Calan - The Immortality Paradox

Metaspiel - Downfall of the Greenpalm Union

Extract of Interview with Prime Minister Emilion Serrano

Interviewer: Yasmeen Brouwer-Nishimura

METASPIEL

Brouwer-Nishimura: In hindsight, was the Greenpalm Union a mistake?

Serrano: I want to be very clear about this; I was never in favour of the Union, from the moment it was tabled by the PIC. Their ideology...codependence and all that nonsense...it runs against everything the Aquarius Chapter stands for. We are a unique civilisation, with unique ideas and unique people. Having a far-off council of faceless officials make economic decisions - it sickens me to this day.

Brouwer-Nishimura: But they weren't faceless, were they minister? They were democratically-elected by the citizens of Arena, Sólyomfészek, Koroghlu and the rest of the ten civilisations. In what way did that play a part in its failure?

Serrano: You are missing the point. In the very act of creating a union, you are forcing groups of people to adhere to mutual ideas. Aquarians have always been independent. No matter how much the PIC tried to force us into this arrangement, the people retaliated in kind.

Brouwer-Nishimura: You believe this forced arrangement was the root cause of its downfall?

Serrano: Without a doubt. A complete lack of cohesion.

Brouwer-Nishimura: What of the rumours that President Goya was threatened? Even before the collapse of the Union and his eventual murder?

Serrano: Unsubstantiated. These are, most likely, stories fabricated by Union sympathisers wishing to soften the impact of its demise. The way it was run, the way our mutual benefits were handled...the downfall was inevitable.

Brouwer-Nishimura: Is it true that you have assumed the role of Prime Minister by constitutional proxy?

Serrano: Well...the people of Arena were abandoned by my incompetent predecessors. Someone had to take the mantle.

Brouwer-Nishimura: Would you agree then that you have assumed your leadership role in an undemocratic fashion, minister?

Serrano: Always with twisting the meanings of words...

Brouwer-Nishimura: Do you disagree with my definition of undemocratic?

Serrano: That is irrelevant. Our economy is in disrepair, due to that Union that you seem desperate to exonerate. The former government has abandoned their posts. This isn't me taking control, I am filling the void left behind by those who did not serve their people adequately.

Brouwer-Nishimura: Speaking of the people of the Aquarius Chapter; due to the economic crisis, millions have been evacuating Arena as refugees, in the hopes of finding somewhere safe to rebuild their lives. The latest statistics suggest that the economic migration is composed of almost three-quarters the entire population of Arena. Does that worry you?

Serrano: The blame lies with the PIC and the Greenpalm Union. The trust in government and its operations is at an all time low, understandably. They have been betrayed. Our job is to restore the planet to its former prosperity.

Brouwer-Nishimura: Do you have confidence that you can accomplish that seemingly impossible task?

Serrano: My colleagues and I at the Patriot Party already have plans in motion. I have every confidence.