Fifty thousand people. Roughly the population of a single medium-sized town. Yet, this small community represented the totality of human civilization.
This tiny population, however, came with a distinct advantage: minimal bureaucratic inertia and negligible political resistance. Jason's decisions faced almost zero opposition.
Aside from his fanatical supporters, there was a silent majority who, while quieter, backed him just as staunchly. His policies enjoyed near-unanimous approval.
The scientific community also revered him, which cemented his authority.
Currently, his power was functionally indistinguishable from that of a benevolent dictator. His will could be implemented instantly across every sector of the Noah. With only a town's worth of people, all unified by survival and respect, there was no room for organized opposition.
But Jason knew he couldn't act recklessly. If he led well, the people's love would deepen. If he failed, he would burn through the political capital he had painstakingly accumulated.
Reform was never easy, but in Jason's mind, it was imperative. Without structural change, humanity would never reach new heights.
Seven days after the Noah set sail, a general assembly was convened. Jason delivered a speech.
"The Old World has fallen. We will build a New Civilization on its ruins."
"Our civilization will be known as the New Human Civilization."
"The New Human Civilization will not be bound by the mistakes of the past. We will stand on the shoulders of history, drawing the best from every culture that came before us. We will forge ourselves into the strongest civilization this galaxy has ever seen!"
"From this day forward, there is only one race: the New Humans. Every individual among us is equal. Every individual is free. Harmony and unity will be the bedrock of the Noah."
"Hurrah!" "Yes!" The crowd erupted into wild cheers. Their faces beamed with joy and relief. This wasn't just a speech; it felt like a founding ceremony for a new nation.
"Next, we address the living conditions. But we must also look further, to the stars. Humanity will no longer be confined to a single planet, or even a single star system..."
"Comrades, the call to industry has sounded! The call to science has sounded!"
"We will rebuild our technology! We will rebuild our productivity!"
...
Jason had never delivered such a passionate address, and the crowd had never been so fervent. Initially, the venue held only two or three thousand people, with the rest watching via live stream. But as the energy built, more and more people flooded into the hall, five thousand, ten thousand, twenty thousand until the hall was packed and the corridors outside were jammed with people straining to hear.
As policies and plans were announced, a tangible flame of hope ignited in their hearts.
After a long, dark night, they finally saw the sunrise.
"I hereby announce the official establishment of the New Human Government!"
The announcement triggered a thunderous applause. Flags of various colors, improvised symbols of unity fluttered in the air.
A government was finally established.
Because the population was so small, the structure was streamlined. Several key departments were created: Security, Finance, Technology, Health, Industry, and Propaganda/Information. Jason served as the First Administrator, personally appointing the department heads and overseeing all operations.
* Department of Security: Staffed by former military personnel, responsible for law enforcement and the defense of the Noah.
* Department of Finance: Responsible for monetary policy, resource allocation, and auditing.
* Department of Technology: The most critical sector, overseeing energy quotas, R&D resources, and scientific direction.
* Department of Health: Responsible for medical care and public well-being.
* Department of Industry: Overseeing manufacturing, hydroponics, and infrastructure construction.
...
Of course, Jason was not elected through a democratic ballot.
He knew he would win a landslide victory in any election, so why waste the resources? Why create unnecessary friction?
Leadership transitions are traumatic events for a civilization in crisis. The universe is not a benevolent place; humanity was fighting for its very survival. Frequent changes in leadership or inconsistent policies would waste precious resources and could lead to extinction.
Furthermore, Jason genuinely believed no one was better suited to lead the Noah than himself. If a better candidate existed, he would gladly step down. But there wasn't one.
He could guarantee his own integrity. Having seen the vastness of the cosmos, the idea of petty corruption, stealing scraps within a closed system seemed laughable. He was working for the survival of the species, not personal gain.
Therefore, a traditional representative democracy was currently impossible. Jason understood the pitfalls; in extreme survival scenarios, pure democracy often devolved into mob rule or indecision.
Even in the Old World, democratic votes like Brexit had shown that popular will didn't always align with strategic stability.
Moreover, military power had to remain firmly in his hands. He couldn't risk a coup or a power struggle between civilian and military factions.
Austin was appointed Head of Security, and key positions were filled by his trusted Special Forces brothers.
However, power in other sectors had to be delegated. First, to reduce his own workload, specialized fields required experts. Second, he didn't want to be a tyrant.
The New Government also adopted a Representative Council, which could, in theory, check the Administrator's power. However, the threshold for overturning his decisions was incredibly high, essentially requiring a total loss of public confidence. Jason believed that scenario was virtually nonexistent.
"New Humans! New Humans!" The crowd chanted, waving their flags.
Jason serving as both the Captain of the Noah and the Administrator of the Government was a reality most people happily accepted. He was the only leader they trusted.
Jason was satisfied with the mood. A passionate nation is a fighting nation. A united nation is worthy of the stars.
But he wasn't just inciting emotions. He followed the founding announcement with a concrete policy change: The Simplified Economic System.
Living conditions on the ship were abysmal. People lived in modular tin cans, shared communal latrines, and lacked basic necessities.
They worked without complaint because they knew their leader was doing his best, and resources were tight. But goodwill has a shelf life. Humanity needed better material conditions to maintain morale in the long term.
Therefore, Jason announced the introduction of a currency: the "New Credit."
From now on, work would be compensated.
The "New Credit" would serve as a universal medium of exchange, similar to the US dollar of the Old Era.
Once the system stabilized, the government would phase out the rationing system. Survival would no longer be a handout; it would be earned.
The government would introduce a wider range of goods: larger housing units, meat, luxury items, and better daily necessities, all purchasable with New Credits.
This policy sparked immense enthusiasm. Who wants to live on handouts when they can earn a better life? The communal pot was a desperate measure for desperate times.
The citizens of the Noah were elites. They yearned to use their brains and hands to build something, to earn their keep, and to improve their station. Now, the opportunity had arrived.