004 [Public]
Everyone seems up in arms, and rightly so. Certainly, the deaths of hundred is a terrible thing, and cannot go unanswered. But before we begin to point fingers at one another, let's take a more critical look at the facts, shall we?
What do we know, here? We are told that the townspeople were murdered. Murdered by a neurotoxin reportedly manufactured here in fair Ivona. The article, in fact, takes great pains to inform us of just how gruesome death via this neurotoxin is. So now we have been shocked, driven to outrage. We have been primed to take in the information that follows, to accept the accusations that lie therein.
Ah, but there are some interesting facts that have been swept under the rug in the process. After all, analysis of the bodies suggested the toxin was something other than N-Action Tetrodioxin. This information has been swept aside, in favor of 'sources.' Who are these sources? The unknown cannot be relied upon. These sources say the mistake may have been 'intentional.' Again, what do we have to support this assertion?
We are being lead astray, discouraged from judging the facts for ourselves. We are given an easy scapegoat, a pirate ship with a history of questionable activity. We are given a conundrum. A Ivonian weapon, a Vohemaro culprit.
And we are not given information that we need to make sense of the whole puzzle. What did the Soyokaze's analysis really show? Was Nurse Harumi's analysis really incorrect? Or could it be that the Bulletin's assertion that the weapon was 'Black NAT' misleading? What if there was a reason the nurse found what she did in those bodies? We are told the 4423 was present shortly before the deaths of the townsfolk occurred. Is this an indication of guilt on their--and Vohemar's--part? Or is it a red herring, meant to draw our eyes and thoughts away from a different truth? How many other ships, from Vohemar and Ivona both, were in Doma during this time period? The town was renowned for its goods, both luxury fabrics and weapons alike. Certainly there are at any one time many ships coming and going from places such as this. Why is it the 4423 is the only one we have been made aware of?
Questions to be pondered.
And finally, we have what is perhaps the most inflammatory part of the whole article. An Ivonian senator, calling for an 'unbiased' investigation. It is of course, preposterous to assume that any such investigation would ever take place. He is quite right in his claims that no single ship should have been able to infiltrate a classified military installation and steal something like the neurotoxin we are meant to believe killed the people of Doma. This does not, however, point wider villainy from Vohemar as a whole. While such a thing is certainly possible, it would reflect very poorly on Ivona's ability to protect its own assets. What sort of country are we if a group of rebellious upstarts can slip past our borders and strike at our very heart? Does it not seem more probable that the treachery came from within our own land? It's worth thinking about, is it not?
And of course, we cannot ignore the fact that this incident not only stirs up even more animosity between Vohemar and Ivona, but also drags the Badlands into the fray. I cannot imagine they will take such an assault lightly.
In light of all of this, want are we to think about the slaying of Doma?
It's my assertion that we have been set up. We have an incident that embroils all three regions of Vohemar. To me, this suggests someone with much larger goals than simply continued animosity between the various lands. I do not have proof, of course, but I have a theory.
What if the initial analysis was not wrong? What if the poison that destroyed Doma was not this 'Black NAT,' but something very similar to it? The town was undoubtedly poisoned on purpose, but to what end? Was it a terrorist attack by a Vohemaro pirate ship, perhaps on the order if Vohemar's government... or was it a test by someone who had just completed a new weapon based upon one that Draklor developed? Surely it would be easier to get ones hands on the specifications for a neurotoxin than it would be to steal the actual poison. And what better place to do it than a small Badlands town? Fighting over the incident would undoubtedly occur, the town becoming forgotten... allowing the results to be monitored. Increased tension between all parties becomes a useful side-effect.
We are not as secure as we like to believe ourselves. There are always players in the shadows, moving, unseen by our eyes, well adept at covering their actions and manipulating outcomes. All that fools like Senator Gestahl are serving to do by tossing around incendiary accusations is highlight their own ignorance. Do not be fooled. Do not let others think for you. Keep your eyes and your mind open. Ask questions. That is the duty of every citizen who does not wish to become a mindless drone.
What do we know, here? We are told that the townspeople were murdered. Murdered by a neurotoxin reportedly manufactured here in fair Ivona. The article, in fact, takes great pains to inform us of just how gruesome death via this neurotoxin is. So now we have been shocked, driven to outrage. We have been primed to take in the information that follows, to accept the accusations that lie therein.
Ah, but there are some interesting facts that have been swept under the rug in the process. After all, analysis of the bodies suggested the toxin was something other than N-Action Tetrodioxin. This information has been swept aside, in favor of 'sources.' Who are these sources? The unknown cannot be relied upon. These sources say the mistake may have been 'intentional.' Again, what do we have to support this assertion?
We are being lead astray, discouraged from judging the facts for ourselves. We are given an easy scapegoat, a pirate ship with a history of questionable activity. We are given a conundrum. A Ivonian weapon, a Vohemaro culprit.
And we are not given information that we need to make sense of the whole puzzle. What did the Soyokaze's analysis really show? Was Nurse Harumi's analysis really incorrect? Or could it be that the Bulletin's assertion that the weapon was 'Black NAT' misleading? What if there was a reason the nurse found what she did in those bodies? We are told the 4423 was present shortly before the deaths of the townsfolk occurred. Is this an indication of guilt on their--and Vohemar's--part? Or is it a red herring, meant to draw our eyes and thoughts away from a different truth? How many other ships, from Vohemar and Ivona both, were in Doma during this time period? The town was renowned for its goods, both luxury fabrics and weapons alike. Certainly there are at any one time many ships coming and going from places such as this. Why is it the 4423 is the only one we have been made aware of?
Questions to be pondered.
And finally, we have what is perhaps the most inflammatory part of the whole article. An Ivonian senator, calling for an 'unbiased' investigation. It is of course, preposterous to assume that any such investigation would ever take place. He is quite right in his claims that no single ship should have been able to infiltrate a classified military installation and steal something like the neurotoxin we are meant to believe killed the people of Doma. This does not, however, point wider villainy from Vohemar as a whole. While such a thing is certainly possible, it would reflect very poorly on Ivona's ability to protect its own assets. What sort of country are we if a group of rebellious upstarts can slip past our borders and strike at our very heart? Does it not seem more probable that the treachery came from within our own land? It's worth thinking about, is it not?
And of course, we cannot ignore the fact that this incident not only stirs up even more animosity between Vohemar and Ivona, but also drags the Badlands into the fray. I cannot imagine they will take such an assault lightly.
In light of all of this, want are we to think about the slaying of Doma?
It's my assertion that we have been set up. We have an incident that embroils all three regions of Vohemar. To me, this suggests someone with much larger goals than simply continued animosity between the various lands. I do not have proof, of course, but I have a theory.
What if the initial analysis was not wrong? What if the poison that destroyed Doma was not this 'Black NAT,' but something very similar to it? The town was undoubtedly poisoned on purpose, but to what end? Was it a terrorist attack by a Vohemaro pirate ship, perhaps on the order if Vohemar's government... or was it a test by someone who had just completed a new weapon based upon one that Draklor developed? Surely it would be easier to get ones hands on the specifications for a neurotoxin than it would be to steal the actual poison. And what better place to do it than a small Badlands town? Fighting over the incident would undoubtedly occur, the town becoming forgotten... allowing the results to be monitored. Increased tension between all parties becomes a useful side-effect.
We are not as secure as we like to believe ourselves. There are always players in the shadows, moving, unseen by our eyes, well adept at covering their actions and manipulating outcomes. All that fools like Senator Gestahl are serving to do by tossing around incendiary accusations is highlight their own ignorance. Do not be fooled. Do not let others think for you. Keep your eyes and your mind open. Ask questions. That is the duty of every citizen who does not wish to become a mindless drone.