Doubting Purpose: Questioning the Fight for Republic

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“Do you think all of this is worth it?” Kabel asks. We take a moment to let his words sink in, then naturally begin laughing. “Why are you laughing?” he asks, “I’m serious.” Our laughter stops abruptly. “Oh… you’re… serious,” Orion says from the bed above me. His feet come down and rest on the bunk’s ladder. I sit up. So does Farine. “What’s the matter with you Kabe?” he asks confused. “Yeah seriously,” Orion mutters. “I-I don’t know,” he replies timidly. “Do we even know what we’re fighting for anymore?” Farine scoffs. “Why of course, we’re fighting for the Republic,” he recites triumphantly. “To preserve the planet’s peace and prosperity we must be ready to fight those who threaten to oppose us. We are the order that provides for …show more content…

So all of a sudden we're the good guys? We were doing that before the insurgency even started. Farine, you don’t remember the bombing of District 4? Or the Purge of the Tax Evaders? Or the mass-execution of those found practicing religion? But, forget all of those mass murders before our time; we were part of the Elder Cleansing, killing anyone over 69 to maintain our population, because apparently, our healthcare is too good and the malnutrition rate is too low, so much so that the old people are living too long. We killed people because they were living too long! Get a load of this guy acting like his execution count isn’t over 100,” Orion chuckles in somber irony.
“Those dogs we put down are traitors, criminals, deserters, and terrorists! The Cleansing of the Elderly was to kill any remaining sympathizers of the Old Republic who were plotting against us! Every scum that we put down deserves it” Farine exclaims.
“Under what evidence?” Orion cries. “I'm 163 innocent strong. Including my damn parents! You watched them put that torch to my hair. It was them or all three of us!”
“People like your parents were the very reason we’re fighting this war,” Farine …show more content…

He stops and turns to face me. “I get it!” I plead. “The corruption. The murder. The hate. I get it. I grew up in the slums, eating bread and brown river water my entire life, until I was drafted. My entire family disappeared. Everyone I care about is probably dead. Yet, this country still takes care of us as the elite. They don’t know the hate we have for them—only the citizens. I’m not suggesting that we go along with it, but we should do what they say until we have our chance to strike. Now, isn’t the time, Orion. We all know the rebellion is getting bigger and more influential, and the Fourth Faction has room for everyone. We’ll destroy this nation and build a new one. Wipe out all of the corruption and evil and have a place where everyone can be happy. Don’t do this Orion. At least not now,” I

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