"War. What is it good for?"
Zeratul shook his head. Philosophical questions annoyed him, and when such an opportunity existed, sitting around and talking about it was a waste of time.
“Elder, I believe…”
“I know what you believe, Zeratul. You believe that asking questions is a waste of time and that the time for action is now. Do you not see that merely doing a thing is insufficient? We must know why we do the thing, so that we can know what others will do once we have done it.”
“And so I ask you again. What is war good for?”
Zeratul exhaled sharply, annoyed.
“Absolutely nothing?”
Kal Shora looked down at him with condescending eyes.
“Ludicrous, Zeratul. Societies do not do a thing that serves no purpose. Yet they make war constantly. Why?”
He shook his head.
“Elder…”
“No Zeratul, no deference! I will educate you if it takes me the last three hundred years of my life! Why do societies make war?”
Zeratul considered.
“War is a method of removing ones enemies. It is used primarily to expand ones territory, to bring your resources to bear in order to bolster your reserves. A calculated expenditure to increase a societies power.”
Kal Shora nodded.
“The obvious answer. On the surface, the answer is passable only. There is a problem when you remind yourself that there are much more effective means of expanding territory, including covert operation, deception, concession, urbanization, relief efforts… need I go on?”
Zeratul shook his head.
“There is also the consideration that many societies make war for territory they do not want and resources they do not need. Some societies are overtly hostile, always campaigning and rigidly defending their territory. Surely, a continuous war would weaken the foundation of society as they expended resources on a campaign that gained them none in return? Is that no logical?”
Zeratul nodded his head in agreement.
“Yet, pragmatically, these societies do not collapse. Often the reciprocal is true; they flourish. Societies that divert massive portions of their resource reserves to fighting uneconomically prosperous wars do not grow lethargic and choke in poverty, but grow more powerful. Some even become galactic superpowers. And so, the expanse of ones territory and resources must not be the true reason for war at all, or surely these societies would suffer going to war for neither space nor materials. There must be another reason.”
“Is there, though? Or are you just using cyclical logic to annoy me?”
Kal Shora could have laughed, were such a gesture one native to his species. Instead, he swept his hands in an arc indicative of his amusement.
“There is always a correct answer, Zeratul.”
He sighed.
“If not for territory, then simply for the elimination of enemies. The seizure of power and control priory attributed with a defeated foe.”
Kal Shora appeared thoughtful before shaking his head.
“You are closer, but you are looking in the wrong direction.”
Zeratul snapped.
“What am I supposed to say? I jump through your hoops and play your word games and all the while an opportunity slips away! I don’t know why I have to figure out your stupid puzzles when the answers are locked inside your head…”
And then, Zeratul slapped himself in the forehead. Kal Shora nodded.
“So simple, when you think about it, is it not?”
“War is used as an economic control measure.”
“Correct.”
“A way to unify the people behind your government.”
“Correct.”
”Eliminate terrorism and dissention. Increase political power under a guise of wartime security.”
“Correct.Correct correct correct. War isn’t used to expand but to restrict. Not to better, but instead merely to control.”
“But if the people…”
“The people will never know, Zeratul! Such is the beauty of war. There is always another enemy. Always, danger around the nearest corner. Fear is a powerful ally to totalitarian governments. It is a reason why governments founded on the premise of diplomatic relations, science and exploration, and the betterment of the common being all fail, while governments based on a premise of war exploit their people and restrict them all the while winning their support with a patriotic war.”
Zeratul considered.
“It is insidious.”
Kal Shora nodded.
“Isn’t it, though? And yet, aren’t the people better for the war? Production increases and the society operates at a more economically efficient standard. The people are given a purpose and a unifying cause. Spirituality and faith increases exponentially. Are these not good things? Does not society benefit not only in the hierarchy but also the proletariat?”
Zeratul needed a moment to think, but Kal Shora did not allow him it.
“No, Zeratul. War is used to better society but not how it might seem. War is not fought against the Jutraalian Empire or the New Galactic Coalition, or the New Order, but against a much more devious and adamant foe. It is fought against the forces of peace, the great societal corruptor.”
Zeratul nodded.
“Peace. What is it good for?”
“Absolutely nothing.”
***
“The Voladetek Nebula.”
Kal Shora nodded.
“Good work. This will do perfectly, Zeratul. Estimated response time?”
Zeratul made a hand gesture roughly equivalent to a scoff.
“I highly doubt that any of them have the capability to detect us.”
“If they do…”
“… IF they do, then it will take roughly twenty minutes to reach the edge of the nebula, adding on the time it will take to investigate through the natural interference.”
Kal Shora nodded, interlocking his fingers.
“Too late.”
Zeratul was pleased. He pressed the confirmation button, and the wormhole opened, like a door opening to the future. The Sep'Ta'd'Aark entered it without hesitation, it’s destination, intergalactic war.
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