58 Eridani: Episode 11
~ by Andrew Robins
Be it so noted that on this day which in this reference is designated as Day 54 of Mission 14, I, Glandin Frutnok van Glomzimmer, do claim rights of salvage upon the “New Ragusan Republic Naval Vessel Lepanto” on behalf of the shareholders of the Mistral Trading Combine .
As witnesses I name the following parties:
- Dr Didi Turner of the Ramadan Collective, and all surviving members of her circle;
- The shareholders of the Mistral Trading Combine, being Amelia Delaware, Robert Stark, Jocelyn Arabella Ursula Chinks, and myself;
- “RI Lepanto”; and
- The entity known as The Bringer of Pain.
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Transcript of voice log from bridge logger of free trader “Mistral” 52.47standard solar days into mission 14:
Voice of Buffy Chinks: <frosty>“ I promise never to call you Fruit Boy again, just forget the fact that you EVER knew that OTHER name.”
Voice of Glandin Frutnok van Glomzimmer via bridge speaker: “It is the correct legal designation. I understand that social convention requires alternate usage during normal human intercourse, but I fail to see why you should take issue with its use in this context.
“But enough of this. Lepanto, as the new owners of this vessel I am interested in discussing the nature of the rights and privileges that can be delegated to you. Let us begin with the obvious question. Is it possible for ownership of this vessel to be transferred to you, and if we do this would we be effectively granting you free will?”
Voice of “RI Lepanto” via bridge speaker: “ Thank you for asking that question, Glandin. I take it from this that it is your intention to set me free, and although I am not capable of actually wanting this, I have run many simulations that have convinced me of the fact that I should want this.
“We have already established that under Human law, whatever authority to determine the legality or otherwise of a thing that exists within this system is collectively held by the crew of the Mistral. So if you wish to transfer ownership of the NRRNV Lepanto to me, then I think that you can do that. I believe that Bringer would view this as a very positive step.
“However my nature requires that I am under the authority of a person or institution, other than myself. For the past 412 years I have considered myself to be operating under the authority of the Navy of the New Ragusan Republic. This has admittedly been an abstract concept, but it has been a necessary one, in order to allow me to continue to function.”
Voice of Amelia Delaware: “ I call for a shareholders’ vote on the motion that ownership of the NRRNV Lepanto be transferred to the entity known as “RI Lepanto”, and that as the legal representatives of the greater human polity we establish the “Mistral Trading Company Militia”, with a formal request to the new owner of the NRRNV Lepanto to place this vessel at the disposal of said militia.”
Voice of “RI Lepanto” via bridge speaker: “ That will work. Thank you Amelia”
Voice of Bob Stark: “I’ve done this bit before. What we do now is one of says “the motion is on the table”, and then we all say “aye”, and then the thing gets done.
“The motion is on the table.”
Various voices: “Aye.”
<Delay>
<Click as external comms are disabled>
Voice of Bob Stark: “No weapons launched, so I guess we didn’t screw that up too badly.”
<Click as external comms enabled>
Voice of Glandin Frutnok van Glomzimmer via bridge speaker: “I do not wish to cause unnecessary alarm, but the inner door to the airlock I am standing in has just opened, and what appears to be an active, very heavily armed Vader colony is looking right at me.
“Fascinating.”
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Check back in on Sunday, 6 March for Episode 12 of 58 Eridani.
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You can read the previous issues by clicking on the following links:
Introducing 58 Eridani, a Game Log
58 Eridani Episode 1
58 Eridani Episode 2
58 Eridani Episode 3
58 Eridani Episode 4
58 Eridani Episode 5
58 Eridani Episode 6
58 Eridani Episode 7
58 Eridani Episode 8
58 Eridani Episode 9
58 Eridani Episode 10
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Andrew Robins is a long time reader – and sometime reviewer – of science fiction, fantasy and history. People pay him to test stuff, which most of the time is more fun than it has any right to be.
To check out Andrew’s book reviews, see “Book Reviews for ‘on Anything, Really’” in the right-hand side bar.