Data, Data, Data
10 Dec 2015Jim Beaumont
‘Great governance needs great opposition. Without it, it’s just a Dictatorship’‘I’m not here for a philosophical debate’
I’d spent the last few days doing a bit of mining in the HAZ Res with Merc and Oppo for top cover, doing hauling and courier missions and a little business in the CZ. When I returned to the station today, I went to the bar as normal for a couple of Doombar, when the barman passed me a note:
Meet me at the Outpost, I have an offer of interest for you.
‘Any info Samson?’
Samson the barman is a big unit.
‘Afraid not Jim, not seen him here very often. All I know is he is employed by the Inc at the outpost’.
‘Cheers’. I slid him some Cr for the drink and for holding the message.
I made the short hop from the station to the outpost, landed and made my way for the dock exit. I noticed a figure leaning against the wall, watching my every move.
‘Glad you came Cmdr. Lets go to the Viewing Dome, we can talk discreetly there.’
Not so much a dome, more just a window. But, whatever. I think his opening gambit was more a hook for any lingering, subdued political intrigues I may have, but I gave it short shrift.
‘What have you dragged me here for?’
‘The ruling party in this system is too strong. For the good of the people, the system we need to raise a strong opposition.’
‘This sounds like revolt!’
‘No, not revolt. Just democracy working better. And I’m here to facilitate it. And I’d like you to assist in your own little way.’
‘Being what exactly?’
He looked out of the window. ‘Information, data. About whats out there’ as he pointed.
‘The bubble is that way’ as I pointed.
‘We know all about that. No, we want to know about there. With information, comes that little bit of power. Knowledge with which we can oppose decisions strongly. Show the people that things can change.’
‘How long, how far, what pay is on offer?’
He dipped into his deep jacket pocket. ‘3 days, 1000Ly, pay depends on the info.’
He hands me a chart of the pay scales for various things.
‘Obviously, new discoveries will pay greater. But I need 3 days of info.’
‘And who exactly am I working for? Assuming I take the offer.’
‘The Inc will be very grateful.’ He opens his wallet to remove a business card, but inadvertently also displayed a credential card. He didn’t notice the fact I spotted it. He’s working both sides of the fence. Rulers and Opposition. Double. But for who?
‘I could always just sell the info to the Comm anyway. Maybe I like how things are.’
‘Be sensible Cmdr. My eyes are more than 2.’
‘And you be careful on that fence Mr? … make sure you fall off on the right side’
‘Good day Cmdr. Sunday.’
‘And where do I find you?’
‘Just be here. More than 2.’
I guess that’s his way of saying he’ll find me.
I went back to the dock, he disappeared elsewhere. I took off and rotated the outpost to make my way back to the station. A quick message to Merc to meet me in the bar, and as I passed the ‘Viewing Dome’ I looked in. Sloppy. There he was again, another one to one, this time it was the Minister for System Strategy. I guess he’s leaning on that fence a little. Don’t be hasty though Cmdr.
At station, I went to the shipyard. Configured a new Asp on the computer. 25 Million. It’ll be ready Friday morning. So I’ll take a down day for rest. The next 3 are going to be busy.
Cmdr Beaumont (PI (Private Inv or Political Intruge))