As the public were taking a seat, awaiting for the Congress to start, the various professors on stage were chating, while the mics were off.
At some point, when most of the people here were settled, the Professor Marques stood, mic on, and addressed the assembly :
"Mesdames et messieurs, Bienvenue au Premier Congrès Socialiste de Gallia.
I'm very proud flattered, and optimistic at the same time, to see that many people interrested in the subjects presented before this fair assembly.
I'd like to remind everyone that everyone will be able to speak if one wishes to, provided the person asks for it first, and that various conference rooms will be availables.
Once again, i'd like to thank my colleagues Professor B.Marlin, C.Durand and Professor M.Lelouche for organizing this event, aswell as the University Michel Simon, for allowing us to use its premises."
Waiting for the applause to end, the Professor carried on :
" Now as it would be rude and pretentious of myself to speak first, i'll let someone from this fine assembly doing it.
So who wants to address this assembly first ?"
A tall, elegant man in his fourties stands up and walks to the stage. He promptly shakes hands with each professor, some of whom seem to vaguely recognise him. As he grabs one of the microphones, a low-pitched quick connection sound can be heard, followed by a timid hail of applause.
"Good day, and thank you for your kindness, my dear friends, comrades... And colleagues too, because, and let me introduce myself through these preliminary words, I am Louis-Laz... Hmmm... Lazare Donnier, a former literature professor at the UNNP, the New Paris Nanterre University. But perhaps I am more renown today as a terrorist leader, sentenced to death in absentia for spearheading a terrorist organisation called Ligue d'action révolutionnaire."
He smiles and carries on, satisfied with the effect he might just have produced on the audience.
"I hope the days we are going to live through, my friends, will be remembered in history. And not only Gallic history. Seizing power, means of production and bourgeois property in the house we were born in can only be a step towards a whole Sirius-wide revolution.
Anticapitalist thinkers, anti-State intellectuals, scientific materialism philosophers, et j'en passe, all of those names I am sure you know by heart, all have thoroughly drawn this path throughout the last millenium: rising in only one nation is no more than a petty uproar doomed to inevitable failure.
Socialism, as a generic notion, is really simple to understand. There are simple rules to apply. Simple boxes to tick. Simple horizons to reach. And never deviate from the mathematically logic plan. Here is what I offer you to do today. Refresh our knowledge, adapt it to our current situation and precisely define the means we are going to need in this fight.
Thank you very much."
Donnier puts the microphone on the table in front of him, sits in one of rhe empty chairs and starts making acquaintance with the professor on his left.
Among the crowd came another person. Years 35-40. It was difficult to say on his face: someone could give him all 50 or more. The main reason was a lot of scars and skin on the face, which in the past was very badly burned as a result of a battle injury. In addition to everything, instead of the left eye, the figure had a prosthesis giving out a blue light. Despite all these shortcomings, this man’s strong physique made it possible to judge that he was not as old as it seemed to everyone. The man politely stated that he would like to speak, to which he received a positive response in the form of quiet applause and a pass to the stage. Maximilian was dressed pretty well. His casual uniform consisted of classic trousers, a pair of black leather shoes and a slim-fit shirt. The soldier's habit forced Bernard to prepare for any meetings as it should be - clearly, decently and without unnecessary details. A large black stripe was visible on the neck, apparently starting from the chest. Whether it was a semblance of a prosthesis, like its eye or just a tattoo is difficult to determine from afar.
Maximilian was standing before the public. The light that went on him revealed more of his features. It was an Asian-looked man with gray hair. From the look one could understand that this is a soldier. A soldier who knows his business, has passed through suffering, Death and Hell. People view meant only questions in the style: "What is this person doing here?" or "Do you know him? I see him for the first time." A timid silence, which lasted only a minute, was interrupted by Maximilian's faint thump on the microphone to make sure that there was sound.
Yes, mircophone working. Good. Now we can talk. Maximilian sighed, probably for confidence, and then began to speak. The voice almost corresponded to his appearance - low frequency in each word, but with a wheeze. However, there was no bass, as some might have thought:
- "Bonjour, dear participants of the Socialist Congress of Gallia. My name is Maximilian Bernard, I am a member of the Council. I received a message that some of us are not so eager to win over the common enemy, as to the answer to the question "What will happen next?" In my opinion, this is the right way, since we will have to ask such questions. And if we do not discuss this now, then perhaps we will make our House, our Homeland, only worse, having risen in place of those tyrants who are there. Alas, but we need to recognize that the more experienced the power is, the more effective the state will be under its regime. To avoid the opposite - our society, mostly young people, should ask questions about the future state structure of Gallia after the revolution. Believe me: the price of a revolution is not so terrible as its consequences. If these consequences prove fatal, then we fought in vain. To prevent this from happening, let's begin our discussion. Lazare Donnier has already said his word. If you allow me, then I will say."
The applause this time was more noisy. Again, some silence, which was interrupted by weak whispering. It looks like Maximilian's speech was much liked more than his appearance. The latter is not so worried. He formulated his thought in his head and began to continue the speech.
- "On the way to the socialist system in Gallia, we need to point out the concept of socialism. What is it? Socialism, in the general sense, is a collective decision on any issue, but on a state scale. At the same time, the state supports the society, hoping to get the appropriate working efficiency from society. There are many ways to support socialism - it is they who form new types of socialism. And if I have given a “general concept”, then it is difficult to give some concrete definition of socialism by virtue of so many kinds. That is, each species has its own concept.
Due to the many types of socialism, we must first think about what kind of socialism our society wants to see in Gallia after the revolution. So, my first question - what kind of socialism do you want to see? In order not to make disputes that can lead to confusion and turmoil, let's define for ourselves the main types of socialism, known to the majority.
So, there are only about four types of socialism. Due to the fact that I am a simple military man, and not a teacher, I can be mistaken. Four types of socialism. The first is classical socialism or real socialism - this is what we see today in the Sirius Coalition: collective decisions leading to equality of all people among themselves. Usually, all this is controlled by the highest authority, which is as close to the civil one as possible. However, this kind of socialism is quite aggressive with respect to the capitalist form of government and to any private production. The basic principle is to deprive people of their private property and transfer everything into the hands of the state.
The second type of socialism is social democracy. A possible example in our time can probably serve only Liberty: there are democratic levers, thanks to which harmony arises in society. Alas, it is these levers that allow you to do not what the society wants, but what the highest authority wants. This leads to various conflicts in society, the main essence of which is the distrust of the population to their own government.
The third type of socialism is conservative socialism, aimed at creating specific conditions for society in order to create harmony. However, it is specific conditions that limit society itself. The very word "conservatism" leads to the fact that this socialism goes deep into the past, not trusting something from the future.
The fourth type of socialism is scientistic socialism, in which scientists have great power, and they can give advice and recommendations for the masses that do not possess their knowledge. That is, if you are smart, then all power is in your hands. Usually, this kind of thinking leads to mistakes: a smart, but completely inexperienced person in terms of practice can be at the head of a state. The maximum in his arguments is that he is smarter than the rest.
As you can understand, every kind of socialism is good for something, but it also has its drawbacks. It should be said that the minuses to which I have indicated can be eradicated if we come up with the necessary method. Of course, I could be wrong about everything I said, because of the not so high knowledge of socialism. I arrived here for personal and public reasons. Personal - to get more knowledge, and public - to participate in the dispute, which will lead to the truth. I think that's all what I wanted to say. Maybe."
Maximilian also put the microphone on the table and returned to the hall. I wonder what the reaction of the public to his words? So far, the simple whispering. Perhaps people really thought about what he said. Or maybe he just said complete nonsense, and people whisper to each other to choose the appropriate reaction. Anyway, Maximilian did not care about the opinions of others. Or rather, he respected the opinions of others and learned from his mistakes, but ridicule and bullying didn't hurt him. The war has taught that there may be worse losses. At least if everyone in Sirius were so smart, then every second people would be a complete idiot.
From the Chairs behind a young woman in a uniform stands up and moves forward to the podium. Glancing over the crowd she takes a deep breath and introduces herself.
"Salut my beloved people of Gallia. I came forward here today because I lived through the Liberal era of the Council, as a Soldier, within the Ranks of the Military and it struck me that we still after so many decades haven't done a significant progress. My name is Ladina de Suisse, 29 years old. I've recently gone underground slowly losing hope but now with this Congress I see a spark. This does not mean I'm undermining the work of the previous Council however a Socialist movement is the way to go forward."
She coughs before she continues to talk.
"I'm a Military person however I show passion towards my people and there are a couple proposals I have in order to start a propper structure within the Systems and Planets that the Council own. Presenting you with an ancient ideology that represented a union back in Sol with the name "Hélvétiqué". I would like that we could build a Conseil de Hélvétiqué representing us as the true representatives of Gallia and not just pets of the King. Our cause will be just and thus we will have to convince people outside of our Home aswell that we do represent the Council of the People.
We've noticed a grown of Rheinland Transports into Gallia which concludes a deal with the King. In Order to stop that we could make a move into the Zurich System and cut their supply lines. Again, this is a talk from a Military Person so pardon me if I'm sounding a little bit strategic but those are my views for one of many objectives we shall have.
The Conseil de Hélvétiqué would represent our Congress speaking out for the People of Gallia and maybe even refugees of War. This Government body would also run the Planets and Systems like a confederation as the Council used to have Bureaus. With the Socialist ideology, every sector would have equal power and thus we'd have a balance between Congress members that represent the People."
With this she moves back to her chair and sits down.
A man stands up from the audience after Ladina finishes talking. Dressed up in a light brown coat, with a beige vest and white dress shirt tucked in. A Matured face with a thick brown mustache and somewhat short dark brown hair, he approaches the Podium to begin offering his contribution to the Congress . He begins facing one side of the floor
"Salutations, and thank you for hosting such an important Congress to dictate the future of Gallia. My name is Benoît Lambert, and first I'd like to say that I agree with the sentiments expressed by Donnier et Bernard, and the creativity of Ladina. I agree that socialism is not utopian but is scientific. And I do agree with the sentiment that only through a socialist revolution, can Gallia truly be a beacon of hope and bring forth a new era for it's people. But we must focus on one front first while we are still small, and then we can consider expanding it. So I applaud Ladina for her optimism of the future of this movement. But we must not forget, that all revolutions are subject to threat by counter revolution. When the Mouvement de Liberation Gaulois began to spread and form mass popularity, the aristocrats and reactionaries supported its disbandment by the King. This suppression was not enough for the young revolutionaries in 794 A.S, who initiated the first step, which was the victorious battle uprising on Planet Marne. But if we are to learn something from history, it is that those in power will not simply step aside for the needs and demands of the masses. Therefore, we must also discuss the means in which we will must defend ourselves.
His body begins shifting over to, give attention to the other half of the audience, with both hands on the side of the podium he continues to talk into the microphone .
" Like Comrade Donnier, I too served in the ranks of Ligue d'action révolutionnaire. But there is one important thing that I'd like to share with you all. In the AR, We understood the necessity of having a trained group of revolutionaries who were armed and ready to bring forth revolution but also defend it against Counter Revolution. What does the Congress have in mind for this? My suggestion is we begin the discussion of formation of a professional military or unit to begin defending the revolution as it begins. We must be ready to defend everything we have earned for the sake of socialist revolution. Merci. "
he gives a nod to the audience and begins to walk off the stage to go back to his seat.
A lanky man, looking to be in his mid twenties, rises from one of the seats, just as the previous speaker finishes. He strolls towards the podium, takes the microphone and begins speaking in a calm, casual voice.
Hello.
He looks around the room, fixating people in the audience seemingly at random, before he continues.
I am not a man of words. I am a man of deeds.
But today...
His hand makes a slow, sweeping guesture, pointing at the room in general with his open palm.
...today, I am in this a temple of words. And I will adhere to its laws.
A few ideas of how the different categories of socialism work have been introduced already. However, each and every one of them carries a flaw. Something that can be exploited. I loathe the exploitation of those who are governed by those who govern.
It appears that we must choose. And choose we will.
The man's casual poise suddenly seized up, stopping mid sway.
Did you hear? We will choose. WE, will choose. I do not mean us who stand before you, the people who speak up. And neither do I mean the ones who listen calmly, taking in every word and sentence. I speak of all of us.
I do not come to present a perfect option. I come to offer you my idea of how we must brave whatever path we choose.
Each and every one of us has a talent. An ability. A passion. A life. And we each must decide what to do with it.
Why not do what we do best?
Let the bakers make bread.
Let the architects design houses.
Let the soldiers make war.
A thin smile slowly forms on his face as he speaks.
Some of you may or may not think that we do this already.
But we do not.
No. We have our life designed by others. By a market that dictates what we need. By a leadership that decides what we must fulfil.
My father was a factory worker. The world we lived on had decided that it needed parts for fighter vessels. The gears of war were to be kept spinning.
And so he built those parts. Made their war machines.
But this was not what he could do best.
My father was a warrior. A fighter. A soldier at heart. He couldn't live his life that way, but still, he fell in hand to hand combat.
What would have happened, had this man been able to live that life fully?
But no, he was deemed a cog in a machine. And he saw himself as one, thinking that he was lesser than those who decided what his work should be.
Each of us has the ability, no, the innate nature, to be able to do some things well.
We must find out what these things are and make use of them.
Still, none of them make us more or less valuable than anyone else. A ruler needs his advisor. He needs the baker to make his bread. He needs the architect to design houses. And he needs the soldiers to defend the nation. All of them are of the same importance to "us" as a whole.
To all of us.
His hand points at people in the audience.
You. You. You.
The arms are spread wide.
Every. Single. One.
We each have something that we are best at.
We each must find that thing and use it to further eachother's lives.
I am no baker. But give me flour and I will use it to set the room ablaze.
I am no architect. But give me the blueprints of a building and I will find its weak spots and blast them to pieces.
I am a soldier. A man of war.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
But I do not look down on the man who repairs and fuels my ship.
And I do not look up to the men and women who give me commands.
He returns to his casual demeanour, as if the overly grand guestures never happened, setting his hands onto the podium.
I told you that I am a man of deeds.
In my time in space, I have broken many cogs that built the Gallic war machine. And I have split many gears that moved inside of it.
Most of them thought themselves better or worse than me. They all went into the night at the hands of the soldier.
Some quietly and accepting, others shouting, squealing, needing to be dragged. But they went all the same.
None of these parts of the machine that I broke were more or less important than me.
The man pauses briefly.
But they could never truly be human.
He looks around the room.
Because they thought themselves lesser or better. They could not accept equality. They felt they had to strive to be above or fight to not be below, when, in reality, all are equal. All must be equal. If they aren‘t, then they aren‘t humane towards eachother.
In Platon‘s Politeia, the character Sokrates was made to say that a good human may not do harm unto another human, else he would damage that human's ability to be a good human themself.
While many things that Platon wanted written in there are worthless or would even be damaging to our modern society, some are worth repeating. This is one of them.
We must do good unto other humans.
But I argue that one cannot be human unless they accept their humanity. They must accept that they are no more and no less than any other human. That they carry the same worth and weight in the world.
And if I need to break the cogs that fuel the war machine until they realize their humanity, then so be it.
If we need to split the gears that spin to move the machine, then we must do so until they realize the folly of their ways.
Until they see that they do not need a king, they need good rulers whose life is dedicated not to the state that they rule, but to its people.
They need those who are capable at ruling, not those who say that they are.
Men and women who live for the people.
Not some foul beast that sends them into their doom in the hope of conquest.
The king of Gallia formed a nation that reaches far and wide. A nation of murderers. A nation of conquerors. A nation of destruction.
What say you, fellow attendees of the congress?
What say you, fellow humans?
It this a way to rule?
Or shall we break the war machine down, make its parts see their humanity, and teach them that their own value differs not from that of a king or that of a factory worker?
If we do, then we must do it as men and women of the same worth.
I am not pleading for what kind of socialism we should follow. It will define who makes decisions for others. It will define the structure of our life.
What I come to present to you is the philosophy that, at least according to my beliefs, should define how we view eachother once that day comes,
Over the course of his speech, the lanky man had slowly begun to tense up. He shifts his shoulders and relaxes.
I have given you my words, how ever much or little that means.
He gives the audience a slow nod and goes to sit back down.
<span style="font-family:Lucida Console"><span style="color:#33CC00">*personality core activated*</span>
Science consists of stating the obvious and linking the facts. </span>
Jean-Michel Pelletier was not a latecomer usually. However he was unusually late to the congress and only managed to catch the last speaker. Although he knew the general possible topics, he did not know what was spoken for the first moments exactly. As the young man have spoken, Michel thought he had a good point. However later he got slightly disgusted as the man's speech turned to be a warmongering one. He knew one thing and that was that wars werent won with fiery, ambitious speeches. Nor mindlessly blowing things up. "Hmph. Probably a hotshot fighter pilot." He thought. As the man sat back, he stood up from the seat he barely sat down and reached for the microphone.
"Bonjour, dear participants of the First Congress." He took a quick glance at the crowd. Crowd were listening. "I am Jean-Michel Pelletier, a Captain in Council Liberation Navy. Contrary to what others may have pointed, I want to point at something else. As we all know, a revolution requires armed solutions. However, how are we intending to supply the revolution's 'Warmachine' ? After all, without supplies, even the most bristling, most prestigious Navy will fall. As we know, Gallia is rather short on resources and to my knowledge, we do not have the knowledge to extract said resources ourselves. We could extort, plunder and if it takes to be, commit murder of our own, less enlightened and blinded counterparts. However, think of it. Would they work with the established society as fellow comrades, should we manage to succeed and seize the power for the people? What would they think of some of our more... radical brethen here? What we shall do here, will have post-liberation ripples. Thus, I see the need of creating our own supply lines, more than ever. This would, and will, require external support from willing outsiders. Such as Libertonian, Bretonian or Crayterian shipping organizations. What would be you fellows opinion on such? Will we decide to handle the revolution internally, or open arms to Sirian logistics inside Gallia territorry?" He paused for a second and then looked at the crowd once again. "That is a crucial matter in my eyes and should be discussed in detail when the time comes. Thank you all for having an ear on me." And he went back to his seat.
Lambert hearing the speeches of the one monsieur and Pelletier, his right leg began to shake. A sudden urge at the hearing of a red military being formed conceptually energized him and revived his wounded battle spirit. After watching Pelleter walk off, lambert begans to contemplate if he should wait or he should dart out and let out what he is burning to say. In a moments notice, Lambert abruptly stands up and walks quickly to the podium slightly guilty of giving a quick response.
" Before we move too fast Monsiuer Pelletier on the question of what is to be done about those outside of Gallia. I fear we have not yet derived a name for our forces, nor a proper name for this movement. I think if one or the other can be concluded from this Congress, it would be spark and be the definitive drum of a new era for Gallia. It also seems to me that the Monsiuer prior to Pelletier, and Pelletier himself have echoed the necessity of a military force to come forth to defend the revolution. As a former soldier the need to protect through armed means is not something I can let be passed too quickly".
His head looks to finding where Donnier is sitting in the congress, finding his general vicinity he continues.
" The Ligue d'action révolutionnaire was more than just a group of radicalized soldiers but it was a movement, a movement for a better future, a better tomorrow. If a military organization is to come out of this congress and we are to defend this movement, we can use what has already been started by some of my other camarades, and it's leader. Camarade Donnier. Out of the corners of Gallia he organized for the first rally cry for liberation. But now, we need no longer to be in the corners of Gallia but we, all of us here, as the movement itself, can be leading Gallia's future at the fore front. What say you all to such idea? And Camarade Donnier, what say you? This is what I'd like to purpose to this Congress."
A smile breaks out from his lips as he stays standing at the podium for a bit looking at Lanzier Donnier, he gives a firm nod to him as he breaks away from the podium and takes his seat yet again.
Lazare Donnier nods to comrade Lambert's views, with whom he has spent countless days speaking about Action révolutionnaire's future endeavours in the past. One of those strategic talks is now unfolding in public, punctuated by Leon's passionate speeches, like many times before. While he is receiving the microphone from his friend Benoît's hands, the grey-haired man scratches his head and resumes speaking on the same tone as earlier.
"Quite inspirational words I have heard here. And as always, Benoît, you are the most pragmatic of us all."
He smiles and takes a deep breath.
"Our comrade is right. While I was listening carefully to all of you, I could only tell myself that we are forming into something new here. An organisation significantly distinct from anything the Council has been about during all the years of its existence. The present days might be remembered as a milestone period. Yes, this oxymoron makes sense."
His voice now takes an exaggerated, solemn turn.
"I am offering to put Action révolutionnaire's assets at the service of the cause we are going to define and specify during this Congress. We are willing to evolve from an action directe modest group to a mass political movement, a total and versatile party-like, army-like and even media-like structure, with actually being in charge of a political body, State or federation, as a long-term goal.
Each and every of you, comrades, is hereby invited to join it. As outlined by Leon in his impressive speech, which was a true real socialism lesson, we promise that everyone will be in charge of activities matching their skills at best and remunerated according to their needs.
For this purpose, I suggest we keep our current name that, in my opinion, fits our identity and acts to come. Action, because we will not be inert as bourgeois political parties are doomed to be. Révolutionnaire, as we wish to overthrow both authoritarianism and representative democracy, its fraternal twin. And, this is our very touch, let us complement it with an adequate adjective, conseillarde. The reason to it is clear-cut; we are de facto becoming a part of the Council, not only dedicated to overthrow Charlie's rule but also with profound goals for mankind as a whole.
L'Action révolutionnaire conseillarde could come to light today, provided that you, my friends, my comrades in thought and fight, agree to it."
A sweating Donnier now sits back where he was fifteen minutes ago, and starts gazing into the audience, asking himself he has not been too dary with this proposal.
Jean-Michel Pelletier was listening very closely. As the leader of Action Revolutionnairre spoke and a name got proposed, Jean-Michel felt something he lacked: Hope. Since Oblique's demise, followed by fracturing alliances with IMG and Bretonia, he felt they were doomed. Fall of Toulouse did not help either. He still fought until the retreat order was given and fled with Pamiers battlegroup. However now, he felt they had another shot at it. A shot with true revolutionaries. The people here and their will to achieve something were great and Jean-Michel felt like the part already. He knew his crew would follow him to death, the decision was not a hard one at all and such, Captain Pelletier rose from his seat once again. Reached the microphone and before speaking, he looked at the Navy guys assembled here. "My comrades, crewmates, brothers and sisters, fellow captains and pilots. I, Jean-Michel Pelletier, agree that we are in need of a military force as soon as possible and in parallel with Monsieur Donnier to name our united force L'Action Revolutionnaire Conseillarde. Let the movement begin and fill the void with fury of Bastard Culverins of our trusty Agamas, salvoes of Eclipses and Basiliks, followed by dedicated souls upon Penances, Obstinates and Redemptions! Let the Vaches go boldly where no men set foot to fuel the warmachine, bolstered by staunch allies such as Crayter Republic, we shall become the beacons of hope for not only Gallia, but whole Sirius! For a brighter Gallia!" Then he left the podium and sat back.
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