The Urban Dispatch

[McGee]

August 25, 2004

On a recent stroll throughout town, I had a conversation with an officer and a doctor and both had troubling details on some grim abnormalities coming from the new xeno-parasites and a creature that's been only heard, not seen.

Doctor Nadine Haas first told me of a new discovery she encountered when dealing with a wounded patient. While patching him up, a small parasite the size of a blood clot, larger than an M&M began moving on its own and fleeing the host after the doctor scraped it out of the body with a knife. It somehow moved, escaping into the drainage system. The patient survived, however, it is hard to imagine he did not leave shaken by the experience.

In the conversation with the Officer who will be left unnamed, they had told of a monster living in the underground, a creature whose guttural screams and horrific stench haunted the sewer system, lurking and in wait, ready to strike. As of now, nobody I have spoken to has seen it up close and in-person. The Precinct warns against anybody travelling down below from engaging or even exploring beneath the city.

Be assured, I will keep investigating these matters as the week goes by. As of now, there is no xenobiologist or education available to bring even our finest doctors up to date with the new dangers still present since Day Zero.

Written by Diana Lansdowne.

 

[McGee]

August 27, 2004.

The beast is no more.

**A photograph attached of the unconscious beasts, wounded on the slums pavement.**

I drifted through the slums and happened upon a pack of civilians and constables with a grosteque monster at their feet. Humanity triumphed over the new twisted world we suffer in, but not without claiming the lives of two of our own. I spoke with one of the men who helped bring it down, and he told me that it was a combine effort of both the local cops garrisoned and nearby residents.

Kastel and Richard Hill were the names of the two that passed. Their names are recorded, as I'd wish all names were. Let this be their obituary. May they rest in peace.

What became apparent, however, was that the creature was not dead-dead, but incapacitated. The knocked-out monster was dragged over into the Pit, presumably to be used in future fights as an opponent for an unlucky sap. Is it ethical? Probably not. Is it better of dead? Yes. Am I going to be the one who spoils the only source of entertainment for poverty-stricken misfortunates? No. Let there be as much bread and circus as we can get our dirty hands on.

Written by Diana Lansdowne.

 

[McGee]

August 27, 2004.

A local project is underway on the bridge, where a labour force has began breaking down and removing debris from a tunnel that allegedly will connect to other cities, as I was told in an interview with a local labor organizer. At this rate, the first phase of the job will be complete by the end of night, however, it is likely that this will continue to be an on-going project.

The labor organizer, who refused to be named, credited the Salvagers for being the ones to create the tools for the people.

Written by Diana Lansdowne.

 

[McGee]

August 27, 2004.

Consulate Milada Drsna has announced over broadcast that, District Administrator Xavier was murdered by the Precinct Satellite. Not only was this a shocking development, but she also declared that the Salvage Union was now the United Nations appointed authority in District One, and the official Union representative in the area.

The Consulate urges everybody to stay loyal and to begin a new, whatever that means.

I will do further investigation into the plans of the Salvage Union's intentions for the District.

Written by Diana Lansdowne.

 

[McGee]

August 27, 2004.

TRANSCRIPT:
Why was the District Administrator killed?
'Derocles': It had to do with the announcement yesterday. Xavier supposedly jumped the gun when he made the announcement of food shortages, Renauld was not happy, and a riot, albeit a very sad one followed."
Officially, we were told Xavier then killed himself, stress and guilt and all that. *Unofficially*, most of us at Satellite heavily suspected that Renauld threw Xavier off the roof of the Precinct."

When did it become public knowledge?
'Derocles': Not really public knowledge, more like people connecting the dots together, things not adding up and such.

How did word spread to end up involving Sector Administration?
'Derocles':"I am a Relay Officer, communications is my job, I talk to people, to groups, manage the radios. The rumours that Xavier was killed by Renauld spread like wildfire, and honestly, I would not be surprised. Perhaps Scordato, but until then no. But the suspicion that he killed Xavier was merely one of the blocks that topped the tower. Discontent in the Precinct was skyrocketing. Food shortages, equipment shortages, terrible conditions and treatment. Renauld did not run a police department, he ran a *gang*."

Diana: "That's the work culture you'd describe? A gang?.."
Derocles:"A thinly veiled gang masquerading as a police department."

Diana: "Mmh.. so, the food riots. You say it wasn't that 'big', it was what? Two guys you said? Why did that become the trigger? Or was it?"
Derocles: Conditions were plummeting, the situation was plummeting. Renauld was becoming more irrational. I tried asking him what happened about a situation once and he threatened to slit my throat.

Diana: "Mmph.. so, explain what happened as the Precinct was declared.. actually, let me ask, how would you describe what happened? Excommunicated? Describe what happened here from the inside."
Derocles:"...Sergeant Wong had enough of the situation. He wanted to reconnect us with the wider Civil Protection and started gathering supporters. Scordato was supposed to be amicable to this but he never got around to involving him. The problem is, is that one of the people that Wong involved, Sergeant Demetrius, was an opportunist, and gave Wong up almost immediately to Renauld. I was promptly hauled into a room for interrogation where Renauld nearly cleaved my hand off with a fireaxe, and decided to grant Wong 'mercy' by demoting him to recruit. Not even ten minutes later, he backtracked on this and hanged Sergeant Wong in the courtyard."

What were the events leading up to the raid on the Precinct?
Derocles: "The Governor and some politicians arrived, word rapidly spread that Renauld hanged one of his own Sergeants and they weren't happy, they tried to remove him and Demetrius, the opportunist he is, turned on Renauld once again. Problem this time was that Renauld was prepared to fight back and a brawl erupted in the Command Room, some officers like Seo-Hyun were coerced into helping Renauld, others like myself, Tendenski, Guy, we scrambled to save the Governors. Issue is that someone turned on the broadcaster, which kicked off a whole mob as Renauld tried to call the gangs to his aid. Said gangs turned on him instead. The Apachi, seemingly were the primary force to mobilize and quickly seized the Precinct. We are about to experience a bout of anarchy, the mob has looted the Precinct and our leadership is in tatters. The Anarchists will take this as an opportunity."

Why were the Salvage Union chosen by the United Nations if the Apachi were the ones who took over the headquarters?
Derocles: "Temporarily I meant. The Salvagers being appointed were likely due to them being more...neutral."

Transcript taken by Diana Lansdowne. Minor edits included. No commentary, no opinion added.

 

[McGee]

August 30, 2004.

The Governor, Milada Drsna, has declare the elections are to take place today for the Ministerial positions of medicine and labor. What this all means in reality, is anybody's guess. I spoke to the folks within the clinic, and not even they're certain who they want in the position.

The question of who will end up in this position is a matter of personal sacrifice, because in a town like this, decisions are scrutinized by the masses. But in spite of the uncertain pay, benefits or security provided, the following candidates have voiced their intent to run.

Ray Colton has said he was interested in the position of health minister and will be running with his experience as the local clinic's head.

Doctor Nadine Haas is contesting the position of health minister, running against Ray Colton. She claims her experience as a medical doctor and graduate of University Medical Centre in Hamburg, where she specialized in interventional cardiology. Doctor Haas made it known that both her and Ray Colton are incredibly competent in what they do, and that she wishes the best for all.

Solomon Levy also declared his interest in running for finance minister with his experience as a bakery owner and the founder of the Merchants' Guild. He voiced his interest in realizing the District's growth and assisting locals with opening up new businesses. Solomon wishes for the District to be prosperous enough so that everybody can eat.

As I was continuing to survey the public about who's running and for what, the portal storms opened up again. Aliens and monsters started pouring out and starting maurading through main street. I saw people go down, some were wounded bad. I didn't get out without a few bad scratches. It almost feels as if a higher power felt the need to rain down on the recent positive developments. Now, we lick our wounds.

I was able to get a hold of the Governor and deliver an assortment of photos to highlight the dangerous conditions left by the portal storms. Perhaps, Sector Administration can send us support, but I won't hold my breath. I was brought into a meeting to discuss the future of the District's security.

The conversation revolves around the security of the District. The portal storms has proven the need for the Precinct to up security and a local entrepreneur has offered to work under contract to supply the Precinct with pistols so that they're better able to tackle the recent threats to the local population.

It is uncertain how much leverage he holds, but I will report further updates.

Written by Diana Lansdowne

 

[McGee]

August 30, 2004.

BREAKING: Elections are cancelled by decree of the Governor.

Ministers will be hand-selected for competency during emergency circumstances.

Written by Diana Lansdowne.

 

[McGee]

August 30, 2004.

BREAKING: Internal elections have been conducted among a delegation of local citizens, and a Precinct officer.

Ethan Foster is Minister of Labor.
Nadine Haas is Minister of Health.
Shin Okada is Minister of Finance.

Milada Drsna, the Governor is quoted as saying, "I do not take pleasure in how we did this.. But the moment the city is now embroiled in tens of thousands dead per day, the District facing imminent demise, where supplies are scarce - a portal storm exploding in our homes. It is more brave to live than die."

Will the people respect his decision, or undermine it? Only the future can tell.

Written by Diana Lansdowne.

 

[McGee]

August 31, 2004.

The meeting went without a hitch at the Governor's office. There is much to cover, so I will be brief and pointed to not waste you, the reader's time.

Recent casualty report in a neighbouring District in Paris has been estimated to be thirty-thousand to forty-thousand dead after rioting broke out. After attempts of crowd-control failed, live ammunition was used to regain control of the situation.

The Black Flag bar and compound in the eastern slums. Speakng on the subject, Governor Milada informed us, "they were holding weapons, vast quantities of food and material resources, stolen goods and many other quantities of product that were otherwise found to be going missing", noting that the Black Flag were intending to play the long game, preparing to strike when the heat died down.

Minister Foster's comments as head of the Ministry of Labor has noted the Salvagers' Union has production up and momentum is pressing forward. Their current agenda involves working with the Minister of Health to deal with the Xen infestation in the warehouse behind the Precinct. The clearing of the bridge is another project that has not been forgotten and will continue in the coming week.

Minister Lund, the head of agriculture in the district has reported an increase in recruitment, getting three volunteers, including an engineer. They will be looking into automating the watering process within the city's garden, as well as co-opting the water tower by the farm to serve as a rain-collector. The water can then be filtered and distributed to the public. She is happy to report that there have been over a hundred vegetables and fruits sourced from the farm so far, ready to be served to the public. Food drives will become more common and hopefully, accessible many hours of the day.

Minister Okada of Finance said that he's looked through the books and noted that there is a trade surplus, meaning that we are currently importing more than we are exporting, hinting at a weak manufacturing and production sector. The city is basically run off of money transfers of wealth, rather than production of wealth. His approach is to open up and expand trade, commercializing and industrializing so that District One can provide value to the City. There are plans to eventually establish a socialized healthcare system so that all can be treated at minimal cost, if any.

The District has received a new guest from District Three, who will be monitoring the stability of the district. Be on your best behavior, and be polite to all the new faces you meet.

Written by Diana Lansdowne