Laermont
Member
Laermont paced the floor, unusually restless for a demvir. As time had passed, his case against TorBru had slowly collapsed. It lost momentum, he felt, in a way that wasn’t merely the usual process of a case going cold. The hand of that massive corporation had a long reach and in the past years, he had felt it stretch out and strangle the leads he had established. Now the case was being shelved, as it simply couldn’t pull in the resources. He had sought in many ways to keep the case alive and it was apparent that other interests were at work.
In spite of this, the Quaestor had kept his own meticulous files on the proceedings. He turned to look at the piled notebooks and papers scattered across his desk and sighed. A discreet knock sounded at his door and he strode over to open it. Laermont was met by the sparkling eyes and crooked smile of his junior officer Calvinia. He ushered her in and shut the door. “You caught me at a bad time. I do apologize. I was just…”
The energetic enlil smiled ruefully. “I can see what you were doing. I know things have been rough but I got some news that might make you feel a little better.”
Her older, hulking companion caught her in his sweeping eyeplates. “Anything would be wonderful at this point, Quaestor so please do deliver your news.”
Calvinia nodded and made her report. “We’re getting a new Quaestor Prime! It is a man named Lucullus. I am sure you’ve heard of him?”
Laermont’s metaphorical eyebrows rose. “Oh I have indeed. I’m quite shocked that he would even be considered, knowing how this city works. Is this a rumour or is it confirmed?”
His younger companion grinned. “It’s no rumour. The official announcement just came across my desk which is why I’m here to deliver it to you!”
She reached out and handed him an envelope sealed by the official mark of the Quaestorii. The seal had been broken open and with surprising delicacy, Laermont plucked the letter out and began to read it. “Well that is quite interesting indeed. I wonder what prompted our lords and masters to conclude that he would be an asset?”
His partner shrugged. “Who knows with that bunch? I hear that Lucullus is a guy who knows how to play the game, but without giving into corruption. I guess that he’s one of the few people that has both principles and is politically savvy. All I know is that maybe if we take the case to him, he might give us more resources and get the powers that be off of our backs.”
Laermont made a soft noise in his throat. “Hm. I suppose we are going to find out soon enough.”
Work continued at its usual pace for a few more days, but finally the first day for the new Quaestor Prime arrived. The Quaestorium was bustling as officers prepared to welcome their new chief officer. It was a crucial moment for the detective squad as the Quaestor Prime set the agenda for all of their investigations. After a ceremonial fanfare to announce his arrival, all of the staff in the precinct gathered around the three story, marble clad lobby of the building to welcome Lucullus.
His official steam cart drew up and he stepped out. Lucullus was a tall, ramrod straight laicar with an ornate, carefully sculpted moustache and elegantly styled hair. He wore his sharply creased uniform well, showing off a lean and toned physique. His gait was striding and he moved confidently up the front steps of the Quaestorium.
Once inside, he strode up to the podium that had been provided and thanks to the magical amplification it could create, his deep voice boomed around the vaulting space. “Greetings fellow officers, it is wonderful to be so well received today. For those of you unaware of my name, I am Quaestor Prime Lucullus Aureus. It has been my honour to take up the mantle of command at this Quaestorium. As I am granted an opportunity to speak with you, I wish to give you some notion of what you can expect from me as your commander.”
The tall, upright laicar’s clear grey eyes moved over the crowd, catching various gazes as he caught them and acknowledging them briefly. He took a breath and went on speaking in resonant tones. “Firstly I want each of you to know that I will not be swayed by the interests of the powerful and moneyed classes in this city. Any of you who has worked with me or knows me, will know that these aren’t empty words. I am no person’s servant other than the people of the city who are under my protection.”
His eyes swept around again and his clear voice rang out. “Secondly I want to tell each and every one of you who serves the Quaestorii that I am here to support you, to listen to you and to provide whatever is needed to you in order to make your job easier and more effective. We have a great responsibility to fulfill and that cannot happen unless each officer is able to feel confident and prepared. I promise to do whatever it takes to aid you!”
He paused once more and took another deep inhalation before speaking. “Finally I want any agents or servants of those who would oppose us to hear me now. I will ensure that I and my officers do our work without fear or favour. You would be well advised that, if you should stand against us or seek to corrupt us, we will respond vigorously and with the full weight of our authority. Now I have said my peace, I will allow you all to get back to your duties and over the coming days, meet with the commanders of each unit to discuss your concerns. Thank you all for the warm welcome, once more.”
After everyone had dispersed, Laermont walked with Calvinia back toward their offices. Laermont glanced down at his enlil companion. “I hope he lives up to his statements. I suppose our request to reopen the case will be a good test of how closely he’ll stick to his principles. We’ll give him some time to get settled and then I’ll go speak to him and see what he’s got to say.”
Calvinia gave him a confident smile. “I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt, but like you say we’ll just have to see about his actions and how they match up with his words.”
The quaestor gave Lucullus three days in which to settle himself. As it turned out, the new Quaestor Prime was a prompt and efficient man who had already arranged a meeting between himself and Laermont. The towering, metal-skinned man arrived on time for the meeting and was ushered into Lucullus’ cavernous office, dominated by a massive desk.
The vice-Quaestor was sitting up waiting for him, in the same straight-backed posture that he always seemed to adopt. His eyes were clear and sharp and he acknowledged the demvir with courtesy. “You are preceded by your reputation, Quaestor Laermont. I am happy to make your acquaintance. Please have a seat and we can get started. I know you’re a busy man.”
Laermont eased his towering frame onto the chair across from his senior officer. He made eye contact with his glowing eyeplates and composed himself before speaking. “It is a pleasure to have the chance to work with you, sir. You are also preceded by your reputation. I will also get right to the point. Under the previous administration, I felt that a number of our cases were being prevented from a full investigation taking place.”
He paused, keeping hold of Lucullus’ gaze, before going on. “I am hoping that with your assistance, we can clear the path towards reopening them. As I am sure you are aware, they directly or indirectly involve TorBru Corporation. I am also sure that you know how pernicious their influence is. I wonder how we might surmount these challenges?”
The new Quaestor Prime sat quietly for a moment, tapping at his lips thoughtfully with long fingers before he replied. “I fully intend to have those cats reopened. I will not let anyone push me or my officers around. TorBru thinks that they are unassailable, but they are not. If you and I work together, I feel that we can move things ahead. “
He caught the hulking metal man’s eye plates in his piercing gaze once again. “Please present your current reports on the cases to my office. I will read over them and have a reply within the week as to how I would like to proceed.Once I’ve replied, come see me again and we’ll make an investigation plan together.”
Their business concluded, the two men rose and shook hands. As Laermont strode from his office, there was an energetic bounce in his step. Anyone that knew anything about the Quaestor knew that it was his way of smiling broadly and exuding confidence.
In spite of this, the Quaestor had kept his own meticulous files on the proceedings. He turned to look at the piled notebooks and papers scattered across his desk and sighed. A discreet knock sounded at his door and he strode over to open it. Laermont was met by the sparkling eyes and crooked smile of his junior officer Calvinia. He ushered her in and shut the door. “You caught me at a bad time. I do apologize. I was just…”
The energetic enlil smiled ruefully. “I can see what you were doing. I know things have been rough but I got some news that might make you feel a little better.”
Her older, hulking companion caught her in his sweeping eyeplates. “Anything would be wonderful at this point, Quaestor so please do deliver your news.”
Calvinia nodded and made her report. “We’re getting a new Quaestor Prime! It is a man named Lucullus. I am sure you’ve heard of him?”
Laermont’s metaphorical eyebrows rose. “Oh I have indeed. I’m quite shocked that he would even be considered, knowing how this city works. Is this a rumour or is it confirmed?”
His younger companion grinned. “It’s no rumour. The official announcement just came across my desk which is why I’m here to deliver it to you!”
She reached out and handed him an envelope sealed by the official mark of the Quaestorii. The seal had been broken open and with surprising delicacy, Laermont plucked the letter out and began to read it. “Well that is quite interesting indeed. I wonder what prompted our lords and masters to conclude that he would be an asset?”
His partner shrugged. “Who knows with that bunch? I hear that Lucullus is a guy who knows how to play the game, but without giving into corruption. I guess that he’s one of the few people that has both principles and is politically savvy. All I know is that maybe if we take the case to him, he might give us more resources and get the powers that be off of our backs.”
Laermont made a soft noise in his throat. “Hm. I suppose we are going to find out soon enough.”
Work continued at its usual pace for a few more days, but finally the first day for the new Quaestor Prime arrived. The Quaestorium was bustling as officers prepared to welcome their new chief officer. It was a crucial moment for the detective squad as the Quaestor Prime set the agenda for all of their investigations. After a ceremonial fanfare to announce his arrival, all of the staff in the precinct gathered around the three story, marble clad lobby of the building to welcome Lucullus.
His official steam cart drew up and he stepped out. Lucullus was a tall, ramrod straight laicar with an ornate, carefully sculpted moustache and elegantly styled hair. He wore his sharply creased uniform well, showing off a lean and toned physique. His gait was striding and he moved confidently up the front steps of the Quaestorium.
Once inside, he strode up to the podium that had been provided and thanks to the magical amplification it could create, his deep voice boomed around the vaulting space. “Greetings fellow officers, it is wonderful to be so well received today. For those of you unaware of my name, I am Quaestor Prime Lucullus Aureus. It has been my honour to take up the mantle of command at this Quaestorium. As I am granted an opportunity to speak with you, I wish to give you some notion of what you can expect from me as your commander.”
The tall, upright laicar’s clear grey eyes moved over the crowd, catching various gazes as he caught them and acknowledging them briefly. He took a breath and went on speaking in resonant tones. “Firstly I want each of you to know that I will not be swayed by the interests of the powerful and moneyed classes in this city. Any of you who has worked with me or knows me, will know that these aren’t empty words. I am no person’s servant other than the people of the city who are under my protection.”
His eyes swept around again and his clear voice rang out. “Secondly I want to tell each and every one of you who serves the Quaestorii that I am here to support you, to listen to you and to provide whatever is needed to you in order to make your job easier and more effective. We have a great responsibility to fulfill and that cannot happen unless each officer is able to feel confident and prepared. I promise to do whatever it takes to aid you!”
He paused once more and took another deep inhalation before speaking. “Finally I want any agents or servants of those who would oppose us to hear me now. I will ensure that I and my officers do our work without fear or favour. You would be well advised that, if you should stand against us or seek to corrupt us, we will respond vigorously and with the full weight of our authority. Now I have said my peace, I will allow you all to get back to your duties and over the coming days, meet with the commanders of each unit to discuss your concerns. Thank you all for the warm welcome, once more.”
After everyone had dispersed, Laermont walked with Calvinia back toward their offices. Laermont glanced down at his enlil companion. “I hope he lives up to his statements. I suppose our request to reopen the case will be a good test of how closely he’ll stick to his principles. We’ll give him some time to get settled and then I’ll go speak to him and see what he’s got to say.”
Calvinia gave him a confident smile. “I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt, but like you say we’ll just have to see about his actions and how they match up with his words.”
The quaestor gave Lucullus three days in which to settle himself. As it turned out, the new Quaestor Prime was a prompt and efficient man who had already arranged a meeting between himself and Laermont. The towering, metal-skinned man arrived on time for the meeting and was ushered into Lucullus’ cavernous office, dominated by a massive desk.
The vice-Quaestor was sitting up waiting for him, in the same straight-backed posture that he always seemed to adopt. His eyes were clear and sharp and he acknowledged the demvir with courtesy. “You are preceded by your reputation, Quaestor Laermont. I am happy to make your acquaintance. Please have a seat and we can get started. I know you’re a busy man.”
Laermont eased his towering frame onto the chair across from his senior officer. He made eye contact with his glowing eyeplates and composed himself before speaking. “It is a pleasure to have the chance to work with you, sir. You are also preceded by your reputation. I will also get right to the point. Under the previous administration, I felt that a number of our cases were being prevented from a full investigation taking place.”
He paused, keeping hold of Lucullus’ gaze, before going on. “I am hoping that with your assistance, we can clear the path towards reopening them. As I am sure you are aware, they directly or indirectly involve TorBru Corporation. I am also sure that you know how pernicious their influence is. I wonder how we might surmount these challenges?”
The new Quaestor Prime sat quietly for a moment, tapping at his lips thoughtfully with long fingers before he replied. “I fully intend to have those cats reopened. I will not let anyone push me or my officers around. TorBru thinks that they are unassailable, but they are not. If you and I work together, I feel that we can move things ahead. “
He caught the hulking metal man’s eye plates in his piercing gaze once again. “Please present your current reports on the cases to my office. I will read over them and have a reply within the week as to how I would like to proceed.Once I’ve replied, come see me again and we’ll make an investigation plan together.”
Their business concluded, the two men rose and shook hands. As Laermont strode from his office, there was an energetic bounce in his step. Anyone that knew anything about the Quaestor knew that it was his way of smiling broadly and exuding confidence.