Sensors salvaged from the Hyperian ship had once again detected the imminent arrival of a giant creature from space. CETM had designated this creature as the Spica Alien and preparations were underway to deal with it once it arrived in a few hours. Important staff had been gathered for briefing. Given that much of CETM occupied space in Tokyo University, the meeting took place in a room that was more lecture hall than war room.
Secretary Oleander stood between Dr. McCulloch and Dr. Park, as if separating them. At the back of the room, a camera relayed this meeting to representatives of the UN Security Council who had a vested interest in the safety of the planet.
Margaret faced the crowd and began, "Over-reliance on Hyper Man has been demonstrated, in the past, to be a fundamental weakness of our organization. Any defensive plan requires contingencies. The esteemed professors beside me have worked relentlessly to produce results that will take pressure off of Project Olympian. They have approached the problem from opposing directions, but I believe that the time has come to put their results to the test. As the Spica Alien rapidly approaches, I would like to propose that we send Project Titan and Project Colossus to engage it, and keep Hyper Man X on reserve. In previous encounters we have always sent Hyper Man out first, and only sent in backup from the other projects as necessary. It is time that humanity demonstrates that we can start to stand on our own against these alien threats."
"But Project Titan hardly demonstrates humanity's capabilities since it relies entirely on attempting to tame these uncontrollable monsters," Helen interjected.
"Your toys are equally reliant on unknown tech salvaged from the Hyperian ship," Raymond shot back playfully as he shrugged, "Tech you would be lying if you said you fully understood."
"Better than using the beasts that threaten mankind with their very existence!"
"You fail to see them for what they are, gifts from the stars!"
"Professors," Margaret cleared her throat, "We have guests." She gestures at the camera at the back of the room.
"Why send both?" Came the voice of a representative of the UNSC, "Shouldn't the projects be tested in isolation to best determine their efficacy?"
Margaret sighed, "As you can see, the two projects do not get along." The secretary shot the two scientists a mean glare. "Each is champing at the bit to prove themselves and does not wish to be one-upped by the other. And perhaps, this will be an opportunity for them to learn how to cooperate."
"That seems... awfully juvenile, Secretary Olander. If your staff members are putting pride above the mission, then perhaps you need to restructure."
"Perhaps, but these are the greatest minds we have, I hope the UNSC can forgive the fact that greatness comes with its... eccentricities."
"Well, we trust that you, at least, know what you're doing. We'll use the Spica Alien as a litmus test for the worth of these projects."
"Of course." Margaret bowed her head slightly.
"Meeting adjourned."
The camera turned off as the lights in the lecture hall brightened. Margaret wordlessly shot another incisive glance at Drs. Park and McCulloch before leaving the room. Helen turned to Raymond with a scowl, while he wore a shit-eating grin. "Your experiments will be the end of all of us! You play with forces outside your control." She fixes her gaze on Mitsuaki sitting in the audience for a moment before leaving in a huff. Mayura, who was also sitting in the audience quietly rises from her seat and follows Helen out of the room.
Raymond walks over to Mitsuaki and makes light of the situation, "Don't worry about that hag, her bucket of bolts can't possibly perform at your level. You'll show them, won't you?"
Other involved members of the Tokyo University faculty and CETM staff slowly milled out of the room, some hanging around to chat amongst themselves.
Secretary Oleander stood between Dr. McCulloch and Dr. Park, as if separating them. At the back of the room, a camera relayed this meeting to representatives of the UN Security Council who had a vested interest in the safety of the planet.
Margaret faced the crowd and began, "Over-reliance on Hyper Man has been demonstrated, in the past, to be a fundamental weakness of our organization. Any defensive plan requires contingencies. The esteemed professors beside me have worked relentlessly to produce results that will take pressure off of Project Olympian. They have approached the problem from opposing directions, but I believe that the time has come to put their results to the test. As the Spica Alien rapidly approaches, I would like to propose that we send Project Titan and Project Colossus to engage it, and keep Hyper Man X on reserve. In previous encounters we have always sent Hyper Man out first, and only sent in backup from the other projects as necessary. It is time that humanity demonstrates that we can start to stand on our own against these alien threats."
"But Project Titan hardly demonstrates humanity's capabilities since it relies entirely on attempting to tame these uncontrollable monsters," Helen interjected.
"Your toys are equally reliant on unknown tech salvaged from the Hyperian ship," Raymond shot back playfully as he shrugged, "Tech you would be lying if you said you fully understood."
"Better than using the beasts that threaten mankind with their very existence!"
"You fail to see them for what they are, gifts from the stars!"
"Professors," Margaret cleared her throat, "We have guests." She gestures at the camera at the back of the room.
"Why send both?" Came the voice of a representative of the UNSC, "Shouldn't the projects be tested in isolation to best determine their efficacy?"
Margaret sighed, "As you can see, the two projects do not get along." The secretary shot the two scientists a mean glare. "Each is champing at the bit to prove themselves and does not wish to be one-upped by the other. And perhaps, this will be an opportunity for them to learn how to cooperate."
"That seems... awfully juvenile, Secretary Olander. If your staff members are putting pride above the mission, then perhaps you need to restructure."
"Perhaps, but these are the greatest minds we have, I hope the UNSC can forgive the fact that greatness comes with its... eccentricities."
"Well, we trust that you, at least, know what you're doing. We'll use the Spica Alien as a litmus test for the worth of these projects."
"Of course." Margaret bowed her head slightly.
"Meeting adjourned."
The camera turned off as the lights in the lecture hall brightened. Margaret wordlessly shot another incisive glance at Drs. Park and McCulloch before leaving the room. Helen turned to Raymond with a scowl, while he wore a shit-eating grin. "Your experiments will be the end of all of us! You play with forces outside your control." She fixes her gaze on Mitsuaki sitting in the audience for a moment before leaving in a huff. Mayura, who was also sitting in the audience quietly rises from her seat and follows Helen out of the room.
Raymond walks over to Mitsuaki and makes light of the situation, "Don't worry about that hag, her bucket of bolts can't possibly perform at your level. You'll show them, won't you?"
Other involved members of the Tokyo University faculty and CETM staff slowly milled out of the room, some hanging around to chat amongst themselves.