peace.”
“What did the Cybers do during all of this?” Sanchez asked, collecting his trash. “Did they just sit there and do nothing?”
“Oh no,” Keenan continued. “The Cybers worked for decades to continue solving the problems of mankind. It’s the entire reasoning behind the second gen Cybers. They were the peacekeepers of the galaxy, keeping the planets from destroying one another. That took over a hundred years to accomplish, but they eventually managed to keep the planets at bay. Everything went relatively smooth for another century and a half, but the planets found other ways to become angry at one another. Taxes grew higher as planets shipped their products from one to the next. The monopoly of Eden nearly tore the galaxy apart as no one could afford NOT to use their artificial gravity technology in their spacecraft. Draeden started producing ships that used Eden tech, selling them to everyone as they wished. Eventually, laws had to put into place concerning the use of weapons on ships. Now, only a few militaries are allowed warships in space, a thinly disguised veil of peace. Then the third gens came along to settle disputes between the planets when it came to criminal activities that spanned multiple planets. Now, with the attacks of the third gens, one can only imagine how the planets will react. Somehow, I doubt that the I.I.U. will be able to sustain the peace. Mark my words, war is coming once again.”
“Let them,” Jones muttered.
“Excuse me!” Vanessa snapped, turning to the tall man in the corner. “You think this is a good thing?”
“I do,” he replied, standing from his perch on the floor. “As a former MA tech, I assumed you would see this as well. There can be no peace without the use of the Cybers. Our prejudice and beliefs are burned into our souls at this point, with no salvation to be found. If the lack of Cybers is what leads to war amongst planets, then let it happen.”
“How can you say that?” Keenan cried out. “After all, that I’ve JUST told you.”
“Look at this room,” he replied. “The six of us barely know each other, so we place distance between ourselves. The military boys have taken the corner by the exit, the scientists have taken their own perch in the middle of the action, and I’m all the way over here in the corner. Even with the distance between us, we have still managed to start a conflict. The same can be said throughout our history. Man founded the new world over a millennium and a half ago. Did it bring peace? No, of course, it didn’t. The Americans grew different from the rest of the world. Britain and France wanted their claim of this territory, and more wars broke out. When they were unsuccessful, they started warring with one another in world wars. Placing distance between nations did nothing to create peace. In fact, I dare say it did more harm than good. Do you think that placing these warring nations on other planets will solve the problem? Granted, it can delay the process due to the complexities of space travel, but it’s only a matter of time before governments grow restless from sharing the same system as other nations. More wars will break out. Planets will be conquered, billions will die, and we will be right back in the same boat we were in since our first recorded words. It is still within our blood, our very being, to destroy one another for various reasons. Without the Cybers, our people are doomed to continue destroying one another.”
“Do you really think the Cybers could stop it?” Haynes asked, deciding to join the conversation. “From where I’m standing, they just showed they’re as deadly and nasty as the rest of
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