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M: Starting the Day
A Thursday Prompt story
© 2022 by Walter Reimer
Prompt: director
A paw lifted a steaming mug of hot, sweet tea, passing it under a small sensor array that scanned the liquid for poisons or pathogens. Giving the beverage a clean bill of health, the paw raised it to a pair of lips, which sipped at it as the door to the office opened. The aide was scanned before he crossed the threshold, and at a gesture he sat down.
“Good day, Sir.”
The roebuck known as ‘M’ smiled. “Good morning. Report.”
The aide, a terrier whose coat was curly despite being cropped close, consulted his padd. “Several protests have been put down on Selene.”
“Where?”
“Port Armstrong, Districts 3 and 4. Directorate III had indicated that a disturbance was expected there.”
The roebuck nodded. “Casualties?”
“No police killed or injured; civilians – two injured, one killed, seventy-three arrested. Directorate III’s information enabled the police to move in before the protests could get organized.”
“Good. Notify the Commander, and ask him to issue a commendation to the analyst.” ‘M’ smiled. “One must reward success.”
The terrier matched the smile. “Yes, Sir.” He scrolled further down. “Some reports of discontent on a few of the settlements, mostly due to taxation. Agents on scene are coordinating with the Ministry of Information to enlighten the protesters as to why taxes are higher.”
Another sip of his tea. It was rather good tea. “And the reason?”
“That Terra is rebuilding following the attacks by the Kashlani, and the treachery of the Colonies,” the terrier said, parroting the accepted line. He, like many others in the Intelligence sections, were ready to change the party line whenever those in power saw fit to change it.
“Good. Defense?”
"The Defense Ministry is following the Admiralty’s orders regarding the demilitarization demanded by the Kashlani,” came the bland reply.
The roebuck lowered his mug as he chuckled. “Excellent. And how is His Majesty?”
“The Emperor slept well, by all accounts,” the terrier replied dryly. “His mother, the Regent, takes very good care of him.”
“As a mother should. I will have a word with the Information Ministry this afternoon. Perhaps a short documentary showcasing the Regent’s loving care will prove inspirational for the parents in the Empire,” ‘M’ said, noting that the terrier was jotting a note, doubtless already querying the Ministry to determine the best time. He was a good aide, and bore watching in the event that the canine was preparing to undermine or topple him.
The previous ‘M,’ the minkess, wouldn’t have hesitated to have the man killed. The roebuck, on the other paw, recognized good material and hated wasting good material.
He took another deep drink of his tea. “What are my appointments today?”
“The Chiefs of Staff at ten, His Majesty at eleven.” The terrier glanced down at his padd, and up at ‘M.’ “The Information Minister at fourteen.”
Good material.
“The day’s files?”
“Already awaiting your review, Sir.” The roebuck glanced at his desk, and the display showed a number of documents pending review and signature. “Further appointments with the department heads start at fifteen.”
“Very good. Dismissed.”
The terrier stood and walked out, and ‘M’ began going through his morning paperwork. The meeting with the Defense staff was in another hour and a half.
He paused, his tea mug at his lips, and he lowered it as he said, “I serve Holy Terra.”
A member of the Order stood beside his desk. “You serve well.”
“Is there anything wrong?” ‘M’ asked, turning slowly in his chair to face the figure. As always, the Order fur was quite well-disguised, without even a trace of scent to betray their species.
“Things go well. This meeting is a courtesy, but the plans of the Admiralty attract interest.”
“Oh?”
“Observe, and bide your time.”
‘M’ smiled. “I always have.”
But he said it to empty air.
A Thursday Prompt story
© 2022 by Walter Reimer
Prompt: director
A paw lifted a steaming mug of hot, sweet tea, passing it under a small sensor array that scanned the liquid for poisons or pathogens. Giving the beverage a clean bill of health, the paw raised it to a pair of lips, which sipped at it as the door to the office opened. The aide was scanned before he crossed the threshold, and at a gesture he sat down.
“Good day, Sir.”
The roebuck known as ‘M’ smiled. “Good morning. Report.”
The aide, a terrier whose coat was curly despite being cropped close, consulted his padd. “Several protests have been put down on Selene.”
“Where?”
“Port Armstrong, Districts 3 and 4. Directorate III had indicated that a disturbance was expected there.”
The roebuck nodded. “Casualties?”
“No police killed or injured; civilians – two injured, one killed, seventy-three arrested. Directorate III’s information enabled the police to move in before the protests could get organized.”
“Good. Notify the Commander, and ask him to issue a commendation to the analyst.” ‘M’ smiled. “One must reward success.”
The terrier matched the smile. “Yes, Sir.” He scrolled further down. “Some reports of discontent on a few of the settlements, mostly due to taxation. Agents on scene are coordinating with the Ministry of Information to enlighten the protesters as to why taxes are higher.”
Another sip of his tea. It was rather good tea. “And the reason?”
“That Terra is rebuilding following the attacks by the Kashlani, and the treachery of the Colonies,” the terrier said, parroting the accepted line. He, like many others in the Intelligence sections, were ready to change the party line whenever those in power saw fit to change it.
“Good. Defense?”
"The Defense Ministry is following the Admiralty’s orders regarding the demilitarization demanded by the Kashlani,” came the bland reply.
The roebuck lowered his mug as he chuckled. “Excellent. And how is His Majesty?”
“The Emperor slept well, by all accounts,” the terrier replied dryly. “His mother, the Regent, takes very good care of him.”
“As a mother should. I will have a word with the Information Ministry this afternoon. Perhaps a short documentary showcasing the Regent’s loving care will prove inspirational for the parents in the Empire,” ‘M’ said, noting that the terrier was jotting a note, doubtless already querying the Ministry to determine the best time. He was a good aide, and bore watching in the event that the canine was preparing to undermine or topple him.
The previous ‘M,’ the minkess, wouldn’t have hesitated to have the man killed. The roebuck, on the other paw, recognized good material and hated wasting good material.
He took another deep drink of his tea. “What are my appointments today?”
“The Chiefs of Staff at ten, His Majesty at eleven.” The terrier glanced down at his padd, and up at ‘M.’ “The Information Minister at fourteen.”
Good material.
“The day’s files?”
“Already awaiting your review, Sir.” The roebuck glanced at his desk, and the display showed a number of documents pending review and signature. “Further appointments with the department heads start at fifteen.”
“Very good. Dismissed.”
The terrier stood and walked out, and ‘M’ began going through his morning paperwork. The meeting with the Defense staff was in another hour and a half.
He paused, his tea mug at his lips, and he lowered it as he said, “I serve Holy Terra.”
A member of the Order stood beside his desk. “You serve well.”
“Is there anything wrong?” ‘M’ asked, turning slowly in his chair to face the figure. As always, the Order fur was quite well-disguised, without even a trace of scent to betray their species.
“Things go well. This meeting is a courtesy, but the plans of the Admiralty attract interest.”
“Oh?”
“Observe, and bide your time.”
‘M’ smiled. “I always have.”
But he said it to empty air.
Category Story / General Furry Art
Species Deer
Size 120 x 77px
File Size 49.4 kB
In rough seas it's always "One hand for the ship - one hand for yourself" because using both hands for the ship can get you hurt/killed/sweep overboard - and then you're no longer of any use to the ship.
In this case it's cleverness, show both your hands and they might have to remove you - and then you can no longer be useful ...
In this case it's cleverness, show both your hands and they might have to remove you - and then you can no longer be useful ...
Exactly! Keep your cards close to your vest, and you'll get a Reputation.
Kirk: How much refit time 'til we can take her out again?
Scotty: Eight weeks, sir. But ye don't have eight weeks, so I'll do it for ye in two.
Kirk: Mr. Scott. Have you always multiplied your repair estimates by a factor of four?
Scotty: Certainly, sir. How else can I keep my reputation as a miracle worker?
-- Star Trek III
Kirk: How much refit time 'til we can take her out again?
Scotty: Eight weeks, sir. But ye don't have eight weeks, so I'll do it for ye in two.
Kirk: Mr. Scott. Have you always multiplied your repair estimates by a factor of four?
Scotty: Certainly, sir. How else can I keep my reputation as a miracle worker?
-- Star Trek III
I can't remember the 'next generation' show where Scotty had been 'sleeping' in a transporter buffer for 50+ years, but when trying to work with Jordi it was pointed out that he was taking something way past its rated max. Scotty had scoffed and said that 'he' was the one that wrote the specs - and he always liked to leave himself a little wiggle room ...
It's also a great way to slip in a better spec than someone wants to pay for ...
It's also a great way to slip in a better spec than someone wants to pay for ...
I think Garak from Deep Space Nine, would be
very proud of "M".
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Elim_Garak
very proud of "M".
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Elim_Garak
I imagine he would. I've modeled the Confederate - er, Terran Imperial Intelligence Service (at least at this level) on Boskone, from the Lensman series. There are two basic premises:
1. The end always justifies the means
2. If the person above you shows any weakness, pull them down and take their place.
1. The end always justifies the means
2. If the person above you shows any weakness, pull them down and take their place.
The average is measured in years, and it largely depends on how well the director's able to a) provide useful intel to the top of the government, while avoiding removal by that government; and b) resist pressure from ambitious underlings trying to undermine or remove the director.
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