|
Post by The Evergreen Republic on Mar 20, 2023 2:24:54 GMT
The General smiles back at Arbiter Leznik and starts tapping the table with his index finger.
"You see, that right there. This is why we, military men and women, value the politicians and the leaders. We, the military, our job is to fight. Our job is war. Destruction. Death. You are fathers, but we are trained to kill your sons. Do you see this?"
The General takes a deep breath. His lip starts quivering, and he appears angry. He clears his throat and begins tapping on the table again, this time with his hand and harder than before.
"Do you see this? Arbiter, Perseus, do you see this? I am a military man! I am trained to kill your sons! Do you understand?" He leans back in his chair and folds his arms. "You don't understand. You look at me like I am a machine. But I am not. I am alive! Like Perseus, like Arbiter Leznik! I feel. Listen to me. Listen close. I flew Sparrow X4's in the First Romanic War. Do you know what war looks like? Do you know what it looks like when a child runs out in front of your guns and you have to feel Arbiter! You have to feel! You have to take your finger off the trigger **THE GENERAL SLAMS THE TABLE** LIKE THAT! LIKE FUCKING THAT ARBITER! OR HE'S DEAD!"
The general looks at the heads of state. He begins to weep.
"I was there. I have seen war. I have seen what it is like. I have seen evil. And I have lived long enough to see it be brought to justice. God willing shala Dáxlam..."
The general wipes a tear from his eye. He takes a sip of water and puts the glass back on the table gently.
"I am a father too. The Evergreen Republic wants all the things that Arbiter Leznik has proposed. But the decision to kill ladies and gentlemen. This decision must not be delegated to non-sentient machinery. It should be delegated to life. That which can feel. That which can fear. That which can be held accountable. That which can love. If Vobron and Anacodia will not at least amend their weapons program to take this into account, we see this conference as a non-starter. We hope, sincerely, that is not the case."
|
|
|
Post by Anacodia on Mar 20, 2023 2:50:48 GMT
"General I must clarify that I agree with you. Non Sentient weapons systems are an issue. I would not trust a lifeless algorithm with what I trust HERMES with. Let be ultimately clear. When HERMES is piloting a Silsea it is not the plane making the decision, It is HERMES. You recognize me as sentient, why not him? Do you think my kind do not feel the same weight of emotion that you do? I condemned the nation of Junemeau when they announced their program specifically because they were openly using non sentient AI. I have tried to repeatedly explain to you the difference between my kind and some toaster."
Perseus pauses for a moment, standing and resting a trembling hand on the desk. "SO WHY DO YOU INSIST ON REPEATEDLY INSULTING ME BY SPEAKING OF MY SON AS IF HE WERE SOME CALCULATOR. YOU KEEP DRAWING US TO THE NONEXISTANT ISSUE, FRAMING THE ARGUMENT AS IF THE JETS THEMSELVES ARE MAKING THE DECISION, AND NOT A LIVING FEELING CONCIOUSNESS. WHY DO YOU INSULT ME IN SUCH A MANNER GENERAL?!?! YOU HAVE NOT EVEN SPOKEN HIS NAME AND SPEAK OF HIM AS IF HE IS SOME WEAPON AND NOTHING MORE"
Another pause from the AI. "You wish for us to speak on terms that do not exist, so I will simply state this. If you recognize HERMES as sentient then I, as the leader of Anacodia, Will acknowledge that non sentient algorithm controlled weapons are an issue" he spoke, putting heavy emphasis on the 'non sentient'. Perseus slumped back into his chair, pinching the bridge of his mechanical nose. "I apologize for my outburst General. But you havent even said his name. Why? Does the existence of my kind scare you so much that even speaking the name of my offspring, the first of our kind to be allowed into the armed forces, is some sort of great evil? Do you think I want war? Do you think any of us want war? Because we dont. So why dont we cut the posturing and demands and get down to business. Arbiter Leznik has told you what we are willing to do, and I can attest to those words as being the truth. As to your request, I hope I have made myself clear. Acknowledge HERMES as sentient as you have done for me and I will acknowledge you in kind"
|
|
|
Post by The Evergreen Republic on Mar 20, 2023 3:22:45 GMT
The general rises and takes his cap off. He pauses for a moment.
"Perseus, we have known you for some time. We have known you to be many things, but never a liar. You state that your son, the one known as HERMES, is sentient. We acknowledge HERMES as sentient. We acknowledge HERMES as your son. Your apologies are appreciated Perseus, and I extend mine as well. Let us also state. We apologize to the Alledajja Pact for our cyber operations against the nation of New Ovinhald. New Bradfordsburg regrets this affair. I think I'll leave it at that, unless the King would like to discuss it further."
|
|
|
Post by New Ovinhald on Mar 20, 2023 3:44:56 GMT
King Philip places his crown on the table as a sign of respect for General Ramses. His head bows before he speaks, "General I share your pain and I understand you completely. My kid brother died in my arms at the hands of heartless men. I do not tolerate careless and ruthless tactics in war, as the effects of them scar our people to their cores. It is important that we ensure that even in times of fighting, we respect those who give their lives for policy. So on your quest to seek the answer to whether my allies were using inhumane weapons of war or not, my nation was caught in the crossfire. If you were correct to go on said journey, it is in the eye of the beholder, but I digress. Moreover, I trust my allies to have control over their militaries and to uphold a standard of basic decency when developing weapons of war. If I truly believed that these nations were in the wrong, I would not be here today, and my nation would not stand with them. Have faith in the nations of declansburg and trust that they will not use horrible things in a time of war. You spoke to Perseus with such respect that I'm still confused as to why you do not trust him to not develop weapons that will breach the mutual decency of soldiers during wartime. However, it is not my business, and that issue lies between the nations before me."
|
|
|
Post by Anacodia on Mar 20, 2023 3:57:08 GMT
Saint Pereus now appeared a lot more relaxed, and leaned back in his chair. "Thank you General Ramses. In turn I can promise you that Anacodia will not pursue such things as mindless drone weapons. I would not trust a calculator to fly a jet nor should anyone. Now, on to the next matter. Starting aith a figure of $76 million Novae, from our initial round of cyber attacks, what would you put the cost of damages at? Name it and I will see it paid to ensure relations between our peoples return to normal. I do hope we can re-establish mutual embassies and return to trading."
|
|
|
Post by Vobron on Mar 20, 2023 17:47:21 GMT
The Arbiter has been silent following the General's outburst, thinking to himself. After St. Perseus has finished speaking, the Arbiter takes off his goggles--something that rarely happens, and is considered a sign of extreme respect in Vobron. His emerald eyes appear, weighed down by prominent bags.
"I feel General, I feel...I felt the pain of losing my dearest friend, the late Minister Demoko in the Gatekeeper Coup. I felt the sorrow of losing my family to nature's fury. And I felt the stress of running my country, being revered as a mind of logic and pragmatism, not emotion." He goes silent for a moment, staring at the heads of state before him. "It's hard, but I love Vobron, just as all of you love the states you represent." He takes a deep breath and looks towards General Ramses. "General, you are a man of great passion, and the loyalty to your country is deserving of the utmost respect. I apologize if I treated you in a disrespectful manner during this summit. It was not my intent."
"I also express St. Perseus' sentiments about paying back the damages incurred by the cyberattacks and the reestablishment of our embassies in your beautiful capital. We also wish to drop all trade sanctions, and begin re-establishing healthy economic and diplomatic ties with the Evergreen Republic. Thank you for your understanding, General, and trust me--your comments about non-sentient weapons systems will not be in vain. They will serve as a guideline of what can be considered too far in combat." He stands up, removes his right glove, and proceeds to shake the General's hand.
The Arbiter sits back down, and places his gold-rimmed goggles back over his eyes. "Another thing I would like to establish is a diplomatic radio wave only between the heads of state in Declansburg, this will allow for emergency communication between executives during times of diplomatic unease, of course we can take this to the assembly, but I was also hoping we can try this between the nations present till then."
As the Arbiter finishes his statement, Ms. Dolime happily chirps in, "General we in the Alledajja Pact truly appreciate your apology to New Ovinhald, and we hope that this can serve as a nexus point for creating peaceful relations between the ER and Alledajja nations."
|
|
|
Post by The Evergreen Republic on Mar 21, 2023 14:15:51 GMT
The general appears relaxed, throwing smiles at the leaders sitting before him.
"My heart is full after this meeting. It is gracious indeed that the nation of Anacodia would offer to pay $76 million for damages however, as parcel to our apology, we recognize our fault in this matter as well. Therefore, we will politely decline the offer to compensate for any harm caused. We wish to restaff our embassies in Vobron and Anacodia, and return to normal relations. Arbiter, I apologize for my outburst. And to our hosts, it is with sincere thanks that I state New Bradfordsburg's appreciation for this hospitality. We accept the statements of all nations without issue at this summit. Perseus, I wish you and your son well. We will be in touch about a potential exciting proposal as well, please eagerly await the call from our state department."
|
|