Chapter 3

[thenine]

Who: OTA
Where: Quad
When: Week IV, Day VII - Week VI, Day VI
Summary: Chapter 3 prompts!
Restrictions/Warnings: Violence, blood, et cetera. For anything surpassing 'R' on a rating scale, please create your own log.
Notes: Please title your subject line in the following format -- Open / Closed | Date. OOC event information can be found here. Calendar information/dates can be found here.

Quick Navigation
The Nine
The Company
Westies
True Leithians
Leith
Resistance
The RAC

The Nine: Promises Unmade

Using the increase in unrest, as so many opportunists do, those within the Nine who seek to pursue their own agendas - whether that be family prestige, personal gain, or systematic upheaval - will find bountiful footholds to secure their positions. Land Kendry continues to assert itself as a leader in these troubling times, with Land Derrish falling in tow. Their first target, Land Hyponia, is shaken, careful not to make any mistakes that could crumble the already cracked mortar holding them together with the nobility. Aggressive though Land Derrish may have been, their sights have moved elsewhere, now focusing on driving forward oppressive legislation to replace the Seventh Generation Accords, rather than further eroding the power of Land Hyponia. Kendry is looking to control a functioning oligarchy, not cause a war over the territory that would be up for grabs should Land Hyponia fall. With the announcement of the Seventh Generation accords confirming already widespread rumors, those within the Nine are careful to place blame for the decision on the activities of the Resistance. For many, this is a believable conclusion, as the attacks by the True Leithans shook society at its core on both Westerley and Leith. Being a radical group, their intentions have been conflated with those of the Resistance in the eyes of many. Discourse on the subject isn't uncommon, but any within the Nine who seek a different target of blame best do so quietly, as dissent from within could quickly have one labeled a sympathizer of the unjust cause of the Resistance. On the surface a harmless placating measure taken by the Nine, the new PDDs being distributed through the Quad are touted as the pinnacle of communication technology. While some higher ranking Company officials and members of the nobility may already have access to quick and reliable network connection, these capabilities are now universal with the installation of the Meshwork. The Meshwork will enable all characters to interact in real time via text, video, or voice, but it isn't without side effects. For some reason, characters who frequently use their PDDs or who are in areas of heavily concentrated network use may suffer from headaches, nosebleeds, blurred vision, and/or dizziness, with more severe side effects including temporary blindness, loss of balance, short-term memory loss, and hallucinations. Connection of these symptoms to the PDDs is not the most common diagnosis, as many think the afflictions are a result of the aftershocks of P43X.

The Company: Balancing Act

With clean up from the P43X attack not yet completed, all Company officials should expect to have no singular responsibility, and little time for sleep, as they find the expectations levied upon them to only grow. Frayed nerves can create a hostile working environment, though anyone could be on the receiving end of any outbursts. The streets have returned from their throes of death with new life, but the city's usual clamor is being overtaken by the roar of protest. Some are peaceful demonstrations; some are violent riots, every display a reaction to the repeal of the Seventh Generation Accords. …At least, that’s what it says on paper, the docket that many Company officials receive outlining simple but brutal crowd control and suppression tasks. Whether a bar has been taken over as a hub of dissent, a street corner filled with unmoving protestors, or a Company affiliated storehouse raided, there's plenty to do for those tasked with keeping the peace. You may simply wish to make arrests, or you may welcome the chance to get your hands dirty - the law is on your side, and all voices daring to oppose the order of things need silenced. Those who don't take to the streets will likely find themselves on border control duty, checking the identification and supply dossiers of all incoming and outgoing ships. No one gets in, or out, without the proper clearance. Ship-wide searches have become standard practice, producing storerooms overflowing with contraband. Some may welcome the chance for banal organization, while others may take some 'bonus compensation' for themselves. With the tightening of rules comes the increase of bribery, and Company officials looking to line their pockets will find their opportunities in surplus. Get caught, however, and there's no second-chances. Although the Company audits have concluded, tensions only grow, and anyone found helping those with diverging agendas will be punished swiftly, cast in with the rest of the dissenters.

Westies: Tidal Force

Bereavement weighs heavy in the wake of the P43X attack on Westerley. Burdened by being both the last location of infection and the last to receive medicinal aid, Westies are entrenched in the solemn task of burying their fallen while the merciless machine of the economy marches on. Whether it’s the result of a lost loved one or the continued illness of primary caretakers, the end result is the same: families all across Old Town struggle to feed their children and make ends meet. It’s always been a guiding principle of Westerley—if you can’t work, you can’t eat—but with so many who can do neither, the situation in Old Town begins to grow dire. But there’s hope, albeit in the form of a double-edged blade: with the newly distributed PDDs and Meshwork installation, nonprofit organizations are able to conduct themselves on a wider scale, drawing in more donors from outside of Westerley. While their efforts are ultimately but a drop in the ocean, the renewed spirit of community and altruism provides relief—as well as nourishment—for many who might very well die without it. That same tool which allows the people to come together is also used to rend it; rumors begin to circulate through encrypted bulletins about the emergency meeting held on (Week IV, Day VII). Some of the rumors are wild speculation and fanciful daydreams, but in the mire of them, a grain of truth slips through. The Accords have fallen, they say. Be ready. Most people disregard the rumors, writing them off as the idle machinations of conspiracy theorists. They cling to their hope that soon their children will walk a planet that is bountiful in food and sunshine, that the land promised on Leith will deliver them from the hell they current endure. It’s those people who shout the loudest when the official announcement confirms the rumor. The Accords have been repealed. (Week V, Day III) At first, protestors gather in small, grumbling groups, little more than angry drunks. But as more and more people take to the Meshwork, the wrath of the few awakens the desperation of the many, and over the course of the night, the peaceful protest swells into an unruly riot. Workers strike, but without any legal protection, they swiftly find themselves rebuked by unemployment. Now with nothing to lose and everything to gain, the riots expand, filling the streets of Old Town with anger and tension. Company personnel become popular targets, and within the next day, all travel permits to and from Westerley are temporarily revoked. The moon closes its docks in an attempt to smother the flames of the rebellion. What starts as a movement for change shifts into a violent cataclysm, homes and businesses burned down, families torn apart by dissent within and outside of themselves. The Company seems content to let Old Town destroy itself, to let them “get it out of their system”, but all too soon that stance changes as well. With the death of a distant cousin of the Derrish, Company orders shift. Lethal force is authorized, and all too eagerly, used. Once the death toll begins to climb, the protests decline. The riots soften, though they do not disappear outright. Company and Westie optimists take to podiums in a desperate attempt to bid their fellow compatriots once more into peace. But something else awakens in the fires of those riots. Something far more dangerous than the chaos of anger: something controlled, methodical. They call themselves Hyperion, and they are the new faces of the Resistance.

True Leithians: Rested Laurels

For this faction, the time to scatter is nigh. Their work is complete: the Accords are no more, and the militant leaders order the reintegration of their soldiers into civilian life. Leith’s rightful owners retain the precious land that was once threatened, and although their methods were extreme, they are justified by the end result. But while the True Leithians see this as only a rested pause in their work, their benefactors—those who provided the resource and information that allowed their wicked deeds to see fruition—see this time as the closing of a chapter. Loose ends that might later lead to Qreshi officials or even potentially the Nine themselves are dealt with severely and harshly, albeit quietly. Several prominent figures of Leith’s highest echelon of society simply disappear, and curiously, those around them don’t seem to remember that they were ever there in the first place. Their benefactors are not the only group that would see the True Leithians burn. Among the first wave of missions delegated beneath the Resistance is the assassination of known True Leithian sympathizers. Unlike the Company, the members of Hyperion are ordered to perform their tasks loudly, to send a message written in the blood of the True Leithians. The citizens of Westerley will no longer be the gutless pawns of the Quad. They will strike back, and they will uncover the source of the True Leithian’s funding and information. If the True Leithians thought themselves ruthless, they’ll soon learn a new measure of savagery when Hyperion converges on their trail.

Leith: Olive Branch

The atmosphere of Leith is one of both hope and mourning. Recovery on Leith proceeds more efficiently than that on Westerley, their infrastructure and resources better able to accommodate those that were felled in the P43X attack. But although agency has the streets of Leith cleaner and the surfaces shining, the spirit of the moon itself suffers a devastating blow in the wake of the attack, the people of Leith unprepared and unseasoned to deal with the psychological ramifications of so much death. But they are not yet hardened by the experience, drawing together in the spirit of cooperation to restore not just the physical aspects of their homes, but the mental fortitude of their people. Charity drives and galas proceed in extravagant fashion, as if by the display of their assets they might rebel against the somber circumstances on which they’re hosted. For most on Leith, the fall of the Accords arrives as welcomed news, the citizens of the moon long since opposed to sharing their land with those of Westerley. But although the sense of satisfaction with the ends is high, there’s also an undercurrent of regret for the means which provided it. Unlike the True Leithians, most of the citizens of Leith are not radical or extreme, and they offer their sympathies—but only their sympathies—to those Westies in their midst. News of the riots results in tighter security around the Westies still stationed on the moon, and for the days that the violent storm on Westerley builds, Leith in turn becomes markedly quieter and more conscientious. Moderates come together over the Meshwork and propose a Peace Summit, a meeting of both delegation and charity, once the riots and dangers of traveling have passed. The summit is sanctioned by Leithian officials, as well as the allocation of surplus resources to aid their sister moon in her recovery. While many citizens of Leith eagerly await the news of lands once lost to their families for the Accords, many more donate their time and hands as part of the newly created Good Will Corps, a coalition of both political pundits and regular people devoted to strengthening the connection between the moons rather than sowing division. Volunteers—and some individuals who are voluntold, join the Good Will Corps on a trip to Old Town where the Peace Summit is scheduled (Week VI, Day III), lending their time, their labor, and their technology as a gesture of good faith. But whether or not that’s sufficient to see the Peace Summit garner any steps towards system stability is another matter altogether.

Resistance: Sacred Grove

The people of the Quad barely have time to remove the packaging from their new PDDs before a new voice of dissent begins to worm its way down the feed. Encrypted messages, quick flashes of imagery begin appearing at random on open networks and closed channels alike, pitting the harsh realities of the suffering, suffocating Westerley against the excess and decadence on display by both Leithians and the Nine, showcasing the disparity in the starkest of lights. All of it aimed at one purpose, to spread one solemn truth: the branches of the Mother Tree are burning… and the Nine seem to be holding the matches. The name whispered, the one goading dissent, echoes through the Quad - Hyperion - followed slowly with the murmur of hope. Of an intellect so profound that not even the Nine themselves will be able to stop it. With an artful ease, this new force begins to reach out, to commandeer the discordant efforts of the Resistance and reforge it into something stronger, faster. Deadlier. It starts with a select few receiving instructions directing them to safe houses already stocked with equipment and supplies, each with tech tailored to that cell's purpose and loaded with dossiers far too complete to have been compiled by the average citizen. Some of the background information appears to come directly from the records of the Company, or the Nine themselves, while still more from planets outside the Quad. Some even hint at records long since sealed by the RAC. Nothing points to one faction over another. Nothing reveals the how or why this Hyperion has decided to play these particular cards now, but one thing is quite clear. There's a deep laid plan being set into motion, and neither the Company or the Nine will see it coming. All these leaders have to do is gather their forces...

The RAC: New Grade

The citizens of the Quad were not the only ones affected by the P43X - the upper ranks of the RAC's field agents is notably thinner - and with tensions shifting yet again between the moons, they cannot afford to be ill-prepared and understaffed. In order to bolster their ranks, the decision comes down the pipe of a new assessment system: Peer Evaluations. Many of those that have been in their current ranks - those between Levels I - III - will be eligible to receive a two-part assessment of their capabilities to operate efficiently at the next level through successful completion of live warrants. These field evaluations can be conducted by any Level IV agent and turned into Central Command for compilation and rank change approval. Unlike the lower level agents, Level IV assessments will still be conducted by RAC's Central Command, once all of the subordinate assessments have been completed and processed. These agents should take note - part of their own evaluations for Level V will be the efficiency with which they're able to evaluate those below them. During this time, warrants will still flow in and agents sent to answer - especially once the travel bans go into effect on Westerley, as those agents alone bearing active warrants will be able to enter and leave the atmosphere, though their docking point will be limited to the Prisoner Intake facilities.

Comments

[rhygret]

I...don't know, honestly. It's not like we don't have the man power? And to be honest a lot of shady stuff goes one between the Nine Families. I knew a girl--a Simms once? Not sure what happened but one day she was the Heir in line and the next no one was talking about her. It was like she never even existed.

It's possible they caught the people involved and got rid of them quietly.

[eggplanting]

[Some of her anger has softened; it's still there, simmering under the surface, but she's thinking now, turning things over in her head, and it's enough to keep her focused.]

You don't think it's convenient? First the attack in Old Town, then this? The only people who got what they wanted is the True Leithians and the Nine.

[rhygret]

I mean, I guess so? But the bombing really only affected Leith, and the infection got people there and Westerley equally? Or. N-not...not equally because of the medicine and the quarantine stuff b-but.

[ Rhys shakes his head. ]

What I'm trying to say is those things affected both sides right? It's not like us Nine want to get rid of or upset Leith--they make us a lot of money and a lot of them are actually kind of related to us? So if something happened to them it'd be a problem.

[ He doesn't share the same sentiments about Westerley, unfortunately. But he's trying? For Steph. Ish. ]

Doesn't make sense to get them involved too if it's really someone high-up behind it.

[eggplanting]

You just told me they killed a girl!

[It's kind of a whisper-hiss, because that's not the sort of thing you say really loudly even in abandoned corridors, but she feels like it's a valid point.]

I don't think they give a shit about Leith, it's just a card in the deck. They give Westies land on Leith and they're no longer under their thumb in the same way, that's how this shit works.

["This shit" being like, exploiting the labor class, thanks Little Miss Marx.]

[rhygret]

Okay to be fair I said she disappeared, not that she was...was killed, exactly. I mean should could still be alive? [ SORRY PAWTER Rhys doesn't know you're alive and never bothered to try and find out... ]

[eggplanting]

You know that's not reassuring, right?

[Either way, a girl was ripped from her life because... what? She was a threat to the way things are.

The same thing that happened to the now-ex head of Hyponia.]

she + could = should apparently thanks phone

[rhygret]

[ OKAY HYPONIA TRIED TO KILL SOMEONE AS FAR AS RHYS KNOWS so that one he blames on them. Technically. ]

...Y, yeah. I get that. Sorry.

i straight up didnt even notice

[eggplanting]

[The apology takes the wind out of her sails, even if it's not an apology for all this shit, but she's just-- she feels tired, as though she's had an argument like this a million times before.]

This isn't right, Rhys. People shouldn't be treated like this just 'cause they were born on the wrong moon.

oh good

[rhygret]

I...I don't really know what to do about that Steph. I don't exactly have that sort of influence. I mean maybe if a couple of people get behind the whole wasteland thing I'll be able to do something with that? But the Seyahs are the ones with the real power.

[ Rhys may as well be a nobody to them. ]

[eggplanting]

I know, I know.

[And she means that, something almost like sympathy in her tone.]

I'm not asking you to change the world, you just... you get why I'm angry, right? You know this sucks.

[She just wants him to understand.]

[rhygret]

I... [ He can understand the circumstances? Just not necessarily the...sentiment. But he's trying? Because she wants him to, not because there's any natural desire on his part. Steph matters, so what matters to Steph matters. ]

Yeah. I mean...right now everyone here hates everyone related to the Nine even if most of us didn't have a say in the decision. So it's like that? Only...you know, worse.

[eggplanting]

[It's enough, right now, that he gets it, and her shoulders drop a little as the relief sets in.]

Sorry I dragged you into an argument, I hope that isn't gonna reflect badly on you.

[Image doesn't matter to her, but it's how Rhys' whole life works, and she knows that sort of thing can have repercussions.]

[rhygret]

I'm sort of the bad guy as far as most of these people are considered. I don't think you being upset could hurt that anymore than being Qresh does, don't worry.

[ He's trying to be reassuring with that one ]

[eggplanting]

[It's a little reassuring.]

It means a lot that you came, even if people hate you right now. Most Qreshi wouldn't even bother.

[rhygret]

Well, seeing as how I didn't recognize anyone there....Iiii'd say I'm the only one who did? Which. Probably won't make me very popular back home, h-heh. [ But he needs the support and the funding, and he can always just say he was there to make sure it wasn't some Rebellion thing. ]

[eggplanting]

[She offers a smile that's meant to be reassuring, but mostly looks wry.]

If they're gonna make a big deal about it say a cute girl dragged you along.

[Being a guy who does stupid thing because a cute girl is involved seems less likely to earn repercussions than siding with Westies and Leithians.]

[rhygret]

H-hahah, yeah, that's...I mean i-it's not like it'd be a l, a lie or anything! [ Just ignore the fact that this is neither the Time nor the Place for his awkward Steph Is A Woman thing that he does. He's trying to compliment her and it got unintentionally flirty at the end there.

But it's okay he's going to clear his throat and that automatically makes it smooth. ]

[eggplanting]

[Somehow that actually gets the last of the tension to slip away, as she rolls her eyes at him.]

I didn't mean me, but that was sweet of you.

[rhygret]

I try. [ There's the Steph he knows and adores♥ Where would he be without her eye-rolls? ]

[eggplanting]

[Now that she's feeling better, she looks up at the ceiling as she blows out a huff of air, before looking back at Rhys.]

Should we head back in before people think we snuck off to fool around?

steph why do you do this to him

[rhygret]

O-oh yes, uhh--let's. Do that, w-we wouldn't...h-hah, wouldn't wanna give anyone the wrong, er, impression!

[ Rhys could not be standing there less relaxed and suave if he tried. ]

she is TRYING to FLIRT no not rn this is just the way she is: terrible

[eggplanting]

Please don't have a heart attack every time I make a joke.

[Rhys why are you like this.]

SINGLE TEAR, FACE, ETC

[rhygret]

R-right, I know. I knew that. Totally, haha! Good one Steph, heh..........


[ 8'| ]

pls

[eggplanting]

Okay, come on.

[With a sigh that's mostly fond (and a little bit exasperated) she takes him by the arm and gently starts leading him back towards the main room.]

This is gonna sound weird, but all this feels kinda personal.

[Even though it shouldn't, when everything about her says she grew up on Leith.]

[rhygret]

You're...talking about the attacks and stuff, right? [ Not the conversation they literally just had.

And you know what, just because he can Rhys vaguely wonders if he should be alright with her leading, but then he decides he actually doesn't care that much. This is nice. ]