McCool's Tavern - Freeport 1

[Rodent]

You just may be right. Yes, those aliens exist, and if I hear correctly, they're gaining in power.

The old man's voice gained intensity as he continued.

However, the biggest enemy of Humanity is not them, but rather our own weaknesses, which they can easily exploit. Our divisons, our ambitions, our greed. The house will collapse around us, and nobody will even notice. Do we want that? Do you want that!?

The last was said with a slightly raised voice, and a piercing stare. Realising he'd been too extravagant in his outburst, the man relaxed slightly, and sipped some water.

[spacespeed]

"No, I doubt anyone wants this to happen, with perhaps the exception of various weapons producers and large shipping companies who are probably making a killing off the current wars. Corporations tend to be a lot more shortsighted then people are, I'm afraid. That being said, everything might already be collapsing, with the currently-unstable relations between the houses."

He looked around carefully, just to make sure no one was listening in, and continued. "If you tune into the political undercurrents right now... well, with the historically close relations between Liberty and Bretonia, it seems to be only a matter of time before some incident occurs between Liberty and Kusari and war breaks out. In fact, it has already happened before, although that earlier embargo was fortunately resolved peacefully. If war does breaks out, it will most likely lead to the breakdown of all trade, and perhaps all communications, between the houses, with the border systems becoming a sort of no-man's land. The aliens will already have all their work done for them as the two blocks try to annihilate each other, assisted by various smaller factions. And then there's Gallia, that new house... which could easily turn this into a three-way brawl. And we don't really know their relations with the aliens either. Could be that their entire house is controlled by them."

"The problem is, unless, somehow, the leaders of the houses suddenly decide to wake up one day and be reasonable, there doesn't seem to be anything that can put a stop to any of this. Is there?"

[Crysis]

The cloaked figure in the corner of the tavern arose, finishing his beer he made a swift walk towards the counter and sat next to a group of Cretans and Corsairs nearby, creating what any normal person would conclude as; an uncomfortable atmosphere amongst the others.

He sat there, spoke no words and picked himself another beer bottle over the counter, put the lid to his mouth within the hood, opened it, and began drinking casually.

"Oii! You're Gonna Have To P..." - The Barman exclaimed at him but was paused...

The man had set his finger under his hood in a silencing motion and with the other hand, in a sleight like wave, conjured up the money for his beer. The bystanders watched as he lay it down on the counter. He looked around at all the faces watching him from within the shroud of darkness his face lay within, two dark purple beady like lights flickered at the people... Besides being startled by this and many of them stepping back, there was a sense of aggression and seriousness to it, it seems as if his business was his own and no one dared even question him.

Almost a challenge by the looks... The figure still remained silent.

---

The Shadow of Sirius - (Reiner Hetsau Background Story)

[Rodent]

The old man gave Kalenda a sharp look.

There just might be....but how would it matter to you? You are one of the teeming and oblivious billions of Sirius, going about your life with little concern for anything beyond your immediate relations. How does humanity matter to you, eh?

[spacespeed]

"Well, it does become rather pointless to trade anything if there isn't anyone to trade with, and getting vaporized while trading isn't a much better alternative either. Other than that, well, I might be considered a bit idealistic by some, but isn't being part of humanity reason enough to defend it, much like how being citizens of a nation can persuade some to lay down their lives for it, despite being only a small minority amongst the many other citizens? Yes, I do know such nationalism can go seriously awry at times. It would be another thing altogether if those aliens were peaceful and we attempted to destroy them to gain control over their resources or power. But when they have struck the first blow, I see no reason not to strike back."

Solanus stopped to gather his thoughts, and after a brief pause, continued. "So why does humanity matter to me? I might only interact with a precious few people out of those billions, but those who I interact with may interact with others, who may have connections to more people that I may never know during my lifetime. Everything is linked to everything else, directly or indirectly, and it would be rather closed-minded to assume that a shock in one section of this matrix wouldn't transfer onto another part of this matrix. And even if this weren't true, the people who I interact with are enough of a reason by themselves. They lead me to believe that there may still yet be a shred of light and honor in this otherwise dark and treacherous universe, and even that shred is worth fighting for to the last."

He then stopped, and reflected. It wasn't characteristic of him to be so bold like that, and yet there he was, potentially committing himself to who knows what. Just another trait from my bloodline, isn't it? he thought to himself. No matter how hard he tried, he could scarcely escape what seemed to be destined for him. Beneath the veneer of order and discipline artificially placed into him by the necessities of living in a more ordered society and by his desire not to unnecessarily risk himself, lest he leave the ones he cared for behind, a far more primal desire bubbled and flared. A desire to protect, explore, and discover, having only been suppressed, not destroyed, by the rules and culture of the society that he found himself amongst. Somehow, talking to this person had brought it all out, into wide and open view of his mind. Was that the reason for this meeting? Perhaps... he knows far more about me than he's letting on.

"Anyways... I'm quite sure that you probably didn't come here just to hear my views on Sirius and the universe. After all, I'm probably not the only one with those sentiments, and I'm almost certainly not quite the best person to act upon all of them."

[Rodent]

It does however, take a man of daring to act on such things as morality and the common good. Human beings are naturally selfish, Solanus.

It was the first time the old man had addressed the younger by his first name.

What old age tells me is simple. If a man's house is burning down, his neighbour will think of the better view he'll get now that the annoying house is out of the way. We all act in self interest, for what is the pain of others when you cannot feel it? Humanity stumbles through somehow as a charade, until it is threatened by outsiders. We won't survive a external threat for long.

Is it so difficult to conjecture? Any man of reasonable intellect can figure it out, but they shrug and move on. None of their immediate concern. Humanity lacks the ability to think of itself as a whole, Solanus. Think about that.

But despite all this...there is some worth in our species, I feel. Ambition, drive, love, hate, they put drama and movement into this collection of atoms we call Sirius. Someone must think for the whole, Solanus. Someone must.

[Tyler]

'Anyone up for a game of strip-poker?'

'Preferably female, although I'm feeling confident enough of my own preferences to endure other males.' 'Oh, and I have absolutely nothing against humanoids, join in!'

Said Durden when he walked in again, smelling of.. fat.

---

[[IND]] [[ tl;dr TeamSpeak Community - Unofficial Discovery 24/7 RP TeamSpeak Server]] [[Reavers]]

[spacespeed]

"But there are times when the common good is in line, or is potentially in line with self-interest. A capricious shift in the winds, and your own house may be next in line to fall due to the fire. Wouldn't it then be better to put out the fire where it is, and wipe out this threat while earning the gratitude of the your neighbor at the same time?"

"But, unfortunately, most people don't seem to have that kind of vision. And the end result, is exactly as you describe. Especially when any external threat isn't clear, and starts to instigate internal crises."

"My guess is, there are people already who do think for the whole. But thought isn't merely enough. Action must be taken as well. The issue is, most of those who do think for the whole aren't in positions of power to be able to act as needed. Power tends to concentrate in the hands of those who prioritize their own standing over that of the group. It just seems to be how the universe works, perhaps even a consequence of natural selection, if you will."

"Yes, someone must think and stand for the whole. The problem is, it would seem to require that a person have two seemingly contradictory traits - to be able to solidify his own power, while at the same time thinking for the greater good. I'm not aware of anyone who does, yet."

[Rodent]

The old man smiled.

I am old enough that caring for myself is a fruitless task, my friend. Naturally I dedicate a lot of thought and whatever effort I can put into the betterment of the whole...but the question is...you're young, do you care? Will you help me against this amorphous mass of humanity, for it's own betterment? The question is up to you, do not hesitate in turning back if you cannot dedicate yourself to a fruitless task. But deep down, you know that it is right. You know.

[spacespeed]

"Me?" he asked, somewhat surprised. He certainly didn't consider himself to be special in any way, shape, or form. But then, there had to be a good reason for all of this, and if whatever powers that be thought him to be good enough...

He sighed. Sometimes, there just seem to be more questions than answers in the universe. he thought, But far better that than the other way around. And besides, if I'm going to find the answers to all of those questions, better take any chance I can...

"Very well, then." he replied. "But what would this entail, exactly?"