Solving the mystery of Protoculture eased a lot of tension. Rick, Lisa, Claudia, Max, and Meriya celebrated by going out to the Lounge.
It was dimly lit with candles scavenged from the ruins of earth. Electric lights were cheaper than candles, but people were comforted by small novelties of the past. Maybe thousands of years of drinking in dimly lit taverns and cottages had imprinted itself into human instinct. Rick carried his 1982 Igloo Lunch Cooler.
"I can't believe Protoculture comes from plants", said Claudia.
"Dr.Lang says the seeds will be ready next month" said Rick.
"What will he do with the seeds?" said Meriya. As a Zentraedi, Meriya had no knowledge of agriculture.
"The RDF will distribute them to anyone who wants to grow them" said Rick.
Just then General Edwards approached them. He was a big jerk!
"Talking about protoculture, eh? You ought to know it is a bad idea to just let such a powerful substance go unregulated." said General Edwards.
"What would you suggest we do about it?" asked Lisa.
"It should be regulated by the RDF government. It can be used to create a money supply backed by energy." said Edwards.
"That is not a good idea" said Claudia. "There are only about 3 million humans surviving on Earth. Robotechnology outproduces all concievable needs of the population. There is virtually unlimited land and water. Scarcity doesn't exist. We don't even need a banking system."
"That is where you are wrong!" said Edwards. "There are millions of Zentraedi in ships around Earth. Eventually they will have to Micronize and live on Earth. But they will have no concept of money! It is important to rebuild advanced banking systems to gain some advantage over them."
Rick scowled, "You are only interested in building up a society that maximizes your ability to gain prestige and power".
"You can't stop me, I am already a general and have a lot of pull", said Edwards.
Max remained calm. He took a hit of the new Protoculture that had been in his pocket and approached the music stage. He picked up an electric guitar and began to play.
slowly the expression on General Edwards face changed. He shrugged his jacket tot he floor and took a seat at the bar. several days later, he resigned his commission and took a job finishing concrete.
The next weekend, after training some new pilots, Max and Rick were talking about Edwards.
"What did you do to him, Max?" asked Rick.
"I Space Beagled him" said Max.
"Huh?" said Rick.
"I delivered Enlightenment to him via my Electric Guitar Solo. He became as smart as me, only he has a lot to feel bad about. So he gave up the reins of power.", said Max.
"that's the most conceited thing I've every heard!" said Rick
"It felt like a good idea at the time, and it worked!" said Max.
"So, will he end up marrying a micronized Zentraedi chick like you did? Some of them are pretty hot" Rick joked.
"He is a free man, now" said Max.