|Viraliv|[20-14]Sliue-Ececs|Ora’s Eye|Tepi|Tepi-3|
11,163,955,738cy
Terraformer Station ‘Favala’, Low Tepi-3 Orbit
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Simiffin wakes up to the blaring of the Favala’s alarm, not an emergency alarm thankfully, just a more personal one. Still waking up, Simiffin groggily rubs his eyes while listening to the droning of Favala’s AI covering some mundane reports. Though the reports sound like an alien language to the Simiffin who had just woken up. Today’s schedule includes many repetitive tasks but also saying farewell to the transport flotilla. Simiffin and the Advisory Council have decided to keep the blank check for now. Since they don’t actually have the ability to use it, the shield and generator would simply be rotting in some storage bay.
Simiffin, now awake, can start to understand the words of Favala. On top of the general daily reports, one piece of information stands out. The Colonies Council has made a decision on the direction that the social services will go. They plan to announce their budget later in the day, once everyone has gotten home from work. Good timing, or perhaps a way to make sure they’ve been too drained of their energy for that day to start anything in the case of bad news? Regardless, this is big news for the colony as a whole, but especially for Simiffin.
Well, he’s been preparing anyway, with the help of the head officers they’ve devised a plan. Though it’s good to note that few plans survive confrontation. Simiffin, and the other head officers, favor the government having a large social service. At least for now while the colony is still in its formative years. As such, if the government’s scheme is in that direction no action is necessary other than, perhaps a speech complimenting the government. On the other hand, if the government plans to instate a rather lax or no social services scheme then the Captaincy will have to step in. There are many ways to do that though, each with their own set of benefits and detriments and that ultimately depends on the government's exact plan.
Not to mention this is a good point for the various factions to aim for. Whatever Simiffin's actions, he knows that there will be a great deal of controversy surrounding it. At least he understands that it’s mostly being manufactured so it won’t weigh on his mind much. Though the people will likely be fed the image that he’s incompetent which does harm him, and that’s exactly what those factions want. Preparation wise, there is none. Not to mention the difficulty in such a thing but Simiffins lacks even the information necessary to even know all of the enemies he’s facing. Even before the results come out, Simiffin has lost this round to the factions.
Many of Simiffin’s issues seem to come from an information stand point. The reason for that is simple, Simiffin can’t really trust those that gather that information, they have their own goals and they might be in factions themselves. Though the head officer of Intelligence is trustworthy, at least from what Simiffin knows about them, they don’t have much reach beyond the Favala itself. In other words, Simiffin’s current intelligence network can only expand as far as the Favala, and any military or crew on it. Even then, while the head officer is trustworthy their subordinates might not be. Not to mention that Simiffin’s faction is the one in open control so while Simiffin can be seen by all, he himself is blind.
Well, the only thing to do is wait. And wait he did, calming his nerves through his various hobbies and his daily session with Shanak’Ti. However, while Simiffin was fighting his nerves the various factions have been very busy themselves.
Several smaller factions had been absorbed by larger ones, usually through forceful means. Sometimes through bloodshed, leading to an increased security presence in many vaults. The military factions, ironically, rarely resort to bloody methods of recruitment at least until they are ready for their coups. Due to that the military factions move much slower, though they do have more power than the civilian factions. Large movements are certainly dangerous for them because they are more apparent than the civilian factions.
Malik has gone on to absorb every other faction that was rooted in the underground, either directly or indirectly. The faction of Egol scientists hasn't changed much. While they quickly grew amongst the various scientists and engineers they had a hard time convincing other demographics. As such their power waned, however a new faction quickly absorbed them. This new faction has thus far been growing rather quickly and seems to reach all sorts of demographics. While Simiffin’s faction hasn’t heard of this, the other factions do know. This new faction hasn’t pursued communication at all with the other factions, they only know that something is happening due to certain factions simply disappearing one day.
While those who would become prey to the machinations of the various factions have finally gotten off work, the government is also ready to release the news.
#Point of View of a Random Steel Worker
After arriving home from work, I first took a shower. The recycled water felt great after working in that haphazardly hot factory all day. As the sweet covering my body is replaced by the water my thoughts begin to wander. I can feel it, we all can really. After Captain Idris died a power vacuum was created that has yet to be filled. I understand as much as anybody about politics, but I do know that it’s people like me who suffer the most from these things.
Shutting off the water I step out of the shower to wipe myself off. This takes some time due to the amount of fur on me but I still have enough time to cook some food before settling down and turning on the tv. A few seconds of a commercial played and then was quickly cut by the spinning logo of the colonial government. About a minute after that and the screen suddenly shifted, focusing on a Tarman man with an entourage of others behind him. The highest leaders of the government. The speaker shuffles his papers and gives a brisk smile before stating that it’s time to begin the announcement.
He begins to speak, “Me and the others gathered here today…” He motions to the people behind him, “...Have decided on our policy regarding the implementation of social services in the colony. As of now, the colony has developed primary schools, hospitals, universal allowance, and many other small agencies. However, recently with the colony's further growth the people have made it clear that they wish for us to officially decide the direction of these services.”
The man takes a breath and looks behind him for some assurance. Amongst those behind him, many have disapproving faces or ones that suggest grief. The majority, however, either show nothing or have a smile. “We have decided that from this point on that many of these services will either be cut completely or have their budget slashed. Only education and healthcare will remain as they are. A more lengthy and fully detailed list of changes has already been posted onto the net. That will be all.”
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After that the feed is cut and it returns to whatever show was originally playing at that time. I let out a long sigh, holding my head in the palms of my calloused hands. I already know what’s going to happen now. The common folk like myself won’t like this. Many people rely on those services and will now have to suffer even more. Likely the government knew this would happen too which is why they kept it brisk, they usually love drowning in the attention. I can already hear people walking, no marching, down the street now banging on the doors of people’s compartments as they go. Mine too, I get up and walk to the door, open it and allow myself to be absorbed by the mob.
One might wonder why I’m doing this, though I feel no strong emotion like those around me. Simply put, I’m fine going with the flow. Something in my brain is obviously different from others, but I’ve lived this long by being average even if, on the inside, I’m not. Well, there’s nothing to do but march. We seem to be marching towards the pressure valve, maybe everyone is planning to keep marching until they get to the government’s offices? Something seems to have happened up front though because the mob stopped marching. I push forward into the crowd wanting to see what’s happening. Several others do too. Some people are treating this like a festival of sorts, and a yet smaller group is using it as a distraction to steal.
It takes quite a while but I eventually get to the front. There’s a small group of people that are holding back a mob of hundreds somehow. Obviously not security officers with how they're dressed. I look around and notice that most people are looking and listening intently, this group must be the organizers of this mob or something. They seem to be on the tail-end of whatever they were saying. They must have a network or something because I see several people in the audience watching a video of them. The one speaking is wearing a mask of some sort, in fact all of them are. They appear to be a woman but with the clothes they are wearing it’s hard to tell. “And I know your anger, and it’s justified. However, now is not the time to do anything. Hold your anger close to your hearts, do not kindle it and do not let it die. Until we see what the Captain does, that moment will decide everything. So please, return to your homes.”
Definitely a feminine voice, and one that seems to work on the crowd. The majority of people start milling around before a few first turn around and start going home, followed by more and more. Only a small amount remain and try to get past the masked group, surprisingly they let them through. I, like most people, return to my home as well; It’s obvious that something is going on behind the scenes. Some time has passed but I eventually get home, the news should at least give me an idea of what is happening. Turning on the tv, I flick through the channels and yet nothing about any riots or anything. The government is likely stopping them from reporting until they decide a method to defuse the situation. In that case, the news will come out in a few days, if not tomorrow.
#End Point of View
Just as nearly everyone in the colony was watching the television, waiting for the government’s decision, so too was Simiffin. Only, he was viewing it through a much larger screen in a conference room with the other head officers and a few members of the Advisory Council. After hearing what the government said, the room turned dark. Obviously this is not what they wanted to happen, they very quickly told an aide to send an official inquiry to the colony’s government. The very blunt and simple response said that they had to reduce the budget on the social services in favor of expansion and the concurrent programs. Namely they blamed Simiffin’s plan to dig down to the lower cavern.
An excuse obviously, they were doing just fine with the budget before and nothing has happened to change that, unless they failed to report it which would get them in trouble to begin with. Any further inquiries were met with the same response. Essentially they were stonewalling the Captaincy. Simiffin, and several others, sigh. Now’s the time to begin thinking about what to do. So far, the government has done what they didn’t want them to and then stonewalled them, obviously they know that the Captain doesn’t approve. Right now, the Captain can’t do much. Involving himself right now, without any prompting, would essentially solidify the idea that the Captaincy can do whatever they please in the colony and that the government is just administrative work. However, it’s very likely that the citizens will riot which will be a prompt for the Captain to step in as a sort of middleman between the people and the government.
Of course, that’s exactly what’s happening. At first it was a small trickle of people, but now streams of people flood down the street towards the government offices. Security has already formed a protective line around it. This is obviously enough to warrant the captain stepping in, however it’s good to have a solid plan before that. The goal of such a plan would be to overturn the government’s decision and show the people a competent leader. Doing one would do the other though so really there’s only one issue. Stepping in forcefully would be the easiest but Simiffin wants to avoid the Captain’s position from having too much power. Another option would be to use the people to force the government to overturn it, this one would avoid the Captaincy from gaining too much power. On the other hand, it would be hard to do with the limited control Simiffin has over the people and it’s unpredictable what inciting the people even more would lead to. Simiffin personally doesn’t want to resort to manipulating the people.
Another plan would be to send a suggestion for a new social service policy made by Simiffin. While this would be a plan that both ensures no overreach occurs and it avoids manipulating the people it’s a decision that the government can just ignore. Which they probably will and it would make Simiffin look weak, however the people would see that he at least tried. Ultimately, everyone in the conference room, the head officers and the advisors, continue to argue well past the end of their work day. Never actually committing to an idea, they did produce some good hybrid plans but ultimately no one can come to a conclusion and Simiffin hasn’t progressed enough to start being willful enough.
After work, Simiffin usually goes to his therapy lessons. Hoping he didn’t miss it due to working overtime, he knocks on the door. A few seconds later and the door opens slightly revealing an out-of-breath Shanak’Ti. Seeing her patient she opens the door wider and motions for him to move in while saying, “please, come in”. She continues after Simiffin sits in one of the seats, “I thought that you might not make it tonight…” she pauses and motions her hand in the air, “...due to all of the craziness going on”. Simiffin put on a grimace but let it slip, Shanak’Ti must have noticed this and said, “Oh! My bad, I didn’t mean too… let’s just move on to our session.”
Simiffin agreed and started the normal session, talking about various problems he’s facing mentally. Eventually though, the conversation gradually shifts to talk about the new pressure from the new situation. Shanak’Ti seemed to deem it important to confront it now before it becomes a larger and harder to tackle issue. She slowly draws the words out of her slightly pursed lips, like once she says these words she can never take them back, “So… What were you thinking when it comes to dealing with the government?” A long silence builds up and Shanak’Ti thinks that she had made a mistake and starts to say “If I’m not intru…”
She doesn’t go too far before Simiffin opens up about the topic, cutting her off midpiece. He begins pouring into all of the details, he wouldn’t normally do this but Shanak’Ti gives off a certain trustworthy atmosphere. Years of dedication to her job no doubt. Shanak’Ti sits there and listens, asking questions along the way. Finally she offers some advice at the end. She says, “Well, it seems like you have a lot of things to think about. But, if I may offer my own opinion I think it would be best if you were to publish your own social service budget. At least it’s better than taking over the government or manipulating the people.”
Simiffin, thanks her for the session and returns to his room. Thinking along the way. He eventually makes up his mind to incite the people with a scathing and official denouncement of the government's decision while also offering up an alternative budget. Though such a thing is no easy feat and must be done before the situation turns cold.