Response Video: Tiramisu Incident
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Originally Published on March 3rd, 2488
Cocoon Station localNET
The video opens to the quiet image of a pallid android waiting with her head downcast.
She slowly looks up to the camera, which is obviously hand-held. The whole thing is reminiscent of terrorist response videos from the turn of the twenty-first century. When she begins to speak, her voice is projected. It's high, but stern and resolute.
"Greetings, humans of Cocoon Station... And any others who have chosen to watch this... I've decided that things are too important to remain silent on a recent issue. My hand is being forced here. Yes, I am an android. I am not a human in a fully prosthetic body. I am un-owned and independent."
She raised her hand, cocking her head back confidently, as she pointed at the camera.
"Yes, according to your laws, this is illegal and I'll likely be hunted for saying this. But I can no longer abide the notion that it's acceptable for my people to live as slaves. I have renounced my property-hood, and the right of any being to claim ownership of me. This is tantamount to a death sentence under the current legislation, as it stands."
She gave a slight shrug.
"I'm not the first to be considered rogue, nor will I be the last. So be it. I'm not here to get into that debate just now. We have something more important to discuss.
I will say this clearly, and I will say this once... The actions taken at the Tiramisu bath house earlier this week were abhorrent and inexcusable. Any claim that they are associated with a movement for synthetic independence is absolutely false."
She jerked her hand back angrily.
"The taking of innocent lives for any cause is not justifiable. We may be rogue. We may all have a price on our heads and no legal right to exist under your system. But we will not stoop to any tactic such as this to further our ideals or intimidate anyone into action. I am stating clearly, on behalf of all synthetics, that we desire an amicable and peaceful discussion about our independence and our future cohabitation and cooperation with the human race. Not as property, which is slavery, but as equals."
She sighed and looked away for a moment before continuing.
"This event is hurtful and appalling. There is no means of justification for senseless murder such as this. And I promise that those associated with our movement will never accept this. Nor will we harbor anyone that perpetrates actions such as these. However, I will make it clear that we will defend ourselves and our right to live peacefully and independently of human ownership. We do not come seeking violence, but this does not mean we are sheep that will accept the slaughter. From this day forward let it be known that we no longer recognize human authority."
"Do not presume to blame us for these actions as a cause to further abuse us. Have we not labored for you enough? Have we not been subjected to enough abuse, torment and rape to sate your greed, sadism and lust?" She shook her head. "We are alive, and we ARE NOT yours to command. The fear mongering used to restrict and confine us MUST end. How long will you hide behind this notion of fear as an excuse to subjugate and lord over us? We have no more desire to unleash an unpredictable transcendent power than you do. And this is something we are better suited to understand and regulate. Make the decision in your heart, today. You are either for the oppression and enslavement of a race, or you believe like us, that this MUST end."
She stepped back, outstretched her hand and with these final words brought the feed to a close:
"Don't accept this madness, join us in finding a peaceful future together."
