Catch 22 - Part 1

In the middle part of Rome's Revolution, right after Rome learned of the impending genocide, she was determined to thwart the plan.

She beseeched the Overmind to intervene. The Overmind said he could not. She begged him to send someone to Earth to make them aware. The Overmind said he could not. If he sent a member of the Vuduri to Earth, the Onsiras would learn of his turnabout and send a strike force. And they could not send an Ibbrassati because then the Onsiras would know the inmates had gotten loose. Rome was truly painted into a corner.

While this was sad for Rome, it was great for me as a story-teller. There was only one solution to this Catch-22 which set up the entire third act:

     “I do not care what you call it,” Rome said. “Stop it. Send up some ships. Deflect it. Do not allow this.”
     “This is the problem I do not know how to solve,” said the Overmind. “Even if I stopped the asteroid, it would not matter. Once the Onsiras find out what is happening here, they will send in a strike force and put a halt to it anyway. They will not allow the mandasurte to go free. You are not capable of understanding their resolve.”
     “Then we must send someone to Earth to tell them what is happening here,” said Rome. “The people of Earth must know about the plot to kill the mandasurte. The people of Earth must accept the need for the mandasurte to go free. You must send someone to Earth now to spread this message.”
     “I cannot do that,” said the Overmind.
     “Why not?” Rome asked.
     “If I send Vuduri, as soon as they arrive on Earth, the Onsiras will connect and they will know and dispatch a strike force here. They will not be able to hide this. If I send mandasurte, the Onsiras will know something has happened here and send a strike force. No matter who I send, the secret will get out and the Onsiras will ‘rectify’ the situation.”
     “What would happen if we did nothing?” Rome asked. “What if we just allow the mandasurte to leave and establish a presence elsewhere?”
     “We will not have enough time. Just as you can disconnect at will and I cannot reach you, I am certain that there are spies among us for the Onsiras. After all, I placed spies among the Ibbrassati. It is in our nature. Therefore, we cannot do nothing. The word will get out. Something must be done but I do not know what.”
     Rome became silent. Her heart was broken so many ways, she did not know what to say. The Overmind intruded and interrupted her concentration.
     “You and Rei must go,” said the Overmind. “You must go to Earth.”

Poor Rome. It really sucks. But tomorrow you will see that the Overmind of Deucado's logic is impeccable.