Re: Herme's Bridge
As the Meal wound down Hack and the others took their used plates and such to the cart, then picked over the deserts, settling down again with the treats and ...either coffee, or something stronger.
As they sat and ate, they told stories about their lives before entering the service, some had war stories, some had stories of embarrassment and such
Emmie was quiet, she didn't really have anything to talk about, she never flew a fighter, like Si or the Admiral..she never commanded ships , like Hennings, or fought up a mountain, Like Bale.
But she screwed up enough courage, to ask.....Admiral Hack? I know i am not much on this 'war thing'...And i look at the Vids..hear reports... The Hillites are struggling, but they are better off then the Hyrians... The Hyrians are losing cities worth of people , every day.
Hack Nodded and waited respectfully for her to continue.
..from what i have heard... the Hyrians will be working very hard, in the southern hemisphere, to grow food for the planet... the water in the north won't be safe to drink, until they can treat it..and the sickness that we gave them, won't die out for almost 6 months?
Hennings corrected,...7 months... there will, of course, be a strain that is born off that, that will be much like our Flu..and folks will die from that, but not near as many... if they do not work hard to dispose of Bodies and kill off the vermin, then they will have thier own version of The Black Plague...
she nods slowly,...and we are turning away , anyone, who will help them?
Hack smiles slightly,..you wish to say something, please do...we are all on the same side here...
..doesn't this..make as as bad...or worse..then the Empire? she looked around, she was greeted by small, sad smiles.
..Emmie.... when the Angels came to Earth, they did so out of desperation.... we were the only Human planet...that we know of...in their Quad. So they readied us for battle with the Demons....they forgot, that we are desended from Criminals and Angels who tried to blend in when the Arc crashed...Since taking to The Black we have found decent races, who wish to make The Black a community...we have also met races who wish to use The Black as their own test Lab...grocery store ..and breeding pen...
..now?..on Earth, when we fought each other.. you had to understand, you might have to trade with this folks someday, after the war is over...out here? We don't... So... We can't tell the Bully no.....we can't make him stand in the corner... what we need to do is beat the bully to a Pulp, and hold his bloodied body up for other Bullies to see.
Bale nodded as he finished some pie,...In the realms of existence..there are always opposites... we have... he ways his fork around then cuts off another piece,..animals that eat plants...plants that eat animals... we have fish that come on land...animals that go into water... we have Light and dark..hot and Cold..love and Hate,,fire and Ice... ..I'm sure you get the idea...
she tilts her head.
..until we entered the war, there were no..real Savage answer to the demons and the rest of the Empire...The Sanri and Occui fought...this is true..but they did more defensively...
Si said, in a cold tone,...my people tried to make treaties with them... But as Oliver has said, it was like them, making treaties with thier next dinner....
..So... we are the 'big Brother...who comes to the playground and beats the 9 hells out of the Bully..and when that Bully shows up with his friends..we face him..and hope, that our friends help us....if not..we fight..we fight hard... we don't expect any quarter, and thus, do not give any....It is not an accident, Demon ships stay away from the Fleet..sooner or later, they will have to step up..to show thier friends... that they aren't just using them for a shield...
she wrinkled her brow,..you are saying...what we do is ...good? her eyes went to everyone.
there was some small smiles lighter smiles...Aye..Good for the ESN...good for the APF..not so good for the Empire and her people.. Hyria will either have to spend all thie r time, saving their world, or it will die... they stand..on a razor's edge right now...if they wish to attack..get veangence .. then they will die, from within... people will fight for food, water, places to live... and?..some 50 years down the road.. there will be small clumps of Hyrians, trying to put thier world back together..... If they stand together, and 'fix' thier world, they could be back to basic space travel within 15-20 years..but they will be in no shape to try and conquer anyone. They will have to be defensive...and become merchants and perhaps..join the APF?..or they can remain alone..and open to any race that wants to collect a debt.
he shrugs,...As the demons don't worry about familys and worlds they tear apart with slavery, food collect and breeding stock... i do not worry about them...this...maintains balence..and if anyhting, I mean to shift that Balance more our way...why?... because the centuries that have passed, The Empire tore up The Black...we have some debt collecting of our own to do.
Emmie leans a little forward,...but you have allowed some of those very races, to Build colonies on our own Prison planet?
Hack nodded,..first?..undertsand this... i don't give one tick, about the 'poor Empire Civies'....but.. if the chance comes upon us, i will let those who seem to be...'decent' folk try to carve out thier own colony ...it is a Judgment , in a way? If they turn on the other races there.. they will die.... if they don't put effort in..they will die..if they treat the Ape-folk like animals..they will die...but?..if they can build..and aid the other races, the other races will aid them..the Apefolk will see them as they see the others..and they will thrive....
Her eyes grow wide,....you...created..a miniature...Black?
Si giggled,..in effect.... if a colony of a race..can't get along with the other race's colonies...what makes us thing the Homeworld will?
Emmie smiled a bit and went to eating her cake.