I read the final expression as incredulity, not delight. I can’t help
thinking REXX is thinking he smells a skunk, not just a rat. His next
question has to be along the lines of “Really? What’s the catch?”
Experience and logic tell him there is one.
Hoo boy! Ms Sharon Hunter and Agent Daddy Matthew Costman are on
the trail like a pair of bulldogs.
Once they bite, they don’t let go.
And unless Alias Smith and Glasses Jones are willing to roll over,
expose their bare naked bellies, and confess their myriad of sins to
Hunter, Costman, and God; may as well hand Smith and Jones a pair of
short swords and allow them to commit hari-kari (which is too
honorable a death for them). On second thought, the hangman’s noose
would be about right for the pair of miscreants. But not before Hunter
and Costman wring them both as dry of information as a wet sponge left
out in the Sonoran Desert July noon sun.
The presence of Ms Hunter and Mr Costman would likely indicate one
of a number of potential scenarios.
Somebody’s name hit the table, courtesy of “Smith and Jones”, that
is potentially, or is seriously problematic, and/or embarrassing
for the Dragon Kingdom.
Alternatively, somebody or somethings name hit the table, that is
not on the best of diplomatic terms with the Dragon Kingdom, and are
known troublemakers.
a bigger problem, courtesy of “Smith and Jones”, one or more names,
or related organizations hit the table that creates real and serious,
current and future problems.
Then of course, from an Arms trafficking perspective, someone might
have worked out the threat potential of the Androids and would like
to convert them from Sex Toys to disposable Militia, and/or
“intelligence” assets.
Although any combination of these is also highly problematic.
Any of those scenario’s aside, the illegal Technology transfer and
it’s negative potential would also seriously impact the Dragon
Kingdom, in a very bad way.
So it may be more than just these two clowns spilling their
proverbial guts across the table. They may well have opened a can
of worms.
As for Seppuku, that is only for the Honorable that have failed the
Emperor.
However, all embrace Kataki-Uchi to some extent and in some form.
Which is likely their current problem, as “Smith and Jones” are
now, or soon will be, on everyone’s “To Do” list.
Well, this is going to toss the Cat among the pigeons, or Core
worlds, as the case may be.
I remember this from my Senior NCO Promotional Course days, as a
Common Colonial strategy, that dates back to the Ancient Romans.
Pick the Guy, or Girl, whom you think you can best get along with,
convert them to Royalty, arm and then train up their locals to
Infantry Platoon (70 -> 100+) strength, or if resources are
available, Battalion (700 -> 1000+) strength.
Do a trade deal (local resources) or promote essential trade
(outsourcing) by supplying them tools and material as required.
The ancient Romans typically did this for large scale Farming.
As a surety that the status quo would be maintained, do a defense
arrangement that your new Trading Partners would be protected from
their more aggressive neighbors courtesy of the Pax Romana.
Internal issues, local bandits, and wayward local tribal threats
were what your new militia was for.
Those threatening the new Trading Partners in any serious capacity,
or those Trading Partners failing to observe the Pax Romana, would
soon become familiar with a Platoon (50 ish) or Cohort (450 ish) of
Roman legionnaires and the legendary Roman Gladius.
The reasoning for this strategy was simple.
Rome by itself could not afford the Resources or Manpower to
dominate multiple nations, nor to extract tribute any in meaningful
volume, without incurring fairly ruinous expenses.
However, free trade, or at least as free as the Romans permitted,
benefited the poorer and less technological advanced nations, while
shifting the burden and cost back to their less advanced
Trading Partner.
The new Trading Partner saw the own security improve, their lifestyle
and quality of life improve, and they developed textile, farming
and mining industries that earned them a good national income.
Albeit with the Romans being their major trading partner.
While that may seem like the Romans were exploiting these smaller
Nations and Tribes, it worked well for more than Five hundred years,
and lifted entire nations out of poverty, while beneficially
advancing their civilizations.
This as opposed to centralized and feudalistic Nations and Empires,
that looted and destroyed all perceived and potential threats, and
kept the vassal states they dealt with, in perpetual poverty.
Iain, Kataki-Uchi (which I would translate as blood debt) was outlawed
in Meiji Japan. I suspect that at least part of that is because it
can lead to blood feuds between families. There have certainly been
some huge family/clan feuds in the past.
One thing we know about the empire is that the people at the top are
all honorable. We know Jonathan Walker is a strong student of history.
I suspect that the empire is in some ways using the Roman model. Look
at how they treated the Amphibians. Where the (very corrupt and
utterly ruthless) core worlds exploited them and charged ruinous
prices for a needed medicine, the empire offered terms both agreeable
and advantageous to both sides. I have long maintained that there is
no such thing as a zero-sum game. If you set out to cheat the other
party then they suffer financially while you suffer morally thus the
net result is negative. Treating the other party in a honorable
transaction is a win-win (positive sum) game and is best for both
sides in the long run. I truly believe that, in the final analysis,
honesty truly is the best policy. I like to think of it as
enlightened self-interest.
in panel 7… i ‘was’ expecting brother to be thrown out.!!
these two strike me as ” The best brother / friend.” combo.
i’m guessing Paka took over the pirates’, so his brother would
not have to worry of a take over,. (like King an Matthew.!)
Be vewy vewy kwiet…
“Surprise! Now we can give those unwanted ‘guests’ the finger,
Your Majesty…”
I could weep for joy to see King Rexx’s face as it changes from
anger to pleasant surprise.
Well done, PC, well done!
I read the final expression as incredulity, not delight. I can’t help
thinking REXX is thinking he smells a skunk, not just a rat. His next
question has to be along the lines of “Really? What’s the catch?”
Experience and logic tell him there is one.
You think that dog’s been kicked too many times?
Hoo boy! Ms Sharon Hunter and Agent Daddy Matthew Costman are on
the trail like a pair of bulldogs.
Once they bite, they don’t let go.
And unless Alias Smith and Glasses Jones are willing to roll over,
expose their bare naked bellies, and confess their myriad of sins to
Hunter, Costman, and God; may as well hand Smith and Jones a pair of
short swords and allow them to commit hari-kari (which is too
honorable a death for them). On second thought, the hangman’s noose
would be about right for the pair of miscreants. But not before Hunter
and Costman wring them both as dry of information as a wet sponge left
out in the Sonoran Desert July noon sun.
President Woody,
The presence of Ms Hunter and Mr Costman would likely indicate one
of a number of potential scenarios.
Somebody’s name hit the table, courtesy of “Smith and Jones”, that
is potentially, or is seriously problematic, and/or embarrassing
for the Dragon Kingdom.
Alternatively, somebody or somethings name hit the table, that is
not on the best of diplomatic terms with the Dragon Kingdom, and are
known troublemakers.
a bigger problem, courtesy of “Smith and Jones”, one or more names,
or related organizations hit the table that creates real and serious,
current and future problems.
Then of course, from an Arms trafficking perspective, someone might
have worked out the threat potential of the Androids and would like
to convert them from Sex Toys to disposable Militia, and/or
“intelligence” assets.
Although any combination of these is also highly problematic.
Any of those scenario’s aside, the illegal Technology transfer and
it’s negative potential would also seriously impact the Dragon
Kingdom, in a very bad way.
So it may be more than just these two clowns spilling their
proverbial guts across the table. They may well have opened a can
of worms.
As for Seppuku, that is only for the Honorable that have failed the
Emperor.
However, all embrace Kataki-Uchi to some extent and in some form.
Which is likely their current problem, as “Smith and Jones” are
now, or soon will be, on everyone’s “To Do” list.
Well, this is going to toss the Cat among the pigeons, or Core
worlds, as the case may be.
I remember this from my Senior NCO Promotional Course days, as a
Common Colonial strategy, that dates back to the Ancient Romans.
Pick the Guy, or Girl, whom you think you can best get along with,
convert them to Royalty, arm and then train up their locals to
Infantry Platoon (70 -> 100+) strength, or if resources are
available, Battalion (700 -> 1000+) strength.
Do a trade deal (local resources) or promote essential trade
(outsourcing) by supplying them tools and material as required.
The ancient Romans typically did this for large scale Farming.
As a surety that the status quo would be maintained, do a defense
arrangement that your new Trading Partners would be protected from
their more aggressive neighbors courtesy of the Pax Romana.
Internal issues, local bandits, and wayward local tribal threats
were what your new militia was for.
Those threatening the new Trading Partners in any serious capacity,
or those Trading Partners failing to observe the Pax Romana, would
soon become familiar with a Platoon (50 ish) or Cohort (450 ish) of
Roman legionnaires and the legendary Roman Gladius.
The reasoning for this strategy was simple.
Rome by itself could not afford the Resources or Manpower to
dominate multiple nations, nor to extract tribute any in meaningful
volume, without incurring fairly ruinous expenses.
However, free trade, or at least as free as the Romans permitted,
benefited the poorer and less technological advanced nations, while
shifting the burden and cost back to their less advanced
Trading Partner.
The new Trading Partner saw the own security improve, their lifestyle
and quality of life improve, and they developed textile, farming
and mining industries that earned them a good national income.
Albeit with the Romans being their major trading partner.
While that may seem like the Romans were exploiting these smaller
Nations and Tribes, it worked well for more than Five hundred years,
and lifted entire nations out of poverty, while beneficially
advancing their civilizations.
This as opposed to centralized and feudalistic Nations and Empires,
that looted and destroyed all perceived and potential threats, and
kept the vassal states they dealt with, in perpetual poverty.
Iain, Kataki-Uchi (which I would translate as blood debt) was outlawed
in Meiji Japan. I suspect that at least part of that is because it
can lead to blood feuds between families. There have certainly been
some huge family/clan feuds in the past.
One thing we know about the empire is that the people at the top are
all honorable. We know Jonathan Walker is a strong student of history.
I suspect that the empire is in some ways using the Roman model. Look
at how they treated the Amphibians. Where the (very corrupt and
utterly ruthless) core worlds exploited them and charged ruinous
prices for a needed medicine, the empire offered terms both agreeable
and advantageous to both sides. I have long maintained that there is
no such thing as a zero-sum game. If you set out to cheat the other
party then they suffer financially while you suffer morally thus the
net result is negative. Treating the other party in a honorable
transaction is a win-win (positive sum) game and is best for both
sides in the long run. I truly believe that, in the final analysis,
honesty truly is the best policy. I like to think of it as
enlightened self-interest.
Oops. Left out a word. Meant to write: Treating the other party
” honorably ” in a transaction is a win-win (positive sum) game
fixed.
in panel 7… i ‘was’ expecting brother to be thrown out.!!
these two strike me as ” The best brother / friend.” combo.
i’m guessing Paka took over the pirates’, so his brother would
not have to worry of a take over,. (like King an Matthew.!)
When the heads of Imperial Security and Imperial Intelligence show
up, the defacatory material has well and truly impacted the rotary
air oscillator…
It seems that the Cats have out foxed the Dogs…