listening closely to his words, "We are not separate people at all, we
are not different races. We are not Zards, or Canitaurs, or Munams, we
are Daemians, and it is time that we came together, to help each other
instead of hindering. Look at how much blood has been shed, how many
lives have been lost, must we all be drowned in the blood of our
brothers before we realize that we are one people? Must we suffer more
than we already have in an attempt to undo what has already been done?
More pain will not negate the pain that has already been felt, it will
only result in more suffering than we have known up to this time. My
friends, we need not look for our redemption in the past, for it has
gone and though it influences us, we are not bound to its suffering. And
we need not look for our redemption in the future, for it is not yet
here, and when it comes it will only be what we make it. Instead let us
look for our redemption in the present, where it can be found, let us
put aside our hate and our divisions and become one flesh and blood, one
body. People of Daem, let us live in peace!" As he said this, the Zards
and the Canitaurs and the Munams all let out a joyous shout of
agreement, and there was seen on every face a remnant of the happiness
that had so long alluded them in their wars.

To emphasize his point of harmony and trust, Bernibus dropped the remote
to the atomic anionizers to the ground. But it would never land. Wagner
leapt forward from his groveling position and grabbed for it as it fell,
reaching out with all his strength. There was a sudden silence that
overtook everyone as they saw what was happening. Bernibus looked down
and saw Wagner leap, but he was too late to prevent him from reaching
the remote. There was no noise at all, for everyone looked in horror at
Wagner's plunging form. As if in slow motion, his hand wrapped around
the remote and he squeezed it so as not to let it go. But as he did so,
there was a loud beeping sound that came from his fist: he had triggered