Thunder walks down the hall from Docking Bay 1 on his way to the Grand Central Corridor, speech in hand. He couldn't help but marvel at success of Station Unity, memories of the construction work he'd done, the things he'd learned, and the friends he'd made over the past few weeks flooding back as he proceeded to an elevator shaft to level 70, and from there to the Grand Central Corridor and the opening ceremonies. Entering a room behind the stage, Thunder waited his turn as various representitives from across the galaxy made breif statements, and then a holo-montage of music and images followed. Finally, the stage director motioned to him; it was his turn. Thunder could hear the ceremony on stage; the MC was introducing him. "And now, Stationmaster of Station Unity and the person whose dream all of this was; please welcome Thunder!" He stood up and walked onto the stage, where he was greeted by great applause from the audience. Thunder was shocked by the number of people who had turned out. Of course the media was there, and important celeberties and buisnessmen, but also representitives from every government except the Voinians. The Grand Central Corridor was filled to capacity, even the balconies were overflowing with onlookers. After the applause subsided, he took the podium and began.
"Welcome, everyone. Corocians, Humans, Igadzra, Zidagar, Azdgari, Miranu, Renegades, Emalgha, Kayans, Strandless, welcome and thank you all for coming. Today marks the beginning of something great for all of us. Station Unity; a place where people of every race and every government can come and trade, gather, seek refuge, or make a home, but most of all feel safe. There is no military presence here, no threat of persecution, no war, no fighting.
We live in a turbulent galaxy. War is the status quo, and it affects us all. Surely everyone here has been affected by the fighting that has overtaken our universe; whether you've lost a friend, family member, or maybe even your home and everyone you once knew. Perhaps war is inevitable, but it's effects are tragic, and it's casualties are not all military. Civilians driven from their homes, fleeing war-torn border worlds. Families torn apart by enemy attacks, searching desperately to get back together again. People from destroyed stations and battered worlds, left homeless with only their ships and if they're lucky, their assets. As a merchant, I saw all these things in my travels; people on the worlds I visited who had suffered these fates. They had done nothing to deserve this fate, and all they needed to get their lives back on track was a break; and a chance for new hope.
That's what Station Unity is really about; helping those most in need. As long as there is war, there will be victims. And as long as there are victims, Station Unity will be here to take them in. Here those victims can find shelter, food, and be reunited with those they were seperated from. I ask all governments, all races, all people to respect the neutrality and peace of this system, and leave it as a safe haven where victims of war can come to rebuild their lives. Everyone is welcome here, except those who would spread violence. When you come here, leave the wars outside."
Here Thunder paused, and the audience responded with a long round of applause. After the applause died down, Thunder continued.
"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for." Thunder stepped forward and pulled a ceremonial pair of scissors from his pocket. Leaving the stage, he proceeded forward to a large red ribbon that was stretched across in front of the stage. Raising the scissors, Thunder held them up to the ribbon and snipped through it. "I now declare Station Unity officially open."
As the ribbon fell, the crowd rose to their feet in a standing ovation. Thunder couldn't help but smile as he looked out over the excited crowd. Taking the microphone one last time, he spoke; "That concludes the Opening Ceremonies; we'll have a party here in the Grand Central Corridor, with music provided by bands from across the galaxy. Again, thank you all for coming!"
------------------
A hatch opened up and the aliens said,
"We're sorry to learn that you soon will be dead,
But though you may find this slightly macabre,
We prefer your extinction to the loss of our job."
