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Issue Number 11
"The sea is dangerous and its storms terrible, but these obstacles have never been sufficient reason to remains ashore...Unlike the mediocre, intrepid spirits seek victory over those things that seem impossible...It is with an iron will that they embark on the most daring of all endeavors...to meet the shadowy future without fear and conquer the unknown." Ferdinand Magellan, Terran Explorer, before the Long Night.
Awash in a Sea of Change
The tides of change upon Regina have reached the flood stage and we must decide whether we will swim against those tides or use their power to travel great distances towards our goals. My instincts have always commanded me to challenge the tides to prove my strength. But against the power of the ocean a fool can only swim to his death at the bottom.
I have had to remind myself that I am a servant of the people and should act in their best interests. I have fought with passion for the people. I have been reckless in protecting your interests. I will continue to do so. But as my blood rose for the fight, I thought of the goals of my people.
What do we on Regina want? To begin with, we need: trade without the predations of pirates, exhorbitant tariffs, or being shouldered by naval vessels; fair planetary rule by someone who cares about Regina; a chance to rebuild the damage done during the last war, to ourselves as well as our homes and businesses; the respect that we earned with our blood during that war; jobs that pay a fair wage; a peaceful place to work and raise our families. And I asked myself, can Regina do this alone?
We did not ask for the war, the neutral zone, our independence. And I do not believe that this planet was the better for it. We had less law, less order, without even the ability to pay for a full planetary navy. It was as Admiral Grey referred to it "a wound that would not heal." It was also a wound that we did not have the power to heal by ourselves.
I did what I promised I would do. I spoke for all of you and your interests. Even when what was said was bold and impolite, I spoke for you. I asked for recognition of your sacrifices and for funds to pay for the damages you have suffered. I demanded respect for Regina. And I asked for a voice in the future of the Marches. What I was not prepared for, was that this was granted.
We have been granted the "Acting Imperial Governership" of Regina. I say we, because I cannot rule you without your consent. I will not rule without it. You are my people. I have made personal sacrifices seeking your good. And having travelled down that path I would not willingly return to my former life, except at your request. I believe that I can act as your Governor under the new administration and continue to represent the best interests of the people of Regina. In fact I believe that I am the best person for that job. And that is why I took the oath of fealty to the Imperium. You saw me from this balcony burn my citizenship card. That was true. It is also true that I could not continue to serve you as only a citizen of Regina once the treaty was signed.
I could have chosen to fight the Imperial and Zhodani will, but to what end? Many lives would have been lost to what cause? In the end, we would not have been closer to peace and respect, and certainly not be less damaged. I want to heal Regina of those war wounds that will never be healed within us. To do this I will continue to need your assistance. To build a new Regina will not be easy, but I believe that it is a future worth working for, for all of us. I will continue to need your help and advice. I want people to continue to share with me their vision of what Regina should be.
Will you take to the rough seas and swim with me?