Shalimar said:
Kelly finishes off her meal with a strawberry, cupping her hand beneath her chin to catch the juice, "I guess since you can't forget, you wont have an excuse for birthdays or Valentines day or anything." Kelly teases Tommy gently, with a contented smirk, patting her tummy.
"Cute, very cute, as I said it can be annoying," he replies playfully.
Shalimar said:
"Hey, do all you super smart elites like do stuff together, like debate or something, I mean, do you ever want to be around someone as smart as you? I know Dad kinda gets bored talking to people as smart as he is. Even mom who's like as smart as a person can be must seem kinda dull to a smart Elite like dad."
"On occasion I have wanted to indulge my intellect with an equal, and have even had discussions with your father, Dr. Stockov, and Dr. Hudabo on occasion. They were quite stimulating, and I must admit, that there were times I almost found it hard to follow, but that was when my powers were just developing... now I think I could easily run circles around several of them at once. At the same time, I find that intellect and knowledge is not a substitute for actual experience. There are just some things, you have to experience to truly know about it," Tommy finishes.
Shalimar said:
"I really don't think Mr.Mccallister would be a bad guy, I am kinda curious about his side of it, I mean, the JE don't exactly care about protecting people, and it seemed like he did." she says, pausing to listen to Tommy's theory about a group within the UNJE. "Well, what all do you actually know about the JE, or Pantheon for that matter?"
"I have no illusions anymore, perhaps I am cynical. A being, either baseline or elite, is capable of any action at any time, given the right circumstances. It is perhaps the curse and boon of our survival instinct, and our slavish attachment to our emotional needs and desires..." Tommy smiles as if he has said it all.
"Now as to your question about what I know about the Justice Elite and Pantheon? I would say that I know enough... others would say too much, and some would say I know very little at all. But if you wish, I can indulge your burgeoning curiosity..." Tommy pauses, “The Justice Elite and by the whole the UNJE is an organization dedicated to the betterment of mankind, both baseline and elite. They exist for the sole purpose of using elite powers for the good of humanity, saving people has just become a byproduct of that mission. Your assessment that the Justice Elite does not like saving people, is incorrect, even Paragon in his own arrogance still seeks to avert loss of life. Now the motives for fulfilling that mission may be wholly grounded in monetary benefits and social status but the end result is the same. At the same time, perhaps the greatest threat to the UNJE, as a whole is its growing power, its prestige, and influence. They control a precious commodity; they can and hope to control elites for the good of all humanity.”
“Now Pantheon on the other hand, fears the exploitation of the elite species. They believe that given time mankind will shackle elites in bondage, and those that do not serve humanity will be destroyed. They fear that we as a species will be forced into a role of steward for humanity, yet still be subservient to them, and make the world a better place for baselines and not so much elites. Of course they also believe that elites are not human either, we are something altogether different, we are elite after all. Since we are not human, the rules of humanity do not apply, killing a human being is no less evil then squashing a bug under foot. They may outnumber us, but we as a species are the more powerful, of course those numbers may change in the future but that is a different matter altogether. What is important is that Pantheon is true to the name; they believe we are the new gods of this age. We should be worshipped for bringing mankind new wonders, we are like Prometheus, we have brought them fire, we have taught them in its use… but perhaps we will be punished by our crimes in time…” Tommy stands and walks closer to Kelly.
“The core difference between the UNJE and Pantheon is the role of humanity in the future. The UNJE wants to promote a society where elites work to make the world a better place for baselines, and in turn for themselves. While Pantheon seeks to strip away the old culture and replace it with a new society where the mighty govern, where mankind is guided into a new era under the skillful guidance of their elite betters. Of course, that does not account for the current purge within the Pantheon ranks, but then again I doubt Cardinal ever really wanted to guide humanity anywhere…” Tommy finishes.
He places his hands on Kelly’s shoulders, “Two sides of a coin, perhaps. They believe themselves to be the two most powerful forces on the Earth. The arrogance between them is amusing.”
