Year 15: 494 GS
"It is not that simple," says Kirai.
"It's exactly that simple," says K'Sharr, scowling. "The Council could have outproduced the Rachni into oblivion years ago, yet they haven't. All because they're unwilling to make the hard decisions, and start choking back on the luxuries industry that could be more easily going to the war effort."
"And I suppose you sit in on the Council's fiscal policy meetings?" says the Matriarch, a touch of asperity in her voice. "I thought not. Don't lecture me about what the Council is and is not willing to do. There are very good reasons not to throw absolutely everything into military production."
"Silk sheets to sleep under while the galaxy burns?" sneers K'Sharr.
"Cars," says Kirai, finally glaring at Toral. "Ovens. Refrigerators. Non-rationed power generation. Fuel. Food. If you want the entirety of the galaxy up in arms, you're going to need to cut back on consumer goods." She leans back, folding her arms. "In times of total war, everything is rationed. I am not an economic genius, but I am a veteran politician, and I've sat through military presentations. I was there for First Contact, and I witnessed the Republics' military advising their constituents what a total war with the Union would cost. More than that, I've seen Virmire." She spreads her arms. "Our people can go to beaches -- good. They can't leave the planet. They can't buy more than their allotment of food. They can't own more than one car per family unit -- the military has the rest. And certainly, in theory the citizens go about their lives, but in practice the restrictions placed on them narrow their options a very great deal. Lissa." Kirai turns to your friend. "How are the smaller businesses faring?"
Lissa blinks, eyes wide. "Um. Poorly. Less to go around-"
"And they will
continue to do poorly," says Kirai. "Do you
really think that the council --
or the Republics -- is unaware of the threat the Rachni pose? They are all
too aware! They are aware that this will be a struggle of decades at least, and that if they mobilize as you would insist they do, their economies will burn out and collapse under the strain. This is a
galactic war, not some planetary border skirmish.
Nobody can sustain total mobilization for as long as it will take to see this fight done. And so, if possible, the Council would like very much to refrain."
The conference room goes silent. Kirai glares around the table.
After the silence has held for a moment, you clear your throat. "Thus, why the Ministry of Finance is so busy lately," you say. "And why we've been paying such close attention to expanding our economy. With everything being choked back so much, we
need to bring in more to keep the economy running. We need to create more jobs in wartime industries and ensure that people can work, given how ruinous this has been for the civilian economy. And we're all aware of the fact that even if we pull it off, the crash once this war is done will be spectacular. We know all of this, Matriarch Kirai."
"Exactly," she says.
"And that-"
"-does not change the fact that we did it anyway," you say, frowning at her. "We did it. Unlike the Council, we do not have the luxury of refraining from total mobilization until we see the chance for a decisive blow. Perhaps the war might have ended by now, had the Council mobilized completely when the Rachni had yet to expand as they have. We don't know. But people are going to be bitter about the fact that we have suffered the consequences of total war while they have not. You really should not lecture them on the consequences of an economic model we are presently suffering." You knead the bridge of your nose. "Toral, that goes for you as well. Like it or not, we need the Council. Don't get in the habit of ranting to their supporters. We will have to work with them later." You lean back. "Are we done?"
Nobody speaks.
"Excellent. Back to work, now."
Virmire's economy is showing the strain of total mobilization.
