The Praesidium of Archive — Jefferson P. Swycaffer

The Star-Spanning Space Empire, the Concordat of Archive, is beset with wars abroad and turmoil within. Enemies threaten the far borders, and rogues and curs prey upon civilian commerce. The six-person ruling Praesidium, a committee of power and rule, tries to cope with the chaos. Can they exercise control without collapsing into tyranny? Is there hope, in this future? What kind of leaders should there be?