No matter how I frantically racked my head, there was no easy way to decline this 'honor' without coming off quite off or rude. Especially because the transparent process I had insisted upon for this important vote showed off an overwhelming consensus for my taking of this position. If I were to turn it down, it would directly snub the will of this gathered committee.
Shit. I should've had this part of the process behind closed doors or kept anonymous.
Looking upon the gathered representatives looking at me with clear anticipation, I cleared my throat and slowly stood up from my seat at the table. Oh screw it, if that's what the people want, then I'll do my damn best then. And they'd better not damn whine about the rules I laid down for this.
"I am...touched by the trust of the present assembly, and will endeavor to do my best to fulfill it so. I will strive to ensure fair debate and discussions regarding these very important dealings about the future of government here." I surveyed the various faces and glanced to the camera, knowing that there were so many more eyes from there. It was an indescribable sort of pressure, one that I might've locked up under or frozen in stage fright before.
But 'I' had been used too it thanks to a noble military background, so my nerves held. It wasn't so much of a jump really, from a military depending upon you to that of a planetary populace. Or maybe that was just how I was coping.
Either way, I guess I was going to have to set the rules, then embody them quite seriously. Which meant no shady backroom deals or agreements. Ugh.
The first meeting was just meant to be picking a chairman, and I had anticipated there to be far more discussion, argument, debate, accusation, all those wonderful things before a candidate was finally nominated chosen for the position. But seeing as the representatives immediately all declared me to have that responsibility, we took a brief recess before returning back to the room to make the rest of the day at least productive.
I sat in the apparently special chair meant for the president of this assembly and exhaled. Then when everybody was confirmed present, I spoke. "Honored representatives. We are at daunting, yet exciting crossroads that could possibly define the future of Cavia in unseen ways. The purpose of this convention is to ratify a form of self-rule that hasn't been seen in this small part of the galaxy for a very long time, a government made by and for the people present. Though perhaps I get ahead of myself.
"We have yet to define even the type of organization that will rule this planet in time, which does pose the question of what we are even working towards. As chairman, I propose that we tackle this question first and foremost, to better understand our target government so that we may endeavor to work with best intentions in mind." My throat was starting to get a little dry while I looked around. "Please vote upon this resolution, if you would."
They nodded and worked at the touch consoles embedded into the table we sat at. Once all had cast their opinion on the matter, Veronica tallied it up and projected the results at the center of the table. "A unanimous affirmative, Commander. Or should I call your Chairman for the duration of this conference?"
Her dry delivery of the question prompted some laughs from the representatives and I joined in with a low chuckle. "Commander will still do, thank you. Though the rest of the honored representatives may chose whatever they like." I leaned back in my chair and nodded to the representatives. "The floor is now open for proposal, debate, and rebuttal. Voice your opinions upon what sort of government we will look towards forming, if you would please."
It started out hesitantly, then the ideas and suggestions soon came pouring forth to be considered by this assembly.
First, a pure democracy, a literal government where people voted on each and every decision. I spoke out against it as did many others, citing historical evidence for the admirable but very flawed style of rule. The rule of the people shouldn't be so literal, lest every issue be a possible source of a paralysis and divide. To say nothing about if the average citizen would be smart enough to cast informed judgment on a myriad of topics.
Next, something on the opposite side of that spectrum, a monarchy. That one garnered even fiercer debate against, everybody all too keenly remembering the rule of House Hessin. No, they would not be following the path of the Karrakin Trade Baronies, everybody's visible disdain for total executive control in the hands of an absolute ruler quite clear. But it was still important to bring up and debate, in my opinion, so that we could also rule out the idea of a dictatorship.
After that, there was a very curious suggestion from a source that I supposed I should have seen ahead of time. "What about if we incorporate ourselves like a business?" Chief Kyle of Prynth Mining Union put out there. "We could turn Cavia into our new headquarters and operate off the idea of everybody being paid for the work they do. The better you are at your job, the more you get paid, and the more you also get promoted!"
There was an interesting amount of thoughtful hums and comments from the committee. But there was also resistance, as to be expected. "You say that already as a subsidiary of Harrison Armory," a critic pointed out. "So you have a certain sort of bias to this, no?"
"If that's bias, aren't we all about immediately discarding the idea of monarchy?" he defended briefly, gesturing to the gathering. "But well, I think it's worth bringing up and talking about. Especially when it's working out very well for my organization!"
This time, there were more appreciative sounds of interest for the idea with the rebuttal soundly defeated. It...was a definitely interesting consideration, becoming maybe like a new rising megacorp to the setting. Which then made me suddenly wary when I thought about things more.
The big megacorps already didn't like one another, engaging in shadow wars beneath the surface of Union to try and subvert one another. Of course, sometimes there was actually good reason to do, perhaps executives wanting to 'change the company for good' hiring out Lancer teams to attack those less scrupulous or corrupt individuals to weaken their position. Sometimes it was even a target within the company itself.
But if there was a rising new megacorp in the galaxy, there was a real chance that the existing ones might take notice and not like the idea of new competition. So they'll perhaps decide that 'smothering' the baby in its crib would be for best, which meant...yep...hiring out Lancer teams to attack us. I also couldn't imagine my military not transitioning to be like corporate security if Cavia went this route.
And putting it quite bluntly, having the chief of security be a labeled war criminal with a bounty sounded absolutely like the perfect OPFOR for such a Lancer campaign.
Right, um. Sorry Erica, I'm not going to become a colleague in your field just yet. I had to at least put up an argument against this rolling boulder. But fortunately, there was a good one for me to put out. "I would like to offer my opinion, if the floor would permit."
The representatives nodded, listening in as I made my argument. "It does stand to reason that if a government run like a business, assuming competent leadership, it can be very profitable for all involved. However," I stressed, "I wish for this honored assembly to consider that a government is not a business.
"It is not an institution whose sole purpose is to generate profits. It is rather an organization that is meant to protect and provide, even if it comes at significant cost. The coverage of the state is not something that should be extended or retracted based on margin, not...job benefits that would be offered as part of a pay package." A slight hypocrisy given that I was using that exact card to keep Prynth Mining Union in line, but it looked like my rhetoric differentiating such at least helped gloss over it.
Kyle certainly looked like he was listening intently as I delivered my finishing remarks. "Business is business. Government is government. Let us not confuse profit for policy and reward those whose fortunes rise to the top with executive power." I exhaled. "But like all ideas before, I would be remiss in my position as chairman to put it to vote despite my personal dislike. Please, cast your votes."
I crossed my fingers under the table as Veronica registered the inputs and output the results. "The measure is defeated. Shall I extend this definition to include oligarchies as well then, Commander?"
"If this counsel agrees so," I said, eyes glued to the exact results and noticing something quite curious. Despite having been the one to propose the idea, Kyle had cast his vote against it at the end. It couldn't have been a mistake, as he looked unbothered by the defeat; was this perhaps a political play? Or did my speech happen to convince him?
Well, I guess that I dodged a bullet, so whatever works.
The discussions continued with the agreement that oligarchies ought to be included in this defeated motion. More forms of government were declared, debated, and defeated in turn with progress being slow, but thorough. No idea was immediately discarded, though the suggestion of an anarchist form of rule got many long stares, followed by an overwhelming rejection of the idea.
Finally, with exhaustion finally showing on the faces of the delegates, I struck with my idea. "Members of the committee, I wish to put forward my own idea for consideration." Given that I had so far hadn't put any proposal, the mere mention of my preference emerging put a little bit of energy back into the representatives. "I see that we yearn to represent the people. I see that we wish to also have a robust state platform.
"In my mind, there is no better union of those ideas than our own Union." I smirked, a little chuffed at that wordplay, then put out the idea. "So thus do I suggest a republic of representatives, to chose and select an executive body that will be held accountable to a congress of the elected. They will be free to act to maintain daily quality of life and empowered to decide in times of emergency; but also can and should be held answerable for their decisions pending review."
That definitely was something that intrigued those present, their fatigue maybe also playing a part in wanting to get this discussion done and over with too. There was also the recency bias to consider, something I recalled from my last life about how people oddly found the last option in any lineup to actually be the most appealing. Truth be told, I'm actually even surprised it'd taken this long for the idea of a mini-Union to be brought up.
Maybe it was too obvious? Or were they expected somebody else to bring up the idea, and then wanted to refute it? I couldn't say, but well, it was fortunate for me either way. I got to be the one to propose it in front of the cameras, and that would hopefully be remembered for when Union comes knocking. They might be pleasantly surprised then to see the supposed war criminal actually making a government in their own image.
Since everybody was beginning to tire, there weren't any real rebuttals or counterarguments. I called it to a vote, and just like that, we had our target government structure. Now came the nitty-gritty of hashing it out over the next few sessions.
Oh boy. That was going to be fun.
After I declared the first day of deliberation adjourned with vote, I retired to my quarters...which was just my office, with a cot set up in one of the side rooms. Hm, I strangely didn't find it so bothersome as I'd thought. Was it perhaps my present familiarity with how naval quarters were similarly restricted in spite of rank?
Well, I guess a small office and bedroom in one was still better than the berths that most sailors oft had to put up with instead.
Just as I started undressing my uniform to begin winding down for the evening, Veronica informed me of one last matter. "Commander Moores, Captain Feng is requesting permission to join you in your quarters."
"Hm? Ah, Half-Measure is now on shore leave, isn't it?" I muttered before nodding. That specific wording made me understand this wasn't to be a formal meeting. So no need to replace the layer I'd shed. "Sure, he can come in."
I busied myself instead with brewing a pot of coffee, finishing just as he knocked at my door. Veronica helpfully swung the door open with a servo, letting him in. The captain saluted once in a show of respect, something I lazily returned before gesturing to a nearby coat rack. He instantly understood and took off his own jacket alongside cap, shedding his badges of rank to hang on the hooks.
Once that was done, I spoke aloud. "A cup, Feng?"
"Don't mind if I do, Moores."
The drop in title was the greatest indication that this wasn't an official or regular occasion. It was instead between just two sailors, ones who admittedly had quite similar backgrounds beyond serving on the same little boat and navy. I already knew of Feng's preference and added in only a single packet of sweetener into his drink, bringing his and mine over.
He accepted the offering gratefully and sipped, humming. "Stale."
"We're still on minimal rations, so this is all I could reasonably draw from logistics."
"I understand, doesn't mean I have to like it. But thank you anyways."
I drank my own portion and smacked my lips. He was right, it wasn't great. "You could always go back to your family estate."
"Hmph. I'm sure they'll request I kowtow before them and my ancestors first," he grumbled and looked away. "Then ask if I at least have a partner yet to continue the bloodline as a branch house."
"Well, you were awfully familiar with that foxy captain the other night back."
"That was different," Feng muttered and glanced my way. "At least you're young enough to be matched with a woman your age. I'm too old for most of them."
"Not by noble standards," I softly said and he cursed under his breath, silencing it with another pull of the drink. "But well, at least you have that option of going back. I don't."
"True." Feng was quiet for a moment before looking my way. "So why don't you strike out and found your own then? Propose that you start a new house here? I noticed you actually voted against a monarchy."
I raised my eyebrow. "So did most others. Look at Cavia, Feng; do you really think they'd forget the scars of House Hessin so easily?" I softly implied. "I daresay that these people have had their fill of kings; they do not wish for another to wear a crown, even one with good intentions."
"...I suppose so," he admitted and sighed. Though that was me being a little poetic, I also did have selfish reasons to deny the possibility of such total executive rule.
What the captain didn't know or realize was that under a monarchy, I'd be at the whim of whatever noble ruler they decided to found or elect. Which meant that if Union came and politely asked for my head in exchange for benefits, then it'd actually be a serious bargain they'd consider. Especially if the rewards perhaps included being kicked up the list for Metropolitan conversion.
For the chance for them and their people to live in a near-utopia, yeah. I could understand the reasoning for selling out a suspected war criminal.
"A republic is what the people have decided. So that's what we'll be looking to provide," I firmly told and refilled our drained mugs. "It's also something that I think would be beneficial for us."
He raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"Because I plan to argue that we ought to have fair representation in it too, with our numbers. I intend to propose a clause for naturalization, backdated to when we arrived. One that declares every individual in our armed forces would be considered a citizen of Cavia and entitled to all benefits or protections that entails," I laid out. "Something which would mark our transition from the Half Committee to Cavia."
He considered my intent. "The point of no going back, huh?"
"Exactly. So if you do intend on bowing out, I'd suggest you do so soon."
The man almost snorted into his drink and fervently shook his head. "No, it's just something I'd have to get used to. Start calling myself Cavian."
"Could always just use the catch-all term of Cosmopolitan," I half-suggested. "You spend enough time in the stars for that."
"Mmh. But well, I'm here on shore leave, aren't I? If anything, you perhaps have been overstaying on the ground. Do I have to worry about you becoming a foot slogger?"
"Please. I miss being able to sail between stars too." I set my drink down and looked out the window, towards the darkened capital. "Cavia is nice. But I wouldn't mind going a bit further."
I think he gave me something of a long look before draining his cup. Did I say something off? Well, whatever. My head was too tired to analyze it any further, and I had to rest plenty for the surely heated debates tomorrow.
Little did I know that I really should've just canceled the conference with what would be brought up next.