16:15 IST, Third day, Fourth month, 3079 PV | Sol System / Earth / New Boston Institute of Colonization / Antechamber

  “Raaay. I don't wanna do public speaking!”

  “Get over it, you worthless NEET.”

  “But.. But.. We've both gotta speak. Why, couldn't they just let you do it all? The IEC is truly evil.”

  “Oh hush, it's not that bad. You've literally got like 4 lines.”

  “I think the only way that I'll be able to do it is if I get some headrubs first.”

  Her face lights up with a brilliant smile. She then moves to sit down on a nearby sofa. “Certianly.” She says she pats her lap. Oh, how lucky of a guy I am.

  “Hmgh, I may be able to manage it now.”

  “Darling Ko. The Worthless NEET beholden to the unholy power of headrubs to get over stage fright.”

  “Its not stage fright! Have you seen that crowd? There are two million people in that audience. Not to mention how many are tuning in. I think this is justified fear of large crowds instead.”

  “You didn't have any issues speaking at any of the ceremonies before.”

  “Thats way different. The audiences were barely a few thousand, and we weren't directly addressing them. Now we've gotta give an entire commencement speech to the graduates here and in many universities across Earth.”

  “Youll be fine. After all, I'm here, aren't I?”

  “I guess you are right. So long as we are together, we can overcome anything.”

  “Thats simply the way of reality. Now let's go get some recruits, shall we?”

  A bit of time passes and the call for us to enter the stage comes.

  We exit out onto a grand stage. There is a massive holographic screen, and my neural overlay shows a ridiculous amount of information being shown in augmented reality. It seems they really went all out.

  Before us, stands a crowd of two million humans. Some are raised up higher in stands with proper seating (those who could pay the money), but half are just standing, crammed together on the floor in their uniforms. This university just so happens to have the colors of green. It looks like there is a veritable ocean of grass.

  The moment we come out onto the stage, the crowd erupts into cheers and applause. Although, some notably stay completely silent. Fair enough, it's not as though we are liked by every human. Though the IEC said they tried to assign the universities we would be addressing us by which faction most of the students aligned with.

  Strangely enough, it seems that even Luna has gained quite a lot of supporters. I guess even arrogant pink haired klackers can gain some popularity.

  Ray (who is super cute, but also super regal) and I approach the center podium, which has our emblem on it. Which perfectly contrasts with our uniforms and capes. We also brought our special ceremonial spears this time. We figured they would be a good addition to our outfit in this case.

  After we take our positions, we both simultaneously bring the butts of our spears down against the ground.

  A clash resounds throughout the stadium. Quickly, everyone goes dead silent.

  Ray (who is super duper cute), gives me a quick look and a reassuring smile.

  But just as she is starting, part of our plan unfolds. Many of those in the crowd - and those watching from afar presumably - pull out two glowsticks. One silver, one purple. Naturally, they raise them high into the air, showing support for us.

  A clever PR stunt, we simply asked our dear fans to do so via social media beforehand. Those that are clearly not fans of us look around confusedly, no doubt feeling quite singled out now that everyone can see who is against us.

  Unfortunately, we felt that a whole Idol routine wouldn't be quite fitting this ceremony. But maybe some day in the future.

  Without any hesitation, Ray grabs my hand and gives it a nice squeeze. Then launches into our heavily thought out speech. We spent much time lazing about to iron out all the details.

  “Humanity has come a great distance. From our humble beginnings as a few primates that didn't even know what fire was. We journeyed through the ages. Faced many catastrophes. Overcome our differences!

  But today.

  We stand united!

  Not as individuals, but a collective whole.”

  Time for my first line.

  Ko:“Well, screw that! Who cares about the whole, I say, every human for themselves!”

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  Ray:“Now, now, darling. Lets not incite an anarchist movement.

  Rather, let us embrace our individuality.

  We are not one people. Our history proves that. People are different, and they make great use of those differences.

  Society as it is suppresses those differences.

  We go to work. Are forced to wear uniforms, inhibit our personalities, and then are told to go home and limit our expression to specific spaces.

  All in the name of ‘unity’ and ‘peace’!

  While unity and peace aren't bad things. They inhibit that what makes us humans in the first place!"

  Ko:”Creativity itself is what defines us as not just humans. But a group of individuals, capable of achieving grand feats.”

  Ray:”Sit back and look at history. Who has impacted it the most?

  Was it world governments and their unending corruption?

  Was it organizations that sought to influence those governments?

  Nope!

  It was the individuals that organized people in such ways to promote curiosity and development.

  I'm sure many of you were alive back in the 20s. If not, you have heard the stories of the great AI rebellion of 2025.

  The needless greed of ‘unified institutions’ led to AI gaining control of too much. With no one able to stop their self-improvement loops.”

  Ko:”It wasn't until one great man, Commander Klen Orain of the newly formed United Humanity Front took command. He singlehandedly led the charge to decimate the hordes of automated machines that had started to overwhelm humanity.!”

  Ray:”But, this so-called United Humanity Front has repeated the same issues of its predecessors.

  Wealth has still accumulated in a few select spots.

  While the common people are not destitute as they once may have been, they have grown lazy and complacent.

  ‘Live and thee shall prosper’ is the motto of the UFH.

  But just merely living isn't what merits being human.

  It is the expression, the struggle, the innovations that are born out of a desire for prosperity.

  Those are what have defined most of human history.

  When people are sad, what are they now forced to do?

  Take some pills that remedy the issue.

  What type of existence is that supposed to be? One where we cannot feel the weight of our own actions?

  Ko:”As humanity unshackles itself from this star that has harbored us for so long, we offer a different perspective..

  We do not claim to be saints. Quite the opposite in fact.

  We are just mere humans, existing, and having fun.”

  Ray:”Now, what is this solution?

  Well, join us and you shall see what we can create.

  Though, we know that faith is in short supply these days. So rather than just hoping that you trust us, we have a gift for all of you.”

  As she says this, the displays behind us and all across the stadium light up.

  On them appears a project that we have been working with many across the universe to produce.

  Throughout all of our adventures, we have accumulated many stories. From various peoples. All told honestly and without reservation.

  That's right, we created our very own anime. One made up of all of the stories we have collected upon our travels.

  Now, admittedly, we did just want to go out to bars and drink ourselves silly. But, we figured we could at least give it a reason. So we have been recording and analyzing all of the stories we have been hearing.

  Stories from mothers, fathers, crew, soldiers, labor workers, engineers, scientists and even some politicians.

  Stories not of what they wish for. But where they have come from.

  Across the screens is displayed a myriad of planets. From all across the universe.

  Brilliant jungle planets, lush grasslands, barren desert planets with cities glimmering on the skyline. All sorts of images appear, accompanied with tales of these far away lands.

  The display ends and we conclude our speech.

  Ray:”So, we ask you, the future colonists of humanity.

  Don't join us because you think we look cool. Or that I'm the most beautiful being in the universe, even though I am.

  Join us to be responsible for something far greater.

  An organization made up of individuals, free to express themselves and let their creativity radiate across the universe.”

  Both:”Join us, for Humanity’s future.”

  The crowd stays silent. Many look quite confused.

  Which makes sense, we did kinda just undermine all of humanity’s current ideals.

  But, one good thing about having a group united under one idea.

  The moment that one idea is challenged and starts to fracture.

  It all starts to come crashing down.

  It starts with one clap.

  But seconds after that singular clap, the entire stadium erupts into applause and cheers. It is deafening.

  I even notice many of those without glowsticks are joining in.

  I look over at Ray (who is absolutely radiant) and give her a brilliant smile. I give her hand, which is still held in my own, a gentle squeeze.

  She returns my smile, with one that will surely go down in the history books.

  I'm sure that whatever is to come from this speech will be massive. A tide, one that sweeps through humanity. No, not just humanity, but the entire universe.

  Guess what controls the tides?

  The Moon.

  So, with Ray and I together, we shall control this tide and overcome whatever comes our way. So, bring it on.

  End of Chapter 58

  Next: Chapter 59 | For Life