The crowd. Everyone looking at me, everyone hoping I can fix everything. All their hopes and dreams, all it projected on me. Relying on me. I--You make a 'gimme' motion to the null, who stares. "Pass them over."
He does so, handing you over the documents. The first one you look at is titled plans for a living government. SEED had taken on many of the roles that are currently listed, only requiring the groups of Scholars to give reports on situations. It would then provide direction. There was no formalized process.
The system, as you look it over, is a dictatorship, plain and simple. You do note that debt-slaves have the same rights as everyone else, but that is because the rights given are little to none: no more upward mobility, no freedom to assemble or to oppose the government. You will be assigned a job within the Scholars by age thirteen, becoming an apprentice of whatever work is required.
The Scholars themselves are now divided into ministries, all of which are fairly self-explanatory. Agriculture, Industry, Guardians, Crusaders, Internal Affairs, State, Foreign Affairs, Trade/Finance, Communication, Religion and Health. The Nulls have provided a single recommendation for each from the surviving members of the Scholars who have specialized in those fields.
One catches your eye-- the Communication Ministry, where they recommend Emma as your public speaker. William, you note, has also gained a position in this hypothetical government: as the Minister of Internal Affairs.
I want a personal guard that is under none of these Ministries.There's also a list of three potential generals. All of them scored high marks within officer school and were pruned out of a much larger list.
Eric Applegate
-Psychological prognosis: Not good. Traumatic stress, Survivor's guilt, Suicidal tendencies.
-Missing arm
-The most decorated War Hero still alive.
-Public and Crusader Favorite
Kraig MacGulliver
-Middle-aged
-Prosthetic leg
-Officer Veteran.
-Political ties to Former General Hardy
Isela Tabbett
-Young, recently finished Officer Training
-No Political connections
-Had the highest ever recorded marks in strategic wargames. Training squad reports remark on her incredible potential
-Outlander
-Does not attend Service Days: Suspected Athiest.