Z
Zack
ON, Palace, 188604>
shortly after the Necromancer left for I'ee space
"Aaron!" Vier called out, the woman swiftly walking towards him, still clad in the grey outfit from earlier. "I am having a problem that I believe you could help me with."
The newly appointed ruler of 188604 was talking to a group of locals including the leaders of his short-lived rebellion not far from where the meeting took place. He looked a little better than before, but still appeared somewhat weary. He almost yelled back at her to come back later as he turned to see who was speaking. Instead he stopped when he saw who it was. "Vier, was it? What's the problem ma'am?" He said curiously, not really sure what he could do to help.
"Yes," She replied. Pausing for a slightly awkward amount of time before continuing. "Uso has requested I provide the spacers with U238 and U235 separated out from the local material. Your planet contains it in the ground in useful amounts but I do not have the labor capabilities to handle this level of task. I wanted to use your people to help move dirt into the separator that is being constructed but paying them is proving to be problematic. Though funds for the payment are available, these people have no accounts to transfer those funds to. Then there is the problem of paying them fairly as both Belflower Notes and Davis Dollars are not usable currency in this area so using them as payment would be decidedly unfair."
"I can print up the needed banknotes to pay so long as equal amount is invested in the import bank." Another voice piped across the ruins of the palace. The Sheriff poking her head around the corner to actually be a part of the conversation... She'd been unsubtly keeping an eye on Grant ever since the meeting ended. Clearly suspect of a surrendered enemy. "Payment issue isn't a problem."
Aaron looked to the new voice to see who was speaking now. The strange girl that had been watching him suspiciously, Uso's Sheriff. "Import bank? Right, you've been printing money. I suppose you're going to be running the bank, then? Our currency was backed by gold before you guys showed up. I would like for us to eventually move to Nepleslian currency, but your idea sounds good until that is feasible."
"My money is nepleslian money. It's just printed out in notes trade able at the import bank. The DA is electronic, so I just print up an amount equal to what I spend on goods to be traded. My sheriffs buy food, drink, crop stocks. That sort of thing." Arccos explained, her head the only thing visible around the corner still. Eyes suspiciously squinting to watch the locals and Vier.
Vier would wait for the two of them to finish talking before turning her attention to Aaron, "Is this acceptable as a fair deal?" She asked, sounding as if she genuinely required Aaron to make such a determination.
--
The thud of combat boots could be heard down the hall. Cyrus walked up, a cigar held between his lips. "Looks like a party, and I didn't get an invite..." He said smiling. He looked to Arccos. "What did I walk into?" He asked walking up to the group.
"Vier's talking about paying the locals with Arso-- Aaron Grant. But they don't have anything which can handle electronic DA." Arccos explains, letting Cyrus pass to get to the others.
Cyrus stopped and shot her a look, as to say. 'Not the time.' He then smiled. "Well, that is quite the issue isn't it? We really need to figure out a temporary fix, until we get everyone up to speed." He said pondering aloud.
"Already got a patch fix. You're on the Usotzan twenty, Cyrus." Arccos said, producing one glove holding a banknote from around the corner. The thing was on local materials, stained in Algaeia green ink. A big number 20 on it, with a rather flattering picture of Cyrus... Shirtless. But flattering.
Cyrus looked puzzled, then red as he saw that he was shirtless on the bill. "How the hell did you get...?" He was about to ask, then sighed. "Damn it Arccos..." He said handing the bill back.
"I needed something to attract women to the cause." Arccos said stuffing the note back into a roll of bills "We can talk designs later."
Cyrus thought for a moment. "Arccos...how did you know about all the scars and where they were...?" He asked glaring at her.
"I've seen you shirtless." Arccos just said matter of factly. Like it was no big thing.
"I have never taken my shirt off infront of you... Or any Ragnarock members..." He answered. "You gonna have to do batter than that." Cyrus added.
"Not in front of us, no. But you have removed your shirt." Arccos shrugged.
Cyrus frowned. "Stop spying on me, or I will have Raph stalk you." He said
If anything, Arccos seemed baffled by the idea that Raph wasn't already stalking her. But no more of this banter continued. Another topic was at hand.
--
Aaron ignored the conversation between Arccos and Cyrus. He thought about the arrangement and nodded in agreement. "That is acceptable for the moment I think. I'm not sure the people would understand digital currency just yet. I'm having a hard time myself."
"Digital currency is inevitable." Vier said, pausing for a moment before adding. "We will need to provide education and training to your people regarding those systems eventually. Maybe if we were to back the new currency with both Gold and DA we could use Arccos' paper notes for the time being? This would also require setting up a central banking authority and anti-counterfeiting protections. We would then need distribution, security, artists...." Vier would seem to be veering off course a bit, finding that in order to setup an appropriate system that would fit her requirements for fairness... they would have to ALSO setup an entire banking and educational sector for the city.
Arccos slunk out from behind her secure corner, stepping in to the conversation proper and looking down her nose at Aaron for a few moments. She then looked over to Vier and put a hand on the quarter of the collective's shoulder.
"We're working on temporary fixes here for now, how about we just use what's working to keep things running. Everything else we can work out later over lunch or something."
The strange looks Arccos kept giving him were starting to annoy Aaron. He thought it was because she considered the locals to be barbaric or maybe beneath her, not because she suspected him of burning down part of the city. "She is right, Vier, we don't need to solve all of our problems right now. We'll deal with that when it's more pressing. Right now, people will be fine with paper currency. The Sheriff's people will deal with the counterfeiting issue for now. Though I doubt anyone else will be able to print fake money for a while." He said with a glance at Arccos to make sure she was okay with his proposal.
Arccos just gave Aaron a little thumbs up to give approval to what he'd just said. If she was looking down on him, she at least seemed to respect his opinions to some degree. His filthy barbaric dirt dwelling opinions.
"Very well. I will pay your people with paper currency for the time being." Vier established, before turning to Arccos, "If Aaron can help me round up enough people to keep the separator going all night, we should have the first of your U238 rods by morning."
"You work fast." Arccos gave a little grin, clearly impressed.
Aaron looked around for a moment until he located the Merchant and the Procurer. He waved them over to discuss acquiring a labor force.
In the sunlight, the two were much easier to see. Both were fairly well rounded in figure, though while the merchant was more of a portly fellow, reasonably well dressed for 188604... the Procurer was more built. If he had been a Nepleslian, no doubt he would have grown into something much more massive... but instead due to the limited nutrition on this planet he was only about 5 foot 8... tall for the locals but easily overshadowed by their alien 'friends'
"What do you need from us?" The merchant asked.
"And what do we call YOU now... President? Supreme Leader? King?" The procurer added.
That wasn't really something he had considered until now. He was more concerned with restoring some semblance of normalcy. "You can just call me Aaron for now. If you insist on a title, though, President is good. Once everything is in order we'll have an election." Aaron said, almost forgetting what he called them for. "That is a matter for another time. Right now, our new friends need some men who can work a machine to separate out something from raw ore. I'm not sure how many people they need or how difficult the machinery is to operate. But they are going to pay in the Sheriff's currency. You can talk money with Miss Vier." He gestured towards the woman.
"How many people do you need?" The merchant asked.
"480 workers, arranged 20 men in 10 minute shifts, rotating out shifts for the entire day in blocks of 120 workers and 6 hours." Vier explained, "They will need to be working at top speed to fill the separator with dirt...." The group quickly devolving into discussing the specifics of when, where, and how.
Aaron waited for them to finish going over the details to request a few things. "Miss Vier, I have a few requests for Uso. We need a shield generator, or maybe several small ones, to protect the city from another storm. I also need some of your body armor and guns for the militia, nothing fancy, just anything better than we have here. If the rebels attack again, we have to be prepared. We need a place for the government to meet, most of the old buildings are pretty much ruins. The Palace might as well be torn down. It's just a reminder of the mob that tried to kill Uso. The people definitely won't miss it."
"I have what few gunsmiths were left in the city working with my men. They're learning, but it's taking time. Talk with them for what they've got" Arccos chimed in, "We can also import, but that'll come at cost and I'm spending a good deal outfitting my lawmen. You'll probably have to talk with Uso about importing from state surplus funds to arm your men. I'd personally advocate for less government, and less buildings to meet in, but that's not up to me in any way... So. Yes."
That was a statement Aaron could agree with. The former government had been growing for years, and that was part of the problem. He nodded in agreement, conceding the point. "Well, we need somewhere for the elected leadership to live and meet with Uso or any other visiting leaders. And also a place for the laws to be decided on. That reminds me.." He looked at Arccos cautiously. "Your lawmen are enforcing the law, but what is the law right now? Are you the one deciding that?"
"Anyone is free to report a crime. The sheriff's department also brings in anyone obviously doing anything wrong. Once they're brought in we put them on trial before the public, and guilt or innocence is voted upon after all evidence is given." Arccos explained, "It's less than ideal circumstances at the moment, but it keeps the peace for the time being."
"That's better than the system the Osmans had. Mostly they'd just shoot people or hang them without a trial. I guess we could use a courthouse and a better jail while we're at it. More importantly we need food and shelter for the people that lost their homes. Some people are living in the ruins of their homes. Seems to be more people resorting to stealing since the storm. Haven't seen one that bad in years." Aaron replied, taking on a somber tone.
"If it makes you feel any better, a proper shield system should protect the city against that level of storm. I can manufacture the system with the proper resources but it will take some time to seperate the metals we need out from the dirt. I will also need to maintain the services of your workers for far longer than originally intended. My understanding is that Uso already has plans to add housing, and we should begin determining who gets the limited amount of houses that will be made avalible. Eventually there will be enough for everyone, but it will not start that way." Vier said.
"The old courthouse is presently headquarters for the Brigade. It's pretty unrecognisable, but it's standing. I figured it was best to not have justice resemble anything the Osmans dealt out." Arccos pointed out, "And before everything went down we'd already gotten together work crew rosters, and started to rebuild. Pretty sure most of them are dead now, after what happened in the palace. Less housing needed at least"
Aaron nodded. "You're right, which is why we need the new courthouse.. But that should wait until the homes are rebuilt. The main issue then is feeding everyone. Why not offer housing and food to everyone who assists you and their immediate family for the duration, Vier?" He asked. "No more than two adults and two children to a house. Don't want people taking advantage and claiming to be related just to get food." He trailed off, then looked at Arccos. "Can you get your guys to try and gather everyone somewhere? Tell them what we're offering. If that doesn't work offer free alcohol. I think it's time we talked directly to the people. Some of them don't even know who Uso is. Her problem is everyone fears her. She's just some alien figure in metal armor, a bogey woman. I want to show them we aren't so different. I can get the people to love her."
"Circulating such information through paper hand outs would be time consuming and we would not be able to reach everyone. Perhaps we could borrow the speaker systems on the White Lament's junker drones and setup a public PA system?" Vier offered.
"That would imply my junkers wouldn't simply terrify everyone into hiding again." Arccos scratched the side of her nose in thought. There was no itch. "Last time they were in the city proper, they tried to capture people to throw them in the grinder... How about... If I print out the handbills, they can just be dropped over the city by Cyrus' aircraft. I think they have loudspeakers as well, and they'd be far less alarming. They'd be covering more ground to begin with, they can reach the other cities around the Algae sea quickly, and it spares the junkers to keep working."
"Sooner or later we might want to start selling cheap communicators so we can broadcast right into houses."
"Cyrus' Ragna-chopper was destroyed during the palace incident. The Queen's Slave is busy making runs to sell Algae. That just leaves us with Hahuri's ship. I would expect penitration from air-dropped leaflets to be only about 10-20%. Though more may attend through word of mouth." Vier thought aloud. Vier pausing for a moment before adding, "Uso will also agree to make a speech, if that is part of this request."
"Well, I can do the Junker thing if we have no other options to distribute. Keep in mind that it'll feel a lot like they're forcing them to attend." Arccos looked to think on it, the it being whether or not Uso could be trusted to give a speech. "Can we maybe arrange something where all she has to do is sit there and look imperious? Slather her in gold, silk and glitter, put a crown on her head, have some important people bow to her?"
The idea of Uso giving a speech wasn't quite as terrifying to Aaron. It would be a good idea for Uso to speak, but not in her own words. A speech would need to be prepared ahead of time, Uso would have to be willing to read it, and she would have to seem honest. He realized those three things would most likely never happen. Still, an idea was slowly forming in his head. "Yes, if Uso will read something I write and at least try to act honest. I'm not sure that will be possible, much less believable. Alternatively, you have the technology to create an image that appears real, correct? Would it be possible to create an image of Uso and mimic her voice?" He asked, mostly to Vier but also willing to hear Arccos's opinion judging by his glance in her direction.
"Yes, however that would take fabrication time to setup and everything we have access to right now is being used to refit the White Lament and the I'ee." Vier said, another one of her mentally networked bodies no doubt having to deal with Uso saying she was here to lead, not to read.... "... the best I can promise is that Uso will do her best to conform to your goals in this."
"Which is to say she'll use half her ass." Arccos retorted. "She did well enough to get this far, but she put you in charge because she doesn't want to do the 'ruling' of her own nation."
He sighed and nodded. "I suppose that's the best I can hope for. I've noticed subtlety isn't exactly her strong suit. As long as no one gets killed and she reads half of the speech, it should be fine. I'll do most of the talking, she won't need to say very much." Aaron trailed off. It would be difficult but not impossible. She would hardly be hanging around the planet, pretty much exactly like the royalty. They lived in their extravagant mansions and ate better than anyone in the cities. While the citizens were forced to eat Algaeia exclusively, the royals could afford to keep livestock.
Another nod. "Right, I'll get to work on the speech. Don't use those spider things, I'll get the word to any remaining followers I might have. They should be able to get enough people to show up. I need a week minimum. We can't have a large gathering until Lewis is dead."
"I... Unfortunitly that is not my department. I will need to speak with Cyrus regarding Lewis. Can we meet again tomorrow to further discuss the timeline?" Vier offered.
"Yes, that's fine. Where would you like to meet?" He replied.
"I can locate you through your datapad." Vier responded, "Though, I suppose we will need to distribute pads to everyone for meeting and tracking reasons as well. I will be sure to add that to the agenda and have a distribution plan ready for you by the time we meet tomorrow. I assume meeting here will be satisfactory?"
He noticed the mention of tracking people through the datapads. Had he made the wrong choice by siding with Uso? Either way, it was too late to change his mind. "That is satisfactory, yes. Maybe after that we can talk over dinner." He said with a smirk.
"Of course, Do you have any dietary restrictions I should take into consideration?" Vier responded, as if she were paid to keep track of his details, rather than his personal affections.
Aaron was convinced there was something off about Vier. He couldn't figure out what it was exactly, since he had never met an AI so he had no frame of reference. "Not that I know of, but there isn't much besides Algaeia here, so I can't be sure."
"Then we can discuss food as well. There are neutritional deficiencies here that we could resolve through adding more options into the food supply. I should be able to find some examples onboard Uso's ship." She replied.
shortly after the Necromancer left for I'ee space
"Aaron!" Vier called out, the woman swiftly walking towards him, still clad in the grey outfit from earlier. "I am having a problem that I believe you could help me with."
The newly appointed ruler of 188604 was talking to a group of locals including the leaders of his short-lived rebellion not far from where the meeting took place. He looked a little better than before, but still appeared somewhat weary. He almost yelled back at her to come back later as he turned to see who was speaking. Instead he stopped when he saw who it was. "Vier, was it? What's the problem ma'am?" He said curiously, not really sure what he could do to help.
"Yes," She replied. Pausing for a slightly awkward amount of time before continuing. "Uso has requested I provide the spacers with U238 and U235 separated out from the local material. Your planet contains it in the ground in useful amounts but I do not have the labor capabilities to handle this level of task. I wanted to use your people to help move dirt into the separator that is being constructed but paying them is proving to be problematic. Though funds for the payment are available, these people have no accounts to transfer those funds to. Then there is the problem of paying them fairly as both Belflower Notes and Davis Dollars are not usable currency in this area so using them as payment would be decidedly unfair."
"I can print up the needed banknotes to pay so long as equal amount is invested in the import bank." Another voice piped across the ruins of the palace. The Sheriff poking her head around the corner to actually be a part of the conversation... She'd been unsubtly keeping an eye on Grant ever since the meeting ended. Clearly suspect of a surrendered enemy. "Payment issue isn't a problem."
Aaron looked to the new voice to see who was speaking now. The strange girl that had been watching him suspiciously, Uso's Sheriff. "Import bank? Right, you've been printing money. I suppose you're going to be running the bank, then? Our currency was backed by gold before you guys showed up. I would like for us to eventually move to Nepleslian currency, but your idea sounds good until that is feasible."
"My money is nepleslian money. It's just printed out in notes trade able at the import bank. The DA is electronic, so I just print up an amount equal to what I spend on goods to be traded. My sheriffs buy food, drink, crop stocks. That sort of thing." Arccos explained, her head the only thing visible around the corner still. Eyes suspiciously squinting to watch the locals and Vier.
Vier would wait for the two of them to finish talking before turning her attention to Aaron, "Is this acceptable as a fair deal?" She asked, sounding as if she genuinely required Aaron to make such a determination.
--
The thud of combat boots could be heard down the hall. Cyrus walked up, a cigar held between his lips. "Looks like a party, and I didn't get an invite..." He said smiling. He looked to Arccos. "What did I walk into?" He asked walking up to the group.
"Vier's talking about paying the locals with Arso-- Aaron Grant. But they don't have anything which can handle electronic DA." Arccos explains, letting Cyrus pass to get to the others.
Cyrus stopped and shot her a look, as to say. 'Not the time.' He then smiled. "Well, that is quite the issue isn't it? We really need to figure out a temporary fix, until we get everyone up to speed." He said pondering aloud.
"Already got a patch fix. You're on the Usotzan twenty, Cyrus." Arccos said, producing one glove holding a banknote from around the corner. The thing was on local materials, stained in Algaeia green ink. A big number 20 on it, with a rather flattering picture of Cyrus... Shirtless. But flattering.
Cyrus looked puzzled, then red as he saw that he was shirtless on the bill. "How the hell did you get...?" He was about to ask, then sighed. "Damn it Arccos..." He said handing the bill back.
"I needed something to attract women to the cause." Arccos said stuffing the note back into a roll of bills "We can talk designs later."
Cyrus thought for a moment. "Arccos...how did you know about all the scars and where they were...?" He asked glaring at her.
"I've seen you shirtless." Arccos just said matter of factly. Like it was no big thing.
"I have never taken my shirt off infront of you... Or any Ragnarock members..." He answered. "You gonna have to do batter than that." Cyrus added.
"Not in front of us, no. But you have removed your shirt." Arccos shrugged.
Cyrus frowned. "Stop spying on me, or I will have Raph stalk you." He said
If anything, Arccos seemed baffled by the idea that Raph wasn't already stalking her. But no more of this banter continued. Another topic was at hand.
--
Aaron ignored the conversation between Arccos and Cyrus. He thought about the arrangement and nodded in agreement. "That is acceptable for the moment I think. I'm not sure the people would understand digital currency just yet. I'm having a hard time myself."
"Digital currency is inevitable." Vier said, pausing for a moment before adding. "We will need to provide education and training to your people regarding those systems eventually. Maybe if we were to back the new currency with both Gold and DA we could use Arccos' paper notes for the time being? This would also require setting up a central banking authority and anti-counterfeiting protections. We would then need distribution, security, artists...." Vier would seem to be veering off course a bit, finding that in order to setup an appropriate system that would fit her requirements for fairness... they would have to ALSO setup an entire banking and educational sector for the city.
Arccos slunk out from behind her secure corner, stepping in to the conversation proper and looking down her nose at Aaron for a few moments. She then looked over to Vier and put a hand on the quarter of the collective's shoulder.
"We're working on temporary fixes here for now, how about we just use what's working to keep things running. Everything else we can work out later over lunch or something."
The strange looks Arccos kept giving him were starting to annoy Aaron. He thought it was because she considered the locals to be barbaric or maybe beneath her, not because she suspected him of burning down part of the city. "She is right, Vier, we don't need to solve all of our problems right now. We'll deal with that when it's more pressing. Right now, people will be fine with paper currency. The Sheriff's people will deal with the counterfeiting issue for now. Though I doubt anyone else will be able to print fake money for a while." He said with a glance at Arccos to make sure she was okay with his proposal.
Arccos just gave Aaron a little thumbs up to give approval to what he'd just said. If she was looking down on him, she at least seemed to respect his opinions to some degree. His filthy barbaric dirt dwelling opinions.
"Very well. I will pay your people with paper currency for the time being." Vier established, before turning to Arccos, "If Aaron can help me round up enough people to keep the separator going all night, we should have the first of your U238 rods by morning."
"You work fast." Arccos gave a little grin, clearly impressed.
Aaron looked around for a moment until he located the Merchant and the Procurer. He waved them over to discuss acquiring a labor force.
In the sunlight, the two were much easier to see. Both were fairly well rounded in figure, though while the merchant was more of a portly fellow, reasonably well dressed for 188604... the Procurer was more built. If he had been a Nepleslian, no doubt he would have grown into something much more massive... but instead due to the limited nutrition on this planet he was only about 5 foot 8... tall for the locals but easily overshadowed by their alien 'friends'
"What do you need from us?" The merchant asked.
"And what do we call YOU now... President? Supreme Leader? King?" The procurer added.
That wasn't really something he had considered until now. He was more concerned with restoring some semblance of normalcy. "You can just call me Aaron for now. If you insist on a title, though, President is good. Once everything is in order we'll have an election." Aaron said, almost forgetting what he called them for. "That is a matter for another time. Right now, our new friends need some men who can work a machine to separate out something from raw ore. I'm not sure how many people they need or how difficult the machinery is to operate. But they are going to pay in the Sheriff's currency. You can talk money with Miss Vier." He gestured towards the woman.
"How many people do you need?" The merchant asked.
"480 workers, arranged 20 men in 10 minute shifts, rotating out shifts for the entire day in blocks of 120 workers and 6 hours." Vier explained, "They will need to be working at top speed to fill the separator with dirt...." The group quickly devolving into discussing the specifics of when, where, and how.
Aaron waited for them to finish going over the details to request a few things. "Miss Vier, I have a few requests for Uso. We need a shield generator, or maybe several small ones, to protect the city from another storm. I also need some of your body armor and guns for the militia, nothing fancy, just anything better than we have here. If the rebels attack again, we have to be prepared. We need a place for the government to meet, most of the old buildings are pretty much ruins. The Palace might as well be torn down. It's just a reminder of the mob that tried to kill Uso. The people definitely won't miss it."
"I have what few gunsmiths were left in the city working with my men. They're learning, but it's taking time. Talk with them for what they've got" Arccos chimed in, "We can also import, but that'll come at cost and I'm spending a good deal outfitting my lawmen. You'll probably have to talk with Uso about importing from state surplus funds to arm your men. I'd personally advocate for less government, and less buildings to meet in, but that's not up to me in any way... So. Yes."
That was a statement Aaron could agree with. The former government had been growing for years, and that was part of the problem. He nodded in agreement, conceding the point. "Well, we need somewhere for the elected leadership to live and meet with Uso or any other visiting leaders. And also a place for the laws to be decided on. That reminds me.." He looked at Arccos cautiously. "Your lawmen are enforcing the law, but what is the law right now? Are you the one deciding that?"
"Anyone is free to report a crime. The sheriff's department also brings in anyone obviously doing anything wrong. Once they're brought in we put them on trial before the public, and guilt or innocence is voted upon after all evidence is given." Arccos explained, "It's less than ideal circumstances at the moment, but it keeps the peace for the time being."
"That's better than the system the Osmans had. Mostly they'd just shoot people or hang them without a trial. I guess we could use a courthouse and a better jail while we're at it. More importantly we need food and shelter for the people that lost their homes. Some people are living in the ruins of their homes. Seems to be more people resorting to stealing since the storm. Haven't seen one that bad in years." Aaron replied, taking on a somber tone.
"If it makes you feel any better, a proper shield system should protect the city against that level of storm. I can manufacture the system with the proper resources but it will take some time to seperate the metals we need out from the dirt. I will also need to maintain the services of your workers for far longer than originally intended. My understanding is that Uso already has plans to add housing, and we should begin determining who gets the limited amount of houses that will be made avalible. Eventually there will be enough for everyone, but it will not start that way." Vier said.
"The old courthouse is presently headquarters for the Brigade. It's pretty unrecognisable, but it's standing. I figured it was best to not have justice resemble anything the Osmans dealt out." Arccos pointed out, "And before everything went down we'd already gotten together work crew rosters, and started to rebuild. Pretty sure most of them are dead now, after what happened in the palace. Less housing needed at least"
Aaron nodded. "You're right, which is why we need the new courthouse.. But that should wait until the homes are rebuilt. The main issue then is feeding everyone. Why not offer housing and food to everyone who assists you and their immediate family for the duration, Vier?" He asked. "No more than two adults and two children to a house. Don't want people taking advantage and claiming to be related just to get food." He trailed off, then looked at Arccos. "Can you get your guys to try and gather everyone somewhere? Tell them what we're offering. If that doesn't work offer free alcohol. I think it's time we talked directly to the people. Some of them don't even know who Uso is. Her problem is everyone fears her. She's just some alien figure in metal armor, a bogey woman. I want to show them we aren't so different. I can get the people to love her."
"Circulating such information through paper hand outs would be time consuming and we would not be able to reach everyone. Perhaps we could borrow the speaker systems on the White Lament's junker drones and setup a public PA system?" Vier offered.
"That would imply my junkers wouldn't simply terrify everyone into hiding again." Arccos scratched the side of her nose in thought. There was no itch. "Last time they were in the city proper, they tried to capture people to throw them in the grinder... How about... If I print out the handbills, they can just be dropped over the city by Cyrus' aircraft. I think they have loudspeakers as well, and they'd be far less alarming. They'd be covering more ground to begin with, they can reach the other cities around the Algae sea quickly, and it spares the junkers to keep working."
"Sooner or later we might want to start selling cheap communicators so we can broadcast right into houses."
"Cyrus' Ragna-chopper was destroyed during the palace incident. The Queen's Slave is busy making runs to sell Algae. That just leaves us with Hahuri's ship. I would expect penitration from air-dropped leaflets to be only about 10-20%. Though more may attend through word of mouth." Vier thought aloud. Vier pausing for a moment before adding, "Uso will also agree to make a speech, if that is part of this request."
"Well, I can do the Junker thing if we have no other options to distribute. Keep in mind that it'll feel a lot like they're forcing them to attend." Arccos looked to think on it, the it being whether or not Uso could be trusted to give a speech. "Can we maybe arrange something where all she has to do is sit there and look imperious? Slather her in gold, silk and glitter, put a crown on her head, have some important people bow to her?"
The idea of Uso giving a speech wasn't quite as terrifying to Aaron. It would be a good idea for Uso to speak, but not in her own words. A speech would need to be prepared ahead of time, Uso would have to be willing to read it, and she would have to seem honest. He realized those three things would most likely never happen. Still, an idea was slowly forming in his head. "Yes, if Uso will read something I write and at least try to act honest. I'm not sure that will be possible, much less believable. Alternatively, you have the technology to create an image that appears real, correct? Would it be possible to create an image of Uso and mimic her voice?" He asked, mostly to Vier but also willing to hear Arccos's opinion judging by his glance in her direction.
"Yes, however that would take fabrication time to setup and everything we have access to right now is being used to refit the White Lament and the I'ee." Vier said, another one of her mentally networked bodies no doubt having to deal with Uso saying she was here to lead, not to read.... "... the best I can promise is that Uso will do her best to conform to your goals in this."
"Which is to say she'll use half her ass." Arccos retorted. "She did well enough to get this far, but she put you in charge because she doesn't want to do the 'ruling' of her own nation."
He sighed and nodded. "I suppose that's the best I can hope for. I've noticed subtlety isn't exactly her strong suit. As long as no one gets killed and she reads half of the speech, it should be fine. I'll do most of the talking, she won't need to say very much." Aaron trailed off. It would be difficult but not impossible. She would hardly be hanging around the planet, pretty much exactly like the royalty. They lived in their extravagant mansions and ate better than anyone in the cities. While the citizens were forced to eat Algaeia exclusively, the royals could afford to keep livestock.
Another nod. "Right, I'll get to work on the speech. Don't use those spider things, I'll get the word to any remaining followers I might have. They should be able to get enough people to show up. I need a week minimum. We can't have a large gathering until Lewis is dead."
"I... Unfortunitly that is not my department. I will need to speak with Cyrus regarding Lewis. Can we meet again tomorrow to further discuss the timeline?" Vier offered.
"Yes, that's fine. Where would you like to meet?" He replied.
"I can locate you through your datapad." Vier responded, "Though, I suppose we will need to distribute pads to everyone for meeting and tracking reasons as well. I will be sure to add that to the agenda and have a distribution plan ready for you by the time we meet tomorrow. I assume meeting here will be satisfactory?"
He noticed the mention of tracking people through the datapads. Had he made the wrong choice by siding with Uso? Either way, it was too late to change his mind. "That is satisfactory, yes. Maybe after that we can talk over dinner." He said with a smirk.
"Of course, Do you have any dietary restrictions I should take into consideration?" Vier responded, as if she were paid to keep track of his details, rather than his personal affections.
Aaron was convinced there was something off about Vier. He couldn't figure out what it was exactly, since he had never met an AI so he had no frame of reference. "Not that I know of, but there isn't much besides Algaeia here, so I can't be sure."
"Then we can discuss food as well. There are neutritional deficiencies here that we could resolve through adding more options into the food supply. I should be able to find some examples onboard Uso's ship." She replied.
