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taxonomites2010-03-21 11:59 am
mightyfallen.livejournal.com) wrote in taxonomites2010-03-21 11:59 am
002. [visual] we sit and grow our roots into the floor
When the tablet flickers to life for this broadcast, the view is one Jack Benjamin, visible from the elbows up, seated at a table in a sharp navy suit and less severe tie, professional without looking inhuman for it. The backdrop behind him is solid grey-blue and unremarkable, except that it perhaps complements the suit. That is probably not a coincidence. The man himself looks well rested, well groomed, and well prepared.
"Good morning, citizens of Taxon. For those of you I've yet to meet, I am Lieutenant Colonel Jack Benjamin. I have been acting as proxy for the Countess of Gatas in matters pertaining to the confinement of the Doctor in her home." He pauses here; if he's steeling himself, it isn't visible, it's only a pause, but the possibility remains. It's been a while since he wore this cool political facade, and it hasn't always served him well. "The issue I bring before you today is one in which the Countess would prefer to be involved directly, but she is presently recovering from an unrelated attack. Rest assured she is no longer in danger, but she has been more than gracious with her time and resources, and it's time this process were expedited.
"We are in need of some manner of council to institute a judicial process and determine the Doctor's fate in consequence to his crimes. I, along with several others who I hope will take this opportunity to reaffirm their commitment," You know who you are, "Have offered to serve on said council. Any other volunteers would do well to come forward now so that we might bring this matter to a timely resolution.
"However, considering the extreme diversity of our population, no single judicial body can hope to be representative of the group without maintaining an open forum for discussion. I would like to open that forum now." He paces himself here, his eyes straight ahead and his words clear, measured. "I ask each of you to consider the judicial process as it functions in your own world, and to share whatever expectations you may have as to the manner in and extent to which crimes such as those presently under examination should be tried and punished. I invite your input and encourage you to discuss amongst yourselves as well. While not all suggestions will be followed, it is imperative that every voice have the opportunity to be heard."
Letting that sentence breathe, he takes the moment for a sip of water before sliding on to the next topic.
"In the interest of transparency, I would also like to take this opportunity to present my own qualifications for serving on said council, and I hope any other volunteers will be inclined to do similarly.
"In my own world, I was Prince Jonathan, son of King Silas and heir apparent to the Royal Kingdom of Gilboa. This is a birthright, not a qualification, but I mention it because my rank came with the very real expectation of future governance and thus involved more practical training to that end than is worth detailing at this time.
"As for my more quantifiable experience, I served nine years in the military during wartime, seven of those as an officer. During several months of ceasefire I also acted as Minister of Information, which involved overseeing the information-related divisions of the Gilboan government--including, most relevantly for our purposes, the criminal prosecution of suspected terrorists--and representing those interests before the king in council.
"The situation most similar to our own in which I have experience is more recent. For the past two years I have led and assisted with the governance of a heterogeneous population of refugees in hostile territory. Our system of justice was very military-oriented, but the experience was nonetheless enlightening in terms of working to unite the interests of an inherently non-cohesive group. I feel I would be amiss if I did not put that experience to work in the interests of my fellow abductees, however I might do so.
"I welcome any questions, comments, or objections anyone may have, be it of my own background or the larger matters at hand." And with that he sits back to await responses.
"Good morning, citizens of Taxon. For those of you I've yet to meet, I am Lieutenant Colonel Jack Benjamin. I have been acting as proxy for the Countess of Gatas in matters pertaining to the confinement of the Doctor in her home." He pauses here; if he's steeling himself, it isn't visible, it's only a pause, but the possibility remains. It's been a while since he wore this cool political facade, and it hasn't always served him well. "The issue I bring before you today is one in which the Countess would prefer to be involved directly, but she is presently recovering from an unrelated attack. Rest assured she is no longer in danger, but she has been more than gracious with her time and resources, and it's time this process were expedited.
"We are in need of some manner of council to institute a judicial process and determine the Doctor's fate in consequence to his crimes. I, along with several others who I hope will take this opportunity to reaffirm their commitment," You know who you are, "Have offered to serve on said council. Any other volunteers would do well to come forward now so that we might bring this matter to a timely resolution.
"However, considering the extreme diversity of our population, no single judicial body can hope to be representative of the group without maintaining an open forum for discussion. I would like to open that forum now." He paces himself here, his eyes straight ahead and his words clear, measured. "I ask each of you to consider the judicial process as it functions in your own world, and to share whatever expectations you may have as to the manner in and extent to which crimes such as those presently under examination should be tried and punished. I invite your input and encourage you to discuss amongst yourselves as well. While not all suggestions will be followed, it is imperative that every voice have the opportunity to be heard."
Letting that sentence breathe, he takes the moment for a sip of water before sliding on to the next topic.
"In the interest of transparency, I would also like to take this opportunity to present my own qualifications for serving on said council, and I hope any other volunteers will be inclined to do similarly.
"In my own world, I was Prince Jonathan, son of King Silas and heir apparent to the Royal Kingdom of Gilboa. This is a birthright, not a qualification, but I mention it because my rank came with the very real expectation of future governance and thus involved more practical training to that end than is worth detailing at this time.
"As for my more quantifiable experience, I served nine years in the military during wartime, seven of those as an officer. During several months of ceasefire I also acted as Minister of Information, which involved overseeing the information-related divisions of the Gilboan government--including, most relevantly for our purposes, the criminal prosecution of suspected terrorists--and representing those interests before the king in council.
"The situation most similar to our own in which I have experience is more recent. For the past two years I have led and assisted with the governance of a heterogeneous population of refugees in hostile territory. Our system of justice was very military-oriented, but the experience was nonetheless enlightening in terms of working to unite the interests of an inherently non-cohesive group. I feel I would be amiss if I did not put that experience to work in the interests of my fellow abductees, however I might do so.
"I welcome any questions, comments, or objections anyone may have, be it of my own background or the larger matters at hand." And with that he sits back to await responses.
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Rather than each of us relying solely on our ability to judge character, I'm considering whether it wouldn't be better for someone capable to investigate, as it were.
[ voice | locked ]
I know someone who is, however.
[ voice | locked ]
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[end connection.]