Post by StaolDerg on Dec 29, 2020 13:11:39 GMT -5
Hikva grit his teeth, wondering he'd made the right choice siding with Ashigawa. He'd dedicated his honor, the fates of his entire faction, and the lives of his people- only to be presented by his standards a draconic plan of recruitment by the very liasion officer he'd been provided with.
"I won't shoot my own people if it can be avoided. And though they be soldiers of the Spider Empress- they're still my kin. I don't care that we're two colors of a different side. Forced recruitment is lowly- dishonorable! I will not have anyone executed for reasons outside of their control- what sort of freedom is that? We may as well be bandits. Let them run away. I care more that we secure the cargo intact."
The Crown spat at Hikva. "Coward! A traitor is a traitor! They forfeited their right to fair treatment when they sided with TAKPOE and broke ties with our Republic's ideals! As far as I'm concerned, this is their only chance to repent. Ask them if it feels honorable that the bodies of their family lie malnourished across Elenria, that they starve both their families and their friends so that the Spiders on a different continent entirely can gorge themselves on our blood and tears! Ask them if they want a last chance to avenge their fallen siblings, an opportunity to right wrongs overdue for decades! They care for their communities? Their communities are starving across the nation! What sort of damnable care is that?"
Another officer spoke up in the first one's support. "Kalpo's right. We've sat on our arses long enough- we're the only ones fighting for the republic, for heaven's sake. We alone promise a nation of equality for Elenria. Greatfern? they want us dead. TAKPOE? They'll bleed us out. Who gives a damn about the High Crested policy if waiting them out- my grandfather tired of waiting before I was even born. A single step of the imperialists on Elenrian soil is transgression enough. We're running out of time. Even if we've got no choice left, let's do it for one last push- one last effort for our republic."
The officers, who until now had been mostly quiet as they watched the spectacle, began to speak up in both support and against the plan, furiously muttering amongst themselves. The first Crown held up his hand, calling out, "Vote! Let's have a vote- settle this like honorable people. Those against?"
Hikva raised his hand defiantly, but it was one among a few.
"For?"
An overwhelming number raised theirs, murmuring in support.
Hikva sighed, shooting a short puff of dark smoke upon the ground. "Fine. Then we make this last push."
There was a bout of cheering, cut short by Hikva raising his voice in an icy tone.
"Pray that the firestorm we are about to light burns our enemies faster than it consumes us."
He turned about, his few supporters following him as he began to head out of the room.
"I won't shoot my own people if it can be avoided. And though they be soldiers of the Spider Empress- they're still my kin. I don't care that we're two colors of a different side. Forced recruitment is lowly- dishonorable! I will not have anyone executed for reasons outside of their control- what sort of freedom is that? We may as well be bandits. Let them run away. I care more that we secure the cargo intact."
The Crown spat at Hikva. "Coward! A traitor is a traitor! They forfeited their right to fair treatment when they sided with TAKPOE and broke ties with our Republic's ideals! As far as I'm concerned, this is their only chance to repent. Ask them if it feels honorable that the bodies of their family lie malnourished across Elenria, that they starve both their families and their friends so that the Spiders on a different continent entirely can gorge themselves on our blood and tears! Ask them if they want a last chance to avenge their fallen siblings, an opportunity to right wrongs overdue for decades! They care for their communities? Their communities are starving across the nation! What sort of damnable care is that?"
Another officer spoke up in the first one's support. "Kalpo's right. We've sat on our arses long enough- we're the only ones fighting for the republic, for heaven's sake. We alone promise a nation of equality for Elenria. Greatfern? they want us dead. TAKPOE? They'll bleed us out. Who gives a damn about the High Crested policy if waiting them out- my grandfather tired of waiting before I was even born. A single step of the imperialists on Elenrian soil is transgression enough. We're running out of time. Even if we've got no choice left, let's do it for one last push- one last effort for our republic."
The officers, who until now had been mostly quiet as they watched the spectacle, began to speak up in both support and against the plan, furiously muttering amongst themselves. The first Crown held up his hand, calling out, "Vote! Let's have a vote- settle this like honorable people. Those against?"
Hikva raised his hand defiantly, but it was one among a few.
"For?"
An overwhelming number raised theirs, murmuring in support.
Hikva sighed, shooting a short puff of dark smoke upon the ground. "Fine. Then we make this last push."
There was a bout of cheering, cut short by Hikva raising his voice in an icy tone.
"Pray that the firestorm we are about to light burns our enemies faster than it consumes us."
He turned about, his few supporters following him as he began to head out of the room.