[HARD CONTACT] Chapter 6: Birhan is KT's spokeperson in this book

[mamuzzy]

 || Republic Commando: Hard Contact || 2004 || Book series || Military, Sci-Fi || 18+ for violence and harrowing themes || 

that interview came into my mind with KT and Etain 

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
I came from a very poor working class home in a grim naval city, and I was raised with a rigorous work ethic that told me the only way out was to work for it. Not a cheerful existence; but I knew I was never going to wake up one day and find I was really a princess or a wizard or any of the other shortcuts to happiness. 
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

And I think about Birhan again who alrady doesn't have trust in the Jedi and the Republic as some kind of savior heroes. On one hand, the Jedi and the Republic never cared about them. And if you think about this, the Jedi weren't here to save them from their oppressors to begin with. The Omega Squad didn't come to save the citizens from their oppressors either. The locals don't expect anything from the Jedi. And Jedi are the face of the Republic. 

People say Skirata is KT's spokeperson, but I think it's more like this guy: 

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
Birhan was still staring at Etain as if he was debating whether to go and grab his pitchfork. “Republic my rump,” he said. “Them’s no different to Neimies when it comes to it. We’ll still be bottom of the pile whoever runs the show.”
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

 

And yet Birhan chooses to give them a chance...

Comments

[ithillia]

Wow, this is a very interesting extra bit I never knew about KT! And yeah, it really would make sense, because all the shits she could see not only by her upbringing but during her profession I bet she can never see any warefaring party as "good" or "bad". They all just want to take, and never minding others (civilians) paying that price.
Also, Birhan for me was always very thoughtprovokative, because I disliked him from minute one yet found myself totally agreeing with his stances all the time, especially in the lil part you've highlighted above.
And yet, I think I wouldn't have what he has, that willingness to help and take risks for strangers unless I myself have something to gain from it...

[mamuzzy]

Probably this is why I love how she depicted the Republic here, or how Qiilura is handled here to begin with. That briefing scene with Zey was just perfect in this sense: this planet is neutral, so the Republic doesn't give a shit. But even if they would give a shit, the low-class citizens probably wouldn't feel the difference.

I also like Birhan as this minor character. So many subtle political critique and how nobody gives a shit about the worker class.