The session, and more specifically the coming reality they discussed during the session, started as an acidic lump in her throat. They did not have enough ships to get everyone off the planet. The lump in her throat sank to her stomach and flipped over when it became clear that even if they had enough ships, the didn't have enough protein generators or protein packs to get the population safely to Earth. Simply put, they were not ready to leave and would not be ready for some time.
And time was their truest enemy. There were plans within plans to steal as much time as they could, but she worried what they would be giving up in exchange. Most manufacturing was already automated. and they were shown that all automation had already been re-purposed to turning out huge star liners, but it would be weeks or even months before any of them were ready to launch with sites working 24/7.
In the meantime. there were three hundred million people to help solve the problem of the protein generators and packs The plan made Kepi's stomach twist violently and not just because it was Fletcher that proposed it.
As usual he did not stand. "We have all we need to solve our current dilemma." He began. "The Corporations have already set aside their own interests in service of the common good, we cannot afford to ask any less of the rest of the citizenship." He leaned forward and raised his giant hand to silence the growing murmurs of the room. "We must re-purpose a majority of the population to the goals of preparing for our escape. I am certain that it will not be hard to convince them." He said flatly.
Kepi avoided speaking for fear her stomach had more control over her mouth than her mind did. One of the other representatives spoke up. "Who gets, re-purposed first?" They asked.
Fletcher leaned back in his chair. "A draft system has been in place for years now, all we need to do is set the selection parameters People already listed in manual labor jobs relating to our direct short or long term survival, can be weeded out. I suggest we start pulling from the arts, sciences, and education sectors. There will be little to no school, no research and no entertainment for a while, but in the end, we will survive." he finished.
The black walls of panic were giving Kepi tunnel vision and muffling the logistical argument in the room. YOUR PHONE her mind yelled at her. She dug it out of her pocket and looked at it. Without conscious thought her fingers moved over they keys, her heart had detached from her brain and was doing the only thing it could thing of. She sent a message to Eamon.
[E- We don't have the ships or the supplies to get everyone to Earth. The senate is going to forcibly draft workers until we do. I can't stop this, they're starting with artists, scientists, and teachers...I'm sorry. -K]
She hit the button and the warning was off.
