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insidexml — LoaRS: Prologue
Published: 2010-12-16 04:35:19 +0000 UTC; Views: 480; Favourites: 5; Downloads: 4
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Description A good question would potentially be why such an important room was always kept so dimly lit. One would think that a healthy amount of lighting would perhaps be useful for the debates and arguments that typically went on, if only to allow those arguing to see who they were arguing with. But the Hall of the Representative Council had always been that way, and nobody was quite willing enough to argue with tradition. A silly thing, tradition; it might be regarded as nonsensical and pointless, and yet people were willing to go along with it, simply because that was the way it had always been. How ironic it would be that a proposal within the Hall this day would lead the country in a completely new direction, one that was not… traditional.

It was loud. Noisy. Rowdy. Numerous representatives were all shouting at once, trying to make their voices heard in the uproar. The Council had just received news of a new Tarsinian offensive on Makai's border outpost, Simperai. The conflict between the Tarsinian Empire and the Makai League had been going on for decades, now, with precious few pauses in the fighting when an armistice was negotiated. Although the Tarsinian Empire was, perhaps, not as technologically advanced as the Makai League was, they were not called an empire for no reason. The Tarsinians wielded vast lands and resources with which they could equip and supply their seemingly infinite armies. Makai was merely a small nation, abounding in natural resources, but limited by its size. In a war of attrition, even if the Makain armies killed 10 Tarsinian troops to every one Makain soldier lost, Makai would lose.

Population seemed to be at an all time low. There simply weren't enough people to man the armies, and what few troops were at the Council's disposal needed to be used wisely. An argument had erupted within the Council on whether Simperai should be reinforced or left to die. Should more troops be committed in order to save those garrisoned at the outpost? It didn't seem as if either side was going to win; an even split in the Council. Half argued that the siege could be broken, and the troops within could be saved. Half argued that the casualties would be too high, and the returns not worth it.

A single Representative, clad in blue robes, stood up, gesturing to a High Council Executive. The Executive did notice the gesture, and held his hand up. The clamor died down.

"The Council will recognize Representative Vorlaufer of the Technological Assembly."

The Representative nodded in thanks, turning to the Representative Council. "My brothers, a time of peril has descended upon us. This is a fact that there can be no argument over. The Tarsinian Empire, after having made their peace with us for several years, has once again mobilized and is on the offensive. Even now, they assault our lands! Even now, our brothers are trapped within Simperai! And yet we can sit here, and debate over whether to free them? We can wonder if we should?"

One of the representatives began to say something, but Vorlaufer would cut him off. "Yes, I understand. I understand your arguments, and I must agree with them. The simple matter of the fact is, yes, we should save them. We must save them! That is not the question. The question is not whether we should, but whether we can. As we currently stand, I regret to say, we cannot. We have too few troops, and the Tarsinians have too many. We cannot spare any more then we have, lest our cities go unguarded and our families be put at risk."

"Therefore, I, with the backing of the Technological Assembly and the blessings of the Tech Priests, put forth this proposal to the Representative Council. We will create our own grand army, not from the people of Makain, but from the cold, hard metals of the earth. Our world, Naihunder, will provide the materials we need to construct and maintain our new army. I am proposing, my fellow Councilmen, the construction of an army, not of flesh and blood, but of circuits and wires. We have already employed the use of robotics in our services and manufacturing industries; now, let us employ them to defend our country as well!"

More clamor erupted. Representatives shouted, struggling to be heard over the cacophony. This new idea had been thrust upon them, and naturally, they had to argue over it. An idea is almost never unanimously agreed upon, and much debating must be done before enough people can be convinced that the idea is a good one. However, with few options available, and the entire Tech Assembly rallied behind Vorlaufer, most of the other Representatives consented to the plan.

The High Executives tallied the votes. The necessary designs and schematics that the Tech Priests created were to be sent to the Council for approval. Emphasis was placed on the urgency of the matter, and the job was to be finished as soon as possible. The Tech Engineers were given access to Makai's factories and manufacturing regions in order to better churn out their soldiers to stem the Tarsinian tide.

That was the beginning of it all. I would come into being approximately one week later.
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