xavier_institute | [video - backdated to the 20th]

[Alric comes on the screen looking quite serious. He's in a pretty sharp dress shirt, as usual, but his expression is uncommonly stern--mostly pensive, but perhaps a bit cross, as well, and almost certainly more so than most of the school has seen him before. Except perhaps his opponents during sword matches, he does get a bit intense when he's fencing.]

I will assume we all have heard the news broadcast from Director Fury of SHIELD. I must admit it is not the source from which I would have expected or hoped to receive news of such an ultimatum. However, as there is seemingly a choice before us, I would ask to confer with all other student government officers. Given the limit on time, network responses will suffice. I suggest all students express their concerns to their respresentatives, first, but I don't intend to turn away anyone who feels they have something best said to me directly.

[He pauses a moment, glancing down, out of frame, then back to the camera again, his expression at least somewhat softened.]

The decisions we make will obviously have repercussions and broader ramifications for many of us, and depending on the events of the next several days, perhaps nationwide or globally. This being said, I ask only that we all proceed with forethought, integrity, and good will--for our fellow students, and the way in which coming events will reflect upon human beings of all categories, whatever abilities they may have or lack.

I will propose at the outset that, should negotiations with SHIELD fail to materialize or otherwise break down, those students who cannot fight or wish not to be provided shelter, and protected by a team or teams prepared to focus solely on ensuring those students' safety. Should we decide we must make a dangerous stand, those who came here for safety and learning should not pay the price of our choice.

I have high hopes that the faculty will be receptive to our concerns in this matter, and I will make every effort to reconcile our diverse perspectives in as satisfying a manner as possible.

Thank you for your time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Not that I don't think we should have a voice, and this is pretty much our job to determine that voice, but...

I dunno. I have this feeling the decision's already been made.

Whatever influence we have in this matter, I believe it's important that we make clear our position, even if it is only for the record.

I guess I agree. Let me know when we're supposed to meet, yeah?

Given the urgency of the situation, I'd hoped to hear your thoughts at once.

...

I don't like Claudine Renko's philosophy. But when I met with her, I... I never saw a terrorist. I saw someone desperate to end the suffering of people she cared about. But... As far as having ordered terrorist acts? She spoke as if a civil war was already happening... no doubt she considered that all part of the deal.

But on the other hand, if Professor Xavier turns her in, what does that mean for the philosophy of this school as a sanctuary? Is keeping here putting us all in danger, or is Renko not entitled to the same protection everyone else gets?

Mm. I quite agree with your perception, at least in broad strokes. Perhaps we will be able, at least, to negotiate with SHIELD. I don't believe Director Fury has any wish for a confrontation, and may be willing--and, hopefully, able--to at least offer certain assurances about Miss Renko's treatment.

While it is perhaps not ideal, and while we may hesitate to call her 'terrorist,' she has undeniably chosen a... dangerous position. Dangerous not only for herself, but for all those who feel the consequences of her actions, and of the sequence of responses that have yet to follow.

I don't think Fury is the sort to give two spits what we want... not when it comes to national security.

Ah... no, not so much on account of catering to our wishes, but rather, seeing the merit in our position on the matter. Particularly in light of the potential effects on national security if those who feel the existing tension and conflict should erupt into a revolutionary war are given a proper martyr.

The execution of revolutionary leaders, historically, does not reliably stave off change. It may delay change--although it can just as well be a catalyst to accelerate it--but as a rule, in the long view, it only makes that eventual change bloodier and more abrupt, less concerned with its human cost.

In that case... I don't think the people who ordered Fury to come get her give two spits what we want either. On either extreme, they... don't seem to care much about the concept of martyrdom.

If not, perhaps they should. Powerful and evocative as it is, even from a crassly pragmatic perspective, it's a dangerous thing to blithely ignore.

It's easily for us to say that, but when all you want to do is break a movement, you're not really looking at what the differences in those things are. They want to get ride of Renko because they think it will get ride of the MLF.

Edited 2015-05-31 01:26 (UTC)

No, you're certainly right--those fixated on attacking the organization itself are quite likely to do that. I would argue that it's foolish and doesn't generally accomplish more than delaying matters at best, but there will certainly be those who naively attempt to treat the symptoms in that manner.

So... No matter which way things go, we lose. We keep her, it starts a fight we can't win. We give her up, we're sacrificing one of the core principles of the Institute...

I do hope we'll be able at least to moderate the damage, however. For example, that Director Fury will have influence we do not. Certainly, at home, I'd be more inclined to heed to advice of a respected officer more readily than the advice of someone of whom I know nothing--particularly if I suspect this person I don't know might have a conflict of interests.

That is true... He gets the Avengers out of trouble all the time.

Mm, indeed. So, I remain... let's say "cautiously hopeful," in that respect.

I hope they all make the right decision. I think it's getting more and more clear we can't keep Ms. Renko here.

And... wasn't the reason she stayed here to protect her? Maybe SHIELD can do that.

Edited 2015-05-25 23:03 (UTC)

...perhaps. I'm afraid I don't know SHIELD's position on this matter well enough to be confident in that, however, and their hands may well be tied. They are, after all, answerable to higher authorities, of whose motivations and intentions we know still less. And having chosen as... dangerous a position as it seems she has, even if they mean well, they may feel their hands have been forced, as well.

I have some hope that we will be able to negotiate, at least, some assurances on her behalf--that Director Fury's intentions are as amicable as he seemingly wished to suggest.

Either way, I don't before we'll have any other choice but to surrender her. Now if only some people weren't so intent on becoming martyrs...

Mm. I'm inclined to agree, I'm afraid.

[He pauses, briefly, then continues with a sympathetic and perhaps slightly weary tone.]

And, yes, while I can certainly respect the martyr's dedication, it's somewhat less admirable when misguided or uncalled-for. To bring attention to the abuses suffered by those called 'mutants' is certainly worthy and honorable, but to insist on the rhetoric of war, I must say, strikes me as being... somewhat reckless, given the circumstances.

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