Fwurg

[Nehket Aeka]

Dear senators Harek, Danar Tassar, Doshima,

I write to you as a courtesy to inform you that I am giving you the opportunity you should have given yourselves when you helped senator Acehtoo to become chancellor: the opportunity to compromise while this is still possible.

In the last period I have tried to find a compromise on the matter of slavery. In the senate discussion, I have tried to find common ground, to explain the point of view of the Veolian Commonwealth, and to put forward compromises that could form a basis for negotations.

And yet my attempts have been met with threats, ignorance and insults.

It is clear that we do not not currently see eye-to-eye on this matter, and that we will likely never do so. In moments, I will open a vote on the matter. I suggest that you make the best of this opportunity.

After this vote, the matter is out of my hands.

Yours sincerely,

Senator Nehket Aeka

[Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima]

A message from the Astrian Colonial Authority embassy was sent to Senator Nehket Aeka privately.

Dear Senator Nehket,

As you may already have heard from news reports, opinions among the Astrians are varied. Personally, I am surprised by the amount of my people that side with the Veolian Commonwealth on this matter. I must admit I am growing tired of the discussion myself.

That being said, I am curious to know exactly when I have threatened, insulted and been ignorant toward you on the matter of slavery. If you can properly indicate these instances I can properly apologise for them. I felt we had found at least some common ground in an attempt to find a compromise and I find it regretful you do not feel the same way.

In a recent communication between myself and the Lord-Master, I was asked to wait with placing a vote for the ACA. He is of the opinion we must base our vote on reason instead of feelings. Even more so because the wide variation of the opinions of our people.

Whatever the outcome of this vote will be, I can assure you that the ACA won't raise the subject again. While I can't speak for my colleges, it is my hope this whole ordeal hasn't caused irreparable damage to the relationship between our worlds.

With kind regards,
Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima

[Nehket Aeka]

Senator Nehket Aeka replies to the message of Kachiso privately.

Dear senator Doshima,

I think you are well aware of the instance I meant when I said I was threatened, and I see no reason to waste further words on it.

On the matter of ignorance and insults, rest assured that neither the ACA nor you have insulted me or my culture during the discussion. And while I do feel that certain of your statements during the discussion were made based on assumptions about my culture -- such as the mistaken notion that we divide the universe into master races and slave races which, I will assure you again, we do not -- I understand the political value of ignoring certain aspects of the discussion to better make your point heard. After all, a nuanced opinion is not as loud as a bold statement.

I agree that we found some common ground, and this is reflected in the second option of the vote. It also gladdens me to hear that miss Latharion's and my efforts to establish cultural exchange between our worlds have not been without success, even though the effort has met with friction form both sides. In that light, I think there is hope for the relationship between our worlds, but actions speak louder than words, and my people can have an unfortunately long memory.

Yours sincerely,
Nehket Aeka

[Senator Harek]

Dear Senator Nehket,

We thank you for your efforts in finding a compromise. This has been a long and difficult subject. Your proposal is good first step forward. Hopefully this will bring all Union members closer together.

Your sincerely,

Senatar Harek of the Hiocan Society