Peace in Our Times

[Malaclypse 666]

*(ooc: Allow me to step waay out of character here, folks, and make a few observations:

Virtually every post I have seen made to this excellent thread has been thoughtful, and tasteful within the confines of the RP of each Faction. Firebird, thanks for coming, although I hear that your "hands are tied" on some of the prime issues. We all to some degree have the same constraints.

I would just like to offer that I doubt very much Harlequinn's purpose is to "kneecap" Igiss or his inspired advancement of the Freelancer saga through the Bretonian/Kusari conflict. It does add dimensions which make the game more interesting.

I would also offer that what we are seeing here, in these debates, is a microcosm of what we all are experiencing today in the "real" world. Strife over concepts of "right", terrorism, death and destruction. There is a point in the "real world" where i'm certain we have all thrown up our hands, and turned away; feeling that there is nothing we as individuals can do to restore peace, compassion, and, dare I say it, "love", to the world we live in. We feel that we are helpless to affect the outcomes of the many conflicts we see about us. I do not like that helpless feeling, yet I experience it on a regular basis. I wonder where the "ideals" of peace, democracy (even in my own "supposed" democracy), and mutual respect have gone.

Enough "soapbox". I merely suggest that Harlequinn may be trying (in her devious way ^_^ ), to give us a bit of "microcosmic" hope that such things as peace and understanding can indeed be accomplished. I give her huge applause and credit for doing so.

Whether or not what we are doing in this "conference" affects the eventual storyline of Discovery, I feel that it is serving a valuable purpose on the individual, "real" level. Harlequinn is a "hope fiend", bless her heart.
There are few too many of those in the "real" world today. While we niggle and haggle in this arena, defending "turf" and "back stories" and our individual claims, (not sure again that "I" Malaclypse really have a claim even to be attending); I would ask that we consider how we feel about events that affect us, enrage us, and sadden us in our daily lives. "In here", we are being given an opportunity to change things, or not.
We are on a very small level being given the opportunity to affect events, perhaps as we would like to see them affected and improved "out there".

It is merely our "shadow show" on one level. On another, it is a small breath of hope, if we will but see it that way, and choose to take it. And the next, and the next.

I apologize to the "Ambassador-san" if I have risked opening this thread to further *ooc* responses. I will stay in my "robes" from now on; and hope that we all will extend you the same courtesy.

I too am a "Hope fiend".
"the author". )*


To our esteemed and knowlegeable representative from the Outcasts:

"Both sides", indeed. Perhaps you missed the fact that I have attempted in a small way to play "your' side as well, here. I have stated, if you will notice, that the Children of the Hispania may indeed have valid claims in this matter, that deserve to be addressed. A small attempt at this point in time, but one which you have answered with only vituperation, and insult. I have noted the suffering of your people, yet you seem to be extremely cavalier about the suffering, and the hopes of others.

Bernard, the "Children" may not be regarded officially as a "Major House", but I will submit that you hold sway over vast portions of Sirius. Beta, Tau-37, 23, 29, and newly "discovered systems as well. By Thud, your people even inhabit a large, virtually "accepted" base in Bretonia space! Yet you continue to be incensed about a bloody system of ice chunks! It will remain a system of ice chunks.. no useful planet, no new trade lanes, no commerce of note save for mining and war profiteering, as long as we continue to intersperse those ice chunks with burnt out, mangled machines of war, and the corpses of all our children.

You may say what you will of my "reputation" and my meddling. However, I resent your questioning of my loyalties and intent in this matter. It might interest you, and all the delegates to know, that I was recently offered the position of 13th member of the Council of the Colonials, and as Oracle to the President himself.
I refused, in anticipation of just the sort of of "duplicity" you are implying.

However, as you seem rather adverse to my efforts and opinions, I will put it to this Conference once again: Is my presence here wanted or not? I will abide by their wishes, Bernard, not yours alone.

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