Title: Predator
Author: Karina
Rating: PG
Pairing: Duo + Milliardo
Notes: Challenge 195. Baby Series 4 #43. Takes place following Word Games.
Spoilers: None
Warnings:
Many thanks to ShenLong Deb for her work betaing this set of fics.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine.
Title: Predator
"So, out of curiosity, has Sanc ever known a revolution?"
Milliardo paused at the door that would take them back out into the palace hallways and glanced back at his companion, inclining his head slightly. "Yes. It was a part of the European society, after all, and in medieval times it was quite a volatile period of time. Sanc was just as violent and contested as any other small European country."
Duo followed him out of the attic and closed and locked the door behind him. He had little doubt Milliardo would have the attic's security upgraded before long, and hopefully a few creature comforts might be installed close by for them to enjoy.
"No matter how people care to dance around the subject, it is within mankind's very nature to contest against his fellow man. Pack order mentality, Duo. Wolves, lions, hyena's... any kind of pack predator must fight for its place within the pack; and the human race is a predator. Philosophers, psychologists, historians, they all might give it fancy names and theories, but it all boils down to that instinctive pack order mentality. If you wish to be more elevated than your pack mates, you find a way to achieve that goal."
"Yeah, but animals don't destroy everyone and everything in their path to get to their goal."
"Do they not?" Milliardo shook his head slightly. "Mankind is the top predator on this planet. There is little that, when he is in a pack, man can not contest against in the animal world. That is how we rose to the top of the food chain. That is how there became so many of us, because we grouped together. We gained the cooperation of our intimate pack mates. Now I mean intimate as in those who are near us, not necessarily lovers or even personal friends. We promote ourselves as being of advantage to the individuals in the pack, offering them better conditions, better 'whatever they need' to advance themselves, if only in their own minds. In the social order of the pack all can run smoothly, but it takes only one individual to cause disruption. If that individual is charismatic, he might influence others, who might see a benefit in change. Change is revolution, in some form or other."
Duo frowned, considering the man for a long moment before following him. "And those who do not agree with them form up with others who also disagree, and for similar reasons."
"Exactly." Milliardo ran a hand along the wall as he negotiated the narrow staircase, stepping off the last step into the wider hallway. "It may prove to be a quiet revolution, or it may eventually lead to actual physical conflict between opposing factions who each seek to gain what they consider to be 'better' conditions. Mankind is a social creature and if an idea infuses a great many of the individuals, with a charismatic leader, or a leader who is strong enough mentally; at one stage it was more physical strength that mattered. That now equates as to who is stronger by having the greater number of allies, soldiers and weapons."
"It leads to people dead or injured, maimed for life either physically or psychologically."
"Often both. It is not an ideal world and we must be honest and admit it never will be. The fundamental nature of man will ensure that."
Duo scowled, but he could not really argue strongly against any of what they had been discussing. "You make it sound impossible for us to ever achieve peace."
"Peace is the measure of 'a moment to a moment' when we are rested and non conflicted within ourselves. If many of us experience this together, then the world languishes in what it approximates peace to be. That is what I want for Stephen and others like him, Duo. For him not to have to compromise that inner sense of being at peace by taking up arms and entering into conflict."
End
Karina Robertson 2012