Post by aspen on Feb 20, 2018 2:51:37 GMT
"Comrade-Admiral Yvor," greeted the tall figure stepping into the computer-room with disturbing quiet. Her greatcoat, six sleeves and a long sturdy fabric covering the entire body below the head when buttoned, was standard-issue for state workers, particularly in the chilly environment of large ships. The more important details were her coat's colors: grey, representative Executive Cabinet personnel tied to no particular Ministry, and maroon bands emblazoned with gold arrows on her shoulders. A Presidential Commissar. And as if to match, her own color was grey too, shades varying subtly from antennae to head to the fur over her neck.
"Comrade-Commissar Ayadou," replied the Admiral, rotating from the 16-foot tall screen overshadowing him with its soft red glow to face her by shuffling his four legs. His dark blue greatcoat and cap had their own markings, silver and black, joined by a row of three medallions across his chest - though the distinction in color was muted by the dark room and the red glow behind him, which blended with his own red skin. Yvor spoke with an amiable, though ever-professional tone and expression, as if he had nothing to fear from Ayadou. "To what do I owe the honor of your visit?" Behind him, two lower-ranking officers in simpler blue uniforms continued their work, one Oel clacking away at a large keyboard while a Luyin gave instructions while referring to a sleek data-pad. As they did their work, the screen filled with moving planets, stars, and trajectory arcs.
"You know well the unique importance of your mission."
"Of course, the first interstellar voyage of the Selman Reyid."
"No, the first interstellar voyage of the Federation."
Yvor chuckled, and Atalae smiled. "I suppose so, excluding the Warp Drive Test Missions."
"Your crews then were three-quarters Luyin, and you had an assigned Luyin co-commander with the power to veto you. I'm sure you understand the importance of a properly Survaekom excursion, as much as the importance of a true Exploration Mission."
"The Luyin AAT is a politically-empowered member of the Federation and the USSP, is it not? And its members co-equal citizen-workers with Survaekom Oel, no?"
"All the more reason that they should be represented on your voyage proportionally to their membership in Survaek." Her antennae dipped forward as she emphasized those last words.
"So that's why I have so many recent graduates and trainees here. I could have used more of my old crew, and I would have if I'd had been given the authority to select them." Yvor cocked his whole head forward in response to Ayadou's more subtle gesture, but his tone remained ever calm.
"Alas, you were not," the Commissar replied curtly, losing her interest in the thread of conversation. "So tell me about your decision where you have been given authority." The real reason for her stepping in at this time.
He let his head return upright. "After consulting with my comrade Science Officers, I have come to the conclusion that our mission shall prioritize the identification of habitable worlds for mass colonization."
"An odd choice, if I may comment." Of course, as a Presidential Commissar, she had every right to comment. "Neither the SSF nor any of our sister republics of the SocIntern have any labor shortage of note."
"Truly? The wage disparity 'issue' and the registration 'issue' which continually re-visit TUC meetings gave me the opposite impression."
Just like his file indicated. Politically engaged...and not always according to the Party's interest. Ayadou shook her head. "An intriguing opinion I will be sure to take note of."
"Please do, comrade Commissar. Perhaps, coming from you, the concerns may reach the President-Premier's ears. In the meantime, the duty of my Post and my Party demand that I proceed with the mission."
"Very well. Proceed."
"Comrade-Commissar Ayadou," replied the Admiral, rotating from the 16-foot tall screen overshadowing him with its soft red glow to face her by shuffling his four legs. His dark blue greatcoat and cap had their own markings, silver and black, joined by a row of three medallions across his chest - though the distinction in color was muted by the dark room and the red glow behind him, which blended with his own red skin. Yvor spoke with an amiable, though ever-professional tone and expression, as if he had nothing to fear from Ayadou. "To what do I owe the honor of your visit?" Behind him, two lower-ranking officers in simpler blue uniforms continued their work, one Oel clacking away at a large keyboard while a Luyin gave instructions while referring to a sleek data-pad. As they did their work, the screen filled with moving planets, stars, and trajectory arcs.
"You know well the unique importance of your mission."
"Of course, the first interstellar voyage of the Selman Reyid."
"No, the first interstellar voyage of the Federation."
Yvor chuckled, and Atalae smiled. "I suppose so, excluding the Warp Drive Test Missions."
"Your crews then were three-quarters Luyin, and you had an assigned Luyin co-commander with the power to veto you. I'm sure you understand the importance of a properly Survaekom excursion, as much as the importance of a true Exploration Mission."
"The Luyin AAT is a politically-empowered member of the Federation and the USSP, is it not? And its members co-equal citizen-workers with Survaekom Oel, no?"
"All the more reason that they should be represented on your voyage proportionally to their membership in Survaek." Her antennae dipped forward as she emphasized those last words.
"So that's why I have so many recent graduates and trainees here. I could have used more of my old crew, and I would have if I'd had been given the authority to select them." Yvor cocked his whole head forward in response to Ayadou's more subtle gesture, but his tone remained ever calm.
"Alas, you were not," the Commissar replied curtly, losing her interest in the thread of conversation. "So tell me about your decision where you have been given authority." The real reason for her stepping in at this time.
He let his head return upright. "After consulting with my comrade Science Officers, I have come to the conclusion that our mission shall prioritize the identification of habitable worlds for mass colonization."
"An odd choice, if I may comment." Of course, as a Presidential Commissar, she had every right to comment. "Neither the SSF nor any of our sister republics of the SocIntern have any labor shortage of note."
"Truly? The wage disparity 'issue' and the registration 'issue' which continually re-visit TUC meetings gave me the opposite impression."
Just like his file indicated. Politically engaged...and not always according to the Party's interest. Ayadou shook her head. "An intriguing opinion I will be sure to take note of."
"Please do, comrade Commissar. Perhaps, coming from you, the concerns may reach the President-Premier's ears. In the meantime, the duty of my Post and my Party demand that I proceed with the mission."
"Very well. Proceed."