As almost all attendees made it back to their seats Jill looked around the room. Sure enough most were still chatting with each other and some even stated their opinions more loudly than before, most likely because of the influence of alcohol of which she suspected would be Synthehol for her gin-tonic effect was surely wearing off fast. It would be good for this conference should not become a bar brawl.
When most of the voices became quiet she once again stood up and took the floor, while making sure her 'move' of standing up was done just at the pace where everyone could see and assuring everyone could see her doing so...
"Friends, It is good to see we all made it back after the refreshments. Now allow me to share something with you.
In my spare time I enjoy reading old e-books from the Sol period and the other day one particular passage struck my interest which and now, at this very time and place and with all of us here it seems the perfect time to share this."
As she waited for a response she quickly looked down at her datapad where she had the passage she wanted to share in full view. After her announcement the room fell quiet and perhaps a bit too quiet for comfort yet she mustered her strength and moved on and as she spoke she looked at every attendee for a brief moment to gain their attention...
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase or wish to obtain a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety"
After she paused to let the words sink in she added:
"Now these words have been written and spoken a very long time ago but don't be surprised that the person who spoke them at that time was someone who intended to unite a faction that had been spread apart over a great distance.
And this may very well be written for us. As we have lost Gran Canaria at great expense. To me, it seems we have in some way given up on that thing which unites us. Our independence and our freedom to live our lives as we deem fit. It is almost like..."
She had to take a quick sip of water before she continued...
"...At times it seems like we've given up to actually do that which matters to maintain what we hold dearly.
As I mentioned before, I am the new member to what I see as a great community with an honest, righteous goal for the future. I may upset some of you being so frank but sometimes it's an outsider that can help you focus on what the insiders tend to miss.
We are back in school my friends and while we are an excellent student with superb grades we are next to nothing on the playground for there are bullies out there. Bullies who put you down everytime you think you are back on your feet and you know what? This won't stop unless we do something. If we bow down and 'take a hit' this bully will come back while even thinking of a next person to put down."
As she spoke that last sentence she felt some anger creeping in which she subdued quickly...
"I propose that we acknowledge that we are different yet that we have a common goal and get to business as on how we can protect this as to preserve how we live, work, grow and also make our communities grow without the constant threat of a 'school bully'. Because, before you know it we will be pressured into giving up our liberty for safety and won't be long before our stations will be blocked, our supply lines will fall under some obscure embargo and we will eventually succumb to the tyranny of a bully. In medical terms, let's do some triage here and make sure we as a Zoner community make the best chance to survive as a whole, together and with each other and wherever and whatever we call our home."
And as she sat down she hoped that her speech infused by childhood memories she so much wanted to forget had not made her a persona non grata... But then again, it did feel good to stand up and just share this for what she thought was a downright good cause...
![[Image: MFE-Sig-Jill-Xi.png]](https://i.ibb.co/J3xGckM/MFE-Sig-Jill-Xi.png)