LITMIR.BIZ

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Roskhald was the second ruler in the history of the Continent to win the general election of 2057. Some attributed Demian Roskhald’s success to his oratory skills, while others pointed to the close-knit team that helped him in the election campaign. Among those who served on Mr. Roskhald’s campaign staff at that election were Benedict and Holofernes. Together they went a long way, and, having taken the chair of the head of the Continent 16 years ago, Demian Roskhald awarded his associates high positions. In their circle, Benedict and Holofernes addressed the ruler only as “master” – as a sign of respect for his merits and high position.

      The office was equipped with special soundproofing devices so that no one could overhear what was happening behind these walls. Here a circle of the ruler’s closest and most trusted representatives gathered, who had many common secrets. Demian Roskhald knew that he could always rely on the ministers, and they, in turn, sincerely admiring the master, did everything to ensure that his power was not threatened.

      Despite Mr. Roskhald’s widespread popular support, decisions on key issues were made by the Senate. Holofernes and Benedict managed to lure some important opponents to the side of the ruler, but even despite this, it was not always possible to implement the necessary laws. Politically independent senators blocked amendments related to expanding the powers of the head of Vinland and increasing the budget for space programs. In the upcoming elections, Demian Roskhald was going to win a landslide victory so that his supporters would take even more seats in the renewed Senate. All forecasts were on the master’s side, and therefore temporary difficulties in the Senate, as well as a small group of rebels, did not cause much concern to the ruler.

      The only thing that continued to oppress Mr. Roskhald was the constant control by the Artificial Intelligence, which bore the name of the ancient powerful god Kronos. He served on the Continent as an arbitrator and guardian of 282 laws, which were also called the code. Each law began with the word “If” and contained a normative legal act valid in the territory of Vinland. Over time, 35 of them, prescribing rules of conduct for citizens in contaminated territories, were excluded from the code, since the consequences of the disaster on the inhabited part of the Continent were eliminated.

      Strict enforcement of the laws was ensured by senators representing the citizens inhabiting the twelve regions of Vinland. When a ruler failed to secure a majority vote on a decision, a group of senators turned to Kronos for advice. In the last tenure of the master, who secured the support of the majority, although not overwhelming, this happened extremely rarely. Fearing heated debates and subsequent control by Kronos, Mr. Roskhald planned to put important laws to a vote in the Senate after the elections, receiving a mandate from the citizens for the next eight years of rule.

      The main part of the code prescribed in Artificial Intelligence was compiled by the ruler of one of the regions of the Continent, Anatoly Kramer, several years after the disaster and has undergone virtually no changes since then. The written laws had gradations and in order to amend them, it was necessary to overcome a certain percentage of votes in the Senate. Changes affecting daily life could be introduced into the code with a simple majority vote, and amendments to laws governing the political structure and military program of the Continent required the support of at least 85% of senators. Such a barrier was not determined by chance: the drafters of Code 282 wanted to make it impossible or at least complicate the monopolization of power, and also to prevent the resumption of space programs. To avoid dictatorship and suppression of popular unrest, the movement of drones and combat robots in service with the guards was also controlled by Kronos. This entire system was designed to protect the interests of citizens, preventing the concentration of power in one hand.

      The Supreme Ruler, who was also called the guarantor of Code 282, was elected by a majority vote of the inhabitants of Vinland. Despite the fact that Demian Roskhald publicly expressed the need to comply with the current code, promising to stand guard over it, deep down he saw control by Artificial Intelligence as a great threat. In the event of mass protests or a vote of no confidence in the Senate, Kronos received a signal and could unilaterally decide to deprive the head of the Continent of his powers. In this case, he had to resign, and the Senate, announcing the date of early elections, appointed a temporary ruler.

      These restrictions irritated Mr. Roskhald. Unlike the vast majority of citizens, he refused to see Kronos as the Supreme Wisdom maintaining the balance of power, and, on the contrary, believed that many of the laws he protected needed to be changed.

      Benedict and Holofernes, who occupied the chairs opposite the master that evening, shared his worries and fears. It was obvious to them: the code limited the rights of the head of the Continent, not allowing him to direct even part of the budget funds to the development of space programs and new types of weapons. They had long hatched a plan to rid Vinland from the control of Kronos, making the ruler’s power on the Continent absolute.

      Demian Roskhald, having taken his seat, looked around at his closest associates and asked the Minister of Information how preparations for the elections were going.

      – Everything is ready, master! Elections are scheduled for the 27th anniversary of the creation of the Continent. This day has been declared a holiday. Concerts and general celebrations will be held everywhere. Yesterday on the central channel they showed how loyal members of the Senate and ordinary citizens are asking you to nominate your candidacy for a third term in order to continue the development of Vinland and protect the planet from the meteorite heading towards it. We will show your speech, where you announce your agreement to make this difficult but responsible decision for yourself – to run for a new term, today at the best time, immediately after the end of the Apollo’s Arrow show. The program has a high rating and a loyal audience, which guarantees a large number of positive responses.

      Continuing to look at the recording, Benedict added:

      “And then we will broadcast live from the Senate, giving the floor to your most loyal supporters.” They will be delighted and express special gratitude to you for this bold decision, and perhaps shed a tear. Starting next week, commercials will begin broadcasting about your contribution to the development of the Continent and what positive changes will occur in the lives of citizens if you are re-elected.

      After listening carefully to the Minister of Information, the ruler asked:

      – What should you focus on? Have you studied citizens’ requests?

      Taking his eyes off the notes and looking at the master, Benedict replied:

      – As always, personal well-being and safety. Starting tomorrow, propagandists on central channels will begin to convey to voters that only you will protect Vinland from an external threat and make their lives better. The people have high hopes for you; according to the data received, your rating today is 84% versus 72% of the votes cast for you eight years ago. You have two opponents who together will not get even ten percent. To be more convincing, we have already prepared opinion polls where your rating fluctuates around 90%.

      To ensure that the Minister of Information and his team of specialists do not make gross mistakes that allow Artificial Intelligence to annul the election results, the master warned:

      – Your main task is to conduct fair elections, since Kronos and his minions will carefully monitor the transparency of the electoral process and record even the slightest violations. Fraud must not be allowed under any circumstances; all votes are tracked. 86 percent will be enough for me: such a threshold of voter confidence will allow our like-minded people to occupy the necessary majority of seats in the Senate to make the necessary amendments to the code.

      “We will take your comments into account, Grand Master.”

      “Maybe we should play the foreign invasion card?” – Holofernes, the chief guard of Vinland, entered the conversation.

      After thinking a little, the master replied:

      – No, it’s better to continue developing the story with the meteorite,

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