Kitty's inaugural manifesto

-- The Song Dominion - #10 ----------------------------------------------------
Author: Spacer Kitty
Subject: Kitty's answers.

Greetings, Song,

As desired, here are the thoughts in my head.

1) Vision:

What is my vision for Song? I faced much indecision about joining the Dominion due to the racial tensions that exist between the W'hoorn and the Ry'nari. I am a W'hoorn, and those outside of Song often look at me as a traitor for being part of the Dominion. However, there is no denying the martial superiority of the Song Dominion, and the Unity the past Lord Commanders have shown in both war and 'peace' time. My vision is to continue upon the path that was laid for us over the past centuries, yes I do lean strongly on historical precedence, and push Song's tenacity and military prowess into a new dynasty.

But how am I going to do that? I alternate between having no clue, and knowing deep down what is needed to create the society we crave.

Initially, I had no interest in taking a leadership role. Despite insinuations, there are many I thought better. My hope had been to keep the current Lord Commander in position, but that is not meant to be. I have reached out to others, those who have shown great diligence in leading and proving Song's might. Ones I personally agree with and who have proven that they have what it takes. This is not to say that I do not, or have not done as well, but I know my own weaknesses and strengths.

However, those that I would support do not want to bear the burden of this mantle, and earlier this month I was faced with a decision, When I made the choice, it was stated clearly to those who listen.

So here I am, and this is what I see.

There has been a division in the faction about the differences between micro-managing and spreading the power around. Some are concerned that having too many generals will dilute the single voice of Song, found in the Lord Commander, and others worry about the leader burning out. My vision is a solid foundation of support, beginning with the three spheres of Military, Political and Commerce. This idea does not belong to one person, but many of Song's voices as we've discussed and decided what is most important for the Dominion.

From those spheres, leaders will be chosen through applications - at least for the initial foray. Those leaders would then choose their aides, and train one or two of them to eventually take over should that need arise. The subsequent leaders will then be chosen from the pool of informed and trained individuals so that Song is never left with a void of knowledge - be it practical or physical. My vision is, at its base, an uncompromising hierarchy, beginning from the top-down so that everyone who is below them on the hierarchy knows who to look up to as a leader. This is not a detraction against anyone in the faction. There are some who prefer to follow, while others prefer to lead as is the nature of things.

Within those spheres there will be other branches. In commerce we will need those who handle mining. The military sphere needs admirals with separate focuses on cosmpiercers and protection. The full scope is not yet known, but this is where I would begin.

2) Infrastructure:

I will split my opinion on infrastructure in two - the physical and the cultural.

Physically, to achieve any of our goals we need wealth, be it a wealth of marks, or a wealth of might. As it currently stands we have nothing. We have no bank. We have no refineries. We do not have a fleet of ships. Only a handful of us can extract gas-nodes, and none of us can mine. We need raw materials. We need people who know their strength, or will uncover it like a mineral in rock, and work for the strength of the Dominion. We have nothing but our voices and potential. Donations, fund rallying, and leading by example are the ways that I see us achieving our financial and physical goals on Song.

Culturally, whoever takes on Lord Commander will be beginning entirely at the bottom, pulling a flourishing Dominion from whole cloth. This requires a calm, rallying voice who will be there on the front lines, attending skirmishes, be they on cosmpiercers, incursions, or home worlds. Through action, civic pride in ones culture is fostered. We are a militant society, historically against the Celestine Ascendancy, but presently Scatterhome has been running unchecked and murdering our citizens. We need strong, capable leaders who are not prone to over-emotion or dramatics. Together, will we be able to begin creating the culture that will support a flourishing Dominion.

There are so many questions at play, and have been running through my mind through most of the month. What we will make of our society? How militant will we be? What punishes will be given out for infractions? Will we show mercy? Do we want to enact martial law on the planet?

From these questions will come our laws, our datafiles, our immediate and long-term goals. The work is, when taken as a whole, astounding. There is much to be done, and I could write for months about it.

3) Five-year Plan:

In five years I want to see a working government, an overpowering military presence both on land and among the stars. How will I achieve it? By working from the top of an ever-growing list, and going to the bottom. We need laws and leaders first. We need ministers. We need aides. We need to see where our military might stands. As of this writing we have taken two cosmpiercers, one from Scatterhome. I want to see them all beneath Song control.

There are some things that I feel require personal attention, other things I am an advocate of delegation. Five years is a small drop of time when faced with the full scope of work that needs done. But, that is why we are beginning now - whether I be the next Lord Commander or not - the first step needs to be taken.

4.) Who is this crazy person?

I am a W'hoorn, kind of mouthy and loud, but level-headed. I love combat, and as an Engineer, I am curious to see what my turrets and bots can do against enemy flesh. I am a budding fashion designer, and no matter what the outcome of this is, I will be a strong voice and soldier of Song.

I strive to be accessible, and as it is a part of my nature to talk to people, that will never change.

In Unity,

Kitty