Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

[The video turns on and it's everyone's not-so-favorite Sith Lord. He looks better than he did upon arrival though he wears the usual expression of just barely contained fury he's known for. Sitting next to him is a creature that might be the stuff of human nightmares given how they're all teeth. They could have easily been mistaken for a monster in this place were it not for the fact they're remaining perfectly still, Maul's right hand resting along their back.

If you're all done fooling around with these devices like the children half of you are, perhaps we can turn our attention to more serious matters. Oh, and for those of you who had hoped I wouldn't find my way here, so sorry to disappoint.

[Though he sounds anything but.]

For one, I recall a lot of bleating about organizing a government and such during your charming little witch hunt of me. I assume for most you that was all talk but surely there has to be a few enterprising souls that were serious. If so, let us talk more. I am most curious given I have some experience with running an entire planet. [Venge, the Maalraas sitting by Maul, paws him gently.] Oh and has anyone else found themselves suddenly with an animal companion?

[Then, having blithely insulted a good three-fourths of the population, the video is turned off.]

Comments

[survivalthroughhate]

If they decided just to run themselves instead of trying to run those that had always been here, yes.

[Venge paws Maul again, looking at him intently. Maul nods as if hearing something from the Maalraas.]

True. Or we could just rule them in a dictatorship.

[lightthedarkness]

[Usagi wasn't ignoring the creature but now she sees it. She stares at it a while but then looks back at Maul.]

Kay. But that's just how you got the job. That doesn't imply you were able to keep their respect or help the planet.

[siriusly]

What! N-no way! We got no good reason to be throwing weight around like that!

[survivalthroughhate]

Oh good, you're not dead.

[How's that for polite, Kyle? He chuckles for a moment.]

My old master thought the same thing. Hence why I used to only speak when spoken to.

As for other people, I have yet to see a leader or even any unification. Point me in their direction and I will gladly speak with them.

[survivalthroughhate]

A court of law might be useful if only to prevent anymore justice being taken into individual hands.

[..... Did Maul actually just suggest something that could ultimately end up punishing him in the end? Possibly. He's playing the long game right now and is already plotting.]

[survivalthroughhate]

Why not?

[Honest question.]

[survivalthroughhate]

Oh, I kept their respect well enough. Mandalorians hold similar values to me. Besides, most of the population didn't care so long as their families had food, shelter, and money. I had a delegate for all that. The ones that did just wanted to rule themselves.

[siriusly]

Because...! [beat.

hold on. this is a big question to answer, so that hamster-wheel brain of his has to work a little harder.]

Because it--people...we don't have to do that! It just puts people at odds. That's not fair at all!

[royalfling]

[ Wu sits there quietly for a moment, letting that sink in.

That is a horrible, awful, disgusting thing to happen to him. Wu can understand his anger, he can even feel it, even through this device but-- ]

I'm so sorry that that happened to you. That's just-- that's awful, Maul.

[ He takes a moment there, chewing the inside of his cheek. It's a valid concern, but he still doesn't think that that's the solution ]

However, I don't think that you should lump the people in Trench in with the people in Deerington. I know I only arrived there when they started to, ah... stop working? But even so! They were figments of Julia Sodder's dream, and, if what I've been told is right, we aren't in any sort of dream anymore. We're in a world, a world that we are the outsiders to.

I don't think it is wise. How would you feel if, when you were back home, an outsider came in and decided that they had the right to govern your world? I know that it feels really bad! I trusted a woman, Kuvira, to help get my country back in order, and what did she do? She took it over! It's not quite the same situation, but it wasn't her right to do it, and she forced all sorts of awful things onto my people.

[ He takes a deep breath, frowning at the screen ]

What I'm saying is: we are the outsiders here. We need to respect the people of this city and their way of living. If it turns out that that's dangerous to us, then of course we should do something about it. But I don't think that inflicting our values on them is the right course of action.

Perhaps we can discuss some way to keep each other safe? If that is your most pressing concern, and it probably should be! Awful things happened so often in Deerington, I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop here even though I really, really hope it doesn't. I'm sure we can find some way to make you feel safer?

[survivalthroughhate]

Better to get a start on things than wait for all the little shaaks to start bleating the next time something happens they're powerless to stop.

[He watches with amusement as Wesker attempts to light the fire. Venge lets out a light sound that might be a laugh though it's hard to tell.]

The Pthumerians have always seemed to see us as little ants. I doubt they're much interested in the petty day to day affairs that govern our little minds.

Then perhaps we should just do the least complicated form of government: a dictatorship and be done with it.

[And no, he is not joking.]

[survivalthroughhate]

Fair? Since when is life fair? If you are still under that delusion, I am afraid you are going to be sorely disappointed.

[kyley_b]

Nope! Glad you're alive, too.

Master? That sounds, uh... fucked up?

Dude, we just GOT here, I'm still trying to figure out where everything IS. Plus a lot of these people are sussy as hell - haven't you noticed how much they STARE? Seriously. But sure, if I find a parliament building I'll tell you.

[siriusly]

Wuh-- [indignant:] I, I know that! Everyone knows that! But it's not like making things worse for others makes anything better...! Fairness is something you cultivate, not something that just is...!

[lightthedarkness]

[Thaaaat basically sounds like they didn't even need him. Usagi says as much.]

So you did what?

[survivalthroughhate]

You seem to be of the optimistic nature that people are good, kind, and want what's best for their fellow beings, and that is what you are basing all your assumptions off of. That's not my experience. People are cruel, selfish, and look out for themselves most of the time. That is what I am doing right now. I won't be the victim of anyone's ire again because they don't know what to do with me when I inevitably act out against popular opinion.

[Maul gets a stubborn cast to his face.]

There is no safety here or anywhere else. I'll do my best to protect the people I care about but stopping the horrors, danger, and death we face is a futile option. Inevitably, we will end up getting hurt if not dying here. I am seeking the small bit of control I can possess.

[jedies]

[ hmm. obi-wan isn't convinced. ]

It depends on what "laws" are proposed and how democratic the process is.

[survivalthroughhate]

I don't think I ever caught your name during our trial by crabs.

Oh, you have no idea. I shall have to tell you of all he put me through at some point. Then you shall understand why I am the way I am.

[What the hell does sussy mean?]

I intend to hit the ground running. I am not about to sit around and wait for other idiots to make the decision for me.

[survivalthroughhate]

Then to be fair, wouldn't it make sense to form a government with rules, regulations, and laws instead of just letting people do whatever they want?

[Maul, why must you be like this?]

[survivalthroughhate]

Whatever I wanted to.

[..... Is Usagi really at all surprised her husband is like this?]

[royalfling]

I'm sorry you feel that way. You're right, I do believe that most people are good. If someone isn't good, it's generally because of their circumstance or upbringing--from what you've told me, your circumstance wasn't great, so it makes sense that you might not have seen many good people around you.

I hope you can see it more here.

[ Maybe it's a futile hope. Wu knows he's not going to change Maul, but at least he hopes he can help a little ]

Protecting the people you love is admirable. I just don't think that a government is the best way to do it, right now.

I know for me, I'm not really interested in creating a government anymore. I was, in Deerington, because I thought it could really help rally the people, and that it might help us deliver fair and just punishment. But now I don't think it's what was needed then, either. We need to figure out what's actually needed, what will actually help people, and do that.

I hope that if you do decide to help create one, it's only for Sleepers and that you don't inflict our laws or rules on the people who were here before us.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul and Venge give identical indignant snorts.]

Democracy is a bad joke. It didn't work back in our home galaxy and it won't work here.

[survivalthroughhate]

I doubt it. Most Sleepers have not given me much reason to change my mind.

[The ones he does listen to have been doing their best to convince him to do otherwise but it is a futile effort most of the time.]

Then how do you feel we are to deliver 'fair and just punishment' instead of people taking things into their own hands as they did before? There needs to be some form of law and order or there will be anarchy. [He pauses.] Although anarchy can have its uses too..

[Venge buts his hand to get him back on track.]

Well, that depends. Perhaps the people here want to be ruled. Maybe they've been waiting for some strong leadership. I'll have to inquire some of their opinions.

[onerthes]

The enlightened dictatorship route only really works if the dictator is enlightened and doesn't suddenly disappear into the waters again. [That was the sound of a sigh.]

Some level of stability might be good, yes. The Authority aren't here. I haven't seen a single smoking cat or magical eye in the sky. And to be honest, I do not know just how involved the Pthumerians are in daily affairs yet.

[siriusly]

Huh? Wait, are you saying there's no rules already? [?????] Did...you not...see what's already here and going on? [cause he sure does see some rules in play here!]

[jedies]

[ obi-wan gives him a flat look. ]

It didn't work because someone took advantage of the system.