Galaxy's Edge Space Bar (archive)

[Terenia]

((haha, yup. She's a tough one to get rid of. ))

[Myitt]

Corliss smiles slightly.  "Then you're just as mad, trying to fight for the freedom of people you don't know and aren't even members of your own race.  There must be a reason for it...hmm...I believe it's called empathy?  It's a useful emotion, from what I understand."

[Chad32]

<Andalites fight for the freedom of other species too. Or at least, the ones who aren't fighting out of guilt or dishonor for starting the war anyway. On that note, I wonder how long it would have taken the Yeerks to build a society and portable Kandrona Machines on their own.>

[Terenia]

Efaen nods at Claxter in agreement and relaxes her tail, shooting Corliss a disdainful look, <Why shouldn't I empathize with those who have had the unfortunate experience of being forced to have one of your kind in their minds? I find it altogether disgusting. The only good Yeerk is a dead Yeerk.>

<<You're certainly enjoying the ability to voice your opinion, aren't you?>> Terenia acknowledges.

[Myitt]

"You don't seem to be listening," says Corliss as patiently as he can.  "I don't apologize for being what I am, but I don't agree with the aggressive and immoral stance my government has taken.  I take a host because it's the most beneficial route for both myself and my host to work toward our mutual goals."  He sighs, exasperated.  "I am sorry you think the only good Yeerk is a dead one.  I can't say the same about Andalites anymore.  Maybe someday your opinion will change, but I certainly can't force you to change your mind."

He glances at Claxter.  "It would have taken quite a long time, I think.  We had a society, as it were, but it was really in a tribal state.  There was a government, in the form of the Council of Thirteen.  We had education, mathematics, a spoken language.  I can't say the Andalites have never done anything for my people, but by teaching us what they knew, Seerow also created our greatest drawback.  The desire to expand, to advance as a race, and in doing so to force other races to bend to our will."

[Shenmue654]

"Can't help but speak up a little in the defense of my race," Keshin mutters as he walks up towards Efaen. "Call me crazy, but you can't call all of us bad. That's a little like seeing a few angry dogs and concluding that all dogs are ruthless monsters. It's a logical fallacy. Corliss and his friends here have been working for years to try and save the human race and others from their own Empire. I can attest to their truthfulness personally, though you will hardly count my vote. I personally think that they're all nuts and things are fine as they are. Although, my host is voluntary for our own reasons and I am not a part of the Empire. If you can accept Andalite individuality, can you not accept this part of sentience in any species?"

<We're goin' too far, Kess.>

<This woman pissed me off. She can't just go around dissing people in a rebel-infested Bar.>

[Chad32]

<I must agree with Keshin and Corliss. They are the first Yeerks I have seen that didn't fire on me as soon as they saw me, and I actually did encounter a few controllers on the planet I was on when my first battle happened. As soon as they saw me they reached for the nearest weapon and made their motives clear. even in a crowded street where I wouldn't have even noticed one if he had simply left the area.>

<Given that they are willing to speak civily, I see it as a good opportunity to listen to what they say. Even if you don't believe them.>

[Terenia]

Efaen looks at Claxter in shock, <And how do you know that their supposed civility is not the result of treachery! They are trying to garner sympathy so that you will hesitate in battle!>

She glares at Keshin, <You, Yeerk, are a bounty hunter. How do I know that you are not simply protecting this other Yeerk - Corsass, was it? - because he is one of your clients? Your allegiances are only to who pays you best. Don't think I am not aware of that.>

[Myitt]

"Thank you, Claxter," says Corliss gratefully.  At Efaen's comment, he laughs again.  "I'm hardly one of Keshin's clients.  See this?"  He indicates his bandaged arm, pulling back his jacket sleeve with a wince.  "This bounty hunter tried to kill me and my host earlier, because I am a traitor to the Empire he loves so much.  When they're paying him well, at least.  And you hardly seem to care, but again, my name is Corliss.  My host's name is Michael."

[Chad32]

<Corliss. And he is certainly not a client. Keshin recently tried to kill him to get the bounty from him, but he made a bargain with him.>

<I don't know what the true intent of the rebel Yeerks are, but they do oppose the Empire. Whatever their motives are, if the Yeerks turn on themselves than that's good for us either way. And if the rebels win over the empire, then perhaps that should earn them the chance to make amends and not be annialated.>

[Terenia]

<<Listen to the young warrior, trying to sway you over to the Yeerks side,>> Terenia hisses in Efaen's head, <<and you think that these people will actually give you a chance to fight them? They have practically allied themselves with the Yeerks! The Andalites have become a traitor to their own cause!>>

<Shut up!> Efaen cries in open thought-speak, whipping her tail around in frustration.

[Shenmue654]

Keshin almost laughs at how absurd the whole situation. "Me and Corliss? Oh man, listen to the crowd lady. Like I said, I think the rebels are freaking nuts. I'm only out of the Empire because of this one host I'm in right now. Not to mention that the Empire's Vissers big money for me to kill these guys on a pretty regular basis. I'm defending him because it's the truth, and I don't really like high-and-mighty Andalites much. Do you imagine that your kind are the great saints of the galaxy? Your military discriminates against women and underestimates the intelligence of other species pretty often. You show the Council the world and expect them to kiss your ass? And you think humans are delusional."

[Myitt]

Corliss instinctively leans back, moving his chair back with a screech.  "There's no need to get angry," he says with a scowl.  Then he wonders for a moment...he glances at Terenia, swimming in her little makeshift pool.  She was in a morphed form; could she speak with her own, human voice, in thought-speech?  He wasn't one-hundred percent sure about how morphing technology worked, but he was fairly sure that nothlits could still use thought-speech in their natural tone.  Was Terenia goading Efaen on?

He decides to wager a guess.  "How about we ask Terenia her opinion of the Yeerk rebellion?" he asks smugly.  "Perhaps she would like to add to the conversation.  Not in you, of course.  We can find a way."

[Terenia]

<I am sure that Terenia has nothing of worth to add to the conversation,> Efaen says in open thought-speech.

<<Oh, are they talking about me?>> Terenia asks in mock surprise, <<I am loved!>>

Efaen turns from Corliss, avoiding further discussion of Terenia, and instead responds to Keshin, <I never said the Andalites were perfect, only that we were better than you. We don't attempt to enslave other species. We don't destroy entire worlds. We don't hold others against their will.>

[Myitt]

"Neither do we," Corliss adds, loudly enough.