01-18-2017, 07:01 PM
Evelyn couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the implications that Ascendancy spoke of. She could easily counter his list with one of her own, but their countries had been arguing about their moral superiority for the last century. She wouldn't be baited into such a useless line of conversation. His question at the end was especially surprising. For one, it was addressed directly to her, which was convenient because it gave her an excuse to speak out of turn. As for the greater reason that it was unexpected...
"How do we intend to prevent... demonstrations, did you say? In the middle of your capitals? Well, I assure you that I for one will not condone any direct acts of warfare upon the CCD, nor do I imagine that the President would either. Other than that, I leave the matter to your no doubt capable hands with regards to preserving the peace and security of your citizens."
Evie smiled at him disarmingly, although she imagined that she may look unimpressed (despite her best efforts at neutrality). What, did the man expect her to take responsibility for any terrorist attack upon the CCD? She carefully decided not to mention the various terrorist attacks that he had failed to prevent, the ones that forced him to reveal his own Power to the public.
"That said, I must return to my earlier topic. You misunderstand me, Ascendancy."
She leaned forward slightly, feeling her pulse beat faster, excited at the prospect of the world's most powerful man paying her his undivided attention. "This delegation is very pleased to hear that war is not your intention. Nor, as I mentioned earlier, is it ours. However, you simply cannot deny the potential for our power to be used for destructive purposes. And not all statesmen or countries will be as... restrained as ours."
Evelyn's expression sobered. "If China or Mexico were to conscript a battalion of channelers, I suspect neither the CCD nor the USA could afford to ignore it. There would be many within our governments that would seek to arm themselves similarly. However, unlike nuclear bombs, channelers are human beings, citizens of our respective nations. And since there are so few of us, I doubt that the recruitment process would be entirely voluntary."
The congresswoman tactfully didn't mention the fact that Ascendancy's government was already collecting information on his channeling citizens online, through a voluntary registration process.
"What I propose,"
she said, stretching propriety somewhat in the use of her singular pronoun, "would serve both our purposes. If we were to stand together in opposition to any country or organization weaponizing channelers, then the world would take notice."
The easiest solution, and one she would certainly be pushing for in Congress, would be joint military action in order to eliminate any individual or group breaking their agreement. Unfortunately, Evelyn was far from able to promise that. "If your goal is to avoid acts of terrorism- state-sponsored or otherwise- in your borders, then certainly the first step is to prevent channelers from being conscripted into organizations that will use their power against you."
"How do we intend to prevent... demonstrations, did you say? In the middle of your capitals? Well, I assure you that I for one will not condone any direct acts of warfare upon the CCD, nor do I imagine that the President would either. Other than that, I leave the matter to your no doubt capable hands with regards to preserving the peace and security of your citizens."
Evie smiled at him disarmingly, although she imagined that she may look unimpressed (despite her best efforts at neutrality). What, did the man expect her to take responsibility for any terrorist attack upon the CCD? She carefully decided not to mention the various terrorist attacks that he had failed to prevent, the ones that forced him to reveal his own Power to the public.
"That said, I must return to my earlier topic. You misunderstand me, Ascendancy."
She leaned forward slightly, feeling her pulse beat faster, excited at the prospect of the world's most powerful man paying her his undivided attention. "This delegation is very pleased to hear that war is not your intention. Nor, as I mentioned earlier, is it ours. However, you simply cannot deny the potential for our power to be used for destructive purposes. And not all statesmen or countries will be as... restrained as ours."
Evelyn's expression sobered. "If China or Mexico were to conscript a battalion of channelers, I suspect neither the CCD nor the USA could afford to ignore it. There would be many within our governments that would seek to arm themselves similarly. However, unlike nuclear bombs, channelers are human beings, citizens of our respective nations. And since there are so few of us, I doubt that the recruitment process would be entirely voluntary."
The congresswoman tactfully didn't mention the fact that Ascendancy's government was already collecting information on his channeling citizens online, through a voluntary registration process.
"What I propose,"
she said, stretching propriety somewhat in the use of her singular pronoun, "would serve both our purposes. If we were to stand together in opposition to any country or organization weaponizing channelers, then the world would take notice."
The easiest solution, and one she would certainly be pushing for in Congress, would be joint military action in order to eliminate any individual or group breaking their agreement. Unfortunately, Evelyn was far from able to promise that. "If your goal is to avoid acts of terrorism- state-sponsored or otherwise- in your borders, then certainly the first step is to prevent channelers from being conscripted into organizations that will use their power against you."