Chapter Twelve
Hardly was the dust settled from this situation, then Bright Serpent
was on t.v. again. "We are aware," he told the people, "of many
Speakers, who, during the last few seasons have misused their Power to
a great extent. We are prepared to arrest these Speakers, the warrants
are already on my desk. But to save the people the pain of long trials
and public embarrassment, I will make an offer of clemency.
2 Any Speaker that will come forward now, and confess his or her
crimes, we will seize only that part of their property that was
acquired through dishonest means, and will put them in the lowest-level
of punishment.
3 There will be operatives of The Black Watch in every major city, and
these persons can surrender safely to them. I give them forty hours,
two days. At the end of that time, the warrants I now hold will be
served."
4 Many of The Speakers thought they still had enough influence to avoid
arrest, but many others knew the truth. They surrendered. Those that
didn't, soon wished they had!
5 Bright Serpent wasted no time in appointing temporary replacements.
Now that The Speakers were taken care of, it was Guardian's turn.
Bright Serpent again announced an amnesty. They had lists of officers
who had been taking bribes and enough evidence to prosecute.
6 "Do not think," he warned, "that we are bluffing. We are not afraid
of The Hoods, nor do we worry about public embarrassment. We know who
you are, and what you have been doing. If you surrender, we WILL be
merciful. If you do not, you can expect the most severe punishment.
You, too, have two days, no more."
7 In one city alone, fifty per cent of its Guardian Force turned
themselves in. So many, that troops had to be sent in to take over
their patrols and remaining officers were quickly promoted to fill the
vacant positions.
8 Bright Serpent made another decree. "To keep things