Re: Getting Started
Aegis remained silent for the bulk of the argument. The deaths of Nepleslians meant little to her due to her people not even knowing of the Nepleslians for barely even a year. The words in relation to the SMX and the 'Dark Ones' meant nothing to her, because the Matriarchy had already suffered from both. What mattered to Aegis was the current Empress of the Empire, and the good standing for the Lorath Matriarchy.
"Excuse me if I'm being rude or 'jumping the gun' as the Nepleslians say..." Aegis took a breath to gather her words before she spoke. "Our agenda here has been upset by understandable emotional outburst. What is needed is to cut to the bone of the matter and to reach an understandable objective.
I feel that all of the parties here can be served well by carrying out the following; I suggest that all individuals affiliated with the research, release, and benefit directly gained from this 'PNUgen plague' be taken into custody by a neutral party, such as another prominent Yamataian clan other than the Ketsurui. From there, these individuals can be tried, and judged as guilty or innocent accordingly by all parties effected by the genocide which was carried out. If your former Emperor Useu is innocent, then he will be found as such and set free to go back to his little haven. If he is found guilty, then the Ketsurui should accept it and move on. The execution of a figurehead, is better than a hate between Empires.
As for the SMX and these 'Dark Ones', I feel that they are also accountable for their own actions. Corruption or not, there is always individual will, as Melisson has made apparent, and as the splinter faction which attacked the Heion made apparent. So, I would suggest that Melisson be considered accountable for her own actions. The Empire may ask for its own concessions, but I as a representative of the Lorath Matriarchy demand a concession for the unprovoked attack which was carried out against us at Lor.
Surrender and submission I figure would be out of the question for Yamatai, it is a matter of understandable pride, and military strength... they have no reason to surrender at this time, especially with the blow which a mere fraction of their fleet was able to conduct against the SMX as Useu left Yamatai. Thus, I suggest the two parties recognize their faults, acknowledge the faults in their ways, and simply cast aside their weapons. Move on from your misgivings and simply be, both your peoples are fundamentally the same, both cast from the same mold.
In regard to Nepleslia, they are their own people, and they should be respected as such. They have been wronged too many times to simply be wronged again and have their wants and needs ignored by those around them. I hope that all parties here recognize that the Nepleslians deserve their peace, prosperity, and their pursuit of a better life for their people. However, I do feel that Nepleslia must do the same for others as well, thus, Nepleslia should recognize that Yamatai has their own needs, and that they should not be so... 'big for their britches'... by posturing in such a manner.
Kohannans, Elysians, I know little of either of you, thus I shall not make any other statements than that I hope that you both can coexist with the others here better than what has transpired before.
Finally, on behalf of the Matriarchy, I convey want to simply have peace, and for those of us who are gathered here to prosper. Up until the conquest of Lor by the Yamataian Empire, we had no knowledge of any of you, and we prospered until then. We can not undo what has been done, but since we are now part of this interstellar community, all we can want for and do is try to bring peace and serve the Empress Katsuko and her Empire. If we are unable to find a peaceful solution to our problems, then we will continue to hold firm to the Empresses' agenda to keep the Yamatai Empire solidified and strong. However, we hope that we can do this without further conflict between any of us."
Aegis could not help but to feel vulnerable in this moment of straight forward disclosure, but she also knew that the situation needed some sort of wedge driven into it to prevent the absurdity which gripped the room from gaining a solid hold.
"I'm sorry if I overstepped my bounds, but I am not one for chasing points about. What we need to do is have peace, in a way which will ease the suffering of the people involved."