Volume Three Starts:
Preparation starts.
Choices are made.
Answers land.
New threats rise.
Welcome toIn the Name of Tomorrow.
elected
A few hours after the scientists' council meeting, a meeting of the elected council was called by Charlotte Ziegler. It was held in Erdmann Warner's office.
Although Charlotte had requested the meeting, she arrived last. When she arrived, the rest of the council was already waiting. Erdmann and Alina shared one couch. Egon had sat in a single chair with soft sunken cushions. Another couch held the other two members of the elected council: Edmund Cline and Dietfried Baumann.
Edmund Cline and Dietfried Baumann represent the Closed Section.
"Finally," Edmund Cline said as charlotte entered. "we thought you'd never come."
"We've been waiting 20 minutes." Egon added.
"Sorry I'm late," Charlotte said. "something important came up... stole time right out of my hand."
As she sat down on a chair next to Egon's, Dietfried Baumann started.
"I understand that you've got some concerns about our plan?" Baumann questioned.
"We might have solution that makes it unnecessary." Charlotte said.
"Which is?"
"The supply shipment that was delivered through the military unit days before our group split. If we can retrieve it, then we could comfortably secure at least four years time." charlotte said, "And we still have about five months before the radiation become unsurvivable."
"The idea is promising." Cline said, "but we cannot just gamble on hope." He was young, lean-faced, with the restless posture of someone used to being underestimated—but there was nothing arrogant in him. He spoke with the calm certainty of a man twice his age.
"We need solid evidence that you can get our hands on that shipment before we can delay or stop even our plan." Baumann added.
"We're already discussing the possibility of another mission."Alina said, "Why not extend the period of the technical mission to achieve this task also?"
"One is a 7-day mission." Egon said. "The other takes two, maybe three weeks, given the location and size of the shipment. In these circumstances, weeks cost... Too much."
"You're putting a lot of hope in that surviving group." Baumann said. "Just because a few people made it out there doesn't mean it's safe. Even they didn't last long — we lost contact days ago. Maybe they're dead. Maybe they're fine. It's a gamble either way. An impossible one."
"We don't know if it's gonna work, but we can try. All we're asking is to delay your plan at least one week into the mission. Just until we receive some kind of update from the mission team. If we don't hear from them, then you may proceed with your plan." Erdmann said.
"I'll give you one week," Cline said, "But under one condition." He paused. "If that mission fails or we hear nothing, then the plan must be executed all over the shelter."
"I can work with that." Baumann said.
"We can't promise that." Charlotte said.
"Then you don't have a deal." Baumann replied.
"That's not yours to say, Charlotte." Erdmann told her. "We all have to vote on this."
"Agreed." Egon said. "We all should vote on this."
The vote was cast. Only Charlotte voted against the condition.
Once the council reached an agreement, an initial mission framework was drafted. The name "Vitalis" was chosen—Latin for "life-giving". Erdmann chose it. He didn't mention it was Latin. No one asked.
Tasks were ranked based on priority and team members were selected. Charlotte Ziegler was chosen to lead the mission. Egon Janz was appointed second-in-command. Alfred Herr was selected for field security and safety and other stuff. Members from the Rations Department, water engineering Department, and communications Department were selected for specific tasks.
Additionally, per Erdmann Warner's request, any shelter resident may volunteer to join the mission.