“I simply think we should consider replacing Mako as the defense archon.” Merlin, the acting security archon, shrugged with a passive face. “Let’s look at the facts. We suffered a direct attack by the local wildlife that we were almost completely unprepared for. There was no plan or strategy in place for the eventuality. It is only by luck and the efforts of others like me and Medusa that we even defeated the creature. We were even more fortunate that no real damage occurred, and the loss of life was only a scrum. If this had actually happened, we would already be a step behind especially where morale was concerned.”
None of the faces in the room looked particularly supportive of Merlin’s proposal. Mako had enough experience to expect there to always be a few people on any council that wanted to play politics. It was as if they were simply hardwired for it and couldn’t help themselves from trying to exert influence over the council. Those at the meeting included Mako, Ceridwen, Odysseus, Achilles, Arkana, Mosquito, and of course, Merlin.
“We only had the data we needed to defeat the Scaled Shadowcat because of Mako’s team.” Medusa spoke with an entirely nonplussed expression. “Not to mention it was the quest that initiated the setup of the defense turrets. Fortunately, Medusa had time to set them up so she could complete the quest. I doubt we would have even thought of it otherwise. We have never needed the turrets before this scrum and it was considered a low priority item. Do you think you could have done a better job, Merlin?”
“Whether or not I could have done a better job is immaterial. I do think there are others that could have done a better job. And done the job so that our current scrum was not threatened on our first day.” Merlin countered.
“This whole line of thought is immaterial.” Achilles, the acting Expedition Archon, stated flatly. “No one is going to be removed for mistakes made on the first day of a new scenario. Even if we were inclined to do so, I’m not entirely certain that Mako did make any mistakes. I’m the one that made the call to depart from normal procedures and start the surface exploration.”
Merlin’s face sneered unpleasantly, “You shouldn’t shield your subordinates from their mistakes, Achilles. It makes the expedition weaker and less likely to succeed. Our benefactors went to great effort and expense to give us the best possible chance to survive. It would be a shame if we lost people on a daily basis due to the lack of simple foresight. Besides, any corporation worth their salt wouldn’t have thought twice about replacing someone in the face of such abject failure.”
“Come off it, Merlin.” Skeet added. “Even for you, once does not a pattern make.”
“Certainly, Mosquito.” Merlin sniffed, “But failure out of the gate also makes for a poor start to any pattern.”
“We are NOT a corporation. I think we’ve spent more than enough time on this topic unless anyone else would like to agree with Merlin and thinks we should consider removing Mako from his position?” Achilles asked and looked at the other faces in the room. Nobody did.
The door to the conference room opened. Mahina Arita entered the room with the poise and grace with which she always carried herself. Her hands were clasped in front of her. Her jet-black hair, currently tied up in a bun, offset her pale skin that was flawless in its construction. Her features were also constructed to reflect her Japanese heritage with perhaps an almost exaggerated perfection. Just one look at her made it clear why she was known as the Porcelain Doll. Ironically, she was anything but fragile. Even before she had chosen to join the colony she had undergone near total body replacement. There was little left of her organic self.
She wore a body suit which appeared to be made of lace that hugged her form and yet was conservative in its coverage. It was not transparent in any way and had a short and asymmetrical skirt that added more coverage. Her clothing stood out a bit since it was a scrum and nearly everyone was stuck with rather utilitarian clothing. She somehow had always had a larger wardrobe to choose from. The answer wasn't really a surprise. She was corpo-royalty.
She stopped just inside the doorway. “Forgive my interruption.” She spoke with a distinctive, if not faint, Japanese accent. In a world, where accents were more and more difficult to place due to the concentration of humans in megacities and the ease with which media spread across the globe, a distinctive accent was also a little unusual. “May I join this meeting? I have something that I believe the leadership should consider when making plans. In particular, when it comes to potential deaths and respawning.”
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Achilles narrowed his eyes and couldn’t help but look at Merlin. Achilles was wondering if this was a setup of some sort. Although Mahina would be an unusual ally to Merlin.
Merlin responded to Achilles’ glare with a shrug and a somewhat questioning glance. However, he was hopeful that she would indeed be a voice of reason. The colony could not afford to fail in these last weeks and months leading to their first real attempt at landing on a planet.
Achilles’ stood to face her with hands out in a calming gesture, “If this is about anyone removing Mako from his position as Defense Archon, I’m afraid this matter has already been settled.”
“I was not aware that was even a concern nor a possibility. I certainly do not support any action of the sort.” Mahina responded succinctly. “I am concerned with how we might let the RULES of the scrum work to our detriment.”
Merlin wilted ever so slightly in disappointment. Achilles scowled in confusion. This wasn’t something he had considered at all and wasn’t sure where she was going with it. Mahina was not an Archon, but she was a person whose opinions and insight he had come to respect. She was very good at seeing the big picture and how important details fit into it. She was also one of the leaders of an unofficial faction of which Mako was also a member. It was how, Mako ended up on this particular colony ship.
There were several factions and sub factions that tended to be ideologically oriented. In this case, Ad Infinitum, was a group of people who thought that humans should be prepared to take any step necessary to adapt to a new world whether it be cybernetic or genetic or the lack of either. Change didn't matter. Results and survival are all that mattered. This group seems to have formed as a response to the Originists, who believed humans should abstain from any genetic or cybernetic modification in the interest of retaining their humanity.
Achilles held a hand toward an empty seat. “Please, join us.”
“Thank you,” Mahina nodded solemnly and moved to sit at the conference table. “I have heard some talk in the lander and particularly during the encounter with the Scaled Shadowcat, that there was concern about deaths and respawning. Is this correct?”
Merlin, of course, responded. “Certainly. We have very little time to establish a successful colony and if we have to reset multiple times due to deaths, it may impact the success of the overall mission.”
“I think this is an incorrect perspective. I think we should be working fast and making mistakes even if that leads to deaths. I think we have a unique opportunity to...”
Merlin interrupted. “Leave it to the corpo to characterize potential death as an ‘opportunity’.” Any facade of cooperation by Merlin evaporated the moment he realized she was going to support his position.
Achilles glared at Merlin and spoke calmly, if not sternly. “Please let Mahina speak.”
“Why should I do that? She is not a member of the leadership and that is according to her own choice. Suddenly she gets a brilliant idea, and she now decides she wants to be a part of the leadership? I don’t think that’s how this should work. She should have to present that idea to someone in the leadership who then presents it to the rest of us as is the process for anyone else. Just because she is, or was, some important person on Earth, it doesn’t mean she should get any special privileges now.”
Mahina immediately stood. “I have overstepped. I will speak to one of the leaders later today.”
Achilles put his hand up. “Please wait a moment.” He turned back to Merlin. “On the face of it, you are correct, Merlin. There is a process and for the most part it should be observed. I think it will be observed should the need arise and there is such a line of people waiting to speak to the council that we cannot accomplish anything. But today is not that day. One of the things we vowed to improve in this colony is the representation of the people. We are not a military. We do not wish to become so burdened with bureaucracy and politics that we lay the foundation for the terrible mess and, more importantly, the long history of messes we left behind on Earth. For all we know, if you had not interrupted, Mahina might have already spoken her peace and we would be determining the best course of action. Instead, we are having a lesson in civics and civility. There is a reason for the rules, and we should avoid having rules just for the sake of having rules. That is how political abuse begins.
Nevertheless, I will put it to a vote. Should we take a moment to give Mahina the floor to express her concern and potential solution? Raise your hand if you agree.”
All the council members except for Merlin raised their hand.
Achilles nodded and looked back at Merlin. “Does that satisfy you?”
Merlin scowled, “Of course it doesn’t. If we can change the rules any time we feel like it, then there is no point for having rules.”
Achilles sighed. “Fine. We shall adjourn for a 5-minute recess. Everyone go grab some coffee or water or something. Mahina, please follow me for a moment if you would be so kind.”
They met back in the room 5 minutes later.