[Ministry of Justice] Marching Orders (Parreyon)

[Ogabe K'tinga]

[OOC]Continued from >here<[/ooc]

The bounce in Ogabe's step was something of a rarity of late, Daisy's eyebrows shooting up in surprise as her employer returned to the office. This bright spot in the cetheress' life disappeared quickly as the lithe Judicator opened his mouth and spoke. "Daisy, I need the complete works on the Sel'rakrya; current deployments, facilities, the T&O, everything that Tiddle has on finances. As soon as possible. Also, when Lord Syndicus arrives, please show him in." he added almost as an afterthought.

"Yes, Excellency." she shot back a bit stiffly, wondering at the slender cheetari's mood and demeanor not matching his requests.

For his part, Ogabe simply nodded, proceeding through the door to his private office and poking about the paperwork he had abandoned to join Milo and Parreyon in the first place. "Wait a moment." he said softly to himself after several. He again smiled, coming to the realization of precisely what had just happened. Cream-furred hands separated several of the documents into neat piles, a large one pushed gingerly to the corner of the desk. A contented sigh escaped him then, reassuring himself that that particular set of problems were no longer his anymore.

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Parreyon finished his friendly discussions with Milo after Ogabe had left anf felt as if a step had been taken by him to 'get back in the game' so to say. Long he had desired to see justice prevail and long had it been since he had been given an opportunity to allow his skills as a warrior to coalesce with his knowledge, training, and experience in law. These had made for the properties of a knight and even more so to the desires of the greatest of knights, The ClawKnights of the Katta world.

Parreyon could not help but think that both He and Ogabe had an impact on Katta life in The Empire; and often wondered if other Katta looked up to Ogabe (or himself) as he had looked up to Ogabe when but a fledgling legal man in imperia eras ago. Now he was about to enter Ogabe's office - his old office - to pledge service under the katta he had grown a respect for even if they barely knew each other. As if irony needed to be thrown out, it was Parreyon who had recommended Ogabe to replace him as the Imperial Judicator during the reign of Empress Arabella.

Parreyon opened the door to the room and noted the cetheress secretary, Serááá, I am Parreyon Syndicus. I am here to see the Imperial Judicator. I believe he's expecting me. He then folded his arms and waited patiently.

[Ogabe K'tinga]

"Ah yes, he is, Milord. He's expecting you, go ahead on in." the cheery cetheress replied, having been trundling a bit too much carrying documents, reports, requisitions and other such cargo to be bothered to tend to opening the door personally at the moment. Oddly enough, for a cether, her feet hurt.

The decor of the office had changed little, and that mostly through small additions. The scene itself held a sort of surreal quality for the veteran pantheri, given that so very little had changed since last he had set footpad in the room. The desk, piled higher than perhaps he might have kept it, or wanted to for that matter, was still the same polished wood, though a curious piece of sculpture was left slightly left of center, foremost on the desk. A smallish carving of a castle, or large manor of some sort, an inset of obsidian functioning to mimic water, a pond of some sort, the detail of the work quite exquisite and therefore expensive.

"Seraa and welcome back, Parreyon. Can Guai get you anything?" he asked, referenceing a blue-silked Kemite so unobtrusive Parreyon would swear that the man had appeared out of thin air. "He makes an absolutely stellar Arakmatian coffee." Ogabe added, ever the hosteler.

Needs met and pleasantries made, the time had come for business. "As we went over in somewhat abbreviated fashion in Milo's office, You are now head of the Sel'rakrya. I'll make the appropriate announcement in the Herald when we've the time. The Sel'rakrya is charged with law enforcement now, not intelligence gathering. Though there may be certain operations and investigations that call for undercover work, their meat and potatoes are the investigation of crimes bridging multiple provincial jurisdictions and bringing those criminals to justice. The Sel'rakrya also exists to assist provincial law enforcement as necessary and available, as well as to investigate those in offices where they might otherwise be able to hinder or outright obstruct an investigation. Or they would, were we not facing problems on several fronts." he added, preparing to drop the other shoe.

"Our friend the Lieutenant Governor has effectively dried up public support, at least in several government circles, for having a Sel'rakrya presence, and therefore, we're without field offices in all but Jaedaxia and here in Prime. One of your first tasks is to try and get that project back on track. Likewise, the Sel'rakrya is woefully undermanned, currently at forty percent of budgeted staff overall, though the aforementioned field offices are fully staffed in and of themselves, with the majority of the Balance still here in and around Prime, primarily working the investigation into the attempt on Governor Vampyler's life. Good news on that front, however, in that we do have Academy facilities already acquired, likewise here in Prime. I have a preliminary curriculum written for the academy, to be taught by experienced Inquisitors assigned from the field offices to teach." he stated, already well-practiced in going over plans, given that they had yet to come to fruition.

"Budget-wise, I can assure you that we have the funds to acquire just about anything you might require in way of equipment or facilities. The Ministry is currently running a budget surplus, chiefly because the lack of progress has left us unable to get the Sel'rakrya on it's feet and utilizing its full budget."

"Any questions before we start delving into particulars?" he asked, making sure that the two wilderkatta were not at cross purposes before he started introducing raw data into the equation.

[Parreyon Syndicus]

"Arakmatan coffee would be most excellent!" Parreyon said as he continued to glance the office over and remember when he sat in the chair himself. He could only remember most that as Imperial Judicator he had really accomplished nothing but had seen great strides with Ogabe in office. He was already vowing to himself that this time around, his service would have better success. Listening carefully to what Ogabe was telling him, he began formulating a plan of his own though not yet ready to state it until he knew everything.

"So my first task will be to take control of setting up a facility in each city as well as establishing a system to get the Sel'Rakrya manned to full staff. It is good to know that there are no current budget issues. I'm saving my questions until we've completed the initial turn over. I do not want to ask a question only to find out you will answer it during the next candlemark while you give me the full rundown."

Ogabe had seemed like an upfront type of fellow, so Parreyon treated this situation in the same way. He'd take in every comment and then give an honest assessment of where he felt it stood and how he might move it forward. Ogabe needed his honesty in order to start their friendship and workmanship off on the proper foot.

[Ogabe K'tinga]

"A succinct evaluation, if ever there was one." Ogabe replied, thankful for not having to beat his head against the proverbial brick wall for once. Coffee was indeed served, strong, hot, and reeking of cinnamon and other spices, the traditional copper pot tipped first for the pantheri, then his host, as was customary for the trio's cultural upbringing. "The facilities have been the biggest hurdle, really. I sent correspondence to the aediles of the cities involved, and got next to nothing. Pointless to train up people when you've nowhere to put them. Aeternia, the Inquisitors in Prime were working out of their homes until recently. Even now the office here is cramped and overstuffed. Not that I'm not glad for the extra manpower at the moment." he conceded, the attempted gubenatorial assassination still fresh on his mind.

"There is also the matter of standardizing equipment. Training likewise, though to a lesser extent. Some of the current Inquisitors come from very shadowy backgrounds, as you might imagine, and thus their idea of law enforcement is a bit...skewed." he understated. "Don't get me wrong, they are good and loyal men all, it's just that their methods, while effective, might be a bit distasteful to some within the legal community." he said diplomatically, clearly not one of those mentioned.

"Here's a packet with everything laid out for you." he said, sliding over a leather folio containing copies of every letter sent, and the few replies the Ministry had received in regards to the purchase of field office facilities, as well as a listing of ideal staffing levels for all offices concerned.

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Parreyon had to admit that he'd never had arakmatan coffee before and found the aromas of cinnamon and spice rather exotic in taste as the hot liquid flowed against his tongue and down his throat. He'd had tea that had similar flavor, but he'd never been a real tea fan finding the standard taste of coffee beans much more delightful. When the winter season came around once more, he'd have to remember this monet and orde some of this equisite coffee for his home.

Parreyon listened to all that Ogabe had to say and took note of the diplomatic tone used when speaking of the shady yet loyal men of the Sel'Rakrya. Parreyon very easily could have been one of those such individuals that did not respect these types of characters given his past track record, but times had changed as well as the Pantheri. He had learned that though the over all good was to be served, that grey areas of life did exist and were essential. He'd even seen those of evil persuasion flutter within that grey area doing some good. Kaimelea had helped him to see life differently so that he could better operate in this realm while fulfilling the 'good guy' role.

Parreyon also accepted the packet and perused through the letters. He knew he would have plenty of time to reveiw them further and work on a strategic plan to bring Ogabe's desires to fruitation as well as possibly add some twists and concepts that brought Parreyon more into focus. His immediate observation of the letters only reiterated what Ogabe had said. Little replies to obtain facilities from the local cities and provinces. Quite distrurbing that lower political officials would simply ignore or push aside the demands of a Minister of the Courts. Parreyon was no longer a Minister, but it did not take away from his approval of the government system and respect it should be given. He would carry this through to make Ogabe proud and bring him honor.

"Well my initial thoughts are to pay visits to the cities that did not reply to your letter and find out where they stand and why there has been no proper response. This irks me to think that a Minister can be ignored as such.

As for the loyalist shadows currently within the organization, I look forward to working with them and finding a way to utilize their talents within a proper legal system. We'll be sure to keep the legal community satisfied by bringing forth results that will show are desires for proper justice according to the Articles. After all, one must dance in the shadows to fight back the darkness." Was that too blunt? Parreyon was unsure but thus far honesty had been spoken, so Parr would not lie about his beliefs now.

"I think that bringing forth a knighted unit should ease the minds of the legalists especially if I can convince Sir Veleraen to lead them. He is a giant man of exemplary character and incredible integrity. He has served the crown faithfully as a member of the Black Rose and holds great respect from Milo.

I do have a question, though, regarding the Sel'Rakrya in comparison to the constabularies of the Empire. Why not simply combine them? There is no better way to unify the enforcing unit of the Empire then to have them join as one. I have served as a prefect in three cities; Imperia, Midpoint, and Port Alyxandrya; and have seen first hand the lack of care given to the constabulary by the local governments. Not too mention the fact that the only true provincial enforcement comes from the Justicar who would be going out of his or her way in order to solve a case since the role is to serve as magistrate on cases of High Court. I believe I am speaking to the choir on that issue," Parreyon said knowing how long Ogabe had been a Justicar in Arium.

"This would also give us the ability to fill up the roles of the Sel'Rakrya by moving around current members of the local constabularies while taking law enforcement out of the hands of the thanes and governors and placing it in the hands of the people who care most about it, a chain of legal men that lead all the way to your doorstep.

Then again, I could be out of line from a political standpoint because i've always felt that all men of legal position from the prefects to the justicars to the magistrates, should all be determined by you and not the local thanes anf governors who typically know nothing about how to provide proper enforcement of the law be it in the capturing of criminal or controlling of a court room.

Is something like this even possible?" In truth, this had been a plan of Parreyon's back when he held the seat but had been too caught up in the politics to actually do anything proper for the sake of bettering the Empire. Ogabe was a katta of action whom Parreyon had always respected. If his idea was something that held even a fraction of a chance, Ogabe was the right katta to enact it and take credit for it. Parreyon knew that as a minister, he'd failed in his duties. Now he just wanted to be a good soldier and be a part of the action.

[Ogabe K'tinga]

Bluntness was hardly something which would rankle the lithe Judicator, especially not from such a highly-placed individual as Parreyon; he hardly wished to lose the finer points of anything by burying them under diplomatically soft and obtuse language. The knighthood idea was something which Parr clearly cared about, or at least was well-invested in emotionally, but it would be a topic for later as the quite radical steps the pantheri wished to undertake laid themselves out.

"Why not indeed? Would certainly streamline things on this end, and get things done." he conceded, a wide grin belying his inner mood to the newly-appointed Lord Inquisitor. This smile faded quickly, however, the next words carefully, if quickly, considered. "Wait a moment, I just remembered something I read once. Important as I recall. Oh, yes, that was it. Articles 93, 103 and 105 of the Articles of Imperium. That is why we don't compile everything under this Minstry's bailiwick. Not to mention the logistical headaches it would cause." he added, pausing a few moments to let his words sink in.

"Don't get me wrong, I fully sympathize with you, and your statements regarding the... inconsistencies amongst provincial and city law enforcement. Though I will admit that I also share, or shared, in your slightly incorrect interpretation of the law. The Justicar and Prefect both are charged with the administration of Justice, but nothing says they can't have employees to delegated the work to. In fact, it's fairly well implied that they do. You wouldn't expect the city's Constable to apprehend every criminal, would you. Well, Acumin, perhaps, but that's the exception rather than the rule." he conceded with a small note of amusement.

"But to the point at hand, there is a way to make us both happy, and work within the system to do it. As I mentioned before, we're going to be investigating, and thus holding to account, those in public office whose positions enable them to hinder investigations at the municipal or provincial level. Another one of those pesky Articles of Imperium comes to mind. One hundred fifty-seven, to be exact. 'In all cases of negligence or dereliction of duty, or any dishonorable discharges from the Armed Forces of the Allerian Empire, the magistrate shall impose a punishment of hard labor, wherein the criminal shall be required to spend the rest of his natural life performing a physical task that benefits the prosperity of the Empire.'"

"I would argue, quite convincingly I might add, that malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance fall squarely under the umbrella of 'negligence or dereliction of duty'. Hammer a few within the agencies that are lagging, and you crack the whip over all of them."he concluded.

"Why go to the trouble of running the Justice system for the entire Empire, when I can use the leverage of my position and get other people to do it to my liking?" he asked rhetorically.

[Parreyon Syndicus]

OOC: I see we've both been on a hiatus. Are we still on in this thread or fast forwarding to the present?