Post by Maya on Jan 20, 2015 6:00:14 GMT -5
The Cause Previous thread
Dice, cast upon the dense thick stone, words craved into its surface, there was no looking back at what had been decided, the beast had captured another, its talons gripping deep into the supple flesh, blood leaking from the wounds, already it was being to rot. Past, wrapped around their minds; there was little choice that they could see now, thoughts of a new, glorious future were dropped, down into a pitch void that light itself fear to tread. Countless years stacked upon years had turned the justice of what they so deadly sought into vengeance, blood splattered their hands, coating their minds, the deep waters had been ventured through, part of them was lost, swept away by the rolling tides, pieces of them scattered in the ashes of those that had fallen during the dark times,; war, even in victory took from both sides.
Proctors, slayers, two half's of the same coin, this was the path laid down before them; corrupt they had become, freedom had given to them through power and turned the skies red in one single event. Lost, in the trenches of what they sought yet pushed on they continued to do so, if they could not save what had become of themselves they would save others from the same fates.
"What we are considering... I mean... this is surely madness is it not? I alone cannot be the only one which thinks this... am I?" A tone of confusion held to the speaker, the question he raised bounced around the room, silence followed as those sitting around the long table exchanged glances, each one looking just as nervous as the rest. Thoughts were alike of what was being spoke, none of them dared to raise their voice any, they were unsure of what to say; to protest the idea, cast down in their ranks, war had turned their people cold, hard like ice in the deepest months of winter; reactions now... were unsure, unstable of what could happen.
The clearing of someones throat was the only reaction as another took the stand, adjusting in the chair he leaned forward.
"I understand the concern that you speak... but we have taken this path, it was set out long before myself or you were even a thought. We, finally achieved what we yearn for, so many... their bodies still lay out in the fields... ROTTING BAKING IN THE SUN.... We... we did that. There is no possible way we can repay that debt, that was not a war... that was vengeance, slaughter, murder, had any other law over saw that we ALL would be facing war crimes of the most serious nature, death would be the least of our problems.... I held the front lines, dropped the bombs, how many people do you think stain my hands?" The second voice filled with confidence though behind the strength was bitter anguish.
"I-I... do not know...."
"You... you are lucky then." His gaze overwhelming the first as he backed down slightly though still standing amongst those that looked on in the debate.
"This...cannot be the solution though! What happened to us cannot be solved with more death! Don't you see a flaw with this method of thinking! Hate only breeds hate, if we do this will we not be the same as those that came before us?" The voice first quelled, even with his raised voice he seemed to shake with every sentence that came from his mouth.
"Truly... if you have come here thinking as you do, you have not notice it yet.... We are them."
Silence filled the room, not even the hushed noise of breath could be heard, the buzz of the monitors lay still.
"We... did what we had to but-"
"BUT NOTHING!"
The voice boomed across as his fist went sailing down into the table before them, racing down the center of the table a decent sided crack formed, splinters scattering across the room. A few yelped at the impressive, fearing display though no one leapt from the tables side.
"We, are lost. We lost everything thousands of years ago, our fore father are not us, they were clean of sin, forced but cleansed. Our lives were not as so, we may have something they never attained but the cost was far to great... the fires... they grew out of control... passion looses sight of what is right and wrong.... We may never be able to redeemed ourselves but if we sit here, acting as though nothing as changed then we will never redeem ourselves, and for one will not live in such a world where my presence will not matter." Harsh, the words danced in the air, waves of fire bursting alive as they traced air.
"I...I understand... you... we have been through a lot but I BEG YOU, please reconsider, this... this is genocide!" The man's open palmed smacked down onto the cracked table top.
"...That is what we are good at." Ice trailed down the backs of those that sat around the table, no eyes daring to glance up from their laps less their eyes wander into his. With a flash, a bang filled the air, following screams ensued as the first man to speak lay huddled over the table top, blood spattered across the table, on those nearby and coating the floor. Across the room, the voice belonging to second man stood there, smoke protruding from the end of reddened barrel. Cold held in his eyes as he flipped the gun back into his holster, his eyes back on the rest.
"All the more proof, we are not better than those that ruled over us. WE fought as an action of freedom, WE killed as vengeance and WE took victory through genocide. We are more like then than our own ancestors." Pushing his chair back it slid into the wall as he made a slow walk around the tables edge, the leather boots he worn tapped on the marble flooring.
"Death, despair, is what we know, what has ever been taught to us. We learned, thought we were better and yet, here we are today. Claiming what we thought was ours through death. We are them, we have become what we so long sought to get away from. We have a debt, one so massive not even our children's, children will be able to pay." Scuffling of his boots were the only hushed noise that could be heard, the fear and unknown hover just beyond their field of vision.
"Aiding those that beckon for it, that is what we do now, protect those that have no voice, drive the flaming sword into those which overbear their powers... even before they know they have it." Having made his way to the front of the room he spun about placing his hands on the table, bent over his eyes raced down the table at those that shied away. A shaky hand rose from one of the seat resting near the back of the room, an economic adviser, sent here to over look the plans and effectively seek the best route in which to progress with them.
"Speak if that is what you wish."
"Thank you... you propose this offer before us... what is left of us." Obviously the mention was towards the heap of a man than laid on the floor, but he quickly continued.
"How are... we going to go about this... I'm not quite sure what you mean by "aiding'."
Nodding his head slowly up and down he pushed himself back up from the table, raising his hand with a quick swipe a display appeared in the center of table, a series of numbers traced the image.
"An algorithm."
He cleared his throat stepping back a few feet, his eyes watching the rest as they gazed at the screen with confusion and awe.
"We study, learn, watch and wait. Travel to words we know which contain life. With this here, we can calculate to a point, zero to the sixth, one, the threat level of a species. History will aid us, showing us things we cannot witness with our own eyes, in time we will learn the fate of a race, whether it be one in which they fine a glorious future, or one in which they are scorched with the flames of their past."
"All great civilizations have at one point or another had warfare." The weaker of the two voices spoke up, now doubting ever coming in the first place but it was to late to leave now, after the quick draw display from before leaving now would be even more foolish than coming.
"Correct, but by what means and cause is the question here. This is not, 'aim missiles at worlds and blow them into deep space', no." His tone was idly sarcastic as he spoke, showing that even in the tense conversation he was playing off the idea as idiotic.
"We search thoroughly and deem them a threat or not, if they will, or currently are; causing grief for another world we must stop that suffering. If not... they will become as we did, rise up, destroy and become what the feared. We are saving them from such a fate, no one wants to become a monster as we are. Save them the blood, death, dreams that will haunt their descents for generations to come, already we are stricken with the burden, why let them suffer if we can do it for them." Before the words had left his mouth they thought his taste for bloodshed, sights of his kin stricken with death where what he sough after, it was not... he sought to protect those before it became to late.
One by one they slowly lifted their eyes from the table top, drifting slowly they meet with those of their commander, he who led them through so much, drove the cause, crafted their union and turned them into what they were today. No blame was placed upon the man, a hero in the eyes of the public, a leader to all which he fought for; they could see the points he had taken up, all of them understanding what they had done in their times of war, the loose interpretations of justice bringing them to where they were now. Slipping blood had given them life, taking the worlds of another as their own, one way or another it seemed as though the idealism of freedom would never be something they attained. Burdens lay on their shoulders from their actions, merely it had started as an rebellion, an act to unchain themselves from thousand year old shackles but the limit had been pressed long ago, hatred; to long had it been etched in their eyes.
"I, for one, think we understand... it does not make me any more comfortable with such thoughts but this is the path we have started, the first shot, the reckoning of a new age... but how do you purpose we act on this?" The economic adviser spoke once again, words slightly shaken but still held up with his curiosity.
"That... that part is the simple part in all of this. As you are all aware, we are no longer just as we see on the surface, our skins are fleshy, smooth; our insides are not so much any longer, I suppose something else that was necessary to give up along the way." The ending comment caused a few to feel discomfort, his words seeming to hold little concern for whatever he spoke; guilt tripping was a powerful tool.
"Machines are strong, powerful, able to endure things which we never though possible; clunky and slow they are, they lack the grave and cognitive thought that we, as organics do. Long time in the works I have personally funded a research team into the depths of robotics; in doing so we have a greater understanding of the greater potential of these machines... though as always it comes as a cost, just one and only one... a life for a life." His voice hard as always created hushed muttering filled the air between those around the table, it was the commander that held his hand up as abruptly followed.
"Heed my words, not of our people, suffering is something they know of all to well; others not of ours, one to one, no more... unless factors comes to light down the road. Let me show you, then you will better understand." With another swipe from his hand another image appeared on the screen calling all attention to it; displayed before them was a strange silver mass... it almost looked as though it was made of liquid, yet it held a spherical, blobish shape to it.
"Here before us is the device that will allow us to do our deeds, self contained, self preserving machine; I mean not to insult you, but in order for me to explain the mechanics that went into doing this four degrees would be required, even myself, sad as it might be, I only understand a fraction, however I've seen it work, quite well." Stopping midway through his speech a risen hand called to his attention, once again from the economic adviser.
"I apologize of speaking up, but how can this thing- whatever this is, how can it help? It looks little more than a sack of water, it lacks legs, arms, even eyes!" Taking notice of his risen voice he backed down slowly though his question remained.
"Fair. Indeed, it lacks things required most necessary for daily function but as it stands- er, sits, it is not complete, this is but a fraction of its true potential... in order for it to attain full function, a host is required." At mention of the last part the room up roared with questions and ethics behind it, rubbing his forehead gently he knew it was going to be a long few weeks of discussion before any true movement was put into action, there was all the time in the world for him... time was not a factor, the first had already been tested and the living proof was standing right before them.
Word Count: 2377
Dice, cast upon the dense thick stone, words craved into its surface, there was no looking back at what had been decided, the beast had captured another, its talons gripping deep into the supple flesh, blood leaking from the wounds, already it was being to rot. Past, wrapped around their minds; there was little choice that they could see now, thoughts of a new, glorious future were dropped, down into a pitch void that light itself fear to tread. Countless years stacked upon years had turned the justice of what they so deadly sought into vengeance, blood splattered their hands, coating their minds, the deep waters had been ventured through, part of them was lost, swept away by the rolling tides, pieces of them scattered in the ashes of those that had fallen during the dark times,; war, even in victory took from both sides.
Proctors, slayers, two half's of the same coin, this was the path laid down before them; corrupt they had become, freedom had given to them through power and turned the skies red in one single event. Lost, in the trenches of what they sought yet pushed on they continued to do so, if they could not save what had become of themselves they would save others from the same fates.
"What we are considering... I mean... this is surely madness is it not? I alone cannot be the only one which thinks this... am I?" A tone of confusion held to the speaker, the question he raised bounced around the room, silence followed as those sitting around the long table exchanged glances, each one looking just as nervous as the rest. Thoughts were alike of what was being spoke, none of them dared to raise their voice any, they were unsure of what to say; to protest the idea, cast down in their ranks, war had turned their people cold, hard like ice in the deepest months of winter; reactions now... were unsure, unstable of what could happen.
The clearing of someones throat was the only reaction as another took the stand, adjusting in the chair he leaned forward.
"I understand the concern that you speak... but we have taken this path, it was set out long before myself or you were even a thought. We, finally achieved what we yearn for, so many... their bodies still lay out in the fields... ROTTING BAKING IN THE SUN.... We... we did that. There is no possible way we can repay that debt, that was not a war... that was vengeance, slaughter, murder, had any other law over saw that we ALL would be facing war crimes of the most serious nature, death would be the least of our problems.... I held the front lines, dropped the bombs, how many people do you think stain my hands?" The second voice filled with confidence though behind the strength was bitter anguish.
"I-I... do not know...."
"You... you are lucky then." His gaze overwhelming the first as he backed down slightly though still standing amongst those that looked on in the debate.
"This...cannot be the solution though! What happened to us cannot be solved with more death! Don't you see a flaw with this method of thinking! Hate only breeds hate, if we do this will we not be the same as those that came before us?" The voice first quelled, even with his raised voice he seemed to shake with every sentence that came from his mouth.
"Truly... if you have come here thinking as you do, you have not notice it yet.... We are them."
Silence filled the room, not even the hushed noise of breath could be heard, the buzz of the monitors lay still.
"We... did what we had to but-"
"BUT NOTHING!"
The voice boomed across as his fist went sailing down into the table before them, racing down the center of the table a decent sided crack formed, splinters scattering across the room. A few yelped at the impressive, fearing display though no one leapt from the tables side.
"We, are lost. We lost everything thousands of years ago, our fore father are not us, they were clean of sin, forced but cleansed. Our lives were not as so, we may have something they never attained but the cost was far to great... the fires... they grew out of control... passion looses sight of what is right and wrong.... We may never be able to redeemed ourselves but if we sit here, acting as though nothing as changed then we will never redeem ourselves, and for one will not live in such a world where my presence will not matter." Harsh, the words danced in the air, waves of fire bursting alive as they traced air.
"I...I understand... you... we have been through a lot but I BEG YOU, please reconsider, this... this is genocide!" The man's open palmed smacked down onto the cracked table top.
"...That is what we are good at." Ice trailed down the backs of those that sat around the table, no eyes daring to glance up from their laps less their eyes wander into his. With a flash, a bang filled the air, following screams ensued as the first man to speak lay huddled over the table top, blood spattered across the table, on those nearby and coating the floor. Across the room, the voice belonging to second man stood there, smoke protruding from the end of reddened barrel. Cold held in his eyes as he flipped the gun back into his holster, his eyes back on the rest.
"All the more proof, we are not better than those that ruled over us. WE fought as an action of freedom, WE killed as vengeance and WE took victory through genocide. We are more like then than our own ancestors." Pushing his chair back it slid into the wall as he made a slow walk around the tables edge, the leather boots he worn tapped on the marble flooring.
"Death, despair, is what we know, what has ever been taught to us. We learned, thought we were better and yet, here we are today. Claiming what we thought was ours through death. We are them, we have become what we so long sought to get away from. We have a debt, one so massive not even our children's, children will be able to pay." Scuffling of his boots were the only hushed noise that could be heard, the fear and unknown hover just beyond their field of vision.
"Aiding those that beckon for it, that is what we do now, protect those that have no voice, drive the flaming sword into those which overbear their powers... even before they know they have it." Having made his way to the front of the room he spun about placing his hands on the table, bent over his eyes raced down the table at those that shied away. A shaky hand rose from one of the seat resting near the back of the room, an economic adviser, sent here to over look the plans and effectively seek the best route in which to progress with them.
"Speak if that is what you wish."
"Thank you... you propose this offer before us... what is left of us." Obviously the mention was towards the heap of a man than laid on the floor, but he quickly continued.
"How are... we going to go about this... I'm not quite sure what you mean by "aiding'."
Nodding his head slowly up and down he pushed himself back up from the table, raising his hand with a quick swipe a display appeared in the center of table, a series of numbers traced the image.
"An algorithm."
He cleared his throat stepping back a few feet, his eyes watching the rest as they gazed at the screen with confusion and awe.
"We study, learn, watch and wait. Travel to words we know which contain life. With this here, we can calculate to a point, zero to the sixth, one, the threat level of a species. History will aid us, showing us things we cannot witness with our own eyes, in time we will learn the fate of a race, whether it be one in which they fine a glorious future, or one in which they are scorched with the flames of their past."
"All great civilizations have at one point or another had warfare." The weaker of the two voices spoke up, now doubting ever coming in the first place but it was to late to leave now, after the quick draw display from before leaving now would be even more foolish than coming.
"Correct, but by what means and cause is the question here. This is not, 'aim missiles at worlds and blow them into deep space', no." His tone was idly sarcastic as he spoke, showing that even in the tense conversation he was playing off the idea as idiotic.
"We search thoroughly and deem them a threat or not, if they will, or currently are; causing grief for another world we must stop that suffering. If not... they will become as we did, rise up, destroy and become what the feared. We are saving them from such a fate, no one wants to become a monster as we are. Save them the blood, death, dreams that will haunt their descents for generations to come, already we are stricken with the burden, why let them suffer if we can do it for them." Before the words had left his mouth they thought his taste for bloodshed, sights of his kin stricken with death where what he sough after, it was not... he sought to protect those before it became to late.
One by one they slowly lifted their eyes from the table top, drifting slowly they meet with those of their commander, he who led them through so much, drove the cause, crafted their union and turned them into what they were today. No blame was placed upon the man, a hero in the eyes of the public, a leader to all which he fought for; they could see the points he had taken up, all of them understanding what they had done in their times of war, the loose interpretations of justice bringing them to where they were now. Slipping blood had given them life, taking the worlds of another as their own, one way or another it seemed as though the idealism of freedom would never be something they attained. Burdens lay on their shoulders from their actions, merely it had started as an rebellion, an act to unchain themselves from thousand year old shackles but the limit had been pressed long ago, hatred; to long had it been etched in their eyes.
"I, for one, think we understand... it does not make me any more comfortable with such thoughts but this is the path we have started, the first shot, the reckoning of a new age... but how do you purpose we act on this?" The economic adviser spoke once again, words slightly shaken but still held up with his curiosity.
"That... that part is the simple part in all of this. As you are all aware, we are no longer just as we see on the surface, our skins are fleshy, smooth; our insides are not so much any longer, I suppose something else that was necessary to give up along the way." The ending comment caused a few to feel discomfort, his words seeming to hold little concern for whatever he spoke; guilt tripping was a powerful tool.
"Machines are strong, powerful, able to endure things which we never though possible; clunky and slow they are, they lack the grave and cognitive thought that we, as organics do. Long time in the works I have personally funded a research team into the depths of robotics; in doing so we have a greater understanding of the greater potential of these machines... though as always it comes as a cost, just one and only one... a life for a life." His voice hard as always created hushed muttering filled the air between those around the table, it was the commander that held his hand up as abruptly followed.
"Heed my words, not of our people, suffering is something they know of all to well; others not of ours, one to one, no more... unless factors comes to light down the road. Let me show you, then you will better understand." With another swipe from his hand another image appeared on the screen calling all attention to it; displayed before them was a strange silver mass... it almost looked as though it was made of liquid, yet it held a spherical, blobish shape to it.
"Here before us is the device that will allow us to do our deeds, self contained, self preserving machine; I mean not to insult you, but in order for me to explain the mechanics that went into doing this four degrees would be required, even myself, sad as it might be, I only understand a fraction, however I've seen it work, quite well." Stopping midway through his speech a risen hand called to his attention, once again from the economic adviser.
"I apologize of speaking up, but how can this thing- whatever this is, how can it help? It looks little more than a sack of water, it lacks legs, arms, even eyes!" Taking notice of his risen voice he backed down slowly though his question remained.
"Fair. Indeed, it lacks things required most necessary for daily function but as it stands- er, sits, it is not complete, this is but a fraction of its true potential... in order for it to attain full function, a host is required." At mention of the last part the room up roared with questions and ethics behind it, rubbing his forehead gently he knew it was going to be a long few weeks of discussion before any true movement was put into action, there was all the time in the world for him... time was not a factor, the first had already been tested and the living proof was standing right before them.
Word Count: 2377