The lights in the conference room seemed to focus on Osiris, who had remained silent throughout.
As the last echo of thought dissipated in the air, Osiris, the black-haired young man's holographic projection, slightly raised his head. His calm, unruffled eyes swept over the three, and he finally spoke.
His voice was still steady, but carried an undeniable weight, as if every word had been precisely calculated, containing the power to determine the city's fate.
"A constructive discussion," Osiris' opening remarks were concise and affirmative. "Your perspectives, especially the parts about balance, gradualism, and checks and balances, have provided me with valuable, multi-dimensional observation data."
He paused briefly, as if retrieving and analyzing the vast amount of information just recorded.
"Johnny Silverhand, your yearning for individual freedom and dignity, and your philosophy of awakening the public's autonomy through practice, reveal potential flaws in the existing management system regarding the stimulation of individual subjective initiative. Your very existence is a necessary reminder against rigid order."
His gaze turned to Arasaka Kei.
"Arasaka Kei, your insistence on macroscopic order, social stability, and efficient operation is the cornerstone for maintaining Night City's basic survival assurance and gradually restoring its functions. Your logic and experience ensure that the system does not become unstable and collapse during the process of change."
Finally, he looked at Yorinobu Arasaka.
"And you, Yorinobu Arasaka, your brief practice at the grassroots level, and the thinking you displayed in this discussion, attempting to merge two extreme paths, have provided the most operational transitional ideas.
You saw the complexity of the problem and began to seek systemic solutions, rather than simple binary opposition."
"Based on the above analysis, and the experimental data I have obtained," Osiris' voice carried a near-absolute rationality, yet was not entirely devoid of warmth, "I will optimize and adjust Night City's management model.
The core principle remains unchanged; order and efficiency are still the primary prerequisites for ensuring collective survival and development. Any changes must not come at the cost of sacrificing basic survival assurance and overall urban stability."
He changed the subject, introducing new variables.
"However, I recognize the necessity of gradually increasing public discourse and self-management space while ensuring this core prerequisite. This is not a compromise with chaos, but rather to build a more resilient social structure capable of adapting to long-term development."
"The specific implementation plan is as follows," Osiris began to elaborate on his decision, clear and methodical, as if deploying a precise scientific experiment. "We will adopt the 'progressive pilot' plan proposed by Yorinobu.
First, in non-core functional areas, such as specific communities in Watson, we will launch a 'community self-governance pilot'."
He looked at Johnny.
"Johnny Silverhand, aren't you eager to see the grassroots speak up? Pilot communities will establish a 'Community Council', whose members will be recommended by or drawn from the residents of that community.
The Council will be empowered to manage the use of public spaces within its community, organize community cultural activities, and propose suggestions for small public facility improvements.
Initially, decision-making power will be limited, primarily focused on the advisory, oversight, and executive levels. All decisions and execution processes must be open and transparent and subject to compliance review by the administrator system."
Johnny crossed his arms, his eyes sharp behind his sunglasses, but he did not immediately retort, seemingly weighing the value of this limited concession.
Osiris' gaze turned to Arasaka Kei.
"Arasaka Kei, to ensure the pilot does not deviate from its course and to accumulate effective data, you need to design a standardized operation supervision and performance evaluation system for these pilot communities.
Record key indicators such as decision-making efficiency, conflict resolution capabilities, changes in resident satisfaction, and resource utilization efficiency.
You have the right to intervene or even suspend the pilot according to the rules for any actions that exceed authority or may trigger systemic risks."
Arasaka Kei bowed slightly: "Understood, Lord Magos. I will establish a comprehensive monitoring and feedback mechanism to ensure accurate and reliable experimental data and controllable processes."
"As for you, Yorinobu," Osiris finally looked at him, "you will continue to delve into the grassroots, but your role will change. You will become the coordinator and observer for these pilot projects, responsible for explaining policies, collecting public feedback, assisting in resolving any chaos that may arise in the early stages of the pilot, and directly reporting your observations and analyses to the administrator.
Your practical experience is an important reference for calibrating policies."
Yorinobu took a deep breath, feeling the heavy responsibility on his shoulders, but a spark of recognition also ignited in his eyes: "I will do my best."
"This is just the first step," Osiris emphasized, his tone unequivocal. "The promotion and deepening of pilot projects, and even the devolution of broader autonomy, will depend entirely on data.
If the pilot results show that these communities can effectively improve resident satisfaction, promote community vitality, and reduce management costs while maintaining basic order, then we will gradually expand the scope and authority of the pilot.
Conversely, if the data proves that it leads to inefficiency, intensified conflicts, or resource waste, the plan will be re-evaluated or even terminated. I believe in speaking with data, not empty ideals or rigid dogma."
After announcing the adjustments to Night City's management model, Osiris threw out another, more crucial decision.
"Given the unique value demonstrated by this three-party discussion," Osiris' gaze swept over the three, making his decision, "I will establish a new management body—the 'Council of Three Sages', composed of the three of you, responsible for the daily governance of Night City."
The conference room was silent, and Johnny also put away his cynical expression.
Osiris clearly defined the responsibilities: "Arasaka Kei, maintain the stability of the city's basic systems, ensuring order and efficiency; Johnny Silverhand, listen to the voices of the grassroots, promoting community self-governance pilots; Yorinobu Arasaka, coordinate all parties, ensuring policy implementation."
He looked at Johnny: "This is a platform to translate your ideals into constructive solutions, to legitimately fight for the rights of the grassroots. Of course, you retain the right to have the final say."
Johnny snorted, a slight curve to his lips: "Sounds... not too bad."
Osiris then looked at Arasaka Kei: "Ensure the meeting operates in accordance with rules and efficiency, and translate feasible suggestions into plans."
"Yes, Lord Magos," Arasaka Kei acknowledged the order.
Finally, he looked at Yorinobu: "Your role is that of a bridge and conciliator, promoting understanding and finding consensus."
Yorinobu nodded solemnly, fully aware of the importance of this task.
"The specific operating rules for the Council will be drafted by Arasaka Kei," Osiris finally instructed. "I hope to see debates based on facts and logic."
As his words fell, a new governance model was formally established in Night City.
For Osiris, this was another crucial experimental adjustment in his study of social operating models.
The "Council of Three Sages" itself was a valuable experimental ground, used to observe how three completely different philosophies would collide and merge in practice, thereby accumulating data for his sociological research.
Osiris' projection dissipated, leaving the three to digest this brand new responsibility.
Outside the conference room, the city continued to operate on its established trajectory, while a new management structure had begun to function.
The observation system left by Osiris continued to record all these changes.