Kasumi GotoHave I mentioned that I think Imperials still suck.
(With a few rare exceptions. And yes, that is more of a statement than a question, so no question mark.)
I can think of a few Imperials I have flown against and chatted with, who are opponents with integrity; but not all can find it within themselves to be so.
I am less sanguine about the Empire's political leadership, and wouldn't expect any of its moral blemishes to disappear rapidly even if allegedly progressive, reformist candidates succeeded to the throne. Ship of state turns slowly, and all of that... But like you, I also think there is a significant disconnect between words and deeds from certain aristocrats.
Kasumi Goto ... the whole execution RP deal is something best explained by Miseri, who was caught by Anti-Club Accord players in a Type 9 in LHS 1163.
I don't know how to feel about that. It's an "anarchy" system, so it may be technically permissible, but it feels like vigilantism under flimsy colour of law. Azimuth is still the most influential faction in-system, it's the headquarters of an Azimuth squadron; it's a company town, for all intents and purposes, that has been taken over by a gang of vigilantes. That C.S. Lewis quote about moral tyrannies comes to mind.
The policymaking levels of Azimuth leadership should absolutely be subject to inquiries, prosecution and penalties, but these things need to happen in the public eye, with due process and under rule of law. Government of laws, not of men and all that. The Anti-Club accord is not a recognized government, it is accountable to no one, with no checks, balances or restraints. Handing down capital charges from an unaccountable body is a step removed from Robespierre's Reign of Terror.
What has Miseri a.k.a. Anri la Rosa actually done to warrant charges of a capital crime? Pilot's Federation rating of Expert suggests she does not spend many hours murdering other commanders. She is on record promoting freedom of religion for Far God cultists while President Hudson was busy turning them into criminals. She's on record proposing Azimuth's Thargoid research and data be freely shared between superpowers and (the then-disbanded) Aegis. She's on record proposing Azimuth admit guilt regarding the Musashi incident and Aden Tanner's alleged mutiny.
The worst that I can see is that she materially aided Azimuth's collection efforts and expansion plans, per her Logistics division's area of responsibility. I don't see any foreknowledge of Proteus Wave effects, or knowledge of any of the Project Seraph efforts. One woman cannot be the focal point of our anger at Azimuth; the real architect of those misdeeds paid for his efforts with his own life.
P.S. Miseri, if you are being held as a lawful combatant and not a civilian, there are a limited number of capital offenses specified by UCMJ, but more importantly, per the 1949 Geneva Conventions, the crime you're being accused of must be an explicit violation of the accords, more severe than simply fighting against enemy forces in battle.
Last edit: 27 Nov 2023, 7:41am
It ah... only reinforces my concern over due process, judicial independence, and an unaccountable hierarchy dispensing death sentences.
