The decision to annul the Tir Accord, announced by Omni-Tek of Rubi-Ka (“OTRK”) CEO Philip Ross on October 16, 29476, was, notwithstanding the objections of the ICC, the proper choice for the peoples of Rubi-Ka.
The disappearance of the Council of Truth (“CoT”) on September 6, 29476 created a dilemma for every citizen of Rubi-Ka, be they Omni-Tek, Clan or Neutral. Suddenly, after an unprecedented period of social stability, the effective governing body of the Clan community evaporated into thin air, abandoning those by whom it had been entrusted to act and thereby to protect.
In its wake, we now have extra-planetary military personnel (the ICC peacekeepers), and a revival of the Council of Ares (“CoA”) movement. Above all, we are left with half of Rubi-Ka’s population enveloped by a state of virtual anarchy, because it is leaderless, unguided and scattered. This is, obviously, not an optimal negotiating position for OTRK.
It is thus quite unreasonable for the ICC to so immediately chastise OTRK for its actions in this regard. Granted, the Tir era was perhaps the most calm and peaceful era of Rubi-Ka since its initial colonization. However, for all intents and purposes, the Accord has been annulled for almost a full week, and there is still no marked increase in civil tensions among the citizens of Rubi-Ka. It can also be noted, quite ironically, that while OTRK has taken extraordinary steps to reassure the citizens of Rubi-Ka that it is in no one’s interest to commence a fourth civil war, the CoA, in an open letter to Omni-Tek of today’s date, publicly threatened OTRK and its employees in saying they “…hereby issue the only warning we will give you [Philip Ross] and your cronies: Stand back, or you won't be safe again. Not on Rubi-Ka. Not in your very own cities. We will carry the war to you and the streets of Omni-1 will be filled with the smell of death and decay. The smell of gunfire and burnt flesh. The smell of your defeat.” This hardly sounds like the words of a group interested in peace, let alone possessing the capacity to effect the terms of an agreement.
The CoA speaks as if it is the lawful entity to which authority to bind the Clans has transferred. I have yet to see any form of electoral process, let alone public support, to substantiate this position. For a group so seemingly concerned with representative, responsible government, the issuance of such a hostile declaration towards OTRK, which, if taken as belligerent by OTRK would immerse the entire planet in war, is hardly responsible, given the fact that the Council of Ares is not representative of the Clan community. It still defies logic how the Council of Ares can criticize OTRK for annulling a legal agreement when the CoA itself still does not recognize OTRK’s authority pursuant to the ICC lease, an overriding and governing legal agreement which forms the foundation of the social presence on Rubi-Ka.
The ICC’s criticism is similarly foolish. From a strategic standpoint, any belligerent action on the part of OTRK towards the Clans will undoubtedly draw the ire of the ICC, and thereby further reduce the length of Omni-Tek’s lease of Rubi-Ka. This has already been effected by amendment of the lease once, and any further reduction would not only wreak havoc on the market price of Omni-Tek’s shares, but also substantially reduce the net present value of Omni-Tek Corporation.
Additionally, the ICC’s criticism can be viewed as misguided in light of the fact that the CoT abandoned those who it was created to protect, without notice or even a simple warning, taking with it all security personnel. If a governing body acts so callously and negligently towards its responsibilities to the people, how can OTRK possibly trust such government to fulfill and support the terms of an agreement? And when you further add the convenient permanent deaths of the two CoT members who were accused of supporting and funding terrorist activities, thereby eliminating the possibility of obtaining information on certain terrorist groups with whom the CoT was allegedly involved, the CoT can hardly be seen as a legitimate political or legal entity.
OTRK annulled the Tir Accord to ensure the continued viability of its economic and social interests – those being notum and its employees, respectively. It is a responsible and prudent move, no matter what argument is postulated. If an ICC review of OTRK’s annulling resolutions does take place, I truly hope that such hearings are not conducted in as prejudicial a manner as the ICC’s initial response to the death of Tir. Let there be no mistake, OTRK was not the catalyzing force behind this death. The annulment is a direct result of the negligence and wilful disregard for its constituents that the Council of Truth has displayed. And, given the overriding belligerent tone of the aforementioned CoA letter, it is quite certain that, provided it actually achieves political legitimacy, the only successor council is similarly untrustworthy.