(no subject)
His conversation with Malcolm Reynolds had both confirmed his expectations and cemented his resolve. Gabriel had sat down with Regan later that same evening to finally explain what he'd been focusing on all this time-- and what he intends to do. The two of them had discussed the plan long into the night, working together to refine the final details.
Over the course of the next week, Gabriel had approached a few key individuals, quietly giving them an idea of what to expect. He never forgets a name or a face, not when it matters, and as a result he speaks with members of Parliament from both House and Senate, Polly Johanssen and Finch Wiley among them; certain business associates in a variety of organizations-- including Bentley Aeronautics, of course, as well as people at Birnam Corp., Iskellian, and Martinpur Select; and a number of media contacts who he's certain will be very interested in this piece of coming news.
Hints and rumors leak, of course. He'd expected nothing less. By the time he takes the floor at the start of session on Monday morning, the mood is electric-- and the hush that falls over the great hall of Parliament is immediate.
"Good morning." Calmly, Gabriel sets his notes before him -- he doesn't need them anyway -- and then looks out at those assembled in the chamber. "Ladies and gentlemen of Parliament, I come before you today as the sponsor of a bill to be entitled the "Interplanetary Infrastructure and Guardianship Act," which I propose be enacted accordingly..."
The only sound in the room is that of his voice as he goes on to explain a number of facts. How this August 1st will mark the tenth anniversary of the end of the War for Unification. How the Border and Rim planets are still suffering, ten years later, both from the ravages of the war and the depredations of the Reaver threat. How the Alliance has both jurisdiction and responsibility for all of its citizens, and a legal, moral, and ethical duty to fulfill. How the current system isn't working.
"... through a system of allocated sponsorship, both Core and Rim will receive significant benefit through sustainable development as follows..."
How financial support from the heart of the Alliance to corporations in its outermost regions will rebuild the shattered business infrastructure and promote growth. How the redeveloped areas will then become stronger and finally self-supporting, reducing the burden on the system as a whole and leading to greatly increased prosperity.
Development and prosperity which will need protection. Protection that the Alliance already, currently, can't provide.
Gabriel pauses, drawing a breath, and then says clearly into the silence:
"Therefore, this Act will also specifically sanction and provide for the reorganization of the militia forces formerly known as the 'Independents,' to receive centralized financial and material support but to serve under local authority..."
It takes a few moments for it to sink in. But when it does?
Pandemonium.
Over the course of the next week, Gabriel had approached a few key individuals, quietly giving them an idea of what to expect. He never forgets a name or a face, not when it matters, and as a result he speaks with members of Parliament from both House and Senate, Polly Johanssen and Finch Wiley among them; certain business associates in a variety of organizations-- including Bentley Aeronautics, of course, as well as people at Birnam Corp., Iskellian, and Martinpur Select; and a number of media contacts who he's certain will be very interested in this piece of coming news.
Hints and rumors leak, of course. He'd expected nothing less. By the time he takes the floor at the start of session on Monday morning, the mood is electric-- and the hush that falls over the great hall of Parliament is immediate.
"Good morning." Calmly, Gabriel sets his notes before him -- he doesn't need them anyway -- and then looks out at those assembled in the chamber. "Ladies and gentlemen of Parliament, I come before you today as the sponsor of a bill to be entitled the "Interplanetary Infrastructure and Guardianship Act," which I propose be enacted accordingly..."
The only sound in the room is that of his voice as he goes on to explain a number of facts. How this August 1st will mark the tenth anniversary of the end of the War for Unification. How the Border and Rim planets are still suffering, ten years later, both from the ravages of the war and the depredations of the Reaver threat. How the Alliance has both jurisdiction and responsibility for all of its citizens, and a legal, moral, and ethical duty to fulfill. How the current system isn't working.
"... through a system of allocated sponsorship, both Core and Rim will receive significant benefit through sustainable development as follows..."
How financial support from the heart of the Alliance to corporations in its outermost regions will rebuild the shattered business infrastructure and promote growth. How the redeveloped areas will then become stronger and finally self-supporting, reducing the burden on the system as a whole and leading to greatly increased prosperity.
Development and prosperity which will need protection. Protection that the Alliance already, currently, can't provide.
Gabriel pauses, drawing a breath, and then says clearly into the silence:
"Therefore, this Act will also specifically sanction and provide for the reorganization of the militia forces formerly known as the 'Independents,' to receive centralized financial and material support but to serve under local authority..."
It takes a few moments for it to sink in. But when it does?
Pandemonium.