he'd killed the invading enemies?
Upon seeing this Hardin's face looks like a puckered asshole, Afton almost breaks into chuckles at the thought but manages to hold back. Still, he angry glare caused a few in the room to stand up straight. Seems like some of his supports hadn't voted the way he wanted.
Hardin shakes his head and continues, "Knight Parker, you are exonerated of your crimes and are not stripped of your rank." he says before looking at the rest of his group, "However, these outsiders are something else entirely. I accuse you all of committing trespassing, attempted infiltration and sabotage for our enemies, what say you?"
Boone just shakes his head, "Bullshit."
Afton's eyes widen at his words, he looks to Karl and gestures downwards with his hands, wanting the man to quell the situation... Unfortunately, such a gesture in the Rangers apparently meant something different entirely.
Karl nods sagely at Afton before turning his attention to Hardin. "I've been listenin' to you lot so far, and I've been wonderin', why's this guy have such a large stick up his ass? You one o' those Be-de-ess-em folks? Cuz I'm not interested if you are..."
The room shifts uncomfortably at his insulting words, and the only thing audible is the slap caused when Afton facepalms himself. "Karl you fuckin' idiot!" he mentally screams, you don't just insult a newly made Elder and expect shit to go well... Hardin is likely to try and use a show of force to cement his position.
The look on Hardin's face says it all... The man looks as if he's about to blow a gasket. The Brotherhood was very strict, prim, and polite... Hardin likely hadn't been directly insulted to his face like that for many, many years... Thus, his skin was so thin it was almost see-through...
"How dare you, Outsider! Who gives you the right to speak to me like that? I should have you all stripped naked and lashed right now!" he exclaims.
Veronica steps in front of the group with her arms crossed, "You can't do that, Elder." she states.
"And why do you say that? Scribe Santangelo?" Hardin asks, his brow visibly twitcher in anger.
"Because none of them are members of the Brotherhood, and thus can't be expected to follow the Codex. To do so would be an act of tyrants. Remember Arthur Maxon's words; Shield yourself from those not bound to you by steel, for they are the blind. Aid them when you can, but lose not sight of yourself. Aid them, but do not lose sight of yourself." she emphasizes.
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