The work in progress for Vyortovia’s New University is informed by the team’s ordeals. But it feels good to put lessons learned into some kind of concrete form.
Harry’s contribution is insight into team dynamics. The most important thing, he says, is enthusiastic willingness to communicate. He cites work done at MIT, research from the ASIST program, and his own experiences. “Everything - like leadership and hierarchies and all that - comes out of a team that communicates,” he writes.
Charlotte contributes copies of her book, both to the proctor and to the Vyortovian library. It is, as far as she knows, the most complete summary of the Hidden Family of the Vyortovian Throne. And she is exceedingly grateful when the Dread Queen offers her a copy in return, autographed by herself and her son, crown prince Gunnhvatr Azurblárson.
Jason’s suggested curriculum for studying the exchanges of power between governments and corporations is dense, lush with details, elaborately footnoted, and has immaculate citations. But it starts with a quote from the film “Metropolis”: “The mediator between head and hands must be the heart.” Philo Pemberton is present, but his dominant superior Jackson Frost isn’t.
But it’s Annette Worthington’s contribution - a mysterious document from the mysterious girl - that really sparks his interest. “There’s a lot of emphasis on measurable metrics here,” he says, reading over the draft. “This is a very technocratic approach. I don’t mean that as criticism, but do you think that’s essential?”
“When you’re the priestess of the Cybergod, I suppose your perspective must be skewed.”
The what?
Alycia learns to her great surprise that the mystery teammate, Resister, is the Crown Prince of Vyortovia. She and Daph worked together on their contribution, and find his to be easy to integrate. The curriculum discusses learned charisma, both to democratize the power to influence people and to inoculate people against influence from others, by letting them recognize the signs of its use. Daph’s particular contribution is about understanding power disparities, and recognizing ways to rebalance relationships, and Alycia is proud of her friend when she sees Prince Gunnhvatr nodding in approval as he reads it.
Leo isn’t in shape to add to the work right now, but Aria has taken his notes on bootstrapping micro-societies, and designed a model. Summer’s report on the underwater city of Tranquility inspired her. What if they could replicate that sort of thing here? Take the Leviathan habitat modules, blow them way the hell up? What if you built a city that was basically a huge mechanical squid? It could happen. Underwater living spaces, located in international waters, would allow for a great deal of independence. The Leviathan fabrication line Jason put together is already there. They’d just need to make some adjustments…
Colin dropped out of the program to go to UC Berkeley. Adam frets about this when he and Summer meet to discuss their assignment, but Summer’s smile puts him at ease immediately. “What you said that day - about people who don’t know talking over people who do - was a good thing, Adam. It got Colin thinking about how much he knew, or didn’t know. So instead of creating a curriculum here, he’s learning more. He made the right choice. And you helped me too, when you said people would listen to Radiance. You helped me figure out a path forward.”
“But you guys separated,” Adam protests.
“Sometimes that’s the right thing to do,” Summer says softly. “Aria got back with Leo, but that could never have happened if Pneuma hadn’t left him in the first place. That doesn’t mean I’ll get back with Colin. It does mean our time together was good for both of us.”
“As long as it was your choice, I guess.” Adam is still uncertain, but Summer lays a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“There’s a thing the robot hero of an old cartoon said. ‘Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.’ I have my freedom. And I have you to thank for it.”
The group convenes for lunch. This time, nobody suggests Icelandic cuisine. Vyortovia has helpfully brought in more outside restaurants, to everyone’s profound relief.
The team exchanges stories and banter. Everyone feels a little older, a little wearier, and not much wiser. But they all feel more assured of themselves than they did when first coming here. Maybe that’s what growing up is really about.