16.The Departed

Marcus orchestrates the loading of citizens onto cargo drones bound for the aerial city Thark, defying Council security forces who attempt to prevent emigration. When Will confronts him about fomenting revolution, Marcus defends his actions as morally justified resistance to the Council's authoritarian control over population and resources.

Marcus witnesses the Council's security forces blocking citizens from accessing flyers to leave Poseidon. He responds by landing cargo drones behind the crowd and announcing buses to Thark, causing the security personnel to stand down rather than escalate to violence. The evacuation proceeds without bloodshed, establishing a precedent. Will Riker subsequently visits Marcus's VR space to relay the Council's complaint that Marcus is interfering with development plans. Marcus argues the Council has become autocratic, controlling travel, jobs, and living arrangements while imprisoning people despite needing a full workforce. Will notes the Council's official position is that Marcus's aerial cities disrupt their plans, but privately acknowledges Marcus's concerns are valid. Marcus counters that his actions actually accelerate population distribution and technological development, and that the Council's resistance stems from wanting to maintain control over independent population centers. Will warns Marcus not to get anyone killed and leaves. Marcus reflects on the two additional cities nearing completion and Thark now operating at full capacity, but acknowledges dread about the Council's eventual strategic response.