[Brian Swartz]

RETIREMENTS

It is expected that Dr. Edward Groat, 68 and in failing health, who pretty much wrote the book on what we know in Defensive Systems(better armour materials, reduced thermal emissions, etc.) will retire in a couple of weeks when he presents his report on the newest armour upgrade to Composite materials. There are number of others who are in their early 60s but it will probably be at least five years, another research cycle from now, before any of them need to seriously consider being put out to pasture.

Political administration is a different story this time around. The list of retirees is significant and distinguished.

** Jarrett Hugh, currently serving as Governor of Venus, was a candidate in the last three directorial elections, with his best finish a distant second to Rakes in 2061. He served for nearly a half-century on important mining comet outposts early in his career, important colonies later as expansion into the system ramped up, including a couple of tours on Luna. He's been an important if not household figure in SPACE politics for the past couple of decades, and over time developed a well-rounded skill set that served humanity well.

** Damian Ackley has somewhat of a backwater station as Governor of Jupiter moon Europa, but he's seen better times. Back in the comet-mining rush of the 50s, he was in charge of Machholz during its heyday when it was the most important of those outposts, served on Van Biesbroeck as well when operations where expanded there, and more recently has been Governor at Venus, Ganymede, and the crucial mining outpost on distant Triton. He was involved in three elections, finishing third in '45 early in his career, but never developed the management skills required to handle the larger responsibilities of director as SPACE grew. This meant that his best skills(factory production and population growth) went largely wasted.

** Johnna Villicana will be missed far less. She was a paper-pushing beauracrat until the last decade, spending one tour on Venus from 65-69 and minor mining outposts the last couple of cycles.

** Finally, there was the matter of unquestionably the greatest politician SPACE has seen, 5-time director Herbert Duling. He was expected to seek one more term, but there was a lot of speculation as to whether the 63-year-old would want to go through another four years. With the recent New York fiasco weighing on his mind as well as the need to turn over the implementation of the Fox Plan to the next generation, he decided to forgo a chance at a sixth term and retire from public life.

Duling led the way during each of the most vital moments in SPACE's development over the first half-century. The mineral crises in the 30s, the Epsilon Eridani crisis in the 50s, the 50-year celebration and subsequent forming of the basics of the Fox Plan in the 70s -- all were accomplished under his leadership. It is not an exaggeration to say humanity might well have fallen into anarchy and internal conflict again without him. Time passes all of us by, no matter how much we wish to ignore or deny our own mortality. And so it is time now in 2077 for humanity to say a fond farewell to it's greatest statesman, and face an uncertain but brightening future under new leadership.

2077 ELECTION

There are only two people with the skills to approach Duling's political command and wide-ranging abilities. Alberto Eighmy, director two cycles ago from 69-73, continues to be in poor health and is not an optimal choice. The second is not a choice as all: Delois Woznicki continues to be relegated to backwaters as a result of her continued failure to learn how to manage larger-scale concerns. At 48, it is unexpected that she will ever learn, a waste of impressive talent.

As a result of all this it was the largest field seen since the early days of SPACE when everybody was thrown into the pool. What is lacking in great leaders will have to be made up for in an increased number of 'pretty good' administrators. This despite the fact that the requirements are now higher: a level 5(out of 6) is required for the position of Director, level 4 for Earth's Governor.

When all was said and done, Eighmy and the still-energetic India Rakes, both former directors, headed a field of nine candidates. The best long-shot was current Earth Governor Riley Awad. Rakes ran one of the best campaigns of her career, and far better than any of the current contenders to pull off a moderate upset over Eighmy. Full results:

India Rakes -- 20.8%
Alberto Eighmy -- 17.2%
Larry Steckel -- 15.3%
Riley Awad -- 11.0%
James Earl Jones V -- 10.5%
Burt Stonerock -- 8.8%
Russell Salvucci -- 6.5%
Carroll Westcott -- 5.6%
Francesco Alborn -- 4.3%

It was a disappointing showing for Awad.

POLICY REVIEW

India Rakes most recently occupied the Office of the Director from 61-65; this is her fourth term. As she is 60, it will also be her last. A good way to go out, and it allows her to have an unusually unrestrained approach. There are not a lot of major issues though, right now it's mostly a waiting game.

Rakes does implement one notable change. A new high-powered military thruster is ordered to pave the way for the Caldwell class of shuttles, intended to replace the Lexington and be a smaller, more secure transport for VIPs. Continued focus on mining and naval shipyards to support the Fox Plan is anticipated on the domestic front.