"I heard Jaxson did a similar thing on the skies of Otorio! She's playing with our senses with this damn Ixian tech, can't you see it?" The voice of outrage met no response, it was probably forcefully hushed by someone.Facing the Landsraad, CHOAM Ur-Director Malina Aru's posture slumped. With a visible effort, she gathered herself and turned to the side of the speaking zone, waiting. Three men in formal attire entered from the perimeter, and then another three from the opposite side, and another trio came from the front, each group bearing a large and impressive display of exotic flowers from all across the Imperium. They placed the lavish bouquets on the stage around Malina.
"These flowers are to honor the victims of the horrendous tragedy on Otorio, blossoms from the worlds that each fallen noble called home,” she said, then added steel to her voice. “No memorial can possibly make up for the loss of so many significant lives.”
The Landsraad hall murmurred in dissatisfaction. Then, the CHOAM Urdir's gesture activated a set of images. Holos of the dead Landsraad members shimmered throughout the audience in the great hall, appearing in their proper empty seats, like ghosts.
"I don't pity her, but I believe her." Some woman said, bringing her pre-teen child closer to her, as if to protect him from becoming a degenerate like Jaxson Aru. Again, it met no comment from the lounge.Some Landsraad members sobbed. The holos did not move, mere projections of the dead, each one depicted in official Landsraad robes, sitting stiffly with hands clasped on their laps.
Malina continued, “I was not able to attend the gala on Otorio, and for that I have formally apologized to the Emperor. I survived, but only by happenstance. I did not know what my son intended to do.”
Some members wiped tears from their eyes, and waves of sobbing passed through the chamber. A few angry grumbles of disbelief rippled through the tiered seats.
Malina added an edge of real anger to her voice. "If I had known, I would have stopped him. I would have killed him if necessary! I denounce what Jaxson did. CHOAM does not support his actions in any way, nor do I … his mother." She drew in a shuddering breath.
"From my personal holdings, and by assent of the CHOAM board, we will donate a significant sum to help the noble houses harmed by my son’s reprehensible act, and also the families of the other victims, the commoners, the retainers, friends, and support staff. Not every casualty came from a wealthy House — countless workers helped build the Corrino museum and the Imperial Monolith. For their laudable achievements, CHOAM wishes to honor their memories.”
Polite applause went through the chamber, but did not last long. Malina Aru's face became covered by shame, like a mourning cloak fell.
“I find this difficult to say. Impossible to say. I know … I know … I gave birth to a monster.” Tears streamed down her face.
The audience fell silent, listening to her every word, watching her every movement and gesture.
“I renounce my son, sever all ties to him. Emperor Shaddam has declared him an outlaw, as do I. I grieve with you, but not for him. I hope never to see Jaxson again … except when he is brought to justice.”
She left the speaking zone to a stunned silence. The holoprojections of the dead Landsraad members remained for a few moments longer before they flickered out.
There was some stunned silence in the lounge as well, as parts of that audience shared the emotions of the Landsraad nobles in the hall on Kaitain, as they may have suffered loss themselves. But not all reacted that way. Scowl, sneer, anger in some.
"I think your boss is full of donkey dung." Someone pointed accusingly at some official wearing a CHOAM pin, almost poking him in the forehead, but who was this exactly got obscured by some people leaving, seeking privacy after this.
Then, the heated discussions truly erupted.
