maskormenacelogs | STRANGE, WHERE WERE YOU WHEN WE STARTED THIS GIG?

WHO: All diplomatic imPorts that have signed up HERE.
WHERE: The capitals of Mexico, South Korea, and France. UN-attending imPorts will be placed in Davos, Switzerland.
WHEN: January 26th.
WHAT: Democracy in motion as imPorts attempt to use their skills of persuasion to convince each government or organization to lend the imPorts - and America - their help. Players may also use this log to play out the long flight over, planning, and other associated activities.
WARNINGS: None anticipated; let us know if we should change this!

Depending on their assignment, all imPort diplomats will find themselves either in Seoul, South Korea; Mexico City, Mexico; Paris, France; or for UN attending imPorts, Davos in the Swiss Alps. They will be housed in the American Embassies and regardless of their Registration status, will be treated as American citizens. UN-attending imPorts will be housed in a hotel close by. Their accommodations will be that of an extremely luxurious hotel, and they will be provided with anything that they should require, be it books on the art of rhetoric, access to state of the art computers and laptops, food or drink. They will also be provided with boardrooms in which the teams may convene to assemble a strategy. Don't be distracted by the free drinks; this is a task that will require clear minds!

After one night of preparation, on January 26th, each team of imPorts will meet with either the government of their assigned nation or the UN. They will be placed at a podium in front of a room full of politicians and diplomats, and will be expected to state their argument. They will be allowed to have an opening speech before each assembly asks each group three questions.

When either the opening speech has been concluded OR the question has been answered to each player's satisfaction, please put QUESTION NEEDED in the subject title of your comment, and we will deliver the next question.

Just remember: an invasion is coming! Even if acquiring the alliance of these governments and organizations do not help with the imPorts' immediate predicament, it will impact the future of the game at large!

Get ready, our silver-tongued imPorts, and good luck!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ After making eye contact with Edgeworth for a moment, Charles gave a small nod and then turned back to the bespectacled young man. ]

I am going to yield the floor to my colleague, as he has been in this world longer than I have and can speak to your questions in greater detail.

But I will say this. Nuclear war and the threat of it, is very personal to me. My home world came within a breath of nuclear conflict, and were it not for the actions of the team of mutants, people with powers in my world; I fear we would have witnessed nuclear devastation. The injuries I sustained, during that confrontation, are the reason I am now wheelchair bound. [ Not the entire story but no need to bog the proceedings down with too many details. ]

I can promise you that keeping this world from a nuclear war is as important to me now as it was to me back in my world, and that I am willing to do all I can here, as I did there, to keep such a thing from happening.

[ With that, he released the brake on his chair and quietly rolled it back into position on the dais, leaving Edgeworth to step up and take the podium. ]

[Edgeworth goes stiff for a moment while Xavier speaks. It's easy to assume that it's a response to the chilly response his speech recieved, and in part, it is. However, the greater issue is that they may have to use the trump card they discussed earlier. Urgh, Dooku will never let him live this down...

He relaxes into respectful neutrality by the time Xavier finishes, and he nods politely to him before he takes the mic. Edgeworth clears his throat and straightens up, facing the man with the glasses]

You spoke of powers. For the sake of our community's safety, I am afraid that I cannot attach names to our abilities at this point in time. However, I can give you examples of what we are capable of. Some of us can control machines with their minds. Others can teleport to and from great distances, or manipulate objects from afar. And others yet are blessed with the ability to heal. Either to heal themselves, to survive injuries and illnesses that could kill an ordinary man, or to heal others, imPort and native citizens alike.

[He makes a point to speak calmly and professionally, with less of the passion he had earlier in his speech. This is an argument based more on logic than emotion]

However, we do not only have powers at our disposal. We also have knowledge, and experience as well. The more technologically adept among us can work with your government, to ensure early detection of enemy troops and weaponry, not just to stop Soviet attacks but also to prevent them. Meanwhile, those with more martial experience can work with your military to build strong strategies and defenses for your nation.

[Edgeworth breathes in, and his expression darkens, turning more serious and determined. His voice is still calm, but he speaks firmly, keeping his voice level]

We will not abandon those who come to our aid, and we will not ask you to defend us without defending you, as well. If you allow us our presence here, if you allow us to use our talents to your benefit, we can send members of our community to create a plan, a collaboration , with your government to secure your safety. Together, we can work to protect France's future, and the world's, against Soviet aggression.

[Typically speaking, each council has a very clear idea of what it is they wish to ask the imPorts, even if they are not entirely certain what they wish to hear in return. Even the most solid of councils cannot stay entirely on-script, however, depending on exactly what it is the imPorts tell them in return.

To that end, they have two questions to ask at this final juncture: one for the other two imPort diplomats to answer, but the one that is, perhaps, more weighted is directed towards Xavier.]

There are two things that we wish to know at this juncture. First, [one woman says, looking directly at Edgeworth,] what is your proposition for creating a collaboration with our government to work towards our, and the world's, protection? Is this a plan that you have formulated prior to your presence here?

And second...

[Now, she looks at Xavier, expression plainly curious. Their reception may have been chilly, but the people here are still just that: people. They fear nuclear war as much as anyone else does.]

How, pray tell, did you and your group of powered individuals stop a nuclear war?

[He can hear Dooku saying I told you so already, but that doesn't matter right now. The men take a brief moment to consult with each other before they speak again. If Edgeworth feels any inner conflict or damage to his pride, he does not let it show, and and when he speaks his voice is as confident as ever]

It's something that's been discussed with other imPorts, yes. A few people in our community have suggested a similar plan - a task force of sorts, to defend our allies against Soviet aggression. Should Russia be so foolish as to retaliate with violence, we will send teams of imPorts to defend our allies with our skills and our talents. We will not let those who defend us be left defenseless ourselves.

[And now he'll step aside to let Xavier speak.]

[ Charles gave Edgeworth a nod as he passed, before rolling his chair forward to address the question that had been directed to him.

Setting the brake on the chair, he folded his hands in his lap and while he made eye contact with the entire audience, his attention came back to the woman who had asked the questions. ]

Our circumstances then were much as they are here and now. The world was on edge, caught in a war of words and posturing but with the very real threat of mutually assured destruction. Because you see, just having power isn’t enough. You have to understand how to use it wisely, responsibly and that is a challenging lesson, for countries and for individuals.

[ That last bit was a nod to the fact that some powered individuals were intent upon causing mayhem. There was no point in denying that after all. ]

But this is why it is important for those of us who understand there is a better way to do these things, to stand up and not just say the words but live that better path.

When my world was driven to the brink of nuclear holocaust, that is what I and others sought to do. We stepped in to diffuse the tense situation, and to try and present a better solution. While we were successful with the former, unfortunately the latter did not go to plan.

[ Which was one way of putting it and the direction Charles was going to take. Because he wanted to keep to keep the conversation pertinent to this world and their circumstances, rather than his own back home. ]

However, as there is still a world, untouched by nuclear destruction, to try to show a peaceful path, I will count that as a win. What was important is that we learned that the answer did not lie with either powered individuals or humanity but rather with the actions and desires of both.

Having learned that lesson, and living through that period of time, I can promise you that I feel the same desire to secure the peace of this world, and, as you have just heard from my colleague, I am not alone in this sentiment.

[ Statement completed, he gave her a warm, sincere smile before releasing the brake on his chair and rolling back to position with Fraser and Edgeworth. ]

STRANGE, WHERE WERE YOU WHEN WE STARTED THIS GIG?

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[QUESTION NEEDED]

FINAL QUESTION

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