"I propose a joint operation between the military and Intelligence," John said. "We will also need the scientists from R&D and support from logistics," he clarified.
"The main objective is to observe and record data points on an event in one location to determine exactly when the continuous event in that location will happen. We will use these data points to calculate when the continuous events in other locations will occur when the event starts. We do not know what will happen after that, but we can only assume the worse. We believe that when the continuous event eventually occurs, the black hole at the center of the event will create a localized area of destruction rendering the area within 2 miles completely destroyed if not absorbed like a true black hole. Additionally, another objective is to try and create a way to actively detect these events without having to rely on signal interference. Any questions so far?" John asked the council.
"Yes, I have one," Gabe spoke up. The rest of the council turned to look at him as if wondering why he spoke up at all. The feeling of inferiority and disgust made Gabe pause for a moment before asking his question. "What---," Gabe was cut off.
"Gabe, don't worry about this. We will vote to have you replaced immediately after this discussion. Actually, I propose the motion to vote to replace Gabe immediately. There is no reason to have this discussion without the Chief who will lead the military in this operation," Thomas stated to the rest of the council and the Speaker.
"I second the motion!" Kelly spoke up almost immediately after. "We do not have time to waste. Might as well get the dead weight out of here sooner rather than later, especially before he messes this up."
The rest of the councilors, except for the Speaker, mumbled in agreement. Before long, the room was noisy with complaints about Gabe and their agreement to the motion. It was obvious that if this did go to vote, the motion would pass and Gabe would be removed from the council.
Gabe's head hung low at his desk. His shoulders trembled and hands curled into fists at the indignation towards his assignment as Chief. He squinted his eyes to prevent any tears from falling. This wasn't what he imagined his job assignment would be like.
The Speaker had yet to quiet the room. She looked over at the poor man with trembling shoulders. She sat in thought for a moment.
The treatment he received is undoubtedly unfair. She's the only Council member that read through his profile. She's the only one that knew he had better skills and knowledge than most of the others in the room. The only issue is his Imposter Syndrome.
She delayed quieting the hall to give him a moment to defend himself, but it seemed he wouldn't. While she didn't have any issue with his age or abilities, if he could not stand up to the pressure that being a council member required, then she would agree with the rest of the councilors in that he is unfit for being the Chief.
Just as Speaker Diane reached towards her gavel to quiet the meeting room, she noticed a shift in the young mans attitude and posture. "Hmm, this might get interesting," she whispered to herself. She put her gavel down and adjusted herself in her seat. She wanted to watch the impending show in comfort.
Gabe went through the same routine he did before entering the meeting room. He straightened his back, rolled his shoulders back and repeated in his head that he could do this. He suddenly stood up and knocked his chair over. The loud sound caused the room to quiet and the councilors to look at him.
Gabe took his time and looked at each council member and their assistant in the eyes. Once he circled the room, he closed his eyes, cleared his throat, and addressed the room.
"I do not care if you think if I am unfit for this role. I do not care for your reservations about my age or abilities. I was selected for this position because the Algorithm calculated I was the best fit, and I will be damned if I do not receive the respect that should be honored for my position. It is my law given right to work for this nation as Chief until deemed unfit, not because a bunch of prejudiced old councilors believe that 20 is too young. I will be acting Chief for this operation, and you will address me with respect. Is that understood?" He question the room in a stern tone.
Gabe didn't wait for a response. He turned towards Speaker Diane and bowed his head. "I apologize for the interruption Lady Speaker. Perhaps we could return to our discussion of the operation," he suggested before collecting his chair and sitting down once more.
The room stared at him in shock. No one expected him to address the councilors in such an abrasive manner. Many of the council members questioned how he could have such little respect for the leaders of a nation, not realizing the irony of the thought.
The Speaker cleared her throat and then spoke. "Perhaps we should, Councilor Gabe. Martha, where were we before we got sidetracked?" Diane's assistant took a step forward.
"The floor had just been cleared for questions about the operation. Councilor Gabe had started before being inter--." Speaker Diane cut Martha off and addressed Gabe.
"Yes, thank you Martha. Gabe would you please continue with your question?"
"Yes of course Lady Speaker," he said. Gabe then turned to ask John his question.
"Why do you suggest a military response? Do you expect some sort of conflict? Excuse my naivety, but this isn't a task that the military needs to assist you with. The environmental cost of mobilizing the military is far greater than any other sector besides Resource Procurement and Manufactoring. The benefits of mobilizing are not worth it, especially with no confirmed hostiles. It's not like your intelligence agents are untrained, so they should be able to handle themselves well enough."
"You make some valid points Gabe," John responded. "However, while our agents are trained, they are not trained with disaster protocol in mind. We have a different goal in our training. This might sound rude, but military grunts are the most versatile workforce we have. They are physically strong, they are tactically trained for hostile engagement, and they know discretion. The most important aspect right now though, is morale. Everyone feels more comfortable and confident when there are marines there to protect them if everything goes sideways."
"So you want my men to carry crates and look strong? Sorry, but I refuse. I'd rather have them within the city and maybe prevent some deaths," Gabe outright refused. With barely controlled crime and countless other hazards within the city, death is no stranger to the people of Denver.
John was about to speak up again but Elenor managed to first. "Gabe, think about it this way. Intelligence personnel will be busy finding, tracking, and communicating between teams. Taking more people from logistics is impossible with how busy they are, and I hate to admit it, but researchers are really only good at that— research. There's no one else we can rely on for this without stressing other sectors. Your people were trained for this."
John sighed hearing that. What Gabe really didn't want to happen was to have his men killed on the second day under his command. That would definitely be grounds to deem him unfit for his position and removed.
Gabe sunk his head in thought. His right hand lifted to his chin as he rubbed the stubble that had grown in. After a few moments, he looked up at the Speaker and saw only confidence in her eyes.
"Hurry up!" Kelly exclaimed. "We don't have all day. The sooner we finish the sooner we get to our real jobs!"
Gabe sighed once again and looked at John. "Very well, we will participate." John was about to say something before Gabe resumed.
"However, if my men are going to be on the frontlines of whatever is going on here, then I will be in command of this operation. If I say we pull back from the epicenter of the event, then everyone will do so without question. If you cannot accept that, then we will not participate. Understood?" Gabe stared the other councilors down again. He was not losing any men on his second day.
"You cannot honestly believe that we will give you control of the operation!" Thomas yelled in disbelief. "Have you ever even commanded a single unit, let alone tens of teams!"
"No, of course not. I'm as green as the stalks of wheat outside. However, if I am to become the Chief this city and nation require then I need to start somewhere," Gabe rebutted.
He truly had no commmand experience. The closest thing he had was being chosen as team captain whenever he and his friends played pickup sports during their time in college.
The only reason he had any confidence in leading this operation was because of the old war movies he could watch on his holo in his free time.
"I do propose one adjustment to the operation. I do not believe it necessary to reach all the confirmed events within the Western Nation. Only a handful of the most critical locations. The more remote ones cannot even be reached by our teams before the continuous event anyways. This will have a smaller environmental cost and keep more men and supplies where they are needed most."
Surprisingly, the redheaded Kelly spoke in agreement with Gabe. "I agree with Gabe on that. The fewer event locations we study, the less work I have to do." It was in a selfish manner, though.
"Very well then. I suppose we should send this motion to vote. Those in favor of having Gabe lead this operation, please raise your hand," the Speaker said after no one else had anything to say.
Surprisingly, 9 of the 12 councilor's hands were raise. The Speaker doesn't get to vote unless the rest of the council is tied. The three that were against Gabe leading the operation were Thomas, Robert, and the head of Resource Procurement, Elizabeth Snider.
"Gabe will be responsible for this operation," the Speaker put the result of vote into order. "We will now begin the discussion on details of this operation between the four sectors. Those not belonging to the military, R&D, intelligence, or logistics sectors may now leave and return to their duties.
16 sets of footsteps were then heard shuffling out of the main meeting room in an orderly manner. With the room now containing only 40% of the original audience, it seemed empty.
"Now then. Let us begin the discussion for a concrete plan of action for the upcoming operation," Speaker Diane declared.