Preparations for... what?

[abugslife]

[1] [After the latest battle, Hetepheres watches as her insectoid underlings are taking care of Scaraber. The core unit wasn't hit too badly, but the Scarab Frame lost its two additional arms and will need them fixed. She's also checking the post-battle report on a tablet.]

That was the first time I have seen Aerogaters use humanoid machines. Curious... And it still leaves as many questions about their nature as before, if not more. Fortunately, thanks to the Knights' help and early evacuation, the number of casualties was minimized, possibly even completely reduced to nothing.

All circumstances considered, that was a good battle.

[2 - announcement]
It is time for me to reaveal the Pro-Earthling Party's plan. Listen well.

Many members of the High Council are still undecided about whether our races should fight, or cooperate. During the Grand Vote, the fate of the whole Gebian species shall be decided. At that time, we must be absolutely certain that the majority of the council members will support the Pro-Earthling Party. And we shall earn their support by showing them the amazing advances of Earth's civilizations!

Our Minister of Health, Acenith, will pay a visit to Earth in around 2 weeks. She is obsessed with sports - not professional ones, but amateur sports, as a way to spread healthy living and spirit of competition and cooperation among the people. To show her that the spirit of sportsmanship is strong within Earthlings, we shall organize games for her to watch. And I ask you to be the participants.

Skills do not matter - it is not about ability, but healthy enthusiasm! The Ministry of Health is influential - show your spirit to Acenith, and many other council members, not just her, will support cooperation! Take your time to prepare, and think what disciplines you would like to perform. I shall not force anyone to participate; but the bigger the games are, the better our chances of success.

Comments

2

[ships_full_of_missiles]

Wait.

Do you mean to tell me that the anti-earthling party is not a radical militant fringe group, but is in fact an equal participant in a democratic government with your side?

[abugslife]

That is indeed the case. Have I ever given the impression that it is otherwise?

In fact, Pro-Earthling Party is the one that would be better described as a fringe group.

[ships_full_of_missiles]

Yes, though more through lack of information than a specific statement to that effect...

...I suppose I had better organize an informal tournament onboard, then.

2

[herodrawing]

We're supposed to play sports to impress the minister?

[Izuru is surprised.]

[abugslife]

Yes. Geb is a place where a strong personality is needed to reach a high position. As a result, many of our leaders are somewhat... eccentric.

[herodrawing]

That's not eccentric. It's awesome! We'll have to prove to her our burning spirit and determination.

Did we decide on a sport yet?

2

[genericbiggerbrother]

"So...to save the earth from another invasion, we're going to have to...entertain our would-be invaders?" Yancy asks, frowning.

"That's a little degrading, isn't it?"

[abugslife]

The would be invaders are already invading. The purpose of this endeavour is to persuade the undecided groups to support peace, and not buy into AEP's propaganda.

It is a non-violent way of working towards peace between our civilizations. Do you find that degrading?

[genericbiggerbrother]

"I find it degrading that your undecided politicians will decide whether or not humanity deserves to be a free species...based solely on how much we amuse them." Yancy replies.

He sighs and holds up a hand. "I'll take a game of baseball or a play over a battlefield any time, don't get me wrong. But do you understand why I feel this is condescending?"

2

[majestic_keiki]

So you're saying that a sports meet is going to decide the fate of humanity? And that we should focus on showing enthusiasm above all else?

[abugslife]

In very broad strokes, yes. Even without the support of Ministry of Health, it is possible for PEP to win the Grand Vote. The chances become much slimmer, however.

[majestic_keiki]

That sounds fantastic. Couldn't they at least look at our actual accomplishment and not just enthusiasm? It feels demeaning.

2

[keep_your_dignity]

SO YOUR GOVERNMENT IS RUN BY MORONS.

PLUS ÇA CHANGE, PLUS C'EST LA MÊME CHOSE, I SUPPOSE. I'LL ORDER SOME OF MY PEOPLE TO PUT TOGETHER A TEAM.

Re: 2

[abugslife]

There is a reason I prefer the title of "general" to "ambassador", major.
Will your team consist of incredibly powerful Executors?

[keep_your_dignity]

ONLY IF SOMEBODY ELSE CAN PUT TOGETHER ANOTHER TEAM WITH SPECIAL ABILITIES. OTHERWISE YOU WOULDN'T GET A SHOW. [Kagura's voice is as toneless and robotic as always. But one gets a sense that if she could do bitter sarcasm here she definitely would.]

2

[ugyuuya]

So we're supposed to prepare teams for sporting events to entertain a minister from your high council so we can try to persuade more of your people to cancel the invasion of our world and instead approach us diplomatically as an equal?

I blame everything else that's happened so far with this outfit for me not being surprised by this.

So did you have a particular type of sport or venue in mind? Is it just going to be UG personnel or did you want to involve more civilians now that your people aren't so much a secret anymore? In the first case I guess we could get a soccer team together or something. I didn't have much time playing sports as a kid but I was passable in that, maybe check with the others and see if we could swing something else like baseball, softball, or Volleyball accordingly.

[abugslife]

It is less about entertainment and more about showing this particular aspect of your noble spirit and civilization, but other than that your summary is pretty accurate. Perhaps you see now why I consider myself a soldier, not a politician.

In any case, most of the participants should belong to Unity Group or other trusted organizations, for safety reasons. At the same time, the involvement of civilians is fine as long as they are amateurs, not professionals. Pick any sports discipline you prefer, or more than one - variety will be a positive here. As long as it is something you can put effort into, something you care about, anything will do.

2

[blackhole_sunattack]

Well... I don't want to simply brag but... I think I'll be able to help you out with that. I'll be certain to have Beauty, Toppo, and Reika come along s well.

But allow me to ask, is there anything special you'd like to have demonstrated to them?

[abugslife]

There are no specific sports disciplines the minister would like to see, if that is what you mean. What matters is that they are native Earth ones, and ones you can put as much effort and spirit into as you can muster.

1

[caressthedarkness]

I am...torn.

The Knights really do mean well, but...

[abugslife]

They are blinded by their beliefs. They do not even consider the fact that their prophecy could simply be wrong. As long as they are not willing to admit that, we will have to be enemies.

2

[kill_all_vagans]

You mean... if this council votes to not invade the Earth... there won't be any more attacks? At all?

[abugslife]

From Gebians, at least. Only the biggest scumbag would dare to go against the result of the Grand Vote.

[ben_dixon]

General, I have an idea. We really should show the breadth of earth's sport to the council members.

[abugslife]

Indeed, the more disciplines we show them, the better. What is your idea?