Several Months Earlier
Selen
The Citadel

"We ain't sitting the fence, mate—"

The assembled Summit shifted uncomfortably at the anger in the gaze of the man facing them. In recent months, little had been heard of Uji Tameike, the former Proconsul; he certainly wasn't absent but hadn't involved himself in their affairs.

"What have we gained by our current situation? Selen in ruins from external and internal assaults, the Houses are divided, your summits sit without direction, without guidance! Odan-Urr takes our titles and our victories as their own while we sit second to them!" the former Scion's voice rose to nearly a roar, silencing the Ryn seated on the Throne.

"I'm gonna remind you one more time to watch your tone before things get mutinous," Terran ordered, the Summit guard drawing closer at the Proconsul's signal.

Uji glanced around, seeing he was surrounded by the men and women who used to serve him. He took a final look at one of his closest friends. Kordath looked down at him with a mixture of sympathy, clearly seeking how to resolve the situation with as little conflict as possible. He was alone.

Shaking his head for a moment, Uji reached for his belt, the movement slow but still enough to trigger the guardsmen to draw down on him, even Koul's holster cleared in a flash aimed.

The lightsaber Uji lifted was familiar to many of the Summit, gifted to the former Proconsul by Atyiru Arconae upon taking his role as her second. Uji sighed deeply for a moment in disappointment before his anger flashed again as he drew back and threw the saber at the feet of the Consul.

"You sit and you try to keep the peace, you keep the seat warm hoping someone comes along who can replace Atyiru and do the job for you.

That? That was given to me because she knew someone had to be willing to do what she wouldn't. She's dead because she did what you're doing now: she drove us from the Brotherhood's protection and lead us to defeat, to play second to our allies."

Uji looked at the assembled Summit, letting his words sink in.

"Silence, as we have all come to expect from the lot of you." Uji gestured to the lightsaber at the Consul's feet. "Bury it with everyone else you have failed with your incompetence and refusal to act."

Uji Tameike turned his back on the throne and walked away. Kordath silently motioned for the guard to step aside and allow his departure.

Current Day
Selen
The Citadel

The throne room was cast in shades of black and purple, the backing flames reflecting the thoughts of the one sitting upon the tall chair in the center. In the throne sat Kordath Bleu, Shadow Lord. Thin-lipped and emotionless, he stared down at the base of the throne’s dais, to the man who stood before him, flanked by an impressive number of guards. Uji Tameike’s brown eyes flickered from the lanky figure above him to the empty space to the Consul’s right, and back again. He seemed to ignore the presence of the guards, treating them as set pieces rather than soldiers ready to die for their Lord.

Kordath waved a hand at Captain Bly, who nodded, turned on his heel, and waved a hand towards the entrance of the throne room. The guards formed up into two neat and orderly lines, before marching out, Bly at the rear casting one last glance back at the man he was meant to protect, before exiting as well. Heavy stone doors ground shut with a hollow boom that echoed in the nearly empty chamber.

Uji arched an eyebrow as he found himself alone with a man who’d last he’d seen and, in this very hall, called a fool and a coward. Kordath has specifically requested the presence newly appointed Magistrate to the Deputy Grand Master. A small favor exchanged with Sorren to secure his presence. He raised his head and stared at the Ryn, who he’d often called friend in the past. Brown eyes again flitted to the Consul’s right, before he caught himself.

“Koul was...called away, by the Arconae. He has new duties,” stated Kordath, answering the unasked question.

“I had heard as much.”

“Ya know, last time you were in here, ya said some unkind things, mate. Made it clear how ya felt.”

Uji took a deep, bracing breath, “And you feel I should—”

He was cut off, the Ryn speaking louder and surprisingly clear. “You also wasn’t exactly wrong. I can’t be sure about a lot of things while sitting on this seat, Uji, but I am sure of two.”

The Human stared at him. He’d known Kordath for a good while, and it was rare for him to drop the act and be frank. The Consul lifted his hand and stuck a single finger up.

“Firstly, that you’re the loudest damn voice of dissent around, period.” Another finger ticked up, “And secondly, no matter what else, I bloody well trust you.”

The man leaned on his cane with both hands, head bowing slightly in thought. Long moments of silence stretched out between the two Arconans before Uji raised his face to look at him once more.

“Why am I here, Kordath?”

“Terran had his talents, you’ve got yours. I for one am tired of looking over my shoulder, looking over the Clan’s shoulder, for all the frakkers gunning for us.”

“So I’m here to be dealt with,” stated Tameike, his voice bitter, fingers clenching the top of his cane in preparation.

“You’re here to be my bloody advisor if you can stomach it,” said Kordath, flatly. “I need someone who isn’t afraid of a fight, someone who wants to win. I’m tired of us just surviving. The Collective is on our bloody islands, the Inquisitorius is still out there being….creepy, and then there’s the other Clans. I need a bleedin’ wartime consigliere, mate,” finished the Ryn, his usual brogue coming through. “One who ain’t afraid ta tell me I’m bein’ a fool, sentimental, or a coward. So. What da ya say?”

A smile crept across the man’s face, one that Kordath recognized far too well. That particular smirk was only found on Tameike’s face when one of his plans had played out to perfection.

“I have a few conditions”

Fiction produced by: Kordath and Uji

From the Consul

After several years of service, Terran is resigning from current leadership roles to focus on real-life opportunities, also something about...marriage? Whatever, love and junk. For his extensive service to the Clan, the Arconae have inducted him into their ranks. Go over and show some love and congratulate him!

This means the position of Proconsul has changed hands, and will now be filled by Uji Tameike, aka Donny, aka Maaz, aka The Log (long may he his bulk hold this house aloft). Donny is a veteran leader and has some great ideas for building up Arcona’s activity, so be on the lookout for more changes.

From the Proconsul

It’s Good To Be Back

Expect a more detailed report from me later this month once I have had the opportunity to spend some time within the Summit and speak with the current leaders of the individual Houses. I am looking forward to another opportunity at leadership within the Clan. There are a few folks in the Clan that were not around during my first term so to introduce myself.

I’ve served as Battleteam Leader to Soulfire Strike Team, Dark Forge (don’t hold that against me) and the Nighthawk Battleteam.

I spent several months serving as Aedile to House Galeres before being promoted to Proconsul and finally ended my last term of leadership as Quaestor to House Galeres.

Beyond this I have served (2) terms as Magistrate to the Fist and I am currently serving as Magistrate to the Deputy Grand Master.

A peek at the future:

#1: Establish frequent communication with members from the top of the Clan down. No member of Arcona should be unaware of what is happening within the Clan and vice versa, no member of the Summit should be unaware of what is happening with our members. This is a two way street however, as your Summit reaches out to you, I encourage each of you to speak with them and let them know what your interests are, your frustrations and goals.

#2: I have several ideas around giving individual members and Houses reasons to compete within our internal competitions. And on that front, you will be seeing an increase in internal competitions for Arcona and each House.

#3: Look to see some changes to our Battleteams and how the Houses are structured in the coming weeks.

There is far more to come, but I wanted to leave a quick note with this update, more clarity and details to come in my report later this month so keep an eye out and I look forward to shaking things up in the coming weeks.

This ends the surprise update, expect the Clan Report come mid-February! Until then, do the things, have fun, and keep being awesome, Arcona.