Yes, naturally. Even the best of them couldn’t run a country on their own. I would guess, the majority of people in that field would not even want to.
[ He’s thinking of David. Not his friend from here, but the one from home, the remarkably gifted Durast whose skills Sturmhond has found invaluable. David could out-wit, and out-invent, most people Sturmhond has ever met. But he wouldn’t want to lead. He doesn’t even like attending council meetings, sadly. ]
FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
How would you organise the military? I’m presuming you have one, obviously.
All military action is directed by Principles from Arbitration fleets under the command of the Maestro. The Guild engages only in flight combat. Pilots are selected from those genetically predisposed.
It is not a singular trait, but the culmination of many. Those genetically inclined to clear vision, the ability to multitask, high level of spatial reasoning, etc.
[ He’s not so fond of this system, anymore. Take away a King’s
fallibility and all you’re left with is a dictatorship. It’s one of the
major problems with the rule of Sturmhond’s father, and therefore it’s not
something he likes. ]
Yes, I understand that. Being the most important does not mean he is always right.
[ Though the vast majority of kings believe that they are. It's a significant problem - a king who does not understand his fallibilities will never understand his vulnerabilities. The people for whom he is responsible deserve better than that. ]
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FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
Your Lord? Is he here with you?
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He is.
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I see. Well, I'm afraid he will have to get used to it as much as anyone. Is he another recruit?
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He will acclimate gradually, but there is no reason to shock his system unnecessarily.
He is a Blue Team recruit, Dio Eraclea.
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I see. Well, I'm Blue myself. I'll watch out for him. No doubt this will be an enlightening experience for him.
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I would be in your debt. He should prove an asset to your team.
I understand that his behavior may seem eccentric, but he is a Principle.
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FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
I'm sure, yes. Though, you may have to clarify what exactly a principle is. A King, perhaps?
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It is a rank within the Guild. They are trusted with arbitration and command.
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I see. And the Guild is?
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The preeminent technological organization of our world.
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You mean your inventors, and technicians. Scientists, too? It all seems very organised.
[ And centralised. That manner of organisation has never occurred to him before, but suffice it to say, he’s thinking about it now. ]
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Such jobs are highly valued in the Guild. As is organization. Hierarchy.
Of course there are those who fill other roles as well for the sake of function and defense.
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Yes, naturally. Even the best of them couldn’t run a country on their own. I would guess, the majority of people in that field would not even want to.
[ He’s thinking of David. Not his friend from here, but the one from home, the remarkably gifted Durast whose skills Sturmhond has found invaluable. David could out-wit, and out-invent, most people Sturmhond has ever met. But he wouldn’t want to lead. He doesn’t even like attending council meetings, sadly. ]
FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
How would you organise the military? I’m presuming you have one, obviously.
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It would be unbalanced. Yes.
FROM: luciola@cdc.org
All military action is directed by Principles from Arbitration fleets under the command of the Maestro. The Guild engages only in flight combat. Pilots are selected from those genetically predisposed.
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Genetically predisposed to flying? Saints, how do you discover that?
[ Is there a gene for flying? Or do they take the children of pilots, and assume they’ve inherited their parents’ gift? ]
FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
Still, it’s an interesting arrangement. It doesn’t sound like it allows for much movement, once you know your place.
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It is not a singular trait, but the culmination of many. Those genetically inclined to clear vision, the ability to multitask, high level of spatial reasoning, etc.
FROM: luciola@cdc.org
It does not.
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And what if those with clear vision, the ability to multitask, and high level of spatial reasoning want to do something besides pilot?
FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
Or something else as well. It's awfully prescriptive.
[ He wouldn't sit still for that long, let's be honest. ]
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That is not decided by the individual. The Maestro or those designated by the Maestro make the selection when we are young.
[he can't remember having a single desire to be anything but what he was told he would be- conditioning at its finest?]
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I see. And what if the Maestro gets it wrong?
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I have never heard of such a thing.
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FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
Your leaders are never wrong?
[ He’s not so fond of this system, anymore. Take away a King’s fallibility and all you’re left with is a dictatorship. It’s one of the major problems with the rule of Sturmhond’s father, and therefore it’s not something he likes. ]
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FROM: luciola@cdc.org
There is no one higher than the Maestro.
[In all honesty, Luciola doesn't fully believe in the party line. But he knows what the consequences were for not saying it.]
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Yes, I understand that. Being the most important does not mean he is always right.
[ Though the vast majority of kings believe that they are. It's a significant problem - a king who does not understand his fallibilities will never understand his vulnerabilities. The people for whom he is responsible deserve better than that. ]
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Maestro Delphine did not make mistakes in such a thing as selections.
[Unfortunately for everyone involved, the conditioning is a bit hard to shake]
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Then Maestro Delphine must be remarkably wise. And remarkably lucky, to have such loyal subjects.
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