Topaz is dictating a letter that her space pig companion is typing out for her:
Miss Bronya — if you'll permit me to call you that — I'd like to share a story with you from my own life.
In your eyes, the IPC may seem heartless or cruel, but in reality, we all have a story to tell. As for myself, I was born on a small, unremarkable planet at the edge of the galaxy — a place whose name is known only to the native inhabitants.
My home planet was extremely resource-poor. To survive, people worked laboriously, manufacturing products for other civilizations in the galaxy — mostly in the chemical or heavy industries.
Given these circumstances, the natural environment of my home planet became increasingly harsh. I don't recall the exact moment when it happened, but people started wearing respirators just to walk down the street. All you could hear were the wheezing coughs of the people — day and night.
My home was facing its demise. The relatively wealthy chose interstellar migration and started anew. The majority who stayed could only struggle on amidst sewage, acid rain, and dust, waiting for the end.
Finally, one fateful day, the IPC arrived on my home planet. They had the technology to repair our planet's damaged environment. In return for their help, they asked for just one thing — that all inhabitants sign a contract which would make them employees of the IPC.
Two years after signing the contract, the dark clouds and haze disappeared, and people began to take off their masks. After three years, vegetation and trees began to grow and thrive again. After five years, many animals — previously on the brink of extinction — reappeared.
When I was finally old enough, I officially became a member of the Strategic Investment Department. I witnessed the changes that took place on my home world and was determined to bring the same changes to many other worlds in the galaxy that were experiencing the same plight.
I am writing to you, Miss Bronya, with the genuine desire to express something important...
I know freedom is precious to people, but in reality there are things of much greater value... such as survival.
How many generations of Belobogians will it take to embrace the stars again without assistance? Who can guarantee that every future Guardian will be as prudent and enlightened as you? How can you guarantee that a disaster such as the Stellaron Crisis will not descend upon Belobog yet again?
I have already negotiated the best possible deal for you. Once you sign this contract, all of Belobog's debts will be forgiven. In addition, the IPC will set up a special team to support the reconstruction of Jarilo-VI.
I can understand that for you, this is an extremely difficult decision, because you, and you alone will bear the fate of all Belobogians.
But because of this, I believe that you will make the right decision — a decision that will truly benefit your people.
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Day 285 On the Beach - Topaz Backstory
Miss Bronya — if you'll permit me to call you that — I'd like to share a story with you from my own life.
In your eyes, the IPC may seem heartless or cruel, but in reality, we all have a story to tell. As for myself, I was born on a small, unremarkable planet at the edge of the galaxy — a place whose name is known only to the native inhabitants.
My home planet was extremely resource-poor. To survive, people worked laboriously, manufacturing products for other civilizations in the galaxy — mostly in the chemical or heavy industries.
Given these circumstances, the natural environment of my home planet became increasingly harsh. I don't recall the exact moment when it happened, but people started wearing respirators just to walk down the street. All you could hear were the wheezing coughs of the people — day and night.
My home was facing its demise. The relatively wealthy chose interstellar migration and started anew. The majority who stayed could only struggle on amidst sewage, acid rain, and dust, waiting for the end.
Finally, one fateful day, the IPC arrived on my home planet. They had the technology to repair our planet's damaged environment. In return for their help, they asked for just one thing — that all inhabitants sign a contract which would make them employees of the IPC.
Two years after signing the contract, the dark clouds and haze disappeared, and people began to take off their masks. After three years, vegetation and trees began to grow and thrive again. After five years, many animals — previously on the brink of extinction — reappeared.
When I was finally old enough, I officially became a member of the Strategic Investment Department. I witnessed the changes that took place on my home world and was determined to bring the same changes to many other worlds in the galaxy that were experiencing the same plight.
I am writing to you, Miss Bronya, with the genuine desire to express something important...
I know freedom is precious to people, but in reality there are things of much greater value... such as survival.
How many generations of Belobogians will it take to embrace the stars again without assistance? Who can guarantee that every future Guardian will be as prudent and enlightened as you? How can you guarantee that a disaster such as the Stellaron Crisis will not descend upon Belobog yet again?
I have already negotiated the best possible deal for you. Once you sign this contract, all of Belobog's debts will be forgiven. In addition, the IPC will set up a special team to support the reconstruction of Jarilo-VI.
I can understand that for you, this is an extremely difficult decision, because you, and you alone will bear the fate of all Belobogians.
But because of this, I believe that you will make the right decision — a decision that will truly benefit your people.