Imperial Court of the Blood Dragon Shogunate

[Dab]

At the other Chrysanthemum's words, Zetsumai decided it was time for her to make comments of her own. Unlike the other, she didn't approach the Taishogun and kneel, but placed herself at an angle to the Chrysanthemum, Consortium officer, and the Taishogun, so she could see them all, and they her, without turning. She nodded briefly towards the Taishogun, a motion that was appropriate between two people of equal status, which Zetsumai believed they were. As she did, a quiet murmur spread through the Blood Dragons at the assembly. She could only catch a few words, such as "disgraceful" and "who does she think she is?"

Well, do they expect me to kneel before him like some servant to be commanded? Please, he's no more than man. She didn't voice these thoughts outloud or through expression, however. As she glanced along the line of Shoguns, their expressions told her their opinions mirrored those of the lesser Dragons around them, though none voiced it. Even Sum-Gok-Li looked a bit grim and displeased. The Taishogun's expression, however, was impassive as he nodded in return.

"As one of the Elders comes to speak in the Consortiums defense, so have I come to speak in opposition to it. I am sure that the Elders, in all their wisdom have decided that this organization is trustworthy and beneficial to Kusari. But their relations with them are still shallow and vague. I, on the other hand, have gone through the muck they leave everywhere they tread. Even if you ignore their human status, that of cyborg, sub-human, or whatever you wish to call it, there are other, far graver issues with this organization."

"In their original emergence, the Consortium made it clear they have every wish to be counted among the ruling class of Kusari. An organization not born of our people, and of questionable motives, having the ambition to be counted among our leaders isn't only alarming, but disgusting to the thought. Throughout the last few years, they have shown more and more that they believe they have the right to such a position." She glanced around the room in a way that made it obvious, "I'm certain I'm not the only one who has noticed their excessive arrogance. Their imperious attitude towards us. Their behavior as if they were the new police of Kusari. I wonder what delusions they hold that makes them believe this, for it is far from the truth, and something we would never consider allowing."

She tilted her head forward and shook it before looking back up at the assembly. "I ask how we can trust an organization who's true motives still lay in the dark to us, and who's allegiance we are not certain of. I wonder why this organization, who claims they are acting in our interest, is excersizing operations into the other houses, such as Bretonia. I can understand that shooting the Kusarians where they plague the Bretonians is good in theory, but what goal can be achieved by throwing around our vessels at the Naval Force's front line? It seems to me that the only thing that could be gained through this would be Bretonia's gratitude, which would only come in helpful in the case of Bretonia taking over our fair nation."

"I applaud the Bretonian's valiant struggle against the Naval Forces.. But they aren't to be aided to the point of allowing them to enter here, in Kusari. They are a group to be used in order to weaken our opponents, and once the war is over, relations between they and us aren't likely to continue for long. They are a lawful organization, and while they may be grateful to us for our aid for awhile, they will fall to their nature and eventually classify us by nothing more than the labels of pirates and terrorists. Respect is given to victors, pity to the losers. But nothing but apathy is given to those on the sidelines or behind the lines. We cannot count on Bretonia's trust forever." Her eyes hardened. "Just as we cannot count on the loyalty of a bunch of half-robot abominations. If they truly have integrated themselves with the logic of a computer, than they have sacrificed the morality of the human brain to distinguish right and wrong. That is not the kind of creature I want by my side."

"And I certainly would not want my pilots, my sisters in the Chrysanthemums, any of you Dragons, or any of the innocent civilians of Kusari to be infected by the Nomad Blight due to the Consortium's overactive curiosity of them."

"Other reasons besides, those I've voiced are more than I can accept. We know the goals of the Dragons. And you Dragons know the goals of us Chrysanthemums. Our mutual struggle and similar goals have strengthened us and brought us closer together. But what does the Consortium have that we should appreciate them? Questionable motives? Suspicious activities? The defiling of their own humanity in their necromantic ambitions? Such things don't make a friendship. The Consortium offers us the aid of their combat vessels against Kusari.. But we Chrysanthemums have been here long, and you Dragons longer still, and we have endured.. Nay, even succeeded in part. Support for the false emperor and the corrupt Samura has fallen lower and lower."

"I don't see how we can choose to trust a group based solely on their offer of military aid. If we needed that so badly, there are a plethora of mercenaries who we can trust more to be loyal to the money paid than we can trust the Consortium to do it from charitable kindness. Everyone has a motive, and any who say they want nothing in return for something are liars. We allow them into our protected and secret fortresses and refuges, and we only set them up to betray us more effectively in the future."

She closed her eyes.

"My mind on these beasts is made up. I only hope the rest of you listen to the wisdom god has seen fit to grant you, and come to realize the truth in what I say."

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