Military Democracy

[Petitioner]

//Who can vote: every character gets one vote. I myself have two votes, representing the quartermaster and the communications officer. Certain community members who desire a higher involvement in the Klaxon's storyline (you know who you are) are allowed to have two characters, each who can vote as they please—their characters do not all have to vote the same way. They know who they are; if I have not talked to you about this, you may invent ONE character and vote as you please.

//How voting works: You don't just have one vote; every character can vote for as many options as they please. You cannot vote for the same option twice. This is called "approval voting". Imagine you're trying to decide where to go to eat with your five friends, and nobody can agree, so you say "Ok, who's okay with Taco Bell? I see four hands. Who's okay with McDonald's? I see two hands. Who's okay with Wendy's? I see three hands. Okay, we're going to Taco Bell". So everyone votes for every option they don't hate, and the option with the most votes wins. This way, the final choice is whatever the most people are okay with.

//If you don't understand the voting system: DM me or message me on Discord, or just wait until the first round of voting is concluded and see how it works. Everyone is welcome to come up with a character, representing a crewmate in any position on the Klaxon. This character should NOT exist ingame in any capacity unless I've talked with you about it, and should exist just for the purposes of Klaxon-related threads; I will be working on ways to make forum-only characters fun and engaging, including lots of threads about what's going on inside the ship as time goes on that you all will be able to participate in.

Battleship Klaxon - All-Hands Meeting Minutes
08/09/830 AS

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Regardless of their personal feelings on the lost cause of the Insurgency or on Howe personally, the entire crew knew better than to disregard or delay in enacting any order, no matter how unusual. Almost all were former Navy personnel, some having been in the Legion long before the Separatist campaign even began, and maintaining constant military discipline was, by now, universally reflexive.

Still, a dreadnought is a large thing, and older models like the Klaxon don't have the luxury of elevators and other such extraneous features. It took about half an hour for the vast majority of the crew to assemble itself in the mess. Absent were some of the junior engine technicians and a few ensigns consigned to janitorial duties. It was unlikely that their input would sway the outcome of what was to come regardless.

Howe stood atop a small desk near one of the self-service counters in the mess, with a blackboard next to him. There were some mutters among the more experienced crewmates—some joking, others concerned—about the increasingly heavy lines being worn into his face, but otherwise the cafeteria was silent. Eventually, when he was satisfied that the majority of personnel were present, Howe spoke. He was getting on in years, but his voice still boomed.

"At ease, all. We have already gone through the winnowing of the wheat from the chaff; those formerly of our number who wished to evacuate or give up the fight have already been provided their escape routes and received honorable discharges. Those of you remaining have decided to continue your service aboard the Klaxon wherever fate may carry it."

He paused, taking a deep breath before nodding and resuming his speech.

"We are on the precipice of a historic defeat. The last major resistance to the illegitimate government's tyrannical forces is about to be wiped out, and the situation is such that we are unable to provide meaningful support. Informal surveys have been carried out via your immediate commanding officers, and the majority of us are of the opinion that the Klaxon should evacuate. My command staff agrees. Whatever happens, we cannot allow our vessel's systems to fall into the Navy's hands, whether via boarding or salvage.

"We, and other Insurgent personnel, have been extended an offer by the Cretan organization 'Deterrence'. During my communications with their representatives, I was informed that accepting their assistance would entail service in their own military forces.

"There are many compelling reasons to accept. We have few other options as to where to run. The Klaxon's internals are sensitive, and are a great asset to whatever person or group we work for. The Corsairs have extreme technical prowess, maintaining their own sizable capital ship fleet, and were they so inclined, I have no doubt that they could adequately keep all of us clothed, fed, paid, and the Klaxon in working order. Their offers of citizenship and financial support for each and every one of us are very generous.

"However, there are equally compelling reasons to decline. The Corsairs, as an unrecognized nation, make their living via piracy and murder, which we universally abhor, and the rendezvous point of Omicron Nu puts us within spitting distance of LSF assets—meaning we may potentially be walking into a trap. Their society, as well, is not democratic. However, I insist that ours be."

Some murmuring among the crew. The recycled air in the room becomes tense, and Howe waits for those under him to calm themselves before continuing.

"As such, from here on out until such time as we unanimously decide to alter this system, all matters of major concern—life and death, where our food comes from, major moral implications, and allegiance—shall be put to a vote. Each and every one of us shall have an equal say as concerns the general direction we will take. I myself will only vote in case of deadlock, or a tie. However, we will not repeat the mistakes of Manhattan's civilian government. We will not succumb to the tyrannical majoritarianism and dishonesty of simple first-past-the-post electoral systems. Instead, all our decisions will be based on consent.

"You will vote for every choice you can live with, whether that is only one option or whether that is all of them. When all votes are cast, I and the command staff shall enact a decision in keeping with the course of action receiving the most votes. In this way, we will take every voice into account while avoiding polarization or incentivizing tactical voting which would threaten our unity of purpose and coordination."

Howe let out a cough—he had, probably unwisely, taken up smoking to help cope with the stress of his position—and turned to the blackboard, picking up a stick of chalk and beginning to write in big, bold letters.

"The first and only item on the agenda today; do we accept the Deterrence's offer? Yes, or no. Raise your hand to vote and offer comment. I will call you out one by one, and tally your votes here."