| The Great Aryyt't Play |
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The Cabal members continued speaking in short sentences, alternating.
"For peace, we are willing to accept technology on the surface." "Outside our sacred tunnels." "Total purge would be preferable." "This is the compromise." "For peace."
Julianus raised a brow in momentary confusion before continuing to converse with the two 'emissaries', placing his clawed hand on the window as he spoke to them, gently intoning a veritable list of the benefits that technology could bring to the tunnels if carefully introduced.
His guards, meanwhile, tightened their grips on their gear as they quietly spoke to each other over a private channel. <"Something isn't right here..."> one of them said, <"these fanatics are behaving oddly."> <"Agreed. Perhaps they are being forced to deliver prepared statements?"> <"We can't take a heartrate scan during the talks, that could be interpreted as hostile. We'll have to go over biometric data from our helms when we return to the ship."> <"Either way, we must be cautious. You heard the Emperor's orders: Keep the Foreman safe."> The lead guard looked in Tcsor's direction and gave him a reassuring nod.
Tcsor smiled back faintly at the guards. The meeting was reaching a critical point, but it wasn't his turn quite yet.
The Aryyt't behind the window listen carefully to the emperor, staring directly into his eyes. Then they started talking in brief sentences again. It seemed more like a discussion between the two of them, rather than reasoning with the emperor. "They still have a soul." "The Light, I feel it too." "Despite subordination to technology." "They are not Aryyt't, perhaps they are compatible?" "Time is the will of the Light." "Time shall prove if the Light wills it." "Emperor, how many years of development did it take for your people to leave your home world?" asked one of the Cabal suddenly.
"It took rougly five hundred years after planetary unification to begin colonizing other star systems, but even before the discovery of superluminal travel we had been establishing settlements across our home system. And in all fairness, it would differ from species to species."
The Emperor placed a hand on his chest as he smiled at the Cabal members. "For example, my race leads fairly long lives compared to some of the other races within our borders. That would have a slight impact on technological devopment."
"Then time shall tell."
"The heretics may experiment on the surface." "To keep us safe here." "Tcsor, will this be acceptable to you?" Tcsor approached the window. "But the Below is our home too! Surely we can coexist?" He answered with some hint of desperation in his voice. "Time shall tell" answered one of the Cabal. "If you can show that we are compatible after one generation, then you may come home. The Light shall greet you" added the other one from the Cabal. "What about all the technology that already exists, both on the surface and below?" asked Tcsor. There was another moment when the two Cabal members spoke in brief sentences. "The Light can be preserved until after one generation." "If you promise to respect the current arrangement." "No more technology below the surface, but no less." "Balance is to be preserved." Tcsor looked at the Emperor with sad eyes. "What do you think, Friend? Those of us who embrace technology may never see our homes again."
"While I am bound by honor to aid in restoring the peace, I will not tolerate forcing innocent people into exile simply for the development and use of advanced technology. I would sooner be struck down by my gods than be party to injustice."
Julianus closed his eyes before standing to his full height, his gaze fixed upon the distorted images of the 'emissaries' behind the window. "Tell me... what makes you claim to be the sole speakers of The Light? How would you claim to know what it desires better than it? If you truly care about balance, reflect upon the path you have taken. Your actions have skewed the Balance towards chaos, and blot the Light with the darkness of bloodshed and grief. Is this cause of yours truly worth causing untold suffering for your people?" "When I ascended to the throne, I swore an oath to uphold the ideals of justice and fairness and progress. I understand that you wish to pursue your interpretation of Aryyt't customs, but I will not stand idly by if it means separating families and communities. I implore you to take three days to talk amongst yourselves, meditate, and reflect. When those three days pass, we shall convene again, and an equitable alternative shall be proposed."
"We are the organ of the Light."
"Have been for millennia." "Even Tcsor will acknowledge that." The Cabal members said. "You are indeed wise. The Light is reflected on you. But it is true as the Emperor says. Your actions skew the Balance. Maybe our technology does too, but who are you to say if the new Balance to come is worse? To help us all to restore peace and preserve what balance we have we have left, and to show you that we are compatible, just like our friends the Draconians, I have another suggestion. How about an arrangement where we are allowed to continue developing our technology on the surface, but are still are allowed to return home if we leave any new technology behind for the duration of one generation?" Tcsor answered. The two Cabal members looked at each other for a few moments, then they spoke up. "Can one prevent the Annihilators from entering our caves?" "The Emperor knows?" Tcsor leaned towards to the emperor and whispered. "It is mainly exotic matter, such as antimatter, that they feel threatens the Balance",
Leaning down to better hear Tcsor, Julianus frowned as he mulled this new information over.
"Hmm... antimatter weaponry is quite hazardous in the wrong hands. I cannot blame either side for wanting to restrict weapons research and testing of power generators that don't rely on geothermal energy to the surface for the time being. Technology that improves medical procedures and food processing should be at least be allowed into the cities after careful testing." "I recommend putting scanners at the entrances of the tunnels to provide a warning system for any form of weaponized exotic matter, in the interest of protecting civilian life. On top of all of that, an advisory panel or ministry can be formed to oversee these affairs."
Tcsor slowly narrowed his eyes.
"Speaking of antimatter... what guarantee do we have that you won't use your weapons against us while we are on the surface? Like you already have. Twice" Tcsor asked the Cabal members. They answered in their usual peculiar way. "The weapons are our only guarantee." "In their light." "You have the Treecuu." "Together there is balance." "Assured of your destruction." "Assured of our destruction." "Assured of out mutual survival." "It is the will of the Light." Tcsor blinked for a few moments. Even he had some trouble understanding their cryptical way of speaking sometimes. "Mutual assured destruction. A balance of terror. I see..." Tcsor answered thoughtfully. The Cabal members started speaking again. "After one generation, we shall reconvene." "Then we shall see if we are compatible." "If the Light wills it." Tcsor looked at the Emperor to see if he had understood what had been said. "Emperor, would you be willing to supply the technology necessary to scan for... other technology?" Tcsor asked.
"I would be. I will need to take a few days to think of possible alternatives just in case, but the scanners will be provided as soon as possible, friend." The Emperor nodded as he tapped at a small interface on his vambrace.
"Though hopefully it will take less than a whole Aryyt't generation for this situation to resolve itself." The relatively young Drakari paced about for a few moments. "I hope to continue this conversation soon in the coming days. We have much to consider..." |
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