Thanks to the many, including Kotori, and Greys, who have obviously
taken the time to think, and contributed to the discussion.

To Oenone: I have already clearly answered your question. If you
have not found the answer, then I have nothing more to say, and we
will just have to assume I am unable to communicate it to you, or
you are unable to receive it.

Tiax makes an interesting point, which I now quote:


T-H-E T-H-I-N-G-S W-E K-I-L-L C-O-M-E B-A-C-K. T-H-E-R-A I-S-N-T.

So, apparently, all is well if you kill something and it comes
back, but not so well if it doesn't. Or at least, there is a very
strong difference between the two, and those who kill so that the
dead do not return are clearly FAR more guilty than those who kill
and the dead return.

Thank you for elegantly supporting the point I've been trying to
make all along, Tiax.

Achaeans have repeatedly killed us, and we do not return. Thus
those Achaeans are far more guilty than we.

We have killed, as Greys so helpfully pointed out, without making
any effort to cause permanence of death. In fact, in our recent
attack on Thera, some of your people returned, and some didn't.
Since our attack was the same for all, then it must not have been
our attack that was the difference. Some other factor meant that
_some_ Therans are not returning.

But despite all that, I have accepted responsibility even for that
attack, and called it a mistake many times. I have said that we
regret it. We still do.

Who, among our constant and repeat murderers, those who kill
Vertani that D-O-N-T C-O-M-E B-A-C-K (thank you, Tiax) - who
among them has said it was wrong? Who of them has expressed
regrets? Even though the deaths were many times more, and many
times more serious - who has even started to admit guilt and
responsibility?

I'll answer that one. Nobody.

As for genocide - I used that term because your people did.
I used it advisedly. I do not think that even the killing of
two dozen innocents could be classed as genocide, since it
clearly does not result in the permanent extinction of a race.
_IF_ there is genocide here on your plane, we are by no means
its practitioners. Those who have eliminated countless hundreds
of our Vertani peoples are much more nearly worthy of that
distinction.

To Nijias: there is no contradiction. I wrote, and I quote
"Far back in the mists of antiquity, even before M-O-S-T
historical records." (Emphasis added). There are a few
such records, and they bear witness to what I have already
said. Though in the end, you could choose to disbelieve those
too, if you are so inclined, so that must not be the issue.
The exchange did happen, and we do die, and we do not return.
There is no mystery, no concealment.

We have been more forthcoming than, I think, all of the
leadership of all of the cities of Sapience put together.
Certainly, in this most recent series of messages. I do not
talk about private discussions, for there, many are quite
helpful, and quite detailed and quite forthcoming. But while
you are up on your high horse of condemnation (a horse that
does seem to get a lot of riding time on this plane) I suggest
that you look carefully around you and assess just exactly
who is answering questions, and providing information and yes,
even in expressing regrets and admitting to error.

Again, I urge you all to try something new - coordinate your
actions. Work together. For, or against whomever you please,
yes, even us. It's a great improvement. And it might mean
there's a chance we can get this discussion to a new and
much better level.

Penned by my hand on the 8th of Daedalan, in the year 386 AF.