-7- [Backdated to after the flood]

[divine_right]

What a pathetic little girl. Ungrateful, spineless --

It doesn't matter.

What gives this Admiral the right to change us like that? What purpose is it meant to serve? And are we really meant to believe these are just random occurrences? He's clearly waiting to see who cracks.

[Private to Buffy]

Get your preaching out of the way. Tell me all about how I'd be better off like that person so that I get get the laughter out of the way.

Comments

[divine_right]

Princess Azula, of the Fire Nation.

[maxwells_demon]

A princess. What do ya know. That makes you the second princess I've met.

So what about the Fire Nation? I wouldn't mind a quick run down.

[divine_right]

The mightiest force in my world, naturally. [Casually.] We've an expansive empire with just a few errant rebels to crush. Mere trifles, really.

[maxwells_demon]

Imperialists, huh?

[divine_right]

Some have said.

[maxwells_demon]

It's not exactly the most altruistic means of globalization, is it?

[divine_right]

Who needs altruism?

[maxwells_demon]

It tends to be pretty good for society, far as I've seen.

[divine_right]

The weak cry "altruism" when nature takes its course and they find themselves wanting.

[maxwells_demon]

Nature usually doesn't have an army.

In my experience the guys with the power beat down the people long enough they end up finding a way to fight back. Often in a big way.

[divine_right]

If that is the case, then they have not trained their subjects properly.

[maxwells_demon]

You're conquering other countries. They kinda have the right to rebel.

Just stating the obvious, princess.

[prayformefather]

I suppose so.

[trenchcoatedly]

Near-omniscient beings understand "rights.". They do what they want.

[makeitwork]

It's because we don't belong here, it's why people crack.

[demigoddess]

I almost think I wouldn't have minded it if I could have gotten rid of the memories.

Still, I don't know if the Admiral can do that. And I'm not so sure he's the one behind these events.

[divine_right]

[Oh, she remembers you! But she scoffs at his offering]

He can't be as omniscient as he seems if he has to drive the ship.

[divine_right]

Spoken like a true rebel. It makes you no less wrong. The strong triumph over the weak; that is nature. It is better for all parties involved for them to be ruled rather than annihilated.

They ought to be grateful.

[trenchcoatedly]

My personal hypothesis is that it is the ship.

In this case, driving the ship would add to it's power, not detract.

[divine_right]

For once, I agree with someone.

[divine_right]

If not him, then who?

[divine_right]

A ship serves its purpose. It carries passengers, or cargo, but it must be driven. Men still built it.

[maxwells_demon]

You got me pegged. Good job.

The point is it's not always "give in or die." Some people would rather die than be ruled by an unjust ruler. That's just human nature.

You're not a hundred percent right, neither am I. Too many factors. But the world isn't as black and white as you see it.

[trenchcoatedly]

You think a creature as mighty as the Admiral would be bound by the meager limitation of form? I think it's possible - likely, in fact - it could have no form at all. A creature of pure energy, not entirely unlike myself, that chooses to possess it's craft, or maybe even the sentience of the craft itself.

Yes, it had to be made, but it's not difficult to conceive the Admiral's maker being powerful enough to construct a ship with a relatively advanced sentience. To make something this mighty would require a being or species even mightier.

[divine_right]

What do you mean, "not unlike yourself"?