Synopsis of a Looking-Glass Rebellion a short story by Michael Cobley OMINOUS TERRAIN
A pure pearl of a moon in the clear night sky. Splintered reflections, like flotsam silver, rode wavelets up the beach to tremble and dissolve among the pebbles. John Stafford gazed down at the polished stones, the strands of kelp, the empty shells, and with a booted toe pushed the gleaming shingle into a bulwark ready for the sea's next assault on the island. "I could be dead," he said, "and that tyrant MacNee would really be in trouble." He glanced at his jailer. "Your masters in Edinburgh plan to keep me in good health, no doubt." The security captain was silent for a moment, pale eyes fixed on a dark formation of storm clouds slowly whirling in from the south. Then he smiled a terrible smile. "We plan for every eventuality, Mr Stafford."
TYRANNY AND MUTATION
Order papers were waved and the Grand Chamber reverberated with jubilant shouts of approval from the government benches. Having dismissed the Opposition's argument with his customary vigour and resolve, Throne Minister Kenneth MacNee resumed his seat. The Crown Moderator raised the ceremonial stave against the commotion. "Order! Order! ... We see the speaker for West Sussex." Shapes moved behind the gallery windows, remote-controlled cameras that turned, angled and zoomed on Leo Fairfax as he stood to an expectant hush. "My Lord Moderator," he began. "In centuries to come, when historians look back at this moment and this oppressive piece of legislation, they will draw a line and say 'Here marks the end of Britannic democracy'. whenever they mention the name of Kenneth MacNee, it will only be to demonstrate, my Lord, how one man can hijack a political party, then a nation, and through his single-minded arrogance tear that nation apart. "On his shoulders alone the responsibility lies. Because this disgraceful Act in truth releases the English people from any obligation to the Accord of 1476." Near him, speakers were calmly rising to their feet. "Thus there is no longer any need for the Albion Party to participate further in this Scottish Parliament!" There was uproar. Cries of "Traitor!' and "Coward!" harried the ninety-one speakers as they filed from the Chamber.
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