PART 4 - Peace Talks
by Sunraven, Oct 23, 2000
"But I do not understand." Delenn asked Ambassador David Sheridan, her attractive face screwed up in her attempt to understand. "Why do your people object to having a central cultural and religious source?"
"Uh, well, Humans don't like..." He looked at Terra pleadingly, and she took up the topic.
"Satai Delenn, what you need to understand about my people is that we are notorious individualists on a whole. Even in groups we try to keep our belief systems and opinions intact. It is one of our greatest strengths as a people, and one of our greatest weaknesses as well. A central ruling body is necessary to govern and protect a community as large as the Human colonies and Earth. But a central cultural and religious body would mean finding one religion and one culture superior to all of the others. And that would be intolerable to us."
The Shai-Alyt spoke up then. "Yes, Doctor, my observations during the war confirm this." He glanced at the Major General, then continued. "Your warriors all wore different uniforms, and showed loyalty to only those with the same color uniforms on. They appeared mistrustful of anyone in different uniforms. It greatly hampered the efficiency of your large armadas."
Major General Bolter's pale Gaelic face reddened and he opened his mouth to attack the Shai-Alyt's comment, but Terra got in there first. "Now, Shai-Alyt, isn't that a little bit short-sighted to point that out in that way? In our Christian faith there is a saying, "Don't take out the sliver in your neighbor's eye until you deal with the plank in your own, first." Your warrior caste is very much wrapped up in their pride of belonging to a certain clan. Remember, it was you who had me read the clan Tay'loks of the different clans. There is quite a bit of schism brought about by pride of clan in the other Minbari castes as well. To tell you all the truth, my mediation experiences have led me to believe that this is the case with all races except those with group or hive consciousness, such as the Borg and the Shreeeee. It is both a source of strength and weakness in us all. And it also is what contributes to the wonder and the richness that exist where individual sapience is present." She smiled at him, cajoling him out of becoming offended at her words.
He nodded reluctantly, his twinkling blue eyes giving her the victory in this skirmish. "Yes, you are correct in that, Doctor. I of course meant no undue criticism to your soldiers, Major-General. I did indeed have to butt a few headbones together to get my intraclan crews to work together more efficiently."
"None taken, Shai-Alyt, none taken."
Whew, another blow-up avoided! Terra thought. She glanced up then and noticed Neroon's eyes on her. Was that admiration she saw there, and picked up with her gift? She didn't blush, thank the Great Maker, but she couldn't hold his gaze very long for some reason.
-- continued in part five --