"Sinking", Part Three
Aug. 24th, 2004 12:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jeriendhalPG-13 for language.
Five minutes after the Seraphim Council finished its business, Michael headed over to Laurence's Cathedral on the double-quick, the measure of his anger and intent making relievers and lesser angels find reason to scramble out of his way. He burst into Laurence's office without bothering to announce himself.
"What the Hell was that all about in the Council chamber, Laurence?" Michael demanded.
The Malakim of the Sword laid his hands flat on his desk and raised an eyebrow at the Seraph of War. "That was certainly quick," Laurence said with deceptive mildness. "I was anticipating your discussing this matter with Marc or Zadkiel before approaching me privately."
"What's to discuss? You're leaving one of our own hanging out to dry, in the hands of one of the most patently sadistic of the Fallen." Michael began to pace in front of Laurence's desk. "We need to get Christopher out of there now."
"We don't know for certain that's he's in there," Laurence pointed out. "All that is known for certain is that he is missing. Supposition is not evidence."
"What more evidence do you need, a signed confession from Andre himself?" Michael spat.
"I wish to be certain that this is not some elaborate ruse to attract an even more tempting target. Do you wish to rescue Children so badly that you are willing to place yourself at risk? What if you enter Andre's Brothel and find your facing Baal, and God only knows how many other Demon Princes that might in on the scheme?"
"I don't make excuses for inaction. Fine, if you need more evidence I’ll get for you. Tactical & Strategic Reconnaissance are my Words after all. A quick recce followed by small strike team and we can…"
"You will place neither yourself nor any of your Wordbound at risk, Lord Michael," Laurence stated flatly. "That is an order."
"It'll be a low-risk op…"
"NO." The power of Laurence's status as Commander of the Host rang loud in that one simple word, and Michael fought the sudden compulsion to abase himself before the Heavenly Host's supreme leader.
"As you command, Lord Laurence," Michael said through gritted teeth.
"Thank you, Lord Michael," Laurence, looking regretful, "Please, I beg that you not force me to use my Voice again."
Michael damped down his anger with effort. "Then don't give me orders I am compelled to question, Lord Laurence. Give me good reasons why we are leaving an Archangel in the hands of Horde."
"I have already given them."
"No, Lord Commander, you gave excuses, and you gave unfounded fears. You have not given me a reason. Don't try and tell an old Seraph like me the difference between Truth and beating around the issue."
"Very well, Michael. A reason you want then a reason you will have." Laurence drew in a breath and released it slowly. "As Lord Commander of the Host, and as leader of the Seraphim Council, I do not believe an attempt to rescue Lord Christopher is worth the price it might cost us."
"Might," Michael said tightly. Well, he had asked for Truth, and he had received it. He just wished it had come as more of a surprise.
"'Might'," Laurence agreed. "No one more than me would like to be proven wrong, but I've had my own servitors running various scenarios. At minimum an assault on Shal-Mari and the Brothel would cost us several Wordbound. The worst-case scenario has you being captured and tortured for information, prior to your Forces being absorbed by Baal and/or Lucifer."
Michael blinked. "You got briefed by Marc prior to the Council meeting?" he asked in surprise.
"Of course. Trade is too conscientious to drop such a surprise without giving me prior warning."
I would have appreciated a chance to run some scenarios myself, thank you. But Michael kept that complaint to himself for the moment. "We are the Host, Laurence. Whatever sacrifices myself or other Wordbound might make, it would be a sacrifice we are willing to make to do what is right. You cannot tell me that leaving Christopher bereft of any hope of rescue is right."
"No, it is not right," Laurence admitted, "but in the final analysis the cost would outweigh any benefits, for ourselves, for Heaven, or for the Symphony as a whole. You speak well on his behalf, Michael, but surely even you weren't willing to turn a blind eye to Christopher's errors in judgment much longer."
Michael raised a finger in protest. "That isn't what's at issue here."
Laurence's expression hardened. "On the contrary, it's at the heart of the issue. Christopher has been verging on Discord ever since Druiel Fell. He has revealed tactical information to the Horde, he has ignored his responsibilities as an Archangel and left his Word untended, he has insulted his elders, and when called out on his errors, he has had the audacity to resort to petulance to defend himself. The Word of Children was weakened by his actions, perhaps dangerously so. If he were not in the Horde's hands it is doubtful that situation would have improved. Therefore, I will not place an Archangel, nor a powerful Wordbound, nor even a Reliever at risk to rescue him. He simply is not worth it."
I am not going to punch the Lord Commander of the Host in the face, Michael thought firmly. But he damned well could give him a punch to the gut. "If he was going dissonant because of losing Druiel to Saminga, then this entire situation is your fault."
There was nothing like a good tactical strike to provoke a response. "My fault?" Laurence said in amazement. "What brings you to that conclusion?"
"You're forgetting, Laurence. Druiel was in service to the Sword when he Fell. Assigned to what has to be the most screwed up posting in the Symphony. And you weren't there to see the signs that he was perverting his Word. Christopher trusted you with Druiel's well being when he permitted you to take one of his Words into your service. And you let them both down."
Laurence was doing a good job at reining his temper in, but Michael could tell that the jab had hurt. "You are forgetting the unique situation in Austin at the time. I can hardly be held personally responsible for the illegal and immoral fraternization between the members of the Host and the Horde that were assigned to that city. Every angel there that knew of Druiel's activities had an obligation to bring him to Judgment's attention. The fact that this was not done is a shame upon all the Host."
Michael rapped Laurence's desk with his fist. "Wrong, sir. It was a shame upon you. You didn't check up on him often enough to see the signs yourself, and you were the one that lost him." He took in a breath. "So is that why you're so eager to let Christopher get raped to death by Andre, so you don't have to look him in the face and explain to a lowly Cherub how badly you screwed up?"
Laurence shot out of his seat. "You go too far, Lord Michael."
Micheal didn't back down this time. "I haven't gone anywhere near far enough yet, Laurence. Druiel was one of Christopher's most powerful Wordbound. Yet you yanked him into Sword's service without so much as asking politely. You want to tell me just what the Hell did the Sword need of a servitor of Children that badly for?"
"I had my reasons," Laurence said, still angry, but with some of the fire in his eyes banked.
"Explain then. I'm in a listening mood."
Laurence sat back down, gathering his thoughts. "It was obvious to me, and perhaps to Christopher as well, that Druiel was not comfortable with the shaping of his Word by modern beliefs. 'Live fast, die young, leave a beautiful corpse' I believe is the current expression. A far cry from the simple concept of mortality touching those who have not yet achieved full maturity, as it was in centuries past. In Children's organization, he was an outsider, concerned with things too serious for the amount… frivolity… that is the norm for Christopher's servitors."
"You think Chris' servitors can't be serious, then you haven't met one his Cherub's protecting a kid," Michael noted. "I've seen 'em do stuff that would've given one of my Malakim reason to pause."
Laurence nodded. "Be that as it may, Druiel was uncertain of his place in the Symphony. I thought that if I placed him under my command he find a more comfortable place, even if he remained in Christopher's service."
"Good God, you were headhunting?"
"I was not," Laurence said sharply. "I did not wish to undermine Christopher's Word by permanently removing one of his Wordbound. I merely wished to have Druiel trust me enough so that he might… speak openly to me… about certain matters."
"Oh, you weren't headhunting, you were spying," Michael shot back. "What did Christopher do before Druiel went leatherwing to make you so suspicious?"
"You would know that reason better than I, Lord Michael," Laurence said. "You know perfectly well that the Word of Children is… problematical."
Michael snorted. "Not his fault. He earned his Word, Laurence. Though come to think of it, you did abstain from voting during the debate to grant him Archangelic status. I'd always wondered why you did that."
"I wondered why so many of did not." Laurence let out sigh. "What happened to Christopher, whether or not Druiel was at the heart of it, only shows how precarious his Word is. He was undermined from the start of things, and it's quite possible that I contributed to it."
"So how about helping shore things up? Give me the word and I'll get him out, or die trying."
"For just that reason, I won't," Laurence said firmly. "My order stands, Lord Michael. You will not take any offensive action against Andre, Fluerity, or their Cathedrals, or their Tethers, or their servitors unless I order it. I also expect you to respect both the letter and the spirit of my order, and not make any 'creative interpretations.' If there is a means to be found to rescue Christopher without significant risk to the Host, then rest assured it will be taken, but you will not take any actions in that direction without my authorization."
Michael started pacing again. "For the love of God's Creation, Lord Commander, you can't just order me to sit on my hands and do nothing!"
"That is exactly what I have ordered, and my order will stand until you hear it countermanded from mine own Voice," Laurence said coldly. "You are dismissed, Lord Michael."
Michael drew in a breath to let out another retort, then let it pass. Turning on his heel, he marched out of Laurence's office, his back stiff with anger. He'd lost this battle. But I'll Fall before I ever lose the War.
TBC
Five minutes after the Seraphim Council finished its business, Michael headed over to Laurence's Cathedral on the double-quick, the measure of his anger and intent making relievers and lesser angels find reason to scramble out of his way. He burst into Laurence's office without bothering to announce himself.
"What the Hell was that all about in the Council chamber, Laurence?" Michael demanded.
The Malakim of the Sword laid his hands flat on his desk and raised an eyebrow at the Seraph of War. "That was certainly quick," Laurence said with deceptive mildness. "I was anticipating your discussing this matter with Marc or Zadkiel before approaching me privately."
"What's to discuss? You're leaving one of our own hanging out to dry, in the hands of one of the most patently sadistic of the Fallen." Michael began to pace in front of Laurence's desk. "We need to get Christopher out of there now."
"We don't know for certain that's he's in there," Laurence pointed out. "All that is known for certain is that he is missing. Supposition is not evidence."
"What more evidence do you need, a signed confession from Andre himself?" Michael spat.
"I wish to be certain that this is not some elaborate ruse to attract an even more tempting target. Do you wish to rescue Children so badly that you are willing to place yourself at risk? What if you enter Andre's Brothel and find your facing Baal, and God only knows how many other Demon Princes that might in on the scheme?"
"I don't make excuses for inaction. Fine, if you need more evidence I’ll get for you. Tactical & Strategic Reconnaissance are my Words after all. A quick recce followed by small strike team and we can…"
"You will place neither yourself nor any of your Wordbound at risk, Lord Michael," Laurence stated flatly. "That is an order."
"It'll be a low-risk op…"
"NO." The power of Laurence's status as Commander of the Host rang loud in that one simple word, and Michael fought the sudden compulsion to abase himself before the Heavenly Host's supreme leader.
"As you command, Lord Laurence," Michael said through gritted teeth.
"Thank you, Lord Michael," Laurence, looking regretful, "Please, I beg that you not force me to use my Voice again."
Michael damped down his anger with effort. "Then don't give me orders I am compelled to question, Lord Laurence. Give me good reasons why we are leaving an Archangel in the hands of Horde."
"I have already given them."
"No, Lord Commander, you gave excuses, and you gave unfounded fears. You have not given me a reason. Don't try and tell an old Seraph like me the difference between Truth and beating around the issue."
"Very well, Michael. A reason you want then a reason you will have." Laurence drew in a breath and released it slowly. "As Lord Commander of the Host, and as leader of the Seraphim Council, I do not believe an attempt to rescue Lord Christopher is worth the price it might cost us."
"Might," Michael said tightly. Well, he had asked for Truth, and he had received it. He just wished it had come as more of a surprise.
"'Might'," Laurence agreed. "No one more than me would like to be proven wrong, but I've had my own servitors running various scenarios. At minimum an assault on Shal-Mari and the Brothel would cost us several Wordbound. The worst-case scenario has you being captured and tortured for information, prior to your Forces being absorbed by Baal and/or Lucifer."
Michael blinked. "You got briefed by Marc prior to the Council meeting?" he asked in surprise.
"Of course. Trade is too conscientious to drop such a surprise without giving me prior warning."
I would have appreciated a chance to run some scenarios myself, thank you. But Michael kept that complaint to himself for the moment. "We are the Host, Laurence. Whatever sacrifices myself or other Wordbound might make, it would be a sacrifice we are willing to make to do what is right. You cannot tell me that leaving Christopher bereft of any hope of rescue is right."
"No, it is not right," Laurence admitted, "but in the final analysis the cost would outweigh any benefits, for ourselves, for Heaven, or for the Symphony as a whole. You speak well on his behalf, Michael, but surely even you weren't willing to turn a blind eye to Christopher's errors in judgment much longer."
Michael raised a finger in protest. "That isn't what's at issue here."
Laurence's expression hardened. "On the contrary, it's at the heart of the issue. Christopher has been verging on Discord ever since Druiel Fell. He has revealed tactical information to the Horde, he has ignored his responsibilities as an Archangel and left his Word untended, he has insulted his elders, and when called out on his errors, he has had the audacity to resort to petulance to defend himself. The Word of Children was weakened by his actions, perhaps dangerously so. If he were not in the Horde's hands it is doubtful that situation would have improved. Therefore, I will not place an Archangel, nor a powerful Wordbound, nor even a Reliever at risk to rescue him. He simply is not worth it."
I am not going to punch the Lord Commander of the Host in the face, Michael thought firmly. But he damned well could give him a punch to the gut. "If he was going dissonant because of losing Druiel to Saminga, then this entire situation is your fault."
There was nothing like a good tactical strike to provoke a response. "My fault?" Laurence said in amazement. "What brings you to that conclusion?"
"You're forgetting, Laurence. Druiel was in service to the Sword when he Fell. Assigned to what has to be the most screwed up posting in the Symphony. And you weren't there to see the signs that he was perverting his Word. Christopher trusted you with Druiel's well being when he permitted you to take one of his Words into your service. And you let them both down."
Laurence was doing a good job at reining his temper in, but Michael could tell that the jab had hurt. "You are forgetting the unique situation in Austin at the time. I can hardly be held personally responsible for the illegal and immoral fraternization between the members of the Host and the Horde that were assigned to that city. Every angel there that knew of Druiel's activities had an obligation to bring him to Judgment's attention. The fact that this was not done is a shame upon all the Host."
Michael rapped Laurence's desk with his fist. "Wrong, sir. It was a shame upon you. You didn't check up on him often enough to see the signs yourself, and you were the one that lost him." He took in a breath. "So is that why you're so eager to let Christopher get raped to death by Andre, so you don't have to look him in the face and explain to a lowly Cherub how badly you screwed up?"
Laurence shot out of his seat. "You go too far, Lord Michael."
Micheal didn't back down this time. "I haven't gone anywhere near far enough yet, Laurence. Druiel was one of Christopher's most powerful Wordbound. Yet you yanked him into Sword's service without so much as asking politely. You want to tell me just what the Hell did the Sword need of a servitor of Children that badly for?"
"I had my reasons," Laurence said, still angry, but with some of the fire in his eyes banked.
"Explain then. I'm in a listening mood."
Laurence sat back down, gathering his thoughts. "It was obvious to me, and perhaps to Christopher as well, that Druiel was not comfortable with the shaping of his Word by modern beliefs. 'Live fast, die young, leave a beautiful corpse' I believe is the current expression. A far cry from the simple concept of mortality touching those who have not yet achieved full maturity, as it was in centuries past. In Children's organization, he was an outsider, concerned with things too serious for the amount… frivolity… that is the norm for Christopher's servitors."
"You think Chris' servitors can't be serious, then you haven't met one his Cherub's protecting a kid," Michael noted. "I've seen 'em do stuff that would've given one of my Malakim reason to pause."
Laurence nodded. "Be that as it may, Druiel was uncertain of his place in the Symphony. I thought that if I placed him under my command he find a more comfortable place, even if he remained in Christopher's service."
"Good God, you were headhunting?"
"I was not," Laurence said sharply. "I did not wish to undermine Christopher's Word by permanently removing one of his Wordbound. I merely wished to have Druiel trust me enough so that he might… speak openly to me… about certain matters."
"Oh, you weren't headhunting, you were spying," Michael shot back. "What did Christopher do before Druiel went leatherwing to make you so suspicious?"
"You would know that reason better than I, Lord Michael," Laurence said. "You know perfectly well that the Word of Children is… problematical."
Michael snorted. "Not his fault. He earned his Word, Laurence. Though come to think of it, you did abstain from voting during the debate to grant him Archangelic status. I'd always wondered why you did that."
"I wondered why so many of did not." Laurence let out sigh. "What happened to Christopher, whether or not Druiel was at the heart of it, only shows how precarious his Word is. He was undermined from the start of things, and it's quite possible that I contributed to it."
"So how about helping shore things up? Give me the word and I'll get him out, or die trying."
"For just that reason, I won't," Laurence said firmly. "My order stands, Lord Michael. You will not take any offensive action against Andre, Fluerity, or their Cathedrals, or their Tethers, or their servitors unless I order it. I also expect you to respect both the letter and the spirit of my order, and not make any 'creative interpretations.' If there is a means to be found to rescue Christopher without significant risk to the Host, then rest assured it will be taken, but you will not take any actions in that direction without my authorization."
Michael started pacing again. "For the love of God's Creation, Lord Commander, you can't just order me to sit on my hands and do nothing!"
"That is exactly what I have ordered, and my order will stand until you hear it countermanded from mine own Voice," Laurence said coldly. "You are dismissed, Lord Michael."
Michael drew in a breath to let out another retort, then let it pass. Turning on his heel, he marched out of Laurence's office, his back stiff with anger. He'd lost this battle. But I'll Fall before I ever lose the War.
TBC
