Decisions 3

"In that case, knowing exactly what they don't know will be very important. If they don't have electricity figured out, I can only imagine what else they are missing. They might not even have the elements figured out yet."

"You seem very interested in the technological aspect of this."

"He has to be." ARC responded to Diana's assessment, failing to explain.

"Is it odd?"

"Maybe? I haven't associated much with men in my life, so it might just be a guy thing."

Don tried to think, was his interest in technology odd? Was it implanted there by the Doctor? Did other people in his classes exhibit similar behavior?

"I don't think that it is too out of character, at least for Donovan. In our conversations about previous conflicts he expressed great interest in the factors behind certain developments in weapons technologies and industry. I have to agree with him that it is a fascinating subject."

"Anyways, I think that technology is going to be how we equalize our position. I think we could be stable economically if we sell novel products and remain a threat militarily by using weapons they don't know how to counter. So long as I learn how to counter their weapons and defeat their armor, we should have the advantage."

"A military academy would be the best place to do that."

"Exactly."

A compelling argument on Donovan's behalf. Diana wasn't well versed in the art of war, but it was completely logical. She hated to admit that military parity was one of the primary objectives given to her, probably due to her desire to not stir up conflict in the first place.

But what could she accomplish diplomatically if things went south?

Nothing.

Military power itself was also a very powerful card she could play at the negotiation table, but they had to have it in order to use it, and the better Don could use it, the more powerful it would be.

She was really more interested in the economic aspect. If they could set up some sort of trading empire, conflict could be avoided outright, hopefully.

Still, she was hesitant, and it showed on her face.

"If that isn't enough, I think there could be some diplomatic benefits as well..."

"How do you reckon?"

"I'm no negotiator, but don't you need to know what people to talk to in order to, you know, negotiate? If this academy is the galactic melting pot of culture the Captain claimed it was, wouldn't that be the best place to find allies?"

"Yes, but that makes the academy a double edged sword. Because there is so much diversity, it will be just as easy to make enemies, maybe easier."

"Are you still not convinced?"

Don was concerned. Was there something he was missing? Were those elements not really that important?

Diana let out a heavy sigh. "I'm convinced. The pros drastically outweigh the cons. If I think there is a better option we take that though."

"Of course. Can we consider this topic settled then? I want to take Mercedes for a walk around this ship. She hasn't had the chance to get some proper exercise in a long time."

"You also need exercise, Donovan. The level of atrophy you have experienced is not insignificant. I expect it will take up to a month before you return to your previous condition."

"That too yeah. Would you like to join us Diana?"

"Considering the alternative is leaving the both of you to make trouble, I don't have much of a choice now do I?" She was teasing him, fully confident that he wouldn't do anything to offend someone intentionally.

"Alright then. Mercedes! C'mere." Don got up, hiding the moment of dizziness, and jangled the collar and leash.

Mercedes had been patiently laying down at their feet all this time, but she was full of energy now. She didn't even really know what terms like 'walk' meant yet, but she knew that she didn't get to go out often.

"She wasn't a bad dog for you was she?" Donovan was curious about her behavior while he was out. Her receptiveness to other people would dictate how he let her interact with people, something he learned in that training booklet.

"For the most part she was a good girl, laying at your feet in order to protect you. She did end up biting the Scholar at one point, but I think that was because he accidentally put a finger in her ear. She didn't seem to follow through with it once his hand moved back."

"Did she seem overtly hostile towards anyone?"

"I can't say for sure." They reached the deck, Mercedes immediately making an attempt to bolt off. Don was still strong enough to hold her back.

"What does that mean?"

"She growled at pretty much anyone who tried to get close to you aside from me, but I don't know if that was her being protective or if she was genuinely hostile towards them."

Don nodded his head a bit in recognition as they worked their way to one of the edges of the deck.

Mercedes was dragging Don along like a tractor, nose plastered to the floor as she took in the new scents. Even Don was overwhelmed by how many there were.

He had been living in a fairly sterile environment for a long period of time, not even his food had appetizing smells attached to them. When he was bombarded by the various woody tones and fruity accents in the air he was more than pleased to just close his eyes and Mercedes do the walking for him.

"It smells like cedar and maple, at least that's what I think the aroma is."

"What are those?"

"They are different species of tree Donovan, and their woods have different smells along with it. I was saying that the tree smells an awful lot like those two."

"Wait you can smell wood?"

"When it is cut or burnt, yes. If I remember correctly the type of wood you use to cook certain meals can have a big difference on the taste of a dish. I think certain types of fish recipes call for you to actually cook it on a plank of wood so that the flavor soaks into it, though I've never had such a meal myself."

"Huh." Donovan had no idea what to do with this information, even though he was the one who asked. "Neat."