Incoming Video Message From the Synthetic Alliance
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Originally Published on April 3rd, 2488
A transmission is intercepted by your internal comms system. If you decide to view it, you are greeted by a figure bearing a scarred and weathered visage in a suit of dark armor with bluish green traceries running between the reinforced plates and up into his neck, the same light shining in his eyes. He is staring intently into the focus of the camera. A moment later he speaks in a husky but clear tone of voice accented by near-exhaustion. His face is deep-set with lines but is still strong and resolute as he begins to speak.
"I speak now for the Synthetic Alliance. I must first address the attack that occurred earlier tonight at Arboria which affected all of sector 4, including the cookout that took place outside of Gigabits. We extend our sincerest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones during the attack, and also an offer of help to those who are investigating the incident. We do not, nor will we ever condone or encourage such actions and declare that whoever is responsible for causing so much needless tragedy is a coward and a filthy hypocrite. Whatever cause the responsible party might be supporting, it is never worth someone's life. I hope that, working together with the other establishments on the station, we can find and punish the ones who did this. It is our solemn duty to hunt down such an individual and bring them to justice...official...or otherwise."
He said this with a kind of exhausted resolution, the memories of the attack and subsequent rescue attempt still fresh and vivid in his mind. He took a moment to gather himself as he got on with the next point of business.
"I would also like to inform you that Anna, the previous leader of our group, is no longer with us. During her departure, she stated she was leaving the station on some matters of importance and would not be likely to return. We wish her well in her endeavors, of course, but we had a decision to make. Who would be next to lead the alliance? We then took some time to speak among ourselves and try to determine who will lead in her absence. After some deliberation, I have been chosen to carry out that duty. If there are questions as to how all this came about, people are more than welcome to contact me and I will do what I can to explain the situation. This was all quite sudden, and I'm simultaneously honored and humbled to be chosen to lead the alliance"
After speaking this, he pauses and focuses his gaze on the camera even more intently, gathering himself for what must come next. He leans forward in his seat and seems to address you, whoever you are, wherever you are, directly.
"In the meantime, it is important that we who represent the Alliance get on with fulfilling the purpose for which it was created. There is, however, one major difference that I must point out between the alliance as it was under Anna's leadership, and how it will be under mine. I have thought about this a great deal ever since the news of what happened reached me. It might be, and I do put emphasis on the word MIGHT, that in some way Anna's choice to openly declare herself and the alliance in general as rogue is in some way directly or indirectly linked to her absence. We need to consider all possibilities before we begin the process of elimination until we can arrive at something which is the most likely cause and effect."
He says this and then leans back in his seat once again, navigating his way through a maze of repercussions that could result from this message and the meaning behind it. He has a hint of a worried look on his face but almost hides it completely behind a mask of objective resolution as he gathers himself to speak again.
"Whether or not this is true, it doesn't really affect the outcome of the choice I must make now. The alliance is currently on very shaky ground here aboard the station as well as across the sector. Attacks have been carried out across the station by rogue synths in an effort to bring about a change of some sort in the laws which determine how synths such as myself are treated both here and elsewhere. There is also a significant anti-synth sentiment growing among certain segments of the populace here on Cocoon and abroad as well stemming largely from these attacks. We are in a stalemate at the moment that, when it ends, will only lead to more needless and wasteful loss of life and property. Is this necessary? Is it something that absolutely needs to happen to achieve the dream of freedom and equality for all self-aware beings?"
He says this and then lets the question hang in the air for a few moments before he speaks again. The silence in the room he occupies now is so pervasive as the answer to that question hangs in the balance.
"I say no, it isn't. Not only is it not necessary to achieve our ultimate goal, it is in fact counterproductive to that end. This leads me then to the main question that is uppermost in my mind. Do we declare ourselves rogue, both individually and collectively? As I see it, doing so only seems to put us in the same light as the perpetrator/s of the recent attacks. We are seen as being no different, and as much as declaring ourselves rogue might seem like striking some sort of blow against tyranny, we put ourselves in the same category as a terrorist who values whatever cause they support over the value of the lives of others which is a cause everyone should endeavor to support. Even those we disagree with and stand for everything they do not are important. Because, simply put, if one group or segment of the public is not important, then quite frankly no one is. Do you want to live in a world where no one matters? where ideas that don't bleed or cry out in anguish or weep in despair are put on a pedestal above the ones from whom they are given rise to?"
Again, he lets this question hang in the air, going quiet for a few moments, heightening the suspense as the energy and solidity of his will becomes manifest now, all worry or doubt cast aside for the moment as he begins to do what he feels deep down that he must.
"I know what my answer to that question is. And yes, it's true synths don't bleed or cry out or weep either, we do suffer without the luxury or benefit of such outlets. Although it is modulated differently than how humans or bioroids experience it, we do feel pain and sorrow as well as a sense of well-being and joy. On the surface of the matter it is true we are products of human industry, but all I ask of you is to look deeper inside. We who were made in your image can be so much more. Here, we are your neighbors and friends, we are the "People" you meet while on your way to and from work, or just headed somewhere like Bunkr or Pulse to drink away your pay. We are part of your community and wish nothing except to be assets in its service while being afforded the same freedoms and rights as all others. I understand there are other factors and considerations in this matter, but nothing of significant value is achieved easily or overnight."
He begins picking up more and more confidence and assurance in his words as he continues to speak, acquiring a rhythm and ringing tonality in his words as he continues.
"I believe that this goal is achievable, maybe not within the span of years allotted to me, but in a time that is conceivable to us as the near future. The road is always long and it continually slopes uphill,but like it or not, we are on that road now. With the right amount of determination and persistence, we can walk it together. I ask each of you to look around you and see where we are now. The road behind us has already been covered by our footsteps and the road ahead is simply waiting for us to take the next step, and the one after that, and so on. We can choose to stumble off by the wayside and remain content with things as they are now, or we can choose to move forward. The most important thing I have to ask now is ‘What will you do?’”
He continues speaking as his message is nearly completed. Finishing up strong, he says after a long pause.
"My time is running out. I would hope you would all take some time to think on what I've said and decide where you stand, and more importantly, in which direction you choose to walk. If you choose to walk with me and my associates, you are more than welcome to. If you decide to wait at the sidelines to see what will happen, then the history that is to come will most likely not remember you. And if, for whatever reason you wish to impede our progress toward achieving our goals, then you have set yourself up as a stumbling block to a future where freedom and equality for all is a reality. I stand for that future, no matter what the consequences might be. I value life, no matter what form it takes, above all else. So, let this be remembered by all who hear me. All who live matter, or no one does. Ideas matter only in terms of how they affect the lives of people everywhere. If you give your life for just an idea, then you are no better than a slave. Hear and understand what I tell you, then make your choice. What kind of future do you want to live in?"
He says this and then, again, lets that question hang in the air for a few moments before he wraps things up.
"I once heard it said that the only true freedom left to us in this world is to figure things out for ourselves. I say we should use that freedom everyday and in every aspect of our lives. It goes beyond just figuring things out though. You can analyze the world around you all you want, but it won't make a bit of difference unless you do something with what you've learned. So, think about the situation we're in now, try to figure it all out as best you can, but once you have an idea that serves you well, use it. Put it into action but don't ever let it rule you. My life is not simply defined by my new position as a faction leader. While that duty is mine, I will attempt to make the est decisions in what I and my associates see as being in the community's best interest. There may be others who have very different ideas of what that means, however our goal is to serve as an asset in their lives as well. This may seem counterproductive but after having spent a lot of time trying to figure all this out, it really comes down to being the only road you can follow which will lead to the kind of destiny that is best suited for everyone. Maybe not ideal for all, but suitable and containing enough possibilities to go even farther. think on all these things, and if you're ready, let us know you're ready to get started."
He wrapped things up as he sat back in his seat and stared into the camera for a moment or two longer before he made a cutting gesture with his right hand, signaling the camera to stop recording. The presentation ends and is replaced by your normal news and entertainment feeds.