Chapter Thirty One: The General Staff of the Spacecraft Yard

The Spacecraft Yard is the foremost technological arm of the Ministry of Space, and its importance in the orbital development of the different planetary systems have been underscored by the granting of autonomy to its advancements and initiatives by the previous Ministry. The Spacecraft Yard's main facility itself is hosted by a wealthy Planet called Blacker E., a rather peculiar place whose ecology and atmospheric conditions are most conducive in the architectural engineering of advanced space ships.

The facility is governed by the General Staff of the Spacecraft Yard, who is part of the Ministry of Space equal to the rank of Minister with portfolio, but only answers to the questions of the Planetary Delegation itself, rather than heed the calls of the political party in power, as a direct result of its statutory autonomy.

As provided for by the legislation that created the office, the Spacecraft Yard is "responsible for the full recovery of all knowledge concerning all the possibilities that govern space travel." The statutory mandate itself was vague and open to interpretation, so this is the main reason why the politicians have decided to move it away from the reach of erring politicians that affects its major operations.

But this latest move towards autonomy was only full of promise, because it lacks actual practical significance. While the General Staff governs administrative duties and overall direction of the experiments made at its Main Experiment Station, the rest of its supposed duties are within the political sphere, mostly subject to the political manifesto of the ruling party that always passes the Planetary Co-Op through a whipped vote.

One of the many limus tests that could have solidified faith for this supposed autonomy is the proposal to open the Lore of Commons, but obviously this bold move has been rejected by the Upper House, for allegedly violating the intent and purposes of the Constitution. There cannot be any other inference that could be made by this supposed autonomy, other than that it is part of a political show used to advance personal, political and institutional interests.

Yet, many believe that this move is worthy of commendation for being an important measure that will help future endeavors by the ability of the General Staff to provide reports to the Ministry and to the Opposition Aisle, on both accounts, with the true meaning of those experimental questions that the Spacecraft Yard was trying to resolve.

In short, the General Staff's ability to scrutinize, by being empowered in law, to provide a determination of all activities that might interest the two Opposite Benches, as well as the Upper Chamber, is enough check and balance that may sway the government's technological policy towards the common good.

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This Chapter is sponsored by Tag Heuer Mario Kart.