Fwurg

[Former Senator Aunzora of the Confederacy of Excaria]

The senator stepped up, a young human girl standing with him. The girl was maybe 11 or 12 years old. On her back, a small backpack showed a pump going slowly up and down, its function seeming to be helping her breathe.

"My fellow Senators. This is Mirala, a human girl from Mioman who recently came to me seeking my help. Seeing her act so braverly, I could not deny her the chance to speak to the Senate. I ask that you please give your full attention to Mirala."

The girl was guided to the microphone, which required her getting up on a step and the microphone being lowered so it would reach her.

"Thank you Mr. Senators..." she opened, clearly nervous, as she slowly read from a pad. "When I was born, my lungs were bad." she explained "Thats why I need a backpack to breathe. Without it, I would die and Mama and Papa would be very sad."

She looked at the senator who had brought her in a moment, receiving an encouraging nod.

"When I was born the doctors saved me, because they gave me a backpack. Otherwise I would have died and I don't want to die, because then I would not be able to play any games."

The girl was not the most eloquent speaker, repeating the base phrase, which also made it clear these were her own words.

"On Veolia, the doctors would not have saved me and I would have died. I think its wrong that on Veolia, girls like me have to die. I think Veolian doctors should give backpacks to those who need them so they don't die. Thank you"

With that, the girl stepped down from the stand, giving the microphone back to the Senator, who took it back from her.

"On Veolia, newborn children are not given medical care for the first 72 hours of their lives. Parents are legally allowed to murder their children within seven days of birth."

The senator stated, pushing the girl forward a little and putting her in front, as if presenting her to the senate.

"Chancellor. Could you please explain to Mirala why your people believe she should be dead? Can you tell her why it would have been acceptable to murder her in your nation?"

[Nehket Aeka]

The chancellor stood to address the senate.

"First off, I would like to commend little Mirala for her bravery. Stepping up to speak in front of the assembled senate of the Union is no small feat."

"On Mirda, and anywhere else in Veolian territory, Mirala's father and mother would have been sad too. Sad that their daughter was born with a congenital disorder. Sad that their daughter's children, if someone would even have her, would most likely have the same disorder. And they would be sad that their child would never be a hemet.

But they would also know that she would be destined for a life alone, devoid of any companionship, excluded from society because she does not add anything to the survival of the species.

Her parents would find it not only acceptable, but desirable to let her pass away. To spare her a lifetime of unhappiness and rejections, they do this so their next daughter will be able to play games, and life a full and happy life."

[Senator Salixa of the Silver Forests of Remunzia]

"I cannot believe what I am hearing, are you honestly telling this little girl she'd be better off dead?!"

The senator was clearly very upset about this.

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"If this girl was born on Praeto in a hatchery she would have been perfectly healthy. This is clearly a genetic problem that should have been repaired before birth.

This girl was not born on Mirda. The question is why the government on Mioman has not scanned her genome before birth and corrected this genetic flaw. Was this a lack of knowledge or was her health not relevant enough?"

[Maria Latharion]

Maria had a shocked expression since the moment she had seen Mirala.

In fact she was so shocked she had missed everything that had been said.

She was appalled when she realised what the contraption on the little girls back was.

Snapping back to reality, the Astrian Lady-Senator quickly picked up what had been said since her brain implant had recorded everything.

She opened her mouth intending to start speaking in the chancellors defence as a member of the cabinet, she closed it without a word because as an Astrian she could not.

Maria stood up and walked out of the senate, she casted a sympathetic look to Mirala on her way out.

[Senator Lonco Morubixaba of Skuldda]

"I must agree with the point of view of the Veolian Commonwealth, though their implementation is quite rude.

If a child cannot survive without external aides like a backpack, it would suck at important things like racing. And someone who cannot race cannot gain status. A life of biting dust and sweeping oil while you have a backpack on your back is just too sad."

[Nehket Aeka]

The Chancellor gave an apologetic look at Mirala, as she did not really want to continue this charade. But senator Aunzora left her little space to manoeuvre. The choice was between appearing rude but being truthful, or allowing the excarian senator to use the little girl as a shield.

"Senator Salixa, what I am telling you is that this girl should not have been made to suffer. Not be her parents, not by me and most certainly not by senator Aunzora, who put her in front of the assembled senate as if she were an animal in zoo for which we should show pity."

"What intrigues me is the fact that the Veolian Commonwealth is singled out by senator Aunzora. Allow me to explain to the senate the difference between r-strategists and K-strategists, and the spectrum in between them.

"Species that are r-strategists ensure the continuation of their line by producing large numbers of offspring, and letting them fend for themselves. Such a strategy is very successful in unstable or unpredictable environments, as the ability to reproduce quickly is crucial to a species' survival there.

K-strategists, on the other hand, ensure the continuation of their line by having a limited number of offspring, and investing heavily in them. K-selection predominates in environments where the ability to compete successfully for limited resources is crucial.

However, as with all things in nature, this is not a discrete choice but a spectrum. Trees for example, have many of the traits of K-strategists. Traits such as longevity and strong competitiveness. However, in reproduction, trees produce thousands of offspring, disperse them widely and let them fend for themselves."

"Within the Union, there are a multitude of species. Among them are species like the Humans, Twi'lek, Praetorians, Veolians, Azarya, the Kiitik and the Vratix. These species all have their place on the spectrum of r/K-selection. Yet of all these species, senator Aunzora has a moral issue with only the veolians."

The chancellor looked at Aunzora with a gentle smile. "I assume that he had much loftier goals than just besmirching the veolian reputation just before the elections. Because such low politics are better done without abusing a little girl as shield behind which to hide."

The tone of her last words betrayed the fact that the chancellor was very upset about how Mirala was being used.

[Nehket Aeka]

Sitting down again, the chancellor quickly typed a short message to send to the Stellarian Triad Federation's representative:

I would be very happy if you would return to the debate soon, lady-senator Maria Latharion. The last words have not yet been spoken, and I would like for you not to bad an idea about me. There is much to be discussed and leaving immediately seems to indicate that you do not care about the topic. --Lady Nehket Aeka

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

Lady Peinaili had sat patiently during the onset of this debate and had listened with a growing distaste for political slander. Clearly Senator Aunzora had opened a public attempt to discredit the Commonwealth and Chancellor Nehket Aeka in particular, with the obvious intend to secure political momentum for the upcoming elections.

At first sight, the case of Mirala was a troubling one and Peinaili had some questions concerning the Veolian position in this matter, but that was internal matter and as she felt, not really the Union's purview. After this debate was over, she would decide on further discussion with the Commonwealth, if at all needed, but first she would add her opinion in support of the Chancellor.

"Senators, while we might find the practices on Veolia troubling or even, pardon the expression, brutal. I am of the opinion that this is an internal matter, privy to the Commonwealth and as such I find the fact that this has been brought up in the senate to instigate a political gain not only disrespectful towards the Chancellor but moreover towards Mirala, who has in her misfortune, become the vocal point of a political feud.

If this slander is to be symbolic for any further campaigning by Senator Aunzora, I fear for his electoral ideas."

[Maria Latharion]

A reply was sent to Chancellor Nehket's terminal a moment after Senator de Montréve had finished speaking.

My apologies Chancellor, there was something I needed to discuss with the Triad Boards urgently that was related to this matter and a few other things I needed to arrange. I care about this subject very deeply and will return to the discussion shortly. --Lady-Senator Maria Latharion

A few moments later the Astrian woman returned to the senate and took her regular place.

[Senator Danar Tassar]

The Teprogrenaian Senator looked at the girl, not really impressed by her sad appearance. In fact, like most Teprogrena, he found humans and close humanoids quite repulsive. Especially the female ones. He was shocked by the backpack though, such a rude display of primitive cybernetic medical care. He also didn't believe that she was a girl from Mioman who went to Aunzora for help. But before to blow things up in the senate creating three mayor fighting parties, he wanted to ask Senator Achettoo personally about the situation. He sent to her: To prevent childish 'yes' 'no' discussions I ask you this personally: Is it true that despite the famous healthcare and bacta treatments of the Miomanian Colonists some children need rudimentary cybernetic augmentations to be able to live? Because in that case the Teprogrenaian Consensus would offer to help creating better cybernetic implants for these people.

[Former Senator Aunzora of the Confederacy of Excaria]

"Chancellor, you can ramble on about a to z strategies all you like, the fact is you are murdering children for no other reason than that you deem them to be unworthy of life. "

It was clear the Senator was quite angry about this.

"You say I have a problem only with Veolians. I have a problem only with murdering babies - it just so happens this is common practice with the Veolians, so yes, I have a problem with that!

And you have the audacity to accuse -me- of abusing a little girl. You're murdering girls like her by the thousands! How dare you!?"

Mirala was clearly getting very upset by the heated debate, so one of the senators aids guided her out the Senate hall.

"If my speaking out to protect newborn children has political consequences for me, then so be it! I will not stand by idle while your people murder the innocent! My political career does not take precedence over the lives of children!

As Chancellor, you are a representative of all members of the Union. That includes those who are handicapped, those who are born with illness and those who rely on cybernetics. By allowing these children to be murdered you are declaring that some members of the Union are not worth the effort to help them to live normal and productive lives.

You should be ashamed of yourself!"

[Senator Salixa of the Silver Forests of Remunzia]

"Did Mirala not say she enjoyed playing games?" the Senator inquired. It remained silent for a moment. "The girl does not seem to be living a life of sadness and pain. In fact, she appears to be quite capable of having fun and she has even taken up the cause of others like her. How dare you treat her in this manner, Chancellor?!"

[Representative Lophos of the Interregnum Democracy of Scir]

"I agree with the Remunzian senator. Moreover, she was intelligent enough to come forward with an issue that she believed was a problem and she was brave enough to stand up here and talk to the senate."

The senator gave a very stern look to the Chancellor.

"You say she would be excluded from Veolian society because she does not add anything to the survival of the species, but it seems to me as if Mirala has made us aware of a very important issue. If she can do something so brave and so important at such a young age, imagine what she could do when she grows up to be the next leader of her world or of a large corporation or of a great charity.

Not all mutations in the genome are beneficial. But it is foolish to exclude beneficial mutations because they also come with a disadvantage. Especially when that disadvantage can be overcome very simply. Why not help these children and let them prove their worth instead of determining ahead of time that they have no future and exterminating them before they ever get a chance to become great."

[Senator Acehtoo of the Miomanian Colonists]

Seeing senators gang up on the Chancellor, the Miomanian Senator stepped up, no longer able to hold back.

"It has long been standard practice on Mioman to eliminate Vratix larva - starting with the sick and weak ones."

It was a simple statement of fact, but a powerful one that gave several senators pause.

"We of course do not extend this practice to other species, and it is a necessary measure as a single spawning can produce more than ten-thousand eggs and larva.

This is one reason why neonatal healthcare technology on our planet limited. We also do not have a lot of experience with cybernetics."

[Maria Latharion]

Lady-Senator Maria Latharion had a conflict of interests. On one side as an Astrian and a citizen of the STF she couldn't condone killing children, no matter what the reason was. On the other side as a Lady-Senator and member of the cabinet she couldn't allow the Union to dictate a worlds culture.

She made a decision and stood up to speak.

"Senators!."

Her voice boomed and resonated trough the senate, immediately quieting it down and focussing the attention on the Astrian woman.

"In the Stellarian Triad Federation we hold children extremely dear. Harming a child willingly and knowingly is punishable by life in prison on the first offence.

However, we also have an affinity for the saying 'live and let live'. A viewpoint I believe is shared by the Union.

Unless I am mistaken each of our worlds maintains it's own sovereignty and culture."

Maria paused a moment to let her words sink in. Her voice had returned to normal.

"Different people and different cultures will always find points of conflict. I had one with the chancellor recently, but we both are now putting effort to resolve these problems.

Senator Aunzora, I understand your point, believe me I do. But the fact of the matter is no one has the right to dictate the norms and values of another, not you, not me and certainly not this Senate."

She then looked at Mirala and spoke to her for all to hear.

"Mirala, I have sent Senator Aunzora an offer for you and your parents, if you haven't received it already you soon will. In the meantime I admire your courage to speak to the Senate and that you want to help children like yourself. Unfortunately, this isn't a simple matter. I will be speaking with the Chancellor soon and I will certainly raise this issue. I hope there will be more to this aspect than can be seen now."

With the last sentence Maria looked at the Chancellor.

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"We, of the Teprogrenaian Consensus, agree with the STF on this matter. There are many aspects of many cultures which are in conflict, but one of the strengths of the Union is to let every culture in their rights and not meddle with their intern matters.

We of the Consensus for example strongly disagree with the way how the people of Skuldda choose their leaders, but if we of the Union are not meddling with their culture either.

Of course, we of the Consensus strongly disagree with the Veolian Commonwealth about their practise of denying new born babies medical care and we don't understand either why they limit their gene-pool this way. But think of the consequences if we of the Union forbids the Veolian Commonwealth to let their inhabitants choose whether or not they want the child.

If the IO protocol ever will be officially declared as living, are they no longer allowed to terminate processes and start new ones? Process termination would be killing.

If parents do not longer have the freedom to choose to keep the child after birth, then would the next step be that the parents do not have the freedom to choose to keep an unborn child? Abortion would be illegal. And what about uncreated children? Before we know we are in discussion whether we should forbid the use of contraceptive methods. "

The Teprogrenaian Senator paused for a moment before adding a small announcement.

"The Teprogrenaian Consensus offers to help the Miomanian Colonists with developing better cybernetic healthcare. In fact the Consensus is willing to help every faction who asks for it. Although our resources are limited."

((OOC: Mirala was already escorted out of the senate hall :).))

[Senator Lonco Morubixaba of Skuldda]

"Senator Tassar only says that because he cannot even drive a hover car himself. Maybe the implementation of cybernetics should be more limited. They create enormous unfair advantages and freedom in cybernetics only encourages other people to cut of their arms to get a fancy cyborg one. The winner of a race would not be determined by the best races any more, but by the best brain interface. How can we ever elect the best when the best are the ones with the most money to buy the best cyborg parts?"

[Nehket Aeka]

The veolian chancellor remained silent, as she recognized that anything she currently said, no matter how rational or true it might be, would be replied to with: 'you murder children!'

She preferred to let her allies react to this as they were doing right now: en masse, and with multiple different opinions.