It is with the greatest pride and gratitude that I hereby accept the Olympic Committee’s invitation to light the torch at this year’s Summer Games, and I commend Jehovah Mason’s honesty and courage. I agree that clear sides are what we most need now, clear options: the Hives, with all their strengths and flaws, or an unknown new order. In fact, I agree with Jehovah Mason’s speech on every point but two. First, they question whether or not the human race will succeed at keeping this truce through the Olympics; I have no doubt we will succeed. Second, they believe that, when we do succeed, it will prove that we do not need O.S.; someday, I’m sure, the human race won’t need O.S. anymore, but I am not so sure that day will come this year, or even in our lifetimes. And if the order to discontinue O.S. does come, it must come from the legitimate leader of my Hive, my President, not any outsider.

To Romanova I say: let people wear what insignia they like, and declare their sides in all this honestly, as they declare their Hives or Law; if you use the excuse of the First Law to ban the bull’s-eye, claiming that it incites violence, all you will achieve is mass paranoia as everyone doubts their neighbors, and paranoia makes people rash.

To my supporters, those who wear my bull’s-eye or want to, I say: wear the Olympic Colors too, and, using them as a badge of unofficial office, form yourselves into voluntary peacekeepers, to take shifts watching places where friction between the sides is likely, and talk people down. No one in their right mind will oppose this truce, but many things can jolt a person from their right mind.

To my enemy’s supporters I say: wear the Olympic Colors also, if you are brave, and join my peacekeepers as we uphold the Olympic Spirit and the peace it brings.

To my fellow athletes I say: I look forward to seeing you on the field of contest; let these be the best Olympics yet.

And to Jehovah Mason I say: you are the best of enemies, but it is my duty to defend the Hives, freedom of choice, and liberty, so I will kill you.

—Ojiro Cardigan Sniper, Thirteenth O.S., May 3rd, 2454