Though she knows that Sienar has engineered this disaster that Deel Twain has set upon the Committee and that his intentions are darker, Jelena cannot help but agree with what he says. If she did not know the truth of who he was, she would be nodding along with the rest of the Senators and businessmen.
"Oh, he's good," Jelena mutters to Andro.
And what did Sienar say to you earlier, Gallagher, when he asked if you wanted to join him?
---
One of the reasons this is so, Jelena is that... as far as you can tell, and from all you have experienced and believed... he's not told a single lie.
"Whilst I represent a religion with certain beliefs, it is not for me to lecture on the nature of morality, and it is for economists and other such types to debate the merits of business. But none of this changes the facts that the people out there are dying. And no matter what beliefs wer hold, there are certain principles of right and wrong that all of us acknowledge universally. The death of all of thse beings would be an absolute wrong!
"The very purpose of this Senatorial Commission is to ensure that such things do not happen. Some good has been done over time. The problem remains- and not because of lack of effort on your part. The right method has never been found. Time and time again, there have been attempts to refuine the syste, to tune the system, to plug the hpoles in the system, all of which has blinded everyone from the truth that the system does not work. No set of incentives, replacementrs for money, rules on transportation or distriobution... none of this will change the fundamental problem of businesses and supply that I refer to. For the fundemtnal forces that operate on a base level will mean that both those that supply and those that desire will seek to exploit and cheat the system to their own advantage. That may work well in a market of luxuries. All it brings here is disruption,. misery... and soon, mass starvation on an unaimaginable scale.
"Well, though they said it could not be done. I have stopped a famine on one planet. I did it by force of effort, I did it by determination, but most of all I did it by inspiring others into acts of goodwill that made the saving of that world possible. I take no arrogant pride in stating that by doing this small thing, by saving one world amongst so many, I have already done more to stop this famine and to eradicate poverty than this Commission has done in my lifetime. I make no accusations of you here either. I simply believe the correct perspective has not yet been found.
"I am here now to make a simple offer. I could save one planet. With all the resources of the Church behind me, that is what I could do. You... you represent the resources of the Galaxy entire. If applied correctly, thouse resources could save them all. And that can be done very simply. I am just a messenger. I need play no part in such a process other than, I hope, being its genesis. The power is, and will remain forever, all yours."
Does Jelena know of what world Sienar speaks or is that something we have missed in our investigation? How is the audience reacting to his words?
Jelena is skeptical of what Sienar is getting at, as leaving the power with others would be uncharacteristic of him. She continues to listen, waiting to hear what Sienar wishes to propose to the Senators present.
He asked Gallagher if he would join his little group, and then chuckled that Gallagher listened but did not hear and that he was blind to what was going on around him.
Mayhaps he was asking if Gallagher was willing to follow the path that Kathya and Varm and Mirani have all taken, worked for the progress of Sienar's plan and then been pinned as a scapegoat, and Gallagher didn't pick up on that and blindly said yes.
Indeed. Sienar wanted you to have learned the lesson that working for him has a built-in termination date, so it's a silly offer to accept. A test you have failed in his eyes, then.
Which reminds you of what happened at the very end, back on Thespia...
"Kathya should have looked more closely at what I ghave her to sign," says Tavers. "And you are just like her- a useless, cowardly worm."
Jelena- yes, it has been mentioned a few times; all part of the backdrop (originally mentioned last episode in fact). As for the audience- his pitch is going down well. Though he has alluded to, he has not overblpoown his own current popularity and popular support, he is excusing the Senators for any actions taken, he is laying blame on business and now hs is talking of the power of the Senate. At this, they are starting to listen hard.
"Let us not be coy about what has happened today. You are betrayed. You soght to find a deal with these corporate concerns and they have thrown that in your face! They have wrecked all you have worked for! We have seen it come, piece by piece, the evil of these concerns. The invasion of Naboo. Illegal weaponry production. And now they will cast billions of lives to the winds just to protect their profits! They will hide behind their money and their lawyers- and they will seek to draw you into their fold."
Now his voice is slowly beginning to gain urgency and volume.
"They think they cannot be stopped. I cannot stop them. They think they are the true rulers of the Galaxy. But they are not. You are. You are the protectors of the people. You are the ones charged to see to their interests and their well-being. You are the only ones that can stop these corproate concerns. The only ones who can save the Galaxy!
"The time for talk and negotiations is over. You will never convince these people to work with you. Their designs are not, and never will be, aligned with the moral goals that we all seek. But their co-operation is not needed. Now that their true colours have been shown, the support for direct action to deal with poverty in the Galaxy will grow and grow. And here today, I am bringing that message of direct action, with all the support and power that the Synod of Ferradyne can bring to such a position.
"It is time for you to take and use the power that you have the right to wield!"
Hmm, I can see his goal, With the legislative power of the senate, he could make a political move ala Palpy.... Or if he has some desire for direct activity on one of the planets he could have the power to do that. (Getting at the SnK?)
On a more practical level I will move towards the completely still being.
Sienar's voice builds and builds and builds.
"No more vouchers. No more compromises. No more endless, interminable negotiations whilst people starve and die! All you need to do is apply your power directly to each situation at hand.
"I formally propose that the remit of the Poverty Committee be expanded and extended so that it is no longer simply an administrative body that tries to set policy. It will instead be the body that both decides upon and implements the necessary solutions! Directly!
"All the budget that goes into your administrative arrangements, all your meetings and talks and wasteful negotiations... all this money forms a vast account. Combine that with the reimbursment money designed for use with the voucher system- much of which never even gets used due to its abuse, and that which is used is used fraudulently- stolen from the people!- and you have such a sum of money that is capable of effecting change on a truly Galactic scale.
"So why not just take that money- and use it. Wherever it is needed. Where there is hunger, you will buy food directly. Where there is need for infrastructure, you will build it directly. Where there is despair, you will build hope"