Saga: Darkness Falls
May 18, 2007 6:40:27 GMT
Post by Musashi on May 18, 2007 6:40:27 GMT
4 days after the events of the tournament
Members of the United Nations of Eden gathered in the large half shelled conference room, speaking in hushed tones. Aids scurried about, carrying messages back and forth from delegate to delegate and communicating back through small datapads to their home offices. The events at the tournament had sent waves of fear and anger surging through the public opinion across Eden. Something had to be done, this much was for sure, but what would be done, the delegates didn't know.
What was certain was that the face of Eden would be shaped by what happened today. The events of the tournament were a locus in time, and the future would hinge around Eden's reaction to them.
A green light above the main podium began to flash slowly. Noise died down, and delegates moved to their assigned seats, based on geographic location across Eden's surface. The aids took up their spot in the background as the cameras mounted to the ceiling activated, sweeping across the chamber and recording the entire event. The broadcast was going out on a live feed on every major television network and press agents from all the major news organization sat in galleries with mirrored glass, preparing hundreds of individual accounts of the events for consumption by the hundreds of demographics in the great Nations of Edens.
The Sergent at Arms strode forward and took his microphone beneath the speaker's podium. His booming voice called out each delegate for recognition. One by one, the replies came, small lights in front of the delegates flashing white to indicate an affirmative. For once, the entire chamber was filled, all representatives present.
A man stepped forward to the podium. Hi s hair well styled, and wearing a sharply tailored suit as were most of the members of the assembly, but something marked this man distinct. His body was large, as if echoing the willpower and confidence that his voice inspired. He took the podium and paused to take a brief sip of water, but he placed no notes on the speakers station. His voice seemed to fill the chamber without sounding hollow.
Honored representatives of the United Nations of Eden. My name is Joseph Fairweather, I am a businessman, and have myself served in this body as representative for Genercia. Today, I speak to you not as a representative of one nation, but as a citizen of the community of Eden. I'm asking each of you to consider what I have to say today, personally, and share it with your government, it is time for dialog, and for difficult decisions.
The destruction at the Word's Martial Arts Tournament this year highlights a critical problem, one that we as Nations have been slow to address, slow to admit. Living among us are individuals who have abilities and powers, greater than armies. Throughout Eden's history we have lived in uneasy peace, separate communities meeting only when one of our battles spilled over to the others.
At times, our cities have been damaged, innocent lives lost due to irresponsible individuals abusing their strengths. We, as nations, have ignored these transgressions, trusting in this sub-culture to self regulate, to keep it's own in check The events of this week show that we can no longer trust such a naïve approach. The time has come for we, citizens of Eden to respond to the abuses that these few have been imposing on the rest of this world, and to establish a protocol for the responsible use of these great energies.
In most of our nations, if a citizen wishes to own a weapon, they must register it, and bear the legal responsibilities of ownership. It is time, delegates, that these individuals come forward and register their power, and accept responsibility for their actions, actions which impact this entire community. In Generecia, we already have a group of such citizens, registered with the government who help diffuse extraordinary conflicts like the ones witnessed a few days ago before they can become disasters like we have all witnessed.
I speak to you today to represent the grieving families who lost loved ones in an entirely preventable disaster. In this modern day of sophistication, such occurrences are simply unacceptable. Those responsible must be brought to justice, and we must enact protocols that will prevent such a tradgedy from happening again. I urge you delegates to do what is required to protect those who would be helpless in the crossfire of these great powers, let us establish a central agency to handle these matters, so that we may promote peace among all citizens of Eden.
I will be forwarding the document you see before you to the guardian of Eden so that both sides of this debate may have representation as we move forward from these unfortunate times towards a brighter future.
I thank you delegates for your time, for hearing the concerns of the group we represent.”
Joesph stepped back from the podium and bowed humbly to the assembly before stepping away. At first, silence rang through the chamber, then, slowly, applause began, building into stronger and stronger as moments went on until all present stood united
And so, in bars, coffee shops, and homes across Eden, the debate began.
This thread is both the introduction and the signup thread for Darkness Falls. Anyone who is interested in participating can signup here, or PM Musashi.
Don't worry, there'll be plenty of battles outside the political