THE MARIA CHRONICLES

Making decisions can be a hard thing, especially in critical times. This is the first installment in the story of Maria and the consequences of her decisions.

@ONE: Executive Decision@

The president gazed across the conference table at the five star generals spread out on the other side. A plaque before her spelt out her full name and rank. MARIA F. CHIBUZOR, EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBIC OF NIGERIA. She raised a finger and addressed the chief of defense staff. "Let's have your report, general."
The man ignored the bottle of table water in front of him and leaned forward "Madame President, we're at risk. Our defense is being overrun. The national troops at the central are holding their ground but the northern and southern defences are caving in."
She nodded. "Hmmm. I propose we elevate the threat level to One. What do you think general Gandu?"
Gandu shook his head in disagreement. "No ma'am. We can't do that now. Truly we're at risk like General Jeremiah indicated in his report but there are other ways."
"You mean like negotiating the terms of our surrender to foreign powers?"
"Yes ma'am."
"I won't do such."
"Listen madame President.."
"No, you listen." She placed both palms upside down on the well polished surface of the table, revealing well manicured nails. "We're past all that. We're going to Level One. What do you think, General Danjuma?"
Danjuma exhaled slowly.
"Ma'am, I think you need to rethink that option."
"Why, General Danjuma?"
"The reasons are obvious and many. Firstly, once we cross that bridge, we can't go back. We're going to redefine the military landscape of planet earth. We might win. If we do, the balance of military and financial and political power is definitely going to shift to Africa."
"And what's wrong with that?" Her voice was softer but he wasn't deceived. This woman had iron fingers hidden inside velvet gloves. She was hard-boiled and dangerous to mess with.
"Nothing. It's what we all desire." He replied. "However, our victory is going to depend on a sentient computer software that hasn't been perfected."
"But I've been reliably briefed by the ministry of warfare that the Lucifer Protocol is seventy percent."
"Yes, seventy percent is good in theory but we shouldn't risk the fate of a nation on seventy percent." He gently brushed away an invisible speck in front of his immaculate uniform as he continued. "The unknown thirty percent margin shouldn't be taken for granted. Lucifer isn't yet a stable program. It could win us this war for us or decide that we're the enemy."
"How so?"
Another decorated officer raised a hand. "May I speak madame President?"
"Yes go ahead, general Mark."
"Lucifer was designed with an inbuilt and rapidly evolving moral code of its own. It's been making a couple of decisions independently of its programers in recent times." He explained. "Its why we secured your mandate to temporarily shut it down for a while."
"Well, it's just a computer program. Surely, it could be reprogrammed."
"Yes, it can but...
Generals, there are no buts." Her voice hardened. "I'm giving an executive order to have the Lucifer Protocol reactivated immediately."
"Madame..." A couple of the men blurted out at the same time.
"I'll brood no arguments on this issue, generals."
"Jeremiah rose abruptly. "On what ground?"
"On the grounds of national security."
"I'll be damned if I'll agree with your decision!"
"General Jeremiah, you're immediately relieved of your duty as the chief of defense staff of the federal repubic of Nigeria. Be careful or I'll have you arrested for treason."
"You can't do this!"
"Oh, I already have. Security, please escort the general out of the presidential palace."
There was a shocked silence as the presidential guards led the general out of the conference room.
"Ma'am...?" One of the generals called out.
"Yes, General Mark."
"This can't end well.
"Stop whining. If you men are afraid to do what needs to be done, let it be on record that this nation has a woman with balls on the seat of power."
"Are you sure you're doing the right thing? You can't just take a unilateral decision on an issue as sensitive as this! What about the constitution?"
She released a pent up sign.
"The constitution gives me power to make hardcore decisions like this one in the interest of national security, especially in a season of war."
The defence cabinet exchanged uneasy looks as she arose from her well padded seat and walked out of the chamber.
...to be continued.