Administrative

Mark returned to the community. He had just been outside marveling at the changes in the Spaceport when he received new orders.

The Port Governor was holding a meeting tomorrow and needed him to attend.

Relieved that it did not conflict with his vacation, he began preparing all kinds of community documents in case they were needed tomorrow.

The Spaceport's management was still relatively rough and vertically structured.

With so few people and communities, the Port Governor handled everything directly.

Grassroots officials like Mark were usually little more than errand-runners.

There was a lack of effective communication channels between higher and lower levels. Even for a meeting like this, he did not know in advance what it would be about.

The next day, Mark arrived at the Governor's Mansion alone, carrying the documents.

The Governor's Mansion occupied an entire module and still seemed rather deserted.

After a simple identity check, he entered the conference room first.

Things had never been this formal before.

Mark felt somewhat uneasy. As people gradually filed in, he spotted quite a few familiar faces.

He found a former subordinate and asked for information. "Ross, do you know what today's meeting is about?"

The other man was descended from nobility. Back when he had studied under Mark, he had only done so for a short time before receiving a promotion.

Mark had not known his identity at the time. Later, he heard that Ross was a descendant of the Northland Nobles.

Fortunately, they had gotten along well then, and Mark had taught him diligently, so some goodwill remained between them.

Ross did not hesitate. It was not some great secret; everyone would know soon enough.

He thought highly of Mark. Seeing the bulging briefcase Mark had brought, he knew Mark had not received the news.

So