Posted by: Theodidactus
« on: May 03, 2014, 02:57:58 PM »Alexander Peacock was enjoying the conversation before the marshal started turning it sour. In his mind this is why military types shouldn't be allowed to listen to conversations like this. Academics could objectively talk about problems with society without speaking of rebellion or political dissent but military types generally couldn't see the difference between the two.
Then Dr. French interjected. Holy hell, is he trying to get killed? Was the first thought that dashed through his head. Then on second thought it wasn't quite that bad. If he was trying to gauge the marshal's intent behind the question, his wording was about the best it could be.
Finally Dr. Peacock decided he would try to help deescalate the situation. "It wouldn't be any use to imagine that situation because even if somehow a person could find themselves alone in the dark with the Concordant, which is not likely to ever happen, the person would still be on a ship full of Franca's most loyal men. It would be suicide for at most the chance for an idea at a change. It would be stupid and everyone knows it."
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Alexander Peacock was enjoying the conversation before the marshal started turning it sour. In his mind this is why military types shouldn't be allowed to listen to conversations like this. Academics could objectively talk about problems with society without speaking of rebellion or political dissent but military types generally couldn't see the difference between the two.
Then Dr. French interjected. Holy hell, is he trying to get killed? Was the first thought that dashed through his head. Then on second thought it wasn't quite that bad. If he was trying to gauge the marshal's intent behind the question, his wording was about the best it could be.
Finally Dr. Peacock decided he would try to help deescalate the situation. "It wouldn't be any use to imagine that situation because even if somehow a person could find themselves alone in the dark with the Concordant, which is not likely to ever happen, the person would still be on a ship full of Franca's most loyal men. It would be suicide for at most the chance for an idea at a change. It would be stupid and everyone knows it."
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Renee Claude had spent this shuttle ride much the same way she spent every other, combat-drop or otherwise: half asleep. Get it where you can, she knew. She kept one eye open while she slept, and she didn't spend it on the particulars of the conversation. Her focus was on the sounds of the shuttle, her weapon, and the weapons and emotional states of those around her. When the conversation became tense, she didn't have to move her hand to her rifle: it rarely left that perch unless it was needed elsewhere. When the tones turn treasonous, she carefully watches everyone around her, still feigning sleep, ready to intervene on behalf of her wards. She would be ready to strike first. Her mission came before all other priorities. No one would harm these specific civilians while she still drew breath.
The colonial guardsman smiles, adopting the air of a attitude of a blameless and aimless tool for hire...hardly comforting. He says through widening lips
"Well, you never know..."
His companion returns, and he immediately asks the same question, receiving a sharp reprimand. The situation quickly plunges into mutters and awkward silence and when conversation resumes, its on the far less interesting, but far more universal, subject of Monticellan animal domestication projects.
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Lt. Co. Gregoire de Saint Pierre considered the sudden change in the interview. His mind, attempting to cover every angle, couldn't imagine how exactly to respond. If this was a loyalty test to the Concordance, it was a highly unusual one, especially for a man of Lt. Commander Hutchinson's renown. After several moments that dragged for an eternity, Gregoire made up his mind.
"Commander, if what you say is true then we have a duty to the people to stop it. First and foremost, the worlds of humanity must be protected, even from the highest authority."
With that, Gregoire went silent. He saw little reason to continue speaking, and, if this was in fact a test of his loyalty to the Concordance then he could plausibly try to spin it so as not to be executed. Still, he was aware enough of the gravity of the situation to recognize that he could have just signed his own execution notice.
Your interviewer nods, and extends his hand.
"Welcome aboard. Officially, you will be our interim intelligence officer until we can find a more permanent position for you. Unofficially, you may have...other duties. You'll know when I call upon you."
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Lt. Co. Andre Rochat thinks for a moment and responds delicately "If I was to act on this I would need evidence. I have pledged my allegiance to the concordance of worlds for the protection of the home-worlds. If he is not performing his duty he must be removed but until I have proof on this I can not act within the law. If this was proven to be true though all the soldiers on his ships and on all other ships would go up in arms against him to protect their families."
"A wise decision Lieutenant" your interviewer says. "In these desperate times many may be tempted to act...hastily. We of course are charged to prevent such hasty decisions."
The interview resumes normally, there are many more involved questions, but none seem relevant. You keep thinking about the exhcange earlier, your answers are rambling and halfhearted. You don't even remember the conclusion of the interview. You are given the position of sensor and survey officer for the second fleet, but your interviewer mentions it may be only a temporary assignment. you leave somehow feeling like you've done something wrong, and may be reassigned relatively soon...best do your duties with exceptional care in the meantime.
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The sudden electronic chirping was like the sign of change for the whole room, Lieutenant Commander Luciana Tourinho thought. Where the atmosphere before was one of boring, standard briefing it now stank of intrigue. He had prepared himself for that possibility - though officially denied, nepotism did exist measurably in the Concordant's fleets. With himself only a few months away from possible discharge, he could no longer avoid aligning himself with a faction.
A surprise, however, was the actual request made. Unless he developed psychic powers in the next second, he needed to decide where he stood. Support the alleged resistance against a crazy dictator, or support the wizened technocratic concordant against traitorous elements? He knew where his preference lay, but what was Hutchinson's? Most of all, he needed more information, more data. Before any of the other two answered, he said "Sir, it is my duty to protect Humanity, from enemies both without and within; from both military and civilian threats." A slight emphasis lay on the 'civilian' part. Not enough to be noticeable unless you already looked for it, he hoped.
Your interviewer sits in silence for a moment, considering every wrinkle and tic on your face in minute detail. Eventually, he concludes
"I was hoping you'd say so. Lt. Co. Tourinho, I'm pleased to welcome you aboard as the communications officer for the second fleet. You will be presented with a dossier of your expected duties later this evening."
And with only a few more formalities, and very little mention of what has transpired, the interview concludes and you are sent on your way...
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Stephen Humphries joined the Colonial Guard because he believed that protecting the worlds of humanity was a good cause, and that the Concordance has been a successful defender of these worlds, from both internal and external threats. Although these moves by Franca have worried him, Stephen believes that in the end, they are for a cause that sometimes requires a great risk, and that the decision Franca has made is the right path for the right cause.
Stephen's loyalties lie with the Articles of Concordance that provide the power that the Concordant needs to protect humanity.
you are unexpectedly invited to dinner aboard the Coronado by the admiral of the second fleet himself. Better dress the part
[ooc]stay tuned for the next episode in a few hours[/ooc]