maskormenace | 7th Oration // Video

[The opening shot is exactly the same as Dooku's interrupted last post. Same bookshelf, same lighting, same Count Dooku casually brushing some dust off his shoulder as he addresses the camera in his deep voice. It is as though he is continuing the previous post without missing a beat, refusing to be disrupted by the Porter, which is exactly the impression he wants to convey.]

Now then. As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted...

[Something is subtly different now, though. There's a touch of strain in the Count's smooth voice that wasn't there before, a note of tension in his face and the way he carries his body. Nonetheless, he carries on as though nothing has changed.]

It appears that the Porter's vengeance against imPort inquiries has ended, for now. But do not make the mistake of thinking that we are now safe. We remain bound by mysterious and cruel entities.

Many of us wish to be sent home. But at the same time, how many of us fear to be Ported out at any moment? Hurled away from our lives here and the friends we have made, sent back to the grim fate that may await us: conflict and humiliation, betrayal and death?

[Dooku's voice rises a bit on those last two words. He maaaaay be projecting a little here. He takes a breath.]

So let me ask you this: what does freedom mean to you, my friends? What is the heart of that word? Is it choice? Is it the ability to command your own life? If so, can we truly be called free today?

A new year is about to begin, with new challenges and opportunities. I urge you all to think carefully about what freedom means to you... and how you will seek to achieve it as we move into the future.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm scared to be ported out of here, but only because I'm afraid of what I'll see back home?

Freedom means having the potential to do what I want when I want, if I want. It's not having any chains on me. It's definitely choice. I don't think we're entirely free here though. I'm stuck here with no space travel, they gave me an organic form because being myself is such a burden apparently.

[Dooku nods, a sympathetic expression on his face.]

It is trying, is it not? Being trapped on a single primitive planet, having your body reshaped and altered beyond your control. Fearing the stroke of return that might fall at any instant... This is no way to live.

Choice. A lack of chains. That is something to work towards, I would think. It is even something to fight for.

Oh boy it's super trying! I can't even go out into space and try find my friends because not only am I stuck on this planet, but this is apparently a different universe.

[He throws his hands up.]

If I go back, I don't even know what I'll have left!

[He thinks for a moment and then nods.]

You know what, yeah why not fight for it? They can't just bring us here against our will and make us do what they want and punish people for just being here.

Heeey you're here because the Porter brought you here, you can have benefits, but only if you register and do what we want. Oooh you're not organic or human in appearance? Here you go, you now have a human form and get tired if you spend too long in your actual body.

[What an excellent droid he has met here. Dooku gives him an encouraging smile.]

You understand, then. The unfairness of our position. The absurdity of our place here. The fact that we must struggle to make things better.

[The Count heaves a sigh.]

I have been working to change things for close to two years now. I have organized, protested, argued and advertised... to little avail. Sometimes I wonder what would truly be necessary to let us be free.

[What, indeed.]

Understand it and hate it. What makes them think it's okay to treat people the way they do?

Have other people been helping you? I wouldn't...I mean I could maybe help? But if it's not really working.

[He can think of things that would maybe work, but they're scary to think off and he doesn't know how comfortable he would be with it. Well he does, which is why he isn't saying it.]

[Excellent. Dooku presses onward, projected the image of one who is confident and unbowed despite the odds arrayed against him:]

I have made many valuable allies. Do you perhaps know Ken Kaneki? He has been very active in recording the history of our community and searching for more knowledge regarding the government and the Porter. And he is a good friend.

Ooh I've seen him on the network. It's always good to have friends in strange places. I'm lucky that a friend from my universe is here.

I'm glad there are people here that agree though.

[Dooku nods sagely.]

You are hardly alone, my friend. I have heard your complaints again and again, from imPorts hailing from all walks of life. We need only to find a way to make those with power listen. Or to gain that power for ourselves.

Hmm well riots never work, not from what I've seen. I mean it gets the issue noticed and talked about, but never in a fair light, which is what you want. Probably by getting someone on the same level into a position of power works. But...how? Apart from Ambassador elections that sometimes come up...

A riot is an ugly thing, it is true. Violence without proper direction rarely achieves anything.

I encourage you and your friends to vote in the Ambassador elections. Yet the power of that position is limited, and the potential of a title is shaped by the system that established it. It is always difficult for Ambassadors and other politicians to challenge the system they are sworn to and paid by.

Power can take many forms, however. Fame, wealth, information... all these can be most useful.

Even with proper direction. Hurting people doesn't get you any where and makes you just as bad as the people you're against. You lose straight away if you get violent, unless it's in self defence. I'm just generally against it.

Governments are tricky, it's hard when they change all the time so the views also change. Not that it will really have much impact on us and how they treat us.

OH duh! I didn't think of having someone high profile like a celebrity! That would be a good platform to use!

Hmm.

[The Count looks thoughtful to conceal his disappointment. This droid is not as promising as he first appeared, then. No matter. The true value of force and power can be imparted in time.]

Celebrity is one of our greatest tools. I encourage you to make it clear to whatever 'fans' you have that you are not happy with your situation, or the situation of other imPorts.

Remember though: everything we have here, from our homes to the nanites in our blood, came about through government policy. Their decisions have enormous impact upon our lives. They cannot be discounted.

[He'd be sorry to know Dooku was disappointed really. He would fight, he would give it his all and if for whatever reason it did come to violence, he would retaliate.]

Wow wait, hang on, time out, they can take that from us? Like if we disagree they could just...I mean I shouldn't be surprised. It's a classic way to get people to bend to their ways right? Totally classic.

Oh don't worry, I'm gonna do everything I can to make sure they know I'm not happy about it.

[Dooku smiles thinly.]

Of course they can. Really, they have the power to do almost anything they please with us. And they can use that power to bend us any time they like.

Yet we have our own power, to discourage them from such crimes. So please, do make your voice heard, my friend. Show them that you are not a tool for them to wield.

[He said, as he tried to make yet another imPort a tool for his own political agenda.]

That's not right. No one should have that much control over someone. Especially when the people they can do it to, didn't have a choice in being brought here.

I'm not anyone's tool. Not ever again.