[Maketh watches her for a long moment, silent. Then:]
You are very different from Doctor Sweets.
[That's probably for the best.]
Intelligence can be bought and sold like any other resource, regardless of where it was found. Honor has little to do with it. Though I understand why you learned combat tactics now. That was a wise choice.
Yes, it does. Death is inescapable. [She absolutely doesn't catch on to what Maketh is referring to. The truth is, Sweets is dead in the real world.
Brennan finds that makes her very sad.
Which in turn means she takes a few seconds to respond to Maketh's assertion.] Your logic appears to be based on a... a definition of 'weak' that implies... an evironment hostile to those who are unable to be self-sufficient in combat. I've met many individuals who define 'weakness' differently, even within the same culture and social groups. Therefore, I find that your conclusion regarding our government is not sustainable. In fact, our government is a global superpower.
[General Skywalker apparently disagrees with the concept. Maketh doesn't say that, though. Maketh tips her head to the side.]
I have come to the conclusion that the amount of force necessary to maintain stability and control on multiple planets is far greater than it is on a single continent. You only have the one planet, yes? Controlling one of those is meaningless in the larger scheme.
Those statements contradict each other. If controling multiple planets requires more force, then logically it would mean you seek to control each individual one. Therefore, controlling one planet cannot be meaningless in the larger scheme.
It is in terms of larger politics. The group with the most powerful infrastructure controls the law and flow of trade. [Maketh watches Brennan for a moment.] The Empire controls over a hundred worlds. A single planet is an asset but not a necessity. They can be lost or won in turn.
[Brennan listens intently. Politics is not her forte -- historically, yes, but not im action, not as it is now. Politicians wear too many masks. Their behaviors are not as predictable as... well. As dead things. She relies on Booth for that, even on Sweets.
Broadly, anthropologically, though, she can follow Maketh's logic.]
I see. Yes, that is how ancient empires viewed their conquests. Well, to an extent. But it's easy to imagine a government so assured of its power that it need not worry over settlements that are not strategically critical. With sufficient military strength, reconquering a settlement that was lost would be a simple task.
[That doesn't mean Brennan does or does not agree with it -- and she leans towards not agreeing, if only because that kind of government might require military or other service of its citizens, and that... she wouldn't want her children to be forced into anything. However, the logic is sound. Only emotion can argue it, and that, again, is her husband's territory more than hers.]
Correct. [And in some cases, the Empire doesn't bother retaking the weaker settlements at all. They're merely destroyed as a message to the rest of the galaxy, a symbol of what happens to rebel sympathizers. An arial bombardment from a star destroyer, mainly. No survivors.] Most worlds simply bow. It is easier. They lack sufficient martial strength to resist. Those that do must produce skilled soldiers at every level of infrastructure.
[She watches Brennan curiously. She's not at all what Maketh expected from someone from Sweets' world.]
Survival is more important to them than sovereignty. [Her voice does not show emotion, nor does her face. Almost a lifetime of being ruled by logic has afforded her now the ability to appear detached from the vast majority of situation. None of this may be real, but it has its parallels in the real world.]
No, I am not. This... philosophy, this way of life-- some people dream of it. Some cultures live by it. [They are not her favorites to think about, but they do exist.] I find-- I believe it would be difficult for families and groups who are unable to supply soldiers to the Empire's cause. The unwilling, I would surmise, are punished.
[Maketh agrees. It just happens that survival in the Empire is tied to one's usefulness. Maketh nods slowly.] The Empire does not conscript troops. They do, however, provide resources to communities that encourage their children to enlist. Food. Protection. Medicine. Even education on occasion, if they can get an officer or two out of the group.
[She gives Brennan a sad smile.]
Those who refuse receive no such benefits. Those who do not wish to starve to death or find themselves at the mercy of pirates quickly see reason. I do not say this is right or wrong. It was simply the way of things.
[How interesting. A soldier herself seems to be expressing sadness over her upbringing. What a fascinating observation of a way of life Brennan might never have experienced otherwise. Even just in a dream, she is learning from it.]
You... enlisted in order to receive benefits, yes? [There's no judgment in her tone. A hint of sympathy, if anything. For her children, she would do anything.] That would be the logical choice.
To keep my parents alive. There was not enough food for all of us.
[It's said simply. Why dance around the truth?]
I would have enlisted as an infantry trooper, but they gave me a test. Said I could train as an officer and they'd give my family an enlistment bonus.
[People didn't have many choices on Lothal. Maketh shrugs.]
Of course I agreed. I wanted an education. I wanted to have food and a weapon to protect myself with. People will do a lot of things when they want that.
Yes they will. [She cannot argue with that logic.] No one could argue with your logic. It is very sound.
[But that doesn't make it any less sad.]
I find that even just imagining a life like that is difficult. It is-- not how my culture operates. But I cannot pass judgment on a way of life solely because I do not understand it. That's not my place. My feelings have no place in this discussion.
[She does feel, but she can control when to let them guide her. Now is not such a time.]
[It's been a journey to get to this point, to open her metaphorical heart and allow herself to develop bonds, however small. Perhaps this is her brain's way of reinforcing the behavior, so that she will be stronger when she wakes.
Strong, not impervious. Never impervious. Never again.]
Of course. [She nods, giving a small smile.] It is what I've lived my life by. Honesty. The truth.
[And it seems like Tua understands.]
Well, I will let you get back to your supervision of the festivities. I find I would enjoy talking with you again sometime.
Sometimes. [She shrugs. If they talk more, maybe she'll tell Maketh about that life.
She flashes another smile at Maketh's agreement, and heads off into the crowd, drinking wine as she observes. Maybe she'll talk to Sweets, ask him for andance. Anything is possible in this frightening, detailed dream world.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 05:08 pm (UTC)You are very different from Doctor Sweets.
[That's probably for the best.]
Intelligence can be bought and sold like any other resource, regardless of where it was found. Honor has little to do with it. Though I understand why you learned combat tactics now. That was a wise choice.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 06:05 pm (UTC)[Facts.]
Oh, I would not permit my discoveries to be bought or sold. I pursue the truth. I have evaded government officials in my pursuit of the truth.
[The "GSA" had not been able to stop her and her team.]
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 06:25 pm (UTC)Is he now. That happens sometimes.
[Like with her. Maketh finishes her drink with a sigh. She'll need to find another soon.]
Then either you are more talented than most civilians or your government is weak. Given Doctor Sweets' lack of training, I would suspect the latter.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 06:41 pm (UTC)Brennan finds that makes her very sad.
Which in turn means she takes a few seconds to respond to Maketh's assertion.] Your logic appears to be based on a... a definition of 'weak' that implies... an evironment hostile to those who are unable to be self-sufficient in combat. I've met many individuals who define 'weakness' differently, even within the same culture and social groups. Therefore, I find that your conclusion regarding our government is not sustainable. In fact, our government is a global superpower.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 06:47 pm (UTC)I have come to the conclusion that the amount of force necessary to maintain stability and control on multiple planets is far greater than it is on a single continent. You only have the one planet, yes? Controlling one of those is meaningless in the larger scheme.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 06:52 pm (UTC)Those statements contradict each other. If controling multiple planets requires more force, then logically it would mean you seek to control each individual one. Therefore, controlling one planet cannot be meaningless in the larger scheme.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 06:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 07:14 pm (UTC)Broadly, anthropologically, though, she can follow Maketh's logic.]
I see. Yes, that is how ancient empires viewed their conquests. Well, to an extent. But it's easy to imagine a government so assured of its power that it need not worry over settlements that are not strategically critical. With sufficient military strength, reconquering a settlement that was lost would be a simple task.
[That doesn't mean Brennan does or does not agree with it -- and she leans towards not agreeing, if only because that kind of government might require military or other service of its citizens, and that... she wouldn't want her children to be forced into anything. However, the logic is sound. Only emotion can argue it, and that, again, is her husband's territory more than hers.]
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 07:22 pm (UTC)[She watches Brennan curiously. She's not at all what Maketh expected from someone from Sweets' world.]
You are not surprised by these methods.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 07:39 pm (UTC)No, I am not. This... philosophy, this way of life-- some people dream of it. Some cultures live by it. [They are not her favorites to think about, but they do exist.] I find-- I believe it would be difficult for families and groups who are unable to supply soldiers to the Empire's cause. The unwilling, I would surmise, are punished.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 07:45 pm (UTC)[She gives Brennan a sad smile.]
Those who refuse receive no such benefits. Those who do not wish to starve to death or find themselves at the mercy of pirates quickly see reason. I do not say this is right or wrong. It was simply the way of things.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 07:51 pm (UTC)You... enlisted in order to receive benefits, yes? [There's no judgment in her tone. A hint of sympathy, if anything. For her children, she would do anything.] That would be the logical choice.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 07:57 pm (UTC)[It's said simply. Why dance around the truth?]
I would have enlisted as an infantry trooper, but they gave me a test. Said I could train as an officer and they'd give my family an enlistment bonus.
[People didn't have many choices on Lothal. Maketh shrugs.]
Of course I agreed. I wanted an education. I wanted to have food and a weapon to protect myself with. People will do a lot of things when they want that.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 08:06 pm (UTC)[But that doesn't make it any less sad.]
I find that even just imagining a life like that is difficult. It is-- not how my culture operates. But I cannot pass judgment on a way of life solely because I do not understand it. That's not my place. My feelings have no place in this discussion.
[She does feel, but she can control when to let them guide her. Now is not such a time.]
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 08:39 pm (UTC)Maketh nods slowly.]
Your honesty is appreciated, Doctor Brennan.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 09:59 pm (UTC)Strong, not impervious. Never impervious. Never again.]
Of course. [She nods, giving a small smile.] It is what I've lived my life by. Honesty. The truth.
[And it seems like Tua understands.]
Well, I will let you get back to your supervision of the festivities. I find I would enjoy talking with you again sometime.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 10:02 pm (UTC)[Maketh cannot imagine a world that rewards such honesty.]
But--admirable. Perhaps.
[She inclines her head slightly.]
We will speak again.
no subject
Date: 2017-05-30 10:16 pm (UTC)She flashes another smile at Maketh's agreement, and heads off into the crowd, drinking wine as she observes. Maybe she'll talk to Sweets, ask him for andance. Anything is possible in this frightening, detailed dream world.]