Rise to the Top [Calliope/Alastair]

"Satisfaction is not exactly what came to mind when I accepted the position, but I have no plan to change it. I cannot say the same for the rest of the Vandenreich."

Alastair had risen from his seat behind the desk as soon as the door had been opened, his own dress uniform as well-kept as ever though now adorned with the Grandmaster's pins instead of those of an Administrator. He was grateful that he had been afforded the opportunity to meet Calliope before all this had taken place, such a drastic change in circumstances doubtlessly affected how one might act in these situations as the power dynamic shifted. Watching her approach with a measured intent, he offered that brief rebuttal before his hand extended outwards in the direction of a waiting chair.

"I believe the sleepless nights to be a testament to the demands of the position. We have overcome many calamities and yet there is only more work that needs to be done, which is why I am glad that our calendars have finally permitted a proper sitdown." Though he spoke of restlessness, there was little indication upon his features. Alastair naturally carried himself with an air of perseverance, possessing a fiery drive despite the cold exterior, and it would take more than a little weariness to slow him down. "So, did you have an agenda?"

Alastair enjoyed that quiet chuckle, for it was what he had expected. Calliope had not struck him as a person who came to such meetings without a plan and he certainly enjoyed being proven right in this instance. As the conversation shifted to one matter over which he had asked for oversight, he was gladdened that the idea of moving the city was not entirely laughable. There would be challenges, certainly, but nothing that could not be overcome with a little hard work.

"Those that are seriously inconvenienced by this action will be the first afforded compensation. I trust that we will do our utmost to limit this disruption but, as you say, there are going to be cases that are simply unsalvageable. This relocation effort is a considerable undertaking and one that will drain the Vandenreich's resources, but we cannot afford to be frivolous with people's safety and security."

He thumbed a few buttons on his computer and the desk between them burst into life, displaying a map of the world with several locations circled and marked. This was a topic that he had already been deliberating on, so a visual aid might serve him best in covering the unique challenges each potential destination might face.

"The western coast of North America is certainly a frontrunner among prospective candidates, not only would it limit the distance we are moving but it is also a country in which we have already spread our roots deeply. There are several locations along the coast that we could opt for, and the Vandenreich has a strong relationship with the local government." Several of the markers lit up running the length of the western coast, though the map soon continued to travel eastward. "I believe the eastern coast would offer us little benefit over its western counterpart, but there is the possibility of looking further afield."

The display landed on Africa, with several hazardous warnings clearly displayed but also several locations highlighted along the western and northern coastline.

"Africa is a continent currently in disarray, in dire need of leadership and stability. Whilst it would be foolhardy to travel into the depths of the land, where our current outposts lie, it could be beneficial to provide a secure bastion to the region that needs it most. We have allies in Europe who would also be grateful for our proximity, and refugees are already making the perilous journey from the former Vastime commune to our sanctuaries both here in the city and across America."

"Perhaps it is the best option for us, but we must consider what is best for the people we serve to protect." Alastair quickly retorted to Calliope's comment, though it was more a genuine explanation than a snide remark. He truly did care for the people of the world quite dearly, they were his motivation for doing all of this, and he would not settle for an option that suited the Inner Circle best if it disadvantaged the masses. But that was a discussion that could continue when he had heard more viewpoints than their own.

"As far as reorganisation goes, though, I am glad that we are once again in parity. The creation of a separate police force would allow the Sternritter to focus on their role within the Vandenreich umbrella, rather than spending much of their time as patrolling officers of the law." The display shifted at Alastair's command, a map soon changing into an organisational chart that showed a prospective breakdown of Vandenreich departments. "Equally, there is a lot of scope for division, our civilian arm should be separate from the military one. A division that is far more apparent in your department than any other, and will likely be where the bulk of these changes take place."

"Though, in regards to governance, I cannot say I share your sentiment. We are not a peaceful micronation, we are a military outfit. One of my predecessors crafted the original city with her own two hands, to serve as a base of operations for this organisation, and, whilst we cannot limit the proximity of civilians, they should be made well aware that the City of Lights is our headquarters. To ensure their safety and ours, we need to be able to act in a decisive manner during times of crisis. The burden this would put upon a traditional government is simply too great for us to manage with any degree of efficacy. We have had two such examples within recent memory, where systemic bureaucracy could have turned a situation into a full-blown disaster."

"It is and natural that people flock towards bastions of civilisation and order, especially in the wake of disasters that have befallen whole continents in recent years. They want safety and security, and that is something we will never compromise on.”

The knowledge that the city had grown to beyond a million people would have been a cause for celebration to many, but to Alastair it was another galvanising call to action. They had to redouble their efforts to restore order to this damaged world, to spread that security to every corner so that people did not feel the need to uproot their lives and flee to the City of Lights. He was not the type of leader that wanted to amass power, circumstance had forced it upon him but he had no desire for it. The will to make change was power enough for him.

“There are divisions that we could create utilising the civilian arm of the Vandenreich to ensure that the governance of the city remains manageable, but a separate department invites problems regarding dissolution of powers that I do not want to encourage. I appreciate that it may pose more challenges logistically, and there are hurdles that we will need to overcome, though you are right. We must set a principle with the City of Lights, it cannot be seen to fail but it also must be done right.”

He was asking a lot of her, to compromise on what seemed sensible for his beliefs, but Alastair believed that she would find a compromise that stayed true to his vision.

Her ploy seemed quite thinly veiled when she spelt it out to Alastair, but he was not the type to consider ambition a sin in isolation. There were circumstances where it could prove detrimental, certainly, but he had goals far loftier than Calliope's own and they would not become reality if he did not act upon them wherever possible. It was a shame that he did not see eye-to-eye with her on this boon, as that meant he would have to find elsewhere to appease her.

"I am familiar with the concept of State Secretary, and it is a similar position that I would like to establish in the Higher Circle. A single individual who sits at the table with the Directors and can be relied upon to manage the internal affairs of the City of Lights, rather than serve beneath one of them, and oversees the police force as well. Expansion is necessary at the top as well as the bottom, in the wake of what changes are to come."

The issue, that he had not enlightened her with the knowledge of, was that there was no one that he deemed fit for that position at this time. Much in the same vein as his lack of a Coordinator, the changes he had brought with him had left an area of relative isolation between the Grandmaster and much of the Vandenreich that he sought to expand upon. Sooner or later, he was going to have to trust someone with these positions.

"I appreciate your desire to assist in this role, but we must also cast our gaze wider than the City of Lights and across the world itself. The days when the Vandenreich were a secretive order of Quincy monks have long since ended, so we must carry this organisation into the modern age." It was little comfort, he imagined, but Alastair was trying to convey that there were greater works ahead and he could ill afford to tie Calliope down in that bureaucratic mire. They both needed to find a way to float above it.

"So, I would also like to broach the topic of identity. We are no longer an invisible force, quite the opposite, so the name 'Vandenreich' has become ill-fitting. I know that brand management is a field you have no small amount of experience in." The display on his desk changed once more, showing a mostly blank document. The matter of logos and imagery was far from Alastair's expertise, yet a single name was printed in bold in the centre of the page. Wahrender.