@clarke.griffin

[strove]

Thank you to Yalena for getting us sorted. [Sort of sorted. Sort of.] Now that we've arrived in New Tokyo and we're stuck inside for a little while, I think we should talk about some new changes that we're facing. I can't be the only one.

But first: a good number of us are here unwillingly, but we have to wait until we're fully prepped before we can go anywhere. Heading outside in these temperatures while unprepared could cost you your life. We all hate being trapped somewhere. I think that's pretty well-established. We also hate having to do anything or be anywhere when we didn't ask for that to happen. At least it doesn't seem like we were drugged, though it wouldn't hurt for Katelin and I to take some blood samples to confirm that. We'll have to store them until we get back.

As for the changes in your lives: have you noticed any? For instance, apparently I'm a lab tech at Giles Bell. I tried to set myself up for a new internship there that I could get easily, but I got ... elevated. Or hired beyond that? I'm not sure what the right terminology is here. Has anyone else noticed this? Or had it happen to them? I got permissions to take leaves from both of my jobs. And no, I'm really not prepared to work as a lab tech. I don't even know the first thing about setting up gels.

As a bit of a personal request ... does anyone think we can make pancakes in the small kitchen here? I have a craving for them. I've not really had cakes of the "pancake" variety before, but I want them now. And if you think we can, can you make them?

[This last bit is Loki's fault.]

Comments

[strove]

I just hope that change that Fitz is talking about isn't just evidence that the UNA intends to do more strikes. They weren't as subtle last time, and maybe they won't have to be this time.

[revlon]

If they're asking for neighbours to turn in their neighbours, colleagues to report on fellow colleagues, no, they won't have to be. They'll be perfectly welcome to march into our homes and offices because we invited them to do it.

[ There's centuries of precedent. Humanity refuses to learn from its past, after all. ]

[strove]

I think it would be a good idea to ask Morningstar if they know why this change happened. Maybe a reason was supplied for it in the shift over.

[revlon]

Fitz and I reached out as soon as we got oriented. When we realised there were some differences to our stories, we did our best to set them all straight. The submission form went online about two weeks ago, so it's still fairly recent — but not to any of our memories.

Gaby and El said it was in response to a number of things: public opinion in the wake of the September arrests (namely that they're aware Morningstar fought back); the unrest in UNC2 (the Mars colony) and the possibility of the pro-Morningstar sentiment there galvanising people on Earth; and the suspicion that the UNA are looking for more information on the organisation.

They seem unbothered by the development and I can't fathom why. I can't dismiss it as easily. Tactics like this were very recently employed in my present to great and terrible success. But with the initiative barely a month old, I suppose the best we can do is keep an eye on it and get ahead of it, if we can.

[strove]

I wonder why they're not concerned, but the world is fairly large. I've seen it done before with a much, much smaller population. It was successful there, but that's because there weren't a lot of options to the contrary left to the people. They could control where people lived and start shuffling them around, forcing them out into the open. I can't see that as a viable strategy here. And that's with all the surveillance.

Do they still have Morningstar agents captured? I know we managed to save most of them, but not all.

[revlon]

[ There are only 104 megacities. Peggy doesn't know how far Morningstar's reach extends, not when she's only been here a few short months, but if it's as far out as the colonies then it's safe to assume it has a finger in each pie down here, too. ]

The lack of concern could be the numbers, it could be the fact they've survived for decades. But we've got fresh eyes on the situation so I'm less inclined to let my guard down just yet. Particularly since the UN hasn't seen fit to disclose what they'll do with the names submitted. Unsurprising, of course.

And yes, it is possible our agents are still in their custody.

[ They could be dead. But they can't know for certain. Peggy has been keen to mount a rescue since the arrests but there hasn't been a clear path yet. This new development with the government may clear one with time and creativity. They might not even see it coming. Has Morningstar ever been so bold? She's not sure there, either. ]

[strove]

This is for you to consider, not me. [Opening up with a disclaimer. When there was a decisive split between the Displaced and Morningstar in how they would function, she felt some relief. At least it was fully acknowledged on all sides that their interests wouldn't always intersect. Morningstar's business isn't the Displaced's business. They can come together as allies, but should be treated as separate "people."] But it might be worth looking into whether they hope these forms will corroborate evidence, or tell them what they couldn't get before. Are agents mostly on a need to know basis, and if so, what does that mean in light of this?

And if these people did know more, it might mean the government doesn't have the coercive drug we're all very familiar with by now.

[Even if the drug itself is not known by any particular name.]

[revlon]

[ She's aware of the distinction and lays it out for people the moment they express interest in joining Morningstar. It's important, when the organisation is based in this world and its problems and signing up to help alleviate them is voluntary — not a requirement for the displaced and not a requirement for them to benefit from Morningstar's resources, either. She says our because they are her agents now, but perhaps she should have said my. Semantics to some but necessary moving forward with this new restructuring of an entire city's resistance network. ]

Information is carefully divided so as to not compromise the whole, yes.

[ Which isn't a secret, per se. It's the only explanation for the crop of local operatives who were untouched by the raids. Whoever the leak was only had access to a certain list and knew nothing of the displaced, which is why they were spared. Or it was intentional. Hard to say. ]

And that's an excellent point regarding the drug, Ms Griffin. I hadn't considered it. [ Not the government. Possibly not corporate. Private, with a foothold in both? She'll work with that. ] I understand you've been looking into tracing the manufacturer?

[strove]

I've been working on it since day one, but I haven't had any luck. I don't believe the components are going through the typical filters, or else someone among us would know already. I knew someone who went poking around as a janitor for a while before he disappeared. He didn't find any clues.

I may not be asking the right questions, but this means that the government may not be able to force the right questions.

Honestly? It adds up. We've already shown that they like to make things appear to be more ... above board than it really is. [Desperation versus outright coercion, basically.] Kate and I looked into how their soldiers are recruited. It fits.

[revlon]

They also like to make it look as though things are running smoothly when that isn't strictly true. The raids, before public opinion shifted along with the rest of our lives whilst on this train, left most people unsettled but unwilling to question the facts presented to them. There was no word of the arrests being less than successful after our interference.

[ Appearances are half the battle when it comes to politics, after all. Often more than half. ]

What about their recruitment practices fits, precisely?

[strove]

Keep in mind that I've seen what happens when people want warriors to do exactly as they want. They'll find a way to get them. Everything in my world is always on a smaller scale, but I don't believe the logic behind it changes.

But they recruit from the impoverished classes. They promise them a career and a life, but most don't see their families after that. The thing is, it's exploitative, but it's entirely voluntary.

[revlon]

And sadly not an uncommon tactic, either. I take it the soldiers aren't allowed a social media presence either?

[strove]

No. And they recruit just enough promising individuals from other avenues that it seems legitimate.

Not that they're ever seen again, either.

[revlon]

Are their families compensated in any way?

[strove]

I don't know.

[It's a hole in her inquiry.]

Given the lifetime assignment, I assume so, but they don't have contact with their family once they join up.

It's a good question to follow up on.

[Meaning: she will.]

[revlon]

It's a good incentive to join, especially if your family needs the help. With the reputation the UNA carries in this world, I could see it as softening a hard choice.

If you find out, would you let me know?

[strove]

I will.

One of the points that Kate made was that we need to remember these soldiers are human. I've fought wars, and I know it's not always as simple as that.

But knowing if they have family out there means we might need to make arrangements for them.

["We." Not because she's in Morningstar, but because, as Jack will later make clear, they might serve as the Displaced's enemy. Might. Clarke is still reluctant to assume they have to take them on just yet if they can avoid it.]

[revlon]

I never forget who's on the other end of a gun, Ms Griffin. It's the politics that complicate a war.

And yes, we ought to look into that as well.

[strove]

I'm glad to hear that. Not that I thought differently. Bu moving forward, I know I might have a hard time remembering, too.

[Even so: everyone has a reason to kill. Everyone has a reason to survive. It's hard to see what the UNA tell themselves to justify their actions, but Clarke is positive there's something.]

I'll hit up some people who answered my questions before to see what they say.