Post by Sonya Chernova on May 19, 2020 15:51:43 GMT -4
May 19, 2074
Japanese National Diet
Tokyo, Japan
The older man's wizened face creased a little as he surveyed the room. In semicircular rows, the entirety of the Japanese Legislative branch of government stood with their eyes fixed on him. It was politeness, respect, that urged them to pay attention. After all, their primary interest was on the woman seated behind him. It was rare to see a foreigner in the diet building but this one in particular had been there once before. She had expatriated and become a formal citizen of Japan, a rare and extraordinary feat in its own right given the tensions of the current age. His lips formed into a thin line as he resumed speaking.
"I believe it is unnecessary to submit a garish overture for the person about to speak. With respect, friends, Miss Sonya Chernova," he said shortly, his words coming out clipped as he eased himself to the right and stepped over to his seat. The woman approached the pulpit after a graceful rise and strode toward the platform, her eyes were an odd off-pink color though there was nothing of that rumored 'glow' he had heard about. She dressed in clean, dark attire and maintained a reserved posture despite the absolute pride she radiated. She placed delicate hands on the dais and scanned the room, her lips also set into a thin line. Her wrists had been encapsulated by a pair of restraints that subdued the ability to use quirks, she examined one before setting her palm back down and giving a short bow.
"Minister Tokoyama, thank you, and to you who give your time to see to the protection of the people of Japan, you have my gratitude for inviting me here once again," The woman said, bowing her head, white hair tied up in a severe bun on the back of her head. She rose one last time and cast a dazzling smile; "I'm glad to see we have moved forward since my last visit; it's nice to stand up here on my own," She gestured to the devices on her wrists. The last time she had been here she had basically a military escort. She placed one hand atop the other. "I would also like to thank my friends who have come with me today;" She gestured to the two people sitting behind her. "Taichi Kobayashi and Narcissa King, who you might know has gone through quite a tremulous experience...and is the reason why I am here today."
Sonya took a deep breath, seeming to suppress what appeared to be rage; "I accepted a contract, issued by this Diet, to begin improvements on the Fuchu Supermax Prison. While it was understood that the improvements were necessary to ensure the security of the facility; it was also a guarantee from this body that those working and visiting the facility would be protected. Instead, a wanted felon and known villain slipped into the facility, took an international ambassador visiting under my assurances that she would be protected, hostage, and systematically dismantled the outdated security systems leading to an unprecedented and catastrophic lapse." She paused, taking a breath; "A lapse that saw a still unconfirmed number of lives lost and damages in the trillions of Yen," She paused one more time to watch those present to shift uncomfortably in their seats. "Those are facts. They are not a point of argument. The improvement had only just begun, but I too blame myself for allowing my dear friend to be put in such danger. It is a miracle she is safe," Sonya sighed and clasped her hands together.
"I am not here to level blame, though, I am here to urge you as guardians of Japan to take action. With the rise of the criminal Ishtar and her emboldening of the villainous element in our society, it is without a doubt necessary to rise to the challenge. Japanese society must be able to defend itself. It must be able to maintain the peace, order, and honor that you and those who came before you have fought desperately to maintain. But that means stepping in a new direction. The tragedy at Fuchu has made one thing clear; Quirkers are not something we can ignore any more, they are a part of our society, for good or ill. The Hero Program showed just how crucial they will be in the future. But Fuchu demonstrated that not enough has been done to support these Japanese Heroes, these guardians of our society," An angry murmur began to rise among several present; whispers among the anti-quirker factions and other such groups. Sonya slammed her palms down; "I for one will not sit idly by as our sons and daughters in the police force are put up against challenges that they are not equipped for. I will not tolerate the loss of life among heroes who have sworn to throw themselves at the enemies of our people, and I will not permit the young people who are training and studying hard every day to protect us in the future to feel as if our government does not care!"
The whispers fell silent; "The people of Japan are looking to you to make the decision to expand the Hero Program and to afford new rights, opportunities, and flexibility to the heroes. They must be allowed to form official alliances and act off duty if necessary. They must be allowed higher quality equipment. The funding must exist for more heroes on the streets, Enough is enough! We are setting an example for the rest of the world as to how to handle this; this is our opportunity to be the center of the world!" She pointed back at Narcissa; "They are already watching us!" She let out a breath and bowed; "Please make the correct decision, honorable guardians of Japan," She offered humbly, before rounding on her heel.
There was mixed applause, some remained silent, angry at being called out while others simply detested her for being a quicker. One fact was certain though; the woman had made her point and Japanese society was on the edge of a blade. The old man frowned as she passed him, he looked up and caught it just for a moment... in her eyes... something dark that chilled him to the bone. He looked out toward those gathered as the applause grew, social pressure and likely some pressure from electors. He looked back at her and met her probing eyes, he swallowed, something cold landing in his stomach. What on earth was coming?
Japanese National Diet
Tokyo, Japan
The older man's wizened face creased a little as he surveyed the room. In semicircular rows, the entirety of the Japanese Legislative branch of government stood with their eyes fixed on him. It was politeness, respect, that urged them to pay attention. After all, their primary interest was on the woman seated behind him. It was rare to see a foreigner in the diet building but this one in particular had been there once before. She had expatriated and become a formal citizen of Japan, a rare and extraordinary feat in its own right given the tensions of the current age. His lips formed into a thin line as he resumed speaking.
"I believe it is unnecessary to submit a garish overture for the person about to speak. With respect, friends, Miss Sonya Chernova," he said shortly, his words coming out clipped as he eased himself to the right and stepped over to his seat. The woman approached the pulpit after a graceful rise and strode toward the platform, her eyes were an odd off-pink color though there was nothing of that rumored 'glow' he had heard about. She dressed in clean, dark attire and maintained a reserved posture despite the absolute pride she radiated. She placed delicate hands on the dais and scanned the room, her lips also set into a thin line. Her wrists had been encapsulated by a pair of restraints that subdued the ability to use quirks, she examined one before setting her palm back down and giving a short bow.
"Minister Tokoyama, thank you, and to you who give your time to see to the protection of the people of Japan, you have my gratitude for inviting me here once again," The woman said, bowing her head, white hair tied up in a severe bun on the back of her head. She rose one last time and cast a dazzling smile; "I'm glad to see we have moved forward since my last visit; it's nice to stand up here on my own," She gestured to the devices on her wrists. The last time she had been here she had basically a military escort. She placed one hand atop the other. "I would also like to thank my friends who have come with me today;" She gestured to the two people sitting behind her. "Taichi Kobayashi and Narcissa King, who you might know has gone through quite a tremulous experience...and is the reason why I am here today."
Sonya took a deep breath, seeming to suppress what appeared to be rage; "I accepted a contract, issued by this Diet, to begin improvements on the Fuchu Supermax Prison. While it was understood that the improvements were necessary to ensure the security of the facility; it was also a guarantee from this body that those working and visiting the facility would be protected. Instead, a wanted felon and known villain slipped into the facility, took an international ambassador visiting under my assurances that she would be protected, hostage, and systematically dismantled the outdated security systems leading to an unprecedented and catastrophic lapse." She paused, taking a breath; "A lapse that saw a still unconfirmed number of lives lost and damages in the trillions of Yen," She paused one more time to watch those present to shift uncomfortably in their seats. "Those are facts. They are not a point of argument. The improvement had only just begun, but I too blame myself for allowing my dear friend to be put in such danger. It is a miracle she is safe," Sonya sighed and clasped her hands together.
"I am not here to level blame, though, I am here to urge you as guardians of Japan to take action. With the rise of the criminal Ishtar and her emboldening of the villainous element in our society, it is without a doubt necessary to rise to the challenge. Japanese society must be able to defend itself. It must be able to maintain the peace, order, and honor that you and those who came before you have fought desperately to maintain. But that means stepping in a new direction. The tragedy at Fuchu has made one thing clear; Quirkers are not something we can ignore any more, they are a part of our society, for good or ill. The Hero Program showed just how crucial they will be in the future. But Fuchu demonstrated that not enough has been done to support these Japanese Heroes, these guardians of our society," An angry murmur began to rise among several present; whispers among the anti-quirker factions and other such groups. Sonya slammed her palms down; "I for one will not sit idly by as our sons and daughters in the police force are put up against challenges that they are not equipped for. I will not tolerate the loss of life among heroes who have sworn to throw themselves at the enemies of our people, and I will not permit the young people who are training and studying hard every day to protect us in the future to feel as if our government does not care!"
The whispers fell silent; "The people of Japan are looking to you to make the decision to expand the Hero Program and to afford new rights, opportunities, and flexibility to the heroes. They must be allowed to form official alliances and act off duty if necessary. They must be allowed higher quality equipment. The funding must exist for more heroes on the streets, Enough is enough! We are setting an example for the rest of the world as to how to handle this; this is our opportunity to be the center of the world!" She pointed back at Narcissa; "They are already watching us!" She let out a breath and bowed; "Please make the correct decision, honorable guardians of Japan," She offered humbly, before rounding on her heel.
There was mixed applause, some remained silent, angry at being called out while others simply detested her for being a quicker. One fact was certain though; the woman had made her point and Japanese society was on the edge of a blade. The old man frowned as she passed him, he looked up and caught it just for a moment... in her eyes... something dark that chilled him to the bone. He looked out toward those gathered as the applause grew, social pressure and likely some pressure from electors. He looked back at her and met her probing eyes, he swallowed, something cold landing in his stomach. What on earth was coming?
