Psykogeddon by Dave Stone

or indeed kindliness or scorn or lust or any emotion at all. For how could he otherwise exert any authority either over his people or his troops?'
    Signor Ottaviano replied, 'I did not say temperance completely removes or uproots the emotions from a man's soul, nor would it be well for it to do so, since there are good elements even in the emotions. But what it does do is make what is perverse and opposed to the right conduct in the emotions responsive to reason. So it is not right, in order to remove conflicts, to extirpate the emotions altogether, for this would be like trying to suppress drunkenness by legislating against the use of wine, or forbidding men to run since when they do men sometimes fall over.
    ' You are well aware that when a man is breaking in a horse, he does not stop it from running and jumping, but ensures that it does so at the right time and at the command of the rider. So, when they are modified by temperance, the emotions are conducive to virtue. Just as wrath strengthens fortitude, hatred against wicked men strengthens justice, and the other emotions strengthen other kinds of virtue. And if they were killed altogether this would leave the reason weak and languid, so that it would be ineffectual, like the captain of a ship that is becalmed after the winds have dropped.
    ' So do not be surprised, Cesare, if I said temperance is the source of many other virtues, for when a man's soul is attuned to this harmony, reason makes it readily receptive to true fortitude, which in turn makes it intrepid and unassailable, and immune to human suffering. And this is just as true of justice, the true friend of modesty and goodness, and the queen of all the virtues, because Justice teaches us to do what should be done and eschew what is wrong. Thus Justice is wholly perfect, since the other virtues perform their work through her, and she benefits both the just man and others as well. And without Justice, as it is said, Jove himself could not govern his kingdom well. These virtues are also followed by magnanimity, which enhances them all, though it cannot exist alone since anyone lacking the virtues cannot be magnanimous. And for their guide, the virtues have prudence, which consists of a certain quality of Judgement in making the right decisions.
    ' The other links in this happy chain of virtues are liberality, munificence, the desire of honour, gentleness, charm, affability and many other qualities there is not time to name. But if our courtier behaves as we have suggested, he will discover these flourishing in the soul of his prince, and every day blossoming there more delightful flowers and fruits than there are in all the lovely gardens on earth. He himself will know great contentment, when he reminds himself that he gave his prince not what fools give, namely, gifts such as gold and silver, vases and garments (of which the prince has too many already and the giver only too few), but what is doubtless the greatest and rarest of all human virtues: the manner and method of good government. This alone would be enough to make men happy and return to earth the golden age which is said to have existed, once, when Saturn ruled.' "
    - Baldesar Castiglione
    The Book of the Courtier
     
    Backflash: 07:14:2124
     
    "Yes, this looks like the end, folks - there's no way the Sliceman is gonna be getting up from that smacking from Hammerhead. It looks like a... Hello, what's this?
    "This is amazing , sports fans! With the last of his dying strength, Sliceman has triggered his trademark power-blades into overdrive, reducing Hammerhead to a bloody pulp! We end this cycle of the Killing Zone with a simultaneous double-kill!
    "Well, there's nothing left to do but clear the bodies away and prepare for an all new cycle of the Zone - and do we have something special lined up for you! Do we? Yes we do. Bookmark your download-boards and prepare yourself for what is truly gonna be the Killing Zone event of a lifetime!"
     
    In his lair