He gave a nod to answer for his question regarding the Bismarck "Glad to hear that. After an open clash with the Nomads in the outskirts of the Sirius, the ship requires full scale repairs. As engineers have been told to me, it will require full body reworks. While I should talk about the complexity of rebuilding the Vega, benefit is not questionable, firepower would be enough to hold even house division alone for a significant amount of time, it had been proven in defense of corefleet, holding the barrier and damage alone. Though at this moment ship fate is unknown, the team onboard of Vega received everything it’s required and defensive wing went to catch up mostly defenseless remnants of corefleet... I won't take much of your time and delegates with our problems - perhaps next time in private, if you would be interested." Christian finished his speech and dropped a look around the room. He noticed a newcomer, whose was a stranger for him and had been listened to points of Doc and Voncloud. He started to remind what he could give in exchange to fellow Zoners, he felt that all connections were lost, various groups all around Sirius would barely remember him or his community, he fell into memories, his look was blank stare. Although it was barely noticeable he woke up from his thoughts and continued listening to the Voncloud. As he finished Christian started to talk "As some of you well know, but I want to remind you if some don't - our cooperation with the Order strong as ever, we feel responsible to helping our allies against infectees and alien spread… Then Christian shrugged “And according to what I’ve heard, I could mediate your relationship with the Enclave, as we managed to set up diplomatic relations. Though it is still in early days, but I will do my best to normalize relationships for you. Of course, if you will be interested.”
while waldemar listen to all what was spoken the door opened again. a woman entered the room "at least a woman" he thoughts and stands up.
"well, we hear about this and that and so on. much was spoken and some of it need a little time. therfore i have a proposal, a short break. we can have a drink and way more important the station personal has some time to repair the doors. you will find me and my vodka at the bar."
he nods in all directions and headed to the drinks
As almost all attendees made it back to their seats Jill looked around the room. Sure enough most were still chatting with each other and some even stated their opinions more loudly than before, most likely because of the influence of alcohol of which she suspected would be Synthehol for her gin-tonic effect was surely wearing off fast. It would be good for this conference should not become a bar brawl.
When most of the voices became quiet she once again stood up and took the floor, while making sure her 'move' of standing up was done just at the pace where everyone could see and assuring everyone could see her doing so...
"Friends, It is good to see we all made it back after the refreshments. Now allow me to share something with you.
In my spare time I enjoy reading old e-books from the Sol period and the other day one particular passage struck my interest which and now, at this very time and place and with all of us here it seems the perfect time to share this."
As she waited for a response she quickly looked down at her datapad where she had the passage she wanted to share in full view. After her announcement the room fell quiet and perhaps a bit too quiet for comfort yet she mustered her strength and moved on and as she spoke she looked at every attendee for a brief moment to gain their attention...
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase or wish to obtain a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety"
After she paused to let the words sink in she added:
"Now these words have been written and spoken a very long time ago but don't be surprised that the person who spoke them at that time was someone who intended to unite a faction that had been spread apart over a great distance.
And this may very well be written for us. As we have lost Gran Canaria at great expense. To me, it seems we have in some way given up on that thing which unites us. Our independence and our freedom to live our lives as we deem fit. It is almost like..."
She had to take a quick sip of water before she continued...
"...At times it seems like we've given up to actually do that which matters to maintain what we hold dearly.
As I mentioned before, I am the new member to what I see as a great community with an honest, righteous goal for the future. I may upset some of you being so frank but sometimes it's an outsider that can help you focus on what the insiders tend to miss.
We are back in school my friends and while we are an excellent student with superb grades we are next to nothing on the playground for there are bullies out there. Bullies who put you down everytime you think you are back on your feet and you know what? This won't stop unless we do something. If we bow down and 'take a hit' this bully will come back while even thinking of a next person to put down."
As she spoke that last sentence she felt some anger creeping in which she subdued quickly...
"I propose that we acknowledge that we are different yet that we have a common goal and get to business as on how we can protect this as to preserve how we live, work, grow and also make our communities grow without the constant threat of a 'school bully'. Because, before you know it we will be pressured into giving up our liberty for safety and won't be long before our stations will be blocked, our supply lines will fall under some obscure embargo and we will eventually succumb to the tyranny of a bully. In medical terms, let's do some triage here and make sure we as a Zoner community make the best chance to survive as a whole, together and with each other and wherever and whatever we call our home."
And as she sat down she hoped that her speech infused by childhood memories she so much wanted to forget had not made her a persona non grata... But then again, it did feel good to stand up and just share this for what she thought was a downright good cause...
Christian poured another shot of vodka and by chance saw “Canaria” on his commuter, when checked current time. He decided to open the BBC news channel and had read the article and was astonished. It seems Bretonia is about to change their decision regarding annexation of Gran Canaria. Though it was hard to believe that the Crown would easily return Zoner assets, as they’ve already spilled a lot of resources into the annexation of Omega-49. Thought has crossed his mind that Phoenix could take an action of governing the planet and make sure nothing would happen ever again. Although this action would be too risky for his community, presenting the whole planet with very different people resident on planetside is a time bomb, not need to mention problematic neighbors and house just a jump away. He thought that it would be better to suggest a shared governing of the planet by significant Zoner groups.
“Hold on, honorable Zoners. I got important news.” Christian pressed several buttons to share an article on projector ”It seems the Crown couldn’t handle Gran Canaria. I think it's a good opportunity to show our unity and make a claim of Gran Canaria once again, to show our willingness not just by our rethorics, but a real action.” Christian took a deep breath “We should be assured, Gran Canaria would be under Zoner flag once again. And forever, we couldn’t let Core nor Corsairs to give up the planet. Ofcourse, if Crown would leave the planet and it's not a fake.” Christian finished his speech and looking forward for voice of other groups.
Max leans back as they look at the article that is up on the projector they raise a eyebrow "Certainly a quick turn around, ah personally doubt we're goin' t' be the only people wantin' tha' planet, Sairs has a much of a right as we do." Max pauses briefly "Velvet has land on thuh planet though, Ambrosia, Hall gave it to us oh and err, ah have doubt they'll leave it be permanently" they say whilst drinking some water.
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Doc had collected himself and got back to his good form, the shock of his ex wearing off. Like the others, he watched what was presented.
"Hm," he replied. "Knowing Bretonia, they will raize the place if they leave it. What would Pheonix have to look after? What would any of us have to go back to?"
He sighed and continued, "We have begun building here and we have enjoyed some much needed peace at least, for now. If Bretonia did do such a thing and hypothetically Zoners try to return, I have no doubt that they will come back with their books and legal ramblings about how it is Bretonian property...."
He then paused as an evil grin slowly grew on his face. It was obvious that something devious crossed his mind but he buried it for now.
He shook his head, "Anyway, the only asset I have left there is Canaria Medical and I have not heard from anyone there in awhile. It may be a good thing, it may not. We shall see."
Rackham, noting Doc's expression and after exchanging glances with Skarsi, sidled over to his old friend.
In a low voice....."Doc, if Bretonia raze Gran Canaria, they would inflict severe damage on their reputation by slaughtering people and destroying some of the most lush, green lands in Sirius. They'll be seen as a bunch of despotic murderers and looters, so I doubt they will do that. But they might want to retain a consular presence, which would be no bad thing for contact purposes. For sure they wouldn't like Gran Canaria to come into the grasp of the Corsairs. So that my be the way back for the Zoners to intervene and take back governance of the planet?"
A Zoner and Bretonia discussion might help to sort this out?..... Invite the Corsairs too? That would really entertain Eris!
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