From Bad to Worse....

Everyone had pretty much already arrived when I stepped into the chamber. I looked around and saw everyone - except for Engima. I would have thought he'd be thrilled at a chance to speak out against Leroy.

The hearing opened with Dispatch asking Leroy if he had anything to say for himself.

Damn. That was definitely the wrong question to ask Leroy.

His first words caused a sinking feeling in my stomach. "This is all just dumb."

I had to put my head down. I could already see this wasn't going to go well. And since I hadn't had a chance to pull my trump card with Dispatch, I didn't have high hopes for getting Leroy's help - not officially at least.

Dispatch started reading off a list of transgressions against Leroy. What was this? Everything he mentioned was before Leroy's time with the Urban 30. Why was he bringing this up now?

All hell broke loose as Dispatch made his disclosures. This wasn't a trial, or a council hearing- Dispatch was out to railroad Sonus - right out of the Urban 30. I looked over at my father. The expression on his face never changed. That was NOT a good sign.

"They condemn this man for doing what needed to be done?"

I sighed. "Yeah. This doesn't look good for Leroy. I need to find out what Dispatch is up to."

I could see Leroy was about to blow. I was shocked when he reached in his backpack and tossed out the totems he had showed me before. All except for one: There was one of me that Leroy had never showed me.

The chamber went wild when Leroy stalked out. Dispatch had a smug look on his face as he finally got the group under control. I did find it strange that Dispatch kept looking at his watch and texting someone. Who was he calling?

"Order!" he yelled. Everyone quieted down slowly and focused back on the front.

"The council will now issue it's decision on Leroy - whether or not Leroy will be allowed to continue with the Urban 30," his smile sent a shiver down my spine "or if he will be stripped of all protection from this group."

The room darkened and everyone focused on the space above Dispatch's head.

"Councilmembers, please cast your vote. All those in favor of Sonus' dismissal from the Urban 30..."

You could tell everyone was holding their breath as the councilmembers voted.

Each one of the 5 council members would respond in favor of the request by flashing a colored light; any more than 2 lights and he'd be out.

One Lavender light.

One Emerald light.

No light flashed for number 3. That was a good thing.

No light flashed for number 4 . My hopes were starting to rise. If we could just get through this last one, everything would be allright.

Then it happened. One amber light.

Leroy was officially voted out of the Urban 30.

Everyone gasped and started mumbling among themselves.

My father tensed beside me. "Terra, what is the meaning of this?"

I couldn't keep the emotion from my voice as I answered him. "Leroy has been officially dismissed from the group." I tried to pull myself together. "Any help he gives me now could get him arrested."

My father walked towards the podium while everyone talked among themselves. "Who are these cowards who must hide to render judgement against another!" Oh Hell.

"Please return to your space. This doesn't concern you." Dispatch sneered.

My father spun on Dispatch. "You. Why is it you condemn the one person who can help my daughter?"

Dispatch looked livid. "You don't understand. This group has rules that he has twisted to his own usage. He is a renegade who will bring us all down...."

"Enough!" My father yelled and threw out his hand; everybody ducked low as the glass around the council members shattered.

I figured I might as well pack my things up, too. With my father's temper, we'd be lucky to have a meeting hall at all.

I stood up up slowly, unsure of what was going to happen next when I noticed something.

There wasn't anybody behind the glass. I looked over at Dispatch. "You."

I walked down to the floor. "You did this." I heard the rumbling of the other members behind me. "You wanted Leroy out." I picked up the totems. "You knew about these."

"What else have you been keeping from us?"

"Leroy gets reinstated now. As a full member. And you will not interfere with him helping me."

"Terra-"

I turned to the group. "All in favor of Sonus' reinstatement, vote by a show of hands."

Everyone's hand raised. I turned back to Dispatch. "Sonus will be reinstated. Now."