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Captain’s Log:
The Craton remains stationed in the neutral territory of Gohhi, crossroads of a dozen major travel lanes through zerospace, repairing after our battle with P’G’Maig Hev forces.
Though there is no danger from the Gohhians, and even the fascist sect of humanity that call themselves Glorians mostly respect the neutrality of the region, there is still tension. The Gohhians still cling to an ancient form of economic system, private ownership, with a handful of their number possessing nearly all wealth. These Lord Executives value the credit and their power above all else, and they tolerate the Union solely because we are the great producers of known space.
The melting pot nature of Gohhi attracts not just capitalists but also outcasts, loners, and artists. In a few short days our ship will be honored to host the Qhenber Theatre Troupe with their production of Ussa and Usser: A Tragedy of Ancient Earth.
Qlerning plays are renowned throughout known space, and the author of this one, Klezul Hoshe, is held in particularly high esteem. Some have questioned the ethics of one species writing a play based – however loosely – on the history of another. I do not know the answer to that, but I expect it will be interesting viewing.
I look forward to it, and while work always continues, I look forward to at least having our problems be ones of cost and supply rather than violence.
Ussa:
“O Father, I bring to thee the heads of twelve of thy enemies.
Do you see upon their faces the grim rictus of death?
In your name did I kill them, yet you do not shower me with your praise.”
Breon:
“O Daughter, you have brought me the heads of those I held in scorn.
They were not slain in righteous warfare but by a lowly knife in the dark.
To you they are but twelve heads, but now to their families I owe an honor-price.
There is no glory in these deaths and their cost far outweighs any joy I feel in their passing.”
Ussa:
“O Father, father who I love so deeply.
Your enemies are dead, and next I shall take from their kin their land, their gold, their pride.
I will lay them into the soil of the Earth weeping red tears.
Then you will speak no more of petty costs and honor-prices.
Who is to be paid when no enemy is left?”
Breon:
“Daughter, these words are a horror.
We are not monsters but honorable people who hold our pride in high esteem.
Not murderers!
Tell me you say these words in jest!”
Ussa:
“Do not tear at your clothes, father.
Your tears are not genuine and your sword has plunged into many a foe’s back who took you at your word and let their guard slip.
Your pretense of honor is a facade, a lie told to the gullible.
A hook upon which to hang your cloak.
It is not your true face.
All I am I have learned from you.”
Excerpt from Part 1 of Ussa and Usser: A Tragedy of Ancient Earth
Other Terrestrial 
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