A speech

[abugslife]

[The following was said in real time in Alhambra's main auditorium, but it's also a network message.]

People of Unity Group. Recently, we have suffered some setbacks, and casualties appeared among our ranks. This is not the first time this happened since the forming of the organization, nor is it likely the last. This is why I would like to tell you something; not as a general, not as an ambassador. As a fellow soldier.

From all military organizations I have seen, enemy and ally alike, Unity Group is the most successful. Successful operations, prevention of friendly casualties, protecting civilians from harm - in all of those aspects, the Group has no peer. You do not win always, but an organization that always wins is not realistically possible - and after every failure, you stand up and earn ten more victories.

[Loudly, Hetepheres hits the floor with the end of her staff.]
Never forget the names and faces of our fallen friends! They have sacrificed their lives fighting for the most noble of goals! Let your good memories of time spent with them drive you forward. For every fallen comrade, a hundred enemies will fall before us! For every person we failed to protect, we shall protect ten thousand more! The title of a hero is not something you can give yourself, it has to be given to you by others. Unity Group, show the world that you deserve that title!

[A longer pause, full of noise from the audience of various UG personnel. Maybe even a pilot or a few?]

That is all. If anyone wanted to discuss something, anything, I can be found in my office. Do not hesitate to come if you have any issue you need to talk about.

Comments

[keep_your_dignity]

EVENING, GENERAL.

[After the mob disperses and Hetepheres is back in her office, Kagura passes by the door and turns her faceplate inwards]

ON TODAY'S SPEECH. CHEESE MUCH.

[abugslife]

You do not uplift the morale of a crowd by starting a philosophical debate with them, major.

Besides, I meant everything I said.

[keep_your_dignity]

I KNOW HOW MORALE WORKS, YES. EVEN IF IT'S DEPRESSING.

BUT YOU'RE ONE OF ABOUT THREE PEOPLE IN THIS ENTIRE PLACE I WANT TO TRUST TO NOT GET THEIR HEADS FILLED WITH THIS HEROISM BULLSHIT, GENERAL. DON'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME. STRIVING FOR THE TITLE OF HERO GETS PEOPLE KILLED.

[abugslife]

You know Unity Group, major. You know that its people will rush in and try to get themselves killed no matter what I tell them, no matter if I encourage or discourage it. I might teach them skills necessary to survive on the battlefield, but I cannot teach them moderation.

But I can tell them to look up to a higher standard. To do something good in the world.

[keep_your_dignity]

I KNOW PLACATING WHEN I SEE IT, GENERAL.

THE WORST PART IS THAT YOU'RE RIGHT ANYWAY. HALF THESE PEOPLE ARE MOST LIKELY GOING TO BE DEAD BEFORE THIS IS OVER OUT OF THEIR OWN DAMN FAULT.

[abugslife]

Are you giving them such low survivability ratio? I would not be so sure. Look at the most foolhardy members of Unity Group. Despite their constant attempts to kill themselves, their combination of luck and skill keeps them alive.

Yancy Beckett, Kanade Amou, Denzel Hammer, Noctour Symphonia and his men... The majority of Unity Group casualties were not overly eager rookies, but hardened veterans such as us.

[keep_your_dignity]

WELL, WITH ANY LUCK THAT'LL HOLD.

GOOD EVENING TO YOU, GENERAL. [And with that, Kagura continues walking down the corridor]

[abugslife]

With luck, yes.

[actuallyselfish]

Dido knocks on Hetepheres's door. and pokes her head in.

"Nice Egg Salad Sandwich Speech, Heph." She says with a soft smile.

[abugslife]

That is the most obscure reference I have heard in a very long time.

[actuallyselfish]

"Reference?" Dido says, blinking in confusion. "Is it a reference? That's just how my mom would always refer to her speeches to the board of directors."

[abugslife]

Additional homework for you: find out where your mother got that phrase from.

Did you want to ask me about something, Dido? Or just congratulate me on my egg salad?

[actuallyselfish]

"Well," Dido says. "That egg salad of yours was pretty good: passionate, yet honest. You clearly know how to give pep talks..."

She scratches behind her ear. "I was wondering if you could give me some pointers on how to give pep talks of my own..."

[abugslife]

There are several things to keep in mind; know what are you talking about, know who are you talking to, promise only what you know you can deliver. And do not lie, unless you are very good at it. Bad liars are easier to detect than you would think, stick to what you honestly believe in.

Following these pointers will not turn you into a master speaker overnight; it is a skill you learn by practice, not in vacuum. But it will help.