- Things are ran differently. People have different mindsets. The society out here puts too much pressure on getting rich, being succesful. Better, one could say. Although that in itself isn't a bad thing, the definition of "better" and the ways of achieving that status people use... It rewards individuals that are selfish, ruthless and compassionless. Those that are willing to abuse others for their own benefit. Not to mention the inequality between the poor and the rich, a division that shouldn't really exist in a society that considers itself "civilised". We don't have that. Perhaps it's because all of us are people with the right way of looking at things, while here you have the good souls ruled by and mixed with the spoiled people, forced to live by the flawed system.
He considered her words for a moment before replying. ''You are correct, however, is it not fair to say that equality is an impossible dream in and of itself? Consider, how does one define 'equality'? If we are to look at the opportunities people have, we can quite clearly see that not all are equal, some can do what others cannot, the reasons for this are many of course, but by in large, inequal opportunities are are a direct result of state policies. But equality between the genders? Equality before the law? I believe we do have those things, we are equal in some regards. Personally I believe that perception plays a part in how we define 'equal' and 'inequal'.
- Indeed. Absolute equality is impossible to achieve. Nevertheless, we should strive to eliminate the disparities between people. Just because we cannot reach perfection doesn't mean we should stop seeking it. But, to think of it... What kind of perfection are we looking for? There are plenty kinds of equality, and some of them are even worse than what we have now. I personally believe we should eliminate inequalities caused by birth. There are millions of people suffering just because they were born in the wrong family. Just because they came to this world in a working family on Leeds, rather than the royal palace. Imagine how many briliant people have their potential curbed because they have to mine boron on Pittsburgh, barely make ends meet in Stuttgart's plantations or live a bleak existance on Sprague. And on the other hand, you have people who are destined to rule a nation just because an admiral romanced "royal" blood.
''The question is then, how does one change this? I mean, the mentality of 'bloodlines' and 'entitlement' has been ingrained in Bretonian minds for...centuries. To question something that has worked so well is...absurd...almost unthinkable. Not to mention the cost.''
- Are you sure it worked so well, John? Do you think people of Leeds consider this system successful? Or, perhaps, those that took part in the Founder's Day? Or anyone stuck in the incredibly stiff social hierarchy of Bretonia, squeezed under someone's boot and unable to do anything about it? To question it is not absurd. To justify it is absurd.
He let out a laugh. ''But it is not those people's opinions that matter, they are the 'have nots', the opinion of the 'haves' is all that matters. Tell me it is not so? In Liberty and Rheinland it is the same, and the alternative is the Xenos or the Red Hessians. Neither of which are any better than the current order. Do you mean to look me in the eye and tell me the Gaian's are different?''
- Yes, John, we're different. We're very much different. We're not murdering people just because they were born elsewhere. We're not committing genocides and razing civilians for the sake of killing them. We are not in this fight for the thrill of violence, John. And we are not doing it just to take the seats of power for ourselves before running things just as they were, unlike the vast majority of the so-called "revolutionaries".
''Oh so every single Gaian is an honourable idealist are they? No one in your organisation out for violence for it's own sake? I am truely impressed, if it were true. Furthermore, if the rest of the 'revolutionaries' are so different from you, or you from them, how is it we cannot see it? True, part of it is the state skewing our eyes, true part of it is willing blindness, but the Gaians are not quite so innocent either. Surely you must see that.''
- And who is innocent in this world, John? You are right. We are not innocent. And I do not intend to use others as an excuse. But being innocent will not get us anywhere. Words alone are no longer sufficient to get an idea across in this world. It is sad, but true. I do not like our methods, none of us do. But there is hardly any choice.
''Innocent....the very word seems meaningless. But there are good, honest people out there who are innocent, countless children unborn who are totally innocent from the crimes we, their parents, commit. The question is not of 'how innocent' one is, but how justified are our actions? Do you believe your actions justified Carol?''
![[Image: K21Vaai.png]](https://i.imgur.com/K21Vaai.png)