“The plan is simple. Starve them.” says my boss the newly created position - Head of Sea Defence.

“Expand.” replies the Sea Lord and only child (by way of adoption) of the Capitalist.

Turning the edge of their triangular shape, my boss vibrates to me to continue.

“The living population of however many billions they are is to be culled by 90%. 1% goes towards public ownership for research purposes. The rest will enter auction and be stored in museums, collections and the like to be viewed or used however the owner sees fit.”

“How much is needed to ensure their reproduction?” asks the Head of Finance: the spouse of the Sea Lord.

“Less than O.1% of their current numbers.” I answer.

“Keep to that number for research purposes. There is no need to have excess waste affect the budget.” says the Head of Finance.

“We could operate with up to 10 percent of the population and still receive a 5 percent budget savings from the intended outcomes of the neutralisation project.” inputs the Head of Finance’s secretary.

“Go with 0.3 percent in case of accidents or future sales to the private market.” commands the Sea Lord. “Back to the topic at hand. Are we confident in the neutralisation method?”

“We have already trialled the neutralisation method and found it to be highly effective. A simple program change and we have dropped the population by 3% clearing sectors apparently associated with the attackers.” Says my boss.

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“What is the effectiveness rate?”

“75 percent. Some we have noticed adapt and forage for food. There seems to be sufficient life on earth to allow a few hundred in some areas to survive by a nomadic lifestyle. There have been 10000 solar cycles since the experiment began post Great Virus and their groups have endured.”

“Unacceptable.” says the Head of Propaganda.

“We think with more neutralisation we will force more people to forage which will use up all the remaining resources on earth, killing them by starvation… with a little delay.”

“We should use electricity shock. It is far more effective at killing them.” demands the Head of Propaganda.

“The electric shock method through the virtual reality devices does have a confirmed 99% neutralisation rate.” I say factually.

“But, it causes a drain on our power supply. Glitches will increase by 0.08 percent if we use the electric shock method.” argues the Head of Electricity. “An unacceptable glitch increase.”

The arguments continued. The Sea Lord listened. I personally had no thoughts on the matter. Both were a highly efficient way to execute the council’s plan.

Regardless of which method, my efficacy performance should earn me a place on the council eventually. One will get bored and move on, then I who have not just done my job, but done my job well will be the perfect candidate to take a spot on the council.

“It is agreed we will keep them around, there are far too many dissenting charitable shapes in the Sea to outright eradicate them.” summarises the Head of Electricity.

“They raise the argument that only a tiny minority attacked the Sea. Thus killing the whole population would be unethical. The plan is our accepted compromise.” says the Head of Finance.

“Also, agreed is to draw upon the works of the Capitalist to provide the Sea with an adequate explanation as to the cause of the Great Viru. One that does not include mentioning Fleshy's true role. Instead they will be told as pawns of the greater Liberty Fairies” Summarises the Head of Propaganda.

“Well, begin with the expanded neutralisation right away and if there is nothing else meeting adjourned.” declares the Sea Lord.