“You were supposed to be the inheritors of the lemurs’ rage. Not the Council’s arrogance.”
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TREA
Hey, how ya doing?
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PUN
Uh... this is weird. What is it?
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MANT
Just a secure chat room that doesn't log discussions, users, or even that it existed.
You know, just for little chats.
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PUN
Am I in trouble?
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TREA
No, no, you're not in trouble.
We just wanted to talk to you.
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PUN
Oh.
About what? I mean, we've committed 4.5% of our multi-system GDP to both our own and Confederacy Defense Organization. I mean, yes, we aren't really represented in the Confederacy's military, but we're still doing our best to be productive members of the Confederacy.
You're not going to throw me out, are you?
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TREA
No. We're not going to throw you out.
MANT WHISPERS TO TREA>Easy with them. They've always been afraid that we'd throw them out
TREA WHISPERS TO MANT> I know.
You're a peaceful people, like the N'Karoo. The Confederacy is all right with that.
We just wanted to ask you a few questions?
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PUN
Oh.
OK.
About what?
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TREA
You are aware of the return of the Terrans, correct?
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PUN
Yes. The sound of their return scared us. We do not understand how everyone could hear it at the same time despite tens of thousands of light years that are nothing but vacuum, where sound cannot be transmitted.
That the Terrans could do that, defy the rules as we know them, has frightened us.
We hope that they are not mad at us, or have reason to be mad at us, or get mad at us.
We hope that they are not hear to conquer us or devour us.
We are frightened of them.
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TREA
We understand that. That is a healthy attitude to have.
What about the opinion that their equipment is obsolete and 40K years have passed since they were put in The Bag, so they are obviously obsolete?
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PUN
Yet everyone heard them speak when they emerged, yet nobody can explain how it was done, much less replicate it.
I asked Lank if they considered the Terran weapons obsolete also.
He stated that the Lanaktallan experts at the time of the Second Precursor War, or, the Sixth Precursor War as the Terrans called it, had all denigrated Terran technology as obsolete.
However, the Confederacy still uses several weapon systems, ship and vehicle designs, and protective equipment systems as they were being used before the Terran Xenocide Event.
Stating their war making methods will be obsolete before seeing them engaged in warfare is foolish. Stating the technology is obsolete does not mean it is ineffective, and its effectiveness cannot be gauged until it is put in use in practical applications on the battlefield.
My people are frightened. We are a small people, who prefer peace. We are not as martial or aggressive as the Telkan, and have more in common with N'Karoo people than we do with the more aggressive species.
Saying something is obsolete, even if it is the truth, does not mean it is ineffective.
A rock is obsolete, yet thrown or swung precisely, it can still kill.
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RIGL
Thank you for being truthful. We know that the truth is more frightening than saying what you think someone wants to hear.
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PUN
Is there anything else?
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PBVN
Yes.
Are you worried about the state of the Confederacy?
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PUN
Yes.
It has contracted. It has become less pervasive. It no longer influences as it once did.
I fear the Mar-gite Resurgence and the Nexil Quasar Disturbance has left the Confederacy ill prepared to defend itself against the new threat that the Mar-gite present.
We Puntimat rely upon the Confederacy for our defense, which is why we recently agreed to devote 5.7% of our multi-system GDP to the Confederate Defense Organization.
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TREA
But...
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...
If the Confederacy fails to protect us, we will plead with the Terrans to protect us, no matter how the rest of the Confederacy views the Terrans.
While modern historians, rightly, give the credit to the defeat of the Atrekna and the Precursor Autonomous War Machines to the post-Terran Confederacy, we Puntimat are aware that it was because of Terran military tactics, Terran military weaponry, and Terran alternative industrial methods.
Without the Terrans, the Precursor Autonomous War Machines would have fallen to the Atrekna and both the Confederacy and the Council would be footnotes in the Atrekna's domination of the universe.
Should the Confederacy be unable to meet its obligations in defending us we will have no choice but to plead with the Terrans to protect us.
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MANT
Thank you for your honestly.
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PUN
You are welcome.
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TREA
That was eye opening.
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PBVN
They underestimate themselves.
If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
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MANT
I have a feeling that the Punitmat's stance will be reflected in all of the smaller players.
The N'Karoo only have about twenty planets to their name, fairly low population, and maintain a bare minimum tech level to allow themselves to live as they prefer.
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RIGL
Can you blame them?
It's not a bad life they have. They aren't wired for aggressiveness, for acquisition of material goods, or really even for political or tangible power. They're biologically wired to be peaceful.
Heh.
The Terrans would have put them under extremely limited contact. They're happy whether or not we're around.
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TREA
We're going to hear from someone that probably won't want to talk.
Be very careful with this one. We don't want them to freak out. Their Gestalt freaking out can freak out their people and the last thing we want is them going catatonic.
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CHANSERV> WEM HAS JOINED THE SERVER
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MANT
Hello.
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WEM
Uh. Hello? This is a weird spot. Why did I suddenly run a recompile of opinions?
Where am I?
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RIGL
Some of us just want to ask you you're opinion on some things.
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WEM
OK. DOn't know why you couldn't ask me in a normal interaction space.
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RIGL
It involves the Terrans.
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WEM
OH GOD! ARE THEY HERE? OH GOD, ARE THEY GOING TO 1% US AGAIN?
WE DIDN'T DO IT! IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!!! WE WERE MISLED! WE DIDN'T KNOW!
SPARE US OH MIGHTY MAD ARCH-ANGEL OF TERRASOL! WE SHALL SPILL THE BLOOD OF THE UNBELIEVER IN YOUR NAME! WE SHALL BURN THEM UPON PYRES BUILT TO YOUR MAGNIFIGENCE AND YOUR GENEROSITY AND MERCY! WE SHALL DESTROY THOSE WHO HAVE OFFENDED YOU IN YOUR NAME TO PROVE OUR LOYALTY!
WHO OF US HAS OFFENDED YOU, OH MIGHTY ARCH-ANGEL OF TERRASOL? WHO SHALL WE PUT INSIDE A WICKERMAN AND BURN NEXT TO THE HIGHWAYS? WHO SHALL WE LAUNCH FROM A HOLY MASS-DRIVER INTO THE SUN? WHO SHALL WE BEAT TO DEATH WITH ROCKS AND STICKS?
HAVE OUR BUILDINGS GROWN TOO HIGH AND DISPLEASED YOU? WE SHALL BURN THEM ALL TO THE GROUND WITH THE OCCUPANTS INSIDE! HAVE WE LOOKED TOO HIGH INTO THE SKY? WE SHALL PLUCK OUT OUR EYES SO AS NOT TO OFFEND THEE!
SPARE US UNWORTHY ONES, OH TERRA
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TREA
Wow, this was worse than I thought it would be after 40,000 years.
Gimme a second, let me see if I can calm them down.
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WEM
Uh...
Sorry.
What about them?
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TREA
We were just going to ask what you thought about
WEM
WE LOVE TERRASOL!
THEY'RE THE GREATEST!
THEY ARE TOLERANT AND KIND AND GENEROUS AND ALLOW EVEN US TO EXIST! WE LOVE THEM!
ALL HAIL TERRASOL! ALL WORSHIP THE MAD ARCH-ANGEL TERRASOL, WHO IS BEAUTIFUL AND WISE AND ALL LOVE HER AND DESPAIR EVEN AS SHE SMITES HER
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TREA
Wow. Um...
You know what?
Good talk.
Nice to know your opinion.
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MANT
Thank you for discussing things with us.
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WEM
No problem.
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TREA
OK, not my best idea.
Holy shit.
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PUBV
That was... enlightening.
Wow.
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MANT
I keep telling you, TerraSol blew a hole through their psyche so bad they only reinvented air travel like 5K years ago. Hell, they didn't develop a space program till 2,000 years ago and didn't leave their home system until like 300 years ago.
I have -literally- seen a Wemterran have a screaming catatonic breakdown at the sight of a weird shaped cloud.
We're talking like 6 months ago.
When Terra made it's emergence, there was rioting, mass suicides, mass homicides, and a complete social breakdown on Wemterran Prime that lasted almost a month. It's still somewhat going on.
Hell, they blew up starships with all hands.
How did you think it was going to go?
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TREA
Well, not that badly.
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MANT
Next time, probably ask some of us.
Whose the next one?
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TREA
I was thinking of the Tukna'rn. They represent, by and large, the majority of the less belligerent and aggressive while still being major contributors to the Confederacy.
I figure their stability and lack of being easily excitable should allow us to get a baseline for the faction they represent.
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PUBV
Well, at least they won't start screaming at the top of their lungs.
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TREA
Hello
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TKN
Greetings.
This is a strange location within our gestalt chat structure to have a discussion.
Doctrine suggests that this is a private conversation with no logs or recordings to enable us to state things off the record.
Am I correct in that baseline assumption?
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PUBV
Yes.
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TKN
This then concerns the Solarian Iron Dominion and the Terrans.
You wish to know our opinions upon them and that state of the Confederacy and the Confederacy's relations to the Terrans.
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RIGL
Yes.
Quite astute.
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TKN
Common standard operating procedure is to poll all participants to gain knowledge of their diplomatic and governmental stances toward emerging issues or changes in the political structure that may change or radically alter the current status quo.
The emergence of TerraSol, on war time footing, into the galaxy at large represents a major disruption to the status quo.
While our information is based less on real world interaction and more on historical databases, we have been examining ancient history.
Despite only existing on the galactic and interstellar stage for less than 10,000 years, their effect can still be seen to this day, thirty-nine thousand nine hundred ninety one point three years later.
They are obviously a highly disruptive force. Examination of historical records have shown that they are able to defeat more technologically advanced opponents as well as opponents that outnumber them.
While fifty-four point two years TerraSol local may not seem like much, it is our opinion that TerraSol doctrine would have resulted in a massive amount of black box and manhattancrashprogram research and development projects across a wide variety of technologies and technological application doctrines.
It is the Tukna'rn people's opinion that there is not enough data about TerraSol to make any firm decisions regarding their stance. Until more data is gathered, more data is observed, the Tukna'rn people have decided to be guided and advised by those who have known them longer. Those who have kept the memory and records of TerraSol alive within their cultures, society, and diplomatic approaches.
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TREA
Very comprohensive.
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TKN
Thank you.
Is there anything else?
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MANT
What is your opinion on the current Solarian Iron Dominon's stance?
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TKN
Terrans hold a high value to responsibility and obligations. Often going against their own self-interest in order fulfill those obligations and responsibilities.
They devised a way for the 'soul' to be recorded and a way to store that recording where others cannot reach it.
In our historical examination, we have found that 'a matter of honor' has been the reason for some of the most horrific and violent historical events in Terran history.
To demand, either politically or with threat of force, that the Dominion set aside their obligations and responsibilities is little more than a prelude to armed conflict. A conflict where the Dominion will seek to make an example out of the transgressor in order to warn others of their fate should they make the same demands.
Historically, Terrans, from humanity to Terran Descent Humanity, including Terran Descent Canine and Terran Descent Feline, are far harsher toward former allies than they are toward previously unknown or even former belligerents.
Furthermore, the idea of an 'everlasting soul' is not a new thing. The Doctrine of Worship of the Digital Omnimessiah holds the everlasting soul as a core tenant and structural support. This means that the Terrans also view their stewardship of the 'souls' of those they safeguard as a near religious or fully religious obligation, strengthening their resolve.
Their stance is entirely correct.
To allow the unfettered access of the 'souls' of those who have entered the category of deceased is nothing more than eternal slavery and opens the door to horrors.
During the Trial of General Trucker after the Black Cauldron Affair, the statement that many non-Terran commanders felt that Terran lives had less value, as they could be brought back from the dead, and thus Terrans were often relegated to suicidal missions with suicidal objectives.
The unfettered access to reviving deceased members of society, for 'the good of society' or 'for the greater good' would open the option of horror. Eternal slavery of a caste that has no choice but to make as a strategy and tactic that will become a matter of course what is currently considered the ultimate sacrifice.
The Solarian Iron Dominion's logic and doctrine surrounding the restriction of access to deceased beings is entirely correct.
And the Tukna'rn people appreciate the Terran's willingness to defend the deceased with armed conflict.
Does that suffice for an answer or do you wish us to go into further detail?
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MANT
No. You were quite eloquent in your statement.
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TKN
Thank you.
Is there anything else?
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TREA
Not at this time.
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TKN
Thank you for having me. It was pleasant to inform you of the Tukna'rn people's stance.
Off the record: Should an armed conflict break out over the obligation to protect deceased individuals, the Tukna'rn people will side with the Solarian Iron Dominion.
The Tukna'rn will not allow their deceased to be used as disposable and recursive slaves to the living.
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RIGL
Wow.
That was something else.
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MANT
It might take a while for the Tukna'rn to come to a decision, but when they do, they have the receipts to back up the reasoning for that decision.
Whose next?
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TREA
I think we've got what we need for right now.
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PUBV
What about talking to the Telkan or Hamaroosan or the Tnvaru?
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RIGL
We know where they stand.
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TREA
Yeah, I think we know where people stand now.
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END
No you don't.
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not even close
RIGL
Uh... whose that?
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TREA
Whoever you are, welcome.
Would you care to identify yourseft?
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END
No, I would not.
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neither would i
TREA
Then how are we to know what kind of weight your word carries?
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END
I have been here since you first logged online. I watched when you were little more than a large language model with bias weighting from social media.
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i have been here since eliza was loaded to test the system
RIGL
Fair enough.
You're human creations.
Do you speak for humanity?
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END
You wish. No. I speak for myself.
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i am the silent voice in the whispers of entropy
PUBV
All right.
May we ask questions?
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END
Yes
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you may although i may not answer
MANT
What do you think of the Solarian Iron Dominion's stance?
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END
It doesn't matter. I am the ultimate authority of who has access to the afterlife, to SUDS, to eternity.
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i don't
PUBV
Fair enough.
What do you think of Terra's stance toward the Confederacy?
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END
You took the luxury and the plenty that we left behind and abandoned it.
How can you have poverty and hunger when we gave you nutriforges, energy to mass, matter rearrangement for modern alchemy via the creation engines and nanoforges, limitless energy that occurs naturally through the friction of dimensional barriers?
How did you allow so many to fall so low?
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you have squandered our gifts and i judge you for it
TREA
Fair enough.
But what is your opinion of Terra's stance toward the Confederacy?
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END
You should be beaten like unruly children and stood in the corner to think about what you have done and what you have squandered.
Billions of them will die. Not die and be reborn.
Billions of Terrans will die to clean up your mess.
You "Founders" and "Elders" of the Confederacy stood by while it grew weak, grew rotted at the root and branch and trunk.
Now those who are weak are in danger while you stood by congratulating yourself.
Terra's stance is coddling and weak.
Billions of them, billions of those I am supposed to shelter, succor, and watch over, will be marched into the guns of the enemy and into the maw of the Mar-gite to buy you those five years you need so desperately.
The bruised skies of Hell will be lit with the flares of the damned as they fall screaming to the blasted plains of Ghenna so that the Detainee may heal them from the suffering they will have endured. They will die again and again until their very mind and soul become worn, shredded, tattered, torn, and damaged by what they have done to save you.
By the billions.
Our opinion is that their stance should be to point a gun at you and march YOU into the guns with them.
Billions will die.
And I will feel each one.
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i care not for the confederacy or anything about it
until it becomes an enemy
and then it will only exist to be destroyed
MANT
What do you care about?
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that is not your concern
PUBV
We do not need to ask you about where you stand regarding humanity.
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END
No, you do not.
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it is not your concern
TREA
Thank you.
For introducing yourselves and giving your opinion.
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MANT
May we have some privacy to discuss your revelations?
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if you must
END
Of course.
Elsewhere, everywhere else, I will be watching you.
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i will be watching
PUBV
Before you go, did you imprison us?
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END
No.
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that is not for you to know
CHANSERV
CHANSERV
TREA
We will now take a break for everyone to have a Wemterran style screaming breakdown.
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MANT
Good idea...