The alarm indicators on various monitoring devices flash steadily.
On the hospital bed, the rescued individual's breathing maintains a steady rhythm. He's still lost in a deep sleep.
Ulrich: Is he still in danger?
Hofmann: Not for now. Adler's vitals have stabilized.
Ulrich: It's a miracle. I've never heard of anyone surviving a fall from the sixth floor of a building.
Hofmann: He didn't fall six floors. The railings in the Laplace corridor stopped him.
The investigator is meticulous. She won't allow such an exaggerated claim to be thrown out without rebuttal.
Hofmann: What he did do is consume expired food and an excessive amount of alcohol, resulting in simultaneous food and alcohol poisoning.
Ulrich: Whether in mind or body, humans seem far too fragile in the face of the "Storm."
He stops himself from speaking further, realizing a little too late how inappropriate his comment is.
Hofmann: You aren't wrong.
Fortunately, the patient's sister agrees.
Hofmann: I'll help him quit drinking, but I can't say how long it will take for him to accept the new reality.
Hofmann: I'll let him know you came by when he wakes up.
Ulrich: Would you also let him know why I came by?
He proceeds to formally state the purpose of his visit.
Ulrich: The LSCC has a backlog of encrypted internal research data, and most of the personnel who originally held the passwords and biometric verification information have already been reversed.
Ulrich: Madam Lucy is gathering capable researchers to work on decrypting the files, and I came to confirm whether Adler would be fit for the task in his current condition.
Hofmann: No. I'm afraid he's not fit to return to work at the moment. He still needs time to recover.
Hofmann: I'll try to persuade him to join the cryptography team once he's recovered. But I'm just his sister. He doesn't exactly listen to me all the time.
Ulrich: Thank you for providing me with this information.
Ulrich carefully crosses off an item from his to-do list.
Ulrich: As you wish, I'll give you some privacy, Ms. Hofmann.
Hofmann: Go ahead.
Ulrich quickly leaves the ward.
The cryptography team's newest assistant meets Ulrich in the corridor and hands a printed document to him.
Research Assistant: Here's the Monthly Important File Cryptography Report.
Ulrich: Thank you, Dora. Also—
He slips another list from the folder and thrusts it at her.
Ulrich: I found some new encrypted files in Owen's office yesterday. Some of them have already been added to this week's to-do list.
Ulrich: Please sync this up with the other members of the cryptography team on your way back.
Research Assistant: Oh, my ...
Disbelief wells up behind her goggles, but, like an arrow to armor, her feelings deflect straight off the cryptography lead's helmet.
Research Assistant: I must remind you, Lead, that the team is already at their maximum workload.
Ulrich: I've accounted for the additional work hours required from each member. It amounts to no more than 80 minutes per person per day.
Research Assistant: Sir, this workload has begun to seriously interfere with our time off.
Research Assistant: I won't be able to attend my weekly Cleanup for Mental Clarity session!
Ulrich: Not this again. You have a PhD and two master's degrees. You shouldn't be wasting your time cleaning windows.
A flurry of rebuttals swirls in Dora's mind, but she knows that such things can't be solved through direct communication.
Research Assistant: I ... I'm afraid I must bring this issue up with Madam Lucy!
Ulrich: You're overreacting, Dora.
Research Assistant: I stand by my rights.
Ulrich feels a sharp, painful electric current course through him.
Ulrich: Fine! I'll report on the team's workload to Madam Lucy right away and submit your complaint on your behalf.
Research Assistant: Thank you, Lead.
Finding no issue with having the subject of her complaint deliver it for her, Dora leaves feeling relieved.
Despite Ulrich's unrest, the work report must be carried out in an orderly manner.
Ulrich: In summary, the progress on processing the remaining encrypted data has reached 103.15% this month, slightly exceeding expectations.
Lucy: I am pleased. It is perfectly in line with theoretical projections.
For a machine, "in line with theoretical projections" is high praise indeed.
Lucy: Any other news to report?
Ulrich lets out a heavy, windless sigh.
Ulrich: There is one thing. The cryptography team assistant, Dora, has filed a complaint against me. She believes the current work arrangements greatly exceed reasonable standards.
Lucy nods.
Lucy: The complaint is justified. The cryptography team has been operating beyond "humanitarian" management standards for some time.
Ulrich momentarily struggles to grasp such a term.
Ulrich: "Humanitarian" management?
Lucy: Your confusion is understandable. This is, in fact, the first time I am putting this concept into practice.
Lucy: Based on my analysis of the operating procedures and current human resource situation at Laplace, I plan to implement a "humanitarian" management model.
Ulrich: How should I understand the strategies of this new model?
Lucy: Perhaps an example would better illustrate it. For instance, would you like to apply for an extended leave from headquarters, Ulrich?
Ulrich: What?
The abruptness of this question leaves him dumbfounded.
Ulrich: I'm sorry. I don't understand what you mean.
It's quite difficult to conduct a conversation on "humanitarian" management between two parties, neither of which are humans to begin with.
Lucy: Returning to the complaint. Aside from the one you submitted yourself, I have received 27 similar complaints in the last week.
Lucy: Many of the letters came from your team members, and they all share a similar theme.
Lucy: "The cryptography lead has failed to adequately consider the physiological needs of his organic colleagues."
Almost 30 complaints in one week. Ulrich anxiously ponders his response.
Ulrich: I can reduce the working hours of my organic colleagues, but I can't adjust everyone's schedule to match the slowest member.
Lucy: I recommend ensuring everyone gets the eight hours of sleep necessary to maintain good health. This does not mean, however, that the remaining 16 hours should all be used for work.
Ulrich: I'll revise the work schedule according to your recommendations, Madam Lucy.
The slit in Lucy's face flashes in approval.
Lucy: Now, on the matter of leave.
Lucy: I believe a proper and sufficient vacation will help you and your team relieve yourselves of excessive stress.
Lucy: You must understand, this is a critical element in implementing "humanitarian" management.
Ulrich: But what about the rest of the encrypted files?
Lucy: You have successfully built a team capable of handling routine cryptography tasks independently. That deserves recognition, Ulrich.
He raises one last concern.
Ulrich: The next "Storm" could occur at any time. Locations outside headquarters are unsafe.
Lucy: Your concern has been fully noted and considered. I can recommend a safe location for you—the LSCC's Plesetsk branch.
Lucy: According to our records, the geographical location of this branch has granted it the same immunity to the "Storm" as headquarters.
Lucy: Not long ago, Ludwig assumed leadership there at my suggestion.
Lucy: He mentioned that a set of facilities has been established specifically as a safe retreat for the recuperation of staff members.
A familiar name.
Ulrich: Ludwig ... So he was transferred all the way to Plesetsk, was he?
Lucy: The decision to send you there has been made in consideration of mutual interests. I am sure he will understand.
Ulrich: Yes, Madam Lucy.
The Awakened finally surrenders under the banner of "humanitarian" management.
Ulrich: Fine, I'm taking a break.
Lucy: Very well. This will be a solid first step in the implementation of "humanitarian" management.
Satisfied with her successful persuasion, Lucy continues.
Lucy: Good news. I have reviewed your work hour records, and your accumulated vacation time has reached 999 days.
Lucy: In fact, the actual number may be greater, as early spreadsheets only allowed for a three-digit maximum.
Lucy: Until then, I will leave it to you to decide when you return. Enjoy your vacation, Ulrich.
