C
Conundrum
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- Thread Author
- #1
"It has been such a long time." 
"You know, dear, you really should learn to smile more." |
NAME: Cadance Wattmuff CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: City 24, District 9AGE: 45 ETHNICITY: European - English, Italian heritage. NATIONALITY: City 2. CURRENT OCCUPATION: Combine Logistics Committee CURRENT COLLABORATOR STATUS: Tier 6 |
PREVIOUS OCCUPATION(S): Citizen Labourer | Department of Production (Assistant) | Civil Workers Union (Director) | Ministry of Commerce (CFO) | Department of Business (Director) | Combine Logistics Committee (Inspector & Apprentice Foreman) PREVIOUS ASSIGNMENT(S): City 2 | City 8 | City 13 PREVIOUS COLLABORATOR STATUS: Tiers 1 through 5 | CCA |
PRE-COMBINE QUALIFICATIONS: Secondary level education. | Third level dropout. PRE-COMBINE OCCUPATION(S): Dog walker. | Shop assistant. | Recovery Volunteer. PRE-COMBINE RESIDENCE: England - West Yorkshire. | North London. |
| MEDICAL HISTORY - Minor Xenian-borne infections as a result of Infestation outbreaks across the city. - Multiple lacerations as a result of Anti-Citizen attacks in an elevator on the way to her residence. - Broken limbs as a result of Anti-Citizen attacks when she opened a door inside her workplace. - The entire back half of her skull has been replaced with a metal plate, as a result of Anti-Citizen attacks while congregating within a Store on official business. - Drug overdose as a result of a foreign dignitary spiking a pie that was gifted to the Ministry of Commerce. - Cosmetic Plastic surgery. - Liposuction. - Stitching in her shoulder required as a result of a hostage situation in the Community Centre ending with in her being shot and the attackers executed. - Burns along her hands and a deep laceration on her shoulder from an axe wound during District 9's collapse. |
PRIVATE CONFESSIONS
| PRELUDE "You know, I once worked alongside Heartwick, before he became as you all know him. He was part of the ministry of Commerce, a man dedicated to his cause. On his PDA he would note every little oddity in a transaction by a store manager. His view was scrupulous, leaving no digit unturned. He was an endearing man. Eager and friendly, always willing to talk with genuine interest. I was above him, in those days, but when I spoke with him, I felt as equals with his sheer drive and charisma. I considered us friends. Initially, he did not seem the right fit to become the Administrator, for he did not seem stern or hardened by the pressures of past responsibility. In fact, the man was perhaps initially only a tool for the Ministry to exert its influence. After all, a change within the administration was threatening us all as the Security Council was overstepping itself. It was our duty to protect the status quo. So, when the Ministry approached me about working to see him elected against Casto, well... That Italian had made it clear that I could not allow him and his supporters to threaten my position. I worked quite diligently alongside the Ministry, the Medical Union and Civil Protection to ensure Heartwick was elected by our allies in the Council, effectively damning the futurists. What happened after these efforts, well... I suppose you all have felt my indirect and lingering touch. I am not a woman who seeks great power, for if I was then I would still be as equals with Heartwick. The position of Vice-Administrator was offered. I refused. How many of you can say that? No, I simply seek a life of security and comfort. That is why I requested my assignment out here, in the far-reaches from the chaos of the inner city and its toxic politics. But now, after half a year of productive peace and easy oversight, you have all come with your disharmonic beliefs and rampant individuality. It disgusts me, to be frank. Remember what I have said, for In the end I accomplish what I must. Do try not to threaten my peace." |
| COMBINE "Just because I am considered "Loyal" does that mean I should be incapable of seeing the truth? There are plenty of far-gone people I have met in my various positions over the years. Those who, whether through desperation or as a result of propaganda, seem to genuinely believe the narrative we preach to keep the population pacified. The situation is more grave than we let them know. I have seen some of the numbers. The resources of our world are being extracted on an unprecedented scale and we are on a limited timeframe. The extraction rates are only increasing to meet their demands. The punishment for over extending our deadline might be something worse than death, the CLC sees that. What will the Reward be for a job well done? Well, once we reach that criteria then our Benefactors will have no more need of us. This elderly species may be allowed to go quietly into the night, fading into a childless whisper on a dying world. You see, I quite understand the Combine are our doom. Not that I would ever admit that, of course. We are little more than tribal natives with, perhaps, a concerning degree of capability in certain fields. Have the Combine sterilized other worlds, or are we a unique case? Did they perhaps consider us a threat? Only the high ranking Administrators have interacted with our colonizers directly. I wonder what they look like... No matter. This is the way the world is. I will do my part to support the Combine, or more specifically those who must take on the burden of our species. Our leadership suffers in the ways we cannot understand. Even if they are despots, I consider it justified. Their responsibilities and the existential anxiety they must endure would drive any a little mad." |
| "REBELS" "At most a few thousand loosely organized people aim to do what the sum total of humanity and its production capabilities could not do? An organized strike conquered the Earth within seven hours. Do you lot think you would even last seven seconds? Oh, who am I kidding; Of course you do. A bunch of broken, insane people with a mental deficiency who want to die. What's worse is you are all really, by in large, just a bunch of petty criminals. You will accomplish nothing of worth beyond potentially killing a few loyalists. Do you consider that even a small victory? Your world - Our world - Will continue to die, regardless. We are all replaceable. I find you to be worse than the most deranged of Collaborators that I have met. You act up hoping the rest of the planet will be purged. I will feel little pity when we see you killed to prevent that." |
| COLLABORATORS "The Collaborators I have met are largely a mixed bag. Some of us merely wish to do our jobs and enjoy the comfortable perks of being a productive member of society. Among these, I have found some of the most pleasant people I have ever interacted with. Of course, we cannot always be pleasant. It is our function to keep the lower classes in line, as best we could manage. Every little bit of aid to quell the Citizens chaotic whims is required. Although, sometimes we do the opposite. Or rather, they do the opposite. There are Collaborators who engage in political intrigue not out of need in the moment, but out of a sense of want. They follow around whatever approved political body suits their interests. Often, different political parties are at war with their competition, breeding hostilities and open conflict in the streets. I have always found it to be an incredible conundrum for the Administration to allow politics to exist at all. True, there is a measure of population control to perhaps be found from it - Making Collaborators blame each other for a situation, instead of the leadership, but it has always seemed to breed a sense of disharmony within the system. Near Riots included. One need not look further than Futurism, when it was still allowed within the city limits. Not that it has stopped its followers from rebranding and continuing the foolish fight under another name. Honestly, I find I do not care for any of the politics. The only ones that matter are my own. I enjoy the sense of prestige, knowing I am better than those below me. It is intoxicating, in its own ways. But I have no desire to demand pointless changes to the system. What, the Citizens want more food in their rations? We already pay you to exist. Spend some of that money on goods, instead of adhesive production. I find the more things change, the more universally worse they have gotten. What fools voted to give Biotics additional rights?" |
| CITIZENS "Ah, the common man. I have found him to be incredibly untrustworthy, more so than even Collaborator's who want to politically stab you in the back. Because, as a matter of fact, Citizens tend to want to do that in a literal sense. By in large they are unimportant swine that barely try to exist within the legal limits. It is not hard to become even a low ranking Collaborator in our society, one simply needs to work. It is that easy. But Citizens never seem to be able to reach that trifle Social Credit limit. They are too busy running around, when it is not allowed, or being punished for possessing contraband, or invading areas they should not be in. Whenever one of them is found to be an Anti-Citizen, I am hardly surprised. One need only look under the floorboards to find a stockpile of glued together firearms. I often wondered why we could not simply just implant them with tracking devices that would explode if they acted up, it would solve so many problems. Citizens are by in large a threat to the peace. They must be broken and subdued by whatever means, or purged accordingly. Our time on this Earth will be brief, there will be no children to make the world better for. Thus, we simply cannot allow the Citizens antics to ruin this last breath of life for the remainder of us. The peace of Collaborators must come first. |
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THE WALL
| Hank Beauregard The man was too social and forgiving for this line of work. It was only a matter of time until the City Administration sensed weakness and exploited it, like so many citizen's had. I cannot truly say I miss him. I prefer those above me to posses qualities of intimidation. It keeps all of us in our place and sets a strong foundation. Still, it is a shame... |
| Hansjörg Ambrosius Frankly I'm not certain I want to know the finer details of how he ran things back in his prior posting. I respect his work and what he brings to the team, but some of his methods are not for me. Which is perfectly suitable, we each have our specialties. |
| 30525 (Yar'Vanth) I may no longer be around to find out what you are hiding, you teleporting creature. But rest assured someone will see your schemes discovered in my place. Deceiving little thing. |
| Anastasia Zakharova I understand why she is quick to temper. We all have our own coping mechanisms for the way the world has become. Having your life depend on those beneath you performing well is something I have dreaded. My lot in life is not to seek leadership, but to perhaps support those who intend to take on that burden. If I can help it, I will make certain she has everything she needs. |
| Sally Peters Oh, sweet child... |
| Nicholas Carter My Analyst spotted the note. I don't blame you for being paranoid. They had it out for me in 43 as well. I do hope you survive. Few truly understand the difficulties of such a role as we do. I simply worry for the 'recluse' syndrome that my own predecessor faced. I sense similarities between you two in that area. |
| Ron Goodfella At times I cannot tell if he is senile or is a master at deception, using his portrayed character to disarm others so that he might influence them. He is one of the few remaining people I know from my initial transfer to this city. It is nice to talk with him. |
| Ava Stone Your life went into a downward spiral rather quickly. All over a coat dispute. If your intent was to be memorable, then you have accomplished such. |
| Bernard Mulligan He seemed to have shown some concern for me. His cold shoulder was perhaps because of my involvement with the CLC. I suppose it was no longer an issue by then. He will survive, I believe. Few manage to keep their positions for long in this new world without facing the odd threat. A lesser man would have fallen long ago. |
| Damarco Hikins Possibly the most active member of CWU Management who has proven statistically invaluable. For a Supervisor, he at times simply runs the CWU with his Managers persistent absence. This Supervisor deserves a promotion. If this man needs anything then I shall endeavor to see it done. |
| Caoihme Green I did believe she was a poor fit for the position, but I held onto hope that we could condition her to suit our needs. How she managed to acquire a gun is beyond me. Still, she did appear to be an earnest person. |
| Russell Makarov I am told he has been in every branch of government, more or less. He settled on the secretive research one. It's good to know he got on his feet. I hope he survived the axe wielding maniacs in District 9... |
| Arthur Eastgate An annoying little man. His usefulness as a worker was all that stood between him and me ordering him beaten on a whim. Some people simply need to learn their place. |
| Undisclosed Terminal 6 Civil Protection Officer Honestly It's so hard to think of them as people, at times. The mandated anonymity, the interchangeability. They are more like forces to warily use in my minds eye. Maybe if they all had ID numbers or such... |
| Emiyo Macrum I'm sure there was a jest with further implications in the 90's about two single women living together as friends for an extended time. Still, somehow she briefly forgot I existed. I cannot be surprised, really. The additives in our food barely meet our reduced human safety standards. She is a good person. They are not suited for this world. |
| Zhou Zhemin A shrewd businessman. I think the only values this man has are those that have been set in stone, or more aptly, put in writing. By far one of the more valuable people in that district. |
| Marvin Eckles I believe I fired him from the CWU following a mass purge of our inactive workforce. I was in a bit of a no-tolerance mood at the time, I suppose. He is a good worker, all things considered. It was nice to see he has survived this long. |
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