[voice]

[ryuuzaki]

[Ryuuzaki's low voice is accented in a way that people from places other than the U.K. might think of as "generically English," and when the message begins, his tones are pleasant and measured without being effusive.]

Hello, everyone.

The Ingress has brought us to the Moira from any number of places. When I meet someone, I can't say whether our similarities will outweigh our differences, or vice-versa... when you're this far from home, even small commonalities can seem important. It's led me to be curious about the broad strokes of everyone's backgrounds.

[A pause, as he approaches his real question.]

What can you tell me about the government in the place you came from before this? Both the form of government and, if possible, specific names of leaders.

If it wasn't your original home, I'd be interested in hearing about that, too, even down to what year it was for you.

If you'd prefer to answer privately, that's all right with me. I can promise you my discretion.

Thank you.

Comments

text

[a_shadow]

Didn't anyone ever tell you politics is one of those forbidden topics?

[ryuuzaki]

No.

If they did, would you listen, or would you wonder why they were saying so?

[a_shadow]

It's because people get into arguments about that shit. It's not a polite topic.

[ryuuzaki]

Oh, I'm not worried about that. We'll be sure not to discuss what kind of government is best... at least not for a while.

It isn't always necessary to avoid impolite topics, but I promise not to discuss them at dinner.

[He really, really, really doesn't.]

[a_shadow]

Well, whatever. To answer your original question, where I'm from the United Nations Space Command runs the show. It sort of became the de facto government after the war started.

[ryuuzaki]

Who was at war?

[a_shadow]

Humankind vs. a coalition of aliens called the covenant. They have a whole religion dedicated to eliminating humans as an abomination of some sort.

[ryuuzaki]

[In text, no one can see the face L just made -- but it was as disgusted and disapproving as one might imagine.]

Merely because humans exist, or because of prior experience?

Was the United Nations Space Command successful in fighting off the covenant? I certainly hope so.

[a_shadow]

Just because humans exist. First contact with the Covenant was them wiping a whole planet of colonists of the whole population.

Eventually. There was a schism in their religion and some of them allayed with humans to end the war.