G-146-Oliver: Crystal Coast Resort, Envoy’s Room 402

Oliver connects his PDA to the envoy’s computer and, much as he did with Mallory’s previously, is able to crack through the security on the direct connection.

The Envoy’s laptop is open to him, and he locates a relevant-seeming file almost immediately.  It’s a word processing document with draft author annotations included:

 

Overlord’s Household Memorandum

STATUS:  WORKING DRAFT

 

To:       

Copy:   

From:    

Date:     

Subject:

 

Overlord Zarg Marron

Jacinda Merrett, The Household Business Manager

Envoy Solomon Reks-Faktori

211.<>

Appointment of New Governor of Mundo Zargo

Background

Decree of Envoy Appointment

Envoy Solomon Reks-Faktori was appointed an Overlord’s Envoy per Overlord’s Decree ZZ211.383-011.

The decree charges the Envoy to:

• Give due consideration to suitable candidates and make a recommendation to the Overlord regarding a suitable candidate.
• If the Envoy sees fit, to announce the recommended candidate as Mundo Zargo’s Governor Presumptive.
• If the Envoy sees fit, to appoint an Acting Governor from 211.475 (or the actual date of the end of the current Governor’s term) until the Governor Presumptive, or the Governor confirmed by the Overlord can take up the appointment.
  • • If the Envoy sees fit, make any additional recommendations pursuant to the Prosperity, Protection and Victory of the Dominion within the Scope of Intent of this Decree.

For the avoidance of doubt, Overlord’s Decree ZZ211.221-005 also appoints Solomon Reks-Faktori as an Envoy for a term that overlaps with Decree ZZ211.383-011, but this memo only refers to the subject matter of Decree ZZ211.383-011. 

 

Initial Candidate Selection

In accord with precedent, advice was sought from both The Codex Chamber and appropriate members of the Household on suitable candidates for the Governorship.

A number of suggestions were made and an initial list of candidates compiled and then short-listed.  For information, the initial candidate list and shortlisting status is attached as Annex P.

 

# Compile Annex P from notes.

 

Substantiation of Suitability Process

To substantiate the short-listed candidates’ suitability for the Governorship and enable a recommendation to be made, Contextual Interviews were conducted with identified stakeholders.  These interviews led to further adjustment of the Candidate List (see Annex P for details), and provided a set of context-specific criteria for the Mundo Zargo Governorship in addition to the current General Criteria for Governor Selection promulgated by The Codex Chamber in consultation with the Household.  The list of Context Interviews is attached as Annex B and the context-specific criteria attached as Annex T.

 

# Compile Annex B from notes.

 

# Add Annex T – final criteria document.

 

Additionally an interview was conducted with outgoing Governor Polly Haugh.  While contextual interviews are usually limited to establishing contextual criteria, weight may be placed on the outgoing Governor’s recommendations regarding succession for specific individuals.

A final short-list being compiled, Candidate Interviews were then conducted with the short-listed candidates regarding their suitability to fulfil the established criteria.

In association with the Candidate Interviews, Substantiation Interviews were conducted with selected people or groups where the Envoy determined that such interviews would assist in determining the best candidate to be recommended to the role.  Information regarding Candidate Interviews is included as part of Annex P.  A list of Substantiation Interviews is attached as Annex D.

 

# Compile Annex D from notes.

 

Issues

 

#### Need to word-smith this whole section!

 

Consideration from Outgoing Governor Polly Haugh

Outgoing Governor Polly Haugh chose not to endorse any current Governing Council members nor promising members of the Mundo Zargo Bureaucracy on the short-list.  Governor Haugh noted that Communications Bureau Local Overcrat Kym Fairborough has potential but is not yet ready for the Governor’s role.  The Envoy concurred with this evaluation during preliminary short-listing and Local Overcrat Fairborough was not interviewed as a Substantive Candidate.

 

# Consider Scope-of-Intent recommendation for Fairborough?  Vizirate works closely with Communications.  However, when asked Vizierate was divided – Mundo Zargo ViC Vizier Burura Bitziak was complimentary, but Governing Council member Vizier Farbello Murderer-Klok made a comment about ‘All Light and No Heat’.  NB:  Vizier Farbello surprisingly well-informed and discerning on comparative catering standards at different official facilities, despite eating nothing but a dry biscuit with yeast spread when we dined together

 

The Governor indicated that had she remained in the post she considered it ‘time for a shake up’ and considered Under Secretary Shwanda Bakkur-Ophala-Jandicot-Oakey a good choice for candidate.

 

# Consider deleting the entire section above – While I agree with everything Haugh said in support of Under Secretary Shwanda, I suspect Haugh actually wants her away from the Octant 7 Secretariat when Haugh takes up her new role there.

 

Discussion of Specific Candidates

 

#### … and this one!!!

 

Undercrat Grade 3 Incubo Paro-Schwab – Planning Bureau

# Need words – Suited for a short-term appointment – 1kCy – as a development opportunity before being recalled to Zargonia, not sure if the short term is best for Mundo Zargo though?  Legion and Planning have flagged strategic concerns about Food Security from Octant 2, potentially making Mundo Zargo agriculture important (note below re Ag Bureau).  His sample strategy paper was solid, but I think he has a bit to learn about implementation (why this would be good developmentally)

 

Under Secretary Shwanda Bakkur-Ophala-Jandicot-Oakey – Octant 7 Secretariat

Under Secretary Schwanda brings stability that Paro-Schwab lacks.  Familiar with Octant 7 issues, good judge of people. 

However, the Envoy has concerns regarding her the candidate’s ability to operate away from the political environment of New Zargland as she seems to rely heavily on her existing network.

 

Assistant Secretary Phyllis Crough-Wittle – Mundo Zargo Governing Council

Assistant Secretary Crough-Wittle declined the candidacy for Governor.  While this does not necessarily exclude someone being called to serve, willing candidates are generally considered to be preferred for a role.  The Assistant Secretary is also not preferred for other, contextual, reasons.

 

## Last sentence too wordy?

 

Assistant Secretary Namasia Markov-Wrikster – Mundo Zargo Governing Council

‘Promoting from within’ provides a perception of stability and orderly succession that is desirable, and as such current Governing Council members such as Markov-Wrikster (and Crough-Wittle) would usually be high on this list.  However, the in both Contextual and Substantiation Interviews, representatives of the Legion stressed the need to be let off the leash for a co-operative relationship with the local Bureaucracy regarding piracy suppression operations in Octant 7 and have complained about the local bureaucracy on Mundo Zargo being uncooperative. Consequently, recommendation of an established member may be difficult to get approved, as any hint that the Legion is being thwarted in an aggressive position is known to be frowned upon by the Overlord.  inconsistent with advice to the Overlord from the Legion’s military strategists.

  

# Review notes from Under Marshall Gollins and Commissar Penderberry on this

 

# Legion can be patient a little longer, Markov-Wrikster as Acting Governor seems a good choice for appearances and smooth transition in interim

 

Undercrat Grade 3 Hampton Appleby – Resources Bureau

 

# Need palatable words to describe ‘unsuitable, politically-connected idiot’  

 

Junior Secretary Susan Taylor-Chang – Octant Zero Secretariat

 

# Need to review notes, can’t remember much about her.  Organised, efficient, sensible, logical.  Be eaten alive by the Nggrrang out here.

 

Local Overcrat Zayaire Preston-Lischost – Mundo Zargo Agriculture Bureau

  

## ?? Agriculture Local Overcrat probably not quite ready or politically suitable for Governor role.  However seems to have excellent grasp of big picture issues and based on local observation and reputational reports, there may be a Scope-of-Intent benefit in calling him to Zargonia for a temporary special project role with the Resources Bureau per food security liaison issue with Legion.  Work towards future promotion to Junior Secretary.  Work on conference is impressive as is Mundo Zargo’s contribution to Agriculture quotas and his support for working closely with Resources.  Will decide after his interview.

 

Recommendations

For Action

I, Envoy Solomon Reks-Faktori in discharging the Overlord’s Decree recommend that the Overlord appoint 

#### fill in

as Governor of Mundo Zargo, that Ser having Substantiated their suitability for the appointment.

 

For Noting

That the Overlord note that I, Envoy Solomon Reks-Faktori in discharging the Overlord’s Decree, have appointed Assistant Secretary Namasia Markov-Wrikster as Acting Governor of Mundo Zargo until such time as the confirmed Governor of Mundo Zargo can take up the position.

 

That the Overlord note that I, Envoy Solomon Reks-Faktori in discharging the Overlord’s Decree, have advised the members of the Governing Council of Mundo Zargo and the Members of the Secretariat of Octant 7 that the above recommended Ser

## fill in actual name

is Governor Presumptive of Mundo Zargo.

 

That the Overlord note that with the confirmation of a new Governor of Mundo Zargo, the conditions of Decree ZZ211.383-011 outlining the Scope of Intent are satisfied, and the Decree of Envoy will cease unless amended by further Decree or Command.

 

Annexes

 

# Also attach Decree as Annex K

 

 

What would Oliver like to do?

Will he dig any further into the Envoy’s laptop (or anything else) while he has access?