[Icefox]

((This is not so much a piece of traditional fiction as it is a sort of attempt at blending Bushido-style format, virtue ethics, and some ideals with an in-character Solrain code of conduct... please, let me know how you like it. ))

The Seven Solrain Standards

My fellow Solrains, members of TRI, and citizens of the lesser nations - hear me! I have returned from a deep sleep, this coma brought upon by a pod malfunction after a vicious terrorist cloaked in the colors of an ailing religion saw fit to attack and destroy my vessel within Sovereign Solrain. But I do not return from this sleep empty-handed.

I have endured many months of intense dreaming, dreaming so vivid that a lesser mind reliant upon religion or near-tribal fits of violence might have concluded that these were visions. However, I am not as gullible as to believe I have seen events to come in my dreams; that I am carrying some message from a savior or dead hero; or that I have been inspired by some damnable imaginary war spirit or god - it is the job of delusional, religious quacks and those who bear arms with no profitable purpose in mind to dream up such flights of fancy.

No, what I bear is simply a message from myself to you. A simple message that has been brought out of chaos into order by my previously troubled mind. All of this deep sleep has been helpful in organizing my thoughts, and I feel it is only fair to share them. This order, these sating seven Solrain Standards some will so sardonically sack are simple... such simple sense, some say, may suspect a story, but I settle some subconcious' as I stipulate satisfaction. But I digress, for if I become too verbose I shall lose this audience's attention.

The Seven Solrain Standards, are meant to give us purpose. To give us reason to live, fight, and hold an honor all our own - an honor not for some rediculous imagined god or our own adrenaline, but for the benefit of ourselves and all of this mighty Commonwealth.

The Standards are as follows:

Sake - Many meanings are held within this Saking Standard. Sake is to have purpose, but for what? Motive, but for whom? For the betterment of oneself and ones' comrades, but of course! And how is betterment achieved? Profit! Sake is critical because without this motivation to better oneself, ones' wallet, and ones' comrades, there is no motivation for Profit. Through Sake, we stimulate.

Skepticism - A degree of caution must be brought with every deal made, for treaties and agreements are broken in the name of Profit as often as a Quantar maiden lowers her dress for favor from the fahil memta. For those unfamiliar with the nature of Quantar politics, this is "quite often." With every deal, skepticism is assumed to be part of the bargain. Through Skepticism, we shield.

Spirit - Though caution is required through dealings, a strength of spirit can be held while cautions are taken. An enthusiasm for Profit and therefore one's Profitable dealings is critical to the well-being of one's holdings, and to the holdings of one's nation. Spirit helps us to keep our corneas attuned to the color of Profit, so that we may identify and reap from it greatly. Spirit conspires with Skepticism to bring great Profit through reasonable means. Through Spirit, we soar.

Solidarity - Solidarity, or to use a simpler word for the sake of Octavians, "unity" is critical to any Profitable operation just as it is critical to the Profitable continuance of Governments, Corporations, Armies, and Peoples. These are made strong through solidarity, as the efforts of many can quickly surpass the Profit potential of the sum of their parts. Through Solidarity, we strengthen.

Sovereignty - Profit is meaningless without security. This is why Sovereignty is so important. Without Sovereignty (land and space of our own which is OURS AlONE to guard, protect, and oversee) there is no place to safely hoarde our treasures, nor is there a secure place that we alone may reap Profit from. Through Sovereignty, we secure.

Self-interest - One's own skin must be cherished if one is to be useful to oneself and the rest of society. Self-interest is of key import, as a man left unprofitable is a man not worthy of investment, and a man unworthy of investment is a failure in life. Self-interest must balance itself against the sacrifice inherent in Solidarity. Together, Self-interest and Solidarity conspire to bring peace through a mixture of Profit and sacrifice that ends with a greater Profit for all. Through Self-interest, we safeguard.

Sensibility - Sensibility is a broad and difficult Standard to uphold. It espouses that deals and actions that are no longer profitable and have no reasonable chance of becoming profitable through resultant improved relations or climate are no longer sensible, and must therefore be aborted. Sensibility not only protects us from foolish acts of senseless slaughter, but from the idiotic continuance of treaties and deals no longer Profitable. Through Sensibility, we stabilize.


These standards, when combined together in balance, form one Meta-Standard:

Sorian - The Meta-Standard Sorian is the most difficult of Standards to ascertain. To be Sorian in this sense is not to be ethnically or nationally so, but rather to have a sense of Profit, justice, and honor about oneself that is distinctly Solrain in nature, and therefore superior. The spirit left undeveloped is un-Sorian, while the spirit well-developed is twice Sorian. If all of the Standards are held together in balance, one shall be strong of soul - it is then that one is truly Sorian.

Can anyone truly be Sorian? That is unknown, for I certainly know that I am not. Can anyone strive to be Sorian, to be the best that we can? Yes, and that is the purpose of it all. Uphold the Seven Solrain Standards as best you can, and strive to be as Sorian as possible.. and great Profit shall follow in your wake.