VISUAL EFFECTS / CH. 17:NEGOTIATIONS
MARS COUNCIL OFFICES, THURSOL, 2ND JULY, 2270
“Right, as you know I've been sick for a while,” Mack told the Council members.
“And you're getting better,” Claudia Fedira said encouragingly, “and I don't think any of us want your job.”
“Thanks, Claudia. But really, I'm not sure if I've got the energy to cope with the screamer that's just been handed to me. You know that nagging feeling you've all had that Mars Corp are a bunch of exploitative, manipulative dictators? You're wrong, they're worse.”
“What are you talking about, Mack?”
“Currency reform. We need to abandon the standard, before the planet works out what Eloise and I did on Tuesol.”
“Which is?”
“Absolute privacy on this one guys, no notes, no recording,” Mack said.
“Tell us Mack,” one of the Council members said, “cut the dramatics.”
“One kilo of virtual heap is not backed up by Mars Corp importing a kilo of plant matter, like they say it is. There's no capacity for it on the ships, based on what three ships are bringing. They bring loads of gloop nutrients but no biomatter. I'm pretty sure the plant matter that Mars Corp pay Martians in is from producing more gloop than people can eat. In other words, our money's worth something like a tenth of what they say, maybe even less.”
There was a shocked silence.
“You're sure it's not that they don't say how much biomatter they're bringing?”
“Eloise checked,” Mack said “The Jupiter has about two hundred kilos of unaccounted for cargo, when you add up the passengers, what they admit to shipping, and so on. That's not enough to pay wages, no way. The other ships are similar. It makes sense, why take biomatter when you can make it on-planet with a less than a tenth of the cargo costs. And reduce the local CO2. Of course, if we publicise that, then we get riots, Mars Corp offices gutted, factories trashed or at least empty, and an economic disaster.”
“So what do we do?” Claudia asked.
“Best guess so far: pretend we don't know, and re-base the currency on something else. Actually, I've got an idea for that.”
“Go on.”
“What if we tell Mars Corp, 'hey, we're going to be growing too much biomatter soon, that's no basis for an economy, so while we've got time we'll switch to basing it on the cost of importing a kilo of anything. Biomatter can become less valuable as supply increases, and people can still have a clear view of what the exchange rate ought to be.”
“But they'll still pay people the same.”
“Yes, but it won't mean biomatter. We can say, my account says you owe me fifty kilos of import, which is such and such in Earthling money. But I don't want the cash, instead I'd like to have fifty kilos of cloth transported here next shipment, in exchange for my fifty kilos credit. I'll get it delivered to the spaceport...”
“Do you think they'll buy into it?”
“I think they'll have to. They've been telling everyone our currency is the cost of importing bio-material, after all.”
“And suddenly virtual heaps become more valuable than real ones?”
“It's either that or massive inflation as soon as crops start growing outside.”
“They'll probably argue about economies of scale.” someone said.
“Fine,” Mack said with a vicious smile, “we reply that since they're already importing massive amounts of gloop nutrients, the economies are already there. We can use that to work out the relative costs. Alternatively, we could peg the kilo to some earthling currency. But whatever we do, we need to get off biomatter, and also, get the currency exchangeable. The very fact that it hasn't been exchangeable shows there's a problem.”
“What if they threaten to close the factories, because they won't be economic any more?”
“I don't think we can second guess all of Mars Corp's possible reactions,” Claudia said, “I think what we need to do is start the process. I think we need to start the process pretending we haven't heard Mack's statement, but with the attitude that says 'Eventually biomatter isn't going to be worth more than it is on Earth, plants are growing outside already, we need to realign the currency to something stable before its value crashes.'”
“Plants are growing outside?” it was obviously news to someone.
Mack nodded, “Not very well, not without care, but I've seen some down in Hellas. I fully second Claudia's proposal, it's a jit thing to keep on biomatter.”
“Don't we need a formal motion before anyone seconds it?”
Claudia suggested “The Council observes that plants are already being grown outside, and agrees that keeping the currency based on biomatter is as jit as ignoring a screamer because it's only humming middle-C.” A screamer humming that note meant that although it hadn't detected any radiation yet, it had received a confirmed alert that a radiation storm was going to hit soon: it was time to get to safety before you got irradiated.
“All in favour?” Mack asked. It was unanimous.
“Vote carried. Now, who's going to run the council and pick up all the extra chaos this means, since, sorry guys, I can't?”
“Mack, what about we split it? You carry on as Council chair, and one of us deals with Mars Corp,” Claudia suggested.
“The Corp will try to wriggle more if it's not the Council Chair talking to them. You know them, they'll try to play whoever is negotiating with them, and demand they check key points with the Chair.”
“You're not wrong, Mack,” Raul, another council member said, “unless we do something unusual.”
“Such as?” Mack asked.
“Give whoever's in charge of currency reform full negotiating powers.”
“Don't we always?”
“Not really, I mean, when I was sorting out that mess last year, in the end you were the one who actually signed off on it. There was always the chance that you'd find something not quite right and send me back to the negotiating table.”
“I wouldn't have done that, surely?”
“Raul means that procedure meant it was a possibility,” Claudia said.
“Oh, I get it. But when I negotiate things, I don't sign them without someone checking first, either.”
“Subtle difference,” Claudia said.
“OK,” Mack said, a smile gaining ground on his face, “So, given that there's that subtle difference, then my vote is that if you really don't want me to resign Claudia, then I have nothing to do with these negotiations, or the final sign off. I'm sure the others have lots of useful input, but I am out of it, whoever's negotiating can do the whole thing.”
“You're suggesting a delegation of powers in all areas related to currency reform?” Raul checked.
“Exactly. Full delegation in all directly related areas.”
“Who determines what's directly related?” Claudia asked.
“We can draw up a list of areas of Council powers, cross off the ones that we agree are what's certainly not related, and let you decide the rest, Claudia. Any objections?”
“Me?”
“I hear a nomination from the chair,” Raul said, gleefully. “And I second it.”
“All in favour?” Mack asked.
“Hey, hang on!” Claudia protested as every hand except hers went up.
“Motion is carried. Let the record show that Claudia is now the plenipotentiary negotiator on establishing a better basis for the Martian currency.”
“I refuse!”
“Can't,” Raul said with a grin, very pleased it hadn't been him, “you're too late.”
“But....”
“You know you can do it, Claudia,” Mack encouraged her.
Claudia took a long breath, Mack was right, she could. It would ruin her plans, but this was vitally important, and it looked like she must. “All right. But please can we scrap most of the rest of the agenda? I want to know what you want me to do.”
“Of course. One piece of news I want you to hear: I'm pretty sure that Earthling journalist, Alice Findhorn-Bunting, famous for bringing various corrupt corporations to their knees, has a copy of the missing clauses. She's coming here, planning to convince Earth that we're not a disorganised bunch of crims, and I guess then rub Mars Corp's nose in them. She wants accreditation as a journalist here too.”
“Don't Mars Corp handle that?” someone asked.
“Who's the government here?” Raul asked. He'd read Alice's article.
“What does it commit us to?” Claudia asked.
“Legal right to not name her sources, even to a court. Otherwise, normal privacy rights.”
“No objections from me then,” Claudia said.
----------------------------------------
CELESTIA, SUNDAYFRISOL 3RD JULY, 9AM.
“Breaking news from Mars,” Barry announced, “In yesterdays' meeting of the Council, they voted for the following motion: 'The Council observes that plants are already being grown outside, and agrees that keeping the currency based on biomatter is as jit as ignoring a screamer because it's only humming middle-C.'”
“What does that mean?” Cecilia Thornthwaite asked.
“Middle-C?” Evangeline answered, “Do nothing, and you've got about a fifty percent chance of serious radiation exposure, maybe twenty five percent of a lethal dose.”
“Oh. But actually I meant the currency not being based on biomatter now?”
“Well, to start with, it's not happened yet, but the decision means that lots of people are going to feel a bit cheated, because they've been expecting a referendum for the past four years. But it's good news, because it means, longer term, money won't grow on trees, or like weeds on Earth.”
“And at the moment it does?” someone asked.
“No. At the moment it doesn't because there are no weeds or trees growing wild. That should change in our lifetimes.”
----------------------------------------
Dear Mr Maugh,
you probably remember that, towards the end of our little chat at the spaceport, I mentioned that I planned to do what I could to strengthen the Martian economy? It looks like the Mars Council have pre-empted me doing any campaigning at all, which is nice. I think it would show real willing on Mars Corp's part to suggest that rather than the 1kg in processed (or imported) bio-matter that it can be cashed in for at present, 1kg in Mars currency could be be exchangeable for the transport costs of 1kg of anything privately delivered to the spaceport (at prices for a Hohmann transfer, perhaps?). Or exchangeable with Earth currencies on that basis? What do you think? Perhaps the pricing on the Mars-Earth route might be looked at too? I'm sure you don't want to have a big increase in the prices of Mars-produced products, do you?
Alice Findhorn-Bunting.
----------------------------------------
Dear Mrs Findhorn-Bunting,
I'm certain I don't understand your reference to price increases, but I've copied your reasonable-sounding suggestion to the relevant people, along with my words of support.
William Maugh.
----------------------------------------
Dear Alice,
Thank you for copying me on your note to my brother. I hear that you're another person planning to try using hydroponic techniques to kick-start your heap, is that right? William, I'm a little confused about some of the terms on my old contract of employment with Mars Corp, (I'm sure you can access a copy, if you don't have one). Now that I've resigned, is there anything in it that stops me from talking to Alice about how my heap got started?
Eloise.
----------------------------------------
Dear Eloise,
companies have similar privacy rules to individuals, so ex-employees shouldn't go giving interviews about what they learned as part of their work. But since Alice is a responsible journalist who's agreed not to publish anything that brings the Corp into disrepute, I'm sure we can rely on her discretion if you accidentally say anything privately to her that you shouldn't. As evidence of her discretion, you can ask her (very privately) about what an overly helpful A.I. told her about spelling.
William
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO GARRY CHAN, CORPORATION SUB-OFFICE, MARS. THURSDAY 7TH JULY.
From head office:
Regarding our negotiating position: obviously there are significant economies of scale with biological matter, but it would be entirely contrary to established policy and damaging to the good name of the corporation to point these out. Instead the following points should be emphasised:
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
1. Predictability of demand, 2. Advantages of bulk handling and the long-term in-orbit storage of material in-transit. 3. Impact on ordinary Martians, value of people's physical heaps will likely fall. 4. Continued need for bio-matter. 5. The speed of the decision, we have not heard the voice of all Martians speaking. 6. Significant quantities of goods and biomatter already being transported on every ship, in good faith. 7. Risks of disruption to the economy as more Jupiter class vessels reduce transport costs (especially if not transporting bulky bio-matter).
Corporation accepts that some change is necessary, eventually. No clear need to switch in next 2 cycles, give people time to make plans and adjust. Eventually accept transport costs of any material. Internationally traded (convertible) currency would result in instability in currency and the fragile Martian economy and should be firmly resisted.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO MARS CORP HEAD OFFICE, WEDSOL, 8TH JULY
Talks continuing. Ms Claudia Fedira, plenipotentiary negotiator, asks why I kept talking about traded currency, when all they ask is convertible. Also asks why Martian economy is described as fragile, rejects all arguments regarding 2 cycles, views any delay as time-wasting, hiding something. She does not envisage any immediate changes, 'just on paper and in people's minds'. However, she says that a journalist on-route will be publishing articles (on both planets) about how her hydroponic efforts go, thus she expects a major shift in initial settler practice next cycle, which could see devaluing of biomatter before plants on surface. Hence the urgency.
Also, Ms Fedira firmly stated her opinion that deal must be signed before arrival influx, as sign of good faith. Council will be fully busy during that time, and both new arrivals and current Martians will want to know new economic status.
Ms Fedira states that she is under pressure to comment on how these negotiations are going, and unless she hears clearly that we insist on negotiations being secret she will assume we don't mind her talking to reporters.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO GARRY CHAN, CORPORATION SUB-OFFICE, MARS. FRIDAY 8TH JULY.
Your message got here a bit late for full reply. Please apologise to Ms Fedira, but delay needed. Fully understand her concerns about timing of deal.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO MARS CORP HEAD OFFICE, FRISOL, 10TH JULY
Ms Fedira running rings around me, due to reaction times.
Ms Fedira expresses her thanks for acknowledging timing issues.
She has taken this as our agreement that deal will be struck by end of Frisol Jul 18th, and she has publicised this. Hope that was intent of message, too late now if not.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO GARRY CHAN, CORPORATION SUB-OFFICE, MARS. MONDAY 11TH JULY.
Unfortunately, contract with journalist (Mrs Findhorn-Bunting) means we cannot stop her publishing. Her editor states that first mention of hydroponics was deliberately delayed to not go out until after last transport left so as to not unduly disturb economy. Ms Fedira's position on this point unassailable, unless the Council choose to pressure her not to publish for the good of the economy. Suggesting this at some point might be be worthwhile.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO MARS CORP HEAD OFFICE, MONSOL, 13TH JULY
Ms Fedira has suggested the following scheme: kgs from account be used to request biomatter, or import vouchers. The voucher (effectively a promissory note) can then be traded as cash, and eventually put into someone's account. (i.e. import voucher issue does not necessarily mean use.) Alternatively an electronic version of import voucher can be traded to agents on Earth for cash, thus the desire for an exchangeable currency is met. Mars Corp can set timings needed before loading different materials for import. Mars Corp may defer transport if no ships available, but import vouchers should take priority over cash bookings, making vouchers a premium service for Earth customers (and hence incentive to trade for agents). Mars Corp may make certain materials available immediately (e.g. [her suggestion] appendix 27 materials).
Journalists are publishing this suggestion, and pressing me for response. I have said nothing stands out to me as obvious problem, but not my decision. She suggests that making nutrients available for immediate delivery might be very popular, after publishing of hydroponics articles, and thus [her words] 'you won't need to change what you're importing, will you?'
My response was to state we are importing bio-matter. Her response was a long silence, and she then said 'talk to head office before you try to sell me any more of that gloop', and left the negotiation room. This worries me, even if 'selling someone gloop' is a common Martian expression.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO GARRY CHAN, CORPORATION SUB-OFFICE, MARS. THURSDAY 14TH JULY.
Handling of physical import vouchers seems likely to be expensive. Mars has never had cash, why now? Can you negotiate this away?
Otherwise, scheme seems generally reasonable. Approve of Martians selling of priority vouchers at market rate, via agents, as this reduces impact on our cash flow.
BUT: Is Her suggestion is that the voucher be worth 1kg on any flight? This seems very bad deal for us. Negotiate!
Agree that her phrasing / reaction to bio-matter is a concerning turn of events. Hopefully, we are just all being over-concerned. Try to negotiate flexibility of deal timing.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO MARS CORP HEAD OFFICE, TUESOL, 1415TH JULY
Now much too late to negotiate deal timing. Ms Fedira insists on deal before tourist influx will be processed — this weekend — 'for the stability of the economy'.
As for shipping, as instructed in last week's letter, I stated that biomatter as major import is on every ship. She now argues that therefore we have not distinguished between shipment dates for delivering payment for workers, and therefore we cannot do so now, else this would be an effective reduction in people's pay. I require fast responses, cannot over-emphasize how critical this is.
Ms Fedira's publicity department is making most of deal she offered and our every quibble. Most Martians are following the negotiation daily. Strong sense in the air that we are trying to trick Martians.
She has full powers of council to agree to deal, or call general strike. Strong feelings in the air, if we do not back down on this issue of 'a transported kilo being just that, irrespective of shipment date.' then I fear a strike is indeed likely.
I emphasise this would be extremely expensive to the corporation. E.g. no processing of tourist influx, no cargo handling. If I don't hear back, I will have to concede this point.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO GARRY CHAN, CORPORATION SUB-OFFICE, MARS. FRIDAY 15TH JULY.
Agree we shot ourselves in foot with 'every ship' statement. Red faces here, point conceded. Board of directors agree: one kilo in account = one kilo shipped. Where is negotiation over physical import vouchers currently?
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO MARS CORP HEAD OFFICE, TUESOL, 15TH JULY
Quid-pro-quo for 1kg=1kg is that physical vouchers point has now been won. Ms Fedira accepted it is not necessary if independent banking system exists.
Needed to concede that Council will now license banking operations. Corp retains monopoly on processing waste, but accounts can be held in other organisations. MarsCorp Transport will have to accept electronic vouchers from any bank, no preferential treatment of customers. Expectation is that loan companies will apply for such permission. Banks (including Corp) will be able to apply “reasonable charges” for transactions above a cut-off limit. Council will be in multi-purpose negotiations with present / future banks regarding this. Protection of present micro-payment system is considered critical.
I pushed for this to be considered fully separate negotiation, not linked to impending cut-off date for signing on this present currency adjustment, and that was eventually accepted. Population very happy about '1kg=1kg shipped,' guarantee and voucher trade system. Disaster averted!
Please find attached draft agreement.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO GARRY CHAN, CORPORATION SUB-OFFICE, MARS. FRIDAY 15TH JULY.
Draft looks good, presently with lawyers.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO GARRY CHAN, CORPORATION SUB-OFFICE, MARS. SATURDAY 16TH JULY.
All good, except lawyers checking board's intention on one issue.
Yesterday's draft agreement states 'Mars Corp will honour the conversion rate of 1kg in an individual or corporate account as equating to the transport costs of 1kg mass, on all active routes joining the space-ports on the surfaces of Mars and Earth but does not include any element of ground transportation.'. This seemed a very reasonable interpretation of the board's agreement, assuming they meant both ways. We need to check this!
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO MARS CORP HEAD OFFICE, WEDSOL, 16TH JULY
After long negotiating day, I now urgently need confirmation or denial of Ms Fedira's interpretation of the '1kg=1kg shipped'. She stated today that of course the board's message implies both directions, as there is nothing intrinsically more expensive about the Mars-Earth route than the return journey. In fact given the lower escape velocity of Mars, and the use of lunar swing-bys on reaching Earth's orbit, it is cheaper to go Mars-Earth than outward. She has had expert advice on this, from Captain Kirkley.
She then stated “As we both know, it is only competition with Martian exports that makes the return journey expensive, and we know the reason that Mars Corp transport can charge so much for exports.”
She then handed me a document (which I attach), it is a graphic showing figures from Appendix 27, passenger and crew cargo allocation compared to the capacity of some ships.
I pointed out to her that appendix 27 numbers are only approximate, and that biomatter has never been listed.
She corrected me and stated “It was listed on a few early flights of Alpha-class vessels, in the 2220s. It was quickly removed from appendix 27. Appendix 27 records from later flights of those vessels showed an increase in other materials leaving only very limited or no space for biomatter. But maybe all your data has suffered a glitch. In any case, the council would like you to demonstrate that you stand by your public statements about the value of our currency.” At that point she left, having instructed me once more to contact head office.
From this I find I must conclude that the Council's negotiator believes that Mars-grown biomatter has been supporting employees pay to a much higher level than I have been led to believe, and that the consequential reduction in labour costs effectively allows the transport division tonover-charge production division (and everyone else) for the return leg.
Will the relevant departments please release documentation to disprove the implicit accusation, as I find myself in a very difficult negotiating position.
G.C.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO GARRY CHAN, CORPORATION SUB-OFFICE, MARS. SUNDAY 17TH JULY.
Contacting all board members has been difficult, due to travel.
Regret that release of confidential documentation in time for negotiation deadline is extremely unlikely.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO MARS CORP HEAD OFFICE, THURSOL, 17TH JULY
So, what do I do about direction issue? Let alone accusation that we've been involved in exploitative labour practices, which I find myself unable to answer to my own mind. I sincerely hope they are not true.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO ALICE FINDHORN-BUNTING, THE CELESTIA. SUNDAY 17TH JULY.
Dear Mrs Findhorn-Bunting. Thank-you for your efforts at bringing peace between my sister and myself. I find myself making a strange request.
I am a cog in the chain of command leading to the negotiations on Mars, which must be completed urgently. The higher cogs have removed themselves from contact, so I must deal with the issues myself. Please could you reassure your father-in-law that I'm genuine? I need to contact him urgently about a most unfortunate encounter he had with my predecessor. I have a copy of the contract he was asked to sign, but only the briefest of notes about the subject matter. Please ask him to contact me.
I also have an urgent question for you. I am afraid I was unable to interpret the appendix you pointed me at, however shocking accusations have come to my attention regarding the implications of the same documents. Does your insurance policy include matters relating to the reimbursement of Mars Corp employees?
William Maugh
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO GARRY CHAN, CORPORATION SUB-OFFICE, MARS. SUNDAY 17TH JULY.
No one is answering my calls or messages either. Director of Human Resources has resigned. Only reply to earlier query was 'we didn't discuss it, but personally I don't want a war with with the Council.' Please beg for time while I seek information and someone to answer questions.
William Maugh
----------------------------------------
CELESTIA.
Alice looked at the time-stamp on the message. She'd missed its arrival and it had been sitting waiting to be read for a couple of hours.
[Simon, I need help deciding something, pretty urgent, I think.]
[What is it?]
[William Maugh asking for help.]
[Really?]
[Either it's a cunning ploy, or he's desperate.]
[Could you find out which?]
[Should I try?]
[Let me read the message.]
After Simon had read the message, he said. “It feels right to me that you try. I think it's important.”
Alice tried. William Maugh's thoughts were going in circles of 'what if' and 'how could they?', 'what am I supposed to be doing?' and 'why should anyone help me? I'm just trying to do the right thing.' He'd also been praying that Alice would answer soon.
[Sue, it's Alice here.]
[Hi Alice! How's things?]
[A bit stressed over at Mars Corp, apparently. Could you call your Dad?]
[Dad?]
[Yes. There's someone there, William Maugh, who desperately wants to know what his predecessor told your Dad to keep quite about, so he can do his job properly.]
[What, shut up more people?]
[No, both do the right thing and keep the company on the right side of the law.]
[Oh.]
[And if you can persuade your Dad to call him, can you pass on the message “Alice says 'correction: villeinage is more accurate than serfdom.'” I'm sure Mr Maugh will understand.]
----------------------------------------
“Hello, William Maugh?” Frank Bunting asked.
“Speaking.”
“I'm Frank Bunting. I hear you want to talk to me,” Frank said “and I'm asked to say Alice says 'correction: villeinage is more accurate than serfdom'. I hope that makes sense to you, it doesn't to me.”
“Too much, yes,” William said “Did Alice tell you what I want to ask about?”
“The message I got said you wanted to do the right thing, and talk to me about the things I signed a contract to never talk about. So I think I've called to say I can't talk.”
“Ah, your memory of your contract is not quite right. I have the contract in front of me. It actually says that you'd never talk to anyone other than a senior manager or director of Mars Corp.”
“And your position?”
“Senior manager, legal department.”
“I see,” Frank said.
“Dr Bunting, I do not know what your research findings were, other than a note from my predecessor which said 'Embarrassingly clever calculations about wages on Mars, best silence him.' I know it was some years ago, but I think a significantly better decision should have been made.
I've recently heard an accusation that we've been systematically over-stating the costs of delivering what amounts to Mars's currency by a significant amount, and so actually paying people on Mars an amount that is far lower than we led them to believe.”
“That sounds entirely likely,” Frank said.
“Would you be able to tell me roughly what you worked out?”
“I worked out that, based on what your company published about workforce size, final product prices, raw material costs, claimed shipping costs and so on, you must be either playing all sorts of highly suspicious accounting games or getting people on Mars to work for about a quarter of what the U.N. declared to be the minimum wage for any human.”
“A dozen thank-yous, Dr Bunting, you've made my decision making far easier.”
“What are you going to do now?”
“Well, since all the directors are in hiding, I'm going to do my job. If we make sure that the currency is worth what we've said it is, then the accusation becomes far less well founded, doesn't it?”
“Your costs go up, too.” Frank pointed out.
“I don't pretend to know very much about accounting, Dr Bunting, I'm a lawyer. Our accountants might scream, but the law is the law, and right is right. Thank you for your time, Dr Bunting.”
“I'm pleased to know that you have that attitude, Mr Maugh, and I'll be praying for you.”
William Maugh wasn't sure how to answer that, but he was sure of one thing. He'd just received consultant help from someone who'd previously suffered what amounted to professional injury by Mars Corp. Compensation for both were fully appropriate.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO GARRY CHAN, CORPORATION SUB-OFFICE, MARS. SUNDAY 17TH JULY.
Lacking any hard evidence to the contrary, and having received confirming information, I anticipate the accusations may be very damaging, and judge that damage limitation is appropriate. Full acceptance of offered terms seems to be both in line with board wishes and path most likely to both offer due remedy for past irregularities and also to limit legal repercussions.
Therefore, my suggestion is honesty. Given legal position and authority of Ms Fedira, take legal oath on what you knew and what you'd been told. Admit total shock and surprise, etc. to scale of dilution. Acknowledge that Mars Corp directors seem to be in hiding (which is in my book seems tantamount to an admission of guilt), and so we must interpret their will as best you can.
I trust you and she will agree with me that your signing the offered deal makes past promises/assurances truthful, and demonstrates that we are not (or at least, no longer) guilty of massive scale fraud and exploitation.
In my capacity as Senior Manager in Mars Corp legal department, I require you to ensure that the organisation conforms to its legal obligations in this manner. I judge that now that we have reasonable certainty, any delay is tantamount to complicity.
William Maugh.
Senior Manager, legal department.
----------------------------------------
MESSAGE TO WILLIAM MAUGH, MARS CORP HEAD OFFICE, FRISOL, 18TH JULY
Dear Mr Maugh,
Thank you for you role in securing the stable future of our planet's economy. Know that you will be welcome on Mars, if you ever choose to come.
Claudia Fedira.
----------------------------------------