ic contact;

[mathematician]

"I can't come to my communicator right now, I'm probably fixing something some idiot messed up, so leave a message and I'll get back to you when I'm done."

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Comments

[boughtabookstore]

I don't envy yours either.

[ A breath out and she folds her hands on the table in front of her. ]

Your opinion on the level of punishment appropriate, for starters.

[mathematician]

I was joking on that last one. I don't feel comfortable making that kind of decision. If I said something really stupid like, I don't know, physical maiming, would you really consider that?

[boughtabookstore]

[ Just a slight smile, a little brittle. ]

Not remotely. Is that what you'd recommend?

[ God, she hopes not. She really needs the hostages on her side in this. ]

[mathematician]

No. I'd recommend jail time, but that's unrealistic for us right now. We can't just have a section of the station roped off for who knows how long.

[Cue a long sip of chocolate milk as an interlude. ]

Temporary exile has good and bad. But I don't know what else we can do.

[boughtabookstore]

That is one of my problems, yes. I simply don't have the resources for indefinite jail time.

[ A pause, because she's considered temporary exile and it seems like a bad idea for a lot of reasons. ]

There is also the problem that they technically haven't broken any laws. If we take it to a trial there is no legal way to convict them because we have no laws regarding mutiny and only one of them caused any physical harm. But if they're taken to trial and get off scot-free. [ A lift of one hand. ] You can imagine the chaos. So I need to make a deal with them of some kind, but even that could cause chaos. I'll admit. I'm hoping to gain the support of you and the other hostages for the sake of making it harder for the population to argue against what is rapidly becoming my only option.

[mathematician]

Do you really think we have the time to do a trial?

[Because seriously? Yeah, he gets it, you want to do the law thing right. But a trial?]

They're not violent people. But for their safety, it's better off that they're not here right now. I'll support their temporary exile, but only because we know we can't keep them safe here. I don't think they'd be against the idea of that ... punishment either.

[And it's giving Lowell a real headache to think about the whole thing. This horrible soup is not making it any better.]

God, we're really fucked sideways right now.

[boughtabookstore]

Not really. Nor the unbiased jury, nor the system necessary to enact it, nor a judge, nor a second lawyer.

[ Her smile is entirely humorless, and she spreads her hands. ]

All right. Say we exile them temporarily as an attempt to get tempers to cool. Will that actually be viewed as a punishment? No matter what place we send them to it has to be capable of supporting life and they have to be able to survive on it easily and without danger for as long as they're there. Personally, I'd view it as a vacation. I'm fairly certain if I was someone advocating for death and instead they go to go hang out with each other somewhere better than here. Well. The reaction would just get delayed.

Keeping them safe here is also iffy, but I think it's our best bet if we're able to impose some form of punishment on them - if they agree to go on regular supply missions or help with the base in some way - and it's backed by you guys. You're the only ones who were genuinely victimized beyond some inconvenience of gravity and lighting.

[ But seriously though. ] It's not even sideways anymore, it's an angle I don't care to think about.

[mathematician]

Community service, essentially.

[Wow, he sure is obnoxiously eating a sandwich now. Like talking with his mouth full and everything.]

That would all depend on how well you could keep them protected here, in between supply runs.

[boughtabookstore]

It does. I was considering the possibility of a cross between parole and community service - if we can find people willing to look after them while they're here and ensure they're not getting up to trouble, as well as serve as a sort of guard.

I also don't think any of these people are incapable of defending themselves.

[ she pauses and watches him carefully. ]

Would something like that be something you were willing to publicly back?

[mathematician]

Parole.

[Lowell repeats, chewing slowly. That'd be better than keeping them locked up in between jobs. Because he's sure if any of them really wanted to, they could escape easily. The Initiative, whoever picked any of these Transports, did it for their resourcefulness.]

I'll support that. Although be careful in who you're picking for the job. You've already had a few mishaps with trusting the wrong people.

[boughtabookstore]

It would potentially solve the draining of resources problem.

[ Oh thank god. She sags a little in relief, almost, tries not to let it show. One vote of support is better than none. ]

Just the one. [ Her hand tightens a little in its grip on itself. ] We would be vetting any potential parole officers very carefully, not just asking the prisoners if they trust them.

[mathematician]

I'm sure you know that faster is better in this case, right? The longer they stay in there...

[Does he sound... concerned? Yes. He does. Whoops.]

[boughtabookstore]

The more likely someone is to decide justice isn't being served fast enough and try to take it into their own hands. Again.

[ She nods, tight lipped. ] I'm going to do this as quickly as possible. Having your backing will make that a lot easier.

[mathematician]

Good. I'm fairly certain Vennett will back this as well, but you should check with him just in case.

[boughtabookstore]

He's next on the list, yes. I'm glad to hear you think it's likely, it will be - a huge help to have the support of you two.

[mathematician]

If you say so. Forgive me for thinking the Transports don't give much thought to whether Initiative Scientist #1 and #2 approve of the punishment or not.

[boughtabookstore]

Understandably. It's more politics than them genuinely caring - you were the most personally effected, so if you agree to something then they just look bloodthirsty demanding more.

Or that's the hope. We'll see.

[mathematician]

Yeah. We'll see.

[boughtabookstore]

Thank you for your help, regardless. I'll be in touch as soon as possible.

[ Standing to go. ]