video;

[outwrite]

[A brand new face greets the network today. Although this is Alexander Hamilton's first time using such a device to address a large group of people, it would be hard to guess based off of the confident gleam in his dark, intelligent eyes and the cordial smile he offers his audience as he holds the MID out far enough for people to clearly see him.

In other words...GATHER ROUND CHILDREN, 'CAUSE THIS ASSHOLE HAS BEEN HERE FOR ALL OF 48 HOURS AND HE'S READY TO SOLVE SOME PROBLEMS.]

Ladies and gentleman, and all androgynous species I've yet to have the pleasure of meeting:

It has recently come to my attention that this ship is in apparent need of a new justice system, as well as security measures designed to curtail future violence. But before I delve into that, I'd like to establish some reasons for making these changes in the first place.

I probably don't need to remind you, but I think it bears mentioning: we have given our consent to live and work aboard this vessel until it reaches its destination. This destination, as I've been told, houses people with knowledge and expertise related to the Ingress, and are currently our best bet in getting home. Personally, I've got a lot of shit to do back home, and I highly doubt I'm the only one here who wants to leave. Do we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that these Ingress experts can help us? No, but until we find any better clues, this is the best shot we've got, and I'm going to take it while learning as much as I can about this universe and the circumstances that brought us here in the first place in hopes of going back as soon as possible.

Undoubtedly, some of you take issue over whether our current destination is the best course, but I think we can all agree on this: the ship doesn't run as efficiently when crew members do harm to one another, which hinders our ultimate goal of finding a way out of this mess. We can argue about morality and cultural difference all day long, but it doesn't change that fact. Any policies or laws we put in place must absolutely promote and uphold the objective of keeping ship life running smoothly and effectively so we're better equipped to reach our respective destinations, wherever they may be, as quickly as possible.

With that in mind, I'd like to posit the following basic principles underlying the plan I've written:


[Hamilton shuffles some notes he's written for himself, his eyes glancing downward for just for a moment before he straightens his posture and continues.]

Number one - The consequences of murder as it is defined on the Moira are not permanent; therefore, permanent punitive measures are unreasonable and unjust.

Number two - The Moira is not a sovereign state nor a military vessel, and it should not be governed as such.

Number three - Crew members should be judged by their deeds and actions from the time they officially give consent to live and work on board the Moira. If all crew members are to be treated the same, then all crew members should be granted the same freedom to define the content of their character on their own terms. This protects innocent crew members from potential slander they have no way to defend against, and also gives others the opportunity to start over and lead better lives regardless of their prior circumstances.

Number four - Due to long-standing conflicts between many crew members, it's unrealistic to expect that the certainty of punishment will be enough to deter every act of violence and subsequent disruptions to ship life.

Number five - The previous point necessitates the creation of a Security Council, assembled by crew members through a democratic process with regular elections, which works in tandem with security officers who've already been appointed by the Captains. The Council should focus on drafting and implementing measures to curtail violence while remaining flexible enough to meet the needs of the ever-changing ship population.

Number six - Although all crew members begin at the same rank and are afforded the freedom to define their character and role on board the Moira, the responsibility of making ship-wide decisions should predominantly go to those who have grown accustomed to ship life and have demonstrated a consistent willingness to cooperate with fellow crew members for the sake of finding a way home as quickly as possible.

Number seven - In order to ensure trust, transparency and consistency, the Security Council must be governed by a constitution that has been ratified through a vote and has been granted approval by the ship's Captains. The constitution should provide a general outline of the Council's objectives and binding principles in order to serve as a measuring stick for elected members of the Council and give them the authority to draft measures on the crew's behalf.

Number eight - Due to the transient nature of the crew's overall makeup, Security Council positions should include roles reserved for technically-minded individuals who have the talent and dedication to come up with inventive, innovative ways to uphold ship safety and security without the need for an overly-large police force.

Number nine - Disciplinary measures should include programs and methods to peacefully manage long-standing conflicts between crew members and promote troubled individuals' rehabilitation and reintegration into ship life.

[To signify a shift in his address, he pauses and leans his weight to one side.]

Now, based off of these simple concepts, I've drafted a basic plan that should mitigate a lot of our current security and safety problems.


First of all, I believe that the crime of murder, as it's been defined on the Moira, should be met with a reset to Incipen rank, the loss of all corresponding rewards of the offender's previous rank, as well as a temporary suspension of armory and weapons training privileges.

I'm also personally fond of Mister Barnes' suggestion of swapping long-term solitary confinement out for something more constructive and useful, like exercises or tasks that promote teamwork in the simulation room. Aside from that, it would be good to assign probation officers too, to make sure that recent offenders are integrating back into ship life while staying out of trouble and doing their fair share of work.

Some of you are probably asking how to determine what counts as murder and what should be considered self-defense. For that, I propose a trial system in which the accused should be allowed to make a statement defending his or herself. Witnesses should have the opportunity to give an account of what they saw, and any relevant evidence should be presented. The verdict can be determined by a jury consisting of the Captains, members of the Security Council, and a select number of crew members who are not on the Security Council. The third group of jurors should be randomly selected from a larger pool of crew members who are eligible to vote. This will prevent matters of guilt from turning into a popularity contest and ensure that those who do vote have carefully considered all the evidence.

As far as Security Council elections go, I believe those with a rank of Legato or higher should be eligible to run, and those with a rank of Gubernato or higher should be eligible to vote, as this demonstrates that the crew members in question possess the qualities and willingness to cooperate in day-to-day ship life and are familiar enough with ship culture and objectives to make ship-wide decisions.

To account for disappearances and other likely changes in the crew's population, Security Council elections can be held every six months or if a third of the Council seats become vacant, whichever comes first. Once elected, a crew member can keep their seat on the Council until they either step down, are removed from the directory, or are stripped of the rank necessary to remain eligible for their position. If all positions are full by the time the next election period arrives, other eligible crew members can come forward to challenge individual Security Council members for their seat.

We'll need to determine appropriate punishments for milder altercations and infractions, of course, but we won't have any effective framework of how to deal with other crimes 'til we decide on how to handle the most violent offenses. For that reason, I strongly suggest we first decide on a clear way to deal with murder charges and maintain ship security. This will set a precedent on how to address other policy changes regarding crime and safety.

So! [The word is punctuated with a bold smile.] Now that we've gone over this plan and its underlying principles, we've got a couple of choices. We can all keep spitting disorganized ideas into the wind, or we can hold an official discussion over my plan, make any modifications needed to satisfy people's misgivings, and put it into action. What do you say?

[Hamilton doesn't address the fact he's a new arrival or spend any time propping up his credentials. His message, he believes, should speak for itself. And if anyone wants to take umbrage with some upstart's ambitious proposal, well...they won't be the first, and they sure as hell won't be the last. That's fine, though. He loves to talk to people about his ideas, about the future, and if "talking" occasionally involves yelling and hurling insults, he'll gladly chomp at that too.

YOU'RE WELCOME, EVERYONE.]

Comments

[sidecars]

Wow.

[ Yeah. That's all Bucky has to say right now. That just.... Goddamn, Hamilton, he assumed this brainstorming they had done would take a few weeks to produce anything of substance. Nope! Just stay up all night and write some shit out. Okay. Cool. ]

[outwrite]

[Hamilton's head is buzzing with the euphoria and excitement that comes with all-night brainstorming and writing sessions and the fleeting satisfaction of seeing the fruits of labors published for everyone to read. Fittingly, Jim is among the first to comment, and the short response leaves him grinning.]

I thought you might say that.

video

[waterwings]

Well aren't you optimistic.

video

[outwrite]

I'm only doing what needs to be done.

[voice]

[ryuuzaki]

[L has a soft British accent. His style of delivery, often a little flat, is currently wafer-thin to the point of sarcasm.]

Why stop there?

[voice]

[outwrite]

You're more than welcome to continue the discussion should you feel inclined, sir.

video;

[bosswald]

[Well, he certainly can talk to the masses.

Clara's got nothing to say just yet, she just wants to share a video of her being starry eyed over her dance partner's ability to take control of a situation. It's a skill she admires. There's a long stretch of her just smiling and looking pleased with things.

And then, finally,]

What if someone else wants to propose a plan of action? Not criticizing your ideas, [Far from it] but I'm sure there are plenty of other headstrong people on board who are going to get about halfway through your proposal and start shouting their own thoughts out to be heard.

video;

[outwrite]

[Hamilton returns the smile, equally pleased with both himself and with Clara's admiring gaze.]

If other people want to draft and present their own proposals, then I certainly won't discourage them. In fact, I would love to see someone to do better.

[It's a sincere statement and also a challenge.]

[video;] YO WHO THE EFF IS THIS?

[ex_forcechoke292]

[Anakin has never ever once murdered someone in the Galactic Senate. That should be stated outright. But there are times, oh there are times, when his patience hits a peak and he certainly thinks about it.

He doesn't need to know this man to know his type, and by the Force, does he ever stop talking?

There are reasons why his hates politics as much as he does, though a good many of them are because he's been told to for so long that the distrust remains deeply seated, despite being aware of both the necessity and his antithetical trust in a few. (One less, it seems, than it used to be, and that small fact alone gives him serious reason to question the motive). One of those reasons, bias aside, is that this grandstanding--and this is, as far as he's concerned, a delusion of grandeur--goes far and beyond the point. Talking in circles and everyone believes they're right on moral principle, or that they have right on a monetary one.

Anakin is honestly so tired-to-disgusted that he can't muster a proper glower, he simply looks...annoyed.]

A few questions, if you don't mind. I'd like to know how you define consent. Or, on that note, how you define this ship, if not military or its own entity.

[The problem here isn't that he even fully disagrees: some of this makes an alarming amount of sense he hadn't been able to put into words arguing it the first time. The problem is the presumption.

He's almost kind of impressed.]

[video;] I'M GLAD SOMEONE SAID IT

[outwrite]

[The annoyed expression isn't lost on Hamilton, but the questions are perfectly valid ones, so he'll answer them with the same confidence as before.]

In this case, I define "consent" as the moment we signed the temporary employment contract to live and work on board this vessel.

As for what this ship is...well, we can safely say it's not a country with territories or land, which makes an overly-elaborate judicial or legislative system unnecessary. At the same time, we're not soldiers either, and, although it's true that we've been abiding by certain military traditions in order to create a sense of order and hierarchy we wouldn't have otherwise, I've yet to see any indication that we're an armed force that's charged with protecting anyone or strictly duty-bound to any one authority. Up until now, everyone has simply been expected to pull their own weight while also refraining from doing harm to one another. In that sense, we're not that much different from any other small community, albeit one that's continually changing and moving from one place to the next.

voice;

[skelepun]

[It's always a treat when someone uploads a video long enough for Sans to polish off a bag of chips to. Of course, the content of this one is a little more... meaty than usual. The speaker's a surprise too. The guy from the street, isn't it?

Not that it makes the chips any less delicious, of course.]

Has anyone ever told you [crunch munch] that you talk a lot?

voice;

[outwrite]

[...Wow, that crunching sound isn't obnoxious at all.]

Usually when they don't have anything useful to add to the discussion.

[He does talk a lot, it's a fair criticism that Hamilton can admit to, but now's not really the time for it.]

[video]

[coolskeletonnyehntyfive]

[There's no telling how much of that whizzed right over Papyrus's dome, but Hamilton is greeted with a bit of applause!]

Wowie! I'd say those sure were a lot of words you just said!

Are you a king??

[video]

[outwrite]

[Lovely, another skeleton. At least Hamilton is prepared this time, so they can spend less time with him spewing shocked obscenities all over the place.]

I'm just saying what needed to be said.

And no, I'm not a king. What gave you that idea?

Voice;

[devilofohara]

No.

[That's all he gets from her at first. A bratty-sounding 'No.' She very much prefers lawlessness than a system that can come crashing down on her if she (or anyone else, for that matter) makes a move against the Captains. ]

Voice;

[outwrite]

[This one sounds young, and as a father himself, he can't quite fight his paternal instincts when he responds.]

Why not?

text;

[forwardmomentum]

[ miles sits back and watches the whole damn thing, impressed. the man can make a hell of a speech. he wonders what'd happen if they put this man in front of the council of counts back home and grins briefly to himself. half of them would go into apoplexy, probably. ]

Crewman Hamilton,

My name is Miles Naismith Vorkosigan, Personnel Officer. I don't believe we've yet had the pleasure of meeting.

This is quite a proposal you've submitted, and it certainly merits discussion. Issues of crew violence have become a concern only recently due to the sudden and sharp influx in crew members coming through the Ingress, but it's been long enough that the other Personnel Officer, Megatron, and I have already drafted and submitted a security proposal to the captains for their consideration as of last month. It's not quite the same as what you're proposing, but I think some of your suggestions certainly ought to be considered for incorporation. If you'd like to have a discussion over the matter -- and I very much would -- I invite you to stop my office. It's next to the Library on J deck. I was among the first wave to arrive on the Moira, and I can provide some insight into the history of the ship's crew if you so desire.

video

[aminerproblem]

[Oh, he likes this new human.]

It is good to see some of us do not feel like the need to simply accept anarchy as the status quo on this ship.

I agree there should be a greater focus on preventing violence rather than punishing crewmates after the fact, and your suggestion of a security council would be an effective way to establish legitimacy to a hesitant crew. Unchecked authority has its way of making others uncomfortable.

As Miles stated, we are both happy to discuss further thoughts on the matter in person.

audio;

[keelahselai]

[She listened to this through headphones half asleep on a beach, so the fact that she caught herself dozing off midway through and had to relisten is mostly her fault and only partially the fault of this human talking her ear off.]

How long have you been on board, err... [Pause as she squints at the MID.] Alexander Hamilton?

audio;

[outwrite]

I arrived with the most recent wave of crew members.

text

[knaval]

OHJ MTGOD YOU STARTED TALK ING AND DINTD STOP
MY HEAD HURTS
I MUTED THSI TEN MINUTES AGO AND YOUR STIL GOIGN IM

text

[heelys]

HOW DID YOIU KMAKE IT SOTP I CANT MAKE IOT STOP

video;

[arcreact]

[ Holy shit, this jackass.

He loves him. Fantastic. ]

Wow, you've got a tough crowd. Never thought I'd see the day when democracy's a radical idea.

I've got a beef, though. Novel thing about democracy is that it includes everyone, even the people that you, personally, really wish wouldn't vote. Like the other 70% of the crew, in this case.

video;

[outwrite]

To be fair, it's still considered a radical concept by many during my time, so your comment surprises me more. [But not in a bad way, so he's wearing a genuinely interested smile.]

I should mention that I'm technically included in the group of people who wouldn't be eligible to vote or run for office, so it's not a matter of excluding people I wish wouldn't vote. Essentially, all I'm asking for is that crew members undergo a probationary period where they demonstrate they're capable of playing nicely with others and pulling their own weight. It's also a more concrete incentive for people to weigh their violent impulses against losing the ship's trust in a way that actually effects them.

[video]

[chipouttaluck]

Holy shit.

[More thoughtful thoughts later, maybe.]

[video]

[outwrite]

Yeah, I get that a lot.

Video

[prorenataa]

[ Someone likes the sound of their own voice.

Not that Adrien didn't find some good points in all that, but his key take away was of a more immediate concern. ]

And I'm stuck in a room with you? Oh for fuck's sake.

[video]

[outwrite]

[Wow, rude. If you're gonna talk shit, at least talk shit about the plan he made instead of just ignoring it.]

Actually, "stuck" isn't the word I'd use. No one's forcing you to stay in there.

[video]

[otiosity]

Must justice always involve so many words?

[READING IS BORING. And everyone with a manifesto seems to write a million pages.]

[video]

[outwrite]

[Said with a sharp smile:]

It didn't occur to me to draw pictures.

video;

[lets_see_what_happens]

[Bright young man.]

This is... quite thorough. [For someone who has been here two goddamn days.] I'm impressed.

There's a great deal here with which I agree, though I think refinement is certainly necessary. I think a, hmm, further familiarity with ship life will assist you in being able to make some changes yourself, obviously, though I'd be happy to consult if you were interested. I've been here eight months--as long as anyone else, as far as we can tell.

I'm Greg, Senior Arbitration Officer aboard the ship. As I said, I think this is an excellent start, though I will submit that there are... a few very good reasons for why some of the punishments are as extreme as they are, considering the somewhat wild disparity of ability between many members of the crew to do damage to each other. Some of them are thirty feet tall, made of metal, and distinctly unfriendly.

Additionally, you do realize that number six in the aforementioned list would leave you, personally, out of a healthy chunk of the decision-making process until you have familiarized yourself with the internal politics of the ship more thoroughly? I am... somewhat surprised that this is something to which you would agree, let alone propose yourself, considering your strong feelings on the matter.

video;

[outwrite]

[He dips his head into a small bow.] Alexander Hamilton, sir, at your service. Thank you for your feedback. I'm glad some people here can appreciate what I'm trying to do here.

Refinement is a fine idea, and I'm not going to argue with that. I expected some parts would need to be changed, since there's only so much one man can do. People like yourself, the crew members who've been here the longest and have the most experience, are vital to this entire process. I'd be very interested to hear your insights concerning the best way to implement a fair system that people can trust while also keeping people safe.

Ideally, I'd like to focus on prevention over retribution, but you're correct that the disparity you mentioned presents its own set of unique challenges. [The bold smile he wears suggests that he's more than happy to roll his sleeves up and meet those challenges head-on.]

As for the sixth principle I outlined, it's precisely because of my strong feelings on the matter that I proposed it. Trust between crew members seems tenuous at best right now, and I believe the system will function better if the people running it are those who've demonstrated their commitment to helping their fellow crew. It also provides incentives for people to weigh their more violent impulses against the real consequences of losing the ship's trust. Even if we take rank out of the equation to give more crew members an equal say, I still feel we need some kind of probationary period to avoid reactionary decisions made by people who are understandably confused and scared by their unexpected arrival to the Moira.

The fact it would temporarily cut me out of the decision-making process doesn't bother me, because it should help people understand that I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is and work for the same responsibilities.

[video]

[imahologram]

[About the only thing that could drag Leia away from the beach, at this point, is discussions of politics. (Look, last month was long and fraught. She needs some sun.) And she's impressed by the newcomer's enthusiasm and oratory.

(He is a newcomer, right? He's certainly not a face Leia's seen before, and it's hard to imagine he would have kept silent during the original reform discussions.)

But she takes some issue with his finer points, and the face she presents is one that's calm and solemn, a thick braid falling over one shoulder as she considers the MID. Occasionally, she glances down at notes out of screen, but for the most part, her eyes are up.]

Your enthusiasm for reform is encouraging; everyone on the Moira should be so dedicated to creating a justice system that truly serves the best interests of the ship. Your points regarding giving crew members the opportunity to define their time on the Moira by their present choices, and regarding the creation of a constitution, are especially important.

However, I do have some counterpoints to raise, and I hope you'll give them due consideration.

First: The contracts you reference have little value in any just court, as our signatures were gathered under duress. If you arrived here in good health, you might not be aware of the extent to which this could be true, but some of our fellow crew were essentially at death's door when they were brought here. Their signatures are of little value when they were in no shape to consent, especially if they had reason to believe continuing medical care--which might have made the difference between life and death--hinged on agreeing to the terms of the contract.

Even for those of us in good health, the lack of alternatives makes our contracts unjust. Believe me, if being sent home through the Ingress was an option, I wouldn't be here right now; I have a war to fight.

Second: The Moira might not be a sovereign state, but it functions as one under the auspices of our captains. We don't answer to any other ships or planetary governments; for all intents and purposes, we are alone out here. I believe it's short-sighted to disregard the possibility of a democratically elected general council, rather than restricting the infrastructure to a security-based council. Especially since you're proposing a full trial system, there must be general oversight of the ship as a whole to balance it.

Third: Given the variety of life forms and droids on the Moira, I'd advise you to spell out exactly which definition of murder you're referencing. You say that it's the definition used on the Moira, but I have yet to see it stated, in your speech or elsewhere on the ship.

Fourth: If we are to create a just system that provides adequate protections for every crew member, then every crew member must have a vote. Restricting the vote to only a portion of the crew violates the democratic process at its most basic. The fact that you consider it at all appropriate is deeply questionable and suggests to me that your proposal as a whole should be discussed with a critical eye towards other biases that might be present.

Similarly, every crew member must have the opportunity to run for office and enact change. Questioning and debate will help ensure that the most qualified crew members, regardless of their time on the ship, are able to prove their abilities.

[This, uh, might be something she feels very strongly about. Spend five years on what was essentially a puppet legislature, and your feelings on representational democracy are affected.]

Fifth: Solitary confinement should be removed from consideration as a punishment, as it is an unacceptable measure that has the potential to do more harm than good, especially when used as a long-term solution. However, potential replacement punishments should first be solicited from the crew as a whole and then discussed by an elected council. Settling on a punishment for murder before we've determined anything else is putting the tauntaun before the speeder.

As a whole: Your suggestions have merit. However, I feel they require significant revision before they can be considered a viable solution for the Moira's crew. I hope everyone watching takes your suggestions to heart and returns with their own concerns and suggestions. The best solution will be the work of many hands, not two.

[video]

[outwrite]

[Now this is a Response. Only a few words in, and it’s already a good one. Thorough, calm, diplomatic…she’s obviously held some sort of leadership position in the past, if she doesn’t hold one presently. As nice as it would be if everyone agreed with him all the time, Hamilton would get bored if no one bothered challenging him on anything. And if there are legitimate holes in his plan, he wants to be the first to know about it.

The way her eyes occasionally flicker down to some unseen notes suggests she’s got this planned and organized, rather than speaking off the cuff. He listens, although his mind is also racing two steps ahead as he tries to formulate his own responses to her counterpoints, and he takes notes of his own. All the while, his expressions cycle through a spectrum of emotions, particularly during her earliest counterpoint.

By the time it’s his turn to speak, he already knows what he wants to say.]

…My good madam, I want to thank you for your consideration and for your thoughtful answer. Believe me, I don’t take that for granted, especially given the nature of some of the more ridiculous comments I’ve had the pleasure of reading today. [There’s a bland smile at that, though it clearly isn’t directed at her.]

Regarding your first point, I admit…I was in good health and in full possession of my mental faculties when I got here. This is the first I’ve heard of medical treatment being withheld in exchange for consent to live and work here. [He shakes his head, eyebrows furrowed in honest anger.] That is a goddamn mockery of any sort of contract. Setting legal documents aside, a social contract hinges on leaders fulfilling their obligations to the people they claim to serve while also respecting their dignity. And speaking as someone who fought in a rebellion, if we can’t rid the ship of these injustices, then motivating the people to cooperate with the Captains is going to be a hell of a lot harder.

Also, I should add that, if it were possible to go home through the Ingress, I’d do the same in a heartbeat, since I still have a new government to help establish. My understanding, though, is that it isn’t possible, and that we’ll need to work together to get that done. But if some of us are being coerced, if some of us don’t even have homes to return to, then…we’ve got our work cut out for us because people aren’t gonna go along with any type of system if their individual autonomy is being violated like this! [He lets out a breath, and the camera shakes a bit, as if he’s started to pace.]

I’m…gonna have to think about that one, so thank you for bringing it to my attention.

[Maybe he should have saved that one for last. He’s clearly bothered by this information, which…was one reason why he needed to get that off his chest first.]

Anyway. Your second point…we don’t exactly have floating countries where I’m from, so I mainly see us as a small community, confined to a ship that moves from one place to another while we search for a way for people to return to their respective worlds. There’s very little uniting us right now, except for the fact we all woke up in this shitty situation together, on a vessel hardly any of us entirely understand. Back home, ships are run by captains because they need to be – in an immediate life-or-death situation, you need a strong, central authority who can make quick decisions without having to put everything to a vote. At the same time, this isn’t a military vessel, and it’s clear we’re going to be living here for the foreseeable future. We need systems to give the crew a reasonably powerful voice, while being careful not to completely undermine the Captains’ authority and risk creating a power vacuum. Make no mistake! I’m not happy with the Captains right now, far from it, especially after what you just told me, but right now? I don’t want to completely tip this boat over if it can be helped. Simply put, if I were to suggest running this ship like a country, I’d insist on making the Captaincies an elected position in the first place, but that's not viable right now.

Point number three: Murder in this case would be when all cognitive functions completely cease, whether artificial or organic, and the victim is…essentially resurrected by the ship. I’m not too clear on how the ship does that, only that death isn’t permanent because of the nature of the vessel we’re on. I assumed that would all be self-explanatory, but I'll be clearer on that point in the future. In any case, death actually sticks where I'm from, so I felt the need to specify. I take murder seriously, whether it’s temporary or not. I find it hard to believe that everyone returns as good as new after the fact, and I imagine there’s still always some risk that they won’t return.

The fourth point: Any system we create is only as strong as the faith people place in it. We want the crew to have representation. At the same time, allowing fresh arrivals to participate before they've even established a life for themselves on the Moira puts us in a position where crew members may make impulsive decisions based out of fear and confusion from being ripped from their homes. Additionally, people who have acted aggressively toward their fellow crew need to have time to demonstrate that they've reformed and have been successfully re-integrated into ship life. Relying on the rank system would serve two purposes: a straightforward method to determine whether someone has had the time to become acclimated to their new lives, and also an indicator of whether crew members with previously violent tendencies have reformed. In the latter case, it would be a very clear marker to serve as evidence against the biases people may hold against someone for past behavior they've since paid their debt for.

That being said, I do agree that all crew members should be free to participate in debates and share their ideas. Open discussions are vital to this entire process.

[By now, he’s stopped moving so much, and the camera has grown more still.]

In other words, this isn't a suggestion made from the belief that some crew members are inherently better than others. It's an assurance to the skeptics among us who are legitimately hesitant to trust major decisions to strangers and those who have harmed their fellow crew in the past. I assure you, if there were any ulterior motives on my part, I wouldn't have included a segment of the population that also includes myself.

And lastly, number five: You're right that longer-lasting changes should be drafted and agreed upon by an elected council after holding an open discussion. That is, after all, one of the main functions of such a council. My suggestion from before was mostly intended to serve as a possible way to eliminate an over-reliance on solitary confinement in the interim; what happens after an elected council is established is entirely dependent on its members and the constitution they work under, whatever that may be. That being said, this whole process is probably going to take a lot of time [if it even gets off the ground at all, but Hamilton is stubborn and determined to make something work.]. There's a pretty big chance more violent crimes will be committed before a new system is agreed upon, much less put into place. A few provisional measures could at least bring some relief to the situation we're dealing right now.

In any case, madam, thank you for coming forward with your point of view. If you’re willing to continue this discussion, I await your response.

Video

[freiheiten]

Who the hell are you?

[SAYIN' WHAT EVERYONE IS THINKIN']

Video

[outwrite]

Your humble servant, Alexander Hamilton.

[The smile he's wearing suggests he's anything but humble.]

video;

[saidsarcastically]

Now we have to worry about evading jury duty? Now That is something I didn't miss about the Old World.

[The one good thing about the apocalypse.]

video;

[outwrite]

No one's gonna force you to do it. Honestly? If you don't wanna be there, then I don't think you should be.

[That's because people who give a shit actually get shit done.]

video

[diamondslap]

Good bloody god.

[a stunning contribution.]

video

[outwrite]

...Is that all you came here to say?

video;

[gainedlove]

[To be entirely fair, Frisk tried to pay attention the whole way through. This is an important problem, and this Hamilton person sounds like someone that knows what they're talking about! But they are still a kid, and ten minutes of political type talk is hard even when you're the ambassador for monsters and humans.]

[But they did pick out one thing that needs to be addressed.]

Humans aren't just boys and girls, neither.

[Tackling the important issues, here.]

video;

[outwrite]

[Oh look, another bitty. Hamilton actually has a little more tolerance for the younger ones on this ship. When he responds, he's wearing a smile, albeit a very puzzled one.]

What else would they be?

[vengeance_driven]

For one, I think most people here do not truly consent to being here. So in that you started with that idea, there are some pretty big flaws. I didn't consent to being here, I just had to sign the paper to be allowed to get anywhere. Even in chances of indentured servitude, especially when those people are brought from different world styles and governments, some where the only law is to survive, this is important.

For another, I will advocate no council nor would I follow one. Because always it is popular people elected to it, and then, those popular people can be taken away, or put into stasis. It is inconsistent. And giving someone that sort of power over another among people that are captive, even if in guilded cages, brings dangerous distrust. None of you, I believe, have the proper knowledge to make decisions for me or anyone else here.

[outwrite]

Okay, so when you agreed to pull your weight and work on board this ship, you didn't actually mean it? Because that's what I'm hearing.

People are inconsistent, life is inconsistent. That's why we agree on contingency plans beforehand, so we can control the situation instead of letting it control us. We put checks and balances in place so that anyone caught abusing their position is stripped of their rank and removed.

How do you even define "power" in this case? What I'm advocating for is pretty much the organization of our doctors, engineers, historians, or anyone else who has relevant expertise they can bring to the table, so they can work together to find ways to create a safer environment for everyone. Different viewpoints means more balanced policies, and balanced policies create stability. No single body or entity would have the power to forcefully impose its rules on others, but would instead implement ways to curtail violence in a way that's productive, peaceful and fair to everyone.

[Voice]

[tearmeanewone]

[How does one address someone who was a minor saint where you came from?]

[Granted, the name could be an homage, but considering the way this proposal has been laid out, Elizabeth is willing to go out on a limb and admit that this is probably the Alexander Hamilton. Not that she's ready to toss on a white gown and go throw herself prostrate in front of the man-- Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin were still just men despite how they were worshiped in Columbia. Still, it's a little awkward for her to watch this (admittedly long) proposal and try not to feel embarrassed about what the citizens of her city got religious about.]

Mister Hamilton, my name is Elizabeth DeWitt, I'm the Moira's First Mate. The Captains are in fact trying to develop a different way of ensuring the ship's security, and I think your ideas have a lot of merit. Especially the complete rank reset and suggestion that we try not to make character judgments based on anything but the person's behavior on the ship.

I believe more could be done to mitigate conflicts starting in the first place, though. I'm sure you've noticed that the crew is made up of people-- beings, however we'd refer to ourselves collectively-- from very different places. As a result, we all have an individual way of perceiving how life works, how it's supposed to happen, what moral codes are or aren't observed, and so on. I'm currently in the process of gathering representatives from groups of people of similar-origin, so that we might be able to bridge the gaps with education and regular conversation.

Not that I'm suggesting this would be in lieu of your proposed Security Council, however I'd strongly urge you to think about the makeup of this council. Popular vote does not always make for the best representation, and I imagine that the second a group feels unheard or victimized by a council, there will be conflict regardless of consequences. No doubt even with these proposals wholly in place, there will still be conflict, but what I'm hoping for is a less-widespread scenario.

That being said, if you wish to formally present your proposed system to the captains, I can let them know you would like to meet with them. I'm sure they would be glad to hear any input.

[Voice]

[outwrite]

Miss DeWitt, I thank you for your response. [He's wearing a genuine smile, and it comes through in his voice.] I'm pleased to hear that discussions for a revised system are underway, and it's my hope to serve you in this endeavor however I can.

You're right that it would be best to reduce conflict in the first place, and that punitive measures alone won't be enough for us to achieve that. Where I'm from, we hardly all come from the same place, so I can honestly appreciate a population as diverse as what we have on the Moira.

I also agree that not all positions should be filled solely by popular vote. [That's essentially what they're running under now, with a system in which the Captains assign people jobs, and he has no intention of completely uprooting the hierarchy that's already been established here if it can be avoided.] Undoubtedly, there's still plenty of discussion to be had before we can decide on a system that works for everyone's benefit.

If you're agreeable to the idea, I would appreciate an audience with the Captains. In the meantime, I can certainly give more consideration to the Council's makeup, as well as possible ways to ensure that tyranny of the majority does not infringe upon the rights of the minority.

[Video]

[harderfasterwrecker]

[ There is a giant deep breath, made ridiculous by the fact that Whirl absolutely doesn't need it and is entirely faking it to make a point, followed by the most irritating tone that he could come up with. ]

NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERD.

[Video]

[outwrite]

[Just have this man's incredulous look, Whirl.]

....What??

not here;

[whoami]

[ Some ideas Sam likes, some he doesn't. But it's the reactions that are most interesting, and the most relevant. So again using his MID technician job to be a digital creeper, Sam watches the (public) replies without having to reply himself. ]