driftfleet | Captain's Log 04 - It's a Rock Party

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Captain's Log 04 - It's a Rock Party

Who: Jim Kirk + You
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Yes - either on the Tourist or the Planet (this post will be functioning as a semi-overflow)
When: Nowish

[ Hello, fellow Drifters. Today you shall find one Captain Kirk, currently of the Tourist, smiling into the camera - perhaps a bit to delighted for everyone's comfort, so if you know what's good for you turn off the broadcast now. Or stick around. It's really 50/50 with him some days. He clears his throat, for a moment attempting to look serious outside his obvious delight. ]

So, first things first, some house keeping -

For those who don't know, I'm James Tiberius Kirk, Captain of the Tourist, newly minted a few weeks ago. Please just call me Jim or Kirk, though. Any problems with the Tourist or her crew can be directed to me, or if I am not available you can relay a message to my first mate - Fenris.

[ Let that sink in everyone and then think real hard about if you want to go that route ever. ]

Now, with that out of the way...

[ His face resumes its delight. ]

Since we're all sharing what little treasures we've been getting from the planet we're all on, I thought I would join in the fun.

[ He messes with something off camera, and everyone will be treated to the dulcet tones if the The Beastie Boys. Kirk is bobbing his head and every now and then either strumming an air guitar or beating on air drums.

The song ends and his grin is so very pleased with itself. ]

Words to live by, my fellow Drifters. Words to live by.

_{[ ooc: Inside this post will be a section for continuations of planet mingle threads if we have not already started one somewhere else! Feel free to add one here if I miss yours or if you would like to start one since I'll also be putting up the original starters from the mingle. ]}

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's not something to be proud of. People like you go down in history as monsters, a darkness to be avoided at all costs.

I disagree- but then again there are many the Republic hails as heroes I wouldn't hesitate to label as war criminals.

My legacy, and that if the First Order, will endure, despite what anyone believes. It will always be there to inspire others, just as I was inspired by those who came before me who weren't afraid of doing what was necessary no matter the cost.

[Tarkin may have been a bit of a childhood hero of his growing up.]

So you grew up idolizing people who thought human life was cheap? That they were pawns to be cast aside, to be cut down simply because they were in the way or didn't agree? What kind of a world is that to live in? What can you build on the back of oppression and death? It's a poor foundation, to say the least.

The Republic operated on the same principles, war is dirty and loss of life is inevitable no matter what. They were more than willing to sacrifice star systems and planet as well.

Yes, one star system was destroyed but that will ensure countless thousands of systems will continue to live in peace, their safety and stability ensured. In reality, most will never see a star destroyer in orbit- they will simply continue their lives knowing that they are provided for.

Don't fool yourself. They'll know. And what of the people you destroyed? What of them? You keep saying you want to protect and provide, but all it sounds like you've done so far is destroy.

If that's true - what makes you so much better than this Republic you despise so? If they are culpable of the same things, of letting systems die, then what of you who full on destroyed one?

I'm sure you've heard dramatic tales from those of the Republic which spoke of how evil the Empire was and how we are seeking to bring that oppression back, I assume?

[Scoff.] We destroyed one, the Republic all but destroyed many more and much slower, draining their wealth, their freedoms. The Clone Wars, the effects of Senate corruption- so long as the Core Republic planets were protected the systems on the outer rims were all but expendable.

I put an end to that.

You murdered innocent people. You put an end to nothing.

We'll see about that.

[He smiled just slightly- if anyone thought Starkiller was all the First Order had at their disposal or was everything that they had planned, then they would be very much mistaken. He believed in his vision of a unified galaxy no matter what. The fight wasn't over yet.]

You're a captain- surely you under the cost of war but I wonder how you manage to command.

Star Fleet doesn't operate under such precepts. Life is precious and to be protected. Military action is a last resort, not the first. Strength in unity through cooperative relationships and cultural exchange.

So you claim at least. Yet I am sure there are situations when you must fight, when you must make sacrifices.

That is the nature of command- and I highly doubt your galaxy is just full of peaceful systems which all get along. I'm also willing to bet there is a central power of somewhere, unifying systems and planets together as well which backs your mission.

Because we are threatened. We are not the aggressors, murderers, or conquerors.

Star Fleet has a central command, that is true, but otherwise planets rule themselves in autonomy. Star Fleet is a neutral party - we do not interfere unless asked.

That's a matter of perspective, isn't it? I'm sure to someone, somewhere, you are the aggressors in some way and you're imposing your standards and way of life upon them.

The Empire, the First Order, and the Republic all operated on the same basic principle. Planets and systems rule themselves and in turn work with regional governor or, with the Republic, with their Senator. It units the galaxy and the Emperor or the Senate stepped in when needed.

I highly doubt your Star Fleet always works as intended either though. If you claim it does, you're either lying or clearly pretty far down the chain of command.

You're assuming we pose anything. We make contact, and if people do not want our presence, we leave. I won't argue and say that everyone on every planet is happy for our presence, but we've never forced our ideals upon anyone. All planets self govern and keep their own cultures.

And I won't say that Star Fleet has always worked correctly, especially not in his foundling days. But I can say, for a fact, that Star Fleet has never, and will never, wipe out an entire planet simply for disagreeing with us! That is the way of madness, and such a blatant disregard for life I can't fathom it.

And if a planet or system decided to sanction attacks against Star Fleet and it's allies? I highly doubt diplomacy worked all of the time in that case. Perhaps your level of technology never reached the level of Starkiller but I'm sure there were times it was necessary to make a show of force.

We defend ourselves. I won't say force has never been necessary, I won't say we've never been forced to kill in a fight - but we don't go destroying the aggressor's planet either.

I'm sure there are many things your government has done either you don't know about or don't want to acknowledge in your idealistic world view though.

Trust me - you can't hide destroying a whole damn planet, and it's not something we do.

_{[ He won't mention that one particular protocol, though as far as Kirk
knows, it has never been enacted. ]}

There are other ways to destroy a planet without breaking it up entirely. It's not that difficult to wipe out cities, populations.

But perhaps in your galaxy that is just considered acceptable loss?

Life is precious in my galaxy. What planets do to themselves - that's their fault. It's sad, but they did it to themselves. We don't go around annihilating people to make points.

How noble of you to let planets and systems destroy themselves then.

And what? Take over instead? Impose our will, bend them, break them? Star Fleet aren't overlords, and when it's internal conflict we can't possibly take sides. It's not our right.

You don't save a people by destroying who they are.

You do save a galaxy by taking out the corrupt influence, however, before it inflicts the others.

Do you? Or do you only tell yourself you do, to justify obliteration?

The destruction of the Hosnian System was unfortunate, truly. I would have honestly preferred to spare the system if possible but it wasn't.

I made the decision and I wouldn't change it, no matter what you say.

There is always another choice, Hux. You simply didn't want to consider it.

I hope, for your sake, that you do.

_{[ And he cuts the transmission. ]}

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Captain's Log 04 - It's a Rock Party

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