Rhosyn arrived to her vehicle, stepping inside gracefully and sitting in her spot in the center of the back. Her handmaids were on either side of her, and Dante sat near the driver.
"Well that went well." he said smiling slightly.
"This is why mother never wanted to deal with the other countries. They are rude, warmongering, idiots. Jovri seems like he has the best head on him of the group, however he is a coward." Rhosyn stated, sighing. "The Collective feels like the only competent people, even if we have our glitches."
Dante straightened in mock importance. "It is my firm believe, my Luminarch, that we should ally ourselves with the neighboring countries. It has been a while since we had trade with them, and though we closed off our country to outsiders once upon a time, would you think it was a good idea to open them now?"
Rhosyn paused, thinking about it. The Great Work, the country's greatest project, would be hard for the other country's to accept... let alone ally with. But with it came many great benefits. Workers who would not tire, soldiers who would not die, life that could go on through the harshest conditions.
She regarded her metal hand again, such a beautiful creation. It's workings whirring so quietly and subtly that you wouldn't hear it unless you listened for it. The design was elegant, but deadly. She was far superior than any of the flesh bags back in that room. What harm would it be if some saw the radiance of their culture, of their way of life.
She remembered back to being a child, meanwhile touching her metal hand against her soft face fur. Remembering the times she would walk through the streets, playing with the kids, speaking as equals with the citizens, never fearing for her life as her people loved her. She never lorded her power over them, she was graceful and kind with them. But these... other countries. They were warlike and brutal. She did not want them infecting their beautiful creation, the glorious machine race they were creating.
Then again... trade with another country would be healthy. She was sure her people were a little stir crazy due to the fact that there was no travel permitted outside of the country. Maybe it was time to alleviate that. Open the train ways and airpaths in and out of the city.
She smiled. She could imagine the looks of wonder on the faces of her people as they traveled to other countries, saw glorious things there, knowing that they would be secure in that their bodies and minds were strong enough to handle the darkness out there.
"Maybe... you are right, my friend. Maybe the laws of my grandmother could be abolished and allow for travel again. Our whole country is now mechanical like the Doctrine states, there really isn't more we can do without reaching out to others. Bees cannot pollinate without a variety of flowers..." she said softly, a touch of excitement tinged with sadness in her voice, and for the only time ever, in the privacy of her limo with only her trusted adviser and handmaidens...
...The Luminarch sounded mortal.