When Two Governors Meet

[Governor Mike Davis]

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The governor leaned in slightly and shook his head, "I am forced to repeat my previous position: we will not negotiate with the Militants, nor will we bow to their demands. There is an old political maxim that still holds true today -- one does not negotiate with terrorists. Ever. This is not a matter of pride or ego, but because terrorism against civilian populations can never be legitimized as a valid tool for enforcing political will."

"That, of course, does not mean that gradual change is impossible. Peaceful Zoners, who have no ties to them, are free to express their democratic will and exert political influence on our administration in the manner permitted by our laws."

"And I agree with you: the key to defeating the Militants is not brute force. Perhaps my military predecessors believed that, but the reality is the opposite. The true key lies in exposing the emptiness of their ideology -- an ideology built solely on emotion -- followed by the broad development of Planet Erie, raising living standards and creating new opportunities for all its inhabitants. There is no reason to fear us; after all, we have lived side by side for decades, and it has brought safety and prosperity to us both."
Beneath the measured words lay an iron certainty. Liberty had sunk too much into Erie to walk away now. The tone may have softened, the methods refined, but the outcome was clear: Liberty’s presence was permanent.

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